Abstract:
A water scooping apparatus for an aircraft comprising an extendible tubular member having a first end and an opposite end, wherein the first end is pivotally attached to the aircraft, a duct for fluidly connecting the extendible tubular member at the first end to a water tank, a floater connected to the opposite end of the extendible tubular member, wherein the floater is provided with an intake opening for taking in water; wherein the intake opening is fluidly connected to the extendible tubular member; wherein the water scooping apparatus is operable between a resting position in which the extendible tubular member is substantially retracted, and an operating position in which the extendible tubular member extends downwards from the aircraft at an angle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a water scooping apparatus for a conventional aircraft that can be used to extinguish forest fires, to an aircraft equipped with such a water scooping apparatus and to a method of filling water tanks on board of such an aircraft. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Aircrafts that can be used to extinguish fires are known in the art. Examples of such aircrafts are amphibious Canadair forest fire fighter. These so-called “Canadair” aircrafts are dedicated to fighting forest fires or wildfires and search and rescue in case of disaster on sea, due to the ability to land on water surface. These aircrafts are able to fill the installed water tanks while flying over a body of water with the hull of the aircraft skimming the water surface. They can for example fill the water tanks with 6100 litre of water in 12 seconds. To the taken in water additives can be added such as foam forming compounds, or gel to form a liquid fire suppressant. The additives improve the fire suppressing action. After taking in water, the aircraft can take off, fly to the forest fire and drop the content of the water tanks on or near the burning area while flying at low altitude. 
         [0003]    By repeating this manoeuvre the forest- or wildfire can be extinguished. A tactical way of firefighting is to spread a wide path or blanket of liquid fire suppressant i.e. water in front of a forest fire by means of multiple droppings, blocking the way for the forest fire to spread out in the direction of the wind. 
         [0004]    A disadvantage of such aircrafts is that they are dedicated to this activity and can only be used for extinguishing fires and rescues on high sea. Furthermore they need to contact the water, and usually have only a limited capacity of about 6000 litres of water to release above a fire. 
         [0005]    Conventional, non-amphibious aircrafts which contain water tanks, so-called airtankers, may have a larger storage capacity (about 10.000-30.000 litres), but they are not equipped to pick up water from water surfaces like sea, rivers and lakes. They generally need to land at an airport, refill the water tanks and take off again. This takes a large amount of time and only one run and drop of liquid fire suppressant can be achieved per hour. In addition the fuel cost is higher and an efficient method of extinguishing of forest fires (total cost/litres per hour) cannot be reached. 
         [0006]    In the art, for example as described in British published patent GB2163710, aircraft are known which are equipped with apparatus for scooping up water. The described aircraft has a boom pivoted at its forward end to the underside of the aircraft&#39;s fuselage and having at its rear end a scoop connected via a duct in the boom to a water storage tank mounted in the fuselage. When the aircraft is flying closely above the surface of a body of water, the boom may be lowered to dip the scoop into the water to thereby refill the tank. The scoop can be equipped with a hydrofoil to guide the scoop through the water surface. Such scoop and hydrofoil however have an undefined position with respect to the water surface and may exhibit uncontrolled downward movement when pulled through a water surface, thereby endangering the aircraft to be pulled down and its pilot. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the invention to provide an improved way of taking-in water into an aircraft provided with water tanks. 
         [0008]    The object is achieved in a water scooping apparatus for an aircraft comprising an extendible tubular member having a first end and an opposite end, wherein the first end is pivotally attached to the aircraft, a duct for fluidly connecting the extendible tubular member at the first end to a water tank, a floater connected to the opposite end of the extendible tubular member. The floater is provided with an intake opening at its opposite end for taking in water, wherein the intake opening is fluidly connected to the lower end of the extendible tubular member, wherein the water scooping apparatus is operable between a resting position in which the extendible tubular member is substantially retracted, and an operating position in which the extendible tubular member extends downwards from the aircraft at an angle. 
         [0009]    The pivotal connection of the tubular member to the aircraft and the extendible tubular member allows the water scooping apparatus to be operable between the resting position and the operating position. The pivotal attachment of the extendible tubular member also allows in operation altitude variations of the aircraft relative to the water surface. The pivotability of the extendible tubular member allows an optimal angle to be assumed between the extendible tubular member and the aircraft for pulling the floater at a given altitude of the aircraft. High waves may require a higher altitude than lower waves for example. 
         [0010]    The floater once lowered into the water provides an upward force, i.e. buoyancy thereby preserving the opposite end of the extendible tubular member, i.e. intake opening in a defined position in the water surface at a working depth. It prevents the floater from going too deep and pulling the aircraft down. 
         [0011]    The term ‘at an angle’ is understood to mean that the extendible tubular member is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage. The angle between the extendible tubular member and the longitudinal axis of the fuselage is preferably 20 to 70 degrees, more preferably 40 to 45 degrees. 
         [0012]    The water scooping apparatus can be installed underneath an aircraft, which can be a conventional non-amphibious aircraft, with the intention to scoop water from sea, lake or river or any other body of water in order to suppress forest fire or wildfire. The water scooping apparatus can for example also be installed inside a conventional aircraft, provided it has an access door or hatch in the fuselage from where the water scooping apparatus can be deployed outside the aircraft to skim the water surface and to scoop water. 
         [0013]    The water scooping apparatus can be installed permanently, or can be dismantled for a seasonal period after the forest-fire high-risk season. It allows a conventional non-amphibious aircraft to scoop water from a body of water flying at an altitude between 1 meter to 18 meters above the water surface, preferably between 5 and 15 meters above the surface of the water. 
         [0014]    The water scooping apparatus can be installed in different types of aircrafts. For example in small aircrafts SEAT (Single Engine Air Tanker or Air Tractor AT-802) which are normally used for crop spraying, to medium-size airtankers like for example the Neptune P-2H, or Large Air Tankers (LAT) like for example the Hercules C-130 and finally the Very Large Airtankers (VLAT) like for example the DC 10. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the floater can have a V-shaped body in a vertical cross section, like for example a high speed speedboat, with a sharp bow and a stern in order to land the device smoothly on the water surface and sustain a high speed required for the aircraft to remain airborne and a steady course through the water. The sharp bow can for example have an axe-shape. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the intake opening is positioned underneath the floater facing the bow. The intake opening is arranged to scoop the water from the water surface. This allows the water scooping apparatus to scoop water using the forward thrust of the aircraft to which the water scooping apparatus is attached. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the intake opening has an intake-valve. This prevents water taken in to flow back when the floater is lifted from the water surface. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, the floater is provided with a hydrofoil mounted underneath the floater near the stern, wherein the hydrofoil has an angle of engagement with the water, and the angle of engagement is chosen to create a downward force. The downward force of the hydrofoil causes the floater to stay in the water. The position near the stern prevents the floater from diving with its bow into the water surface. The floater buoyancy creates an upward force when lowered into the water. 
         [0019]    In operation, when the floater is pulled through the water by the aircraft, the downward force by the hydrofoil pulls the floater down into the water until it is balanced with the upward force, i.e. floater buoyancy. As the hydrofoil is mounted near the stern, the downward force may also compensate a torque caused by the intake opening resistance in the water, pushing the bow of the floater down. This results in a passive, stable and safe scooping position of the floater, preventing it from going any deeper. It can scoop the highest volume of water in the shortest period of time with the lowest forces on the aircraft. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the floater is provided with an airfoil mounted at a high end of the floater near the bow, wherein the airfoil has an angle of engagement with the air, and the angle of engagement is chosen to create a downward force while descending from the aircraft. 
         [0021]    The airfoil causes the floater to be forced downwards and stabilizes the floater, whilst being airborne. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, the airfoil is collapsible to the floater, so that while the floater is above the water the airfoil is deployed, whereas when the floater is in the water, the airfoil is collapsed to prevent damage from waves. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, the extendible tubular member comprises an extendible pipe with at least one extension pipe. The extendible tubular member can have extension means for driving the at least one extension pipe. The extendible pipe can be mounted to the aircraft with a hinge for the pivoting action necessary to extend the pipe downwards with an angle relative to the aircraft. The pipe can be provided with extension means such as rods to extend mechanically. The pipe can also be extended hydraulically. A drive or hydraulic pump allows the extending of the pipe. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the extendible pipe is a telescopic pipe. The telescopic pipe can have multiple segments. This allows the extendible pipe to be housed in a space within the aircraft fuselage. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, the extendible tubular member comprises at least one hose, and the water scooping apparatus further comprises means for releasing and retracting the at least one hose. By releasing and retracting the at least one hose, the at least one hose can extend from the aircraft and be retracted after use. The flexibility of the at least one hose provides the hinge action allowing the hose to extend from the aircraft and assume an angle relative to the aircraft. 
         [0026]    In a further embodiment, the extension means for releasing and retracting the hose comprise a reel, and wherein the at least one hose are rolling onto and unrolling from the reel. The rolling or unrolling of the at least one hose around the reel provides the hinge action allowing the hose to extend from the aircraft and assume an angle relative to the aircraft. Moreover, the main axle of the reel can freely rotate and allow the aircraft to fly at different altitudes, preferably between 5 and 15 meters. 
         [0027]    A hose rolled up onto the reel provides a space saving solution for housing the water scooping apparatus. The reel with hose can be accommodated inside the aircraft fuselage in a compartment for example underneath a loading floor. The compartment can be covered with a door or hatch. Thus when the scooping device is not in use, the aircraft can fly without air resistance due to parts extending outside the fuselage. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, the extendible tubular member further comprises lifting means for moving the floater in and out of the operating position and holding the floater in the operating position. 
         [0029]    This allows the at least one hose to be manufactured from relatively light material wherein the mechanical force to lift the extendible tubular member and floater is relieved by means of the lifting means. 
         [0030]    The object is also achieved according to another aspect of the invention in an aircraft comprising a fuselage comprising a water tank, wherein the aircraft is further provided with a water scooping apparatus as described. The water scooping apparatus is attached to a reinforced frame of the aircraft fuselage, for example underneath the aircraft, via a hinge member. The water scooping apparatus is fluidly connected to the water tank via the duct 
         [0031]    The water scooping apparatus can be installed underneath any aircraft, including conventional non-amphibious aircrafts, to provide the ability to scoop water from sea, lake or river or any other body of water in order to suppress forest fire or wildfire. 
         [0032]    The hinge member can be mounted underneath the aircraft and connected directly to a for this purpose reinforced frame (skeleton) of the aircraft. 
         [0033]    The object is also achieved according to another aspect of the invention in a process for filling water tanks of an aircraft as described. The process comprises flying above a water surface at an altitude between 1 and 18 meters, preferably between 5 and 15 meters, extending the extendible tubular member until the floater touches the water surface, and taking in water. 
         [0034]    After filling the tanks with water the extendible tubular member can be retracted and moved into a resting-position. The water scooping apparatus in resting position underneath the aircraft can then be covered by a hatch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a water scooping apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention mounted underneath an aircraft comprising telescopic pipes. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  shows another example of a water scooping apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a hose on a reel and the floater mounted inside an aircraft in a resting position. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  shows the water scooping apparatus of  FIG. 2  in an operating position. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a floater of the water scooping apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of the floater of the water scooping apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  shows a rear view of the floater of the water scooping apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    The water scooping apparatus as shown in  FIG. 1  in resting-position  8 , can be mounted underneath an aircraft  1  or airtanker, e.g. a conventional non amphibious aircraft  1 . 
         [0042]    The aircraft  1  may have installed water tanks  10  which can for example contain 10.000 to 30.000 litres or more of liquid fire suppressant, i.e. water. These water tanks are interconnected by wide-dimensional ducts  12  in order to maintain a steady balance of the aircraft  1  during high-speed filling. An airtanker is able to drop the content of these tanks in a very short time, varying from  4  to  8  seconds, on a forest fire. 
         [0043]    The water tanks  10  are connected to a filling pipe or duct  4  which is connected to an extendible pipe  5 . The extendible pipe  5  is connected to a hinge  3 . The hinge  3  can be mounted on a frame which is mounted in the aircraft  1 . The hinge  3  can also be mounted directly inside the aircraft  1  and connected with the for this purpose reinforced main frame or fuselage  14  of the aircraft  1 . 
         [0044]    When the water scooping apparatus  2  is in operating position, the floater  7  being pulled by the aircraft  1  and floating on the water surface  9  will maintain a steady, passive, stable and safe position in the water surface  9 , while the aircraft  1  may be varying in altitude with respect to the water surface. 
         [0045]    The main pipe  5  which is connected to the hinge  3 , is extendible by at least one extension pipe  6 . The extension pipe  6  can have an outer diameter to fit inside the extendible main pipe  5 . The extension pipe  6  is attached to a floater  7 . The extension pipe  6  is provided with an intake opening (see reference numeral  20  in  FIG. 4 ), which may have an intake-valve. Once the floater  7  with intake-opening enters the water-surface  9  the water will pass through the intake opening and enter the said water tanks under high pressure, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The intake valve can be gradually opened to allow a controlled inflow of water once the floater  7  has engaged the water surface  9 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the extendible tubular member can alternatively comprise a hose  18 . The hose  18  can be made from a reinforced material comprising for example Dyneema™ fibre or a similar material. The hose  18  in resting position in  FIG. 2  can be rolled onto a reel  13  which is mounted inside the aircraft  1 . The floater  7  can be accommodated on a slide  17 . Reel  13  and floater  7 , parked on the slide  17  can be accommodated within the fuselage  14  of the aircraft  1 . 
         [0047]    The hose  18 , or multiple hoses  18 , can be accompanied by one or more cables (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) for lifting or hoisting the floater  7  from its resting position to operating position and vice versa. The one or more cables also allow relieving the hose  18  from the tensile force exerted by the aircraft to the floater in operating position. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 3  the hose  18  is shown in rolled off position. The reel  13  causes the hose  18  to be extendible, and also provides the hinge action, as the hose can swing around the reel central axis in a vertical plane extending from the front of the aircraft  1  to the rear. The flexibility of the hose  18  can also contribute to the hinge action. The end of hose  18  at the reel  13  is connected to duct  4  via a water tight bearing, thus connecting the hose  18  to the water tanks  10 . At the opposite end of the hose the floater  7  is attached to the hose  18 . 
         [0049]    For the scooping sequence to begin, the floater  7  is released from the aircraft  1  by opening hatch  16  and lowering slide  17 . In this lowered position, the hose  18  can be unrolled from reel  13 . The airflow underneath the airplane will position the floater  7  relative to the airplane  1  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The moving of the slide  17  can be performed for example by means of a winch with a cable attached to a free side of the slide  17 . The slide  17  can be lowered by releasing the cable from the winch  15 . 
         [0050]    The hose  18  is pivotally attached to the floater  7  and on the other end the main axle/tube of the reel can freely rotate, which allows the aircraft  1  to fly at an altitude between 6 and 20 meters, while the floater  7  remains in perfect scooping position. The diameters of the hose  18  and the duct  4  from the reel  13  to the holding tanks is chosen to allow high speed-filling and the wide-dimensional ducts in-between the water tanks  10  ensure equal filling and consequently balance and stability to the aircraft  1  during the process. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 4  the floater  7  is shown. The floater  7  preferably has a V-shaped body viewed in a vertical cross section and a high and sharp-constructed bow  22  which will split the water surface  9  and water mass below it, allowing the floater  7  to enter the water surface at high speed and maintain a steady position whilst in operation being pulled by the aircraft through the water as described before without causing too much pressure or stress on the aircraft  1 . This is for example achieved with an axe bow as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0052]    At both sides of the floater  7  spray-spoilers  21  can be mounted to deflect bow-waves and spray sideways in order to reduce the pressure. 
         [0053]    The stern  23  is also designed in a way to lead the water smoothly away from the floater in order to cause less stress on the aircraft  1 . The stern  23  can for example also be V-shaped both in a horizontal cross-section as well as in a vertical cross section of the floater  7 . The intake opening  20  is connected with the said pipe and the water tanks. 
         [0054]    The floater  7  is provided with an airfoil  24  near its bow  22 . The airfoil  24  is positioned to create a downward force, for example by tilting it downward in the forward direction of the floater  7 , and forces the floater  7  downwards in a stable way to the water surface  9 . After touch-down the airfoil  24  may be collapsed and folded to away, inside the floater  7  or to the sides of the floater  7 . The airfoil  24  can be collapsible and foldable into a recess of the floater  7 . The airfoil  24  is deployed while lowering the floater  7  from the aircraft  1 . When the floater  7  engages the water surface  9 , the airfoil  24  is preferable collapsed to prevent waves from damaging the airfoil  24 . 
         [0055]    The floater  7  can be provided with a hydrofoil  19  underneath the floater  7  near its stern  23 . The hydrofoil  19  creates a downward force, whereas the floater buoyancy creates a upward force when pulled by the aircraft  1  and hose  18  through the water surface  9 . The hydrofoil  19  is for example tilted downward in a forward direction of the floater  7 . In this way the floater  7  is forced into a passive, stable and safe scooping position at an angle of about 40 degrees relative to the aircraft  1 . 
         [0056]    The extendible pipe  5 ,  6  or hose  18  can extend through the floater  7  to be connected with the intake opening  20 . Alternatively, a passage can be made extending through the floater body wherein the passage is pivotally connected to the extendible pipe  5 ,  6  or hose  18  at its upper end and the intake opening  20  is connected to its lower end. The connection of the extendible pipe  5 , 6  or hose  18  can also be a flexible connection. The pivotal or flexible connection allows free movement of the floater  7 . 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 5  is shown the floater  7  in front view of the bow  22  with two pipes  6  or hoses  18  in case of high volume airtankers. The intake-opening  20  is shown in front view as well as the spray-spoilers  21 . 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 6  the floater  7  is shown from the rear with the stern  13  in front. 
         [0059]    The scooping capacity of the water scooping apparatus  2  is determined by the diameter of the hose  18 , by the surplus-power of the engines and loading-capacity of the aircraft  1 . An overflow valve can be installed in the water tanks  10  to avoid overloading. After filling the water tanks  10  the overflow valve can be closed, the hose  18  rolled onto the reel  13  and the floater  7  can resume its resting position and the hatch is closed. In case of higher volumes the water scooping apparatus  2  can comprise two or more hoses  18  instead of one. 
         [0060]    The embodiments described above are given by way of example. Variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection provided by the claims below. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0061]      1  aircraft 
         [0062]      2  water scooping apparatus 
         [0063]      3  pivotal connection 
         [0064]      4  duct 
         [0065]      5  extendible pipe 
         [0066]      6  extension pipe 
         [0067]      7  floater 
         [0068]      8  water scooping apparatus in resting position 
         [0069]      9  water surface 
         [0070]      10  water tanks 
         [0071]      11  actuator 
         [0072]      12  water tank connection duct 
         [0073]      13  reel 
         [0074]      14  fuselage 
         [0075]      15  hatch 
         [0076]      16  winch 
         [0077]      17  slide 
         [0078]      18  hose 
         [0079]      19  hydrofoil 
         [0080]      20  intake opening 
         [0081]      21  spray spoiler 
         [0082]      22  axe bow 
         [0083]      23  stern 
         [0084]      24  airfoil