Device for filling a fluid tank for a firefighting vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for filling a fluid tank (201) for a firefighting vehicle (200), characterised in that it comprises at least one filling reservoir (10) configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid (1), at least one filling transfer circuit (20) configured to connect the filling reservoir (10) to the tank (201) of the vehicle (200), and means (11) for vertically raising the filling reservoir (10) which are configured to raise the filling reservoir (10) to a predetermined height (h10) so as to allow, in a filling position of the tank (201) of the vehicle (200), a transfer of fluid (1) from the filling reservoir (10) to the tank (201) of the vehicle (200) under the effect of communicating vessels.

Description

DESCRIPTION DEVICE FOR FILLING A FLUID TANK FOR A FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the technical field of fire-fighting means, in particular aerial means.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to means for filling with fluid, such as water and / or extinguishing agents, tanks of aircraft for fighting fires, such as forest fires. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] Water bombers are known to be deployed to fight fires such as forest fires. Water bombers are aircraft equipped with a tank to collect water, possibly supplemented with a "retardant." Their purpose is to extinguish fires, or at least slow their spread.

[0004] Water bomber tanks can be filled in two main ways. One common method is bailing, carried out for example by amphibious water bombers, this method consists of a flight phase skimming a given body of water. However, this filling method requires access to relatively large bodies of water close to the site of the disaster in question.

[0005] A second refueling method involves refueling the bombers while the bomber is parked on the ground at a refueling base, also known as a "pelicandrome." Pelicandromes are airfields designed to accommodate and refuel water bomber tanks. Generally, the number of such bases is still relatively small, and they can sometimes be very far from the fires to be extinguished.

[0006] Ground refueling at refueling bases is generally carried out using a water supply taken directly from a local water network and assisted by a pump. The speed at which an aircraft's tank is refilled is therefore directly dependent on the refueling methods used and their performance. The use of such a transfer pump is also a maintenance constraint and often requires the use of a second emergency transfer pump to compensate for any malfunction when an emergency requires it.

[0007] For example, the process of ground-filling a water bomber tank, such as a Dash 8 water bomber with a storage capacity of 10 tonnes of water, requires a stoppage of generally between 6 and 10 minutes at a refuelling base. Such a period of immobilization is therefore a major part of the time between two drops of the same aircraft on a fire and proves excessively long in emergency situations where response time must be constantly reduced. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing in particular a solution making it possible to significantly increase the frequency of intervention of fire-fighting vehicles.

[0009] Another goal is to have equipment that can be easily deployed near an intervention site.

[0010] Simple and less expensive equipment than current installations is also sought.

[0011] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, a device for filling a fluid tank for a fire-fighting vehicle is proposed, characterized in that it comprises at least one filling tank configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid, at least one filling transfer circuit configured to connect the filling tank to the tank of the vehicle and means for vertically raising the filling tank. configured to raise the filling tank to a predetermined height so as to allow, in a filling position of the vehicle tank, a transfer by communicating vessels effect, of the fluid from the filling tank to the vehicle tank.

[0012] In fluid mechanics, the principle of communicating vessels states that a homogeneous liquid filling several containers, connected to each other at their base and subjected to the same atmospheric pressure, is balanced at the same height in each of them. This is true regardless of their shape and volume. This principle is applied here to fill an aircraft tank from a filling tank positioned higher than the tank.

[0013] Thanks to such a combination of characteristics, it is then possible to improve the vehicle's filling performance due to the flow of fluid during filling by simple communicating vessels effect, making it possible to partially or totally eliminate the use of specific pumps.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the filling tank is configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid of at least 5,000 L, preferably greater than or equal to 10,000 L.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the filling tank comprises walls delimiting an interior volume to accommodate the fluid, the walls of the filling tank being flexible. The use of one or more flexible tanks makes it possible to easily reduce the overall volume of the tank to facilitate its transport, for example to be deployed in a specific intervention zone and thus bring the filling device closer to this zone to increase the frequency of fluid drops by the bombers.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the filling transfer circuit comprises at least one, preferably two, tubular conduits, preferably at least partly flexible, the tubular conduit(s) preferably having a nominal diameter section greater than or equal to 110 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm, and / or less than or equal to 300 mm, preferably less than or equal to 250 mm.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the means for vertically raising the filling tank comprise at least one support platform for carrying the associated filling tank and an anchoring structure intended to be placed on the ground and carry the support platform.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the filling device comprises a storage tank configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid, at least one intermediate transfer circuit configured to connect the storage tank to the filling tank and means for vertically raising the storage tank configured to raise the storage tank to a predetermined height so as to allow, in a filling position of the filling tank, a transfer by communicating vessels effect, of the fluid from the storage tank to the filling tank.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the predetermined height of the vertical elevation means of the storage tank is greater than or equal to 1.5 times, preferably greater than or equal to 2 times, the predetermined height of the vertical elevation means of the filling tank.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the storage tank is configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid greater than or equal to 10 times the capacity of the filling tank, preferably greater than or equal to 20 times, more preferably greater than or equal to 30 times.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the storage tank comprises walls delimiting an interior volume for accommodating the fluid, the walls of the storage tank being flexible.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the intermediate fluid transfer circuit between the storage and filling tanks comprises at least one, preferably two, tubular conduits, preferably at least partly flexible, the tubular conduit(s) preferably having a section of nominal diameter greater than or equal to 110 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm, and / or less than or equal to 300 mm, preferably less than or equal to 250 mm.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the filling device comprises a plurality of filling tanks, each being connected to the storage tank by at least one intermediate transfer circuit configured to connect the storage tank to the associated filling tank.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the filling device is configured to be modular between two positions, a storage position in which it is dismantled and a deployed position.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a method of filling a fluid tank for a fire-fighting vehicle, remarkable in that it comprises a step of filling the tank with fluid by a filling device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate: figure 1: a schematic diagram of a device for filling a fluid tank for an aircraft-type fire-fighting vehicle according to one embodiment; figure 2: another schematic diagram of a device for filling a fluid tank for an aircraft according to one embodiment.

[0027] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a device for filling a reservoir 201 with fluid 1 for a fire-fighting vehicle, in particular here an aircraft such as a water bomber.

[0029] The fight against forest fires relies in particular on pelicandromes. They are a place for refueling bomber planes with retardant or water.

[0030] The filling device 100 according to the invention is intended to equip such refueling bases to form filling stations for filling the dedicated tanks of aircraft when they are parked on the base, the refueling being done with the engine running. This fluid 1 is conventionally composed of a retardant product and / or water for fighting forest fires.

[0031] The retardant is a chemical (ammonium polyphosphate) mixed with iron oxide, which gives a red color and allows the releases to be seen. By decomposing upon contact with heat, it partially fireproofs plants and reduces the speed and intensity of fire spread. Even when it has dried, it retains its chemical properties and therefore remains effective.

[0032] The retardant used by bomber aircraft makes it possible to create a support line for the defense of sensitive points or to slow the spread of flames in difficult-to-access areas which will be dealt with later.

[0033] The filling device 100 according to the invention comprises at least one filling tank 10 having a predetermined capacity and configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid 1. At least one filling transfer circuit 20 is configured to connect the filling tank 10 to the tank 201 of the vehicle 200.

[0034] The filling tank 10 has a fluid capacity of at least 5,000 L, preferably greater than or equal to 10,000 L. Indeed, the capacity of a tank of a Canadair type aircraft is generally greater than 5,000 L, other water bombers can have higher capacities, such as Dash 8 aircraft which carry 10,000 L or even the Boeing 747 Supertanker which can carry nearly 78,000 L of fluid.

[0035] Preferably the tank comprises a flexible tank. Such a flexible tank is also called a reservoir, flexible tank, pocket or even pillow, and is Perfectly watertight. This type of tank is particularly practical in that it can be deployed quickly on site without being permanently installed. For example, such a flexible tank can be installed in half an hour by two people. It is immediately ready to be filled for temporary or long-term use, with an average lifespan exceeding 20 years.

[0036] Such a filling tank 10 may also include accessories including: a circuit for mixing the fluid contained in the tank, an automated filling / emptying system for controlling the level of its tank, etc.

[0037] The filling tank 10 comprises connection interfaces configured to allow its connection to the filling transfer circuit 20. The filling transfer circuit 20 comprises at least one, preferably at least two, tubular conduits 21 each being connected to an associated connection interface of the filling tank 10. The connection interfaces comprise, for example, symmetrical Guillemin connectors. These conduits 21 are mounted in parallel to divide the time required to fill the tank 201 of the water bomber. The use of a plurality of tubular conduits 21 makes it possible, while maintaining the same standardized diameter of conduit 21, to increase the flow rate by as much as the number of tubular conduits 21 mounted in parallel with each other, between the filling tank 10 and the tank 201.

[0038] The pipe(s) 21 of the filling transfer circuit 20 are also flexible so as to allow their rapid deployment, but also to facilitate intervention around the water bomber during the filling phase.

[0039] Of course, even if the tank(s) and the pipe(s) are said to be “flexible”, it is understood that they may locally comprise rigid elements. This is particularly the case for the connection interfaces of the filling tank 10 and the connection interfaces at the ends of each of the pipes 21. In other words, with regard to the filling tank 10, this comprises walls 11 delimiting an interior volume for receiving the fluid 1, the walls of the filling tank 10 being flexible. With regard to the pipes 21 of the filling transfer circuit 20, each of which has a flexible tubular central portion extending between its two end portions each provided with a connection interface. The connection interfaces comprise, for example, Guillemin symmetrical connectors.

[0040] At the distal end of the filling transfer circuit 20 comprising the end portions of the pipe(s) 21 of the filling transfer circuit 20 configured to be connected to the reservoir 201, the connection interface also comprises Guillemin symmetrical connectors. This distal end is equipped with a transport trolley mounted on casters to facilitate handling by users during a step of connecting the filling transfer circuit 20 to the reservoir 201. This facilitates the presentation of the tips for easy and rapid handling.

[0041] The tubular conduit(s) 21 of the filling transfer circuit 20 preferably have a nominal diameter section greater than or equal to 110 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm, and / or less than or equal to 300 mm, preferably less than or equal to 250 mm.

[0042] The filling transfer circuit 20, and preferably each tubular conduit 21 of the filling transfer circuit 20, has a length greater than or equal to 15 m and / or less than or equal to 30 m, preferably less than or equal to 25 m. This guarantees having a circuit long enough to fill a tank of an aircraft without risking collision with its wings while limiting pressure losses.

[0043] According to the invention, the filling device 100 comprises means 30 for vertically raising the filling tank 10, these raising means 30 being configured to vertically raise the filling tank 10 to a predetermined height h10 so as to allow, in a filling position of the tank 201 of the vehicle 200, a transfer by the effect of communicating vessels, of the fluid 1 from the filling tank 10 to the tank 201 of the vehicle 200. In other words, the filling of a given tank is carried out in particular due to the raising of the filling tank to a vertically level above the level of the tank, this by the effect of communicating vessels: the filling tank 10 and the tank 201 forming two communicating vessels together by the filling transfer circuit 20 when the latter is connected to the tank during a filling phase. The fluid network for filling the tank is gravity-fed, so that it is located lower than the filling tank 10.

[0044] The tank of a water bomber may be configured to include at least one, or even several, interfaces for connection to the filling device 100. In practice, it is common for a connection interface of a tank to be located approximately 1 m from the ground.

[0045] In such a configuration, the vertical elevation means 30 of the filling tank 10 are configured to vertically raise the filling tank 10 to a height h10 of 3 m, so that the filling tank 10 is placed 2.00 m higher than the connection interface of a tank 201 forming a filling orifice of said tank.

[0046] Generally speaking, this height hlO can be chosen to be greater than or equal to 3m and / or less than or equal to 5m.

[0047] More generally still, the vertical elevation means 30 of the filling tank 10 are configured to raise the filling tank 10 to the predetermined height h10 so as to allow, in a filling position of the vehicle tank, an at least partly gravitational transfer of the fluid from the filling tank to the vehicle tank.

[0048] Preferably, the vertical elevation means 30 of the filling tank 10 are configured to vertically raise the filling tank 10 to a height h10 of at least 2 m higher than the filling opening of the water bomber tank.

[0049] The transfer of fluid 1 from the filling tank 10 to the aircraft tank 201 ensures that the aircraft is supplied with fluid until the aircraft tank 201 is full. Such a feature ensures filling tanks by limiting the assistance of pumps, or even completely refraining from using a pump to ensure this transfer.

[0050] In particular, the vertical elevation means 30 of the filling tank 10 comprise at least one support platform 31 for carrying the associated filling tank 10 and an anchoring structure 32 intended to be placed on the ground and carry the support platform 31.

[0051] Such a support platform 31 and the anchoring structure 32 have a structural frame composed of crosspieces or profiles forming a trellis, preferably metallic. Preferably, the support platform 31 and the anchoring structure 32 each have a tubular structure made of metal, for example steel, aluminum or stainless steel.

[0052] To ensure better stability of the filling tank 10 on the support platform 31, the latter may comprise a flat surface carried by a horizontal support plane such as a floor.

[0053] In practice, the vertical lifting means 30 comprise scaffolding, which can be modular and removable so that it can be stored and moved as required.

[0054] The filling device 100 also comprises: a storage tank 40 configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid 1, at least one intermediate transfer circuit 50 configured to connect the storage tank 40 to the filling tank 10; and vertical elevation means 60 of the storage tank 40 configured to raise the storage tank 40 to a predetermined height h40 so as to allow, in a filling position of the filling tank 10, a transfer by communicating vessels effect, of the fluid 1 from the storage tank 40 to the filling tank 10.

[0055] A filling device 100 is obtained in which, during a filling phase of a tank, said tank 201, the filling tank 10 and the storage tank 40 are connected together in series. Thus, the storage tank 40 supplies the filling tank 10, the filling tank 10 supplying the tank with fluid to fill it.

[0056] Preferably, the filling device 100 comprises a plurality of filling tanks 10, each being connected to the storage tank 40 by at least one intermediate transfer circuit 50 configured to connect the storage tank 40 to the associated filling tank 10.

[0057] A configuration is thus obtained in which each of the filling tanks 10 is supplied with fluid by the same source of fluid 1 stored in the storage tank 40. The storage tank 40 thus provides a water reserve function. It comprises a supply interface configured to be connected to a local water network via a water supply circuit, either directly or indirectly after the water has been mixed with a retardant.

[0058] Such a storage tank 40 is intended to be continuously filled as long as it is not full, by a source with a more or less low flow rate. The storage tank 40 can thus be filled in masked time. Although connected to an external water source, the pumps used may have lower performances than in the case of pumps used in the prior art to directly fill aircraft tanks, because the filling performances of the tank are here independent of the filling speed of the storage tank 40: on the contrary, the performances depend essentially on the pressure ensured by the difference in height thanks to the vertical elevation means 30 of the filling tank 10 and the flow rate of the pipes 21 of the filling transfer circuit 20 itself depending on the nominal diameter of the tubular pipes.

[0059] To prevent the storage tank 40 from being limiting for the filling of the tanks 201 of the aircraft in an emergency situation, such a storage tank 40 is chosen to have a large capacity, allowing several tanks to be filled in succession. The storage tank 40 is thus configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid 1 greater than or equal to 10 times the capacity of the filling tank 10, preferably greater than or equal to 20 times, more preferably greater than or equal to 30 times.

[0060] In this example as illustrated, the storage tank 40 has a capacity capable of storing 300,000 L.

[0061] In the same way as the filling tank 10, the storage tank 40 is also flexible. Apart from its capacity, the storage tank 40 has all or part of the characteristics of the filling tank 10 and are of the same type.

[0062] Thus, the storage tank 40 comprises connection interfaces configured to allow its connection to the intermediate transfer circuit 50 of fluid 1 between the storage tank 40 and filling tank 10.

[0063] Similarly, the intermediate transfer circuit 50 of fluid 1 between the storage tank 40 and the filling tank 10 comprises at least one, preferably two, tubular conduits 51. The tubular conduit(s) 51 of the filling transfer circuit 20 are also flexible, so that they each have a flexible tubular central portion extending between its two end portions each provided with a connection interface on one side to the storage tank 40, and on the other side to one of the filling tanks 10. The connection interfaces comprise, for example, symmetrical Guillemin connectors. The tubular conduit(s) 51 preferably have a nominal diameter section greater than or equal to 110 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm, and / or less than or equal to 300 mm, preferably less than or equal to 250 mm.In the implemented example, the section of the filling holes of the connection interfaces and the associated pipes each have a nominal diameter of 200 mm.

[0064] To ensure transfer by communicating vessel effect, the vertical elevation means of the storage tank 40 are configured so as to be able to raising the storage tank 40 to a level vertically above the filling tank 10.

[0065] In particular, the predetermined height h40 of elevation of the storage tank 40 by the means of vertical elevation of the storage tank 40 is greater than or equal to 1.5 times, preferably greater than or equal to 2 times, the predetermined height h10 of the means of vertical elevation 30 of the filling tank 10.

[0066] Continuing from the example mentioned above, with a connection interface of a tank 201 located approximately 1 m from the ground and the filling tank 10 raised to a height h10 of 3 m by the vertical elevation means 30 of the filling tank 10, the vertical elevation means 60 of the storage tank 40 are configured to vertically raise the storage tank 40 to a height h10 of 5 m, so that the storage tank 40 is placed 2.00 m higher than the bottom of the associated filling tank 10.

[0067] Generally speaking, this height h40 can be chosen to be greater than or equal to 5 m and / or less than or equal to 10 m.

[0068] More generally still, the vertical elevation means 60 of the storage tank 40 are configured to raise the filling tank 10 to the predetermined height h40 so as to allow, in a filling position of the tank 201, an at least partly gravitational transfer of the fluid from the filling tank 10 to the tank 201.

[0069] Preferably, the vertical elevation means 60 of the storage tank 40 are configured to vertically raise the storage tank 40 to a height h40 at least 2 m higher than the height h10.

[0070] In the same way that fluid 1 is transferred from the filling tank 10 to the tank 201 of a given aircraft in the refueling position, the same principle of communicating vessels is used to transfer fluid 1 from the storage tank 40 to the filling tank 10.

[0071] In particular, the vertical lifting means 60 of the storage tank 40 comprise at least one support platform 61 for carrying the associated storage tank 40 and an anchoring structure 62 intended to be placed on the ground and carry the support platform 61.

[0072] Such a support platform 61 and the anchoring structure 62 have a structural frame composed of crosspieces or profiles forming a trellis, preferably metal. Preferably, the support platform 61 and the anchoring structure 62 each have a tubular structure made of metal, for example steel, aluminum or stainless steel. To ensure better stability of the storage tank 40 on the support platform 61, the latter may comprise a flat surface carried by a horizontal support plane such as a floor. In practice, the vertical elevation means 61 comprise scaffolding, which may be modular and removable so that it can be stored and moved as required.

[0073] Due to the fact that the tanks 10, 40 are flexible, and with flexible transfer circuits 20, 60, and removable vertical lifting means, the filling device 100 can easily be dismantled and then stored so as to be transported and deployed near an intervention zone. Thus, the filling device 100 can be modulated between these two positions, a storage position in which it is dismantled and a deployed position where it can be used for filling operations.

[0074] Each of the vertical elevation means 30, 60 of the filling tank(s) 10 and storage tank(s) 40 comprise measuring means for measuring the quantity of fluid 1 in the tank concerned. These measuring means preferably comprise dynamometers, these making it possible to weigh exactly the mass of water to be transferred. More preferably, the dynamometers comprise, preferably consist of, compression dynamometers, these being particularly precise and more suited to the configuration of the filling device 100.

[0075] When filling a reservoir 201 with fluid, it is expected that the associated filling tank contains within it the volume of fluid useful for filling of the associated tank. Thus, the filling of an aircraft's tank is done without measuring: when the filling tank 10 is empty, we are sure that the aircraft is fully refueled.

[0076] Once the tank(s) 201 are filled or full, the aircraft leaves the refueling base or pelicandrome and thus leaves room for the next one. In the meantime, the filling tank 10 is filled with the exact load of fluid to be transferred to the next aircraft. Thanks to the storage tank 40, vertical lifting means 60, the filling time of the filling tank 10 by the storage tank 40 via the intermediate transfer circuit 50 can be carried out in a very short period of time, in particular less than one minute.

[0077] The filling transfer circuits 20 and intermediate transfer circuits 50 are controlled by means of control devices preferably comprising at least one valve 22, 52 such as a guillotine valve equipping each of the pipes 21, 51 respectively of the associated filling transfer circuits 20 and intermediate transfer circuits 50. These control devices as well as the measuring means comprising the dynamometers are connected to a control unit provided for controlling the operation of the filling device 100. More preferably, the valves 22, 52 such as the guillotine valves each comprise an external actuating means such as a lever. Such an actuating means, and in particular a lever, allows simple and rapid actuation of the valve during operations for filling a tank. This actuating means may be manual and / or controlled by the control unit.

[0078] Advantageously, the pipe(s) 21 of the filling transfer circuit 20 will be chosen, and preferably each tubular pipe 21 of the filling transfer circuit 20 has a length configured so that the length between a valve which equips said pipe 21 and the end portion of the pipe configured to be connected to the tank 201 is greater than or equal to 15 m, and / or less than or equal to 30 m, preferably less than or equal to 25 m.

[0079] It may also be chosen that the pipe(s) 51 of the intermediate transfer circuit 50, and preferably each tubular pipe 51 of the circuit intermediate transfer 50, has a length configured so that the length between a valve which equips said pipe 51 and the end portion of the pipe configured to be connected to the storage tank 40 is greater than or equal to 15 m, and / or less than or equal to 30 m, preferably less than or equal to 25 m.

[0080] This provides transfer circuits 20, 50 that are long enough to fill a tank of an aircraft without risking collision with its wings, or to allow a plurality of filling tanks 10 to be spaced around a storage tank 40 while limiting pressure losses and maintaining a sufficient flow rate.

[0081] Such a filling device 100 according to the invention has numerous advantages. In particular, the use of the gravitational effect and the principle of communicating vessels allows the filling device 100 to minimize the use of external pumping energy.

[0082] Such a filling device 100 is also particularly modular and transportable, giving it an easy and rapid projection capacity, just as it is easily and quickly deployable to an airport closest to a fire, or even easily projectable (for example with an A400M aircraft) to the nearest airport open to a water bomber and very far from the first operational pelicandrome (support abroad).

[0083] Thanks to such a filling device 100, it is concretely possible to reduce the filling time of a water bomber, for example of the Dash 8 type, to less than one minute, which makes it possible to significantly increase the frequency of dropping water bombers, and therefore to increase their operational effectiveness against fire.

[0084] Naturally, the invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0085] It is emphasized that all the characteristics, as they emerge for a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the attached claims, even if concretely they have only been described in relation with other determined features, both individually and in any combinations, may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or meaningless.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Device (100) for filling a fluid tank (201) for a fire-fighting vehicle (200), characterized in that it comprises at least one filling tank (10) configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid (1), at least one filling transfer circuit (20) configured to connect the filling tank (10) to the tank (201) of the vehicle (200) and vertical elevation means (30) of the filling tank (10) configured to raise the filling tank (10) to a predetermined height (hl0) so as to allow, in a filling position of the tank (201) of the vehicle (200), a transfer by the effect of communicating vessels, of the fluid (1) from the filling tank (10) to the tank (201) of the vehicle (200).

2. Filling device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling tank (10) is configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid of at least 5,000 L, preferably greater than or equal to 10,000 L.

3. Filling device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filling tank (10) comprises walls (11) delimiting an interior volume for receiving the fluid (1), the walls of the filling tank (100) being flexible.

4. Filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling transfer circuit (20) comprises at least one, preferably two, tubular conduits (21), preferably at least partly flexible, the tubular conduit(s) (21) preferably having a nominal diameter section greater than or equal to 110 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm, and / or less than or equal to 300 mm, preferably less than or equal to 250 mm.

5. Filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical elevation means (30) of the filling tank (10) comprise at least one platform (31) of support for carrying the associated filling tank (10) and an anchoring structure (32) intended to be placed on the ground and carry the support platform (31).

6. Filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a storage tank (40) configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid (1), at least one intermediate transfer circuit (50) configured to connect the storage tank (40) to the filling tank (10) and vertical elevation means (60) of the storage tank (40) configured to raise the storage tank (40) to a predetermined height (h40) so as to allow, in a filling position of the filling tank (10), a transfer by communicating vessels effect, of the fluid (1) from the storage tank (40) to the filling tank (10).

7. Filling device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the predetermined height (h40) with the vertical elevation means of the storage tank (40) is greater than or equal to 1.5 times, preferably greater than or equal to 2 times, the predetermined height (hl0) of the vertical elevation means (30) of the filling tank (10).

8. Filling device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the storage tank (40) is configured to contain a predetermined volume of fluid (1) greater than or equal to 10 times the capacity of the filling tank (10), preferably greater than or equal to 20 times, more preferably greater than or equal to 30 times.

9. Filling device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the storage tank (40) comprises walls (41) delimiting an interior volume for receiving the fluid, the walls (41) of the storage tank (40) being flexible; and / or the intermediate transfer circuit (50) of fluid (1) between the storage tank (40) and filling tank (10) comprises at least one, of preferably two, tubular conduits (51), preferably at least partly flexible, the tubular conduit(s) (51) preferably having a nominal diameter section greater than or equal to 110 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm, and / or less than or equal to 300 mm, preferably less than or equal to 250 mm.

10. Filling device (100) according to claim 6 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of filling tanks (10), each being connected to the storage tank (40) by at least one intermediate transfer circuit (50) configured to connect the storage tank (40) to the associated filling tank (10).

11. Filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to be modular between two positions, a storage position in which it is dismantled and a deployed position.

12. Method for filling a fluid tank (201) for a fire-fighting vehicle (200), preferably an aircraft, characterized in that it comprises a step of filling the tank (201) with fluid (1) by a filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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