US3831682A

US3831682A - Fire extinguishing system nozzle

Info

Publication number: US3831682A
Application number: US00324979A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Calcaro
Original assignee: Rockwell Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Rockwell Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1973-01-19
Filing date: 1973-01-19
Publication date: 1974-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-27

Abstract

A fluid dispensing nozzle wherein an outlet blocking plug is dually independently restrained by heat responsive means and by a magnetic or mechanical interlock that releases only in response to predetermined fluid pressure.

Description

United States Patent 1191 r 1111 3,831,682

Calcnro [4 Aug. 27, 1 974 [54] MM EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM NOZZLE 2,949,931 8/1960 Ruppright 251/65 x 3,495,620 2/1970 Raimondi et al. 251/65 X [75] Inventor Calm), Plttsburgh, 3,682,251 8/1972 Livingston 169/37 73 Assignee; Rockwell Manufacturing cumpany 3,705,691 12/1972 Zenker 169/37 X Pittsburgh, Pa.

Primary ExaminerLl0yd L. King [22] Flled 1973 Assistan! EtaminerAndres Kalshnikow [21] Appl. No.: 324,979 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lane, Aitken, Dunner &

Ziems [52] US. Cl 169/37, 169/40, 169/42,

251/65 [57] ABSCT [51] llnt. C1. A62c 37/08 A fl u1d dispenslng nozzle wherem an outlet blockmg [58] Fteld of Search 169/20, 21, plug is dually independently restrained by heat respom sive means and by a magnetic or mechanical interlock that releases only in response to predetermined fluid [56] References Cited pressum UNITED STATES PATENTS 324,209 8/1885 Ashcroft 169/40 14 Claims 5 awmg F'gures This invention relates to spray nozzles for fire extinguishing systems of the type used in buildings for automatically discharging water or like liquid to an area where the ambient temperature rises above a predetermined value, as in the case of a fire in that area, and is particularly directed to nozzles that are effective to discharge only when the internal or input fluid pressure is above a predetermined value which is sometimes identified as the pressure floor.

Fire extinguishing systems of this pressure floor type wherein even after a fusible control or like device has been actuated to release condition by increased temperatures due to fire are known and have been disclosed in the early patents to Doughty US. Pat. Nos. 1,736,255 and 1,736,256 as well as in the recently is sued U.S. Pat. to Livingston No. 3,655,]36.

It is the major object of the present invention to provide a novel dual control arrangement wherein discharge through the nozzle takes place only after release of an external plug holding lever system by a fusible or like temperature responsive device accompanied by the presence of at least a predetermined internal fluid pressure acting on the plug within the nozzle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel dual control system of this type wherein a lever system mounted externally of the nozzle body and operatively engaging the bottom ofa plug that normally blocks the nozzle outlet and is subject to internal fluid pressure includes heat responsive means that in response to the presence of a predetermined temperature conditions the lever system to permit the plug to be expelled or moved to open the outlet by fluid pressure which exceeds a positive holding force provided between the plug and the nozzle.

More specifically the invention contemplates as an object the provision of novel magnetic, mechanical or like positive holding force means that will release the external lever system to permit the plug to be expelled only if the inlet pressure to the nozzle exceeds a predetermined valve.

Further objects of the invention will appear in connection with the appended claims and the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation partly broken away and in section showing a spray nozzle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section substantially on line 22 of FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a side elevation partly broken away and in section showing another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation partly broken away and in section showing a further embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a section substantially on line 55 of FIG. 4.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the spray nozzle 11 comprises a tubular body 12 having an inlet designated at 13 threadedly connected to a supply pipe 14 that contains water under mains or pump pressure. The nozzle outlet designated at 15 is normally blocked by a plug member 16 having an external groove 17 containing a compressed resilient O-ring 18 that seals against outlet passage of water under normal pressures. Plug member 16 has a slidable sealing fit in the outlet At its bottom plug 16 has a rigid projection 19 engaging an external lever system 21 that in this embodiment comprises a single lever 22 having one rounded end 23 releasably fulcrumed upon a body lug 24 and its other end connected by a conventional type heat fusible link 25 to a lug 26 on the nozzle body. Fusible link 25 is of the type wherein two

metal elements

27 and 28 attached to the lever and nozzle body respectively are connected together by an intermediate layer of solder or the like 29 that melts in response to the presence of a predetermined temperature to allow the elements to separate, as by gravity, and thus condition the lever system to permit plug 16 to be expelled from the outlet by fluid pressure acting on the upper side of the plug.

A positive holding force acting in opposition to the fluid pressure acting on the plug is supplied by a magnetic arrangement wherein

magnetic elements

31 and 32 fixedly mounted respectively on a post 33 rigid with the plug 16 and the hub of an internal swirl assembly 34 fixed in the path of the incoming water and having swirl producing vanes 34. The magnets are mutually attracted with a predetermined force. One or both of

elements

31 and 32 is a permanent magnet.

In operation, with the parts in the position of FIG. 1, should a fire occur in the region of the nozzle, link 25 will release in response to a predetermined high temperature and thus condition the external lever system 21 engaging the bottom of the plug to permit plug 16 to be expelled by fluid pressure. However, if the fluid pressure acting on the upper side of plug 16 is so low that it cannot exert sufficient force to break the magnetic bond at 31,32 between the plug and the swirl assembly, the plug is not expelled and it remains in blocking position in the outlet until a predetermined fluid pressure within the nozzle becomes effective to overcome the magnetic holding force.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment using magnetic holding means to establish the pressure floor. Here the tubular nozzle body 41 has an outlet 42 that slidably sealingly receives the plug member 43. Plug member 43 is generally cup-shaped with an internal central closed end boss 44 projecting upwardly within the outlet. Boss 44 has an external groove 45 containing a compressed resilient O-ring seal 46.

Around its upper periphery plug mamber 43 has secured thereon externally of the nozzle an annular magnetic element 46 and a corresponding annular magnetic element 47 is secured on the underside of an annular body flange 48. At least one of

elements

46 and 47 is a permanent magnet, and the magnetic holding force between the elements is sufficient to retain the plug member 43 in outlet blocking position unless the internal fluid pressure in the nozzle effective on the plug member exceeds a predetermined value.

The plug member is also releasably connected to the body by a fusible

connection comprising arms

51 and 52 rigid with the nozzle body and plug member respectively and connected by a heat fusible link 53. Arm 51 has an upstanding threaded end 54 extending slidably through an opening 55 in body flange 48 and carries a nut 56 which may be operated to adjust the mechanical 5 holding action of the fusible connection. While only one fusible connection is shown, two or more may be provided distributed around the periphery of the plug member.

In operation, the plug member normally blocks outlet 42, the holding forces of the fusible connection and the magnetic coupling resisting the force exerted by water pressure on the plug member. Should a fire occur the fusible connection or connections release at a predetermined temperature, and the assembly is conditioned to permit water pressure to expel the plug memger from the outlet, which takes place when the water pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure floor as in the earlier embodiment.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment wherein the plug member 61 is slidably sealably disposed in blocking re lation in the outlet 62 of a tubular nozzle body 63. Like plug member 16, plug 61 has an external groove 64 containing a compressed resilient O-ring seal 65.

A projection 66 on the bottom of plug 61 engages lever 67 of an external lever system 68 that includes a further lever 69 and a heat fusible connection 71. Lever 67 has one hooked end 72 rockably disposed in an annular nozzle body groove 73, and its other end is fulcrumed at 74 upon lever 69. The end of lever 69 adjacent the fulcrum is hooked at 75 to be rockably disposed in groove 73, and the other end of lever 69 is connected by fusible connection 71 to an external body lug 76. Fusible connection 71 comprises

metal elements

77 and 78 connected respectively to the nozzle body and the lever system, and interconnected by a holder layer 79 adapted to melt and release at a predetermined temperature.

In this embodiment the pressure floor holding action is accomplished by a mechanical interlock between a fixed post 81 upstanding from the plug member 61 and an integral socket indicated at 82 provided in the plastic hub 83 of the swirl assembly 34. Socket 82 has a downwardly open recess 87 formed with a restricted mouth 88 adapted to be forcibly expanded by the conical tip 89 of post 81 which recloses about the reduced section 91 of the post. Normally the downwardly facing post shoulder 92 engages the upwardly facing socket shoulder 93 to resist downward displacementnt of plug member 61 under fluid pressure.

in operation plug member 61 normally blocks the nozzle outlet, and the fluid pressure force tending to expel it is resisted by the external lever system and the mechanical interlock at the socket. Should a fire occur, the fusible link will separate to release and thus condition the external lever system to permit the plug memher to be expelled by fluid pressure. lfthe fluid pressure within the nozzle is sufficiently high the plug post will be pulled forcibly through the socket mouth 88 and the plug expelled.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by letters Patent is:

l. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed to fluid pressure in said response to the presence of a predetermined temperature to release said other end of said lever and permit said plug means to be expelled from said outlet by said fluid pressure, and means for holding the released plug means in said blocking condition unless said fluid pressure is above a predetermined amount.

2. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 1 wherein said holding means is distinct from said lever.

3. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 2 wherein said holding means is a magnetic coupling between said plug means and said body.

4. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 3 wherein said magnetic coupling comprises magnetic members fixed respectively to said body and to said plug means.

5. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 1 wherein said thermal responsive means comprises a heat fusible link assembly.

6. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluid pressure, a stem connected to said plug means and having an enlarged end portion, a socket fixed to said body in said passage and adapted to receive said enlarged end portion, said socket having a restricted mouth portion which normally prevents release of said enlarged end portion therefrom and which is adapted to be forcibly expanded by said enlarged end portion in response to fluid pressure of a predetermined value acting on said plug means, to permit release of said enlarged end portion from said socket and said plug means from said outlet.

7. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 6 further comprising a plug retainer means for normally retaining said plug means in said passage blocking condition and having means releasable in response to the presence of a predetermined temperature to permit said plug means to be expelled from said outlet, said plug means being expelled from said outlet by the force of said fluid pressure upon the existence of both of said predetermined temperature and said predetermined value of fluid pressure.

8. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluid pressure, a first magnetic coupling member fixed on a support within said passage, and a second magnetic coupling member fixed on an upstanding part of said plug means and extending in said passage, said magnetic coupling members adapted to couple together and hold said plug means in said blocking position when said fluid pressure is below a predetermined value.

9. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluid pressure, and magnetic coupling members fixed respectively to said body and said plug means and disposed externally of said passage for directly connecting said plug means to said body and holding said plug means in said blocking position when said fluid pressure is below a predetermined value.

10. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 9 wherein said plug means is a cup-shaped member having a raised internal bottom portion sealably fitted to said outlet, and wherein said magnetic coupling members are annular and are fixed respectively on the rim of said member and an external flange on said body.

11. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluid pressure, magnetic means directly connecting said plug means to said body for retaining said plug means in said blocking position when the fluid pressure is below a predetermined value, and additional means for normally retaining said plug means in said passage block ing position, said additional means being releasable in response to the presence of a predetermined temperature, whereby said plug means is expelled from said outlet by the force of said fluid pressure upon the exis tence of both said predetermined temperature and said predetermined value of fluid pressure.

12. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body member having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means having a first portion engaging the inner wall of said body member for normally blocking said outlet, and magnetic means engaging a second portion of said plug means for normally holding said first portion of said plug means in said blocking position against the force of a fluid pressure acting on said plug means less than a predetermined value, said magnetic means adapted to release said engagement in response to said fluid pressure attaining or exceeding said predetermined value, said plug means adapted to be expelled from said body member by the force of said fluid pressure upon release by said magnetic means.

13. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 12 wherein said magnetic means is disposed within said passage.

14. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 12 wherein said magnetic means is disposed externally of said passage.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECT Dated August 27, 1974 Patent No. 3 831, 682

Inventor) Louis A. Calcaro It is certified: that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shownbelow:

Title Page, "Assignee: Rockwell Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa," should read -Assignee: Factory Mutual Research Corporation, Norwood, Mass.--

Signed'and sealed this 19th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN ZAttesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 n u.s. GOVERNMENT rmunm; ornc: n09 0-3n-s34.

F ORM PO-1 050 (IO-69)

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed to fluid pressure in said passage, a lever mounted externally of said body and extending across said outlet opening in engagement with the bottom of said plug means, one end portion of said lever being quick releasably supported by said body, thermal responsive means for normally connecting the other end portion of said lever to said body to maintain said plug means in said passage blocking condition, said thermal responsive means being operable in response to the presence of a predetermined temperature to release said other end of said lever and permit said plug means to be expelled from said outlet by said fluid pressure, and means for holding the released plug means in said blocking condition unless said fluid pressure is above a predetermined amount.

4. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 3 wherein said magnetic coupling comprises magnetic members fixed respectively to said body and to said plug means. 5. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 1 wherein said thermal responsive means comprises a heat fusible link assembly.

11. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluid pressure, magnetic means directly connecting said plug means to said body for retaining said plug means in said blocking position when the fluid pressure is below a predetermined value, and additional means for normally retaining said plug means in said passage blocking position, said additional means being releasable in response to the presence of a predetermined temperature, whereby said plug means is expelled from said outlet by the force of said fluid pressure upon the existence of both said predetermined temperature and said predetermined value of fluid pressure.