Fire Protection System With Proximate Heat Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems fail to effectively retard the spread of wildfires by not positioning heat sensors proximate to sprinklers, which limits the targeted dispensing of fire retardant fluids both on the ground and the structure.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection system with heat sensors positioned near each sprinkler, triggering a CPU to pump fire retardant fluid from a tank to both ground and structure sprinklers, ensuring comprehensive coverage by moving lines between retracted and extended positions in response to detected heat rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat sensors are positioned away from sprinklers in prior art systems, then the system structure is simpler, but the targeted dispensing of fire retardant fluid is limited and cannot effectively cover both ground and structure surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fire protection function into multiple independent sprinkler units, each equipped with its own heat sensor. This segmentation allows each unit to independently detect heat and dispense retardant fluid, ensuring comprehensive coverage of both ground and structure surfaces while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat sensors are positioned proximate to each individual sprinkler rather than centrally located, creating local detection zones. This local quality approach ensures that each sprinkler can independently respond to heat conditions in its immediate vicinity, enabling targeted dispensing of fire retardant fluid where it is most needed.
2Reliability
If heat sensors are positioned proximate to each sprinkler, then targeted dispensing of fire retardant fluid is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sensor and sprinkler are merged into a single integrated unit, with the sensor positioned proximate to the sprinkler and both connected to the water supply line. This merging simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating separate detection and response components, while still achieving targeted fluid dispensing through the natural coupling of detection and actuation at the same location.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sprinkler unit with its proximate heat sensor operates autonomously, detecting heat conditions and automatically dispensing fire retardant fluid without requiring central control or coordination with other units. This self-service approach reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for complex control wiring and centralized management.
3Area of stationary object
If fire retardant fluid is dispensed only on ground surface, then the dispensing system is simpler, but the protection coverage is insufficient for structure surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler system transitions from ground-level-only operation to multi-dimensional coverage by positioning sprinklers at elevated locations on structures. This dimensional change allows fire retardant fluid to be dispensed both on ground surfaces and on vertical structure surfaces, dramatically expanding the protected area without requiring complex multi-level positioning mechanisms.
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 slows wildfire spread by dispensing fire retardant fluids on both the ground and structure surfaces, enhancing protection by adapting to the wildfire's progression.
Implementation Method 1
When one of the plurality of heat sensors detects a predetermined rate of heat
Implementation Method 2
a CPU activates a pump to pump the fire retardant fluid from the tank to the base of each sprinkler
Implementation Method 3
The fire retardant fluid is dispensed onto one of the structure and a portion of the ground surface surrounding the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A fire protection system for retarding the spread of wildfire toward a structure includes a structure positioned on a ground surface. A tank contains a fire retardant fluid. Each of a plurality of sprinklers has a base coupled to the ground surface with a line extending outwardly away from ground surface. Each sprinkler has a nozzle coupled to a distal end of the line relative to the ground surface. The line of each sprinkler is fluidically coupled to the nozzle and the base. Each of a plurality of heat sensors is positioned proximate a respective sprinkler of the plurality of sprinklers. When one of the plurality of heat sensors detects a predetermined rate of heat, a CPU activates a pump to pump the fire retardant fluid from the tank to the base of each sprinkler.