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).

  • Publication number: 20240091924
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies
  • Publication number: 20210001162
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Charles Oakes, Michael J. Davis, Robert J. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8376059
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
  • Patent number: 8141798
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Stephen R. Ide
  • Patent number: 7921927
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
  • Publication number: 20100193609
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Stephen R. Ide
  • Publication number: 20100193203
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
  • Publication number: 20100181081
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
  • Patent number: 7726408
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
  • Patent number: 7721811
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Stephen R. Ide
  • Patent number: 7686093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
  • Patent number: 7584803
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20080105442
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Victualic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Robert J. Ballard, Kevin J. Blease, Stephen R. Ide
  • Publication number: 20080011491
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Thau, William J. Reilly, Stephen R. Ide, Thomas F. Wancho, Robert J. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20030075343
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: National Foam, Inc., d/b/a Kidde Fire Fighting
    Inventor: Robert J. Ballard