William P Reilly

US Patent:

6378616, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/810723

Inventors:

William Joseph Reilly - Langhorne PA

Assignee:

Victaulic Company of America - Perkasie PA

International Classification:

A62C 3500

US Classification:

169 17, 169 22, 169 42

Abstract:

A low pressure actuator for use in a dry, low-pressure, pressurized-gas, fire control and suppression sprinkler system for delivering an extinguishing liquid to a fire, wherein there is a system gas pressure of up to about 20 psi and an extinguishing liquid supply pressure of up to about 160 psi is disclosed. When actuated by a rapid fall in the system gas pressure, the device allows liquid to flow through to a sprinkler check valve, which, in turn, is actuated and provides liquid flow for distribution through a piping system to a plurality of interconnected sprinklers. One preferred embodiment of the device includes a multi-chambered housing having a gas compartment and a liquid compartment; means for initially pressurizing the gas compartment; a first flexible and moveable diaphragm, acting as a gas-liquid barrier, with one side in fluid communication with gas and a second side in fluid communication with the liquid; a second flexible, moveable diaphragm, acting as a water flow barrier, such that when the device is in a closed, ready-condition, a first side of the second diaphragm is in a wet state, and a second side of the second diaphragm is in a dry state, in communication with the liquid outlet. When the device is in an actuated condition, both sides of the second diaphragm are in a wet state, in contact with the liquid. When gas pressure in the sprinkler system drops below a pre-determined set point, pressure equilibrium on the first diaphragm is upset causing the first diaphragm to move and allow a priming flow of liquid to the liquid outlet through a liquid by-pass, which is otherwise sealed when the first diaphragm is in a gas-liquid pressure equilibrium condition.

US Patent:

6536533, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/810631

Inventors:

William Joseph Reilly - Langhorne PA

Assignee:

Victaulic Company of America - Easton PA

International Classification:

F16K 3112

US Classification:

169 16, 169 17, 169 18, 169 42, 251 28, 251 3005

Abstract:

Embodiments of a low-pressure actuator, for use in a dry, low-pressure, pressurized gas, liquid fire control and suppression sprinkler system, with a pneumatic/electric double interlock mechanism, which requires that two separate events, such as discharging air pressure from the sprinkler system, and an electrical detection, must occur in order for the sprinkler check valve to be activated, thereby allowing water into the sprinkler system, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a low-pressure actuator is utilized in series with a liquid flow valve equipped with a solenoid and an electrical detector/sensor for detecting an event such as the occurrence of smoke, heat, or a high rate of temperature rise. In alternative embodiments, the low-pressure actuator itself is equipped with the solenoid and detector/sensor.

US Patent:

6708771, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Jan 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/060441

Inventors:

William J. Reilly - Langhorne PA

Assignee:

Victaulic Company of America - Easton PA

International Classification:

A62C 3500

US Classification:

169 16, 169 23, 169 17, 169 22, 169 42, 169 44

Abstract:

An electro-pneumatic actuator having AND gate logic characteristics is disclosed. The actuator has three chambers each divided into two chamber portions by respective flexible diaphragms. One of the diaphragms acts as a valve closing member and controls the flow of a pressurized fluid through the actuator to actuate an associated device when fluid flow is permitted. The other two diaphragms are in mechanical contact with one another and in hydraulic communication with the one diaphragm and thereby control its motion, keeping it normally closed and preventing fluid flow but allowing it to move into an open position permitting fluid flow and actuation of the associated device only when each of the two diaphragms are subject to separate, concurrent drops in pressure which allows both of them to deflect away from the one diaphragm. One of the pressure drops is triggered pneumatically, the other electrically.

US Patent:

6752217, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Sep 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/242791

Inventors:

William J. Reilly - Langhorne PA

Assignee:

Victaulic Company of America - Easton PA

International Classification:

A62C 3500

US Classification:

169 17, 169 16, 169 18, 169 22, 169 42

Abstract:

An accelerator for venting a pressurized gas source to the ambient is disclosed. The accelerator includes a first gas compartment connected to the pressurized gas source. A second gas compartment is connected to the first gas compartment through a one-way valve allowing gas to pass from the first gas compartment to the second gas compartment. A restrictor orifice allows gas to pass between the first and the second gas compartments at a predetermined rate. A valve member in the first gas compartment is normally in the closed position and moves to the open position in response to a pressure drop of the pressurized gas source causing a pressure differential between the first and second gas compartments, thereby venting the pressurized gas source to the ambient through the valve member in the first gas compartment.

US Patent:

7147002, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Oct 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/695556

Inventors:

William J. Reilly - Langhorne PA, US

Assignee:

Victaulic Company - Easton PA

International Classification:

F16K 21/04
E03B 3/18

US Classification:

137549, 1375395, 13754319, 251118, 169 17, 169 22

Abstract:

A multi-function fluid flow control device is disclosed. A body houses a filter screen, a check valve and an orifice plate mounted on a frame which is removable from the body as a unit through an opening in the body sealed by a removable plug. The orifice plate is removable from the frame to permit different sized orifices to be fitted. An inlet in the body conducts pressurized fluid through the filter screen, through the check valve and then out through an outlet in the body, both the inlet and outlet being adapted for convenient connection to a piping network. An opening in the body in fluid communication with the inlet and sealable by a removable plug allows the screen to be flushed for removal of debris.

US Patent:

7240740, Jul 10, 2007

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/759714

Inventors:

William J. Reilly - Langhorne PA, US
Joseph K. Banis - Alpha NJ, US

Assignee:

Victaulic Company - Easton PA

International Classification:

A62C 35/00

US Classification:

169 17, 169 16, 169 19, 169 20, 169 22, 137488, 251 61, 251364

Abstract:

A valve is disclosed having an inlet duct aligned with an outlet duct and an angularly oriented elliptical seat positioned between them. A pressure chamber faces the seat. A pivoting valve closure member is positioned between the pressure chamber and the seat. An asymmetrical rolling diaphragm is attached to the closure member and defines part of the pressure chamber. A seat engaging surface on the side of the closure member opposite the pressure chamber is sealingly engageable with the seat to close the valve. The valve closure member is pivoted into the closed positioned by pressurizing the pressure chamber. The valve remains closed against hydraulic pressure in the inlet duct. The valve is permitted to open by de-pressurizing the pressure chamber, allowing the closure member to pivot out of engagement with the seat. Fluid may then flow from the inlet duct to the outlet duct.

US Patent:

7543653, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Jun 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/172353

Inventors:

William J. Reilly - Langhorne PA, US
Kevin J. Blease - Easton PA, US
Joseph K. Banis - Alpha NJ, US

Assignee:

Victaulic Company - Easton PA

International Classification:

A62C 35/00

US Classification:

169 17, 251 94, 251 95, 137556

Abstract:

A valve for fire suppression sprinkler systems is disclosed. The valve has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A closure member, positioned within the chamber, is movable to close and open the inlet. A latch engages the closure member to hold it in the closed position. The latch also engages a deformable diaphragm. The diaphragm deforms in response to pressure applied to it and allows the latch to move between a latched position engaged with the closure member and an unlatched position away from the closure member. When the diaphragm is depressurized it allows the latch to move and disengage from the closure member, which opens under fluid pressure from the inlet and allows fluid to flow through the valve.

US Patent:

7686093, Mar 30, 2010

Filed:

Oct 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/930526

Inventors:

William J. Reilly - Langhorne PA, US
Robert J. Ballard - Whitehall PA, US
Kevin J. Blease - Easton PA, US
Stephen R. Ide - Nazareth PA, US

Assignee:

Victaulic Company - Easton PA

International Classification:

A62C 35/00
A62C 35/11
A62C 37/36
A62C 37/40
B05B 7/06
B05B 1/26

US Classification:

169 16, 169 37, 239418, 239424, 239518

Abstract:

A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a gaseous extinguishing agent and a liquid extinguishing agent. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. A method of operating the system is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a gas stream having first and second shock fronts using the emitter, atomizing and entraining the liquid with the gas at one of the two shock fronts to form a liquid-gas stream, and discharging the stream onto the fire. The method also includes creating a plurality of shock diamonds in the liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter.