Wireless Temperature Sensing for Automatic Vehicle Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems for vehicles and trailers lack the ability to detect and automatically respond to potential fires or elevated temperatures in real time, often leading to uncontrolled fires and significant damage due to lack of early warning and immediate suppression.
Innovation Solution
A remote temperature sensor system with wireless communication capabilities that activates a fire suppression agent directly to the source of a potential or actual fire, providing real-time alerts and automatic suppression using a fire suppression system installed on trailers and machinery, ensuring timely intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote temperature sensor system is installed to detect fires in real-time, then early warning capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system is divided into multiple independent temperature sensors distributed throughout the trailer, each capable of autonomous detection and wireless communication. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high reliability through redundant detection points while managing complexity by making each sensor module independent and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex wired mechanical sensor networks with wireless communication technology. Each temperature sensor transmits data wirelessly to a central controller, eliminating the need for extensive wiring while maintaining real-time monitoring capability across multiple distributed points.
2Loss of time
If automatic fire suppression activation is implemented, then response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system is pre-programmed with automatic activation parameters and suppression agent locations. When a temperature sensor detects conditions meeting the predetermined thresholds, the system automatically activates the appropriate suppression agents without requiring manual intervention or complex real-time decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-activation based on sensor inputs, with the control logic embedded within the system itself rather than requiring external manual control. The temperature sensors automatically trigger the suppression mechanism when thresholds are exceeded, making the system self-regulating and reducing operational complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple temperature sensors are distributed throughout the trailer, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple identical, independent temperature sensors distributed throughout the trailer. Each sensor operates autonomously with the same detection capabilities, providing comprehensive coverage while maintaining manageable complexity through standardization and modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each temperature sensor performs multiple functions: local temperature detection, wireless data transmission, and participation in the overall fire detection network. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components at each sensor location, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining extensive detection coverage.
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 prevents catastrophic losses by providing real-time alerts and immediate suppression of fires, reducing damage to trailers, cargo, and preventing accidents by automatically directing suppression agents to the fire source.
Implementation Method 1
A remote temperature sensor incorporated into a fire suppression system for vehicles, trailers and equipment
Implementation Method 2
initiating a fire suppression system in a zone or over the entire vehicle, trailer or equipment to prevent or to extinguish a fire or to mitigate rising heat
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression system is installed and operated on a vehicle, trailer, machine or implement having wheels, bearings, gears or belt operated pulleys using temperature sensors in wireless communication with a central monitoring system to sense an elevated heat event or fire and activate one or more local, zonal or entire unit fire suppression foaming modules to dispense a fire suppression foam to one or more locations on the vehicle, trailer, machine or implement to avoid and suppress the fire or elevated heat event and alert an operator of the vehicle, trailer, machine or implement as to the real time occurrence of the elevated heat or fire event in time to take remedial action to minimize or avoid damage to person or property, including livestock and cargo.