Patents Assigned to FM Global Technologies
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Patent number: 8607886Abstract: A combined plug and sealing ring for a sprinkler nozzle includes a nozzle plug having a substantially cylindrical portion adapted to engage within a nozzle orifice of a sprinkler nozzle, and a cap overlaying the substantially cylindrical portion. A sealing ring is adapted to seat onto a threaded pipe fitting portion of the sprinkler nozzle. A leash interconnects the nozzle plug and the sealing ring. A combined plug and sealing ring in combination with a sprinkler nozzle, and a method of installing a sprinkler nozzle in a highly corrosive or extremely corrosive environment are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Harrington, Paul Po-Cheng Su, David Fuller
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Publication number: 20120132446Abstract: A combined plug and sealing ring for a sprinkler nozzle includes a nozzle plug having a substantially cylindrical portion adapted to engage within a nozzle orifice of a sprinkler nozzle, and a cap overlaying the substantially cylindrical portion. A sealing ring is adapted to seat onto a threaded pipe fitting portion of the sprinkler nozzle. A leash interconnects the nozzle plug and the sealing ring. A combined plug and sealing ring in combination with a sprinkler nozzle, and a method of installing a sprinkler nozzle in a highly corrosive or extremely corrosive environment are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: FM Global TechnologiesInventors: John Harrington, Paul Su, David Fuller
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Patent number: 7857069Abstract: A method for activating a sprinkler system comprises maintaining a liquid extinguishant in system pipes under a standby pressure that is less than the operating pressure, determining an arrangement of the sprinklers that will control a fire, and opening the sprinkler system valve in response to a drop in pressure in each of the pipes to which at least one of the sprinklers of the arrangement is connected. An alternate method comprises providing a bypass around the system valve, and opening the system valve in response to (1) a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass and (2) a drop in pressure in the sprinkler system below a predetermined pressure. In a variation of the alternate method, the system valve is opened in response only to a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: FM Global Technologies LLCInventor: Hong-Zeng Yu
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Patent number: 7703543Abstract: A fire fighting foam dispensing system includes a water inlet adapted to receive a flow of water, a first variable speed pump adapted to inject foam concentrate into the flow of water, a second variable speed pump adapted to inject foam concentrate into the flow of water, a foam outlet adapted to discharge fire fighting foam, a measuring apparatus adapted to measure flow rate in at least one of the water inlet and the foam outlet, and a system controller adapted to detect the flow rate from the measuring apparatus, and activate the second variable speed pump only upon the measured flow rate exceeding a predetermined flow rate value.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: FM Global TechnologiesInventors: Dennis L. Waters, Robert B. Harriman
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Patent number: 7699116Abstract: An anti-skipping sprinkler includes a frame defining a central longitudinal axis, the frame including a base portion defining an orifice, and first and second arms extending away from the base portion and joining at a lower end of the frame; a deflector located at the lower end of the frame; an orifice plug held over the orifice by a trigger element including a heat sensitive element; and an anti-skipping shield extending circumferentially around the heat sensitive element. The anti-skipping shield has an upper end and a lower end. The anti-skipping shield is open at the upper end and at the lower end to permit airflow to the heat sensitive element around the upper end and the lower end of the anti-skipping shield.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: FM Global TechnologiesInventors: John L. de Ris, Hong-Zeng Yu, Benjamin D. Ditch
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Publication number: 20090151962Abstract: An anti-skipping sprinkler includes a frame defining a central longitudinal axis, the frame including a base portion defining an orifice, and first and second arms extending away from the base portion and joining at a lower end of the frame; a deflector located at the lower end of the frame; an orifice plug held over the orifice by a trigger element including a heat sensitive element; and an anti-skipping shield extending circumferentially around the heat sensitive element. The anti-skipping shield has an upper end and a lower end. The anti-skipping shield is open at the upper end and at the lower end to permit airflow to the heat sensitive element around the upper end and the lower end of the anti-skipping shield.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: FM Global TechnologiesInventors: John L. de Ris, Hong-Zeng Yu, Benjamin D. Ditch
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Publication number: 20090095492Abstract: A fire fighting foam dispensing system includes a water inlet adapted to receive a flow of water, a first variable speed pump adapted to inject foam concentrate into the flow of water, a second variable speed pump adapted to inject foam concentrate into the flow of water, a foam outlet adapted to discharge fire fighting foam, a measuring apparatus adapted to measure flow rate in at least one of the water inlet and the foam outlet, and a system controller adapted to detect the flow rate from the measuring apparatus, and activate the second variable speed pump only upon the measured flow rate exceeding a predetermined flow rate value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: FM Global TechnologiesInventors: Dennis L. Waters, Robert B. Harriman
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Publication number: 20080308285Abstract: A frame of a sprinkler or nozzle for use in a corrosive service environment. The frame includes a corrosion resistant metal having a passive oxide film that is chemically stable in the service environment. Alternatively, the frame includes a polymer that is inert in the service environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Su, John Harrington
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Patent number: 7458618Abstract: A spray deflecting joint of fluid conveying structures has a spray obstructing structure lying in the path of any fluid that might spray from the joint in any direction within a range of directions, wherein the spray obstructing structure is permanently attached to one of the fluid conveying structures, is shaped to reduce the momentum of liquid sprays and/or has a surface treatment to reduce the momentum of liquid sprays.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: FM Global TechnologiesInventors: Glenn Mahnken, Paul H. Dobson
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Patent number: 7363813Abstract: A probe for measuring the temperature and moisture of a gas has an aspirated flow passage with a configuration that causes the gas to have turbulent flow and, therefore, to mix. A dry bulb thermometer and a wet bulb thermometer positioned in the flow passage downstream of the configuration that causes mixing measures the temperature and moisture of the gas. A wick and a water reservoir for keeping the wet bulb thermometer wet are cleaned and refilled by a flow of water through the gas passage. The gas passage is heated to prevent condensation of any moisture in the gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gunnar Heskestad, Paul A. Croce
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Patent number: 7210995Abstract: A system for introducing make-up air into a building from above the roof for smoke control includes air shafts extending from the roof into a space in the building below a layer of smoke. The air shafts can be rigid or can be made of a flexible material which folds up when not in use. Air shafts of a flexible material have a contraction at the exit to inflate the shaft, unless the shaft extends to within one diameter from the floor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Gunnar Heskestad
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Patent number: 7181952Abstract: A method for quantifying droplet fluxes of a water mist spray uses different measuring apparatuses and compares the measurements of the two apparatuses with one another. One of the measuring apparatuses is an iso-kinetic sampling probe in which the air velocity of the portion of the water spray mist entering the probe is made equal to the air velocity of the water mist spray around the probe by connecting a source of vacuum to the probe. The drops of the spray entering the probe are prevented from passing out of the probe. The air velocity of the spray entering the probe is measured by an anemometer, the drops of the entering spray are collected in a reservoir, and the depth of water in the reservoir is measured by a differential pressure transducer. The output of the pressure transducer is sent to a computer that calculates the water collection rate based on the sectional area of the probe opening and the water collection rate in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Benjamin Ditch, Hong-Zeng Yu
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Patent number: 7134507Abstract: A method of detecting the actuation of a sprinkler involves sensing a first fluid pressure at a first flow cross section, in one of the sprinkler and a conduit in which the sprinkler is mounted, sensing a second fluid pressure at a second flow cross section, in the sprinkler, wherein said first flow cross section is larger than said second flow cross section, and comparing the fluid pressures sensed at the first and second flow cross sections in order to detect a change in the relation of the fluid pressures due to actuation of the sprinkler, and thereby detect actuation of the sprinkler. The fluid pressures are sensed by ports in the sprinkler, or by one port in the sprinkler and one port in the conduit, and at least one transducer connected to the ports, and output signals from the transducer are sent to a computer or other recording instrument.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Gunnar Heskestad
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Patent number: 7131238Abstract: Braces for bracing objects in structures against forces due to earthquakes are tested by subjecting components of the braces for attaching the braces to the object or structure to cyclic loading of approximately 15 cycles. The cyclic forces are applied to different samples of the components at differing angles, and a load rating is determined for each angle. Prior to cyclic testing, forces are applied monotonically to the components in both tension and compression, the flexible loading direction of the component is determined from the monotonic testing, and the deformation that the component can resist when a load is applied in cycles is estimated from the monotonic testing.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2003Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Praveen K. Malhotra, Paul E. Senseny, Antonio Carlos M. Braga, Roger L. Allard
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Patent number: 6971792Abstract: A device for measuring the flux received by a specimen in fire test apparatuses has a copper disk or plate of the same dimensions and the same type of surface coating as a typical material specimen, an embedded heating coil and thermocouple, and an insulated sample holder similar to that used for a specimen. The transient response of the embedded thermocouple is measured for several different levels of imposed incident radiation without electrical heating and for several different known levels of electrical heating without any imposed radiation. The principle of Electrical Substitution Radiometry (ESR) is applied, and the transient responses to incident radiation and electrical heating under identical thermal conditions are compared to determine the amount of incident radiation that is actually absorbed by the device while it is being irradiated. The situations are kept thermally identical, thereby insuring that all effects due to heat losses (e.g. convection, radiation and conduction) are exactly the same.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: FM Global Technologies LLCInventors: John L. de Ris, Mohammed M. Khan
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Publication number: 20050126259Abstract: A method for quantifying droplet fluxes of a water mist spray uses different measuring apparatuses and compares the measurements of the two apparatuses with one another. One of the measuring apparatuses is an iso-kinetic sampling probe in which the air velocity of the portion of the water spray mist entering the probe is made equal to the air velocity of the water mist spray around the probe by connecting a source of vacuum to the probe. The drops of the spray entering the probe are prevented from passing out of the probe. The air velocity of the spray entering the probe is measured by an anemometer, the drops of the entering spray are collected in a reservoir, and the depth of water in the reservoir is measured by a differential pressure transducer. The output of the pressure transducer is sent to a computer that calculates the water collection rate based on the sectional area of the probe opening and the water collection rate in the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2004Publication date: June 16, 2005Applicant: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Benjamin Ditch, Hong-Zeng Yu
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Publication number: 20050078732Abstract: A device for measuring the flux received by a specimen in fire test apparatuses has a copper disk or plate of the same dimensions and the same type of surface coating as a typical material specimen, an embedded heating coil and thermocouple, and an insulated sample holder similar to that used for a specimen. The transient response of the embedded thermocouple is measured for several different levels of imposed incident radiation without electrical heating and for several different known levels of electrical heating without any imposed radiation. The principle of Electrical Substitution Radiometry (ESR) is applied, and the transient responses to incident radiation and electrical heating under identical thermal conditions are compared to determine the amount of incident radiation that is actually absorbed by the device while it is being irradiated. The situations are kept thermally identical, thereby insuring that all effects due to heat losses (e.g. convection, radiation and conduction) are exactly the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2003Publication date: April 14, 2005Applicant: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John de Ris, Mohammed Khan
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Patent number: 6862941Abstract: A device is provided for measuring heat flux from a test material exposed to a flame. The device includes of an elongate element defining a passageway for a fluid, a fluid flowing through the passageway, a mechanism for measuring the rate of water flow through the passageway, and a plurality of temperature-sensing elements positioned along the passageway and within the elongate element. The temperature-sensing elements are spaced from one another longitudinally with respect to the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ronald L. Alpert, John L. de Ris, Lawrence Orloff
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Publication number: 20050016087Abstract: Braces for bracing objects in structures against forces due to earthquakes are tested by subjecting components of the braces for attaching the braces to the object or structure to cyclic loading of approximately 15 cycles. The cyclic forces are applied to different samples of the components at differing angles, and a load rating is determined for each angle. Prior to cyclic testing, forces are applied monotonically to the components in both tension and compression, the flexible loading direction of the component is determined from the monotonic testing, and the deformation that the component can resist when a load is applied in cycles is estimated from the monotonic testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2003Publication date: January 27, 2005Applicant: FM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Praveen Malhotra, Paul Senseny, Antonio Carlos Braga, Roger Allard
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Patent number: 6779413Abstract: In a fire simulation system, a fire in a clean room is simulated. A material of the type that would burn in the clean room fire is burned in a burn cell and air and combustion products are circulated through the burn cell and a secondary exposure cell in parallel. Clean room filters are provided at the top of the burn cell and the secondary exposure cell and both cells have perforated floors. A primary exposure loop may also be connected in the circulation system to receive unfiltered air and combustion products from the bum cell. The material and/or equipment to be tested for fire damage is placed in the secondary exposure cell and/or the primary exposure loop for a predetermined time and then is removed from the cell and exposed to a controlled humidity. Following the controlled humidity exposure, the material and/or equipment is evaluated for damage.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: FM Global Technologies LLCInventor: Gunnar Heskestad