Air Mover Device with Directional Control for Fire Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current firefighting technologies are inadequate for managing the increased size and complexity of wildland fires, as they rely on limited suppressant and retardant inventories and lack effective means for controlling fire direction and progression, especially in diverse environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device that utilizes a high-volume, high-velocity air mover with directional control surfaces and a sparger unit to inject suppressants or retardants into the airstream, enabling optimal air flow management and fire control, including the ability to redirect flame fronts and promote back-burns, with a focus on air as an infinite resource for extended operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high velocity air stream is produced by a centrifugal fan, then the air stream can extinguish fire with aerosol spray, but the suppressant inventory would be depleted within minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream is segmented into multiple zones with different velocities and functions. A high-velocity core stream provides fire suppression, while lower velocity outer regions provide cooling and smoke management. This segmentation allows the system to use suppressant more efficiently by concentrating it where most needed while using air flow for extended duration in other zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes air stream parameters (velocity, volume, direction) based on fire conditions. By adjusting the air mover operating parameters, the system can switch between high-velocity suppressant delivery mode and lower-velocity extended operation mode, thereby extending suppressant inventory duration while maintaining effectiveness.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a high volume air stream is used for fire control, then the operation can be extended indefinitely using air as resource, but directional control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The air rudders are designed as dynamic, adjustable surfaces that can change angle and position during operation. This allows the system to maintain simple overall structure while achieving complex directional control through real-time adjustment of rudder angles, enabling extended operation with versatile fire control capability.
3Length of moving object
If suppressant is discharged at high rate for long distance, then fire can be extinguished at range, but much of the aerosol evaporates before reaching flames
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream acts as an intermediary carrier that protects and transports suppressant aerosol from the discharge point to the fire. By embedding the suppressant within a controlled air stream, the system delivers aerosol effectively over distance without premature evaporation, as the air stream maintains aerosol integrity throughout transit.
4Productivity
If current firefighting methods focus on extinguishing flames with suppressants, then immediate fire suppression is achieved, but fire direction and progression control is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The air mover system performs multiple functions: fire suppression through suppressant delivery, fire direction control through adjustable air streams, smoke management, and cooling. This multi-functionality allows the system to both rapidly suppress flames and control fire behavior progression, addressing both immediate suppression needs and strategic fire management.
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 solution provides extended firefighting capabilities by controlling fire behavior and progression, redirecting flames, and promoting back-burns with a high-volume, high-velocity airstream, allowing for more efficient and controlled fire mitigation and suppression, independent of limited suppressant inventories.
Implementation Method 1
an air mover to produce a high volume and high velocity airstream
Implementation Method 2
a sparger element that selectively injects a fire suppressant or retardant into the airstream
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes an air mover device used for fire mitigation and protection. The core component is an air mover unit whose discharge airstream can be positioned using air rudders to provide air flows in optimum directions and capacity to counter unwanted fire progression or to promote fires in cases of back-burns. Additional support components include a power supply, its fuel source, a speed control mechanism for the air mover, an air mover inlet protective screen, a sparger unit to impart suppressant or retardant into the airstream, and instrumentation and controls to ensure function and safety of equipment and personnel. This device can be on a static or mobile platform, towed or self-propelled and can be locally or remotely controlled.