Method of extinguishing fires

Abstract

A method for subduing a fire (70) is disclosed. This method is performed by operating a jet turbine (20), having an exhaust (22), to direct the exhaust (22) into a moving front of the fire (72), generally against the movement of the front of the fire (72). A retardant (30), preferably dust, is directed from a supply tank (40) into the exhaust (22), through a pressurized conduit (42). Alternately, dust or other material (32) is lifted from the land around the fire (70) and blown into the fire (70), extinguishing the fire (70) or decreasing its intensity. To completely extinguish the fire (70), it may be necessary to further douse the fire with either or both water and a second retardant.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 630,341 filed Jul. 30, 2003, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 399,896, filed on Jul. 31, 2002, which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to fighting fires, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus using pressurized air and dust to reduce the temperature of a fire so that the fire is either extinguished or can be doused with water and / or chemicals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Fires are a serious problem today. Large fires rage out of control sweeping through woods / forests, communities, industrial areas (e.g., refineries, power plants, etc.) and businesses resulting in tremendous loss of forests / woods, homes, other property, animals and even human life. Efforts employed to contain fires are not always successful. Controlling and preventing the s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Effectively reduces fire intensity and stops its forward progress, allowing for more successful extinguishment with minimal environmental impact.

Problems solved by technology

Fires are a serious problem today.

Large fires rage out of control sweeping through woods / forests, communities, industrial areas (e.g., refineries, power plants, etc.) and businesses resulting in tremendous loss of forests / woods, homes, other property, animals and even human life.

Efforts employed to contain fires are not always successful.

Controlling and preventing the spread of fires is often a difficult and dangerous undertaking.

Water and chemicals are often ineffective against fires.

In particular, at times the fire's intensity is so great that the water or chemicals evaporate or disintegrate before reaching the core of the fire.

Further, some fire retardant chemicals damage the environment and ecosystem.

Presently accepted methods for fighting fires have an additional disadvantage, as they are designed only to extinguish the flames and not to stop the forward progress of the fire.

Simply dousing the fire with water or chemicals from above will do nothing to stop a fire's progress.

This often renders them ineffective in fighting quickly spreading fires, such as a wind-blown forest or brush fire.

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