Horizontal Fire Suppression Cylinder With Vortex Powder Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire suppression apparatuses with horizontal mounting configurations experience reduced effectiveness due to settled powder remaining below the intake opening, which is not entrained in the discharge gas, leading to incomplete discharge.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a discharge conduit with an agent disturbing portion featuring an axial end aperture and side apertures, creating a venturi effect to promote the entrainment of fire suppressant powder in the discharge gas, utilizing a vortex generation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the container is mounted horizontally to minimize space, then the space utilization is improved, but the discharge completeness deteriorates due to powder settling below the intake opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs vibration mechanisms to agitate the powder agent within the container, preventing settlement and ensuring complete discharge. The vibration disturbs the powder layer, allowing gas to entrain powder particles even in horizontal mounting positions, thus resolving the contradiction between space-saving horizontal orientation and complete powder discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements such as movable discharge tube positions or adjustable intake openings that can change orientation during operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to powder settlement patterns, ensuring continuous access to powder particles regardless of the horizontal mounting position, thereby maintaining discharge completeness while preserving space efficiency.
2Volume of moving object
If the discharge tube intake opening is positioned to minimize space, then the space utilization is improved, but the powder entrainment deteriorates when powder settles
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration mechanisms are integrated to actively prevent powder settlement around the intake opening, ensuring that the full quantity of powder remains accessible and usable throughout the discharge process, even when the container is horizontally mounted for space optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism such as a distributor plate or flow guide that mediates between the settled powder and the intake opening. This intermediary structure redirects gas flow to pick up powder particles from settled regions, ensuring complete utilization of the powder charge while maintaining compact horizontal mounting.
3Speed
If the discharge valve opens completely to maximize flow, then the discharge speed is improved, but the powder entrainment efficiency deteriorates due to gas channeling
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge valve is segmented into multiple openings or a distributed opening pattern rather than a single large opening. This segmentation maintains high discharge speed through multiple flow paths while preventing gas channeling that would reduce powder entrainment efficiency, allowing complete powder utilization without sacrificing discharge velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve opening structure is designed with non-uniform local characteristics, such as varied opening sizes or distributed openings in different locations. This creates multiple flow regimes simultaneously, with some regions providing high-speed discharge and others optimizing powder pickup, thereby resolving the contradiction between discharge speed and entrainment efficiency.
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
Enhances the discharge efficiency of fire suppressant powder, reducing the unusable residue and minimizing the frequency of refilling operations, thereby lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
The disturbing portion may comprise a venturi-effect portion.
Implementation Method 2
The disturbing portion may comprise a vortex generating portion of the conduit.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A fire suppression apparatus (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention is of a type used particularly in fire suppression systems of vehicles and comprises a container in the form of a pressure cylinder (120) having a discharge valve (130) and, inside the cylinder, a tubular discharge conduit (140). The cylinder (120) is shown in its operable configuration, arranged on its side, and the discharge tube includes a first portion (140a), close to the valve (130), that extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and in this example is substantially central with respect to the cylinder. The tube also includes a second portion (140b) that extends downwardly from the substantially axial first portion (140a) towards the lowest part of the sidewall of the cylinder and a third portion (140c) that is again substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, but close to the sidewall of the cylinder, at an insert portion (140d).