Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: For severe traffic accidents, rapid occupant extrication is crucial. Firefighter hydraulic rescue shears, while essential for this task, are hindered by bulky hydraulic hoses which reduce maneuverability. This research investigates powering these tools with compressed air from a firefighter's self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinder. The proposed system utilizes a compact, mobile hydraulic power unit driven by this pneumatic source. A hydraulic rescue shears and review of market solutions are reviewed, and a typical cutting loads are defined. A model of a small, mobile hydraulic power unit powered by an SCBA cylinder is proposed and its performance validated via simulation. This study aims to enhance rescue efficiency and ergonomics by potentially eliminating traditional hydraulic hose constraints.
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Funder: Sveučilište u Zagrebu
OpenAlex ID: W4414267386