Firefighter Mist Egress System for Flame Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighters often get lost or trapped in buildings during fires, and their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) can run out of air, leading to fatalities due to smoke inhalation and inability to escape effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first fluid container, a propellant container, a nozzle to mix and atomize the contents for forming a mist, and an activation mechanism to create a temporary escape path by suppressing flames, integrated with a firefighter's breathing apparatus and harness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If firefighters use traditional emergency escape devices and cut through walls, then they can find a way out, but the process takes too much time and they may run out of air
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions the mist generation apparatus on the firefighter's back with all necessary components (fluid containers, propellant, nozzle assembly) already configured and ready for immediate deployment. When activated, the system instantly generates suppressive mist without requiring any preliminary wall-cutting or path-clearing actions, allowing firefighters to immediately create and traverse escape paths through fire zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the fire suppression function from traditional firefighting equipment and integrates it directly into the firefighter's personal escape system. By taking out the fluid storage and mist generation capabilities and placing them on the firefighter's back, the system enables individual firefighters to independently create escape paths without relying on external fire suppression resources or team support.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If firefighters carry additional equipment for fire suppression, then they can suppress flames to escape, but the equipment weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses flexible, lightweight container structures to store the fire suppressant fluid and propellant. The containers are designed as thin-walled pressure vessels that can be collapsed as fluid is consumed, minimizing dead weight. The entire assembly is mounted on a flexible harness system that distributes weight across the firefighter's back and shoulders, making the equipment feel lighter and more manageable during escape operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system carries only the minimum necessary amount of fire suppressant fluid and propellant required to create a short-duration escape path (typically 30-60 seconds of operation). Rather than carrying full firefighting suppressant loads, the system uses partial action - just enough material to clear the immediate escape route - thereby minimizing weight while maintaining sufficient fire suppression capability for emergency egress.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system uses high-pressure spray to suppress fire, then flame suppression is effective, but the system consumes propellant too quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a two-stage pressure regulation mechanism that initially delivers high-pressure mist for immediate flame suppression, then automatically transitions to a lower-pressure sustained spray mode. The propellant container uses a pressure-equalizing valve system that maintains optimal pressure differential across the nozzle throughout discharge, ensuring consistent mist atomization quality while extending propellant usage duration by 2-3 times compared to constant high-pressure systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle assembly incorporates a pulsing spray pattern that alternates between high-pressure bursts and brief intervals of reduced pressure. This periodic action maintains effective flame suppression during the high-pressure phases while allowing propellant consumption to decrease during lower-pressure intervals, thereby extending the overall operational duration of the propellant supply without compromising escape path creation effectiveness.
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 generates a fine mist to create a temporary escape path, allowing firefighters to exit safely by suppressing flames and extending their air supply, reducing fatalities from smoke inhalation and entrapment.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle to mix and atomize material from the first and second containers for forming a mist
Implementation Method 2
forming a mist to suppress a flame
Implementation Method 3
a second container for storing and providing a propellant
Implementation Method 4
the nozzle includes dual inputs to mix materials from the first and second containers through a converge/diverge Venturi
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for fire egress/escape comprising a first container for storing a first fluid, a second container for storing a propellant, a nozzle to mix and atomize material from the first and second containers for forming a mist to suppress flame by evaporation, and an activation mechanism to enable a user to release material in the first and second containers for generating the mist.