Patents by Inventor Eric N Combs

Eric N Combs 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: 11986690
    Abstract: The method of maintaining a first flow rate through a first valve in a fluid delivery system, the fluid delivery system including a and a plurality of fluid valves in fluid communication with the pump, and a controller controlling the pressure generated by the pump and the position of the plurality of valves. The method includes providing the first flow rate of a fluid pressurized by the pump through the first valve, receiving a request for a second flow rate of the fluid through a second valve, determining a predicted effect on the first flow rate based on the request, adjusting at least one of the position of the first valve and the pressure generated by the pump to maintain the first flow rate based on the predicted effect, and adjusting the position of the second valve to provide the second flow rate of the fluid through the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric N. Combs, Donald E. Sjolin, Frederic J. Einstein, Kevin McGuire, Lee R. Jones, John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Kiam Meng Toh, Kyle A. Stoops
  • Publication number: 20220331633
    Abstract: The method of maintaining a first flow rate through a first valve in a fluid delivery system, the fluid delivery system including a and a plurality of fluid valves in fluid communication with the pump, and a controller controlling the pressure generated by the pump and the position of the plurality of valves. The method includes providing the first flow rate of a fluid pressurized by the pump through the first valve, receiving a request for a second flow rate of the fluid through a second valve, determining a predicted effect on the first flow rate based on the request, adjusting at least one of the position of the first valve and the pressure generated by the pump to maintain the first flow rate based on the predicted effect, and adjusting the position of the second valve to provide the second flow rate of the fluid through the second valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Eric N. Combs, Donald E. Sjolin, Frederic J. Einstein, Kevin McGuire, Lee R. Jones, John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Kiam Meng Toh, Kyle A. Stoops
  • Patent number: 11379090
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor that has a first section, a second section joined to the first section by a first pivot connection, and a plurality of ball bearings positioned in the first pivot connection between a pair of bearing seats. Wherein, the bearing seats define an arc of contact with each of the plurality of ball bearings, the center of the arc of contact defining a tangent angled with respect to a flow axis defined by the first pivot connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric N. Combs, Donald E. Sjolin, Frederic Einstein, Kevin McGuire, Lee R. Jones, John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Kiam Meng Toh, Kyle A. Stoops
  • Patent number: 10857402
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor includes logic circuitry for determining the reaction force caused by the flow of firefighting fluid therethrough. The reaction force may be communicated to structures remote from the monitor for taking appropriate actions in response to the reaction forces exceeding one or more criteria. The monitor may also use flow and nozzle data for calculating a reach of the stream of the fluid, and may transmit this reach data to a remote location. The monitor may also utilize multiple pressure sensor transducers positioned inside the monitor for determining the rate of fluid flow, rather than a paddle wheel-type sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20170095682
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor includes logic circuitry for determining the reaction force caused by the flow of firefighting fluid therethrough. The reaction force may be communicated to structures remote from the monitor for taking appropriate actions in response to the reaction forces exceeding one or more criteria. The monitor may also use flow and nozzle data for calculating a reach of the stream of the fluid, and may transmit this reach data to a remote location. The monitor may also utilize multiple pressure sensor transducers positioned inside the monitor for determining the rate of fluid flow, rather than a paddle wheel-type sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs
  • Patent number: 9557199
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor includes logic circuitry for determining the reaction force caused by the flow of firefighting fluid therethrough. The reaction force may be communicated to structures remote from the monitor for taking appropriate actions in response to the reaction forces exceeding one or more criteria. The monitor may also use flow and nozzle data for calculating a reach of the stream of the fluid, and may transmit this reach data to a remote location. The monitor may also utilize multiple pressure sensor transducers positioned inside the monitor for determining the rate of fluid flow, rather than a paddle wheel-type sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20160271433
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor system includes a monitor, a controller selectively generating signals to the monitor for controlling the monitor, and a computer. The computer is configured to receive input from a user relative to the monitor or the controller. The computer generates an output based on the input, and the output is transmitted to the controller for controlling the monitor or the controller in accordance with the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Todd B. Lozier, James M. Trapp, Lee R. Jones, Eric N. Combs
  • Patent number: 9399151
    Abstract: A control system for a fire fighting device is provided. The control system may include a controller configured to operably connect over a network to a first valve controller controlling a status of a first valve in response to an input from the controller, a second valve controlling a status of a second valve in response to an input from the controller, and a governor operably controlling a power source in response to an input from the controller. The control system may further comprise a touchscreen display operably connected to the controller, the display configured to display the status of the first and second valves and configured to receive an input from a user, wherein controller generates a manipulatable icon displayed on the touchscreen display, a manipulation of the icon generating the input from the controller to the first valve controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignees: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc., Fire Research Corp.
    Inventors: Eric N. Combs, Donald E. Sjolin, Fred Einstein, Kevin McGuire, Lee R. Jones, John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Kiam Meng Toh, Kyle A. Stoops
  • Patent number: 9170583
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor system includes a monitor, a controller selectively generating signals to the monitor for controlling the monitor, and a computer. The computer is configured to receive input from a user relative to the monitor or the controller. The computer generates an output based on the input, and the output is transmitted to the controller for controlling the monitor or the controller in accordance with the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: ELKHART BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Todd B. Lozier, James M Trapp, Lee R. Jones, Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20150283413
    Abstract: A fire fighting monitor includes a first pipe having an inlet and an outlet and a passageway with a central axis. The passageway extends from the inlet to the outlet and has a curved portion wherein the outlet directs the flow of fluid in a direction angled to the flow of fluid into the inlet. The monitor includes a second pipe mounted about the outlet of the first pipe, which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis, which is located at the outlet of the first pipe. The second pipe also has an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first pipe and is pivotal about the pivot axis over a range of motion greater than 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs
  • Patent number: 9010664
    Abstract: An adjustable nozzle comprising a nozzle body with an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway having a smooth bore extending between the inlet and the outlet. The passageway has an inner dimension transverse to the central axis of the nozzle and a compressible wall wherein the inner dimension is adjustable to adjust the flow rate through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric N. Combs, Todd B. Lozier
  • Patent number: 8844642
    Abstract: An automatic flow restrictor includes a movement sensor that detects undesired movement of a firefighting apparatus relative to a support surface and automatically reduces the flow of fluid through the apparatus to thereby reduce reaction forces acting upon the apparatus. The sensor may be a slidable member or an actuatable lever, for example, that detects movement of the apparatus along or away from a support surface, and actuates an adjuster to restrict the flow of fluid until the forces are balanced and the apparatus stops moving relative to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20140094976
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor system includes a monitor, a controller selectively generating signals to the monitor for controlling the monitor, and a computer. The computer is configured to receive input from a user relative to the monitor or the controller. The computer generates an output based on the input, and the output is transmitted to the controller for controlling the monitor or the controller in accordance with the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd B. Lozier, James M Trapp, Lee R. Jones, Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20130341432
    Abstract: An adjustable nozzle comprising a nozzle body with an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway having a smooth bore extending between the inlet and the outlet. The passageway has an inner dimension transverse to the central axis of the nozzle and a compressible wall wherein the inner dimension is adjustable to adjust the flow rate through the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: ELKHART BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Eric N. Combs, Todd B. Lozier
  • Patent number: 8606373
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor system includes a monitor, a controller selectively generating signals to the monitor for controlling the monitor, and a computer. The computer is configured to receive input from a user relative to the monitor or the controller. The computer generates an output based on the input, and the output is transmitted to the controller for controlling the monitor or the controller in accordance with the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd B. Lozier, James M. Trapp, Lee R. Jones, Eric N. Combs
  • Patent number: 8556230
    Abstract: A firefighting fluid delivery device includes a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows, a fluid flow restrictor member pivotable about a pivot axis to selectively open or close the passage to thereby open or close the device, and an actuator for selectively pivoting the fluid flow restrictor member. The device further includes a sealed rotary sensor that is rotatably coupled to the fluid flow restrictor member for detecting the rotary position of the fluid flow restrictor member to thereby determine the opened or closed state of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20110174383
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor includes logic circuitry for determining the reaction force caused by the flow of firefighting fluid therethrough. The reaction force may be communicated to structures remote from the monitor for taking appropriate actions in response to the reaction forces exceeding one or more criteria. The monitor may also use flow and nozzle data for calculating a reach of the stream of the fluid, and may transmit this reach data to a remote location. The monitor may also utilize multiple pressure sensor transducers positioned inside the monitor for determining the rate of fluid flow, rather than a paddle wheel-type sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: ELKHART BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20110017477
    Abstract: A firefighting fluid delivery device includes a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows, a fluid flow restrictor member pivotable about a pivot axis to selectively open or close the passage to thereby open or close the device, and an actuator for selectively pivoting the fluid flow restrictor member. The device further includes a sealed rotary sensor that is rotatably coupled to the fluid flow restrictor member for detecting the rotary position of the fluid flow restrictor member to thereby determine the opened or closed state of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: ELKHART BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20100274397
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor system includes a monitor, a controller selectively generating signals to the monitor for controlling the monitor, and a computer. The computer is configured to receive input from a user relative to the monitor or the controller. The computer generates an output based on the input, and the output is transmitted to the controller for controlling the monitor or the controller in accordance with the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: ELKHART BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Todd B. Lozier, James M. Trapp, Lee R. Jones, Eric N. Combs
  • Publication number: 20100059234
    Abstract: An automatic flow restrictor includes a movement sensor that detects undesired movement of a firefighting apparatus relative to a support surface and automatically reduces the flow of fluid through the apparatus to thereby reduce reaction forces acting upon the apparatus. The sensor may be a slidable member or an actuatable lever, for example, that detects movement of the apparatus along or away from a support surface, and actuates an adjuster to restrict the flow of fluid until the forces are balanced and the apparatus stops moving relative to the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: ELKHART BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Eric N. Combs