Fluid Hose Integrated Nozzle Sidewall Patch for Wildfire Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hose nozzles are inadequate for effectively fighting wide-front wildfires and grassfires, as they allow fires to spread due to limited water distribution, and existing solutions like water curtains and sprinkler systems are either inefficient or labor-intensive and costly to set up.
Innovation Solution
A fluid hose apparatus with integrated nozzles featuring sidewall holes, patches, and chambers that disperse pressurized fluid through nozzles, creating a wide, multidirectional spray pattern to protect the hose and structures from radiant heat, allowing for efficient firebreak creation and structure protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional hoses with simple holes are used to create water curtains, then water can be sprayed to protect structures, but the water curtain is too thin to significantly reduce radiant heat and water is wasted without effectively wetting nearby fuels
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is segmented with multiple holes distributed along its length, and a patch with chamber is positioned to receive water from multiple holes and redirect it through nozzles. This segmentation allows water to be distributed across multiple spray points, creating a more effective coverage pattern that both protects against radiant heat and wets nearby fuels efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the traditional linear water spray into a three-dimensional spray pattern by using the chamber to redirect water from horizontal flow (through hose holes) to multidirectional spray (through patch nozzles). This dimensional change creates a volumetric water distribution that effectively blocks radiant heat while simultaneously wetting fuels in different spatial zones.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rotating sprinklers on tripods are deployed to protect structures, then fire protection can be provided, but the system setup is very time consuming and hardware is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the hose and nozzle functions into a single integrated apparatus. The patch with chamber and nozzles is directly attached to the hose, eliminating the need for separate sprinkler systems, tripods, and complex assembly. This integration allows firefighters to deploy protection quickly by simply positioning the hose with the integrated nozzle near the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated nozzle system is self-contained and requires no external support structures or complex setup procedures. The hose itself serves as both the water delivery mechanism and the mounting structure for the nozzle, making the system self-sufficient and rapidly deployable without requiring additional hardware or assembly steps.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If permanent sprinklers are placed on structure roofs or walls, then fire protection is provided, but the fire can get very close to the structure before encountering water spray, subjecting the structure to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated nozzle is designed to be positioned close to the structure before fire reaches it, creating a preliminary water barrier. The nozzle directs spray both at the approaching fire and onto nearby fuels, pre-cooling the environment and preventing the fire from getting close to the structure. This preliminary action stops the fire at a distance, protecting the structure from high temperatures.
4Productivity
If conventional hose nozzles are used to fight wide-front wildfires, then water can be sprayed onto fires, but only a small section of the wide area can be treated at any given moment, allowing fires in other areas to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is equipped with multiple holes along its length, and the patch with chamber receives water from multiple holes to distribute it through nozzles. This segmentation allows a single hose to cover a wider area by spraying water at multiple points simultaneously, increasing the effective coverage rate for wide-front wildfires.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated nozzle system serves multiple functions: it sprays water directly onto approaching fire, wets nearby fuels to prevent ignition, and creates a water barrier against radiant heat. This multi-functionality allows a single apparatus to address multiple aspects of wildfire suppression, effectively increasing productivity without requiring multiple separate devices.
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 apparatus provides a wide, high, and deep spray pattern that effectively protects hoses and structures from radiant heat, preventing fire spread and allowing for safer firefighting operations by creating a firebreak that can be deployed efficiently and cost-effectively.
Implementation Method 1
dispersing a directional path of the portion of the quantity of pressurized fluid within a chamber
Implementation Method 2
dispersing the portion of the quantity of pressurized fluid through at least one nozzle formed in an exterior wall of the at least one patch
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid hose apparatus with integrated nozzle includes a hose having at least one sidewall hole formed within a sidewall thereof. At least one patch is affixed to the sidewall of the hose, the at least one patch positioned over the at least one sidewall hole. A chamber is formed between the at least one patch and the sidewall of the hose, wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one sidewall hole. At least one nozzle is formed in an exterior wall of the at least one patch, wherein the at least one nozzle is in fluid communication with the chamber. A related supply line system for conveying and spraying a fluid and method of protecting an elongated hose from a heat source is also disclosed.