This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 application of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/081848, filed Dec. 20, 2016, which claims the benefit of German Application No. 10 2016 202 441.8, filed Feb. 17, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to an alarm valve station, in particular to a wet alarm valve station, of a fire extinguishing system, having an alarm valve with an extinguishing fluid inlet and an extinguishing fluid outlet, wherein the alarm valve has a closing body that can be moved back and forth between a blocking state and a release state, wherein the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber are separated from one another in the blocking state and communicate with one another fluidically in the release state, an alarm triggering device for triggering a fire alarm, which is connected with the alarm valve, and a delay container in order to delay triggering of the fire alarm, wherein the alarm valve is fluidically connected with a fluid inlet of the delay container, and a fluid outlet of the delay container is connected with the alarm triggering device. The invention further relates to a fire extinguishing system with such an alarm valve station.
Alarm valve stations of fire extinguishing systems are used to trigger a fire alarm. To this end, known alarm valve stations routinely determine the fluidic flow of the extinguishing fluid between the extinguishing fluid inlet, which is usually fluidically connected with an extinguishing fluid supply, and the extinguishing fluid outlet, which is usually fluidically connected with a sprinkler arrangement via a fluid line system.
In the event of a fire, the sprinkler nozzles of the sprinkler arrangement open, thereby causing a drop in the pressure level in the line system of the sprinkler arrangement, and thus also at the extinguishing fluid outlet of the alarm valve. The pressure drop results in a pressure difference forming between the extinguishing fluid inlet and extinguishing fluid outlet of the alarm valve. Once a specific pressure difference has been reached, the closing body, which is arranged in the alarm valve and closed with the alarm valve in the idle state, opens.
At the same time that the closing body between the extinguishing fluid inlet and extinguishing fluid outlet opens, the extinguishing fluid inflow from inside of the alarm valve is released, for example in a stub line, which usually is referred to as an alarm line. The stub line is (nearly) fluid-free and unpressurized in the idle state of the closing body. In addition, the stub line is fluidically connected with a pressure sensor, which detects the pressure change in the stub line caused by the inflowing extinguishing fluid. The pressure sensor is part of an alarm triggering device.
The supply of extinguishing fluid is subject to temporarily arising pressure fluctuations, for example owing to water hammers in the supply network. These pressure fluctuations can result in the stub line, which is fluidically connected with the pressure sensor, being briefly pressurized by extinguishing fluid. To prevent pressure fluctuations in the extinguishing fluid supply from triggering a fire alarm, a hydraulic delay container is routinely placed upstream from the pressure sensor. As a result of the delay container, a pressure interpreted as an event for generating an alarm signal only builds at the pressure sensor if a large enough amount of extinguishing fluid flows into the alarm line or delay container, and a corresponding pressure builds at the pressure sensor. This prevents temporarily arising pressure fluctuations in the extinguishing fluid supply from leading to an inadvertent triggering of a fire alarm.
In several alarm valve stations, the fluid outlet of known delay containers is fluidically connected with several separate components, for example with several different or identical pressure sensors and/or with alarm systems like alarm bells. To this end, the delay container is connected with branch lines, which distribute the extinguishing fluid pressure or extinguishing fluid flow present at the delay container. For this purpose, use is usually made of various fittings, such as T-shaped or Y-shaped line branches arranged at the fluid outlet of the delay container. This produces a high assembly and maintenance outlay on the one hand, while on the other this type of line arrangement leads to an increased risk of a leak, and hence of a functional impairment or even a functional failure.
The object underlying the invention is to provide the capacity to fluidically connect the delay container of an alarm valve station (outlet side) with several separate components, while lowering the assembly and maintenance outlay and/or risk of leakage by comparison to known solutions, and arranging the delay container inside of the alarm valve station so as to economize on space.
The object is achieved with an alarm valve station of the kind mentioned at the outset, wherein the delay container has several fluid inlets and/or several fluid outlets.
The invention makes use of the knowledge that the fluid flow or pressure need not necessarily be divided outside of the delay container by a suitable line arrangement. Dividing the fluid flow with the delay container eliminates the need for a downstream line arrangement for dividing the fluid flow. This reduces the assembly and maintenance outlay, as well as the risk of a leak, and in particular also significantly reduces the space required.
The extinguishing fluid inlet of the alarm valve is preferably set up to be fluidically connected with an extinguishing fluid supply. Alternatively or additionally, the extinguishing fluid outlet of the alarm valve is set up to be fluidically connected with a sprinkler arrangement. Further preferred is a delay container having two, three or four fluid inlets and/or two, three or four fluid outlets.
The alarm valve station according to the invention is advantageously further developed so as to connect one fluid outlet or several or all of the several fluid outlets of the delay container with one or several respective alarm triggering devices. According to the invention, the alarm triggering device is understood as the functional unit that comprises the acquisition of an event requiring the generation of the alarm signal, e.g., the sufficient rise in pressure in the delay container, as well as means for generating the alarm signal. At least one alarm triggering device preferably consists of a pressure sensor, which is set up to detect a pressure change and convert it into an electrical signal. The pressure sensor is preferably designed as a pressure switch.
The pressure sensor is preferably connected with a fire detector and/or extinguishing control panel in a signal-conducting manner. The fire detector and extinguishing control panel preferably processes the signal received from the pressure sensor, so as to control alarm systems, such as one or several electrically operated alarm horns or one or several hydraulically operated alarm bells, and/or to transmit alarm messages to permanently manned locations and the fire department. The fire detector and/or extinguishing control panel preferably continuously monitors the fire extinguishing system in which the alarm valve station according to the invention is used. In particular, the fire detector and/or extinguishing control panel communicates with hazard management systems and, by way of web interfaces, with internet-ready devices.
In another preferred embodiment of the alarm valve station according to the invention, the pressure sensor is alternatively or additionally connected with an electrically operated alarm system in a signal-conducting manner. The electrically operated alarm system preferably consists of an alarm horn.
In another preferred embodiment of the alarm valve station according to the invention, at least one alarm triggering device has a hydraulically operated alarm system. The hydraulically operated alarm system preferably has a hydraulic alarm bell. The alarm bell serves to sound an alarm in the immediate environment.
In an especially preferred embodiment of the alarm valve station according to the invention, several fluid outlets are arranged on a first side of the delay container, and at least one fluid inlet is arranged on a second, opposing side of the delay container. Because several fluid outlets are arranged on the first side of the delay container, and at least one fluid inlet is arranged on the second, opposing side of the delay container, the extinguishing fluid can be introduced into the delay container via the at least one fluid inlet on the second side of the delay container. After the delay container is completely or essentially completely filled with extinguishing fluid, extinguishing fluid flows through the several fluid outlets on the first side of the delay container and out of the delay container, or the pressure being built up by the fluid streaming into the delay container continues to the fluid outlets. As a result of the opposing arrangement of the at least one fluid inlet and the several fluid outlets, the entire or essentially the entire volume of the delay container is thus utilized, so that a maximum delay is achieved. A fluid outlet is preferably arranged on the second side of the delay container in addition to the fluid inlet. The additional fluid outlet on the second side of the delay container allows the delay container to be emptied, for example. The delay container is preferably emptied continuously, but with a slow evacuation rate. This ensures that an evacuation process will take place after a complete or partial filling of the delay container, so that the entire volume of the delay container is available during subsequent filling for delaying the hydraulic signal. It is further preferred that the delay container be aligned in such a way that the second side of the delay container, and hence the at least one fluid inlet and the additional fluid outlet, are arranged under the interior of the delay container, so that evacuation can take place through the additional fluid outlet on the second side of the delay container through exposure to gravity, without using a fluid conveying device.
In a preferred further development of the alarm valve station according to the invention, the at least one fluid inlet on the second side of the delay container is not aligned flush with any of the several fluid outlets on the first side of the delay container. The extinguishing fluid streaming into the delay container through the at least one fluid inlet routinely has a pressure level that leads to the formation of an extinguishing fluid jet, in particular when the delay container first starts being filled. The risk of a flush alignment of the at least one fluid inlet relative to one of the several fluid outlets is that, even though the delay container has not yet been completely or essentially completely filled with extinguishing fluid, extinguishing fluid already flows out via the extinguishing fluid jet through the fluid outlet aligned flush with the fluid inlet, and the pressure sensor generates an alarm signal without a delay or with too short a delay.
In an advantageous embodiment of the alarm valve station according to the invention, the delay container has a longitudinal axis that extends from the first side to the second side of the delay container. A fluid inlet or several or all fluid inlets are spaced apart from the longitudinal axis. Alternatively or additionally, a fluid outlet or several or all fluid outlets of the delay container are spaced apart from the longitudinal axis. At least sections of the delay container are preferably designed rotationally symmetrical around a central axis, wherein the longitudinal axis corresponds to the central axis. By being spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, the respective fluid inlet or the respective fluid outlet is arranged on the side of the delay container. Each fluid inlet and fluid outlet can be fluidically connected with a pipe section or some other component by means of a suitable coupling means, for example a pipe fitting. Despite a plurality of fluid inlets and/or fluid outlets, the lateral arrangement of the respective fluid inlets and respective fluid outlets allows this coupling. As a whole, the delay container can in this way be integrated into the alarm valve station in a space-saving manner.
The alarm valve station according to the invention is advantageously further developed in such a way as to give the delay container a multipart design. The multipart design of the delay container makes it easier to manufacture the delay container on the one hand, and increases the adaptability of the delay container on the other. Furthermore, the delay container is easier to assemble and maintain.
In an especially preferred embodiment of the alarm valve station according to the invention, the delay container has a first container part and a second container part that can be detached, preferably reversibly and nondestructively detached, from the first container part. The two separate and detachable container parts further increase the universality of the delay container.
Further preferred is an alarm valve station according to the invention in which the first container part and second container part each have a flange section, wherein the flange sections of the first container part and second container part are designed to be mutually connected. The respective flange section is preferably integrally designed with the respective container part. It is further preferred that the flange section of the first container part and flange section of the second container part be designed as a continuous flange section. The flange section of the first container part and flange section of the second container part preferably extend radially outward from the interior of the respective container part.
In another preferred embodiment of the alarm valve station according to the invention, the first container part and second container part are identical. This leads to a significant reduction in production costs, for example the model costs for fabricating cast parts. In particular, the first container part of the delay container has several, preferably two, fluid outlets. In particular, the second container part of the delay container has at least one fluid inlet. The second container part of the delay container further preferably has a fluid outlet in addition to the fluid inlet.
The alarm valve station according to the invention is further advantageously further developed by virtue of the fact that the first container part and second container part can be connected with each other in various rotational angle positions. Because the first container part and second container part can be connected with each other in various rotational angle positions, the position of the fluid outlets and the at least one fluid inlet of the delay container can be altered. For example, the first container part and second container part can be connected with each other in a total of 4 different rotational angle positions, wherein
Further preferred as well are delay containers whose first container part and whose second container part can be connected with each other in a total of two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten different rotational angle positions. The first container part preferably has a number of boreholes on the flange section, and the second container part has an identical number of boreholes, wherein the number of boreholes in the respective container parts corresponds to the number of possible rotational angle positions. The first container part and second container part preferably each have a total of two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten boreholes.
In a preferred embodiment of the alarm valve station according to the invention, a gasket element is arranged between the first container part and second container part, which protrudes into the interior of the delay container.
In an advantageous embodiment of the alarm valve station according to the invention, the fluid inlet or fluid inlets of the delay container each have a central axis, wherein the gasket element protrudes into the interior of the delay container in such a way that the central axis of the one fluid inlet or several fluid inlets intersects the gasket element. As a consequence, the gasket element serves as an impact element for extinguishing fluid entering into the delay container. The gasket element preferably has an elastic sealing lip, which preferably extends into the interior of the delay container.
Also preferred is an alarm valve station according to the invention in which the fluid inlet or fluid inlets of the delay container is/are aligned flush with one or several fluid outlets of the delay container. The flush alignment of the fluid inlet or fluid inlets of the delay container relative to one or several fluid outlets of the delay container is preferred in particular when the delay container has a gasket element that acts as an impact element. Even given a flush alignment of the fluid inlet or fluid inlets of the delay container relative to one or several fluid outlets of the delay container, the impact element eliminates any risk that an extinguishing fluid jet will form between a fluid inlet and fluid outlet within the delay container, and that the pressure sensor will generate an electrical signal without a delay or with too little a delay.
In an advantageous further development of the alarm valve station according to the invention, a fluid outlet of the delay container is fluidically connected with an evacuation device, which is set up to automatically empty the delay container. Alternatively or additionally, a fluid inlet of the delay container temporarily also serves as a fluid outlet. Several, in particular two fluid outlets are preferably arranged on a first side of the delay container, and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet fluidically connected with the delay container are preferably arranged on an opposing second side of the delay container. In particular, the first container part of the delay container has several, in particular two fluid outlets, and the second container part of the delay container has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet fluidically connected with the evacuation device. A dirt trap, one or more throttles and/or stop valves are preferably arranged between the alarm valve and delay container, or between the alarm valve and alarm system.
In the standby mode of the fire extinguishing system, i.e., when no sprinkler of the fire extinguishing system is open, a check valve preferably prevents the pressure in the pipe network of the sprinkler arrangement from falling while the extinguishing fluid supply pressure is sinking. As a consequence, the operational readiness of the fire extinguishing system is upheld even given a drop in the extinguishing fluid supply pressure. Given a renewed rise in the extinguishing fluid supply pressure, the check valve also reduces the risk that water will flow into the pipe network of the sprinkler arrangement, and thereby inadvertently trigger an alarm.
The delay container is preferably made out of plastic or stainless steel.
The object underlying the invention is also achieved with a fire extinguishing system, an alarm valve station, an extinguishing fluid supply and a sprinkler arrangement. The alarm valve station of the fire extinguishing system according to the invention is designed based on one of the embodiments described above. The extinguishing fluid supply is fluidically connected with the extinguishing fluid inlet of the alarm valve. The sprinkler arrangement is fluidically connected with the extinguishing fluid outlet of the alarm valve. With respect to the advantages of the fire extinguishing system according to the invention, reference is made to the advantages of the alarm valve station according to the invention.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained and described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Shown on:
On
Two fluid outlets 15b, 15c are arranged on a first side of the delay container 11a, 11b, while a fluid inlet 13 and a fluid outlet 15a in addition to the fluid inlet 13 are arranged on a second, opposing side of the delay container 11a, 11b.
The delay container 11a, 11b has a longitudinal axis 17, which extends from the first side to the second side of the delay container 11a, 11b. The fluid inlet 13 and fluid outlets 15a-15c of the delay container 11a, 11b are spaced apart from the longitudinal axis 17.
The delay container 11a, 11b has multiple parts, and sections thereof are designed rotationally symmetrical around a central axis, wherein the longitudinal axis 17 corresponds to the central axis. The first container part 11a and the second container part 11b that can be reversibly and nondestructively detached from the first container part 11a are connected with each other via flange sections 19a, 19b. The first container part 11a and second container part 11b are identical.
The first container part 11a of the delay container 11a, 11b has two fluid outlets 15b, 15c. The second container part 11b of the delay container 11a, 11b has a fluid inlet 13 and a fluid outlet 15a in addition to the fluid inlet 13.
The first container part 11a and second container part 11b can be connected with each other at eight different rotational angle positions. The first container part 11a can be rotated around the longitudinal axis 17 in the rotational directions 12a. The second container part 11b can be rotated around the longitudinal axis in the rotational directions 12b.
The first container part 11a has eight boreholes 20a-20e in the flange section 19a, while the second container part 11b also has eight boreholes 22a-22e in the flange section 19b.
As evident from
The fluid inlet 13 of the delay container 11a, 11b has a threaded section 14. The fluid outlets 15a-15c of the delay container 11a, 11b also each have a threaded section 16a-16c.
According to
The alarm triggering device 9 is designed to trigger a fire alarm, and connected with the alarm valve 3. In order to trigger a fire alarm, the alarm triggering device 9 has two pressure sensors 27 designed as a pressure switch, wherein the pressure sensors are each connected with a fluid outlet 15a, 15b of the delay container 11a, 11b. The delay container 11a, 11b serves to delay the triggering of the fire alarm. In the event of a fire, the alarm valve 3 is fluidically connected with the fluid inlet 13 of the delay container 11a, 11b.
The first pressure sensor 27 is connected with a fire detector and/or extinguishing control panel in a signal-conducting manner. The second pressure sensor 27 is connected with an electrically operated alarm system in a signal-conducting manner. The electrically operated alarm system consists of an alarm horn (not shown).
The fluid inlet 13 of the delay container 11a, 11b is aligned flush with the fluid outlet 15b of the delay container 11a, 11b.
The fluid inlet 13 of the delay container 11a, 11b also serves as a fluid outlet, and is fluidically connected with an evacuation device 33. The evacuation device 33 is set up to automatically empty the delay container 11a, 11b.
A dirt trap 45 is arranged between the alarm valve 3 and delay container 11a, 11b.
In order to manually release the extinguishing fluid flow, the alarm valve station 1 has a shutoff unit 35, by means of which the extinguishing fluid flow can be released and blocked.
The extinguishing fluid inlet 5 and extinguishing fluid outlet 7 of the alarm valve 3 are connected with each other via a bypass line. The intermediate line has two stopcocks 39a, 39b, two vent valves 41a, 41b and two manometers 43a, 43b.
The alarm valve has a closing body 4, which can be moved back and forth between a blocking state and a release state, wherein the fluid inlet chamber and fluid outlet chamber are separated from each other in the blocking state, and communicate with each other fluidically in the release state.
A dirt trap 45, a shutoff valve 32 and a throttle 18 are arranged between the alarm valve 3 and delay container 11a, 11b. The delay container 11a, 11b has a multipart design, with a first container part 11a and a second container part 11b.
The first container part 11a of the delay container 11a, 11b has two fluid outlets 15a, 15b. The second container part 11b of the delay container 11a, 11b has one fluid inlet 13. The fluid inlet 13 simultaneously serves as a fluid outlet, and is fluidically connected with the evacuation device 33.
The two fluid outlets 15a, 15b are each fluidically connected with a pressure sensor 27. The two pressure sensors 27 are designed as pressure switches, and connected with a fire detector and/or extinguishing control panel 28 in a signal-conducting manner. The fire detector and/or extinguishing control panel 28 is connected with two electrically operated alarm systems 29 in a signal-conducting manner. The first electrically operated alarm system 29 is designed as an alarm horn. The second electrically operated alarm system 29 is designed as an optical warning unit. The pressure sensors 27, fire detector and/or extinguishing control panel 28 and electrically operated alarm systems 29 are part of the alarm triggering device 9.
The top view on
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10 2016 202 441.8 | Feb 2016 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2016/081848 | 12/20/2016 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2017/140402 | 8/24/2017 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
711960 | Gray | Oct 1902 | A |
1738656 | Lowe | Dec 1929 | A |
2505761 | Gieseler | May 1950 | A |
2537009 | Allen | Jan 1951 | A |
3083943 | Stewart, Jr. | Apr 1963 | A |
3168281 | Yates | Feb 1965 | A |
5632465 | Cordua | May 1997 | A |
5720351 | Beukema | Feb 1998 | A |
7878258 | Lindstrom | Feb 2011 | B2 |
8307906 | Reilly | Nov 2012 | B2 |
20110108290 | Feenstra | May 2011 | A1 |
20170037975 | Weingarten | Feb 2017 | A1 |
20180043197 | Ringer | Feb 2018 | A1 |
20180147433 | Williams | May 2018 | A1 |
20180361184 | Pohl | Dec 2018 | A1 |
20190388718 | Pohl | Dec 2019 | A1 |
20200139176 | Pohl | May 2020 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
104436504 | Mar 2015 | CN |
10 2007 049 588 | Apr 2009 | DE |
20 2012 005 539 | Aug 2012 | DE |
327676 | Apr 1930 | GB |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report and Written Opinion (with English translation), International Application No. PCT/EP2016/081848 (published under WO 2017/140402), 14 pages (dated Mar. 30, 2017). |
Office Action with English translation, Chinese Application No. 201680082023.9, 23 pages (dated Mar. 4, 2020). |
Li, “Supervision on Design and Construction of Fire Water Supply System for Building,” first edition, China Building Materials Industry Press, pp. 113-115 (Jan. 31, 2003). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20200139176 A1 | May 2020 | US |