EP0396590B1 - Procedure and device for protection against disasters and pollution - Google Patents

Abstract

A procedure for protection against disasters and pollution is characterized by the following steps: a) a fully automated alarm; b) verification of the alarm; c) reconnaissance of the site; d) computer-assisted analysis; e) establishment of a computer menu using stored data, in particular alarm plans; f) display of the menu as an aid to decisionmaking in a control centre; g) institution of appropriate measures following decisionmaking and possibly incorporation of additions and corrections.

Description

Guidelines and facilities for disaster and environmental protection

The invention relates to a control method for disaster and environmental protection.

The accumulation of serious accidents / series of accidents and catastrophes, both so-called natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, landslides, earthquakes, etc. require an improvement in preventive disaster and environmental protection, as well as the improvement of the initiation of immediate targeted relief measures.

In 1988 alone, a number of serious accidents and disasters occurred, such as Airplane crashes with subsequent fires (including ammunition), tanker gaps, poison barrels that contaminated the environment and the soil, possibly resulting in poison gas clouds, place names such as Herborn, Ramstein and Remscheid were memorized.

From document DE-A-3 442 930 a method for carrying out emergency operations by police, fire brigade, ambulance or the like is known in which data, such as e.g. Maps that can be called up from a memory.

However, it is not contemplated to use verification and / or reconnaissance means, so that near-real-time (image) information from the location of the event about the extent of the catastrophe could be obtained, which is necessary for a decision on the scope of operations are.

The object of the present invention is to provide a guiding method and a device for carrying out the method for disaster and environmental protection, which makes it possible to avoid or reduce false alarms, to obtain an overview of the location, type and extent of what is happening as immediately as possible, as well as selecting the most suitable aid measures and bringing the most suitable aids to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible.

This object is achieved by the method according to claim 1. Further methods and details can be found in further claims and in the description and drawing of exemplary embodiments of the invention, without being limited thereto.

The invention has a number of advantages:

A major advantage of the invention is that due to the speed of the method and the maintenance of an overview of the disaster scenario by means of remote data transmission to a central Pro processor unit and processing / adaptation there, the highest decision-makers can be involved in the decision on aid measures and will not be limited to this in the future, for example, on the day after an accident, to guarantee unbureaucratic help for those affected.

It also shows that a number of military aids have a meaningful use for disaster and environmental protection. This is particularly true in the case of large fires, floods, landslides, earthquakes, but also in the event of contamination of a large area by chemical or atomic means (GAU). A contaminated area, in particular, can only be examined with appropriately trained and selected aids and the disaster can be combated. In an area with great devastation, it is first of all necessary to provide orientation aids and show emergency vehicles the best ways or other options to get to the scene of the accident or disaster.

Because the invention provides a largely automatic alarm, transmission errors in the alarm (human error) are excluded and the signals are received and processed with the aid of a central processor unit.

Because the invention provides a verification level for the alarm, this can be determined and displayed immediately with regard to the location, but possibly also according to its type / classification in a control center (CPU).

Then the method according to the invention provides for on-site clarification, for which purpose mostly known means of clarification can be used. A key advantage, however, is the automated selection and start of the same, centrally controlled.

Another important advantage of the invention is the computerized analysis of the accident or catastrophe and the creation of a computer menu based on stored information, in particular based on existing alarm plans that can be retrieved from external memories. The computer menu then serves as a decision-making aid in a central office, in particular a regional or supra-regional control center (depending on the extent of the disaster). With alternative help options - according to the computer menu - the quick decision making by the highest ranking decision-makers is advantageous. After deciding on the scope of the help, the appropriate measures and aids are selected according to the computer menu and brought to the scene of the action as quickly as possible. If necessary. adapted additions / corrections can be made both with regard to aid measures and aids. In contaminated areas, unmanned, for example, remote-controlled vehicles of all kinds, for example controlled by a screen (with joy-stick), can be used. Aid workers do not have to work at risk to their health.

Below are some examples based on significant events.

Fig. 1a bis 1d

automatische Alarmbeispiele

Fig. 2

automatische Alarmüberprüfungsmöglichkeiten (Verifizierung)

Fig. 3a bis 3d

bemannte und unbemannte Aufklärungsmöglichkeiten vor Ort insbesondere aus der Luft

Fig. 4a bis 4c

den Zentralrechner (CPU) mit peripheren Einheiten

Fig. 5

ein Beispiel eines Computernetzwerkes mit Entscheidungshilfe (Anzeige) an einem Terminal

Fig. 6

ein Beispiel eines Einsatzfahrzeuges

Fig. 7a bis 7b

ein Transportmittel für zum Einsatz vorgesehene Gerätschaften

Fig. 8a bis 8d

verschiedenartige Einsatzhilfsmittel

Fig. 9

einen Navigationscomputer für Fahrzeuge

Fig. 10

ein Fahrzeug zu Fig. 9 mit Peripherie

Fig. 11

ein Katastrophenszenario

Fig. 12

ein in Fig. 11 erkanntes zerstörtes Gebäude (Ruine)

The drawings show:

1a to 1d

automatic alarm examples

Fig. 2

automatic alarm check options (verification)

3a to 3d

manned and unmanned reconnaissance opportunities on site, especially from the air

4a to 4c

the central computer (CPU) with peripheral units

Fig. 5

an example of a computer network with decision support (display) at a terminal

Fig. 6

an example of an emergency vehicle

7a to 7b

a means of transport for equipment intended for use

8a to 8d

different types of deployment aids

Fig. 9

a navigation computer for vehicles

Fig. 10

a vehicle to Fig. 9 with peripherals

Fig. 11

a disaster scenario

Fig. 12

a destroyed building (ruin) recognized in FIG. 11

Examples: Example 1 :

Tanker truck crashes in the city with subsequent explosion and fire (Herborn). In the case of so-called dangerous goods transports, the cargo and its hazard class should generally be immediately detectable by the emergency services in the event of an accident or accident, in particular by means of a black box (with tachograph) that can be connected to the on-board computer and documents the accident and, if possible, contains it in an indestructible housing.

The invention provides for the alarm to be triggered automatically by radio using impact sensors 1 (crash or deceleration sensors), which are known per se in airbags for motor vehicles. Other possibilities of charge-specific leak sensors 3 arranged on the tank or cargo hold are provided in the alarm trigger circuit in order to point out and document possible sources of danger to the driver and the on-board computer, as well as heat sensors which are assigned to the wheels and / or brakes ( e.g. black box). The crash sensors are included 1 and force sensors for the coupling with trailer / semitrailer are designated 2 and 3 and an overpressure sensor on the tank is designated 4. Of course, sensors such as Hall sensors 5 or the like can also be used. be provided which detect a rollover of the vehicle and are included in the evaluation and triggering circuit. 6 is the on-board computer, 7 is a tachograph (black box) and 8 is the transmitter with antenna connected to both. A verifiable, in any case powerful, separate emergency power supply, for example via capacitors and / or batteries (in the sensor circuit), is provided for the suitable alarm signal radiation, in particular SOS signal radiation, provided with the location code. The sensor circuit advantageously also transmits the charge code stored in the computer and the tachograph in the event of an alarm so that rescue teams can specifically provide and use the extinguishing agents suitable for the charge. If the legislator does not take appropriate measures, the manufacturers of dangerous goods transporters should switch to the fact that, as stipulated in the USA for restraint systems, an ignition key can only take effect when the previous necessary measure (bar, magnetic stripe charge code determination) has actually been fulfilled and this has resulted in an opto-electric, magnet-electric test.

The device described above for automatic alarms to a control center 27 according to the invention is provided both in FIG. 1b for a road train, in particular a tanker truck for dangerous goods, in particular fuels or the like, but also for cars in FIG. 1a. 1c shows an automatic alarm device for an aircraft and FIG. 1d for a boat / ship. The alarm can be triggered in an evaluation and trigger circuit with the aid of suitable threshold values, the threshold values being able to be determined by calculation or experiment; the same or similar circuits can be used as are customary in the airbag / belt tensioner system for motor vehicles. The alarm is to be fed into an existing data transmission network with location code, for example ISDN network 26 (FIG. 2) or passed on in another way, preferably wireless / telemetric, using known transmission devices, in particular on electromagnetic, electro-optical, operated electroacoustic ways. There is a particular danger if dangerous goods transport vehicles collide with normal vehicles in city traffic or outside on expressways (federal motorways BAB) and so-called mass collisions occur (in foggy conditions, see Fig. 2 right BAB with an emergency column on the roadside).

The alarm can also and advantageously be triggered by devices which are laid in the roadway or facing the roadway edge or in the vicinity of the roadway. The latter is particularly advantageous if the accident or disaster can be recorded in an existing traffic monitoring system, e.g. Television monitoring of the traffic flow at large crossroads in cities or from (highway) bridges and remote data transmission to a control center or induction loops, force sensors installed under the road surface, or in beacons next to it, light barriers, microphones, ultrasonic sensors that let you see when nothing is moving (indication for traffic jam / accident). Of course, a vehicle from a fleet belonging to an association can also send the alarm to its own headquarters, e.g. Radio center of the OKI system, and then forward the alarm to a central control center 27.

With the monitoring devices described in the aforementioned cases, it is easy to immediately determine not only the alarm condition but also the location of the event. In systems that are not integrated into a monitoring system, the invention proposes to equip the vehicles themselves with a navigation or position detection device and, furthermore, that when the alarm is triggered and the alarm is sent or transmitted to a control center, the position, location identifier or the like is automatically added. is passed on to the recipient in the control center 27. If e.g. If a sensor 3 present on the vehicle has at the same time detected a leak or overheating, this is also automatically transmitted and thus a fire risk is signaled, which can also result from the location and surroundings.

After the alarm, the invention is followed by a centrally controlled verification stage, ie the alarm is checked independently and the check is initiated by the central computer (CPU). This can be done, for example, by means of radio direction finding from an antenna on a tower 10 or roof or mast or traffic light or the like. (Fig. 2), in particular act with an antenna rotating about its axis 360 °, or radar controlled in the same or a similar manner. Directional microphones with sound transmitters, transmitters and receivers for IR and / or UV rays or ultrasound are also aimed at the accident vehicle and their echoes (reflection) are measured during the check. A relatively inexpensive captive balloon 11 (see FIG. 2) can carry the sensor devices 18 and their remote data transmission device over open terrain. A balloon 11 can also serve as a relay station.

Existing stationary devices such as radio and television towers etc. are preferably used for transmitters and receivers. An area with a radius of about 50 km and beyond can be covered from the latter towers with suitable sensors / antennas etc. The alarm check or verification then takes place after receipt of the test signals in the central computer (CPU), which now initiates the next stage, namely that of reconnaissance (FIGS. 3 and 4). The verification means 10 and 11 can also be used for clarification.

During the reconnaissance, reconnaissance means 10-16 are put into operation or started from the central computer 28 in order to obtain further information about location / area, type / classification and in particular the extent of the accident or the series of accidents or catastrophe. The invention preferably uses: means for obtaining aerial images either from satellites 15 (if the area is large), aerial images from high and fast-flying aircraft 14, aerial images from slow-flying aircraft 13, helicopters 12 or balloons 11 or from nearby ones Emergency vehicles or cameras to be used on towers, high-rise buildings etc. For aerial photography, in particular television cameras or CCD image sensors (arrays) are used, the images of which, in a suitable manner, achieve high resolution and thus quality and can be transmitted over long distances (EDI). 3 are the above-mentioned educational resources and their usual operational heights and ranges. The sensors are in turn known sensors of the aforementioned type, such as electromagnetic, electro-optical, electro-acoustic. Reusable drones, which are catapulted from a transportable launch device into the airspace, above the accident / disaster area, appear to be mainly suitable for the reconnaissance of the target area, either in a ballistic trajectory or remotely guided, since the device 17 shown in FIG. 3b contains a launch pad from which the missile 16 (drone) starts by remote control with its own drive. Remote control can also be carried out using conventional means by radio, using the beacon method, or wired. The target detection when approaching is shown in Fig. 3c using the example of a drone with a seeker head 18, which looks downwards and contains a sensor, whereby a video image is obtained, which is then processed at 19 and pre-evaluated at 20 to limit the search range of possible target positions and then filter out possible target profiles. Then at 21 the actual measurement of target parameters according to shape, size and gray values or contrasts to a background as an extraction stage takes place and then the evaluation in MP 22 takes place as to whether the target area of the catastrophe is sought.

Known sensors for seekers for detecting a scenario and their areas of application for damping are contained in FIG. 3d. The target recognition process can in particular use a known computer-controlled image comparison method according to FIG. 4c, in this case both images obtained from a TV or IR sensor can be processed and evaluated in real time (in MP) and images supplied by a millimeter-wave radar. The image is first digitized and subjected to a fast Fourier transformation or a similar algorithm. Then useful and interference signals are separated and the processing image is further processed. Since a disaster area is usually a flat target area, the processed image shows a series of zones that represent paths, buildings, rivers, etc. A pattern recognition or surface correlation algorithm can compare these zones with a stored target catalog of the image processor. If patterns are recognized, they can be put together by the computer and provide a final confirmation that it is the searched target area or a damaged vehicle (of any kind) within the target area. 4c, the known methods of image correlation, statistical correlation (computer recognition) and topological correlation are suitable for the image comparison methods. The method to be used is selected according to the degree of destruction to be expected, because then stored patterns may also no longer be applicable, at least in part. If the extent of the destruction is particularly high, even the computational recognition should only offer a low probability of recognition and the image output 23 must take place after the remote data transmission in the control center 27 and be recorded there in order to draw the necessary conclusions from this in order to classify the accident, the catastrophe and theirs To allow extent, ie the recorded information must be output by the MP on the screen terminal 23 (Fig. 4b). Several sensors from a seeker head 18 are preferably connected to a screen 23 via the data reduction stages 19-21 and signal evaluation processors 22.

When using advantageously multiple sensor equipment of the reconnaissance means, the high-performance signal processors 22 shown in FIG. 4b can advantageously be used, which are connected to one another by a data network, in particular an optical fiber data bus, so that if one signal processor fails, the others are switched to the most important sensors 18 here e.g. Radar, Eloka, IR, commanded or other signals. The data bus is in turn connected to a display processor 23 which displays the image of the disaster scenario obtained from the reconnaissance. This is in turn advantageously stored in the central computer 28 and, if desired, can also be called up later. 3d shows the frequency ranges of known sensors for seekers, as well as their weather-related damping.

As FIG. 4 a shows, as much data as possible is collected for analysis and for generating a decision menu using analyzer 30, received by the reconnaissance device (s) in the air / atmosphere (FIG. 3a) and by means of terminals 24 in front of a ground station 25 and advantageously from there by cable (ISDN or LAN 26) or other existing networks, possibly by means of input terminals in the Control center 27 transmitted.

5 shows the central computer 28, which can only generate the declaration menu from the analysis of the catastrophe scenario in the analyzer 30 on the screen 29 if it is connected to a memory, in particular a reloadable memory 31, in the catastrophe alarm plans known or conceivable scenarios are stored and available. By comparison and weighted approximation (in the analyzer), the computer gains optimized possibilities which it displays, such as on the display 29 or screen of a terminal shown on the right in FIG. 5. He takes into account the extent of the on-site destruction, such as roads, paths or the like, and since he has saved the depots of the aids and rescue and emergency vehicles, including resources and people (helpers), he will propose measures to ensure the fastest possible Show usability considering routes and means of transport as well as their potential help). If there are alternative or equivalent options, a decision must be made by the head of operations and / or a top decision-maker at an intermediate stage, the latter especially if greater or better opportunities for rescuing humans and animals exist when more or better means are used. In the intermediate stage, a so-called "counter-checking", possibly with a pre-alarm for emergency physicians / clinics, can take place via possible auxiliary measures on a coprocessor or via a computer network with other processors or third-party experts or decision-makers. The auxiliary measures are then advantageously issued which you have chosen and then the command can be carried out in three ways: manually, semi-automatically or automatically, this is advantageously specified in the command. Depending on the classification of the disaster, emergency vehicles (of all kinds) are then sent on the way to the scene of the accident in the most suitable way, either self-driving or remotely controlled or both. As soon as the type of disaster is known is / are (with or without a simultaneous fire) the software of the CPU continues with the catastrophe type, for example atomic, biological, chemical, adapted program.

Auxiliary devices or aids that are not self-propelled can be transported, e.g. 7a with a cargo helicopter or other aircraft or a flying boat or hovercraft according to FIG. 7b. The type of drive or power transmission or drives (auxiliary tools) in the set can then be changed or switched over if necessary, cf. Fig. 8a. The emergency vehicles can be combined and rolled over in every respect, so that they can start again in any situation. The emergency vehicles can have an autonomous orientation / navigation device, as described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10 or can always be reoriented or located and guided or steered by means of a satellite navigation system (GPS).

Since in most cases the accident is followed by a fire / major fire, the emergency vehicles can advantageously use a heat shield or spray fluid fluids and / or with protective covers etc. to approach the scene of the accident / source of the fire and suitable extinguishing agents, especially from trailers (various) that are carried to combat splash of fire. The source of the fire can in turn be detected and held using an IR sensor. Depending on the type and size of the fire, fighting may only be possible from a distance, with extinguishing agent grenades carried by the emergency vehicle, such as helicopters - see FIG. 2 - adapted and adapted to the fire class. To rescue people who are at risk in buildings, rescue baskets or other rescue equipment can be shot up on the outside of the buildings on ropes and anchored automatically with a double load (1st propulsion, 2nd anchoring) that is preferably adjusted in strength to the top of the floor on the top floor / roof. Afterwards, people to be rescued can be attached to a seat or the like that is connected to the rope, if necessary. abseil yourself. For fire fighting, helicopters can also be used that fly with so-called night vision devices (Fig. 2, right, center).

Example 2 : Example 2 differs from Example 1 essentially in that a high-rise fire, for example in a department store (Brussels case) has to be combated. The fire was accompanied by an explosion, possibly a gas explosion. There may be a risk of collapse.

With the invention, the fire is first given automatically by a sprinkler system with ionization fire detector via fixed line 26 in FIG. 2 to the control center 27 (if necessary, automatically passed on by the fire department to this control center).

The alarm is verified from the nearest tower 10, which is provided with suitable sensors, in particular IR sensors 18 ', in order to verify the location and type of the catastrophe (major fire).

The clarification then takes place from a helicopter or other known vehicle by means of television cameras or other image sensors and remote data transmission of the clarification information to the control center 27.

The operations management or decision maker decides after the analysis carried out by the central computer in the control center and the associated decision menu has been displayed and makes the operational commands, which are carried out immediately in one of the above three modes. The auxiliary measures and the auxiliary means for use can be selected as in example 1 or similar. In the event of a high-rise fire, helicopters or the like can possibly be rescued over the roof of the high-rise building, in particular since the helicopter can fly despite smoke by carrying IR or night vision devices on board and using them during the approach and, if necessary, other smoke-penetrating phase-modulated (lasers -) emits and receives rays and thus obtains a (rough - see Fig. 12 -) distance / contrast image to put down extinguishing agent and / or spray smoke suppression or put down a powerful fan to land at least from one side (leeward side) for rescue or to suffice to be able to approach to save people (on hooks or similar).

Example 3 : Airplane crash (like Ramstein, Remscheid) In the case of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1c, the alarm is triggered by impact sensors 1 operating in the millisecond range and thus by means of a trigger circuit connected to transmitter 8. Prior to this, a radar sensor 9, in particular a phase-controlled radar (FIG. 1c and 1d), have reported a too low height / distance (and possibly a too low speed from the on-board computer 6) to the closest tower / control center or command center, at the same time with the current position (shortly before the crash / collision).

A helicopter or a slow-flying (ultralight) aircraft with good all-round visibility (Osprey) or a drone with catapult start (Fig. 3b) or a manned vehicle for reconnaissance after verification by the tower and, if necessary, parallel alarms or - Query sent. After analysis of the information by the computer 28 and generation of a decision menu for use, suitable fire-fighting measures are taken as quickly as possible, in particular because a long search for the crash site is avoided (particularly important if the crash site is in rough terrain).

In Fig. 1d, a ship is shown, which is also subject to a collision or an accident and how the aircraft according to Fig. 1c is equipped so that the alarm is detected and then the disaster scenario is determined and analyzed and decisions based on the computer generated decision menus are made. In the case of FIGS. 1c and 1d, the computer automatically asks for a possible loading of weapon types in the responsible command center. Flying boats are preferred for use.

Example 4 : Nuclear accident with contamination of a relatively large area by a nuclear power plant (GAU).

The alarm is triggered automatically by the built-in alarm system when there is a certain temperature increase in a cooling circuit, in particular in the primary circuit, or in or outside the containment on the reactor base and / or with a certain pressure increase in the containment of the reactor. The alarm is then automatically forwarded to the central control center 27 (rescue control center) (DFÜ 26).

The next step is to verify the alarm directly at the nuclear power plant by calling or by radio or the like.

Then the reconnaissance takes place using a drone, a balloon or similar. unmanned aids or via satellite. In all cases, television transmission (video image) using EDI will be useful here.

The computer now analyzes on the basis of the information and generates a decision menu after weighting / adaptation (30), taking particular account of the atomic contamination of the disaster area, the alarm plans from the external memory (31) also providing evacuation measures. The means to be used according to the selected aid program, such as vehicles (FIG. 6) and their equipment (s), are advantageously unmanned or remote-controlled in the end section of the route, e.g. via fiber optic cables, so as not to endanger people to be used (helpers). Fire grenades are fired from the vehicle from a distance. Fire grenades with a sensor 18˝ in the search head that responds to the radioactive radiation (center) are preferred. The same applies if the nuclear accident is accompanied by a fire or an explosion, here too there are suitable grenades containing extinguishing agents or the like. Projectiles that seek their target towards the radiation center are preferred. The contamination of the environment by radioactive cooling water escaping must be contained as quickly and as extensively as possible by sucking in with pump vehicles. The emergency vehicles and equipment must include further suction, clearing and decontamination agents. Separate trailers are suitable for receiving the overburden or similar.

Example 5 : Chemical accident of a chemical transporter with the danger of poison gas development and fire (case in the district of Miesbach).

Similar to example 4, it is important to consider the contamination of the environment. This also applies to biological accidents (genetic).

The alarm is preferably given here as in example 1. The same applies to the verification of the alarm.

When clarifying the accident scene or catastrophe scene, the poison gas development must be taken into account, i.e. Unmanned reconnaissance aids are sent to the scene of the accident, in particular drones, balloons or the like.

After analyzing the information and generating a decision menu on the central computer, the tools, such as vehicles with equipment for vacuuming and clearing, are put on the way so that penetration into the ground and the environment is avoided. Suction, clearing can be done in the trailer vehicles of the emergency vehicles. A contaminated soil is advantageously cleared using vehicles such as those used for mine clearance in the military sector. The corresponding emergency vehicle must therefore have a far-reaching robot arm or similar. e.g. with coulters, screw conveyor or similar have, preferably in such a way that the clearing of the upper soil layers, which are contaminated, can be carried out immediately and completely, also fully automatically, in the interchangeable trailers provided. A laboratory kit carried by the emergency vehicle constantly determines chemicals and chemical content in the air, water and soil (the same applies to biological contamination).

Example 6 : Earthquake (Armenia) Landslide (Turkey) Avalanches and similar accidents (bridge collapse, dam break, high-rise collapse).

The alarm is automatically sent to a control center due to the built-in trigger circuit with strain gauges or with seismographic detection with location information.

The verification of the alarm is sensible from the air with the help of satellite images, airplanes, helicopters, balloons or the like.

Since large-scale disasters with general damage to buildings and people are generally to be feared here, the analysis and generation is essential a decision menu for the use of aids by computers is particularly important and advantageous. Heavy recovery vehicles can be called up from the computer from far away and then flown in. Emergency vehicles can use satellite navigation GPS or autonomous navigation to approach the disaster area and its core by looking for their own ways away from destroyed roads, since they do not compare their position with those of previously striking buildings or the like. Can count points. Earth column or similar it is necessary to overcome or to bypass. Tracked vehicles have an advantage, see the example according to FIG. 6. The heavy device can be flown in with flying cranes (aircraft up to 150 t), V / STOL, helicopters, see FIG. 7a. Air cushion vehicles with a high load capacity are also suitable, see FIG. 7b. It is essential that it is immediately necessary to at least partially replace the lost infrastructure, ie it must be provided that the means of transport mentioned or vehicles such as tractors or tractors be used to drop container units in the disaster area, in particular for the establishment of communication here, radio, telephone, etc., Containers for own power supply, emergency power generators, wind and solar energy generation systems, containers for drinking water production from industrial or waste water, possibly also cooling containers for blood / plasma / expander etc. and containers for clean or breathing air production, containers or tents for operations or other medical supplies, Catering tents, sleeping tents etc. (can be set down with a parachute), see Fig. 8b to 8d.

The means of transport must be able to be coupled and set down as easily as possible with the various containers. Settling can take place on fixed legs or on wheels which can be rotated through 360 ° - as shown in FIGS. 8b to 8d, at least partially.

Special wheel configurations, rollers etc., attachable but also additional drives and hybrid drives (electrical / mechanical / hydraulic / pneumatic) and various drives are recommended for the emergency vehicles. The emergency vehicles (including station wagons) should be as versatile as possible, ie ideally combinable with the drive unit and for required tools and required power transmission devices, such as chains, runners, legs or the like. - See Fig. 8a - including walking machines) cannot be equipped / connected.

It is of course also possible to use emergency vehicles for combined driving on roads and rails, in particular with rubber tires which can be swung out to the side while the rail wheels are arranged normally or vice versa.

The same applies here as for the collapse of tunnels, bridges, dams, etc. The alarm should always come from a seismograph or similar vibration-sensitive sensor devices.

In this case and in the event of a flood, evacuation and homelessness of people must be resolved, the same applies to food and clothing that must be available in good time and in large quantities.
The invention proposes the use of spreading containers for tents, parcels, among other things, with an automatic ejection device and / or on parachutes, as are known from military technology.

Example 7 : Floods
The alarm is generated automatically by liquid level monitoring devices installed in dams or in the area of gauges, which send an alarm signal to the central control center when exceeded.

Verification is carried out by checking (querying) at several points with level measurement.

The extent of the flooding and secondary consequences are then cleared from the air using previously mentioned, preferably manned, means. Shores or dams can be scanned and measured using laser beams, e.g. when flying over or driving over, - the latter as far as possible.

After clarifying the extent of the flood and damage analyzed the computer receives the received information and generates a decision menu, with the help of which the operational commands are issued.

In this example it is important that enough helicopters are available to free people from island situations. It is also advisable to drop self-inflating boats from the air and to seal, consolidate, increase, and build additional insulation by using heavy equipment and appropriate materials from the nearest depots. Evacuation and homelessness of affected people as well as the provision of essentials are also here, cf. Fig. 8b, 8c and 8d, important. The use of flying boats or self-navigating hovercraft or similar Combined vehicles according to Fig. 8a is particularly recommended.

Recovery vehicles with runners can be used like flying boats on water and ice. So-called. Bridge layers as tracked vehicles that lay a folded bridge forward are advantageous emergency vehicles, of course also a suitable number of pushers. Tracked vehicles can drive up and down embankments more easily. A hovercraft can also be used over unknown water surfaces. At critical points, buoys can be used for alarms, communications, etc. be dropped.

The examples given so far are not exhaustive. However, the experts in the field of life saving, etc., can, for example, see help in connection with the claimed measures of the invention.

In the following, a solution for emergency vehicles is described in detail in order to orientate or navigate even in rough or disaster-damaged terrain (FIGS. 9 and 10). Here, too, the invention is not restricted to these exemplary embodiments.

With the solution according to the invention, a precise and safe determination of a location after a disaster is possible even in devastated areas with means on board the emergency vehicle (see FIG. 6), everywhere with satellite help (Global Positioning System GPS) with an accuracy of ± 8 m and by means of pocket-sized receivers, or maps / data about the area are used for preserved (undamaged) reference points or similar. as a reference and are fed to a computer that detects deviations from a reference both in terms of elevation (height difference) and in terms of azimuth (direction or angle of travel in the horizontal). A passive or active sensor can be used.

In a system of the invention, which has a passive sensor for measuring radiometric radiation, one is largely immune to influences from the weather, such as fog, solar radiation. (Radiometric) maps containing temperature data are known.

In a system of the invention, which contains an active sensor for measuring electromagnetic radiation, such as light, the measure according to the invention measures a signal distribution in accordance with radiation lobes (partial areas) and at the same time measures height information (distance relative to the emergency vehicle and / or - see FIG 11 and 12 - reconnaissance means), which is assigned to the measured height / depth, also a recognition of the target area / location is possible in this way.

Both types of sensors (active and passive) can be used together to increase redundancy.

The computer / processor (s) can work incrementally and adaptively. He / she is continuously informed about vehicle movements, among other things. measured data supplied and evaluated.

In the invention, location or change of location or path or vehicle movement data in the respectively desired area can be obtained in a wide variety of ways and fed to the computer (s), for example with the aid of tachometers by integrating, acceleration, path and / or speedometers.

Deviations from an intended direction or angle in azimuth - e.g. from the north-south direction as a reference or compared to a "straight line" start / finish from an area map - can be easily and precisely determined by magnet and compass or fiber gyroscope (ring laser) and / or changes in steering angle compared to the higher initial value.

Entering a destination is not absolutely necessary. It is more important to be able to determine and display an exact new position after a journey / change of location. Previously unknown obstacles such as destruction can force unwanted course corrections. If, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the driver can see his new location and the ideal direction for a further journey in the terrain as an arrow starting from the new location, he can be shown on a display with a cartographic section of a desired area, independently of others Measures such as decide the desired type of circumvention of an obstacle, or be guided remotely.

The invention can advantageously be used both as an orientation aid, guide device, power steering aid or autopilot.

Here under "terrain" not only an area provided with roads or paths but also impassable areas that cannot be driven on with normal road vehicles, e.g. hilly, swampy, stony wasteland / desert or similar Roger that. The size of an area depends on the existing maps and travel intentions. A radius of 25 km around the starting point is usually sufficient, but it also gives digital maps up to 5000 km □. The industry mainly offers four-wheel drive vehicles as off-road vehicles. The emergency vehicles are not limited to this, however, but other land vehicles are also suitable, such as multi-axle vehicles, tracked vehicles, mobile carrier vehicles, and also hovercraft vehicles, etc. Station wagons.

A sensor 406 for detecting terrain characteristics is installed in the front of a vehicle. These are, for example, from an active sensor scanned when driving over, including an area in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel, preferably up to about 50 m away. The installation location of the sensor can be varied depending on the desired application. The same applies to the angle of inclination (elevation) and the angle to the direction of travel (in azimuth).

One or more transmitters and receivers for electromagnetic waves, such as light, are preferably accommodated in a common sensor housing. Preference is given by temporal keying and / or corresponding mapping, e.g. by means of beams, which split the radiation backscattered from the terrain into at least two partial areas. Then these subareas are separated and evaluated in one or more signal processing units by the difference between their respective terms. The beams can also overlap in whole or in part, an overlapping area, e.g. Spots between two circles, e.g. serve to adjust the optical device if it e.g. with pulsed light like laser beams work. Infrared radiation can of course also be used. The sensor is selected depending on the intended use day / night, black / white or thermal image and range.

What is essential is the evaluability of the received signals of the backscattered energy and their evaluation according to the principle of the transit time measurement. The determination of the travel time differences in the case of separate beam lobes (partial areas) at the same time facilitates the distance measurement or geometric assignment of terrain characteristics.

For the evaluation, the received signal before or after the differentiation can also be divided into consecutive time segments. For differentiation, two or more time-gated reception gates can be provided with integrators and differentiating circuit.

The amplitudes of the light pulses are visible over the distance ∼ of time. Almost smooth signals correspond to the essentially flat area of the terrain. A deepening and an increase is in the associated peakes recognizable. A vegetation (bush) generates signals with the corresponding amplitude shape.

When evaluating the signals / pulses generated by the receiver, such peakes and their spacing, pulse width, amplitude and generally the signal shape and / or the amplitude / time integral can be used. Several sensors for detecting the terrain in front of, under and next to the vehicle are preferred.

In another embodiment, a device for recognizing terrain characteristics works with a passive sensor. Of course, a device according to the invention can contain both an active sensor and a passive one, which increases the precision and the reliability of the detection.

A sensor 18 is e.g. 11 installed in a tracked vehicle in such a way that when it passes over the hilly, partly. overgrown terrain in its lane with the direction of travel receives radiation from the terrain, which is measured and evaluated radiometrically (e.g. in degrees Kelvin). This results in a signal curve corresponding to the terrain. The (temperature) distribution mainly depends on the hydrographic and geological nature of the area and its vegetation.

The measured (temperature) values are compared with a strip corresponding to the scanning of the road in the reference map in the coordinate system xy (pole coordinates) in a correlator as part of the processor 308. The values from the reference map, for example temperature or local heights, are digitally onboard in 405 saved. It is advantageous to use a chip with a high integration density and storage capacity and a computer structure with fast access times, fast µP with so-called pipeline correlator connections, so that when evaluating a carriageway trajectory in 403 a large number of point-to-point operations, for example during scanning, are used a card are possible, as with infrared sensor scene matching or combined with other sensors, in particular for area, scene, image (thermal image, night) and signature recognition Pattern recognition (in the scenario) can be used.

The comparison of the measured data with the stored data is advantageously carried out in a unit with a microprocessor, as is shown schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10. Depending on the sensors used, one or more types of maps 301 and 302 can be stored, from the simple area map (in azimuth x-y) to a topographic map with elevations (elevation, z-axis) to thermographic and others. Appropriate number of reference cards for the area.

With 303 a terrain sensor or more of the above Designated type, with 304 a sensor for the travel movement, distance, acceleration, deceleration and / or speed, with 305 a sensor for the direction of travel, e.g. of angular deviations.

The signal utilization and evaluation takes place in the microprocessor 308, reference being made to the block diagram according to FIG. 10 for an explanation of the function.

The processor advantageously has an input 306 for start and / or destination and an output 307 e.g. graphically represented on a (sub) area map - with symbols - on.

As shown in FIG. 10, the processor-controlled function runs as follows:

From the periphery of the microprocessor, selected data, such as default trajectory, location data, acceleration, etc., are transmitted via an interface 401. fed.

A short-term memory 402 for measured value deviations, in particular from the default trajectory, is connected to this via a data bus in order to enable adaptation.

An evaluation with control of the plausibility of the detected road trajectory takes place in module 403, the display of the same in module 404.

405 denotes a read-only memory for signatures - road environment profiles and their deviations, such as elevations, depressions, vegetation, etc. Its values are correlated in module 406, which serves as a signal processing and evaluation unit connected to the terrain detection sensor.

All components are preferably part of an integrated circuit.

Module 406 connects a receiver A and B as a sensor for the backscattered energy and a transmitter A and B for light pulses in particular in a manner known per se. Both laser light pulses and IR radiation can be used, the latter when low noise is important.

The processor according to FIG. 10 is capable of learning to determine usable useful signals and uses its read-only memory to adapt it to certain terrain conditions, depending on the nature of an area. However, the area in question should not only concern an area of water, because only its bank (transition) can be seen.

The processor can also be a co-processor of a CPU or similar computer-controlled device. To facilitate orientation (position determination), the information should both be saved and displayed, e.g. in the form of digital coordinate information or similar reference numbers which divide a map into linearly interpolatable and incrementally processable sections or point division.

Then, for example for position and / or direction detection (dead reckoning), a device known per se for measuring the earth's magnetic field and / or a fiber gyroscope (ring laser) can be used. However, the steering angle stops can also be integrated starting from the starting point and the distance traveled, possibly the distance to a destination and angular deviation can be determined, for example as Deviation from the original air line for the direction of travel, deviation from the north-south or east-west direction or latitude / longitude, difference between local area codes, local heights and other characteristics.

This dead reckoning enables an accurate and safe position display after a change of location if the above-mentioned at the starting point Codes and / or symbols, e.g. were entered from a map at the entry 306. With satellite navigation (GPS) this is not necessary. Satellite radar and communication can also be replaced for all purposes of the invention.

In addition to the new position and the above, the display Distances, in the case of a possible target with identification at 306, any deviation from the ideal course (both in azimuth and elevation) can be determined by this ideal course being indicated by a (light) arrow on the cartographic output 307. The driver can safely choose a new route despite unforeseen events, such as obstacles due to devastation, or have it made by remote control after remote display, even unmanned, e.g. by radio or by means of fiber optics.

The invention is not only suitable for all kinds of emergency vehicles but also for reconnaissance and for self-sufficient orientation in mostly unknown, difficult terrain; it can generally be used as a guidance and steering aid or device, even as an autopilot and for remote-controlled emergency vehicles or mobile carriers of devices, e.g. Robots. Remote control is advantageously only carried out on the last stretch of the route.

Parts of data acquisition, storage and transmission units, servo, steering aids and control devices can if desired - at least temporarily - also be arranged outside a vehicle.

A computer network is expedient in the event of major disasters (network), also between control centers including command or measuring points, alarm detectors and other information sources. External storage eg via Depots, resources, alarm plans must always be updated and kept available on the central computer.

The emergency vehicles according to FIG. 6 can be easily upgraded on conventional chain chassis and drives depending on the intended use - manned with a protected cabin -, remotely steerable or autonomously driven with a diesel engine, gas engine, gas turbine and / or electric motors or hybrid drive (including accumulators or from metal hydride storage) depending on whether there is a fire risk or not. The cabin and / or sensor 18 can be raised in a known manner - also remotely - see FIG. 6. The robotic equipment, auxiliary tools and aids for fire fighting, clearing, suction etc. can be laid out or extended or telescoped in advance by electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic means . Communication of the emergency vehicles with the control center and if necessary with each other must be ensured.

Emergency vehicles and / or means of transport are land / air / water vehicles and combination vehicles also for verification and / or reconnaissance, in particular flying-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, tilt-wing aircraft / rotors, swivel-wing aircraft / rotors, aircraft for short and vertical takeoff and landing V / STOL with marching and lifting or swiveling engines (hot or cold, jet and / or blower as well as jet deflection), sports aircraft, ultralight aircraft, gliders (with auxiliary motor), (outboard) motor boats, amphibious vehicles.

An important advantage of the invention is the automatic alarming, with the control of the sensors (multi-sensors as in FIG. 4b) and their triggering circuits that can be carried out from time to time from a control center by querying (sequentially, in parallel) from the central control center 27. A query or check is also carried out if one or more sensors fail. Depending on the weather or other environmental conditions, the sensors can be used / activated in the search head 18 (day / night, fog, smoke, etc.). Every alarm, however brief, is automatically registered. An SOS transmitter in the "black box" continues to transmit after the accident.

The verification and clarification means according to FIGS. 1d, 2 and 3 including large radar systems (phase locked array) and satellites provide quick decision aids. The information can also be reactivated / queried by the computer after the CPU has run to supplement / correct and monitor the auxiliary measures and, if necessary, an additional menu can be generated.

The emergency vehicles of a uniform basic type can be upgraded and equipped on site. They have external dimensions ≦ standard containers and can be automatically docked onto such suitable means of transport (lifting, pulling, pushing) - see also Fig. 8b to 8d. The containers / vehicles are airworthy because they are quickly on site e.g. for shock treatment / injuries and, if necessary, further transport in special clinics by V / STOL or similar must be available.

It is not possible to transport the emergency vehicles over blocked or destroyed roads. Therefore only the basic types / containers - cf. 7a and 7b - transported and the necessary equipment (possibly including seeker / telemetric transmitter / receiver and / or sensors) installed on site. The cabin in the vehicle according to FIG. 6 is only necessary when manned. The central tubular, elevatable support structure (for the search head 18) is then only extended to the desired height. It has an external thread or similar. and serves as a movement spindle for a cabin that can be moved up and down independently for personnel.

The basic unit / type thus represents a universal motor device for a wide variety of aids / tools, including pump and other units. A universal motor means a multi-fuel motor / drive and hybrid drive. If necessary / desired, he and / or the vehicle can be remotely controlled / steered on site in the final phase of the journey. The equipment also includes various trailers etc. - see Fig. 8 - depending on the disaster, including reloadable launchers for fire grenades and cables / ropes.

Within the scope of the claims, the invention also includes modifications and combinations, training and further developments of the features specified in the description and the drawings.

Claims (12)

1. A procedure for guidance in protection against disasters and pollution by means of a data processing system comprising a network of data processors which communicate with one another within the network, characterized in that the network contains

   - a central processor unit/CPU (28) which is connected with an input unit (receiver) and with an output unit (transmitter),

   - in that, at the input unit, information is supplied to the CPU (28) concerning an alarm (such as time, location, type of the occurence) for the automatic aquisition and recording (Fig.5),

   - in that, by means of the central processor unit/ CPU (28) a testing/verification of the received information is initiated concerning the alarm, and its accuracy or inaccuracy is determined,

   - in that the central processor unit/CPU (28), in order to obtain information concerning the extent of the occurence, selects and centrally activates and controls the means for verification (Fig.2) and/or reconnaisance (Fig.3a) according to the type of alarm or alarm classification so that only (image-)information is transmitted by the selected (image-) aquisition sensor(s) (in 18) to the control center (27) by remote transmission/telemetry (26) and a processing by means of a (image-)processor (22 in Fig. 4b) and a display (directly on monitor 23) or a storing (of the image) takes place,

   - an analyser(30) which is connected with a central processor unit/CPU for the analazing of the obtained information and with external storage means (31) by way of a common data bus so that a decision menu is obtained which is adapted to the occurence (disaster scenario), and
   in that the output unit (transmitter) connected with the central processor/CPU (28) by means of remote data transmission (for example Fig.2 or Fig.4) emits command data of appropriate application measures to external receivers according to the program selected for decision menu.
2. A procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that the verification means (such as in Fig.2) activated by the central processor unit/CPU (28) after the reception of the alarm are independent (separate) from the means (Fig.1a to 1d) supplying the alarm to the control center (27).
3. A procedure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after the computer analysis assisted by the analyzer (30) and the display of the decision menu on a display unit (29), an intermediate step is inserted for "cuonter-checking", possibly together a pre-alerting of helpers, and only then the initiation takes place of the selected aid program appropriate to the specific event, according to three modes either mechanically, semi-automatically or automatically.
4. A procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the alarm is triggered by at least one triggering sensor (1), preferably by several sensors which are part of an analysis and trigger circuit (treshold evaluating circuit), whereby if an event occurs which is not within the treshold values, such as an exceeding/falling below, transmitting the alarm automatically to a control center (27), particularly by remote data transmission/telemetry (26) or a line network or radio (24,25).
5. A procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alarm, when the classification "Large-scale disaster" can be determined, immediately is transmitted from a control center (27) to a superior (p.e. nationwide) center (with coprocessors), preferably automatically by means of remote data transmission.
6. A procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the verification means (10) of the alarm are stationary signal aquisition (sensing and transmission) units which take up a position at a high altitude (for example, the top of a tower) and in that the events scenario recognising sensors (18) (such as image sensors, radar or similar devices) can be centrally activated.
7. A procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reconnaisance means (10 to 16) are stationary units (10,11,15) or movable units (12,13, 14,16) at high altitude, preferably having on a carrier, platform, moving scenario aquisition or scanning sensors (18), such as image sensing and transmitting units which can be brought (remote-controlled) into an elevate position for aquisition, particularly by means of air-. land-,or water based vehicles (or multi-purpose vehicles) and transmit sensed data to the control unit for analysis.
8. A procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after an aid program was selected from the generated decision menu in a control center or at a terminalwith display unit (29), after weighing and making of the decision on the most efficient aid measure, approbiate aid means (Fig.6 and Fig.8) are sent to the place of accident/disaster location, in the most suitable manner (Fig.7), by means of a command data output according to the selected program of the CPU (28).
9. A procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reconnaisance means are means (10,15) placed or send to the location or site of the accident/disaster means (11,12,13,16) or operating vehicles (Fig.6) or manned or unmanned vehicles (of any type) including remote controlled vehicles having on board means to aid location and navigation (Fig.9 to 12) for the purpose of orientation/locating and/or route determination even in devasted or destroyed, sunken or covered-over terrain/buildings, by means of the command data output according to the selected program of the CPU (28).
10. A procedure according to one of the receding claims, characterized in that, the means (18) for the reconnaisance (possibly also for the verification) are combined with operating vehicles (Fig.6) and/or their equipment can in each case be transported independently/ driven independently (all types of vehicles and Fig.7a,7b) and can be used by means of the command data output according to the selected program of the CPU (28).
11. A guiding procedure, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the network (of data processors) communicates also with the satellites of the (established) Globol Positioning System (GPS) and in that the operating vehicles or the control center are equipped with receiver means to receive signals dispatched by the satellites for everywhere-locating a vehicle in an alarm-site or area of disaster.
12. A guiding procedure according to claim 11, characterized in that the operating vehicles not only have a receiver for receiving the satellite signals of the Global Positioning System (GPS), but also have a computer on board wich allows to determine any difference to a reference (reference points for orientation) for precise and reliable determination of the vehicles position, and to use said determination in said procedure.

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