Fire-fighting water taking ship capable of flying

Abstract

The invention discloses a fire-fighting water taking ship capable of flying, and belongs to the technical field of fire-fighting and emergency rescue equipment. The equipment aims at solving the problems that an existing fire-fighting unmanned aerial vehicle and an existing fire-fighting ship are single in function and cannot efficiently and continuously work in the complex terrains without roads and electricity such as original forests and alpine canyons. The flying fire-fighting water taking ship comprises a ship body, a flying system, a power system, a fire-fighting water taking system, a protection system and a control and communication system. The hull main body is of a streamline sealing structure and has the water surface floating capacity. The flight system is composed of four sets of lift fans symmetrically distributed at the four corners of the ship body, and vertical take-off and landing, hovering and flight of the equipment can be achieved. The power system takes a diesel engine as a core and is matched with a generator to form an autonomous energy system independent of an external power grid. The core of the fire-fighting water taking system is a horizontal submersible pump which is horizontally mounted at the bottom of the ship, and water can be efficiently taken from a complex water area and output in a large-flow mode through a tail water hose connector. The protection system comprises U-shaped inflatable rubber at the bottom of the ship and is used for buffering impact. The equipment supports dual-mode operation with remote control as a main mode and on-site manned control as an auxiliary mode. The water surface navigation stability of a ship and the terrain crossing capacity of a multi-rotor aircraft are both achieved, the functions of rapid arrival and continuous large-flow water supply in an extreme environment are achieved, and the fire fighting efficiency of remote complex terrain forest fires is remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of special fire-fighting and emergency rescue equipment technology, specifically relating to an amphibious fire-fighting device that combines water surface navigation and vertical take-off and landing capabilities, especially suitable for forest fire rescue scenarios in remote mountainous areas where water sources exist but are blocked by complex terrain. Background Technology

[0002] In the primeval forests and high mountain valleys of Yunnan's Ailao Mountains, steep terrain often separates fire sites from the nearest water source by hundreds of meters to several kilometers. Existing firefighting equipment faces limitations in this scenario: fire trucks and personnel struggle to reach the affected areas; drones (especially multi-rotor drones) have short ranges and limited payloads, making it impossible to carry high-flow-rate water pumps for extended operations, and they also struggle to maintain stable anchoring and efficiently collect water on water; traditional fireboats are completely unable to overcome land obstacles. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative rescue equipment capable of rapidly and autonomously switching between water and air, and possessing the ability to continuously supply water at high flow rates. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Purpose of the invention This invention aims to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies of the prior art and provide a flying fire-fighting water intake vessel. The purpose of this invention is to integrate the load-bearing stability and surface operation capabilities of a vessel, the vertical take-off and landing and terrain-crossing capabilities of a multi-rotor aircraft, and the independent high-flow-rate fire-fighting water supply capability. This solves the core problem of fire-fighting forces being unable to "enter, deploy, supply, and sustain operations" in extreme environments with no roads, no electricity, and terrain barriers, thereby achieving rapid, efficient, and safe remote fire-fighting water intake and supply operations.

[0004] Technical solution To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A flying fire-fighting water intake vessel includes a hull, a flight system, a power system, a fire-fighting water intake system, a protection system, and a control and communication system.

[0005] The hull is a streamlined, rigid structure with a sealed buoyancy cavity, made of lightweight, high-strength composite materials, and its bottom is designed for floating and navigation on water. A control cabin is located at the upper front of the hull, and waterproof aviation sockets are located on the sides.

[0006] The flight system comprises four independent lift units, preferably electrically powered ducted fans. These four lift units are symmetrically distributed and fixedly connected to the four corner extension structures of the hull. By independently controlling the output of each lift unit, the flightable fire-fighting water intake vessel can achieve vertical take-off and landing, hovering, attitude adjustment, and low-speed translational flight.

[0007] The power system includes a diesel engine, a generator connected to the diesel engine, a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the diesel engine, and a power distribution unit. The electricity generated by the generator is used to drive the various lift devices of the flight system, the water pumps of the fire-fighting water intake system, and other airborne electrical equipment, forming an autonomous energy system that does not rely on an external power grid.

[0008] The fire-fighting water intake system includes a water pump, a filter device connected to the water pump inlet, a water supply pipeline, and a hose connector. The water pump is preferably a horizontal submersible pump, installed horizontally at the bottom of the hull. The hose connector is located at the stern of the hull and is used to connect fire hoses.

[0009] The protection system includes buffer components, preferably U-shaped inflatable rubber, installed at the front and rear sections of the bottom of the hull, to absorb the impact energy when the equipment lands or docks.

[0010] The control and communication system includes a control panel and display instruments located in the control cockpit, as well as a communication antenna located on the hull. The system supports both remote wireless control and on-site manned control modes, and is used to control the flight, navigation, water intake operations, and monitoring equipment status of the flying fire-fighting water intake vessel.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the waterproof aviation socket is connected to the power distribution unit via a cable to enable emergency power sharing between multiple flyable fire-fighting water intake vessels, or to charge the onboard battery of the vessel's main body.

[0012] Beneficial effects Compared with the prior art, the flying fire-fighting water intake vessel provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects: Functional integration and innovation, strong scenario adaptability: By deeply integrating the hull structure with the multi-rotor flight system, this invention creatively achieves two core capabilities in a single device: "flying across terrain" and "stable operation on water." It can fly directly from the air to water sources blocked by mountains, and after landing, it serves as a stable water platform for high-volume water intake. This fundamentally solves the application bottleneck of single-function equipment in complex geographical environments, and is particularly suitable for typical terrains such as the Ailao Mountains.

[0013] It achieves continuous operation capabilities with high flow rates and long endurance: Utilizing a diesel-electric hybrid power system, it boasts high energy density and overcomes the strict limitations of pure battery power on flight time and payload. This enables the equipment to carry high-power water pumps, achieving continuous, high-flow-rate water supply far exceeding that of comparable electric drones, providing crucial equipment support for fighting large-scale forest fires.

[0014] It boasts high reliability and operational flexibility: its dual-mode control design, primarily using remote control and supplemented by on-site manned operation, ensures operator safety in most situations while providing reliable manual intervention in special circumstances such as communication interruptions or extremely complex environments. The power system's energy self-sufficiency and emergency power sharing capabilities among multiple units further enhance the overall reliability and survivability of the mission formation.

[0015] Balancing operational efficiency and environmental protection: The vessel's design allows it to float stably on the water, ensuring high water intake efficiency and minimizing the risk of grounding. The bottom protective structure not only protects the equipment itself but also effectively reduces damage to surface or shoreline vegetation in the take-off and landing area, meeting the environmental requirements of forest rescue operations.

[0016] Based on the integration and innovation of mature technologies, the system has good feasibility: The main subsystems of the system described in this invention (such as diesel generator, multi-rotor flight control, submersible pump, and hull structure) are all based on existing mature industrial technologies. Its innovation is mainly reflected in the system-level configuration design and functional integration, which reduces technical risks and R&D costs and has good engineering and industrialization prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To make the structure, features, and beneficial effects of the present invention clearer, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely illustrative and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a side-front top-view perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, showing the overall three-dimensional shape of the flying fire-fighting water intake vessel. This view clearly presents the streamlined outline of the main body of the vessel (1), and the four high-power lift fans symmetrically arranged at its four corners: left front fan (2), right front fan (3), left rear fan (4), and right rear fan (5). At the same time, the installation positions of the diesel engine (6), fuel tank (7), and generator (8) located at the rear of the vessel are visible in the figure, as well as the water outlet pipe (11) leading out from the hull and the stern water hose interface (12). The stern gain antenna (17) is installed on the upper part of the stern.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the invention, highlighting the structural layout of the hull bottom. The horizontal submersible pump (9) mounted at the mid-rear of the hull and its inlet filter screen (10) are clearly visible. The rear of the hull is covered with a rear U-shaped inflatable rubber (15) for cushioning. The bottom structure of the left rear fan (4) is also shown from this perspective.

[0020] Figure 3This is a top view (front view from top to bottom) of the invention. The figure provides a top-plane view of the equipment layout, most clearly showing the four lift fans (2, 3, 4, 5) arranged in a strictly symmetrical configuration around the main hull (1). The control cabin (16) is located in the center of the forward section of the hull. The top outline of the rear power compartment and the arrangement of the stern gain antenna (17) are also clearly visible.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the invention, i.e., a frontal projection view from the stern to the bow. This drawing focuses on the stern design of the equipment, including the specific structure and installation method of the stern hose interface (12), the installation details of the stern gain antenna (17), and the appearance of the right rear fan (5) and the left rear fan (4) from the stern view.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a side view of the invention, showing the complete side profile of the device. The figure clarifies the side streamline of the hull body (1), the side shape and position of the control cockpit (16), the installation position of the waterproof aviation socket (13) on the side of the hull, and the layout relationship between the front U-shaped inflatable rubber (14) and the rear U-shaped inflatable rubber (15) on the front and rear of the hull.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a front view (viewed from front to back) of the invention, that is, a frontal projection view from the bow to the stern. This figure focuses on showing the structure of the front of the equipment, including the shape of the front U-shaped inflatable rubber (14), the front appearance of the left front fan (2) and the right front fan (3), and details such as the observation window at the front of the control cockpit (16).

[0024] The following is a unified explanation of the component labels in the diagram: 1. Main fuselage (hull body), 2. Front left fan, 3. Front right fan, 4. Rear left fan, 5. Rear right fan, 6. Diesel engine, 7. Fuel tank, 8. Generator, 9. Horizontal submersible pump, 10. Water pump filter, 11. Water outlet pipe, 12. Tail hose connection, 13. Waterproof aviation socket and wiring, 14. Front U-shaped rubber, 15. Rear U-shaped rubber, 16. Control cockpit, 17. Tail gain antenna. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This description is intended to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and reproduce the technical solutions of the present invention, and is not intended to limit its scope of protection.

[0026] This invention discloses a flying fire-fighting water-collecting vessel, whose core operating modes include a "remote control mode" and a "managed on-site operation mode," and supports multi-vehicle collaborative operation. Its implementation process is as follows: Equipment deployment and takeoff preparation First, the flyable fire-fighting water intake vessel (hereinafter referred to as "the equipment") is transported to the starting point of the rescue mission, usually the bank of a reliable water source (such as a reservoir or river) near the fire. The operator can be located at a safe control station at the rear, away from the fire (remote mode), or can choose to enter the control cabin (16) at the front of the equipment (on-site mode). Inside the control cabin, the operator can obtain equipment status information and issue control commands through the integrated control panel, display instruments and communication equipment.

[0027] Before starting, the equipment status must be checked, including but not limited to: confirming the fuel level of the diesel engine (6), checking the sealing of the fuel tank (7), ensuring that the generator (8) and the power system are normal, verifying that there are no foreign objects blocking the four sets of lift fans (2, 3, 4, 5), confirming that the horizontal submersible pump (9) and its filter screen (10) of the fire water intake system are in good condition, ensuring that the water outlet pipe (11) is securely connected to the tail hose interface (12), and checking the integrity of the U-shaped rubber (14, 15) at the front and rear of the protective system. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the tail gain antenna (17) and the waterproof aviation socket (13) on the side are functioning normally, in preparation for remote communication or multi-aircraft coordination.

[0028] Flight mode implementation: Crossing terrain to reach the operational waters Regardless of the control mode used, the device's flight process follows these steps: The operator starts the power system. The diesel engine (6) starts working, driving the generator (8) to generate electricity. After the electricity is distributed, it drives four sets of high-power ducted fans (2, 3, 4, 5) to rotate at high speed, generating vertical lift. By precisely controlling the speed difference of each fan, the equipment achieves a smooth vertical takeoff.

[0029] After takeoff, the operator (remotely or on-site) controls the flight attitude to make the equipment fly at a low altitude (usually 5-20 meters above the ground or canopy to avoid major obstacles and airflow) toward the target waters. During flight, the communication system consisting of the tail-mounted gain antenna (17) can transmit flight data, forward-looking images and environmental information to the control station or the control cockpit in real time. With its streamlined hull (1) and powerful propulsion, the equipment can effectively resist turbulence between mountains and valleys and stably fly over complex terrain with no roads and dense vegetation.

[0030] Implementation of surface operation mode: stable water intake and water transfer Once the equipment reaches the target water area (such as a reservoir below a fire), the operator controls its descent to ensure a smooth descent until the main body of the vessel (1) contacts the water surface. Thanks to the sealed buoyancy design of the main body of the vessel, the equipment can float stably on the water surface.

[0031] Subsequently, the operator initiated the fire-fighting water intake operation. The horizontal submersible pump (9) integrated into the bottom of the ship began to work, and the water flowed through the high-efficiency filter screen (10) at its inlet to filter out water plants and debris before being sucked into the pump body. The water pressurized by the pump was pumped out at high speed from the stern hose interface (12) located at the stern of the ship through the high-pressure resistant outlet pipe (11). The operator or ground firefighters can pre-connect standard fire hoses to this interface (12), thereby continuously delivering water to the fire scene hundreds or even thousands of meters away, achieving a large-flow, long-distance continuous water supply.

[0032] Throughout the surface operation, the equipment can remain free-floating or perform low-speed surface maneuvers to adjust its water intake location or avoid obstacles in the water. Its power system operates continuously, providing energy for the water pumps and necessary attitude maintenance.

[0033] Collaborative Operations and Emergency Support Implementation When carrying out large-scale firefighting missions, multiple units of this equipment can be used to form a team for coordinated operations. For example, one unit can continuously draw water from a water source, while another unit can spray water near the fire or inject water into frontline water supply points, forming an efficient water supply chain.

[0034] One of the key safeguards of this invention lies in its emergency power sharing function. If a piece of equipment in the formation is about to run out of fuel (fuel tank 7) due to prolonged operation, its remaining power (from generator 8 or onboard battery) may not be sufficient to support a safe return. In this case, it can be connected to another well-powered cooperating equipment via a waterproof aviation socket (13) on the side of the equipment and a dedicated waterproof cable. The well-powered equipment can use the surplus power generated by its generator to provide emergency charging for the battery pack of the equipment in need of power through this link, enabling it to obtain the minimum energy required for return, thereby ensuring that all equipment in the formation can return safely and solving the core anxiety of "no return for unmanned equipment".

[0035] Mission completion and equipment recycling After the firefighting mission is completed, the operator first shuts off the horizontal submersible pump (9) remotely or on-site. Then, the hose quick disconnect device (which can be integrated into interface 12) can be operated to safely separate the equipment from the fire hose.

[0036] After separation, the operator restarts the four sets of lift fans (2, 3, 4, 5), and the equipment takes off vertically from the water. During takeoff and subsequent return landing (to the shore or designated recovery point), the U-shaped inflatable rubber (14, 15) wrapped around the front and rear of the hull effectively cushions the impact of the equipment contacting the ground or water surface, protecting the hull structure and internal precision components, while also reducing the impact on the surface ecological environment of the landing point.

[0037] In summary, this invention, through the specific embodiments described above, deeply integrates the floating stability of ships, the terrain-crossing flexibility of multi-rotor aircraft, the operational efficiency of high-power fire pumps, and a highly reliable energy and collaborative system to construct a complete, feasible, and efficient solution for firefighting and water intake operations in remote and complex terrains. This solution features clear steps, flexible operation modes, high safety redundancy, and strong potential for practical application.

Claims

1. A flying fire-fighting water intake vessel, characterized in that, include: The hull body (1) is a streamlined sealed structure with the ability to float on water. The flight system consists of four sets of lifting devices, which are symmetrically distributed and fixedly connected to the four corners of the hull body (1). The fire-fighting water intake system includes a water pump installed at the bottom of the hull body (1), a filter device connected to the water pump inlet, a water supply pipeline (11), and a water hose interface (12) located at the stern of the hull. The power system is integrated into the hull body (1) and includes a diesel engine (6), a fuel tank (7) for supplying fuel to the diesel engine (6), and a generator (8) driven by the diesel engine (6). The protection system includes buffer components located at the front and rear sections of the bottom of the hull body (1).

2. The flying fire-fighting water intake vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four sets of lifting devices are electric ducted fans, including a left front fan (2), a right front fan (3), a left rear fan (4) and a right rear fan (5).

3. The flying fire-fighting water intake vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water pump is a horizontal submersible pump (9) installed at the bottom of the hull (1), and the filter device is a water pump filter screen (10).

4. The flyable fire-fighting water intake vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side of the main body of the ship (1) is provided with a waterproof aviation socket (13).

5. The flyable fire-fighting water intake vessel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The waterproof aviation socket (13) is used to connect external cables to enable emergency power transmission between multiple flyable fire-fighting water intake vessels.

6. The flyable fire-fighting water intake vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer components are a front U-shaped rubber (14) and a rear U-shaped rubber (15).

7. The flyable fire-fighting water intake vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a control cabin (16) located above the front of the main body of the ship (1).

8. The flyable fire-fighting water intake vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a communication antenna (17) located at the stern of the main body (1) of the ship.

9. A firefighting operation method based on the flyable fire-fighting water intake vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Start the power system and control the flight system to make the main body of the ship (1) take off vertically and fly to the target water area; control the main body of the ship (1) to land on the water surface of the target water area; start the water pump in the fire-fighting water intake system to take water from the water area and output it through the water hose interface (12); after completing the water intake and water delivery operation, control the main body of the ship (1) to take off vertically from the water surface and return.

10. The firefighting operation method according to claim 9, characterized in that, During flight, water landing, or water intake operations, the operator controls the flightless fire-fighting water intake vessel via remote wireless signals.

11. The fire-fighting water method according to claim 9, characterized in that, During flight, water landing or water intake operations, the operator enters the control cockpit (16) to perform on-site control.

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