The object of the present report is a device for activating gas-generating pyrotechnic cartridges, for manual and/or automatic activation, and for special use in fixed installations; more specifically, it will be configured as an element for the activation by electrical discharge of disposable pyrotechnic cartridges whose purpose is to generate inert gases for the signalling or extinguishing of fire or fire outbreaks; and which is designed to be activated once it receives a start signal from a flame detector, smoke detector or pyrolysis detector, or even an alarm, which generates a subsequent activation, either manually or remotely, by sending an electric discharge that initiates the combustion of the cartridges.

Nowadays, in the field of fire prevention and/or firefighting, there are multiple electronic devices whose purpose is to detect and send a signal (acoustic or luminous) instantaneously or remotely that enables the detection of fire or its derivatives.

In the state of the art, there is a huge multitude of solutions for extinguishing small fires depending on the type of fire that originates it. The types of fire that we can find are determined according to the physical state of the fuels that cause them, so we can define 3 classes basically: class A, fires caused by solid fuels such as wood, cardboard, paper, fabrics, etc.; class B, caused by liquid fuels such as petrol, alcohol, waxes, greases, etc.; and class C, caused by gaseous fuels such as butane, natural gas, propane, methane, etc.

Although electrical fires are not categorised, they should also be taken into account because of their frequency of occurrence.

In order to extinguish such fires, the applicant is aware of various techniques and means for their extinguishing, including the one described in utility model ES 1265524U of the same applicant, which describes a fire extinguishing cartridge operated by an actuating device characterised in that it comprises a compacted pyrotechnic composition generating extinguishing gases inside a container, where said container is closed by a throttling closure at the top and by pyroelectric activation means at the base.

The invention described here is designed to house and activate, automatically or manually, the whole range of cartridges (such as the one described above) of different sizes depending on the volume to be flooded, in an efficient and safe manner, by means of electronic initiation. Likewise, its magnetic fixing will allow easy replacement when the cartridges have been used or need to be checked periodically. This magnetic fastening guarantees the contact of the activation connections at all times if the element containing the cartridges is subjected to shocks or vibrations.

The technical problem solved by the present invention is the simple and effective activation of pyroelectric initiation cartridges, such as the CEX40-A fire extinguishing cartridge activated by electric discharge (and quickly replaceable). For this purpose, the device for activating gas-generating pyrotechnic cartridges, which is the subject of the present invention, comprises a body which serves as a housing for a number of electronic cartridges located in compartments which, in their lower part, incorporate connection terminals which are connected to electrical means available in the cartridge, the base of the housing of the cartridges being magnetic; and where the body has centring cones that are configured as a means of positioning the cartridges of compacted pyrotechnic composition generating extinguishing gases, these, together with the powerful magnet at the base of the housing, ensure the correct location of the cartridges and their sealing; and where finally, next to these cones, in their upper part, there are channels designed to focus and direct the inert gases to the place where they are required, or direct exit nozzles if there is no need to channel the gases.

In practice, once the cartridges are housed in the body and connected to the terminals, once the electrical activation signal has been received, the cartridge will burn, generating an energetic projection of inert gases that flood the space where the gas outlet has been located.

The device presented here will be configured as an activation platform for this type of cartridge or other cartridges of different sizes and similar functionality, resolving the activation manoeuvres, projection of the effect to the desired place and quick replacement of the cartridges once they have been used.

Therefore, the device recommended here has the advantage of being able to implement any type of logic that allows its activation, for example, an approved flame detector, or a fixed extinguishing device based on the detection of elements derived from pyrolysis that discriminates between hundreds of electrical cabinets, which is the one that should receive the discharge of extinguishing gases. All of them are proven alarm detection and management devices.

This device has the function of electronically activating the cartridges selected according to the volume to be flooded. When these consumables are activated automatically, the certainty of immediacy is obtained, avoiding the evolution of the possible fire and eradicating it when it is still an outbreak of fire, avoiding major damage both personal and structural.

Due to the large number of different installations that can be found, it may be considered preferable in some of them to detect and activate manually after due checks, a circumstance that is resolved by the present invention with remote activation, and therefore making it a versatile tool capable of being used regardless of whether the activation mode is carried out manually or automatically, on site or remotely.

The following is a very brief description of a series of drawings which help to better understand the invention and which relate expressly to an embodiment of said invention which is presented as a non-limiting example thereof.

• FIG 1. Shows a view of a device for activating gas-generating pyrotechnic cartridges, in a closed position and ready for use.
• FIG 2. Shows a view of the device for activating gas-generating pyrotechnic cartridges, in an open position to enable cartridge exchange, maintenance or other tasks necessary to enable proper operation of the device.

A non-limiting preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached figures. More specifically, the device for activating gas-generating pyrotechnic cartridges, which is the subject of this memory, comprises a body (1) which serves as a housing for a number of electronic cartridges with a metal base (2) placed on a compartmentalised base (3) and which is magnetised by the presence of a magnet, which allows the optimum positioning of the cartridges (2) , and where, the compartmentalised base (3) in its lower part incorporates connection terminals (6) which will be connected to the electrical means available in the cartridge (2) and therefore, being configured as an activation system for the cartridges (2) themselves.

In a preferred embodiment, the body (1) has centring cones (4) which are configured as a means of positioning the cartridges (2) of compacted pyrotechnic composition generating extinguishing gases, and where the function of the said cones (4) is to ensure correct positioning of the cartridges (2) and their sealing.

The cones (4) are followed by channels (5) designed to focus and direct the inert gases to the place where they need to be used.

In one particular embodiment, the body (1) incorporates direct gas outlet nozzles on its upper part, without ducting.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection terminals (6) must have a current sufficient to ensure the activation of the cartridge (2) and where, in this practical embodiment, the minimum current that must flow is 1,3 V.

In a practical, non-limiting embodiment, the body (1) incorporates a battery to supply the connection terminals (6) with the minimum current required to activate the cartridges (2).

In one practical embodiment, the compartmentalised base (3) is capable of being moved to facilitate the exchange of cartridges (2) .