Patents by Inventor Michael A. Laskaris
Michael A. Laskaris 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).
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Publication number: 20210046345Abstract: A fire-fighting system includes a pump, a nozzle for directing fluid flow from the pump to a target area, a discharge valve controlling fluid flow between the pump and the nozzle, a sensor coupled to the nozzle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The sensor detects movement of the nozzle and generates a signal indicative of the detected movement. The controller communicatively coupled is configured to receive the signal from the sensor, and control at least one of the discharge valve, the pump, and the nozzle based on the detected movement of the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Nick Ramirez, Daniel B. Teixeira, Jason Cerrano, Craig E. Kneidel, Jon A. Jenkins, James M. Johnson, James Douglas Kramer, Andrea M. Russell, Peter Lauffenburger
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Publication number: 20200326215Abstract: A fire truck pump flow prediction system includes a pump, an inlet pipe connected to the pump, a discharge pipe connected to the pump, an intake pressure sensor connected to the inlet pipe, a discharge pressure sensor connected to the discharge pipe, a rotational sensor associated with the pump and a central processor connected to the intake pressure sensor, the discharge pressure sensor and the rotational sensor. The intake pressure sensor is configured to detect fire suppressant inlet pressure and the discharge pressure sensor is configured to detect fire suppressant discharge pressure. The rotational sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the pump. The central processor configured to determine a flow through the pump and into the discharge pipe based on the inlet pressure, the discharge pressure and the rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Michael A. LASKARIS, David Miller
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Patent number: 10711440Abstract: An automatic fire hydrant water supplying system provides hydrant supply water to a fire truck having a water pump; a water pump master intake valve; a water-supply fire hose, a pressure sensor upstream of the master-intake-valve, and a water-pump control system. The automatic fire hydrant water supplying system has a remotely-controllable hydrant discharge valve connectable to the hydrant and to the fire-hose. A remotely-controllable air bleed valve is in fluid communication with the master-intake-valve and the fire-hose. The water-pump control system determines whether a pressurized volume in the fire hose upstream of the master-intake-valve input port is air or water based on a difference in density between air and water as sensed by the pressure sensor and if the pressurized volume is air causes the air to be vented to atmosphere through the air-bleed-valve before opening the master-intake-valve to provide hydrant supply water to the water pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Laskaris
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Patent number: 10670189Abstract: A system includes a storage tank storing gas. The storage tank includes a storage tank interface portion made from a first material. The system also includes a nozzle that includes a nozzle interface portion and a first portion. The first portion is made from a second material different from the first material. Additionally, the system includes a connection formed by coupling the storage tank interface portion and the nozzle interface portion to one another, and the connection is configured to maintain a leak rate of the gas equal to or less than 1×10?4 standard cubic centimeters per second (std. cc/s).Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ernst Wolfgang Stautner, Paul St. Mark Shadforth Thompson, Anbo Wu, Alexander Kagan, Minfeng Xu, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Justin Michael Ricci
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Publication number: 20190277010Abstract: An automatic fire hydrant water supplying system provides hydrant supply water to a fire truck having a water pump; a water pump master intake valve; a water-supply fire hose, a pressure sensor upstream of the master-intake-valve, and a water-pump control system. The automatic fire hydrant water supplying system has a remotely-controllable hydrant discharge valve connectable to the hydrant and to the fire-hose. A remotely-controllable air bleed valve is in fluid communication with the master-intake-valve and the fire-hose. The water-pump control system determines whether a pressurized volume in the fire hose upstream of the master-intake-valve input port is air or water based on a difference in density between air and water as sensed by the pressure sensor and if the pressurized volume is air causes the air to be vented to atmosphere through the air-bleed-valve before opening the master-intake-valve to provide hydrant supply water to the water pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventor: Michael A. LASKARIS
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Publication number: 20190224508Abstract: An integrated operator interface for a fire suppression system is provided. The fire suppression system includes an engine, a water source, a water pump, a foam system and a compressed air system. The integrated operator interface includes a control panel including a plurality of one-touch activation controls. Each one-touch activation control is configured to cause the output of a predetermined fire suppression fluid from the fire suppression system and cause a predetermined increase in engine speed resulting in an associated increase in water pump pressure. The predetermined fire suppression fluid comprising a predetermined flow of water, a predetermined type of foamant, a predetermined concentration of the predetermined type of foamant, and a predetermined flow of compressed air.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Michael A. LASKARIS, Alan SMITH
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Patent number: 10286237Abstract: An integrated operator interface for a fire suppression system is provided. The fire suppression system includes an engine, a water source, a water pump, a foam system and a compressed air system. The integrated operator interface includes a control panel including a plurality of one-touch activation controls. Each one-touch activation control is configured to cause the output of a predetermined fire suppression fluid from the fire suppression system and cause a predetermined increase in engine speed resulting in an associated increase in water pump pressure. The predetermined fire suppression fluid comprising a predetermined flow of water, a predetermined type of foamant, a predetermined concentration of the predetermined type of foamant, and a predetermined flow of compressed air.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: HALE PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Alan Smith
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Publication number: 20160310771Abstract: An integrated operator interface for a fire suppression system is provided. The fire suppression system includes an engine, a water source, a water pump, a foam system and a compressed air system. The integrated operator interface includes a control panel including a plurality of one-touch activation controls. Each one-touch activation control is configured to cause the output of a predetermined fire suppression fluid from the fire suppression system and cause a predetermined increase in engine speed resulting in an associated increase in water pump pressure. The predetermined fire suppression fluid comprising a predetermined flow of water, a predetermined type of foamant, a predetermined concentration of the predetermined type of foamant, and a predetermined flow of compressed air.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2015Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Michael A. LASKARIS, Alan SMITH
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Publication number: 20150184661Abstract: A transportable high vertical-lift emergency water pumping system moves emergency water from a water source at a low elevation to a higher elevation. The pumping system has a first pump having a first-pump suction port at the higher elevation and a second pump having a second-pump suction port at the low elevation and a second-pump discharge port in fluid communication with the first-pump suction port. A variable speed driver is operatively coupled to the first pump. A load sensing hydrostatic drive system is operatively coupled to the variable speed driver and to the second pump. The load sensing hydrostatic drive system is configured to maintain a minimum net positive suction head at the first-pump suction port sufficient to prevent cavitation in the first pump when the variable-speed driver operates at any speed of a plurality of speeds across a range of flows.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: HALE PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Michael A. LASKARIS, Chad DEAN
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Patent number: 8616295Abstract: A fire suppression system having a foam proportioning system, a water source, and a controller. The foam proportioning system includes a foam tank having at least two types of chemical foamants, a selector valve in fluid communication with the foam tank for selecting one of the at least two types of chemical foamants, a foam pump in fluid communication with the selector valve for supplying the selected chemical foamant to a discharge unit, and a foam controller operatively connected to the foam pump and the selector valve. The water source is connected to the foam proportioning system for mixing water with the selected chemical foamant to form a fire suppression fluid. The controller is operatively connected to the foam proportioning system and includes a one-touch activation control for activating the controller. The controller is also configured to automatically output to the foam controller inputs for configuring the foam pump.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Dominic John Colletti, Gary Handwerk
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Patent number: 8307907Abstract: A hybrid foam system for providing a variety of proportioned foam solutions is provided. The system includes a low flow foam proportioning system operatively associated with a high flow foam proportioning system and a system controller for controlling the operating conditions of the overall hybrid foam system.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Dominic John Colletti
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Publication number: 20120103435Abstract: An automatic bleed valve assembly for intake gas in an intake line supplying a liquid has a body having a chamber in fluid communication with an inlet port and an outlet port. A movable member in the chamber is movable in translation between an inlet-port sealing position and an outlet-port sealing position. A biasing member operatively coupled to the movable member and to the chamber is configured to apply to the movable member a reactive force directed toward the inlet port, the reactive force being greater than a gas-resistance force applied to the movable member by the intake gas when the intake gas is flowing into the chamber and less than a liquid-resistance force applied to the movable member by the liquid when the liquid is flowing into the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: HALE PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Michael A. LASKARIS
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Patent number: 8162619Abstract: A system for controlling the pressure output of an engine-driven centrifugal fire pump includes a discharge pressure sensor mounted in the discharge line of the pump. A governor varies the rpms of the engine in response to pressure changes detected by the discharge pressure sensor. If the pressure in the system is higher than the desired output pressure when the engine is running at its idle speed an electronically controlled hydraulic relief valve responsive to the discharge pressure sensor operates to relieve the excess pressure in over pressure situations. If the pressure in the system is lower than the desired output pressure when the relief valve is fully closed, the engine speed is increased.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Laskaris
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Publication number: 20110240317Abstract: A fire suppression system having a foam proportioning system, a water source, and a controller. The foam proportioning system includes a foam tank having at least two types of chemical foamants, a selector valve in fluid communication with the foam tank for selecting one of the at least two types of chemical foamants, a foam pump in fluid communication with the selector valve for supplying the selected chemical foamant to a discharge unit, and a foam controller operatively connected to the foam pump and the selector valve. The water source is connected to the foam proportioning system for mixing water with the selected chemical foamant to form a fire suppression fluid. The controller is operatively connected to the foam proportioning system and includes a one-touch activation control for activating the controller. The controller is also configured to automatically output to the foam controller inputs for configuring the foam pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: HALE PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Michael A. LASKARIS, Dominic John COLLETTI, Gary HANDWERK
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Patent number: 7987916Abstract: A fire suppression system having a plumbing assembly, an engine, a hose, an air-bleed valve, and a controller is provided. The controller includes a one-touch activation control. The controller is also configured to automatically activate the air-bleed valve to remove air within the hose to prevent user injury and damage to the fire suppression system. A fire suppression system that automatically configures the fire suppression system to output a predetermined fire suppression fluid composition upon actuation of a one-touch activation control is also provided. In addition, an integrated control system is provided to automatically configure a fire truck's interlock and shift pump operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Dominic John Colletti, Gary Handwerk
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Publication number: 20090260836Abstract: A fire suppression system having a plumbing assembly, an engine, a hose, an air-bleed valve, and a controller is provided. The controller includes a one-touch activation control. The controller is also configured to automatically activate the air-bleed valve to remove air within the hose to prevent user injury and damage to the fire suppression system. A fire suppression system that automatically configures the fire suppression system to output a predetermined fire suppression fluid composition upon actuation of a one-touch activation control is also provided. In addition, an integrated control system is provided to automatically configure a fire truck's interlock and shift pump operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: HALE PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Michael A. LASKARIS, Dominic John COLLETTI, Gary HANDWERK
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Publication number: 20090218110Abstract: A hybrid foam system for providing a variety of proportioned foam solutions is provided. The system includes a low flow foam proportioning system operatively associated with a high flow foam proportioning system and a system controller for controlling the operating conditions of the overall hybrid foam system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: Hale Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Dominic John Colletti
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Publication number: 20080292472Abstract: A system for controlling the pressure output of an engine-driven centrifugal fire pump includes a discharge pressure sensor mounted in the discharge line of the pump. A governor varies the rpms of the engine in response to pressure changes detected by the discharge pressure sensor. If the pressure in the system is higher than the desired output pressure when the engine is running at its idle speed an electronically controlled hydraulic relief valve responsive to the discharge pressure sensor operates to relieve the excess pressure in over pressure situations. If the pressure in the system is lower than the desired output pressure when the relief valve is fully closed, the engine speed is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Hale Products, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Laskaris
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Publication number: 20080103913Abstract: A guided sales system provides a sales person and/or a customer with guidance through a sales process including detailed information about products and technologies. The guided sales system allows a user to enter information about the customer and the customer's needs, to identify products matching the customer's needs and to make product recommendations. A user may further use the system to print a recommendation and/or a sales ticket that may be used by a customer to complete a purchase or transaction. The sales system may further provide a free-form drawing application to help visualize product placement and configurations. Various visualization and learning tools may further be integrated into or otherwise included in the guided sales system to aid a customer's understanding of particular products and/or technologies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: CIRCUIT CITY STORES INC.Inventors: Brian Robert Leach, Lisa Hendrickson Janzer, Hunter Ridgley Shomo, Kevin Mack Leetham, David J. Romero, Oliver Sulse Cortum, Michael Laskaris, Daniel James Bohn
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Patent number: 6991041Abstract: A compressed air foam system for use in extinguishing fire includes a conduit, a water flow sensor, a foam proportioning apparatus, an air conduit, an air flow sensor, an air flow control valve and a system controller. The water flow sensor is configured to sense a water flow rate through the conduit. The air flow sensor is configured to sense an air flow rate through the air conduit. The system controller has a user adjustable ratio input. The system controller is configured to receive the sensed water flow rate, to receive the sensed air flow rate, to output a first control signal to the air flow control valve and to output a second control signal to the foam proportioning apparatus. The system controller automatically adjusts the first and second control signals to maintain a ratio of air flow to foam flow based upon the user adjustable ratio input.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Allen Craig