Rowe Industries holds the following United States Patents.
United States Patent: 5,837,168
Foam generating apparatus
Apparatus for generating foam for use in fire fighting having two plates housed in a chamber which respectively introduce pressurized air and water/soap solution into the space between the two plates where foam is generated and emitted from an aperture on the side of the chamber. Pressurized water/soap solution is introduced through an orifice into a small opening through one plate. Pressurized air is introduced into the other plate through a number of channels bored through the plate to an annular grove on the surface of the plate. The plates are provided with flat surfaces which are brought together to form a narrow gap. The narrow gap balances the pressure between the incoming water and the incoming air by achieving an equilibrium at some particular radius out from the center of the two plates. This equilibrium radius moves in and out from the center as necessary to keep the two pressures balanced. The incoming air pressure is set at a desired level, and the incoming water pressure is adjusted to a slightly higher initial pressure. The quality of the foam is then determined by further upward or downward adjustments of the water pressure.
United States Patent: 6,086,052
Foam generating apparatus
Apparatus for generating foam for use in fire fighting having two plates housed in a chamber which respectively introduce pressurized air and a water/surfactant solution between the two plates where foam is generated and emitted from an aperture on the side of the chamber. The pressurized water/soap solution enters the chamber through an orifice in one plate. Pressurized air enters the chamber through a number of channels bored through the other plate, such channels appearing in an annular grove which circumscribes the water inlet. The plates are provided with surfaces which are brought together to form a restricted area therebetween. The restricted area balances the pressure between the incoming water and the incoming air by achieving an equilibrium at some particular radius out from the center of the two plates. This equilibrium radius moves in and out from the center as necessary to keep the two pressures balanced. The apparatus also includes a pressure regulating system that automatically cuts off the flow of pressurized water and air when the foam dispensing nozzle is turned off.
United States Patent: 6,138,994
Foam generating apparatus
Apparatus for generating foam for use in fire fighting having two plates housed in a chamber which respectively introduce pressurized air and a water/surfactant solution between the two plates where foam is generated and emitted from an aperture on the side of the chamber. The pressurized water/soap solution enters the chamber through an orifice in one plate. Pressurized air enters the chamber through a number of channels bored through the other plate, such channels appearing in an annular groove which circumscribes the water inlet. The plates are provided with surfaces which are brought together to form a restricted area therebetween. The restricted area balances the pressure between the incoming water and the incoming air by achieving an equilibrium at some particular radius out from the center of the two plates. This equilibrium radius moves in and out from the center as necessary to keep the two pressures balanced. The apparatus also includes a pressure regulating system that automatically cuts off the flow of pressurized water and air when the foam dispensing nozzle is turned off.
United States Patent: 6,217,009
Foam generating method
Method for generating foam for use in fire fighting having two plates housed in a chamber which respectively introduce pressurized air and a water/surfactant solution between the two plates where foam is generated and emitted from an aperture on the side of the chamber. The pressurized water/soap solution enters the chamber through an orifice in one plate. Pressurized air enters the chamber through a number of channels bored through the other plate, such channels appearing in an annular grove which circumscribes the water inlet. The plates are provided with surfaces which are brought together to form a restricted area therebetween. The restricted area balances the pressure between the incoming water and the incoming air by achieving an equilibrium at some particular radius out from the center of the two plates. This equilibrium radius moves in and out from the center as necessary to keep the two pressures balanced. The method also includes a pressure regulating system that automatically cuts off the flow of pressurized water and air when the foam dispensing nozzle is turned off.