Kamikaze fire extinguishing vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that quickly reaches the fire area, performs a kamikaze dive to the fire centre to extinguish the fire, and, by means of its rapid dive, minimises heat build-up to prevent damage to its electronic systems and the fireball (11), enabling the fireball (11) to be detonated at the desired moment by supplying an electrical current, thereby extinguishing fires in hard-to-reach areas before they can spread.

Description

[0001] KAMIKAZE FIRE EXTINGUISHING VEHICLE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that quickly reaches the fire area, performs a kamikaze dive to the fire centre to extinguish the fire, and, by means of its rapid dive, minimises heat build-up to prevent damage to its electronic systems and the fireball, enabling the fireball to be detonated at the desired moment by supplying an electrical current, thereby extinguishing fires in hard-to-reach areas before they can spread.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] Firefighting teams intervene in fires in forests or populated areas with the resources available to them. However, with current technology, it is quite difficult to reach and extinguish fires in some areas. Examples of such areas where fires occur include:

[0006] • In forested areas with high and limited land access,

[0007] • As a result of natural disasters,

[0008] • In high-rise buildings / areas,

[0009] • In vehicles located on seas or lakes,

[0010] • In critical units during military operations or wartime,

[0011] • In areas that are difficult to reach for any reason.

[0012] Ultimately, although it is possible to control fires in these areas, it still takes a long time. This situation leads to the growth of the fire.

[0013] In particular, in forest fires, climate conditions contribute to the acceleration of the fire. The influence of wind and temperature may cause the fire to become uncontrollable by land-based intervention. In some mountainous regions, fire trucks can only reach a certain point by land. From this point onwards, fire personnel and fire intervention teams, who have taken the hoses and tanks from the vehicles, continue on foot. As it is very difficult to control a rapidly spread fire in this manner, aerial intervention vehicles are required.

[0014] Firefighting helicopters / airplanes are deployed when a fire has spread across a large area in forests or cities and / or when land-based intervention is insufficient. However, aerial vehicles do not proceed as quickly as automobiles. Helicopters / airplanes must perform external and internal checks. The motor can only be started after these checks.

[0015] Aerial vehicles cannot take off immediately after starting the motor. The radio, systems, and avionics of the aerial vehicle must be prepared. While all these preparations for the aerial vehicle are being made, the NOTAM procedure for the fire zone must also be completed. Only after these checks are finished can take-off occur.

[0016] Until all these procedures are completed, at least 15-20 minutes are needed for an aerial vehicle to take off from the ground, which means the fire will grow. For example, if we examine the time it takes for an aerial vehicle to lift off by looking at fighter jets: For fighter jets stationed to prevent enemy planes from crossing the border, despite being on standby, the time taken for the jet to complete all checks and take off from the ground, according to world standards, is 15 minutes.

[0017] Based on this, it will take at least 15-20 minutes for an aerial vehicle to complete all checks, start the motor, adjust the systems, and lift off to extinguish the fire. Once the aerial vehicle breaks contact with the ground, it will head to a water source to fill its tank, which will cause a delay. After filling the water, it will proceed to the fire zone to discharge the water. In summary, the aerial vehicle’s possible time to reach the fire zone may take an average of 30 minutes. Of course, this duration may vary depending on the proximity of the fire zone to the sea or a lake. During this entire time, if the fire cannot be extinguished with the first drop, this cycle will continue. This time is too long for the fire, and during this period, the fire will grow significantly.

[0018] As another example, when a large fire occurs in a remote area and the aerial vehicles present there are insufficient, the device carrying the water on the helicopter going for support will detach, and once reaching the area, it will need to be reattached. This also causes significant time loss. According to information gathered in discussions with expert fire helicopter pilots, a delay of just one minute in reaching the fire zone can extend the fire extinguishing process by up to two days.

[0019] The disadvantages of aerial firefighting vehicles can be listed as follows:

[0020] • The time spent on external and internal checks,

[0021] • The time spent on motor checks, starting, and warming up,

[0022] • The time spent on avionics system checks.

[0023] • The time spent on issuing a NOTAM and flight planning.

[0024] • The time spent on going to the water source to fill the aerial vehicle’s water tank.

[0025] • The risk of a diver in the water source area taking the water and dropping it on the fire.

[0026] • The time spent on travelling to and from the water source and fire zone.

[0027] • The issue of not being able to discharge the water directly onto the fire.

[0028] • The necessity to continue this cycle until the fire is extinguished.

[0029] • The obligation to refuel the aerial vehicle when the fuel decreases.

[0030] • The pilot’s fatigue and stress as the process prolongs.

[0031] • The personnel's sleep deprivation.

[0032] • The maintenance costs of the aerial vehicle.

[0033] • The inability of the aerial vehicle to fly at night.

[0034] • The possibility that the pilot may not have the ability / certification to fly at night.

[0035] • The risk of triggering a new fire in the event of motor failure and aircraft crash in the air.

[0036] • The risk of the aerial vehicle or water tank getting caught on high-voltage power lines.

[0037] • The risk of malfunction in avionics systems (such as radios, navigators, GPS radar) in the air.

[0038] • The problem of finding a water source.

[0039] Each of these issues presents its own problems.

[0040] Moreover, aerial vehicles also have significant financial disadvantages. In addition, the financial issues can be listed as follows: • The cost of purchasing new airplanes and helicopters to increase the number in the inventory (Cost of acquiring aircraft and helicopters),

[0041] • The need for large hangars for the airplanes and helicopters (Cost of building the hangar),

[0042] • The cost of establishing maintenance facilities for the airplanes and helicopters,

[0043] • The cost of purchasing maintenance tools and equipment for the airplanes and helicopters,

[0044] • The cost of hiring maintenance personnel for the airplanes and helicopters,

[0045] • The cost of hiring pilot personnel for the airplanes and helicopters,

[0046] • The cost of hiring technician personnel for the airplanes and helicopters,

[0047] • The cost of training personnel for the airplanes and helicopters,

[0048] • The cost of spare parts to maintain the airplanes and helicopters,

[0049] • The rental cost if the aircraft are leased instead of purchased,

[0050] • The flight cost of the airplanes and helicopters (The average cost for an aerial vehicle to stay in the air for one-hour ranges from 60,000 to 100,000 Turkish Lira).

[0051] To eliminate the disadvantages listed above, various unmanned aerial vehicles capable of intervening in fires have been developed. However, the biggest problem with these vehicles is that they must perform the spraying operation for fire extinguishing, which prevents them from descending into the centre of the fire due to the high temperature. If they descend, the UAV will be damaged by the heat and will become unusable. This problem is being addressed with fire extinguishing balls that eliminate the need for the spraying operation. The UAV, when released for free fall without approaching the fire, causes inaccurate shots. Alternatively, the fireballs may explode prematurely due to the heat when approaching the fire.

[0052] The likelihood of the fireball reaching its target is low due to various factors, including wind, weather conditions, altitude, speed, and the UAV’s orientation (e.g., nose down, nose up, nose to the right, or nose to the left) when releasing the fireball from the UAV.

[0053] At the Teknofest event, every year, a competition is held for free-fall release with fixed and rotating wings targeting the objective. However, the likelihood of hitting the target with a load released by free fall is very low. The inadequacy of hit rates can be easily observed by watching these competitions. Therefore, with current fire extinguishing UAVs, due to factors like field of view, approach angles, speed, altitude, etc., extinguishing efforts are often conducted as cooling operations or blind shots. Releasing a chemical from a certain altitude to explode at the right time and make a precise shot at the desired area is not feasible due to the limited field of view and approach distances in a fire environment.

[0054] As a result, the likelihood of a UAV throwing a fireball at the centre of the fire in the fire zone through free fall is very low. Additionally, smoke generated during the fire and extinguishing process will severely limit the view from above.

[0055] Furthermore, in fire zones, the air temperature can rise to extremely high levels. As the heated air rises, thermal updrafts will form, making it difficult for the UAV to hover and shoot over the fire zone. Moreover, due to the high temperatures in the fire zone, the UAV’s systems are likely to fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

[0056] According to information gathered from personnel who have worked at the General Directorate of Forestry, the UAVs in their possession have fallen and been lost due to these conditions. As seen in our simulation analysis, if a UAV is not built to withstand the fire temperature, its propellers, motors, and electronic systems will not be able to withstand the heat in the fire zone, leading to a crash.

[0057] Additionally, the current fireballs become activated by heat. As the fire zone is approached and the air temperature increases, the fireballs explode prematurely, away from the effective area. As a result, the fireballs explode in the air and cannot be used effectively to extinguish the fire.

[0058] The disadvantages of firefighting UAVs can be listed as follows:

[0059] • The time spent adjusting the avionics systems,

[0060] • The time spent issuing a NOTAM for the region,

[0061] • The inability to release the fireball directly onto the fire,

[0062] • The effect of wind, causing the fireball to be sent to a different location,

[0063] • The need to continue this cycle until the fireball reaches its target,

[0064] • The reduction of the battery charge due to the continuation of this cycle until the fireball reaches its target, • The rising heated air in the fire zone due to the high temperature, As a result, the UAV will not fly efficiently. In fact, the likelihood of the UAV crashing will increase.

[0065] • The malfunction of the systems on the UAV due to the high temperatures in the fire zone,

[0066] • The premature explosion of fireballs (which already have an effective area of 3- 5 m3) in the air due to the high temperatures in the fire area,

[0067] • The risk of the UAV, having to fly at a high altitude due to the heat, getting caught on high-voltage power lines,

[0068] • The malfunction of the mechanism that releases the fireball. Each of these issues presents its own problems.

[0069] The prior art document TR 2021 / 013230 discusses a drone used in fire extinguishing, with a mention of innovation. This invention relates to a drone (1 ) used in fire extinguishing operations, which reduces its own damage from the fire during use by minimizing the impact on itself. Said reduction process is achieved by spraying water on the propellers to make them resistant to the fire temperature.

[0070] The document TR 2019 / 21693 in the state of the art also describes a fire extinguishing drone (Octocopter). This invention suggests a fire extinguishing drone (Octocopter) that can reach difficult areas from the air, enabling rapid intervention in cases where existing capabilities are insufficient due to the potential for high-mass water transported by helicopters to damage sensitive wooden structures, particularly in large forest fires.

[0071] The document US2018147429 (A1 ) in the prior art also proposes a firefighting drone. The current invention relates to a fire extinguishing drone that can quickly intervene in a house, building, or similar structure in the event of a fire and extinguish the fire in its early stages. It can be operated remotely, connecting to a central control system, without the need for a pilot. The fire extinguishing drone is equipped with a flight unit configured to include propeller units, a disaster prevention turret unit configured to spray a fire extinguishing chemical, a body unit, and multiple movement units configured to move the body unit. It is also equipped with elements adapted to spray fire extinguishing chemicals, launch fire extinguishing bombs, or save lives. In the document KR20170133619 (A), a fire extinguishing drone that dives kamikazestyle to the fire zone with fire extinguishing materials, which can be remotely controlled and monitored, is discussed. The current invention presents a disposable drone, primarily used for industrial purposes, which is widely used outside of toy and hobby fields. It is an inexpensive, high-performance drone that primarily loads fire extinguishing materials at its lower end and then sprays the fire extinguisher. Although the drone is disposable, it is configured to spray fire extinguishing materials before landing. The approach in our invention is to quickly reach the fire zone within the first 15 minutes when aerial vehicles cannot access, diving kamikaze-style to the centre of the fire with a precise and full dive, and with the speed achieved during this dive, the additional time gained by creating a cold movement corridor is used to trigger the fireball at the desired time via an electrical triggering mechanism, thereby extinguishing the fire at its centre before it can spread.

[0072] Therefore, the documents in question describe a system where the UAV, due to its speed, creates a corridor at a temperature it can move through, and by performing a kamikaze dive, is able to trigger the fireball at the desired moment via an electrical triggering system. Said configurations are systems that are already known in the prior art and disadvantages of which are explained above. The specific benefit provided by our invention is not a descent to the centre of the fire, but a direct kamikaze dive. During this dive, due to the UAV’s speed, it pierces through high temperatures, creating a movement corridor for itself, thus minimising the effect of the fire’s heat and allowing the fireball to be triggered with perfect accuracy at the desired point.

[0073] The present invention has been developed to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and to provide new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0074] The Aim of the Invention

[0075] The main aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that quickly reaches the fire zone, performs a kamikaze dive to the centre of the fire to extinguish it, and, by means of a rapid dive, minimises heating, preventing damage to its electronic systems and the fireball, and enables the fireball to be triggered at the desired moment by applying electric current, thus extinguishing fires in hard-to-reach areas before they can spread.

[0076] By the invention, it is not possible for firefighting helicopters or firefighting airplanes to reach the fire zone within the first 10 minutes. During this time frame, UAVs arriving at the region will dive directly into the fire area, effectively preventing the fire from growing. As explained above, in a time frame where even one minute is crucial, gaining time for the helicopters and airplanes arriving later will be very important.

[0077] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can intervene in fires in forested areas with high and limited land access, areas affected by natural disasters, high-rise buildings / areas, vehicles on seas or lakes, critical military units during operations or wartime, and areas that are difficult to reach for any reason.

[0078] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that allows rapid intervention without permitting the fire to grow. Our invention allows direct, rapid, and effective intervention in the centre of the fire by performing a kamikaze dive, thanks to the relatively cold corridor it creates for itself.

[0079] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that eliminates the disadvantages of firefighting helicopters / airplanes listed above.

[0080] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that eliminates the disadvantages of existing unmanned aerial vehicles listed above.

[0081] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that eliminates the inaccuracies caused by possible shot deviations due to weather conditions in the spraying process, by using a fireball instead of a fire extinguishing agent.

[0082] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that creates a cold movement corridor during a precise and full kamikaze dive to the centre of the fire, and by using the additional time gained from this corridor, triggers the fireball at the desired time through an electrical triggering mechanism. Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is unaffected by the loss of visibility caused by the hot air wave and smoke around the fire.

[0083] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that allows the fireball to be triggered at the desired time through an electrical triggering system, rather than by free fall or self-ignition due to temperature effects.

[0084] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can safely operate without getting caught on high-voltage power lines, due to its ability to function by diving rather than rising.

[0085] Another aim of the invention is to present an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that provides time-saving for subsequent aerial firefighting vehicles and / or ground fire fighting vehicles and their personnel.

[0086] Description of Figures

[0087] Figure 1. A representative perspective view of the kamikaze fire extinguishing vehicle according to the invention.

[0088] Figure 2. A representative exploded view of the kamikaze fire extinguishing vehicle according to the invention.

[0089] Figure 3. A representative sectional view of the kamikaze fire extinguishing vehicle according to the invention.

[0090] Figure 4. A representative view of the relatively cold movement corridor created by the kamikaze fire extinguishing vehicle in the fire.

[0091] Reference Numbers

[0092] 1. Camera

[0093] 2. Camera Holder

[0094] 3. Body 4. Carrier

[0095] 5. Controller

[0096] 6. Motor

[0097] 7. Battery

[0098] 8. Propeller

[0099] 9. Triggering Mechanism

[0100] 10. Fireball Holder

[0101] 11. Fireball

[0102] 12. Temperature Sensor

[0103] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0104] In this detailed description, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that quickly reaches the fire zone and performs a kamikaze dive to the fire centre, minimising heat build-up through its rapid dive to prevent damage to its electronic systems and ensuring that the chemical agents for extinguishing the fire reach the fire centre at the desired moment, effectively putting out fires in hard-to-reach areas before they can spread, which is the subject of the invention is explained solely for better understanding of the subject without creating any limiting effect.

[0105] The unmanned aerial vehicle, which is the subject of the invention, comprises a battery (7) that stores the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a motor (6) that, using the energy received from mentioned battery (7), provides propulsion for the unmanned aerial vehicle to move and enables it to reach high speeds, allowing the unmanned aerial vehicle to be minimally affected by the fire’s heat, and a propeller (8) that, connected to mentioned motor (6), enables the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly and manoeuvre using the power received from the motor (6), all solely for better understanding of the subject without creating any limiting effect.

[0106] The propellers (8), through the effect they exert downward, generate a lift force, enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle to take off and move in the air.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is also a carrier (4) that connects mentioned motor (6) and / or propeller (8) to mentioned body (3) by carrying them on itself. The unmanned aerial vehicle also comprises a body (3) that contains a fireball (1 1 ) thrown to the fire centre to extinguish the fire, and, due to the speed of the unmanned aerial vehicle, creates a movement corridor of relatively cooler air along the direction the unmanned aerial vehicle is travelling, reducing the effect of the fire's heat on the unmanned aerial vehicle and preventing the unintended detonation of mentioned fireball (1 1 ) due to the effect of the heat, while carrying the other components. By means of its speed, altitude, and dive within 2.5 seconds, the unmanned aerial vehicle will be able to partially escape the effect of the heat radiated by the fire and drop the fireball (11 ) at the fire centre.

[0108] By means of the high-speed movement of our invention, a relatively cooler movement corridor, shown by the dashed lines in Figure 4, is created. As can be understood from Figure 4, this corridor starts from the front of the unmanned aerial vehicle's nose and extends towards the rear of the path it has travelled. Thus, by means of this cold air corridor, the components of the unmanned aerial vehicle are not damaged by the temperature, and mentioned fireball (1 1 ) does not explode. In other words, additional time has been gained for detonation. The relativity mentioned above is defined in relation to the high temperature in the area outside the unmanned aerial vehicle in the fire area.

[0109] The body (3) is made of materials resistant to heat, and when the unmanned aerial vehicle, produced in racing type, makes a rapid dive, it creates a relatively cold corridor by cutting through the air, thus preventing the unmanned aerial vehicle, its components, and especially mentioned fireball (11 ) from heating up. Said racing-type unmanned aerial vehicle can move at a speed of approximately 200 km / h, and since it dives at these speeds, it causes a cooling effect around it, thus prolonging the time for mentioned fireball (1 1 ) to be affected by the heat. In the invention, preferably, mentioned propeller (8) is made of carbon fibre, mentioned body (3) is made of ABS, and mentioned motor (6) is made of 6061 -T6, with results derived from the thermal resistance of these materials.

[0110] The kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle, which is the subject of the invention, will hit the fire area with its speed acceleration, even if it is affected by the heated air from the fire zone, and after this operation, it will no longer be available. This unmanned aerial vehicle will have a one-time use. However, it can be used with a clear and definitive solution.

[0111] The fireball (11 ) is a ball containing chemical powder and has the ability to extinguish a fire of approximately 3-5 cubic meters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is also a fireball holder (10) that enables mentioned fireball (1 1 ) to be carried by mentioned body (3).

[0112] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a camera holder (4) that allows mentioned camera (1 ) to be securely attached to the front end of the body (3).

[0113] The basic structure of the unmanned aerial vehicle, which is the subject of the invention, also comprises an electric triggering mechanism (9) that allows mentioned fireball (1 1 ) to be thrown to the fire centre at the desired time with high accuracy and effective firing, while the unmanned aerial vehicle moves in the relatively cooler movement corridor created by mentioned body (3) and its high speed, and a controller (5) that monitors the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0114] By means of the relatively cold air corridor, the fireball (1 1 ) that has not exploded can be detonated at the exact desired moment by the electric triggering mechanism (9), and then the kamikaze dive of the unmanned aerial vehicle is completed by hitting the fire centre with precision.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a camera (1 ) is provided that allows image acquisition, processed by image processing techniques through mentioned controller (5), ensuring that the dive is performed by locking onto the fire centre.

[0116] The preferred embodiment of the invention is equipped with a temperature sensor (12) that measures the surrounding temperature and sends it to mentioned controller (5) for analysis.

[0117] A CFD simulation was performed on the surface temperatures of the fire area with a diameter of 30 metres and the unmanned aerial vehicle's altitude relative to the fire area. As a result of the simulations, it was determined that during a kamikaze dive from an altitude of 100 metres (at altitudes above 60 metres, the air temperature is 30 degrees) within 2.5 seconds to the fire area (with the fire centre at 1000 degrees), the components of the unmanned aerial vehicle remained relatively cold, and the fireball (1 1 ) did not explode in any way during the dive. Table 1. Air temperature data according to the distance from the fire centre.

[0118] The temperatures of the fireball (1 1 ) based on the analysis were calculated as approximately 80 degrees at an altitude of 30 metres, a maximum of 95 degrees at an altitude of 15 metres, and approximately 100 degrees at ground level (at the fire centre). These temperature values can be considered reasonable when the detonation temperatures of the fireball (1 1 ) are taken into account. Therefore, it will be possible for the unmanned aerial vehicle performing a kamikaze dive to transport the fireball (1 1 ) to the fire centre without it detonating. Below is a table showing the air temperature data according to the distance from the fire centre.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that quickly reaches the fire zone and performs a kamikaze dive to the fire centre, minimising heat build-up through its rapid dive to prevent damage to its electronic systems and ensuring that the chemical agents for extinguishing the fire reach the fire centre at the desired moment, effectively putting out fires in hard-to-reach areas before they can spread, characterized by comprising:• at least one battery (7) that enables the storage of electrical energy necessary for the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV),• at least one motor (6) that, using the energy received from mentioned battery (7), provides propulsion for the unmanned aerial vehicle to move and enables the unmanned aerial vehicle to reach high speeds,• at least one propeller (8) that, connected to mentioned motor (6), enables the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly and manoeuvre using the power received from the motor (6),• at least one fireball (1 1 ) thrown to the fire centre to extinguish the fire,• at least one body (3) that, by means of the hot air wave created by the fire, opens a relatively cold movement corridor along the direction of the unmanned aerial vehicle's travel, reducing the effect of the fire's heat on the unmanned aerial vehicle, preventing mentioned fireball (1 1 ) from exploding due to the effect of the heat, and carrying the other components,• at least one electric triggering mechanism (9) that allows mentioned fireball (1 1 ) to be thrown to the fire centre at the desired time with high accuracy and effective firing while the unmanned aerial vehicle moves in the relatively cooler movement corridor created by mentioned body (3) and its high speed, and• at least one controller (5) that monitors the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to Claim 1 , characterized by comprising: at least one camera (1 ) that allows image acquisition, processed by image processing techniques through mentioned controller (5), ensuring that the dive is performed by locking onto the fire centre.

3. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of the previous claims, characterized by comprising: at least one carrier (4) that connects mentioned motor (6) and / or propeller (8) to mentioned body (3) by carrying them on itself.

4. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of the previous claims, characterized by comprising: at least one fireball holder (10) that enables mentioned fireball (11) to be carried by mentioned body (3).

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of the previous claims, characterized by comprising: at least one temperature sensor (12) that measures the surrounding temperature and sends it to mentioned controller (5) for analysis.

6. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to Claim 2 characterized by comprising: at least one camera holder (4) that allows mentioned camera (1 ) to be securely attached to the front end of mentioned body (3).

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