Self-erecting spray head

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spray head for liquid distribution, comprising a distribution chamber arranged in a preferably semi-spherical bowl equipped with a plurality of outlet nozzles, and a pipe section leading to the distribution chamber, the other end of which is provided with a connection for a liquid supply line. The spray head according to the invention requires no fixation during extinguishing, neither by attachment to other objects nor by being held by a person, and it automatically rights itself, lying on the ground with the upper bowl containing the outlet nozzles facing upwards, so that it can distribute the liquid into the air and the surroundings. Furthermore, a method for extinguishing and / or preventing fires using the spray head according to the invention and the use of the spray head according to the invention in extinguishing and / or preventing fires are disclosed.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spray head for liquid distribution, comprising a distribution chamber arranged in a semi-spherical bowl equipped with a plurality of outlet nozzles, and a pipe section leading to the distribution chamber, the other end of which is provided with a connection for a liquid supply line. The spray head according to the invention requires no fixation during extinguishing, neither by attachment to other objects nor by being held by a person, and it automatically rights itself when lying on the ground with the upper bowl containing the outlet nozzles facing upwards, so that it can distribute the liquid into the air and the surrounding area. Background of the invention

[0002] When fighting or preventing large-scale fires, such as vegetation fires (e.g., forest or brush fires), fires at landfills, or fires in large buildings or industrial facilities, it is advantageous to distribute liquid / extinguishing agents, especially water, over a larger area instead of concentrating them in one spot. Wide-area liquid distribution can also be beneficial in the event of uncontrolled product leaks in chemical plants, for example, to suppress hazardous vapors and gases, to preventively cool containers, or to suppress dust during dust-intensive activities such as blasting or demolition work. In such fires, it is also advantageous for firefighters to stay as far away from the fire as possible to avoid exposure to the dangers posed by the fire itself or its accompanying phenomena, such as the aforementioned vapors and gases.DE 20 2017 002 156 U1 describes a surface sprinkler pipe for fire fighting, whereby the pipe, due to its low height, is intended to be pushed under cars for fire fighting and / or for cooling gas tanks, high-voltage batteries (alternative drives).

[0003] DE 10 2014 102438 A1 discloses a spray head for liquid distribution.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a particularly suitable device and a method for spatial liquid distribution for such applications, wherein the device can preferably be placed near the fire without a person having to go to the disposal point, the device aligns itself there independently in such a way that it distributes the liquid in a wide radius around itself and can be operated without fastening or holding by firefighters during the distribution of the liquid.

[0005] To solve this problem, a spray head with the features of claim 1, a method with the features of claim 7, and a spray head for use in a method whose process steps are specified in claim 7 are provided. Further preferred embodiments are characterized in the dependent claims. Furthermore, a use of the spray head according to the invention for firefighting with the features of claim 9 is also provided. Brief summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides a self-righting spray head for liquid distribution. The spray head comprises a distribution chamber located between a dome-shaped shell equipped with a plurality of nozzles and a closed underside connected to the shell, which serves as a support surface. A pipe section leading to the distribution chamber is provided at its other end with a connection for a liquid supply line. Preferably, the dome-shaped upper surface corresponds to a spherical segment. The pipe section is arranged above the underside of the spray head or distribution chamber and is provided at its end facing away from the distribution chamber with a connection for a liquid supply line. This connection includes a coupling that allows for the pressure-tight connection of a liquid supply, e.g., a hose, equipped with a corresponding coupling counterpart.Preferably, the underside of the spray head or distribution chamber has a lesser outward curvature than the bowl. Preferably, the underside is curved inwards (i.e., towards the interior of the distribution chamber). According to the invention, the underside is not curved but flat.

[0007] In an embodiment according to the invention, the self-erecting spray head according to the invention is characterized in that the distribution chamber has a cylindrical or partially conical section between the shell and the underside, which is enclosed by a side wall, wherein the pipe section leading to the distribution chamber is arranged with its end facing the distribution chamber in this side wall.

[0008] The nozzles can be arranged in different patterns on the spray head according to the invention. Preferably, no nozzles are arranged on the underside, but they can be arranged on the bowl and optionally also on the side wall if one exists between the bowl and the underside. Furthermore, the spray head provided herein is designed such that the nozzles are arranged uniformly on the bowl.

[0009] The nozzles can be designed as bores in the spray head or be housed in separate nozzle casings, which are then inserted into corresponding openings in the spray head. Due to greater flexibility, the nozzles are preferably inserted into openings in the housing together with their respective casings. The nozzles in such casings can be either permanently or interchangeably installed. Unless otherwise specified, the terms "nozzle" and "nozzle casing" are used interchangeably in the following text. Permanent installation is preferably achieved by means of a plug with a through opening in the center, so that when the nozzle is inserted into the housing, one end of the opening faces inside the spray head and the other end faces outwards.Here, the outer diameter of the external nozzle is chosen to be slightly smaller than the circumference of the opening in the bowl into which the spray head is to be inserted. This ensures that even when pressurized liquid is supplied to the spray head, it remains in place, and the liquid only escapes through the opening in the external nozzle and not through the area between the external nozzle and the opening in the bowl. To achieve the best possible seal when installing external nozzles of this type, at least the outer wall, or the entire external nozzle, is made of an elastic material, or such an elastic material is placed between the nozzle and the opening, for example, in the form of a gasket.

[0010] In the interchangeable installation in the spray head according to the invention, the nozzles have an external thread, and the openings of the bowl are provided with matching internal threads, such that the nozzles can be connected to the bowl by screwing them into the openings. The nozzles also have a radially extended collar extending from the external thread, which supports the nozzles against the outside of the bowl. Preferably, the collar is designed with multiple edges so that a wrench can be applied to it and used to screw the nozzles into and out of the bowl.

[0011] According to the invention, a handle is arranged on the bowl or on the side wall of the spray head. If such a handle is present, it is preferably positioned opposite the tube section when located on the side wall. The handle makes it easier to transport the spray head or to throw it more easily to place it near a fire.

[0012] According to the invention, the spray head disclosed herein is intended for use in extinguishing fires. The spray head is particularly preferably intended for use in forest or vegetation fires. Various hoses can be used as the liquid supply, preferably a fire hose and preferably an extinguishing agent, preferably water.

[0013] Preferably, the spray head disclosed herein is characterized in that approximately 100-1000 liters of a liquid can be sprayed through the spray head per minute.

[0014] Furthermore, a method for extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably forest or vegetation fires, is provided herein, in which the spray head according to the invention is used. A spray head as described herein is also provided for use in such a method. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) Moving the self-righting spray head, coupled to a fire hose as disclosed herein, to the vicinity of a fire to be extinguished or to a location where such a fire is expected to break out; b) activating the supply of extinguishing liquid to the spray head; c) activating the supply of extinguishing liquid when the fire is extinguished, the spray head is to be moved elsewhere, and / or the extinguishing liquid has run out. Due to the design of the spray head disclosed herein, the method is further characterized in that the spray head does not require any fixing during the process and, by the pressure of the supplied extinguishing liquid, rights itself so that the underside of the spray head rests on the ground and the extinguishing liquid is released into the surrounding area.

[0015] Furthermore, the use of a self-righting spray head as disclosed herein for extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably forest or vegetation fires, is also provided herein. Likewise, the spray head described herein is provided for such use. Description of the characters

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 - Top view of an exemplary spray head (1) with a circular base plate and a corresponding domed bowl with a circle as its base (so that the dome can be considered a spherical segment). Several nozzles (10) are visible with their polygonal collar (11) and the nozzle outlet (12). The spray head is equipped with a handle (9), a tube section (3) for supplying liquid, and a connection (2) for a hose. Figure 2-Cross-section through the spray head made of Figure 1 along the AA line. Visible here are the underside / base plate (7) and the distribution chamber (4). The direction of entry of the liquid through the pipe section (3) is indicated by two hollow arrows. Detailed description of the invention

[0017] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the use of singular and plural forms always includes both the singular and the plural. The article "ein, eine, eines" refers not only to one instance of the object denoted by the following noun, but also to several of them. Thus, the term "ein / der Sprühkopf" (a / the spray head), as used here, stands in for one or more such spray heads. Therefore, in the following, the terms "ein / eine / eines," "ein / eine / eines or several," and "zumindest / mindestens ein / eine / eines" are essentially used interchangeably.

[0018] The terms "approximately" or "essentially" in relation to numerical value(s) define a possible deviation from the value(s) stated below. This deviation is in the range of 1-30%, in particular 1-20%, in particular 1-10%, in particular 1-5%, and in particular 1-2% of the nominal value of the stated amount / value as it would be defined without this amount.

[0019] The present invention generally relates to a spray head for liquid distribution, comprising a top surface with a plurality of openings for distributing a liquid in the vicinity of the spray head. The openings are designed as nozzles or discharge nozzles. The top surface of the spray head, which is also referred to herein as the shell (the terms shell and top surface are used interchangeably), is convex (viewed from the inside of the spray head). The convexity of the top surface has a dome-like shape. This allows liquid to be sprayed over a spatial angular range of up to 180°.

[0020] Furthermore, the spray head according to the invention has a closed underside suitable as a support surface and connected to the shell. A distribution chamber is arranged between the shell and the underside, which distributes the liquid conveyed into the spray head to the nozzles. The liquid is introduced through a pipe section, one end of which leads to or is connected to the distribution chamber.

[0021] At the other end of the pipe section, it is provided with a connection for a liquid supply line. Preferably, this pipe section is straight. Furthermore, the pipe section is positioned above the underside. At its end facing away from the distribution chamber, the pipe section is provided with a connection for a liquid supply line. The connection can be designed differently, depending on the type of liquid supply line used and its connection type. It is only necessary that the pipe section and the liquid supply line have compatible connections or couplings suitable for conveying a pressurized liquid from the liquid supply line into the pipe section and thus ultimately into the distribution chamber, without significant liquid leakage or pressure loss occurring at the connection point between the supply line and the pipe section.According to the invention, this connection is designed as a coupling for pressure-resistant connection of a liquid supply line equipped with a corresponding coupling counterpart. A hose is particularly preferred as the liquid supply line, and even more preferably a hose with dimensions exceeding garden hose dimensions (up to 1 inch / 2.54 cm inner diameter), and most preferably a fire hose. Therefore, a hose coupling, even more preferably a pressure coupling, and especially preferably a coupling for connecting a fire hose (fire hose coupling), is used. The specific selection of the fire hose coupling depends on the coupling used by the respective fire department and is partly country-specific. In principle, any coupling used according to the respective national standards can be used, e.g., a threaded coupling, as used in the USA and Great Britain, or a bayonet coupling.A lug coupling, whether a Storz, Guillemin, Barcelona, ​​or Gost coupling. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a so-called Storz coupling is used. Data for possible Storz couplings that can be used in the spray head disclosed herein are listed in the table below.

[0022] Preferably, a Storz coupling of size C 52 mm according to DIN 14302 is used on the spray head described herein, and a fire hose with the matching counterpart of the coupling according to DIN 14811 of BGG / GUV-G 9102 is used. Preferably, the spray head according to the invention is designed such that its underside has a lesser outward curvature than the shell. Preferably, the underside is curved inwards and, according to the invention, flat.

[0023] The spray head according to the invention is characterized in that it is self-aligning. Without being bound by this explanation, "self-aligning" in this context means that, due to its design described herein, the position of the nozzles, the domed top, and the water pressure, the extinguishing mine automatically aligns itself. This means a lower risk for emergency personnel, as they do not have to enter the fire. Furthermore, if, after being brought near the fire, the mine is not lying with its underside on the ground, it is rotated by the recoil effect of the liquid exiting the nozzles, so that it turns with its underside facing the ground, or lies with its underside on the ground.The spray head remains in this position even while the extinguishing fluid is being sprayed through it (during the subsequent spraying or extinguishing process). This allows the fluid, which is fed into the spray head through the pipe section and expelled through the nozzles, to be distributed over the area surrounding the spray head. This self-aligning capability enables the spray head to be safely positioned near a fire without requiring a person to carry the hose-mounted spray head, for example, a firefighter carrying the spray head attached to a fire hose, all the way to the fire. Instead, the spray head can be thrown from a safe distance and the fluid can then be fed into the hose regardless of which side it lands on after being thrown. The fluid is introduced under pressure, as is standard practice with hoses.Preferably, the pressure typically used by the respective fire department is employed. After the liquid is introduced into the hose under pressure and exits the nozzles, the spray head automatically aligns itself with its top facing away from the ground, or with its underside on the ground. This self-alignment can be accelerated by briefly introducing the liquid into the hose at a higher pressure than is normally used with the hose in question. As described in an example below, German fire departments typically introduce the extinguishing fluid into the fire hose at a pressure of 5 bar. The spray head according to the invention, after the liquid is introduced through the fire hose at this pressure, aligns itself so that its underside rests on the ground. To accelerate the rotation or self-alignment, the pressure can also be increased slightly for a short time, e.g.,by 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 percent. After this, the spray head remains aligned with its underside facing the ground, at least as long as the liquid continues to be forced through under pressure, and in most cases even after the flow is stopped or interrupted. The spray head according to the invention is preferably made of a material that gives the spray head sufficient strength to withstand the pressure of the liquid being forced through it or to retain its shape even after an impact from being thrown. Furthermore, the material used is preferably selected such that it can withstand prolonged contact with liquids, extinguishing agents, and especially water, without decomposing or being destroyed.

[0024] Preferably, the spray head according to the invention is made of metals or alloys, which are preferably protected against corrosion by being corrosion-resistant and / or protected against corrosion. Resistance can preferably be ensured by the fact that the material itself does not rust or hardly rusts under the influence of extinguishing liquids, such as water. Protection can be ensured by coating the material from which the spray head is made with other suitable substances / materials that prevent corrosion. In a preferred embodiment, the spray head according to the invention is made of a stainless metal, an alloy, or so-called unalloyed steel. Iron is particularly preferred as the metal, and steel, stainless steel, or brass as the alloy. So-called carbon steel is also particularly preferred.Unalloyed steel is used as the material for the spray head. As the name suggests, this material can be understood as an intermediate form between a pure metal and an alloy. Generally, and according to the present invention, this refers to a steel in which the concentrations of elements other than iron do not exceed a predetermined value. Preferably, the carbon steel used should contain aluminum (Al) at a maximum of 0.1 percent, cobalt (Co) at a maximum of 0.1 percent, chromium (Cr) at a maximum of 0.3 percent, nickel (Ni) at a maximum of 0.3 percent, copper (Cu) at a maximum of 0.4 percent, and silicon at a maximum of 0.5 percent, with none of these elements exceeding this value. The proportions of these elements are specified in the standard DIN EN 10020, and the material preferably used for manufacturing the spray head preferably conforms to this standard.Another advantageous effect of selecting such materials is that the spray head has an increased weight, which makes it more stable even when placed upside down on the ground. Depending on the material, the walls of the spray head vary in thickness, ranging from approximately 2 to 10 mm, preferably from approximately 3 to 8 mm, and most preferably from approximately 4 to 6 mm. If iron or carbon steel is used, the walls of the spray head according to the invention are preferably approximately 6 to 8 mm thick. With stainless steel, the thickness can be reduced by approximately 2 mm, or, if stainless steel is used, the walls of the spray head according to the invention are preferably approximately 4 to 8 mm thick.

[0025] A combination of both approaches is also possible; for example, the spray head can be made of a corrosion-resistant base material, as described above, which is then coated with a rust-protective coating. A material that is inherently rust-resistant is preferred, as coatings generally do not adhere permanently to the coated surfaces and cannot provide lasting protection. Additionally or alternatively, only one side of the spray device, i.e., only the inside or only the outside, can be coated. Different coatings can also be used for the inside and outside. In a preferred embodiment, the outside is coated with a material that, according to the prevailing practices or standards in a given region, is intended for use as firefighting equipment.This saves the user time in the respective, nerve-wracking extinguishing situation by allowing them to determine, solely based on color, what is considered firefighting equipment and what is not. In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the spray head, or parts thereof, is therefore provided with a coating whose one property is a specific color, preferably red, in particular a red according to the color code RAL 3000.

[0026] According to the invention, in the spray head described herein, the distribution chamber between the bowl and the underside has a cylindrical or partially conical section enclosed by a side wall. If the underside of the spray head is flat, or, in the case of an inward curve, is conceived as such a flat underside, this side wall preferably faces, or converges, at a right angle to, the underside, while the top then forms a dome on the other end of the surrounding side wall. The pipe section, with its end facing the distribution chamber, is arranged within the side wall if one is present.

[0027] To allow the spatial distribution of the liquid to be specifically adapted to the respective application, the nozzles are located on nozzle housings arranged in openings in the bowl. By replacing the nozzle housings with differently calibrated ones, it is therefore possible to adjust the spray pattern produced by the spray head to the specific application. Preferably, the nozzle housings of the outlet nozzles are each provided with an external thread, which is screwed into a corresponding threaded opening in the bowl. In the following, the terms nozzle housing and outlet nozzle are used interchangeably.

[0028] The nozzles are arranged on the spray head's housing. Different arrangements and numbers of nozzles can be selected to influence the direction in which the extinguishing liquid is sprayed and / or the flow rate of the extinguishing liquid. According to the invention, the spray head described herein is designed such that the nozzles are evenly distributed on the housing. Preferably, the spray head can be equipped with between 4 and 100 nozzles, more preferably between 10 and 80, more preferably between 20 and 60, even more preferably between 25 and 50, and even more preferably between 30 and 48, and particularly preferably between 32 and 45 nozzles. Furthermore, the amount of liquid sprayed per minute can be controlled by selecting the diameters of the nozzle openings. Particularly preferred diameters for this purpose are discussed below.

[0029] The nozzles are inserted into openings in the tray of the spray head described herein.

[0030] As already mentioned above, the nozzles can be connected to the spray head housing in various ways. This can be done permanently or in a flexible, interchangeable manner. Preferably, a mounting method is chosen that allows the nozzles to be firmly attached to the housing but also to be detached again, i.e., the flexible form. According to the invention, openings are provided in the housing for this purpose, in which the nozzles can be attached.

[0031] If the preferred flexible mounting method for the nozzles is selected, the nozzles in the spray head described herein are each provided with an external thread, and the openings in the bowl are provided with matching internal threads. This design of both the nozzles and the bowl allows the nozzles to be connected to the bowl by screwing them into the openings.

[0032] Extending from the external thread, the nozzle housing features a radially widened collar that braces the nozzle housing against the outer surface of the housing. This collar can be designed to accommodate a wrench, preferably a multi-sided one, to facilitate the replacement of the nozzle with a different nozzle that produces a different spray pattern and / or allows a different flow rate. This design allows a suitable wrench to be used to tighten and loosen the nozzles in the housing.

[0033] According to the invention, the spray head described herein is further designed such that a handle is arranged on the bowl or on the side wall of the spray head. When arranged on the side wall, the handle is preferably positioned opposite the tube section. The handle allows the spray head to be easily transported and held, as well as placed at a location from which the fire is to be extinguished or prevented. In hazardous areas (slopes, military training areas, etc.), the advantages of the spray head are that it allows emergency personnel to be deployed to more critical locations. A further advantage arises from the fact that the spray head does not have to be placed at its deployment site, but can be "thrown" into the danger zone, thus avoiding unnecessary risk to emergency personnel. The range varies depending on the force exerted by the thrower.Another option is to wrap the spray head inside the hose and, with a little practice, unroll it so that the spray head lands at the point of use.

[0034] The spray head described herein enables large-volume liquid distribution and therefore offers new possibilities for firefighting operations, such as fighting forest fires, ship fires, warehouse fires, or tunnel fires. The spatial and thus non-directional liquid distribution, especially when combined with foaming agents, offers significant advantages in the event of uncontrolled product leaks in chemical plants, for example, to suppress hazardous vapors and gases, or for the preventative cooling of containers at risk of thermal overheating. Another application is the binding of dust by the finely sprayed liquid particles, such as during dust-intensive activities like blasting or demolition work. A further application is the cleaning of large areas, particularly dust-laden surfaces.

[0035] In accordance with the intended applications, the spray head described herein is provided, wherein the spray head is intended for use in extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably forest or vegetation fires. In such use, the liquid is preferably an extinguishing agent, and even more preferably water.

[0036] The spray head described here allows for the dispensing of varying amounts of liquid within a specific timeframe. Firefighting is often carried out using tank trucks containing the extinguishing agent. A fire engine remains near the fire, is connected to a tank truck, and sprays the extinguishing agent onto the fire. Meanwhile, one or more tank trucks travel to a liquid source, are refilled, and return to the fire engine. The extinguishing agent, or rather the spray head, is designed to dispense a specific amount of liquid per minute, ensuring that the fire is extinguished and the liquid in the tank truck is not depleted before one or more additional tank trucks arrive with supplies. The amount of liquid transported in a tank truck varies and is sometimes country-specific.In Germany, for example, it is common for a tanker truck to transport approximately 3,000 liters. To ensure continuous spraying, the aim is to spray this amount no faster than 15 minutes, as this is typically the time it takes for another tanker truck to arrive and connect to the fire engine. Naturally, the spraying speed is adjusted to the specific circumstances. If the tankers can transport the liquid more quickly, it can be sprayed more rapidly, for example, in less than 15 minutes, say 10 minutes. If the tankers take longer, the spraying speed is reduced so that the entire amount transported in the tanker truck is sprayed only after 15 minutes, for example, after 20 minutes.The present invention makes it possible to regulate the amount of liquid sprayed per minute by selecting the number of external nozzles and the diameter of the openings of the external nozzles. Preferably, the openings of the external nozzles have a diameter of between 0.5 and 10 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 7 mm, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm, particularly preferably between 2 and 4 mm, and most preferably between 3 and 4 mm.

[0037] Preferably, the spray head disclosed herein is designed such that approximately 30-1000 liters, more preferably approximately 40-800 liters, more preferably approximately 45-400 liters, even more preferably approximately 50-250 liters, and particularly preferably approximately 50-200 liters of a liquid can be sprayed through the spray head per minute. With such a quantity of liquid, it is possible to safely fight or extinguish fires on an area of ​​approximately 50 to 200 square meters using the spray head according to the invention, and / or to protect the corresponding area from fire (to prevent fire) by preemptively spraying it with a liquid, so that a fire from an adjacent area cannot spread to the protected area, or can only spread later than if no preemptive spraying had taken place.Of course, a mixed use / application is also conceivable, i.e., where, for example, an existing fire is first extinguished with the spray head according to the invention, the method disclosed here, or the use for fighting / preventing fires, and then the area is protected from the fire spreading again.

[0038] In addition to the spray head described herein, the present invention also provides a method for extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably surface fires, and particularly preferably forest or vegetation fires. This method preferably comprises the following steps: a) Moving the self-erecting spray head coupled to a hose, as disclosed herein, to the vicinity of the fire or to a place where the outbreak of a fire is expected or is to be prevented; b) Switching on the supply of extinguishing liquid to the spray head so that the liquid is sprayed through it; c) Switching off the supply of extinguishing liquid when the fire is extinguished or when there is no longer any danger of fire, the spray head is to be placed elsewhere and / or the extinguishing liquid has been used up.

[0039] By spraying the liquid through the spray head, the area surrounding the spray head is sprayed with the liquid in the process described herein, thereby preventing a fire or extinguishing an existing fire. For this purpose, the spray head is moved to a location according to the procedure, and an extinguishing liquid is sprayed from the spray head into the surrounding area, so that a fire cannot, or preferably only can, start in the vicinity or spread to this area from neighboring areas. A fire hazard can regularly be considered no longer present or is not expected if there is no fire in the immediate vicinity of the area to be protected, or at least none that is apparent that could spread to the area to be protected.

[0040] According to the invention, the method is further characterized in that the spray head does not require any fixation during the process. It is also according to the invention that the pressure of the supplied extinguishing liquid causes the spray head to right itself in such a way that the underside of the spray head rests on the ground and the extinguishing liquid is released into the vicinity of the spray head. According to the invention, a fire hose is used as the hose in the method. Bringing the spray head, coupled to a hose, into the vicinity of the fire can preferably be accomplished by throwing or rolling the spray head connected to the hose near, or at least in the direction of, the fire. The present invention also relates to the spray head described herein for use in the described method.

[0041] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a self-righting spray head as disclosed herein for extinguishing and / or preventing fires. Preferably, this use is directed towards extinguishing and / or preventing surface fires, and particularly preferably towards extinguishing or preventing forest or vegetation fires. The present invention also relates to the spray head described herein for the use described above.

[0042] A more comprehensive understanding of the invention can be obtained from the following specific examples and figures, which are provided here for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Examples

[0043] A test spray head was made from 6mm thick iron, with a dome-shaped top (sphere segment) with several nozzles evenly distributed over the top and screwed to the top, a flat bottom and a side wall running perpendicularly from the top down to the bottom.

[0044] The tested spray head was shaped like the one shown in Figures 1 and 2. The diameter of the spray head, measured at the base, was 320 mm, and its height, from the base to the apex of the domed top, was 140 mm. The total weight of the tested spray head was 3 kg.

[0045] The test spray head was equipped with 36 nozzles, had a carrying handle, and a C 52mm water connection to which a fire hose with a matching C / 52 coupling according to DIN 14811 of BGG / GUV-G 9102 was connected. The 36 nozzles consist of TD A2-70 stainless steel screws with a 3mm hole, enabling a water spray rate of approximately 200-800 liters per minute.

[0046] In one test, as described above, all external nozzles had the same diameter of 3 mm. In another test, the 16 side nozzles located lowest on the dome had a diameter of 3 mm, while all other spray nozzles had openings with a diameter of 2 mm. This design extended the spraying time, so that the 3000 liters of extinguishing water in the fire truck were only dispersed after 15 minutes.

[0047] The spray nozzle was connected to a fire engine via a fire hose and placed upside down, either directly on the ground or in a ditch at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. Water was then pumped into the nozzle at varying pressures. Each time the nozzle reached the standard pressure of approximately 5 bar used for extinguishing fires, it rotated 180 degrees, landed on its underside, and remained upside down on the ground due to the continued spraying action. This automatic rotation could be accelerated by briefly increasing the pressure of the liquid (extinguishing water in this experiment) to approximately 6 or 7 bar. After the rotation, the pressure could be reduced, either to the standard 5 bar used in Germany or even lower. The nozzle remained stable on its underside on the ground, spraying the liquid into its surroundings.The area sprayed with extinguishing water around the spray head was approximately circular and covered about 50 square meters. The test confirmed that the spray head rotates independently even in an unfavorable starting position as soon as pressurized liquid is forced through it, and that it can wet the area around it with a sufficient amount of liquid to prevent a fire. Reference symbol list

[0048] 1 Spray head 2 Bayonet coupling 3 Pipe section 4 Distributor chamber 5 Bowl 6 Cylindrical / or conical section 7 Base / underside 8 Top side 9 Handle 10 Outer nozzle 11 Collar (preferably polygonal) 12 Nozzle outlet / outer end of nozzle opening 13 Screw connection on the dome (internal thread in the dome screwed in with a locking polygonal screw)

Claims

1. A spray head (1) for distributing liquid, having an upper side (8), namely a shell (5), provided with a plurality of outlet nozzles (10), and a closed underside (7) suitable as a support surface and connected to the shell (5), wherein the underside (7) is flat, wherein a distribution chamber (4) is arranged between the shell (5) and the underside (7), and with a pipe section (3) leading to the distribution chamber (4), which is provided at its other end with a connection for a liquid supply line, wherein the pipe section (3) is arranged above the underside (7) and is provided at its end facing away from the distribution chamber (4) with a connection for a liquid supply line, which connection has a coupling (2) for pressure-tight connection of a fire hose provided with a corresponding coupling counterpart, - wherein the outlet nozzles (10) are arranged uniformly on the shell (5) - wherein the outlet nozzles (10) are inserted into openings in the shell (5); and - wherein the outlet nozzles (10) are each provided with an external thread and the openings in the shell (5) are provided with matching internal threads, such that the outlet nozzles (10) can be connected to the shell (5) by screwing them into the openings in the shell (5); wherein - the upper side (8), namely shell (5), is of a dome-shaped design; - the outlet nozzles (10) have a radially expanded collar (11) in extension of the external thread, with which the outlet nozzles (10) each bear against the outside of the shell (5); - the distribution chamber (4) between the shell (5) and the underside (7) has a cylindrical or partially conical section (6) which is enclosed by a side wall, characterized in that the pipe section (3) is arranged in the side wall with its end facing the distribution chamber (4); and - a handle (9) is arranged on the shell (5) or on the side wall of the spray head (1), wherein, in the arrangement on the side wall, the handle (9) is preferably arranged opposite the pipe section (3).

2. The spray head (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spray head (1) is designed to be self-aligning in that the spray head (1) is aligned with its underside (7) lying on the ground by the recoil effect of the liquid emerging from the outlet nozzles (10).

3. The spray head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (2) is a hose coupling, preferably a threaded coupling or a bayonet coupling.

4. The spray head (1) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling is a bayonet coupling, preferably a Storz coupling.

5. The spray head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the collar (11) is designed to be polygonal in such a way that a wrench can be applied to the collar (11) and used to screw the outlet nozzles (10) into and out of the shell (5).

6. The spray head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray head (1) is intended for use in extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably forest or vegetation fires, and the liquid is an extinguishing liquid, preferably water.

7. A method for extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably forest or vegetation fires, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) moving a spray head (1) coupled to a fire hose according to any one of claims 1 to 6 into the vicinity of the fire; b) turning on the supply of extinguishing liquid to the spray head (1) so that the liquid is sprayed through it; c) switching off the supply of extinguishing liquid when the fire has been extinguished, the spray head (1) is to be placed elsewhere and / or the extinguishing liquid has been used up; characterized in that the spray head (1) requires no fixation during the method and, due to the pressure of the supplied extinguishing liquid, aligns itself such that the underside of the spray head (1) lies on the ground and the extinguishing liquid is discharged into the surroundings of the spray head (1).

8. The spray head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for use in extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably forest or vegetation fires, wherein, when extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably the steps according to the method of claim 7 are carried out.

9. Use of a spray head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for extinguishing and / or preventing fires, preferably forest or vegetation fires.

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