Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device for producing compressed foam for an extinguishing device for firefighting comprising a foam solution inlet that is operatively connected to a foam solution mixture area that is operatively connected to a compressed air inlet that is operatively connected to a compressed air injection manifold that is operatively connected to a mixing chamber. The compressed air injection manifold having a plurality of lateral sides that have a plurality of holes distributed across at least one of the lateral sides. A scrubbing collector pipe that extends into the mixing chamber to form an annular flow area within the mixing chamber. The scrubbing collector pipe having a plurality of holes distributed around an outer periphery of the scrubbing collector pipe. An inner collector pipe within the scrubbing collector pipe. A compressed air foam outlet operatively connected to the scrubbing collector pipe.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a centrifugal pump having an intake, a discharge, a pump chamber and an impeller to deliver water from the intake to the discharge. A priming system is fluidly coupled to the pump chamber. A drive assembly includes a drive shaft coupled to the priming system and positioned around an impeller shaft coupled to the impeller for selective rotatable coupling of the impeller shaft and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A compressed air foam delivery system includes a control unit to monitor and/or adjust components within the system so as to deliver a compressed air foam agent mixture with a desired agent:air ratio at a desired flow rate to one or more active discharges. In one embodiment, the control unit can be equipped to control one or more of a pump engine, water pump, foam delivery unit and air compressor so as to deliver and maintain the desired ratio of agent mixture at the desired flow rate.

Abstract: A pump module mountable to a chassis of a fire truck includes a pump assembly having a water pump and plumbing connected to the water pump. A lower housing defines an enclosure that includes opposed exterior panels, opposed interior panels and a top opening defined by an upper perimeter. At least one of the exterior panels maintains a fluid connection to the plumbing of the pump assembly. At least one of the interior panels includes an interior opening to accommodate the chassis and a connection between the water pump and an engine. An upper housing defines a lower perimeter that can be positioned with respect to the upper perimeter of the lower housing. The upper housing transitions between a first, operating position wherein the lower perimeter engages the upper perimeter, and a second, open position wherein the lower perimeter is spaced apart from the upper perimeter.

Abstract: A priming valve for priming a centrifugal pump includes a valve assembly separating an inlet chamber from an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is fluidly coupled to an intake for the centrifugal pump and the outlet chamber is fluidly coupled to a priming pump. A control valve is provided to operate the valve assembly in order to fluidly connect the inlet chamber with the outlet chamber. While the valve assembly fluidly connects the inlet chamber with the outlet chamber, the priming pump can operate to replace air in the intake and the centrifugal pump with water.

Abstract: A foam generating system is disclosed that includes a liquid source providing liquid including at least one of water, an additive and a foaming agent. The system further includes a compressed gas source and a manifold coupled with the liquid source to receive liquid therefrom. A pressure control valve controls pressure of liquid flowing from the liquid source to the manifold and a plurality of foam generators fluidly coupled with the manifold. A control system is electrically coupled to the pressure control valve and each foam generator. In one implementation, the control system operates each of the foam generators to provide a first flow control state for a first type of foam output, a second flow control state for a second type of foam output and a water flow control state for liquid.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided for engaging a PTO assembly with a primary drive shaft of a vehicle engine. The clutch assembly includes a synchronizing clutch for rotating an output member and a primary clutch positionable to rotationally connect the output member to the primary drive shaft.

Abstract: A pump module mountable to a chassis of a fire truck includes a pump assembly having a water pump and plumbing connected to the water pump. A lower housing defines an enclosure that includes opposed exterior panels, opposed interior panels and a top opening defined by an upper perimeter. At least one of the exterior panels maintains a fluid connection to the plumbing of the pump assembly. At least one of the interior panels includes an interior opening to accommodate the chassis and a connection between the water pump and an engine. An upper housing defines a lower perimeter that can be positioned with respect to the upper perimeter of the lower housing. The upper housing transitions between a first, operating position wherein the lower perimeter engages the upper perimeter, and a second, open position wherein the lower perimeter is spaced apart from the upper perimeter.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a centrifugal pump having an intake, a discharge, a pump chamber and an impeller to deliver water from the intake to the discharge. A priming system is fluidly coupled to the pump chamber. A drive assembly includes a drive shaft coupled to the priming system and positioned around an impeller shaft coupled to the impeller for selective rotatable coupling of the impeller shaft and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A compressed air foam delivery system includes a control unit to monitor and/or adjust components within the system so as to deliver a compressed air foam agent mixture with a desired agent:air ratio at a desired flow rate to one or more active discharges. In one embodiment, the control unit can be equipped to control one or more of a pump engine, water pump, foam delivery unit and air compressor so as to deliver and maintain the desired ratio of agent mixture at the desired flow rate.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided for engaging a PTO assembly with a primary drive shaft of a vehicle engine. The clutch assembly includes a synchronizing clutch for rotating an output member and a primary clutch positionable to rotationally connect the output member to the primary drive shaft.

Abstract: A priming valve for priming a centrifugal pump includes a valve assembly separating an inlet chamber from an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is fluidly coupled to an intake for the centrifugal pump and the outlet chamber is fluidly coupled to a priming pump. A control valve is provided to operate the valve assembly in order to fluidly connect the inlet chamber with the outlet chamber. While the valve assembly fluidly connects the inlet chamber with the outlet chamber, the priming pump can operate to replace air in the intake and the centrifugal pump with water.

Abstract: Fire fighting equipment uses an electronically controlled direct injection foam delivery system. A water pump pumps water through a pipe. A foam pump pumps foam into a mixing chamber within the pipe to produce a water-foam mixture. A microprocessor-based control unit controls the water pump and foam pump. A conductivity sensor is coupled in-line with the pipe for monitoring conductivity of the mixture and providing a feedback signal to the control unit to regulate the foam pump. A speed sensor monitors the foam usage. A second conductivity sensor monitors conductivity of the water and provides a feedback signal to the control unit. The foam delivery system can be controlled by monitoring the flow rate of the water and regulating the foam pump to maintain a constant water and foam mixture. A temperature sensor compensates the regulation process for changes in water and foam mixture temperature.

Abstract: Fire fighting equipment uses an electronically controlled direct injection foam delivery system. A water pump pumps water through a pipe. A foam pump pumps foam into a mixing chamber within the pipe to produce a water-foam mixture. A microprocessor-based control unit controls the water pump and foam pump. A conductivity sensor is coupled in-line with the pipe for monitoring conductivity of the mixture and providing a feedback signal to the control unit to regulate the foam pump. A speed sensor monitors the foam usage. A second conductivity sensor monitors conductivity of the water and provides a feedback signal to the control unit. The foam delivery system can be controlled by monitoring the flow rate of the water and regulating the foam pump to maintain a constant water and foam mixture. A temperature sensor compensates the regulation process for changes in water and foam mixture temperature.

Abstract: A valve casing is provided with a part-spherical interior sealing surface and with three valve ports each open from the outside of the casing and through the part-spherical sealing surface thereof. A part-spherical valve body or ball is mounted in concentric very slightly spaced relation to this sealing surface of the valve casing. The valve body carries a valve seal structure and is provided with a valve body passage extending through the valve body. The valve body is rotatable within the valve casing between: (1) a first position wherein said valve body passage provides a passageway between a first and a second of the ports and said valve seal structure is in sealing relation to the valve casing sealing surface around a third of said ports; and (2) a second position wherein said valve seal structure is in sealing relation around said first port and said valve body passage provides a passageway between said second and third ports.

Abstract: The specification discloses a fire hydrant and valve assembly therefor including a flexible, resilient compressible, fluid-impervious sealing flange or lip formed on and extending outwardly of the main valve sealing member for supplemental sealing of both the water passageway through the main valve seat ring and between the valve seat ring and inner surface of the hydrant conduit.Also disclosed is a method for assembling a valve assembly in a fire hydrant to prevent damage to the valve assembly by using the sealing flange or lip on the sealing member to locate and guide the valve assembly through the valve seat area of the conduit as well as to lubricate that area during insertion of the valve to ease assembly and facilitate later disassembly.

Abstract: A pump pressure control device includes a slidably mounted throttle control cylinder having a piston connected to a pump engine throttle to vary the speed of the engine. One side of the piston in the throttle control cylinder is open to pressure from an accumulator having a diaphragm or bladder therein. The accumulator, on the side of the bladder opposite the side open to the control cylinder, is precharged to a desired pressure. The other side of the control cylinder piston is open to the pressure in the pump output line which it is desired to regulate. The regulated pump discharge pressure is adjusted by sliding the control cylinder with respect to a fixed base. A directional flow valve functions to reverse the connections to the throttle control cylinder when the discharge pressure drops below a predetermined minimum.

Abstract: A fire hydrant is designed to break away at the point of the coupling between the upper and lower standpipes when hit by a moving vehicle or the like, to reduce the chance for damage to the hydrant, the vehicle and possibly to the occupants of the vehicle. A valve push rod extends from a valve operating nut at the top of the hydrant down to operable connection with a hydrant valve so that the valve can be opened when water is to be delivered through the hydrant. To provide a breakaway connection for the push rod, a semi-cylindrical frangible coupling sleeve connects an upper valve rod section to a lower valve rod section in about the same horizontal plane as the upper and lower standpipes are coupled to each other. Then when the upper standpipe is broken away from the lower standpipe, the frangible coupling sleeve will also break, allowing separation of the upper valve rod section from the lower valve rod section without substantial danger of damage to the hydrant.