Sensor, Control And Actuator Patents (Class 169/60)
  • Patent number: 11436905
    Abstract: A fire alarm system 1, comprises a socket 2 including at least one electrical conductor 12 for supplying electricity to a component received by the socket 2; a temperature sensor 4 configured to detect a temperature of the electrical conductor 12; and a fire alarm control panel 6 in communication with the temperature sensor 4. The fire alarm control panel 6 is configured to take an action based on the detected temperature of the electrical conductor 12 within the socket 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jairo Munoz Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11202930
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing equipment including an extinguishing-launching part-unit and a pressure-resistant storage body with an internal space housing a fire extinguishing material. A transport pipe is connected to the internal space to transport the fire extinguishing material to a use location. An extinguishing part-unit is connected to the external end of the transport pipe and includes one or more event-detecting part-units, which are connected to the extinguishing-launching part-unit. The extinguishing-launching part-unit is supplemented with a separation fitting disposed within the transport pipe, separated from a transport regulation fitting also disposed within the transport pipe. A reference pressure supply part-unit is within the transport pipe between the separation fitting and the transport regulation fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Swiss Fire Protection Research & Development AG
    Inventor: Laszlo Lovas
  • Patent number: 11199857
    Abstract: A vehicle management apparatus includes: a communication unit communicating with a vehicle with lodging capability; a vehicle management control unit creating a travel plan based on information transmitted from a user terminal operated by a user, and managing travel of the vehicle; and an emergency vehicle management unit managing so that an emergency vehicle is deployed at a position so as to arrive at a route, on which the vehicle moves according to the travel plan, within a predetermined arrival time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuya Terahata, Yushi Seki, Yoshihiro Sakayanagi, Koichi Ueda, Shuntaro Shinohara, Ryoko Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10921304
    Abstract: A liquid monitoring system includes a remote measurement device located at a location of the fire hydrant that is in contact with water provided by a water main. The remote measurement device has sensors that measure characteristics of the water and a communication interface that transmits measured information to a communication network device that may be located elsewhere on the fire hydrant. The communication network device communicates with a communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AMI Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Morrow, Mike Vore, Charles Kitowski, Daniel Copeland, Leon G. McCullough
  • Patent number: 10912965
    Abstract: Techniques and safety devices are described for extinguishing fires within an inventory management system. A plurality of fire extinguishing devices for a plurality of containers in an inventory management system is monitored. Upon determining that a fire condition is occurring within the inventory management system, a positional information data store is queried to determine a current position of a first container within the inventory management system. Two or more containers within the inventory management system that are in close proximity to the first container are identified and one or more wireless signals are transmitted to two or more fire extinguishing devices of the plurality of fire extinguishing devices that are contained within the two or more containers, to activate the two or more first extinguishing devices. The plurality of containers is scanned using an infrared scanning device to determine whether all fire conditions within the inventory management system are extinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Scott Kalm
  • Patent number: 10463897
    Abstract: An anti-fire protection device for a starter-controller device of an electrical installation is able to be connected to an electrical power conductor and includes thermal monitoring of the electrical power conductor to detect a temperature rise of greater than a predetermined threshold. This anti-fire protection device can be fixed mechanically to the starter-controller device via at least one mechanical linking member. The thermal monitoring includes at least one temperature sensor and a cartridge including a fire extinguishing agent and at least one injection element, situated on the same face of the protection device as the temperature sensor, the cartridge being situated inside the protection device and connected to the temperature sensor, the injection element being able to inject the fire extinguishing agent towards the electrical power conductors subsequent to a detection, by the temperature sensor, of a temperature of greater than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Gregory Dedina, Bernard Loiacono
  • Patent number: 10016641
    Abstract: A suppression system for use in a safety railcar may include a source of pressurized water connected to at least one foam tank containing a suppression foam. A controllable valve mediates flow of pressurized water from the source of pressurized water to the at least one foam tank. The controllable valve is controllable to permit flow of pressurized water to the at least one foam tank in response to detection of a hazardous event. A spray nozzle is connected to the foam tank via a rupture disc that is configured to rupture and permit flow of suppression foam from the spray nozzle when pressure within the foam tank exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Robert E. Glen
  • Patent number: 10004929
    Abstract: A passive fire response system is configured to suppress a metallic fire. The system includes a reservoir containing an ionic liquid, at least one outlet in communication with the reservoir, a valve arranged between the reservoir and the outlet, a sensor configured to sense at least one of a hydrogen concentration and a temperature and/or heat, and a controller configured to open the valve and release the ionic liquid if an output from the sensor indicates that the at least one of the hydrogen concentration and the temperature equals or exceeds at least one of a threshold hydrogen concentration and a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Brett Jameson Dooies, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Dana Christine Miranda, Haley Michelle Cowen
  • Patent number: 9988160
    Abstract: A fire detection system includes a heat detector controller and a multiplicity of heat detectors. The heat detectors are positioned at predetermined locations along a ceiling of a cargo compartment and/or on an exterior side of a cargo compartment liner from an interior of the cargo compartment. Each of the multiplicity of heat detectors are configured to measure temperature and to transmit temperature measurements to the heat detector controller. The heat detector controller is configured to determine that a fire has breached the cargo compartment liner based on the temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Robert Clos, Darrin M. Noe
  • Patent number: 9868004
    Abstract: The fire hose and pump system is a fully duplex water management system adapted for use in firefighting. The fire hose and pump system pumps and delivers water during firefighting operations. The pump is reversible and can be used to remove water from the scene after firefighting operations have terminated. The fire hose and pump system further comprises a communication extender for improving communication reliability in a hazardous situation and an emergency lighting capability for low light situations. The fire hose and pump system comprises a modified hose, a pump system, and an electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher Crawley
  • Patent number: 9574996
    Abstract: This invention relates to a suction-type smoke sensing system which detects smoke with high accuracy and rapidly and identifies a fire occurrence spot quickly. The system of the present invention is provided with a piping for sucking air in each region to be inspected, a photoelectric smoke sensor which, when air in each of the regions to be inspected is sucked, senses mixing of smoke in the air, and a control unit which sucks the air in the region to be inspected and is electrically connected to the photoelectric smoke sensor so as to receive and process a detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FENWAL CONTROLS OF JAPAN, LTD.
    Inventors: Shintaro Masumoto, Kazuhisa Itoh, Masao Iguchi, Fumiyoshi Kobayashi, Satoru Nakahata
  • Patent number: 9573003
    Abstract: A tumble dryer includes a drum receiving laundry to be dried and a container accommodating an extinguishing agent, with the drum and the container being connected by a first line. A first temperature-activated valve is arranged in the first line in thermal contact with the interior of the drum and provided to close the container and to open automatically at a temperature produced by a fire. Further connected to the container is a second line which has a mouth feeding into a region of a base plate of the tumble dryer. A second temperature-activated valve is configured to close the second line in a region of the mouth and to open automatically at the temperature produced by the fire. The first and second valves are hereby positioned in such a way that either the first valve or the second valve opens automatically at the temperature produced by the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Günter Steffens
  • Patent number: 9545531
    Abstract: A two-part starter mechanism for a powder aerosol generator fire suppression system is provided. Generally, the starter mechanism includes a pyrotechnic igniter assembly and a removable mechanical trigger coupled thereto. The igniter assembly is integrally formed with and/or embedded within the powder aerosol generator and operable, upon activation by the mechanical trigger, initiates a chemical reaction leading to the discharge of the powder aerosol fire suppressant. By being detachable, the mechanical trigger may be transported and stored separate from the pyrotechnic igniter thereby improving the overall safety of the fire suppression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Russell V. Tagliareni, Edward Soohoo, Glen Stichling
  • Patent number: 9526929
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fire protection device (10) for a starter-controller device (2) of an electrical installation, the starter-controller device (2) comprising at least one connection terminal, each connection terminal being adapted to be connected to an electrical conductor, the protection device (10) comprising thermal monitoring means for the or each electrical conductor adapted to detect a temperature increase, at each connection terminal, above a predetermined threshold. This protection device is suitable for being mechanically fastened to the starter-controller device (2) via at least one mechanical connection member (16). The thermal monitoring means comprise at least one temperature sensor (36a, 36b, 36c) able to sense a temperature in a first hollow housing (8a, 8b, 8c) of the starter-controller device (2) situated near a connection terminal of a conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Gregory Dedina, Bernard Loiacono
  • Patent number: 9352177
    Abstract: A self contained fire extinguisher system that does not need external power in order to sense or initiate a release of a fire suppression medium, includes components configured to utilize a linear sensor network that can be connected to at least one and/or different sources of fire suppression mediums. A linear temperature sensing cord can be routed over a large area not practical with individual sensors. The cord can also actuate several and different sources of fire suppression mediums to maximize the suppression of a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company
    Inventors: Brian Edward Smith, Mei Zhen Chen, Thornton Alexander McGill, III
  • Patent number: 9345916
    Abstract: An autonomous, stand alone fire detection and suppression apparatus has a fire suppression pack that is imbedded or positioned at the center of a three-dimensional array stack of boxes and a plurality of radio-frequency identification transponders on each box of the stack of boxes. The transponders are operable to sense an undesirable event, for example a fire in the stack of boxes and communicate with the fire suppression pack at the center of the stack of boxes causing the fire suppression pack to eject a fire suppressant into the stack of boxes surrounding each box, separating adjacent boxes from each other and other stacks of boxes and from the shipping container containing the boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David W. Kirkbride
  • Patent number: 9126067
    Abstract: A safety assembly for containers and conduits for combustible fluids comprises a casing that contains an extinguishing substance and is crossed by a thermolabile conduit. The conduit is open to the outside through an outlet hole and is open to the inside of a container or a conduit, through an inlet hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: Giovanni Miscioscia
  • Patent number: 9088149
    Abstract: Methods and systems to detect and control plasma fires are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first optical fiber proximate a conductor through which electricity is to flow and a sensor to identify a change in a signal received via the optical fiber. The change is associated a physical change in the optical fiber or a casing surrounding the first optical fiber. The example apparatus also includes a controller to control a flow of electricity through the conductor based on the change in the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Galen Duff Carroll
  • Publication number: 20150129246
    Abstract: An apparatus for discharging a fire-extinguishing agent includes a detection mechanism and a triggering mechanism. The detection mechanism includes a temperature responsive element configured to detect the presence of a fire. The triggering mechanism is operatively connected to the detection mechanism and adapted to trigger the discharge of the fire-extinguishing agent from an agent container upon the detection of the presence of a fire by the detection mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Allen R. Kronebusch, Levi Fisher
  • Patent number: 8978778
    Abstract: An airplane fire extinguishing system comprises an extinguishing agent storage unit with an activatable closing device, which makes possible, when active, an outflow of extinguishing agent from the extinguishing agent storage unit, and a supply line, connected with the closing device and an outlet opening, via which the extinguishing agent can be conducted from the extinguishing agent storage unit to the outlet opening, in order to eject it there for firefighting, wherein one or more sensor systems are present, by means of which a current airplane state can be determined, and a control unit, connected with the closing device and an actuatable input element, is present, via which the closing device can be activated, the control unit constructed and configured in such a way that the closing device is activated, as a function of the current airplane state, which exists at the time of an actuation of the input element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Konstantin Kallergis
  • Publication number: 20150068777
    Abstract: A fire suppression system comprising multiple thermally activatable automatic sprinklers attached to multiple non-metallic conduits and wherein the pattern of the sprinklers is an asymmetric pattern. The fire suppression system is suitable for unfinished basements and other rooms having exposed joists. The asymmetric pattern is such that the distance between sprinklers installed in the direction of the joist run is at least one foot longer than the distance between sprinklers installed in the direction perpendicular to the joists. The most preferred non-metallic conduits are chlorinated polyvinyl chloride conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Kuwatch, Jeffrey A. Gibson, Royce R. Klein, Andrew Olah
  • Patent number: 8955609
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automatically activated fire suppression system providing a system that releases fire suppressant foam, or aqueous film forming material (“AFFF”) over a flammable material contained within a storage tank or gas tank, when a heat sensor comprised of glass, plexi-glass or plastic, is compromised (i.e. melted, or broken) by temperatures in the container indicating that the flammable material is are at or near combustion levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: C. Allen Phillips, Ivan Paul Rogers, III
  • Patent number: 8944174
    Abstract: A fire suppression spray head for attaching to a sink assembly comprising a sink, a tap, a work surface adjacent the sink, a cupboard underneath the sink and at least one cupboard door, the spray head having at least one nozzle for spraying fire suppressant material received from a supply of fire suppressant material, wherein the spray head is configured to be attached to a part of the sink assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Plumis Limited
    Inventors: Paul Thomas, Yusuf Muhammad, Jeung Woo-Choi
  • Publication number: 20150021056
    Abstract: A self contained fire extinguisher system that does not need external power in order to sense or initiate a release of a fire suppression medium, includes components configured to utilize a linear sensor network that can be connected to at least one and/or different sources of fire suppression mediums. A linear temperature sensing cord can be routed over a large area not practical with individual sensors. The cord can also actuate several and different sources of fire suppression mediums to maximize the suppression of a fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Edward Smith, Mei Zhen Chen, Thornton Alexander McGill, III
  • Patent number: 8936103
    Abstract: A fire suppression apparatus adapted for connection to a water supply for a faucet has one or more spray nozzles (26), at least one valve (20) operable into an open position to fluidly couple the one or more spray nozzles (26) to a water supply for a faucet (4), a fire sensor (28), and a controller (21) connected to the fire sensor (28), and upon sensing a fire, the fire sensor (28) is adapted to trigger the controller (21) to operate the at least one valve (20) into the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sensorjet Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Benjamin Adair Munro
  • Publication number: 20140360739
    Abstract: A protection device, in particular a fire protection device on a motor vehicle. The device includes a fire fighting device having at least one container which is filled with an extinguishing agent and which can be paired with a body of a vehicle or an airplane or with a building wall or ceiling and comprising at least one outlet device which is to be closed by a temperature-controlled first valve, and/or the device includes at least one temperature-resistant tank which can be fluidically connected to an air conditioner, in which a negative pressure is present in order to receive a coolant of the air conditioner, and which is paired with at least one temperature-controlled second valve in order to open at least one flow channel for the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Wedowski
  • Patent number: 8905152
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fire hose coupling apparatus for self powered lighting of an area where a fire fighter is engaged in fires suppression with a fire hose, and for providing real time environmental data to fire fighters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Generation Unlimited, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Kling, Arthur E. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140338930
    Abstract: A fire mitigation system is provided that employs a sprinkler system associated with the outside of a dwelling or other building. In the event of a fire, the sprinkler system is selectively activated to address excess heat or approaching flames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: waveGUARD Corporation
    Inventors: Michael H. Smith, Randy Lang, Ken DiPaolo
  • Publication number: 20140338928
    Abstract: A method and system for fighting a fire or a temperature rise in a material stored in a large storage facility such as a silo or a similar closed storage building for a biomass material, the method including detecting a fire or temperature rise in the stored material of the storage facility with detecting means, and applying liquid nitrogen to the interior of the storage facility from a firefighting system in the facility wherein the amount of applied liquid nitrogen is controlled with control means in relation to one or more values of the facility and/or stored material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: RAMBOLL DANMARK A/S
    Inventors: Annette Marie Juggetta Mortensen, Natalia Valentinovna Bergholdt
  • Publication number: 20140338929
    Abstract: A method of fire suppression may include injecting a reactive agent into a reaction zone to produce a catalytically active species for fire suppression and conveying the catalytically active species to a fire to catalytically interfere with flame chemistry of the fire. Fire in a fuel tank may be suppressed by injecting the reactive agent into a convective flow of a mixture of fuel and oxidizer in a fuel tank, the reactive agent reacting in the fuel tank to release a species which catalytically interferes with flame chemistry to suppress fire in the fuel tank. Fire at an airplane crash may be suppressed by releasing the reactive agent from the container at the crash site to produce an active species to catalytically interfere with a fire at the crash site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Peter D. Haaland, Ken Harness
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8851197
    Abstract: A self contained fire extinguisher system that does not need external power in order to sense or initiate a release of a fire suppression medium, includes components configured to utilize a linear sensor network that can be connected to at least one and/or different sources of fire suppression mediums. A linear temperature sensing cord can be routed over a large area not practical with individual sensors. The cord can also actuate several and different sources of fire suppression mediums to maximize the suppression of a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company
    Inventors: Brian Edward Smith, Mei Zhen Chen, Thornton Alexander Mcgill, III
  • Patent number: 8842016
    Abstract: A system for notifying when a fire extinguisher is discharged or moved uses a device mounted on the fire extinguisher for monitoring one or more conditions. For example, the device may be interconnected with a trigger detecting mechanism otherwise present on the extinguisher or sense a sudden drop in pressure to detect when the extinguisher is activated. An accelerometer may be provided to detect motion. GPS processing can identify the location of the fire extinguisher when an event occurs. When the device detects a change in one or more of the conditions, or needs to send periodic updates of the fire extinguisher conditions, a message is forwarded from the device to a third party clearinghouse via a wireless communication network. The clearinghouse reviews the data, and forwards the data, as may be appropriate, to one or more authorized parties identified in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Carlos A. Cazanas, Azam Khan, Terence John Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8813858
    Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed that includes a suppressant source system configured to hold fire suppressant. In one example, the fire suppressant is an inert gas. A temperature sensor is arranged in a suppression area and is configured to detect an undesired temperature or temperature increase in the suppression area. A suppression system is in communication with the temperature sensor and in fluid communication with the suppressant source system. The suppression system is configured to selectively release the fire suppressant to the suppression area at initial and subsequent rates. The initial rate is greater than the subsequent rate. The subsequent rate is configured to displace a volume from the suppression area through the leakage system in response to the undesired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Josephine Gabrielle Gatsonides, Robert G. Dunster
  • Publication number: 20140202718
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises a fuselage having a compartment, and a fire suppression system for delivering fire suppressant to the compartment. The system includes at least one suppressant concentration sensor located in the compartment, a valve for regulating flow of the fire suppressant to the compartment, and a controller, responsive to the sensor, for controlling the valve to maintain fire suppressant concentration within the compartment at a target concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • Patent number: 8776906
    Abstract: A wildfire prevention system is described. The system includes a data measurement station for measuring environmental factors relevant for determining the likelihood of a wildfire in a prescribed area, a control station configured to receive data measured by the data measurement station and to determine the likelihood of a wildfire by comparison of the data received with predetermined data values representing likelihood of a wildfire, the predetermined data values including data values for each of the environmental factors individually and in combination with other environmental factors, and a moisture induction system including a water reservoir, configured for induction of moisture in the prescribed area on activation by the control station on the determination of the likelihood of a wildfire in the prescribed area. A method of preventing a wildfire is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Srirangapatnam A. Char
  • Patent number: 8752640
    Abstract: A device and method for triggering the smoke detection system on a vessel in response to a fire inside a container housed in the vessel by providing a fire detection system inside the container and generating artificial smoke outside of the container in response to detecting fire inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: ULD Fire Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Todd Pottlitzer, Roger Winton Pottlitzer, Daniel Tardiff
  • Publication number: 20140158382
    Abstract: A cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system and methods are presented. A fire-warning signal indicating presence of fire in a cargo compartment onboard a class E cargo aircraft at a first altitude is received. An initial fire-suppression agent is distributed in the cargo compartment at the first altitude sufficient to suppress fire for an initial fire suppression time interval during a depressurization phase during which the class E cargo aircraft flies to a second altitude below the first altitude. A re-enforcing fire-suppression agent is distributed in the cargo compartment during a re-pressurization phase when a cabin altitude is below a predetermined cabin pressure level (PL) during which the class E cargo aircraft flies from the second altitude to a landing, after the initial fire-suppression time interval elapses. The re-enforcing fire-suppression agent distribution is maintained during a re-enforcing fire-suppression time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Douglas E. Ferguson, Arthur L. Tutson
  • Patent number: 8749373
    Abstract: Energy harvesting devices provide power to devices of emergency equipment stations (e.g., fire extinguisher station, fire alarm pull station, defibrillator station, etc.) distributed throughout a facility to monitor one or more internal or external conditions (e.g., identifiable objects detected near the station, presence of an obstruction restricting access to the station, etc.) and relay information about the monitored conditions to a central station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: en-Gauge, Inc.
    Inventor: Brendan T. McSheffrey
  • Patent number: 8733464
    Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a divert valve downstream of a fire suppressant source. The divert valve is selectively movable between an initial first position which communicates extinguishing agent into a first distribution network and a second position which communicates extinguishing agent into a second distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Chattaway, Robert G. Dunster
  • Patent number: 8733463
    Abstract: A hybrid cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system and method is disclosed. The hybrid cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system comprises vehicle ducting means operable to distribute at least one fire-suppression agent. Further, preliminary fire-suppression supply source means is coupled to the vehicle ducting means and is operable to provide a high volume flow of a preliminary fire-suppression agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Oliver C. Meier
  • Patent number: 8727030
    Abstract: A trim manifold assembly includes an alarm block and a release block. The alarm block is in communication with a fire suppressant fluid supply and defines a first alarm passage in communication with an alarm sensor. The release block is coupled to the alarm block and includes a drain passage and a first control passage. The first control passage is in communication with the fire suppressant fluid supply and a pressure-actuated system control valve to control communication between the fire suppressant fluid supply and the sprinkler system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 8714466
    Abstract: A high pressure monitor includes an outlet body with a transverse passage, which extends through the body to form two inlets of the outlet body, and a second passage, which is in communication with the transverse passage and extends through the outlet body to form an outlet. The monitor further includes first and second bodies, with the outlet body mounted between the first and second bodies. Each of the first and second bodies has a transverse passage, which are in fluid communication with the inlets of the outlet body. A first swivel joint is provided between the outlet body and the first body. A second swivel joint is provided between the outlet body and the second body. Further, each of the swivel joints comprises a pressure balanced hydraulic fitting with seals and bearings, wherein the seals and bearings are oriented to reduce the axial pressure on the bearings from fluid flowing through the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Trapp, Raymond A. Boissonneault
  • Publication number: 20140090859
    Abstract: A biomass fire inside an installation is suppressed with dripping liquid nitrogen from over the biomass and injecting gaseous nitrogen underneath the biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: AIR LIQUIDE INDUSTRIAL U.S. LP
    Inventors: Richard A. SAUER, Richard R. MASI, Adam KEELING
  • Publication number: 20140083723
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a redundant fire protection system for a wind turbine adapted to feed power into an associated power supply grid, the redundant fire protection system comprising a fire protection control unit, a first group of fire protection related detectors adapted to monitor a first wind turbine component, and a second group of fire protection related detectors adapted to monitor the first wind turbine component, wherein the fire protection control unit is operatively connected to the first and second groups of fire protection related detectors via a redundant power supply and data communication network. The present invention further relates to a wind turbine applying such a redundant fire protection system, and an associated method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Niels Erik Danielsen
  • Patent number: 8678101
    Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a container for supplying a fire suppression agent into a compartment to be protected. The container communicates with a flow line leading to the compartment. A control controls the fire suppression system, and a valve on the flow line delivers a variable pressure to the flow line from the container. Further, a system is disclosed and claimed wherein a single gas supply communicates through a manifold to each of a plurality of compartments. In addition, a system is disclosed and claimed wherein a primary gas supply container switches to secondary gas supply containers once a pressure within the primary gas supply container drops below a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Josephine Gabrielle Gatsonides, Robert G. Dunster
  • Patent number: 8672045
    Abstract: Fire suppression systems and methods are described. One described system includes a housing configured to house a container of a fire suppression material, a delivery block in fluid communication with the container, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the delivery block and configured to disperse the fire suppression material from the delivery block. The described system can also include a power supply; a thermal indicator coupled to the power supply and operable to: detect the presence of a fire, generate a first signal indicating the presence of the fire, and transmit the first signal; and an actuator coupled to the power supply, the actuator in communication with the thermal indicator and configured to cause the fire suppression material to be transferred from the container to the delivery block in response to receipt of the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Whitney Projects LLC
    Inventor: Paul K Whitney
  • Patent number: 8668023
    Abstract: Systems, methods and aspect thereof for a fire protection system including a releasing control panel. In one aspect a fire protection system for a residential unit as defined in the 2002 Edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 13, 13D and 13R having at least one dwelling is provided. The fire protection system preferably includes a liquid supply source along a main line and a network of pipes in communication with the dwelling. The system includes at least one sprinkler in the network to discharge a fluid within about fifteen seconds of sprinkler activation. In addition, the system includes at least one fire control panel disposed between the main line and the pipe network to control release of a fire fighting fluid under various control modes. The system further include at least one fire detector disposed in the at least one dwelling and in communication with the at least one fire control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Roger S. Wilkins, James E. Golinveaux, Mark E. Fessenden
  • Patent number: 8657021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to smart monitor for fire hydrants. One embodiment of the smart monitor comprises an electronic module associated with an operating nut and nut shaft. The electronic module may be an integral part of the fire hydrant design or it may be a part of an upgrade kit for upgrading existing fire hydrant installations. The electronic module may be configured to detect when a fire hydrant has been accessed and transmit a data signal to a remote location. The electronic module may comprise any number of environmental sensors configured to monitor the water flowing through a fire hydrant, the status of the fire hydrant, and the environment surrounding the fire hydrant. One such environmental sensor a radiation sensor configured to detect ionizing radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Frank Preta, William Monty Simmons, Floyd Stanley Salser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8657022
    Abstract: A fire detection system includes a detection tube and a sensing device. The detection tube contains a sensing fluid having a first physical condition and a second physical condition. The sensing fluid is in the first physical condition below a temperature threshold, and is in the second physical condition above the temperature threshold. The sensing fluid is at least partially liquid in the first physical condition. The sensing device is movable to open in response to a transition of a portion of the sensing fluid from the first physical condition to the second physical condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Smith, Robert G. Dunster, Paul Rennie, Beth A. Jones