Patent Publication Number: US-2016243388-A1

Title: Autonomous fire suppression nozzle

Description:
BACKGROUND TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to fire fighting nozzles in general and more specifically to autonomous nozzles of the self-erecting, movable, and airborne type. 
     BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     References Cited 
       
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patent Documents 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 2,023,028 
                 December 1935 
                 Offerdahl 
               
               
                 5,064,392 
                 September 1990 
                 Wonders 
               
               
                 5,860,479 
                 January 1999 
                 LaFolette 
               
               
                 2012/0285709 
                 May 2011 
                 McLoughlin et al. 
               
               
                 2013/0134254 
                 November 2011 
                 Moore 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Autonomous fire fighting systems differ from conventional fire equipment in that the operation may be independent of direct human control. Safer than to send a firefighter into a hazardous situation, is to deploy a robotic device into a dangerous environment to initially attack the fire thus freeing the human firefighters to perform rescue functions as required. 
     Attempts to protect human firefighters were evident in Offerdahl and Wonders, which proposed a jet propelled fire device deployed under a shore structure fire such as a burning pier. Ground vehicles have also been proposed, as in LaFollette, where tracked vehicles carried conventional fire nozzles up to the fire. The problem of hose deployment with such systems was previously addressed by McLoughlin, with a towed hose trailer deployment strategy. Current approaches with humanoid robots programmed to utilize conventional fire nozzle and hose combinations have been recently demonstrated with the DARPA/US Naval Research Laboratory project SAFFiR system. 
     Many differing attempts to utilize aircraft to fight outdoor or forest fires are well known in the art. Recently Moore proposed an UAV-based quadracopter configuration which carries aloft a conventional nozzle with a hose to deliver fluid to fight a fire. 
     These proposed devices may be better than sending a human firefighter into harms way, yet are complicated, heavy, slow, and/or may lack the payload required for the task. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is made in view of the aforesaid problems in the related art. 
     An improved autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly of the robotic type according to one embodiment of the present invention comprising a system of simple components to support the “hose”, transport the “nozzle/head” device via reactive jet propulsion, while utilizing no external moving parts, by the principle of acceleration of a fluid through a plurality of lifting transportation nozzles, and utilizing the hydraulic force of fluid pressure to assure dependable jet propulsion. 
     The invention is a self-guided, self-propelled, fire detecting, hose delivery device for the application of a multitude of fire suppression fluids or gasses. A single hydraulic core valve enclosed within a complex shaped body cavity, can control the travel and delivery functions of fire suppression fluid by an independent means utilizing a novel geometry. 
     A novel means of integrating the functions of navigation, fire detection, guidance, and control of the fire suppression fluid, without the use of a crawling, rolling, wing or leg utilizing robotic vehicle, yet by deploying a “nozzle/head” assembly, flying by jet propulsion, the invention allows for delivery of fire suppression over obstructed paths, up into tall structures, indoor flight through rooms and/or corridors, or outdoor operations. Therefore application of this novel fire suppression system is simply universal. 
     By its design this device is automatically self-controlling in the case of loss of flow or pressure or accidental situation, as the “nozzle/head” is supported by the reactive flow of the fluid. Thus if the flow creases, the “nozzle/head” is returned to a safe “resting” state. 
     In summary, this novel elegant autonomous fire nozzle and hose assembly device can be characterized as “a life saving device” because of the utilization of the dependable hydraulic forces to cause the device to travel quickly, instead of people, into harms way. Instead of inventing a mechanical firefighter, this is a “firefighterless” autonomous nozzle/head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative and presently selected embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic overview of the component relationships of an autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of a representation the components of an autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an overview of an embodiment of a fire fighting system showing the pre-flight ready mode, prior to the launch/travel phase of operations; 
         FIG. 4  is an overview of an embodiment of a fire fighting system showing the invention utilized for a highrise building fire mission in a multiple roles of hose delivery, manual attack, or autonomous operation. Shown as deployed independently or with other fire fighting assets. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DRAWINGS 
     
         
         
           
             A Nozzle/Head Unit 
             B Hose Components 
             C Fluid and Energy Reservoir 
               1  Guidance Computer/Communications Unit 
               2  3-Axis Gyroscope and 3-Axis Accelerometer 
               3  Electrical Power Source 
               4  Sensor Array 
               5  Valve Actuators 
               6  Internal Valve “Spool” 
               7  Valve “Body” 
               8  Lifting Thrust Ports 
               9  Fire Attack Ports 
               10  Hose or “Pable” [Pipe Cable] Attachment 
               11  Pumping Force Source 
               12  Power Reservoir (Tank) 
               13  Fire Suppression Fluid Storage (Tank) 
               14  Hose/“Pable” Coil 
               15  Hose Storage Device 
               16  Cover 
               17  Photovoltaic Cells 
               18  Communications Antennae 
               19  Mounting Platform 
               20  Vehicle 
               21  Auxiliary Fire Assets 
           
         
       
    
     However, before proceeding with the description, it should be noted that the various embodiments shown and described herein are exemplary only and are not intended to represent the extent to which the present invention may be utilized. Indeed, the systems and methods described herein could be readily applied to any of a wide range of autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly designs, as would be obvious to persons having ordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with the teachings provided herein. Consequently, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to the particular autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly and example configurations shown and described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Nozzle/Head Description 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a sectional view of one embodiment of an autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly A may comprise an upper chamber to hold the Guidance Computer/Communications Unit  1 , in communication with a 3-Axis Gyroscope and 3-Axis Accelerometer  2 , powered by an Electrical Power Source  3 , connected to a Sensor Array  4 , which by programmed logic to avoid obstacles and navigate to the fire, control fluid to a plurality of Valve Actuators  5 , (communication not depicted) which cause the Internal Valve “Spool”  6 , to cause the flow of fluid internal to the Valve “Body”  7 , and allowing the plurality of Lifting Ports  8 , to move by flying the whole fire suppression nozzle and head assembly with hose, to allow delivery of suppression fluid through a plurality of Fire Attack Ports  9 , towards the fire. 
     System Operation 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an overview of an embodiment of a fire fighting system showing the pre-flight mode, with the nozzle/head attached and affixed atop the coil of hose. In the ready state, the system may be primed with sufficient pressure in the propellant tanks  12 , in C. When the system receives a signal that a fire needs to be attacked, a valve (not detailed) is opened and when sufficient pressure or flow is achieved, the Nozzle/Head assembly A, is launched into the air and begins to move; it is in the “Travel” state. The fluid which, in one embodiment, may comprise a compressed gas, propels the Nozzle/Head assembly in generally arc-shaped path as the hose B, is deployed from the Hose Storage Device  15 . In an indoor design of the system, a compressed gas may be elected to provide pressure to “fly” to the suspected fire area so as not to “wet” the area under the flight path. Upon arrival, the aforementioned sensor array  4 , provides the control system with information to determine if a fire threat exists and to switch to “Attack” mode by signaling Valve Actuators  5 , directing the flow of fire suppression fluids, also directing valves at the fluid tank feeding the hose. 
     “Newton&#39;s Third Law of Motion, ‘For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.’ As water leaves a nozzle under pressure, it causes a reactionary force in the opposite direction. The formula used for calculation of nozzle reaction is NR=1.57D 2 P.” [fireengineering.com] Where NR is nozzle reaction, D is the diameter of the hose, and P is the pressure. One embodiment of a system for a 1.5 inch diameter hose nozzle equivalent opening with a pressure of  150  pounds per square inch (PSI) would exceed well over 200 pounds of force. This force is sufficient to move/lift the nozzle/head unit and the hose filled with water a very long way, very quickly. 
     One possible embodiment of the autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly is envisioned to be used for manually controlled configurations. A system can be provided with a suitable interface, as well as the various ancillary systems that may be desired or required for the operation of a remote controlled fire suppression nozzle and head assembly system, not described in further detail herein. Another embodiment would be the attachment of the autonomous fire suppression nozzle head to existing fire company hose and water source (i.e., pumper) then “launch” and control the device from a safe distance, with visual feedback to the firefighter remaining at the launch location. 
     Fluids having different viscosity and densities are possible and should be regarded as being within the scope of the present invention, provided suitable modifications are made to the autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly system to allow different fluids to be used for different phases of operations: launch, travel, and attack. 
     An additional embodiment claimed of the present invention (not shown in the attached drawings), is of a fire fighting system where the invention is utilized for an outdoor canyon fire suppression mission. One embodiment is envisioned in a totally remote location strategically placed to provide unattended fire protection vigilance for a home or building. The system may incorporate an photovoltaic array, providing power for a small air-compressor (not depicted) to maintain pressure in the fluid and energy reservoir awaiting a “launch” signal from the guidance computer/communications Unit, after sensor input to determine the optimal time to begin the “travel” or flight mode. This configuration may be used in conjunction with other auxiliary fire assets, such as sprinklers, other vehicles, or firefighter teams, to assure higher success in defending the property. 
     An additional embodiment claimed of the present invention (not shown in the attached drawings), is of a fire fighting system where the invention is utilized for a vehicle (aircraft or ship) fire suppression mission. Such an embodiment would provide unattended fire protection during adverse conditions, such as military naval operations, either in combat, or at port. Multiple autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assemblies are envisioned to be located in high value locations such as: galleys, engine rooms, ammunition magazines, or communications areas. In an aircraft deployment smaller gaseous fire suppression fluids may be utilized in engine nacelles, fuel, electronic bays, or weapons locations. 
     An additional embodiment claimed of the present invention (not shown in the attached drawings) is to utilize a smaller shorter range/smaller capacity system in the trunk of a first responder squad car or police vehicle to be positioned in proximity to an automobile accident and/or fire, for initial suppression while additional fire department equipment and personnel are in transit. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an additional embodiment of the present invention is to utilize the autonomous fire suppression nozzle and hose assembly as part of a fire battalion equipment asset by the application of a plurality of nozzle/head units mounted on a firetruck or vehicle to deploy the system up many stories into a highrise structure fire. The device may be utilized to quickly deliver larger diameter hoses to staged fire personnel in order to attack the fire with conventional techniques, or by utilization of the invention in combination with manual, remote controlled, or autonomous operations. A nozzle/head unit may be used with conventional pumpers and carefully coiled hose ready to be lifted into tall structures, since upon launch the nozzle/head is self-stabilized. 
     An additional embodiment of the present invention is to utilize the autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly as part of system to suppress fires in an industrial facility or park, e.g. Petrochemical Plants, large sites, tank farms, and storage yards. In this embodiment an autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly deployed from a tactical location in conjunction with traditional fire monitors is desired and therefor the total fire suppression system would be more effective. Those persons having ordinary skill in the art could readily apply autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly technology such as required with older water monitor systems. 
     One embodiment of the present invention would have an autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly system mounted on vehicles: airships, boats, rail cars, or trucks, for transportable applications per industry design guidelines. 
     In summation, then, because persons having ordinary skill in the art could readily select from one or several component configurations of the design described herein, after having become familiar with the teachings of the present invention, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to varying any one or combination of the autonomous fire suppression nozzle and head assembly components or systems described herein. 
     Present invention should not be regarded as limited to any kind of fire suppression fluid. 
     Present invention should not be regarded as limited to any kind of pumping technology, conventional or stored energy (compressed gas or gravity tower) system. 
     Present invention should not be regarded as limited to any scale of fluid output. 
     Present invention should not be regarded as limited to any particular fluid source or combination of fluid sources. 
     Present invention should not be regarded as limited to any hose or pable (pipe cable) single or multiple conduits of communication, or combinations, of fluids or gasses. 
     Present invention should not be regarded as limited to any installation configuration: subterranean or surface structures, stationary or mobile application as in surface ships, airships, spacecraft, or as small transportable fire suppression units for military or civilian applications. 
     Present invention should not be regarded as limited to any fluid delivery use or purpose, either as a fire suppression system, or as the source of fire to create a fire break or in a militarized embodiment such as a flame thrower for anti-piracy or military defensive and/or offensive applications. 
     Having herein set forth some embodiments of the present invention, it is anticipated that suitable modifications can be made thereto which will nonetheless remain within the scope of the invention. The invention shall therefore only be construed in accordance with the specific included claims.