Fire Containment Device with Expanded Glass Granulate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires, such as those in portable electronic devices, are ineffective as they fail to contain the heat, smoke, and toxic vapors, and are impractical for use on aircraft due to limited water availability and the reactivity of lithium with water.
Innovation Solution
A fire containment device with a compartmentalized liner filled with free-flowing expanded glass granulate, made from combustible materials that disintegrate upon heat exposure, releasing the granulate to extinguish the fire and absorb smoke and gases, combined with a flame-resistant bag structure to prevent spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If water is applied to extinguish lithium-ion battery fire, then the flames can be suppressed, but the lithium reacts with water to generate hydrogen which accelerates the fire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces expanded glass granulate as an intermediary substance between the lithium-ion battery fire and the surrounding environment. This granulate acts as a physical barrier that smothers the fire by cutting off oxygen supply without causing harmful chemical reactions, unlike water which reacts with lithium to produce hydrogen. The granulate is contained within a liner that releases it directly onto the fire source.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanded glass granulate creates an inert environment around the burning battery by displacing oxygen and forming a non-reactive barrier. This inert atmosphere prevents the lithium from reacting with water or air, eliminating the hydrogen generation problem while still suppressing the fire through oxygen deprivation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sand or granular minerals are applied to lithium-ion battery fire, then fire spread is prevented, but these materials are fire resistant only and do not provide fire extinguishing properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the properties of the granular material by using expanded glass granulate with specific physical characteristics. The granulate is designed to be free-flowing to ensure reliable delivery onto the fire, yet fire-resistant to maintain structural integrity. The expansion process creates a porous structure that enhances fire extinguishing capability while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple materials with complementary properties: the fire-resistant bag provides structural containment, the sacrificial liner enables controlled release, and the expanded glass granulate delivers both fire extinguishing and spread prevention functions. This composite approach achieves both reliability and effectiveness simultaneously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fireproof bag is used to contain the burning device, then fire spread is prevented, but the device cannot suppress or contain the heat, smoke or toxic vapors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: the fire-resistant bag provides both fire spread prevention and heat/smoke containment through its sealed design. The inclusion of the sacrificial liner with expanded glass granulate adds fire suppression capability to the containment function. This unified approach addresses all harmful factors simultaneously rather than treating them separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire containment device is designed as a multi-functional system that simultaneously: (1) contains the burning device, (2) prevents fire spread, (3) suppresses the fire, (4) contains heat, (5) traps smoke, and (6) prevents toxic vapor release. This universal design ensures all safety requirements are met by a single device rather than multiple separate systems.
4Reliability
If conventional fire extinguishers are provided on aircraft, then fire suppression capability is available, but they have limited effectiveness against lithium-ion battery fires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable sacrificial liner containing expanded glass granulate specifically designed for lithium-ion battery fires. This single-use component is optimized for the specific fire type, providing reliable and effective suppression without the limitations of conventional reusable extinguishers. The disposable nature ensures freshness and optimal performance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the suppression mechanism from chemical (conventional extinguishers) to physical (expanded glass granulate). This parameter change improves effectiveness by using a material that does not react harmfulely with lithium while still achieving fire suppression through oxygen displacement and thermal insulation.
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
Effectively isolates and extinguishes lithium-ion battery fires by releasing fire-extinguishing granulate directly onto the burning device, absorbing smoke and gases, while maintaining structural integrity and heat resistance to prevent fire spread.
Implementation Method 1
the free-flowing expanded glass granulate contained by the liner is caused to be released onto the PED to extinguish the fire
Implementation Method 2
the liner is compartmentalized to separately retain the free flowing granulate within defined regions and is formed from a sacrificial material that is combustible and will disintegrate when exposed to the heat of a fire
Implementation Method 3
the free-flowing expanded glass granulate contained by the liner is caused to be released onto the PED to extinguish the fire and absorb the smoke and gases
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a container having an opening at one end and a flap or other closure to close the opening, the interior of the bag includes a liner filled with free-flowing expanded glass granulate having fire extinguishing properties, the liner is compartmentalized to separately retain the free flowing granulate to defined regions of the bag interior and it is formed from a sacrificial material that is combustible and will disintegrate upon exposure to the heat of a fire whereby when a electronic or other device that has caught fire is placed inside the bag, the free-flowing expanded glass granulate contained by the liner is caused to be released onto the device to extinguish the fire.