Sprinkler Assembly With Helical Gripper Ring for Safe Pressure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection sprinkler systems face challenges in forming reliable connections to fluid supply pipes that can withstand pressure and facilitate easy maintenance, as they often require complex axial and rotational translations for disconnection, which can be cumbersome and prone to accidental decoupling.
Innovation Solution
The 'push-to-connect-rotate-to-release' (PCRR) fitting system, which includes a tubular member with a helical gripper ring, allows for a fluid-tight connection by linear and rotational translations, ensuring the sprinkler body remains secure under pressure and can be safely released for maintenance by utilizing a helical contact between the gripper ring and the sprinkler body's encasing surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex axial and rotational translations are required for disconnection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnection process is segmented into two distinct phases: first rotational translation to relieve pressure, then axial translation to separate components. This segmentation allows the connection to maintain high reliability through dual-motion engagement while improving ease of operation by breaking down the complex disconnection into simpler, sequential steps with clear operational cues.
2Ease of operation
If simple linear insertion is used for connection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting incorporates a helical gripper ring and external encasing surface configuration that automatically engage during the linear insertion process. This preliminary action ensures that as the sprinkler body is inserted, the helical features progressively engage to create both axial and rotational locking, thereby improving connection reliability without requiring the operator to perform separate rotational movements.
3Ease of operation
If the sprinkler body is directly separated from the fitting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to pressurized fluid release
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires rotational translation as a preliminary action before axial separation can occur. This rotational movement automatically activates the pressure relief mechanism by disengaging the helical gripper ring from the encasing surface, allowing pressurized fluid to escape safely before the sprinkler body is fully removed. This prevents dangerous sudden releases while maintaining ease of maintenance.
4Reliability
If the helical gripper ring is added to the fitting, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical gripper ring is merged with the sealing mechanism, where the same helical features that provide rotational locking also create the fluid seal. This integration means that a single component structure serves multiple functions: the helical gripper ring simultaneously provides mechanical engagement for reliability and forms the sealing interface, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler assembly includes a fire protection sprinkler and a push-to-connect-rotate-to-release (PCRR) fitting. The sprinkler has a body with a passageway extending along a first longitudinal axis and an outer encasing surface surrounding the first longitudinal axis and outer encasing surface including a seal member, and a deflector spaced from the outlet. The fitting includes a tubular member including an exterior surface and inner surface, the inner surface defining an internal conduit extending along a second longitudinal axis, the body received in the internal conduit such that the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis, the inner surface including a sealing surface portion circumscribed about the second longitudinal axis. The fitting includes a gripper ring disposed along the inner surface and a helical internal periphery about the second longitudinal axis in helical contact with a portion of the outer encasing surface between the deflector and seal member.