Stream Straightener Nozzle for Fire Suppressant Jet Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire suppressant fluid jets experience significant fluid fallout when sprayed over long distances, reducing their effectiveness in reaching the target area and wasting a substantial amount of fluid.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle assembly incorporating a stream straightener with parallel circular tubes that aligns fluid flow to reduce lateral movement, increasing the jet's range and ensuring more fluid contacts the target area by maintaining a uniform longitudinal flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a jet of fluid is sprayed over long distances, then the distance coverage is improved, but fluid fallout increases and effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow straightener divides the fluid flow into multiple parallel streams through its internal passage structure, with each stream being guided separately to maintain trajectory stability over long distances
Solution Approach 2:
The flow straightener acts as an intermediary device between the fluid source and the target area, conditioning the fluid flow to reduce lateral movement and maintain a stable trajectory throughout its path
2Length of stationary object
If a jet of fluid is sprayed over long distances, then the distance coverage is improved, but fluid waste increases due to fallout
Solution Approach 1:
The flow straightener segments the fluid into controlled parallel streams that are less prone to fallout, ensuring more fluid reaches the target area effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The flow straightener performs preliminary conditioning of the fluid flow before it is sprayed, aligning the streams to prevent lateral movement and reduce fluid waste during transmission
3Length of stationary object
If a jet of fluid is sprayed over long distances, then the distance coverage is improved, but fire suppression effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow straightener creates multiple parallel fluid streams that maintain their trajectory better, ensuring concentrated and effective fire suppression coverage at extended ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The flow straightener conditions the fluid flow to maintain a stable, concentrated trajectory, ensuring that the fire suppressant reaches the target area with maximum effectiveness despite the extended distance
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 nozzle assembly significantly reduces fluid fallout, allowing the jet to extend over greater distances and maintain its trajectory, thereby increasing the volume of fluid reaching the target while keeping personnel and equipment safe from fire hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The first passage is tapered such that a cross-sectional area of the first passage decreases as the first passage extends from the first passage inlet to the first passage outlet
Implementation Method 2
The first passage is tapered such that a cross-sectional area of the first passage decreases as the first passage extends from the first passage inlet to the first passage outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body, a first flow straightener coupled to the nozzle body, and a second flow straightener coupled to the nozzle body. The nozzle body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a nozzle body passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. The first flow straightener extends at least partially across the nozzle body passage and defines a first passage and a second passage each fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The second flow straightener extends at least partially across the nozzle body passage and defines a third passage and a fourth passage each fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet.