Abstract: A firefighting system includes a base plate having an opening and configured to receive a sensor, a top plate spaced apart from the base plate, a valve body disposed between the base plate and the top plate, a plurality of guide rods spaced around the base plate opening and disposed between the base plate and the top plate and coupled to the base plate, the plurality of guide rods and the top plate configured to support vertical displacement of the valve body, an actuator configured to vertically displace the valve body, and a constant flow rate control system configured to control the actuator to adjust a valve aperture formed between the valve body and the base plate.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a firefighting bucket includes a base plate having an opening, a valve body configured to seal the opening of the base plate, and a linear actuator coupled to the valve body and configured to displace the valve body. Valve control systems direct the release of firefighting material through the valve assembly at a constant flow rate. The valve body may have a chamfered, tapered, or rounded surface to restrain the head pressure of the firefighting material.

Abstract: A multi-tank system and aircraft for dispersing firefighting materials includes a fuselage, a pair of wings, a first storage tank, a second storage tank, a first opening, a second opening, a first closure, a second closure, and an actuator. The first opening is disposed forward of a center of gravity of the aircraft and the second opening is disposed rearward of the center of gravity of the aircraft to maintain stability of the aircraft. The first opening is coupled to the first storage tank and the second opening is coupled to the second storage tank; a fuselage keel beam is positioned around the perimeters of the first and second openings. The actuator is configured to open the first closure and the second closure, in order to disperse firefighting materials such as water, fire retardant, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A multi-tank system and aircraft for dispersing firefighting materials includes a fuselage, a pair of wings, a first storage tank, a second storage tank, a first opening, a second opening, a first closure, a second closure, and an actuator. The first opening is disposed forward of a center of gravity of the aircraft and the second opening is disposed rearward of the center of gravity of the aircraft to maintain stability of the aircraft. The first opening is coupled to the first storage tank and the second opening is coupled to the second storage tank. The actuator is configured to open at least one of the first closure and the second closure, in order to disperse firefighting materials such as water, fire retardant, or a mixture thereof.