Introduction.
[0001] The idea for this machine is to explore the possibility of using modern airships
to fight large forest fires as an alternative or in co-operation with conventional
fire-fighting helicopters and airplanes. As detailed in the description below the
main advantage of this system over the existing equipments is the ability to deliver
a continuous, high flowrate of water both hovering over difficult access areas and
with high mobility not only between different fires fronts but also from base to the
fire site.
[0002] The system is presented in four options, that must be further tested to evaluate
which is more effective, although all four can be very effective in specific conditions.
All models are an assembly and make use of different parts that are already well developed,
proven and available in the market, some examples of which are listed below.
[0003] Modern airships makers like Lockheed Martin, Flyingwhales Cargo-lifter and others
offer a wide range of models complying with the highest airworthiness requirements,
enabling transport of very heavy cargo up to 200 tonnes, with much lower maintenance
and operation costs relative to conventional helicopters and aircraft. Their ability
to hover in the air (stationary float) at different heights, for long periods without
much fuel consumption except for maneuvering purposes is a major asset for fighting
large forest fires. Despite their large dimensions, modern airships can reach speeds
up to 100 km/h which enables them to reach remote and difficult access regions very
promptly.

[0004] To allow the airship to be used for different purposes other than the fire fighting,
all the components are assembled in a portable structure or chassis and suspended
from the airship.

[0006] Model A consists of an airship with two 40 m3 deposits. While the airship is using
one deposit to extinguish the fire the other deposit is refilled on the ground by
water trucks. When the airship deposit runs empty the airship goes back to base and
switches the empty for the full deposit. The permanent frame of the airship holds,
beside the switching deposits, the fire monitor, diesel water pump, and the winch.
The main advantages of this model are the highest freedom of movement all around the
fire front and in hover altitude and the closer proximity to water supply (one tank
is refilled on the ground while using the other) relative to a lake or a dam. The
disadvantages are the high weight (buoyancy) variation during operation, between 5
and 45 tons. a 40 m3 (Ø 2,5 × L 8,0 m) stainless steel cylinder dryweight is 3000
kg.

[0007] Model B consists of an airship with a single permanent deposit and a large hose drum.
In this design the long hose (over 200 meters long) connects the fire monitor of the
airship to a fire truck cistern on the ground allowing for a continuous supply of
water. The 'pros' are the continuous water feed to the airship and the smaller water
tank relative to model A, which makes available more lifting power for cable & hose
pulling and maneuvering. In open fields the hose can be laid on the ground to enable
longer reach. The main disadvantage is the reduction in freedom of movement due to
the permanent connection of the airship to a fixed point on the ground (the cistern
truck) although an anchor to the ground is not a big issue with regards to airships
namely for the safety of operation.

[0008] Model C consists of a large airship and a smaller more maneuverable airship and a
set of suspension helium balloons. This configuration allows for the large airship
to hover over the water source while the satellite balloons allow for the suspension
of a long water hose enabling the smaller airship to reach longer and with more freedom
of movement. The advantages are the longer reach relative to model B allowing for
continuous water feed whilst the hose tensile stresses can be greatly reduced (6 times).
The disadvantages are technically more challenging in order to control/balance/stabilize
the intermediate elements, and the smaller airship (holding the fire nozzle) needs
more thrust power to deal with the hose-pull and water jet reaction force.

[0009] Model D is an extension of model B where the airship transports a bulldozer that
is landed on the ground and makes an intermediate connection between the water supply
trucks and the airship. The bulldozer is able to move quickly in all kinds of difficult
terrain, where the conventional fire trucks cannot reach, whilst bringing the water
hose vertically closer to the airship enabling a continuous water supply. The airship
remains hovering over the bulldozer at a safe height from the ground. The 5 m
3 water tank is intended to work as both inertia and ballast enabling an emergency
upward retreat of the airship by dropping the water.
[0010] The example of the 5500 GPM super pumper below is obviously an exageration and surely,
besides all the power required, such a highflow might result in a waste of water.
[0011] The advantages of the airship are multiple, namely because of the speed it can move
from a hangar to a fire location, the position from where it can point the hose, the
ability to discharge a continuous highflow of water, to swiftly move from one spot
to another only needing the ground gear (bulldozer and fire truck) to be in position
at the required location (for instance an airship hovering over a village under threat
might keep the fire from coming in).
[0012] The turbulence of the atmosphere for an airship near a wildfire presents a challenge
that might be overcame if the ship hovers at a safe altitude @100meters above the
ground, upwind from the fire where the air is cooler, smoke free, which also helps
to draw the water over the fire.
1. • The claim is for a machine combining, in the arrangement described in Discription of the FFFA, a modern cargo-airship, a fire-frame containing a monitor, water pump, reservoir
and an extendable hose to the ground, and an all-road fire-proof vehicle connecting
hoses from the airship and from fire trucks on the ground to provide a continuous,
high flow discharge of water from altitude, resulting in a highly effective tool to
extinguish large forest, industrial and urban fires.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. What is already known from the prior art is the direct connection of a hose from a
water station or a moveable nitrogen making machine, to an airship or helicopter in
the air. The claim is for the technical effect
characterized in that it is a new combination of known elements, designed to provide a continuous, high
flowrate of water over a forest fire occurring in a remote and difficult access location,
comprising:
• A modem airship [1], carrying a frame [2] containing a 150m-plus fire hose in a
motorized hose drum [3], a 5 m3 water tank [4], a 2.5 m3/min-plus fire engine pump [5], and a 50 liter/second-plus
remote controlled fire monitor [6])
• A fire bulldozer [10] carrying a long 200m-plus fire hose in a motorized hose-drum,
able to move in steep and difficult terrain to reach a locus on the ground vertically
below the hovering airship, and connecting to a long hose [3] unrolled from the airship
• A series of fire water trucks [7] enabling a continuous supply of water through
the fire hose extended on the ground by the fire bulldozer, to the airship.