Fire Containment System With Gravity Lift Curtain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wildfire containment methods are inadequate as they either require complex mechanical vertical risers that may not deploy effectively, fail to protect surrounding areas, or are limited in their ability to prevent fire spread during windy conditions, and often require significant personnel time and risk.
Innovation Solution
A fire containment system comprising two or more vertical towers anchored in the ground with a gravity-powered or solar-powered lift system, vertically slidable swivel joints, and a fireproof curtain affixed to cables, providing a permanent wildfire protection shield that can be deployed quickly and effectively without relying on complicated mechanical vertical risers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If mechanical vertical risers are used to erect the fire wall, then the fire barrier can be vertically extended, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to potential deployment failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complicated mechanical vertical risers with a gravity-powered or solar-powered lift system using cables and pulleys. The fire barrier is elevated by winding cables onto drums mounted on the towers, eliminating the need for complex mechanical extension mechanisms while achieving the same vertical deployment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The lift system is designed to be self-powered through gravity (using counterweights) or solar power, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using natural forces to perform the work of elevating the fire barrier.
2Productivity
If traditional fire containment methods are used, then personnel can respond to fires, but the loss of time increases as fires take several days or weeks to contain
Solution Approach 1:
The fire containment system is pre-positioned in known fire paths before fires occur. The towers are anchored in the ground and the fire barrier is stored in a deployed state, ready for immediate activation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming deployment during actual fire events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables rapid deployment of the fire barrier by using pre-positioned towers and a simplified lift mechanism. The fire containment action is rushed through by eliminating complex mechanical extension and manual assembly steps, allowing the barrier to be erected quickly in response to advancing fires.
3Reliability
If fire retardant sprays are used during windy conditions, then fire suppression is attempted, but the effectiveness decreases as the sprays are not effective in stopping fire travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a large-area fireproof curtain or barrier that acts as a physical shield against fire and wind. This flexible film structure creates a continuous protective wall that blocks fire spread and is not affected by windy conditions, unlike spray-based methods that are dispersed by wind.
4Area of stationary object
If sails elevated with hot air balloons are used for fire containment, then the fire barrier can be positioned in the fire path, but the loss of time increases due to transportation and setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fire barrier and support towers are pre-positioned in known fire paths before fires occur. The system is installed in advance during calm conditions, eliminating the need for time-consuming transportation and setup during active fire events. The barrier is ready for immediate deployment when needed.
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 effectively creates a fire wall barrier that can be deployed in known fire paths, protecting both structures and surrounding areas, including natural resources, by using a fireproof curtain that can withstand high temperatures and resist wind, thereby reducing the risk and spread of wildfires.
Implementation Method 1
a gravity-powered or solar-powered lift system
Implementation Method 2
a gravity-powered or solar-powered lift system
Implementation Method 3
a fireproof curtain affixed to cables, providing a permanent wildfire protection shield... that can withstand high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A fire containment system strung across the ground and methods of use thereof, that generally includes two or more vertical towers anchored in series in the ground, a lift system integral to each of said two or more vertical towers having a plurality of vertically slidable swivel joints capable of vertical travel there up one of the two or more vertical towers, one or more cables, each cable strung between one of the plurality of vertically slidable swivel joints on each of the two of the or more vertical towers, a fire proof curtain affixed to said one or more cables, a below ground storage to contain said fire proof curtain.