Charged water particle spraying system

Abstract

To provide a charged water particle spraying system that can ensure high fire and smoke extinguishing performance by spraying charged water particles under optimal spraying conditions according to the type of smoke or the type of fire. [Solution] A charged water particle spraying system that moves to a spray target area, identifies the type of smoke, and sprays charged water particles into the spray target area under spray conditions according to the type of smoke. It is equipped with a detection circuit unit (106) that sucks in a particulate mixture generated by a fire and detects smoke particles, and an identification unit (122) that identifies the type of smoke based on the comparison results of multiple detection values ​​detected by the detection circuit unit (106).The identification unit (122) identifies the type of smoke as either cellulose-based smoke or hydrocarbon-based smoke, and sprays charged water particles under spray conditions according to the identification result of whether the smoke is cellulose-based smoke or hydrocarbon-based smoke.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charged water particle spraying system that extinguishes a fire by spraying charged water particles from the tip of the ladder of a ladder fire truck to a target area such as a building where a fire has occurred. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a charged water particle spraying system has been known that sprays electrically charged water particles onto a target area of ​​a building or other building where a fire has broken out to extinguish the fire. This system is expected to be able to extinguish fires efficiently with a small amount of water and reduce water damage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-106405 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-183712 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-130646 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-071581 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional charged water particle spraying systems, charged water particles sprayed from a charged spray head are sprayed onto a target area where a fire has occurred to suppress and extinguish the fire and to eliminate smoke generated in the target area. For example, when negatively charged charged water particles are sprayed from the charged spray head, if the particulate mixture containing smoke particles and the like generated in the target area is positively charged, it is believed that the particulates (smoke particles) contained in the particulate mixture are attracted to and captured by the charged water particles due to electrostatic force, thereby more effectively eliminating smoke. Also, when positively charged charged water particles are sprayed from the charged spray head, if the particulate mixture is negatively charged, it is believed that the particulates (smoke particles) contained in the particulate mixture are attracted to and captured by the charged water particles due to electrostatic force, thereby more effectively eliminating smoke.

[0005] However, whether the particulate mixture generated in the target spray area is negatively or positively charged varies depending on the type of combustible material and the characteristics of the fire, and sufficient smoke suppression performance may not be achieved unless the particulate mixture is charged with the opposite polarity to the charged water particles.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an electrically charged water particle spraying system that can ensure high fire and smoke extinguishing performance by spraying electrically charged water particles under optimal spraying conditions according to the type of smoke or fire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (Charged water particle spraying system) The present invention provides a system for dispensing electrically charged water particles, comprising: The method is characterized by identifying the type of smoke or fire and spraying charged water particles to a target area under spray conditions that correspond to the results of the identification.

[0008] (Dispersion conditions according to type of smoke) The type of smoke is identified as either cellulose-based smoke or hydrocarbon-based smoke, and charged water particles are dispersed under dispersion conditions according to the result of the discrimination of cellulose-based smoke or hydrocarbon-based smoke.

[0009] (Charge polarity of charged water particles depending on type of smoke) If the identification result is cellulose-based smoke, the charged water particles are negatively charged and dispersed, and if the identification result is hydrocarbon-based smoke, the charged water particles are positively or negatively charged and dispersed.

[0010] (Spray conditions according to the type of fire) The type of fire is identified as either a wood fire or an oil fire, and charged water particles are sprayed under spray conditions according to the results of the identification of the wood fire or oil fire.

[0011] (Charge polarity of charged water particles depending on the type of fire) If the identification result is a wood fire, the charged water particles are negatively charged and sprayed, and if the identification result is an oil fire, the charged water particles are either positively or negatively charged and sprayed.

[0012] (Control of the amount of charge or charge of charged water particles) The amount of charge or the amount of charge of the charged water particles to be dispersed is controlled depending on the type of smoke or the type of fire. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] (Effect of the charged water particle spraying system) According to the charged water particle spraying system of the present invention, when charged water particles are sprayed onto a target area in the event of a fire in a building such as a building, the type of smoke or the type of fire is identified, and the charged water particles are sprayed onto the target area under spray conditions according to the identification results.This means that the operator does not need to identify the type of smoke or the type of fire and set the spray conditions, and the charged water particles can be automatically sprayed under optimal spray conditions according to the type of smoke or fire, making it possible to achieve high fire and smoke extinguishing performance.

[0014] (Effect of spray conditions depending on the type of smoke) The smoke type is identified as either cellulose-based or hydrocarbon-based, and charged water particles are sprayed under spray conditions corresponding to the identification result of either cellulose-based or hydrocarbon-based smoke. The inventors of the present application have found that, for cellulose-based smoke, higher smoke elimination performance is achieved when the charged water particles are sprayed with a negative charge polarity than when the charged water particles are sprayed with a positive charge polarity, while, for hydrocarbon-based smoke, there is no difference in smoke elimination performance whether the charged water particles are sprayed with a positive charge polarity or a negative charge polarity. Therefore, when cellulose-based smoke is identified, the charged water particles are sprayed with a negative charge polarity, and when hydrocarbon-based smoke is identified, the charged water particles are sprayed with a positive charge or a negative charge polarity, thereby making it possible to obtain high smoke elimination performance.

[0015] (Effect of spray conditions depending on the type of fire) In addition, the type of fire is identified as either a wood fire or an oil fire, and charged water particles are sprayed under spray conditions according to the identification result of the wood fire or oil fire.Since a wood fire is a fire caused by the combustion of cellulose-based materials, and an oil fire is a fire caused by the combustion of hydrocarbon-based materials, if a wood fire is identified, the charged water particles are sprayed with a negative polarity, just as when cellulose-based smoke is identified, and if an oil fire is identified, the charged water particles are sprayed with a positive or negative polarity, just as when hydrocarbon-based smoke is identified, making it possible to achieve high smoke extinguishing performance.

[0016] (Effect of controlling the amount of charge or charge of charged water particles) In addition, by controlling the amount of charge or the amount of charge of the charged water particles to be sprayed depending on the type of smoke or the type of fire, it is possible to achieve higher fire and smoke extinguishing performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a charged water particle spraying system of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the charged water particle emitting portion of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a charged spray head provided in the charged water particle discharge unit of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the high-voltage power supply unit in FIG. 1 together with an electrostatic spray head. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the fire extinguishing agent supply unit in FIG. 1 together with an electrostatic spray head. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the suction device of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the smoke detector of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a system block diagram of a smoke detector. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a firefighting activity using a ladder fire engine equipped with the charged water particle spraying system of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the charged water particle spraying system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a system for spraying charged water particles according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0019] [Basic concept of the embodiment] First, the basic concept of the embodiment will be described. The embodiment generally relates to a charged water particle spraying system that sprays charged water particles to a target area, and is installed on a mobile object such as a fire engine, for example.

[0020] Here, the "charged water particle spraying system" identifies the type of smoke or fire and sprays charged water particles to a target area under spray conditions according to the identification results, and includes the concepts of charged water particle spraying equipment and charged water particle spraying devices for constructing a charged water particle spraying system. Furthermore, the "target area" is a concept that includes the source of smoke or fire, the location or space where these exist, and the area where smoke or fire is diffused.

[0021] Furthermore, "charged water particles" are water particles contained in a fire extinguishing agent that have been charged, for example, water particles that have been charged using an induction charging method in which the water particles are passed through a high electric field generated by a predetermined high voltage applied from a high-voltage power supply device.

[0022] Furthermore, "spraying charged water particles onto a target area" means that any method of spraying can be used as long as the charged water particles can be moved to the target area and sprayed therein. For example, an airflow can be generated toward the target area, and a charged water particle airflow containing charged water particles can be released into the airflow, thereby moving the charged water particles to the target area and spraying them therein.

[0023] In addition, the "charged water particle spraying system" identifies the type of smoke as either cellulose-based smoke or hydrocarbon smoke, and sprays charged water particles under spraying conditions that correspond to the results of the identification of cellulose-based smoke or hydrocarbon smoke.

[0024] Here, "cellulosic smoke" includes, for example, the relatively white or gray smoke (white smoke or gray smoke) that is produced when wood or paper containing cellulose is smoked, and "hydrocarbon smoke" includes, for example, the relatively black smoke (black smoke) that is produced when liquid fuels, oils, synthetic resins, etc. containing hydrocarbons are burned. Note that water vapor is not included in white smoke, so "cellulosic smoke" does not include water vapor.

[0025] The "charged water particle spraying system" sprays negatively charged water particles when it identifies cellulose-based smoke, and sprays either positively or negatively charged water particles when it identifies hydrocarbon-based smoke.

[0026] In addition, the "charged water particle spraying system" identifies the type of fire as either a wood fire or an oil fire, and sprays charged water particles under spraying conditions that correspond to the results of the identification of the wood fire or oil fire.

[0027] Here, a "wood fire" refers to a fire that produces relatively white or gray cellulose smoke (white smoke or gray smoke) when wood or paper containing cellulose smoke is burned, and is referred to as a "wood fire" for convenience. Also, an "oil fire" refers to a fire that produces relatively black hydrocarbon smoke (black smoke) when liquid fuels, oils, synthetic resins, etc. containing hydrocarbons are burned, and is referred to as an "oil fire" for convenience.

[0028] The "charged water particle spraying system" sprays negatively charged water particles when a wood fire is identified, and sprays either positively or negatively charged water particles when an oil fire is identified.

[0029] Furthermore, the charged water particle spraying system controls the amount of spray or the amount of charge of the charged water particles depending on the type of smoke or the type of fire.

[0030] In addition, the charged water particle spraying system includes, as an example, a plurality of charged spray heads, a smoke detector, and a control unit, and a specific embodiment will be described with this configuration.

[0031] Here, the "charged spray head" refers to a device that sprays charged water particles to a target area, and in this embodiment, multiple charged spray heads are provided. Spraying charged water particles from the charged spray heads may also be considered as spraying charged water particles to a target area.

[0032] The term "smoke detector" refers to a device that identifies the type of smoke or fire based on the particulate mixture that is generated in the target area. Here, the "particulate mixture" refers to a gas containing particulates, such as smoke particles and monodisperse particles generated by a fire, as well as combustion gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

[0033] Furthermore, the "control unit" controls the conditions for spraying the charged water particles depending on the type of smoke or fire identified by the smoke detector, and the details of the control of the spray conditions are as described above.

[0034] Specific embodiments will be described below. In the specific embodiments shown below, the "target spray area" is a "fire compartment of a building" and "multiple electrostatic spray heads and smoke detectors" are provided at the end of the ladder of a ladder fire truck.

[0035] [Specific details of the embodiment] The specific contents of the embodiment will be described separately as follows. a. Overview of the charged water particle spraying system b. Charged water particle emission section b1.Blower section b2. Charged water particle generation unit b3. Electrostatic spray head b4. Release direction adjustment part c. High voltage power supply section c1. Circuit configuration of the electrolytic water particle generator c2. High voltage variable circuit c3. Reversing circuit c4. Application of high voltage c5. Abnormal current detection circuit d. Fire extinguishing agent supply section e. Charge polarity switching control of charged water particles f.Suction device f1. Sampling tube f2.Tube f3.Suction pump g. Holding device h. Smoke detector h1.Smoke detection department h2.Detection circuit section h3. Signal detection section h4. Identification section i. Smoke type and charge polarity of charged water particles i1. Charge polarity of water particles for cellulosic smoke i2. Charging polarity of water particles in hydrocarbon smoke i3. Initial setting of the polarity of the charged water particles j.Operation panel k. Ladder fire engine equipped with an electrocharged water particle spray system l. Control operation of the charged water particle spray system m. Modifications of the present invention n. Supplementary note

[0036] [a. Overview of the charged water particle spraying system] The charged water particle spraying system of this embodiment is mounted on a fire truck such as a ladder fire engine and sprays charged water particles toward a target area. Its configuration and structure are arbitrary, but for example, as shown in FIG. 1, it includes a charged water particle discharge unit 10, an operation panel 14, a fire extinguishing agent supply unit 16, a high-voltage power supply unit 18, a smoke detector 80, and a suction device 82, and the operation panel 14 is provided with an operation display unit 20 and a control unit 21.

[0037] The charged water particle discharge unit 10 includes an air blower 28 and an electrically charged water particle generator 30, and is mounted on a stand 40 so as to be rotatable in the vertical and horizontal directions. A water supply pipe 22 from the extinguishing agent supply unit 16, a high-voltage cable 24 from the high-voltage power supply unit 18, and signal cables 26e and 26f are connected to the discharge pipe 22, and signal cables 26a and 26d from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14 are also connected to the discharge direction adjuster 26a. The signal cable 26a is connected to the discharge direction adjuster of the air blower 28, and the signal cables 26d, 26e, and 26f are connected to an on-off valve, a switch circuit, and a current detection resistor provided for each of the multiple electrically charged spray heads arranged in the charged water particle generator 30.

[0038] The smoke detector 80 is provided on the side of the charged water particle emitter 10 and identifies the type of smoke or fire from the smoke particles contained in the particulate mixture sucked in by the suction device 82, and is connected to a signal cable 26c from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14.

[0039] The suction device 82 is provided on the side of the charged water particle discharger 10, and sucks in a particulate mixture containing smoke particles from a fire that has occurred from the fire compartment side of the building toward the smoke detector 80. In addition, a signal cable 26b from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14 is connected to the suction pump 88. The specific configuration and structure of the suction device 82, including an explanation of the components assigned reference numerals in FIG. 1, will be described later.

[0040] 1, the X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to each other. Specifically, when looking at the front face of the charged water particle generator 30 arranged on the stand 40 in a non-rotating state, the X direction is the left-right direction (not shown in FIG. 1), the Y direction is the up-down direction, and the Z direction is the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the +X side of the X direction is the right side, and the -X side is the left side. The +Y side of the Y direction is the upper side, the -Y side is the lower side, and the +Z side of the Z direction is the front side, and the -Z side is the rear side. This also applies to FIGS. 2 and 6, which illustrate embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] [b. Charged water particle emission section] A more detailed description will be given of the charged water particle emitting unit 10. The charged water particle emitting unit 10 emits a charged water particle airflow 12 containing charged water particles, thereby dispersing the charged water particles toward a fire compartment of a building that includes a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention. The configuration and structure of the unit are arbitrary, but it may include, for example, an air blower 28 and a charged water particle generator 30.

[0042] The blower 28 generates an airflow toward the fire compartment, and a plurality of charged spray heads provided in the charged water particle generator 30 arranged at the outlet of the blower 28 spray charged water particles into the airflow from the blower 28 to contain the charged water particles, and the charged water particle airflow 12 containing the charged water particles is discharged toward the fire compartment. The charged water particle discharger 10 is provided, for example, at the tip of the ladder of a ladder fire engine, and discharges the charged water particle airflow 12 from the outside of a building or other structure where a fire has occurred through an exterior wall opening such as a window into the fire compartment to extinguish the fire.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows the charged water particle emission unit 10 of FIG. 1 in more detail, with FIG. 2(A) showing a rear view from the rear, FIG. 2(B) showing a side view from the left, and FIG. 2(C) showing a front view from the front.

[0044] (b1.Blower part) The blower 28 will now be described in more detail. The blower 28 has an axial fan 34 driven by a fan motor 36, for example, disposed within a cavity that is open at the front and rear. The rotation of the axial fan 34 pressurizes air drawn in through the rear opening and releases the airflow from the front opening. The volume of the airflow released from the blower 28 is arbitrary, but for example, the maximum volume is approximately 400 m3 / min. The air volume can also be changed as needed by changing the rotation speed of the axial fan 34 using the fan motor 36.

[0045] When the charged water particle discharge unit 10 is provided at the tip of the ladder of a ladder fire engine, the charged water particle discharge unit 10 can be placed within several meters of the fire compartment of the building, and therefore the airflow rate of the blower unit 28 is set so that the reach of the charged water particle airflow 12 to the fire compartment is, for example, about 10 meters. In addition, a protective cover 38 made of a multiple ring, wire mesh, or the like is attached to the rear opening of the blower unit 28.

[0046] (b2. Charged water particle generation unit) The charged water particle generator 30 will be described in more detail. The charged water particle generator 30 is disposed on the front opening side of the blower 28. When viewed from the front of the charged water particle discharger 10 as shown in FIG. 2(C), the charged water particle generator 30 has, for example, ten charged spray heads 32 arranged in a ring shape inside a support ring 31. Here, the spray axis of each charged spray head 32 is disposed so as to intersect with the discharge axis 25 of the charged water particle airflow 12, and when viewed from the left side of the charged water particle discharger 10 as shown in FIG. 2(B), the spray axis of each charged spray head 32 is disposed so as to intersect with the discharge axis 25 at point P in front of the discharge axis 25.

[0047] The intersection angle θ between the spray axis of the charged spray head 32 and the discharge axis 25 of the charged water particle airflow 12, which intersect at point P, is a predetermined angle that allows the sprayed charged water particles to be well contained in the airflow, taking into consideration the spray speed and spray spread angle of the charged water particles from the charged spray head 32, the wind speed of the airflow from the blower section 28, etc., and is, for example, a predetermined angle in the range of 45° to 90°, for example 60°.

[0048] (b3. Electrostatic spray head) Next, we will explain in more detail the electrically charged spray head 32 provided in the charged water particle generator 30 in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows the electrically charged spray head 32, with Fig. 3(A) showing a perspective view from the spray side and Fig. 3(B) showing a cross-sectional view from the side.

[0049] 3, the electrically charged spray head 32 sprays electrically charged water particles into the airflow from the air blower 28, and although its configuration and structure are arbitrary, one example is one that is made up of a body 54, a spray nozzle 56, an electrode holder 58, an induction electrode 60, a water-side electrode 62, and a water supply connector 64. The body 54, the spray nozzle 56, the electrode holder 58, and the water supply connector 64 are made of insulating materials.

[0050] A through hole is formed inside body 54 in the direction of spray axis 55, and conductive water-side electrode 62 is fitted into it from the spray side, with water supply connector 64 fitted into the upper side, and an earth cable is connected from the outside to electrode connector 62a of water-side electrode 62. Pressurized fire-fighting water, for example, is supplied as a fire extinguishing agent to water supply connector 64. Spray nozzle 56 is provided on the spray side of water-side electrode 62, and sprays water droplets with an average particle diameter of, for example, 100 to 300 μm.

[0051] A ring-shaped induction electrode 60 is disposed in the open space on the spray side of spray nozzle 56 by electrode holder 58. The induction electrode 60 may have any configuration or structure, but may be formed, for example, by insulating a conductive electrode core material. An external voltage application cable is connected to cable connection 60a of induction electrode 60.

[0052] A predetermined voltage (e.g., a DC voltage of 10 kV) adjusted within a predetermined adjustment range (e.g., 0.5 kV to 20 kV) within the voltage range capable of charging water particles is applied between induction electrode 60 and water-side electrode 62 from high-voltage power supply 18 shown in Fig. 1. This applied voltage creates a predetermined external electric field around the ring portion of induction electrode 60, and water particles sprayed from spray nozzle 56 are charged by induction charging as they pass through the ring portion of induction electrode 60.

[0053] Here, the predetermined adjustment range (i.e., the predetermined adjustable range) may include a voltage range in which the water particles cannot be charged, and it is sufficient if the voltage can be adjusted to a predetermined voltage that can charge the water particles. The polarity (positive / negative) of the applied voltage is switched by the high-voltage power supply unit 18.

[0054] The charging of the water particles by the charging spray head 32 is performed by applying a predetermined DC voltage so that the potential of the induction electrode section 60 becomes positive, with the water side electrode section 62 being set to a reference potential (earth potential, 0 V). When this occurs, the water particles sprayed from the spray nozzle 56 are negatively charged. Also, the potential of the water-side electrode 62 is set to a reference potential (earth potential, 0 V), and the potential of the induction electrode 60 becomes negative. When a predetermined DC voltage is applied as described above, the water particles sprayed from spray nozzle 56 are positively charged. Furthermore, if the absolute value of the voltage applied between induction electrode 60 and water-side electrode 62 is set within the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV, for example, spark discharge is prevented, and a spray flow of charged water particles is generated while ensuring safety.

[0055] The configuration and structure of the charged spray head 32 are arbitrary and are not limited to those shown in Figure 3. Any appropriate structure or known structure can be adopted that can generate water particles and charge the generated water particles to spray charged water particles.

[0056] (b4. Release direction adjustment part) The following provides a more detailed description of the emission direction adjustment unit provided in the charged water particle emitter 10. The emission direction adjustment unit adjusts the emission direction of the charged water particle airflow 12 from the charged water particle emitter 10, and while the configuration and structure thereof are arbitrary, as an example, a left-right direction adjustment unit 44 and a up-down direction adjustment unit 48 are provided as shown in FIG.

[0057] The blower 28 of the charged water particle emitter 10 is supported on a base 40 by a rotary support 42 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction about a left-right rotary shaft 46 as a rotary shaft, and is also supported so as to be rotatable in the up-down direction about a vertical rotary shaft 50 as a rotary shaft. In addition, a left-right direction adjustment unit 44 is disposed below the base 40. The left-right direction adjustment unit 44 is, for example, motor-driven, and by supporting the rotary support 42 so that the left-right rotary shaft 46 is positioned on the drive shaft, the charged water particle emitter 10 can be rotated in the left-right direction about the left-right rotary shaft 46 as a rotary shaft, thereby making it possible to adjust the left-right emission direction of the charged water particle airflow 12.

[0058] Furthermore, a vertical direction adjustment unit 48 is disposed on the right side of the rotation support unit 42, where the vertical rotation shaft 50 is located. The vertical direction adjustment unit 48 is, for example, motor-driven, and by supporting the rotation support unit 42 so that the vertical rotation shaft 50 is located on the drive shaft, the charged water particle discharge unit 10 can be rotated in the vertical direction around the vertical rotation shaft 50 as the rotation axis, thereby making it possible to adjust the vertical discharge direction of the charged water particle airflow 12.

[0059] Here, the left-right pivot shaft 46 and the up-down pivot shaft 50 are adjusted to be at predetermined positions forward (on the release side) of the center of gravity 52 of the charged water particle discharger 10. Therefore, the release direction of the charged water particle airflow 12 discharged by the charged water particle discharger 10 is stable even when subjected to a recoil, and the operator can easily adjust the release direction to the intended direction. Furthermore, in cases where the charged water particle discharger 10 is installed in a basket section provided at the end of the ladder of a ladder fire truck, the release direction of the charged water particle airflow 12 from the charged water particle discharger 10 is highly stable even when the basket section is tilted, so the release direction of the charged water particle airflow 12 can be prevented from being directed in an unexpected direction, ensuring safe operation.

[0060] [c. High voltage power supply] The high-voltage power supply unit 18 will be described in more detail. The high-voltage power supply unit 18 supplies a high voltage for generating charged water particles to the charged-water particle emitter 10 via a high-voltage cable 24. The configuration and function of the high-voltage power supply unit 18 are arbitrary, but for example, as shown in Fig. 4, it may include a high-voltage variable circuit 66 that adjusts the supplied voltage, a polarity reversal circuit 68 that switches the polarity of the supplied voltage, an abnormal current detection circuit 74 that detects abnormal current flowing between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 of the charged spray head 32, and a selection circuit 72 that switches between applying and stopping voltage application to the charged spray head 32. In Fig. 4, the cable connected to the induction electrode unit 60 side of the high-voltage cable 24 is referred to as a voltage application cable 24a, and the cable connected to the water-side electrode unit 62 side is referred to as an earth cable 24b.

[0061] (c1. Circuit configuration of the charged water particle generator) The circuit configuration of the charged water particle generator 30, which is connected to the high-voltage power supply 18 via the high-voltage cable 24, will be described in more detail below. Fig. 4 shows the circuit configuration of the charged water particle generator 30, which includes the high-voltage power supply 18 and multiple charged spray heads 32. Each charged spray head 32 includes an induction electrode 60 and a water-side electrode 62. A voltage application cable 24a from the high-voltage power supply 18 branches off for each charged spray head 32 and is connected to the induction electrode 60 of each charged spray head 32 via a switch circuit 75 and a current-limiting resistor 76. The water-side electrode 62 of each charged spray head 32 is also commonly connected via a current-detecting resistor 78, to which an earth cable 24b from the high-voltage power supply 18 is connected via a switch 77 circuit.

[0062] Normally, switch circuits 75 and 77 are on, and high-voltage power supply 18 applies a high voltage between induction electrode 60 and water-side electrode 62, charging the water particles sprayed from charged spray head 32. Here, voltage application cable 24a and earth cable 24b use highly insulating, high-voltage cables, but when applying DC voltage, the positive cable should be a high-voltage cable and the negative cable can be a normal low-voltage cable.

[0063] (c2. High voltage variable circuit) High-voltage variable circuit 66 will now be described in more detail. High-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage applied between induction electrode unit 60 and water-side electrode unit 62 in response to a control signal from control unit 21 of operation panel 14, thereby enabling charged water particle airflow containing charged water particles with a charge appropriate for fire extinguishing and smoke suppression to be emitted from charged spray head 32 into the fire compartment. Furthermore, by lowering the absolute value of the applied voltage, the charged water particles have a reduced charge, making it possible to prevent discharge accidents that could occur due to an increase in the charge of the charged water particles on fire-extinguishing or fire-prevention targets that are easily charged.

[0064] (c3. Reversing circuit) The polarity reversing circuit 68 will be described in more detail. The polarity reversing circuit 68 switches the polarity of the voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14. This switches the polarity of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged spray head 32 between positive and negative polarity, allowing a charged water particle airflow containing charged water particles of a polarity suitable for fire and smoke extinguishing to be emitted into the fire compartment. For example, by emitting a charged water particle airflow containing charged water particles charged with the opposite polarity to the polarity of the particulate air mixture generated in the fire compartment, better fire and smoke extinguishing performance can be expected.

[0065] (c4. Application of high voltage) The case where a high voltage is applied between the induction electrode section 60 and the water-side electrode section 62 of the charged spray head 32 from the high-voltage power supply section 18 will be described in more detail below, taking as an example the case where a DC voltage is applied.

[0066] High voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage output from high voltage variable circuit 66 to a predetermined DC voltage in response to a control signal from control unit 21 of operation panel 14. Here, "adjusting to a predetermined DC voltage" means adjusting to a DC voltage that can charge water particles, for example, adjusting to a DC voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV (+0.5 kV to +20 kV or -0.5 kV to -20 kV), which is the voltage range that can charge water particles.

[0067] The polarity reversing circuit 68 determines whether or not to switch the polarity of the specified DC voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 66 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14, and adjusts the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62.

[0068] For example, if high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the predetermined DC voltage to +10 kV DC (positive DC), and polarity switching is not performed by polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of induction electrode unit 60 becomes +10 kV with water-side electrode unit 62 at the reference potential (earth potential, 0 V), and a +10 kV DC voltage (positive DC voltage) that increases the potential of induction electrode unit 60 relative to the potential of water-side electrode unit 62 is applied between induction electrode unit 60 and water-side electrode unit 62. As a result, the water particles sprayed from charged spray head 32 are negatively charged.

[0069] On the other hand, when high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the predetermined DC voltage to +10 kV DC (positive DC voltage) and polarity is switched by polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of induction electrode unit 60 becomes -10 kV with water-side electrode unit 62 at the reference potential (earth potential, 0 V), and a DC voltage of -10 kV (negative DC voltage) that makes the potential of induction electrode unit 60 lower than the potential of water-side electrode unit 62 is applied between induction electrode unit 60 and water-side electrode unit 62. As a result, the water particles sprayed from charged spray head 32 are positively charged.

[0070] (c5. Abnormal current detection circuit) The abnormal current detection circuit 74, which functions as an abnormal current detector, will now be described in more detail. The abnormal current detection circuit 74 detects abnormal currents flowing due to an insulation abnormality between the induction electrode 60 and the water-side electrode 62 for each of the multiple charged spray heads 32. Here, an insulation abnormality refers to an abnormality in electrical insulation, and is a concept that includes insulation degradation, insulation failure, insulation breakdown, short circuit, etc.

[0071] A series circuit of a current limiting resistor 76, induction electrode section 60, water side electrode section 62 and current detection resistor 78 is provided on the branch line of the voltage application cable 24a which branches off for each charged spray head 32, and the signal cable 26f from the abnormal current detection circuit 74 is connected to the water side electrode section 62 side of each current detection resistor 78 by separate signal lines, and the earth cable 24b is connected to the abnormal current detection circuit 74, so that the voltage across both ends of each current detection resistor 78 is input to the abnormal current detection circuit 74 as a current detection voltage signal.

[0072] Here, the resistance value of current limiting resistor 76 is a predetermined value, for example, in the range of 1 to 10 MΩ, and the resistance value of current detection resistor 78 is any value that is sufficiently lower than the resistance value of current limiting resistor 76, for example, a predetermined resistance value in the range of 1 to 10 kΩ. Specifically, the resistance value of current detection resistor 78 is determined so that the voltage across current detection resistor 78 due to an abnormal current flowing due to an insulation abnormality in charged spray head 32 is below a predetermined low voltage, for example, 10 V or less. That is, the current flowing through current detection resistor 78 reaches a maximum when a short circuit occurs between induction electrode 60 and water-side electrode 62 of charged spray head 32, and the voltage across current detection resistor 78 also reaches a maximum voltage. Therefore, the resistance value of current detection resistor 78 is determined so that this maximum voltage is below, for example, 10 V.

[0073] Furthermore, because signal cable 26f is connected to the water-side electrode 62 side of each current detection resistor 78 by a separate signal line, abnormal current detection circuit 74 can detect abnormal currents due to poor insulation for each charged spray head 32. In this embodiment, ten charged spray heads 32 are provided (see FIG. 2), and the abnormal current detection circuit 74 outputs one of abnormal current detection signals E1 to E10 to control unit 21 corresponding to the charged spray head 32 in which an abnormal current has been detected. The configuration and function of the comparator are arbitrary, but for example, a number of comparators corresponding to the number of charged spray heads 32 are provided. For example, a current detection voltage signal, which is the voltage across current detection resistor 78 provided on the corresponding charged spray head 32 side, is input to the comparator, and when the current detection voltage signal is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, the comparator detects an abnormal current and outputs an abnormal current detection signal that rises from L level to H level.

[0074] The type and configuration of the comparator that operates in this manner may be arbitrary, but a Schmitt trigger circuit, for example, may be used. The Schmitt trigger circuit outputs an abnormal current detection signal by rising from L level to H level when the current detection voltage signal exceeds a first threshold voltage, and then stops outputting the abnormal current detection signal by falling from H level to L level when the current detection voltage signal falls below a second threshold voltage that is lower than the first threshold voltage. This allows the output of a stable abnormal current detection signal to be produced despite fluctuations in the current detection voltage signal due to the so-called hysteresis characteristic.

[0075] In this way, the current detection resistor 78 and the abnormal current detection circuit 74 are provided on the reference potential side, the resistance value of the current detection resistor 78 is sufficiently low compared to the resistance value of the current limiting resistor 76, and the circuit is configured so that the voltage across the current detection resistor 78 due to an abnormal current flowing due to an insulation abnormality in the charged spray head 32 is low.As a result, no special high-voltage circuit components are required for the abnormal current detection circuit 74, and since high voltage is not applied to the abnormal current detection circuit 74, there is no need for an insulation structure that can withstand high voltages, so the insulation structure can be simplified, and charged spray heads 32 that have experienced an insulation abnormality can be detected simply and easily from among multiple charged spray heads 32, without compromising safety.

[0076] The control unit 21 receives abnormal current detection signals E1-E10 from the abnormal current detection circuit 74, and when any of the abnormal current detection signals E1-E10 is received, the control unit 21 determines whether an abnormal current has been detected in the charged spray head 32 corresponding to the received abnormal current detection signal, and performs control to stop the application of high voltage to the charged spray head 32 in which the abnormal current has been detected. To perform this stop control, a selection circuit 72 is provided in the high-voltage power supply unit 18, and a switch circuit 75 is provided in each branch line of the voltage application cable 24a. The selection circuit 72 receives control signals from the control unit 21 that turn the switch circuit on and off, and the signal cable 26e from the selection circuit 72 is connected to each switch circuit 75 by a separate signal line.

[0077] In response to a control signal from the control unit 21, the selection circuit 72 outputs an OFF activation signal to the switch circuit 75 corresponding to the charged spray head 32 in which an abnormal current has been detected, turning it off, thereby stopping the application of high voltage to the charged spray head 32 in which an abnormal current has been detected, and ensuring the safety of the operator.

[0078] Furthermore, when the control unit 21 receives any of the abnormal current detection signals E1 to E10 and determines that an abnormal current has been detected in any of the charged spray heads 32, it may stop the application of voltage to all of the charged spray heads 32. To perform this simultaneous stop control, a switch circuit 77 is provided in the line between the earth cable 24b and the current detection resistor 78, and the signal cable 26e from the selection circuit 72 is connected to the switch circuit 77 by a signal line separate from the switch circuit 75. In this case, the selection circuit 72 outputs an OFF activation signal to all of the switch circuits 75 and 77 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21, turning them off and thereby stopping the application of high voltage to all of the charged spray heads 32.

[0079] [d. Fire Extinguishing Agent Supply Section] The extinguishing agent supply unit 16 shown in Fig. 1 will be described in more detail. The extinguishing agent supply unit 16 supplies, for example, fire-extinguishing water as an extinguishing agent to the charged water particle discharge unit 10, and although the configuration and structure thereof are arbitrary, as an example, since the charged water particle spraying system of this embodiment is mounted on a ladder fire truck, the extinguishing agent supply unit 16 is configured as a pressurized water supply device or pressurized water supply facility including a fire pump provided on the fire truck. In this case, water sources include a water tank mounted on the fire truck and a fire hydrant connected to a hose. The extinguishing agent supply unit 16 is operated by operating the discharge start or discharge stop switch on the control panel 14 to start and stop the supply of fire-extinguishing water.

[0080] Furthermore, the water supply pipe 22 from the fire extinguishing agent supply unit 16 branches off at the connection portion with the charged water particle discharge unit 10 and is connected via an on-off valve 35 to a plurality of charged spray heads 32 provided in the charged water particle generation unit 30 of the charged water particle discharge unit 10. Furthermore, when the charged water particle spraying system is mounted on a ladder fire truck, the water supply pipe 22 has a known expandable piping structure in the ladder portion of the ladder fire truck that expands and contracts according to the length of the ladder.

[0081] Each on-off valve 35 provided corresponding to each charged spray head 32 is connected to signal cable 26d from control unit 21 by a separate signal line, and is driven to open and close individually in response to control signals from control unit 21. Control unit 21 performs control to adjust the amount of charged water particles sprayed from each of the multiple charged spray heads 32, for example, based on operation by an operator. The method for adjusting the amount of spray is arbitrary, but for example, the number of on-off valves 35 that are driven open may be changed, or the amount of fire-extinguishing water supplied from fire-extinguishing agent supply unit 16 may be changed to adjust the amount of spray from each of the charged spray heads 32.

[0082] [e. Charge polarity switching control of charged water particles] A more detailed description will be given below of the charge polarity switching control of the charged water particles contained in the charged water particle airflow emitted from the charged water particle emitting unit 10. The charge polarity switching control of the charged water particles contained in the charged water particle airflow emitted from the charged water particle emitting unit 10 is performed by the suction device 82, the smoke detector 80, and the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14 shown in FIG.

[0083] [f. Suction device] The suction device 82 will be described in more detail. The suction device 82 sucks in a particulate mixture containing smoke particles from a fire from the fire compartment side toward the smoke detector 80, and while its structure and function are optional, it may be made up of a sampling pipe 84, tubes 85 and 86, a suction pump 88, a rod member 90, a support 92, and a weight 94, as shown in Fig. 6. Of these, the rod member 90, the support 92, and the weight 94 hold the sampling pipe 84 and the tube 85 movably.

[0084] (f1. Sampling tube) The sampling pipe 84 will now be described in more detail. The sampling pipe 84 is a hollow member that sucks in the particulate gas mixture in the fire compartment of the building from the suction port 84a at its tip, and since it is inserted into the fire compartment, it needs to be heat-resistant, for example, a metal pipe that can withstand the heat of a fire, and is further insulated from the supporting rod member 90 and the connected tube 85 so as to be in a non-grounded state. The diameter and length of the sampling pipe 84 are optional, but the diameter is set to, for example, about 2 to 3 cm and the length to about 1 to 2 m so that the operator can suck in the particulate gas mixture from the suction port 84a at the tip of the sampling pipe 84 while maintaining a safe distance from the fire compartment.

[0085] (f2.Tube) The tube 85 will be described in more detail. The tube 85 is a flexible hollow member that connects the sampling pipe 84 to the inlet of the smoke detector 80, and may have any structure or material, but may be, for example, a flexible tube or hose made of synthetic resin or rubber.

[0086] A heating section 85a is provided on one end of the tube 85 connected to the inlet of the smoke detector 80. The heating section 85a heats the space inside the tube 85 through which the particulate gas mixture sucked from the sampling pipe 84 passes, in order to suppress or prevent condensation on the inner wall of the tube due to the suction of the particulate gas mixture. The structure and function of the heating section 85a are arbitrary, but it may be, for example, a self-regulating heater wire that generates heat when current is applied and wound around the tube 85.

[0087] The particulate mixture drawn into the sampling tube 84 from the fire compartment is hot, and contains water vapor in addition to particulates (smoke particles). The drawn-in high-temperature particulate mixture is cooled as it passes through the sampling tube 84 and the tube 85, which can cause condensation on the inner wall of the tube. When condensation occurs on the inner wall of the tube 85, the particulates of the drawn-in particulate mixture are attracted to the water droplets on the inner wall of the tube, resulting in a partial loss of the particulates contained in the particulate mixture. Therefore, by providing a heating unit 85a to heat the tube 85, condensation caused by the cooling of the particulate mixture can be suppressed or prevented, allowing the particulate mixture to reach the inlet of the smoke detector 80 without losing the particulates contained therein, thereby improving the accuracy of identifying the type of smoke or fire based on the particulate mixture.

[0088] In this embodiment, the heating unit 85a is provided on one end of the tube 85 connected to the smoke detector 80, but any suitable position may be used as long as condensation can be suppressed or prevented. Similarly, a heating unit may also be provided on the sampling pipe 84 to suppress or prevent condensation on the inner wall of the sampling pipe 84.

[0089] (f3. Suction pump) The suction pump 88 will be described in more detail. The suction pump 88 has a suction port connected to the outlet of the smoke detector 80 via a tube 86, and sucks in the particulate mixture via a sampling pipe 84 and a tube 85, and exhausts the particulate mixture that has passed through the smoke detector 80 to the outside. The structure and function of the suction pump 88 are arbitrary, but an appropriate pump such as an axial flow pump that is driven by a motor to suck in and exhaust gas is used. The structure and material of the tube 86 are arbitrary, but it is preferably a tube, hose, or the like made of synthetic resin or rubber, similar to the tube 85 described above.

[0090] (g. Holding device) The holding device will be described in more detail below. The holding device movably holds the sampling pipe 84 and the tube 85 so that the suction port 84a of the sampling pipe 84 is inserted into the particulate mixture generated in the fire compartment. The structure and function of the holding device are arbitrary, but it may be composed of, for example, a rod member 90, a support 92, and a weight 94.

[0091] The rod member 90 is a long member that holds the sampling tube 84 and the tube 85 along the extension direction of the tube 85, and its structure and function are arbitrary, for example, a metal rod or pipe that has rigidity in the front-to-rear direction, which is the extension direction of the tube 85, and its length is also arbitrary, for example, about 2 to 3 m. Furthermore, the rod member 90 is arranged so that when the tube 85 is fully retracted, the tip of the rod member 90 is positioned on the outer periphery of the suction port 84a side of the sampling tube 84, and when the tube 85 is extended while holding the sampling tube 84 and the tube 85 in this state, the tip of the rod member 90 moves around the outer periphery of the sampling tube 84 in the extension direction, while maintaining its holding state of the sampling tube 84 and the tube 85.

[0092] Furthermore, if the tip of the rod member 90 is also inserted into the fire compartment depending on the insertion amount of the sampling tube 84 into the fire compartment, the rod member 90 should be made of a heat-resistant material similar to the sampling tube 84. Furthermore, instead of a material having rigidity in the extension direction of the tube 85, the rod member 90 may be made of a flexible material, with the contact point between the tip of the rod member 90 and the outer periphery of the suction port 84a side of the sampling tube 84 fixed, and the rod member 90 may be made to extend (retract) in accordance with the extension (retraction) of the tube 85.

[0093] The support portion 92 supports the rod member 90 movably so that the position of the sampling pipe 84 and tube 85 held by the rod member 90 can be adjusted so that the intake port 84a of the sampling pipe 84 can be positioned at any position corresponding to the fire compartment.

[0094] The structure and mechanism of the support part 92 are arbitrary, but for example, it may be a three-dimensional swiveling structure, and as a mechanism for realizing the three-dimensional swiveling structure, for example, a fixed base 92a is placed on top of the blower part 28, and a support shaft part 92b which serves as a support shaft in the vertical direction is erected on the fixed base 92a, and the support shaft part 92b supports, at its upper end, for example, a U-shaped support part 92c which detachably supports the rod member 90 so that it can rotate freely around the support shaft (left and right), and also supports it so that it can rotate freely around a horizontal axis (up and down) located at the height of the support part 92c in the left and right direction perpendicular to the support shaft.

[0095] By supporting the rod member 90 on the support portion 92c of the bearing portion 92, the rod member 90 can move not only in the forward and backward direction, which is the extension direction, but also left and right and up and down, and the tip of the rod member 90, which is located on the fire compartment side and is arranged on the outer periphery of the sampling pipe 84, can be rotated left and right and up and down. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the intake port 84a of the sampling pipe 84 in all directions, up and down, left and right, and forward and backward.

[0096] Furthermore, a weight 94 is disposed on the rear end side of the rod member 90. The weight 94 is set in weight so that the moment of force at the tip side of the rod member 90, which holds the sampling pipe 84 and tube 85, with the support part 92 as a fulcrum, is approximately equal to the moment of force at the rear end side where the weight 94 is disposed, thereby balancing the rod member 90 so that it remains horizontal.

[0097] Furthermore, the movement of the pole member 90 in the extension direction may be achieved by, for example, moving a basket 128 at the tip of an extendable ladder 126 shown in FIG.

[0098] [h.Smoke detector] The smoke detector 80 will now be described in more detail. The smoke detector 80 identifies the type of smoke or the type of fire based on the particulate mixture generated in the fire compartment sucked in by the suction device 82, and although its configuration and function are arbitrary, for example, as shown in Fig. 7(A) which is a cross-sectional view of the smoke detector 80 viewed from the left in Fig. 6, it is composed of a smoke detection unit 100 formed in a smoke detection housing 96 and a detection circuit unit 106 housed in a case 104. Note that the detection circuit unit 106 located in the case is actually mounted on a circuit board or the like.

[0099] (h1. Smoke detection department) The smoke detector 100 will be described in more detail. The smoke detector 100 is a space shielded from external light and formed within the smoke detector housing 96, through which the particulate mixture 102 sucked from the fire compartment by the suction device 82 passes. The smoke detector housing 96 may have any structure or shape. As an example, as shown in FIG. 7(B), which is a cross section taken along line xx in FIG. 7(A), the smoke detector housing 96 is provided with an inlet 96a and an outlet 96b for passing the particulate mixture 102 sucked by the suction device 82 to the smoke detector 100, and is a substantially cylindrical body with flattened upper and lower sides where the smoke detector 100 is located. Note that while FIG. 7 shows a cylindrical smoke detector housing 96, the shape is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder may be polygonal, elliptical, or the like, as long as the particulate mixture 102 can pass through the smoke detector 100.

[0100] The smoke detection unit 100 is arranged with a first light-emitting element 108, a second light-emitting element 110, and a light-receiving element 112, and has a planar arrangement structure in which the respective optical axes 108a, 110a, 112a are arranged in the same plane.

[0101] The first light emitting element 108 uses, for example, a near-infrared LED, and emits light with a first wavelength λ1 of 600 nm or more, for example, λ1=900 nm. The first light emitting element 108 has a first scattering angle θ1 of the optical axis 108a relative to the optical axis 112a of the light receiving element 112, which is set to a predetermined angle in the range of 20° to 70°, for example, θ1=30°.

[0102] The second light emitting element 110 uses, for example, a visible light LED, and emits light with a center wavelength of 500 nm or less, for example, λ2=500 nm, as light with a second wavelength λ2. The second light emitting element 110 also sets a second scattering angle θ2 of the optical axis 110a of the light receiving element 112 relative to the optical axis 112a of the light receiving element 112 to a predetermined angle in the range of 110° to 160° that is larger than the first scattering angle θ1, for example, θ2=120°.

[0103] The light receiving element 112 is, for example, a photodiode having sensitivity in the infrared to visible light range. The first light emitting element 108 and the second light emitting element 110 may be driven to emit light in any manner, for example, alternately at a predetermined cycle. When the first light emitting element 108 emits light with a first wavelength λ1 to irradiate the particulate mixture flowing into point P, forward scattered light from the particulates (smoke particles) corresponding to a first scattering angle θ1 enters and is received by the light receiving element 112, and the light receiving element 112 outputs a first signal as a light receiving signal. Subsequently, when the second light emitting element 110 emits light with a second wavelength λ2 to irradiate the particulate mixture flowing into point P, back scattered light from the particulates (smoke particles) corresponding to a second scattering angle θ2 enters and is received by the light receiving element 112, and the light receiving element 112 outputs a second signal as a light receiving signal.

[0104] In another embodiment of the smoke detector 100, one light-emitting element and two light-receiving elements may be arranged. In this case, the light-receiving element 112 in FIG. 7B is replaced with a single light-emitting element such as a white LED that emits light with a first wavelength λ1 of 900 nm and light with a second wavelength λ2 of 500 nm, the first light-emitting element 108 is replaced with a first light-receiving element that receives light with a first wavelength λ1 of 900 nm, and the second light-emitting element 110 is replaced with a second light-receiving element that receives light with a second wavelength λ2 of 500 nm. The light-emitting element is then driven to emit light, and the first light-receiving element receives forward-scattered light with a first wavelength λ1 of 900 nm and a first scattering angle θ1 of 30° to output a first signal, and the second light-receiving element receives back-scattered light with a second wavelength λ2 of 500 nm and a second scattering angle θ2 of 120° to output a second signal.

[0105] (h2. Detection circuit section) The detection circuit unit 106 will be described in more detail. The detection circuit unit 106 identifies the type of smoke or the type of fire based on the first and second signals obtained as light-receiving signals from the smoke detector unit 100, and while its functions and configuration are arbitrary, it is composed of a control unit 114, a light-emitting driver unit 116, and a light-receiving amplifier unit 118, as shown in Fig. 8, for example. The control unit 114 is composed of a computer circuit equipped with a CPU, memory, and various input / output ports, and has the functions of a signal detection unit 120 and an identification unit 122 as functions realized by executing a program.

[0106] (h3. Signal detection section) The signal detection unit 120 will be described in more detail. The signal detection unit 120 outputs a drive signal to the light emission drive unit 116, and upon receiving the drive signal, the light emission drive unit 116 alternately drives the first light emitting element 108 and the second light emitting element 110 to emit light, for example, at predetermined intervals, to alternately irradiate the particulate mixture with light of the first wavelength λ1 and the second wavelength λ2, causing the inflowing particulate mixture to generate scattered light at the first scattering angle θ1 and the second scattering angle θ2. The signal detection unit 120 also receives a first signal obtained by receiving forward scattered light of the first wavelength λ1 at the first scattering angle θ1 with the light receiving element 112, and a second signal obtained by receiving backscattered light of the second wavelength λ2 at the second scattering angle θ2, and amplifies these signals using the light receiving amplifier 118. The signal detection unit 120 then detects a first detection value A1 and a second detection value A2 corresponding to the particulate concentration (smoke concentration) of the particulate mixture based on the first and second signals.

[0107] (h4. Identification section) The identification unit 122 will be described in more detail. The identification unit 122 identifies the type of smoke or the type of fire based on the comparison result between the first detection value A1 and the second detection value A2 detected by the signal detection unit 120. The identification unit 122 calculates, for example, a ratio R=A1 / A2 between the first detection value A1 and the second detection value A2 as the comparison result, and identifies the fire as being cellulosic smoke or a wood fire generating such smoke if the ratio R satisfies a predetermined cellulosic smoke identification condition, or identifies the fire as being hydrocarbon smoke or an oil fire generating such smoke if the ratio R satisfies a predetermined hydrocarbon smoke identification condition.

[0108] The discrimination of smoke (fire) by the discrimination unit 122 will be described in more detail. When light is irradiated onto the particulate mixture that has flowed into the smoke detector 100 in FIG. 7(B), the scattered light is Mie scattering if the size (particle diameter) of the particulates (smoke particles) is equal to or greater than the wavelength of light, and is Rayleigh scattering if the size (particle diameter) of the smoke particles is smaller than the wavelength of light. As is well known, in Mie scattering, the forward scattered light is larger than the backward scattered light, and the larger the particle diameter, the greater the forward scattering. In Rayleigh scattering, the forward scattered light and the backward scattered light are evenly distributed and are minimized at a scattering angle of 90°. Since smoke particles are generally distributed around the wavelength of the irradiated light, the light scattering is a composite scattering that combines Mie scattering and Rayleigh scattering, and at least the characteristic of Mie scattering, in which the forward scattered light is larger than the backward scattered light, is exhibited.

[0109] Therefore, based on the difference in scattering efficiency, there is a relationship A1>A2 between the first detection value A1 of forward scattered light received at a first scattering angle θ1=30° when irradiated with light of a first wavelength λ1=900 nm and the second detection value A2 of backward scattered light received at a second scattering angle θ2=120° when irradiated with light of a second wavelength λ2=500 nm, i.e., the forward scattered light is larger than the backward scattered light.

[0110] Furthermore, because the particle diameters of the particles (smoke particles) contained in cellulose-based smoke and hydrocarbon-based smoke that pass through the smoke detector 100 as a particulate mixture are different, the first detection value A1 and the second detection value A2 detected will differ depending on the type of smoke, and the type of smoke (fire) can be identified by comparing the ratio R obtained from the first detection value A1 and the second detection value A2 with predetermined cellulose-based identification conditions and hydrocarbon-based identification conditions. The method for identifying the type of smoke (fire) is arbitrary, but for example, the signal detector 120 reads the first and second signals from the light receiving amplifier 118 by A / D conversion synchronized with the timing of the light emission drive of the first light-emitting element 108 and the second light-emitting element 110, and determines the ratio R from the first detection value detected from the first signal received at a predetermined timing and the second detection value A2 detected from the second signal received at the next timing, thereby identifying the type of smoke (fire).

[0111] Here, when the particulate mixture is cellulose-based smoke, the particle diameter of the smoke particles contained in the smoke is concentrated in the range of, for example, 2 to 3 μm. When the particulate mixture is hydrocarbon-based smoke, the particle diameter of the smoke particles contained in the smoke is smaller than that of the smoke particles contained in cellulose-based smoke, concentrated in the range of, for example, 1 to 2 μm. Therefore, the ratio R of the first detection value A1 to the second detection value A2 for smoke particles contained in hydrocarbon-based smoke, which have a large particle diameter, is, for example, R = 8.0. In contrast, the ratio R of the first detection value A1 to the second detection value A2 for smoke particles contained in cellulose-based smoke, which have a small particle diameter, is, for example, R = 2.3.

[0112] For this reason, there is a sufficient difference in the ratio R of the first detection value A1 to the second detection value A2 between cellulose-based smoke and hydrocarbon-based smoke, and by setting a value in the range of 5 to 6 as the first discrimination threshold Rth1 for distinguishing between cellulose-based smoke (wood fire) and hydrocarbon-based smoke (oil fire), for example Rth1 = 5, if the ratio R is Rth1 or greater, it can be distinguished as cellulose-based smoke (wood fire), and if it is less than Rth1, it can be distinguished as hydrocarbon-based smoke (oil fire).

[0113] The following description will be given assuming that the type of smoke is identified by the identification unit 122.

[0114] [i. Types of smoke and polarity of charged water particles] The relationship between the charge polarity of the charged water particles contained in the charged water particle airflow 12 emitted from the charged water particle emitting unit 10 and the type of smoke will be described in more detail below.

[0115] According to the findings of the present inventors, it has been experimentally confirmed that there is a specific correspondence between the type of smoke and the charge polarity of the charged water particles in order to obtain high smoke removal performance.

[0116] (i1. Charge polarity of water particles in cellulosic smoke) In experiments, when the spraying of positively charged water particles against cellulose-based smoke was compared with the spraying of negatively charged water particles, the time from the start of spraying the charged water particles until the smoke concentration decreased to a predetermined level was shorter when negatively charged water particles were sprayed than when positively charged water particles were sprayed, and negatively charged water particles provided higher smoke elimination performance.

[0117] (i2. Charging polarity of water particles in hydrocarbon smoke) Furthermore, when comparing the spraying of positively charged water particles against hydrocarbon smoke with the spraying of negatively charged water particles, the time from the start of spraying the charged water particles until the smoke concentration drops to a predetermined level is almost the same, and no difference in smoke suppression performance is observed depending on the charge polarity of the charged water particles.However, it has been found that when negatively charged water particles are sprayed, smoke suppression performance is not impaired even if the amount sprayed is reduced.

[0118] (i3. Initial setting of charging polarity of charged water particles) It may take time for the smoke detector 80 of this embodiment to identify the type of smoke based on the particulate mixture generated in the fire compartment and for the control unit 21 to switch the charge polarity of the charged water particles, so it is necessary to initially set a predetermined charge polarity for the charged water particles. In this case, as described above, the smoke suppression performance for cellulose-based smoke is higher when the charged water particles are negatively charged, and there is no difference in smoke suppression performance for hydrocarbon-based smoke whether the charge polarity is negative or positive, so it is preferable to initially set the charge polarity of the charged water particles to negative.

[0119] Therefore, the control unit 21 is initially set so that the charged water particles contained in the charged water particle airflow 12 to be discharged into the fire compartment are negatively charged, and if the smoke detector 80 identifies cellulose-based smoke during the discharge of the charged water particle airflow 12 containing negatively charged charged water particles according to the initial setting, the control unit 21 maintains the initially set negative charging polarity, which provides excellent smoke suppression performance, while if the smoke detector 80 identifies hydrocarbon-based smoke, any polarity may be used because there is no difference in smoke suppression performance depending on the charging polarity of the charged water particles.If the charged water particles were set to be positively charged, the control unit 21 controls the charging polarity to be switched from the initially set negative polarity to a positive polarity.In addition to controlling the switching of charging polarity, the control unit 21 may also control the spray amount from the charged spray head 32 and the charge amount of the charged water particles according to the type of smoke.

[0120] Here, the initial setting of the charged water particles to be negatively charged means that the high voltage power supply 18 is set to apply a high voltage to the charged spray head 32 so that the potential of the induction electrode section 60 of the charged spray head 32 is positive relative to the potential of the water-side electrode section 62 by performing the operation to start the release of the charged water particle airflow 12, without the need for an operator to perform the operation to set the polarity of the charged water particles.

[0121] [j.Operation panel] The control panel 14 shown in Figure 1 will now be described in more detail. The control panel 14 is an operation unit that allows an operator to operate the charged water particle spraying system of this embodiment, and the operations that can be performed on the control panel 14 are arbitrary, but examples include starting and stopping the charged water particle discharge unit 10, adjusting the discharge direction of the charged water particle airflow 12 from the charged water particle discharge unit 10 and adjusting the spray amount from each charged spray head 32, selecting the type of voltage to be applied by the high-voltage power supply unit 18, adjusting the voltage, and switching the polarity.

[0122] The operation panel 14 is provided with an operation display unit 20 and a control unit 21. The operation display unit 20 is provided with various operation buttons, operation levers, displays, indicator lights, etc. required for remote operation of the charged water particle emitting unit 10. The control unit 21 outputs control signals based on operations by an operator via the operation display unit 20 to control the charged water particle emitting unit 10, etc., and although its function and configuration are arbitrary, it is, for example, formed by a computer circuit equipped with a CPU, memory, various input / output ports, etc., and predetermined control functions are realized by the execution of programs by the CPU.

[0123] [k. Ladder fire truck equipped with an electrocharged water particle spraying system] Fire and smoke extinguishing using a ladder fire truck equipped with the charged water particle spraying system of this embodiment will be described in more detail. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of fire and smoke extinguishing work at a fire scene using a ladder fire truck equipped with the charged water particle spraying system of this embodiment. The charged water particle discharger 10, smoke detector 80, and suction device 82 shown in Figure 1 are mounted in a basket 128 at the tip of a retractable ladder 126, and the control panel 14, extinguishing agent water supply unit 16, and high-voltage power supply unit 18 are mounted on the ladder fire truck 124 side.

[0124] For example, if a fire breaks out on the third floor of a building 130, a ladder fire engine 124 that arrives at the fire scene extends its ladder 126 so that the charged water particle discharger 10 attached to the basket 128 approaches an exterior wall opening such as a window of the building. Next, by performing a discharge activation operation on the operation panel 14 to discharge the charged water particle airflow 12, fire-extinguishing water is supplied from the extinguishing agent water supply unit 16 to the charged water particle discharger 10, a high voltage is applied from the high-voltage power supply unit 18 to the charged water particle discharger 10, and further, the air blower 28 is activated by a control signal from the operation panel 14. As a result, the airflow from the air blower 28 contains negatively charged water particles sprayed from the charged spray head 32 in accordance with the initial setting, and the charged water particle airflow 12 is discharged toward the fire compartment 132.

[0125] Furthermore, with the ladder 126 extended and the charged water particle discharge unit 10 attached to the basket 128 positioned close to an exterior wall opening such as a window of the building, the sampling tube 84 of the suction device 82 arranged on top of the charged water particle discharge unit 10 is inserted into the particulate mixture containing smoke particles from a fire occurring in the fire compartment 132, the particulate mixture is sucked in by the suction device 82 so that it reaches the smoke detector 80, and the type of smoke is identified by the smoke detector 80 based on the particulate mixture. Also, as described above, the position of the sampling tube 84 can be adjusted in the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-down directions, so that an operator standing on the basket 128 can adjust the insertion position of the sampling tube 84.

[0126] After the release of the charged water particle airflow 12 has begun, the operator can adjust the direction of the charged water particle airflow 12 up and down and / or left and right by operating the operation panel 14, thereby adjusting the release direction of the charged water particle airflow 12 toward the fire compartment 132. Furthermore, the control unit 21 controls the switching of the charging polarity of the charged water particles so that the voltage polarity of the voltage applied by the high-voltage power supply unit 18 satisfies the condition according to the type of smoke identified by the smoke detector 80.

[0127] In addition, depending on the situation of fire extinguishing or smoke suppression by the release of the charged water particle airflow 12, the operator adjusts the release direction of the charged water particle airflow 12, adjusts the applied voltage by the high-voltage power supply unit 18, or switches the applied voltage polarity, and releases the charged water particle airflow 12 containing charged water particles with an amount of charge and polarity suitable for fire extinguishing or smoke suppression at the fire site into the fire compartment 132, thereby performing fire extinguishing, fire prevention, and smoke suppression.

[0128] [l. Control operation of the charged water particle spraying system] An example of the control operation of the charged water particle spraying system by the control unit 21 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0129] The charged water particle spraying system is started, and the control operation shown in Fig. 10 is performed by the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14 shown in Fig. 1. The charged water particles contained in the charged water particle airflow 12 emitted toward the hydrocarbon smoke are set to be positively charged.

[0130] In FIG. 10, the control unit 21 initially sets the charge polarity of the charged water particles contained in the charged water particle airflow 12 to be discharged in step S1 to a negative polarity. When the control unit 21 determines in step S2 that an instruction to start discharge has been issued by an operator operating the control panel 14 to start discharge, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S3, starts the fire extinguishing agent supply unit 16, and supplies a fire extinguishing agent, for example, fire water, to the multiple charged spray heads 32 provided in the charged water particle discharge unit 10. In step S4, the water particles are negatively charged in accordance with the initial setting, and the charged water particle airflow 12 containing the negatively charged charged water particles is discharged toward the fire compartment.

[0131] Next, in step S5, the control unit 21 determines whether or not hydrocarbon smoke has been identified by the smoke detector 80, and if hydrocarbon smoke has been identified, proceeds to step S6, where the charge polarity of the charged water particles is switched to positive polarity and the charged water particle airflow 12 is emitted. If the charge polarity of the charged water particles is already positive, no switching control is performed.

[0132] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the smoke has not been identified as hydrocarbon-based smoke, i.e., that the smoke has been identified as cellulose-based smoke, the process proceeds to step S7, where the charge polarity of the charged water particles is switched to negative polarity and the charged water particle airflow 12 is emitted. However, when the process first proceeds to step S7, the water particles are initially charged to negative polarity in step S4 based on the initial setting, so no switching control is performed to maintain the negative charge polarity.

[0133] Next, when the control unit 21 determines in step S8 that the spray amount from the charged spray heads 32 has been changed by an operation by the operator or the like, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S9, where it selects the number of charged spray heads 32 to spray and changes the spray amount by selectively opening and closing the on-off valve 35 shown in Fig. 5. The change in the spray amount from the charged spray heads 32 may also be adjusted by changing the amount of fire extinguishant supplied from the fire extinguisher supply unit 16 to the charged spray heads 32.

[0134] Next, when the control unit 21 determines in step S10 that the charge amount of the charged water particles has been changed due to an operation by the operator or the like, it proceeds to step S11 and adjusts the voltage applied from the high-voltage power supply unit 18 to the charged spray head 32 to change the charge amount of the charged water particles.

[0135] Next, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S12, and if it determines that the abnormal current detection circuit 74 shown in Fig. 4 has detected an abnormal current due to poor insulation in any of the multiple charged spray heads 32, it proceeds to step S13 and performs application stop control to stop the application of high voltage to the charged spray head 32 in which the abnormal current was detected. Note that this application stop control may also stop the application of high voltage to all heads, including the charged spray head 32 in which the abnormal current was detected.

[0136] Next, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S14, and repeats the processing from step S5 until it determines that a release termination instruction is given by an operator or the like. When the release termination instruction is determined, it proceeds to step S15, and performs a predetermined release termination processing to stop the release of the charged water particle airflow 12, and then ends the processing.

[0137] [m. Modifications of the present invention] (fire engine) Although the above embodiment has been described as an example in which the charged water particle spraying system is mounted on a ladder fire truck, the system may be mounted on any suitable fire truck as long as the charged water particle discharger 10 can be brought close to a fire compartment located at a high point in a building from the outside. For example, in a fire truck for high-altitude work, the charged water particle discharger 10 may be provided on the high-altitude work platform, and in a fire truck with a boom, the charged water particle discharger 10 may be provided at the end of the boom. Furthermore, the charged water particle discharger 10 may be mounted on a self-propelled tracked vehicle, which may be remotely controlled to move to a fire compartment that is inaccessible to humans and inject an airflow of charged water particles.

[0138] (High voltage supply unit) In the above embodiment, a DC voltage is applied from the high-voltage power supply 18 between the induction electrode 60 and the water-side electrode 62 of the charged fine spray head 32, but other voltages such as a pulse voltage, a pulsating voltage, and an AC voltage may also be applied. Also, when applying a voltage between the induction electrode 60 and the water-side electrode 62 from the high-voltage power supply 18, voltage adjustment and voltage polarity switching are possible, but this is not limited to this and is optional; for example, the applied voltage and / or voltage polarity may be fixed.

[0139] (others) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values ​​shown in the above-described embodiment.

[0140] [n. appendix] Here, the features of the charged water particle spraying system according to the embodiment of the present invention can be summarized as the following features 1 to 6.

[0141] (Feature 1) A charged water particle spraying system that identifies a type of smoke or a type of fire and sprays charged water particles to a target area under spraying conditions according to the identification result, a plurality of electrically charged spray heads for spraying electrically charged water particles; a smoke detector that identifies the type of smoke or fire based on the particulate mixture generated in the target area; a control unit that controls conditions for spraying the charged water particles according to the type of smoke or fire identified by the smoke detector; The present invention is characterized by the following features.

[0142] (Feature 2) Feature 1: The charged water particle spraying system according to feature 1, The smoke detector distinguishes between the type of smoke produced by burning cellulose-based materials and the smoke produced by burning hydrocarbon-based materials. The control unit is characterized by dispersing the charged water particles under dispersal conditions according to the results of the identification of smoke generated when a cellulose-based material is burned or smoke generated when a hydrocarbon-based material is burned, as identified by the smoke detector.

[0143] (Feature 3) The charged water particle spraying system according to feature 2, The control unit is characterized in that if the smoke detector identifies smoke resulting from the burning of a cellulose-based material, the control unit charges the charged water particles to a negative polarity and sprays them, and if the smoke detector identifies smoke resulting from the burning of a hydrocarbon-based material, the control unit charges the charged water particles to either a positive polarity or a negative polarity and sprays them.

[0144] (Feature 4) Feature 1: The charged water particle spraying system according to feature 1, The smoke detector identifies the type of fire, wood or oil, The control unit is characterized by dispersing the charged water particles under dispersal conditions according to the result of the discrimination of a wood fire or an oil fire discriminated by the smoke detector.

[0145] (Feature 5) Feature 4: The charged water particle spraying system, The control unit is characterized in that if the smoke detector identifies a wood fire, the charged water particles are negatively charged and dispersed, and if the smoke detector identifies an oil fire, the charged water particles are positively charged and dispersed.

[0146] (Feature 6) The charged water particle spraying system according to Features 1 to 5, The control unit is characterized by controlling the amount of charge or the amount of scattering of the charged water particles according to the type of smoke or type of fire identified by the smoke detector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 10: Charged water particle emission part 12: Charged water particle airflow 14:Operation panel 16: Fire extinguishing agent supply section 18: High voltage power supply 20: Operation display section 21: Control unit 22: Water pipe 24: High voltage cable 24a: Voltage application cable 24b: Earth cable 26a~26f: Signal cables 28: Air blower 30: Charged water particle generator 31: Support ring 32: Electrostatic spray head 34: Axial fan 35: On-off valve 36: Fan motor 38: Protective cover 40: Stand 42: Rotating support part 44:Left and right adjustment section 46: Left and right rotation axis 48: Vertical adjustment section 50: Up and down rotation axis 52: Center of gravity 54: Body 56: Spray nozzle part 58: Electrode holding part 60: Induction electrode part 62: Water side electrode part 64: Water supply connection 66: High voltage variable circuit 68: Reversing circuit 72: Selection circuit 74: Abnormal current detection circuit 75, 77: Switch circuit 76: Current limiting resistor 78: Current detection resistor 80: Smoke detector 82:Suction device 84: Sampling tube 84a: Suction port 85,86:Tube 85a: Heating part 88: Suction pump 90: Rod parts 92:Support part 94: Weight 96: Smoke detector enclosure 100: Smoke Detection Department 102: Particulate mixture 104: Case 106: Detection circuit section 108: First light-emitting element 110: Second light-emitting element 112: Light receiving element 114: Control unit 116: Light emitting drive unit 118: Photoreceiving amplifier 120: Signal detection unit 122: Identification unit 124: Ladder fire engine 126: Ladder 128: Basket 130: Building 132: Fire compartment

Claims

1. A charged water particle spraying system that moves to a spray target area, identifies the type of smoke, and sprays charged water particles into the spray target area under spray conditions according to the type of smoke, a detection circuit unit that detects smoke particles by sucking in particulate mixtures generated by a fire; an identification unit that identifies the type of smoke based on a comparison result of a plurality of detection values ​​detected by the detection circuit unit; Equipped with The charged water particle spraying system is characterized in that the identification unit identifies the type of smoke as either cellulose-based smoke or hydrocarbon-based smoke, and the charged water particles are sprayed under spray conditions that correspond to the identification result of whether the smoke is cellulose-based smoke or hydrocarbon-based smoke.

2. 2. The charged water particle spraying system according to claim 1, A charged water particle spraying system characterized in that if the identification result is cellulose-based smoke, the charged water particles are negatively charged and sprayed, and if the identification result is hydrocarbon-based smoke, the charged water particles are either positively or negatively charged and sprayed.

3. A charged water particle spraying system that moves to a spraying target area, identifies a type of fire, and sprays charged water particles to the spraying target area under spraying conditions according to the type of fire, a detection circuit unit that detects smoke particles by sucking in particulate mixtures generated by a fire; an identification unit that identifies the type of fire based on a comparison result of a plurality of detection values ​​detected by the detection circuit unit; Equipped with The system is characterized in that the identification unit identifies the type of fire as either a wood fire or an oil fire, and the system sprays the charged water particles under spray conditions according to the identification result of whether the fire is a wood fire or an oil fire.

4. 4. The charged water particle spraying system according to claim 3, A charged water particle spraying system characterized in that, if the identification result is a wood fire, the charged water particles are charged negatively and sprayed, and if the identification result is an oil fire, the charged water particles are charged either positively or negatively and sprayed.

Images