Method, apparatus, and systems for fire suppression using sound waves
View Patent ↗The present apparatus, method, and system utilize sound waves to suppress fires using metasurface lenses that can work in concert with detectors to amplify and optimize sound pressure level and thereby deprive a fire of needed oxygen. Metamaterial is utilized that manipulates the propagation of acoustic waves by its structural makeup rather than its interior chemical makeup, thereby adjusting the phasing of sound waves to form converging beams of constructive interference even after the waves exit the material, ultimately making long-range fire-extinguishing accomplishable.
1. A fire suppression apparatus, comprising:
a speaker;
a metamaterial comprising a labyrinthine structure configured to manipulate a phase shift of sound waves that emanate from said speaker; and
a fire detection component comprising:
sensors; and
a controller that is configured to:
create a three-dimensional map of a space,
activate at least the speaker when a fire is detected to begin fire suppression,
locate a focal point, and
tune the metamaterial to the focal point;
wherein said metamaterial comprising said labyrinthine structure is configured to manipulate said phase shift at least by a surface shape of said metamaterial, and wherein said surface shape is modifiable to tune said phase shift,
wherein the metamaterial is comprised of a plurality of cells and each of the plurality of cells comprises said labyrinthine structure comprising walls and one or more prongs protruding from one or more of the walls.
2. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said metamaterial is configured to manipulate said phase shift in a manner that is substantially independent of internal composition of said metamaterial.
3. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a speaker chamber configured to increase at least one decibel level of sound waves having at least one frequency,
wherein the speaker chamber comprises a substantially closed space encapsulating one end of the speaker, and
wherein the speaker chamber is at least partially sealed.
4. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a room is used as the speaker chamber, and wherein a geometry of said room is a factor in determining where to position the fire suppression apparatus to increase sound wave intensity within said room.
5. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a rotating plate configured to continuously open and close the speaker chamber to enhance parts of a cycle of at least one of the sound waves.
6. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a parabolic reflector that is located in a rear area of the speaker,
wherein the parabolic reflector is configured to channel sound waves through openings in said metamaterial.
7. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 ,
wherein location of the focal point is a factor in determining a decibel level output from the speaker and in determining frequency of sound wave output by the speaker.
8. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said fire detection component is configured to enable the fire suppression apparatus to distinguish an intended fire from an unintended fire.
9. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensors are configured to sense temperature, location, dimension, and movement of a fire.
10. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
analyze data from said sensors, and
execute fire extinguishing procedures based at least partly on said data.
11. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more prongs protrude perpendicularly from the one or more walls.
12. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein edges where the one or more prongs connect with the one or more walls are chamfered.
13. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rounded bevel where the one or more prongs connect with the one or more walls.
14. The fire suppression apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said labyrinthine structure further comprising two openings opposite one another.
15. A fire suppression system, comprising:
at least one speaker;
at least one metamaterial comprising a labyrinthine structure configured to manipulate a phase shift of sound waves that emanate from said at least one speaker; and
at least one fire detection component comprising:
sensors; and
a controller that is configured to:
create a three-dimensional map of a space,
activate at least the speaker when a fire is detected to begin fire suppression,
locate a focal point, and
tune the metamaterial to the focal point;
wherein said metamaterial comprising said labyrinthine structure is configured to manipulate said phase shift at least by a surface shape of said metamaterial, and wherein said shape is modifiable to tune said phase shift,
wherein the metamaterial is comprised of a plurality of cells and each of the plurality of cells comprises said labyrinthine structure comprising walls and one or more prongs protruding from one of the walls.