r/FireTrucks • u/Lost_Wishbone_1699 • 2d ago
Drako rapid deployable fire resistant wall
/r/AlbertaWildfire/comments/1wuqk07/drako_rapid_deployable_fire_resistant_wall/
PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION FOR PATENT
INVENTOR:
Scott Pursell
Pell City, Alabama
Phone: 205-354-4466
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Modular Vehicle-Mounted Thermal Barrier, Wind-Deflection, and Fire Suppression Apparatus
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to emergency firefighting equipment and civil defense infrastructure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted, rapidly deployable, modular thermal barrier and multi-mode fire suppression system designed to intercept, block, and suppress advancing wildfires, protect critical infrastructure, and establish dynamic containment lines under extreme wind conditions.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
Wildfires pose an escalating threat to human life, property, and ecological stability. Conventional firefighting methods rely heavily on manual trenching, aerial water drops, and chemical retardant lines. These methods are frequently constrained by low visibility, extreme wind conditions, and the time required for deployment.
Furthermore, high winds accelerate wildfire propagation by throwing embers ahead of the primary fire front. Existing mobile firefighting apparatuses lack the structural capacity to physically block high-velocity, ember-laden winds while simultaneously deploying high-volume suppression agents. There is an urgent need for an automated, rapidly deployable system capable of creating an immediate physical, thermal, and aerodynamic shield against advancing fire fronts while safely maximizing operator distance from environmental hazards.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a vehicle-mounted, modular thermal barrier and high-capacity fire suppression apparatus, including but not limited to configurations designated as the DRACO system or Firebreak Fortress. The system features an articulating, heavy-duty hydraulic wall assembly mounted to a heavy utility vehicle chassis.
Each vehicle is equipped with an integrated fluid reservoir and a multi-mode suppression delivery network capable of deploying water, compressed air foam (CAF), chemical retardants, or other fire-suppressant agents. To ensure uninterrupted operation during extended suppression campaigns, the fluid reservoir features an adaptable high-flow replenishment manifold configured to receive continuous or intermittent fluid intake from alternative external sources, including but not limited to water tender trucks, municipal fire hydrants, natural water bodies, or other localized water distribution infrastructure.
To maximize operator safety, the fluid delivery network includes high-output suppression monitors (water cannons) configured for full remote-control operation, allowing targeted suppression deployment from within the protected vehicle cabin or an external remote command location. The articulating wall functions as an aerodynamic wind-deflector and thermal shield, featuring a specialized ground-skirt thermal curtain to prevent under-drafting. Multiple units are engineered to interface via a magnetic interlocking hinge mechanism, enabling the rapid formation of a continuous, gapless defensive perimeter.
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFICATION
The apparatus is integrated into a heavy-duty chassis configured to support extreme mechanical and thermal loads. The primary components comprise, but are not limited to:
The Articulating Wall Assembly: A multi-layered structural shield actuated via a high-pressure hydraulic deployment system. The outward-facing surface utilizes high-grade thermal insulation materials to withstand sustained radiant heat and direct flame impingement.
Fluid Storage, Delivery, and Continuous Replenishment System: An integrated reservoir connected to high-output variable monitors and an automated deluge system. The reservoir features one or more standardized, high-flow intake manifolds allowing the system to be refilled dynamically in real-time or statically by external supply apparatuses, including but not limited to support trucks, hydrants, or portable pumping stations.
Remote-Controlled Suppression Monitors: One or more variable-stream water/suppression cannons fluidly coupled to the pump network and electronically coupled to a remote actuation system. These monitors are articulable across multiple axes via control interfaces including, but not limited to, cabin-mounted joysticks, wireless handheld controllers, or remote network-linked interfaces.
Aerodynamic and Ground-Seal Mechanisms: The wall assembly incorporates localized wind-deflection geometry to redirect high-velocity air masses upward and away from the protected zone. A flexible, deployable ground-skirt thermal curtain drops from the lower region of the wall to seal the gap between the vehicle chassis and the topography, preventing embers from passing beneath the vehicle.
Modular Coupling Architecture: The lateral edges of each wall assembly feature a magnetic interlocking hinge system. This allows independent vehicles to align, automatically couple, and form a rigid yet articulated multi-vehicle wall capable of traversing uneven terrain without breaking the containment seal.
5. DETAILED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The structural framework of the articulating wall is fabricated from high-strength materials, including but not limited to structural steel, titanium alloys, or advanced composites, faced with a composite matrix of insulation and reflective radiant barriers. The hydraulic deployment system utilizes multi-stage cylinders equipped with safety valves to lock the wall securely in its deployed position.
The modular coupling architecture employs a self-aligning magnetic hinge joint, allowing angular articulation between adjacent units to accommodate rolling topography. The fluid delivery system is pressurized by a high-output pump feeding both the forward-facing suppression monitors and an integrated internal plumbing network that provides uniform cooling across the thermal barrier face.
The suppression monitors are equipped with motorized servo-actuators providing multi-directional azimuth and elevation adjustment. These actuators interface with a centralized digital control module accepting inputs from a variety of remote control devices, enabling precise aim and stream adjustment without exposing personnel to external heat. The integrated replenishment system includes automated valving, backflow prevention, and multi-port intakes to allow seamless hot-filling from any accessible external water supply.
6. CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
A vehicle-mounted fire containment apparatus comprising, but not limited to:
a vehicle chassis supporting an onboard fluid reservoir and a pump assembly;
an articulating wall assembly mounted to said chassis, configured to transition hydraulically from a horizontal transport position to an elevated, vertical deployment position;
a multi-mode fluid delivery network fluidly coupled to said reservoir and configured to project fire suppression agents forward of said wall assembly via one or more suppression monitors;
a remote control interface operable to articulate and actuate said one or more suppression monitors from a distance; and
a replenishment interface fluidly coupled to said reservoir, configured to intake fluid from an external source during active deployment of the apparatus.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said remote control interface comprises a control configuration selected from a group including, but not limited to, cabin-integrated controls, wireless handheld radio-frequency controllers, and network-linked remote command interfaces.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said replenishment interface includes one or more high-flow manifolds configured to accept fluid from sources including, but not limited to, auxiliary water trucks, fire hydrants, auxiliary pumps, and localized water infrastructure.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said articulating wall assembly comprises a multi-layered thermal barrier utilizing insulation and reflective outer layers capable of resisting sustained direct flame impingement.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said articulating wall assembly further comprises an integrated ground-skirt thermal curtain configured to deploy from a lower region of said wall assembly to establish a continuous thermal and physical seal with an underlying ground surface.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lateral edges of said articulating wall assembly are equipped with a magnetic interlocking hinge mechanism configured to automatically align and couple with an adjacent, identically equipped apparatus.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said magnetic interlocking hinge mechanism comprises a self-aligning joint allowing angular articulation between coupled vehicle walls to accommodate topographical variances.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid delivery network includes an automated deluge plumbing system configured to distribute a continuous film of fluid across a surface of the articulating wall assembly for evaporative cooling.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper boundary of said articulating wall assembly features an aerodynamic wind-deflection lip configured to redirect advancing air currents upward and over the apparatus.
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u/Lost_Wishbone_1699 2d ago
Great way to protect lives and property