Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
  • A62C3/02—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires
  • A62C3/0207—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires by blowing air or gas currents with or without dispersion of fire extinguishing agents; Apparatus therefor, e.g. fans
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C13/00—Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use
  • A62C13/006—Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use for the propulsion of extinguishing powder
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C5/00—Making of fire-extinguishing materials immediately before use
  • A62C5/008—Making of fire-extinguishing materials immediately before use for producing other mixtures of different gases or vapours, water and chemicals, e.g. water and wetting agents, water and gases

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a fire extinguisher.
• the present invention relates to a chilled powder fire extinguisher.
• the present invention is described primarily with a hand carried fire extinguisher, however a trolley mounted fire extinguisher and a fire extinguisher capable of being mounted on a vehicle are also described.
• bush and forest fires pose a threat to residential and rural properties.
• fires which extend over a large expanse, such as in a bush or forest fire, industrial or chemical fires present particular problems in regard to delivering dousing materials and/or fire retardants quickly and precisely over threatened areas, whilst minimising risks to fire fighters and surrounding assets.
• Conventional fire fighting techniques involve controlling the progress of a fire at a perimeter, which may involve back burning.
• the disadvantage of garden (and other) hoses is that they require large volumes of water, and in some instances they are not able to adequately reach the location of the fire. Even in situations where large volumes of water are available, the use of water hosed thereon can result in the damage to the assets. Large volumes of water sprayed on to assets can also create further problems in other fire fighting scenarios. For example, where a fire has taken place on a small boat, too much water sprayed thereon may cause other safety issues, such as the sinking or partial sinking of the boat. Also, the disadvantage of a conventional hand-carried pressurised fire extinguisher of the type containing foam or "dry chemicals", is that it generally only has a short period of operation and of use for a very small fire. Such a conventional fire extinguisher is not effective for a scenario where a property owner may have to put out a number of spot fires that are threatening his/her property.
• the present invention seeks to provide a fire extinguisher that will ameliorate or overcome at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art.
• the present invention consists in a fire extinguisher comprising a conduit having an air inlet and an air outlet, a blower unit for delivering a stream of air from said inlet to said outlet for extinguishing a fire, a cooling device using water to cool the stream of air entering said inlet prior to it being delivered to said fire via said outlet, and a powder delivery system for injecting and mixing a powder into said cooled stream of air prior to it leaving said outlet.
• Preferably said stream of air is cooled by at least 2O 0 C by a relatively tiny fraction of water.
• one mass unit of water is able to cool no less than one hundred mass units of air.
• said cooling device comprising a drip feed assembly arranged to drip feed water from a first reservoir onto a water absorbent medium disposed at or near said air inlet, and a mist evaporator assembly disposed downstream of said inlet.
• mist evaporative assembly comprises at least one helically shaped panel.
• said panel includes paper with activated carbon attached thereto or integral therewith.
• mist evaporative assembly comprises a medium for removing non-vaporised water downstream of said at least one helically shaped panel.
• said powder delivery system includes a venturi nozzle through which said powder is injected into the cooled stream of air prior to exiting said outlet.
• said powder delivery system further comprises an auger assembly for delivering powder stored in a second reservoir to said venturi nozzle.
• said fire extinguisher is a portable hand-carried extinguisher.
• blower unit is a liquid fuel powered device.
• said powder delivery system is battery powered.
• Preferably water can be delivered to said first reservoir from a remotely located water tank.
• said fire extinguisher is a portable hand-carried extinguisher
• said remotely located water tank is a back pack water tank which gravity feeds water to said first reservoir.
• said fire extinguisher is mounted on a wheeled trolley.
• said extinguisher is mounted on a land or water vessel, and said outlet of said conduit is operably supported and oriented by a crane structure.
• the present invention consists in a portable hand-carried fire extinguisher comprising: a conduit having an air inlet and an air outlet, a blower unit for delivering a stream of air from said inlet to said outlet for extinguishing a fire, a cooling device using a tiny fraction of water relative to the air to cool the stream of air entering said inlet prior to it being delivered to said fire via said outlet, said cooling device comprising a drip feed assembly arranged to drip feed water from a first reservoir onto a water absorbent medium disposed at or near said air inlet, and a mist evaporator assembly disposed downstream of said inlet, and a powder delivery system for injecting and mixing a powder into said cooled stream of air prior to it leaving said outlet, said powder delivery includes a venturi nozzle through which said powder is injected into the cooled stream of air prior to exiting said outlet and an auger assembly for delivering powder stored in a second reservoir to said venturi nozzle.
• Fig. 1 shows an elevational schematic view of a fire extinguisher in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 shows an enlarged schematic view of the drip feed assembly of the cooling system of the extinguisher shown in Fig 1.
• Fig. 3 (a) shows an enlarged schematic view of the mist evaporative assembly of the cooling system of Fig 1.
• Fig 3(b) shows an enlarged partial perspective view of helically-shaped panel component of the mist evaporative assembly of Fig 3 (a).
• Fig 3(c) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of helically-shaped panel component of the mist evaporative assembly of Fig 3(b).
• Fig 3(d) shows an enlarged schematic partial perspective view of the final filter component of the mist evaporative assembly of Fig 1.
• Fig 3(e) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the components of the final filter shown in Fig 3(d).
• Fig. 4 shows an enlarged schematic view of the auger arrangement of the powder delivery system of the extinguisher shown in Fig 1.
• Fig. 5(a) shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional schematic view of the venturi nozzle of the powder delivery system of the extinguisher shown in Fig 1.
• Fig. 5(b) shows an end view of the venturi nozzle of the powder delivery system of the extinguisher shown in Fig 1.
• Fig. 6 shows a user carrying the extinguisher shown in Fig 1.
• Fig. 7(a) shows an elevational schematic view of a fire extinguisher in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention along with a user thereof.
• Fig. 7(b) shows a plan schematic view of a fire extinguisher shown in Fig. 7(a).
• Fig. 8 shows an elevational schematic view of a fire extinguisher in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention along with a user thereof.
• Figs 1 -6 describe a first embodiment of a portable hand-carried fire extinguisher 1 in accordance with the present invention.
• the fire extinguisher 1 is preferably about 1.5 m long and capable of both cooling and asphyxiating a fire.
• the extinguisher 1 is essentially an air conduit Ia comprising a centrally disposed blower unit 2 and having an air inlet 6 and an outlet (exit) 7.
• Extinguisher 1 also comprises a cooling system 3 and a powder delivery system 4.
• Extinguisher 1 also has a handle 5.
• the blower unit 2 is driven via a drive shaft by a gasoline engine 8 of about 2.5kw, in fluid communication with a gasoline reservoir (tank) 9.
• An oil sponge 13 located at inlet 6 acts as an initial filter to prevent debris and larger particulate matter entering air conduit Ia.
• Cooling system 3 comprises a drip feed assembly 11, as shown in Fig 2, adapted to drip feed water from a water reservoir 12 to a water absorbent medium 16, disposed internally near air inlet 6.
• This water absorbent medium 16 may include a combination of materials such as filter wool, carbon black and chalk.
• Drip feed assembly 11 comprises a pipe 1 Ia that interconnects reservoir 12 with a circular shaped tube l ib having a plurality of very fine apertures therein for dripping water on water absorbent medium 16.
• Cooling system 3 also comprises a mist evaporative assembly 14 having a helically shaped panel (or array of panels) 15. The panel 15 is sheet like and due to its helical shape looks similar to a "twisted ribbon".
• a paper (cardboard) sheet material 15a coated or impregnated with activated carbon supported by a plastic or metal wire support structure 15b.
• activated carbon granules may be glued onto paper 15 a.
• a single panel 15 it can be supported within the bore solely by the inner wall Ib of air conduit Ia. However, where an array of panels 15 is used they may be disposed between the wall Ib of conduit and a central supporting member 18.
• a final filter 19, comprising a metal grate 20 and absorbent medium 21, such as an oil sponge with activated carbon is disposed downstream of panel(s) 15.
• the purpose of metal grate 20 is to support and restrain medium 21. Any non-vaporised water is removed from the airstream by medium 21 as it passes through final filter 19.
• the metal grate 20 may be prevented from cutting into filter medium 21 by plastic elements 20a.
• the cooling system 3 is capable of rapidly cooling/chilling the air to about 10-15 0 C, thereby reducing the air temperature by more than 2O 0 C, and preferably by more than 25 0 C.
• the cooled air has passed final filter 19 and flows towards outlet 7, it has a very fine powder, such as bicarbonate soda (baking soda), injected and mixed therein by a powder delivery system 4.
• This mixture of cooled air and powder is capable of extinguishing established fires.
• the powder delivery system 4 comprises an auger 22, driven by a small electric motor 23 via reduction gear 24.
• the electric motor 23 is powered by a conventional disposable or rechargable battery 35.
• the auger 22 delivers powder stored in reservoir 25 to a venturi nozzle 26.
• a portion of the cooled air stream passing through air conduit Ib enters venturi inlets 27 on nozzle 26, and enabling powder being delivered to nozzle 26 to be ejected through nozzle outlet 28, thereby injecting and mixing the fine powder into the cooled air stream.
• This cooled air/powder mixture then exits the extinguisher outlet 7 in stream like fashion.
• This cooled air/powder mixture is an effective way of extinguishing a fire with use of a very small amount of water for cooling purposes.
• the user 29 carries extinguisher 1 via handle 5.
• User 29 preferably wears a back-pack 30 having an upper water holding reservoir 31, and a separate powder storage reservoir 32.
• the water holding reservoir 31 may preferably be a fifteen litre water tank, whilst the separate powder storage reservoir 32, may be a flexible sack capable of carrying up to twelve kilograms of powder.
• the user 29 wearing back pack 30 is able to transfer water by gravity feed from reservoir 31 to reservoir 12 of extinguisher 1, via tube 33. This is because the bottom of reservoir 31 is preferably about fifteen centimetres above the user's waist.
• the powder storage reservoir 32 enables the user 29 to refill the reservoir 25 (on extinguisher 1) with powder, if need be when operating in the field. This may also be achieved by a transfer tube (not shown) that may include a pressurised and/or vibrating transfer system. Whilst the powder storage reservoir 32 may be attached to backpack 30, it should be understood that it may also be in the form of a separate waist bag worn by user 29.
• the gasoline engine 8 that drives the blower unit 2 may be of a similar type to that used on commercially available chainsaws, making the design and construction of the extinguisher 1 relatively inexpensive.
• the engine and drive unit for the blower unit may be designed to incorporate an auxiliary drive for also driving the powder delivery system. This would eliminate the need for providing a battery powered electric motor for the powder delivery system of the above described embodiment.
• the powder used in the abovementioned embodiment is bicarbonate soda (baking soda), other suitable powder materials could be used alone or in combination with each other as the asphyxiating material.
• extinguisher 1 can be used to extinguish fire utilizing a very small amount of water. This firstly means that it is portable and can be used in situations where large amounts of water are not available, and secondly can be used in locations where residential hoses do not reach. Thirdly, because only a small amount of water is used, there is less likelihood of assets being protected being water damaged by the extinguisher.
• a second embodiment of the present invention namely a trolley mounted fire extinguisher 100 shown in Figs 7(a)-(b), may be operated by adults of various stature, age and fitness.
• This extinguisher 100 may have a cooling system for cooling air passing through a blower unit and a powder delivery system for delivering powder into the chilled (cooled) air, similar to that of the earlier described first embodiment.
• the extinguisher 100 and the reservoirs of water and powder are all carried on trolley 101.
• Fig 7(b) shows extinguisher 100 being operated by user 129.
• an extinguisher 200 may be of a larger size suitable for mounting on a land vessel such as wheeled utility vehicle, or a road or railway truck, or possibly even a water vessel.
• extinguisher 200 may have a cooling system for cooling air passing through a blower unit and a powder delivery system for delivering powder into the chilled (cooled) air, similar to that of the earlier described first embodiment.
• the extinguisher 200 and the reservoirs of water and powder are all carried on the vessel. Due to its large size the cooling system and delivery system would have a delivery capacity much greater than that of the earlier described extinguishers 1 and 100.
• the outlet 207 at the front end of the extinguisher 200 is supported by a crane-like pivotal support structure 201 , that allows for rotational positioning thereof about an axis Y, and pitch positioning thereof. Due to its large size the positioning of the outlet 207 of extinguisher 200 may be carried out by a user 229 utilising a remote control unit 202 for positioning and control device.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Ecology (AREA)
• Forests & Forestry (AREA)
• Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
• Nozzles (AREA)

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• 2008
  • 2008-05-07 WO PCT/AU2008/000632 patent/WO2008138035A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-05-07 CA CA002686424A patent/CA2686424A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-05-07 MY MYPI20094673A patent/MY153164A/en unknown
  • 2008-05-07 JP JP2010506774A patent/JP5113245B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-05-07 US US12/598,373 patent/US8517285B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-05-07 EP EP08782857.0A patent/EP2146782A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-05-07 AU AU2008251006A patent/AU2008251006B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-05-07 BR BRPI0810745A patent/BRPI0810745A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2008-05-07 CN CN2008800155344A patent/CN101687108B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-05-07 MX MX2009012130A patent/MX2009012130A/es not_active Application Discontinuation

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