Sprinkler Branch Tee With Piston Valve to Prevent Skipping Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Closed-type sprinkler heads struggle to increase water discharge density due to spacing limitations and the skipping effect, which occurs when water from opened sprinkler heads interferes with the operation of nearby heads, especially in areas with many combustible materials or obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A branch tee for sprinkler pipes that automatically controls the water stream by using a piston valve to connect closed-type and open-type sprinkler heads, allowing the sub-head to open automatically when the main head is activated, thus preventing the skipping effect and enabling denser sprinkler head arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If closed-type sprinkler heads are installed densely to increase water discharge density, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but the skipping effect occurs when heads are too close together
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sprinkler network into main heads (closed-type) and sub-heads (open-type) connected through branch tees. When a main head activates, it triggers corresponding sub-heads to open, creating a segmented activation pattern that prevents water from one head from interfering with adjacent heads while maintaining high water discharge density.
Solution Approach 2:
The branch tee acts as an intermediary device between the main head and sub-heads. It receives water from the main head and automatically directs it to the sub-heads through the piston valve mechanism, preventing direct water discharge that would cause the skipping effect while ensuring coordinated activation.
2Speed
If closed-type sprinkler heads are installed within 30 cm from the ceiling to ensure activation by ceiling jet flow, then response time is improved, but the skipping effect is more likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
By installing closed-type main heads close to the ceiling for rapid activation while connecting them to open-type sub-heads positioned lower through branch tees, the system segments the water discharge function. The main heads respond quickly to ceiling jet flow, while sub-heads discharge water in a controlled manner that avoids the skipping effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The branch tee serves as an intermediary that decouples the rapid activation function (performed by ceiling-mounted main heads) from the water discharge function (performed by lower-positioned sub-heads). This allows the main heads to activate quickly without their water discharge causing the skipping effect.
3Productivity
If open-type sprinkler heads are used to increase water discharge density, then fire suppression coverage is improved, but sensor malfunction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the advantages of both closed-type and open-type sprinkler heads by combining them in a main head-sub head configuration. Closed-type main heads provide reliable heat-activated operation without sensor malfunction risk, while open-type sub-heads provide controlled water discharge and high density coverage when triggered by the main heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The branch tee with piston valve creates a multi-functional system where the main heads serve as both detection/activation devices (closed-type reliability) and water supply sources, while the sub-heads serve as controlled discharge devices (open-type advantages). This universal design achieves both reliability and high water discharge density.
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 solution allows for effective fire suppression without the skipping effect, even in densely packed areas or those with many obstacles, while also enabling more flexible sprinkler head placement, potentially reducing construction costs and improving aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a piston valve disposed in the branch tee body and configured to adjust a flow path cross-sectional area of a first flow path from the inlet to the first outlet and to open and close a second flow path from the inlet to the second outlet while moving between a first position and a second position
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a branch tee for sprinkler pipes that automatically controls water stream, and a sprinkler piping system including the same. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the branch tee for sprinkler pipes that automatically controls water stream may include: a branch tee body; an inlet formed on a side wall of the branch tee body and connected to a water supply pipe; a first outlet formed on a first end of the branch tee body and connected to a pipe of a closed-type sprinkler head; a second outlet formed on a second end of the branch tee body and connected to a pipe of an open-type sprinkler head; and a piston valve disposed in the branch tee body and configured to adjust a flow path cross-sectional area of a first flow path from the inlet to the first outlet and to open and close a second flow path from the inlet to the second outlet while moving between a first position and a second position spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the branch tee body, the piston valve comprising a main valve body, a sub-valve body spaced apart from the main valve body in the longitudinal direction of the branch tee and formed with a smaller diameter than the main valve body, and a connecting member connecting the main valve body and the sub-valve body, wherein a first space portion, a second space portion, a third space portion and a fourth space portion partitioned by the branch tee body are successively formed from the first end to the second end within the branch tee body, the first space portion being connected to the first outlet and having a greater diameter than the second space portion, the second space portion having a greater diameter than the third space portion, the third space portion being connected to the inlet and having a greater diameter than the fourth space portion, the fourth space portion being connected to the second outlet and having a smaller diameter than the sub-valve body, wherein, when the piston valve is at the first position, the main valve body is disposed in the first space portion, and the second flow path is opened through the inlet, the third space portion, the fourth space portion and the second outlet, and when the piston valve is at the second position, the main valve body is disposed in the second space portion, and the second flow path is closed by the sub-valve body.