Firefighting drone for deploying extinguishing agents

Abstract

A firefighting drone (14) for deploying extinguishing agent, comprising a drone body (30) with an electric drive; at least one rechargeable battery (38) for providing electrical energy for the drive; and a refillable extinguishing agent tank (36); is characterized in that the at least one battery (38) and the extinguishing agent tank (36) form battery and extinguishing agent tank modules (40) which can be detached and reconnected individually or together with the drone body (30) without damage. The firefighting drone can be supplied with extinguishing agent and energy at a supply station, which is housed in a roll-off container and which allows for the exchange of modules (40).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a firefighting drone for deploying extinguishing agents containing (a) a drone body with an electric propulsion system; (b) at least one rechargeable battery to provide electrical energy for propulsion; and (c) a refillable extinguishing agent tank.

[0002] A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can be controlled, for example, from a central location. There are also drone swarms. Such drone swarms consist of a large number of drones controlled from the same central location. Drones in drone swarms are not controlled individually, but always in cooperation with others. This joint control prevents, for example, the drones from colliding, obstructing the field of view of cameras on other drones in the swarm, or performing a task unnecessarily and / or undesirably twice.

[0003] Drones have the advantage over manned aircraft and helicopters that they can fly at any time of day or night. Firefighting operations don't have to be interrupted due to lack of visibility from smoke or darkness. Drones can also be used in areas that are particularly dangerous, such as areas with unexploded ordnance, war zones, or in the vicinity of earthquakes and volcanoes. The loss of a single drone in a swarm is less than the loss of a large drone operating alone. State of the art

[0004] The use of drones for firefighting is known. WO 2017 / 062051 A1 discloses a single drone used for firefighting. EP 2 511 888 B1, US 2020 / 0140087 A1 and WO 2017 / 208 272 A1 disclose drone swarms for firefighting. Drone swarms typically use smaller, significantly less expensive drones, which can be supplied with power and extinguishing agents more quickly than a single, large drone.

[0005] WO 2022 / 096410 A1 describes an arrangement for supplying power and extinguishing agents to drones in a drone swarm. The drones have replaceable batteries for power and a permanently installed water tank, which is filled with water at a charging station using pressure refueling. Supply is provided by a foldable or modular supply unit with a landing pad and supply stations. The batteries are housed in road-legal containers with charging capability. From there, they are transported to a package exchange station of the supply unit, to which the drone is moved from the landing pad by means of a conveyor belt.

[0006] The ground-based supply setup is bulky. Transporting it with multiple vehicles and setting it up is complex and time-consuming, time that is often unavailable in the event of a fire. Moving the drone from the landing site to the package exchange station and from the exchange station to the refueling station, as well as filling the extinguishing agent tank permanently attached to the drone, also takes time. As a result, the drone remains on the ground for a considerable amount of time. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is to create an arrangement of the type mentioned above, with which the costs and time required to provide extinguishing agents at the source of the fire can be further reduced.

[0008] According to the invention, the problem is solved by the fact that the at least one accumulator and the extinguishing agent tank form modules which can be detached and reconnected individually or together with the drone body without damage.

[0009] In the solution according to the invention, the extinguishing agent tank is refueled before the drone lands. The extinguishing agent tank module simply needs to be detached from the rest of the drone and replaced with a pre-filled module. Unlike known arrangements, the drone does not have to wait for the refueling process to complete. This reduces the time required to refuel the drone and allows it to return to the fire more quickly. In this way, more extinguishing agent can be deployed in the same amount of time. Fewer drones are needed for the same extinguishing performance. This reduces costs.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, cooling is provided for the battery. Heat is released during the charging and discharging of a battery. The faster the charging and discharging, the more heat is released. This heat reduces the battery's lifespan, which is undesirable. Cooling the battery during the charging and discharging process thus enables a longer battery lifespan, thereby reducing costs.

[0011] The cooling system can include a heat exchanger that dissipates the heat generated by the accumulator during operation. It is particularly advantageous if a liquid coolant can be used to circulate through the heat exchanger. Specifically, a pump can be provided to circulate the coolant through the heat exchanger. Alternatively, cooling can be achieved using air cooling, for example, with fans.

[0012] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the heat dissipated during cooling is absorbed wholly or partially by the extinguishing agent. The extinguishing agent can be routed directly from the extinguishing agent reservoir through the heat exchanger. This is advantageous when, for example, water is used as the extinguishing agent. However, a separate cooling circuit with a liquid coolant can also be provided. The cooling circuit is routed through the extinguishing agent tank and transfers the heat absorbed in the accumulator to the extinguishing agent. This allows the use of coolants that have better properties than water but are, for example, expensive or environmentally harmful. A separate cooling circuit ensures that coolant is always present and that the pump is not subjected to stress from idling. Advantageously, the pump can be operated when there is extinguishing agent in the tank. Otherwise, the pump can be switched off.This reduces the pump's energy consumption.

[0013] Advantageously, the battery and extinguishing agent tank form a single module that can be attached to the drone together. This means that only one attachment and removal process is required on the drone. This takes less time than attaching or detaching two separate modules sequentially.

[0014] If the battery and extinguishing agent tank form a single module, it makes sense to first fill the extinguishing agent and only begin charging once the tank already contains extinguishing agent. Cooling with extinguishing agent can occur both during battery charging in the supply unit and during drone operation at full power. After the extinguishing agent is released, cooling is no longer necessary because the drone then weighs significantly less. Less energy is required for the return flight to the supply unit, and consequently, less waste heat is generated.

[0015] The firefighting drone can be supplied via a supply order containing (a) at least one landing site for at least one drone; (b) at least one charging station for electrically charging a battery; (c) at least one filling station for filling a fire extinguishing agent tank; and (d) one or more additional accumulator modules which are charged at the charging station and kept available for exchange; characterized by (e) one or more additional extinguishing agent tank modules, which are filled at the filling station and kept available for exchange; and (f) Means for replacing a fire extinguishing tank module located on the drone with a fire extinguishing tank module which has already been filled before the drone landed.

[0016] Supplying the firefighting drone with power and water can be done quickly and automatically at such a supply station. The drone doesn't have to wait for the filling process; instead, it can be quickly fitted with a pre-filled extinguishing agent tank module and take off again almost immediately. Charging can take place at a charging station, and filling at a separate filling station. Alternatively, the module can be supplied at a combined charging and / or filling station.

[0017] Preferably, means for positioning the drone at the landing site are provided. A defined position enables quick transport and connection to charging and / or filling stations without time-consuming repositioning.

[0018] Furthermore, a defined position allows for the use of means for attaching and detaching modules, particularly via a locking mechanism, in the landing area and / or on the drone. The positioning and the attaching and detaching of modules can be carried out fully automatically.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, all components of the supply arrangement are provided for in a roll-off container with standard dimensions, in particular with a length of 20 feet (6.058 m) or 40 feet (12.192 m). The dimensions corresponding to these lengths of standard dimensions allow for transport on the road using existing swap body trucks. Such roll-off containers are commonly used by fire departments and do not require any special training, for example, for transporting and setting up the supply station.

[0020] Preferably, several loading and / or filling stations are arranged side-by-side and / or one above the other within a container, and conveyor belts, elevators, or other conveying devices are provided for transporting the extinguishing agent tank and accumulator modules to and from the landing area. Robotic arms, rotating structures, or similar devices can be used to convey the modules. However, the use of conveyor belts and elevators is cost-effective and allows for precise positioning of the modules at a loading and / or filling station while simultaneously adapting to a cuboid container geometry without empty spaces.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the landing platform is formed by a plane which has a lowerable cutout connected to a lift, on which a fire extinguishing agent tank and battery module can be moved to and from the drone body. Such a section can, for example, be formed by a transport plate that is detachably connected to the lift. The drone body remains in its position on the plane, while the fire extinguishing agent tank and battery module is moved into the interior of the container for loading and filling.

[0022] The retractable cutout, for example a transport plate, is preferably movable within the area of ​​conveyor belts or other conveying devices, via which a fire extinguishing agent tank and accumulator module can be moved between the cutout and a filling and / or charging station. Thus, only the module is moved, while the drone body and the charging and / or filling stations remain stationary. This allows for the fixed connection / wiring of the charging and filling stations.

[0023] It is particularly advantageous if the charging and / or filling stations are arranged side-by-side on multiple levels. This optimizes the use of the space available in the container. A large number of modules can be supplied with extinguishing agent and power. This allows for gentle charging of the batteries and straightforward filling with extinguishing agent. Pressure refueling, for example, is not required. This keeps the complexity of the filling station to a minimum. Simpler materials with lower pressure resistance requirements can be used.

[0024] Preferably, it is provided that (a) one or more additional extinguishing agent tank modules are available for filling at the filling station and for exchange; and (b) the extinguishing agent tank modules on the drone are replaced by extinguishing agent tank modules which were already loaded or filled before the drone landed.

[0025] In particular, it can be provided that the extinguishing agent tank is filled before the battery is charged, and that the battery charging process begins when extinguishing agent is already present in the tank and can absorb heat generated during charging. This allows the batteries to be charged gently and also cooled, resulting in a particularly long service life.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. One exemplary embodiment is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Definitions

[0027] In this description and in the accompanying claims, all terms have meanings familiar to those skilled in the art, as explained in technical literature, standards, and relevant websites and publications, particularly encyclopedic ones, such as www.Wikipedia.de, www.wissen.de, or those of competitors, research institutes, universities, and associations, such as the VdI. In particular, the terms used do not have meanings contrary to those understood by those skilled in the art in the aforementioned publications. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the operation of a firefighting drone swarm. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a firefighting drone and a battery and extinguishing agent tank module for operating the firefighting drone. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a supply station for providing the firefighting drone with energy and extinguishing agent, with a partially illustrated container. Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of Fig. 3 without container shell. Fig. 5 shows the supply station Fig. 3 without a container shell shortly after a drone landed. Fig. 6 shows the supply station Fig. 3 after the drone has been positioned using positioning devices. Fig. Figure 7 shows the components of the supply station. Fig. 3 with an accumulator and extinguishing agent tank module detached from the drone on the elevator platform in an upper position. Fig. Figure 8 shows the arrangement of Fig. 7 with the module on the elevator platform in a lower position. Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of Fig. 8, with the module at a charging station. Fig. 10 shows the arrangement of Fig. 9 in standby position. Fig. Figure 11 shows the landing site with positioning equipment in detail. Fig. Figure 12 shows a vertical section through an accumulator and extinguishing agent tank module with heat exchanger, pump and cooling circuit. Fig. Figure 13 shows a module with air cooling. Description of the exemplary embodiment

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a drone swarm with drones 10 and a supply station 12. The drones are supplied with power and extinguishing agent at the supply station 12 as described below. In the present embodiment, the supply station 12 is designed as a ground station in the form of a 20-foot roll-off container, such as is typically used in fire department swap body vehicles. The drone swarm includes firefighting drones 14 and, in the present embodiment, at least one drone 16 with an observation function 26. A ground control station 18 with flight, guidance, and monitoring software is used to control the drone swarm.

[0029] A firefighting drone 14 is an example in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates this. In the present embodiment, the firefighting drone 14 is an octocopter with two electric motors arranged one above the other on each of the four arms 28. The arms 28 are mounted on a drone body 30. Skids 34 and a receptacle 32 are provided on the underside of the drone body 30. The skids 34 are angled outwards. It is understood that other drones can also be used, and that the octocopter and the number of arms and motors are only given here as an example.

[0030] A battery and extinguishing agent tank module, generally designated 40, can be inserted into a cargo compartment from below through the receptacle 32. The battery and extinguishing agent tank module 40, located in the cargo compartment of the drone 14 – hereinafter referred to simply as module 40 – comprises, in the present embodiment, an extinguishing agent tank 36 and two interconnected batteries 38. In this embodiment, the batteries 38 and the extinguishing agent tank 36 together form a module 40 that can be used in the cargo compartment of the drone 14. To supply the drone 16, a module 40 with a filled extinguishing agent tank 36 and charged batteries 38 is inserted into the cargo compartment of the drone 16. There, it is secured and locked by means of a snap-fit ​​or clip mechanism.The batteries 38 of the inserted module 40 make contact with corresponding contacts on the drone, thus ensuring the drone's power supply with electrical energy from the batteries. A controllable actuator allows the extinguishing agent tank 36 to be opened at the desired location above the source of the fire.

[0031] Fig. Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of module 40. Inside module 40, a coolant circuit 42, separate from the extinguishing agent, is arranged, containing a pump 44 and a heat exchanger 46. The coolant circuit 42 runs through each of the batteries 38 and absorbs heat generated by the battery 38 during operation and charging of the drone. The absorbed heat is dissipated into the extinguishing agent via the coolant circuit 42 and the heat exchanger 46. In this way, the battery 38 is cooled and protected both during the charging process described below and during flight to the fire. This extends the service life of the battery 38.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the cooling circuit operates with a coolant that is separate from the extinguishing agent. It is understood that the extinguishing agent itself can also be circulated through the cooling circuit. This is particularly possible when clean water is used as the extinguishing agent. In addition to the cooling circuit, the accumulator and extinguishing agent tank module 40 is cooled by ambient air during flight and in the supply station 12, using large surface areas and suitable materials, such as aluminum.

[0033] An alternative embodiment is described in Fig. Figure 13 illustrates this. Here, instead of the cooling circuit 42 and the heat exchanger 46, fans 43 are arranged in front of the accumulators, which direct airflows through them so that the waste heat from the accumulators is dissipated directly into the environment.

[0034] The firefighting drone 14 autonomously transports the extinguishing agent to the deployment site and returns to supply station 12 after dropping the agent. Drone 16 is equipped with a redundant power supply for its control electronics and sensors. This ensures uninterrupted operation even during module 40 replacement.

[0035] The drone 14 has a satellite-controlled navigation and control unit and a radio-based communication link to the supply station 12. Using a LIDAR system, the drone is landed with a positional accuracy of, for example, approximately 10 cm on a landing pad 20 on the roof of the supply station 12. This is in Fig. 3 illustrated.

[0036] The landing pad 20 is provided with an opening 50 into which a transport plate 52 can be moved. The transport plate 52 is part of a lift system 24, which is located in the Fig. 7 is clearly visible. The transport plate 52 can be moved vertically using the elevator system 24.

[0037] After landing on landing pad 20 of supply station 12, the exchange of the battery and extinguishing agent tank module 40 is automatically triggered. A release mechanism 48 is provided for the exchange of module 40, which releases the locking mechanism of module 40 in the cargo compartment. The module 40 then rests loosely on the section of landing pad 20 below it. During removal and re-equipment, the drone is kept operational by a redundant, dual power supply located within the drone.

[0038] The positioning system 22 is provided for more precise alignment of the drone 14. The positioning system 22 comprises two pairs of horizontally movable side shifters 56 and 58, which engage the skids 34 and push them into the desired position. Fig. Figure 5 shows the drone before positioning and Fig. Figure 6 shows the drone 14 after positioning.

[0039] Inside the supply station 12, several levels – in this embodiment, two levels – with charging stations 60 are arranged. In this embodiment, a total of 16 charging stations are provided on two levels. It is understood that more or fewer levels and more or fewer charging stations can also be provided.

[0040] The charging stations 60 have electrical connections through which the batteries can be charged. The transport platform 52, containing the emptied module 40, is moved by elevator 24 to a level with an unoccupied charging station 62. From there, the transport platform 52 and the module are first filled with extinguishing agent and then moved to the charging station. This is in Fig. Figure 9 illustrates. Belt conveyor systems 64 are provided for moving the modules 40, in particular to charging stations that are not directly adjacent to the elevator system 24.

[0041] At a filling station located on each level next to elevator 24, extinguishing agent is first poured into the extinguishing agent tank 36 before charging. The module is then moved to a charging station. The charging of the batteries 38 then begins via fast charging. During this process, the pump 44 of the coolant circuit 42, located in module 40, is activated, thus cooling the batteries 38. This is in Fig. 9 illustrated.

[0042] As soon as elevator 24 is free, another module 41, already fully filled and at least partially charged, is moved to the drone via the elevator. The module 40 with the highest charge level is always selected. There is no need to wait until module 40 is filled and charged. The filled and charged module 41 is moved on transport platform 52 into the cargo bay of drone 14 and locked in place. Drone 14 is then ready for launch and deployment.

[0043] The firefighting drone 16 autonomously transports the extinguishing agent to the deployment site and returns to supply station 12 after dropping the agent. Drone 16 is equipped with a redundant power supply for its control electronics and sensors. This ensures uninterrupted operation even during module 40 replacement. Should a return flight be impossible due to insufficient power, the power supply to the drive motors is interrupted, the extinguishing water is dropped, a rescue parachute is deployed, and an emergency beacon is activated to locate the drone.

[0044] Ground control station 18 includes a workstation displaying an overview of the operational area. Here, the flight route from supply station 12 to the drop point can be planned and adjusted to changing conditions. Additionally, all relevant data from supply station 12 and the drones are displayed.

[0045] The operational area can be marked by a "virtual fence" to prevent the drones from leaving it. If the drone crosses the virtual fence, it is instructed to return immediately to its starting point.

[0046] The flight path is planned manually. Settlements, crowds of people and animals, etc., should not be overflown, for example.

[0047] Before deployment, the observation drone 16 explores the flight route and the immediate surroundings for obstacles such as wind turbines, power lines, chimneys, and towers. A possible scan of the operational area can be performed using LiDAR to create a 3D model.

[0048] During operation, the observation drone also transmits live images of the progress of the incident. It utilizes established technologies commonly used by fire departments. The Drone 16 is equipped with a camera system that offers optical zoom and night vision.

[0049] Ground control station 18, for example, is housed in a service vehicle that offers comfortable working conditions for the operating personnel, even during operations lasting several hours. Waypoints can be marked by mouse click and input of the flight altitude and, if applicable, tasks (e.g., dropping extinguishing agent).

[0050] The described arrangement works as follows: The drone swarm is used for the automated containment and extinguishing of fires. Autonomous flight is possible both individually and simultaneously with multiple drones. The ground control station is used to plan the flight path of the drones and adapt it to the surrounding conditions. Additionally, all relevant data from the supply station and the drones are displayed. The ground control station is used to initiate and terminate firefighting operations.

[0051] A drone 10 returns to the supply station via satellite guidance after dropping extinguishing agent. At an altitude of approximately 15 m, for example, the drone 10 receives a LIDAR signal transmitted by the supply station 12 and lands with a positioning accuracy of approximately 10 cm on a landing pad 20 at the supply station 12. It is understood that other positioning accuracy is possible or may be desired. After landing, the drone 10 is moved to a more precise position using the positioning system 22. Immediately after the drone 10 is positioned, module 40 is detached and moved by elevator 24 first to the filling station and then to the charging station 62. Elevator 24 transports the battery and extinguishing agent tank module into the container interior for filling and charging and equips the drone with a filled and charged battery and extinguishing agent tank module.Once the battery and extinguishing agent tank module is locked, the drone takes off for another mission.

[0052] The exemplary embodiments described above serve to illustrate the invention claimed in the claims. Features disclosed together with other features can generally also be used alone or in combination with other features explicitly or implicitly disclosed in the text or drawings of the exemplary embodiments. Dimensions and sizes are given only as examples. Suitable areas will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from their specialist knowledge and therefore do not need to be explained in more detail here. The disclosure of a specific embodiment of a feature does not mean that the invention is to be limited to this specific embodiment. Rather, such a feature can be realized by a multitude of other embodiments familiar to a person skilled in the art.The invention can therefore be implemented not only in the form of the described embodiments, but also in all embodiments which are covered by the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0053] The terms "top," "bottom," "right," and "left" refer exclusively to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that claimed devices may also have a different orientation. The terms "containing" and "comprising" mean that further, unmentioned components may be provided. The terms "essentially," "predominantly," and "predominantly" encompass all features that exhibit a property or content to a majority of the extent, i.e., more than all other mentioned components or properties of the feature; for example, in the case of two components, more than 50%. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2017 / 062051 A1

[0004] EP 2 511 888 B1

[0004] US 2020 / 0140087 A1

[0004] WO 2017 / 208 272 A1

[0004] WO 2022 / 096410 A1

[0005] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] www.Wikipedia.de, www.wissen.de

[0027]

Claims

[1] Firefighting drone (14) containing firefighting agent (a) a drone body (30) with an electric drive; (b) at least one rechargeable accumulator (38) for providing electrical energy for propulsion; and (c) a refillable extinguishing agent tank (36); characterized by , that (d) the at least one accumulator (38) and the extinguishing agent tank (36) form accumulator and extinguishing agent tank modules (40) which can be detached and reconnected individually or together with the drone body (30) without damage. [2] Firefighting drone (14) according to claim 1, characterized by , that cooling is provided for cooling the accumulator (38). [3] Firefighting drone according to claim 2, characterized by , that the cooling system includes a heat exchanger (46) which removes the heat generated by the accumulator (38) during operation. [4] Firefighting drone according to claim 3, characterized by, that a liquid coolant can be conducted through the heat exchanger (46). [5] Firefighting drone according to claim 4, characterized by , that a pump (44) is provided for pumping the coolant through the heat exchanger (46). [6] Firefighting drone according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by that the heat dissipated during cooling is absorbed wholly or partially by the extinguishing agent. [7] Firefighting drone according to claim 6, characterized by , that the pump (44) can be operated at times when there is extinguishing agent in the extinguishing agent tank (36). [8] Firefighting drone according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the accumulator (38) and extinguishing agent tank (36) form a module (40) that can be attached together to the drone. [9] Supply arrangement (12) for supplying firefighting drones (14) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: (a) at least one landing site (20) for at least one drone (14); (b) at least one charging station (60) for electrically charging a battery (38); (c) at least one filling station for filling a fire extinguishing agent tank (36); and (d) one or more additional accumulator modules (38) which are charged at the charging station (60) and kept available for exchange; characterized by (e) one or more additional extinguishing agent tank modules (36) which are filled at the filling station and kept available for exchange; and (f) Means for replacing a fire extinguishing tank module located on the drone with a fire extinguishing tank module which has already been filled before the drone landed. [10] Supply arrangement according to claim 9, characterized by , that means (56, 58) are provided for positioning the drone at the landing site (20). [11] Supply arrangement according to claim 10, characterized by, that means for attaching and detaching modules, in particular via a locking mechanism, are provided in the area of ​​the landing site (20) and / or on the drone. [12] Supply arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that all components of the supply arrangement are arranged in a roll-off container of standard dimensions, in particular with a length of 20 feet (6.058m) or 40 feet (12.192m). [13] Supply arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by , that several loading and / or filling stations (60) are arranged next to and / or above one another in a container and that conveyor belts, lifts or other conveying means are provided for transporting the extinguishing agent tank and accumulator modules to and from the landing site. [14] Supply arrangement according to claim 13, characterized by, that the landing pad (20) is formed by a plane which has a lowerable cutout connected to an elevator (24) on which an extinguishing agent tank and accumulator module (40) can be moved from and to the drone body (30). [15] Supply arrangement according to claim 14, characterized by , that the lowerable cutout (52) can be moved into the area of ​​conveyor belts or other conveying means, over which an extinguishing agent tank and accumulator module (40) can be moved between the cutout (52) and a filling and / or charging station (60). [16] Supply arrangement according to claim 15, characterized by that the charging and / or filling stations (60) are arranged side by side on several levels. [17] Method for supplying a firefighting drone according to any one of claims 1 to 8 above, wherein the firefighting drone is supplied by a supply arrangement according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized by , that (a) one or more additional extinguishing agent tank modules are available for filling at the filling station and for exchange; and (b) the extinguishing agent tank modules on the drone are replaced by extinguishing agent tank modules which were already loaded or filled before the drone landed. [18] Method for supplying a firefighting drone Claims 8 and 9, characterized by , that the extinguishing agent tank is filled before the battery is charged and the battery charging process is started when extinguishing agent is already present in the extinguishing agent tank and can absorb waste heat during battery charging.

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