Patent Grant
11925826
Automatic sprinkler systems are some of the most widely used devices for fire protection. These systems have sprinklers that are activated Once the ambient temperature in an environment, such as a room or building exceeds a predetermined value. Once activated, the sprinklers distribute fire-extinguishing fluid, preferably water, in the room or building. A sprinkler system is considered effective if it extinguishes or prevents growth of a fire. The effectiveness of a sprinkler is dependent upon the sprinkler consistently delivering an expected flow rate of fluid from its outlet for a given pressure at its inlet. The discharge coefficient or K-factor of a sprinkler allows for an approximation of flow rate to be expected from an outlet of a sprinkler based on the square root of the pressure of fluid fed into the inlet of the sprinkler. As used herein and the sprinkler industry, the K-factor is a measurement used to indicate the flow capacity of a sprinkler. More specifically, the K-factor is a constant representing a sprinkler's discharge coefficient, that is quantified by the flow of fluid in gallons per minute (GPM) through the sprinkler passageway divided by the square root of the pressure of the flow of fluid fed to the sprinkler in pounds per square inch gauge (PSTG.). The K-factor is expressed as GPM/(PSI)1/2. Industry accepted standards, such as for example, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard entitled, “NFPA 13: Standards for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems” (2010 ed.) (“NFPA 13”) provides for a rated or nominal K-factor or rated discharge coefficient of a sprinkler as a mean value over a K-factor range. As used herein, “nominal” describes a numerical value, designated under an accepted standard, about which a measured parameter may vary as defined by an accepted tolerance. For example, for a K-factor greater than 14, NFPA 13 provides the following nominal K-factors (with the K-factor range shown in parenthesis): (i) 16.8 (16.0-17.6) GPM/(PSI)1/2; (ii) 19.6 (18.6-20.6) GPM/(PSI)1/2; (iii) 22.4 (21.3-23.5) GPM/(PSI)1/2; (iv) 25.2 (23.9-26.5) GPM/(PSI)1/2; (v) 28.0 (26.6-29.4) GPM/(PSI)1/2; and 33.6 (31.9-35.3) GPM/(PSI)1/2.
The fluid supply for a sprinkler system may include, for example, an underground water main that enters the building to supply a vertical riser. At the top of a vertical riser, an array of pipes extends throughout the fire compartment in the building. In the piping distribution network atop the riser includes branch lines that carry the pressurized supply fluid to the sprinklers. A sprinkler may extend up from a branch line, placing the sprinkler relatively close to the ceiling, or a sprinkler can be pendent below the branch line. For use with concealed piping, a flush-mounted pendent sprinkler may extend only slightly below the ceiling.
Fluid for fighting a fire can be provided to the sprinklers in various configurations, In a wet-pipe system, for buildings having heated spaces for piping branch lines, all the system pipes contain water for immediate release through any sprinkler that is activated. In a dry-pipe system, branch lines and other distribution pipes may contain a dry gas (air or nitrogen) under pressure. Dry pipe systems may be used to protect unheated open areas, cold rooms, buildings in freezing climates, cold-storage rooms passageways, storage or other occupancies exposed to freezing temperatures, such as unheated. The gas pressure in the distribution pipes may be used to hold closed a dry pipe valve at the riser to control the flow of fire fighting liquid to the distribution piping. When heat from a fire activates a sprinkler, the gas escapes and the dry-pipe valve trips, water enters branch lines, and fire fighting begins as the sprinkler distributes the fluid.
Dry sprinklers may be used where the sprinklers may be exposed to freezing temperatures, NFPA 13 defines a dry sprinkler as a “sprinkler secured in an extension nipple that has a seal at the inlet end to prevent water from entering the nipple until the sprinkler operates.” Accordingly, a dry sprinkler may include an inlet containing a seal or closure assembly, some length of tubing connected to the inlet, and a fluid deflecting structure, such as for example, a sprinkler body or frame and deflector located at the other end of the tubing. There may also be a mechanism that connects a thermally responsive component to the closure assembly. The inlet is preferably secured to a branch line by one of a threaded-type coupling or a clamp or grooved-type coupling. Depending on the particular installation, the branch line may be filled with fluid (wet pipe system) or be filled with a gas (dry pipe system). In either installation, the medium within the branch line is generally excluded from the passageway of the extension nipple or tubing of the dry sprinkler via the closure assembly in an unactuated state of the dry sprinkler. Upon activation of the thermally responsive component, the dry sprinkler is actuated and the closure assembly is displaced to permit the flow of fluid through the sprinkler.
In known dry sprinklers, an arrangement of internal components is provided to position the closure assembly in both the actuated and unactuated state of the sprinkler. In the actuated state, the internal components in combination with the thermally responsive component, positions the closure assembly at a sealing surface to provide a fluid seal at the inlet end of the unactuated dry sprinkler. The internal components, upon activation of the thermally responsive component, positions the closure assembly within the passageway to permit flow through the dry sprinkler in accordance with the rated discharge coefficient or nominal K-factor of the sprinkler. Accordingly, the internal components and closure assembly of the sprinkler and their geometry within the inlet and passageway of the sprinkler can impact the performance and effectiveness of the sprinkler. For known embodiments of dry sprinklers, as seen for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,559,376 and 7,516,800, the seal assembly-to-sealing surface contact at the inlet of the sprinkler may provide little internal volume for the seal assembly or its support member(s) once the sprinkler is actuated. To permit the desired flow through the sprinkler, some known sprinklers employ rotating sealing assemblies to displace the seal out of the water flow path. However, with increasing K-factor, a greater force is generally required to rotate or alter the position of the sealing assembly. The presence of the seal assembly in the internal volume of the inlet after actuation may present an unsuitable resistance to water flow thereby inhibiting the ability of the dry sprinkler to achieve particular rated K-factors with certain nominal sized threaded inlets. This resistance can prevent high K-factors, e.g., greater than 14 and in particularly, nominal 16.8 GPM/PSI1/2 or greater, with the certain nominal sized threaded inlets.
U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2007/01 871 16 to Jackson et al. describes and shows one known dry sprinkler. Jackson et al. describe the dry pipe sprinkler as including a sprinkler body having a thermally responsive trigger mounted thereto. A housing, including an inlet end and an outlet end, is provided with the outlet end being connected to the sprinkler body. A seal member is disposed at the inlet end of the housing, and a load mechanism extends between the thermally responsive element and the seal member. The load mechanism may include a support portion, a passage tube portion, and an outlet orifice portion slidably received within the housing and movable within the housing upon activation of the thermally responsive trigger to allow the seal member to be dislodged from the inlet end of the housing to allow suppressant fluid to flow therethrough. FIGS. 15 and 16 of Jackson et al. show the inlet body 22 can be provided with external threads 64 for threadedly engaging the system piping. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17, the inlet body 22′ can be configured to provide a grooved inlet connection with the sprinkler system piping 8 or, alternatively, can be provided with other coupling configurations. Jackson et al. therefore describes and shows removing and replacing one inlet body with another inlet body in order to provide different alternative connections. Jackson et al., accordingly, fails to describe or show concurrently providing alternative couplings. More specifically, Jackson et al. does not show a single dry sprinkler structure having two or more coupling configurations to provide multiple modes for connection to a system piping.
There exists a need for a single dry sprinkler that can achieve various nominal K-factors for various nominal inlet sizes; and in addition have multiple alternative coupling arrangements that can, in combination with an arrangement of internal sprinkler components, provide the desired flow characteristics for a given fluid inlet pressure so as to satisfy the designed nominal K-factor or rated discharge coefficient of the sprinkler. It is also desirable to have a dry sprinkler with an internal assembly that locates its seal assembly within the sprinkler inlet upon actuation so as to permit a desire flow for the nominal K-factor of the sprinkler in combination with a desired inlet and casing tube extension size and configuration. Moreover, there is a need for the alternative coupling arrangements to be able to connect to standard pipe fittings, i.e., T-fittings, pipe nipples, pipe reducers, etc. that may be encountered in either a wet or dry sprinkler system. Accordingly, where it is desirable to have a single configuration of a dry sprinkler for either wet or dry system installation, it may be desirable to have an internal structural configuration for only one of a wet or dry system installation or alternatively both a wet and a dry system installation. In addition, it is desirable for the dry sprinkler structure to be sized for easy and efficient handling and installation. Accordingly, it is desirable for the sprinkler structure to be minimized in weight in relation to, for example, the dry sprinkler weight.
The present invention provides a dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The present invention allows a dry sprinkler having an inlet with an arrangement for a threaded-type coupling, a grooved-type coupling or dual-type coupling arrangement for connection to the fluid supply piping of the system. Moreover, the arrangement of components provides for an internal structural assembly that provides the dry sprinkler with particular nominal K-factors, for example, 16.8 GPM/PSI1/2 or greater for various nominal inlet and casing tube sizes.
One particular embodiment provides for a dry sprinkler having a dual connection that includes an external thread for a threaded-type coupling connection and an external groove for a grooved-type coupling connection. The preferred dry sprinkler further includes an inner surface structure that cooperates with a preferred inner assembly of the sprinkler to provide a preferred discharge performance. More specifically, the preferred sprinkler provides fora flow rate from the outlet of the sprinkler in accordance with the start pressure at the inlet of the sprinkler and the rated or nominal K-factor of the sprinkler being at least about 16.8 GPM/PSI1/2 and may be preferably any one of 16.8, 19.6, 22.4, 25.2, 28.0, and 33.6 GPM/PSI1/2.
One preferred embodiment of the dry sprinkler has a proximal end and a distal end. The sprinkler includes an outer structure assembly preferably includes an inlet fitting at the proximal end, an outlet frame at the distal end with a casing tube in between coupling the inlet fitting to the outlet frame and defining an internal passageway of the sprinkler. An internal assembly and more preferably a sealing assembly is disposed within the passageway to seal the inlet fitting and the passageway in an unactuated state of the sprinkler. The outer structural assembly defines an internal passageway defining a longitudinal axis of the sprinkler and a rated K-factor preferably ranging between a nominal K-factor of 16.8 GPM/PSI1/2 to 33.6 GPM/PSI1/2. A preferred inlet fitting includes a proximal head portion and a distal body portion, the head portion having an external thread defining an external thread diameter, the body portion including an external groove defining a diameter of the body portion being greater than the external thread diameter. The external thread and groove respectively providing the sprinkler with alternate threaded and grooved means for connection to a fluid supply pipe. For the dry sprinkler having a preferred nominal K-factor of 16.8 GPM/(PSI)1/2, the clamp groove of the inlet fitting defines a preferred minimum nominal 2 inches for coupling to a correspondingly sized pipe or pipe fitting. In another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the external threads are preferably configured with American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread (NPT) wider ANSI/ASME B 1.20.1-198 defining any one of a nominal ¾ inch, 1 inch, and maximum 1.25 inch NPT and/or International Standard ISO 7-1 (3d. ed., 1994). In one preferred embodiment of the dry sprinkler, the casing tube defines a nominal pipe diameter of 1½ inch and in one aspect, 1.125 in. (internal Diameter)×1.25 in. (Outer Diameter) internal to external diameter. In another aspect, the sprinkler defines an overall length between about two to about fifty inches and more preferably from about nine inches to about forty-eight inches.
The preferred inlet, fitting has an inner surface which cinctures part of the sprinkler internal passageway and preferably: (i) defines a preferred entrance surface; (ii) defines a sealing surface for contact with the internal sealing assembly in the unactuated state of the dry sprinkler; and/or (iii) defines an internal chamber of the inlet for housing the internal sealing assembly and/or other internal components of the dry sprinkler in the actuated state. The inner surface also preferably defines a first section of the passageway disposed along the head portion of the inlet fitting having a first internal diameter of the head portion, and a second section of the passageway disposed along the body portion of the inlet fitting having a second internal diameter greater than the first internal diameter. In one particular embodiment of the inlet fitting, the inner surface defines two or more sections of the passageway with one section between the entrance surface and the sealing surface of the inlet fitting. A second section defines an expanding region of the passageway to transition distally from the first section to be formed between the sealing surface and the widest portion of the interior of the inlet fitting. A distal section of the fitting preferably converges narrowly in the axial direction toward the casing tube.
In another aspect of the inlet fitting, the sealing surface preferably defines the type of system, wet or dry, to which the dry sprinkler can be coupled to. In One embodiment, where the sealing surface of the inlet fitting is located such that the head portion and more particularly the external thread of the inlet fitting extends proximally of the sealing surface, the dry sprinkler is preferably configured for installation in a wet system. In one embodiment of the inlet fitting having a two inch in.) external diameter body portion, the sealing surface preferably defines an internal opening diameter of about 1¼ inch. In an alternate embodiment where the sealing surface is axially located such that the external threads extend distally of the sealing surface in the unactuated state of the sprinkler, the dry sprinkler is preferably configured for installation in either a wet system or a dry system. In one embodiment of the inlet fitting having a maximum external pipe thread diameter of 1¼ inch diameter and the sealing surface defines a preferred internal opening with a diameter of about one inch 1 in.).
The dry sprinkler further includes an internal assembly disposed in the internal passageway. A preferred internal structural assembly includes a fluid tube disposed along the passageway translating axially from a first position in an unactuated state of the sprinkler to a second position in an actuated state of the sprinkler. A thermal trigger engaged with the outlet frame supports the internal assembly and a seal assembly of the internal assembly against a sealing surface of the inlet fitting to define an unactuated state of the sprinkler. Upon actuation of the sprinkler, the internal sealing assembly is axially displaced relative to the outer structure assembly to space the sealing assembly from the sealing surface of the inlet fitting to provide for the desired flow from the sprinkler outlet frame and more particularly a flow rate defined by the rated K-factor. A preferred internal assembly includes a fluid tube having a proximal end engaged with the sealing assembly and a distal end engaged with the proximal end of a guide tube. The distal end of the guide tube is substantially disposed within the sprinkler outlet frame with the thermal trigger engaging and supporting the guide tube in the actuated state of the sprinkler.
A preferred embodiment of the fluid tube includes one or more spaced apart apertures or openings between the ends of the tube for introducing fluid into the fluid tube. In one aspect, the fluid tube may include one or more surface features which can act against the internal surface of the casing tube to maintain the fluid centrally aligned along the passageway. In one particular embodiment, the fluid tube may include one or more spaced apart surface features, projections, dimples, ridges or bumps to contact the inner surface of the casing tube to maintain the fluid tube substantially centrally axially aligned within the casing tube.
In one embodiment of the dry sprinkler, a preferred seal assembly includes a mounting member engaged with the fluid tube having a diverter and more particularly a conical portion. Engaged with and supported by the diverter portion is a spring seal which is preferably biased away from the sealing surface of the inlet fitting. In one embodiment, the spring seal is a metallic annulus or disc member such as for example a Belleville spring. In one particular embodiment, a preferred seal assembly includes a mounting member and a spring seal disposed on the mounting member for contacting the sealing surface in the first position. The mounting member is affixed to the proximal end of the fluid tube such that the sealing assembly member and the fluid tube are maintained in a fixed distance relationship to one another in translation of the internal structural assembly from an unactuated state to an actuated state.
In an alternate embodiment of the dry sprinkler, an inlet fitting includes a proximal head portion and a distal body portion, the inlet fitting having a coupling arrangement for at least one of a thread-type coupling and groove-type coupling arrangement for connection to a fluid supply pipe. The preferred sprinkler includes an internal structural assembly having a seal assembly supported by a fluid tube that is in contact with a sealing surface in an unactuated state of the sprinkler, and is spaced from the sealing surface in an actuated state of the sprinkler. The seal assembly is preferably engaged with a proximal end of the fluid tube such that the seal assembly translates with respect to the fluid tube upon translation of the internal structural assembly in a transition of the sprinkler from an unactuated to an actuated state. Preferably, the fluid tube translates a first distance with respect to the sealing surface and the seal assembly translating a second distance with respect to the sealing surface a second distance greater than the first distance. In one embodiment, the sprinkler includes an inlet fitting providing for each of thread-type coupling and groove-type coupling arrangement for connection to a fluid supply pipe.
In another embodiment of the dry sprinkler, an outer structural assembly has proximal inlet, a distal outlet, and an internal passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet defining a longitudinal axis of the sprinkler. An inlet fitting includes a proximal head portion and a distal body portion, the head portion includes an external thread for a threaded-type coupling connection to a fluid supply pipe. The inlet fitting has an inner surface defining a proximal portion of the internal passageway coaxially and symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis. The inlet fitting includes a sealing surface of the dry sprinkler disposed axially along the inner surface such that the external thread extends proximally of the sealing surface. A seal assembly is disposed along the passageway coaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis. The proximal portion of the passageway is coaxially aligned and symmetrically disposed about the sealing assembly in each of the unactuated and actuated states of the sprinkler. In one preferred embodiment, the sealing assembly remains centered along the longitudinal axis in each of the unactuated and actuated states.
In another aspect of the preferred dry sprinkler, the outlet frame includes an internal bore defining a distal portion of the passageway including the outlet of the sprinkler. Preferably, the inner surface of the outlet frame defining the internal bore cinctures part of the internal passageway of the sprinkler. The outlet frame has an outer surface preferably includes coupling threads for coupling the outlet frame to the casing tube. In one particular embodiment of the dry sprinkler having a preferred outlet diameter of about 0.95 inches, the preferred dry sprinkler defines a K-factor value of about 17 GPM/(PSI)1/2. In another embodiment, where the outlet of the dry sprinkler outlet frame is about 1.125 inches with a seal assembly axial displacement of about 0.75 inch below the sealing surface, the preferred dry sprinkler defines a nominal K-factor value of about 19.6 GPM/(PSI)1/2.
In addition, the outlet frame includes a deflector axially spaced at a fixed distance from the outlet. The outlet frame preferably includes one or more frame arms coupled to the deflector. In one particular embodiment, the deflector includes a substantially planar surface member coupled to the frame arm at a preferably fixed axial distance from the outlet. Accordingly in one aspect, the preferred outlet frame provides for a pendent dry sprinkler configuration.
The thermal trigger of the dry sprinkler may be thermally rated for any one of 135, 155, 165, 175, 200, 214 or 286 degrees Fahrenheit. In one aspect, the thermal trigger is by its thermal sensitivity and more particularly by its Response Time Index (RTI). One embodiment of the dry sprinkler includes a thermal trigger with an RTI of 50 (meters-seconds)1/2 or less; alternatively, the trigger has an RTI of 80 (meters-seconds)1/2 or more. The subject trigger element in one embodiment includes a solder link and in one particular aspect, includes a strut and lever solder link assembly. Alternatively, the thermal trigger includes a frangible bulb.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention.
The inlet fitting 20 includes an outer surface 20b and an inner surface 20c which in the sprinkler assembly, preferably defines a portion of the passageway 18a. The inlet fitting outer surface 20b preferably includes fitting threads 204, a clamp groove 266, and a tool engagement portion 268 at the preferably distal end of the fitting 20. The preferred inlet fitting 20 defines a proximal head portion 220 that includes the external fitting threads 204 and a larger distal body portion 260 that includes the external clamp groove 266. The body portion further preferably defines a step transition between the fitting threads 204 and the groove 266 that is preferably circularly circumscribed about the axis A-A so as to define a transition portion 206 of the inlet fitting 20, as seen for example, in
The clamp groove 266 is preferably disposed along the distal body portion 260 downstream of the head portion 220 and more preferably distal of the inlet fitting threads 204. The preferred transition portion 206 provides a surface 202 that faces, contacts, engages and/or preferably abuts the end of a complimentary grooved pipe or pipe fitting of a fluid supply branch line. More preferably, the surface 202 of the transition portion 206 generally provides a surface that extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A-A of the sprinkler and in one aspect defines a stop surface. Accordingly, the groove 266 is preferably located distally of the surface 202, between the surface 202 and the distal end portion, so that the dry sprinkler 10 and the mating pipe fitting can be preferably coupled together by commercially available groove-type pipe couplings. Accordingly the transition between the surface 202 and the groove 26 may define a variable profile provide it permits for a groove-type coupling. Moreover, the portion of the outer surface of the inlet fitting disposed to each side of the groove 266 defines an axial length and profile to permit the groove-type coupling. As is known in the art, a grooved coupling, such as for example Grinnell Grooved Fire Protection Products, Figure 772, Rigid Coupling as shown in Tyco Fire Building Products Technical Data Sheet TFP1950 (July 2004) can be used to couple a fitting, e.g., the inlet fitting 20, with the piping network or another fitting, such as for example, a T-fitting that similarly includes a counterpart groove. For the dry sprinkler 10 having a preferred nominal K-factor of 16.8 GPM/(PSI)1/2, the inlet fitting 20 and the clamp groove 266 are sized to a preferred minimum nominal 2 inch size pipe for coupling to a correspondingly sized pipe or pipe fitting. However, the inlet fitting and its clamp groove can be alternatively sized to be smaller or larger to provide a dry sprinkler with a K-factor other than a nominal 16.8 GPM/(PSI)1/2, provided the resultant dry sprinkler can provide the desired sprinkler flow performance as described herein. Because the stop surface 202 abuts the mating pipe fitting when forming a groove-type pipe coupling connection therebetween, the portion of the inlet fitting 20 proximal of the stop surface 202 is preferably configured for insertion within the inside diameter of the grooved pipe or pipe fitting to which the dry sprinkler 10 is coupled, as seen for example, in FIG. IB.
The external threads 204 of the dry sprinkler 10 are used in forming a preferred threaded connection between the dry sprinkler and a fluid supply piping network. The transition portion 206 provides a preferred stop that limits relative threaded engagement between the inlet head 20 and the supply pipe or pipe fitting. The inlet end 12 of the fitting 20 and the threads 204 are preferably configured with American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread (NPT) under ANSI/ASME B1.20.1-1983. For example, the inlet fitting threads 204 are preferably formed as at least one of ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1.25 inch NPT and/or international Standard ISO 7-1 (3d. ed., 1994). For a threaded-type coupling installation as shown for example in
With reference to
The preferred inlet fitting 20 of
Alternatively, the inlet fitting 20′, as shown in
Referring to
The axial location of the sealing surface 224 along the longitudinal axis A-A can define the type of system, wet or dry, to which the dry sprinkler 10 can be preferably coupled to. For example, where the sealing surface 224 of the inlet fitting 20, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment of the inlet fitting 20′ of
For the preferred outer structure assembly is of
According to the preferred embodiment shown in
Various configurations of the outlet frame 30 can be used with the dry sprinklers 10 according to the preferred embodiments. Any suitable outlet frame 30, however, may be used so long as the outlet frame 30 positions a fluid deflecting structure 40 preferably axially spaced from the outlet 14 of the dry sprinkler 10 at a preferably fixed distance. A preferred outlet frame 30 is shown in the dry sprinkler assembly 10 in
According to the preferred embodiment shown in
Referring again to
The inner structural assembly 50 of dry sprinkler permits fluid flow between the inlet 12 and the outlet 14. The inner structural assembly 50, preferably, is disposed within the tubular outer structure assembly 18. The terms “tube” or “tubular,” as they are used herein, denote an elongate member with a suitable cross-sectional shape transverse to its longitudinal axis, such as, for example, circular, oval, or polygonal. Preferably, each of the inlet fitting 20 and inner structure assembly 50 can be made of a copper, bronze, brass, galvanized carbon steel, carbon steel, or stainless steel material. Moreover, the cross-sectional profiles of the inner and outer surfaces of a tube may be different. According to the preferred embodiment shown in
According to the preferred embodiment shown in
The fluid tube 52 can include additional features which facilitate flow through the tube and/or assist in maintaining the substantially centered axial alignment of the tube 52 along the passageway 18a. As shown for example in
According to the preferred embodiment shown in
According to the preferred embodiment shown in
The thermal trigger 80 is disposed proximate to the outlet 14 of the dry sprinkler 10. Preferably, the thermal trigger 80 is a solder link used in combination with a strut 80a and lever 80b Alternatively, the thermal trigger 80 is a frangible bulb that is interposed between the nub portion 58c on the trigger seat 58 and a seat portion 42b of the adjustment screw 42, as seen for example, in
The thermal trigger 80 operates to: (1) maintain the inner assembly 50 in the unactuated state of the dry sprinkler 10 over a preferred first range of temperatures between about minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit to about just below a temperature rating of the thermal trigger 80 so as to maintain the seal assembly 60 in a fluid tight sealed position against the sealing surface 224; and (2) permit the inner assembly 50 to move along the longitudinal axis A-A over a second range of temperatures at or greater than the temperature rating of the thermal trigger 80 so as to place the dry sprinkler 10 in an actuated state with the seal assembly 60 at an axial position within the inlet fitting 20 such that fluid flows from the sprinkler at an anticipated rate for the given starting fluid pressure at the inlet of the sprinkler and the rated K-factor of the dry sprinkler. More specifically, based on the rated K-factor of the dry sprinkler 10 of the preferred embodiments, the dry sprinkler 10 allows for an actual minimum flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM) through the outlet as a product of the rated K-factor and the square root of the pressure in pounds per square inch gauge (psig) of the fluid fed into the inlet 12 of the dry sprinkler 10. The preferred dry sprinkler 10 has a preferred actual minimum flow rate from the outlet 14 of approximately equal to 95% of the magnitude of a rated. K-factor times the square root of the pressure of the flow of fluid fed into the inlet 12 of each embodiment. The dry sprinkler 10 has a preferred rated discharge coefficient, or rated K-factor, that is greater than 14 GPM/PSI1/2 and is preferably 16.8 GPM/PSI1/2 or greater. Accordingly, the sprinkler 10 can have a nominal K-factor being any one of 16.8 GPM/PSI1/2, 19.6 GPM/PSI1/2, 22.4 GPM/PSI1/2, 25.2 GPM/PSI1/2, 28.0 GPM/PSI1/2, 33.6 GPM/PSI1/2 or greater at 50% increments over 5.6 GPM/PSI1/2. However, any suitable nominal value for the K-factor could be provided for the dry sprinkler of the preferred embodiments.
The temperature rating of the thermal trigger 80 can be a suitable temperature such as, for example, about a nominal 135, 155, 165, 175, 200, 214 or 286 degrees Fahrenheit and plus-or-minus (+/−) 20% of each of the stated values. The thermal trigger 80 is further preferably defined by its thermal sensitivity and more particularly by its Response Time Index (RTI) to measure the rapidity with which the thermal trigger 80 operates in a specific sprinkler assembly as measured under standardized test conditions provided by, for example, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), NFPA 13 provides that sprinklers defined as fast response have a thermal element with an RTI of 50 (meters-seconds)1/2 or less; and sprinklers defined as standard response have a thermal element with an RTI of 80 (meters-seconds)1/2 or more. The dry sprinkler 10 and its thermal trigger 80 can have an RTI so as to be either a fast response or a standard response sprinkler so as to provide suitable fire protection for a given dry sprinkler installation.
In an unactuated state of the dry sprinkler 10, the inner structural assembly 50 is supported against a portion of the outer structure assembly 18 so that the seal assembly 60 of the inner structure assembly 50, contacts the sealing surface 224 of the inlet fitting 20. Referring to
The spring seal 680 is preferably biased from the sealing surface 224 as the spring seal 680 forms a generally truncated cone generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis A-A. The inner structural assembly 50 may optionally include a biasing member, for example, a spring as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,376 (
In operation, when the thermal trigger 80 is actuated, the thermal trigger 80 separates from the dry sprinkler 10. The separation of the thermal trigger 80 removes the support for the inner structural assembly 50 against the resilient spring force of the preferred spring seal 680 and/or the pressure of the fluid at the inlet 12. Consequently, the spring seal 680 separates from the sealing surface 224 as the inner structural assembly 50 translates along the longitudinal axis A-A toward the outlet 14 to its fully actuated position, as shown for example, in
The axial force provided by the spring seal 680 assists in separating the inner structural assembly 50 from the sealing surface 224 of the inlet fitting 20. With the seal assembly 60 spaced from the sealing surface 224 and preferably located in Section III of the inlet fitting 20, water or another suitable firefighting fluid is allowed to flow through the inlet 12, through the casing 22 and fluid tube 52, out the outlet 14 and impact the planar surface member 44 or another form of deflector distributes the fluid flow over a protection area below the dry sprinkler 10.
The preferred sealing surface 224 of the inlet fitting 20 of
It has been determined that the K-factor of the preferred dry sprinkler can be altered by a small structural changes in the sprinkler. For example, where the outlet 14 diameter is increased by about 18% to about 1.125 inches and the sealing assembly 60 axial displacement is increased by about 67% to 0.75 inches below the sealing surface 224, the preferred dry sprinkler 10 experiences an internal fluid flow and discharge profile that defines a K-factor value of about 20.47 GPM/(PSI)1/2 a fluid delivery to the inlet 12 of the sprinkler. The K-factor of 20.47 GPM/(PSI)1/2 falls within the K-factor range of a nominal K-factor of 19.6 GPM/(PSI)1/2. Thus, it has been shown for a fractional increase in the structural dimensions of the preferred thy sprinkler, an increase by one nominal K-factor can be realized. Further modifications of the parameters of the inlet fitting can provide for the desired K-Factor. Alternatively in combination with such changes, the inlet size can be increased to achieve various K-factors. Such parameters include changes to the nominal external thread and groove diameters of the inlet fitting in combination with changes in the internal diameters defined by the internal surface of the inlet fitting and features of the internal structural assembly. For one preferred embodiment of a dry sprinkler having an inlet fitting, such as shown in
As discussed above, the axial location of the sealing surface 224 within the inlet fitting 20 can define a preferred installation of the dry sprinkler 10 into one of: (i) a wet only system installation; or (ii) a wet or dry system installation.
The preferred mounting member 620 includes a diverting portion 620a formed integrally with the mounting portion 620b. The diverting portion 620a preferably defines a surface conical profile to engage and support the spring seal 680 and divert incoming fluid flow about the inner assembly 50. More preferably, the diverter portion preferably extends through the central opening of the seal 680 such that the spring seal is located substantially at the transition between the mounting portion 620b and the diverting portion 620a. The preferred conical diverting portion 620a defines in cross-section height h being preferably about 0.5 inches, and the angle of inclination of the conical face 662″ with respect to longitudinal axis A-A is preferably about 70 degrees. The mounting member 620 is preferably hollowed so as to define an interior volume that commingles the interior of the fluid tube 52 when the member 620 is affixed to the tube end 52a. The preferred hollowed structure of the mounting member 620 reduces the weight/mass of the member and the inner assembly 50 as a whole.
An alternative construction of the mounting member 620 is shown in
Respectively shown in
The preferred sealing surface 224 of the inlet fitting 20 of
To provide the desired axial displacement of the seal assembly 60, the dry sprinkler 10 includes a contractible inner assembly 50′ in which the seal assembly 60 preferably includes a yoke sub-assembly 600. The yoke sub-assembly 600 preferably provides for relative axial displacement between the seal assembly 60 and the fluid tube 52. Accordingly, between the two preferred embodiments of the dry sprinkler 10, 10′ shown in
According to the preferred embodiment shown in
Referring to
Preferably, each lever 640 pivots about axis B-B between a first orientation in which the lever 640 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A in the unactuated state of the sprinkler 10′ of
In the actuated arrangement of the dry sprinkler 10′ and the yoke sub-assembly 600, operation of the thermal trigger 80 causes an initial axial displacement of the inner structural assembly 50 along the longitudinal axis A-A toward the outlet 14. The preferred axial displacement is defined by the axial length between the top of the outlet frame 30 and the proximal end of the guide tube 65 in the unactuated state of the sprinkler. This initial movement permits the lever 640 to separate from the surface 234 of the inlet 20, allowing the levers 640 to pivot about the pivot axes B-B into their second orientation and into their respective channels 618. The contraction or collapse of the levers 640 into the channels 618 axially displace the yoke sub-assembly 600 along the longitudinal axis A-A relative to the fluid tube 52. More specifically, the levers 640 pivot so as to remove support of the yoke 610 such that the yoke 610 is axially displaced within the tube 52. In one preferred embodiment of actuation of the sprinkler 10′, the fluid tube 52 axially translates from the sealing surface at a first distance. Pivot of the levers 640 provide that the yoke sub-assembly 600 axially translates from the sealing distance at a second distance greater than the first distance.
Referring again to
While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/230,272, filed Aug. 5, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/877,443, filed Jun. 17, 2013, which is a national phase application of International Application No. PCT/US2012/044704, filed Jun. 28, 2012, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/501,959, filed Jun. 28, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210205645 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61501959 | Jun 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15230272 | Aug 2016 | US |
| Child | 17208493 | US | |
| Parent | 13877443 | US | |
| Child | 15230272 | US |
