Patent ID: 8826998

Claim:
A dry sprinkler comprising: a structure defining a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between an inlet and an outlet, the structure having a rated K-factor defining an expected flow of fluid in gallons per minute from the outlet divided by the square root of the pressure of the flow of fluid fed into the inlet of the passageway in pounds per square inch gauge; a fluid deflecting structure proximate the outlet; a trigger assembly proximate the outlet that has an actuated and unactuated position; and the fluid deflecting structure located at a fixed axial distance from the outlet such that the axial distance is the same in both an unactuated state and an actuated state; and a diverter assembly disposed within the passageway between the inlet and the outlet when the trigger assembly is in the actuated and unactuated position, the diverter assembly including: a sealing member having first and second metallic surfaces spaced apart along the longitudinal axis between an inner and outer circumference of the sealing member, the first metallic surface having an orthogonal projection with respect to the longitudinal axis to define a first cross-sectional area about the longitudinal axis the first metallic surface being located along the longitudinal axis between the inlet and the second metallic surface; a shield having a first surface disposed about the longitudinal axis, the first surface coupled to a base having a second surface confronting the first metallic surface to define a gap there between, the second surface having a second cross-sectional area disposed generally orthogonal about the longitudinal axis, the second cross-sectional area being less than the first cross-sectional area; and a mounting portion having a third surface disposed generally orthogonally about the longitudinal axis to define a third cross-sectional area, the third cross-sectional area having a magnitude less than the first cross-sectional area; and a locator disposed in the structure and fixed to the diverter assembly.