Patent Grant
12044504
The present invention relates generally to improvements in firefighting technology, particularly ground level fire suppression techniques, applied in the defense of private and public property, and human and animal life, against the ravaging and destructive forces of wildfires caused by lightning, accident, arson and/or terrorism in remote areas.
There is a continuing need for easier, faster, safer, and more effective systems and methods for treating/fighting fires, namely wildfires in remote areas that are difficult to reach.
Current wildfires and even other destructive fires (structures) can often be out-of-reach of local fire departments and even state/regional departments for approach in order to suppress these fire problems. When a lightning strike or human-caused fire, particularly in rural areas of California, is initially reported, many may be small in acreage size, but the terrain is unfortunately inaccessible. Such small fires can erupt into much larger forest or brush fires, due to the time it takes for air support to be called in, if even available. These fires according to the latest findings are occurring much more frequently in California and the Western part of the nation, due to many reasons, including climate change.
Emerging and current technology, including geosynchronous satellites that are able to locate areas endangered by fire (“hot-spots”) and report said information with specific GPS coordinates to the proper fire command are currently available with a reporting frequency of every 15 minutes. Current technology also includes the development of beneficial material placed inside a ball shape container (softball size), which advantageously holds and releases the beneficial material which can put out or suppress small fires when tossed into an area of the fire.
In light of the shortcomings in the prior art, there is definitely a need for an improved way of combat and/or suppress fires that do not suffer from the disadvantages noted above.
The present invention relates to a new mobile ground unit apparatus that allows for the delivery of fire retardant to a small fire area, which is considered inaccessible by fire personnel, due to the terrain, possible elevation and/or remoteness of the wildfire.
The present invention also relates to a new apparatus that property owners can utilize, namely a smaller designed unit for the protection of property by stopping or suppressing ground fires that are approaching their property.
The present invention further relates to a mechanical means of getting fire retardant to areas where not only fire personnel could use such an apparatus on small brush or beginning forest fires, but also homeowners could advantageously utilize by using this delivery system to provide a protective fire line to help protect one's properties.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a smaller unit with a minimum tube radius of only 2 feet that is programmed by putting in approximate distance, direction and elevation and possible current wind speeds. This system could be manufactured using basic similar technology, but on a smaller unit size (less ability to reach areas at a longer distance) and a simpler manual input basis to be used by (property owners) consumers.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a smaller unit that is programmed to allow a user to input approximate distance, direction and elevation and possible current wind speeds. This system could be manufactured using basic similar technology, but on a smaller unit size (less ability to reach areas at a longer distance) and a simpler input basis to be used by (property owners) consumers.
For a better understanding of the present invention, its functional advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, claims and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out various embodiments of the invention in which said embodiments can be carried out independently and/or in combination. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made for at least the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
In one aspect, the present invention pertains to the field of catapult or thrower systems for the treatment and extinguishment of wildfires, and equipment therefor.
In an embodiment, an apparatus for delivering launched objects comprises: an antenna; a receiver; a base; a vertical shaft through the base; and a rotatable hollow tube arm mounted on the vertical shaft, wherein the rotatable hollow tube arm comprises: an opening configured to allow launching vessels to pass through; and a release mechanism.
In an embodiment, a system comprises: a vessel launcher, the vessel launcher comprising: an antenna; a receiver; a base; a vertical shaft through the base; and a rotatable hollow tube arm mounted on the vertical shaft, wherein the rotatable hollow tube arm comprises: an opening configured to allow launching vessels to pass through; and a release mechanism; a plurality of vessels; and a computing device communicatively coupled to the delivery device.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a new mobile ground unit apparatus that allows for the delivery of fire retardant to a small fire area, which is considered inaccessible by fire personnel, due to the terrain, possible elevation and/or remoteness of the wildfire.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a new apparatus that property owners can advantageously utilize, namely a smaller designed unit for the protection of property by stopping or suppressing ground fires that are approaching their property.
The present invention is further directed to a mechanical means of getting fire retardant to areas where not only fire personnel could use such an apparatus on small brush fires or the beginning of forest fires, but also homeowners could utilize by using this delivery system to provide a protective fire line to help protect one's properties.
It should be understood that the foregoing relates to various embodiments of the present invention which can be carried out independently and/or in combination and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the designs mentioned in this application and the equivalent designs in this description, but it is also intended to cover other equivalents now known to those skilled in the art, or those equivalents which may become known to those skilled in the art in the future.
Vessel opening 104 may be used to receive launching vessels, such as softball-shaped fire retardant containers. In embodiments, vessel opening 104 comprises a vessel drop down tube through which fire retardant-carrying vessels are placed and move through.
In embodiments cover 112 may be partially or fully liftable from the lower portion 120 of housing 102, such as for maintenance or troubleshooting purposes. For example, connectors 114 may comprise extracting screws/bolts, and after their removal the top and sides of the cover may be removed.
Launcher 200 further includes antenna 250 (e.g., with reference to
In embodiments, the extension of front leg 242 causes the housing 210 to be lifted with back legs 244, providing stability when bolted down to a stable plate or trailer. Furthermore, in embodiments vessel feed entrance 220 may connect to a tube through which fire retardant vessels are placed into and move through. Feeding may be provided automatically or manually, in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the vessel has an approximate softball size and shape so a user may feed the vessels.
The launcher 300 includes legs 350, including adjustable front leg 352 and corresponding servo-motor 354 and screw actuator 356. In embodiments, in operation, rotatable hollow tube arm 330 may spin to create centrifugal force and thereby project, throw, deliver, launch or otherwise move vessels 360 stored within the tube arm 330 to desired locations. Vessels 360 may be launched and released in conjunction with gates 336a and 336b being opened and closed (e.g., raised and lowered) according to data and programming timing. Proximity sensors as described herein may provide additional data to controller units, which among other things may assist with releasing vessels at a properly timed basis to help achieve tube equilibrium as well as accurately target the vessels to locations.
In embodiments, gates 336a and 336b on the tube arm, and other gates as described herein, may be configured to withstand forces associated with higher revolutions per minute of the rotatable hollow tube arm. Increased revolutions per minute may result in greater forces applied to the gates, resulting in them not opening and shutting as intended (e.g., as the desired speeds). With such in mind, for example, a plurality of ball bearings may be attached to the surfaces of the gates or other appropriate surfaces to provide a frictionless surface on the inside portions of the gates. Among other things, the gates may thereby properly move with the vessel pressure on the gates.
In embodiments, gates 336 and 336b open and close at a speed from 0.1 meter per second (m/s) to more than 1 m/s. In an example, vessels such as described herein may be capable of handling forces ranging from approximately 1,000 pounds of force to approximately 3,000 pounds of force. In embodiments, reduced vessel weight is associated with longer distances of delivery, as well as reduced force on vessels and better operation of launcher gates. In a further example, vessels such as described herein may have a weight ranging from approximately 0.5 pounds to 4.4 pounds. For example, in embodiments herein a vessel weighing 0.25 kg and capable of handling 3,000 pounds of force may be launched at least approximately 2 miles.
In an embodiment, rotatable hollow tube arm 330 may spin so that centrifugal force causes vessels to release in a straight direction. In further embodiments, the housing 300 is configured to provide an opening (e.g., opening 312) so that rotatable hollow tube arm 330 will launch vessels at specific angles of direction, and an operator of the system does not reposition the launcher.
In embodiments, feed actuator 338 includes a high-speed linear ball screw type actuator and gate 370 includes a sliding steel plate which, upon receiving a programming command from a controller unit coupled to gate 370, will raise or lower. The programming command may be based on digital data, such as a required number of RPMs to obtain a certain calculated distance, weight of the vessel(s) to be launched, gravity constant, headwinds or crosswinds, or other data and calculations providing for an accurate targeting process for launching the vessels.
In embodiments proximity sensors 342a, 342b, 342c and 342d are coupled to one or more components of a delivery system (e.g., a controller unit) to provide data to help in proper tube equilibrium as well as timing of release of vessels. A controller unit may be coupled physically, wirelessly, a combination of both or otherwise, to the proximity sensors to receive data and perform calculation. In embodiments controller unit may further be controlled to some or all of the other components of the launcher to control aspects of the launching sequence (e.g., to properly time vessels to be received into the rotating tube, and to release vessels from tube arm 330). In embodiments, the vessels may have a diameter which is at least approximately one-half the diameter of tube arm 330. The controller unit may include a GPS receiver circuit board for controlling components of the launcher. In an embodiment the GPS receiver circuit board may be Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) enabled to lock onto codes used by WAAS satellites, and compute WAAS corrections to GPS signals to obtain corrected GPS data.
In embodiments proximity sensors 430a, 430b, 430c and 430d are coupled to one or more components of delivery system 400 (e.g., a controller unit) to provide data to help in proper tube equilibrium as well as timing of release of vessels. A controller unit may be coupled physically, wirelessly, a combination of both or otherwise, to the proximity sensors to receive data and perform calculation. In embodiments controller unit may further be controlled to some or all of the other components of the launcher to control aspects of the launching sequence (e.g., to properly time vessels to be received into the rotating tube, and to release vessels from rotating tube 410).
In operation, frontside protective shield servo-motor actuators 460a and 460b may be used to open and close a protective shield (e.g., with reference to
In embodiments, feed actuator 464 includes a high-speed linear ball screw type actuator and a gate 466 which includes a sliding steel plate. Upon receiving a programming command from a controller unit (e.g., as described with regard to
In embodiments proximity sensors 650a, 650b, 650c and 650d are coupled to one or more components of delivery system 600 (e.g., a controller unit) to provide data to help in proper tube equilibrium as well as timing of release of vessels. A controller unit may be coupled physically, wirelessly, a combination of both or otherwise, to the proximity sensors to receive data and perform calculation. In embodiments controller unit may further be controlled to some or all of the other components of the launcher to control aspects of the launching sequence (e.g., to properly time vessels to be received into the rotating tube, and to release vessels).
With further reference to
The embodiment of
In an embodiment, power to the actuators and gates as described herein may be provided by an inductively coupled wireless system. In another embodiment, a mechanical slip ring may be positioned at the center of a shaft of the launcher (e.g., with reference to
In an example, an antenna (e.g., a GNSS antenna 150 of
In various embodiments of the present invention, a smaller unit could allow for input of direct data (if satellite GPS data is not available) by inputting into the controller (computer) the distance, direction and elevation and possible current wind speeds at launcher site. This data can be obtained by using existing (off-the-shelve) range-finders and other devices that utilize laser technology as well as other environmental weather information, such as wind speed and direction. This unit could be manufactured using basic similar requirements, but on a smaller unit size (less ability to reach areas at a longer distance) and a simpler input basis to be used by (property owners) consumers. In embodiments, required data is obtained and uploaded manually or by a USB connection or pairing device (Bluetooth technology) to a controller in a digitally controlled mobile ground launching fire retardant unit by obtaining distance data (e.g., via off-the-shelf rangefinders and GPS devices) as well as other available data, e.g., wind direction and speed. Data may be obtained, for example, from available web-based sites. Customized data may thereby be provided from specific sources for coordinates, distances, wind speed, direction and other environmental data.
In one embodiment, a mobile horizontal single tube (constructed from, e.g., lightweight carbon-fiber or lightweight high strength steel) tube is centered on a vertical shaft of a direct current electric motor with ability to have variable speeds from approximately 500 to 3,000 RPMs. The motor is of a high torque quality and the tube is housed and spinning within a containment vessel with an opening releasing area on both ends of the tube for deployment of (commercially available) soft-ball size object(s) weighing 2 KG or less, fire retardant incapsulated vessel(s), at a high velocity, reaching distances which previously would be considered unreachable by fire personnel for (inaccessible terrain). In an embodiment, the unit is capable of launching vessels up to 2 miles away.
The rotating arm may be made of a lightweight, high tensile strength material such as carbon fiber or lightweight steel and designed as a hollow tube with an interior diameter (ID) that is slightly larger than the outside diameter (OD) of the soft-ball size incapsulated retardant vessel. The hollow tube is centered on an DC motor, which is located below the housing unit.
In embodiments, at each end of a hollow tube (e.g., the tube arm 330 of
The computerized release may be accomplished by a program that takes the target coordinates (GPS) from the (hot-spot) satellite data and calculates distance determined by the GPS calibration of the unit placement area reached by fire personnel for delivery to the hot spot area and the determination of the elevation requirements to target area. Notably, the USGS and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) have collaborated on the development of an enhanced global elevation model called the Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data (GMTED2010), which has replaced GTOPO30 as the elevation dataset of choice for global and continental scale applications which would result in a different calculation for the electric DC motor for the necessary acceleration to be reached. Additional data including wind direction and other outside environmental conditions that may impact the flight of the vessel(s) also will be included in the instructions to obtain proper targeting. A homeowner version would include providing data either manually or by means of wireless connection via a computer tablet or smart phone, to obtain proper targeting.
The release mechanism may be triggered when the program output provides the optimum RPMs of the tube to reach the computed distance and the proper angle of release (elevation), by providing precise azimuth and elevation axis information to the front servo-motor/actuator leg of the unit. A precise direction based upon GPS coordinates received or line of sight range-finder and other possible outside environmental conditions may have been predetermined and programmed into the computer/control box, or may be inputted by a user.
In embodiments, the tube has single or multi number of vessels inside each side of the tube and release of a single one on each side of the tube or multi number released in an equal as possible basis will help maintain proper weight balance of the tube and eliminate any possible imbalance. For example, a convex weld may be provided at the bottom of a rotatable tube or arm to reduce the effect of static motion by vessel(s). This motion may result in a jamming effect with other vessels being loaded while the tube of in motion. This can be accomplished by utilizing and releasing additional vessels either manually via the center opening or from a hopper/sleeve apparatus when the proximity sensors provides information back to the computer for proper tube balancing. Besides obtaining accurate elevation data, additional data such as wind speed, air density and other outside environmental conditions can also be obtained and calculated for achieving an accurate hit area for the fire target.
In embodiments, the determination of the velocity will automatically be calculated for speed control and relayed to the DC motor for obtaining the proper number of RPMs to reach the target area. Calculations for distance may be determined on the basis of RPM's obtained prior to the release of the vessels. The determination with a 2 ft radius has a circumference of 2× Pi×r=2×3.14×2=4Pi=12.57 ft. For a 2 mile range example with a 1.5 lb. vessel, exit velocity at 39 degrees would need to be 589 ft/see; at a 12.57 ft circumference (RPM/60)=589 ft/sec. 589 ft/see/12.57 ft=46.85 rev/see x 60=2811 RPM (RPM=(60× Velocity).
For other lower distances, required RPMs for exemplary distances would be:
500 ft . . . (128×60)/12.57=611 RPM
1320 ft . . . (209×60)/12.57=997 RPM
2640 ft . . . (296×60)/12.57=1412 RPM
5280 ft . . . (418×60)/12.57=1995 RPM
Elevation/angle will be determined, and the programmed output will be sent to the individual front leg servo actuator for proper automatic adjustment based on the measurement of elevation. In various embodiments, if target line is encumbered by trees or other physical barriers that may conflict with the vessels being deployed, a manual override would be available to provide a steeper angularity of flight, which would result in a different calculation for the electric DC motor for the necessary acceleration to be reached. Direction is also automatically determined based on the programming and obtained GPS coordinates resulting in being in true alignment with the target area.
In one embodiment of the present invention, if a sightline is open (non-encumbered by trees, smoke or even buildings) and (hot-spot) satellite coordinates are not available, a line of sight optics laser beam (off-the-shelf) long distance rangefinder attached to the housing unit by magnet or suction cup above the opening of the deployment container, can provide distance to target area as well as elevation of the target area. This data along with target direction, wind speed and direction of wind, can be provided to the controller unit which will allow for deployment with proper alignment and distance to the target area. Reaching the proper distance will be accomplished by having a servo-motor and linear screw actuator located on the front leg of the housing unit obtaining the correct degree angle of the unit/tube along with the DC motor reaching the proper RPM's resulting in a properly timed (opening of end of tube gates) release of the vessel containers to the target area, based on controller instructions.
The placement of the device is critical and a step to calibrate placement will take place to include delivery system GPS coordinates (this can be accomplished by the use of existing market available technology using a handheld device or having a powerful mounted GPS unit on the housing) and other outside data regarding windspeed, direction of such windspeed and other possible outside environmental conditions that could impact the flight pattern of the vessels so to correct for such conditions. GPS measurements and elevation determination regarding the target area are also inputted into the control box to obtain proper targeting and angle of release. Tube has a programmable release mechanism to allow object/material to be released at a designated time after obtaining the proper velocity, angle of release (trajectory) and the GPS coordinates both from target area and deployment area.
Design of the system includes for the release of softball-size vessels of fire retardant to be quickly and/or periodically released (e.g., within at least approximately 30 milliseconds) from each other in the same required direction from each end of the tube. A gravity fed hopper or sleeve, holding additional vessels can be added to a top opening of the tube with an opening in the housing unit to allow for multi number of vessels to be targeted in a single target area (hot spot) or a fire defense line in an area where heavy fuels are not present, i.e., small brush/grass fires. The tube design will hold multi-number of containers of fire retardant (vessels) or other material that is used to fight a brush or grass fire or other fires that may need a fire barrier. Manually placing vessels into the opening can take place without the use of a hopper or sleeve. Use of other possible material being placed in the vessels to help in setting back-fires or even other vessel type items could also be developed for deployment.
Keeping the Ground Fire Retardant Delivery System (GFRDS) on the trailer and moving the trailer into an open area for proper placement and stability should take place. The GFRDS can also be moved by hand by two individuals and should be placed on a stable mounting base to achieve the necessary stability for a proper flight alignment to the target area. Flight angle is determined by the program and the front leg is adjusted by electronic means via a linear screw actuator operated by an individual servo motor in the front adjustable leg.
In various embodiments, a digital control box with capabilities of obtaining outside (encrypted) secure data including satellite data and data from the local placement of the device for purposes of calibrating current longitude and latitude data using the 6th decimal place for the coordinates for both target area and deployment area to obtain proper measurements for distance and elevation accuracy. Any (hot-spot) coordinates if received by local fire or State or Federal Forest Service personnel directly can be transferred by wireless means to the controller box by setting up a paired device using Bluetooth technology. Magnetic interference at the time of unit placement should also be obtained and relocation may be needed for achieving proper calibration and site deployment as well as maintaining proper target coordinates.
In other embodiments, the device is mobile enough to be set up by one or two people who have received the proper training and is battery powered and/or electrical power received from a stand-a-lone generator or vehicle, or other means can take place. The device for stability and quicker mobility can be placed on a small trailer behind a truck or vehicle. This will allow firemen or other trained individuals to drive up closer to an area that may have an inaccessible spotted fire for set-up and disbursement. Keeping the unit attached properly to the trailer (secure), calibration and set-up can take place with unit on the trailer if in an open area and terrain allows for such. Removing the unit to allow for better targeting can also take place. Set-up, including calibrating the actual location of the device and obtaining the proper satellite GPS or other permissible data relating to the hot spot will allow the device to automatically calibrate and adjust the front leg beneath the device to obtain the proper trajectory angle as well other data to calculate necessary velocity to reach the proper arm (tube) RPM; direction, including release timing of suppression containment items.
In other embodiments, a dual frequency receiver or augmented system installation may be needed. Required GPS Interface Specifications (5th edition) states compliance specifying GPS minimum performance parameters; the SPS PS serves as a complement to the GPS SPS SIS Interface Specifications (IS-GPS-200 and IS-GPS-705), which provide relevant information for design and fabrication of GPS civil receiver equipment. In further embodiments, the controller unit of a launcher may include a GPS receiver which is WAAS-enabled. Such a GPS receiver may receive data for WAAS corrections to GPS data, and the controller unit will compute WAAS corrections according to the received data.
If satellite information (hot spot) coordinates are not available for some reason, the system of the present invention can be inputted regarding a (hot spot) area, by utilizing other possible means of obtaining the GPS coordinates such as handheld GPS devices, as well as laser spotting devices, such as current off-the-shelf rangefinders that can measure far distance line of sight distances and even the use of an unmanned aircraft that can provide necessary information such as elevation, GPS coordinates and wind direction in the fire zone back to the user to manually enter into the program or connect wireless (with a paired device) or by using available USB port in the controller.
A scaled down version of the mobile ground fire retardant delivery unit for civilian-type usage (rural homeowners in fire prone areas) could advantageously be designed to provide a simpler method of determining the required target or a fire line around a home or property. That unit would have a simplified control box that provides simple input by use of off-the-shelf laser-rangefinder equipment or other means such as a software application information, for example Google Earth or Google Maps, which can provide coordinates to the 6th and 7th decimal point regarding longitude and latitude, as well as distance data (Google Maps). Elevation, compass direction for a targeted area are also available on (off-the-shelve) GPS devices and rangefinders, which can help in even providing data for obtaining an extended suppression line from point A to B.
It is envisioned that one embodiment of the present invention can be configured to provide for the mounting on the top the housing unit above the deployment opening by a fixed mounting or the use of magnetic or suction cup that are available with the (off-the-shelf) laser rangefinder.
Another embodiment is envisioned that will utilize different types of spheres/vessels that can provide different outcomes, e.g., incendiary spheres.
A further embodiment is envisioned that will incorporate a display screen that obtains Google Earth/Google Maps with latitude/longitude turned on providing map data that can provide 7th place decimal point latitude/longitude as well as measured distances of the zoomed in area of where fire line should be targeted and data can be inputted into the controller/computer unit.
The present invention pertains to a digitally controlled mobile ground launching fire retardant delivery system that allows for the delivery of fire retardant to a small fire area, which is considered inaccessible by fire personnel, due to the terrain and possible elevation, which may be of value or importance to various industries, such as, but not limited to, the firefighting industry.
This non-provisional application is entitled to the benefit of, and claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/222,161, entitled “Digitally Controlled Mobile Ground Launching Fire Retardant Delivery System”, filed on Jul. 15, 2021; which is included by reference as fully set forth herein.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 63222161 | Jul 2021 | US |
