US3580339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for combatting aircraft fires
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-01-30
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of combatting aircraft fires consisting of hovering an emergency aircraft, usually a helicopter, above an aircraft which has crash-landed or is in distress and is about to crashland, said helicopter thereby being positioned immediately above the aircraft either during or immediately after the crash landing, and being specially equipped to emit clouds of flame-smothering vapors to envelop the aircraft in trouble, whereby either to prevent fires or to immediately extinguish fires which may start, thereby to save large numbers of lives and incalculable amounts of property damage, and the apparatus for performing said method.
Inventors
- 👤 David Nance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:55
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64D1/00; B64D1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of combatting aircraft fires consisting of the steps of: a. positioning an emergency aircraft above a distressed aircraft in flight but a crash landing of which is imminent, b. maintaining said emergency aircraft in said position during and after the crash landing of said distressed aircraft, and c. ejecting clouds of flame-smothering heavier-than-air vapor from said emergency aircraft, whereby said distressed aircraft is enveloped in said vapor during and after its crash landing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of combatting aircraft fires consisting of the steps of: a. positioning an emergency aircraft above a distressed aircraft in flight but a crash landing of which is imminent, b. maintaining said emergency aircraft in said position during and after the crash landing of said distressed aircraft, and c. ejecting clouds of flame-smothering heavier-than-air vapor from said emergency aircraft, whereby said distressed aircraft is enveloped in said vapor during and after its crash landing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said emergency aircraft is positioned either above or horizontally spaced apart from said distressed aircraft, and wherein said vapor clouds are ejected from said emergency aircraft selectively either downwardly or horizontally in any direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as recited in claim 1 with the additional step of directing a flow of cool air downwardly over said emergency aircraft, whereby said emergency aircraft is cooled and said flame-smothering vapor is urged downwardly toward said distressed aircraft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for combatting aircraft fires comprising: a. an emergency aircraft capable of assuming a flight position above an aircraft in flight but in distress and about to execute a crash landing, and capable of maintaining said position before, during, and after said crash landing, and b. means carried by said emergency aircraft for ejecting clouds of flame-smothering, heavier-than-air vapor, said ejecting means comprising a tank carried by said emergency aircraft for containing a pressurized liquid chemical solution which when ejected into the atmosphere bursts into clouds of flame-smothering, heavier-than-air vapor, a plurality of nozzles interconnected with said tank and through which said solution is ejected, said nozzles being normally closed and divided into sets directed downwardly and horizontally in various directions, and means whereby the nozzles of any of said sets of nozzles may be opened selectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for combatting aircraft fires comprising: a. an emergency aircraft capable of assuming a flight position above an aircraft in flight but in distress and about to execute a crash landing, and capable of maintaining said position before, during, and after said crash landing, and b. means carried by said emergency aircraft for ejecting clouds of flame-smothering, heavier-than-air vapor, said ejecting means comprising a tank carried by said emergency aircraft for containing a pressurized liquid chemical solution which when ejected into the atmosphere bursts into clouds of flame-smothering, heavier-than-air vapor, a plurality of nozzles interconnected with said tank and through which said solution is ejected, said nozzles being normally closed and divided into sets directed downwardly and horizontally in various directions, and means whereby the nozzles of any of said sets of nozzles may be opened selectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said emergency aircraft is a helicopter equipped with the usual overhead propelling blades operable to create a strong downdraft of air around the fuselage thereof, said nozzles being disposed beneath said blades, said downwardly directed nozzles being of a spray type whereby the chemical solution ejected therefrom bursts into vapor close to the tips of the nozzles, and said horizontally directed nozzles being of a jet type whereby the chemical solution ejected therefrom remains in liquid jet form to a point not beneath said propelling blades.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |