Fire Extinguisher Nozzle Assembly with Tri-Flow Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire extinguishers are ineffective in fighting cooking oil fires due to the high impact stream of fire extinguishing fluid, which can splash hot oil and spread the fire, especially when used by untrained individuals, and existing dry chemical extinguishers are less effective for vegetable-based cooking oils.
Innovation Solution
A discharge nozzle assembly that delivers a low-impact, focused spray of wet chemical fire extinguishing agent through three parallel flow passages arranged in an equilateral triangle pattern, with each passage having a discharge orifice and a flow agitator to impart swirl, reducing surface disruption and enhancing interference for effective fire suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional discharge nozzle with a relatively large diameter outlet passageway is used, then the fire extinguishing fluid can be discharged quickly, but the high impact stream can splash hot oil and spread the fire
Solution Approach 1:
The single large diameter outlet passageway is divided into multiple smaller outlet passageways arranged in a circular pattern. This segmentation reduces the impact force of each individual stream while maintaining adequate discharge volume, preventing oil splashing and fire spreading while still achieving effective fire suppression
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet passageways are positioned at specific locations around the periphery of the nozzle body, creating localized discharge points that direct streams in a controlled pattern. This local arrangement ensures the spray targets the fire source without creating high-impact zones that could splash oil
2Reliability
If dry chemical class BC fire extinguishent is used, then cooking fires involving animal fats can be extinguished effectively, but effectiveness is significantly reduced for vegetable-based cooking oils
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing agent is changed from dry chemical class BC to wet chemical agent specifically formulated for class K fires. This parameter change in chemical composition enables effective reaction with vegetable-based cooking oils through saponification, while the controlled spray delivery system ensures the agent contacts the oil surface without causing splashing
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 nozzle assembly produces a focused mist spray that effectively extinguishes fires while minimizing surface disruption, reducing the risk of splashing and spreading, and can be used for various fire classes including class K fires.
Implementation Method 1
A flow agitator may be disposed within each of the three flow passages extending through the nozzle body. The flow agitators may impart a swirl to the aqueous solution as it passes through the flow passages
Implementation Method 2
The basic principle behind dry chemicals in extinguishing cooking fires is to combine the fatty esters in the cooking fat or oil with a metal alkali salt. While such dry chemical class BC fire extinguishents have been effective for fighting cooking fires involving animal fats
Data Source
AI summary
A fire extinguisher, a discharge nozzle assembly for discharging a fluid under pressure, and a method for discharging a wet chemical fire extinguishing agent are presented. The discharge nozzle assembly includes a nozzle housing and a nozzle body inserted in the nozzle housing and defining a plurality of parallel flow passages. In an embodiment, the nozzle body defines three flow passages that are positioned equidistant radially from the longitudinal axis of the discharge nozzle and that are arrayed in the pattern of an equilateral triangle.