Inverted Dome Fire Extinguisher Design for Efficient Agent Expulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft fire extinguishers face limitations in agent expulsion efficiency and manufacturability due to the placement of discharge outlets and the use of dip-tubes, which restrict the mass of the extinguishing agent that can be expelled.
Innovation Solution
A fire extinguisher design featuring a secondary dome mounted inside the main dome, with discharge outlets positioned closer to the secondary dome, allowing for efficient agent expulsion without a dip-tube, and enabling floor mounting without additional support structures, using materials like stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium for enhanced strength and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If discharge outlets are positioned at the bottom of the container, then the structure is simple, but the mass of extinguishing agent expelled is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional dome orientation by positioning the dome apex at the bottom and the base at the top. This inversion allows discharge outlets to be located at higher positions on the container while maintaining effective agent expulsion, resolving the contradiction between simple bottom-discharge structure and limited agent mass expulsion.
2Quantity of substance
If dip-tubes are used to increase agent utilization, then more agent can be expelled, but manufacturability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the dip-tube component entirely from the system. By inverting the dome and repositioning discharge outlets, the design achieves effective agent utilization without requiring separate dip-tube structures, thereby improving manufacturability and reliability while maintaining agent expulsion efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If discharge outlets are positioned higher on the container, then more agent mass can be expelled, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the dome orientation, the invention enables discharge outlets to be positioned at higher locations on the container body while actually simplifying the overall structure. The inverted configuration allows gravity and pressure to work together more effectively, eliminating the need for complex dip-tube arrangements.
4Ease of operation
If conventional mounting brackets with supports are used, then the container can be mounted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted dome design integrates mounting functionality directly into the container structure. The dome apex at the bottom and base at the top configuration allows the container itself to serve as the mounting interface, eliminating the need for separate brackets and support structures while maintaining secure installation capability.
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
This design maximizes the usage of the extinguishing agent by allowing all or almost all of it to be discharged through strategically positioned outlets, eliminating the need for dip-tubes and enabling efficient mounting on a floor structure with improved manufacturability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the liquefied agent is driven down and out of the container by the combined agent vapor pressure and a super-pressurizing gas
Implementation Method 2
the liquefied agent is driven down and out of the container by the combined agent vapor pressure and a super-pressurizing gas
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A fire extinguisher includes a main dome partially surrounding an internal space housing agent. A secondary dome is mounted to the main dome and is inverted with respect to the main dome. The secondary dome can have a radius of curvature that is equal to, greater than, or less than that of the main dome. The discharge outlet can include a discharge outlet configured to discharge laterally relative to an axis of symmetry of the main dome and the secondary dome.