Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to a sprinkler system ( 200 ) having a valve ( 204, 206, 208, 352 ) for discharging a liquid to suppress fire, a sensor ( 214 ) disposed at the valve, the sensor configured to provide an output indicating a flow of liquid, and a processor disposed at the valve, the processer processing the output of the sensor to provide an indication of liquid flow at the valve.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    In order to promote safety, it is desirable to determine the location of a fire as quickly as possible. For example, a rapid determination may enable one to extinguish the fire before property is damaged or someone sustains an injury. 
         [0002]    Sprinkler systems (e.g., wet pipe sprinkler systems) are in frequent use today. When a pump unit of the sprinkler system is activated or engaged, a flow sensor associated with a valve (e.g., a section valve) of the sprinkler system may detect or signal a flow of liquid (e.g., water). The flow signal may end after a line of the system is filled with water and pressure stabilizes, if, for example, none of the sprinklers on the line are activated. In order to preclude reporting a flow that is not actually present, a delay or filter mechanism is used until the pressure stabilizes as described above. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One or more embodiments are directed to a sprinkler system comprising a valve for discharging a liquid to suppress fire, a sensor disposed at the valve, the sensor configured to provide an output indicating a flow of liquid, and a processor disposed at the valve, the processer processing the output of the sensor to provide an indication of liquid flow at the valve. 
         [0004]    One or more embodiments are directed to a method comprising detecting, by a valve, a flow of liquid associated with a sprinkler system, processing, at the valve, the detected flow, and transmitting, by the valve, an indication of the detected flow based on the processing. 
         [0005]    One or more embodiments are directed to a valve for discharging liquid, comprising: a sensor configured to provide an output indicating a flow of the liquid; and a processor configured to process the output of the sensor and to provide an indication of liquid flow at the valve. 
         [0006]    Additional embodiments are described below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary sprinkler system in accordance with the prior art; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary sprinkler system in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate models for one or more intelligent section valves in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Exemplary embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods are described for enhancing the operation of a sprinkler system. In some embodiments, operation may be enhanced by reducing a time it takes to determine whether a flow of liquid (e.g., water) is present in a valve or section of valves. 
         [0013]    It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description and in the drawings (the contents of which are included in this disclosure by way of reference). It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. In this regard, a coupling of entities may refer to either a direct or an indirect connection. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  100  in accordance with the prior art. The system  100  may include a pump unit  102 , which may be used to pump or supply liquid (e.g., water) to fight or extinguish a fire. For example, the pump unit  102  may supply water to one or more valves (e.g., valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c,    106   a,    106   b,    106   c,    108   a,    108   b,  and  108   c ) via a piping  112 . 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the system  100  may correspond to a wet-pipe sprinkler system, in which the piping  112  may be at least partially full of liquid, such that liquid may be discharged immediately in response to a detected fire. The valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c,    106   a ,  106   b,    106   c,    108   a,    108   b,  and  108   c  may be “normally open” in such a configuration so as to enable a flow of liquid to assist in extinguishing the fire. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c,    106   a,    106   b,    106   c,    108   a,    108   b , and  108   c  may be associated with one or more junction boxes, such as junction boxes  110   a ,  110   b,  and  110   c.  As shown in  FIG. 1 , the valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c  may be associated with the junction box  110   a,  the valves  106   a    106   b,    106   c  may be associated with the junction box  110   b , and the valves  108   a    108   b,    108   c  may be associated with the junction box  110   c.    
         [0017]    Each of the valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c,    106   a,    106   b,    106   c,    108   a,    108   b,  and  108   c  include a sensor configured to indicate whether a flow of liquid is detected with respect to the valve. The valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c,    106   a,    106   b,    106   c,    108   a,    108   b,  and  108   c  are configured to convey the flow indication to their respective junction boxes  110   a,    110   b,  and  110   c.  The junction boxes  110   a - 110   c,  in turn, convey the flow indication to a PLC  116  via cables  114   a ,  114   b,  and  114   c  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The cabling  114   a - 114   c  may include a wire for each type of signal to be conveyed by a valve (e.g., flow and valve position indications). Such cabling  114   a - 114   c  represents a cost in terms of materials and maintenance. Furthermore, such cabling  114   a - 114   c  represents a potential point of failure in the system. 
         [0018]    The flow indication provided by, for example, sensors included in the valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c,    106   a,    106   b,    106   c,    108   a,    108   b,  and  108   c  may be susceptible to “false positives.” For example, until pressure stabilizes in the system  100 , a sensor at a given one of the valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c,    106   a,    106   b,    106   c,    108   a,    108   b,  and  108   c  might indicate that a flow of liquid is present, when in actuality such a flow might not be present. In this regard, it may be difficult to pinpoint the location of a fire if all the sensors indicate the presence of a flow. 
         [0019]    In order to address the “false positive” aspect of the flow indication, the PLC  116  may implement a filter or delay mechanism to hold-off on reporting a flow to another entity, such as an indication panel  118 . For example, the PLC  116  may be configured to delay all flow indicators received from the junction boxes  110   a - 110   c  for a period of time (e.g., one to three minutes) in order to let system pressure stabilize. 
         [0020]    The indication panel  118  may be used by, e.g., fire personnel or a building owner or operator to allocate resources in fighting a fire. For example, the indication panel  118  may provide status regarding which flow signal or indicators are “on” or “active.” If the PLC  116  is forced to delay the reporting of the flow indicators in accordance with the above, a user of the indication panel  118  might be deprived of valuable information during that delay. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary sprinkler system  200  in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. The system  200  may include a number of valves, such as intelligent section valves (ISVs)  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c.    
         [0022]    The ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c  may be configured to utilize pressure derivative (e.g., pre-action valve control) and/or pressure difference over valve techniques to detect and identify changes (e.g., activation, standby, pumping or jockey pumping, etc.) in system operation. For example, in some embodiments one or more valves may be equipped with a back flow valve that may be configured to prevent or slow down a back flow of liquid (e.g., water). When a sprinkler is activated, liquid may flow through the sprinkler, and the pressure derivative (e.g., the change in pressure with respect to time, dP/dt) of the associated valve may drop rapidly. All other valves may experience no pressure change because their back flow valves may prevent the liquid from going through the section valve and into the section where the sprinkler has been activated, or if the back flow is merely slowed by the back flow valves then a processor may identify such a condition due to flow direction and/or a slower change in pressure. 
         [0023]    Relative to their counterpart valves  104   a    104   b,    104   c,    106   a,    106   b,    106   c,    108   a ,  108   b,  and  108   c,  the ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c  may include intelligence. For example, the intelligence or functionality associated with the PLC  116  may be incorporated in one or more of the ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c ,  208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c.  In some embodiments, the intelligence may be distributed as well. For example, in some embodiments the intelligence may be at least partially incorporated into other entities, such as the pump unit  102  and/or the indication panel  118 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b , and  208   c  may include one or more processors, and memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c ,  206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c  to perform one or more methodological acts as described herein. Such a processor  212  is shown in  FIG. 2 , along with a sensor  214 , in connection with the ISV  204   a.  The sensor  214  may be configured to provide an output indicating a flow of liquid, such as flow of liquid through the ISV  204   a.    
         [0025]    The ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c  may be configured to communicate over one or more media  210 . The media  210  may include any type of communication interface, such as wireless communications, cable/phone communications, optical communications, etc. In some embodiments, the medium(s)  210  may be similar to the cabling  114  of  FIG. 1 , but might not include a hard-wiring of a signal for any particular function or indication. In other words, any given medium  210  may be used to convey information, data, status, or indication of any type(s). 
         [0026]    The ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c  are shown as being coupled or daisy-chained to one another via the media  210 . Accordingly, the ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c  may be configured to communicate with one another. Other configurations may be used. For example, one or more of the ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c  may be configured to communicate with an (external) entity not shown in  FIG. 2 . Relative to the system  100  (and its cabling  114   a - 114   c ), the media  210  may reduce the actual components/infrastructure used in a communication path. In some embodiments, the media  210  may be associated with pre-assembled, plug-in connectors in order to minimize connection work or labor. 
         [0027]    In the system  200 , the ISV  204   a  may be directly coupled to the indication panel  118 . Similarly, the ISV  208   c  may be directly coupled to the pump unit  102 . Such a configuration may be contrasted with the system  100 , wherein none of the valves  104   a    104   b ,  104   c,    106   a,    106   b,    106   c,    108   a,    108   b,  and  108   c  is directly, communicatively coupled to the pump unit  102  or the indication panel  118 . 
         [0028]    The system  200  may enable a rich feature-set to be realized. For example, remote monitoring, line monitoring, self-diagnostics, automatic self-testing, etc. may be realized using the system  200 . Such features may be utilized in connection with serial communications between one or more entities or devices. 
         [0029]    The system  200  is illustrative. In some embodiments, some of the components or devices may be optional. In some embodiments, the components or devices may be arranged in a manner different from what is shown in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, one or more additional components or devices not specifically shown may be included. For example, in some embodiments, pipes and/or nozzles may be included. The pipes/nozzles may be associated with one or more of the section valves  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a ,  208   b,  and  208 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate models that may be utilized for an ISV, such as one or more of the ISVs  204   a,    204   b,    204   c,    206   a,    206   b,    206   c,    208   a,    208   b,  and  208   c.  In  FIG. 3A , a standalone model for an ISV  302  is shown, in which the ISV  302  may receive one or more signals from a previous or first ISV via a medium  304 , and may convey or transmit the received signal(s) and/or signal(s) generated by the ISV  302  to a next or second ISV via the medium  304 . Indicia may be used in connection with signals to identify what entity (e.g., what valve) a particular signal originated from, what entity communicated a given signal, etc. The configuration of  FIG. 3A  may be analogous to the daisy-chain configuration of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an integrated model for an ISV, wherein ISVs  352   a,    352   b,  and  352   c  may form a group and may be communicatively coupled to another valve, ISV, and/or group of valves or ISVs via a medium  354 . In this regard, the medium  354  may be common to the ISVs  352   a,    352   b,  and  352   c  of the group. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the media  304  and/or  354  may correspond to the media  210 . The media  304  and  354  may provide support for potential free contacts to be used. Potential free contacts may correspond to contacts that are operated (e.g., physically operated) with a device under consideration, but not electrically connected to that device. Such potential free contacts may be used in environments where safety or isolation between system components is desired or needed. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. The method of  FIG. 4  may be operative in accordance with one or more systems or entities, such as those described herein. The method of  FIG. 4  may be used to convey an indication or status, such as an indication of whether a flow of liquid has been detected with respect to a valve (e.g., an ISV) or a set of valves. 
         [0034]    In block  402 , a flow of liquid may be detected in a valve. The detected flow may be the result of applying a pressure derivative (e.g., a pre-action valve control) and/or a pressure difference over the valve, optionally in connection with one or more sensors. The flow may have been generated in response to one or more input conditions, such as a fire having been detected, in response to a command to test the valve, etc. 
         [0035]    In block  404 , the valve may apply “intelligence” to the detected flow. For example, the valve may implement an averaging or filtering algorithm to guard against a false positive (e.g., reporting a flow when no such flow is actually present). 
         [0036]    In block  406 , a flow indication with respect to the valve may be communicated to one or more entities. For example, the flow indication may be communicated to another valve, a group of valves, an indication panel, etc. The communication of block  406  may be conditioned on the results of the applied intelligence of block  404 . For example, if the flow does not persist for a threshold amount of time, the flow indication might not be communicated in block  406 . 
         [0037]    In block  408 , the flow indication may be presented. For example, the flow indication may be presented on an indication panel (e.g., the indication panel  118 ), potentially in combination with flow indication status for one or more additional valves. The presentation of the flow indication may take one or more forms, such as a graphical display, an email, a text message, a voicemail, a document or report, etc. The presented flow indication may enable a user to identify a particular location or section of a building in which a fire may be present. Such a presentation may be made in connection with a map or diagram of the building. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the flow indication results of block  408  may include an identification of a reason for the flow, such as a released sprinkler, a pump unit running, standby/jockey pumping, leakage, etc. Such an identification may be available as a result of application of pressure derivative techniques and/or the use of back flow preventing valves. 
         [0039]    The method of  FIG. 4  is illustrative. In some embodiments, one or more blocks or operations (or portions thereof) may be optional. In some embodiments, additional operations not shown may be included. In some embodiments, the operations may execute in an order or sequence different from what is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0040]    Embodiments have been described in terms of the control, management, and establishment of a sprinkler system. One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be adapted to accommodate different types of systems, such as different types of sprinkler systems. 
         [0041]    As described herein, in some embodiments various functions or acts may take place at a given location and/or in connection with the operation of one or more apparatuses, systems, or devices. For example, in some embodiments, a portion of a given function or act may be performed at a first device or location, and the remainder of the function or act may be performed at one or more additional devices or locations. 
         [0042]    Embodiments may be implemented using one or more technologies. Various mechanical components known to those of skill in the art may be used in some embodiments. 
         [0043]    Embodiments may be implemented as one or more apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. In some embodiments, instructions may be stored on one or more computer-readable media, such as a transitory and/or non-transitory computer-readable medium. The instructions, when executed, may cause an entity (e.g., an apparatus or system) to perform one or more methodological acts as described herein. 
         [0044]    Embodiments may be tied to one or more particular machines. For example, intelligence may be located in a valve. The location of the intelligence in the valve may simplify or streamline the design and implementation of a data aggregator, a collection point, or the like. The location of the intelligence in the valve may provide opportunities for additional functionality that was otherwise not possible. For example, remote monitoring, line monitoring, self-diagnostics, automatic self-testing, etc., may be easily performed. 
         [0045]    Aspects of the invention have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps described in conjunction with the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may be optional.