Upright Sprinkler Deflector for Low Clearance Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems for storage occupancies, particularly those with low clearance between commodities and ceilings, face high hydraulic demands and operational limitations due to close sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing and limited spray pattern performance, leading to increased costs and restricted storage arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection system utilizing upright sprinklers with a unique deflector design that generates an innovative spray pattern, providing effective coverage with reduced fluid demand, capable of addressing fires in low clearance conditions without the need for in-rack sprinklers, and allowing for flexible installation configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If close sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing is used in low clearance storage, then coverage is improved, but hydraulic demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spray pattern parameters by using a deflector with specific geometric features (arcuate annulus, peripheral region with angled surfaces) to modify the water distribution characteristics. This creates an elongated spray pattern that improves coverage efficiency, allowing sprinklers to be spaced farther apart while maintaining effective fire protection and reducing hydraulic demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector design introduces a dimensional change in spray pattern distribution by creating an elongated rectangular spray zone rather than a conventional circular pattern. This dimensional transformation allows the spray to extend farther in the longitudinal direction, improving coverage along the storage racks while reducing the need for closely spaced sprinklers.
2Reliability
If standard spray patterns are used, then sprinkler performance is maintained, but storage arrangement flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is designed with non-uniform geometric features including a peripheral region with multiple angled surfaces at different orientations. This creates localized variations in spray distribution that adapt to different storage configurations, allowing the same sprinkler to effectively protect various storage arrangements (single-row, multi-row, different rack heights) while maintaining reliable fire protection performance.
3Reliability
If in-rack sprinklers are installed, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the enhanced spray pattern generation function from the sprinkler body and implements it through a separate deflector component. This allows the main sprinkler system to remain simple (ceiling-mounted only) while the deflector provides the specialized spray characteristics needed for low clearance storage, eliminating the need for complex in-rack sprinkler installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector acts as an intermediary component between the standard sprinkler and the storage racks. It receives water from the sprinkler and transforms it into an elongated spray pattern that directly addresses the storage commodities, providing effective protection without requiring the sprinkler system itself to be complex or require installation within the racks.
4Area of stationary object
If extended coverage sprinklers are used, then area coverage is improved, but fluid density requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector design creates a dynamic spray pattern that adapts to the specific geometry of the storage space. The arcuate annulus and angled peripheral surfaces work together to elongate the spray pattern in the longitudinal direction, providing extended coverage area while maintaining appropriate fluid density through optimized spray distribution rather than increased flow rate.
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 system achieves effective fire protection for low clearance rack storage with reduced hydraulic demand, enabling flexible installation and lower operational costs while maintaining protection for hazardous commodities like Group A plastics, even in challenging storage arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
an internal deflecting surface opposed to the outlet and circumscribed about the sprinkler axis, the internal deflecting surface having a central region, a peripheral region and an arcuate annulus region between the central region and the peripheral region
Implementation Method 2
Each of the four fluid distribution devices generates a spray pattern that overlap one another to define a rectangular area of fluid distribution 2.5 ft. below the fluid distribution devices
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of sprinklers including six design sprinklers to define a distribution density of 0.55 gpm/sq. ft. at the minimum operating pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A fire protection system includes a plurality of fluid distribution devices coupled to the fluid supply pipes to define four fluid distribution devices above a floor. The fluid distribution devices generate a spray pattern overlapping one another to define a rectangular fluid distribution area 2.5 ft. The rectangular area having a first pair of edges extending parallel to the fluid supply pipes and a second pair of edge extending perpendicular to the first edge. The fluid distribution devices are axially aligned above a corner of the rectangular area, the fluid distribution area defined by a grid of one square foot areas totaling an area no more than 12 ft.×8 ft., the rectangular area of fluid distribution having a total fluid density of at least 60 gpm/sq. ft., the rectangular area including a first zone of fluid distribution of a 4 ft.×4 ft. area.