US2025782A

US2025782A - Sprinkler head

Info

Publication number: US2025782A
Application number: US621223A
Authority: US
Inventors: Seat Jay Lawrence
Original assignee: Mergenthaler Linotype GmbH
Current assignee: Mergenthaler Linotype GmbH; Mergenthaler Linotype Co
Priority date: 1932-07-07
Filing date: 1932-07-07
Publication date: 1935-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1952-12-31

Description

. Dec. 31, 1935.

J. L. SE

SPRINKLER H Filed July 1932 Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNlT-ED STATES SPRINKLER HEAD Jay Lawrence Seat,

Fairfield, Comp, assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation of New York Application July 7, 1932, Serial No. 621,223 10 Claims. (01. 169-41) This invention relates to new .and useful improvements in fire extinguishing equipment, and has particular relation to a sprinkler head adapted to be used with an automatic chemical spray system.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system, equipped with a chamber having outlet ports extending through the walls thereof and a valve member adapted when in one position to close the outlet ports and when in another position to open the outlet ports. Normally the valve member is maintained in its port-closing position by a fusible element adapted when subjected to a high temperature, occasioned by the presence of fire, to fuse, whereupon the valve member is urged to port-opening position to permit the escape of fluid from the system to extinguish the fire. The arrangement is such that the valve member, upon the fusing of the fusible element, is urged to port-opening position by the fluid pressure in the sprinkler system. To augment the action of the fluid pressure, the sprinkler head is further equipped with a spring which insures the operation of the sprinkler head upon the fusing of the fusible element.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a fire extinguishing system equipped with sprinkler heads including the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a pressure control switch for maintaining the pressure in the sprinkler system within predetermined limits;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale and showing a sprinkler head in closed position; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the sprinkler head open as when the chemical is being sprayed.

Referring in detail to the drawing a fire extinguishing system in which the invention may be advantageously used is illustrated and includes a supply tank 5 mounted on any suitable support 6 and partially filled with a suitable chemical fire extinguishing material 7, as for example carbon tetrachloride. As clearly shown in Fig. 1 there is a space 8 within the tank above the liquid l and this space is purposely reserved for a head of air. A compressor 9 is provided preferably in relatively close association with the tank, and this compressor may in fact be mounted on a stand Ill which in turn is supported on the tank. Through a pipe H the compressor is in communication with the space 8 and the compressor is used to maintain the chemical 1 under a predetermined pressure.

The compressor 9 is to be driven at the proper time as by an electric motor I2 acting through an endless belt or other power transmitting means It. Liquid 1 is preferably maintained under a pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square inch and to this end means are provided whereby when the pressure within the tank drops below a predetermined minimum the motor i2 is automatically started to operate the compressor and build up the pressure within the tank. On the pressure reaching a predetermined maximum, as for example 70 pounds per square inch, the motor is stopped but is ready to be again started should the pressure drop below the desired minimum. A power supply line is indicated at E4 and has connected with it a line 15 leading to any suitable pressure switch is in communication with the interior of tank 5 as through a pipe line H.

By way of illustration, the pressure switch I6 may include a Bourdon tube Hi communicating with the tank 5 through the pipe I! and having an electrical connection with the power line l5. Normally the switch I6 is open, but when the pressure in the tank falls below the predetermined minimum, the Bourdon tube lfi will coil up until it touches the contact l6 which is conneoted by the lead I8 with one of the wires l9 leading to the motor l2. A return lead l8 between the other wire l9 and the line H: completes the circuit through the motor to drive the compressor. When the pressure in the tank 5 again reaches the desired maximum, the Bourdon tube l6 uncoils, breaking the circuit, and stopping the motor. The power line I4 is also connected with the wires I9 through a normally opened switch 20 One element of the switch is the armature of a relay 2% which is connected to the power leads l4 through the lead 2%, the lead 38, grounded on the system, the

leads

35, 36, and switches on the sprinkler heads later to be described. The switch 20 connecting the leads I4 with the motor I2, is normally opened, but when any of the sprinkler heads are rendered operative, the relay 20 is energized to close the switch 20 to complete the circuit through the motor.

A pipe 2'! is in communication with the lower portion of the interior of the tank 5 and connected with this pipe 2! is an upright pipe or riser 22 from which extend suitable laterals or branches 23 the number of which will of course vary according to the structure to be equipped with the apparatus. Communicating with the pipes 23 are sprinkler heads 24, which form the subject of the instant invention. The number of sprinkler heads may be varied as required and in the normal condition of the system are maintained in closed condition to prevent the escape of fluid therefrom.

Each sprinkler head includes a body 25 having a relatively small opening 25 at its inlet end and then having a relatively large recess or chamber 21 receiving a valve 28 having an inner conical end portion 28a adapted to engage the valve seat 29 when the sprinkler head is closed.

A coil compression spring 33 is arranged within the chamber or recess 21 and this spring normally tends to move the valve 28 to open position or from its position as shown in Fig. 3 to that in which it is shown in Fig. 4. Fusible elements or means 3!.normally serve to maintain the valve on the seat against the action of the spring 38, but when the temperature in the vicinity of a sprinkler head reaches a predetermined degree, as for example Fahrenheit, the elements 33 will fuse or melt and the spring will shift the valve opening the sprinkler head. Any of the lead alloys which fuse at about this temperature can be used for the fusible elements. The body of the sprinkler head is provided with a series of downwardly inclined openings 32 and by comparison of Figs. 3 and 4 it will be apparent that when the valve is in open position the inlet 25 of the sprinkler head will be in communication with the openings or orifices 3?. and chemical supplied to the head will be discharged downwardly and outwardly in the form of a spray.

Carried by each sprinkler head is a combination disc or ring and bushing 33 of insulating material and which disc .or ring and bushing serves to mount a ring 34 of conducting material. The member 33 insulates the ring or member 34 from the sprinkler head. The wire 35 has branches 36 connected with the rings or members 34, and each of said rings or members carries a substantially L-shaped contact arm 31 arranged inspaced relation to a valve 28 when said valve is in closed position but adapted to be engaged by said valve when the valve moves to open position. It will therefore be seen that when a valve of one of the sprinkler heads opens the said valve will connect its branch 36 of the line 35 with the sprinkler head and through the sprinkler head and the pipe line connected therewith a circuit will be completed to the wire 38 grounded on the system, thus energizing the relay 29. The ener gizing of the relay 20 closes the switch 20 to complete a circuit between the supply line l4 and the line l9 to the motor 12 whereby the motor will be energized to drive the compressor. From this it will be seen that should the temperature increase in the vicinity of but one sprinkler head that sprinkler head will open and the motor will be started to drive the compressor to maintain the pressure on the chemical in the tank and the chemical will be sprayed through the open sprinkler head. Should more than one sprinkler head open at the same time or should the sprinkler heads open successivelythe operation will be switch 4! the same, chemical being sprayed from each open sprinkler head.

An audible or other signal 39 may be connected in parallel arrangement with the leads IE to the motor, so that when the switch 28 is closed upon the operation of a sprinkler head, a signal will be given. The signal, of course, may be located at any desired point. Also, a switch 4i may be provided. for manually closing the circuit through

wires

35 and 38 as for the purpose of testing the system. A manually operable relief valve 22 is provided in the pipe line i i which may be used to release the air pressure when starting the motor for test purposes. The motor may be started for this purpose by closing the Also, a pressure gauge G3 is provided, in this line in order that the pressure within the tank 5 may be readily determined. The pipe line 2! is provided with a cut-01f valve 44 in order that communication between the tank and upright 22 may be cut ofi when it is desired to drain the piping system, as through the valve 45. Chemical may be supplied to the tank as through an opening normally closed by a plug 46.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that chemical under pressure is immediately available on the opening of a sprinkler head. This, of course, is due to the arrangement. whereby the motor 12 is started and stopped automatically on the pressure within the tank 5 dropping below a predetermined minimum and reaching a predetermined maximum. Further, it will be understood that immediately on the opening of a sprinkler. head the motor 22 is started independent of switch It whereby the compressor is actuated to build up or maintain the pressure within the tank and whereby the motor will be started irrespective of whether the pressure in the tank is at or below a predetermined minimum. The circuit to the motor is closed by the physical action of valve 28 in its movement to open position and since the valve is projected by the spring 30 and also pressure from the system a good electrical connection will be had. In connection with the engagement of the contact arm 31 by the valve it will be noted that the arrangement is such that the said arm prevents the valve from being projected out of the sprinkler head.

Having thus set forth tion, what I claim is:

1. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system, comprising a valve body having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber at one end, outlet ports for the chamber extending through the wall of the valve body, a valve member within the chamber serving when in one position to close the ports, a fusible element normally holding the valve member in port closing position, and a spring associated with the valve member and arranged to move it to open the ports upon the fusing of the fusible element.

2. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system, comprising a valve body having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber at one end, outlet ports for the chamber extending through the wall of the valve body, a valve member within the chamber serving when in one position to close the ports, a fusible element normally holding the valve member in port closing position, a shoulder on the valve member, and a spring arranged between the shoulder and the inner end of the chamber, serving to actuate the valve to open the ports upon the fusing of the fusible element.

the nature of my inven- 2,026,782 3. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguisher system, comprising a valve body having a. chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber, outlet ports for the chamber extending through the wall of the valve body, means including a valve member adapted when in one position to close the outlet ports and when in another position to open the outlet ports, and a fusible element normally holding the valve opening and closing means in port closing position, said means being so constructed and arranged that the valve member is urged to port opening position by the pressure in the system upon the fusing of the fusible element.

4. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguisher system, comprising a valve body having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber, outlet ports for the chamber extending through the valve body, means including a valve member having limited movement with respect to said valve chamber and adapted when in one position to close the outlet ports and when in another position to open the outlet ports, and a fusible element nor mally holding the valve opening and closing means in port closing position, said means being so constructed and arranged that said valve member is urged to port opening position by the pressure in the system upon the fusing of the fusible element.

5. A sprinkler head in accordance with claim 3, wherein spring means are provided for urging the port opening and closing means to port opening position upon the fusing of the fusible element.

6. A sprinkler head in accordance with claim 4, wherein spring means are provided for urging the port opening and closing means to port opening position upon the fusing of the fusible element.

'7. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguisher mally holding system, comprising a valve body having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber, outlet ports for the chamber extending through the wall of the valve body, a valve member slidably engaging the wall of the valve chamber and adapted when in one position to close said outlet ports and when in another position to open said outlet ports, and a fusible element normally holding the valve member in port closing position, said valve member being constructed and arranged so as to be urged to port opening position by the pressure in the system upon the fusing of the fusible element.

8. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguisher system in accordance with claim '7, wherein spring means are provided arranged to act upon the valve member to urge the same to port opening position upon the fusing of the fusible element.

9. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system, comprising a valve body having a chamber, an inlet opening to the chamber, outlet ports for the chamber extending through the wall of the valve body, means including a valve member movable longitudinally with respect to the valve body and adapted when in one position to close the outlet ports and when in another position to open the outlet ports, and a fusible element northe valve opening and closing means in port-closing position, said means being so constructed and arranged that the valve member is urged to port-opening position upon the fusing of the fusible element.

10. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system in accordance with claim 9, wherein spring means are arranged to act upon the valve member to urge the same longitudinally with respect to the valve body to open the ports upon the fusing of the fusible element.

JAY LAWRENCE SEAT.