Floor Nozzle Deflector Geometry for Long-Throw Foam Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire suppression systems using fluorine-free foam concentrates suffer from reduced throw distance and coverage area due to limited momentum of fire suppressant, especially in areas with inclines, and require significant renovation to address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A floor nozzle system with a deflector design featuring converging inlet and diverging outlet passageways, angled projecting members, and a mounting assembly that allows for effective distribution of fluorine-free foam over a 25 ft. × 25 ft. area with a slope, maintaining operation under heavy loads and minimizing aircraft contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fixed nozzles with constant radius projecting members are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the momentum of fire suppressant is limited and throw distance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the passageways from constant radius to variable radius with specific convergence and divergence angles. The convergent portion has a length-to-diameter ratio of 0.5-1.5 and the divergent portion has a length-to-diameter ratio of 1.0-2.0, creating optimal flow conditions that increase fire suppressant momentum and throw distance while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved surfaces in the passageway design, specifically the convergent and divergent portions with optimized radius of curvature. This curvature management reduces flow separation and turbulence, maintaining higher momentum throughout the passageway and improving throw distance compared to straight or constant radius designs
2Area of stationary object
If additional nozzles are added to increase coverage area, then the coverage area increases, but the device complexity and renovation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the passageway geometry parameters (convergence angle, divergence angle, length ratios), the patent extends the throw distance of each nozzle stream, allowing a single nozzle to cover a larger area. This parameter optimization enables existing nozzle installations to achieve expanded coverage without adding more nozzles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fire suppressant flow into multiple optimized streams through the array of projecting members with optimized passageways. Each segment is engineered to maximize its individual throw and coverage, collectively providing extended area coverage from a single nozzle location
3Area of stationary object
If oscillating monitors are used to spray foam, then the coverage area can be adjusted, but mechanical operation requires maintenance and positioning may expose aircraft to fire suppressant contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the moving parts and mechanical operation from the system by using fixed nozzles with optimized passageway geometry. The coverage area is controlled through geometric design rather than mechanical movement, eliminating maintenance requirements while providing reliable, maintenance-free operation
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed nozzle design with optimized passageways automatically provides the required coverage area through its geometric configuration. The system is self-regulating and requires no active control or adjustment mechanisms, providing reliable coverage without mechanical intervention or maintenance
4Object-affected harmful factors
If nozzles are positioned to avoid travel paths of aircraft, then safety is improved, but the spray effectiveness is reduced and coverage area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the throw distance parameter through optimized passageway geometry, enabling nozzles to be positioned in safer locations while still achieving adequate coverage. The extended throw distance compensates for the increased distance from the fire area, maintaining coverage effectiveness while improving aircraft safety
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 delivers fluorine-free foam with enhanced throw distance and coverage, achieving effective foam quality within 30 seconds over inclined areas without additional nozzle locations, while resisting aircraft weight and maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
each passageway has a converging inlet portion and a diverging outlet portion that increase the momentum of the fire suppressant flow
Implementation Method 2
distributing the fluorine-free foam solution to a protected area, such as a floor area of a hangar, platform, runway or other aircraft areas
Data Source
AI summary
A floor nozzle assembly and systems and methods thereof for delivering a fire suppressant foam to a protected area. The nozzle assembly has a body and deflector in contact with one another to form a plurality of passageways through which a fire suppressant flows. The deflector has a deflector flange and a plurality of projecting members in contact with the body to form the passageways. The nozzle assembly has one or more of the following: i) a radial outer portion at each projecting member having a plurality of curved edges with at least two different curvatures; ii) each passageway is formed by parallel planar sidewalls; iii) the projecting members extend radially over a majority radial length of the deflector flange; and/or iv) the deflector flange has, with respect to a horizontal, a surface at an angle that is less than a support surface of the nozzle body.