Automatic flow restrictor for firefighting apparatus

摘要

An automatic flow restrictor includes a movement sensor that detects undesired movement of a firefighting apparatus relative to a support surface and automatically reduces the flow of fluid through the apparatus to thereby reduce reaction forces acting upon the apparatus. The sensor may be a slidable member or an actuatable lever, for example, that detects movement of the apparatus along or away from a support surface, and actuates an adjuster to restrict the flow of fluid until the forces are balanced and the apparatus stops moving relative to the support surface.

主权项

1. An automatic flow restrictor for selectively restricting a fluid flowing through a firefighting apparatus, said automatic flow restrictor comprising:
a tubular body having a longitudinal central axis, an inlet, and an outlet; a passageway extending between said inlet and said outlet; a compressible member defining at least a portion of said passageway, said compressible member having an inner dimension transverse to the longitudinal central axis; an adjuster mounted about said compressible member for selectively compressing the compressible member to selectively restrict the flow of fluid through said tubular body; wherein said compressible member is adjustable between an open position and a flow-restricting position in response to said adjuster, and wherein said adjuster is actuatable in response to movement of said tubular body with respect to a support surface on which said automatic flow restrictor is supported; wherein said compressible member comprises a plurality of compressible members; and wherein said adjuster extends around said compressible member and is adapted to move along said longitudinal central axis, a slidable member applying pressure on said adjuster, and said adjuster applying compressive pressure on said compressible member.