Fire Nozzle Extension Assembly for Safer Cavity Fire Reach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighters often struggle to extinguish fires due to limited access to the fire's seat, leading to prolonged extinguishment times, increased property damage, and heightened risks for firefighters and victims.
Innovation Solution
An extension assembly for a fire suppression spray nozzle, comprising an aluminum tube with machined and welded hose couplers, and a stainless steel alignment support sleeve, allowing for extended reach and maneuverability of the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If firefighters use standard fire suppression spray nozzles, then they can apply water or foam to fires, but they cannot reach fires in closed cavity spaces or dangerous structural conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system is divided into separate modular components: a standard spray nozzle, fire hose, and a detachable extension assembly. This segmentation allows firefighters to use the simple standard nozzle for accessible fires while attaching the extension assembly only when extended reach is needed, thus maintaining simplicity for common operations while providing extended capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension assembly acts as an intermediary component between the standard nozzle and the fire. It includes a tube with alternating wide and narrow sections that guide water or foam flow, allowing the nozzle to reach into closed cavity spaces and dangerous areas while the firefighter remains at a safe distance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If firefighters conduct exterior only fire suppression, then they can maintain safety from fire hazards, but extinguishment time increases and property damage worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The extension assembly enables firefighters to operate from the exterior dimension while effectively suppressing fires that would normally require interior access. The extended tube allows water or foam to be delivered deep into closed cavity spaces from an exterior position, eliminating the need for firefighters to enter dangerous interior areas while maintaining effective fire suppression capability.
3Productivity
If firefighters apply water or foam directly to the seat of the fire, then extinguishment is quick and straightforward, but they expose themselves to dangerous fire, smoke, carcinogens, and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The extension assembly serves as a protective intermediary that allows firefighters to maintain direct application of water or foam to the fire seat while remaining physically separated from harmful exposures. The tube transmits the suppressant medium through dangerous zones, delivering it directly to the fire while the firefighter operates from a safe exterior position.
4Ease of operation
If firefighters use extended reach equipment, then they can reach fires from safer positions, but the equipment becomes more complex and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The extension assembly is designed as a detachable module that can be attached to or removed from the standard fire hose and nozzle system. This segmentation allows firefighters to use the simple, easy-to-manage standard equipment for most operations while having the option to attach the extension assembly only when extended reach is required, minimizing the impact of added complexity on overall system usability.
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 extension assembly enables firefighters to reach and extinguish fires from a safer exterior position, reducing extinguishment time, minimizing exposure to hazardous conditions, and enhancing fire victim safety.
Implementation Method 1
The aluminum tube and hose couplers are hard-coat anodized
Implementation Method 2
an aluminum tube welded onto a male hose coupler at one end of the aluminum tube and onto a female hose coupler at the other end of the aluminum tube
Data Source
AI summary
An extension assembly for a fire suppression spray nozzle is provided. A tube having a first end and a second end is welded to a female hose coupler at the tube's first end. A male hose coupler is welded to the second end of the tube. A support sleeve connected to the female hose coupler inserts into a fire suppression spray nozzle or another instance of the extension assembly to provide for easy alignment of the threaded connectors and for adding strength to the connection.