Sprinkler for a fire extinguishing system

Abstract

A sprinkler for a fire extinguishing system, comprising a sprinkler body (13) in which an extinguishing agent channel (14) is formed, and a plug (15) which, in a ready state of the sprinkler, closes an outlet of the extinguishing agent channel (14). An ejection element (21) engages with the plug (15) and with a counter bearing (24) formed on the sprinkler body (13) in order to direct the ejection movement of the plug (15) by means of a pivoting action. The counter bearing (24) defines a pivot axis (26) which forms an angle (39) with the plane (25) of the plug (15).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sprinkler for a fire extinguishing system. FR 3 002 151 A1 discloses a prior art sprinkler. The sprinkler comprises a sprinkler body in which an extinguishing agent channel is formed. In a standby state of the sprinkler, the outlet of the extinguishing agent channel is closed with a plug. The sprinkler comprises an ejection element for directing the ejection movement of the plug.

[0002] With such sprinklers, in the event of a fire, the extinguishing agent channel is released by removing the plug, allowing extinguishing agent to escape and fight the fire. A spray deflector is typically arranged in front of the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel to deflect and distribute the escaping extinguishing agent in an appropriate manner. For reliable extinguishing, the plug must be removed from the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel in such a way that the spread of the extinguishing agent is not impeded by the plug. In the standby state, the plug can be held in position by a trigger element against any overpressure in the extinguishing agent channel, so that the plug seals the extinguishing agent channel. When the sprinkler is triggered, the trigger element releases the plug, so that the plug is forced out of the extinguishing agent channel under the influence of the overpressure in the extinguishing agent channel.

[0003] The plug should be completely removed from the sprinkler area after the sprinkler has been activated, as otherwise the extinguishing process could be compromised. For example, if the plug were to become lodged between the extinguishing agent channel and the spray deflector, the escaping extinguishing agent would hit the plug instead of the spray deflector, and the extinguishing agent would be deflected uncontrollably.

[0004] To control the direction of the plug's ejection movement after the sprinkler is triggered, an ejection element can be arranged between the plug and the sprinkler body to direct the plug's movement. Sprinklers are known in which the ejection element directs the plug along an arcuate path. The arcuate path results from the fact that the counterbearing of the sprinkler body defines a pivot axis around which the ejection element pivots during the plug's arcuate movement. The pivot axis is aligned parallel to the plane of the plug, so that the arcuate movement of the plug essentially takes place in a plane in which the extinguishing agent channel also extends.

[0005] The arcuate movement defined by such an ejection element requires sufficient space in front of the extinguishing agent channel outlet. The spray deflector must therefore be at a certain minimum distance from the extinguishing agent channel outlet to prevent the plug from hitting the spray deflector. This limits further sprinkler size reduction, which is desirable for some applications.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of presenting a sprinkler in which the plug can be reliably removed even when the sprinkler has a low overall height. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0007] In the sprinkler according to the invention, the ejection element engages with the plug and with a counterbearing formed on the sprinkler body to direct the ejection movement of the plug through a pivoting action. The counterbearing defines a pivot axis that forms an angle with the plane of the plug. In this way, after the sprinkler is triggered, the plug is moved along a path that is not defined by a pivot axis parallel to the plane of the plug. This path requires less space in front of the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel, thus allowing a lower overall height of the sprinkler.

[0008] When the sprinkler is in standby mode, the plug closes the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel. The plane of the plug is defined as a plane that forms a right angle with the extinguishing agent channel. The plug can be cylindrical. An annular sealing element can be arranged between the plug and the sprinkler body to seal the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel.

[0009] The ejection element can be designed to keep the plug at a defined distance from the sprinkler body's counterbearing during the ejection movement. The distance can be fixed if the ejection element has a fixed length that does not change during the ejection movement. It is also possible for the ejection element to be elastic, and for the distance to change during the ejection movement within the elasticity specified by the ejection element.

[0010] The invention does not require the precise control of the plug's ejection movement, driven by the overpressure in the extinguishing agent channel. It is sufficient for the ejection element to guide the plug laterally, thereby avoiding collision with sprinkler elements. During the ejection movement, deformation of the ejection element and other uncontrollable influences may occur, causing the plug's actual trajectory to deviate from the direction defined by the pivot axis.

[0011] The counterbearing defines a pivot axis that forms an angle other than 0° with the plane of the plug. In particular, the angle between the pivot axis and the plane of the plug can be at least 15°, preferably at least 45°, more preferably at least 60°, more preferably approximately 90°. The counterbearing can be designed such that the engagement between the ejection element and the counterbearing of the sprinkler body is released during the ejection movement of the plug.

[0012] The sprinkler comprises a spray deflector. The spray deflector can be arranged in front of the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel so that extinguishing agent emerging from the extinguishing agent channel hits the spray deflector and is deflected to the side. The sprinkler comprises two webs that extend between the sprinkler body and the spray deflector and that hold the spray deflector in a defined position relative to the sprinkler body. The spray deflector is therefore held by two webs. The two webs can be arranged in a common plane, which preferably coincides with the direction of the extinguishing agent channel. The distance between the plug and the nearest element of the sprinkler that is opposite the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel can be, for example, between 10 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm. This distance limits the space available for the ejection movement of the plug.

[0013] When the sprinkler is in the ready state, a trigger element can be arranged between the spray deflector and the plug. The plug can be held in position by the trigger element so that the plug tightly closes the extinguishing agent channel. The trigger element can be designed to react to the effects of heat. For example, the trigger element can be in the form of a glass bulb containing, for example, a glycerin-based liquid with an air bubble. When exposed to heat, the glass bulb shatters due to expansion of the liquid and compression of the air bubble. After the glass bulb shatters, the plug is pushed out of the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel by the excess pressure in the extinguishing agent channel. Other types of trigger elements are also possible. For example, the trigger element can be designed as a fusible link, which is solid at ambient temperature and melts when exposed to heat.

[0014] If the plug is held in position by a trigger element supported between the spray deflector and the trigger element, the length of the trigger element essentially corresponds to the space available for the plug's ejection movement. The length of the trigger element can, for example, be between 10 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm. The distance between the plug and the nearest sprinkler element opposite the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel can have the same values.

[0015] It is further advantageous for the invention if the counterbearing is positioned such that it does not impede the ejection movement. Relative to the axis of the extinguishing agent channel, the counterbearing on which the ejection element is supported can have an angular position that deviates by less than 60°, preferably less than 45°, and more preferably less than 30° from the angular position of a web holding the spray disc. In this way, an ejection area can be kept free between the webs, in which the ejection movement of the plug is not impaired by the counterbearing. A counterbearing arranged in this angular position has independent inventive content regardless of the angle of the pivot axis defined by the counterbearing.

[0016] The sprinkler body can be made of metal. The sprinkler body can be a one-piece part, in particular a cast part. The counterbearing for the ejection element can be designed as a projection on the sprinkler body. The sprinkler body can have a single projection to which both the counterbearing is formed and a web holding the spray deflector is attached.

[0017] The plug can be provided with a circumferential groove. The ejection element can engage with the plug via the groove. An opposite end of the ejection element rests against the counterbearing. The pivot axis of the ejection element can be defined by a surface of the counterbearing that is aligned substantially parallel to the direction of the extinguishing agent channel. The counterbearing can be free of undercuts when viewed from the direction of the spray deflector.

[0018] The ejection element is designed as a spring element. The ejection element consists of a bent wire. A first end of the ejection element can have a circularly curved shape so that the first end can be inserted into a groove in the plug. The ejection element has a bent section that extends over the counterbearing. A second end of the ejection element rests against the counterbearing. When the sprinkler is in a standby state, the spring element is under tension.

[0019] The sprinkler body may have a connecting flange adapted to the peripheral surface of a pipe. If the sprinkler is mounted on a pipe of a fire extinguishing system, the connecting flange may be clamped against the peripheral surface of the pipe. By resting the sprinkler directly on the outer surface of the pipe, the fire extinguishing system can be designed so that the sprinkler protrudes less than the pipe. The distance between the peripheral surface of the pipe and the sprinkler outlet opening is preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 5 mm, and more preferably less than 3 mm.

[0020] The sprinkler's connecting flange can span a contour corresponding to a circumferential section of a cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder can correspond to the outer diameter of the pipe, so that the connecting flange rests flatly on the outer surface of the pipe with a support surface. The sprinkler's extinguishing agent channel can be aligned perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. A sealing element can be arranged between the connecting flange and the outer wall of the pipe. The sealing element can be in the form of a sealing ring that extends around the opening in the pipe wall.

[0021] In the fire extinguishing system according to the invention, the distance between the distal end of the sprinkler and the peripheral surface of the pipe can be, for example, between 5 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 40 mm. The sprinkler rests on the peripheral surface of the pipe with a region of a support surface forming an inlet opening of the sprinkler. The distance between this region of the support surface and the distal end of the sprinkler is accordingly. The pipe can have an outer diameter of between 40 mm and 80 mm.

[0022] A fastener may be provided to clamp the connecting flange against the circumferential surface of the pipe. The fastener may extend around the pipe so that the pipe is enclosed between the clamping bracket and the sprinkler.

[0023] The sprinkler body may have a recess into which one end of the fastener is inserted to tighten the fastener against the pipe. The end of the fastener may be threaded so that the fastener can be tightened with a nut. The recess of the sprinkler body may be a bore through which the end of the fastener is inserted in an axial direction. It is also possible for the recess to be open on one side so that the fastener can be inserted into the recess with a lateral movement.

[0024] Particularly in the case of a laterally open recess, it can be advantageous if the sprinkler body is equipped with a retaining projection adjacent to the recess, which is arranged such that a nut screwed onto the end of the clamping bracket abuts against the retaining projection when the clamping bracket is moved laterally towards the exit of the recess. If the clamping bracket is correctly inserted into the recess, the nut lies next to the retaining projection. The nut can be moved over the retaining projection if it is loosened sufficiently. A sprinkler with such a retaining projection has independent inventive content, regardless of whether the sprinkler has an ejection element between the plug and the sprinkler body.

[0025] The invention also relates to a fire extinguishing system equipped with such a sprinkler. A connecting flange of the sprinkler rests on the outer surface of a pipe of the fire extinguishing system.

[0026] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments and the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic sectional view of a sprinkler according to the invention (without spring element); Fig. 2: a schematic sectional view of a sprinkler according to the invention (with spring element); Fig. 3: a schematic top view of the sprinkler according to the invention Fig. 1 and 2 ; Fig. 4: a perspective view of the sprinkler according to the invention from Fig. 1 and 2 ; Fig. 5: a perspective view of the sprinkler according to the invention from Fig. 1 and 2 in an assembled state;

[0027] Fig. 1 and 2show a sprinkler according to the invention for a fire extinguishing system. A sprinkler body 13 of the sprinkler comprises an extinguishing agent channel 14 in the form of a cylindrical bore that extends through the sprinkler body 13. In a standby state of the sprinkler, one end of the extinguishing agent channel 14 is closed by a plug 15. In the extinguishing agent channel 14, which is connected to a pipe of a fire extinguishing system when the sprinkler is installed, there is an overpressure that acts against the plug 15. The plug 15 is held by a trigger element 16 in the form of a glass bulb such that the plug 15 tightly closes the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel 14. A second end of the trigger element 16 is supported on a spray disc 17. The spray disc 17 is connected to the sprinkler body 13 via a first web 18 and a second web 19.

[0028] The plug 15 includes a groove 20 extending over the outer circumference of the plug 15. An ejection element 21 in the form of an ejection spring made of spring wire is arranged between the sprinkler body and the plug. A first end 22 of the ejection element 21 engages the plug 15 via the groove 20. A second end 23 of the ejection element 21 bears against a counterbearing 24 formed on the sprinkler body 13. In the standby state of the sprinkler, the ejection element 21 is subjected to bending stress.

[0029] The counterbearing 24 is arranged on the sprinkler body 13 adjacent to the second web 19 of the spray disc 17. An area is kept free between the counterbearing 24 and the opposite first web 18, which is available for the ejection movement of the plug. Relative to the axis 40 of the extinguishing agent channel 14, the angular position of the second web 19 differs by less than 60° from the angular position of the counterbearing 24.

[0030] The heat generated during a fire causes the glass bulb 16 to shatter. The plug 15 is forced out of the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel 14 by the excess pressure in the extinguishing agent channel 14 and is pushed with an impulse towards the spray disc 17. The movement of the plug 15 is deflected sideways by the ejection element 21, with the direction of movement resulting from the pivot axis defined by the counterbearing 24. Since the counterbearing 24 is aligned approximately at right angles to the plane 25 of the plug 15, the pivot axis also encloses an angle with the plane 25 of the plug 15 that is significantly different from 0°.

[0031] Due to the pivoting movement of the ejection spring 21, the plug performs an ejection movement that extends between the counter bearing 24 and the first web 18. A collision of the plug 15 with the spray disc 17 is prevented, although the distance between the outlet opening of the extinguishing agent channel 14 and the spray disc is smaller than in conventional sprinklers.

[0032] If the pivoting movement of the ejection spring 21 has exceeded a certain angle, the counter bearing 24 no longer has any effect and the ejection spring 21 moves away from the sprinkler together with the plug 15.

[0033] The extinguishing agent can exit the extinguishing agent channel 14 and impinge unhindered onto the spray disc 17. The spray disc 17 is designed to promote the distribution of the extinguishing agent and increase the effective range of the sprinkler.

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of the sprinkler according to the invention from Fig. 1 and 2The sprinkler body 13 is provided on both sides with a receptacle 32, each open to one side, for a clamping bracket 38. The clamping bracket 38 can be tightened with a nut 35. A retaining projection 33 is formed on the sprinkler body 13, which holds the nut 35 in its position when mounted and prevents the clamping bracket 38 from slipping sideways out of the receptacle 32.

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a sprinkler according to the invention. The sprinkler body 13, the counter bearing 24, the connecting flange 31, and the nut guide 33 are formed as a single metal casting. Likewise, the spray disc 17, together with the webs 18, 19, is formed as a single casting.

[0036] Fig. 5shows a perspective view of a sprinkler according to the invention mounted on a pipe 37. The interior of the pipe 37 is filled with extinguishing agent and connected to the bore 14 of the sprinkler body 13 of the sprinkler.

[0037] The sprinkler is attached to the pipe 37 by means of the clamping bracket 38, whereby the side of the sprinkler body 13 resting on the pipe 37 is adapted to the shape of the surface of the pipe 37. During assembly of the sprinkler, the end of the clamping bracket 38 is placed in the receptacle 32 of the connecting flange 31 and secured with a nut 35. The receptacle 32, which is open on one side, makes it possible to insert the clamping bracket 38 with the nuts 35 already attached into the receptacles 32. The retaining projections 33 ensure that the clamping bracket 38 assumes the correct position when the nuts 35 are tightened and that the clamping bracket 38 cannot slip sideways out of the receptacle 32.

Claims

1. Sprinkler for a fire-extinguishing system, having a sprinkler body (13), in which an extinguishing-agent channel (14) is formed, having a spray plate (17), having a first web (18) and a second web (19), which extend between the sprinkler body (13) and the spray plate (17), having a plug (15), which in a standby state of the sprinkler closes off an outlet of the extinguishing-agent channel (14), wherein the plug (15) defines a plane (25) which includes a right angle with the extinguishing-agent channel (14), and having an expulsion element (21), wherein the expulsion element (21) engages at a first end (22) with the plug (15) and at a second end (23) with a counterbearing (24), which is formed on the sprinkler body (13), so as to direct the expulsion movement of the plug (15) by way of a pivoting action, wherein the expulsion element (21) is in the form of a spring element which, in a standby state of the sprinkler, is subjected to load and which is formed from a bent spring wire, wherein the second end (23) of the expulsion element (21) abuts against the counterbearing (24) and has a bent portion which is guided over the counterbearing (24), wherein the counterbearing (24) is separate from the webs (18, 19) and defines a pivot axis (26) for the pivoting action, wherein the pivot axis (26) includes an angle (44) with the plane (25) of the plug (15), wherein the counterbearing (24) is arranged on the sprinkler body (13) adjacent to the second web (19), wherein, between the counterbearing (24) and the first web (18), there is kept free a region which is available for the expulsion movement of the plug (15), and wherein, in relation to the axis (40) of the extinguishing-agent channel (14), the angular position of the second web (19) in the plane (25) of the plug (15) differs by less than 60° from the angular position of the pivot axis (26) in the plane (25) of the plug (15).

2. Sprinkler according to Claim 1, characterized in that the angle (44) between the pivot axis (26) and the plane (25) of the plug (15) is greater than 60°.

3. Sprinkler according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the engagement between the expulsion element (21) and the counterbearing (24) is released during the expulsion movement of the plug (15).

4. Sprinkler according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spray plate (17) is arranged in front of an outlet opening of the extinguishing-agent channel (14), and in that the distance between the spray plate (17) and the plug (15) is between 10 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm.

5. Sprinkler according to Claim 4, characterized in that a trigger element (16) is arranged between the spray plate (17) and the plug (15), wherein the trigger element (16) holds the plug (15) in position such that the plug (15) closes off the extinguishing-agent channel (14) in a sealed manner.

6. Sprinkler according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the angular position of the second web (19) in the plane (25) of the plug (15) differs by less than 45°, preferably by less than 30°, from the angular position of the pivot axis (26) in the plane (25) of the plug (15).

7. Sprinkler according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sprinkler body (13) has a connection flange (42) which is adapted to a circumferential surface of a pipe.

8. Sprinkler according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sprinkler body (13) is in the form of a cast part.

9. Sprinkler according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sprinkler body (13) has a uniform projection (43) on which the counterbearing (24) is formed and to which a web (19) holding the spray plate (17) is fastened.

10. Sprinkler according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, when viewed from the direction of the spray plate (17), the counterbearing is free of undercuts.

11. Sprinkler according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sprinkler body (13) is provided with a receiving part (32) for a fastening element (38), wherein the receiving part (32) is open towards one side.

12. Sprinkler according to Claim 11, characterized in that the sprinkler body (13) is provided with a holding projection (33), which is adjacent to the recess (32), in order to prevent an inadvertent release of the fastening element (38) from the recess.

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