Phosphorescent Fire Hose Nozzle Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire hoses in buildings often hang rolled up on reels, and when a fire occurs, power failures can create dangerous situations due to the inability to easily locate the fire hose in the dark.
Innovation Solution
A spray nozzle with a phosphorescent outer surface, preferably an annular phosphorescent ring encircling the spray aperture, is used to provide visibility in dark environments by emitting light after ambient light has disappeared, allowing individuals to identify and locate the fire hose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fire hose is stored in dark locations (corridors, rooms, reels), then space utilization is improved, but visibility and ease of location deteriorate during power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phosphorescent material to the spray nozzle and fire hose components, which absorbs ambient light during normal conditions and emits visible light in darkness. This color/luminescence change enables the fire hose to be easily located during power failures without requiring additional illumination infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphorescent material acts as an intermediary between ambient light and the dark environment. It stores optical energy during daytime or illuminated periods and releases it during power failures, mediating the transition from visible to invisible states and enabling continuous detectability
2Illumination intensity
If the entire outer surface is made from phosphorescent material, then visibility in the dark is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying phosphorescent material to the entire fire hose system, the patent applies it locally to critical components - specifically the spray nozzle (particularly the handgrip and outer end) and selected portions of the hose. This localized application provides sufficient visibility for location while significantly reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity compared to full-surface application
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 phosphorescent material ensures the fire hose can be readily identified and accessed in the dark, enhancing safety by providing a visible marker for the fire hose's outer end during power failures.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the outer surface of the spray nozzle is provided with a phosphorescent material. Because a phosphorescent material continues to emit light for a considerable time after the ambient light has disappeared
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Spray nozzle for a fire-hose, comprising a connecting opening for a fire-hose in a first outer end of the spray nozzle, a spray aperture in the second outer end of the spray nozzle, a throughfeed channel connecting the connecting opening for the fire-hose and the spray aperture, and a movable valve which can close the throughfeed channel, wherein the spray nozzle is provided with an at least partially phosphorescent outer surface.