GB2271166A

GB2271166A - Fire damper actuators

Info

Publication number: GB2271166A
Application number: GB9319479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kari Kakkonen; Pauli Hernesniemi
Original assignee: Halton Oy
Current assignee: Halton Oy
Priority date: 1992-10-01
Filing date: 1993-09-21
Publication date: 1994-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-21
Also published as: GB2271166B; DE4333409A1; GB9319479D0; FI89676C; FI89676B; FI924431A0

Abstract

A fire damper actuator for turning a damper plate between open and closed positions may be operated manually or by means of a control drive preferably including an electric motor. The control device comprises a transmission mechanism 11, the output member of which is coupled to a spindle 15. In use the electric motor drives the damper plate to its open position, the transmission mechanism being tensioned against the force of a spring (J)(not shown) such that the spring returns the plate to its closed position on loss of electric current in the event of a fire. One end of the spindle 15 is configured to be rotationally fast with the output member of the transmission mechanism and with a shaft 20 of the damper plate. Manual actuation is effected by a key 26 which is pushed against the free end of the spindle 15 to move the end 25 clear of the output member, the key being subsequently turned. <IMAGE>

Description

22701166 Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE DAMPER ACTUATORS The invention

relates to a fire damper actuator and a method in the use of a fire plate.

From prior art is known a fire damper actuator, wherein the system comprises an 10 electric motor, which is fitted to be coupled to a gearing and via the gearing further to a plate turning shaft.

The gearing further includes a spring, by means of whose spring force a rotary resistance is formed to the drive of the electric motor. By means of the electric motor, the control plate is maintained in an open position, when electric current enters the motor. If the electric current is disconnected, the fire plate is transferred into a closed position by means of the spring force, whereby the closing plate closes. the channel.

In the device solutions mentioned above, the rotational moment of the gearing on the outlet shaft is so great that the control plate cannot be turned into a closed or open position by manually turning the turning shaft of the control plate. For ensuring the operational reliability of the device in all conditions, the equipment should be such that the turning shaft of the fire plate may also be turned manually.

It has been discovered in this application to form the fire damper actuator such that the turnina shaft of the closing plate may also be turned manually such that the plate may be closed and opened by turning a turning key.

It has been discovered to form the gearing outlet such that the outlet shaft of the gearing may be released to be turned when using a plate portion/plate portions of the fire plate manually by means of the turning key.

2 In accordance with the invention, a spindle moving on a central runner of a latter gear wheel of the gearing is released in manual operation. The spindle is released by releasing a cotter. The turning key is pushed to the end of the spindle and the spindle is pushed by means of the turning key against a spring force of the spring coupled to the end of the spindle such that one end of the spindle is released from the runner and transfers inside a sleeve portion of the turning shaft of the plate of the fire plate. The shape of the sleeve portion corresponds to the shape of the end of the spindle thus transferred. The sleeve portion and the shaft of the plate connected thereto may then be turned by turning the spindle with the turning key, whereby the plate portion of the fire plate may be opened or closed also manually.

The inventive fire damper actuator is mainly characterized in that the actuator comprises a detachable spindle, which may be transferred off an outlet of a movement transmission mechanism, whereby the spindle, when coupled to a turning shaft of the plate, is manually rotatable such that the plate may be manually brought into a position closing or opening a channel.

The inventive method in the use of a fire plate is mainly characterized in that in the method a spindle turning the plate is released from the outlet of a movement transmission mechanism by transferring the spindle turning the plate away from the outlet of the movement transmission mechanism.

The invention is next described with reference to certain preferred embodiments; of the invention shown in the figures of the drawings, to which the invention is yet not solely intended to be limited.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive fire plate seen from the front in a position, where the plate portion closes a channel.

Fig. 2 shows an inventive gearing as a partial representation, shown in principle.

Fig. 3 shows as an axonometric view an inventive fire damper solution and for 3 illustrating the structural parts, partially as a sectional representation.

Fig. 4 shows driving parts related to a movable spindle when spaced apart from each other. 5 Fig. 5 shows a section I-I of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 shows a section H-II of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows a gearing, when a cotter is placed in position from the direction of an 0 arrow K, of Fig. 5.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive fire plate seen from the front. A fire daniper actuator 10 comprises a movement transmission mechanism 11, preferably a gearing. The gearing 11 joins by its outlet with a turning shaft 20 of a plate 16. By turning a turning key 26 the plate or several plate portions may be brought to a position closing or opening a channel K. Fig. 1 shows one plate solution. It is apparent that the turning shaft 20 may also drive a plate assembly, which is comprised of several co-operative plate portions 16 on top of each other. 20 Fig. 2 shows in principle a movement transmission mechanism 11, preferably a gearing. The gearing 11 comprises an actuator, preferably an electric motor, which is fitted to be coupled to a first gear wheel 13 and via that to a second rotary part 14, preferably a gear wheel. On a central runner 17 of the gear wheel 14 moves a spindle 15. A spring J is coupled to the first gear wheel 13. When the electric motor 12 is driven, the gear wheels 13 and 14 and the spindle 15 related thereto and further a plate 16 are turned into an open position against the spring force of the spring J. When the electric motor 12 is no longer affected, i.e. when the electric current is disconnected e.g. in a fire situation, the plate 16 transfers into a closed 3 0 position and closes the channel K. The spring J then rotates the gear wheels 12, 13 and the spindle 15 into an opposite rotational direction than that rotated by the electric motor 12.

4 The rotary portion 14 is in the embodiment of Fig. 2 specifically a gear wheel.

However, an embodiment is possible within the scope on the invention, in which the rotary portion 14, wherein the runner 17 is located, is only a plate structure, to which the movement transmission mechanism 11, e.g. only a lever, is coupled. The rotary portion 14 may be turned by means of the movement transmission mechanism 11, preferably a lever or a gearing, against the spring force of the spring J, whereby a cotter mechanism prevents the circulation in the other direction and the spring J becomes tensioned. The cotter mechanism may be maintained in position e.a. by means of a heat coil fuse, and in this case, in a fire situation, when the heat coil fuse blows, the cotter mechanism is released and the spring J transfers the movement transmission mechanism 11, preferably in the most simple embodiment the rotary portion 14 by the action of the lever such that the spindle 15 coupled to the runner 17 of the rotary portion rotates the plate 16 into a position closing the channel K.

Fig. 3 shows as an axonometric, representation an inventive control plate structure.

A turning key 26 may be disposed against a first cotter 18 joined to a spindle 15, as a second cotter 19 is removed in a step, in which a plate 16 is manually turned with the turning key 26.

When the turning key 26 is turned, the spindle 15 is pushed in the direction of an arrow L, such that a form piece 25 on the end of the spindle 15 (in the embodiment a square cross-section) is released from a form piece 24 of the end of the runner 17 (in the embodiment a hexagonal-hole surface) and transfers inside a sleeve part 21 of the turning shaft 20. The cross-sectional form of the sleeve part 21 (in the embodiment a square form) corresponds to the cross-sectional form of the form piece of the end of the movable spindle. Thus, when the spindle 15 is transferred in the direction L,, the spindle 15 is released for the effect of the gearing 11. In this case, the turning shaft 20 may be manually rotated into the desired position.

The transfer of the movable spindle 15 in the direction L, occurs against the spring force of the spring 1.3. The spring 23 is located between the end of the form piece and the end 21a of the sleeve part 25. Thus, the transfer of the spindle 15 in the direction L, occurs against the spring force of the spring 23.

Fig. 4 shows the parts of the inventive actuator. The runner 17 comprises at both of its ends a form surface 24 on sides TI and T2 of a cabinet T, which form surface is in this embodiment a hexagonal-hole surface. The movable spindle 15 comprises a form piece 25, whose cross-sectional form is in this embodiment a square and which is fitted to move inside the form surface 24, when simultaneously being locked by means of said form surface 24 into one of the eight alternative angle positions. The purpose of the first cotter 18 is to act as an end stop for a shaft 26a of the turning key 26. The turning key 26 may be disposed around the spindle 15. The cross sectional form of the shallow shaft of the turning key 26 is a square and the end of the shaft 26a has runners 26c for the cotter 18. A second cotter 19 is located adjacent to the first cotter 18, and its purpose is to act as a retainer. Releasing the spindle 15 from the gearing is not possible until after the cotter 19 has been removed. The spindle 15 thus comprises holes 18a and l 9a for the first cotter 18 and the second cotter 19.

According to the figure, the turning shaft 20 of the plate 16 includes a sleeve portion 21, inside which a spring 23 is disposed. The spring 23 is located between a fixed end surface 21a of the sleeve portion and a form piece 25 on the end of the spindle 15.

Fig. 5 shows a section PI of Fig. 3. The figure illustrates the manual utilization of the fire plate. As shown by the arrow Lp the spindle 15 is transferred against the spring force of the spring 23 such that the form piece 25 on the end of the spindle is released from the form surface 24 of the runner 17 and transferred inside the sleeve portion 21 of the turning shaft 20. The spring 23 tends to affect in the direction I^ Fia. 6 shows a section II-II of Fig. 5. The form piece 25 of the spindle 15 comprises a square cross-section, which fits inside the hexagonal-hole surface 24 of the runner 17 and is thus kept in the runner 17 in some eight different alternative positions.

6 Fig. 7 shows a fire damper actuator from the direction of an arrow K, of Fig. 5. It is shown an operational step, in which the cotter 19 is fixed to the spindle 15, whereby the release of the form piece 24 of the spindle 15 from the form surface 24 of the runner 17 is prevented. When the cotter 19 is fixed to the spindle 15, the fire plate is used only by means of the actuator I and the spring J.

7

Claims

1. A fire damper actuator (10) for turning a plate (16) of the fire plate from an open position into a closed position and vice versa, which actuator (10) comprises a movement transmission mechanism (11), which may be manually or preferably by means of an electric motor tensioned against a spring force (J) of a spring such that the spring (J) in a fire situation turns by means of the movement transmission mechanism (11) the plate (16) into a position closing a channel (K) characterized in that the actuator (10) comprises a detachable spindle (15), which may be transferred (arrow L) off an outlet of the movement transmission mechanism (11), whereby the spindle (15), when coupled to a turning shaft (20) of the plate (16), is manually rotatable such that the plate (16) may be manually brought into a position closing or opening a channel.

2. An actuator according to Claim 1, characterized in that a rotary portion (14) of the outlet of the movement transmission mechanism (11) comprises a runner (17), through which a spindle (15) turning the plate (16) is brought and that the spindle (15) comprises a cross-sectional form, which is cooperative with the form surface (24) of the runner (17) and that the spindle may be transferable away from the connection of the form surface (24).

3. An actuator according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the spindle (15) comprises an end piece (25), whose cross-sectional form is cooperative with the form surface (24) of the runner (17), whereby by transferrin the spindle 9 (15), the form piece (25) of the spindle (15) is released from the form surface (24) of the runner (24), and said form piece (25) is transferred inside a sleeve portion (211) of the turning shaft (20) of the plate (16), whose cross-sectional form is cooperative with the cross-sectional form of the form piece (25) and advantageously corresponds to that, whereby by turning the spindle (15) the shaft (20) and thereby 30 the plate (16) are turned, and that inside the shaft (20) of the plate (16) is located a spring (16), and that when transferring the spindle (15) and a form piece (25) on its end inside the sleeve portion (21) of the shaft (20), the spring (23) is pressed, as the 8 spring is then located between an end surface (21a) of the sleeve portion (21) of the shaft (20) and the end of the end piece (25), whereby the spring (23) affects in the direction (L2) and a pushing resistance is thus formed for the spindle (15).

4. An actuator according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the form surface is a hexagonal hole surface and that the crosssectional form of the form piece (25) of the spindle (15) is a square, whereby the spindle may be brought into eight optional positions relative to the fixing of the form surface (24).

5. An actuator according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the spindle (15) comprises receiving holes (18a,18b) for the first cotter (18), whose purpose is to act as a main stop for the turning key (26), and for the second cotter (19), whose purpose is to stop the moving of the spindle (15) (arrow L,) and then act as a retainer.

6. A method in the use of a fire plate, in which method the plate portion (16) of the fire plate is transferred into an open position in the channel (K) manually or by an actuator (12), preferably an electric motor, against the spring force of the spring (1), and in a fire situation the plate portion (16) of the fire plate is turned into a position closing the channel (K) by means of the spring force of the spring ch acterized g ar in that in the method the spindle turning the plate (16) is released from the outlet of the movement transmission mechanism (11) by transferring the spindle (15) away from the outlet of the movement transmission mechanism (11).

7. A method according to the preceding Claim, characterized in that in the method the plate portion (16) of the fire plate is kept in an open position as the actuator (12) is affected and that in the method the plate (16) is turned into a position closing the channel (K), when the actuator (12), preferably an electric motor, is not affected, whereby the turning of the plate (16) occurs by means of the spring force tensioned g by the actuator (12).

8. A method according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that in the method the 9 spindle (15) is released from the movement transmission mechanism (11) by transferring the form piece (25) on the end of the spindle (15) away from the runner (17) of the rotary part (14) of the gearing (11), from its form surface (24), that in the method a plate (16) is moved manually from one end of the spindle (15), as the other end of the spindle is coupled inside a sleeve portion (21) of the turning shaft (2o) of the plate (16) and it is brought away from a form surface (24a) of the runner (17) of a gear wheel (14) of the gearing (11).

9. A method according to any of the Claims 6-8, characterized in that the spindle (15) is released from the crearing (11) by moving the spindle (15) (arrow L,) against 0 a spring (23) inside a sleeve portion (21) of the turning shaft (20) of the plate (16).

10. A method according to any of the Claims 6-9, characterized in that in the method is used such a runner (17), which comprises a form surface (24) having several holes, and that in the method is used such a movable spindle (15), which comprises a form piece (25), which may be locked into some alternative position relative to the form surface (24).

11. A method according to any of the Claims 6- 10, characterized in that before the spindle (15) is released from the form surface (24) of the runner (17), a cotter (19) joined to the spindle (15) is loosened from the spindle (15).

12. A fire damper actuator substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.