Asymmetric Diffuser Fluid Mist Nozzle for Fire Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire protection systems using fluid mist nozzles often result in uneven mist distribution, leading to excessive wetting of ceilings and inadequate coverage of floors and walls, which can be inefficient in firefighting.
Innovation Solution
A sidewall fluid mist nozzle design featuring an asymmetric diffuser with a specific depth-to-height ratio and open end flow channels, which directs more droplets laterally and downward, minimizing ceiling wetting while ensuring effective floor and wall coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional symmetric diffuser is used in a fluid mist nozzle, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the mist distribution is uneven causing excessive ceiling wetting and inadequate floor/wall coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the diffuser with an asymmetric impact end that has different surface geometries on opposite sides. One side has a convex surface while the other has a concave surface, creating unequal flow channels that direct more droplets downward and laterally toward floors and walls, while reducing upward droplet spray toward ceilings. This asymmetric configuration resolves the contradiction by achieving uniform mist distribution across different surfaces without complicating the manufacturing process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the diffuser depth-to-height ratio is increased to improve mist distribution control, then droplet directionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the depth-to-height ratio at different locations of the diffuser. The impact end has a greater depth-to-height ratio to enhance droplet breakup and directionality control, while other portions of the diffuser maintain simpler geometries. This localized variation in geometric complexity achieves improved mist distribution control without unnecessarily increasing the overall device complexity.
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 nozzle achieves a balanced mist distribution with more droplets below and laterally, providing efficient cooling and wetting of floors and walls while restricting droplet spray on ceilings, enhancing firefighting effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The diffuser has an impact end and a discharge end spaced apart from one another to define a depth of the diffuser extending along a diffuser axis aligned parallel with the nozzle axis
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A fluid mist nozzle (10) comprises a frame (12) having a body (14) defining an inlet (16) having, an outlet (18) and a passageway (20) extending between the inlet (10) and the outlet (18) along a nozzle axis (A-A). The frame (12) includes an apex (26) axially spaced from the outlet (18) with a pair of frame arms (28) extending from the body (14) to the apex (26). The pair of arms (28) are equidistantly spaced about a first bisecting plane that bisects the body (14). The pair of arms (28) are aligned in a second bisecting plane that bisects the body (14) and is perpendicular to the first bisecting plane to define an intersection of the first and second bisecting planes being aligned along the nozzle axis. The mist muzzle (10) further comprises a diffuser (100) disposed internally to the frame between the body (14) and the apex (26). The diffuser (100) has an impact end (102) opposed to and spaced from the outlet (18) and a discharge end (104) axially spaced from the impact end (102) along a diffuser axis aligned parallel with the nozzle axis. The impact end (104) is asymmetric with respect to at least one of the first bisecting plane or second bisecting plane.