Patents Assigned to Kidde Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10397504
    Abstract: A method of correcting lag in an imaging pixel includes receiving a current frame pixel value and determining a current filter coefficient using the current frame pixel value. A pixel output is determined from a product of the current frame pixel value and current frame filter coefficient. The product of a first prior frame pixel value and corresponding first prior frame filter coefficient is added to the pixel output to generate a corrected pixel output to more closely indicates incident illumination on the imaging pixel during an integration period from which the current frame pixel value was obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: Kidde Technologies, Inc., Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John Liobe, Joshua Lund
  • Patent number: 10352472
    Abstract: A valve arrangement includes a housing with an outlet and an inlet and having a poppet. The poppet has a stem and is movable within the housing along a movement axis between an open position and a closed position. The inlet is isolated from the outlet when the poppet is in the closed position. The inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet when the poppet is in the open position. The stem is inverted relative to the housing such that at least a portion of the poppet stem is disposed in the inlet when the poppet is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug John Baxendell, David William Frasure
  • Patent number: 10339778
    Abstract: A chamberless indoor air quality monitor system includes a detector body. A resistive heater is operatively connected to the detector body. An active temperature sensor operatively connected to the resistive heater and operatively connected to an outer surface of the detector body configured to take an active temperature measurement. A method for measuring temperature in a chamberless indoor air quality monitor system includes generating an active temperature measurement with an active temperature sensor operatively connected to an outer surface of the detector body. The method includes heating the active temperature sensor with a resistive heater operatively connected to the detector body. The method includes comparing the active temperature measurements to one another to generate a corrected active temperature measurement based on a temperature difference over time between one or more of the active temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, David L. Lincoln
  • Patent number: 10322456
    Abstract: A flange removal tool assembly includes a cutting tool actuator, vise, annular cutting tool, and center support and accurately removes a weld and a flange of a device, while the device is attached to a fitting in a pressure vessel. Once the weld and the flange are removed, the device can be removed from the fitting and replaced. The assembly allows the operator to quickly inspect the flange of the device during the removal process and reduces the probability of damaging a flange of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Ray Winslow, Sammy H. Creech, Paul Gustav Kirchheimer
  • Patent number: 10240985
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an overheat bleed air detector includes providing a first elongate member having an inner surface that defines a plurality of grooves that extend from the first elongate member first end towards a first elongate member second end. The method further includes providing a second elongate member made of a ceramic based material and inserting the second elongate member within the first elongate member. An outer surface of the second elongate member is spaced apart from the inner surface of the first elongate member. The method still further includes inserting a center wire within the second elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Dharmendr Len Seebaluck
  • Patent number: 10226656
    Abstract: A safety assembly provided with an automatic fire extinguisher system includes an engagement member, a blocking member, and an extension member. The engagement member is slidably received within an outlet port of a valve housing. A blocking member having a first blocking member portion and a second blocking member portion is at least partially received within a cavity defined by the valve housing. The extension member extends between the engagement member and the blocking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David William Frasure, Doug John Baxendell, Christopher Wilson, Terry Simpson, John Wright Porterfield, Jr., Kevin R. Leitch, Michael Lee Davis
  • Patent number: 10213635
    Abstract: A method of operating safety mechanism includes extending a safety pin to block a poppet from opening a flow path from a pressure vessel in the event of the pressure vessel being unmounted from a bracket or in the event of the bracket being unmounted from a support structure. The method includes retracting the safety pin to allow free movement of the poppet for opening the flow path only in the event of the pressure vessel being mounted to the bracket and the bracket being mounted to a support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug John Baxendell, David William Frasure
  • Patent number: 10210733
    Abstract: A smoke detector of an aircraft cargo container includes a status light emitting diode (LED), at least one accelerometer, and one or more processors. The at least one accelerometer is configured to sense movement of the aircraft cargo container and provide a sensor signal representative of the sensed movement. The one or more processors is configured to receive the sensor signal and adjust a blinking rate of the status LED based upon the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Terry Simpson
  • Patent number: 10184831
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a test light to simulate a fire includes measuring a baseline resistance induced in a sensor cell of a two-color detector in response to a controlled fire. The method includes monitoring a test resistance induced in the sensor cell in response to exposure to emissions from a test light and adjusting the emissions of the test light until the test resistance of the sensor cell equals the baseline resistance of the sensor cell to achieve a calibration setting for the test light. A test light for a detector includes a housing and a first LED within the housing having a first emission wavelength. A second LED is within the housing. The second LED has a second emission wavelength. The second emission wavelength is different than the first emission wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Kern, Ken Bell, Terry Simpson, Christopher Wilson, David Frasure, Charles B. McLean, Clinton E. Piland
  • Patent number: 10126196
    Abstract: A multi-condition sensor, comprising a housing defining a component cavity, a pressure input tube disposed through the housing, a fault actuator disposed within the component cavity of the housing and in pressure communication with the pressure input tube through the housing, wherein the fault actuator is configured to extend and contract as a function of pressure from the pressure input tube, an alarm actuator disposed within the component cavity of the housing opposite the fault actuator and configured to be actuated by the fault actuator and to extend to a maximum fault position, and an adjustable alarm contact disposed on an opposite side of the alarm actuator within the component cavity and configured to be adjusted to a predetermined extension length from the housing to provide a predetermined alarm contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Wallace, Benjamin Codispoti, Lawrence A. Coreth, David W. Frasure
  • Patent number: 10112726
    Abstract: Overheat and fire detection for aircraft systems includes an optical controller and a fiber optic loop extending from the optical controller. The fiber optic loop extends through one or more zones of the aircraft. An optical signal is transmitted through the fiber optic loop from the optical controller and is also received back at the optical controller. The optical controller analyzes the optical signal to determine the temperature, strain, or both experienced within the zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wilson, David William Frasure, Mark Thomas Kern, Mark Sherwood Miller, Scott Kenneth Newlin, Chris George Georgoulias, Stefan Coreth, Ken Bell
  • Patent number: 10105558
    Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a high pressure inert gas source configured to provide a first inert gas output and a low pressure inert gas source configured to provide a second inert gas output. A distribution network is connected with the high pressure inert gas source and the low pressure inert gas source to distribute the first inert gas output and the second inert gas output throughout a confined space. A volume reduction system is positioned within the confined space and includes a seal member. The seal member is selectively deployable between a first position and a second position to isolate a first volume of the confined space from a second volume of the confined space and reduce an amount of the first inert gas output and the second inert gas output required to respond to a fire threat within the confined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dharmendr Len Seebaluck, Terry Simpson, Robert Glaser
  • Patent number: 10101218
    Abstract: A thermal/overheat sensor for an aircraft includes an outer electrode, an inner electrode, a support layer disposed between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. The support layer contains a state changing material wherein the state changing material is configured to transition between a non-conductive state to a conductive state at a threshold temperature to electrically connect the outer and inner electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongfen Ding, Jonathan Rheaume, Mark R. Jaworowski, Georgios S. Zafiris, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Theresa Hugener-Campbell
  • Patent number: 10024454
    Abstract: An actuator includes a housing with a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore disposed therein. The bore defines a poppet movement axis and extends between the first end and second end of the housing. A solenoid is disposed within the bore and extends about the poppet movement axis. An armature is disposed within the bore and is movable along the poppet movement axis between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the engaged position proximate the solenoid and the disengaged position spaced apart from the solenoid. A magnet is disposed within the bore between the first end of the housing and the armature, the magnet magnetically coupled to the armature to bias the armature towards the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Doug J. Baxendell
  • Patent number: 10018512
    Abstract: A method for preventing chaffing between a linear detector cable and a protective outer sheath including the steps of preparing an elongated polymer tube having a predetermined length and outer diameter, wrapping heat resistant tape having a given width around a distal end portion of the tube to locally enlarge the outer diameter of the tube, and inserting a proximal end portion of the tube into an open end of a metallic protective sheath having a predetermined inner diameter that is slightly greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the tube, so that the heat resistant tape wrapped around the distal end portion of the tube abuts against the end of the sheath to acts as a stop surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Rouse
  • Patent number: 10002508
    Abstract: A pneumatic sensing apparatus for use in an overheat or fire alarm system includes a sensor tube containing a pressurized gas in communication with a pressure sensor configured to sense a temperature variation based on changes of the pressurized gas. A pressure switch is coupled to the pressure sensor. The pressure switch includes a signal transducer configured to provide an output indicative of an overheat or fire alarm condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9983031
    Abstract: A sensor includes a housing, at least one sensor component disposed within the housing such that there is space between the housing and the sensor component, and a vibrational damping material disposed within the space to dampen vibration of the sensor components relative to the housing. The sensor can be a thermal sensor. For example, the thermal sensor can be a linear thermal detector, an optical flame detector, or any other suitable type of sensor or combination of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron S. Rogers, Mahamadou Yamoussa
  • Patent number: 9976925
    Abstract: A linear-thermal-sensor testing system has a signal generator and a reflection analyzer. The signal generator generates a series of damped sinusoidal impulse signals each of a different frequency, and transmits the damped sinusoidal impulse signals to a first end of the linear thermal sensor. The linear thermal sensor generates a reflection signal corresponding to each of series the damped sinusoidal impulse signals at a plurality of electrical discontinuities in the linear thermal sensing array. The reflection analyzer receives a reflection signal from the first end of the linear thermal sensor. The reflection signal has indicia of electrical properties and locations within the linear thermal sensor for each of the plurality of electrical discontinuities. The reflection analyzer calculates the electrical properties and the locations within the linear thermal sensor based on the indicia of the received reflection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Stanley Rogers
  • Patent number: 9974988
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve with a valve body and chamber. A poppet with a stem and piston is slidably engaged inside the valve body. A poppet release mechanism is included for releasing the poppet from a closed position. A mechanism cover is attached to the valve body. A safety mechanism with a pin, spring, and lever is included for preventing the poppet from moving into a fully open position. A first end of the pin extends into the chamber into a pathway of the poppet and a second end of the pin extends into the valve body of the valve. The spring is positioned between and in contact with the pin and the mechanism cover to bias the pin toward the poppet. A first end of the lever is pivotably attached to the pin and a second end of the lever extends out from the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug John Baxendell, David William Frasure
  • Patent number: 9970837
    Abstract: A detector that detects an alarm and/or fault condition with respect to a pressure of a medium is provided. The detector comprises a housing comprising an access tube configured to receive a medium and a bellows fixed to the housing comprising a cavity and a first contact surface. The detector also comprises an adjustment screw positioned within the cavity of the bellows, coupled to the housing via an insulation member, and comprising a second contact surface. The detector is further configured to detect a change in pressure of the medium based on whether the first contact surface and the first contact surface are in electrical communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: David Frasure, Steven Wallace