# US 7,464,766 B2 · Ranger/hybrid automatic self-metering nozzle, with ratio-selectable and flow meter features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,464,766 B2 - Document ID: US7464766B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/677,900 - Filed: 2003-10-02 - Published: 2004-05-06 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2003-10-02 - Assignees: Williams Fire & Hazard Control, Inc. - Inventors: Dennis W. Crabtree; Dwight P. Williams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7464766B2 ## CPC - A62C 31/12: for delivering foam or atomised foam - Y10T 137/2514: Self-proportioning flow systems - A62C: FIRE-FIGHTING (fire-extinguishing compositions, use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires A62D1/00; spraying, applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05; alarm arrangements G08B, e.g. fire alarms actuated by smoke or gases G08B17/10) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A self-metering, automatic (i.e. pressure regulating) industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, with or without self-eduction, for self-metering a concentrate in accordance with varying liquid flow through the nozzle occasioned by the pressure regulating, with additional features of having a “ratio selectable” means for self-metering for different selected additive concentrations or mixing ratios and of having a mechanical flowmeter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A self-metering automatic industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, comprising: an additive passageway within the nozzle in fluid communication with a fire-fighting liquid conduit within the nozzle, the conduit having a discharge orifice that varies in size with supply pressure of the liquid, at least for part of a flow range of the nozzle; and structural elements defining a variable opening associated with the additive passageway, the elements structured in combination to automatically vary the opening size in response to variations in size of the discharge orifice. ### Claim 2 A self-metering automatic industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, comprising: an additive passageway within the nozzle in fluid communication with a fire-fighting liquid conduit within the nozzle, the conduit having a discharge orifice that varies in size with supply pressure of the liquid, at least for part of a flow range of the nozzle; and a valve associated with the additive passageway, the valve structured to automatically vary in accordance with variations of the discharge orifice size. ### Claim 3 A self-metering automatic industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, comprising: an additive passageway within the nozzle in fluid communication with a fire-fighting liquid conduit within the nozzle, the conduit having a discharge orifice that varies in size with supply pressure of the liquid, at least for part of a flow range of the nozzle; and means for variably occluding the additive passageway in conjunction with variations of the discharge orifice size. ### Claim 4 A self-metering automatic industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, comprising: an additive passageway within the nozzle in fluid communication with a fire-fighting liquid conduit within the nozzle, the conduit having a discharge orifice that varies in size with supply pressure of the liquid, at least for part of a flow range of the nozzle; and an adjustable opening in the additive passageway calibrated to automatically adjust in response to variations of the discharge orifice size. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nozzle of claim 1 including a ratio selector having at least two settings and wherein the structural elements vary the opening in response to a selector setting. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The nozzle of claim 2 including a ratio selector having at least two settings and wherein the valve varies the opening in response to a selector setting. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The nozzle of claim 3 including a ratio selector having at least two settings and wherein the means include means for occluding in response to a selector setting. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The nozzle of claim 4 including a ratio selector having at least two settings and wherein the opening is calibrated to adjust in response to a selector setting. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1, 2, 3) The nozzle of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 including: at least two gap defining elements that relatively adjust to define the discharge orifice of the nozzle; and flow indicator structure that adjusts in tandem with a gap defining element adjustment, the flow indicator structure connected to a visible calibrated indicia of flow. ### Claim 10 A method, comprising: automatically metering a preselected ratio of additive into an at least partially automatic industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, including adjusting at least one occluding element in an additive passageway within the nozzle in fluid communication with a fire fighting liquid conduit within the nozzle in accordance with a varying discharge orifice of the fire fighting liquid conduit. ### Claim 11 A method, comprising: automatically metering a preselected ratio of additive into an at least partially automatic industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, including occluding an additive passageway within the nozzle in fluid communication with a fire fighting liquid conduit within the nozzle in accordance with a varying discharge orifice of the fire fighting liquid conduit. ### Claim 12 A method, comprising: automatically metering a preselected ratio of additive into an at least partially automatic industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, including, in a passageway for additive located inside of the nozzle body, and valving the passageway in tandem with a varying discharge orifice within the fire fighting liquid conduit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10, 11, 12) The method of claims 10, 11 or 12 that includes selecting between a plurality of additive ratios for the automatic metering. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10, 11, 12) The method of claims 10, 11 or 12 that includes mechanically linking a visible indication of flow rate of fire fighting liquid through the nozzle with the varying fire fighting liquid conduit discharge orifice.