Deck gun elevator
A deck gun elevator includes a tubular base, with an inlet, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse passage extending along the longitudinal axis, and a tubular member in the transverse passage, which forms an annular space between the tubular base and the tubular member. The tubular member includes an outlet, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse passage, which is in communication with the transverse passage of the tubular base for directing the flow of water through the deck gun elevator. A piston is mounted on the tubular member and positioned in the annular space and defines a first chamber, which is formed between the tubular member and the tubular base, and a second chamber, which is formed between the tubular member and the tubular base. A control controls the flow of fluid into and out of the first and second chambers to control the position of the tubular member along the longitudinal axis of the tubular base.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application entitled DECK GUN ELEVATOR, Ser. No. 60/460,089, filed Apr. 3, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to an elevator and, more particularly, to a deck gun elevator for use on a fire truck.
Most fire fighting deck guns are mounted on the deck of the fire truck in a fixed vertical position but with a swivel mount that permits the gun to be rotated. In addition, many deck guns include an articulating nozzle that pivots about one or more horizontal axes to adjust the reach of the gun.
Some deck guns are mounted on an extensible pipe that is moved through a fixed outer tube using the water pressure running through the extension pipe; however, the control of the extension pipe is less than ideal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a deck gun elevator that adjusts the range of discharge of a deck gun by raising or lowering the deck gun and, further, adjusts the range of the deck gun in a controlled manner.
In one form of the invention, a deck gun elevator, which is adapted for mounting on the deck of a fire fighting apparatus, includes a tubular base and a movable tubular member, which is positioned in the transverse passage of the tubular base and which includes a transverse passage in communication with the transverse passage of the tubular base for directing the flow of water through the deck gun. An annular space is provided between the tubular base and the movable tubular member. A piston is mounted on the movable tubular member and positioned in the annular space to define first and second chambers. A control controls the flow of fluid into and out of the first and second chambers to thereby control the position of the movable tubular member along the longitudinal axis of the tubular base.
In one aspect, the control includes an actuator. The actuator has a cavity and a piston in the cavity, with the piston defining first and second chambers in the cavity. The first chamber of the actuator is in selective fluid communication with the first chamber between the tubular member and the tubular base. A second chamber of the actuator is in fluid communication with the second chamber between the tubular member and the tubular base.
In a further aspect, the actuator includes at least one directional valve that controls the flow of fluid from the first chamber of the actuator to the first chamber between the tubular member and the tubular base. For example, the directional valve may comprise a solenoid valve.
According to another aspect, the actuator further includes a valve for controlling direction of flow of the fluid between the second chamber of the actuator and the second chamber between the tubular member and the tubular base. For example, the valve for controlling the direction of flow may comprise a pilot check valve.
In yet other aspects, the first chamber between the tubular member and the tubular base is filled with a first fluid, with the second chamber formed between the tubular member and the tubular base being filled with a second fluid. Preferably, the second fluid comprises an incompressible fluid, such as a hydraulic fluid. In a further aspect, the first fluid comprises air.
It can be appreciate from the foregoing that the elevator of the present invention provides controlled adjustment of the extensible tube or pipe and, hence, of the deck gun mounted to the extensible pipe.
These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
Elevator 10 includes an extensible tube or pipe 12 that is extended or retracted into an outer tube or pipe 14 by a control system 16, which increases the range and coverage of the deck gun, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Extensible tube 12 includes an adapter 18, which is adapted to mount the deck gun to the extensible tube 12. Referring to
As best seen in
Positioned interiorly of outer tube 14 is an inner tube 22, which is similarly mounted to inlet adapter 20. For example, similar to outer tube 14, inner tube 22 may be mounted to adapter 20 by a threaded connection 22a. However, it can be appreciated, that tubes 14 and 22 may be fixedly mounted to adapter 20, for example by welding. Extensible tube 12 is mounted over inner tube 22 in outer tube 14.
As best seen in
As best seen in
Referring to
In preferred form, the fluid in chamber 34 and chamber 46 comprises an incompressible fluid, such as a hydraulic fluid, while the fluid in chambers 38 and 48 preferably comprise a compressible fluid, such as air. In this manner, control system 16 may provide an “oil over air” control for extensible tube 12. The oil over air control of the position extendible tube 12 is particularly suitable in high water pressure applications where the flow of water through the respective passageways of outer tube 14 and extensible tube 12 would normally exert sufficient pressure to extend extensible tube 12 through outer tube 14. Since the fluid in chamber 34 is incompressible, despite the increase pressure due to the water flowing through passageway, extensible member 12 will not extend through outer tube 14 until the fluid in chamber 34 is discharged into actuator 40, which only occurs when valve 54 is open.
To return extensible member 12 to its retracted position, valve 54 is closed. When valve 54 closes, valve 52 will only permit the flow of fluid from chamber 46 to chamber 34 and the system pressure through valve 56 will increase the pressure in chamber 48 to thereby move piston 45 to urge the fluid in chamber 46 into chamber 34 to return extensible tube 12 to its retracted position, with the pressure in chamber 38 discharging through a vent 62 provided in valve 54.
Referring again to
While one form of the invention has been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims, which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A deck gun elevator comprising:
- a tubular base having an inlet, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse passage extending along said longitudinal axis;
- a tubular member in said transverse passage, said tubular member forming an annular space between said tubular base and said tubular member, said tubular member having an outlet, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse passage in communication with said transverse passage of said tubular base for directing the flow of water through said deck gun elevator;
- a piston mounted on said tubular member and positioned in said annular space and defining a first chamber formed between said tubular member and said tubular base and a second chamber formed between said tubular member and said tubular base; and
- a control controlling the flow of fluid into and out of said first and second chambers to control the position of said tubular member along said longitudinal axis of said tubular base.
2. The deck gun elevator according to claim 1, wherein said control includes an actuator, said actuator having a cavity and a piston in said cavity, said piston defining first and second chambers, and said first chamber of said actuator being in selective fluid communication with said first chamber between said tubular member and said tubular base, and said second chamber of said actuator being in fluid communication with said second chamber between said tubular member and said tubular base.
3. The deck gun elevator according to claim 2, wherein said actuator comprises at least one directional valve controlling the flow of fluid from said first chamber of said actuator to said first chamber between said tubular member and said tubular base.
4. The deck gun elevator according to claim 3, wherein said directional valve comprises a solenoid valve.
5. The deck gun elevator according to claim 3, wherein said actuator comprises a valve for controlling the direction of flow of the fluid between said second chamber of said actuator and said second chamber between said tubular member and said tubular base.
6. The deck gun elevator according to claim 5, wherein said valve for controlling the direction of flow comprising a pilot check valve.
7. The deck gun elevator according to claim 1, wherein said first chamber between said tubular member and said tubular base is filled with a first fluid, and said second chamber formed between said tubular member and said tubular base is filled with a second fluid, at least said second fluid comprising an incompressible fluid.
8. The deck gun elevator according to claim 7, wherein said second fluid comprises hydraulic fluid.
9. The deck gun elevator according to claim 7, wherein said first fluid comprises air.
10. A deck gun elevator comprising:
- an outer tubular member having an inlet, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse passage extending along said longitudinal axis;
- an inner tubular member in said transverse passage, said inner tubular member forming an annular space between said outer tubular member and said inner tubular member, said inner tubular member having an outlet, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse passage in communication with said transverse passage of said outer tubular base for directing the flow of water through said deck gun elevator;
- a piston mounted on said inner tubular member and positioned in said annular space and defining a lower chamber formed between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member and an upper chamber formed between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member; and
- a control controlling the pressure in and flow of fluid into and out from said lower and upper chambers to control the position of said piston and, hence, the position of said inner tubular member along said longitudinal axis of said outer tubular member, and said upper chamber having an incompressible fluid therein wherein a pressure increase in said lower chamber will generally not move said piston upward until the fluid in said upper chamber is allowed to flow from said upper chamber.
11. The deck gun elevator according to claim 10, wherein said control includes an actuator, said actuator having a cavity and a piston in said cavity, said piston defining first and second chambers, and said first chamber of said actuator being in selective fluid communication with said lower chamber between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member, and said second chamber of said actuator being in fluid communication with said upper chamber between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member.
12. The deck gun elevator according to claim 11, wherein said actuator comprises at least one directional valve controlling the flow of fluid from said first chamber of said actuator to said lower chamber.
13. The deck gun elevator according to claim 12, wherein said directional valve comprises a solenoid valve.
14. The deck gun elevator according to claim 12, wherein said actuator includes two directional valves.
15. The deck gun elevator according to claim 14, wherein said directional valves comprise solenoid valves.
16. The deck gun elevator according to claim 12, wherein said actuator comprises a valve for controlling the direction of flow of the fluid between said second chamber of said actuator and said upper chamber.
17. The deck gun elevator according to claim 16, wherein said valve for controlling the direction of flow comprising a pilot check valve.
18. The deck gun elevator according to claim 16, wherein said lower chamber is filled with a compressible fluid.
19. The deck gun elevator according to claim 18, wherein said incompressible fluid comprises hydraulic fluid.
20. The deck gun elevator according to claim 19, wherein said compressible fluid comprises air.
21. A deck gun elevator comprising:
- an outer tubular member having an inlet, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse passage extending along said longitudinal axis;
- an inner tubular member in said transverse passage, said inner tubular member forming an annular space between said outer tubular member and said inner tubular member, said inner tubular member having an outlet, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse passage in communication with said transverse passage of said outer tubular base for directing the flow of water through said deck gun elevator;
- a piston mounted on said inner tubular member and positioned in said annular space and defining a lower chamber formed between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member and an upper chamber formed between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member;
- a control comprising an actuator, said actuator having a cavity and a piston in said cavity, said piston defining first and second chambers, and said first chamber of said actuator being in selective fluid communication with said lower chamber, and said second chamber of said actuator being in fluid communication with said upper chamber;
- said first chamber being in selective communication with said lower chamber by a normally open first valve and a normally closed second valve;
- said second chamber being in communication with said upper chamber by a check valve having a normal flow from said second chamber to said upper chamber, said normally closed second valve in communication with said check valve and reversing the flow of fluid through said check valve when said normally closed second valve is open;
- a source of pressurized fluid in communication with said first chamber through said first valve; and
- said control further including a switch for opening said normally closed second valve and closing said normally open first valve wherein said control controls the pressure in and flow of fluid into and out from said lower and upper chambers to thereby control the position of said piston and, hence, the position of said inner tubular member along said longitudinal axis of said outer tubular member.
22. The deck gun elevator according to claim 21, wherein said upper chamber has an incompressible fluid therein wherein a pressure increase in said lower chamber will generally not move said piston upward until said second valve is open wherein the fluid in said upper chamber is allowed to flow from said upper chamber to said second chamber through said check valve.
23. The deck gun elevator according to claim 21, wherein at least one of said first valve and said second valve comprises a solenoid valve.
24. The deck gun elevator according to claim 23, wherein said first and second valves comprise solenoid valves.
25. The deck gun elevator according to claim 21, wherein said check valve comprises a pilot check valve.
26. The deck gun elevator according to claim 21, wherein said lower chamber is filled with a compressible fluid.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 5, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 6, 2005
Inventor: James Trapp (Galien, MI)
Application Number: 10/818,111