WO2009059581A1

WO2009059581A1 - Device for fire fighting

Info

Publication number: WO2009059581A1
Application number: PCT/DE2008/001791
Authority: WO
Inventors: Herbert Fettweis
Original assignee: Herbert Fettweis
Priority date: 2007-11-09
Filing date: 2008-11-03
Publication date: 2009-05-14
Also published as: ES2386054T3; DE102007053479A1; PL2265337T3; EP2265337B1; EP2265337A1; ATE543540T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fire fighting, comprising an extinguishing agent container, an extinguishing agent pump, and a spray nozzle that can be connected to the pump on the pressure side. Based on the deliberation that agricultural tractors are often the only vehicles suitable for traveling on difficult terrain, and are also frequently present in thinly populated and remote areas, a fire fighting module (1) is proposed, which receives at least the extinguishing agent container (20) and the extinguishing agent pump (24) in a housing. On the face of the housing (10), connecting joints (5, 6) are disposed at least at two different heights for coupling the fire fighting module (1) to the towing hydraulics of a tractor. The extinguishing agent container (20) preferably allows filling from the air. To this end, the extinguishing agent container (20) can be opened toward the top in that flaps (33a, 33b) are pivoted open laterally.

Description

'Apparatus for firefighting'

The invention relates to a device for firefighting according to the preamble of claim 1.

Forest fires as a result of summer heat waves are becoming more common. Firefighting is particularly difficult and risky if the affected forest areas are either difficult to reach or they are not passable due to the soil structure with conventional emergency vehicles. Special fire-fighting vehicles for rough terrain are often not available or need to be transferred, for example in fires in remote areas, only to the site, which costs valuable time.

Fire-fighting trailers, as they are known, for example, from the publications DE 100 44 094 A1, DE 297 17 855 U1 and FR 2 616 668, require maneuvering in difficult terrain, which is why they are only of limited use, even if they are of an off-road vehicle to be pulled. With helicopters, in fact, it is possible to fly over almost any terrain, however, a targeted approach to fires is often difficult, since the distances to the fire are large and the visibility, especially with rising smoke, bad.

The aim of the invention is therefore the provision of technical means to combat forest fires in such terrain, which is not passable for conventional emergency vehicles or not available in the required short time.

For solving a device for firefighting with an extinguishing agent container, an extinguishing agent pump and a pressure side can be connected to the spray nozzle proposed which apparatus is characterized by at least the extinguishing agent container and the extinguishing agent pump in a housing or a frame receiving firefighting module, with at the Front side of the housing or frame arranged in at least two different heights connecting joints for coupling the firefighting module to the implement hydraulics of a tractor.

The starting point of the invention is the consideration that agricultural tractors or farm tractors are the only vehicles suitable for driving on difficult terrains which are also present in sparsely populated or remote areas and are therefore available for short-term use. Usually, this very mobile, since also maneuverable in a confined space vehicle type via an attachment hydraulics for attachment of additional agricultural equipment, such as plows, mower bars or hay tedders. In the context of the invention, this interface between tractor and agricultural implement is used to attach a firefighting module to the tractor. The firefighting module accommodates at least the extinguishing agent container and the extinguishing agent pump in a housing or a frame. At the front of the housing or frame are at least two different heights connecting joints for coupling the firefighting module to the tractor-mounted implement hydraulics.

With an embodiment, it is proposed that the extinguishing agent container is covered at the top by flaps to be opened. This allows a filling with new extinguishing agent from above and on a large area and thus allows a particularly fast filling.

In a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the flaps can be pivoted beyond the vertical into an oblique position, in which mutually opposite flaps form a funnel. This embodiment allows a filling of the extinguishing agent container from the air, such as from a helicopter. As a result of the funnel-shaped opening produced by the swiveling of the flaps, extinguishing agent losses caused by scattering effects can be minimized when refueling from the air.

Preferably, the extinguishing agent container is designed polygonal in plan, with a flap along each straight container top edge. In order to avoid extinguishing agent losses during refueling in the corner area in which there are no flaps, in the corner area the adjacent flaps are each connected via a segment of a flexible material web. In this way, despite the only segmental existing flaps a total collecting area in the form of a wrap-around funnel is realized.

In order to improve the recognition and identification of the firefighting module and in particular the filling opening of the extinguishing agent container from the air, a luminous paint coating or coating of the insides of the flaps is also proposed.

Also with the aim of better localization of the filling opening from the air, especially in the dark, light reflectors can be arranged on the insides of the flaps. A preferred embodiment of the extinguishing agent container is characterized by therein permanently installed baffles. These prevent too strong liquid movements in the extinguishing agent container while driving and therefore contribute to driving stability of the tractor.

For the firefighting module, a horizontal tread is also proposed. This can be pivoted when not in use against the housing or the frame.

Further proposed are near the top of the extinguishing agent container arranged lifting eyes. These allow a quick transport of fire extinguishing modules to their place of use, such as by means of a helicopter. But even outside of the actual firefighting use the eyebolts are helpful in transporting as well as in handling the relatively bulky fire fighting module. With a preferred embodiment of the eyebolts is proposed that these are at the same time Schwenkwegbegrenzer where the flaps of the extinguishing agent container are supported at maximum opening with your outside.

Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained below with reference to an embodiment. Show it:

Figure 1 in side view of a tractor with a fixed to the rear of the tractor

Fire-fighting module;

Figure 2 shows the firefighting module in a side view, with some internal parts are shown in dashed lines;

3 shows the firefighting module in a further side view with two open upper end caps and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the firefighting module, with all upper

End caps are open to form a funnel.

FIG. 1 shows a firefighting module 1, which can be fastened to the rear of a tractor or agricultural tractor 2. This attachment is made via the mostly hydraulically actuated 3-point linkage 4, via which each commercially available tractor or farm tractor has. Such an implement hydraulics consists of two jointly actuated, lower support rods and a separately operable upper linkage. Lower connecting joints 5, which are attached to the housing 10 or frame of the firefighting module 1, serve the articulated connection of the lower linkage parts of the linkage 4. One or two upper connecting joints 6 on the Housing 10 or frame serve the articulated connection with the upper linkage parts of the linkage 4. As a result of this arrangement of the lower and upper link joints 5, 6, the entire firefighting module 1 can be raised and lowered by means of the on-board hydraulics of the tractor. In particular, the module can be lowered so far that it rests on the ground, which is advantageous when filling the module, as will be described below. All connection joints 5, 6 of the module 1 are detachable, preferably via screws or bolts. In this way, the entire module 1 can be quickly coupled or decoupled with the implement hydraulics.

Also common in tractors are taken out of the rear area propeller shafts or PTOs. The PTO shaft 9 leads here, possibly by means of an additional PTO extension, into the lower part of the fire-fighting module 1, where there is an extinguishing agent pump. In this way, the extinguishing agent pump can be operated by the existing PTO drive of the tractor 2.

The outer dimensions of the housing 10 of the firefighting module 1 are determined primarily by the volume of extinguishing agent enclosed by the housing. Instead of a self-supporting housing 10 and a correspondingly large, composed of strong profiles frame is possible in which a large container is attached to receive the extinguishing agent.

Preferably, laterally on the housing 10 there is an outlet 11 for a hose 12 which can be wound up on a hose reel within the housing, e.g. a commercial fire hose. The hose reel may also be disposed in the housing 10 or frame so as to pivot out of the housing to the side so as to facilitate unwinding of the hose 12.

Instead of the outlet 11 there may also be a connecting piece and preferably a standard connecting piece, as is customary for the connection of fire hoses. Such systems work with a particularly fast connectable bayonet coupling. Optionally, there may be a corresponding connection piece on the other, opposite side of the housing 10, whereby fire hoses for extinguishing work can be coupled on both sides.

The fire hose 12 is of such length that a free working with the arranged at the end of the fire hose 12 spray nozzle 13 is possible. At the fire hose 12 or the spray nozzle 13 traction means 14, for example an elastic Retracting rope, attack, which the fire hose 12, as far as it is not used, automatically pull upwards in a rest position in which the fire hose 12 does not drag on the ground.

FIG. 2 shows that the firefighting module 1 is subdivided into several regions or parts within its housing or frame. The entire upper portion of the module occupies an extinguishant container 20 with a capacity of between 3,500 and 4,000 liters. The Löschmittelbehäiter 20 is cuboid shaped with a rectangular outline and provided in its interior with a plurality of baffles 21. These prevent excessive fluid movement while driving. Another Löschmittelbehäiter 20 a with a smaller volume may be attached to the front of the vehicle 2. Both containers 20, 20a are in communication with each other.

In its lower part, the firefighting module 1 has a chamber 23 in which the extinguishing agent pump 24 is either permanently installed or accommodated there. When using a permanently installed extinguishing agent pump 24, this is driven by the PTO shaft or PTO 9 of the tractor. A suitable clutch in the PTO shaft 9 allows the separation of firefighting module and tractor.

Alternatively, it is possible to house in the chamber 23 a portable pump set, e.g. a gasoline-powered extinguishing pump, which can also be used outside for fire extinguishing purposes.

The suction side of the extinguishing agent pump 24 is connected to the Löschmittelbehäiter 20, the pressure side of the extinguishing agent pump 24 leads to the tube 12. This is when not in use with the largest part of its length on a hose reel 26 (Fig. 2) wound. The reel 26 is rotatably mounted in a chamber 25 below the chamber 23, resulting in a space-saving accommodation of the tube 12. About a outside attached to the housing 10 switching unit 27, the extinguishing agent pump 24 can be switched on and off or control in terms of their capacity.

It is advantageous in the lower part of the firefighting module 1 except the chambers 23, 25 for the extinguishing agent pump 24 and the hose reel 26 to arrange at least one other room or another chamber. This provides space for the accommodation of firefighting equipment or for other aids, which must be quickly available in the forest fire fighting. For ease of handling, such as on a fire department depot, four freely rotatable transport rollers 29 may be arranged on the underside of the housing 10. Alternatively, instead of these transport rollers four supports can be attached. These supports provide with the module 1 a vertical space for the transport tines of a forklift.

Another component of the firefighting module 1 is a step on which one or two people can stand so as to be able to carry out firefighting work while driving. Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the tread 30 behind the back 31 of the housing 10, wherein the tread 30 is shown in Figure 2 in its horizontal working position. When not in use, the tread 30 is folded up against the back of the housing 31, as shown in FIG. This improves the ground clearance of the firefighting module. For the safety of the firefighters 30 suitable supports or railings can be attached to the tread. Furthermore, so that the firefighting personnel can get hold, above the tread 30 outside the firefighting module handles 36 are rigidly attached. These are located either on the back 31, or in the rear of the side walls of the housing 10.

The filling of the extinguishing agent container 20 can be done in two ways. Either the extinguishing agent is removed using the extinguishing agent pump 24 from eg a well and filled into the extinguishing agent tank 20. Or there is a refueling from the air, for example from a helicopter. This requires a generously sized refueling opening in order to be able to fill the contents of a 3000 to 5000 liter water bag in a very short time. For this purpose, the top of the extinguishing agent container 20 can be completely open. The extinguishing agent container 20 is closed at the top by cover in the form of pivotable flaps. In the exemplary embodiment described here, a total of four flaps 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b are arranged along the overall rectangular upper edge 32 of the extinguishing agent container 20. The flaps 33a, 33b are hinged along the longer, and the flaps 34a, 34b along the shorter upper edges of the container via hinges 35. The flaps are so large that they cover when closed. It is important that the flaps, as shown in FIG. 3 for the flaps 33a and 33b, can be pivoted beyond the vertical into an inclined position in which opposing flaps 33a and 33b or 34a and 34b form a funnel. The plan view Figure 4 reveals this funnel formed by the four flaps 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b. Since no flaps can be realized in the corner regions, in these corner regions the adjacent flaps are each connected via an approximately quarter-circular segment 37 made of a flexible material web. Preferably, the quarter-circular segments 37 are made of rubber or a flexible thermoplastic, so that they fold aside when closing the flaps.

When Schwenkwegbegrenzer 41 when opening the flaps are the upper edges of tabs 40, which are fastened to the outside of the housing 10 of the firefighting module. According to FIG. 3, these upper edges extend at an angle of approximately 45 °, as a result of which the opened flaps 33a, 33b can be swung open up to this angle, and occupy an overall funnel shape in this case. Formed on the tabs 40 are in addition to the pivoting delimit 41 still eyelets 42. These serve to raise the entire firefighting module 1 for transport purposes by means of a crane or a helicopter. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the tabs 40 are diamond-shaped sheets with an elongate opening for the transport eyelet 42.

The inner sides of the flaps 33a to 34b, which point obliquely outwards in the case of opening the flaps, are painted with a luminous color or provided with a luminous color coating. In this way, the open container for refueling from a helicopter is very well visible. For recognizability even in the dark, it is advantageous to attach light reflectors 44 to the insides of the flaps 33a to 34b. This allows a simplified optical locations of the opened firefighting module during night operations from a helicopter.

The firefighting module allows fast attachment, but also release of the tractor. Because of the relatively compact design, the firefighting module can be quickly loaded onto a truck and is also suitable for a train or air transport in a special way. The tractors required to use the firefighting module are available in almost every region. They can either be rented quickly or a local farmer provides his tractor. In regions where voluntary fire departments take over fire protection, firefighters are often also farmers, which is why they can handle farm tractors very well. The coupling of the firefighting module to the tractor via a 3-point linkage is standardized within Europe, which is why the use of the firefighting module is flexible and effective even beyond the borders of individual states. Practical dimensions for the firefighting module are 2.20 m wide, 2.80 m high and 1.20 m and 1.40 m depth measured in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Reference number list

Fire-fighting module

Tractor, farm tractor

3-point linkage

Connecting joint to the 3-point linkage

PTO shaft, PTO

casing

exit

Fire hose

Spray nozzle elastic means

Extinguishing agent container a Extinguishing agent container

baffle

chamber

Extinguishing agent pump

chamber

hose reel

switching unit

transport roller

footboard

back

Top of container a Door b Door a Door b Door

hinge

handle

segment

flap

Swing path limiter

eyebolt

light reflector

Claims

claims

1. An apparatus for firefighting with an extinguishing agent container, an extinguishing agent pump and a nozzle which can be connected to the pump on the pressure side, indicate at least the extinguishing agent container (20) and the extinguishing agent pump (24) in a housing (10) or a frame Fire-fighting module (1), with connecting links (5, 6) arranged on the front side of the housing (10) or frame for coupling the firefighting module (1) to the implement hydraulics of a tractor.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, d ad u rch eke nzei ch net that the extinguishing agent container (20) is covered at the top by opening flaps (33 a, 33 b, 34 a, 34 b).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, d ad urch characterized in that the flaps (33 a, 33 b, 34 a, 34 b) can be swung over the vertical out into an oblique position, in the opposing flaps (33 a, 33 b, 34 a, 34 b) a Forming a funnel.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, d ad urch geken nzeich net that the extinguishing agent container (20) in plan view polygonal with a flap (33 a, 33 b, 34 a, 34 b) along each straight container upper edge (32), and that in the corner region the adjacent flaps are connected via a respective segment (37) of a flexible material web.

5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, g ekennzeich net you rch a phosphorescent paint or coating the inner sides of the flaps (33 a, 33 b, 34 a, 34 b).

6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, gekennzei ch net d u rch on the inner sides of the flaps (33 a, 33 b, 34 a, 34 b) arranged light reflectors (44).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, g eken nzei ch net d u rch in the extinguishing agent container (20) fixedly installed baffles (21).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, gekennzei ch net d u rch a horizontal tread (30) outside of the firefighting module (1).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the tread (30) is pivotable when not in use against the rear side (31) of the housing (10) or frame.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, g eken nzei ch net d u rch at least one above the tread (30) rigidly on the housing (10) or frame arranged handle (36).

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, gekennzeich net d u rch near the upper edge (32) of the extinguishing agent container (20) arranged transport eyelets (42).

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the transport eyelets (42) are at the same time Schwenkwegbegrenzer (41) on which the flaps (33a, 33b, 34a, 34b) are supported at maximum opening with its outer side ,

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, ad d e r e g eke n e ch n et in that the spray nozzle (13) on a hose (12), which is wound on a hose reel (26).

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the hose reel (26) can be pivoted out of the housing (10) or frame.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by below the housing (10) or frame arranged supports or freely rotatable transport rollers (29).