Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a fire pump motor for use in a building having a water supply for a fire protection system, a power line, and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor detects a high or low system water pressure with respect to a reference water pressure. A voltage controller is coupled between the power line and the fire pump motor for controlling the voltage from the power line to the fire pump motor, responsive to indications from the pressure sensor. The voltage controller increases the voltage to the fire pump motor to full voltage and runs the fire pump motor at full voltage for a minimum run time and until high pressure is indicated. The voltage controller then decreases the voltage to the fire pump motor from full voltage to a predetermined voltage level. The voltage controller holds the voltage to the fire pump at the predetermined voltage level for a first preset period of time.

Abstract: An automatic self contained internal combustion engine fire pump controller for testing and operating an internal combustion engine coupled to a water pump for maintaining water pressure in a sprinkler system. The sprinkler system includes a deluge valve for reducing the water pressure, and the engine has a starter motor, a starter solenoid connected to the battery, and a separate fuel supply. A housing contains the controller, and includes a selector switch having at least a manual run position, and an automatic run position. A fuel valve controls the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine. A pressure transducer senses the fluid pressure of the sprinkler system and has its input connected to the central processing unit. A central processing unit is responsive to the automatic position of the switch and is coupled to the fuel valve, the deluge valve and the pressure transducer means.

Abstract: An S-O-S distress signalling device for flashing a lamp, consisting of a decade binary counter, a signal converter circuit connected to the counter and a timer having its output coupled to the lamp and the input of the counter. The counter and converter circuits provide three charging paths to the timer, so that rapid flashes will be produced to simulate the "S" code and two charging paths to the timer to simulate the "O" code at a slower repetition rate. Between each S-O-S signal, only one charging path is provided, to slow down the timer to define the interval between the coded messages.