A combination control and check valve assembly for a wet piping system includes a control valve in the form of a ball valve and a one-way check valve mounted within the flow pathway of the ball valve. A valve actuation assembly is mounted to the valve assembly to selectively rotate the ball valve between the open and closed positions thereof. The valve actuation assembly is mounted to a first side of the valve assembly and rotationally fixed to the ball, whereby rotation of the valve actuation assembly rotates the ball between the open and closed positions. A side opening is formed in a second side of the valve assembly that is angularly spaced from the first side. The side opening is positioned to align with the fluid flow pathway of the ball valve in the closed position thereof to provide access to the check valve.
F16K 1/00 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces
F16K 15/04 - Check valves with guided rigid valve members shaped as balls
F16K 15/18 - Check valves with actuating mechanismCombined check valves and actuated valves
F16K 31/12 - Operating meansReleasing devices actuated by fluid
A62C 35/68 - Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems
2.
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR SLOPED COMBUSTIBLE CONCEALED SPACES
A fire protection system is provided for a space having a pitched roof constructed of structural members extending from a ridgeline to an eave, with respective channels therebetween. A first row of sprinklers is mounted to a first branch line extending generally parallel to the ridgeline. Each sprinkler is positioned within a respective channel, with consecutive sprinklers spaced apart having no less than one, and no more than five, channels therebetween. A second row of sprinklers, downslope from the first row, is mounted to a second branch line extending generally parallel to the first branch line. Each sprinkler thereof is positioned within a respective channel, with consecutive second row sprinklers spaced apart as in the first row. Each second row sprinkler is also placed within a different channel from each first row sprinkler. A farthest number of channels between a first row sprinkler and a second row sprinkler is three.
A supervisory-fluid-adjusted friction-loss coefficient based fire suppression sprinkler system has an array of pipes in fluid communication with an arrangement of sprinklers. A supervisory fluid sub-assembly is fluid communication with the array of pipes. The supervisory fluid sub-assembly provides a supervisory fluid other than air to the array. A diameter of each respective pipe of the array is determined by a friction-loss formula having a friction-loss coefficient representing a metric corresponding to a corrosion-induced internal surface roughness of each respective pipe of the array The friction-loss coefficient is determined by empirical testing of a representative pipe of the array in accordance with a nationally recognized testing procedure.
A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.
A62C 37/42 - Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device by both sensor and actuator, e.g. valve, being in the danger zone with mechanical connection between sensor and actuator, e.g. rods, levers
A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component with a distal base, a distal movable member, a proximal base, a proximal movable member, and a bias member biasing the proximal movable member from a preactivation position to an activated position located proximally of the preactivation position. A thermally responsive element is retained by the distal base, loses structural integrity under occurrence of a predetermined thermodynamic condition, and thereby allows the distal movable member to move from a preactivation position to an activated position with respect to the distal base. A flexible connector connects the proximal movable member to the distal movable member. Upon the loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element, a biasing force from the bias member causes a movement of the proximal movable member from the preactivation position to the activated position.
A62C 37/11 - Releasing means, e.g. electrically released heat-sensitive
A62C 35/62 - Pipe-line systems dry, i.e. empty of extinguishing material when not in use
A62C 35/68 - Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems
A62C 37/08 - Control of fire-fighting equipment comprising an outlet device containing a sensor, or itself being the sensor, i.e. self-contained sprinklers
A62C 37/14 - Releasing means, e.g. electrically released heat-sensitive with frangible vessels
6.
PILOT ACTUATOR FOR DELUGE AND PRE-ACTION FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
A pilot actuator for activating a deluge or pre-action fire suppression system when pressure in a pilot line drops is disclosed. Aspects comprise utilizing an opening spring to bias the pilot pressure operating point, resulting in faster activation, large pilot sensing area to control fluid sealing area ratio, for higher reliability and reduced actuation slope, and acceleration surfaces about opposing surfaces about the sealing port. Actuators embodying one or more of the above features are considered. Deluge or pre-action firefighting systems utilizing one or more of the aspects described above, and methods for activation of such firefighting systems are also disclosed.
A pilot actuator for actuating a dry-pipe type fire suppression system when pressure in a pilot line drops is disclosed. Aspects comprise large pilot sensing area to control fluid sealing area ratio, for higher reliability and reduced actuation slope. Also disclosed are optional acceleration surfaces about the opposing surfaces about the pilot actuator sealing port and utilizing a spring for biasing the pilot operating point pressure allowing higher operating pilot pressure, resulting in faster actuation,. Actuators embodying one or more of the above features are considered. Dry-pipe type firefighting systems utilizing one or more of the aspects described above, and methods for actuation of such firefighting systems are also disclosed.
A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
A62C 35/68 - Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems
F16K 15/03 - Check valves with guided rigid valve members with a hinged closure member
10.
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ATTIC/COMBUSTIBLE CONCEALED SPACES BENEATH PITCHED ROOFS USING PREACTION SPRINKLER VALVE ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED DRY SPRINKLER DEVICES
A sprinkler system protects a combustible concealed space between a floor and a sloped roof above and includes a water supply line connected with a valve having a body and a passageway connecting an inlet and an outlet. A seal member is located and supported in a body along the passageway to block and open the passageway. A water discharge device is connected by piping with the outlet and installed in the concealed space at a location remote from the valve to spray water onto the floor. A thermal activation component includes a thermally responsive element installed at a location in the concealed space remote from the valve and the water discharge device. A flexible connector mechanically connects the thermal activation component and the valve and initiates movement of the seal member in response to a physical change in the thermally responsive element due to heating thereof.
A62C 35/60 - Pipe-line systems wet, i.e. containing extinguishing material even when not in use
A62C 35/68 - Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems
A62C 37/38 - Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device by both sensor and actuator, e.g. valve, being in the danger zone
11.
VALVE FOR FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF CONTROL THEREFORE
A valve for control of fluid flow in a fire protection system, having a body forming a fluid path between an inlet and an outlet connected via a seat, and a clapper with a bottom sealing surface and a top with a latch abutment portion. The valve further comprises an arm coupled to the valve body about a hinge point and having a closure end with an optional roller or ball. The arm is movable to engage the clapper and maintain the clapper closed, or to disengage and allow the clapper to open. The arm is disposed such that the opening force on the clapper is transferred primarily directly to the body, providing large closing force against the clapper, requires relatively small force to dislodge the arm, and in many embodiments substantially isolates the closing force from the force required to dislodge the arm.
A control valve assembly includes a valve body having inlet and outlet ends, and an endless valve seat therebetween. A clapper disk is pivotably mounted within the valve body, and is pivotable between a sealingly closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the clapper disk. A U-shaped arm is rotatably supported in the valve body, and rotatable between a first position, wherein a bight of the U-shaped arm is positioned out of an operational range of movement of the clapper disk such that the clapper disk is freely movable between the open and closed positions thereof, and a second position, wherein the bight of the U-shaped arm engages and maintains the clapper disk in the sealingly closed position thereof. A selectively rotatable control arm operatively coupled with the U-shaped arm and utilized to move the U-shaped arm between the first and second positions thereof.
A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.
A62C 37/42 - Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device by both sensor and actuator, e.g. valve, being in the danger zone with mechanical connection between sensor and actuator, e.g. rods, levers
A62C 3/00 - Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
A62C 35/62 - Pipe-line systems dry, i.e. empty of extinguishing material when not in use
A62C 37/11 - Releasing means, e.g. electrically released heat-sensitive
patents
