Systems and methods of thermoplastic sprinkler seals

Abstract

A sprinkler includes a body, at least one frame arm extending from the body, a deflector coupled with the at least one frame arm, a seal, and a thermal trigger between the deflector and the seal. The seal is coupled with the outlet, and includes a material that includes at least one of thermoplastic or a self-fusing tape. The trigger is between the deflector and the seal, and is to allow the seal to be released from the outlet responsive to a fire condition at a trigger temperature less than a melting point of the material.

Description

Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF THERMOPLASTIC SPRINKLER SEALSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 698,619, filed September 25, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Sprinklers can be used to respond to fires by providing fluids, such as water, to address the fire. For example, sprinklers can deliver fluid from a fluid supply when the sprinkler opens to address the fire.SUMMARY

[0003] At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler. The sprinkler can include a body, at least one frame arm extending from the body, a deflector coupled with the at least one frame arm, a seal, and a thermal trigger between the deflector and the seal. The seal is coupled with the outlet, and includes a material free of fluorine. The trigger is between the deflector and the seal, and is to allow the seal to be released from the outlet responsive to a fire condition at a trigger temperature less than a melting point of the material.

[0004] At least one aspect relates to a seal assembly of a sprinkler. The seal assembly can include a button and a seal. The seal is coupled with the sprinkler button, is annular, and includes polyoxymethylene. The button and the seal are sized to be coupled with an outlet of the sprinkler.

[0005] At least one aspect relates to a seal. The seal can include a frustroconical disc that includes polyoxymethylene and that has a height and an outer diameter, the outer diameter at least ten times the height.

[0006] At least one aspect relates to a method of manufacturing a sprinkler. The method can include providing a seal that includes a material free of fluorine, such as a thermoplastic or electrical tape. The method can include coupling the seal with a sprinkler.

[0007] These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations. The14912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) drawings provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sprinkler.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a seal of a sprinkler.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a seal of a sprinkler.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a sprinkler.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain examples, it is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0014] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of fire sprinklers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods of sprinkler seals that include bodies and / or coatings made of materials free of fluorine or substantially free of fluorine, such as to include a thermoplastic and / or are be layered with a thermoplastic, such as polyoxymethylene, and / or to include or be coated with an electrical tape, such as a selffusing electrical tape. The sprinkler seals can be used to maintain sealing between inlet and outlet sides of fire sprinklers under temperatures up to and / or greater than fire condition temperatures.

[0015] Fire protection systems include sprinklers that can inhibit or permit flow of fluid (typically water, but also in some applications fire suppressant fluid) depending upon conditions. In the instance of a fire or detected conditions that may be indicative of a fire (e.g., increased heat, smoke, etc.), the sprinklers can permit the flow of fluid such that the fluid may contact a deflector and be dispersed so as to provide exposure protection to objects in an area, a floor, a window, and / or wall. The sprinklers may disperse water or fire protection fluid over a specific area, for example a portion of a room or hallway, or a window24912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) or wall. In order to accomplish fire exposure protection for a given area (e.g., room, hallway, window, wall, etc.), sprinklers can include components that permit flow of fire protection fluid in response to activation of one or more fire sprinklers.

[0016] For example, a fire sprinkler may include one or more components that provide a fluid seal, thus preventing passage of fire protection fluid when the fire sprinkler is in an inactivated state. These components may permit passage of fire protection fluid upon activation of the fire sprinkler, thus providing fire protection fluid to the given area.

[0017] Fire protection fluid can be supplied to a fire sprinkler via a fluid supply and / or a network of piping. A seal can be provided within the fire sprinkler so as to retain the fire protection fluid within the fluid supply and / or piping until the fire sprinkler is activated. The fire protection fluid can be stored in the fluid supply and / or piping in a pressurized state such that the fire protection will exit the fire sprinkler upon activation at a flow velocity and volumetric flow rate sufficient to provide fire protection or suppression for a desired area.

[0018] One or more seals disposed within the fire sprinkler can provide a seal that retains the pressurized fire protection fluid. In various applications, the fire protection fluid may be stored at different pressures and, accordingly, the seals of the fire sprinkler can accommodate the pressurized fluid.

[0019] For example, the sprinkler can include a trigger (such as a fusible link that includes two pieces joined together by solder, which melts responsive to increased temperature from a fire, or a glass bulb having a fluid inside that expands responsive to increased temperature from a fire), that breaks responsive to a fire condition. The trigger can be coupled with the seal to apply a load on the seal (or at least a portion thereof) that holds the seal in position to seal the sprinkler. Responsive to the trigger breaking, the seal can be driven away (e.g., ejected) from the position at which the seal seals the sprinkler by fluid pressure from fluid in the sprinkler. This allows the sprinkler to output the fluid to address the fire condition, such as to be directed by a deflector that outputs the fluid according to a target spray pattern.

[0020] The seal or seal assembly of a sprinkler can include components such as a spring (e.g., Belleville spring) and sprinkler button. The sprinkler buttons may be made from materials such as stainless steel, phosphor bronze, or copper. The manner in which the sprinkler button is structured can affect the strength and / or rigidity of the seal, which can affect considerations such as deformations, leaks, or cracks, particularly under the pressure (from the fluid in the sprinkler) and temperature (from a developing fire) conditions that the34912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) seal operates under. In addition, for the seal to eject effectively out of the path of the fluid flow, relatively hard materials should contact the frame of the sprinkler as the sprinkler button moves.

[0021] Some seals including coatings to facilitate sealing (e.g., watertight sealing) and other functions for sprinklers. For example, the seals can be coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (e.g., Teflon coating) or other per- and polyfluroalkyl substance (PFAS) coatings. Various such materials for applying as films to or otherwise coating seals for sprinklers can be useful for fire protection conditions; for example, such materials can have water, oil, and dirt repellency; can be durable under temperature, pressure, radiation, and / or chemical conditions that fire protection systems are used for; and can provide electrical and thermal insulation.

[0022] For example, PTFE-type coatings can be useful at temperatures of 300 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, such as at least 360 degrees Fahrenheit. This can include allowing for a sprinkler to satisfy testing requirements for performance at such temperatures. For example, the ability of the coating to avoid melting under fire condition temperatures can allow for the seals to remain properly positioned until an appropriate event for operation of the sprinkler.

[0023] However, PTFE and / or PFAS materials can have various adverse effects. For example, such materials can have adverse health and / or environmental effects. Such materials can persist themselves or, even if they do degrade, degrade into other persistent forms (e.g., into other PFAS materials), such as due to the carbon-fluorine bond in the materials. These materials can also be difficult to remove once released into the environment (e.g., subsequent to becoming treated as waste).

[0024] Various materials may be thermally rated to have melting temperatures similar to those of PTFE and / or PFAS, such as to have a melt temperature greater than 300 Fahrenheit. However, such materials may not be capable of satisfying all requirements for performance under fire protection conditions. For example, some materials may only remain in an unmelted state for a short duration at or around 300 degrees Fahrenheit, which can limit the usefulness of such materials in allowing for precise timing of sprinkler triggering. Further, criteria for materials used for seals can include being leak-tight under extreme temperature conditions, and being able to withstand multiple different environmental tests such as tests that direct saltspray, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and / or ammonia onto the sprinkler. As such, while some materials, including various polymeric or metal-based materials, may have44912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) some of the properties useful for fire protection applications, many such materials are not capable of satisfying all of the criteria necessary for fire protection applications.

[0025] Seals, coatings or other outer layers of seals, and / or springs of seals for sprinklers in accordance with the present disclosure can include a thermoplastic that has useful properties for fire protection applications, such as a polyoxymethylene (e.g., DELRIN, KOCETAL, ULTRAFORM, CELCON, RAMTAL, DURACON, KEPITAL, POLYPENCO, TENAC, and / or HOSTAFORM). The material can include or be coupled with a self-fusing tape. The material can have high stiffness, low friction or anti-friction properties, and / or high dimensional stability (e.g., to maintain shape over the range of temperatures up to a target melting point, including while under pressure from fluid in the sprinkler). The material can allow for effective manufacturing of the seal, such as by injection molding. The material can have sufficient flexibility and / or pliability to effectively engage with the sprinkler body, such as to move into gaps or irregularities in the structure (e.g., metal structure) of the components that the thermoplastic is to be in contact with while retaining sealing surfaces across all components to be sealed.

[0026] For example, a sprinkler can include a body, at least one frame arm extending from the body, a deflector coupled with the at least one frame arm, a seal, and a thermal trigger between the deflector and the seal. The seal can be made of a material that is free of or substantially free of carbon-fluorine bonds, such as a thermoplastic, such as polyoxymethylene, or an electrical tape, such as a self-fusing tape. The thermal trigger is to allow the seal to be released from the outlet responsive to a fire condition. By forming the seal accordingly, the sprinkler can be provided using materials that are free of fluorine, such as without using materials that include carbon-fluorine bonds, such as PTFE and / or PF AS coatings. The seals and / or coatings thereof can be formed in a manner that accounts for various considerations for fire protection operation. For example, to seal effectively, the load pressure on the seal (and thus the load pressure that the seal and / or coating is to be capable of handling) should be greater than the water pressure behind the seal.

[0027] The seals described herein can be implemented for various fluid distribution devices, including but not limited to sprinklers, devices that include deflectors, devices that include diffusers, or devices that include actuators or other electronically controlled activation elements.54912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)

[0028] The seals can be used for various fire protection (e.g., fire protection, fire suppression) systems. The fire protection systems can include water or chemical systems. The fire protection systems can distribute a fire suppressant agent onto or nearby a fire, extinguishing the fire and preventing the fire from spreading. The fire protection system can be used alone or in combination with other types of fire protection systems (e.g., a building sprinkler system, a handheld fire extinguisher). Multiple fire protection systems can be used in combination with one another to cover a larger area (e.g., each in different rooms of a building).

[0029] The fire protection system and sprinklers thereof can be used in a variety of applications. The fire protection system can be used with a variety of fire suppressant agents, including but not limited to water (e.g., may use powders, liquids, foams, or other fluid or flowable materials). The fire protection system can include or be coupled with a fluid supply. The fluid supply can define an internal volume filled (e.g., partially filled, completely filled) with fire suppressant agent. The fluid supply can provide fluid from a remote location to a building in which the fire protection system is located. Piping (e.g., one or more pipes, tubes, conduits) can be fluidly coupled with one or more sprinklers (or other fluid distribution devices). The sprinklers can receive water or other fire suppressant agent from the fluid supply via the piping. The seals described herein can be used for sprinklers or other fluid distribution devices for any of a variety of applications, including, for example, concealed sprinklers, sidewall sprinklers, storage sprinklers, data center fire protection, sprinklers for dry or wet applications, extended coverage sprinklers, early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinklers, residential sprinklers, commercial sprinklers, or various combinations thereof.

[0030] FIG. 1 depicts a sprinkler 100. The sprinkler 100 includes a body 104 defining an internal passageway 108 that extends from an inlet 112 to an outlet 116. The body 104 can be made of various materials, including metallic, polymeric, and / or composite materials.

[0031] The inlet 112 can be coupled with one or more pipes coupled with a fluid supply to receive fluid from the fluid supply. The inlet 112 can be coupled with the one or more pipes and / or one or more adapters (e.g., tees, elbows, pipe nipples, etc.) between the sprinkler 100 and the one or more pipes. The body 104 can include threads to couple with pipes and / or adapters. The adapters can include channels and / or seals to receive the sprinkler 100 in threaded and / or push-to-connect connections.64912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)

[0032] The internal passageway 108 can have a constant inner diameter, or can vary in inner diameter in one or more portions between the inlet 112 and the outlet 116. The outlet 116 can have the same or different diameter as the inlet 112. Various such structural features for the internal passageway 108 can allow for various fluid flow dynamics through the internal passageway 108.

[0033] For example, as depicted in FIG. 1, the internal passageway 108 can include at least one shoulder 118 (e.g., a portion of the wall forming the internal passageway 108 varying in diameter relative to another portion of the wall). The shoulder 118 can be used to receive one or more components of a seal assembly 120, such as at least one of sprinkler button 122 and seal 124.

[0034] As depicted in FIG. 2, the sprinkler 100 can include a sprinkler button 122 that is received in the outlet 116. The sprinkler button 122 can seal the internal passageway 108 to prevent fluid in the internal passageway 108 from being outputted until a fire condition is detected. The sprinkler button 122 can have an outer diameter equal to or greater than at least a portion of the internal passageway 108, such as a portion of the shoulder 118, to facilitate sealing the internal passageway 108. The sprinkler button 122 can be made of various materials, including but not limited to metal materials.

[0035] The sprinkler button 122 can be received in the outlet 116 such that the sprinkler button 122 faces fluid in the internal passageway 108. The sprinkler button 122 can be solid, or can be at least partially hollow, such as by forming a shell. The sprinkler button 122 can be made of material such as copper, stainless steel, phosphor bronze, nickel, titanium, chromium, or an alloy of one or more such materials. The sprinkler button 122 can be made of a corrosion resistant material. For example, the sprinkler button 122 may be made of a nickel and copper alloy (e.g., MONEL) or a nickel and chromium alloy (e.g., INCONEL).

[0036] The seal assembly 120 can include at least one seal 124. The seal 124 can include a spring seal, such as a Belleville spring. As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the seal 124 can have an annular shape, such as to be formed as a disc forming an opening 204. The seal 124 can be conical (e.g., to have a height at the opening 204 greater than height 216 at an outer edge of the seal 124). The seal 124 can contact the internal passageway 108 (e.g., the shoulder 118) and the button 120.

[0037] The seal 124 can be compressed by at least one of a force applied by thermal trigger 128 on the button 120 and a force applied by fluid in the internal passageway 108 on the seal74912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)124 to facilitate sealing the internal passageway 108 from the outlet 116. The sprinkler button 122 can be formed as a separate member from the seal 124, or can be formed integrally with the seal 124. For example, the seal assembly 120 can include the sprinkler button 122 and / or seal 124 as a same or integral or monolithic member, including by forming each of the sprinkler button 112 and seal 124 from a material free of fluorine, such as a thermoplastic material and / or a self-fusing tape.

[0038] As depicted in FIG. 2, the seal 124 can include a seal body 208 forming the opening 204. The opening 204 can be formed around an axis 202 (e.g., central axis) of the seal body 208. The seal body 208 can be shaped as an annular disc. The seal body 208 can have a conical shape and / or frustrum shape.

[0039] The seal body 208 can be made of any of various materials, such as metal or composite materials. For example, the seal body 208 can be made from aluminum, steel, brass, or non-ferrous metals. The seal body 208 can have a diameter 212 (e.g., outermost diameter) and a height 216, which can be less than the diameter 212 (e.g., including the thickness of layer 240). The seal body 208 can extend from a first side 220 to a second side 224. As depicted in FIG. 1, the seal 124 can be positioned in contact with the sprinkler button 122 and the shoulder 118; for example, one of the first side 220 or the second side 224 can face the internal passageway 108, and the other of the first side or the second side 224 can face the sprinkler button 122.

[0040] The seal 124 can include or be coupled with at least one layer 240. The layer 240 can be at least partially disposed on the seal body 208. At least one of the seal body 208 and the layer 240 can include, consist essentially of, or consist of a material free of fluorine, such as a thermoplastic. The thermoplastic can be or include polyoxymethylene. For example, the thermoplastic can include polyoxymethylene homopolymer or copolymer. The use of polyoxymethylene for the seal body 208 and / or layer 240 can allow for the seal 124 to have better degradation properties (e.g., relative to PTFE and / or PF AS materials) while also having useful properties for fire protection applications, including but not limited to shape stability over temperature ranges of fire conditions, and low friction and / or anti-friction properties.

[0041] The layer 240 can be or include one or more layers (or sheets) of the material, thermoplastic, film, adhesive, and / or tape. The layer 240 can be disposed on the seal body 208 as a material of multiple layers. For example, the layer 240 can be provided as a tape84912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) having an adhesive layer and a thermoplastic layer in contact with the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer can be a silicone adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive silicone. For example, the material of the adhesive layer can be selected to achieve effective bonding between the thermoplastic and the seal body 208. The layer 240 can be bonded to the seal body 208, or can be integrally formed with the seal body 208.

[0042] The layer 240 can include at least one layer of all thermoplastic, can include at least one layer of a combination of thermoplastic and a polymeric material other than thermoplastic, and / or can include a first layer of thermoplastic and a second layer of a polymeric material other than thermoplastic. The layers 240 can have constant thickness, or can have different thicknesses. The layer(s) 240 can be free of fluorine or substantially free of fluorine, for example.

[0043] The layer 240 can be or include a self-fusing tape. The self-fusing tape can be capable of being wrapped in convolutions upon itself around an object and remain in place without unwinding. The self-fusing tape may become difficult or impossible to unwind or delaminate into its original tape form after it is stretched and then left in contact with itself for a relatively short period of time at room temperature (z.e., after a period of time at room temperature it fuses together). The self-fusing tape can include an elastomeric strip or web of self-adhering or self-fusing sheet material that may be stretched at least about 50% of its original length without severing, and, having on at least one surface of this web, a thin, substantially non-tacky, frangible, preferably continuous barrier layer or coating subject to separating into small particles, typically by shattering, when stretched by substantially less than 50% its length. The fusing of the self-fusing tape may form an integral, flexible, and / or void-free seal 124.

[0044] Where the layer 240 includes a self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape can be made of any suitable material. The self-fusing tape can include a natural rubber based sheet material. The self-fusing tape can combine natural or synthetic rubbers with additional materials. Natural or synthetic rubbers such as polyisobutylene and / or butyl rubbers can be combined with other materials, such as polyethylene, including where the natural or synthetic rubbers may be combined with high or ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The butyl rubber may be poly(methylpropene-co-2-methyl-l,3-butadiene) or poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene). The self-fusing tape can include an ethylene-propylene elastomer. Additionally or alternatively, the self-fusing tape can include an elastomer, a tackifier, and a curing agent.94912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)The self-fusing tape can form an insulating sheath having high resistance to penetration by moisture and may be capable of immediate adhesion to conductor and insulation surfaces, where the tape includes a self-fusing base sheet based on elastomers and resinous tackifiers and a layer of rubber-resin pressure-sensitive adhesive coated on the base sheet.

[0045] Where the layer 240 includes a self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape can be a selffusing silicone tape. Self-fusing silicone tape compositions are generally made from at least a polysiloxane, a fusion additive package, and a crosslinking agent. The self-fusing silicon tape can contain methyl vinyl silicone gum in an amount of about 60 wt% to about 100 wt%. Additionally or alternatively, the self-fusing silicon tape can contain cured silicone rubber in an amount of about 90 wt% to about 100 wt%. The self-fusing silicone tape can include dibutyl pathalate polyorganosiloxane in an amount of about 1 wt% or less and dicumyl peroxide in an amount of about 1 wt% or less. Non-limiting examples of suitable polysiloxanes for self-fusing silicone tapes include FMQ (fluorosilicone) — silicone rubber having both methyl and fluorine substituent groups on the polymer chain, FVMQ (fluorosilicone) — silicone rubber having fluorine, vinyl and methyl substituent groups on the polymer chain, PMQ (phenyl methyl silicone) — silicone rubber having both methyl and phenyl substituent groups on the polymer chain, PVMQ (phenyl methyl silicone) — silicone rubber having methyl, phenyl and vinyl substituent groups on the polymer chain, MQ (methyl silicone) — silicone rubber having only methyl substituent groups on the polymer chain (dimethyl polysiloxane), or VMQ (vinyl methyl silicone) — silicone rubber having both vinyl and methyl substituent groups on the polymer chain, PO — having phenyl methyl siloxane groups; or any combination of the one or more noted poly siloxanes.

[0046] The properties of the self-fusing tape can be modified in any suitable manner. For example, neutral corrosion inhibitors can be mixed with the above-noted self-fusing tape compositions. Such corrosion inhibitors are generally water soluble since the solubility of the inhibitor can aid in transfer of the inhibitor to a metal surface, via moisture, of the part or item to be protected. Examples of neutral inorganic or organic corrosion inhibitors include salts of various organic and inorganic acids, such as phosphoric acid, gluconic acid, carboxylic acid, and benzoic acid. Examples of such salts include one or more of sodium hexameta phosphate, calcium phosphate dibasic, sodium calcium polyphosphate, aluminum magnesium carbonate hydroxide (hydrate) sodium benzoate, calcium benzoate, sodium gluconate, or any combination thereof. Generally, sodium benzoate can be preferred.104912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)

[0047] The layer 240 can be disposed along the first side 220, and can be disposed along the second side 224. For example, the layer 240 can partially or entirely extend over the first side 220 and / or the second side 224 of the seal body 208. The layer 240 can be provided along an outer edge 228 of the seal 124, or the outer edge 228 can be exposed (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 2) without being coated. The layer 240 can extend over one or more portions of the seal body 208 that face the internal passageway 108, such as to be compressed between the seal body 208 and the internal passageway 108 and / or the shoulder 118.

[0048] The layer 240 can be relatively thin compared with the height 216, such that a ratio of the thickness of the layer 240 to the height 216 can be between 1 :250 and 1 :3 (e.g., having a thickness less than fifty percent of the height 216; less than thirty percent of the height 216; less than ten percent of the height 216; greater than five percent of the height 216). The layer 240 can have a thickness to allow for effective mechanical engagement between the layer 240 and the internal passageway 108, e.g., without under- or over-tightening. The thickness can be selected to allow for sufficient anti -frictional characteristics of the layer 240 with respect to the internal passageway 108.

[0049] The ratio of the thickness of the layer 240 to the height 216 can allow for sufficient engagement between the seal body 208 and the internal passageway 108 given a size of the seal body 208. For example, the thickness can be greater than or equal to 0.2 millimeters (mm) and less than or equal to 10 mm; greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm; greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm; 2.5 mm.

[0050] The layer 240 can be applied to the surfaces (e.g., of sides 220, 224) of the seal body 208. The layer 240 can be applied in a single layer on the seal body 208 or surfaces thereof. The layer 240 can have a finish with few or no irregularities. As described above, the layer 240 can have various characteristics to perform effectively for fire protection. For example, the layer 240 can have one or more of the toughness, impermeability, and thermal stability useful for fire protection applications; the layer 240 can have appropriate frictional and / or anti -frictional properties for effective sealing.

[0051] The layer 240 (or material thereof) can have flexibility and / or pliability to allow the layer 240 to fill surface irregularities of the seal body 208 and / or internal passageway 108. For example, the layer 240 can have a yield strength between 2000 psi and 50000 psi. The layer 240 can have a Durometer hardness between 60 and 100. The layer 240 can have a constant thickness, or can vary in diameter (e.g., to have a greater diameter towards outer114912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) edges of the seal body 208 relative to a center of the seal body 208). The layer 240 can have one or more such properties in the target ranges throughout the ranges of temperature for expected operation of the seal 124. The layer 240 can have a coefficient of thermal expansion between 100 and 140 ppm / K, such as 120 ppm / K.

[0052] As depicted in FIG. 1, the seal 124 can include or be coupled with a spring 126. The spring 126 can be an ejection spring. The spring 126 can contact one or more points on the button 122 (e.g., a side of the button 122 opposite the side of the button 122 facing the internal passageway 108). The spring 126 can facilitate moving the button 122 out of the outlet 116 responsive to a fire condition, such as to cause the button 122 to be deflected off of frame arms 136 by pressure from fluid in the internal passageway 108. The sprinkler 100 may not include the spring 126 and / or may couple the spring 126 with at least one point on the thermal trigger 128 to facilitate moving the thermal trigger 128 out of the path of fluid in the internal passageway 108.

[0053] The sprinkler 100 can include a thermal trigger 128 that is coupled with the sprinkler button 122 to apply a load to the sprinkler button 122, such as to hold the sprinkler button 122 in a sealing position for sealing the internal passageway 108. The thermal trigger 128 can be triggered (e.g., actuated) responsive to a fire condition, such as a temperature around the thermal trigger 128 meeting or exceeding a target temperature.

[0054] For example, the thermal trigger 128 can include a fusible link that includes at least two members coupled with one another by solder. Responsive to the temperature around the thermal trigger 128 meeting or exceeding the rated temperature, the solder can melt, allowing the at least two members to separate from one another, which can reduce or remove the load applied against the sprinkler button 122 to allow the force from the fluid pressure in the internal passageway 108 on the sprinkler button 122 to eject the sprinkler button 122 away from the outlet 116.

[0055] The thermal trigger 128 can include a glass bulb having fluid that expands to a state sufficient to break the glass bulb responsive to the temperature around the thermal trigger 128 meeting or exceeding the target temperature, which can reduce or remove the load applied against the sprinkler button 122 to allow the force from the fluid pressure in the internal passageway 108 on the sprinkler button 122 to eject the sprinkler button 122 away from the outlet 116.124912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)

[0056] The sprinkler 100 can include a frame 132 coupled with a deflector 140. The frame 132 can extend from the body 104. The frame 132 can include one or more frame arms 136 that extend from the body 104 towards the deflector 140 and around the thermal trigger 128. The sprinkler button 122, when ejected, can strike the frame 132 in a manner so that the sprinkler button 122 (as well as the seal 124) moves away from the sprinkler 100 to allow fluid to flow out of the outlet 116 to the deflector 140 without being obstructed by the sprinkler button 122. The deflector 140 can cause the fluid to be outputted from the sprinkler 100 according to a target spray pattern (e.g., based on the structure of one or more tines of the deflector 140).

[0057] FIG. 3 depicts an example of a seal 300. The seal 300 can incorporate features of the seal 124 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the seal 300 can include a seal body 304 that forms an opening 308 to receive the sprinkler button 122 (or the seal 300 can be integrally formed with the sprinkler button 122, such as where the seal body 304 and sprinkler button 122 are formed as a single molded component).

[0058] The seal body 304 can be made from the material free of fluorine, substantially free of fluorine, and / or thermoplastic, e.g., to be made from polyoxymethylene. For example, the seal body 304 can be made at least partially from one or more polymeric materials including thermoplastic, or can be entirely thermoplastic. The seal body 304 can be made from the material used for the layer 240 and / or having analogous properties as the layer 240. Forming the seal body 304 from the thermoplastic can allow for a less complex manufacturing and / or installation process, while providing useful mechanical and / or thermal properties for the seal 300.

[0059] The seal 300 can have various form factors; forming the seal 300 using the thermoplastic can allow for greater variations of form factors of the seal 300 given a sprinkler and / or use for the sprinkler with which the seal 300 is to be provided. As depicted in FIG. 3, the seal body 308 can be conical. For example, the seal body 308 can include a first side 312 and a second side 316 opposite the first side 312, and the first side 312 can be angled to be closer at a radially outward end of the first side 312 than a radially inward of the first side 312 relative to an axis 302 (e.g., central axis). The seal body 308 can have annular, conical, frustrum-like, cylindrical, and / or straight or curved surfaces.

[0060] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a method 400 of manufacturing a sprinkler. The method 400 can be used to form various sprinklers or components thereof that are described134912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) herein. For example, the method 400 can be used to provide a sprinkler that includes the seal assembly 120 and / or seal 300.

[0061] At 405, a seal of a seal assembly is provided. The seal can be a compressible member, such as a Belleville seal. The seal can be coupled with a sprinkler button. The seal can be made of a metal or composite material. The seal can be provided as an annular disc forming an opening to at least partially receive the sprinkler button of the seal assembly, or can be a planar member or otherwise be free of openings. The seal can be structured as a conical member. The seal can include one or more annular discs. The seal can be at least partially (or entirely) made of a material free of fluorine, such as a thermoplastic, such as polyoxymethylene, and / or can include a self-fusing tape. The material can be selected to have material properties useful for fire protection applications, such as low coefficient of thermal expansion (e.g., between 100 ppm / K and 150 ppm / K; between 110 ppm / K and 130 ppm / K) over temperature ranges between room temperature and 300-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

[0062] For example, the seal can include a body that includes the material free or substantially free of fluorine, such as the thermoplastic, such as to be fully or partially made of the thermoplastic, or the body can include a metal or other material and one or more layers of the thermoplastic (e.g., outer layer(s)) and / or self-fusing tape. The material of the seal can be formed by molding, such as by injection molding. For example, a mold can be provided having a target shape for the seal (e.g., a conical or frustroconical shape for the seal), and injection molding can be performed using the mold to form the material as at least a portion of the seal. For example, the mold can be used to form the thermoplastic as an outer layer of the seal and / or as at least a portion of a body of the seal.

[0063] At 410, the seal assembly is coupled with a sprinkler, such as to be coupled with a body of the sprinkler. For example, the seal assembly can be positioned in an outlet of an internal passageway of the sprinkler, such that the seal engages the internal passageway to seal a fluid side of the internal passageway from the outlet. Coupling the seal assembly with the sprinkler can include engaging a thermal trigger with the seal assembly to apply a force against the seal assembly to hold the seal assembly in the outlet (e.g., against a force from pressure of fluid in the internal passageway that can drive the seal assembly out of the outlet in the absence of the thermal trigger).

[0064] The seal assembly can be coupled with the sprinkler such that the material of the seal contacts one or more surfaces of the sprinkler. For example, the seal assembly can be144912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) coupled with the sprinkler such that thermoplastic on a first side of the seal faces a fluid side of the internal passageway and / or thermoplastic on a second side of the seal faces an outlet side of the internal passageway.

[0065] Having now described some illustrative implementations, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, those acts and those elements can be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations or implementations.

[0066] The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” “comprising” “having” “containing” “involving” “characterized by” “characterized in that” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items, as well as alternate implementations consisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the described elements, acts, or components.

[0067] Any references to implementations or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular can also embrace implementations including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any implementation or element or act herein can also embrace implementations including only a single element. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements to single or plural configurations. References to any act or element being based on any information, act, or element can include implementations where the act or element is based at least in part on any information, act, or element.

[0068] Any implementation disclosed herein can be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “one implementation” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation can be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein are not necessarily all referring to the same154912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) implementation. Any implementation can be combined with any other implementation, inclusively or exclusively, in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.

[0069] Where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included to increase the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements.

[0070] Systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the characteristics thereof. Further relative parallel, perpendicular, vertical, or other positioning or orientation descriptions include variations within + / - 10% or + / -10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel, or perpendicular positioning. References to “approximately,” “about” “substantially” or other terms of degree include variations of + / - 10% from the given measurement, unit, or range unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Coupled elements can be electrically, mechanically, or physically coupled with one another directly or with intervening elements. Scope of the systems and methods described herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein.

[0071] The term “coupled” and variations thereof includes the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly with or to each other, with the two members coupled with each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled with each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0072] References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. References to at least one of a conjunctive list of terms may be construed as an inclusive OR to indicate164912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. For example, a reference to “at least one of ‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only ‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and ‘B’. Such references used in conjunction with “comprising” or other open terminology can include additional items.

[0073] Modifications of described elements and acts such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations can occur without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0074] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.174912-1315-6693.1

Claims

Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A sprinkler, comprising: a body having an internal passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet; at least one frame arm extending from the body; a deflector coupled with the at least one frame arm; a seal coupled with the outlet, the seal comprising a material comprising at least one a thermoplastic or a self-fusing tape; and a trigger between the deflector and the seal, the trigger to allow the seal to be released from the outlet responsive to a fire condition at a trigger temperature less than a melting point of the material.

2. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape comprising a natural or synthetic rubber, optionally wherein the natural or synthetic rubber comprises a butyl rubber, optionally wherein the butyl rubber comprises poly(methylpropene-co-2-methyl-l,3- butadiene) or poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene).

3. The sprinkler of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: the seal comprises the seal-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape comprises an ethylenepropylene elastomer.

4. The sprinkler of any one of claims 1-3, comprising: the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self fusing-tape comprising high or ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

5. The sprinkler of any one of claims 1-4, comprising: the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape is a self-fusing silicone tape comprising a polysiloxane, optionally wherein the polysiloxane comprises fluorosilicones, phenyl methyl silicones, methyl silicones, or vinyl methyl silicones, optionally wherein the poly siloxane comprises FMQ, FVMQ, PMQ, PVMQ, MQ, VMQ, or PO.

6. The sprinkler of any one of claims 1-5, comprising:184912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO) the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape comprising a corrosion inhibitor, optionally wherein the corrosion inhibitor comprises phosphoric acid, gluconic acid, carboxylic acid, benzoic acid, sodium hexameta phosphate, calcium phosphate dibasic, sodium calcium polyphosphate, aluminum magnesium carbonate hydroxide (hydrate) sodium benzoate, calcium benzoate, sodium gluconate, or any combination thereof.

7. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the seal comprises the thermoplastic, the thermoplastic comprising one or more polymeric materials, the one or more polymeric materials including polyoxymethylene.

8. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the thermoplastic consists of polyoxymethylene.

9. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the seal comprises a seal body shaped to engage the outlet, the seal body comprising the material.

10. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the seal comprises a body shaped to engage the outlet and a layer on the seal body, the seal body comprising a metal, the layer comprising the thermoplastic.

11. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the melting point is greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and the trigger temperature is greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

12. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the seal comprises a conical washer, and a layer comprising the material is on one or more sides of the conical washer.

13. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the seal comprises an annular disc on which at least one layer comprising the material is disposed; and a ratio of a thickness of the at least one layer to a thickness of the disc is between about 1 :250 and 1 : 100.194912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)14. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the internal passageway is metal.

15. The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the material is substantially free of fluorine.

16. A seal assembly of a sprinkler, comprising: a button; and a seal coupled with the sprinkler button, the seal is annular, the seal comprises polyoxymethylene or a self-fusing tape, the button and the seal sized to be coupled with an outlet of the sprinkler.

17. The seal assembly of claim 16, comprising: the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape comprises a natural or synthetic rubber, optionally wherein the natural or synthetic rubber comprises a butyl rubber, optionally wherein the butyl rubber comprises poly(methylpropene-co-2-methyl-l,3- butadiene) or poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene).

18. The seal assembly of claim 16 or claim 17, comprising: the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape comprising an ethylenepropylene elastomer.

19. The seal assembly of any one of claims 16-18, comprising: the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape comprising high or ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

20. The seal assembly of any one of claims 16-19, comprising: the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape is a self-fusing silicone tape comprising a polysiloxane, optionally wherein the polysiloxane comprises fluorosilicones, phenyl methyl silicones, methyl silicones, or vinyl methyl silicones, optionally wherein the poly siloxane comprises FMQ, FVMQ, PMQ, PVMQ, MQ, VMQ, or PO.204912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)21. The seal assembly of any one of claims 16-20, comprising: the seal comprises the self-fusing tape, the self-fusing tape comprises a corrosion inhibitor, optionally wherein the corrosion inhibitor comprises phosphoric acid, gluconic acid, carboxylic acid, benzoic acid, sodium hexameta phosphate, calcium phosphate dibasic, sodium calcium polyphosphate, aluminum magnesium carbonate hydroxide (hydrate) sodium benzoate, calcium benzoate, sodium gluconate, or any combination thereof.

22. The seal assembly of claim 16, comprising: the seal comprises a conical body and at least one layer on one or more surfaces of the conical body, the at least one layer comprising the polyoxymethylene.

23. The seal assembly of claim 16, comprising: the seal has a Durometer hardness greater than or equal to 60 and less than or equal to 100.

24. The seal assembly of claim 16, comprising: the polyoxymethylene has a melting point greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit and a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than or equal to 100 parts per million (ppm) / Kelvin (K) and less than or equal to 140 ppm / K.

25. The seal assembly of claim 16, comprising: the seal comprises a body made of metal, one or more layers comprising the polyoxymethylene, and an adhesive to bond the one or more layers with the body.

26. The seal assembly of claim 16, comprising: the seal defines an opening in which the button is positioned.

27. The seal assembly of claim 16, comprising: the seal comprises a body of injection molded polyoxymethylene.

28. A seal, comprising: a frustroconical disc comprising polyoxymethylene or a self-fusing tape, the frustroconical disc comprising a height and an outer diameter, the outer diameter at least ten times the height.214912-1315-6693.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1801 (FWR-24-8651-WO)29. The seal of claim 28, comprising: the frustroconical disc consists of polyoxymethylene.

30. The seal of claim 28, comprising: the frustoconical disc comprises a melting point greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit and a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than or equal to 100 parts per million (ppm) / Kelvin (K) and less than or equal to 140 ppm / K.

31. The seal of claim 28, comprising: the frustroconical disc comprises a body made of metal and one or more layers of the polyoxymethylene or the self-fusing tape on the body.224912-1315-6693.1

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