Ember Detector Device Infrared Sensor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental fires, particularly in grasslands and forests, pose significant risks to property and life, and contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, as embers can ignite structures before direct flames arrive, leading to uncontrolled fires and increased carbon dioxide production.
Innovation Solution
An ember detector device equipped with an infrared sensor, hygrometer, 360° cone mirror, and electronic controller, which detects reflected infrared photons and ambient humidity to generate alert signals, triggering an ember extinguishing system to prevent ignition and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fire suppression systems are used to protect buildings from embers, then the building is protected from fire, but the systems require manual activation and response time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of embers using the infrared sensor before they can ignite the building. The sensor continuously monitors for thermal signatures of approaching embers, allowing the system to activate the fire suppression mechanism in advance, eliminating the need for manual response and ensuring automatic protective action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical fire suppression systems with an automated electronic detection and response system. The infrared sensor electronically detects thermal radiation from embers, and the controller automatically activates the suppression system, substituting human reaction with electronic sensing and automated control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fire suppression systems are activated to extinguish embers, then the risk of building ignition is reduced, but greenhouse gas emissions increase due to burning buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting embers before they reach and ignite the building. The infrared sensor identifies the thermal signature of approaching embers, and the controller activates the suppression system in advance to neutralize the threat, preventing the harmful effect of building ignition and the subsequent generation of greenhouse gases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful thermal radiation from embers into a beneficial detection signal. The infrared sensor uses the very heat radiation that makes embers dangerous as the detection mechanism, allowing early identification and suppression of the threat before it causes environmental harm through building combustion.
3Device complexity
If manual fire suppression is used, then system complexity is low, but the ability to effectively fight ember attacks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automating the entire fire suppression process. The infrared sensor continuously monitors for embers, the controller automatically processes the detection signal and activates the suppression system without human intervention, allowing the system to protect itself and the building autonomously, significantly improving firefighting effectiveness.
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 device effectively reduces the risk of ember-induced fires by extinguishing falling embers and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions by automating the fire suppression process, allowing for more focused firefighting efforts and protecting structures and lives.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared sensor configured to detect a reflected infrared photon and to generate an infrared sensor output signal
Implementation Method 2
a 360° cone mirror configured to reflect an incident infrared photon as the reflected infrared photon
Implementation Method 3
a lens configured to focus the reflected infrared photon onto the infrared sensor
Implementation Method 4
a hygrometer configured to detect ambient humidity and to generate a hygrometer output signal
Data Source
AI summary
Embers created by fires, particularly fires in environments such as grassland, bushland, and forests, can lead to the loss of property and animal and human lives. In addition to the loss of property and lives, fires caused by embers lead to an increase in greenhouse gasses, an increase in the risk associated with an ember attack and/or a fire, and a reduced ability to effectively fight an ember attack and/or a fire. The concept bush/wildfire should be understood to include forest fires, grassland fires, and the like. The present disclosure relates to an ember detector device, a bush/wild fire detection and threat management system, and methods of reducing greenhouse gasses, reducing the risk associated with an ember attack and/or a fire, and enhancing an ability to effectively fight an ember attack and/or a fire.