FIREFIGHTING AIRSHIP

Description

Introduction.

[0001] The idea for this machine is to explore the possibility of using modern airships [1] to fight large forest fires as an alternative or in co-operation with conventional fire-fighting helicopters and airplanes. As detailed in the description below the main advantage of this system over the existing equipment is the ability to deliver a continuous, high flowrate of water both hovering over difficult access areas and with high mobility, not only between different fires fronts, but also from base to the fire site.Brief discussion of the prior art

[0002] The prior art closest to the Forest Fire Fighting Airship are presented below: CN 101 301 515 (BEIJING HAI AN TECH FIRE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD), 15 June 2011 (2011-06-115) relates to an extinguishing method using a movable nitrogen making machine group (NMM) with outlet connected to a fire helicopter, fire fighting airship, fire fighting balloon, or fire fighting rotary wind type unmanned plane. The direct coupling of the NMM to any kind of airborne vehicle presents several practical issues and limitations when the horizontal distance between the two exceeds a certain amount. These issues are not thoroughly discussed in CN101301515 presumably because it's main issue is the concept and the use of a movable nitrogen making machine group to extinguish large forest fires. DE 10 2019 129837 A1 (ROTH EDUARD [DE]) 6 May 2021 (2021-05-06). relates to an extinguishing water transport device from a body of water (lake, river, etc) over long distances to a destination, comprising a removal station, a line suspended from a series of airships connecting the removal station to a first aircraft that delivers a large amount of water to put out a fire. DE 10 2019 129837 A1 doesn't discuss how many airships would be required if the body of water were five or ten kilometres away from the destination or at what altitude they would be required to operate in the vicinity of power lines, or how long it would take to set the system in operation to enable the delivery of the continuous, large amount of water to the destination.

[0003] The issues discussed in the prior art above are the problems that the FFFA is intended to solve.Description.

[0004] The invention is defined in appended claim 1.

[0005] The system is presented in four options, wherein model D corresponds to the invention, that must be further tested to evaluate which is more effective, although all four can be very effective in specific conditions. All models are an assembly and make use of different parts that are already well developed, proven and available in the market, some examples of which are listed below.

[0006] Modern airships [1] makers like Lockheed Martin, Flyingwhales Cargo-lifter and others offer a wide range of models complying with the highest airworthiness requirements, enabling transport of very heavy cargo up to 200 tonnes, with much lower maintenance and operation costs relative to conventional helicopters and aircraft. Their ability to hover in the air (stationary float) at different heights, for long periods without much fuel consumption except for maneuvering purposes is a major asset for fighting large forest fires. Despite their large dimensions, modern airships [1] can reach speeds up to 100 km / h which enables them to reach remote and difficult access regions very promptly.

[0007] To allow the airship [1] to be used for different purposes other than the fire fighting, all the components are assembled in a portable structure or chassis [2] and suspended from the airship.

[0008] Depending on the model in consideration this structure can hold: a remote control - 100 (litres / second) fire monitor [6] with a horizontal jet range up to 80 meters. If water is discharged from altitude above the fire, range is not an issue. a 90 HP / 2,5 (m3 / min) fire engine / pump [5] A 30 m3 water cylinder for ballast and water supply purposes [4] A ø 3 (m) motorised hose-drum with 150(m) long 2" hose [3] a 5 tonne winch a fire-fighting bulldozer

[10]

[0009] Model A consists of an airship [1] with two 40 m3 deposits [4]. While the airship is using one deposit [4] to extinguish the fire, the other deposit is refilled on the ground by water trucks [7]. When the airship deposit runs empty the airship goes back to base and switches the empty for the full deposit. The permanent frame [2] of the airship holds, beside the switching deposits, the fire monitor [6], diesel water pump [5], and the winch. The main advantages of this model are the highest freedom of movement all around the fire front and in hover altitude and the closer proximity to water supply (one tank is refilled on the ground while using the other) relative to a lake or a dam. The disadvantages are the high weight (buoyancy) variation during operation, between 5 and 45 tons. A 40 m3 (Ø 2,5 x L 8,0 m) stainless steel cylinder dryweight is 3000 kg.

[0010] Model B consists of an airship [1] with a single permanent deposit [4] and a large hose drum [3]. In this design the long hose (over 200 meters long) connects the fire monitor [6] of the airship to a fire truck cistern [7] on the ground allowing for a continuous supply of water. The 'pros' are the continuous water feed to the airship and the smaller water tank relative to model A, which makes available more lifting power for cable & hose pulling and maneuvering. In open fields the hose can be laid on the ground to enable longer reach. The main disadvantage is the reduction in freedom of movement due to the permanent connection of the airship to a fixed point on the ground ( the cistern truck) although an anchor to the ground is not a big issue with regards to airships namely for the safety of operation.

[0011] Model C consists of a large airship [1] and a smaller more maneuverable airship [1] and a set of suspension helium balloons [9]. This configuration allows for the large airship to hover over the water source while the satellite balloons allow for the suspension of a long water hose [8] enabling the smaller airship to reach longer and with more freedom of movement. The advantages are the longer reach relative to model B allowing for continuous water feed whilst the hose tensile stresses can be greatly reduced (6 times). The disadvantages are technically more challenging in order to control / balance / stabilize the intermediate elements [9], and the smaller airship (holding the fire nozzle) needs more thrust power to deal with the hose-pull and water jet reaction force.

[0012] Model D is an extension of model B where the airship [1] transports a bulldozer

[10] that is landed on the ground and makes an intermediate connection between the water supply trucks [7] and the airship [1]. The bulldozer

[10] is able to move quickly in all kinds of difficult terrain, where the conventional fire trucks [7] cannot reach, whilst bringing the water hose horizontally closer to the airship enabling a continuous water supply. The airship [1] remains hovering over the bulldozer

[10] at a safe height from the ground. The 5 m 3< [4] water tank is intended to work as both inertia and ballast enabling an emergency upward retreat of the airship [1] by dropping the water.

[0013] The advantages of the airship [1] are multiple, namely because of the speed it can move from a hangar to a fire location, the position from where it can point the hose, the ability to discharge a continuous highflow of water, to swiftly move from one spot to another only needing the ground gear (bulldozer

[10] and fire trucks [7] ) to be in position at the required location (for instance an airship hovering over a village under threat might keep the fire from coming in).

[0014] The turbulence of the atmosphere for an airship near a wildfire presents a challenge that might be overcome if the airship hovers at a safe altitude @100meters above the ground, upwind from the fire where the air is cooler, smoke free, which also helps to draw the water over the fire.

Claims

1. Forest fire fighting system designed to provide a continuous, high flowrate of water over a forest fire occurring in a remote and difficult access location, the system comprising: • A modern airship [1], carrying a frame [2] containing a 150m-plus fire hose in a motorized hose drum [3], a 5 m3 water tank [4], a 2.5 m3 / min-plus fire engine pump [5], and a 100 liter / second remote controlled fire monitor [6]) • A fire bulldozer [10] carrying a long 200m-plus fire hose in a motorized hose-drum, able to move in steep and difficult terrain to reach a locus on the ground vertically below the hovering airship [1], and connected to the 150m-plus fire hose [3] unrolled from the airship [1]. • A series of fire water trucks [7] enabling a continuous supply of water through the fire hose extended on the ground by the fire bulldozer [10], to the airship [1].