Portable Fire Suppression System for Cargo Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fire protection systems in cargo compartments are costly, unreliable, and ineffective when fires occur within individual cargo containers, and there is a need for a lightweight, self-contained, and durable fire extinguishing system that can be selectively placed in Unit Load Devices (ULDs) or similar containers, especially in areas with high fire risks such as transportation vehicles and storage facilities.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, automated fire suppression system that includes a control assembly, battery assembly, sensor device, and fire extinguishing containers, which can detect smoke and heat to passively discharge a fire extinguishing material into the fire zone, and optionally generate a smoke agent to alert operators outside the zone, with configurations for various applications including transportation vehicles and storage facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional built-in fire protection systems are installed in cargo compartments, then fire coverage is provided, but cost and reliability concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The fire protection system is segmented into individual portable units that can be placed within specific cargo containers (ULDs) rather than installing a complex built-in system throughout the entire cargo compartment. Each unit independently monitors and protects its specific container, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable fire protection units are self-contained with integrated sensors, power sources, and extinguishing mechanisms that automatically detect and respond to fires without requiring external control systems. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex centralized monitoring and control infrastructure.
2Reliability
If traditional built-in fire protection systems are installed, then fire coverage is achieved, but substantial development, certification, and maintenance costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses affordable portable fire protection units that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, rather than investing in expensive permanently installed systems requiring substantial development, certification, and maintenance infrastructure.
3Reliability
If traditional fire protection systems are used in cargo compartments, then overall cargo protection is provided, but they are ineffective when fires occur within individual cargo containers
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing uniform protection throughout the entire cargo compartment, the system places targeted fire protection units within specific cargo containers that are at risk or experiencing fires. This localizes the protection effort precisely where needed, maximizing suppression efficiency while minimizing resource waste.
4Ease of operation
If portable fire extinguishers are used, then mobility and ease of placement are achieved, but automatic detection and response capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the mobility advantage of portable extinguishers with the automatic detection capabilities of fixed systems by integrating smoke sensors, heat sensors, and control systems into self-contained portable units. This combination allows the units to be easily placed in cargo containers while automatically detecting and responding to fires without human intervention.
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 suppresses and extinguishes fires in defined areas, providing reliable protection with reduced costs and increased mobility, compliance with regulatory requirements, and the ability to communicate with external systems for enhanced fire management.
Implementation Method 1
sensor device and one or more fire extinguishing containers... Upon the detection of smoke and or heat, the sensor device can be configured to signal the one or more fire extinguishing containers
Implementation Method 2
discharge a fire extinguishing material into the fire zone to fight the fire hazard
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression system for a use in a fire zone is provided. The fire suppression system includes a case, a fire extinguishing container, a battery assembly, a control assembly and a sensor device. The sensor device is configured to detect a potential fire hazard within the fire zone and signal the discharge of a fire extinguishing material outside the case and into the fire zone upon the detection of a potential fire hazard. The fire suppression system can further include a smoke generating container configured to release a smoke generating agent outside of the fire zone upon the detection of a potential fire hazard in order notify operators and systems of a potential fire hazard occurring within the fire zone.