EP3554652B1 - Fire extinguishing system valve, in particular wet alarm valve, dry alarm valve or spray water valve, and fire extinguishing system comprising same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing system valve, in particular a wet alarm, dry alarm or spray water valve, with a housing which has a fluid inlet chamber, a fluid outlet chamber and a closing body that can be moved back and forth between a blocked state and a released state, the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber in the The release state communicate directly with one another in a fluid-conducting manner, and the closing body prevents the direct communication between the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber in the blocked state. The invention further relates to a fire extinguishing system, in particular a sprinkler system, with one or more fluid lines, in which a fire extinguishing system valve of the aforementioned type for blocking and releasing the fluid line is arranged.

Fire extinguishing systems and fire extinguishing system valves of the aforementioned type are generally known. For the purposes of the present invention, fire extinguishing system valves are understood as meaning the genus of both passive and active alarm valves for use in fire extinguishing systems, especially fire extinguishing systems with water-based extinguishing agents (for example water, water with additives, etc.). The most prominent representatives of these valve types are wet and dry alarm valves as well as water spray valves. In this context, passive alarm valves are understood to mean that they are at Open automatically when the specified pressure differences between the inlet and outlet side are exceeded, the valves themselves usually trigger an alarm in response to the detection of this opening state, for example by means of a pressure switch located in an external alarm line, via which an alarm device such as an electrically operated one is then activated Alarm horn is controlled, and / or directly by controlling the flow of extinguishing agent to a hydraulically operated alarm means fluidly connected to the alarm valve, such as a water-operated alarm bell. Occasionally, instead of or in addition to hydraulically operated alarm bells, optical displays are arranged in the area of the alarm valves in order to be able to better distinguish which of the alarm valves has been opened in the case of a large number of alarm valves arranged in parallel.

Active alarm valves are understood to mean that the valves, after receipt of a corresponding signal from external fire detection means or as a function of external control interventions, actively release the fluid flow by opening the valve and trigger an alarm. What the aforementioned valve types have in common is that they are often installed in fire extinguishing systems for long periods of time without having to be used, and it is important that these valves function reliably in an emergency.

Fire extinguishing system valves, in particular wet alarm valves, are often connected on the inlet side in the blocked state to a water supply which has an essentially constant supply pressure, provided for example by a pump system. In the water supply, however, pressure fluctuations can occasionally occur, especially in such constellations when the fire extinguishing systems are directly connected to the drinking water network. Fire extinguishing system valves, in particular wet alarm valves, are usually connected on the outlet side to a pipe network in which sprinklers or nozzles are provided. Here, too, pressure fluctuations arise, for example, due to temperature fluctuations. In order to be able to compensate, in particular, the pressure fluctuations on the outlet side of the fire extinguishing system valve by replenishing extinguishing fluid without triggering an alarm, fire extinguishing systems often have bypass lines in addition to the fire extinguishing system valve, which are installed by means of external piping on a fire extinguishing system valve station in order to remove the extinguishing fluid from the To be able to promote the inlet side to the outlet side of the fire extinguishing system valve without having to open it.

Changed description pages (fair copy)

Fire extinguishing system valves are also known in which the closing body of the valve itself has a small passage opening through which a small volume flow can flow from the inlet side to the outlet side of the fire extinguishing system valve. These known solutions have the problem in common that the construction effort is high and the maintenance of such systems is complex. Furthermore, retrofitting or adaptation to the individual circumstances of the extinguishing system can also only be implemented with great effort.

External piping requires space and has to be adjusted or manufactured appropriately during assembly so that it looks visually appealing and, for example, vertical lines also really run vertically and are also easily exposed to forces during transport or assembly which, for example, lead to leaks at connection points as a result of deformation can.

Fire extinguishing system valves are also known in which external piping is arranged in such a way that the flow of extinguishing agent from the water inlet side to a hydraulically operated, hydraulically operated alarm means connected to the alarm means, such as a water-operated alarm bell, can be established when a shut-off valve arranged in the piping is opened. This external structure is used, for example, when test alarms are to be carried out without having to move the closing body of the fire extinguishing system valve into the release position, which would result in the pipeline system being flooded.

The German Patent and Trademark Office researched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 39 37 778 A1 , DE 43 20 422 A1 , DE 199 30 482 A1 , and WO 2011/065 580 A2 .

U.S. 1,980,096 A discloses a fire extinguishing system valve having a housing having an inlet for water supply and an outlet for connection to a sprinkler system. An alarm circuit is arranged on the housing and is connected to the fluid inlet via a connection on a bypass line formed in the housing.

The invention was consequently based on the object of improving the fire extinguishing system valve and the fire extinguishing system of the type described at the outset in such a way that the disadvantages found in the prior art are overcome as far as possible. In particular, the invention was based on the object of specifying a fire extinguishing system valve which, in order to avoid a reduction in operational safety, has the Compensating for pressure fluctuations enables, and at the same time requires as little equipment as possible. In particular, the invention was also based on the object of specifying such a fire extinguishing system valve which can be implemented on a fire extinguishing system with little installation, maintenance and / or space requirements.

The invention solves the problem on which it is based in a fire extinguishing system valve of the type specified at the outset by means of a bypass line integrated into the housing, which is connected to the fluid inlet chamber in a fluid-conducting manner and extends from there. According to the invention, integration into the housing is understood to mean that the bypass line is partially or completely embedded in a wall and / or a cover or other attachment body of the housing, which becomes part of the housing through its direct coupling with the housing. The invention follows the approach of replacing the conventional external piping known from the prior art by integrating them into the housing component of the fire extinguishing system valve. The supposed increase in the component complexity of the fire extinguishing system valve housing is surprisingly nevertheless a simplification of the "fire extinguishing system" as a whole, since it eliminates the need for a significantly higher expenditure on equipment compared to the production of the housing, as well as significant labor times for installing and maintaining the external fittings for the bypass line that were customary up to now .

According to the invention, the integrated bypass line is connected to the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber in a fluid-conducting manner. With such a bypass line, extinguishing fluid can easily be fed from the supply-side fluid inlet chamber to the pipe-side fluid outlet chamber in small volume flows without the risk of a false alarm and without the risk of accidentally triggering the sprinklers or nozzles.

The invention is advantageously further developed in that it has a bypass shut-off element which can be moved back and forth between a blocked state and a released state, in the released state connects the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber to one another in a fluid-conducting manner by means of the integrated bypass line, and in the blocked state, the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber separates from each other. The shut-off device is preferably integrated into the housing. Furthermore, the shut-off element can preferably be actuated from outside the housing, either manually or by means of signaling control. In particular, the signaling controllability enables a Compensation of detected pressure fluctuations from a fire alarm and / or extinguishing control center arranged at a distance, without having to spend maintenance personnel on site to the fire extinguishing system.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing, in particular the fluid inlet chamber, the fluid outlet chamber and the closing body or a valve seat cooperating with the closing body, depending on the extinguishing fluid pressure in the fluid inlet chamber, define a main volume flow between the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber, the integrated bypass line depending on the Extinguishing fluid pressure in the fluid inlet chamber defines a bypass volume flow reduced relative to the main volume flow between the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber. In this context, the main and bypass volume flows are understood to mean the maximum possible volume flow that is dependent on the supply pressure. The main volume flow results primarily from the pressure loss between the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber in the released state, i.e. when the closing body is completely open. The possible main volume flow is also dependent on the nominal width of the valve. The bypass volume flow is preferably designed to be less than a volume flow of extinguishing fluid which flows through a sprinkler or a nozzle when a fire extinguishing system is in operation. For example, a wet alarm valve with a nominal diameter of DN100 and a nominal pressure range of up to 16 bar can have a main volume flow in the range of 1,000 l / min. or more, in particular 2,000 l / min. or more, whereas the bypass volume flow is in the range of 150 l / min. or less, especially 100 l / min. or less.

In a further preferred embodiment, the integrated bypass line has at least one throttle element. The throttle element is preferably accessible from the outside, in particular adjustable and / or changeable from the outside. The throttle element can be used to influence the bypass volume flow in a targeted manner in comparison to the main volume flow.

Furthermore, the integrated bypass line preferably has at least one non-return element which is designed to release a fluid flow in the direction of the fluid outlet chamber and to prevent a fluid flow in the direction of the fluid inlet chamber. The non-return element is preferably accessible from the outside, more preferably arranged to be exchangeable in the housing of the fire extinguishing system valve.

In a further preferred embodiment, the bypass line has one or more outlets for connecting pressure measuring sensors. In such preferred embodiments in which a non-return element is provided, outlets are preferably arranged upstream and downstream of the non-return element.

In a further preferred embodiment, the integrated bypass line has one or more flushing connections for connecting a pressurized flushing medium source and for introducing the flushing medium into the integrated bypass line. The flushing medium used is preferably a flushing fluid, for example a gas or a liquid, but optionally also a solid-laden fluid.

According to the invention, the fire extinguishing system valve has a pressure relief outlet on the integrated bypass line, which preferably has a shut-off element, in particular a safety valve or a bursting element, and is connected to the environment. The pressure relief outlet can be used for emptying and / or venting, for example.

The fire extinguishing system valve further preferably has an alarm channel integrated into the housing, which is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the fluid inlet and / or fluid outlet chamber at least in the released state of the closing body. By means of the alarm channel, extinguishing agent can flow to a hydraulically operated alarm means that is fluidly connected to the alarm valve, such as a water-operated alarm bell, when the closing body moves into the release state.

According to the invention, the integrated bypass line is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the fluid inlet chamber and to the alarm channel, preferably by means of an alarm channel outlet. The alarm channel outlet is preferably designed as part of the pressure relief outlet. With this alarm channel bypass line, it is possible to carry out test alarms without external expenditure on equipment, without having to move the closing body of the fire extinguishing system valve into the release position or even out of the blocking position.

In a preferred embodiment, the fire extinguishing system valve has two bypass lines, the bypass line extending from the fluid inlet chamber to the fluid outlet chamber being a first bypass line, and the bypass line (10a) (also alarm bypass line) extending from the fluid inlet chamber to the alarm channel being a second bypass line .

In a further preferred embodiment, the alarm channel is set up for connection to an alarm line, in particular an alarm bell line.

Further preferably, a non-return element is arranged in the alarm channel, which is set up to release a fluid flow in the direction of the alarm line or in the direction of the alarm means, and to prevent a fluid flow in the opposite direction.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the integrated bypass line has a particle filter.

In a further preferred embodiment, the integrated bypass line is formed in a housing part fastened reversibly releasably to the housing, preferably in a housing cover, particularly preferably in a handhole cover. This enables a particularly simple retrofitting of an integrated bypass line to a conventional fire extinguishing system valve already installed in a fire extinguishing system. A reversibly releasable connection is understood to mean a connection which, in principle, can be established and disconnected as often as desired without damage to the connected parts, wear and tear caused by continuous, proper operation is disregarded. An example of a reversibly releasable connection are, for example, screw connections, tensioning or clamping connections.

The invention has been described above with reference to the fire extinguishing system valve on the basis of several preferred embodiments. However, the invention also solves the underlying problem in a fire extinguishing system of the type specified at the outset, in particular in a sprinkler system with one or more fluid lines in which a fire extinguishing system valve is arranged for blocking and releasing the fluid line, by opening the fire extinguishing system valve according to one of the preferred embodiments described above is trained. With regard to the advantages achieved in this way and the preferred designs of the fire extinguishing system, reference is made to the above explanations relating to the fire extinguishing system valve.

• Figur 1a eine schematische Darstellung einer Feuerlöschanlagenventilstation einer Feuerlöschanlage, mit einem Feuerlöschanlagenventil gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• Figur 1b eine Prinzipskizze zur Verschaltung des Feuerlöschanlagenventils gemäß Figur 1a,
• Figur 2 eine Detaildarstellung eines Teils des Feuerlöschanlagenventils gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• Figur 3 eine Detaildarstellung des Feuerlöschanlagenventils gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel,
• Figur 4 eine Detaildarstellung des Feuerlöschanlagenventils gemäß noch einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel, und
• Figur 5 eine Detaildarstellung des Feuerlöschanlagenventils gemäß der Erfindung.

The invention is described below with reference to Figure 5 described. The embodiments of Figures 1-4 do not form part of the invention.

• Figure 1a a schematic representation of a fire extinguishing system valve station of a fire extinguishing system, with a fire extinguishing system valve according to a preferred embodiment,
• Figure 1b a schematic diagram for the connection of the fire extinguishing system valve according to Figure 1a ,
• Figure 2 a detailed representation of part of the fire extinguishing system valve according to a first embodiment,
• Figure 3 a detailed representation of the fire extinguishing system valve according to a further embodiment,
• Figure 4 a detailed representation of the fire extinguishing system valve according to yet another embodiment, and
• Figure 5 a detailed representation of the fire extinguishing system valve according to the invention.

In the Figures 1a , b a fire extinguishing system 100 is systematically depicted. The fire extinguishing system 100 has one or more fluid lines 101 on which one or more sprinklers or nozzles 103 are provided. The fire extinguishing system 100 has a valve station with a fire extinguishing system valve 1. The fire extinguishing system valve 1 is preferably designed as a wet alarm valve and has a housing 2 to which a housing cover 3 is reversibly detachably attached. The housing cover 3 is in various embodiments in Figures 2 to 5 shown.

The fire extinguishing system valve 1 has a fluid inlet chamber 8 and a fluid outlet chamber 9, which communicate directly with one another in a release state and cannot communicate directly with one another in a blocked state. How in particular from Figure 1b results, a closing body 4 is responsible for this function, which can be moved back and forth between the blocked state and the released state and, in the blocked state, rests in a fluid-tight manner on a valve seat 4b. An alarm channel 5 is integrated into the housing 2 of the fire extinguishing system valve 1. When the closing body 4 is in the release position, it no longer rests on the valve seat 4b, no longer covers openings therein and thus establishes the fluid-technical connection between the fluid inlet or fluid outlet chamber and the alarm channel 5. The alarm channel 5 continues to the outside of the housing, where an external alarm line can be connected.

Furthermore, the fire extinguishing system valve 1 has a bypass line 10 from the side of the fluid inlet chamber 8 to the side of the fluid outlet chamber 9. In the bypass line 10, bypass shut-off devices 13 are provided on the inlet side and on the outlet side. Furthermore, one or more pressure measuring transducers 6 are arranged in the bypass line 10.

The in Figure 2 The housing cover 3 of the fire extinguishing system valve 1 shown has a throttle element 14 in the bypass line 10. The throttle element 14 is preferably arranged on an outlet 17 which is formed on the side of the fluid inlet chamber 8. Furthermore, the housing cover 3 has in the integrated bypass line 10 a non-return element 15 which has a ball 15a loaded by means of a spring 15b. The non-return element 15 is designed to release the fluid flow through the integrated bypass line 10 from the fluid inlet chamber 8 in the direction of the fluid outlet chamber 9 and to block it in the opposite direction. The fluid-conducting connection to the fluid outlet chamber 9 is formed by a further outlet 17 on the outlet side. The integrated bypass line 10 and the outlets 17 are preferably closed to the outside by means of closure elements 11a, b, c. The outlets 17 and with them the throttle element 14 and the non-return element 15 are accessible from the outside via the closure elements 11a, b, c, which are reversibly detachably connected to the housing cover 3.

In Figure 3 is one for the housing cover of Figure 2 slightly different configuration of the fire extinguishing system valve 1 is shown. The fire extinguishing system valve 1 according to Figure 3 additionally has a flushing connection 18 in the housing cover 3, which can optionally be closed with a further closure element 11d. According to the exemplary embodiment, the outlets 17 are off Figure 3 each pressure transducer 6 connected.

In the integrated bypass line 10, a particle filter 24 is also installed on the side of the fluid inlet chamber 8, which is preferably accessible from the outside through one of the outlets 17 and can be replaced or cleaned. In Figure 4 a slightly different embodiment of the fire extinguishing system valve 1 is again shown.

According to Figure 4 the housing cover 3 has a bypass shut-off element 13 which can be actuated manually from the outside, preferably by means of the handwheel 12. In addition, a drain outlet 20 is provided on the housing cover 3, through which the integrated bypass line 10 can be depressurized or emptied. In operational Alignment of the housing cover 3 on the fire extinguishing system valve 1, the drain outlet 20 is preferably oriented downwards so that any fluid located in the integrated bypass line 10 can flow downwards by means of gravity. The drain outlet 20 can be closed by means of a closure element 11e.

Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the variant of the fire extinguishing system valve 1 according to the invention, which has an alarm channel bypass line 10a, in which a shut-off element 23 is preferably arranged. The fire extinguishing system valve according to this variant can either be the bypass line 10 ( Figures 1 to 4 ) as well as the alarm bypass line 10a, or only the alarm channel bypass line 10a. What all these variants have in common is that a bypass line 10, 10a is integrated into the fire extinguishing system valve 1, either as a housing component embedded in a housing body or as an extension component directly connected to the housing, as it were as a mounting block.

The alarm bypass line 10a is let into an attachment 3a, which the housing cover 3 according to the Figures 1 to 4 , can be a separate housing cover or an attachment block, but in any case is connected to the housing 2 of the fire extinguishing system valve 1 without piping. The alarm channel 5 also extends through the attachment 3a to an outlet 25 to which an external alarm line can be connected.

The shut-off element 23 can optionally be controlled manually or electrically and is set up to selectively release or block the fluid-conducting connection between the integrated bypass line 10a and an alarm channel outlet 21. The alarm channel outlet 21 opens into the alarm channel 5, in which a further non-return element 22 is preferably provided. By actuating the shut-off element 23, the alarm channel 5 can be flooded in a targeted manner via the integrated bypass line 10a in order to be able to trigger a test alarm without having to open the closing body 4a between the fluid inlet chamber 8 and the fluid outlet chamber 9. This is particularly advantageous in the case of active alarm valves, in which this would be associated with a flooding of the pipe network behind the alarm valve.

The channel cross section of the integrated bypass line 10a is preferably selected such that an additional throttle for the throttle element 14 according to FIG Figure 2 is not absolutely necessary.

List of reference symbols:

1

Fire extinguishing system valve

2

casing

3

Housing cover

3a

Attachment

4a

Closing body

4b

Valve seat

5

Alarm channel

6th

Pressure transducer

8th

Fluid entry chamber

9

Fluid exit chamber

10

(first) bypass line

10a

(second) bypass line, alarm bypass line

11a, b, c, d, e

Closure element

12th

Handwheel

13th

Bypass shut-off device

14th

Throttle element

15th

Non-return element

17th

Exit

18th

Flushing connection

19th

Pressure relief outlet

20th

Drain outlet

21

Alarm channel outlet

22nd

Non-return element

23

Shut-off device

24

Particle filter

25th

Alarm channel exit

100

Fire extinguishing system

101

Fluid line

103

Sprinkler or nozzle

Claims (14)

1. A fire extinguishing system valve (1), in particular a wet alarm valve, dry alarm valve or spray water valve, comprising

   - a housing (2, 3) which has a fluid inlet chamber (8), a fluid outlet chamber (9) and a closing body (4a) which is movable to and fro between a blocking state and a release state,

   - wherein, in the release state, the fluid inlet chamber (8) and the fluid outlet chamber (9) communicate with each other directly in a fluid-conducting manner, and, in the blocking state, the closing body (4a) prevents the direct communication between the fluid inlet chamber (8) and the fluid outlet chamber (9),
   wherein a bypass line (10, 10a) which is integrated in the housing is provided, said bypass line being connected to the fluid inlet chamber (8) in a fluid-conducting manner and extending away from there and being connected to the fluid outlet chamber (9) in a fluid-conducting manner,

   - an alarm channel (5) which, at least in the release state of the closing body (4a), is connected to the fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet chamber (8, 9) in a fluid-conducting manner,

   wherein the integrated bypass line (10a) is connected to the fluid inlet chamber (8), to the fluid outlet chamber and to the alarm channel (5), preferably by means of an alarm channel exit (21), in a fluid conducting manner,
   characterized in that the integrated bypass line (10a) has a pressure relief exit (19) which is connected to the surroundings and preferably has a shut-off member, in particular a safety valve or a bursting element.
2. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in claim 1,
   comprising a bypass shut-off device (13) which is movable to and fro between a blocking state and a release state,

   - connects, in the release state, the fluid inlet chamber (8) and the fluid outlet chamber (9) by means of a bypass line (10) in a fluid conducting manner, and

   - separates, in the blocking state, the fluid inlet chamber (8) and the fluid outlet chamber (9).
3. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the housing (2, 3), in particular the fluid inlet chamber (8), the fluid outlet chamber (9) and the closing body (4a), or a valve seat (4b) cooperating with the closing body, define a main volumetric flow between the fluid inlet chamber (8) and the fluid outlet chamber (9) depending on the extinguishing fluid pressure in the fluid inlet chamber, and wherein the integrated bypass line (10) defines a bypass volumetric flow, which is reduced relative to the main volumetric flow, between the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber depending on the extinguishing fluid pressure in the fluid inlet chamber (8).
4. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the integrated bypass line (10) comprises at least one throttle element (14).
5. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the integrated bypass line (10) has at least one nonreturn element (15) which is configured to release a fluid flow towards the fluid outlet chamber (9) and to prevent a fluid flow towards the fluid inlet chamber (8).
6. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the integrated bypass line (10) comprises one or more outlets (17) for the connection of pressure sensors.
7. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the integrated bypass line (10) comprises one or more flushing connections (18) for the connection of a pressurized flushing medium source and introduction of the flushing medium into the integrated bypass line (10).
8. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
   comprising two bypass lines, wherein the bypass line (10) extending from the fluid inlet chamber to the fluid outlet chamber is a first bypass line, and the bypass line (10a) extending from the fluid inlet chamber (8) as far as the alarm channel (5) is a second bypass line (10a).
9. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the alarm channel outlet (21) is designed as part of the pressure relief outlet (19).
10. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the alarm channel (5) is configured for connection to an alarm line, in particular alarm bell line, and wherein a nonreturn element (22) is arranged in the alarm channel (5), said nonreturn element being configured to release a fluid flow towards the alarm line and to prevent a fluid flow in the opposite direction.
11. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
    comprising a shut-off member (23) for selectively releasing or blocking the pressure relief exit (19) and/or the alarm channel exit (21).
12. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the integrated bypass line (10a) comprises a particle filter (24).
13. The fire extinguishing system valve (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the integrated bypass line (10a) is formed in a housing part (3) fastened in a reversibly releasable manner to the housing (2), preferably in a housing cover, particularly preferably in a hand hole cover.
14. A fire extinguishing system (100), in particular sprinkler system, comprising one or more fluid lines (101) in which a fire extinguishing system valve (1) for blocking and releasing the fluid lines (101) is arranged,
    characterized in that the fire extinguishing system valve (1) is designed as claimed in one of the preceding claims.

Images