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Title:
AIRCRAFT AND METHOD FOR FOREST FIRE EXTINGUISHING
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2009/150478
Kind Code:
A4
Abstract:
The new method used with the new aircraft for forest fire extinguishing is a concept which consists of a new means by which the new method of fire extinction, especially forested areas, will be applied and consists of an aircraft that will fly with the help of 4 turbine engines of vertical reaction and with the support of propellers it will transport to the fire front water and materials for extinguishment and due to its peculiar shape it will be able to remain close to the fire and combat it with water, with an impulsive force of large amounts of gas that exit from its turbine engines, amounts that will contain oxygen, as well as be enriched with carbon monoxide or other extinguishing material that it possesses and will lower the temperature locally with the air currents that will be produced. This construction allows small speeds, and even idling in the air, which benefits the purpose of the fire extinction and allows the aircraft to land in small areas or close to the fire without danger but also to escape immediately if the direction of the wind changes etc. It can constructed in small, medium, or large sizes.

Inventors:
KALIVAS IOANNIS (GR)
Application Number:
PCT/GR2009/000037
Publication Date:
March 04, 2010
Filing Date:
June 10, 2009
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
KALIVAS IOANNIS (GR)
International Classes:
B64C39/02; A62C3/02; B64C27/20; B64D1/16
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Claims:
CLAIMS

1. The new aircraft for forest fire extinguishment is characterized by the uniqueness of its shape, the position of the turbine engines ( T ) in a cross - shaped manner on the outside at the upper part of the frame ( from now on "turbines" for sort ), their rotation towards four directions each (UK ), ( HC ) controlled by an ( automatic ) electro mechanism which works with both a hydraulic and a pneumatic system for balance, movement, its motion in air and the increase / degrease in the number of spins, for the movement of the rudder ( PH ), the hose mechanism ( MM )of the water pump ( AN ), the parking mechanism ( ST ) etc, with well adjusted propeller shafts ( E ) with no blockage from rotational motion, it will possess a remote control mechanism, in its interior the fuel tank ( K ) with coolers ( Y ) on the outside, around it the water tank for the extinguishment ( N ) its fuels will consist of butane, hydrogen, or another gas that creates complete combustion, with the capability to change to and / or include benzene or kerosene combustion during its use.

2. The new method for forest fire extinguishment will be used with principal tool the new aircraft for forest fire extinction of claim 1 and its technical characteristic for fire extinguishment is indicated by its ability to position itself between air and the fire at a certain height so that the turbines ( T ) will direct their exit ( KW ) through the fire so as to detune it and to remove the clean air with cyclic spiral movements, while we will have had enriched the exhaust gases with a substance for oxygen removal, for example carbon monoxide etc, it will release water upon request and if there are two aircrafts, then they will move in opposite directions, thus increasing the extinguished area.

In addition, when there isn't a strong wind, the aircraft should position itself in front of the fire front, and pushes it toward the burnt ground and thus extinguishing it by using 2 out of the four turbines ( T ) for the fire extinguishment wile the other two will counterbalance and support it.

3. The new aircraft for forest fire extinguishment according to claim 1 is characterized by its shape which is discoid with a circular frame ( S ) where the shafts ( A ) will be supported with the . turbines ( T ) on the outside, and the upper ( KE ) and lower ( KK ) domed shell with the lower portion elongated ( almost oval ) in order to lower its center of gravity.

4. The new forest fire extinguishment aircraft according to claim 1 is characterized by the release, through the exhaust gas exit ( KW ) of the turbines ( T ), of the fire extinguishment fluid, gas, powder, or other substance that will help restrain the fire.

5. The new method of forest fire extinguishment according to claim 2 is characterized by the controlled release of low temperature water through

the pump ( AN ) with its hose and the mechanisms for its extension and guidance ( MM ), the aircraft flying in static motion from higher levels to lower ones, in addition by using gravity. 6. The new method of forest fire extinguishment according to claim 2 is characterized ' by the action of the aircraft which in addition to using water as a fire extinguishment material we use the force of the exiting exhaust gases for the transport of masses of gas with such a composition as to remove oxygen locally, for the forceful push of the flames (powerful blow ) and for the cooling of the area. 7. The use of the new aircraft for forest fire extinguishment of claim 1 for the extinguishment of fires even in non-forested areas, wherever the aircraft is capable of landing.

8. Use of the new aircraft for forest fire extinguishment of claim 1 for the rescuing of entrapped vehicles and/or humans, by creating escape pathways in big fire fronts.

9. The use of the new aircraft for forest fire extinguishment of claim 1 for the surveying of an enflamed area and the ability to intervene in more than one places day or night.

10. The use of the new aircraft for forest fire extinguishment of claim 1 for the transfer of water to a hard to reach enflamed area day or night and its ability to aim with precision at the fire.

Description:

AIRCRAFT AND METHOD FOR FOREST FIRE EXTINGUISHING

The present device relates to a new fire extinguishing method with the aid of a new means of special structure. So far, forest fire extinguishing hasn't proved effective on a global scale, if we judge by what we are informed about through both TV news and images and the latest destructions in our country. It is obvious that maybe a new way, method , strategy or even tools should be tried out in order to prevent fires from expanding when attempts are made to keep them under control. We are all familiar with the current means available: Employed firemen, water tanks with pumps and airplanes operating only in daylight. Strong winds drought as well as inaccessibility of a burning area are important suspending factors in fire extinguishing and every year the earth is losing millions of trees.

As far as forest fire extinguishing by air is concerned and which is the most effective method circumstances permitting, in a large and uncontrollable fire, a fire extinguishing aircraft is necessary to run and . only in daylight in order to achieve extinguishing.

If it gets dark and fire extinguishing hasn't been achieved, destruction will continue at night and the fire's front will expand. The new craft which will be described below is unlike the above, it's got its own logic and it will be more of a tool than an airplane (Figures 1.2).

It is a warrior like aircraft that will be hovering and fighting flames from such a close range so as not to run the risk of blazing up and will be using any convenient means to contain the fire.

Theoretically speaking, it is a water tank of several sizes that takes off and lands vertically as helicopters do, supported by four turbojet engines with an assisting propeller - bearing shaft ( E ) ( henceforth referred to as turbines in short ) , transported to the burning area of the front either on a . platform if it is small or through the air and starts operation either from the edge of the front which is easier to operate or at a point in which the flames are smaller and assumes position from the direction the wind blows, between wind and fire at a height of 30 meters or maybe less, extinguishing the burnt area beneath by using the water pump (AN) and trying to balance itself in the air, pointing one, two or all of its turbines (T) towards the fire.

If the wind is strong, it will be easier for all four turbines ( T ) to have the exhaust cones ( KW ) towards the fire because the resultant force ( S ) of the two components ( D ) of the wind which is 5 horizontal ( figure 3 ) and ( F ) of its weight which is vertical, it has direction and trend towards the fire , therefore the reaction ( R ) necessary to stabilize the device in the air has value equal to the resultant ( S ) and opposite trend given by its turbines (T), it will be, on the one hand, analogous to the strength of the wind (D) and its weight and it will be automatically adjusted by an electronic or mechanical mechanism, on the other hand , the turbines ( T ) will automatically assume gradient together with the exhaust cone ( KW ) towards the fire since it will be at a certain height and between the fire and the wind's course ( AE ), the pilot will be making adjustments through the remote control or from the cockpit to either the height or the course and directing the water hose ( MM ) with its operation lever.

This position together with its balance conditions ( strength - direction of wind , its weight and the weight of its charges, water, fuel , extinguishing material etc. and the reaction

( R )of the turbines ( T ) for their neutralization and the device's balance in the air ) will consequently lead to the biggest possible provision of oxygen free burnt air towards the fire , greater rush of fumes, added to the wind's strength , which with the aid of liquid , gas or solid powder from carbon monoxide etc. coming out of the exhaust cone ( KW ) of the turbines, will prevent or at least retard the blazing up of new trees as the air' s oxygen will have marked a considerable reduction locally, the flames won't be able to blaze up the adjacent tree because the air of the turbines, even if it' s hot , has substantially less temperature than the one needed to blaze up a green tree, therefore the temperature drops locally, they are pushed by the wind and fumes rush and cannot flame up on the same spot, therefore they are delayed and smothered as they receive new mixtures of fumes and material and combined with the water hosed will manage to cut the front's line opening a non - burning pathway.

A second " similar device will operate in the same way as close as possible to the first one and then both of them will move along the front against each other in a spiral manner thus "sewing" slowly the front and extinguishing it.

Of course, tbis is its biggest and toughest mission which will

be undertaken by a pilot who will have had easer experiences, be comfortable with the maneuvering, have complete knowledge of the conditions and sufficient courage and always with the support of a convoy until the safety of the methodology used becomes proven and customary.

In this manner, the fire Department will own a machine which can be used in areas that are inaccessible by wheel driven vehicles, it will be able to control the aircraft's movements electronically (to some degree), it will be able to use it during the hours of the night since its speed can be low and controllable, it will aim with precision, the Department will be able to land very close to the front and leave the scene quickly in case there is a change in wind direction so as to not get trapped, and it will be able to rescue entrapped vehicles or even personnel with the clearing of pathways by surveying the area which are critical advantages in comparison with the current means of extinguishing fires which the Fire Department should not abolish because they are certainly necessary, and possibly other capabilities that will surface during manufacturing and testing of the machine. In figure 1 you can see the new aircraft is displayed in two-dimensional frontal view where the following are noted :

( T ) x 4. The turbine engines with their supportive propeller axon (E). ( " P). The night-time spotlights. ( ST ). Two of the three stands for parking - stability. ( MM). The mechanism for the movement of the water hose. ( DS ). Cleft stick for the containment of the turbine engines. ( A]ST). The water pump with which a metal spiral hose will be connected with a self — contained pneumatic system of alignment. ( KW). The cone exhaust of the turbine engines ( T ). ( S ). The frame ( chassis ) of the aircraft where all the main compartments are attached. ( PH ). The anti-rotation rudder. ( KE ). The dome-shaped upper shell where the pilot's cabin is found with the steering column, control pad, etc. and the electronic system for balance - movement — direction. ( KK ' ). The lower shell where the (N ) water and ( K ) fuel tanks are found , the material for fire extinction ( PU ) etc. (TJK ). Hydraulic cylinder for turbine engine motion ( T ) up - down.

In figure 2 the sliced ground plan is displayed where the following are noted : ( Y ). Cooling system. ( HC). Hydraulic cylinder for turbine rotation (T). . ( T ) x 4. The four turbines with the engine support shafts and

the rotation axes, adjusted to the frame (S) with bearings as well as their shifting to various directions. ( A ). Engine support and rotation shafts. (K). Fuel tank. (N). Water tank. (PU) x 4 Fire material containers and flexible pressure pipes towards (KW) through (A). In figure 3 you can see the position of the device once it is activated and:

(F). The direction and trend of its weight force, starting from the device's centre of gravity.

(D ) ' . The direction and trend of wind force. (R). (1,2, 3, 4) The direction and trend of force (reaction) of each of the turbines starting from the underpinning points of the shafts in the frame.

Ih figure 4 you can see its position at the actual time of fire extinguishing in the absence of strong winds, on the edge of the front in the unburnedpart of the forest.

( Shafts E (I) and E ( 2 ) in disengagement ) ( PO ). The course of fire

(T)T and (T) 2. Extinguishing turbines positions.

( T ) 3 and ( T ) 4. Retaining turbines positions.

( DA ). Side of the burning forest. (B). Fumes and extinguishing material mixture.

(NE). Water hosed from the pump (AN) through the hose pipe extension (MM). In figure 5 you can see the device performing its most difficult mission, according to which: (AlI shafts (E) 1,2, 3, 4, in disengagement).

(AE) Trend of strong wind.

(T)1, 2, 3, 4. All its turbines with the exhaust (KW) towards the fire.

(NE). Water from the pump (AN) is extinguishing the embers.

Ih figure 6 you can see the device in action, in the mountains, standing on its "feet" ( ST ) and touching the ground.

( Allthe shafts ( E) 1, 2, 3, 4. in disengagement ). (X). The ground.

(AE). Trend of wind. (FI). Arson.

(T)I, 2, 3,4. All the turbines with the exhaust cone (KW) towards the fire (FI). The device presented, in both the description and the figures is not in itself the focal point of the demands mentioned but a structure which will hit the extinguishing target more effectively, easily and quickly.

Therefore, whatever its final form is or should there be any changes made to it while under construction and which differ from the suggested- figure , they will be acceptable . Besides , it is impossible

for the person who designed the device to mention all the structural details because it is of familiar technology. The device can be produced in Greece, at first in a small size, to be tested on a small sized controlled fire in an open space where its strengths will be observed , and will most likely require changes or improvements.

For example kerosene turbine engines will be used with the addition of pipes that will transport butane to the turbines immediately following kerosene combustion, so that with a single switch two or three pressure units will disperse the gas into the space inside the cone of the exhaust system creating an explosion and thus giving the aircraft a further push forward and simultaneously burning the unburned remains of kerosene with the help possibly of a small amount of oxygen.

The result of this trial will determine the choice of basic fuel used for both performance and economical reasons . The parts and material necessary for the construction can be found in the market and since many Greek companies today posses the appropriate knowledge, technology, and up to date equipment for the assembly, it would not be hard costly in comparison wit the value of the expected results. All the manufacturing techniques that are referred in the Description and the claims are well known and have been applied in other mechanisms and machinery in the past.

Finally, the use of liquid gas as a fuel is suggested most importantly because its combustion is complete and there are no unburned waste products transported to the fire, something that makes the use liquid fuel prohibited, while hydrogen would be the ideal if this technology is extended to turbine engines, while the use of liquid gas has another capability, because of the way the tanks are placed with a series of cooling systems on the outer surface of the gas tank so that the water used for fire extinction is cooled and at the same time take advantage of the cooling effect that is created by the evaporation of liquid gas.

And of course there would be the capability to change the fuel to kerosene etc if it is necessary to have a higher horsepower for example during take off with a fuel load or for immediate escape from an enflamed area due to change in wind direction etc.

In addition the use of carbon monoxide is preferred despite its danger ( there will be precaution measures taken for the pilot ) due to its involvement in reducing the temperature of an area.