A mobile system and method of use thereof for containment of a fire event is provided in accordance with various embodiments of the current invention. The system herein designated “Rain Maker” is composed of a plurality of conduits with a manifold of fire nozzle connections in various configurations to discharge at extensive pressures specific fire suppressants. Each conduit can be operated individually, or connected to another conduit by a hose having a predetermined length forming a contiguous system thereby efficiently traversing large areas of land. The system can be operated either remotely as well as manually. An alternative embodiment can be installed in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Each system can be custom designed based on environmental engineering requirements and system application. The system components further have the capability of incorporating Global Positioning System (GPS), sensors, monitoring instruments, robotics, all terrain multi-purpose vehicles, satellite imaging and wireless technology.

According to an aspect, a computer-implemented method for water volume estimation includes detecting water based at least in part on sensor-based data; determining a volume of water based at least in part on the sensor-based data; determining a location at the water for an aircraft to retrieve water via a water retrieving apparatus; and translating the location of the water into pilot inputs to guide the aircraft to the water.

Aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to an aerial firefighting system for a helicopter, the firefighting system including: an external reservoir for storing water, wherein the reservoir includes a water outlet; a supporting frame coupled to an outer surface of the reservoir; and a moveable robotic nozzle fluidly connected to the water outlet and mounted on the supporting frame or attached to a hose reel for distributing water on a fire; wherein the moveable nozzle is operable by a user from within the helicopter to control the direction that the water is distributed.

An aerial firefighting bucket assembly supported by a harness and includes an open bucket body with a bottom having an opening. A flexible tubular dump valve extends from the opening and has a free end defining a discharge port with a sealing lip defining two opposite lip portions. Pulleys or other roller mechanisms are mounted on one or the other of the lip portions, and end stops are mounted to the opposite lip portion such that each pulley faces an end stop. Flexible support lines from a control mechanism each pass through one pulley and terminate on the corresponding end stop. The lines when tensioned are drawn through the pulley and draw the corresponding end stop towards the pulley to bring the lip portions into sealing contact. The lines when slackened allow the lip portions to be forced apart for dumping water from the bucket.

A frame assembly for a collapsible firefighting bucket for helicopters and being operable to open a rim of the bucket for filling with water and to collapse the rim for storage of the bucket, the frame assembly comprising a hub, a plurality of spokes radiating from the hub and being connected to the rim, each spoke having an inner end near the hub that is pivotably connected to the hub and an outer end near the rim that is pivotably connected to the rim, and a stop positioned below each pivotable connection of the inner end and the hub to limit the downward pivoting of the spoke relative to the hub. A collapsible firefighting bucket for helicopters having such frame assembly.

A valve assembly for a firefighting bucket includes a base plate having an opening, a valve body configured to seal the opening of the base plate, and a linear actuator coupled to the valve body and configured to displace the valve body. Valve control systems direct the release of firefighting material through the valve assembly at a constant flow rate. The valve body may have a chamfered, tapered, or rounded surface to restrain the head pressure of the firefighting material.

A dump gate system for a fluid hopper in a firefighting aircraft. A gate sealably engages a gate opening in the hopper at a closed position. The gate is hingedly connected about the gate opening, and a drive shaft is supported within the hopper. A crank arm is fixed to the drive shaft and is further coupled to the gate by a connecting link. The crank arm and the connecting link define an over-center geometry while the gate is at the closed position, such that weight of the fluid on the gate induces torque on the drive shaft in a gate-closing direction. An electric motor is selectively coupled to rotate the drive shaft in a gate-opening direction to thereby enable control of the fluid flow from the hopper according to an angular position of the drive shaft.

Aerial fire-fighting bucket systems are disclosed for liquid cargo pickup, transport, and discharge. Bucket systems include rigging to be attached to the long line of an aircraft, the bucket having a pliable skin having an upper edge and a lower edge, an upper frame from which the upper edge of the skin is suspended, and a lower structure to which the lower edge of the skin is attached in a sealed manner. Fixed attachment of the skin by its sealing attachment to the lower structure forms a container for the liquid cargo. Bucket systems include a valve system disposed in the lower structure and optionally a computer-controlled hydraulic motor/pump and accumulator configured to maintain hydraulic pressure, and controls to release liquid cargo from the bucket by a hydraulically-activated flapper valve assembly. Bucket systems may include a power fill system with pump having an outlet comprising a plurality of check valves.

Aerial fire-fighting bucket systems are disclosed for liquid cargo pickup, transport, and discharge. Bucket systems include a valve system disposed in the lower structure and a computer-controlled hydraulic motor/pump and accumulator configured to maintain hydraulic pressure, and controls to release liquid cargo from the bucket by a hydraulically activated valve assembly. Hydraulic accumulator charging operates independently of activation of cargo pickup, transport, and discharge cycles. Hydraulic accumulator sizing provides for a minimum of actuations of extension and retraction of the piston within a short-time interval reducing weight and electrical supply burdens on the aircraft.

Aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to an aerial firefighting system for a helicopter, the firefighting system including: an external reservoir for storing water, wherein the reservoir includes a water outlet; a supporting frame coupled to an outer surface of the reservoir; and a moveable robotic nozzle fluidly connected to the water outlet and mounted on the supporting frame or attached to a hose reel for distributing water on a fire; wherein the moveable nozzle is operable by a user from within the helicopter to control the direction that the water is distributed.