U.S. patent number 3,840,074 [Application Number 05/397,573] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-08 for three way remote controlled dual agent fire fighting turret.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rockwood Systems Corporation. Invention is credited to Langdon S. Clark.
United States Patent |
3,840,074 |
Clark |
October 8, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
THREE WAY REMOTE CONTROLLED DUAL AGENT FIRE FIGHTING TURRET
Abstract
A dual-agent fire fighting turret has an annular first conduit
for a first fire extinguishing agent concentrically positioned
around a second conduit for a second fire extinguishing agent. The
first and second conduits are contained within a rotating outer
jacket. The first conduit is connected in flow communication to a
first, dual-arm, yoke outlet conduit, which in turn is pivotably
connected in flow communication with a first delivery tube. The
second conduit is connected in flow communication with a second
outlet conduit which is in turn pivotably connected in flow
communication with a second delivery tube. A hollow elevation shaft
is slidably mounted within and extends through the first and second
conduits, the upper end being pivotably connected to the delivery
tubes and the lower end having a control handle attached thereto.
The control handle is also connected to the base of the rotating
jacket so that vertical adjustment of the control handle adjusts
the elevation of the delivery tubes, and rotation of the control
handle orients the delivery tubes along a selected azimuth. Control
cables are threaded through the elevation shaft and may be operated
by control cable levers to operate cable actuated flow control
devices located in the delivery tubes.
Inventors: |
Clark; Langdon S. (Cape
Elizabeth, ME) |
Assignee: |
Rockwood Systems Corporation
(South Portland, ME)
|
Family
ID: |
23571743 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/397,573 |
Filed: |
September 17, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
169/24;
239/587.2; 239/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62C
31/24 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A62C
31/00 (20060101); A62C 31/24 (20060101); B05b
001/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;169/24,2R,15
;239/396,390,587 ;285/133,134 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ward, Jr.; Robert S.
Assistant Examiner: Mar; Michael Y.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dual fire extinguishing agent fire turret having
a main body portion comprising a fixed base containing a rotatable
outer jacket mounted therein;
first and second conduits within said main body portion, said first
and second conduits each having respective outlets from said main
body portion, said outlets being located in said outer jacket,
a first delivery tube connected in flow communication with the
outlet of said first conduit, and a second delivery tube connected
in flow communication with the outlet of said second conduit,
an elevation shaft slidably positioned within said main body
portion, the upper end of said elevation shaft extending through an
upper part of said main body portion and being pivotably engaged
with said first and second delivery tubes, and the lower end of
said elevation shaft extending through a lower part of said main
body portion.
means to permit said elevation shaft to be slidably moved relative
to said main body portion, and
means to permit rotation of said outer jacket relative to said
fixed base.
2. The fire turret of claim 1 wherein said elevation shaft is
hollow and at least one of said delivery tubes contains a cable
actuated delivery tube control device, a control cable is threaded
through said elevation shaft, and one end of said cable is
connected to said delivery tube control device.
3. The fire turret of claim 2 wherein said first delivery tube and
said second delivery tube each contain at least one cable actuated
delivery tube control device, at least two control cables are
threaded through said hollow elevation shaft and connected,
respectively, to said cable actuated delivery tube control
devices.
4. The fire turret of claim 2 wherein said control cables are
connected to cable control handles at the end of said cables
opposite from the end which is connected to said cable actuated
delivery tube control device.
5. The fire turret of claim 1 wherein said rotatable outer jacket
contains two outlets for said first conduit, said two outlets are
connected respectively to one each of the arms of a dual-arm yoke
outlet conduit, and said first delivery tube is pivotably mounted
upon said dual-arm yoke outlet conduit.
6. The fire turret of claim 5 wherein said elevation shaft is
pivotably connected to said first delivery tube and said first and
second delivery tubes are connected to each other by delivery tube
connecting means.
7. The fire turret of claim 1 wherein the upper end of said
elevation shaft is connected to one of said delivery tubes and said
first and second delivery tubes are connected to each other by
delivery tube connecting means.
8. The fire turret of claim 1 wherein said means to permit said
elevation shaft to be slidably moved with respect to said main body
portion is a control handle affixed to the lower end of said
elevation shaft, said control handle also being affixed to said
outer jacket to constitute said means to permit rotation of said
outer jacket relative to said fixed base.
9. The fire turret of claim 1 wherein said first and said second
conduits are concentrically positioned with respect to one another
and with respect to said elevation shaft, and said elevation shaft
is located at the center of concentricity.
10. The fire turret of claim 1 wherein said first conduit is
annularly disposed about said second conduit.
11. The fire turret of claim 1 wherein a delivery tube is
adjustably connected to said turret.
12. The fire turret of claim 11 wherein the adjustable connection
of said delivery tube is provided by connecting said delivery tube
to one end of an outlet conduit by a swivel mounting, and
connecting the other end of said outlet conduit to said turret by a
swivel mounting.
13. The fire turret of claim 11 wherein the adjustable connection
of said delivery tube is provided by connecting said delivery tube
to one end of a flexible outlet conduit, the other end of which is
connected to said turret.
14. A dual fire extinguishing agent fire turret comprising a first
conduit connected in flow communication with a dual arm outlet
conduit, thence with a first delivery tube pivotably connected to
said dual arm outlet conduit,
a second conduit connected in flow communication with a second
delivery tube which is adjustably connected to said turret, said
first conduit being annularly disposed about said second
conduit,
connecting means connecting said first delivery tube to said second
delivery tube,
an elevation shaft slidably mounted in said first conduit and
extending therethrough, the upper end of said elevation shaft being
pivotably engaged with said first delivery tube and the lower end
of said delivery shaft extending through and below the lower end of
said first conduit,
said first and second conduits being rotatably mounted in a fixed
base whereby rotation of said first and second conduits rotates
their associated delivery tubes in an azimuth plane, and
said elevation shaft being slidable relative to said first and
second conduits so that sliding movement of said elevation shaft
relative to said first and second conduits adjusts the elevation of
said delivery tubes.
15. The fire turret of claim 14 wherein said elevation shaft is
mounted in a guide sleeve which extends through said second conduit
and is sealed to respectively, the upper and lower ends
thereof.
16. The fire turret of claim 14 wherein said elevation shaft is a
hollow tube and at least one control cable is threaded through said
elevation shaft, with an upper end of said at least one control
cable connected to a cable actuated flow control device, and the
lower end of said at least one control cable is connected to a
cable control handle.
17. The fire turret of claim 14 wherein a control handle is
connected both to the lower end of said elevation shaft and to the
lower end of at least one of said first and second conduits whereby
rotation of said control handle effects rotation of said first and
second conduits and vertical movement of said control handle
effects sliding movement of said elevation shaft relative to said
first and second conduits.
18. The fire turret of claim 14 wherein said elevation shaft and
said first and second conduits are connected to motors, the
operation of which effects adjustment of the elevation of said
elevation shaft and rotation of said first and second conduits.
19. The fire turret of claim 18 wherein said first and second
conduits are contained within an outer jacket which is rotatable
with respect to said fixed base and said outer jacket is connected
to said motors.
Description
The present invention relates to the art of fire fighting turrets,
and more particularly to dual agent fire fighting turrets, i.e.,
those which simultaneously or alternately, at the option of the
operator, deliver two different fire extinguishing agents upon a
fire. Dual agent fire fighting turrets are known, for example, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,567,136 issued Mar. 21, 1971 to G. A. Garrett.
This patent shows a rotating conduit positioned within a stationary
jacket to permit full rotating of the turret without entangling the
fire extinguishing agent feed conduits. Other patents of interest
which attempt to deal with problems similar to those dealt with by
the present invention, are U.S. Pat. No. 2,698,664 and 2,698,665,
both issued Jan. 4, 1955 to H. G. Freeman, and U.S. Pat. No.
2,729,296 issued Jan. 3, 1956 to G. T. Gurney. All these prior art
embodiments suffer from one or more shortcomings which are overcome
by the novel design of the present invention, as will become
apparent in the following description.
Fire fighting turrets are normally mounted on the roof or deck of a
fire fighting truck. The truck normally carries storage tanks, one
or more of which may be pressurized, containing the fire
extinguishing agents and, if one of the fire extinguishing agents
is water, suitable connection means to a source of water under
pressure, such as a fire hydrant.
While dual fire extinguishing agent turrets are highly desirable
because their ability to bring to bear two different types of fire
extinguishing agents makes them more effective in fighting various
types of fires, there are certain problems associated with such
turrets.
One of these is the difficulty of providing remote manual control
of the delivery tubes of a dual agent turret. Remote manual
operation of the turret is highly desirable since it permits
operation of the turret from inside the vehicle enclosure. This
affords the operator protection from the heat and smoke of the fire
and permits operation closer to the fire than would otherwise be
the case.
Another disadvantage of prior art dual agent fire turrets is that
the conventional concentric tube construction of such turrets
reduces the cross-sectional flow area for a turret of given
diameter, thereby increasing the presure drop of the fire
extinguishing agents passing therethrough.
Yet another shortcoming with the prior art fire turret designs is
that when it is desired to provide remote flow control of the
extinguishing agent delivery tubes, as by connecting suitable flow
control devices or nozzles located in the tubes to control cables
which lead to the operator's station, such cables impede free
rotation of the turret and require either a reversal of direction
after 360.degree. of rotation, or the provision of some means to
avoid twisting of the cable by rotation of the turret.
Finally, the delivery tubes of prior art dual agent fire turrets
are offset one from the other in the azimuth plane, so that upon
switching from one agent to another, reorientation of the azimuth
alignment of the turret may be required to place the second agent
at the desired point.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the foregoing
and other shortcomings of prior art dual extinguishing agent fire
turrets, in a turret of simple and novel design.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dual
agent fire fighting turret in which the delivery tube azimuth
orientation, elevation, and individual delivery tube nozzle
adjustment, are all capable of remote manual control.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dual
agent fire fighting turret of low pressure drop characteristics
capable of simultaneously or alternately delivering two separate
fire fighting agents through their respective delivery tubes free
of cross-contamination one with the other.
It is another object of the invention to provide a dual agent
remote controlled fire fighting turret having separate delivery
tubes located along a common centerline in the azimuth plane, and
having nozzle control cables running from the delivery tubes to a
remote control station, which cables do not impede rotation of the
turret.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dual
fire extinguishing agent fire fighting turret providing an annular
first conduit (for a first fire extinguishing agent) concentrically
positioned around a second conduit (for a second fire extinguishing
agent). Both the first and second conduits are contained within and
in part formed by a rotating outer jacket mounted within a fixed
base, and extending to the bottom thereof. The rotating jacket and
fixed base together comprise the main body portion of the turret,
which is closed off at either end by an upper and a lower cap. The
first conduit leads to a first outlet conduit formed in the shape
of a dual-arm yoke, and then to a first delivery tube which is
connected in flow communication to the dual-arm yoke by a pivot
mounting means. The second conduit is connected to a second outlet
conduit which in turn is pivotably connected to a second delivery
tube. An elevation shaft is concentrically positioned within said
main body portion and passes entirely therethrough, extending
beyond the upper and lower ends thereof.
In one aspect of the invention, the rotating outer jacket is closed
at its upper end by an upper cap and the fixed base is closed at
its lower end by a lower cap, and the elevation shaft extends
through these upper and lower caps. The elevation shaft is slidably
mounted in the main body portion of the turret with the top portion
of the elevation shaft pivotally engaged with the delivery tubes so
that vertical movement of the elevation shaft relative to the main
body portion of the turret adjusts the elevation of the delivery
tubes by rotating them about their pivot mounting means. In this
specification and in the claims, description of the elevation shaft
as being "pivotably engaged with" the delivery tubes means that the
shaft is so connected to the tubes that movement of the shaft will
pivot the delivery tubes so as to adjust the elevation thereof. The
elevation shaft need not necessarily be directly connected to both
tubes but, as shown with reference to the specific embodiments
described in more detail below, the shaft may be connected to one
delivery tube, and the other delivery tube may be connected to the
shaft-connected tube so that the other tube is constrained to pivot
with the shaft-connected tube.
Reference in this specification and in the claims to delivery tubes
being "adjustably connected" to another component of the turret
means that the delivery tubes have pivot or any other suitable
connections which permit the delivery tubes to traverse in a
substantially vertical plane so that the elevation of the discharge
ends of the delivery tubes may be adjusted.
A preferred means in accordance with the invention for slidably
seating the elevation shaft within said main body portion of the
turret is to provide a guide sleeve through said main body portion,
and to slidably mount the elevation shaft within said sleeve.
Another aspect of the invention provides for one or more control
cables to pass through the elevation shaft, which is made hollow
for this purpose, from the lower portion thereof through and out
the upper portion thereof, thence to suitable cable-actuated
delivery tube control devices such as nozzles, valves or the like
located in the delivery tubes.
In another aspect of the invention, a handle is affixed to the
lower end of the elevation shaft, and cable control handles, such
as, e.g., levers, are affixed to the ends of the control cables
extending from the lower portion of the elevation shaft. The cable
control levers and the elevation shaft handle are thus located near
each other for the convenience of the operator.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the two delivery tubes are
connected, one to the other, and at least one of the tubes is
adjustably connected, as more fully described hereinbelow, so as to
permit the interconnected tubes to stay at the same elevation
nozzle as they traverse in a vertical plane.
The lower portion of the rotating jacket is provided with a
suitable handle to permit easy rotation of the jacket within the
fixed base, thereby orienting the delivery tubes along any selected
azimuth line. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the
invention, the elevation shaft control handle may be connected by
suitable linkage to the lower portion of the rotating jacket
whereby the one handle serves both to adjust azimuth orientation of
the delivery tubes (by rotating the rotating jacket within the
fixed base) and elevation of the delivery tubes by vertically
moving the elevation shaft relative to the main body portion of the
turret.
In another aspect of the invention, the elevation shaft is directly
connected to one only of the delivery tubes, preferably to the
first delivery tube, and the first and second delivery tubes are
connected to each other by delivery tube connecting means, whereby
movement of the first delivery tube carries the second delivery
tube with it.
The advantages of a dual agent fire turret in accordance with the
present invention, which include overcoming the shortcomings of the
prior art discussed above, will be more readily appreciated by
considering the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment of the invention, including the attached drawings.
In the following detailed description, the components of the
structure through which the first fire extinguishing agent passes
are described as "liquid foam" or simply "liquid" components; the
components through which the second fire extinguishing agent passes
are described as "powder" components. It will be appreciated that
the use of a liquid foam extinguisher and a dry powder extinguisher
is only one possible combination of fire extinguishing agents. Any
other combination of agents may be employed with the turret of the
present invention, such as water and a liquid foam, water and a
powder, or any other fire extinguishing agents in any desired
combination. Further, it is conceivable that the fire turret of the
invention could be mounted in an upside down position relative to
the embodiments illustrated in the Figures. This type of mounting
might be called for if the turret were placed on a platform mounted
at the end of an hydraulically operated boom. In such case, the
operator would stand on control handle side of the mounting panel
(e.g., the bottom side of mounting panel 14 as viewed in FIG. 3)..
Accordingly, reference in the claims to "upper" and "uppermost" and
"lower" and "lowermost" portions of the apparatus and its
components is made relative to the conventional mounting position
shown in FIG. 1. As used in the claims therefore, the terms "upper"
and "uppermost" as applied to the apparatus and/or its component
parts shall means that portion of the apparatus or components at or
nearest the location of the delivery tubes (items 46 and 60 in the
drawings), and the terms "lower" and "lowermost" similarly applied
shall mean that portion of the apparatus or components at or
nearest the operators control handles (items 68, 78 and 80 in the
drawings).
The fire turret of the present invention may of course be affixed
to any suitable fire extinguishing apparatus, such as, for example,
a fire truck, a fire boat, a stationary or a moveable platform,
e.g., a platform at the end of a hydraulically operated boom,
etc.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view in elevation, of a fire truck
equipped with a dual agent fire turret in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of the dual agent fire turret
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partially broken-away rear view in elevation of the
dual agent fire turret shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view taken along line 5--5 in FIG.
2;
FIG. 5 is a sectional plan view taken along line 5--5 in FIG.
2;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention, with arrows showing the flow path of fire fighting
agents therethrough;
FIG. 7 is a partially broken-away rear view in elevation of the
dual agent fire turret shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view taken along line 8--8 of FIG.
7;
FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view taken along line 9--9 of FIG.
7;
FIG. 10 is a partially broken-away side view in elevation of the
turret of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 11 is an outline, broken-away side view in elevation of the
turret of FIG. 6, showing the arrangement of control cables and
levers to remotely operate cable actuated control devices on the
discharge tubes;
FIG. 12 is a partially broken-away side view in elevation of a
third embodiment of the invention, one which is provided with
hydraulic control means.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a fire truck generally
indicated at 10 having a dual agent fire turret generally indicated
at 12 mounted on the mounting panel 14 of body enclosure 20 of
truck 10. A first, liquid foam fire extinguishing agent tank 16 and
a second, powder fire extinguishing agent tank 18 are located
within the body enclosure 20 of fire truck 10. A compressed gas
canister 22 is connected to tank 18 via line 24 and 26. Liquid
inlet conduits 28 and 28a lead from tank 18 to fire turret 12. By
suitable operation of the valves V28, V28a and V30 by control means
(not shown) liquid and/or powder fire fighting agents are delivered
under pressure to fire fighting turret 12.
An operator's station generally shown at 32 is provided within body
enclosure 20. The operator may observe the fire and the direction
of the stream of fire fighting agents discharged from fire turret
12 through windows 34 located in body enclosure 20 and in the door
24 provided therein. Obviously, fire fighting turret 12 may
alternatively be mounted atop the cab portion, generally designated
at 36, of fire truck 10 in which case fire turret 12 would be
operated by an operator seated within the cab 36 of truck 10. As
described in detail below, fire turret 12 has a control handle 68
to permit remote operation of fire turret 12 from operator's
station 32; fire turret 12 also has a direct control handle 15 to
permit direct operation. For this purpose, an operator's deck 17
and handrails 19 are provided atop body enclosure 20.
Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, fire turret 12 is shown in
greater detail. Liquid inlet conduits 28 and 28a (FIG. 3) enter
fixed base 38 from opposite sides thereof. Powder inlet conduit 30
enters the lower portion 38a of fixed base 38. Flange portion 38b
of fixed base 38 is positioned above and secured to mounting panel
14 by bolts 37. As best seen in FIG. 3, liquid inlet conduits 28
and 28a are in liquid flow communication through an annular conduit
88, with a dual arm, yoke-shaped first outlet conduit 40, the
individual arms of which are designated, respectively, 40a and 40b.
Arms 40a and 40b are each in flow communication with a pivot box
42. Pivot box 42 is in turn connected in flow communication with
first (liquid) delivery tube 46 (FIG. 2). First delivery tube 46 is
fitted with a breech 45 in which are formed air entry holes 43.
Pivot box 42 and first delivery tube 46 are supported on a pivot
shaft 44 (best seen in FIG. 3) which is journaled in bosses 48a and
48b located, respectively, in first outlet conduit arms 40a and
40b.
The lower portion of first outlet conduit arms 40a and 40b each
terminate in outer jacket 50, which is rotatably mounted within
fixed base 38 as described in greater detail hereinbelow. The
uppermost portion of outer jacket 50 is closed by an upper cap 52.
The lower portion 38a of fixed base 38 is closed by a lower cap
54.
Powder inlet conduit 30 is in flow communication through a second
annular conduit 90 with a second outlet conduit 56, and then with a
second (powder) delivery tube 60. Second outlet conduit 56 is
connected to outer jacket 50 via upper cap 52. Second outlet
conduit 56 may be made of any suitable flexible tubing or hose so
that it can freely flex and deflect to accomodate changes in the
relative positions of first delivery tube 46 and second delivery
tube 60.
Delivery tube connecting means is provided by a connecting clamp 62
which connects first delivery tube 46 to second delivery tube
60.
A hollow elevation shaft 66 extends through the main body portion
of fire turret 12, the main body portion consisting of fixed base
38 and outer jacket 50, enclosed at either end by, respectively,
upper cap 52 and lower cap 54. As best seen with reference to both
FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end of elevation shaft 66 is connected by
elevation shaft linkage 82 and pins 84 to bosses 83 formed at the
rear-most portion of pivot box 42. A control handle 68 is pivotally
attached to the lower end of elevation shaft 66 by connector pins
70 and control handle linkage 72 mounted on lower cap 54.
A liquid foam control cable 76 is threaded through elevation shaft
66 and cable sheath 76A. The lower end of liquid foam control cable
76 is connected to cable control knob 80a which may be rotated to
advance or withdraw control cable 76. Although in the embodiment of
FIG. 3 only a single control cable is shown threaded through shaft
66, it is apparent that two or more such cables may be employed to
operate nozzles or other devices on the delivery tubes and in
general to provide cables for remote operation, i.e., operation
from the operator's station, of any devices provided on fire turret
12. For example, an arrangement of two control cables is shown in
the embodiment of FIG. 10, wherein the control cables are shown to
better advantage. Accordingly, operation of the control cables is
explained in detail in connection with the description of FIG. 10.
It suffices here to state that cable 76 is connected to a nozzle
control lever 64 (FIG. 2) which operates a flow discharge nozzle
64a by adjusting the opening provided between the upper and lower
jaws thereof.
A support bar 110 is connected at one end via a coil spring 112 to
a shoulder lug 114 bolted to the top of arm 40b of first outlet
conduit 40. At its other end, support bar 110 is fastened to
connecting clamp 62. This arrangement provides additional support
for delivery tubes 46 and 60.
Reference should now be made to FIG. 10 wherein the internal
construction of fire turret 12 is more clearly shown. FIGS. 6-11
show a different embodiment of the invention from that shown in
FIGS. 2-5, but the internal structure is similar, and similar parts
are identically numbered to those shown in the FIGS. 2-5
embodiment. Although the following description pertains to FIG. 10,
reference can also be made to FIG. 3 in connection therewith,
because of the similarity of internal structure.
A guide sleeve 65 extends within the main body portion of turret 12
through second conduit 90 downwardly to and through lower cap 54 at
the bottom of fire turret 12, and upwardly to and through upper cap
52 at the top of fire turret 12. Guide sleeve 65 is affixed in leak
proof relationship to upper cap 52 and to lower cap 54 so that fire
extinguishing agents which pass through second conduit 90 of turret
12 do not leak therefrom. As shown, elevation shaft 66 is slidably
received within guide sleeve 65 and extends beyond both ends
thereof.
At its upper end, elevation shaft 66 is connected by linkage 82 to
delivery tube 46 by means of a boss 83 at the rear of pivot box
42.
Outer jacket 50 is mounted within fixed base 38 by means of upper
thrust bearings 33 and lower thrust bearings 35, so that outer
jacket 50 rotates relative to fixed base 38. Thrust bearings 33 and
35 provided lateral support for rotating outer jacket 50, and
facilitate rotation thereof within fixed base 38. A plurality of
O-rings 51 help to provide sealing between first conduit 88 and
second conduit 90, and to prevent any cross-leakage of fire
extinguishing agents between the first and second conduits.
An inner sleeve 86 is concentrically positioned within the main
body portion of turret 12, and extends within outer jacket 50
downwardly into fixed base 38. First (liquid foam) conduit 88 is
formed between the outer walls of inner sleeve 86 and the inner
walls of outer jacket 50. Second (powder) conduit 90 is formed
between the inner walls of inner sleeve 86 and the outer walls of
guide sleeve 65.
AS best seen with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10, liquid inlet conduits
28 and 28a are in liquid flow communication with the lower portion
of first conduit 88. A series of gates 49 (FIG. 9) formed along the
periphery of the lower portion 50a of outer jacket 50 are adjacent
the entry area of liquid from conduit 28 and 28a. Liquid flows in
the direction shown by the arrows in FIGS. 9 and 10 from liquid
conduits 28 and 28a through race 47 and gates 49, thence into first
(liquid) conduit 88. As best seen with respect to FIGS. 7 and 10
jointly, first conduit 88 is in liquid flow communication through
outlet openings 89a and 89b with, respectively, arms 40a and 40b of
first (liquid) outlet conduit 40, then with pivot box 42 and
delivery tube 46.
Referring jointly to FIGS. 8 and 10, powder inlet conduit 30 is in
flow communication with the lower portion of powder conduit 90. A
series of gates 29 (FIG. 8) are formed along the periphery of the
lower portion 50b of rotating jacket 50 adjacent the entry area of
powder conduit 30. As shwon by the arrows in FIGS. 8 and 10, the
powder enters from powder conduit 30 through race 27 and gates 29,
thence into second (powder) conduit 90. As best seen with respect
to FIGS. 7 and 10 jointly, second conduit 90 is in flow
communication through outlet opening 92 with second (powder) outlet
conduit 56. Both first outlet conduit 40 and second outlet conduit
56 are rigidly affixed to outer rotating jacket 50, directly so, in
the case of first outlet conduit 40 and through upper cap 52 in the
case of second outlet conduit 56, so that discharge tubes 46 and 60
are constrained to rotate with outer jacket 50.
Operation of fire turret 12 to adjust the elevation and azimuth
orientation of discharge tubes 46 and 60 by means of control handle
68 is as follows.
Rotation of outer jacket 50 within fixed base 38 is obtained
manually by rotating control handle 68 about the vertical
longitudinal axis of fixed base 38. Control handle 68 being
connected by linkage 72 to lower cap 54, it serves to rotate outer
jacket 50 relative to fixed base 38.
First outlet conduit 40 and second outlet conduit 56, being affixed
to outer jacket 50, are carried, together with their associated
delivery tubes 46 and 60, into any desired azimuth orientation by
rotation of outer jacket 50.
Vertical movement of control handle 68 operates linkage 72 to move
elevation shaft 66 in a vertical direction relative to guide shaft
65; this movement pivots first delivery tube 46 about pivot shaft
44, to adjust the elevation of first delivery tube 46. Upward
movement of elevation shaft 66 lowers the elevation of delivery
tube 46, and downward movement of elevation shaft 65 raises the
elevation of delivery tube 46. Second delivery tube 60 is
constrained to move with first delivery tube 46 by connecting clamp
62, so that the movement of elevation shaft 66 by control handle 68
simultaneously and correspondingly adjusts the elevation of both
delivery tubes. Since second (powder) outlet conduit 56 is
adjustably connected to outer jacket 50, it can accomodate the
elevation changes of first delivery tube 46.
One respect in which the FIGS. 6-11 embodiment differs from that of
FIGS. 2-5 is that the adjustable connection of outlet conduit 56 is
here obtained by the use of swivel joint connections 58 and 58a.
The lower portion 56a of second outlet conduit 56 is connected by a
swivel connection 58 to second outlet conduit 56; received outlet
conduit 56 is connected by a second swivel connection 58a to
discharge tube 60. These swivel connections permit changes in the
angle formed between the longitudinal axes of second outlet conduit
56 and discharge tube 60, which is necessary to accomodate
elevation changes of the discharge tubes.
Referring now generally to FIGS. 2-5 inclusively, the main features
of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2-5 are seen to
generally correspond to the FIGS. 6-11 embodiment described
above.
The following differences should however be noted. In the FIGS. 2-5
embodiment, second outlet conduit 56 is of a different type in that
instead of employing swivel joints so that discharge tube 60 can
follow changes in elevation with discharge tube 46, second outlet
conduit 56 is here made of a flexible tube material. Any suitable
rubber or plastic material tube or a tube of corrugated
construction would be suitable, so long as second outlet conduit 56
may flex and change its shape to accomodate changes in elevation of
the delivery tubes. Thus, the two different embodiments of second
outlet conduit 56 are each seen to provide an adjustable
connection, in the one case by the employment of swivel mountings
to connect a rigid tube which forms the second outlet conduit 56,
and in the other case by providing second outlet conduit 56 in the
form of a flexible, deformable tube.
It is also to be noted that in the FIGS. 2-5 embodiment, the
longitudinal axis of powder inlet conduit 30 is substantially
perpendicular to the common longitudinal axis of liquid inlet
conduit 28, 28a as compared to the FIGS. 6-11 embodiment wherein
the respective longitudinal axes are substantially parallel. It
will be apparent from the construction of the fire turret of the
invention, that the respective first and second fire extinguishing
agent, eg, powder and liquid, inlet conduits may be arranged in any
desired convenient manner insofar as relation of their respective
longitudinal axes is concerned. This is an advantageous feature,
since the operator's station may be contained within confined
quarters within the truck cab or body enclosure, and a selection of
arrangements of the respective powder and liquid inlet conduits may
be essential to making most efficient use of the available
space.
The different design details of the two described embodiments
should not obscure the fact that the basic concept of design is
identical in that a rotatable yoke outlet is provided for one of
the fire extinguishing agents, a hollow elevation shaft is provided
which permits remote control simultaneously of azimuth orientation
and elevation of the discharge tubes, and that one or more control
cables may be threaded through the elevation shaft to provide
remote control of cable actuated devices on the discharge
tubes.
FIG. 6 shows, by means of continuous line arrows passing through a
phanthom (with respective to the arrows) perspective view of the
turret, the flow path of fire extinguishing agents through the
turret. A dual flow path is provided for one of the agents at a
point where there would otherwise be a "bottleneck."
As hereinabove stated, the FIGS. 6-11 embodiment well illustrates
the provision of a plurality of control cables.
Referring now particularly to FIGS. 11, in which many of the
details of construction shown in FIG. 10 have been omitted for
clarity, two control cables 74 and 76 are provided, each sheathed,
respectively, in cable sheathes 74a and 76a. Control cable 74 is
connected at its lower end to a cable lever 78, and control cable
76 is connected at its lower end to a cable lever 80. Control
cables 74, 76 are threaded through hollow elevation shaft 66, as is
well shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. At its upper end, control cable 74 is
connected to a flow control lever 81. Flow control lever 81 is
connected to a suitable cable-actuated device 112 located within
second delivery tube 60 which device controls the dispersal pattern
and flow of powder passing therethrough. Such devices and means for
controlling them by cables are well known in the art and need not
be further described herein.
Similarly, control cable 76 is connected to flow control lever 64,
which operates a suitable cable-actuated foam dispersal nozzle 114
located at the discharge end of deliverly tube 60. The control
cables, as described herein above, may also be employed, as is
known in the art, to align a selected one of two or more pivot
mounted nozzles with the outlet of the delivery tube and to perform
any other desired control function with respect to the delivery
tubes. All such delivery tubes, dispersal flow control nozzles or
other devices which are remote controlled by cable are referred to
in the claims as "cable actuated delivery tube control
device(s)."
Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown an embodiment of the
invention substantially similar to that shown in the previous two
embodiments and, in fact, identical to that shown in the FIGS. 6-11
embodiment except that in place of the manually operated control
handles 68, hydraulic motor means are provided to control the
elevation and azimuth orientation of delivery tubes 46 and 60. The
components of the FIG. 12 embodiment which are identical or similar
to those of the FIGS. 6-10 embodiment have the same designating
numeral.
As shown in FIG. 12, the lower portion 38a of fixed base 38 has
affixed thereto a driven gear 94. A drive gear 96 is affixed to a
drive shaft 98 of a motor 100. Obviously any suitable motor,
hydraulically or electrically operated, may be employed. Motor 100
and associated gears 94 and 96 are contained within an enclosure
box 102. By suitable and well known controls (not shown) motor 100
may be operated to rotate shaft 98 and thereby to drive gears 94
and 96 so that a desired azimuth orientation of first delivery tube
46 and second delivery tube 60 may be selected and maintained.
The lower portion of elevation shaft 66 is connected by a linkage
104 to a piston shaft 106. Piston shaft 106 is contained within an
hydraulic cylinder 108 and upon operation of a suitable control
mechanism (not shown) piston shaft 106 may be adjusted upwardly or
downwardly as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7 to raise or lower
elevation shaft 66, thereby adjusting the elevation of first
delivery tube 46 and second delivery tube 60 in the manner earlier
described with reference to the manually operated embodiment of the
invention.
It will be seen that the novel structure of the invention has the
advantage of providing a dual fire extinguishing turret which may
conveniently be remotely operated by either manual or motor driven
means, which provides two delivery tubes along the same centerline
in the azimuth plane, and in which elevation and azimuth
orientation of both delivery tubes may be simultaneously controlled
by a single operator.
In general, one of the two delivery tubes may simply be pivot
mounted to accomodate changes in elevation and the second tube may
be connected to the first tube by any suitable delivery tube
connecting means and adapted to follow the elevation changes of the
first delivery tube by being provided with an adjustable connection
to outer jacket 50. The adjustable connection may take the form, as
in the embodiment specifically described, of a flexible tube or
hose connection such as a corrugated flexible tubing, by providing
a series of swivel joint connections or by a suitable telescoping
connection (not specifically illustrated). All such adaptable or
adjustable connections are intended to be included within the
phrase "adjustable connection" as used in the specification and the
claims.
For clarity of description, numerous valves, controls and gauges
whose construction and use is well-known, have been omitted from
this specification and the drawings.
While the invention has been described in some detail in relation
to specific embodiments thereof it will be apparent that upon a
reading and understanding of the foregoing description many
modifications and alterations which are nonetheless within the
spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art. It is intended to include all such
modifications and alterations within the scope of the appended
claims.
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