Patent ID: 8356676

Claim:
A device attached to a helicopter for extinguishing fires, comprising: a rigid reservoir ( 2 ) for containing water, the reservoir ( 2 ) including at least one connection ( 23 ) for coupling to at least one external hose; fixing slings ( 6 ) connected to the reservoir ( 2 ) and to a bottom portion of the helicopter for facilitating transportation of the reservoir ( 2 ); a lower hatch ( 21 ) located on a lower portion of the reservoir ( 2 ); hydraulic pipes ( 3 ) connected to power connections of a hydraulic system of the helicopter; a control unit ( 71 ) operably connected to a control device ( 72 ), wherein the control unit ( 71 ) controls hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic pipes ( 3 ); a vacuum pump ( 4 ) arranged in a compartment of the helicopter; a vacuum line ( 41 ) connected between the reservoir ( 2 ) and the vacuum pump ( 4 ); means for causing opening of the lower hatch ( 21 ) to thereby facilitate filling of the reservoir ( 2 ); means for detecting a pre-set water level within the reservoir ( 2 ), comprising at least one inner water level sensor ( 74 ) electrically connected to the control unit ( 71 ), wherein the lower hatch ( 21 ) will automatically close when a water level of the reservoir ( 2 ) has reached the pre-set water level; a vacuum sensor ( 75 ) within the reservoir ( 2 ) electrically connected to the control unit ( 71 ) so as to provide information for regulating a vacuum created inside the reservoir ( 2 ) by the vacuum pump ( 4 ) when the reservoir ( 2 ) is in a closed position and depending on a predetermined quantity of water to be loaded; wherein the means for causing opening of the lower hatch ( 21 ) comprises at least one lower water sensor ( 73 ) electrically connected to the control unit ( 71 ) and arranged outside of an interior of the reservoir ( 2 ) adjacent to the lower hatch ( 21 ) for detecting the presence of water to be loaded; whereby water is loaded into the reservoir ( 2 ) through the lower hatch ( 21 ) by a suction effect produced by the vacuum pump ( 4 ) previously created inside the reservoir ( 2 ) when the lower hatch ( 21 ) is opened.