AERIAL FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

AERIAL FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM AND METHOD ABSTRACT An aerial fire extinguishing system (100) integrated with an unmanned air vehicle (102) is disclosed. The unmanned air vehicle (102) comprising: an electronic speed controller (106), a flight controller (112), a camera (114); and a pressurized canister (116) comprising a nozzle (118) adapted to store a chemically active fire extinguishing compound. The system (100) further comprises a control unit (122) that receives an emergency signal comprising a destination location from a user device (126) and directs the unmanned air vehicle (102) to surveil an area of interest aerially for detecting a fire outbreak at the destination location. The system (100) actuates a servo motor (120) for engaging the nozzle (118) of the pressurized canister (116) to eject the chemically active fire extinguishing compound to extinguish the detected fire outbreak. Claims: 10, Figures: 5 Figure 1A is selected.

Specification

Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a drone and particularly to an aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV).
Description of Related Art
[002] Firefighting is the act of extinguishing or controlling fires to prevent damage to life, property, and the environment. Firefighting involves a range of activities aimed at managing both small and large fires in various settings, including urban areas, rural locations, forests, and industrial facilities. Firefighters, either professionals or volunteers, are typically responsible for carrying out firefighting tasks. Firefighters use specialized equipment such as fire hoses, trucks, ladders, extinguishers, and protective gear to control and suppress fires.
[003] Firefighting has traditionally relied on manual methods such as fire trucks, hoses, and human intervention. While these methods are effective in many situations, they come with significant challenges, especially in difficult-to-reach areas or hazardous environments. Firefighters often navigate through traffic, congested urban zones, or challenging terrains, which leads to delays and causes exacerbated fire damage. Further, even if the firefighters manage to reach, first responders are frequently put at high personal risk, especially in environments where toxic fumes, extreme heat, or structural instability are present. In some cases, these risks limit human access, and the reliance on manual labor and large, cumbersome equipment becomes a disadvantage.
[004] Aerial firefighting vehicles, such as helicopters and airplanes, have been introduced to tackle large-scale wildfires or fires in remote areas that are inaccessible by ground teams. Such vehicles drop water or fire retardant over affected areas, helping to control the spread of the fire. However, their utility is limited by several factors. Aerial firefighting operations are often expensive and require skilled personnel to operate the vehicles safely. Moreover, their effectiveness is compromised in adverse weather conditions such as strong winds, rain, or poor visibility.
[005] Further, an extensive scope of these operations often results in a lack of precision for addressing smaller, confined fires. Furthermore, the payload capacity restricts the amount of suppressant that can be carried per trip. Additionally, aerial firefighting is impractical in densely populated urban environments due to safety concerns and the challenge of accurately targeting specific areas.
[006] Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones have emerged as useful tools, particularly for reconnaissance and surveillance. However, their role in active fire suppression is minimal. Most of the drones are limited by their payload capacity and are primarily used for observation rather than direct firefighting. Additionally, these vehicles are susceptible to environmental factors such as wind, smoke, and heat, which further reduces an operational effectiveness during the fire outbreak.
[007] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with an unmanned air vehicle that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[008] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with an unmanned air vehicle, comprising: an electronic speed controller adapted to control a velocity and an orientation of the unmanned air vehicle. The system further comprising: a camera adapted to aerially surveil an area of interest, a pressurized canister comprising a nozzle, and adapted to store a chemically active fire extinguishing compound. The nozzle is adapted to be activated using a servo motor to eject the chemically active fire extinguishing compound. The system further comprising: a control unit that is configured to: receive an emergency signal, comprising a destination location of the area of interest from a user device; map a route from a source location to the destination location; initiate a flight of the unmanned air vehicle over the mapped route by actuating the flight controller, and the electronic speed controller; enable the camera to surveil the area of interest aerially for detecting a fire outbreak at the destination location, wherein the fire outbreak is detected using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for fire detection; and actuate the servo motor for triggering the nozzle of the pressurized canister to eject the chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister onto the detected fire outbreak.
[009] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for aerial fire response and extinguishing using an unmanned air vehicle. The method comprising steps of: receiving an emergency signal from a user device, wherein the emergency signal comprises a destination location of an area of interest; mapping a route from a source location to the destination location; initiating a flight of the unmanned air vehicle over the mapped route by actuating a flight controller, and an electronic speed controller; enabling a camera to surveil the area of interest aerially for detecting a fire outbreak at the destination location, wherein the fire outbreak is detected using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for fire detection; and actuating the servo motor for triggering a nozzle of a pressurized canister to eject a chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister onto the detected fire outbreak.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with an unmanned air vehicle.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with an unmanned air vehicle that operates independently without requiring a human intervention.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system that navigates quickly to a location of a fire using Save Our Soul (SOS) alerts, eliminating delays caused by traffic congestion or challenging terrain. Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system that is equipped with computer vision and a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, assisting in accurately detecting fires in real-time.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system that autonomously navigates complex environments, including difficult-to-reach areas that traditional firefighting equipment may struggle to access. Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with an unmanned air vehicle that utilizes a servo-controlled nozzle to effectively suppress the fire, offering precise control over firefighting efforts.
[0014] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system that reduces a need for human firefighters to enter dangerous environments. Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system that operates autonomously to reduce a requirement of first respondents and makes a more economical solution for firefighting across various scenarios.
[0015] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with an unmanned air vehicle that provides real-time video feed analysis, offering constant monitoring and ensuring that fires are detected and extinguished as soon as they emerge.
[0016] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0017] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with an unmanned air vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the unmanned air vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of the unmanned air vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the aerial fire extinguishing system integrated with the unmanned air vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for aerial fire response and extinguishing using the unmanned air vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes" mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises", and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", "consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of", the like.
[0026] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0027] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an aerial fire extinguishing system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100) integrated with an unmanned air vehicle 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise the unmanned air vehicle 102. The unmanned air vehicle 102 may be dispatched by the system 100 at a destination location upon receipt of an emergency signal. Further, upon arrival at the destination location, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may initiate a continuous monitoring and surveillance over a place of interest aerially. In an embodiment of the present invention, the unmanned air vehicle 102 dispatched by the system 100 may detect a fire outbreak at the place of interest and may further proceed to extinguish the detected fire autonomously.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the area of interest may be a radial area around the destination location. The system 100 may utilize advanced algorithms to determine an optimal radius around the destination location for monitoring to ensure a comprehensive coverage of the destination location while avoiding unnecessary surveillance of unaffected areas. In an embodiment of the present invention, the optimal radius may be 50 meters. In another embodiment of the present invention, the optimal radius may be 100 meters. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the optimal radius may be 500 meters. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any optimal radius of the area of interest around the destination location.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise an unmanned air vehicle 102. The components of the unmanned air vehicle 102 may be a frame 104, an electronic speed controller 106, propellers 108a-108d (hereinafter individually referred to as the propeller 108, or combinedly referred to as the propellers 108), a motor 110, a flight controller 112, a camera 114, a pressurized canister 116, a nozzle 118, and a servo motor 120. The system 100 may further comprise a control unit 122, and a power supply unit 124.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may be dispatched by the system 100 at the destination location upon receipt of the emergency signal from an area of interest. In an embodiment of the present invention, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may be, but not limited to, a single rotor drone, a multi rotor drone, a fixed wing rotor drone, a variable wing rotor drone, a gyroplane, a tiltrotor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the unmanned air vehicle 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the frame 104 of the unmanned air vehicle 102 may be adapted to provide an integral strength to the unmanned air vehicle 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, dimensions of the frame 104 may be in a range from 400 millimetres (mm) to 500 millimetres (mm). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any dimension of the frame 104. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame 104 of the unmanned air vehicle 102 may be an F550 Hexa-Copter Frame. The frame 104 may further comprise a set of landing gears (not shown). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the frame 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The frame 104 may provide a housing, mounting, and securing to components of the unmanned air vehicle 102.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic speed controller 106 may be adapted to control a velocity and an orientation of the unmanned air vehicle 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic speed controller 106 may control the velocity and the orientation by a manipulation of the propellers 108 using the motor 110. In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic speed controller 106 may be adapted to control rotations of the motor 110. The manipulation in the rotations of the motor 110 may further in turn control the rotations of the propellers 108. The manipulation in the rotations of the motor 110 and the rotations of the propellers 108 may control parameters that may be, but not limited to, a speed, a velocity, a turning radius, and a rotation of the unmanned air vehicle 102.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic speed controller 106 may be, but not limited to, a brushless electronic speed controller, a brushed electronic speed controller, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic speed controller 106 may be an Emax BLHeli Series 30A ESC speed controller. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the electronic speed controller 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the propellers 108 may be mounted on the frame 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, the propellers 108 may be adapted to create a thrust to lift the unmanned air vehicle 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the propellers 108 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1B.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor 110 may be adapted to drive the propellers 108. The motor 110 may rotate the propellers 108 at high speed. The high-speed rotation of the propellers 108 by the motor 110 may create the thrust that may in return lift the unmanned air vehicle 102. Further, a set of motors may be individually connected to the propellers 108 such as a first motor (not shown) may be connected to a first propeller (not shown), a second motor (not shown) may be connected to a second propeller (not shown) and so forth Moreover, a diagonal arrangement of the propellers 108 and the motor 110 may equibalance the frame 104 for further equibalancing the unmanned air vehicle 102.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, a power intensity of the motor 110 may be in a range from 900 Kilovolts (KV) to 1000 Kilovolts (KV). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power intensity of the motor 110 may be 935 Kilovolts (KV). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any power intensity of the motor 110. According to embodiments of the present invention, the motor 110 may be, but not limited to, a stepper motor, a servo motor, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motor 110 of the unmanned air vehicle 102 may be an EMAX Multi-copter Motor MT2213. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the motor 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flight controller 112 may be connected to the electronic speed controller 106. The flight controller 112 may initiate a flight of the unmanned air vehicle 102 over a mapped route. The route may be mapped from a source location to the destination location by the control unit 122. Further, the flight controller 112 and the electronic speed controller 106 may be adapted to traverse the mapped route from the destination location to the source location for returning the unmanned air vehicle 102 at the source location.
[0038] Further, the flight controller 112 may manage flight dynamics of the unmanned air vehicle 102 and may integrate various sensors and inputs. The flight controller 112 may be capable of commanding a plurality of functions of the unmanned air vehicle 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of functions of the unmanned air vehicle 102 may be, but not limited to, an obstacle detection, a route remembrance, a return-to-home, a self-charging, an aerially-tracking of the area of interest, and so forth.
[0039] According to embodiments of the present invention, the flight controller 112 may be, but not limited to, a flyer, a DJI drone control engine, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flight controller 112 may be a Pixhawk PX4 Autopilot 2.4.8 32 32-bit flight Controller. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the flight controller 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may be mounted on the frame 104. The camera 114 may be configured to capture video and images as directed by the control unit 122. In an embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may be adapted to aerially surveil an area of interest. The camera 114 may be rotatable in a left direction at an angle of 90 degrees. Further, a 5 second break may be instigated in the camera 114 after every rotation of 90 degrees. In an embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1C.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressurized canister 116 may be arranged underneath the frame 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of the pressurized canister 116 underneath the frame 104 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1C. Further, the pressurized canister 116 may be adapted to store a chemically active fire extinguishing compound. The chemically active fire extinguishing compound may be, but not limited to, a mix of monoammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate (ABC dry chemical), a foam concentrate, water, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the chemically active fire extinguishing compound in the pressurized canister 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressurized canister 116 may comprise the nozzle 118. The nozzle 118 may be adapted to eject the chemically active fire extinguishing compound stored in the pressurized canister 116. The nozzle 118 may be mechanically connected to the servo motor 120 such that the nozzle 118 may be triggered upon the actuation of the servo motor 120. The servo motor 120 may be a TowerPro MG995 Plastic Gear Servo Motor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the servo motor 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 122 may be the central processor of the unmanned air vehicle 102, responsible for managing all operational aspects. The control unit 122 may execute computer-executable instructions for data receiving, route mapping, navigation, and other functionalities. The control unit 122 may interface with various components including the electronic speed controller 106, the flight controller 112, the camera 114, and the servo motor 120. The control unit 122 may further be equipped with processing power to handle real-time data and control commands, utilizing known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The control unit 122 may further be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the unmanned air vehicle 102.
[0044] According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 122 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 122 may be a Raspberry Pi 4 model B with 4 Gigabytes (GiB) Random Access Memory (RAM). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 122, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 122 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 124 may be adapted to supply operational power to the control unit 122. The power supply unit 124 may further supply operational power to the electronic speed controller 106, the motor 110, the flight controller 112, and the camera 114, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] The power supply unit 124 may comprise a power module. The power module may be configured to distribute power to the components of the unmanned air vehicle 102. The power module may further be configured to regulate a voltage distribution across the components of the unmanned air vehicle 102. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power module may be a UBEC 3 Ampere (A)-5 Volt (V) converter for Raspberry power supply. The power supply unit 124 may further comprise a Power Distribution Board. The Power Distribution Board may be adapted to ensure that the power supplied by the power supply unit 124 may be distributed across the components of the unmanned air vehicle 102.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 124 may provide power through a battery (not shown). In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery may be from a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment of the present invention, the battery may be from a non-rechargeable battery. According to embodiments of the present invention, the battery for power supply may be of any composition such as, but not limited to, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery, a Zinc-Carbon battery, a Lithium-Ion battery, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 124 may be an 11.1 Volt (V) 5000 mAh (milli-Ampere hours) 35C 3S Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Battery Pack. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any composition and capacity of the power supply unit 124, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, a user device 126 may be an electronic device used by a user. The user device 126 may be adapted to enable the user to press a Save Our Soul (SOS) button in/on the user device 126. The Save Our Soul (SOS) button may be a physical button that may be tactically mounted on the user device 126, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the Save Our Soul (SOS) button may be a virtual button that may be electronically enabled by programming instructions installed in the user device 126.
[0049] Further, upon pressing the Save Our Soul (SOS) button the user device 126 may transmit the emergency signal to the control unit 122 of the unmanned air vehicle 102. The transmitted emergency signal may comprise information such as, but not limited to, a distress signal, the destination location, and so forth.
[0050] According to embodiments of the present invention, the user device 126 may be, but not limited to, an electronic wearable device, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user device 126 may be a FlySky FS-i6 2.4G 6CH PPM RC Transmitter that may be adapted to communicate with a F FlySky FS IA6B RF2.4GHz 6CH PPM output with iBus port receiver. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 126, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, a communication unit 128 may enable the user device 126 and the control unit 122 to communicate. The communication may be facilitated using the communication unit 128 by generation and establishment of a communication link, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication link established by the communication unit 128 may enable the transmission of the emergency signal from the user device 126 to the unmanned air vehicle 102.
[0052] In another embodiment of the present invention, the communication link established by the communication unit 128 may enable the transmission of a message to prestored emergency contact numbers. In an embodiment of the present invention, the transmission of the message may be done via a Short Messaging Service (SMS). In another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission of the message may be done via an Electronic Mail (email), push notifications or other messaging protocols. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any way of the transmission of the message, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0053] According to embodiments of the present invention, the communication unit 128 may be, but not limited to, a Wi-Fi communication unit, a Bluetooth communication unit, a millimeter waves communication unit, an Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) communication unit, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 128 may be a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 800L General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Module Core Board Quad-band Time-to-Live (TTL) Serial Port with an antenna. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 128, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0054] FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the unmanned air vehicle 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The propellers 108 may be configured to create lift and thrust for the unmanned air vehicle 102. The propellers 108 may be designed to provide efficient aerodynamic performance, enabling stable and controlled flight. Each propeller 108 may be driven by a corresponding motor 110 to achieve the necessary propulsion and maneuverability. The propellers 108 may be constructed from materials that may be, but not limited to, reinforced plastic, composite materials, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for the construction of the propellers 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0055] The propeller 108a and the propeller 108c may be diagonally arranged on the frame 104 of the unmanned air vehicle 102. The propeller 108b and the propeller 108d may be diagonally arranged on the frame 104 of the unmanned air vehicle 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, the diagonal arrangement of the propellers 108 and the motor 110 may equibalance the frame 104. Therefore, equibalancing the unmanned air vehicle 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions of the propellers 108 may be in a range from 9 inches (in) to 11 inches (in). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions of the propellers 108 may be 10 inches (in). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the propellers 108 may be an Emax 1045 (10×4.5) Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Propeller 1CW+1CCW. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any dimension and type of the propellers 108.
[0056] In an embodiment of the present invention, the propellers 108 may be driven through the motor 110. Further, the rotation of the propellers 108 may be controlled and manipulated using the electronic speed controller 106 and the flight controller 112. The controlling and manipulation of the propellers 108 using the electronic speed controller 106 and the flight controller 112 may determine a speed and a direction of the unmanned air vehicle 102.
[0057] FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of the unmanned air vehicle 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may be adapted to rotate at an angle of 90 degrees. In another embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may be adapted to rotate at an angle of 180 degrees. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may be adapted to rotate at an angle of 360 degrees. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may be adapted to rotate at any angle of degrees.
[0058] In an embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may be configured to capture images of the area of interest while on surveillance. The camera 114 may further be configured to record videos of the area of interest while on surveillance, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the predefined duration of the recorded video clips may be 2 seconds. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the predefined duration of the recorded video clips may be 4 seconds. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the video clips may be of any duration such as defined by a system administrator.
[0059] The camera 114 may also be configured to transmit the captured images and/or videos of the area of interest to firefighting bodies, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the firefighting bodies may continuously monitor the captured images and/or videos of the area of interest. In another embodiment of the present invention, the firefighting bodies may be automated using a computer system. The camera 114 may have features that may be, but not limited to, a high-definition resolution, night vision, and real-time video streaming capabilities. The camera 114 may be constructed from materials that include, but are not limited to, high-quality lenses and electronic components, and may utilize known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to the other embodiments of the present invention, the camera 114 may be, but not limited to, a still camera, a video camera, a color balancer camera, a thermal camera, an infrared camera, a telephoto camera, a wide-angle camera, a macro camera, a Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, a web camera, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the camera 114 may be a Logitech C270 Digital High Definition (HD) Webcam. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the camera 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0060] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressurized canister 116 may be arranged underneath the frame 104 by means such as, but not limited to, a welding means, a magnetic means, a screwing means, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any means of attachment of the pressurized canister 116 with the frame 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the control unit 122 of the system 100 integrated with the unmanned air vehicle 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 122 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, a route mapping module 202, a flying module 204, a data capturing module 206, an actuation module 208, and a maintenance module 210.
[0062] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the emergency signal from the user device 126. The emergency signal may comprise the destination location of the area of interest. Further, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the destination location to the route mapping module 202.
[0063] The route mapping module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the destination location from the data receiving module 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, the route mapping module 202 may be configured to map the route from the source location to the destination location. Further, the route mapping module 202 may be configured to transmit the mapped route to the flying module 204.
[0064] The flying module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the mapped route from the route mapping module 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, the flying module 204 may be configured to activate the electronic speed controller 106 to initiate a power delivery to the motor 110. The motor 110 may further be adapted to actuate the propellers 108. In another embodiment of the present invention, the flying module 204 may further be configured to actuate the flight controller 112 to initiate the flight of the unmanned air vehicle 102 over the mapped route. Further, after the arrival of the unmanned air vehicle 102 to the destination location, the flying module 204 may be configured to transmit a data capture signal to the data capturing module 206.
[0065] The data capturing module 206 may be activated upon receipt of the data capture signal from the flying module 204. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data capturing module 206 may be configured to enable the camera 114 to surveil the area of interest aerially for detecting the fire outbreak at the destination location. The data capturing module 206 may be configured to engage a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for fire detection for detecting the fire outbreak at the destination location. Further, the data capturing module 206 may be configured to activate a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the fire outbreak at the destination location, in another embodiment of the present invention. Further, upon detection of the fire outbreak at the destination location, the data capturing module 206 may configured to transmit an actuation signal to the actuation module 208.
[0066] The actuation module 208 may be activated upon receipt of the actuation signal from the data capturing module 206. In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 208 may be configured to actuate the servo motor 120 for engaging the nozzle 118 of the pressurized canister 116. The engagement of the nozzle 118 via the servo motor 120 may eject the chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister 116 onto the detected fire outbreak. In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 208 may be configured to activate the camera 114 for a continuous monitoring of the fire outbreak by the firefighting bodies. Further, the actuation module 208 may be configured to enable the firefighting bodies to intervene in the firefighting sessions and may control factors such as, but not limited to, an angle of dispatch of the chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister 116, a pressure of dispatch of the chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister 116, an intensity of the dispatch of the chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister 116, and so forth. Further, after the complete extinguishing of the fire outbreak, the actuation module 208 may transmit a return signal to the maintenance module 210.
[0067] The maintenance module 210 may be activated upon receipt of the return signal from the actuation module 208. In an embodiment of the present invention, the maintenance module 210 may be configured to activate the flight controller 112 and the electronic speed controller 106 to traverse the mapped route from the destination location to the source location for returning the unmanned air vehicle 102 at the source destination. In another embodiment of the present invention, the maintenance module 210 may be configured to activate a maintenance mode. The maintenance mode may be adapted to perform a system check session. The system check session may involve processes such as, but not limited to ensuring correct functionalities of components of the unmanned air vehicle 102, a fulfillment of the chemically active fire extinguishing compound, a data review session reviewing logs and collected data during the fire outbreak, a maintenance for ensuing a readiness of the unmanned air vehicle 102 for subsequent flights, and so forth.
[0068] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for aerial fire response and extinguishing using the unmanned air vehicle 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0069] At step 302, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may receive the emergency signal from the user device 126. The emergency signal may comprise the destination location of the area of interest.
[0070] At step 304, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may map the route from the source location to the destination location. At step 306, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may activate the electronic speed controller 106 to initiate the power delivery to the motor 110. The motor 110 may be adapted to actuate the propellers 108. At step 308, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may actuate the flight controller 112 to initiate the flight of the unmanned air vehicle 102 over the mapped route. At step 310, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may enable the camera 114 to surveil the area of interest aerially by capturing the video and the images.
[0071] At step 312, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may detect the fire outbreak at the destination location by analyzing the captured images and the videos using the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for fire detection. If the fire outbreak is detected, the method 300 may proceed to the step 314. Else, the method 300 may return to the step 310. At step 314, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may actuate the servo motor 120 for engaging the nozzle 118 of the pressurized canister 116. The engagement of the nozzle 118 may eject the chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister 116 onto the detected fire outbreak for suppression of the fire. At step 316, the unmanned air vehicle 102 may undergo the maintenance mode. The maintenance mode may be adapted to perform the system check session. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An aerial fire extinguishing system (100), the system (100) comprising:
an unmanned aerial vehicle (102) comprising:
an electronic speed controller (106) configured to regulate the velocity and orientation of the unmanned aerial vehicle (102) by manipulating propellers (108a-108d) of the unmanned aerial vehicle (102);
a flight controller (112) adapted to initiate a flight of the unmanned air vehicle (102);
a camera (114) adapted to aerially surveil an area of interest; and
a pressurized canister (116) comprising a nozzle (118) and mechanically connected to a servo motor (120), wherein the pressurized canister (116) is adapted to store a chemically active fire extinguishing compound; and
a control unit (122) communicatively connected to the electronic speed controller (106), the flight controller (112), the camera (114), and the servo motor (120), wherein the control unit (122) is configured to:
receive an emergency signal from a user device (126), wherein the emergency signal comprises a destination location of the area of interest;
map a route from a source location to the destination location;
initiate the flight of the unmanned air vehicle (102) over the mapped route by actuating the flight controller (112), and the electronic speed controller (106);
enable the camera (114) to surveil the area of interest aerially for detecting a fire outbreak at the destination location, wherein the fire outbreak is detected using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for fire detection; and
actuate the servo motor (120) to trigger the nozzle (118) for ejecting the chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister (116) onto the detected fire outbreak.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (110), the propellers (108a-108d), the camera (114), and the control unit (122) are mounted and secured on a frame (104).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (122) is configured to activate a maintenance mode on the unmanned air vehicle (102), wherein the maintenance mode is adapted to perform a system check session.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chemically active fire extinguishing compound is selected from a mix of monoammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate (ABC dry chemical), a foam concentrate, water or a combination thereof.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a power supply unit (124) adapted to supply operational power to the components of the unmanned air vehicle (102).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a communication unit (128) adapted to enable a transmission of the emergency signal from the user device (126) to the unmanned air vehicle (102).
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (122) is configured to enable a communication unit (128) to transmit a message to prestored emergency contact numbers via a Short Messaging Service (SMS).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (122) is configured to activate the flight controller (112) and the electronic speed controller (106) to traverse the mapped route from the destination location to the source location for returning of the unmanned air vehicle (102) at the source location.
9. A method (300) for aerial fire response and extinguishing using an unmanned air vehicle (102), the method (300) is characterized by steps of:
receiving an emergency signal from a user device (126), wherein the emergency signal comprises a destination location of an area of interest;
mapping a route from a source location to the destination location;
initiating a flight of the unmanned air vehicle (102) over the mapped route by actuating a flight controller (112), and an electronic speed controller (106);
enabling a camera (114) to surveil the area of interest aerially for detecting a fire outbreak at the destination location, wherein the fire outbreak is detected using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for fire detection; and
actuating the servo motor (120) to trigger the nozzle (118) for ejecting the chemically active fire extinguishing compound from the pressurized canister (116) onto the detected fire outbreak.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 9, further comprises a step of activating a maintenance mode on the unmanned air vehicle (102).
Date: November 19, 2024
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant

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