US1909490A - Actuator for a dry pipe sprinkler system - Google Patents

Description

y 1933- w. s. GRIFFITH 1,909,490

ACTUATOR FOR A DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed March 12, 1931 FIG/.1. 37 39 E W T [4:5

,6 6 :8 J8 "7w 1 25 m /s 3 32 A3 46 6 P826 33 r 34 5 2 23 1 3 fnvenfors Patented May 16, 1933 TATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH, OF AUDUBON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNQR TO STAR SPRINKLER CORPORATION, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF [NEW JERSEY ACTUATOR FOR A DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Application filed March 12, 1931.

My invention relates to an actuator, or exhauster, for sprinkler systems of the automatic dry pipe type, arranged to be connected with distributing pipe of the sprinkler system, such as used for the connection of sprinkler heads, and is arranged to be operated by a sudden increase in temperature upon the occurrence of a fire;

The object of my invention is to provide a device which will actuate upon the occurrence of a fire before the sprinkler heads are actuated, for the purpose of giving an alarm, thus permitting the use of manually operated fire apparatus for extinguishing the fire and avoiding the consequent damage from the discharge of water from the sprinklers; a further object of my invention is to provide llll-lCtlllllOl for exhausting the air pressure from the sprinkler system, thus opening the dry pipe valve and filling the system with water, in place of the air, before the fusing of the sprinkler heads; a further object is to provide a device which may be positioned in a portion of the building where a fire may take place so that the increase of temperature in the room due to the fire will cause differential air pressures within the actuator, which will open an exhaust valvelocated in the actuator, thereby allowing the air pressure from the sprinkler system to be reduced and trip the dry pipe valve, and operate a fire alarm, such as is usually associated with a dry pipe valve and operated to give an alarm when the dry pipe valve opens; a further object is to arrange the exhaust valve within the actuator so that it will automatically close when the air pressure has been exhausted from the system and the pressures equalized within the actuator, and the water takes the place of the air, whereby the closing of the exhaust valve will prevent the water from escaping through the actuator, with the possibility of damage to goods, or machinery, located in the immediate vicinity of the actuator; a still further object is to provide Serial No. 521,944.

an actuator having a pressure chamber and a pressure retaining chamber, the latter being formed of relatively thinner material than the structure forming the pressure chamber, whereby an increase in temperature of the external air adjacent to the actuator will cause a differential pressure within the actuator and operate the same; a still further object of my invent-ion is to provide the actuator with a pipe of thin metal in the form of a coil, which forms a large pressure retaining chamber associated with the actuator. Said coil being so formed that it will occupy a small space and will also permit the actuator to be placed close to the ceiling of a building. These together with various other novel features of construction and arrangements of the parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed, constitute my invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved actuator; and Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters refer to like parts, 5 represents a casing having relatively thick walls, within which is formed the pressure chamber 6. One wall of the casing forms a detachable cover 8, which is provided with an enlarged receptacle having an opening presented towards the pressure chamber 6 and forms a pressure retaining chamber 12, which is separated from the chamber 6 by a movable member or diaphragm 13, secured upon the wall 8 by a guard plate 14 and fastening devices 15. The receptacle 10 is pro: vided with conical walls 16 positioned to form a stop for limiting the upward movement of the diaphragm 13, and said guard plate 14 limits the downward movement of the diaphragm.

The casing 5 is provided with a pipe connection 20 to which may be connected a pipe 21, forming one of the distributing pipes of a dry pipe sprinkler system, which system may be of any well known type. The casing 55 is provided with an exhaust port 22 having a valve seat 23 formed thereon, on which is arranged to seat a valve 25, carried by a lever 26, pivotally mounted on a pin 27, which in turn is mounted upon a bearing 28, secured in a fixed position relatively to the casing 5. The casing is also provided with a removable plug 30, having an inwardly projecting guide post 31 around which loosely fits one end of a tube 33, having its opposite end mounted upon the diaphragm 13. A head 35 is located upon the upper side of the diaphragm and is provided with a threaded portion 36 extending through the center of the diaphragm on which the tube 33 is secured. A collar 32 is secured upon the tube 33 and is arranged to engage one end of the lever 26 for moving the valve away from the valve seat 23 when the diaphragm and the tube are depressed. A spring 34: is located between the plug and the collar 32 for supporting the weight of the tube 33 and the parts associated therewith, thus holding the collar 32 in a normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the weight of the valve 25 will cause the same to normally rest upon the seat 23 and close the exhaust port 22.

The wall or cover 8 is provided with a hollow portion 37 which communicates with the retaining chamber 12 of the receptacle 10. Said portion 37 of the receptacle forms a fitting, or pipe connection 38, to which is attached an extension or pipe 39. Said pipe may be of suflicient length to form a retain- :ing chamber of large capacity. The pipe 39 is arranged in the term of a coil so that it will occupy a small space and the coil is positioned in spaced relation to the casing so that the external air will have free access to the coil.

The extension pipe or coil 39 is formed of relatively thin metal. having a large surface area exposed to the outer atmosphere whereby changes in the temperature in the surrounding atmosphere will be readily conducted through the walls of the pipe 39 to the air confined within the pipe and the receptacle 10 and increase the pressure within the latter.

The heat which is secured upon the dia phragm is provided with a passageway 40, which is reduced to a very small size by means of a nipple 41, thus forming a restricted passageway between the pressure chamber 6 and the retaining chamber 12 through which the pressure may slowly equalize without mov ing the diaphragm. The tube 33 its loosely about the guide post 31, thus forming a free passageway for the air through the tube 33. The upper end of the nipple 41 is surrounded by a perforated strainer 44, which is secured upon the head 35, and may contain filtering material.

A float 46 is located within the tube 33 in which it fits loosely and normally rests upon the top of the post 31. Said float is provided for closing the entrance to the passageway l0 when the chamber 6 is filled with water which lifts the float against the part 36 01 the head in which the passageway is formed, thus preventing water from entering the receptacle located above the diaphragm 13.

The operation of my device is as follows: itiir under pressure is admitted to the chamber 6 of the actuator through the tube 21 0011- nected with the sprinkler system above the dry pipe valve. Air under pressure is main tai within the system including the dis- .a pipes 21 where the sprinkler heads and the actuator are located.

The air prei sure will pass from the chamher 6 through the tube 33 and the restricted pas geway formed in the nipple 41, to the ret ming chamber 12, thus allowing the pressure to equalize in the chamber 6 and in the retaining chamber 12. The diaphragm and the movable parts will assume the position shown in Fig. 1, when the pressures are equal thus allowing the valve 25 to be normally po sitioned upon its seat for closing the exhaust port 22. The actuator is located as closely as possible to the ceiling line of the room in which the actuator is located, so that upon the event of a tire taking place within the room the increase of temperature due to the fire will be conducted through the relatively thin walls or" the extension, or pipe 39, thus increasing the pressure of the air in the pipe and in the retaining chamber 12. This sudden increase of the pressure in the chamber 12 will cause the diaphragm to be flexed downwardly against the guide plate 14., The diaphragm forces the tube 33 downwardly so that the collar 32 will take against the lever 26 and open the valve 25 so that the air pressure from the chamber 6 may be exhausted and also the air pressure from the sprinkler system may be exhausted through the pipe 21 and t 1e chamber 6, and the exhaust port 22. The reduction in the air pressure from the sprinkler system will trip the dry pipe valve and the latter will actuate the fire alarm as-- soeiated with the dry pipe valve. The distributing pipes 21 ot' the sprinkler system will be lilled with water when too air pressure is exhausted through the actuator so that the water will be immediately sup 'ilied to any sprinkler head should the fire cause the opening of the same.

My improved actuator is adapted to be used for gi ving a lire a arm. instead of op rating a sprinkler head whereby great damage might be caused by water from the sprinkler head. Should the lire get beyond control other sprinkler heads will be used and opened, thus distributing water in the usual manner. However the preaction of the actuator sounds an alarm and also causes the system to be filled with water instead of air, for the immediate distribution of water when the springler heads are opened.

I claim 1. An exhaust-er for a dry pipe fire extin guishing, system desi ned to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a movable member positioned between the casing and the receptacle arranged. for sealing said openings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing and the receptacle through which the pressures may slowly equalize, said casing comprising a thick wall structure for insulating said pressure chamber against sudden changes of external temperature in said zone, said receptacle comprising a'relatively thinner structure than said casing through which heat will be readily conducted whereby a sudden increase in the external temperature within said zone will cause a preponderance of air pressure in the receptacle and move the diaphragm, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve positioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and means operatively associated with said member and the valve for opening said port when said member is moved by a preponderance of pressure in the receptacle.

2. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having an opening formed in one wall thereof, afiexible diaphragm positioned between the casing and the receptacle arranged for sealing said open ings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing and the receptacle through which the pressures may slowly equalize, an extension upon said'receptacle forming an enlarged pressure retaining chamber located within said zone and in communication with said receptacle, said extension constructed of relatively thinner material than the casing whereby asudden increase in the external temperature with in said zone will cause a sudden increase of pressure within the receptacle and move the diaphragm, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve positioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and means operatively associated with the diaphragm and the valve for opening said port when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure in the receptacle.

8. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm positioned between the casing and the receptacle arranged for sealing said openings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing and the receptacle through which the pressures slowly equalize, a relatively large extension pipe attached to the receptacle forming an enlarged pressure retaining ehamber located within said zone, said pipe constructed of a relatively thinner wall than the walls forming said casing for freely conducting heat from the atmosphere within said zone to the air within the pipe for moving the diaphragm by a sudden increase of pressure within the pipe and the receptacle, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve positioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and means operatively associated with the diaphragm and the valve for opening said port when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure in the receptacle.

4:. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from lire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device, comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm positioned between the casing and the receptacle arranged for sealing said openings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing and the receptacle through which the pressures may slowly equalize, a relatively large extension pipe having a relatively thinner wall than the walls forming said casing, said pip-e attached to the receptacle and arranged. to form an enlarged chamber in communication with the receptacle, said pipe arranged in a. coil to present a large surface area to the atmosphere within said zone whereby a sudden increase in temperature of the atmosphere within said zone will be conducted to the air within the pipe and increase the pressure therein and move the diaphragm, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve positioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and means operatively associated with the diaphragm and the valve for opening said port when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure in the receptacle.

5. An exhaust-er for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casing forming a pressin'e chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to be connected with the sprinkler system for admitting air under pressure to said chamber, a cover wall having an enlarged portion forming an air receptacle with the open face thereof presented towards the chamber Within the casing, a flexible diaphragm mounted between the cover wall and said casing arranged for separating said receptacle from said chamber, means forming a restricted passageway between the receptacle and the chamber formed within the casing, a relatively large extension pipe connected with the enlarged portion of said cover wall forming an extension chamber in communication with said receptacle, said pipe formed of relatively thinner metal than said casing, said pipe coiled to surround the peripheral portion of the casing having a large surface area exposed to the atmospl'rere within said zone, said coil located in a plane extending parallel with the plane in which the cover wall. is located, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve positioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and means operatively associated with the diaphragm and said valve for moving the valve away from said port when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure within said receptacle.

6. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casing forming apressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a diaphragm positioned upon said wall ar ranged for sealing said opening, a receptacle upon said wall forming a chamber located upon the opposite side of said. diaphragm, said receptacle having a relatively thinner wall than said casing, a tube located within the pressure chamber formed in the casing, a head upon the diaphragm to which one end of said tube is secured, said head having a re stricted aperture formed through the same forming a communication between said tube and the receptacle upon the opposite side of the diaphragm through which the pressure may slowly equalize, a guide post upon the casing embraced by the opposite end of the tube upon which the tube is slidably mounted, said casing having an exhaust port formed thcrem, a valve mounted upon the casing arranged to close said port, and means operatively associated with the tube and the I valve for opening the valve when the (lid phragm and the tube are moved by a preponderance of pressure in the receptacle relatively to the pressure in the pressure chamher.

7. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishin g system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone,

said device comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a diaphragm positioned upon said wall arranged for sealing said opening, a receptacle upon said wall having an open face presented to the diaphragm, said receptacle having a relatively thinner wall than said casing, a tube located within the chamber formed in the casing, said tube mounted upon the dia phragm and movable therewith, said tube having a restricted aperture formed through the same forming a communication between said tube and the receptacle located upon the opposite side of the diaphragm through which aperture the pressure may slowly equalize, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve mounted upon the easing within said chamber arranged for normally closing the exhaust port, a lever upon which said valve is mounted a bearing upon the casing in which the lever is pivoted, and a collar secured upon said tube arranged to engage the lever and move the valve to open said port when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure within said receptacle.

8. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extingnishing system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a diaphragm positioned upon said Wall arranged for sealing said opening, a receptacle upon said wall having an open face presented to the diaphragi'n, said receptacle having a relatively thinner wall than said casing, a tube located within the chamber formed in the casing, said tube mounted upon the diaphragm and movable therewith, said. tube having a restricted aperture formed through the forming a communication between said tube and the receptacle located upon the opposite side of the diaphragm through which aperture the pressures in the receptacle and in the casing may slowly equalize, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve mounted upon the casing within said chamber arranged for normally closing the exhaust port, means operatively associated with the tube and the valve arranged to move the valve and open said port when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure within said receptacle, and a spring located within said chamber between the casing and the diaphragm tending to retard the movement of the latter toward valve opening position.

9. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, said casing having an enlarged portion forming a receptacle, a diaphragm p0- sitioned between the casing and the receptacle by which the latter is separated from the chamber within the casing, said portion of the casing forming said receptacle having a relatively thinner wall than the wall "forming said pressure chamber, a tube located within the chamber of the casing, a head arranged for attaching the upper end of the tube to the diaphragm, said head having a restricted aperture formed therein through which the pressures in the receptacle and in the chamber may slowly equalize, a float located within the tube arranged to close said passageway in the head when the air in the casing is displaced by a liquid, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve positioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and means operatively associated with the valve and the tube for opening the valve when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure in said receptacle relatively to the pressure in said chamber.

10. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device, comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having an opening formed therein located upon said wall, a movable member positioned between the casing and the receptacle arranged for sealing said openings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing and the receptacle through which the pressures may slowly equalize, said receptacle including a pipe of relatively thinner structure than said casing, said pipe formed into a

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