Focused stream, aerated foam projecting nozzle including fixed wand system and method as well as possibly portable center pointing nozzle

Abstract

The invention includes components and methodology for fixed and semi-fixed systems for extinguishing fire in large industrial flammable liquid storage tanks, including aerated foam projecting nozzles discharging substantially focused streams together with aeration chambers and risers.

Claims

1. A fixed firefighting system for industrial tanks, comprising: two connected nozzles, each nozzle structured to project aerated foam at a flow rate of at least 100 gallon per minute (gpm) at 100 pounds per square inch (psi) in substantially focused streams and in roughly opposing directions; the two connected nozzles attached downstream of, and in fluid communication with an ambient air aeration chamber; a third centrally directed nozzle structured to project aerated foam at a flow rate of at least 100 gpm at 100 psi, located and structured in combination with the two connected nozzles to discharge a substantially focused stream toward a center of an industrial tank; a stream shaper located in a cylindrical tip portion of the third centrally directed nozzle; and the three nozzles structured for fixed attachment proximate a wall surface of the industrial tank.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project in a horizontal direction plus or minus 30 degrees.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the two connected nozzles are structured to project in the horizontal direction plus or minus 15 degrees.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the two connected nozzles are structured to project in directly opposite directions plus or minus 15 degrees.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project toward a center of the industrial tank plus or minus 30 degrees.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the two connected nozzles are structured to project aerated foam of between 100 gpm and 1000 gpm.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project aerated foam of between 100 gpm and 1000 gpm.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project such that at least 60% of the foam discharge remains within a 20 degree cone around a third discharge axis.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the ambient air aeration chamber is structured to produce aerated foam with an expansion ratio of between 2-to-1 and 8-to-1.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the ambient air aeration chamber is structured to produce aerated foam with an expansion ratio of between 3-to-1 and 5-to-1.

11. The system of claim 1 including a riser for communicating water and foam concentrate, attached to, and in fluid communication with the two connected nozzles and the third centrally directed nozzle.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the two connected nozzles are structured to project aerated foam of at least 1100 gpm.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project aerated foam of at least 1100 gallons per minute gpm.

14. A fixed firefighting system for industrial tanks, comprising: a plurality of systems of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of systems are attached proximate the wall surface of the industrial tank.

15. A fixed firefighting system for large industrial tanks, comprising: two connected nozzles, each nozzle structured to project aerated foam at a flow rate of at least 150 gallons per minute (gpm) at 100 pounds per square inch (psi) roughly horizontally and in roughly opposing directions; the two connected nozzles attached downstream of, and in fluid communication with an ambient air aeration chamber; a third centrally directed nozzle structured to project aerated foam at a flow rate of at least 150 gpm at 100 psi, located and structured in combination with the two connected nozzles to discharge a substantially focused stream toward a center of an industrial tank; a stream shaper located in a cylindrical tip portion of the third centrally directed nozzle; and the three nozzles structured for fixed attachment proximate a wall surface of the industrial tank.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the two connected nozzles are structured to project in the horizontal direction plus or minus 15 degrees.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the two connected nozzles are each structured to project in directly opposite directions plus or minus 15 degrees.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project toward a center of the industrial tank plus or minus 30 degrees.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the two connected nozzles are structured to project aerated foam of between 150 gpm and 1000 gpm.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project aerated foam of between 150 gpm and 1000 gpm.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project such that at least 60% of the foam discharge remains within a 20 degree cone around a third discharge axis.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the ambient air aeration chamber is structured to produce aerated foam with an expansion ratio of between 2-to-1 and 8-to-1.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the ambient air aeration chamber is structured to produce aerated foam with an expansion ratio of between 3-to-1 and 5-to-1.

24. The system of claim 15 including a riser for communicating water and foam concentrate, attached to, and in fluid communication with the two connected nozzles and the third centrally directed nozzle.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein the third centrally directed nozzle is structured to project in a horizontal direction plus or minus 30 degrees.

26. A fixed firefighting system for industrial tanks, comprising: a plurality of systems of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of systems are attached proximate the wall surface of the industrial tank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments are considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A illustrates three “wand head” embodiments with nozzles for projecting firefighting foam in a substantially focused stream and aeration chambers.

(3) FIG. 1B illustrates a prior art foam chamber, for contrast.

(4) FIG. 1C illustrates an alternate embodiment for a fire fighting nozzle wherein the discharge orifice comprises an annular discharge orifice (no stream shaper shown.) FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a 3 inch foam wand head having two nozzles for projecting fire fighting foam in roughly opposing directions, together with associated riser portions.

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of a wand with a wand head attached to a riser, the wand head and riser being attached to a tank wall.

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates in a cross section the wand head of FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates, with cross section, a further embodiment for a wand head with center pointing nozzle for projecting firefighting foam including a riser portion and an ambient air aeration chamber.

(8) FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 5 attached to a tank wall portion and retrofitted to an existing tank with a fixed roof.

(9) FIGS. 7A-7F are drawing sheets for the embodiment of FIG. 2, giving a general overview for a foam wand together with detailed drawings of various parts of a foam wand system.

(10) FIGS. 8A-8M provide drawing sheets for a wand head as in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, with various parts identified, including nozzle parts and a stream shaper and an ambient air aeration chamber.

(11) FIG. 9 illustrates portions of a free standing riser to be attached proximate to an industrial tank wall and suitable for servicing a nozzle or nozzle and monitor. In this embodiment the riser is broken into a top riser top portion, a riser extension pipe and a riser inlet pipe.

(12) FIG. 10 illustrates a riser foot rest for a lower end of a riser.

(13) FIGS. 11A-11G provide drawing sheet depictions for the monitor riser embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10.

(14) FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a free standing riser for attaching a portable monitor and nozzle and with a portable monitor and nozzle attached.

(15) FIGS. 13A and 13B provide drawing sheets for a point and shoot system including a wand and a free standing riser with a portable monitor and nozzle attached.

(16) FIGS. 14 and 15 give a side view and a view from inside the tank of the point and shoot system of FIGS. 13A and 13B, including the wand with a pair of aerated foam nozzles discharging in roughly opposing directions and an independent riser having a portable monitor and nozzle attached.

(17) FIG. 16 illustrates a designed deployment of the point and shoot system for a 300 foot storage tank for rim seal and vapor protection. Foam wand locations are indicated and one riser is indicated at the landing for placement of a portable monitor and nozzle.

(18) FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 relate to the deployment of the point and shoot system.

(19) FIG. 17 illustrates the ladder around a typical tank leading up to a tank landing.

(20) FIGS. 18 and 19 provide an estimate of the number of foam wand location needed for full encirclement seal protection assuming a 24 inch foam dam on the floating roof or a less than a 24 inch foam dam on the floating roof.

(21) The drawings are primarily illustrative. It would be understood that structure may have been simplified and details omitted in order to convey certain aspects of the invention. Scale may be sacrificed to clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(22) FIG. 1A illustrates three embodiments of a wand head WH with one or more nozzles NZ for projecting firefighting foam in a substantially focused stream. Each nozzle NZ has a tip portion TP defining a longitudinal axis. The embodiments of FIG. 1A all terminate in a solid bore discharge orifice. The tip portion TP of each nozzle NZ has a stream shaper SS comprised of fins FN.

(23) As is common in the industry each nozzle includes a swedge-down area SW for recovering head pressure in order to enhance the range of the discharge.

(24) The nozzle of these preferred embodiments utilize a solid bore discharge orifice DO. However, it is anticipated that roughly equivalent nozzles can be constructed using an annular bore discharge nozzle. An annular bore discharge nozzle is illustrated in principle in FIG. 1C. An annular bore discharge nozzle is created by a deflector or bafflehead BH placed in a fluid flow conduit. The deflector or bafflehead creates the swedge-down effect for the recapture of head pressure for discharge, and the nozzle “gap.”

(25) The three wand head embodiments of FIG. 1A illustrate one or more nozzles NZ, typically connected to a conduit CD, and thence to an upstream ambient air aeration chamber AAAC. A support plate SP is illustrated as one means of helping to affix the foam projecting nozzles to a top portion of an industrial tank wall at a desired height.

(26) FIG. 1A also briefly illustrates connection of a wand head WH with one or more nozzles to a riser portion RS. The riser RS is simply a pipe or a line or the like used to bring water and foam concentrate up the tank wall to the wand head and the nozzles.

(27) FIG. 1B illustrates a prior art foaming chamber FC with a typical “pouring” foaming chamber discharge orifice FCDO.

(28) As discussed above, FIG. 1C illustrates a wand head with projecting nozzles having not a solid bore discharge orifice but an annular discharge orifice, created by a deflector baffle head BH.

(29) FIG. 2 illustrates in greater detail a three inch wand head WH comprising a combination of a pair of nozzles NZ, each with a tip portion TP, each tip having a stream shaper SS. The pair of nozzles are connected by conduit CD to an ambient air aeration chamber AAAC. Also in the drawing is a riser pipe RS (in two sections) that can be connected to the lower portion of the wand head. An inlet pipe RSL is illustrated that can be connected to an upper portion of the riser pipe and provide a connection to water and foam concentrate hose or piping.

(30) FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate in full as well as in cut-away a further embodiment incorporating three of the instant aerating foam projecting nozzles into a wand head WH. Each nozzle NZ has a tip TP and a stream shaper SS. Upstream of the nozzles are first and second ambient air aeration chambers AAAC. A support plate SP helps to assist affixing the nozzles NZ to the top of a tank wall TW in desired locations, as shown in FIG. 4. A partial section of a riser RS below the wand head is shown in FIG. 4, including brackets BR in FIG. 3 useful for affixing or stabilizing the riser RS with respect to the tank wall TW. Wind girder WG is also illustrated in FIG. 3.

(31) FIG. 5 illustrates a cut away of a different version of a nozzle NZ having tip portion TP with stream shaper SS. Conduit CD is shown connecting nozzle NZ with ambient air aeration chamber AAAC having tubular jet TJ. A portion of riser RS is also illustrated in FIG. 5.

(32) FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 5 with riser RS attached to tank wall TW using brackets BR. Nozzle NZ is inserted through an opening TWO in the tank wall TW. The tank is shown with a tank fixed roof TFR.

(33) FIGS. 7A-7F provide drawings for an embodiment of a foam wand in general overview. The wand head WH is shown resting on a wand support plate SP. Foam wand riser RS is shown affixed to a wand head portion. Foam wand mounting clamps or brackets BR are illustrated for mounting riser RS to the side of a tank wall TW. The assembly of the foam wand riser pipe and wand head together with foam wand support plate is illustrated in FIG. 7F.

(34) FIG. 8 illustrates a foam wand head WH in greater detail including in particular an embodiment of a stream shaper SS comprised of fins FN that fits in a tip portion TP of the nozzles on the foam wand head WH. FIG. 8B illustrates a crosswire screen CW placed in the ambient air aeration chamber just downstream of the tubular jet TJ, with one eighth inch cross wires to break the jet stream at that portion of flow.

(35) The foregoing figures illustrate various embodiments of an aerated foam projecting nozzle to project firefighting foam in a substantially focused stream, and in particular a nozzle structured for projecting at least 100 gpm of aerated foam at 100 psi. As can be seen the nozzle has a tip portion defining a longitudinal axis and preferably terminating in a solid bore discharge orifice. However, an annular discharge orifice should also work. The tip portion of the nozzle incorporates a stream shaper and, as frequently included, a swedge-down portion. The stream shaper has at least four fins with a longitudinal dimension in the tip portion greater than the radial dimension in the tip portion. It can be seen that the fins terminate substantially flush with the nozzle tip discharge orifice in the preferred embodiments. FIG. 8E illustrates that preferably greater than four fins are employed and preferably the fins have a longitudinal dimension LD greater than twice the radial dimension RD (See FIGS. 8E, 8H, 8L). Also preferably, the nozzle is structured to flow between 100 gpm and 900 gpm at 100 psi.

(36) As further illustrated by the foregoing figures, a nozzle for projecting aerated firefighting foam in a substantially focused stream is proximately attached downstream of, and in fluid communication with, an ambient air aeration chamber, AAAC. The ambient air aeration chamber preferably includes a tubular jet structure TJ, preferably also with crosshairs CW or a cross haired screen just downstream of the tubular jet structure TJ to further break up the flow. (See FIG. 8B.)

(37) Preferably the nozzle and ambient air aeration chamber are structured in combination to project foam with an expansion of between 2-to-1 to 8-to-1. More preferably, the nozzle and aeration chamber are structured in combination to project foam with an expansion of between 3-to-1 to 5-to-1.

(38) The nozzles for projecting firefighting foam in a substantially focused stream are particularly adapted for being attached proximate a top portion of an at least 100 foot diameter industrial tank wall, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7F. A riser RS preferably places the nozzle for projecting aerated firefighting foam in a substantially focused stream proximate a top portion of an industrial tank wall and provides the nozzle and aeration chamber with a source of firefighting water and foam concentrate.

(39) In operation a substantially focused stream of aerated firefighting foam is projected by supplying water and foam concentrate to an ambient air aeration chamber proximately attached upstream of, and in fluid communication with, an aerated foam projecting firefighting nozzle, and by projecting aerated foam with an expansion of between 2-to-1 to 8-to-1 from the nozzle in a in a substantially focused stream, the nozzle having a tip of at least four fins, the fins having longitudinal dimension greater than a radial dimension and terminating substantially flush with a nozzle tip solid bore discharge orifice DO. (See FIG. 8A.)

(40) In operation also, a substantially focused stream of aerated firefighting foam can be projected by supplying water and foam concentrate to an ambient air aeration chamber proximately attached upstream of and in fluid communication with an aerated foam projecting foam firefighting nozzle. The method includes projecting aerating foam with an expansion of between 2-to-1 to 8-to-1 from the nozzle in a substantially focused stream with the nozzle having a tip of greater than four fins and the fins having a longitudinal dimension greater than twice the radial dimension, the fins terminating substantially flush with a nozzle tip discharge orifice.

(41) Preferably the methodology includes projecting foam with an expansion of between 3-to-1 to 5-to-1 into an least 100 foot diameter industrial tank from a position proximate a top portion of a tank wall.

(42) Again, FIGS. 1A, 2, 7A and 8A illustrate a wand head WH for a wand W, the wand head having at least one aerated foam projecting nozzle NZ for projecting foam in a substantially focused stream in a roughly horizontal direction around an inside tank wall surface. See in particular FIG. 2 and FIGS. 7A-7F. See also FIGS. 13A-13B and 14 for an embodiment of a wand W including a riser RS and wand head WH.

(43) FIGS. 1A, 2 and in particular FIG. 8B illustrate an ambient air aeration chamber AAAC located upstream of, proximate to, and in fluid communication with, at least one aerated foam projecting nozzle NZ.

(44) FIGS. 1A, 2 and in particular 8A, 8D, 8E, 8H and 8I illustrate a nozzle NZ having at least four fins FN in a tip portion TP of the nozzle NZ. The fins FN have a longitudinal dimension LD greater than a radial dimension RD and terminate substantially flush with a nozzle tip TP discharge orifice DO.

(45) FIGS. 1A, 2, 8A, 8E, 8H and 8I, as well as FIG. 13, illustrate an embodiment of an aeration chamber structured together with a nozzle to project at least 100 gpm at 100 psi of aerated foam having an expansion of between 2-to-1 to 8-to-1.

(46) FIGS. 2 and 13A-13B illustrate the nozzle NZ and chamber AAAC attached to a riser RS for communicating water and foam concentrate.

(47) FIGS. 7A-7F, and in particular and FIGS. 13 and 14, illustrate at least one nozzle and riser structured in combination for attachment to a tank wall of at least 100 foot diameter tank such that the nozzle projects foam in a roughly horizontal direction around an interior top tank wall surface.

(48) FIGS. 1A, 2, 7A, 8A, 13A-13B and 14 show two aerated foam projecting nozzles NZ, the two nozzles structured in combination to project roughly horizontally in roughly opposing directions. Roughly opposing directions should be taken to mean directly opposite plus or minus 15°. Alternately stated, each nozzle should project within 15 degrees of 1 common average longitudinal axis for the pair of nozzles. A roughly horizontal direction should be taken to mean within 15° of the horizontal.

(49) FIGS. 1A, 2, 7A-7F, 8A-8M, 13A-13B and 14 also illustrate aeration chambers and a nozzle or nozzles that can be structured to project aerated foam with an expansion of between 3-to-1 to 5-to-1. FIG. 8D illustrates a discharge port PT structured in a fluid conduit between the nozzles and an aeration chamber, the discharge port structured to discharge up to 150 gpm of aerated foam predominantly in a direction roughly perpendicular to the said opposing direction.

(50) FIGS. 1A, 2, 7A-7F, 8A-8M, 13A-13B and 14 illustrate a nozzle or nozzles that can be structured to project aerated foam at between 100 gpm and 900 gpm at 100 psi.

(51) FIG. 15 illustrates a plurality of four wands spaced around a tank periphery, approximately 190 feet apart.

(52) FIG. 7F illustrates an at least 2 inch riser RS structured to extend from proximate a ground location to proximate an at least 45 foot high industrial top tank wall portion. One of skill in the art knows that industrial storage tanks of 60 foot diameter and greater have a wall height of approximately 45 feet or greater.

(53) FIGS. 9-12 illustrate an at least four inch riser RS, preferably comprised of riser top portion RTP, riser extension pipe REP, and riser inlet pipe RIP. See FIG. 9. FIG. 10 illustrates a riser foot rest kit for stabilizing an at least four inch riser RS. FIG. 11G further illustrates an at least four inch riser RS. FIG. 12 illustrates riser RS located proximate a tank wall. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate riser RS located proximate a tank wall and structured to extend from proximate the ground to proximate a tank wall portion. A firefighting nozzle capable of at least 150 gpm is shown attached to the monitor riser in FIGS. 12 and 13A-13B. The monitor riser is indicated attached to monitor M and nozzle N. It can be seen from FIGS. 12 and 13A-13B that the monitor and nozzle is structured to discharge from proximate the top tank wall, and including an ability to discharge roughly toward the center of the tank. Roughly toward the center of the tank should be interpreted as toward the center of the tank +/−30°.

(54) Again, FIG. 9 illustrates a riser for a portable monitor and nozzle, the riser RS comprised of three sections, RTP, REP and RIP, and structured to communicate firefighting fluid from proximate a ground location to proximate the top of an at least 45 foot high industrial storage tank, as illustrated by FIG. 13A. A fitting FT is illustrated attached to the distal end of the riser RS, structured to releasably affix an at least 150 gpm portable monitor M and nozzle N. In this case the fitting is comprised of exterior male threads upon the upper portion of the riser pipe. A removable cap as well as the portable monitor and nozzle will have mating interior female threads, probably assisted by a pair of turning ears, to effect quick attachment and release.

(55) FIG. 16 illustrates staging the riser RS with monitor and nozzle at a landing LN of a tank. As is known in the art a ladder is affixed to a tank, leading to the landing. FIG. 17 illustrates a typical tank with a ladder LD and landing LN.

(56) In operation an aerated foam projecting nozzle would preferably project aerated foam roughly horizontally in a substantially focused stream around an inside top tank wall surface of an at least 100 foot diameter tank. The nozzle would produce aerated foam having an expansion of between 2-to-1 to 8-to-1. Preferably the foam would have an expansion of between have an expansion of between 3-to-1 to 5-to-1. Preferably two aerated foam projecting foam nozzles would be included, projecting roughly horizontally in substantially focused streams and in roughly opposing directions. Preferably the nozzle or nozzles would be affixed to an upper wall portion of an industrial storage tank.

(57) In a point and shoot method, firefighting fluid from approximately the ground is also provided to approximately the tank top through an at least four inch riser located proximate the tank wall, the at least four inch riser attachable to an at least 150 gpm portable monitor and nozzle by virtue of a fitting on a distal end of the at least four inch riser. Alternately an at least 150 gpm nozzle could be fixedly attached to the at least four inch riser. The fixed nozzle would be structured with the riser to discharge proximate to a tank top wall portion and toward the center of the tank. The portable monitor and nozzle can be aimed and turned by a fire fighter.

(58) In the point and shoot method if the at least four inch riser is structured to releasably attach to a portable monitor and nozzle, then the at least four inch riser should be located proximate a landing at the top of the tank wall. Alternately, if the at least four inch riser is structured to fixedly attach to a firefighting nozzle, then the riser can be located any place around the periphery around the tank including a plurality of places. The riser and the fixed nozzle would be structured such that the nozzle discharges roughly toward the center of the tank.

(59) FIG. 17 illustrates a typical ladder LD and landing LN of an industrial storage tank T. FIGS. 18 and 19 provide a table estimating the number of foam wands required for a point and shoot system as a function of the height of the foam dam of a floating roof. These are the number of foam wands needed for full encirclement seal protection.

(60) The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention is presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or embodiment disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments. Various modifications as are best suited to the particular use are contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention is not to be limited by the specification, but to be defined by the claims set forth below. Since the foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated device may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is claimed using terminology that depends upon a historic presumption that recitation of a single element covers one or more, and recitation of two elements covers two or more, and the like. Also, the drawings and illustration herein have not necessarily been produced to scale.