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US 9,339,673 B2Granted
Flexible dry sprinkler
AssigneeVictaulic Company
InventorBuddy Clayton Shipman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An X-brace configuration locks a valve element in a latched position until a fusible element breaks releasing pressurized inert gas. Upon depressurization, the X-brace configuration releases the valve element to open and allow water flow through the flexible sprinkler assembly.
Claims20
A flexible dry sprinkler head comprising:
- a flexible conduit having a first end and a second end, the second end being configured to couple to a fluid supply;
- a sprinkler nozzle mounted at the first end of the flexible conduit;
- and
- a valve disposed proximate to the second end of the flexible conduit and having an open state and a closed state, the valve configured to allow fluid from the fluid supply to flow through the conduit when the valve is in the open state and to prevent fluid from the fluid supply from flowing through the conduit when the valve is in the closed state;
- wherein the flexible conduit is configured to receive and contain pressurized gas, the pressurized gas maintaining the valve in the closed state.
2 more elements
A flexible dry sprinkler head comprising:
- a flexible conduit having a first end and a second end, the second end being configured to be coupled to a fluid supply;
- a sprinkler nozzle mounted at the first end of the flexible conduit, the sprinkler nozzle including an element that breaks when exposed to predetermined temperatures;
- and
- a valve disposed proximate to the second end of the conduit and having an open state and a closed state, the valve configured to allow fluid from the fluid supply to flow through the conduit when the valve is in the open state and to prevent fluid from the fluid supply to flow through the conduit when the valve is in the closed state;
- wherein the flexible dry sprinkler head is configured to receive and contain pressurized gas;
- and
- wherein the sprinkler nozzle, the valve and the flexible conduit are configured such that breaking of the element releases the pressurized gas which in turn allows the valve to move from the closed state to the open state.
4 more elements
A flexible dry sprinkler head comprising:
- a flexible conduit having a first end and a second end, the second end being configured to couple to a fluid supply;
- a sprinkler nozzle mounted at the first end of the flexible conduit;
- and
- a valve disposed proximate to the second end of the flexible conduit and having an open state and a closed state, the valve configured to allow fluid from the fluid supply to flow through the conduit when the valve is in the open state and to prevent fluid from the fluid supply from flowing through the conduit when the valve is in the closed state;
- wherein the flexible conduit is filled with a liquid having antifreeze characteristics between the first end and the valve, the liquid maintaining the valve in the closed state.
2 more elements
A method of fire protection comprising the steps of:
- providing a flexible dry sprinkler head comprising:
- a flexible conduit having a first end and a second end, the second end being configured to couple to a fluid supply;
- a sprinkler nozzle mounted at the first end of the flexible conduit;
- and
- a valve disposed proximate to the second end of the flexible conduit and having an open state and a closed state, the valve configured to allow fluid from the fluid supply to flow through the conduit when the valve is in the open state and to prevent fluid from the fluid supply from flowing through the conduit when the valve is in the closed state;
- and
- filling the flexible conduit with pressurized gas such that the pressurized gas maintains the valve in the closed state;
- wherein the flexible dry sprinkler head is configured to release the pressurized gas when the sprinkler nozzle opens, which allows the valve to open and fluid from the fluid supply to pass through the conduit and out the sprinkler nozzle.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.