Sprinkler Flow Shaper for Attic Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing fire protection sprinklers to provide adequate distribution of fire suppressant fluid both directly below and laterally under sloped roofs or ceilings poses challenges, particularly in attics or under sloped roofs, where conventional sprinkler designs often fail to ensure effective coverage.

Innovation Solution

A sprinkler assembly with a flow shaper featuring a transverse wall portion intersecting the central axis of the discharge opening, laterally spaced side walls, and mounting base portions, which provides a simple and inexpensive design for distributing fire suppressant fluid both laterally and directly beneath the sprinkler, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sprinkler designs are used, then the structure is simple and inexpensive, but adequate distribution of fire suppressant fluid both directly below and laterally under sloped roofs or ceilings cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadequate distribution of fire suppressant fluidVSAvoidsprinkler structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow shaper is divided into multiple functional wall portions: a transverse wall portion for directing fluid laterally, side walls for containing and directing flow, and a downwardly extending wall portion for directing fluid downward. This segmentation allows each portion to perform a specific function, achieving comprehensive coverage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow shaper utilizes three-dimensional spatial configuration with walls extending in multiple directions (laterally, downwardly, and obliquely). This multi-dimensional approach allows the sprinkler to distribute fluid in multiple directions simultaneously, solving the coverage problem under sloped roofs without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional sprinkler designs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but effective coverage under sloped roofs or ceilings is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow shaper combines multiple flow direction functions into a single integrated component. The transverse wall portion, side walls, and downwardly extending wall portion are merged into one structure that simultaneously directs fluid laterally and downwardly, achieving effective coverage while simplifying manufacturing compared to using multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow shaper serves multiple functions within a single component: it directs fluid laterally through the transverse wall portion, contains and directs flow through the side walls, and directs fluid downwardly through the downwardly extending wall portion. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive coverage without requiring multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a flow shaper with transverse wall portion and side walls is used, then lateral and downward distribution is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral and downward distributionVSAvoidflow shaper structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different wall portions of the flow shaper are designed with specific local geometries optimized for their functions: the transverse wall portion has a configuration optimized for lateral direction, the side walls provide containment and guidance, and the downwardly extending wall portion is shaped for downward flow. This local optimization achieves effective multi-directional distribution while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 sprinkler assembly effectively distributes fire suppressant fluid both directly below and laterally, addressing the challenges of coverage under sloped roofs or ceilings by utilizing a flow shaper that redirects and disperses the fluid efficiently, providing adequate protection in challenging environments.

Implementation Method 1

A heat responsive trigger releasably retains the closure device at the discharge opening of the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10426984B2Sprinkler assembly

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 VIKING

AI summary

A sprinkler assembly for use in an attic or under a sloped roof or ceiling and includes a body having an inlet opening and a discharge opening. A support extends from the body and a closure device is releasably positioned at the discharge opening to close the passageway. A heat responsive trigger releasably retains the closure device at the discharge opening of the body. A flow shaper is supported by the support and includes a transverse wall portion intersecting a central axis of the discharge opening. A pair of laterally spaced side walls each extend from the transverse wall portion toward the body and a pair of mounting base portions extend from the pair of side walls and connect the flow shaper to the support. The flow shaper provides a simple and inexpensive design for providing adequate distribution of fire suppressant both laterally and directly beneath the sprinkler.