Cartridge Status Indicator for Fire Suppression Visual Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire suppression systems for commercial cooking applications face challenges in visually inspecting whether disposable cartridges are fully pressurized, as existing systems lack a method to determine if the cartridges have been discharged and need replacement, which is critical for ensuring the system's readiness and compliance with testing standards.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with a status indicator that changes state upon discharge, allowing for visual inspection through a physical parameter change, such as temperature or humidity, and is connected to a visual indicator for easy monitoring, ensuring timely replacement of the cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If no status indicator is provided on the cartridge, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to visually inspect cartridge pressure status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing indicators (such as phase-change materials or chemical indicators) on the cartridge body that change color or appearance based on pressure status. When the cartridge is pressurized, the indicator shows one state (e.g., colored), and when discharged, it transitions to another state (e.g., colorless or different color), enabling visual inspection without adding complex electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes physical parameter changes (temperature, pressure, or chemical state) of indicator materials in response to cartridge pressure changes. The indicator material's physical properties change when exposed to pressurized gas versus discharged state, providing a visual signal of cartridge status without requiring complex measurement systems.
2Measurement precision
If the cartridge requires removal for inspection, then the measurement precision of cartridge status is improved, but the loss of time for inspection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge provides self-indication of its status through visual indicators integrated on its body. The cartridge itself serves the function of indicating its pressure status, eliminating the need for removal or external inspection equipment. Inspectors can visually assess cartridge status directly through the indicator while the cartridge remains installed in the fire suppression system.
3Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to the cartridge, then the ease of operation for monitoring is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple color-changing materials or phase-change indicators that provide clear visual differentiation between pressurized and discharged states. These indicators use inherent material properties rather than complex electronic displays, maintaining simplicity while significantly improving monitoring ease through intuitive color or appearance changes.
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 status indicator provides a clear visual indication of the cartridge's state, ensuring that discharged cartridges are replaced, thereby maintaining the fire suppression system's functionality and compliance with testing standards, without requiring removal from operational positions.
Implementation Method 1
the status indicator includes at least one thermo-sensitive ink and wherein the change from the first state to the second state by the status indictor is defined by at least a portion of the at least one thermo-sensitive ink changing from a first color to a second color
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge with a status indicator, a fire suppression system for incorporating the same, and a method of inspecting whether a fire suppression system is capable of being actuated are provided. The status indicator is connected to the body of the cartridge. The status indicator defines a first state and a second state. The status indicator undergoes a change from the first state to the second state when exposed to a physical change. The physical change may include at least one of a decrease in temperature beyond a threshold, an increase in relative humidity beyond a threshold, and a threshold differential temperature change. The physical change is caused by the discharge of the cartridge. When installed within a fire suppression system, the status indicator enables the visual inspection of whether the fire suppression system is capable of being actuated.