Fire Extinguishing Agent Concentration Measurement Using Vortex Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire extinguishing systems face challenges in accurately measuring the concentration of dry solid particulates within an environment, which is crucial for effective fire suppression.
Innovation Solution
A fire extinguishing agent concentration measuring system that includes a structure defining a sensing volume through which a fluid containing the fire extinguishing agent passes. The system uses light from a light source transmitted through an optical fiber, with the light passing through a sensing volume and being reflected back to a sensor. The sensor correlates the light scatter with the agent concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement systems are used to measure fire extinguishing agent concentration, then the measurement capability is provided, but particulates settle on surfaces causing inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vortex generator that creates swirling flow patterns in the fluid passing through the measurement chamber. This rotational motion prevents particulates from settling on the measurement surfaces by continuously moving them along the flow path, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring mechanical vibration of the sensor itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (fire extinguishing agent) to transfer or perform action, or temporarily combine one object with another
2Reliability
If the measurement chamber is exposed to the environment for agent detection, then concentration measurement is enabled, but particulates deposit on internal surfaces reducing measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex generator creates continuous fluid motion that acts as a cleaning mechanism, preventing particulate accumulation on the measurement chamber surfaces. This maintains the optical properties of the chamber and ensures reliable measurements over extended operation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous vortex flow creates periodic disturbance patterns that prevent steady-state particulate deposition. The recurring flow patterns ensure that any particles approaching the measurement surfaces are repeatedly redirected back into the main flow stream
3Measurement precision
If a sensing volume is created for light transmission measurement, then concentration detection is achieved, but system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex generator is integrated directly into the measurement chamber structure, combining the flow control function with the measurement chamber. This eliminates the need for separate external flow generation devices while maintaining the sensing volume required for accurate light transmission measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as both the flow channel for the fire extinguishing agent and the sensing volume for optical measurements. The vortex generator simultaneously controls flow patterns and prevents particulate deposition, reducing the need for additional maintenance components
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 system effectively measures the concentration of fire extinguishing agents, preventing particulate settling on surfaces and ensuring accurate detection of agent concentrations within the environment.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor 50 is calibrated to detect light received and correlate it to a concentration of the agent 22 present in the fluid 20 based on scatter of the light caused by the presence of the agent 22
Implementation Method 2
the orifices 60 are oriented such that the fluid 20 flowing through them into the sensing volume 18 is not directed toward an axis 68 of the system 10 but instead is directed to an offset dimension 70 from the axis 68
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A fire extinguishing agent concentration measuring system (10) has a first window (38), a second window (42) positioned relative to the first window, thereby defining a sensing volume (18) between the first window and the second window, and a structure (14) comprising orifices positioned relative to the first window and the second window and configured to cause fluid (20) flowing into the sensing volume from an environment (53) within which the fire extinguishing agent concentration measuring system is placed to swirl within the sensing volume. The system further comprises a light source (26) and an optical fiber (30) for transmitting light from the light source through the first window, the sensing volume, and the second window, and a sensor (50) for detecting the light after passing through the windows and the sensing volume. The agent, which may be dry solid particles, scatters the light passing through the sensing volume.