Patents by Inventor Clarence A. Grady

Clarence A. Grady 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).

  • Patent number: 8376719
    Abstract: An improved fire pump for a firefighting vehicle is provided. The fire pump is capable of being positioned at least partially under a rear portion of the cab of a firefighting vehicle. The pump includes a shaft, an impeller supported by the shaft, and a pump housing which encloses the impeller and supports the shaft for rotation about an axis. The housing includes a fluid inlet configured to direct a fluid into the housing along a path generally parallel to the axis. The housing also includes two fluid outlets each at a periphery of the impeller and configured to direct the fluid from the housing along respective paths generally perpendicular to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pierce Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Clarence Grady, Michael R. Moore, Chad Trinkner, Andrew R. Manser, John Schultz
  • Patent number: 7784554
    Abstract: An improved firefighting vehicle of a type supporting a pump system (e.g., a fire pump system) is provided. The firefighting vehicle generally includes a chassis and an operator cab. The operator cab is movable (e.g.; tiltable, etc.) relative to the chassis between a transit position and a service position. The firefighting vehicle also includes a fire pump system supported by the chassis at least partially under a rear portion of the operator cab. Positioning the fire pump system in such a location may advantageously allow for a vehicle with improved maneuverability or handling, reduced overall length, reduced overall height, additional capacity for storage, and/or with a fire pump system that is relatively convenient to service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Pierce Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Clarence Grady, Michael R. Moore, Chad Trinkner, Andrew R. Manser, John Schultz, John Randjelovic
  • Publication number: 20090038695
    Abstract: A remote pumping system for cisterns or water storage tanks is disclosed, comprising a high volume water pump driven by a hydraulic or electrically powered motor, for rapidly supplying a large volume of water to an extinguishment operation involving a burning object or building, from a local water source such as a pond, pool, portable basin, municipal hydrant, or cistern. The pump is lowered into a cistern by means of a rail system and is powered electrically or hydraulically by a remote or unit mounted power supply. In a further embodiment, a water-tight, above ground containment cabinet houses the discharge hose reels and/or the power supply for the pump motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: David W. Moynihan, Clarence A. Grady, JR.
  • Publication number: 20070284156
    Abstract: An improved firefighting vehicle of a type supporting a pump system (e.g., a fire pump system) is provided. The firefighting vehicle generally includes a chassis and an operator cab. The operator cab is movable (e.g.; tiltable, etc.) relative to the chassis between a transit position and a service position. The firefighting vehicle also includes a fire pump system supported by the chassis at least partially under a rear portion of the operator cab. Positioning the fire pump system in such a location may advantageously allow for a vehicle with improved maneuverability or handling, reduced overall length, reduced overall height, additional capacity for storage, and/or with a fire pump system that is relatively convenient to service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Clarence Grady, Michael R. Moore, Chad Trinkner, Andrew R. Manser, John Schultz
  • Publication number: 20070286736
    Abstract: An improved fire pump for a firefighting vehicle is provided. The fire pump is capable of being positioned at least partially under a rear portion of the cab of a firefighting vehicle. The pump includes a shaft, an impeller supported by the shaft, and a pump housing which encloses the impeller and supports the shaft for rotation about an axis. The housing includes a fluid inlet configured to direct a fluid into the housing along a path generally parallel to the axis. The housing also includes two fluid outlets each at a periphery of the impeller and configured to direct the fluid from the housing along respective paths generally perpendicular to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Clarence Grady, Michael R. Moore, Chad Trinkner, Andrew R. Manser, John Schultz
  • Patent number: 6725940
    Abstract: A system for supplying a pre-determined ratio of liquid foam concentrate and water to a mixing device immediately upstream from a fire fighting nozzle. The system is electronically balanced by measuring pressure from a plurality of pressure signal sensors and transmitting said pressure signals to a controller unit. A foam additive pump is powered by a fixed displacement piston motor which in turn is electronically modulated independently of the level of operation of the water pump by a control system that is responsive both to the water pressure developed by the water pump and to the foam liquid concentrate pressure developed by the additive pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Pierce Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Klein, Thomas A. High, Kenneth A. Bolen, Jr., Brian D. Piller, Clarence A. Grady
  • Publication number: 20040020664
    Abstract: A system and method of maintaining a desired additive to water ration in a fire-fighting system including a water flow sensor configured to measure the water flow rate, a water pump, a hydraulic pump, a linear hydraulic cylinder driven by the hydraulic pump, an additive pump mechanically coupled to the linear hydraulic cylinder; and a pump displacement sensor configured to sense the position of the additive pump, the pump displacement sensor being in communication with the water flow sensor to maintain a pre-determined ratio of additive to water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Pierce Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Juidici, Clarence A. Grady, Andrew P. Klein, Brian D. Piller, Michael R. Moore
  • Patent number: 6684959
    Abstract: A system and method of maintaining a desired additive to water ration in a fire-fighting system including a water flow sensor configured to measure the water flow rate, a water pump, a hydraulic pump, a linear hydraulic cylinder driven by the hydraulic pump, an additive pump mechanically coupled to the linear hydraulic cylinder; and a pump displacement sensor configured to sense the position of the additive pump, the pump displacement sensor being in communication with the water flow sensor to maintain a pre-determined ratio of additive to water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Pierce Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Juidici, Clarence A. Grady, Andrew P. Klein, Brian D. Piller, Michael R. Moore
  • Patent number: 5134901
    Abstract: The invented interconnect casing includes first and second flanges, a spacer associated with and intermediate the first and second flanges, an aperture in the spacer, and a bracket arm attached to one of the flanges for supporting a driven device. The invented power divider includes an engine having a drive shaft, a first flange mounted to the engine adjacent the drive shaft, a second flange mounted to a first device, a spacer that is associated with and intermediate the first and second flanges, an aperture in the spacer allowing access to the drive shaft, and a bracket arm attached to and extending from one of the flanges for supporting a second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Odin Foam Company
    Inventor: Clarence A. Grady
  • Patent number: 5096389
    Abstract: The invented foam discharging apparatus includes an engine that uses a drive shaft to drive two fluid pumps. One of the two fluid pumps is directly engaged by the drive shaft. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the fluid pumps is a centrifugal fluid pump that pumps water from a reservoir. The other fluid pump is a rotary screw air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Dean Pihlstrom, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence A. Grady