Patent Abstract:
A sprinkler system installation for fire suppression within a cold environment uses a dry sprinkler assembly connected to a piping network by a flexible hose and supported in a substrate of a structure separating the cold environment from a temperature controlled warm environment. Sleeves of insulating material surround a conduit of the assembly and engage both the conduit and the substrate to seal and provide support. Escutcheons are also provided on opposite sides of the substrate which effect a clamping action on the assembly.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention concerns sprinkler systems and installations at the interface between environments having large temperature differences. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sprinkler systems for fire suppression are used to protect structures which separate or enclose adjacent regions having large temperature differences from one another. Examples of such structures include freezers, balconies of apartments, and loading docks of warehouses. Each of these structures has one or more walls and/or ceilings, which separate a region wherein the temperature is maintained above the freezing point of water from a region where the temperature is maintained below freezing or can drop below freezing. 
     It is a challenge to provide fire protection to such structures, especially when water is the preferred fire suppressing liquid because measures must be taken to ensure that the water does not freeze within the piping network or the sprinklers. To meet this challenge it is known to position the piping network in the temperature controlled “warm” environment where water within the pipes will not freeze, and to provide “dry” type sprinkler assemblies which extend from the piping network through openings in the ceiling or walls of the structure and into the “cold” or uncontrolled environment. An example of such a dry type sprinkler assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,240, hereby incorporated by reference. Such dry sprinkler assemblies have elongated conduits extending between the sprinkler and the piping network with a valve inside to maintain the sprinkler assembly in a “dry” state, i.e., without water, until the sprinkler is activated by the heat from a fire. A heat sensitive trigger, for example a liquid filled frangible bulb, which breaks when subjected to heat from a fire, opens the sprinkler to permit discharge of the water and also acts to open the valve and allow water to flow from the piping network through the conduit and out through the sprinkler. 
     In prior art sprinkler systems the dry sprinkler assemblies are rigidly connected to the piping network and therefore do not require supplemental support when they extend through the wall or ceiling of the structure into the cold or uncontrolled environment. However, this rigid design is unforgiving with respect to the relative positioning of the openings and the dry sprinkler assemblies, requiring precise alignment between assembly and opening during construction and installation. It would be advantageous to permit flexibility between the dry sprinkler assembly and the piping network so that a greater variation between opening and sprinkler assembly position could be tolerated, thereby simplifying the design and construction of such systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a sprinkler assembly connectable in fluid communication with a piping network carrying a fire suppressing liquid. The sprinkler assembly is extendable through an opening in a substrate. The sprinkler assembly comprises a conduit having a first end connectable to the piping network on one side of the substrate and a second end positionable adjacent to an opposite side of the substrate. A valve associated with the assembly is movable between a closed position to prevent the liquid from entering the conduit, and an open position to allow the liquid to flow through the conduit. In one embodiment the valve is positioned within the conduit. A sprinkler is mounted on the second end of the conduit. A sleeve is positioned within the opening and surrounding the conduit. 
     In one embodiment, the sleeve is positioned proximate to the first end of the conduit. A portion of the sleeve may extend from the opening. The assembly further comprises an escutcheon positioned on the one side of the substrate and surrounding the opening. The escutcheon may engage the portion of the sleeve extending from the opening. 
     The assembly may further comprise an escutcheon positioned on the one side of the substrate and surrounding the opening, wherein the escutcheon is mounted on the conduit, for example by screw threads. 
     Alternately a clamp may engage the conduit and be positioned adjacent to the escutcheon. 
     A sleeve may also be positioned proximate to the second end of the conduit. A portion of the sleeve may extend from the opening. In this embodiment the assembly may further comprise an escutcheon positioned on the opposite side of the substrate and surrounding the opening, the escutcheon engaging the portion of the sleeve. The escutcheon may mounted on the conduit, for example by screw threads, or a clamp may engage the conduit for attaching the escutcheon to it. Alternately, the escutcheon may be mounted on the sprinkler. 
     The sleeves may have an inwardly facing surface in contact with an outwardly facing surface of the conduit, and an outwardly facing surface in contact with an inwardly facing surface of the substrate within the opening. Preferably the outwardly facing surface of the sleeves are tapered. The assembly may further comprise a flexible hose attached to the first end of the conduit for connecting the conduit to the piping network. 
     In another embodiment of a sprinkler assembly connectable in fluid communication with a piping network carrying a fire suppressing liquid, the sprinkler assembly being extendable through an opening in a substrate, the sprinkler assembly comprises a conduit having a first end connectable to the piping network on one side of the substrate and a second end positionable adjacent to an opposite side of the substrate. A valve associated with the assembly is movable between a closed position to prevent the liquid from entering the conduit, and an open position to allow the liquid to flow through the conduit. In one embodiment the valve is positioned within the conduit. A sprinkler is mounted on the second end of the conduit. A first sleeve is positioned within the opening and surrounding the conduit. The first sleeve is positioned proximate to the first end of the conduit. A second sleeve is positioned within the opening and surrounding the conduit. The second sleeve is positioned proximate to the second end of the conduit. 
     The invention further encompasses a freezer, comprising a compartment defined by a plurality of interconnected substrates. A piping network is positioned outside of the compartment and supplies a fire suppressing liquid. The freezer includes at least one sprinkler assembly comprising a conduit extending through an opening in one of the substrates. The conduit has a first end connected to the piping network on one side of the one substrate and a second end positioned adjacent to an opposite side of the one substrate. A valve associated with the assembly is movable between a closed position to prevent the liquid from entering the conduit, and an open position to allow the liquid to flow through the conduit. In one embodiment the valve is positioned within the conduit. A sprinkler is mounted on the second end of the conduit and a sleeve is positioned within the opening and surrounding the conduit. 
     In an alternate embodiment the freezer comprises a compartment defined by a plurality of interconnected substrates. A piping network is positioned outside of the compartment and supplies a fire suppressing liquid. The sprinkler includes at least one sprinkler assembly comprising a conduit extending through an opening in one of the substrates. The conduit has a first end connected to the piping network on one side of the one substrate and a second end positioned adjacent to an opposite side of the one substrate. A valve associated with the assembly is movable between a closed position to prevent the liquid from entering the conduit, and an open position to allow the liquid to flow through the conduit. In one embodiment the valve is positioned within the conduit. A sprinkler is mounted on the second end of the conduit. A first sleeve is positioned within the opening and surrounding the conduit, the first sleeve being positioned proximate to the first end of the conduit. A second sleeve is positioned within the opening and surrounding the conduit, the second sleeve being positioned proximate to the second end of the conduit. 
     The invention also includes a sprinkler installation, comprising a structure comprising a temperature controlled interior space and an exterior space separated from one another by a substrate. A piping network is positioned within the temperature controlled interior space and supplies a fire suppressing liquid. The installation includes at least one sprinkler assembly comprising a conduit extending through an opening in the substrate. The conduit has a first end connected to the piping network and a second end positioned adjacent to the exterior space. A valve associated with the assembly is movable between a closed position to prevent the liquid from entering the conduit, and an open position to allow the liquid to flow through the conduit. In one embodiment the valve is positioned within the conduit. A sprinkler is mounted on the second end of the conduit and extends into the exterior space. A first sleeve is positioned within the opening and surrounding the conduit. The first sleeve is positioned proximate to the first end of the conduit. A second sleeve is positioned within the opening and surrounding the conduit. The second sleeve is positioned proximate to the second end of the conduit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cut-away isometric view of a freezer sprinkler installation according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial sectional elevational view of a sprinkler installation according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of an example embodiment of a sprinkler assembly according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are sectional views of another example embodiment of a sprinkler assembly according to the invention; and 
         FIGS. 5 through 8  are sectional views of example embodiments of sprinkler assemblies according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a sprinkler assembly  10  installed in a freezer  12  for fire protection. Freezer  12  comprises a plurality of substrates  14 , in this example forming walls  16  and ceiling  18  interconnected to define a compartment  20 . A piping network  22  is positioned outside of the compartment and supplies a fire suppressing liquid, for example, water, to the sprinkler assembly. The freezer  12  may be located within a building, such as a climate controlled warehouse, wherein the ambient temperature is maintained so that water or other fire suppressing liquid in the piping network  22  does not freeze. 
       FIG. 2  shows another example sprinkler installation, in this embodiment, a loading dock  26  of a warehouse  28 . The warehouse  28  comprises a temperature controlled interior space  30  defined by a substrate  32  (the exterior wall of the warehouse). The piping network  22  is positioned within the interior space, and the loading dock  26  comprises an exterior space (not temperature controlled) which receives trucks  34  for pick-up and delivery of goods. The local exterior space of the loading dock is protected by the sprinkler assembly  10  according to the invention. It is understood that other similar installations are also feasible, for example a balcony of an apartment, comprising an exterior space where temperature control is not practical, is protected by a sprinkler assembly partially housed in a neighboring interior space (the apartment) which is climate controlled. 
       FIG. 3  shows in detail an example embodiment of the sprinkler assembly  10  according to the invention. Assembly  10  comprises a conduit  36  having a first end  38  connectable to the piping network  22  on one side  40  of the substrate  14 . Connection to the piping network is advantageously effected by a flexible hose  42 , which could be, for example, a corrugated metal hose or a hose comprising a braided outer sleeve surrounding a flexible inner tubular member. Conduit  36  extends through an opening  44  in the substrate  14  and has a second end  46  positioned adjacent to an opposite side  48  of the substrate  14 . The second end  46  of conduit  36  may extend proud of the substrate as shown, or it may be flush with or beneath the surface of the opposite side  48 . A sprinkler  50  is mounted on the second end  46  of the conduit  36 . The sprinkler has a heat sensitive trigger  52  which operates to open the assembly and allow water or other fire suppressing liquid to flow from the piping network  22  to the sprinkler for discharge onto a fire. Because the second end  46  of conduit  36  is exposed to a cold environment, for example within a freezer compartment, or on the outside of a building, the conduit is normally maintained in a dry state, i.e., without water, to prevent freezing within the conduit. A valve  54 , an example of which is described in detail below, may be positioned within the conduit  36 , and keeps the water within the flexible hose  42  (and within the temperature controlled warm environment) until a fire causes the heat sensitive trigger to open the sprinkler, which also opens the valve  54  and thereby allow water to flow through the conduit  36  to the sprinkler  50 . 
     It is advantageous to support the sprinkler assembly  10  within the substrate, as it has significant weight which may not be properly supported from the piping network  22  by the flexible hose  42 . To that end a sleeve  56  is positioned within the opening  44  surrounding the conduit  36 . Sleeve  56  may be formed of an insulating material such as natural rubber, EPDM, Buna N, PTFE, silicone, cork or other similar materials. The sleeve  56  has an inwardly facing surface  58  that is in contact with an outwardly facing surface  60  of the conduit  36 . The sleeve also has an outwardly facing surface  62  which contacts an inwardly facing surface  64  within the opening  44  of the substrate  14 . Friction between the various surfaces supports the conduit, and thus the sprinkler assembly  10  in the substrate  14 . Outwardly facing surface  62  of sleeve  56  may be tapered as shown to facilitate insertion of the sleeve into the opening  44 . Sleeve  56  may be longer or shorter than the example shown, as required for effective support of the sprinkler assembly, and may also be positioned anywhere along the length of the conduit  36  within the opening  44 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows another embodiment  66  of a sprinkler assembly according to the invention having a first sleeve  56   a  positioned proximate to the first end  38  of the conduit  36  and a second sleeve  56   b  positioned proximate to the second end  46  of the conduit. Again, the sleeves may be formed of insulating material such as natural rubber, EPDM, Buna N, PTFE, silicone, cork or other similar materials. As described above, each sleeve  56   a  and  56   b  may have an inwardly facing surface  58  which contacts the outwardly facing surface  60  of the conduit, and an outwardly facing surface  62  which contacts an inwardly facing surface  64  of the substrate  14  within the opening  44 . Outwardly facing surfaces  62  of sleeves  56   a  and  56   b  may be tapered, and the sleeves cooperate to support the sprinkler assembly on the substrate. 
     Additional support for the sprinkler assembly  66  is provided by a pair of escutcheons  68  and  70  positioned surrounding the opening  44  on opposite sides of the substrate  14 . In this example, escutcheon  68  is positioned proximate to the second end  46  of the conduit  36  and is retained to the assembly by engagement with the sprinkler  50 . Note that a portion  72  of second sleeve  56   b  extends from the opening  44  and is engaged by the escutcheon  68 . Escutcheon  70  is positioned proximate to the first end  38  of conduit  36  and is mounted on the conduit. In the example shown in  FIG. 4A , the escutcheon  70  is retained to the conduit by a clamp  74 , which may be integral with the escutcheon or, as shown, a separate component. Tightening of the clamp  74  cinches it to the conduit and thereby fixes the escutcheons  68  and  70  in contact with respective surfaces  76  and  78  on opposite sides  48  and  40  of the substrate  14  to provide support to the assembly  66 . A portion  80  of first sleeve  56   a  extends from opening  44  and is engaged by the escutcheon  70 . 
     Another sprinkler assembly embodiment  82  is illustrated in  FIG. 5  wherein the escutcheon  70  is secured to the conduit  36  threadedly by compatible screw threads  84  and  86  respectively positioned on the escutcheon and the conduit. Rotation of the escutcheon  70  when in contact with the substrate surface  78  draws the escutcheon  68  into contact with the opposite surface  76  and thereby supports the sprinkler assembly  82  on the substrate and between the escutcheons. Note that the escutcheon  68  is shown in phantom line, which indicates that it may be attached to the assembly in one of a number of ways. For example,  FIG. 6  shows escutcheon  68  attached to the conduit  36  by a clamp  88 , whereas  FIG. 7  shows the escutcheon  68  threadedly attached to the conduit  36  by means of compatible screw threads  90  and  92  respectively on the escutcheon and the conduit  36 . Note that in the example embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  the second end  46  of the conduit extends from the opening  44  beyond the surface  76  of the substrate. Escutcheon  70  is shown in phantom line in  FIGS. 6 and 7  indicating that it could be mounted on the conduit  36  in any one of a number of ways which provide support to the assembly. 
       FIG. 8  shows a sprinkler assembly embodiment which uses plates  85 ,  87  in contact with the substrate surfaces  76  and  78 , respectively, to help distribute loads imposed by the sprinkler assembly onto the substrate  14 . As shown engaging surface  76 , the plate  85  is captured between the surface and an escutcheon  68  mounted on the sprinkler  50 . Plate  87 , engaging opposite surface  78 , is held in place against the surface by a hex nut  89  threaded to the conduit  36 . Nut  89  acts as a compression nut to secure the sprinkler assembly to the substrate upon tightening. 
     Operation of an example sprinkler assembly applicable to any of the feasible installations is described with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the valve  54 , positioned, in this example, within the conduit  36 , is in its closed configuration which maintains the conduit  36  in a dry condition by keeping water or other fire suppressing fluid in the flexible hose  42  and the piping network  22 . In the closed configuration, a valve closing member  94  is held in sealing engagement with a seat  96  positioned within the conduit  36  proximate to the first end  38  of the conduit  36  by a rod  98 . Rod  98  extends from the valve closing member  94  through the conduit  36  to a cap  100  which covers the opening  102  of sprinkler  50 . Cap  100  is held in position by the heat sensitive trigger  52 , which is supported by the sprinkler arms  104 . Heat sensitive trigger  52  may be, for example, a frangible glass bulb filled with a heat sensitive liquid, or a mechanism held together by a solder having a precisely defined melting temperature. Rod  98 , and therefore the closing member  94  to which it is attached, are biased into the open configuration by a spring element  106  which acts between the seat  96  and a stabilizing spider  108  attached to the rod  98 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , when the heat from a fire causes the trigger  52  to break or fall apart it no longer supports the cap  100 , which is subjected to the compression force of spring  106  and water pressure acting on valve closing member  94  through the action of rod  98 . Cap  100 , not being fixedly attached to any part of the sprinkler assembly, falls away and releases the rod  98 . Rod  98 , now unconstrained, moves toward the sprinkler  50  under the biasing force of spring  106  as well as the water pressure against the valve closing member  94  and thus allows the valve closing member to unseat and thereby permit water  110  to flow through the conduit  36  to be discharged from the sprinkler  50  onto the fire. 
     Sprinkler assemblies according to the invention permit greater flexibility in the design and construction of fire suppression systems by supporting the sprinkler assembly within the substrates forming the structure being protected, and not rigidly from the piping network.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0