CA2133957C - Quick response sprinkler head - Google Patents
Quick response sprinkler head Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2133957C CA2133957C CA002133957A CA2133957A CA2133957C CA 2133957 C CA2133957 C CA 2133957C CA 002133957 A CA002133957 A CA 002133957A CA 2133957 A CA2133957 A CA 2133957A CA 2133957 C CA2133957 C CA 2133957C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- release
- release means
- fire
- temperature
- heating
- 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 - Fee Related
Links
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 title description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000003708 ampul Substances 0.000 abstract description 15
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000614 poison Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000007096 poisonous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to fire fighting equipment, comprising a release means, e.g, a glass ampoule or a fuse, arranged to be activated at a predetermined temperature. The object of the invention is to provide new fire fighting equipment which is released faster than earlier known designs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical wire of memory metal is laid around the release means and at a predetermined temperature the wire of memory metal, by changing its shape, closes an electric circuit and thereby ads as a heating coil to effect a fast release action.
Description
WO 93/21998 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/F193/00164 Quick response sprinkler head.
The present invention relates to fire fighting equipment comprising a release means arranged to be activated at a predetermined temperature. The release means may be e.g. a glass ampoule or a fuse, which breaks or melts, respectively, at a predetermined temperature and thereby releases, i.e. activates a spray head to spray extinguishing liquid.
The nominal release temperature may be e.g.
about 70C: Usual release elements are, however, heated up to the.release temperature rather slowly; at a fire e.g. in a hotel room or in a ship cabin the temperature in the room has time to rise to even some 300C - 400C before release takes place, in conventional sprinkler installations.
Recent so-called fast response sprinklers are in similar situations capable of release at a temperature of about 200C - 250C. As a measure of the release rate is generally used a so-called Response Time Index (RTI). Conventional sprinklers have a Response Time Index of about 300, the "fast" sprinklers mentioned f above have a Response Time Index of about 50.
w:
The object of the present invention is to provide new fire fighting equipment which is released considerably faster than earlier known designs.
The fire fighting equipment according to the invention is mainly characterized in that immediately close to the release means is provided an element of memory metal arranged to at a predetermined temperature, by changing shape, close an electric circuit for heating the memory metal element, and thereby the release means, in order to effect a fast release action.
The element of memory metal is preferably made as a wire helically laid around the release means.
' ~ 2 _,., t The memory metal can preferably be a NiTi-alloy with a memory temperature of about 70C.
The wire of memory metal has the property to at a certain predeterminable temperature take a previously "taught" shape; at~lower temperatures the wire can be deformed practically at will without mentionable mechaniaai resistance.
Thus, a helical spring can be made to "remember"
a certain length at a temperature of about 70C, 1D whereafter the spring at e.g. room temperature can be compressed to another length which remains until the temperature of the spring rises to the memory temperature, whereat the spring returns to its "taught" length. , 15 In the present invention this property is utilized for closing an electric airauit at a predetermined raised temperature, preferably by making contact to suitable metal parts of a sprinkler included in the electric circuit.
The wire of memory metal can be made thin, with a diameter of e.g. 0.3 mm, whersby it is rapidly heated by surrounding hot smoke gases. When a conducting connection has been established, the memory metal wire is immediately heated up and conveys its 25 heat to the release means formed e.g. by a oonventional glass ampoule which is broken in about two seconds.
' Thanks to the invention, a Resgonse Time Index ' of less than 10 can be achieved, which in the fire 30 situations earlier referred to results in extinguish release already at a temperature lass than 100C.
This means that tires can be fought already in their initial stage and the generation of poisonous smoke gases can be decisively restricted.
2a In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided fire-fighting equipment comprising a release means arranged to be activated at a predetermined release temperature, and an element of 5 memory metal immediately close to the release means and arranged to change shape at a predetermined memory temperature to close an electric circuit for heating the memory metal element and, thereby, the release means to the release temperature, whereby to effect a fast release 10 action.
In the following the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings which, by way 213~9~'~
of example, shows a preferred embodiment.
Figure 1 shows a section of a sprinkler with a helical spring of memory metal around the release means, at normal temperature.
.
Figure 2 shows an initial stage at a raised temperature.
Figure 3 shows the sprinkler in activated state.
In the drawing, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a sprinkler the housing of which is indicated by 2. The sprinkler has a liquid inlet 3 and a number of nozzles 4. ' In a central bore in the housing 2, starting from the inlet 3, is arranged a spindle S which under the influence of a spring 6 supported by a shoulder in . 15 the housing 2 is pressed against a release means 7, e.g. a conventional glass ampoule.
At normal temperature the ampoule 7 withstands the mechanical load exerted by the spring 6 through the spindle 5, whereat the upper end (in the drawing) of the spindle closes connection from the inlet 3 to the nozzles 4, as shown in figure 1.
At a raised temperature, generally about 70C, the ampoule 7 is demolished and allows the spring 6 to axially push the spindle to the position shown in figure 3, with open connection from the liquid inlet 3 to the nozzles 4.
Around the ampoule 7 is laid a spiral 8 of memory metal. At normal temperature, figure 1, the spiral 8 is compressed, whereat there is a gap of e.g 2-5 mm between the upper end (in the drawing) of the spiral 8 and the adjacent lower end of the spindle 5.
The lower end of the spiral 8 is in contact with an electrically conducting support 9 for the ampoule 7, said support 9 being connected to one terminal 10 of an electric circuit having a voltage of preferably about 24 Volt. The second terminal 11 of the circuit is connected to the housing 2 of the sprinkler 1. An insulation piece 12 is provided between the support 9 and a usually metallic casing 13 surrounding the ampoule 7 and having a number of apertures 14.
5 If a fire breaks out within the area monitored by the sprinkler, the spiral 8 is rapidly heated by surrounding smoke gases and upon reaching the memory temperature, e.g, about 70°C, the spiral 8 immediately straightens out to a preset, "taught" length which is so 10 chosen that the spiral 8 is pressed into contact against the adjacent end of the spindle 5 thus closing the electric circuit 10 - 9 - 8 - 5 - (6) - 2 - 11, figure 2.
The spiral 8 now acts as a heating coil and rapidly heats the ampoule 7 to release temperature. A current of about 15 one ampere through the spiral 8 is capable of releasing the ampoule 7 in about two seconds. At normal temperature the spiral 8 need not be in contact with the support 9; there can be a gap between. A wire of a NiTi-alloy and having a diameter of e.g. 0.3 mm is of 20 advantage in that it has a favourable electric resistance; those parts of the spray head which are included in the electric circuit have practically no resistance.
The drawing shows a sprinkler intended for a high 25 operating pressure and with nozzles arranged in such a way, that they can produce a continuous fog spray with a good penetration power, preferably as presented in the international patent applications PCT/FI92/00060, (i.e.
WO 92/15370, published September 17, 1992 and 30 PCT/FI92/00155 (i.e. WO 92/20453, published November 26, 1992), respectively, but the invention can naturally be used for other types of sprinklers, as well as for other temperature activating elements.
As will appear from the drawing, the sprinkler 1 35 preferably comprises a spindle structure with an axially movable spindle 5 loaded by a spring 6 against the release ampoule 7 and having an axial channel 20 WO 93/21998 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~r PCT/FI93/00164 . 5 ' . leading to an annular chamber 21 with an end face 22 which balances the liquid pressure force acting through the inlet 3 on the spindle end; the end face 22 has an area equal to the one of the spindle end at the inlet 3.
In f figure 1, the sprinkler is inactive, i . a .
the ampoule 7 is intact and there is no connection from the inlet 3 to the nozzles 4. In figure 3, the ampoule 7 has been broken, the spring 6 has pressed the spindle 5 downwards to make free a connection from the inlet 3 to respective side channels leading to the nozzles 4.
When the release means is an ampoule like the one shown in the drawing, a surrounding sgiral is preferable, but if the release means is e.g. a fuse intended to melt the element of memory metal may be of another shape suitable for each case, respectively.
An additional advantage of the equipment according to the invention is that it can be used as a heat detector e.g. for fire alarm. As the electric circuit closes, an electric signal can conveniently be obtained for that purpose. Separate heat detectors are no longer necessary.
Rl~'.. '.
The present invention relates to fire fighting equipment comprising a release means arranged to be activated at a predetermined temperature. The release means may be e.g. a glass ampoule or a fuse, which breaks or melts, respectively, at a predetermined temperature and thereby releases, i.e. activates a spray head to spray extinguishing liquid.
The nominal release temperature may be e.g.
about 70C: Usual release elements are, however, heated up to the.release temperature rather slowly; at a fire e.g. in a hotel room or in a ship cabin the temperature in the room has time to rise to even some 300C - 400C before release takes place, in conventional sprinkler installations.
Recent so-called fast response sprinklers are in similar situations capable of release at a temperature of about 200C - 250C. As a measure of the release rate is generally used a so-called Response Time Index (RTI). Conventional sprinklers have a Response Time Index of about 300, the "fast" sprinklers mentioned f above have a Response Time Index of about 50.
w:
The object of the present invention is to provide new fire fighting equipment which is released considerably faster than earlier known designs.
The fire fighting equipment according to the invention is mainly characterized in that immediately close to the release means is provided an element of memory metal arranged to at a predetermined temperature, by changing shape, close an electric circuit for heating the memory metal element, and thereby the release means, in order to effect a fast release action.
The element of memory metal is preferably made as a wire helically laid around the release means.
' ~ 2 _,., t The memory metal can preferably be a NiTi-alloy with a memory temperature of about 70C.
The wire of memory metal has the property to at a certain predeterminable temperature take a previously "taught" shape; at~lower temperatures the wire can be deformed practically at will without mentionable mechaniaai resistance.
Thus, a helical spring can be made to "remember"
a certain length at a temperature of about 70C, 1D whereafter the spring at e.g. room temperature can be compressed to another length which remains until the temperature of the spring rises to the memory temperature, whereat the spring returns to its "taught" length. , 15 In the present invention this property is utilized for closing an electric airauit at a predetermined raised temperature, preferably by making contact to suitable metal parts of a sprinkler included in the electric circuit.
The wire of memory metal can be made thin, with a diameter of e.g. 0.3 mm, whersby it is rapidly heated by surrounding hot smoke gases. When a conducting connection has been established, the memory metal wire is immediately heated up and conveys its 25 heat to the release means formed e.g. by a oonventional glass ampoule which is broken in about two seconds.
' Thanks to the invention, a Resgonse Time Index ' of less than 10 can be achieved, which in the fire 30 situations earlier referred to results in extinguish release already at a temperature lass than 100C.
This means that tires can be fought already in their initial stage and the generation of poisonous smoke gases can be decisively restricted.
2a In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided fire-fighting equipment comprising a release means arranged to be activated at a predetermined release temperature, and an element of 5 memory metal immediately close to the release means and arranged to change shape at a predetermined memory temperature to close an electric circuit for heating the memory metal element and, thereby, the release means to the release temperature, whereby to effect a fast release 10 action.
In the following the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings which, by way 213~9~'~
of example, shows a preferred embodiment.
Figure 1 shows a section of a sprinkler with a helical spring of memory metal around the release means, at normal temperature.
.
Figure 2 shows an initial stage at a raised temperature.
Figure 3 shows the sprinkler in activated state.
In the drawing, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a sprinkler the housing of which is indicated by 2. The sprinkler has a liquid inlet 3 and a number of nozzles 4. ' In a central bore in the housing 2, starting from the inlet 3, is arranged a spindle S which under the influence of a spring 6 supported by a shoulder in . 15 the housing 2 is pressed against a release means 7, e.g. a conventional glass ampoule.
At normal temperature the ampoule 7 withstands the mechanical load exerted by the spring 6 through the spindle 5, whereat the upper end (in the drawing) of the spindle closes connection from the inlet 3 to the nozzles 4, as shown in figure 1.
At a raised temperature, generally about 70C, the ampoule 7 is demolished and allows the spring 6 to axially push the spindle to the position shown in figure 3, with open connection from the liquid inlet 3 to the nozzles 4.
Around the ampoule 7 is laid a spiral 8 of memory metal. At normal temperature, figure 1, the spiral 8 is compressed, whereat there is a gap of e.g 2-5 mm between the upper end (in the drawing) of the spiral 8 and the adjacent lower end of the spindle 5.
The lower end of the spiral 8 is in contact with an electrically conducting support 9 for the ampoule 7, said support 9 being connected to one terminal 10 of an electric circuit having a voltage of preferably about 24 Volt. The second terminal 11 of the circuit is connected to the housing 2 of the sprinkler 1. An insulation piece 12 is provided between the support 9 and a usually metallic casing 13 surrounding the ampoule 7 and having a number of apertures 14.
5 If a fire breaks out within the area monitored by the sprinkler, the spiral 8 is rapidly heated by surrounding smoke gases and upon reaching the memory temperature, e.g, about 70°C, the spiral 8 immediately straightens out to a preset, "taught" length which is so 10 chosen that the spiral 8 is pressed into contact against the adjacent end of the spindle 5 thus closing the electric circuit 10 - 9 - 8 - 5 - (6) - 2 - 11, figure 2.
The spiral 8 now acts as a heating coil and rapidly heats the ampoule 7 to release temperature. A current of about 15 one ampere through the spiral 8 is capable of releasing the ampoule 7 in about two seconds. At normal temperature the spiral 8 need not be in contact with the support 9; there can be a gap between. A wire of a NiTi-alloy and having a diameter of e.g. 0.3 mm is of 20 advantage in that it has a favourable electric resistance; those parts of the spray head which are included in the electric circuit have practically no resistance.
The drawing shows a sprinkler intended for a high 25 operating pressure and with nozzles arranged in such a way, that they can produce a continuous fog spray with a good penetration power, preferably as presented in the international patent applications PCT/FI92/00060, (i.e.
WO 92/15370, published September 17, 1992 and 30 PCT/FI92/00155 (i.e. WO 92/20453, published November 26, 1992), respectively, but the invention can naturally be used for other types of sprinklers, as well as for other temperature activating elements.
As will appear from the drawing, the sprinkler 1 35 preferably comprises a spindle structure with an axially movable spindle 5 loaded by a spring 6 against the release ampoule 7 and having an axial channel 20 WO 93/21998 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~r PCT/FI93/00164 . 5 ' . leading to an annular chamber 21 with an end face 22 which balances the liquid pressure force acting through the inlet 3 on the spindle end; the end face 22 has an area equal to the one of the spindle end at the inlet 3.
In f figure 1, the sprinkler is inactive, i . a .
the ampoule 7 is intact and there is no connection from the inlet 3 to the nozzles 4. In figure 3, the ampoule 7 has been broken, the spring 6 has pressed the spindle 5 downwards to make free a connection from the inlet 3 to respective side channels leading to the nozzles 4.
When the release means is an ampoule like the one shown in the drawing, a surrounding sgiral is preferable, but if the release means is e.g. a fuse intended to melt the element of memory metal may be of another shape suitable for each case, respectively.
An additional advantage of the equipment according to the invention is that it can be used as a heat detector e.g. for fire alarm. As the electric circuit closes, an electric signal can conveniently be obtained for that purpose. Separate heat detectors are no longer necessary.
Rl~'.. '.
Claims (7)
1. Fire-fighting equipment comprising a release means arranged to be activated at a predetermined release temperature, and an element of memory metal immediately close to the release means and arranged to change shape at a predetermined memory temperature to close an electric circuit for heating the memory metal element and, thereby, the release means to the release temperature, whereby to effect a release action.
2. Fire-fighting equipment according to claim 1, wherein the element of memory metal is a wire helically laid around the release means.
3. Fire-fighting equipment according to claim 1, wherein the element of memory metal is arranged to close the electric circuit by making contact with conductive parts of a sprinkler.
4. In fire-fighting equipment having release means for release of fire-fighting activity at a first predetermined temperature, the improvement comprising:
an element immediately close to the release means and responsive to a second predetermined temperature for heating the release means to the first predetermined temperature, whereby to effect a release action;
wherein the element closes an electric circuit for the heating; and wherein the heating heats the element for heating of the immediately close release means.
an element immediately close to the release means and responsive to a second predetermined temperature for heating the release means to the first predetermined temperature, whereby to effect a release action;
wherein the element closes an electric circuit for the heating; and wherein the heating heats the element for heating of the immediately close release means.
5. The fire-fighting equipment according to claim 4, wherein the first and second predetermined temperatures are the same.
6. The fire-fighting equipment having release means for release of fire-fighting activity at a first predetermined temperature, the improvement comprising:
an element immediately close to the release means and responsive to a second predetermined temperature for heating the release means to the first predetermined temperature, whereby to effect a release action;
wherein the element is a memory metal that changes shape at the second predetermined temperature;
wherein the element closes an electric circuit for the heating; and wherein the heating heats the element for the heating of the immediately close release means.
an element immediately close to the release means and responsive to a second predetermined temperature for heating the release means to the first predetermined temperature, whereby to effect a release action;
wherein the element is a memory metal that changes shape at the second predetermined temperature;
wherein the element closes an electric circuit for the heating; and wherein the heating heats the element for the heating of the immediately close release means.
7. The fire-fighting equipment according to claim 6, wherein the first and second predetermined temperatures are the same.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FI921806 | 1992-04-23 | ||
| FI921806A FI90394C (en) | 1992-04-23 | 1992-04-23 | The fire-fighting unit |
| PCT/FI1993/000164 WO1993021998A1 (en) | 1992-04-23 | 1993-04-21 | Quick response sprinkler head |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2133957A1 CA2133957A1 (en) | 1993-11-11 |
| CA2133957C true CA2133957C (en) | 2005-12-06 |
Family
ID=26159226
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002133957A Expired - Fee Related CA2133957C (en) | 1992-04-23 | 1993-04-21 | Quick response sprinkler head |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2133957C (en) |
| NO (1) | NO944004L (en) |
-
1993
- 1993-04-21 CA CA002133957A patent/CA2133957C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-10-21 NO NO944004A patent/NO944004L/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2133957A1 (en) | 1993-11-11 |
| NO944004D0 (en) | 1994-10-21 |
| NO944004L (en) | 1994-12-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |