Patents by Inventor Shawn J. Feenstra

Shawn J. Feenstra 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: 20230081536
    Abstract: An apparatus and method directed to aspirated-type high-expansion foam generation having a nozzle manifold configured to receive a foam solution and at least one nozzle assembly. The generator includes a foam generator assembly disposed adjacent the nozzle manifold. The foam generator has a body portion having a first foam generating portion and a second foam generating portion that is connected to the first foam generating portion. The generator is configured with a main header of the nozzle manifold disposed orthogonal to at least one sub-header; less than six nozzle assemblies; a ratio of a diameter of an inlet of a respective nozzle to a distance from an inner wall surface of the header to the inlet of the respective nozzle is 0.8 or less; and a nozzle with a nozzle insert with a crossover path defined by a non-sharp transition member and a cone shaped tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Marc S. FERERE, Derek J. SCHEFFERS
  • Patent number: 11596821
    Abstract: A proportioner having a body portion that defines a foam passage and a fluid passage. The proportioner also includes a restrictor assembly having a restrictor disk and an orifice plate having an opening for receiving the restrictor disk. The proportioner can further include a rod member connected to the restrictor disk and a clapper assembly connected to the rod member via a sliding interface. The clapper assembly can be configured to control a flow of the foam concentrate through the foam passage in proportion to a flow of the fire protection fluid through the fluid passage by moving the rod member to vary the distance between the restrictor disk and the orifice plate. The sliding interface can be disposed between a first guide and a second guide, and at least a portion of the restrictor disk is disposed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Derek John Scheffers, Marc Serge Ferere, Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 11559710
    Abstract: A fire protection containment unit for protection of an intermediate bulk container (IBC) having an internal flame and drain barrier disposed above a basin portion of the containment unit. The barrier includes pans having an impact surface that is angled to drain toward a central grid of the barrier to direct escaped liquid from the IBC into the basin portion of the containment unit. The basin portion includes a base surface on an incline to define a pooling region of the containment unit to collect escaped liquid from the IBC. The containment unit includes containment walls which define various configurations of the containment unit including an open configuration, partially open configuration, a completely contained configuration and a packaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: Viking Group, Inc., Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Martin H. Workman, Shawn J. Feenstra, Derek J. Scheffers
  • Publication number: 20220347503
    Abstract: A fire protection containment unit for protection of an intermediate bulk container (IBC) having an internal flame and drain barrier disposed above a basin portion of the containment unit. The barrier includes pans having an impact surface that is angled to drain toward a central grid of the barrier to direct escaped liquid from the IBC into the basin portion of the containment unit. The basin portion includes a base surface on an incline to define a pooling region of the containment unit to collect escaped liquid from the IBC. The containment unit includes containment walls which define various configurations of the containment unit including an open configuration, partially open configuration, a completely contained configuration and a packaged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Martin H. WORKMAN, Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Derek J. SCHEFFERS
  • Patent number: 11364399
    Abstract: A fire suppression nozzle assembly includes a spray-type nozzle for spraying a fire suppression fluid. The spray-type nozzle includes a body portion defining a passage extending longitudinally through the body portion for conveying the fire suppression fluid. The spray-type nozzle also includes a deflector portion coupled to the body portion and configured to spray the fire suppression fluid onto a fire suppression target area using a radial spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Vinh Bao Hoa
  • Patent number: 11358015
    Abstract: A pilot actuator for controlling the operation of a control valve. The control valve can be part of a thy-type fire suppression sprinkler system in which the sprinkler piping network is filled with pressurized gas such as, for example, air, nitrogen, or another gas. The pilot actuator is a differential valve that actuates the control valve when the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network is at or below a value for tripping or actuating the pilot valve to the open position. The actuator assembly defines a neutral chamber that is at an intermediate pressure in comparison to pressures at the inlet port and the measuring port when the pilot actuator is in a stand-by state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Marc Serge Ferere
  • Patent number: 11247086
    Abstract: A pilot actuator for controlling the operation of a control valve. The control valve can be part of a dry-type fire suppression sprinkler system in which the sprinkler piping network is filled with pressurized gas such as, for example, air, nitrogen, or another gas. The pilot actuator is a differential valve that actuates the control valve when the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network is at or below a value for tripping or actuating the pilot valve to the open position. The pilot actuator has a ratio of a change in a trip pressure set point to a change in an inlet pressure that is in a range of 0.007 to 0.045.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Marc Serge Ferere
  • Publication number: 20220023691
    Abstract: A helipad fire suppression system includes a helipad having an outer boundary that defines an impervious deck area for at least one of landing or storing one or more helicopters, with at least a portion of the impervious deck area being designated a fire suppression target area. The system includes a nozzle assembly having a spray-type nozzle for spraying a fire suppression fluid in a radial pattern. The nozzle assembly can include a nozzle enclosure for enclosing the spray-type nozzle and can be configured for installation in a surface made of an impervious material. The nozzle assembly is disposed in an interior portion of the impervious deck area so as to provide the fire suppression fluid to the fire suppression target area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Derek J. SCHEFFERS
  • Publication number: 20210299495
    Abstract: A pilot actuator for controlling the operation of a control valve. The control valve can be part of a thy-type fire suppression sprinkler system in which the sprinkler piping network is filled with pressurized gas such as, for example, air, nitrogen, or another gas. The pilot actuator is a differential valve that actuates the control valve when the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network is at or below a value for tripping or actuating the pilot valve to the open position. The actuator assembly defines a neutral chamber that is at an intermediate pressure in comparison to pressures at the inlet port and the measuring port when the pilot actuator is in a stand-by state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Marc Serge FERERE
  • Publication number: 20210244984
    Abstract: A pilot actuator for controlling the operation of a control valve. The control valve can be part of a dry-type fire suppression sprinkler system in which the sprinkler piping network is filled with pressurized gas such as, for example, air, nitrogen, or another gas. The pilot actuator is a differential valve that actuates the control valve when the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network is at or below a value for tripping or actuating the pilot valve to the open position. The pilot actuator has a ratio of a change in a trip pressure set point to a change in an inlet pressure that is in a range of 0.007 to 0.045.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Marc Senge FERERE
  • Publication number: 20200360744
    Abstract: A proportioner having a body portion that defines a fluid passage for transporting a fire protection fluid and a foam passage for transporting a foam concentrate. The foam concentrate mixes with the fire protection fluid to form a fire protection solution. The proportioner also includes a restrictor assembly having a restrictor disk and an orifice plate. The orifice plate has an opening for receiving the restrictor disk. The restrictor disk and opening are configured to form an annulus between an outer surface of the restrictor disk and an inner surface of the opening when at least a portion of the restrictor disk is disposed within the opening and the restrictor disk is spaced from the orifice plate. The restrictor assembly is configured to maintain the annulus for a full travel range of the restrictor disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Derek John SCHEFFERS, Marc Serge FERERE, Shawn J. FEENSTRA
  • Publication number: 20200360746
    Abstract: A proportioner having a body portion that defines a fluid passage for transporting a fire protection fluid, and a foam passage for transporting a foam concentrate. The proportioner also includes a restrictor assembly having a restrictor disk and an orifice plate. The proportioner further includes a clapper assembly configured to control a flow of the foam concentrate through the foam passage by varying a distance between the restrictor disk and the orifice plate. The clapper assembly is configured to move the restrictor disk so as to maintain a foam concentrate percentage in the fire protection solution within a target concentration that provides effective fire protection for flows of the fire protection solution within a target flow ratio in a range of 10 to 70, for a foam concentrate viscosity that is greater than 1300 mPas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Derek John SCHEFFERS, Marc Serge FERERE, Shawn J. FEENSTRA
  • Publication number: 20200360745
    Abstract: A proportioner having a body portion that defines a foam passage and a fluid passage. The proportioner also includes a restrictor assembly having a restrictor disk and an orifice plate having an opening for receiving the restrictor disk. The proportioner can further include a rod member connected to the restrictor disk and a clapper assembly connected to the rod member via a sliding interface. The clapper assembly can be configured to control a flow of the foam concentrate through the foam passage in proportion to a flow of the fire protection fluid through the fluid passage by moving the rod member to vary the distance between the restrictor disk and the orifice plate. The sliding interface can be disposed between a first guide and a second guide, and at least a portion of the restrictor disk is deposed in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Derek John SCHEFFERS, Marc Serge FERERE, Shawn J. FEENSTRA
  • Publication number: 20200023215
    Abstract: A fire suppression nozzle assembly includes a spray-type nozzle for spraying a fire suppression fluid. The spray-type nozzle includes a body portion defining a passage extending longitudinally through the body portion for conveying the fire suppression fluid. The spray-type nozzle also includes a deflector portion coupled to the body portion and configured to spray the fire suppression fluid onto a fire suppression target area using a radial spray pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Vinh Bao HOA
  • Patent number: 9776028
    Abstract: A residential or commercial sprinkler system is provided wherein the sprinkler heads and piping distribution network are provided with a relatively low pressure fire suppressant liquid in place of pneumatic pressure, which is typical, and control valve keeps fire suppressant supply pressure from entering the discharge sprinkler system at design discharge pressure until a fire detection system detects a fire condition. Upon the detection of a fire condition, a control valve is opened to provide the sprinkler heads and piping distribution network with a fully pressurized supply of fire suppressant. Also in the case of electric control power loss the system will operate from loss of outlet supervised pressure releasing sprinkler liquid suppressant to the discharge system of closed fused sprinklers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Eldon D. Jackson, Martin H. Workman, Michael J. Bosma
  • Patent number: 9132305
    Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler includes a sprinkler body having a fluid passage extending therethrough. A plug member disposed in the fluid passage. A heat responsive unit releasably secures the plug member in the fluid passage. A pair of frame arms extend from the sprinkler body. A deflector is mounted to the pair of frame arms and includes a peripheral edge including a plurality of slots extending radially inward from the peripheral edge. The plurality of slots include a pair of slots orthogonal to the pair of frame arms and the deflector includes a pair of apertures radially inward of the pair of slots and orthogonal to the pair of frame arms. The pair of apertures include an inner arcuate portion and a radially outwardly extending portion extending from the inner arcuate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 9022132
    Abstract: A trim manifold assembly is utilized to facilitate control of the control valve in a fire protection system. The trim manifold assembly utilizes a manifold block with numerous passageways to provide desired flow communication between various components, such as automatic and manual valves, check valves, inlet and exit ports, and sensor ports, by way of non-limiting example. The trim manifold assembly can be cost-effectively manufactured and may require less assembly steps. The trim manifold assembly can facilitate the assembly of a fire protection system and the attachment of the trim manifold assembly to the control valve for operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 9004421
    Abstract: A support system for a fire protection sprinkler includes a support bar having a pair of end brackets disposed at the ends of the support bar. A center bracket assembly is mounted on the support bar and includes a support bracket and a hinge bracket pivotally connected to the support bracket by a hinge pin. The pair of end bracket assemblies each include an outside bracket and an inside bracket secured to the outside bracket wherein at least one of the outside and the inside bracket has an upper end connected to the support bar and includes an angled body extending laterally outward from the upper end away from the center bracket wherein the outside and inside brackets define a channel therebetween for receiving an upper rail of a T-shaped rail of a drop ceiling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 9004422
    Abstract: A support system for a fire protection sprinkler includes a support bar having a pair of end brackets disposed at the ends of the support bar. A center bracket assembly is mounted on the support bar and includes a support bracket and a hinge bracket pivotally connected to the support bracket by a hinge pin. The pair of end bracket assemblies each include an outside bracket and an inside bracket secured to the outside bracket wherein at least one of the outside and the inside bracket has an upper end connected to the support bar and includes an angled body extending laterally outward from the upper end away from the center bracket wherein the outside and inside brackets define a channel therebetween for receiving an upper rail of a T-shaped rail of a drop ceiling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Publication number: 20140209328
    Abstract: A trim manifold assembly is utilized to facilitate control of the control valve in a fire protection system. The trim manifold assembly utilizes a manifold block with numerous passageways to provide desired flow communication between various components, such as automatic and manual valves, check valves, inlet and exit ports, and sensor ports, by way of non-limiting example. The trim manifold assembly can be cost-effectively manufactured and may require less assembly steps. The trim manifold assembly can facilitate the assembly of a fire protection system and the attachment of the trim manifold assembly to the control valve for operation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shawn J. FEENSTRA