Patents by Inventor Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD

Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11872421
    Abstract: A fire protection system is provided for a space having a roof including a pitched portion and at least one end portion having a hip, sloping downward from an apex substantially coinciding with an end of the pitched portion toward an eave and extending outward toward the ends of the sides of the pitched portion. The hip may have a lower hip, including jack trusses, and an upper hip, including stepdown trusses. Within the upper hip, at least two rows of sprinklers may be placed, with a first row of sprinklers located substantially at the apex. The maximum allowable spacing between sprinklers in a direction perpendicular to the slope of the hip may be greater than a maximum allowable spacing between rows of sprinklers, i.e., in a direction parallel to the slope of the hip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Desrosier, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Stephen J. Meyer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Patent number: 11826591
    Abstract: A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Thomas Edwin Archibald, Stephen J. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20230063620
    Abstract: A fire protection system is provided for a space having a roof including a pitched portion and at least one end portion having a hip, sloping downward from an apex substantially coinciding with an end of the pitched portion toward an eave and extending outward toward the ends of the sides of the pitched portion. The hip may have a lower hip, including jack trusses, and an upper hip, including stepdown trusses. Within the upper hip, at least two rows of sprinklers may be placed, with a first row of sprinklers located substantially at the apex. The maximum allowable spacing between sprinklers in a direction perpendicular to the slope of the hip may be greater than a maximum allowable spacing between rows of sprinklers, i.e., in a direction parallel to the slope of the hip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: John DESROSIER, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD
  • Patent number: 11547888
    Abstract: A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, Yoram Ringer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Patent number: 11517779
    Abstract: A test, drain and adjustable pressure relief module for a sprinkler system has a single body with three independent and fluidly connectable flow ports. A first port of the three flow ports is fluidly connectable at an inlet side thereof to the sprinkler system. A second port of the three flow ports has an adjustable pressure relief valve removably mounted to an outlet thereof. The valve is biased into a closed position and a threshold pressure is required to open the valve and discharge fluid is selectively adjustable. A third port of the three flow ports has an open outlet end configured to removably connect with a drainage pipe. The three ports form a Tee connection and have a flow valve therebetween to selectively direct flow between an outlet of the first port and at least one of the respective inlets of the second and third ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, Thomas Edwin Archibald, Kevin Desmond Maughan
  • Patent number: 11517777
    Abstract: A fire protection system is provided for a space having a roof including a pitched portion and at least one end portion having a hip, sloping downward from an apex substantially coinciding with an end of the pitched portion toward an eave and extending outward toward the ends of the sides of the pitched portion. The hip may have a lower hip, including jack trusses, and an upper hip, including stepdown trusses. Within the upper hip, at least two rows of sprinklers may be placed, with a first row of sprinklers located substantially at the apex. The maximum allowable spacing between sprinklers in a direction perpendicular to the slope of the hip may be greater than a maximum allowable spacing between rows of sprinklers, i.e., in a direction parallel to the slope of the hip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Desrosier, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Stephen J. Meyer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Patent number: 11439855
    Abstract: A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Thomas Edwin Archibald, Stephen J. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20220212043
    Abstract: A fire protection system is provided for a space having a roof including a pitched portion and at least one end portion having a hip, sloping downward from an apex substantially coinciding with an end of the pitched portion toward an cave and extending outward toward the ends of the sides of the pitched portion. The hip may have a lower hip, including jack trusses, and an upper hip, including stepdown trusses. Within the upper hip, at least two rows of sprinklers may be placed, with a first row of sprinklers located substantially at the apex. The maximum allowable spacing between sprinklers in a direction perpendicular to the slope of the hip may be greater than a maximum allowable spacing between rows of sprinklers, i.e., in a direction parallel to the slope of the hip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: John DESROSIER, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD
  • Publication number: 20210353988
    Abstract: A fire protection system is provided for a space having a pitched roof constructed of structural members extending from a ridgeline to an eave, with respective channels therebetween. A first row of sprinklers is mounted to a first branch line extending generally parallel to the ridgeline. Each sprinkler is positioned within a respective channel, with consecutive sprinklers spaced apart having no less than one, and no more than five, channels therebetween. A second row of sprinklers, downslope from the first row, is mounted to a second branch line extending generally parallel to the first branch line. Each sprinkler thereof is positioned within a respective channel, with consecutive second row sprinklers spaced apart as in the first row. Each second row sprinkler is also placed within a different channel from each first row sprinkler. A farthest number of channels between a first row sprinkler and a second row sprinkler is three.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: John DESROSIER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Kenneth Wayne ROGERS, Kim Phillip GORDON, Stephen J. MEYER
  • Publication number: 20210291002
    Abstract: A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Yoram RINGER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD
  • Publication number: 20210205647
    Abstract: A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Yoram RINGER, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Stephen J. MEYER
  • Patent number: 11045675
    Abstract: A fire-protection system for delivering a fire-control fluid includes a valve having a body with an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passageway connecting the inlet with the outlet. A seal member is supportable across the passageway to close the passageway. The seal member is supported across the passageway in a sealing position in a pre-activation condition of the valve. The seal member is movable from the sealing position to a fluid-flow position in an activated condition of the valve. The seal member includes a support body having a longitudinal axis, a seat, a leading surface facing in an upstream direction from the seat, and a trailing surface located in a downstream direction from the seat and contoured radially inwardly in the downstream direction. A Belleville washer is mounted on the seat of the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Edwin Archibald, Yoram Ringer, Stephen J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 11027163
    Abstract: A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, Yoram Ringer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Publication number: 20210146179
    Abstract: A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Yoram RINGER, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Stephen J. MEYER
  • Patent number: 10912964
    Abstract: A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Thomas Edwin Archibald, Stephen J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10850143
    Abstract: An activator for a pilot type firefighting system for accelerating firefighting system activation is disclosed. The system comprises a control valve which acts to control firefighting fluid flow to a distribution system, and configured such that release of pressure to a control chamber would activate the control valve. The activator comprises a first chamber in fluid coupling to the pilot fluid and a second chamber in fluid coupling to the pilot line via a flow restrictor. A pressure sensing member is disposed such that pressure difference between the chambers would cause an activation of a switch. The release of the switch directly or indirectly causes activation of an electrical valve which vents the pressure in the control chamber. Several aspects of the invention include various firefighting arrangements, various optional features of the activator, firefighting system, and several methods of operation of a system utilizing the activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edwin Archibald, Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 10850144
    Abstract: A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component with a distal base, a distal movable member, a proximal base, a proximal movable member, and a bias member biasing the proximal movable member from a preactivation position to an activated position located proximally of the preactivation position. A thermally responsive element is retained by the distal base, loses structural integrity under occurrence of a predetermined thermodynamic condition, and thereby allows the distal movable member to move from a preactivation position to an activated position with respect to the distal base. A flexible connector connects the proximal movable member to the distal movable member. Upon the loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element, a biasing force from the bias member causes a movement of the proximal movable member from the preactivation position to the activated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, Thomas Edwin Archibald, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Yoram Ringer, John Desrosier
  • Publication number: 20200246650
    Abstract: A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, Yoram Ringer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Publication number: 20200215371
    Abstract: A test, drain and adjustable pressure relief module for a sprinkler system has a single body with three independent and fluidly connectable flow ports. A first port of the three flow ports is fluidly connectable at an inlet side thereof to the sprinkler system. A second port of the three flow ports has an adjustable pressure relief valve removably mounted to an outlet thereof. The valve is biased into a closed position and a threshold pressure is required to open the valve and discharge fluid is selectively adjustable. A third port of the three flow ports has an open outlet end configured to removably connect with a drainage pipe. The three ports form a Tee connection and have a flow valve therebetween to selectively direct flow between an outlet of the first port and at least one of the respective inlets of the second and third ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN
  • Publication number: 20200164239
    Abstract: A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Yoram RINGER, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Stephen J. MEYER