FIRE FIGHTING FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE WITH SENSOR

• US 20080060706A1
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company Incorporated (Safe Fleet Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company Incorporated (Safe Fleet Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Combs, Eric
• Application Number:
  US11/853,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20080060706A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/556
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/46 Construction of the actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/042 with electric means, e.g. for controlling the motor or a clutch between the valve and the motor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/535 for rotating valves F16K31/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0647 Spindles or actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8275 Indicator element rigidly carried by the movable element whose position is indicated

Abstract

A firefighting fluid delivery device includes a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows, a fluid flow restrictor member pivotable about a pivot axis to selectively open or close the passage to thereby open or close the device, and an actuator for selectively pivoting the fluid flow restrictor member. The device further includes a sealed rotary sensor that is rotatably coupled to the fluid flow restrictor member for detecting the rotary position of the fluid flow restrictor member to thereby determine the opened or closed state of the device.

Claims

1. A firefighting fluid delivery device comprising:

a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows;

a fluid flow restrictor member pivotable about a pivot axis to selectively open or close said passage to thereby open or close the device;

an actuator for selectively pivoting said fluid flow restrictor member; and

a sealed rotary sensor, said rotary sensor rotatably coupled to said fluid flow restrictor member for detecting the rotary position of said fluid flow restrictor member to thereby determine the opened or closed state of the device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fluid delivery device comprises a valve.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said valve comprises a ball valve.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fluid delivery device comprises a wye, a nozzle, or a monitor.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein said sensor comprises a variable potentiometer.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said sensor comprises at least one wiper, said wiper rotating about said pivot axis in response to said fluid flow restrictor member pivoting about said pivot axis.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein said sensor comprises at least two wipers, said wipers rotating about said pivot axis in response to said fluid flow restrictor member pivoting about said pivot axis.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is coupled to said restrictor member by said actuator.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a coupler, wherein said sensor is rotatably coupled to said actuator by said coupler.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said coupler includes a shaft, said sensor having a housing, and said shaft extending into said housing for coupling said sensor to said actuator.

11. A firefighting fluid delivery device comprising:

a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows;

a fluid flow restrictor member pivotable to selectively open or close said passage to thereby open or close the device;

a rotatable actuator for pivoting said fluid flow restrictor member;

a driver for selectively rotating said actuator, said driver rotatably coupled to said actuator by a coupler; and

a rotary sensor, said rotary sensor rotatable coupled to said coupler for detecting the rotary position of said fluid flow restrictor member to thereby determine the opened or closed state of the device.

12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a control, said driver comprising an electrically powered driver, said control in communication with said sensor and selectively powering said driver to selectively pivot said fluid flow restrictor member to thereby open or close said device, said sensor generating position signals in response to the rotary position of said fluid flow restrictor member, and said control using said position signals to control the opening or closing of said device.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein said sensor comprises a sealed sensor.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein said sensor comprises a variable potentiometer.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said sensor comprises a sealed variable potentiometer.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein said coupler comprises a fastener, and said sensor is coupled to said fastener by a second coupler.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein said second coupler includes a shaft, said sensor having a sensor housing, said shaft extending into said housing for coupling said sensor to said fastener.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said fastener comprises a bolt.

19. The device according to claim 11, wherein said fluid delivery device comprises a valve.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein said valve comprises a ball valve.