AU645444B2 - Remote fire protection and control unit - Google Patents

Description

t645444 41255 HKS:SJC:PFB P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicants: KEITH ROBERT HOCKLEY AND RAYMOND JOHN HOCKLEY Actual Inventors: KEITH ROBERT HOCKLEY AND RAYMOND JOHN HOCKLEY Address for Service: COLLISON CO.,117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A, 5000 Invention Title: So S *REMOTE FIRE PROTECTION AND CONTROL UNIT Details of Associated Provisional Applications: AUSTRALIAN Patent Application No. PK9229 Dated 1st November 1991 AUSTRALIAN Patent Application No. PK9230 Dated 1st November 1991 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 This invention relates to a method and apparatus for remotely activating fire protection and control equipment in the domain of bush fires, forest fires, dwellings and other structures.

There are two commodities which are of great value for fire protection and control, these are mains water and electrical mains supply. Unfortunately, mains water is not accessible in all isolated areas and it may also suffer from low pressure, therefore this can be inadequate for fire protection and control.

In addition, electrical mains supply may be inaccessible in isolated areas and in general it will be deliberately cut off during times of crisis. For these reasons, it can be an undesirable feature (especially in isolated areas) to incorporate mains water and electrical mains supply into fire protection and control systems.

Self contained fire protection and control systems exist in which the water 0 supply may be isolated from the mains water and stored locally in a: water 15 tank, swimming pool, lake, river or other similar water sources. Furthermore, the water can be pumped independently of electrical mains supply by using pumps powered bydiesel/petrol and other such fuels.

There are many commercially available self contained fire protection control .systems. Currently, these can be started if a human operator is in the near 20 vicinity or by an unsecure radio control. Due to the risk of human life it is highly improbable that the fire protection control system will be started at precisely the time of need, especially when the fire is a raging bush or forest fire. Hence, it is possible that fire protection and control systems can be started prematurely, therefore the system may run out of water or fuel before the fire has reached the effective range of the fire fighting equipment. There is also a maintenance issue in which isolated fire protection and control units require regular manual inspection to determine whether or not the equipment is functionally operative. In addition, an unsecured control unit may be subject to outside interference and sabotage.

It is the intended object of this invention to alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

According to one form of this invention there is p;;vided a remotely activated 3 fire protection and control means including: a fuel supply for an internal combustion engine adapted to drive a pump for pumping a liquid supply to at least one sprinkler or liquid outlet means; and a control means to start the said internal combustion engine, wherein the control means in communication with an addressable receiver is adapted to be activated by a transmitted signal received by the receiver means.

In preference, the receiver means is a pager, mobile telephone or coded radio receiver.

In preference, electrical power is supplied to the fire protection and control means by a re-chargeable battery.

see•i In preference, there is a timer which terminates the starting of the internal combustion engine if it fails to start within a pre-defined time limit. This reduces the possibility of flooding the internal combustion motor and running down the re-chargeable battery.

In preference, there is a means to invoke a wait and repeat start sequence i: which is adapted to repeat the starting sequence at least once.

In preference, the fire protection and control means is protected by fire proof materials.

In preference, a fire protection and control means is adapted to be remotely tested for maintenance by sending a unique remote control signal to each fire protection and control unit and waiting for a response.

In preference, there is a detection means to detect the status of the internal combustion engine or pump, the detection means being adapted to invoke a transmitting means for transmitting status signal.

In preference, the liquid supply is water which is isolated from the water mains supply.

Alternatively, according to another form of this invention there is provided a remotely activated fire protection and control means including: an addressable receiver means adapted to receive a transmitted signal, the receiver means being fur her adapted to provide at least one invoking signal upon receiving the ransmitted signal; a controller means in communication with the receiver means adapted to provide at least one control signal upon receiving the invoking signal; an internal combustion engine adapted to drive a pump for pumping a liquid supply to at least one sprinkler or liquid outlet means, the internal combustion engine's ignition means being activated by the control signal; and a starter motor for starting the internal combustion engine, the starter motor also being adapted to be activated by the control signal.

In preference, the activation signal is adapted to be de-activated by the receiver means providing an invoking signal upon receiving a further 15 transmitted signal.

o .i 9 In preference, the receiver means is a pager, mobile telept,Jne or coded radio receiver.

~In preference, the pager is addressed by a small number of unique preprogrammed telephone numbers.

In preference, the processing means is adapted to change the command signal only when the receiver means receives two transmitted signals during a pre-determined time duration.

In preference, there is a timing means adapted to stop power being supplied to the starter motor and internal combustion engine's ignition means after a pre-determined time duration, thus reducing the probability of both starter motor damage and the running down of the electrical storage means.

In preference, the timing means is adapted to re-supply, at least once, power to the starter motor and internal combustion engine's ignition means, wherein the retry means re-supplies the power after a pre-determined time duration.

In preference, the remotely controlled activation apparatus is powered by an electrical storage means adapted to be re-charged by solar power,.

In preference, there is a detection means to detect the status of the internal combustion engine or pump, the detection means being adapted to invoke a transmitting means for transmitting status signal.

In preference, the liquid supply is water which is isolated from the water mains supply.

In preference, the fire protection and control means is protected by fire proof materials.

Alternatively according to another form of this invention there is provided a method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means including the steps of: detecting a fire in the effective range of a fire protection and control means adapted to pump a fire extinguishing liquid by power provided from an internal combustion engine; and "remotely starting the internal combustion engine; pumping the liquid to at least one sprinkler or outlet means to extinguish or control the fire.

beef Alternatively according to another form of this invention there is provided "*06 method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means including the steps of: determining when a fire will be in the effective range of a fire protection and control means adapted to pump a fire extinguishing liquid by power provided from an internal combustion engine, the determining being dependent up wind direction and speed; and remotely starting the internal combustion engine in a control means in communication with an addressable receiver means; pumping the liquid to at least one sprinkler or outlet means to extinguish or control the fire.

In preference, the method is further characterised by activating a stop sequence of the said internal combustion motor when the fire is extinguished or outside the effective range of the fire protection and control means.

In preference, the method is further characterised in which the fire protection I 6 and control unit is remotely controlled by either a pager, mobile telephone or coded radio receiver.

In preference, the method is further characterised in that the fire protection and control unit being remotely controlled from a distance greater than 500 metres.

In preference, the method is further characterised in that there are a plurality of designated fire protection and control means which are controlled from either a common central location or by portable transmission means.

In preference, the method is further characterised by detecting fire protection 1 0 and control means transmitting an operating status signal.

In preference, the method further includes the steps of determining when the ofire passed the effective range of the fire protection and control means and remotely stopping the internal combustion engine.

o For a better understanding of this invention, it will now be described with the .0o. 1 5 assistance of diagrams illustrating a preferred embodiment in which: o .o FIG. 1 illustrates a processing circuit for decoding an invoking signal from a pager or mobile telephone, o FIG. 2 illustrates the invoking signal from the pager, FIG. 3 illustrates a four channel radio receiver output, *oo%: S 20 FIG. 4 illustrates the decoder and timer circuit for processing the -o ~outputs of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a0 0 O FIG. 5 illustrates a single channel radio receiver, pager or mobile telephone interface adapted to be connected to FIG. 4, plus the online and test buttons, FIG. 6 illustrates an internal combustion engine ignition activation circuitry adapted to be controlled by the circuits of the above FIGS,

V

7 FIG. 7 illustrates a "itus transmitter activation circuit, FIG. 8 illustrates a fire protection and control means, and FIG. 9 illustrates a fire protection and control strategy using this invention.

Referring to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, there is illustrated processing circuit for decoding an invoking signal from a pager or mobile telephone.

Once the pager or mobile telephone is accessed by an allocated dialling number it will a generate a pulsed signal that is transformed into an audio frequency signal. This tone is of fixed frequency and is pulsed at different rates 1 0 depending upon which of the pre-programmed telephone numbers are used to activate the pager. In contrast the mobile telephone only has one fixed audio frequency. The signal from the pager or mobile telephone can be .applied directly to input A of FIG. 1, whereas if an audible tone is used it r-ust first pass through a microphone before being applied to input A.

0** 1 5 Referring in detail to the embodiment described in FIG. 1, there are two power sources supplied, by input D+ and from a re-chargeable battery. The two power supplies are derived from IC1 and IC2 along with their associated resistors and capacitors. The output from IC1 provides a 1.5 volt output across the outputs B and C to feed the pager, whereas the output from IC2 provides 20 power to the circuit of FIG. 1. Note if a mobile telephone is to be used then IC1 and its associated circuitry can be modified to provide the desired power supply.

0 Considering the pager only, the pager signal at input A is processed by the Saudio amplifier configuration consisting of transistors Q1, Q2 and their 25 associated circuitry. The collector of Q2 is connected to the CLOCK of the counter IC3 and input A of the monostable device IC4:A. The Q-bar output of IC4:A is connected to input A of the monostable device IC4:B, input B of IC4:A and the ENABLE input of the counter IC3. The Q-bar output of IC4:B is connected to the RESET input of IC3 via the 0.1 micro-farad capacitor. This Qbar output is also connected to the CLEAR of monostable IC4:A and the Q output of IC4:B is connected to one input of the NAND gates IC5:A, and IC5:D. The output of these NAND gates E, F, G and H(A) are then supplied to the decoder and safety time circuit of Fi3. 4.

The above described embodiment uses the monostable IC4:A and its associated resistors and capacitors to function as a 1 second timer; and monostable IC4:B and its associated resistors and capacitors are used to function as a 7 second timer (both timers can be modified, if required, to be of a different time duration).

Upon an audio frequency signal, from the pager being applied to input A the output from the audio signal amplifier is simultaneously applied to the clock of counter IC3 and input A of monostable IC4:A. This initiates the 1 second timer. The output of this timer (the Q-bar of monostable 1C4:A) changes state 1 0 to a logic 1 which is applied to the enable of the counter IC3 and clocks the counter once. After 1 second, the Q bar of monostable IC4:A will change state and disable counter IC3. Consequently, any pulses appearing at the output of the audio signal amplifier during this 1 second time slot will have been applied to the clock of counter IC3 and the resulting count is the decoded S 1 5 pager signal.

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When the Q bar of monostable 1C4:A changes state the 7 second timer associated with monostable IC4:B is initiated. The Q bar output of monostable IC4:B applies a signal to the CLEAR input of monostable IC4:A so that the 1 second timing sequence is disabled for the next 7 seconds. The Q output of monostable IC4:B enables the NAND gates IC5:A, IC5:B, and IC5:D and therefore the decoded output from counter IC3 appears at either E, F, G or H(A).

The Q output from monostable IC4:B remains at a logic 1 for 7 seconds, after which it changes state and disables NAND gates IC5:A, IC5:B, IC5:C and 25 IC5:D. At the same time, the Q bar of monostable IC4:B changes state. This removes the clear signal to monostable IC4:A and also clears the count stored in counter !C3. Hence, the circuit is in its initial state awaiting a signal from the pager.

When considering a mobile telephone only one frequency is provided and therefore, depending upon the frequency, only one of the outputs E, F, G or H(A) can be used in this embodiment. However, there are a number of frequencies available at the output of the pager as shown in FIG. 2, therefore the input to the audio signal amplifier can be one of a number of pulsed signals or tones.

To reduce the possibility of a random number being decoded a false alarm safety mechanism can be incorporated as illustrated in FIG. 4. This safety mechanism is configured such that two pre-defined pager numbers (or radio receiver signals) must be dialled in succession, and within a limited thne frame, before a selected unit activation circuit can be invoked.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is illustrated the invoking signal from the pager. This shows typical outputs which can be applied to input A of FIG 1. These output signals are dependent upon the transmitted signal, or addressing, of the pager by a transmitted signal which can be dependent upon more than one 1 0 telephone number.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated the output of a four channel radio receiver (an ELSEMA FMR 204). The outputs of the radio channel receiver E, F, G and H are adapted to be connected to one or more of the inputs of FIG. 4.

1 Hence, these outputs E, F, G ard H are compatible with the outputs E, F, G 1 5 and H(A) of FIG. 1.

Referring to the implementation shown in FIG. 4, the inputs E, F, G, H and H(A) correspond to the outputs E, F, G, H and H(A) of FIGS. 1 and 3. The outputs from the decoder circuit or radio receiver are propagated to the inputs of either IC7:A, IC7:B and IC7:C via the NOT gates IC6:A, IC6:B or IC6:C.

20 The function of the 555 counter IC10 and its associated circuitry is to provide a safety feature to reduce the possibility of random decoding and activation. If required IC10 can be removed and the 10K OHM resistor across the R and Q inputs of IC10 provides a logic 1 to the inputs of IC7:A, IC7:B and IC7:C. This 0logic 1 allows the outputs of the AND gates to be sensitive to inputs E, F and S 25 G. However, if the false alarm safety mechanism is required the 555 counter IC10 must be inserted and one of the outputs from FIG. 1 must be connected o to H(A) or one of the outputs of FIG. 2 must be connected to the input H. The following sequence is required to provide a signal at the output INIT or to switch on transistors 03, Q4, If one of the outputs from FIG. 1 is connected to H(A) then the pager must send a first signal which is decoded and applied to H(A).

Upon receipt of the signal at the input H(A) the output Q of the 555 counter supplies a logic 1 to one of the inputs of each of the AND gates IC7:A, IC7:B and IC7:C thus sensitising these three AND gates such that the output of IC7:A is the inverse of input E, the output of IC7:B is the inverse of input F and the output of IC7:C is the inverse of input G.

The outputs of IC7:A, IC7:B, IC7:C are connected to the clock inputs of the flipflops IC8:A, 1C8:B and IC9:A respectively. These flip-flops are configured such that they are in the toggle mode.

The output Q of the 555 counter IC10 will stay at a logic 1 for a time duration dependent upon the associated circuitry of the 555 counter 1 0 Consequently, during the period when the Q output of the 555 counter IC10 is at a logic 1 one of the inputs E, F or G must be addressed, which therefore clocks either IC8:A, IC8:B or IC9:A. As a result the outputs of one of these flipflops will go high and light one of the light emitting diodes connected to one of the outputs of each flip-flop.

0F* 1 5 After a pre-determined time period the output Q of the 555 counter IC10 will return to a logic 0. If none of the inputs E, F or G are addressed during the b. a period when the Q output of the 555 counter IC10 is at a logic 1 then none of the outputs of the flip-flops IC8:A, IC8:B or IC9:A will be clocked to a logic 1. If none of the outputs of these flip-flops are clocked to a logic 1 there will be no activation signal. This therefore provides a safety mechanism in which either 6 input H or H(A) has to be addressed after which there is a short time duration in which input E, F or G have to be addressed.

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The input H and H(A) can also be used to clock the flip-flop IC9:B to provide a logic 1 to its output Q (activation signal). This will therefore light the light S 25 emitting diode connected to its output.

The outputs of IC8:A, IC8:B, IC9:A and IC9:B can be connected in a number of S* ways to provide an activation signal. For instance, each of the respective outputs can be connected by suitable links to the INIT output or alternatively one or more outputs from the respective flip-flops can be connected to the 3 0 transistors Q3, Q4 Q5 and Q6. Hence, one or more devices can be remotely activated.

The test input can be used to manually clock the flip-flops IC8:A, IC8:B, IC9:A 11 and IC9:B to determine whether or not the flip-flops and associated output circuitry is functioning correctly.

Once any one of the flip-flops IC8:A, IC8:B, IC9:A and IC9:B have been clocked such that their output Q is at a logic 1, the same sequence as described above is used to clock the required flip-flop and deactivate a device which was activated by that flip-flop. Note, the false alarm safety mechanism has the effect, if used, of reducing the probability of erroneous de-activation.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is illustrated a single channel radio receiver and pager/mobile telephone interface plus the ONLINE and TEST buttons. Upon 1 0 initially applying power to this circuit the top two pins of IC12:B are momentarily at a logic 0 due to the RC time constant of the 10 micro-Farad capacitor and 100K Ohm resistor. Thus, the feedback between the output of SIC012: and bottom two inputs of IC12:8 forces the output of IC12:B to a logic 0. This AND gate IC12:B is then primed to follow the logic state of its bottom 0. 1 5 two inputs. Upon p:essing the ON-LINE switch a high is fed to the bottom two inputs of IC12:B via the diode which therefore latches the output of IC12:B to a logic 1. The inverter IC11:A inverts the logic value of the output of 1C12:B which therefore turns the OFF-LINE light emitting diode off. In this condition the ON-LINE output is at a logic 1.

The TEST button, when pressed, is adapted to provide a signal to both the TEST input of FIG. 4 and the RESET input of FIG. 4 via the inverter IC11:B and AND gate IC12:A, Another feature as illustrated in FIG. 5 is to provide a compatibility between the single channel output from the radio receiver board (ELSEMA FMR 212) and the inputs E, F, G and H of FIG. 4. If this feature is 25 required the output relay of the ELSEMA FMR 212 must be removed and the collector output which was connected to the ELSEMA relay coil must be connected to the relay contacts common terminal. Furthermore, the normally open contact of the relay terminal must be connected to one side of the test S button on the ELSEMA circuit (refer to ELSEMA data sheets for further information).

Referring to FIG. 6 there is illustrated the internal combustion engine ignition activation circuit. In the standby mode the output of IC16:A is low therefore the transistor Q9 is switched off. The relay RL2/1 is therefore de-energised and its contacts effectively short out the internal combustion engine's ignition coil.

Upon the online input being a logic 1 and the INIT input going from a logic 0 to 1 transition, then the output of the AND gate IC16:A is dependent upon the outputs from SW SW and the output Q of IC15 (REVS logic 0 when the internal combustion engine is stationary). Thus, due to the INIT logic 0 to 1 transition, then IC14 will be enabled with all its outputs at a logic 0. The CLOCK to IC14 is provided by the Q output of the 555 timer IC15, the frequency of which is determined by the timer's associated circuitry. This CLOCK is also applied to IC16:A and due to each clock cycle a logic 1 will appear at the output of IC14.

1 0 The number of switches closed on SW SW determines the number of times a logic 1 is provided at the output of IC16:A. Note a logic 1 will only appear when in conjunction with the other 3 inputs to IC16:A the output Q of IC15 is at a logic 1. This has the effect of providing a sequence of logic Is for a period of °•time (typically 20 seconds) to the output of IC16:A. When a logic 1 appears at 1 5 the output of IC1 6:A the transistors 08 and 09 are switched on. This therefore °o •provides a signal ST/MTR to start the starter motor (and lights the light emitting diode L6) and energises RL2/1 which removes the short across the internal combustion engine's ignition coil (IGN/A) (and lights the light emitting diode When the Q output of IC15 returns to a logic 0 the output of IC16:A goes to a logic 0 which therefore results in the ignition coil being shorted out and power removed from the starter motor. When the Q output of IC15 returns to a logic 1 the output of IC16:A goes to a logic 1 which therefore results in the removal of the ignition coil short and power is applied to the starter motor. This 25 sequence continues until a logic 0 appears at the output of SW1SW, upon which a signal is sent via. IC13:C to apply a reset condition to IC15: and a reset and disable condition to IC14.

*500 If the internal combustion engine fires and runs (during the typically 20 second period of time). When the internal combustion engine reaches a threshold speed (typically its running speed) an alternator or generator provides an output voltage which is processed and therefore provides the REVS input with a logic 1 value. The inverter IC13:D supplies a logic 0 to IC16:B which in turn switches off the transistor Q8 and power to the starter motor is terminated.

Hence, this provides the advantage of being able to remove power from the starter motor without the intervention of a human, furthermore, using this starter motor control less strain will occur upon the starter motor. In addition, REVS resets IC15 such that the output of IC16:A is at a logic 0 whilst REVS remains at a logic 1. REVS is also fed to one of the inputs of IC16:A to maintain the output of IC16:A high. When INIT goes to a logic 0 the output of IC16:A goes to a logic 0 which switches off Q9 and therefore RL2/1 is deenergised and the ignition coil is shorted out.

Referring to FIG. 7, a 7 volt supply is provided at the output of IC20. The inputs to the OR gate 1C17:A are STATUS, W/ALM, LOWBAT and a SPARE.

Using the circuits illustrated in the above FIGS applied to an application such 1 0 as water pumping or fire protection and control, then the logic condition at the STATUS input is derived from a continuous monitoring of water flow due to a pump driven by an internal combustion engine. In this application the internal combustion engine is controlled by the outputs from FIG. 4. Assuming that all inputs to IC17:A are at a logic 0, then upon activation of the pump water will 1 5 flow. This condition can be detected, by electronic measurement means, from which logic values can be derived and therefore the STATUS input becomes a logic 1. This produces a logic 0 to 1 transition at the output of IC17:A. The 0 to 1 transition at the output of IC17:A activates the timer flip-flop IC18:A .I (1C18:B is activated by a 1 to 0 transition). Upon activating the timer flip-flop IC18:A its output Q is applied to the OR gate IC17:B which turns transistor on and therefore energises the relay RELTX. This relay switches a coded radio transmitter and receiver from a receiving mode to a transmitting mode.

The output of IC17:A is also connected to one of the inputs of IC20:A, and IC20:D. Thus depending upon which input to IC17:A is at a logic 25 1, one or more outputs of IC20:A, IC20:B, IC20:C or IC20:D will be at a logic 1 which therefore will select and switch one of the outputs CH1, CH2, CH3 or CH4 of 1019 to ground. The selected channel is thus transmitted by the coded radio transmitter and receiver. Hence, depending upon which channel is being transmitted it is possible to determine the status and certain fault 3 0 conditions applicable to the system.

Upon the timer flip-flop IC18:A timing-out its Q output of will return to a logic 0, CH1 will no longer be grounded, the relay RELTX will de-energise and therefore the coded radio transmitter and receiver will return to the receive mode. Upon de-activation of the system the STATUS input will go from a logic 1 to a logic 0 which activates the timer flip-flop IC18:B. Upon activating the timer flip-flop 5C18:B its output Q is applied to the OR gate IC17:B which turns transistor Q10 on and again energises the relay RELTX. This relay switches the coded radio transmitter and receiver from a receiving mode to a transmitting mode. As above the coded radio transmitter and receiver transmits a message, the message in this case is a de-activation message.

If a system fault condition occurs whilst the STATUS input is at a logic 1, the water flow (in most circumstances) will cease to flow and therefore the STATUS input will go from a logic 1 to a logic 0. Providing there is a sufficient sequencing and time delay circuitry controlling the signals applied to the 1 0 inputs STATUS, W/ALM, LOWBAT and SPARE (if used), the STATUS input will return to a logic 0, the coded radio transmitter and receiver will cease transmitting and then if appropriate one of the other inputs to IC17:A will go from a logic 1 to a logic 0. This therefore will transmit the fault condition at one of the outputs CHI, CH2, CH3, or CH4.

seeo 1 5 Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a fire protection and control unit using the •above described circuits. The fire protection and control unit is remotely activated by a telephone pager unit 18, a mobile telephone 22, a coded radio transmitter and receiver 17 or a manually operated switch 9. Upon receiving one of these activation pulses, the motor/pump start/stop remote controller 8 applies power to the starter motor 7 and the starter timer circuit 16 begins to time out. This timer 16 can be preset to a desired time period (typically 15 to °20 seconds), after which the power to the starter motor 7 is removed to both prevent it from burning out and to prevent damage to the battery 11.

Furthermore, during this tine period the electrically operated choke 5 is 25 controlled by the motor/pump start/stop remote controller 8.

When the start up sequence is initiated signals are applied to the fuel and water solenoid valve circuit 21 which are then used to energise the fuel valve solenoid 19 to allow fuel to the internal combustion engine 6 and water valve solenoid 20 to allow water to the pump 4. These valves, when energised, allow fuel to flow to the internal combustion engine 6 and water 3 to flow through the pump 4. The pumped water is then supplied to the sprinkler or water outlet means 10 adapted to extinguish or control a fire.

Initially the starter timer 16 provides the signal to energise the valves and then the alternator/generator 13 provides a further signal proportional to the speed

I

of the internal combustion engine 6. Hence, upon a successful start up alternator/generator 13 will have a stabilised voltage output supplying the fuel and water solenoid valve circuit 21. The starter timer 16 can the time out and the valves 19 and 20 will remain energised. This not only provides power to the fuel valve solenoid 19 and water valve solenoid 20, it also provides for the closing of these valves once the internal combustion engine 6 has been shut down.

An option can be so that upon successful start up the no flow detector 1 signals the motor/pump stop/start remote controller 8. This in turn signals the 1 0 coded radio transmitter and receiver 17 which can then send a status message to a receiver station (the status signal can also be sent if a fault condition occurs or a system "up and running" informing signal is required).

This station can then, if required, activate an automatic telephone dialler with an appropriate message facility.

1 5 If the internal combustion engine 6 is driving the pump 4 and the source of water 4 is low, the low water level detector 2 provides a signal to the motor/pump start/stop remote controller 8. This results in the internal combustion engine 6 shutting down before damage occurs. Again signals can be sent to the coded radio transmitter and receiver 17 which then sends a status message to a receiver station. The unit will remain in this condition until the water level rises above a preset minimum.

*4 0 Upon the extinguishing of a fire, or otherwise, the unit can be shut down by the pager unit 18, by the mobile telephone 22, by the manual test 9, or by the coded radio transmitter receiver 17. Once shut down has been invoked, the 25 internal combustion engine's speed rapidly slows down and then stops. This results in a rapid decrease in alternator/generator 13 voltage, therefore both 9•6• the fuel 19 and water 20 solenoid valves are de-energised and the fuel and ,°owater supplies are cut-off. Hence, the system is now once again in a standby mode.

The optional solar panel 14, and its associated voltage regulator 12 are permanently connected across the battery 11. The battery 11 is constantly being charged. To further assist in battery charging, the alternator/generator 13 voltage output is used to charge up the battery 11 operation. The battery 11 condition can be monitored and, if the battery output falls below a predetermined value, signals can be sent to the coded radio transmitter and receiver 17 which then sends a status message to a receiver station.

Referring to one application described in FIG. 9, there are a number of fire protection and control units in which there is an approaching fire front. This fire front is blown by the wind in the direction of unit 1, unit 2 unit 3 and unit 4. To optimise the limited resources, each protection and control unit should only be switched on at the precise time of need. Hence, unit 1 will be switched on (remotely or otherwise) at time t1 and it will be switched off at time tl+x. The other units that are in the path of the fire will be switched on and off 1 0 at later times, for example, unit 4 will be switched on at time tl+ k and switched off at tl+k+x. The switching sequence ensures that units are only switched on when the fire is in their effective range. This timed sequence of unit switching is particularly beneficial when more than one unit shares fuel and/or water ,therefore these limited resources are not wasted by the fire 1 5 protection and control units.

*4 Se S 9 6 *C

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Claims (24)

1. A remotely activated fire protection and control means including: a fuel supply for an internal combustion engine adapted to drive a pump for pumping a liquid supply to at least one sprinkler or liquid outlet means; and a control means to start the said internal combustion engine, wherein the control means in communication with an addressable receiver means is adapted to be activated by a transmitted signal received by the receiver means. 1 0

2. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in claim 1 in which the receiver means is a pager, mobile telephone or coded radio receiver.

3. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in claim 1 or 2 in which electrical power is supplied to the fire protection and control means 1 5 by a re-chargeable battery.

4. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one previous claim in which there is a timer adapted to terminate the starting of the internal combustion engine if it fails to start within a pre-defined time duration.

5. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one 2 0 previous claim in which there is a means to invoke a wait and repeat start sequence which is adapted to repeat the starting sequence at least once.

6. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one previous claim fire protection and control means is adapted to be remotely tested for maintenance by sending a unique remote control signal to each fire 2 5 protection and control unit and waiting for a response.

7. A remotely activated fire protection and control means including: an addressable receiver means adapted to receive a transmitted signal, the receiver means being further adapted to provide at least one invoking signal upon receiving the transmitted signal; 3 0 a controller means in communication with the receiver means 18 adapted to provide at least one control signal upon receiving the invoking signal from the receiver means; an internal combustion engine adapted to drive a pump for pumping a liquid supply to at least one sprinkler or liquid outlet means, the internal combustion engine's ignition means being activated by the control signal; and a starter motor for starting the internal combustion engine, the starter motor also being adapted to be activated by the control signal.

8. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in claim 7 in which the activation signal is adapted to be de-activated by the receiver means providing an invoking signal upon receiving a further transmitted signal.

9. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in claim 7 or claim 8 in which the receiver means is a pager, mobile telephone or coded radio receiver. eoo: :0. ice 15

10. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one claims 7 to 9 in which the pager is addressed by a small number of unique pre-programmed telephone numbers. S. ••5 G'oo 0

11 A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one S 11 A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one claims 7 to 10 in which the processing means is adapted to change the 20 command signal only when the receiver means receives two transmitted signals during a pre-determined time duration. S.

12. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one claims 7 to 11 in which there is a timing means adapted to stop power being supplied to the starter motor and internal combustion engine's ignition means after a pre-determined time duration.

13. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one claims 7 to 12 in which the timing means is adapted to re-supply, at least once, power to the starter motor and internal combustion engine's ignition means, wherein the retry means re-supplies 1he power after a pre-determined time duration. 19

14. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one claims 7 to 13 in which the remotely controlled activation apparatus is powered by an electrical storage means adapted to be re-charged by solar power.

15. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one previous claim in which there is a detection means to detect the status of the internal combustion engine or pump, the detection means being adapted to invoke a transmitting means for transmitting status signal.

16. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one previous claim in which the liquid supply is water which is isolated from the s water mains supply.

17. A remotely activated fire protection and control means as in any one previous claim in which the fire protection and control means is protected by Sofire proof materials.

18. A method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control o: means including the steps of: esdetecting a fire in the effective range of a fire protection and control means adapted to pump a fire extinguishing liquid by power provided from an internal combustion engine; some remotely starting the internal combustion engine via a control means in communication with an addressable receiver means; and pumping the liquid to at least one sprinkler or outlet means to extinguish or control the fire.

19. A method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means including the steps of: determining when a fire will be in the effective range of a fire protection and control means adapted to pump a fire extinguishing liquid by power provided from an internal combustion engine, the determining being dependent up wind direction and speed; remotely starting the internal combustion engine via a control means in communication with an addressable receiver means; and pumping the liquid to at least one sprinkler or outlet means to extinguish or control I*e fire.

A method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means as in claim 18 or claim 19 further characterised by activating a stop sequence of the said internal combustion motor when the fire is extinguished or outside the effective range of the fire protection and control means.

21. A method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means as in any one claims 18 to 20 further characterised by the fire protection and control unit being remotely controlled by either a pager, mobile telephone or cocded radio receiver. 1 0

22. A method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means i as in any one claims 18 to 21 further characterised by the fire protection and control means being remotely controlled from a distance greater than 500 metres.

23. A method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means 1 5 as in any one claims 18 to 22 further characterised by there being a plurality of designated fire protection and control means controlled from either a common central location or by portable transmission means.

24. A method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means as in any one claims 18 to 23 further characterised by the fire protection and i 20 control means transmitting an operating status signal. A method for remotely controlling a fire protection and control means as in any one of claims 19 to 24 further including the steps of determining when the fire passed the effective range of the fire protection and control means and remotely stopping the internal combustion engine. Dated this 1st day of July 1993 KEITH ROBERT HOCKLEY AND RAYMOND JOHN HOCKLEY By their Patent Attorneys, COLLISON CO. C-) IV T