Prototype breakdown
QuenchPod R
Vehicle & Rescue — prototype technical breakdown
Provisional design targets for a first physical prototype. Every figure below is a concept-stage target to be confirmed by engineering, materials testing and certification — none are measured or approved values.
Size and weight
- Overall form
- Rounded cylindrical capsule with flattened base
- Body diameter
- 260 mm (target)
- Overall height
- 410 mm (target)
- Agent chamber volume
- 9 litres (target)
- Dry weight (empty)
- 4.2 kg (target)
- Charged weight (filled)
- 13.8 kg (target)
- One-person handling
- Yes — single carry handle, two-hand placement
- Dispersal time
- Under 2 seconds from activation (target)
- Effective coverage
- Approx. 5 m radius foam blanket (target)
Materials and construction
Suppression agent: Fluorine-free (F3) Class B foam concentrate with cooling water
| Part | Material / spec | Why this choice |
|---|---|---|
| Outer shell | Glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA6-GF30), 4 mm wall | Impact and heat tolerant, non-conductive, low cost at volume, will not fragment into sharp metal pieces. |
| Heat shield liner | Intumescent silicone / ceramic-fibre mat, 6 mm | Buys time in direct flame contact so the unit still functions after being placed in a hot zone. |
| Agent chamber | Blow-moulded HDPE bladder, foam-compatible | Chemically compatible with fluorine-free foam concentrate over long dormant storage. |
| Pressure source | Sealed inert gas (nitrogen) cartridge, non-explosive cold-gas release | Rapid dispersal with no combustion, no detonation and no pyrotechnic components. |
| Dispersal head | Aluminium multi-port diffuser with burst disc | Spreads the charge into an expanding blanket instead of a single jet. |
| Trigger module | Dual path: thermal fuse (approx. 120 °C) plus low-power radio receiver | Works pre-installed and dormant, or on command from a crew at stand-off distance. |
| Seals and gaskets | Fluorosilicone O-rings | Retain pressure and agent quality across long storage and wide temperature swings. |
| Base and mounts | Powder-coated steel base plate with wall bracket interface | Keeps the unit upright when placed and allows fixed pre-installation. |
Environmental targets
- Storage temperature-20 °C to +60 °C (target)
- Service / shelf life5 years dormant before agent recharge (target)
- Ingress protectionIP66 (target)
- Radio trigger range150 m line of sight (target)
- Standby powerLithium primary cell, 5-year dormant life (target)
Open engineering questions
- Burst-disc and diffuser geometry must be tested to prove a blanket, not a jet.
- Foam concentrate compatibility with the bladder needs long-duration ageing trials.
- Thermal fuse threshold must be validated against real vehicle-fire heat curves.
- Transport classification for a pressurised unit needs regulatory review.
- Charged weight must be checked against manual-handling limits in each service.