Spray Module and Device Method For Fighting a Vegetation Fire

Abstract

A spray module for a device for fighting a vegetation fire, the spray module includes: an inlet for a fluid, an outlet for the fluid, a fastening unit for fastening the spray module in a raised position with respect to an underlying surface, a first spray mist nozzle having a first opening area, which is configured to dispense a first spray mist, and a second spray mist nozzle having a second opening area, which is configured to dispense a second spray mist, the first opening area and the second opening area are arranged parallel to one another on the spray module in such a way that the first spray mist and the second spray mist can be dispensed in two opposite directions.

Claims

1. A spray module for a device for fighting a vegetation fire, wherein the spray module comprises: an inlet for a fluid, an outlet for the fluid, a fastening unit for fastening the spray module in a raised position with respect to an underlying surface, a first spray mist nozzle having a first opening area, which is configured to dispense a first spray mist, and a second spray mist nozzle having a second opening area, which is designed configured to dispense a second spray mist, wherein the first opening area and the second opening area are arranged parallel to one another on the spray module in such a way that the first spray mist and the second spray mist can be dispensed in two opposite directions.

2. The spray module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first spray mist nozzle is a flat jet nozzle and/or the second spray mist nozzle is a flat jet nozzle.

3. The spray module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first spray mist nozzle is arranged on a first side of the spray module and the second spray mist nozzle is arranged on a second side of the spray module, which is opposite the first side.

4. The spray module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spray module comprises a self-protection nozzle having a third opening area, which is designed configured to dispense a third spray mist, wherein the third opening area is arranged perpendicularly to the first opening area and the second opening area.

5. The spray module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inlet and the outlet are arranged coaxially with respect to a virtual fluid axis, and the third opening area of the self-protection nozzle is arranged parallel to the virtual fluid axis.

6. The spray module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first opening area and the second opening area are arranged parallel to an inlet opening area of the inlet and/or to an outlet opening area of the outlet.

7. The spray module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fastening unit is arranged on a side of the spray module which is opposite the self-protection nozzle.

8. The spray module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet and the outlet are provided in an outer wall of a pressure chamber, and wherein the fastening unit is arranged on the outer side of the pressure chamber.

9. (canceled)

10. The spray module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pressure chamber is arranged in a housing of the spray module, wherein the housing has the inlet and the outlet and the first spray mist nozzle and the second spray mist nozzle and optionally a self-protection nozzle.

11. The spray module as claimed in claim 10, wherein the housing is configured as a split housing having two housing parts, wherein a first housing part has the inlet and the outlet, and a second housing part has the first spray mist nozzle and the second spray mist nozzle and optionally the self-protection nozzle, wherein the fastening unit is provided on an outer side of the first housing part.

12. The spray module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening unit comprises a tubular region for connection to a rod-shaped element.

13. The spray module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening unit comprises a flange region, the flange region has a plurality of through holes, through which a fastening element can be passed.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. The spray module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet has an inlet connection and/or the outlet has an outlet connection, and wherein the inlet connection and/or the outlet connection has a latching element or a latching contour in which a connecting piece of a conduit can latch.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A device for fighting a vegetation fire, wherein the device comprises a first fire fighting line having a first and a second spray module each constructed according to the spray module as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the device comprises a first conduit for the fluid, wherein the first and the second spray module are connected via the first conduit for the fluid.

22. (canceled)

23. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein opening areas of the first spray mist nozzle and the second spray mist of the first and second spray modules are aligned in parallel in order to produce mutually overlapping spray mists.

24. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein 21 to the device comprises a second fire fighting line having at least a third and a fourth spray module and a second conduit for the fluid, wherein the third and the fourth spray module are connected via the second conduit, wherein the second fire fighting line is arranged parallel to the first fire fighting line, and at a different height from an underlying surface.

25. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first and the second spray module of the first fire fighting line are arranged offset with respect to the third and fourth spray modules of the second fire fighting line.

26. (canceled)

27. A method for fighting a vegetation fire, wherein the vegetation has at least a first vegetation component with a maximum height of growth above an underlying surface in the range of from 0.5 m to 10 m, wherein: a first spray module is provided, wherein the first spray module comprises: an inlet for a fluid, an outlet for the fluid, a fastening unit for fastening the first spray module in a raised position with respect to the underlying surface, a first spray mist nozzle having a first opening area, which is configured to dispense a first spray mist, and a second spray mist nozzle having a second opening area, which is configured to dispense a second spray mist, wherein the first opening area and the second opening area are arranged parallel to one another on the spray module, wherein the first spray module is arranged by means of the fastening unit in a raised position relative to the underlying surface in a region of the first vegetation component with the maximum height of growth of 10 m, and wherein the first spray mist and the second spray mist are dispensed in two opposite directions.

28. (canceled)

29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first spray module comprises a self-protection nozzle having a third opening area, wherein the third opening area is arranged perpendicularly to the first opening area and the second opening area, and a third spray mist is dispensed by means of the self-protection nozzle in a direction of the vegetation fire or in a direction of a fire front of the vegetation fire.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein a second spray module is provided, the second spray module is of an identical design to the first spray module, and the first spray module and the second spray module are connected to one another via a first conduit for a fluid in order to obtain a first fire fighting line, wherein, a third spray module and a fourth spray module are provided, the third spray module and the fourth module are of identical design to the first spray module, the third spray module and the fourth spray module are connected to one another via a second conduit for a fluid in order to obtain a second fire fighting line, wherein the second fire fighting line is arranged parallel to the first fire fighting line and at a different height from an underlying surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0066] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a spray module according to the invention in a perspective illustration with a connected conduit.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows the spray module according to FIG. 1 in a perspective illustration from a different angle.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows the spray module according to FIG. 1 in a perspective side view.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows the spray module according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view from below.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows the spray module according to FIG. 1 in a perspective plan view.

[0071] FIG. 6 shows a diagram intended to illustrate the fluid distribution in the vicinity of a spray module.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a device for fighting a vegetation fire according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, having a plurality of spray modules.

[0073] FIG. 8 shows a schematic plan view of a device for fighting a vegetation fire according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, having a plurality of spray modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference signs and are therefore generally also referred to or mentioned only once.

[0075] The illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 5 show an exemplary embodiment of a spray module 1 which is designed according to the invention and is suitable for use in a device for fighting a vegetation fire. The spray module 1 comprises an inlet 6 for a fluid and an outlet for the fluid 7. The inlet 6 and the outlet 7 are provided in the outer wall of a pressure chamber. Furthermore, the spray module 1 comprises a fastening unit 5 for fastening the spray module 1 in a raised position with respect to an underlying surface. In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening unit 5 is arranged on the outer side of the pressure chamber. The fastening unit comprises a tubular region 5.1 and a flange region 5.2. The tubular region 5.1 can be connected to a rod-shaped element, for example a bar, e.g. by the tubular region 5.1 being slipped onto the rod-shaped element. In the exemplary embodiment, the flange region 5.2 has a plurality of, in this case two, through holes, through which a fastening element can be passed in order to fasten the flange region 5.2 on an element of the vegetation. A cable, a wire or a cable tie, for example, can be used as the fastening element.

[0076] Furthermore, the spray module 1 has a first spray mist nozzle 2 having a first opening area, which is designed to dispense a first spray mist 210, and a second spray mist nozzle 3 having a second opening area, which is designed to dispense a second spray mist 310. The first and the second opening area are arranged parallel to one another on the spray module 1 in such a way that the first spray mist 210 and the second spray mist 310 can be dispensed in two opposite directions.

[0077] The first spray mist nozzle 2 is arranged on a first side of the spray module 1 and the second spray mist nozzle 3 is arranged on a second side of the spray module 1, which is opposite the first side. According to the exemplary embodiment, both the first spray mist nozzle 2 and the second spray mist nozzle 2 are designed as flat jet nozzles. Fan-shaped spray jets can be dispensed via these two spray mist nozzles 2, 3, each of which produces a flat spray 210, 310. Here, the first and the second opening area are of identical dimensions and have a size of 0.05 mm.sup.2 to 5 mm.sup.2.

[0078] The spray module 1 furthermore has a self-protection nozzle 4 having a third opening area, which is designed to dispense a third spray mist 410, wherein the third opening area is arranged perpendicularly to the first and second opening areas. The size of the third opening area is in a range of from 0.05 mm.sup.2 to 2.5 mm.sup.2. The self-protection nozzle 4 is arranged on a side of the spray module 1 which is opposite the fastening unit 5.

[0079] From the illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 5, it can be seen that the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 are arranged coaxially with respect to a virtual fluid axis A, and the third opening area of the self-protection nozzle 4 is arranged parallel to the virtual fluid axis A. The virtual fluid axis A essentially describes the direction of propagation of the fluid starting from the inlet 6 to the outlet 7 of the spray module 1. In this case, the virtual fluid axis A is arranged perpendicularly to an inlet opening area of the inlet 6 and to an outlet opening area of the outlet 7. The first opening area of the first spray mist nozzle 2 and the second opening area of the second spray mist nozzle 3, on the other hand, are arranged parallel to the inlet opening area of the inlet 6 and to the outlet opening area of the outlet 7.

[0080] The inlet 6 can have an inlet connection and the outlet 7 can have an outlet connection. In the exemplary embodiment, on the other hand, the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 each comprise a latching element or a latching contour, in which a connecting piece 11 of a conduit 10 can latch.

[0081] The illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 5 also show that the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 are provided in an outer wall of a pressure chamber. The fastening unit 5 is arranged on the outer side of the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber is arranged in a housing of the spray module 1, wherein the housing has the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 and the first spray mist nozzle 2 and the second spray mist nozzle 3 and the self-protection nozzle 4. The fastening unit 5 is arranged on an outer side of the housing. According to the exemplary embodiment, the housing is designed as a split housing having two housing parts, wherein a first, in this case lower, housing part has the inlet 6 and the outlet 7, and a second, in this case upper, housing part has the first spray mist nozzle 2 and the second spray mist nozzle 3 and the self-protection nozzle 4. The fastening unit 5 is provided on an outer side of the first housing part.

[0082] According to a modification of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the housing has a housing part which has the inlet and the outlet and the first spray mist nozzle and the second spray mist nozzle and the self-protection nozzle. In particular, the housing can be designed as a one-piece housing which has the inlet and the outlet and the first spray mist nozzle and the second spray mist nozzle and the self-protection nozzle.

[0083] The diagram in FIG. 6 shows schematically, in a plan view, a distribution of a fluid dispensed by a spray module 1 according to the invention in the vicinity of the spray module 1. The first spray mist 210, which is dispensed via the first spray mist nozzle 2, extends on a first side of the spray module 1, and the second spray mist 310, which is dispensed via the second spray mist nozzle 3, extends on a second side of the spray module 1, which is opposite the first side. Thus, both the first and the second spray mist 210, 310 are distributed on both sides of the spray mist module 1 along the virtual fluid axis A. The third spray mist 410, which is dispensed via the self-protection nozzle 4, extends in a direction perpendicular to this virtual fluid axis A. When the spray module 1 is used to fight a vegetation fire, the self-protection nozzle 4 is aligned in the direction from which the approaching fire front of the vegetation fire is expected. In this case, the vegetation can be moistened by the first and the second spray mist nozzle 2, 3 along the virtual fluid axis and the vicinity, adjacent to the fire front, of the spray module 1 can be moistened by the self-protection nozzle 4.

[0084] FIG. 7 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a device 50 for fighting a vegetation fire, which is designed according to the invention. The device 50 comprises a first fire fighting line 51 and a second fire fighting line 52, which each have a plurality of spray modules 1, which are designed as described above in conjunction with the illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 5. The spray modules 1 are each connected to one another via conduits 10, through which the fluid, for example water, can be passed. The fluid can be stored, for example, in a tank or a natural water source and can be delivered by a pump.

[0085] The illustration in FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional illustration. It is therefore possible to see different height levels in FIG. 7. The lowest level is formed by the underlying surface U. A first vegetation component V1 is present on this underlying surface. This first vegetation component V1 has a maximum height of growth above the underlying surface U which is in the range of from 0.5 m to 10 m, for example 8 m. The first vegetation component V1 can be formed, for example, by bushes and smaller trees. The first fire fighting line 51 having the plurality of spray modules 1 is arranged at a position raised with respect to the underlying surface, the height of the first fire fighting line 51, in particular of the spray modules 1 of the first fire fighting line 51, being less than the maximum height of growth of the first vegetation component V1. The first fire fighting line 51 is preferably arranged in a range of from 1 cm to 50 cm, preferably of from 1 cm to 30 cm, below the maximum height of growth of the first vegetation component V1.

[0086] According to the illustration in FIG. 7, the vegetation also has a second vegetation component V2, which comprises a maximum height of growth which is greater than the maximum height of growth of the first vegetation component V2. The first and the second vegetation component each have plants of different types, which differ, in particular, in their maximum height. Thus, the second vegetation component V2 comprises plants which typically grow higher than the plants contained in the first vegetation component. In the present case, the second vegetation component V2 has a maximum height of growth that is greater than 10 m, for example greater than 10 m but less than 30 m, or greater than 10 m but less than 20 m. The second vegetation component V2 can have a maximum height of growth of 15 m, for example.

[0087] The second fire fighting line 52 is arranged in the region of the second vegetation component V2, for example in a position which is in a range of from 1 cm to 50 cm, preferably of from 1 cm to 30 cm, below the maximum height of growth of the second vegetation component V2. The second fire fighting line 52 is arranged parallel to the first fire fighting line 51 at a different height with respect to the underlying surface U. Thus, the first and the second fire fighting line 51, 52 are at an identical distance from the fire front of the vegetation fire.

[0088] However, the two fire fighting lines 51, 52 are arranged with a mutual offset in such a way that the first and the second spray module 1 of the first fire fighting line 51 are arranged offset with respect to the third and fourth spray modules 1 of the second fire fighting line 52.

[0089] Optionally, further fire fighting lines may be present, which are not illustrated in FIG. 7 for reasons of clarity. The height of the first, second and, if appropriate, further fire fighting lines 51, 52 can be matched to the respective height of growth of the vegetation, in particular its vegetation components V1, V2. If further fire fighting lines are present, these are preferably likewise each arranged with an offset with respect to the respective adjacent fire fighting lines.

[0090] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7, the distance between the individual spray modules 1 is chosen to be in the range of from 2 m to 10 m, preferably in the range of from 3 m to 5 m, for example 4 m. The opening areas of the first and second spray mist nozzles 2, 3 of the spray modules 1 are aligned parallel, with the result that mutually overlapping spray mists 210, 310 are produced. This means that a first spray mist 310, which is produced by a first spray mist nozzle 2 of a first spray module 1, overlaps with a second spray mist 310, which is produced by the second spray mist nozzle 3 of a second spray module 1. The spray modules 1 are aligned in such a way that the self-protection nozzle 4 of the spray modules 1 can dispense a third spray mist 410 in the direction of a fire front of the vegetation fire. Furthermore, the spray modules are oriented in such a way that the first and/or the second spray mist nozzle 2, 3 of the spray module 1 have/has a roll angle in the range of from −45° to +45°, preferably in the range of from −10° to +10°, for example 0°, and/or have/has a pitch angle in the range of from −45° to +45°, preferably in the range of from −10° to +10°, for example 0°, relative to the underlying surface U.

[0091] The spray modules 1 of the first fire fighting line 51 are fastened by means of the respective fastening unit 5 of the spray module 1 either on an element of the second vegetation component V2, the element being higher than the maximum height of growth of the first vegetation component V1, or on a holding element which is fixed on the underlying surface U, in particular a rod.

[0092] During the operation of the device 50, a volume flow in the range of from 3 l/h to 50 l/h, preferably of from 10 l/h to 20 l/h, for example 15 l/h, is in each case dispensed via the first and the second spray mist nozzle 2, 3 and the self-protection nozzle 4 of each spray module 1.

[0093] FIG. 8 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a device 50 according to the invention for fighting a vegetation fire in a plan view. The device 50 comprises a first fire fighting line 53 as well as a second fire fighting line 54 and a third fire fighting line 55, which each have a plurality of spray modules 1, which are designed as described above in conjunction with the illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 5. The spray modules 1 are each connected to one another via conduits 10, through which the fluid, for example water, can be passed. The fluid can be stored, for example, in a tank or a natural water source and can be delivered by a pump.

[0094] The structure of the individual fire fighting lines 53, 54, 55 is identical to the structure of the fire fighting lines 51, 52 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, for which reason attention is drawn to the description of FIG. 7. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7, the fire fighting lines 53, 54, 55 are parallel to one another and are at different distances from a fire front of the vegetation fire. The vegetation fire propagates in a direction of propagation F, as indicated in FIG. 8. The fire fighting lines 53, 54, 55 are thus arranged one behind the other in a staggered manner, making it possible to moisten a larger vegetation area by means of the fire fighting lines 53, 54, 55 than would be the case with only one fire fighting line or a plurality of fire fighting lines arranged one above the other. Furthermore, the fire fighting lines 53, 54, 55 are arranged with a mutual offset in such a way that the first and the second spray module 1 of the first fire fighting line 53 are arranged offset with respect to the third and fourth spray modules 1 of the second fire fighting line 54. The third and fourth spray modules 1 of the second fire fighting line 54 are again arranged offset with respect to the spray modules 1 of the third fire fighting line 55.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0095] 1 spray module [0096] 2 spray mist nozzle [0097] 3 spray mist nozzle [0098] 4 self-protection nozzle [0099] 5 fastening unit [0100] 5.1 tubular region [0101] 5.2 flange region [0102] 6 inlet [0103] 7 outlet [0104] 10 conduit [0105] 11 connecting piece [0106] 50 device for fighting a vegetation fire [0107] 51 fire fighting line [0108] 52 fire fighting line [0109] 53 fire fighting line [0110] 54 fire fighting line [0111] 55 fire fighting line [0112] 210 spray mist [0113] 310 spray mist [0114] 410 spray mist [0115] A virtual fluid axis [0116] F direction of movement of the vegetation fire [0117] U underlying surface