Flexible Sprinkler Assembly With Matched K-Factor Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire sprinkler systems require recalculation of hydraulic characteristics when flexible hoses are introduced during renovations, which is complicated, expensive, and time-consuming, often due to missing design information or pressure drop issues.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler with a flexible body that includes a sprinkler head, adapter, and flexible conduit, where the discharge opening is sized to maintain a composite K factor, allowing for permanent attachment and integration with flow conditioning devices to ensure consistent flow rates without requiring recalculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible hoses are used during renovations to relocate sprinklers, then installation flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but hydraulic recalculations are required which increases device complexity and loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of the sprinkler head (discharge opening size) to compensate for the pressure losses introduced by flexible hoses. By selecting a sprinkler head with a larger discharge opening, the system maintains adequate flow rates despite the additional friction losses from the flexible conduit, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic recalculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pre-fabricated sprinkler assemblies with integrated flexible hoses and pre-determined K-factors. These are designed as complete replacement units that can be installed without detailed hydraulic analysis, treating the complex hydraulic design as a pre-solved problem embedded in the product itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible hoses are used during renovations, then adaptability is improved, but the need for hydraulic recalculation increases loss of time and manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs the hydraulic design calculations in advance during the product design phase. The flexible sprinkler assemblies are pre-configured with specific discharge opening sizes and K-factors that account for the flexible hose characteristics, so that when installed during renovations, they can be used immediately without requiring on-site hydraulic recalculations or lengthy plan reviews.
3Ease of manufacture
If smaller pipes are used to reduce cost, then device complexity is reduced, but frictional losses increase reducing flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention compensates for frictional losses in smaller pipes by changing the parameters of the sprinkler head. By increasing the discharge opening size, the sprinkler can maintain adequate flow rates even when connected to smaller diameter pipes that have higher friction losses, allowing cost-effective pipe sizing without sacrificing fire suppression performance.
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
Enables flexible sprinkler installations without the need for hydraulic recalculations, preserving flow rates and ensuring fire safety by maintaining a consistent K factor through permanent attachments and tamper evident seals.
Implementation Method 1
flexible conduit has an inlet end attachable to the source of fire suppressing liquid. The fire suppressing liquid is discharged from the discharge opening at a flow rate defined by a composite K factor which includes pressure losses from the flexible conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler with flexible body for fire suppression incudes a sprinkler head. An adapter extends from the sprinkler head and a flexible conduit extends from the adapter. The conduit is connectable to a source of fire suppressing liquid. The sprinkler with flexible body has a composite K factor indicative of the discharge flow rate from a discharge opening defined by the sprinkler head and can be directly substituted for a sprinkler having the same K factor with no change in the hydraulic characteristics of the fire suppression system in which the sprinkler with flexible body is integrated. An embodiment without the adapter, wherein the flexible conduit extends from the sprinkler head, is also feasible.