Patents by Inventor Andrew T Thompson

Andrew T Thompson 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: 20230118207
    Abstract: Corrosion resistant sprinklers and methods thereof include a sprinkler frame body having an internal passageway with an inlet and an outlet; a fluid deflecting member spaced from the outlet and means for non-frangible thermal actuation fluid control after exposure to an extreme salt environment. Means include a seal assembly disposed in the outlet, a screw member engaged with the sprinkler frame and a link assembly in a supporting orientation with respect to the sealing assembly to maintain and control transfer of a sealing force of the screw member against the seal assembly in a corrosive environment. Methods of obtaining or providing a corrosion resistant sprinkler include exposing sprinklers to a salt spray for an exposure period of over ten days and maintaining seal integrity after the exposure period and subsequently operating each sprinkler in a bath test within 3.5% of a nominal temperature rating of the sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Andrew T. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 11577108
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew T. Thompson, Gary William Pleyte, Sylvain Coupal
  • Publication number: 20220347504
    Abstract: 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 oa 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew T. THOMPSON, Gary William PLEYTE, Sylvain COUPAL
  • Patent number: 11484739
    Abstract: Corrosion resistant sprinklers and methods thereof include a sprinkler frame body having an internal passageway with an inlet and an outlet; a fluid deflecting member spaced from the outlet and means for non-frangible thermal actuation fluid control after exposure to an extreme salt environment. Means include a seal assembly disposed in the outlet, a screw member engaged with the sprinkler frame and a link assembly in a supporting orientation with respect to the sealing assembly to maintain and control transfer of a sealing force of the screw member against the seal assembly in a corrosive environment. Methods of obtaining or providing a corrosion resistant sprinkler include exposing sprinklers to a salt spray for an exposure period of over ten days and maintaining seal integrity after the exposure period and subsequently operating each sprinkler in a bath test within 3.5% of a nominal temperature rating of the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventor: Andrew T. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210205648
    Abstract: Corrosion resistant sprinklers and methods thereof include a sprinkler frame body having an internal passageway with an inlet and an outlet; a fluid deflecting member spaced from the outlet and means for non-frangible thermal actuation fluid control after exposure to an extreme salt environment. Means include a seal assembly disposed in the outlet, a screw member engaged with the sprinkler frame and a link assembly in a supporting orientation with respect to the sealing assembly to maintain and control transfer of a sealing force of the screw member against the seal assembly in a corrosive environment. Methods of obtaining or providing a corrosion resistant sprinkler include exposing sprinklers to a salt spray for an exposure period of over ten days and maintaining seal integrity after the exposure period and subsequently operating each sprinkler in a bath test within 3.5% of a nominal temperature rating of the sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventor: Andrew T. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 10512808
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler assembly includes a housing, a sprinkler head assembly with a sprinkler head and a trigger assembly, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly has a sealing subassembly for sealing the inlet port of the housing and is operatively coupled to the trigger assembly such that the sealing subassembly releases the sealing of the inlet port in response to the trigger assembly releasing its closure at the outlet opening. The sealing subassembly moves in a linear path substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the housing when releasing the sealing of the inlet port wherein the flow of fire suppressant through the inlet port and into the fluid flow passage is substantially unimpeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Andrew T. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10220231
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler assembly includes a housing, a sprinkler head assembly with a sprinkler head and a trigger assembly, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly has a sealing subassembly for sealing the inlet port of the housing and is operatively coupled to the trigger assembly such that the sealing subassembly releases the sealing of the inlet port in response to the trigger assembly releasing its closure at the outlet opening. The sealing subassembly moves in a linear path substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the housing when releasing the sealing of the inlet port wherein the flow of fire suppressant through the inlet port and into the fluid flow passage is substantially unimpeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Andrew T. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170036049
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler assembly includes a housing, a sprinkler head assembly with a sprinkler head and a trigger assembly, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly has a sealing subassembly for sealing the inlet port of the housing and is operatively coupled to the trigger assembly such that the sealing subassembly releases the sealing of the inlet port in response to the trigger assembly releasing its closure at the outlet opening. The sealing subassembly moves in a linear path substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the housing when releasing the sealing of the inlet port wherein the flow of fire suppressant through the inlet port and into the fluid flow passage is substantially unimpeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Scott T. FRANSON, Andrew T. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 8869906
    Abstract: A sprinkler according to the present disclosure has a movable deflector that is spaced apart from its supporting pins by a carrier member. The spacing apart of the deflector from the pins may allow for the distribution pattern of the fire suppressant to be of a higher quality and reduce and/or minimize the possibility of voids or discontinuities in the distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew T. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140102730
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler assembly includes a housing, a sprinkler head assembly with a sprinkler head and a trigger assembly, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly has a sealing subassembly for sealing the inlet port of the housing and is operatively coupled to the trigger assembly such that the sealing subassembly releases the sealing of the inlet port in response to the trigger assembly releasing its closure at the outlet opening. The sealing subassembly moves in a linear path substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the housing when releasing the sealing of the inlet port wherein the flow of fire suppressant through the inlet port and into the fluid flow passage is substantially unimpeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. FRANSON, Andrew T. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 8636075
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler assembly includes a housing, a sprinkler head assembly with a sprinkler head and a trigger assembly, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly has a sealing subassembly for sealing the inlet port of the housing and is operatively coupled to the trigger assembly such that the sealing subassembly releases the sealing of the inlet port in response to the trigger assembly releasing its closure at the outlet opening. The sealing subassembly moves in a linear path substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the housing when releasing the sealing of the inlet port wherein the flow of fire suppressant through the inlet port and into the fluid flow passage is substantially unimpeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Andrew T. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8469111
    Abstract: A sprinkler head cover including an end wall and a side wall extending from and around the end wall to form a cavity therebetween. The cavity is sized for receiving a deflector and arms of a sprinkler head. The side wall is adapted for engaging the sprinkler head to thereby releasably mount the cover to the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn G. Orr, Andrew T. Thompson, Scott T. Franson
  • Patent number: 8353357
    Abstract: A heat responsive trigger assembly for a fire protection sprinkler may include a first plate having a bottom face; a second plate including a top face engaging the bottom face; a thermally conductive member disposed between the top and bottom faces and extending beyond a perimeter of at least one of the first and second plates; and a heat fusible material securing the first and second plates in an engaged position. The first and second plates may disengage in response to the heat fusible material reaching a predetermined temperature, thereby allowing a fire suppressant to discharge from the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew T. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8087467
    Abstract: A pendant sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body, with an orifice that forms an inlet and an outlet. A deflector is movably supported by a deflector support assembly and is movable between a retracted position wherein the deflector is adjacent the outlet and an extended position where the deflector is spaced from the outlet. At least a portion of the deflector support assembly is located in the orifice when the deflector is in its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Andrew T. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20110203814
    Abstract: A sprinkler according to the present disclosure has a movable deflector that is spaced apart from its supporting pins by a carrier member. The spacing apart of the deflector from the pins may allow for the distribution pattern of the fire suppressant to be of a higher quality and reduce and/or minimize the possibility of voids or discontinuities in the distribution pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrew T. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7921928
    Abstract: A horizontal dry fire protection sprinkler includes a housing having a vertical segment and a horizontal segment extending generally perpendicular to the vertical segment. The vertical segment defines an inlet opening. A plug member is disposed in the inlet opening for sealingly closing the inlet opening. A sprinkler is attached to the horizontal segment and includes a base having a passage extending therethrough and defining an outlet opening. A cap is disposed in the outlet opening and a heat sensitive trigger engages the cap. A translation mechanism is disposed in the housing and engaging the cap and supporting the plug member in the inlet opening, wherein when the heat sensitive trigger releases support of the cap, the translation mechanism is allowed to move within said housing to allow the plug member to dislodge from the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Thompson, Scott T. Franson
  • Publication number: 20100294521
    Abstract: A heat responsive trigger assembly for a fire protection sprinkler may include a first plate having a bottom face; a second plate including a top face engaging the bottom face; a thermally conductive member disposed between the top and bottom faces and extending beyond a perimeter of at least one of the first and second plates; and a heat fusible material securing the first and second plates in an engaged position. The first and second plates may disengage in response to the heat fusible material reaching a predetermined temperature, thereby allowing a fire suppressant to discharge from the sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrew T. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20100038099
    Abstract: A horizontal dry fire protection sprinkler includes a housing having a vertical segment and a horizontal segment extending generally perpendicular to the vertical segment. The vertical segment defines an inlet opening. A plug member is disposed in the inlet opening for sealingly closing the inlet opening. A sprinkler is attached to the horizontal segment and includes a base having a passage extending therethrough and defining an outlet opening. A cap is disposed in the outlet opening and a heat sensitive trigger engages the cap. A translation mechanism is disposed in the housing and engaging the cap and supporting the plug member in the inlet opening, wherein when the heat sensitive trigger releases support of the cap, the translation mechanism is allowed to move within said housing to allow the plug member to dislodge from the inlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew T. Thompson, Scott T. Franson
  • Patent number: 7540330
    Abstract: A sprinkler head cover including an end wall and a side wall extending from and around the end wall to form a cavity therebetween. The cavity is sized for receiving a deflector and arms of a sprinkler head. The side wall is adapted for engaging the sprinkler head to thereby releasably mount the cover to the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn G Orr, Andrew T Thompson, Scott T Franson
  • Patent number: D636057
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew T. Thompson