WO2020257844A1 - Firefighting apparatus - Google Patents

Firefighting apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020257844A1
WO2020257844A1 PCT/AU2020/050632 AU2020050632W WO2020257844A1 WO 2020257844 A1 WO2020257844 A1 WO 2020257844A1 AU 2020050632 W AU2020050632 W AU 2020050632W WO 2020257844 A1 WO2020257844 A1 WO 2020257844A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
firefighting
tank
substance
firefighting apparatus
rocket engine
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2020/050632
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Zuhair Abdulahad Majeed Benham
Original Assignee
Zuhair Abdulahad Majeed Benham
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2019902188A external-priority patent/AU2019902188A0/en
Application filed by Zuhair Abdulahad Majeed Benham filed Critical Zuhair Abdulahad Majeed Benham
Priority to AU2020301710A priority Critical patent/AU2020301710A1/en
Publication of WO2020257844A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020257844A1/en

Links

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
    • A62C3/0228—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires with delivery of fire extinguishing material by air or aircraft
    • A62C3/025—Fire extinguishing bombs; Projectiles and launchers therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D1/00—Dropping, ejecting, releasing, or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight
    • B64D1/16—Dropping or releasing powdered, liquid, or gaseous matter, e.g. for fire-fighting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D17/00—Parachutes
    • B64D17/80—Parachutes in association with aircraft, e.g. for braking thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D27/00—Arrangement or mounting of power plants in aircraft; Aircraft characterised by the type or position of power plants
    • B64D27/02—Aircraft characterised by the type or position of power plants
    • B64D27/023—Aircraft characterised by the type or position of power plants of rocket type, e.g. for assisting taking-off or braking
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64U70/00—Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
    • B64U70/80—Vertical take-off or landing, e.g. using rockets
    • B64U70/83—Vertical take-off or landing, e.g. using rockets using parachutes, balloons or the like
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
    • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B15/00—Self-propelled projectiles or missiles, e.g. rockets; Guided missiles
    • F42B15/36—Means for interconnecting rocket-motor and body section; Multi-stage connectors; Disconnecting means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C27/00—Fire-fighting land vehicles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/04—Control of fire-fighting equipment with electrically-controlled release
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64U2101/00—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
    • B64U2101/60—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64U2201/00—UAVs characterised by their flight controls
    • B64U2201/20—Remote controls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a firefighting apparatus.
  • the invention concerns a firefighting apparatus for use in combatting bushfires.
  • a fire engine or fire truck
  • the primary purpose of a fire engine is to transport firefighters to the burning scene, to carry equipment for use in fighting a fire and providing water with which to fight fire.
  • a problem in employing a fire engine in combatting a bushfire includes that certain terrain may be difficult to traverse with a fire engine.
  • Aerial firefighting entails the use of aircraft to extinguish a blaze.
  • aircraft may include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters which dispense firefighting substances such as water, foams, gels or specially formulated fire retardants.
  • firefighting substances such as water, foams, gels or specially formulated fire retardants.
  • a drawback of employing conventional aerial firefighting is the limited amount of firefighting substance which can be carried by an aircraft to a burning site.
  • a firefighting apparatus including: a tank to hold a firefighting substance adapted to extinguish a fire; a rocket engine to propel the tank towards a burning site; and a dispensing assembly operatively associated with the tank, the dispensing assembly movable between (i) a closed condition in which the firefighting substance is confined within the tank and (ii) an open condition to enable the firefighting substance to be dispensed from the tank at the burning site.
  • the rocket engine is powered by a liquid propellant.
  • the rocket engine is powered by a solid propellant.
  • the rocket engine is detachably attached to the tank.
  • the rocket engine is detachably attached to the tank by a detachment assembly.
  • the rocket engine includes an engine parachute.
  • the tank includes a filling assembly through which the tank is charged with the firefighting substance.
  • the tank defines a substance chamber for holding the firefighting substance.
  • the tank includes a plurality of nozzles through which the firefighting substance is operatively dispensed from the tank.
  • the dispensing assembly includes a seal arrangement to deter the egress of the firefighting substance from the substance chamber to the plurality of nozzles.
  • the tank includes a gas chamber for holding a pressurised gas, the gas chamber adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the substance chamber.
  • the gas chamber includes an outlet valve through which pressurised gas operatively exits the gas chamber.
  • the dispensing assembly include a connector assembly operatively attached to the seal arrangement.
  • the connector assembly is operatively associated with the outlet valve and is adapted to open the outlet valve when the dispensing assembly is located in the open condition.
  • the tank includes a tank parachute.
  • the dispensing assembly is operatively adapted to be located in the open condition when the parachute is located in a deployed condition.
  • the connector assembly includes a hollow conduit adapted to feed pressurised gas from the gas chamber into the substance chamber.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment firefighting apparatus
  • Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a dispensing assembly of the firefighting apparatus of Figure 1.
  • FIG. 1 shows an embodiment firefighting apparatus, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10.
  • the firefighting apparatus 10 includes a cylindrical tank 12 to hold a firefighting substance which is adapted to extinguish a fire and a rocket engine 14 to propel the tank 12 towards a burning site such as a bushfire affected tract of land.
  • the firefighting apparatus 10 further includes a dispensing assembly 16 operatively associated with the tank 12.
  • the dispensing assembly 16 is movable between (i) a closed condition, illustrated in Figure 1, in which the firefighting substance is confined within the tank 12 and (ii) a non-illustrated open condition to enable the firefighting substance to be dispensed from the tank 12 at the burning site.
  • a large number of embodiment firefighting apparatus 10 will be launched from a conventional non-illustrated missile vehicle having a missile holder.
  • the firefighting apparatus 10 is operatively adapted to travel large distances and target areas which are difficult to reach by foot or land vehicle. Further, by being able to target fire affected areas from a distance, firefighters are not placed in danger by being proximate a fire and smoke. Also, by having a large number of embodiment firefighting apparatus 10 at hand, large areas of burning bush can be targeted.
  • the embodiment firefighting apparatus 10 is adapted to be propelled in a conventional manner by a liquid propellant. It will of course be appreciated that the rocket engine 14 can also be powered in a conventional manner with a solid propellant.
  • the rocket engine 14 is detachably attached to the tank 12 by a non-illustrated detachment assembly.
  • the detachment assembly can include a non-illustrated holding formation connected to a non-illustrated electronic controller.
  • the controller can be adapted to be remotely activated by a non-illustrated control system to open the holding formation once the rocket engine 14 has propelled the tank 12 to an area above the burning land so that the tank 12 can be detached from the rocket engine 14.
  • To preserve the rocket engine 14 for future use it includes an engine parachute 18, shown in a stow-away condition, to arrest its fall back to the earth.
  • the tank 12 includes a filling assembly 20 through which the tank 12 can be charged with the firefighting substance.
  • the filling assembly 20 includes a filling opening 22 in the tank 12 which is sealed with a cap 24.
  • the firefighting substance is water and water can be fed into the tank via the opening 22.
  • water it will be appreciated that the firefighting substance can take various other forms.
  • the tank 12 defines a substance chamber 26 to hold the firefighting substance.
  • the tank 12 further includes a plurality of nozzles 28 through which the firefighting substance can be dispensed from the tank 12.
  • the dispensing assembly 16 includes a seal arrangement 30.
  • the seal arrangement 30 includes a disc-shaped seal member 32.
  • the seal member 32 includes a rubber seal skirt 34.
  • the seal skirt 34 is angled so as to engage a sealing inner surface 36 of the tank 12. This constitutes the closed condition of the dispensing assembly 16.
  • the sealing inner surface 36 is inclined at angle of about 5° to 10°.
  • a non-illustrated gap will be formed between the rubber seal skirt 34 and the sealing inner surface 32. Water can now pass through that gap to exit the tank 12 via the nozzles 28. This constitutes the open condition of the dispensing assembly.
  • a number of biased stops 38 are provided that will move into position when the seal member 32 has been moved thus deterring return of the seal member 32 to its sealing position and maintain the gap to facilitate dispensing of water.
  • the tank 12 includes a gas chamber 40 for holding a pressurised gas, typically air.
  • the gas chamber 40 is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the substance chamber 26 as described below.
  • the gas chamber 40 includes a filling assembly 42 through which the gas chamber is charged with pressurised gas.
  • the gas chamber 40 includes an outlet valve 44 through which pressurised gas operatively exits the gas chamber 40.
  • the dispensing assembly 16 includes a connector assembly 46 operatively attached to the seal arrangement 30.
  • the connector assembly 46 is operatively associated with the outlet valve 44 and is adapted to open the outlet valve 44 when the dispensing assembly is located in the open condition.
  • the tank 12 includes a tank parachute 48, here shown in a stowaway condition, operatively adapted to arrest the fall of the tank 12.
  • the dispensing assembly 16 is operatively adapted to be located in the open condition when the tank parachute 48 has been deployed.
  • the connector assembly 46 includes a hollow conduit 50 adapted to feed pressurised gas, here air, from the gas chamber 40 into the substance chamber 26.
  • the hollow conduit 50 includes an inlet valve 52 through which pressured gas enters the substance chamber 26 via air nozzles 54.
  • the connector assembly 46 includes a plurality of connector rods 56 which connect the seal member 32 with a transverse parachute connecting member 58.
  • the tank parachute 48 is connected to the parachute connecting member 58. When the tank parachute 48 is deployed it will cause the connector rods 56 to be pulled upwards, thus causing the seal member 32 to move backwards (or upwards) so as to locate the dispensing assembly 16 in the open condition.
  • the central connector rod 56.1 carries the inlet valve 52.
  • the inlet valve 52 is adapted to engage an opening pin 60 located within the hollow conduit 50.
  • the opening pin 60 is operatively adapted to move along the hollow conduit 50 so as to engage the outlet valve 44.
  • pressurised air is allowed to escape the gas chamber 40, pass through the hollow conduit 50 and enter the substance chamber 26 via the air nozzles 54.
  • the effect of this is that pressurised air will push water from the substance chamber 26, through the gap between the seal member 32 and the sealing inner surface 36 to be dispensed through the nozzles 28.
  • the outer rods 56 pass through the tank 12 via openings sealed with rubber seals 62 to be attached to the parachute connector member 58.
  • the central rod 56.1 includes a stopper 64.
  • the tank parachute 48 is adapted to be deployed by a range of methods. This include by remote control, by timer activated after the cylindrical tank 12 has separated from the rocket engine 14 or by a position switch when the cylindrical tank 12 begins to fall.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

There is disclosed a firefighting apparatus (10) including a tank (12) to hold a firefighting substance adapted to extinguish a fire. The firefighting apparatus (10) further includes a rocket engine (14) to propel the tank (12) towards a burning site and a dispensing assembly (16) operatively associated with the tank (12). The dispensing assembly (16) is movable between (i) a closed condition in which the firefighting substance is confined within the tank (12) and (ii) an open condition to enable the firefighting substance to be dispensed from the tank (12) at the burning site.

Description

FIREFIGHTING APPARATUS
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a firefighting apparatus. In one particular, but non exclusive aspect, the invention concerns a firefighting apparatus for use in combatting bushfires.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bushfires frequently occur in Australia during the country’s dry summer months. Such fires can cause substantial damage to property and result in the loss of human life. Firefighting is the act of preventing or extinguishing a fire. One of the hazards associated with fighting a fire is the toxic environment created by combustible materials. Such toxic environment can be the result of smoke, oxygen deficiency, elevated temperatures and poisonous atmospheres. Fires can be extinguished by water, fuel or oxidant removal or chemical flame inhibition.
[0003] One type of vehicle employed in fighting fire is a fire engine (or fire truck). The primary purpose of a fire engine is to transport firefighters to the burning scene, to carry equipment for use in fighting a fire and providing water with which to fight fire. A problem in employing a fire engine in combatting a bushfire includes that certain terrain may be difficult to traverse with a fire engine.
[0004] Aerial firefighting entails the use of aircraft to extinguish a blaze. Such aircraft may include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters which dispense firefighting substances such as water, foams, gels or specially formulated fire retardants. A drawback of employing conventional aerial firefighting is the limited amount of firefighting substance which can be carried by an aircraft to a burning site.
[0005] When firefighters fight a fire with firehoses they are required to get proximate a fire to extinguish it. A drawback of requiring firefighters to get proximate a fire is that it will expose firefighters to the danger posed by flames and smoke.
OBJECT
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a firefighting apparatus which addresses the above drawbacks of existing apparatus employed in combatting bushfires or to provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY
[0007] In a first aspect there is disclosed herein a firefighting apparatus including: a tank to hold a firefighting substance adapted to extinguish a fire; a rocket engine to propel the tank towards a burning site; and a dispensing assembly operatively associated with the tank, the dispensing assembly movable between (i) a closed condition in which the firefighting substance is confined within the tank and (ii) an open condition to enable the firefighting substance to be dispensed from the tank at the burning site.
[0008] Preferably the rocket engine is powered by a liquid propellant.
[0009] Preferably the rocket engine is powered by a solid propellant.
[0010] Preferably the rocket engine is detachably attached to the tank.
[0011] Preferably the rocket engine is detachably attached to the tank by a detachment assembly. [0012] Preferably the rocket engine includes an engine parachute.
[0013] Preferably the tank includes a filling assembly through which the tank is charged with the firefighting substance.
[0014] Preferably the tank defines a substance chamber for holding the firefighting substance.
[0015] Preferably the tank includes a plurality of nozzles through which the firefighting substance is operatively dispensed from the tank.
[0016] Preferably the dispensing assembly includes a seal arrangement to deter the egress of the firefighting substance from the substance chamber to the plurality of nozzles.
[0017] Preferably the tank includes a gas chamber for holding a pressurised gas, the gas chamber adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the substance chamber.
[0018] Preferably the gas chamber includes an outlet valve through which pressurised gas operatively exits the gas chamber. [0019] Preferably the dispensing assembly include a connector assembly operatively attached to the seal arrangement.
[0020] Preferably the connector assembly is operatively associated with the outlet valve and is adapted to open the outlet valve when the dispensing assembly is located in the open condition.
[0021] Preferably the tank includes a tank parachute.
[0022] Preferably the dispensing assembly is operatively adapted to be located in the open condition when the parachute is located in a deployed condition.
[0023] Preferably the connector assembly includes a hollow conduit adapted to feed pressurised gas from the gas chamber into the substance chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment firefighting apparatus; and
[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a dispensing assembly of the firefighting apparatus of Figure 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Figure 1 shows an embodiment firefighting apparatus, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10. The firefighting apparatus 10 includes a cylindrical tank 12 to hold a firefighting substance which is adapted to extinguish a fire and a rocket engine 14 to propel the tank 12 towards a burning site such as a bushfire affected tract of land. The firefighting apparatus 10 further includes a dispensing assembly 16 operatively associated with the tank 12. The dispensing assembly 16 is movable between (i) a closed condition, illustrated in Figure 1, in which the firefighting substance is confined within the tank 12 and (ii) a non-illustrated open condition to enable the firefighting substance to be dispensed from the tank 12 at the burning site.
[0028] Typically a large number of embodiment firefighting apparatus 10 will be launched from a conventional non-illustrated missile vehicle having a missile holder. The firefighting apparatus 10 is operatively adapted to travel large distances and target areas which are difficult to reach by foot or land vehicle. Further, by being able to target fire affected areas from a distance, firefighters are not placed in danger by being proximate a fire and smoke. Also, by having a large number of embodiment firefighting apparatus 10 at hand, large areas of burning bush can be targeted.
[0029] The embodiment firefighting apparatus 10 is adapted to be propelled in a conventional manner by a liquid propellant. It will of course be appreciated that the rocket engine 14 can also be powered in a conventional manner with a solid propellant. The rocket engine 14 is detachably attached to the tank 12 by a non-illustrated detachment assembly. The detachment assembly can include a non-illustrated holding formation connected to a non-illustrated electronic controller. The controller can be adapted to be remotely activated by a non-illustrated control system to open the holding formation once the rocket engine 14 has propelled the tank 12 to an area above the burning land so that the tank 12 can be detached from the rocket engine 14. To preserve the rocket engine 14 for future use it includes an engine parachute 18, shown in a stow-away condition, to arrest its fall back to the earth.
[0030] The tank 12 includes a filling assembly 20 through which the tank 12 can be charged with the firefighting substance. In this embodiment the filling assembly 20 includes a filling opening 22 in the tank 12 which is sealed with a cap 24. In this embodiment the firefighting substance is water and water can be fed into the tank via the opening 22. Although reference is made to water, it will be appreciated that the firefighting substance can take various other forms.
[0031] The tank 12 defines a substance chamber 26 to hold the firefighting substance. The tank 12 further includes a plurality of nozzles 28 through which the firefighting substance can be dispensed from the tank 12. To deter the egress of firefighting substance through the nozzles 28, the dispensing assembly 16 includes a seal arrangement 30. The seal arrangement 30 includes a disc-shaped seal member 32. The seal member 32 includes a rubber seal skirt 34. The seal skirt 34 is angled so as to engage a sealing inner surface 36 of the tank 12. This constitutes the closed condition of the dispensing assembly 16.
[0032] The sealing inner surface 36 is inclined at angle of about 5° to 10°. As described below, when the dispensing assembly 16 causes the seal member 32 to be moved rearwardly (towards the right in Figure 1) a non-illustrated gap will be formed between the rubber seal skirt 34 and the sealing inner surface 32. Water can now pass through that gap to exit the tank 12 via the nozzles 28. This constitutes the open condition of the dispensing assembly. To deter closing of the nozzles 28 a number of biased stops 38 are provided that will move into position when the seal member 32 has been moved thus deterring return of the seal member 32 to its sealing position and maintain the gap to facilitate dispensing of water.
[0033] The tank 12 includes a gas chamber 40 for holding a pressurised gas, typically air. The gas chamber 40 is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the substance chamber 26 as described below. The gas chamber 40 includes a filling assembly 42 through which the gas chamber is charged with pressurised gas.
[0034] The gas chamber 40 includes an outlet valve 44 through which pressurised gas operatively exits the gas chamber 40. The dispensing assembly 16 includes a connector assembly 46 operatively attached to the seal arrangement 30. The connector assembly 46, in turn, is operatively associated with the outlet valve 44 and is adapted to open the outlet valve 44 when the dispensing assembly is located in the open condition. The tank 12 includes a tank parachute 48, here shown in a stowaway condition, operatively adapted to arrest the fall of the tank 12. The dispensing assembly 16 is operatively adapted to be located in the open condition when the tank parachute 48 has been deployed.
[0035] Referring also to Figure 2, the connector assembly 46 includes a hollow conduit 50 adapted to feed pressurised gas, here air, from the gas chamber 40 into the substance chamber 26. The hollow conduit 50 includes an inlet valve 52 through which pressured gas enters the substance chamber 26 via air nozzles 54. The connector assembly 46 includes a plurality of connector rods 56 which connect the seal member 32 with a transverse parachute connecting member 58. The tank parachute 48 is connected to the parachute connecting member 58. When the tank parachute 48 is deployed it will cause the connector rods 56 to be pulled upwards, thus causing the seal member 32 to move backwards (or upwards) so as to locate the dispensing assembly 16 in the open condition.
[0036] The central connector rod 56.1 carries the inlet valve 52. The inlet valve 52 is adapted to engage an opening pin 60 located within the hollow conduit 50. The opening pin 60 is operatively adapted to move along the hollow conduit 50 so as to engage the outlet valve 44. By having the opening pin 60 engage the outlet valve 44, pressurised air is allowed to escape the gas chamber 40, pass through the hollow conduit 50 and enter the substance chamber 26 via the air nozzles 54. The effect of this is that pressurised air will push water from the substance chamber 26, through the gap between the seal member 32 and the sealing inner surface 36 to be dispensed through the nozzles 28. [0037] The outer rods 56 pass through the tank 12 via openings sealed with rubber seals 62 to be attached to the parachute connector member 58. To deter the dispensing assembly 16 from being withdrawn completely from the tank 10, the central rod 56.1 includes a stopper 64.
[0038] It is pointed out that the tank parachute 48 is adapted to be deployed by a range of methods. This include by remote control, by timer activated after the cylindrical tank 12 has separated from the rocket engine 14 or by a position switch when the cylindrical tank 12 begins to fall.
[0039] Although the invention is described above in relation to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.
KEY TO REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
10 Firefighting apparatus 12 Tank
14 Rocket engine
16 Dispensing assembly 18 Engine parachute
20 Filling assembly
22 Opening
24 Cap
26 Substance chamber 28 Nozzles
30 Seal arrangement
32 Seal member
34 Skirt
36 Inner surface
38 Stops Gas chamber
Filling assembly
Outlet valve
Connector assembly
Tank parachute
Conduit
Inlet valve
Air nozzle
Connector rod
Parachute connecting member Opening pin
Rubber seals
Stopper

Claims

1. A firefighting apparatus including: a tank to hold a firefighting substance adapted to extinguish a fire; a rocket engine to propel the tank towards a burning site; and a dispensing assembly operatively associated with the tank, the dispensing assembly movable between (i) a closed condition in which the firefighting substance is confined within the tank and (ii) an open condition to enable the firefighting substance to be dispensed from the tank at the burning site.
2. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rocket engine is powered by a liquid propellant.
3. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rocket engine is powered by a solid propellant.
4. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rocket engine is detachably attached to the tank.
5. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rocket engine is detachably attached to the tank by a detachment assembly.
6. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rocket engine includes an engine parachute.
7. A firefighting apparatus according to any one the preceding claims, wherein the tank includes a filling assembly through which the tank is charged with the firefighting substance.
8. A firefighting apparatus according to any one the preceding claims, wherein the tank defines a substance chamber for holding the firefighting substance.
9. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tank includes a plurality of nozzles through which the firefighting substance is dispensed from the tank.
10. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the dispensing assembly includes a seal arrangement to deter the egress of the firefighting substance from the substance chamber to the plurality of nozzles.
11. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the tank includes a gas chamber for holding a pressurised gas, the gas chamber adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the substance chamber.
12. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the gas chamber includes an outlet valve through which pressurised gas operatively exits the gas chamber.
13. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the dispensing assembly includes a connector assembly operatively attached to the seal arrangement.
14. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the connector assembly is operatively associated with the outlet valve and adapted to open the outlet valve when the dispensing assembly is located in the open condition.
15. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the tank includes a tank parachute.
16. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the dispensing assembly is operatively adapted to be located in the open condition when the parachute is located in a deployed condition.
17. A firefighting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the connector assembly includes a hollow conduit adapted to feed pressurised gas from the gas chamber into the substance chamber.
PCT/AU2020/050632 2019-06-23 2020-06-22 Firefighting apparatus WO2020257844A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2020301710A AU2020301710A1 (en) 2019-06-23 2020-06-22 Firefighting apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2019902188 2019-06-23
AU2019902188A AU2019902188A0 (en) 2019-06-23 Firefighting Apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020257844A1 true WO2020257844A1 (en) 2020-12-30

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WO (1) WO2020257844A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2306321A (en) * 1939-11-20 1942-12-22 Ronald N Roberts Aerial device for fire extinguishing, etc.
US4418623A (en) * 1980-07-09 1983-12-06 Fernand Gauchard Apparatus for dispersing liquids
CN2541815Y (en) * 2002-04-12 2003-03-26 于占辉 Pressuring hydrosolvent grenade
KR101037659B1 (en) * 2010-07-14 2011-05-27 (주)오티에스 Grenade for forest fire extinguish
WO2015106314A1 (en) * 2014-01-20 2015-07-23 Strategic Fire Control Pty Ltd Fire extinguishing pod

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US2306321A (en) * 1939-11-20 1942-12-22 Ronald N Roberts Aerial device for fire extinguishing, etc.
US4418623A (en) * 1980-07-09 1983-12-06 Fernand Gauchard Apparatus for dispersing liquids
CN2541815Y (en) * 2002-04-12 2003-03-26 于占辉 Pressuring hydrosolvent grenade
KR101037659B1 (en) * 2010-07-14 2011-05-27 (주)오티에스 Grenade for forest fire extinguish
WO2015106314A1 (en) * 2014-01-20 2015-07-23 Strategic Fire Control Pty Ltd Fire extinguishing pod

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