Aircraft Fire Suppression Mixture for Cargo Explosion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current alternatives to Halon 1301 for aircraft fire suppression systems fail to pass the United States Federal Aviation Administration's Aerosol Can Explosion Simulation Test, necessitating a new fire suppression method that can effectively suppress fires in aircraft cargo compartments without causing damage or leaving residues.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system that combines an inert gas source and a fire suppression agent source to form a mixture, which is simultaneously introduced into the cargo compartment, using a conduit network and controller to ensure effective distribution and concentration, capable of passing the simulation test.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative fire suppression agents are used to replace Halon 1301, then environmental harm is reduced, but the system fails to pass the Aerosol Can Explosion Simulation Test
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines inert gas and fire suppression agent into a unified fire suppression mixture that is delivered simultaneously to the cargo compartment. This merging allows the system to achieve both environmental benefits of alternative agents and the reliability required to pass the Aerosol Can Explosion Simulation Test through synergistic effects of the mixture components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the concentration parameters of the fire suppression mixture by precisely controlling the ratio of inert gas to fire suppression agent. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective fire suppression while maintaining compatibility with the Aerosol Can Explosion Simulation Test requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental harm reduction and test passage.
2Quantity of substance
If Halon 1301 is used as fire suppression agent, then fire suppression effectiveness is achieved at low concentrations, but ozone depletion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing Halon 1301 with alternative fire suppression agents that have lower or zero ozone depletion potential. The system maintains effective fire suppression by adjusting the concentration parameters of the alternative agents within the fire suppression mixture, thereby eliminating ozone depletion while preserving fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fire suppression mixture combining inert gas with alternative fire suppression agents. This composite approach allows the system to achieve the fire suppression effectiveness previously only attainable with Halon 1301 while using environmentally friendly alternatives that do not deplete the ozone layer.
3Reliability
If inert gas and fire suppression agent are combined in a mixture, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fire suppression system into distinct inert gas source and fire suppression agent source components, each with dedicated storage and delivery pathways. This segmentation allows for simplified management of each component while achieving effective fire suppression through their coordinated operation, thus reducing overall system complexity despite the mixture approach.
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 achieves a fire suppression mixture that can prevent explosions in aircraft cargo compartments, providing an effective alternative to Halon 1301 by maintaining an appropriate inerting concentration of fire suppression agent and added inert gas concentration, thus meeting the test criteria.
Implementation Method 1
an inert gas from the inert gas source and a fire suppression agent from the fire suppression agent source are at least partially combined to form a fire suppression mixture
Implementation Method 2
Halon 1301 is a clean fire suppression agent; it does not damage cargo or leave behind a residue. Furthermore, unlike inert gas-based fire suppression agents, such as carbon dioxide, Halon 1301 is effective in suppressing fires at relatively low concentrations (e.g., 3 to 10 percent by volume). Therefore, a breathable level of oxygen may remain after discharge of Halon 1301.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression system for an aircraft having a compartment, the fire suppression system including an inert gas source in selective fluid communication with the compartment and a fire suppression agent source in selective fluid communication with the compartment, wherein an inert gas from the inert gas source and a fire suppression agent from the fire suppression agent source are at least partially combined to form a fire suppression mixture.