GB1359857A - Fire extinguishing media release device for automatic sprinkler installations - Google Patents

Abstract

1359857 Automatic sprinkler system release device MATTHEW HALL & CO Ltd 24 May 1972 [24 May 1971] 16752/71 Heading A5A A release device for a single springler head or a plurality of heads comprises a housing adapted to be incorporated in the pipework of the sprinkler installation and formed with a flow passage for the fire extinguishant, a valve member arranged to close the passage, and means for releasably holding the valve member in its closed position comprising a heat sensitive element and an explosively actuated element, the relative positions of the two elements being such that, in use, actuation of either element will release the valve member and permit the flow of the extinguishant. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the housing 1 comprises a spigot 2 having a bore 2a providing the flow passage with the valve member received therein, and a yoke 3 with a deflector plate 4 extending away from the spigot. The means for releasably holding the valve member 7 comprises a pair of spaced platforms 10, 11 engaging respectively the valve member and an adjusting screw 6 positioned in the yoke 3 adjacent the deflector plate 4, a frangible glass bulb 12 extending between the two platforms 10, 11 at a position adjacent one end of the platforms, and a strut 13 operatively associated with an explosive device 15 on one of the platforms, extending between the two platforms at a postiion adjacent the other end of the plaforms. As shown in Fig. 5, the housing 19 is provided with an inlet spigot 20, an outlet boss 25 arranged to communicate with the inlet spigot, and an apertured diaphragm 23 arranged adjacent the inlet spigot and providing a seating for the valve member 24. The housing 19 has a bracket 27 having a first arm 28 and a second arm 29 at right angles thereto supporting the heat sensitive and explosively actuated elements, the second arm having an aperture 32 in which one end of a valve stem 33 attached to the valve member is slidably received. A frusto-conical element 30 having an angled surface 31 lying transversely to the axis of the inlet spigot is positioned in the aperture 32 of the second arm in engagement with the valve stem 33, a first strut 35 extending between 31 and a pivot point 34 on arm 28 and a frangible glass bulb 38 extending between and perpendicular to strut 35 and a second strut 36 which forms the explosively actuated element, strut 36 being supported against a projection 37 formed on the second arm 29 of the bracket. The frangible glass bulb 38 is held at one end in a seating cap 39 positioned in a depression in strut 35 and, at its other end, in a conical cap 40 which engages a dimple in strut 36. A pointed screw 41 is arranged in projection 37 to engage another dimple formed in strut 36, this dimple being offset with respect to the first. An explosive device 42 is supported in projection 37 adjacent second strut 36. The explosive device may be actuated by an inflammable fuse or an electric signal which is responsive to heat, flame, smoke or manual operation.