WO2025165471A1 - Système d'attaque incendie d'hélicoptère - Google Patents

Système d'attaque incendie d'hélicoptère

Info

Publication number
WO2025165471A1
WO2025165471A1 PCT/US2024/059967 US2024059967W WO2025165471A1 WO 2025165471 A1 WO2025165471 A1 WO 2025165471A1 US 2024059967 W US2024059967 W US 2024059967W WO 2025165471 A1 WO2025165471 A1 WO 2025165471A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tank
expandable
expandable tank
actuator
helicopter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2024/059967
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Luecke
Rafael Rivera
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Simplex Manufacturing Co
Original Assignee
Simplex Manufacturing Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Simplex Manufacturing Co filed Critical Simplex Manufacturing Co
Publication of WO2025165471A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025165471A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C29/00—Fire-fighting vessels or like floating structures
    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C35/00—Permanently-installed equipment
    • A62C35/02—Permanently-installed equipment with containers for delivering the extinguishing substance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
    • B64C27/00—Rotorcraft; Rotors peculiar thereto
    • B64C27/04—Helicopters

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to the field of helicopter systems used for extinguishing a fire. More particularly, the disclosure relates to helicopter fire attack systems.
  • Both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft have been used for the purpose of wildfires firefighting and are configured to receive and drop a quantity of water. Helicopters provide greater maneuverability compared to fixed-wing.
  • a liquid such as water or any fire-retardant material, or combination thereof, is typically transported to a fire site by the aircraft, typically via a bucket, or airframe-mounted water tank.
  • the liquid is typically onloaded through a semi rigid snorkel pump that extends below the aircraft is lowered from the helicopter into the liquid source, such as a body of water.
  • the snorkel pump is attached to the fuselage, which presents some issues with respect to the aerodynamics and handling of the helicopter.
  • An alternate type of the snorkel pump is a Retractable Snorkel Pump (RSP).
  • This snorkel pump system consists of a soft hose material that can be deployed for fill operations and retracted for quicker response times to and from the fire. The retracted snorkel pump allows for increased flight speeds.
  • Known devices in the art include for example the Helitak systems (see FIG. 1 and FIG.2), the recoil system (see FIG.3), and the Timberline system and (see FIG.4). These systems present the disadvantages of not having any ability for ground fill operations, in part because the collapsed tanks fill the internal area.
  • the present application provides a tank configured to be connected to a helicopter, said tank comprising an actuator for controlling a capacity of said tank, wherein said actuator is disposed inside said tank.
  • a tank configured to be connected to a helicopter, said tank comprising an actuator for controlling a capacity of said tank and an expandable skirt.
  • an expandable tank comprising: an upper shell; a bottom shell configured to be movable between a fully expanded position and a collapsed position; a sidewall connected to the upper and lower shells, defining a tank space therebetween configured for retaining a liquid, wherein the sidewall is expandable between the fully expanded position and the collapsed position; and at least one actuator connected to the upper shell and to the bottom shell, and configured to move the bottom shell at any position between the fully expanded position and the collapsed position such as to control a volume of the tank space, wherein the at least one actuator is disposed at least partially inside the tank space; wherein the expandable tank is configured to be mounted to a helicopter.
  • an expandable tank of the present application for firefighting applications. Further included is use of an expandable tank of the present application wherein the helicopter is landed on the ground for filing with the liquid.
  • the present application further includes use of at least one actuator for adjusting a volume of a tank space in an expandable tank, wherein said at least one actuator is disposed inside said tank.
  • the present application also provides a method for controlling a volume of an expandable tank mounted on a helicopter, comprising adjusting a bottom shell of the expandable tank with at least one actuator, wherein said at least one actuator is at least partially disposed inside said expandable tank.
  • a method for firefighting using an expandable tank of the present application comprising: controlling the volume of the expandable tank space by actuating the at least one actuator to select a predetermined volume; filing the tank space with the liquid; and discharging the liquid at the predetermined fire location for firefighting.
  • the present application further provides a method for filing a bellymounted helicopter firefighting expandable tank, the method comprising: selecting a predetermined volume of the expandable tank, controlling the volume of the expandable tank to the predetermined volume; filing the expandable tank with a liquid while the helicopter is on the ground.
  • a method for firefighting with a belly-mounted helicopter firefighting expandable tank comprising: filing the expandable tank with a liquid when the helicopter is on the ground; taking off to a predetermined fire location; and discharging the liquid at the predetermined fire location for firefighting.
  • FIG.1 shows helicopter firefighting systems of the prior art.
  • FIG.2 shows a helicopter firefighting system of the prior art, in dropping mode.
  • FIG.3 shows a helicopter firefighting system of the prior art, in dropping mode.
  • FIG.4 shows a helicopter firefighting system of the prior art.
  • FIG.5 shows helicopter firefighting systems of the prior art, in dropping mode.
  • FIG.6 shows a helicopter firefighting system of the prior art.
  • FIG.7 shows a helicopter firefighting system mounted on the helicopter, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.8 shows a side view of an expandable tank according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.9A shows a perspective view of an expandable tank according to exemplary embodiments of the application
  • FIG.9B shows a side view of an expandable tank in collapsed position (top) and in an expanded position (bottom).
  • FIG.10 shows a partial side view of an expandable tank according to exemplary embodiments of the application, showing an actuator within the tank space and an enlarged view thereof.
  • FIG.11 shows views of an actuator according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.12 shows a truncated view of an actuator according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.13 shows a top perspective view of an expandable tank connected to a filling device, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.14 shows a top perspective view of an expandable tank with transparency of the upper shell to show internal parts, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.15 shows a top perspective view of an expandable tank with sidewall position control assembly, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.16 shows a sidewall position control assembly, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.17 shows a sidewall position control assembly, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.18 shows a sidewall configuration, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.19 shows a sidewall configuration, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.20 shows a stabilization mechanism on the expandable tank, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG.21 shows a stabilization mechanism, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • FIG .22 shows a helicopter firefighting system mounted on the helicopter, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.
  • the second component as used herein is different from the other components or first component.
  • a “third” component is different from the other, first, and second components, and further enumerated or “additional” components are similarly different.
  • suitable means that the selection of the particular components or conditions would depend on the specific steps to be performed, the identity of the components to be used and/or the specific use for the components, but the selection would be well within the skill of a person trained in the art.
  • the expandable tank systems of the application may provide: minimal expansion allowing for potentially greater speeds during drop, ground fill capabilities, a customizable maximum fill volume for greater safety, reduced potential for overfill during different operational situations, Retractable Snorkel Pump (RSP) option allowing for potentially quicker mission turn times, superior drop pattern.
  • RSP Retractable Snorkel Pump
  • the present application includes an expandable tank comprising: an upper shell; a bottom shell configured to be movable between a fully expanded position and a collapsed position, a sidewall connected to the upper shell and to the bottom shell, defining a tank space therebetween configured for retaining a liquid, wherein the sidewall is expandable between the fully expanded position and the collapsed position, at least one actuator connected to the upper shell and to the bottom shell, and configured to move the bottom shell at any position between the fully expanded position and the collapsed position such as to control a volume of the tank space, wherein the at least one actuator is disposed at least partially inside the tank space, wherein the expandable tank is configured to be mounted to a helicopter.
  • the at least one actuator connected to the upper shell and to the bottom shell refers to the actuator being fixed to or mounted on the upper shell and the bottom shell.
  • the actuator disposed at least partially inside the tank space refers to at least 50% of the length of the actuator, or at least 75%.
  • the actuator comprises a piston, an electrical drive unit and a rotational drive mechanism and at least the piston portion is inside the tank space.
  • the piston and the electrical drive unit are inside the tank space.
  • the rotational drive mechanism protrudes or is at the surface of the upper shell.
  • the at least one actuator is configured to move the bottom shell to at least one partially expanded position.
  • the bottom shell in the at least one partially expanded position, the bottom shell is in contact with the ground when the helicopter is landed. In some embodiments, in the at least one partially expanded position, the bottom shell is just above the ground when the helicopter is landed.
  • the configuration of the expandable tank of the application allows for the ground fill capabilities, a customizable maximum fill volume for greater safety and reduced potential for overfill.
  • the expandable tank in the at least one partially expanded position, is configured to receive the liquid when the helicopter is landed.
  • the upper shell is configured to be connected to the fuselage of the helicopter.
  • the expandable tank is configured to be connected to the fuselage of the helicopter such that the bottom shell is above a landing gear.
  • the expandable tank configured to be connected to the fuselage refers to fixed on or mounted on the fuselage.
  • the upper shell and the bottom shell each comprises a composite material shell, metallic structural elements, and metallic attachments points.
  • the metallic structural elements may serve to provide a higher level of solidity, rigidity, durability or the like, to the upper shell and bottom shell, and the metallic attachments points may serve as hardpoints for attachments/connections to other components.
  • the composite material is carbon fiber.
  • the bottom shell comprises at least one discharge door configured to discharge, upon opening, the liquid to be retained in the tank space.
  • the sidewall is connected to the upper shell and to the bottom shell, refers to the sidewall being fixed to or mounted on the upper shell and the bottom shell.
  • the sidewall is a flexible skirt (soft skirt), a telescopic sidewall, or a membrane.
  • the sidewall is made of a polymeric membrane.
  • the tank further comprises a sidewall position control assembly connected to the sidewall configured to guide the sidewall within the tank space when moving to the collapsed position. Without being bound to theory, such an assembly will assist in minimizing external exposure of the sidewall, for example, avoiding the sidewall flapping out when the helicopter is flying, exposure to harsh weather and the like, etc.
  • the upper shell comprising at least one filling port for providing the liquid within the tank space when the helicopter is landed.
  • the upper shell may be provided with a water filling port, a foam filling port, etc.
  • the expandable tank is configured to be coupled with a filling device for providing the liquid within the tank space.
  • the filling device comprises a pump.
  • the pump is provided with a connector for fitting with a complementary connector of a filling pipe, such as a retractable snorkel.
  • the retractable snorkel is configured to extend below the helicopter such that it may extract water from a body of water upon flying over.
  • the at least one actuator is a gas-spring right angle actuator, a vertical actuator or an angled actuator.
  • the expandable tank comprises at least two actuators.
  • the expandable tank comprises at least four actuators. It will be appreciated that the number of actuators may vary depending on the size of the tank, the weight of the bottom shell, the size and power of each actuator. The selection of an appropriate number of actuators will be within the purview of a skilled person in the art.
  • the expandable tank further comprises a controller for controlling the at least one actuator.
  • the controller reverts the bottom shell to the collapsed position upon discharge of the liquid.
  • the controller is manually or automatically controlled.
  • the volume of the tank space is adjustable to set a maximum volume.
  • the volume of the tank space is set by the at least one actuator such that it is independent on the liquid loading weight.
  • the at least one actuator is inoperative when liquid is present within the tank space.
  • the expandable tank further comprises a stabilization mechanism connected to the bottom shell and the upper shell configured to provide stability upon moving the bottom shell between the fully expanded position and the collapsed position.
  • the stabilization mechanism is a scissor-like extendable assembly.
  • the liquid is water, a flame retardant chemical, or a combination thereof.
  • the tank will be equipped with four right-angle actuators designed to regulate the maximum volume levels of the tank.
  • the design negates the necessity for the actuators to function under the influence of any loading from the weight of water; their sole purpose is to adjust the lower section of the tank to establish the maximum water fill volume.
  • the lower portion can automatically revert to its fully collapsed position.
  • the stop limit set by the actuators will remain in place unless a modification is initiated for the maximum volume via the controller.
  • adjustments to the tank volume will be precluded when water is present in the tank.
  • the rotary actuator is enclosed in a waterproof enclosure, Line Replaceable Unit (LRU jcompatible, and made of all aluminum/SS construction.
  • LRU Line Replaceable Unit
  • the actuator may be a stepper motor produced by Nanotec-Unit, but one skilled in the art will appreciate that other suitable actuators may be used.
  • the expandable tank of the present application are configured for use on a helicopter chosen from Airbus Super Puma models AS332L, AS332L1 , AS332L2, and EC225LP aircraft
  • the present applicant includes use of an expandable tank for firefighting applications.
  • the present application further includes use of at least one actuator for adjusting a volume of a tank space in an expandable tank, wherein said at least one actuator is disposed inside said tank.
  • the present application also includes a method for controlling a volume of an expandable tank mounted on a helicopter, comprising adjusting a bottom shell of the expandable tank with at least one actuator, wherein said at least one actuator is disposed inside said expandable tank.
  • a method for firefighting using an expandable tank of the present application comprising: controlling the volume of the expandable tank space by actuating the at least one actuator to select a predetermined volume; filing the tank space with the liquid; and discharging the liquid at the predetermined fire location for firefighting.
  • the present application also includes a method for filing a belly-mounted helicopter firefighting expandable tank, the method comprising: selecting a predetermined volume of the expandable tank, controlling the volume of the expandable tank to the predetermined volume; filing the expandable tank with a liquid while the helicopter is on the ground.
  • controlling the volume of the expandable tank comprises adjusting a bottom shell between at any position at any position between a fully expanded position and a collapsed position, optionally at a partially expanded position when the helicopter is on the ground.
  • controlling the volume of the expandable tank comprises adjusting a bottom shell between at any position at any position between a fully expanded position and a collapsed position with at least one actuator disposed inside the expandable tank.
  • controlling the volume of the expandable tank comprises adjusting a bottom shell between at any position at any position between a fully expanded position and a collapsed position with at least one actuator disposed inside the expandable tank, wherein at a partially expanded position when the helicopter is on the ground.
  • the present application further provides a method for firefighting using an expandable tank, the method comprising: filing the expandable tank with a liquid when a helicopter is on the ground; taking off to a predetermined fire location; and discharging the liquid at the predetermined fire location for firefighting.
  • an exemplary expandable tank 10 of the application is shown, mounted to a helicopter 20, in a collapsed position.
  • Bottom shell 30 is shown, comprising discharge doors 40, 40’.
  • a filling device 50 where filing pipe or snorkel 60 is retracted.
  • FIG.10 one actuator 90 can be seen within tank space 70, between bottom shell 30 and upper shell 80 and an enlarged view of an exemplary actuator is shown (right).
  • the sidewall 1 10 is also shown on this figure of exemplary expandable tank 10 in an expended position.
  • Exemplary actuator 90 is further shown in FIG.11 where a gas-spring piston 120 can be seen from a perspective view (left) and a side view (middle).
  • Actuator 90 is configured to connected to the upper shell 80 through its upper portion 130 and operatively connected to the bottom shell 30 through its lower portion 140.
  • FIG.13 a perspective view of expandable tank 10 is shown in a collapsed position, showing upper shell 80, connecting portion 100 of filing device 50 (enclosing a pump not shown) with filing pipe or snorkel 60 extending out, upper portions of four actuators 90, 90A, 90B, 90C connected to the upper shell 80, and further showing stabilization mechanism 150 (shown further in FIG. 20 and FIG.21).
  • FIG.13 also shows embodiments comprising a water ground fill port 52, a foam fill port 54, drop vents 65
  • FIG.14 shows a perspective view of the bottom shell 30 with lower portions of four actuators 90, 90A, 90B, 90C connected to the bottom shell, and controller board 160.
  • FIG.15 shows sidewall 1 10 between bottom shell 30 and upper shell 80.
  • FIG.16 illustrates an exemplary sidewall position control assembly 170 and FIG.17 is a schematic representation thereof, where assembly 170 is configured to guide sidewall 110 within the tank space 70 when returned in the collapsed position, to minimize external exposure.
  • FIG.18 and FIG.19 shows alternate embodiments of configurations of sidewall 1 10, where the shape will vary in function of the shape of the bottom shell and upper shell.
  • FIG. 20 shows an exemplary stabilization mechanism 150 mounted on the side of expandable tank 10, connected to bottom shell 30 and upper shell 80 (left) and exemplary positions of four stabilization mechanisms 150 (right), shown as positions as #1 , #2, #3 and #4.
  • Stabilization mechanism 150 is shown enlarged in FIG.21 with upper portion 152 to be mounted to upper shell and lower portion 154 to be mounted to the bottom shell, and intermediate scissor-like portion 156.
  • Stabilization mechanism 150 may be used to increase stability of the tank assembly upon actuation between the fully expanded position and the collapsed position, and all positions therebetween.
  • FIG. 22 shows exemplary expandable tank 10 of the application, mounted to a helicopter 20, in a collapsed position with filing pipe or snorkel 60 extended ready for filling.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des systèmes d'attaque d'hélicoptère. Ces systèmes peuvent comprendre un réservoir réglable et/ou commandable. En effet, le volume du réservoir peut être ajusté puisqu'il comprend une jupe expansible et un actionneur pour augmenter ou diminuer la distance entre une coque inférieure et une coque supérieure du réservoir, ce qui permet d'augmenter ou de diminuer la capacité du réservoir ou le volume interne.
PCT/US2024/059967 2024-01-30 2024-12-13 Système d'attaque incendie d'hélicoptère Pending WO2025165471A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202463626665P 2024-01-30 2024-01-30
US63/626,665 2024-01-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025165471A1 true WO2025165471A1 (fr) 2025-08-07

Family

ID=96591336

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2024/059967 Pending WO2025165471A1 (fr) 2024-01-30 2024-12-13 Système d'attaque incendie d'hélicoptère

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2025165471A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3661211A (en) * 1970-06-17 1972-05-09 Powers And Hawkins Enterprises Firefighting apparatus
US3714987A (en) * 1971-05-17 1973-02-06 L Mattson Helicopter supported aerial fire suppressant applicator
US20100018725A1 (en) * 2006-12-11 2010-01-28 Constantino Ramos Rodriguez Helibucket for Firefighting Helicopters
US20220339478A1 (en) * 2021-04-25 2022-10-27 Victor D. Trotter Aerial Firefighting Systems and Methods With Positive Displacement Liquid Sensing to Control Valve Position
US20220355931A1 (en) * 2020-01-17 2022-11-10 Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment Pty Ltd Tank assembly and helicopter

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3661211A (en) * 1970-06-17 1972-05-09 Powers And Hawkins Enterprises Firefighting apparatus
US3714987A (en) * 1971-05-17 1973-02-06 L Mattson Helicopter supported aerial fire suppressant applicator
US20100018725A1 (en) * 2006-12-11 2010-01-28 Constantino Ramos Rodriguez Helibucket for Firefighting Helicopters
US20220355931A1 (en) * 2020-01-17 2022-11-10 Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment Pty Ltd Tank assembly and helicopter
US20220339478A1 (en) * 2021-04-25 2022-10-27 Victor D. Trotter Aerial Firefighting Systems and Methods With Positive Displacement Liquid Sensing to Control Valve Position

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