Polymer Fire-Suppression Vessel for Early Equipment Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems in engineering and technological equipment are limited by uncontrollable agent release, delayed activation, and inability to protect small spaces, with existing solutions only effective above 120°C, leading to potential extensive damage and inefficiency in preventing thermal destruction.
Innovation Solution
The automatic cooling and fire-extinguishing system (ACFES) uses a three-dimensional polymeric vehicle with a pressurized medium that maintains integrity and extinguishing effectiveness, employing sensors to detect thermal changes and release a cooling agent below 0°C for immediate intervention, applicable from 30°C, and designed for various space sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-extinguishing systems use a hose with fixed pressed-on plugs, then the system can suppress fire, but the tightness of the hose cannot be guaranteed as the hose may be distorted during the plug pressing-on process with potential uncontrollable release of extinguishing agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible hose made of polyamide material that can be distorted during installation without compromising tightness. The hose design incorporates specific geometric features and material properties that allow it to maintain seal integrity even when deformed during the plug pressing-on process, preventing uncontrollable release of extinguishing agent.
2Reliability
If self-extinguishing systems activate only after temperature exceeds 120°C, then the system can suppress fire, but the fire may have caused extensive damage and may have spread in an uncontrollable way
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a two-stage activation mechanism: first stage activates at lower temperatures (e.g., 50-80°C) to provide early cooling intervention, and second stage activates at higher temperatures (above 120°C) for full fire suppression. This preliminary action allows the system to intervene earlier in the thermal process, preventing extensive damage before full fire suppression is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the activation temperature parameter from a single threshold (120°C) to a range of thresholds (50-80°C for cooling, above 120°C for suppression). This parameter modification enables differentiated response based on thermal severity, improving both response time and effectiveness.
3Reliability
If self-extinguishing items have a minimum length of 400 mm, then the system can suppress fire, but the item cannot protect small spaces inside electrical control panels and technological equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extinguishing system into multiple smaller units that can be individually installed in different locations within small spaces. Instead of requiring a single 400 mm unit, the system can be divided into several shorter segments that collectively provide coverage for compact equipment spaces while maintaining fire suppression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension length constraint (minimum 400 mm) to multi-dimensional configuration options. The system can be arranged in various spatial configurations (linear, branched, three-dimensional networks) with shorter individual segments, allowing adaptation to small spaces while maintaining overall suppression capability through strategic positioning.
4Reliability
If the system uses a single irreversible fire suppression action, then the fire can be extinguished, but the protected equipment is not safeguarded against repeated self-ignition or another fire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous protection mechanism where the system can perform multiple suppression cycles. After each fire suppression event, the system resets and remains active, providing ongoing protection against repeated self-ignition or subsequent fires. The pressurized extinguishing agent is replenished or repressurized automatically, ensuring continuous useful action rather than single-use termination.
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 ACFES system effectively suppresses fires and cools equipment from 30°C, providing early intervention, minimizing damage, and allowing repeated interventions, with a modular design suitable for diverse applications, including small spaces, and remaining functional without power supply.
Implementation Method 1
The ACFES system effectively suppresses fires and cools equipment from 30°C, providing early intervention
Implementation Method 2
The used medium is based on chemical extinguishing agents characterised in that their temperature upon release from the vehicle is negative, i.e. below 0° C.
Data Source
AI summary
The automatic cooling and fire-extinguishing system is designed to be arranged inside the protected equipment, is comprised of the medium vehicle made of polymeric material in the shape of a three-dimensional body, where the vehicle includes the pressurized confined medium and the vehicle is adjusted to spontaneously form a nozzle allowing the medium release, wherein the medium (2) is designed as cooling medium with fire-extinguishing effects; in addition, the system is equipped with a sensor(s) (4) to monitor and evaluate the thermodynamic state of the medium (2) inside the vehicle (1) or on its surface or to release the medium (2) from the vehicle (1) having a general shape, and to perform active intervention against the source of an undesirable change in temperature occurring inside the protected equipment. In addition, the system is fitted with a detector(s) (5) for the monitoring, evaluation, and control of thermal processes inside the protected equipment with the possibility of feedback-based adjustments allowing the protected equipment to be disconnected from the power supply unit, thus minimizing any negative thermal effect that starts developing inside the protected equipment or the possibility of secondary ignition occurrence.