AU2006345229A1

AU2006345229A1 - Fire sprinkler

Info

Publication number: AU2006345229A1
Application number: AU2006345229A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jeffrey Pigeon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-27
Filing date: 2006-06-27
Publication date: 2008-01-03
Also published as: WO2008002315A1; EP2032218A4; CA2655776A1; EP2032218A1

Description

WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278 FIRE SPRINKLER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to application number (docket AAFP-Pol), filed 27 June 2oo6 and entitled "Fire Sprinkler System and Method of Installation", which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates generally to the fire suppression and extinguishment field, and more specifically to a new and improved fire sprinkler in the fire suppression and extinguishment field. BACKGROUND [0003] Fire sprinkler systems have been used in the United States to protect warehouses and factories for over one hundred years. In a fire sprinkler system, a fire sprinkler is positioned near the ceiling of a room where hot "ceiling jets" spread radially outward from a fire plume. When the temperature at an individual sprinkler reaches a pre-determined value, a thermally responsive element in the sprinkler activates and permits the flow of water as a water jet through a duct toward a deflector. The deflector redirects the water jet into thin streams or "ligaments" that break up into droplets due to surface tension. The water droplets serve three purposes: (i) delivering water to the burning material and reducing the combustion rate, (2) wetting the surrounding material and reducing the flame spread rate, and (3) cooling the surrounding air through evaporation and displacing air with inert water vapor. Page 1 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278 [0004] When fire sprinklers are located close to each other, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the risk of "cold soldering" becomes a concern. Cold soldering occurs when a first fire sprinkler disperses a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance that directly cools a second fire sprinkler and prevents the second fire sprinkler from properly responding and activating. Thus, there is a need in the fire suppression and extinguishment field to create an improved fire sprinkler that reduces or eliminates the risk of cold soldering. This invention provides such improved fire sprinkler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0005] FIGURES 1 and 2 are different side views of the fire sprinkler according to the preferred embodiments. [0006] FIGURES 3 and 4 are perspective and overhead views, respectively, of the fire sprinkler system that incorporate the fire sprinkler according to the preferred embodiments. [0007] FIGURE 5 is a detailed view of the coverage area of the fire sprinkler according to the preferred embodiments. [0008] FIGURES 6 and 7 are side views of the fire sprinklers according to a first variation and a second variation, respectively, of the preferred embodiments. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0009] The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments, but Page 2 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278 rather to enable any person skilled in the art of fire suppression and extinguishment to make and use this invention. [0010] As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the fire sprinkler 1o of the preferred embodiments includes a frame 12, a trigger 14, and a deflector 16. The frame 12 defines a duct 18 to exhaust the flow of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance, and includes a fastener 20 to fasten the frame 12 to a supply line. The trigger 14 blocks the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance through the duct 18 during a first mode, and permits the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance during a second mode. The deflector 16 redirects the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance into a coverage area. The deflector 16 also at least partially shields the trigger 14 from the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from an adjacent fire sprinkler lo and prevents a failure of the trigger 14. [0011] As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the fire sprinkler lo of the preferred embodiments is preferably installed in a space having a width W1 of at least 20 feet (6m) and a length L1 of at least 20 feet (6m), and is more preferably installed in a space having a width of at least 20 feet (6m) and a length of approximately 25 to 30 feet (7.5m to 9m). The space is preferably defined by two beams 22 extending along the width of the space and separated by a distance equal to the length of the space. The beams 22 function to support the weight of the roof (not shown). The beams 22 are preferably steel I-shaped rafters, but the beams 22 may be any suitable structural member to transfer the weight of the roof, may be made from any suitable material, and may be shaped in any suitable manner. Preferably, the fire sprinkler o10 is Page 3 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278 installed in a metal building, but the fire sprinkler io may alternatively be installed in any suitable shelter. [0012] As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the frame 12 of the preferred embodiments functions to support the other elements of the fire sprinkler o10. The frame 12 preferably defines the duct 18 that functions to exhaust the flow of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance. The duct 18 may include a nozzle or other suitable restriction. The fire sprinkler o10 preferably includes a discharge k factor of 5.0 to 25, but may include a discharge k factor of any suitable number depending on the specific application of the fire sprinkler o10. The frame 12 may, however, include any suitable method or device to exhaust the flow of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance. The frame 12 preferably includes a fastener 20 (e.g., threads) that functions to fasten the frame 12 to a supply line. The supply line functions to supply a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance (e.g., water) to the fire sprinlder 10. The frame 12 may, however, include any suitable method or device to fasten the frame 12 to a supply line. The frame 12 is preferably made of metal, but may alternatively be made from any suitable material. [0013] The trigger 14 of the preferred embodiments, which is connected to the frame 12, functions to block the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance through the duct 18 during a first mode, and to permit the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance during a second mode. The trigger 14 preferably includes a thermally responsive element 24 and a closure 26. During the first mode, the thermally responsive element 24 functions to restrain the closure 26, while the closure 26 functions to block the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance through the duct 18. During the second mode, the thermally Page 4 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278 responsive element 24 responds to the hot "ceiling jets" spreading radially outward from a fire plume and releases the closure 26, thereby permitting the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance. The thermally responsive element 24 is preferably a glass bulb, but may alternatively be a soldered link or any other suitable device or method. The trigger 14 may also include an o-ring, a Belleville spring, or any other suitable device between the thermally responsive element 24 and the frame 12. The trigger 14 may alternatively include any suitable method or device to block the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance through the duct 18 during a first mode, and to permit the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance during a second mode. [0014] As shown in FIGURE 5, the deflector of the preferred embodiments, which is connected to the frame, functions to redirect the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance into a coverage area 28 having a length L2 and a width W2. Preferably, the width W2 of each coverage area 28 is less than the length L2 of each coverage area 28. In a first variation, the width W2 of each coverage area 28 is less than 66% of the length L2 of each coverage area 28. In a second variation, the width W2 of each coverage area 28 is less than 33% of the length L2 of each coverage area 28. In a third variation, the length L2 of each coverage area 28 is at least 20 feet (6m) and the width W2 of each coverage area 28 is approximately 5 to 6 feet (1 to 2m). In alternative variations, the length L2 and the width W2 of each coverage area may be any suitable dimension. [0015] When the fire sprinkler l0 is located close to an adjacent fire sprinkler 30 (as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4), the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from the adjacent fire sprinlder 30 may directly cool the fire Page 5 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278 sprinkler 1o and prevent the trigger 14 from properly responding to the fire and releasing the closure 26. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the deflector 16 of the preferred embodiments also functions to reduce or eliminate this risk. Preferably, the deflector 16 accomplishes this function by at least partially shielding the trigger 14 from the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from the adjacent fire sprinkler 30. Given that the duct 18 defines a first direction for the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance and the thermally responsive element 24 extends along this first direction, the deflector 16 preferably extends in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, past at least a portion of the thermally responsive element 24. More preferably, as shown in FIGURE 1, the deflector 16 extends in the second direction completely past the thermally responsive element 24. Alternatively, the deflector 16 may accomplish the function of reducing or eliminating the risk of cold soldering in any suitable method or design. [0016] As shown in FIGURE 6, the fire sprinkler 110 of a first variation of the preferred embodiments is arranged as a pendant-type sprinkler, instead of an upright-type sprinkler. The fire sprinkler 110 of the first variation preferably includes the same components as the fire sprinkler 1o with the exception of the deflector 116. The deflector 116 preferably includes an inwardly bent portion 14o that further aids in shielding the trigger 14 from the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from the adjacent fire sprinkler 30. [0017] As shown in FIGURE 7, the fire sprinkler 21o of a second variation of the preferred embodiments also includes one or more thermal insulators 32. The thermal insulator 32 functions to further reduce or eliminate the risk of cold soldering. Preferably, the thermal insulator 32 accomplishes this function by Page 6 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278 reducing or eliminating heat transfer from the trigger 14, through the frame 12, through the deflector 16, and into a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance dispersed onto the deflector 16. The thermal insulator 32 may be placed in several different locations on the fire sprinkler 210. In a first variation, the thermal insulator 32 is a coating 34 on the exterior surface of the deflector 16. The coating 34 is preferably a ceramic or silicon based material, but may be any suitable material to reduce or eliminate heat transfer between the deflector 16 and the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance dispersed onto the deflector 16. In a second variation, the thermal insulator 32 is a deflector coupling 36 between the deflector 16 and the frame 12. The deflector coupling 36 is preferably an insert made of rubber or silicon based material, but may be any suitable device made of any suitable material to reduce or eliminate heat transfer between the frame 12 and the deflector 16. In a third variation, the thermal insulator 32 is a trigger coupling 38 between the trigger 14 and the frame 12. The trigger coupling 38 is preferably one or more bushings made of rubber or silicon based material located at either or both ends of the trigger 14, but may be any suitable device made of any suitable material to reduce or eliminate heat transfer between the trigger 14 and the deflector 16. [0018] As a person sdkilled in the art of fire suppression and extinguishment will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the figures and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention defined in the following claims. Page 7 of 12

Claims

1. A fire sprinlder comprising: * a frame defining a duct adapted to exhaust the flow of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance, and having a fastener adapted to fasten the frame to a supply line; * a trigger coupled to the frame and adapted to block the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance through the duct during a first mode and to permit the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance during a second mode; and * a deflector coupled to the frame, adapted to redirect the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance into a coverage area, and.adapted to at least partially shield the trigger from the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from an adjacent fire sprinkler and reduce or eliminate cold soldering of the trigger.

2. The fire sprinkler of Claim 1, wherein the trigger includes a thermally responsive element.

3. The fire sprinkler of Claim 2, wherein the thermally responsive elerient includes a glass bulb.

4. The fire sprinlder of Claim 2, wherein the trigger further includes a closure. Page 8 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278

5. The fire sprinkler of Claim 2, wherein the duct defines a first direction for the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance, wherein the thermally responsive element extends along the first direction, and wherein the deflector extends in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, past at least a portion of the thermally responsive element.

6. The fire sprinkler of Claim 5, wherein the deflector extends in the second direction past the thermally responsive element.

7. The fire sprinkler of Claim 1, wherein the deflector is adapted to redirect the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance into a coverage area having a length and a width, wherein the width of the coverage area is substantially less than the length of the coverage area.

8. The fire sprinkler of Claim 7, wherein the width of the coverage area is less than 33% of the length of the coverage area.

9. The fire sprinIder of Claim 7, wherein the length of the coverage area is at least 6m, and wherein the width of the coverage area is approximately 1 to 2m.

Page 9 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278 o10. The fire sprinkler of Claim 1, wherein the deflector further includes an inwardly bent portion to aid in shielding of the trigger from the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from an adjacent fire sprinkler and reduce or eliminate cold soldering of the trigger when the fire sprinkler is oriented below a supply line as a pendant-type fire sprinkler.

11. The fire sprinkler of Claim 1, further comprising a thermal insulator adapted to at least partially resist the cooling of the trigger from the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from an adjacent fire sprinkler and reduce or eliminate cold soldering of the trigger.

12. The fire sprinkler of Claim 11, wherein the thermal insulator is a coating on the deflector.

13. The fire sprinkler of Claim 12, wherein the deflector includes an interior surface facing inward toward the trigger and an exterior surface facing outward from trigger, and wherein the thermal insulator is a coating on the exterior surface of the deflector.

14. The fire sprinkler of Claim 11, wherein the thermal insulator is a deflector coupling between the deflector and the frame.

15. The fire sprinkler of Claim 14, wherein the deflector coupling is a rubber bushing between the deflector and the frame. Page o10 of 12 WO 2008/002315 PCT/US2006/025278

16. The fire sprinkler of Claim 11, wherein the thermal insulator is a trigger coupling between the trigger and the frame.

17. The fire sprinkler of Claim 16, wherein the deflector coupling is a rubber insert between the deflector and the frame. Page 11 of 12