Patents by Inventor Robert M. Grindley

Robert M. Grindley 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: 6973975
    Abstract: A compressed air/foam fire fighting system which is sufficiently compact to be carried on the bed of a pick-up truck includes a water tank, a pump for providing water at substantial pressure to a water conduit, an engine for driving the pump, a foam reservoir including a bladder tank connected to the pump, an air compressor, an engine for driving the air compressor, a differential pressure valve connected in the water conduit, a metering valve adjustable to supply a desired proportion of foam concentrate to water connected across the differential pressure valve, an air valve for controlling the amount of air from said compressor, and an air injection venturi for mixing air into a water/foam concentrate. A two-way valve connected between the tank and the pump is movable between a first position where water is pumped from the water tank and a second or suction position where water is drawn from an outside tank or other source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Robwen Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Adamson, John R. Grindley, Robert M. Grindley
  • Patent number: 5909775
    Abstract: A fire fighting foam proportioner for use in providing precise proportioning of foaming agent to fire fighting liquid, e.g., water, includes a conduit incorporating a check valve and a venturi with a dual chamber piston pump having one part connected to the high pressure water source at the inlet to the conduit and the other part connected to a source of the foaming agent and arranged to pump the foaming agent through a foam conduit to the throat of the venturi where it is mixed with the water. Reversible valves responsive to pump movement are connected to the first pump part to cause it to reverse direction at the end of each stroke. A pair of one-way check valves at each of the inlet and outlet ports of the second pump part keep the foaming agent moving through the foam conduit where it is controlled by a pressure equalizing valve and a metering valve. The area of the foam conduit is controlled by the equalizing valve which includes a spool valve having pressure sensing areas at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventor: Robert M. Grindley
  • Patent number: 5165442
    Abstract: A fire fighting foam proportioner for use in providing precise proportioning of foam to fire fighting liquid, e.g. water, is disclosed. It includes a tank for the storage of foam concentrate which is loaded using a hand pump. The storage tank is coupled to a fire fighting line through a differential pressure responsive valve in the fire fighting line and a proportioning valve used to select the foam concentration desired, for example 0.2 to 1 percent of the fire fighting liquid. The differential pressure responsive valve applies discharge pressure to the foam concentrate as a function of the fluid flow through the line and therefore provides precise flow concentration maintenance despite changes if flow and line pressure. The differential pressure responsive valve includes to coaxial valving members and low and high pressure ports which are coupled to control the discharged pressure to the tank. The proportioner valve include a rotor with a continuous variable groove for precise control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventors: John R. Grindley, Robert M. Grindley
  • Patent number: 5009244
    Abstract: A fire fighting foam proportioner for use in providing precise proportioning of foam to fire fighting liquid, e.g. water, is disclosed. It includes a tank for the storage of foam concentrate which is loaded using a hand pump. The storage tank is coupled to a fire fighting line through a differential pressure responsive valve in the fire fighting line and a proportioning valve used to select the foam concentration desired, for example 0.2 to 1 percent of the fire fighting liquid. The differential pressure responsive valve applies discharge pressure to the foam concentrate as a function of the fluid flow through the line and therefore provides precise flow concentration maintenance despite changes if flow and line pressure. The differential pressure responsive valve includes to coaxial valving members and low and high pressure ports which are coupled to control the discharged pressure to the tank. The proportioner valve include a rotor with a continuous variable groove for precise control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignees: Grindley, Inc., Robwen, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Grindley, Robert M. Grindley