Patent Application
20180361182
The present invention relates generally to fire protection, and, more particularly, to activation components for fire protection systems, and valves for use in fire protection systems.
Fire sprinkler system installation and operation are subject to nationally recognized codes.
As is aptly pointed out in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0199803, dry sprinklers are used in areas that are or may be exposed to freezing conditions, such as in freezers, unheated internal areas, walkways, etc. In typical dry-pipe systems, supply conduits run in a space where the water in the supply conduit is not subject to freezing. A dry sprinkler is attached to such supply conduit and extends into a space where the water would otherwise be subject to freezing.
As Publication No. 2013/0199803 further points out, the typical construction of a dry sprinkler comprises a tube (“drop”) with a pipe connector at the inlet end of the tube (for connecting the inlet end to the supply pipe network of the fire suppression system), a seal member at the inlet end to prevent water from entering the tube prior to activation such as in the case of a fire, and a mechanism to maintain the seal at the inlet end until the sprinkler is activated. Typically, a nozzle with an outlet and a deflector is attached to the opposite, outlet end of the tube. Also, the tube is sometimes vented to the atmosphere to allow drainage of any condensation that may form in the tube. Such dry sprinklers are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,431. As shown generally in that patent, the actuating mechanism can include a rod or other similar rigid structure that extends through the tube between the nozzle end and the inlet end to maintain a seal at the inlet end. The actuating mechanism further may include a thermally responsive element that supports the rod or the like at the nozzle end and thereby supports the seal at the inlet end. Alternatively, the tube is also sealed at the nozzle end of the tube, and the rod is supported at the nozzle end by the seal member which is itself supported by the thermally responsive support element. In such arrangements, the space in the tube between the two seal members can be pressurized with a gas, such as dry air or nitrogen, or filled with a liquid such as an antifreeze solution. When an elevated temperature is experienced, the thermally responsive support element fails, thereby allowing the rod to move releasing the inlet end seal (and also any outlet seal at the nozzle end of the tube) to allow water from the supply conduit to flow into and through the tube to the nozzle.
The rigid tube or “drop” portion of such conventional dry sprinklers of the type in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,431 extends with the nozzle into the unheated area from a wet branch line (located in a heated area) and must be precisely aligned and installed while avoiding various architectural, structural, and mechanical obstructions typically found in commercial or industrial buildings. The installer has to first install wet main and branch supply line piping for a sprinkler system and then measure a suitable length for each dry sprinkler from the branch line to the desired height of the nozzle with respect to a ceiling or the like, as the spacing between the branch and the ceiling or desired position of the nozzle is generally not some accurately predetermined distance. Because the actuation rod has to extend between the inlet seal and the nozzle outlet seal or other support at the outlet end, each dry sprinkler like that in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,431 is custom made for a given length. An installer typically orders dry sprinklers for the installation according to the lengths that are measured to within a fraction (i.e. ⅛) of an inch. Delivery typically takes a minimum of seven to ten business days and, depending upon backlog, can take weeks. This delays installation and completion of construction projects. Longer delays occur if mistakes are made in measuring or fabricating the sprinklers or the sprinklers are damaged in transit and replacement sprinklers required, further delaying completion of the installation.
Some manufacturers have addressed installation difficulties at least by providing dry sprinklers with an integral “flexible” drop tube. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0199803 discloses such a “dry” sprinkler. Here, a seal 4 at the inlet end of the drop tube 1 is held in place by pressurized fluid between the seal 4 and a seal 12 at the outlet end of the tube at the sprinkler head. While this arrangement provides some flexibility with respect to installation and fabrication by the installer and manufacturer, the arrangement leaves the end user with a complicated pressure regulation system to maintain to assure that pressure in the flexible tube is held at an adequate level to prevent water leakage through the inlet end seal from the branch supply line.
A different type of dry sprinkler 12 with a flexible drop 14 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,887,822. A flexible link 56 is passed through the center of the integral flexible drop 14 between a pivoting valve member such as a clapper 44 and a plug 24 held in the sprinkler outlet of the nozzle 20 by a fusible element 22. The link 56 is sufficiently flexible so as to conform to bending of the flexible drop 14. Activation of the sprinkler by disintegration of the fusible element 22 at the orifice 22 releases the plug 24 and a spring 66 that pulls on one end of the link to remove an opposing end of the link positioned in something called an “X brace valve latch” 54 holding the clapper 44 closed. This sprinkler can be pressurized with appropriate fluid or opened to atmosphere through vent holes 98. However, what is not explained is what assures that the latch 54 will be cleanly released. The latch 54 must slide through the elbow without twisting and remove itself from the path of the clapper 44. Also, internal braces 64 have to be provided at any significant bend of the tube 14 or there is a danger that the flexible link 56 will be allowed to go sufficiently slack so as not to be pulled from the latch when the thermally response element triggers.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0319696 discloses another dry sprinkler 100 with an integral flexible drop tube 3 connecting a threaded inlet 1 and an opposing outlet 2. This is an alternative arrangement to assure that a flexible link 10 extending between an inlet valve assembly 13 and an outlet plug 53 does not go slack from bends in the tube, regardless of where the bends in the tube are located. The sprinkler 100 is activated by collapse of a frangible element 56 retaining the plug 53 and a spacer 45, permitting the spacer 45 to move and pull the link 10, which mechanically fractures a bulb 11 at the inlet end by twisting a collar 36 on the bulb 11. In the one example given in paragraph 38, approximately one-half inch of slack can be taken up by the arrangement.
The designs of dry sprinklers require fabrication precise to within a fraction of an inch of the installed length, even with flexible tubes. Even the dry sprinkler disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0319696 allows only a larger fraction of an inch leeway than the other, previously identified dry sprinklers. As a result, all dry sprinkler tubes must be ordered from and fabricated by a manufacturer, at great expense and time to the installer and end purchaser compared with wet sprinkler system installations.
Although U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0298383 describes the provision of dry sprinklers with flexible tubes (also known as flexible drops) and weep holes, in practice all or nearly all commercially available, flexible-tube-equipped dry sprinklers are provided with a relatively long flexible tube having an equally long inner tube that keeps a seal assembly closed. Under pressure, there is deformation in the flexible tube, and there have been issues with leakage if the flexible tube is used by itself without an inner tube.
Another disadvantage of the existing flexible drop is that it requires a bracket that has to be connected to the ceiling, so there may be limits to the type of ceiling and structure where the flexible drop can be installed.
If a system enabled installers to fabricate and install, on site, a dry sprinkler equivalent to a wet sprinkler system, without employing custom measured and factory built dry sprinkler assemblies, the system would revolutionize the fire protection industry.
Briefly stated, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a thermal trigger assembly is configured for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component. The thermal trigger assembly comprises an activation component. The activation component includes a proximal base having a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the other fire protection system component. A proximal movable member is movable with respect to the proximal base. A bias member is located with respect to the proximal base to bias the proximal movable member from a preactivation position to an activated position with respect to the proximal base, and the activated position is located proximally of the preactivation position. The thermal trigger assembly comprises a distal base, a distal movable member, and a thermally responsive element. The thermally responsive element is retained by the distal base until a predetermined thermodynamic condition occurs. The thermally responsive element is configured to lose structural integrity under the predetermined thermodynamic condition and thereby allow the distal movable member to move from a preactivation position to an activated position with respect to the distal base. The thermal trigger assembly also comprises a flexible connector having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected to the proximal movable member, and the distal end is connected to the distal movable member. The thermally responsive element retains the distal movable member in the preactivation position with respect to the distal base and also retains the proximal movable member in the preactivation position with respect to the proximal base. Upon the loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element, a biasing force from the bias member causes a movement of the proximal movable member from the preactivation position of the proximal movable member to the activated position of the proximal movable member.
In another aspect, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dry sprinkler device comprises a fire protection system component configured to be actuated by a mechanical movement. and an activation component. The activation component includes a proximal base having a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the fire protection system component. A proximal movable member is movable with respect to the proximal base. A bias member is located with respect to the proximal base to bias the proximal movable member from a preactivation position to an activated position with respect to the proximal base. The activated position is located proximally of the preactivation position. The activation component also comprises a distal base, a distal movable member, and a thermally responsive element. The thermally responsive element is retained by the distal base until a predetermined thermodynamic condition occurs. The thermally responsive element is configured to lose structural integrity under the predetermined thermodynamic condition and thereby allow the distal movable member to move from a preactivation position to an activated position with respect to the distal base. The activation component also comprises a flexible connector has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected to the proximal movable member and the distal end connected to the distal movable member. The thermally responsive element retains the distal movable member in the preactivation position with respect to the distal base also retains the proximal movable member in the preactivation position with respect to the proximal base. Upon the loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element, a biasing force from the bias member causes a movement of the proximal movable member from the preactivation position of the proximal movable member to the activated position of the proximal movable member.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” “back,” and “rear” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the component being discussed, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. “Proximal” and “distal” refer to directions generally toward and away from, respectively, the fire protection system component being triggered by the thermal trigger assembly, unless the context indicates otherwise. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
As shown in
In another preferred embodiment, as shown in
The activated position is located proximally of the preactivation position, so that a movement of the proximal movable member 70 from the preactivation position to the activated position with respect to the proximal base 60 is a movement generally proximally that is, toward the other fire protection component, the valve 20 (upwardly when viewing
The thermal trigger assembly also comprises a distal base 90, a distal movable member in the form of a pull 100, and a thermally responsive element 110, which in a some embodiments is an alcohol-filled glass bulb, is retained by the distal base 90 until a predetermined thermodynamic condition occurs or is reached. Alternatively, in certain embodiments the distal movable member could take the form of an end portion of the flexible connector 120.
The thermally responsive element 110 is configured to lose structural integrity under the predetermined thermodynamic condition and thereby allow the distal movable member 100 to move from a preactivation position to an activated position located generally proximally (that is, toward the valve 20) with respect to the distal base 90. Referring to
Referring again to
The flexible connector 120 includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing 126 with a proximal housing end 128 configured to be stationarily connected with respect to the proximal base 60 and a distal housing end 130 configured to be stationarily connected with respect to the distal base 90. The flexible outer cable housing 126 may include at least one joint 126a joining two or more portions thereof. The flexible connector 120 also includes a flexible inner member 132 located inside the flexible hollow outer cable housing 126 for movement within the flexible outer cable housing 126 and having a proximal inner member end 134 (
Referring now to
Upon the loss of structural integrity of the thermally responsive element 110 (due to the occurrence of a thermodynamic condition), the platform 150 pivots about the fulcrum 97 as a result of force from the bias member (the coil spring 80) transmitted by the flexible connector 120, allowing the distal movable member 100 to move to the activated position with respect to the distal base 90. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in
Referring to
Alternatively, referring to
In the embodiment of
Referring to
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the flexible inner member may be run, with or without a flexible outer cable housing, through the conduit 280 rather than outside the conduit as shown in
Referring again to
Referring to
In embodiments of the present invention, movement of the proximal movable member 70 is caused by the bias member (the coil spring 80), which is located at the proximal end 122 of the flexible connector 120, near the valve 20 or another fire system component 16. This may result in more reliable operation than a configuration in which a bias member is located at the distal end 124 of the flexible connector 120 and must overcome any deformation of the flexible connector 120 in order to generate sufficient movement to actuate the valve 20 or other fire system component 16.
The ability to displace the activation component from the sprinkler head or other device being controlled permits the advantageous location of the activation component at an optimal location for fire identification and response, and permits placement of the connected sprinkler(s) at optimal location(s) for water distribution and/or coverage.
Another possible use of the devices of the present invention is the provision of fire protection in attics of wood construction and other combustible concealed areas without or with obstructions.
Many embodiments of the invention offer a number of possible sprinkler options that were heretofore not available or unlikely to pass fire tests for attic use. The activation component of the present inventive system can be located at the peak of a roof, or wherever is optimum for the detection of heat from a fire most quickly for most rapid activation, while the sprinkler head(s) connected with the activation component through a valve component can be located wherever provides the best protection or installation—at the peak, away from the peak and/or away from the pitch—to obtain optimum water distribution and/or to be located closer to any potential source of fire.
Certain embodiments of the present invention enable the installation of any and all types of conventional sprinkler heads (pendent and sidewall, as well as upright and standard spray) in such locations, albeit in an open configuration without a plug or thermally responsive element. The provision of the present invention further enables the development of other new concept spray distribution methods and sprinkler heads suitable for such application(s). Moreover, conventional automatic sprinkler heads are installable according to their maximum listed coverage areas (or at least greater than one-hundred and thirty square feet if their normal, listed coverage area exceeds one-hundred and thirty square feet) and without hydraulic demand penalties currently imposed on conventional automatic sprinklers used in attics and other combustible concealed installations. Open sprinkler heads connected to a valve component of the present invention are also able to be pitched from the vertical to enhance their throw patterns, if necessary or desirable. Some embodiments of the invention also provide the opportunity to use less water than now required since embodiments of the invention provide optimum placement of the activation component for activation, as well as optimum placement of the spray sprinklers for fire protection because the functions are separated rather than being provided by a single device in the manner of a standard sprinkler.
These advantages are available in sprinkler systems installed in yet other “problem areas.” So, certain embodiments of the present invention enable the installation of a dry attic sprinkler system while employing conventional automatic sprinkler heads that are open. The valve component can be located in a heated or other non-water-sensitive area spaced away from a cold or water-sensitive area where the activation component and heads can be located. Alternatively, water can be provided to a preaction valve assembly of the invention located in a cold or water sensitive area by the provision of a dry valve located upstream in a heated or non-water-sensitive area where the distance between the heated or non-water-sensitive area and the activation component is greater than the length of the flexible connector of the preaction valve assembly.
Finally, the provision of sprinkler heads fed by a valve component of the present invention permits the optimum location of the heads to attack a fire with a discharge of water sufficiently quickly and sufficiently close to the fire source to enable the passage of laboratory fire tests with delivered water densities of less than 0.1 gallons per minute per square foot of coverage area.
Another application is the fire protection of a truck loading dock that is under freezing conditions. Certain embodiments of the thermal trigger assembly of the present invention can replace a very expensive and complicated dry sprinkler system by allowing the use of existing approved open conventional sprinklers installed in the freezing area and installing the valve component in a heated area. This concept allows the reduction of ordinary hazard water densities to be lowered to light hazard requirements (over 50% less water) because of the speed and strategic positioning allowed by embodiments of the invention.
Being able to install any conventional automatic sprinkler head into a dry sprinkler device is itself a significant advantage. In addition to specific lengths, installers of conventional dry sprinkler systems have to specify other characteristics to order conventional dry sprinklers, including orientation (sidewall, upright or pendent and, if pendent, exposed, recessed or hidden), operating temperature, orifice size, finish and/or color. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of different conventional automatic sprinkler heads available from a variety of manufacturers that can be used, off the shelf, with valve components of the present invention to satisfy the thousands of potential combinations of these characteristics. Since only the valve components of the dry sprinkler devices of the present invention need approval from the recognized testing laboratories, it will be possible to install virtually any conventional automatic sprinkler head (open or plugged) with a valve component of the present invention, without limitation, to provide a dry system.
While there are literally hundreds if not thousands of possible different characteristic combinations for fire sprinklers, and many manufacturers willing to commercially supply those combinations in automatic sprinkler heads, they will only supply no more than about one-tenth of those characteristic combinations in dry sprinklers because each dry sprinkler must be tested independently by the approving labs as to operation, corrosion, and other performance characteristics. With each dry sprinkler costing more than $10,000 to be tested for approval by one of the recognized testing laboratories, manufacturers limit the varieties of dry sprinklers available because the market is not so big as to justify those approval expenses for the full range of available wet system sprinkler heads. Once approved, the preaction valve with thermal trigger assemblies of the present invention instantly allows virtually every laboratory-approved conventional automatic sprinkler head of every manufacture to be installed as a dry sprinkler device. This gives sprinkler system designers, building owners, and installers a virtually unlimited choice of sprinkler heads to use that will also save installation costs.
Since the valve components of the present invention can be mechanically tripped, they can be further be configured or accessorized to be separately remotely tripped, automatically or on demand.
Thermal trigger assemblies of the present invention can be configured to automatically trip at a temperature below, above, or equal to the rated temperature of the connected automatic (i.e. plugged) sprinkler head(s) by selection of the operating temperature of the thermally responsive element of the activation component to be lower or higher compared to that of the plugged sprinkler head. Thus, it is possible to preload a sprinkler head with water prior to activation, if desired, or delay loading of the sprinkler head until after it has opened.
When used to provide a two-step activation, thermal trigger assemblies of the present invention also give superior protection against vandalism or accidental damage, false trips or faulty sprinklers, and water damage—a major concern of both insurance companies and building owners. If a sprinkler is damaged prior to normal activation—for example, a bulb or other thermally responsive element breaks or is accidentally broken, or is defective (i.e. permits a leak)—no water will be released since the “independent” activation component of the present invention would not be triggered by damage to the sprinkler. Not only does this prevent water damage from unintended activation, it allows immediate field repair without removing the system from protective service and without having to wait for a factory manufactured replacement assembly. The system can be fully repaired, in the field, like a conventional wet system. (Maintaining an active system during head repairs has been notoriously very expensive, with sophisticated equipment required.)
If the thermal trigger assembly of a system with automatic (i.e. plugged) sprinkler heads is configured to open the valve component before sprinkler activation, fire protection is improved because there is no air to escape before the water flows from the sprinkler heads. The valve component prefills the sprinkler heads before conditions reach the activation temperature of the sprinkler heads.
A preaction valve with thermal trigger assembly of the present invention potentially allows plastic piping to be used as drops in areas that would have normally required dry sprinklers, provided that the valve component can be located in an area protected from and/or otherwise not subjected to freezing temperatures. This represents a tremendous savings in installation time and costs, particularly in those residential and light hazard systems otherwise amenable to plastic pipe installation throughout. The assemblies can be configured by selection of the thermally responsive elements to operate at a temperature above that at which the thermally responsive elements used in any automatic (i.e. plugged) sprinklers activate to assure there is no water inside the drop or pressurization of the drop until the thermally responsive elements of both the activation component and the sprinkler have reached their respective activation temperatures.
If the activation component 12 trips from breakage of the responsive element 110 or its equivalent, but the automatic (i.e. plugged) sprinkler 180 does not activate, the exposed portion of the activation component—for example, the distal base 90—will provide a visual indication below the ceiling that the activation component has tripped and that water is in a potentially freezing area, in addition to the indication provided by leakage through one or more weephole passages 72, 296, as described above. If the sprinkler leaks, dripping of water will provide a secondary indication of caution that the drop pipe is full of water and should be serviced.
In addition to providing a very economical alternative to compressed gas and antifreeze “dry” sprinklers, thermal trigger assemblies of the present invention can further present the possibility of economical dry residential sprinkler systems, with two-stage operation providing added security from damage for the property owner.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
