Patents by Inventor Robert J. Ballard
Robert J. Ballard 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: 20240091924Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies
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Publication number: 20210001162Abstract: A sprinkler with flexible body for fire suppression includes a sprinkler head. An adapter extends from the sprinkler head and a flexible conduit extends from the adapter. The conduit is connectable to a source of fire suppressing liquid. The sprinkler with flexible body has a composite K factor indicative of the discharge flow rate from a discharge opening defined by the sprinkler head and can be directly substituted for a sprinkler having the same K factor with no change in the hydraulic characteristics of the fire suppression system in which the sprinkler with flexible body is integrated. An embodiment without the adapter, wherein the flexible conduit extends from the sprinkler head, is also feasible.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Charles Oakes, Michael J. Davis, Robert J. Ballard
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Patent number: 8376059Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a source of pressurized gas and a source of pressurized liquid. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas sources. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. The emitter discharges the liquid-gas stream against a deflector surface having a closed end cavity therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
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Patent number: 8141798Abstract: An emitter for atomizing and discharging a liquid entrained in a gas stream is disclosed. The emitter has a nozzle with an outlet facing a deflector surface having a closed end cavity. The nozzle discharges a gas jet against the deflector surface. The emitter has a duct with an exit orifice adjacent to the nozzle outlet. Liquid is discharged from the orifice and is entrained in the gas jet where it is atomized.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Stephen R. Ide
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Patent number: 7921927Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a gaseous extinguishing agent and a liquid extinguishing agent. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. The emitter has a deflector surface with a closed end cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
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Publication number: 20100193609Abstract: An emitter for atomizing and discharging a liquid entrained in a gas stream is disclosed. The emitter has a nozzle with an outlet facing a deflector surface having a closed end cavity. The nozzle discharges a gas jet against the deflector surface. The emitter has a duct with an exit orifice adjacent to the nozzle outlet. Liquid is discharged from the orifice and is entrained in the gas jet where it is atomized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Stephen R. Ide
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Publication number: 20100193203Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a source of pressurized gas and a source of pressurized liquid. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas sources. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. The emitter discharges the liquid-gas stream against a deflector surface having a closed end cavity therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
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Publication number: 20100181081Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a gaseous extinguishing agent and a liquid extinguishing agent. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. The emitter has a deflector surface with a closed end cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
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Patent number: 7726408Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a source of pressurized gas and a source of pressurized liquid. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas sources. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. A method of operating the system is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a gas stream having first and second shock fronts using the emitter, atomizing and entraining the liquid with the gas at one of the two shock fronts to form a liquid-gas stream, and discharging the stream onto the fire. The method also includes creating a plurality of shock diamonds in the liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
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Patent number: 7721811Abstract: An emitter for atomizing and discharging a liquid entrained in a gas stream is disclosed. The emitter has a nozzle with an outlet facing a deflector surface. The nozzle discharges a gas jet against the deflector surface. The emitter has a duct with an exit orifice adjacent to the nozzle outlet. Liquid is discharged from the orifice and is entrained in the gas jet where it is atomized. A method of operating the emitter is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a first shock front between the outlet and the deflector surface, a second shock front proximate to the deflector surface, and a plurality of shock diamonds in a liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Stephen R. Ide
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Patent number: 7686093Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a gaseous extinguishing agent and a liquid extinguishing agent. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. A method of operating the system is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a gas stream having first and second shock fronts using the emitter, atomizing and entraining the liquid with the gas at one of the two shock fronts to form a liquid-gas stream, and discharging the stream onto the fire. The method also includes creating a plurality of shock diamonds in the liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
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Patent number: 7584803Abstract: A sprinkler of the compressed strut and lever type wherein the motion of the lever is limited is disclosed. The sprinkler includes a compression member that compresses a strut against a sealing member that closes the outlet of the sprinkler. One end of a lever is positioned between the compression member and the strut. The opposite end is positioned in proximity to an abutment surface on the sprinkler. The opposite end is engageable with the abutment surface which limits motion of the lever and maintains an offset between the strut and the compression member that renders the strut and lever an unstable mechanism. A frangible link extends between the strut and the lever. The link separates in response to an increase in temperature indicative of a fire condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventor: Robert J. Ballard
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Publication number: 20080105442Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a gaseous extinguishing agent and a liquid extinguishing agent. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. A method of operating the system is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a gas stream having first and second shock fronts using the emitter, atomizing and entraining the liquid with the gas at one of the two shock fronts to form a liquid-gas stream, and discharging the stream onto the fire. The method also includes creating a plurality of shock diamonds in the liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: Victualic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
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Publication number: 20080011491Abstract: A sprinkler for fire suppression systems that produces an orthogonal spray pattern is disclosed. The sprinkler has an exit orifice with a non-round perimeter and a deflector plate having a non-round perimeter. The shape of the deflector plate perimeter may be matched to that of the exit orifice perimeter. Orifice perimeters may be square, rectangular, formed of lobes or interconnected curves, and there may be multiple orifices in the sprinkler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2005Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: Victaulic Company of AmericaInventors: Lawrence W. Thau, William J. Reilly, Stephen R. Ide, Thomas F. Wancho, Robert J. Ballard
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Publication number: 20030075343Abstract: A dry sprinkler comprises a tubular body having a connector and a sprinkler head. The connector is adapted to be connected to the water pipe network of the fire suppression system and the sprinkler head is adapted to discharge water or other liquid suppressant. The tubular body defines a flow passage between the connector and the sprinkler head. First and second seals are arranged in spaced relation along the flow passage and contain an antifreeze fluid therebetween. The antifreeze fluid may be a liquid or gas subjected to pressure. A thermally responsive element is arranged to maintain the second seal in a state that contains the antifreeze fluid between the first and second seals. The thermally responsive element releases the second seal when an elevated temperature condition exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2001Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: National Foam, Inc., d/b/a Kidde Fire FightingInventor: Robert J. Ballard