Lithium Battery Fire Suppression Container with Dual Powder and Scrubbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems are inadequate for handling lithium battery fires, particularly in aircraft cabins during flight, as they do not effectively address thermal runaway reactions and the subsequent fires, and often fail to prevent the spread of noxious fumes.
Innovation Solution
A portable fire suppression apparatus comprising a base with a sleeve and a lid, both filled with fire suppressing powders, where the sleeve is removable to collapse the first powder onto the object and the lid releases a second powder to fully enclose and extinguish the fire, while venting systems scrub exhaust gases to prevent fume entry into the cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water or typical fire extinguishers are used, then fire suppression is attempted, but they are insufficient for lithium battery thermal runaway fires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fire suppression medium from water/foam to dry powder agents (metal powder, non-metal powder) that are specifically effective against lithium battery thermal runaway, achieving both reliability and adaptability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is used to contain the fire, then fire spread is prevented, but thermal runaway reactions continue without effective suppression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions into one system: the cover provides physical containment while the integrated powder dispensing mechanism simultaneously suppresses thermal runaway, achieving both fire spread prevention and reliable thermal runaway suppression
3Device complexity
If a single powder is used, then the structure is simple, but fire suppression is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fire suppression function into two distinct powder types with different roles: metal powder for suppressing thermal runaway reactions and non-metal powder for extinguishing flames, achieving complete fire suppression while maintaining reasonable structural organization
4Ease of operation
If the sleeve is removed to collapse powder, then powder deployment is achieved, but the process requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to deploy powder automatically through heat-sensitive mechanisms that respond to fire conditions without requiring manual sleeve removal, improving ease of operation while managing device complexity through intelligent design
5Object-affected harmful factors
If exhaust gases are not managed, then the apparatus is simpler, but noxious fumes spread in the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary scrubbing system that processes exhaust gases between the fire containment chamber and the cabin environment, effectively removing noxious fumes while managing the added device complexity through a modular approach
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
Effectively contains and extinguishes lithium battery fires, preventing the spread of flames and noxious fumes, enhancing passenger safety by using fire retardant powders and venting systems to manage fumes within the aircraft environment.
Implementation Method 1
a first fire suppressing powder positioned in the internal area between the sleeve and the walls
Implementation Method 2
Fire suppressing powder is used to engulf a burning consumer electronics device
Implementation Method 3
venting systems scrub exhaust gases to prevent fume entry into the cabin
Data Source
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AI summary
A fire suppression apparatus is described that includes a base and a lid. The base has an opening and walls defining an internal area. The base also includes a sleeve with a portion positioned in the internal area and around a perimeter of the walls, and the sleeve defines a region of the internal area for placing an object. The sleeve also has an opening for placing the object into the region. The base further has a first fire suppressing powder positioned in the internal area between the sleeve and the walls. The lid covers the opening of the base, and has a cavity, a second fire suppressing powder contained inside the cavity, and a divider positioned to cover the cavity of the lid. Methods for suppressing a fire of an object are also described.