GB510914A - Improvements in or relating to fire extinguishing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

510,914. Load-handling machines. TAPPE, W. May 4, 1938, No. 13330. Convention date, May 31, 1937. [Class 78 (iii)] [Also in Groups XXI, - XVII, and XXII] Means for attacking fires, particularly in tank installations, comprises an extensible, rotatable, and transportable pipe for discharging a medium, such as foam, upon the fire, and associated tools for,facilitating approach to the seat of the fire. As shown, a telescopic pipe 3-5 is adjustably pivoted at 11 on a wheeled turntable 10, and has, at its outer end, an elbow pipe 6 connected to a casing 15, Fig. 2. The casing has lateral outlets fitted with normally open valves 21, 21<1> and a central passage normally closed by a valve 20, and supports worm spindles 12, 12<1> meshing with a central worm 13 carrying a cutter 8. A hood 18 is arranged about the casing. In use, the pipe 3-5 is adjusted so that the cutter engages a suitable part of the burning tank. Water under high pressure is admitted from a hose 31 to the pipe. The water closes the valves 21, 21<1>, opens the valve 20, and rotates the spindles 12, 12' to operate the cutter. When the latter has cut a suitable hole in the tank, the supply of water is cut off, and foam under low pressure is admitted to the pipe, so that it flows past the open valves 21, 21<1> and through the hood 18 into the tank. The cutter, whilst in action, is cooled by the waste water issuing from ports 17. The motor 12-13 may be driven by steam, gas, or electrically. The cutter 8 may be replaced by a gripping member, rotation of which is used to open or close valves used for emptying the tanks. In a modification, used for cutting a hole in the side of a tank and draining the contents therefrom, the hood 18 has an enlarged mouth provided with a sealing ring, and is connected to a discharge conduit for leading the contents of the tank to a remote position. In another modification, an oxy-acetylene blowpipe or an electrical cutter is arranged at the end of the pipe, through the interior of which the gas-supply pipes or electric leads are carried. Such apparatus may be used for cutting up structural material which impedes approach to a burning tank. In another arrangement, a mechanical or electro-magnetic grab is arranged on the pipe, for moving obstructive material. Additional pipe sections may be arranged adjacent the casing 15 for supplying cooling fluid to the cutter or other tool.