Preaction Dry Pipe Alarm Valve Quick Opener Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Preaction dry pipe alarm valves in sprinkler systems face long flooding times when switched to pressure-dependent operation, delaying the extinguishing process due to the need for additional quick action vents and prolonged air pressure reduction.
Innovation Solution
A preaction dry pipe alarm valve with a pilot control chamber that, upon fault message from the fire detection and extinguishing control panel, activates a quick opener connected to an annular channel, releasing air and directly opening the valve head to facilitate immediate flooding of the sprinkler pipework, eliminating the need for additional rapid vents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the preaction dry pipe alarm valve is switched to pressure-dependent operation, then it opens in case of dropping air pressure in the sprinkler pipework, but the flooding time becomes relatively long due to the need for air to escape through opened sprinklers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a separate quick action vent as an additional air escape path, segmented from the main sprinkler outlets. This allows air to escape through multiple pathways simultaneously (both through opened sprinklers and through the quick action vent), thereby reducing the overall flooding time while maintaining the reliability of pressure-dependent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick action vent acts as an intermediary component that facilitates faster air evacuation from the pipework. It provides an alternative route for air escape that complements the natural escape path through sprinklers, thereby mediating between the need for reliable pressure-dependent operation and the requirement for rapid flooding.
2Loss of time
If additional quick action vents are installed at the end of the pipework to achieve rapid pressure drop, then flooding time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick action vent is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as an air escape path during normal pressure-dependent operation, and also functions as a water flow path during fire suppression. This universal design reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving rapid pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the air venting function with the water supply function into a single integrated system. The quick action vent is designed to handle both air evacuation during normal operation and water flow during fire suppression, combining multiple functions into one component rather than requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
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 significantly reduces flooding time by directly registering pressure drops and opening the valve head, ensuring rapid water supply to the sprinkler pipework without requiring additional quick action vents, thus enhancing the efficiency of the extinguishing process.
Implementation Method 1
a pilot control chamber (19) of the preaction dry pipe alarm valve (1) is depressurized in case of a fault message
Implementation Method 2
releases air into the annular channel (39), so that the valve head (2) of the water supply (38) for the sprinkler pipework (24) is opened
Data Source
AI summary
A preaction dry pipe alarm valve (1) is provided for a sprinkler pipework (24) and sprinklers with a fire detection and extinguishing control panel (26). A water supply (38 and an air feed (37) are selectively in communication with the sprinkler pipework. A pilot control chamber (19) of the preaction dry pipe alarm valve (1) is depressurized in case of a fault message from the fire detection and extinguishing control panel (26). When the pilot control chamber (19) is depressurized and, in the case of a decreasing pressure in the sprinkler pipework (24), a quick opener (40) opens the valve head (2) of the preaction dry pipe alarm valve (1), so that extinguishing water can flow into the dry pipework (24). The system allows very short flooding times for the sprinkler pipework with no additional rapid vents installed in the pipework.