Integrated Fire Suppression Cabling System for Electrical Circuits
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 exacerbation of electrical fires, especially in hidden or inaccessible areas, as they do not automatically deliver fire suppressants to overheated circuits and fail to cut off electrical power to prevent further heating.
Innovation Solution
A cabling system that concurrently routes electrical wires and a fluid conduit for fire suppression, with suppressant chambers and sensors that automatically release fire retardants at overheated points, cutting power to the affected circuit and alerting personnel, and using materials like HDPE for the fluid conduit to maintain integrity under high temperatures.
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 cost-effective, but fire detection is delayed and fire suppression is ineffective in hidden areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical wiring and fire suppression fluid delivery into a single integrated cabling system. The fluid conduit is positioned within or adjacent to the electrical cable assembly, allowing both functions to share the same installation pathway and structural support, thereby achieving fire suppression effectiveness without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cabling system performs multiple functions simultaneously: electrical power transmission through conductors and fire suppressant delivery through the fluid conduit. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide both electrical service and fire protection through a single installed infrastructure, improving reliability while managing complexity through functional integration
2Loss of time
If fire suppressant is delivered manually to electrical fires, then the suppression system remains simple, but response time is delayed and fire escalation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions fire suppressant within the cabling structure itself, ready for immediate delivery upon detection of overheating. The fluid conduit is already in place within the cable assembly, and suppressant is loaded and pressurized in advance, enabling automatic rapid response without manual intervention when temperature sensors detect fire conditions
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors monitor the electrical cable continuously and provide feedback to the suppressant delivery mechanism. When overheating is detected, the sensor signal automatically triggers the release of fire suppressant through the fluid conduit, creating a closed-loop automatic response system that reduces response time while managing automation complexity through sensor-actuator coupling
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical power is not cut off during fire conditions, then the electrical system remains operational and simple, but further heating and fire spreading continue
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback on cable thermal conditions. When fire conditions are detected, the sensor signal automatically triggers both suppressant delivery and circuit breaker activation, creating a coordinated response that prevents fire spreading while managing the complexity of the power cutoff mechanism through integrated sensing and control
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 suppresses electrical fires by automatically delivering fire retardants to overheated circuits, preventing further heating and spreading, and providing early detection and power cutoff, thereby reducing the risk of fire escalation and enhancing safety in critical infrastructure and environments.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid conduit or tube configured to automatically dispensed fire suppressant, within the conduits, junction boxes
Implementation Method 2
resistive heating at junctions or sockets, loose connectors, sparking, over voltage, or damaged electric lines
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. Suppressant chambers may be located in or on or engaged with junction boxes in such circuits to locally extinguish electrical fires.