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Firefighting drones

Country of Origin: Italy
Reference Number: TOIT20161028001
Publication Date: 4 November 2016

Summary

An Italian inventor has developed a firefighting system based on drones for launching extinguishing fluid over remote areas affected by wildfires and difficult to be accessed by fire engines and firefighting aircrafts. The inventor is looking for a license agreement.

Description

A major issue related to fighting wildfires in remote areas is represented by roads availabilty.  Limited access to the area subject to wildfire is normally affecting the performance of  fireengines and other firefighting apparatus which needs to be placed as close as possible to the flame front.
Firefighting aircrafts are usually more efficient in such situations but sometimes they cannot be used in remote areas due to the excessive distance from airports and, more to the point, from large water basins (natural or artificial lakes, sea, etc) providing water to be dropped over the flames.
An Italian inventor experienced with unmanned aerial vehicle technologies has developed a system which is particularly effective for work in rugged, isolated areas that large firefighting engines and firefighting aircrafts can't operate.

The proposed solution provides a coordination, control and logistics support system for the optimal employment of fleets of drones in firefighting missions aimed at launching small amounts of extinguishing fluid and includes:

a) a fleet of drones equipped with a coupling and ejection system of containers of extinguishing fluid
b) a logistics support unit in the form of container able to house drones, drone batteries and containers of extinguishing fluid . This unit also contains a recharging station for batteries and a fuel storage. This unit can be moved by means of standard road tractors
c) a control unit also transportable by means of road tractors which communicates via radio signals and controls, coordinates and monitors all the constituent parts of the system as well as the operators on the ground also allowing communication towards remote users
d) an equipped area for landing and take-off of the drones, for the automated replacement of their batteries and for the automated loading of containers of extinguishing fluid.

According to the system, containers are placed in a safe area as close as possible to the area affected by the wildfire (not strictly next to fire front). After safe and intelligent positioning of the support and control units, drones take off and the firefighting mission starts. After launching flame retardant liquid over the wildfire and according to the central unit instructions, each drone comes back to the support unit to get more flame retardant liquid and a new battery if needed.
The proposed solution could be of interest for for companies producing firefighting apparatus. The inventor is ready to offer this technology under non exclusive patent licensing. Exclusive licensing will be considered subject to negotiation with perspective partners.

Advantages and Innovations

The proposed solution can be used  in rugged, isolated areas that fire engines and firefighting aircrafts can’t operate. Firefighters and operators are not exposed to risk because the full system can be controlled and monitored from remote.
The schedule of missions and crucial targets can be changed dinamically and the support unit can be dinamically repositioned according to the wild fire development.
The proposed system can operate at nighttime (firefighting aircrafts cannot).

Stage Of Development

Under development/lab tested

Requested partner

The inventor is  looking for companies producing firefighting apparatus. Non exclusive patent licensing is offered. Exlusive licensing will be considered subject to negotiation.

Cooperation offer ist closed for requests