Flameless Igniter and Low-Profile Burn Plaque for Fire Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire training devices face issues with unreliable pilot light igniters that fail under harsh conditions and are not portable or low-profile, limiting their effectiveness and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A transportable, wireless, electronic, flameless igniter system paired with a low-profile, waterless burn plaque that uses a high-voltage spark to ignite combustible gas, ensuring consistent operation even in adverse environments and allowing for easy placement and repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pilot light igniter is used in harsh environments, then the igniter can continuously ignite gas, but the pilot light fails under high-pressure water spray, chemical spray, or foam conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pilot light system with an electronic ignition system that uses a high-voltage spark generator. This electronic system is housed in a sealed, flameless enclosure that protects it from environmental factors like water spray and chemical exposure, while still providing reliable ignition through electrical discharges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a high-voltage spark as an intermediary between the electrical power source and the combustible gas. This spark occurs within a sealed housing that acts as a protective barrier, allowing the ignition function to be performed without exposing the ignition mechanism to harmful environmental conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a water tray burner is used to distribute gas, then gas can be distributed through apertures, but the burner tray is several inches in height creating physical obstruction to trainees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the water tray with a porous burn plaque made of materials like porous ceramic or metal. This plaque has numerous pores that allow gas to distribute uniformly across its surface while maintaining a low profile of only about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in height, eliminating the physical obstruction problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the water tray component entirely, replacing it with a solid porous burn plaque. This removal of the water-containing structure reduces the height from several inches to less than an inch while maintaining the gas distribution function through the porous material's inherent structure.
3Productivity
If a water tray burner is used, then gas can bubble through water and out of fire grid, but the water tray requires refilling and is not easy to place or reposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable or easily replaceable burn plaque that does not require refilling like a water tray. The plaque can be simply removed and replaced if needed, eliminating the time-consuming refilling process and making repositioning as easy as lifting and moving the lightweight plaque.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical water tray system with a solid porous plaque system. This substitution eliminates the need for water storage, refilling, and drainage infrastructure, allowing for rapid deployment and repositioning by simply connecting gas lines to the lightweight plaque.
4Reliability
If hard-wired and plumbed igniters and burners are used, then gas flow can be controlled, but the system lacks portability and flexibility for placement at numerous desired locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ignition system into separate modular components: a portable high-voltage spark generator that can be positioned independently, and a separate burn plaque with gas line connections. This segmentation allows the ignition source to be placed at any desired location relative to the gas supply, providing flexibility while maintaining controlled gas flow through the plaque's porous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic, reconfigurable system where the spark generator and burn plaque can be independently positioned and repositioned. The gas flow control is maintained through the porous plaque's inherent structure rather than complex plumbing, allowing rapid reconfiguration for different training scenarios and locations.
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 provides a reliable, durable, and efficient means to simulate fires in various scenarios without the need for water, offering improved safety and maneuverability for trainees while maintaining consistent flame distribution and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a flameless igniter associated with at least certain of the burn plaques, each said flameless igniter igniting said combustible gas emitted from said associated burn plaque
Data Source
AI summary
A system is presented for training emergency personnel in the control, containment, and extinguishment of fires. The system includes an array of waterless burn plaques in selective communication with a pressurized source of combustible gas, such as propane. A flameless igniter is associated with each burn plaque, each flameless igniter igniting the combustible gas emitted from the associated burn plaque. When activated, the igniter is continuously operating, emitting electrical sparks across a gap between electrodes and operating substantially unaffected by its environment. Being waterless, the burn plaques are of a low profile and present minimal interference with trainees maneuvering thereabout.