US3877527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermally insulated actuator for fire sprinkler heads
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-09-24
•
Granted: 1975-04-15
•
Expires: 1993-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a mounting system for temperature responsive actuators of automatic fire extinguishing sprinkler heads. Thermal insulation is provided between the temperature responsive actuator and the housing of the sprinkler head.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilfred V Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:42
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C37/00; A62C37/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A valve assembly for use in automatic fire extinguishing systems and comprising: a housing defining a fluid passage therethrough; a valve member in said passage for controlling the flow of fluids therethrough; temperature responsive actuator means for operating said valve member in response to ambient temperature changes, said actuator means further comprising an actuator housing and a recyclable actuator means for repeatedly operating said valve member in response to repeated ambient temperature changes; and temperature insulation means for securing said actuator housing to said housing and for restricting thermal communication therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A valve assembly for use in automatic fire extinguishing systems and comprising: a housing defining a fluid passage therethrough; a valve member in said passage for controlling the flow of fluids therethrough; temperature responsive actuator means for operating said valve member in response to ambient temperature changes, said actuator means further comprising an actuator housing and a recyclable actuator means for repeatedly operating said valve member in response to repeated ambient temperature changes; and temperature insulation means for securing said actuator housing to said housing and for restricting thermal communication therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A valve assembly according to claim 1 comprising fluid dispersion means disposed near one end of said fluid passage for dispersing fluid emerging therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a body of material that exhibits a substantial volume increase during the solid to liquid transition and a corresponding volume decrease during the liquid to solid transition and wherein said volume increase is utilized to actuate said valve member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A valve assembly accoRding to claim 1 wherein said temperature insulation means is annular and is coupled to said housing at one end and to said actuator housing at the end of said insulation means opposite said one end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A valve assembly according to claim 4 wherein said actuator means comprises an actuator rod emerging from said actuator housing and operatively coupled to said valve member and wherein said actuator rod passes through said insulation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said temperature insulation means comprises insulated mounting means for attaching to said housing and further comprises coupling means for coupling said actuator housing to said insulated mounting means so as to provide thermal insulation in all direct heat transfer paths between said housing and said actuator housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A valve assembly according to claim 6 wherein said insulated mounting means comprises a rigid mounting member for coupling to said housing and further comprises insulating sheath means for covering said rigid member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A valve assembly according to claim 7 wherein said rigid mounting member comprises an annular portion spaced apart from said housing and said coupling means comprises a tube with an inward collar at each end thereof, and wherein one of said collars is in operative engagement with said annular member and the other one of said collars is in operative engagement with said actuator housing so as to secure said actuator housing to said annular member but wherein a portion of said sheath is disposed between said annular portion and said actuator housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A valve assembly according to claim 8 wherein another portion of said sheath is disposed between said annular member and said one of said collars.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A valve assembly according to claim 8 wherein said tube comprises an enlarged heat sink portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A valve assembly according to claim 8 wherein said tube comprises openings providing air flow paths to said actuator housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A valve assembly according to claim 8 including seal means providing a fluid tight seal between said actuator rod and said insulation means.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |