Mixing system for fire extinguishing equipment and method for maintaining a mixing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixing system (1) for extinguishing equipment for producing an extinguishing agent-extinguishing agent additive mixture (premix) by mixing an extinguishing agent additive, in particular a foaming agent, with an extinguishing agent, in particular water, with a motor (2) which can be driven by an extinguishing agent flow and a mixing pump (6) for conveying the extinguishing agent additive which is coupled to the motor (2) and is driven by the motor (2). The mixing system (1) has remote control means (20) for transmitting and implementing instructions to automatically put the motor (2) and the mixing pump (6) into operation or to stop them and remote reading means (21) for automatically detecting and transmitting data relating to the state of the mixing system (1). The mixing system (1) does not require the presence of an operator here. By means of these remote maintenance functions it is possible to check the functional capability of the mixing system (1) without having to dispatch an operator to the extinguishing equipment with the mixing system (1), whereby the outlay and the costs associated therewith for maintenance can be substantially reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The entire contents of priority application DE 10 2021 203 613.9 are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] This invention relates to a mixing system for fire extinguishing equipment and a method for maintaining the mixing system. The fire extinguishing equipment according to the invention is an apparatus comprising a pump, a piping system, and a mixing system for extinguishing agent additives, which allows the application of extinguishing agents, particularly through nozzles, foam pipes, or foam generators. The fire extinguishing equipment can be, for example, fixed equipment, such as a so-called monitoring device permanently installed in an oil depot—that is, a large steel pipe fire extinguishing system—or it can be an automated fire extinguishing system permanently installed in a building. It can also be a mobile device mounted on a vehicle or a rolling container. Background Technology

[0003] These fire extinguishing devices typically operate using water as the extinguishing agent. However, in many cases, it is advantageous to foam the extinguishing agent before applying it to the fire, thus creating a long-lasting extinguishing agent coating through which the fire can be extinguished. For this purpose, an extinguishing agent additive, in this case a foaming agent, is usually mixed with the extinguishing agent in a specific ratio. This extinguishing agent-excipient additive mixture (the so-called "premix") is then foamed in the nozzle by the introduction of air and applied to the fire. The volume ratio of the extinguishing agent additive to the extinguishing agent, the so-called mixing ratio, is typically between 0.5% and 6%.

[0004] Another type of fire extinguishing agent additive that can be mixed with the extinguishing agent is a wetting agent, which reduces the surface tension of the extinguishing agent, especially fire extinguishing water. This is advantageous, for example, when fighting forest fires, because the fire extinguishing water can thus wet a larger area, particularly on leaves, and therefore be used more effectively. Furthermore, due to the reduced surface tension, the fire extinguishing water can penetrate deeper into the forest floor, thereby extinguishing deeper embers, for example.

[0005] There are also foaming agents that can be used as wetting agents (and then possibly with different mixing ratios, especially with a minimum mixing ratio of 0.1%).

[0006] The following description uses water as the extinguishing agent and a foaming agent as an additive to illustrate the invention. However, this should not be construed as limiting. The invention can also be used when any extinguishing agent additive is mixed with any extinguishing agent.

[0007] To operate fire suppression systems with a mixing system, extinguishing agents and additives can be supplied in extinguishing agent tanks or extinguishing agent additive tanks, or via extinguishing agent supply lines or extinguishing agent additive supply lines. When extinguishing agents are supplied in extinguishing agent tanks, an extinguishing agent pump is also required to transfer, pressurize, and deliver the extinguishing agent from the tank to the mixing system. However, the components mentioned above are not necessarily part of the mixing system itself.

[0008] The mixture to be produced, consisting of the extinguishing agent and extinguishing agent additives—that is, the premix—is guided through the foaming nozzle in the form of a premixed stream when a foaming agent is used as the extinguishing agent additive. Ambient air is drawn in through the foaming nozzle and mixed with the premix. This activates the foaming agent in the premix and causes it to foam, thus producing extinguishing agent foam that can be applied to the fire from the foaming nozzle.

[0009] The air required for the foaming agent to produce foam can also be supplied to the premix in the form of compressed air. This type of equipment that generates compressed air foam is called a CAFS (Compressed Air Foam System).

[0010] While premixes can be produced in advance independently of the extinguishing equipment, such premixes may inevitably have to be stored for a considerable period. Therefore, in many cases, it is more advantageous to produce the premixes shortly before applying the extinguishing agent to the fire to be extinguished. For this purpose, the mixing system has a mixing pump through which the extinguishing agent additives can be delivered and mixed with the extinguishing agent.

[0011] In the mixing system considered in this invention, the mixing pump is driven by a motor, which in turn is driven by the flow of the extinguishing agent itself.

[0012] Therefore, in the above-described non-limiting application example of the present invention, the mixing system has a hydraulic motor driven by the fire extinguishing water flow. For this purpose, the output shaft of the hydraulic motor is connected to the input shaft of the mixing pump, for example, via a clutch.

[0013] The extinguishing agent additive delivered by the mixing pump is then introduced from the mixing pump into the mixing line through the extinguishing agent additive output line and mixed there with the extinguishing agent flow to generate a premix.

[0014] The advantage of this structure in a mixing system (where the mixing pump is driven by a constant flow of extinguishing agent) is that the mixing pump requires no external driving energy, particularly electricity, making the system extremely resistant to failure. Furthermore, the pump's delivery power is substantially proportional to the motor's speed, which in turn is substantially proportional to the flow rate of the extinguishing agent. In this way, a substantially constant mixing ratio is automatically achieved without the need for additional control or regulation devices.

[0015] The observed types of fire extinguishing equipment, and therefore mixing systems, especially stationary mixing systems, are often stored for extended periods but rarely used. However, their readiness for use is crucial. Therefore, regular maintenance and functional checks of the mixing systems are essential. This is often done by the operator manually starting the mixing system, visually checking its functionality or by reading measuring instruments installed at the system, and then manually stopping the system again. This requires significant manpower, particularly for stationary mixing systems, and corresponding costs for travel and time. Summary of the Invention

[0016] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to reduce the cost of maintaining a hybrid system for fire extinguishing equipment.

[0017] This task is solved by a hybrid system as described in claim 1 or by a method for maintaining the hybrid system as described in claim 16. Advantageous extensions of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0018] The present invention is based on a mixing system for a fire extinguishing device, which is used to produce a fire extinguishing agent-fire extinguishing agent additive mixture (premix) by mixing fire extinguishing agent additives, particularly foaming agents, with fire extinguishing agents, particularly water.

[0019] The hybrid system has the following components and pipelines:

[0020] - A motor, particularly a hydraulic motor, that can be driven by a flow of extinguishing agent, having at least one conveying device for guiding the extinguishing agent, particularly from an extinguishing agent tank or from an extinguishing agent supply line, to the motor, at least one output device for discharging the extinguishing agent from the motor, and a motor shaft that can be driven by the motor.

[0021] - An extinguishing agent inlet line having a motor-side end connected to at least one delivery device of a motor and, in particular, an extinguishing agent delivery-side end capable of connecting to an extinguishing agent tank or an extinguishing agent supply line.

[0022] - A mixing pump, preferably a piston pump and more preferably a plunger pump, for conveying fire extinguishing agent additives, having a drive shaft connected to the motor shaft of a motor, at least one conveying device for supplying fire extinguishing agent additives from a fire extinguishing agent additive tank or from a fire extinguishing agent additive pipeline, and at least one output device for discharging the fire extinguishing agent additives.

[0023] - A mixing line having a motor-side end and an output-side end, wherein the motor-side end is fluidly connected to at least one output device of the motor.

[0024] - A fire extinguishing agent additive pipeline having a pump-side end and a mixing pipeline-side end, wherein the pump-side end is fluidly connected to at least one output device of a mixing pump and the mixing pipeline-side end is fluidly connected to a mixing pipeline at a mixing location.

[0025] According to the present invention, the mixing system has a remote control device for transmitting and implementing commands to automatically start or stop the motor and mixing pump and / or a time control device for automatically starting or stopping the motor and mixing pump, wherein the remote control device and / or the time control device allows the motor and mixing pump to automatically start or stop operating in the mixing system without an operator.

[0026] Here, it is preferable to design the time control device such that the time control device preferably starts the motor to start or stop the motor after a specific, particularly freely determinable, predetermined time after a certain time interval and / or after a certain time has elapsed since the last (automatic or manual) start-up or stop-up.

[0027] Of course, the two functions can also be combined, meaning that the remote control device can also function as a time control device.

[0028] According to the present invention, the hybrid system also has a remote reading device for automatically detecting and transmitting data relating to the state of the hybrid system, wherein the remote reading device allows for the automatic detection and transmission of this data in the absence of an operator in the hybrid system.

[0029] These remote maintenance capabilities allow for the integration of system functionality without dispatching operators to fire suppression systems equipped with hybrid systems, thus eliminating travel expenses. This can significantly reduce costs and associated maintenance expenses for manufacturers whose hybrid systems are used worldwide.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixing system further includes an extinguishing agent pump for discharging the extinguishing agent from the extinguishing agent tank and for guiding the extinguishing agent to a motor, at least one output device of the extinguishing agent pump being connected to the end of the extinguishing agent delivery side of the extinguishing agent input line, and a remote control device and / or a time control device being configured to start and stop the extinguishing agent pump.

[0031] In this way, an extinguishing agent flow is generated in the extinguishing agent inlet line. The extinguishing agent flow drives a motor, and therefore the mixing pump connected to the motor is also driven, delivering the extinguishing agent additive. This test verifies the functionality of all critical components of the mixing system.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and an alternative embodiment of the previously mentioned embodiments, the extinguishing agent inlet line has an extinguishing agent valve for guiding the extinguishing agent from the extinguishing agent supply line to the motor, and a remote control device and / or a time control device is configured to open and close the extinguishing agent valve.

[0033] If the extinguishing agent is already under sufficient pressure in the extinguishing agent supply line, then the extinguishing agent flow will also be generated in the extinguishing agent inlet line in this manner. Therefore, the functional capabilities of all critical components of the mixing system can be tested as in the previous implementation scheme.

[0034] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixing system further includes a bypass line for the motor, which is fluidly connected at an end on the motor input side to a fire extinguishing agent input line and at an end on the motor output side to a mixing line.

[0035] In this way, a pipeline loop is created within the mixing system. This loop consists of a portion of the mixing pipeline between the motor-side end of the mixing pipeline and the motor output end of the bypass pipeline, the bypass pipeline itself, and a portion of the extinguishing agent inlet pipeline between the motor input end of the bypass pipeline and the motor-side end of the extinguishing agent inlet pipeline. A motor is also arranged within this pipeline loop. Therefore, the extinguishing agent can circulate through the pipeline loop and via the motor, delivering the extinguishing agent at the extinguishing agent delivery end of the extinguishing agent inlet pipeline and / or discharging the extinguishing agent at the output end of the mixing pipeline. The mixing system can be tested and maintained in this manner as a self-closing system with minimal material consumption.

[0036] Especially when the mixing system is a so-called "wet system," meaning that the extinguishing agent line is always filled with extinguishing agent even during a long period of downtime of the mixing system, then the line loop is always filled with extinguishing agent and therefore there is no need to specifically fill it with extinguishing agent for maintenance and operation.

[0037] According to a preferred variant of the aforementioned embodiment, the mixing system further includes a drive unit configured to rotate a motor, and the motor is configured to pump the extinguishing agent contained in the aforementioned pipeline circuit into the pipeline circuit.

[0038] By rotating the motor via a drive unit and operating it as a pump, the aforementioned circulation of the extinguishing agent in the pipeline loop can be achieved in a simple manner, thus enabling a self-closing test run of the mixing system. Simultaneously, the motor also puts the mixing pump into operation and delivers the extinguishing agent additives, thereby allowing all critical components of the mixing system to be put into operation and tested.

[0039] According to a preferred variant of the aforementioned implementation scheme, a remote control device and / or a time control device are configured to enable and disable the drive unit.

[0040] This allows for the realization of the desired remote maintenance and operation in a simple way.

[0041] According to a preferred variant of the aforementioned embodiment, the drive device is a drive motor, particularly an electric motor, whose motor shaft is selectively torque-transmittingly connected to the motor shaft of the motor for the extinguishing agent, particularly via a one-way clutch and / or via a resilient clutch.

[0042] The advantage of drive motors, and especially electric motors as drive motors, is that they can be used in a simple manner with remote control devices and / or time control devices, and can be put into operation and stopped by such devices, especially by electrical switching devices.

[0043] However, torque transfer from the drive motor to the motor used for the extinguishing agent should only occur during maintenance operation, where the motor functions as a pump, delivering the extinguishing agent and circulating it in the pipeline loop. During the "actual" operation of the mixing system in fire-fighting use, torque transfer from the drive motor to the motor used for the extinguishing agent should not occur.

[0044] To achieve the necessary selective disengagement between the drive motor and the motor for the extinguishing agent, a clutch can be used, which is either closed or open depending on the operating mode of the mixing system. However, this clutch is another component of the mixing system and must be actively controlled. Therefore, a mechanical one-way clutch is preferred, which is thus configured to transmit torque from the rotating drive motor to the motor for the extinguishing agent during maintenance operation of the mixing system, but not to transmit torque when the drive motor is stopped, especially during the "real" operation of the mixing system, which allows rotation of the motor for the extinguishing agent, at which point torque transmission is not possible. Mechanical one-way clutches can typically be designed, for example, as pawl-type one-way clutches or roller one-way clutches.

[0045] In addition, a flexible clutch can be arranged between the drive motor and the motor for the extinguishing agent, in particular in addition to a clutch or a one-way clutch, so that torque fluctuations of the drive motor and the motor for the extinguishing agent are not, or at least suppressed, transmitted to other motors.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a preferred variant of the bypass line has a shut-off valve, and a remote control device and / or a time control device is configured to open and close the shut-off valve.

[0047] This ensures that the bypass line is only opened during maintenance runs and closed during "real" runs.

[0048] According to a preferred variant of the present invention, a switching device, particularly a ball valve, is arranged in the extinguishing agent additive line, which is also fluidly connected to the return line. The switching device is capable of switching such that the extinguishing agent additive flow is selectively diverted from the pump-side end of the extinguishing agent additive line through the extinguishing agent additive line to the mixing section or the return line. A remote control device and / or a time control device are provided for switching the switching device.

[0049] The extinguishing agent additive flow can therefore be diverted into the return line during maintenance operation via the conversion device. The return line is preferably connected to the extinguishing agent additive tank and returns the extinguishing agent additive to this tank. The advantage of this is that it allows the operation of a mixing pump without allowing the extinguishing agent additive to enter the mixing line, while the mixing pump delivers the extinguishing agent additive and simultaneously circulates the extinguishing agent in the line loop.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a preferred variant of a bypass line has at least one first measuring device, particularly a flow measuring device, preferably a magnetically inductive flow meter, a pressure measuring device, and / or a temperature measuring device, and a remote reading device is configured to read data from the first measuring device and transmit data.

[0051] Therefore, measurements from at least one first measuring device, such as the flow rate, pressure, and / or temperature of the extinguishing agent in the bypass line, are available and can be evaluated there to check the functional capability of the mixing system.

[0052] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixing pump has at least one second measuring device, particularly an oil level sensor and / or an oil quality sensor, and a remote reading device is configured to read data from the second measuring device and transmit data.

[0053] Measurements from at least one second measuring device, such as the oil level and / or oil quality in the mixing pump, can be used for evaluation.

[0054] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the return pipeline has at least one third measuring device, preferably a flow measuring device and more preferably a magnetically inductive flow meter, and a remote reading device is configured to read data from the third measuring device and transmit data.

[0055] Measurements from at least one third measuring device, such as the flow rate of the extinguishing agent additive in the return line, can also be used for evaluation.

[0056] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the motor has at least one fourth measuring device, particularly a speed measuring instrument, and a remote reading device is configured to read data from the fourth measuring device and transmit data.

[0057] The measurements from at least one fourth measuring device, such as the motor's rotational speed, can also be used for evaluation.

[0058] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a remote control device for activating and deactivating components of the hybrid system is disposed away from the component arrangement of the hybrid system, particularly disposed on a remote server computer, and / or a remote reading device for detecting and transmitting data of the components of the hybrid system is disposed away from the component arrangement of the hybrid system, particularly disposed on a remote server computer.

[0059] If the hybrid system has time controllers, these time controllers are preferably located at or near the components of the hybrid system. The time controllers are configured to start and stop the components. Therefore, these components can be "autonomously" controlled by the hybrid system through the time controllers. However, it is also possible that remote controllers also function as time controllers and are similarly located remotely.

[0060] "Remote deployment" should be understood here as meaning that the remote control or remote reading devices are not directly installed at the corresponding components of the hybrid system. More precisely, the remote control or remote reading devices can be connected to the hybrid system via communication lines, preferably via telecommunications networks, and even more preferably via the Internet. They can therefore be located in the same local building as the hybrid system itself, in other buildings in the same region as the hybrid system operator, at the hybrid system manufacturer, or virtually anywhere else in the world. This allows for desired remote maintenance while saving maintenance personnel travel time and costs.

[0061] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the data transmitted by the remote reading device can be stored away from the components of the hybrid system, particularly in the memory of a remote server computer or in cloud storage, and the remote reading device is configured to detect and transmit the data of the components of the hybrid system.

[0062] The term "cloud storage," which is more commonly referred to as "cloud computing" in computer science, should be understood here as data storage. It can be distributed across numerous physical storage locations, and users of cloud storage may not even be aware of one or more of its geographical locations. Users can typically access cloud storage via the Internet and use it in a similar manner to when it is installed on a local computer.

[0063] The corresponding explanation therefore applies as to remote maintenance devices and remote reading devices, and also to the data that is detected and transmitted, i.e., this data can actually be stored anywhere in the world for evaluation, preferably immediately or later, especially by comparison with predetermined ratings, earlier data from the same hybrid system, or data from other hybrid systems.

[0064] The method according to the invention for maintaining the hybrid system according to the invention comprises the following steps:

[0065] - The motor and mixing pump are put into operation via remote control devices and / or time control devices.

[0066] -Data related to the state of the hybrid system is detected and transmitted via remote reading devices, and

[0067] - Stop the motor and mixing pump by using a remote control device and / or a time control device.

[0068] This allows for the desired remote maintenance operations without having to send maintenance personnel to the fire extinguishing equipment and the hybrid system itself.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention (wherein the mixing system has a bypass line), the following steps are performed before the motor and mixing pump are put into operation:

[0070] - The switching device in the extinguishing agent additive line is switched by means of a remote control device and / or a time control device, so that the extinguishing agent additive flow is directed from the pump side end of the extinguishing agent additive line to the return line.

[0071] In addition, after the motor and mixing pump have stopped running, perform the following steps:

[0072] - The switching device in the extinguishing agent additive line is switched by means of a remote control device and / or a time control device, so that the extinguishing agent additive flow is guided from the pump side end of the extinguishing agent additive line through the extinguishing agent additive line to the mixing part.

[0073] The advantages of this implementation of the method are similar to those of the corresponding implementation of the hybrid system described above.

[0074] In addition, valves in the return line can be opened or closed before the motor and mixing pump are put into operation and after the motor and mixing pump are stopped, in order to enable or prevent the extinguishing agent additive from flowing out through the return line. Attached Figure Description

[0075] Further advantages, features, and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0076] In the attached image:

[0077] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the hybrid system according to the present invention, and a schematic diagram of the remote maintenance device, the remote reading device, and the communication lines connected thereto. Detailed Implementation

[0078] The following text first describes the “actual” operation of Hybrid System 1, that is, its application in fire suppression.

[0079] The mixing system 1 is supplied with extinguishing water, which is pumped from the extinguishing water tank (neither shown) and pressurized by the extinguishing water pump. The extinguishing water then flows from the extinguishing agent delivery end 19 of the extinguishing agent inlet line 17 to the delivery device 3 of the hydraulic motor 2 and enters the hydraulic motor to drive it. The hydraulic motor 2 preferably operates on a displacement principle, more preferably on a stroke piston principle or a rotational principle.

[0080] At the output device 4 of the hydraulic motor 2, fire extinguishing water enters the mixing pipeline 10 at the motor side end 11 of the mixing pipeline.

[0081] The motor shaft 5 of the hydraulic motor 2 is preferably connected to the drive shaft 9 of the mixing pump 6 via a clutch (not shown). Therefore, the drive shaft 9 of the mixing pump 6 also rotates together with the motor shaft 5 of the hydraulic motor 2, thus driving the mixing pump 6. The mixing pump 6 is preferably a plunger pump.

[0082] The mixing pump 6 delivers extinguishing agent additives, particularly foaming agents, which are provided in an extinguishing agent additive tank (not shown) and guided to the delivery device 7 of the mixing pump 6. There, the foaming agents are drawn in by the mixing pump 6, pressurized by the mixing pump, and delivered to the output device 8 of the mixing pump 6.

[0083] At the output device 8 of the mixing pump 6, the extinguishing agent additive enters the pump-side end 14 of the extinguishing agent additive pipeline 13.

[0084] In the extinguishing agent additive line 13, the extinguishing agent additive first reaches the three-way ball valve 30, and when this three-way ball valve is in the "mixing" position, it reaches the mixing end 15 of the extinguishing agent additive line 13, where it connects to the mixing line 10. The mixing section 16 is also located there, where the extinguishing agent additive mixes with the extinguishing water.

[0085] Since the flow rates of the extinguishing water in the mixing line 10 and the extinguishing agent additive in the extinguishing agent additive line 13 are synchronized based on the connection between the hydraulic motor 2 and the mixing pump 6, the volume ratio between the mixed extinguishing agent additive and the extinguishing water, that is, the mixing ratio, is basically constant, for example, 3%.

[0086] The extinguishing water, i.e. the premix, which is mixed with the extinguishing agent additive in this way, is ultimately guided through the mixing line 10 to the end 12 on the output side of the mixing line and discharged there to one or more consumers of the extinguishing equipment, such as one or more extinguishing nozzles or also to foam nozzles and extinguishing monitors (all not shown).

[0087] During the “real” operation of the mixing system 1, the shut-off valve 29 is closed in the bypass line 22, which will be described in more detail below, so that no fire extinguishing water can flow from the mixing line 10 into the bypass line 22 at the motor output end 24 of the bypass line 22.

[0088] In addition to the "real" operation in fire suppression applications, Hybrid System 1 can also be operated in maintenance operation, which will now be described:

[0089] For this purpose, the mixing system 1 has a remote control device 20 and a remote reading device 21. The remote control device can transmit commands to automatically start or stop the hydraulic motor 2 and the mixing pump 6, while the remote reading device can automatically detect and transmit data related to the status of the mixing system 1.

[0090] The time control device may also be additionally or alternatively configured to automatically start or stop the hydraulic motor 2 and the mixing pump 6. However, this is not shown in the embodiment.

[0091] The remote control device 20 and the remote reading device 21 can be connected via signal / control lines 40 and arranged in a local building 39, or connected via an additional Internet connection 41 and arranged elsewhere. The remote control device 20 and / or the remote reading device 21 can be arranged, in particular, in a local storage-programmable control unit (SPS) 42 or on a server computer 37 on the Internet. Data transmitted to the remote reading device 21 can also be stored, in particular, in a cloud storage device 38.

[0092] Therefore, operators no longer need to be near the hybrid system 1 during maintenance, thus enabling purely remote maintenance operations.

[0093] During maintenance operation, no extinguishing water is supplied from the extinguishing water tank or from the extinguishing water supply line to the mixing system 1. This means that the extinguishing agent delivery end 19 of the extinguishing agent inlet line 17 is not traversed by extinguishing water. Correspondingly, no extinguishing water or premix is ​​discharged from the mixing system 1 to one or more consumers. This means that the output end 12 of the mixing line 10 is not traversed by extinguishing water or premix. Maintenance operation is thus carried out virtually "self-sufficiently," meaning that there is no need to exchange extinguishing water or premix between the mixing system 1 and the remaining components of the fire extinguishing equipment.

[0094] Instead, the extinguishing water circulates in a pipeline loop that is essentially composed of the bypass line 22, or more precisely, in a pipeline loop consisting of the portion of the mixing line 10 between its motor-side end 11 and the motor-output end 24 of the bypass line 22, the bypass line 22 itself, and the portion of the extinguishing agent input line 17 between its motor-input end 23 and the motor-side end 18 of the bypass line 22. The hydraulic motor 2 closes the pipeline loop between the motor-side end 18 of the extinguishing agent input line 17 and the motor-side end 11 of the mixing line 10.

[0095] In addition, a flow measurement device 32, a magnetically inductive flow meter (MID) which will be described in more detail below, and a shut-off valve 29 are arranged in the bypass line 22 and thus in the line loop.

[0096] During maintenance and operation of the hybrid system 1, the shut-off valve 29 is opened, allowing fire extinguishing water to flow through the pipeline loop. Opening and closing the shut-off valve 29 is preferably also accomplished by the remote control device 20.

[0097] During maintenance and operation, the hydraulic motor 2 acts as a pump and pumps fire extinguishing water through the pipeline loop. Because the mixing system 1 is a so-called wet system in this embodiment, its pipeline is always filled with fire extinguishing water or fire extinguishing agent additives or premixes, so the pipeline loop does not need to be additionally filled with fire extinguishing water for maintenance and operation.

[0098] However, this invention can also be implemented in so-called dry systems, where the piping is not always filled with extinguishing water or extinguishing agent additives or premixes. In this case, the piping loops do not necessarily need to be additionally filled with extinguishing water. Instead, the rotational speed of the hydraulic motor and the resulting delivery volume are used as a measure of the extinguishing agent flow, rather than the actual measured extinguishing agent flow.

[0099] Because the hydraulic motor 2 should function as a pump during maintenance and operation, it is rotated via another drive device in this case. For this purpose, the hydraulic motor 2 is connected to the drive device 25. In this embodiment, the electric motor may have a transmission mechanism, particularly a reduction gear mechanism.

[0100] The motor shaft 26 of the drive unit 25 is connected here to the motor shaft 5 of the hydraulic motor 2. Preferably, the motor shaft 5 extends additionally from the housing of the hydraulic motor 2 on the side opposite to the mixing pump 6.

[0101] An additional one-way clutch 27 is arranged between the drive unit 25 and the hydraulic motor 2, which transmits the torque of the drive unit 25 to the hydraulic motor 2 during the maintenance operation of the mixing system 1, causing the hydraulic motor 2 to rotate. During the "real" operation of the mixing system 1 (when the drive unit 25 is not running), the one-way clutch 27 slips, so that the hydraulic motor 2, driven by the fire extinguishing water flow in the fire extinguishing agent inlet line 17, can rotate without obstruction.

[0102] Furthermore, an elastic clutch 28 is arranged between the drive unit 25 and the hydraulic motor 2, so that the uniformity of rotation is not transmitted from one of the two motors 25, 2 to the other motor.

[0103] The drive unit 25 is switched on and off by a remote control device 20, for example, by using the switching function of an SPS 42. The hydraulic motor 2 and thus the mixing pump 6 are thus put into or stopped operation.

[0104] The circulation of fire extinguishing water in the pipeline loop and thus the prescribed functioning of the hydraulic motor 2 are monitored by multiple measuring devices, namely, by a pressure measuring device 33, a flow measuring device 32 involving a magnetically inductive flow meter (MID) in this embodiment, and a temperature measuring device 34, which may also be integrated into the flow measuring device 32. The measurements from these measuring devices are detected and transmitted via a remote reading device 21 and are therefore available for evaluation at a remote location if necessary.

[0105] The rotational speed of the hydraulic motor 2 can also be measured by a corresponding measuring device, in particular a tachometer (not shown), and detected and transmitted by a remote reading device 21.

[0106] During maintenance operation, the mixing pump 6 is also activated due to its connection with the hydraulic motor 2 and delivers extinguishing agent additive from the extinguishing agent additive container (not shown). Since the pipeline loop should not be exposed to the environment during maintenance operation, no extinguishing agent additive enters the mixing pipeline 10. For this reason, the three-way ball valve 30 is moved from the "mixing" position to the "return" position via the remote control device 20 during maintenance operation, so the extinguishing agent additive, instead of being delivered to the mixing section 16, is delivered to the return pipeline 31 and from there is delivered back to the extinguishing agent additive container.

[0107] The switching of the three-way ball valve 30 between the "mixing" and "returning" positions is accomplished by a remote control device 20. The three-way ball valve 30 preferably has an electric actuator and more preferably has a device for monitoring the position, which is operated or monitored by the remote control device 20, particularly in the form of an SPS.

[0108] The mixing system 1 may also have a two-way ball valve (not shown) arranged in the flushing line (also not shown). The flushing line branches off from the extinguishing agent inlet line 17 and leads to the delivery device 7 of the mixing pump 6. The two-way ball valve can switch between a closed and an open position. During the "real" operation of the mixing system 1, the two-way ball valve is closed. During the flushing operation of the mixing system 1, the two-way ball valve is opened and the flushing line is released, allowing extinguishing water to flow through it. In this way, the mixing pump 6 can be flushed with extinguishing water.

[0109] Two-way ball valves may also have an electric actuator and / or a device for monitoring position, which is operated or monitored by a remote control device 20.

[0110] An additional flow measurement device 36, which in this embodiment is a magnetically inductive flow meter (MID), is arranged in the return line 31. This additional flow measurement device allows monitoring of the extinguishing agent additive flow in the return line 31 and thus the proper functioning of the mixing pump 6. The measurements from the flow measurement device 36 are also detected and transmitted via a remote reading device 21 and are therefore available for evaluation at a remote location if necessary.

[0111] The mixing ratio can also be calculated and compared with the given rated mixing ratio by the flow rates of fire extinguishing water in bypass line 22 and fire extinguishing agent additives in return line 31 detected and transmitted during maintenance operation.

[0112] The mixing pump 6 is also monitored by the oil level sensor and / or oil quality sensor 35 according to its prescribed functions. The measured values ​​are also detected and transmitted by the remote reading device 21 and are available for evaluation at a remote location when necessary.

[0113] List of reference numerals

[0114] 1. Hybrid System

[0115] 2. Hydraulic motor

[0116] 3. Conveying device of hydraulic motor

[0117] 4. Output device of hydraulic motor

[0118] 5. The motor shaft of a hydraulic motor

[0119] 6 Mixing pump

[0120] 7. Delivery device of the mixing pump

[0121] 8. Output device of the mixing pump

[0122] 9. Drive shaft of the mixing pump

[0123] 10 Mixed Piping

[0124] 11. Motor-side end of the mixing pipeline

[0125] 12. The end of the mixing pipeline on the output side

[0126] 13 Fire extinguishing agent additive pipeline

[0127] 14. Pump-side end of extinguishing agent additive pipeline

[0128] 15. End of the mixing pipeline side of the fire extinguishing agent additive pipeline.

[0129] 16 Mixed parts

[0130] 17 Extinguishing agent inlet pipeline

[0131] 18. The motor side end of the extinguishing agent inlet pipeline

[0132] 19. The end of the extinguishing agent delivery side of the extinguishing agent inlet pipeline

[0133] 20 Remote control devices

[0134] 21 Remote Reading Devices

[0135] 22 Bypass pipeline

[0136] 23. The motor input end of the bypass line.

[0137] 24. The motor output end of the bypass line

[0138] 25 Drive unit

[0139] 26 motor shafts

[0140] 27 One-way clutch

[0141] 28. Elastic clutch

[0142] 29. Shut-off valve

[0143] 30 Three-way ball valve

[0144] 31 Return Pipeline

[0145] 32 Flow measurement device

[0146] 33 Pressure measuring device

[0147] 34 Temperature measuring device

[0148] 35. Oil level sensor and / or oil quality sensor

[0149] 36 Flow measurement device

[0150] 37 Server Computers

[0151] 38 Cloud Computer

[0152] 39 Local buildings

[0153] 40 Signal / Control Lines

[0154] 41 Internet Connection

[0155] 42 SPS

Claims

1. A mixing system (1) for a fire extinguishing device for generating a fire extinguishing agent-fire extinguishing agent additive mixture by mixing a fire extinguishing agent additive with a fire extinguishing agent, the mixing system having: - A motor (2) that can be driven by a fire extinguishing agent flow, having at least one delivery device (3) for conveying fire extinguishing agent from a fire extinguishing agent tank or from a fire extinguishing agent supply line to the motor (2), at least one output device (4) for discharging fire extinguishing agent from the motor (2), and a motor shaft (5) that can be driven by the motor (2). - Extinguishing agent input line (17), having a motor-side end (18) connected to at least one delivery device (3) of the motor (2) and an extinguishing agent delivery-side end (19) connected to an extinguishing agent tank or an extinguishing agent supply line. - A mixing pump (6) for conveying fire extinguishing agent additives, having a drive shaft (9) connected to the motor shaft (5) of the motor (2), at least one conveying device (7) for supplying fire extinguishing agent additives from the fire extinguishing agent additive tank or from the fire extinguishing agent additive pipeline, and at least one output device (8) for discharging fire extinguishing agent additives. - A mixing line (10) having a motor-side end (11) and an output-side end (12), wherein, The motor-side end (11) is fluidly connected to at least one output device (4) of the motor (2). - An extinguishing agent additive pipeline (13) having a pump-side end (14) and a mixing pipeline-side end (15), wherein the pump-side end (14) is fluidly connected to at least one output device (8) of a mixing pump (6) and the mixing pipeline-side end (15) is fluidly connected to a mixing pipeline (10) at a mixing section (16). The characteristic feature is that the mixing system (1) has a remote control device (20) for transmitting and implementing commands to automatically start or stop the motor (2) and the mixing pump (6) and / or a time control device for automatically starting or stopping the motor and the mixing pump, wherein the remote control device (20) and / or the time control device allow the motor (2) and the mixing pump (6) to automatically start or stop in the mixing system (1) without an operator, and The hybrid system (1) also has a remote reading device (21) for automatically detecting and transmitting data relating to the state of the hybrid system (1), wherein the remote reading device (21) allows for the automatic detection and transmission of this data in the absence of an operator in the hybrid system (1). The mixing system (1) also includes a bypass line (22) for the motor (2), which is fluidly connected to the extinguishing agent input line (17) at its end (23) on the motor input side and fluidly connected to the mixing line (10) at its end (24) on the motor output side. The mixing system (1) also has a drive device (25) configured to rotate the motor (2), and the motor (2) configured to pump extinguishing agent contained in a pipeline loop formed by a portion of the mixing line (10) between the motor-side end (11) of the mixing line (10) and the motor-output end (24) of the bypass line (22), the bypass line (2) itself, and a portion of the extinguishing agent input line (17) between the motor-input end (23) of the bypass line (22) and the motor-side end (18) of the extinguishing agent input line (17). The remote control device (20) and / or the time control device are configured to enable and disable the drive device (25).

2. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fire extinguishing agent additive is a foaming agent.

3. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extinguishing agent is water.

4. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor (2) is a hydraulic motor.

5. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixing pump (6) is a piston pump.

6. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixing pump (6) is a plunger pump.

7. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixing system (1) also has an extinguishing agent pump for conveying extinguishing agent from the extinguishing agent tank and for guiding extinguishing agent to the motor (2), at least one output device of the extinguishing agent pump being connected to the end (19) of the extinguishing agent delivery side of the extinguishing agent input line (17), and the remote control device (20) and / or time control device being configured to start and stop the extinguishing agent pump.

8. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extinguishing agent input line (17) has an extinguishing agent valve for guiding the extinguishing agent from the extinguishing agent supply line to the motor (2), and the remote control device (20) and / or time control device are configured to open and close the extinguishing agent valve.

9. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive device (25) is a drive motor, whose motor shaft (26) is selectively connected to the motor shaft (5) of the motor (2) to transmit torque.

10. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The drive motor is an electric motor.

11. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The motor shaft (26) is selectively connected to the motor shaft (5) of the motor (2) via a one-way clutch (27) and / or via a flexible clutch (28) to transmit torque.

12. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bypass line (22) has a shut-off valve (29), and the remote control device (20) and / or the time control device are configured to open and close the shut-off valve (29).

13. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, A switching device (30) is arranged in the fire extinguishing agent additive line (13), and the switching device is also fluidly connected to the return line (31). The switching device (30) is capable of switching such that the fire extinguishing agent additive flow is selectively guided from the pump-side end (14) of the fire extinguishing agent additive line (13) to the mixing section (16) or the return line (31). The remote control device (20) and / or the time control device are configured to switch the switching device (30).

14. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The switching device (30) is a ball valve.

15. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bypass line (22) has at least one first measuring device (32, 33, 34), and the remote reading device (21) is configured to read data from the first measuring device (32, 33, 34) and transmit data.

16. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first measuring device (32, 33, 34) is a flow measuring device (32), a pressure measuring device (33), or a temperature measuring device (34).

17. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that, The flow measurement device (32) is a magnetically inductive flow meter.

18. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixing pump (6) has at least one second measuring device (35), and the remote reading device (21) is configured to read data from the second measuring device (35) and transmit data.

19. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second measuring device (35) is an oil level sensor and / or an oil quality sensor.

20. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The return line (31) has at least one third measuring device (36), and the remote reading device (21) is configured to read data from the third measuring device (36) and transmit data.

21. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that, The third measuring device (36) is a flow measuring device.

22. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that, The third measuring device (36) is a magnetically inductive flow meter.

23. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor (2) has at least one fourth measuring device, and the remote reading device (21) is configured to read data from the fourth measuring device and transmit data.

24. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 23, characterized in that, The fourth measuring device is a speed measuring instrument.

25. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The remote control device (20) for starting and stopping the components of the hybrid system (1) is located away from the component arrangement of the hybrid system, and / or the remote reading device (21) for reading and transmitting data of the components of the hybrid system (1) is located away from the component arrangement of the hybrid system.

26. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 25, characterized in that, The remote control device (20) is located on a remote server computer (37).

27. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 25, characterized in that, The remote reading device (21) is located on a remote server computer (37).

28. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Data transmitted by the remote reading device (21) can be stored away from the components of the hybrid system (1), and the remote reading device (21) is configured to read and transmit data of the components of the hybrid system.

29. The hybrid system (1) according to claim 28, characterized in that, Data transmitted by the remote reading device (21) can be stored in the memory of a remote server computer (37) or in a cloud storage (38).

30. A method for maintaining a hybrid system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: - The drive unit (25) and mixing pump (6) are put into operation via a remote control device (20) and / or a time control device, through which the motor (2) is set to rotate and pump the extinguishing agent through the pipeline loop. - Data related to the state of the hybrid system (1) is received and transmitted via a remote reading device (21), and - The drive unit (25) is stopped by a remote control device (20) and / or a time control device, and thus the motor (2) and the mixing pump (6) are stopped.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that, A conversion device (30) is arranged in the extinguishing agent additive pipeline (13), and the conversion device is also fluidly connected to the return pipeline (31). The following steps are performed before the motor (2) and the mixing pump (6) are put into operation: - The switching device (30) in the fire extinguishing agent additive line (13) is switched by the remote control device (20) and / or the time control device in such a way that the fire extinguishing agent additive flow is guided from the pump-side end (14) of the fire extinguishing agent additive line (13) to the return line (31). And after the motor (2) and the mixing pump (6) stop operating, the following steps are performed: - The switching device (30) in the fire extinguishing agent additive line (13) is switched by the remote control device (20) and / or the time control device such that the fire extinguishing agent additive flow is guided from the pump side end (14) of the fire extinguishing agent additive line (13) through the fire extinguishing agent additive line (13) to the mixing part (16).

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