Dry Sprinkler Assembly Vacuum Pressure Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum dry sprinkler systems face challenges in overcoming vacuum pressure after trigger actuation, leading to incomplete opening of sprinklers and potential lodgment of ejectable components, which inhibits the flow of firefighting fluid and proper system operation.
Innovation Solution
The design of an automatic dry fire protection sprinkler assembly with a tubular housing and internal conduit, featuring a thermally responsive trigger and fluid control assembly that includes a seal subassembly and ejectable support subassembly, where the support subassembly is axially translated and pivoted out of the fluid flow path upon trigger actuation, ensuring complete ejection and proper fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thermally responsive trigger actuates to unseal the sprinkler, then the sealing assembly is released, but the vacuum pressure prevents complete opening of the sprinkler
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing assembly is divided into multiple components: a seal member that forms the seal, a trigger member that responds to thermal activation, and an ejectable component that is expelled upon actuation. This segmentation allows the vacuum pressure to affect only the ejectable component while the seal member and trigger member remain functional, enabling reliable sprinkler opening despite vacuum conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The ejectable component is designed to be completely removed from the sprinkler assembly upon thermal actuation. By extracting this component that would otherwise be held by vacuum pressure, the system ensures that the remaining components (seal member and trigger member) can fully open the sprinkler without resistance from vacuum-held parts
2Reliability
If the ejectable component is not fully expelled, then the sprinkler may not fully open, but adding external springs increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The ejectable component is designed to self-expel from the sprinkler assembly upon thermal actuation of the trigger member. The component's own structural design and the force released from seal breaking provide the necessary ejection force, eliminating the need for external springs or additional mechanical ejection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using external forces (springs) to push the ejectable component out, the system allows the vacuum pressure and seal holding forces to normally retain the component, then inverts the approach by having the thermal actuation break these forces to allow natural ejection. The component is expelled by the release of retained forces rather than by active external propulsion
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 solution enables complete opening of the sprinkler and proper fluid flow, overcoming vacuum pressure issues and preventing lodgment, ensuring effective operation of the dry vacuum fire protection system.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally responsive trigger which supports a sealing assembly in a position that seals the internal passageway of the sprinkler. Upon thermal actuation of the trigger in response to a fire, the trigger fractures or collapses thereby releasing the sealing assembly
Implementation Method 2
one problem in vacuum dry sprinkler systems is overcoming the vacuum pressure within the sprinkler once the thermally responsive trigger is actuated
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic fire protection sprinkler assembly for fire protection systems that includes a tubular outer housing having an inlet, an outlet opening and an internal shelf proximate the outlet opening. A fluid deflection member is spaced from the outlet opening along a fluid flow path of the assembly. A fluid control assembly is disposed within the outer housing for axial translation from an unactuated state to an actuated state of the sprinkler assembly. The fluid control assembly includes a seal subassembly, a fluid flow tube; and an ejectable support subassembly. The support subassembly includes a projection member. Upon actuation of a thermally responsive trigger, the support subassembly is ejected out the outlet opening such that the projection member comes into contact with the internal shelf of the housing to pivot the support subassembly out of the fluid flow path.