Color-Coded Identification Sleeve for Fire Sprinkler Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inspection of fire suppression sprinkler systems is complicated by the inaccessibility and visual differentiation of approved flexible conduit assemblies, which often requires inspectors to use ladders or scaffolding to verify compliance with safety standards.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve with visible markings is positioned on the flexible conduit to identify key characteristics of the sprinkler assembly, such as manufacturer, length, diameter, and agency approvals, using contrasting colors and patterns to facilitate visual inspection from a distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If inspectors visually examine sprinkler assemblies from a distance, then inspection efficiency is improved, but visual differentiation between approved and non-approved assemblies is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded identification bands wrapped around flexible conduits to provide visual differentiation between approved and non-approved sprinkler assemblies. Different colors indicate different approval statuses or characteristics, allowing inspectors to quickly identify approved assemblies from a distance without needing to physically examine each one, thus resolving the contradiction between inspection efficiency and visual differentiation.
2Measurement precision
If inspectors mount ladders or scaffolding to examine each sprinkler assembly in detail, then identification accuracy is improved, but inspection time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification function from the sprinkler assembly itself by using separate, removable identification bands wrapped around the flexible conduit. This allows inspectors to quickly scan for approved assemblies using the visible color codes from ground level, achieving sufficient identification accuracy without needing to mount equipment or spend excessive time at each assembly.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If color-coded identification bands are wrapped around flexible conduits, then visual identification from a distance is improved, but the complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the removable identification band - that serves as a mediator between the sprinkler assembly and the inspector. This band provides the visual identification function without permanently modifying or complicating the sprinkler assembly itself, thus improving visual identification while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sprinkler assembly has a sleeve covering at least a portion of a conduit connecting the sprinkler to a branch line of a fire suppression system. The sleeve may have a color field, contrasting color patterns, symbols, indicia, or combinations of these elements and may be used to visibly indicate characteristics of the sprinkler assembly.