WO2006097843A1

WO2006097843A1 - Hydraulic drive system for fire doors

Info

Publication number: WO2006097843A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/000740
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giampaolo Nelzi
Original assignee: Giampaolo Nelzi
Priority date: 2005-03-15
Filing date: 2006-03-14
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Also published as: ITVI20050070A1; EP1869277A1

Abstract

A hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates, comprising an actuator device or group (AT) adapted for the opening of the fire stop gate, while the closing is controlled by means of a compensated deceleration valve (VRC1) which permits closing the gate at a minimum constant speed in case of alarm and/or with the absence of mains power supply, while maintaining all of the standard operating characteristics of the gate, even in the case wherein the same is automatised.

Description

HYDRAULIC DRIVE SYSTEM FOR FIRE DOORS

The present invention refers to a hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates. Known are the fire stop gates, formed by single or compound panels, with insulating and fireproof

(resistant to fire) materials inserted.

Such gates, of horizontal or vertical sliding, may be of the single covering type (generally for small sizes), or compound covering, i.e. gates, generally put together in place for sizes which may not be wholly transported, which are made of fitted and/or superimposed and/or hinged panels so to slide horizontally below the ceiling of the room when the vertical wall is not sufficient to receive it.

The particular characteristics of the fire stop gates derive from the regulations of current laws in safety matters set for their use.

The fire stop gates must, in fact, automatically close at a very low speed (for example, not above 0.08 m/s) in case of alarm (generally for fire alarm and smoke alarm) and in case of lack of electricity from the mains power supply.

Moreover, if during their closing they encounter an obstacle, they must automatically stop for a determinate time, even in the absence of the mains power supply, so to permit the removal of the obstacle and, this removed, they must permit the closing operations to continue .

Finally, an emergency opening manoeuvre may be further requested, which must be able to be carried out even in the absence of the mains power supply.

Due to the complexity of the mechanism, the considerable costs in the embodiments known and used until now and due to the considerable weight and size of the entire gate structure, the fire stop gate is still generally used only for this object, and not also as a normal or intensive opening, as well as possibly computerised, of the passage at which it is installed. The hydraulic drive system, object of the present invention, provides all this in an innovative manner, and with additional safety.

In the scope of the above mentioned needs, main object of the present invention is to indicate a hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates which overcomes the abovementioned drawbacks and, in particular, to indicate a hydraulic drive system which results robust and adaptable to any functional opening and closing mode of fire stop gates. Another object of the invention is to indicate a hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates which is efficient and reliable, as well as safe and relatively low cost with respect to the traditional solutions, by- virtue of the achieved advantages .

Such scopes are attained by a hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates according to claim 1, to which one should refer for the sake of brevity.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the following description and from the attached drawings, provided merely as exemplifying and not limiting example and related to a preferred exemplifying embodiment, wherein:

- Figure IA shows a known hydraulic drive system for gates, obtainable by means of the simple transmission of the two cables actuated by a hydraulic cylinder;

- Figure IB shows a known hydraulic drive system for gates, which may be obtained by means of the transmission multiplied _. one or more times (tackle system) of two cables on the pulley clearances, and the final transmission of one of the cables from the other side of the gate, with the result of obtaining the perfect synchronous lifting of the gate by means of the two cables deviated from the vertical course, from the two ends of the hydraulic motorisation,-

- Figure 1C schematically shows a hydraulic circuit which may be used in the drive system for fire stop gates, according the present invention;

- Figure ID schematically shows a first embodiment of an exemplified electric circuit of the drive system for fire stop gates, according to the present invention;

- Figure IE schematically shows a second embodiment of an exemplified electric circuit of the drive system for fire system gates, according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a fire stop gate with vertical opening, according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 is a schematic perspective and partial view of the gate of figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a side view of the gate of figure 2, in open position, according to the present invention,

- Figure 4A is a front view of the gate of figure 2, in open position, according to the present invention; - Figure 5 shows a side view of the gate of figure 2, in a close-to-closing position, according to the present invention;

- Figures 6 and 6A show further side views of the gate of figure 2, according to embodiment variants of the hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates, according to the present invention;

- Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a fire stop gate with horizontal opening, according to the present invention; - Figure 8 shows a schematic view of the section of a vertical opening gate in not-closed position, on which a third embodiment of the drive system is attached, according to the present invention;

- Figure 8A is a schematic view of the section of the gate of figure 8, closed on the ground. With particular reference to figure IA, the drive group, and in particular the lifting group of the fire stop gate POR, is essentially composed of a hydraulic cylinder CI, inserted within a motorisation box CAS generally placed above the gate POR, directly driving two cables CAl, CA2 , suitably deviated by means of pulleys PUl, PU2 to lift the gate POR in a synchronous manner from the two sides, generally with connection to the lower panel of the gate POR. Alternatively, as shown in detail in figure IB, the drive group, and in particular the mentioned lifting group, comprises a double plurality of lifting and transmission pulleys PLl, PL2, PL3 , PL4 and the hydraulic actuator cylinder CI is arranged within a protection and guide seat of the box CAS; the extension of the hydraulic cylinder CI caused by the introduction of oil under pressure permits obtaining the lifting system of the gate POR, multiplying, by means of the tackle system, the pull of the two cables FAl, FA2 around the double clearance of pulleys PLl, PL2 , PL3 , PL4.

The cylinder CI is also connected with the electrohydraulic motor, generally positioned along the wall at the height of a man to the side of the gate POR, by means of a hydraulic tube TU.

It is evident that, in addition to the particular illustrated embodiments, all the combinations of direct thrust or desired multiplication, inserting no pulley within the box CAS (1:1 ration with the cylinder CI course) , two multiplications, five multiplications (as in the case illustrated in figure IB) or still more multiplications.

According to the arrangement of figure IB, the cables FAI, FA2 depart adjacent to the cylinder CI, finishing after the multiplication at the two pulleys PUl, one passing outside (above) the pack of pulleys PL2, to be deviated by one of the pulleys PUl orthogonally downward, and the other passing outside (below) the pack of pulleys PLl to be then deviated 180° by one of the pulleys PUl and to be sent, sliding above the entire pack, to the pulley PU2 , which deviates it orthogonally downward from the opposite side.

With such solutions one obtains a lifting thrust which is always synchronous, with the same moment on the two sides. of the cylinder CI, eliminating the lateral force of the stem STE of the cylinder CI; there is thus the perfectly parallel lifting of the gate POR.

With particular reference to figure 1C, the hydraulic circuit P is preferably equipped with a check valve VRI; the hydraulic circuit P brings the oil under pressure from the hydraulic pump PO, moved by the electrohydraulic motor M in this embodiment, to the use U, composed of the actuator cylinder CI for driving the fire stop gate POR. Between the use U and the tank TA there is a normally open electric valve ENA, which is always maintained energised, thus closed, so that the circuit between the use U and the discharge T to the tank TA is always closed.

On the circuit P, between the valve ENA and the tank TA, a deceleration valve VRCl is prearranged, preferably compensated. In case of alarm or lack of mains power supply, the valve ENA returns in that natural open state, pushed by its spring, opening the circuit, and the fire stop gate POR closes due to gravity, compressing the actuator cylinder CI or making the reversible rotating actuator turn in the other direction (in the case in which it is necessary, for example, to close a fire stop gate POR of horizontal type) and making the hydraulic oil flow across the valve ENA, slowed by the valve VRCl, calibrated to the desired speed. In another alternative and preferred version, the valve VRCl may be of adjustable type, so to be able to set as desired the closing speed of the gate. In addition to the aforesaid embodiment, which respects the still effective the fire-prevention laws, the fire stop gate POR further foresees a normal operation, having a normally closed electric valve ENC in parallel in the same^' circuit and a second deceleration valve on the discharge circuit T, preferably compensated, with calibration such to permit a closing of the gate at standard speed. In normal use, the electric valve ENA remains constantly energised and opens only in case of alarm, while the electric valve ENC is constantly closed and will be energised when one wishes to close the gate for normal use . A further closing safety feature in case of fire is given by the optional presence of the valve VPF, normally closed by a pre-established temperature melting pad PA, which melts in case of fire or detects heat (generally at a temperature around 60-70 ⁰C, as in the case of the "sprinklers")/ opens the circuit of the actuator cylinder CI at the discharge T, with the consequent closing of the gate POR at the pre- established slow speed, since it is slowed by the valve VRCl. With particular reference to the simplified electric circuit of figure ID, which constitutes only one of the possible embodiments of the aforesaid circuit, in case of alarm or lack of current, the gate POR (whether it is of vertical type, as illustrated in figures IA, IB and 2, or of horizontal type, as illustrated in figure 7) closes automatically after the opening of the electric valve ENA, caused by the lack of energisation due to the lack of mains power supply at 220 Volts AC or due to the operation of the alarm AL.

To stop the closing, a presence detector is prearranged, such as preferably a photoelectric cell FTC, composed of a transmitter TRAl and a receiver RICl, connected to a buffer battery BATl, always charged by means of the use of a known system, exemplified in figure ID with a diode bridge PD and a capacitor element CON. If the presence detector FTC intercepts an obstacle, the contact NCl of the receiver RICl opens and the relay REl, which is always maintained energised by the presence detector FTC with the contact NCl of the receiver RICl closed, passes from the NA (energised) position to the NC (static) position, energising the electric valve ENA and therefore closing the hydraulic circuit from the actuator cylinder CI to the discharge T, thus blocking the descent of the gate POR. The feeding of the presence detector FTC is ensured, both in the case of regular mains power supply at 220 Volts AC and in the case of lack of mains power supply, by means of the always-charged buffer battery BATl, and in the embodiment example described and illustrated in figure ID, by means of unidirectional feeding ensured by the diodes DIl and DI2, which avoid the rise of false contacts.

As soon as the obstacle blocking the closing has been removed, the relay REl opens the contact in NA position, controlled by the contact NCl of the receiver RICl, such that the magnet of the electric valve ENA is no longer energised and the gate POR may continue closing.

It is evident that the gate POR may remain blocked in its closing course until the buffer battery BATl has sufficient feeding capacity, after which the electric valve ENA de-energises and the gate POR continues its course until there is a physical stop.

Regarding fire stop doors, in the exemplified case it is sufficient that the closing block is temporally limited, since an acoustic warning AWl is prearranged to signal that the presence detector FTC has detected an obstacle (and that therefore the gate is not closed) , which may be replicated even at a sound and/or visible distance, for example, as shown in the circuit diagram of figure ID, by means of a relay RE3 , which replicates at a distance the function of the relay REl, starting a pilot light LS and driving another acoustic warning AW2, possibly connected to a timer Tl, which may slow for a pre-established time the acoustic warning; all may function even in the absence of a mains power supply, with a buffer battery BAT2. In the possibility that the closing obstacle of the gate POR may not be removed because its shape does not permit its release from under to gate, two preferred systems may be arranged. One of such system is illustrated, as an example, in figure IE, where the elements having the same functionality as in figure ID are indicated with the same references .

The operation of the entire electrohydraulic facility always occurs with the supply provided by sufficient batteries BAT, at very low voltage (for example 12 Volts CC) ; the electrohydraulic motor M operates this voltage and the gate POR always functions with the current provided by the battery BAT, which is continuously loaded by a suitable charge device CRB, constantly connected to the mains power supply RET.

In this case, the buffer battery BATl of figure ID no longer serves, and the electric circuit is simplified, as shown in the circuit diagram of figure IE, and of substantially analogous operation to that of figure ID; also in this case, it is possible to foresee a remote replication, which replicates at a distance the functionality of the relay REl, with a system identical to that already described and illustrated in figure ID. A further release system of the obstacle is shown in figure 2, which illustrates a perspective view of a fire stop gate POR of vertical opening and closing, and in the views of figures 4 and 4A, which illustrate a side view and a front view of the gate POR of figure 2. The system includes a presence detector comprising, for example, a pair of photoelectric cells composed of a transmitter TRA2 and receiver RIC2 , placed on the two arms BRl, BR2, pivoted on supports SOl, S02 fixed on the two sides of the fire stop gate POR.

The two arms BRl, BR2 are preferably shaped so that, on the lower side, the transmitter TRA2, and on the other side, the receiver RIC2 are found below the bottom rail SP of the gate POR, and at the upper side the arm BRl, BR2 continues with a substantially horizontal portion ORl, 0R2 of appropriate length. The position of the transmitter TRA2 and receiver RIC2 is preferably placed upon on the two jambs STl, ST2 of the opening APE, so to remain outside the space of the aforesaid opening APE.

On the two sides of the gate POR, directly or indirectly fixed to the wall PAR, suitable counter elements RSl, RS2 are fixed which do not interfere with the arms BRl, BR2 during the descent of the gate POR, but are such to constitute counter elements with their horizontal portions ORl, OR2.

With particular reference to figures 4, 4A and 5, one notes that, for the entire closing course of gate POR, and preferably until a short distance from the end of the closing, the transmitter TRA2 and the receiver RIC2 preferably remain along the axis of the gate POR, below the bottom rail SP, and shortly before touching ground the horizontal extensions ORl, 0R2 come into contact with the counter elements RSl, RS2, making the arms BRl, BR2 rotate in a radial direction towards the outside of the gate POR so to avoid their contact with the floor and consequent damage. The advantage is evident of this no-contact detection system, which permits blocking the closing of the gate POR at the detection of an obstacle by the detector composed of the transmitter TRA2 and receiver RIC2 without physically touching it, with the possibility of removing the obstacle itself without the need to use a costly emergency system for reopening the gate POR enough to remove and extract the obstacle. In another exemplifying and preferred embodiment solution, illustrated in the attached figures 3, 6 and 6A, the arms BRl, BR2 may be shaped in a different manner and may lack the horizontal extension ORl, 0R2 ; the same arms BRl, BR2 may also be radially moved before the closing of the gate POR by a differently- positioned counter element of another nature, for example of magnetic nature and without physical contact such to force the arms BRl, BR2 to deviate, avoiding the collision with the ground of the presence detector. Also in this case, the presence detector may be formed by a transmitter TRA2 and by a receiver RIC2, or it may include a refraction photocell, functioning according to the principle of detection in a position below the panel of the gate POR, preferably in the same axis.

In a further exemplifying and preferred solution, illustrated in the attached figures 8 and 8A, the arms BRl, BR2, pivoted on the gate on SOl, S02 , may be shaped in a different manner and provided with wheels RUl, RU2 at their ends. Or they may have a second arm, indicated with BSl, BS2 in figures 8 and 8A, which is pivoted near their end with preferably limited movement of the articulated joint. The wheels RUl, RUl are attached in a suitable position on this second arm BSl, BS2, wheels which upon contact with the ground cause the second arm BSl, BS2 to not touch the ground, and thus the detection device composed of transmitter TRA2 and receiver RIC2 does not touch the ground, making the second arm BSl, BS2 move radially against the arm BRl, BR2. Subsequently, at the further lowering of the gate POR, the photocells composed of transmitter TRA2 and receiver RIC2 are radially moved, outside the gate POR, avoiding their collision with the ground. All that described may be used for vertically lifting and falling fire stop gates POR, as said, thus as it may be analogously installed on gates of horizontal opening and closing (figure 7) .

The horizontal gate PORl is opened by the hydraulic actuator ATI, which may be constituted, for example, also in this case, by a direct thrust hydraulic cylinder, or by employing a cable FU with one or more tackle multiplications operating through a clearance of pulleys PUl, PU2 ; it may also use a hydraulic motor, with the closing which occurs along the rail ROT where the rollers RUl, RU2 of the gate PORl are hung, due to gravity, for example by means of the cable or chain FU, connected to a counterweight CON, deviated downward by a pulley PU3.

In such a manner, the gate PORl also closes due to simple gravity and all that described above for the vertical gate POR is valid also for the horizontal version.

Moreover, in the case of the horizontal gate PORl, the arms of the presence detector, comprising the transmitter TRA3 and the receiver RIC3 , operate by rotating horizontally, one preferably in the upper part and the other preferably in the lower part of the gate PORl, and are forced into the work position outside the panel and closing gasket SPl, thanks to the action of an elastic return means, such as for example a spring. The deviation counter elements RS3 , RS4 operate in the same manner already described with reference to figure 2, obviously in orthogonal position with respect to the latter.

From the above description, the characteristics are clear of the hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates, object of the present invention, as its advantages are also clear.

It is evident, therefore, that numerous other variations may be made to the hydraulic drive system in question, without for this departing from the principles of novelty inherent in the inventive activity, thus as it is clear that, in the practical actuation of the invention, the materials, shapes, and sizes of the illustrated details may be of any type according to needs, and the same may be substituted with other technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. Hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates (POR, PORl) comprising means for the opening and closing of the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) which include at least one device or actuator group (ATI) comprising at least one cylinder (CI) of a hydraulic circuit (P) connected with at least one hydraulic motor (M) , which drives a plurality of lifting and transmission means (PUl, PU2, PU3 , CAl , CA2 , FAl , FA2 , PLl , PL2 , PL3 , PL4 ) , by means of an extension of the cylinder caused by the introduction of oil under pressure, characterised in that said opening and closing means of the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) are adapted to lift the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) by means of two cables (CAl, CA2) which lift it in a synchronous manner from the two parts and comprise at least a first deceleration valve (VRCl) , preferably of compensated type, which permits closing the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) at a minimum constant speed, in case of alarm and/or lack of mains power supply, while maintaining all of the standard operating characteristics of the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) , also in the case in which said gate (POR, PORl) is automatised.

2. Hydraulic system as in claim 1, characterised in that said hydraulic circuit (P) includes at least one hydraulic pump (PO) which brings the oil under pressure to said actuator cylinder (CI) , at least one tank (TA) , a discharge conduit (T) and at least one check valve (VRI) .

3. Hydraulic system as in claim 2, characterised in that between said actuator cylinder (CI) and said tank

(TA) , at least one electric valve (ENA) is foreseen, normally open, which is maintained closed, said first deceleration valve (VRCl) being arranged on said hydraulic circuit (P) between said first electric valve (ENA) and said tank (TA) .

4. Hydraulic system as in claim 1, characterised in that said first deceleration valve (VRCl) is of adjustable type, so that the speed of the closing of the fire stop door (POR, PORl) may be set as desired.

5. Hydraulic system as in claim 3, characterised in that said first electric valve (ENA) , normally open, is mounted on said hydraulic circuit (P) in parallel to at least one second electric valve (ENC) , normally closed, while on said discharge conduit (T) at least a second deceleration valve (VRC2) is foreseen, preferably of compensated type, with calibration such to permit a closing of the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) at a pre- established speed.

6. Hydraulic system as in claim 3, characterised in that said first electric valve (ENA) is mounted in parallel to at least a third valve (VPF) , normally closed and adapted to open the hydraulic circuit (P) at a pre-established temperature in case of fire or considerable heat, with the consequent closing of the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) at a pre-established slow speed.

7. Hydraulic system as in claim 1, characterised in that said system foresees presence detector means (FTC) connected to at least one buffer feeding source (BATl) , always charged, adapted to control the closing of the hydraulic circuit (P) by means of the closing of said first electric valve (ENA) through electromechanical means (REl) , and therefore adapted to block the closing of the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) in the case in which at least one obstacle is detected, even without mains power supply, for a limited pre-established time, until the removal of the obstacle.

8. Hydraulic system as in claim 7, characterised in that said presence detector means (FTC) include at least one photocell comprising transmitter means (TRAl) and receiver devices (RICl) .

9. Hydraulic system as in claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises at least one acoustic and/or visual warning alarm (AWl) , replicable at a distance and also functioning without the mains power supply, by means of at least one buffer battery (BAT2) .

10. Hydraulic system as in claim 7, characterised in that said presence detector means (FTC) comprise oscillating photocells fixed on the sides of the fire stop gate (POR, PORl) , below the covering of the gate

(POR, PORl) , which permit blocking the closing of the gate (POR, PORl) at the detection of an obstacle, without physically touching it.

11. Hydraulic system as in claim 10, characterised in that at least one portion of said oscillating photocells (FTC) enters into physical or close contact with a mechanical or magnetic counter element, which causes them, preferably at a short distance from the ground, to radially rotate outside the gate (POR, PORl) , so to not be squashed in the closing.

12. Hydraulic system as in claim 10, characterised in that at least one portion of said oscillating photocells (FTC) , provided with double articulation or not, comes into physical contact with the floor, so to cause it to radially rotate outside the gate (POR, PORl) so to not be squashed in the closing.

13. Hydraulic drive system for fire stop gates (POR, PORl) as substantially described and illustrated in the attached drawings and for the specified objects.