Low Noise Nozzle Assembly for Fire Suppression Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inert gas fire suppression systems used in data centers can produce noise levels exceeding 130 dB, posing a risk of vibration-induced damage to noise-sensitive magnetic Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), leading to potential downtime and loss of operation.

Innovation Solution

A low noise nozzle assembly for fire suppression systems, featuring a cylindrical nozzle portion with conical central body and perforated filter members, designed to reduce the inlet pressure and vector the fire extinguishing agent through exit orifices oriented at specific angles, minimizing acoustic noise levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional nozzles are used in inert gas fire suppression systems, then fire suppression effectiveness is achieved, but noise levels exceed 130 dB causing vibration-induced damage to HDDs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise levelVSAvoidHDD operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly segments the fire extinguishing agent flow through multiple exit orifices distributed across the nozzle portion, rather than using a single large opening. This segmentation reduces the velocity and turbulence at each individual orifice, thereby reducing noise levels while maintaining overall fire suppression effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle assembly incorporates different structural features at different locations: a conical central body at the inlet for flow distribution, multiple exit orifices at specific locations on the nozzle portion for controlled discharge, and perforated filter members at strategic positions to modulate flow characteristics. Each location is optimized locally to reduce noise while maintaining suppression effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the nozzle assembly reduces noise levels through modified geometry, then HDD protection is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic noiseVSAvoidnozzle assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly merges multiple functional elements into a single integrated structure: the conical central body and nozzle portion are formed as one piece, with exit orifices and perforated filter members incorporated during the same manufacturing process. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while achieving noise reduction through the combined geometric features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If perforated filter members are added to reduce inlet pressure, then noise reduction is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinlet pressure fluctuationVSAvoidnozzle assembly fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly incorporates perforated filter members made from porous materials that allow controlled passage of fire extinguishing agent while reducing inlet pressure fluctuations. The porous structure naturally dampens pressure variations and reduces turbulence, achieving noise reduction without requiring complex active control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 nozzle assembly effectively reduces noise levels to below 110 dB, preventing damage to HDDs and ensuring continuous data center operation by maintaining uniform pressure and reducing turbulence, thus protecting sensitive equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a conical central body located in the interior cavity, extending upstream from a base of the nozzle portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow distribution:

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of exit orifices are formed in an outer wall of the nozzle portion, in communication with the interior cavity, for vectoring the flow of fire extinguishing agent exiting therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow vectoring:

Implementation Method 3

at least one perforated filter member positioned upstream from the exit orifices formed in the nozzle portion, the perforated filter member configured for reducing the inlet pressure of the fire extinguishing agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 4

maintaining uniform pressure and reducing turbulence, thus protecting sensitive equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence reduction: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4249085A1Low noise nozzle assembly for fire suppression system

Publication Date: 2023.09.27 KIDDE FENWAL LLC

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AI summary

A nozzle assembly for a fire suppression system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly comprises a body having an inlet end for receiving a flow of fire extinguishing agent from the fire suppression system at an inlet pressure; a nozzle portion extending from the body and having an interior cavity; and a conical central body located in the interior cavity, extending upstream from a base of the nozzle portion, wherein a plurality of exit orifices are formed in an outer wall of the nozzle portion, in communication with the interior cavity, for vectoring the flow of fire extinguishing agent exiting therefrom.