FIRE-FIGHTING MONITOR WITH REMOTE CONTROL

Abstract

A high pressure monitor includes an outlet body with a transverse passage, which extends through the body to form two inlets of the outlet body, and a second passage, which is in communication with the transverse passage and extends through the outlet body to form an outlet. The monitor further includes first and second bodies, with the outlet body mounted between the first and second bodies. Each of the first and second bodies has a transverse passage, which are in fluid communication with the inlets of the outlet body. A first swivel joint is provided between the outlet body and the first body. A second swivel joint is provided between the outlet body and the second body. Further, each of the swivel joints comprises a pressure balanced hydraulic fitting with seals and bearings, wherein the seals and bearings are oriented to reduce the axial pressure on the bearings from fluid flowing through the monitor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a high pressure monitor and, more specifically, for a high pressure monitor for use in a high pressure foam system.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a monitor that is suitable for high pressure applications.

In one form of the invention, a high pressure monitor includes an outlet body and first and second bodies, with the outlet body mounted between the first and second bodies. The outlet body has a transverse passage, which extends through the body to form two inlets, and a second passage in communication with the transverse passage, which extends through the outlet body to form an outlet. Each of the first and second bodies has a transverse passage, which are in fluid communication with the inlets of the outlet body. First and second swivel joints are provided between the outlet body and the first body and between the outlet body and the second body, respectively. Each of the swivel joints comprises a pressure balanced hydraulic fitting with seals and bearings, wherein the seals and bearing are oriented to reduce the axial pressure on the bearings from fluid flowing through the monitor.

In one aspect, the outlet body comprises a transverse tubular member mounted between the first and second bodies. The transverse tubular member has a passage, which forms the transverse passage of the outlet body and is in communication with the second passage of the outlet body. Further, the transverse tubular member is mounted in the first and second bodies by the first and second swivel joints.

In a further aspect, the high pressure monitor further includes an intermediate body with an inlet and a transverse passage, which is in communication with the inlet of the intermediate body. The transverse passage of the intermediate body is in fluid communication with the transverse passages of the first and second bodies.

According to a further aspect, the high pressure monitor also includes an inlet body. The inlet body has a transverse passage, which is in fluid communication with the transverse passages of the first and second bodies and forms the inlet of the monitor. The inlet body also has a swivel joint between the inlet body and the intermediate body wherein the inlet body is rotatable within the intermediate body. For example, the swivel joint at the inlet body and the intermediate body may comprise pressure balanced hydraulic fittings, such as seals and bearings.

In yet another aspect, the transverse passages of the first and second bodies are configured to provide an expanded volume for fluid flowing into the monitor wherein the pressure at the swivel joint between the inlet body and the intermediate body is reduced from the pressure at the inlet of inlet body.

In another aspect, the transverse passages in the first and second bodies and the intermediate body are configured to balance the pressure at the swivel joint between the inlet body and the intermediate body.

According to a further aspect, the traverse passages of the first and second bodies and the transverse member are configured to maintain the reduced pressure of the fluid flowing through the monitor wherein the pressure at the swivel joints between the outlet body and the first and second bodies is reduced from the outlet pressure of the fluid flowing from the outlet of the monitor.

In addition, the transverse passages of the first and second bodies and of the transverse member are configured and arranged to balance the pressure at the swivel joints between the outlet body and the first and second bodies.

In yet other aspects, the monitor further optionally includes a driver for pivoting the outlet body. Similarly, the monitor may include a driver for rotating the intermediate body about the inlet body.

According to another form of the invention, a high pressure monitor includes an outlet body, first and second bodies, with the outlet body rotatably mounted between the first and second bodies, an intermediate body, and an inlet body. Each of the first and second bodies has a transverse passage, which are in fluid communication with the inlets of the outlet body. The inlet body has a transverse passage that is in fluid communication with the transverse passages of the first and second bodies through the intermediate body and forms the inlet of the monitor. The inlet body also has a swivel joint between the inlet body and the intermediate body wherein the intermediate body is rotatable about the inlet body. In addition, the inlet body and the intermediate body include openings to provide fluid communication between the inlet body and the passages of the first and second bodies, which are arranged to direct the flow of fluid radially outward from the inlet body in a direction perpendicular to the inlet flow of fluid into the inlet body.

In one aspect, the high pressure monitor includes a first swivel joint between the outlet body and the first body and a second swivel joint between the outlet body and the second body.

In a further aspect, the outlet body includes a transverse tubular member that is mounted between the first and second bodies and has a passage, which forms the transverse passage of the outlet body. The passage of the tubular member is in communication with the second passage of the outlet body. In addition, the transverse tubular member is mounted in the first and second bodies by the first and second swivel joints.

In another aspect, the swivel joint at the inlet body and the intermediate body comprises pressure balanced hydraulic fittings.

According to other aspects, the transverse passages of the first and second bodies are configured to provide an expanded volume for fluid flowing into the monitor wherein the pressure at the swivel joint between the inlet body and the intermediate body is reduced from the pressure at the inlet of inlet body.

In another aspect, the traverse passages of the first and second bodies and the transverse member are configured to maintain the reduced pressure of the fluid flowing through the monitor wherein the pressure at the swivel joints between the outlet body and the first and second bodies is reduced from the outlet pressure of the fluid flowing from the outlet of the monitor.

In yet another aspect, the transverse passages of the first and second bodies and of the transverse member are configured and arranged to balance the pressure at the swivel joints between the outlet body and the first and second bodies.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a monitor that is particularly suitable for high pressure applications.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the high pressure monitor of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the high pressure monitor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the high pressure monitor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the high pressure monitor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of a monitor and nozzle system layout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 50 designates a monitor of the present invention. As will be more fully described below, monitor 50 is configured and arranged so that it can be used as a high pressure monitor and can handle a high flow rate capacity, for example flow rates of up to 300 gal/min at a high pressure, for example at an inlet pressure of up to 1500 lbs/in². Further, monitor 50 is particularly suitable for use in a high pressure foam system.

As best seen in FIG. 1, monitor 50 includes a housing 52, an outlet assembly or body 54, and an inlet assembly 56. Housing 52 is formed from two generally block-shaped bodies 52a, 52b that form an outer housing and which are interconnected by an intermediate body 52c, which forms part of the inlet assembly 56, and by outlet assembly 54. Housing 52, outlet assembly 54, and inlet assembly 56 are optionally formed from wrought aluminum and are further optionally assembled together using fasteners, such as bolts, such that monitor 50 may comprise a bolted modular monitor.

Referring to FIG. 5, inlet assembly 56 includes an inner inlet body 58 that provides a vertical fluid flow path, as viewed in FIG. 5, and an inlet connection to an external fluid supply, such as a pipe or tank. Inlet body 58 is rotationally mounted in intermediate body 52c by a swivel joint 60, which includes inner and outer halves 60a, 60b. Inner halve 60a of joint 60 is located inwardly of housing 52 in the inner or upper portion of intermediate body 52c. And, outer halve 60b of joint 60 is located in the outer or lower portion of intermediate body 52c. Body 58 includes a plurality of openings 61 in its side wall 58a to direct the flow of fluid into the monitor in a radially outward direction from body 58. Similarly, intermediate body 52c includes a passage which forms two outlet ports 52d located 180° apart and oriented at right angles to the swivel joint axis. These ports exit through and are perpendicular to rectangular faces of bodies 52a, 52b so that fluid flowing from inlet assembly 56 into housing 52 flows radially outward in a direction perpendicular to the flow of fluid through the transverse passage of body 58. Further, the height of the openings 61 is commensurate with the height of the passageway in intermediate body 52c. As a result, the fluid flows in a direction perpendicular to the interface between the intermediate body 52c and inner and outer halves 60a, 60b of swivel joint 60. Consequently, the configuration is such that swivel joint 60 forms a pressure balanced swivel joint.

Inner half 60a of swivel joint 60 includes annular grooves 63a and 63b formed on body 58 for two O-ring seals 64, and two annular grooves 63c and 63d formed on intermediate body 52c, which align with annular grooves 58b, 58c formed on the outer surface of body 58 to serve as ball bearing races and receive bearings 65. In this manner, swivel joint 60 allows for left-right rotation of the firefighting monitor about the inlet body 58 and the fluid inlet connection (as seen from FIG. 5). The annular interface or clearance between inlet body 58 and intermediate body 52c is therefore sealed by O-ring seals 64, which are located in the annular grooves formed on their respective facing surfaces. Further, O-ring seals 64 seal against the pressure of the fluid flowing through the monitor. The pressure balance of swivel joint 60 is therefore accomplished by the placement of sealing members 64 relative to the pressure ports such that no net axial force due to static pressure is applied to the ball bearings 65.

As noted above, intermediate body 52c includes internal ball bearing races 63c and 63d that align with bearing races 58b and 58c provided in inlet body 58. Bodies 58 and 52c are assembled and rotatably mounted together by the insertion of Torlon® bearing balls 65 into these races (FIG. 5), which are retained in the races by blocks 52a and 52b and a set screw 50a (FIG. 1). In addition, the faces of body 52c that interface with bodies 52a, 52b include four tapped mounting holes each, which align with corresponding holes in the two block-shaped bodies 52a, 52b of housing 52. Further, bodies 52a, 52b are aligned to the intermediate body 52c with pins 67 (FIG. 5), and are clamped to the intermediate body 52c with bolts 68 (FIG. 3). The interfaces between intermediate body 52c and bodies 52a, 52b are also sealed with O-rings 64 (FIG. 5) which are located on grooves formed on their respective facing surfaces.

Bodies 52a, 52b each include passageways that are in communication with the passageways in intermediate or outer inlet body 52c and serve to receive the water discharged horizontally from the discharge ports of the intermediate body 52c and redirect the flow upward to the outlet assembly 54 through an inner discharge body 69. Further, the passageways of bodies 52a, 52b are optionally larger than the passageways or passages of intermediate body 52c or inlet body 58 to thereby provide expanded volumes to reduce the pressure at the swivel joint between the inlet assembly 56 and housing 52. Similarly, as will be described below, bodies 52a, 52b and transverse member 69 are configured to maintain the reduced pressure of the fluid flowing through the monitor wherein the pressure at the swivel joints between the outlet body and the first and second bodies is reduced from the outlet pressure of the fluid flowing from the outlet of the monitor.

Inner discharge body 69 is a tubular transverse member with a transverse passage with two sets of inlet ports 69a and 69b that align with the vertical passages of bodies 52a, 52b. The passages in bodies 52a and 52b and in tubular member 69 are generally commensurate in size so as to maintain the reduced pressure of the fluid flowing through the monitor. Body 69 is rotatably supported in bodies 52a, 52b by bearings 66 that are located in raceways formed or provided in the outer surface of discharge body 69 and in the side walls of bodies 52a, 52b. These ball bearings allow a low friction swivel joint for rotation of body 69 about the horizontal axis as viewed in FIG. 5. As would be understood, rotation of body 69 about the horizontal axis serves to provide up-down motion of the outer discharge body 54a (FIG. 6) and discharge adapter 54b, which form outlet assembly 54. The annular spaces between inner discharge body 69 and bodies 52a, 52b are also sealed with seals, such as O-rings 64. Similar to left-right swivel joint 60, these O-rings are positioned to accomplish a pressure balance such that no net axial force due to static pressure is applied to the ball bearings.

As noted, in the illustrated embodiment, bodies 52a, 52b are formed from block-shaped members. Further, each body 52a, 52b is formed from a tubular block-shaped member with open ends that are closed and sealed by plugs 52e and seals, such as O-rings 64, which forms the vertical flow passages (as viewed in FIG. 5) of bodies 52a, 52b. The plugs 52e are retained within the bodies 52a, 52b by retaining rings 52f. Body 69 is similarly formed by a tubular member with open ends that are closed and sealed by plugs 52e and seals 64, which forms a horizontal flow passage. Plugs 52e are similarly retained within the inner discharge body 69 by retaining rings 52f. Inner discharge body 69 also includes a discharge port 69c that is located midway between the ball bearing races for directing fluid to outer discharge body 54a.

Discharge outer body 54a contains a through circular internal passage, which allows it to be slip fitted onto inner discharge body 69, and a discharge port which is aligned with the discharge port of inner discharge body 69. Axial positioning of outer discharge body 54a to inner discharge body 69, as well as alignment of discharge ports of these two parts is accomplished by installation of screw 89 (FIG. 6) into a tapped hole in outer discharge body 54a and into a clearance hole in inner discharge body 69. The head of screw 89 is sealed against leakage by O-ring 90a. The discharge port of outer discharge body 54a contains threads 55 to allow connection with mating threads of discharge adapter 54b. This threaded joint is sealed against leakage by O-ring 55a. Similarly, adapter 54b includes threads for mounting a stream shaper 54c and nozzle to outlet assembly 54. As would be understood, the outlet pressure at the outlet body 54a and adapter 54b is increased over the pressure in the monitor due to the reduce volume of the outlet body and adapter as compared to the volume of the passage of tubular member 69.

In addition to providing an inlet for monitor 50, body 58 forms a base about which monitor housing 52 can be rotated to adjust the angular orientation of the outlet of monitor 50 about the vertical axis. Monitor housing 52 is rotated about body 58 by a first driver 70a (FIG. 3). As best seen in FIG. 6, driver 70a is mounted to housing 52 and drives body 58 to rotate housing 52 about body 58, which is secured to the inlet connection. In the illustrated embodiment, body 58 includes gears in the form of worm gear teeth 58d that are machined into the outer cylindrical surface of cylindrical wall 58a below the lower ball bearing race (63d)(FIG. 5).

To drive the outlet, monitor 50 includes a second driver 70b (FIGS. 1, 6), which has a similar construction to driver 70a. Driver 70b engages body 69, which projects through body 52b, to thereby rotate discharge body 69 about its longitudinal axis to thereby raise or lower discharge body 54a and the nozzle that is mounted to discharge body 54a.

As best seen in FIG. 7, driver 70b includes a gear motor assembly 73, a drive coupling 74, which is coupled to the output shaft of gear motor assembly 73 through a thrust bearing 74a and thrust washer 74b using setscrew 75, and a drive shaft 76, which is coupled to drive coupling 74, for driving the body 69 about the horizontal axis as viewed in FIG. 5. Gear motor assembly 73, drive coupling 74 and drive shaft 76 are all supported by a case 77, with the positive drive coupling of drive coupling 74 to drive shaft 76 accomplished by a pin 78 which is held in place by a force fit into coupling 74. And, the end of drive shaft 76 supported and sealed in case 77 by a thrust bearing 76a and O-ring seal 76b. The outer ends of pin 78 slide into two slots located 180° apart in the coupling end of shaft 76.

Drive shaft 76 comprises a worm shaft, whose gear teeth mate with the gear teeth provided on body 69. Body 69 includes worm gear teeth machined into the outer cylindrical surface near the left end of the part as viewed in FIG. 5. Second driver 70b is mounted to vertical body 52b using cap screws 88 and optionally allows for remote control actuation of monitor up-down rotation.

Driver 70a similarly includes a gear motor assembly 73, a drive coupling 74, which is coupled to the output shaft of gear motor assembly 73 using setscrew 75, and a drive shaft 76, which is coupled to the drive coupling, for driving the body 58 about the vertical axis as viewed in FIG. 5. Drive shaft 76 of driver 70a also comprises a worm shaft, whose gear teeth mate with the gear teeth 58d on body 58. Driver 70a is mounted to housing 52 by worm case 77, which mounts to the undersides of intermediate body 52c and bodies 52a, 52b using cap screws 79 (FIG. 4) to position shaft 76 to engage the gear teeth on body 58. For further details of driver 70a, reference is made to driver 70b.

Each driver 70a, 70b further includes wiring and/or cables for coupling to an external power supply and controls to allow for remote control actuation of monitor left-right or up-down rotation, described below.

Travel limits for the left-right swivel joint are established by the presence of magnets 82 (FIG. 6), which are mounted to body 58, and Hall sensor 84a (FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, magnets 82 are mounted in recesses or holes within the outer cylindrical surface of inner inlet body 58. When a magnet (82) is moved with inlet body 58 to be within sensing range of sensor 84a, a control signal from sensor 84a to a microprocessor within control module 86 (FIG. 8) causes motor 73 to stop and inhibits further rotation of the motor in that direction.

Travel limits for the up-down swivel joint are also established by the presence of magnets 82 provided, for example, in recesses or holes in the outer cylindrical surface of inner discharge body 69, along with a second Hall sensor 84b. When a magnet (82) is moved with inner outlet body 69 to be within sensing range of second sensor 84b, a control signal from second sensor 84b to the microprocessor within control module 86 causes second motor 73 to stop and inhibits further rotation of the motor in that direction.

Referring to FIG. 8, discharge adapter 54b serves to provide a discharge flow passage and to properly position nozzle 92 relative to the monitor assembly. The discharge end of discharge adapter 54b has a male hose thread to mate with the attachment coupling of nozzle 92. Nozzle 92 optionally comprise a combination straight stream and fog nozzle with electrically controlled actuator 70c to allow remote adjustment of the stream pattern from wide spray to straight stream, and is calibrated to flow at high flow rates and high pressure, for example 300 gal/min at an inlet pressure of 1500 lbs/in². Actuator 70c is a commercial actuator.

As noted above, drivers 70a, 70b, and, further, actuator 70c may all be controlled by a control system 93. As best seen in FIG. 8, control system 93 includes a control module 86. Control module 86 is configured to provide remote control of the positioning of monitor 50 about the vertical axis and over the vertical position of the outlet assembly, as well as control over the stream of fluid from nozzle 92 via actuator 70c. In the illustrated embodiment, control module 86 is in communication with drivers 70a, 70b and actuator 70c through wiring and cables, which are optionally enclosed in a harness 80, though it should be understood that RF transmission may be used for transmitting and receiving control signals. In addition, control system 93 may include a user actuatable device, such as a joystick 94, to provide manual override over control module 86.

Additional monitor control capability could be achieved by the addition of an optical or magnetic encoder to one or both of the gear motor assemblies. Signal pulses sent from an encoder to a properly programmed control processor could allow for automatic oscillation of the left-right nozzle sweep within a chosen arc. User inputs to initiate monitor and nozzle motion may be accomplished through joystick assembly 94, which is coupled or in communication with control module 86. Further, RF control of the monitor may be achieved using a similar RF control system described in copending applications. The present application is a continuation-in-part of copending application entitled RADIO CONTROLLED LIQUID MONITOR, Ser. No. 10/405,372, filed Apr. 2, 2003, and FIRE-FIGHTING MONITOR WITH REMOTE CONTROL, Ser. No. 10/984,047, filed Nov. 9, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. ELKO1 P-312), which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

While one form of the invention has been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A fire-fighting monitor for directing the flow of fluid from a fluid source, said monitor comprising: a cylindrical pipe section adapted to mount said monitor to a fluid source; a monitor body having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet mounted on and supported by said cylindrical pipe section and for receiving fluid through said pipe section, said outlet in fluid communication with said inlet for discharging fluid from said monitor body; a rotatable connection between said inlet and said pipe section, said rotatable connection permitting said inlet to rotate about a first axis over a range of motion about said pipe section; a drive mechanism mounted to one of said pipe section and said monitor body and drivingly engaging the other of said pipe section and said monitor body for rotating said inlet about said pipe section about said first axis; and a control capable of receiving control signal commands, said control operably connected to said drive mechanism so that said control may provide control signals to said drive mechanism in response to receipt of radio control signal commands to control the rotation of said monitor body about said pipe section, and said control further adapted to cause said monitor body to rotate back and forth in oscillation between predetermined limits established electronically by said control.

24. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 23, further comprising a remote transmitter apparatus, said remote transmitter apparatus including said transmitter, said remote transmitter apparatus being adapted to allow a user to adjust said predetermined limits.

25. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 24, wherein said control further establishes maximum predetermined limits.

26. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 25, wherein said maximum predetermined limits are only adjustable using said control and not by said remote transmitter apparatus.

27. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 24, wherein said rotatable connection permits said inlet to rotate about said first axis over a range of motion extending at least 360 degrees about said pipe section.

28. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 27, wherein said predetermined limits may be adjusted at the control.

29. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 28, wherein said predetermined limits may be adjusted between any two positions in said range of motion.

30. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 23, further comprising a housing mounted to said monitor body, said control being mounted in said housing.

31. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 23, wherein said monitor body comprises an inlet pipe Section and an outlet pipe section rotatably mounted relative to said inlet pipe section about a second pivot axis, and said outlet pipe section including said outlet.

32. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 31, further comprising a second drive mechanism for rotating said outlet pipe section about said second pivot axis.

33. The fire-fighting monitor according to claim 23, wherein said cylindrical pipe section includes an integral mounting flange extending radially outwardly from said cylindrical pipe section for mounting said monitor to a fire fighting fluid supply.