Fire-Suppressant Cable Circuit for Overheated Wiring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical wiring systems lack a concurrent and integrated pathway for fire suppression, leading to delayed detection and spread of electrical fires, as they do not automatically deliver fire suppressants to overheated circuits, and existing systems do not effectively prevent fires from igniting or spreading within walls and conduits.
Innovation Solution
A cabling system that concurrently routes electrical wires and a fluid conduit for fire suppression, with suppressant chambers and dispensing components positioned adjacent to electrical circuits, allowing for automatic release of fire retardants and power cutoff upon overheating, and featuring a fluid conduit made of materials that melt or rupture at high temperatures to deliver suppressants directly to the source of a fire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical wiring systems are used without integrated fire suppression pathways, then the electrical infrastructure remains simple and cost-effective, but fire detection is delayed and fire spread is not prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical wiring and fire suppression fluid delivery into a single integrated cabling system. The fluid conduit is positioned adjacent to electrical wires within the same cable assembly, allowing fire suppressant to be delivered directly to overheated circuits without requiring separate suppression infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cabling system performs multiple functions: electrical power transmission through wires and fire suppression through the adjacent fluid conduit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate suppression systems while maintaining reliability.
2Loss of time
If fire suppressants are not automatically delivered to overheated circuits, then the suppression system remains simple, but fire detection and response time are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the heat generated by overheated electrical circuits to automatically trigger fluid conduit failure and suppressant release. The thermal energy from the fire itself activates the suppression mechanism, eliminating the need for external detection and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid conduit is made of material that undergoes phase transition (melting) at high temperatures. This phase change automatically opens the conduit to release suppressant when exposed to fire conditions, providing rapid automatic response without complex sensing mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical fires are not prevented from spreading within walls and conduits, then the wiring infrastructure remains unchanged, but fire spread occurs rapidly through structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system provides localized protection at each point along the electrical circuit. The fluid conduit runs adjacent to wires throughout their path, delivering suppressant directly to overheated locations rather than relying on centralized suppression points.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cabling system acts as an intermediary between electrical circuits and fire suppression. The adjacent fluid conduit serves as a delivery mechanism that bridges the gap between electrical wires and suppressant reservoirs, enabling direct suppression at the source of overheating.
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 system effectively detects and suppresses electrical fires by automatically releasing fire retardants and cutting power to overheated circuits, preventing fire spread and enhancing safety in structures by integrating fire suppression directly into the electrical wiring infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a fluid conduit made of materials that melt or rupture at high temperatures to deliver suppressants directly to the source of a fire
Data Source
AI summary
A cable system is provided which is configured with both electric wires and a fluid conduit running through the axial passage of a surrounding flexible sheath of the cable. The system allows for communication of electricity over the wires for electrical circuits and concurrent communication of a fire ignition suppressant fluid or gas through the fluid conduit, to all points in an electric circuit using the cable. One or both of a dye or scent can be included in the ignition suppressant fluid.