Method for advanced airborne firefighting

Abstract

A method for dispersing liquid over a desired location, the method comprising a pressurized tank having a main body, an inlet in fluid communication with the main body for introducing liquid to the main body, an outlet in fluid communication with the main body for dispersing the liquid, and an air inlet for charging air under pressure into the main body, where the improvement comprises providing a diffuser for slowing down pressurized air entering the main body from the inlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of dispersing fluid over a site of interest, said method comprising:
 discharging fluid over a site of interest from a system, the system comprising a pressurized storage tank having a main body, an inlet in fluid communication with said main body for introducing liquid to said main body, a first outlet in fluid communication with said main body for dispersing said liquid, a second outlet in fluid communication with said main body for dispersing said liquid, an air inlet for charging air under pressure into said main body, and a diffuser for slowing down pressurized air entering said main body from said air inlet; wherein said storage tank is housed within a host aircraft.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said diffuser comprises a base, generally cylindrical side walls, and an opening opposite said base. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a second outlet from said storage tank. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising an additive tank for input of additives. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a discharge pipe in fluid communication with said outlet, wherein said discharge pipe comprises a pintle nozzle, said pintle nozzle being capable of controlling the flow rate of discharge. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said discharge pipe comprises an elbow for redirecting a subsequent portion of said pipe generally horizontal to said main body. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said elbow is formed at an angle allowing positioning of said pintle horizontal to said main body. 
     
     
         8 . A method of dispersing fluid over a site of interest, said method comprising:
 discharging fluid over a site of interest from a system, the system comprising a pressurized storage tank having a main body, an inlet in fluid communication with said main body for introducing liquid to said main body, a first outlet in fluid communication with said main body for dispersing said liquid, a second outlet in fluid communication with said main body for dispersing said liquid, an air inlet for charging air under pressure into said main body, and a diffuser for slowing down pressurized air entering said main body from said air inlet; wherein said pressurized tank is mounted on a pallet.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a compressor in pneumatic communication with said air inlet and a compressed air storage reservoir between said compressor and said storage tank. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising an additive tank for input of additives. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the system can be used for dispersing oil, pesticides, bio-remediation materials, defoliant materials, fertilizer materials, or herbicide materials. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein liquids can be dispensed at over 200 gallons per second. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a discharge pipe in fluid communication with said outlet, wherein said discharge pipe comprises a pintle nozzle, said pintle nozzle being capable of controlling the flow rate of discharge. 
     
     
         14 . A method of dispersing fluid over a site of interest, said method comprising:
 discharging fluid over a site of interest from a system, the system comprising a pressurized storage tank having a main body, an inlet in fluid communication with said main body for introducing liquid to said main body, a first outlet in fluid communication with said main body for dispersing said liquid, a second outlet in fluid communication with said main body for dispersing said liquid, an air inlet for charging air under pressure into said main body, and a diffuser for slowing down pressurized air entering said main body from said air inlet; and further comprising an additive tank for input of additives.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said diffuser comprises a base, generally cylindrical side walls, and an opening opposite said base. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a second outlet from said storage tank. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a compressor in pneumatic communication with said air inlet and a compressed air storage reservoir between said compressor and said storage tank. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein liquids can be dispensed at over 200 gallons per second. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the system can be used for dispersing oil, pesticides, bio-remediation materials, defoliant materials, fertilizer materials, or herbicide materials. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a discharge pipe in fluid communication with said outlet, wherein said discharge pipe comprises a pintle nozzle, said pintle nozzle being capable of controlling the flow rate of discharge.