Abstract: A communication system includes a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to a sensor that monitors a fire condition and a second RFID device. The first RFID device includes at least one first antenna that receives a fire detection signal from the sensor, and a processing circuit that causes the at least one first antenna to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the fire detection signal through an internal volume of a pipe coupled to a fluid source. The second RFID device includes at least one second antenna that receives the RF signal through the internal volume of the pipe. The second RFID device controls operation of a fluid distribution device responsive to receiving the indication of the fire detection signal.

Abstract: A dry drop to be mounted in a fire protection installation of the type having a network of vacuum sprinklers. The dry drop includes a tubular body, a shutter and a one-way valve. The tubular body defines an inner chamber and has: a first end; a second end; and an orifice located between the first end and the second end. The shutter is movable between: a shutoff position in which it shuts off the first nozzle; and a passage position in which it is cleared from the first nozzle. The one-way valve is intended to be mounted in the orifice to enable the pressurization of the inner chamber by injection of a gas into the inner chamber, the inner pressure holding the shutter in its shutoff position.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various novel dispensing devices can be provided. Such devices can involve a range of sprayer heads and sprayer/foamer systems incorporating such heads. Novel sprayer/foamer heads can include buffers of various types. By using a buffer, a user need not continually be pumping the device in order for the device to be spraying or foaming. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, such a buffer can be spring loaded, spring loaded combination, elastomeric or gas. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the buffer can be in line or adjacent to a piston chamber. If adjacent, it can be connected to the piston chamber with a one way valve, to provide for spray after a downstroke of the piston has been completed, or without, to allow spraying to cease once a user releases the trigger or other actuator.

Abstract: A spray gun for a plural component system is provided. The spray gun includes a first component delivery line and a second component delivery line. The spray gun also includes a nozzle, configured to receive and mix a first component received from the first component delivery line with a second component received from the second component delivery line. The spray gun also includes an air purge system configured to, when the spray gun is in a non-actuated position, purge the nozzle of the first and second components and, when the spray gun is in an actuated position, aid in atomization of the mixture of the first and second components.

Abstract: A localized product injection system includes a composite boom tube having a carrier fluid passage within a tube body, and at least one injection product passage within the tube body isolated from the carrier fluid passage. A plurality of port stations are provided at locations along the tube body. Each of the port stations includes a carrier fluid outlet port and at least one injection product outlet port. A localized injection interface is coupled at a port station. The injection interface includes a carrier fluid input coupled with the carrier fluid outlet port, and at least one injection product input coupled with the at least one injection product outlet port. The injection interface includes at least one throttling element in communication with the at least one injection product input, a mixing chamber, and an injection port configured for localized coupling and injection to a product dispenser.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an oscillating sprinkler system is provided that includes: a central tubular portion having at least one row of flexible nozzles; a cam plate located inside a peripheral wall of said central tubular member, said cam plate having a plurality of cam slots for adjusting positions of said flexible nozzles upon rotation of said cam plate within said peripheral wall; and said peripheral wall including a window via which an edge of said cam plate is observable during rotation of said cam plate such as to designate an extent of angular displacement of the nozzles based on the positioning of the cam plate within the window.

Abstract: An aerial firefighting system has a foam production unit attached to an aircraft. The foam production unit has a single unit variable block high expansion foam generator; a light weight bladder tank system for collection and storage of water; a light weight bladder tank system for storage of a foaming agent; a telemetry unit for adjusting air flow, foam agent proportioning, and water pressure; and tubing for foam stream straightening. The foam production unit also has a fan capable of delivering at least 75,000 cubic feet per minute of air. The incorporation of a high-CFM fan increases foam production capability more than tenfold over existing aerial firefighting systems. The volume of firefighting foam produced is in excess of 50,000 cubic feet of foam per minute.

Abstract: A sectional control funnel box (36) includes a box body having an upper receiving member (44) for receiving particulate matter, a lower manifold (46) configured to be mounted on a distribution plate (24), and a funnel mechanism (42) disposed between the upper receiving member and the lower manifold. The lower manifold includes a plurality of chutes (100) configured to direct the particulate matter to apertures (38) in the distribution plate. The funnel mechanism includes supply sections (54, 76) that include directing slots (56, 90) configured to provide the particulate matter from the upper receiving member to the chutes. An actuator (48) is attached to the funnel mechanism (42) and configured to drive the funnel mechanism between at least a first position, where a first one of the plurality of supply sections is aligned with the upper receiving member (44), and a second position, where a second one of the plurality of supply sections is aligned with the upper receiving member.

Abstract: A fire exposure protection sprinkler assembly includes a fluid supply line configured to provide fire exposure protection fluid and a fire exposure protection sprinkler. The fire exposure protection sprinkler includes a body coupled to the fluid supply line and configured to receive the fire exposure protection fluid, a sealing assembly configured to unseal in response to a fire such that fire exposure protection fluid may flow, a housing having a pair of legs arranged opposite the housing of each other and having an aperture, and a deflection assembly having a pair of guide pins coupled to a deflector and the housing and disposed within each of the apertures of the legs, wherein the deflection assembly is configured to extend from the housing, wherein the deflection assembly is configured to receive the flow of the fire exposure protection fluid while extending from the housing.

Abstract: A spreader device includes a container to contain spread substance, a first spreader portion having a first rotor to spray the spread substance contained in the container, a second spreader portion having a second rotor to spray the spread substance contained in the container, a first driver source to drive the first rotor, a first shaft to transmit a driving force outputted from the first driver source, a second shaft to transmit a driving force outputted from a second driver source different from the first driver source, and a selection transmitter portion to selectively transmit the driving force form the first shaft and the driving force from the second shaft to the first rotor or the second rotor.

Abstract: A spray gun system includes a spray gun, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The spray gun is configured to distribute a mixture of air and fluid onto a working surface. The pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the spray gun and is configured to measure fluid pressure within the spray gun system. The controller is electrically connected to the pressure sensor and is configured to calculate pressure error based on the measured pressure and a pressure set-point. The controller is further configured to increment a counter if the pressure error exceeds an error threshold, perform a flow control to adjust the pressure set-point to achieve a target flow rate in response to determining that the increment counter exceeds a count threshold, and perform a pressure control loop to adjust the fluid pressure within the spray gun system to achieve the pressure set-point.

Abstract: A sprayer support including a housing for a high-voltage unit or plug, a guiding member for at least one coating product hose, a retention member for air hoses, a first fastening member for fastening to a robot, and a second fastening member for fastening to a sprayer. The housing, the guiding member, the retention member, the first fastening member, and the second fastening member are formed from a single part.

Abstract: An electric blower is configured to blow air. The blower includes a body configured such that a sprayer attachment is attachable thereto. The body is configured to be carried integrally with the sprayer attachment with the sprayer attachment attached to the body. The sprayer attachment includes a container, a nozzle and a liquid supply passage. The container is configured to store a liquid. The nozzle has a discharge opening. The liquid supply passage is connected to the container and the nozzle to lead the liquid.

Abstract: An applicator head for a vacuum coating system includes a manifold shell having opposing shell plates, each including a conduit attachment coupled to a shell aperture. An applicator manifold is affixed to each shell plate. Each applicator manifold includes two coupled manifold plates, with one including a manifold aperture, and each is affixed to the respective shell plate so that each manifold aperture aligns with the respective shell aperture. An applicator channel is formed between the manifold plates of each applicator manifold, and the applicator channel is fluidically coupled to the manifold aperture of each respective applicator manifold. Each applicator channel forms an applicator port at a leading edge of each respective applicator manifold, and each leading edge is configured to be complementary in shape to an edge of a workpiece to be coated. First and second face plates are disposed over the leading edges of the applicator manifolds.

Abstract: A system and method for extinguishing wildfires with the assistance of soundwaves at a distance is provided. The system generally comprises a camera, output device, waveguide, processor, power supply, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that instruct the processor to perform operations of the system. In one preferred embodiment, a database may be operably connected to the processor and store any data associated with a combustion reaction therein. In some preferred embodiments, the system may comprise a computing device having a user interface, which may present, to a user, data that may inform the user about a particular combustion reaction and/or allow the user to control the system remotely. The system and method are designed to safely stop wildfires without a resource that must be spent and subsequently replenished.

Abstract: Wildfires release enormous quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in addition to devastating animal habitats, destroying homes, and causing fatalities. Drones equipped with artificial intelligence to navigate through wooded locations, fire-detection hardware, and firefighting hardware can protect the environment by preventing wildfires. Methods can use a drone system that includes one or more drones to prevent wildfires. Each drone can include an infrared camera configured to detect fires. Each drone can fly in view of areas that might have a fire. After detecting a fire, the drone system can put out the fire if the fire is small. The drone system can also notify systems and people who can put out the fire.

Abstract: Wildfires can quickly grow to enormous scales with devastating environmental impacts. Drone systems that provide early detection of wildfire risks can prevent wildfires before they grow out of control. Methods can use drones equipped with artificial intelligence to navigate through wooded locations and detect fire risks. Drones can include fire-detection hardware and fire-fighting hardware.

Abstract: A spray gun adapter establishes fluid communication between a fluid pump of a handheld airless spray gun and an applicator accessory. The adapter comprises an adapter body, a head attached to the adapter body, and a protrusion. The adapter body comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, a radial inlet located in a sidewall of the adapter body between the upper and lower portions, and an adapter bore having a first diameter in fluid communication with the radial inlet. The head comprises a cavity in fluid communication with the adapter bore and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, an adapter outlet located in the upper portion of the adapter body and in fluid communication with the cavity, and a handle extending radially from the head. The protrusion extends radially from the adapter body between the upper and lower portions of the adapter body.

Abstract: A boom for an agricultural machine includes at least two boom sections and a breakaway system. The first boom section connects to a vehicle and supports fluid delivery components. The second boom section connects to the first boom section in an extended position aligned with the first boom section. The breakaway system is coupled between the first boom section and the second boom section. The breakaway system moves the second boom section with respect to the first boom an initial amount in response to an external force exceeding an initial resistance of the breakaway system, and moves the first boom beyond the initial amount in response to the external force exceeding a second resistance of the breakaway system, wherein the initial resistance is greater than the second resistance. The breakaway system is further configured to return the second boom to the extended position upon removal of the external force.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. In accordance with various embodiments disclosed below, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be equipped with an easily attachable/removable module that includes an additive repair tool. The additive repair tool is configured to add material to a body of material. For example, the additive repair tool may be configured to apply a sealant or other coating material in liquid form to a damage site on a surface of a structure or object (e.g., by spraying liquid or launching liquid-filled capsules onto the surface). In alternative embodiments, the additive repair tool is configured to adhere a tape to the damage site.