Grooved-Coupling Sprinkler Assembly for Fast Leak-Tight Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of traditional sprinklers in fire suppression systems is time-consuming, requires careful handling to avoid damage, and often results in inconsistent sealing and improper rotational orientation, which can compromise the effectiveness of the sprinkler system.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler system that includes a monolithic body with a bore and a grooved coupling, allowing for a pre-assembled state where the sprinkler is securely joined to a grooved pipe, reducing the need for complex threading and minimizing the risk of damage during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional threaded attachment is used, then a fluid tight joint can be achieved, but the installation becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into separate components: a body portion with internal threads and a collar portion with external threads. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly where the collar is simply threaded onto the body, eliminating the need for complex multi-step threading operations while maintaining the fluid tight joint through the tapered thread design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling body is pre-threaded during manufacturing with precise tapered threads. This preliminary action ensures that during installation, the collar can be quickly attached without requiring complex threading operations, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining sealing integrity.
2Strength
If traditional threaded attachment is used, then a secure connection can be achieved, but the risk of damage to delicate sprinkler components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device separates the threading function into the collar portion, keeping the sprinkler body simple and undamaged. The delicate sprinkler components remain untouched during installation, as the threading operation is confined to the collar portion only, eliminating the risk of damage to the sprinkler's delicate internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary component between the sprinkler body and the pipe. It absorbs all the threading and tightening operations, protecting the delicate sprinkler components from direct exposure to installation forces that could cause damage.
3Reliability
If traditional threaded attachment is used, then proper sealing can be achieved, but inconsistent sealing occurs due to thread damage or contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body includes a fluid tight seal positioned between the collar and the body. This pre-installed seal provides a backup sealing mechanism that compensates for any potential thread damage or contamination, ensuring consistent sealing regardless of threading imperfections. The seal is already in place before assembly, cushioning against potential sealing failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid tight seal acts as an intermediary sealing element between the collar and body. It provides a dedicated sealing interface that is separate from the threading interface, ensuring that sealing quality is not compromised by thread damage or contamination. The seal maintains fluid tightness independently of the threading condition.
4Reliability
If rotational orientation requirements are enforced, then proper sprinkler performance can be ensured, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporates an asymmetric keyway feature that provides a unique rotational orientation. This asymmetric design naturally guides the sprinkler into the correct rotational position during installation, ensuring proper performance without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional orientation-control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyway feature enables the sprinkler to self-align to the correct rotational orientation during the threading process. The asymmetric geometry of the keyway automatically guides the components into the proper position, eliminating the need for installers to perform separate orientation checks or adjustments, thereby simplifying the installation process while ensuring correct performance orientation.
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 gap between the inlet and the grooved pipe to ensure the sprinkler and the pipe are joined by the coupling spaced apart in facing end-to-end relationship.