EP0163400A2 - Tête d'arrosage à ouverture et fermeture automatiques - Google Patents

Tête d'arrosage à ouverture et fermeture automatiques Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0163400A2
EP0163400A2 EP85302619A EP85302619A EP0163400A2 EP 0163400 A2 EP0163400 A2 EP 0163400A2 EP 85302619 A EP85302619 A EP 85302619A EP 85302619 A EP85302619 A EP 85302619A EP 0163400 A2 EP0163400 A2 EP 0163400A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
housing
response
sprinkler head
coil
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP85302619A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Wilfred V. Johnson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
U S FIRE CONTROL CORP
US FIRE CONTROL CORP
Original Assignee
U S FIRE CONTROL CORP
US FIRE CONTROL CORP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by U S FIRE CONTROL CORP, US FIRE CONTROL CORP filed Critical U S FIRE CONTROL CORP
Publication of EP0163400A2 publication Critical patent/EP0163400A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/08—Control of fire-fighting equipment comprising an outlet device containing a sensor, or itself being the sensor, i.e. self-contained sprinklers

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a fire extinguishing sprinkler valve and, more particularly, to an on-off fire extinguishing sprinkler valve.
  • pilot volume actuated on-off sprinkler heads employs a temperature responsive actuator to control the pressure in a pilot volune disposed on one side of a piston valve and communicating with a water supply applying pressure to the opposite side of the valve. In response to variations in ambient temperature the pressure in the pilot volune changes relative to the supply pressure and thereby causes desired opening and closing operation of the valve.
  • pilot volume actuated on-off sprinkler heads are disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 3,702,160; 3,746,098; 3,748,176; 3,757,866 and 4,359,098.
  • Individual and collective disadvantages of pilot volume valves include structural complexity, leak prone movable seals, dependence on differential pressure actuation, etc.
  • on-off sprinkler head employs a temperature responsive actuator such as a wax motor to directly operate a flow valve.
  • a temperature responsive actuator such as a wax motor
  • Examples of directly operated sprinkler heads are disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 3,734,191; 3,802,510 and 3,911,940.
  • Disadvantages of directly actuated heads include a requirenent for spring members to effect valve closures and a relatively slow response of the direct actuators. The latter deficiency can be obviated by a sprinkler head disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,924,687 and which uses a conventional fusible link actuated straight on valve in series with a directly actuated on-off sprinkler valve.
  • the on-off valve can be made to positively and completely open prior to opening of the straight-on valve.
  • the sprinkler head dislosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,924,687 exhibits the cost and complexity disadvantages inherent in a head employing two distinct valves.
  • the invention is an automatic on-off fire extinguishing sprinkler head including a housing defining inlet and outlet openings; a valve retained by the housing and disposed between the inlet and outlet openings, the valve being movable between a closed position in which it prevents fluid flow between the inlet and outlet openings and an open position in which it allows fluid flow therebetween and a latch releasably latching the valve in the closed position.
  • a release mechanism responds to a sensor by releasing the latch to allow movement of the valve means into the open position at a predetermined ambient temperature.
  • a temperature responsive actuator shaped and arranged to allow movement of the valve into its open position in response to ambient temperatures above a given level and to force the valve into its closed position in response to ambient temperature below the given level.
  • the temperature responsive actuator insures positive, predictable closure of the valve without any requirement for bias members.
  • the predetermined temperature is greater than the given temperature level.
  • a lower predetermined temperature insures that the actuator will be operational when the desired given actuation temperature is reached.
  • the temperature responsive actuator comprises a shape-memory alloy member and the latch is shaped and arranged to relatch the valve in the closed position in response to movement thereinto produced by the alloy member.
  • the shape-memory alloy member provides a substantial force that insures positive closure of the valve.
  • the valve comprises a valve head disposed in so as to fluid tightly seal the outlet opening when in its closed position and a support fixed to the valve head and movably retained by the housing; the alloy is operatively coupled between the housing and the support which is shaped and arranged to allow movement of the valve head into its open position spaced apart from the outlet opening; the valve further canprises a deflector projecting circunferentially from the valve head and adapted to deflect fluid discharging from the outlet opening in a predetermined pattern, and the housing defines a rectilinear fluid flow passage between the inlet and outlet openings, an annular chamber surrounding the passage, and heat exchange openings allowing air circulation into the chamber which retains the alloy member.
  • the alloy member is a coil retained in the chamber and surrounding the passage, the coil member tending to assume either a contracted or an expanded state in response to ambient temperature
  • the latch comprises latch arms retained by the housing and shaped and arranged to engagably secure the valve when in a latched position and to allow movement thereof when in a released position
  • the release is retained by the valve means and adapted to move the latch arms into the released position in response to sensing of the predetermined ambient temperature by the sensor which is retained by the valve
  • the deflector comprises inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being disposed adjacent to the housing with the valve in its closed position and the outer surface engaged by the latch arms
  • the release comprises a pair of release rods reciprocably mounted on the outer surface and adapted to engage and move the latch arms into the released position in response to sensing of the predetermined temperature by the sensor.
  • the latch arms engage diametrically opposed positions on the outer surface
  • the release rods are rectilinearly aligned and have inner ends spaced apart thereon
  • the sensor canprises a piston shaped and arranged to engage the inner ends and move the outer ends of the rods into engagement with the latch arms in response to sensing of the predetermined temperature. This arrangement facilitates the required release action.
  • the alloy coil assumes the. contracted state in response to ambient temperatures above the given level and assumes the expanded state in response to ambient temperatures therebelow
  • the housing further defines a housing retainer portion
  • the support comprises a coil retainer portion that moves toward the housing retainer portion during movement of the valve means to the open position
  • the coil member is disposed between the housing retainer portion and the coil retainer portions.
  • the alloy coil tends to assume its expanded state in response to ambient temperatures above said given level and assumes its contracted state in response to ambient temperatures therebelow
  • the housing further defines a housing retainer portion
  • the support comprises a coil retainer portion
  • the alloy coil has one end fixed to said housing retainer portion and an opposite end fixed to the coil retainer portion.
  • contraction of the alloy coil closes the valve when ambient temperature falls below the given level.
  • FIG. 1-4 Illustrated in Figs. 1-4 is an automatic sprinkler head embodiment 11 constructed in accordance with the invention.
  • the head 11 includes a valve mechanism 12 retained by a housirg 13 and movable with respect thereto between a closed position shown in Fig. 1 and an open position shown in Fig. 4. Also included in the head 11 are a pair of latch arms 14 retained by the housing 13 and an actuator mechanism 15 and a tengerature sensor 16 both retained by the valve 12.
  • Another component of the head 11 is a shape-memory alloy coil 17 that is operatively coupled between the housing 13 and the valve 12. Suitable shape-memory alloys are described in an article "SME brass-a new engineering material" by A.D. Michael and W. B.
  • the housing 13 includes a tubular portion 18 that defines a rectilinear flow passage 19 extending between an inlet opening 21 and an outlet opening 22. An upper end of the tubular portion 18 is threaded to accommodate assembly into a supply system (not shown) for supplying a suitable fire extirguishing fluid such as water. Also included in the housing 13 is an outer cylinder 24 that surrounds the tubular portion 18 and is radially spaced therefran to form therewith an annular chamber 25. An upper end of the cylinder 24 defines an inwardly projecting collar portion 26 that engages the tubular portion 18. Joining the bottom ends of the tubular portion 18 and the cylinder 24 is an annular retainer disc portion 27 of the housing 13. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart heat exchange openings 28 are defined by the outer cylinder 24. Conforming to the inner surface of the tubular portion 18 is a thermal insulator sleeve 29 that separates the chamber 25 from the flow passage 19.
  • the valve 12 includes a sani-spherically shaped valve head 31 that in a closed position is disposed in the lower portion of the flow passage 19 as shown in Figs. 1-3.
  • a sani-spherically shaped valve head 31 that in a closed position is disposed in the lower portion of the flow passage 19 as shown in Figs. 1-3.
  • an o-ring 32 that engages the inner surface of the sleeve 29 to provide a fluid tight seal for the outlet opening 22 with the valve in a closed position.
  • a circular deflector plate 33 having a central portion 34 fixed to an outer surface of the valve head 31 and an outer portion 35 disposed closely adjacent to the housing retainer disc 27 with the valve in the closed position shown in Figs. 1-3.
  • a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart deflector openings 36 that establish a predetermined fluid distribution pattern after opening of the valve 12.
  • Additional components of the valve 12 are a pair of support struts 37 longitudinally disposed in diametrically spaced apart positions within the annular chamber 25. Lower portions of the struts 37 extend through slots 38 in the retainer disc 27 and have ends fixed to the inner surface of the deflector plate 33. Upper portions of the struts 37 terminate with an outwardly projecting, annular coil retainer flange portion 39.
  • the resilient latch arms 14 are retained by diametrically disposed longitudinal recesses in the outer surface of the tubular body 18. Upper portions of the latch arms 14 are fixed to the tubular body 18 while lower portions are detached so as to be resiliently deflectable outwardly with respect thereto. The lower portions of the latch arms 14 extend through slots 40 in the retainer disc 27 and apertures 41 in the deflector plate 33. Terminating the latch arms 14 are inwardly directed hook portions 42 that engage an outer surface 44 of the deflector plate 33 with the valve 12 in its closed position. Cam portions 43 of the latch arms 14 are inclined outwardly and downwardly from the inner ends of the hook portions 42.
  • the heat collector 51 includes an upper disc member 53 with a hollow hub portion 54 fixed to the outer surface 44 of the deflector plate 33, an intermediate disc member 55 spaced from the upper disc 53 and having a hollow hub portion 56 fixed thereto, and a lower disc member 57 having a hollow hub portion 58 with an upper end fixed to the intermediate disc member 55 and a lower end closed by the lower disc member 57.
  • the hollow hub portions 54, 56 and 58 form a cylindrical chamber 59 that retains the shape-memory alloy coil 52.
  • Formed in the intermediate and lower hub portions 56, 58 are a plurality of openings 61 that provide communication into the cylindrical chamber 59.
  • the actuator assembly 15 includes a pair of rectilinearly aligned and rectangularly shaped enclosures 64 that are fixed to the outer surface 44 of the deflector plate 33.
  • the inner ends of the rectangular enclosures 64 abut the hub 54 of the upper disc member 63.
  • Slidably retained by each of the rectangular enclosures 64 is a rod 65 having outer ends that engage the innermost extremities of the hook portions 42 with the valve 12 in a closed position.
  • Tapered imer ends 66 of the rods 65 engage a conically shaped end of a piston member 67 retained by the hollow hub 54 of the upper disc member 53 and aligned with a centrally located opening 69 in the deflector plate 33.
  • Fig. 5 shows another automatic sprinkler head embodiment 71 in which components corresponding to those in the embodiment 11 depicted in Figs. 1-4 bear identical reference numerals.
  • a pair of housing retainer brackets 72 have inwardly projecting portions 73 fixed to the housing 13 and lower outwardly projecting portions 74 that retain a top turn 75 of the shape-memory alloy coil 70.
  • a pair of lower support brackets 76 have lower, inwardly directed portions 77 fixed to an annular disc 78 and upper outwardly directed portions 79 that retain a bottom turn 81 of the coil 70.
  • a pair of struts 82 are disposed in diametrically opposed positions within the annular chamber 25 and have upper ends fixed to the annular disc 78. Lower portions of the struts 82 extend through apertures 83 in a lower housing disc portion 84 and terminate with ends fixed to the deflector plate 33.
  • Installation of the sprinkler head 11 in a protected zone involves engagement of the tubular body 18 with a mating threaded coupling (not shown) of a supply system for a suitable fire extinguishing fluid such as water.
  • a suitable fire extinguishing fluid such as water.
  • the sprinkler head 11 After installation and in the absence of ambient temperature indicating the existence of combustion within the protective zone, the sprinkler head 11 remains in its inactive state with the valve 12 closed as illustrated in Figs. 1-3.
  • the shape-memory alloy coil 17 is expanded during this period extending between the housing retainer disc portion 27 and the coil retaining flange 39 as shown.
  • the ambient temperature rises and air flow through the heat exchange openings 28 into the annular chamber 25 produces a corresponding increase in the temperature of the alloy coil 17.
  • the transition temperature of the alloy coil 17 is reached causing it to contract into a form having an axial length substantially less than the spacing between the housing retainer disc 27 and the coil retaining flange 39.
  • the valve 12 is retained in a closed position by the latch anus 14, the hook portions 42 of which remain engaged with the outer surface 44 of the deflector plate 33.
  • Heat transfer into the chamber 59 is enhanced by air flow through the openings 61 in the hub portions 56, 58.
  • Expansion of the sensor alloy coil 52 forces the piston 67 upwardly into the opening 68 in the deflector plate 33.
  • This movement of the piston 67 separates the rods 65 causing the outer ends thereof to forcably engage the hook portions 42.
  • the resultant outward deflection of the latch arms 14 disengages the hook portions 42 from the outer surface of the deflector plate 33. Accordingly, the released valve 12 assembly is moved by the fluid pressure within the passage 19 into its open position shown in Fig. 4.
  • the insulator tube 29 thennally isolates that portion of the tubular body 18 that defines the inner surface of the annular chamber 25.
  • the resultant reduction in heat transfer between the discharging fluid and the annular chamber 25 ensures against a premature expansion of the alloy coil 17.
  • Extinguishment of the fire within the protected zone normally is accanpanied by a reduction in ambient temperature.
  • the temperature drops below the predetermined transition temperature of the sensor coil 52, it assumes its previous contracted state allowing the piston 67 to withdraw back into the chamber 59.
  • a further reduction in ambient temperature to below the given transition level of the alloy coil 17 causes expansion thereof into the expanded fonn shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • This expansion of the alloy coil 17 exerts a force between the housing retainer disc 17 and the coil retainer flange 19 moving the flange and the struts 37 upwardly in the annular chamber 25.
  • the upward movement of the struts 37 pulls the attached valve assembly 12 into its closed position sealing the outlet opening 22 and thereby terminating the flow of extinguishing fluid.
  • the imer surface of the deflector plate 33 engages the cam portions 43 and forces the latch arms 14 outwardly permitting passage thereof through the apertures 41.
  • the resilient latch arms 14 move inwardly to engage the hook portions 42 with the outer surface 44 of the deflector plate 33 and thereby again latch the valve in its closed position. Repeated openings and closings of the valve 12 are produced in the same manner in response to corresponding changes in ambient temperature.
  • the sprinkler head embodiment 71 shown in Fig. 5 responds in a similar manner to changes in ambient temperature within a protected zone.
  • the shape-menory alloy coil 70 normally has an axially contracted form rather than the normally expanded form of the alloy coil 17 employed the sprinkler head 11 of Figs. 1-4.
  • forces are generated that tend to move the coil into an axially expanded form.
  • such movement is restrained by the interconnected coil retaining flange 78, the struts 82 and the deflector plate 33 which is in turn restrained by the latch arms 14.
  • a further increase in ambient temperature to above a predetermined transition temperature of the sensor coil 52 causes the sensor 16 and the actuator 15 to outwardly deflect the latch arms 14 and release the valve assembly 12.
  • the valve assembly 12 is moved into an open position corresponding to that of the sprinkler head 11 shown in Fig. 4 by both the fluid pressure in the flow passage 19 and the axial expansion of the alloy coil 70.
  • a subsequent reduction in ambient temperature to below the given transition level of the alloy coil 70 causes contraction thereof into the form shown in Fig. 5.
  • This contraction of the coil 70 draws the interconnected brackets 76, the coil retainer flange 78, the struts 82 and the deflector plate 33 upwardly as described above. Accordingly, the valve assembly 12 is returned to a fully closed position and is autanatically latched therein by the resilient latch arms 14.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
EP85302619A 1984-04-30 1985-04-15 Tête d'arrosage à ouverture et fermeture automatiques Withdrawn EP0163400A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US605201 1984-04-30
US60520184A 1984-08-30 1984-08-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0163400A2 true EP0163400A2 (fr) 1985-12-04

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ID=24422646

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85302619A Withdrawn EP0163400A2 (fr) 1984-04-30 1985-04-15 Tête d'arrosage à ouverture et fermeture automatiques

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP0163400A2 (fr)
JP (1) JPS60249978A (fr)
CA (1) CA1239913A (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992010238A1 (fr) * 1990-12-07 1992-06-25 Kidde-Graviner Limited Extincteur automatique et soupape sensibles a la chaleur
WO1996012994A1 (fr) * 1994-10-24 1996-05-02 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Vanne a fluide a commande passive par la temperature ambiante
CN104225851A (zh) * 2014-10-23 2014-12-24 常景泓 一种快速重复启闭消防喷头
CN110215641A (zh) * 2019-06-28 2019-09-10 中色科技股份有限公司 一种用于灭火控制系统的气控延时装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4605618B2 (ja) * 2000-04-21 2011-01-05 ホーチキ株式会社 スプリンクラーヘッド

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992010238A1 (fr) * 1990-12-07 1992-06-25 Kidde-Graviner Limited Extincteur automatique et soupape sensibles a la chaleur
WO1996012994A1 (fr) * 1994-10-24 1996-05-02 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Vanne a fluide a commande passive par la temperature ambiante
US5613634A (en) * 1994-10-24 1997-03-25 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Passively ambient temperature actuated fluid valve
CN104225851A (zh) * 2014-10-23 2014-12-24 常景泓 一种快速重复启闭消防喷头
CN110215641A (zh) * 2019-06-28 2019-09-10 中色科技股份有限公司 一种用于灭火控制系统的气控延时装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1239913A (fr) 1988-08-02
JPS60249978A (ja) 1985-12-10
JPH0515475B2 (fr) 1993-03-01

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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Inventor name: JOHNSON, WILFRED V.