Aircraft Fire Suppression Flow Control via Ambient Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low rate discharge (LRD) fire suppression systems in aircraft do not adequately account for ambient temperature and pressure variations, leading to inconsistent fire suppression agent concentration, which can result in inadequate fire mitigation and propagation prevention.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system with a flow control mechanism that adjusts the mass flow rate of the fire suppression agent based on temperature and pressure conditions, utilizing a poppet valve and controller to regulate the flow through an orifice, ensuring a minimum concentration of 3% fire suppression agent in the aircraft compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a constant mass flow rate is used to provide minimum concentration, then the fire suppression agent concentration is maintained at undesirable operating conditions, but the system does not adapt to actual ambient parameters such as temperature and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static constant mass flow rate to a dynamic flow control mechanism that continuously adjusts the mass flow rate based on real-time temperature and pressure sensor inputs. The controller modifies the poppet valve position to maintain optimal fire suppression agent concentration despite changing ambient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature and pressure sensors continuously monitor ambient conditions and feed this information to the controller, which then adjusts the mass flow rate accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the fire suppression agent concentration remains within the required range by adapting to actual operating conditions.
2Reliability
If the mass flow rate is adjusted to account for temperature and pressure variations, then the fire suppression agent concentration consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the ambient temperature and pressure conditions themselves as the control input, eliminating the need for complex external control systems. The sensors directly measure environmental parameters and the controller automatically adjusts the mass flow rate based on these measurements, making the system self-regulating without requiring complex manual intervention or external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mass flow rate parameter in response to changes in temperature and pressure parameters. By directly adjusting the mass flow rate based on environmental parameter variations, the system maintains consistent fire suppression agent concentration while using a relatively simple control approach rather than complex system architecture.
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 effectively maintains a consistent fire suppression agent concentration by varying the mass flow rate in response to changing ambient conditions, enhancing fire mitigation and prevention across different aircraft operational environments.
Implementation Method 1
A fire suppression system with a flow control mechanism that adjusts the mass flow rate of the fire suppression agent based on temperature and pressure conditions, utilizing a poppet valve and controller to regulate the flow through an orifice
Data Source
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AI summary
In various embodiments, a fire suppression system (110) includes a high rate discharge system (140) and a low rate discharge system (130). The low rate discharge system (130) may comprise components that are capable of varying mass flow of a fire suppression agent in term of the ambient conditions of the aircraft structure. In this regard, the low rate discharge system (130) may comprise a valve (160; 260) that is configured to sense at least one of the ambient pressure and ambient temperature of an aircraft structure.