Patents Assigned to AGF Manufacturing, Inc.
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Publication number: 20090188567Abstract: An arrangement for testing a fire suppression sprinkler system includes a supply conduit for supplying a fire suppression fluid to a plurality of sprinklers. A sensor senses a flow of fire suppression fluid through the supply conduit. A drain conduit drains fire suppression fluid when the fire suppression system is tested. A drain valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid is controlled to enter the drain conduit. A fire suppression fluid collection tank collects the fire suppression fluid which has entered the drain conduit for reintroducing the collected fire suppression fluid to the supply conduit. A circulation valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid enters the fire suppression fluid collection tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Publication number: 20090020166Abstract: A condensate collector arrangement for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprises a float or a sensor which activates an alarm when a predetermined amount of condensate has been collected.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George McHugh, IV
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Patent number: 6810910Abstract: A valve and valve arrangement for a fire suppression system includes a remotely controlled valve such as a solenoid valve which is electrically controlled to provide a preselected flow through the remotely controlled valve corresponding to the flow through a single sprinkler head.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 6681802Abstract: A valve arrangement for use in a fire suppression sprinkler system includes a valve member for controlling the flow of a fluid. The valve member has a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The valve member defines a first configuration selectively permitting an unrestricted flow from the inlet to the outlet, and a second configuration selectively permitting a restricted flow from the inlet to the outlet. The valve member includes a first ball member and a second ball member disposed within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 6396404Abstract: A double check valve assembly having at least one three way valve with a pressure gauge in communication with the double check valve downstream of the second check valve. A flow detection arrangement with a battery powered alarm and automatic dialer and time delay circuit is included with a test and drain valve arrangement provided downstream of the second check valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 6341622Abstract: A valve and an arrangement for a fire suppression water sprinkler system includes a valve which has an inlet and an outlet with a restricted orifice to limit the flow through the valve to correspond to the flow through a single sprinkler head. The valve has a biasing member so that the valve opens when the pressure in the inlet exceeds a predetermined pressure and the valve may be opened manually to test the system or to drain the system.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 6302146Abstract: A valve and valve arrangement for a fire suppression system includes a remotely controlled valve such as a solenoid valve which is electrically controlled to provide a preselected flow through the remotely controlled valve corresponding to the flow through a single sprinkler head.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 6246333Abstract: A circuit and apparatus for magnetically sensing fluid flow and applying voltage to a load. A valve disposed within a conduit is provided with a magnetic shield. A magnet is located on one side of the magnetic shield while a sensor, associated with the valve is located on the opposite side of the magnetic shield. The valve, and hence the magnetic shield, moves to permit fluid flow. When the magnetic shield moves due to fluid flow, the magnet activates the sensor. A load control circuit includes a supply terminal for receiving a supply voltage and a detector which detects a condition requiring the operation of a load. The detector causes a threshold voltage to be generated from the supply voltage, and a time delay controller controls the time required to generate the threshold voltage. A DIAC or equivalent element conducts to generate a first trigger signal once the threshold voltage is achieved, and a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) generates a second trigger signal in response to the first trigger signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Thomas O. Doner, George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 6246331Abstract: A circuit and apparatus for magnetically sensing fluid flow and applying voltage to a load has a spring loaded check valve disposed within a conduit and provided with a magnetic shield. A magnet is located on one side of the magnetic shield while a sensor, associated with the valve, is located on the opposite side of the magnetic shield. The check valve, and hence the magnetic shield, moves to permit fluid flow. When the magnetic shield moves due to fluid flow, the magnet activates the sensor. A load control circuit includes a supply terminal for receiving a supply voltage and a detector which detects a condition requiring the operation of a load. The detector causes a threshold voltage to be generated from the supply voltage, and a time delay controller controls the time required to generate the threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: George J. McHugh, Thomas O. Doner
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Patent number: 6206034Abstract: A valve has an integral flow switch with a passageway provided through the valve member such as a butterfly disk to an inlet of the flow switch. An outlet of the flow switch communicates with the outlet of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 6186169Abstract: A valve and valve arrangement for a fire suppression system includes a valve having an inlet and an outlet provided on opposite ends of the valve housing with a pressure relief valve in communication with the interior of the housing. A gap in a seat for the valve member provides communication with the inlet of the valve. In another embodiment, a valve has a disk provided in a passageway through the valve member to restrict the flow through the valve to a predetermined rate which is less than the fully opened flow rate through the valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 6114823Abstract: A circuit and apparatus for magnetically sensing fluid flow through a conduit. The circuit includes a sensor and a sensor magnet for biasing the sensor in an on condition. A second magnet indicative of the relative position of a conduit valve substantially neutralizes the sensor magnet when the valve is closed to prevent fluid flow, and does not substantially neutralize the sensor magnet when the valve is open to permit fluid flow. The sensor can be a Hall effect sensor, and the sensing of fluid flow causes an indication current to flow. Circuitry is provided to apply a voltage to a load in response to the indication current.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Thomas O. Doner, George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 5705987Abstract: A circuit for controlling operation of a load, such as an alarm circuit in a fire protection system, in which operation of the load is delayed for an adjustable time period. The load control circuit includes a DIAC for generating a first trigger signal, an SCR which generates a second trigger signal, and a switch, preferably a TRIAC, which provides a supply voltage to the load upon receipt of the second trigger signal. A variable resistor is provided to adjust the time required to generate the first trigger signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1996Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Doner
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Patent number: 5609212Abstract: An adjustable sprinkler head positioning assembly is disclosed that includes a first conduit member and a second conduit member that are selectively positionable relative to each other and to a drop line fitting so as to position a sprinkler head at a desired location. The first and second conduit members each have an inlet portion and an outlet portion that are offset relative to each other by a predetermined distance. The sprinkler head is positionable anywhere within a circle having a radius equal to the sum of the offsetting distances between the inlet and outlet portions of each conduit member. Elbow couplings further increase versatility. The elbow couplings may have an inlet positioned at a 45.degree. angle or a 90.degree. angle relative to an outlet.A drop line fitting is weldable to a sprinkler drop line and includes a socket for receiving sprinkler system plumbing such as the first and second conduit members.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 5588462Abstract: A valve and sensor arrangement includes a valve which has a valve member. A sensor such as a sensor for detecting a flow of water through the valve is provided within the valve member and is preferably perpendicular to a turning axis of the valve member. The sensor is preferably a flow sensor which is rotated by flow through the valve and the sensor arrangement may be provided in a valve of general utility.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 5409066Abstract: An adjustable sprinkler head positioning assembly is disclosed that includes a first conduit member and a second conduit member that are selectively positionable relative to each other and to a drop line fitting so as to position a sprinkler head at a desired location. The first and second conduit members each have an inlet portion and an outlet portion that are offset relative to each other by a predetermined distance. The sprinkler head is positionable anywhere within a circle having a radius equal to the sum of the offsetting distances between the inlet and outlet portions of each conduit member. Elbow couplings further increase versatility. The elbow couplings may have an inlet positioned at a 45.degree. angle or a 90.degree. angle relative to an outlet.A drop line fitting is weldable to a sprinkler drop line and includes a socket for receiving sprinkler system plumbing such as the first and second conduit members.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1992Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 5269344Abstract: A supply valve and an arrangement for supplying, testing and draining a fire suppression water sprinkler system includes a supply valve which has a valve member with at least first, second and third ports. The selective rotation of the valve member varies communication between the inlet of the valve and one or more outlets for the valve. A sensor for detecting a flow of water through the supply valve is provided within valve member and has a member which is generally aligned with a turning axis of the valve member. The flow sensor arrangement may be provided in a valve of general utility.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1991Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 5103862Abstract: A valve and an arrangement for testing and draining a fire suppression water sprinkler system includes a valve which has a valve member with first, second and third ports. The selective rotation of the valve member interrupts a flow of water through the valve and permits a flow at one or two preselected flow rates. The valve is provided with a pressure relief valve with an outlet of the pressure relief valve preferably communicating with the outlet of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1990Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 5036883Abstract: A valve and an arrangement for testing and draining a fire suppression water sprinkler system includes a valve which has a valve member with first, second and third ports which are coplanar. The selective rotation of the valve member interrupts a flow of water through the valve and permits a flow at two different preselected flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1989Date of Patent: August 6, 1991Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh
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Patent number: 4995423Abstract: A valve and an arrangement for testing and draining a fire suppression water sprinkler system includes a valve which has a valve member with first, second and third ports which are provided at right angles to one another. The selective rotation of the valve member interrupts a flow of water through the valve and permits a flow at two different preselected flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1989Date of Patent: February 26, 1991Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: George J. McHugh