Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes at least two horizontal barriers, each covering two adjacent racks and a vertical flue space between the racks. The horizontal barriers are provided at a predetermined height, and have a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack, and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the two racks and a depth of the vertical flue space. The horizontal barrier is spaced from an adjacent horizontal barrier. The system also includes at least two rack level fire protection sprinklers disposed in the vertical flue space below a horizontal barrier, of the at least two horizontal barriers. The sprinkler have a K-factor of 11.2 gpm/(psi)1/2 or greater, and are vertically spaced from commodities stored on the racks. Each horizontal barrier covers one rack level sprinkler, of the at least two rack level sprinklers.

Abstract: A fill level measuring device for measuring the fill level of a liquid in a tank of a vehicle includes a multiband slotted waveguide antenna to be attached in the upper region of the tank, the antenna having a waveguide and multiple slots spaced apart, which are dimensioned differently, so that they have different resonance frequencies, to respectively emit radar waves having different frequencies. At least one radar transmitter can be coupled to the waveguide to feed the multiband slotted waveguide antenna with radar waves having the different resonance frequencies, and at least one radar receiver is provided for receiving reflected radar waves of different frequencies via the multiband slotted waveguide antenna. An evaluation unit is provided for detecting the fill level and the spatial distribution of the liquid in the tank based on the reflected radar waves.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for free-space optical communications. An aircraft includes a flat optical communication terminal on an external surface of the aircraft, the flat optical communication terminal being configured to communicate with a ground station via a free-space optical communication link.

Abstract: A dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube section that maintains a pressurized fluid, such as a liquid antifreeze solution, between a first end and a second end. A first seal prevents fluid from a supply line from entering the flexible tube section. The first seal is maintained in a sealed position by a pressure of the pressurized fluid. A sprinkler head is coupled to the second end of the flexible tube section, and includes a frame, an output orifice, a deflector, a second seal that seals the output orifice, and a thermally responsive element configured to maintain the second seal in a sealed position when the thermally responsive element is in a non-responsive state. A differential pressure controller maintains a ratio between the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the flexible tube section and a pressure of a supply fluid in the supply line to at least a certain ratio.

Abstract: A dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube section that maintains a pressurized fluid, such as a liquid antifreeze solution, between a first end and a second end. A first seal prevents fluid from a supply line from entering the flexible tube section. The first seal is maintained in a sealed position by a pressure of the pressurized fluid. A sprinkler head is coupled to the second end of the flexible tube section, and includes a frame, an output orifice, a deflector, a second seal that seals the output orifice, and a thermally responsive element configured to maintain the second seal in a sealed position when the thermally responsive element is in a non-responsive state. A differential pressure controller maintains a ratio between the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the flexible tube section and a pressure of a supply fluid in the supply line to at least a certain ratio.

Abstract: A pressure maintenance device is connected to a fire protection sprinkler system having downstream piping that is exposed to freezing temperatures, and supplies a pressurized fluid to the downstream piping when the sprinkler system is in an inactivated state. When an outlet pressure sensor near an outlet of the pressure maintenance device detects that a pressure of the pressurized fluid downstream of an outlet regulator falls below a first predetermined pressure, the pressure maintenance device supplies the pressurized fluid in a primary supply mode or a secondary supply mode. The pressure maintenance device automatically switches from the primary supply mode to the secondary supply mode if a supply pressure sensor detects that a pressure of the pressurized fluid downstream of a first pressurized fluid valve, and upstream of the outlet pressure regulator, falls below a second predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes at least two horizontal barriers, each covering two adjacent racks and a vertical flue space between the racks. The horizontal barriers are provided at a predetermined height, and have a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack, and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the two racks and a depth of the vertical flue space. The horizontal barrier is spaced from an adjacent horizontal barrier. The system also includes at least two rack level fire protection sprinklers disposed in the vertical flue space below a horizontal barrier, of the at least two horizontal barriers. The sprinkler have a K-factor of 11.2 gpm/(psi)1/2 or greater, and are vertically spaced from commodities stored on the racks. Each horizontal barrier covers one rack level sprinkler, of the at least two rack level sprinklers.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes a horizontal barrier that covers two adjacent racks, and the vertical flue space between the racks. The horizontal barrier is provided at a predetermined height, and has a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack, and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the rack, a depth of the other rack, and a depth of the vertical flue space. In addition, the horizontal barrier is a sheet having one or more apertures. The system also includes a rack level fire protection sprinkler connected to a fluid supply conduit, and being disposed in the vertical flue space below the horizontal barrier. The rack level sprinkler has a K-factor of 11.2 gpm/(psi)1/2 or greater, and is vertically spaced from commodities stored on the rack and the other rack covered by the horizontal barrier.

Abstract: A method of protecting commodities stored in a plurality of adjoining racks, having a vertical flue space provided between a set of racks of the plurality of adjoining racks, includes covering a rack, of the plurality of adjoining racks, and the vertical flue space with one or more solid horizontal barriers provided at a predetermined height. Each solid horizontal barrier has a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the rack and a depth of the vertical flue space. The method also includes providing one or more rack-level fire protection sprinklers in the vertical flue space below a solid horizontal barrier, of the one or more solid horizontal barriers, each rack-level sprinkler being vertically spaced from the commodities stored on the rack that is covered by the solid horizontal barrier.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes one or more solid horizontal barriers that cover a rack, of a plurality of adjoining racks, and a vertical flue space between adjacent racks. Each barrier is provided at a predetermined height, and has a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the rack and a depth of the vertical flue space. In addition, one or more rack-level fire protection sprinklers are connected to a fluid supply conduit, and are disposed in the vertical flue space above or below a solid horizontal barrier. Each of the one or more rack-level sprinklers is vertically spaced from the commodities stored on a rack, of the plurality of adjoining racks, that is covered by the solid horizontal barrier.

Abstract: A pressure maintenance device is connected to a fire protection sprinkler system having downstream piping that is exposed to freezing temperatures, and supplies a pressurized fluid to the downstream piping when the sprinkler system is in an inactivated state. When an outlet pressure sensor near an outlet of the pressure maintenance device detects that a pressure of the pressurized fluid downstream of an outlet regulator falls below a first predetermined pressure, the pressure maintenance device supplies the pressurized fluid in a primary supply mode or a secondary supply mode. The pressure maintenance device automatically switches from the primary supply mode to the secondary supply mode if a supply pressure sensor detects that a pressure of the pressurized fluid downstream of a first pressurized fluid valve, and upstream of the outlet pressure regulator, falls below a second predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube section that maintains a pressurized fluid, such as a liquid antifreeze solution, between a first end and a second end. A first seal prevents fluid from a supply line from entering the flexible tube section. The first seal is maintained in a sealed position by a pressure of the pressurized fluid. A sprinkler head is coupled to the second end of the flexible tube section, and includes a frame, an output orifice, a deflector, a second seal that seals the output orifice, and a thermally responsive element configured to maintain the second seal in a sealed position when the thermally responsive element is in a non-responsive state. A differential pressure controller maintains a ratio between the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the flexible tube section and a pressure of a supply fluid in the supply line to at least a certain ratio.

Abstract: A dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube section that maintains a pressurized fluid, such as a liquid antifreeze solution, between a first end and a second end. A first seal prevents fluid from a supply line from entering the flexible tube section. The first seal is maintained in a sealed position by a pressure of the pressurized fluid. A sprinkler head is coupled to the second end of the flexible tube section, and includes a frame, an output orifice, a deflector, a second seal that seals the output orifice, and a thermally responsive element configured to maintain the second seal in a sealed position when the thermally responsive element is in a non-responsive state. A differential pressure controller maintains a ratio between the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the flexible tube section and a pressure of a supply fluid in the supply line to at least a certain ratio.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system is provided for the protection of commodities including Class I-IV hazards, Group A cartoned and exposed plastics (expanded and unexpanded), flammable liquids, tires, roll paper, and aerosols, stored in a plurality of adjoining racks having a longitudinal flue space between the racks. The system includes at least one fluid supply conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fire protection fluid. The system also includes at least one solid horizontal barrier covering each rack and the longitudinal flue space at a predetermined vertical spacing. The system further includes one or more rack-level fire protection sprinklers in fluid communication with the fluid supply. The sprinklers are disposed in the vertical flue space between adjacent horizontal barriers, and each sprinkler is spaced vertically from the commodities stored between adjacent horizontal barriers.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a bracket for a sprinkler fitting is provided having a first flange, a second flange connected to the first flange, and a mounting flange connected to at least one of the first and second flanges. The mounting flange may for example be substantially orthogonal to the first and second flanges. One of the first and second flanges has a preferably circular hole formed therethrough, and the other has a polygonal opening formed therethrough and aligned with the circular hole. An adapter having a polygonal end is inserted in the bracket such that the polygonal end aligns with the polygonal opening so as to limit rotation of the adapter with respect to the bracket, the adapter disposing a sprinkler coupled thereto with respect to a finished ceiling surface of a structure.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a bracket for a sprinkler fitting is provided having a first flange, a second flange connected to the first flange, and a mounting flange connected to at least one of the first and second flanges. The mounting flange may for example be substantially orthogonal to the first and second flanges. One of the first and second flanges has a preferably circular hole formed therethrough, and the other has a polygonal opening formed therethrough and aligned with the circular hole. An adapter having a polygonal end is inserted in the bracket such that the polygonal end aligns with the polygonal opening so as to limit rotation of the adapter with respect to the bracket, the adapter disposing a sprinkler coupled thereto with respect to a finished ceiling surface of a structure.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system is provided for the protection of commodities including Class I-IV hazards, Group A cartoned and exposed plastics (expanded and unexpanded), flammable liquids, tires, roll paper, and aerosols, stored in a plurality of adjoining racks having a longitudinal flue space between the racks. The system includes at least one fluid supply conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fire protection fluid. The system also includes at least one solid horizontal barrier covering each rack and the longitudinal flue space at a predetermined vertical spacing. The system further includes one or more rack-level fire protection sprinklers in fluid communication with the fluid supply. The sprinklers are disposed in the vertical flue space between adjacent horizontal barriers, and each sprinkler is spaced vertically from the commodities stored between adjacent horizontal barriers.

Abstract: A fire prevention sprinkler system that has a warming jacket through which a warming medium, preferably water, is circulated, at a temperature sufficient to prevent freezing of those portions of the sprinkler system that contain water or another freezable liquid at times when the sprinklers are not actually spraying water to control or extinguish a fire. The warming medium is preferably heated by radiant heating, and circulation is preferably initiated by a thermostatic control whenever the temperature in the protected premises drops below a predetermined value.

Abstract: An aesthetic cover is provided to conceal a cover plate of a concealed fire protection sprinkler, the cover plate having an inner side facing the sprinkler and a wall or ceiling surface and an outer side facing away from the sprinkler. The cover includes a concealing surface and an attachment member configured to attach the concealing surface to the cover plate so as to conceal the cover plate.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system is provided including a fluid supply, at least one conduit in fluid communication with the fluid supply, and at least one mountable fitting fluidly coupled to the conduit. The mountable fitting includes a body and a mounting base. The body defines a cavity having a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the cavity and the conduit, at least one port of the plurality of ports having a connection portion configured to fluidly couple to at least the fluid conduit. The mounting base extends a fixed distance from the body configured to be mounted to a structure to space the body a fixed distance from the structure.