Direct-Coupled Sprinkler Connection for Fast Leak-Safe Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of traditional sprinklers in fire suppression systems is time-consuming and prone to damage due to the need for precise rotational orientation and fluid-tight sealing, often requiring significant torque that can compromise the delicate components and lead to leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler design that incorporates a monolithic body with a groove and projection for secure attachment to a grooved coupling, allowing for pre-assembled connection directly to a pipe, featuring a heat-sensitive trigger and adjustable attachment for easy alignment and reduced torque requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional threaded attachment is used to ensure fluid-tight sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but installation time increases and risk of damage to delicate components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into a coupling body with external threads and a sprinkler body with internal threads, allowing independent optimization of each component. The coupling body can be pre-assembled to the pipe, and the sprinkler separately prepared, then quickly connected without requiring complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling body is pre-assembled to the pipe element before the sprinkler is installed. This preliminary action positions the coupling in the correct location and orientation, so that when the sprinkler is attached, the threading and sealing processes are simplified and require less time and torque.
2Reliability
If significant torque is applied to achieve rotational orientation and sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but damage to delicate components increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the attachment function into a dedicated coupling body, the delicate sprinkler components are isolated from the high-torque threading operation. The coupling body absorbs the mechanical stress of tightening, protecting the sprinkler's fragile deflector, frame arms, and trigger mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling body acts as an intermediary between the pipe and the sprinkler. It provides a robust threading interface that can withstand high torque without transmitting that torque directly to the delicate sprinkler components, thus achieving sealing without damage.
3Reliability
If precise rotational orientation is required for regulatory compliance and functional performance, then sprinkler performance is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body incorporates asymmetric features such as keys or alignment protrusions that engage with corresponding features on the sprinkler. This asymmetric design provides positive mechanical alignment, ensuring the sprinkler is oriented correctly without requiring the installer to perform complex rotational adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The correct rotational orientation is established during the pre-assembly of the coupling to the pipe. Alignment features are built into the coupling body that guide the sprinkler into the correct orientation during attachment, eliminating the need for post-assembly rotational adjustments.
4Reliability
If tapered threads with interference fit are used for sealing, then sealing capability is improved, but installation time and risk of leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The threading interface is segmented into the coupling body's external threads and the sprinkler's internal threads. This segmentation allows the use of optimized thread profiles that provide sealing capability with reduced interference, enabling faster installation without compromising seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread geometry parameters are optimized to provide adequate sealing with less interference fit. This may involve modifying the thread angle, pitch, or profile to achieve sealing through a combination of mechanical contact and deformation, rather than relying solely on high interference, thus reducing the torque and time required for installation.
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
This design facilitates faster, more reliable installation with reduced risk of damage, improved sealing, and easier achievement of the required rotational orientation, while minimizing the need for additional fittings and reducing the likelihood of leakage.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a heat-sensitive trigger and adjustable attachment for easy alignment and reduced torque requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression sprinkler adapted to receive arcuate surfaces of a grooved coupling is retainable to the coupling in a pre-assembled state. The coupling joins the sprinkler in facing axial end to end relation directly to grooved pipe. The sprinkler has a monolithic body which defines a bore having an inlet and an outlet. A groove, positioned between the inlet and the outlet extends around the body. A projection, positioned between the groove and the outlet also extends around the body.