Sta-rite Industries Inc.

Fire Research Corp.

Jonathan David Gamble

Harold Mathew McCabe

Robert L Hosfield

Richard Charles Brennan, Iii

Allen Richard Kilgore

Troy Andreas Anderson

Ron G Flanary

Martin Piedl

Charles Ford

Jim Weigle

Embodiments of the invention provide a fire extinguishing system including an electronic control unit in communication with a software library, a foam proportioning system including foam proportioning equipment, and a smart connector. The smart connector includes a controller, and the smart connector is connected to the foam proportioning equipment. The controller automatically initiates an authentication procedure when the smart connector is connected to the electronic control unit. The controller causes the electronic control unit to automatically unlock at least one routines in the software library after the authentication procedure is complete to enable control of the foam proportioning equipment.

Smart connector for integration of a foam proportioning system with fire extinguishing equipment

Embodiments of the invention provide a redundant stationary fire fighting system and method for use in a structure coupled to a water supply and a main water pump(s) that generates a water stream. The system includes one or more water flow meters to measure the water stream and generate a water flow signal. The system includes a primary foam proportioning system and a redundant secondary foam proportioning system, each including a foam pump, a motor, a foam flow meter, and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically operate the foam pump based on the water flow signal in order to inject liquid foam concentrate directly into the water stream. The redundant secondary foam proportioning system can be automatically started in case of component failure in the primary foam proportioning system.

Redundant stationary fire fighting system and method

Embodiments of the invention provide a foam proportioning system powered by a battery, with the system including a pump, a pump motor, and a solid state contactor. The solid state contactor includes a battery terminal connected to the battery, a load terminal connected to the pump motor, and an enable switch. The enable switch selectively connects the battery terminal and the load terminal in order to form a power line carrying a current from the battery to the pump motor. A state of the enable switch is based on the current being drawn through the power line by the pump motor. The enable switch is closed in order for the solid state contactor to provide power to the pump motor when the current through the power line is between about zero amps and about 80 amps.

Foam proportioning system with solid state contactor

Embodiments of the invention provide a fire-extinguishing system for injecting foamant into a stream of water. The system can include a flow meter determining a flow rate of the stream of water and a foam pump having an inlet coupled to a supply of foamant and an outlet coupled to the stream of water. The system includes a servo motor driving the foam pump. The servo motor includes a sensor used to determine a rotor shaft speed and/or a rotor shaft torque. A controller can control an operating speed of the servo motor using closed-loop control depending on the flow rate and the rotor shaft speed and/or the rotor shaft torque.

Fire-extinguishing system with servo motor-driven foam pump

A method and apparatus for installing a foam proportioning system into existing fire fighting equipment is provided. The method can include installing a foam proportioning library into a first application of a processor of the existing fire fighting equipment and installing a foam proportioning support into a second application of a display of the existing fire fighting equipment. The method can also include connecting a foam proportioner to the processor, receiving user inputs with the display, and processing the user inputs with the second application and the foam proportioning support. The method can further include transmitting the user inputs to the processor and operating the foam proportioner in response to the user inputs with the first application and the foam proportioning library.

Apparatus and method for installing a foam proportioning system in existing fire fighting equipment

Dual horizontal control panel

Control panel

Dual vertical control panel

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Taylors Falls, MN, United States of America

Jonathan David Gamble