Pressurised Container Venturi Discharge Residual Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressurized containers used in fire suppression systems often leave residual agent due to the dip-tube terminating above the lowest point and reduced pressure and flow rates of the propellant gas, resulting in low yield and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a venturi device within the discharge conduit, preferably located upstream of the valve, and an aerator duct to enhance agent discharge by reducing pressure and increasing velocity through the Venturi Effect, and introducing aeration to improve mixing and momentum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a dip tube is used to discharge agent from the container, then the agent can be discharged through the valve, but residual agent remains in the container due to the dip tube terminating above the lowest point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge of agentVSAvoidresidual agent

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A venturi device is introduced as an intermediary component in the discharge conduit. The venturi device creates a low-pressure zone that acts as a mediator to draw residual agent from the bottom of the container through a separate low-level discharge conduit, enabling complete evacuation of the agent without requiring the dip tube to extend to the lowest point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge system is segmented into two separate pathways: a main discharge conduit for primary agent evacuation and a low-level discharge conduit for residual agent removal. This segmentation allows each conduit to be optimized for its specific function, with the low-level conduit targeting only the residual agent that would otherwise remain trapped.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If the propellant gas pressure decreases during discharge, then the discharge process continues, but the flow rate reduces and discharge becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge durationVSAvoiddischarge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The natural pressure-driven flow mechanism is supplemented by introducing a venturi-based low-pressure zone that actively draws residual agent through the low-level conduit. This replaces reliance on declining propellant pressure with a more efficient pressure differential mechanism that maintains discharge effectiveness throughout the entire duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the dip tube terminates above the lowest point of the container, then the valve assembly remains simple, but residual agent cannot be discharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve assembly complexityVSAvoidagent discharge completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The venturi device serves as an intermediary that enables complete agent discharge without requiring complex modifications to the valve assembly or extending the dip tube to the container bottom. The venturi creates the necessary low-pressure zone to draw out residual agent through the low-level conduit while keeping the main valve assembly simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Speed

If propellant gas pressure is high initially, then agent discharge is rapid, but pressure decreases progressively reducing flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge speedVSAvoidoverall discharge yield

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The low-level discharge conduit with venturi device is prepared in advance to target residual agent. As the main discharge proceeds rapidly in the initial phase, the low-level conduit simultaneously prepares to evacuate residual agent, ensuring that when propellant pressure decreases and main flow rate reduces, the residual agent can still be efficiently removed without being left behind.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 venturi device and aerator duct combination improves the yield of firefighting agents by ensuring more complete discharge, enhancing the foaming process, mixing, and transition of liquid to vapor, leading to more efficient fire suppression operations.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi Effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

an aerator duct to enhance agent discharge by reducing pressure and increasing velocity through the Venturi Effect, and introducing aeration to improve mixing and momentum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAeration: Aeration

Data Source

PatentUS20230405378A1Pressurised container

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 ARDENT LTD

AI summary

A fire suppression apparatus (1000) comprises an enclosed hollow cylinder (1100) for containing a firefighting agent (not shown). The cylinder (1100) has a cylindrical side wall (1110) and upper and lower dome-ends (1120) and (1130), respectively. The lower end (1130) features supporting feet (1132). At the upper end (1120), an outlet valve (1122) is mounted on a neck-ring (1123) of the cylinder. The valve (1122) comprises an inlet connected to a dip-tube 1200 having a venturi device (1300). The valve itself comprises an outlet (1124). A nozzle, or distribution network to nozzle(s), (not shown) may be attached to threaded stub (1126) to direct firefighting agent during discharge.