Abstract: An exemplary method of communicating with a safety device includes obtaining a key from the safety device that is useable for only a single communication session with the safety device. A plurality of messages are sent to the safety device during the single communication session. Each of the plurality of messages includes the obtained key, an identifier of the source of the message, an identifier of the safety device, a sequence number indicating how many of the plurality of messages preceded the message during the communication session, a command for the safety device, and at least one cyclic redundancy code (CRC) based on content of the message. A next one of the plurality of messages is sent only after confirming that the safety device has accepted a most recently sent one of the plurality of messages.

Abstract: A method is provided for the automated setup of a metered combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The automated setup process includes both commissioning and controller tuning, rather than tuning the carbon monoxide and/or oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed. The oxygen trim controller or the carbon monoxide trim controller is used to identify the air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A two-phase liquid/inert gas flow inerting fire suppression system is provided having improved liquid fire suppressant distribution within the inert gas flow. The system includes a flow distribution network having a first pipe interconnected with a second pipe at a flow splitting tee. A liquid flow redistribution device is disposed in the first pipe upstream with respect to fluid flow of the flow splitting tee.

Abstract: A nozzle for a fire suppression system has a bonnet and a deflector base. An inlet port extends through the bonnet along the axis of symmetry of the bonnet. The inlet port receives an outlet end of a fire suppression delivery pipe to mount the bonnet to the pipe. The bonnet has a frustoconical surface which extends radially outward and downward from the inlet port. The deflector base is secured to and co-axially aligned with the bonnet at a predetermined distance to create a flow passageway therebetween. The flow passageway imparts a down angle to a suppressant flow discharging from the nozzle to better disperse the suppressant within the fire zone. A discharge port at the circumferential edge of the bonnet and deflector base constricts the suppressant flow to atomize the droplets of liquid suppressant discharged into the fire zone.

Abstract: An oxygen measuring apparatus (500) includes an inlet pipe (506) having a first end and a second end, an oxygen sensor (511) arranged inside the inlet pipe (506) between the first end of the inlet pipe and the second end of the inlet pipe, the oxygen sensor (511) having a communication medium (515) disposed thereon and extending through the second end of the inlet pipe (506), a filtering medium arranged (505) inside the inlet pipe between the oxygen sensor (511) and the first end of the inlet pipe, a housing (501) arranged against the second end of the inlet pipe, and a sensor control interface (512) arranged within the housing (501) and in communication with the communication medium (515) of the oxygen sensor (511).

Abstract: A self-regulating valve controls the flow of high pressure gas discharging from a gas cylinder in a fire suppression system in response to a detection of a fire within a protected space by a two-step process which reduces the pressure rise within the protected space upon release of the fire suppression gas into the protected space.

Abstract: A controlled pressure release valve includes a valve body having a gas inlet for connection to a gas container and a gas outlet for delivering gas to a protected area. The controlled valve comprises a slidable spool housed in the valve body that is slidable between a first position and a second position. The slidable spool has a first end and a second end. A primary flow passage connects the gas inlet and the gas outlet and increases with lineal movement of the slidable spool. The sliding spool is biased towards the first position by a gas pressure applied by the second chamber and a spring.

Abstract: A method is provided for commissioning a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The method includes the step of mapping a plurality of sets of coordinated servo positions for the fuel flow control device and the air flow control device at a plurality of selected firing rate points between a minimum firing rate and a maximum firing rate by using an algorithm and an iterative process to identify the coordinated air and fuel actuator positions instead of a trial and error method.

Abstract: An oxygen measuring apparatus (500) includes an inlet pipe (506) having a first end and a second end, an oxygen sensor (511) arranged inside the inlet pipe (506) between the first end of the inlet pipe and the second end of the inlet pipe, the oxygen sensor (511) having a communication medium (515) disposed thereon and extending through the second end of the inlet pipe (506), a filtering medium arranged (505) inside the inlet pipe between the oxygen sensor (511) and the first end of the inlet pipe, a housing (501) arranged against the second end of the inlet pipe, and a sensor control interface (512) arranged within the housing (501) and in communication with the communication medium (515) of the oxygen sensor (511).

Abstract: A method is provided for tuning an oxygen trim controller during the commissioning of a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system, rather than tuning the oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of detecting and managing voltage instability in power systems operations. The disclosed method identifies and follows Thevenin and load impedance values as they fluctuate in a power system using synchrophasor measurements. The values are recursively estimated and entered into calculations to identify stability margins through a simple P-Q plane representation to determine if load shedding is necessary.

Abstract: A hybrid fire suppression system includes a supply of pressurized inert gas, a pipe network connected in inert gas flow communication to the inert gas supply, a first inert gas nozzle, a second inert gas nozzle, and a water storage cartridge having an interior volume defining a water reservoir storing a limited amount of water. The water reservoir communicates with the second inert gas spray nozzle. The first inert gas nozzle connects with the first terminus for introducing a flooding flow of inert gas only into a first protected space. The second inert gas nozzle connects with the second terminus for introducing a flooding flow of inert gas and the limited amount of water from the water reservoir into the second protected space.

Abstract: An exemplary method of communicating with a safety device includes obtaining a key from the safety device that is useable for only a single communication session with the safety device. A plurality of messages are sent to the safety device during the single communication session. Each of the plurality of messages includes the obtained key, an identifier of the source of the message, an identifier of the safety device, a sequence number indicating how many of the plurality of messages preceded the message during the communication session, a command for the safety device, and at least one cyclic redundancy code (CRC) based on content of the message. A next one of the plurality of messages is sent only after confirming that the safety device has accepted a most recently sent one of the plurality of messages.

Abstract: A controlled pressure release valve controls the gas flow in high-pressure systems. The valve includes a valve body, a slidable spool, a primary flow passage, a first and second chamber, a first and second spring, a first and second passages, and a valve actuator. The valve body has a gas inlet and a gas outlet and houses the slidable spool. The slidable spool has a first end and a second end, and is slidable between a first position and a second position. The primary flow passage connects the gas inlet and the gas outlet and increases with lineal movement of the slidable spool. The first chamber is located adjacent the first end of the slidable spool and a second chamber is located adjacent the second end of the slidable spool. The sliding spool is biased toward the first position by a gas pressure applied by the second chamber and the second spring.

Abstract: A nozzle for a fire suppression system has a bonnet and a deflector base. An inlet port extends through the bonnet along the axis of symmetry of the bonnet. The inlet port receives an outlet end of a fire suppression delivery pipe to mount the bonnet to the pipe. The bonnet has a frustoconical surface which extends radially outward and downward from the inlet port. The deflector base is secured to and co-axially aligned with the bonnet at a predetermined distance to create a flow passageway therebetween. The flow passageway imparts a down angle to a suppressant flow discharging from the nozzle to better disperse the suppressant within the fire zone. A discharge port at the circumferential edge of the bonnet and deflector base constricts the suppressant flow to atomize the droplets of liquid suppressant discharged into the fire zone.

Abstract: A self-regulating valve controls the flow of high pressure gas discharging from a gas cylinder in a fire suppression system in response to a detection of a fire within a protected space by a two-step process which reduces the pressure rise within the protected space upon release of the fire suppression gas into the protected space.

Abstract: A two-step, self-regulating valve (16) controls gas flow from a gas cylinder (12) in a high pressure system. The valve (16) includes a valve body (24), a piston (26), a plug (28), a valve actuator (34), and a piston actuator (32). The piston (26) is movable within the valve body (24) along an axis between a first and a second position. The plug (28) is movable within the valve body (24) along the axis between a valve closed position, a partially open position, and a fully open position. The valve actuator (34) allows the plug (28) to move from the valve closed position to the partially open position. The piston actuator (32) causes the piston (26) to move from the first position to the second position when a gas pressure in the gas cylinder (12) is less than a setpoint. When the piston (26) moves to the second position, the piston (26) allows the plug (28) to move from the partially open position to the fully open position.

Abstract: A method is provided for tuning an oxygen trim controller during the commissioning of a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system, rather than tuning the oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed.

Abstract: A method is provided for the automated setup of a metered combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The automated setup process includes both commissioning and controller tuning, rather than tuning the carbon monoxide and/or oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed. The oxygen trim controller or the carbon monoxide trim controller is used to identify the air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A two-phase liquid/inert gas flow inerting fire suppression system is provided having improved liquid fire suppressant distribution within the inert gas flow. The system includes a flow distribution network having a first pipe interconnected with a second pipe at a flow splitting tee. A liquid flow redistribution device is disposed in the first pipe upstream with respect to fluid flow of the flow splitting tee.