Fire Training Facility With Liquid-Gas Flashover Simulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire training systems using gaseous gas are inadequate for simulating a 'flashover' scenario, and using liquid gas poses safety risks due to uncontrolled combustion.

Innovation Solution

A fire training system with a fire unit connected to both a gas supply unit for gaseous and liquid gas, featuring a second outlet in the fire chamber floor for liquid gas discharge, and safety mechanisms including sensors and control units to manage gas flow and ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If liquid gas is used instead of gaseous gas to simulate a fire, then the energy density increases and larger flames can be simulated, but the liquid gas accumulates at the bottom of the fire chamber leading to uncontrolled combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcontrolled combustion
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fire chamber is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls, creating separate zones for gas discharge and combustion. This segmentation prevents liquid gas from accumulating in a single location and allows controlled burning in specific areas while maintaining safety in others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A gas supply unit with controlled gas delivery acts as an intermediary between the liquid gas storage and the fire chamber. This intermediary system regulates the gas flow rate and distribution, preventing excessive accumulation while ensuring sufficient fuel for simulated combustion scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fire unit with liquid gas outlet is installed in the fire chamber, then flashover scenarios can be simulated, but safety risks increase due to potential uncontrolled combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire scenario simulationVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the fire chamber are designed with different properties: the gas discharge area has specific outlet configurations, while the combustion area has controlled ventilation and thermal characteristics. This local differentiation enables safe simulation of various fire scenarios including flashover while minimizing overall safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A control system with sensors monitors combustion conditions in real-time and provides feedback to the gas supply unit. This feedback mechanism automatically adjusts gas flow rates based on observed combustion characteristics, preventing uncontrolled combustion while maintaining the ability to simulate diverse fire scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables safe simulation of 'flashover' scenarios by ensuring controlled ignition and dispersal of liquid gas, minimizing risk to firefighters through passive and active safety measures.

Implementation Method 1

liquid gas has a higher density than air and/or gaseous gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity difference: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the fire chamber has at least one opening in a bottom wall of the fire chamber within a predetermined radius around the fire unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4101510B1Fire safety training system
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO KAAA
  • EP4101510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4101510B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4101510B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fire training facility (2) comprising a fire chamber (4) and a fire unit (6) arranged in the fire chamber (4), which is connectable to a gas supply unit (8), has a first outlet (10) for gaseous gas from the gas supply unit (8), wherein the fire unit (6) has a second outlet (12) for liquid gas from the gas supply unit (8), and the fire chamber (4) has at least one opening (14) in a bottom wall (16) of the fire chamber (4) within a predetermined radius (R1) around the fire unit (6). A pilot flame is ignited by the gas flowing from the first outlet (10). The pilot flame ignites the liquid gas flowing from the second outlet (12). A sensor monitors the fire at the first outlet (10) and at the second outlet (12).