Angled Trigger Seat for Reliable Sprinkler Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire protection sprinkler systems lack an efficient mechanism to ensure reliable activation in response to fire conditions, as existing thermal triggers may not consistently eject to allow fluid flow when exposed to heat, potentially leading to inadequate fire suppression.
Innovation Solution
A dry pendent sprinkler assembly with a tubular outer structure and a trigger seat having a tubular exterior that protrudes into the water flow channel at an angle, which secures the thermal trigger portion until activation, allowing fluid to flow and engage with the trigger seat to eject it laterally when the system is activated by fire conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thermal triggers are used in sprinkler systems, then the system structure remains simple, but the activation reliability is insufficient as existing thermal triggers may not consistently eject to allow fluid flow when exposed to heat
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a thermal trigger portion that responds to heat, a trigger seat with an angled protrusion that guides ejection, and a occluding component that controls fluid flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably without requiring the entire system to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger seat acts as an intermediary element between the thermal trigger portion and the fluid flow channel. The angled protrusion on the trigger seat mediates the transfer of thermal energy to mechanical ejection motion, ensuring reliable activation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the trigger seat protrudes into the water flow channel at an angle, then fluid engagement improves for reliable ejection, but the internal flow channel geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger seat features a localized angled protrusion that extends into the fluid flow channel at a specific angle (45-135 degrees). This local geometric modification creates effective fluid engagement for reliable ejection without requiring the entire flow channel to be complex, maintaining simplicity in non-critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled protrusion introduces a dimensional element into the otherwise linear flow path. By creating an angled surface that the fluid must interact with, the design converts linear flow into angled impact, improving ejection reliability while adding minimal geometric complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a component occludes fluid flow to maintain thermal trigger position, then thermal trigger positioning is improved, but fluid flow is blocked until activation
Solution Approach 1:
The occluding component is positioned to block fluid flow in the normal state, preventing premature activation of the thermal trigger. This preliminary blocking action ensures system stability during installation and normal operation, allowing fluid to accumulate behind the occlusion for more forceful ejection when activation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The occluding component performs preliminary positioning of the thermal trigger portion, holding it in a ready state before activation. This preliminary action ensures the thermal trigger is correctly positioned and the system is prepared for reliable activation without requiring additional positioning mechanisms during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures reliable activation of the sprinkler system by allowing fluid to flow and engage with the trigger seat, effectively dispersing fire protection fluid upon detection of fire conditions, enhancing the system's ability to suppress or extinguish fires.
Implementation Method 1
thermal trigger portion to respond to fire conditions
Implementation Method 2
allowing fluid to flow and engage with the trigger seat to eject it laterally
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein are directed to a sprinkler to provide fire protection. The sprinkler system can include a deflector portion, a head portion, a thermal trigger portion, a trigger seat, or a tubular outer structure. The tubular outer structure can define an internal water flow channel. The water flow channel can extend along a longitudinal axis between an inlet and an outlet. The trigger seat can include a tubular exterior. The tubular exterior can be coupled with the tubular outer structure. The trigger seat can include a component. The component can occlude a flow of fluid through the dry pendent sprinkler assembly. The component can maintain the thermal trigger portion in position. At least one portion of the tubular exterior of the trigger seat can protrude into the water flow channel at an angle towards the longitudinal axis.