WO2015075679A1

WO2015075679A1 - An integrated water system and fire extinguishing system for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2015075679A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/066226
Authority: WO
Inventors: Selvanarul THIAGARAJAN
Original assignee: Thiagarajan Selvanarul
Priority date: 2013-11-21
Filing date: 2014-11-21
Publication date: 2015-05-28
Also published as: IN2013CH05376A

Abstract

Embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to fire safety system in vehicles. More particularly relates to an integrated water system and fire extinguishing system for a vehicle. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system for a vehicle comprising an auxiliary water system (11) comprising gutter (12) configured on a roof top (14) of the vehicle (20) for receiving rain water. The system is configured with strainer (15) which is connected to the at least one gutter (12) for filtering out solid debris at least one auxiliary water tank (16) connected with a main water tank (17) of the vehicle (20). At least one inlet conduit (18) is connected to the at least one auxiliary water tank (16) and extending from the at least one strainer (15). At least one outlet conduit (21) is connected to the at least one auxiliary water tank (16) and configured with a plurality of outlets (22). At least one sensor (23) is configured for detecting smoke or fire in the vehicle and at least one pump (24) connected to the auxiliary water tank (16) for pumping water from the auxiliary water tank (16) to at least one outlet conduit (21) for extinguishing the fire in the vehicle (20).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to fire safety system in vehi cles. More particularly relates to an integrated water system and fire extinguishing system for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE AND PRIOR ARTS

Existing passenger carriers have limited safety devices against accidental fire catching. The passenger carriers contains fire prone components such as seating upholstery, wooden floor/dashboard, carpet, ducts, electrical circuitry, etc. For providing fire safety in the passenger carriers, the passenger carriers are provided with fire extinguishing cylinders at desired locations in the passenger carriers.

Further, the passenger carriers are prone to have a breakdown due to damage or cut in a radiator hose. Replacement of the radiator hose is a time consuming act. Also, another problem associated with the radiator hose cut is to provide required quantity of water in order to ensure that the radiator is not heated up. Hence, during these kinds of breakdown scenarios, in order to provide safety in the passenger carriers, water becomes an important aspect. Thus, it is necessary that every passenger carrier should contain sufficient water in order to save time and prevent potentially longer breakdowns.

In view of the above limitation, there is a need to develop a fire safety system in the passenger carriers which utilizes rain water harvesting method.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for an integrated water system and fire extinguishing system for a vehicle. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system for a vehicle comprising an auxiliary water system comprising at least one gutter configured on a roof top of the vehicle for receiving rain water; at least one strainer connected to the at least one gutter for filtering out solid debris; at least one auxiliary water tank connected with a main water tank of the vehicle; at least one inlet conduit connected to the at least one auxiliary water tank and extending from the at least one strainer; at least one outlet conduit connected to the at least one auxiliary water tank and configured with a plurality of outlets; at least one sensor configured for detecting smoke or fire in the vehicle; at least one pump connected to the auxiliary water tank for pumping water from the auxiliary water tank to at least one outlet conduit for extinguishing the fire in the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the at least one inlet conduit is connectable to at least one windshield wiper tank.

In one embodiment, the at least one outlet conduit is connectable to the at least one windshield wiper tank.

In one embodiment, the at least one outlet conduit is configured as a first outlet conduit is connected with a plurality of sprinklers for extinguishing the fire.

In one embodiment, the at least one outlet conduit is configured as a second outlet conduit connected with a plurality of nozzles for extracting water. In one embodiment, the at least one auxiliary water tank is configured to supply water to the main water tank, through a channel including a valve.

In one embodiment, the auxiliary water tank is configured with a vent outlet for venting out excess rain water from the auxiliary water tank to environment,

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Fig. 1 shows schematic of an auxiliary water system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic of a vehicle comprising the auxiliary water system as shown in Fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic of auxiliary water tank for collecting the rain water according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic of a fire extinguishing system connected with the auxiliary water tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic of an integrated water system and fire extinguishing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic of integrated water system and fire extinguishing system installed in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure,

It is to be noted at this point that all of the above described components, whether alone or in any combination, are claimed as being essential to the disclosure, in particular the details depicted in the drawings and reference numerals in the drawings are as given below.

Table of referral numerals

Figs, 1 and 2 illustrate schematics of an auxiliary water system (1 1) for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The auxiliary water system (11) comprising a pair of gutters (12) configured on a roof top (14) of the vehicle (20) for receiving rain water. The gutters (12) are further provided with plurality of strainers (15) for filtering out solid debris to prevent entry of debris into an auxiliary water tank (16) pro vided in the vehicle (20), The rain water coming out of the strainers or filters (15) is free from any kind of debris and is allowed to get stored in the auxiliary water tank (16) through inlet conduits (18). In one embodiment, the auxiliary water system (11) comprises two inlet conduits (18) connected to the auxiliary water tank (16) and two inlet conduits (18) connected to windshield water tanks (25) of the vehicle (20). The auxiliary water tank (16) is further connected with an outlet conduit (21). The outlet conduit which is configured to extract water from is a second outlet conduit (21b), The second outlet conduit (21b) is provided outlets (22) such as but not limited to plurality of nozzles (30) at the end points of the second outlet conduit (21b). In one embodiment, the second outlet conduit (21b) is configured below the auxiliary water tank (16) for easy access to users for extracting the water for domestic purpose such as cleaning the vehicles.

Fig, 3 illustrates a schematic of auxiliary water tank (16) for collecting the rain water according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The auxiliary water tank (16) is in shape but not limited to cuboidal shape which can be easily mounted under the vehicle and adjacent to the main water tank (17). The auxiliary water tank (16) is additionally provided with external inlet pipes (19) at predetermined places and facing substantially outside the vehicle (20). The external inlet pipes (19) are used for filling the auxiliary water tank (16) manually during seasons other than rainy season. The auxiliary water tank (16) is also provided with plurality of channels (26) with a valve (27) (not shown) for providing connectivity to the main water tank (17) (shown in Figs. 5 and 7) adjacent to the auxiliary water tank (16). The collected water can be also used to flow to the main water tank (17) through the channels (26) and valves (27). The valves (27) prevent backilow of the water from the main water tank (17) to the auxiliary water tank (16). The auxiliary water tank (16) is further configured with a plurality of vent outlets (28) to allow the excess water to flow out of the auxiliary water tank (16). Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic of a fire extinguishing system connected with the auxiliary water tank (16) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire extinguishing system comprises an outlet conduit (21) which is configured as a first outlet conduit (21 a). The first outlet conduit (21a) is connected with outlets (22) such as but not limited to a plurality of sprinklers (29) strategically located at the passenger compartment and outside the vehicle (20) for extinguishing the fire. In one embodiment, the sprinklers (29) are driven by the pump (24) and the sprinklers (29) are located above fuel tank and engine of the vehicle. The sprinklers (29) run at the ceiling of the vehicle or passenger carrier and strategically located based on safety. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate schematics of an integrated water system and fire extinguishing system ( 10) installed in a vehicle (20) or a passenger carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire extinguishing system is provided with a sensor (23) (not shown) which is configured for detecting smoke or fire in the vehicle. During any fire burst in the vehicle, the sensor (23) for senses smoke in the vehicle (20) provides signals to Engine Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle (20) for starting or switching on the pump (24) and to activate the water sprinklers (29). The vehicle (20) referred herein is but not limited to automobiles such as bus, cars, trucks etc. The vehicle (20) can also be a locomotive such as train. The auxiliary water tank (16) is configured to serve during fire burst and the main water tank (17) is configured to serve for domestic purpose such as cleaning. In one embodiment, the second outlet conduit (21b) is configured below the auxiliary tank (16) for easy access to users for extracting the water for domestic purpose such as cleaning the vehicles. Rain or manual filling of water flows to the auxiliary water tank (16) and the overflow of auxiliary water tank (16) is connected to the main water tank (17). The pump (24) may be configured with a dedicated power supply (not from the vehicle's main battery) for proper functioning of the fire safety system during any fire outburst.

Advantages

In one embodiment, the auxiliary water tank provides water supply for the fire extinguishing system in the vehicles.

In one embodiment, the integrated water system and fire extinguishing system for a vehicle is simple in construction and economical. Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application, The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the tme scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

I Claims:

1. An integrated water system and fire extinguishing system (10) for a vehicle (20), comprising:

an auxiliary water system (11) comprising:

at least one gutter (12) configured on a roof top (14) of the vehicle (20) for receiving rain water;

at least one strainer (15) connected to the at least one gutter (12) for filtering out solid debris;

at least one auxiliary water tank (16) connected with a main water tank (17) of the vehicle (20);

at least one inlet conduit (18) connected to the at least one auxiliary water tank (16) and extending from the at least one strainer ( 15);

at least one outlet conduit (21) connected to the at least one auxiliary water tank (16) and configured with a plurality of outlets (22);

at least one sensor (23) configured for detecting smoke or fire in the vehicle;

at least one pump (24) connected to the auxiliary water tank (16) for pumping water from the auxiliary water tank (16) to at least one outlet conduit (21) for extinguishing the fire in the vehicle (20),

2. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one inlet conduit (18) is connectable to at least one windshield wiper tank (25).

3. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet conduit (21) is connectable to the at least one windshield wiper tank (25).

4. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlets (22) are connected with any one of a plurality of sprinklers (29) for fire extinguishing purpose or a plurality of nozzles (30) for extracting water from the auxiliary water tank (16).

5. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet conduit (21 ) is configured as a first outlet conduit (21 a) connected with a plurality of sprinklers (29) for extinguishing the fire.

6. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet conduit (21) is configured as a second outlet conduit (21 b) connected with a plurality of nozzles (30) for extracting water.

7. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary water tank (11) is configured to supply water to the main water tank (17), through a channel (26) including a valve (27).

8. The integrated water system and fire extinguishing system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary water tank (16) is configured with a vent outlet (28) for venting out excess rain water from the auxiliary water tank (16) to environment.