Aerial Distribution Support Apparatus for Fire Extinguishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial distribution systems face inefficiencies in fire extinguishing due to assumptions of free-fall distribution material, leading to either excessive area coverage with low density or high density in limited areas, compromising fire fighting effectiveness and safety.
Innovation Solution
An aerial distribution supporting apparatus that computes and displays the location and density distribution of distribution material on the ground surface based on aircraft velocity, altitude, and wind velocity, optimizing drop altitude and location for effective fire extinguishing density, allowing for efficient and safe distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the altitude from which distribution material is dropped is increased, then the distribution area increases, but the distribution material density decreases below effective levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system computes and displays density distribution information based on drop altitude, velocity, and wind velocity parameters. The pilot adjusts drop altitude and other parameters to achieve optimal density distribution, transforming the fixed free-fall assumption into a controllable parameter optimization process that balances area coverage and material density.
2Quantity of substance
If the altitude from which distribution material is dropped is decreased, then the distribution material density increases, but the distribution area decreases requiring multiple drops
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by computing and displaying density distribution information based on current flight parameters (altitude, velocity, wind velocity). This feedback enables the pilot to adjust drop parameters to achieve effective density while maximizing distribution area, thereby improving fire fighting efficiency without requiring multiple drops.
3Quantity of substance
If the drop altitude is decreased to increase distribution material density, then fire extinguishing effectiveness improves, but aircraft safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system computes optimal drop altitude and provides this information to the pilot before the actual drop. By preliminarily determining and displaying the optimal altitude that achieves effective density distribution, the system enables the pilot to maintain safe altitude while achieving the required distribution material density, thus preventing safety compromises.
4Area of stationary object
If distribution material is dropped from high altitude to cover large area, then area coverage improves, but the number of drops required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically computes density distribution based on real-time flight parameters (altitude, velocity, wind velocity) and provides feedback to the pilot. This enables dynamic adjustment of drop parameters to achieve optimal balance between distribution area and material density, reducing the number of drops required while maintaining effective fire coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and efficient distribution of fire extinguishing agents over the largest effective area, reducing the number of drops required and ensuring aircraft safety by optimizing distribution density and area coverage.
Implementation Method 1
the location at which the fire extinguishing agent arrives is computed on the assumption that the fire extinguishing agent falls freely
Implementation Method 2
the liquid drops are dispersed. This allows the distribution material dropped from an aircraft to be spread over a predetermined area of the ground surface
Data Source
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AI summary
When distribution material is distributed over a target site on a ground surface from an aircraft (1), a distribution supporting apparatus (2) offers support information to a pilot dropping the distribution material to efficiently distribute the distribution material. The distribution supporting apparatus (2) includes: an input section (21) to which information items on at least an aircraft velocity, an aircraft altitude, and a wind velocity are input; a computation section (22) configured to compute a location at which the distribution material dropped from the aircraft (1) arrives on the ground surface and a density distribution of the distribution material on the ground surface based on the information items input to the input section (21); and a display control section (23) configured to display, on a display (3), the support information relating to the location and density distribution computed by the computation section.