Movable Nozzle Aiming for Targeted Kitchen Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen fire suppression systems often discharge extinguishing agents over large areas, wasting resources and requiring multiple nozzles and cylinders, while lacking precise targeting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system with a tracking system that moves a nozzle laterally, rotationally, and angularly to precisely aim at the fire location, using sensors and a controller to optimize agent delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single fixed nozzle is used to cover the entire kitchen area, then the coverage area is maximized, but the precision of targeting the fire location is poor and agent is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed nozzle into a movable nozzle system. The nozzle is mounted on a movable carriage that can travel along tracks positioned above the cooking surface, allowing the nozzle to dynamically reposition itself based on fire detection location, thus achieving both wide coverage capability and precise targeting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fire suppression function by dividing the kitchen cooking area into multiple zones covered by separate nozzles. Each nozzle can be independently positioned and activated based on which zone contains the fire, allowing precise agent delivery to the affected zone only rather than discharging to the entire area
2Measurement precision
If multiple nozzles are used to improve targeting precision, then the targeting precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single movable nozzle system that can serve multiple cooking zones sequentially. The same nozzle unit travels along tracks to position itself over different burners or cooking surfaces as needed, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated nozzles for each zone while maintaining precise targeting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple nozzles into a single movable nozzle unit. By combining the targeting precision of a focused nozzle with the coverage capability of multiple positions, the system achieves effective fire suppression across the entire cooking surface without requiring physically multiple nozzle assemblies
3Quantity of substance
If multiple cylinders are used to supply multiple nozzles, then the agent supply is sufficient for multiple zones, but the loss of substance increases due to discharge over large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The movable nozzle system dynamically positions the agent discharge point directly over the fire location, ensuring that the extinguishing agent is delivered precisely where needed. This dynamic positioning eliminates agent waste from discharging over unaffected areas while maintaining sufficient agent supply to the fire zone
4Measurement precision
If the nozzle is moved to track the fire location, then the targeting precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-axis mechanical positioning systems with a simpler linear track mechanism. The nozzle moves along predetermined track paths above the cooking surface, which simplifies the movement mechanism compared to free-space positioning while still achieving precise targeting of fire locations across the cooking zones
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 system achieves targeted agent delivery, reducing resource consumption, minimizing property damage, and decreasing cleanup time by focusing suppression efforts on the actual fire location.
Implementation Method 1
a tracking system that is configured to sense a location of a fire in the kitchen
Implementation Method 2
Aiming the nozzle may include moving the nozzle laterally. The lateral movement may include moving the nozzle along a track within a hood of a range top.
Implementation Method 3
The aiming includes rotatabaly moving the nozzle.
Implementation Method 4
the aiming includes angular movement of the nozzle.
Implementation Method 5
the nozzle is in fluid communication with the cylinder through a hose.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of suppressing a kitchen fire includes detecting a fire and identifying a location of the fire with a tracking system, aiming a nozzle at the location, and releasing an agent through the nozzle at the location.