Apparatus for flow detection, measurement and control and method for use of same in a fire sprinkler system

An apparatus for use as a flow sensor comprising:

• a. an annular housing to be installed in the flow path of a fluid, the annular housing defining a chamber therein which has a fixed interior diameter in at least one section and a main inlet and outlet;
• b. a moving orifice plate defining an opening therein where the orifice plate has an outer diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the fixed section of the annular housing, but is sized so as to allow minimal flow of water around its edges and between the diameter of the annular housing;
• c. a magnet adapted to abut and move with the orifice plate;
• d. a biasing means for urging the moving orifice plate and magnet away from the outlet;
• and
• e. at least one Reed switch disposed on an outer surface of the annular housing for creating an electronic signal related to the position of the orifice plate magnet within the annular housing, the Reed switch being attached so as to be easily movable in relation to and annular housing, whereby as fluid flows through the annular housing the orifice plate is urged towards to outlet end of the annular housing causing a change in the electronic signal created by the Reed switch.

A piping system of the type having a water supply, a means for heating water, common piping means for receiving water from the supply and delivering it to at least one use, circulation means for circulating water through the common piping back to the heating means to maintain a minimum specified temperature in the common piping, whereby the danger of freezing water in the piping is eliminated, the piping system of supplying at least one fire protection sprinkler and at least one non-fire protection use, the improvement comprising:

• a bypass means for diverting water around a flow impediment where water demands exceed the flow capacity of the impediment and for sensing flow comprising:
• a. an annular housing to be installed in the flow path of the common piping;
• b. a moving orifice plate defining an opening therein;
• c. a magnet adapted to a abut the face of the orifice plate and move in cooperation therewith;
• d. a biasing means for urging the moving orifice plate away from an outlet end of the annular housing;
• e. at least one Reed switch disposed on a outer surface of the annular housing for creating an electronic signal related to the position of the magnet within the annular housing, the Reed switch being attached so as to be easily movable in relation to the annular housing, whereby, as fluid flows to the annular housing the orifice plate is urged towards the outlet end of the annular housing causing a change in the electronic signal created by the Reed switch;
• and
• f. a bullet rod axially disposed within the annular housing so as to be closely received within the orifice plate opening, blocking flow through the opening until a specified differential pressure is reached when the orifice plate is displaced past the bullet rod allowing flow through the opening.

A piping system of the type having a water supply, a means for heating water, common piping means for receiving water from the supply and delivering it to at least one use, circulation means for circulating water through the common piping back to the heating means to maintain a minimum specified temperature in the common piping, whereby the danger of freezing water in the piping is eliminated, the piping system of supplying at least one fire protection sprinkler and at least one non-fire protection use, the improvement comprising:

• a bypass means for diverting water around a flow impediment where water demands exceed the flow capacity of the impediment and for sensing flow comprising:
• a. a flow sensor;
• b. a normally closed valve;
• and
• c. a controller in communication with the flow sensor and controlling the position of the valve for opening the valve when the demand for water exceeds the capacity of the flow impediment so as to bypass it.

A piping system of the type having a water supply, a means for heating water, common piping means for receiving water from the supply and delivering it to at least one use, circulation means for circulating water through the common piping back to the heating means to maintain a minimum specified temperature in the common piping, whereby the danger of freezing water in the piping is eliminated, the piping system of supplying at least one fire protection sprinkler and at least one non-fire protection use, the improvement comprising:

• providing a short circuit means for supplying more water to the common piping means near the circulation means where water demand exceeds the capacity of the capacity of the common piping means, the short circuit means having
• a. an annular housing to be installed in the flow path;
• b. a moving orifice plate defining an opening therein;
• c. a biasing means for urging the moving orifice plate away from an outlet into the annular housing;
• d. a bullet rod actually disposed within the annular housing so as to be received within the orifice plate opening, blocking flow through the opening until a specified differential pressure is reached when the orifice plate is displaced past the bullet rod allowing flow through the opening.

A piping system of the type having a water supply, a means for heating water, common piping means for receiving water from the supply and delivering it to at least one use, circulation means for circulating water through the common piping back to the heating means to maintain a minimum specified temperature in the common piping, whereby the danger of freezing water in the piping is eliminated, the piping system of supplying at least one fire protection sprinkler and at least one non-fire protection use, the improvement comprising:

• each fire protection sprinkler having associated therewith-
• a. a head fitting receiving a fire protection sprinkler therein and further defining a chamber therein in communication with the sprinkler via a reverse-J fitting to insulate the sprinkler head from hot water supplied to the head fitting;
• b. supply and return lines for supplying water to and returning water from the head fitting, the lines being in communication with the common piping;
• c. a pump means for using the velocity head created by the water flowing through the common piping to pump water to the head fitting causing circulation there through as a result of flow in the common piping.

A piping system of the type having a water supply, a means for heating water, common piping means for receiving water from the supply and delivering it to at least one use, circulation means for circulating water through the common piping back to the heating means to maintain a minimum specified temperature in the common piping, whereby the danger of freezing water in the piping is eliminated, the piping system of supplying at least one fire protection sprinkler and at least one non-fire protection use, the improvement comprising:

• a. a normally closed actuated valve disposed between the bypass means and the device;
• and
• b. a controller for controlling the valve such that in a first state, the valve is opened in response to a water demand from the common piping and in a second state, the actuated valve remains closed, and an alarm signal is sent to the controller in response to a significant water demand from the common piping,
• whereby, when a structure is unoccupied and the controller is in the second state, an alarm condition is created when a water demand beyond minimal domestic uses is detected.

A piping system of the type having a water supply, a means for heating water, common piping means for receiving water from the supply and delivering it to at least one use, circulation means for circulating water through the common piping back to the heating means to maintain a minimum specified temperature in the common piping, whereby the danger of freezing water in the piping is eliminated, the piping system of supplying at least one fire protection sprinkler and at least one non-fire protection use, and a bypass means for diverting water around a flow impediment where water demand exceeds flow capacity of the impediment, the improvement comprising:

• a. a main control valve disposed on the supply side of the bypass means with a Reed switch on the valve for sending an alarm signal if the valve is closed;
• b. the bypass means having-
• i. a flow sensor means for measuring the flow therethrough and creating a first output when the measured flow exceeds capacity of the impediment, a second trouble alarm output and a third fire alarm output,
• ii. an actuated valve providing an alternate flow path around the flow impediment when opened, and
• iii. a controller for receiving a signal from the main control valve and enunciating an alarm if it is closed, and for receiving a signal from the flow sensor and for sending a signal to open the actuated valve when flow demand exceeds the capacity of the flow impediment, enunciating a trouble alarm when the flow exceeds a second level, and enunciating a fire alarm when the flow exceeds a third level.