Fire Nozzle Mixing Block for High-Speed Two-Phase Stream

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire extinguishing equipment with gas-dynamic nozzles connected to mixing chambers face structural complexity, high medium consumption, and limited dispersion capabilities, particularly when dealing with high-intensity fires or high-rise fires.

Innovation Solution

A fire extinguishing equipment with a gas-dynamic nozzle connected to a mixing chamber featuring separate inlets for gaseous and liquid media, utilizing a mixing block with confusors and diffusors to generate a two-phase bubble-structured stream, optimized for efficient dispersion with a specific air-to-water ratio and mixer configuration, allowing for a high-speed, long-reach extinguishing stream.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a gas-dynamic nozzle is connected to a mixing chamber with separate inlets for air, water, and foaming agent, then the dispersion capability is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersion capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mixing chamber and dispersing chamber into a single integrated chamber structure, eliminating the need for separate mixing and dispersing chambers. This merging reduces structural complexity while maintaining the functional separation through internal flow organization, where liquid and gas mix in the same chamber space without requiring additional partitioning structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mixing chamber for combining liquid and gas, and as the dispersing chamber for creating the fine dispersion stream. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated chambers for each function, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while achieving the desired dispersion capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If conventional fire nozzles are used, then the structure is simpler, but the reach and effectiveness for high-intensity fires is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidreach
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing compressed gas into the chamber to drive the liquid forward and create a high-velocity two-phase stream. The gas pressure and flow dynamics enable the stream to achieve extended reach (up to 120 meters) and maintain effectiveness for high-intensity fires, transforming the nozzle from a simple mechanical device to a pneumatic-hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the velocity parameter of the extinguishing stream by utilizing gas-dynamic acceleration mechanisms. The interaction between compressed gas and liquid in the chamber creates a high-speed two-phase flow, significantly increasing the stream velocity and thereby extending its reach and effectiveness compared to conventional low-velocity nozzle systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of stationary object

If more extinguishing medium is consumed, then the reach and effectiveness for high-intensity fires is improved, but the medium consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereachVSAvoidmedium consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition principles by creating a two-phase stream consisting of liquid droplets suspended in gas. This two-phase configuration allows the extinguishing medium to maintain its effectiveness over extended distances while reducing overall consumption, as the gas phase provides continuous propulsion and the liquid phase delivers the extinguishing agent efficiently to the target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the extinguishing medium into fine droplets through the chamber design that promotes liquid atomization. This segmentation into small droplet particles increases the surface area to volume ratio, enhancing evaporation and cooling efficiency while reducing the total quantity of medium needed to achieve the same extinguishing effect compared to coarse spray or jet streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If conventional nozzles are used, then the equipment is simpler to operate, but the extinguishing time is longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidextinguishing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic flow characteristics by utilizing compressed gas to create a high-velocity, continuously accelerating two-phase stream. This dynamic flow regime, as opposed to static or low-velocity conventional nozzle operation, dramatically reduces extinguishing time by delivering the extinguishing agent to the fire source much faster and maintaining effective velocity over the extended reach distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 equipment achieves significant reduction in extinguishing medium consumption, extends reach up to 120 meters, and reduces extinguishing time by half, effectively addressing high-intensity and high-rise fires with improved dispersion and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

fire nozzle, made in the form of a gas-dynamic nozzle connected to a mixing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas-dynamic flow: De Laval Nozzle

Implementation Method 2

chambers are arranged for the generation of a two-phase bubble-structured stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTwo-phase flow: Two-Phase Flow

Implementation Method 3

mixing chamber with inlets for supply of a gaseous working medium, liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing: Diffusion

Implementation Method 4

Inlet orifices of all mixers comprise confusors and they are connected to a chamber for the supply of liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4132664B1Fire extinguishing equipment with fire nozzle
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 JETEX INNOVATION SRO
  • EP4132664B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4132664B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4132664B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In one structural arrangement the fire fighting nozzle (18) is connected to the compressor (7) of a gas-turbine engine (4). In the second structural arrangement the fire nozzle (18) is connected to a screw compressor (50) connected to a diesel engine (47). Both types of fire extinguishing equipment have the same fire nozzle (18), whose mixing chamber (19) for the generation of a high-speed two-phase dispersive stream (21) of a bubble structure is made in the form of a block of mixers (35) with front and rear partitions (36,37), in between which pipe mixers (38) are located. Each mixer (38) is equipped with a confusor (43) and a diffusor (44). On the outlet from the fire nozzle (18) the high-speed dispersive stream (21) contains droplets of sizes 100 - 300 μm. The fire nozzle (18) has a mixing chamber (19), divided by partitions (36, 37) to a water supply chamber (40), air supply chamber (41) and dispersing chamber (39). The dispersing chamber (39) narrows into a gas-dynamic propelling nozzle (20), from which a high-speed dispersive stream (21) comes out. The fire nozzle (18) is connected to a rotating mechanism (22) which rotates it vertically and horizontally. The control unit (2) is equipped with a remote control (34) and connected to an generator (3).