Fire Pump Control Logic That Blocks Stop Signals During a Fire

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-based fire suppression systems require manual pump test runs, which are labor-intensive and pose a risk of interrupting extinguishing agent supply during a fire, especially if automated.

Innovation Solution

A water extinguishing system with a control unit that suppresses the stop signal during a fire, using a flow monitor to detect fluid flow and a signal suppression unit to ensure continuous extinguishing agent supply, even during pump test runs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a control unit with computer program execution is used to control pump operations, then automation and control capability are improved, but system complexity and potential programming errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of pump controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces computer program execution with pure electronic hardware logic (logic circuits, state machines, or hardwired control logic). This substitution eliminates software-related complexities and errors while maintaining automated control capability through electronic decision-making circuits that directly respond to sensor inputs and control pump operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simpler, more reliable electronic control components that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than complex programmable systems. The control logic is implemented in fixed hardware that is inherently more reliable for critical fire safety functions where software bugs could be catastrophic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If the system continuously monitors for fires and suppresses stop signals, then fire response reliability is improved, but false activation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire response reliabilityVSAvoidfalse activation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by requiring multiple independent detection signals or a specific pattern of signals before suppressing the stop command and activating the fire response. This preliminary check ensures that the detected condition truly represents a fire event rather than a transient anomaly, thereby preventing false activations while maintaining rapid response capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors detection signals and provides feedback to verify the persistence and consistency of fire indicators before triggering the fire response. The system adjusts its response based on the feedback from multiple sensors and the temporal pattern of signals, ensuring reliable discrimination between actual fires and false alarm conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4477277B1Extinguishing system and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 MECON LTD
  • EP4477277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4477277B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4477277B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a water extinguishing system comprising a fire extinguishing fluid supply (10) configured to provide a fire extinguishing fluid, at least one pump (14) configured to pump the fire extinguishing fluid from the fire extinguishing fluid supply (10) into a supply line (12) to the pipe system (13) of the water extinguishing system, a control unit (17) configured to controllably operate the at least one pump (14), which is configured to start and operate the pump (14) for a pump test run when a start signal is provided and to end the pump test run and stop the pump (14) when a stop signal is provided, and is characterized in that the control unit (17) has a signal suppression unit (18) configured to suppress the provision of the stop signal at least temporarily in the event of a fire, and the signal suppression unit (18) is designed without computer program execution.Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for operating such a water extinguishing system.