Patent ID: 8469112

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 metallic disc annulus having a face disposed about a central axis between an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter; and a locator movable along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, wherein when in the first position, the outer perimeter of the metallic disc annulus contacts the structure so that the face prevents a flow of fluid through the passageway, the locator including means for repositioning the metallic disc annulus with the central axis of the face being skewed from the longitudinal axis within the passageway when the locator is in the second position so that a flow of fluid in gallons per minute from the outlet of the structure is at least 95 percent of the rated K factor multiplied by the square root of the pressure of the flow of fluid fed into the inlet of the structure in pounds per square inch gauge, wherein the locator includes a closure body and a tubular inner assembly disposed within the structure and movable in the passageway, the tubular inner assembly is movable along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, the tubular inner assembly including a multi-legged yoke, a fluid tube, and a guide tube, the multi-legged yoke having a first yoke support end and a second yoke support end, the first yoke support end including a central elongate member, the second yoke support end including at least two support legs extending from the central elongate member; the fluid tube supporting the multi-legged yoke; and the guide tube being coupled to the fluid tube; and wherein at least one of the closure body and the multi-legged yoke includes the means for repositioning the metallic disc annulus.