RF-Welded Bladder Straps for Controlled Fire Suppressant Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air delivery systems for fire suppressant materials lack a predictable and reliable mechanism for controlled release of materials at a desired altitude, leading to inefficient distribution and potential loss of material.
Innovation Solution
A container system comprising a rigid outer box and a flexible inner polyurethane bladder with RF-welded plastic straps, designed to rupture at a predetermined force, ensuring controlled release of fire suppressant materials during descent from an aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fire suppressant material is carried in an internal or external reservoir of the aircraft, then the delivery system is simple and direct, but the aircraft must fly at lower altitudes resulting in less controlled placement and potential material loss
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant material delivery system is segmented into multiple independent plastic packages (bomblets) that can be individually controlled. Each package contains a portion of the total load and can be released independently, allowing for precise placement control. The segmentation enables the aircraft to fly at higher altitudes while still achieving controlled distribution through the use of multiple discrete delivery units rather than a single large reservoir.
2Area of stationary object
If the aircraft flies at higher altitude, then safety and coverage area are improved, but the controlled placement of fire suppressant material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the total fire suppressant load into multiple plastic packages, the system achieves both high-altitude flight capability and precise placement control. The segmented packages can be released in a controlled pattern, ensuring accurate distribution over the target area while allowing the aircraft to maintain safe higher altitudes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point release mechanism to a multi-dimensional distribution pattern. Multiple plastic packages are released in a spread pattern, creating a two-dimensional coverage area while maintaining altitude control. This dimensional approach allows simultaneous achievement of high-altitude flight and precise area coverage.
3Measurement precision
If a weak seam is designed in the plastic package, then controlled rupture above ground is achieved, but the reliability of the container structure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic package is designed with non-uniform structural properties: the majority of the container maintains high strength and integrity for reliable transport, while a specific localized weak seam is intentionally created at a predetermined position. This local quality differentiation allows the container to maintain overall reliability during flight while ensuring controlled rupture at the weak seam point upon reaching the target altitude, achieving both structural reliability and precise release control.
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
Enables precise and reliable dispersion of fire suppressant materials at the target area, allowing aircraft to fly at higher altitudes while ensuring effective delivery without excessive material loss.
Implementation Method 1
The method of forming the bladder comprises RF welding at least one plastic strap to a lower plastic sheet to form a weld between the at least one plastic strap and the lower plastic sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial fire suppressant delivery system uses an outer box or like structure and an inner liner. The inner liner may be a polyurethane bladder with two or more plastic straps RF welded to the polyurethane bladder. The two or more plastic straps are attached both to the bottom surface of the bladder and to the top of the outer box, which is not attached to the sides of the outer box. A fixed or rotary wing aircraft drops the container filled with fire suppressant material. As the container falls, the top of the box flies from the sides of box and the top pulls against the straps. Because the straps are attached to the bladder by RF welding, the straps tear the bladder at their attachments and cause the bladder and container to release the fire suppressant material into the air over the target.