Aerial Fire Suppression Pump Eliminates Pressurized Air Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firefighting systems for aerial vehicles face challenges due to limited volume and payload capacity, weight constraints, and the need for pressurized air systems that consume resources and pose safety risks, making them inefficient and cumbersome for effective fire suppression.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression apparatus comprising a tank assembly for housing foam and water, a powerpack with electric motors and an air induction valve to create a pressurized water/foam/air solution, and a cannon assembly with a boom for targeted dispensing, optimized for attachment to a helicopter, utilizing unpressurized ambient air and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pressurized tanks or bottles or air compressors are used as a source for pressurized air, then the water/foam mixture can be ejected at high velocities toward distant targets, but the space and energy resources on the airborne vehicle are consumed, weight is increased, and the risk of accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the heavy pressurized air storage system (tanks, bottles, compressors) from the aerial firefighting vehicle. Instead of carrying pressurized air, the system uses ambient air drawn through a pump, dramatically reducing weight while maintaining the ability to eject water/foam mixture at high velocities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical pressurized air generation system (compressors, tanks) with an electric pump system that draws ambient air through a pump. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical pressurization equipment while achieving the same ejection function through electrically-driven pumping.
2Speed
If pressurized tanks are used for air, then high velocity ejection is achieved, but the payload available for consumable fluids such as water, foam, and fuel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the pressurized air tanks and associated equipment from the vehicle, freeing up the space and weight capacity to carry more consumable fluids (water, foam, fuel). The system maintains high ejection velocity by drawing ambient air through a pump rather than storing pressurized air, thus maximizing payload for useful consumables.
3Speed
If pressurized systems are used for air supply, then high velocity ejection is possible, but the turnaround time for replacing depleted air tanks is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the removable pressurized air tanks entirely, replacing them with a pump system that draws ambient air continuously during operation. This eliminates the need for tank replacement operations, reducing downtime and allowing the vehicle to remain operational without periodic interruptions for air supply replenishment.
4Speed
If pressurized water tanks are used, then water can be propelled toward distant targets, but structural and weight limitations prevent pressurization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the need for pressurized water tanks with an electric pump system that propels water through mechanical pumping action rather than internal pressurization. This approach eliminates the structural constraints associated with pressurized containers while maintaining the ability to propel water to distant targets at high velocities.
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
The system provides efficient and effective fire suppression with a lightweight, compact design that maximizes payload capacity, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes safety hazards, enabling prolonged endurance and targeted fire retardancy without the need for heavy pressurized tanks.
Implementation Method 1
pressurized by the liquid fire retardant pump to form a pressurized water/foam/air fire retardant solution
Implementation Method 2
air and the liquid fire retardant are drawn together into the pump inlet and pressurized by the liquid fire retardant pump to form a pressurized water/foam/air fire retardant solution
Implementation Method 3
a foam pump configured to pump foam from the foam tank to the water tank
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a fire suppression apparatus for fighting fires from an aerial vehicle is disclosed having a foam and water held in separate containers that when mixed forms a fire retardant in the separate water container, a pump driven by a first electric motor, the pump including an air induction valve positioned at the pump inlet where air and the fire retardant are drawn into the inlet and pressurized simultaneously by the pump, a primer pump driven by a second electric motor to prime the inlet with the fire retardant before starting the pump, an inverter to control startup of the first electric motor, and an aimable boom connected to the pump by a conduit, the boom including a nozzle on a distal end of the boom from which the pressurized water/foam/air fire retardant is dispensed toward a target. Vertical mount plates can attach the apparatus to opposite sides of the helicopter.