Patent ID: 8556230
Filing Date: 2013-10-15
Classification: A62C,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A firefighting fluid delivery device comprising: a controller; a firefighting fluid delivery 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 in communication with said controller, said actuator having an actuator housing mounted to said device body, a gear sector and a stem engaging and selectively pivoting said fluid flow restrictor member about said pivot axis between closed and open positions, said stem comprising a fluid flow restrictor member actuator including a non-circular portion and a securing member configured to secure said fluid flow restrictor member actuator with said gear sector, said securing member enclosed by said housing; a sensor assembly having a sensor housing and a sealed rotary sensor mounted in said sensor housing and coupled to a rotary member, said sensor in communication with said controller and said sensor housing coupled to said actuator housing; a coupler, said coupler including an upwardly extending portion defining a first bearing surface and a downwardly extending portion defining a second bearing surface, said upwardly extending portion extending through said actuator housing and into said sensor housing to thereby engage said rotary member, and said downwardly extending portion engaging said stem, said coupler and said rotary member being aligned along said pivot axis and pivotable with said fluid flow restrictor member, wherein said coupler mechanically links said rotary member of said sensor to said stem so that said sensor directly senses, via said coupler and said rotary member, the rotary position of said fluid flow restrictor member, said sensor generating position signals based on the position of the flow restrictor, and said controller determining the position of the flow restrictor, including its open and closed positions and any position between its open and closed positions, to determine the flow state of the device when fluid is flowing through the device and selectively powering said actuator based on said position sensor signals from said sensor.