Patent ID: 6068205
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A62C

Abstract:
Control apparatus for sprinklers and the like, comprising:a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and at least one intermediate passageway communicating said inlet opening with said outlet opening;a central region positioned between said inlet and outlet openings and separated from said passageway;a reciprocating member mounted in said central region and movable between a first position sealing said outlet opening and a second position displaced from said outlet opening;a control opening communicating with said central region;sensing means having a first condition normally sealing said control opening and a second condition unsealing said control opening responsive to a predetermined external condition;a narrow passageway communicating said central region with said inlet opening to deliver water entering said inlet opening into said central region to exert fluid pressure against an upper portion of said reciprocating member to urge said reciprocating member to seal said outlet opening;said control opening, when unsealed, enabling water in said central region to be diverted to and through said control opening, reducing the fluid pressure upon said reciprocating member, a flow rate of water out of said control opening being greater than a flow rate through said narrow passageway, causing a pressure imbalance across said reciprocating member to move said reciprocating member to said second position to provide water to a sprinkler;a flexible, resilient, water-tight membrane sealing a lower end of the central region to permit fluid flow into the central region only through said narrow passageway and to prevent fluid in a region of said outlet opening from entering said central region regardless of the position of said reciprocating member; anda central portion of said membrane being fixedly secured to said reciprocating member.