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A spray jet discharging device of long range, whose function is based on the production of a powerful air stream with liquid droplets dispersed therein, the maximum velocity of the spray jet being at least 300 km/h. The air stream is produced by a centrifugal fan with a spiral housing ( 1).
The device is mainly used for fire extinguishing. It may be mounted at fixed points or on land vehicles via a suitable support for the fan, which enables both rotation of the spray jet beam in the horizontal plane, and changing of its inclination angle in the vertical plane. It may be remotely controlled ( 10) or manually operated ( 60). There is also a version of the device for aerial fire-fighting operations ( 90), configured to be suspended from an aircraft, e.g. A helicopter, and a device for portable use ( 1 10), which can be carried by a fireman. TECHNICAL FIELD Disclosure of the InventionThe present invention relates to a spray jet discharging device whose function is based on the production of a powerful air stream with liquid droplets dispersed therein, the maximum velocity of the spray jet being at least 300 km/h (83.3 m/s).The device is mainly used to tackle fires which break out either in populated areas or in fields used for agricultural purposes, grass lands and forests. The spray, containing droplets of water or other liquid fire extinguishing medium, is discharged in the form of a jet beam, aimed either directly into the burning area or above it, whereafter the droplets fall on the flames like rain.
In any case, effective wetting of a wide area, cooling and finally putting out of the fire are achieved.Furthermore, the spray jet produced may intercept the advance of the fire due to its high velocity, overcoming even the wind which may help the fire move forward. Hence the flames are not allowed to reach new combustible materials and eventually die out.Finally, the significant force of the spray jet is capable of driving the fire smoke away from the area around the device operator and dispersing it, thus eliminating the likelihood of suffocation and allowing him to work more comfortably and safely.Hereafter the device shall be described in accordance with its principal use as a fire extinguishing device. Besides, the present invention began as an evolution of the fire extinguishing devices put forward in patent GR1007732 (Krekoukis).
However, in the course of developing the invention it was realised that it could be applied elsewhere too, as mentioned at the end of this description. Such other uses of the device are also claimed in the present application.The powerful air stream is produced by a centrifugal fan with a spiral housing and an impeller of suitable dimensions and rotational speed. Said rotational speed is of course selectively adjustable by the device operator, while the aforementioned minimum value of 300 km/h (83.3 m/s) with respect to the maximum velocity of the spray jet refers to the velocity measured at the centre of the device's outlet, when the impeller rotates at maximum speed. The high velocity of the air stream does not only ensure an effective dispersal of the liquid into droplets but also an adequate fire extinguishing range for the spray jet, even in adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds blowing against it. For an even longer range, the maximum velocity of the air stream is preferably at least 400 km/h (111.1 m/s).A funnel of gradually reduced cross section may be fitted to the spiral housing outlet in order to accelerate the flow and ensure even better results. Furthermore, a duct of constant cross section may be inserted between the spiral housing outlet and the funnel and/or fitted downstream of the funnel to straighten the flow and impart the desired direction to it.
Background ArtCompared to the spray jet of the present invention, water ejected from hoses of fire engines or dropped from aerial fire-fighting means into the fire is at a high concentration, i.e. Its quantity is large in relation to the size of the area covered. Thus, most of the water penetrates the core of the fire and lands on the ground without exercising any extinguishing action and is therefore wasted.Besides, in case of forest conflagrations another problem arises from water hitting the ground with force: The water churns the soil and is mixed therewith, forming mud. Mud dried by the high temperature of the fire forms a surface crust under which in certain areas there are e.g. Leaves smoldering amid stones, enough air being present in the gaps therebetween to maintain combustion (kiln-like conditions). These small and hidden embers are often the cause of fire rekindles.The following documents belong to the state of the art, among others:.
U.S. 5,980,059 (Chi), which relates to a portable smoke dispersing device for fires, especially in closed places, so that firemen can enter quickly and save people who are trapped therein and are in danger.
By the figures of the document alone, it is evident that the device is of a small size, suspended from the operator's shoulder by a simple strap, and has a small axial fan. The document is silent about the outflowing air velocity, whose magnitude is an essential feature of the present invention. Moreover, although the document's device can spray water into the discharged air stream, “the minute water drops. Can be blown by the strong wind towards dense smoke from a fire, not only lowering temperature of the fire, but also condensing miscellaneous matters in the smoke to lessen the dense smoke (see column 2, lines 9-13).
Again nothing is mentioned about putting out, a fire, which the device of U.S. 5,980,059 obviously cannot achieve, judging by the very small size of the water container in the figures. This device was designed to solve a different technical problem (dispersing dense fire smoke). U.S.
6,446,731 (Sorosky), which relates to a device for removing smoke and gases from closed spaces which are on fire, said device being mounted on self-propelled fire-fighting vehicles. The aim of the invention is to minimise damage to property caused by smoke, to reduce the risk of personal injury to both firefighters and occupants of the burning structure and to slow down spreading of the fire (column 1, lines 14-20). It comprises a tube which can be extended and retracted (telescopic) and includes mechanical means for training the tube laterally, as with a rotary turret, and means for elevating and depressing the tube above and below the horizontal plane (column 2, lines 48-54). An axial fan rotates inside the tube to create vacuum and cause aspiration of the smoke out of the burning room.By reversing the flow of the fan after the smoke has been evacuated, firefighting materials such as water or chemicals can be blown into the fire site to extinguish the fire (column 2, lines 39-42 and 60-64 and column 5, lines 3-11). This document is also silent about the outflowing air velocity. However, the skilled person can easily understand that this device is operated at much lower air velocities, solely by the fact that a tube of significant length is required, so that its end may approach the fire to achieve aspiration of the smoke from the closed space and putting out of the fire thereafter.
Therefore the device of U.S. 6,446,731 aims mainly to solve a different technical problem (smoke aspiration), whereas it also has a very narrow range of applications as far as fire extinguishing is concerned (closed spaces).In contrast, the device of the present invention operates at high air velocities, produced by a centrifugal fan in order to create a spray jet of long range, so that firemen will be able to put out a fire from a safe distance, even if it breaks out in open spaces and extends in a wide area (e.g. Forest conflagration). GR1007732 (Krekoukis), which relates to a fire extinguishing device comprising a fan for creating a powerful air stream of high velocity and a funnel guiding the air flow in the desired direction, said funnel being coaxial with the fan impeller, its cross section being reduced from its inlet to its outlet. It is evident that this document represents the closest prior art, however the disclosed device still has substantial differences from the present invention. In particular, as shown in the figures and as can be deduced by the fact that the air flow guiding funnel is coaxial with the fan impeller, the fan is of an axial type.
Besides, although GR1007732 speaks of a “high velocity air stream”, it remains silent as to the magnitude of said velocity. Prototypes of the device of GR1007732 which were tested did not achieve adequately high air velocities and the outgoing flow was quite turbulent because of the twirling motion imparted to the air by the impeller. As a result, neither good control of the jet's direction nor a long jet range was attained.A substantial improvement to the device of GR1007732 is realised by the present invention, by replacing the axial fan with a centrifugal fan having a spiral housing. Centrifugal fans are better suited for applications not just of greater air flow rate (and therefore of higher air velocity) but also of higher static pressure compared to axial fans, which means that the air jet is capable of overcoming adverse weather conditions, e.g. Strong winds blowing against it. A centrifugal fan generally adds more energy per mass unit to the air flowing therethrough, it has a higher efficiency and the flow coming out of the spiral housing is more laminar. It therefore produces a highly directional jet beam of a range long enough to put out a fire, while the firemen-device operators are at a safe distance therefrom.In GR1007732 the air stream itself was reported as the fire extinguishing medium.
Spraying water or another liquid fire extinguishing medium (claims 12, 15) was “optional”. Hence the device was standalone, in the sense that it did not need any source e.g. Of water to perform its fire extinguishing function.
However, tests showed a significant difference in the effectiveness of the device in the presence and in the absence of water. Therefore the device of the present invention is related to a spray jet and not just to a plain air stream.Finally, as in GR1007732, the fire extinguishing device in the present application may be portable, mounted on a land vehicle (it can even be retrofitted to existing fire engines) or even airborne, e.g. Suspended from a helicopter. Each of these embodiments of the device has been redesigned in the present application, to include substantial improvements and overcome individual technical problems. The common denominator of all the embodiments, imparting unity to the invention, is of course the centrifugal fan with the spiral housing and the high velocity of the outgoing air stream, and consequently of the discharged spray jet, achieved thereby. For each embodiment, a suitable support for mounting the fan with the spiral housing, the motor and the other parts of the device has been designed.Hereafter are described certain exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention by reference to the attached figures. It should be noted that wherever in the application terms expressing a relative position or direction are met, such as “front”, “back”/“rear”/“behind”, “left”, “right”, “up”/“upwards”, “down”/“downwards”/“under”/“underneath”, these are to be construed either in relation to the position the device operator assumes during its manipulation, or in relation to the direction of the discharged spray jet when it comes to remotely controlled versions of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSFIG. 1 depicts a remotely controlled version of the device to be mounted on a land vehicle, in a use position (upright), in perspective view, from the right back side.FIG. 2 shows the same device in perspective view, from the left back side.FIG.
3 shows the central support pillar of the device in cross section.FIG. 4 shows the device in a position for transport (reclined).FIGS.
5 a and 5 b depict the device with two different types of impeller (the right side of the spiral housing having been removed).FIG. 6 shows a manually operated version of the device for mounting on a land vehicle, in a use position (upright), in perspective view, from the right back side.FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the remotely controlled version of the device, mounted at the front of the vehicle.FIG. 8 shows in plan view the range of motions in the horizontal plane of the embodiment of FIG. 9 shows the remotely controlled version of the device of FIGS. 1-4, in a use position (upright), mounted on the roof of a vehicle.FIG.
10 shows the device of FIG. 9 in a position for transport (reclined).FIG. 11 shows the remotely controlled version of the device of FIGS. 1-4, adapted to the end of an articulated arm mounted on a vehicle, in a position for transport.FIG. 12 shows the device of FIG.
11 in a use position, with the arm extended.FIG. 13 illustrates the main parts of the hydraulic circuit and the electronic control circuit of the remotely controlled version of the device.FIG. 14 depicts the version of the device for aerial fire-fighting operations in a position for transport by a trailer, in perspective view, from the right back side.FIG. 15 shows the same device airborne, in perspective view, from the front right side.FIG. 16 shows said device in a use position, suspended from a helicopter.FIG.
17 depicts the portable version of the device in perspective view, from the left back side.FIG. 18 shows the same device, in perspective view, from the front right side.FIG. 19 shows the fireman-operator's vest with the mounting support of the centrifugal fan and the engine driving it detached, in perspective view, from the left back side.FIG.
20 illustrates a detail of FIG. 19, showing the mechanism for locking the mounting support to the vest and releasing it therefrom.FIG.
21 shows another embodiment of the portable device with a different fan arrangement, in perspective view, from the right back side. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTIONIn the remotely controlled version ( 10) of the device (FIGS. 1-4) which is to be mounted on a land vehicle, either self-propelled or towed, all the required motions—impeller rotation, rotation of spiral housing around a vertical axis (left-right rotation) and around a horizontal axis (change of inclination, up-down), reclining of housing for transport—are effected via hydraulic motors and cylinders. Part of the hydraulic and electric circuits, which may be located in another part of the vehicle, even remote from the device, is shown in FIG.
13.The hydraulic circuits are preferably supplied with oil by a double pump arrangement ( 44), consisting of two fluidly independent pumps, with separate inlets and outlets, mounted on a common shaft so that they are driven by the same motor, e.g. The vehicle's diesel engine.
The hydraulic circuit ( 45) which rotatively drives the hydraulic motor ( 2), said motor in turn driving the impeller of the centrifugal fan with the spiral housing ( 1) is separate, i.e. It is fed by one of the two pumps (specifically the one which produces the highest pressure difference), so that no fluctuations in the rotational speed of said motor ( 2) and consequently of the impeller occur when other hydraulic parts are activated or deactivated. Hydraulic motor ( 2) is supported at a point of the spiral housing's ( 1) circumference, its shaft ( 3) being parallel to the impeller shaft ( 4). Each shaft is mounted within its own hub ( 5) via bearings, the impeller shaft ( 4) being driven by the motor shaft ( 3) via a multiple V-ribbed belt ( 7) running on multi-groove pulleys ( 6). The belt-pulley transmission is covered by a protective cover ( 8), to eliminate the risk of any person getting injured or of objects getting caught, causing damage to the device or being damaged themselves. Of course the hydraulic motor-to-impeller transmission may be implemented in other ways, known in the art, such as a chain-and-sprocket drive or a direct coupling of their shafts.Air suction is effected through the spiral housing ( 1) centre, which is covered by a protective mesh ( 9) to inhibit entrainment of debris therein. The impeller imparting energy to the air may be of different types and sizes, its selection depending on the motor power, on the desirable characteristics of the discharged spray jet beam and on cost.
Thus, the impeller may have four or more blades, which may be straight, forward- or backward-curved (fans with backward-curved blades have higher efficiency). Furthermore, in case there is no particular restriction with regard to the spiral housing ( 1) width, the impeller may be multi-stage, i.e. There may be more than one impellers mounted on a common shaft, the housing being shaped internally so that air coming out of one impeller flows into the next and higher pressures are produced.
5 a and 5 b, where the right side of the spiral housing ( 1) has been removed to make its interior visible, the impeller has six straight blades of variable height (their height increases linearly from the centre towards the periphery until about the middle of the impeller radius and thereafter remains constant). The difference between the two figures lies in that the impeller in FIG. 5 a is semi-closed ( 11), i.e. It has a circular plate attached on one side of the blades, whereas in FIG. 5 b it is closed ( 12), i.e.
Both sides of the blades are covered by plates (one of the plates having a sizeable aperture, of course, for the air to be drawn therethrough).A funnel ( 13) of gradually reduced cross section is fitted to the spiral housing ( 1) outlet, causing acceleration of the air flow. It is connected to a cylindrical duct-outlet ( 14), so that the outgoing air stream is straightened. Since the spiral housing ( 1) outlet is of square cross section, the funnel ( 13) is itself a square-to-round reducer.