GB2238473A

GB2238473A - Improved aircraft fire fighting equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2238473A
Application number: GB9021277A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David R Maryon
Original assignee: Gloster Saro Ltd
Current assignee: Gloster Saro Ltd
Priority date: 1989-10-02
Filing date: 1990-10-01
Publication date: 1991-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-01
Also published as: GB9021277D0; GB2238473B; GB8922151D0

Abstract

Fire fighting apparatus 14 comprising a vehicle 15 carrying a boom 16 with a means of elevating and slowing the boom 16; and a nozzle 17 orientatably mounted on the boom 16 and adapted for connection to a supply of fire controlling fluid carried by the vehicle 15; the said nozzle 17 having a nose which connects with a corresponding connector 12 on an aircraft's fuselage 13, sealing it to the aircraft 10 for transmission of fluid from the vehicle 15 via the nozzle 17 and the connector 12 and into the aircraft's own internal sprinkler system 11 to which the connector 12 conducts the fluid. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED AIRCRAFT FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device which is used to connect to an aircraft fuselage and supplement the on-board fluid supply in the case of an internal fire when the aircraft is an emergency situation.

In an airfield emergency, an aircraft fire must be tackled by the fire fighting equipment with the absolute minimum of delay. If the fire is inside the aircraft, directing water or foam jets onto the external skin of the aircraft is normally inadequate to prevent such situations as a flash-over fire which can spread the whole length of the aircraft fuselage in approximately 10 seconds. Current developments have taken place regarding the installation into the aircraft's structure of internal sprinkler systems fed by an aircraft's own water supply. These internal water systems have only a limited period of usage, i.e. approximately L-g minutes, and the rate of water supply is extremely limited.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a means of connecting an external vehicle's fluid supply to the aircraft, whatever its angle of repose on the runway and supplying fire fighting fluid to the inside of the aircraft fuselage for as long as it is needed.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus which can be connected to a receptacle on the aircraft's fuselage and, hence, connect to the aircraft a mobile vehicle which has unlimited fluid supply for the means of putting out an internal fire.

The device consists of a manipulable head with a corresponding receptacle similar to that of the aircraft which can be manoeuvred to line up and connect with the aircraft with minimum delay, and hence carry through its body fire fighting fluid into the aircraft.

The device may be carried on an elevating mast/ladder and has the ability to be aligned onto the aircraft fuselage at the correct point via means of remote control systems from the ground.

Summary of Points Disclosed 1. A vehicle-mounted fire fighting apparatus comprising of a supporting boom with a means of elevating and slewing the boom, a nozzle for intake orientatably mounted on the boom and adapted for connection to the supply of fire controlling fluid, the said nozzle having a nose which connects with a corresponding connector on the aircraft's fuselage, sealing it to the aircraft.

2. Apparatus according to point 1 wherein the universal head is guided via a viewing device on the parent vehicle.

3. Apparatus according to points 1 and 2 whereby the apparatus is controlled for position, rotation and elevation from the parent vehicle.

4. Apparatus according to points 1, 2 and 3 which can pass either liquid or gaseous fire fighting media into the aircraft's own dispersal system.

5. The vehicle-mounted fire fighting apparatus substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment An aircraft 10 has an internal sprinkler system 11, together with a connector 12 on the aircraft's fuselage 13. Fire fighting apparatus 14, which is mounted on a vehicle 15, comprises a supporting boom 16 and a manipulable nozzle 17. The vehicle 15 provides an unlimited fluid supply and the position, rotation and elevation of the apparatus 14 is controlled from the vehicle 15. The manipulable nozzle 17 is aligned with the connector 12 on the aircraft's fuselage 13 via a remote control system on the vehicle 15. When the nozzle 17 and connector 12 are engaged, fire fighting media is passed from the vehicle 15 into the aircraft's own internal sprinkler system 11.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Fire fighting apparatus comprising a vehicle carrying a boom with a means of elevating and slewing the boom; and a nozzle orientatably mounted on the boom and adapted for connection to a supply of fire controlling fluid carried by the vehicle; the said nozzle having a nose which connects with a corresponding connector on an aircraft's fuselage, sealing it to the aircraft for transmission of fluid from the vehicle via the nozzle and the connector and into the aircraft's own internal sprinkler system to which the connector conducts the fluid.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the universal head is guided via a viewing device on the parent vehicle.

3. Apparatus according to Claims 1 and 2 whereby the apparatus is controlled for position, rotation and elevation from the parent vehicle.

4. Apparatus according to Claims 1, 2 and 3 which can pass either liquid or gaseous fire fighting media into the aircraft's own dispersal system.

5. Fire fighting apparatus substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.