Sealable Fire Containment Vessel with Integrated Extinguishing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire and smoke containment methods, such as thermal blankets, are ineffective in rapidly extinguishing and cooling battery fires in personal electronic devices, posing a significant risk in confined spaces like aviation environments, and there is a need for improved systems to safely transport items that may pose a fire risk.
Innovation Solution
A Fire and Smoke Containment and Extinguishing Apparatus (FSCEA) that includes a self-contained, sealable vessel with a fire-resistant material construction, a built-in extinguishing system, and a temperature-sensing mechanism to deploy extinguishing agents, effectively containing and extinguishing fires, reducing smoke and toxic fumes, and cooling overheated items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal blankets or bags are used to contain battery fires, then fire containment is achieved, but the system cannot effectively extinguish and cool the batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fire containment and extinguishing functions into a single integrated system. The thermal blanket is merged with an extinguishing agent delivery system, allowing the same structure to both contain the fire and deliver extinguishing agents directly to the battery cells, thereby resolving the contradiction between containment effectiveness and extinguishing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary extinguishing agent delivery system that bridges the containment structure and the battery cells. This intermediary system uses penetrators or nozzles to deliver extinguishing agents directly to the heat source, enabling effective extinguishing while maintaining the containment function of the thermal blanket.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal blankets are used for fire containment, then smoke and toxic fumes are reduced, but rapid extinguishing and cooling is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-positioning extinguishing agents and delivery mechanisms within the containment structure before a fire occurs. The system is pre-configured with agents ready for immediate deployment, enabling rapid extinguishing response while maintaining smoke reduction capabilities throughout the event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a rapid deployment mechanism that skips the delay associated with traditional extinguishing methods. The system uses spring-loaded or thermally-actuated penetrators that rapidly deliver extinguishing agents directly to the battery cells, achieving fast extinguishing while the containment structure continues to manage smoke and fumes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If confined spaces like aviation environments are considered, then fire risk is heightened, but effective containment and extinguishing methods are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal containment and extinguishing system that can be adapted to various environments including aviation, shipping, and land transport. The system performs multiple functions: containment, extinguishing, cooling, and smoke management, making it versatile across different confined space applications while addressing the heightened fire risk in each environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by using temperature-sensitive materials and mechanisms that respond to fire conditions. The system includes thermally-actuated components that automatically deploy or change state based on temperature thresholds, enabling adaptive response to fire events in confined spaces without requiring environment-specific customization.
4Reliability
If shipping containers are designed for safe transportation of fire-risk items, then transportation safety is improved, but the system must balance containment, extinguishing, and cooling functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges containment, extinguishing, and cooling functions into a single integrated shipping container system. The thermal blanket structure is combined with extinguishing agent reservoirs, delivery mechanisms, and cooling elements, allowing all three functions to be performed by one system rather than requiring separate components, thereby improving transportation safety while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible thermal blanket material that can be wrapped around items of various shapes and sizes within the shipping container. This flexible containment structure integrates with the extinguishing and cooling systems, providing adaptability for different cargo configurations while maintaining the integrated tri-functionality needed for safe transportation.
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 FSCEA effectively contains and extinguishes fires, reduces smoke and toxic fumes, and cools overheated items, providing a safer solution for aviation and transportation environments, and allows for the safe transportation of items that may pose a fire hazard by limiting oxygen supply and deploying appropriate extinguishing agents.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for the safe transportation of items that may pose a fire hazard by limiting oxygen supply
Implementation Method 2
A Fire and Smoke Containment and Extinguishing Apparatus (FSCEA) that includes a self-contained, sealable vessel with a fire-resistant material construction
Implementation Method 3
cooling overheated items
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for fire and smoke containment and extinguishing are described. Systems may include a fire and smoke containment and extinguishing apparatus including an open recess with one or more walls. The open recess may substantially prevent passage of fire, smoke and fumes. The apparatus may also include one or more seals for closing the open recess, and a fire extinguishing system. Methods for fire and smoke containment and extinguishment may include providing a fire and smoke containment and extinguishing system; inserting an item into the recess of the apparatus; closing the recess; and deploying the fire extinguishing system.