Pressure Relief Venting With Fire Suppression for Arc Faults
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hot gases escaping from an electric apparatus during an arc fault can ignite outside the housing, posing a fire hazard, and existing pressure relief devices do not adequately address this risk.
Innovation Solution
An electric apparatus with a fire prevention system that releases a fire prevention substance, such as carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen, upon detection of a pressure rise indicative of an arc fault, to minimize or eliminate the fire hazard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a pressure relief device is used to allow hot gases to flow out of the housing during a fault situation, then the pressure inside the housing is reduced, but fire hazard is created in the vicinity of the fluid port
Solution Approach 1:
The fire prevention system is activated in advance to release fire prevention substance before or when the pressure relief device opens, creating a protective atmosphere that prevents combustion of the hot gases escaping through the fluid port
Solution Approach 2:
A fire prevention substance (such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide) is introduced as an intermediary between the hot gases and the external environment, preventing the hot gases from igniting by displacing oxygen and creating a non-combustible atmosphere around the fluid port
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing is sealed to prevent fire hazard, then fire safety is improved, but pressure build-up during fault situations cannot be relieved
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief device and fire prevention system are merged into a single integrated system where the pressure relief function and fire prevention function work together - the fire prevention substance is released through the same fluid port when pressure relief is needed, combining both functions in one mechanism
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 fire prevention system effectively reduces the risk of fires by releasing a fire suppression substance when a pressure relief device transitions, ensuring the safety of the apparatus and its surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
the fire prevention system is adapted to release the fire prevention substance when a fault situation relating to the electric equipment located inside the housing is detected
Implementation Method 2
A first predetermined pressure rise inside the housing 2 moves the pressure relief device 8 outwards relative to the housing 2
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electric apparatus comprising a housing (2), an electric equipment (4) located inside the housing (2), a fluid port (6), a pressure relief device (8), and a detection system adapted to detect a fault situation relating to the electric equipment (4) based on at least one indicative event. A transition of the pressure relief device (8) from a first operating position to a second operating position is adapted to take place as a response to a first predetermined pressure rise inside the housing (2). The electric apparatus comprises a fire prevention system (10) comprising fire prevention substance, and being operatively connected to the detection system such that the fire prevention system (10) is adapted to release the fire prevention substance as a response to the fault situation detected by the detection system.