Intruder Deterrent Smoke Generator Thermal Storage
Solution Overview
Problem
Intruder deterrent systems that generate smoke screens face challenges in maintaining operation during power outages and have high peak power consumption, which can be disruptive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a heating storage block with a flow channel that increases in cross-sectional area, allowing for efficient steam generation and storage of energy, reducing power demand and enabling operation for extended periods without immediate power supply, using a combination of electric heating elements and a pump system to regulate smoke density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional smoke generator immediately heats liquid to generate smoke, then smoke can be generated quickly, but peak power consumption becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The heating storage block pre-heats and stores thermal energy in advance before smoke generation is needed. The block contains heating elements that can heat the block material itself during normal operation, storing thermal energy that can be rapidly released when smoke is needed, avoiding the need for high peak power during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating storage block acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the smoke generation process. Instead of directly heating liquid to generate smoke, the system first heats the storage block, which then transfers stored thermal energy to the liquid in the flow channel, mediating the energy transfer and smoothing power consumption.
2Reliability
If power supply is interrupted, then operation must stop immediately, but continuous protection is needed during power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The heating storage block stores thermal energy in advance so that when power is interrupted, the stored heat can continue to generate smoke for a period without power supply. This preliminary energy storage ensures continuous operation during power failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and storage form of energy - storing thermal energy in the heating storage block rather than relying on continuous electrical power supply. This parameter change from electrical energy to stored thermal energy enables operation during power interruptions.
3Quantity of substance
If a large amount of steam is generated rapidly, then smoke density increases quickly, but the flow channel cannot accommodate the expanding steam volume
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is designed with varying cross-sectional dimensions along its length, creating a three-dimensional volume expansion that accommodates the steam generation. The channel starts with a smaller cross-section and expands to a larger cross-section, providing the necessary volume increase in the longitudinal dimension to handle steam expansion.
4Ease of manufacture
If the flow channel has constant cross-section, then manufacturing is simpler, but insufficient space is provided for steam expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel has different cross-sectional dimensions at different locations along its length. The channel cross-section varies from smaller at the inlet to larger at the outlet, providing locally appropriate volume to match the steam generation and expansion requirements at each stage of the flow path.
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 solution allows the smoke generator to operate independently for up to 40 minutes during power failures and reduces peak power consumption, ensuring continuous protection without rapid increases in power demand, while maintaining effective smoke density regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating storage block (4), which heating storage block forms a heating storage, which heating storage block can comprise at least one electric heater
Implementation Method 2
where said heat exchanging of latent heat from the heat storage to said liquid is performed by pumping said liquid through a flow channel formed in at least one of said sections
Implementation Method 3
whereby a large system is achieved... where said heat exchanging of latent heat from the heat storage to said liquid
Implementation Method 4
which channel has a length that at least is longer than the longest side of the heating storage block... by pumping said liquid through a flow channel
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and a method for operating an intruder deterrent system, which method concerns generating a smoke screen activated by intruder detection, which method concerns smoke screen generating operatively linked to the intruder detecting. It is the object of the invention to achieve an intruder deterrent system that can operate for a longer period after interruption in the power supply. The object of the invention can be fulfilled by storage of latent heat in a heat storage, where smoke can be generated by heat exchanging the latent heat from the heat storage block to a liquid, which liquid is evaporated. The use of the heat storage block has led to the unexpected result that the smoke generator can operate independently of power to the heating elements for a very long period.