Flow-Actuated Antifreeze Injection Device for Fire Suppression Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire suppression systems face challenges with corrosive freezing point depressants, ensuring proper dosage, and compatibility issues when using antifreeze, particularly in water storage tanks and pipes, which can lead to corrosion and inefficient distribution.
Innovation Solution
A device that introduces a freezing point depressant, such as AQUAGREEN™ XT™ antifreeze, into the fire suppression fluid using a housing with a movable stopper and vane mechanism, allowing controlled introduction based on fluid flow, ensuring the agent is added only when needed and in the correct amount, thus avoiding exposure to incompatible materials and reducing corrosion risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a freezing point depressant (antifreeze) is introduced into the fire suppression system, then the system is protected from freezing, but corrosion of storage tanks, pipes, and pumps occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful freezing point depressant from direct contact with system components by introducing it downstream at the point of discharge. The agent is injected into the fluid stream after it has left the storage tank and been pumped through the system, thereby protecting tanks and pumps from corrosion while still providing freezing protection in the discharged fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the fire suppression fluid itself as an intermediary carrier to deliver the freezing point depressant to the discharged fluid. The agent is mixed with the fluid stream downstream, allowing the fluid to mediate the transfer of freeze protection without requiring direct contact between the antifreeze and vulnerable system components.
2Temperature
If too much freezing point depressant is introduced into the system, then freezing protection is ensured, but corrosion and compatibility issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flow sensor that detects the presence and rate of fire suppression fluid discharge, providing feedback control for the agent injection. This feedback mechanism ensures the freezing point depressant is introduced only when fluid is actually being discharged, preventing excessive accumulation and over-dosing in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by introducing the freezing point depressant only during active discharge periods rather than continuously throughout the system. The agent is injected in proportion to the discharge rate, providing sufficient freeze protection only where and when the fluid is being delivered, rather than throughout the entire system infrastructure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If too little freezing point depressant is introduced into the system, then corrosion is minimized, but freezing protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor provides real-time feedback on discharge conditions, enabling the control system to adjust the agent injection rate dynamically. When discharge rate increases or ambient temperature decreases, the system increases agent introduction to maintain adequate freeze protection, preventing under-dosing while still minimizing overall corrosion exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the injection parameters (rate, timing, location) of the freezing point depressant based on operating conditions. The agent introduction is adjusted according to fluid discharge rate and environmental temperature, optimizing the balance between providing sufficient freeze protection and minimizing corrosion through reduced overall exposure.
4Ease of operation
If the freezing point depressant is introduced upstream, then distribution is simplified, but compatibility issues with incompatible materials arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the agent introduction point from the upstream storage and distribution infrastructure and relocates it to the downstream discharge point. This extraction eliminates the need for compatible materials throughout the upstream system while maintaining simple distribution through the existing fire suppression fluid stream.
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 device effectively introduces the freezing point depressant into the fire suppression system, ensuring the correct dosage and minimizing corrosion risks, allowing for selective and efficient use of the agent, even in situations where compatibility with upstream materials is a concern.
Implementation Method 1
A vane causes movement of the stopper from the closed position to the open position responsive to contact between the vane and fire suppression fluid flowing past the vane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An exemplary device for introducing an agent into a fire suppression fluid includes a housing having an inlet configured to receive the agent into the housing. The housing also has an outlet configured to release the agent from the housing. A stopper is moveable between a closed position where the stopper prevents passage from the inlet to the outlet and an open position where the inlet is in communication with the outlet. A vane causes movement of the stopper from the closed position to the open position responsive to contact between the vane and fire suppression fluid flowing past the vane.