Heat-Activated Tree Fire Extinguisher with Compressed Air Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Holiday trees, often decorated with electric lights, pose a significant fire risk due to heat generation, leading to property damage and potential injuries, as fires can quickly spread to surrounding structures and furnishings.

Innovation Solution

A tree fire extinguishing device featuring an upright, hollow body with a heat-activated fluid release valve system and an air compressor pump to disperse pressurized water or suitable fire extinguishing fluid, effectively containing and extinguishing fires by positioning the device near the tree.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a tree is decorated with electric lights for holiday celebration, then the festive atmosphere and aesthetic appearance are improved, but the fire risk and heat generation increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight displayVSAvoidfire risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fire extinguishing device as an intermediary safety mechanism positioned near the tree. This device includes a hollow body containing fire extinguishing fluid and equipped with heat-activated fluid release valves that automatically discharge fluid when temperature exceeds a threshold, thereby mediating between the festive light display and the inherent fire risk without eliminating the lights themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual fire safety measures with an automated thermal response system. The heat-activated fluid release valves automatically detect temperature increases from overheated lights and trigger fluid discharge without human intervention, substituting mechanical manual response with thermal-activated automatic protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If a fire extinguishing device is positioned close to the tree, then the response time and fire containment effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire response timeVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire extinguishing device is designed to be self-activating through heat-activated fluid release valves that automatically respond to temperature increases. The device contains its own fire extinguishing fluid reservoir and compression system, eliminating the need for external connection to building fire safety systems or manual activation mechanisms, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining rapid response capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow body serves multiple functions: it acts as the structural housing, contains the fire extinguishing fluid reservoir, provides the compression chamber for fluid delivery, and houses the heat-activated release valves. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while enabling rapid fire response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If pressurized fire extinguishing fluid is discharged rapidly, then the fire extinguishing effectiveness and heat containment are improved, but the energy consumption and fluid pressure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire extinguishing efficiencyVSAvoidcompression energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition of the fire extinguishing fluid from liquid to vapor through rapid compression and discharge. The compression system pressurizes the liquid fluid, which then undergoes phase transition upon discharge, creating an expanding vapor cloud that enhances cooling and fire suppression effectiveness while managing energy requirements through controlled phase change rather than continuous high-pressure maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 device prevents fire spread and protects surrounding structures and furnishings by rapidly extinguishing flames and containing heat, reducing damage and risk of injury.

Implementation Method 1

An air compressor pump is connected to the hollow body for providing pressurized air to the hollow body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurization: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

At least one heat activated fluid release valve is connected to the hollow body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal activation: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS7661482B2Tree fire extinguishing device

Publication Date: 2010.02.16 WHITNEY SR STERLING

AI summary

The present invention provides a tree fire extinguishing device including an upright standing hollow body. An air compressor pump is connected to the hollow body for providing pressurized air to the hollow body. At least one heat activated fluid release valve is connected to the hollow body. The present invention further provides a method of configuring a tree display.