Turret operator interface system and method for a fire fighting vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fire fighting vehicle comprising:
- (A) a turret system, the turret system comprising (1) a turret nozzle, the turret nozzle being capable of dispensing a fire-extinguishing agent, and (2) an adjustable mount assembly that mounts the turret system to a remainder of the fire fighting vehicle;
(B) a turret control system, including (1) a first operator interface, (2) a second operator interface, (3) a plurality of actuators, the plurality of actuators being coupled to the adjustable mount assembly and being capable of adjusting the positioning of the turret system to adjust the positioning of the turret nozzle relative to the remainder of the fire fighting vehicle, and (4) a turret controller, the turret controller being coupled to receive operator inputs from the first and second operator interfaces, and the turret controller being programmed to control the plurality of actuators based on the operator inputs;
wherein the turret controller is programmed to have first and second modes of operation;
wherein, in the first mode of operation, the turret controller controls the position and orientation of the turret nozzle based on operator inputs acquired by the first operator interface; and
wherein, in the second mode of operation, the turret controller controls the position and orientation of the turret nozzle based on operator inputs acquired by the first operator interface.
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Abstract
A turret control system and method for a fire fighting vehicle is disclosed. The turret control system includes one or more control modules, such as an envelope control module, turret targeting module, a turret pan module, a turret deploy module, a turret store module. The preferred turret control system also provides improved turret control flexibility and improved operator feedback.
187 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A fire fighting vehicle comprising:
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(A) a turret system, the turret system comprising (1) a turret nozzle, the turret nozzle being capable of dispensing a fire-extinguishing agent, and (2) an adjustable mount assembly that mounts the turret system to a remainder of the fire fighting vehicle;
(B) a turret control system, including (1) a first operator interface, (2) a second operator interface, (3) a plurality of actuators, the plurality of actuators being coupled to the adjustable mount assembly and being capable of adjusting the positioning of the turret system to adjust the positioning of the turret nozzle relative to the remainder of the fire fighting vehicle, and (4) a turret controller, the turret controller being coupled to receive operator inputs from the first and second operator interfaces, and the turret controller being programmed to control the plurality of actuators based on the operator inputs;
wherein the turret controller is programmed to have first and second modes of operation;
wherein, in the first mode of operation, the turret controller controls the position and orientation of the turret nozzle based on operator inputs acquired by the first operator interface; and
wherein, in the second mode of operation, the turret controller controls the position and orientation of the turret nozzle based on operator inputs acquired by the first operator interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A fire fighting vehicle comprising:
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(A) a chassis and a vehicle body mounted on the chassis, the chassis and vehicle body in combination including an operator compartment capable of receiving a human operator, the operator compartment including steering and throttle controls for receiving operator inputs to control movement of the fire fighting vehicle along a road;
(B) a turret system including (1) an adjustable mount assembly, the adjustable mount assembly being mounted to the chassis and vehicle body combination, and the mount assembly including a fire-extinguishing agent delivery system capable of transporting a fire-extinguishing agent through the mount assembly;
(2) a turret nozzle, the turret nozzle being mounted to the adjustable mount assembly, and the turret nozzle being capable of receiving the fire-extinguishing agent from the mount assembly; and
(C) a turret control system, the turret control system including a plurality of actuators capable of adjusting the mount assembly to permit the position and orientation of the turret nozzle to be adjusted, the turret control system further including a microprocessor-based turret controller coupled to the plurality of actuators, and the turret control system further including a display, wherein the turret controller is programmed to drive the display to provide a rendering of the turret system so as to display information pertaining to a position and orientation of the turret nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A fire fighting vehicle comprising:
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(A) a chassis and a vehicle body mounted on the chassis, the chassis and vehicle body in combination including an operator compartment capable of receiving a human operator, the operator compartment including steering and throttle controls for receiving operator inputs to control movement of the fire fighting vehicle along a road;
(B) a turret system including (1) an adjustable mount assembly, the adjustable mount assembly being mounted to the chassis and vehicle body combination, and the mount assembly including a fire-extinguishing agent delivery system capable of transporting a fire-extinguishing agent through the mount assembly;
(2) a turret nozzle, the turret nozzle being mounted to the adjustable mount assembly, and the turret nozzle being capable of receiving the fire-extinguishing agent from the mount assembly; and
(C) a turret control system, the turret control system including a flow rate actuator capable of adjusting a flow rate of fire extinguishing agent through the turret nozzle, the turret control system further including a turret controller coupled to the flow rate actuator, the turret controller being programmed to implement feedback control of a position of the flow rate actuator. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A fire fighting vehicle comprising:
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a first turret system;
a second turret system;
a first operator interface;
a second operator interface;
a turret control system, the turret control system including a first plurality of actuators capable of adjusting the position and orientation of the first turret system, the turret control system including a second plurality of actuators capable of adjusting the position and orientation of the second turret system, the turret control system further including a microprocessor-based turret controller coupled to the first and second plurality of actuators, wherein the turret control system is programmed to permit operator inputs acquired by the first operator interface to be used to control the first turret, the second turret, and the first and second turret simultaneously; and
wherein the turret control system is programmed to permit operator inputs acquired by the second operator interface to be used to control the first turret, the second turret, and the first and second turret simultaneously.
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Specification