WO2024186223A1 - Aerial fluid delivery system - Google Patents
Aerial fluid delivery system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2024186223A1 WO2024186223A1 PCT/NZ2024/050028 NZ2024050028W WO2024186223A1 WO 2024186223 A1 WO2024186223 A1 WO 2024186223A1 NZ 2024050028 W NZ2024050028 W NZ 2024050028W WO 2024186223 A1 WO2024186223 A1 WO 2024186223A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- container
- mode
- helicopter
- bucket
- Prior art date
Links
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
- A62C3/02—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires
- A62C3/0228—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires with delivery of fire extinguishing material by air or aircraft
- A62C3/0235—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires with delivery of fire extinguishing material by air or aircraft by means of containers, e.g. buckets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
- A62C3/02—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires
- A62C3/0228—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires with delivery of fire extinguishing material by air or aircraft
- A62C3/0242—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires with delivery of fire extinguishing material by air or aircraft by spraying extinguishants from the aircraft
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D1/00—Dropping, ejecting, releasing or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight
- B64D1/16—Dropping or releasing powdered, liquid, or gaseous matter, e.g. for fire-fighting
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D1/00—Dropping, ejecting, releasing or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight
- B64D1/16—Dropping or releasing powdered, liquid, or gaseous matter, e.g. for fire-fighting
- B64D1/18—Dropping or releasing powdered, liquid, or gaseous matter, e.g. for fire-fighting by spraying, e.g. insecticides
Definitions
- the invention relates to an aerial fluid delivery system, and in particular, firefighting systems for firefighting using aircraft such as aircraft firefighting buckets and tanks.
- Aerial firefighting involves the use of aircraft flying over a fire and dispensing fire extinguishants and/or suppressants to extinguish or suppress a fire respectively.
- Fire extinguishants typically include water but also encompass foams or other fire extinguishing or retarding fluids, foams, or powders.
- Helicopters are commonly used in firefighting operations as they are capable of precision targeting, in contrast to fixed-wing aircraft which are typically travelling at speeds that fire extinguishant drops are inherently spread over a larger area than a helicopter hovering in place. Fixed-wing firefighting aircraft are thus primarily used for applying extinguishant over large areas.
- extinguishant containment There are two main forms of extinguishant containment for use with helicopters.
- the first being a suspended bucket, also known as a 'helibucket' or 'monsoon bucket'.
- This suspended bucket can be lowered into a reservoir of extinguishant (e.g., water) and filled via the open upper end of the bucket.
- extinguishant e.g., water
- the second main form of containment is a fixed tank attached to the underside of the helicopter or manufactured as an integral part of the helicopter for purpose-built helicopters.
- the fixed tank is filled either from a supply reservoir via a hose coupling or may be fitted with a 'snorkel' and pump.
- the snorkel is a hose or pipe that extends from the fixed tank such that when the helicopter descends over a body of water for example, the snorkel end enters the water.
- the snorkel has a pump in the immersed end that can draw the water up the snorkel into the fixed tank.
- Examples of suspended buckets can be found in US patent no, 7,588,087 by Cafferata and US 5,560,429 by Needham.
- Another example of a suspended bucket is produced by IMS New Zealand Limited and called the Cloudburst® bucket fire-buckets/.
- the Cloudburst® bucket has a valve that enables controlled release of the water to enable multiple drops from a single fill.
- the Cloudburst® valve can also be opened to act as a water intake, enabling the bucket to be filled from shallow water sources, rather than immersing the top of the bucket.
- Buckets are suspended from a long line attached to the helicopter. Buckets thus enable the helicopter to access extinguishant sources despite nearby hazards (e.g. trees, buildings) that would prevent a descent of the helicopter low enough to fill a fixed tank via snorkel. Buckets are also typically cheaper to manufacture than fixed tanks.
- Buckets however have disadvantages relative to tanks, including: a) often only offering a single release mode, jettisoning the entire bucket contents; b) a restricted Velocity to None Exceed (VNE), e.g. less than 80 knots; c) needing immersion for filling, i.e. the upper opening of the bucket needs to be below the fluid surface level to be filled.
- VNE Velocity to Never Exceed
- Helicopter firefighter operators are thus often required to acquire fixed tanks for their helicopters to operate in many areas, while still requiring suspended buckets for rural operations or where use of tanks is not feasible.
- the Schellaars is a detachable firefighting tank for helicopters known as the Helitak® system.
- the Helitak® system can be fitted to helicopters when required and removed when the firefighting operation is complete, or another attachment is required.
- the Helitak® system can carry a greater load than a typical bucket and meets the requirements for a fixed tank system, even though it is detachable.
- the Helitak® system is attached at multiple points on the helicopter, thereby providing a secure connection.
- Recoil ® tanks USA
- Recoil® Tsunami T1000-E tank has a flexible wall that is vertically collapsible so that when in-flight, the tank extends below the undercarriage and then collapses to enable landing without damaging the tank.
- Both the Helitak® and Recoil® tanks use snorkels for filling that extend below the helicopter undercarriage.
- Detachable firefighting tanks for helicopters offer many of the advantages of an integrated tank, while still being capable of detachment when the helicopter no longer needs to be used for firefighting.
- extinguishant refers to any fluid used to extinguish, suppress or retard a fire, e.g. water, firefighting foams, retardants, suppressants or any combination of same.
- the term "external fluid reservoir” refers to any reservoir of fluid external to the present invention, the fluid is preferably an extinguishant, and the external fluid reservoir may include, for example, a pond, lake, river, swimming pool, container or other reservoir of fluid.
- the term "compactable" with respect to a container, compartment, or reservoir should be interpreted to mean the capability of that container, compartment, or reservoir to be modified to reduce in size in at least one dimension and, for example, includes flexible, compressible, collapsible, compactable.
- spoke with respect to a hub and spoke arrangement, should be interpreted to include any rigid elongate member extending from the hub, and need not extend radially from the hub nor be equidistant from other spokes extending from the hub.
- the term "flexible”, used with respect to a suspension line, should be understood to refer to a suspension line with opposing ends of the suspension line can be moved relative to each other without the line breaking.
- the term flexible suspension line should be understood to include not only a flexible wire, rope or strap, but also a chain, a length of multiple relatively movable linkages, or the like.
- valve refers to a device capable of reversible occlusion of a passage and includes doors.
- an aerial fluid delivery system for use with a helicopter, the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for detention and dispensing of a fluid, the container including:
- a dispensing system for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, and characterised in that the aerial fluid delivery system is configured to operate in at least two inflight fluid-filling modes, including:
- the container is connected to the helicopter such that at least a portion of the container is positioned above the undercarriage.
- a firefighting helicopter including an aerial fluid delivery system, the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for detention and delivery of a fluid, the container including:
- a dispensing system for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, and characterised in that the aerial fluid delivery system is configured to operate in at least two inflight fluid-filling modes including:
- the container is suspended beneath the helicopter via a flexible suspension line, the container being suspended below an undercarriage of the helicopter during flight, and
- the container is connected to the helicopter such that at least a portion of the container is positioned above the undercarriage during flight.
- the aerial fluid delivery system is particularly suited to use in aerial firefighting with delivery of fluid in the form of a fire extinguishant such as water.
- a fire extinguishant such as water.
- the present invention will herein be described with respect to aerial firefighting using a helicopter.
- the present invention may also find use in other applications such as construction, agricultural or horticultural fluid delivery, fertiliser application, or other fluid delivery applications.
- aerial firefighting using helicopters typically involves use of either a suspended 'bucket' or a fixed 'tank', but to date there has not been a system devised that can operate in both modes.
- the present invention provides such a system.
- an aerial fluid delivery system for use with a helicopter, the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for detention and delivery of a fluid, the container including:
- dispensing system for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one dispensing system outlet;
- At least one bucket-mode fluid intake enabling in-flight fluid-filling via fluid ingress to the container reservoir when the bucket-mode fluid intake is at least partially immersed in a fluid
- the tank-mode fluid intake including at least one coupling for attaching at least one intake conduit thereto, enabling in-flight fluid-filling via the at least one tank-mode fluid intake.
- the support mounting including at least one container coupling configured to couple to, o at least one flexible suspension line, wherein the container is capable of being suspended beneath the helicopter via the at least one flexible suspension line such that the bucket-mode fluid intake is located below an undercarriage of the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling, and o a helicopter coupling, wherein the support mounting is capable of being connected to the helicopter via the helicopter coupling such that at least a portion of the support mounting is positioned above the undercarriage during in-flight fluid-filling.
- the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for transport and delivery of a fluid, the container including: at least one container reservoir with at least one reservoir outlet; - a dispensing system, for dispensing fluid detained in the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one dispensing system outlet, and characterised in that the container is capable of operating in at least two in-flight fluid-filling modes, including:
- the method includes the steps of: a) operating the system in bucket-mode during in-flight fluid-filling, at least partially filling the container reservoir via lowering the container into an external fluid reservoir such that a bucket-mode fluid intake is immersed below a fluid surface level of the external fluid reservoir, and b) operating the system in tank-mode during in-flight fluid-filling, at least partially filling the container reservoir via lowering of an end of at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit into the external reservoir, the tank-mode fluid intake conduit coupled to a tank-mode fluid intake of the container.
- a method of mode transition of the aerial fluid delivery system between in-flight fluid-filling modes including configuring the system for bucket-mode by: uncoupling the container from the helicopter,
- a method of mode transition of the aerial fluid delivery system between in-flight fluid-filling modes including configuring the system for tank-mode by:
- a helicopter firefighting bucket including a container for detention and delivery of a fluid, the container including:
- At least one container reservoir including at least one reservoir outlet
- dispensing system for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one dispensing system outlet;
- At least one bucket-mode fluid intake enabling fluid ingress to the container reservoir when the bucket-mode fluid intake is at least partially immersed in a fluid
- the support mounting including at least one container coupling configured to couple to at least one flexible suspension line, wherein the container is capable of being suspended beneath the helicopter via the at least one flexible suspension line such that the container is located below an undercarriage of the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling, and characterised in that the container includes:
- the at least one pump for impelling the fluid to the container reservoir via the at least one further fluid intake, wherein, in use, with the entirety of the bucket suspended via the suspension line, the at least one intake conduit extends below the dispensing system outlet.
- the dispensing system includes a valve capable of reversibly opening to permit fluid flow from the container reservoir outlet to the dispensing system outlet.
- the dispensing system must open the valve to permit fluid flow.
- the valve is preferably operable via a control in the helicopter.
- the reservoir outlet and dispensing system outlet are a common outlet, e.g. where the dispensing system includes an openable door, flap or other occlusion.
- the dispensing system includes multiple outlets.
- the container reservoir includes multiple container reservoir outlets.
- the container includes a bucket-mode fluid intake enabling fluid ingress to the container reservoir when the bucket-mode fluid intake is immersed in a fluid.
- the container includes the at least one intake conduit coupled to the at least one coupling.
- the tank-mode fluid intake includes at least one coupling for attaching at least one intake conduit thereto.
- the tank-mode fluid intake may be integrally connected to at least one intake conduit.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake may be in fluid communication with the tank-mode fluid intake via one or more conduits, passages, ducting or the like.
- the container, in-flight can be at least partially filled in bucket-mode by immersion of the bucket-mode fluid intake below a fluid surface level of fluid in an external fluid reservoir, the fluid entering the container reservoir via the bucket-mode fluid intake.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake is preferably bi-directional enabling both fluid ingress and egress.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake is preferably formed as an upper aperture of the container.
- the upper aperture faces the helicopter when the container is suspended beneath the helicopter.
- the container may be connected to the helicopter via a helicopter coupling, such as a cargo hook, hard point, or other mounting point, attachment or coupling on the helicopter.
- a helicopter coupling such as a cargo hook, hard point, or other mounting point, attachment or coupling on the helicopter.
- the container coupling is configured to be coupled directly to the helicopter coupling.
- the container coupling is configured to be coupled to the helicopter coupling via the suspension line, a distal portion of the suspension line being attached to the helicopter coupling.
- said container coupling is configured to be coupled to the helicopter coupling: via the suspension line in bucket-mode and directly to the helicopter coupling in tank-mode.
- separate container couplings may be provided to attach to either the suspension line or helicopter coupling.
- the support mounting and/or container coupling includes at least two lift-assist attachment points for attaching lift strands.
- the container may be a significant weight and difficult to lift, particularly where the support mounting needs to be lifted into place to be connected to the cargo hook or other helicopter mounting.
- the at least two lift-assist attachment points provide a means for attaching ropes or other strands thereto and enables easier lifting from within the helicopter cabin interior, in contrast to lifting from beneath the helicopter exterior.
- At least one intake conduit includes at least two lift-assist attachment points for attaching lift strands.
- the intake conduits may be heavy or cumbersome to lift.
- the lift-assist attachment points thus enable operators to manoeuvre the conduits more easily into position to couple to the tank-mode intake conduits.
- the helicopter coupling is preferably configured to disable detachment of the container coupling during flight when operating in tank-mode.
- the helicopter coupling may for example, include locking pins, circuit breakers, switches, locks or equivalents that disable detachment during flight.
- the container coupling is preferably configured for attachment to an end of the flexible suspension line, a sling, straps or equivalents on the end of the flexible suspension line.
- a distal end of the flexible suspension line is attached to a helicopter coupling on the helicopter thereby enabling the container to be suspended from the helicopter via the suspension line.
- the container coupling is alternatively, or also, configured for attachment to a helicopter coupling.
- Helicopter couplings can include cargo hooks, hardpoints or other fixing points on the helicopter. Most helicopters have a cargo hook or hardpoints for attachment of various loads with openable cargo hooks being most common. Hardpoints are typically only available on military helicopters or are retrofitted for a specific purpose.
- the tank coupling is thus preferably configured for attachment to a cargo hook or equivalent releasable attachment mechanism.
- the helicopter may be provided with a winch, an end of the suspension line, distal to the container coupling, being connected to the winch such that operation of the winch extends and retracts the suspension line and coupled container away and toward the helicopter respectively.
- the fluid delivery system may transition from bucket-mode to tank-mode by retracting the winch until at least a portion of the container is positioned above the undercarriage.
- the fluid delivery system may transition from tank-mode to bucket-mode by operating the winch to extend the suspension line to lower the container until the container is suspended below an undercarriage of the helicopter during flight.
- Such a winched embodiment enables more rapid transition times between modes than where a direct coupling of the container coupling to helicopter coupling is required, e.g. by attaching the support mounting to a cargo hook.
- winches on helicopters are naturally not mounted centrally as winches are almost always used to lift objects (people or cargo) into the helicopter cabin. Prior art winches on helicopters are therefore almost always mounted on one side of the helicopter.
- the winch is thus preferably mounted laterally centrally to the helicopter body to support the weight of a loaded container without laterally unbalancing the helicopter.
- the term 'lateral' with respect to a helicopter should be understood to refer to the direction perpendicular to a 'longitudinal' axis passing between a tail and nose of the helicopter.
- a method of increasing the ground clearance of a helicopter configured to carry a fluid delivery system, the helicopter having a first set of wheels and undercarriage providing a first ground clearance, the method including installing a second set of wheels with a larger diameter than said first set of wheels, to thereby provide the helicopter with a second ground clearance, greater than said first ground clearance.
- the difference in radius between wheels of the first and second sets of wheels is preferably equal to, or greater than, the sum of the height of any rigid portions of the fluid delivery system between the dispensing system outlet and bucket-mode fluid intake.
- the container defines a reservoir volume for containing the fluid.
- the container includes a dispensing system for releasing fluid from the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one outlet.
- the outlet is preferably an outlet of a release valve or equivalent mechanism capable of reversible occlusion of the outlet.
- the container preferably includes one or more side walls with the bucket-mode fluid intake located at an upper portion thereof, and the dispensing system outlet located at a lower portion.
- the dispensing system outlet may be provided in a separate panel or module or may be formed in a contiguous portion of the one or more side walls.
- the container reservoir is preferably at least partially defined by one or more container reservoir side walls, bucket-mode fluid intake and the reservoir outlet.
- the container reservoir side wall(s) may be provided by interior surfaces of the container side wall(s) or as a separate component, e.g. as an internal compartment within the container side walls.
- the dispensing system's outlet is preferably provided as a closable outlet at the bottom of the container, such that when open, fluid in the reservoir may pass through the dispensing system outlet and fall beneath the container.
- the dispensing system outlet may be opened and immersed in the fluid such that the fluid enters the reservoir via the dispensing system outlet, thus forming a tertiary fluid intake.
- the fluid delivery system is still able to, at least partially, fill via the tertiary fluid intake.
- the tertiary intake may be fitted with a pump or the like to aid in fluid ingress.
- the dispensing system outlet could alternatively be located in a reservoir side wall above the lower portion of the reservoir. However, this embodiment would require a pump and means to evacuate any residual fluid below the dispensing system outlet.
- the maximum gross volume of the container reservoir is defined by the extents of the reservoir side wall(s), dispensing system outlet and bucket-mode fluid intake.
- the 'height' of the container is preferably defined as the distance between the lowermost extent of the dispensing system outlet and the uppermost extent of the bucket-mode fluid intake.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake enables the container to be filled with fluid by immersion of the bucket-mode fluid intake into an external fluid reservoir, the fluid entering the container reservoir via the bucket-mode fluid intake in bucket-mode.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake is preferably formed as an open upper aperture of the container.
- the container includes at least one tank-mode fluid intake.
- the tankmode fluid intake is preferably configured to couple to an end of at least one fluid intake conduit, e.g., a 'snorkel'.
- an end of the fluid intake conduit distal to the tank-mode fluid intake can be immersed in fluid and a fluid intake pump actuated to pump fluid through the fluid intake conduit to the container reservoir via the tank-mode fluid intake.
- the fluid delivery system includes at least one pump, configured to pump fluid to the container reservoir via the tank-mode fluid intake and coupled fluid intake conduit.
- At least one said pump is preferably located at any of:
- the tank-mode fluid intake and any attached conduit is preferably in fluid communication with the container reservoir such that fluid may pass from an inlet of the fluid intake conduit to the container reservoir via the pump, fluid intake conduit, and tank-mode fluid intake. It will be appreciated that this configuration encompasses any additional intermediate valves, pumps, mixers, traps or other fluid control systems between the tank-mode fluid intake conduit and reservoir.
- the container includes at least two said tank-mode fluid intakes, each configured to couple to a corresponding fluid intake conduit.
- Two such tank-mode fluid intakes, and corresponding conduits enable filling at twice the speed as one tank-mode fluid intake. Having two tank-mode fluid intake conduits also helps in balancing the container during flight in bucket-mode, in contrast to only one fluid intake conduit which may catch in the airflow and cause rotation of the container.
- the tank-mode fluid intakes do not extend beyond the lateral width of the helicopter undercarriage in tank-mode.
- the tank-mode fluid intakes will thus not interfere with the operation of the undercarriage of the helicopter.
- the intake conduits are preferably flexible and may move in the airflow during flight. This movement may place stresses about the coupling point to the tank-mode fluid intakes. Therefore, preferably at least a portion of the tank-mode fluid intake is rotatable with respect to the container side wall. Preferably, the coupling of the tank-mode fluid intake is rotatable or flexible with respect to the container.
- Prior art inflexible fixed tanks are typically configured to provide a defined tank volume, positioned beneath the helicopter but above the contact plane of the lowermost portions of the helicopter undercarriage (e.g., skids or wheels). Such configurations enable the helicopter to land using its undercarriage without crushing the tank or preventing safe landing. However, this limits the potential maximum height (and, indirectly, the volume) of tanks that can be used, i.e., the helicopter undercarriage height (with any suspension compressed) defines the maximum height of the tank that can be used.
- the present container is preferably a flexible walled container that is compactable to reduce the distance between the bucket-mode fluid intake and the dispensing system outlet.
- a vertically compactable container enables the helicopter to land without crushing the container, instead the container collapses beneath the helicopter until the undercarriage contacts the ground and undercarriage suspension (if present) compresses.
- a vertically compactable container can be stored and transported more easily than a comparable fixed-volume container.
- the primary purpose of the bucket-mode fluid intake is to enable the container to act as a bucket.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake also provides an important safety mechanism for use when operating in tank-mode.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake is bi-directional, and the container is a vertically compactable container.
- This arrangement thus enables the helicopter to land, even with a full container reservoir, as the fluid is expelled from the bucket-mode fluid intake as the container compacts, enabling the container to compact sufficiently for the helicopter to land safely.
- a vertically compactable tank without a bucket-mode fluid intake such as the prior art Recoil® tank, requires the operator to trigger the release valve opening to ensure the tank is empty when landing. In an emergency, there simply may not be time and/or a safe location to urgently perform this procedure, resulting in an unsafe landing or damage to the helicopter.
- the present container's bi-directional bucket-mode fluid intake is not only important for immersion filling in the bucket-mode but also acts as an emergency discharge exit for fluid when the helicopter lands in tank-mode.
- the present container preferably includes a support mounting at or adjacent the bucketmode fluid intake.
- the support mounting is preferably rigidly attached to the side wall and prevents substantial collapse of the attached portion of the side wall in a direction perpendicular to the span between the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlet, i.e., for a cylindrical container, with the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlets at either end of the cylinder , such a collapse would be to reduce the radius of the cylinder.
- the support mounting thus prevents the collapse of the portion of the container about the support mounting's perimeter.
- the support mounting is located between the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlet.
- the support mounting preferably includes a hub, and spokes extending from the hub to a container side wall(s).
- each spoke is attached to the hub at one end and to the container side wall(s) at a distal end.
- the distal end of each spoke is preferably attached directly, or indirectly to the container side wall(s).
- a perimeter frame may be attached to the container side wall and the distal ends of the spokes attached to the perimeter frame, rather than directly to the side wall.
- the support mounting of the present container preferably includes spokes that are: rigidly fixed to the hub and/or rigidly fixed to the side wall.
- the support mounting maintains the size and configuration of the bucket-mode fluid intake. Consequently, during immersion in bucket-mode, the bucket-mode fluid intake is prevented from collapsing closed or being otherwise constricted.
- the support mounting includes the container coupling.
- the container coupling is formed as a pin, bolt, shaft, latch, hook or the like connected to, or forming part of, the support mounting.
- a single container coupling is used to connect the container to the suspension line in bucket-mode and to the helicopter coupling in tank-mode.
- the container coupling is located at or adjacent to a central area of the bucketmode fluid intake, preferably spaced from the perimeter of the bucket-mode fluid intake.
- prior art buckets require multiple straps attached to the perimeter of the upper bucket openings.
- a single container coupling is provided, the suspension line in bucket-mode being attached to the single container coupling.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake is preferably positioned adjacent the underside of the helicopter with the support mounting connected to the helicopter coupling via the container coupling.
- the container may rock due to airflow or wind and contact the underside of the helicopter, potentially damaging it.
- the support mounting preferably includes one or more buffers on upper portions thereof. The buffers may be located on upper surfaces of each spoke for example, or on an upper surface of a perimeter frame if present.
- the buffers are preferably constructed from a resilient material, e.g. a polymer foam, rubber, plastic or the like.
- the support mounting is preferably constructed to minimise obstruction, restriction or any constriction of the bucket-mode fluid intake while still being strong enough to remain rigid and support the weight of the container and any fluid therein.
- the support mounting restricts the bucket-mode fluid intake area by less than 50%, and more preferably by less than 33%.
- Firefighting fluids can include chemicals, such as fire-retardants, foams, or the like. These chemicals can be corrosive or otherwise cause damage to the helicopter. It's thus important that where such fluids are used, the container includes means for preventing, or at least minimising, exposure of the helicopter to these additives.
- the container includes a removable cover capable of covering the bucket-mode fluid intake when the container is configured in the tank-mode.
- the container may include multiple attachment points for securing the cover to the container for in-flight use. The cover can be removed before operating in the bucket-mode.
- the cover is configured to permit fluid egress from the bucket-mode intake if the container is collapsed with fluid in the container reservoir.
- the cover may, for example by flexible or be attached to the container by flexible or extendible attachments.
- the helicopter is fitted with a helicopter coupling capable of providing data relating to the weight carried from the helicopter coupling.
- the helicopter coupling carries not only the container's weight and fluid, but also any suspension lines, conduits or other components attached to the container.
- weight data is also very useful in providing information for the operator about the amount of fluid carried and dispensed.
- the weight data can be used to provide a precise location and weight map of extinguishant dispensed. This data is extremely useful for operators and their customers in measuring how effective the firefighting is and can identify locations that may have insufficient extinguishant applied or have been missed completely. Such data is also useful in measuring the efficiency of the firefighting operation.
- the support mounting is constructed so that it does not include any aerodynamic lift or rotation surfaces extending outside of the container that could otherwise cause the container to lift or rotate because of air movement over those surfaces during flight in bucket-mode.
- the support mounting is encircled or enclosed within the container side wall(s).
- the support mounting will not act to provide an aerodynamic lift or rotation surface and minimises the risk of the support mounting being caught on vegetation or other hazards.
- Tanks are therefore naturally shaped to optimise volume and attachment in intimate positioning to the helicopter underside rather than optimised for aerodynamic properties.
- the prior art is often elongate, rectangular or has frames and other support structures that would provide lift or drag surfaces if the tank was not fixed to the helicopter.
- the present container is constructed with at least one sidewall with an exterior surface that is substantially symmetrical about orthogonal vertical bisections of the centre of the container.
- shapes that meet such a requirement include a frustum, sphere, spheroid, ellipsoid, cylinders, cones and the like.
- Such a symmetrical shape ensures that there is a minimised risk of air-resistance during flight promoting rotation of the container.
- Such rotation particularly with an asymmetric container, will result in unstable flight characteristics and could damage the suspension line and/or couplings.
- the container is constructed with a side-wall exterior surface forming a truncated ellipsoid (symmetric or asymmetric), truncated spheroid or truncated teardrop.
- the container is constructed with a side-wall exterior surface, the majority of the exterior surface forming a truncated asymmetric ellipsoid, with the dispensing system outlet located at a lower truncated end and the bucket-mode fluid intake at an opposite truncated end.
- attachments, fittings and the like may protrude or recess from the exterior surface without departing from the scope of a truncated asymmetric ellipsoid side-wall exterior surface.
- the widest part of the container presented to airflow during horizontal flight of the helicopter is lower than the support mounting and bucket-mode fluid intake and more preferably the widest part of the container presented to airflow during horizontal flight of the helicopter is in the lower half of the container.
- Such a shape provides a container that has a low centre of gravity and thus proves more stable in flight, with less likelihood of tipping.
- At least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit is attached to the at least one tank-mode fluid intake.
- the tank-mode fluid intake conduit is preferably detachable from the tank-mode fluid intake such that it can be detached when the fluid delivery system transitions to bucket-mode. Speed in firefighting is crucial, and thus there may not be time to decouple the conduits when switching to bucket-mode. Detachable conduits may thus not be critical.
- the conduits are fixed to the tank-mode fluid intake or integrally formed thereto.
- an end of the at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit distal to the tankmode fluid intake includes at least one inlet.
- the at least one inlet in use can be immersed into an external reservoir fluid and a pump operated to draw the fluid through the tank-mode intake conduit via the at least one inlet and/or valve.
- the at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit includes a unidirectional valve or equivalent, configured to prevent fluid from exiting the at least one inlet.
- the tank-mode fluid intake conduit is flexible, thus being capable of bending during flight and bending when landing/landed.
- said distal end of the tank-mode fluid intake conduit includes a filter or other protective housing over the at least one inlet and/or valve, preventing intake of large objects therein.
- the available external fluid reservoir may be too shallow for effective immersion filling via the bucket-mode fluid intake in bucket-mode, but in a location that is too unsafe to operate in tank-mode.
- the external reservoir may alternatively be deep enough but have an area that is too small to enable tipping of the container to immerse the bucket-mode fluid intake.
- the fluid delivery system is preferably configured to operate in a third in-flight fluid-filling mode, the container being suspended via the suspension line below the helicopter undercarriage, the container including at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit coupled to the at least one tank-mode fluid intake, enabling the container to be filled via the tankmode fluid intake during in-flight fluid-filling.
- the tank-mode fluid intake conduits that are used in the third in-flight fluid-filling mode are preferably shorter than that of the tank-mode fluid intake conduits used in the tank-mode. Such shorter conduits minimise the risk of vegetation or other hazards interfering with the conduits.
- the dispensing system needs to be capable of being actuated to open and release the fluid from the outlet.
- a control system operable by the pilot or other crew is provided for actuating the dispensing system outlet.
- the control system is also preferably configured to actuate the tankmode fluid intake pump.
- the control system preferably includes one or more control lines that extend from the helicopter to the dispensing system outlet and/or to the tank-mode fluid intake pump.
- the control line(s) preferably includes a pneumatic line, although electrical or hydraulic lines may also be used.
- control system may include a power pack attached to the container that provides power to the dispensing system outlet and/or to the tank-mode fluid intake pump and a wireless control module provided for receiving signals from a wireless transmitter in the helicopter.
- the control system thus enables the pilot or other operator in the helicopter to trigger opening and/or closing of the dispensing system outlet and/or the tank-mode fluid intake pump.
- the length of a control line needs to be much longer when in bucket-mode than in tank-mode.
- the method of transition between tank-mode and bucket-mode includes either: replacing a control line with a longer control line, or
- the method of transition between bucket-mode and tank-mode includes either: replacing a control line with a shorter control line, or retracting a retractable control line.
- the container is instead preferably coupled to a helicopter coupling in the form of a 'cargo hook', or equivalent mount, both when in tank-mode and when in bucket-mode.
- a single helicopter coupling is provided for connecting the container in both modes.
- Helicopter cargo hooks are often provided with a helicopter coupling release mechanism in the form of a hook latching mechanism.
- the latching mechanism can be actuated by the pilot to open and release a load attached to the hook, typically via a switch on the pilot's controls (e.g. helicopter cyclic).
- this release capability is important as it enables the bucket and suspended line to be jettisoned in an emergency, e.g., if the bucket or suspension line becomes tangled in a tree.
- tank-mode there is no such jettisoning requirement and instead the requirement is the opposite, i.e. that the tank cannot be jettisoned by the pilot.
- actuation of such a latching mechanism would jettison the container and present a risk in tank-mode.
- the helicopter includes at least one control mechanism for preventing actuation of any controls in a helicopter cockpit causing decoupling of the container from the helicopter coupling.
- the control mechanism includes at least one reversible 'circuit breaker' (such as a switch, removable fuse or equivalent component) in a circuit controlling actuation of a helicopter coupling release mechanism.
- the circuit breaker can thereby reversibly provide an open circuit during operation, preventing actuation of the cargo hook by the pilot.
- control mechanism may include a mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism for preventing decoupling of the container from the helicopter coupling during flight.
- control mechanism includes at least two circuit breakers, each providing a reversible open circuit.
- an additional redundant step is required to enable actuation of the helicopter coupling, e.g. a user would need to close two breakers, rather than one.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake is suspended below the undercarriage of the helicopter in bucket-mode and positioned above the undercarriage in tank-mode.
- Reference to 'above' and 'below' the undercarriage should be understood to be with respect to the lowermost portions of the undercarriage, e.g. a helicopter skids or lower portion of wheels.
- the suspended container when flying with the container configured in bucket-mode, the suspended container is suspended with the bucket-mode intake located below the undercarriage of the helicopter.
- the bucket-mode intake can therefore be immersed in external fluid reservoirs that are below the helicopter undercarriage, obviating the requirement for the helicopter to be proximate the ground, vegetation, building or hazards thereon.
- the container when flying with the container configured in tank-mode, the container is located proximate the underside of the helicopter with at least the bucket-mode intake positioned above the helicopter undercarriage.
- bucket-mode intake immersion is impractical and thus the tank-mode intake, with corresponding conduit, is used to fill the container reservoir with fluid.
- the fluid delivery system can thus operate in both a fixed tank-mode or a suspended bucket-mode. It can be readily seen that this adaptability offers the same benefits of a suspended bucket when in bucket-mode and that of a fixed tank in tank-mode.
- This adaptability offers advantages over the prior art which requires purchasing and operating of separate suspended buckets and fixed tanks. Such advantages may include: reduced cost; reduced transition time between fixed tank and suspended bucket-modes; removing the requirement for a separate transport vehicle to transport a bucket or tank - whichever is not being carried currently by the helicopter;
- Figure 1 shows an aerial firefighting system according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the firefighting system operating in a tank-mode;
- Figure 2 shows the aerial firefighting system of Figure 1 operating in a bucket-mode
- Figure 3 shows the aerial firefighting system of Figures 1-2 in bucket-mode with intake conduits attached;
- Figure 4 shows the aerial firefighting system of Figures 1-3, in tank-mode, with enlarged partial views
- Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of a collapsible container of the aerial firefighting system of Figures 1-4;
- Figure 6a shows a plan view of the collapsible container of figure 5;
- Figure 6b shows a section view through D-D of figure 6b of the container in a collapsed state
- Figure 6c shows a side elevation of a helicopter landed over the collapsed container of Figures
- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a helicopter landed over the collapsed container of
- Figure 8a-8c show perspective views of a release valve of the container of Figures 1-7 in fully open, closed and partially open states, respectively;
- Figure 8d-8f show side elevations of the release valve of the container of Figures 1-7 in fully open, closed and partially open states, respectively;
- Figure 9 shows a second embodiment of an aerial firefighting system
- Figure 10 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a cargo hook control system of the aerial firefighting system
- Figure 11 shows a prior art suspended bucket
- Figure 12 shows a prior art fixed tank
- Figure 13 shows another prior art fixed tank
- FIG 14 shows yet another prior art fixed tank
- each refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
- Figures 1-7 show an aerial fluid delivery system 1, for use with a helicopter 2.
- the aerial fluid delivery system shown is used for aerial firefighting.
- the aerial fluid delivery system has a container 3 for transport and dispensing of the fluid, e.g., typically water or other fire extinguishant.
- the container has an internal container reservoir 4 for containing the fluid.
- the fluid in the container reservoir 4 can be dispensed from the reservoir via a dispensing system 5.
- the aerial fluid delivery system is configured to operate in at least in-flight fluid-filling modes, including a bucket-mode, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and a tank-mode - as shown in Figures 1, 4, 6 and 7.
- Aerial firefighting involves the use of aircraft flying over a fire and dispensing fire extinguishants to extinguish a fire.
- Fire extinguishants typically include water but also encompass foams or other fire extinguishing or retarding fluids, foams or powders.
- An exemplary prior art bucket is shown in Figure 11 and is traded under the name Bambi®.
- the Bambi® suspended bucket can be lowered into an external fluid reservoir of extinguishant (e.g., water), tipped over and filled via the open top of the bucket.
- extinguishant e.g., water
- the bucket is then carried to the fire where a trip line is pulled up to open a lower dump valve to release the extinguishant.
- the Bambi® bucket has an internal reservoir defined by multiple side wall panels, the lower dump valve and the upper open top.
- the side wall panels are joined together via flexible plastic and each panel is hollow, with semi-rigid 'side battens' inserted into each panel to add strength.
- the Bambi® bucket also includes a tension bracket ("IDS assembly") in the upper opening.
- the tension bracket has a central circular hub with pivotable spokes attached thereto. Distal ends of the spokes are pivotally attached to a perimeter of the upper opening.
- the Bambi® bucket is suspended by suspension lines attached to straps, in-turn attached to the perimeter of the bucket.
- the perimeter of the Bambi® bucket expands, pulling the spokes radially outward which then act as a tension bracket to oppose the force applied by the water on the bucket walls. Without the tension bracket the force of the water would only be opposed by the circumferential tension of the side walls, which could stretch or tear.
- the spokes are necessarily hinged to the hub and panels so that the Bambi® bucket can be radially collapsed for volume adjustment (via cinch strap) and storage.
- the second main form of containment is a fixed tank attached to the underside of the helicopter.
- Figure 12 shows an example of a prior art fixed tank described in WO 2021/142506 by Schellaars.
- Figure 13 shows another example of a prior art fixed tank described in AU2019409867A1, also by Schellaars.
- the Schellaars fixed tanks were specifically designed to overcome the problems of suspended buckets (such as the Bambi® bucket) as aforementioned.
- the Schellaars fixed tanks are directly fixed to the helicopter in a way that prevents inadvertent jettisoning, either by directly coupling to the helicopter rotor gear (WO 2021/142506) or via attachment to hardpoints (AU2019409867A1) on the helicopter.
- the use of snorkels on the Schellaars tanks provide a controllable filling method to precisely vary the volume of water intake.
- both forms of containment have advantages over the other and firefighting operators typically own and operate both tanks and buckets and switch between them depending on the operating environment and available water sources.
- Tanks typically require separate transport or storage if they are not fitted to the helicopter. It's impractical to carry the tanks within the helicopter cabin or, if possible, occupies the majority of usable cabin space, preventing the cabin's use for transporting other equipment or personnel. Moreover, owning and operating both a bucket and a tank can be expensive in terms of maintenance, transport, and capital cost.
- the aerial fluid delivery system 1 of the present invention can overcome these problems as it is capable of transitioning between different in-flight fluid-filling modes.
- the aerial fluid delivery system 1 has a container 3 with a bidirectional bucket-mode fluid intake 8 provided in the form of an open upper aperture of the container 3.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 enables the container reservoir 4 to be filled by immersion of the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 below the surface level of fluid in an external fluid reservoir, e.g. a lake, river or water reservoir.
- the fluid enters the container reservoir 4 via the bucket-mode fluid intake 8.
- This bi-directional bucket-mode fluid intake 8 can operate in a similar manner way to the prior art suspended buckets, though serves another purpose in tank-mode as will be explained in due course.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 is suspended below the undercarriage 7 of the helicopter 2 during in-flight fluid-filling in bucket-mode while in contrast being positioned above the undercarriage 7 in tank-mode in-flight fluid-filling.
- Reference to 'above' and 'below' the undercarriage should be understood to be with respect to the lowermost portions of the undercarriage 7, e.g. the helicopter's skids or lower portion of wheels.
- the container 3 also has two tank-mode fluid intakes 9.
- the tank-mode fluid intakes 9 are formed as pipe couplings to which flexible fluid intake conduits 10 can be attached. These fluid intake conduits 10 enable the reservoir 4 to be filled when operating in tank-mode and are analogous in function to the 'snorkels' typically provided on prior art fixed tanks.
- the container 3 has a side wall 11 with an exterior surface formed as a truncated asymmetric ellipsoid, with the dispensing system 5 located adjacent one truncated end.
- the bucketmode fluid intake 8 is formed by the opposite open truncated end.
- the container side wall 11 is constructed from flexible material, e.g., rubberised PVC.
- the interior surface of the container side wall 11 forms a reservoir side wall 12.
- the volume within the reservoir side wall 12, dispensing system 5 and bucket-mode fluid intake 8 forms the container reservoir 4.
- a support mounting 13 is located within the container reservoir 4 and is attached to the container side wall 11 adjacent the bucket-mode fluid intake 8. Thus, when operating in bucketmode, the support mounting 13 will not act to provide an aerodynamic lift or rotation surface and minimises the risk of the support mounting 13 being caught on vegetation or other hazards.
- the support mounting 13 is rigid, to prevent distortion or alteration of the bucket-mode fluid intake 8.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 perimeter is fixed, throughout operation in both bucket-mode and tank-mode.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 perimeter is also fixed in transport and storage.
- the support mounting 13 has a central rectangular hub 14 and spokes 15.
- the spokes 15 are rigidly fixed to both the hub 14 and side wall 12.
- the spokes 15 are attached vie mounting bolts 40 that extend through the side walls 11, 12 into receiving threads in the spokes 15.
- the rectangular hub 14 is formed with side walls and a central opening.
- the support mounting 13, includes a container coupling in the form of the hub 14 and coupling pin 16.
- the coupling pin 16 forms both the attachment point to the suspension line 6 in bucket-mode and to a helicopter coupling in tank mode.
- the helicopter coupling is provided in the form of cargo hook 19.
- the cargo hook 19 is mounted laterally centrally in the helicopter 2 via mounting 26.
- the coupling pin 16 thus forms a single attachment point for attaching the container 3 to the helicopter 2 in both in-flight fluid-filling modes.
- the widest part of the side wall 11 presented to airflow during horizontal flight of the helicopter is lower than the support mounting 13 and bucket-mode fluid intake 8.
- Such a shape provides a container that has a low centre of gravity and thus proves more stable in flight, with less likelihood of tipping.
- the attachment of the suspension line 6 is shown most clearly in the enlarged view in Figure 3.
- the suspension line 6 is a synthetic wire rope with a sling 17 formed at one end.
- the coupling pin 16 is removed from the hub 14 and the sling 17 positioned within the hub 14, the pin 16 then reinserted through the hub 14 and sling 17 and retained to the hub 14 with a locking screw 23.
- the sling 17 is thus secured to the hub 14 via the coupling pin 16.
- the coupling pin 16 may be a bolt that is screwed into a threaded hole in the hub 14.
- Other coupling methods and mechanisms may also be used. However, speed of detachment and attachment is crucial when fighting fires and so the most rapid coupling means is preferable.
- the coupling pin 16 is also configured to be attached to the helicopter 2 in tank-mode, as most clearly shown in Figure 6b.
- the support mounting 13 is connected to the helicopter by raising it into position until the cargo hook 19 of the helicopter 2 hooks about the pin 16. Alternatively, the helicopter 2 may be lowered into position.
- the ends of the coupling pin include flanges with rings for attaching lift -strands thereto. Operators can then attach lift strands, typically in the form of straps with carabiner clips that clip to the rings. The strands can then be lifted to raise the support mounting 13 into position so that the pin 16 can be positioned within the cargo hook 19. Thus, operators can more easily lift the support mounting 13 from within the helicopter cabin.
- the cargo hook 19 has a latching mechanism 34 that is controlled by the pilot and can be opened or closed via a switch, typically on the helicopter cyclic. When the latching mechanism is open the suspension line 6 or coupling pin 16 can be decoupled and the container released.
- the support mounting 13 has a reinforcing plate 20 welded to the hub 14 and spokes 15 to provide additional strength and prevent bending of the spokes 15 or hub 14 when under load.
- the support mounting 13 is located entirely below the upper perimeter 21 of the side wall 11 so that it does not protrude above the upper perimeter 21.
- the container 3 In tank-mode, e.g., as shown in figure 4, the container 3 is positioned adjacent to the underside of the helicopter 2. Force applied to the container 3 by impinging airflow, may cause movement of the container 3 about the cargo hook 19 and cause the support mounting 13 or upper perimeter 21 to contact the helicopter 2, potentially damaging it.
- plastic foam bumpers 22 are provided on each of the spokes 15 that abut the underside of the helicopter 2 in tank-mode, thereby preventing significant movement of the container 3 about the cargo hook 19.
- spacers, rubber mounts or equivalents could be used instead of the foam bumpers 22.
- Prior art inflexible fixed tanks are typically configured to provide a defined tank volume, positioned beneath the helicopter 2 and above the contact plane of the lowermost portions of the helicopter undercarriage (e.g. skids or wheels). Such configurations enable the helicopter to land using its undercarriage without crushing the tank and/or jeopardising safe landings.
- tank configurations limit the potential maximum height (and, indirectly, the volume) of tanks that can be used, i.e. the helicopter undercarriage height (with any suspension compressed) defines the maximum height of the tank that can be used.
- the Schellaars tanks attempted to solve this problem by providing a collapsible flexible tank wall beneath the upper frame. The flexible tank wall capable of expanding in flight to contain more fluid.
- the Schellaars tanks are necessarily fixed directly to the helicopter and aim to maximise capacity. Thus, the Schellaars tanks occupy a significant vertical height that limit their use to helicopters with sufficiently high undercarriage.
- the container side wall 11 is also compactable to reduce the distance between the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 and release valve 5.
- Figures 6 and 7 show the helicopter 2 landed on the ground G over the collapsed container 3.
- a compactable container is important in multiple respects.
- a vertically compactable container enables the helicopter 2 to land without crushing the container 3, instead the container 3 collapses beneath the helicopter until the undercarriage 7 contacts the ground and undercarriage suspension (if present) compresses.
- a compactable container 3 can be stored and transported more easily than a non- compactable container.
- the release valve 5 may fail or become jammed, which would prevent the release of fluid and prevent the helicopter 2 landing safely.
- the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 being bidirectional, still enables the helicopter 2 to land, as any fluid in the reservoir 4 is simply expelled from the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 as the container 3 collapses, enabling the container 3 to collapse sufficiently for the helicopter 2 to land safely.
- a compactable tank without a bucket-mode fluid intake such as the prior art tanks, require the operator to trigger the release valve opening to ensure the tank is empty when landing. In an emergency, there simply may not be time and/or a safe location to urgently perform this procedure, resulting in an unsafe landing or damage to the helicopter 2.
- the bi-directional bucket-mode fluid intake 8 is not only important for immersion filling in bucket-mode but also acts as an emergency discharge exit for fluid when the helicopter 2 lands in tank-mode.
- the tank-mode fluid intake conduits 10, ('snorkels') have intake heads 24 that are to be immersed in fluid.
- the heads 24 contain an internal tank-mode fluid intake pump (not visible) that can be actuated to pump water through the conduit 10, tank-mode fluid intakes 9 and into the reservoir 4.
- the heads 24 have a mesh screen 27 that acts as a filter to prevent large objects from being sucked into the pump or conduit 10.
- the pumps are configured to behave as unidirectional valves (alternatively, a separate unidirectional valve is provided in the conduit) such that after the pumps have pumped fluid into the conduits 10 and stopped, fluid is prevented from egressing from the inlet. Fluid is thus retained in the conduits 10. This retained fluid is important for acting as a ballast weight on the conduits 10 when the reservoir 4 is empty. In tank-mode, this fluid ballast prevents the conduits from an airflowgenerated lifting/chaotic flapping motion in flight, potentially damaging the helicopter, being entangled in the blades and/or becoming damaged from such movement. In bucket-mode, with the conduits 10 attached, the fluid ballast acts to stabilise flight of the container 3 and provide additional weight to prevent the suspended bucket from lifting into the helicopter blades or otherwise moving adversely.
- the container 3 is sized to the helicopter 2 such that in tank-mode, the tank-mode fluid intakes 9 do not extend beyond the lateral width of the helicopter 2.
- the attached conduits 10 are less likely to move upwards past the sides of the helicopter 2, and potentially into the path of the rotor blades. It will be appreciated that a helicopter 2 with larger lateral width can thus accommodate a wider container 3.
- Each tank-mode fluid intake 9 is freely rotatable with respect to the attachment point to the side wall 11. This enables the intake 9 and attached conduit 10 to rotate. In flight, this rotation is important to reduce:
- the helicopter 2 may also be fitted with conduit stows (not shown) for use in transport in tank-mode.
- the conduit stows are configured to restrain the conduits 10 closer to the underside of the helicopter 2 so that they no longer hang beneath the container 3. Restraining the conduits 10 in this way increases the Velocity to Never Exceed (VNE) of the helicopter 2 relative to when the conduits 10 hang beneath the container 3.
- FIGS 8a-8c show the dispensing system 5 in open, closed and partially open states respectively.
- the dispensing system 5 includes a release valve with a valve member 35, valve body 36, outlet 37 and inlet 39.
- the valve inlet 39 also forms the container reservoir outlet.
- valve body 36 is attached and sealed to the container side wall 11.
- valve 5 is in a normally closed state as per figure 8b with valve member 35 seated on the valve body 36. Once fluid is added to the reservoir 4, the fluid pressure further presses on the valve member 35 of the valve 5 to hold it in the closed state, seated on the valve body 36.
- a pneumatic ram 38 is positioned between the upper 35 and lower 36 portions and forms a valve stem. The pneumatic ram 38 is connected via a control line to a pump in the helicopter 2 control system 25.
- the valve 5 can be opened by increasing pressure in the control line which forces the pneumatic ram 38 to extend, pushing the valve member 35 away from the valve body 36 and opening the valve 5 to release fluid from the outlet 37.
- control system 25 is provided.
- the control system 25 is connected via control lines (not shown) to the release valve 5 and to the pumps of the tank-mode fluid intake conduits 10, when present.
- control lines In bucket-mode, the control lines, along with the suspension line 6 are enclosed in a sheath, while in tank-mode, the control lines extend from the control system 25 directly to the release valve 5 and to the pumps of the tank-mode fluid intake conduits 10.
- the control lines include a pneumatic control line and electric control lines and the control system 25 includes pneumatic pumps operable to control the pressure of gas in the pneumatic lines. Hydraulic control lines could also be used but add weight to the system. Electrical control lines may also be used but would require electrical motors, solenoid valves, switches etc. in the container, increasing weight relative to pneumatic lines. Similarly, power and control of the pumps and release valve 5 may be wireless but would require a relatively higher weight of the container as it would require carrying of a battery or power lines to the container 3.
- control system 25 provides a means for the pilot or other crew to control fluid intake to the container 1 and dispensing of fluid from the container 1.
- Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a container that is generally similar to that shown in Figures 1-7. Common reference numerals are used for both embodiments.
- the embodiment of Figure 9 has a compartment 42 mounted between two spokes 15 of the support mounting 13. This compartment contains part of the control system 25, including a solenoid switching valve that selectively controls pneumatic pressure at the intake conduit pumps and/or valve 5 depending on an electrical signal provided by an electrical control line. Corresponding pneumatic lines (not shown) extend from the switching valve and compartment 42 to the valve 5 and pumps.
- the control system 25 in the helicopter 2 includes the switching valve for controlling pneumatic pressure at the valve 5 and pumps. This necessitates the use of at least two separate pneumatic lines, from the control system 25 to the valve 5, and from the control system to the intake conduit pumps.
- the container coupling 16 includes lift-assist attachment points 43 at either end. These lift-assist attachment points enable attachment of lift strands or hooks.
- the container 1 may be a significant weight and difficult to lift, particularly where the support mounting 13 needs to be lifted into place to be connected to the cargo hook 19.
- the lift-assist attachment points provide a means for attaching hooks or clips and enables easier lifting from within the helicopter cabin interior, in contrast to lifting from beneath the helicopter exterior.
- Similar lift-assist attachment points 44 are provided on either side of the intake conduits 10.
- Firefighting fluids can include chemicals, such as fire-retardants, foams, or the like. These chemicals can be corrosive or otherwise cause damage to the helicopter. It's thus important that where such fluids are used, the container includes means for preventing, or at least minimising, exposure of the helicopter to these additives.
- the container includes cover attachment points in the form of hooks 41 attached to the spoke attachment bolts 40. A removable cover can thus be secured over the bucket-mode fluid intake 8, when operating in tank-mode.
- the cargo hook 19 can be actuated by the pilot to open/close the corresponding latching mechanism 34.
- this capability is important in case the container 3 becomes entangled with e.g., a tree, or otherwise needs to be jettisoned in an emergency.
- tank-mode there is the converse requirement that the hook is not releasable, to prevent inadvertent jettisoning of the container 3.
- Prior art tanks such as the Schellaars tanks can't operate in bucket-mode and so this dual-mode capability is not an issue.
- the Schellaars tanks are physically only detachable by detaching when landed, thereby being incapable of being jettisoned by the pilot or crew in the helicopter.
- a helicopter cargo hook circuit 28 is modified to include a specific safety circuit 29, as shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 10.
- the cargo hook 19 motor that controls the opening/closing is connected to a power pack 30, typically provided by the helicopter electrical power but could be an external battery or similar.
- a switch 31 is provided on the pilot cyclic and connected to the cargo hook 19.
- the circuit 28 also includes sub-circuit 29 that includes a circuit breaker panel 32 in series with a safety switch 33 acting as an 'armed'/ 'safe' switch for operation in both bucket and tank-modes. In tank-mode, two circuit breakers are pulled from the panel 32 to cause an open circuit and prevent any opening of the cargo hook 19. The cargo hook 19 will remain closed until the circuit breakers are reinserted, safety switch is closed to the 'armed' position and the pilot cyclic switch 31 is closed. Thus, the circuit 28 can be used to prevent the cargo hook 19 from being inadvertently opened.
- the container 3 In order for the helicopter 2 to travel to the Area of Operation (AO) efficiently, it is desirable to maximise its Velocity to Not Exceed (VNE). Consequently, during transportation to the AO, the container 3 is carried in tank-mode (as shown in figure 1, 4, 6, 7). The container 3 is thus attached to the cargo hook 19 via coupling pin 16 and circuit breakers removed from panel 32.
- the conduits 10 are either carried detached from tank-mode fluid intakes 9 and carried in the helicopter cabin, or more preferably are attached to tank-mode fluid intakes 9 and provided conduit stows.
- the suspension line 6 and any control lines are also stowed within the helicopter cabin.
- a control line(s) is connected between the control system 25 and container 3 for controlling the release valve 5 and tank-mode fluid intake conduit pumps.
- the pilot selects to operate in either tank-mode or bucket-mode. If, for example, the external fluid reservoir is a lake or another large open body of water is available, the pilot may choose to operate in tankmode. In contrast, if the only external fluid reservoirs are not safely accessible in tank-mode (e.g. small streams or ponds), then the pilot chooses to operate in bucket-mode.
- tank-mode e.g. small streams or ponds
- the helicopter 2 flies to the available fluid source and descends until the tank-mode fluid intake conduit heads 24 are immersed in the fluid.
- the control system 25 is operated to pump air to the pneumatic motors of the conduit pumps to pump fluid into the container reservoir 4.
- the helicopter 2 then ascends and flies to the required point of delivery.
- the release valve 5 is opened to release some, or all, of the fluid as required. The pilot repeats this process as necessary.
- the helicopter In bucket-mode, the helicopter travels to an external fluid reservoir and descends until the lower portion of the container 3 contacts the fluid of the external fluid reservoir and then either is left to sink or the helicopter 2 moves horizontally to tip the bucket over. In either case, at least part of the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 is immersed below the surface of the fluid and thus fluid enters the container reservoir 4. The helicopter 2 then ascends and flies to the required point of delivery. The release valve 5 is opened to release some, or all, of the fluid as required. The pilot repeats this process as necessary.
- Figure 3 shows a third in-flight fluid-filling mode, wherein the snorkels 10 are left attached while the container 3 is suspended via the suspension line.
- the helicopter 2 flies to the external reservoir and descends until the fluid intake conduit heads 24 are immersed in the fluid.
- the control system 25 is operated to pump air to the pneumatic motors of the conduit pumps to pump fluid into the container reservoir 4.
- the helicopter 2 then ascends and flies to the required location where dispensing is required.
- This third in-flight fluid-filling mode provides a means to access external reservoirs that are too shallow or too small to immerse the bucket-mode fluid intake.
- the fluid delivery system's ability to operate in multiple inflight fluid-filling modes offers many advantages over the prior art, including: reduced cost relative to owning and operating both a suspended bucket and a tank; reduced transition time between tank and suspended bucket operations; removing the requirement for a separate transport vehicle to transport a bucket or tank - whichever is not being carried currently by the helicopter;
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Abstract
An aerial fluid delivery system 1 for use with a helicopter 2 in aerial firefighting. The fluid delivery system 1 includes a container 3 for detention and dispensing of a firefighting fluid. The container 3 includes a container reservoir 4 for detaining the fluid. The container 3 also includes a dispensing system 5 for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir 4. The fluid delivery system 1 is configured to operate in at least two in-flight fluid-filling modes, including a bucket-mode and tank-mode. During in-flight fluid-filling in bucket-mode the container 3 is suspended beneath the helicopter 2 via a flexible suspension line 6, the container 3 being suspended below an undercarriage 7 of the helicopter 2. In tank-mode, during in-flight fluid- filling, the container 3 is connected directly to the helicopter 2 such that at least a portion of the container 3 is positioned above the undercarriage 7.
Description
Title: Aerial Fluid Delivery System
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to an aerial fluid delivery system, and in particular, firefighting systems for firefighting using aircraft such as aircraft firefighting buckets and tanks.
Background Art
[0002] Reference throughout the specification is made to the invention as relating to use on a helicopter, although this should not be seen as limiting as it should be appreciated that the invention may also be used with drones, VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft and other similar aircraft.
[0003] Aerial firefighting involves the use of aircraft flying over a fire and dispensing fire extinguishants and/or suppressants to extinguish or suppress a fire respectively. Fire extinguishants typically include water but also encompass foams or other fire extinguishing or retarding fluids, foams, or powders.
[0004] Helicopters are commonly used in firefighting operations as they are capable of precision targeting, in contrast to fixed-wing aircraft which are typically travelling at speeds that fire extinguishant drops are inherently spread over a larger area than a helicopter hovering in place. Fixed-wing firefighting aircraft are thus primarily used for applying extinguishant over large areas.
[0005] There are two main forms of extinguishant containment for use with helicopters. The first being a suspended bucket, also known as a 'helibucket' or 'monsoon bucket'. This suspended bucket can be lowered into a reservoir of extinguishant (e.g., water) and filled via the open upper end of the bucket. The bucket is then carried to the fire where an opening is triggered to release the extinguishant.
[0006] The second main form of containment is a fixed tank attached to the underside of the helicopter or manufactured as an integral part of the helicopter for purpose-built helicopters. The fixed tank is filled either from a supply reservoir via a hose coupling or may be fitted with a 'snorkel' and pump. The snorkel is a hose or pipe that extends from the fixed tank such that when the helicopter descends over a body of water for example, the snorkel end enters the water. The snorkel has a pump in the immersed end that can draw the water up the snorkel into the fixed tank.
[0007] The prior art is replete with various forms of helicopter tanks and suspended buckets, each including improvements or designed for a specific use. Such prior art has been available ever since helicopters became widely used, with various improvements over the years. The first suspended
buckets appeared for use in the 1960s and tanks followed shortly after to solve the problems with buckets.
[0008] There are advantages to each containment type and are selected by operators depending on the application and operating environment.
[0009] Examples of suspended buckets can be found in US patent no, 7,588,087 by Cafferata and US 5,560,429 by Needham. Another example of a suspended bucket is produced by IMS New Zealand Limited and called the Cloudburst® bucket
fire-buckets/. The Cloudburst® bucket has a valve that enables controlled release of the water to enable multiple drops from a single fill. The Cloudburst® valve can also be opened to act as a water intake, enabling the bucket to be filled from shallow water sources, rather than immersing the top of the bucket.
[0010] Such buckets are suspended from a long line attached to the helicopter. Buckets thus enable the helicopter to access extinguishant sources despite nearby hazards (e.g. trees, buildings) that would prevent a descent of the helicopter low enough to fill a fixed tank via snorkel. Buckets are also typically cheaper to manufacture than fixed tanks.
[0011] Buckets however have disadvantages relative to tanks, including: a) often only offering a single release mode, jettisoning the entire bucket contents; b) a restricted Velocity to Never Exceed (VNE), e.g. less than 80 knots; c) needing immersion for filling, i.e. the upper opening of the bucket needs to be below the fluid surface level to be filled. This restricts use to available water sources that are deep enough for immersion filling; d) requiring a sinch strap adjustment to control the carrying capacity of the bucket, in contrast to tanks which can control their intake precisely by varying the amount of water via the snorkels and valves; e) relative imprecision in dispensing the extinguishant; f) being deemed by some authorities as unsafe for use over urban or other areas where people may be injured if the bucket is emptied accidentally or needs to be emptied in an emergency. In some emergencies the entire bucket and long-line may be jettisoned by actuating the helicopter cargo hook. Fixed tanks are thus increasingly being required for use where flight paths take the aircraft over personnel, people, or urban environments. Many authorities now explicitly require fixed tanks to operate in their jurisdiction. This has led to the proliferation of fixed tanks for use with helicopter firefighting. Long-line suspended
bucket operations are often not allowed to operate in populated areas where an emergency jettison of the load cannot be performed safely.
[0012] Helicopter firefighter operators are thus often required to acquire fixed tanks for their helicopters to operate in many areas, while still requiring suspended buckets for rural operations or where use of tanks is not feasible.
[0013] Numerous fixed tanks have been devised to overcome the aforementioned problems with suspended buckets, including for example that described in US patent no. 3,714,987 by Mattson.
[0014] Another example of a fixed tank is described in Australian patent publication AU2019409867A1 by Schellaars. The Schellaars is a detachable firefighting tank for helicopters known as the Helitak® system. The Helitak® system can be fitted to helicopters when required and removed when the firefighting operation is complete, or another attachment is required. The Helitak® system can carry a greater load than a typical bucket and meets the requirements for a fixed tank system, even though it is detachable. The Helitak® system is attached at multiple points on the helicopter, thereby providing a secure connection. However, while advantageous, the Helitak® systems are expensive and take a considerable amount of time to detach or attach when the operation requirements change, requiring switching between use of a suspended bucket and fixed tank. When fighting fires, speed of operation is crucial and fire-fighting helicopter operators necessarily want to minimise the amount of time not fighting the fire. Therefore, there is a need to achieve any time saving possible, even if only a few minutes. Another fixed tank is described in WO 2021/142506, also by Schellaars. The '506 tank is attached via a central mount connected to the helicopter main rotor transmission and four further mounting arms for attaching to points on the helicopter fuselage.
[0015] Another example of a detachable fixed tank for helicopters is provided by Recoil ® tanks USA In contrast to the hard-shell Helitak® tanks, the Recoil®
Tsunami T1000-E tank has a flexible wall that is vertically collapsible so that when in-flight, the tank extends below the undercarriage and then collapses to enable landing without damaging the tank. Both the Helitak® and Recoil® tanks use snorkels for filling that extend below the helicopter undercarriage.
[0016] Detachable firefighting tanks for helicopters offer many of the advantages of an integrated tank, while still being capable of detachment when the helicopter no longer needs to be used for firefighting.
[0017] Operators necessarily need to purchase, own and transport both a monsoon bucket and a fixed tank system such as the Helitak® or Recoil® tanks to operate in all environments. This leads to
a high cost of operation and burdensome transport requirements as both systems need to be transported to site, ready to be fitted as needs change.
[0018] In most operations the bucket/tank refilling is performed at extinguishant reservoirs as close as possible to the fire to minimise travel time between refilling and dropping. This proximity, to an often rapidly changeable fire, may prevent any supply/storage vehicle being located nearby due to the fire risk. Therefore, such vehicles are often located at a safe distance. However, this means that if the operator needs to switch between bucket and tank, they must first fly to the supply/storage vehicle to detach the tank or bucket and swap to the bucket or tank. This leads to valuable firefighting time being lost.
[0019] It would be advantageous to have a multipurpose helicopter fluid delivery system capable of in-flight fluid-filling in a bucket-mode and fixed-tank mode, thereby alleviating the need for operators to own and transport two systems.
[0020] It may also be advantageous to have a fluid delivery system capable of being transitioned between use of a fixed tank and a bucket without requiring ground-based transport for carrying the system and enabling the transition between the tank and bucket-modes.
[0021] It is also an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
[0022] All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.
[0023] It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other nonspecified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising1 is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process. Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.
Disclosure of Invention
[0024] Reference throughout this specification to the singular should be interpreted to include the plural and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise.
[0025] Reference throughout the specification is made to the invention as relating to use on a "helicopter", although this should not be seen as limiting as it should be appreciated that the invention may also be used with drones, VTOL aircraft and other aircraft capable of hovering in flight. Thus, as used herein, the term "helicopter" should be interpreted to encompass such aircraft.
[0026] The term "extinguishant" refers to any fluid used to extinguish, suppress or retard a fire, e.g. water, firefighting foams, retardants, suppressants or any combination of same.
[0027] As used herein, the term "external fluid reservoir" refers to any reservoir of fluid external to the present invention, the fluid is preferably an extinguishant, and the external fluid reservoir may include, for example, a pond, lake, river, swimming pool, container or other reservoir of fluid.
[0028] As used herein, the term "aerial firefighting" encompasses the fighting of fires by:
- dispensing an extinguishant, and
- dispensing of fire retardants and/or suppressants.
[0029] As used herein, the term "compactable" with respect to a container, compartment, or reservoir, should be interpreted to mean the capability of that container, compartment, or reservoir to be modified to reduce in size in at least one dimension and, for example, includes flexible, compressible, collapsible, compactable.
[0030] As used herein the term "spoke" with respect to a hub and spoke arrangement, should be interpreted to include any rigid elongate member extending from the hub, and need not extend radially from the hub nor be equidistant from other spokes extending from the hub.
[0031] As used herein the term "flexible", used with respect to a suspension line, should be understood to refer to a suspension line with opposing ends of the suspension line can be moved relative to each other without the line breaking. Thus, the term flexible suspension line should be understood to include not only a flexible wire, rope or strap, but also a chain, a length of multiple relatively movable linkages, or the like.
[0032] As used herein, the term valve refers to a device capable of reversible occlusion of a passage and includes doors.
[0033] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerial fluid delivery system for use with a helicopter, the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for detention and dispensing of a fluid, the container including:
- at least one container reservoir;
- a dispensing system, for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, and characterised in that the aerial fluid delivery system is configured to operate in at least two inflight fluid-filling modes, including:
- a bucket-mode, wherein, during in-flight fluid-filling, the container is suspended beneath the helicopter via a flexible suspension line, the container being suspended below an undercarriage of the helicopter, and
- a tank-mode, wherein, during in-flight fluid-filling, the container is connected to the helicopter such that at least a portion of the container is positioned above the undercarriage.
[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a firefighting helicopter, the firefighting helicopter including an aerial fluid delivery system, the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for detention and delivery of a fluid, the container including:
- at least one container reservoir;
- a dispensing system, for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, and characterised in that the aerial fluid delivery system is configured to operate in at least two inflight fluid-filling modes including:
- a bucket-mode, wherein during in-flight fluid-filling, the container is suspended beneath the helicopter via a flexible suspension line, the container being suspended below an undercarriage of the helicopter during flight, and
- a tank-mode, wherein during in-flight fluid-filling, the container is connected to the helicopter such that at least a portion of the container is positioned above the undercarriage during flight.
[0035] The aerial fluid delivery system is particularly suited to use in aerial firefighting with delivery of fluid in the form of a fire extinguishant such as water. Thus, the present invention will herein be described with respect to aerial firefighting using a helicopter. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention may also find use in other applications such as construction, agricultural or horticultural fluid delivery, fertiliser application, or other fluid delivery applications.
[0036] As aforementioned, aerial firefighting using helicopters typically involves use of either a suspended 'bucket' or a fixed 'tank', but to date there has not been a system devised that can operate in both modes. The present invention provides such a system.
[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerial fluid delivery system for use with a helicopter, the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for detention and delivery of a fluid, the container including:
- at least one container reservoir with at least one reservoir outlet;
- a dispensing system, for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one dispensing system outlet;
- at least one bucket-mode fluid intake enabling in-flight fluid-filling via fluid ingress to the container reservoir when the bucket-mode fluid intake is at least partially immersed in a fluid;
- at least one tank-mode fluid intake, the tank-mode fluid intake including at least one coupling for attaching at least one intake conduit thereto, enabling in-flight fluid-filling via the at least one tank-mode fluid intake.
- at least one flexible side wall, extending between the bucket-mode fluid intake and a said reservoir outlet, the flexible sidewall being collapsible to reduce the distance between the bucket-mode fluid intake and the dispensing system outlet;
- at least one support mounting, positioned at, or adjacent, the bucket-mode fluid intake, the support mounting including at least one container coupling configured to couple to, o at least one flexible suspension line, wherein the container is capable of being suspended beneath the helicopter via the at least one flexible suspension line such that the bucket-mode fluid intake is located below an undercarriage of the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling, and o a helicopter coupling, wherein the support mounting is capable of being connected to the helicopter via the helicopter coupling such that at least a portion of the support mounting is positioned above the undercarriage during in-flight fluid-filling.
[0038] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of utilising an aerial fluid delivery system with a helicopter, the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for transport and delivery of a fluid, the container including: at least one container reservoir with at least one reservoir outlet;
- a dispensing system, for dispensing fluid detained in the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one dispensing system outlet, and characterised in that the container is capable of operating in at least two in-flight fluid-filling modes, including:
- a bucket-mode, wherein the container is suspended beneath the helicopter via a flexible suspension line such that the bucket-mode fluid intake is located below an undercarriage of the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling, and
- a tank-mode, wherein the container is fixed to the helicopter such that the bucket-mode fluid intake is positioned above the undercarriage during in-flight fluid-filling, said method including separately operating the container in the bucket-mode and tank-mode.
Preferably, the method includes the steps of: a) operating the system in bucket-mode during in-flight fluid-filling, at least partially filling the container reservoir via lowering the container into an external fluid reservoir such that a bucket-mode fluid intake is immersed below a fluid surface level of the external fluid reservoir, and b) operating the system in tank-mode during in-flight fluid-filling, at least partially filling the container reservoir via lowering of an end of at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit into the external reservoir, the tank-mode fluid intake conduit coupled to a tank-mode fluid intake of the container.
[0039] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of mode transition of the aerial fluid delivery system between in-flight fluid-filling modes, the method including configuring the system for bucket-mode by: uncoupling the container from the helicopter,
- attaching the suspension line to the container coupling, and
- attaching the suspension line to the helicopter.
[0040] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of mode transition of the aerial fluid delivery system between in-flight fluid-filling modes, the method including configuring the system for tank-mode by:
- detaching the suspension line from the helicopter and from the container, coupling at least one intake conduit to the at least one tank-mode fluid intake,
attaching the container to the helicopter such that a bucket-mode fluid intake of the container is located above the undercarriage of the helicopter.
[0041] According to another aspect, there is provided a helicopter firefighting bucket, the firefighting bucket including a container for detention and delivery of a fluid, the container including:
- at least one container reservoir, including at least one reservoir outlet;
- a dispensing system, for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one dispensing system outlet;
- at least one bucket-mode fluid intake enabling fluid ingress to the container reservoir when the bucket-mode fluid intake is at least partially immersed in a fluid;
- at least one flexible side wall, extending between the bucket-mode fluid intake and the outlet of the container reservoir, the flexible sidewall being collapsible to reduce the distance between the bucket-mode fluid intake and the reservoir outlet;
- at least one support mounting, positioned at, or adjacent, the bucket-mode fluid intake, the support mounting including at least one container coupling configured to couple to at least one flexible suspension line, wherein the container is capable of being suspended beneath the helicopter via the at least one flexible suspension line such that the container is located below an undercarriage of the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling, and characterised in that the container includes:
- a further fluid intake and a corresponding intake conduit, and
- at least one pump for impelling the fluid to the container reservoir via the at least one further fluid intake, wherein, in use, with the entirety of the bucket suspended via the suspension line, the at least one intake conduit extends below the dispensing system outlet.
[0042] Preferably, the dispensing system includes a valve capable of reversibly opening to permit fluid flow from the container reservoir outlet to the dispensing system outlet. Thus, to dispense the fluid, the dispensing system must open the valve to permit fluid flow. The valve is preferably operable via a control in the helicopter.
[0043] In an alternative embodiment, the reservoir outlet and dispensing system outlet are a common outlet, e.g. where the dispensing system includes an openable door, flap or other occlusion.
[0044] It will be appreciated that while a single dispensing system outlet is the simplest configuration, a multiple outlet configuration is also possible and may be advantageous in some applications where fluid is required to be dispersed in multiple directions. Thus, in one embodiment, the dispensing system includes multiple outlets. Similarly, in some embodiments, the container reservoir includes multiple container reservoir outlets.
[0045] Preferably, the container includes a bucket-mode fluid intake enabling fluid ingress to the container reservoir when the bucket-mode fluid intake is immersed in a fluid.
[0046] Preferably, the container includes the at least one intake conduit coupled to the at least one coupling.
[0047] Preferably, the tank-mode fluid intake includes at least one coupling for attaching at least one intake conduit thereto. Alternatively, the tank-mode fluid intake may be integrally connected to at least one intake conduit.
[0048] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the bucket-mode fluid intake may be in fluid communication with the tank-mode fluid intake via one or more conduits, passages, ducting or the like.
[0049] Preferably, the container, in-flight, can be at least partially filled in bucket-mode by immersion of the bucket-mode fluid intake below a fluid surface level of fluid in an external fluid reservoir, the fluid entering the container reservoir via the bucket-mode fluid intake.
[0050] The bucket-mode fluid intake is preferably bi-directional enabling both fluid ingress and egress.
[0051] The bucket-mode fluid intake is preferably formed as an upper aperture of the container. Preferably, the upper aperture faces the helicopter when the container is suspended beneath the helicopter.
[0052] The container may be connected to the helicopter via a helicopter coupling, such as a cargo hook, hard point, or other mounting point, attachment or coupling on the helicopter.
[0053] Preferably, the container coupling is configured to be coupled directly to the helicopter coupling.
[0054] Preferably, the container coupling is configured to be coupled to the helicopter coupling via the suspension line, a distal portion of the suspension line being attached to the helicopter coupling.
[0055] Preferably, said container coupling is configured to be coupled to the helicopter coupling: via the suspension line in bucket-mode and
directly to the helicopter coupling in tank-mode.
[0056] Alternatively, separate container couplings may be provided to attach to either the suspension line or helicopter coupling.
[0057] Preferably, the support mounting and/or container coupling includes at least two lift-assist attachment points for attaching lift strands. The container may be a significant weight and difficult to lift, particularly where the support mounting needs to be lifted into place to be connected to the cargo hook or other helicopter mounting. The at least two lift-assist attachment points provide a means for attaching ropes or other strands thereto and enables easier lifting from within the helicopter cabin interior, in contrast to lifting from beneath the helicopter exterior.
[0058] Preferably, at least one intake conduit includes at least two lift-assist attachment points for attaching lift strands. As with the support mounting, the intake conduits may be heavy or cumbersome to lift. The lift-assist attachment points thus enable operators to manoeuvre the conduits more easily into position to couple to the tank-mode intake conduits.
[0059] The helicopter coupling is preferably configured to disable detachment of the container coupling during flight when operating in tank-mode. The helicopter coupling may for example, include locking pins, circuit breakers, switches, locks or equivalents that disable detachment during flight.
[0060] The container coupling is preferably configured for attachment to an end of the flexible suspension line, a sling, straps or equivalents on the end of the flexible suspension line.
[0061] Preferably, in bucket-mode, a distal end of the flexible suspension line is attached to a helicopter coupling on the helicopter thereby enabling the container to be suspended from the helicopter via the suspension line.
[0062] Preferably, the container coupling is alternatively, or also, configured for attachment to a helicopter coupling.
[0063] Helicopter couplings can include cargo hooks, hardpoints or other fixing points on the helicopter. Most helicopters have a cargo hook or hardpoints for attachment of various loads with openable cargo hooks being most common. Hardpoints are typically only available on military helicopters or are retrofitted for a specific purpose. The tank coupling is thus preferably configured for attachment to a cargo hook or equivalent releasable attachment mechanism.
[0064] In one embodiment, the helicopter may be provided with a winch, an end of the suspension line, distal to the container coupling, being connected to the winch such that operation of the winch extends and retracts the suspension line and coupled container away and toward the helicopter
respectively. In such an embodiment, the fluid delivery system may transition from bucket-mode to tank-mode by retracting the winch until at least a portion of the container is positioned above the undercarriage. Conversely, the fluid delivery system may transition from tank-mode to bucket-mode by operating the winch to extend the suspension line to lower the container until the container is suspended below an undercarriage of the helicopter during flight.
[0065] Such a winched embodiment enables more rapid transition times between modes than where a direct coupling of the container coupling to helicopter coupling is required, e.g. by attaching the support mounting to a cargo hook. However, winches on helicopters are naturally not mounted centrally as winches are almost always used to lift objects (people or cargo) into the helicopter cabin. Prior art winches on helicopters are therefore almost always mounted on one side of the helicopter.
[0066] In the aforementioned embodiment the winch is thus preferably mounted laterally centrally to the helicopter body to support the weight of a loaded container without laterally unbalancing the helicopter. The term 'lateral' with respect to a helicopter should be understood to refer to the direction perpendicular to a 'longitudinal' axis passing between a tail and nose of the helicopter.
[0067] Aviation authority regulations require a minimum ground clearance between the ground and any rigid structure beneath a helicopter for emergency landing. Thus, tanks must be sized and shaped to meet these ground clearance requirements. Prior art hard-shell tanks have therefore required extended undercarriage struts be installed to ensure that the ground clearance is sufficient. As previously mentioned, such adaptations, with attendant certifications, are very expensive.
[0068] Thus, according to one aspect, there is provided a method of increasing the ground clearance of a helicopter configured to carry a fluid delivery system, the helicopter having a first set of wheels and undercarriage providing a first ground clearance, the method including installing a second set of wheels with a larger diameter than said first set of wheels, to thereby provide the helicopter with a second ground clearance, greater than said first ground clearance.
[0069] The difference in radius between wheels of the first and second sets of wheels is preferably equal to, or greater than, the sum of the height of any rigid portions of the fluid delivery system between the dispensing system outlet and bucket-mode fluid intake.
[0070] The container defines a reservoir volume for containing the fluid. To aid clarity and understanding, reference herein will be made to the 'height' and 'width' of the container with respect to the container in use being suspended vertically below an aircraft, i.e. in use a 'vertical' axis of the container is aligned with gravity.
[0071] Preferably, the container includes a dispensing system for releasing fluid from the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one outlet. The outlet is preferably an outlet of a release valve or equivalent mechanism capable of reversible occlusion of the outlet.
[0072] The container preferably includes one or more side walls with the bucket-mode fluid intake located at an upper portion thereof, and the dispensing system outlet located at a lower portion.
[0073] The dispensing system outlet may be provided in a separate panel or module or may be formed in a contiguous portion of the one or more side walls.
[0074] The container reservoir is preferably at least partially defined by one or more container reservoir side walls, bucket-mode fluid intake and the reservoir outlet.
[0075] The container reservoir side wall(s) may be provided by interior surfaces of the container side wall(s) or as a separate component, e.g. as an internal compartment within the container side walls.
[0076] The dispensing system's outlet is preferably provided as a closable outlet at the bottom of the container, such that when open, fluid in the reservoir may pass through the dispensing system outlet and fall beneath the container.
[0077] In one embodiment, in bucket-mode, the dispensing system outlet may be opened and immersed in the fluid such that the fluid enters the reservoir via the dispensing system outlet, thus forming a tertiary fluid intake. Thus, even if the external fluid reservoir is too shallow to immerse the bucket-mode fluid intake, the fluid delivery system is still able to, at least partially, fill via the tertiary fluid intake. In a further embodiment, the tertiary intake may be fitted with a pump or the like to aid in fluid ingress.
[0078] The dispensing system outlet could alternatively be located in a reservoir side wall above the lower portion of the reservoir. However, this embodiment would require a pump and means to evacuate any residual fluid below the dispensing system outlet.
[0079] The maximum gross volume of the container reservoir is defined by the extents of the reservoir side wall(s), dispensing system outlet and bucket-mode fluid intake.
[0080] The 'height' of the container is preferably defined as the distance between the lowermost extent of the dispensing system outlet and the uppermost extent of the bucket-mode fluid intake.
[0081] Other components may be included in the container and so may occupy some of the internal reservoir volume. The maximum net volume of the container reservoir is thus defined by the gross volume minus the volume of any internal components. The net volume represents the maximum volume available for fluid.
[0082] Preferably, the bucket-mode fluid intake enables the container to be filled with fluid by immersion of the bucket-mode fluid intake into an external fluid reservoir, the fluid entering the container reservoir via the bucket-mode fluid intake in bucket-mode. The bucket-mode fluid intake is preferably formed as an open upper aperture of the container.
[0083] As aforementioned, the container includes at least one tank-mode fluid intake. The tankmode fluid intake is preferably configured to couple to an end of at least one fluid intake conduit, e.g., a 'snorkel'. In use, an end of the fluid intake conduit distal to the tank-mode fluid intake can be immersed in fluid and a fluid intake pump actuated to pump fluid through the fluid intake conduit to the container reservoir via the tank-mode fluid intake.
[0084] Preferably, the fluid delivery system includes at least one pump, configured to pump fluid to the container reservoir via the tank-mode fluid intake and coupled fluid intake conduit. At least one said pump is preferably located at any of:
- one end of the fluid intake conduit coupled to the tank-mode fluid intake; in part of the fluid intake conduit coupled to the tank-mode fluid intake;
- the tank-mode fluid intake, and/or between the tank-mode fluid intake and reservoir.
[0085] The tank-mode fluid intake and any attached conduit is preferably in fluid communication with the container reservoir such that fluid may pass from an inlet of the fluid intake conduit to the container reservoir via the pump, fluid intake conduit, and tank-mode fluid intake. It will be appreciated that this configuration encompasses any additional intermediate valves, pumps, mixers, traps or other fluid control systems between the tank-mode fluid intake conduit and reservoir.
[0086] Preferably, the container includes at least two said tank-mode fluid intakes, each configured to couple to a corresponding fluid intake conduit. Two such tank-mode fluid intakes, and corresponding conduits, enable filling at twice the speed as one tank-mode fluid intake. Having two tank-mode fluid intake conduits also helps in balancing the container during flight in bucket-mode, in contrast to only one fluid intake conduit which may catch in the airflow and cause rotation of the container.
[0087] Preferably, the tank-mode fluid intakes do not extend beyond the lateral width of the helicopter undercarriage in tank-mode. The tank-mode fluid intakes will thus not interfere with the operation of the undercarriage of the helicopter.
[0088] The intake conduits are preferably flexible and may move in the airflow during flight. This movement may place stresses about the coupling point to the tank-mode fluid intakes. Therefore,
preferably at least a portion of the tank-mode fluid intake is rotatable with respect to the container side wall. Preferably, the coupling of the tank-mode fluid intake is rotatable or flexible with respect to the container.
[0089] Prior art inflexible fixed tanks are typically configured to provide a defined tank volume, positioned beneath the helicopter but above the contact plane of the lowermost portions of the helicopter undercarriage (e.g., skids or wheels). Such configurations enable the helicopter to land using its undercarriage without crushing the tank or preventing safe landing. However, this limits the potential maximum height (and, indirectly, the volume) of tanks that can be used, i.e., the helicopter undercarriage height (with any suspension compressed) defines the maximum height of the tank that can be used.
[0090] An extended undercarriage needs to be fitted to the helicopter to increase the carrying volume of such prior art systems. Such an extended undercarriage is very expensive.
[0091] In contrast, preferably, the present container is preferably a flexible walled container that is compactable to reduce the distance between the bucket-mode fluid intake and the dispensing system outlet.
[0092] Preferably, when the container is orientated vertically with the bucket-mode fluid intake above the dispensing system outlet, this compaction reduces the height of the container. A compactable container is important in multiple respects.
[0093] Firstly, a vertically compactable container enables the helicopter to land without crushing the container, instead the container collapses beneath the helicopter until the undercarriage contacts the ground and undercarriage suspension (if present) compresses.
[0094] Secondly, a vertically compactable container can be stored and transported more easily than a comparable fixed-volume container.
[0095] It is possible that the dispensing system may fail, which would prevent the release of fluid and prevent the helicopter landing safely. Prior art tanks solve this problem by providing fail-safe valves in the dispensing systems to enable the operator to evacuate the tank in an emergency. However, such systems add complexity, cost and may still fail in some cases.
[0096] As previously mentioned, the primary purpose of the bucket-mode fluid intake is to enable the container to act as a bucket. However, the bucket-mode fluid intake also provides an important safety mechanism for use when operating in tank-mode.
[0097] Preferably, the bucket-mode fluid intake is bi-directional, and the container is a vertically compactable container. This arrangement thus enables the helicopter to land, even with a full
container reservoir, as the fluid is expelled from the bucket-mode fluid intake as the container compacts, enabling the container to compact sufficiently for the helicopter to land safely. In contrast, a vertically compactable tank without a bucket-mode fluid intake, such as the prior art Recoil® tank, requires the operator to trigger the release valve opening to ensure the tank is empty when landing. In an emergency, there simply may not be time and/or a safe location to urgently perform this procedure, resulting in an unsafe landing or damage to the helicopter.
[0098] Thus, the present container's bi-directional bucket-mode fluid intake is not only important for immersion filling in the bucket-mode but also acts as an emergency discharge exit for fluid when the helicopter lands in tank-mode.
[0099] The present container preferably includes a support mounting at or adjacent the bucketmode fluid intake. The support mounting is preferably rigidly attached to the side wall and prevents substantial collapse of the attached portion of the side wall in a direction perpendicular to the span between the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlet, i.e., for a cylindrical container, with the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlets at either end of the cylinder , such a collapse would be to reduce the radius of the cylinder. The support mounting thus prevents the collapse of the portion of the container about the support mounting's perimeter.
[0100] Preferably, the support mounting is located between the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlet.
[0101] The support mounting preferably includes a hub, and spokes extending from the hub to a container side wall(s). Preferably, each spoke is attached to the hub at one end and to the container side wall(s) at a distal end. The distal end of each spoke is preferably attached directly, or indirectly to the container side wall(s). In one embodiment, a perimeter frame may be attached to the container side wall and the distal ends of the spokes attached to the perimeter frame, rather than directly to the side wall.
[0102] The support mounting of the present container preferably includes spokes that are: rigidly fixed to the hub and/or rigidly fixed to the side wall.
[0103] Preferably, the support mounting maintains the size and configuration of the bucket-mode fluid intake. Consequently, during immersion in bucket-mode, the bucket-mode fluid intake is prevented from collapsing closed or being otherwise constricted.
[0104] Preferably, the support mounting includes the container coupling. In a further embodiment, the container coupling is formed as a pin, bolt, shaft, latch, hook or the like connected to, or forming part of, the support mounting.
[0105] Preferably, a single container coupling is used to connect the container to the suspension line in bucket-mode and to the helicopter coupling in tank-mode.
[0106] Preferably, the container coupling is located at or adjacent to a central area of the bucketmode fluid intake, preferably spaced from the perimeter of the bucket-mode fluid intake. In contrast, prior art buckets require multiple straps attached to the perimeter of the upper bucket openings.
[0107] Preferably, a single container coupling is provided, the suspension line in bucket-mode being attached to the single container coupling.
[0108] In tank-mode, the bucket-mode fluid intake is preferably positioned adjacent the underside of the helicopter with the support mounting connected to the helicopter coupling via the container coupling. In flight, the container may rock due to airflow or wind and contact the underside of the helicopter, potentially damaging it. Thus, the support mounting preferably includes one or more buffers on upper portions thereof. The buffers may be located on upper surfaces of each spoke for example, or on an upper surface of a perimeter frame if present.
[0109] The buffers are preferably constructed from a resilient material, e.g. a polymer foam, rubber, plastic or the like.
[0110] The support mounting is preferably constructed to minimise obstruction, restriction or any constriction of the bucket-mode fluid intake while still being strong enough to remain rigid and support the weight of the container and any fluid therein. Thus, preferably, the support mounting restricts the bucket-mode fluid intake area by less than 50%, and more preferably by less than 33%.
[0111] Firefighting fluids can include chemicals, such as fire-retardants, foams, or the like. These chemicals can be corrosive or otherwise cause damage to the helicopter. It's thus important that where such fluids are used, the container includes means for preventing, or at least minimising, exposure of the helicopter to these additives. Thus, preferably the container includes a removable cover capable of covering the bucket-mode fluid intake when the container is configured in the tank-mode. The container may include multiple attachment points for securing the cover to the container for in-flight use. The cover can be removed before operating in the bucket-mode.
[0112] Preferably, the cover is configured to permit fluid egress from the bucket-mode intake if the container is collapsed with fluid in the container reservoir. The cover may, for example by flexible or be attached to the container by flexible or extendible attachments.
[0113] It is important that the load carried by the helicopter does not exceed its rated capacity for safe operation. Therefore, preferably the helicopter is fitted with a helicopter coupling capable of providing data relating to the weight carried from the helicopter coupling. The helicopter coupling carries not only the container's weight and fluid, but also any suspension lines, conduits or other components attached to the container.
[0114] Such weight data is also very useful in providing information for the operator about the amount of fluid carried and dispensed. In combination with a GPS or other location tracking system, the weight data can be used to provide a precise location and weight map of extinguishant dispensed. This data is extremely useful for operators and their customers in measuring how effective the firefighting is and can identify locations that may have insufficient extinguishant applied or have been missed completely. Such data is also useful in measuring the efficiency of the firefighting operation.
[0115] Preferably, the support mounting is constructed so that it does not include any aerodynamic lift or rotation surfaces extending outside of the container that could otherwise cause the container to lift or rotate because of air movement over those surfaces during flight in bucket-mode.
[0116] Preferably, the support mounting is encircled or enclosed within the container side wall(s). Thus, when operating in bucket-mode, the support mounting will not act to provide an aerodynamic lift or rotation surface and minimises the risk of the support mounting being caught on vegetation or other hazards.
[0117] Prior art tanks cannot be suspended from a suspension line for numerous reasons.
[0118] Firstly, they do not have couplings designed to attach to suspension lines.
[0119] Secondly, there is no requirement for tanks to be shaped to prevent twisting, flapping, lifting or other adverse movements, as are requirements for suspended buckets. Tanks are therefore naturally shaped to optimise volume and attachment in intimate positioning to the helicopter underside rather than optimised for aerodynamic properties. As such, the prior art is often elongate, rectangular or has frames and other support structures that would provide lift or drag surfaces if the tank was not fixed to the helicopter.
[0120] Preferably, the present container is constructed with at least one sidewall with an exterior surface that is substantially symmetrical about orthogonal vertical bisections of the centre of the container. Examples of shapes that meet such a requirement include a frustum, sphere, spheroid, ellipsoid, cylinders, cones and the like. Such a symmetrical shape ensures that there is a minimised risk of air-resistance during flight promoting rotation of the container. Such rotation, particularly
with an asymmetric container, will result in unstable flight characteristics and could damage the suspension line and/or couplings.
[0121] In a further embodiment, the container is constructed with a side-wall exterior surface forming a truncated ellipsoid (symmetric or asymmetric), truncated spheroid or truncated teardrop.
[0122] Preferably, the container is constructed with a side-wall exterior surface, the majority of the exterior surface forming a truncated asymmetric ellipsoid, with the dispensing system outlet located at a lower truncated end and the bucket-mode fluid intake at an opposite truncated end. It will be appreciated that attachments, fittings and the like may protrude or recess from the exterior surface without departing from the scope of a truncated asymmetric ellipsoid side-wall exterior surface.
[0123] Preferably, the widest part of the container presented to airflow during horizontal flight of the helicopter is lower than the support mounting and bucket-mode fluid intake and more preferably the widest part of the container presented to airflow during horizontal flight of the helicopter is in the lower half of the container. Such a shape provides a container that has a low centre of gravity and thus proves more stable in flight, with less likelihood of tipping.
[0124] Preferably, in tank-mode, at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit is attached to the at least one tank-mode fluid intake. The tank-mode fluid intake conduit is preferably detachable from the tank-mode fluid intake such that it can be detached when the fluid delivery system transitions to bucket-mode. Speed in firefighting is crucial, and thus there may not be time to decouple the conduits when switching to bucket-mode. Detachable conduits may thus not be critical. In one embodiment, the conduits are fixed to the tank-mode fluid intake or integrally formed thereto.
[0125] Preferably, an end of the at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit distal to the tankmode fluid intake includes at least one inlet. The at least one inlet in use can be immersed into an external reservoir fluid and a pump operated to draw the fluid through the tank-mode intake conduit via the at least one inlet and/or valve.
[0126] Preferably, the at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit includes a unidirectional valve or equivalent, configured to prevent fluid from exiting the at least one inlet.
[0127] Preferably, the tank-mode fluid intake conduit is flexible, thus being capable of bending during flight and bending when landing/landed.
[0128] Preferably, said distal end of the tank-mode fluid intake conduit includes a filter or other protective housing over the at least one inlet and/or valve, preventing intake of large objects therein.
[0129] In some firefighting operations the available external fluid reservoir may be too shallow for effective immersion filling via the bucket-mode fluid intake in bucket-mode, but in a location that is too unsafe to operate in tank-mode. The external reservoir may alternatively be deep enough but have an area that is too small to enable tipping of the container to immerse the bucket-mode fluid intake.
[0130] In such applications, the fluid delivery system is preferably configured to operate in a third in-flight fluid-filling mode, the container being suspended via the suspension line below the helicopter undercarriage, the container including at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit coupled to the at least one tank-mode fluid intake, enabling the container to be filled via the tankmode fluid intake during in-flight fluid-filling.
[0131] The tank-mode fluid intake conduits that are used in the third in-flight fluid-filling mode are preferably shorter than that of the tank-mode fluid intake conduits used in the tank-mode. Such shorter conduits minimise the risk of vegetation or other hazards interfering with the conduits.
[0132] The dispensing system needs to be capable of being actuated to open and release the fluid from the outlet. Thus, a control system operable by the pilot or other crew is provided for actuating the dispensing system outlet. The control system is also preferably configured to actuate the tankmode fluid intake pump.
[0133] The control system preferably includes one or more control lines that extend from the helicopter to the dispensing system outlet and/or to the tank-mode fluid intake pump. The control line(s) preferably includes a pneumatic line, although electrical or hydraulic lines may also be used.
[0134] In another embodiment, the control system may include a power pack attached to the container that provides power to the dispensing system outlet and/or to the tank-mode fluid intake pump and a wireless control module provided for receiving signals from a wireless transmitter in the helicopter.
[0135] The control system thus enables the pilot or other operator in the helicopter to trigger opening and/or closing of the dispensing system outlet and/or the tank-mode fluid intake pump.
[0136] It will be appreciated that the length of a control line needs to be much longer when in bucket-mode than in tank-mode. Thus, preferably, the method of transition between tank-mode and bucket-mode includes either: replacing a control line with a longer control line, or
- extending a retractable control line.
[0137] Preferably, the method of transition between bucket-mode and tank-mode includes either:
replacing a control line with a shorter control line, or retracting a retractable control line.
[0138] In tank-mode it is important that the container cannot be inadvertently jettisoned by the pilot. Firefighting often involves operation over urban environments or other areas where people or property are beneath the flight path. Accidents can occur where pilots jettison a suspended bucket onto people or property. Authorities are thus increasingly prioritising use of tanks when operating over areas where this is a risk. Prior art fixed tanks are fixedly secured to the helicopter and so can't be jettisoned by the pilot.
[0139] Fixed tanks such as the Recoil® tank require a custom mount that replaces the cargo hook on, e.g. a UH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopter. However, the present invention needs to be able to operate in both bucket-mode and tank-mode and therefore a custom mounting would prove expensive or at least inconvenient. Therefore, the container is instead preferably coupled to a helicopter coupling in the form of a 'cargo hook', or equivalent mount, both when in tank-mode and when in bucket-mode. Thus, a single helicopter coupling is provided for connecting the container in both modes.
[0140] Helicopter cargo hooks are often provided with a helicopter coupling release mechanism in the form of a hook latching mechanism. The latching mechanism can be actuated by the pilot to open and release a load attached to the hook, typically via a switch on the pilot's controls (e.g. helicopter cyclic). In bucket-mode, this release capability is important as it enables the bucket and suspended line to be jettisoned in an emergency, e.g., if the bucket or suspension line becomes tangled in a tree. However, in tank-mode, there is no such jettisoning requirement and instead the requirement is the opposite, i.e. that the tank cannot be jettisoned by the pilot. Thus, actuation of such a latching mechanism would jettison the container and present a risk in tank-mode.
[0141] Therefore, preferably the helicopter includes at least one control mechanism for preventing actuation of any controls in a helicopter cockpit causing decoupling of the container from the helicopter coupling. Preferably, the control mechanism includes at least one reversible 'circuit breaker' (such as a switch, removable fuse or equivalent component) in a circuit controlling actuation of a helicopter coupling release mechanism. The circuit breaker can thereby reversibly provide an open circuit during operation, preventing actuation of the cargo hook by the pilot.
[0142] Alternatively, the control mechanism may include a mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism for preventing decoupling of the container from the helicopter coupling during flight.
[0143] Preferably, the control mechanism includes at least two circuit breakers, each providing a reversible open circuit. Thus, an additional redundant step is required to enable actuation of the helicopter coupling, e.g. a user would need to close two breakers, rather than one.
[0144] During flight the bucket-mode fluid intake is suspended below the undercarriage of the helicopter in bucket-mode and positioned above the undercarriage in tank-mode. Reference to 'above' and 'below' the undercarriage should be understood to be with respect to the lowermost portions of the undercarriage, e.g. a helicopter skids or lower portion of wheels.
[0145] Thus, when flying with the container configured in bucket-mode, the suspended container is suspended with the bucket-mode intake located below the undercarriage of the helicopter. The bucket-mode intake can therefore be immersed in external fluid reservoirs that are below the helicopter undercarriage, obviating the requirement for the helicopter to be proximate the ground, vegetation, building or hazards thereon.
[0146] In contrast, when flying with the container configured in tank-mode, the container is located proximate the underside of the helicopter with at least the bucket-mode intake positioned above the helicopter undercarriage. In tank-mode, bucket-mode intake immersion is impractical and thus the tank-mode intake, with corresponding conduit, is used to fill the container reservoir with fluid.
[0147] The fluid delivery system can thus operate in both a fixed tank-mode or a suspended bucket-mode. It can be readily seen that this adaptability offers the same benefits of a suspended bucket when in bucket-mode and that of a fixed tank in tank-mode.
[0148] This adaptability offers advantages over the prior art which requires purchasing and operating of separate suspended buckets and fixed tanks. Such advantages may include: reduced cost; reduced transition time between fixed tank and suspended bucket-modes; removing the requirement for a separate transport vehicle to transport a bucket or tank - whichever is not being carried currently by the helicopter;
- enabling mode transition without returning to a support/transport vehicle.
[0149] Reference herein is made to various aspects and embodiments of the present invention. For clarity and to aid prolixity every possible combination, iteration or permutation of features, aspects and embodiments are not described explicitly. Thus, it should be appreciated that the disclosure herein includes any combination, iteration, multiple or permutation unless explicitly and specifically excluded.
[0150] The order in which aspects, embodiments, features or descriptions occur in this description should not be interpreted to necessarily require the preceding aspects, embodiments, features or descriptions.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0151] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows an aerial firefighting system according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the firefighting system operating in a tank-mode;
Figure 2 shows the aerial firefighting system of Figure 1 operating in a bucket-mode;
Figure 3 shows the aerial firefighting system of Figures 1-2 in bucket-mode with intake conduits attached;
Figure 4 shows the aerial firefighting system of Figures 1-3, in tank-mode, with enlarged partial views;
Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of a collapsible container of the aerial firefighting system of Figures 1-4;
Figure 6a shows a plan view of the collapsible container of figure 5;
Figure 6b shows a section view through D-D of figure 6b of the container in a collapsed state;
Figure 6c shows a side elevation of a helicopter landed over the collapsed container of Figures
6a-6b;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a helicopter landed over the collapsed container of
Figures 6a-6c;
Figure 8a-8c show perspective views of a release valve of the container of Figures 1-7 in fully open, closed and partially open states, respectively;
Figure 8d-8f show side elevations of the release valve of the container of Figures 1-7 in fully open, closed and partially open states, respectively;
Figure 9 shows a second embodiment of an aerial firefighting system;
Figure 10 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a cargo hook control system of the aerial firefighting system;
Figure 11 shows a prior art suspended bucket;
Figure 12 shows a prior art fixed tank;
Figure 13 shows another prior art fixed tank;
Figure 14 shows yet another prior art fixed tank;
Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention.
[0152] Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages.
[0153] Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description.
[0154] It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.
[0155] Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0156] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps.
Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, "each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
[0157] Figures 1-7 show an aerial fluid delivery system 1, for use with a helicopter 2. The aerial fluid delivery system shown is used for aerial firefighting.
[0158] The aerial fluid delivery system has a container 3 for transport and dispensing of the fluid, e.g., typically water or other fire extinguishant. The container has an internal container reservoir 4 for containing the fluid.
[0159] The fluid in the container reservoir 4 can be dispensed from the reservoir via a dispensing system 5.
[0160] The aerial fluid delivery system is configured to operate in at least in-flight fluid-filling modes, including a bucket-mode, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and a tank-mode - as shown in Figures 1, 4, 6 and 7.
[0161] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the bucket-mode the container is suspended beneath the helicopter via a flexible suspension line 6. The entire container 3 is suspended below an undercarriage 7 of the helicopter 2 during in-flight fluid-filling and general flight.
[0162] In tank-mode, as shown in Figures 1, 4, 6 and 7, the container 3 is fixed to the helicopter 2 via attachment to a cargo hook 19, such that the upper portion of the container 2 is positioned above the undercarriage 7 during flight.
[0163] Aerial firefighting involves the use of aircraft flying over a fire and dispensing fire extinguishants to extinguish a fire. Fire extinguishants typically include water but also encompass foams or other fire extinguishing or retarding fluids, foams or powders.
[0164] There are two predominant forms of extinguishant containment for use with helicopters.
The first being a suspended bucket, also known as a 'helibucket' or 'monsoon bucket'. An exemplary prior art bucket is shown in Figure 11 and is traded under the name Bambi®. The Bambi® suspended
bucket can be lowered into an external fluid reservoir of extinguishant (e.g., water), tipped over and filled via the open top of the bucket. The bucket is then carried to the fire where a trip line is pulled up to open a lower dump valve to release the extinguishant.
[0165] The Bambi® bucket has an internal reservoir defined by multiple side wall panels, the lower dump valve and the upper open top. The side wall panels are joined together via flexible plastic and each panel is hollow, with semi-rigid 'side battens' inserted into each panel to add strength. The Bambi® bucket also includes a tension bracket ("IDS assembly") in the upper opening. The tension bracket has a central circular hub with pivotable spokes attached thereto. Distal ends of the spokes are pivotally attached to a perimeter of the upper opening. The Bambi® bucket is suspended by suspension lines attached to straps, in-turn attached to the perimeter of the bucket. As the bucket is filled, the perimeter of the Bambi® bucket expands, pulling the spokes radially outward which then act as a tension bracket to oppose the force applied by the water on the bucket walls. Without the tension bracket the force of the water would only be opposed by the circumferential tension of the side walls, which could stretch or tear. The spokes are necessarily hinged to the hub and panels so that the Bambi® bucket can be radially collapsed for volume adjustment (via cinch strap) and storage.
[0166] The second main form of containment is a fixed tank attached to the underside of the helicopter. Figure 12 shows an example of a prior art fixed tank described in WO 2021/142506 by Schellaars. Figure 13 shows another example of a prior art fixed tank described in AU2019409867A1, also by Schellaars.
[0167] The Schellaars fixed tanks were specifically designed to overcome the problems of suspended buckets (such as the Bambi® bucket) as aforementioned. The Schellaars fixed tanks are directly fixed to the helicopter in a way that prevents inadvertent jettisoning, either by directly coupling to the helicopter rotor gear (WO 2021/142506) or via attachment to hardpoints (AU2019409867A1) on the helicopter. The use of snorkels on the Schellaars tanks provide a controllable filling method to precisely vary the volume of water intake.
[0168] As aforementioned, both forms of containment have advantages over the other and firefighting operators typically own and operate both tanks and buckets and switch between them depending on the operating environment and available water sources.
[0169] However, the process of switching between buckets and tanks can be time-consuming. Tanks typically require separate transport or storage if they are not fitted to the helicopter. It's impractical to carry the tanks within the helicopter cabin or, if possible, occupies the majority of usable cabin space, preventing the cabin's use for transporting other equipment or personnel.
Moreover, owning and operating both a bucket and a tank can be expensive in terms of maintenance, transport, and capital cost.
[0170] In contrast, the aerial fluid delivery system 1 of the present invention can overcome these problems as it is capable of transitioning between different in-flight fluid-filling modes.
[0171] In the embodiment shown, the aerial fluid delivery system 1 has a container 3 with a bidirectional bucket-mode fluid intake 8 provided in the form of an open upper aperture of the container 3. The bucket-mode fluid intake 8 enables the container reservoir 4 to be filled by immersion of the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 below the surface level of fluid in an external fluid reservoir, e.g. a lake, river or water reservoir. The fluid enters the container reservoir 4 via the bucket-mode fluid intake 8. This bi-directional bucket-mode fluid intake 8 can operate in a similar manner way to the prior art suspended buckets, though serves another purpose in tank-mode as will be explained in due course.
[0172] The bucket-mode fluid intake 8 is suspended below the undercarriage 7 of the helicopter 2 during in-flight fluid-filling in bucket-mode while in contrast being positioned above the undercarriage 7 in tank-mode in-flight fluid-filling. Reference to 'above' and 'below' the undercarriage should be understood to be with respect to the lowermost portions of the undercarriage 7, e.g. the helicopter's skids or lower portion of wheels.
[0173] The container 3 also has two tank-mode fluid intakes 9. The tank-mode fluid intakes 9 are formed as pipe couplings to which flexible fluid intake conduits 10 can be attached. These fluid intake conduits 10 enable the reservoir 4 to be filled when operating in tank-mode and are analogous in function to the 'snorkels' typically provided on prior art fixed tanks.
[0174] The container 3 has a side wall 11 with an exterior surface formed as a truncated asymmetric ellipsoid, with the dispensing system 5 located adjacent one truncated end. The bucketmode fluid intake 8 is formed by the opposite open truncated end.
[0175] The container side wall 11 is constructed from flexible material, e.g., rubberised PVC. The interior surface of the container side wall 11 forms a reservoir side wall 12. The volume within the reservoir side wall 12, dispensing system 5 and bucket-mode fluid intake 8 forms the container reservoir 4.
[0176] A support mounting 13 is located within the container reservoir 4 and is attached to the container side wall 11 adjacent the bucket-mode fluid intake 8. Thus, when operating in bucketmode, the support mounting 13 will not act to provide an aerodynamic lift or rotation surface and minimises the risk of the support mounting 13 being caught on vegetation or other hazards.
[0177] The support mounting 13 is rigid, to prevent distortion or alteration of the bucket-mode fluid intake 8. Thus, the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 perimeter is fixed, throughout operation in both bucket-mode and tank-mode. The bucket-mode fluid intake 8 perimeter is also fixed in transport and storage.
[0178] The support mounting 13 has a central rectangular hub 14 and spokes 15. The spokes 15 are rigidly fixed to both the hub 14 and side wall 12. The spokes 15 are attached vie mounting bolts 40 that extend through the side walls 11, 12 into receiving threads in the spokes 15.
[0179] The rectangular hub 14 is formed with side walls and a central opening.
[0180] The support mounting 13, includes a container coupling in the form of the hub 14 and coupling pin 16. The coupling pin 16 forms both the attachment point to the suspension line 6 in bucket-mode and to a helicopter coupling in tank mode. The helicopter coupling is provided in the form of cargo hook 19. The cargo hook 19 is mounted laterally centrally in the helicopter 2 via mounting 26.
[0181] The coupling pin 16 thus forms a single attachment point for attaching the container 3 to the helicopter 2 in both in-flight fluid-filling modes.
[0182] The widest part of the side wall 11 presented to airflow during horizontal flight of the helicopter is lower than the support mounting 13 and bucket-mode fluid intake 8. Such a shape provides a container that has a low centre of gravity and thus proves more stable in flight, with less likelihood of tipping.
[0183] The attachment of the suspension line 6 is shown most clearly in the enlarged view in Figure 3. The suspension line 6 is a synthetic wire rope with a sling 17 formed at one end.
[0184] To attach the suspension line 6, the coupling pin 16 is removed from the hub 14 and the sling 17 positioned within the hub 14, the pin 16 then reinserted through the hub 14 and sling 17 and retained to the hub 14 with a locking screw 23. The sling 17 is thus secured to the hub 14 via the coupling pin 16. Alternatively, the coupling pin 16 may be a bolt that is screwed into a threaded hole in the hub 14. Other coupling methods and mechanisms may also be used. However, speed of detachment and attachment is crucial when fighting fires and so the most rapid coupling means is preferable.
[0185] The coupling pin 16 is also configured to be attached to the helicopter 2 in tank-mode, as most clearly shown in Figure 6b. The support mounting 13 is connected to the helicopter by raising it into position until the cargo hook 19 of the helicopter 2 hooks about the pin 16. Alternatively, the helicopter 2 may be lowered into position. To this end, the ends of the coupling pin include flanges with rings for attaching lift -strands thereto. Operators can then attach lift strands, typically in the
form of straps with carabiner clips that clip to the rings. The strands can then be lifted to raise the support mounting 13 into position so that the pin 16 can be positioned within the cargo hook 19. Thus, operators can more easily lift the support mounting 13 from within the helicopter cabin.
[0186] The cargo hook 19 has a latching mechanism 34 that is controlled by the pilot and can be opened or closed via a switch, typically on the helicopter cyclic. When the latching mechanism is open the suspension line 6 or coupling pin 16 can be decoupled and the container released.
[0187] The support mounting 13 has a reinforcing plate 20 welded to the hub 14 and spokes 15 to provide additional strength and prevent bending of the spokes 15 or hub 14 when under load. The support mounting 13 is located entirely below the upper perimeter 21 of the side wall 11 so that it does not protrude above the upper perimeter 21.
[0188] In tank-mode, e.g., as shown in figure 4, the container 3 is positioned adjacent to the underside of the helicopter 2. Force applied to the container 3 by impinging airflow, may cause movement of the container 3 about the cargo hook 19 and cause the support mounting 13 or upper perimeter 21 to contact the helicopter 2, potentially damaging it. Thus, plastic foam bumpers 22 are provided on each of the spokes 15 that abut the underside of the helicopter 2 in tank-mode, thereby preventing significant movement of the container 3 about the cargo hook 19. Alternatively, spacers, rubber mounts or equivalents could be used instead of the foam bumpers 22.
[0189] Prior art inflexible fixed tanks are typically configured to provide a defined tank volume, positioned beneath the helicopter 2 and above the contact plane of the lowermost portions of the helicopter undercarriage (e.g. skids or wheels). Such configurations enable the helicopter to land using its undercarriage without crushing the tank and/or jeopardising safe landings. However, such tank configurations limit the potential maximum height (and, indirectly, the volume) of tanks that can be used, i.e. the helicopter undercarriage height (with any suspension compressed) defines the maximum height of the tank that can be used. The Schellaars tanks attempted to solve this problem by providing a collapsible flexible tank wall beneath the upper frame. The flexible tank wall capable of expanding in flight to contain more fluid. However, the Schellaars tanks are necessarily fixed directly to the helicopter and aim to maximise capacity. Thus, the Schellaars tanks occupy a significant vertical height that limit their use to helicopters with sufficiently high undercarriage.
[0190] Prior art systems that require additional volume typically require purpose built extended undercarriage to be fitted with extended wheel struts. Such extended undercarriage is very expensive.
[0191] In the present disclosure, the container side wall 11 is also compactable to reduce the distance between the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 and release valve 5. Figures 6 and 7 show the
helicopter 2 landed on the ground G over the collapsed container 3. A compactable container is important in multiple respects.
[0192] Firstly, a vertically compactable container enables the helicopter 2 to land without crushing the container 3, instead the container 3 collapses beneath the helicopter until the undercarriage 7 contacts the ground and undercarriage suspension (if present) compresses.
[0193] Secondly, a compactable container 3 can be stored and transported more easily than a non- compactable container.
[0194] It is possible that the release valve 5 may fail or become jammed, which would prevent the release of fluid and prevent the helicopter 2 landing safely. The bucket-mode fluid intake 8, being bidirectional, still enables the helicopter 2 to land, as any fluid in the reservoir 4 is simply expelled from the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 as the container 3 collapses, enabling the container 3 to collapse sufficiently for the helicopter 2 to land safely. In contrast, a compactable tank without a bucket-mode fluid intake, such as the prior art tanks, require the operator to trigger the release valve opening to ensure the tank is empty when landing. In an emergency, there simply may not be time and/or a safe location to urgently perform this procedure, resulting in an unsafe landing or damage to the helicopter 2.
[0195] Thus, the bi-directional bucket-mode fluid intake 8 is not only important for immersion filling in bucket-mode but also acts as an emergency discharge exit for fluid when the helicopter 2 lands in tank-mode.
[0196] With reference to Figures 1 and 3-7 the tank-mode fluid intake conduits 10, ('snorkels') have intake heads 24 that are to be immersed in fluid. As best shown in Figure 5, the heads 24 contain an internal tank-mode fluid intake pump (not visible) that can be actuated to pump water through the conduit 10, tank-mode fluid intakes 9 and into the reservoir 4. The heads 24 have a mesh screen 27 that acts as a filter to prevent large objects from being sucked into the pump or conduit 10.
[0197] The pumps are configured to behave as unidirectional valves (alternatively, a separate unidirectional valve is provided in the conduit) such that after the pumps have pumped fluid into the conduits 10 and stopped, fluid is prevented from egressing from the inlet. Fluid is thus retained in the conduits 10. This retained fluid is important for acting as a ballast weight on the conduits 10 when the reservoir 4 is empty. In tank-mode, this fluid ballast prevents the conduits from an airflowgenerated lifting/chaotic flapping motion in flight, potentially damaging the helicopter, being entangled in the blades and/or becoming damaged from such movement. In bucket-mode, with the conduits 10 attached, the fluid ballast acts to stabilise flight of the container 3 and provide
additional weight to prevent the suspended bucket from lifting into the helicopter blades or otherwise moving adversely.
[0198] The container 3 is sized to the helicopter 2 such that in tank-mode, the tank-mode fluid intakes 9 do not extend beyond the lateral width of the helicopter 2. Thus, the attached conduits 10 are less likely to move upwards past the sides of the helicopter 2, and potentially into the path of the rotor blades. It will be appreciated that a helicopter 2 with larger lateral width can thus accommodate a wider container 3.
[0199] Each tank-mode fluid intake 9 is freely rotatable with respect to the attachment point to the side wall 11. This enables the intake 9 and attached conduit 10 to rotate. In flight, this rotation is important to reduce:
- drag caused by the conduits 10, and bending stress between the conduit 10 and intake 9.
[0200] The helicopter 2 may also be fitted with conduit stows (not shown) for use in transport in tank-mode. The conduit stows are configured to restrain the conduits 10 closer to the underside of the helicopter 2 so that they no longer hang beneath the container 3. Restraining the conduits 10 in this way increases the Velocity to Never Exceed (VNE) of the helicopter 2 relative to when the conduits 10 hang beneath the container 3.
[0201] Figures 8a-8c show the dispensing system 5 in open, closed and partially open states respectively. The dispensing system 5 includes a release valve with a valve member 35, valve body 36, outlet 37 and inlet 39. The valve inlet 39 also forms the container reservoir outlet.
[0202] The valve body 36 is attached and sealed to the container side wall 11.
[0203] During operation, the valve 5 is in a normally closed state as per figure 8b with valve member 35 seated on the valve body 36. Once fluid is added to the reservoir 4, the fluid pressure further presses on the valve member 35 of the valve 5 to hold it in the closed state, seated on the valve body 36. A pneumatic ram 38 is positioned between the upper 35 and lower 36 portions and forms a valve stem. The pneumatic ram 38 is connected via a control line to a pump in the helicopter 2 control system 25. The valve 5 can be opened by increasing pressure in the control line which forces the pneumatic ram 38 to extend, pushing the valve member 35 away from the valve body 36 and opening the valve 5 to release fluid from the outlet 37.
[0204] The intake and delivery of the fluid needs to be controllable by the pilot or other crew and to this end a control system 25 is provided. The control system 25 is connected via control lines (not
shown) to the release valve 5 and to the pumps of the tank-mode fluid intake conduits 10, when present.
[0205] In bucket-mode, the control lines, along with the suspension line 6 are enclosed in a sheath, while in tank-mode, the control lines extend from the control system 25 directly to the release valve 5 and to the pumps of the tank-mode fluid intake conduits 10. The control lines include a pneumatic control line and electric control lines and the control system 25 includes pneumatic pumps operable to control the pressure of gas in the pneumatic lines. Hydraulic control lines could also be used but add weight to the system. Electrical control lines may also be used but would require electrical motors, solenoid valves, switches etc. in the container, increasing weight relative to pneumatic lines. Similarly, power and control of the pumps and release valve 5 may be wireless but would require a relatively higher weight of the container as it would require carrying of a battery or power lines to the container 3.
[0206] Thus, the control system 25 provides a means for the pilot or other crew to control fluid intake to the container 1 and dispensing of fluid from the container 1.
[0207] Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a container that is generally similar to that shown in Figures 1-7. Common reference numerals are used for both embodiments. The embodiment of Figure 9 has a compartment 42 mounted between two spokes 15 of the support mounting 13. This compartment contains part of the control system 25, including a solenoid switching valve that selectively controls pneumatic pressure at the intake conduit pumps and/or valve 5 depending on an electrical signal provided by an electrical control line. Corresponding pneumatic lines (not shown) extend from the switching valve and compartment 42 to the valve 5 and pumps.
[0208] In the first embodiment of figures 1-7, the control system 25 in the helicopter 2 includes the switching valve for controlling pneumatic pressure at the valve 5 and pumps. This necessitates the use of at least two separate pneumatic lines, from the control system 25 to the valve 5, and from the control system to the intake conduit pumps.
[0209] In the second embodiment, shown in Figure 9, only a single pneumatic line is required between the control system 25 in the helicopter 2 and the switching valve compartment 42.
[0210] In the second embodiment, the container coupling 16 includes lift-assist attachment points 43 at either end. These lift-assist attachment points enable attachment of lift strands or hooks. The container 1 may be a significant weight and difficult to lift, particularly where the support mounting 13 needs to be lifted into place to be connected to the cargo hook 19. The lift-assist attachment points provide a means for attaching hooks or clips and enables easier lifting from within the helicopter cabin interior, in contrast to lifting from beneath the helicopter exterior.
[0211] Similar lift-assist attachment points 44 are provided on either side of the intake conduits 10.
[0212] Firefighting fluids can include chemicals, such as fire-retardants, foams, or the like. These chemicals can be corrosive or otherwise cause damage to the helicopter. It's thus important that where such fluids are used, the container includes means for preventing, or at least minimising, exposure of the helicopter to these additives. The container includes cover attachment points in the form of hooks 41 attached to the spoke attachment bolts 40. A removable cover can thus be secured over the bucket-mode fluid intake 8, when operating in tank-mode.
[0213] As mentioned previously, the cargo hook 19 can be actuated by the pilot to open/close the corresponding latching mechanism 34. When operating in bucket-mode, this capability is important in case the container 3 becomes entangled with e.g., a tree, or otherwise needs to be jettisoned in an emergency. However, in tank-mode, there is the converse requirement that the hook is not releasable, to prevent inadvertent jettisoning of the container 3. Prior art tanks such as the Schellaars tanks can't operate in bucket-mode and so this dual-mode capability is not an issue. The Schellaars tanks are physically only detachable by detaching when landed, thereby being incapable of being jettisoned by the pilot or crew in the helicopter.
[0214] Thus, to solve this problem for the present aerial fluid delivery system 1, a helicopter cargo hook circuit 28 is modified to include a specific safety circuit 29, as shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 10.
[0215] The cargo hook 19 motor that controls the opening/closing is connected to a power pack 30, typically provided by the helicopter electrical power but could be an external battery or similar. A switch 31 is provided on the pilot cyclic and connected to the cargo hook 19. The circuit 28 also includes sub-circuit 29 that includes a circuit breaker panel 32 in series with a safety switch 33 acting as an 'armed'/ 'safe' switch for operation in both bucket and tank-modes. In tank-mode, two circuit breakers are pulled from the panel 32 to cause an open circuit and prevent any opening of the cargo hook 19. The cargo hook 19 will remain closed until the circuit breakers are reinserted, safety switch is closed to the 'armed' position and the pilot cyclic switch 31 is closed. Thus, the circuit 28 can be used to prevent the cargo hook 19 from being inadvertently opened.
[0216] In order for the helicopter 2 to travel to the Area of Operation (AO) efficiently, it is desirable to maximise its Velocity to Not Exceed (VNE). Consequently, during transportation to the AO, the container 3 is carried in tank-mode (as shown in figure 1, 4, 6, 7). The container 3 is thus attached to the cargo hook 19 via coupling pin 16 and circuit breakers removed from panel 32. The conduits 10 are either carried detached from tank-mode fluid intakes 9 and carried in the helicopter cabin, or more preferably are attached to tank-mode fluid intakes 9 and provided conduit stows. The suspension line 6 and any control lines are also stowed within the helicopter cabin. A control line(s)
is connected between the control system 25 and container 3 for controlling the release valve 5 and tank-mode fluid intake conduit pumps.
[0217] Depending on the environment and available external fluid reservoir in the AO, the pilot selects to operate in either tank-mode or bucket-mode. If, for example, the external fluid reservoir is a lake or another large open body of water is available, the pilot may choose to operate in tankmode. In contrast, if the only external fluid reservoirs are not safely accessible in tank-mode (e.g. small streams or ponds), then the pilot chooses to operate in bucket-mode.
[0218] If tank-mode is chosen, the helicopter 2 flies to the available fluid source and descends until the tank-mode fluid intake conduit heads 24 are immersed in the fluid. The control system 25 is operated to pump air to the pneumatic motors of the conduit pumps to pump fluid into the container reservoir 4. The helicopter 2 then ascends and flies to the required point of delivery. The release valve 5 is opened to release some, or all, of the fluid as required. The pilot repeats this process as necessary.
[0219] To transition to bucket-mode, the pilot lands, the circuit breakers are reinserted into panel 32, arming switch 33 closed and cyclic switch 31 closed to open the cargo hook latching mechanism 19, releasing the coupling pin 16. The coupling pin 16 is removed, the suspension line sling 17 inserted into the hub 14 and coupling pin 16 reinserted into the hub 14, through the sling 17. The other end of the suspension line 6 also has a sling which is attached to the cargo hook 19. The latching mechanism 19 is closed and safety switch 33 opened to the 'safe' position. A control line is also connected to the control system 25 and to the container 3. The conduits 10 may be detached if required. The helicopter 2 can then ascend to operate in bucket-mode.
[0220] In bucket-mode, the helicopter travels to an external fluid reservoir and descends until the lower portion of the container 3 contacts the fluid of the external fluid reservoir and then either is left to sink or the helicopter 2 moves horizontally to tip the bucket over. In either case, at least part of the bucket-mode fluid intake 8 is immersed below the surface of the fluid and thus fluid enters the container reservoir 4. The helicopter 2 then ascends and flies to the required point of delivery. The release valve 5 is opened to release some, or all, of the fluid as required. The pilot repeats this process as necessary.
[0221] To transition to bucket-mode from tank-mode, the pilot descends until the container 3 lands, then lands nearby. The suspension line 6 and control lines are detached from the helicopter 2 and container 3. The container 3 is then moved to the helicopter 2 or vice versa. Shorter control lines are attached between the control system 25 and container 3. Safety switch 33 is closed to the 'armed' position and cyclic switch is closed to open the cargo hook 19. The coupling pin 16 is then
attached to the cargo hook 19. Circuit breakers removed from panel 32 and safety switch 33 are opened to the 'safe' position. The container is then ready to operate in tank-mode.
[0222] Figure 3 shows a third in-flight fluid-filling mode, wherein the snorkels 10 are left attached while the container 3 is suspended via the suspension line. The helicopter 2 flies to the external reservoir and descends until the fluid intake conduit heads 24 are immersed in the fluid. The control system 25 is operated to pump air to the pneumatic motors of the conduit pumps to pump fluid into the container reservoir 4. The helicopter 2 then ascends and flies to the required location where dispensing is required. This third in-flight fluid-filling mode provides a means to access external reservoirs that are too shallow or too small to immerse the bucket-mode fluid intake.
[0223] As evident from this description, the fluid delivery system's ability to operate in multiple inflight fluid-filling modes offers many advantages over the prior art, including: reduced cost relative to owning and operating both a suspended bucket and a tank; reduced transition time between tank and suspended bucket operations; removing the requirement for a separate transport vehicle to transport a bucket or tank - whichever is not being carried currently by the helicopter;
- enabling mode transition without returning to a support/transport vehicle.
[0224] The prior art is replete with various forms of helicopter tanks and suspended buckets, each including improvements or designed for a specific use. Such prior art has been available ever since helicopters became widely used, with various improvements over the years. The first suspended buckets appeared for use in the 1960s and tanks followed shortly after to solve the problems with buckets. Despite the longevity of such technology, to date the prior art has only included systems that are only capable of operating in either bucket-mode or tank-mode, not both as in the present invention.
[0225] It should be understood that there exist implementations of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects, as may be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described herein. Features and embodiments described above may be combined with and without each other. It is therefore contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principals disclosed and claimed herein.
Claims
1. An aerial fluid delivery system for use with a helicopter, the aerial fluid delivery system including a container for detention and dispensing of a fluid, the container including:
- at least one container reservoir;
- a dispensing system, for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, and characterised in that the aerial fluid delivery system is configured to operate in at least two inflight fluid-filling modes, including:
- a bucket-mode, wherein, during in-flight fluid-filling, the container is suspended beneath the helicopter via a flexible suspension line, the container being suspended below an undercarriage of the helicopter, and
- a tank-mode, wherein, during in-flight fluid-filling, the container is connected to the helicopter such that at least a portion of the container is positioned above the undercarriage.
2. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one container reservoir includes at least one reservoir outlet and the dispensing system includes at least one dispensing system outlet, the container further including:
- at least one bucket-mode fluid intake, enabling in-flight fluid-filling via fluid ingress to the container reservoir when the bucket-mode fluid intake is at least partially immersed in the fluid;
- at least one tank-mode fluid intake, the tank-mode fluid intake including at least one coupling for attaching at least one intake conduit thereto, enabling in-flight fluid-filling via the at least one tank-mode fluid intake.
- at least one flexible side wall, extending between the bucket-mode fluid intake and a said reservoir outlet, the flexible sidewall being collapsible to reduce the distance between the bucket-mode fluid intake and the dispensing system outlet;
- at least one support mounting, positioned at, or adjacent, the bucket-mode fluid intake, the support mounting including at least one container coupling configured to couple to, o at least one flexible suspension line, wherein the container is capable of being suspended beneath the helicopter via the at least one flexible suspension line such that the bucket-mode fluid intake is located below an undercarriage of the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling, and
o a helicopter coupling, wherein the support mounting is capable of being connected to the helicopter via the helicopter coupling such that at least a portion of the support mounting is positioned above the undercarriage during in-flight fluid-filling.
3. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the container includes at least one intake conduit coupled to the at least one coupling of the tank-mode fluid-intake.
4. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-3, wherein the bucket-mode fluid intake is bi-directional enabling both fluid ingress and egress.
5. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-4, wherein the bucket-mode fluid intake is formed as an upper aperture of the container.
6. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any of claims 2-5, wherein the container coupling is directly connectable to the helicopter via a helicopter coupling on the helicopter.
7. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 6, wherein, in the bucket-mode, the container is configured to be coupled to the helicopter coupling via the suspension line, a distal portion of the suspension line being attached to the helicopter coupling.
8. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 6-7, wherein said container coupling is configured to be coupled to the helicopter coupling:
- via the suspension line in the bucket-mode and
- directly to the helicopter coupling in tank-mode.
9. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 6-8, wherein the helicopter coupling is configured to disable detachment of the container coupling during flight when in tank-mode.
10. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 6-9, wherein the container coupling is configured for attachment to a helicopter cargo hook or equivalent releasable attachment mechanism.
11. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-10, wherein the helicopter is provided with a winch, an end of the suspension line, distal to the container coupling, being connected to the winch such that operation of the winch extends and retracts the suspension line and coupled container away and toward the helicopter respectively, wherein the winch is mounted laterally centrally to the helicopter body.
12. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any of claims 2-11, wherein the dispensing system includes a valve capable of reversibly opening to permit fluid flow from the container reservoir outlet to the dispensing system outlet.
13. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any of claims 2-12, wherein the dispensing system outlet includes a tertiary fluid intake, the tertiary fluid intake in fluid communication with a pump to aid in fluid ingress to the fluid reservoir via the tertiary fluid intake.
14. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any of claims 2-13, including at least one pump, configured to pump fluid to the container reservoir via the tank-mode fluid intake conduit.
15. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 14, wherein a said pump is located at one of:
- one end of a tank-mode intake conduit coupled to the tank-mode fluid intake;
- a portion of the tank-mode intake conduit coupled to the tank-mode fluid intake;
- the tank-mode fluid intake, and/or between the tank-mode fluid intake and reservoir.
16. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any of claims 2-15, wherein the container includes at least two said tank-mode fluid intakes, each configured to couple to a corresponding tankmode fluid intake conduit.
17. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tank-mode fluid intakes are located adjacent opposing sides of the container reservoir, and do not extend beyond the lateral width of the helicopter in tank-mode.
18. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the intake conduits are flexible and at least portions of the tank-mode fluid intake couplings are rotatable with respect to the container side wall.
19. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-18, wherein the support mounting is rigidly attached to the side wall and prevents substantial collapse of the attached portion of the side wall in a direction perpendicular to the span between the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlet.
20. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-19, wherein the support mounting is located between the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlet.
21. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-19, wherein the support mounting is located between the bucket-mode fluid intake and dispensing system outlet.
22. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claims 21, wherein the support mounting is at least partially located within the container reservoir.
23. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 21-22, wherein the container coupling is located within the container reservoir.
24. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-23, wherein the support mounting includes a hub, and multiple spokes extending from the hub to the at least one container side wall.
25. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the spokes are attached to the hub at one end and to the at least one container side wall at a distal end.
26. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 24-25, wherein a perimeter frame is attached to the container side wall and the distal ends of the spokes are attached to the perimeter frame, rather than directly to the side wall.
27. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-26, wherein the support mounting and/or container coupling includes at least two lift-assist attachment points for attaching lift strands.
28. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-27, wherein the support mounting maintains the size and configuration of the bucket-mode fluid intake.
29. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-28, wherein the support mounting includes the container coupling.
30. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-29, wherein the container coupling is used to connect the container to the suspension line in bucket-mode and to the helicopter coupling in tank-mode.
31. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-30, wherein the container coupling is located at or adjacent to a central area of the bucket-mode fluid intake, spaced from the perimeter of the bucket-mode fluid intake.
32. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-31, wherein the support mounting includes one or more buffers on upper portions thereof, the buffers constructed from a resilient material.
33. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-32, wherein the support mounting restricts the bucket-mode fluid intake area by less than 50%.
34. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-33, wherein the support mounting does not include any aerodynamic lift or rotation surfaces extending outside of the container.
35. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-33, wherein the at least one sidewall has an exterior surface that is substantially symmetrical about orthogonal vertical bisections of the centre of the container.
36. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the container is constructed with an exterior surface forming one of a:
symmetric truncated ellipsoid;
- asymmetric truncated ellipsoid;
- truncated spheroid;
- truncated teardrop.
37. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-36, wherein, the widest part of the container presented to airflow during horizontal flight of the helicopter is lower than the support mounting and bucket-mode fluid intake.
38. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-37, wherein at least one tankmode fluid intake conduit is attached to the at least one tank-mode fluid intake.
39. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 38, wherein an end of the at least one tankmode fluid intake conduit distal to the tank-mode fluid intake includes at least one inlet, the at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit including a unidirectional valve or equivalent, configured to prevent fluid from exiting the at least one inlet.
40. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said distal end of the tank-mode fluid intake conduit includes a filter or other protective housing over the at least one inlet and/or valve, preventing intake of large objects therein.
41. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 40, wherein the fluid delivery system is configured to operate in bucket-mode with at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit coupled to the at least one tank-mode fluid intake, enabling the container to be filled via the tank-mode fluid intake while being suspended via the suspension line below the helicopter.
42. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the container includes multiple attachment points for securing a removable cover capable of covering the bucket-mode fluid intake when the container is configured in the tank-mode during in-flight fluid-filling.
43. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir outlet and dispensing system outlet are a common outlet.
44. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 2-43, including a control system, the control system operable to provide power to, and control, a valve of the dispensing system and at least one pump in fluid communication with a said tank-mode fluid intake.
45. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 44, including at least one tank-mode control line and at least one bucket-mode control line, wherein the at least one bucket-mode control line is longer than the at least one tank-mode control line.
46. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 45, wherein the at least one bucket-mode control line and/or the at least one tank-mode control line include at least one power line, the at least one power line being a pneumatic power line.
47. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 45 or claim 46, wherein the at least one tankmode control line and the at least one bucket-mode control line include a common line, the common line being retractable from a length required for the bucket-mode to a length required for the tank-mode.
48. The aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 47, wherein the control system includes:
- at least one power pack attached to the container, the power pack providing power to the valve and pump, and
- a wireless control module for receiving signals from a wireless transmitter in the helicopter.
49. A control system for use with the aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 44- 48.
50. A helicopter firefighting bucket, the firefighting bucket including a container for detention and delivery of a fluid, the container including:
- at least one container reservoir, including at least one reservoir outlet;
- a dispensing system, for dispensing the fluid detained in the container reservoir, the dispensing system including at least one dispensing system outlet;
- at least one bucket-mode fluid intake enabling fluid ingress to the container reservoir when the bucket-mode fluid intake is at least partially immersed in a fluid;
- at least one flexible side wall, extending between the bucket-mode fluid intake and the outlet of the container reservoir, the flexible sidewall being collapsible to reduce the distance between the bucket-mode fluid intake and the reservoir outlet;
- at least one support mounting, positioned at, or adjacent, the bucket-mode fluid intake, the support mounting including at least one container coupling configured to couple to at least one flexible suspension line, wherein the container is capable of being suspended beneath the helicopter via the at least one flexible suspension line such that the container is located below an undercarriage of the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling, and characterised in that the container includes:
- a further fluid intake and a corresponding intake conduit, and
- at least one pump for impelling the fluid to the container reservoir via the at least one further fluid intake, wherein, in use, with the entirety of the bucket suspended via the suspension line, the at least one intake conduit extends below the dispensing system outlet.
51. A helicopter, the helicopter including an aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 1-48 or the firefighting bucket of claim 50, the helicopter including at least one helicopter
coupling, wherein the aerial fluid delivery system is configured to operate in the at least two inflight fluid-filling modes, including:
- the bucket-mode, wherein, during in-flight fluid-filling, the container is suspended beneath the helicopter via the flexible suspension line connected to the helicopter coupling, the container being suspended below the undercarriage of the helicopter, and
- the tank-mode, wherein, during in-flight fluid-filling, the container is connected to the helicopter coupling such that at least a portion of the container is positioned above the undercarriage.
52. The helicopter as claimed in claim 51, including at least one control mechanism for preventing actuation of any controls in a helicopter cockpit causing decoupling of the container from the helicopter coupling.
53. The helicopter as claimed in claim 52, wherein the control mechanism includes at least two circuit breakers, each providing an open circuit.
54. A control mechanism for use with the helicopter as claimed in any one of claims 52-53, the control mechanism preventing actuation of any controls in a helicopter cockpit causing decoupling of the container from the helicopter coupling.
55. A method of utilising a aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 1-48, the method including:
- operating the system in bucket-mode and at least partially filling the container reservoir via lowering the container into an external fluid reservoir such that a bucket-mode fluid intake is immersed below a fluid surface level of the external fluid reservoir, and
- operating the system in tank-mode and at least partially filling the container reservoir via lowering of an end of at least one tank-mode fluid intake conduit into the external reservoir, the tank-mode fluid intake conduit coupled to the tank-mode fluid intake of the container.
56. A method of mode transition between in-flight fluid-filling modes of the aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 1-48, the method including configuring the system for bucket-mode by: uncoupling the container from the helicopter,
- attaching the suspension line to the container coupling of the container, and
- attaching the suspension line to the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling.
57. A method of mode transition between in-flight fluid-filling modes of the aerial fluid delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 1-48, the method including configuring the system for tank-mode by: detaching the suspension line from the helicopter and from the container,
attaching the container to the helicopter such that a bucket-mode fluid intake of the container is located above the undercarriage of the helicopter during in-flight fluid-filling.
58. The method of claim 57, further including coupling at least one intake conduit to a tank-mode fluid intake of the container.
59. A method of increasing the ground clearance of a helicopter configured to carry an aerial fluid delivery system, the helicopter having a first set of wheels and undercarriage providing a first ground clearance, the method including installing a second set of wheels with a larger diameter than said first set of wheels, to thereby provide the helicopter with a second ground clearance, greater than said first ground clearance.
60. The method as claimed in claim 59, wherein the difference in radius between wheels of the first and second sets of wheels is preferably equal to, or greater than, the sum of the height of any rigid portions of the aerial fluid delivery system between a dispensing system outlet and a bucket-mode fluid intake of the aerial fluid delivery system.
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NZ797873 | 2023-03-06 | ||
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Citations (5)
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CA2370864A1 (en) * | 2002-02-06 | 2003-08-06 | Peter Leighton Brooke | System and method for drawing fluid into a helicopter bucket |
US20160375284A1 (en) * | 2010-02-19 | 2016-12-29 | Leonard E. Doten | Bucket supported polymer gel emulsion preparation system |
US20200130831A1 (en) * | 2018-10-29 | 2020-04-30 | Valentin Luca | High-Efficiency Method Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Firefighting |
CN111409830A (en) * | 2020-03-31 | 2020-07-14 | 闪东丽 | Fire extinguishing device for forest fire extinguishing |
US20220355931A1 (en) * | 2020-01-17 | 2022-11-10 | Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment Pty Ltd | Tank assembly and helicopter |
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2024
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CA2370864A1 (en) * | 2002-02-06 | 2003-08-06 | Peter Leighton Brooke | System and method for drawing fluid into a helicopter bucket |
US20160375284A1 (en) * | 2010-02-19 | 2016-12-29 | Leonard E. Doten | Bucket supported polymer gel emulsion preparation system |
US20200130831A1 (en) * | 2018-10-29 | 2020-04-30 | Valentin Luca | High-Efficiency Method Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Firefighting |
US20220355931A1 (en) * | 2020-01-17 | 2022-11-10 | Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment Pty Ltd | Tank assembly and helicopter |
CN111409830A (en) * | 2020-03-31 | 2020-07-14 | 闪东丽 | Fire extinguishing device for forest fire extinguishing |
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