Flexible dry sprinkler

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023181953-A1
Application number	US-202318166042-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 8, 2023
Priority date	Jun 1, 2012
Publication date	Jun 15, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flexible dry sprinkler has an inlet having an inlet orifice, an outlet, a flexible tube having a first end attached to the inlet and a second end attached to the outlet, an inlet seal for sealing the inlet orifice, whereby, when the inlet seal releases, fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet orifice to the outlet through the flexible tube, and a yoke positioned in the inlet, the yoke having a plurality of spaced-apart legs that permit the fluid to flow passed the yoke toward the outlet.

First claim

I claim:

1 . A flexible dry sprinkler comprising:
an inlet having an inlet orifice; an outlet; a flexible tube having a first end attached to the inlet and a second end attached to the outlet; an inlet seal for sealing the inlet orifice, whereby, when the inlet seal releases, fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet orifice to the outlet through the flexible tube; and a yoke positioned in the inlet, the yoke having a plurality of spaced-apart legs that permit the fluid to flow passed the yoke toward the outlet.

2 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 1 , the inlet further comprising a fitting for connecting the dry sprinkler to a supply of pressurized fluid.

3 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein the legs are oriented at an angle to a central axis of the yoke.

4 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 1 , the yoke further comprising a support ring connecting the spaced-apart legs.

5 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 4 , further comprising a strut having a first end and a second end, the first end of the strut being supported by the yoke and the second end of the strut pressing against the inlet seal to seal the inlet orifice.

6 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 5 , the strut being oriented substantially longitudinally.

7 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 5 , the strut being oriented coaxially with the yoke.

8 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 5 , the inlet seal comprising a sealing cap and a spring washer, whereby the strut presses against the sealing cap which in turn presses against the spring washer to seal the inlet orifice.

9 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 5 , the inlet further comprising a fitting for connecting the dry sprinkler to a supply of pressurized fluid, the strut being oriented coaxially with the fitting.

10 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 5 , the support ring having external threads and the inlet having internal threads, whereby threading the support ring onto the inlet causes the yoke to apply pressure to the strut.

11 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 10 , wherein the sealing cap has a groove against which the strut presses.

12 . A flexible dry sprinkler comprising:
an inlet having an inlet orifice; an outlet; a flexible tube having a first end attached to the inlet and a second end attached to the outlet; an inlet seal for sealing the inlet orifice, whereby, when the inlet seal releases into the inlet, fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet orifice to the outlet through the flexible tube; and a trap, having a plurality of openings and positioned across the inlet, for capturing the inlet seal upon release of the inlet seal, while permitting the fluid to flow into the flexible tube.

13 . The flexible dry sprinkler of claim 12 , the inlet seal comprising a sealing cap and a spring washer.

14 . A flexible dry sprinkler comprising:
an inlet having an inlet orifice and an inlet seal; an outlet; a flexible tube having a first end attached to the inlet and a second end attached to the outlet; a strut positioned axially within the inlet, the strut pressing against the inlet seal to seal the inlet orifice; and a horizontally-positioned bar coupled to the strut, whereby, when the bar is caused to move, pressure from the strut against the inlet seal is removed, thereby releasing the inlet seal and permitting fluid to flow from the inlet orifice to the outlet through the flexible tube.

15 . A flexible dry sprinkler according to claim 14 , further comprising a flexible linkage extending between the inlet and the outlet through the flexible tube, the flexible linkage operatively coupled to the bar.

16 . A flexible dry sprinkler according to claim 15 , the bar being caused to move when the flexible linkage axially translates toward the outlet from a first position to a second position.

17 . A flexible dry sprinkler according to claim 16 , wherein the outlet comprises a thermally responsive element, whereby, when the thermally responsive element is in a responsive state, the flexible linkage translates from the first position to the second position.

18 . A flexible dry sprinkler according to claim 17 , the outlet further comprising an outlet seal which releases when the thermally responsive element is in the responsive state, permitting the fluid to flow out of the outlet.

19 . A flexible dry sprinkler according to claim 16 , wherein the bar has an opening operatively coupled to the inlet end of the flexible linkage.

20 . A flexible dry sprinkler according to claim 19 , wherein the axial translation of the flexible linkage pulls the bar downwards toward the outlet.

Assignees

• Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co Inc

Inventors

• Polan George S

Classifications

• A62C37/42

  with mechanical connection between sensor and actuator, e.g. rods, levers · CPC title

• A62C35/58

  Pipe-line systems · CPC title

• A62C31/02

  Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing · CPC title

• A62C33/04

  Supports or clamps for fire hoses · CPC title

• A62C37/14

  with frangible vessels · CPC title