Patent Application
20130146700
An aerial reel that can be suspended and operated from an aircraft capable of hovering is described. The aerial reel is particularly useful for laying out and picking up a flexible length of material, such as a hose or cable as may be required in the field for fighting forest fires.
Wildfires are widespread throughout many parts of the world and they can cause extensive damage to property and human life, as well as having widespread ecological effects. Many organizations devote significant time, money and resources to wildfire management, including wildfire prevention, detection and suppression. Fire management can be very costly and is particularly costly with regards to fire suppression itself due to the large requirements for personnel, fire-fighting equipment and the operational costs of fire-suppressing aircraft. In the United States it is not uncommon for suppression operations for a single wildfire to exceed costs of $1 million (USD) in just a few days. In a typical year in Canada there can be over 9,000 forest fires, burning an average of 2.5 million hectares or 25,000 square kilometers, with average suppression costs being between $300-500 million (CAD) annually. Costs are attributable to both personnel and equipment costs including the costs of operating helicopters for the ferrying of equipment and personnel to and from the fire areas.
Wildfires are often in remote locations where they are difficult to access. One common fire suppression technique is to fly a ground crew of fire fighters into the area near the fire where the fire fighters lay out lines of hose from a nearby source of fire retardant, such as a lake, river, well, pond, or other body of water, to the burning area. The lines of hose are typically in 100 foot lengths which is a practical limit due to the weight of the hose that can be handled by a firefighter. In some locations where the most accessible fire retardant source is far away from the fire, the firefighters may spend long periods of time manually laying out and interconnecting thousands of feet of hose. The hoses often need to be laid across variable and difficult terrain that may contain features such as rock bluffs, swamps, marshes and ponds that can not be easily maneuvered through or around by firefighters. Accordingly, for many fire suppression operations, the manual laying out of long lengths of fire hose can be a difficult and timely process that is physically demanding on firefighters.
Moreover, forest firefighting is by nature a high risk occupation, and accidents such as slips and falls can easily happen during the manual laying out of hose. Safety is often the first priority for firefighters, and any improvement in fire suppression techniques that can reduce the risk of injury and reduce fatigue in firefighters would be beneficial.
Furthermore, when fire suppression operations are near completion in an area, the fire hoses must be manually drained and rolled up by the firefighters. As the hoses have been used for pumping water, they are typically very wet and heavy, making draining and rolling the hoses a sloppy and difficult job. Compounded with the fatigue from spending days or weeks fighting the fire, this can be an equally physically challenging job for firefighters.
Accordingly, there is a need for a quick and simple method and apparatus for laying out fire hose across remote and/or challenging terrain. There is also a need for devices that can effectively drain and pick up fire hoses that have been used for wildfire suppression. There is a further need for a method to lay out and pick up fire hose that reduces firefighter fatigue and increases safety.
As noted above, helicopters are a key piece of equipment in fighting fires that provide a multitude of functions including directly combatting fires by delivering fire retardant to the fire and also as a means of moving personnel and equipment. While helicopters have been used for delivering and collecting equipment including fire hose to and from locations, helicopters have not been used specifically for the deployment and collection of that fire hose.
In addition, the management of fire-fighting equipment within the field is a complex process that can often lead to the loss of equipment within the field. When equipment is not found in the field, substantial costs are often incurred looking for the equipment. In addition, not only is it expensive from a personnel and hardware-time perspective (eg. helicopter time) looking for lost equipment, when equipment is not found, there is the capital cost of replacing the lost equipment. As such, there has been a need for an inventory control system that effectively monitors the location of equipment both in and out of the field.
A review of the prior art reveals various systems that have been used with helicopters for deploying various pieces of equipment in the field. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,330 describes a method for setting up a hose between a source of fire retardant material and an airborne distributer; U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,256 and GB Patent No. 2,069,444 describe helicopter-carried devices for laying out wire or line under tension; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,665 describes a load frame for attachment to a helicopter. Importantly, the prior art does not reveal a method and apparatus for laying out and picking up fire hose that solves the previously described problems.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an aerial reel for operative connection to an aircraft for picking up and deploying lengths of flexible material to and from the aerial reel, the aerial reel comprising: a rotatable spool having a frame for operative attachment to the aircraft; an actuatable drive system operatively connected to the rotatable spool and frame for selective rotation of the rotatable spool with respect to the frame; a pick-up system operatively attached to the rotatable spool, the pick-up system for attaching an end of a length of flexible material to the rotatable spool to facilitate winding of lengths of flexible material on the rotatable spool.
In one embodiment, the pick-up system includes a pick-up control system within the aircraft enabling operator actuation of the pick-up system from within the aircraft. The pick-up system may also include an extension and retraction system for extending the pick-up system outwardly from the rotatable spool. The extension and retraction system may be connected to the central rotatable core.
In one embodiment, the extension and retraction system is a passively or actively driven gas cylinder system. In the passive embodiment, the extension and retraction system extends away from the central rotatable core when the extension and retraction system is positioned on the underside of the central rotatable core.
In another embodiment, the extension and retraction system is an actuatable scissor mechanism.
In one embodiment, the pick-up system is an actuatable electromagnet that extends along the length of the spool.
In one embodiment, the rotatable spool comprises first and second flanges on either ends of the cylinder, and at least one of the flanges has a track on an inner surface engaged with at least one of the ends of the electromagnetic bar for guiding the extension and retraction of the electromagnetic bar.
In one embodiment, the pick-up system comprises a hook.
In yet another embodiment, the rotatable spool further comprises a visual indicator for indicating the position of the pick-up system. The visual indicator may be a colored line along the length of the rotatable spool on the opposite side of the rotatable spool relative to the pick-up system.
In a still further embodiment, the actuatable drive system includes a drive control system for connection within the aircraft enabling operator control of rotation of the rotatable spool from within aircraft. The actuatable drive system may be a hydraulic drive system having a hydraulic motor and/or an electric drive system having an electric motor.
In one embodiment, the actuatable drive system has a gear system having more than one gear ratio enabling the generation multiple spool rotation speeds.
In one embodiment, the gear ratio of the actuatable drive system has means for automatically adjusting the speed of rotation of the rotatable spool based on the speed of the aircraft.
In a further embodiment, the aerial reel includes at least one rigid or semi-rigid connection line for attaching the frame to the aircraft and wherein the connection line when attached to the aerial reel prevents the aerial reel from spinning about a vertical axis relative to the aircraft while aloft.
In another embodiment, the aerial reel includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader operatively connected to the rotatable spool for detecting an RFID tag operatively connected to a length of the flexible material.
In another aspect, the invention provides an aerial reel for suspension from an aircraft comprising: a frame; a rotatable spool in operative connection with the frame, the rotatable spool including a reversible drive system for rotating the spool in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, the drive system including a drive control system for connection to the aircraft enabling operator control of the rotatable spool from within the aircraft; and a pick-up system in operative connection with the rotatable spool, the pick-up system including: an actuatable electromagnetic bar extending along the length of the rotatable spool and rotatable with the rotatable spool for attaching to a flexible length of material to be carried on the rotatable spool; an extension and retraction system for extending the electromagnetic bar outwardly from the rotatable spool and retracting the electromagnetic bar inwardly towards the rotatable spool; and a pick-up control system connected to the aircraft enabling operator control of the aerial reel from within the aircraft.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a system for managing the deployment and collection of fire-fighting hose comprising: a plurality of hose lengths each having an radio frequency identification (RFID) tag; at least one aerial reel for operative connection to an aircraft, each at least one aerial reel having an RFID reader operatively connected to the aerial reel, the RFID reader detecting the attachment or disconnection of a specific hose length to the aerial reel; and a hose database operatively connected to each RFID reader, the hose database having means for marking a specific hose length as attached to or disconnected from an aerial reel.
In another embodiment, the system also includes a GPS mapping system operatively connected to the hose database, wherein the GPS system maps the location of an individual hose length when a hose length is disconnected from an aerial reel.
In yet a further embodiment, the system includes separate GPS mapping systems in individual aircraft, each GPS mapping system receiving and storing RFID and GPS data of individual hose lengths carried and deployed by the individual aircraft.
In one embodiment, the separate GPS mapping systems include means for transferring RFID and GPS data stored within each GPS mapping system to a central computer via a wide area or local area network.
The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
With reference to the figures, an aerial reel for deploying and retrieving fire fighting hose from an aircraft is described. In the context of this description, while the invention is described with reference to fire hose, it is understood that the systems described herein may be used for other equipment. It is also understood that aircraft capable of hovering are the type of aircraft with which the invention is described. Such aircraft will primarily include helicopters, however, it is understood that other aircraft including lighter-than-air aircraft may also be used.
Referring to
Referring to
The attachment system is used to suspend the aerial reel from an aircraft 80 and to prevent the aerial reel from spinning while aloft. The attachment system includes at least one connector line 32 for connecting the attachment system to the aircraft. The attachment system may include a single or multiple connector lines that prevent the aerial reel from spinning while aloft. The connector line will typically be a single or multiple rigid bars, semi-rigid lines or flexible lines that are configured to prevent the aerial reel from spinning. The connector line may also be telescopic to facilitate storage of the connection system.
The length of the connector line will generally be determined by the height of trees in the area the aerial reel is being used. In other words, the connector line should be sufficiently long such that the aircraft will clear the tops of the trees when the aerial reel is attached to the helicopter and the helicopter is hovering with the aerial reel just above the ground. The length of the connector line may be fixed or adjustable, with a typical line being approximately 50 feet (15 m).
The connector line will preferably be fabricated from materials such as aluminum, fiber glass or carbon fiber in order to minimize weight and may be assembled from sections in order to enable simpler ground transportation.
The spool 40 comprises an axial cylinder 42 with a first and second flange 44, 46 on either end of the cylinder and defining the outer surfaces of the spool. The ends of the cylinder are attached to the frame ends 22, 24 via a bearing system. The spool is used to store the hose (not shown), and the drive system 60 generally enables the spool to be rotated in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to deploy the stored hose and to wind up hose that has been deployed. The drive system, as discussed in further detail below, is controllable from the aircraft. Preferably, the spool will also have a neutral position that enables the system to be manually wound or un-wound. The spool may be provided with a manual crank arm (not shown) to allow the manual winding or un-winding of the spool as may be desired in the field.
The spool also includes a pick-up system for initiating hose pick-up and connection to the axial cylinder such that hose can be wound onto the spool. As best shown in
To facilitate easy pick-up of the fire hose, the electromagnetic bar 50 extends distally from the cylinder 42. In one embodiment, one or both of the flanges 44, 46 of the spool include a track 48 that is engaged with one or both the ends of the electromagnetic bar, enabling the electromagnetic bar to move along the track between a retracted location at a first end 48a of the track and an extended location at a second end 48b of the track that is at or near the outer edge of the flange. The movement of the electromagnetic bar within the track may be passive or active. For example, the electromagnetic bar may be moved to an outer position by gravity when the position of the electromagnetic bar is on the underside of axial cylinder. Alternatively, the movement may be active through the use of an appropriate actuation mechanism. For example, actuation may be achieved by a scissor mechanism located inside the spool cylinder 42 as shown in
In another embodiment shown in
Referring to
While the pick-up system has been described using gas cylinders or a scissor mechanism to extend and retract an electromagnetic bar, other methods of extending and retracting the electromagnetic bar may be used.
In another embodiment, the pick-up system is a simple chain and a hook. In this example, when the aircraft is hovering, a person on the ground can manually attach the hook to an end of the fire hose. The hose can then by wound on the reel as described below. Other automatic, semi-automatic or manual attachment devices may be used as well.
Referring to
The drive system may also be an electric system wherein an electric generator may be carried on either the aerial power reel or helicopter. Similarly, a hydraulic power unit may be carried on the aerial reel. In both the hydraulic and electrical embodiments, the drive system may also be provided with wireless controls such that the operator is able to effect winding or unwinding from the cockpit without the need for running wiring specifically into the cockpit. Similarly, the controls for the pick-up/release system may be wirelessly controlled.
The aerial reel 10 is generally attached to a helicopter, while the aircraft is hovering above the ground. With the helicopter above the aerial reel, the connector 32 is attached to the appropriate mechanical/electrical/hydraulic connection systems on the bottom of the aircraft as per external load procedures known to those skilled in the art. The hinges 30a, 30b of the attachment system 30 pivot to facilitate the connection to the connector 32 and control lines. After connection, the aircraft will fly to the location to deploy or collect hose. After arriving at the desired location, the rotational direction and speed of the spool and the actuation of the pick-up system is controlled by the pilot of the aircraft 80 via the cockpit controls.
In the case of picking up fire hose onto an empty spool having an electromagnetic pick-up system, the pilot will fly towards and hover over one end of the fire hose. To prepare the aerial reel for picking up the hose, the pilot rotates the spool until the visual indicator is visible to indicate to the pilot that the pick-up system is on the underside of the spool. The pilot extends the electromagnet bar and actuates the electromagnetic bar to magnetize the bar. The pilot then finely adjusts the aircraft position such that connection between the hose coupling and electromagnetic bar is achieved. After the hose coupling is secured, the electromagnetic bar is retracted to its original seated position. The pilot then initiates rotation of the spool to start the winding process of hose around the spool. As the spool is being rotated, the pilot can also initiate forward flight along the length of the hose to prevent the hose from being dragged along the ground. The pilot will generally lift the aerial reel to a sufficient height such that any water in the hose will be drained out of the trailing end of the hose via gravity as the hose is spooled, thereby combining the step of draining and rolling the hose into one procedure.
After the fire hose is wound around the spool, the pilot flies to the area where the hose either needs to be laid out again or deposited for storage or other transportation.
If deploying the hose, the pilot hovers with the aerial reel above the ground and rotates the spool in the opposite direction used to wind the hose onto the spool, effectively unwinding the hose from the spool. As the hose is unwinding, the pilot flies the aircraft substantially parallel to the ground to lay out the hose along the ground in the desired path. The speed of the aircraft and the rotational speed of the spool are coordinated in order to keep a fairly constant tension in the hose such that it is laid out in a substantially straight line. Typically, the aircraft flies around 10-15 mph (16-24 kph).
As the hose is being laid out, the direction of the hose path can easily be manipulated by changing the aircraft flight direction. The hose can be laid across natural and/or artificial barriers encountered such as swamps, ponds, rock bluffs and the like, or the hose can be diverted around such barriers.
When many fire hoses need to be deployed in an area, it is efficient to drop a trailer or pallet loaded with hoses in the area, either by aircraft or ground transport. The helicopter slinging the aerial reel can simply pick-up a fire hose from the load of hoses, lay the hose out, and return to the load of hoses to repeat this procedure as many times as necessary, reducing flight time and eliminating the need for a ground crew to lay out the hoses.
Importantly, the system is also provided with an emergency release system to immediately release the aerial reel from the aircraft in the event of an emergency.
In another aspect, the invention provides a system for improving the efficiency of deployment and collection of hose within the field. As shown in
Similarly, hose can be collected from the field in the same manner.
In one embodiment, each hose 86 is provided with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 90 within the connector sections 88 of and the APR is provided with a corresponding reader system. This RFID tag system allows the operator to effectively monitor the location of multiple lengths of hose that can facilitate inventory control and flight planning in the field. Importantly, the RFID system may be used in connection with a GPS system in order that the location of specific hoses in the field can be mapped and monitored at a central location on a computer 110. For example, as shown in
As a result, when the central computer has been updated showing the deployment of each hose, at the time that collection of the hoses is required, the operators can plan the pick-up procedure based on the location map, thereby improving the efficiency of pick-up. It should also be noted that a central computer need not be located in the field and that two-way updating of GPS data to a central computer and between helicopters can be achieved using appropriate wide area network communication.
When a specific hose is being picked up and is connected to the APR, the RFID system will read the ID number and if it exists in the RFID database, will change the status from deployed to collected. If for whatever reason, the ID number is not correctly identified in the database, the system will be updated to confirm the current status of the specific length of hose.
As the APR is moved, the GPS system may updated to indicated that the hose is in transit. The hose may be returned to the trailer or alternatively re-deployed in the field with its status being updated accordingly.
In addition, the trailer may have an RFID reader system to associate specific lengths of hose as being loaded onto a specific cold spool. As a cold spool may contain multiple hose lengths a manual RFID scanner may be utilized to record the location of the hose length with a specific cold spool.
The combined RFID and GPS system is particularly effective within complex fire-fighting operations where multiple trailers and multiple helicopters may be in operation at the same time as shown in
Although the aerial reel has been described with respect to the laying out of hose for fire fighting, the aerial reel can be used for laying out any flexible length of material such as a hose, wire, rope, lines or cable. In particular, the aerial reel can be used to lay out waterlines for delivering and pumping water for agricultural use, drilling operations (i.e. diamond mining) and disaster relief (i.e. flood relief). The aerial reel can also be used for stringing cable for communication purposes, such as hydro cable or seismic cable, or rope or cable for rescue purposes.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the invention as understood by those skilled in the art.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and 35 U.S.C. §120 of the U.S. Provisional Application 61/568,395, filed on Dec. 8, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61568395 | Dec 2011 | US |
