Breathable Air Safety System for Emergency Rescue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency personnel in enclosed structures face challenges with limited access to breathable air due to contamination and pressure issues with portable apparatuses, leading to reduced rescue efficiency and increased risk to lives.
Innovation Solution
A breathable air safety system that includes a supply unit for delivering compressed air, an air storage sub-system, and a fill station with secure chambers to prevent over-pressurization, along with an air monitoring system to track impurities and maintain system pressure, ensuring reliable and safe distribution of breathable air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If portable breathable air apparatuses are used by emergency personnel, then breathable air can be provided in enclosed structures, but the apparatuses become heavy (20-30 pounds) and deplete quickly (15-30 minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the breathable air supply into two parts: a stationary centralized compressed air storage system and portable refillable cylinders. The heavy compression and storage infrastructure remains fixed at the compressed air storage facility, while only lightweight empty cylinders need to be moved to emergency locations. This segmentation eliminates the need for emergency personnel to carry heavy filled air tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a centralized compressed air storage facility as an intermediary between the air source and emergency personnel. This facility stores compressed air in large tanks and provides breathable air through a network of distribution points and refill stations, eliminating the need for personnel to carry their own air supply infrastructure.
2Reliability
If emergency personnel use portable breathable air apparatuses, then they can operate in contaminated environments, but precious time is lost when apparatuses need replenishment
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores compressed breathable air in a centralized facility and in refillable cylinders positioned at strategic locations throughout the structure. Empty cylinders are ready for immediate exchange, and the compressed air infrastructure is pre-configured and pressurized, eliminating waiting time when personnel need air replenishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service air replenishment through automated or manual refill stations where personnel can quickly exchange empty cylinders for filled ones without requiring external assistance or waiting for air to be compressed on-site. The centralized facility automatically maintains pressurized air supply.
3Ease of operation
If spare portable breathable air apparatuses are stored throughout the structure, then emergency personnel can replace apparatuses within the structure, but the system becomes expensive and occupies valuable space
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal standardized cylinder interface and design that allows the same empty cylinder to be refilled and reused multiple times. This eliminates the need for storing multiple different apparatus types and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining ease of replacement through standardized quick-connect mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing multiple spare filled apparatuses, the system discards empty used cylinders and recovers them at centralized refill stations where they are quickly repressurized and returned to service. This reduces the total number of apparatuses needed in the structure while maintaining operational readiness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If compressed air is delivered to multiple locations, then breathable air access is improved, but system pressure may be compromised due to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the compressed air distribution into isolated zones with individual pressure control. Each distribution point or zone has its own pressure regulation mechanism, allowing air to be delivered to multiple locations without compromising the overall system pressure. Local pressure can be adjusted independently to compensate for leakage or demand variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure monitoring and control mechanisms at distribution points that provide feedback to the centralized storage facility. This allows automatic adjustment of compression output and pressure regulation to maintain optimal system pressure despite variations in demand or potential leakage, ensuring consistent breathable air delivery.
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 provides a reliable and efficient means of delivering breathable air to multiple locations within a structure, reducing the risk of contamination and pressure-related hazards, thereby enhancing rescue operations and ensuring the safety of emergency personnel.
Implementation Method 1
an air storage tank (1008) to provide storage of breathable air that is dispersible to the multiple locations of the structure
Implementation Method 2
a valve (408) to prevent leakage of the breathable air from the air distribution system (150, 250, 350) potentially leading to loss of system pressure
Implementation Method 3
A secure chamber (612) of the fill station (102A) may be a safety shield that confines a possible rupture of an over-pressurized breathable air apparatus within the secure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A breathable air safety system and method is disclosed. In an embodiment, a safety system of a structure includes a supply unit (100) of a structure to facilitate delivery of breathable air from a source of compressed air to an air distribution system (150, 250, 350) of the structure, a valve (408) to prevent leakage of the breathable air from the air distribution system (150, 250, 350) potentially leading to loss of system pressure, a fill station (102A) interior to the structure to provide the breathable air to a breathable air apparatus at multiple locations of the structure, and a distribution structure (104) that is compatible with use with compressed air that facilitates dissemination of the breathable air of the source of compressed air to multiple locations of the structure.