Patent Application
20240252857
The present invention is directed towards improvements in science and technology applied in the defense of human and animal life and property, against the ravaging and destructive forces of wildfire.
Over the past century, millions of people have developed and settled towns, counties and neighborhoods in regions that today are called the Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI), which are at high risk to wildfires, and this is impacting home owners and property insurance industry. For man to live and survive a sustainable future in the urban-wildfire interface, human society must quickly adapt to survive the destructive effects of wildfires.
Conventional methods of wildfire fighting defense include:
Current methods of wildfire defense and fighting are becoming unsustainable because the financial losses due to wildfire are exceeding what the insurance industry is willing to insure, as the damage caused by wildfire to the environment is typically catastrophic and destruction.
For several decades now, wildfire defense methods have proposed proactively spraying homes, buildings and properties with chemical fire retardants—to defend against hot wildfire embers flying in the direction of prevailing winds, in search of combustible fuel.
In 2006, US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0113403A1 (Aamodt of Firebreak Spray Systems LLC) disclosed a fire-retardant distribution system designed for use with any type of structure such as residences, out buildings, barns, commercial buildings, and others. This prior art system is designed to prevent structures from catching fire when a wildfire approaches, and relies upon a spray system that when activated coats the exterior of the structures, decks, and surrounding landscape very rapidly with a liquid, decolorized fire retardant that remains on the surface until washed off. The system is self-contained and relies upon tanks pressurized with inert gas to deliver the fire retardant to spray valves positioned on and around the structures and surrounding areas. In an alternate embodiment, compressed gas-powered pumps deliver fire retardant to desired areas to flank a wildfire and control its direction and behavior. In general, such firebreak spray systems are expense to install and use liquid fire retardants that are less than optimal from performance criteria, as well as from an environmental sustainability perspective.
Wildfire defense methods have also proposed the use of hydrogels as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,229,769 and 5,849,210, for the purpose of cooling the source of the fire by retaining water close to the flame. In general, such hydrogels are produced from a water-absorbing polymer and water. The hydrogel binds the water and so stops the water from flowing away from the source of the fire. Because hydrogels can maintain a large amount of water near the fire, hydrogels have a good immediate extinguishing effect. In contrast, the long-term effect of hydrogels is poor. Hydrogels can dry and thereby rapidly lose their effect. The remaining salt-like dried hydrogels have a very low fire-retarding effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,273,813 (assigned to BASF) also proposes combining water-absorbing polymers with fire-retarding salts to form fire-retarding compositions having a good immediate extinguishing effect and a good long-term effect, but are not ideal for use in automated firebreak spraying systems discussed above.
For over a decade, Hartindo's anti-fire (AF) chemical solution AF31 has been used in proactive fire defense applications including wildfire defense. While AF31 solution employs tripotassium citrate dissolved in water with minor amounts of a natural gum added to provide cling, the natural gum tends to clog spray nozzles requiring additional cleaning and maintenance, and adversely impacts many species of plant life including flowing plants, tender perennials and vegetables.
Clearly, there is a great need in the art for better, more effective, and less expensive ways of and means for proactively defending property parcels, houses and buildings constructed thereon, from the threat of fire ignition and flame spread caused by hot wind-driven wildfire embers associated with wildfires.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present is to provide new and improved home wildfire defense spraying system installation kit, and method of installing and operating the same on a parcel of property, for proactively spraying environmentally-clean liquid fire inhibitor on the property to inhibit fire ignition and flame spread caused by hot wind-driven wildfire embers, while overcoming the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methods and apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a wildfire defense spraying system installation kit, wherein environmentally-clean wildfire inhibiting biochemical compositions in dry powder phase are pre-mixed and loaded in the storage tank of the spraying system, and ready for the addition of a proper quantity of water at the time of system installation and activation, to thereby formulate a high-performance liquid chemical fire inhibitor at the installation site in a simple and reliable manner, so that the system can automatically spray the liquid chemistry over combustible ground surfaces, native ground fuel, living plants, trees and shrubs, and when dried, forms thin potassium salt crystalline coatings having improved surface coverage and providing excellent inhibition to fire ignition, flame spread, and smoke development in the presence of wildfire.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved wildfire defense spraying system for spraying an environmentally-clean wildfire inhibitor liquid biochemical solution that is formulated at the system installation site by (i) dissolving in a predetermined quantity of water, a first quantity of dry powder tripotassium citrate (TPC) functioning as a fire inhibitor with a second quantity of liquid triethyl citrate (TEC) functioning as a coalescent agent, wherein both first and second quantities are preloaded in a liquid storage tank connected to an electric battery-powered spray pump, so as to form a clear wildfire inhibitor solution which, after sprayed over combustible surfaces to be protected against wildfire, (ii) allows potassium cations dissolved in the solution to disperse and participate in the formation thin potassium citrate salt crystalline coatings on treated surfaces and function as optically-transparent wildfire inhibitor coatings, which once dried, can reabsorb water at the surface without rapid dissolution to improve the duration of fire protection offered by the wildfire inhibitor composition in the presence of rain and ambient moisture levels.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit of apparatus for installing a home wildfire defense for installation on a home property so that it can be triggered to spray a new and improved wildfire inhibitor liquid having a coalescent agent that promotes the formation of thin potassium salt crystalline coatings deposited onto organic fuel surfaces to be protected against the threat of ignition by wildfire, providing optimized methods of wildfire inhibitor deposition in outdoor environments.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire inhibiting biochemical composition kit comprising: a major amount of dry tripotassium citrate (TPC), and a minor amount of triethyl citrate (TEC), as components for mixing with a predetermined major amount of water functioning as a solvent, carrier and dispersant, to make up a predetermined quantity of environmentally-clean liquid fire inhibiting biochemical composition for proactively protecting combustible property and wood products.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved home wildfire defense spraying system for installation on a property to be protected against wildfire, and automatically triggered to spray an environmentally-clean aqueous-based fire inhibiting liquid biochemical solution on the property when receiving a radio signal transmitted by smartphone operating over a 4G GSM digital cellular communication network.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system installation kit that contains all of the components and instructions required for any home owner or contractor to quickly and affordably install and support a wildfire defense spraying system on a specified parcel of property so that, prior to arrival of a wildfire, the home owner can remotely command the proactive spraying of their property with a clean and sustainable liquid fire inhibitor stored in a liquid storage tank.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a wildfire defense spraying system installed on a specified parcel of property, wherein the liquid fire inhibitor stored in the storage tank comprises: (a) a dispersing agent realized in the form of a quantity of water, for dispersing metal ions dissolved in the water; (b) fire inhibiting agent realized in the form of tripotassium citrate, for providing metal potassium ions dispersed in the water when tripotassium citrate is dissolved in the water; and (c) a coalescing agent realized the form of triethyl citrate, an ester of citric acid, for dispersing and coalescing the potassium ions when the fire inhibiting liquid composition is applied to a surface to be protected against fire, and while water molecules in the water evaporate during drying, the potassium ions cooperate to form thin potassium citrate salt crystalline coatings on treated surfaces to be protected against ignition by wildfire.
Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved wildfire defense spraying system (WFDS) kits including chemical liquid storage tanks having a 50 or 100 gallon capacity and shipped preloaded with food-grade chemical constituents based on the weights and measures that support ASTM fire testing accreditations, EPA Safer Choice Labeling Certification, UL GreenGuard Gold Certification, and passes California Aquatic Testing and EPA and meets Prop 65—when the proper quantity of water is added and blended in the storage tank based on the manufacturer's instructions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system and method of mitigating the damaging effects of wild fires by spraying environmentally-clean fire inhibiting biochemical liquid on property prior to arrival of wildfire to form thin, optically-clear potassium salt crystalline coatings on combustible property, that inhibits fire ignition and flame spread without depending on water, so long as such potassium salt crystalline coatings remain present on the combustible property surfaces.
These and other benefits and advantages to be gained by using the features of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter and in the appended Claims to Invention.
The following Objects of the Present Invention will become more fully understood when read in conjunction of the Detailed Description of the Illustrative Embodiments, and the appended Drawings, wherein:
FIG. 3C1 is a perspective view of the 4G GSM remote power control switch module used, in conjunction with a smartphone and 4G GSM digital cellular communication network, to control 120V/30A electrical power supplied to the electric pump system in the sprinkler-based wildfire defense property spraying system of the present invention, when constructed from the kit of system components shown in
FIG. 3C2 is a perspective view of the 4G GSM remote power control switch module of FIG. 3C1 shown with its weatherproof housing cover removed from the housing to reveal its internal circuit board, 4G GSM antenna, and electrical power relay bar to which wires are connected;
FIG. 3D1 is a perspective view of the 4G GSM GPS sensor that is permanently factory-mounted to the fire inhibitor storage tank that is used in the sprinkler-based wildfire defense property spraying system of the present invention, when constructed from the kit of system components shown in
FIG. 3D2 is a perspective view of the 4G GSM GPS sensor of FIG. 3D1 shown with its battery power and SIM card module removed for access and activation;
FIG. 3F1 is a perspective view of a 4G GSM wireless remote wildfire ember and smoke detector module that can be optionally used in the sprinkler-based wildfire defense property spraying system of the present invention, when constructed from the kit of system components shown in
FIG. 3F2 is a perspective view of the 4G wireless remote automatic wildfire ember and smoke detector module for use in the sprinkler-based wildfire defense property spraying system of the present invention, when constructed from the kit of system components shown in
FIGS. 3I1 and 3I2 are perspective views of the lithium-battery electrical power storage system optionally used in providing an un-interrupted electrical power supply (UPS) from a 120/220V electrical power service to the electric pump system and other electrical power consuming components used in the sprinkler-based wildfire defense property spraying system of the present invention, when constructed from the kit of system components shown in
FIG. 3L1 is a perspective view of the (optional) electrically-powered temperature-controlled heating blanket adapted for wrapping about the storage tank used in the sprinkler-based wildfire defense property spraying system of the present invention, when constructed from the kit of system components shown in
FIG. 3L2 is a perspective view of the electrically-powered temperature-controller designed for use with the heating blanket shown in FIG. 3L1, supplying electrical power to the heating elements within the blanket, and monitoring the temperature of the liquid fire inhibitor in the storage tank, as required to prevent freezing thereof and system malfunction;
Referring to the accompanying Drawings, like structures and elements shown throughout the figures thereof shall be indicated with like reference numerals.
Wireless System Network for Managing the Supply, Delivery and Spray-Application of Environmentally-Clean Fire-Inhibiting Biochemical Liquid on Private and Public Property to Reduce the Risks of Damage and/or Destruction Caused by Wild Fires
As shown in
Notably, new and improved the GPS-tracked/GSM-linked, sprinkler-based wildfire defense (fire inhibiting liquid) spraying systems 5 indicated in the system network of
Specification of Environmentally-Clean Aqueous-Based Liquid Fire Inhibiting BioChemical Compositions and Formulations, and Methods of Making the Same at the Installation Site in Accordance with the Principles of the Present Invention
A primary object of the present invention is to provide new and improved environmentally-clean aqueous-based fire inhibiting biochemical solutions for use by homeowners around the world which demonstrate very good long-term fire inhibiting effects when being proactively applied to protect combustible surfaces against the threat of fire. In general, the novel fire inhibiting liquid biochemical compositions of the present invention comprise: (a) a dispersing agent in the form of a quantity of water, for dispersing metal ions dissolved in water; (b) a fire inhibiting agent in the form of at least one alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric saturated carboxylic acid, for providing metal ions dispersed in the water when the at least one alkali metal salt is dissolved in the water; (c) a coalescing agent in the form of an organic compound containing three carboxylic acid groups (or salt/ester derivatives thereof), such as triethyl citrate, an ester of citric acid, for dispersing and coalescing the metal ions when the fire inhibiting liquid composition is applied to a surface to be protected against fire, while water molecules in the water evaporate during drying, and the metal ions cooperate to form potassium salt crystal structure on the surface; and (d) if appropriate, at least one colorant.
Useful alkali metal salts of nonpolymeric saturated carboxylic acids for inclusion in the compositions of the present invention preferably comprise: alkali metal salts of oxalic acid; alkali metal salts of gluconic acid; alkali metal salts of citric acid; and alkali metal salts of tartaric acid. Alkali metal salts of citric acid are particularly preferred, as will be further explained hereinafter.
Notably, while the efficacy of the alkali metal salts increases in the order of lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium and rubidium, the salts of sodium and salts of potassium are preferred for cost of manufacturing reasons. Potassium carboxylates are very particularly preferred, but tripotassium citrate monohydrate (TPC) is the preferred alkali metal salt for use in formulating the environmentally-clean fire inhibiting biochemical compositions of the present invention.
While it is understood that other alkali metal salts are available to practice the biochemical compositions of the present invention, it should be noted that the selection of tripotassium citrate as the preferred alkali metal salt, includes the follow considerations: (i) the atomic ratio of carbon to potassium (the metal) in the utilized alkali metal salt (i.e. tripotassium citrate); (ii) that tripotassium citrate is relatively stable at transport and operating temperatures; (iii) tripotassium citrate is expected to be fully dissociated to citrate and potassium when dissolved in water, and that the dissociation constant is not relevant for the potassium ions, while citric acid/citrate has three ionizable carboxylic acid groups, for which pKa values of 3.13, 4.76 and 6.4 at 25° C. are reliably reported the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) handbook; and (iv) that tripotassium citrate produces low carbon dioxide levels when dissolved in water.
Tripotassium citrate is an alkali metal salt of citric acid (a weak organic acid) that has the molecular formula C6H8O7. While citric acid occurs naturally in citrus fruit, in the world of biochemistry, citric acid is an intermediate in the celebrated “Citric Acid cycle, also known as the Krebs Cycle (and the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle), which occurs in the metabolism of all aerobic organisms. The role that citric acid plays in the practice of the biochemical compositions of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
Preferably, the water-soluble coalescing agent should have a melting point at least 32 F (0 C) or lower in temperature, and be soluble in water. Triethyl citrate (TEC) is a preferred coalescing agent when used in combination with tripotassium citrate (TPC) having excellent compatibility given that both chemical compounds are derived from citric acid.
In some applications, the use of colorants may be advantageous with or without opacifying assistants, to the fire inhibiting biochemical liquid compositions of the present invention. Opacifying assistants make the fire-retarding biochemical composition cloudy and prevent any interaction between the color of the added colorant used and the background color.
The concentration of the dye in the fire-retarding biochemical composition is preferably in the range from 0.005% to 10% by weight, more preferably in the range from 0.01% to 5% by weight and most preferably in the range from 0.015% to 2% by weight.
Of advantage are dyes, food dyes for example, which fade as the fire-retarding composition dries and gradually decompose or are otherwise easily removable, for example by flushing with water.
The fire inhibiting liquid biochemical compositions of the present invention are producible and prepared by mixing the components in specified amounts with water to produce the fire inhibiting composition. The order of mixing is discretionary. It is advantageous to produce aqueous preparations by mixing the components other than water, into water.
for Use with Specified Quantities of Water at System Installation Site In the preferred embodiment of the fire inhibiting liquid biochemical composition of the present invention, the components are realized as follows: (a) the fire inhibiting agent is realized in the form of an alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric saturated carboxylic acid, specifically, tripotassium citrate, for providing metal potassium ions to be dissolved and dispersed in a quantity of water (supplied at the time and site of system installation at the homeowner's property); (b) a coalescing agent realized the form of an organic compound containing three carboxylic acid groups (or salt/ester derivatives thereof), specifically triethyl citrate, an ester of citric acid, for dispersing and coalescing the metal potassium ions when the fire inhibiting liquid composition is applied to a surface to be protected against fire, and while water molecules in the water evaporate during drying, the metal potassium ions cooperate to form potassium citrate salt crystal structure on the treated surface.
In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, tripotassium citrate (TPC) is selected as active fire inhibiting chemical component in fire inhibiting biochemical composition. In dry form, TPC is known as tripotassium citrate monohydrate (C6H5K3O7·H2O) which is the common tribasic potassium salt of citric acid, also known as potassium citrate. It is produced by complete neutralization of citric acid with a high purity potassium source, and subsequent crystallization. Tripotassium citrate occurs as transparent crystals or a white, granular powder. It is an odorless substance with a cooling, salty taste. It is slightly deliquescent when exposed to moist air, freely soluble in water and almost insoluble in ethanol (96%).
Tripotassium citrate is a non-toxic, slightly alkaline salt with low reactivity. It is chemically stable if stored at ambient temperatures. In its monohydrate form, TPC is very hygroscopic and must be protected from exposure to humidity. Care should be taken not to expose tripotassium citrate monohydrate to high pressure during transport and storage as this may result in caking. Tripotassium citrate monohydrate is considered “GRAS” (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the United States Food and Drug Administration without restriction as to the quantity of use within good manufacturing practice. CAS Registry Number:[6100-05-6]. E-Number: E332.
Tripotassium citrate monohydrate (TPC) is a non-toxic, slightly alkaline salt with low reactivity. It is a hygroscopic and deliquescent material. It is chemically stable if stored at ambient temperatures. In its monohydrate form, it is very hygroscopic and must be protected from exposure to humidity. Its properties are:
Jungbunzlauer (JBL), a leading Swiss manufacturer of biochemicals, manufactures and distributes TPC for food-grade, healthcare, pharmaceutical and over the counter (OTC) applications around the world. As disclosed in JBL's product documents, TPC is an organic mineral salt which is so safe to use around children and adults alike. Food scientists worldwide have added TPC to (i) baby/infant formula powder to improve the taste profile, (ii) pharmaceuticals/OTC products as a potassium source, and (iii) soft drinks as a soluble buffering salt for sodium-free pH control in beverages, improving stability of beverages during processing, heat treatment and storage.
Selecting Triethyl Citrate (TEC) as a Preferred Coalescing Agent with Surface Tension Reducing and Surfactant Properties for Use in the Fire Inhibiting Biochemical Compositions of the Present Invention
In the preferred illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the coalescing agent used in the fire inhibitor biochemical compositions of the present invention is realized as a food-grade additive component, namely, triethyl citrate (TEC) which functions as a coalescing agent with surface tension reducing properties and surfactant properties as well. Triethyl citrate belongs to the family of tricarboxylic acids (TCAs) and derivatives, organic compounds containing three carboxylic acid groups (or salt/ester derivatives thereof).
In the aqueous-based fire inhibiting liquid composition, the coalescing agent functions as temporary dispersing agent for dispersing the metal ions dissolved and disassociated in aqueous solution. As water molecules evaporate from a coating of the biochemical composition, typically spray/atomized applied to a surface to be protected from fire, the coalescing agent allows the formation of thin metal (e.g. potassium citrate) salt crystal structure/films at ambient response temperature conditions of coating application. The coalescent agent promotes rapid potassium salt crystalline structure/coating formation on combustible surfaces to be protected against wildfire, and have a hardness evolution that promotes durability against rain and ambient moisture, while apparently allowing vital oxygen and CO2 gas transport to occur, without causing detrimental effects to the vitality of living plant tissue surfaces sought to be protected against wildfire.
A relatively minor quantity of triethyl citrate (TEC) liquid is blended with a major quantity of TCP powder in specific quantities by weight and dissolved in a major quantity of water to produce a clear, completely-dissolved liquid biochemical formulation consisting of food-grade biochemicals mixed with water and having highly effective fire inhibiting properties, as proven by testing. The resulting aqueous biochemical solution remains stable without the formation of solids at expected operating temperatures (e.g. 34 F to 120 F).
Jungbunzlauer (JBL) also manufactures and distributes its CITROFOL® A1 branded bio-based citrate esters for food-grade, healthcare, pharmaceutical and over the counter (OTC) applications around the world. CITROFOL® A1 triethyl citrate (TEC) esters have an excellent toxicological and eco-toxicological profile, and provide good versatility and compatibility with the tripotassium citrate (TPC) component of the biochemical compositions of the present invention. CITROFOL® A1 branded citrate esters are particularly characterized by highly efficient solvation, low migration, and non-VOC (volatile organic compound) attributes. As an ester of citric acid, triethyl citrate is a colorless, odorless liquid which historically has found use as a food additive (E number E1505) to stabilize foams, especially as a whipping aid for egg whites.
Broadly described, the fire inhibiting biochemical liquid coatings of the present invention consist of an aqueous dispersion medium such as water which carries dissolved metal salt cations that eventually form a thin metal salt crystalline structure layer on the surface substrate to be protected from ignition of fire. The aqueous dispersion medium may be an organic solvent, although the preferred option is water when practicing the present invention. After the application of a coating onto the combustible surface to be protected against fire ignition and flame spread and smoke development, the aqueous dispersion medium evaporates, causing the metal salt (i.e. potassium salt) cations to draw together. When these metal salt particles come into contact, the coalescing agent, triethyl citrate, takes effect, uniformly dispersing the same while reducing liquid surface tension, and giving rise to the formation of a relatively homogeneous metal salt crystalline structure layer over the surface. In practice, this interaction is more complex and is influenced by various factors, in particular, the molecular interaction of the potassium salt cations and the coalescing agent, triethyl citrate, as the water molecules are evaporating during the drying process.
While offering some surface tension reducing effects, the main function of the coalescing agent in the biochemical composition of the present invention is to ensure a relatively uniform and optimal formation of the salt crystalline structure layers on the combustible surfaces to be protected, as well as desired mechanical performance (e.g. offering scrub resistance and crystal coating hardness) and aesthetic values (e.g. gloss and haze effects).
The fact that CITROFOL® A1 triethyl citrate (TEC) esters are bio-based, odorless, biodegradable, and label-free, represents a great advantage over most other coalescing agents, and fully satisfies the toxicological and environmental safety requirements desired when practicing the biochemical compositions of the present invention.
In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the use of CITROFOL® A1 triethyl citrate (TEC) esters with tripotassium citrate monohydrate (TPC) dissolved in water as a dispersion solvent, produce fire inhibiting biochemical formulations that demonstrate excellent adhesion, gloss, and hardness properties. The chemical and colloidal nature of potassium salt ions (which are mineral salt dispersions) present in TPC dissolved in water, is highly compatible with the CITROFOL® A1 triethyl citrate (TEC) ester used as the coalescing agent in the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Also, CITROFOL® A1 triethyl citrate esters are REACH registered and are safe, if not ideal, for use in environmentally sensitive products such as fire and wildfire inhibitors which must not adversely impact human, animal and plant life, ecological systems, or the natural environment.
Example 1: Schematically Illustrated in
In the preferred embodiment, the WFDS kit of the present invention is equipped with fire inhibitor storage tanks having either a 50 or 100 gallon capacity, to support different size property sizes, and will be shipped from the factory containing all Citrotech® fire inhibitor constituents based on weights and measures required to support ASTM fire testing accreditations along with UL GreenGuard Gold, LENS, California Aquatic Testing, EPA Safer Choice Labeling, and meeting Prop 65, but only when the proper quantity of water has been added (indicated by the water fill line) and blended properly based on manufacturer's instructions for filling the storage tank.
In this alternative embodiment shown in
Example 2: A fire-extinguishing and/or fire-retarding biochemical composition was produced by stirring the components into water. The composition comprising: 0.05 pounds by weight of triethyl citrate as coalescing agent, (20.3 milliliters by volume); 5.2 pounds by weight of tripotassium citrate (64 fluid ounces by volume); and 4.4 pounds by weight of water (64 fluid ounces by volume), to produce a resultant solution of total weight of 9.61 pounds having 128 ounces or 1 gallon of volume. A primary disadvantage of this embodiment of the invention is the cost of the finished goods, weighing in at least 8.4 lbs. per gallon of water used, which contributes significantly to the cost of shipping.
In the biochemical compositions of the present invention The ratio of the ester of citrate (e.g. triethyl citrate) to the alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric carboxylic acid (e.g. tripotassium citrate) may be major amount between 1:100: to 1:1000 and is typically in the range from 1:1 to 1:100, preferably in the range from 1:2 to 1:50, more preferably in the range from 1:4 to 1:25 and most preferably in the range from 1:8 to 1:15.
A preferred biochemical composition according to the present invention comprises: a major amount from 1% to 65% by weight, preferably from 20% to 50% by weight and more preferably from 30% to 55% by weight, of at least one alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric saturated carboxylic acid (e.g. tripotassium citrate monohydrate or TPC); and minor amount from 0.08% to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 2% by weight and more preferably from 0.1% to 1.0% by weight, of triethyl citrate (an ester of citrate acid); wherein the sum by % weight of the components (a) and (b) should not exceed 100% by weight.
In a preferred embodiment, the fire inhibiting composition further comprises water. The water content is present in a major amount and is typically not less than 30% by weight, preferably not less than 40% by weight, more preferably not less than 50% by weight and most preferably not less than 60% by weight and preferably not more than 60% by weight and more preferably not more than 70% by weight, all based on the fire inhibiting biochemical composition.
The viscosity of the aqueous preparation is preferably at least 5 [mPas](millipascal-seconds, in SI units, defined as the internal friction of a liquid to the application of pressure or shearing stress determined using a rotary viscometer), and preferably not more than 50 [mPas], or 50 centipois) [cps], for most applications.
One method of viewing the resulting potassium salt crystal structures formed upon a surface substrate to be protected against fire, as illustrated in
At Step A, a spray nozzle is used to spray a liquid coating of a biochemical composition of the present invention, and once applied, the water molecules being to evaporate at a rate determined by ambient temperature and wind currents, if any. When the minimum film formation temperature (MFT) is reached for the biochemical composition, the potassium cations can inter diffuse within the triethyl citrate (TEC) coalescent agent and water molecule matrix that is supported on the surface that has been sprayed and to be proactively treated with fire inhibiting properties by virtue of a thin film deposition of tripotassium salt crystalline structure, modeled and illustrated in
At Step B, potassium cations diffuse and the TPC crystalline structure deforms. During the coalescence of potassium cations, interparticle potassium cation diffusion (PCD) occurs within the TEC coalescing agent to produce a semi-homogenous tripotassium citrate salt crystalline structure.
At Step C, coalescence occurs to form the TPC salt crystalline structure. The mechanical properties of tripotassium citrate crystalline structures are highly dependent on the extent of PCD within the TEC coalescent agent.
Upon complete evaporation of water molecules from the biochemical liquid coating, the resulting fire inhibiting coating that is believed to be formed on the sprayed and dried surface comprises a thin film of tripotassium citrate salt crystalline structures formed on the structure, with substantially no water molecules present. The nature and character of such tripotassium citrate salt crystalline structures are believed to be reflected in models provided in
To determine and confirm that the fire inhibiting liquid compositions of the present invention produce potassium citrate salt crystalline structures on treated surfaces that have attained certain standards of fire inhibiting protection, it is necessary to test such treated surface specimens according to specific fire protection standards. In the USA, ASTM E84 Flame Spread and Smoke Development Testing can be used to test how well surfaces made of wood, cellulose and other combustible materials perform during E84 testing, and then compared against industry benchmarks. The environmentally-clean fire inhibiting chemical liquid composition disclosed herein is currently being tested according to ASTM E84 testing standards and procedures, and these ASTM tests have shown that fire-protected surfaces made of Douglas Fir (DF) demonstrate Flame Spread Indices and Smoke Development Index to qualify for Class-A fire protected certification, when treated by the fire inhibiting biochemical composition of the present invention disclosed and taught herein.
Preferably, the GPRS/GSM transceiver 24 shown in FIGS. 3C1 and 3C2 is suitably adapted for transmitting and receiving digital data packets using GPRS and GSM communication protocols, over the network, to support a suite of digital communication services and protocols specified herein. Also, a suite of communication services and protocols (e.g. email, SMS alert, PUSH protocol, XML, PDMS, and CALL alert) are supported by GSM for sending and receiving messages. Also, preferably, the electronic wildfire ember and smoke detection module 27 shown in FIGS. 3F1 and 3F2, supports 360 degrees of sensing and associated field of views (FOVs), and in wireless communication with the 4G GSM digital cellular communication network 10.
In some application environments, ambient temperatures on the property parcel being defended against wildfire may fall below freezing, and in such environments, it will be wise if not necessary to adapt the wildfire defense spraying system to prevent freezing of the liquid fire inhibitor in its storage tank.
FIGS. 3L1 and 3L2 show an electrically-powered temperature-controlled heating blanket 32 adapted for wrapping about the storage tank 21 used in the sprinkler-based wildfire defense property spraying system of the present invention 50, when constructed from the kit of system components shown in
FIG. 3F1 shows the wireless 4G GSM GPS-tracked wildfire ember and smoke detection 27 for use as an auxiliary sensor in communication with the wildfire defense spraying systems of the present invention 50. Each wireless GPS-tracked wildfire ember detection module 27 deployed on the 4G GSM digital cellular network 10 comprises: a fire-protective housing cover 27A; and various sensors and signal and data processing and storage components arranged and configured about a microprocessor and flash memory (i.e. control subsystem) include: one or more passive infra-red (PIR) thermal-imaging sensors connected together with suitable IR optics to project IR signal reception field of view (FOV) before the IR receiving array 27B; multiple pyrometric sensors 27C for detecting the spectral radiation of burning, organic substances such as wood, natural gas, gasoline and various plastics; a GPS antenna 27D; a GPS signal receiver; GSM antenna; GSM radio transceiver an Xbee antenna; an Xbee radio transceiver; a voltage regulator; an external power connector; a charge controller; a battery; thermistors; a power switch; external and internal temperature sensors; power and status indicator LEDs; programming ports; a digital/video camera 27G; other environment sensors adapted for collecting and assessing intelligence, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention; and mounting base 27E for mounting on a support bracket that can be affixed to a pole, tree, or building as the case may suggest or require. Alternatively, the wildfire detection module 27, and supporting wireless wildfire intelligence network, may be realized using the technical disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,907,799, incorporated herein by reference. However, the present invention should not be limited by such prior art teachings.
Preferably, the optical bandwidth of the IR sensing arrays 27B used in the thermal sensors will be adequate to perform 360 degrees thermal-activity analysis operations, and automated detection of wildfire and wildfire embers. Specifically, thermal sensing in the range of the sensor can be like the array sensors installed in forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, as well as those of other thermal imaging cameras, use detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a heat source (thermal radiation) such as fire, to create an image assembled for video output and other image processing operations to generate signals for use in early fire detection and elimination system of the present invention.
The pyroelectric detectors 27C detect the typical spectral radiation of burning, organic substances such as wood, natural gas, gasoline, and various plastics. To distinguish a flame from the sun or other intense light source such as light emissions from arc welding, and thus exclude a false alarm, the following independent criteria are considered: a typical flame has a flicker frequency of (1 . . . 5) Hz; a hydrocarbon flame produces the combustion gases carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2); and in addition, burning produces water which can also be detected in the infrared range. Each pyroelectric detector 27C is an infrared sensitive optoelectronic component specifically used for detecting electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range from (2 to 14) μm.
Each system 50 will use a GPS referencing system available in the USA and elsewhere, supporting transmission of GPS signals from a constellation of satellites to the Earth's surface, so that local GPS receivers within the GPS sensor 30 located on each Citrotech® containing storage tank 21, and also each remote wildfire ember and smoke detector 27, will receive the GPS signals and compute locally GPS coordinates indicating the location of the networked device within the GPS referencing system. This GPS location information is then automatically transmitted to a central database server 12 using 4G GSM digital cellular communications, in the preferred embodiment. By managing the GPS location of storage tanks 21, the manufacturer of Citrotech® fire inhibitor can continuously track and map the location of its fire inhibiting chemical liquid around the globe, in relation to the current location of active wildfires, and forecasted risk of wildfire, as part of its supply chain, inventory, and customer service management operations around the world.
When practicing the remote wildfire sensor of the present invention 27, any low power wireless networking protocol of sufficient bandwidth can be used. However, in the preferred embodiment, its 4G GSM digital cellular transceiver circuit will be used to send SMS-based triggering signals 40 directly to its linked wildfire defense spraying system of the present invention 20. Such SMS-based triggering signals 40 will activate its 4G GSM remote power control switch 24, energize the electric pump 22, and spray Citrotech® liquid fire inhibitor 35 all over the property 36 to provide the proactive protection it requires in the presence of a wildfire and its flying embers 41. Such 4G GSM signaling 40 can support SMS between the wireless ember and smoke detector 27, and the one or more linked wildfire defense spraying system(s) 20 that the automated ember detector 27 might be ordered to serve in any given application.
In the illustrative embodiment, the wildfire ember detection system 27 supports a computing platform, network-connectivity (i.e. IP Address), and is provided with native application software installed on the system as client application software, designed to communicate over the system network and cooperate with application server software running on the application servers of the system network, thereby fully enabling the functions and services supported by the system, as described above. In the illustrative embodiment, a wireless mess network may be implemented using conventional IEEE 802.15.4-based networking technologies to interconnect these wireless subsystems into subnetworks and connect these subnetworks to the internet infrastructure of the system of the present invention. However, such wireless 4G GSM wildfire ember and smoke sensor 27 can be used alone with at least one wildfire defense spraying system 50, in which case SMS messaging 40 transmitted to its host WFD spraying system 50 can automatically trigger the 4G GSM controlled spraying system 20 to spray all the Citrotech® liquid fire inhibitor 35 in its storage tank 21, all over the property 36 prior to wildfire arrival for proactive wildfire defense.
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At this juncture it will be appropriate to describe three topologically different kinds of clean-chemistry wildfire breaks and protection-zones that might be proactively formed about, before, or over targeted properties, using the wireless remotely activated wildfire defense spraying system, with respect to prevailing winds in the environment under consideration.
Specification of Underground Sprinkler-Based Fire-Zone Spray System Installation Configured about a Property to be Defended Against Wildfire
In the preferred embodiments described above, a building/home owner or manager can manually activate and operate the spraying system from anywhere to protect either the building and/or ground surfaces around the building, as desired or required, based on intelligence in the possession of the human operator or manager.
Alternatively, the automated wildfire ember controller 27 when activated, in cooperation with the local electronic wildfire and ember detection module 27 and associated 4G GSM cellular network, automatically activates and operates the electric pump of the spraying system to protect both the building and/or ground surfaces around the building, as required, based on intelligence automatically collected by ember/smoke detector deployed on the wireless network and linked to the homeowner's wildfire defense spraying system.
Preferably, each wildfire defense spraying system 50 will include automated mechanisms for remotely monitoring and reporting the amount of Citrotech® fire inhibitor chemical liquid available and remaining for use in supporting spraying operations. Such monitoring will help to ensure that adequate reserves of fire inhibiting chemical liquid are stored in GPS-tracked storage tanks 21 on each property before any given wildfire strike to support wildfire ember suppression spraying operations.
Typically, the locked and loaded home wildfire defense system will be manually triggered by the owners several hours and just before the owners are required to evacuate their homes and property for safety reasons, by authorities such as the local fire chief and deputies. Alternatively, the wildfire home defense system can also be remotely triggered using a mobile smartphone 11, if required, with the property owners not home to manually triggering the spraying defense mode of the system.
The system will be remotely controllable by the building manger/home-owner using a mobile computing system 11 running the mobile application. Suitable graphical user interfaces (GUIs) can be supported on the mobile application to enable the user to monitor and control the system locally, or from a remote location, in real-time, provided the wireless communication infrastructure is not disrupted by a wildfire. In the case of active wildfires, a wildfire detection and notification network can be provided for continuously collecting, recording and monitor intelligence about specific regions of land and any wildfires detected in such regions, and advise any specific home/building owner of the status of any specific building before, during and after a wildfire.
The illustrative kits and spray system embodiments disclose using environmentally clean fire inhibiting biochemical compositions of matter developed by Applicant and covered under pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/167,084 filed Feb. 4, 2021, and titled ENVIRONMENTALLY-CLEAN WATER-BASED FIRE INHIBITING BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING THE SAME TO PROTECT PROPERTY AGAINST WILDFIRE, incorporated herein by reference. However, it is understood that alternative clean fire inhibiting chemical compositions may be used to practice the wild fire defense methods according to the principles of the present invention.
In the illustrative embodiment of the wildfire home defense spraying system of the present invention, 4G GSM digital cellular communications is provided between the electrical pump components of the system and the homeowner's smartphone, enabling the remote triggering of automated fire inhibitor spraying operations on the property in response to a single SMS text message sent over the network from the homeowner's smartphone. This is a very reliable method of remote triggering because electrical power and internet service failure at homes during an active wildfire is more likely than loss of digital cellular service, all things considered.
However, it is understood that a web-based remote-control method for triggering the spraying system can be practiced as well by using a mobile application running a native mobile application or web browser application, and an Internet-based remote electrical power controller installed aboard the wildfire defense spraying system. Notably, in such a web-based alternative embodiment of the present invention, Internet service (and WIFI Service) will be required at the home-based property being protected, in order to enable remote-triggering of spraying operations executed using the homeowner's mobile smartphone running the native mobile application or web browser application, as the case may be.
All things considered, the 4G GSM remote control method would appear more reliable in most applications. However, in some applications, the web-based application might seem preferred. Also, in yet other environments and applications, use of both 4G GSM and web-based methods might be preferred to provide the homeowners two options of remote-control triggering of fire inhibitor spraying operations on a particular GPS-specified parcel of property.
While several modifications to the illustrative embodiments have been described above, it is understood that various other modifications to the illustrative embodiment of the present invention will readily occur to persons with ordinary skill in the art. All such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the accompanying Claims to Invention.
The present patent Application is a Continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/329,979 filed Jun. 6, 2023, which is a Continuation-in-Part of copending: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/167,084 filed Feb. 4, 2021; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/497,948 filed Oct. 10, 2021; wherein each said U.S. patent application is commonly owned by Mighty Fire Breaker LLC and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18329979 | Jun 2023 | US |
| Child | 18432014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17167084 | Feb 2021 | US |
| Child | 18329979 | US | |
| Parent | 17497948 | Oct 2021 | US |
| Child | 17167084 | US |
