Modular Fire-Fighting Nozzle for Long-Range Droplet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire-fighting equipment fails to efficiently project water droplets over long distances while minimizing water accumulation and collateral damage, and lacks adaptability for different fire-fighting needs and harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
A user-configurable long-range fire-fighting apparatus with a modular spray assembly and adjustable droplet-generating nozzle system, featuring a unibody jet-fragmenting device with a conical shape and channels, and a flap system for modifying dispersion patterns, allowing for efficient droplet projection and adaptation to various fire-fighting scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a heavy jet of water is directed toward the base of a fire, then the fire can be attacked directly at the heat source, but water accumulates around the site causing collateral damage and the water does not evaporate efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The water stream is segmented into fine droplets through specially designed nozzle geometries and jet-fragmenting devices. The continuous water jet is broken up into numerous small droplets that spread over a larger area, increase evaporation rate, and reduce water accumulation damage while maintaining effective fire attack capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of water delivery by controlling droplet size distribution, spray angle, and flow rate. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves efficient fire extinguishing through enhanced evaporation while minimizing harmful water accumulation around the fire site
2Reliability
If water droplets are projected over a long range to reach the fire heat source from a safe distance, then operator safety is improved, but the droplets disperse too much and lose effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs adjustable nozzle assemblies that can dynamically change spray patterns and droplet characteristics. This allows optimization of droplet trajectory and concentration for long-range projection while maintaining effectiveness at the target, balancing operator safety with fire extinguishing productivity
3Productivity
If the fire-fighting apparatus is designed to produce fine droplets for efficient evaporation, then water utilization efficiency improves, but the apparatus becomes complex and difficult to operate reliably in harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is designed to be self-regulating and self-cleaning to some extent. The jet-fragmenting devices and nozzle geometries are configured to automatically maintain optimal droplet production characteristics without requiring complex control systems or frequent maintenance, reducing operational complexity while preserving water utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves fine droplet production through carefully optimized geometric parameters of simple nozzle structures rather than complex multi-component systems. By focusing on parameter optimization of basic components, the system maintains high water utilization efficiency while minimizing device complexity and improving reliability in harsh fire-fighting conditions
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
Enables effective fire extinguishing over long distances with minimal water accumulation, adaptability for different fire types, and reliable operation in harsh conditions, improving efficiency and safety by controlling droplet size and dispersion patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a unibody jet-fragmenting device mounted to the holding structure facing the stream of fluid exiting the fluid outlet
Implementation Method 2
one of the most helpful properties of water for extinguishing fire is its high heat absorption capacity, especially thanks to its unmatched evaporation latent heat
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a fire-fighting apparatus comprising a housing comprising an upstream air inlet and a downstream fire-extinguishing stream outlet and a hollow body therebetween, wherein the housing houses an air stream traveling at high velocity; and a spray assembly concentrically mounted to the housing. The spray assembly comprises a fluid inlet connected to a source of fluid outside the housing; and a plurality of injecting assemblies fluidly connected to the fluid inlet and designed for breaking down an inflow of the fluid into droplets and projecting the droplets of the fluid within the air stream in a multiphase fire-extinguishing stream. The injecting assemblies each comprises a fluid outlet; a base plate through which extends the fluid outlet; a holding structure mounted to the base plate and extending downstream therefrom, and a unibody jet-fragmenting device mounted to the holding structure facing the stream of fluid exiting the fluid outlet.