Leonard Edward Doten

US Patent:

20130112907, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Nov 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/373268

Inventors:

Leonard E. Doten - Cold Springs CA, US

International Classification:

A62D 1/00
B01F 15/02

US Classification:

252 2, 3661585

Abstract:

Water is mixed with fire suppressant polymer in a mixer absent a power source. The mixer receives water through a water inlet with water exhibiting high velocity and associated hydrodynamic force. Such velocity is achieved by locating the water inlet connected to a float or other part of an aircraft so that when the aircraft flies over water with the float dipping into the water, water is driven through the opening and into the water inlet of the mixer. A polymer inlet passes into the mixer. A bend is located downstream of the water inlet and the polymer inlet. The bend exhibits sufficient resistance to fluid flow direction therethrough that the polymer is sheared and thoroughly mixed and activated with the water. A colorant inlet is optionally provided within the mixer and the water and polymer mixture is then discharged into a tank for later utilization at a firefighting location.

US Patent:

20110203812, Aug 25, 2011

Filed:

Feb 19, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/660044

Inventors:

Leonard E. Doten - Cold Springs CA, US

International Classification:

A62C 3/00
A62C 31/00

US Classification:

169 44, 169 53, 169 14

Abstract:

The delivery system includes a blender assembly which can be fitted within a bucket or other container an aircraft. The blender assembly includes a combiner which receives water from within the container and gel concentrate from a gel inlet. The combiner brings the water and gel concentrate together upstream of a pump. The pump pressurizes and mixes the water and gel concentrate together to provide a hydrated fire suppression gel ready for application. An outlet of the pump leads through appropriate conduits to a nozzle. The nozzle includes a downwardly extending spout which sprays the hydrated gel down onto the ground beneath the aircraft. When the water within the container has been depleted, the aircraft is flown to a water source and the container is refilled. Then the blender can again be used to manufacture and deliver the fire suppression gel to an area to be treated.

US Patent:

20190168040, Jun 6, 2019

Filed:

Feb 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/268166

Inventors:

Leonard E. Doten - Cold Springs CA, US

International Classification:

A62C 5/033
A62C 5/00
A62C 3/02
B64D 9/00
B64D 1/16
B01F 3/08
B01F 15/00
B01F 13/02
B01F 7/04
B01F 7/02
B01F 7/00
B01F 5/10
A62D 1/00

Abstract:

A tank on a firefighting aircraft initially is loaded with water. A polymer gel emulsion vessel is provided on the aircraft, but is not activated and mixed with tank water until such polymer gel preparation is initiated by an operator. When initiated, a pump pulls water from the tank and doses it with gel emulsion. Double elbows and/or the pump impeller fully activates the polymer gel. The activated polymer gel is mixed within the tank by one of a variety of systems including mixing paddles or sparging with gas. In one embodiment, a hollow tower of telescoping form has a float to keep an upper end near a surface in the tank and a sparging gas entry is a controlled distance below the surface, such that gas of limited pressure, such as from a ram air inlet can sparge and mix the water and activated polymer gel emulsion effectively.

US Patent:

20190168041, Jun 6, 2019

Filed:

Feb 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/268181

Inventors:

Leonard E. Doten - Cold Springs CA, US

International Classification:

A62C 5/033
A62C 5/00
A62C 3/02
B64D 9/00
B64D 1/16
B01F 3/08
B01F 15/00
B01F 13/02
B01F 7/04
B01F 7/02
B01F 7/00
B01F 5/10
A62D 1/00

Abstract:

A tank on a firefighting aircraft initially is loaded with water. A polymer gel emulsion vessel is provided on the aircraft, but is not activated and mixed with tank water until such polymer gel preparation is initiated by an operator. When initiated, a pump pulls water from the tank and doses it with gel emulsion. Double elbows and/or the pump impeller fully activates the polymer gel. The activated polymer gel is mixed within the tank by one of a variety of systems including mixing paddles or sparging with gas. In one embodiment, a hollow tower of telescoping form has a float to keep an upper end near a surface in the tank and a sparging gas entry is a controlled distance below the surface, such that gas of limited pressure, such as from a ram air inlet can sparge and mix the water and activated polymer gel emulsion effectively.

US Patent:

20190168042, Jun 6, 2019

Filed:

Feb 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/268193

Inventors:

Leonard E. Doten - Cold Springs CA, US

International Classification:

A62C 5/033
A62C 5/00
A62C 3/02
B64D 9/00
B64D 1/16
B01F 3/08
B01F 15/00
B01F 13/02
B01F 7/04
B01F 7/02
B01F 7/00
B01F 5/10
A62D 1/00

Abstract:

A tank on a firefighting aircraft initially is loaded with water. A polymer gel emulsion vessel is provided on the aircraft, but is not activated and mixed with tank water until such polymer gel preparation is initiated by an operator. When initiated, a pump pulls water from the tank and doses it with gel emulsion. Double elbows and/or the pump impeller fully activates the polymer gel. The activated polymer gel is mixed within the tank by one of a variety of systems including mixing paddles or sparging with gas. In one embodiment, a hollow tower of telescoping form has a float to keep an upper end near a surface in the tank and a sparging gas entry is a controlled distance below the surface, such that gas of limited pressure, such as from a ram air inlet can sparge and mix the water and activated polymer gel emulsion effectively.

US Patent:

20190168043, Jun 6, 2019

Filed:

Feb 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/268209

Inventors:

Leonard E. Doten - Cold Springs CA, US

International Classification:

A62C 5/033
A62C 5/00
A62C 3/02
B64D 9/00
B64D 1/16
B01F 3/08
B01F 15/00
B01F 13/02
B01F 7/04
B01F 7/02
B01F 7/00
B01F 5/10
A62D 1/00

Abstract:

A tank on a firefighting aircraft initially is loaded with water. A polymer gel emulsion vessel is provided on the aircraft, but is not activated and mixed with tank water until such polymer gel preparation is initiated by an operator. When initiated, a pump pulls water from the tank and doses it with gel emulsion. Double elbows and/or the pump impeller fully activates the polymer gel. The activated polymer gel is mixed within the tank by one of a variety of systems including mixing paddles or sparging with gas. In one embodiment, a hollow tower of telescoping form has a float to keep an upper end near a surface in the tank and a sparging gas entry is a controlled distance below the surface, such that gas of limited pressure, such as from a ram air inlet can sparge and mix the water and activated polymer gel emulsion effectively.

US Patent:

20170203134, Jul 20, 2017

Filed:

Jun 23, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/747794

Inventors:

Leonard E. Doten - Cold Springs CA, US

International Classification:

A62C 3/02
A62C 5/00
A62C 5/033

Abstract:

The system includes an intake assembly upstream of a pump within the bucket which selectively uses an outer port for drawing water outside of the bucket into the system and an inner port for drawing water from within the bucket into the system. A polymer gel port is interposed between the intake assembly and the pump for combination, mixing and activation of a water and polymer gel emulsion combination within the pump. A fill assembly is provided downstream of the pump which can selectively direct water back into the bucket. A discharge assembly is also provided downstream of the pump which leads to a nozzle or other outlet for water and/or polymer gel emulsion from the system. A control valve selects between delivery of water and/or polymer gel emulsion back into the bucket through the fill assembly or out of the bucket through the discharge.

US Patent:

20170183098, Jun 29, 2017

Filed:

Feb 6, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/616271

Inventors:

Leonard E. Doten - Cold Springs CA, US

International Classification:

B64D 1/22
A62D 1/00

Abstract:

The system includes a snorkel leading from an intake up to a tank borne by an aircraft. A feed pump in the intake draws water up the snorkel to the tank. A polymer gel emulsion reservoir supplies polymer gel upstream of the feed pump for addition and activation of the polymer gel emulsion with the water. A separate pump within the tank provides for selectable recirculation within the tank and/or discharge out of the tank, such as out of a nozzle. Polymer gel emulsion can optionally be supplied at the tank pump rather than the feed pump for delayed addition of polymer gel emulsion to water carried by the aircraft.