Patents by Inventor William A. Eckholm

William A. Eckholm 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: 9662521
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passive non-electrical dual stage fire suppression according to various aspects of the present invention include detecting a fire with a first active fire suppressant unit and changing the status of a second fire suppressant unit from “stand-by” to “active” when the first fire suppressant unit releases a fire suppressant agent. After the first fire suppressant unit has released its fire suppressant agent, the second fire suppressant unit may detect a continued and/or a new fire and release a second fire suppressant agent in response to the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Brian J. Cashion, Dustin C. Moran
  • Patent number: 9169044
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for containing a hazardous material according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a container having two compartments. The first compartment is configured to contain the hazardous material within a non-rigid bladder and the second compartment contains a hazard control material within a two-piece container configured to enclose the first compartment. The container may further comprise a wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment that is configured to open upon occurrence of a trigger event to release the hazard control material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, II, Dustin C. Moran, Brian J. Cashion
  • Patent number: 9010449
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hot aisle/cold aisle data center fire suppression according to various aspects of the present invention include a detection system that is configured to be located proximate to a side of a computer cabinet facing a hot aisle and a discharge system that is configured to be located within a subfloor having a cooling airflow that is directed upwards from the subfloor through one or more vents in the subfloor and into a cold aisle. The detection system may be configured to detect a fire condition such as smoke exiting the cabinet and in response generate a signal that activates the discharge system. The discharge system may be configured to inject a fire suppressant into the cooling airflow, whereby the cooling airflow may facilitate delivery of the fire suppressant into the cold aisle and the computer cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, William David Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8863856
    Abstract: A multi-stage fire suppression system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a fire suppressant material in response to multiple detections of a fire condition over time. In one embodiment, the multi-stage fire suppression system comprises at least two pressure tubes each having a different internal pressure. Each pressure tube is adapted to generate a pneumatic signal in response to exposure to a different trigger event. The pneumatic signal is used to activate a suppression system and release the fire suppressant material from a container. The multi-stage fire suppression system may also be configured to signal a secondary hazard detection system that a fire has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Matthew Sampson, Ryan Gamboa
  • Publication number: 20140116734
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passive non-electrical dual stage fire suppression according to various aspects of the present invention include detecting a fire with a first active fire suppressant unit and changing the status of a second fire suppressant unit from “stand-by” to “active” when the first fire suppressant unit releases a fire suppressant agent. After the first fire suppressant unit has released its fire suppressant agent, the second fire suppressant unit may detect a continued and/or a new fire and release a second fire suppressant agent in response to the detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Brian J. Cashion, Dustin C. Moran
  • Patent number: 8646540
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passive non-electrical dual stage fire suppression according to various aspects of the present invention include detecting a fire with a first active fire suppressant unit and changing the status of a second fire suppressant unit from “stand-by” to “active” when the first fire suppressant unit releases a fire suppressant agent. After the first fire suppressant unit has released its fire suppressant agent, the second fire suppressant unit may detect a continued and/or a new fire and release a second fire suppressant agent in response to the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Brian J. Cashion, Dustin C. Moran
  • Patent number: 8505642
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual stage hazard suppression system according to various aspects of the present invention include a housing containing a first hazard control material that is configured to be located close to a hazard source and a container containing a second hazard control material located at a distance from the hazard source. The housing may be configured to release the first hazard control material in response to a breach of the housing and/or the hazard source. The container may be configured for a timed release of the second hazard control material in response to the release of the first hazard control material. Alternatively, a sensor may be used to trigger the release of the second hazard control material in response to a triggering event separate from the initial breach of the housing and/or the hazard source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Cashion, Dustin C. Moran, Matthew Sampson, William A. Eckholm
  • Patent number: 8459369
    Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a control material in response to detection of a hazard and signal a secondary hazard detection system that an event has occurred. In one embodiment, the hazard control system comprises a pressure tube having an internal pressure that is configured to leak in response to exposure to heat. The leak changes the internal pressure and generates a pneumatic signal. A valve may be coupled to the pressure tube and be configured to release the control material from a container is response to the pneumatic signal. A second valve may also be coupled to the pressure tube and be configured to provide a signal to the secondary hazard detection system in response to the pneumatic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Matthew Sampson
  • Publication number: 20130025888
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hot aisle/cold aisle data center fire suppression according to various aspects of the present invention include a detection system that is configured to be located proximate to a side of a computer cabinet facing a hot aisle and a discharge system that is configured to be located within a subfloor having a cooling airflow that is directed upwards from the subfloor through one or more vents in the subfloor and into a cold aisle. The detection system may be configured to detect a fire condition such as smoke exiting the cabinet and in response generate a signal that activates the discharge system. The discharge system may be configured to inject a fire suppressant into the cooling airflow, whereby the cooling airflow may facilitate delivery of the fire suppressant into the cold aisle and the computer cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, William David Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20120199370
    Abstract: A multi-stage fire suppression system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a fire suppressant material in response to multiple detections of a fire condition over time. In one embodiment, the multi-stage fire suppression system comprises at least two pressure tubes each having a different internal pressure. Each pressure tube is adapted to generate a pneumatic signal in response to exposure to a different trigger event. The pneumatic signal is used to activate a suppression system and release the fire suppressant material from a container. The multi-stage fire suppression system may also be configured to signal a secondary hazard detection system that a fire has been detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: WILLIAM A. ECKHOLM, Matthew Sampson, Ryan Gamboa
  • Publication number: 20120018177
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passive non-electrical dual stage fire suppression according to various aspects of the present invention include detecting a fire with a first active fire suppressant unit and changing the status of a second fire suppressant unit from “stand-by” to “active” when the first fire suppressant unit releases a fire suppressant agent. After the first fire suppressant unit has released its fire suppressant agent, the second fire suppressant unit may detect a continued and/or a new fire and release a second fire suppressant agent in response to the detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Brian J. Cashion, Dustin C. Moran
  • Patent number: 8087468
    Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a control material in response to detection of a hazard. In one embodiment, the hazard control system comprises a pressure tube having an internal pressure and configured to leak in response to exposure to heat. The leak changes the internal pressure and generates a pneumatic signal. A fire detector may also detect a fire condition associated with fire. A valve may be coupled to the fire detector and the pressure tube. The valve is configured to change the internal pressure and generate the pneumatic signal in response to a signal from the fire detector. The pneumatic signal triggers a delivery system to deliver the control material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Len Seebaluck
  • Publication number: 20110100650
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual stage hazard suppression system according to various aspects of the present invention include a housing containing a first hazard control material that is configured to be located close to a hazard source and a container containing a second hazard control material located at a distance from the hazard source. The housing may be configured to release the first hazard control material in response to a breach of the housing and/or the hazard source. The container may be configured for a timed release of the second hazard control material in response to the release of the first hazard control material. Alternatively, a sensor may be used to trigger the release of the second hazard control material in response to a triggering event separate from the initial breach of the housing and/or the hazard source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Brian J. Cashion, Dustin C. Moran, Matthew Sampson, William A. Eckholm
  • Publication number: 20110061878
    Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a control material in response to detection of a hazard and signal a secondary hazard detection system that an event has occurred. In one embodiment, the hazard control system comprises a pressure tube having an internal pressure that is configured to leak in response to exposure to heat. The leak changes the internal pressure and generates a pneumatic signal. A valve may be coupled to the pressure tube and be configured to release the control material from a container is response to the pneumatic signal. A second valve may also be coupled to the pressure tube and be configured to provide a signal to the secondary hazard detection system in response to the pneumatic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Matthew Sampson
  • Publication number: 20110011600
    Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a control material in response to detection of a hazard. In one embodiment, the hazard control system comprises a pressure tube having an internal pressure and configured to leak in response to exposure to heat. The leak changes the internal pressure and generates a pneumatic signal. A fire detector may also detect a fire condition associated with fire. A valve may be coupled to the fire detector and the pressure tube. The valve is configured to change the internal pressure and generate the pneumatic signal in response to a signal from the fire detector. The pneumatic signal triggers a delivery system to deliver the control material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: WILLIAM A. ECKHOLM, Len Seebaluck
  • Patent number: 7823650
    Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a control material in response to detection of a hazard. In one embodiment, the hazard control system comprises a pressure tube having an internal pressure and configured to leak in response to exposure to heat. The leak changes the internal pressure and generates a pneumatic signal. A fire detector may also detect a fire condition associated with fire. A valve may be coupled to the fire detector and the pressure tube. The valve is configured to change the internal pressure and generate the pneumatic signal in response to a signal from the fire detector. The pneumatic signal triggers a delivery system to deliver the control material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Lee Seebaluck
  • Publication number: 20090178813
    Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a control material in response to detection of a hazard. In one embodiment, the hazard control system comprises a pressure tube having an internal pressure and configured to leak in response to exposure to heat. The leak changes the internal pressure and generates a pneumatic signal. A fire detector may also detect a fire condition associated with fire. A valve may be coupled to the fire detector and the pressure tube. The valve is configured to change the internal pressure and generate the pneumatic signal in response to a signal from the fire detector. The pneumatic signal triggers a delivery system to deliver the control material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Len Seebaluck
  • Publication number: 20090018382
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for containing a hazardous material according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a container having two compartments. The first compartment is configured to contain the hazardous material, and the second compartment contains a hazard control material. The container may further comprise a wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment. The wall is configured to open upon occurrence of a trigger event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: William A. Eckholm, Dustin C. Moran, Brian J. Cashion