Patents by Inventor James W. Mears

James W. Mears 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: 10195473
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Thomas E. Archibald, James W. Mears, Donald B. Pounder, Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 9636531
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Thomas E. Archibald, James W. Mears, Donald B. Pounder, Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 8746356
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Thomas E. Archibald, James W. Mears, Donald B. Pounder, Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 8469112
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Thomas E. Archibald, James W. Mears, Donald B. Pounder, Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 8327946
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Thomas E. Archibald, James W. Mears, Donald B. Pounder, Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 6964248
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater is provided with a combustion shutoff system which precludes further combustion within the water heater's combustion chamber in response to a combustion temperature therein reaching a predetermined level correlated to and indicative of a predetermined, undesirably high concentration of carbon monoxide present in the combustion chamber. In various illustrated embodiments thereof, the combustion shutoff system is operative to terminate further combustion air inflow to the combustion chamber, or terminate further fuel flow to the burner portion of the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, Garrett Doss, Michael W. Gordon, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Patent number: 6893253
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater is provided with a combustion shutoff system which precludes further combustion within the water heater's combustion chamber in response to a combustion temperature therein reaching a predetermined level correlated to and indicative of a predetermined, undesirably high concentration of carbon monoxide present in the combustion chamber. In various illustrated embodiments thereof, the combustion shutoff system is operative to terminate further combustion air inflow to the combustion chamber, or terminate further fuel flow to the burner portion of the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, Garrett Doss, Michael W. Gordon, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Patent number: 6814031
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Patent number: 6776125
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Publication number: 20040069247
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Publication number: 20040069248
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Patent number: 6715451
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Publication number: 20030196609
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater is provided with a combustion shutoff system which precludes further combustion within the water heater's combustion chamber in response to a combustion temperature therein reaching a predetermined level correlated to and indicative of a predetermined, undesirably high concentration of carbon monoxide present in the combustion chamber. In various illustrated embodiments thereof, the combustion shutoff system is operative to terminate further combustion air inflow to the combustion chamber, or terminate further fuel flow to the burner portion of the water heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, Garrett Doss, Michael W. Gordon, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Publication number: 20030000484
    Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon W. Stretch, Bruce A. Hotton, John H. Scanlon, Gary A. Elder, James T. Campbell, Larry D. Kidd, Eric M. Lannes, James M. Martin, James W. Mears, Thomas E. Archibald
  • Patent number: 6308784
    Abstract: A flush fire protection sprinkler has a body with an outlet for delivering fire protection fluid under pressure. The body defines a seat about the outlet and a coaxial rim with an inner lip. A spring seal engages upon the seat. A thermal response assembly includes a plate with a conical rim having slots extending from the rim edge, a retainer having a hub and fingers terminating in fingertips defining engagement structure, the fingers engaging in the slots with the fingertips outside the rim, a thermal response element between the plate and hub, and a loading element mounted to the hub. Initial adjustment of the loading element draws the hub away from the plate, with the rim surface urging the fingertips outward, to engage with the lip. Further adjustment pressures the seal in sealing engagement upon the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Mears
  • Patent number: 5533576
    Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler is coupled to a pressurized fire extinguishing fluid supply line and positioned generally above a predetermined area to be protected against damage by fire. The sprinkler has a body with an inlet and at least one outlet, a divider defining bias and outlet chambers within the body, and a pilot valve assembly, forming an integral part of the body, is in communication with the bias chamber. The divider has a first "off" position substantially preventing fluid from exiting the outlet chamber and a second "on" position allowing fluid flow from the outlet chamber to be distributed over the area being protected. The pilot valve assembly includes a thermally responsive sensing element, e.g. a bimetal snap disc, disposed in a relatively horizontal plane generally below a main portion of the body for exposure to heat from all regions of the predetermined area to be protected by the sprinkler device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Mears
  • Patent number: 5236002
    Abstract: A domestic water supply shutoff valve for use with fire protection system water supply piping has a body defining a volume for flow of water through the valve, with a supply inlet for connection to a supply of water, a first outlet for connection to fire protection system water supply piping, and a second outlet for connection to domestic system supply piping. A first passageway is defined within the body for flow of water from the supply inlet toward the first outlet. A second passageway is defined within the body for flow of water from the supply inlet toward the second outlet. A poppet valve is disposed within the body and mounted for movement between a first position for permitting flow of water from the inlet toward the first outlet and a second position for permitting flow of water from the inlet toward the second outlet, the poppet valve being biased toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Martin, James W. Mears
  • Patent number: 5188185
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for mounting on a piping system in a fire protection installation including an outer tube structure having an inlet end with an inlet opening, an outlet end having an outlet opening, and a tube axis that passes through the inlet opening and along the tube structure, a connecting structure that is mounted for movement along the axis within the tube structure, a thermally responsive component supported by the tube structure at the outlet end and supporting the connecting structure under normal temperature conditions and releasing the connecting structure during abnormal temperature conditions to permit it to move, a seal member that is caused by the connecting structure to seal the inlet opening when the connecting structure is supported by the thermally responsive component, the seal member being constrained to move towards one side of the tube axis when the connecting structure is released in order to provide a relatively large unobstructed flow area to permit passage of foreign matter on the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Mears
  • Patent number: 5152344
    Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler including a frame having an outlet opening for fire extinguishing fluid and spaced apart frame arms extending from the outlet opening to provide a support at a location spaced from the outlet opening, a sealing member covering the opening, a thermally responsive member connected between the sealing member and the support to seal off the opening during normal temperature conditions and to release the sealing member during abnornally high temperature conditions, an adapter member attached to the frame, one or more pins that are supported by the adapter member, and a deflector that is slidably mounted with respect to the adapter member via the pin or pins. Also disclosed is a clip that retains the deflector in the retracted position in a releasable fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Fischer, Donald B. Pounder, James W. Mears
  • Patent number: 4618002
    Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler head of the automatic type including a latch for retaining a valve closure in standby position until a thermally responsive element releases the latch at a preset temperature to thereby release the closure to allow flow of fire-retarding fluid, the latch including a catch, typically in the form of a lip extending radially inwardly from the sprinkler body, a radially inwardly biased spring detent, and relatively separable, detent restraining elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Grinnel Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Mears