FR2737853A1 - Aerial fire fighting method from helicopter - Google Patents

Abstract

The method uses a helicopter to carry a spray head (4), suspended from a cable attached to the helicopter. The helicopter may carry its own water or be attached to a tanker on the ground by a flexible. The spray head delivers downward jets (9) of water at an angle of 45 deg. To counter the upward reaction force on the spray head generated by these jets a number of jets (11) face upwards at an angle of 45 deg. The helicopter may be remotely controlled. The helicopter blades can be driven by a water turbine or by an electric motor powered via a cable from the ground.

Description

FIRE FIGHTING METHOD AND DEVICE
The present invention relates to a method and a device for fighting fires.

 The technical field of the invention is that of fighting forest fires in particular.

 We already know from patent application FR2617404 (WIECZOREK Julien) a method of fighting fires which uses a helicopter equipped with a fire-fighting lance which is directed by the co-pilot on the fire; Water is delivered to the lance helicopter by a flexible hose connected to the ground to a motor pump, which flexible hose is supported at altitude by an intermediate helicopter.

 This document also cites a known competing method which consists in equipping a helicopter with a water tank to use it (such as a water bomber) to release the water contained in the tank.

 The object of the present invention is to improve the methods and devices for fighting fires.

 Another object of the present invention is to propose a method and a device for fighting fires, the cost of which is reasonable.

 The present invention also aims to improve the safety of operators, in particular firefighters, the precision of interventions and water spraying, as well as the speed and ease of implementation of the equipment making it possible to obtain an intervention. rapid, in order to complete the action of existing means.

 The solution to the problem posed consists in providing a device for fighting fires by spraying water transported by a flexible pipe equipped at one of its ends with a spray nozzle, which device comprises means of aerial support of the nozzle and means for forming main jets directed downwards, the reaction forces of which produce a resultant force which is substantially vertical and directed upwards.

 In other words, the invention provides a fire-fighting device which comprises means of aerial support of the nozzle and of part of the flexible pipe (ie support or carrying means or stabilization or support and possibly displacement at an altitude at least equal to several tens of meters above the ground or the objective to be sprayed) and which includes means (preferably integrated into the nozzle) for forming several jets main directed towards the ground (or the objective), whose reaction forces produce a substantially vertical and upwardly directed resultant force which forms part of or co-operates with said (or contributes to said) means of aerial support of the nozzle.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention
- Said device comprises means for forming main jets directed downwards and inclined with respect to a vertical axis (or of symmetry of the nozzle) with an angle less than 45, for example less than or equal to 300
- The device also comprises means for forming directional secondary jets which are inclined at an angle less than or equal to 45 "relative to a plane, substantially horizontal in operation (that is to say perpendicular to the main axis of rotation or revolution or symmetry of the nozzle - which is substantially vertical in operation), which means for forming main jets and directional jets are substantially symmetrically arranged along said main vertical axis of the nozzle and are arranged according to rotational symmetry or of revolution with respect to this main vertical axis of the nozzle
- The device further comprises means for forming secondary compensation or protection jets which are directed towards the rear of the nozzle or upwards in operation, that is to say in a direction opposite to the main direction of the main jets , which are inclined with respect to a vertical main axis of the nozzle at an angle less than or equal to 45, for example less than or equal to 30, for example less than or equal to 150
- Said air lift means comprise an aircraft such as a rotorcraft, for example a rotorcraft such as a helicopter
- Said air lift means comprise at least one aerostat
- said aircraft and / or said aerostat is unmanned and remotely controlled
- Said aerial lift means comprises a rotary wing lift rotor which is driven by a turbine driven by the spray water or else by an electric motor supplied with electric energy supplied by a cable extending along the pipeline flexible
- Said device comprises a helicopter which comprises a water tank, a pump for pressurizing and propelling water from the tank in said flexible pipe which extends at least in part freely (and is suspended) under said helicopter on a length or height of several tens to several hundred meters
- Said device comprises a land vehicle such as a truck equipped with a water tank and with a pumping and pressurization group for water and delivery of water to the nozzle by said flexible pipe, the length is more than 100 meters and less than 1,000 meters.

 The solution to the problem posed also consists in providing a method of fighting fires by spraying water transported by a flexible pipe fitted at one end with a spray nozzle, the water possibly mixed with additive being supplied to the nozzle under high pressure thanks to a water pressurization group, which nozzle is maintained at several tens of meters above the ground by means of air lift, in which the reaction forces due to water jets are used delivered by the nozzle to contribute to the means of support and / or air lift of the end of the hose which is equipped with the nozzle, and preferably also to help protect against fire at least part of the flexible pipe of pressurized water supply (that is to say in which the water is sprayed or diffused by the nozzle preferably according to several main jets whose reaction forces respective ions produce a resultant force which contributes to the means of air lift of the nozzle and at least part of the flexible pipe).

 The invention is based on the use of the reaction force directed upwards which is exerted on a nozzle delivering main jets directed downwards of water under pressure (from a few bars or several tens or hundreds of bars) ; preferably the invention uses complementary or secondary jets, which are, like the main jets, distributed in a symmetry of revolution with respect to the general axis of symmetry of the nozzle (or of the head), which are also inclined by relative to the axis of revolution and which allow partial compensation of the reaction force generated by the main jets directly active, and / or the dispersion of the spray liquid in a different form and complementary to that of the main jets, and / or make it possible to control the position and / or the displacement of the nozzle thanks to a directional driving force of reaction produced by these complementary jets.

 The number and orientation of the main and complementary jets are variable.

 The system according to the invention can be used for the fight against forest fires, against fires in an urban or industrial environment and if necessary for the aerial spraying of liquids (fertilizers for example) for agricultural use and / or for the fight against pollution or insect invasions.

 In the case where the invention is used with a helicopter having a good carrying capacity, and in which the helicopter receives a water tank and a high pressure pump in particular, the present invention allows the helicopter to perform a flight (hovering or not) at a sufficient altitude above the ground and in relation to the fire to allow it to act safely and with the best overall vision, while allowing the nozzle to be positioned as close as possible to the area to be treated, with sufficient stability and precision.

 In the case where terrestrial machines are used, the nozzle or the end of the flexible pipe to which the nozzle is fixed may or may not be suspended from a helicopter (or to an aircraft or aerostat) preferably unmanned and remotely controlled.

 The reaction forces caused by the main jets and the complementary jets act to cooperate in keeping the nozzle (or head) in equilibrium above the area to be treated; an action, for example remote-controlled, on the flow rate or pressure of the water forming the jets can make it possible to control the displacement of the nozzle in space (notably by directional secondary jets).

The invention makes it possible to spray pressurized water from the nozzle located in an area where visibility is zero, for example because of the smoke produced by the fire or in the event of intervention at night.
The invention also makes it possible to drop or sprinkle with precision the extinguishing water and makes it possible to position the spray nozzle in positions which are difficult to access if not inaccessible by helicopters themselves, for example in mountainous regions or near network lines aerial distribution of electrical energy.

 The numerous advantages provided by the invention will be better understood through the following description which refers to the appended drawings, which illustrate without any limiting nature of the preferred embodiments of the method and device for fighting fires according to the invention.

 Figure 1 illustrates in side schematic view the use of the invention applied to a helicopter equipped with a water tank, an additive tank, a winch and a pumping system on board from the helicopter.

 FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic perspective view the application of the invention to a land vehicle or truck equipped with a tank and a water pumping group.

 Figures 3 and 5 illustrate in sectional view through a longitudinal plane of substantially symmetry two different embodiments of the spray nozzle used in the construction of devices according to the invention, which are respectively suitable for use with a helicopter ( figure 3), or with a land vehicle (figure 5).

 FIG. 4 is a view along IV of FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 is a view along VI-VI of FIG. 5.

 With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the helicopter 1 (or the land vehicle 14) is equipped with a tank 15 in which can be stored several thousand liters of water to which can be added an adequate amount of additive commonly used for extinguishing fires; the additive is in another tank, and the dosage is done by an injection system; the vehicle 1.14 also includes a pumping group 7 making it possible to pressurize the water and to deliver it to the flexible pipe 2, one end of which is fixed to the vehicle 1.14 and the second end of which (free) is provided with a nozzle 4 for spraying or spraying water.

 In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a sheath 3 for protecting the flexible pipe 2 can be provided in the lower part thereof (near the nozzle 4) to protect the pipe against the external temperature and / or against flames.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the free length 5 of the flexible pipe 2, for example at least equal to 80 or 85 meters, makes it possible to maintain the helicopter at an altitude 6 for example at least equal to 100 meters, the nozzle 4 being maintained at an altitude for example of the order of 15 to 20 meters above the ground 13.

 The nozzle 4 produces main spray jets 9 which are distributed in a symmetry of revolution with a vertical axis 8 and which sprinkles the area of the ground to be protected or treated by these main jets 9.

 In the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, directional jets 10 extend in a plane 12 perpendicular to the axis 8, that is to say a substantially horizontal plane, and complementary jets 1 1, the result of which is coaxial with l axis 8 and opposite direction to the result of the main forces or jets 9, are also provided.

 In the case of using the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, an unmanned remote-controlled helicopter 16 can also be provided to facilitate the lift and support of the nozzle 4 by means of a mechanical link 17 for supporting the nozzle 4 by the helicopter 16, and maintaining the nozzle at a height of a few tens of meters above the ground.

 With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the nozzle 4 comprises a body 18 substantially of revolution along an axis of revolution 23 which extends, in the position of use of the nozzle, substantially along the vertical axis 8 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

 The body 18 is hollowed out with a supply channel 19, one end of which is provided with a connector 20 allowing a return flow along the arrow 21 of the water delivered by the flexible pipe (not shown).

 The water supplied passing through the central supply channel 19 enters main channels 25 which are for example cylindrical, which are of identical geometry, and extend along axes inclined at an angle 22 (relative to the axis of revolution 23) for example around 30 ".

 The end of the main channels 25 opens into main holes 24 to form main jets according to arrows 9, that is to say main jets extending along the axis of the main channel 25 and therefore forming an angle 22 with l axis of revolution 23.

 In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, there are also provided secondary or complementary channels 26 which are of identical geometry, which communicate with the supply channel 19 to allow the circulation of water in these channels 26 up to a outlet orifice 27 or secondary orifice and allowing the formation of secondary jets 1 1.

 The secondary jets 1 1 directed upwards in FIG. 3 are preferably of the same flow rate and distributed uniformly around the axis of revolution 23 as illustrated in FIG. 4, so as to cause reaction forces the result of which is coaxial with l axis 23 and in opposite direction to the result of the reaction forces caused by the main jets 9 directed downwards, which are also of identical flow and also (symmetrically) distributed around the axis of revolution 23.

 The secondary jets 11 are for example inclined at an angle 28 of the order of 15 relative to the axis 23.

 The nozzle 4 of FIG. 3 is designed to be freely suspended from the flexible pipe (not shown) which feeds it through its inlet orifice 20, and to ensure a spraying flow rate, for example of the order of 500 liters per minute, under a pressure of 20 to 25 bars.

Claims (10)

 1. Device for fighting fires by spraying water transported by a flexible pipe (2) fitted at one of its ends with a spray nozzle (4), which device comprises means for aerial support of the nozzle and means (24, 25) for forming main jets (9) directed downwards, the reaction forces of which produce a resultant force which is substantially vertical and directed upwards.  2. Device according to claim 1 comprising means (24,25) for forming main jets directed downward and inclined with respect to an axis (8, 23) of symmetry of the nozzle, of a lower angle (22) at 45, and comprising means for forming directional jets which are inclined at an angle less than or equal to 45 "relative to a plane (12) substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the nozzle, which means for forming main jets and directional jets (10) are substantially arranged in a symmetry of revolution with respect to the axis (8,23).  3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 comprising means (26, 27) for forming jets (11) of compensation directed upwards, inclined with respect to an axis (8, 23) of vertical main symmetry an angle (28) less than or equal to 45 ".  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said air lift means comprise an aircraft.  5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said air lift means comprise an aerostat.  6. Device according to any one of claims 4 or 5 in which said aircraft or said aerostat is uninhabited and remote-controlled.  7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said aerial lift means comprise a rotary wing lift rotor which is driven by a turbine driven by water or by an electric motor supplied with electric energy supplied by a cable extending along the flexible pipe.  8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising a helicopter which comprises a water tank, a pressurization pump and propelling the water from the tank into said flexible pipe which extends at least partially freely under said helicopter over a length of several tens of meters.  9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising a land vehicle such as a truck equipped with a water tank and a group for pumping water and delivering water to the nozzle through said flexible pipe, the length of which is greater than 100 meters and less than 1,000 meters.  10. Method for fighting fires by spraying water transported by a flexible pipe fitted at one end with a spray nozzle, the water, if any, mixed with additive being supplied to the nozzle under high pressure by means of a water pressurization group, which nozzle is maintained at several tens of meters above the ground by aerial support, in which the reaction forces due to the jets of water delivered by the nozzle are used to contribute to the means support and air lift at the end of the hose which is equipped with the nozzle and preferably also to help protect against fire at least part of the flexible pipe for supplying pressurized water.