Particle Content Measurement in Fire Suppression Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire extinguishing and suppression systems in vehicles and aircraft face challenges in accurately measuring and maintaining the concentration of extinguishing agents, particularly in ensuring consistent coverage across various areas, which is crucial for meeting regulatory standards and providing effective protection.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple sampling points connected by tubes, with measurement modules that use sensors to determine electrostatic charge and particle counting techniques, such as laser scattering or particle image velocimetry, to assess the concentration and particle size of extinguishing agents, allowing for continuous monitoring and targeted distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional individual sensors are used to measure extinguishing agent concentration, then the measurement system is simple, but the measurement precision and coverage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into multiple individual sensor modules, each capable of independent measurement at specific locations. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive coverage and high measurement precision across multiple areas while maintaining the simplicity of individual sensor units.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual sensor measurements are merged and integrated to provide comprehensive concentration monitoring across the entire protected area. The combined data from multiple sensors enables accurate assessment of extinguishing agent distribution while maintaining simple individual sensor designs.
2Reliability
If multiple sampling points are monitored to ensure consistent coverage, then the fire protection reliability is improved, but the measurement system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is segmented into multiple independent sensor units distributed at different sampling points. Each sensor independently monitors local extinguishing agent concentration, ensuring reliable detection across the entire area while keeping each unit simple and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensor measurements are continuously monitored and used to assess whether extinguishing agent concentrations meet required thresholds. This feedback enables automatic verification of protection reliability without requiring complex manual monitoring systems.
3Productivity
If conventional measurement systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to provide directed and effective extinguishment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality monitoring by placing individual sensors at specific locations where extinguishing agent concentration needs to be verified. This targeted approach ensures effective extinguishment coverage at critical areas while avoiding unnecessary complexity in unmonitored regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical measurement mechanisms with simple optical or electrostatic sensors that can accurately detect extinguishing agent concentrations. This substitution achieves high productivity in terms of measurement accuracy and speed while keeping the device complexity low.
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
This approach enables precise measurement and monitoring of extinguishing agent concentrations across multiple areas, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing fire protection by providing directed and effective extinguishment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor for determining an electrostatic charge of the particles as the particles pass through the at least one sensor
Implementation Method 2
at least one counter for counting a number of particles in the stream based on an emission from the one source, wherein the at least one source comprises a fiber optic light source or a laser source, and the at least one counter is configured to count the number of particles or concentration based on scattering and/or obscuration of transmitted light or laser
Implementation Method 3
the at least one source comprises a fiber optic light source or a laser source, and the at least one counter is configured to count the number of particles or concentration based on scattering and/or obscuration of transmitted light or laser
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A method and apparatus for measuring particle content (120) in a stream (140), comprising routing the stream, via a plurality of tubes (220, 230), from a plurality of sampling points where particle content concentrations (132) are to be measured. The concentration of particle content (132) in the stream (140) may be measured. The measurement may be based on determination, via a sensor for example, of an electrostatic charge (212) of the particles (132) as the particles (132), and/or based on counting of a number of particles (132) in the stream (140), such as using a counter tracking light emitted from a light source (312). The measured concentration of particle content (120) may be analyzed to determine if it is indicative of an appropriate concentration of measured particles (132) in the stream (140). The particles may comprise extinguishing and/or suppression agent particles (110). (Fig. 1A)