Abstract: Aerial fire-fighting bucket systems are disclosed for liquid cargo pickup, transport, and discharge. Bucket systems include rigging to be attached to the long line of an aircraft, the bucket having a pliable skin having an upper edge and a lower edge, an upper frame from which the upper edge of the skin is suspended, and a lower structure to which the lower edge of the skin is attached in a sealed manner. Fixed attachment of the skin by its sealing attachment to the lower structure forms a container for the liquid cargo. Bucket systems include a valve system disposed in the lower structure and optionally a computer-controlled hydraulic motor/pump and accumulator configured to maintain hydraulic pressure, and controls to release liquid cargo from the bucket by a hydraulically-activated flapper valve assembly. Bucket systems may include a power fill system with pump having an outlet comprising a plurality of check valves.

Abstract: Aerial fire-fighting bucket systems are disclosed for liquid cargo pickup, transport, and discharge. Bucket systems include a valve system disposed in the lower structure and a computer-controlled hydraulic motor/pump and accumulator configured to maintain hydraulic pressure, and controls to release liquid cargo from the bucket by a hydraulically activated valve assembly. Hydraulic accumulator charging operates independently of activation of cargo pickup, transport, and discharge cycles. Hydraulic accumulator sizing provides for a minimum of actuations of extension and retraction of the piston within a short-time interval reducing weight and electrical supply burdens on the aircraft.