The disclosure is directed to systems and methods for autonomously picking up water in support of fire fighting missions using aerial vehicles. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to systems and methods for picking up water in support of fire fighting missions using onboard sensing and decision making processes with application of the fire retardant using unmanned aerial vehicles.

The disclosure is directed to systems and methods for autonomously picking up water in support of fire fighting missions using aerial vehicles. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to systems and methods for picking up water in support of fire fighting missions using onboard sensing and decision making processes with application of the fire retardant using unmanned aerial vehicles.

A pump intake pressure control apparatus includes a conduit joining a pump to either a pressurized or unpressurized liquid source, a flow controller configured to control the flow of liquid through the intake conduit, pressure sensors for detecting the pressure of the liquid in the intake conduit upstream and downstream of the flow controller, and an electronic master controller programmed to receive input from the pressure sensors and to actuate the flow controller to reduce the pressure downstream of the flow controller to a predetermined approximate value.

A pump intake pressure control apparatus includes a conduit joining a pump to either a pressurized or unpressurized liquid source, a flow controller configured to control the flow of liquid through the intake conduit, pressure sensors for detecting the pressure of the liquid in the intake conduit upstream and downstream of the flow controller, and an electronic master controller programmed to receive input from the pressure sensors and to actuate the flow controller to reduce the pressure downstream of the flow controller to a predetermined approximate value.

Fire protection mist nozzles for industrial oil cookers, oil cookers with fire protection systems, and method of oil cooker fire protection are provided. The mist nozzles operate at pressures between 170 and 250 psi, and provide a unique distribution pattern that allows for variable installations for protection in certain operative environments including oil cookers with various hood configurations. The fire protection nozzles includes a base defining an inlet and an outlet along an axis. The base includes an orifice having an inlet diameter and an outlet diameter. The outlet diameter is preferably greater than the inlet diameter; and the orifice defines a K-factor of less than 1.0 gpm/psi. The nozzle includes a diffuser aligned with the orifice. The diffuser has a preferably substantially domed portion with a maximum diameter that is less than the summation of the inlet diameter and the outlet diameter of the orifice.

A suppression unit includes a nozzle, an actuator piston, a casing, and a biasing device. The nozzle has an exterior surface, an interior bore extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of discharge orifices passing from the interior bore to the exterior surface. The actuator piston includes an interior channel in fluid communication with the interior bore, the nozzle separably attached to the actuator piston. The actuator piston and the nozzle are disposed within the casing and the biasing device is compress ible between the actuator piston and the casing. The discharge orifices are protected by the casing in a biased passive condition of the nozzle, and the discharge orifices are moved longitudinally out of the casing in an active condition of the nozzle.

A plumbing fitting having a body and a housing located in the body that includes a first inlet for receiving the first fluid, a second inlet for receiving the second fluid, and a mixing chamber. The plumbing fitting includes a first flow control valve operatively coupled to the housing; a second flow control valve operatively coupled to the housing; and an actuator assembly configured to move the first flow control valve relative to the housing to control flow of the first fluid from the first inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the first fluid exerts substantially no net force on the first flow control valve, and configured to move the second flow control valve relative to the housing to control flow of the second fluid from the second inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the second fluid exerts substantially no net force on the second flow control valve.

A sprinkler for a fire suppression system includes a deflector plate having five different types of slots extending from a periphery of the plate toward a center of the plate along radially extending lines. The slots are arrow shaped, club shaped and key hole shaped. Arrow head slots which align with frame arms supporting the deflector plate are wider than the thickness of the frame arms. Club shaped and arrow shaped slots proximate the plane of the frame arms are asymmetrical with respect to radial lines extending from the center of the plate, while arrow shaped and key hole shaped slots distal to the plane of the frame arms are symmetrical with respect to radial lines extending from the center of the plate.

A fire extinguishing system includes a storage vessel and a fluidic oscillator. The storage vessel is configured to contain a fire extinguishing agent. The fluidic oscillator is configured to receive the fire extinguishing agent from the storage vessel, and discharge a continuous jet of the fire extinguishing agent while oscillating the jet back and forth through a sweep angle.

A water station consisting of a large water tank or bag with a plurality of dangling appendages for lowering toward the ground. These appendages include heat sensors and sprayers, and one or more may be capable of connecting to a fire fighting truck, water tank, fire hydrants, or other pieces of equipment. One or more appendages may also include a bag containing fire-fighting safety gear or ground-based hoses for fighting fires. Cameras and other sensors provide constant feedback to the pilot of the aircraft, such as a helicopter, deploying the water station.