Controlled discharge gas vent
AssigneeEngineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC
InventorsDavid J. Burkhart, Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Kenneth Jones, Thorstein Holt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fire protection system includes a dry pipe system and a controlled discharge gas vent. The dry pipe system and controlled discharge gas vent operate using a breathing cycle to displace oxygen and/or water vapor from within the piping network of the dry pipe system. The controlled gas discharge vent allows displacement of pressurized air with nitrogen, for example, using manual or automated processes that can employ one or more sensors. Corrosion resulting from oxygen, water, and/or microbial growth is reduced or nearly eliminated.
Claims37
A controlled discharge gas vent assembly for venting gas from a piping network of a dry pipe or preaction fire sprinkler system pressurized with a gas, the assembly comprising:
- a controlled discharge gas vent for coupling to the piping network of the dry pipe or preaction fire sprinkler system, the controlled discharge gas vent including a valve that allows gas discharge from the piping network when the valve is open and inhibits gas discharge from the piping network when the valve is closed;
- and
- an oxygen sensor to sense an oxygen concentration of the pressurized gas, the controlled discharge gas vent configured to close the valve when the oxygen concentration sensed by the oxygen sensor is below a defined threshold.
A dry pipe or preaction fire sprinkler system, comprising:
- at least one sprinkler;
- a source of pressurized water;
- a piping network connecting the at least one sprinkler to the source of pressurized water;
- a pressurized gas source coupled with the piping network to pressurize the piping network with a pressurized gas;
- a controlled discharge gas vent coupled with the piping network to vent gas from the piping network, the controlled discharge gas vent including a valve that allows gas discharge from the piping network when the valve is open and inhibits gas discharge from the piping network when the valve is closed;
- and
- an oxygen sensor to sense an oxygen concentration of the pressurized gas,
- wherein the controlled discharge gas vent is configured to close the valve when the oxygen concentration sensed by the oxygen sensor is below a defined threshold.
A method of reducing corrosion in a dry pipe or preaction fire sprinkler system having a piping network pressurized with a gas, the method comprising:
- venting the pressurized gas from the piping network with a gas vent having an open valve;
- sensing an oxygen concentration of the pressurized gas;
- and
- closing the valve to inhibit venting when the sensed oxygen concentration is below a defined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.