Integrated Air Handling Unit for Fire Suppression Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC systems have separate fire suppression and air conditioning systems, leading to increased complexity and cost in operation and maintenance, as well as limited space for equipment due to redundant systems.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air distribution system that incorporates a fire suppression system within the HVAC system, where a fire suppression agent is delivered through the air handling unit's air flow path, allowing simultaneous delivery of conditioned air and fire suppression agent to spaces, reducing equipment redundancy and footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fire suppression systems and HVAC systems are used, then fire suppression reliability is ensured, but device complexity and operation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fire suppression system and HVAC system into a single integrated unit. The fire suppression agent delivery mechanism is merged with the air handling unit, allowing both fire suppression and air conditioning functions to be performed by one system rather than two separate systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fire suppression reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The air handling unit is designed to perform multiple functions: both HVAC air conditioning and fire suppression agent delivery. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated separate equipment for fire suppression, reducing system complexity and operation costs while ensuring fire suppression capability remains reliable
2Reliability
If separate fire suppression systems and HVAC systems are used, then fire suppression function is ensured, but operation and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fire suppression system with the HVAC system into a single integrated air handling unit, the patent reduces the number of separate systems that require operation and maintenance. This consolidation decreases operational complexity and maintenance costs while preserving the fire suppression function through the integrated agent delivery mechanism
3Reliability
If separate fire suppression systems and HVAC systems are used, then fire suppression capability is ensured, but space for equipment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fire suppression equipment with the HVAC air handling unit, eliminating the need for separate fire suppression equipment in each space. This consolidation significantly reduces the equipment footprint and space requirements while maintaining fire suppression capability through the integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppression system components are nested within the HVAC air handling unit structure. The agent delivery mechanism is positioned inside the air handling unit, allowing fire suppression functionality to be contained within the existing HVAC equipment footprint, thereby minimizing additional space requirements
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 integration simplifies operations, reduces costs by eliminating the need for separate fire suppression equipment in each space, and optimizes space usage by consolidating systems, while ensuring effective fire suppression and air conditioning.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger disposed within the air flow path, and configured to flow a working fluid to facilitate heat exchange between the working fluid and the air flow
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an air handling unit having a housing that defines an air flow path therethrough, a heat exchanger disposed within the air flow path and configured to flow a working fluid therethrough, and a nozzle configured to deliver a fire suppression agent into the air flow path.