DK1911497T3

DK1911497T3 - WATER TRAY NOZZLE WITH AIR CONTROL

Info

Publication number: DK1911497T3
Application number: DK07388074.2T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Carsten Palle
Original assignee: Vid Fire Kill Aps
Priority date: 2006-10-13
Filing date: 2007-10-11
Publication date: 2019-04-23
Also published as: PL1911497T3; HUE044058T2; EP1911497B1; EP1911497A1; ES2720063T3

Description

DESCRIPTION

The prior art [0001] The invention relates to a water mist nozzle for the improvement of the time response time index of automatic fire sprinklers classified as Fast Response Sprinkler Heads in accordance with ISO standards for automatic fire sprinklers, and US standards NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R, NFPA 13D, EN 12845, EN-12259-1, Factory Mutual Class No. 5560 and similar installation and approval standards for land based sprinklers and water mist sprinklers for fire protection, as well as the International Maritime Organisation's Resolution A800, etc. for automatic fire sprinklers, and water mist sprinklers for maritime fire protection, as well as for sprinkler and water mist heads for installation in corrosive environments, and environments with vapours, splash and sprays which may cause risks of clogging and similar malfunctions on sprinkler and water mist nozzle heads.

[0002] For an automatic sprinkler head to be recognized and approved to have Fast Response Characteristics in accordance with the mentioned standards, the sprinkler heads must pass a series of standardized time response tests in a standardized test tunnel at various air flow velocities with various air temperatures and with the sprinkler heads installed in various positions to the air flows.

[0003] Automatic sprinkler heads with Fast Response characteristics are known from traditional sprinkler heads as in CA2289974 by Oliver, disclosing a vertically positioned heat release element in the shape of a glass bulb with a diameter of 3 mm or smaller, or a fast response solder link, which is positioned vertically between two open yoke arms which, when installed in ceilings, are positioned below or partly below the ceiling surface.

[0004] A problem of these designs is that the sprinkler heads are fully visible in the ceilings.

[0005] An attempt to solve this problem is made in concealed type sprinkler heads as in US4977963 by Simons. In this type of automatic sprinkler heads, an automatic yoke type having a vertically positioned glass bulb with a diameter of 3 mm or less, or a quick response solder link, and a water deflector positioned on two drop pins, are installed in a cup with the large opening facing downwards, and with vent holes at the top of the cup. A cover plate is soldered on the cup opening with a solder having a low melting point, typically 50° C to 60° C, in a way that leaves an air gap of approximately 1-5 mm between the cup flange and the surface of the cover plate.

[0006] A problem of this type of concealed sprinkler heads is that it is necessary to provide a flow of hot air flowing through the gap between the cover plate and out through the vent holes in the cup to be able to obtain fast response characteristics for the sprinkler heads and, furthermore, that insulating material and dust very often block the vent holes and the air gap and thereby prevent the sprinkler heads from having true fast response characteristics when installed in ceilings.

[0007] An attempt to solve these problems is made in the flush type sprinkler heads as in US4757865 by Simons. Here, a heat collector arrangement is attached to the release element, or a heat collector arrangement is built into the release element. The collector arrangement collects the heat of a fire and transfers the heat through its material directly to the release element.

[0008] The problems of the arrangements are that the sprinkler heads consist of many parts, and that the sprinkler heads are complicated to manufacture.

[0009] An attempt to solve these problems is made in the fire-protecting sprinkler head as in GB 2049415 A by Grinnell Fire Protection. Here a water mist nozzle for fire extinguishing, comprising a water head for releasing water, a heat release element which is heat sensitive, one ore more holders for holding the heat release element, whereby at least one fin is positioned on the nozzle and directing air flow to the heat release element.

[0010] The problem is the lack of shielding of the sprinkler or water mist nozzle interior and protecting the interior from the surrounding environment, and being able to guide the air flow to the close surrounding of the heat release element, causing a faster heating of the heat response element and a fast release of the automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle.

[0011] Sprinklers and water mist heads for installation in corrosive environments such as saltine atmospheres and atmospheres containing ammonia, etc. are often made of brass and coated with wax. Another method is to manufacture the heads in stainless steel or other metals, which are resistant to the corrosive atmosphere.

[0012] Problems of the mentioned methods are that wax coating affects the architectural design of the sprinkler heads, and it complicates storage and installation of the sprinkler heads. Corrosion-resistant metals cause a significant cost increase in the manufacturing of most sprinkler heads.

[0013] Sprinkler and water mist heads for installation in locations with vapours and splash, such as for example above fat fryers, which may cause clogging in the sprinkler head, are often designed as open nozzles which are protected with a cap, and with temperature release from a detector external to the sprinkler or water mist nozzle.

[0014] The problem of this design is that the protection tends to fall off and, furthermore, that the external release mechanism causes an extra and more complicated installation and control of the sprinkler and water mist heads.

The object of the invention [0015] The object of the invention is to overcome the mentioned problems in relation to automatic concealed sprinkler and water mist heads for fire extinguishing by decreasing the response time of automatic sprinkler heads and water mist nozzles having a heat release element, which is a glass bulb, a solder link, or a shape memory alloy, and thereby to make it possible for concealed sprinkler and water mist nozzles to be classified as having Fast Response Characteristics.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention may also comprise a screen between the surroundings and the sprinkler nozzle interior to provide the sprinkler heads with an architecturally closed design, and to protect the sprinkler head interior from vapours and impurities in the surroundings, which may cause corrosion or clogging and thus malfunction of the sprinkler head.

[0017] The invention is characterized by comprising one or more fins positioned on an automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle, where the fin or fins are arranged on a sheet or thin foil, which is located on the outlet flange of a sprinkler or water mist nozzle, where the sheet or thin foil will serve as a shielding of the sprinkler or water mist nozzle interior, protecting the interior from the surrounding environment, and when the sprinkler or water mist head is time response tested in an air tunnel, the sheet guides the air flow to the close vicinity of the heat release element, which causes a faster heating of the heat response element, causing a fast release of the automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle.

[0018] When, as stated in claim 2, the heat release element is a glass bulb, a solder link, or a shape memory alloy, the element will be sensitive to heat.

[0019] When, as stated in claim 3, the fin or fins are positioned on the cover plate of an automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle, where each fin is positioned with its longitudinal axis 90° ± 45° to the longitudinal axis of the heat release element of a sprinkler head or water mist nozzle having a horizontally positioned heat release element or a heat release element positioned ±45° to the horizontal level, and where the distance between the fin and the heat release element is 0-5 mm, the fin guides the air flow to the close vicinity of the heat release element, which causes a faster heating of the heat response element, causing a fast release of the automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle.

[0020] It is expedient to position the one or more thin fins in a vertical position along a vertically positioned heat release element with a distance of 0-5 mm from the fin to the surface of the release element of an automatic sprinkler or an automatic water mist nozzle, as stated in claim 4.

[0021] Finally, as stated in claim 5, it is advantageous if the fins are wider than the yoke arms or cup with holes holding the heat release element in place.

[0022] Thereby, when the sprinkler or water mist head is time response tested in an air tunnel, the fin guides the air flow to the close vicinity of the heat release element, which causes a faster heating of the heat response element, causing a fast release of the automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle.

The drawing [0023] The invention will be described more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which

Fig. 1A shows an example of a fin positioned on an automatic sprinkler or water mist head above a horizontally positioned heat release element, which is a glass bulb,

Fig. 1B shows the same as figure 1 A, but from a different angle,

Fig. 2 shows an example of the invention, where a fin is formed in a sheet or foil, which provides a screen at the entrance to the nozzle interior, and where the fin is positioned above a horizontally positioned release element, which is a glass bulb,

Fig. 3 shows an example of a fin being formed to cover the heat release element of an automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle, which is concealed by a plate,

Fig. 4 shows an example of a fin being positioned on the cover plate of an automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle having a horizontally positioned heat release element in the shape of a glass bulb,

Fig. 5 shows an example, where two fins are positioned on an automatic sprinkler or water mist head with a vertically positioned heat release element in the shape of a glass bulb positioned in a yoke having two arms, and

Fig. 6 shows an example, where four fins are positioned on a water mist nozzle having a vertically positioned release element positioned in a yoke having multiple legs.

Description of exemplary embodiments [0024] Figure 1A shows an example of a fin 6, which is positioned on an automatic nozzle head in the shape of a sprinkler or a water mist head 2. The fin 6 is placed above a horizontally positioned heat release element 4, which is fixed between a first holder 3 and a second holder 5 and concealed by a cover plate 8. The heat release element may be a glass bulb 4, or a similar device that is sensitive to heat [0025] When the nozzle head is time response tested in an air tunnel, the nozzle is installed in a disadvantageous position where the longitudinal axis of the heat element 4 is positioned at an angle of ±20° with respect to the direction of the heated air flow 1.

[0026] In this position, the first holder 3 prevents the heated air flow 1 from heating the heat release element 4 with a direct stream of hot air, causing the heat release element of the nozzle to have a delayed time response. According to the invention, the air flow 1 hits the fin 6 outside the area shielded by the first holder 3, and the fin 6 directs some of the hot air to flow along the fin and around the surface of the heat release element 4, as indicated by the arrow 7. The heat release element 4 is thereby heated more quickly, causing the nozzle to show a faster time response.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an embodiment including the characterizing elements of the invention, thereby improving the example shown in figure 1 A. Here, the fin 6 is part of a sheet or thin foil 9 that covers the outlet 10 of the water nozzle and thereby protects the interior of the automatic nozzle head in the shape of a sprinkler or a water mist nozzle.

[0028] When the nozzle head is time response tested in an air tunnel, the nozzle is installed in a disadvantageous position where the first holder 3 prevents the heated air flow 1 from heating the heat release element 4 with a direct stream of hot air, causing the heat release element of the nozzle to have a delayed time response.

[0029] With the invention, the air flow 1 hits the fin 6 outside the area shielded by the holder 3, and the fin 6 directs some of the hot air stream 7 to flow along the fin and the plate surface to surround the heat release element 4, which is thereby heated more quickly by the heated air flow, causing the nozzle to show a faster time response.

[0030] Figure 3 shows an example of a fin 6 being formed to surround the heat release element 4. When the nozzle head is time response tested in an air tunnel, the nozzle is installed in a disadvantageous position where the first holder 3 prevents the heated air flow 1 from heating the heat release element 4 with a direct stream of hot air, causing the heat release element of the nozzle to have a delayed time response.

[0031] With this construction, the air flow 1 hits the fin 6 outside the area shielded by the holder 3, and the fin 6 directs some of the hot air stream 7 to flow along the fin 6 and around the surface of the heat release element 4, which is thereby heated more quickly by the heated air flow, causing the nozzle to show a faster time response.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a fin 6 being positioned on a cover plate 8, which is positioned below the heat release element 4 of an automatic sprinkler or water mist nozzle.

[0033] When the nozzle head is time response tested in an air tunnel, the nozzle is installed in a disadvantageous position where the first holder 3 prevents the heated air flow 1 from heating the heat release element 4 with a direct stream of hot air, causing the heat release element of the nozzle to have a delayed time response.

[0034] With this construction, the air flow 1 hits the fin 6 outside the area shielded by the holder 3, and the fin 6 directs some of the hot air stream 7 to flow along the fin 6 and around the surface of the heat release element 4, which is thereby heated more quickly by the heated air flow, causing the nozzle to show a faster time response.

[0035] Figure 5 shows an example, where two fins 6a, 6b are positioned in a vertical position at the sides of the vertically positioned heat release element 4 of a sprinkler or water mist nozzle having two yoke arms 3,5, and a deflector 8, and with the fins 6a,6b positioned perpendicularly to the nozzle yoke. When the nozzle head is time response tested in an air tunnel, the nozzle is installed in a disadvantageous position where the one holder 3 preventing the heated air flow 1 from heating the heat release element 4 with a direct stream of hot air, causing the heat release element of the nozzle to have a delayed time response.

[0036] With this construction, the air flow 1 hits the fins 6 outside the area shielded by the holder 3, and the fins 6 direct some of the hot air stream 7 to flow along the fins and around the surface of the heat release element 4, which is thereby heated more quickly by the heated air flow, causing the nozzle to show a faster time response.

[0037] Figure 6 shows yet another embodiment, where three or more fins 6 are positioned in a vertical position at the side of a hollow cup 11 with holes or slots, in which the heat release element 4 of an automatic spray or water mist nozzle is positioned.

[0038] When the nozzle head is time response tested in an air tunnel, the nozzle is installed in a disadvantageous position where the cup material 11 prevents the heated air flow 1 from heating the heat release element 4 with a direct stream of hot air, causing the heat release element of the nozzle to have a delayed time response.

[0039] With this construction, the air flow 1 hits the fins 6 and the fins direct the hot air through the slots or holes into the hollow space of the cup 11 and around the surface of the heat release element 4, which is thereby heated more quickly by the heated air flow, causing the nozzle to show a faster time response.

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description • CA2289974 [00031 • US4977963A [00051 • US4757865A [00071 • GB2049415A [00091

Claims

A fire fog nozzle for extinguishing, comprising a water fog nozzle - a water head (2) for dispensing water, - a heat release element (4) which is heat sensitive, and - one or more holders (3, 5) for holding the heat release element (4), wherein one or more fins (6) are disposed on the nozzle (2) at an angle of 90 ° ± 45 ° between each longitudinal axis (6) of the longitudinal axis of the heat release element (4) and a distance of 0-5 mm between a fin (6) ) and the heat release element (4) so that the fins (6) direct air flow (1) to the heat release element (4), characterized in that one or more fins (6) are arranged on a plate or thin film (9) which is located on a flange leading into the interior of the fog nozzle (2).

Water mist nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat release element (4) is a glass flask, a solder joint or a shape memory alloy.

Water mist nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more fins (6) are arranged on the cover plate (8) of the water fog nozzle (8) and that each fin (6) is arranged with the longitudinal axis 90 ° ± 45 ° with respect to the heat release element. (4) longitudinal axis with a horizontal or inclined heat release element (4) and the distance between the fins (6) and the heat release element (4) is 0-5 mm.

Water mist nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more fins (6) are arranged in a vertical position along a vertically arranged heat release element (4) at a distance of 0-5 mm from the fins (6) to the surface of the heat release element ( 4) in the water mist nozzle (2).

Water mist nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that the vertically arranged heat release (4) is held in place by means of a hollow cup (11) with holes for retaining the heat release element (4) and the fins (6) are wider than the cup ( 11) width so that the air (1) is directed around the cup (11) towards the heat release element (4) for faster heating.