Improving the Delivery of Fire-Extinguishing Media

TLX designed a fast, high-latching force component to replace pyrotechnic burst devices in fire suppression applications

Fire inferno 1

Customer Problem

A fire systems manufacturer wanted to replace the pyrotechnic device that opens a Shrader valve on a cylinder of compressed extinguishing medium. The new component needed a faster response time and higher latching force than the pyrotechnic device.

The TLX Solution

Our engineers developed a latching solenoid with an optional manual valve actuator. The solenoid remained in the latched position, without power, until receiving a signal from the control panel. Once released, the latching solenoid opened the cylinder valve, discharging the extinguishing medium into the system. Faster response time allowed the extinguishing media to open larger valves to other cylinders, directly acting on suppression of the event. If necessary, an emergency release button on the latching solenoid could be used to manually depress the cylinder valve. The system could then be reset once the solenoid was manually returned to the latched position.

In addition to having a higher latching force and working at a lower current, on smaller capacitors, the TLX solenoid cost less than the component from the manufacturer’s original offshore supplier. This custom latching solenoid design is now a UL recognized component and is tested in accordance with UL508.

Latching Solenoid with Burst Pin

Latching Solenoid with Burst Pin

Stroke (designed to spec)
5.1 ± .635 mm
Supply voltage
28 Vdc
Coil resistance at 20°C
25.7 ± 2.0 Ω
Operating temperature range
-40°C to 60°C
Latching force
> 578 N
Manual override force
33.36-178 N max.
Spring load (de-latched)
333 N reference
Spring load (latched)
489 ± 66.7 N min.
Connector type
MPM B213060N2

All TLX components are customized to fit system requirements, meaning technical specifications are unique to each customer and design. Examples given on our website are for illustration purposes only.

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