JP7804401B2 - Fire extinguishing equipment and fire extinguishing methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing device and method that extinguishes a fire by emitting a fine spray airflow containing charged water particles from the tip of the ladder of a ladder fire truck or other location.

Traditionally, when a fire breaks out in a building such as an apartment complex or office building that is not equipped with automatic fire extinguishing systems such as sprinkler systems, if the fire cannot be put out initially using fire extinguishers or fire hydrants, the fire brigade is dispatched to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading.

At this time, if the fire and thick smoke are intense, there are no people believed to need rescue, and the fire compartment is secure, the fire brigade will not enter the fire compartment. If the fire compartment has an exterior wall opening such as a window, they will spray water to moisten and cool areas that may be subject to fire spread or thermal destruction due to flames or heat radiation from the opening, in order to prevent the fire from spreading.

However, when spraying fire extinguishing water from a nozzle into a fire compartment through an exterior wall opening, the source of the fire is often not visible, and it may not be possible to aim properly. Furthermore, for example, in the case of a fire in an apartment building, if there is a residential area or commercial facility on the floor below the fire compartment, spraying a large amount of water into the fire compartment will result in the water flowing to the floors below, causing significant water damage.

If spraying water is effective in extinguishing the fire, then it is unavoidable, but we want to avoid the damage caused by spraying large amounts of water indiscriminately. Therefore, spraying water into a fire compartment from an exterior wall opening is often not actively carried out if the source of the fire is difficult to determine due to thick smoke and the target cannot be determined properly. As a result, fire response tactics often have to focus on spraying water to prevent the fire from spreading outside the fire compartment and to prevent thermal destruction of the fire doors, walls, and windows that make up the fire compartment, while minimizing spraying water inside the fire compartment to extinguish the fire, and waiting for the fire to die down as it burns out.

When using such firefighting tactics, not only does the damage to the property burn become greater, but the fire continues to burn for a long time and the combustion chamber becomes very hot, causing significant damage to the building structure, even in fire-resistant buildings known as Class 8 buildings, such as apartment buildings, where firefighting equipment installation standards are applied to each building, and in addition, there are issues with the damage caused by thick smoke.

To solve this problem, fire brigades have traditionally used fine-mist fire extinguishing devices that emit fine spray water particles, and charged fine-mist fire extinguishing devices that emit charged fine spray water particles, in place of the rod-shaped water spray from the pipe guns (water nozzles) typically used by fire departments. These devices can efficiently extinguish fires with small amounts of water, and are expected to reduce water damage.

JP 2009-106405 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-183712

However, while conventional fine spray fire extinguishing devices are often thought to be highly efficient at extinguishing fires despite using small amounts of water, causing minimal water damage, in reality they have low fire extinguishing capabilities and are often unable to extinguish fires. The reason for this is that fine spray water particles, which have diameters of several tens to several hundred microns, lose speed due to air resistance immediately after being released, resulting in a short range and preventing them from reaching the fire source with sufficient impact speed. Furthermore, strong updrafts exist near the fire source, causing the fine spray water particles to be blown away, and few of them ever reach the fire source.

In addition, because the burning surface of a fire source is very hot, under conditions such as the surface of embers, the gas near the boundary of the burning surface is in intense molecular motion due to the high temperature, and the finely sprayed water particles, which have already lost speed, have little momentum and are unable to break through this area of intense molecular motion, being repelled. Here, the space near the boundary of the burning surface where the gas is in intense molecular motion is called a dust-free space, and to break through this dust-free space, a certain degree of particle diameter and speed, or momentum, is required; water particles with a diameter of millimeters, as seen in sprinkler systems, are desirable. For these reasons, it is not expected that finely sprayed water particles will sufficiently wet the hot surface when they come into contact with it.

Fine spray water particles absorb heat in the space near the burning surface and evaporate, with many of them turning into water vapor. It is generally believed that this heat of vaporization lowers the ambient temperature, and the resulting water vapor reduces the oxygen concentration, weakening the fire. However, this is incorrect. In fact, the specific gravity of the water vapor generated is only about 60% that of air, so the water vapor rises due to buoyancy, accelerating the updraft near the fire source. This convection can then draw fresh air toward the fire, fueling the fire instead. For this reason, although fine spray fire extinguishing devices may have the advantage of reducing water damage, they have the problem of being extremely poor at extinguishing and suppressing fires.

In addition, with conventional charged fine spray fire extinguishing devices, the charged fine spray water particles sprayed from the head are able to penetrate the dust-free space near the boundary of the burning surface where gas molecules are in intense motion due to electrostatic attraction. However, as the fine spray water particles have the same polarity, they repel each other immediately after being released from the charged fine spray head, instantly spreading in all directions and failing to form a fine spray flow. This leaves an issue in that the device cannot even reach areas close to the fire source, which is some distance away.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a fire extinguishing device and fire extinguishing method that efficiently injects charged water particles toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention, ensuring high fire extinguishing and fire suppression performance.

(Fire extinguishing system 1)
The present invention is a fire extinguisher characterized in that it emits a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles in the airflow toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention.

(Fire extinguishing system 2)
The present invention provides a fire extinguishing device,
a spray airflow discharge unit that discharges a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles in an airflow toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention;
a fire extinguishing agent supply unit that supplies fire extinguishing water to the spray airflow discharge unit;
a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies a high voltage for generating charged water particles to the spray airflow discharge unit;
a discharge direction adjusting unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow from the spray airflow discharge unit;
The present invention is characterized in that:

(Spray airflow discharge part)
The spray airflow discharge section is
a blower that generates an air flow;
a charged fine spray head that sprays charged water particles into the airflow generated by the air blower and causes the charged water particles to be contained therein;
Equipped with.

(Adjustment of applied voltage and polarity switching)
The high-voltage power supply section is
a voltage adjusting unit that adjusts the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head according to the fire extinguishing or fire prevention target;
a polarity switching unit that switches the polarity of the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head according to the fire extinguishing target or the fire prevention target;
Equipped with.

(Emission direction adjustment part)
The emission direction adjustment unit is
a vertical direction adjusting unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the vertical direction;
a left-right direction adjustment unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the left-right direction;
Equipped with
The rotation axis of the vertical direction adjustment portion and the rotation axis of the horizontal direction adjustment portion are disposed at predetermined positions on the tip side of the center of gravity of the spray air current discharge portion.

(Fire engine equipped with fire extinguishing equipment)
The spray airflow discharge section is provided at the ladder tip of a ladder fire engine, at the aerial work platform of an aerial work fire engine, or at the boom tip of a boom-equipped fire engine.

(Extinguishing method 1)
The present invention is a fire extinguishing method characterized in that a fire extinguishing device discharges a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles in the airflow toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention.

(Extinguishing method 2)
The present invention provides a fire extinguishing method, comprising:
The spray airflow discharge unit discharges a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles in the airflow toward the fire extinguishing target or the fire prevention target,
The extinguishing agent supply section supplies fire extinguishing water to the spray airflow discharge section,
A high voltage power supply unit supplies a high voltage to the spray airflow discharge unit to generate charged water particles;
The discharge direction adjusting unit adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow from the spray airflow discharge unit.
It is characterized by:

(Effectiveness of Fire Extinguishing Devices)
According to the fire extinguishing device of the present invention, in the event of a fire in a building such as a building, for example, a spray airflow discharge section provided at the end of the ladder of a ladder fire truck discharges a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles, and the charged water is injected through an exterior wall opening such as a window into the fire compartment on the fire floor and surrounding compartments. When spraying water from a conventional nozzle, the fire source cannot be identified due to thick smoke, and water cannot be sprayed due to the risk of water damage to lower floors. In addition, with a fine spray fire extinguishing device that uses a smaller amount of water, the fine spray is carried away by the fire airflow, preventing it from reaching the vicinity of the fire source and preventing the expected fire extinguishing effect. However, the charged fine spray airflow is less likely to be carried away by the fire airflow, and can efficiently deliver charged water particles to the vicinity of the fire source. Furthermore, the charged water particles delivered to the vicinity of the fire source can, due to electrostatic force, bend around and surround even burning surfaces with complex shapes that are blind spots with conventional fine spray fire extinguishing, thereby effectively extinguishing the fire.

In addition, conventional fine spray fire extinguishing devices are unable to penetrate the dust-free space that exists at the boundary of a high-temperature burning surface due to their small momentum, but charged water particles use electrostatic force to penetrate the dust-free space and adhere to the burning surface, providing high fire extinguishing performance.

In addition, while conventional fine spray fire extinguishing devices only capture smoke particles that happen to collide with water particles in the air, the charged water particles released by the charged fine spray airflow collect and capture smoke particles in the air using electrostatic force, providing high smoke suppression performance.

In addition, the injected charged water particles have high smoke suppression properties and, unlike rod-shaped water sprays, do not impact the human body, allowing fire departments to enter the area and carry out rescue operations in parallel with the injection of the charged fine spray airflow.

(Effect of spray airflow discharge section)
In addition, the spray airflow discharge section has a simple structure consisting of an air blowing section and a charged fine spray head, and by changing the diameter of the air blowing section and the number of charged fine spray heads, the size and strength of the discharged charged fine spray airflow can be optimally set according to the target of fire extinguishing or fire prevention.

(Effect of adjusting the applied voltage and switching the polarity)
In addition, the voltage adjustment unit and polarity switching unit of the high-voltage power supply unit make it possible to freely adjust the charge polarity and charge amount of the water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head, making it possible to inject a charged fine spray airflow containing water particles of a charge polarity and charge amount suitable for fire extinguishing and smoke suppression at the fire scene.Furthermore, if the fire extinguishing or fire prevention target is charged or is prone to becoming charged, higher fire extinguishing and smoke suppression performance can be expected by injecting a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles of the opposite polarity (or the opposite polarity) to the polarity of the charged water, and it is possible to prevent discharge accidents that may occur due to the increased charge amount of the charged fine spray water on a fire extinguishing or fire prevention target that is prone to becoming charged.

(Effect of the release direction adjustment unit)
The discharge direction adjustment unit can freely adjust the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the vertical and horizontal directions, allowing the operator to accurately discharge the charged fine spray airflow toward the fire extinguishing or fire prevention target. The rotation axis of the vertical adjustment unit and the rotation axis of the horizontal adjustment unit are located at predetermined positions distal to the center of gravity of the spray airflow discharge unit, so the discharge direction is stable even when subjected to a recoil force from the charged fine spray airflow discharged by the spray airflow discharge unit, allowing the operator to easily adjust the discharge direction at will. For example, if the spray airflow discharge unit is installed on the bucket at the end of a fire ladder truck, the high stability of the spray airflow discharge unit prevents the discharge of the charged fine spray airflow from being directed in an unexpected direction even when the basket is tilted, ensuring safe operation.

(The effect of fire engines equipped with fire extinguishing equipment)
Furthermore, even in the case of a fire at a high altitude, for example, on the second floor or higher of a building, the spray airflow discharge section provided on the ladder tip of a ladder fire engine, the elevated work platform of an elevated work engine, or the boom tip of a boom-equipped fire engine can be placed close to an exterior wall opening such as a window to easily and efficiently inject a charged fine spray airflow into the building, ensuring high fire extinguishing and smoke suppression performance.

(Effectiveness of fire-extinguishing methods)
The fire extinguishing method of the present invention can provide the same effects as the above-mentioned fire extinguishing device.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a fire extinguisher of the present invention. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the spray airflow discharge portion of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a charged fine atomization head provided in the atomized airflow emitting section of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the high-voltage power supply unit of FIG. 1 together with a charged fine atomization head. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a pulse voltage applied to the charged fine atomization head by the high-voltage power supply unit of FIG. 4. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a pulsating voltage applied to the charged fine atomizing head by the high-voltage power supply unit of FIG. 4. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an AC voltage applied to the charged fine atomization head by the high-voltage power supply unit of FIG. 4. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a firefighting activity by a ladder fire engine equipped with a fire extinguishing apparatus of the present invention.

Embodiments of a fire extinguishing device and a fire extinguishing method according to the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[Basic Concept of the Embodiment]
First, a basic concept of the embodiment will be described. The embodiment generally relates to a fire extinguishing device provided on a mobile object such as a fire engine. The fire extinguishing device includes the concepts of fire extinguishing equipment and fire extinguishing tools.

As an example, the fire extinguishing device is composed of a spray airflow discharge unit, a fire extinguishing agent supply unit, a high-voltage power supply unit, and a discharge direction adjustment unit.

The "atomized airflow discharge unit" discharges a charged fine-atomized airflow containing charged water particles in the airflow toward the target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention. For example, it is composed of an air blower and a charged water particle generator equipped with multiple charged fine-atomized spray heads.

Here, the "blower" refers to a device that generates an air flow. Furthermore, the "charged fine spray head" refers to a device that sprays charged water particles into the air flow generated by the blower, thereby incorporating them into the air flow. The term "incorporating" encompasses the concepts of mixing, blending, and intermixing.

Furthermore, "charged water particles" are droplets contained in the spray stream of aqueous spray liquid emitted from a charged fine spray head, which are charged using an induction charging method in which the droplets pass through a high electric field generated by a specified high voltage applied to the charged fine spray head from a high-voltage power supply.

In addition, the "charged fine spray airflow" is an airflow generated by the blower section that contains charged water particles sprayed from a charged fine spray head, making it difficult for the charged water particles to be swept away by the fire airflow and allowing the charged water particles to be delivered efficiently to the vicinity of the fire source.

The charged water particles delivered to the fire compartment by the charged fine spray airflow adhere to the burning surface by electrostatic force, extinguishing the fire. The charged water particles also penetrate the dust-free space that exists at the boundary of the high-temperature burning surface by electrostatic force, adhering to the burning surface and extinguishing the fire. Furthermore, the charged water particles delivered to the fire compartment extinguish the smoke by collecting and capturing smoke particles in the space by electrostatic force.

The spray airflow discharge unit is, for example, installed at the end of the ladder of a ladder fire engine, the aerial work platform of an aerial work engine, or the end of the boom of a boom-equipped fire engine. By placing the spray airflow discharge unit close to an exterior wall opening such as a window in a fire compartment, the charged fine spray airflow can be efficiently injected into the building to extinguish fires and smoke.

The "fire extinguishing agent supply unit" is a unit that supplies fire extinguishing water to the spray airflow discharge unit, and is a concept that includes, for example, pressurized water supply devices such as fire pumps.

The "high-voltage power supply unit" supplies a high voltage to the spray airflow discharge unit to generate charged water particles, and applies, for example, a DC voltage, a pulsating voltage, an AC voltage, or a pulse voltage to the charged fine spray head. The "high-voltage power supply unit" is, for example, composed of a voltage adjustment unit and a polarity switching unit. Here, the "voltage adjustment unit" adjusts the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head, enabling the injection of a charged fine spray airflow containing water particles with a charge appropriate for fire and smoke extinguishing at the scene of a fire.

The "polarity switching unit" switches the polarity of the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head, making it possible to inject a charged fine spray airflow containing water particles with a charge polarity suitable for fire extinguishing and smoke suppression at the fire scene. Furthermore, if the object to be extinguished or protected from fire is charged or is prone to becoming charged, a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles with the opposite polarity to the charge polarity can be injected, enabling more effective fire extinguishing and smoke suppression.

The "emission direction adjustment unit" adjusts the direction of the charged fine spray airflow emitted by the spray airflow discharge unit, and is, for example, composed of a vertical adjustment unit and a horizontal adjustment unit. Here, the "vertical adjustment unit" adjusts the emission direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the vertical direction (vertical swirling direction), and the "horizontal adjustment unit" adjusts the emission direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the horizontal direction (horizontal swirling direction). Furthermore, the emission direction adjustment unit positions the rotation axis of the vertical adjustment unit and the rotation axis of the horizontal adjustment unit at a predetermined position toward the tip of the center of gravity of the spray airflow discharge unit. This stabilizes the emission direction of the spray airflow discharge unit even when subjected to the recoil force of the charged fine spray airflow being emitted, allowing the operator to easily adjust the emission direction at will.

Specific embodiments are described below. In the specific embodiments described below, the "fire extinguishing target" is a "fire compartment of a building" and the "spray airflow discharge unit" is installed at the end of the ladder of a ladder fire truck.

[Specific embodiment of the fire extinguishing device]
The fire extinguisher of this embodiment is mounted on a fire truck such as a ladder fire engine, and discharges a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire protection. The configuration and structure of the fire extinguishing device are arbitrary, but for example, as shown in Fig. 1, the device includes a spray airflow discharge unit 10, an operation panel 14, a fire extinguishing agent supply unit 16, and a high-voltage power supply unit 18, and the operation panel 14 is provided with an operation display unit 20 and a control unit 21. The spray airflow discharge unit 10 is mounted on a stand 40 so as to be rotatable in the vertical and horizontal directions, and is connected to a water supply pipe 22 from the fire extinguishing agent supply unit 16, a high-voltage cable 24 from the high-voltage power supply unit 18, and a signal cable 26 from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14.

[Spray airflow discharge part]
The spray airflow discharge unit 10 will be described in more detail. The spray airflow discharge unit 10 discharges the charged fine spray airflow 12 toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention. Its configuration and structure are arbitrary, but it may, for example, include an air blower 28 and a charged water particle generator 30. The air blower 28 generates an airflow directed forward, and the charged water particle generator 30, located at the outlet of the air blower 28, sprays charged water particles into the airflow from the air blower 28, causing the charged water particles to be contained in the airflow, and the charged fine spray airflow 12 containing the charged water particles is discharged forward. The spray airflow discharge unit 10 is provided, for example, at the end of a ladder of a ladder fire truck, and injects the charged fine spray airflow 12 from the outside of a building or other structure where a fire has occurred into a fire compartment through an exterior wall opening, such as a window, to extinguish the fire.

Figure 2 shows the spray airflow discharge section 10 of Figure 1 in more detail, with Figure 2(A) showing a rear view from the rear, Figure 2(B) showing a side view, and Figure 2(C) showing a front view from the front.

[Blower section]
The blower 28 will now be described in more detail. The blower 28 has a cavity with openings at the front and rear, and an axial fan 34 driven by a fan motor 36 is disposed therein. The rotation of the axial fan 34 pressurizes air drawn in through the rear opening and releases the airflow from the front opening. The volume of the airflow released from the blower 28 is arbitrary, but for example, the maximum volume is approximately 400 ^m3 /min. The volume of air can be changed as needed by changing the rotation speed of the axial fan 34 using the fan motor 36.

When the spray airflow discharge unit 10 is installed at the end of the ladder of a ladder fire truck, it can get within several meters of the fire compartment of the building, so the airflow volume of the blower unit 28 is set so that the forward reach of the charged fine spray airflow 12 is approximately 10 meters, for example. In addition, a protective cover 38 made of a multi-ring or wire mesh is attached to the intake port 28a on the rear side of the blower unit 28.

[Charged water particle generation unit]
The charged water particle generator 30 will be described in more detail. The charged water particle generator 30 is disposed in the front opening of the air blower 28. When viewed from the front as in Fig. 2(C), the charged water particle generator 30 has a plurality of charged fine spray heads 32, for example, ten charged fine spray heads 32, arranged in a ring shape inside a support ring 31. The spray axes of the plurality of charged fine spray heads 32 are arranged so as to intersect with the discharge axis 25 of the charged fine spray airflow 12, and when viewed from the side as in Fig. 2(B), the spray axes of the plurality of charged fine spray heads 32 are arranged so as to intersect at point P on the front of the discharge axis 25.

Here, the intersection angle θ between the spray axis of the charged fine spray head 32 and the discharge axis 25 of the charged fine spray airflow 12, which intersect at point P, is a predetermined angle that ensures the sprayed charged water particles are well contained in the airflow, taking into consideration the spray speed and spray spread angle of the charged water particles from the charged fine spray head 32, the wind speed of the airflow from the blower 28, etc., and is, for example, a predetermined angle in the range of 45° to 90°, for example, 60°.

[Charged fine spray head]
Next, the charged fine spray head 32 provided in the charged water particle generating unit 30 in Fig. 2 will be described in more detail. Fig. 3 shows the charged fine spray head 32, with Fig. 3(A) showing a perspective view from the spray side and Fig. 3(B) showing a side view.

As shown in Figure 3, the charged fine spray head 32 sprays charged water particles into the airflow from the air blower 28, causing the airflow to become saturated with the charged water particles. While its configuration and structure are arbitrary, one example is one that comprises a body 54, a spray nozzle 56, an electrode holder 58, an induction electrode 60, a water-side electrode 62, and a water supply connection 64. The body 54, spray nozzle 56, electrode holder 58, and water supply connection 64 are made of insulating materials.

A through-hole is formed inside the body 54 in the direction of the spray axis 55, and the conductive water-side electrode 62 is fitted from below, with the water supply connection 64 fitted above it. An earth cable is connected from the outside to the electrode connection 62a of the water-side electrode 62. Pressurized water is supplied to the water supply connection 64. A spray nozzle 56 is provided at the tip of the water-side electrode 62, and it releases water droplets with an average particle diameter of, for example, 100 to 300 μm.

A ring-shaped induction electrode 60 is positioned in the open space at the tip of the injection nozzle 56 by an electrode holder 58. The induction electrode 60 may have any configuration or structure, but may, for example, be formed by insulating a conductive electrode core material. An external voltage application cable is connected to the cable connection 60a of the induction electrode 60.

A predetermined voltage (e.g., 10 kV DC voltage) adjusted from a predetermined adjustment range (e.g., 0.5 kV to 20 kV) within the voltage range capable of charging water particles is applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 from the high-voltage power supply unit 18 shown in Figure 1. This applied voltage creates a predetermined external electric field around the ring portion of the induction electrode unit 60, charging the water particles sprayed from the spray nozzle unit 56 using the induction charging method, and a spray of charged water particles is released.

Here, the specified adjustment range (i.e., the specified adjustable range) may include a voltage range in which water particles cannot be charged, as long as it can be adjusted to a specified voltage that can charge water particles. The polarity (positive/negative) of the applied voltage is switched by a polarity switching unit. Note that the above voltage values are examples and are not limited to these; pulse voltage, pulsating voltage, or AC voltage may also be applied.

For example, when a DC voltage is applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62, either positively or negatively charged water particles are generated depending on the polarity of the induction electrode unit 60 when the water-side electrode unit 62 is set to a reference potential (earth potential, 0V). Here, the water-side electrode unit 62 is set to a reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 is negative. The applied voltage that positively charges the water particles is called a negative applied voltage. The water-side electrode unit 62 is set to a reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 is positive. The applied voltage that negatively charges the water particles is called a positive applied voltage. Furthermore, applying a voltage between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 in the range of, for example, 0.5 kV to 20 kV prevents spark discharge, ensuring safety while generating a spray of charged water particles.

The configuration and structure of the charged fine spray head 32 are arbitrary and are not limited to those shown in Figure 3, and may include any suitable structure or known structure that generates water particles and charges the generated water particles to generate charged water particles.

[Emission direction adjustment section]
The following provides a more detailed description of the emission direction adjustment unit provided in the spray airflow discharge unit 10. The emission direction adjustment unit adjusts the emission direction of the charged fine spray airflow 12 from the spray airflow discharge unit 10, and while the configuration and structure thereof are arbitrary, as an example, a left-right direction adjustment unit 44 and a up-down direction adjustment unit 48 are provided as shown in FIG.

The blower section 28 of the spray airflow discharge section 10 is supported on a pivotal support section 42, which is supported on a base 40 for left-right (horizontal) rotation by a left-right rotation shaft 46, and is supported on a top-bottom rotation shaft 50 for vertical rotation. A left-right direction adjustment section 44 is disposed below the base 40. The left-right direction adjustment section 44 is, for example, a motor drive section, and rotates the pivotal support section 42 on a drive shaft, and the spray airflow discharge section 10, which is supported on the pivotal support section 42 by the top-bottom rotation shaft 50, left-right (horizontal) around the left-right rotation shaft 46, thereby adjusting the left-right release direction of the charged fine spray airflow 12.

A vertical direction adjustment unit 48 is provided on one side of the vertical rotation shaft 50, which rotatably supports the spray airflow discharge unit 10 on the rotation support unit 42. The vertical direction adjustment unit 48 is, for example, a motor drive unit, which supports the blower unit 28 on the drive shaft and rotates the spray airflow discharge unit 10 in the vertical direction (vertical direction) around the vertical rotation shaft 50, making it possible to adjust the vertical direction of the discharge of the charged fine spray airflow 12.

Here, the left-right rotation shaft 46 of the left-right direction adjustment unit 44 and the up-down rotation shaft 50 of the up-down direction adjustment unit 48 are positioned at predetermined positions forward (on the discharge side) of the center of gravity of the spray airflow discharge unit 10. Therefore, the discharge direction is stable even when subjected to the recoil force of the charged fine spray airflow 12 discharged by the spray airflow discharge unit 10, allowing the operator to easily adjust the discharge direction at their discretion. Furthermore, for example, if the spray airflow discharge unit 10 is installed in the bucket section at the end of the ladder of a ladder fire truck, the high stability of the spray airflow discharge unit 10 prevents the discharge of the charged fine spray airflow from pointing in an unexpected direction even when the basket section is tilted, ensuring safe operation.

[High-voltage power supply section]
The high-voltage power supply unit 18 will be described in more detail below. The high-voltage power supply unit 18 supplies a high voltage for generating charged water particles to the spray airflow discharge unit 10 via a high-voltage cable 24, and while the configuration and function thereof are arbitrary, it may include, for example, a high-voltage variable circuit 66 that functions as a voltage adjustment unit and a polarity reversing circuit 68 that functions as a polarity switching unit, as shown in FIG.

Figure 4 shows the high-voltage power supply unit 18 along with the circuit configuration of the charged water particle generator 30, which includes multiple charged fine spray heads 32. The charged fine spray heads 32 include an induction electrode unit 60 and a water-side electrode unit 62. A voltage application cable 24a from the high-voltage power supply unit 18 is connected to the induction electrode unit 60 via a current-limiting resistor 72, and an earth cable 24b from the high-voltage power supply unit 18 is connected to the water-side electrode unit 62 via a current-limiting resistor 74. A high voltage is applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62, charging the water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray heads 32. Highly insulated, high-voltage cables are used for the voltage application cable 24a and earth cable 24b. However, if only DC voltage is applied, the positive cable should be a high-voltage cable, and the negative cable can be a standard low-voltage cable.

The high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14, allowing the charged fine spray head 32 to inject a charged fine spray airflow containing water particles with a charge suitable for fire extinguishing and smoke suppression at the fire scene. Furthermore, by lowering the absolute value of the applied voltage, the water particles have a reduced charge, making it possible to prevent discharge accidents that could occur due to an increased charge from the charged water particles on fire extinguishing or fire prevention targets that are easily charged.

The polarity reversal circuit 68 switches the polarity of the voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14. This switches the charge polarity of the water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head 32 between positive (plus) and negative (minus), allowing a charged fine spray airflow containing water particles of a charge polarity suitable for fire extinguishing and smoke suppression at the fire scene. For example, if the target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention is charged or easily charged, better fire extinguishing and smoke suppression performance can be expected by injecting a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles of the opposite polarity to the charge polarity of the target.

Here, the types of voltage applied from the high-voltage power supply unit 18 between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 of the charged fine spray head 32 include, for example, DC voltage, pulse voltage, pulsating voltage, and AC voltage.

[When applying DC voltage]
First, a case where a DC voltage is applied between the induction electrode section 60 and the water-side electrode section 62 of the charged fine spray head 32 from the high-voltage power supply section 18 will be described in more detail.

The high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage output from the high-voltage variable circuit 66 to a predetermined DC voltage in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14. "Adjusting to a predetermined DC voltage" here means adjusting to a DC voltage capable of charging water particles, for example, adjusting to a DC voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV (+0.5 kV to +20 kV or -0.5 kV to -20 kV), which is the voltage range capable of charging water particles.

The polarity reversing circuit 68 determines whether to switch the polarity of the specified DC voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 66 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14, and adjusts the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62.

For example, if the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the specified DC voltage to +10 kV DC (positive DC), and the polarity is not switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 will be +10 kV, with the water-side electrode unit 62 at the reference potential (earth potential, 0 V), and a +10 kV DC voltage (positive DC voltage) will be applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62, making the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 higher than the potential of the water-side electrode unit 62. As a result, the sprayed water particles will be negatively charged.

On the other hand, when the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the specified DC voltage to +10 kV DC (positive DC), and the polarity is switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 becomes -10 kV with the water-side electrode unit 62 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0 V), and a DC voltage of -10 kV (negative DC voltage) is applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62, making the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 lower than the potential of the water-side electrode unit 62. As a result, the sprayed water particles become positively charged.

Here, the output of the control signal for polarity switching from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14 to the polarity reversal circuit 68 includes both manual output, such as when the operation display unit 20 of the operation panel 14 is operated, and automatic output, such as according to a predetermined cycle pre-set in the fire extinguisher. In other words, in the case of manual output, the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62 can be switched at any timing, and in the case of automatic output, such as according to a predetermined cycle, the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62 can be switched at a preset timing.

Alternatively, the polarity reversing circuit 68 may not switch polarity, but may instead control the high-voltage variable circuit 66 to adjust and output a DC voltage of the opposite polarity. For example, if the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts and outputs a DC voltage of +10 kV (positive DC voltage), the high-voltage variable circuit 66 may be controlled to output a DC voltage of -10 kV (negative DC voltage).

[When applying a pulse voltage]
Next, a more detailed description will be given of the case where a pulse voltage is applied between the induction electrode section 60 and the water-side electrode section 62 of the charged fine spray head 32 from the high-voltage power supply section 18.

The high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage output from the high-voltage variable circuit 66 to a predetermined pulse voltage in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14. "Adjusting to a predetermined pulse voltage" here means adjusting the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage, for example, by adjusting the pulse period, pulse width (or duty ratio, which indicates the ratio of the pulse width to the pulse period), pulse amplitude, and pulse polarity. Note that parameters other than those mentioned above can also be used as appropriate, as long as they are necessary to adjust the voltage waveform.

In addition, "adjusting the pulse polarity" here means, for example, selecting a unipolar pulse that swings to one polarity side and a bipolar pulse that swings in both polarity directions, and unipolar pulses include positive unipolar pulses that swing to the positive (plus) side and negative unipolar pulses that swing to the negative (minus) side.

The voltage waveform of the pulse voltage adjusted by the high-voltage variable circuit 66 is arbitrary, but for example, it is the voltage waveform shown in Figure 5(A) adjusted as a positive unipolar pulse with a pulse period of T, pulse width of T1, and pulse amplitude of V1. Here, pulse amplitude V1 can be any pulse amplitude as long as a voltage capable of charging water particles can be applied between the induction electrode section 60 and the water-side electrode section 62, but for example, it should be the same value as a voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV, which is the voltage range capable of charging water particles.

The pulse period T can be any value. For example, the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage shown in Figure 5(B) is adjusted to a pulse period of 2T, which is twice the pulse period T of the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in Figure 5(A).

Furthermore, the pulse width T1 can be any value as long as it does not exceed the period T. For example, the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in Figure 5(C) is obtained by adjusting the pulse width T2 (=3T/4) to 75% of the pulse period T, compared to the pulse width T1 which is 50% of the pulse period T of the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in Figure 5(A).

In addition, rather than adjusting the pulse width itself, the pulse width may be adjusted by adjusting the duty ratio, which indicates the ratio of the pulse width to the pulse period. The duty ratio for the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in Figure 5(A) is 50%, and the duty ratio for the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in Figure 5(C) is 75%, and the duty ratio can be adjusted to any ratio between 0% and 100%.

In addition, the pulse polarity may be adjusted as a positive unipolar pulse swinging to the positive side as in Figure 5(A), a negative unipolar pulse swinging to the negative side as in Figure 5(D), or a bipolar pulse swinging in both directions as in Figures 5(E) and (F). When adjusting as a bipolar pulse as in Figure 5(E), the pulse width of the positively swinging pulse is treated as T1, the pulse width of the negatively swinging pulse is treated as T-T1, and the ratio of the pulse width of the positively swinging pulse to the pulse period is treated as the duty ratio.

The polarity reversal circuit 68 determines whether to switch the polarity of the specified pulse voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 66 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14, and adjusts the polarity of the pulse voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62.

As an example of a unipolar pulse, if the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the pulse voltage to the voltage waveform shown in Figure 5(A) and the polarity is not switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 will be +V1, with the water-side electrode unit 62 at the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the water particles sprayed during the period (t0-t1) when a positive voltage (+V1) is applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62, making the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 higher than the potential of the water-side electrode unit 62, will be negatively charged. During the period (t1-t2) when the voltage between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 is 0V, the water particles sprayed will not be charged. These two periods (t0-t2) constitute one cycle, and are repeated.

On the other hand, when the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the pulse voltage to the voltage waveform of Figure 5(A) and the polarity is switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 becomes -V1 with the water-side electrode unit 62 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V). During the period (t0-t1) when a negative voltage (-V1) is applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62, making the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 lower than the potential of the water-side electrode unit 62, the water particles sprayed are positively charged. During the period (t1-t2) when the voltage between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 is 0V, the water particles sprayed are not charged. These two periods (t0-t2) constitute one cycle, and are repeated.

As an example of a bipolar pulse, if the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the pulse voltage to the voltage waveform of Figure 5 (E) and the polarity is not switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 becomes +V1 with the water side electrode unit 62 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and a positive voltage (+V1) that makes the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 higher than the potential of the water side electrode unit 62 is applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62 during the period (t0-t1) when spraying occurs. The water particles sprayed are negatively charged, and the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 becomes -V1 with the water-side electrode unit 62 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V). During the period (t1-t2) when a negative voltage (-V1) is applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62, making the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 lower than the potential of the water-side electrode unit 62, the water particles sprayed are positively charged, and these two periods (t0-t2) constitute one cycle, which is repeated. Furthermore, when the polarity is switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the period in which the water particles are negatively charged and the period in which the water particles are positively charged are reversed.

When the pulse voltage is a bipolar pulse and the duty ratio is adjusted to 50% with the voltage waveform of Figure 5 (E) or to the voltage waveform of Figure 5 (F), the voltage waveform after polarity switching by the polarity switching circuit 68 is merely a voltage waveform delayed by half a cycle or one cycle from the voltage waveform before polarity switching by the polarity switching circuit 68. Therefore, if the waveforms before and after switching by the polarity switching circuit 68 become equivalent by shifting the phase in this way, polarity switching by the polarity switching circuit 68 may not be performed.

Also, as with the application of DC voltage, the output of a control signal for switching polarity from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14 to the polarity reversing circuit 68 may include both a manual output, such as when the operation display unit 20 of the operation panel 14 is operated, and an automatic output, such as when a predetermined cycle is set in advance in the fire extinguisher. In this case, the polarity reversing circuit 68 may be controlled so that it adjusts to a pulse voltage of the opposite polarity and outputs it to the high-voltage variable circuit 66, without switching the polarity itself.

[When applying pulsating voltage]
Next, a more detailed description will be given of the case where a pulsating voltage is applied from the high-voltage power supply 18 between the induction electrode 60 and the water-side electrode 62 of the charged fine spray head 32.

The high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage output from the high-voltage variable circuit 66 to a predetermined pulsating voltage in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14. "Adjusting to a predetermined pulsating voltage" here means adjusting the voltage waveform of the pulsating voltage, for example, by adjusting the pulsating waveform, pulsating period, and pulsating amplitude. Note that parameters other than those mentioned above can also be used as appropriate, as long as they are necessary to adjust the voltage waveform.

Furthermore, "adjusting the pulsating waveform" as used here means that it is sufficient to adjust the waveform so that the voltage magnitude changes periodically without changing the polarity of the output voltage, and includes selecting from predetermined waveform types such as full-wave rectified wave, half-wave rectified wave, square wave, and triangular wave.

The voltage waveform of the pulsating voltage adjusted by the high-voltage variable circuit 66 is arbitrary, but for example, it is the voltage waveform shown in Figure 6, which is adjusted as a positive full-wave rectified wave with a pulsating period of T3 and a pulsating amplitude of V2. Here, pulsating amplitude V2 can be any pulsating amplitude V1 as long as a voltage capable of charging water particles can be applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 for a predetermined period within one period. For example, it can be the same value as a voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV, which is the voltage range capable of charging water particles. As a result, the voltage changes within the range of 0 to +V2 (-V2 to 0 if the polarity is switched), so a voltage capable of charging water particles is applied for a predetermined period within one period. Furthermore, pulsating period T3 is arbitrary.

The polarity reversal circuit 68 determines whether to switch the polarity of the specified pulsating voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 66 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14, and adjusts the polarity of the pulsating voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62.

For example, if the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the pulsating voltage to the voltage waveform shown in Figure 6 and the polarity is not switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 will vary within the range of 0 to +V2, with the water-side electrode unit 62 serving as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the positive voltage (0 to +V2) applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 will also vary, changing the amount of negative charge on the sprayed water particles.

On the other hand, when the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage to the pulsating voltage waveform shown in Figure 6 and the polarity is switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 changes within the range of -V2 to 0, with the water-side electrode unit 62 at the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the negative voltage (-V2 to 0) applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 also changes, changing the amount of positive charge on the sprayed water particles.

Also, as with the application of DC voltage, the output of a control signal for switching polarity from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14 to the polarity reversing circuit 68 includes both manual output, such as when the operation display unit 20 of the operation panel 14 is operated, and automatic output, such as when a predetermined cycle is set in advance in the fire extinguishing device. In this case, the polarity reversing circuit 68 may be controlled so that it adjusts to a pulsating voltage of the opposite polarity and outputs it to the high-voltage variable circuit 66, without switching the polarity itself.

[When applying AC voltage]
Next, a more detailed description will be given of the case where an AC voltage is applied between the induction electrode section 60 and the water-side electrode section 62 of the charged fine spray head 32 from the high-voltage power supply section 18.

The high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage output from the high-voltage variable circuit 66 to a predetermined AC voltage in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14. "Adjusting to a predetermined AC voltage" here means adjusting the voltage waveform of the AC voltage, for example, by adjusting the AC waveform, AC period, and AC amplitude. Note that parameters other than those mentioned above can also be used as appropriate, as long as they are necessary to adjust the voltage waveform.

Furthermore, "adjusting the AC waveform" as used here means that it is sufficient to be able to adjust the output voltage to a waveform in which the polarity and magnitude of the voltage change periodically, and includes selecting from predetermined waveform types such as sine wave AC, square wave AC, and triangular wave AC.

The AC voltage adjusted by the high-voltage variable circuit 66 can be any voltage, but for example, as shown in Figure 7, it is an AC voltage waveform adjusted to a sinusoidal AC voltage with an AC period of T4 and an AC amplitude of V3. Here, AC amplitude V3 can be any AC amplitude V3 as long as a voltage capable of charging water particles can be applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 for a predetermined period within one period. For example, it can be the same value as a voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV, which is the voltage range capable of charging water particles. As a result, the voltage varies within the range of -V3 to +V3, so a voltage capable of charging water particles is applied for a predetermined period within one period. Furthermore, AC period T4 is arbitrary.

The polarity reversing circuit 68 determines whether to switch the polarity of the specified AC voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 66 in response to a control signal from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14, and adjusts the polarity of the AC voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62.

For example, if the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the AC voltage to the voltage waveform shown in Figure 7 and the polarity is not switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 will vary between 0 and +V3, with the water-side electrode unit 62 set as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V). This changes the negative charge on the sprayed water particles during the period (between t3 and t4) when the positive voltage (0 to +V3) applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 changes. The potential of the induction electrode unit 60 will vary between -V3 and 0, with the water-side electrode unit 62 set as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and this changes the positive charge on the sprayed water particles during the period (between t4 and t5) when the negative voltage (-V3 to 0) applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 changes.

On the other hand, when the high-voltage variable circuit 66 adjusts the voltage to the pulsating voltage waveform shown in Figure 7 and the polarity is switched by the polarity reversal circuit 68, the potential of the induction electrode unit 60 changes between -V3 and 0, with the water-side electrode unit 62 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V). This changes the positive charge on the sprayed water particles during the period (t3-t4) when the negative voltage (-V3 to 0) applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 changes. The potential of the induction electrode unit 60 changes between 0 and +V3, with the water-side electrode unit 62 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V). This changes the negative charge on the sprayed water particles during the period (t4-t5) when the positive voltage (0 to +V3) applied between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water-side electrode unit 62 changes in response to the change in the potential of the induction electrode unit 60.

The voltage waveform after polarity switching by the polarity reversal circuit 68 is merely a voltage waveform delayed by half a cycle from the voltage waveform before polarity switching by the polarity reversal circuit. Since the waveforms before and after switching by the polarity reversal circuit 68 become equivalent waveforms by shifting the phase, it is possible not to switch polarity by the polarity reversal circuit 68.

Also, as with the application of DC voltage, the output of a control signal for switching polarity from the control unit 21 of the operation panel 14 to the polarity reversing circuit 68 may include both a manual output, such as when the operation display unit 20 of the operation panel 14 is operated, and an automatic output, such as when a predetermined cycle is set in advance in the fire extinguisher. In this case, the polarity may not be switched by the polarity reversing circuit 68, but the polarity may instead be adjusted to an AC voltage of the opposite polarity and output to the high-voltage variable circuit 66.

The above describes cases where the applied voltage is a DC voltage, pulse voltage, pulsating voltage, or AC voltage, but the type of voltage applied is not limited to these.

In addition, when applying pulse voltage, pulsating voltage, or AC voltage, this can be achieved by amplifying the voltage waveform (on the order of ±several volts) generated by a function generator using a high-voltage amplifier capable of amplifying to the order of kV.

[Fire extinguishing agent supply section]
The extinguishing agent supply unit 16 shown in Fig. 1 will be described in more detail. The extinguishing agent supply unit 16 supplies fire-extinguishing water to the spray airflow discharge unit 10, and may have any configuration or structure. As an example, since the fire extinguishing apparatus of this embodiment is mounted on a ladder fire truck, the extinguishing agent supply unit 16 is configured as a pressurized water supply device or pressurized water supply facility including a fire pump provided on the fire truck. In this case, water sources include a water tank mounted on the fire truck and a fire hydrant connected to a hose. The extinguishing agent supply unit 16 is operated by operating the water discharge start/stop button on the control panel 14 to start and stop the supply of fire-extinguishing water.

The water supply pipe 22 from the extinguishing agent supply unit 16 branches off at the connection with the spray airflow discharge unit 10 and is connected to multiple charged fine spray heads 32 provided in the charged water particle generation unit 30. Furthermore, in the ladder section of the ladder fire truck, the water supply pipe 22 is equipped with a known expandable piping structure that expands and contracts according to the length of the ladder.

[Operation panel]
The control panel 14 shown in Fig. 1 will be described in more detail. The control panel 14 is used by an operator to operate the fire extinguisher of this embodiment, and the operation contents are arbitrary, but examples include starting and stopping the spray airflow discharge unit 10, adjusting the discharge direction of the charged fine spray flow 12 from the spray airflow discharge unit 10, selecting the type of voltage to be applied by the high-voltage power supply unit 18, adjusting the voltage, and switching the polarity.

The operation panel 14 is provided with an operation display unit 20 and a control unit 21. The operation display unit 20 is provided with various operation buttons, operation levers, displays, indicator lights, etc. required for remote operation of the spray airflow discharge unit 10. The control unit 21 outputs control signals based on operations by the operator via the operation display unit 20, and controls the spray airflow discharge unit 10. Its functions and configuration are arbitrary, but it may be composed of a computer circuit equipped with a CPU, memory, various input/output ports, etc., for example, and the specified control functions are realized by the CPU executing a program.

[Ladder fire engine equipped with fire extinguishing equipment]
[0033] Fire extinguishing using a ladder fire truck equipped with the fire extinguishing apparatus of this embodiment will now be described in more detail. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of fire extinguishing work at a fire scene using a ladder fire truck equipped with the fire extinguishing apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, a ladder fire truck 76 is equipped with the fire extinguishing apparatus of this embodiment. As an example, a basket 80 at the tip of an extendable ladder 78 is provided with the spray airflow discharge unit 10 shown in Figure 1, and a control panel 14, extinguishing agent water supply unit 16, and high-voltage power supply unit 18 are provided on the ladder fire truck 76 side.

For example, if a fire breaks out on the third floor of building 82, ladder fire engine 76 that arrives at the fire scene extends ladder 78 so that spray airflow discharge unit 10 attached to basket 80 approaches an exterior wall opening such as a window of the building. Next, by operating control panel 14 to start discharge, fire-extinguishing water is supplied from extinguishing agent water supply unit 16 to spray airflow discharge unit 10, high voltage is applied from high-voltage power supply unit 18 to spray airflow discharge unit 10, and further, air blower 28 is started by a control signal from control panel 14. As a result, charged fine spray airflow 12, in which charged water particles sprayed from charged fine spray head 32 are contained in the airflow from air blower 28, is discharged toward fire compartment 84 .

At this time, the operator remotely controls the control panel 14 to adjust the direction of the charged fine spray airflow 12 up and down and/or left and right, and injects the charged fine spray airflow 12 toward the fire compartment 84. Based on the fire extinguishing or smoke suppression status resulting from the injection of the charged fine spray airflow 12, the operator also adjusts the applied voltage and switches the voltage polarity using the high-voltage power supply unit 18, and injects the charged fine spray airflow 12 containing water particles with the charge amount and charge polarity appropriate for fire extinguishing or smoke suppression at the fire site into the fire compartment 84 to extinguish or prevent the fire.

[Modifications of the present invention]
(fire engine)
While the above embodiment illustrates a case in which the fire extinguishing device is mounted on a ladder fire truck, the device may be mounted on any suitable fire truck as long as the spray airflow discharge unit 10 can be brought close to a fire compartment located high up in a building from the outside. For example, the spray airflow discharge unit 10 may be provided on an aerial work platform in a fire truck for high-altitude work, or on the tip of a boom-equipped fire truck. Furthermore, the spray airflow discharge unit 10 may be mounted on a tracked vehicle, which can be remotely operated to move to a fire compartment that is inaccessible to humans and inject the charged fine spray airflow.

(High voltage supply unit)
In the above embodiment, when a voltage is applied from the high-voltage power supply unit 18 between the induction electrode unit 60 and the water side electrode unit 62, it is possible to adjust the voltage and switch the polarity, but this is not limited to this and is optional; for example, the applied voltage and/or polarity may be fixed.

(others)
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values shown in the above-described embodiment.

10: Spray airflow discharge section 12: Charged fine spray airflow 14: Operation panel 16: Fire extinguishing agent supply section 18: High-voltage power supply section 20: Operation display section 21: Control section 22: Water supply pipe 24: High-voltage cable 26: Signal cable 28: Air blower section 30: Charged water particle generator section 31: Support ring 32: Charged fine spray head 34: Axial fan 36: Fan motor 38: Protective cover 40: Stand 42: Rotating support section 44: Left-right direction adjustment section 46: Left-right rotation shaft 48: Up-down direction adjustment section 50: Up-down rotation shaft 54: Body 56: Spray nozzle section 58: Electrode holding section 60: Induction electrode section 62: Water side electrode section 64: Water supply connection section 66: High-voltage variable circuit 68: Polarity reversal circuit 72, 74: Current limiting resistor 76: Ladder fire truck 78: Ladder 80: Basket
82: Building
84: Fire compartment

Claims (7)

a spray airflow discharge unit that discharges a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles in an airflow toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention;
a fire extinguishing agent supply unit that supplies fire extinguishing water to the spray airflow discharge unit;
a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies a high voltage for generating charged water particles to the spray airflow discharge unit;
a discharge direction adjusting unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow by the spray airflow discharge unit;
is established,
The discharge direction adjustment unit is a fire extinguishing device characterized in that a rotating shaft that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow is located on the tip side of the center of gravity of the spray airflow discharge unit, and is positioned at a predetermined position where the discharge direction is stable even when subjected to the recoil force of the charged fine spray airflow being discharged.
a spray airflow discharge unit that discharges a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles in an airflow toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention;
a fire extinguishing agent supply unit that supplies fire extinguishing water to the spray airflow discharge unit;
a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies a high voltage for generating charged water particles to the spray airflow discharge unit;
a discharge direction adjusting unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow by the spray airflow discharge unit;
an operation panel that controls the emission direction adjustment unit to remotely control the emission direction of the charged fine spray airflow;
is established ,
The emission direction adjustment unit is
a vertical direction adjusting unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the vertical direction;
a left-right direction adjusting unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the left-right direction;
Equipped with
A fire extinguishing device characterized in that the rotation axis of the up-down direction adjustment unit and the rotation axis of the left-right direction adjustment unit are located toward the tip side of the center of gravity of the spray airflow discharge unit, and are positioned at a predetermined position where the discharge direction is stable even when subjected to the recoil force of the charged fine spray airflow being discharged.
The fire extinguishing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The spray airflow discharge section is
a blower unit that generates the air flow;
a charged fine spray head that sprays the charged water particles into the airflow generated by the air blower and causes the charged water particles to be contained therein;
A fire extinguishing device comprising:
4. The fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 3,
The high-voltage power supply unit
a voltage adjusting unit that adjusts the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head in accordance with the fire extinguishing target or the fire prevention target;
a polarity switching unit that switches the polarity of a voltage applied to the charged fine spray head in accordance with the fire extinguishing target or the fire prevention target;
A fire extinguishing device comprising:
3. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 2 ,
The spray airflow discharge portion is provided at the ladder tip of a ladder fire engine, at the aerial work platform of an aerial work fire engine, or at the boom tip of a boom-equipped fire engine,
The fire extinguishing apparatus is characterized in that the control panel is provided on the side of any one of the fire engines.
The spray airflow discharge unit discharges a charged fine spray airflow containing charged water particles in the airflow toward the fire extinguishing target or the fire prevention target,
A fire extinguishing agent supply unit supplies fire extinguishing water to the spray airflow discharge unit,
a high voltage power supply unit supplies a high voltage to the spray airflow discharge unit to generate charged water particles;
an emission direction adjusting unit adjusting the emission direction of the charged fine spray airflow emitted by the spray airflow emitting unit;
A fire extinguishing method characterized in that the release direction adjustment unit has a rotating shaft that adjusts the release direction of the charged fine spray airflow, which is located at a predetermined position toward the tip side of the center of gravity of the spray airflow release unit, so that the release direction is stable even when subjected to the recoil force of the charged fine spray airflow being released.
a spray airflow discharge part at the ladder tip of a ladder fire engine, at the high-place work platform of a high-place work fire engine, or at the boom tip of a boom-equipped fire engine;
a discharge direction adjusting unit including a vertical direction adjusting unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the vertical direction, and a horizontal direction adjusting unit that adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow in the horizontal direction;
A control panel on one of the fire engines;
is established,
the discharge direction adjusting unit has a rotation axis for adjusting the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow, the rotation axis being located on the tip side of the center of gravity of the spray airflow discharging unit, and is located at a predetermined position where the discharge direction is stable even when subjected to a recoil force of the discharged charged fine spray airflow;
The spray airflow discharge unit discharges the charged fine spray airflow containing the charged water particles toward a target for fire extinguishing or fire prevention,
A fire extinguishing agent supply unit supplies fire extinguishing water to the spray airflow discharge unit,
a high voltage power supply unit supplies a high voltage to the spray airflow discharge unit to generate charged water particles;
the discharge direction adjusting unit adjusts the discharge direction of the charged fine spray airflow discharged by the spray airflow discharge unit;
A fire extinguishing method, characterized in that the discharge direction adjustment unit is controlled by the operation panel to remotely operate the discharge direction adjustment unit.