GB2551012A

GB2551012A - Fire-fighting lance

Info

Publication number: GB2551012A
Application number: GB1705216.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cristanini Adolfo
Original assignee: CRISTANINI SpA
Current assignee: CRISTANINI SpA
Priority date: 2016-06-02
Filing date: 2017-03-31
Publication date: 2017-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-31
Also published as: NL2018915A; PH22016000812U1; DE202017102091U1; FR3052079A1; GB2551012B; GB201705216D0; NL2018915B1; SE539933C2; PH22016000812Y1; FR3052079B1; SE1650770A1

Abstract

A lance for the extinguishment of a fire in a space A comprising at least one first duct 20 with a first inlet 21 and a first outlet 22 fluidly connectable to a first feed line (F1, figure 3a) of a pressurized fluid (W, figure 3a), a first controlling lever 12 acting upon the first duct, at least one second duct 30 with a second inlet 31 and a second outlet 32 fluidly connectable to a second feed line (F2, figure 3a) of an abrasive powder (AP, figure 3a) and a second controlling lever 62 acting upon the second duct. The lance comprises a handle 11 graspable by an operator comprising the first and the second controlling levers, the latter being placed in reciprocal proximity. The second duct may include an adjusting element 65 for controlling the flow of abrasive powder.

Description

FIRE-FIGHTING LANCE

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of the fire-fighting equipment, and it particularly relates to a lance for the extinguishment a fire in a space closed at least by a wall. In particular, the lance is suitable for drilling the wall and spraying the fluid in the space through the previously made hole.

Background of the invention

As known, the extinguishment of a fire in a closed space is a delicate and dangerous operation, both for the operator and for the safety of the space thereof.

In fact, to extinguish the fire, the operator must enter in the space, thus being exposed to the danger of burns and poisoning.

Furthermore, in case of need to tear down a door or shatter a glass plate, the operator must use a hammer or an ax, to be transported with the fire-fighting lance.

In case of need to alternate the different jets, for example, one of water and one of a mixture of water / extinguishing agent, the operator uses two lances, one for each of the above mentioned operations.

Furthermore, the known lances may not be suitable for different types of fires, since, during the extinguishment of a fire the optimal conditions of water supply and of any additives and / or abrasives may vary rapidly during the extinguishment thereof.

Moreover, known lances are not very manoeuvrable and not very safe for the operator focused on the extinguishment of the fire.

Summary of the invention

Object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a fire-fighting lance of high functionality, constructional simplicity and low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire-fighting lance that allows to minimize the danger to the operators.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire-fighting lance that is practical and simple to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire-fighting lance that allows the spraying of a mixture containing an abrasive.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire-fighting lance that allows the selective supply and/or the adjustment of the flow of the abrasive.

Such objects, and others which will appear more evident hereinafter, are fulfilled by a fire-fighting lance according to claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined according to the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more evident upon reading the detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a firefighting lance 10, shown by way of non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of the lance 10, whereto the first nozzle 100 is applied; FIG. 2 is a side view of the lance 10 of FIG. 1; FIG. 2a is an enlarged sectioned view of some details of FIG. 2, during the step of making of the hole H on the wall P; FIGs. 3a and 3b are an enlarged view of some details of the lance 10 of FIG. 2 in different operating steps; FIG. 4 is a side view of some details of the lance 10 whereto the second nozzle 200 is applied; FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectioned view of some details of FIG. 4, during the step of spraying of the working fluid W.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

With reference to the above mentioned figures, it is described a system 1 particularly useful to extinguish a fire in a space A closed at least by one closing element, for example a wall P.

In particular, the system 1 may comprise a lance 10 graspable by an operator and at least two nozzles 100, 200, selectively applicable to the lance 10 thereof to perform different functions.

The lance 10 may have a handle 11 with a first controlling lever 12 and a quick coupler 13 to a feed line FI of a pressurized fluid W, for example pressurized water, not shown in the figures being perse known. For example, the feed line may include the Sanijet® C-921 device, marketed by the same Applicant. Indicatively, the pressurized fluid may have a pressure of 250 bars to 650 bars.

Possibly, such a pressurized fluid W may be previously admixed with a fire extinguishing agent, for example inside a tank fluidly connected to the feed line FI. In other words, the pressurized fluid W may only consist of water or of a mixture of water and extinguishing agent, for example of the chemical type.

The lance 10 may include at least two ducts 20, 30.

In particular, each of the latter may be particularly suitable to transport different substances, susceptible to be selectively mixed with each other by means of the nozzle 100 as better explained hereinafter.

Each of the ducts 20, 30 may have a respective inlet and outlet.

In particular, the first duct 20 may have at least one first inlet 21 and one first outlet 22 fluidly connectable to the first feed line FI of the pressurized fluid W. The second duct 30 may have a second inlet 31 and a second outlet 32 fluidly connectable to a second feed line F2 of an abrasive powder AP.

Suitably, the controlling lever 12 may act upon the first duct 20 to allow the operator to control the selective inflow of the pressurized fluid W therethrough.

Both the abrasive powder AP and extinguishing agent may be of a per se known type. For example, the abrasive powder AP may have a natural origin, such as for example GARNET®, or artificial origin, such as for example SAMGRIT®, both with granulometry of 0,15 mm to 2,5 mm. On the other hand, the extinguishing agent or the like may for example be BIOVERSAL®, PLUREX®, F500®.

Suitably, a cartridge 50 of abrasive powder AP may be provided fluidly connected to the second inlet 31 of the second duct 30. The cartridge 50 may be removably coupled to the lance 10 e.g. by means of a quick coupler 51, and it may have a sucking tube of a per se known type of the abrasive powder.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first nozzle 100 may have a pair of first inlet ports 101,102, first Venturi-effect mixing means 103 to mix the pressurized fluid W and the abrasive powder AP and a first outlet port 104 for the mixture W + AP thereof.

Suitably, the first inlet ports 101, 102 may be applicable both to the first outlet 22 of the first duct 20 and to the second outlet 32 of the second duct 30 to put them in reciprocal fluid communication.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the lance 10 may comprise valve means 60 to adjust the inflow of the abrasive powder AP in the second duct 30.

In particular, such valve means 60 may comprise an element 61 for the selective opening / closing of the feed of the abrasive powder AP in the second duct 30. For example, such a selective opening / closing element 61 may be a plug movable between a first and a second working position in which it respectively allows / closes the passage of the abrasive powder AP.

Suitably, the lance may comprise a second controlling lever 62 acting upon the second duct 30 to allow the operator to control the selective inflow of the abrasive powder AP therethrough.

More particularly, the plug 61 may be operatively connected to the controlling lever 62 so as the operator acting upon the latter may promote the movement of the plug 61 between the first and the second working position.

As particularly shown in FIGs. 3a and 3b, such a plug 61 may be actuated by the operator without the need to interrupt the use of the lance 10. In particular, the controlling lever 62 may be movable between a first operating position wherein it allows the feed of the abrasive powder AP (FIG. 3a) and a second operating position wherein it prevents the feed thereof (FIG. 3b).

More in detail, when the controlling lever 62 is in the first operating position, the plug 61 is in the first working position so as to allow the feed of the abrasive powder AP through the second duct 30. On the other hand, when the controlling lever 62 is in the second operating position, the plug 61 may be in the second working position so as not close the feed of the abrasive powder AP.

In this way, when the first nozzle 100 is assembled on the lance 10, the latter may selectively spray a jet of pressurized fluid W or of a mixture of pressurized fluid and abrasive powder W + AP.

Suitably, the handle 11 may comprise the controlling lever 62. In particular, the handle 11 may comprise both the controlling levers 12, 62 that may be arranged near one another.

In this way, the operator may move both controlling levers 12, 62 with the same hand used to grasp the lance 10.

The valve means 60 may further comprise an adjusting element 65 of the flow of said abrasive powder AP that may be placed in correspondence of the second circuit 30 placed downstream with respect to the plug 61.

In particular, the adjusting element 65 may act within the second duct 30 to adjust the flow passage thereof, so as to allow a precise and progressive adjustment of the flow of the abrasive powder AP.

Suitably, a knob 66 may also be provided that may be activated by the operator and acting upon the adjusting element 65 to move the latter.

In particular, the knob 66 may be grasped by the operator with the other hand with respect to the one used to grasp the lance 10, so as to allow the adjustment of the flow of the abrasive powder AP through the second duct 30 without interrupting the spraying of the mixture W + AP.

In other words, the operator may firstly act upon the knob 66 to adjust precisely the flow of the desired abrasive powder AP within the second duct 30 and subsequently, by acting upon the lever 62, without interrupting the operation of the lance 10, may alternatively select to spray only the pressurized fluid W or the mixture of fluid and abrasive powder W + AP.

Furthermore, the lance 10 may comprise a second handle 15 so as the operator may move the lance 10 by grasping with the first hand the first handle 11 and with the second hand the second handle 15.

Suitably, the knob 66 may be arranged near the second handle 15 so as the operator may activate the former 66 with the same hand that grasps the handle 15. In particular, the knob 66 may be superimposed to the handle 15, so as to allow the operator to adjust the flow of the abrasive powder AP by only one digit, for example the thumb, while grasping the handle with the palm and the remaining four digits of the same hand.

Advantageously, in this way, by means of the lance 10 it may be possible to extinguish a fire in a space A closed by a wall P without entering into the space A thereof, and using a single lance 10.

Moreover, thanks to the above mentioned features, it may be possible to make a hole H passing through the wall P and subsequently to spray the pressurized fluid W through the hole H thereof thus made without interrupting the operation of the lance 10.

Advantageously, the operator may activate the lever 12 and / or the lever 62 without releasing the handle 11 of the lance 10. In this way, the latter is particularly safe to be used in dangerous situations and / or in narrow spaces.

Moreover, thanks to the above mentioned features, the operator may alternate several times the spraying of the mixture W + AP or only of the pressurized fluid W without interrupting the operation of the lance 10. In this way, the lance 10 thereof may adapt to different conditions of a fire so as to be particularly effective in the drilling operations of the wall and / or of the extinguishment of the fire.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first and the second nozzle 100, 200 may be alternatively and sequentially applicable to the respective ducts 20, 30 so as the lance 10 may make the hole H passing through the wall P by means of the jet flowing from the first nozzle 100, and the spraying of an atomized jet of the pressurized fluid W through the hole H by means of the jet flowing from the second nozzle 200 (Fig. 5).

To the object, to the lance 10 may be first applicable the first nozzle 100 to make the hole H by means of the mixture W + AP of the pressurized fluid W and the abrasive powder AP and then the second nozzle 200 to atomize the pressurized fluid W.

Suitably, the second nozzle 200 may have a second inlet port 201 applicable to the first outlet 22 of the first duct 20 and a second outlet port 202 so as to realize an atomized jet.

In particular, the latter may have an average diameter of the drops of water of 50 pm to 200 pm, preferably of 10 pm to 20 pm, so as to be extremely effective.

During the making of the hole, the first nozzle 100 may spray a concentrated jet towards the wall, while during the subsequent atomization step the second nozzle 200 may spray a diffused jet.

To allow to block the lance 10 with respect to the wall P during the making of the hole H, the first nozzle 100 may comprise suitable blocking means 70. In particular, the latter may comprise a plate 71 with at least a pair of tipped portions 72 susceptible to penetrate into the wall P to block the lance 10 during the making of the hole H.

Preferably, as shown in the annexed figures, the lance 10 may comprise at least three tipped portions 72 so as to make the blocking of the lance 10 thereof to the wall P particularly effective.

For the above mentioned, it is evident that the lance 10 fulfils the intended objects.

In fact, the lance 10 allows to minimize the danger to the operators, because the extinguishment of the fire occurs with the operator placed outside the environment A, wherein it has developed.

Furthermore, the system 1 is practical and simple to use, since it uses a single lance 10 with the nozzles 100, 200 interchangeable therebetween.

The lance 10 may be used in a vehicle or in a ship, to extinguish a fire such as of the engine or of the engine room.

Moreover, in case of need the operator may use the lance 10 as a crushing hammer to break through for example the window of a car or a wooden or plastic door.

The lance 10 is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations. All the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to requirements, without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lance for the extinguishment a fire in a space (A) closed by at least one closing element (P), comprising: at least one first handle (11) graspable by an operator; at least one first duct (20) with a first inlet (21) and a first outlet (22) fluidly connectable to a first feed line (FI) of a pressurized fluid (W) thereof; a first controlling lever (12) acting upon said at least one first duct (20) to allow an operator to control the selective inflow of the pressurized fluid (W) therethrough; at least one second duct (30) with a second inlet (31) and a second outlet (32) fluidly connectable to a second feed line (F2) of an abrasive powder (AP); a second controlling lever (62) acting upon said at least one second duct (30) to allow the operator to control the selective inflow of abrasive powder (AP) therethrough; at least one first nozzle (100) having: - a pair of first inlet ports (101, 102) fluidly connected respectively to said first outlet (22) and to said second outlet (32); - Venturi-effect mixing means (103) to mix the pressurized fluid (W) and the abrasive powder (AP) upon the selective activation of the inflow thereof through said second duct (30); - a first outlet port (104) to spray a concentrated jet of the mixture (W + AP) of the pressurized fluid (W) and the abrasive powder (AP); wherein said at least one first handle (11) comprises said first and second controlling lever (12, 62), the latters being arranged near one another so as to allow the operator to activate said first controlling lever (12) and said second controlling lever (62) with the same hand used to grasp the at least one first handle (11).

2. Lance according to claim 1, wherein said second duct (30) comprises a plug (61) movable between a first and a second working position wherein respectively the plug (61) thereof allows and does not allow the passage of the abrasive powder (AP) therethrough, said plug (61) being operatively connected to said second controlling lever (62) so as the operator acting upon the latter (62) promotes the movement of the plug (61) thereof between said first and second working position.

3. Lance according to claim 2, wherein said second duct (30) comprises an adjusting element (65) of the flow of said abrasive powder (AP) placed downstream with respect to said plug (61), said adjusting element (65) comprising a knob (66) graspable by the operator with the other hand with respect to the one used for grasping said lance (10), so as to allow the adjustment of flow of the abrasive powder (AP) through said second duct (30) without interrupting the spraying of the mixture (W + AP).

4. Lance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first nozzle (100) comprises a plurality of tipped portions (72) susceptible to penetrate in the at least one closing element (P) to block the lance (10) during the sprying of the mixture, so a sto allow the operator to mak at least one hole (H) through the at least one closing element (P).

5. Lance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lance (10) further comprises a second handle (15) so as the operator may move the lance (10) grasping with a first hand said first handle (11) and with the second hand said second handle (15).

6. Lance according to the claims 3 and 5, wherein said knob (66) is arranged near said second handle (15) so as the operator may activate the former (66) with the same hand that grasps the latter (15).

7. Lance according to claim 6, wherein said knob (66) is superimposed on said second handle (15) so as to allow the operator to adjust the flow of the abrasive powder (AP) by using only one digit while grasping the second handle (15) with the palm and the remaining four digits of the same hand.

8. Lance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second feed line (F2) includes a cartridge (50) of the abrasive powder (AP) fluidly connected to the second inlet (31) of said second duct (30), said cartridge (50) being removably couplable to the lance.