GB2509074A

GB2509074A - A self-contained transportable fire extinguishing unit

Info

Publication number: GB2509074A
Application number: GB1222912.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Laurence Melton
Original assignee: Firetrace Ltd
Current assignee: Firetrace Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-19
Filing date: 2012-12-19
Publication date: 2014-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-19
Also published as: GB201222912D0; GB2509074B

Abstract

A self-contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 comprises a reservoir 12 of a fire extinguishing medium or extinguishant. The unit has a housing 14 which supports the reservoir 12. The frame 14 includes engagement means in order for a lifting mechanism of a transportation means to be engaged with the housing 14 in order to transport the unit. The unit has heat detection tube 24 at the bottom 18 of the frame 14 and automatically actuates the unit 10 when it nears the fire. The unit 10 has at least one outlet nozzle 30 through which the fire extinguishing medium is expelled downwardly. The unit 10 is engageable with transportation means such that the fire extinguishing unit 10 is transportable to a location above a fire such that heat from the fire activates the heat detection means 24 in order to activate the valve to expel the fire extinguishing medium through the outlet nozzle 30 downwardly towards the fire.

Description

A Self Contained Transportable Fire Extinguishing Unit

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit for extinguishing fires and a method of extinguishing a tire. In particular, the present invention relates to a self contained tire extinguishing unit for extinguishing tires with an automatically activated detection system and a method of extinguishing an existing fire through the transportation of a self contained fire extinguishing unit to a location above the existing fire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fire extinguishing apparatus generally comprises a reservoir ot an extinguishant or a tire extinguishing medium to halt a temperature rise and/or extinguish a fire.

The terms "extinguishant" and "tire extinguishing medium" are used

interchangeably in the specification.

Generally, a tire extinguishing apparatus includes an activator or operator in order tor a user to manually actuate the release of the fire extinguishing medium. This may comprise a button, switch or trigger. In addition, with a manually portable fire extinguishing apparatus, such as a conventional fire extinguisher, the user can also direct the tire extinguisher or, at least an outlet/nozzle of the fire extinguisher towards the fire, as required. However, such manually portable fire extinguishing apparatus only provide a very limited amount of the fire extinguishing medium and only provides a very limited short operative time. Accordingly, such apparatus is only useful for very small fires or to aid a person in escaping from a particular fire situation.

Larger tire extinguishing apparatus is available and such apparatus may be transportable by a suitable vehicle or integral with/incorporated into a suitable vehicle. For example, transportable fire extinguisher apparatus may comprise a tanker provided on wheels which may then be driven to a location adjacent to the fire. The tanker may be provided with a hose or suchlike that a user or users can then direct towards the fire or heat source. However, such apparatus must necessarily be placed at a sate location to one side of the fire. The users/operators are then restricted to releasing the extinguishing medium from a side location and it may be difficult to direct or project the fire extinguishing medium to the correct source of the fire which may be located in a shielded or distant place or similarly inaccessible location.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect ot the present invention there is provided a self contained transportable tire extinguishing unit, the unit comprising a reservoir of a fire extinguishing medium; a housing which supports the reservoir ot the tire extinguishing medium, the housing including a first upper end and a second lower end; engagement means in order for a lifting mechanism of a transportation means to be engaged with the housing in order to transport the unit to a location above a fire and wherein the engagement means enables the unit to be releasable from the transportation means; heat detection means located on the second lower end of the housing; at least one outlet nozzle through which the tire extinguishing medium trom the reservoir is arranged to be expelled; and wherein the unit is engageable with transportation means such that the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit is transportable to a location above a fire such that heat from the fire activates the heat detection means in order to activate a valve to expel the tire extinguishing medium through the outlet nozzle downwardly towards the fire.

Preferably the unit comprises a plurality of outlet nozzles.

Preferably the or each outlet nozzle is mounted on the second lower end of the housing.

Preferably the unit comprises a plurality of reservoirs of a fire extinguishing medium. Each reservoir may be arranged to supply the fires extinguishing medium to a respective associated outlet nozzle.

Preferably the transportation means comprises a vehicle.

Preferably the vehicle comprises a tractor or an excavator or a digger or a backhoe loader or the like.

Preferably the transportation means engages with the housing at a first location and is then arranged to move to a second location.

Preferably the transportation means comprises a mechanical arm.

Preferably the transportation means comprises an articulated arm and more preferably comprises a two part articulated arm.

The transportation means may comprise a backhoe.

Preferably the mechanical arm includes an engagement member at or towards an end thereof which is arranged to be engaged with the engagement means provided on the apparatus such that the arm can engage the self contained fire extinguishing apparatus and initially lift the apparatus and then subsequently manoeuvre the apparatus to a location above the fire.

Preferably the heat detection means is arranged to operate a control valve which releases the fire extinguishing medium from the or each reservoir.

Each reservoir may comprise a respective control valve. Preferably the heat detection means is arranged to simultaneously operate all of the control valves on detection of the required level of heat.

Preferably the unit comprises heat/fire proximity detection means.

The unit may comprise an auxiliary outlet nozzle. The unit may comprise a plurality of auxiliary outlet nozzles.

The auxiliary outlet nozzle may be provided on the end of a flexible hose.

Preferably the flexible hose is manually flexible in order for an operator to hold the hose and direct the nozzle towards a target.

The unit may comprise a manually operable actuator which is arranged to enable the discharge of the fire extinguishing medium from the reservoir through the or each auxiliary nozzle. Preferably the or each auxiliary nozzle comprises a manually controlled release mechanism which may comprise a trigger mechanism.

The manually operable actuator may be arranged to activate a section of a detection tube and preferably ruptures a section of a pressurised tube. The section of the pressurised tube may be connected to the heat activated detection tube. The section of the pressurised tube may be connected to the heat activated detection tube through a non-return valve. Preferably the non-return valve enables fluid to flow from the section of the pressurised tube to the heat activated detection tube but prevents flow from the heat activated tube to the section of pressurised tube. The section of the pressurised tube may activate a control valve.

The valve may comprise a control valve which requires activation to provide an extinguishant outlet for the reservoir. The activation may comprise an activation from a manual actuator. The activation may comprise an activation from a heat detector.

The unit may comprise a directional valve to open or close a passageway from the reservoir to an outlet (or diffuser). The directional valve may open or close a passageway from the reservoir to the outlet nozzle. The directional valve may be controlled by a detection valve. Preferably the heat detection means activates the detection valve which moves the directional valve from the closed position to the open position. The heat detection means may also simultaneously activate the control valve and activate the directional valve. The directional valve may contain the non-return valve.

Preferably the unit comprises suspension detection means to detect when the unit is suspended from transportation means.

Preferably the suspension detection means operates a flow control valve to provide a passageway between the reservoir and the outlet nozzle and/or to block a passageway between the reservoir and the auxiliary nozzle. Accordingly, the suspension means detects when the unit is suspended and when the unit is supported on a support surface and automatically controls which nozzle the fire extinguishing medium will be discharged through.

Preferably the unit comprises suspension detection means to prevent the fire extinguishing medium being discharged through the outlet nozzle(s) whilst the unit is supported on the ground or on a support surface.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of extinguishing a fire comprising engaging a self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit, the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit comprising a reservoir of a fire extinguishing medium and a housing which supports the reservoir of the fire extinguishing medium, the method comprising: transporting the self contained transportable unit to a location above a fire; and manoeuvring the unit to a position in proximity to the fire to cause a heat detection means located on the second lower end of the housing to be activated which is arranged to expel a tire extinguishing medium through an outlet nozzle downwardly towards the fire.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising transportation means and a self contained transportable tire extinguishing unit, the unit comprising: a reservoir of a fire extinguishing medium; a housing which supports the reservoir of the fire extinguishing medium, the housing including a first upper end and a second lower end; engagement means in order for a lifting mechanism of the transportation means to be engaged with the housing in order to transport the unit to a location above a tire and wherein the engagement means enables the unit to be releasable trom the transportation means; heat detection means located on the second lower end of the housing; at least one outlet nozzle through which the fire extinguishing medium from the reservoir is arranged to be expelled; and wherein the unit is engageable with the transportation means such that the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit is transportable to a location above a fire such that heat from the fire activates the heat detection means in order to activate a valve to expel the fire extinguishing medium through the outlet nozzle downwardly towards the fire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with the reference to the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is a side schematic view ot a tirst embodiment of a selt contained transportable fire extinguishing unit in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan schematic view of a first embodiment of a self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a side schematic view of a second embodiment of a self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 is a side schematic view of a directional valve of the preferred embodiment of the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an indirect low pressure valve in the closed position; and Figure 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an indirect low pressure valve in the open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, a preferred embodiment of a self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 comprises a plurality of reservoirs 12 for containing a fire extinguishing medium. In the preferred embodiment, the fire extinguishing apparatus 10 comprises four separate or individual reservoirs 12. In further embodiments, any suitable number of reservoirs may be used arranged in any suitable formation and in one embodiment the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 may comprise a single reservoir 12.

The self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 comprises a housing in the form of a frame 14 which contains and supports the reservoirs 12. The reservoirs 12 may comprise cylinders which are secured to the frame 14 by adjustable securing collars which extend around the circumference of the cylinders. In particular, the frame 14 comprises a metal framework which supports and encloses the reservoirs 12 to an extent. The frame 14 includes a first upper end 16 and a second lower end 18. The second lower end 18 is arranged to be supported on the ground or on another suitable support surface when the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is not in use.

The self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 includes engagement means 20 which enables a lifting mechanism to engage with the frame 14 and then subsequently transport the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10. In particular, the engagement means comprises a suitable engagement device located on the second upper end 18 of the frame 14. The shaped element 22 is suitable for engaging with the transportation means which is likely to transport the fire extinguishing apparatus 10 in the event of the fire.

The engagement means 20 provided on the frame 14 effectively provides a suspension means which enables the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 to be suspended from a suitably manoeuvrable limb of a vehicle as will be herein described.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the engagement means comprises a circular element or an annular element 22 which thereby provides an aperture 23 through which a part of a lifting mechanism may project or extend.

For example, the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 may be arranged to be lifted and transported by an articulated arm mounted to a vehicle.

The vehicle is likely to be a tractor or an excavator or a digger or a backhoe loader or the like. Such vehicles are generally provided with a suitable articulated arm or the like which could be used to manoeuvre the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10.

As mentioned above, the transportation means comprises a mechanical arm and in the preferred situations the arm will be an articulated arm and, if possible, will be a two part articulated arm. For example, the two part articulated arm is provided by a backhoe (rear actor or back actor or a jib) of a tractor or front loader or excavator type vehicle or the like.

Such vehicles may include a hook element or other suitable shaped element which could be used to locate through the aperture 23 of annular element 22 such that the fire extinguishing apparatus would then be directly transportable by the vehicle. The hook element is provided by an attachment or device or tool mounted at the end of the arm. The attachment may be a bucket, a tilt rotator, a grapple etc. Bucket tools are quite common attachments and these provided prongs from which the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 can be suspended.

The transportation means is arranged to engage with the housing 14 at a first location and is then arranged to move to a second location. This movement will comprise an initial lifting of the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit from the ground. The vehicle may then be driven to a location adjacent to the fire. Since the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is suspended from an articulated arm, the arm can be controlled in order to manoeuvre the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 to a position directly above the fire.

The self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 comprises activation means which is heat sensitive such that the fire extinguishing apparatus is only triggered on the detection of significant heat. The level of heat required to trigger the activation is predetermined and comprises a structural system rather than an electrical detection system.

The heat detection means comprises a tube 24 located on the second lower end 18 of the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10. In this arrangement, the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is arranged to detect fires below the unit 10. Accordingly, the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is arranged to be transported to a location above a fire such that the heat from the fire below the unit 10 will be detected by the heat detection means which will then activate the discharge of the extinguishant.

The tube 24 contains a pressurised fluid and as the heat softens the wall of the tube this pressurised fluid will rupture the tube 24. An end 26 of the detection tube 24 is connected to a control valve (switch) 28 and the emission of the pressurised fluid through the rupture will cause the control valve (switch) 28 to operate which enables the fire extinguishing medium to flow to an outlet nozzle 30 of the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10.

The pressure of the fluid in the detection tube 24 maintains the valve 28 of the reservoir 12 normally closed. However, on the rupturing of the tube 24 by heat and the subsequent release of pressure, the switch or valve 28 will be activated and opened to cause the pressurised extinguishant to flow through the tube(s) 32 and out through the nozzle(s) 30. The operation and structure of the control valve 28 will be described in more detail later.

The self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 includes at least one outlet nozzle 30 comprising a diffuser head located on the second lower end 18 of the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10. In particular, the diffuser head 30 is arranged to be downwardly facing to direct the fire extinguishing medium downwardly since the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit will have been triggered by a fire from below. The self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 may comprise plurality of diffuser heads 30 and, in particular, each reservoir 12 may be arranged to supply the fire extinguishing medium to an individual diffuser head 30 through an extinguishant tube 32.

The reservoir 12, fusible (detection) tubing 24 and outlet nozzle 30 are connected together by a control valve comprising an indirect low pressure valve 28, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6. This indirect low pressure (ILP) valve 28 and fusible tubing 24 have been used in other systems and is available from Firetrace Limited, UK.

The indirect low pressure valve 28 is now described in more detail with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6, which shows closed and open configurations of the valve 22. The ILP valve 22 comprises an outer housing 66 with a male thread 68 or other connection means to fit a standard European fire extinguisher cylinder 12 or other suitable reservoir 12.

Within the housing 66 comprises a vertical bore 70 ending in three bypass holes 72 (two shown in Figure 5) giving passage to the cylinder 12 below. The inner centre section 74 is raised with a vertical bore 76 partway down branching into two horizontal borings 78 which connect to two discharge outlets 80. An inverted neoprene tapered cup 82 with a (0.75 mm) bleed hole 84 acts as a piston within the valve bore 70 covering the vertical bore 76 and allowing downward passage of air past its soft tapered outer edge 77. The valve 28 has a threaded cap 86 with an outlet which connects to a length of the fusible tubing 24.

When gas is pumped through the fusible tubing 24, it passes the flexible edge 77 of the neoprene piston 82 and fills the cylinder 12 below, whilst seating the piston 82 over the outlet bore 76. The available surface area on top of the piston 82 is greater than the area below. Because the outlet bore 76 is effectively missing, the valve stays closed. Any slight losses in pressure from gas which may leak through the pores in the walls of the fusible tube 24 are compensated for by the 0.75 mm bleed hole 84.

In the event of a fire, the fusible tubing 24 bursts, and the pressure above the piston 82 is lost faster than it can be replaced via the bleed hole 84, and the tapered soft sided piston 82 will not allow upward flow. The pressure below the piston 82 causes the piston 82 to immediately rise and uncover the outlet bore 76 effecting discharge of the cylinder contents through one or both of the outlets 80.

In Figure 6, extinguishant (represented by the dashed arrow 86) is expelled through one of the outlets 80a. This outlet 80a is connected to some hard tubing 31 and ultimately to the outlet nozzle 30. The other outlet 80b can either be connected to a second nozzle or blocked off or to another discharge tube. Some embodiments of the present invention may comprise variants of the ILP valve 28 and the unit 10 in order to provide more than two outlets. Such an arrangement may be used in order to discharge the extinguishant through more than one diffuser 30.

The ILP valve 28 has a number of advantages associated with it. The soft piston 82 is unaffected by temperature change and vibration, and it does not seize. The ILP valve 28 is pneumatically operated and hence requires no external power.

Furthermore, the ILP valve 28 is actuated by internal balanced pressure, and so it does not false alarm.

The detection tubing comprising a fusible tubing 24 is a length of Firetrace Trace Detection Tubing, obtainable from Firetrace Limited. The system is pressurised with nitrogen gas via the fusible tubing 24 using a filling adaptor which is removed after filling and may be replaced with a pressure gauge to provide a visual indication of the pressure in the system.

In further preferred embodiments of the present invention, the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is provided with a conventional manually controlled outlet nozzle in order for an operator to direct the projection of the extinguishant rather than from the extinguishant to be discharged through the downward nozzles 30.

As shown in Figure 3, the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is provided with a hose 34 through which the extinguishant can be selectively discharged. This feature provides the option of using the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 as a conventional static fire extinguisher.

The unit 10 may be mounted on wheels 90.

The reservoirs 12 are provided with a flow control valve 36 which is arranged to either direct the extinguishant either down the tube 31 to the diffuser nozzles 30 or prevent the extinguishant flowing into the tube 31.

When the control valve 36 is activated, the reservoirs 12 are in communication with the hose 34 and the pressurised extinguishant will also fill this hose 34. The hose 34 includes an auxiliary nozzle including a manually controlled release mechanism.

Prior to use the manual button 38 must be pressed and this may cause a rupture of an upper section 56 (or pressurised tube) of the detection tubing. This causes a release of pressure which then causes the ILP valve 28 to actuate creating the open configuration as shown in Figure 6. The first outlet 80a connects the valve 28 to the directional valve 36 whereas the second outlet 80b connects the valve 28 to the hose 34 of the manual lance. Accordingly, as soon as the manual button 38 is pressed the lance is available for use with an associated trigger mechanism.

However, the extinguishant will not be discharged through the diffuser since this will be blocked by the piston 44 of the directional valve 36. The pressure in the detection tube 24 is maintained by the non return valve 40 which prevents the pressure escaping from the detection tube 24 to the rupture in the upper section 56 of the detection tube. The pressure in the detection tubing 24 keeps the piston 44 sealed to prevent the extinguishant discharging down the discharge tube 31.

Prior to the button 38 being pressed the control valve 28 will be closed to seal the reservoir. In addition, the piston 44 will be closed as shown in Figure 4. If the detection tube 24 is heated and ruptured, then the tube 24 will be unpressurised.

This reduction of pressure will cause the piston 44 to move to the open position.

In addition, the primer pressurised gas in the upper section 56 will flow through the non-return valve 40 and out through the rupture. This will cause the control valve 28 to open and the extinguishant to discharge through the diffuser 30.

Accordingly, in order to operate the unit 10 manually, the button 38 must first be pressed and then the extinguishant can be releases through the lance using a conventional trigger mechanism. However, in order to use the unit automatically using the detection tube 24, the button 38 does not need to be initially pressed.

The unit 10 can simply be held directly above a fire and the subsequent rupture of the tube 24 will cause the extinguishant to be discharged through the diffuser.

This is caused by the control valve 28 and the directional valve simultaneously being operated. There will be a loss of pressure through the rupture which causes the pressure form the valve bore 70 above the piston 82 and a loss of pressure in the valve chamber 48 to the left of the piston 44. Both pistons thereby move and extinguishant will be released through the discharge tube 31.

Overall, if the automatic detection tube 24 located beneath the chassis is burst by a fire, the directional valves 36 will open allowing the extinguishers to discharge via the diffusers below. As the lance at the end of the flexible hose 34 has a normally closed squeeze grip valve no extinguishant will escape.

The non return valve 40 still enables the detection tube to be initially pressurised at the same time as the upper section 56 of the detection tubing and the cylinder 12.

The schematic structure of a directional valve (flow control valve) 36 is shown in Figure 4. The flow control valve includes an inlet 42 from the reservoir 12 or cylinder. This is normally closed. In particular, a piston 44 with 0 ring seals 46 maintain the valve shut and located in a valve seating 52.

The piston 44 locates within a valve chamber 48 and the piston is able to move form this normally closed position to an open position. In this open configuration there is a flow passageway from the inlet from the cylinder to an outlet 50 which is connected to the tube terminating with the discharge diffuser located on the lower face 18 of the chassis 14. Accordingly, in the open position, the extinguishant will flow through the inlet 42, through the chamber 48 and then through the outlet 50.

As mentioned previously, the lance on the end of the manual hose 34 is held in a closed position so even when the tube 24 is ruptured, there will be no discharge of any extinguishant through the lance. However, the lance can be operated at anytime through the use of an associated trigger mechanism.

The directional valve 36 and the piston 44 are controlled by the detection valve 54.

This detection valve 54 is in communication with the valve chamber 48 such that the pressure in the detection tube 24 maintains the piston 44 in the closed position.

If the detection tube 24 is ruptured then pressure will be released and this will enable the piston 44 to move away from the seating 52 in order for the extinguishant to flow from the reservoir 12 out through the diffuser 30.

The detection valve 54 includes a non return valve 40 which locates between the detection tube 24 on the lower pad of the chassis 14 and an upper section 56 of detection tube controlled by a manual release mechanism 38. The non return valve 40 prevents the pressurised fluid in the lower section 24 of the detection tube flowing up into the upper section 56 of the detection tube. For example, if the upper detection tube 56 is ruptured the pressure in the lower section 24 will not flow up into the upper section 56. However, if the lower section 24 is ruptured the pressure through the detection tube 24 and the upper section 56 will both be lost and the extinguishant will be discharged through the diffuser 30 since the piston 44 will move to the open position.

The unit 10 includes a manual button 38 which is mounted on the upper face 16 of the chassis 14. This button 38 is arranged to also rupture a section 56 of the detection tube.

This enables the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 to function as a conventional static fire extinguishing unit which may be placed adjacent to or in areas of risk.

The present invention may be particularly used in sites where suitable transportation means are already provided. For example, sites which are handling waste which will have such vehicles available and will also have a relatively high potential fire risk. Fires on or in waste sites can be difficult to access with conventional large scale fire fighting apparatus but the present invention provides an alternative which will be able to used quickly whilst the fire is still relatively young and small.

Overall, the present invention enables a grab or crane to hoist a multi extinguisher pack into a rubbish heap fire where an operator could not reach. A heat sensitive detection tube automatically actuates the unit when it nears the fire and the unit will disperse extinguishant from the base of the unit. A powder extinguishant would be the best but it could also work with foam or Co2.

One embodiment only uses 2 x 6kg powder units but 4 x 9kg would be preferred.

However, the present invention could be scaled up, for example by simply fitting an automatic valve to the pilot cylinder on a conventional wheeled extinguisher which are available up to 100kg for use on oil rigs or construction sites One main advantage is that the unit could be deployed quickly before a fire has time to grow out of hand and does not put an operator at risk.

The unit may also comprise a skid mounting so it could be handled by a forklift.

The unit may also be mounted on wheels. The unit may also be lifted and manoeuvred by a telescopic handler or telehandler.

As mentioned above, the unit 10 may include a manual controlled button 38 connected to a hose and lance, so the unit 10 could also be used as a large conventional wheeled extinguisher (as used on airfields and the like).

As described above, some embodiments of the present invention provide the capability for the unit 10 to switch from manual to automatic mode only when hoisted by a crane or digger for aerial deployment. The flow control valves may be automatically controlled through sensing means.

Alternatively, the switching mode is controlled through the use of the system shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 whereby the manual operation is enabled by the control button 38 whereas the automatically triggered lower system is controlled by the discharge tube 24 together with the detection valve 54 and the directional valve 36. A system including suspension sensing means may fail to operate if the frame rests on an obstruction whereas the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 would still be activated since it relies on heat from below only and not whether the weight of the unit is suspended or not.

In some embodiments, the present invention allows for a large extinguisher to be operated manually via a hose and lance, or hoisted on a crane or teleporter (such as a telescopic handler) that also will operate automatically when it comes in contact with a fire. Alternatively a frame containing several small automatic extinguishers, or one large wheeled extinguisher could be used. This could be achieved by replacing the pilot cylinder shown on the back of a wheeled extinguisher with an automatic valve assembly. For some applications this could be an easy option since the unit would only need a modified off the shelf wheeled extinguisher.

The flow control valves may be automatically controlled through sensing means.

The sensing means comprises a suspension sensor which sense when the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is suspended and when the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is supported on the ground.

When the suspension sensor senses that the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is suspended, the sensor maintains the control valve in a configuration to direct the extinguishant through the tube 24 and down through the diffuser nozzles 30. However, when the sensor senses that the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit 10 is supported on the ground, the sensor switches the control valve to a configuration to direct the extinguishant through the tube 32 and out through a manually controlled nozzle.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit, the unit comprising a reservoir of a fire extinguishing medium; a housing which supports the reservoir of the fire extinguishing medium, the housing including a first upper end and a second lower end; engagement means in order for a lifting mechanism of a transportation means to be engaged with the housing in order to transport the unit to a location above a fire and wherein the engagement means enables the unit to be releasable from the transportation means; heat detection means located on the second lower end of the housing; at least one outlet nozzle through which the fire extinguishing medium from the reservoir is arranged to be expelled; and wherein the unit is engageable with transportation means such that the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit is transportable to a location above a fire such that heat from the fire activates the heat detection means in order to activate a valve to expel the fire extinguishing medium through the outlet nozzle downwardly towards the fire.
2. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to Claim 1 in which the unit comprises a plurality of outlet nozzles.
3. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to Claim 2 in which each outlet nozzle is mounted on the second lower end of the housing.
4. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which the unit comprises a plurality of reservoirs of a fire extinguishing medium.
5. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to Claim 4 in which each reservoir is arranged to supply the fires extinguishing medium to a respective associated outlet nozzle.
6. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which the transportation means comprises a vehicle.
7. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which the vehicle comprises a tractor or an excavator or a digger or a backhoe loader or the like.
8. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which the transportation means comprises an articulated arm.
9. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which transportation means comprises a mechanical arm including an engagement member at or towards an end thereof which is arranged to be engaged with the engagement means provided on the apparatus such that the arm can engage the self contained fire extinguishing apparatus and initially lift the apparatus and then subsequently manoeuvre the apparatus to a location above the fire.
10. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which the heat detection means is arranged to operate a control valve which releases the fire extinguishing medium from the or each reservoir.
11. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which the unit comprises an auxiliary outlet nozzle.
12. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according Claim 11 in which the auxiliary outlet nozzle is provided on the end of a flexible hose and the flexible hose is manually flexible in order for an operator to hold the hose and direct the nozzle towards a target.
13. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to Claim 11 -20 -or Claim 12 in which the unit comprises a manually operable actuator which is arranged to actuate the discharge of the tire extinguishing medium from the reservoir through the auxiliary nozzle.
14. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any Claim 13 in which the manually operable actuator is arranged to activate a section of a detection tube.
15. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to Claim 14 in which the manually operable actuator ruptures a section of a pressurised tube and in which the section of the pressurised tube is connected to the heat activated detection tube through a non-return valve and the non-return valve enables fluid to flow from the section of the pressurised tube to the heat activated detection tube but prevents flow from the heat activated tube to the section of pressurised tube.
16. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which the valve comprises a control valve which requires activation to provide an extinguishant outlet for the reservoir.
17. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to Claim 16 in which he activation comprises an activation from a manual actuator or an activation from a heat detector.
18. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to any preceding claim in which the unit comprises a directional valve to open or close a passageway from the reservoir to the outlet nozzle.
19. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to Claim 18 in which the directional valve opens or closes a passageway from the reservoir to the outlet nozzle and in which the directional valve is controlled by a detection valve and wherein the heat detection means activates the detection valve which moves the directional valve from the closed position to the open position.

-21 -
20. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit according to Claim 19 in which the heat detection means simultaneously activates the control valve and activate the directional valve.
21. A method of extinguishing a tire comprising engaging a self contained transportable tire extinguishing unit, the self contained transportable tire extinguishing unit comprising a reservoir of a fire extinguishing medium and a housing which supports the reservoir of the fire extinguishing medium, the method comprising: transporting the self contained transportable unit to a location above a fire; and manoeuvring the unit to a position in proximity to the fire to cause a heat detection means located on the second lower end of the housing to be activated which is arranged to expel a tire extinguishing medium through an outlet nozzle downwardly towards the fire.
22. An assembly comprising transportation means and a self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit, the unit comprising: a reservoir of a fire extinguishing medium; a housing which supports the reservoir of the fire extinguishing medium, the housing including a first upper end and a second lower end; engagement means in order for a lifting mechanism of the transportation means to be engaged with the housing in order to transport the unit to a location above a tire and wherein the engagement means enables the unit to be releasable from the transportation means; heat detection means located on the second lower end of the housing; at least one outlet nozzle through which the fire extinguishing medium from the reservoir is arranged to be expelled; and wherein the unit is engageable with the transportation means such that the self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit is transportable to a location above a fire such that heat from the fire activates the heat detection means in -22 -order to activate a valve to expel the fire extinguishing medium through the outlet nozzle downwardly towards the fire.
23. A self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any of the accompanying Figures.
24. A method of extinguishing a fire comprising engaging a self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any of the accompanying Figures.
25. An assembly comprising transportation means and a self contained transportable fire extinguishing unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any of the accompanying Figures.