Fryer Fire Suppression Nozzle Layout for Vented Lid Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire suppression systems for pressure fryers are inadequate as they only provide protection when the lid is fully open, leaving the appliance at risk of fires when the lid is partially open or venting, as oil can bubble out or air enters the vat, potentially leading to fires.

Innovation Solution

A fire suppression system with multiple nozzles positioned and configured to direct fire suppression agents into the fry vat at different angles and positions, including when the lid is closed and vented, ensuring comprehensive fire protection by utilizing a reservoir and piping connected to nozzles that can target the headspace and overflow drain areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nozzles are positioned to direct fire suppression agent to the center of the vat when the lid is fully open, then fire protection is provided for the fully open position, but fire protection is insufficient when the lid is partially open or venting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection coverageVSAvoidprotection across lid positions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fire suppression system is divided into multiple nozzle groups positioned at different locations and angles. Each nozzle is targeted at specific areas (center, corners, edges) of the fry vat, ensuring comprehensive coverage regardless of lid position. This segmentation allows the system to provide reliable fire protection across all operational states of the fryer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fire suppression system is designed to perform the same fire protection function across multiple lid positions (fully open, partially open, venting, closed). By positioning nozzles to cover various areas of the fry vat and directing suppression agent through different paths, the system achieves universal protection applicable to all operational configurations of the fryer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single nozzle configuration is used for all lid positions, then device complexity is reduced, but fire protection effectiveness varies across different positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle configurationVSAvoidfire suppression effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different nozzles are positioned with specific orientations and angles tailored to their local requirements. Nozzles at corners are angled to cover corner areas, center nozzles target the central region, and edge nozzles cover perimeter areas. This local optimization ensures that each part of the fry vat receives appropriate suppression coverage for its specific location, maintaining high reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2094136B1Fryer fire suppression system
Publication Date: 2010.10.20 TYCO FIRE PRODUCTS LP
  • EP2094136B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2094136B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2094136B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fire suppression system for a fryer (100) is provided. The fire suppression ' system for the fryer may include a reservoir of fire suppression agent, piping connected to the reservoir, and one or more nozzles (210,220) connected to the piping and configured to direct fire suppression agent into the fry vat when the lid is not in the fully open position (such as when the lid is in the closed/unlocked position). For example, when the lid is closed, a headspace may be created between the fry vat and an interior portion of the lid. When the lid is in the closed and unlocked position (creating an opening (240) into the headspace for venting of the fry vat), the nozzle (220) may be configured external to both the lid and the fry vat so that fire suppression agent is directed through the opening (240) and into headspace of the fry vat.