Abstract: An assembly including a pair of cable sections having cable ends joined in a splice and an elongated sheath enclosing the cable ends. The elongated sheath defines opposite end openings, each receiving one of the cable sections and having a perimeter substantially conforming to the outer surface thereof. Further defined by the interior of the sheath are both contact surfaces engaging and positioning certain portions of the cable sections' outer surfaces and volumes juxtaposed other portions of those surfaces. A filler material fills the volumes and bonds the sheath to the outer surfaces of the cable sections so as to establish a secure connection therebetween. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable sections comprise electrical conductors jacketed by insulative sleeves that form the outer surfaces and the filler material is electrically insulative.

Abstract: The invention is a fuel burner system including an electrical control circuit for initiating fuel flow to a burner in response to a call-for-heat from a condition responsive sensor, and an electrical ignitor for igniting the fuel emanating from the burner. Combustion or purging air is directed to the burner by a fan, the integrity of which is monitored by a sensor circuit that produces a fault signal in response to rotation of the fan at any speed in a given range of speeds. An inhibit circuit inhibits the control circuit to prevent opening of a fuel supply valve in response to the presence of the fault signal. Fan rotation at speeds either above or below a predetermined normal range indicates a malfunction and results in the fault signal that prevents the initiation of fuel flow and a try for ignition.

Abstract: A fire protection system including a discharge valve for discharging a pressurized extinguishing agent from a storage container into a distribution manifold. Discharge of the agent is induced by a pneumatic release mechanism that responds to the application of fluid pressure. Mounted in predetermined protection zones are a plurality of discharge nozzle arrays, each connected to the outlet of a distribution valve, the inlet of which is connected to the distribution manifold. Each distribution valve comprises a valve closure movable between a closed position that seals the valve inlet from the valve outlet and an open position that permits fluid flow therebetween, a pneumatic actuator for moving the valve closure to the open position in response to the presence of fluid pressure and a fluid pressure transfer mechanism that transmits fluid pressure from the actuator to the discharge valve release mechanism in response to movement of the valve closure to its open position.

Abstract: A fuel burner control system including a valve for controlling the flow of fuel to a burner, a resistive heater element for igniting fuel, a power supply for supplying current to the heater element, a flame sensing circuit comprising an ac source for supplying ac voltage to the heater element, and a detector for producing an output signal only in response to the flow through the heating element of current rectified by the flame, a valve control circuit for maintaining the valve open in response to the output signal, and a coupling circuit interconnecting the heating element with both the power supply and the sensing circuit and adapted to prevent the flow of current therebetween. By utilizing a coupling circuit that prevents the flow of current between the power supply and the flame sensing circuit, the resistive heater element can be efficiently and alternately used both as a fuel igniting mechanism and as an electrode for deriving current rectified by flame at the burner.

Abstract: The invention is a pressure responsive shut-off valve including a valve housing that defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet separated by a valve seat. A valve closure accommodated by the valve seat moves between open and closed positions to control fluid flow between the inlet and outlet. Controlling the valve is a valve operator including a pressure responsive piston that moves between a set position in which the valve closure is separated from the valve seat and a release position in which the closure is seated on the seat to prevent fluid flow between the inlet and outlet. Retaining the piston is a magnetic plunger that defines an activating volume communicating with the inlet and establishing on one face of the piston a fluid pressure forcing the piston toward its release position, and a reference volume communicating with the inlet and establishing on the opposite face of the piston a reference volume.

Abstract: A multi-zone fire protection system in which each protected zone is provided with a detector for producing an alarm signal in response to the presence of combustion products, a source of fire extinguishing agent, and a pull box station manually operable to induce discharge of the extinguishing agent into the protected zone. Each pull station possesses a signal lamp that can be energized to signal an abnormal condition to personnel present in the area. A signal lamp in a given zone is energized via a central control panel in response to an alarm signal from a detector associated with that zone, thereby clearly indicating to personnel at hand the specific zone in which a fire has been detected.