Modular Hose Misting Heads for Wildfire Ember Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wildfires pose a significant economic burden and risk to structures and assets, with existing suppression methods being costly and inefficient in preventing damage from airborne embers and debris.
Innovation Solution
A chain of alternating hose sections and misting heads that spray water under pressure to create a downward mist curtain, protecting structures by blocking airborne embers and debris without the need for external pumps, using household water pressure and configured to withstand pressure without breaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional wildfire suppression methods are used, then fire damage can be suppressed, but the cost is extremely high (tens of billions of dollars annually)
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary protection by creating a mist curtain barrier before wildfires can reach structures. The misting heads are pre-positioned along the structure perimeter and can be activated in advance of the fire front, preventing embers and flames from contacting vulnerable areas in the first place, rather than attempting to suppress established fires
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mist as an intermediary substance between the wildfire and the structure. The water mist acts as a protective medium that absorbs heat, blocks airborne embers, and creates a thermal barrier, mediating the interaction between the fire and the protected structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high water pressure is used to create effective mist curtain, then protection effectiveness increases, but the system may break under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components including multiple misting heads spaced along the structure, each handling a specific section. This segmentation distributes the water pressure load across multiple independent units rather than concentrating it on a single system, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 2:
The misting heads are designed with specific orifice sizes and pressure ratings that transform high-pressure water input into effective mist output. By optimizing the pressure parameters and flow characteristics through proper component selection and design, the system achieves effective ember blocking while maintaining structural integrity under operating pressures
3Area of stationary object
If misting heads are positioned to create complete coverage curtain, then protection area increases, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The misting heads are designed as universal, identical modules that can be repeated along the entire perimeter of any structure. Each unit performs the same function and can be installed in a standardized manner, allowing the system to scale to different protection areas without increasing complexity through component variety
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses homogeneous components throughout - identical misting heads, consistent spacing, and uniform installation patterns. This homogeneity simplifies design, installation, and maintenance while allowing the protected area to be extended simply by adding more of the same modular units
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 creates a protective mist curtain that safeguards structures and assets from wildfires by preventing ember contact, reducing damage and enhancing safety during evacuation periods.
Implementation Method 1
spray water under pressure downward to form a misting curtain
Implementation Method 2
spray water under pressure downward to form a misting curtain
Implementation Method 3
The water then strikes a misting platform held by an arm just below the misting head which causes the stream to be dispersed and radiate outward and downward as mist
Data Source
AI summary
A wildfire protection system is provided comprising a plurality of hose sections arranged in an end-to-end manner in a chain, each section about one foot in length. The system also comprises a plurality of misting heads about 2.5 inches in length each, one each of the plurality of heads positioned between ends of adjacent hose sections. Each misting head receives water at an intake end from a first connecting hose section, expels a portion of the water through at least one opening in each head, and releases a remainder of the received water at a discharge end to a second connecting hose section. The chain receives water at one end and a second end is capped in a half circuit structure. Alternatively the chain receives water at both ends in a closed loop structure, the structure at least directed to evenly distributing water pressure in the chain.