Multiport Fire Suppression System with Distribution Head
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire suppression systems, particularly residential automated sprinkler systems, face issues such as high installation costs, disruption during retrofitting, space and weight constraints, frequent accidental triggering, water-related damage, and inefficiency in extinguishing large fires, making them costly and impractical for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A multiport fire suppression system that houses multiple vessels with different fire-extinguishing fluids, connected via a distribution head and pipes with one-way valves, pressure gauges, and sensors, allowing for efficient distribution and activation based on heat or smoke detection, and featuring a locking mechanism to secure vessels in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ceiling-mounted sprinkler systems are installed, then fire suppression coverage is provided, but installation cost and disruption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fire suppression function into multiple independent vessels that can be selectively activated. Each vessel contains a specific fire-extinguishing fluid and can be independently controlled, allowing targeted suppression without requiring full system installation throughout the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution head acts as an intermediary component that connects multiple vessels to the sprinkler network. It enables fluid transfer from vessels to the sprinkler system without requiring direct integration of hundreds of meters of piping, reducing installation complexity.
2Reliability
If gravity-fed systems with rooftop water tanks are used, then fire suppression is achieved, but space and weight restrictions on rooftops are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the water storage function from the traditional rooftop tank and relocates it to multiple smaller vessels that can be positioned elsewhere in the building. This eliminates the need for large-weight rooftop tanks while maintaining fire suppression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single centralized storage location (rooftop tank) to multiple distributed storage locations throughout the building. This spatial redistribution eliminates weight constraints on the rooftop while maintaining overall system functionality.
3Reliability
If ground-based water tanks with diesel engines are used, then fire suppression is achieved, but space requirements and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the pumping function from the ground-based diesel engine and eliminates it entirely. The fire-extinguishing fluid is delivered through the sprinkler system using the existing building water pressure, removing the need for diesel engines and associated maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the building's existing water pressure infrastructure to deliver fire-extinguishing fluid, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external pumping power. The vessels are positioned to utilize gravity and existing pressure differentials for fluid delivery.
4Reliability
If conventional sprinkler systems are used, then fire suppression is provided, but water-related damage to properties increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies fire-extinguishing fluid selectively to only the areas where fire is detected, rather than activating the entire sprinkler system. This partial action reduces the total volume of water used and minimizes water-related damage to properties while still providing effective fire suppression.
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 provides a cost-effective, efficient, and flexible means of fire suppression, capable of handling various fire types and sizes with reduced installation disruption and damage, while enabling remote activation and monitoring, thus improving safety and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
the pipe includes a one-way valve to prevent fluid flowing in an undesired direction
Implementation Method 2
the system includes a pressure gauge to determine the pressure in a pipe allowing the pressure within a vessel to be monitored
Implementation Method 3
Water puts out fires mainly because it has a very high latent heat of vaporisation (approximately 2,260 kJ/kg) so that during the phase change from water to steam, heat energy is removed from the combusting material
Implementation Method 4
during the phase change from water to steam
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system comprises a housing having one or more ports to receive a nozzle of a fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher itself includes a container to house a fire-extinguishing fluid, the container being fluidly linked with the nozzle. Actuation of the nozzle allows fire-extinguishing fluid to exit the container via the nozzle, whereby insertion of a nozzle into a port actuates the nozzle. The or each port is in fluid linkage with a distribution head by means of a pipe to distribute fire extinguishing fluid, the port and the distribution head being fluidly linked.