Patent ID: 12220605

First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodiments described, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations, where the disclosures contained in the entire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure and in case of a change of position, these specifications of location are to be analogously transferred to the new position.

The term “in particular” shall henceforth be understood to mean that it may refer to a possible more specific formation or more detailed specification of an object or a process step, but need not necessarily depict a mandatory, preferred embodiment of same or a mandatory practice.

In their present use, the terms “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes”, “including”, “contains”, “containing” and any variations thereof are meant to cover a non-exclusive inclusion.

FIG.1shows a stylized view of an emergency vehicle1, in particular a fire engine, with an emergency aggregate2mounted on it. The emergency vehicle1comprises a vehicle body mounted on a chassis3, wherein the shape and the appearance of the emergency vehicle1are shown merely by way of example of a plurality of possible designs and shapes. The chassis3comprises at least one pair of front wheels4and at least one pair of rear wheels5. To provide a better overview, the representation of drive means was dispensed with.

The vehicle body may also be referred to as vehicle structure, wherein a separate or integrated driver's cabin is also usually provided. As a mobile driving unit, the emergency vehicle1comprises a liquid mixing system6, which is usually integrated in the vehicle body of the emergency vehicle1. The liquid mixing system6serves to provide a liquid mixture by mixing water with at least one additive for purposes of operation. This was merely adumbrated in dashed lines.

In this regard, it should be noted that when the emergency vehicle1is designed as a fire engine, it serves mostly for fire-fighting operations. The at least one additive may, in this case, be formed by an extinguishing agent or be referred to as such. Moreover, the generally used term “additive” may, in connection with another component, also be referred to as “extinguishing agent” in the context of the respective component. However, it would also be possible that, for example, a colorant, a liquid decreasing surface tension or the like is used as the additive. This is why general reference is made to an additive which is present in the liquid state.

For extinguishing purposes, the liquid mixing system6may also be referred to as the fire extinguishing system. The term “water” generally selected below may also be referred to as extinguishing water in the case of the firefighting vehicle designed as an emergency vehicle.

The further components or component parts associated therewith may be combined with the more specific term “extinguishing water” instead of the general term “water”.

InFIG.2, the liquid mixing system6, in particular the firefighting system, is shown as a simplified diagram, in particular in the form of a simplified schematic diagram. The components or component parts as well as connecting lines are shown merely in a schematically simplified manner.

The liquid mixing system6comprises a first water reservoir7for holding a first water8, a first additive reservoir9with a first additive10being held therein, a mixing unit11, a conveying device12and a line network13. Moreover, a control device14(e.g. a control system or controller) and a data storage device15are provided. The conveying device12may be formed by the components known from the prior art, in particular pumps, in diverse designs.

The mixing unit11serves for admixing at least the first additive10to the at least first water8. For this purpose, at least one additive flowmeter16, an additive metering device17and a mixing device18are provided. The additive flowmeter16may be formed, for example, by an electromagnetic flowmeter, an impeller flowmeter or the like.

The line network13in turn comprises multiple different lines, which are described below. A feed line19connects the first water reservoir7to the conveying device12. Thus, the first water8stored in the first water reservoir7can be fed to the conveying device12. Starting from the conveying device12, a first conveying line20is provided, which leads to at least one discharge location21. The discharge location21may serve to be coupled to a hose line not shown. However, a direct further line connection to the emergency aggregate2shown inFIG.1is also conceivable, which emergency aggregate2is designed as a monitor device in the present embodiment. The line connection is adumbrated in dashed lines.

Moreover, a second conveying line22is also provided here. The second conveying line22forms a type of conveying loop and branches off the first conveying line20. This takes place downstream of the conveying device12. Moreover, the second conveying line22opens into the mixing device18and/or is line-connected to the mixing device18. Downstream of the mixing device, the second conveying line22leads back to the conveying device12and opens into it on the entry side. Said entry may also be formed separately from the feed line19. However, it would also be possible for the second conveying line22to open into the feed line19upstream of the conveying device12as seen in the flowing direction of the water8in the feed line19and to thus be fluidically connected thereto. Moreover, here, a first valve arrangement23is provided in the line extension of the second conveying line22. The first valve arrangement23serves for controlling a flow at least of the first water8and/or of the already formed liquid mixture towards the mixing device18. Hence, it may be determined whether, depending on the conveying circuit in the second conveying line22, admixing is performed or not. When the first valve arrangement23is entirely closes, an admixture of the first additive10in the mixing device18is stopped.

In order to convey the first additive10from the first additive reservoir9to the mixing device18, the line network13comprises a separate additive line24. The flow of the additive10through the additive line24may be released and/or be stopped entirely or partially depending on the valve position by means of a separate second valve arrangement25which is presently shown following the first additive reservoir9. The additive line24connects the first additive reservoir9with the additive metering device17and opens into the mixing device18. The mixing device18may, for example, be formed by a so-called Venturi nozzle or a so-called propellant valve. The already described additive flowmeter16of the mixing unit11is also located at or in the additive line24and is arranged in the line extension between the first additive reservoir9and the mixing device18. In the present exemplary embodiment, the additive flowmeter16is arranged downstream of the first additive reservoir9and still upstream of the additive metering device17.

To allow for the determination of the conveying stream and/or the conveyed amount of the medium conveyed in the conveying line20towards the discharge location21, a liquid mixture flowmeter26is provided in the line extension preferably downstream of the connecting point of the second conveying line22as seen in the flowing direction. The liquid mixture flowmeter26may be formed for example by an electromagnetic flowmeter, an impeller flowmeter or by a flow rate measurement device, as described in AT 514 927 A4. If the conveying device12conveys solely water8and no admixture of at least one additive10is provided for forming the liquid mixture, in particular the extinguishing agent mixture, it is possible that merely the conveying stream and/or the conveyed amount of the water8alone is determined by the liquid mixture flowmeter26.

When the liquid mixing system6is in operation and the liquid mixture is to be provided and removed and/or discharged at the discharge location21and the valve arrangement/s23and/or25is/are provided so as to be opened and allow for through-flow. The admixing rate of the additive10to the water8may be adjusted at the additive metering device17. For this purpose, for example, during opening and the release of flowing-through of the additive stream by means of the second valve arrangement25, a target value for the admixing rate of the additive can be transmitted to the control device14and further from the latter to the additive metering device17. The admixing rate of the additive is usually between 0.3% and 10%. However, it would also still be possible, as is shown in simplified manner next to the control device14, to provide an input terminal or an input device36which has a communication connection at least with the control device14. The input device36serves for manually specifying and entering the target value of the admixing rate by an operator, but it could also be used to correct a target value that has already been specified.

During operation of the conveying device12, the water8is removed, in particular drawn, from the first water reservoir7. When a removal is performed at the discharge location21, the water8is first conveyed into the first conveying line20and by release of the flow connection by the first valve arrangement23the supply towards the mixing device18is enabled. There, admixture of at least the first additive10is performed. The liquid mixture, in particular the extinguishing agent mixture, formed or produced in the course of this is fed to the conveying device12at the entry side and is conveyed from the latter to the discharge location21. A partial stream is, in turn, branched off from the first conveying line20and fed to the second conveying line22.

At least one first measurement value of at least the flow of the first additive10conveyed to the mixing device18is determined by the additive flowmeter16. The at least one first measurement value is transmitted to the control device14. Moreover, the total stream of the liquid mixture, in particular the extinguishing agent mixture, conveyed to the at least one discharge location21by the conveying device12is determined by the liquid mixture flowmeter26and at least one second measurement value is generated. The at least one second measurement value is also transmitted to the control device14. The communication connection to the control device14is adumbrated by a dashed line.

In further consequence, it is provided that the measurement values transmitted to the control device14are transmitted further to the data storage device15. To transmit the measurement values representing data and/or measurement data, the components described above have a communication connection. The communication connection may be designed so as to be line-connected and/or wireless.

It may also be provided that a water flowmeter27is also arranged in the line extension of the feed line19, wherein the water flowmeter27is designed to determine at least a third measurement value of the water flow streaming through the feed line19. The water flowmeter27may also be formed, for example, by an electromagnetic flowmeter, an impeller flowmeter or the like. Hence, the water flowmeter27can determine at least a third measurement value of the water flow removed from the first water reservoir7, wherein the at least one third measurement value can also be transmitted to the control device14. The at least one third measurement value may also be transmitted to the data storage device15by the control device14and stored therein. The communication connection from the water flowmeter27to the control device14is also adumbrated by a dashed line.

The determination of the measurement values described above may be performed continuously or in predetermined time intervals while the liquid mixing system6is in operation. Hence, the proper functioning of the liquid mixing system6may be ascertained at any time.

The control device14may also be designed or provided for the measurement values stored in the data storage device15to be summarized and provided in a measurement protocol by the control device14. The measurement protocol created can be output, e.g. printed out, at an output device35shown in a simplified manner. In addition to or independently of this, the measurement values or the measured data could also be transmitted in electronic form to an external storage medium, such as a USB stick. Hence, for each operation of the liquid mixing system6, a functionality protocol may be created from the measurement values and be output. Thus, the correct function of the liquid mixing system6may be determined after each operation or use and can also be proven and/or documented by means of the measurement protocol.

Furthermore, it is also shown that in addition and/or optionally to the first additive10located in the first additive reservoir9, at least one second additive28, in particular a second foaming agent, can be fed to the mixing device18. For this purpose, the at least one second additive28can be stored, for example, in a second additive reservoir29, in particular a second foaming agent reservoir, located outside the vehicle body of the emergency vehicle, in particular outside the firefighting vehicle, and can be removed from this reservoir as required. To release or stop the flow connection here as well, a third valve arrangement30may be provided which prevents or releases a flow from the first additive reservoir29into the additive line24. It would also be possible to arrange the at least one second additive reservoir29inside the emergency vehicle1. Additionally to this, at least one further external further additive reservoir29may be provided.

It may also be provided that additionally and/or optionally to the first water8located in the first water reservoir7, at least one second water31, in particular a second extinguishing water, is fed to the conveying device12. In this regard, the second water31may be removed from a discharge location located outside the vehicle body of the emergency vehicle. The discharge location may, for example, be an external water supply network, a body of water, a pool or the like. In order to enable an optional supply of the water8,31to the conveying device12, separate shut-off members32can be provided in the feed line19.

For cleaning or rinsing purposes, an additional line connection can be provided branching off from the feed line19to the conveying device12to the additive line24. This line connection can be referred to as a rinsing line33, wherein the shut-off or release of the flow of the water8,31can take place by means of a fourth valve arrangement34. Thus, the possibility is created to branch off at least a partial stream of the water8,31upstream of the conveying device12from the feed line19and to feed this water flow to the additive line24. In order to prevent an undesired admixture of the additive10and/or28from one of the additive reservoirs9,29the second valve arrangement25as well as the third valve arrangement30are to be closed. This prevents the removal of the first additive10from the first additive reservoir9and/or the removal of the second additive28from the second additive reservoir29.

During the rinsing process of the additive line24, the conveying device12is in operation and the water8,31is drawn in via the feed line19. The first valve arrangement23is open, just as in the admixing operation, and a partial stream of the water8,31is fed to the mixing device18. As previously described for the cleaning or rinsing process, the second valve arrangement25as well as the third valve arrangement30for the additive(s)10,28are closed and the fourth valve arrangement34in the rinsing line33is open. Due to the vacuum built up in the mixing device18or by the mixing device18, an additive is drawn in through the additive line24, which in this case is “water” since the fourth valve arrangement34is open. The water forming the additive8,31is branched off of the feed line19.

In order to precisely set and control the metering rate of the additive10,28a difference value can be formed by the control device14from a target value of an additive target flow stored in the control device14or entered by means of the input device36minus the at least one first measurement value determined by the additive flowmeter16. Depending on the difference value determined by the control device14, the supply of the additive10,28by means of the additive metering device17, is increased or decreased or kept unchanged. This can be carried out, for example, by means of an unspecified actuator which has a communication connection with the control device14. The actuator can change the admixing rate, wherein this is also to be controlled and adjusted depending on the second measurement value, determined by the liquid mixture flowmeter26of the total stream of the liquid mixture, in particular of the extinguishing agent mixture, conveyed to the discharge location21.

It is possible to use diverse additives10,28. The used additive10,28or the used additives10,28may be selected depending on the conditions of use. Moreover, the additive10,28may also originate from diverse manufacturers. Hence, each additive will have its own viscosity. Irrespective thereof, the temperature of use also has an impact on the viscosity. By the continuous determination of the measurement values, hence, the admixing rate and/or the admixing amount of the at least one additive10,28can be precisely controlled and by provided in the predetermined amount for admixing into the water8,31by the additive metering device17. Thus, during operation, this open-loop control and closed-loop control option allows for a rapid response to changing operating conditions. This is not possible in previously known metering systems with predetermined orifice dimensions for the flow cross-section and ball valves.

In the previously described measurement by means of flowmeters, the volume flow (or more inaccurately the flow rate) is measured as a physical quantity of fluid mechanics. It specifies how much volume of a medium per time span is transported through a defined cross-section.

The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, and it should be noted in this respect that the invention is not restricted to these particular illustrated embodiment variants of it, but that rather also various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possible and that this possibility of variation owing to the technical teaching provided by the present invention lies within the ability of the person skilled in the art in this technical field.

The scope of protection is determined by the claims. Nevertheless, the description and drawings are to be used for construing the claims. Individual features or feature combinations from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions may be gathered from the description.

All indications regarding ranges of values in the present description are to be understood such that these also comprise random and all partial ranges from it, for example, the indication 1 to 10 is to be understood such that it comprises all partial ranges based on the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e. all partial ranges start with a lower limit of 1 or larger and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, for example 1 through 1.7, or 3.2 through 8.1, or 5.5 through 10.

Finally, as a matter of form, it should be noted that for ease of understanding of the structure, elements are partially not depicted to scale and/or are enlarged and/or are reduced in size.