Passive Cooling Fire Suppressant Container via Wind Convection

Solution Overview

Problem

Fire suppressant agents in storage units face challenges with temperature regulation, as existing solutions often require electrical energy or are inefficient in dissipating heat, which can lead to degradation of the suppressant agents and reduced efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A container system comprising an outer container with strategically positioned inlets and outlets to harness wind flow for passive and forced convective cooling, providing shade and maintaining the fire suppressant agent within a desired temperature range without electrical energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If electrical cooling systems are used to regulate temperature of fire suppressant agents, then temperature control is achieved, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system uses natural wind flow and passive convection currents to cool the storage unit without requiring external electrical energy. The design allows the environment itself (wind) to provide the cooling function through strategically positioned inlets and outlets that harness natural airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical cooling systems (such as compressors or fans requiring electrical power) with passive physical mechanisms including natural convection, wind-driven airflow, and evaporative cooling effects that occur without mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If electrical cooling systems are used to regulate temperature of fire suppressant agents, then temperature control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system uses natural wind flow and passive convection currents to cool the storage unit without requiring external electrical energy. The design allows the environment itself (wind) to provide the cooling function through strategically positioned inlets and outlets that harness natural airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical cooling systems (such as compressors or fans requiring electrical power) with passive physical mechanisms including natural convection, wind-driven airflow, and evaporative cooling effects that occur without mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If passive cooling design is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling efficiency may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different cooling mechanisms to different zones within the storage unit. Wind-driven convection is utilized in certain areas while evaporative cooling is applied in others, creating localized cooling zones that collectively provide comprehensive temperature control throughout the storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system integrates multiple passive cooling mechanisms (wind convection, evaporative cooling, radiative shading) into a single unified design that works together to provide comprehensive cooling. The structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing shade, facilitating airflow, and enabling evaporative cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively cools fire suppressant agents, maintaining their efficacy by using wind-induced airflow to regulate temperature, thereby preventing degradation and enhancing the fire suppression ability of the agents.

Implementation Method 1

The outer container defines an enclosure with an inlet to direct wind flow to an inner volume and an outlet to direct air flow out of the inner volume to thereby induce passive cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPassive cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The outer container facilitates forced convective cooling of the suppressant agent and provides shade for the fire suppressant agent container to mitigate radiative heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiative heat transfer: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20240416164A1Fire suppressant agent container system with passive cooling

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 WILLIAMS FIRE & HAZARD LLC

AI summary

A container system is provided for cooling a fire suppressant agent container. The container system may employ an outer container that partially or fully encloses the fire suppressant agent container. The outer container may include inlets and outlets to direct air flow to the inner volume and passively cool the fire suppressant agent container. The outer container may include any number of inlets and outlets and may be located to catch any moving air and/or cross winds. The outer container may facilitate convective cooling of the fire suppressant agent container and additionally provide shade and protection from the environment for the fire suppressant agent container while mitigating radiative heat transfer.