Modular Fluid Spray Nozzles for Wildfire Water Barriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional firefighting technologies, such as hoses and sprinkler systems, are inadequate for effectively combating wide-area fires like wildfires due to inefficiencies in water distribution, high labor requirements for creating fire breaks, and the inability to prevent embers from crossing fire barriers, leading to ineffective protection of structures from radiant heat.

Innovation Solution

Modular fluid spray nozzles that can be coupled to various conduit materials, allowing for adjustable spacing and flow rates to create a wide, uniform water barrier, reducing water usage and waste while providing targeted protection from fires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional hoses with simple holes are used to create water curtains, then the spray can be formed quickly, but the water curtain is too thin to significantly reduce radiant heat from fire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of deploying water barrierVSAvoidradiant heat reduction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the water delivery into multiple nozzles arranged in arrays, where each nozzle contributes to forming a portion of the water barrier. This segmentation allows the system to create a broader, more effective water curtain that can better block radiant heat while maintaining rapid deployment capability through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from simple hole patterns to nozzles with multi-dimensional spray patterns that distribute water in broader arcs and patterns. This dimensional change in water distribution creates a thicker, more substantial water barrier that effectively reduces radiant heat transmission while covering wider areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If firefighters use hand tools to create fire breaks, then the fire break can be created with simple equipment, but the process is highly labor intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of equipmentVSAvoidspeed of creating fire break

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs hydraulic water delivery through modular nozzle arrays that can be rapidly deployed and connected to water sources. This hydraulic approach replaces manual labor with water-powered spray systems that can create protective barriers much faster than hand tools, while maintaining equipment simplicity through modular, easy-to-connect components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Ease of manufacture

If permanent sprinklers are placed on structure roofs or walls, then the system is easy to install, but the fire can get very close to the structure before encountering water spray

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sprinkler installationVSAvoidstructure exposure to radiant heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The modular nozzle arrays serve as an intermediary system deployed between the wildfire and the structure. These can be positioned at optimal distances from the structure to intercept embers and radiant heat before they reach the building, while still being easily installed and connected to existing water sources. The system acts as a movable, adjustable barrier rather than fixed permanent sprinklers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If water is sprayed vertically upward from conventional hoses, then the water delivery system is simple, but the available water is better used to wet nearby fuels to prevent ignition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of water delivery systemVSAvoidfuel ignition prevention effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle arrays provide dynamic, adjustable spray patterns that can be oriented and positioned to target specific areas needing protection. The system can adapt spray direction and distribution to wet nearby fuels effectively, preventing ignition while maintaining relatively simple water delivery through modular components that can be configured for different tactical situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 modular nozzles enable efficient water distribution, reducing labor costs and water consumption while effectively preventing embers from crossing fire barriers, providing a cost-effective and efficient means to protect structures from wildfires by creating a broad, uniform water barrier.

Implementation Method 1

The modular fluid spray nozzles are capable of being coupled to any type of conduit material, for example, PVC piping, segments of hose, or other types of fluid conduit segments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS11203023B2Modular fluid spray nozzles and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 SHOAP STEPHEN D

AI summary

A modular fluid spray nozzle is constructed from an inner conduit, having a sidewall with a center hole, housed inside a center conduit that includes a window defined by a sidewall, and a flexible or rigid outer conduit wrapped around the center conduit and forming a chamber with the rectangular window. The chamber is in fluid communication with the center hole and with at least two apertures defined by the outer conduit. The inner conduit is configured to be coupled to any type of conduit material, such as PVC pipe or another modular fluid hose segment.