Channeled coupling member for long-range fire-fighting apparatus

Abstract

A channeled coupling member for use in a fire-fighting apparatus and for coupling a fire-extinguishing fluid source to distribution tubes for allowing fire-extinguishing fluid to flow therethrough. The channeled coupling member comprises a first coupling portion for coupling to the fluid source, a second divergent portion coextensive with the first coupling portion along the longitudinal axis, for coupling to the distribution tubes; and first channels having inlets at the first coupling portion and extending to outlets in the second divergent portion, the first channels diverging away from a longitudinal axis in respective directions in the second diverging portion. A grid member is provided in facing register with a fire-extinguishing fluid ejection outlet in a fire-fighting fluid injection assembly of the apparatus, comprising a support frame and a polar grid plate that comprises concentric grid segments.

Description

CHANNELED COUPLING MEMBER FOR LONG-RANGE FIRE-FIGHTINGAPPARATUSCROSS-REFERENC DATA

[0001] The present application claims the priority of United States provisional patent application No. 63 / 632,179 filed on April 10, 2024.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to fire-fighting equipment. More specifically, the subject matter relates to a coupling member for coupling a fire-extinguishing fluid source to a spray assembly for generating fluid droplets projected in a strong airflow.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known to provide a fire-fighting apparatus that comprises a fire-extinguishing canon wherein a fire-extinguishing fluid is injected into an air or carrier stream that is blown at high velocity. The fire-extinguishing fluid is more particularly injected with a spray assembly that has a manifold comprising a number of distribution tubes that are each provided with an injecting assembly at their downstream end to inject the fire-extinguishing fluid into the air stream. Having a number of discrete injecting assemblies increases the spread of the fire-extinguishing fluid in the air stream and makes the combined fireextinguishing stream more efficient including in its throw range. The throw range of a fire-extinguishing canon is obviously an important parameter of such a device, as it allows reaching higher or further sources of fire with the fireextinguishing stream.

[0004] The manifold is connected to a hose or other fire-extinguishing fluid source by a coupling member. A typical prior art coupling member 500 is shown in Fig. 10. It has a longitudinal axis 501 and it comprises a first straight upstream portion 502 and a second divergent downstream portion 504 that iscoextensive with the first straight upstream portion 502. The inner channel 506 in coupling member 500 consequently has a first straight portion 506a in first straight upstream portion 502 and a second divergent downstream portion 506b in second divergent downstream portion 504. An inlet 508 allows fireextinguishing fluid to flow into coupling member from the fluid source at upstream end 500a. A convex downstream wall 510 is formed at downstream end 500b and is provided with outlet openings 512. The distribution tubes 514 of the manifold of the spray assembly are each connected to one of the outlet openings 512.

[0005] Fire-extinguishing fluid flowing through the coupling member 500 is consequently distributed within distribution tubes 514 to be conveyed towards the injection assemblies (not shown).

[0006] One problem with such a coupling member 500 of the prior art relates to the divergent configuration of its second divergent downstream portion 506b. This divergent configuration results from the single inlet 508 that is connected to the fluid inlet hose (not shown) that branches off into the divergent array of distribution tubes that provide fire-extinguishing fluid in the relatively wide fire-extinguishing stream generated by the fire canon blower. However, with this configuration, a number, e.g. 16, distribution tubes 514 need to be fed with the fire-extinguishing fluid from a single inlet 508. This means that channel 506 will diverge into a wider open area, generating two problems:

[0007] 1) The fire-extinguishing fluid incoming from the first straight portion 506a will tend to flow straight into the openings 512 that are located in facing register with the first straight portion 506a, i.e. nearer to longitudinal axis 501 , such that those openings 512 that are located at the outer periphery will receive less fire-extinguishing fluid. This results in an irregular and uneven fireextinguishing stream being outputted from the fire extinguishing canon. The fire-extinguishing fluid will more particularly be concentrated more towards the center, which is problematic as an even distribution to have a predictable and far-throwing fire-extinguishing capacity is desired. Moreover, the air stream created by air blower 110 usually has a greater air flow peripherally away fromthe center of canon 101 , due to the rotor of the fan air blower 110 being located at the center. While in low-output blowers that might not be a concern, in the high-pressure output of a fire-extinguishing canon, this uneven fluid distribution with more air towards the outer periphery combined with less fire-extinguishing fluid towards the outer periphery yields a canon with a significantly reduced throw range.

[0008] 2) The fire-extinguishing fluid will hit the downstream wall 510 between openings 512 which will generate backflow and turbulence within channel 506. This will in turn reduce the efficiency and throw range of the fireextinguishing canon.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the invention, there is provided a channeled coupling member for use in a fire-fighting apparatus for coupling a fire-extinguishing fluid source to a number of distribution tubes for allowing fire-extinguishing fluid to flow therethrough, the channeled coupling member defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:

[0010] a first coupling portion for coupling to the fluid source;

[0011] a second divergent portion coextensive with said first coupling portion along said longitudinal axis, for coupling to the distribution tubes; and

[0012] first channels having inlets at said coupling portion and outlets in said divergent portion for coupling to the distribution tubes, said first channels extending between said inlet and said outlets, with at least some of said first channels diverging away from said longitudinal axis in respective directions in said second diverging portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of each said first channel is substantially the same as that of the others.

[0014] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of each said first channel is substantially constant along its entire length.

[0015] In one embodiment, said fist coupling portion further comprises a second channel that is upstream of said first channels, for receiving the fireextinguishing fluid from the fluid source before it is divided into the first channels.

[0016] In one embodiment, the channeled coupling member further comprises a honeycomb wall structure in said first coupling portion that forms an upstream portion of the first channels.

[0017] The invention also relates to a fire-fighting apparatus comprising an air blower for generating an air stream, a spray assembly disposed in a downstream direction relative to said air blower, said spray assembly comprising injection assemblies for injecting a fire-extinguishing fluid into the air stream, a number of distribution tubes for conveying fire-extinguishing fluid from a fire-extinguishing fluid source to said injection assemblies, and a channeled coupling member for coupling the fire-extinguishing fluid source to said distribution tubes for allowing fire-extinguishing fluid to flow from said fireextinguishing source into said distribution tubes, the channeled coupling member defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:

[0018] a first coupling portion for coupling to the fluid source;

[0019] a second divergent portion coextensive with said first coupling portion along said longitudinal axis, for coupling to the distribution tubes; and

[0020] first channels having inlets at said coupling portion and outlets in said divergent portion for coupling to the distribution tubes, said first channels extending between said inlet and said outlets, with at least some of said first channels diverging away from said longitudinal axis in respective directions in said second diverging portion.

[0021] The invention further related to a grid member for use in a firefighting apparatus in facing register with a fire-extinguishing fluid ejection outlet in a fire-fighting fluid injection assembly, comprising a support frame and a polar grid plate that comprises concentric grid segments.

[0022] In one embodiment, said grid member further comprises radial segments extending away from a center of said concentric grid segments.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In the annexed drawings:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the long-range fire-fighting apparatus according to the present invention, mounted on a trailer;

[0025] Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the long-range fire-fighting apparatus of Fig. 1 , with a connecting fire-extinguishing fluid hose;

[0026] Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a rear, or upstream, and a front, or downstream, perspective view of the spray assembly of the fire-fighting apparatus of Figs. 1-2, further showing with the connecting end of the fireextinguishing fluid hose;

[0027] Fig. 5 is a perspective view, at an enlarged scale, of a fireextinguishing fluid injecting assembly part of the spray assembly Figs. 1-4;

[0028] Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a downstream and an upstream perspective view, at an enlarged scale, of the channeled coupling member of the fire-fighting apparatus of Figs. 1-4, with figure 6 further showing the connecting end of the fire-extinguishing fluid hose connected to the coupling member and suggesting portions of some distribution tubes that are part of the spray assembly;

[0029] Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 6, but is partly broken away to show the channels within, and with the fire-extinguishing fluid hose and the distribution tubes not being shown in Fig. 8;

[0030] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of Fig. 7; and

[0031] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art channeled coupling member, partly showing some of the distribution tubes that are connected to the outlets of the channeled coupling member.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0032] With respect to the present description, references to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, the term “or” should generally be understood to mean “and / or” and so forth.

[0033] Recitation of ranges of values and of values herein or on the drawings are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The words “about”, “approximately”, or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and / or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described realizations. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as”, or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the exemplary realizations and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the realizations. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the realizations. The use of the term “substantially” is intended to mean “for the most part” or “essentially” depending on the context. It is to be construed as indicating that some deviation from the word it qualifies is acceptable as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for the intended purpose.

[0034] In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first”, “second”, “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below”, “front”, “rear”, “upstream”,“downstream” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0035] The terms “top”, “up”, “upper”, “bottom”, “lower”, “down”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “interior” and “exterior” and the like are intended to be construed in their normal meaning in relation with normal installation of the product. More precisely, the term “longitudinal” refers to an orientation parallel to the longitudinal orientation of a leg when in use. The term “transversal” refers to the perpendicular orientation with respect to the longitudinal.

[0036] It should further be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature and / or such joining may allow for the flow of fluids, electricity, or electrical signals between two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

[0037] The following disclosure describes an apparatus for generating, projecting, directing and concentrating a multiphase (generally air and liquid such as water) fire-extinguishing fluid stream to reach zones of interest within or around a fire in spite of site factors such as distance and wind. The apparatus enables quick user operable changeover of a spray assembly to select from water droplet generation or foam generation so to rapidly configure the apparatus for different needs.

[0038] Indeed, those of ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that, for some types of fires such as fires involving electrical equipment or fires involving some chemical compounds, water may be substituted with more suitable types of liquid fire-extinguishing agents, for example liquids that may transform into foam with variable expansion rates when exposed to ambient air. Such firefighting foams may comprise class A foams used to fight wildfires such as thoseinvolving class A fuels (ordinary combustibles), or may comprise class B foams designed to contain the explosive vapors produced by flammable liquids.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a user configurable long-range fire-fighting apparatus 100 according to the invention, mounted on a mobile platform such as a trailer T that can be hitched to a vehicle (not shown) to obtain the desired mobility to reach fire sites and to move the fire-fighting apparatus 100 on a firefighting site. Trailer T includes a source of, or is connected to a source of, fireextinguishing fluid by means of a hose H. Trailer T also comprises a high pressure high-flow fluid pump P which is connected to supply hose H for feeding the fire-fighting apparatus 100 with high-pressure fire-extinguishing fluid when in use. According to fire requirements, the fire-extinguishing fluid may be water or any other suitable fire-extinguishing fluid such as a mix of grade A firefighting foam and water or other suitable similar fire-fighting medium.

[0040] Referring to Figs. 1-2, the long-range fire-fighting apparatus 100 according to the invention comprises a fire-extinguishing canon 101 . Canon 101 comprises a positive pressure air blower 110 that includes a housing 120 that houses an air blower fan (concealed in the drawings) of high-capacity. Housing 120 has an upstream air inlet 121 and a downstream generally circular air outlet 122 that defines a peripheral ring 123 for delivering an air stream. The housing 120 provides a hollow channel between the upstream air inlet 121 and the air outlet 122 for the air carrier stream to travel therein at high velocity along a longitudinal axis 99 of canon 121. Hose H extends through an opening (concealed in the drawings) into housing 120.

[0041] Fire-fighting apparatus 100 further comprises a plurality of adjustable, partly overlapping stream deflecting flaps 130 hingedly mounted to peripheral ring 123 of housing 120. The flaps 130 have a generally trapezoidal shape and have an arcuate cross section that defines, in co-operation, an adjustable straight, converging or diverging funnel-like generally frustoconical nozzle 132. Flaps 130 thus mate with housing 120 at its outlet 122 at one end to define a variable circumference nozzle outlet 133 for canon 121. The flaps 130 are controlled by an actuating system (not shown) that enables a user tojointly orient the flaps 130 and thereby to configure the nozzle 132 in a desired converging, diverging or straight configuration, to allow the adjustment of a dispersion pattern and efficient range of the fire-extinguishing stream, in view of different operating conditions.

[0042] The nozzle 132 may be adjusted to exit a fire-extinguishing stream from the outlet 122 either into a divergent stream pattern or into a more focused stream pattern. The positive pressure blower in air blower 110 providing the high-velocity source of the fire-extinguishing stream may be driven by a variable speed, electric or hydraulic motor (not shown). The speed of the motor is typically controllable by a user, whereby they may adjust the blower to produce an airflow ranging for example from about between 1 ,500 and 35,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Thereby, control over strength, range and dispersion pattern of the fire-extinguishing stream projecting from the nozzle outlet 133 is available to the user.

[0043] Now referring to Figs. 1-4, in order to provide a fire-extinguishing stream containing a fire-extinguishing fluid within an air flow, such as water or fire-fighting foam, as required for performing various fire-fighting tasks, the firefighting apparatus 100 comprises a replaceable user mountable modular spray assembly 150 which is adapted to generate and inject water droplets or other fire-extinguishing fluid in the air stream. The spray assembly 150 comprises a frame 152 adapted to support a plurality of low-dispersion droplets injecting assemblies 140. The spray assemblies 150 further comprises a manifold 153 comprising distribution tubes 154, aka feeding tubes, that are each equipped with one injecting assembly 140 at their downstream end.

[0044] Manifold 153 is connected to hose H by an extinguishing fluid channeled coupling member 300 according to the present invention, that will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

[0045] The low-dispersion injecting assemblies 140 preferably have a k- factor in a range between about two (2) and four (4), and are mounted in a generally equally spaced pattern to provide substantially uniform flow distribution with minimal interaction between the jets generated by the individualinjector assemblies 140. This range of k-factor is desired to meet the requirements in relation with the range, aka distance, reachable by the fireextinguishing stream at targeted operating pressures with the preferred jetfragmenting design.

[0046] Any suitable number of injecting assemblies 140, e.g. 16 assemblies as shown in the drawings, may be provided on fire-fighting apparatus 100.

[0047] Referring now to Fig. 5, one low-dispersion fluid dropletgenerating injecting assembly 140 is depicted. The injecting assembly 140 comprises a body 141 comprising a fluid inlet pipe 142 connected to a corresponding one of tubes 154 (not shown in Fig. 5), that has a fluid outlet 143, aka fluid outlet egress orifice, a jet-fragmenting device 160, aka an elongated jet-fragmenting device 160, downstream from the fluid outlet 143, and a holding structure 149 comprising supporting arms 144 and a crossbar 145 for mounting the jet-fragmenting device 160 with its apex in facing register with fluid outlet 143.

[0048] In operation, fire-fighting fluid is fed with a high speed flow rate sequentially through hose H, through channeled coupling member 300, through tubes 154 of manifold 153, then out through fluid outlet 143 of each of the injecting assemblies 140 in a stream that hits the jet-fragmenting device 160, wherein the jet-fragmenting device 160 is designed to convert, aka break, the incoming jet of fluid into smaller jets, aka droplets or jets breakable into droplets, adapted to enable long-range transportation of the fluid in the airflow induced by the blower 110, thus generating, through the mix of air and droplets of fluid, a fire-extinguishing stream.

[0049] As further shown in Fig. 5, there is provided a foam forming circular grid plate 170 that is mounted downstream of jet-fragmenting device 160. Grid plate 170 is to be used when the fire-fighting fluid includes foam that needs to be broken down, as opposed to only including water. More particularly, grid plate 170 has a mesh size adapted to convert affluent airborne foam droplets of the fire-extinguishing fluid flowing away from the jet-fragmentingdevice 160 into fire-fighting foam precursor. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the arms 144 have a length that is sufficient to enable this mounting of grid plate 170 downstream of jet-fragmenting device 160.

[0050] Grid plate 170 has an annular mounting frame 171 provided with tabs 171a, 171 b for screwing the grid plate 170 to arms 144. A polar grid 172 is fixed to grid plate frame 171. Polar grid 172 has concentric circular segments 172a and radial segments 172b that extend away from the common center 172c of circular segments 172a. Some radial segments 172b extend all the way from center 172c to frame 171 while others extend for a fraction of that distance. In its purpose of breaking down and forming a typical foam-forming fluid, the grid plate 170 has a thin grid 172, for example with the segments 172a, 172b having a cross-section of about six hundredths (0.06) of an inch, on a diameter of the mounting frame 171 of about four (4) inches. Impingement of the foam-forming fluid droplets on the grid plate 170 improves fragmentation and mixing in the air carrier stream into a foam precursor that mixes with the airflow from the blower 110 to provide a fire-fighting (foam) stream having optimal properties and having a long range of action.

[0051] According to the invention, polar grid 172 mirrors more closely the circular distribution of the fire-extinguishing fluid, compared to prior art square grids with perpendicular segments, to further help reduce the turbulence of the combined fire-fighting air and fire-extinguishing fluid stream while still allowing the fire-extinguishing fluid to be efficiently fragmented.

[0052] As noted above, grid plate 170 is useful in a fire-fighting apparatus where the fire-extinguishing fluid is a foam precursor that needs to be injected into the air stream. However, the fire-extinguishing fluid may also be water. In such an embodiment, the injection assemblies 140 are not required to be equipped with grid plates 170. Grid plates 170 could then be simply removed. In one embodiment, the injection assemblies 140 with grid plates 170 are replaced by alternate injection assemblies (not shown) that are similar to injection assemblies 140 but without any grid plates 170 and with the supportarms 144 then being shorter as they only need to support a fragmenting device 160.

[0053] According to the present invention, and as further shown in Figs. 6-9, channeled coupling member 300 is used to operatively couple in operative fluid flow fashion the outlet O of hose H to the distribution tubes 154 of manifold 153.

[0054] More particularly, channeled coupling member defines an upstream end 300a and a downstream end 300b that extend along the longitudinal axis 99 of fire-fighting apparatus 100, and comprises a straight tubular upstream body portion 304 that has an outer peripheral groove 306. Hose H is coupled to straight tubular upstream body portion 304 by releasably locking into groove 306 to provide a secure, yet releasable, fluid-tight coupling of hose H to channeled coupling member 300 allowing fire-extinguishing fluid to flow from hose H into an inner channel 309 of channeled coupling member 300.

[0055] Channeled coupling member 300 also comprises a divergent downstream body portion 308 that is formed integrally with and extends downstream of straight upstream body portion 304. Divergent downstream body portion 308 has a generally convex downstream wall 310.

[0056] Inner channel 309 of channeled coupling member 300 comprises an upstream channel 311 that leads to a number of discrete downstream channels that are collectively referred to with reference numeral 312 in the present specification. The number of downstream channels 312 is equal to the number of distribution tubes 154. Downstream channels 312 extend from upstream channel 311 all the way to downstream wall 310 and start at a position between upstream end 300a and upstream divergent body portion 308. The upstream end of downstream channels 312 could in fact be at any position between channeled coupling member upstream end 300a and the upstream end 308a of divergent body potion 308.

[0057] Downstream channels 312 comprise a central first channel 312a that is straight, a number of second downstream channels 312b that have a straight portion within straight upstream body portion 304 and a diverging portion within divergent downstream body portion 308, and a number of third downstream channels 312c that also have a straight portion within straight upstream body portion 304 and a diverging portion within divergent downstream body portion 308; but with the diverging portion of third downstream channels 312c diverging away from their straight portion at a greater angle than the angle of the diverging portion of second downstream channels 312b. The straight portion of downstream channels 312 is formed with straight walls that converge into an annular shape while the diverging portion of downstream channels 312 is annular.

[0058] Each channel 312 is engaged in fluid-tight fashion at its downstream end by a corresponding one of distribution tubes 154. Preferably, the angle of the downstream portion of downstream channels 312a, 312b, 312c is set to correspond to the angle of its corresponding distribution tube 154 relatively to the fire-extinguishing canon’s longitudinal axis 99 such that at most a single elbow will exist from the fluid inlet 307 of channeled coupling member 300 to the inlet of distribution tubes 154.

[0059] A honeycomb wall structure 314 is consequently formed within straight body portion 304 to separate the single incoming fire-extinguishing fluid stream in upstream channel 311 incoming from hose H into the straight body portion 304 of channeled coupling member 300 into a number of discrete independent fluid streams within downstream channels 312 that will each be directed towards a corresponding tube 154 of manifold 153.

[0060] In use, high-pressure fire-extinguishing fluid will enter the fluid inlet 307 from fluid hose H. Upstream channel 311 has approximately the same diameter as hose H, therefore, minimal turbulence occurs in this transition, and the fluid spread within upper channel 311 is approximately constant and substantially fills the entire inner channel 311 .

[0061] Then, fire-extinguishing fluid stream will split into downstream channels 312 through the openings in honeycomb wall structure 314. Since the high-pressure fire-extinguishing fluid stream fills the entire upstream channel 311 , this means that the distribution of the fire-extinguishing fluid into downstream channels 312 - that have substantially the same size - will be approximately equal within each channel 312. The fire-extinguishing fluid will be conveyed through each channel 312: in first channel 312a it will flow straight forward towards a corresponding distribution tube 154, while in second and third downstream channels 312b, 312c it will elbow in a divergent path to be redirected towards corresponding distribution tubes 154. Finally, the fireextinguishing fluid will flow out of downstream channels 312 into distribution tubes 154 towards respective injecting assemblies 140, 140’ to be injected into the air stream of blower 110.

[0062] According to the present invention, the channeled coupling member 300 allows to distribute the fire-extinguishing fluid substantially evenly among the distribution pipes 154 in the air flow created by blower 101. This is achieved by providing downstream channels 312 having an approximately equal cross-sectional area; and having a substantially constant size or diameter along their entire length. This is also achieved by splitting the incoming fireextinguishing fluid stream into the different downstream channels 312 before the downstream channels 312 diverge within divergent body portion 308, to minimize fluid backflow.

[0063] This results in a regular and evenly distributed fire-extinguishing fluid stream being generated by canon 101 in the entire circumference of canon 101 at nozzle 132. This evenly fire-extinguishing fluid stream will result in a predictable and efficient fire-extinguishing capacity for a significantly increased throw range.

[0064] Turbulence will also be much less important in channeled coupling member 300. This is achieved by providing the honeycomb wall structure 314 with thin walls that separate each channel to minimize the fluidbackflow within channeled coupling member 300. This further contributes to increasing the throw efficiency of canon 101.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A channeled coupling member for use in a fire-fighting apparatus for coupling a fire-extinguishing fluid source to a number of distribution tubes for allowing fire-extinguishing fluid to flow therethrough, the channeled coupling member defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:• a first coupling portion for coupling to the fluid source;• a second divergent portion coextensive with said first coupling portion along said longitudinal axis, for coupling to the distribution tubes; and• first channels having inlets at said coupling portion and outlets in said divergent portion for coupling to the distribution tubes, said first channels extending between said inlet and said outlets, with at least some of said first channels diverging away from said longitudinal axis in respective directions in said second diverging portion.

2. The channeled coupling member as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of each said first channel is substantially the same as that of the others.

3. The channeled coupling member as defined in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of each said first channel is substantially constant along its entire length.

4. The channeled coupling member as defined in claim 3, wherein said fist coupling portion further comprises a second channel that is upstream of said first channels, for receiving the fire-extinguishing fluid from the fluid source before it is divided into the first channels.

5. The channeled coupling member as defined in claim 4, further comprising a honeycomb wall structure in said first coupling portion that forms an upstream portion of the first channels.

6. A fire-fighting apparatus comprising an air blower for generating an air stream, a spray assembly disposed in a downstream direction relative to said air blower, said spray assembly comprising injection assemblies for injecting a fire-extinguishing fluid into the air stream, a number of distribution tubes for conveying fire-extinguishing fluid from a fireextinguishing fluid source to said injection assemblies, and a channeled coupling member for coupling the fire-extinguishing fluid source to said distribution tubes for allowing fire-extinguishing fluid to flow from said fire-extinguishing source into said distribution tubes, the channeled coupling member defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:• a first coupling portion for coupling to the fluid source;• a second divergent portion coextensive with said first coupling portion along said longitudinal axis, for coupling to the distribution tubes; and• first channels having inlets at said coupling portion and outlets in said divergent portion for coupling to the distribution tubes, said first channels extending between said inlet and said outlets, with at least some of said first channels diverging away from said longitudinal axis in respective directions in said second diverging portion.

7. The fire-fighting apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the cross- sectional area of each said first channel is substantially the same as that of the others.

8. The fire-fighting apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the cross- sectional area of each said first channel is substantially constant along its entire length.

9. The fire-fighting apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said fist coupling portion further comprises a second channel that is upstream of said first channels, for receiving the fire-extinguishing fluid from the fluid source before it is divided into the first channels.

10. The fire-fighting apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising a honeycomb wall structure in said first coupling portion that forms an upstream portion of the first channels.11 .A grid member for use in a fire-fighting apparatus in facing register with a fire-extinguishing fluid ejection outlet in a fire-fighting fluid injection assembly, comprising a support frame and a polar grid plate that comprises concentric grid segments.

12. A foam forming dispersion grid member as defined in claim 11 , wherein said grid member further comprises radial segments extending away from a center of said concentric grid segments.

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