Variable-Flow Fire Suppressant Delivery for Consistent Crust Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems often result in high re-ignition likelihood due to rapid dispersal of fire suppressant agents, leading to inconsistent crust formation and increased agent usage.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system that delivers fire suppressant agent at a variable flow rate, initially at a high rate to form a crust and then at a lower rate to maintain crust thickness, using sensors to control the flow adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If fire suppressant agent is dispersed rapidly throughout the area, then fire suppression speed is improved, but crust formation consistency deteriorates and re-ignition likelihood increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant discharge process is segmented into multiple phases: an initial high-flow-rate phase for rapid fire suppression, followed by a reduced flow-rate phase for consistent crust formation. This temporal segmentation allows the system to achieve both rapid suppression and reliable crust formation by applying different flow rates at different stages of the suppression process
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate of fire suppressant agent during discharge, transitioning from a first flow rate to a second flow rate based on real-time conditions such as temperature changes or elapsed time. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize crust formation consistency while maintaining effective fire suppression
2Loss of time
If high flow rate is used to quickly suppress fire, then suppression time is reduced, but agent usage increases and crust formation becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant discharge operates in periodic stages: an initial period with high flow rate for rapid fire suppression, followed by a second period with reduced flow rate for crust formation and maintenance. This periodic action pattern ensures that the majority of suppressant is delivered quickly when most needed, while the reduced subsequent flow minimizes additional agent usage and promotes consistent crust formation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter during the suppression process, transitioning from a first flow rate value to a second flow rate value. This parameter change allows the system to achieve rapid initial suppression with high flow, then maintain effective suppression with lower flow, thereby reducing total agent usage while maintaining suppression time efficiency
3Reliability
If variable flow rate system is implemented, then crust formation consistency is improved and re-ignition likelihood is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through temperature sensors or timers that monitor suppression progress and automatically trigger flow rate adjustments. When the sensor detects temperature changes indicating fire suppression, or when a predetermined time interval elapses, the controller automatically transitions the flow rate from first to second value, eliminating the need for complex manual control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppression system is self-regulating through automatic flow rate adjustment based on sensor feedback or timed sequences. The controller autonomously manages the transition between flow rates without requiring external intervention, and the system self-adjusts to maintain optimal crust formation conditions, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the variable flow capability
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
Reduces re-ignition likelihood and agent usage by ensuring consistent crust formation, prolonging discharge time, and allowing for smaller, less costly fire suppression systems.
Implementation Method 1
the first quantity of the fire suppressant agent is provided to the heated element to initially cool the heated element and the second quantity of the fire suppressant agent is provided to the heated element to maintain cooling of the heated element
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression system includes a delivery system that is configured to receive fire suppressant agent from a reservoir and provide the fire suppressant agent to an area at a flow rate, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the delivery system is further configured to provide a first quantity of fire suppressant agent to an area at a first flow rate during a first time interval. In some embodiments, the delivery system is further configured to provide a second quantity of fire suppressant agent to the area at a second flow rate during a second time interval. In some embodiments, the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate. In some embodiments, the first and the second quantity of fire suppressant agent are provided to the area via a nozzle.