Frost Resistant Fire Extinguisher Closure Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire extinguishing systems for rail vehicles and mobile applications face issues with high acquisition costs and lack of fire resistance due to the use of thermoelastic plastics, which can melt during fires, and conventional sealing means are prone to damage from freezing extinguishing fluids, leading to operational failures.

Innovation Solution

The closure device features a riser pipe partially filled with extinguishing fluid, with a gas space between the closure means and the fluid level, allowing expansion without damaging the sealing means, and can be controlled by a fire alarm system to ensure reliable discharge during fires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional sealing means are used in pressure bottles storing extinguishing fluid, then the device structure is simple, but the sealing means are damaged when the extinguishing fluid freezes and expands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure device structureVSAvoidsealing means integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device is divided into separate functional components: a closure member with sealing means that can be independently replaced, and a pressure bottle with a neck portion. This segmentation allows the sealing means to be protected from freezing damage while maintaining overall device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention pre-positions the closure means at the outlet of the pressure bottle in a location where it is not directly exposed to the freezing extinguishing fluid. The closure means is arranged in the neck portion above the filling level, preventing direct contact with frozen fluid before freezing occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If pipes and valves are made from thermoelastic plastic to prevent damage from expansion stress, then material damage is avoided, but the materials lack fire resistance and can melt during fires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrost protectionVSAvoidfire resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an intermediary gas space between the extinguishing fluid and the closure means. This gas cushion acts as a mediator that absorbs expansion forces during freezing, protecting the closure means without requiring fire-resistant plastic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state parameters by maintaining a gas phase space rather than allowing complete fluid filling. This parameter change (having gas instead of liquid in the upper portion) allows the system to accommodate volume expansion during freezing while maintaining fire resistance through traditional materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the pressure bottle is filled to high capacity to maximize extinguishing fluid storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but the extinguishing fluid can freeze and damage the pressure bottle and closure means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextinguishing fluid storage capacityVSAvoidfrost protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention provides beforehand cushioning by creating a gas space in the neck portion above the filling level. This cushioning space is prepared in advance to absorb the expansion of freezing fluid, allowing high filling capacity in the main body while protecting against frost damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention addresses the freezing problem by transitioning to another dimension - creating a vertical gas space above the liquid level rather than trying to protect the horizontal bottle structure. The closure means is positioned in this vertical dimension where it is protected from freezing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design prevents damage from freezing and ensures effective operation of fire extinguishing systems without the need for antifreeze, allowing for up to 90-95% filling of pressure bottles and maintaining operational reliability at low costs.

Implementation Method 1

the connection piece has a riser pipe, such that the riser pipe is at least partially above the level of the extinguishing fluid, and that the riser pipe has closure means such that a gas space is formed between the closure means and the extinguishing fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The closure means can be in the form of a bursting disk or a valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

If a valve is used, it can be controlled by a fire alarm system and open in the event of a fire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFire detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2015851B1Frost resistant container for extinguishing fluid
Publication Date: 2010.09.22 FOGTEC BRANDSCHUTZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2015851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2015851B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Closure device (2) for pressure cylinders (6) which store extinguishing fluid (4), with a pressure cylinder (6) and with an adapter piece (8) for connection of an immersion tube (10) arranged in the pressure cylinder (6) to a connecting piece (12) arranged outside the pressure cylinder (6). To ensure frost resistant operation of a fire extinguisher, it is suggested that the immersion tube (10) and the connecting piece (12) be formed in such a way that the connecting piece (12) is partly filled with extinguishing fluid (4) in an idle state, the connecting piece (12) has a riser pipe (14) such that the riser pipe (14) lies at least partly above the level (16) of the extinguishing fluid (4), and that the riser pipe (14) has a bursting disk (18) such that a gamma space (20) is formed between the bursting disk (18) and the extinguishing fluid (4).