Abstract:
In one aspect, a fire suppression sprinkler assembly ( 10 ) is provided. The assembly includes a housing ( 20 ), and a sprinkler body ( 22 ) disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to supply a fluid to an area. The sprinkler body is movable between a first position where the sprinkler body is concealed within the housing and a second position where the sprinkler body extends from the housing to supply the fluid to the area heat responsive element ( 28 ) operatively associated with the sprinkler body and configured to facilitate preventing deployment of the sprinkler body from the first position to the second position until the heat responsive element senses a predetermined temperature.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to fire suppression systems and, more specifically, to automatically deployed mechanical fire suppression systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Fire suppression systems typically include sprinklers positioned within an area where fire protection is desired. Such sprinklers may be operated individually such as by a self-contained thermally sensitive element, or as part of a deluge system in which fire retardant fluid flows through a number of open sprinklers. Fire retardant fluids may include water or appropriate mixtures of water and one or more additives to enhance firefighting properties of a fire suppression system. 
         [0003]    However, some sprinklers may include parts that project into the area where fire protection is desired, which may be undesirable. For example, the projecting parts may be aesthetically displeasing when present in living spaces. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a fire suppression system with concealed sprinklers. 
         [0004]    WO 2014/084954 describes a fire suppression sprinkler assembly having a cover plate mounted adjacent the first end of a separate sprinkler. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect, a fire suppression sprinkler assembly ( 10 ) is provided. The assembly includes a housing ( 20 ), and a sprinkler body ( 22 ) disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to supply a fluid to an area. The sprinkler body is movable between a first position where the sprinkler body is concealed within the housing and a second position where the sprinkler body extends from the housing to supply the fluid to the area heat responsive element ( 28 ) operatively associated with the sprinkler body and configured to facilitate preventing deployment of the sprinkler body from the first position to the second position until the heat responsive element senses a predetermined temperature. 
         [0006]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the heat responsive element is a fluid containing heat bulb ( 80 ) exposed to the area; an undercut ( 76 ) is formed in an exposed surface ( 78 ) of the sprinkler body and wherein the heat responsive element is disposed at least partially within the undercut; a second undercut ( 48 ) is formed in an exposed surface ( 16 ) of the housing and wherein the heat responsive element is disposed at least partially within the second undercut; wherein the sprinkler body is rotatably coupled to the housing such that the sprinkler body rotates as it transitions from the first position to the second position, wherein the housing includes an inlet opening ( 40 ) configured to couple to a fluid supply line; wherein the inlet opening is configured to receive a fluid supply such that the sprinkler assembly is fluidly pressurized when the sprinkler body is in the first position; wherein the sprinkler body comprises a curved slot ( 54 ) formed in an outer surface of the sprinkler body; a steering pin ( 24 ) extending through at least a portion ( 46 ) of the housing and disposed at least partially within the curved slot; a standby plug ( 62 ) coupled to the housing and configured to extend into a main fluid channel ( 50 ) of the sprinkler body when the sprinkler body is in the first position; and/or wherein the sprinkler body comprises a main channel ( 50 ) and a plurality of nozzles ( 52 ) fluidly coupled to the main channel, wherein in the second position the sprinkler body main channel is configured to receive a fluid and supply the fluid to the nozzles for dispersion into the area. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a fire suppression sprinkler assembly ( 10 ) is provided. The method includes providing a housing ( 20 ), disposing a sprinkler body ( 22 ) at least partially within the housing such that the sprinkler body is movable between a first position where the sprinkler body is concealed within the housing and a second position where the sprinkler body extends from the housing to supply a fluid to an area, and operatively associating a heat responsive element ( 28 ) with the sprinkler body such that the heat responsive element facilitates preventing deployment of the sprinkler body from the first position to the second position until the heat responsive element senses a predetermined temperature. 
         [0008]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include disposing the heat responsive element in an undercut ( 76 ) formed in an exposed surface ( 78 ) of the sprinkler body; disposing the heat responsive element in a second undercut ( 48 ) formed in an exposed surface ( 16 ) of the housing; rotatably coupling the sprinkler body to the housing such that the sprinkler body rotates as it transitions from the first position to the second position; providing the sprinkler body with a curved slot ( 54 ) formed in an outer surface of the sprinkler body; and/or disposing a steering pin ( 24 ) through at least a portion ( 46 ) of the housing and at least partially within the curved slot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary fire suppression sprinkler assembly in a retracted first position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the fire suppression sprinkler assembly in a deployed second position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary sprinkler of the assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the sprinkler shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary sprinkler body that may be used with the assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary housing that may be used with the assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary fire suppression sprinkler assembly  10  that generally includes a fluid supply line  12  fluidly coupled to fire suppression sprinkler  14  that may be mounted to a portion of a building, ship, or other structure. For example, as illustrated, sprinkler  14  is mounted to a ceiling  100  such that a sprinkler bottom surface  16  is flush or substantially flush with a ceiling outer surface  102 . Accordingly, in an inactive state, sprinkler  14  is substantially concealed within ceiling  100 . However, during an active state for fire suppression, sprinkler  14  is automatically deployed from ceiling  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2  and described herein in more detail. 
         [0017]    In the exemplary embodiment, fire suppression sprinkler  14  generally includes a housing  20 , a spindle or sprinkler body  22 , a steering pin  24 , a plug and strainer assembly  26 , and a heat bulb assembly  28 . 
         [0018]    Housing  20  includes an upper portion  30 , an intermediate portion  32 , and a lower portion  34  (see also  FIGS. 3 and 6 ). Housing  20  also includes an inner wall  36  defining an opening  38  that extends through housing  20  and is configured to receive sprinkler body  22 . Once installed, lower portion  34  is positioned against ceiling surface  102 , and housing  20  is fluidly coupled to fluid supply line  12  to receive water or other fire suppression fluid. In the exemplary embodiment, portions  30 ,  32 ,  34  are circular or generally circular. However, portions  30 ,  32 ,  34  may have any suitable shape that enables assembly  10  to function as described herein. 
         [0019]    In the exemplary embodiment, upper portion  30  defines a housing inlet end  40  and includes a cutout, thread, or recess  42  formed within inner wall  36  to define a shoulder  44  configured to support at least a portion of plug and strainer assembly  26 . Intermediate portion includes a bore or opening  46  configured to receive steering pin  24  (see also  FIG. 6 ), and lower portion  34  includes an undercut or recess  48  formed in sprinkler bottom surface  16  to receive heat bulb assembly  28  (see also  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
         [0020]    Sprinkler body  22  is rotatably disposed within housing  20  and generally includes a main channel  50 , a plurality of nozzles  52 , a curved slot  54 , and a recess  56 . Main channel  50  is formed in a top surface  58  of body  22  and extends substantially centrally therethrough along an axis ‘A’. Main channel  50  is fluidly coupled to nozzles  52  and is configured to supply a fire suppression fluid from housing inlet  40  to nozzles  52 . Curved slot  54  is formed within sprinkler body  22  (see also  FIG. 5 ) and is configured to receive at least a portion of steering pin  24  therein. Due to the curvature of slot  54 , sprinkler body  22  is configured to twist within housing opening  38  as it translates up and down, as is described herein in more detail. Recess  56  is configured to receive an O-ring or seal  60  configured to facilitate providing a fluid seal between sprinkler body  22  and housing  20 . 
         [0021]    Steering pin  24  is disposed within and extends through housing opening  46  and sprinkler body curved slot  54 . Due to fluid pressure acting on sprinkler body top surface  58 , sprinkler body  22  is urged downward toward sprinkler bottom surface  16 . As body  22  is urged downward, steering pin  24  acts against the inner wall of curved slot  54 , which creates a twisting force or torque on body  22 . In an inactive state, a structure or object is used to counteract that torque to prevent deployment of sprinkler body  22  from within housing  20  and ceiling  100 . For example, in the exemplary embodiment, heat bulb assembly  28  is configured to counteract the torque of body  22 , as is described herein in more detail. Alternatively, any suitable means may be used to prevent twisting of body  22  and subsequent deployment thereof. 
         [0022]    Plug and strainer assembly  26  is disposed within housing upper portion  30  and generally includes a standby plug  62 , a fluid supply regulator  64 , and a fluid strainer  66 . Standby plug  62  includes an O-ring or seal  68  and is configured to facilitate providing a fluid seal between standby plug  62  and sprinkler body  22  when plug  62  is at least partially disposed within main channel  50  and sprinkler  14  is in the inactive state ( FIG. 1 ). Fluid supply regulator  64  is disposed about plug  62  (on shoulder  44 ) and includes one or more openings  70  to enable fire suppression fluid delivery from inlet  40  to body main channel  50  when sprinkler  14  is in the active state ( FIG. 2 ). Fluid strainer  66  is disposed about plug  62  against regulator  64  to facilitate capture of debris that may block or obstruct fluid flow through portions of sprinkler  14  (e.g., through nozzles  52 ). A washer  72  and nut  74  are assembled on standby plug  62  to secure fluid supply regulator  64  and fluid strainer  66  to standby plug  62 . 
         [0023]    Heat bulb assembly  28  is disposed within housing undercut  48  and within a body undercut  76  formed in a bottom surface  78  of sprinkler body  22 , as further illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Heat bulb assembly  28  generally includes a heat bulb or other heat responsive element  80  and a fastener  82  to secure heat bulb within undercuts  48 ,  76 . In the exemplary embodiment, fastener  82  is a headless socket screw. However, fastener  82  may be any suitable fastener or structure configured to secure heat responsive element  80  within assembly  10 . 
         [0024]    Heat bulb  80  is disposed within undercuts  48 ,  76  and retains sprinkler body  22  in the inactive position ( FIG. 1 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , heat bulb  80  is disposed across both housing  20  and body  22  to prevent relative rotation therebetween. In this orientation, heat bulb  80  is directly exposed to the space or area where fire protection is desired. 
         [0025]    When experiencing an elevated temperature, such as in the presence of a fire for example, a fluid within heat bulb  80  expands, causing the bulb to break, and thereby allowing sprinkler body  22  to transition or deploy to an active, operating state where body  22  extends from housing  20  and ceiling  100  to expose nozzles  52  ( FIG. 2 ). Although a fluid bulb is described herein, sprinkler assembly  10  may include other heat responsive elements that enable sprinkler assembly  10  to function as described herein. 
         [0026]    In operation, when sprinkler  14  is in the inactive state illustrated in  FIG. 1 , sprinkler body  22  is disposed within housing  20  such that bottom surface  78  is flush with or substantially flush with sprinkler bottom surface  16 . In this position, sprinkler  14  is substantially concealed within ceiling  100 . Fluid supply line  12  is pressurized and fluid enters sprinkler inlet  40 . However, sprinkler body  22  is fluidly sealed against housing inner wall  36  via seal  60 , and standby plug  62  is fluidly sealed within main channel  50 , to facilitate preventing fluid from exiting sprinkler  14 . Further, sprinkler body  22  is maintained in the retracted position by heat bulb assembly  28 , which counteracts the torque acting on body  22  caused by fluid pressure on body top surface  58  acting through the interaction between the inner wall of curved slot  54  and steering pin  24 . 
         [0027]    During a high temperature event (e.g., a fire), heat responsive element  80  breaks or is otherwise activated, which decreases or removes the counteracting torque. As such, the fluid pressure acting on sprinkler body top surface  58  forces sprinkler body  22  downward such that it is deployed and extends from housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ). As sprinkler body  22  moves downward, the edge walls of curved slot  54  ride along steering pin  24 , which causes a twisting or rotating motion of sprinkler body  22  as it descends from housing. Once deployed in the activated position ( FIG. 2 ), standby plug  62  is no longer disposed within main channel  50 , thereby enabling fire suppression fluid to flow through strainer  66 , regulator  64  and into main channel  50  where the fire suppression fluid is subsequently directed into the plurality of nozzles  52  and dispersed into the area where fire protection is desired. 
         [0028]    The systems and methods described herein provide a fire suppression sprinkler assembly that is concealed within a structure and mechanically deployed during a high temperature event. Accordingly, no electronics are needed to activate the sprinkler assembly, which may facilitate a shorter reaction time to the elevated temperatures. Further, the fluid supply line is pressurized in the inactive state, which prevents the need to fill the fluid supply line during activation. Moreover, the heat bulb is always exposed to the environment, so there is no need to wait until the heat bulb is heated after a deployment. 
         [0029]    While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.