Patents Assigned to Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
  • Patent number: 11964177
    Abstract: Institutional sprinkler assemblies are provided that includes a sprinkler housing and protective cap arrangement to protect a thermally responsive shielding trigger. The sprinkler housing and trigger arrangement provide for an annular buffer to protect the trigger. The institutional sprinkler assemblies include configurations for installation in pendent and horizontal and orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Michael James Oldham, Jonathan David Drake
  • Patent number: 11920701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a number of pipes (100) with a predetermined pipe diameter. The method includes feeding multiple pipe parts (101, 102) with the predetermined pipe diameter to a welding station (53), aligning in each case a first pipe part (101) and a second pipe part (102) coaxially with respect to one another and axially adjacent to one another, welding the pipe parts (101, 102) by means of a fully encircling weld seam (109) to form a pipe run (104), conveying the pipe run (104) to a cutting station (57) in a machine direction (A) downstream of the welding station (53), and cutting off the number of pipes (100) in a respectively designated length from the pipe run (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Rönpagel, Jan Ehlers, Jendrik Schütt, Hanjo Diederley, Kai Zeugner
  • Patent number: 11922795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support component of a housing of a hazard detection center, preferably of an intrusion alarm, fire detection and/or fire extinguishing center, to an operator control panel module of a hazard detection center, to an indicator and operator control panel arrangement of a hazard detection center, to a housing of a hazard detection center and to a hazard detection center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventor: Carl Dechau
  • Patent number: 11872425
    Abstract: Fire protection systems and methods having piping interconnections for connecting afire protection device to a fluid source. The piping interconnections include a branch connector connected to a pipe header. The branch connector includes a tubular member and an internal annular seal member housed in an internal gasket chamber of the tubular member. The tubular member includes an internal stepless surface between a terminal end of the tubular member and the internal gasket chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Gary William Pleyte, Derek John Scheffers
  • Patent number: 11844973
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a pipe network for a fire protection system having an evaluation unit with a communication device, and at least one sensor which is arranged on or within at least one pipe of a plurality of pipes of the pipe network and is in communicative signal connection with the communication device. The at least one sensor is configured to collect measurement data indicative of changes in a hydraulic condition of the at least one pipe and to transmit this measurement data to the communication device of the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to evaluate the measurement data based on assigning the at least one pipe to the specific pipe category in order to generate an evaluation data record indicative of the hydraulic condition of the at least one pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Bechtloff, Joachim Böke
  • Patent number: 11833379
    Abstract: A floor nozzle assembly and systems and methods thereof for delivering a fire suppressant foam to a protected area. The nozzle assembly has a body and deflector in contact with one another to form a plurality of passageways through which a fire suppressant flows. The deflector has a deflector flange and a plurality of projecting members in contact with the body to form the passageways. The nozzle assembly has one or more of the following: i) a radial outer portion at each projecting member having a plurality of curved edges with at least two different curvatures; ii) each passageway is formed by parallel planar sidewalls; iii) the projecting members extend radially over a majority radial length of the deflector flange; and/or iv) the deflector flange has, with respect to a horizontal, a surface at an angle that is less than a support surface of the nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Vinh Bao Hoa
  • Patent number: 11813490
    Abstract: Automatic fire protection sprinkler assemblies having a trigger assembly with a thermally responsive element and a yoke that seats and facilitates heat flow over the thermally responsive element. The yoke includes an elongate support member with a central region centered between two end portions with linear portions extending between the central region and the end portions. The yoke defines a heat impact region in which the end of the trigger assembly is received and seated. The yoke also provides a lateral access to define a fluid flow path in fluid communication with the heat impact region to facilitate heat flow over the thermally responsive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventor: Scott A. English
  • Patent number: 11794047
    Abstract: Fluid control valve assemblies for use in fire protection sprinkler systems to control the flow of firefighting fluid to the system sprinklers. The assemblies include a pressure-operated fluid control valve having an internal fluid chamber in which fluid contained therein acts on an internal diaphragm to control the flow of fluid from an inlet to an outlet of the valve. An environment-responsive control device in fluid communication with the internal fluid chamber along a first fluid communication line controls the flow of fluid out of the fluid chamber to initiate actuation of the valve. A fluid-flow latch in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve along a second fluid communication line subsequently controls the simultaneous flow of fluid out of the fluid chamber and the actuation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: Viking Group, Inc., Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Martin H. Workman, Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 11790763
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer program product for configuration of a control center, in particular a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control center, and to an associated method. The computer program product comprises: a hardware configuration component for configuration of hardware components such as modules and/or front panel components of the control center, a logic configuration component for configuration of a functional logic of the control center, wherein the logic configuration component is designed to provide functional components. The functional components are decoupled from the hardware of the control center and embodied in such a way that reversible assignment of functional component to hardware component is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Mandelkau, Henning Lippke, Keno Selzer, Bernd Hallwass-Fedder
  • Patent number: 11786770
    Abstract: An automatic dry fire protection sprinkler assembly and method of operation. The sprinkler assembly includes an elongate tubular outer housing having a fluid discharge end with an outlet opening, an internal channel and a contact surface proximate the outlet opening. A fluid deflection member is coupled to the housing at a preferably fixed distance from the outlet opening. An internal fluid control assembly includes an ejectable member that is ejected out the outlet opening and displaced out of the fluid flow path between the housing and the fluid deflection member. Upon sprinkler actuation, the fluid control assembly engages the internal channel to axially guide the fluid control assembly and prevent rotation of the fluid control assembly about the sprinkler axis. A surface contact between the ejectable member and the internal shelf causes the ejectable member to pivot clear of the sprinkler housing and the fluid deflection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventor: Darci Ann Flowers
  • Patent number: 11771936
    Abstract: A proportioner having a body portion that defines a fluid passage for transporting a fire protection fluid and a foam passage for transporting a foam concentrate. The foam concentrate mixes with the fire protection fluid to form a fire protection solution. The proportioner also includes a restrictor assembly having a restrictor disk and an orifice plate. The orifice plate has an opening for receiving the restrictor disk. The restrictor disk and opening are configured to form an annulus between an outer surface of the restrictor disk and an inner surface of the opening when at least a portion of the restrictor disk is disposed within the opening and the restrictor disk is spaced from the orifice plate. The restrictor assembly is configured to maintain the annulus for a full travel range of the restrictor disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Derek John Scheffers, Marc Serge Ferere, Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 11691042
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water extinguishing system with a fluid supply for providing an extinguishing fluid, a pump which is configured to pump the extinguishing fluid from the fluid supply into a supply line of a pipe system of the water extinguishing system, a test line which branches off from the supply line of the pipe system and is configured to conduct the extinguishing fluid pumped by the pump away from the pipe system, and a fluid bypass line with a cross section reduced in comparison to the cross section of the test line, where the fluid bypass line is configured to conduct a predefined portion of the extinguishing fluid around an opening element of the test line away from the pipe system, where the water extinguishing system further comprises at least one control device which is configured to determine at least one parameter indicative of the cross-section of the fluid bypass line, and to control the pump test run of the pump on the basis of that parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Hofmann, Joachim Böke, Frank Friede, Stephan Bludau
  • Patent number: 11691169
    Abstract: Installation and protective devices for fire protection sprinkler assembly having a support cup is disposed about the sprinkler assembly. A protective cap engages the support cup to define an internal volume to enclose the sprinkler therein and protect operational components of the sprinkler during storage, transport, installation and when awaiting to be placed into service. The protective cap defines a tool path with slots of the protective cap in fluid communication with the internal volume. The protective cap and tools are configured to cooperate with one another to permit the tool to adjustably navigate within the internal volume to access the protected sprinkler for installation or adjustment of the sprinkler frame and/or for removing the protective cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventor: Jed Edmond Pipe
  • Patent number: 11673008
    Abstract: Attic fire protection systems and methods for the protection of sloped attic spaces having large roof spans over eighty feet up to one hundred feet (80-100 ft.). The systems and method provide for a five-branch system with sprinklers having a directional spray interleaved between sprinklers having a uniform radial spray at the peak ridge and sprinklers having a uniform radial spray at the eave of the attic space. The systems and methods define a hydraulic demand with a total flow rate of under 175 GPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Jed Edmond Pipe, Shawn Gregory Orr
  • Patent number: 11654316
    Abstract: Attic fire protection sprinklers for protection of the eave regions of the attic space. The eave sprinkler has a fluid deflector for generating a directional spray with a horizontal throw of up to twenty-eight feet (28 ft.). The deflector includes a base having a leading edge with a flap extending angularly from the leading edge of the base. The flap forms a discharge channel that widens in the radial direction from the sprinkler axis. The flap includes a central canopy portion and a pair of sidewalls disposed about the central canopy portion. An attic fire protection system is provided that includes the eave sprinkler to provide a maximum roof span of protection of up to eighty feet (80 ft.) and a roof slope of protection that ranges from 2½:12 to 6:12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Jed Edmond Pipe, Shawn Gregory Orr
  • Patent number: 11596821
    Abstract: A proportioner having a body portion that defines a foam passage and a fluid passage. The proportioner also includes a restrictor assembly having a restrictor disk and an orifice plate having an opening for receiving the restrictor disk. The proportioner can further include a rod member connected to the restrictor disk and a clapper assembly connected to the rod member via a sliding interface. The clapper assembly can be configured to control a flow of the foam concentrate through the foam passage in proportion to a flow of the fire protection fluid through the fluid passage by moving the rod member to vary the distance between the restrictor disk and the orifice plate. The sliding interface can be disposed between a first guide and a second guide, and at least a portion of the restrictor disk is disposed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Derek John Scheffers, Marc Serge Ferere, Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 11590371
    Abstract: Fire protection systems and methods provide for the protection of horizontal concealed interstitial spaces of either a solid wood joist, open bar joist or open truss construction system. The systems and methods provide and locate fire protection sprinklers to define localized heat detection areas that are over 1000 sq. ft, at least 2000 sq. ft., over 2000 sq. ft. and/or otherwise unconfined by draft curtains or other barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignees: Viking Group, Inc., Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Martin H. Workman, Scott T. Franson, James E. Golinveaux
  • Patent number: 11583712
    Abstract: System and methods to provide ceiling-only suppression fire protection of up to fifty feet (50 ft.) of rack storage of cartoned unexpanded plastic commodities and less hazardous commodities, such as for example, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 and/or combinations thereof beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height up to fifty-five feet (55 ft.). The systems and methods provide for hydraulic and system parameters that include a hydraulic design area based upon five to no more than twelve hydraulically most remote sprinklers spaced at a preferred sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing of eight to ten feet (8-10 ft.) coupled to two to four branch lines tied to a common cross main supply pipe of firefighting fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: Viking Group, Inc., Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Martin H. Workman, Scott T. Franson, James E. Golinveaux, Jason Thomas Watson
  • Patent number: D1022126
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventor: Michael James Oldham
  • Patent number: D1022127
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventor: Michael James Oldham