🌟 Patent of the Week: Jet-Engine Firefighting System for Wildfire Suppression

US Navy’s High-Velocity Air/Water Mix Technology for Superior Wildfire Control

What’s the Big Idea?

It’s that time of year again where we dread and fear wildfires. Large and tragic forest and brush fires seem to be the new normal. A western drought, hot summers, and high winds make for perfect fire conditions representing a year-round threat. The property damage is quantifiable, but the loss of life is not. Conventional firefighting methods have changed little, but the Navy has developed a game-changing system using a jet engine to combat these devastating fires.

By generating a high-velocity air stream, this system combines air with water cooled to 50°F, creating very fine water particles. These cold water droplets, driven into the atmosphere at the fire’s edge at over 400 miles per hour, significantly lower the ambient temperature and form a barrier that prevents the fire from spreading, ultimately extinguishing it.

Why It Matters

Conventional methods for fighting fires under dry and windy conditions often leave firefighters at a disadvantage. This innovative system offers a more effective solution by rapidly deploying particle-sized water droplets that quickly lower the temperature and create a fire barrier. This new approach could dramatically improve firefighting effectiveness, saving property and lives.

Stage of Development

This technology is available for express licensing, with non-exclusive licenses starting at $2,000 upfront and a 2% royalty. It’s a promising solution ready for commercialization, aiming to enhance firefighting capabilities and better equip us against the growing threat of wildfires.

Interested?

For more details or to explore licensing opportunities, please contact TechLink, which provides licensing assistance at no cost.

The Details

• Patent Status: U.S. Patent 8,291,990

• Reference: TechLink Tech Page

About the artist

John Berkey, recognized for his space and science fiction-themed works, especially his illustrations of spaceships.