Fire Suppression Cooling System with Piston-Driven Coolant Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Halon halocarbons, previously used for fire suppression, are environmentally detrimental due to ozone depletion, necessitating the development of alternative fire suppression systems that are effective yet environmentally friendly.

Innovation Solution

A fire suppression apparatus with a gas generator and a cooling system that uses a liquid coolant to cool the fire suppressant gas, comprising a housing with a gas generant material, an initiator, and a cooling system with a piston to mix the coolant with the fire suppressant gas, reducing the environmental impact while maintaining effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Halon halocarbons are used for fire suppression, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases due to ozone depletion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful Halon halocarbons from the fire suppression system while retaining the essential fire suppression function through alternative gases and cooling mechanisms, thereby eliminating ozone depletion effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the suppressant by introducing cooling systems that reduce the temperature of alternative fire suppressant gases, making them more effective and environmentally friendly replacements for Halon halocarbons

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If fire suppressant gas is generated without cooling, then response speed is improved, but temperature increases causing potential damage and reduced safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidgas temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is pre-positioned and pre-charged with coolant, allowing immediate cooling action as soon as the fire suppressant gas is generated, preventing excessive temperature buildup while maintaining rapid response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system acts as an intermediary between the fire suppressant gas generation and the fire suppression application, mediating the temperature to optimal levels for safety and effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If more gas generant material is used to improve fire suppression, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but quantity of substance increases causing greater environmental impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidamount of suppressant material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the fire suppressant gas through cooling, which improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the suppressant, allowing for reduced quantities of suppressant material to achieve the same fire suppression effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 fires while minimizing environmental harm by using a coolant to reduce the temperature of the fire suppressant gas, potentially reducing the amount of gas generant material required and enhancing safety by avoiding residue formation and human exposure hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a piston disposed within the first chamber of the cooling system, the piston being movable within the first chamber to pressurize the coolant material and flow the coolant material from the first chamber into the second chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

at least a portion of the coolant material flows from the first chamber into the second chamber to mix with and cool the gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 3

cooling the gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

an initiator configured to ignite at least a portion of the gas generant material to form gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS9682259B2Fire suppression systems and methods of suppressing a fire

Publication Date: 2017.06.20 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

Fire suppression apparatuses include a housing with gas generant material disposed therein, an initiator for igniting the gas generant material, and a cooling system. The cooling system includes a first chamber with a coolant material disposed therein and a second chamber. The coolant material is caused to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber to cool gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant material upon exiting from the housing under pressure. The cooling system may further include a piston disposed within the first chamber and movable responsive to gas pressure. Methods for cooling a fire suppressant gas and methods for suppressing a fire include flowing a fire suppressant gas into first and second chambers of a cooling system, flowing a coolant material from the first chamber into the second chamber, and contacting the fire suppressant gas with the coolant material to cool the fire suppressant gas.