N101-060 TITLE: Advanced, Automated Sensing and "3-D" Control/Targeting System for Exterior Shipboard Fires

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS 500, DDG 1000 Program, ACAT 1

OBJECTIVE: Development of advanced automated sensing and control/targeting system, including fire initiation detection and "3-D" localization. This will enable the rapid detection and localization of exterior shipboard fires involving composite/ flammable materials located on a deckhouse to support an automated firefighting response.

DESCRIPTION: The threat of fire is increased in new ship designs because the superstructure is made of composites and coated with materials, which are also flammable, that help to reduce ship signatures. Suppressing exterior shipboard fires involving deckhouse materials that can rapidly burn requires an automated sensing and targeting capability that does not rely upon an operator to assimilate data to determine where and when the fire started. The current state-of-the-art in sensor technology does not support localization of a fire which, once determined, can then be used to automatically or autonomously target and aim a fire fighting agent response. Currently available sensors will provide either early warning (e.g. smoke) or a total flooding response (e.g. optical flame detector or a heat detector in a magazine detects flame/heat), but the response is then a total flooding of the space.

External fire sensors are not currently used on naval ships and are a challenging problem for the following reasons:
(1) There are no topside passages outboard of the superstructure; therefore, there is no easy method of accessing the topside.
(2) The sensors must withstand environmental and weather factors. The current state-of-the-art sensors are not operable in this application.
(3) The area of coverage required is large, yet the requirement is to be able to precisely detect and localize a fire to enable an immediate and prompt casualty response.
(4) The sensors must address and not degrade the signature control issue.

This topic seeks innovations and alternative approaches to the development of advanced, automated sensing and control/targeting techniques, including fire initiation detection and "3-D" localization which will significantly reduce the risk of an out-of-control fire involving the deckhouse. The desire is to be able to provide a continuous, automated, exterior, fire detection capability as well as support the precise targeting or localization of the fire. It is envisioned that these sensors and associated algorithms would be included as part of the overall ship control system and would initiate an overall fire suppression system response. Proposed solutions will need to be able to detect fires up to several hundred feet depending on their installed location and will have to operate in an automated fashion and under environmental conditions that may impair visibility such as smoke, fog, salt spray, temperature range extremes or night-time operations. The proposed solution would also need to be able to maintain real-time feedback capability once the monitor stream is activated, be immune to false alarms under the above stated conditions, and be able to detect fires involving Class A or Class B materials. It is anticipated that for some sensor technologies the sensor may be affected by the fog stream itself.

PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative approach to the development of a sensor system that supports automated fire detection and targeting for fires that can be initiated anywhere on a "typical" deckhouse structure. Develop an initial conceptual design and establish performance goals and metrics to analyze the feasibility of the proposed solution. Develop a test and evaluation plan that contains discrete milestones for product development for verifying performance and suitability.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate the prototype(s) as identified in Phase I. Through laboratory testing, demonstrate and validate the performance goals as established in Phase I. Refine and demonstrate the capabilities of the system. Simulated environmental conditions and fire/ firefighting effects should be included in the demonstrations. Conduct life cycle and environmental testing. Develop a cost benefit analysis and a Phase III testing, qualification and validation plan.

PHASE III: The small business will work with the Navy and commercial industry to commercialize the fire detection system with a design that meets the Military Specifications for shipboard use. Demonstrate the system in realistic, full-scale fire tests. The fire detection systems shall be UL listed and Mil Spec qualified.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This concept could have application for the protection of minimally-manned shore-side facilities (e.g., electrical sub-stations) and monitoring secure areas.

REFERENCES:
1. Sorathia, U., Kiviat, B., and Lattimer, B., "Fire Safety Goals and Material Performance Criteria for Composites Considered in the Topside Applications on Surface Ships," NSWCCD-64-TR-1999/01, November 1999.

2. White, D.A., Scheffey, J.L., Sincaglia, P.E., Farley, J.P., Williams, F.W., "Advanced Enclosed Mast/ Sensor System Fire Hazard Analysis," NRL Ltr Rpt 6180/0316, 25 July 1996.

3. White, D.A., Scheffey, J.L., Farley, J.P., Williams, F.W., "LPD17 Amphibious Dock Ship: Fire Hazard Assessment of the Forward and Aft AEM/S System Masts," NRL Memorandum Report 6180-00-8467, 26 June 2000.

4. Rollhauser, C.M., "Composite Fire Hazard Evaluation for the Integrated Technology Deckhouse," DTRC/SME-89/03, David Taylor Research Center, Bethesda, MD, February 1989.

5. DDG-1000

KEYWORDS: Fire-fighting; damage control; sensors; control algorithms; automated; deckhouse

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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