Remote Thermal Trigger for Dry Sprinkler Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dry sprinkler systems require precise fabrication and installation, leading to delays and increased costs due to the need for custom-made components, and they often face issues with leakage and installation complexity, especially in areas prone to freezing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A thermal trigger assembly with a flexible connector and a thermally responsive element that allows remote mechanical actuation of a valve, enabling on-site fabrication and installation of a dry sprinkler equivalent to a wet sprinkler system, using a Bowden cable to open the valve in response to a predetermined thermodynamic condition, thus eliminating the need for custom-made components and simplifying the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional dry sprinklers are custom-made to precise lengths, then installation precision is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dry sprinkler is divided into separate components: a standard valve body and a separately installed actuating mechanism with rod. This allows the valve body to be a standard off-the-shelf component while the rod length can be adjusted on-site to achieve precise installation dimensions without custom manufacturing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating rod is designed with adjustable length capabilities, allowing installers to modify the rod length on-site to match specific installation requirements. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for custom-order precision manufacturing and reduces delivery time while maintaining installation precision.
2Strength
If rigid tubes are used in dry sprinklers, then structural strength is improved, but installation flexibility and ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid tube is segmented into multiple sections with flexible joints or expansion joints between them. This allows the overall structure to maintain rigidity where needed while providing flexibility at the joints to accommodate installation variations and building movements without requiring custom fabrication.
3Reliability
If long actuating rods are used, then valve actuation reliability is improved, but rod stability and control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Guide structures or support brackets are introduced as intermediary elements along the length of the actuating rod. These intermediaries provide lateral support and stability to the long rod, preventing bending and ensuring reliable valve actuation without requiring the rod itself to be excessively rigid or short.
4Reliability
If custom-made dry sprinklers are ordered, then system reliability is improved, but installation time and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Standard valve bodies are prepared and staged on-site before installation, with all necessary connections and components pre-assembled. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid installation when the freezing protection system needs to be activated, maintaining system reliability while dramatically reducing installation time compared to custom-order approaches.
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 allows for faster and more cost-effective installation of dry sprinkler systems, reduces the risk of leakage, and enables the use of conventional automatic sprinkler heads in areas previously unsuitable for dry sprinkler systems, providing immediate fire protection while minimizing delays and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached. The thermally responsive element is configured to lose structural integrity upon the predetermined thermodynamic condition.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.