Variable Gas-Liquid Ratio Fire Suppression System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems, particularly mist-based systems, require high-pressure pumps and pressurized gas tanks, making them costly and complex, and often necessitate separate electrical connections and multiple components for operation.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically driven hydraulic pump system that uses a single pressurized gas source for both driving the pump and achieving the desired discharge from the nozzle, with a controller to selectively vary the gas-to-liquid ratio for different discharge characteristics, eliminating the need for separate electrical connections and reducing system complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a pump and separate pressurized gas tanks are used to achieve high-pressure discharge, then the desired discharge pressure and velocity are achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump drive function and the discharge pressurization function into a single pressurized gas source. The gas source connects to both the pump (providing mechanical drive) and the discharge line (providing pressurization), eliminating the need for separate electric motor and gas tank components while achieving the required discharge pressure and velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurized gas source serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the drive mechanism for the pump and as the pressurization source for the discharge line. This multi-functional design reduces component count and system complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve high-pressure discharge.
2Reliability
If electric pumps and separate gas tanks are used, then reliable high-pressure operation is achieved, but system cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electric motor component from the pump system and replaces it with a pneumatic drive mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate electrical connections and control systems, reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliable operation through the direct mechanical coupling of the gas source to the pump.
3Ease of operation
If fixed gas-to-liquid ratio is used, then system operation is simple, but adaptability to different fire situations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable gas-to-liquid ratio control system that allows dynamic adjustment of the mixture proportions. This enables the system to adapt to different fire situations (such as different fire sizes, locations, and types) while maintaining ease of operation through a unified control mechanism that coordinates both gas and liquid flow rates.
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 configuration allows for efficient and cost-effective operation with reduced system footprint, enabling the system to address various fire situations by varying discharge pressure, velocity, and droplet size, enhancing its adaptability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A sprinkler system is provided that utilizes a single pressurized gas source to achieve a desired discharge from the nozzle and to drive a hydraulic pump that delivers liquid through the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
A controller selectively varies the gas-to-liquid ratio to achieve different discharge characteristics
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An exemplary fire suppression system includes a sprinkler nozzle. At least one conduit is connected to the nozzle for delivering a fire suppression fluid to the nozzle. The conduit and the nozzle establish a discharge path. A pneumatically driven pump is connected with the conduit for pumping fluid into the conduit. A gas source provides pressurized gas to the pump for driving the pump. The gas source also provides gas to the discharge path for achieving a desired discharge of the fluid from the nozzle. A controller selectively controls at least one of (i) the gas provided to the pump, which controls the fluid pressure in the conduit, or (ii) the gas provided to the nozzle or the conduit, which controls the gas pressure delivered to the nozzle.