Extinguishing lance

Abstract

The invention relates to a fire extinguishing lance (1) with a mounting unit (2) for attaching the fire extinguishing lance (1) to a wall (4), with a penetration unit (3) consisting of a piston (301) and a blade (303) for penetrating the wall (4), wherein the penetration unit (3) is displaceably arranged in a cylinder (200) along a main direction of movement (5) between a starting position and an end position, and the penetration unit (3) with the piston (301) and the blade (303) can be brought into the end position for penetrating the wall (4), in which the penetration unit (3) is arranged at least partially beyond a penetration plane (6) as seen from the cylinder (200), characterized in that the piston (301) delimits a chamber (206) in the cylinder (200), which is fluid-connected via a connection (V) to an opening (304) in the piston (301).wherein the opening (304) connects the penetration unit (3) and an extinguishing agent supply line (101) in the end position, wherein when extinguishing agent flows in, the chamber (206) is filled with extinguishing agent and the extinguishing agent acts on the piston (301) in such a way that the penetration unit (3) is held with the piston (301) essentially in the end position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an extinguishing lance for firefighting with a fastening unit for attaching the extinguishing lance to a wall, with a penetration unit consisting of a piston and a blade for penetrating the wall, wherein the penetration unit is arranged in a cylinder so as to be displaceable along a main direction of movement between a start position and an end position and the penetration unit with the piston and the blade for penetrating the wall can be brought into the end position in which the penetration unit is arranged at least partially beyond a penetration plane as seen from the cylinder, wherein the piston delimits a chamber in the cylinder, and wherein the penetration unit and an extinguishing agent supply line are fluidly connected to one another in the end position.

[0002] Fire extinguishing lances are known, for example, from WO 2020 / 206482 A1. To prevent the fire extinguishing lance from being removed after insertion, a fastening unit is provided, which serves to connect it to the wall through which the fire extinguishing lance has penetrated.

[0003] Other extinguishing lances are known, for example, from EP 3 045 210 A1, US 4,625,808 and US 5,839,664. In these cases, for example, a spike is provided which can be pushed through the wall in order to distribute extinguishing agent beyond the wall. For this purpose, penetration units which carry the respective spike have channels for extinguishing agent, which is distributed into the environment beyond the wall via openings in the spike or the penetration unit. These penetration units and / or spikes are designed to be long in order to provide enough openings for a sufficient transport quantity of extinguishing agent per time. Due to the flow of extinguishing agent, if the holding force is insufficient, the extinguishing lance can be unintentionally removed from the wall.

[0004] A fire is generally extinguished by removing heat, removing the combustible material, interrupting the air supply or by interfering with the chemical reaction by reducing the reactivity or interfering with the mixing ratio of the reactants.

[0005] When battery-powered vehicles catch fire, thermal runaway usually occurs between individual cells. To stop this process, which normally escalates with ever-increasing temperatures and leads to the burning of additional cells, the removal of the reaction heat and further cooling are necessary.

[0006] It is further known from WO 2020 / 206482 A1 that extinguishing lances can be moved along a direction of movement by means of an extinguishing agent or a propellant and that a penetration unit can be guided through a wall with the aid of the extinguishing agent or the propellant.

[0007] US 2006 / 219416 A1 discloses a pneumatic penetration unit for aircraft extinguishing systems with a piston slidably mounted in a cylinder, which separates a piston chamber and a foaming chamber, and a blade connected to the piston for piercing a wall. After a piezo valve opens, compressed air is introduced into the piston chamber, pneumatically pushing the piston into its end position for penetrating the wall. In this end position, a poppet valve arranged in the piston in a flow path between the piston chamber and the foaming chamber is opened mechanically via a tappet, allowing compressed air to flow into the foaming chamber. At the same time, liquid extinguishing agent flows into the foaming chamber in the piston's end position, foaming the extinguishing agent. The piston is also pushed back pneumatically by injecting compressed air into the piston chamber below the piston.The extinguishing agent never reaches the piston chamber above the piston, which is facing away from the foaming chamber, and therefore cannot act on the piston in such a way that the penetration unit with the piston is held in the end position.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to establish a device and a method in which a more reliable operation of an extinguishing lance is ensured in a simple manner.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the chamber is designed to be fluidly connected to an opening in the piston via a connection, wherein the opening fluidly connects the penetration unit and an extinguishing agent supply line to one another in the end position, wherein a check valve opening in the direction of the chamber is located in the connection, wherein when extinguishing agent flows in, the chamber is filled with extinguishing agent and the extinguishing agent acts on the piston in such a way that the penetration unit with the piston is held substantially in the end position, as defined in claim 1.

[0010] Because the check valve opens towards the chamber, any leakage from the chamber is prevented.

[0011] Because the chamber is flooded with extinguishing agent in the final position and the liquid extinguishing agent is no longer compressible, a hydraulic force of the liquid extinguishing agent counteracts the recoil force exerted by the escaping extinguishing agent and thus the penetration unit is essentially held in the deformation.

[0012] Both water and an emulsion of water and an additive with various effects are conceivable as extinguishing agents. To further increase extinguishing performance, extinguishing agents based on liquid nitrogen, for example, are also conceivable.

[0013] An extinguishing lance is an extinguishing device designed to deliver extinguishing agent after passing through a wall. The movement along a main direction of movement describes the movement along a vector aligned along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and oriented from a starting position to an end position. The starting position and the end position mark the end points of the displacement of the piston and the penetration unit.

[0014] The main direction of movement within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a direction of movement along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

[0015] For the purposes of the invention, an opening in the piston is the flow connection between the penetration unit and the extinguishing agent supply line in the end position. The opening, which can be formed, for example, by one or more channels, one or more bores, or a combination thereof, is always present, but is only fluidly connected to the extinguishing agent supply line in the area around the end position. In the illustrated embodiments, this is achieved by the groove in the piston, which overlaps with the extinguishing agent supply line when the piston is in the end position.

[0016] The connection between the chamber and the extinguishing agent supply line is particularly easy to implement if the non-return valve is designed as a check valve or a check flap. This allows extinguishing agent to flow into the chamber, but prevents the propellant from flowing toward the extinguishing agent supply line and into the extinguishing agent's destination. Since compressed air, for example, can be used as the propellant, this ensures that the compressed air does not come into contact with the fire source and, in the worst case, provides the fire with additional oxygen for a short time.

[0017] The destination of the extinguishing agent is the target location for the introduction of the extinguishing agent in order to extinguish a fire or to cool it.

[0018] It is also advantageous if the blade is essentially tubular. Tubular, as used herein, refers to a shape that encloses a channel or conduit along a longitudinal axis of the penetration unit, facing away from the piston. Preferably, the blade is formed integrally with the piston to form a penetration unit.

[0019] The longitudinal axis of the penetration unit corresponds in direction to the cylinder's rotational axis and, in this design, coincides with it, since the cylinder, blade, piston, and penetration unit each have a circular cross-sectional area and are arranged concentrically to each other. The cross-sectional area is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or rotational axis.

[0020] In order to be able to move the penetration unit safely and as easily as possible, it is advantageous if at least one propellant supply line is flow-connected to the cylinder for introducing propellant along the main direction of movement, wherein the flow connection is arranged between the propellant supply line and the cylinder.

[0021] The propellant flows from a propellant source via the propellant supply line to the chamber and the piston and moves the piston along the main direction of movement in the cylinder due to the pressure of the propellant.

[0022] The propellant source here is a propellant container, such as an oxygen cylinder or a compressed air tank.

[0023] A flow connection is understood here as a channel or chamber through which the propellant can flow without significant obstacles.

[0024] In order to delimit the area for filling the chamber with extinguishing agent and thus reduce the need for extinguishing agent for the function, a special design provides that the chamber has a further non-return valve, for example a check valve, opposite the propellant supply line, which prevents the propellant from flowing back from the chamber into the propellant supply line.

[0025] Instead of the check valves, a controllable valve, such as a solenoid valve, can also be used.

[0026] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a method for firefighting, with an extinguishing lance according to the invention as specified above, in which a blade of a penetration unit is moved with a piston of the extinguishing lance from a start position to an end position, wherein the blade cuts through a wall such as a housing wall in the end position and extinguishing agent is transported by the penetration unit into the space beyond the wall as seen from the extinguishing lance, wherein in the end position extinguishing agent flows along a connection in the piston into a chamber, is held in the chamber by a check valve and wherein a force acts on the piston by the extinguishing agent, wherein the force is formed by a hydraulic pressure of the extinguishing agent on the piston and acts against a recoil force from the extinguishing agent release and the piston is held substantially in the end position.

[0027] The blade itself typically has a diameter of about 70 mm within manufacturing tolerances and can of course be adjusted according to the thickness and material of the wall to be penetrated.

[0028] The penetration plane is the plane that the penetration unit, or a defined part of the penetration unit, must cross in order to penetrate the wall. Typically, this penetration plane will be level with and parallel to a connecting surface of the fastening unit for connecting to the wall. However, if the wall has elevations or depressions, the penetration plane can be positioned above or below the connecting surface, or even at an angle to it.

[0029] A blade is defined as an edge that is sufficiently sharp to cause a cut in the wall—i.e., to cut or tear open the wall—when the penetration unit is moved through it with the intended force. This is to be distinguished from edges that are less sharp and therefore only cause bending or stretching of the wall or wall sections.

[0030] It is advantageous if the piston of the penetration unit is subjected to more than 35 bar pressure from the propellant and is thus moved.

[0031] The extinguishing agent can also be used as a propellant. For this purpose, the extinguishing agent is introduced at the propellant connection and flows through the extinguishing agent connection into the penetration unit when the penetration unit is in its end position. This can be controlled, for example, via solenoid valves.

[0032] As described above, a fastening unit for the extinguishing lance is necessary, since otherwise, moving the penetration unit towards a wall in the main direction of movement would simply result in the remaining extinguishing lance being displaced relative to the wall to be penetrated. Due to the danger posed by battery fires, it is not advisable to entrust a user, such as an emergency worker, with holding the extinguishing lance relative to the wall. Instead, a fastening unit is provided which takes over this function and holds the extinguishing lance in a fixed position relative to the wall. The connection between the fastening unit and the wall can be made in a variety of ways, for example via adhesives, flanges, clamps, or bayonet locks. The extinguishing lance preferably has at least one fixing column which is connected to the fastening unit.The extinguishing lance particularly preferably has four securing columns, which are particularly preferably arranged evenly around the penetration unit. The at least one securing column has two ends, wherein the first end is preferably pivotally connected to the fastening unit and the second end is supported against or connected to a fixed part of the vehicle. A fixed part of the vehicle can be understood as, for example, a body part, a side wall or the roof of the vehicle. Alternatively, the second end of the securing column can also be supported against or connected to another element that is suitable for supporting the force necessary for moving the penetration unit into its end position. Furthermore, it can be provided that these securing columns are at least partially telescopic.Flanges, adhesives, and bayonet locks are particularly advantageous for test bench applications, as these ensure the fastest possible cooling and / or extinguishing during regular operation, and advantageously, only the wall of the respective battery needs to be penetrated. However, even on vehicles, an ideal position for extinguishing and cooling can be identified in this way by a connection for the extinguishing lance. In addition to the aforementioned mounting options, it is also conceivable to mount one or more extinguishing lances on a separate vehicle, which can be moved, for example, manually or via a separate drive, to the vehicle to be extinguished.

[0033] The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the non-limiting embodiments shown in the figures. Fig. 1 shows a section through the extinguishing lance according to the invention in a starting position; Fig. 2 shows a section through the extinguishing lance according to the invention in a final position; Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a use of the extinguishing lance according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a side view of the penetration unit of the extinguishing lance according to the invention; and Fig. 5 shows a section along the line VV according to Fig. 4 .

[0034] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show an extinguishing lance 1 having a fastening unit 2 and a penetration unit 3. The fastening unit 2 has a flange part 201, which is tightly connected to a cylinder casing 202 of a cylinder 200. The flange part 201 has a connecting surface 203, which is designed to be sealingly connected to a wall 4 of a housing 8. The cylinder 200 extends normal to the connecting surface 203. The cylinder casing 202 has a supply opening 204 for an extinguishing agent supply line 101. An access opening 205 leads from the cylinder 200 through the flange part 201. The penetration unit 3 is moved in the cylinder 200 along its axis of rotation and along a main direction of movement 5. The rotation axis of the cylinder 200 and the main movement direction 5 are identical in their direction. The orientation of the main movement direction 5 describes the movement of the penetration unit 3 from a start position to an end position.The movement opposite to the main direction of movement 5 in the same direction describes the movement from the end position to the start position of the penetration unit 3. The penetration unit 3 is moved through the access opening 205 when moving along the main direction of movement 5 to the wall 4 and through the wall 4.

[0035] If the extinguishing lance 1 is connected to the wall 4, a space is formed in the cylinder 200 of the extinguishing lance 1, which space can be supplied with extinguishing agent via the extinguishing agent supply line 101.

[0036] In Fig. 1 The penetration unit 3 is shown in the starting position. This is the position in which the penetration unit 3 has been moved furthest against the main direction of movement 5. It rests against a closure plate 209 of the fastening unit 2. Preferably, the entire penetration unit 3 is arranged in the cylinder 200 and can be held in the starting position, for example, by magnets.

[0037] The penetration unit 3 has a piston 301 and a blade 303 located thereon.

[0038] The piston 301 comprises a distribution chamber 310, which is open radially outward toward the cylinder jacket 202 and is fluidly connected via an opening 304 to a channel 305 inside the penetration unit 3. The opening 304 is designed as a bore. A fixing opening can also be provided for fixing the blade 303. The blade 303 can be fixed axially in this opening against displacement in the main direction of movement 5, for example, with a cotter pin or a bolt. Alternatively, the blade 303 can also be screwed directly into the piston 301. The distribution chamber 310 is delimited in the main direction of movement 5 by parts of the piston 301 adjacent to the cylinder jacket 202.In the main direction of movement 5 upstream of the piston 301, in the starting position of the piston 301, a propellant opening 400 is cut out in the closure plate 209, which is connected to a propellant supply line 401, which carries, for example, compressed air as propellant.

[0039] If a valve of the propellant supply line 401 is opened, the propellant pushes the piston 301 along the main movement direction 5 toward the end position. At the downstream end of the cylinder 200, the cylinder casing 202 has one or more vent openings 215. Compressed air or another propellant can escape through these openings downstream of the cylinder 200 when the penetration unit 3 is driven into the end position by the propellant. The vent openings 215 are arranged downstream of the supply opening 204 and, in the end position, are not fluidly connected to the distribution chamber 310. In the end position, the piston 301 closes the vent openings 215.

[0040] Downstream, within the meaning of the invention, refers to the flow direction of the propellant from the propellant supply line 401 along the main movement direction 5. This corresponds to the flow movement from the starting position to the end position of the penetration unit 3. Upstream refers to the opposite direction.

[0041] In end position (as in Fig. 2 shown), the supply opening 204 is in flow connection with the distribution space 310 and the extinguishing agent can be transported from the extinguishing agent supply line 101 via the interior of the blade 303, the channel 305, beyond the wall 4.

[0042] If propellant is introduced - preferably with overpressure, for example with more than 35 bar - when the penetration unit 3 is in the start position, the piston 301 is moved by the pressure of the propellant along the main movement direction 5 and towards an end position - see Fig. 2 - pressed. The piston 301 moves along the cylinder 200 and, in the end position, forms a chamber 206 in the cylinder 200. The extinguishing agent cannot flow past the piston 301 and accelerates it toward the flange section 201.

[0043] In Fig. 2 The penetration unit 3 is shown in its end position. The piston 301 of the penetration unit 3 is positioned against the flange part 201 or a stop of the fastening unit 2, thus preventing further movement in the direction of the main movement direction 5.

[0044] The penetration unit 3 has a blade 303 for penetrating the wall 4 downstream of the piston 301, which blade is designed here as a tubular blade. The blade 303 has a cylindrical, axially closed side wall, through which the elongated channel 305 is formed inside the blade 303. The blade 303 is arranged on the side of the penetration unit 3 facing away from the piston 301 and is suitable for penetrating the wall 4. In the area of ​​the piston 301, the blade 303 has either several openings 304 on its side wall or the blade 303 opens, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown in the bore of the piston 301. In the end position, the extinguishing agent supply line 101 is fluidly connected via the supply opening 204 to the distribution chamber 310 and further to the openings 304 and further to the channel 305.

[0045] As already mentioned, the penetration unit 3 is moved by a propellant along the cylinder 200 from the starting position in the main movement direction 5 to the end position and passes through the wall 4 with the blade 303. If the piston 301 is now in the end position, extinguishing agent can flow into the piston 301 via the extinguishing agent supply line 101.

[0046] A connection V for flow communication is arranged between the thus formed chamber 206 and the channel 305. The piston 301 has a check valve 320 in the connection V, which is embodied here as a check valve. This check valve 320 opens to allow the extinguishing agent to flow from the opening 304 toward the chamber 206.

[0047] When the propellant flows in through the propellant opening 400, the non-return valve 320 is closed. When extinguishing agent flows into the opening 304 in the end position or in a region around the end position, in which the extinguishing agent line 101 and the opening 304 are fluidly connected via the distribution chamber 310, the non-return valve 320 opens in the connection V toward the chamber 206.

[0048] The piston 301 also features two seals 308, which tightly seal the distribution chamber 310 in the direction of the chamber 206 and facilitate the guidance of the piston 301. The flow of the extinguishing agent thus occurs primarily via the channel 305 into an area beyond the penetration plane 6 and via the connection V into the chamber 206, at least until the chamber 206 is filled with extinguishing agent and the extinguishing agent is retained in the chamber 206 by the check valve 320.

[0049] Due to the flow into chamber 206, a force F acts on piston 301, since the extinguishing agent is essentially incompressible, as is acceptable for liquids. The propellant in chamber 206 escapes, for example, through leaks or through vent openings 215.

[0050] The force F can be increased if a check valve is also arranged in the closure plate 209, which blocks the propellant line 401 from flowing out of the chamber 206. However, the check valve can also be arranged closer to the propellant container 402.

[0051] Thus, a force F now acts on the piston 301 and thus on the penetration unit 3, counter to a recoil force R of the extinguishing agent emerging from the extinguishing lance 1. The penetration unit 3 is thus securely held within the housing 8 to be extinguished during the extinguishing process and does not move in the wall 4.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a use of the extinguishing lance according to the invention. The arrangement comprises a housing 8, such as a battery housing of a battery-powered vehicle with two or more batteries 102 arranged therein, an extinguishing lance 1, an extinguishing agent tank 9 connected via an extinguishing agent supply line 101, and a control unit 10 that controls a valve 103 of the extinguishing agent supply line 101. Furthermore, the control unit 10 controls a valve 403 in a propellant supply line 401 that connects a propellant container 402 to the propellant opening 400.

[0053] If the vehicle is being tested on a test bench or in a laboratory and the control unit 10 detects, for example via sensors or user input, that activation of the extinguishing lance 1 is necessary, the valve 403 in the propellant line 401 is opened. Before the valve 403 opens, the penetration unit 3 is in the start position and the wall 4 of the housing 8 is intact. When the valve 403 opens, the wall 4 is penetrated by the penetration unit 3. The control unit 10 closes the valve 403 again and opens the valve 103 in the extinguishing agent line 101, introducing the extinguishing agent into the housing 8, cooling the battery, containing or preventing the fire, and simultaneously holding the penetration unit 302 in the housing 8.

[0054] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5show a penetration unit 3 of the extinguishing lance 1 according to the invention. The penetration unit 3 has a blade 303 and a piston 301 firmly connected thereto. An opening 304 for extinguishing agent is provided in the piston 301. This opening 304 extends from the distribution chamber 310 formed by the piston 301 and the cylinder 200 (not shown in these figures).

[0055] The piston 301 has an engagement surface A, which is arranged on the side facing away from the blade 303. Due to the pressure of the propellant on the engagement surface A, the penetration unit 3 is moved along the main direction of movement 5 towards the wall 4 and through the wall 4. In the end position, the extinguishing agent flows through the opening 304 and penetrates through the blade 303 into the destination below the piston 301 in a vertical direction of movement. At the same time, the extinguishing agent flows upwards via the check valve 320 into the chamber 206, which is flush with the engagement surface A in the direction of the blade 303. As a result, the force F acts in the direction of the blade 303 and in the direction of the wall 4, which force represents the fluid pressure of the extinguishing agent in the chamber 206 on the engagement surface A.

Claims

1. Fire extinguishing lance (1) for firefighting having a mounting unit (2) for attaching the fire extinguishing lance (1) to a wall (4), having a penetration unit (3), consisting of a piston (301) and a blade (303) for penetrating the wall (4), wherein the penetration unit (3) is arranged in a cylinder (200) along a main direction of movement (5) between a starting position and an end position, and the penetration unit (3) with the piston (301) and the blade (303) for penetrating the wall (4) can be brought into the end position in which the penetration unit (3), as viewed from the cylinder (200), is at least partially arranged beyond a penetration plane (6), wherein the piston (301) delimits a chamber (206) in the cylinder (200), and wherein the penetration unit (3) and an extinguishing agent supply line (101) are flow-connected to each other in the end position, wherein the chamber (206) is designed to be flow-connected by a connection (V) to an opening (304) in the piston (301), wherein the opening (304) connects the penetration unit (3) and an extinguishing agent supply line (101) to each other in the end position, wherein a non-return device (320) opening in the direction of the chamber (206) is located in the connection (V), wherein, when extinguishing agent flows in, the chamber (206) is filled with extinguishing agent and the extinguishing agent acts on the piston (301) in such a way that the penetration unit (3) is held with the piston (301) substantially in the end position.

2. Fire extinguishing lance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-return device (320) is formed by a non-return valve or a non-return flap.

3. Fire extinguishing lance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blade (303) is substantially of tubular design.

4. Fire extinguishing lance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one propellant supply line (401) is connected to the cylinder (200) for introducing propellant along the main direction of movement (5), wherein a flow connection is arranged between the propellant supply line (401) and the cylinder (200).

5. Fire extinguishing lance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the flow connection of the extinguishing agent supply line (101) with the cylinder (200) is formed when the piston (301) is substantially in its end position.

6. Fire extinguishing lance (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the propellant supply line (401) connects a propellant source (402) to the chamber (206) at least temporarily.

7. Fire extinguishing lance (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the chamber (206) has a further non-return device opposite the propellant supply line (401), which prevents backflow from the chamber (206) into the propellant supply line (401).

8. Method for firefighting using a fire extinguishing lance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which a blade (303) of a penetration unit (3) is moved by a piston (301) of the fire extinguishing lance (1) from a starting position to an end position, wherein the blade (303) in the end position cuts through a wall (4) and extinguishing agent is transported through the penetration unit (3) into the space beyond the wall (4) as seen from the fire extinguishing lance (1), characterized in that, in the end position, extinguishing agent flows along a connection (V) in the piston (301) into a chamber (206) and is retained in the chamber (206) by a non-return device (320), and in that a force (F) acts on the piston (301) through the extinguishing agent, wherein the force (F) is generated by hydraulic pressure of the extinguishing agent on the piston (301) and counteracts a recoil force (R) from the extinguishing agent discharge, and the piston (301) is substantially held in the end position.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that propellant is introduced into the cylinder (200) in which the piston (301) of the penetration unit (3) is guided along the main direction of movement (5) between the starting position and the end position, which propellant moves the penetration unit (3) along the main direction of movement (5).

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the piston (301) of the penetration unit (3) is acted upon by the propellant at a pressure of more than 35 bar and is thus moved.

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