Extractor Duct Firefighting With Angled Multi-Outlet Spray Nozzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire protection devices for ducts face limitations in sealing large cross-sections and distributing extinguishing agents effectively, especially in ducts with flammable materials, while seawater use is limited due to corrosion concerns and high operating pressure increases installation costs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of spray mist nozzles with multiple outlets, each with a predetermined K-factor, aligned at angles, to enhance extinguishing agent distribution and reduce installation effort, using stainless steel for durability and optimizing nozzle placement and alignment for efficient firefighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fire protection devices relying on swelling intumescent materials are used to seal duct cross-sections, then fire spread containment is improved, but for larger duct cross-sections sealing reliability deteriorates due to design limitations of swelling materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire spread containmentVSAvoidduct cross-section sealing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical swelling action of intumescent materials with a fluid-based extinguishing system. Spray nozzles discharge extinguishing agents (water, foam, or clean agent) directly into the duct to suppress fires, eliminating the need for physical sealing of large duct cross-sections while maintaining fire containment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs hydraulic/pneumatic systems through spray nozzles that discharge extinguishing agents under pressure into the duct. This fluid-based approach allows effective fire suppression in large duct cross-sections without relying on the physical expansion and sealing capabilities of intumescent materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If multiple extinguishing agent dispensers are installed to evenly supply the entire duct cross-section and distribute extinguishing fluid in the discharge direction, then firefighting effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases due to careful planning of spacing and configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirefighting effectivenessVSAvoiddispenser spacing and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extinguishing system is segmented into multiple spray nozzles positioned at different locations within the duct (inlet side, outlet side, and intermediate positions). Each nozzle independently disperses extinguishing agent, collectively achieving uniform coverage across the duct cross-section and along its length without requiring complex coordination or spacing calculations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Power

If higher operating pressure is used to deliver extinguishing agent to dispensing devices, then extinguishing agent delivery capability is improved, but installation costs increase due to greater stability requirements and higher energy costs for power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextinguishing agent delivery capabilityVSAvoidinstallation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the operating pressure parameter to achieve effective extinguishing agent delivery without requiring excessively high pressures. The spray nozzles are designed to operate at moderate pressures that provide sufficient dispersion capability while avoiding the need for expensive high-stability components and high-power energy supply systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter 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

This design achieves broader extinguishing agent spread, reduces installation complexity, and maintains high firefighting performance with lower operating pressures, while minimizing resource use and corrosion risks.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spray mist nozzle, preferably a plurality of spray mist nozzles, each having a plurality of separate spray mist outlets, wherein the spray mist outlets each have a predetermined K-factor and are aligned at an angle to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 2

spray mist nozzles with multiple spray mist outlets allows for a significantly larger spread of the extinguishing agent within the duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray mist generation: Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4628170A1Firefighting system for an extractor duct, in particular of a cooking zone

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 MINIMAX VIKING PATENT MANAGEMENT GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3d

AI summary

The invention discloses a fire-fighting system (100) for an exhaust duct (5), in particular of a cooking area, comprising a duct (5) having an inlet side (7) and an outlet side (9) spaced from the inlet side (7) and defining a direction (A) of the exhaust air flow from the inlet side (7) to the outlet side (9). The invention further proposes that at least one spray nozzle, preferably a plurality of spray nozzles (11, 13), each having a plurality of separate spray outlets (24, 25), be installed in the fire-fighting system (100), wherein the spray outlets (24, 25) each have a predetermined K-factor and are aligned at an angle to one another.