Horizontal Spray Nozzle Coupling for Tunnel Fire Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire protection systems for vehicle transit tunnels face challenges in effectively distributing water to cover large areas and ensuring adequate protection against fires, particularly in the design of deluge systems with horizontal spray nozzle arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A deluge fire protection system featuring a main water supply pipe and a horizontal spray nozzle arrangement with a coupling arrangement that defines a multi-directional flow path, providing an effective length of at least eight times the diameter of the inlet portion and a cross-sectional area greater than the inlet area, ensuring efficient water distribution and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fire protection system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the water distribution coverage and spray pattern effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement is segmented into multiple functional components including a body, inlet portion, flow path, and outlet portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving comprehensive water distribution coverage required for fire protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from conventional single-direction water flow to multi-directional spray distribution. The coupling arrangement is designed to distribute water in multiple directions simultaneously, creating a three-dimensional spray pattern that significantly enhances fire protection coverage compared to traditional linear water flow systems.
2Area of stationary object
If the coupling arrangement has a short effective length and small cross-sectional area, then the device complexity is reduced, but the water distribution coverage and spray pattern are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement merges multiple flow paths within a single integrated structure. By combining several directional outlets and flow channels into one coupling device, the system achieves extensive water distribution coverage without proportionally increasing the number of separate components, thus balancing coverage area with device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling arrangement is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs water distribution in multiple directions, supports various nozzle configurations, and maintains system pressure. This multi-functionality allows a single coupling device to achieve comprehensive coverage that would otherwise require multiple separate components.
3Productivity
If the spray nozzle arrangement is positioned closer to the surface, then the water delivery efficiency is improved, but the main water supply pipe must be positioned lower
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement acts as an intermediary component between the main water supply pipe and the spray nozzle. It receives water from the supply pipe and distributes it through multiple directional outlets, enabling the nozzle to be positioned optimally for water delivery efficiency while the supply pipe maintains its structural position. This intermediary function decouples the positioning constraints of the supply pipe from the operational requirements of the nozzle.
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 achieves comprehensive water distribution with a desired spray pattern, effectively protecting vehicle transit areas by ensuring water is delivered at the right pressure and density, enhancing fire protection coverage and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling arrangement preferably defines a multi-flow path and preferably at least a two-direction flow path between the main water supply and the nozzle device
Implementation Method 2
The horizontal spray nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle device having a deflector and a frame supporting the deflector
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A deluge fire protection system including a main water supply pipe and a horizontal spray nozzle arrangement. The horizontal spray nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle device having a deflector and a frame supporting the deflector. The frame has a body defining an orifice and nozzle axis. The body includes an inlet portion defining an internal diameter and an external nominal diameter. The horizontal spray arrangement also includes a coupling arrangement between the main water supply and the nozzle device. The coupling arrangement defines a multi-direction flow path between the main water supply and the nozzle device. The multi-direction flow path has an effective length of at least eight times a diameter of the inlet portion and a cross-sectional area along the effective length, greater than the cross-sectional area defined by a diameter of the inlet portion of the body of the nozzle device. In another aspect, the coupling arrangement provides for water delivery to the nozzle device at a working pressure ranging from about 10 psi. to about 30 psi.