Abstract: A fire truck operable to automatically refill a water tank comprises a first pressure transducer coupled to an intake inlet of the pump and operable to measure an intake pressure, a second pressure transducer coupled to a discharge outlet of the pump and operable to measure a discharge pressure, a first pump discharge pipe coupled between the discharge outlet of the pump and a fire hose, a second pump discharge pipe coupled between the discharge outlet of the pump and the water tank, a control valve disposed in the second pump discharge pipe, and a controller operable to automatically sense a low water level condition of the tank, and automatically control the engine speed, the pump speed, and the control valve so that adequate water supply to the fire hose via the first pump discharge pipe is automatically maintained while automatically refilling the water tank via the second pump discharge pipe.

Abstract: An automatic control system includes a pressure sensor disposed in the supply line, a first valve disposed in the supply line operable to control incoming fluid flow, a pressure sensor disposed in the discharge line, a second valve disposed in the discharge line operable to control discharge fluid flow, and a nozzle coupled to a terminal end of a fire hose. The nozzle includes a valve, a pressure sensor, and a flow sensor, a third valve disposed in the nozzle operable to control fluid flow exiting the nozzle, and a user interface disposed on the nozzle operable to display information and receive user input. A controller is in communication with the valves, sensors, status indicator, and user interface, and operable to control the valves in response to the sensor measurements and user input, and provide an output provide an indication of operating status and sensor measurements.

Abstract: A system for automatically setting up a truck-mounted pump driven by an engine for pumping operation, comprising a transmission control having a visual indicator and coupled to a transmission of the truck, a pump control having a visual indicator and coupled to the pump, a prime control having a visual indicator and coupled to a prime pump, a master system control switch operable to receive operator input, and a main controller in data communication with the transmission control, pump control, prime control, and the master system control switch, the main controller receiving an input from the master system control switch to initiate pump setup operation, and automatically transmitting alert signals to the visual indicators of the transmission control, pump control, and prime control to provide visual guidance to the operator in the proper sequence of steps to set up the pump for pumping operation.

Abstract: A system resides on a fire truck carrying at least one fire hose in a hose bay. The system comprises a target device coupled to the at least one fire hose, a proximity sensor coupled to the hose bay and operable to detect the presence and absence of the target device, and a controller coupled to the proximity sensor and control valve and operable to enable opening of the control valve in response to the proximity sensor detecting the absence of the target device indicative of a substantially complete removal of the at least one fire hose from the hose bay of the fire truck, and operable to disable opening of the control valve in response to the proximity sensor detecting the presence of the target device indicative of the at least one fire hose remaining in the hose bay of the fire truck.

Abstract: A dryer system for a firefighting ensemble comprising a housing having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a forced air assembly including a heater and a blower accommodated within the housing, a plurality of flexible porous hose segments coupled to the air outlet port operable to receive and conduct forced air therefrom, and the plurality of flexible porous hose segments are operable to conduct forced heated air into elements of the firefighting ensemble to speed drying.

Abstract: A water supply control system for use with a fire hydrant comprises a four-way valve assembly having a first inlet port for coupling to a nozzle of the fire hydrant via a fire hose, the four-way valve assembly operable to selectively open and close the inlet and outlet ports according to an operating mode of the four-way valve assembly, a stable and sturdy platform substantially supporting the weight of the four-way valve assembly, a flexible tether strap secured to the platform at a first end and having a fastener at a second end for releasably coupling to the fire hydrant, a status indicator mounted on the four-way valve assembly operable to provide a visual indication of the operation mode of the four-way valve assembly, and a scene light mounted on the four-way assembly operable to provide high-intensity illumination.

Abstract: A dryer system for a firefighting ensemble comprising a housing having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a forced air assembly including a heater and a blower accommodated within the housing, a plurality of flexible porous hose segments coupled to the air outlet port operable to receive and conduct forced air therefrom, and the plurality of flexible porous hose segments are operable to conduct forced heated air into elements of the firefighting ensemble to speed drying.

Abstract: A fire hose deployment device for a firefighting robotic vehicle comprises a wagon body having a bottom and two generally vertical sides, a front tongue coupled to the wagon body and hitched to a rear hitch of the robotic vehicle. The wagon body has left and right wheels coupled to the wagon near the rear of the wagon body, and the wagon body carries a fire hose with a first end coupled to a nozzle on the robotic vehicle and a second end coupled to a fluid source.

Abstract: A fire hose deployment device for a firefighting robotic vehicle comprises a wagon body having a bottom and two generally vertical sides, a front tongue coupled to the wagon body and hitched to a rear hitch of the robotic vehicle. The wagon body has left and right wheels coupled to the wagon near the rear of the wagon body, and the wagon body carries a fire hose with a first end coupled to a nozzle on the robotic vehicle and a second end coupled to a fluid source.

Abstract: A vehicular integrated light assembly comprises a first and second pluralities of LEDs arranged on a circuit board, and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second pluralities of LEDs. The light assembly further comprises a housing and at a lens hermetically sealing the circuit board and first and second pluralities of LEDs within the housing. The controller is operable to operate in a warning light mode in which the first plurality of LEDs emit a bright light in a first predetermined color and flash in a first predetermined sequence, and the second plurality of LEDs emit a bright light in a second predetermined color and flash in an alternating sequence from the first predetermined sequence. The controller is further operable to transition to a scene light mode in which the second plurality of LEDs emit a steady bright light in the second predetermined color to illuminate the surroundings.

Abstract: A firefighting apparatus comprising a controller, and a hydraulic pump driven by a power-take-off and operable to supply a hydraulic fluid under pressure. A water pumping subsystem is powered by the hydraulic fluid and operable to supply water under pressure to a conduit, wherein a flow rate of water is substantially regulated by controlling the hydraulic fluid input to the water pumping subsystem. A chemical foam subsystem is powered by the hydraulic fluid and operable to inject foam at a predetermined flow rate into the conduit, wherein the flow rate of the foam is substantially regulated by controlling the hydraulic fluid input to the chemical foam subsystem. An electrical power generator subsystem is powered by the hydraulic fluid and operable to generate electrical power, wherein the frequency and voltage of the generated power is substantially regulated by controlling the hydraulic fluid input to the electrical power generator subsystem.

Abstract: A water controlling kit is connected to the fluid system, of a fire truck for example, used for pumping water to one or more fire hoses. The kit has a water level gauge, a signaling element and a control valve and is adapted to maintain the pressure at the inlet of the pump of the fire truck within a preselected range of about 1.5 to about 3 psi. during discharge from the pump and pressure fluctuations of the pressurized water supply supplying water to the fire truck reservoir.

Abstract: Adapters and methods are provided for utilization on a powered two armed rescue tool for opening metal doors. The adapter has a first end portion of general “U” configuration which is hooked over a door. The adapter is connected to one arm of the powered rescue tool and the other arm is positioned in contact with the frame of the door. The powered rescue tool is then actuated which causes the arms to separate and force the door open.