System and method for delivering a cooling agent to a gas-fueled cooking appliance to aid in fire suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deep fryer oil fires pose significant challenges due to the low auto-ignition points of cooking oil, leading to prolonged fire suppression times and secondary re-ignition risks, as traditional fire extinguishing systems often require substantial time to extinguish and can contaminate the oil, making it unsuitable for reuse.

Innovation Solution

A system that delivers a cooling agent through a dedicated fuel delivery path to a gas-fueled cooking appliance, utilizing a valve assembly to redirect the flow from cooking fuel to a cooling agent in the event of a fire, allowing the burner to function as a nozzle for direct cooling without contaminating the oil, thus preventing re-ignition and allowing for quicker fire suppression without oil contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fire extinguishing systems spray suppressant directly onto the fryer oil, then the fire can be extinguished, but the oil becomes contaminated and cannot be reused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidcooking oil usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the cooling function from the fire suppression system by delivering cooling agent through the existing fuel delivery path rather than spraying suppressant onto the oil. This separates the fire suppression function from the oil contamination issue, allowing the oil to remain usable while still achieving fire extinction through cooling below ignition temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel delivery path is given dual functionality: it serves both as a fuel delivery system during normal operation and as a cooling agent delivery system during fire suppression. This eliminates the need for separate piping infrastructure and achieves fire suppression without contaminating the oil.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If fire suppressant is sprayed onto the fryer oil to form an insulating layer, then the fire is suppressed, but cooling is slowed and re-ignition risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppressionVSAvoidoil cooling rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of spraying suppressant onto the oil surface to form an insulating layer, the invention inverts the approach by delivering cooling agent through the burner/fuel path directly to the heat source. This cools the oil from below rather than insulating it from above, achieving both fire suppression and effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Temperature

If a dedicated cooling system is installed separate from the fuel delivery path, then cooling can be provided, but system complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil cooling capabilityVSAvoidpiping infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel delivery path performs dual functions: delivering fuel during normal operation and delivering cooling agent during fire suppression. This eliminates the need for separate cooling piping infrastructure, reducing system complexity while maintaining effective cooling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing fuel delivery infrastructure serves the cooling function without requiring additional dedicated cooling piping. The system utilizes already-installed components (fuel lines, burners) for their secondary cooling purpose, reducing installation complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables rapid cooling of the oil, reducing the risk of re-ignition and property damage, while maintaining the oil's usability, as it does not require additional piping and prevents the formation of an insulating layer, thereby enhancing fire suppression efficiency and safety in commercial kitchens.

Implementation Method 1

delivering a cooling agent through a dedicated fuel delivery path to a gas-fueled cooking appliance... enables rapid cooling of the oil, reducing the risk of re-ignition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11497950B2System and method for delivering a cooling agent to a gas-fueled cooking appliance to aid in fire suppression

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 KIDDE FENWAL LLC

AI summary

A system for delivering a cooling agent to cooking appliance to aid in fire suppression is disclosed, which includes a fuel delivery path extending from a source of cooking fuel to a heating element of the cooking appliance, a source of cooling agent selectively in fluid communication with the fuel delivery path, and a valve assembly associated with the fuel delivery path and the source of cooling agent, wherein the valve assembly is configured to control the delivery of cooling agent to the heating element of the cooking appliance and shut off the heating element from the source of cooking fuel in the event of a fire.