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).

  • Publication number: 20230241439
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Andrew K. Loeffelman
  • Publication number: 20220161079
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Adam H. Hilton
  • Publication number: 20210244986
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
  • Publication number: 20210244987
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
  • Publication number: 20210213317
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucus E. Kirn
  • Patent number: 11000718
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
  • Publication number: 20200346060
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Adam H. Hilton
  • Patent number: 10486006
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton
  • Patent number: 10077860
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Kenneth Jones, Adam H. Hilton
  • Publication number: 20180126204
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn, Matthew J. Kochelek
  • Publication number: 20180064978
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
  • Publication number: 20180064976
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. KOCHELEK, Adam H. HILTON
  • Patent number: 9884216
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ENGINEERED CORROSION SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn, Matthew J. Kochelek
  • Patent number: 9839802
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
  • Publication number: 20170100617
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. KOCHELEK, Adam H. HILTON
  • Publication number: 20160030786
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. KOCHELEK, Lucas E. KIRN, Adam H. HILTON, Gerard J. VAN MOORSEL
  • Publication number: 20150290483
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
  • Patent number: 9095736
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Lucas E. Kirn
  • Publication number: 20150083441
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. KOCHELEK, Adam H. HILTON, Lucas E. KIRN, Matthew J. KOCHELEK
  • Publication number: 20150034170
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicants: HOLTEC GAS SYSTEMS, LLC, ENGINEERED CORROSION SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Kenneth Nmi Jones, Adam H. Hilton