Air Mover Device With Directional Control And Sparger For Fire Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current firefighting methods and technologies are inadequate for effectively controlling and managing the increasing complexity and size of wildland fires, as they rely heavily on suppressants and retardants with limited inventory and do not efficiently utilize air movement to redirect or control fire behavior.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses a high-volume, high-velocity air mover with directional control and a sparger unit to inject suppressants or retardants into the airstream, allowing for selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the airstream to control or redirect fire progression, featuring a removable nozzle and air rudder for precise directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-rate suppressant discharge is used to extinguish fire, then fire extinguishing effectiveness is improved, but suppressant inventory is depleted within minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using air movement to redirect fire behavior before suppressant is applied. The air stream modifies fire progression patterns, creating more favorable conditions for suppressant application and reducing the total suppressant needed. This is achieved through the air mover device that generates controlled air streams to influence fire behavior in advance of suppressant discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air as an intermediary substance between the fire and the suppressant. The air stream acts as a mediator that modifies fire behavior, redirects flame paths, and creates optimal conditions for suppressant application. This intermediary air stream reduces the direct burden on suppressant inventory by pre-conditioning the fire environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If air stream is used to redirect fire, then fire control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fire control function into distinct operational modes: air stream generation for fire redirection, suppressant discharge for direct extinguishment, and combined modes. The air mover device can operate independently or in conjunction with suppressant systems, allowing flexible deployment based on fire conditions without requiring all components to be integrated in a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The air mover device serves multiple functions: it generates air streams for fire redirection, provides a platform for suppressant discharge, and can be configured for different fire scenarios. The same basic device structure supports various operational configurations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Speed
If suppressant is discharged at high rate, then fire extinguishing speed is improved, but suppressant inventory depletes rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream is used preliminarily to redirect fire behavior and modify combustion patterns before suppressant application. This pre-conditioning of the fire environment enhances suppressant effectiveness, allowing lower discharge rates to achieve the same extinguishing results, thereby conserving suppressant inventory while maintaining extinguishing speed.
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
Enables prolonged and effective fire control by utilizing infinite air supply, reducing fire intensity and spread, and promoting back-burn efforts with controlled airflow, providing a safer and more efficient means of firefighting compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
an air mover to produce a high volume and high velocity airstream
Implementation Method 2
A sparger element is provided to selectively inject a fire suppressant or retardant into the airstream
Implementation Method 3
an air rudder, and a directional control assembly for mounting the air mover that enables selective horizontal positioning of the airstream and selective vertical adjustment of 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 and/or a directional control assembly 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, balancing feet, a removable nozzle, 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.