Patent ID: 6123153
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: A62C

Abstract:
A fire protection sprinkler comprising:a body defining an orifice and an outlet for delivering a flow of fire protection fluid from a source,said orifice defining an orifice axis, andsaid outlet being disposed generally coaxial with said orifice axis;a cap positioned to resist flow of fire protection fluid from said outlet in a sprinkler standby or closed condition; andan actuator assembly securing said cap in the sprinkler standby or closed condition and releasing said cap in a sprinkler operating condition to permit flow of fire protection fluid from said outlet, said actuator assembly comprising:a thermally sensitive release assembly comprising an elongated thermally sensitive element adapted to break apart upon exposure to a predetermined elevated temperature range, said elongated thermally sensitive element defining a thermal element axis;opposed arm elements engaged with said sprinkler body in said sprinkler standby or closed condition and releasably positioning said thermally sensitive release assembly with said thermal element axis of said elongated thermally sensitive element generally transverse to said orifice axis;a spring release member disposed between said body and said thermally sensitive release assembly, said spring release member bearing against and applying spring member release loading force to said thermally sensitive release assembly in a direction transverse to said thermal element axis, said spring release member being restrained in said sprinkler standby or closed condition by a combination of transverse and axially-directed compressive forces applied to said thermally sensitive release assembly by said opposed arm elements; anda spring release member loading adjustment element engaged with said spring release member and adapted to be moved to adjust said spring member release loading force applied to said thermally sensitive release assembly in a direction transverse to said thermal element axis, and adapted to be moved without varying compressive forces on said elongated thermally sensitive release element in a direction generally along said thermal element axis;whereby, upon reaching said predetermined elevated temperature range, said elongated thermally sensitive element breaks apart, releasing said thermally sensitive release assembly from said sprinkler standby or closed condition disposed substantially between said opposed arm elements, thereby releasing said spring release member to allow dislodging of said cap for flow of fire retardant fluid from said outlet.