Close-Proximity Fire Suppression Nozzle for Wide Hazard Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire suppression systems in vehicles often fail to effectively protect large areas within confined spaces due to nozzles with narrow spray angles, leading to inadequate coverage and the need for additional nozzles or suboptimal placement, which can leave hazards unprotected.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system with nozzles having a wide spray angle of approximately 120 degrees, allowing effective suppression of fires within a large area while maintaining close proximity to hazards, thereby reducing the number of nozzles required and optimizing their placement within the vehicle's engine compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If nozzles with narrow spray angles are used, then the spray is concentrated, but the coverage area is limited and additional nozzles are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spray angle parameter of the nozzle from a narrow angle to a wide angle of approximately 120 degrees. This parameter change allows a single nozzle to cover a much larger area, eliminating the need for multiple nozzles and reducing system complexity while maintaining effective fire suppression coverage.
2Reliability
If nozzles are placed farther from hazards, then safety is improved, but suppression effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the nozzle in close proximity to the hazard (within 24 inches, preferably within 8 inches) to ensure immediate and effective suppression. The wide spray angle distributes the suppressant evenly across the hazard area, creating an equipotential suppression effect that protects the nozzle from direct fire exposure while maintaining effectiveness.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple nozzles are used to cover large areas, then coverage is improved, but system weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple nozzles into a single nozzle by employing a wide spray angle of approximately 120 degrees. This single nozzle can cover the same area that would previously require multiple nozzles, significantly reducing system weight, installation complexity, and cost while maintaining comprehensive fire protection coverage.
4Area of stationary object
If more fire suppressant agent is used, then suppression coverage is improved, but payload capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spray angle parameter to approximately 120 degrees, which optimizes the distribution and coverage of the fire suppressant agent. This parameter change allows the existing volume of suppressant to cover a larger area more effectively, eliminating the need to increase suppressant quantity while maintaining or improving coverage area.
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 comprehensive fire protection with reduced overspray and lower weight and cost, enabling faster cooling of hazards and increased payload capacity by requiring fewer nozzles and less fire suppressant agent, while maintaining effective suppression even in confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle having an outlet at least selectively fluidly coupled to the tank and configured to release a spray of the fire suppressant therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, a series of tractive elements coupled to the chassis, a hazard coupled to the chassis, and a fire suppression system. The fire suppression system includes a tank configured to contain a volume of fire suppressant, a nozzle having an outlet at least selectively fluidly coupled to the tank and configured to release a spray of the fire suppressant therefrom, and an activator configured to selectively release the fire suppressant from the tank such that at least a portion of the fire suppressant passes through the outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is oriented such that the spray is directed toward the hazard. The nozzle is positioned less than 8 inches away from the hazard.