Zone-Based Fire Suppression with Temperature Sensor Grid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire suppression systems often require manual activation or fusible links, which can be inefficient and require frequent updates, especially in dynamic environments with changing layouts or appliance positions.

Innovation Solution

A fire detection and suppression system that uses a temperature sensor grid to divide a hazard area into zones, allowing for individual control of fire suppression sections based on temperature readings, automatically activating and deactivating nozzles only where needed, and learning from environmental data to optimize fire detection and prevention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual activation or fusible links are used in fire suppression systems, then the system can be activated in response to fire conditions, but the system requires frequent updates and manual intervention, reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic fire detection and suppression activationVSAvoidtime for manual updates and activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fire suppression system automatically monitors temperature zones and activates suppression without manual intervention. The system self-updates by continuously learning appliance positions and temperature characteristics, eliminating the need for manual program updates and activation decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical fusible links with electronic temperature sensing and control systems. The mechanical activation mechanism is substituted with automated electronic detection and control, enabling faster response and eliminating manual intervention requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If fire suppression systems are activated manually or with fusible links, then activation can occur in response to fire, but the systems are inefficient and require frequent updates in dynamic environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to changing layouts and appliance positionsVSAvoidfrequency of system updates and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to changing environmental conditions by continuously monitoring temperature zones and automatically updating its understanding of appliance positions and characteristics. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for manual system updates when layouts change

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses continuous temperature monitoring feedback to automatically adjust its operation and update its model of the environment. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to layout changes and appliance movements without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If fire suppression systems activate throughout the entire area, then all zones are protected, but suppression efficiency is reduced by activating sections not affected by fire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive fire protection coverageVSAvoidfire suppression efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire suppression system divides the protected area into multiple temperature zones with individually controllable suppression sections. This segmentation allows selective activation of only those zones where fire is detected, maintaining comprehensive protection while improving efficiency by avoiding unnecessary suppression in unaffected areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies suppression locally to specific zones where fire conditions are detected rather than uniformly across the entire area. Each zone can be independently activated based on its specific temperature conditions, providing targeted suppression that improves efficiency while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system reduces the need for manual updates, enhances fire suppression efficiency by targeting specific zones with hazards, and allows for continuous monitoring and adjustment, improving the effectiveness of fire suppression without the need for frequent part replacement.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to measure a zone temperature for each of a plurality of zones in the area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS20230398392A1Smart fire detection systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 TYCO FIRE PRODUCTS LP

AI summary

A fire detection and suppression system includes a fire suppression system configured to suppress a fire in an area, a temperature sensor configured to measures a zone temperature for each of a plurality of zones in the area, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the zone temperatures from the temperature sensor for each of the plurality of zones, detect a hazard condition in a first zone of the plurality of zones based on the zone temperature for the first zone, and activate the fire suppression system in response to detecting the hazard condition in the first zone.