Patents Assigned to Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
  • Patent number: 8641385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pump control system. One or more embodiments of the invention include a pump controller that can perform a self-calibrating procedure, can provide precise motor speed control, can provide a limp mode before shutting down the motor when system parameters are exceeded and/or fault conditions occur, can detect fault conditions, and can store fault conditions for later retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Koehl
  • Patent number: 8579600
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for a backup sump pump kit. The kit is for use with a battery and an alternating current power source. The kit can be adapted to be a portable power source for an external electric device. The kit can include a portable case, a battery-operated back-up sump pump removably stored in the portable case, and a control charger integrated into the portable case. The control charger can include a battery chargers cables, a power input socket to charge the battery, and a power output socket to provide power from the battery to the external electric device. The portable case can include a handle and wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Senthilkumar Vijayakumar
  • Patent number: 8564233
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a variable frequency drive system and a method of controlling a pump driven by a motor with the pump in fluid communication with a fluid system. The drive system and method can provide one or more of the following: a sleep mode, pipe break detection, a line fill mode, an automatic start mode, dry run protection, an electromagnetic interference filter compatible with a ground fault circuit interrupter, two-wire and three-wire and three-phase motor compatibility, a simple start-up process, automatic password protection, a pump out mode, digital input/output terminals, and removable input and output power terminal blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC, Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Melissa Drechsel Kidd, William James Genaw, Micheal Robert Pasche, Gary Thomas Baase, II, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Rasmus Fink, Martin Skov Holm
  • Patent number: 8540493
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pump control system. One or more embodiments of the invention include a pump controller that can perform a self-calibration procedure, can provide precise motor speed control, can provide a limp mode before shutting down the motor when system parameters are exceeded and/or fault conditions occur, can detect fault conditions, and can store fault conditions for later retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Koehl
  • Patent number: 8511395
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a redundant stationary fire fighting system and method for use in a structure coupled to a water supply and a main water pump(s) that generates a water stream. The system includes one or more water flow meters to measure the water stream and generate a water flow signal. The system includes a primary foam proportioning system and a redundant secondary foam proportioning system, each including a foam pump, a motor, a foam flow meter, and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically operate the foam pump based on the water flow signal in order to inject liquid foam concentrate directly into the water stream. The redundant secondary foam proportioning system can be automatically started in case of component failure in the primary foam proportioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Hosfield, Jonathan Gamble, Jim Weigle
  • Patent number: 8454307
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pump with a housing including a pump chamber and an impeller positioned within the pump chamber. The pump also includes a socket with a wear plate, an inner ring, and an outer ring. The wear plate at least partially defines the pump chamber. The impeller is in contact with the wear plate. An outer surface of the outer ring is coupled to the housing. An inner surface of the outer ring receives a bearing. The inner ring receives a seal. A portion of the housing is molded over an end of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Cottrell, Patrick A. Bear
  • Patent number: 8444394
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pump control system. One or more embodiments of the invention include a pump controller that can perform a self-calibrating procedure, can provide precise motor speed control, can provide a limp mode before shutting down the motor when system parameters are exceeded and/or fault conditions occur, can detect fault conditions, and can store fault conditions for later retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Koehl
  • Patent number: 8436559
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a variable frequency drive system and a method of controlling a pump driven by a motor with the pump in fluid communication with a fluid system. The drive system and method can provide one or more of the following: a sleep mode, pipe break detection, a line fill mode, an automatic start mode, dry run protection, an electromagnetic interference filter compatible with a ground fault circuit interrupter, two-wire and three-wire and three-phase motor compatibility, a simple start-up process, automatic password protection, a pump out mode, digital input/output terminals, and removable input and output power terminal blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC, Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Melissa Drechsel Kidd, William James Genaw, Micheal Robert Pasche, Gary Thomas Baase, II, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Rasmus Fink, Martin Skov Holm
  • Patent number: 8344556
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a foam proportioning system powered by a battery, with the system including a pump, a pump motor, and a solid state contactor. The solid state contactor includes a battery terminal connected to the battery, a load terminal connected to the pump motor, and an enable switch. The enable switch selectively connects the battery terminal and the load terminal in order to form a power line carrying a current from the battery to the pump motor. A state of the enable switch is based on the current being drawn through the power line by the pump motor. The enable switch is closed in order for the solid state contactor to provide power to the pump motor when the current through the power line is between about zero amps and about 80 amps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Gamble
  • Patent number: 8297369
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fire-extinguishing system for injecting foamant into a stream of water. The system can include a flow meter determining a flow rate of the stream of water and a foam pump having an inlet coupled to a supply of foamant and an outlet coupled to the stream of water. The system includes a servo motor driving the foam pump. The servo motor includes a sensor used to determine a rotor shaft speed and/or a rotor shaft torque. A controller can control an operating speed of the servo motor using closed-loop control depending on the flow rate and the rotor shaft speed and/or the rotor shaft torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Gamble, Ron Flanary, Robert L. Hosfield, Harold McCabe, Martin Piedl, Charles Ford, Troy Anderson
  • Patent number: 8157510
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an impeller assembly having a flexible impeller and a method of replacing a removable drive mechanism. The impeller assembly includes an impeller having an outer portion defining a substantially cylindrical shape, at least one flexible blade extending radially outward from the outer portion, and a first bore extending a first axial length. The impeller assembly also includes a tubular insert supported at least partially within the first bore. The tubular insert has a second bore defining a substantially cylindrical shape with a first radial distance from an axis passing through the center of the impeller, and a key portion radially extending from the second bore. The key portion defines a second radial distance from the axis larger than the first radial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick A. Bear, Matthew A. Cottrell, Michael L. Linsdau, David G. Vensland
  • Patent number: 8103366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a foam proportioning system into existing fire fighting equipment is provided. The method can include installing a foam proportioning library into a first application of a processor of the existing fire fighting equipment and installing a foam proportioning support into a second application of a display of the existing fire fighting equipment. The method can also include connecting a foam proportioner to the processor, receiving user inputs with the display, and processing the user inputs with the second application and the foam proportioning support. The method can further include transmitting the user inputs to the processor and operating the foam proportioner in response to the user inputs with the first application and the foam proportioning library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Gamble, Harold McCabe
  • Patent number: 8083506
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a double action simplex pump including a pump body with a first half and a second half joined together to form an enclosed cavity. The first half includes a first pipe member and the second half includes a second pipe member. A first end of the first pipe member is a fluid inlet port and a second end of the second pipe member is a fluid outlet port. The enclosed cavity defines a first pocket and a second pocket each in fluid communication with a first lumen of the first pipe member and a second lumen of the second pipe member. A first valve assembly is positioned in the first pocket and a second valve assembly is positioned in the second pocket. Each of the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly includes a valve casing supporting an inlet poppet valve, an outlet poppet valve, and a central opening located between the inlet poppet valve and the outlet poppet valve. The central opening is aligned with one of a plunger and a diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Maki, Daniel A. Beilke
  • Patent number: 7997348
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a foam proportioning system. The foam proportioning system can include a foam pump, at least one foam line, a divert, and at least one controller. The divert can direct a portion of a flow of a liquid foam concentrate downstream of the foam pump back through the foam pump. The controller, which can be in communication with the foam pump and the divert, can be configured to automatically maintain a minimum flow rate of the liquid foam concentrate through the foam pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Hosfield, Robert S. Horeck, Lawrence C. Arvidson
  • Patent number: 7990091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pump control system. One or more embodiments of the invention include a pump controller that can perform a self-calibrating procedure, can provide precise motor speed control, can provide a limp mode before shutting down the motor when system parameters are exceeded and/or fault conditions occur, can detect fault conditions, and can store fault conditions for later retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Koehl
  • Patent number: D642132
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Charles Brennan, III, Allen Richard Kilgore, Harold Mathew McCabe, Robert Lee Hosfield, Jonathan David Gamble
  • Patent number: D642135
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Charles Brennan, III, Allen Richard Kilgore, Harold Mathew McCabe, Robert Lee Hosfield, Jonathan David Gamble
  • Patent number: D643377
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Charles Brennan, III, Allen Richard Kilgore, Harold Mathew McCabe, Robert Lee Hosfield, Jonathan David Gamble
  • Patent number: D689017
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Ambrose, Glenn T. Walters
  • Patent number: D707716
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Michael B. Bishop, Thomas G. Boese