Fire extinguishing equipment and its operation method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing apparatus having a support tube (2) and a casing tube (6) axially movable on said support tube (2), a flow diverter assembly (27) is provided on said support tube (2) and comprises a flow diverter cone (46), said flow diverter assembly (27) defining an outwardly facing annular orifice (45), said casing tube (6) being movable over said orifice (45) with a leading edge (53, 56, 57) to open and close said orifice such that a flow of fluid entering said flow diverter assembly (27) from said support tube (2) is split into an annular flow and directed outwardly of said orifice (45), and a method of extinguishing a fire with said fire extinguishing apparatus.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing apparatus and a method of operating the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Fire extinguishing systems differ in terms of function, extinguishing agent, extinguishing action, use and many other features. However, it can be said that in most applications, water is used as the extinguishing agent. In all cases, the function of the fire extinguishing system consists of bringing the water into the appropriate form to obtain the ideal extinguishing action for each application. According to the three elements of combustion, fire extinguishing can be done in three ways: - Stealing flammable materials Oxygen deprivation Reaction energy robbery It can be performed by:

[0003] As a primary extinguishing agent, water primarily utilizes cooling, i.e., the removal of reaction energy through its very high latent heat of vaporization. To dissipate this enormous amount of energy, vaporization must be as efficient as possible. Heat transfer between two substances depends on many factors, but the easiest and most effective heat transfer factor to modify is effective range. Therefore, care must be taken to maximize effective range in any extinguishing method used to cool a burning object.

[0004] Thus, a fire extinguishing device or method can be considered particularly effective where the vaporization of water and the associated spread of vapor displaces combustion air as a secondary extinguishing action, resulting in very rapid fire containment.

[0005] To achieve this, the water mist must be produced with a sufficient level of fineness (droplet size) to increase the effective range of the water and to be completely dispersed in the fire space so that there is no longer any perceptible delay in heat transfer, resulting in instantaneous evaporation and rapid spread of the mist. 1 liter of water = 1673 liters of water vapor

[0006] If approximately 100% of the water vaporizes, this expansion will instantly produce several cubic meters of water vapor. A typical water volume required for an indoor attack is 180 liters per minute, so under these operating conditions it is possible to introduce 3 liters per second into the fire space. As a result, under ideal circumstances, approximately 5 m / s will be introduced. 3 This rapid evaporation also disperses mainly unevaporated water particles throughout the space, which results in uniform wetting of the fire space with steam and wet steam.

[0007] So-called solid stream nozzles have been known for a long time. As the name implies, they focus and direct the vectors of the fluid particles at the outlet of the jet nozzle in the same direction, creating a focused solid stream in a nozzle-like configuration. This effect can reach long distances, providing the necessary safety distance from the source of the fire.

[0008] Unfortunately, a concentrated stream has the significant drawback of minimizing the size of the area wetted by the firewater. As a result, heat transfer is very low and the water is almost impossible to use for vaporization, since the required vaporization energy cannot be transferred from the source of the fire to the medium due to limitations. This results in so-called water damage, which means that the firewater penetrates into the structure below the source of the fire, damaging areas that are not actually affected by the fire. It is not uncommon for the damage to a structure caused by the firewater to exceed the damage caused by the actual fire.

[0009] For a long time, it was not technically possible for firefighters to approach the source of a fire in any other way and achieve extinguishing effects with different types of streams. The further development of personal protective equipment, especially in combination with breathing apparatus, allowed firefighters to approach the source of a fire.

[0010] At the time, the technology for solid stream nozzles was not well suited to this application, and the large concentrated force of the stream was inconvenient for firefighters at close range.

[0011] Therefore, it is natural that a larger cooling area will result in a better cooling effect, and so technological developments have attempted to atomize the stream.

[0012] This was accomplished by a guide vane device integrated into the ball valve. The guide vanes, with their vanes extending nearly perpendicular to the meridian flow, create a very strong vortex in the flow. This vortex creates a radial distribution of water from the center of the nozzle outlet, distributing the fire water in a cone shape.

[0013] This change resulted in a significant improvement in cooling capacity, and this type of jet nozzle is still in use today.

[0014] A second, almost parallel, development was the introduction of high-pressure jet nozzles. Conventional fire hoses use a pressure level of PN16, which is internationally recognised and is nearly the same everywhere except for minor variations in hose diameter and connection technology.

[0015] On the other hand, the high-pressure hose is realized as a dimensionally stable compressed fabric hose similar to hydraulic hose, with a pressure level of PN40. The pressure level is prepared only by a water-carrying fire engine integrated with a centrifugal pump.

[0016] For this purpose, water must be supplied to secondary stages from a main stage, usually consisting of several pump wheels connected in series, arranged on the same shaft. A further limitation of application is the special hose system: when implemented, the high-pressure hose is typically attached to a hose reel permanently mounted inside the fire truck, close to the high-pressure stage. In practical application, this means that the fire truck must be positioned appropriately close to the source of the fire, and the typical hose line length is 60 to 90 meters. Such structures are generally not found in air rescue equipment such as rotating ladders or telescoping mast platforms.

[0017] However, high-pressure hoses have advantages in terms of fire-fighting effectiveness. It is generally known that very effective atomization of liquid media can be produced by high exit velocities. In this case, no structural screen is provided as an atomizer, and the division of the fluid is entirely achieved by the surrounding air medium. The relationship between air resistance and velocity is also well known, i.e., it increases with the square of the flow rate. A two-fold higher exit velocity results in a four-fold increase in air resistance.

[0018] While this relationship is likely not directly proportional to droplet size, it is clear to those skilled in the art that a high exit velocity is the key to effective atomization. Therefore, air resistance must be less than the alternating increasing force of the fire extinguishing jet, rather than being a factor. A fire extinguishing jet is simply a volume of water particles with velocity vectors pointing in the same direction.

[0019] As a result, when a deflection force is applied to a water particle in a given direction, the direction of its velocity vector changes slightly. This causes the fluid particles to move apart with a continuous frictional effect until the attractive forces between the droplets are eliminated. The droplets then follow a trajectory directed in a given direction by the turbulence. This effect produces increasing atomization as the trajectory continues, and once the kinetic energy drops to a threshold value, which occurs after a certain flight distance, there is little further impact. Therefore, a fire extinguishing jet based on this form of atomization requires a certain range of travel, which is part of the flight path necessary to establish atomization.

[0020] Due to the significantly increased pressure energy, high pressure nozzles consequently have a higher chance of effectively converting this into kinetic energy at the outlet with the appropriate nozzle geometry. Thus, high pressure solid stream nozzles can take advantage of the above-mentioned effects and indeed provide an efficient fire extinguishing technique.

[0021] This technology has already replaced or is being replaced by low-pressure hollow jet nozzles at pressure levels of PN16, which is a significant drawback of the overall high-pressure system. - Expensive and complicated pump structure due to multi-stage centrifugal pump Limited application range due to rigid hose lines High friction loss due to high flow velocity Impossibility to adjust the jet angle -Limitation of water flow due to basic technical conditions

[0022] For these reasons, hollow jet nozzles have been developed, since an essential factor in atomization theory is the circumferential surface or periphery of the jet. Essentially, each water particle at the periphery contacts an opposing air particle, which generates frictional forces. Therefore, the relationship is clear: the greater the number of frictional contacts, the more effective and better atomization can be achieved, especially as close as possible to the outlet.

[0023] Thus, high pressure solid stream nozzles take advantage of the high exit velocity but do not take advantage of the maximum possible jet perimeter. The inventors For a constant discharge area, and consequently a constant discharge velocity (continuation rate without considering conduit losses), a fairly large perimeter and perimeter area can be generated by division into several nozzles. I realized . The inventors Variation in diameter starting from 20mm diameter (Solid Stream Nozzle standard) divided into smaller diameter stages I realized there was It is clear that by using several small nozzles it is relatively easy to maintain a constant outflow velocity (in frictionless terms) while at the same time increasing the peripheral contact points many times over.

[0024] The solution to this problem is to split the jet into several smaller jets with the same total cross-sectional area. For example, a piercing nozzle is provided with certain holes to influence the jet formation. The holes do not converge to form a jet, but are arranged at a certain outlet angle to achieve the best possible development in the fire space. However, if the holes are too small, the inlet losses of the conduit are adversely affected.

[0025] In accordance with the above considerations, an ideal fire extinguishing device must perform the following effects and functions: Effective outflow velocity Division of outlet area into the ideal number of outlet openings for maximum jet perimeter Flexible jet shaping by changing the outlet conduit angle of attack Known hollow jet nozzles already approach these considerations. They split the jet at a predetermined angle with an adjustable cone midway through the meridian flow. However, to create more than just an annular area, additional flow-related features, often in the form of flow-splitting vanes, are provided on the housing or cone. This converts the annular surface created by the overlap into a sector of a circle, thereby increasing the peripheral area of ​​the jet.

[0026] By adjusting the axial position of the cone, it is possible to adjust the force or velocity change of the jet, and therefore the operator can also change the jet's angle of attack.

[0027] This form of jet generation is currently almost universally used in handheld jet nozzles and fixed water cannons and is representative of the prior art.

[0028] However, implementing highly complex regulation mechanisms is problematic and costly: implementing regulation mechanisms inside Meridian Flow requires a large number of built-in components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0029] [Patent Document 1] German Utility Model No. 202012012648 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 2155401 [Patent Document 3] German patent number 602004003303 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 6,039,269 [Patent Document 5] European Patent Application Publication No. 1106212 [Patent Document 6] European Patent Application Publication No. 1498155 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0030] German Utility Model No. 202012012648 (U1) discloses a split hollow jet nozzle, in which the jet is adjusted by an adjustable cone on the nozzle. This structure is very complex and expensive.

[0031] EP 2155401 B1 discloses a variable range firefighting nozzle and a corresponding method. This solution is a combination of a solid stream nozzle and a peripheral stream nozzle, in which a portion of the water volume, at least 50%, is injected as a solid stream, but the solid stream nozzle is surrounded by an annular outlet opening for the peripheral stream. The annular outlet opening can be opened and closed by a sleeve. This mixture of the two technologies is not preferred in this embodiment, as the flow conditions cannot be controlled precisely enough, and a high proportion of solid stream is not practically useful.

[0032] German Patent No. 602004003303 (T2) discloses a fire extinguishing device in which the extinguishing jet can be adjusted by three different nozzle units mounted on the main nozzle and movable one inside the other. In this case, the main nozzle of the fire extinguishing device conveys the extinguishing agent to the three adjustable nozzle units and has a central cone in the flow path. The main nozzle has a multi-part structure. Furthermore, if the device needs to be shut off, an additional ball valve is required. The disadvantage is that these structures are complex and do not allow for simple and intuitive use.

[0033] US Patent No. 6,039,269 discloses a fire extinguishing device that can be used in two positions and utilizes the well-known Coanda effect. This device does not allow for the interruption or change of momentum.

[0034] Patent document 5 (EP 1106212 A1) discloses a conventional fire extinguishing device that has a multi-part complex structure, does not have its own shut-off function, and is operated by two movable casing tubes.

[0035] EP 1 498 155 A1 discloses a fire extinguishing device of the above-mentioned type, in which adjustment is achieved by means of a number of tubular elements that can be moved on a sheath, but this structure also does not allow shut-off, nor does it allow for intuitive safety operation.

[0036] The object of the present invention is to create a fire extinguishing device that is simple in construction, offers a high level of safety to the user and is effective in extinguishing fires.

[0037] The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous variations are disclosed in the claims dependent on claim 1.

[0038] Another object is to create a method of operating a fire extinguishing device that ensures simple, safe and reliable operation.

[0039] The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 19. Advantageous variants are disclosed in the claims dependent on claim 19.

[0040] The device according to the invention can be used as a complete device that can be used as it is to extinguish a fire, but it can also be part of a more complex device, in particular an intrusive or invasive fire extinguishing device (a spear for penetrating walls), i.e. the construction principle according to the invention can be used to further develop the piercing nozzle.

[0041] The device according to the present invention has a more compact and simple structure, thereby reducing weight and cost.

[0042] According to the invention, the known construction principle is abandoned, in which the normally movable cone for deflecting momentum and deploying the jet is provided as a fixed component.

[0043] In contrast to known solutions, the edge of the housing of the device which interacts with the cone is embodied so as to be axially movable.

[0044] This leads to several favorable effects of the present invention.

[0045] The first effect observed is the possibility of an ideal flow configuration in the nozzle segment of the jet nozzle: thanks to the fixed walls, this configuration allows for an internal adjustment mechanism to ensure a low-turbulence flow path, which is difficult to achieve in a hollow jet nozzle.

[0046] The flow divider is therefore embodied to minimize sudden changes in momentum caused by the walls of the component, ensuring smooth flow at the outlet.

[0047] The second major advantage achieved by the present invention is the significant reduction in size of the adjustment housing element, which can be embodied, for example, as a bushing and have a conical sealing surface. Thanks to the conical sealing surface, which is relatively easy to adjust differently relative to the outlet angle of the flow diverter, the exiting jet can be shaped in a very smooth manner. When implemented correctly, the fluid splits sharply with a smooth jet and can be injected into the fire space with virtually no friction losses.

[0048] Therefore, an external regulator takes advantage of the fact that no additional moving parts are required between the fluid and the regulator, thereby allowing for a simpler construction.

[0049] First and foremost, the device according to the invention with its adjustment mechanism can provide a specific advantage to the fire extinguishing device: the casing tube, being cylindrical, small, slim in construction, can perform highly effective atomization together with invasive fire extinguishing techniques.

[0050] Therefore, the casing tube spraying system can be seen as a stand-alone spraying unit for all types of fire extinguishing equipment, as a stand-alone fire extinguishing equipment and as the first choice of spraying equipment for invasive fire extinguishing equipment.

[0051] According to the invention, the hydroforming of the casing tube is carried out so that the entire tubular flow is divided into annular flows. For the purposes of the invention, turbulence is kept as low as possible. This division accelerates the fluid. Advantageously, the proportional flow path with high velocity is kept as short as possible, but not so short that the flow cannot pass through the structure without pulsation. Since, according to the above explanation, the exit velocity is directly proportional to the spray quality, in this process the flow is consequently simultaneously accelerated to the target exit velocity.

[0052] The next step in flow guidance is to divert the flow from the axial direction to the radial direction as continuously as possible. According to the invention, parabolic walls are particularly suitable for uniformly diverting the flow. Therefore, the aforementioned areas should follow the shortest possible path for the purpose of reducing friction, and therefore may overlap in terms of structure.

[0053] The location that produces the largest possible outlet angle will also produce the highest flow velocity. The angle must be determined by the skilled artisan during the design phase and empirically matched to the opposing sides.

[0054] Another advantage of the present invention is that the maximum opening is achieved by pulling the actuating mechanism. A key advantage is that at maximum opening, a sort of "panic position" is created, generating a protective jet for the operator. This wide-area jet is thus a sort of "personal protective sprinkler" that deploys as soon as the tube is fully opened. All that is required is a backward movement of the hand, and in any case, the operator's potential panic reaction creates a protective situation. Because operators are more likely to perform a pulling action than a forward action in a panic situation, this results in an emergency logic that reliably protects the operator. Even if the operator falls backward, the resulting jet creates a shielding jet around the operator that acts as a shield against the effects of smoke gases and flames.

[0055] On the other hand, in known hollow jet nozzles, a full opening in the main operating element only results in a maximum flow being ensured in a relatively narrow jet directed forward. This mechanism is problematic, especially when the operator recognizes an ignition of smoke gases or can quickly reach the conclusion that such an ignition is imminent based on smoke gas effects, such as flame tongues and other thermal effects. Therefore, existing solutions are inadequate and insufficient with regard to the occupational safety of emergency personnel. Unfortunately, such cases have occurred in the past.

[0056] In the case of known embodiments, if the operating lever is pulled in such a situation, especially in a panic, the lever switches to a sensitively set fire extinguishing jet (with a shallow outlet angle), which not only does not protect the operator from the ignition of smoke gases in the above-mentioned situation, but also dramatically worsens the situation in that an explosion occurs (as has happened in the past). This is due to the fact that a highly concentrated jet causes the so-called "hydraulic ventilation effect." In this case, the water jet draws in a large amount of air along with it. As a result, the escaping ambient air is supplied precisely to the fire or smoke gases, allowing it to go from a rich mixture to the explosive limit, i.e., the result is a sudden ignition, or if this is already underway, its acceleration.

[0057] In contrast, the fire extinguishing device of the present invention can be operated intuitively and, when the control element is in the retracted "panic or defense" position, creates a wide, shield-like jet that surrounds the space, prevents the ingestion of combustion air, and, as described above, protects emergency personnel from heat and hot soot gases.

[0058] The device according to the invention therefore takes advantage of the fact that in a panic position this protective shield is automatically generated and at the same time known hollow jet nozzles ensure it only by means of a number of counter-intuitive movements.

[0059] When the operator sets the overlap position of the casing tube, this allows smooth adjustment from maximum opening angle to minimum contact angle and also increases the outflow velocity, thus changing the flow rate.

[0060] This is advantageous because the exit velocity and magnitude of the flow rate are determined starting from the minimum contact angle and can be reduced if the jet diameter is increased. This effect is very advantageous because by reducing the kinetic energy the flow rate is increased and a larger jet diameter also means that a larger area is covered.

[0061] Due to the larger surface effect, more water must be introduced to maintain the balance of the evaporation energy. Lower exit energy results in less jet turbulence, but mist formation is achieved by the larger effective area of ​​the jet. Therefore, the wetted area of ​​the cone can also be considered as the peripheral surface of the cone.

[0062] Thus, the peripheral surface of the cone is the product of the radius and the chord length, but the effective depth and radius increase with the angle of attack, resulting in a quadratic relationship with the angle of attack. This enormous increase in surface area increases the wetting contact of the fluid particles, thereby compensating for the reduced exit velocity.

[0063] Thus, with the correct dimensions, the device according to the invention advantageously has a fully mechanical automatic adjustment with optimum mist formation and fire extinguishing water volume output at all jet angles.

[0064] The opening characteristics of the casing tube relative to the resulting increase in outlet area can be determined by the stay vane duct width. In this way, a complex hollow jet nozzle with multiple components is almost completely replaced by two simple components. The automatic control of wetted area and flow rate as outlined above is an advantage of the present invention that is not implemented in any known fire extinguishing system.

[0065] At intermediate positions between the maximum angle of attack (personnel protection jet) and the minimum contact angle, particularly at small opening angles where non-linear changes in momentum occur, the deflection is considered to be of a larger magnitude than at large opening angles, according to the invention.

[0066] Therefore, the operator can intuitively and smoothly generate a fire extinguishing jet with an almost linear spray behavior while at the same time adjusting the water volume to match the control behavior of the opening angle.

[0067] To connect the flow divider to the housing, stay vanes must be installed. At first glance, these vanes may appear to be detrimental to the flow behavior. However, as discussed above with respect to the mist formation associated with the type of atomizing nozzle used in penetrating nozzles, the encapsulation of the jet, or the division of the fluid after it has exited, is highly advantageous. The wetted area also increases friction between the extinguishing medium and the surrounding air.

[0068] Consequently, this effect can be controlled by any modification of the stay vanes. The fire extinguishing device according to the invention must therefore have at least one static connection between the flow diverter and the housing, i.e., their number can vary according to the requirements and the embodiment.

[0069] The stay vanes can be advantageously designed with respect to the airfoil cross section, which allows the conduit friction to be reduced to very low values ​​compared to known spray nozzles with holes, as a result of which the conduit inlet turbulence and the conduit outlet turbulence can be significantly reduced so that a uniform spray pattern is achieved.

[0070] Just before the slide valve closes, the residual flow washes the sealing surface, so that when the casing tube is closed, it simply rests in the slide seat, which is not sensitive to contamination.On the other hand, known hollow jet nozzles with ball valves and adjustment mechanisms always have the disadvantage of deposits from the fire fighting water clogging the mechanism.

[0071] The fire extinguishing device according to the invention embodied in the form of a casing tube is ideally suited for extinguishing fires close to the source of the fire.

[0072] Another advantageous embodiment also extends the application to the field of jet nozzles, for which purpose additional switching positions and corresponding structural extensions are provided in order to obtain a good range.

[0073] In order to achieve a lower angle range of the exit jet from 0 to about 40° in addition to the above-mentioned range of about 40° to 180°, the fluid must be guided using a different structure. In this case, the application of the fire extinguishing device according to the invention must be considered as the only solution in fire extinguishing technology that is not connected to a penetrating nozzle, but is rather intended to achieve a long range.

[0074] In order to use the casing tube spray according to the invention in the field of hollow jet nozzles where a jet angle of 0 to 180 degrees opening angle is required, the fire extinguishing device according to the invention is embodied with an enlarged jet nozzle attachment.

[0075] In contrast to a flow divider, the flow only proceeds to the jet nozzle attachment when an expanded flow path through the nozzle is required. In this case, the fluid is introduced to the expanded jet nozzle attachment via a flow divider and through a bypass path in the casing tube. Within this nozzle attachment, the fluid is refocused and formed into a light hollow jet. Here, the extent of the flame in the lower region can be changed by the casing tube, which again changes the deflection angle of the outlet nozzle with a slight axial movement.

[0076] The device according to the invention in the form of a casing tube spray unit can be embodied in such a way that it is similar in terms of handling to a hollow jet nozzle. However, its main advantage is its operation, since both adjustment and shut-off can be carried out by means of the main operating lever, more precisely by the axial movement of the casing tube. When the lever is moved completely forward, the device is shut off.

[0077] Advantageously, the present invention provides an intuitively designed fire extinguishing device that can be used to reliably extinguish fires at both close and longer distances, and provides significantly improved occupational safety for the operator, improved handling, and a more user-friendly design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0078] The present invention therefore particularly relates to a fire extinguishing device comprising a support tube and a casing tube that is axially movable on said support tube, wherein a diverter assembly comprising a diverter cone is provided on said support tube, said diverter assembly defining an outwardly facing annular orifice, and wherein said casing tube is movable with a leading edge over said orifice, as a result of which the flow of fluid entering said diverter assembly from said support tube is divided into annular flows that are directed outwards from said orifice, opening and closing said orifice.

[0079] According to one variant, all fluid-conducting components have a cross section in the shape of a concentric cylinder.

[0080] According to one variant, the diverter cone has cone walls that radiate from a tip that projects axially from the front into the fluid flow path, the diverter cone being rigidly connected to a tubular wall by guide vanes, the cone walls and the tubular wall defining the flow path, within the region of the guide vanes the flow path being further divided into a plurality of flow paths.

[0081] According to one variant, the walls of the flow diverter assembly narrow the flow passage in a nozzle-like manner, and after the region of maximum convergence or narrowing, the diameter increases again to form a funnel-shaped wall defining the periphery of the orifice.

[0082] According to one variation, the flow diverter cone projects axially into the funnel-shaped region or funnel-shaped orifice defined by the wall and into the space defined by the wall, the tip of the flow diverter cone extending beyond the region of maximum tapering of the wall into the interior of the tubular shape.

[0083] According to one variant, said peripheral annular orifice is defined by a funnel-shaped wall in the axial rear region and by a cone wall in the axial front region.

[0084] According to one variant, at its leading edge, the casing tube has a conical sealing surface in the form of an oblique wall extending inwardly and axially rearward from the outer peripheral edge to the inner peripheral edge of the casing tube.

[0085] According to one variation, the flow diverter assembly has a corresponding conical sealing surface on the flow diverter cone in the form of a sloped wall extending from the region of maximum radial extent of the flow diverter cone to a peripheral cylindrical step, and a wall extending in the same direction.

[0086] According to one variant, the walls extending in the same direction have an angle of inclination that is different from, and in particular more inclined than, the walls defining said orifice, so as to create a change in momentum.

[0087] According to one variant, the casing tube is embodied so as to widen diametrically or axially towards the front end opposite the rear end of the extinguishing device, and in the resulting widening region a continuous circumferential radial slot is provided, the internal widening of said widening region forming a bend, the wall of the diverter cone widening radially up to the region of maximum widening and branching in the form of a convex curve, the bend and the region between said maximum widening and the front edge of the wall together defining a hollow jet flow path at the position of the hollow jet of the extinguishing device.

[0088] According to one variant, the front part of the enlarged area, where the struts span the slots 18, is located on the casing tube.

[0089] According to one variant, said area of ​​maximum expansion of the diverter cone ends diametrically flush with the wall and is of the same diameter, in particular so that the edge can cross, in order to close the orifice.

[0090] According to one variant, a wall portion is arranged by a partition spaced from the conically extending inclined wall of the casing tube, this wall portion extending radially and slightly curved, a circumferential wall portion extending from the inner wall, the expansion area having an inner circumference corresponding to the outer circumference of the area of ​​maximum expansion, so that the area or wall can slide in an axially movable manner against and fit against the wall within the area.

[0091] According to one variant, from an inner peripheral edge spaced axially from the wall, the forward part with said curvature widens in the forward direction and then narrows up to the periphery, the path of the curvature essentially following the path of the wall, so that the wall part located between the inner peripheral edge and the forward peripheral edge, in particular said curvature, constitutes the outer wall of the hollow jet channel.

[0092] According to one variant, in the furthest retracted position of the casing tube, the hollow jet passage is formed by the edge of the front part of the casing tube and the edge of the wall of the end of the funnel terminating flush with each other, so that the orifice formed by the curved part and the wall is widened by the flow diverter cone, deflecting the cross-sectional passage in an axially annular direction.

[0093] According to one variant, the location of the hollow jet is blocked by a barrier that must be overcome by an additional action of the user.

[0094] According to one variant, a connection for connecting to an extinguishing agent delivery hose is provided at the rear end of the extinguishing device.

[0095] According to one variant, at the front end, the fire extinguishing device comprises a lighting device arranged within the diverter assembly.

[0096] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of extinguishing a fire by means of a fire extinguishing device as described above, wherein the opening, closing and adjustment of the extinguishing jets is effected by means of a movable casing tube.

[0097] According to one variant, the flow rate of extinguishing agent through the cross-sectional opening of the orifice guided by the casing tube is adapted to an enlarged distribution funnel due to a reduction in kinetic energy.

[0098] According to one variant, a shield-like outwardly extending personnel protection jet is established by the maximum opening of the orifice using the casing tube.

[0099] According to one variant, the jet cone is adjusted, in particular narrowed and directed forward, by sliding said casing tube forward.

[0100] According to one variant, the maximum setback of the casing tube, in particular the setback beyond the barrier, is used to deflect the radial flow path of the annular axial hollow jet directed forward, and a corresponding hollow jet flow path is formed by the casing tube and the flow divider assembly.

[0101] The invention will now be explained by way of example with the aid of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0102] [Figure 1a] 1 is a diagram showing a fire extinguishing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1b] 1 is a diagram showing a fire extinguishing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1c] 1 is a diagram showing a fire extinguishing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1d] 1 is a diagram showing a fire extinguishing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1e] 1 is a diagram showing a fire extinguishing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2a] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diverter assembly for a fire suppression system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2b] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diverter assembly for a fire suppression system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2c] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diverter assembly for a fire suppression system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2d] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diverter assembly for a fire suppression system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2e] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diverter assembly for a fire suppression system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2f] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diverter assembly for a fire suppression system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2g] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diverter assembly for a fire suppression system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the area of ​​the flow diverter assembly of the fire extinguishing device of the present invention in a personnel protection position; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the device shown in FIG. 3 in a position where the fire extinguishing water cone is facing forward. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 shows the fire extinguishing device of the present invention in the hollow jet nozzle position. [Figure 6a] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in the open fire jet position. [Figure 6b] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in the open fire jet position. [Figure 6c] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in the open fire jet position. [Figure 7a] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in the personnel protection position. [Figure 7b] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in the personnel protection position. [Figure 7c] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in the personnel protection position. [Figure 8a]FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in a position where the extinguishing jet is aimed ahead of the cone. [Figure 8b] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in a position where the extinguishing jet is aimed in front of the cone. [Figure 8c] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube in a position where the extinguishing jet is aimed in front of the cone. [Figure 9a] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly and casing tube with the jet position directed further forward. [Figure 9b] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly and casing tube with the jet position directed further forward. [Figure 9c] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly and casing tube with the jet position directed further forward. [Figure 10a] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly and casing tube in a nearly closed, flush position at the edge of the flow diverter. [Figure 10b] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly and casing tube in a nearly closed, flush position at the edge of the flow diverter. [Figure 10c] FIG. 10 shows the flow diverter assembly and casing tube in a nearly closed, flush position at the edge of the flow diverter. [Figure 11a] FIG. 1 shows the fire extinguishing device in a closed position. [Figure 11b] FIG. 1 shows the fire extinguishing device in a closed position. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 shows a partial cutaway view of the fire extinguisher in the closed position in the area of ​​the flow diverter assembly. [Figure 13] 1 is a partial cutaway view of a fire extinguishing device according to the present invention, showing the flow path and the operating lever in the position for operating the hollow jet nozzle. [Figure 14] 1 shows a fire extinguishing device according to the invention in a fire extinguishing position in which a cone-shaped extinguishing jet is generated; FIG. [Figure 15] 1 shows a fire extinguishing device according to the invention in a personnel protection position; [Figure 16a] FIG. 10 illustrates the extinguishing agent flow path of the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube opened. [Figure 16b] FIG. 10 illustrates the extinguishing agent flow path of the flow diverter assembly with the casing tube opened. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0103] The fire extinguishing device 1 according to the present invention comprises a hollow cylindrical support tube 2 and a handle 3 disposed on the hollow cylindrical support tube 2. The support tube 2 has a hose connection fitting 5 at its rear end 4 for connection to a conventional fire hose.

[0104] The fire extinguishing device 1 also has a casing tube 6 which is movably arranged on the support tube 2 and has an inner diameter which corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the support tube 2 .

[0105] The axially movable casing tube 6 has a longitudinal opening 7 on its underside adjacent to the end 4, through which the handle 3 passes. An actuating lever 8 is also provided. The actuating lever 8 has a rectangular outline with an upper transverse strut 9, two vertically extending longitudinal struts 10 connected at their ends by the transverse struts 9, and two short transverse struts 11 near the handle 3. The actuating lever 8 is pivotally mounted on the handle 3 by a shaft 12, with the short transverse struts 11 defining an intermediate space between them corresponding to the width of the handle 3. For movement of the casing tube 6, shaft struts 13 project laterally from the casing tube 6. The shaft struts 13 extend radially on both sides from the outer circumferential surface 14 of the casing tube 6 and rest in longitudinal openings 15, as can be seen in the diagram of the longitudinal struts 10, which extend parallel to one another. As a result, the pivoting movement of the handle 3 around the shaft 12 causes the casing tube 6 to move axially on the support tube 2 by means of the shaft support 13, i.e., in the process, the shaft support 13 can slide along the longitudinal opening 15.

[0106] On the outer surface of the casing tube 6, diametrically or axially towards the forward end 16 opposite the aft end 4, this embodiment has an extension portion with a step 17. Displaced axially from the step 17 towards the end 16, a circumferential radially continuous slot 18 is provided in the casing tube 6 in an enlarged region 19 adjacent the step 17, the slot separating the forward portion 19 from the casing tube 6, which are connected by a partition 20 spanning the slot 18.

[0107] In the region of the free end 16 of the fire extinguishing device 1, an inwardly extending cavity 21 is provided, in which an illumination device 22 with a corresponding optical system is arranged. The cavity 21 and the illumination device 22 are surrounded by a radial wall 23, which is part of a flow diverter assembly 27, which will be shown in more detail later. An annular flow channel outlet 25 for the hollow jet of extinguishing agent is formed between the wall 23 and the circumferential free edge 24.

[0108] A flow diverter assembly 27 is arranged inside the casing tube 6, threaded onto the front end of the support tube 2 (FIG. 3). The flow diverter assembly 27 (FIG. 2) has a housing 26 having a hollow cylindrical connection area 28 with a cylindrical wall 29 and an external thread 30 on the cylindrical wall 29. The external thread 30 is embodied so that it can be screwed into an internal thread 31 (FIG. 3) of a connection area 32 of the support tube 2. For this purpose, the support tube 2 has a front connection area 32 with a front circumferential edge 33.

[0109] The flow diverter assembly 27 or its housing 26 expands after the external threads 30 at a step 34 to an outer diameter that matches the outer diameter of the support tube 2. The step 34 expands radially outward to act as a stop for the forward circumferential edge 33 of the support tube 2. Adjacent to the step 34, a groove 35 may be provided between the step 34 and the external threads 30 to receive a seal.

[0110] The housing 26 is continued by a cylindrical outer wall 36 to a forward circumferential edge 37, adjacent to which is provided a circumferential groove 38 for receiving a seal. Between the groove 38 and the step 34, the wall 36 is provided with an opening 39 which may extend transversely to the longitudinal direction and which defines a partition 40 therebetween. The opening 39 and the partition 40 result in a cage-like configuration.

[0111] In the region of the step 34, the outer shell wall 29 splits to form an outer cylindrical outer shell wall 36 and an inner nozzle wall 41. The nozzle wall 41 extends from the step 34 or from the groove 35 in a tapered manner to a maximum convergence region 42. From there, a funnel-shaped wall portion 43 of the nozzle wall 41 widens sharply in a funnel-like manner to the forward circumferential edge 27, where it rejoins the cylindrical wall 36 approximately in the region of the circumferential groove 38. A funnel-shaped expanding orifice 45 is thus formed.

[0112] The axial length of the tapered nozzle wall 41 corresponds to about 4 to 5 times the axial length of the funnel-shaped wall portion 43 of the nozzle wall 41. Accordingly, there is a cavity 44 between the cylindrical wall 36 and the nozzle wall 41, accessible via an opening 39, and the cylindrical wall 36 serves to guide the casing tube 6. The opening 39 and the cavity 44 between the cylindrical wall 36 and the nozzle wall 41 also serve to reduce weight. Instead of the cavity 44, this area could also be machined from solid material.

[0113] The diverter cone 46 projects from the circumferential edge 37 into a funnel-shaped region or funnel-shaped orifice 45 of the housing 26 defined by the wall 43 and into the space defined by the wall 41, the diverter cone 46 having a tip 50 that extends inwardly beyond the region of maximum taper 42 of the wall 41.

[0114] In the region 42 of greatest convergence or narrowing of the wall 41, the flow diverter cone 46 is connected to the housing 26 by a partition in the form of a guide vane 47 connected to the wall 41 or 43 so that a flow path 51 is formed between the partitions 47.

[0115] The diverter cone 46 is hollow and has a cone wall 48 that flares outwardly in a concave or parabolic shape from a tip 50 to a region of maximum expansion 49, with the diverter cone 46 having an outer diameter that matches the outer diameter of the wall 36. From the region of maximum expansion 49, the diverter cone 46 narrows slightly before flaring slightly to a much smaller diameter and extending again to the forward circumferential edge 23. The diverter cone 46 or its wall 48 continues from the region of maximum convergence or narrowing 42 of the nozzle wall 41, which is generally parallel to the funnel-shaped wall 43 of the nozzle wall 41. This defines an annular flow passage as a nozzle, and the orifice 45 is formed as an annular gap orifice.

[0116] 6-11 show embodiments of a fire suppression system that establish both a personnel protection jet and a forward-directed conical fire suppression jet, the embodiment also being suitable for invasive fire suppression systems, where additional components used to penetrate or pass through walls, roofs, doors, etc. are then connected to the diverter cone 46.

[0117] In this embodiment, the casing tube 6 does not have a circumferential slot or extension step 17 but instead terminates in a sharp outer circumferential edge 53 .

[0118] The flow diverter cone 46 terminates in a region of maximum expansion 49 with a short cylindrical wall 54, the flow diverter cone 46 having an outer diameter that terminates flush with the outer diameter of the casing tube 6. Adjacent to the short cylindrical wall 54 is a conically tapered peripheral wall 55 that slopes inwardly and has a corresponding slope that corresponds to the slope of the tapered end wall 56 of the casing tube 6, recessed from the sharp outer peripheral edge 53 to the inner peripheral edge 57.

[0119] The conically tapered peripheral wall 55 of the flow diverter cone 46 terminates in a short concentric cylindrical wall 58 that forms a step to the corresponding radially extending cone wall 48. The circumferential cylindrical wall 58 or step 58 has an outer diameter that matches the outer diameter of the wall 36 of the flow diverter assembly 27.

[0120] Figures 6a to 11b show different positions of the casing tube 6, which will be explained below.

[0121] FIG. 6 shows the position of the casing tube 6 in which the inclined wall portion 56, or its inner peripheral edge 57, terminates at the forward circumferential edge 37 of the flow diverter assembly. In this case, the extinguishing agent, typically water, can enter the flow assembly 27 through the support tube 2 (omitted for clarity in FIGS. 6-11). The fact that the nozzle wall 41 tapers conically to the region of maximum taper 42 increases the flow velocity, which is further increased by the fact that the tip 50 of the flow diverter cone protrudes into the tapered region between the nozzle walls 41. The guide vanes 47 define a flow path 51 between them, which further increases the flow velocity because, on the one hand, the available flow path is restricted and, on the other hand, the flow path is narrowed in this region.

[0122] The guide vanes 47 themselves can have a contour, for example, an airfoil-shaped contour, to appropriately influence the flow. As already mentioned, the cone wall 48 of the flow diverter cone is advantageously embodied as a circumferential parabola so that the flow is deflected uniformly. As a result, in the flow diverter assembly 27, the tubular flow coming from the support tube 2 is divided by the flow diverter cone 46 into an annular flow in the direction of the orifice 45. Due to the harmonious shape of the parabolic wall 48 of the flow diverter cone 46 on the one hand, and the path of the nozzle wall 41, especially in the region of the funnel-shaped wall 43, turbulence is minimized. The fluid is accelerated by this division, and the proportional flow path with high velocity is kept quite short. In the process, the flow is accelerated to the target exit velocity.

[0123] Figure 7 shows a configuration in which the casing tube 6 is retracted. This is the personnel protection jet position in which the jet of fire extinguishing water is essentially accelerated radially outwards. The sharp outer circumferential edge 53 of the casing tube 6 is retracted to such an extent that the emerging jet is not deflected forward by this edge and the wall 56.

[0124] In contrast (FIG. 8), when the wall 56, specifically the inner circumferential edge 57 and the outer edge 53 of the casing tube 6, are in the area of ​​the orifice 45, the wall 56 and the edges 53, 57 clearly shape the emerging jet into a forward-directed conical jet shape.

[0125] If the orifice 45 is further closed by pushing the casing tube 6 forward (FIG. 9), a further adjustment occurs, the flow rate increases, and the flow rate decreases with such a more than half closed position.

[0126] If the casing tube 6 is slid further forward (FIG. 10), a cleaning position is reached in which only a very narrow gap remains between the inner peripheral edge 57 of the front wall 56 of the casing tube 6 and the cone wall 48 in the region of the circumferential cylindrical wall 58. This is the cleaning position in which any impurities present are washed out of this gap.

[0127] 11 shows the fully closed position in which the walls 55, 56 rest completely against each other, with the peripheral edge 57 resting against the common edge and circumferential cylindrical portion 58 of the wall 56 and the outer peripheral edge 57 terminating flush with the outer cylindrical peripheral wall portion 52 of the diverter cone 46. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 6a-11b, it goes without saying that, if necessary, a corresponding flashlight or lamp 22 equipped with a lens can also be placed in the cavity 21 so that in darkness or in cases of poor visibility the operator can also utilize a light cone directed in the direction of the fire extinguishing. A significant advantage of this lighting configuration is the resulting reflection or conduction of the light jet by the fire extinguishing water, which conducts light particles much better than dense fire smoke.

[0128] The above-described embodiment according to Figures 6a to 11b is an embodiment that, in addition to the personnel protection jet, can also produce a forward-directed conical fire extinguishing jet. As already explained, this same embodiment realizes the largest possible surface area of ​​the fluid, which is available for vaporization. In this respect, it achieves an intense jet atomization that, on the one hand, very rapidly reduces the temperature of the fire space, and, on the other hand, limits the amount of extinguishing agent to a level that minimizes water damage. In addition, the flow path embodiment according to the invention, with its fixed diverter cone on the one hand and guide vanes 47 on the other hand, achieves such a harmonious flow path with a clear flow that does not change the long range that can be achieved (in contrast to a movable diverter).

[0129] As already mentioned above, such an embodiment is also suitable for use in invasive fire extinguishing devices, in which case the diverter cone 46 is directed forward and adjacent to a device that is able to penetrate walls, doors, roof structures, etc. that define the fire space, so that the casing tube spray according to the invention can extinguish the fire in the fire space at the moment of penetration, provided that the fire extinguishing device protrudes sufficiently into the fire space to be able to deploy a corresponding jet in the fire space.

[0130] Naturally, this device can also be used as a full-scale fire extinguishing device using casing tube spraying as shown in the drawings.

[0131] The embodiment according to Figures 1a to 1e is furthermore capable of producing a forward directed hollow jet, and a flow diverter assembly 27 according to Figures 2a to 2g is used for this purpose.

[0132] Again, the wall 48 of the diverter cone 46 extends parabolically to a region of maximum expansion 49, then diverges in a curved manner, and then diverges outward once again. The region between the maximum expansion 49 and the leading edge 23 in this embodiment forms the inner peripheral wall of the hollow jet location.

[0133] As already explained, the casing tube 6 has a forward section 19 which in this case is arranged in the body of the casing tube 6 by means of struts 20. The struts 20 are radially aligned with the partitions 47, which are embodied as guide vanes between the diverter cone 46 and the nozzle wall 41. However, the guide vanes can also be offset relative to them.

[0134] In this embodiment, the region of maximum expansion 49 of the flow diverter cone 46 terminates flush with the wall 36 in the circumferential direction so that the casing tube 6 can traverse the region 49, specifically, the edge 57, to close the orifice 45. A radially extending, slightly curved wall portion 61 is spaced by a partition 20 on the opposite side of the inclined wall 56 of the casing tube 6, and a circumferential wall portion 62 extends from the inner wall 61. The forward portion 19 has an inner periphery that matches the outer periphery of the region of maximum expansion 49 so that the region or wall 62 can slide against the wall 48 within the region 49 in a fitted but axially movable manner. From an inner peripheral edge 63, which is spaced a short distance from the wall 61, the forward portion 19 widens at a curved portion 64 before narrowing forward to the periphery 34. The wall portion located between the inner peripheral edge 63 and the forward periphery 34, specifically the curved portion 64, forms the outer wall of the hollow jet flow passage.

[0135] As shown in the personnel protection jet position of FIG. 3 , the extinguishing agent flows in the same manner as in the other described embodiments and is accordingly divided by the diverter cone 46 into an annular flow, which in this position exits the annular orifice 45 and strikes the wall 61 of the forward section 19, where it is directed radially outward. In this personnel protection position, the operating lever 8 is locked to prevent further retraction, in order to ensure this personnel protection jet position is achieved in a panic situation. If the operating lever 8 is moved further forward, this results in a jet adjustment equivalent to the other embodiments described above, creating a forward-directed conical jet. In this case, the wall 56 terminates flush with the funnel-shaped wall 43 of the diverter assembly 27, which defines the orifice 45 externally and, as a result, substantially extends it. In the region 49 of maximum expansion of the diverter cone 46, the flow splits on this side so that the jet is directed outward toward the front.

[0136] 5 shows the hollow jet position that can be achieved by this embodiment. In this position, the operating lever 8, and thus the casing tube 6, must be pulled rearward beyond the panic position, which is possible only if the lever is moved, preferably by pushing down or up over an otherwise insurmountable barrier to prevent this position from occurring in a panic or emergency. In the hollow jet position, the edge 63 of the forward section 19 and the edge 37 of the flow diverter assembly 27 terminate flush with each other.

[0137] On the one hand, the cone wall 48 and the inner wall of the forward portion 19, specifically the curved portion 64, together form a hollow jet flow passage 25, which is externally bounded on the one hand by the outer circumferential edge 34 of the forward portion 19, and on the other hand by the outer circumferential edge 23 of the diverter cone 46, which narrows in the forward region in order to increase the flow velocity.

[0138] This creates a hollow jet that is directed forward.

[0139] The closed position (FIG. 12) is reached when the lever 8 is pushed fully forward, in which case the edge 57 of the casing tube 6 passes beyond the area of ​​maximum expansion 49, thereby completely blocking the orifice 45 to the outside.

[0140] 13 is a schematic diagram of the flow path at the personnel protection jet location. It is immediately apparent how the annular flow is generated by the nozzle wall 41 of the diverter assembly 27 on the one hand and the diverter cone 46 on the other hand, where impingement with the wall 61 occurs such that the jet is directed radially outward.

[0141] Figure 14 shows the jet position as a forward directed conical jet, where the casing tube spray allows for good fire extinguishing, especially at close range, and good spray is achieved at good range, the position here corresponding to the position in Figure 4.

[0142] Figure 15 shows the hollow jet in a forward facing position with a suitable outlet flow path for the fire extinguishing water.

[0143] Figures 16a and 16b show the flow paths of the flow diverter assembly 27, past the diverter cone tip 50, through flow passage 51 to and out from the orifice 45. The flow division is again evident in the detailed enlargement shown in Figure 16b.

[0144] Advantageously, the present invention provides a reliable fire extinguishing device with a simple design. The fire extinguishing device is made up of few parts, and optimal flow results can be ensured by the fact that the flow diverter assembly is formed in one piece, in particular, the flow diverter cone is not movable. Jet adjustment using the casing tube according to the present invention allows perfect casing tube spraying, which ensures highly effective fire extinguishing with the highest possible safety for the operator. The fundamentally simple design also facilitates maintenance and repair.

Claims

1. 1. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a support tube (2) and a single casing tube (6) axially movable on the support tube (2) for adjusting a fire extinguishing jet, wherein a flow diverter assembly (27) comprising a housing (26) and a flow diverter cone (46) is provided on the support tube (2), the flow diverter assembly (27) defining a radially outward annular orifice (45) between the housing (26) and the flow diverter cone (46), a leading edge (53, 56, 57) of the casing tube (6) movable on the orifice (45) to open and close the orifice so that a flow of fluid entering the flow diverter assembly (27) from the support tube (2) is divided into annular flows and directed outward from the orifice (45).

2. A fire extinguishing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the support tube (2) and the diverter assembly (27) have a cross-section of a coaxial cylindrical shape.

3. 3. A fire extinguishing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the diverter cone (46) has cone walls (48) extending radially from a tip (50) projecting axially from the front into the fluid flow path, the diverter cone (46) being rigidly connected to a tubular wall (41) by guide vanes (47), the cone walls (48) and the tubular wall (41) defining the flow path, in the region of the guide vanes (47) the flow path being further divided into a plurality of flow paths (51).

4. 4. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 3, wherein the tubular wall (41) of the housing (26) of the flow diverter assembly (27) narrows the flow passage in a nozzle-like manner, and after a region of maximum convergence (42), or narrowing, the diameter increases again to form a funnel-shaped wall (43) defining the perimeter of the orifice (45).

5. 5. The fire extinguishing device of claim 4, wherein the flow diverter cone (46) projects axially into the funnel-shaped region or funnel-shaped orifice of the housing (26) defined by the funnel-shaped wall (43) and into the space defined by the tubular wall (41), the tip (50) of the flow diverter cone (46) extending beyond the region of maximum taper (42) or narrowing of the tubular wall (41) and into the tubular interior of the housing (26).

6. 6. A fire extinguishing device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the peripheral annular orifice (45) is defined by the funnel-shaped wall (43) of the housing (26) in an axially rearward region and by the cone wall (48) of the diverter cone (46) in an axially forward region.

7. 7. A fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at its leading edge, the casing tube (6) has a conical sealing surface in the form of an inclined wall (56) extending inwards and axially rearwards from the outer peripheral edge (53) to the inner peripheral edge (57) of the casing tube.

8. 8. The fire extinguishing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the flow diverter assembly (27) has a corresponding conical sealing surface on the flow diverter cone (46) in the form of a sloped wall (55) extending from a region (49) of maximum radial size of the flow diverter cone (46) to a peripheral cylindrical step (58), the sloped wall (55) and the sloped wall (56) extending in the same direction.

9. 5. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 4, wherein the inclined wall portions (55) and (56) extending in the same direction are different from the cone wall (48) and the funnel-shaped wall portion (43) defining the orifice (45) and have an inclination angle that is greater than that of the cone wall (48) and the funnel-shaped wall portion (43), so as to create a change in momentum.

10. 10. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the casing tube (6) widens towards a front end (16) axially opposite the rear end (4) of the fire extinguishing device (1), and in the resulting expansion area (19) of the front end (16) a continuous circumferential radial slot (18) is provided, the internal expansion of the expansion area (19) forming a bend (64), the cone wall (48) of the flow diverter cone (46) widens radially up to the area of ​​maximum expansion (49) and branches in a convex curved manner, and the bend (64) and the area between the area of ​​maximum expansion (49) and the leading edge (23) of the cone wall (48) together define a hollow jet flow path (25) at the location of a hollow jet of the fire extinguishing device (1).

11. 11. Fire extinguishing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the front part of the enlarged area (19) where struts straddle the circumferential radially continuous slots (18) is arranged on the casing tube (6).

12. 12. A fire extinguishing device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the area (49) of maximum expansion of the diverter cone (46) ends diametrically flush with the wall (36) and is of the same diameter so that the edge (57) of the casing tube (6) can traverse said area (49) to close the orifice (45).

13. 13. A fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a wall (61) is arranged at a distance from the conically extending inclined wall (56) of the casing tube (6) by struts (20), said wall (61) extending radially and slightly curved, a circumferential wall (62) extending from said wall (61) internally, and said expansion area (19) has an inner periphery corresponding to the outer periphery of said area (49) of maximum expansion, so that an area (14, 19) or said circumferential wall (62) fits against the cone wall (48) in said area (49) and can slide in an axially movable manner.

14. 14. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 13, characterized in that from an inner peripheral edge (63) spaced apart from the wall (61), the front part (19) with the curved portion (64) widens in the forward direction and then narrows up to the peripheral edge (34), the path of the curved portion (64) essentially following the path of the cone wall (48), so that the curved portion (64) of the wall located between the inner peripheral edge (63) and the forward peripheral edge (34) constitutes the outer wall of a hollow jet channel (25).

15. 13. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 12, characterized in that in the furthest retracted position of the casing tube (6), the hollow jet flow path (25) is formed by the edge (63) and the edge (37) of the cone wall (48) terminating flush with each other, so that the orifice (45) formed by the curved portion (64) and the cone wall (48) is widened by the flow diverter cone, resulting in an axial annular deflection of the flow path.

16. 16. Fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the position of the hollow jet of the actuation lever (8) of the fire extinguisher is blocked by a barrier which must be overcome by an additional action of the user.

17. 17. Fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a connection (5) for coupling to an extinguishing agent transport hose is provided at the rear end (4) of the device.

18. 18. Fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at the front end (16), the fire extinguishing device (1) comprises a lighting device (22) arranged in the diverter assembly (27).

19. 19. A method of extinguishing a fire by means of a fire extinguishing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that opening and closing of the outward annular orifice (45) of the fire extinguishing apparatus (1) and adjustment of the extinguishing jet are effected by the single casing tube (6) which is axially movable on the support tube (2), the orifice (45) being formed by the flow diverter assembly (27) rigidly arranged on the support tube (2), and the fluid flow entering the flow diverter assembly (27) from the support tube (2) is divided into annular flows which are guided outward towards the orifice (45) and can cross the leading edge (53, 56, 57) of the casing tube (6) so that the orifice (45) is smoothly opened and closed thereby.

20. 20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the flow rate of the extinguishing agent through the cross-sectional opening of the orifice (45) guided by the casing tube (6) is adapted to the dispensing funnel enlarged by the reduction of kinetic energy.

21. 21. A method according to claim 19 or claim 20, characterized in that a shield-like outwardly expanding personnel protection jet is established by maximum opening of the orifice (45) with the casing tube (6).

22. 22. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that by sliding the casing tube (6) forward the jet cone is narrowed and directed forward.

23. 23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the maximum recession of the casing tube (6) beyond a barrier is used to deflect the radial flow path into a forward-directed annular axial hollow jet, a corresponding hollow jet flow path (25) being formed by the casing tube (6) and the flow divider assembly (27).

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