Compact Fire Suppression System for Residential Kitchens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential fire suppression systems are often cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to install, making them unsuitable for widespread adoption in kitchens where 25-30% of fires originate, and existing miniaturized systems require professional installation.
Innovation Solution
A compact fire suppression system comprising a housing for a container of fire suppression material, a thermal indicator, and an actuator that disperses the material through nozzles upon detecting heat, allowing for easy installation and operation without technical support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercial fire suppression systems are used in residential settings, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential fire suppression function from complex commercial systems by using a simple pressurized container with a rupture disk and nozzle assembly. This eliminates unnecessary commercial system components while retaining core fire suppression capability, achieving both effectiveness and simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppression system is nested within an existing kitchen cabinet structure, utilizing the cabinet space for housing the container and mounting the nozzle assembly. This integration reduces installation complexity by leveraging existing infrastructure rather than requiring separate dedicated space.
2Ease of operation
If miniaturized fire suppression systems are developed for residential use, then installation difficulty is reduced, but system cost and complexity remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a pressurized container, a rupture disk, a nozzle assembly, and a simple actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows for easier installation and maintenance while reducing overall system complexity compared to integrated commercial systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a simple manual actuator that allows end-users to discharge the suppressant without requiring technical expertise. The rupture disk provides automatic activation based on pressure, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls or professional installation.
3Reliability
If professional installation is required for fire suppression systems, then system reliability is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-assembled and pre-pressurized during manufacturing, with the rupture disk and nozzle configuration optimized for immediate operation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly and calibration, reducing installation time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a disposable pressurized container with a single-use rupture disk. After activation, the entire container is replaced rather than repaired, simplifying installation to a simple swap operation that maintains reliability without requiring technical expertise or extended installation time.
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 effective fire suppression with minimal installation requirements, lower costs, and simpler maintenance, capable of rapidly extinguishing kitchen fires while protecting against loss of life and property damage.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal indicator coupled to the power supply and operable to: detect the presence of a fire, generate a first signal indicating the presence of the fire
Implementation Method 2
an actuator coupled to the power supply, the actuator in communication with the thermal indicator and configured to cause the fire suppression material to be transferred from the container to the delivery block in response to receipt of the first signal
Implementation Method 3
a nozzle in fluid communication with the delivery block and configured to disperse the fire suppression material from the delivery block
Data Source
AI summary
Fire suppression systems and methods are described. One described system includes a housing configured to house a container of a fire suppression material, a delivery block in fluid communication with the container, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the delivery block and configured to disperse the fire suppression material from the delivery block. The described system can also include a power supply; a thermal indicator coupled to the power supply and operable to: detect the presence of a fire, generate a first signal indicating the presence of the fire, and transmit the first signal; and an actuator coupled to the power supply, the actuator in communication with the thermal indicator and configured to cause the fire suppression material to be transferred from the container to the delivery block in response to receipt of the first signal.