Fire Suppression Test Device with Integrated Flame Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing fire suppression agents rely heavily on concentration measurements and laboratory fire tests, which do not effectively demonstrate the correlation between agent concentration and fire suppression performance, particularly for aerospace applications where Halon alternatives are being explored.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving an enclosed volume with burner assemblies that produce flames and sensors to measure flame characteristics, allowing for the testing of fire suppression agents within a controlled environment, enabling direct measurement of agent performance in extinguishing flames and preventing reignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If concentration measurements and separate laboratory fire tests are used to prove equivalency, then current testing methods are satisfactory for their intended purpose, but they do not effectively demonstrate the correlation between agent concentration and fire suppression performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines concentration measurement and fire suppression performance testing into a single integrated test chamber. The test chamber simultaneously measures agent concentration through sensors and evaluates fire suppression performance through flame characteristic measurements, eliminating the need for separate laboratory fire tests and demonstrating the correlation between concentration and performance in one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary test chamber that serves as a mediator between concentration measurement and fire suppression performance evaluation. This intermediate testing environment allows direct observation of how agent concentration affects flame characteristics, providing a causal link between the two previously separate measurement processes.
2Reliability
If traditional concentration testing methods are used, then testing can be conducted in controlled environments, but they fail to directly demonstrate fire suppression performance correlation
Solution Approach 1:
The test chamber is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a concentration measurement device and a fire suppression performance evaluation system. It incorporates sensors for measuring agent concentration, flame characteristics, and other fire parameters, allowing a single system to perform multiple testing functions that were previously required separate systems.
3Measurement precision
If separate laboratory fire tests are conducted, then fire suppression performance can be evaluated, but the correlation with agent concentration cannot be directly demonstrated
Solution Approach 1:
The test chamber is pre-configured with sensors and measurement systems before testing begins. Concentration sensors and flame characteristic measurement devices are positioned and calibrated in advance, allowing immediate measurement of the correlation between agent concentration and fire suppression performance as the test progresses, eliminating the need for post-test analysis and separate laboratory evaluations.
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
This approach provides a more direct validation of fire suppression system performance by measuring flame intensity, temperature, and duration, allowing for the correlation of agent concentration with suppression effectiveness, thus ensuring adequate fire control and prevention in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a burner configured to produce a flame, the burner comprising a premixing section, a fuel source in communication with the burner
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor for measuring a first flame characteristic
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A system (10) for testing a fire suppression agent (20) comprises an enclosed volume (12) configured to receive an amount of the fire suppression agent (20) therein, and at least one burner assembly (14) positioned within the enclosed volume (12). The at least one burner assembly (14) comprises a burner (24) configured to produce a flame (26), the burner (24) comprising a premixing section (36), a fuel source (32) in communication with the burner (24), an ignition source (34), and a first sensor (28) for measuring a first flame characteristic.