Abstract: In a quick release valve for a sprinkler head, a valve seat includes an annular stop member spaced outwardly from a fluid passage outlet having an annular beveled surface spaced outwardly from the outlet. A sealing member is seated in the valve seat. A resiliently flexible valve disk has a peripheral flange portion which is turned over the sealing member and rests against the beveled surface. The beveled surface prevents outward radial movement of the peripheral flange portion. A rigid, frangible, thermal, responsive element resiliently deflects the valve disk so as to compress the sealing member and seal the outlet.

Abstract: A concealed sprinkler with drop down deflector assembly includes a pair of frame arms which resemble a tuning-fork, there being a gap between the free end portions of the arms. As a result, the arms are not subject to assembly loads or system pressure loads. The drop down deflector assembly is mounted on the end portions of the arms. A preferred valve assembly includes a valve and a compound lever arrangement for holding a rigid thermal responsive element, such as a frangible glass bulb, and for adjusting compressive pre-load on the valve without loading the frame arms.

Abstract: A sprinkler valve assembly comprising a single thermal responsive element and two or more support pins arranged with respect to a central axis so that the thermal responsive element is supported under axial compressive load substantially without thermal obtrusion by said support pins at substantially all orientations of the assembly with respect to its central axis.

Abstract: A pendent style sprinkler includes a sprinkler body portion and a plug valve assembly having a sleeve secured to a deflector plate on an outlet side of the sprinkler body portion. A clip is wedged between the sprinkler body portion and the deflector plate. The clip includes a peripheral edge or tab portion projecting radially outwardly beyond a peripheral portion of the sprinkler body portion and a peripheral portion of the deflector plate. A ceiling cover is provided having a central portion adapted to contact the clip peripheral edge portion such that the cover is suspended at the central portion on the peripheral edge portion of the clip.

Abstract: A clapper seal for a dry pipe valve wherein a disc-shaped, resilient, compressible sealing gasket is secured to the clapper valve body by an annular, metallic washer. The washer is disposed between inner and outer sealing rings or beads formed on the underside of the gasket. The sealing rings are generally circular and cross-section, thereby minimizing surface contact with the air and water ring seats. The axial thickness and radial dimension of the washer are such that the washer contacts the air and water rings creating a metal-to-metal seal, and preventing further deformation of the sealing rings, upon over-compression or long-term compressive set of the gasket.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in a sprinkler head comprising a valve seat having a generally frusto-conical surface configuration and an annular rib, a flanged valve member in sealing engagement with said annular rib and having a depending, radially inwardly spaced surface which in cooperation with said annular rib and surface configuration forms a partially enclosed space in which a resilient O-ring is captively held in compressive engagement between the valve seat and valve member.

Abstract: Quick release mechanism for a sprinkler head includes a latch assembly for holding the valve in sealing engagement over an outlet orifice. The assembly comprises a generally U-shaped ejection plate pivotally mounted between the sprinkler head frame and valve in canted relation to the center line of the sprinkler head, and a thermal responsive element mounted between the sprinkler frame and valve-holding end of the ejection plate. The thermal responsive element contains a pellet of fusible alloy and a ceramic bearing slug and glass ball to hold the element between the ejection plate and sprinkler head frame in order to optimize the response time. The whole pellet housing with its heat fins is effectively insulated from the rest of the latch assembly by the glass ball and an insulator sleeve at its extremities. When the alloy melts, the ceramic slug and glass ball drop downwardly, destabilizing the latch assembly and thereby permitting fluid pressure to blow the seal at the outlet orifice.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable quick chilling device. A compressor is affixed to a base. A condenser is operatively connected to the compresser. A fan is provided for blowing air across the condenser. An accumulator is operatively connected to the condenser. A capillary tube (expansion valve) is operatively connected to the accumulator. The capillary tube is operatively connected to an evaporator. The evaporator is operatively connected to the compressor. The evaporator is a coil of tubing. Each ring of the coil is in contact with an adjacent ring. An inwardly facing surface of each ring is flattened. The capillary tube enters the coil where said evaporator is operatively connected to the compressor. The tube passes within the coil. The free end of the tube is bent to point back down the coil. The device cools a 12 ounce beverage can from about 75.degree. F. to about 45.degree. F. in about 4 minutes.

Abstract: Quick release valve for a sprinkler head having a frame adapted to support a thermal responsive actuating element. The quick release valve includes a saddle adapted to contact an end of the actuating element, a bushing having a first surface portion adapted to face the flow passage wall of the frame and a second surface portion adapted to face the saddle, an O-ring for sealing the interface between the flow passage wall and the bushing first surface portion, and another O-ring for sealing the interface between the saddle and the bushing second surface portion. The bushing is axially displaceable within the flow passage. A split retaining ring is insertable in the flow passage to axially displace the bushing so as to exert a compressive preload on the actuating element.

Abstract: The latch holding a sprinkler head valve in a closed position is released by a temperature responsive controller. The temperature responsive controller controls actuation of an explosive detonator which in turn fractures a frangible member forming a part of said latch whereby a rapid response is provided.

Abstract: A sprinkler head has a flow passage closed by a valve member. The valve member is movable to an open position in response to release of a latch by a temperature sensor. A sensor for sensing a predetermined amount of movement of the valve member towards its open position is provided for generating an electrical signal indicative of such movement.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a sprinkler head comprises a frangible element and a heat expansible fluid contained therein. A thermally conductive element or heat sink extends through a wall of the frangible element. A portion of the heat sink is in contact with the expansible fluid and another portion of the heat sink is disposed outside the wall. The heat sink conducts heat from the outside of the frangible element to the heat expansible fluid within so as to accelerate expansion of the fluid and rupture of the frangible element.

Abstract: An automatic sprinkler head is disclosed for the discharge of water for extinguishing a fire in which the delivery of water through the head is controlled by a fusible element, but with improved provisions for preventing fluid leakage.

Abstract: An automatic sprinkler head is disclosed for the discharge of water for extinguishing a fire in which the delivery of water to and through the head is controlled by a fusible element to which heat is supplied by a plurality of vanes.

Abstract: An on-off sprinkler head for fire extinguishing systems comprises a housing having a central cavity with an inlet aperture and a discharge orifice disposed at opposing ends thereof in an aligned orientation. A reciprocating valve having a valve head, a mating seat, and a stem is mounted axially in the central cavity, and controls the flow of fire extinguishing fluid therethrough. A temperature responsive, on-off drive motor is connected with the free end of the valve stem, and reciprocates the valve head with respect to the valve seat in response to selected temperature changes. The drive motor is mounted in the housing in a position axially offset from the aligned inlet aperture and discharge orifice, whereby during a discharge condition, the fire extinguishing fluid flows substantially unimpeded through the valve, and a solid, uninterrupted stream of fluid is emitted from the discharge orifice. The valve includes a deflector plate on which the fluid stream impinges and is dispersed into a spray.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler head arrangement comprises a flange attached to a bracket on the sprinkler body by boss and shoulder joints, e.g., bayonet joints. The flange serves as a brace preventing sagging of ceiling tile and unwanted retraction of the sprinkler head rearwardly with respect to the ceiling or a sidewall. One embodiment of the flange is adjustable axially relative to the sprinkler body by an upwardly directed series of shoulder joints into which the boss is selectively fitted to conform to a particular ceiling or wall structure and feeder pipe system.

Abstract: An adjustable drop nipple for sprinkler heads is disclosed which comprises a stationarily mounted collar with internal threads that receives an externally threaded nipple, and whereupon rotating the nipple a portion of its length is caused to retract into the collar or extend from it, depending on the direction of rotation, in order to precisely regulate vertical elevation of a sprinkler head attached to the lower end of the nipple. An effective seal against leakage of water is achieved by use of one or more O-rings on the nipple which abut a smooth bore section inside the collar.

Abstract: A sprinkler is disclosed which comprises a flange attached to a bracket on the sprinkler body by means of boss and shoulder joints, e.g. bayonet joints. The flange can serve as a bracing means which prevents sagging of ceiling tile or unwanted retraction of the sprinkler head rearward of an opening in a sidewall. When used with recessed sprinklers, a cover plate can be attached to the flange with a bonding material having a low softening point. By means of the boss and shoulder joints, the flange and the attached cover plate can be easily mounted on the sprinkler as a subassembly, and can be just as easily removed therefrom for inspection and/or servicing of the sprinkler.

Abstract: A concealed, flush mounted sprinkler is disclosed which comprises a slidable deflector which, in the event of fire, is extended to an operating position by means of a compressed spring. The nozzle, a thermally responsive element, and the deflector of the sprinkler reside within a receptacle having an outer cover against which the deflector is continuously pressured by means of the spring. The cover is attached to the receptacle by means of a fusible eutectic alloy, and as the alloy begins to soften and become elastic during a fire, the compressed spring aids detachment of the cover from the receptacle while simultaneously sliding the deflector to an operating position beyond the ceiling or sidewall in which the sprinkler is mounted.

Abstract: A quick release valve for a sprinkler head wherein a thermal compressive element is supported by a Belleville spring and a seal cap diverts fluid pressure to the spring periphery.