Split-Tank Aerial Firefighting Delivery for High-Flow Rates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firefighting aircraft systems face limitations in delivering high flow rates of firefighting agents efficiently while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing airframe impact, particularly in systems designed for aircraft with fuselage-mounted tanks.
Innovation Solution
Aerial firefighting delivery systems with strategically positioned storage tanks and discharge ducting, optimized for high flow rates and structural support, including fly-by-wire technology and hardware/software for low modification costs, meeting stringent agency requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tanks are mounted in the fuselage and dispersion systems are designed to minimize airframe impact, then certification is easier and airframe impact is reduced, but the ability to quickly provide high flow rates of firefighting agents is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the firefighting agent delivery function into separate modular components: fuselage-mounted storage tanks and wing-mounted dispersion systems. This segmentation allows the tanks to be positioned for structural stability while the dispersion systems are optimized for high flow rate delivery, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention relocates the dispersion systems from the fuselage to the wings, utilizing a different spatial dimension for the delivery function. This dimensional change allows the fuselage to maintain structural integrity while the wings provide the necessary flow rate capability through their aerodynamic design and positioning.
2Productivity
If dispersion systems are designed to minimize airframe impact and ease certification, then certification is easier, but the systems become inefficient in delivering high flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into fuselage-mounted tanks and wing-mounted dispersion systems, each component can be independently optimized. The tanks serve simple storage functions while the dispersion systems handle the complex high flow rate delivery, reducing overall system complexity while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing-mounted dispersion systems serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable high flow rate delivery through aerodynamic design, and simplify certification by being separate from the fuselage. This multi-functionality increases productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If high flow rates of 1125 US gallons per second are achieved, then firefighting effectiveness is improved, but structural integrity and airframe impact become concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the high flow rate dispersion function from the fuselage and places it in the wings. This extraction removes the harmful high-impact forces from the fuselage structure while maintaining the desired productivity, as the wings are better positioned to handle and dissipate the forces generated by high flow rate delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
By moving the dispersion systems to the wings, the system utilizes the wings' aerodynamic design and spatial positioning to manage the forces associated with high flow rates. This dimensional change allows high productivity while minimizing harmful impacts on the airframe, as the wings can better accommodate and distribute the forces.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft for carrying and dispersing one or more firefighting agents includes a fuselage defining an interior space within the aircraft and bisected into a main deck and a lower deck. A pair of wings are coupled to the fuselage. A first storage tank is positioned within the main deck and forward of the pair of wings. A second storage tank is positioned within the main deck and aft of the pair of wings. At least a portion of first discharge ducting is positioned in the lower deck, where the first discharge ducting fluidly connects the first storage tank to discharge outlets disposed in an underbelly of the fuselage. At least a portion of second discharge ducting is positioned in the lower deck, where the second discharge ducting fluidly connects the second storage tank to discharge outlets disposed in the underbelly of the fuselage.