US3451482A - Valve arrangement for a sprinkler system and a control valve arrangement - Google Patents

Valve arrangement for a sprinkler system and a control valve arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
US3451482A
US3451482A US618904A US3451482DA US3451482A US 3451482 A US3451482 A US 3451482A US 618904 A US618904 A US 618904A US 3451482D A US3451482D A US 3451482DA US 3451482 A US3451482 A US 3451482A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
valve
pressure
chamber
sprinkler system
control valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US618904A
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English (en)
Inventor
Knud Kjaergaard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GW Sprinkler AS
Original Assignee
GW Sprinkler AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DK105266A external-priority patent/DK116842B/da
Priority claimed from DK628066A external-priority patent/DK122367B/da
Application filed by GW Sprinkler AS filed Critical GW Sprinkler AS
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3451482A publication Critical patent/US3451482A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/12—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid
    • F16K31/126—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid the fluid acting on a diaphragm, bellows, or the like
    • F16K31/1268—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid the fluid acting on a diaphragm, bellows, or the like with a plurality of the diaphragms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C35/00—Permanently-installed equipment
    • A62C35/58—Pipe-line systems
    • A62C35/60—Pipe-line systems wet, i.e. containing extinguishing material even when not in use
    • A62C35/605—Pipe-line systems wet, i.e. containing extinguishing material even when not in use operating and sounding alarm automatically
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/12—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid
    • F16K31/36—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid in which fluid from the circuit is constantly supplied to the fluid motor
    • F16K31/363—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid in which fluid from the circuit is constantly supplied to the fluid motor the fluid acting on a piston

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a valve arrangement for a sprinkler system comprising a supply line for a pressure medium, and it is the object of the invention to provide a valve arrangement which secures smooth operation substantially independent of the normally existing pressure, and by means of which it will be possible to test the system effectively also in cases where the system during non-operation is filled with a gaseous medium and the liquid extinguishing medium is only introduced into the system on the activation thereof.
  • valve arrangement with a main valve and a dual control valve with an intermediate chamber containing a valve body with a valve spindle connected to an operating plunger, said main valve being adapted to be opened by the supplied pressure medium and connected to a plunger in a pressure chamber of larger cross-sectional area than the intermediate chamber of the main valve, whereby the pressure chamber will communicate with the pressure medium supply line as long as the control valve is kept closed by means of the pressure existing in the non-activated sprinkler system, which pressure is applied to the operating plunger of the control valve, and will communicate with the atmosphere when the valve is opened in response to a pressure drop in the sprinkler system.
  • valve system is dependent solely on pressure variations, that is at the moment the pressure in the sprinkler system drops, this pressure drop will immediately cause the operating plunger to move, whereby the control valve will be activated and relieve the pressure in the said pressure chamber so that the pressure medium supplied from the pressure medium source can open the main valve to enter and spread into the sprinkler system.
  • the valve arrangement will operate in this manner no matter whether the system is non-operative periods contains liquid or air. When the system is being tested it will function in exactly the same manner.
  • a preferred embodiment of the valve arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the operating plunger of the dual control valve is coupled to an alarm check-valve to keep this valve closed as long as the operating plunger is subject to the pressure on the non-activated sprinkler system and to open it to provide connection between the pressure medium supply and a pressure sensitive alarm device.
  • the alarm device is activated, and as a result of the concentration of the valve arrangement the alarm will be independent of the normally existing pressure and activated solely by the pressure variations resulting when a sprinkler of the sprinkler 3,451,482 Patented June 24, 1969 "Ice system is activated. Moreover, the alarm will continue in operation independently of the continuance of the pressure variations until interrupted by manual operation.
  • a particularly serviceable construction of the valve arrangement is characterized in that the control valve and the alarm check valve are disposed in coaxial relationship with a chamber therebetween communicating with the pressure medium inlet opening. This means a simplification of the mechanical assembly of the whole valve arrangement.
  • valve arrangement according to the invention may be provided with a bypass valve interposed in the connection between the alarm check valve and the alarm device and so connected with the pressure medium supply line that it can lead the pressure medium direct to the alarm device while simultaneously blocking the connection to the alarm check valve.
  • the invention also relates to a control valve for a valve arrangement of the type defined.
  • a control valve for a valve arrangement of the type defined.
  • Such a control valve is adapted to control the main operating valve of the arrangement and is actuated by the pressure existing in the sprinkler system, so that the pressure drop setting in on the opening of a sprinkler actuates the control valve, which will cause the main operating valve to open to provide access for extinguishing liquid from a pressure tank to the sprinkler system.
  • valve spindle in which the valve spindle is suspended in two membranes, one of which is located in the operating chamber containing the operating plunger while the other is positioned outside the intermediate chamber at the end thereof facing away from operating chamber, the latter membrane forming a wall of a pressure compartment which communicates with the operating chamber through a throttle valve adapted to permit free passage into the pressure compartment and to throttle flow in the opposite direction.
  • valve spindle By forming the valve as defined it has been achieved that the valve spindle will be retained in the inactive position during equal pressure from both ends of the valve spindle, i.e. the same pressure against the outwardly facing surfaces of the two membranes, and minor variations in this pressure will be equalized by the throttle valve without the valve spindle being activated to perform an axial movement.
  • the invention has achieved a particularly fast operation of the valve, because the pressurized extinguishing liquid will pass through the blocking valve as soon as this valve opens a little and thus exercise pressure against the surface of the membrane facing the intermediate chamber, and the pressure of the extinguishing liquid will contribute to rapidly completing the axial displacement of the valve spindle and thereby the complete change-over, so that the pressure from the main operating valve through the intermediate chamber will be relieved.
  • the extinguishing liquid may trickle out through the said throttle duct and by shutting off the liquid supply the valve spindle can be immediately returned to its starting position, and the valve arrangement will then be ready to control the recoupled sprinkler system in which all sprinklers are closed.
  • control valve according to the invention may further have disc-shaped membranes which in the inactivated position are slightly curved towards the said pressure chamber, whereby an effective force for urging the valve spindle towards the normal inactive position has been provided.
  • valve spindle When a control valve of this type is used in a sprinkler system containing liquid in the sprinkler system itself it may be difficult, when the system is inoperative, to cause the valve spindle to react immediately on the occurrence of a pressure drop in the sprinkler system, because the liquid is non-compressible, and it may therefore be expedient to form the pressure chamber as an expansion or to connect it with an expansion chamher.
  • FIG. 1 presents a vertical section through a preferred embodiment of a valve arrangement for a sprinkler sys tem according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows schematically a control valve according to the invention coupled to a valve arrangement for a sprinkler system.
  • FIG. 1 shows a valve arrangement comprising a supply line 1 for an extinguishing medium, preferably water.
  • a valve 2 leading to a delivery pipe 3 adapted for connection to the sprinkler system.
  • the valve 2 is mounted on a valve spindle 4 which is connected on the other side of the delivery pipe 3 to a plunger 5 disposed in a pressure chamber 6.
  • the valve system moreover comprises a control valve 7 having a valve body 8 disposed in an intermediate chamber 9.
  • the valve body 8 cooperates with two valve seats, 10 and 11 respectively, one at each side of the intermediate chamber 9, and is mounted on a valve spindle 12 provided at the bottom with a guide member 16 which is sealed relatively to a casing 15, and which supports a spring 14 also disposed within the casing and urging the valve body 8 against the valve seat 10.
  • the pressure of the spring may be adjusted by means of a screw 13a whereby the position of a thrust pad 13 may be changed.
  • the intermediate chamber 9 communicates with the pressure compartment '6 through a pipe line 17, and above the valve seat 10 there is a further chamber 18 communicating through a pipe line 19 with a supply line 1 for the extinguishing medium.
  • a further valve body 20 cooperating with a valve seat 21 and disposed within an upper chamber 22, in which also an operating plunger 23 mounted on the valve spindle is located.
  • a discharge pipe 25 leading through a three-way valve 26 to a connecting branch 27 for the pipe of a pressure sensitive alarm device.
  • To the three-way valve 26 is further connected a pipe line 28 leading to the pipe 19 and thereby to the supply line 1 for the extinguishing medium.
  • the delivery pipe 3 has a branching 31 leading to a three-way cock 32 which is connected both to a compressed air pipe 33 and to an air escape branch 34.
  • the pipe line 31 is further connected with a branching 35 leading to a four-way cock 36 which is further connected with a pipe line 37 leading to the extinguishing medium supply 1, to a discharge branch 38 and to a pipe line 39, in which a throttling device 40 and a one-way valve 41 are inserted, permitting passage only away from the four-way valve 36.
  • the control valve 7 is provided below the valve seat 11 with a lower chamber 42 connected with a discharge pipe 43.
  • the pipe 25 has a branching 44 serving as discharge pipe and comprising a throttling device 45.
  • the extinguishing medium supplied from the pipe line 1 is led through the pipe line 19 to the chamber 18 and cturther into the intermediate chamber 9 and through the pipe line 17 to the pressure chamber 6, where it acts upon the plunger 5 having a larger cross sectional area than the valve 2, the closure will be effective independently of the absolute pressure in the extinguishing medium, and the closure will also be independent of the pressure in the delivery pipe 3.
  • the spring 14 will retain the valve spindle 12 in the raised position and thereby also the valve 2 will be kept open, while pressure fluid, i.e. extinguishing liquid, Will be led from the chamber 18, past the valve body 20 land into the upper chamber 22, from which it will flow into the line 25 through the three-way valve 26 to the pipe line 27 so that a pressure sensitive alarm device connected to that line will be activated and maintained activated until it is cut off by manual operation.
  • pressure fluid i.e. extinguishing liquid
  • valve spindle 12 When the system has been put into operation, either for testing or for extinguishing a fire, and is to be retumed to the inoperative position, the valve spindle 12 must be pulled downwards; this is done by means of the screw spindle 29, which is operated by means of the handle 30. Moreover, the four-way valve 36 must be turned to permit the liquid in the delivery pipe 3 and the connected springler system to run oil through the branch 38. The liquid in the pipe 25 and the three-way valve 26 and pipe 27 will be able to flow out through the throttle valve 45 and pipe 44.
  • valve 32 may be turned to permit compressed air to reenter the delivery pipe 3, the [four-way valve 36 being first turned into the position indicated, and the valve arrangement will then be restored to function as initially explained, ie as fire alarm, and the spring'ler installation will be filled with air throughout.
  • the three-way valve 26, moreover, may be adjusted to provide connection between the branch 27 and the pipe 28, whereby extinguishing medium may flow direct to the alarm device independently of the valve arrangement so that the alarm device may be tested without engaging the sprinkler system.
  • FIG. 2 shows a feed branch 101 'for pressurized extinguishing liquid and this branch can be shutoff by means of a valve body 102, which by axial displacement provides connection between the feed branch 101 and a delivery pipe 103 connected to the sprinkler system.
  • the valve 102 is mounted on a valve spindle 104 supporting a piston 105 disposed within a chamber 106, and this chamber communicates through a pipe line 107 with an intermediate chamber 108 in a control valve 109 according to the invention.
  • valve body 110 is mounted on the valve spindle 111, which is supported at either end by a membrane 112 and 113 respectively, both of which are clamped to the valve spindle by means of a pair of retaining discs, 114 and 115 respectively.
  • the valve spindle 111 further supports a valve body 116, which in the position indicated blocks passage between a chamber 117 below the membrane 112 and a chamber 118 disposed below chamber 117 and connected through a pipe line 119 with the pipe branch 101.
  • the delivery pipe 103 moreover communicates through a pipe line 120 with an operating chamber 121 in which the membrane 112 is mounted and from which a pipe line 122 leads through a throttle valve 123 to a pressure compartment 124, one wall of which is formed by the membrane 113.
  • the throttle valve comprises a valve body 126 actuated by a light spring 125 and so positioned that it closes the valve in response to the pressure in the pressure compartment 124; the throttle valve also comprises a bypass 127, 128, in which is inserted a throttling member 129 adjustable by means of a screw 130.
  • a pressure medium may flow unobstructed towards the pressure chamber 124 because the valve body 126 is readily displaced from its seat against the pressure of the spring 125, whereas the pressure medium can flow in the opposite direction only through the bypass 127, 128, past the throttling member 129, and the flow speed will thus be determine-d by the setting of the screw 130.
  • the valve body 110 is provided with a packing 131 which is slidable in a cylindrical bore 132 and which in the axial upward displacement of the valve spindle 111 will slide out of the bore to provide passage from the chamber 106 through the pipe line 107 and the intermediate chamber 108 to a chamber 133 located below the inter-mediate chamber 108 and communicating through a duct 134 with the atmosphere.
  • the valve body is further provided with an upwardly facing packing 135 which cooperates with a valve seat 136 and thereby blocks access from the intermediate chamber 108 to the chamber 118 which communicates through the pipe line 119 with the pipe branch 101.
  • valve body 116 On the upward displacement of the valve spindle 111 the valve body 116 will slide away from the packing 137, which in the position indicated encloses the valve body 116. This enables the pressurized extinguishing liquid to flow upwards into the chamber 117, from which it can be led away but slowly through a longitudinal duct 138 communicating through a throttle duct 139 with the chamber 133 and the air escape pipe 134.
  • the two membranes 112 and 113 are of a slightly curved disc shape, and in response to a pressure in the chamber 124 the membrane 113 will be curved slightly backwards from this chamber and kept under a certain tension, while the chamber 133 will communicate with the chamber 140 located above the membrane 113 to provide communication from this space to the open air.
  • the chamber 121 may be provided with a compression spring 141 acting upon the clamping discs 114 and thereby on the valve spindle 111.
  • the pressure compartment 124 communicates through an opening 142 with an expansion chamber 143 containing a plunger 144 which is urged towards the opening 142 by means of a strong spring 145.
  • a sprinkler system a supply system for supplying a pressure medium, a normally closed main supply valve connecting said supply system to said sprinkler system, a pressure chamber having a piston therein for operating said supply valve, a control valve having a closed position wherein it elfects communication between said pressure chamber and said supply line, said control valve also having an open position wherein it efiects communication between said pressure chamber and atmosphere, and an operating chamber communicating with said sprinkler system and having an operating piston which efiects operation of said control valve, said operating piston maintaining said control valve closed when said sprinkler system is non-activated and pressurized, said operating piston maintaining said control valve open when a pressure drop occurs in said sprinkler system.
  • a sprinkler system for supplying a pressure medium
  • a main supply valve connecting said supply system to said sprinkler system
  • said supply valve comprising a normally closed supply valve body which is adapted to be moved during opening in the flow direction of said medium, a pressure chamber having a piston therein which is connected to said supply valve body
  • a control valve comprising a chamber communicating with said pressure chamber and further comprising a control valve body, said control valve body having a closed position wherein it efiects communication between said pressure chamber and said supply line, said control valve body having an open position wherein it effects communication between said pressure chamber and atmosphere, and an operating chamber communicating with said sprinkler system and having an operating piston which effects operation of said control valve body, said operating piston maintaining said control valve body in closed position when said sprinkler system is non-activated and pressurized, said operating piston maintaining said control valve body in open position when a pressure drop occurs in said sprinkler system.
  • control valve body and the alarm check valve body are disposed in co-axial relationship, defining between them a chamber communicating with the supply system.
  • a sprinkler system for supplying a pressure medium
  • a main supply. valve connecting said supply system to said sprinkler system, said supply valve comprising a normally closed supply valve body which is adapted to be moved during opening in the flow direction of said medium, a pressure chamber having a piston therein which is connected to said supply valve body, a control valve comprising an intermediate chamber communicating with said pressure chamber and further comprising a spindle to which two diaphragms are attached, an operating chamber communicating with said sprinkler system and having an operating piston which etfects operation of said spindle, said control valve when closed by pressure on said operating piston from said non-activated sprinkler system effecting communication between said pressure chamber and said supply system, said control valve when open in response to a pressure drop in said sprinkler system pro: viding communication between the pressure chamber and atmosphere, and a pressure compartment communicating with said operating chamber through a one-way throttle valve which is adapted to permit free flow into said pressure compartment but which throttles flow in the opposite direction, one of said dia
  • valve spindle is provided with a blocking valve body which together with the dual valve body are so arranged that displacement of the valve spindle away from the said pressure compartment causes the blocking valve to open before the control valve opens for passage from the intermediate chamber to the open air, and that from the section of the operating chamber at the side of the diaphragm facing the intermediate chamber a throttle duct leads to the open air.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Fluid-Driven Valves (AREA)
US618904A 1966-03-01 1967-02-27 Valve arrangement for a sprinkler system and a control valve arrangement Expired - Lifetime US3451482A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK105266A DK116842B (da) 1966-03-01 1966-03-01 Ventilarrangement til sprinkleranlæg.
DK628066A DK122367B (da) 1966-12-05 1966-12-05 Styreventil til et ventilarrangement for et sprinkleranlæg.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3451482A true US3451482A (en) 1969-06-24

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US618904A Expired - Lifetime US3451482A (en) 1966-03-01 1967-02-27 Valve arrangement for a sprinkler system and a control valve arrangement

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3451482A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1708087A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FI (1) FI42801B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1173088A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL6703303A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO121308B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE324107B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110253395A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2011-10-20 Long Robert A Non-Differential Dry Pipe Valve and Fire Suppression System and Method Thereof
US10589139B2 (en) 2016-08-11 2020-03-17 Victaulic Company Modular valve assembly
US11402028B2 (en) 2018-03-29 2022-08-02 Victaulic Company Combination control and check valve assembly for a wet piping system
US11517779B2 (en) 2017-01-06 2022-12-06 Victaulic Company Control valve assembly with test, drain and adjustable pressure relief valve
US11781658B2 (en) 2019-09-20 2023-10-10 Victaulic Company Ball valve assembly

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US480747A (en) * 1892-08-16 Sprinkler system

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US480747A (en) * 1892-08-16 Sprinkler system

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110253395A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2011-10-20 Long Robert A Non-Differential Dry Pipe Valve and Fire Suppression System and Method Thereof
US10589139B2 (en) 2016-08-11 2020-03-17 Victaulic Company Modular valve assembly
US10596401B2 (en) 2016-08-11 2020-03-24 Victaulic Company Modular valve assembly
US10912964B2 (en) 2016-08-11 2021-02-09 Victaulic Company Modular valve assembly
US11439855B2 (en) 2016-08-11 2022-09-13 Victaulic Company Modular valve assembly
US11826591B2 (en) 2016-08-11 2023-11-28 Victaulic Company Modular valve assembly
US11517779B2 (en) 2017-01-06 2022-12-06 Victaulic Company Control valve assembly with test, drain and adjustable pressure relief valve
US11402028B2 (en) 2018-03-29 2022-08-02 Victaulic Company Combination control and check valve assembly for a wet piping system
US11781658B2 (en) 2019-09-20 2023-10-10 Victaulic Company Ball valve assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI42801B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-06-30
NL6703303A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1967-09-04
SE324107B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-05-19
DE1708087A1 (de) 1971-02-25
GB1173088A (en) 1969-12-03
NO121308B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-02-08

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