Patents Examined by Cody J Lieuwen
  • Patent number: 11413482
    Abstract: Firefighting gas releasing apparatuses may include a trigger housing. A containment shell having a plurality of interfaceable shell sections may be carried by the trigger housing. The shell sections may be positional in a closed shell configuration and an open shell configuration. A shell interior may be formed by the shell sections in the closed shell configuration of the containment shell. The shell interior may be configured to contain a supply of at least one fire-suppressing gas. A plurality of shell retention members may removably engage the shell sections. A shell retention strap may releasably engage the shell retention members. The shell retention strap and the shell retention members may retain the shell sections in the closed shell configuration of the containment shell. A retainer piston may be disposed in the trigger housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Philip Beard
  • Patent number: 11413636
    Abstract: Spray gun reservoir components are disclosed. The spray gun reservoir component includes a liquid outlet and an outer face, and defines a centerline plane and an attachment plane. The liquid outlet surrounds a longitudinal axis. The outer face extends away from the liquid outlet. The centerline plane passes through the longitudinal axis. The attachment plane is defined orthogonally to the longitudinal axis and the centerline plane. The outer face further comprises a retention feature extending away from the centerline plane and generally parallel to the attachment plane. In some embodiments, the spray gun reservoir component further comprises a bearing surface formed on the outer face along the attachment plane to engage with a corresponding bearing surface on a liquid spray gun attachment point, with the bearing surface comprising the retention feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alexander T. Ebertowski, Andrew R. Henry, Stephen C. P. Joseph, Anna M. Hegdahl
  • Patent number: 11407384
    Abstract: A device for dispensing liquid onto a target area of a vehicle surface is described, and includes a mixing valve that is in communication with a pressurized fluidic supply system via a fluidic distribution system, and a controller. The mixing valve includes an outlet orifice that is disposed proximal to the target area, and the mixing valve includes first and second valve conduits that are fluidly connected to the outlet orifice via a mixing portion. The first valve conduit includes a first control valve, and the second valve conduit includes a second control valve. The fluidic distribution system includes a first fluidic conduit and a second fluidic conduit. The controller is operatively connected to the fluidic supply system, and the first and second control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: UUSI, LLC
    Inventors: Demetris A. Agrotis, David Shank, Edward J. Cox
  • Patent number: 11400330
    Abstract: A fire suppression sprinkler has a deflector with two slots aligned with the deflector support arms. The two slots extend from opposite sides of a periphery of the deflector along a common line which passes though the sprinkler's flow axis. The two slots extend to a point which underlies the sprinkler's nose at the ends of the support arms to which the deflector is attached. Other slots extend from the periphery of the deflector along lines which do not pass through the sprinkler flow axis. The other slots extend to points in spaced relation to the nose. Regions of the deflector periphery surrounding the first and second slots are closer to the flow axis than other regions of the periphery. The area of each of the first and second slots is greater than the area of any other slot in the deflector plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventor: Thomas F. Wancho
  • Patent number: 11389679
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler is provided that includes a conduit with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve positioned near the fluid inlet and a fire sprinkler head that is positioned near the fluid outlet. The fire sprinkler head is operably connected to the valve by a tie. When the fire sprinkler head reacts to an elevated temperature condition, the tie is engaged and is operable to open the valve. In a normal state, before the fire sprinkler head reacts, the tie can be unbiased toward the fire sprinkler head. The tie can also be non-rigid and/or in a non-compressed state within the conduit. The conduit of the dry sprinkler can be flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard A. Bucher, Frank J. Cygler, William J. Reilly, Yi Liu, Lawrence W. Thau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11372432
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote monitoring system for a fluid applicator system is disclosed. The fluid applicator system is disposed to heat and pump spray fluid, and to transmit reports including sensed temperatures, pressures, and other operational parameters of the fluid applicator system via a wireless network. The remote monitoring system comprises a data storage server, and an end user interface. The data storage server is configured to receive and archive the reports. The end user interface is configured to provide a graphical user interface based on the reports. The graphical user interface illustrates a status of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded temperatures of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded pressures of the fluid handling system, and usage statistics of the fluid handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano
  • Patent number: 11358159
    Abstract: A shower device including a housing and a spray engine. The housing defines an inlet for a water supply. The spray engine includes an elastomeric layer providing a spray face and defining an outlet, a support layer having a first surface engaging the elastomeric layer and an opposite, second surface, the support layer defining a plurality of openings between the first surface and the second surface, material of the elastomeric layer extending axially through each of the plurality of openings to the second surface and radially over a portion of the second surface in a plurality of separate and individual flanges, the flanges providing an integrated seal on the second surface of the support layer. The elastomeric layer forms a continuous elastic coating covering the outer surfaces of the front and sides of the spray face and extending from the spray face through the openings to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Pete Kajuch
  • Patent number: 11351407
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized foam former (1) for foaming a foam-water concentrate, which foam former consists of a curved grate having diamond-shaped openings (13) and sharp edges (12). The structure of the foam former increases the foam formation and ensures uniform distribution of the foam over a large area. Existing water sprinklers having a nozzle (3) and a spray disk (2) can be provided with the foam former (1) and thus converted into foam sprinklers in a simple manner. The foam former (1) is arranged in such a way that the foam former (1) protrudes beyond the spray disk (2) toward the nozzle (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: EUROSPRINKLER AG
    Inventors: Markus Thoma, Jens Stubenrauch
  • Patent number: 11339756
    Abstract: An injector is described for injecting a fluid, in particular a fuel, comprising a solenoid actuator for operating a closing element, which releases and closes a through opening, the solenoid actuator including an armature which is connected to the closing element, an internal pole and an external magnetic circuit component, and the magnetic circuit component is a rolled magnetic sleeve made from a strip material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ralph Ittlinger
  • Patent number: 11337561
    Abstract: A shower nozzle assembly includes a shower nozzle, a nozzle attachment, and a bayonet connector. The shower nozzle has a water inlet opening and a water outlet part spaced from the water inlet opening, with the water outlet opening being configured to direct a flow of water out of the shower nozzle. The nozzle attachment has a through bore configured to receive the water outlet part therein. The bayonet connection is operative to secure the nozzle attachment to the shower nozzle, and includes a radial projection and a female bayonet receptor part configured to receive the radial projection therein to secure the shower nozzle to the nozzle attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Justrite Manufacturing Company L.L.C.
    Inventors: Anthony Douglas Hughes, Neil Sholes
  • Patent number: 11332247
    Abstract: An atomizing disc, an atomizing device with the atomizing disc, and an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The atomizing disc includes: a bottom disc, an upper surface of the bottom disc being provided with a liquid inlet space; and a plurality of ribs, the plurality of ribs being disposed on the upper surface of the bottom disc and being spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the bottom disc. A centrifugal flow passage in communication with the liquid inlet space is defined between two adjacent ribs and the bottom disc. An end of a rib close to an edge of the bottom disc is provided with a first groove penetrating a side portion of the rib so as to cut fluid flowing through the centrifugal flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU XAIRCRAFT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiesun Li, Shenghua Li
  • Patent number: 11311760
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for use in fire suppression systems for use in vehicle and industrial fire protection systems. The actuator assembly engages a cartridge of pressurized gas and releases the gas contained therein with a puncturing assembly. The actuator assembly includes a receptacle that controls the manner in which the actuator assembly and cartridge engage one another. The actuator assembly is configured for electrical and pneumatic actuation for rupturing the seal of the cartridge of pressurized gas. The actuator assembly has a housing that includes at least one inlet port that is coupled to a pressurized gas source, which is formed between a first chamber for electrical components sealed from the operative environment of the actuator assembly and a second chambers for the puncturing assembly. The actuator assembly allows for serial interconnection of multiple actuator assemblies for operation by a single source of pressurized gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Chad L. Ryczek, Richard J. Biehl, Brian L. Counts
  • Patent number: 11305297
    Abstract: The invention relates to various low flow rate fluidic nozzle inserts having a reverse mushroom-shaped mushroom insert geometry that are useful for a wide range of spraying and cleaning applications. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to fluidic nozzle inserts that are able to perform at low flow rates with geometrical and dimensional limitations. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to compact fluidic nozzle inserts that provide a manner by which to attain a desired level of performance in a fluidic nozzle assembly for small scale applications at low flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Han, Shridhar Gopalan, Chunling Zhao
  • Patent number: 11278924
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Jerdee, Thomas P. Daigle, Shawn C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11272799
    Abstract: A drinking straw comprising an elongate tubular body of an insoluble material having an internal coating comprising a matrix containing an active agent dispersed within the matrix, the body sized to allow a carrier liquid to be drawn therethrough such that passage of the carrier liquid causes the matrix to release the active agent into the carrier liquid to be consumed by a drinker. The matrix comprises partially hydrolysed guar gum, possibly in combination with an acid and/or modified cellulose. The active agent includes sweetener, flavour, a nutrient and/or a pharmaceutical and optionally colour. The coating is prepared by mixing the matrix with water to form a paste or syrup and is then used to coat the inside surface of a drinking straw to a thickness of less than 1 mm. Liquid drawn through the straw dissolves or breaks down the coating, releasing the active agent into the liquid for consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: UNISTRAW CORP.
    Inventor: Kendall Norman Palazzi
  • Patent number: 11247087
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to an automated structure and curtilage protection system including a mechanical system hub, a piped network, a plurality of spray nozzles, and a remote user control portal. The mechanical system hub includes at least one of a control center, a pump, a pressure tank, a plurality of controllable valves, and a chemical injector assembly. The system is structured to autonomously take system action depending on a hierarchy of preprogrammed threat levels. The system is also structured to autonomously deliver water at set time intervals onto a structure and curtilage when instruction sets corresponding to relative threat levels have been activated. The system is further structured to autonomously deliver chemically infused water solely onto a structure's curtilage for a set time interval when instruction sets corresponding to a relative threat level have been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher Joel McDonald
  • Patent number: 11246304
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting dry material clogs in a work vehicle having an air boom assembly includes moving the work vehicle at a vehicle speed along a ground surface, moving dry material from a holding tank onto a conveyor, and operating the conveyor at a conveyor speed, the conveyor speed being at least partially dependent upon the vehicle speed, moving material from the conveyor into a boom assembly with a blower, dispensing the dry material onto the ground surface through a plurality of nozzles of the boom assembly, and comparing the conveyor speed to a maximum acceptable conveyor speed. If the conveyor speed is greater than the maximum acceptable conveyor speed, the method includes performing at least one of the following: alerting the operator that the conveyor speed is greater than the maximum acceptable speed, and reducing the vehicle speed to thereby reduce the speed of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew R. Oliver, David A. Hanson
  • Patent number: 11240975
    Abstract: A water irrigation system is provided for irrigating a plurality of zones. The water irrigation system includes a set of acoustic pressure modulators for generating a set of modulated acoustic pressure signals that include an actuating pressure signal and a de-actuating pressure signal. The set of acoustic pressure modulators include different subsets. The different subsets control different ones of the plurality of zones by selectively providing the same or different ones of the actuating and de-actuating pressure signals to the different ones of the plurality of zones at any given time. The water irrigation system further includes a set of acoustically-reactive irrigating elements disposed in each of the plurality of zones, each including an acoustically-reactive oscillating disk based water emitter. The acoustically-reactive oscillating disk based water emitter is selectively actuated or de-actuated responsive to the actuating pressure signal and the de-actuating pressure signal, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Levente Klein, Alejandro G. Schrott, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 11224211
    Abstract: A sprayer boom breakaway joint with a staged release and forced lift system is implemented with an agricultural sprayer. The system provides positive locking to restrain a breakaway joint against movement from a neutral position until an impact with a breakaway boom segment provides sufficient force to overcome the neutral holding force. Once released from the neutral position, the breakaway boom segment may at least initially experience a lesser holding force that biases the breakaway boom segment toward the neutral position and the breakaway boom segment may move along a path that has an upward movement component in addition to a rearward movement component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Pilney, Derrick Fallon
  • Patent number: 11213835
    Abstract: The water-saving nozzle has an outer housing that includes an outer vortex screw in operative engagement with an inner housing that is disposed inside the outer housing. The vortex screw has helical threads. The inner housing has an inner vortex screw with outside helical threads. When water passes through the outer and inner vortex screws the water is rotated before the water passes into the vortex chambers of the inner and outer housings. The water discharged from the outer housing forms an outer dome shape and the water discharged from the inner housing forms an inner dome shape inside the outer dome shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Altered Stockholm AB
    Inventor: Kaj Verner Mickos