Aerial Fire Suppression Gas Generator Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firefighting systems for airborne vehicles face challenges due to limited space, weight constraints, and the need for rigorous certification, which complicates the design and implementation of effective and safe fire suppression systems.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression apparatus for airborne vehicles that uses a foam mixed with water, a foam proportioner for adjusting the foam-to-water ratio, and a gas generator producing gas from the combustion of fuel and oxidizer to expel the fire retardant, along with an aimable boom for precise targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressurized tanks or bottles or air compressors are used as a source for pressurized air in CAFS systems, then the fire suppression capability is enhanced, but the weight increases and payload capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressurization function from traditional heavy components (pressurized tanks, bottles, or mechanical compressors) and replaces it with a chemical reaction-based gas generator that produces pressurized gas on-demand, eliminating the need for carrying large pressurized air reservoirs
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the method of generating pressurized gas from mechanical compression or stored pressure to chemical combustion, fundamentally altering the parameter of how pressurization is achieved to reduce weight while maintaining effectiveness
2Length of stationary object
If pressurized tanks are used to propel water or water/foam mixture toward a distant target, then the discharge distance is increased, but the system complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a combustion chamber as an intermediary device that converts chemical energy from fuel and oxidizer into thermal energy and pressurized gas, which then propels the water/foam mixture without requiring complex mechanical pressurization systems or large pressurized tanks
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical pressurization systems (compressors, pump systems) with a chemical combustion-based pressurization method, substituting mechanical complexity with a controlled chemical reaction that produces the necessary pressure dynamically
3Reliability
If larger water tanks are carried aboard aircraft to provide sufficient water/foam mixture, then the fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but the weight increases and payload capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the aerial vehicle to generate its own pressurized gas supply on-demand through the gas generator, eliminating the need to carry large quantities of pressurized air or nitrogen tanks, thereby reducing weight while maintaining the ability to deliver effective fire suppression volumes
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
The system provides an efficient and effective means of fire suppression, overcoming space and weight limitations while ensuring safety and compliance with certification requirements, with the ability to deliver the fire retardant at a significant distance and with precise control.
Implementation Method 1
a gas generator for generating a gas for expelling the fire retardant from the vehicle toward a fire, the gas formed from the combustion of a fuel and an oxidizer in a combustion chamber associated with the gas generator
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression apparatus for fighting fires from a vehicle configured for flight is disclosed, comprising a foam and water held in separate containers aboard the vehicle that when mixed forms a fire retardant, a pump driven by an electric motor to pressurize the fire retardant, the pump including an air induction valve where air is drawn into a suction end of the pump and pressurized together with the fire retardant, and an aimable boom connected to the pump by a conduit, the boom including a nozzle on a distal end of the boom from which the pressurized fire retardant and air is dispensed toward a target.