ES2386054T3 - Fire Fighting Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fire fighting, comprising an extinguishing agent container, an extinguishing agent pump, and a spray nozzle that can be connected to the pump on the pressure side. Based on the deliberation that agricultural tractors are often the only vehicles suitable for traveling on difficult terrain, and are also frequently present in thinly populated and remote areas, a fire fighting module (1) is proposed, which receives at least the extinguishing agent container (20) and the extinguishing agent pump (24) in a housing. On the face of the housing (10), connecting joints (5, 6) are disposed at least at two different heights for coupling the fire fighting module (1) to the towing hydraulics of a tractor. The extinguishing agent container (20) preferably allows filling from the air. To this end, the extinguishing agent container (20) can be opened toward the top in that flaps (33a, 33b) are pivoted open laterally.

Description

Fire Fighting Device

The invention relates to a fire fighting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Forest fires as a result of summer heat waves are becoming more frequent. In these cases, fire fighting is especially difficult and dangerous, because the forest areas affected

Either they are difficult to access or because they cannot be traveled by conventional intervention vehicles due to the structure of the ground. Special firefighting vehicles for impassable terrain are often not available or have to be moved first to the place of intervention spending valuable time, for example in the case of fires in remote regions.

Fire extinguishing trailers as known, for example, by documents DE10044094A1, DE29717855U1 and FR2616668, require maneuvering in difficult terrain, so their use is limited even in the case of traction by all-terrain vehicles. With helicopters, on the other hand, it is possible to fly over virtually any terrain, but it is often difficult to selectively act against fire sources, because the distances to the fire are large and because visibility is poor, especially if smoke comes out.

A fire fighting device with the characteristics of the preamble is known from US 4,917,193. In an extinguishing module disposed removably on the rear side of a special all-terrain vehicle is an extinguishing agent reservoir and an extinguishing agent pump that is connected, through a hose, with a spray nozzle for extinguishing agents . For the arrangement of the module in the vehicle, it has a hydraulically operated cable winch, with the help of which the suspended cable module can be raised to the service position through a crane arm of the vehicle. Additional chains serve to prevent the oscillating movement of the suspended cable module in this way.

From US 4,725,004 a crop tractor is known for agricultural use, usual in the market, to whose rear part an agricultural sprayer for crops with a liquid reservoir, a pump, a metering element and a distribution linkage can be attached. Fixing is done through the existing three-point hitch of the cultivation tractor.

The invention aims to provide technical means to combat forest fires using extinguishing agents, even on land that cannot be traveled by conventional intervention vehicles.

or that cannot be reached in the necessary short term, aspiring that the extinguishing agent tank can be filled especially quickly.

To achieve this device, a fire fighting device with the features of claim 1 is proposed.

The starting point of the invention is the idea that agricultural tractors or crop tractors are the only vehicles suitable for transit through difficult terrain, which exist even in sparsely populated or remote regions and, therefore, are available for use. short term. Usually, this type of very mobile vehicle, maneuverable even in a small space, has a hydraulic system for fixing additional agricultural equipment such as plows, mowers or tedders. Within the framework of the invention, this interface between the tractor and the additional agricultural equipment is used to fix a fire fighting module to the tractor or to the crop tractor. The fire fighting module houses, in a housing or a frame, at least the extinguishing agent tank and the extinguishing agent pump. On the front side of the carcass or the frame there are at least two heights different joint joints to attach the fire fighting module to the hydraulics for auxiliary equipment, existing on the tractor.

Upwards, the extinguishing agent tank is covered by lids that can be opened. In this way, it is possible to fill it with a new extinguishing agent from above and over a large surface area, thus allowing an especially rapid filling.

The covers can be opened by pivoting beyond the vertical to an inclined position in which the opposite covers form a funnel. This configuration allows the filling of the extinguishing agent tank from the air, for example from a helicopter. By the funnel-shaped opening that is formed after pivoting the covers, losses of extinguishing agent caused by dispersion effects when refueling from the air can be minimized.

Preferably, the extinguishing agent reservoir is polygonally shaped as seen in plan, with a lid along each straight upper edge of the reservoir. In order to avoid, when refueling, losses of extinguishing agent in the angular zone in which there are no covers, in the angular zone the adjacent covers are joined together respectively through a segment made of a band of flexible material. Thus, although the caps exist only by segments, a collection surface in the form of a circumferential funnel is made in total.

In order to improve the recognition and identification of the fire fighting module and especially of the filling opening of the extinguishing agent tank from the air, a varnishing or coating with luminescent paint of the inner sides of the covers is also proposed.

Likewise, in order to better locate the filling opening from the air, especially in the dark, light reflectors can be arranged on the inner sides of the covers. A preferable configuration of the extinguishing agent reservoir is characterized by fixedly installed breakwater plates. They prevent too strong movements of the liquid inside the extinguishing agent reservoir during the trip and, therefore, contribute to the stability of the tractor during the ride.

A trellis stirrup is also proposed for the fire fighting module. It can be made in such a way that, as long as it is not used, it can pivot towards the housing or the frame.

Likewise, transport handles arranged near the upper edge of the extinguishing agent tank are proposed. They allow rapid transport of fire extinguishing modules to the place of intervention, for example by helicopter. Also outside the fire fighting intervention itself, the transport handles are useful for transport and for handling the relatively bulky fire fighting module. According to a preferable variant of the transport handles, it is proposed that at the same time they have the function of pivot path limiters on which the covers of the extinguishing agent tank are supported with their outer side during maximum opening.

More advantages and details of the invention are described in detail below with the help of an exemplary embodiment. They show:

Figure 1, in side elevation, a tractor with a fire fighting module attached to the rear of the tractor;

Figure 2, the fire-fighting module in side elevation, some interior parts being represented in broken lines;

Figures 2, the fire fighting module in another side elevation with two open top end caps and

Figure 4, a top plan view of the fire fighting module, all upper end caps being open forming a funnel.

Figure 1 shows a fire fighting module 1 that can be fixed to the rear of a tractor or a cultivation tractor 2. This fixing is done through the three-point hitch 4 that is generally hydraulically operated and which has any tractor or tractor of usual crop in the market. A hydraulics for additional equipment of this type consists of two lower support rods that are operated together and an upper linkage that is operated separately. The joint joints 5 fixed to the housing 10 or to the frame of the fire fighting module 1 serve for the articulated connection of the lower parts of the linkage 4. One or two upper joint joints 6 in the housing 10 or the frame serve to the articulated joint with the upper parts of the linkage 4. As a consequence of this arrangement of the lower and upper joint joints 5, 6, the assembly of the fire fighting module 1 can be raised and lowered with the help of the hydraulic tractor board. In particular, the module can be lowered in such a way that it rests on the ground, which is advantageous during the filling of the module, as will be described later. All joint joints 5, 6 of module 1 can be released, preferably through screws or bolts. In this way, the module 1 assembly can be quickly coupled or decoupled with the hydraulics for additional equipment.

Also, tractors usually feature articulated trees or power take-off trees that protrude from the rear area. The power take-off shaft 9 extends, if necessary, by an additional extension of the power take-off shaft, into the lower part of the fire-fighting module 1 where an extinguishing agent pump is located. In this way, the extinguishing agent pump can be operated by driving the existing PTO shaft of the tractor 2.

The outer dimensions of the housing 10 of the fire fighting module 1 are first determined by the volume of extinguishing agent enclosed by the housing. Instead of a self-supporting housing 10, a correspondingly large frame, consisting of thick profiles, is also possible in which a large reservoir for receiving the extinguishing agent is fixed.

Preferably, an outlet 11 for a roller hose 12 inside the housing on a hose reel, for example a fire hose commercially available, is preferably located laterally in the housing 10. The hose winder can also be arranged inside the housing 10 or the frame so that it can be pivoted to the side to remove it from the housing, in order to facilitate the unwinding of the hose

12.

Instead of the outlet 11, a connection fitting can also be found there, preferably a usual standard connection fitting for the connection of fire hoses. Systems of this type work with a bayonet coupling that can be connected particularly quickly. If necessary, a corresponding connection fitting can also be found on the other opposite side of the housing 10, which allows the coupling of fire hoses for extinguishing work on both sides.

The fire hose 12 has a length that makes it possible to work freely with the spray nozzle 13 disposed at the end of the fire hose 12. On the fire hose 12 or the spray nozzle 13 can attack traction means 14, for example an elastic withdrawal cable that, while not in use, automatically withdraws fire hose 12 upwards to a resting position in which fire hose 12 is not dragged along the ground.

In figure 2 it can be seen that the fire fighting module 1 is divided into several zones or parts within its housing or frame. The entire upper area of the module is occupied by a tank of extinguishing agent 20 with a capacity of between 3,500 and 4,000 liters. The extinguishing agent tank 20 is squarely shaped with a rectangular floor plan and with several breakwater plates 21 inside. These prevent too strong movements of the liquid during the trip. Another tank of extinguishing agent 20a of smaller volume may be fixed to the vehicle 2 ahead. The two tanks 20a are connected to each other.

In its lower zone, the fire fighting module 1 has a chamber 23 in which the extinguishing agent pump 24 is fixedly installed or housed. If a fixedly installed extinguishing agent pump 24 is used, it is driven by the tractor through the articulated shaft or the PTO shaft 9. A suitable coupling within the PTO shaft 9 allows the separation between the module Fire fighting and tractor.

Alternatively, it is possible to house in the chamber 23 a transportable pump group, for example, a gasoline-powered extinguishing agent pump that can also be used outside of fire extinguishing use.

The suction side of the extinguishing agent pump 24 is connected to the extinguishing agent tank 20, and the pressure side of the extinguishing agent pump 24 leads to the hose 12. When not in use, it is wound by the larger part of its length in a hose reel 26 (figure 2). The winder 26 is rotatably housed in a chamber 25 located below the chamber 23, whereby space is saved in the hose housing 12. Through a switching unit 27 fixed to the outside of the housing 10, The extinguishing agent pump 24 can be turned on or off or controlled for its flow rate.

Advantageously, in the lower part of the fire fighting module 1, apart from the chambers 23, 25 for the extinguishing agent pump 24 and the hose reel 26, at least one additional space or an additional chamber must be provided. It offers space to house technical firefighter equipment or other auxiliary means that must be readily available during the fight against a forest fire.

For easier handling, for example in a fire station, four freely rotating transport rollers 29 can be arranged on the lower side of the housing 10. Alternatively, instead of these transport rollers, four supports can also be arranged. When module 1 is deposited, these supports provide a vertical clearance for the fork of a forklift.

Another component of the fire fighting module 1 is a trellis trellis on which one or two people can stand to perform extinguishing work during the march. Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the trellised stirrup 30 behind the rear side 31 of the housing 10, the trellised stirrup 30 being shown in Figure 2 in its horizontal working position. When not in use, the trellised stirrup 30 is beaten up against the rear side 31 of the housing as shown in Figure 3. In this way, the ground clearance of the fire fighting module is improved. For the safety of extinguishing personnel, suitable braces or railings may be attached to the trellis 30. In addition, so that extinguishing personnel can be attached, above the trellis stirrup 30, to the outside of the fire fighting module, handles are rigidly fixed. These are either on the rear side 31, or in the rear area of the side walls of the housing 10.

The filling of the extinguishing agent tank 20 can be carried out in two ways. Or, the extinguishing agent is removed, for example, from a well using the extinguishing agent pump 24 and introduced into the extinguishing agent tank 20. Or, it is refueling from the air, for example from a helicopter. This requires a generous dimension of the filling opening to be able to introduce in a very short time the contents of a water bag with a capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 liters. For this purpose, the upper side of the extinguishing agent reservoir 20 can be opened

completely. The extinguishing agent tank 20 can be closed upwards by means of pivotally made covers. In the exemplary embodiment described herein, four covers 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b are arranged along the upper edge 32 of the rectangular assembly of the extinguishing agent tank 20. The covers 33a, 33b are articulated along the longer upper edges of the tank and the covers 34a, 34 are articulated along 5 of the shorter upper edges of the tank, through hinges 35. The covers are so large. that in the closed state they overlap. It is important that, as in Figure 3 can be seen for the covers 33a and 33b, the covers can be opened by pivoting beyond the vertical to an oblique position in which the opposite covers 33a and 33b as well as 34a and 34b form a funnel. . In the plan view from above of Figure 4, said funnel can be seen formed by the four caps 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b. Since caps cannot be made in angular areas, in

10 said angular zones, the adjacent covers are connected respectively through a segment 37 which is approximately quarter-circle shaped and which is composed of a band of flexible material. Preferably, the segments 37 in the form of a quarter circle are made of rubber or a flexible thermoplastic, so that they fold away during the closing of the covers.

Pivot path limiter 41 during opening of the covers serves the upper edges of

15 tabs 40 fixed to the outside of the housing 10 of the fire fighting module. These upper edges extend according to Figure 3 at an angle of approximately 45 °, whereby the open covers 33a, 33b can pivot up to this angle by adopting a funnel shape as a whole. On the tabs 40, other than the pivot path limiters 41, transport handles 42 are made. These are used to lift the complete fire fighting module 1 for transport by a crane or by a helicopter.

20 Preferably, the tabs 40 are rhomboid plates with an elongated opening for the transport handle 42, as can be seen in Figure 3.

The inner sides of the covers 33a to 34b which, in case of the opening of the covers, are oriented obliquely outwards are varnished with a luminescent paint or provided with a luminescent paint coating. In this way, the open tank can be distinguished very well to refuel it from a helicopter. To

25 also distinguishing it in the dark is advantageous to fix light reflectors 44 to the inner sides of the covers 33a to 34b. This allows an easier optical location of the open fire fighting module during nighttime interventions from a helicopter.

The fire fighting module allows not only its fast attachment to the tractor, but also quickly releases it from the tractor. Due to the relatively compact construction mode, the fire fighting module 30 can be quickly loaded onto a truck and is also particularly suitable for rail or air transport. The tractors necessary for the use of the fire fighting module exist in virtually any region. Or, they can be rented quickly, or a local farmer makes his tractor available. In regions where fire protection is carried out by volunteer firefighters, firefighters are often also farmers, so they know how to handle crop tractors very well. The module coupling

35 fire fighting the tractor through a three-point hitch is standardized within Europe, so that flexible and effective use of the fire fighting module is possible even beyond the borders of different States. The dimensions suitable for the practice of the fire fighting module are a width of 2.20 m, a height of 2.80 m and a depth between 1.20 and 14.0 m measured in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

List of reference signs

40 1 Fire Fighting Module

2 Tractor, cultivation tractor

4 Three point hitch

5 Joint joint with three-point hitch

6 Joint joint with three-point hitch

45 9 Articulated shaft, PTO shaft

10 Housing

11 Departure

12 fire hose

13 Spray nozzle

50 14 Elastic means 20 Extinguishing agent tank 20a Extinguishing agent tank 21 Breakwater plate 23 Chamber

5 24 Extinguishing agent pump 25 Chamber 26 Hose winder 27 Switching Unit 29 Transport roller

10 30 Lattice stirrup 31 Rear side 32 Upper tank edge 33a Cover 33b Cover

15 34a Cover 35 Hinge 36 Handle 37 Segment 40 Tab

20 41 Pivot path limiter 42 Transport handle 44 Light reflector

Claims (10)

1.-Fire fighting device with an extinguishing agent tank (20), an extinguishing agent pump (24), as well as a spray nozzle (13) that can be connected to the pump by the pressure side, and with a fire fighting module (1) housing at least the extinguishing agent tank (20) and the extinguishing agent pump 5 (24) in a housing (10) or a frame, being arranged on the front side of the housing (10) or frame joint joints (5, 6) for coupling the fire fighting module (1) with the hydraulic system of the implements of a tractor, characterized in that the extinguishing agent tank (20) is covered upwards by covers (33a, 33b, 34a, 34b) that can be opened, and because the covers (33a, 33b, 34a, 34b) can be opened by pivoting beyond the vertical to an inclined position in which the covers (33a , 33b; 34a, 34b) opposite form a 10 funnel 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extinguishing agent tank (20) is polygonal, seen in plan, with a cover (33a, 33b; 34a, 34b) along each straight upper edge (32) of the deposit, and because in the angular zone, the adjacent caps are connected respectively through a segment (37) composed of a band of flexible material. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by varnishing or coating with luminescent paint on the inner sides of the covers (33a, 33b, 34a, 34b). 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by light reflectors (44) arranged on the inner sides of the covers (33a, 33b, 34a, 34b). 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by breakwaters (21) fixedly installed in the extinguishing agent tank (20). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a horizontal trellis (30) located outside the fire fighting module (1). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that, when not used, the trellis bracket (30) can be pivoted towards the rear side (31) of the housing (10) or of the frame. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by at least one handle (36) rigidly disposed to the housing (10) or to the frame above the trellised stirrup (30). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by transport handles (42) arranged near the upper edge (32) of the extinguishing agent tank (20). 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the transport handles (42) are at the same time 30 pivot path limiters (41) on which the covers (33a, 33b, 34a, 34b) are supported on their side outside during maximum opening. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spray nozzle (13) is in a hose (12) wound in a hose reel (26). 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by free-rotating transport supports or rollers 35 (29), arranged below in the housing (10) or in the frame.