Oshkosh Corporation

Pierce Manufacturing Inc.

Brian Piller

David W Archer

Eric R Linsmeier

Chad Trinkner

Chad T Dolphin

David Fieber

Clarence Grady

Andrew P Klein

Anthony J Wroblewski

Michael R Moore

Robert P Juidici

Ryan W Crabtree

Thomas A High

Kenneth A Bolen, Jr

A vehicle system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller is configured to transmit a first control signal to a transmission device of the vehicle to engage a first mode of the transmission device, acquire information regarding a pressure of an inlet flow of water received by a pumping system of the vehicle, and transmit a second control signal to the transmission device to engage a second mode of the transmission device based on the information.

Systems and methods for response vehicle pump control

A ratio controller includes a housing defining a mixing chamber. The housing has a water inlet configured to receive water from a water supply, an agent inlet configured to receive agent from an agent supply, an outlet configured to output an agent-water solution, a first pressure port extending through a sidewall of the housing at a first position proximate the water inlet, and a second pressure port extending through the sidewall of the housing at a second position proximate the mixing chamber.

Fluid delivery system for a fire apparatus

A nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body, a first flow straightener coupled to the nozzle body, and a second flow straightener coupled to the nozzle body. The nozzle body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a nozzle body passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. The first flow straightener extends at least partially across the nozzle body passage and defines a first passage and a second passage each fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The second flow straightener extends at least partially across the nozzle body passage and defines a third passage and a fourth passage each fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet.

Stream straightener

A fluid system includes a ratio controller. The ratio controller includes a housing, a nozzle, and a diffuser. The housing defines a mixing chamber, a first inlet positioned at a first end of the mixing chamber, an outlet positioned at an opposing second end of the mixing chamber, and a second inlet positioned at a location around a periphery of the mixing chamber between the first inlet and the outlet. The first fluid is configured to receive a first fluid input. The second inlet is configured to receive a second fluid input. The nozzle includes a nozzle inlet positioned proximate the first inlet and a nozzle outlet positioned within the mixing chamber. The diffuser extends from the outlet and outward from the housing. The diffuser includes a diffuser inlet positioned within the mixing chamber.

A vehicle system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller is configured to transmit a first control signal to a transmission of the vehicle to engage a first gear of the transmission, acquire information regarding a pressure of an inlet flow of water received by a pumping system of the vehicle, and transmit a second control signal to the transmission to engage a second gear of the transmission based on the information.

A fire apparatus includes a fluid delivery system having a water circuit, an agent circuit, and a ratio controller. The water circuit includes a water pump configured to pump water from a water source through the water circuit. The agent circuit includes an agent tank configured to store an agent, an agent pump configured to pump the agent through the agent circuit, and an agent metering valve positioned to variably restrict a flow of the agent therethrough. The ratio controller is positioned to receive the water and the agent. The ratio controller is configured to provide an agent-water solution to one or more outlets. The agent metering valve is a self-adjusting metering valve having a valve controller configured to adjust at least one of an orifice size and a valve position based on a water flow rate entering the ratio controller and a preselected agent-to-water ratio for the agent-water solution.

A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a pumping system selectively coupled to the engine by the transmission, and a controller. The pumping system is configured to receive an inlet flow of water from a water source. The controller is configured to receive an indication regarding a pressure of the inlet flow of water and transmit a control signal to the transmission to change a gear of the transmission based on the indication regarding the pressure of the inlet flow of water.

A nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body and a flow straightener. The nozzle body defines an inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to fluid source, an outlet, and a nozzle body passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. The flow straightener is coupled to the nozzle body and extends at least partially across the nozzle body passage. The flow straightener defines a primary passage and a secondary passage extending through the flow straightener to fluidly couple the inlet and the outlet of the nozzle body. The primary passage defines a primary passage outlet having a cross-sectional area, and the secondary passage defines a secondary passage outlet having a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the at least one primary passage. At least one of the primary passage outlet and the secondary passage outlet has a circular cross-section.

A response vehicle includes an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a pumping system operatively engaged with the transmission and thereby configured to at least selectively receive mechanical energy generated by the engine via the transmission, and a central controller communicably coupled to the engine, transmission, and pumping system. The pumping system has an input configured to interface with a water source and receive an inlet flow of water. The central controller is configured to receive an indication regarding the pressure of the water at the input of the pumping system, and transmit a control signal to the transmission to change an effective gear ratio of the transmission while the transmission is operably coupled to the pumping system based on the received indication regarding the pressure of the water at the input of the pumping system.

A vehicle includes an engine and a liquid pump configured to pump liquid from a liquid intake system to an outlet. The vehicle further includes a pressure control system operably coupled to the engine via a communication connection, the pressure control system receiving a first signal from the engine representing engine speed. The pressure control system is configured to cause the liquid pump to change pumping pressure without changing the engine speed, and wherein the pressure control system is configured to cause the liquid pump to change pumping pressure without changing the engine speed when the pressure control system makes a determination relating to the engine speed.

Pressure control system and method

A system for supplying a pre-determined ratio of liquid foam concentrate and water to a mixing device immediately upstream from a fire fighting nozzle. The system is electronically balanced by measuring pressure from a plurality of pressure signal sensors and transmitting said pressure signals to a controller unit. A foam additive pump is powered by a fixed displacement piston motor which in turn is electronically modulated independently of the level of operation of the water pump by a control system that is responsive both to the water pressure developed by the water pump and to the foam liquid concentrate pressure developed by the additive pump.

Foam additive supply system for rescue and fire fighting vehicles

A system and method of maintaining a desired additive to water ration in a fire-fighting system including a water flow sensor configured to measure the water flow rate, a water pump, a hydraulic pump, a linear hydraulic cylinder driven by the hydraulic pump, an additive pump mechanically coupled to the linear hydraulic cylinder; and a pump displacement sensor configured to sense the position of the additive pump, the pump displacement sensor being in communication with the water flow sensor to maintain a pre-determined ratio of additive to water.

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Brian Piller