BACKGROUND In numerous applications, hoses for the dispensing of water and other fluids are managed by means of rotatable reels, generally mounted on a horizontal axle supported on a frame which provide a compact storage and transportation system and means for deploying required lengths of hose for use and for rewinding the hose after use.

In one such application, that of fire tender mounted fire fighting hoses of the non-collapsible type, the rapid retraction of such hoses is frequently required when a fire fighting operator or crew is required to withdraw from a dangerous situation.

In any case, in this particular application, the task of manually reeling in a long length of heavy-duty hose, still filled with water to minimise water wastage, is a time consuming and arduous task. Typically the reels employed are provided with a detachable crank handle which is generally removed for safety while the hose is pulled from the reel. Not infrequently such crank handles are misplaced in emergency situations leading at least to inconvenience and in some cases endangering a fire crew.

It is the object of the present invention to address or ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided a hose reel for the storage, deployment and retraction of a fluid conveying hose; said reel comprising a hose winding drum, head ends assembled to each outer end of said drum and a mounting frame ; and wherein a first one of said head ends comprises an outer casing of a fluid drive; said drive adapted to urge rota tion of said reel for said retraction of said hose.

Preferably said outer casing of said fluid drive is adapted to rotate on sealed bearings about a water distributing hub mounted to a first portion of said mounting frame ; and wherein a second of said head ends is adapted to rotate about a pivot point mounted to a second portion of said mounting frame ; said hub and said pivot point lying on a-common axis.

Preferably said outer casing comprises an outer disc, an inner disc and a rim sealably connecting said outer disc and said inner disc at the peripheries of said outer disc and said inner disc.

Preferably said casing is provided with a plurality of vanes extending substantially radially and inwardly from the inner surface of said rim and extending between the internal surfaces of said outer disc and said inner disc.

Preferably a middle portion of said fluid distributing hub extends radially outwardly to a diameter sufficiently smaller than the notional diameter of the inner ends of said vanes to allow clearance for rotation of said casing and said vanes; and wherein the width of said middle portion substantially extends between said internal surfaces of said outer disc and said inner disc.

Preferably said fluid distributing hub is provided with projecting bosses from each side of said middle portion ; said bosses each provided with a sealed bearing rotationally supporting said outer disc and said inner disc.

Preferably said fluid distributing hub is provided along its axis with a fluid supply passage ; said passage communicating with a fluid supply pipe at a first outer end of said hub and with a rotary gland at a second inner end of said hub.

Preferably said rotary gland is connected with the feed end of said fluid conveying hose ; said hose passing from said gland through an aperture in said drum so as to allow the winding of said hose around said drum.

Preferably said fluid distributing hub is provided with an annular chamber centered on said axis of said hub; said chamber located in a plane substantially central to said middle portion of said hub ; said chamber communicating

with an auxilliary fluid supply passage passing from said chamber outwardly to an output port of a control valve.

Preferably an input port of said control valve is connected by a high pressure auxiliary feed line to said fluid supply pipe.

Preferably said control valve is a flow control valve adapted to vary the flow of fluid through said control valve.

Preferably said control valve is a two-way valve provided with one input port and two output ports ; said input port connected to said fluid supply pipe ; and wherein a first one of said two output ports is connected to said fluid supply passage and a second one of said two output ports is connected to said auxiliary fluid supply passage.

Preferably said two-way valve operates in series with a flow control valve; said flow control valve located between said second one of said two output ports of said two-way valve and said auxiliary fluid supply passage.

Preferably said fluid supply pipe is connected to a motorized high pressure pump.

Preferably said fluid supply pipe is connected to a high pressure supply of fluid.

Preferably said pump is connected to a fluid supply tank.

Preferably said middle portion of said hub is provided with at least one fluid ejector ; said fluid ejector

supplied with fluid from said chamber so as to direct a jet of fluid against said vanes in a direction substantially tangential to the periphery of said hub.

Preferably said hub is provided with a spent fluid outlet ; said outlet connected to a fluid return line extending from said hub to said fluid supply tank.

Preferably said hub is provided with a spent fluid outlet ; said outlet connected to a fluid drain line.

Preferably said fluid conveying hose is provided with a flow control nozzle at a second end of said hose.

Preferably said flow control nozzle is provided with a control module adapted to the transmission of a control signal for the control of said flow control valve.

Preferably said control signal is transmitted via wires embedded in the casing of said hose.

Preferably said control signal is transmitted as electromagnetic radiation.

Preferably said fluid drive is inoperative when said control valve is closed.

Preferably said fluid drive is inoperative when said two-way valve is set so as to direct fluid to said first one of said two output ports.

Preferably said fluid drive is activated by the at least partial opening of said flow control valve.

Preferably said fluid drive is activated when said two-way valve is set so as to direct fluid to said second

one of said two outlet ports and said flow control valve is at least partially opened.

Preferably speed of rotation of said reel when urged into motion by said fluid drive is a function of pump pressure, degree of opening of said flow control valve and degree of flow restriction of said nozzle.

Preferably speed of rotation is a function of pump pressure and degree of opening of said flow control valve.

Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the retraction of a fluid conveying hose onto the drum of a hose reel ; said method comprising the steps of; (a) incorporating a fluid drive mechanism in one head of said hose reel, (b) providing a fluid control system adapted to divert at least a portion of fluid available to said hose reel to said fluid drive mechanism, Preferably said control system includes an auxiliary fluid supply line connecting a main fluid supply line to a flow control valve ; said control valve adapted to control the flow of water to said fluid drive mechanism.

Preferably said.. control system includes a two-way valve provided with an inlet port connected to a main fluid supply line, a first outlet port connected to said hose reel hose supply line and a second outlet port connected to

a flow control valve interposed between said two-way valve and said fluid drive mechanism.

Preferably said hose reel is supplied with fluid under pressure from a motorized pump.

Preferably said hose reel is supplied with fluid from a source of pressurized fluid.

Preferably said fluid conveying hose is provided with a nozzle ; said nozzle adapted to control the flow of fluid through said hose.

Preferably the speed of rotation of said reel when driven by said fluid drive is controlled by a combination of flow restrictions of said nozzle and said flow control valve.

Preferably the speed of rotation of said reel is controlled by said flow control valve when said two-way valve is set to direct fluid to said. flow control valve.

Preferably said flow control valve is controlled by signals generated by a control module located at said nozzle.

Preferably said two-way valve and said flow control valve are controlled by signals generated by a module located at said nozzle.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a hose reel for the deployment and rewinding of a fluid conveying hose; said hose reel including a turbine

and a gear train adapted for providing rotary. motion to said hose reel.

Preferably, said gear train comprises a ring gear mounted on a head plate of said reel ; said ring gear driven by a spur gear urged into rotary motion by fluid passing through said turbine.

Preferably, said turbine comprises a turbine blade rotationally mounted within a cylindrical housing.

Preferably, said housing is in communication with a fluid supply pipe; said fluid supply pipe adapted for supply of fluid to a hose and nozzle of said hose reel.

Preferably, said hose reel further includes control means for directing said fluid to said turbine or said hose and nozzle.

Preferably, said control means is adapted to direct said fluid to both said turbine and said hose and nozzle.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a hose reel including a turbine drive for rotation of said reel and further including controls for applying fluid from a pressurized fluid source to drive said turbine and supply said hose.

Preferably, said controls include a fluid control valve adapted to regulate fluid flow through said turbine.

Preferably, said controls include a fluid control valve adapted to regulate flow through a hose nozzle attached to said hose.

Preferably, said controls are adapted to permit an operator to select stationary reel rotation with full fluid delivery to said hose nozzle.

Preferably, said controls are adapted to permit an operator to select zero fluid flow from said hose nozzle with full fluid delivery to said turbine for reel rotation.

Preferably, said controls are adapted to permit an operator to select fluid delivery to both hose nozzle and turbine.

In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided an apparatus for providing rotation to a hose reel comprising a turbine and a gear train; said gear train adapted to provide a reduction ratio between respective rotation rates of said turbine and said hose reel.

Preferably, said turbine is provided with fluid under pressure from a fluid supply source supplying fluid to said hose reel and a hose nozzle.

Preferably, said turbine comprises a rotor and a stator ; said rotor adapted to rotate about an axis of said hose reel.

Preferably, said rotor is connected to a primary gear rotating with said rotor about. said axis.

Preferably, said primary gear meshes with at least one planetary gear rotatably mounted to a head plate of said hose reel.

Preferably, said at least one planetary gear meshes with a ring gear mounted to said head plate.

Preferably, flow of said fluid under pressure supplied to said turbine is controlled by a flow control valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a typical arrangement for a fire fighting tender, Figure 2 is a representation of a fluid delivery system incorporating a fluid driven hose reel according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a front sectional view of a portion of a fluid driven hose reel according to the invention, Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the fluid driven hose reel of figure 3, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a fluid driven hose reel system according to the invention, Figure 6 is part sectioned view of a fluid driven hose reel according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 6A is a sectioned view of a detail of the hose reel of figure 6,

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the hose reel of figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectioned view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a sectioned view of a still further preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to figures 1 and 2, a mobile fire fighting tender 10 is comprised of a vehicle 11, water supply tank 12, high pressure pump 13 and hose reel 14.

Hose reel 14 is fed with water from tank 12 via pump 13 through fluid supply pipe 18 on its axis 28 to supply fluid under pressure to hose 15 for discharge through nozzle 16.

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to figures 2 and 3, hose reel 14 is constructed so as to incorporate a fluid drive 17 in one of the heads of the reel. High pressure fluid from pump 13 is supplied to the reel axis via fluid supply pipe 18, connecting with hose feed end 19 via rotary gland 20 as shown in figure 3. Hose end 19 passes through drum 21 to the remainder of hose 15 still at least partly wound on drum 21.

An auxiliary high pressure feed line 22 is tapped off fluid supply pipe 18, passing though control valve 23 to enter fluid distribution hub 24. Hub 24 is provided at its outer side with projecting boss 25 supported by"A"frame

member 26 and at its inner side by projecting boss 36.

Fluid. drive casing 27 and hose drum 21 are free to rotate about central axis 28 by means of sealed bearings 29 mounted to bosses 25 and 36 respectively.

Fluid drive casing 27 is comprised of outer disc 37 and inner disc 38, sealably connected by rim 39 and provided with a plurality of vanes 30 disposed about the inside perimeter of casing 27. As may best be seen in figure 4, distribution disc 24 is provided with one or more internal fluid ejectors 31 adapted to deliver a high pressure jet of fluid against vanes 30. Ejectors 31 are fed by fluid passages 32 communicating with distribution ring 33.

Spent fluid passes between casing 27 and distribution hub 24 into hub drainage chamber 34 from which it is forced through fluid return line 35 to return to supply tank 12.

In situations where pump 13 draws water from some other source, for example a water course, fluid return line 35 is allowed to drain in any convenient way.

In use hose 15 is drawn from reel 14 in the normal manner by pulling the hose from the reel to the length required. During deployment of the hose and while the hose is in use, control valve 23 will remain closed so as to render fluid drive 17 inoperative and supply full pump pressure to the hose nozzle.

In this first embodiment of the invention, when it is required to reel in the hose, the user at the nozzle end shuts off nozzle 16. Opening control valve 23 will then direct full pump pressure to feed line 22 and, if control valve 23 is fully opened, full pump pressure and flow will be supplied to fluid drive 17 resulting in maximum drum rotation speed. Control valve 23 thus may be used to control the rewind speed by restricting the flow of water to a desired level.

Optionally, in this embodiment, either or both nozzle 16 and valve 23 may be used to control the speed of rewind.

For example, in some fire fighting operations it will be desirable to retain at least partial flow of fluid through nozzle 16 as the hose is reeled in and by opening valve 23 and restricting flow through nozzle 16, a desired reel rotation speed may be obtained to suit the operator.

In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, control valve 23 may be operated remotely by the user of the hose by means of a suitable electrically operated control valve receiving signal input from a control module (not shown) mounted at the nozzle via signal wires embedded in the hose casing or moulded onto the outer hose sheath.

Alternatively the control valve could be operated via a remote radio transmitter carried by the hose operator.

In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, a two-way valve 36 is located at the junction of fluid

supply pipe 18 and feed line 22. In this embodiment operators of the hose reel and hose select either to supply water to the hose while in use or to the fluid drive for winding in the hose. In this embodiment shown schematically in figure 5, a separate flow control valve 37 is mounted along feed line 22 to control the rotational speed of the reel.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to Figure 6,6A and 7, a hose reel 100 for mounting on a mobile fire fighting tender (not shown), is driven into rotational motion by a drive unit 102 mounted to one of the reel support frames 104, (only a part of one of which is visible in Figure 5). Drive unit 102 comprises a cylindrical housing 106 rigidly mounted to support frame 104 and is in communication at its lower or proximate end with fluid supply pipe 108. Fluid supply pipe 108 is adapted to act as the reel rotation axle for that side of the hose reel and connects to hose 110 via rotating coupling 112 inside the reel drum 114. Hose reel side plate 116 is rotationally mounted on the axle provided by fluid supply pipe 108 by bearings 118.

As may best be seen in Figure 6A, housing 106 is provided with proximal bearing 120 and distal bearing 122 rotationally supporting between them an Archimedes screw or turbine blade 124 with proximal shaft 126 and distal or output shaft 128. Proximal bearing 120 is mounted in a

spider 130 comprising radial spokes and bearing retaining collar adapted to allow minimally impeded passage of fluid from supply pipe 108 into housing 106.

Distal bearing 122 is isolated from fluid in housing 106 by a seal 132. An exhausted fluid exit chamber 134 is provided at the distal end of housing 106 and connects to fluid return pipe 136 for returning fluid to a fluid supply tank (not shown). Distal shaft 128 extends through exit chamber 134, seal 132 and bearing 122 and is connected to a spur gear 138. Gear 138 meshes with a ring gear 140 rigidly mounted the side of reel side plate 116 and centred on the reel rotation axis 142.

Fluid return pipe 136 is provided with a control valve 144 adapted to restrict or shut off the flow of fluid thought the return pipe 136. As described in the first embodiment herein above, fluid under pressure is fed to supply pipe 108 and, with control valve 144 shut, to hose 110 and nozzle 146. Alternately, with hose nozzle 146 shut and control valve 144 at least partially opened, fluid under pressure will flow through housing 106 causing turbine blade 124 to rotate, thereby rotating spur gear 138 and driving reel 100 to rotate via ring gear 140.

Thus in use, the combined settings of the hose nozzle 146 and control valve 144 allows either normal use of the hose with no rotation of the reel, or partial flow through the hose 110 with simultaneous rotation of the reel to

rewind the hose or, full closure of the nozzle to make full pump pressure available for rewinding. With the nozzle shut off, control valve 144 allows the speed of the reel to be regulated by varying the flow of fluid through drive unit 102.

It will be apparent that the spur gear and ring gear ratios, together with the characteristics of the drive unit may be selected to suit the power required to fully rewind a full length of fluid filled hose. As described for the first embodiment above, control valve 144 may be operated remotely by the person in control of the nozzle, either electrically via a control cable embedded in the hose sheath or by means of a radio signal from a remote control unit.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to Figure 8, a turbine 210, comprising a rotor 212 adapted to rotate about an axle 214 of a hose reel 200 and a stator 216 fixed to the axle 214 and in communication with a fluid supply passage 218. Rotor 212 is formed of an outer disc 220 and an inner disc 222 sealably connected by rim 224 and provided on the inside surface of rim 224 with a plurality of vanes'226. Stator 216 is provided with at least one fluid ejector 228 adapted to project fluid under pressure against vanes 226 so as to cause rotor 212 to rotate about axle 214.

Fluid supply passage 218 extends into the drum 230 of hose reel 200 and connects with a rotary coupling 232 to hose 234 passing out through an aperture in the drum as previously described above to lead to nozzle 235.

Inner disc 222 of rotor 210 is rigidly connected to primary gear 236 which rotates with rotor 210 about axle 214. Primary gear 236 meshes with at least one planetary gear 238 mounted on a spindle 240 attached to a head plate 242 of the hose reel 200. The, or each planetary gear 238 meshes with a ring gear 244 mounted to head plate 242.

The gear train of primary gear 236, planetary gear (or gears) 238 and ring gear 244 act as reduction gearing so that the rate of rotation of rotor 212 exceeds that of the ring gear 244 and hose reel 200 by the ratio of ring gear to primary gear. Thus the gear train provides mechanical advantage for the work required to rotate hose reel 200 when reeling in hose 234.

Spent fluid which has provided rotation to the turbine 210 may be fed back to a supply tank (not shown) via exhaust passage 246 and control valve 248. With control valve 248 fully closed, full available fluid pressure is directed to hose 234 and nozzle 235. Nozzle 235 is provided with a nozzle flow control and when this is fully closed and control valve 248 is opened, full available fluid pressure is directed to the rotation of the turbine 210 and hence rotation of the reel 200.

As described in previous embodiments above, control valve 248 may be operated remotely by the operator of the hose nozzle 235. Thus the operator may select between on the one hand, rewinding the hose by shutting off flow to the nozzle 235 and opening the exhausted fluid control valve 248, and on the other hand, leaving the reel stationary so as to have full pressure available at the nozzle 235 by shutting the exhausted fluid control valve 248 and opening the nozzle flow control. Alternatively, if desired, a combination of partially opened exhausted fluid control valve 248 and nozzle 235 flow control valve, allows continued use of fluid at the nozzle with the turbine 210 at the same time acting to rewind the hose, for example in a retreating situation from an advancing fire.

In still a further preferred embodiment with reference to Figure 9 a turbine 310 comprises a stationary housing 312 enclosing a rotor 314. Housing 312 is connected at an input end 316 to a fluid supply line 318 and at an output end 320 to spent fluid line 322. Rotor 314 is mounted on bearings 316 so as to rotate about axle 319 which also acts as an axle for one side of a hose reel 300. Rotor 314 is provided with vanes 321 which are impacted upon by fluid under pressure entering the housing 312 through fluid supply line 318 so as to cause rotor 314 to rotate about axle 319.

Axle 319 is provided with hose fluid supply passage 323 extending into the drum 324 of hose reel 300 where it connects with hose 326 by means of rotary coupling 328.

Fluid supply line 318 is connected to fluid supply passage 323, with a flow control valve 330 controlling fluid entry into housing 312. Fluid supplied under pressure normally flows to hose nozzle 332 but may be partially or fully diverted to flow into housing 312 by restricting the flow through nozzle 332 and at the same time opening control valve 330.

Rotor 314 is connected to a primary gear 334 via tubular connection member 336 passing through an annular seal 338 in the side of housing 312. Primary gear 334 meshes with at least one planetary gear 340 free to rotate about a spindle 342 mounted to hose reel head plate 344.

The, or each planetary gear meshes with ring gear 346 also mounted to reel head plate 344. Thus the gear train of primary gear, planetary gear and ring gear provide reduction gearing as described in the previous embodiment above.

The above-describes only some embodiments of the - present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.