Patents Examined by Darren W Gorman
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Patent number: 11596821Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbHInventors: Derek John Scheffers, Marc Serge Ferere, Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 11590518Abstract: A multi-mode fluid nozzle includes a generally-cylindrical mixing chamber with a stream mode fluid inlet connected to one side of the chamber, a fluid outlet connected to the opposite side of the chamber and a plurality of mist mode fluid inlets connected to the periphery of the chamber. The discharge pattern of the multi-mode fluid nozzle is dependent upon the inlets from which fluid enters the mixing chamber such that when the fluid enters the mixing chamber through the stream mode fluid inlet, the fluid exits the fluid outlet in a stream flow discharge pattern, when the fluid enters the mixing chamber through the mist mode fluid inlets, the fluid exits the fluid outlet in a mist flow discharge pattern and when the fluid enters the mixing chamber through the stream mode and the mist mode fluid inlets, the fluid exits the fluid outlet in a droplet flow discharge pattern.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Innomist LLCInventor: Xinqi Rong
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Patent number: 11590371Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignees: Viking Group, Inc., Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbHInventors: Martin H. Workman, Scott T. Franson, James E. Golinveaux
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Patent number: 11583872Abstract: A showerhead engine includes a first plate joined to a second plate with a cavity therebetween. Water enters the cavity through an angled hole in the first plate and flows in a swirling motion about the central axis. A paddle wheel is spun within the cavity by the swirling water. A notched cutout in the paddle wheel forms an exit passage through a through hole in the second plate allowing the water to exit when the notched cutout lines up with slots in the second plate. The revolving paddle wheel continues to revolve thereby revolving the notched cutout and producing a revolving spray pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.Inventor: Zachary Keoki Hong
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Patent number: 11583715Abstract: The proposed technical solution relates to fire prevention equipment and can be used in industrial and civilian properties, including with an increased risk of fire, for locating hot spots, and also for efficiently extinguishing fires in facilities using automatic fire-extinguishing systems. The technical problem addressed by the claimed invention is to produce a fire-extinguishing device which does not have the drawbacks mentioned and has increased reliability, efficiency and manufacturability. The technical result of the claimed invention consists in elimination of the drawbacks of the prior art, in an increase in the reliability and manufacturability of a fire-extinguishing device and thus in an increase in the fire-extinguishing efficiency overall.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Inventor: Nikolay Vadimovich Sova
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Patent number: 11577108Abstract: An automatic fire protection sprinkler assembly for fire protection systems that includes a tubular outer housing having an inlet, an outlet opening and an internal shelf proximate the outlet opening. A fluid deflection member is spaced from the outlet opening along a fluid flow path of the assembly. A fluid control assembly is disposed within the outer housing for axial translation from an unactuated state to an actuated state of the sprinkler assembly. The fluid control assembly includes a seal subassembly, a fluid flow tube; and an ejectable support subassembly. The support subassembly includes a projection member. Upon actuation of a thermally responsive trigger, the support subassembly is ejected out the outlet opening such that the projection member comes into contact with the internal shelf of the housing to pivot the support subassembly out of the fluid flow path.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbHInventors: Andrew T. Thompson, Gary William Pleyte, Sylvain Coupal
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Patent number: 11577260Abstract: A showerhead includes a flow device and a flow distribution member. The flow device is configured to produce a substantially laminar fluid stream. The flow distribution member is coupled to the flow device and is spaced apart from the flow device. The flow distribution member is configured to receive the substantially laminar fluid stream from the flow device and to produce a distributed fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Michael J. Soetaert, James J. Barczynski, Paul B. Georgeson, Todd W. Leonhard
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Patent number: 11547887Abstract: A valve comprises a housing having a main inlet, a detection port and an outlet, each providing a channel extending from an exterior of the valve into a hollow interior defined in part by the housing. The inlet is arranged, in use, to be in fluid communication with the interior of a pressurised cylinder of extinguishant fluid. The detection port is arranged, in use, to be in fluid communication with a fire detection system. The valve has two valve parts which are relatively movable between a first position, a second position and a third position. In the first position, a face seal prevents communication between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber, in the second position, the face seal is in an unsealed position and allows communication between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber, and in the third position, the face seal prevents communication between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Firetrace Ltd.Inventor: David L. Melton
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Patent number: 11548015Abstract: One variation of a system includes: a mount defining an inlet configured to couple to a water supply; a body defining a fluid circuit and coupled to the mount; and a pressure regulator interposed between the inlet and the fluid circuit and configured to regulate water supplied at the inlet over a range of inlet pressures to a range of internal pressures less than and narrower than the range of inlet pressures. A set of nozzles arranged on the body and coupled to the fluid circuit are configured to, in response to the pressure regulator regulating a first inlet pressure down to a first internal pressure, discharge water droplets: exiting the body with kinetic energies in a range of kinetic energies; exiting the body in a first spray pattern defining a first width at a target distance below the body, and exhibiting a first volumetric ratio of water to air.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Nebia Inc.Inventors: Gabriel Parisi-Amon, David Shulman, Jad Nasrallah, Brian Willkom, Thomas E. Murphy
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Patent number: 11541261Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the integrity of a dry pipe sprinkler system. The system can includes an auxiliary drain including a main collection pipe, a heater having a bracket configured to attach the heater to the main collection pipe of the auxiliary drain, the bracket including a deflector configured to direct heat from the heater onto the main collection pipe, and a self-draining apparatus configured to receive excess water from the auxiliary drain.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: AGF MANUFACTURING INC.Inventors: Bentley F. Gleeson, Michael B. Ferrucci, George J. McHugh, IV, James P. McHugh
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Patent number: 11529643Abstract: A nozzle cleaning apparatus has one cleaning liquid outlet to which a nozzle is attached, and the other cleaning liquid outlet to which a cleaning attachment is attached. The cleaning attachment includes a nozzle cover, and a cleaning holder attached to the nozzle cover. A cleaning chamber is formed in the nozzle cover. A cleaning liquid inflow chamber, an outer cleaning liquid ejection port, and a cleaning liquid discharge hole are formed in the cleaning holder. A cleaning liquid ejected in a first direction from the nozzle and a cleaning liquid ejected in a second direction from the outer cleaning liquid ejection portion toward the nozzle collide with each other near discharge portions inside the cleaning chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.Inventors: Shohji Karaki, Mitsuo Urano, Tomoya Osumi, Shinpei Kakiuchi
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Patent number: 11525249Abstract: A top spray-water outlet device includes a top spray body, a switching device, clamping jaws, and elastic members. A water inlet, a shower water outlet and two top-spray water outlets are provided in the middle of an upper end of the top spray body. The water inlet is respectively connected to the shower water outlet and the top-spray water outlets. The switching device is arranged on one side above the top spray body. Upper and lower surfaces of the clamping jaw are respectively provided with a rotating shaft and a number of water outlet holes. The rotating shaft is rotatably fitted at the top-spray water outlet and is movably sealed. A water inlet hole is provided above the rotating shaft. The clamping jaws can function as a clamping mechanism to fix the hand shower and also as a water outlet device to spray water in this way.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2022Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: XIAMEN GALENPOO KITCHEN & BATHROOM TECHNOLOGY CO., LTDInventor: Xiaoling Yan
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Patent number: 11517777Abstract: A fire protection system is provided for a space having a roof including a pitched portion and at least one end portion having a hip, sloping downward from an apex substantially coinciding with an end of the pitched portion toward an eave and extending outward toward the ends of the sides of the pitched portion. The hip may have a lower hip, including jack trusses, and an upper hip, including stepdown trusses. Within the upper hip, at least two rows of sprinklers may be placed, with a first row of sprinklers located substantially at the apex. The maximum allowable spacing between sprinklers in a direction perpendicular to the slope of the hip may be greater than a maximum allowable spacing between rows of sprinklers, i.e., in a direction parallel to the slope of the hip.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANYInventors: John Desrosier, Kevin Desmond Maughan, Stephen J. Meyer, Thomas Edwin Archibald
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Patent number: 11490561Abstract: A spreader for broadcasting granular or particulate material over a surface includes a dual rotor configuration, a material deflection system, and a portable electronic device holder. The material deflection system includes components for deflecting material broadcasted by each of the rotors. The spreader includes a walking speed indicator to inform the user whether the current speed is too fast, too slow, or within an acceptable reference range.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: OMS Investments, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Hsu, Ryan R. Berger, Daniel Wisniewski, Johannes Hertrich, John Knittle, Eric Glassner
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Patent number: 11484738Abstract: An integrated operator interface for a fire suppression system is provided. The fire suppression system includes an engine, a water source, a water pump, a foam system and a compressed air system. The integrated operator interface includes a control panel including a plurality of one-touch activation controls. Each one-touch activation control is configured to cause the output of a predetermined fire suppression fluid from the fire suppression system and cause a predetermined increase in engine speed resulting in an associated increase in water pump pressure. The predetermined fire suppression fluid comprising a predetermined flow of water, a predetermined type of foamant, a predetermined concentration of the predetermined type of foamant, and a predetermined flow of compressed air.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: HALE PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Alan Smith
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Patent number: 11478803Abstract: A showerhead having a plurality of nozzle groups for dispensing water in a plurality of spray patterns, and a selector for selecting one or more of the nozzle groups for dispensing water or for pausing flow from the showerhead. When the selector is configured to pause flow from the showerhead a minimum flow is provided to each of the plurality of nozzle groups.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: HOMEWERKS WORLDWIDE, LLCInventors: John C. Holzheimer, Martin D. Marsic
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Patent number: 11473256Abstract: The invention relates to a modular system for weed control for a rail vehicle. The modular system has a control unit for producing control signals for controlling valves and mixers in a separate herbicide and mixing module and for producing a second set of control signals for controlling valves of a nozzle rod. The herbicide and mixing module has a container for holding different herbicides and electrical connection elements for connections to the control unit. Furthermore, a nozzle rod is present, which is fitted with a nozzle set, in order to spray herbicides of the herbicide and mixing module. In addition, a camera module is present, which produces a weed signal in response to the detection of a weed, in order to control the spraying of the herbicides. The camera module is at such a distance from the nozzle rod that, despite high speed, there is sufficient time to provide the herbicide at the nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hinnerk Baßfeld, Thomas Arians, Nils Keilholz
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Patent number: 11473822Abstract: A method and apparatus to create falling snow for use at ski resorts, theme parks and test and training facilities for use with drones, motor vehicles, autonomous vehicles and aircraft components.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Inventor: Alfio Bucceri
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Patent number: 11458489Abstract: A shower with an adjustable water spray comprises a body portion and an adjusting member. The body portion comprises a water inlet passage and a plurality of water outlet nozzles. The adjusting member comprises a plurality of adjusting portions, and an outer side of each of plurality of adjusting portions comprises a plurality of adjusting grooves extending longitudinally. A size of each of the plurality of adjusting grooves gradually reduces in a downward direction. An inner wall of each of the plurality of water outlet nozzles comprises a sealing portion, and each of plurality of adjusting portion extends into a corresponding one of the plurality of water outlet nozzles and hermetically and movably cooperates with a corresponding one of the sealing portions. The plurality of adjusting grooves of each of the plurality of adjusting portions and a corresponding one of the sealing portions defines an adjustable water outlet hole.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: XIAMEN LOTA INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Xuedong Wang, Jianmin Zhuang, Jiangcheng Zhang, Chuanbao Zhu
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Patent number: 11458487Abstract: A multi-mode showerhead having a housing with a front and a rear and an offset integrated water filter system incorporated into the showerhead. The multi-mode offset filtered showerhead has multiple nozzle assemblies, one of which is movable or rotatable and another of which is removable and may contain a unit to hold a water filter cartridge for insertion and removal from the integrated water filter system incorporated into the showerhead. A selector switch and other water flow control devices are used to selectively control the flow of water through the showerhead to the nozzle assemblies. The showerhead is mounted on a shower arm by way of a single water inlet on the rear of the housing and is fluidly connected to a hollow filter chamber in the integrated water filter system.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Inventor: David K. Farley