Graphene Fiber Fire Sensor for Aircraft Cabin Attic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire detection systems in aircraft, particularly in areas like the cabin attic, are inefficient due to the difficulty in monitoring hard-to-reach spaces and the added weight and complexity of fire and smoke detectors, which can lead to undetected fires in thermal insulation blankets and films.
Innovation Solution
A fire sensor system utilizing graphene-based, non-conductive fibers with electromagnetic property changes upon contact with fire, integrated into thermal insulation blankets or fire seals, connected to a detector system that analyzes signal changes to pinpoint fire locations and trigger alarms or extinguishers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fire and smoke detectors with wiring harnesses are installed to monitor fire zones, then fire detection capability is improved, but weight and system complexity increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fire detection function from complex detector units and wiring systems, embedding it directly into the thermal insulation blanket through integrated sensor elements. This eliminates the need for separate detectors and extensive wiring harnesses while maintaining fire detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation blanket serves multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation and simultaneously acts as the sensor substrate for fire detection. The integrated sensors are embedded within the blanket structure, allowing the same component to perform both insulation and detection roles.
2Reliability
If traditional fire detectors are installed in hidden areas like cabin attic, then fire detection is possible, but the area remains difficult to monitor and fires can burn undetected until large damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor elements are nested within the layers of the thermal insulation blanket, with sensors embedded in the insulation material itself. This nested structure allows the sensors to be positioned within the hidden cabin attic area while maintaining detection capability, as the sensors are distributed throughout the blanket material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electronic detector units with distributed sensor elements that are chemically or physically integrated into the insulation material. This substitution eliminates the need for complex detector mechanisms and wiring in hard-to-reach areas.
3Reliability
If fire seals are used to prevent fire spread in critical areas, then fire containment is improved, but the system lacks early detection capability to activate response systems
Solution Approach 1:
The fire seal system is segmented into multiple zones with distributed sensor elements positioned at different locations. Each sensor independently monitors its local area, providing granular fire location information that enables targeted response activation while maintaining overall fire containment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor elements are pre-positioned within the fire seal structure before any fire event occurs. This preliminary placement ensures that sensors are already in optimal positions to detect fire early and provide location information for activating response systems, rather than requiring post-fire assessment.
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 effectively detects fires in hard-to-reach areas, reduces weight and complexity, and prevents fire spread by accurately locating fires and activating appropriate responses, enhancing aircraft safety.
Implementation Method 1
A changeable electromagnetic property may conveniently comprise one of the group consisting of electrical resistance and surface magnetism
Implementation Method 2
A changeable electromagnetic property may conveniently comprise one of the group consisting of electrical resistance and surface magnetism
Implementation Method 3
The conducting agent may comprise a nano material which may comprise a graphene-based doping agent. The graphene-based doping agent may comprise graphene oxide.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire sensor, fire sensing apparatus and a fire sensing system are disclosed. The fire sensor includes a layer of fibers arranged to cross one another at intersections. The fibers have an electromagnetic property which is changeable upon contact with fire and they are individually connectible to a detector of fire sensing apparatus to detect any change in the electromagnetic property. A change in electromagnetic property detected at any intersection of two fibers will indicate a fire at the location of that intersection. A movement of that location across the sensor will indicate the direction of travel of the fire. The sensing system is capable of sending alerts and extinguishing the fire.