IMPROVED TANK FOR A RESCUE VEHICLE AND RESCUE VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH TANK

Description

Title IMPROVED TANK FOR A RESCUE VEHICLE AND RESCUE VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH TANK IMPROVED TANK FOR A RESCUE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE RESCUE EQUIPPED WITH THIS TANK TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a tank for a rescue vehicle, in particular for a fire-fighting vehicle such as a fire truck, and to a rescue vehicle equipped with such a tank. This application will be referred to as an example below, but without compromising generality. CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION As is well known, rescue vehicles can be equipped with a tank to store the operating fluid needed for rescue operations. An example of such a rescue vehicle is a firefighting vehicle, in which water is mixed with a foaming agent to produce a fire-fighting solution for use during firefighting operations. Typically, these tanks are equipped with internal baffles or bulkheads, which separate the tank's interior into smaller compartments and prevent excessive oscillation of the fluid inside the tank during acceleration, braking, or cornering of the rescue vehicle. This improves the rescue vehicle's dynamics by preventing the entire vehicle's center of gravity from shifting. The above-mentioned internal diaphragms or bulkheads usually comprise flat walls, which are usually attached to the internal walls of the tank by welding or bonding and may be provided with openings to allow fluid communication between the defined compartments within the tank. Unfortunately, the process of attaching the above-mentioned internal diaphragms or bulkheads to the internal walls of the tank by welding and / or gluing is very expensive and time-consuming, thus negatively impacting the production times and subsequent costs of the recovery vehicle tank. In light of the above, there is a need to provide a fuel tank for a rescue vehicle that is simple and economical to produce. An object of the present invention is to meet the above-mentioned needs in a cost-effective and optimized manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned object is achieved by a tank and a rescue vehicle as claimed in the appended independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are made according to the claims dependent on the independent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which: • Figures 1 through 5 are perspective illustrations of a tank for a rescue vehicle made in accordance with the present invention, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a tank for a rescue vehicle (not illustrated) such as a firefighting vehicle, particularly a fire truck. As is known, the rescue vehicle comprises a body (not illustrated) which is movable on the ground by means of ground support (not illustrated), in particular wheels. Additionally, the rescue vehicle includes an engine (not shown), preferably an internal combustion engine, configured to provide torque to the ground support means to enable movement of the body on the ground. The rescue vehicle may also include a water supply unit (not shown) configured to be capable of storing water and being connected - 3 fluidically to a public water supply. As is known per se and therefore not described in detail, the water supply assembly comprises a hydraulic inlet connector (not visible) configured to be fluidly connected to a water source, such as a public water supply, a cistern or natural water sources such as a river or lake, to allow water to be drawn from them. Additionally, the water supply assembly comprises at least one tank 7 configured to store water drawn from said water source. Furthermore, the water supply assembly comprises pumping means (not visible), which are fluidly connected to the tank 7 and, for example, to an opening configured to be connected to ejection means such as a nozzle, and are configured to draw a fire-fighting solution from the tank 7 and / or from said water source and to supply a pressurized flow of the fire-fighting solution towards said hydraulic outlet. The solution includes water and possibly other agents With reference preferably comprises an internally hollow, which is drawn from said water source and foaming agents, as is known per se. in the illustrated example, the tank 7 casing or housing 9 extends along a reference axis A and defines an internal space 10 configured to store a liquid, in particular water or any other similar fire-fighting solution. Additionally, tank 7 can be made of GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) or fiberglass. Alternatively, tank 7 can be made of metal such as steel, stainless steel, or a suitable polymer material, such as polypropylene. The tank 7 is also equipped with a through opening 12 which allows the internal space 10 to communicate with the external space. The through opening 12 is preferably separate and distinct from the hydraulic connections (not shown) of the tank 7 used in the tank filling and emptying operations. With reference to the example in Figure 1, the housing 9 is preferably of a substantially parallelepiped shape, advantageously of a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Preferably, the housing 9 has a length £1 along the reference axis A, and a width wi and a height hi orthogonal to each other and orthogonal to the reference axis A. In more detail, the housing 9 comprises - 5 preferably a lower wall 13, an upper wall 14 and a plurality of side walls 15 configured to delimit the internal space 10. Preferably, the lower wall 13, the upper wall 14 and the side walls 15 are seamlessly connected to each other so as to delimit the fluid-tight internal space 10. In particular, the lower wall 13 and the upper wall 14 are preferably planar and are arranged spaced apart and parallel to each other. Preferably, the lower wall 13 and the upper wall 14 have a plate-like structure. Additionally, the lower wall 13 and the upper wall 14 are preferably substantially rectangular in shape. In use, the lower wall 13 and the upper wall 14 are preferably parallel to the reference axis A and substantially horizontal. The side walls 15, on the other hand, are preferably arranged substantially vertically in use. Additionally, the opening 12 is preferably made in the upper wall 14. With reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the housing 9 preferably comprises a pair of smaller side walls 15a arranged transversely to the reference axis A and one spaced from and parallel to the other. Preferably, the smaller side walls 15a are spaced apart by length 4. Furthermore, the housing 9 preferably comprises a pair of larger side walls 15b arranged parallel to the reference axis A and one spaced apart and parallel to the other. Preferably, the larger side walls 15b are spaced apart by the width wl. With reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the tank 7 is preferably equipped with one or more bodies or containers 18, separate and distinct from the housing 9, which are arranged within the internal space 10 defined by the housing 9. With reference to Figure 2, in use the bodies 18 are adapted to be arranged inside the housing 9 in order to divide the internal space 10 into a plurality of compartments 11 each configured to contain part of the liquid present inside the tank 7, in order to avoid the oscillation of such liquid throughout the internal space 10 during acceleration, deceleration or cornering of the rescue vehicle. In more detail, the one or more bodies 19 are preferably arranged inside the tank 7 so as to occupy substantially the entire cross-section of the internal space 10 transversely to the reference axis A and separate the internal space 10 into compartments. 11. Additionally, the bodies 18 may be shaped so that the compartments 11 are fluidly connected to each other. In other words, the bodies 18 can be shaped so that, once stacked one on top of the other, channels or openings are defined that fluidly connect the compartments 11. Preferably, the body 18 is fixed to the tank 7 within the internal space 10 in a removable manner. In particular, the body 18 is preferably removably fixed within the internal space 10 to at least one wall of the housing 9. In other words, the body 18 is preferably removably fixed within the internal space 10 to at least one of the lower wall 13, the upper wall 14 or the side walls 15. With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 6, the body 18 is preferably fixed to at least one side wall 15, in particular to a larger side wall 15b. Additionally, the body 18 is preferably fixed to the housing 9 by means of a form fit. Alternatively or additionally, the body 18 may be secured to the housing 9 by force fit or positive lock fit, and / or the body 18 may be secured to the housing 9 by fastening means such as bolts, screws, nuts, latches, clamps or the like. Furthermore, the body 18 is fixed to the housing 9 in a fixed position. The body 18 may preferably be made of polymeric material and / or similar materials. In more detail, the body 18 is preferably made of polymeric material by a molding process, in particular a rotational molding process. Preferably, the body 18 is internally hollow. More specifically, the body 18 preferably comprises a housing 19, which extends along a reference axis B and defines an internal space 20 with a discrete volume. In addition, the housing 19 preferably has a cross-section transverse to the reference axis B that is 5% larger than the cross-section of the housing 9 of the tank 7 transverse to the reference axis A. In particular, the thickness of the body 18 transversely to the housing 19 is preferably greater than 5 centimeters. In use, the body 18 is preferably fixed inside the housing 9 of the tank 7 so that the reference axis B is arranged orthogonally to the reference axis A. In addition, the body 18 is preferably provided with at least one pair of through openings 22 suitable for placing the internal space 20 of the body 18 in fluid communication with the internal space 10 of the tank 7, so that the liquid contained in the tank 7 can enter inside and exit from the body 18. With reference to the example illustrated in Figure 1, in addition, the body 18 is preferably substantially oblong in shape. In more detail, the body 18 is preferably substantially parallelepiped in shape, advantageously substantially rectangular in shape. Preferably, the length / 2 of the housing 20 of the body 18 along the reference axis B approximates by defect the width wi of the housing 9, so that the two axial ends of the housing 20 are arranged to touch the side walls 15, in particular the larger side walls 15b, of the housing 9 when the body 18 is housed inside the tank 7. In addition, the body 18 is preferably sized and shaped so as to be insertable inside the internal space 10 of the tank 7 through the opening 12. In more detail, the cross-section of the body 18 transversely to the reference axis B is preferably smaller than the size of the opening 12, in order to allow the body 18 to enter inside the internal space 10 through the opening 12. With reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the housing 10 preferably comprises a bottom wall 24, an upper wall 25 and a plurality of side walls 26 configured to delimit the internal space 19. Preferably, the lower wall 24, the upper wall 25 and the side walls 26 are seamlessly connected to each other so as to delimit the fluid-tight internal space 20. In use, the lower wall 24 and the upper wall 25 are preferably parallel to the reference axis B and substantially horizontal. The side walls 26, on the other hand, are preferably arranged substantially vertically in use. In addition, a first of the openings 22 is preferably made on the upper wall 25 and a second of the openings 22 is preferably made on the lower wall 24. With reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the housing - 11 19 preferably comprises a pair of smaller side walls 26a arranged transversely to the reference axis B and one spaced apart and parallel to the other. In addition, the housing 19 preferably comprises a pair of larger side walls 26b arranged parallel to the reference axis B and one spaced apart and parallel to the other. With reference to the example in Figure 2, at least one side wall 26 of the body 18 is preferably coupled to a side wall 15 of the tank 7, advantageously by means of a shape fit. In more detail, at least one smaller side wall 26a of the body 18 is preferably coupled to a corresponding larger side wall 15b of the tank 7. In particular, both smaller side walls 26a of the body 18 are preferably coupled to the corresponding larger side walls 15b of the tank 7. With reference to the example illustrated in Figure 2, one of the tank 7 and the body 18 is preferably provided with a protruding part 30 and the other of the tank 7 and the body 18 is preferably provided with a concave part 32 shaped in a complementary way, to allow the shape correspondence between the latter. In other words, the protruding part 30 and the complementarily shaped concave part in use are adapted to - 12 engage with each other to allow coupling between the tank 7 and the body 18. In more detail, the tank 7 is preferably equipped with the protruding part 30 and the body 18 is preferably equipped with the complementarily shaped concave part 32. With reference to the example illustrated in Figure 2, the protruding part 30 preferably comprises a protuberance or rib 33, which originates from a side wall 15 of the housing 9 and extends cantilevered towards the internal space 10. In more detail, the protuberance or rib 33 preferably originates from a larger lateral wall 15b, and preferably extends transversely to the reference axis A and parallel to the height h, i.e. along a vertical direction. Preferably, the protuberance or rib 33 extends substantially rectilinearly along the entire height h of the housing 9, advantageously without interruption. In addition, the tank 7 is preferably provided with a plurality of protruding parts 30, in particular a plurality of protuberances or ribs 33, which are spaced apart on the side wall 15 along the reference axis A. In more detail, the protruding parts 30 are - 13 preferably spaced equally apart from each other along the reference axis A. With reference to the example illustrated in Figure 1, the concave part 32 preferably comprises a grooved part 34 made on the body 18, which in use is adapted to be engaged by a respective protuberance or rib 33 of the tank 7. In more detail, the grooved part 34 preferably has a shape complementary to the shape of the protuberance or rib 33 on the reservoir 7. Preferably, the grooved part 34 extends substantially straight along the entire height of the housing 19 of the body 18, advantageously without interruption. With reference to the examples illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the tank 7 can accommodate a plurality of bodies 18 stacked on top of each other, such that the latter form a stack that substantially occupies the entire cross-section of the internal space 10 transversely to the reference axis A and separates the internal space 10 into compartments 11. In more detail, the tank 7 can accommodate a plurality of bodies 18 stacked on top of each other so as to form a plurality of stacks spaced along the reference axis A, to define a corresponding number of compartments 11 within the internal space 10. The operation of the tank 7 according to the invention and described above is as follows. In use, a plurality of bodies 18 are inserted through the opening 12 into the internal space 10 of the tank 7 and are removably coupled to the walls of the tank 7 itself. In more detail, the concave part 32 of the bodies 18 is coupled to the protruding part 30 of the tank 7. In addition, the bodies 18 are arranged within the internal space 10 in order to form one or more stacks that occupy substantially the entire cross-section of the internal space 10 transversely to the reference axis A and to divide the internal space 10 of the tank 7 into a plurality of compartments 11. In use, the bodies 18 constrain the liquid contained in each compartment 11 to remain within the same compartment 11 and limit the oscillation of the same liquid within the internal space 10 during acceleration, braking or cornering of the rescue vehicle, thereby improving the dynamics of the rescue vehicle. Furthermore, in use, the bodies 18 allow the liquid contained in the tank 7 to enter the housing 19 via the through opening 22, to avoid reducing the useful volume of the tank 7. - 15 In other words, the bodies 18 act as bulkheads of internal diaphragms. In light of the above, the advantages of a tank 7 for the corresponding rescue vehicle according to the invention are evident. In particular, the method of assembling the bodies 18 inside the tank 7 is very quick and simple, thus significantly simplifying the production of the tank 7 and reducing the associated costs. In fact, the method of assembling the bodies 18 inside the tank 7 simply requires inserting the bodies 18 into the housing 9 through the through-hole 12 and coupling the latter to the walls of the housing 9 by means of a form-fitting connection, without requiring any gluing or welding operations. Additionally, since the bodies 18 are reversibly coupled to the tank 7, they can be easily removed if necessary. This greatly simplifies, for example, the cleaning of the tank 7. Additionally, the presence of a through opening 22 on the bodies 18 allows the liquid contained in the tank 7 to enter the bodies 18 themselves. This avoids reducing the useful volume of the tank 7 and also prevents the generation of buoyancy of the empty bodies 18 once the tank 7 is filled with liquid, with the obvious advantages that this entails. Additionally, since the bodies 18 can contain liquid and can themselves define a liquid-containing compartment separating two adjacent compartments 11, the number of breakwater components can be reduced compared to the conventional solution equipped with internal diaphragms or bulkheads. In particular, each major sidewall 26b acts as a single diaphragm or bulkhead. It is clear that modifications may be made to the described tank 7 which do not extend beyond the scope of protection defined by the claims. The design and shape of the bodies 18, as well as the number of bodies 18 inserted inside the tank 7 may vary according to the type and size of the rescue vehicle. In addition, Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein it is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and wherein common components will be designated by the same reference numeral. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, differently from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, 2 and 3, the tank 7 may be provided with one or more bodies 118, which are similar to the body 18 and are not provided with openings 22, to avoid the - 17 fluid communication between the internal space 20 of the bodies 118 and the internal space 10 of the tank 7. Additionally, the position of the bodies 118 within the tank 7 can be freely defined according to the desired weight distribution for the tank 7 and the associated rescue vehicle 1. Furthermore, the body 118 allows the usable volume of the tank 7 to be reduced. This, for example, may allow the manufacturer of the rescue vehicle to meet legal requirements for rescue vehicles, which require that the same vehicle travel on the road with a full tank but at the same time not exceed a maximum gross weight, without changing the structure or shape of the tank 7 but simply by adding or removing bodies 118 from the tank 7. In addition, Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein it is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and wherein common components will be designated by the same reference numeral. According to the embodiment illustrated in the Figure 5, the water supply system may further include a second tank 200, separate and distinct from the tank 7. The second tank 200, for example, may be adapted to contain a foaming agent that can be mixed with the water contained in the tank 7 to prepare a fire-fighting liquid for use in firefighting operations. As illustrated in Figure 5, the reservoir 200 may be housed within the reservoir 7 and the body 18 5 and / or the body 118 may also be employed as a support for the second reservoir 200. In other words, the body 18 or 118 can be fixed inside the tank 7 and the tank 200 can be arranged to rest on the body 18 or 118.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Tank (7) for a rescue vehicle, in particular for a fire-fighting vehicle, said tank (7) comprising: • a first internally hollow housing (9), which extends along a first reference axis (A) and defines a first internal space (10) configured to store a liquid, and • at least one body (18), separate and distinct from said internally hollow housing (9), which is arranged within said first internal space (10) and is fixed to said first internally hollow housing (9) in a removable manner. 2 .- Tank according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said bodies (18) arranged inside the first internally hollow housing (9) of said tank (7) so as to divide said first internal space (10) into a plurality of compartments (11) each configured to contain part of the liquid contained within said first internal space (10). 3.- Tank according to claim 2, wherein said bodies (10) are arranged inside said first internally hollow housing (9) stacked on top of each other so as to occupy substantially the entire cross-section of said first internally hollow housing (9) transversely to said first reference axis (A). 4 .- Tank according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said body (18) is fixed to said first internally hollow housing (9) by means of a form fit. 5.- A tank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said body (18) comprises a second internally hollow housing (19), which extends along a second reference axis (B) and defines a second internal space (20), said body being arranged inside said first internally hollow housing so that said second reference axis (B) is arranged orthogonally to said first reference axis (A). 6 .- Tank according to claim 5, wherein said second internally hollow housing (19) comprises at least two first through openings (22) suitable for placing said second internal space (20) in fluid communication with said first internal space (10). 7 .- Tank according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a second through opening (12) suitable for putting said first internal space (10) in communication with the environment, the cross-section of said second housing (19) transversely to said second reference axis (B) being smaller than said second through opening (12) - 21 to allow the insertion of said body (18) inside said first internal space (10) through said second through opening (12). 8 .- Tank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one of said tank (7) and said body (18) is provided with a protruding part (30) and the other of said tank (7) and said body (18) is provided with a concave part (32) having a shape complementary to said protruding part (30), to allow shape adaptation between the latter. 9 .- A tank according to claim 8, wherein said first housing (9) comprises a lower wall (13), an upper wall (14) and a plurality of side walls (15) configured to delimit said first internal space (10), said protruding portion (30) extending cantilevered from one of said side walls (15) into said first internal space (10). 10 .- Tank according to claim 9, comprising a plurality of said protruding parts (30) spaced apart from each other on said side wall (15) along said first reference axis (A). 11.- Tank according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein said protruding part (30) comprises a protuberance or rib (33), which originates from said first internally hollow housing (9) and extends cantilevered inside said first internal space (10). 12.- Tank according to claim 11, wherein said protuberance or rib (33) extends substantially without interruption on said side wall (15) transversely to said first reference axis (A) for the entire height (h) of said first housing (9). 13.- Tank according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein said concave part (32) comprises a grooved part (34) made on said body (18) and suitable to be engaged by said protruding part (30). 14 .- Tank according to claim 13, wherein said grooved part (34) extends substantially without interruption transversely to said second reference axis (B) for the entire height of said second housing (19). 15 .- Rescue vehicle comprising: • a body movable on the ground by means of support on the ground, and • a tank (7) made according to any of the preceding claims.