Patents by Inventor Adam H. Hilton
Adam H. Hilton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230241439Abstract: A nozzle plug for a deluge fire protection system having nozzles connected with a pipe network, the nozzles having a pipe connection with a nozzle chamber and a nozzle orifice allowing for the flow of water toward a deflector for dispersal, includes a plug body configured to fit within the nozzle chamber and/or nozzle orifice and form a seal of the nozzle orifice; a deformable component connected with the plug body configured to retain the seal of the nozzle orifice up to a predetermined pressure level above atmospheric pressure within the pipe network and to deform when a current pressure with the pipe network exceeds the predetermined pressure level and release the seal of the nozzle orifice to allow for the flow of water through the nozzle orifice; and wherein the deformable component is configurable to calibrate a deformation point corresponding to the predetermined pressure level.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2021Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Andrew K. Loeffelman
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Publication number: 20220161079Abstract: An air maintenance device (AMD) for fire protection system includes a gas inlet configured to couple with a source of compressed gas; a gas outlet configured to couple with a pipe network of the fire protection system; a first sensor configured to sense a system parameter of the pipe network of the fire protection system and to produce a first output corresponding to the system parameter; a first gas flow valve in fluid communication with and between the inlet and the outlet; and a first control circuit in communication with the sensor and with the first gas flow valve. The first gas flow valve is electrically controlled and configured to control a flow of gas from the source of compressed gas into the pipe network. The control circuit is configured to receive the first output from the sensor and output a control signal that is a function of the system parameter to the first gas flow valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2018Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventor: Adam H. Hilton
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Publication number: 20210244986Abstract: A corrosion monitoring device for pipe systems according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The corrosion monitoring device further includes a structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor a pressure in the sealed chamber or for sensing a liquid in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
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Publication number: 20210244987Abstract: A corrosion monitoring device for pipe systems according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The corrosion monitoring device further includes a structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor a pressure in the sealed chamber or for sensing a liquid in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
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Publication number: 20210213317Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a liquid in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucus E. Kirn
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Patent number: 11000718Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLCInventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
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Publication number: 20200346060Abstract: An adjustable inert gas generation assembly for producing a flow of inert gas for introduction into a pipe network of a fire protection system includes an inert gas generator with an outlet in fluid communication with the pipe network and configured for selectively producing a flow of inert gas to the pipe network at least at a first purity level and a second purity level, wherein the first purity level is produced while the assembly is in a first mode and the second purity level is produced while the assembly is in a second mode; wherein the second purity level is higher than the first purity level; and a control circuit in electrical communication with the inert gas generator and configured to selectively switch the inert gas generator between the first and second modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventor: Adam H. Hilton
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Patent number: 10486006Abstract: One example of a redundant vent for a water-based fire sprinkler system having a pipe network includes a unitary valve body defining a primary valve chamber and a redundant valve chamber, a primary float valve positioned within the primary valve chamber, and a redundant float valve positioned within the redundant valve chamber. The primary float valve and the primary valve chamber form a primary gas vent. The redundant float valve and the redundant valve chamber form a redundant gas vent. The primary gas vent is coupled to the redundant gas vent. The primary gas vent and the redundant gas vent are each configured to vent gas but not water from the pipe network when the redundant vent is coupled to the pipe network. Various optional features, components and water-based fire sprinkler systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLCInventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton
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Patent number: 10077860Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system and method of inerting a fire protection sprinkler system includes connecting an inerting system to the piping network of a fire protection sprinkler system having a piping network and at least one sprinkler head connected with the piping network. The inerting system includes an inert gas source that is adapted to supply inert gas to the piping network and an inerting gas vent assembly. The gas vent assembly has a gas vent adapted to discharge gas, a solenoid and a control. The solenoid is adapted to selectively open the gas vent and to close the gas vent. The gas vent discharges gas when the solenoid opens the gas vent and does not discharge gas when the solenoid closes the gas vent. The control is adapted to operate the solenoid in a manner that allows the gas vent to discharge gas for a limited amount of time.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLCInventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Kenneth Jones, Adam H. Hilton
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Publication number: 20180126204Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes a water source, a sprinkler, a piping network interconnecting the water source and the sprinkler, and an automatic gas vent coupled to the piping network and configured to discharge gas from the system. The automatic gas vent includes a sensor configured to sense a presence or absence of a liquid and an electrically operated valve. The automatic gas vent is configured to open the electrically operated valve in response to the sensor sensing the absence of a liquid and close the electrically operated valve in response to the sensor sensing the presence of a liquid. Automatic gas vent assemblies and methods of venting and discharging gas from fire protection sprinkler systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn, Matthew J. Kochelek
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Publication number: 20180064978Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
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Publication number: 20180064976Abstract: One example of a redundant vent for a water-based fire sprinkler system having a pipe network includes a unitary valve body defining a primary valve chamber and a redundant valve chamber, a primary float valve positioned within the primary valve chamber, and a redundant float valve positioned within the redundant valve chamber. The primary float valve and the primary valve chamber form a primary gas vent. The redundant float valve and the redundant valve chamber form a redundant gas vent. The primary gas vent is coupled to the redundant gas vent. The primary gas vent and the redundant gas vent are each configured to vent gas but not water from the pipe network when the redundant vent is coupled to the pipe network. Various optional features, components and water-based fire sprinkler systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2016Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey T. KOCHELEK, Adam H. HILTON
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Patent number: 9884216Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes a water source, a sprinkler, a piping network interconnecting the water source and the sprinkler, and an automatic gas vent coupled to the piping network and configured to discharge gas from the system. The automatic gas vent includes a sensor configured to sense a presence or absence of a liquid and an electrically operated valve. The automatic gas vent is configured to open the electrically operated valve in response to the sensor sensing the absence of a liquid and close the electrically operated valve in response to the sensor sensing the presence of a liquid. Automatic gas vent assemblies and methods of venting and discharging gas from fire protection sprinkler systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: ENGINEERED CORROSION SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn, Matthew J. Kochelek
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Patent number: 9839802Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC.Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
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Publication number: 20170100617Abstract: A method of monitoring a water-based fire sprinkler system having a piping network and one or more sprinkler components includes receiving one or more signals from the one or more sprinkler components, the one or more signals indicative of one or more parameters of the water-based fire sprinkler system, and displaying information representing the one or more parameters on a computer device having a display, sending one or more control signals to one or more of the sprinkler components, and/or sending one or more signals to another computer device. A monitoring device for a water-based fire sprinkler system includes at least one computer device configured to perform one or more of the methods disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2015Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey T. KOCHELEK, Adam H. HILTON
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Publication number: 20160030786Abstract: A method of inhibiting oxygen in ambient air from entering a water supply system having at least one ingress point at which a fluid can enter the water supply system includes supplying an inert gas to the at least one ingress point of the water supply system. The inert gas enters the water supply system at the at least one ingress point and substantially inhibits ambient air including oxygen from entering the water supply system at the at least one ingress point to substantially inhibit oxygen corrosion in the water supply system. Example pump assemblies for coupling to water supply systems, piping networks, and water-based fire sprinkler systems for inhibiting ambient air, including oxygen it may contain, from entering the systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Jeffrey T. KOCHELEK, Lucas E. KIRN, Adam H. HILTON, Gerard J. VAN MOORSEL
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Publication number: 20150290483Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
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Patent number: 9095736Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLCInventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
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Publication number: 20150083441Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes a water source, a sprinkler, a piping network interconnecting the water source and the sprinkler, and an automatic gas vent coupled to the piping network and configured to discharge gas from the system. The automatic gas vent includes a sensor configured to sense a presence or absence of a liquid and an electrically operated valve. The automatic gas vent is configured to open the electrically operated valve in response to the sensor sensing the absence of a liquid and close the electrically operated valve in response to the sensor sensing the presence of a liquid. Automatic gas vent assemblies and methods of venting and discharging gas from fire protection sprinkler systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey T. KOCHELEK, Adam H. HILTON, Lucas E. KIRN, Matthew J. KOCHELEK
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Publication number: 20150034170Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system and method of inerting a fire protection sprinkler system includes connecting an inerting system to the piping network of a fire protection sprinkler system having a piping network and at least one sprinkler head connected with the piping network. The inerting system includes an inert gas source that is adapted to supply inert gas to the piping network and an inerting gas vent assembly. The gas vent assembly has a gas vent adapted to discharge gas, a solenoid and a control. The solenoid is adapted to selectively open the gas vent and to close the gas vent. The gas vent discharges gas when the solenoid opens the gas vent and does not discharge gas when the solenoid closes the gas vent. The control is adapted to operate the solenoid in a manner that allows the gas vent to discharge gas for a limited amount of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2012Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicants: HOLTEC GAS SYSTEMS, LLC, ENGINEERED CORROSION SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Kenneth Nmi Jones, Adam H. Hilton