Fluid distribution system operated by pressure signal

Claim 2

In combination, a fluid supply means, at least two fluid distribution units, conduit means extending from said fluid supply means to each distribution unit, separate valve means in each conduit means for controlling flow to each distribution unit, each valve means having a pressure actuated control means, signal fluid pressure means, a single signal tube for carrying a signal fluid pressure to both pressure actuated control means, said signal tube being connected between said signal fluid pressure means and both of said pressure actuated control means.

Claim 3

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each pressure actuated control means is actuated by a different pressure level, and said signal fluid pressure means has means for varying the pressure level in said single signal tube including said two different pressure levels.

Claim 4

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid distribution units are sprinkler units.

Claim 5

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid supply means comprises a first fluid supply and a second fluid supply, said conduit means comprising a first conduit connecting said first fluid supply to one fluid distribution unit and a second conduit connecting said second fluid supply to another fluid distribution unit, a valve means being in each first and second conduit.

Claim 6

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein second valve means are located along said signal tube, a signal tube pressure control means being connected to said second valve means for controlling the pressure in said single signal tube at a plurality of different pressure levels for use in actuating each pressure actuated valve means.

Claim 7

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pressure actuated control means of each valve means includes a pressure responsive means responsive to a predetermined pressure signal for placing said valve means in an open or closed position, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means by first spring means when the pressure in the signal tube is below that pressure signal necessary for opening said valve means, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to open said valve means by a second spring means and a predetermined pressure signal in the signal tube for opening said valve means, and said valve means being biased in a direction to close said valve means against the first spring means by the second spring means and the pressure in the signal tube when it is greater than that required for opening the valve means.

Claim 8

A combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for varying the pressure level in said single signal tube includes a first valve means for increasing the pressure in said signal tube and a second valve means for decreasing the pressure in said signal tube, means for sensing the pressure in the signal tube, means for comparing the pressure in the signal tube with a desired pressure and changing the pressure in the signal tube to obtain the desired pressure if it does not exist in the signal tube.

Claim 9

A flow control unit having an inlet and outlet, valve means for controlling flow through said unit from said inlet to said outlet, said valve means having a pressure actuated control means, said control means including a pressure responsive means responsive to a predetermined pressure signal for placing said valve means in an open or closed position, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means by first spring means when the pressure on the other side of the pressure responsive means is below that pressure signal necessary for opening said valve means, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to open said valve means by a second spring means and a predetermined pressure signal on the other side of the pressure responsive means for opening said valve means, and said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means against the first spring means by the second spring means and the pressure on the other side of the pressure responsive means when it is greater than that required for opening the valve means.

Claim 10

A flow control unit having an inlet and outlet, valve means for controlling flow through said unit from said inlet to said outlet, said valve means having a pressure actuated control means, said control means including a pressure responsive means responsive to a predetermined pressure signal for placing said valve means in an open or closed position, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means by first spring means when the pressure on the other side of the pressure responsive means is below that pressure signal necessary for opening said valve means, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to open said valve means by a second spring means and a predetermined pressure signal on the other side of the pressure responsive means for opening said valve means, and said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means against the first spring means by the second spring means and the pressure on the other side of the pressure responsive means when it is greater than that required for opening the valve means.

Claim 11

A flow control unit as set forth in claim 8 wherein means are provided to change the tension of the second spring means to permit different predetermined pressure signals to operate said flow control unit.

Claim 12

A flow control uniT as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pressure responsive means is a diaphragm.

Claim 13

A flow control unit having an inlet and outlet, first valve means for controlling flow through said unit from said inlet to said outlet, said first valve means having a first pressure responsive means responsive to inlet pressure for closing said valve means, second valve means for dumping inlet pressure from behind said first responsive means to open said first valve means, said second valve means having a second pressure responsive means responsive to a predetermined pressure signal for placing said second valve means in an open or closed position, said second pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said second valve means by first spring means when the pressure on the other side of the second pressure responsive means is below that pressure signal necessary for opening said second valve means, said second pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to open said second valve means by a second spring means and a predetermined pressure signal on the other side of the second pressure responsive means for opening said second valve means, and said second pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said second valve means against the first spring means by the second spring means and the pressure on the other side of the second pressure responsive means when it is greater than that required for opening the second valve means.

Claim 14

A flow control unit having an inlet and outlet, first valve means for controlling flow through said unit from said inlet to said outlet, said first valve means having a first pressure responsive means responsive to inlet pressure for closing said valve means, second valve means for dumping inlet pressure from behind said first responsive means to open said first valve means, said second valve means having a second pressure responsive means responsive to a predetermined pressure signal for placing said second valve means in an open or closed position, said second pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said second valve means by first spring means when the pressure on the other side of the second pressure responsive means is below that pressure signal necessary for opening said second valve means, said second pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to open said second valve means by a second spring means and a predetermined pressure signal on the other side of the second pressure responsive means for opening said second valve means, and said second pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said second valve means against the first spring means by the second spring means and the pressure on the other side of the second pressure responsive means when it is greater than that required for opening the second valve means.

Claim 15

A flow control unit as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second pressure responsive means is a diaphragm, a first chamber being located above said diaphragm, a second chamber being located below said diaphragm, means for directing a pressure responsive signal to said first chamber, said second chamber being connected to the atmosphere for dumping, said second valve means being located for dumping inlet pressure from behind said first pressure responsive means into said second chamber.

Claim 16

Means for directing a flow of fluid to two distribution units including, means providing a main fluid source, means providing a signal fluid pressure source, means for directing a flow of fluid from said main fluid source to one of said distribution units by a predetermined pressure signal level from said signal fluid pressure source and for directing a flow of fluid from said main fluid source to the other distribution unit by a second and different predetermined pressure signal level from said signal fluid pressure source.

Claim 17

Means for directing a flow of fluid to two distribution units including, means providing a main fluid source, means providing a signal fluid pressure source, means for directing a flow of fluid from said main fluid source to one of said distribution units by a predetermined pressure signal level from said signal fluid pressure source and for directing a flow of fluid from said main fluid source to the other distribution unit by a second and different predetermined pressure signal level from said signal fluid pressure source.

Claim 20

A flow control unit having an inlet and outlet, valve means for controlling flow through said unit from said inlet to said outlet, said valve means having a pressure actuated control means, said control means including a pressure responsive means responsive to a predetermined pressure signal for placing said valve means in an open or closed position, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means by a force including first spring means when the pressure on the other side of the pressure responsive means is below that pressure signal necessary for opening said valve means, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to open said valve means by a force including a predetermined pressure signal on the other side of the pressure responsive means for opening said valve means, and said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means against the first spring means by a force including the pressure on the other side of the pressure responsive means when it is greater than that required for opening the valve means.

Claim 21

A flow control unit having an inlet and outlet, valve means for controlling flow through said unit from said inlet to said outlet, said valve means having a pressure actuated control means, said control means including a pressure responsive means responsive to a predetermined pressure signal for placing said valve means in an open or closed position, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means by a force including first spring means when the pressure on the other side of the pressure responsive means is below that pressure signal necessary for opening said valve means, said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to open said valve means by a force including a predetermined pressure signal on the other side of the pressure responsive means for opening said valve means, and said pressure responsive means being biased in a direction to close said valve means against the first spring means by a force including the pressure on the other side of the pressure responsive means when it is greater than that required for opening the valve means.

Claim 22

A flow control unit as set forth in claim 11 wheRein passage means are provided for directing inlet pressure behind said first responsive means, third valve means in said passage means for controlling the flow therein, said third valve means being connected to said first valve means, said third valve means being placed in a closed position when said second valve means is placed in an open position and said third valve means being placed in an open position when said second valve means is placed in a closed position.

Claim 23

A flow control unit as set forth in claim 11 wherein passage means are provided for directing inlet pressure behind said first responsive means to said outlet, said second valve means being located in said passage means.

Claim 24

A combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein a single signal tube connects said signal fluid pressure source to said means for directing a flow of fluid from said main fluid source, said means providing a signal fluid pressure source including means for placing different predetermined pressure signal levels in said single signal tube.

Claim 25

A combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein one valve means controls the flow of main fluid to one of said distribution units and another valve means controls said flow of main fluid to the other distribution unit, said single signal tube being connected to both of said valve means for providing a signal fluid pressure to both of said valve means, one of said valve means being operable by one predetermined pressure signal level while the other valve means is operable by another predetermined pressure signal level, said means providing a signal fluid pressure source having means for placing said different pressure signal levels in the single signal tube.