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: 10653908
    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: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, Yoram Ringer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Patent number: 10646736
    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: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, Yoram Ringer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Patent number: 10596401
    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 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Thomas Edwin Archibald, Stephen J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10589139
    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 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Thomas Edwin Archibald, Stephen J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10576318
    Abstract: A flow switch for a firefighting system is disclosed, providing high reliability and low fluid flow resistance impact. The switch utilizes pressure drop across a valve, which is commonly already required in the firefighting system. Optionally pressure drop across a check valve is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Thomas Edwin Archibald, Brian Dean Spicer
  • Publication number: 20190388719
    Abstract: A manifold assembly is mountable to a piping manifold for a dry sprinkler system having a non-wet valve assembly separating pressurized gas on a downstream side thereof from a water supply on an upstream side thereof. The manifold assembly includes a single piece body having an inlet for removably coupling to, and receiving water from, an upstream wet standpipe, and an outlet for removably coupling to, and delivering water to, the non-wet valve assembly. A control valve assembly is mounted to the body and a mechanically independent flow detection switch is mounted to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, John DESROSIER, Gordon FARRELL
  • Publication number: 20190240519
    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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Yoram RINGER, Stephen J. MEYER
  • Publication number: 20190083832
    Abstract: A supervisory-fluid-adjusted friction-loss coefficient based fire suppression sprinkler system has an array of pipes in fluid communication with an arrangement of sprinklers. A supervisory fluid sub-assembly is fluid communication with the array of pipes. The supervisory fluid sub-assembly provides a supervisory fluid other than air to the array. A diameter of each respective pipe of the array is determined by a friction-loss formula having a friction-loss coefficient representing a metric corresponding to a corrosion-induced internal surface roughness of each respective pipe of the array The friction-loss coefficient is determined by empirical testing of a representative pipe of the array in accordance with a nationally recognized testing procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, John DESROSIER
  • Publication number: 20190030385
    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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Edwin Archibald, Yoram Ringer
  • Publication number: 20180361182
    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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Yoram RINGER, John DESROSIER
  • Publication number: 20180214724
    Abstract: A manifold assembly is mountable to a piping manifold for a dry sprinkler system having a non-wet valve assembly separating pressurized gas on a downstream side thereof from a water supply on an upstream side thereof. The manifold assembly includes a single piece body having an inlet for removably coupling to, and receiving water from, an upstream wet standpipe, and an outlet for removably coupling to, and delivering water to, the non-wet valve assembly. A control valve assembly is mounted to the body and a mechanically independent flow detection switch is mounted to the body. Each of a test and drain valve and a pressure relief valve is fluidly connected with the body downstream of the control valve assembly and upstream of the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, John DESROSIER, Gordon FARRELL
  • Publication number: 20180193681
    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: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN
  • Publication number: 20180140881
    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 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Yoram RINGER, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Stephen J. MEYER
  • Patent number: 9950203
    Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a valve body having inlet and outlet ends, and an endless valve seat therebetween. A clapper disk is pivotably mounted within the valve body, and is pivotable between a sealingly closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the clapper disk. A U-shaped arm is rotatably supported in the valve body, and rotatable between a first position, wherein a bight of the U-shaped arm is positioned out of an operational range of movement of the clapper disk such that the clapper disk is freely movable between the open and closed positions thereof, and a second position, wherein the bight of the U-shaped arm engages and maintains the clapper disk in the sealingly closed position thereof. A selectively rotatable control arm operatively coupled with the U-shaped arm and utilized to move the U-shaped arm between the first and second positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBE FIRE SPRINKLER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Stephen J. Meyer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Patent number: 9901763
    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: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBE FIRE SPRINKLER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, Yoram Ringer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
  • Publication number: 20180043197
    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 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Yoram RINGER, Kevin Desmond MAUGHAN, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD, Stephen J. MEYER
  • Publication number: 20180043198
    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: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Yoram RINGER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD
  • Publication number: 20170340911
    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: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen J. MEYER, Yoram RINGER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD
  • Publication number: 20170326394
    Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a valve body having inlet and outlet ends, and an endless valve seat therebetween. A clapper disk is pivotably mounted within the valve body, and is pivotable between a sealingly closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the clapper disk. A U-shaped arm is rotatably supported in the valve body, and rotatable between a first position, wherein a bight of the U-shaped arm is positioned out of an operational range of movement of the clapper disk such that the clapper disk is freely movable between the open and closed positions thereof, and a second position, wherein the bight of the U-shaped arm engages and maintains the clapper disk in the sealingly closed position thereof. A selectively rotatable control arm operatively coupled with the U-shaped arm and utilized to move the U-shaped arm between the first and second positions thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Yoram RINGER, Stephen J. MEYER, Thomas Edwin ARCHIBALD
  • Patent number: 9795815
    Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a valve body having inlet and outlet ends, and an endless valve seat therebetween. A clapper disk is pivotably mounted within the valve body, and is pivotable between a sealingly closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the clapper disk. A U-shaped arm is rotatably supported in the valve body, and rotatable between a first position, wherein a bight of the U-shaped arm is positioned out of an operational range of movement of the clapper disk such that the clapper disk is freely movable between the open and closed positions thereof, and a second position, wherein the bight of the U-shaped arm engages and maintains the clapper disk in the sealingly closed position thereof. A selectively rotatable control arm operatively coupled with the U-shaped arm and utilized to move the U-shaped arm between the first and second positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBAL FIRE SPRINKLER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Stephen J. Meyer, Thomas Edwin Archibald