Acoustic Wave Fire Suppression Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire extinguishing technologies rely on chemical agents that are costly, environmentally damaging, and require frequent replenishment, posing risks to equipment and personnel, especially in confined spaces like spacecraft.

Innovation Solution

The use of acoustic waves, specifically longitudinal waves in the 20 Hz-160 Hz frequency range, to disrupt chemical reactions and extinguish fires without chemicals, utilizing a device comprising a transducer, wave enhancer, and vortex nozzle to focus acoustic power and suppress flames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical agents are used to extinguish fires, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but environmental damage and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical fire suppression systems with an acoustic wave-based system. A transducer generates longitudinal acoustic waves that propagate through a wave enhancer (such as a tube or horn) to create high-intensity sound pressure that disrupts combustion chemistry and extinguishes flames, eliminating the need for harmful chemical agents while maintaining fire suppression effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes specific parameter ranges of acoustic waves (frequency, amplitude, and duration) to achieve fire suppression. By controlling the transducer to generate longitudinal waves within specific parameters and using a wave enhancer to amplify these waves, the system creates sufficient acoustic intensity to disrupt combustion without requiring chemical substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If chemical extinguishing agents are used, then fire suppression is achieved, but equipment damage and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression capabilityVSAvoidequipment damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effects of intense acoustic energy, which would normally be considered noise pollution or potentially damaging, into a beneficial fire suppression mechanism. The high-intensity longitudinal acoustic waves create pressure variations and cavitation effects that disrupt combustion, turning what could be a harmful physical phenomenon into an effective and clean fire extinguishing method

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If traditional fire extinguishing methods are used, then fires are suppressed, but frequent replenishment is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression functionVSAvoidoperational duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic wave generation system is self-sustaining in terms of operational duration. Once the transducer is powered, it can continuously generate longitudinal acoustic waves without requiring replenishment of consumable materials. The system draws power from an electrical source and maintains fire suppression capability as long as power is supplied, eliminating the frequent refilling requirements of chemical extinguishing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively extinguishes fires without leaving residues or requiring chemical refills, enhancing safety by eliminating the hazards associated with traditional extinguishing agents and providing a more sustainable fire suppression solution.

Implementation Method 1

A transducer can be configured to receive a signal and output a longitudinal wave based on the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave generation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

The wave enhancer can be configured to direct the longitudinal wave into a form having lower attenuation in a medium than the longitudinal wave as output from the transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave propagation and attenuation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS10569115B2Methods and systems for disrupting phenomena with waves

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 FORCE SV

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for disrupting phenomena are disclosed. An example device can comprise a transducer configured to receive a signal and output a longitudinal wave based on the signal. The example device can comprise a wave enhancer coupled to the transducer and configured to direct the longitudinal wave into a form having lower attenuation in a medium than the longitudinal wave as output from the transducer.