ICT-Based Platform for Wildfire Prevention and Water Curtain System Equipped with Anti-Freezing Mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to the construction of a wildfire prevention ICT platform and a water curtain system equipped with a freeze prevention function. By utilizing an ICT platform-based detection means to detect the possibility of a wildfire early, and by simultaneously operating sprinklers for water curtain formation through a high-pressure pump and a tower-type support, a wide water curtain is formed, thereby suppressing the spread of the wildfire in advance. Furthermore, after the water curtain formation operation is terminated, residual water inside the pipes is automatically discharged, allowing for repeated use without pipe freezing even during the winter season. This configuration provides the effect of simultaneously improving wildfire prevention efficacy and equipment reliability.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for preventing wildfires that may occur in forest-adjacent areas, industrial complexes, residential areas, and around national infrastructure, and more specifically, to the construction of an ICT platform for wildfire prevention and a water curtain system having a freeze-prevention function, which combines an information and communication technology (ICT)-based integrated management platform that collects and analyzes various environmental information in real time with a water curtain forming system that has a freeze-prevention function applied so that it can be operated stably even under various climatic conditions such as extreme heat or extreme cold. Background Technology

[0002] Due to recent climate change, prolonged droughts, high temperatures, and strong winds have become more frequent, leading to a rapid increase in the risk of wildfires. Furthermore, once a wildfire occurs, it consistently raises concerns regarding not only large-scale forest destruction but also casualties and significant social and economic losses. Consequently, there is a growing need for prevention-oriented technologies aimed at preventing wildfires from occurring in the first place or suppressing their initial spread, in addition to firefighting techniques for post-fire suppression.

[0003] Conventional forest fire prevention technologies have limitations, as they rely primarily on visual observation by monitoring personnel, simple video surveillance using fixed CCTVs, or manually operated sprinkler systems, making real-time response to extensive forest areas difficult and failing to accurately reflect environmental conditions where fire risk changes rapidly.

[0004] In addition, in the case of some automatic sprinkler systems, problems repeatedly occurred during the cold season where freezing and damage occurred due to residual water inside the water pipes, or where valves and nozzles froze and burst, making it impossible to form a normal water film.

[0005] Accordingly, Korean registered patent No. 10-1592940 discloses a water curtain tower control system and a method of driving the same, which controls the operating status of a video camera installed at a certain point in a forest to capture the disaster status of the area in real time, collects previously captured 2D video data or 3D video data using water curtain tower dedicated app content, and also monitors and inspects the operating status of the video camera, remote controller, or fire pump control equipment in real time. Additionally, Korean registered patent No. 10-1509559 discloses a forest fire prevention system using a water curtain that forms a water curtain on buildings or cultural properties adjacent to mountainous areas and forests at the beginning of a forest fire to prevent fires caused by forest fires in the early stages and to prevent the spread of forest fires approaching buildings or cultural properties.

[0006] However, despite the fact that wildfires occur intensively mainly during the winter and spring seasons, conventional technologies had limitations in that continuous and repetitive operation was difficult in actual field applications due to insufficient consideration for preventing freezing.

[0007] In particular, water curtain systems for forest fire prevention are often installed in locations directly exposed to the outside air, such as forest boundaries, forest roads, and areas adjacent to power facilities. Consequently, serious problems arise in low-temperature winter environments, including freezing due to water stagnation within pipes, pipe expansion and breakage, and nozzle clogging. This leads to reduced reliability of the system during the dry winter or early spring seasons, when the risk of forest fires is actually high. Despite these issues, conventional technology has not sufficiently presented a freeze-prevention function organically integrated with the water curtain formation structure and control system. Prior art literature

[0008] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1592940 Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1509559 The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the conventional technology described above by establishing an ICT-based integrated management platform capable of detecting and predicting the possibility of wildfires in real time, and at the same time, to provide a water curtain system with an overall anti-freezing function applied to prevent freezing or damage to pipes, valves, and nozzles even in harsh winter environments and to enable stable operation through control logic.

[0010] In addition, another objective is to maximize wildfire prevention effects and minimize maintenance burdens by automatically controlling the formation of water curtains and operational status according to changes in environmental conditions.

[0011] In addition, another objective of the present invention is to enable immediate response by both public institutions related to wildfires and local managers by configuring it to allow for both remote control and manual on-site control. means of solving the problem

[0012] To achieve the above objective, the present invention is configured to determine the possibility of a forest fire by comprehensively analyzing information collected from cameras, smoke detection sensors, wind speed detection means, and humidity detection means installed in a forest fire risk area based on ICT platform technology, or by receiving forest fire notification signals transmitted from forest fire-related agencies. Based on the result of this determination, a high-pressure pump connected to a water storage means using groundwater or a water source is operated, thereby causing multiple water curtain forming sprinkler means to operate simultaneously through high-pressure water pipes installed on tower-type supports, so as to form a water curtain at a certain height above the forest or ground and increase humidity in the forest, thereby suppressing forest fires in advance.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is configured to automatically discharge water from inside the pipe through an automatic drainage means installed at the bottom of the pipe or at the lowest position relative to the terrain when the water film formation operation in the pipe ends or switches to a standby state, thereby preventing water from remaining inside the pipe and freezing during the winter. This system is configured to be controlled by a public institution via remote communication means or to be directly operated by a local manager using a mobile terminal or manual operation.

[0014] In addition, the water curtain system operating according to the control signal of the central control server includes a water supply pipe, branch pipe, sprinkler nozzle, shut-off valve, and drainage line, and structural and control means for preventing freezing are applied in combination to each component.

[0015] Specifically, an automatic drainage function is implemented to prevent residual water from remaining inside the pipes, and if the ambient temperature drops below a set threshold, the water supply is shut off and the drain valve opens simultaneously to rapidly discharge water from the pipeline. Additionally, heating wires or insulation layers are applied to the outer perimeter of the pipes as needed, and the water film forming nozzle is configured to include a self-draining structure or a micro-heating structure to prevent freezing. Effects of the invention

[0016] According to the present invention, by organically combining an ICT-based platform capable of detecting the risk of forest fire in real time and automatically responding to it with a water curtain system having an anti-freezing function, the reliability of forest fire prevention and the speed of response are significantly improved. In particular, it is possible to prevent system malfunctions caused by the freezing of pipes and nozzles even during severe cold weather, enabling stable operation year-round and reducing unnecessary maintenance costs and manpower input. Furthermore, the protection effect for forests and adjacent facilities can be maximized through the formation of a water curtain that blocks the forest fire spread path in advance. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water curtain system with a wildfire prevention ICT platform and anti-freezing function, and the state of installation near a forest or facility. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a water supply and pressurization system including a water tank, a water source, a high-pressure pump, and related valves. Figure 3 is a configuration diagram showing the combined structure of an ICT platform sensor unit including a camera, a smoke detection sensor, a thermometer, a hygrometer, and an anemometer, and an automatic control system. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a piping and water film forming structure in which water supplied from a high-pressure pump is delivered to a tower-type support column along a high-pressure water pipe and sprayed through upper and lower sprinklers for forming a water film. Figure 5 is a configuration diagram showing a water supply system including a direct connection structure with groundwater or a water pipe, and a state in which the water supply system is controlled by an automatic control system. Figure 6 is a structural diagram of a support column showing a structure in which the support column is formed with an elliptical cross-sectional structure and a sprinkler for forming a water film is installed on the upper part. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an anti-freeze structure in which residual water inside the pipe is automatically discharged to the outside through an automatic drain valve installed at the bottom of the pipe or at the lowest geographical location. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely examples to aid in understanding the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention without departing from the essence of the invention by a person skilled in the art.

[0019] The forest fire prevention ICT platform and water curtain system having a freeze prevention function according to the present invention is configured to detect the possibility of a forest fire in advance and block access by forming a water curtain before the forest fire spreads to the vicinity of villages, livestock barns, public institutions, temples, cultural heritage facilities, recreational forests, etc.

[0020] In addition, it includes a freeze protection function that automatically drains residual water from inside the pipes after the water film formation operation ends, enabling repeated use even during the winter season.

[0021] To this end, the system is basically configured to include a water tank (100), a high-pressure pump (300), an ICT platform sensor unit (200), an automatic control system (270), a tower-type support (800), high-pressure water pipes (351, 361, 371, 381), upper water film forming sprinklers (350, 360, 370, 380) and lower water film forming sprinklers (35, 36, 37, 38), and an automatic drain valve (305).

[0022] A water tank (100) is a means for receiving and storing raw water from groundwater or a water supply system, and is configured to include a ventilation opening (101), a manhole (160), an internal ladder (107), an insulating material (170), a high-level sensor (130), and a low-level sensor (140). An insulating material (170) is installed on the outer wall or inside of the water tank (100) to prevent the stored water from freezing even during the winter season when the outside temperature is low. The high-level sensor (130) and the low-level sensor (140) are linked with an automatic control system (270) to detect the amount of stored water and control the water supply or pump operation when the water level exceeds a set range.

[0023] The high-pressure pump (300) is connected to the water tank (100) through the pump inlet valve (310) and operates according to the control signal of the automatic control system (270) to pressurize the water to a high pressure. The pressurized water passes through the piping section (320, 330, 335) and is supplied toward the tower-type support column (800) through the high-pressure water pipe (351, 361, 371, 381).

[0024] The ICT platform sensor unit (200) is configured to include a camera (201), a smoke detection sensor (202), a thermometer (203), a hygrometer (204), and an anemometer (205), and collects environmental information near the forest in real time. Based on the collected video information and environmental data, the ICT platform sensor unit (200) determines the possibility of a forest fire by comprehensively analyzing the occurrence of smoke, temperature rise patterns, humidity decrease, and wind speed changes. In addition, it is configured to respond immediately through the automatic control system (270) when a signal notifying of a forest fire or danger transmitted from a public institution related to forest fires is input.

[0025] The automatic control system (270) automatically operates the high-pressure pump (300) based on the analysis results of the artificial intelligence sensor unit (200) or an external notification signal, and simultaneously controls whether the sprinkler for forming a water film is opened. Accordingly, water supplied through the high-pressure water pipes (351, 361, 371, 381) is sprayed through the upper water film forming sprinkler (350, 360, 370, 380) installed at the top of the tower-type support column (800) or at a certain height from the ground, thereby forming a continuous water film in the upper part of the forest. If necessary, the lower water film forming sprinkler (35, 36, 37, 38) installed near the ground is operated in parallel or individually to simultaneously increase the humidity in the lower area of ​​the forest.

[0026] The water film formed in this way rapidly increases the humidity in the air within the forest, suppressing the scattering and spread of embers and effectively blocking wildfires from approaching specific facilities or villages.

[0027] Meanwhile, when the water film formation operation of the water pipe ends or the system switches to a standby state, the automatic control system (270) operates the automatic drain valve (305) to discharge the water remaining inside the pipe to the outside. The automatic drain valve (305) is installed at the bottom of the pipe or at the lowest geographical location, and a screen (3051) and a drain pipe (3052) are provided at the end to prevent the entry of external foreign matter, insects, or small animals. Accordingly, since no water remains inside the pipe, damage or inability to operate due to pipe freezing does not occur even during the winter season.

[0028] One of the important features of the present invention is that control logic and structural means for preventing freezing are integrally implemented in the water curtain system (40). The central control server (30) sets a threshold value for determining the risk of freezing based on the outside temperature and the internal temperature of the pipes, and controls the system to switch to a freezing prevention mode regardless of the risk of wildfire if the outside temperature drops below the threshold value or if a low temperature state is maintained for a certain period of time. In this freezing prevention mode, the water supply to the water supply pipe (41) is cut off through the opening / closing valve (44), and at the same time, the drainage line (45) is opened to automatically discharge the water remaining inside the water supply pipe (41), branch pipe (42), and sprinkler nozzle (43) by gravity or pressure difference.

[0029] Additionally, the spray nozzle (43) has a self-draining structure to prevent water from accumulating inside, and if necessary, a fine discharge port is formed at the bottom of the nozzle so that residual water is naturally discharged when the water supply is stopped. In some embodiments, a low-power heating element is placed near the spray nozzle (43) or the opening / closing valve (44) to prevent localized freezing even in cryogenic environments.

[0030] According to this configuration, the water film system (40) of the present invention can maintain a stable standing state without functional degradation due to freezing even during the dry winter and early spring when the risk of wildfires is high, and can form a normal water film as soon as the risk of wildfires is detected.

[0031] <Example 1>

[0032] This embodiment relates to a case where the system of the present invention is installed in a forest area near a village. A tower-type support (800) is installed at the forest boundary, and a sprinkler (350, 360, 370, 380) for forming a water curtain is placed at the top. When the ICT platform sensor unit (200) detects smoke and a rise in temperature, the automatic control system (270) operates the high-pressure pump (300) to form a water curtain over the entire upper part of the forest, thereby preventing the spread of a forest fire in advance.

[0033] <Example 2>

[0034] This embodiment relates to a case where it is installed near a temple or cultural property facility. A water curtain forming sprinkler (35, 36, 37, 38) for lower use is installed in parallel with an upper sprinkler near the ground to form a water curtain by spraying from the upper and lower parts simultaneously or separately. After the wildfire response is completed, residual water in the pipe is automatically discharged through an automatic drain valve (305), allowing for repeated use even during the winter season.

[0035] This system can be controlled by public agencies related to wildfires via remote communication means, and is simultaneously configured to allow local village managers or wildfire managers to operate it directly via mobile terminals or manual operation.

[0036] <Example 3>

[0037] In this embodiment, an insulation layer and a heating wire are applied in parallel to the outer circumference of the water supply pipe (41), and a temperature sensor is additionally placed near the opening / closing valve (44) to detect the possibility of local freezing more precisely. The central control server (30) controls partial drainage or periodic micro-drainage when the temperature of the section drops rapidly, thereby preventing water from remaining stagnant inside the pipe for a long time. Through this, the repeated starting and stopping of the water curtain system (40) is stably performed even during severe cold weather.

[0038] As such, the water curtain system having a wildfire prevention ICT platform and freeze prevention function according to the present invention can provide a highly reliable wildfire prevention function without seasonal constraints by organically combining environmental sensing, automatic control, and freeze prevention structure. Explanation of the symbols

[0039] 100 : Water tank 101 : Ventilation 107 : Internal ladder 130 : High level sensor 140 : Low water level sensor 160 : Manhole 170 : Insulation 200 : ICT Platform Sensor Unit 201 : Camera 202 : Smoke detection sensor 203 : Thermometer 204 : Hygrometer 205 : Anemometer 270 : Automatic Control System 300 : High-pressure pump 310 : Pump inlet valve 320 : Outflow valve 330 : Piping valve 335 : High-voltage coupling 351, 361, 371, 381: High-pressure water pipes

Claims

Claim 1 In a water curtain system having a wildfire prevention ICT platform and a freeze prevention function, the water curtain system comprises an ICT platform sensor unit (200) for detecting the possibility of wildfire occurrence, an automatic control system (270), a high-pressure pump (300), high-pressure water pipes (351, 361, 371, 381), an automatic drain valve (305), and a sprinkler for forming a water curtain installed on a tower-type support column (800); the sprinkler for forming a water curtain comprises an upper water curtain forming sprinkler (350, 360, 370, 380) installed on the upper part of the tower-type support column (800) and a lower water curtain forming sprinkler (35, 36, 37, 38) installed near the ground, and is configured to form a water curtain simultaneously or separately in the upper and lower areas of the forest; and the automatic control system (270), as a first control function, of the ICT platform sensor unit (200) A water curtain system having a water curtain and a water curtain system with a wildfire prevention ICT platform, characterized by: determining the possibility of a wildfire by receiving an analysis result or an external notification signal; if it is determined that there is a possibility of a wildfire, automatically operating a high-pressure pump (300) and simultaneously opening the upper water curtain forming sprinkler and the lower water curtain forming sprinkler either simultaneously or individually to form a water curtain in the upper and lower areas of the forest; as a second control function, detecting at least one of the outside temperature and the internal temperature of the pipe to determine whether there is a risk of freezing; and if the outside temperature drops below a set reference temperature or if a low temperature condition persists for a certain period of time or longer, automatically switching to a freeze prevention mode; and as a third control function, blocking the water supply to the water supply pipe in the freeze prevention mode and simultaneously operating an automatic drain valve (305) to automatically discharge the water remaining inside the water supply pipe, high-pressure water pipe, branch pipe, and water curtain forming sprinkler, thereby preventing freezing and damage to the pipe and water curtain forming sprinkler even in winter. Claim 2 In claim 1, the above-mentioned ICT platform sensor unit (200) is characterized by including one or more of a camera (201), a smoke detection sensor (202), a thermometer (203), a hygrometer (204), and an anemometer (205), thereby establishing a wildfire prevention ICT platform and a water curtain system having a freeze prevention function. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A water curtain system having a wildfire prevention ICT platform and freeze prevention function, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, the drainage line (45) is configured to automatically discharge residual water inside the pipe by including an automatic drain valve installed at the bottom of the pipe or at the lowest geographical location.

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