Claims
- 1. An electro-pneumatic actuator for depressurizing a piston reciprocable within a cylinder charged with a pressurized first fluid, said actuator adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of pressurized second fluid and comprising:a first chamber having a flexible first diaphragm mounted therein and sealingly dividing said first chamber into first and second chamber portions, both said chamber portions being in fluid communication with said cylinder, said second chamber portion having an opening providing fluid communication with the ambient, said opening being surrounded by a seat facing said first diaphragm, said first diaphragm being deflectable into sealing engagement with said seat to seal said opening when said cylinder is charged with said first fluid; a second chamber having a flexible second diaphragm mounted therein and sealingly dividing said second chamber into third and fourth chamber portions, said third chamber portion being in fluid communication with said source of pressurized second fluid, said fourth chamber portion being in fluid communication with the ambient and having an aperture providing fluid communication with said first chamber portion, said aperture being surrounded by a second seat facing said second diaphragm, said second diaphragm being deflectable into sealing engagement with said second seat to seal said aperture when said third chamber portion is pressurized with said second fluid; a third chamber having a flexible third diaphragm mounted therein and sealingly dividing said third chamber into fifth and sixth chamber portions, said fifth chamber portion being in fluid communication with said pressurized first fluid, an elongated plunger having one end positioned within said sixth chamber portion and engageable with said third diaphragm, the other end of said plunger being positioned within said third chamber portion and engageable with said second diaphragm, said third diaphragm being deflectable into engagement with said one end of said plunger when said fifth chamber portion is pressurized with said pressurized first fluid, said plunger being thereupon forced into engagement with said second diaphragm and thereby forcing said second diaphragm into sealing engagement with said second seat; a passageway providing fluid communication between said fifth chamber portion and the ambient; a valve engaged with said passageway and having a valve member movable between an open position allowing fluid flow through said passageway, and a closed position preventing fluid flow through said passageway, said valve further having means for biasing said valve member into one of said closed and open positions and an electrically operated actuator for moving said valve member against said biasing means and into one of said open and closed positions; and said second diaphragm being deflected out of engagement with said second seat only when fluid pressures in both said fifth and said third chamber portions are lowered to respective predetermined values, pressure in said fifth chamber portion being lowered by electrically actuating said valve member into said open position, pressure in said third chamber portion being lowered by a drop in pressure of said pressurized second fluid, upon deflection of said second diaphragm, pressurized first fluid in said first chamber portion being permitted to enter said fourth chamber portion and exit to the ambient, thereby allowing said first diaphragm to deflect out of engagement with said first seat and allowing pressurized first fluid to flow from said cylinder through said second chamber portion and exit to the ambient, thereby depressurizing said piston and allowing it to move within said cylinder.
- 2. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 1, wherein said valve comprises a solenoid having a valve chamber in fluid communication with said fifth chamber portion and said passageway, said valve member comprising an armature of said solenoid movable within said valve chamber, said valve member being biased into said closed position by said pressurized first fluid within said valve chamber and movable into said open position when electrical current is supplied to actuate said solenoid, thereby lowering pressure in said fifth chamber portion by allowing said pressurized first fluid to flow through said passageway to the ambient.
- 3. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 2, wherein said pressurized first fluid comprises a liquid and said pressurized second fluid comprises a gas.
- 4. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 3, further comprising a reset valve comprising:a valve body; a conduit extending through said valve body having one end in fluid communication with said third chamber portion and the other end vented to the ambient; a valve seat positioned in said one end of said conduit; a valve closing member movably mounted within said conduit adjacent to said seat and movable into sealing engagement with said seat to close said reset valve; and means for biasing said valve closing member out of engagement with said seat when fluid pressure within said one end of said conduit falls below a predetermined value, thereby opening said reset valve and venting said third chamber portion to the ambient.
- 5. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 4, wherein said reset valve further comprises a manual reset knob attached to said valve closing member and extending from said valve body, said manual reset knob being manually movable to move said valve closing member against said biasing means into engagement with said valve seat thereby closing said conduit, said valve closing member remaining engaged with said seat as long as fluid pressure within said one end of said conduit is above said predetermined value.
- 6. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 5, wherein said valve closing member is positioned between said valve seat and said third chamber portion, said one end of said conduit between said valve seat and said third chamber portion being sized relatively larger than said valve closing member thereby allowing fluid to flow around said valve closing member and through said conduit when said valve closing member is not engaged with said seat regardless of the fluid pressure within said conduit.
- 7. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 6, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring positioned within said conduit downstream of said valve closing member, said spring engaging said valve closing member and having a predetermined spring constant for biasing said valve closing member out of engagement with said valve seat when fluid pressure within said one end of said conduit falls below a predetermined value.
- 8. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined value of fluid pressure is between about 4 psi and about 10 psi.
- 9. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined value of fluid pressure is about 6.5 psi.
- 10. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 1, wherein said valve comprises a solenoid having a valve chamber in fluid communication with said fifth chamber portion and said passageway, said valve member comprising an armature of said solenoid movable within said valve chamber and a biasing spring engaging said armature, said valve member being movable into said closed position when electrical current is supplied to said solenoid, and biased into said open position by said biasing spring in the absence of said electrical current thereby lowering pressure in said fifth chamber portion by allowing said pressurized first fluid to flow through said passageway to the ambient.
- 11. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing means positioned within said first chamber, said biasing means engaging and biasing said first diaphragm into engagement with said seat.
- 12. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing means positioned within said second chamber, said biasing means engaging and biasing said second diaphragm away from said second seat.
- 13. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 1, wherein said sixth chamber portion is in fluid communication with the ambient.
- 14. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 1, wherein said aperture providing fluid communication between said first and said fourth chamber portions has a substantially smaller cross-sectional area than the area of said second diaphragm, thereby allowing a relatively low fluid pressure on one side of said second diaphragm opposite to said aperture to deflect said aperture into engagement with said second seat against a relatively higher fluid pressure in said first chamber portion.
- 15. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 14, wherein the area of said second diaphragm is relatively larger than the cross-sectional area of said aperture so as to allow the fluid pressure necessary to maintain said second diaphragm seated against said second seat against fluid pressure within said first chamber portion to be established substantially independently of the pressure of said fluid in said first chamber portion.
- 16. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 15, wherein the ratio of said area of said second diaphragm to said cross-sectional area of said aperture is greater than about 20/1.
- 17. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 16, wherein the ratio of said area of said second diaphragm to said cross-sectional area of said aperture is between about 20/1 and about 700/1.
- 18. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 17, wherein the ratio of said area of said second diaphragm to said cross-sectional area of said aperture is between about 20/1 and about 100/1.
- 19. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 17, wherein the ratio of said area of said second diaphragm to said cross-sectional area of said aperture is between about 20/1 and about 600/1.
- 20. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 1, further comprising:a first duct providing said fluid communication between said cylinder and said second chamber portion, said first duct having a first diameter; and a second duct connected between said first duct and said first chamber portion, said second duct having a second diameter relatively smaller than said first diameter and operating to restrict fluid flow into said first chamber relative to said second chamber.
- 21. An electro-pneumatic actuator for actuating a system triggered by a flow of a pressurized first fluid, said electro-pneumatic actuator being in fluid communication with a source of pressurized second fluid and a source of electrical current, said electro-pneumatic actuator comprising:a first pressure actuated valve controlling a flow of said pressurized first fluid through said actuator, said first valve having a first valve closing member with oppositely disposed sides both in fluid communication with said pressurized first fluid and being normally closed and preventing said flow, said first valve closing member opening to permit said flow when fluid pressure on one side of said first valve closing member exceeds fluid pressure on the opposite side of said first valve closing member, thereby actuating said system; a second pressure actuated valve controlling the fluid pressure on said opposite side of said first valve closing member, said second pressure actuated valve having a second valve closing member movable from a closed position which maintains fluid pressure on said opposite side of said first valve closing member, to an open position which releases fluid pressure from said opposite side of said first valve closing member, said second valve closing member having a side in fluid communication with said source of pressurized second fluid and being movable from said closed to said open position in response to a decrease in pressure of said pressurized second fluid; a third pressure actuated valve having a third valve closing member and a mechanical link to said second valve closing member, said third pressure actuated valve being in fluid communication with said source of pressurized first fluid, said third valve closing member being biased by said pressurized first fluid into a closed position maintaining a force through said mechanical link onto said second valve closing member, thereby maintaining said second valve closing member in said closed position, said third pressure actuated valve further comprising an electrically operated actuator adapted to move said third valve closing member, upon a change in said electrical current, to an open position allowing said pressurized first fluid to flow from said third pressure, actuated valve and thereby releasing said force from said second valve closing member; and both said third and second valve closing members moving into their respective open positions only upon a concurrent pressure decrease of said second source of compressed fluid and said change in said electrical current, thereby allowing said first valve closing member to move into said open position and permit flow of said pressurized fluid through said actuator, thereby triggering said system.
- 22. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 21, wherein said first pressure actuated valve comprises a first chamber and said first valve closing member comprises a first diaphragm positioned within and sealingly dividing said first chamber into first and second chamber portions, said pressurized first fluid being in fluid communication with both said chamber portions, one of said chamber portions having a opening providing fluid communication with the ambient and closable by said first diaphragm.
- 23. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 22, wherein said second pressure actuated valve comprises a second chamber and said second valve closing member comprises a second diaphragm positioned within and sealingly dividing said second chamber into third and fourth chamber portions, said second chamber portion being in fluid communication with said source of pressurized second fluid, said fourth chamber portion having an aperture providing fluid communication with said second chamber portion and closable by said second diaphragm moving into said closed position.
- 24. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 23, wherein said mechanical link comprises a third chamber and a third diaphragm positioned within and sealingly dividing said third chamber into fifth and sixth chamber portions, said pressurized first fluid being in fluid communication said fifth chamber portion, said mechanical link further comprising a plunger being slidably mounted between said sixth and said third chamber portions and mechanically attaching said third diaphragm to said second diaphragm such that deflection of said third diaphragm toward said second diaphragm causes deflection of said second diaphragm toward said fourth chamber portion into said closed position.
- 25. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 24, wherein said third pressure actuated valve comprises a solenoid having a valve chamber in fluid communication with said fifth chamber portion, said third valve closing member comprising an armature of said solenoid movable within said valve chamber between a closed position maintaining pressure of said pressurized first fluid within said fifth chamber portion, and an open position releasing said pressurized first fluid from said fifth chamber portion, said third valve closing member being biased into said closed position by said pressurized first fluid within said valve chamber and movable into said open position when electrical current is supplied to actuate said solenoid.
- 26. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 25, wherein the ratio of said area of said second diaphragm to said cross-sectional area of said aperture is greater than about 20/1.
- 27. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 26, wherein the ratio of said area of said second diaphragm to said cross-sectional area of said aperture is between about 20/1 and about 700/1.
- 28. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 27, wherein the ratio of said area of said second diaphragm to said cross-sectional area of said aperture is between about 20/1 and about 100/1.
- 29. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 27, wherein the ratio of said area of said second diaphragm to said cross-sectional area of said aperture is between about 20/1 and about 600/1.
- 30. An electro-pneumatic actuator for controlling a flow of a pressurized first fluid in response to a pressure drop of a pressurized second fluid and an electrical signal, said actuator comprising:a first valve adapted to be in fluid communication with said first fluid, said first valve being openable by decreasing first fluid pressure within said first valve to allow flow of said first fluid therethrough, said first valve being normally closed; a second valve being in fluid communication with said first valve, said second valve being openable to allow flow of a portion of said first fluid from said first valve thereby decreasing said first fluid pressure within and opening said first valve, said second valve being adapted to be in fluid communication with said second fluid and openable by decreasing second fluid pressure within said second valve; and a third valve adapted to be in fluid communication with said first fluid and having a mechanical linkage connected to said second valve for maintaining said second valve closed, said linkage releasing said second valve in response to a decrease in pressure of said first fluid within said third valve, said third valve being openable in response to an electric signal to allow flow of said first fluid from said third valve thereby to decreasing said first fluid pressure therein.
- 31. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 30, wherein said first valve comprises:a first chamber; a first diaphragm dividing said first chamber into first and second chamber portions; a first duct for providing fluid communication between said pressurized first fluid and said first chamber portion; a second duct for providing fluid communication between said pressurized first fluid and said second chamber portion, said second duct having a larger diameter than said first duct; an opening in said first chamber providing fluid communication between said second chamber portion and the ambient; and a first seat surrounding said opening, said first diaphragm being deflectable to sealingly engage said first seat thereby closing said first valve, said first diaphragm being deflectable by pressure of said first fluid in said second chamber.
- 32. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 31, wherein said second valve comprises:a second chamber; a second diaphragm dividing said second chamber into third and fourth chamber portions, an aperture in said second chamber, said aperture providing fluid communication between said fourth chamber portion and said first chamber portion; a second seat positioned within said fourth chamber portion surrounding said aperture, said second diaphragm being deflectable to sealingly engage said second seat thereby closing said second valve; and a conduit for providing fluid communication between said third chamber portion and said pressurized second fluid, said second diaphragm being deflectable by pressure of said second fluid in said third chamber portion.
- 33. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 32, wherein said third valve comprises:a third chamber; a third diaphragm dividing said third chamber into fifth and sixth chamber portions, said fifth chamber portion being adapted to be in fluid communication with said pressurized first fluid; a plunger having a first end engaging said third diaphragm and a second end engaging said second diaphragm, said plunger being movably mounted between said sixth and said third chamber portions linking said second and third diaphragms together so that deflection of said third diaphragm causes deflection of said second diaphragm; a passageway connecting said fifth chamber portion to the ambient; a fluid tight valve chamber in fluid communication with said fifth chamber portion and said passageway; a valve member positioned within said valve chamber and movable between an open position permitting said first fluid to flow from said fifth chamber portion through said passageway, and a closed position preventing flow through said passageway, said valve member being biased into one of said open and closed positions; and a solenoid operatively associated with said valve member, said solenoid for moving said valve member into one of said open and closed positions upon receipt of an electrical signal.
- 34. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 33, wherein said valve member is biased into said closed position by pressure of said first fluid within said valve chamber, said solenoid moving said valve member into said open position upon receipt of an electrical signal.
- 35. An electro-pneumatic actuator according to claim 33, further comprising a biasing spring engaging said valve member for biasing said valve member into said open position, said solenoid moving said valve member into said closed position and releasing said valve member to be biased into said open position upon receipt of an electrical signal, as well as in the absence of electrical power to said solenoid.
- 36. A sprinkler system for fire suppression, said sprinkler system comprising:a source of pressurized water; a source of pressurized gas; a piping network in fluid communication with said source of pressurized water and said source of pressurized gas, said piping network comprising a plurality of heat actuated sprinkler heads mounted thereon which open in response to a fire proximate to said heads for discharging said water from said piping network; a plurality of fire detectors substantially co-located with said sprinkler heads, said detectors providing electrical signals in response to a fire proximate to said detectors; a control system for receiving said electrical signals and generating a second electrical signal in response thereto; a valve positioned between said water source and said piping network, said valve being normally closed and preventing water flow from said water source to said piping network, said piping network normally being pressurized by said gas; a cylinder in fluid communication with said water source; a piston reciprocable within said cylinder and operatively associated with said valve, pressure from said water source within said cylinder biasing said piston into engagement with said valve and thereby maintaining said valve closed; an electro-pneumatic actuator for depressurizing said piston and thereby opening said valve, said electro-pneumatic actuator comprising: a first valve in fluid communication with said water source, said first valve being openable by a decrease in water pressure within said first valve to allow flow of water therethrough, said first valve being normally closed; a second valve in fluid communication with said first valve, said second valve being openable to allow flow of a portion of said water from said first valve, thereby decreasing said water pressure within and opening said first valve, said second valve being in fluid communication with said source of compressed gas and openable by a decrease in gas pressure within said second valve; a third valve in fluid communication with said water source and having a mechanical linkage connected to said second valve for maintaining said second valve closed, said linkage releasing said second valve in response to a decrease in water pressure within said third valve, said third valve being openable in response to said second electrical signal generated by said control system to allow flow of water from said third valve; and said first valve being opened to depressurize said piston when one or more of said sprinkler heads open substantially concurrently with one or more of said detectors generating an electrical signal, said sprinkler heads opening thereby decreasing gas pressure within said second valve, said second signal generated by said control system opening and thereby decreasing water pressure within said third valve, said decreasing gas and water pressure in said second and third valves allowing said second valve to open, thereby allowing said first valve to open and depressurize said piston, upon being depressurized said piston moving within said cylinder and releasing said valve, said valve moving into an open position allowing water to flow from said water source to said piping network and be discharged through said open sprinkler heads.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/897,167, filed Jul. 2, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/810,631, filed Mar. 16, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/535,599, filed Mar. 27, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,348 issued Sep. 25, 2001.
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Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
39 40 446 |
Jun 1990 |
DE |
2 334 032 |
Jul 1977 |
FR |
WO 9959678 |
Nov 1999 |
WO |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (4)
Entry |
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/526,250, filed Mar. 16, 2000, entitled Dry Accelerator for Sprinkler System (Reilly). |
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/810,723, filed Mar. 16, 2001, entitled “Low Pressure for Dry Sprinkler System” (Reilly). |
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/810,631, filed Mar. 16, 2001, entitled “Low Pressure Actuator for Dry Sprinkler System” (Reilly). |
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/897,167, filed Jul. 2, 2001, entitled “Low Pressure Pneumatic and Gate Actuator” (Reilly). |
Continuation in Parts (3)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/897167 |
Jul 2001 |
US |
Child |
10/060441 |
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US |
Parent |
09/810631 |
Mar 2001 |
US |
Child |
09/897167 |
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US |
Parent |
09/535599 |
Mar 2000 |
US |
Child |
09/810631 |
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US |