Valve Filter with Lateral Debris Cavity for Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current valve mechanisms for rapid deployment of fire suppressants face issues with fragmentation of diaphragms and pyrotechnic cartridges during actuation, leading to debris entering the distribution system, which can cause injury, blockages, and restrict agent flow, despite the use of mesh filters to prevent this.
Innovation Solution
A valve mechanism with a bowl-shaped mesh filter positioned to create a space between its outer surface and the passageway wall, allowing debris to flow laterally into a cavity downstream, preventing blockage and maintaining agent flow by positioning the filter to ensure debris is collected away from the main flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mesh filter is employed at the outlet of the valve to block fragments, then fragments are prevented from entering the distribution system, but the filter can become blocked by debris which restricts agent flow
Solution Approach 1:
The filter surface is segmented into two distinct regions: a first region that faces the flow direction and a second region that is substantially perpendicular to the flow direction. This segmentation allows debris to be distributed across different areas, preventing complete blockage of the filter surface while maintaining effective fragment blocking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is configured with a three-dimensional structure where the second region extends perpendicular to the main flow direction, creating an additional spatial dimension for debris accumulation. This dimensional extension provides extra surface area that captures debris without restricting the primary flow path, thereby maintaining agent flow while enhancing filtering reliability.
2Speed
If pyrotechnic cartridges and diaphragms are used for rapid actuation, then suppressant release is fast and reliable, but fragmentation occurs during actuation creating debris
Solution Approach 1:
The invention accepts the fragmentation as an inevitable byproduct of rapid actuation but converts this harmful effect into a manageable issue by designing a filter configuration that specifically addresses debris accumulation patterns. The perpendicular second region of the filter is strategically positioned to intercept and contain fragments, transforming the harmful fragmentation into a controlled debris collection process that does not compromise system performance.
3Reliability
If the filter is positioned to block fragments effectively, then fragment prevention is improved, but debris accumulation on the filter surface increases blocking risk
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the filter are assigned different orientations relative to the flow direction: the first region faces the flow for primary fragment interception, while the second region is perpendicular to capture debris accumulating on the first region. This local differentiation of filter surface properties optimizes fragment prevention while managing debris accumulation without requiring complex external mechanisms.
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 design effectively prevents debris from entering the outlet port while maintaining rapid opening characteristics and agent flow, as demonstrated by similar pressure decay profiles in discharge tests, indicating minimal to no fragmentation and unrestricted flow.
Implementation Method 1
The filter separates the passageway into a filtered region and an unfiltered region... to filter the substance before it flows out of the outlet port
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve mechanism comprising a valve body 150 having an inlet port 152 and an outlet port 154 and a passageway extending therebetween, and a flow blocking element 110 provided in the passageway to block flow of a substance between said inlet and outlet ports, and means for breaking said flow blocking element to thereby permit said substance to flow in a flow direction from said inlet port 152 said outlet port 154 and further comprising a filter provided in said passageway between said flow blocking element and said outlet port, to filter said substance before it flows out of said outlet port, said filter separating said passageway into a filtered region and an unfiltered region, wherein said filter has first surface that is in flow communication with said unfiltered region, said first surface having an outer circumference, and wherein said filter 130 is positioned within said passageway so that a first section of passageway wall extends circumferentially around the outer circumference of said filter 130, and so that a space 159 is provided between at least a part of said outer circumference of the first surface and the section of wall extending circumferentially around it.