Compressed air foam system and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a compressed air foam system and a control method thereof, and relates to the technical field of fire fighting. The system comprises a water conveying pipeline used for conveying water; a rectifier is arranged on the water conveying pipeline; the foam pipeline is used for conveying a foam stock solution; the water conveying pipeline and the foam pipeline are respectively communicated with one end of the first mixing pipeline, and the first mixing pipeline is used for mixing water and the foam stock solution to obtain a foam mixed solution; the second mixing pipeline is communicated with the compressed air source and the other end of the first mixing pipeline, and the second mixing pipeline is used for mixing the foam liquid with compressed air to obtain compressed air foam. By means of the compressed air foam system, water flow in the water conveying pipeline tends to be laminar and stable, so that the detection precision of the water flow is improved, meanwhile, the control method improves the accuracy of the foam proportion and the stability of the system, and therefore the better foaming effect and the better fire extinguishing efficiency are obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fire protection technology, and in particular to a compressed air foam system and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Compressed air foam (CAF) is a fire extinguishing agent formed by mixing water, foam liquid, and compressed air. It builds upon traditional foam fire extinguishing systems by adding compressed air to enhance the foam's expandability, stability, and coverage, resulting in a more effective fire extinguishing system. Compressed air foam effectively covers the surface of the fire source, insulating it from heat and reducing the flame's temperature. It is suitable for extinguishing both liquid fires (such as oil fires) and solid fires.

[0003] For fire trucks that use compressed air foam as a fire extinguishing agent, a compressed air foam system is arranged, wherein a water flow meter is arranged in the compressed air foam system. The water flow meter is arranged in the water supply pipeline of the fire pump. The water flow in the fire water pipe is detected by the water flow meter to determine the flow rate of the foam stock solution to be injected according to the water flow. The foam stock solution is mixed with water and foamed under the action of compressed air to form compressed air foam.

[0004] To ensure accurate flow rate detection, water flow meters typically require that the fire hoses connected to the flow meter be straight, as long as possible, and free of valves, elbows, and other features. However, in practice, due to space limitations, the straight pipe length before and after the flow meter often fails to meet installation requirements, thus compromising firefighting effectiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a compressed air foam system and a control method thereof, which are used to provide stable and efficient fire extinguishing foam during the fire extinguishing process, thereby improving the overall fire extinguishing effect of the firefighting operation.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a compressed air foam system, comprising:

[0007] A water delivery pipeline is used to deliver water; a rectifier is provided on the water delivery pipeline;

[0008] Foam pipeline, used to transport foam concentrate;

[0009] A first mixing pipeline, a water delivery pipeline and a foam pipeline are respectively connected to one end of the first mixing pipeline, and the first mixing pipeline is used to mix water and foam stock solution to obtain a foam mixed solution;

[0010] The second mixing pipeline is connected to the compressed air source and the other end of the first mixing pipeline. The second mixing pipeline is used to mix the foam mixture with the compressed air to obtain compressed air foam.

[0011] Optionally, a water flow meter is provided at the rear end of the water delivery pipeline, and the water flow meter is used to detect the water flow in the water delivery pipeline passing through the rectifier.

[0012] Optionally, a foam metering pump is provided on the foam pipeline, a foam outlet of the foam metering pump is connected to the foam pipeline, and the foam metering pump is used to measure the flow rate of the foam stock solution.

[0013] Optionally, a foam calibration flowmeter is provided on the foam pipeline, and the foam calibration flowmeter is used to calibrate the foam metering pump.

[0014] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a control method, which is applied to the first aspect and / or various possible compressed air foam systems of the first aspect. The control method includes:

[0015] In response to detecting a start command for the compressed air foam system, starting a water delivery pipeline in the compressed air foam system to deliver water;

[0016] According to the water flow and the preset foam mixing ratio, the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system is started to transport the foam concentrate;

[0017] Determine the flow rate of the foam mixture according to the water flow rate and the flow rate of the foam stock solution;

[0018] When the flow rate of the foam mixture meets the foam stability condition, the compressed air source in the compressed air foam system is controlled to inject compressed air to form compressed air foam.

[0019] Optionally, the control method further comprises: starting a timer when the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system is started to deliver the foam concentrate;

[0020] Correspondingly, the flow rate of the foam mixture meets the foam stability condition, including: the timing duration is greater than a first set value, and the first set value is determined according to the flow rate of the foam mixture and a preset foam mixing ratio.

[0021] Optionally, according to the water flow rate and the preset foam mixing ratio, the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system is started to deliver the foam concentrate, including:

[0022] Determine the flow rate of foam stock solution according to the foam mixing ratio and water flow rate;

[0023] Determine the theoretical speed of the driving motor corresponding to the foam metering pump according to the flow rate of the foam stock solution;

[0024] Determine a target speed corresponding to the theoretical speed, where the target speed is greater than the theoretical speed;

[0025] The drive motor is controlled to run at a target speed to deliver the foam concentrate through the foam pipeline.

[0026] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0027] When the compressed air foam meets the stable formation conditions, the drive motor is controlled to operate at the theoretical speed.

[0028] Optionally, the compressed air foam meets stable formation conditions, including: the timing duration is greater than a second set value, and the second set value is determined based on the output pressure corresponding to the compressed air source, the flow rate of the compressed air, and a preset foam mixing ratio.

[0029] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, comprising: a memory, a processor;

[0030] Memory stores computer-executable instructions;

[0031] The processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the above second aspect and / or various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-executable instructions are stored. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, they are used to implement the above second aspect and / or various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0033] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the above second aspect and / or various possible implementation methods of the second aspect.

[0034] The embodiments of the present application provide a compressed air foam system and a control method thereof. The compressed air foam system includes a water supply pipeline, a foam pipeline, a first mixing pipeline, and a rectifier. By arranging a rectifier on the water supply pipeline, the water flow in the fire water pipe can be stabilized, and the turbulence and unstable water flow in the water pipe can be eliminated, which helps to obtain more accurate flow data, so that the injection amount of the foam stock solution can be dynamically adjusted according to the real-time monitored water flow data to ensure that the ratio of water to foam stock solution is always maintained at an appropriate value. At the same time, by controlling the injection amount of compressed air and the generation amount of compressed air foam, it is ensured that the generated compressed air foam has sufficient coverage area and stability, thereby effectively solving the problem of unstable flow affecting the fire extinguishing effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of a compressed air foam system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a grid rectifier provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of the orifice plate rectifier provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a compressed air foam system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a mixing pipeline of a compressed air foam system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the control method provided in this embodiment Figure 1 ;

[0042] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the control method provided in this embodiment Figure 2 ;

[0043] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the control method provided in this embodiment Figure 3 ;

[0044] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a control device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Reference numerals:

[0047] 1-Water flow meter; 100-Water supply pipeline; 2-Rectifier; 201-Rectifier body; 202-Rectifier grid; 203-Rectifier center tube; 204-Rectifier orifice plate; 200-First mixing pipeline; 3-Foam metering pump; 300-Foam pipeline; 4-Air compressor; 400-Second mixing pipeline; 5-Control system; 6-Fire pump; 7-Drive motor; 8-Compressed air injection port; 9-Compressed air foam outlet; 10-Foam calibration flow meter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0049] In the prior art, for fire trucks that use compressed air foam as a fire extinguishing agent, the compressed air foam system on the fire truck usually includes a water flow meter to detect the water flow in the fire water pipe. This is used as a basis to control the injection amount of foam concentrate and the air compressor, thereby forming effective compressed air foam for fire extinguishing. Ideally, in order to ensure the accuracy and stability of the water flow meter, there must be a sufficiently long and stable straight pipe section before and after the water flow meter to avoid valves, elbows and other components in the pipeline causing turbulence or disturbance of the water flow. This is because unstable water flow will affect the detection accuracy of the water flow meter, resulting in large errors, which will affect the mixing ratio of the foam concentrate and water, and then lead to poor quality of the compressed air foam formed, ultimately affecting the fire extinguishing effect.

[0050] The compressed air foam system provided in this application incorporates a rectifier at the front end of the water supply pipeline to ensure stable water flow before and after the water flow meter. This stabilizes the water flow, eliminates turbulence and uneven flow in the pipeline, and ensures a smoother flow as the water passes through the water flow meter. This measure effectively addresses water flow disturbances caused by uneven pipelines or spatial limitations, thereby improving the accuracy of the water flow meter's measurements. Furthermore, the injection volume of the foam solution and the amount of compressed air can be precisely adjusted based on the water flow rate. Even if measurement errors occur due to insufficient pipeline length, real-time adjustments can still ensure that the mixing ratio of the foam solution and water remains within the appropriate range, thereby generating high-quality compressed air foam. If errors in the measured water flow rate are caused by spatial limitations, automatic compensation can be performed based on common deviations in actual use. By dynamically adjusting the flow rate of the foam solution and the amount of compressed air injected, the system can accurately adjust the foam quality in real time to ensure the stability of the generated foam and the fire-extinguishing effect.

[0051] The following specific embodiments describe in detail the technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the partial structure of the compressed air foam system provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of the compressed air foam system provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the mixing pipeline of the compressed air foam system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0053] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 In this embodiment, the compressed air foam system includes:

[0054] The water delivery pipeline 100 is used to deliver water; a rectifier 2 is provided on the water delivery pipeline 100;

[0055] Foam pipeline 300, used for conveying foam concentrate;

[0056] The first mixing pipeline 200, the water delivery pipeline 100, and the foam pipeline 300 are respectively connected to one end of the first mixing pipeline 200, and the first mixing pipeline 200 is used to mix water and foam stock solution to obtain a foam mixed solution;

[0057] The second mixing pipeline 400 is connected to the compressed air source and the other end of the first mixing pipeline 200. The second mixing pipeline 400 is used to mix the foam mixture with the compressed air to obtain compressed air foam.

[0058] In a possible implementation, a water flow meter 1 is provided at the rear end of the water pipeline 100 , and the water flow meter 1 is used to detect the water flow in the water pipeline 100 passing through the rectifier 2 .

[0059] In this embodiment, water is transported through the water supply pipeline 100, and the water flow is smoothly processed by the rectifier 2. When flowing through the water flow meter 1, the water flow is measured, and the flow rate of the foam stock solution is calculated, so that the water is mixed with the foam stock solution transported by the foam pipeline 300 to generate a foam mixture, which is transported through the first mixing pipeline 200 and further mixed with the compressed air provided by the compressed air source in the second mixing pipeline 400 to form compressed air foam, which is then transported to the fire extinguishing site.

[0060] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a grid rectifier provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the orifice plate rectifier provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the grid-type rectifier includes a rectifier body 201 , a rectifier grid plate 202 and a rectifier central tube 203 .

[0062] Among them, the rectifier body 201 is the external structural part of the rectifier, usually with a larger channel and a support frame for accommodating and fixing other structural components, which can provide overall support for the rectifier and ensure that the airflow or liquid can flow along the set path.

[0063] The flow rectifying grid 202 may be composed of a plurality of parallel grids for guiding the fluid to flow in a specific direction.

[0064] It is understood that the porosity, shape, and arrangement of the grid determine the flow characteristics of the fluid. Through this grid structure, the disturbance and turbulence of the fluid can be effectively reduced, helping the fluid flow more evenly.

[0065] The rectifier center tube 203 may refer to a tubular structure located inside the rectifier body, which is used to concentrate and guide the flow of the fluid, thereby helping to optimize the fluid flow path and allowing the fluid to be concentrated through the rectifier grid 202, thereby effectively achieving a rectifying effect.

[0066] In this embodiment, the orifice plate rectifier includes a rectifier body 201 and a rectifying orifice plate 204 .

[0067] Similar to the grid-type rectifier, the rectifier body 201 is the outer shell of the entire rectifier, providing structural support and fluid channels.

[0068] The flow-rectifying orifice plate 204 can be a plate with multiple holes. By providing holes of varying sizes and distribution on the orifice plate, the fluid is disturbed and decelerated as it passes through these holes, thereby reducing turbulence and achieving flow rectification. The orifice plate's hole size, number, and distribution determine the uniformity of the fluid flow and pressure loss.

[0069] It should be noted that the type of rectifier is not limited to the type described in this embodiment, and in practical applications, it can be freely selected as needed.

[0070] As you can understand, the different structures of the rectifier can provide fluid rectification effects tailored to the needs of different applications. It stabilizes and rectifies the water flow before it enters the water flow meter, making it laminar. When the system undergoes adjustments or load changes, the rectifier also stabilizes the water flow. This ensures a more stable and accurate water flow within the same space. Even if the straight pipe length before and after the water flow meter is insufficient, this can be effectively compensated to meet the required accuracy. This solves the problem of limited space in tight piping installations in real-world projects, ultimately ensuring a precise foam ratio and the formation of high-quality firefighting foam, effectively improving firefighting efficiency.

[0071] It can be understood that the rectifier can reduce turbulence or irregular flow in the water flow, ensure that the water flows smoothly when passing through the water flow meter, ensure the stability of the water flow, and thus improve the measurement accuracy of the water flow meter and reduce measurement errors. Even if the system is adjusted or the load changes, the water flow can quickly stabilize, making the water flow meter have higher detection accuracy and stability.

[0072] In this embodiment, a foam metering pump 3 is provided on the foam pipeline 300 , and a foam outlet of the foam metering pump 3 is communicated with the foam pipeline 300 . The foam metering pump 3 is used to measure the flow rate of the foam stock solution.

[0073] The injection amount of the foam metering pump 3 is dynamically adjusted according to the water flow measured by the water flow meter 1 and the set foam mixing ratio to ensure that the mixing ratio of the foam concentrate and water meets the requirements.

[0074] As an example, the system may further include a drive motor 7 for powering the foam metering pump 3, enabling it to inject the foam concentrate into the foam pipeline 300. Based on the water flow rate detected by the water flow meter 1 and the set foam mixing ratio, the operating speed of the drive motor 7 is adjusted to drive the foam metering pump 3 to rotate, pumping the foam concentrate into the first mixing pipeline 200 for mixing with the water flow.

[0075] In this embodiment, a foam calibration flowmeter 10 is provided on the foam pipeline 300 , and the foam calibration flowmeter 10 is used to calibrate the foam metering pump 3 .

[0076] It should be noted that to prevent the foam metering pump 3 from experiencing performance degradation over time, the foam metering pump 3 is automatically calibrated periodically (e.g., every two months) using the foam calibration flowmeter 10 to monitor the pump's output flow. By measuring changes in output flow and comparing the actual flow rate with the set flow rate, the pump's output is automatically calibrated.

[0077] As can be appreciated, the calibration process of the foam calibration flowmeter 10 ensures the precise operation of the foam metering pump 3, and through flow feedback regulation, the production of the foam concentrate is guaranteed to be consistent and stable. By precisely controlling the flow rate, the quality of the foam concentrate can be effectively guaranteed under different operating conditions, and manual maintenance is not required, resulting in a high degree of automation.

[0078] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the compressed air source may be an air compressor 4. Its corresponding compressed air injection port 8 is connected to the second mixing pipeline 400, for injecting compressed air into the pipeline to mix with the foam mixture to form the compressed air foam. The operation of the air compressor 4 is regulated by a control system 5 to ensure the quality and coverage of the foam.

[0079] In some embodiments, the air compressor 4 starts operating according to the instructions of the control system 5 and injects compressed air into the second mixing pipeline 400. The compressed air is injected into the pipeline through the compressed air injection port 8, mixed with the foam mixture, and formed into a stable compressed air foam. The mixed compressed air foam is output through the compressed air foam outlet 9 and sprayed onto the fire source, forming a foam that covers the fire source and isolates oxygen, thereby achieving the purpose of extinguishing the fire.

[0080] The control system 5 is connected to the water flow meter 1 and the foam metering pump 3 respectively, and can control the foam metering pump 3 to inject foam concentrate according to the water flow rate, and control the air compressor 4 to inject compressed air.

[0081] Control system 5 monitors the water flow in real time to control the injection rate of foam metering pump 3 and the operating status of air compressor 4. Based on the water flow detected by water flow meter 1, control system 5 can accurately adjust the flow rate of foam concentrate injected into the water pipe by foam metering pump 3 and the amount of compressed air injected into the water pipe by air compressor 4, thereby ensuring the stable quality of compressed air foam and adapting to different firefighting needs.

[0082] It can be understood that through the precise adjustment of the control system 5, the optimal mixing ratio of the foam concentrate and water is ensured, the compressed air foam formed has high stability, and the injection amount of the foam concentrate and compressed air can be flexibly adjusted according to different fire extinguishing requirements and different water flow conditions.

[0083] In this embodiment, when the compressed air foam system of a fire truck begins operation, water first flows into the system through the water supply pipeline 100. A water flow meter 1 monitors the water flow rate in real time, and a rectifier 2 stabilizes the water flow, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted flow and guaranteeing the accuracy of the data measured by the water flow meter 1. Then, based on the water flow rate data detected by the water flow meter 1, the control system 5 adjusts the operation of the foam metering pump 3, injecting an appropriate amount of foam stock solution through the foam pipeline 300. The injected foam stock solution achieves a stable mixing ratio with the water flow rate, meeting the fire extinguishing requirements, resulting in a foam mixture that is delivered via the first mixing pipeline 200. Next, the control system 5 adjusts the operating state of the air compressor 4 based on the real-time monitored water flow rate, injecting an appropriate amount of compressed air through the second mixing pipeline 400. The compressed air mixes with the foam mixture to form compressed air foam. By covering the fire source with compressed air foam, the spread of flames is effectively suppressed, oxygen supply is reduced, and the fire is extinguished. Since the control system 5 adjusts the ratio of the foam stock solution and the compressed air in real time, the generated compressed air foam has stability and appropriate foam quality, thereby ensuring the reliability of the fire extinguishing effect.

[0084] As can be understood, installing rectifier 2 before water flow meter 1 stabilizes the water flow, reducing measurement errors caused by turbulent or uneven flow within the pipe, thereby ensuring the accuracy of water flow meter 1. Real-time water flow monitoring provides precise data to control system 5, enabling more accurate adjustments to foam metering pump 3 and air compressor 4. Therefore, even if the straight pipe length before and after water flow meter 1 does not meet installation requirements in actual applications, a stable compressed air foam output can still be achieved, achieving effective fire extinguishing results.

[0085] As an example, the water source in the compressed air foam system can be a fire pump 6, which is connected to the water inlet of the water pipeline 100. The pressurized water flows into the water pipeline 100 to ensure that the water flow has sufficient pressure to support the operation of the foam metering pump 3 and the air compressor 4.

[0086] The compressed air foam system provided in the embodiment of the present application ensures accurate detection of water flow, stable foam quality and improved fire extinguishing efficiency through the collaborative work between different structures, so that the entire system not only adapts to spatial environmental limitations, but also can maintain an efficient and stable working state in complex practical applications, ensuring the stability of the foam, reducing the fire extinguishing time, and at the same time improving the safety of the fire extinguishing process, thereby greatly improving the effectiveness of fire trucks in the fire extinguishing process.

[0087] In this embodiment, the system utilizes an open-loop control method. It detects the water flow rate signal Q1 and converts it into the theoretically required foam stock solution flow rate Q2 based on the set foam mixing ratio. The drive motor speed is then determined based on the foam stock solution flow rate Q2, and the control system directly transmits this speed control signal. During this process, the actual foam stock solution flow rate is not considered; as long as the water flow rate and the set foam mixing ratio remain unchanged, the speed of the foam metering pump's drive motor remains unchanged.

[0088] It is understood that through the use of a high-precision foam metering pump and open-loop control, the control system is simple and reliable, with no overshoot and a stable and precise ratio. The foam metering pump can accurately measure the flow rate of the foam concentrate produced and output the foam concentrate at a specific flow rate according to actual needs, ensuring the quality and stability of the foam.

[0089] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the control method provided in this embodiment Figure 1 .like Figure 6 As shown, the control method provided in this embodiment is applied to the above Figures 1 to 5 The compressed air foam system of an embodiment, the control method includes:

[0090] S501 : In response to detecting a start instruction for the compressed air foam system, start the water delivery pipeline in the compressed air foam system to deliver water.

[0091] For example, firefighters typically issue a start command when the compressed air foam system is in an empty pipe state. This refers to the initial state where there is no flow in the compressed air foam system's pipes. At this point, a water source is controlled, such as by starting a fire pump, pumping water from the source and injecting it into the water supply pipes. This provides the initial medium for forming the compressed air foam, preparing for subsequent foam generation and firefighting.

[0092] S502: According to the water flow rate and the preset foam mixing ratio, the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system is started to transport the foam concentrate.

[0093] Among them, the foam raw liquid is transported in the foam pipeline through the foam metering pump, and the foam raw liquid is the second medium for forming the compressed air foam.

[0094] In this embodiment, the foam metering pump in the compressed air foam system is activated simultaneously with the start-up of the fire pump and water injection. Once activated, the foam metering pump injects the foam concentrate into the foam pipeline according to the set foam mixing ratio, and then into the first mixing pipeline, where it mixes with water to form a foam mixture.

[0095] It can be understood that by accurately controlling the flow rate of the foam mixture, it is possible to ensure that water and foam stock solution are continuously supplied in the pipeline, avoiding the situation where most of the first mixing pipeline is water and a small amount of foam stock solution, preventing compressed air and water from directly mixing in subsequent processes, and reducing impact problems.

[0096] S503: Determine the flow rate of the foam mixture according to the water flow rate and the flow rate of the foam stock solution.

[0097] The foam mixture is a liquid formed by mixing water and foam stock solution in a certain proportion, so the flow rate of the foam mixture is usually the sum of the flow rate of water and the flow rate of the foam stock solution.

[0098] S504: When the flow rate of the foam mixture meets the foam stability condition, the compressed air source in the compressed air foam system is controlled to inject compressed air to form compressed air foam.

[0099] In this embodiment, the compressed air source may be an air compressor, and the compressed air serves as the third medium for forming the compressed air foam. The injection of compressed air allows the foam mixture to form compressed air foam based on the water and foam stock solution, causing the foam to expand in volume and enhance the fire extinguishing effect of the foam.

[0100] In this embodiment, after the fire pump is started, the drive motor corresponding to the foam metering pump is first started at a higher speed (for example, 3-5 times the theoretical speed) to deliver relatively more foam stock solution to form a foam mixture.

[0101] As an example, assuming that the flow rate of the foam mixture is 100 liters / minute and the inner cavity volume of the first mixing pipeline is 300 liters, the first mixing pipeline can be filled after the foam metering pump is started at a higher speed for 3 seconds. If the response time of the system is 1 second, then the first setting value can be set to 4 seconds.

[0102] It's understandable that if the air compressor is activated immediately after the foam metering pump, and a stable foam mixture hasn't yet formed in the first mixing pipeline, the injection of compressed air will have no real effect and may even cause shock in the pipeline. Furthermore, if the foam metering pump is activated at the theoretical speed, since the foam mixing ratio is generally low, the amount of foam concentrate in the foam mixture is relatively small, and the water flow rate is relatively high, injecting compressed air at this point will prevent the compressed air and water from mixing to form foam, similarly causing shock in the system. Therefore, by calculating the first set value, the air compressor can be ensured to start at the appropriate time, optimizing the foam generation process and reducing potential shock in the system.

[0103] The foam stabilization condition may refer to a condition under which the flow rate of the foam mixture tends to be stable. In this embodiment, when the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system is started to transport the foam concentrate, the timer is started;

[0104] Correspondingly, the flow rate of the foam mixture meets the foam stability condition, including: the timing duration is greater than a first set value, and the first set value is determined according to the flow rate of the foam mixture and a preset foam mixing ratio.

[0105] In this embodiment, the first set value may be a time threshold calculated based on the flow rate of the foam mixture and a preset foam mixing ratio, used to determine when to start the air compressor. This time interval should be long enough to ensure that the foam stock solution and water are fully mixed to produce the foam mixture and that the foam mixture fills the first mixing pipeline before starting the air compressor, but not too long to delay the injection of compressed air.

[0106] It should be noted that in actual applications, the duration of the first set value can also be set according to the length of the pipeline and actual conditions, that is, the time required for the foam concentrate and water to be completely mixed, and the matching time can be further optimized through testing based on the actual fire protection pipeline layout of the system.

[0107] It can be understood that by setting the first set value, it can be ensured that the air compressor is started only after the foam mixture reaches a stable flow rate, avoiding the rush to inject compressed air when the foam stock liquid flow is low and the amount of foam liquid in the pipeline is insufficient, and preventing the compressed air from directly mixing with water and causing impact on the pipeline.

[0108] The control method provided in the embodiment of the present application ensures the accuracy of the flow rate of the foam mixture by controlling the foam pipeline to transport the foam concentrate according to the water flow rate, and then ensures that the air compressor operates under appropriate flow and pressure conditions by setting the timing duration to prevent impact on the system. Therefore, by adjusting the injection timing and flow of compressed air, the stable operation of the system is ensured, the potential danger to fire-fighting equipment and personnel is reduced, and the waste of resources is reduced, thereby improving fire safety.

[0109] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the control method provided in this embodiment Figure 2 .like Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment Figure 6 Based on the embodiment, the control process is further described, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0110] S601. Determine the flow rate of the foam stock solution according to the foam mixing ratio and the water flow rate.

[0111] Among them, the foam mixing ratio refers to the mixing ratio of foam concentrate and water, which is usually preset according to fire extinguishing requirements to ensure the effectiveness of the foam.

[0112] In this embodiment, the required foam liquid flow rate is calculated based on the preset foam mixing ratio and the current water flow rate, ensuring that the mixing ratio of the foam liquid and water meets the fire extinguishing requirements.

[0113] It should be noted that the flow rate of the foam stock solution is positively correlated with the water flow rate, that is, when the water flow rate is larger, the required flow rate of the foam stock solution increases accordingly to ensure that it can be completely mixed with water to generate a foam mixture.

[0114] S602: Determine the theoretical rotation speed of the driving motor corresponding to the foam metering pump according to the flow rate of the foam stock solution.

[0115] Among them, the driving motor is used to drive the foam metering pump to operate, and its rotation speed directly affects the flow rate of the foam stock solution.

[0116] The theoretical speed may refer to the motor speed calculated based on the foam stock liquid flow requirement to achieve a preset foam mixing ratio.

[0117] In this embodiment, the system adopts an open-loop control method to detect the water flow signal Q1, convert the theoretically required foam stock flow Q2 according to the set foam mixing ratio, and then convert the foam stock flow Q2 to obtain the theoretical speed n of the driving motor of the foam metering pump.

[0118] It is understandable that if the speed of the driving motor is too low, the flow of the foam stock solution will be insufficient; if the speed is too high, it may lead to excessive output, resulting in waste of the foam stock solution.

[0119] S603: Determine a target speed corresponding to the theoretical speed, where the target speed is greater than the theoretical speed.

[0120] Among them, the target speed can refer to a larger speed formed on the basis of the theoretical speed and the combination of the preset mixing ratio positive deviation coefficient. The mixing ratio positive deviation coefficient can refer to a coefficient used to adjust the theoretical speed to compensate for errors or uncertainties in the system and ensure that the actual output meets expectations. For example, the flow rate of the foam stock solution may fluctuate and deviate from the theoretical speed due to factors such as pressure changes in the system, the working state of the pump, and fluid characteristics. The mixing ratio positive deviation coefficient is used to adjust the speed according to these actual conditions so that the pump can output stably in a changing working environment. In this embodiment, the mixing ratio positive deviation coefficient can be n to 1.4n, and the mixing ratio positive deviation coefficient meets the national standard requirements for compressed air foam fire trucks.

[0121] The target speed may refer to the speed of the driving motor after taking the positive deviation coefficient into consideration, which is the actual operating speed of the driving motor.

[0122] As an example, if the theoretical speed of the driving motor is n, an intermediate value such as 1.2 can be taken within the range of the positive deviation coefficient of the mixing ratio, that is, the target speed of the driving motor is 1.2n.

[0123] S604: Control the driving motor to operate at a target speed to deliver the foam concentrate through the foam pipeline.

[0124] In this embodiment, the drive motor is controlled to operate at the target speed determined in the above steps. At this point, the drive motor begins operating, and the foam metering pump begins dispensing the foam concentrate at the set flow rate through the foam pipeline. During this process, the system activates a timing function to record the dispensing time of the foam concentrate, achieving a time delay effect and ensuring thorough mixing of the water and foam concentrate.

[0125] It is understandable that there is a transition process from the start-up of the foam metering pump to the complete foaming and stabilization. During this process, if the speed of the foam metering pump is too low, less foam stock solution will be produced, which is difficult to fully mix. Therefore, by setting the positive deviation coefficient of the mixing ratio, a higher speed is applied to the driving motor of the foam metering pump in the transition stage before the stable compressed air foam is completely formed, which can increase the flow rate of the foam stock solution and make it quickly mix with water and air to form compressed air foam.

[0126] S605: When the compressed air foam meets the stable formation conditions, control the drive motor to operate at a theoretical speed.

[0127] In this embodiment, the drive motor is controlled to operate at a target speed in the steps of the above embodiment to ensure that the water and the foam concentrate can be quickly and fully mixed. If the compressed air foam in the second mixing pipeline meets the stable formation conditions after the compressed air is injected, the target speed needs to be adjusted to the theoretical speed, that is, the speed is reduced to save energy.

[0128] It's clear that adjusting the speed of the foam metering pump's drive motor to restore the theoretical speed optimizes the foam generation process, enabling the system to maintain optimal operating conditions at different stages, extending the equipment's lifespan, significantly saving energy, and reducing operating costs. By setting the first and second setpoints, the mixing process of compressed air and foam liquid can be precisely controlled, ensuring foam quality and firefighting effectiveness. Furthermore, precise flow and time control reduces resource waste and improves system efficiency.

[0129] In this embodiment, the compressed air foam meets the stable formation conditions, including: the timing duration is greater than the second set value, and the second set value is determined based on the output pressure corresponding to the compressed air source, the flow rate of the compressed air and the preset foam mixing ratio.

[0130] In this embodiment, the second set value may refer to a time threshold calculated based on the air compressor's output pressure, the compressed air flow rate, and a preset foam mixing ratio, used to determine when to adjust the speed of the foam metering pump's drive motor. Specifically, the second set value depends on the current foam mixture flow rate and the distance between the mixing pipe and the fire-fighting foam gun. A greater foam mixture flow rate and a shorter distance between the mixing pipe and the fire-fighting foam gun shorten the time from the start of mixing to the formation of a stable compressed air foam, and the second set value can be set to a relatively small value.

[0131] In some embodiments, the second set value represents the time required for the system to reach a stable state after startup. This can be determined based on experimental data or system response characteristics, and needs to take into account various factors, including the flow rate of the foam metering pump, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air, and the dynamic response characteristics of the system.

[0132] As another example, a higher output pressure from the air compressor increases the compressed air flow rate, which in turn increases the required foam concentrate flow rate, driving the motor at a higher speed. This increases the time required for the system to reach a stable state, resulting in a larger second setpoint. For example, assuming a compressed air flow rate of 10 m³ / min, an output pressure of 5 bar, and a foam mix ratio of 1%, and testing indicates that the system needs to restore the foam metering pump's speed to its theoretical speed within 20 seconds after starting to conserve energy, the second setpoint could be set to 20 seconds.

[0133] It can be understood that by accurately calculating the second set value, it is possible to ensure that the working pressure and flow of the compressed air foam system meet the requirements, so as to maintain a stable output of compressed air foam and further optimize the coverage effect of the foam.

[0134] The control method provided in the embodiments of this application ensures accurate flow of the foam stock solution and conformity to the preset mixing ratio by precisely regulating the speed of the foam metering pump's drive motor. Furthermore, by adjusting the positive deviation coefficient of the mixing ratio, the system maintains stable operation under variable operating conditions and achieves a mixed state as quickly as possible, thereby maximizing the efficiency and stability of the fire extinguishing process. This not only improves fire extinguishing efficiency but also optimizes system resource utilization and control accuracy.

[0135] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the control method provided in this embodiment Figure 3 .like Figure 8 Shown, including:

[0136] S701. Start the fire pump to discharge water.

[0137] S702: Activate the CAF button.

[0138] In this embodiment, starting the CAF button indicates activating the operation process of the entire compressed air foam system.

[0139] S703, start the foam metering pump motor and go to high speed n1, and start timing.

[0140] The high speed n1 represents the target speed calculated based on the theoretical speed of the motor and the positive deviation coefficient of the mixing ratio.

[0141] S704: Determine whether the timing reaches t1.

[0142] Here, t1 represents a preset first duration, ie, a first set value, which represents the time required for the water and the foam stock solution to be completely mixed to generate the foam mixture and fill the mixing pipeline.

[0143] S705: If yes, start the air compressor to inject compressed air.

[0144] S706: Determine whether the timing reaches t2.

[0145] Here, t2 represents a preset second time length, that is, a second set value, which represents the time required for the compressed air and foam mixture to be mixed from the beginning to the complete mixing and to stably generate compressed air foam.

[0146] In this embodiment, an initial value for t1 and t2 can be designed first, and then further optimized through testing based on the actual fire protection pipeline layout of the system, to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of foam concentrate during the transition process and it is first mixed with water to form a foam mixture, and then compressed air is added to mix and foam the foam mixture, thereby reducing the impact of the transition process, ensuring that the system still has good stability during the startup transition stage, and avoiding or reducing damage to the personal safety of firefighters due to system impact.

[0147] S707: If yes, control the foam metering pump motor to resume operation at the theoretical speed n2.

[0148] The theoretical speed n2 represents the theoretical speed of the foam metering pump motor calculated based on the foam flow rate.

[0149] S708: Control the system to be normal and stable and output CAF.

[0150] S709: If the CAF output requirement has been completed, stop the CAF output button.

[0151] S710: Stop the air compressor.

[0152] S711. Stop the foam metering pump motor.

[0153] S712. Stop the fire pump.

[0154] The control method provided in the embodiment of the present application enables the system to quickly reach the required foam mixing ratio through initial high-speed operation, thereby improving the response speed. After the system reaches a stable state, the rotation speed of the foam metering pump is reduced to save energy and optimize operating costs. In addition, through staged control and monitoring, the system operation is made more stable, safe and reliable, reducing the risk of failure.

[0155] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the control device provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 As shown, the control device 80 provided in this embodiment includes:

[0156] The first starting module 801 is configured to start the water delivery pipeline in the compressed air foam system to deliver water in response to detecting a starting instruction for the compressed air foam system;

[0157] The second starting module 802 is used to start the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system to transport the foam concentrate according to the water flow rate and the preset foam mixing ratio;

[0158] The determination module 803 is used to determine the flow rate of the foam mixture according to the water flow rate and the flow rate of the foam stock solution;

[0159] The control module 804 is used to control the compressed air source in the compressed air foam system to inject compressed air to form compressed air foam when the flow rate of the foam mixture meets the foam stability condition.

[0160] Optionally, the second starting module 802 is further configured to:

[0161] When the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system is started to deliver the foam concentrate, the timing is started;

[0162] Correspondingly, the flow rate of the foam mixture meets the foam stability condition, including: the timing duration is greater than a first set value, and the first set value is determined according to the flow rate of the foam mixture and a preset foam mixing ratio.

[0163] Optionally, the second starting module 802 is specifically configured to:

[0164] Determine the flow rate of foam stock solution according to the foam mixing ratio and water flow rate;

[0165] Determine the theoretical speed of the driving motor corresponding to the foam metering pump according to the flow rate of the foam stock solution;

[0166] Determine a target speed corresponding to the theoretical speed, where the target speed is greater than the theoretical speed;

[0167] The drive motor is controlled to run at a target speed to deliver the foam concentrate through the foam pipeline.

[0168] Optionally, the control module 804 is further configured to:

[0169] When the compressed air foam meets the stable formation conditions, the drive motor is controlled to operate at the theoretical speed.

[0170] Optionally, the compressed air foam meets stable formation conditions, including:

[0171] The timing duration is greater than a second set value, and the second set value is determined according to the output pressure corresponding to the compressed air source, the flow rate of the compressed air, and a preset foam mixing ratio.

[0172] The control device provided in this embodiment can execute the control method provided in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0173] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 10 As shown, the electronic device 90 provided in this embodiment includes: at least one processor 901 and a memory 902. Optionally, the device 90 further includes a communication component 903. The processor 901, the memory 902, and the communication component 903 are connected via a bus 904.

[0174] During the specific implementation process, at least one processor 901 executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 902, so that the at least one processor 901 performs the above method.

[0175] The specific implementation process of the processor 901 can be found in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be repeated here in this embodiment.

[0176] In the above embodiments, it should be understood that the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the present invention may be directly executed by a hardware processor or by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0177] The memory may include random access memory (RAM) and may also include non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk storage.

[0178] A bus can be an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, and control buses. For ease of illustration, the buses in the drawings of this application are not limited to just one bus or just one type of bus.

[0179] The present application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which implements the above method when executed by a processor.

[0180] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-executable instructions are stored. When a processor executes the computer-executable instructions, the above method is implemented.

[0181] The readable storage medium may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile memory device, or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk. The readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0182] An exemplary readable storage medium is coupled to a processor so that the processor can read information from the readable storage medium and write information to the readable storage medium. Of course, the readable storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the readable storage medium can be located in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Of course, the processor and the readable storage medium can also exist in the device as discrete components.

[0183] The division of units is merely a logical functional division; actual implementations may employ alternative divisions, such as combining or integrating multiple units or components into another system, or omitting or disabling certain features. Furthermore, any direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units, either through an interface, electrical, mechanical, or other means.

[0184] Units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0185] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0186] If a function is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, or the portion that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the method of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program code, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0187] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the steps in the above-described method embodiments can be implemented using hardware associated with program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the program performs the steps of the above-described method embodiments. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0188] Finally, it should be noted that those skilled in the art will readily identify other embodiments of the present invention after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention that follow the general principles of the present invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A compressed air foam system, characterized in that: include: A water delivery pipeline is used to deliver water; a rectifier is provided on the water delivery pipeline; Foam pipeline, used to transport foam concentrate; a first mixing pipeline, wherein the water delivery pipeline and the foam pipeline are respectively connected to one end of the first mixing pipeline, and the first mixing pipeline is used to mix water and foam stock solution to obtain a foam mixed solution; The second mixing pipeline is connected to the compressed air source and the other end of the first mixing pipeline, and the second mixing pipeline is used to mix the foam mixture with the compressed air to obtain compressed air foam.

2. The compressed air foam system according to claim 1, wherein A water flow meter is provided at the rear end of the water delivery pipeline, and the water flow meter is used to detect the water flow in the water delivery pipeline passing through the rectifier.

3. The compressed air foam system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The foam pipeline is provided with a foam metering pump, the foam outlet of the foam metering pump is communicated with the foam pipeline, and the foam metering pump is used to measure the flow rate of the foam stock solution.

4. The compressed air foam system according to claim 3, wherein: The foam pipeline is provided with a foam calibration flow meter, and the foam calibration flow meter is used to calibrate the foam metering pump.

5. A control method, characterized in that: Applied to the compressed air foam system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the control method comprises: In response to detecting a start-up instruction for the compressed air foam system, starting a water delivery pipeline in the compressed air foam system to deliver water; According to the water flow rate and the preset foam mixing ratio, the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system is started to transport the foam concentrate; determining the flow rate of the foam mixed liquid according to the water flow rate and the flow rate of the foam stock liquid; When the flow rate of the foam mixture meets the foam stability condition, the compressed air source in the compressed air foam system is controlled to inject compressed air to form compressed air foam.

6. The control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control method further includes: starting a timer when the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system is started to deliver the foam concentrate; Correspondingly, the flow rate of the foam mixture meets the foam stability condition, including: the timing duration is greater than a first set value, and the first set value is determined according to the flow rate of the foam mixture and the preset foam mixing ratio.

7. The control method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The method of starting the foam pipeline in the compressed air foam system to transport the foam stock solution according to the water flow rate and the preset foam mixing ratio includes: determining the flow rate of the foam stock solution according to the foam mixing ratio and the water flow rate; Determining the theoretical speed of the driving motor corresponding to the foam metering pump according to the flow rate of the foam stock solution; determining a target speed corresponding to the theoretical speed, wherein the target speed is greater than the theoretical speed; The driving motor is controlled to operate at the target speed to transport the foam concentrate through the foam pipeline.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The control method further includes: When the compressed air foam meets the stable formation condition, the driving motor is controlled to operate at the theoretical speed.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The compressed air foam meets stable formation conditions, including: The timing duration is greater than a second set value, and the second set value is determined according to the output pressure corresponding to the compressed air source, the flow rate of the compressed air, and the preset foam mixing ratio.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: Memory, processor; The memory stores computer-executable instructions; The processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor performs the control method according to any one of claims 5 to 9.

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