US3791450A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
On-off fire sprinkler
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-03
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-04-03
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed in a fire sprinkler having a valve body that defines inlet and outlet openings joined by a flow passage possessing a valve seat. A valve head is movable relative to the valve seat between open and closed positions by either a primary condition responsive actuator or an auxiliary condition responsive actuator. In response to a given condition associated with the generation of combustion products, for example, a given ambient temperature, the primary actuator first causes an operator mechanism to open the valve and then after cessation of the given condition induces reclosing thereof. The auxiliary actuator causes the operator mechanism to permanently open the valve in response to a different, more serious condition such as a higher ambient temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 E Poitras
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:26
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C37/00; A62C37/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1797
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A fire sprinkler comprising: a valve body means defining an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a fluid flow passage between said inlet and outlet openings, and a valve seat disposed in said fluid flow passage; a valve head movable between a closed position engaging said valve seat and an open position separated therefrom, said valve head preventing fluid flow between said inlet and outlet openings when in said closed position and allowing fluid flow therebetween when in said open position; a primary condition responsive actuator means for inducing movement of said valve head from said closed to said open position in response to a given condition associated with the generation of combustion products; and an auxiliary condition responsive actuator means for inducing movement of said valve head from said closed to said open position in response to a different condition associated with the generation of combustion products.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A fire sprinkler comprising: a valve body means defining an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a fluid flow passage between said inlet and outlet openings, and a valve seat disposed in said fluid flow passage; a valve head movable between a closed position engaging said valve seat and an open position separated therefrom, said valve head preventing fluid flow between said inlet and outlet openings when in said closed position and allowing fluid flow therebetween when in said open position; a primary condition responsive actuator means for inducing movement of said valve head from said closed to said open position in response to a given condition associated with the generation of combustion products; and an auxiliary condition responsive actuator means for inducing movement of said valve head from said closed to said open position in response to a different condition associated with the generation of combustion products.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 1 wherein said primary actuator means comprises control means adapted to induce said movement of said valve head, said control means comprising bias means for inducing return of said valve head to said closed position after a cessation of said given condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 1 wherein said primary and auxiliary actuator means are thermally responsive, said given condition is a given ambient temperature, and said different condition is a different ambient temperature greater than said given temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 3 wherein said primary actuator means comprises a substance that induces said movement of said valve head by experiencing a substantial change in volume at said given temperature, and said auxiliary actuator means comprises a eutectic material that melts at said different temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 4 wherein said substance experiences a chAnge between solid and liquid states at said given temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 1 including operator means operatively coupled to both said primary and auxiliary actuator means and responsive thereto to induce said movement of said valve head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 6 wherein said operator means comprises a pilot volume that provides a pressure tending to move said valve head to closed position, and wherein said primary and auxiliary actuator means are adapted to reduce the pressure in said pilot volume in response to said given and different conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 7 wherein said primary actuator means comprises control means for inducing an increase in pressure within said pilot volume after a cessation of said given condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 8 wherein said primary and auxiliary actuator means are thermally responsive, said given condition is a given ambient temperature, and said different condition is a different ambient temperature greater than said given temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 9 wherein said auxiliary actuator means comprises a vent orifice for accomodating release of fluid pressure from said pilot volume, temperature responsive hermetic seal means sealing said vent orifice, said hermetic seal means comprising an eutectic material adapted to melt at said different temperature, and auxiliary seal means isolating said eutectic material from the pressurized fluid in said pilot volume.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 10 wherein said auxiliary seal means comprises a pressure responsive portion adapted to be automatically opened by the fluid pressure in said pilot volume in response to opening of said hermetic seal means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 11 wherein said pressure responsive portion is retained in sealing position by said hermetic seal means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 12 wherein said auxiliary actuator means comprises a tube with an open end forming said vent orifice, said auxiliary seal means comprises a resilient cup having a cylindrical side wall portion engaging an internal wall of said tube and an end wall forming said pressure responsive portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A fire sprinkler according to claim 13 wherein said hermetic seal means further comprises a cup-shaped plug disposed in said tube and having an end wall engaging said resilient cup end wall and a cylindrical side wall hermetically sealed to said internal wall of said tube by said eutectic material.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |