Liquid discharge nozzle

A liquid discharge nozzle that is operative for discharging liquid in a relatively narrow, elongated spray pattern. The nozzle includes a deflector having an elongated central apex portion of preferably arcuate configuration and a pair of side portions diverging from opposite side edges of the apex portion and having tines formed along the terminal edges thereof; and a frame for mounting the deflector adjacent a liquid discharge outlet so that when liquid is discharged from the outlet, at least a portion of the liquid impinges on the inner surface of the central portion of the deflector and is deflected outwardly along the inner surfaces of the deflector. Preferably, a substantially centrally disposed inwardly projecting boss of generally elliptical configuration is formed in the central apex portion of the deflector and a deflector mounting boss is formed on the frame adjacent the deflector boss. The two bosses are preferably disposed centrally in the flow path of liquid discharged from the outlet so that they cooperate for initially redirecting the liquid outwardly along the inner surfaces of the deflector to assure that sufficient quantities of liquid are disbursed throughout the central portion of the elongated spray pattern. The combination of the tines and slots located along the longitudinal side edges of the deflector helps spread the flow of liquid uniformly throughout the regions adjacent to the longitudinal peripheries of the relatively narrow spray pattern.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The instant invention relates to liquid discharge systems and more 
particularly to a nozzle for discharging a liquid, such as a 
fire-retardent fluid, throughout a relatively narrow, elongated spray 
pattern. 
Generally, the heretofore available discharge nozzles for use in 
fire-protection sprinkler systems have fallen into two main categories: 
closed nozzles with heat sensitive elements which are individually 
responsive to abnormally high-temperature conditions and open nozzles 
which only discharge liquid when an automatic control valve has been 
operated by an independent firedetection device. A variety of different 
liquid spray nozzles are included in these two general categories and have 
been heretofore available to meet the needs of various commercial and/or 
residential applications. Most of the heretofore-known liquid discharge 
nozzles have been operative for producing substantially circular liquid 
discharge patterns, and it has been found that nozzles of this type are 
satisfactory for many applications. These nozzles have been mainly used in 
fire protection systems of the type which comprise a plurality of nozzles 
which are disposed in a predetermined array so that the peripheral 
portions of the spray patterns of adjacent nozzles overlap slightly when 
liquid is discharged from them. Systems of this type have been effective 
for most fire-protection applications, although they have been somewhat 
inefficient in certain applications where the configurations of their 
spray patterns don't match the configurations of the areas to be 
protected. 
A particular problem is presented when it is necessary to provide a 
fire-protection system for distributing liquid relatively uniformly 
throughout an elongated, relatively narrow coverage area. This problem is 
encountered in a number of industrial fire-protection system applications, 
such as open-nozzle systems for protecting relatively slender objects, 
such as long coal conveyors, long cylindrical petrochemical tanks, 
petroleum tank cars, electrical cable trays, and structural beams. 
Generally, several types of liquid discharge nozzles have been used for 
applications of this type, although they have not been highly efficient. 
For example, one scheme of sprinkler system which has been used for 
protecting relatively long slender objects comprises a plurality of 
conventional nozzles of the type which discharge liquid over a relatively 
short distance in either a conical or an umbrella shaped pattern, and 
which are positioned in generally aligned spaced relation. In order to 
produce a spray pattern which can provide adequate coverage for an 
elongated, relatively narrow area, the adjacent spray nozzles of a system 
of this type are directed generally perpendicular with respect to the 
designated coverage area and they must be positioned in relatively closely 
spaced relation so that the spray patterns thereof overlap to produce the 
desired combined spray pattern. A fire-protection system of this type 
requires a substantially greater than normal quantity of nozzles in order 
to produce the desired density of fire-retardent fluid coverage over the 
designated area for adequate fire protection. Hence, a greater than normal 
amount of piping is required for a system of this type, and much of the 
piping must be oversized to accommodate water flow rates which are higher 
than normal in order to assure that adequate quantities of liquid will be 
discharged. A second scheme which has been used for protecting relatively 
long slender objects comprises a plurality of conical spray nozzles of the 
type which discharge liquid over a relatively long distance and which are 
positioned in spaced, generally aligned relation, but which are directed 
generally longitudinally with respect to the desired coverage area. 
Systems of this type have also required substantial spray pattern 
overlapping in order to provide the desired coverage, so that they also 
have required greater than normal quantities of nozzles per unit area, and 
hence the piping for these systems has also required larger than normal 
pipe sizes. In both the first and second schemes described above, the 
source of the fire retardent fluid must also have a greater than normal 
flow capacity. 
The problem of providing an effective fire protection system for a 
generally rectangular area has been addressed by the inventions disclosed 
in the U.S. patents to LEWIS U.S. Pat. Nos. 868,459; MOWRY 1,288,123; 
TYDEN 2,101,694; KENDALL 2,135,138; and VORKAPICH 3,880,239, these patents 
representing the closest prior art to the instant invention of which the 
applicant is aware. These references teach a variety of different 
discharge nozzle constructions which are intended to produce various 
different noncircular spray patterns. However, they do not teach a 
discharge nozzle which provides an effective, substantially uniform liquid 
spray pattern for covering a relatively narrow, elongated area. They also 
do not teach a spray nozzle having the specific structural features of the 
spray nozzle of the instant invention, and hence for these reasons 
references are believed to be of only general interest. 
The instant invention provides a novel spray nozzle which effectively 
provides an elongated, relatively narrow spray pattern which is 
substantially uniform over its entire area of coverage. The nozzle of the 
instant invention comprises a deflector having an elongated central 
portion and a pair of side portions which diverge angularly from the 
opposite side edges of the central portion and which each have a plurality 
of tines formed in the terminal portions thereof, and a frame for mounting 
the deflector adjacent a liquid discharge outlet so that when liquid is 
discharged from the outlet it impinges on the inner surface of the 
deflector in the central portion thereof and it is deflected outwardly 
along the inner surfaces of the side portions of the deflector. Preferably 
the deflector is of a generally V-shaped configuration with a curved 
central or apex portion, and the deflector and the frame are positioned so 
that when liquid is discharged from a discharge outlet, it impinges on the 
deflector in the area thereof where the deflector is attached to the 
frame. Further, in the preferred embodiment, a generally elliptically 
shaped boss is provided on the inner side of the deflector in the area 
thereof where the deflector is attached to the frame. A boss is also 
provided on the frame at the point where deflector is interconnected 
thereto. The two bosses are configured so that they cooperate, with the 
deflector boss being the more important, to at least partially redirect 
liquid from the discharge outlet so that the liquid passes generally 
outwardly in all directions from the axis of the liquid discharge and 
along the inner surfaces of the deflector. In addition, in the preferred 
embodiment of the nozzle, the tines which are located along the terminal 
portions of the side portions of the deflector are defined by slots which 
extend generally inwardly and towards the point where the deflector is 
attached to the frame so that they are generally aligned with the natural 
flow of liquid on the inner side of the deflector, and the tines in the 
central portions of the longitudinal peripheries of the deflector are bent 
inwardly slightly. 
It has been found that as a result of the novel structural features of the 
spray nozzle of the instant invention it is operative for providing a 
relatively uniform distribution of liquid over an elongated, relatively 
narrow area. The boss on the inner side of the deflector and the mounting 
boss formed as part of the upper portion of the mounting frame cooperate 
to at least partially redirect liquid from the discharge outlet so that 
when it passes along the inner surfaces of the deflector a relatively 
uniform distribution liquid is achieved through the central portion of the 
elongated spray pattern. The combination of the slots and tines located 
along the longitudinal side edges of the deflector helps to spread the 
flow uniformly throughout the regions adjacent to the longitudinal 
peripheries of the relatively narrow spray pattern and the included angle 
between the side portions generally defines the central width of the spray 
pattern. The combination of the tines and the slots tends to break up the 
flow of liquid as it passes along the inner surfaces of the deflector so 
that it is randomly and relatively uniformly distributed throughout the 
regions adjacent to the longitudinal peripheries of the spray pattern. 
Further, the slots which define the tines are positioned so that they 
extend generally outwardly relative to the bosses in the central portion 
of the nozzle and as a result they are generally aligned with the natural 
flow of liquid as it moves outwardly on the inner surfaces of the 
deflector. Accordingly, all of these structural features cooperate to 
provide a nozzle which discharges liquid in an elongated, relatively 
narrow spray pattern and which provides a relatively uniform distribution 
of liquid throughout its coverage area. 
It is, therefore, a primary object of the instant invention to provide an 
effective liquid spray nozzle for producing an elongated, relatively 
narrow, substantially uniform spray pattern. 
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a spray nozzle which 
can be effectively used in fire-protection systems for relatively long 
slender objects. 
Another object of the instant invention is to reduce the installation cost 
of fire-protection systems for relatively long, slender objects by 
discharging almost all of the available liquid over the designated 
coverage area. 
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become 
apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection 
with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings, the liquid discharge nozzle of the instant 
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 and generally indicated at 
10. The nozzle 10 comprises a deflector generally indicated at 12 which is 
of a generally V-shaped configuration with a curved apex portion, and a 
frame generally indicated at 14 for mounting the deflector 12 opposite a 
liquid discharge outlet so that liquid which is discharged from the outlet 
impinges on the inner side of the deflector 12 proximal the apex thereof. 
Accordingly, the deflector 12 is operative for redirecting the liquid 
outwardly so that a relatively narrow, elongated, substantially uniform 
spray pattern is discharged from the nozzle 10. The nozzle 10 is herein 
illustrated in combination with a fusible heat sensitive element assembly 
16 which is responsive to a predetermined temperature condition for 
releasing liquid from a discharge outlet so that it impinges on the inner 
side of the deflector 12, although it will be understood that the use of 
the nozzle 10 as an open nozzle without a heat sensitive element is also 
contemplated. 
The deflector 12 is preferably constructed from a suitable 
corrosion-resistant metal, such as brass, in a generally V-shaped 
configuration and it comprises an elongated, generally curved central or 
apex portion 18 having a substantially central axis 19 which defines an 
apex of the deflector 12, and a pair of side portions 20 which diverge 
from opposite sides of the central portion, i.e. they extend generally 
angularly outwardly therefrom. A substantially elliptically shaped 
deflector boss 22 is formed in the central area of the apex portion 18 and 
projects from the inner surface of the deflector 12 toward the frame 14, 
the deflector boss 22 being oriented so that the major axis of the 
elliptical configuration thereof is generally coextensive with the axis 
19. A plurality of inwardly extending slots 24 is provided along each of 
the terminal portions of the side portions 20 for defining a plurality of 
tines along each of said terminal portions. The slots 24 extend generally 
inwardly toward the central portion of the apex portion 18, i.e., 
generally toward the boss 22, and they are preferably of substantially 
rounded configuration at the inner extremities thereof. The deflector 12 
as herein embodied is formed with five slots 24 along each of the terminal 
edges of the side portions 20 thereof, and as a result six tines, which 
are indicated at 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36, are formed along the terminal 
portions of each of the side portions 20 of the deflector 12. It will be 
understood, however, that other embodiments of the nozzle of the instant 
invention which include greater or lesser quantities of slots 24 and tines 
are contemplated. However, preferably, as in the deflector 12, the slots 
24 cooperate to form tines which are symmetrically oriented and configured 
on the respective side peripheries of the deflector 12. More specifically, 
in the deflector 12 the tines 30 and 32 are symmetrically configured and 
oriented with respect to each other in the central portions of the side 
edges thereof, the tines 28 and 34 are symmetrically configured and 
oriented with respect to each other in outwardly spaced relation from the 
tines 30 and 32, and the tines 26 and 36 are symmetrically configured and 
positioned with respect to each other at the longitudinally opposite ends 
of the deflector 12. Preferably also the terminal ends of the tines 28, 
30, 32 and 34 are substantially straight, as illustrated most clearly in 
FIG. 2, and the opposite ends of the deflector 12 are also preferably 
substantially straight. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the tines 28 
and 34 are bent inwardly slightly with respect to the tines 26 and 36 
which are generally coplanar with respect to the side portions 20, and the 
tines 30 and 32 are also preferably bent inwardly but to a slightly 
greater extent than the tines 28 and 34. 
The frame 14 comprises a threaded base portion generally indicated at 38 
and a pair of arms 40 extend from opposite sides of the base portion 38 
and converge at a point which is spaced from the base portion 38 so that 
the arms 40 cooperate to define an arch-like structure having an open 
interior area 42. The arms 40 are preferably formed with a relatively 
narrow, inwardly tapered sectional configuration to minimize the effects 
of the arms 40 on the spray pattern produced from the nozzle 10. An 
orifice 44 having a tapered portion 46 extends through the base portion 38 
and, in the embodiment herein set forth, a tapered bushing 48 is received 
in the tapered portion 46 for providing a reduced orifice diameter in the 
base portion 38. Provided at the apex of the frame 14 where the arms 40 
converge is a deflector mounting boss 50 having a deflector mounting 
shoulder 52. A neck 54 is integral with and extends from the boss 50 for 
securing the deflector 12 to the frame 14, the neck 54 preferably being 
initially formed so that it is receivable through a central aperture in 
the deflector boss 22 and thereafter being spun over during the 
manufacture of the nozzle 10 to capture the boss 22 between the neck 54 
and the shoulder 52, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Further, the 
deflector 12 is secured to the frame 14 so that the side portions 20 
extend generally outwardly and toward the base portion 38. Preferably, the 
deflector 12 is secured to the frame 14 so that it is in a generally 
transverse relation thereto, i.e., so that the central axis 19 of the 
deflector 12 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the arms 40, 
and preferably the arms 40 are substantially aligned with the slots 24 in 
the central portions of the opposite longitudinal peripheries of the 
deflector 12. 
The fusible heat sensitive element assembly 16 that is shown is of the type 
disclosed in the U.S. patent to LOEPSINGER U.S. Pat. No. 2,075,816. 
Specifically, the fusible assembly 16 comprises a hook 56, a key 58, a 
strut 60, a heat collector 62, a button 64, and a fusible slug 66. The key 
58, which is of a generally spherical configuration, is secured to an end 
of the hook 56, and the heat collector 62, which is of rounded bell-shaped 
configuration, is received in the key 58. The slug 66 comprises a material 
having a preselected melting point, such as a preselected solder 
composition, and it is interposed between the key 58 and the collector 62 
for securing the key 58 and the collector 62 together in a predetermined 
orientation under normal conditions. A gasket 68 is received over the 
upper end of the orifice 44, and the button 64 is received on the gasket 
68. The upper end of the hook 56 engages the inner periphery of the frame 
14 adjacent the point where the arms 40 converge, and one end of the strut 
60 engages the hook 58 to maintain the hook 58 in engagement with the 
frame 14, whereas the opposite end of the strut 60 engages the button 64. 
The fusible assembly 16 is formed so that when it is installed in the 
frame 14 in this manner, it is, in effect, spring loaded so that internal 
stresses in the assembly 16 tend to retain it in an assembled position in 
the nozzle 10, whereby the button 64 is retained in position over the 
orifice 44. However, these same stresses tend to urge the key 58 to a 
reoriented position with respect to the collector 62, although they are 
normally resisted by the slug 66. However, when a predetermined abnormally 
high temperature condition is reached so that the slug 66 is melted to a 
sufficient extent so that the key 58 is no longer secured to the collector 
62, the key 58 is reoriented with respect to the collector 62, and this 
causes the assembly 16 to separate and the parts thereof to be thrown to 
the side of the frame 14, particularly when liquid is emitted from the 
orifice 44. Accordingly, the fusible assembly 16 normally maintains the 
button 64 and gasket 68 in a sealed covering relation over the end of the 
orifice 44 in the base portion 38 to prevent the discharge of liquid 
therefrom; but when a predetermined temperature condition is reached, the 
fusible assembly 16 collapses so that the button 64 and gasket 68 are no 
longer retained in a covering relation over the orifice 44. 
The nozzle 10 can be used in various types of sprinkler systems, and the 
use thereof both separately and in combination with various types of 
fusible assemblies, such as the assembly 16 or other types of fusible 
assemblies, is contemplated. Normally the nozzle 10 is permanently 
installed in a fire-protection system with the base portion 38 threadedly 
received in a discharge outlet such as a threaded fitting of the system. 
Preferably the nozzle 10 is mounted in a substantially vertical 
disposition so that liquid from the orifice 44 sprays upwardly toward the 
deflector 12 and is deflected downardly and outwardly, although the 
installation of the nozzle 10 in a substantially horizontal disposition 
and in various other dispositions is contemplated. When the nozzle 10 is 
used in combination with the fusible assembly 16, the assembly 16 normally 
maintains the button 64 and gasket 68 in covering relation over the 
discharge end of the orifice 44. However, when a predetermined temperature 
condition is reached which causes the fusible assembly 16 to separate, the 
button 64 and gasket 68 are no longer retained in covering relation over 
the orifice 44 so that liquid can be discharged therefrom. The central 
apex portions of the frame 14 and the deflector 12 cooperate to deflect 
liquid which is discharged from the orifice 44 so that it is relatively 
evenly distributed over a desired coverage area. In this regard, liquid 
emitted from the orifice 44 is directed towards the central portion of the 
deflector 12 where it is secured to the frame 14. Accordingly, the liquid 
impinges on a portion of the deflector mounting boss 50, and the deflector 
boss 22, with the bosses 50 and 22 cooperating to redirect a portion of 
the liquid outwardly along the inner surfaces of the deflector 12 so that 
sufficient quantities of liquid are disbursed throughout the central 
portion of the elongated spray pattern, and the tines 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 
and 36 cooperate with the slots therebetween to help spread the flow 
uniformly throughout the regions adjacent to the longitudinal peripheries 
of the relatively narrow spray pattern which is discharged from the nozzle 
10. The inwardly bent tines 28 and 34 and the further inwardly bent tines 
30 and 32, in combination with the slots 24, tend to break up the flow of 
liquid as it passes along the inner surfaces of the deflector 12 so that 
the liquid is randomly sprayed or distributed over the longitudinal 
peripheries of the coverage area to produce a relatively even liquid 
distribution. 
It is seen, therefore, that the instant invention provides an effective 
solution to the problem of efficiently distributing a liquid over a 
relatively long slender object. The configurations of the frame 14 and the 
deflector 12 cooperate to effectively and substantially evenly distribute 
a liquid over an elongated, relatively narrow spray area. Accordingly, the 
nozzle 10 can be effectively used for providing fire protection for 
relatively long slender objects, and many of the problems relating to 
overlapping of spray patterns and excessive piping costs of the 
heretofore-known fire-protection systems which have been used for such 
objects are effectively eliminated. Accordingly, for these reasons, as 
well as the other reasons hereinabove set forth, it is seen that the 
instant invention represents a significant advancement in the art which 
has substantial commercial merit. 
While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure 
embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art 
that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive 
concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein 
shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the 
appended claims.