Fire Suppression Nozzle Vorticity Mixing for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fire suppression systems produce excessive noise that can damage noise-sensitive equipment like data centers, and existing silencers fail to reduce noise below 100-110 db without compromising coverage area.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression nozzle design featuring a mixer that induces streamwise vorticity in a first fluid channel to mix it with a second fluid, such as air, reducing the flow speed and noise through angled holes and shrouds, enhancing mixing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fire suppression nozzles are used, then fire suppression coverage is maintained, but noise levels exceed 100-110 db causing damage to noise-sensitive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple separate components: a body portion with a first fluid channel for fire suppression fluid, a second fluid channel for ambient air, and a mixer portion with angled holes that segment the fluid streams to induce vorticity and enhance mixing for noise reduction
Solution Approach 2:
Ambient air acts as an intermediary substance introduced through the second fluid channel. This secondary fluid mediates the mixing process with the fire suppression fluid in the mixer portion, absorbing energy and reducing noise while maintaining suppression effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing silencers are installed to reduce noise, then noise levels decrease, but coverage area is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction function is merged directly into the nozzle structure itself rather than being a separate silencer component. The mixer portion integrates the noise reduction mechanism with the fluid delivery system, eliminating the need for additional silencing equipment that would restrict coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle structure itself provides the noise reduction function through its internal mixer design. The angled holes and vorticity induction mechanism are built-in features that automatically reduce noise during normal operation without requiring external silencers or additional components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If flow speed is reduced to lower noise, then noise levels decrease, but fire suppression effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The high-speed flow that generates noise is converted into a beneficial mixing mechanism. The vorticity induced by the angled holes transforms the harmful high-speed jet into rotating fluid structures that enhance mixing with ambient air, reducing noise while maintaining momentum and suppression effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The flow parameters are changed from a single high-speed stream to a mixed flow regime with vorticity. The angled holes transform the velocity profile and flow structure, creating rotational motion that dissipates energy and reduces noise while preserving the overall flow momentum needed for effective fire suppression
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 nozzle effectively reduces noise while maintaining or improving fire suppression performance by inducing vorticity in the fluid mixture, achieving low-loss noise reduction and potentially increasing area coverage.
Implementation Method 1
the mixer is configured to induce streamwise vorticity in at least the first fluid exiting first fluid channel to cause mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid
Implementation Method 2
The mixer includes angled holes configured to effuse the first fluid from the first fluid channel into the second fluid channel. The angled holes are angled relative to each other to cause vorticity in first fluid as it exits the first fluid channel.
Implementation Method 3
cause mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to reduce a flow speed of a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2B
AI summary
A fire suppression nozzle can include a first fluid channel configured to be in fluid communication with a first fluid having a first flow velocity and a second fluid channel configured to be in fluid communication with a second fluid having a second flow velocity. A mixer can be disposed between the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel such that the mixer is configured to induce streamwise vorticity in at least the first fluid exiting first fluid channel to cause mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to reduce a flow speed of a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid.