Air-Transportable Device For Projecting Pressurised Liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to an air-transportable device (100) for projecting pressurized liquid over a surface, comprising a rotating washing head and an inspection system (11) with LED bulbs and cameras. The air-transportable device (100) is secured to an aircraft (200, 500) by the upper surface thereof or by means of straps and can be configured for different uses such as cleaning wind and photovoltaic facilities, extinguishing fires or cleaning insulators.

Claims

1. An air-transportable device (100) for projecting pressurized liquid over a surface, which comprises: a liquid tank (9) comprising: a plurality of internal bulkheads; a plurality of internal struts; cushioned skates (4) rigidly connected to the lower surface thereof; and wherein an internal channel of the liquid tank (9) comprises a combustion engine (1) and a water pump (2); which is characterized in that it also includes: two folding arms (6) actuated by a linear actuator to raise and lower a washing head (5, 7); and a gyro-stabilized inspection device (11) comprising a plurality of LED bulbs, and at least one plurality of cameras, said gyro-stabilized inspection device (11) being mounted on said washing head (5, 7).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, which is secured by the upper surface thereof to an aircraft (200, 500).

3. The device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the air-transportable device (100) is secured to the aircraft (200, 500) by means of a plurality of straps (400).

4. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft (500) is an unmanned aerial vehicle that comprises autonomous navigation means, ground control, and is configured for vertical take-off and landing, as well as for hovering.

5. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the washing head (5, 7) is made up of a rotating head (5) which can rotate through 340 horizontally and 120 vertically, with rotary fittings for the passage of water to a lance or pole (7) having a length of 3 to 6 meters, with nozzles for pressure washing or water projection.

6. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the gyro-stabilized inspection device (11) comprises at least one high-definition camera and at least one infrared camera.

7. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the liquid tank (9) comprises a plurality of side gates for quickly emptying the liquid tank (9).

8. An aircraft (200, 500) that includes an autonomous, air-transportable device for projecting pressurized liquid (100), characterized in that it comprises a control console (300) that communicates with the device (100) via an automaton (10); and wherein said automaton (10) is a programmable electronic device configured to execute a program or programs stored in a memory, wherein said program or programs comprise instructions to execute: (a) the start and execution of the cleaning or extinguishing functions when a minimum altitude is reached; (b) generating an alarm on the console (300) when the aircraft (200) descends to a minimum altitude, placing the lance or pole (7) in the central position, raising the rotary head (5), and stopping the engine (1).

9. The aircraft (200, 500) according to claim 8, comprising a plurality of straps (400) connected, like an external basket, to an autonomous, air-transportable device for projecting pressurized liquid (100).

10. The aircraft (200) of claim 9, which is a helicopter.

11. The aircraft (500) of claim 8, which is an unmanned aerial vehicle that comprises autonomous navigation means, ground control, and is configured for vertical take-off and landing, as well as for hovering.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] Next, a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to an embodiment of said invention that is presented as a non-limiting example thereof is described very briefly.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the cleaning device of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a view of the device of FIG. 1 transported by a helicopter.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the device of the invention, air-transported autonomously by an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a second schematic view of the device of FIG. 3.

DISCLOSURE OF A DETAILED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0029] As indicated below, the accompanying figures use the following numerical references that integrate the air-transportable device for projecting pressurized liquid (100) that is the subject of the present invention:

TABLE-US-00001 1: combustion engine 2: pressurized water pump 3: chassis base 4: cushioned skates 5: rotating head 6: folding arms 7: lance or pole 8: fuel tank 9: water tank 10: automaton 11: gyro-stabilized device 100: air-transportable device 200: aircraft or helicopter 300: control console 400: fastening straps 500: unmanned aerial vehicle

[0030] The water tank (9) is made of polyester fiber for hot water at a maximum temperature of 80 C. so that it can be used in de-icing tasks, if necessary. In addition, the water tank (9) comprises several bulkhead walls to maintain stability during its transport as a basket of the aircraft or helicopter (200), as best seen in FIG. 2. In addition, the water tank (9) comprises an internal structure of four aluminum struts for the assembly, providing rigidity to the entire structure, in addition to supporting two shock-absorbing skates (4) that allow the entire device (100) to be supported on the ground during both the take-off and the landing of the aircraft (200). Finally, the water tank (9) comprises, at the top, four anchor points for cables or winches, which are configured as the straps (400) for fastening the cleaning device (100) to the helicopter (200).

[0031] The water tank (9) is connected to a soap tank and additionally includes side doors for quick emptying of the tank (9) in case of emergency or for extinguishing forest fires. In addition, the water is loaded into the tank by means of an automatic suction pump with suction hose hanging under the equipment.

[0032] In a tunnel inside the water tank (9), the cleaning device (100) comprises a 20 to 40 HP combustion engine (1) in various embodiments, as well as a pressurized water pump (2) of the type with high-pressure pistons, for supplying 60 liters/minute of water at up to 250 bar pressure in a configuration for cleaning wind or photovoltaic facilities, or else a pump for up to 850 liters/minute of water at 20 bar in a configuration suitable for extinguishing fires. The combustion engine (1) is supplied from a fuel tank (8), while the pressurized water pump (2) is completed with its corresponding safety valves, pulley transmission, and timing belt.

[0033] The device (100) comprises two folding arms (6) actuated by a linear actuator to raise and lower a washing head (5, 7). The washing head is made up of a rotating head (5), which can rotate through 340 horizontally and 120 vertically, with rotary fittings for the passage of water to a lance or pole (7) having a length of 3 to 6 meters, with nozzles for pressure washing or simple water projection, depending on the purpose for which the device (100) is to be used.

[0034] The device (100) is completed with a gyro-stabilized inspection device (11) comprising a plurality of LED spotlights and a high-definition camera (FHD or 4K), as well as an infrared (IR) camera which, being aligned with the lance (7), is mounted on the rotating head (5), which allows it to be used for inspection in any condition.

[0035] One of the advantages of the present invention is its versatility of use, since the primary use of the device (100) can be changed with minimal changes, such as the power of the combustion engine (1) (preferably, 15-30 HP with electric starting for the fire-extinguishing model and, preferably, 20-40 HP with electric starting for the cleaning configuration) or the type of pressurized water pump (2) (preferably 850 liters for fire extinguishing and, preferably, piston pump delivering 30 to 80 liters at 250 bar for high-pressure cleaning).

[0036] The device (100) is operated by an operator from inside the helicopter or aircraft (200) via a control console (300) that communicates with the device (100) through the automaton (10). This automaton (10) is a PLC or, in general, any programmable electronic device configured to execute a program or programs stored in a memory, where said program or programs comprise instructions to execute: (a) the start and execution of the cleaning or extinguishing functions when a minimum altitude is reached; (b) generating an alarm on the console (300) when the aircraft (200) descends to a minimum altitude, placing the lance or pole (7) in the central position, raising the head, and stopping the engine (1).

[0037] In addition, the following tables show the inputs and outputs that preferably configure the input, output, and communication signals between the automaton (10) and the console (300) for the correct execution of the cleaning or fire-extinguishing functions:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE I Console (300) outputs to automaton (10) Joystick for rotating lance (7) Soap valve ON/OFF button Joystick for raising lance (7) Water pressure or shut-off ON/OFF button Joystick for camera Button for raising and lowering the head movement functions Engine (1) start-stop buttons Two-position engine (1) throttle button Video camera switch Gyro-stabilized device (11) controls LED light switch Thermographic camera control Output for pilot's external 24 V power input control screen

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE II Console (300) inputs from automaton (10) Counter of flight hours Counter of device (100) engine (1) hours Landed position, with head (5) Head (5) extended indicator folded horizontally Head (5) retracted indicator alarm Trigger indicator according to altimeter Water shortage or level warning Engine (1) RPM Engine (1) start/stop Distance to target Distance from device (100) to ground Range finder Artificial horizon indicator Soap tank level of the device (100) Water tank (9) level Position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft Fuel tank (8) level Water pressure regulator Water pressure indicator Water tank (9) temperature Outside temperature Water conductivity meter RECORD/PAUSE camera control GPS coordinates Centering target Compass

[0038] The air-transportable device (100) as described allows quick access and immediate response to any incident. In addition, the air-transportable device (100) can be placed at a variable height by means of straps with lengths of 10, 25, 20, 25 or 30 meters. The device can be refilled with 1,000 liters/minute from a truck, a swimming pool, a river, a lake or any other water source.

[0039] In addition, the effective distance of the water jet is adjusted by a pressure gauge and a flowmeter, regulating the effective distance up to 50 meters from the nozzle.

[0040] The cost differences between another washing method and the air-transportable one are very considerable, making this invention the most advantageous method even in economic terms. The cost of cleaning is very similar in all methods, but the difference in production time is very considerable, while also performing a complete inspection of the structure.

[0041] In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the air-transportable device (100) is operated by an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone. For this, the air-transportable device (100) is secured to the bottom of a structure of an unmanned aerial vehicle (500) of the type configured for vertical take-off and landing. Thus, the unmanned aerial vehicle (500) comprises autonomous navigation means, ground control, and is configured for vertical take-off and landing, as well as for hovering.

[0042] Finally, we should highlight the differences between the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (500) and helicopters (200):

TABLE-US-00004 Helicopter (200) Unmanned aerial vehicle (500) Average price for one hour of Average price for one hour of flight: flight: 2,800 12 Effective hours per day: maximum Effective hours per day: 20 6; 8 hours/day with a 20-minute CO2 emissions per hour: 0; it is break every hour electric CO2 emissions per hour: 390 kg Liters of water projected/day: 40,000; Liters of water projected/day: 2,000 liters/hour 20 hours 24,000; 4,000 liters/hour 6 hours