Abstract: A valve checker system includes a valve having a valve housing with an inlet side, an outlet side, and a valve element therebetween. The valve element is selectively and repeatably rotatable between a first closed position, wherein a seal is formed between the valve element and the valve housing, thereby substantially preventing fluid flow between the inlet and outlet sides, and an open position, wherein the seal is broken such that fluid flow is permissible between the inlet and outlet sides. The valve element is also selectively and repeatably rotatable within a discrete angle in a direction toward the open position, from the first closed position into a second closed position in which the seal is maintained between the valve element and the valve housing. A controller is operatively coupled to the valve element and configured to rotate the valve element between the first and second closed positions.

Abstract: A control system for use with a fire-fighting device includes a remote component having a touch sensitive screen configured to receive a user-requested parameter of fluid and to display a plurality of indicators associated with the fire-fighting device. The control system also includes a base component including a programmable logic controller having predefined logic stored thereon. The base component automatically controls operation of the pump based on the predefined logic and the user-requested parameter of fluid. The remote component receives signals from the base component and presents, via the touch sensitive screen, at least one of a first of the plurality of indicators indicative of a water volume associated with a first water source stored at a fire fighting device, and a second of the plurality of indicators indicative of a water pressure associated with a second water source remote from the fire-fighting device.

Abstract: A control system for use with a fire-fighting device includes a remote component having a touch sensitive screen configured to receive a user-requested parameter of fluid and to display a plurality of indicators associated with the fire-fighting device. The control system also includes a base component including a programmable logic controller having predefined logic stored thereon. The base component automatically controls operation of the pump based on the predefined logic and the user-requested parameter of fluid. The remote component receives signals from the base component and presents, via the touch sensitive screen, at least one of a first of the plurality of indicators indicative of a water volume associated with a first water source stored at a fire fighting device, and a second of the plurality of indicators indicative of a water pressure associated with a second water source remote from the fire-fighting device.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a motor and a foam pump. The foam pump is driven by the motor to inject one or more chemical additives from an off-board additive container into a discharge conduit. A bypass valve is in fluid communication with the output of the foam pump. One or more sensors are configured to measure at least one operating condition of the foam pump. A controller is in communication with the one or more sensors and is operatively connected to the bypass valve. The controller is configured to determine, based on data received from the one or more sensors regarding the at least one operating condition of the foam pump, whether the foam pump is experiencing a loss of prime, and to open the bypass valve in response. The motor may also selectively operate in one of two modes depending on the rotational speed and torque required.

Abstract: A dual priming system connected with a centrifugal pump to evacuate gas therefrom includes a positive displacement pump fluidly connectable with the centrifugal pump and a venturi fluidly connectable with the centrifugal pump in parallel with the positive displacement pump. The dual priming system is operational in a first mode, wherein the positive displacement pump is inactive and the venturi is activated, and a second mode, wherein the positive displacement pump is activated and the venturi is activated.

Abstract: A fire truck pump flow prediction system includes a pump, an inlet pipe connected to the pump, a discharge pipe connected to the pump, an intake pressure sensor connected to the inlet pipe, a discharge pressure sensor connected to the discharge pipe, a rotational sensor associated with the pump and a central processor connected to the intake pressure sensor, the discharge pressure sensor and the rotational sensor. The intake pressure sensor is configured to detect fire suppressant inlet pressure and the discharge pressure sensor is configured to detect fire suppressant discharge pressure. The rotational sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the pump. The central processor configured to determine a flow through the pump and into the discharge pipe based on the inlet pressure, the discharge pressure and the rotational speed.

Abstract: A system includes an emergency response vehicle transitionable between a motive state and a non-motive state and a tool. The tool includes an identifier and is configured to be removably secured to the emergency response vehicle. The system further includes a scanner coupled to the emergency response vehicle and operable to identify the identifier when the tool is secured to the emergency response vehicle. A control module is communicatively coupled to the scanner and includes a processor and a memory storing instructions which cause the processor to determine that the emergency response vehicle has transitioned between the motive state and the non-motive state, and, in response to determining that the emergency response vehicle has transitioned between the motive state and the non-motive state, cause the scanner to scan the emergency response vehicle for the identifier to determine whether the tool is secured to the emergency response vehicle.

Abstract: An integrated operator interface for a fire suppression system is provided. The fire suppression system includes an engine, a water source, a water pump, a foam system and a compressed air system. The integrated operator interface includes a control panel including a plurality of one-touch activation controls. Each one-touch activation control is configured to cause the output of a predetermined fire suppression fluid from the fire suppression system and cause a predetermined increase in engine speed resulting in an associated increase in water pump pressure. The predetermined fire suppression fluid comprising a predetermined flow of water, a predetermined type of foamant, a predetermined concentration of the predetermined type of foamant, and a predetermined flow of compressed air.

Abstract: A control system for use with a fire-fighting device includes a remote component having a touch sensitive screen configured to receive a user-requested parameter of fluid and to display a plurality of indicators associated with the fire-fighting device. The control system also includes a base component including a programmable logic controller having predefined logic stored thereon. The base component automatically controls operation of the pump based on the predefined logic and the user-requested parameter of fluid. The remote component receives signals from the base component and presents, via the touch sensitive screen, at least one of a first of the plurality of indicators indicative of a water volume associated with a first water source stored at a fire fighting device, and a second of the plurality of indicators indicative of a water pressure associated with a second water source remote from the fire-fighting device.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a plurality of lights, and a control mechanism configured to automatically adjust at least a first light of the plurality of lights based on one of a desired position and a desired direction. Each light of the plurality of lights is adjustable to project a light beam.

Abstract: An automatic fire hydrant water supplying system provides hydrant supply water to a fire truck having a water pump; a water pump master intake valve; a water-supply fire hose, a pressure sensor upstream of the master-intake-valve, and a water-pump control system. The automatic fire hydrant water supplying system has a remotely-controllable hydrant discharge valve connectable to the hydrant and to the fire-hose. A remotely-controllable air bleed valve is in fluid communication with the master-intake-valve and the fire-hose. The water-pump control system determines whether a pressurized volume in the fire hose upstream of the master-intake-valve input port is air or water based on a difference in density between air and water as sensed by the pressure sensor and if the pressurized volume is air causes the air to be vented to atmosphere through the air-bleed-valve before opening the master-intake-valve to provide hydrant supply water to the water pump.

Abstract: A method for coding a hose appliance with a fire-fighting device is provided. The method includes providing a codable hose appliance on the fire-fighting device, where the hose appliance includes a unique identifier. The method further includes sensing the unique identifier with a sensor associated with a portion of the fire-fighting device, and coding, using a control module communicatively coupled to the sensor, the hose appliance to the portion of the fire-fighting device in response to the sensor sensing the unique identifier. Coding the hose appliance to the portion of the fire-fighting device enables the hose appliance to control fluid flow from the fire-fighting device.

Abstract: A control system for use with a fire-fighting device includes a remote component having a touch sensitive screen configured to receive a user-requested parameter of fluid and to display a plurality of indicators associated with the fire-fighting device. The control system also includes a base component including a programmable logic controller having predefined logic stored thereon. The base component automatically controls operation of the pump based on the predefined logic and the user-requested parameter of fluid. The remote component receives signals from the base component and presents, via the touch sensitive screen, at least one of a first of the plurality of indicators indicative of a water volume associated with a first water source stored at a fire fighting device, and a second of the plurality of indicators indicative of a water pressure associated with a second water source remote from the fire-fighting device.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a plurality of lights, and a control mechanism configured to automatically adjust at least a first light of the plurality of lights based on one of a desired position and a desired direction. Each light of the plurality of lights is adjustable to project a light beam.

Abstract: An integrated operator interface for a fire suppression system is provided. The fire suppression system includes an engine, a water source, a water pump, a foam system and a compressed air system. The integrated operator interface includes a control panel including a plurality of one-touch activation controls. Each one-touch activation control is configured to cause the output of a predetermined fire suppression fluid from the fire suppression system and cause a predetermined increase in engine speed resulting in an associated increase in water pump pressure. The predetermined fire suppression fluid comprising a predetermined flow of water, a predetermined type of foamant, a predetermined concentration of the predetermined type of foamant, and a predetermined flow of compressed air.

Abstract: A system configured to convert an output of a sensor for an application includes an analog input circuit and a processor. The analog input circuit is configured to receive the sensor output. The processor is configured to determine an analog input of the analog input circuit to read the sensor output, and based on one or more received sensor characteristics, and convert the read sensor output to a signal compatible with the application.

Abstract: A transportable high vertical-lift emergency water pumping system moves emergency water from a water source at a low elevation to a higher elevation. The pumping system has a first pump having a first-pump suction port at the higher elevation and a second pump having a second-pump suction port at the low elevation and a second-pump discharge port in fluid communication with the first-pump suction port. A variable speed driver is operatively coupled to the first pump. A load sensing hydrostatic drive system is operatively coupled to the variable speed driver and to the second pump. The load sensing hydrostatic drive system is configured to maintain a minimum net positive suction head at the first-pump suction port sufficient to prevent cavitation in the first pump when the variable-speed driver operates at any speed of a plurality of speeds across a range of flows.

Abstract: A fire suppression system having a foam proportioning system, a water source, and a controller. The foam proportioning system includes a foam tank having at least two types of chemical foamants, a selector valve in fluid communication with the foam tank for selecting one of the at least two types of chemical foamants, a foam pump in fluid communication with the selector valve for supplying the selected chemical foamant to a discharge unit, and a foam controller operatively connected to the foam pump and the selector valve. The water source is connected to the foam proportioning system for mixing water with the selected chemical foamant to form a fire suppression fluid. The controller is operatively connected to the foam proportioning system and includes a one-touch activation control for activating the controller. The controller is also configured to automatically output to the foam controller inputs for configuring the foam pump.

Abstract: A hybrid foam system for providing a variety of proportioned foam solutions is provided. The system includes a low flow foam proportioning system operatively associated with a high flow foam proportioning system and a system controller for controlling the operating conditions of the overall hybrid foam system.

Abstract: An automatic bleed valve assembly for intake gas in an intake line supplying a liquid has a body having a chamber in fluid communication with an inlet port and an outlet port. A movable member in the chamber is movable in translation between an inlet-port sealing position and an outlet-port sealing position. A biasing member operatively coupled to the movable member and to the chamber is configured to apply to the movable member a reactive force directed toward the inlet port, the reactive force being greater than a gas-resistance force applied to the movable member by the intake gas when the intake gas is flowing into the chamber and less than a liquid-resistance force applied to the movable member by the liquid when the liquid is flowing into the chamber.