GB2387111A - Extinguishing fires - Google Patents

Abstract

A fire extinguisher comprises a vessel 2 containing extinguishing agent and a nozzle 3 arranged, in use, to deliver the extinguishing agent to a scene. The extinguisher further comprises a sensor 5 for receiving infrared radiation from the scene. Data from the infrared sensor may be processed and used to derive a visual image or other visual indication of infrared radiation from the scene. Alternatively, the data may be used to provide an audible and/or tactile signal to a user. The provision of an infrared sensor permits a user of the extinguisher to locate the seat of the fire and release extinguishing material in one operation. Previously, a user had to firstly locate the seat of the fire using imaging equipment, then put that equipment aside and take up the fire extinguisher, directing the nozzle approximately in the region of the fire.

Description

238711 1

EXTINGUISHING FIRES

This invention relates to apparatus for, and methods of, extinguishing fires.

Conventional portable fire extinguishers contain a predetermined amount of extinguishing agent, such as foam, powder or water, under pressure in a vessel. Means s for delivering the extinguishing agent to the fire are also provided, usually in the form of a nozzle that may be fixed to the vessel or may have an intermediate flexible tube to assist the user in aiming the extinguishing material at the centre, or seat, of the fire. The extinguishing agent is most effective when directed at the seat of the fire.

10 A problem that may be encountered with conventional extinguishers is that the period of discharge of the extinguishing agent may be relatively short. For example, the period of discharge for the type of extinguisher carried by aircraft is typically of the order of twenty seconds. This places limits on the effectiveness of the fire-fighting operation.

5 The invention provides a fire extinguisher comprising a vessel containing extinguishing agent and a nozzle arranged, in use, to deliver the agent to a scene, the extinguisher further comprising a sensor for receiving infrared radiation from the scene.

The provision of an infrared sensor permits a user of the extinguisher to locate the seat 20 of the fire and release extinguishing material accurately in one operation.

The invention is particularly applicable to portable extinguishers.

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Preferably, a display is provided to enable an image from the infrared sensor to be viewed. This may be affixed to the extinguisher itself or may be provided at a remote location. s Advantageously, a flexible optical link is provided between the sensor and the display.

This feature is especially useful for extinguishers having a flexible delivery tube between the vessel and the nozzle.

to Reference symbology may be associated with the display. This may take the form of a simple target-type symbol, to assist the user in directing the flow of extinguishing agent to a preferred location.

As an altemative, or addition, to the visual display, audible warning means may be Is provided to indicate to the user hotter regions as detected by the sensor. This feature may be useful in conditions of extremely poor visibility and may also render the extinguisher useful for people with sight disabilities. Further indications may be provided by tactile indicators, such as a vibrating glove or wristband.

20 The sensor may be located adjacent the open end of the nozzle, thereby ensuring that the field of view of the sensor includes the region over which the extinguisher delivers the

extinguishing agent.

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A further embodiment of the invention provides apparatus for a fire extinguisher arranged, in use, to deliver extinguishing agent to a scene, the apparatus comprising an infrared sensor and mounting means arranged to locate the sensor on the extinguisher such that the sensor is arranged to receive infrared radiation from the scene.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a fire extinguisher constructed lo according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a fire extinguisher constructed according to a second embodiment of the invention; and 5 Figure 3 is a drawing of apparatus for a fire extinguisher constructed according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Like reference numerals relate to like parts throughout the specification.

20 With reference to Figure 1, the main features of the fire extinguisher according to the invention are shown. The extinguisher, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprises a vessel 2 containing an extinguishing agent and a nozzle 3 for delivering the agent to a scene. In this embodiment a flexible pipe 4 is provided between the vessel 2 and the nozzle 4. Alternatively, a rigid, horn-type nozzle may be used, but in general - .. . À

the flexible pipe is preferred because it allows the user to vary the scene to which extinguishing agent is delivered without having to move the whole extinguisher.

5 In accordance with the invention, an infrared sensor and lens arrangement 5 is provided and arranged, in use, to receive infrared radiation from the scene. The preferred position of the sensor 5 is adjacent the nozzle so that the nozzle and sensor are "co-

boresighted". In other words, field of view of the infrared sensor 5 includes the region

at which the nozzle is targeted.

The infrared sensor 5 detects infrared radiation from the scene and the infrared data is sent, via a link 6 to processing electronics in a processing unit 7. The processing electronics converts the data from the infrared sensor 5 into an image for display on a visual display 8. The display 8 may be mounted to the extinguisher or may be remotely 5 located. The display 8 could also take the form of a head-up display for the user. The processing electronics 7 could be located at the sensor, if weight constrictions allow.

In use, the user views an image of infrared radiation from the scene on the display 8.

The user then simply moves the nozzle so that the sensor receives radiation from so different scenes until the seat of the fire is detected. The seat of the fire will be easily discernible as this will show up on the display as the hottest region. When the seat of the fire has been located, all the user needs to do is squeeze a trigger 9 on the extinguisher so that extinguishing agent is discharged from the vessel and delivered through the pipe -: .. . .

and nozzle. The nozzle is already in place, directed at the seat of the fire. In this manner, the fire-fighting procedure may be carried out as one simple operation.

Previously it has been proposed to employ infrared imaging equipment to locate the seat s of a hre, but this has involved specialised hand-held equipment. A problem which may be encountered with this equipment is that the user must first locate the seat of the fire using the imaging equipment, then put that equipment aside and take up the fire extinguisher, directing the nozzle approximately in the region where the user estimates to be the seat of the fire. It will be appreciated that this is a time-consuming method lo and, in such situations, time is of the essence. Furthermore, as this method is approximate, extinguishing agent may be wasted on peripheral regions of the blaze.

The processing electronics 7 may be arranged to superimpose reference symbology, such as a target, over the image on the display 8.

The display 8 need not give an image of the infrared radiation from the scene, but may instead be arranged to provide other visual indications to the user. For example, the image on the display may be of one colour, the colour being arranged to change in dependence on the infrared data from the sensor. Alternatively, the display may simply 20 take the form of LEDs arranged to light up when the radiation detected by the sensor exceeds predetermined thresholds. These visual indicators may be used in conjunction with the visual image from the display of infrared radiation from the scene.

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In an alternative embodiment, the lens may be located adjacent the nozzle, the infrared sensor being located remotely. In this instance, the link 6 would be an optical link, transmitting the image from the lens to the infrared sensor. A suitable optical link would be infrared-sensitive fibre optic material.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative extinguisher. The extinguisher comprises a vessel 2, nozzle 3, pipe 4, infrared sensor and lens arrangement 5 and link 6 as before. However, in this embodiment, processing electronics 10 are provided to analyse the infrared data and produce an audio signal for the user based on the data. In this embodiment, the lo audio signal is provided by means of a pair of headphones 11 for the user.

The audio signal could take many forms. For example, the processing electronics 10 may be arranged to produce short, regular audio cues to the user, the frequency of which may increase when the sensor 5 is directed toward hotter regions. Alternatively, a 5 continuous signal may be produced, the pitch of which may be arranged to increase as the sensor 5 is directed towards hotter regions. The system may be silent until the radiation detected by the sensor 5 exceeds a predetermined threshold, at which point an audio signal is generated.

20 As a further alternative, tactile cues may be provided for the user. For example, a glove or wristband may be fitted with a vibrating mechanism, arranged to vibrate when the radiation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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Of course, a combination of audio, visual and tactile cues may be provided to the user.

The audio and/or visual signals may be recorded for training purposes. The link 6 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 need not be a piece of apparatus, but may instead be a wireless link, arranged to transmit data between the sensor and lens arrangement and the 5 processing electronics.

Figure 3 illustrates apparatus suitable for converting a conventional portable fire extinguisher into an extinguisher according to the present invention. The apparatus comprises an infrared sensor 12 and an attachment 13 to enable the sensor to be fixed to lo the extinguisher such that the sensor views a scene that includes the region targeted by the nozzle in use. The attachment may be adjustable to enable the apparatus to be employed in conjunction with a wide variety of extinguisher types.

The apparatus may also include the link, processing electronics and a display, audio 15 system and/or tactile indicator for the user.

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Claims (28)

1. A fire extinguisher comprising a vessel containing extinguishing agent and a nozzle arranged, in use, to deliver agent to a scene, the extinguisher further comprising a sensor for receiving infrared radiation from the scene.

2. A portable fire extinguisher comprising a vessel containing extinguishing agent and a nozzle arranged, in use, to deliver agent to a scene, the extinguisher further comprising a sensor for receiving infrared radiation from the scene.

3. An extinguisher as claimed in claim I or 2, further comprising a display in which an image of the scene derived from the infrared radiation can be viewed.

4. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a link between the sensor and the display.

5. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 3 or 4, further comprising reference symbology associated with the display.

6. An extinguisher as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for providing a visual signal in dependence on data from the infrared sensor.

7. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 6, in which the means for providing a visual signal comprises at least one LED arranged to light up when the radiation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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8. An extinguisher as claimed in any previous claim, in which the sensor is located adjacent to the open end portion of the nozzle.

9. An extinguisher as claimed in any previous claim, further comprising means for producing an audible signal in dependence on data from the infrared sensor.

10. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 9, in which the means for providing an audible signal includes headphones for the user.

11. An extinguisher as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for producing a tactile signal in dependence on data from the infrared sensor.

12. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 1 1, in which the means for providing a tactile signal includes a vibrator.

13. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 12, in which the vibrator is located on a wristband for the user.

14. An extinguisher, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, or as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

15. A fire-fighting system including an extinguisher as claimed in any previous claim. ... . ... ...

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16. Apparatus for a fire extinguisher arranged, in use, to deliver extinguishing agent to a scene, the apparatus comprising an infrared sensor and mounting means arranged to locate the sensor on the extinguisher such that the sensor is arranged to receive infrared radiation from the scene.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a display in which an image of the scene derived from the infrared radiation can be viewed.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a link between the sensor and the display.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, further comprising reference symbology associated with the display.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising means for providing a visual signal in dependence on data from the infrared sensor.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which the means for providing a visual signal comprises at least one LED arranged to light up when the radiation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold

22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising means for producing an audible signal in dependence on data from the infrared sensor.

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23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, in which the means for providing an audible signal includes headphones.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 23, further comprising means for producing a tactile signal in dependence on data from the infrared sensor.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, in which the means for providing a tactile signal includes a vibrator.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25, in which the vibrator is located on a wristband for the user.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 26, in which the mounting means is adjustable.

28. Apparatus for a fire extinguisher, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, or as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

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