Remote control of fire suppression systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire suppression systems in buildings often cause extensive water damage due to their inability to be remotely controlled after a fire has been extinguished, leading to prolonged water usage and damage to property.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that allows for remote monitoring and control of fire suppression systems, using sensors to verify the extinguishment of fires and enable users to remotely shut off the water supply through a computing device, thereby minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fire suppression systems use mechanically activated sprinkler heads that cannot be individually shut off, then the system can reliably extinguish fires, but extensive water damage occurs due to prolonged water flow until manual shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical activation system with an electromechanical system. Electromechanical sprinkler heads use solenoid valves controlled by electrical signals, allowing remote activation and shutdown. The system incorporates electrically controlled shut-off valves that can be operated remotely via communication networks, eliminating the need for manual intervention while preventing water damage after fire extinction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting fire conditions through sensors and activating sprinkler heads without human intervention. Additionally, the system can automatically shut off water supply after detecting that the fire has been extinguished, eliminating the need for manual shutdown and preventing prolonged water damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fire suppression systems are manually deactivated by firefighters, then water damage can be controlled, but response time delays cause extensive damage before shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical shutdown operations with automated electromechanical control. Electrically controlled valves and remote communication systems enable instantaneous shutdown commands to be transmitted and executed, eliminating the time delay associated with firefighter response and manual valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for shutdown by continuously monitoring fire conditions and maintaining communication readiness. When fire extinction is detected, the system immediately executes shutdown commands without waiting for manual intervention, effectively performing the shutdown action at the precise moment it becomes necessary.
3Extent of automation
If sprinkler heads rely on heat-sensitive mechanical components for activation, then automatic fire detection is achieved, but individual shutdown capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heat-sensitive mechanical activation components with electromechanical systems that use electrical sensors and solenoid valves. This substitution maintains automatic detection capabilities while adding electrical control interfaces that enable remote individual shutdown of specific sprinkler heads or zones, combining automation with operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical system serves multiple functions: it automatically detects fire conditions through electrical sensors, activates sprinkler heads for fire suppression, and enables remote individual shutdown of specific heads or zones. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating both automatic detection and individual shutdown capability into a single unified system.
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
This solution minimizes both fire and water damage by allowing for timely shutdown of fire suppression systems once a fire is verified as extinguished, using redundant sensor verification to ensure accuracy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a control signal that causes an electromechanical device to close the water valve within the building
Data Source
AI summary
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a computer system, information that indicates that a fire has been detected in a building and that a fire suppression system within the building has begun dousing the fire; monitoring sensor information from one or more sensors located within the building; determining, by the computer system and based on the sensor information, whether the fire has been extinguished; activating, in response to determining that the fire has been extinguished, a feature to turn off a water supply to the building, the feature being presented on a computing device for a user who is associated with the building; receiving, after activating the feature and from the computing device, a command to turn off the water supply; and transmitting, by the computer system, a control signal that causes an electromechanical device to close a water valve within the building.