US3584689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dry-type sprinkler
Assignee: NI West Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-26
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Granted: 1971-06-15
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Expires: 1989-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A dry-type sprinkler for use in fire protection systems wherein fluid passage through the sprinkler is closed by a valve at the intake end until released by a heat responsive mechanism, characterized by a floating inner tube assembly which automatically compensates for dimensional changes in length of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube when subjected to ordinary thermal effects, and by which loads are isolated within the sprinkler head assembly which includes the heat responsive mechanism, and no loads are transmitted through the inner or outer tubes which might affect the sealing function of the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles F Willms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:44
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C37/00; A62C37/08; A62C37/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A dry-type sprinkler adapted for mounting on a piping system in a fire protection installation, which sprinkler comprises an outer tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, means at the inlet end for connecting it into a pipe, and a fluid passage presenting a radially disposed valve seat, an inner tube disposed concentrically within the outer tube and adapted for a reciprocal movement therein, a piston-type valve member mounted on the inner tube adjacent the inlet end of the outer tube adapted in a first position to seal off communication between the piping and the tubes and in second position to open such communication; said valve member presenting a cylindrical surface movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat and susceptible of limited movement in engagement with said valve seat without opening said fluid passage, a sprinkler head assembly including a heat responsive mechanism mounted adjacent the outlet end of the outer tube, said assembly embodying fixed support means limiting reciprocal travel of the inner tube, and means to float the inner tube relative to the outer tube permitting relative axial movement therebetween without opening said fluid passage to compensate for longitudinal dimensional changes between the inner and outer tubes and isolate the inner tube from loads generated in the support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A dry-type sprinkler adapted for mounting on a piping system in a fire protection installation, which sprinkler comprises an outer tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, means at the inlet end for connecting it into a pipe, and a fluid passage presenting a radially disposed valve seat, an inner tube disposed concentrically within the outer tube and adapted for a reciprocal movement therein, a piston-type valve member mounted on the inner tube adjacent the inlet end of the outer tube adapted in a first position to seal off communication between the piping and the tubes and in second position to open such communication; said valve member presenting a cylindrical surface movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat and susceptible of limited movement in engagement with said valve seat without opening said fluid passage, a sprinkler head assembly including a heat responsive mechanism mounted adjacent the outlet end of the outer tube, said assembly embodying fixed support means limiting reciprocal travel of the inner tube, and means to float the inner tube relative to the outer tube permitting relative axial movement therebetween without opening said fluid passage to compensate for longitudinal dimensional changes between the inner and outer tubes and isolate the inner tube from loads generated in the support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dry-type sprinkler as defined in claim 1 in which the resilient means to float the inner tube is a compression spring disposed with one end acting against the support means and the other end acting against the adjacent end of the inner tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A dry-type sprinkler as defined in claim 1 in which there is a first internal spring seat in the outer tube, a second external spring seat on the inner tube axially spaced from the first spring seat in the direction of the support means, and a spring encircling the inner tube is disposed between the spring seats.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A dry-type sprinkler as defined in claim 1 in which the valve in the first position fits in the inlet end portion of the outer tube, the said end portion embodies a shoulder, and the valve embodies a flange one face of which opposes the shoulder and limits axial movement of the valve in the direction of the shoulder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A dry-type sprinkler as defined in claim 4 in which the valve flange has a second face which mounts the valve on the inner tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A dry-type sprinkler as defined in claim 1 in which the respective diametrical dimensions of the outer and inner tubes provide a fluid chamber therebetween, ports are formed through the inner tube for fluid communication from the chamber into the inner tube, the valve is permanently mounted on the inner tube, and the valve in its second position is axially spaced away from its first position a sufficient distance to afford free flow of fluid into the fluid chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dry-type sprinkler as defined in claim 6 in which the valve includes bores providing fluid passages communicating between the fluid chamber and the interior of the inner tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A dry-type sprinkler according to claim 1 in which said valve and valve seat are relatively disposed so as to permit said inner tube to float in either direction with respect to said outer tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A dry-type sprinkler according to claim 3 in which means including said spring are provided for actuating said valve member to open said fluid passage in the absence of fluid pressure at the inlet end of said outer tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-12-14 | 1975-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-14 | 1978-12-14 | 1979-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-14 | 1982-12-14 | 1983-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |