Firefighting Strainer With Suctioning Structure for High Volume Drafting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current high volume strainers used in firefighting, particularly in non-hydrant areas, face challenges in drafting water at high flow rates above 900 gallons per minute due to debris contamination and levitation issues, which can cause cavitation and loss of prime in pumps.
Innovation Solution
A portable, lightweight strainer with a hood member and suctioning structure that maintains its position at the bottom of the water supply by creating a partial vacuum, allowing for high volume water drafting up to 1650 gallons per minute while filtering debris through a screen member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a solid pan strainer is used to filter debris, then debris is removed from water, but the volume of water being drafted is limited and the strainer levitates in the water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The strainer is divided into separate functional components: a screen member for filtration and a suctioning structure for positioning and water intake. This segmentation allows the screen to be positioned optimally for filtering debris while the suctioning structure maintains the device at the bottom of the water supply, enabling high volume water drafting without levitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional horizontal pan strainer to a vertical orientation with the screen member positioned at the bottom. The suctioning structure extends downward to maintain contact with the bottom surface, creating a vertical flow path that increases water drafting capacity while preventing levitation through strategic positioning in the vertical dimension.
2Productivity
If flow rate is increased above 900 gallons per minute, then water supply volume is improved, but the strainer levitates causing air to be drafted and the pumper to cavitate
Solution Approach 1:
The suctioning structure acts as a counterbalancing element that prevents the strainer from levitating under high flow conditions. By extending the suctioning structure to contact the bottom surface, it provides a stabilizing force that counteracts the upward lift generated by high velocity water flow, maintaining reliable positioning even at flow rates above 900 gallons per minute.
Solution Approach 2:
The suctioning structure serves as an intermediary element between the strainer body and the bottom surface. It mediates the interaction by providing stable contact and positioning, allowing the strainer to remain anchored while water flows through at high rates, thus preventing cavitation and maintaining system reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional strainer design is used, then debris filtering is provided, but the strainer cannot maintain its position at the bottom of the water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a screen member for debris filtration and a separate suctioning structure for positional stability. This allows the screen to be optimally positioned for filtering while the suctioning structure independently maintains contact with the bottom surface, ensuring both debris removal and position stability are achieved simultaneously.
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 strainer effectively maintains its position at the bottom of the water supply, preventing cavitation and ensuring continuous water flow at high volumes, enhancing firefighting efficiency and safety by providing sufficient water supply quickly.
Implementation Method 1
The suctioning structure is configured to form a partial vacuum between the hood member and the bottom of the water supply
Implementation Method 2
The water is transferred by inducing a flow of water from the water supply through the hood member. The flow of water is induced toward the suction side of the pumping apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for drafting or transferring water from a water supply to a fire pump in fire service include a strainer, the strainer having a hood member with an open bottom inlet having an inlet aperture, an outlet having an outlet aperture, a suctioning structure extending away from the open bottom inlet of the hood member, and the suctioning structure having a base offset from the open bottom inlet. Method of using the strainer including immersing a strainer in a water supply, fluidly connecting the outlet to a suction side of a pumping apparatus, activating the pumping apparatus, transferring water through the hood member, directing the strainer toward the bottom of the water supply and maintaining the strainer at the bottom of the water supply.