阅读说明：本技术 一种便携式灭火装置及其灭火方法 (Portable fire extinguishing device and fire extinguishing method thereof ) 是由 郭俊毅 黎潘飞 于 2020-07-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开一种便携式灭火装置及其灭火方法,包括装置本体,所述装置本体内设置有水泵、蓄电池、进水部、出水部、延长管；所述水泵与蓄电池电性连接,所述水泵进水口与进水部连通,所述水泵出水口与出水部连通,所述延长管可与所述进水部可拆卸连接或者与所述出水部可拆卸连接；本发明结构设计合理,采用背包结构,轻巧灵活,灭火迅速,针对高层建筑、密集厂房仓库、巷弄或者郊外各类型火灾,用水量比消防车更节水,单人即可操作,双人操作更方便,填补高楼层消防空白,机动性更高,设备性价比更高,便宜实惠,保养需求低,不占空间,长射程,且和混入灭火剂从而灭火更高效。(The invention discloses a portable fire extinguishing device and a fire extinguishing method thereof, wherein the portable fire extinguishing device comprises a device body, wherein a water pump, a storage battery, a water inlet part, a water outlet part and an extension pipe are arranged in the device body; the water pump is electrically connected with the storage battery, a water inlet of the water pump is communicated with the water inlet part, a water outlet of the water pump is communicated with the water outlet part, and the extension pipe can be detachably connected with the water inlet part or the water outlet part; the fire-fighting truck has the advantages of reasonable structural design, light and flexible structure due to the adoption of the backpack structure, quick fire extinguishment, higher water consumption than that of a fire truck aiming at various fires of high-rise buildings, intensive factory building warehouses, roadways or suburbs, capability of being operated by one person and more convenient operation by two persons, capability of filling up the blank of high-rise fire fighting, higher maneuverability, higher cost performance of equipment, low price and practicality, low maintenance requirement, no space occupation, long range and more efficient fire extinguishment due to the fact that the fire-fighting truck is mixed with a fire extinguishing agent.)

1. A portable fire extinguishing apparatus, includes the device body, its characterized in that: the device body is internally provided with a direct-current water pump, a storage battery, a water inlet part, a water outlet part and an extension pipe;

the water pump is electrically connected with the storage battery, a water inlet of the water pump is communicated with the water inlet part, a water outlet of the water pump is communicated with the water outlet part, and the extension pipe can be detachably connected with the water inlet part or the water outlet part;

the water inlet part is provided with a feeding branch part, and the feeding branch part is used for entering fire extinguishing agents.

2. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: the portable fire suppression apparatus also includes a fire suppressant storage container.

3. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising: the fire extinguishing agent storage container stores fire extinguishing agent concentrated liquid.

4. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising: the portable fire extinguishing device further comprises a folding water storage container.

5. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: and the feeding branch part is provided with a feeding amount regulating valve.

6. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: the portable mode is a hand-held mode, a backpack mode or a push-pull mode.

7. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: the portable fire suppression device also includes a backpack having the device body disposed therein.

8. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: and the water pump is provided with a pressure switch for detecting the pressure of the water outlet part and starting and stopping the water pump.

9. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: the water outlet part comprises a water outlet pipe and a spray gun.

10. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: the storage battery is a lithium battery.

11. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: the feeding branch part and the water inlet part are provided with Venturi tubes, and the Venturi tubes are connected with the feeding branch part, and one end of the Venturi tubes is provided with a flow limiting hole sheet.

12. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: and a power switch is arranged between the storage battery and the direct-current water pump.

13. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: the water inlet part is provided with a filter.

14. A portable fire suppression apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: the working voltage of the direct current water pump is 48-60v, the storage battery is a lithium battery, the water inlet part is a water inlet pipe, the water outlet part is a water outlet pipe, the extension pipe is a 1-inch folding water belt, and the feeding branch part is a liquid inlet branch pipe;

the water inlet pipe is provided with a Venturi tube, the liquid inlet branch pipe is communicated with the Venturi tube, and a flow limiting hole piece is arranged at the joint of the Venturi tube and the liquid inlet branch pipe;

the spray gun is detachably connected with the folding water band;

the water suction pipe is detachably connected with the water inlet pipe and is provided with a filter;

the water sucking device also comprises a folding water bag, and the other end of the water sucking pipe is placed into the folding water bag for sucking water;

the fire extinguishing agent concentrated solution storage barrel is communicated with the liquid inlet branch pipe through a hose;

the pressure switch is electrically connected with the direct current water pump and the lithium battery, and the direct current water pump is started and stopped by sensing the pressure of the water outlet pipe 4;

the system also comprises a main power switch, wherein the main power switch is used for turning on or off the lithium battery to supply power to or cut off the power of the whole equipment;

the backpack is characterized by further comprising a backpack in which the device body is arranged, and the backpack is provided with a pull rod and castors.

15. A method of extinguishing a fire using the portable fire extinguishing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Technical Field

The invention belongs to the technical field of fire fighting, and particularly relates to a portable fire extinguishing device and a fire extinguishing method thereof.

Background

Fire control work is the general name of prevention and the work of putting out the conflagration, in people's daily life process, the condition of conflagration can appear in the inevitable, when naked light appears in high-rise building or outdoor building, it puts out a fire to it very difficult the very first time, ordinary running water pressure and water yield are lower, can't satisfy the demand of putting out a fire, and ordinary fire extinguishing agent jet distance is nearer, can't put out a fire to great intensity of a fire far away, can only wait for fire fighter's arrival just can put out a fire, this period of time can lead to the intensity of a fire to stretch rapidly, cause more serious economic loss.

On the other hand, 6 layers of buildings of old-fashioned of many traditional old residential districts construction, and lack fire extinguishing system, too little fire of fire control passageway regular blocking, the unable ignition point that is close of fire engine must artifical fire fighting equipment of carrying get into the scene and put out a fire, traditional fire extinguisher fire extinguishing agent is little, has restricted the efficiency of putting out a fire greatly.

To solve the problems of the related art, no effective solution has been proposed, and for this purpose, a portable fire extinguishing apparatus and a fire extinguishing method thereof are proposed.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved

Aiming at the defects of the prior art, the invention provides a portable fire extinguishing device and a fire extinguishing method thereof, which have the advantages of convenience and rapidness in use, strong flexibility and the like, and solve the problems of inconvenience in use, poor flexibility and the like of the conventional fire extinguisher.

(II) technical scheme

In order to achieve the purpose, the invention provides the following technical scheme: a portable fire extinguishing device comprises a device body, wherein a water pump, a storage battery, a water inlet part, a water outlet part and an extension pipe are arranged in the device body; the water pump is electrically connected with the storage battery, a water inlet of the water pump is communicated with the water inlet part, a water outlet of the water pump is communicated with the water outlet part, and the extension pipe can be detachably connected with the water inlet part or the water outlet part; the water inlet part is provided with a feeding branch part, and the feeding branch part is used for entering a high-concentration fire extinguishing agent.

The special design of the device is characterized in that firstly, a storage battery and a direct-current water pump are used, in the prior art, the performance of the storage battery for storing electric energy is greatly improved, the power of the direct-current water pump with 48-60V as an example can reach over 400W, and under the prior art, the water pump which is convenient to carry improves the maneuverability of the fire extinguishing device; the combined e.g. 1 inch inlet hose and outlet pipe (fire hose) head may be up to 18 m. Secondly, the development of the high-concentration fire extinguishing agent carries the concentrated fire extinguishing agent through concentration of the fire extinguishing agent, the higher the concentration proportion of the fire extinguishing agent is, the larger the water amount of the configurable water-based fire extinguishing agent for fire extinguishing is, the better the fire extinguishing effect is, the concentrated fire extinguishing agent can pass through a feeding branch part, when a water pump works, water enters the feeding part to form negative pressure, so that concentrated liquid with a certain proportion is sucked into the water pump and is mixed by the water pump, and the sprayed water containing the water-based fire extinguishing agent with a certain proportion is sprayed; thirdly, still carry the extension pipe in the device, the extension pipe can be fire control with folding hosepipe or hose, can be connected with portion or play water portion detachable of intaking to improved the radiation range of this equipment, as long as there is the water source, thereby can place the equipment on the water source edge and inhale water by oneself and put out a fire of quick high-efficient wide distance.

Preferably, the portable fire suppression apparatus further comprises a fire suppressant storage container. The fire extinguishing agent storage container is preloaded with fire extinguishing agent concentrated solution, and is convenient to carry. When the equipment works, the concentrated solution is mixed into water along with the equipment, and the sprayed water band contains the fire extinguishing agent in a certain proportion, so that the fire extinguishing performance is more efficient.

Preferably, the fire extinguishing agent storage container stores a fire extinguishing agent concentrate. One person can carry 10 to 25 kilograms of fire extinguishing agent concentrate, the concentrate is diluted according to the proportion of 1.5 percent, 3 percent and 6 percent, every 1 kilogram of the concentrate fire extinguishing agent can be respectively diluted into 66.66L (1.5 percent concentration) containing the water-based fire extinguishing agent capable of achieving the conventional fire extinguishing performance, or 33.33L (3 percent concentration) containing the water-based fire extinguishing agent capable of achieving the high-efficiency fire extinguishing performance, or 16.66L (6 percent concentration) containing the water-based fire extinguishing agent capable of achieving the super-high-efficiency fire extinguishing performance, which is equivalent to the fire extinguishing effect brought by more than one hundred dry powder fire extinguishers and is also equivalent to the working efficiency of a miniature fire truck.

Preferably, the portable fire extinguishing apparatus further comprises a foldable emergency water storage container. The foldable emergency water storage container can be independently used as a handbag to be conveniently carried, has the characteristics of light weight, small volume and convenience in carrying, can be a foldable water bag, can utilize water provided by residents in a community after being unfolded, can be rapidly unfolded for fire extinguishing action, and can furthest utilize water resources possibly provided by others in the site environment.

Preferably, the feeding branch part is provided with a feeding amount regulating valve, the feeding amount regulating valve can enable the device to be suitable for concentrated fire extinguishing agents with different proportions, the proportion of the fire extinguishing agents can be regulated according to the type of fire, the fire extinguishing speed and the suppression effect are better, common civil fire and A-type fire are recommended to be 1.5%, common industrial fire and B-type fire are recommended to be 3%, and high-risk fire and petrochemical fire are recommended to be 6%.

Preferably, the portable mode is a hand-held mode, a backpack mode or a push-pull mode. Besides, other modes which are convenient to carry can be adopted, the unmanned aerial vehicle can be used for carrying, and the robot can arrive at the site in modes such as carrying and the like.

Preferably, the portable fire extinguishing apparatus further comprises a backpack having the apparatus body placed therein. The backpack is the most convenient carrying tool for human use, and the device can be popularized and used to the maximum extent.

Preferably, the water pump is provided with a pressure switch for detecting the pressure of the water outlet part and starting and stopping the water pump. The pressure switch who uses prior art controls opening of water pump and stops, has improved extinguishing device's performance, and pressure switch sets up between master switch and water pump, and pressure switch's pressure sensor sets up in portable extinguishing device's the water portion of going out. The pressure sensing automatic pump closing, the far-end gun opening and the pressure sensing automatic pump opening.

Preferably, the water outlet part comprises a water outlet pipe and a spray gun. The water outlet part is operated by a single person, can be connected with 1 to 5 water winding belts, and is connected with a spray gun for fire extinguishing after about 20 to 100 meters.

Preferably, the battery is the lithium cell, characteristics such as light in weight, small, the electric storage capacity is big of lithium cell to improve extinguishing device's duration and the speed and the efficiency of removal.

Preferably, the feed leg is a venturi. The venturi tube facilitates the adjustment of the concentration of the concentrated fire extinguishing agent, and provides a foundation for future electrification and automation of the device.

Preferably, a power switch and a starting switch are arranged between the storage battery and the water pump, the power switch ensures long-term storage capacity, the starting switch is convenient for starting and stopping the equipment, and the service life of the equipment is prolonged.

Preferably, a fire extinguishing method using any one of the portable fire extinguishing apparatuses described above can be used. The portable fire extinguishing device is used for extinguishing fire, a nearest water source needs to be found firstly, if a pool/a pond or a well exists, a water suction hose containing a filter can be connected to the water suction hose to directly extinguish the fire as long as the vertical fall is within 2 meters generally, and a folded emergency water storage container can be used for collecting the water source to extinguish the fire. It is also desirable to carry as much fire suppressant concentrate as possible to improve fire suppression effectiveness.

(III) advantageous effects

Compared with the prior art, the invention provides a portable fire extinguishing device, which has the following beneficial effects: this kind of portable extinguishing device adopts portable mode, especially knapsack structure, and is light and handy nimble, zero pressure storage, automatic water absorption, the concentrated fire extinguishing agent of automatic mixing, it is rapid to put out a fire, to high-rise building, intensive factory building warehouse, the lane is made or each type conflagration in the outskirts, the water consumption is more water-saving than the fire engine, one can operate, double operation is more convenient, it fills the high floor fire control blank, mobility is higher, the equipment price/performance ratio is higher, cheap and practical, the maintenance demand is low, do not account for the space, long range. In addition, the fire extinguishing agent can be carried, so that the fire extinguishing performance is greatly improved, the fire extinguishing amount is equivalent to that of more than one hundred common fire-fighting necessary fire extinguishers, and the fire extinguishing agent has great fire-fighting popularization and application values and social values.

Being equipped with this equipment and can using the region that can not get into at the fire engine, can carrying out the high efficiency before the fire engine arrives and put out a fire, no matter be the leading of putting out the time, still put out the regional radiation of putting out, can both be fine supplement putting out a fire to put out a fire of the biggest regional scope and put out a fire with the shortest time that the conflagration took place.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the internal structure of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flow chart of the present invention.

In the figure: 1. a backpack; 2. a harness; 3. a zipper; 4. a water outlet pipe; 5. a valve A; 6. a water inlet pipe; 7. a core device support/frame; 8. a suction pipe; 9. a fire extinguishing fluid holding container; 10. a water pump; 11. a branch pipe; 12. a venturi tube; 13. a water hose; 14. a pull rod; 15. a caster wheel; 16. a liquid inlet pipe; 17. a valve B; 18. a storage battery; 19. folding the water bag; 20. and (3) a filter.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1-4, the present invention provides a technical solution:

the backpack type fire extinguishing device comprises a backpack 1, straps 2, a zipper 3, a pull rod 14 and trundles 15, wherein the backpack 1 is opened through the zipper 3, a core equipment support/frame 7 is arranged inside, the core equipment support/frame 7 is used for fixing and protecting equipment installed inside, the backpack 1 is provided with a water inlet pipe 6, a water outlet pipe 4 and a liquid inlet pipe 16 protruding out of the frame according to the condition of the equipment installed inside, and the liquid inlet pipe 16 can be connected with a hose and then extends to the top to be out of the core equipment support/frame 7 with the water inlet pipe 6 on the same side.

A pull rod 14 is installed at the top of the backpack 1, four trundles 15 are fixed at the bottom of the backpack 1, a zipper 3 is arranged on the side surface of the backpack 1, two straps 2 are connected to the backpack 1, the backpack 1 is provided with a core equipment support/frame 7, the side opening of the core equipment support/frame 7 faces the zipper 3 direction, the core equipment support/frame 7 is fixedly connected with the bottom of the backpack 1 through a plurality of connecting rods, the core equipment support/frame 7 comprises a hexahedral cuboid frame which is divided into a base and an upper cover, a water pump 10 and a storage battery 18 are fixed in the core equipment support/frame 7, the water inlet of the water pump 10 is communicated with a water inlet pipe 6, the water inlet pipe 6 penetrates through the core equipment support/frame 7, the water outlet of the water pump 10 is communicated with a water outlet pipe 4, and the water outlet pipe, and a valve A5 is arranged on the water outlet pipe 4. Two water winding belts 13 are arranged in the backpack 1, the length of each water winding belt 13 is 20m, the water winding belts 13 can be additionally configured to 5 coils, generally, the water winding belts 13 are detachably communicated with the water outlet pipe 4, and fire extinguisher spray guns are also detachably connected with the water winding belts 13, so that the fire extinguisher spray guns can extend for a distance of 20-100 meters, and the maneuverability and the fire extinguishing coverage rate of equipment are greatly improved.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the portable fire extinguishing apparatus further includes a concentrated fire extinguishing agent liquid container 9, a branch pipe 11 is communicated with the middle of the water inlet pipe 6, the branch pipe 11 is communicated with the concentrated fire extinguishing agent liquid container 9, a concentrated fire extinguishing agent is contained in the concentrated fire extinguishing agent liquid container 9, a liquid inlet pipe 16 is communicated with one side of the fire extinguishing agent liquid container 9, a valve B17 is installed on the liquid inlet pipe 16, the liquid inlet pipe 16 extends out from one side of the core equipment support/frame 7, a venturi tube 12 is arranged between the branch pipe 11 and the water inlet pipe 6, the product of the embodiment adjusts the liquid inlet ratio of the fire extinguishing agent concentrated liquid by adding a flow limiting hole sheet with a fixed aperture into the venturi tube 12, the apparatus further includes a folding water bag 19, and a feed regulating valve can be installed on the feed branch portion, so as to adjust the concentration ratio of the entering fire extinguishing agent more conveniently, the water pump 10 is provided with a pressure switch for detecting the pressure of the water outlet part to start and stop the water pump 10, the storage battery 18 is a lithium battery, and the water pump 10 is a direct-current water pump.

In the design, the branch pipe 11 and the Venturi tube 12 can also be connected to the water outlet pipe 4.

The concentrated fire extinguishing agent is automatically mixed and diluted into the fire extinguishing agent in a proportion of 1.5 percent. Concentrated fire extinguishing liquid passes through the liquid inlet pipe 16, passes through the branch pipe 11, is sucked into the Venturi tube 12, is sucked by the water pump 10 to enable negative pressure to be generated between the branch pipe 11 and the liquid inlet pipe 16 so as to automatically suck the concentrated fire extinguishing agent into the water inlet pipe 6, and then enters the water pump 10 to be mixed and sprayed out through the spray gun to extinguish fire.

The water pump 10 adopts a DC direct-current water pump, the rated working voltage is 48V, the rated working voltage can reach 45L/min, the pipe diameter of a water hose is 1 inch, the suction lift is 2m, the lift reaches 18m, high-altitude spraying is carried out for fire extinguishing, a fire extinguishing area can cover 1-6 floors by combining a water hose 13 with the height of 20-100 m, the floor height of an ordinary old elevator-free building is about 6 floors, and the fire extinguishing coverage area of the device is greatly enhanced.

The water pump 10 is provided with a water pressure sensor, the water pressure sensor is of LL-S700-02.5 type, the pressure sensing automatic pump closing, the remote gun opening and the pressure sensing automatic pump opening are carried out.

The suction pipe 8 is connected with the filter 20 and the water inlet pipe 6, and the other end is connected with a water source or an opened folding water bag 19.

A power main switch is also arranged between the storage battery 18 and the water pump 10.

25 kg/barrel of concentrated fire extinguishing agent can be continuously sprayed with water diluted automatically according to the concentration of 1.5% for at least 30 minutes, and about 1.66 tons of fire extinguishing agent; the spraying power of 6 to 15 meters is provided, and the water column water mist is adjustable. The fire extinguishing method of the portable fire extinguishing device comprises the following working procedures:

s1, when in use, the backpack 1 is laid on the ground, the zipper 3 is unzipped, the water suction pipe 8 and the filter 20 are communicated on the water inlet pipe 6 according to requirements, and the water belt 13 is connected to the water outlet pipe 4.

S2, then the water suction pipe 8 and the filter 20 are thrown into water sources such as ponds and wells, or are connected with an external tap, or the folding water bag 19 is opened, other people add water sources into the folding water bag, water firstly enters the water inlet pipe 6 through the suction force of the water pump, and then enters the water pump 10 through the Venturi tube 12, meanwhile, the Venturi tube 12 generates negative pressure, so that the concentrated fire extinguishing agent in the fire extinguishing agent liquid containing container 9 is sucked into the branch pipe 11 and then enters the water pump 10 to be automatically mixed, and then the concentrated fire extinguishing agent is sprayed out through the spray gun through the water outlet pipe 4 and the fire hose 13.

S3, thereby adjusting the spraying distance, spraying water column water mist and direction by controlling the spray gun, providing spraying power of 6-15 m, wherein the lithium battery can independently and independently supply power for 1 hour, can be externally connected with a standby lithium battery, has a suction lift of 2m, and can be pulled up to 6 floors with a height of 18.5m to spray for fire extinguishing or spray for fire extinguishing with a horizontal distance of 0-100 m.

The working principle is as follows: when the backpack is used, the backpack 1 is horizontally placed on the ground, the zipper 3 is unzipped, the water suction pipe 8 containing the filter 20 is communicated on the water inlet pipe 6, the water belt 13 is communicated on the water outlet pipe 4, after the fixation is completed, the water suction pipe 8 containing the filter 20 on the water inlet pipe 6 is connected with an external tap or thrown into a pool, a water well, a pond or a folding water bag 19, water enters the backpack 1 and is pumped by the water pump 10, the water firstly enters the water inlet pipe 6 and simultaneously passes through the venturi tube 12 to generate negative pressure to suck the concentrated fire extinguishing agent in the fire extinguishing agent liquid containing container 9 on one side, then enters the water pump 10 and is automatically mixed and discharged from the water belt 13 on one side of the water outlet pipe 4, and the spraying direction is adjusted by controlling. The spraying power is 6-15 m, the lithium battery can independently and autonomously supply power and operate for 1 hour, the lithium battery can also be externally connected with a standby lithium battery, the suction distance is 2m, the lithium battery can be pulled to 6 floors and 18.5m in height to spray and extinguish fire, and the lithium battery can also horizontally move for 20-100 m through the connection of a plurality of groups of water belts 13.

In conclusion, the invention has reasonable structure, adopts a pull rod backpack structure, can be quickly carried or pushed and pulled to the site, stores the concentrated fire extinguishing agent under zero pressure, has light and flexible whole equipment, quickly extinguishes the fire, saves more water than a fire engine aiming at various fires of high-rise buildings (insufficient water pressure), dense factory building warehouses (crowded places and small water flow), roadways (crowded) or suburbs (less water sources), can be operated by one person, is more convenient for double persons to operate, fills the blank of high-rise fire fighting, has higher maneuverability, higher equipment cost performance, is cheap and practical, has low maintenance requirement, does not occupy space and long range, and meets the mixing of 1.5 percent self-suction proportion by adjusting the flow limiting hole.

It is noted that, herein, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "front", "rear", "both ends", "one end", "the other end", and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of description and simplicity of description, but do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, and be operated, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.