Reversible Fire Hose Pump with Integrated Lighting and Comms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current firefighting equipment lacks effective water management systems for both firefighting and post-fire cleanup, as well as reliable communication and safety lighting in hazardous situations.
Innovation Solution
A fully duplex fire hose and pump system that includes a reversible pump for water delivery and removal, a communication extender for improved radio communication, and an emergency lighting capability using LEDs, integrated with a commercially available fire hose and pump system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional single-function pump system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability is insufficient for both firefighting and post-fire cleanup operations
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can pump water forward for firefighting operations and reverse to vacuum water for post-fire cleanup. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pump systems, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic reversibility of the pump mechanism, allowing it to switch between pumping and vacuuming modes. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different operational phases (firefighting and cleanup) without requiring multiple static systems.
2Reliability
If standard communication equipment is used in hazardous environments, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability of communication is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A communication extender is introduced as an intermediary device to relay signals between firefighters and command centers. This extender improves communication reliability in hazardous environments by providing an additional communication pathway, while the modular nature of the extender minimizes the increase in overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If no emergency lighting system is integrated, then the device complexity is low, but the safety in low light situations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency lighting system is merged with the existing fire hose and pump system structure. By integrating lighting fixtures into the hose assembly, the patent provides safety illumination without requiring a completely separate lighting system, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Productivity
If separate pump systems are used for firefighting and cleanup, then the reliability of each function is high, but the loss of time for setup and reconfiguration is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump system performs both firefighting and cleanup functions, eliminating the need to switch between separate systems. This universality directly reduces reconfiguration time and improves operational efficiency by maintaining continuous operational capability across different phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic reversibility feature allows immediate transition between pumping and vacuuming modes without requiring physical reconfiguration or setup changes, thereby minimizing time loss and maximizing productivity during operational transitions.
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
Enhances firefighting operations by ensuring reliable communication and safety lighting while allowing efficient water management before and after firefighting, improving operational safety and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The pump system (102) supports one or more modified fire hoses (101). The pump system (102) pumps water from a water source through each of the one or more modified fire hoses (101) to the fire scene.
Implementation Method 2
The pump is reversible and can be used to remove water from the scene after firefighting operations have terminated.
Implementation Method 3
The fire hose and pump system further comprises a communication extender for improving communication reliability in a hazardous situation
Implementation Method 4
an emergency lighting capability for low light situations
Data Source
AI summary
The fire hose and pump system is a fully duplex water management system adapted for use in firefighting. The fire hose and pump system pumps and delivers water during firefighting operations. The pump is reversible and can be used to remove water from the scene after firefighting operations have terminated. The fire hose and pump system further comprises a communication extender for improving communication reliability in a hazardous situation and an emergency lighting capability for low light situations. The fire hose and pump system comprises a modified hose, a pump system, and an electronic system.