Electric-Pneumatic Actuator Assembly for Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression system rupturing assemblies face issues with exposed electrical components, pressure losses, and safety hazards due to the puncturing pin, which increase maintenance requirements and pose risks during handling and installation.
Innovation Solution
A rupturing assembly with a housing that includes both electrical and pneumatic actuation, where electrical components are sealed from the environment, allowing for serial interconnection with a single pressurized gas source and featuring a puncturing assembly with a puncturing pin that can be safely handled and installed, preventing accidental discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electrical components are exposed in the rupturing assembly, then the assembly can be simpler in structure, but the maintenance requirements increase and reliability decreases due to exposure to harsh environment and pressurized gas
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first chamber for electrical components and a second chamber for pneumatic components, with a sealed partition between them. This segmentation allows electrical components to be isolated from the harsh pneumatic environment while maintaining structural organization and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed partition or diaphragm acts as an intermediary between the electrical and pneumatic chambers, allowing pneumatic pressure to be transmitted to the puncturing pin while preventing direct exposure of electrical components to pressurized gas and environmental contaminants.
2Reliability
If electrical components are sealed from the environment, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct sealed chambers, with the electrical components confined to a protected first chamber. This segmentation provides effective environmental protection while keeping the sealing structures localized and manageable rather than requiring complex sealing throughout the entire assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the puncturing pin is extended to actuated position, then the rupturing function is achieved, but safety hazards increase due to risk of injury and accidental discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes safety mechanisms that prevent accidental actuation of the puncturing pin. The pneumatic actuation system requires controlled pressure buildup and activation, preventing unintended extension of the puncturing pin that could cause injury or accidental discharge of pressurized gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic system acts as an intermediary between the control mechanism and the puncturing pin, providing controlled actuation. The pressurized gas transmitted through the sealed partition enables reliable puncturing while the controlled nature of pneumatic actuation reduces safety hazards compared to direct mechanical engagement.
4Productivity
If multiple rupturing assemblies are connected serially with a single pressurized gas source, then system efficiency improves, but pressure losses increase across the device
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed partition extracts or isolates the pneumatic pressure transmission path from the electrical components, creating a dedicated pressure transmission pathway. This allows multiple assemblies to be connected serially with minimal pressure loss, as the sealed design prevents leakage and maintains pressure integrity across interconnected systems.
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 solution enhances the reliability and safety of fire suppression systems by reducing maintenance needs, minimizing pressure losses, and ensuring safe operation and installation, enabling efficient serial connection of multiple assemblies with a single gas source.
Implementation Method 1
An electrically operated protracting actuation device having an electrical connector and a rod member is disposed within the housing
Implementation Method 2
the puncturing assembly translates from the retracted position to the actuated position upon either electrical operation of the protracting actuation device or the pressurized gas delivered to the at least one inlet acting on the head
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator assembly for use in fire suppression systems for use in vehicle and industrial fire protection systems. The actuator assembly engages a cartridge of pressurized gas and releases the gas contained therein with a puncturing assembly. The actuator assembly includes a receptacle that controls the manner in which the actuator assembly and cartridge engage one another. The actuator assembly is configured for electrical and pneumatic actuation for rupturing the seal of the cartridge of pressurized gas. The actuator assembly has a housing that includes at least one inlet port that is coupled to a pressurized gas source, which is formed between a first chamber for electrical components sealed from the operative environment of the actuator assembly and a second chambers for the puncturing assembly. The actuator assembly allows for serial interconnection of multiple actuator assemblies for operation by a single source of pressurized gas.