FOREST FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM

Abstract

A forest fire extinguishing system, characterized in that it comprises: a tank (1) with an upper cap (2) and a lower cap (3); where the upper cap (2) comprises: an adjustable sprinkler (5) controlled by a solenoid valve (6); a radio receiver (7) for remote activation of the solenoid valve (6); a thermal sensor (8) for automatic activation of the solenoid valve (6); a water filling fitting (19) with a stopcock (20); where the tank (1) comprises: an air chamber (4) made of elastic material; a filling valve (10) for the air chamber comprising a nozzle (11) with a stopcock; and, where the lower cap (3) comprises: stopcocks with fittings (12) for interconnection with other devices and for filling; and, a pressure gauge (13) for monitoring the internal pressure in the tank.

Description

FOREST FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Object of the invention The present invention relates to a new type of fire extinguishing system designed specifically for use in extinguishing forest fires. The present invention falls within the sector related to fire extinguishing devices and equipment and, more specifically, is aimed at extinguishing large fires in open spaces or forest fires. Background of the invention It is now widely known that the best way to combat large forest fires is from the air, using airplanes and / or helicopters that transport water in two different ways: with a ventral tank and with suspended bags, known in the industry as Bambi Buckets. Ground resources are also used, including specialized personnel or firefighters and heavy machinery. This approach presents problems of risk to human life and very limited effectiveness, since aircraft encounter visibility difficulties, turbulence that compromises lift and approach, rising hot air lacking oxygen that disperses and evaporates the water, and ultimately, the proportion of water that reaches the target is low, and even less that falls where needed. Furthermore, the desired continuity of flow, which is what truly extinguishes the fire by drastically lowering the temperature of the entire burning mass, is impossible.Separately, there is the risk of land vehicles being exposed, on many occasions, to steep and difficult-to-access areas. The present invention offers the advantage of minimizing the risk to ground and air resources and optimizing water use. To achieve this, after an analysis of the fire and its specific circumstances by technicians, a strategy is designed, and the line or front where the fire will be awaited is determined, taking advantage of the maximum number of factors favorable to firefighters, such as a path, a river, a road, or a firebreak. The systems that are the subject of the present invention are located along this line or front and can be activated without the need for personnel or ground resources. To overcome the aforementioned problems and limitations, the present invention describes a new type of system that allows for autonomous operation on the fire line. This enables ground resources, primarily firefighters, to move away from the most dangerous areas of the fire, while allowing the system to operate directly at the fire front, thus optimizing water use. The applicant is unaware of any other type of forest fire suppression system that is similar to or as advantageous as the one described and claimed below. Explanation of the invention The invention is a new type of forest fire extinguishing system that, in its different embodiments, solves the problems and limitations present in the state of the art previously raised. The system comprises a tank, preferably spherical, made of a single piece to which two caps can be welded, one on the top and one on the bottom. The upper housing supports the following components: a transport anchor; an adjustable sprinkler with a fan-width control, operated by a solenoid valve that receives an opening command from a radio receiver with a frequency specific to each unit; and a thermal sensor that, if a fire approaches the device without it having been activated, sends an opening command to the solenoid valve, thus enabling automatic operation. The remote control receiver sends a signal to the solenoid valve for remote opening. The tank comprises an air chamber made of elastic material, such as a rubber bag, with a certain air pressure inside and a filling nozzle. The chamber works in such a way that, once the air is injected, the nozzle is closed and it is filled with water. When the water is introduced at a higher pressure than that inside the chamber, it is compressed until the pressures equalize, occupying a reduced volume. When the diffuser valve is opened, activated by the radio receiver, the compressed air inside the chamber pushes the water outwards under pressure. The lower cap comprises shut-off valves with fittings to interconnect one device to another and, at the end of the line, to allow refilling with a fire truck to soak the area and thus prevent regrowth; and a pressure gauge to monitor the internal pressure in the tank. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cap comprises two shut-off valves. The system may also include a support base for the tank, designed to compensate for uneven terrain while maintaining verticality. This base embraces the tank without being rigidly attached, allowing the sphere to rotate freely in all directions. The base consists of a body and includes protruding arms that support the tank. Each arm may incorporate a clamping mechanism, such as an adjustable knob, which immobilizes the tank once it is oriented and / or positioned. As previously mentioned, since the tank is preferably spherical, the arms are formed by inclined surfaces with rounded edges to improve the sphere's stability. The base may also have feet for support on the ground. In one embodiment of the invention, the reservoir comprises a fitting attachable to the filling fitting, capable of containing the foaming agent proportional to the volume of the sphere. In one embodiment of the invention, the sprinkler is adjustable in terms of its amplitude to ensure that it reaches the amount projected by other adjacent systems and thus form a bead of water and / or foam that creates a barrier against fire. In this respect, the tank is designed according to the guidelines established by the Pressure Equipment Regulations; therefore, its shape will preferably be spherical, since this geometric shape results in a lower wall thickness calculation, thus reducing weight. Inside, as previously mentioned, there is a rubber liner connected to the outside by a valve, capable of filling the interior of the sphere when under pressure. It should be noted that, throughout the description and claims, the term includes and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical features or additional elements. Brief description of the figures In order to complete the description and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of figures and drawings is presented which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, represent the following: Figure 1: Shows a schematic view of the system that is the subject of the present invention, represented in exploded view. Figure 2: Shows an external view of an example embodiment of the invention, with the system assembled. Detailed explanation of a mode of implementation of the invention As can be seen in the set of figures above, one embodiment of the invention consists of a forest fire extinguishing system comprising: a tank (1), which is spherical in shape, with an upper cap (2) and a lower cap (3); where the upper cap (2) comprises: an adjustable sprinkler (5) controlled by a solenoid valve (6); a radio receiver (7) for remote activation of the solenoid valve (6); a thermal sensor (8) for automatic activation of the solenoid valve (6); a water filling fitting (19), with a stopcock (20); where the reservoir (1) comprises: an air chamber (4) of elastic material, which is a rubber bag disposed inside; a filling valve (10) for the air chamber, comprising a nozzle (11) with a stopcock for filling the rubber bag with compressed air; and where the lower cap (3) comprises: valves with fittings (12) for interconnection with other devices and for filling, to interconnect one device with another and at the end of the line and / or to be able to refill with a fire truck to soak the area and thus prevent regrowth; and, a pressure gauge (13) to control the internal pressure in the tank. Additionally, the upper cap comprises a transport anchor (9), such as a ring. Additionally, the system comprises a support base for the tank designed to compensate for uneven terrain while maintaining verticality. The base embraces the tank without being rigidly attached, allowing the sphere to rotate freely in all directions. The base comprises a base body (14) and protruding arms (15) that support the tank. Each arm may incorporate a clamping means (16), such as an adjustable knob, which immobilizes the tank once oriented and / or positioned. The base may also include handles (17) for transport and a housing (18) for the tank's pressure gauge. The base may have feet (22) for support on the ground. Additionally, the system may include a foam concentrate tank (21) attachable to the filling fitting (19), which allows a proportional volume of foam concentrate to be supplied to the volume of water in the tank. The system operates such that the air chamber (4) is connected to the outside by a filling valve (10), which can be inflated from the outside to the desired pressure. Once this pressure is reached, the filling valve closes. Also from the outside, through the filling fitting (19) located at the top of the sphere, water is introduced at a higher pressure than the air in the chamber. This reduces the chamber's volume, making it ready to push the extinguishing liquid when the solenoid valve (6) of the sprinkler receives the opening command. The sprinkler (5), which releases the extinguishing liquid to the outside, is controlled by the aforementioned solenoid valve (6). This valve receives a signal from a radio receiver (7) at a frequency specific to each unit.Additionally, there is a thermal sensor (8) that detects a rise in outside temperature and can therefore send an opening signal to the solenoid valve (6) even without receiving a command from the radio receiver. The system can be equipped with an additional foam tank (21) that connects to the filling fitting and has its own shut-off valve, thus improving firefighting operations. Finally, the tank's support base has adjustable knobs that allow the tank to be rotated and positioned optimally, regardless of the terrain's slope.

Claims

1. A forest fire extinguishing system, characterized in that it comprises: a tank (1) with an upper cap (2) and a lower cap (3); where the upper cap (2) comprises: an adjustable sprinkler (5) controlled by a solenoid valve (6); a radio receiver (7) for remote activation of the solenoid valve (6); a thermal sensor (8) for automatic activation of the solenoid valve (6); a water filling fitting (19) with a stopcock (20); where the tank (1) comprises: an air chamber (4) made of elastic material; a filling valve (10) for the air chamber comprising a nozzle (11) with a stopcock; and, where the lower cap (3) comprises: stopcocks with fittings (12) for interconnection with other devices and for filling; and, a pressure gauge (13) for monitoring the internal pressure in the tank.

2. Forest fire extinguishing system, according to claim 1, wherein the tank (1) is spherical in shape. 3.Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 1, wherein the air chamber (4) is a rubber bag.

4. Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 1, wherein the upper cap comprises a transport anchor (9).

5. Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 4, wherein the transport anchor (9) is a ring.

6. Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 1, comprising a support base for the tank (1) comprising a base body (14) and projecting arms (15) that support the tank.

7. Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 6, wherein the arms (15) incorporate a tightening means (16) for the tank.

8. Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 7, wherein the tightening means (16) are adjustable knobs. 9.Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 6, wherein the base comprises carrying handles (17).

10. Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 6, wherein the base comprises a housing (18) for the tank pressure gauge.

11. Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 6, wherein the base comprises legs (22) for ground support.

12. Forest fire extinguishing system according to claim 1, comprising a foam concentrate tank (21) attachable to the filling fitting (19).