Patent Publication Number: US-9849320-B2

Title: Fire protection sprinkler assembly

Description:
PRIORITY DATA 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/780,717, filed Mar. 13, 2013, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL 
     The present invention relates generally to fire protection devices and, more specifically, to sprinkler assemblies and the arrangement and operation of their components. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, known automatic fire protection sprinklers include a sprinkler frame or body with an inlet that that is connected to a supply of firefighting fluid under pressure. Disposed within the outlet of sprinkler body is a sealing element to prevent the discharge of fluid from the outlet. The sealing element is held in place by a thermally responsive trigger. The trigger is supported directly or indirectly against the sprinkler frame in order to maintain the sealing element within the outlet. Accordingly, in an unactuated state of the sprinkler, the sealing element and trigger are subject to a static load from the fluid pressure. 
     In response to a sufficiently sized fire or other heat source, the thermally responsive trigger actuates thereby releasing the sealing element to permit discharge of fluid from the sprinkler outlet. The discharged fluid impacts a deflector member disposed at a distance from the outlet for distribution of the fluid. The deflector member can either be disposed in a fixed distance relationship with respect to the sprinkler outlet, i.e., a fixed deflector or alternatively, the deflector can translate with respect to the sprinkler outlet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,630 shows and describes exemplary embodiments of fixed deflector sprinkler assemblies. FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,630 shows a one piece frame arm(s) and body sprinkler frame with a knuckle or apex formed at the end of the frame arms. Centrally affixed about the knuckle is a deflector. The deflector includes a central bore that is disposed over an end of the knuckle and secured by swaging. Disposed within the outlet of the sprinkler frame is a plug which is supported by a thermally responsive bulb. The bulb is retained between the plug and the knuckle by a compression screw threaded through the knuckle and acting on the bulb. 
     These known sprinkler assemblies can present some design limitations and manufacturing complexities. For example, the fixed deflector assembly with the one piece frame, arms and knuckle defines only a single fixed distance between the deflector and the sprinkler outlet. Moreover, each of the fixed and translating deflector assemblies can involve manufacturing and assembly of multiple interconnected components including a compression screw separate from the sprinkler frame, surrounding structure and/or deflector member. It may be desirable to provide sprinkler assemblies that overcome some of these design limitation while presenting a more simplified construction. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of a sprinkler assembly provide for either a pendent or sidewall sprinkler assembly that includes a sprinkler frame, preferably formed from a plastic material, having an outlet for the discharge of a fire fighting fluid, such as water; and a deflector assembly in which the deflector assembly is coupled to the sprinkler frame in a fixed spaced relationship with respect to the sprinkler outlet. Moreover, the preferred arrangement of the sprinkler assembly locates the deflector assembly at a fixed distance to provide a desired water distribution pattern and/or density in the actuated state of the sprinkler assembly; and/or preferably locates the deflector assembly to support a thermally responsive trigger and seal assembly in an unactuated state of the sprinkler assembly. 
     One preferred embodiment of a sprinkler assembly includes a preferably plastic sprinkler frame having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an external surface and an internal surface. The internal surface defines an internal passageway extending from an inlet formed in the proximal portion to an outlet formed in the distal portion to define a longitudinal sprinkler axis of the sprinkler assembly. A support member is preferably formed about the distal portion of the frame for supporting a deflector assembly, the support member having a pair of projection members. The deflector assembly preferably includes a deflector member and a receiving structure engaged with the projection members to locate the deflector member at a fixed distance from the outlet of the sprinkler frame. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the support member, the support member includes at least one stanchion disposed about the support member, each stanchion having a proximal receiver portion proximate the outlet and a distal projection that includes a projection portion. The stanchion preferably includes a radial inner component and a radial outer component relative to the sprinkler axis, in which the inner and outer components cooperate to define the receiver portion having an axially extending channel between the inner and outer components. Preferably, the radial inner component is cantilevered off of the support member and extends radially away from a line parallel to the sprinkler axis to define an acute included angle such that the projection portion is biased radially outward into engagement with the receiver structure of the deflector assembly. Preferably, the projection portion defines one of a tab, hook or wedge member. 
     Another preferred embodiment of the sprinkler assembly includes a plastic sprinkler frame having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an external surface and an internal surface, the internal surface defining an internal passageway extending from an inlet formed in the proximal portion to an outlet formed in the distal portion to define a longitudinal sprinkler axis of the sprinkler assembly. A support member formed about the distal portion of the sprinkler frame has at least one stanchion disposed about the support member. Each stanchion has a proximal receiver portion proximate the outlet and a distal projection portion. The assembly includes a deflector assembly having a proximal portion engaged with the receiver portion and a distal portion having a deflector member. The preferred sprinkler assembly includes a seal assembly disposed in the outlet; and a thermally responsive trigger assembly including a thermally responsive element engaged between the seal assembly and the deflector member. The deflector assembly includes a receiving structure engaged with the distal projection portion of the stanchion to locate the deflector at a fixed distance from the outlet of the sprinkler frame to preferably support the thermally responsive element and the seal under a static fluid load of about 175 psi and more preferably up to about 500 psi. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred fire sprinkler assembly; 
         FIG. 1A  is an isometric exploded view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of a preferred sprinkler frame for use in the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of another preferred fire sprinkler assembly; 
         FIG. 2A  is an isometric cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 3-3A  are various embodiments of a deflector assembly for use in the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3B-3C  are various embodiments of a deflector assembly for use in the assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 3E-3F  are various geometries for use in any one of the deflectors of  FIGS. 3-3A and 3B-3C . 
     
    
    
     MODES(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1B  is a first illustrative embodiment of a preferred fire protection sprinkler assembly  10 . The preferred assembly  10  includes a sprinkler frame  12  and a deflector assembly  40  engaged with the sprinkler frame  12 , the sprinkler frame having a proximal portion  14  for coupling the sprinkler assembly  10  to a fluid supply pipe network, and a distal portion for supporting the deflector assembly  40 . The proximal portion  14  is configured for receipt of a fire fighting fluid, e.g. water, at the inlet  18   a  of an internal fluid passageway  18  for discharge from its outlet  18   b  formed at the distal portion  16  of the sprinkler frame  12 . The sprinkler assembly  10  includes a thermally responsive trigger assembly  60  to control operation of the sprinkler assembly  10  between an unactuated state and an actuated state. In the unactuated state, the thermally responsive trigger assembly  60  maintains a seal assembly  70  to seal the outlet  18   b  of the sprinkler frame  12 . In response to a sufficient amount of heat from, for example, a fire event, the thermally responsive trigger assembly  60  operates to place the sprinkler assembly and release the seal assembly  70  from the outlet  18   b . Once actuated, water is discharged from the outlet to impact the deflector assembly  40  for distribution of water in a pattern and/or density for addressing a fire in a desired manner. In operation, the deflector assembly  40  remains fixed relative to the sprinkler frame  12 . 
     The sprinkler frame  12  is preferably formed from a plastic body. The preferred sprinkler frame  12  is a body having internal and external surfaces which individually or together define the proximal portion  14 , the distal portion  16  and the internal passageway  18  to further define the longitudinal axis A-A of the sprinkler assembly  10 . The plastic body provides an arrangement to connect the sprinkler to a firefighting fluid supply pipe. The sprinkler frame is preferably formed from a plastic material such as, for example, Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) material, more specifically CPVC material per ASTM F442 and substantially similar to the material used to manufacture the BLAZEMASTER® CPVC sprinkler pipe and fittings as shown and described in the technical data sheet, TFP1915: “Blazemaster CPVC Sprinkler Pipe and Fittings Submittal Sheet” (June 2008), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In order to couple the sprinkler assembly  10  to an end of a pipe or pipe fitting of a fluid supply line in the piping network, the proximal portion  14  can include an external thread such as, for example, nominally sized tapered National Pipe Thread (NPT). The external thread preferably ranges in nominal sizes: ½ inch to 1 inch NPT. Alternatively, in one preferred configuration and installation of the sprinkler assembly, the proximal portion  14  can include an external course pipe thread for engagement with a corresponding internal threaded pipe fitting such as, for example, a plastic pipe fitting or component as shown and described in PCT Application Publication No. WO 2013/010098 of PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/046717, filed 13 Jul. 2012, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Preferably each of the external thread  40  and internal thread  28  is straight pipe thread such as, for example, American Standard straight pipe thread (NPS) or cylindrical thread such as for example, Whitworth-pipe thread, DIN/ISO 228. 
     The distal portion  16  of the sprinkler frame  12  preferably includes and is more preferably formed with a support member  20 . The support member is preferably configured to engage and support the deflector assembly  40  in order to: (i) locate the deflector assembly  40  at a fixed distance to provide a desired water distribution pattern and/or density in the actuated state of the sprinkler assembly  10 ; and (ii) further preferably locate the deflector assembly to support the trigger assembly  60  and seal assembly  70  in an unactuated state of the sprinkler assembly  10 . The support member  20  is preferably integrally formed at the distal end portion  16   a  of the sprinkler frame  12 , although the support member may be formed axially anywhere along the sprinkler frame  12  provided it can support and affix the deflector assembly  40  as described herein. 
     The support member  20  is preferably continuously formed about the sprinkler frame to surround and more preferably circumscribe the sprinkler axis A-A. The support member  20  is preferably formed as a continuous annulus or circular ring. Alternatively, the support member may be formed discontinuously and/or define a non-circular geometry about the sprinkler axis A-A such as, for example, rectangular, square or oval. Preferably radially disposed about the support member  20 , extending in the axial direction and preferably distally are one or more posts or stanchions  22 . Each stanchion  22  includes proximal portion configured to receive a proximal portion of the deflector assembly  40  and a distal portion configured to engage and preferably secure to a portion of the deflector assembly. 
     With reference to the particular embodiment of the sprinkler assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 1A , the sprinkler frame  12  preferably includes a pair of stanchions  22  diametrically opposed about the sprinkler frame outlet  18   b . The proximal portion of each stanchion  22  defines a receiver  24  sized and configured for receiving a proximal portion  42  of the deflector assembly  40 . Shown in  FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of the sprinkler frame  12 . Each preferred stanchion  22  preferably includes a radial inner component  22   a  and a radial outer component  22   b . The inner and outer components  22   a ,  22   b  cooperate together at the proximal end of the stanchion  22  to define the receiver  24  for receiving the deflector assembly  40 . As shown, the preferred radial inner component  22   a  extends axially and preferably distally from the support member  20  of the frame  12 . The radial inner component  22   a  is preferably cantilevered off of the support member  20  and further preferably formed so as to extend away from a line parallel to the sprinkler axis A-A at an angle α, as seen in  FIG. 1C , such that the inner component  22   a  of the stanchion  22  is biased radially outwardly and preferably is flexible radially inwardly. The radial outer component  22   b  is preferably disposed radially outward of the inner component  22   a  to define a gap therebetween and more preferably define the receiver channel  24  for receiving the proximal end portion  42  of the deflector assembly  40 . The outer radial component  22   b  extends axially to preferably terminate proximally of the distal end of the inner component  22   a . The receiver channel  24  preferably extends axially from a preferably open end at the proximal surface  20   a  of the annulus support member  20  to the distal end of radial component  24   b . Moreover, the outer component  24   b  is preferably joined to the inner component  22   a  so as to further preferably define a gap therebetween so as to provide sufficient flexure between the components  22   a ,  22   b  to facilitate insertion of the proximal portion of the deflector assembly  40  into the receiver  24 . Preferably, the components  22   a ,  22   b  define an internal geometry which form the receiver  24  that can accommodate and more preferably correspond to the outer geometry of the proximal portion  42  of the deflector received by the channel  24 . For example, the receiver  24  has a rectangular cross-sectional area in which the rectangular cross-sectional area of the proximal portion  42  of the deflector assembly  40  can be disposed. 
     Referring again to the exploded view of the sprinkler assembly  10  in  FIG. 1A , formed preferably at the distal portion of each stanchion  22  is a projection, tab, hook, locker or wedge member  26  for engaging and/or interlocking an opening  44 , slot or other receiving structure in the deflector assembly  40 . In the assembly of the sprinkler assembly, the proximal portions  42  of the deflector assembly are inserted into the receivers  24  so as to align and locate the wedge members  26  within the slots  44  of the deflector assembly  40  to secure the deflector assembly  40  at a fixed distance from the outlet  18   b  of the sprinkler frame  12  as seen, for example, in  FIG. 1B . The stanchions  22  and more particularly the inner components  22   a  of the stanchions preferably bias the wedge members  26  into engagement with the slots  44  of the deflector so as to prevent the axial separation between the sprinkler frame  12  and the deflector assembly  40 . In an actuated state and operation of the sprinkler assembly  10 , the preferred engagement between the deflector assembly  40  and sprinkler frame  12  is sufficient to be maintained under a water discharge from the outlet  18   b  at a working discharge pressure of, for example, 175 psi. 
     The sprinkler assemblies described herein may be configured and/or assembled as either a pendent, a concealed pendent or a sidewall sprinkler in which the assembly  10  preferably includes operational components of a fire protection sprinkler, for example as seen in  FIG. 1 , i) a closure or seal assembly  70  and ii) a thermally responsive trigger assembly  60  which maintain the sprinkler assembly  10  in an unactuated state when coupled to a fire fighting fluid pipe supply. The preferred seal assembly  70  includes a support structure  74 . The support structure  74  locates a Belleville seal  76  at the outlet  18   b  of the passageway  18  to prevent fluid from exiting the outlet  18   b  of the passageway  18  until the trigger assembly  60  has actuated. Upon thermal activation of the trigger assembly  60 , the sprinkler assembly  10  is placed in an actuated state and the seal assembly is released for the discharge of firefighting fluid. 
     In the preferred configuration and operation of the sprinkler assembly  10 , the deflector assembly  40  is fixed with respect to the sprinkler frame  12 . The engagement between the wedge member  26  and the deflector assembly  40  is preferably sufficient to maintain the thermally responsive trigger assembly  60  and seal assembly  70  in their unactuated configurations so as to maintain a static fluid pressure up to about 500 psi. at the seal assembly  70 . In a preferred sprinkler assembly arrangement, the trigger assembly preferably includes a thermally responsive link or element in the preferred form of a glass bulb such as, for example, a bulb shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,710, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Each of the seal assembly  70  and deflector assembly  40  is configured to load and maintain the trigger assembly in a position aligned along and parallel to the sprinkler axis A-A, as seen in  FIG. 1 . The seal assembly  70  includes a seat portion  72  and the deflector assembly  40  includes a seat portion (not shown) to respectively seat and support the proximal end  60   a  and distal end  60   b  of the trigger assembly  60 . The seats  72  can be configured in a manner as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,710. In an installed, unactuated configuration, water delivered to the sprinkler assembly  10  loads the seal assembly with a pressure from about 175 psi to about 500 psi. The load is distributed over each of the engagements between the stanchion(s)  22  and the deflector assembly  40 . Accordingly, the engagement between the stanchion and the slot of the deflector assembly is preferably configured to maintain the engagement under the static fluid load of about 175 psi and more preferably up to about 500 psi. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A  is an alternate embodiment of the sprinkler assembly  110  having an alternate thermally responsive trigger assembly  160  having two thermally responsive links configured to actuate the sprinkler assembly. The two thermally responsive links or elements preferably include a first thermally responsive bulb  160   a  and a second thermally responsive bulb  160   b , which can be configured as a bulb shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,710, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. To support each of the bulbs  160   a ,  160   b  in the preferred axial position parallel to the sprinkler axis A′-A′, the assembly  110  includes a seal assembly  170  and a deflector assembly  140  with corresponding seats for engaging and supporting the bulbs  160   a ,  160   b . Shown in  FIG. 2A  is the seal assembly  170  having first and second seats  172   a ,  172   b  for engaging and supporting the first and second bulbs  160   a ,  160   b  at their proximal ends and the deflector assembly  140  includes first and second seats  141   a ,  141   b  to engage and support the bulbs  160   a ,  160   b  at their distal ends. The seats  172   a ,  172   b ,  141   a ,  141   b  can be configured in a manner as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,710. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the preferred deflector assembly  40  is preferably formed from metal and includes a deflector portion  46  at the distal end of the deflector assembly  40  and one or more extension members or pillars  48  for engaging the sprinkler frame  12  at the receiver  24 . In one preferred aspect, the deflector assembly  10  is stamped and bent from a metal such as, for example, a flat or planar bronze blank. The extension members  48  are preferably stamped with the deflector portion  46  so as to locate the deflector portion centrally between the extension members. The extension members  48  are then preferably bent so as to extend preferably orthogonally from the deflector member  46  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1A . Each of the extension members  48  is shaped so as to define the proximal end  42  of the deflector assembly  40  having a configuration that corresponds to the configuration of the receiver  24  of the stanchion  22 . As seen in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the extension members  48  have a rectangular cross-sectional area for receipt in the receiver channel  24  of the stanchion. 
     In the deflector assembly  40 , each of the extension member(s)  48  presents an inner surface  48   a  and an outer surface  48   b  relative to the assembly axis B-B. One or more of the surfaces may be concave or convex. As illustrated in the deflector assembly  10  embodiments, the extension member  48  can define a variable geometry along its axial length or alternatively a constant width. The extension member  48  may taper narrowly in either the proximal or distal direction or both. It may taper at a constant rate or, as seen, taper in a step-wise fashion. The extension members  48  preferably extend parallel to the sprinkler axis A-A to define a substantially constant radius to the assembly axis A-A. Alternatively, the extension members  48  may angle toward or away from the deflector axis B-B as seen, for example, in  FIGS. 3E and 3F . Thus, the extension member(s)  48  or portions thereof can extend or be disposed inside or outside the fluid flow path from the sprinkler frame outlet  18   b.    
     Moreover, the extension members  48  may present a continuous inner surface to the deflector axis or, alternatively, the extension members  48  may have one or more voids such as, for example, a through hole or slot. The extension member  48  is further preferably formed with the opening  44  for engaging the wedge member  26  of the stanchion  22  to affix the deflector assembly  40  to the sprinkler frame  12 . The opening  44  preferably defines a closed form opening centrally aligned along the extension member  48 . Accordingly, the opening  44  preferably defines a window having a plurality of surfaces for the surfaces of the wedge member  26  to form the inter-locked engagement previously described. Alternatively, the openings  44  of the extension members may be formed as open-formed geometries, for example, formed along the edges of the extension members  48  provided the slot or opening  44  can engage the stanchion  22  to secure the deflector assembly  10  to the sprinkler frame  12  as described herein. Each of the extension members  48  of the deflector assembly  40  are shown with a single opening or window  44  to define a single fixed distance Y between the deflector member  46  and the outlet  18   b  of the sprinkler frame. Alternatively, the extension members  48  can include a plurality of openings  46 ′ a ,  46 ′ b , for example, as shown in phantom in  FIG. 3A  axially spaced and aligned along the extension members  48  to selectively define a plurality of deflector member-to-outlet distances for the assembly of the sprinkler assembly  10 . 
     The deflector member  46  is configured for distributing water in a desired manner to address a fire. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the deflector member  46  preferably includes two or more spaced apart tines  46   a ,  46   b  defining one or more slot(s)  46   c  in between. The slot  46   c  is preferably open-ended at the deflector perimeter. The tines  46   a ,  46   b  are preferably spaced to define the slot  46   c  with a constant width; however, various configurations of slots and associated tines can be utilized to define the configuration of the deflector. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B and 3C  are various alternative embodiments of the deflector assembly and deflector members  46 ,  46 ′,  46 ″,  46 ′″. Shown in each of  FIGS. 3 and 3A  is a deflector assembly  40 ,  40 ′ that is configured to seat a single thermally responsive bulb along the deflector axis B-B and the sprinkler axis A-A. The deflector member  46  in  FIG. 3  is substantially planar having a plurality of spaced apart tines defining open ended slots. Shown in  FIG. 3A  is an arcuate or bowed deflector member  46 ′ to present a preferably concave impact surface  46 ′ d  with respect to the outlet  18   b  of the sprinkler frame  12 . The deflector member  46 ′ includes one or more preferably closed ended slots  46 ′ c  to define the spray distribution pattern of the deflector member  46 ′. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C  are embodiments of the deflector assembly  40 ″,  40 ′″ which are preferably configured to seat and support at least two thermally responsive bulbs. Shown in  FIG. 3B  is a substantially planar deflector member  46 ″ having an outer perimeter defining a rectangular geometry and more preferably a square geometry. The perimeter is preferably defined by a first pair of parallel tines  46 ″ a  and a second pair of parallel tines  46 ″ b  orthogonal to the first pair to define a deflector window  46 ″ c  centered on the deflector axis B-B. The first pair of parallel tines  46 ″ a  preferably includes a pair of seats  141   a ,  141   b  (not shown) to seat and support the thermally responsive bulbs  160   a ,  160   b . Shown in  FIG. 3C  is an alternate embodiment of the deflector member  46 ′″ defining a substantially circular perimeter and a central circular window  46 ′″C. The circular member  46 ′″ includes a pair of seats  141 ′″ a ,  141 ′″ b , to support the thermally responsive bulbs of a preferred trigger assembly  160 . 
     It is to be understood that the deflector members  46 ,  146  of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are shown generically and that the deflector members can be configured in a manner to distribute fluid (water) and address a fire in accordance with industry accepted standards. Accordingly, the deflector member  46 ,  146  may define any geometry such that the sprinkler assembly performs in accordance with one or more industry accepted performance standards. For example, the deflector member can be circular and each of the slots extend radially toward the center of the deflector member, which is preferably axially aligned with the sprinkler axis A-A. 
     Provided the deflector member can be coupled to the sprinkler frame  12  in a manner and operation shown and described herein, the deflector member  46  may be defined by a known deflector geometry which satisfies one or more known industry performance standards. For example, residential automatic fire protection sprinklers are typically designed to specific performance criteria or standards that have been accepted by the industry. The performance criteria establishes the minimum performance standards for a given sprinkler to be considered sufficient for use as a residential fire protection product. For example, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) “Standard for Safety for Residential Sprinklers for Fire Protection Service” (March 2008) (Rev. April 2012) (hereinafter “UL 1626”), which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto, is believed to be an accepted industry standard. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also promulgates standards relating to residential fire protection such as, for example, NFPA Standard 13 (2013) (hereinafter “NFPA 13”), which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference thereto. In order for a residential sprinkler to be approved for installation under NFPA Standards, such a sprinkler typically must pass various tests, for example, tests promulgated by UL under UL 1626, in order to be listed for use as a residential sprinkler. Specifically, UL 1626 generally requires a sprinkler to deliver a minimum flow rate (gallons per minute or “gpm”) for a specified coverage area (square feet or “ft 2 ”) so as to provide for a desired average density of at least 0.05 gpm/ft 2 . In one particular embodiment, the deflector member  46  may be configured as a known residential deflector provided it can be coupled to a receiver  24  by an extension member  48  as described herein. Exemplary pendent and horizontal sidewall deflectors are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,074,725; 7,201,234; 8,151,897; and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20090126950; 20100263883 each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The geometries of the components of the deflector assembly  40  can define the components individually, but they can also define or characterize the deflector assembly  40  as a whole. In the illustrative embodiments of  FIG. 3 , the deflector member  46  is shown with its impact surface  46   d  normal or orthogonal to the deflector assembly axis B-B. Alternatively the extension members  48  can be configured to angle the deflector member  46  to define an obtuse included angle between the impact surface  46   d  and the assembly axis B-B. Thus, the components of the deflector assembly  40 , their surfaces and or voids can individually or collectively define deflection surfaces of the assembly, which in combination with the deflector member  46 , can define the performance of the sprinkler assembly  10 . 
     Referring again to the illustrative cross-sectional view of the sprinkler assembly  10  in  FIG. 1B , the fluid passage can include a tapering portion that tapers narrowly in the distal direction and a constant diameter portion that is distal of and contiguous with the tapering portion. The passageway may alternatively have a constant width or taper at a constant rate, variable rate or combinations thereof along its entire length. The internal surface of the sprinkler frame  12  defines an internal fluid passageway  18  that extends axially from the proximal portion  14  preferably into the distal portion  16 . The fluid passage  18  has an inlet  18   a  into which water is supplied and an outlet  18   b  from which the water is discharged for impacting the deflector assembly  40 . 
     The fluid passage  18 , inlet  18   a  and outlet  18   b  preferably define a sprinkler constant or K-factor which approximates the flow rate to be expected from an outlet of a sprinkler based on the square root of the pressure of fluid fed into the inlet of the sprinkler. As used herein and in the sprinkler industry, the K-factor is a measurement used to indicate the flow capacity of a sprinkler. More specifically, the K-factor is a constant representing a sprinkler&#39;s discharge coefficient that is quantified by the flow of fluid in gallons per minute (GPM) through the sprinkler passageway divided by the square root of the pressure of the flow of fluid fed to the sprinkler in pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG.). The K-factor is expressed as GPM/(PSI) 1/2 . Industry accepted standards such as, for example, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard entitled, “NFPA 13: Standards for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems” (2010 ed.) (“NFPA 13”) provide for a rated or nominal K-factor or rated discharge coefficient of a sprinkler as a mean value over a K-factor range. As used herein, “nominal” describes a numerical value, designated under an accepted standard, about which a measured parameter may vary as defined by an accepted tolerance ranging. The sprinkler frame and its internal passage  18  and inlet passage  18   b  can be configured to define a K-factor ranging from a nominal 4.1 to a nominal 5.6 GPM/(PSI) 1/2 . 
     While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.