Diaphragm actuated sprinkler head

Claim 2

A fire protection sprinkler head, comprising a main valve member engaged upon a valve seat and a pilot valve assembly adapted to actuate said main valve member, characterized in that: said main valve member comprises a hollow bore element; an annular flexible diaphragm is positioned within the chamber formed by said sprinkler head, extending between and sealed to said main valve member and said chamber; one side of said diaphragm is exposed to said pilot valve assembly and water pressure therefrom, said side being connected to atmosphere through a flow-restrictive drainage passage sized to insure actuating pressure on the diaphragm to displace the main valve member away from said valve seat when the pilot valve assembly is open; and a vent in said chamber exposing the other side of said diaphragm to atmosphere; whereby the position of the main valve member is controlled by the diaphragm action in response to the pilot valve.

Claim 3

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said drainage passage comprises an annular passage extending about said main valve member between said member and said valve assembly.

Claim 4

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said valve seat for said main valve member lies at the end thereof on said one side of said diaphragm and biasing means urges said main valve member toward said valve seat, said main valve member axially movable away from and toward said valve seat.

Claim 5

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 1 further characterized in comprising a main water inlet passage, said hollow bore of said main valve member axially aligned with said inlet passage.

Claim 6

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 4 further characterized in comprising a branch water passage connected to the side of said main inlet passage and leading to said pilot valve assembly.

Claim 7

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 5 further characterized in comprising an annular strainer secured in said main inlet extending across said branch passage.

Claim 8

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 6 further characterized in that said strainer extends into said main valve member in telescoping relation therewith.

Claim 9

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said diaphragm is positioned against said drainage passage in sealing engagement therewith when said pilot valve assembly is closed.

Claim 10

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 8 further characterized in that biasing means urges said diaphragm against said drainage passage, said water pressure moving said diaphragm away from said passage when said pilot valve assembly is open.

Claim 11

A fire protection sprinkler head comprising a housing, a main valve member and a pilot valve assembly characterized in that: said housing comprises a first housing part having a main water inlet passage extending therethrough to a second housing part and a branch water passage extending from the side of said inlet passage through said first housing part; said second housing part including a wall defining a chamber between said first and second housing parts, said wall having an aperture axially aligned with said main inlet passage, and said second housing part including a control water passage in communication with said branch water passage, said control passage having a discharge opening into said chamber; a valve seat extending across and spaced away from said wall aperture; said main valve member comprises a hollow bore element extending axially from said valve seat through said aperture to said inlet passage and axially moveable in said inlet passage away from said valve seat; biasing means in said chamber urging said main valve member toward said valve seat; a flexible annular diaphragm extending across said chamber sealed to said main valve member and peripherally sealed between said housing parts, said diaphragm positioned between said biasing means and said control passage discharge opening for moving said main valve member away from said valve seat in response to water pressure emanating from said control passage; a vent in said chamber admitting atmosphere to the side of said diaphragm opposite said control passage discharge opening; a pilot valve assembly connected to said branch and control passages for controlling the passage of water therethrough; and a drainage passage between said wall aperture in said second housing part and said main valve member connecting said diaphragm to atmosphere and sized to insure proper pressure on said diaphragm to displace said main valve member when said pilot valve is open.

Claim 12

A fire protection sprinkler head comprising a housing, a main valve member and a pilot valve assembly characterized in that: said housing comprises a first housing part having a main water inlet passage extending therethrough to a second housing part and a branch water passage extending from the side of said inlet passage through said first housing part; said second housing part including a wall defining a chamber between said first and second housing parts, said wall having an aperture axially aligned with said main inlet passage, and said second housing part including a control water passage in communication with said branch water passage, said control passage having a discharge opening into said chamber; a valve seat extending across and spaced away from said wall aperture; said main valve member comprises a hollow bore element extending axially from said valve seat through said aperture to said inlet passage and axially moveable in said inlet passage away from said valve seat; biasing means in said chamber urging said main valve member toward said valve seat; a flexible annular diaphragm extending across said chamber sealed to said main valve member and peripherally sealed between said housing parts, said diaphragm positioned between said biasing means and said control passage discharge opening for moving said main valve member away from said valve seat in response to water pressure emanating from said control passage; a vent in said chamber admitting atmosphere to the side of said diaphragm opposite said control passage discharge opening; a pilot valve assembly connected to said branch and control passages for controlling the passage of water therethrough; and a drainage passage between said wall aperture in said second housing part and said main valve member connecting said diaphragm to atmosphere and sized to insure proper pressure on said diaphragm to displace said main valve member when said pilot valve is open.

Claim 13

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 10 further characterized in comprising an annular strainer secured in said main inlet extending across said branch passage.

Claim 14

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 11 further characterized in that said strainer extends into said main valve member therewith.

Claim 15

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 10 further characterized in that said drainage passage comprises an annular passage extending about said main valve member.

Claim 16

The sprinkler head claimed in claim 13 further characterized in that said biasing means urges said diaphragm into sealing engagement with said drainage passage when said pilot valve is closed.

Claim 17

A fire protection sprinkler head comprising a housing, a main valve member, a valve seat, and a pilot valve assembly characterized in that: said valve seat comprises a stationary element external of said housing; said main valve member comprises a hollow bore element extending through said housing for sealing engagement upon said valve seat and is axially moveable within said passage away from said valve seat; diaphragm means connected to said main valve member responsive to water pressure emanating from said pilot valve when said pilot valve is open to move said main valve member away from said valve seat; and a flow restrictive drainage passage for water from said pilot valve when said pilot valve is open, said drainage passage comprising a narrow annular clearance between said housing and said main valve member, through which said axially moveable main valve member extends to said valve seat.

Claim 18

A fire protection sprinkler head comprising a housing, a main valve member, a valve seat, and a pilot valve assembly characterized in that: said valve seat comprises a stationary element external of said housing; said main valve member comprises a hollow bore element extending through said housing for sealing engagement upon said valve seat and is axially moveable within said passage away from said valve seat; diaphragm means connected to said main valve member responsive to water pressure emanating from said pilot valve when said pilot valve is open to move said main valve member away from said valve seat; and a flow restrictive drainage passage for water from said pilot valve when said pilot valve is open, said drainage passage comprising a narrow annular clearance between said housing and said main valve member, through which said axially moveable main valve member extends to said valve seat.