Scalable Aircraft Cargo Fire-Suppression Agent Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire-suppression systems in aircraft are oversized due to the need to compensate for reduced fire-suppression agent concentrations during descent, leading to increased weight and volume, which is not necessary for cruise conditions, and alternative systems face similar issues with variable flow rates.

Innovation Solution

A scalable cargo fire-suppression agent distribution system that selects a subset of fire-suppression agent supply units based on flight conditions, such as cruise and descent, to adjust the flow rate of fire-suppression agents, using a combination of metered systems and supplemental discharge bottles to match the required flow rate, thereby optimizing weight and volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fire-suppression systems are sized for worst case scenarios during descent, then fire suppression effectiveness is maintained, but system weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate of fire-suppression agent based on flight phase detection. During descent, the system increases flow rate to maintain effectiveness, while during cruise it reduces flow rate to minimal levels. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability during critical phases without requiring oversized equipment for all conditions, thereby reducing overall system weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the flow rate parameter of the fire-suppression agent based on operation conditions. By detecting flight phase and adjusting the flow rate accordingly (high flow during descent, low flow during cruise), the system optimizes the balance between suppression effectiveness and agent consumption, allowing for lighter system design without compromising safety during critical phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If fire-suppression systems are sized for worst case scenarios during descent, then fire suppression effectiveness is maintained, but system volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidsystem volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If high flow rate of fire-suppression agent is used during descent, then fire suppression effectiveness is maintained, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If oversized fire-suppression equipment is installed, then fire suppression effectiveness during descent is ensured, but available cargo space decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidavailable cargo space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3461537A1Scalable cargo fire-suppression agent distribution system

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

A scalable cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system (300) and method (100) for aircraft (200) is disclosed. A supply source unit subset (310, 312, 318, 320) of a set of fire-suppression agent supply source units (318) is selected based on an operation condition to provide a selected supply source unit subset, and a fire-suppression agent from the selected supply source unit subset is distributed during the operation condition.