Release Valve Layout for Low Head Loss Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection system valves suffer from high head losses, complexity, weight, and limited diameter, making them inefficient, costly, and unsuitable for larger cylinder capacities, while also posing reliability and installation challenges.
Innovation Solution
A tubular release valve with a non-fragmentable rupture disc, non-return device, and calibrated safety disc, designed for minimal head loss, allowing larger diameters and efficient gas release, featuring a non-return mechanism to prevent backflow and protect against accidental overpressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional valves are used in fire protection systems, then the system can operate reliably with pressure activation, but the head losses are high and the valve weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate functional components: a body, a non-return device with its own sealing element, and a rupture disc assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while minimizing head losses through streamlined flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-return device is positioned upstream of the rupture disc rather than downstream, inverting the conventional arrangement. This inversion allows the non-return device to prevent backflow into the pressurization system while the rupture disc provides pressure relief, reducing the overall complexity of pressure management.
2Reliability
If conventional valves are used in fire protection systems, then the system can operate reliably, but the valve weight increases making installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs a rupture disc made of thin film material that provides reliable pressure-activated failure without the weight of traditional mechanical valves. The non-return device uses a lightweight sealing element that maintains reliability while significantly reducing overall valve weight for easier installation.
3Productivity
If conventional valves are used in fire protection systems, then the system can function, but the valve diameter is limited reducing efficiency for larger cylinder capacities
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body and internal flow paths are designed with curved surfaces and optimized geometries that reduce flow resistance and turbulence. This allows the valve to maintain structural integrity at larger diameters while improving gas release efficiency for systems with larger cylinder capacities.
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
The valve achieves reduced head loss, enabling larger diameters, lower weight, and cost-effective operation, ensuring reliable and efficient gas release, suitable for larger cylinders, and flexible system installation.
Implementation Method 1
valves operated at differential pressure are often used for the release of the extinguishing agent... The activation involves the displacement of one of their pistons and therefore the flow of the extinguishing agent
Implementation Method 2
a non-return device, arranged in a position between said coupling means and said pressurisation inlet, configured to allow a passage of fluid in the direction from said coupling means towards said pressurisation inlet and prevent a passage of fluid in the direction from said pressurisation inlet towards said coupling means
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
This invention relates to a release valve (100) for fire protection systems, consisting of a tubular body (1) with a first end and a second end, and which comprises: coupling means with an extinguishing gas source at a first pressure, arranged at said first end; an outlet (12), arranged at said second end; a pressurisation inlet (11), arranged in a position between said coupling means and said outlet (12) and able to be connected to pressurising means at a second pressure, greater than said first pressure; a rupture disc (2), arranged in a position between said pressurisation inlet (11) and said outlet (12) and configured to open at said second pressure; and a non-return device (3), arranged in a position between said coupling means and said pressurisation inlet (11), said non-return device (3) being configured to allow a passage of fluid in the direction from said coupling means towards said pressurisation inlet (11) and prevent a passage of fluid in the direction from said pressurisation inlet (11) towards said coupling means. The invention also relates to a fire protection system comprising an extinguishing gas source connected to a release valve (100) for fire protection systems of the above type and a method for activating said system.