Internally mounted device for the supervison of a fire suppression system

Abstract

A supervised fire suppression system ( 10, 100 ) is disclosed that includes a discharge valve ( 14, 114 ) for controlling release of a fire extinguishing agent from a container ( 12 ), a control head ( 16, 116 ) operatively associated with the discharge valve for actuating the discharge valve in the event of a fire, wherein the control head may be removed from the discharge valve to facilitate inspection of the control head, and an internal supervisory switching device ( 130 ) mounted within the control head and configured to interact with the discharge valve to provide an indication that the control head has been removed from the discharge valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A supervised fire suppression system comprising:
 a) a discharge valve for controlling the release of a fire extinguishing agent from a container;   b) a control head operatively associated with the discharge valve for actuating the discharge valve in the event of a fire, wherein the control head may be disengaged from the discharge valve to facilitate inspection of the control head; and   c) an internal supervisory switching device mounted within the control head and configured to interact with the discharge valve to provide an indication when the control head has been disengaged from the discharge valve.   
     
     
         2 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the control head houses an electronic actuator that is operatively associated with the discharge valve for actuating the discharge valve in the event of a fire. 
     
     
         3 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the supervisory switching device includes an internal switch pin mounted for movement within a bore formed in the control head. 
     
     
         4 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the internal switch pin is mounted for movement between a first position corresponding to the control head being installed on the discharge valve and a second position corresponding to the control head being disengaged from the discharge valve. 
     
     
         5 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the supervisory switching device includes a micro switch that cooperates with the internal switch pin to provide an indication that the control head has been removed from the discharge valve. 
     
     
         6 . A supervised, fire suppression system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the micro switch that cooperates with the internal switch pin is disposed within an internal compartment formed in the control head. 
     
     
         7 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the micro switch that cooperates with the internal switch pin is disposed within an adjoined, housing adjacent to the control head. 
     
     
         8 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a slidable wedge is positioned within the adjoined housing between the micro switch and the internal switch pin to facilitate indirect cooperation between the micro switch and the switch pin. 
     
     
         9 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the switching device communicates with a control panel located remote from the control head where an indication relating to removal of the control head from the discharge valve is provided. 
     
     
         10 . A supervised fire suppression system comprising:
 a) a discharge valve for controlling the release of a fire extinguishing agent from a container;   b) a control head housing an electronic actuator that is operatively associated with the discharge valve for actuating the discharge valve in the event of a fire, wherein the control head may be removed from the discharge valve to facilitate inspection of the electronic actuator housed within the control head; and   c) an internal supervisory switching device including a micro switch housed within the control head and a cooperating internal switch pin mounted to interact with a surface of the discharge valve to provide an indication that the control head has been removed from the discharge valve.   
     
     
         11 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the internal switch pin is mounted for movement within a bore formed in the control head. 
     
     
         12 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the internal switch pin is mounted for movement between a first position corresponding to the control head being installed on the discharge valve and a second position corresponding to the control head being removed from the discharge valve. 
     
     
         13 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the micro switch that cooperates with the internal switch pin is disposed within an internal compartment formed in the control head. 
     
     
         14 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the switching device communicates with a control panel located remote from the control head where an indication relating to removal of the control head from the discharge valve is provided. 
     
     
         15 . A supervised fire suppression system comprising:
 a) a discharge valve for controlling the release of a fire extinguishing agent from a container;   b) a control head housing an electronic actuator that is operatively associated with the discharge valve for actuating the discharge valve in the event of a fire, wherein the control head may be removed from the discharge valve to facilitate inspection of the electronic actuator housed within the control head; and   c) a supervisory switching device including a micro switch housed adjacent to the control head and a cooperating internal switch pin mounted within the control head to interact with a surface of the discharge valve to provide an indication that the control head has been removed from the discharge valve.   
     
     
         16 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the internal switch pin mounted is for movement within a bore formed in the control head. 
     
     
         17 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the internal switch pin is mounted for movement between a first position corresponding to the control head being installed on the discharge valve and a second position corresponding to the control head being removed from the discharge valve. 
     
     
         18 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the micro switch that cooperates with the internal switch pin is disposed within an adjoined housing adjacent to the control head. 
     
     
         19 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a slidable wedge is positioned within the adjoined housing between the micro switch and the internal switch pin to facilitate indirect cooperation between the micro switch and the internal switch pin. 
     
     
         20 . A supervised fire suppression system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the switching device communicates with a control panel located remote from the control head where an indication relating to removal of the control head from the discharge valve is provided.