Pitchable Fire Suppression Device with Slit Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire extinguishers are limited in their ability to effectively deliver fire-extinguishing gases into enclosed spaces, making it difficult for first responders to rescue trapped individuals or extinguish fires in inaccessible areas.

Innovation Solution

A device designed to be pitched into enclosed spaces, featuring a spherical shape with steel hatches and a planetary gear system that releases pressurized clean agent and nitrogen gases through slits, allowing for effective fire suppression without damaging the device or the surrounding environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional fire extinguisher is used, then it can discharge fire-extinguishing agent, but it cannot effectively deliver the agent into enclosed spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire extinguishing effectivenessVSAvoidability to deliver into enclosed spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple components: an outer housing that can be pitched into enclosed spaces, an inner container holding the fire-extinguishing agent, and a delivery mechanism with slits. This segmentation allows the outer housing to be thrown into hard-to-reach areas while the inner container remains protected, solving the contradiction between deliverability to enclosed spaces and functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner container is nested within the outer housing, with the fire-extinguishing agent contained inside a protective inner vessel that fits within the pitchable outer shell. This nested structure enables the device to be thrown into enclosed spaces as a single unit while maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the fire-extinguishing agent delivery system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device is pitched into enclosed spaces, then it can reach inaccessible areas, but the device may fragment or cause damage upon impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to be pitched into enclosed spacesVSAvoidstructural integrity upon impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The inner container is designed to be cushioned or protected within the outer housing structure. The housing includes features such as recesses, mounting brackets, or shock-absorbing elements that prevent the inner container from breaking upon impact, allowing the device to be pitched into enclosed spaces without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs composite construction with an outer housing made of impact-resistant material and an inner container made of different material properties. This composite structure allows the outer shell to withstand impact forces during pitching while the inner container maintains its integrity for reliable fire-extinguishing agent delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If the fire-extinguishing agent is released immediately, then fire can be extinguished quickly, but trapped individuals may not have time to evacuate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of fire extinguishmentVSAvoidtime for rescue operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to release the fire-extinguishing agent in periodic or controlled intervals rather than all at once. The outer housing can be positioned to release the agent over time as it settles into the enclosed space, or the delivery mechanism can be designed to release the agent in stages, providing both quick fire suppression and adequate evacuation time for trapped individuals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 device provides a timed extension for rescue or immediate fire extinguishment, ensuring safety for humans and maintaining structural integrity, while delivering gases in multiple directions to maximize the area of effect, allowing first responders to enter safely.

Implementation Method 1

a planetary gear system that releases pressurized clean agent and nitrogen gases through slits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlanetary gear system: Epicyclic Gearing

Implementation Method 2

releases pressurized clean agent and nitrogen gases through slits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized gas expansion: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20240261611A1Device for delivering gases contained therein for extinguishing fire in an enclosed space

Publication Date: 2024.08.08 HOLT WILLIAM

AI summary

The present invention discloses a device for delivering gases for extinguishing fire in an enclosed space. The device includes a container for storing an extinguishing agent under pressure. The device includes an outer housing. The outer housing receives the container. The outer housing includes slits. The device includes locking pins for locking the container to the outer housing. The device is operatively thrown into the enclosed space under fire such that the outer housing retains its shape upon impact without fragmenting while preventing damage to the container. The container operates to dispense the extinguishing agent through the slits for extinguishing the fire.