GB2083746A

GB2083746A - Fire-fighting hosepipe and outlet nozzle

Info

Publication number: GB2083746A
Application number: GB8029913A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-09-16
Filing date: 1980-09-16
Publication date: 1982-03-31

Abstract

A fire-fighting hosepipe and outlet nozzle comprising two or more hollow rigid nestable tubes (5), interconnected by sliding seals the free ends being closed except by a rotating union (9) at the free end of the outermost tube and a remotely operable gate valve (8) at the free end of the innermost tube, the tubes being extendable by introduction of pressurised water through the union (9) and closing of the valve (8). Clamping means (10) are engageable with the tubes so as to clamp them together rigidly in an extended position and an outlet nozzle (1) is mounted on a free end of the innermost tube, capable of panning and tilting motions relative to the tube and having a remotely controlled actuating means (3 and 4) for the motions, the nozzle being protected by a fire-resistant screen (12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fire-fighting hosepipe and outlet nozzle The present invention relates to a hosepipe, particularly for fire-fighting, and to an outlet nozzle for a hosepipe.

In conventional fire-fighting equipment water is directed onto a fire from an outlet nozzle which is either hand held or mounted on an elevatable platform, the nozzle being controlled manually by a fireman. Such an arrangement exposes the fireman to heat from the fire, which limits how close the equipment can be brought to the fire. It also requires that the platform support be strong enough to bear the weight of the fireman which increases the size and cost of the equipment.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an outlet nozzle for a hosepipe which is mounted on a support so as to be capable of panning and tilting motions relative to the support about respective pan and tilt axes, and actuating means which are remotely operable to move the nozzle about the respective pan and tilt axes.

This remotely operated outlet nozzle enables the equipment to be brought much nearer to the fire and enables a simpler elevatable support to be used having no ladder or platform for the fireman.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a hosepipe comprising two or more hollow rigid tubes nested within one another and interconnected by sliding seals, the free end of the innermost tu be being closed by an outlet valve and the interior of the tubes being connectable to a source of pressurised water so as to extend the hosepipe when the outlet valve is closed, and clamping means engageable with the tubes so as to clamp the hosepipe in an extended position when the outlet valve is opened.

This hosepipe provides a simple elevatable support for an outlet nozzle mounted on the free end of the innermost tube and connected to the outlet valve.

An apparatus incorporating a fire-fighting hosepipe and outlet nozzle constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a side elevation of the apparatus.

Referring tithe drawing on outlet nozzle 1 is mounted on a support 2 so as to be able to pan (i.e.

rotate about the axis I) and tilt (i.e. rotate about an axis pçerpendicular to I) relative to the support 2. A pan actuator 3 is mounted on the support 2 and connected to the nozzle 1 so that when operated the actuatpr 3 causes the nozzle to rotate about the pan axis. Similarly a tilt actuator 4 is connected to the nozzle 1 so that operation of the actuator 4 causes the nozzle to rotate about the tilt axis. In the apparatus shown in the drawing the actuator 4 is a linear actuator acting on a lever to rotate the nozzle but either of the actuators 3,4 could be a servo motor or a linear actuator or any other actuating means capable of causing the required rotation of the nozzle by remote control.

The actuators 3, 4 are linked to a remote controller which is manually operable to move the nozzle to any required position by means of a proportional speed joystick on the remote controller. Control signals from the joystick are processed by a first data processor in the remote controller and multi-plexed onto two wires connecting between the remote controller and a second data processor adjacent the actuators 3, 4. This second data processor demultiplexes the signals and controls the actuators in accordance with the control signals so as to move the nozzle to the required position. Each data processor is preferably a micro-processor and these may be programmed to provide control of other functions of the nozzle (e.g. nozzle spray adjustment) or of other hardware associated with the nozzle such as lighting equipment, infra-red sensors etc.It is also possible to use the link between the two data processors to relay information from the second processor to the first processor from sensors associated with the nozzle.

As well as generating the control signals from the joystick, the remote controller has pre-settable switches to move the nozzle to predetermined positions and scanning circuits which scan the nozzle continuously about one or both axes at any selected speed. A visual display of the coordinates of the pan and tilt positions of the nozzle is also provided on the remote controller.

The nozzle 1 and support 2 are mounted on a rigid hosepipe 5 which is extendable and is pivotally connected to a base 6. The base 6 is conveniently mounted on a conventional fire-fighting vehicle so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. Elevation of the pipe 5 about its horizontal pivot axis is provided by a hydraulic ram 7.

The pipe 5 comprises three hollow stainless steel/alloy tubes nestable within one another and interconnected by sliding seals. At the free end of the inner tube is an electrically-operated gate valve 8 which normally closes the end of the pipe. This valve is connected to the nozzle 1 so as to connect the nozzle to the interior of the pipe when the valve is opened.

A rotating union 9 allows a source of pressurised water to be connected to the interior of the pipe and if the gate valve 8 is closed this water extends the tubes in succession to the desired length. Remotely operated locking rings 10 are provided on the top perimeter of each tube and when activated these each contract and engage the adjoining tube so as to clamp the tubes rigidly together. If the gate value 8 is now opened the water will flow through to the nozzle 1 and the pipe remain in its extended position until the locking rings are released. The gate valve 8, locking rings 10 and nozzle 1 are all remotely controlled, so that the pipe does not require any access ladder or platform for a fireman.

The locking rings may be electro-magnetically operated, but are preferably operated by the hydraulic pressure of the water so that when the pressure is high during extension of the pipe the locking rings are held open and when the pressure falls as the gate valve 8 is opened the locking rings automatically contract.

In an alternative construction the pipe 5 may be surrounded by and connected to a framework of smallertubes providing a strengthing support, this outer framework also being telescopically extended with the pipe.

The power supply for the actuators 3, 4 is provided by coiled wires 11 within the pipe 5 which extend with the pipe. These wires can also carry the multiplexed signals between the two data processors and being within the pipe are cooled by the water, allowing the apparatus to get close to the fire without damage to the wires. Protection may also be provided for the nozzle and actuators 3,4 by enclosing them in a water cooled case (indicated in dotted lines at 12) our a heat resistant screen. Since the pipe and nozzle are remotely controlled by a fireman on the ground the apparatus can approach closerto a fire than conventional equipment without danger to the fireman.

CLAIMS (Filed 16.9.81) 1. An outlet nozzle for a hosepipe, wherein the nozzle is mounted on a support so as to be capable of panning and tilting motions relative to the support about respective pan and tilt axes, and actuating means are provided which are remotely operable to move the nozzle about the respective pan and tilt axes.

2. An outlet nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle and actuating means are protected by a heat-resistant housing.

3. An outlet nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating means are controlled by control signals from a remote controller having manually operable means for determining the nozzle position.

4. An outlet nozzle according to claim 3 wherein the nozzle carries sensor means capable of generating sensor signals for reception atthe remote controller.

5. An outlet nozzle according to claim 3 or 4, wherein data processing means are provided at the nozzle and at the remote controller, the signals between the nozzle and remote controller being controlled by the data processing means.

6. An outlet nozzle according to claim 5, wherein the data processing means include multiplexing/ demultiplexing circuits capable of multiplexing the signals.

7. A hosepipe comprising two or more hollow rigid tubes nested within one another and interconnected by sliding seals, the free end of the innermost tube being closed by an outlet valve and the interior of the tubes being connectable to a source of pressurised water so as to extend the hosepipe when the outlet valve is closed, and clamping means engageable with the tubes so as to clamp the hosepipe in an extended position when the outlet valve is opened.

8. A hosepipe according to claim 7, wherein the outlet valve is remotely operable.

9. A hosepipe according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the clamping means are operable by the hydraulic pressure inside the tubes, the clamping means being released by a pressure sufficient to extend the hosepipe and engaging the tubes automatically when the pressure falls.

10. A hosepipe according to claim 7 or-8 wherein the clamping means are remotely operable.

11. A hosepipe according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein all remotely operable parts are connected to a remote controller by wires running through the interior of the tubes.

12. A hosepipe according to any one of claims 7 to 11 in combination with an outlet nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, mounted on the free end of the hosepipe and connected to the outlet valve.

13. A hosepipe substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

14. An outlet nozzle substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

15. A hosepipe and outlet nozzle substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. In an alternative construction the pipe 5 may be surrounded by and connected to a framework of smallertubes providing a strengthing support, this outer framework also being telescopically extended with the pipe. The power supply for the actuators 3, 4 is provided by coiled wires 11 within the pipe 5 which extend with the pipe. These wires can also carry the multiplexed signals between the two data processors and being within the pipe are cooled by the water, allowing the apparatus to get close to the fire without damage to the wires. Protection may also be provided for the nozzle and actuators 3,4 by enclosing them in a water cooled case (indicated in dotted lines at 12) our a heat resistant screen. Since the pipe and nozzle are remotely controlled by a fireman on the ground the apparatus can approach closerto a fire than conventional equipment without danger to the fireman. CLAIMS (Filed 16.9.81)

1. An outlet nozzle for a hosepipe, wherein the nozzle is mounted on a support so as to be capable of panning and tilting motions relative to the support about respective pan and tilt axes, and actuating means are provided which are remotely operable to move the nozzle about the respective pan and tilt axes.