Integrated Fire-Suppression Cable for Hidden Electrical Fires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical wiring systems lack a concurrent and integrated pathway for fire suppression, leading to delayed detection and exacerbation of electrical fires, as they do not provide a means to automatically deliver fire suppressants to overheated circuits, especially in hidden or inaccessible areas within buildings and vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A cabling system that concurrently routes electrical wires and a fluid conduit for fire suppressant delivery, featuring suppressant chambers and dispensing components that automatically release fire retardants when overheating is detected, along with sensors to alert personnel and cut power to the affected circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical wiring systems are used without integrated fire suppression pathways, then the electrical system remains simple and easy to install, but fire detection is delayed and fire suppression is ineffective in hidden areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical wiring and fire suppressant delivery into a single integrated cabling system. The fluid conduit is positioned adjacent to electrical wires within the same cable assembly, allowing both functions to be installed simultaneously through existing electrical pathways without requiring separate fire suppression infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabling system performs multiple functions: electrical power transmission and fire suppressant delivery. The same cable infrastructure that carries electrical current also serves as the delivery mechanism for fire retardants, eliminating the need for dedicated fire suppression pathways and enabling early fire suppression in concealed areas.
2Reliability
If separate fire suppression pathways are installed alongside electrical wiring, then fire suppression capability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges fire suppression functionality into the existing electrical cabling infrastructure. By integrating the fluid conduit with electrical wires in a single cable assembly, the system leverages existing installation pathways and techniques, eliminating the need for separate fire suppression pathway installation and reducing overall installation complexity.
3Loss of time
If fire suppressant is delivered through existing electrical pathways, then early fire detection and suppression is achieved, but the system requires integration of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant delivery system is pre-integrated with electrical wiring during manufacturing, positioning the fluid conduit adjacent to electrical cables before installation. This preliminary integration ensures immediate fire suppression capability upon electrical fire detection, as the suppressant pathway is already in place and requires no additional assembly or activation steps.
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.