Patent Application
20220176180
The present invention relates to fire sprinklers and, more particularly, to a fire sprinkler dry valve design that utilizes solenoid technology.
Occasionally dry or reaction fire sprinkler systems accidentally trip, causing water damage or freeze ups in cold weather. When they accidentally trip, that also typically results in an unnecessary response by the fire department. Existing systems rely on too many moving components that can eventually fail and cause false fire alarms. Additionally, antifreeze systems require extensive maintenance, which tend to be costly.
As can be seen, there is a need for a system that will not accidentally trip and that does not require an actuator, accelerator or additional sensing components that eventually fail. Rather, there is a need for a system that includes a solenoid activated electronically during a fire event, as detailed in the following disclosure and defined in the claims below.
In one aspect of the present invention, a fire sprinkler system includes: a pipe system; at least one of a heat and or smoke detector; and a solenoid valve coupled along the pipe system and operably associated with at least one of a heat detector and the smoke detector. the solenoid valve being operable to permit water to flow there through upon receiving a signal from the at least one of a heat detector and a smoke detector.
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus configured for use with a fire sprinkler system includes: a solenoid valve being configured: to couple along a pipe system of the fire sprinkler system; and to be operably associated with at least one of a heat detector and a smoke detector, the solenoid valve being operable to permit water to flow therethrough upon receiving a signal from the at least one of a heat detector and a smoke detector.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method includes the steps of: (1) providing a fire sprinkler system including: a pipe system; at least one of a heat detector and a smoke detector; and a solenoid valve coupled along the pipe system and operably associated with the at least one of a heat detector and the smoke detector; (2) receiving a signal from the at least one of a heat detector and a smoke detector; and (2) operating the solenoid valve to permit water to flow therethrough.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an improved fire sprinkler. Specifically, a solenoid valve is provided that couples to a pipe system of the fire sprinkler system. The solenoid valve is operably associated with at least one of a heat detector such that the solenoid valve opens and water is permitted to flow through the solenoid valve and pipe system when a signal is received from the at least one of a heat detector and a smoke detector. Advantageously, a solenoid driven system eliminates accidental system trips and freeze ups, like the problematic ones described above. Embodiments of the present invention also eliminate the use of accelerators and actuators, which are prone to failure and result in false fire alarms (and in some cases, even property damage).
The present invention, in comparison to an anti-freeze system, is more eco-friendly, with less required maintenance and mess, which also makes it more economical. The solenoid driven system disclosed herein improves dependability and cost efficiency with less service and repairs. Jurisdictions require the use of compressed air or nitrogen to maintain system integrity. However, with the present invention, a total loss of air would not cause the system to trip (i.e., water would not be allowed into the sprinklers) and, rather, it would send a trouble signal to make people aware of potential damage. Further, with such a system that requires low compressed air be forced out prior to water reaching the fire, water delivery speeds can be increased in comparison to the prior art. Water delivery in a fire would be fast with low air pressure or nitrogen. A system in accordance with the present invention will only activate with the activation of a heat or smoke detector, utilizing 24 volts direct current (v DC).
Referring to
A main isolation control valve 18 isolates the water supply for service to be performed, as needed. The main isolation control valve may be equipped with an internal tamper switch that is monitored by an alarm company and alerted if a valve were to be shut (i.e., water is prevented from travelling through the pipes to the sprinkler system). There is further provided a secondary control valve 20 with a tamper, which may be selectively closed for testing of the solenoid valve 10 and the pressure switch 22. The secondary control valve 20 prevents water from entering the system unnecessarily during testing.
Making further reference to
While methods of making the present invention would be readily apparent to those with skill in the art from the foregoing disclosure, an exemplary method may include the following. A custom solenoid valve 10 may be fabricated using a custom solenoid manufacturer such that the solenoid may be appropriately integrated with a fire sprinkler system as illustrated and described herein. Once fabricated, the solenoid valve 10 is assembled with the fire sprinkler system, with all appropriate electrical connections being made to ensure the system functions as described above.
The system described herein may be used in places subject to freezing temperatures, including, but not limited to, food distribution warehouse freezers, multi-family structures and hotels with attics, canopies, porte cocheres and multi-level parking structures. In other buildings, this system may be used in water sensitive areas, like data rooms and server rooms. In general, it may be used in any residential, commercial, or industrial building. Some hazards would require a deluge system, where all the sprinklers are open as installed. The solenoid valve 10 of the present invention can be used as part of various types of fire sprinkler systems, including dry systems, pre-action systems, and deluge systems. The solenoid driven valve 10 simplifies the current dry and pre-action fire sprinkler valves currently in use. It eliminates additional components that are currently used for dry, pre-action and deluge fire sprinkler systems, reducing operation costs, and increasing the reliability of the system.
Therefore, the disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein.
While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.
The terms “proximal” and “distal” are defined herein relative to the solenoid valve. The term “proximal” refers to the position of an element closer to the solenoid valve and the term “distal” refers to the position of an element further away from the solenoid. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/122,303, filed Dec. 7, 2020, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63122303 | Dec 2020 | US |
