Abstract: An early suppression fast response pendent-type fire protection sprinkler is suitable for use in accordance with one or more of NFPA 13, NFPA 231 and NFPA 231C to protect single row rack storage, double row rack storage and multiple row rack storage, the sprinkler having a K-factor of about 25 and flowing pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and an outlet for delivering a flow of fluid from a source, and a deflector mounted with a first surface opposed to flow of fluid from the outlet. The deflector defines at least one pair of generally opposed reentrant slots extending from the first surface through the deflector, the reentrant slots extending from slot openings at an outer peripheral edge of the deflector inwardly from the peripheral edge toward a deflector axis.

Abstract: An early suppression fast response pendent-type fire protection sprinkler is suitable for use in accordance with one or more of NFPA 13, NFPA 231 and NFPA 231C to protect single row rack storage, double row rack storage and multiple row rack storage, the sprinkler having a K-factor of about 25 and flowing pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and an outlet for delivering a flow of fluid from a source, and a deflector mounted with a first surface opposed to flow of fluid from the outlet. The deflector defines at least one pair of generally opposed reentrant slots extending from the first surface through the deflector, the reentrant slots extending from slot openings at an outer peripheral edge of the deflector inwardly from the peripheral edge toward a deflector axis.

Abstract: A differential-type dry pipe valve for a fire protection sprinkler system has a ratio of effective air sealing area to service water sealing area that is smaller than a ratio of service water pressure to system air pressure at which the fire protection sprinkler system is actuated.

Abstract: A fire protection system comprises a supply pipe having a first fluid pressurized to a first pressure and a network of pipes having a plurality of sprinklers. The network of pipes have a second fluid being pressurized to a second pressure at approximately 5.5 times the first pressure. The system further comprises a dry pipe valve including a body defining a passage extending along a longitudinal axis between an inlet coupled to the supply pipe and an outlet coupled to the network of pipes. The inlet has an inlet diameter of approximately WD inches and a seat disposed in the body has a seating surface with a diameter AD approximately less than two times WD inches. The dry pipe valve further includes a clapper pivotable about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis between a first position occluding the passage when the ratio of the second pressure to the first pressure is at least 5.5 and a second position permitting fluid flow through the passage when the ratio is less than 5.5.

Abstract: A low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler, e.g., of the upright type, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, has a body with an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, and a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway. The sprinkler has a predetermined K-factor, e.g., of greater than about 16.0. The sprinkler is configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern. Preferably, the predetermined spray pattern has a generally polygonal shape, e.g., a rectangular shape, when viewed at a predetermined distance below the deflector.

Abstract: A differential-type dry pipe valve for a fire protection sprinkler system has a ratio of effective air sealing area to service water sealing area that is smaller than a ratio of service water pressure to system air pressure at which the fire protection sprinkler system is actuated.

Abstract: An upright-type fire protection water spray mist nozzle has a base defining an orifice through which fire-retardant fluid can flow, an inlet section having an upstream end and defining a conduit for flow of fire-retardant fluid along a orifice axis and leading to an upstream end of the orifice, with a diffuser element defining an impingement surface that is at least substantially imperforate in an axial direction and positioned for impingement by a stream of fire-retardant fluid flowing from the orifice in a stream direction along the orifice axis, the diffuser element being positioned generally above a horizontal plane through a downstream end of the orifice.

Abstract: A differential-type dry pipe valve for a fire protection sprinkler system has a ratio of effective air sealing area to service water sealing area that is smaller than a ratio of service water pressure to system air pressure at which the fire protection sprinkler system is actuated.

Abstract: An upright-type fire protection spray mist nozzle has a base defining an orifice through which fire-retardant fluid can flow, an inlet section having an upstream end and defining a conduit for flow of fire-retardant fluid along a orifice axis and leading to an upstream end of the orifice, and a diffuser element defining an impingement surface that is at least substantially imperforate in an axial direction and positioned for impingement by a stream of fire-retardant fluid flowing from the orifice in a stream direction along the orifice axis, the diffuser element being positioned generally above a horizontal plane through a downstream end of the orifice.

Abstract: An automatic water supply shutoff valve for use with a fire protection piping system has a body defining a cavity communicating among a supply inlet connected to a water supply, an ancillary outlet connected to ancillary piping, and a fire protection outlet connected to fire protection piping; and a piston within the cavity defining a piston passageway. The piston moves between a first position connecting the supply inlet and ancillary outlet and a second position connecting the supply inlet and fire protection outlet. The piston moves in response to biasing forces acting against the piston, including a first biasing force from the supply inlet, a second biasing force from the fire protection outlet, and a third biasing force. The first biasing force, urging the piston toward its second or fire protection position, is opposed by a combination of the second and third biasing forces, together urging the piston toward its first or ancillary position.

Abstract: A pipe line strainer has a strainer body having an inner body wall surface and defining a flow passageway, and further defining a strainer inlet in communication with the flow passageway and a strainer outlet spaced from the strainer inlet along the flow passageway in a direction for fluid flow, and a strainer basket disposed within the flow passageway between the strainer inlet and the strainer outlet. The strainer basket has a strainer basket wall defining a plurality of through apertures of predetermined cross dimension for flow of fluid from the strainer inlet toward the strainer outlet, the strainer basket wall dividing the flow passageway into a first region of flow upstream of the strainer basket wall and a second region of flow downstream of the strainer basket wall.

Abstract: A flush fire protection sprinkler has a body with an outlet for delivering fire protection fluid under pressure. The body defines a seat about the outlet and a coaxial rim with an inner lip. A spring seal engages upon the seat. A thermal response assembly includes a plate with a conical rim having slots extending from the rim edge, a retainer having a hub and fingers terminating in fingertips defining engagement structure, the fingers engaging in the slots with the fingertips outside the rim, a thermal response element between the plate and hub, and a loading element mounted to the hub. Initial adjustment of the loading element draws the hub away from the plate, with the rim surface urging the fingertips outward, to engage with the lip. Further adjustment pressures the seal in sealing engagement upon the seat.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler has a body with an orifice and a coaxial outlet for delivery of fire protection fluid from a source; a cap that resists flow of fluid from the outlet in a sprinkler standby condition; and an actuator securing the cap in the standby condition and releasing the cap in an operating condition to permit flow of fluid from the outlet. The actuator includes a thermally sensitive release assembly with an elongated thermally sensitive element, e.g.

Abstract: A pendent-type fire protection sprinkler for forming a superimposed combination of an inner, downwardly-directed spray pattern and an outer, umbrella-shaped spray pattern. The pendent-type sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and outlet for flow of fluid from a source and a pair of frame arms extending from the body. The deflector includes a generally plate-like body member defining reentrant slots, which may include a second type of reentrant slots in addition to a first type of reentrant slots, with slots of the second type positioned symmetrically between adjacent slots of the first type. The length of slots of the second type, measured along the slot centerlines extending inwardly from a peripheral edge of the deflector body member generally toward the central axis of the deflector body, being less than the length of slots of the first type.

Abstract: A tag applicator for cylindrical objects is provided with an applicator station for receiving an adhesive surfaced label or tag over a pair of flexible wrapping fingers; a transport device engages, grips and moves an article to be tagged from a supply station through a tag applying station and then to a discharge station with the movement of the part through the tag applying station being effective in combination with the wrapping fingers to securely apply the adhesive tag to the part.

Abstract: A check valve or backflow preventer has a valve mechanism mounted to a valve cover for removal and replacement as a unit. The valve clapper is resiliently supported to accommodate variations in tolerance. The valve seat is removably secured within the valve body by compression of a resilient seal ring to engage opposed walls of the seat and body. A spring pretensioning member facilitates safe replacement and removal of the valve mechanism.

Abstract: A pipe support hanger having a counterbalance of predetermined load and spring moments about a main pivot through a predetermined range of pipe deflection is adapted for use in vertical and horizontal orientations.

Abstract: A pendent-type fire protection sprinkler with a body defining an orifice and outlet for flow of fluid, and a deflector positioned coaxial with the outlet for impingement of fluid flow thereupon. The deflector has one or a combination of features for improved performance. For example, the deflector may have a frusto-conically shaped recess within a central area facing the sprinkler outlet, the recess defined by a surface slanted at a predetermined acute angle to the horizontal, with a plurality of holes or slots defined by the slanted surface, the recess being surrounded by an essentially flat outer area perpendicular to the sprinkler outlet axis. The deflector may have a bump, or other irregularity, on the sprinkler deflector inside surface opposed to the sprinkler outlet on each of the opposite tines in a plane perpendicular to a plane of the sprinkler frame arms. The deflector may have openings at about 45.degree.

Abstract: An upright-type fire protection sprinkler with a body defining an orifice and outlet for flow of fluid, and a deflector positioned coaxial with the outlet for impingement of fluid flow thereupon, has one or a combination of the following features for improved performance. The deflector may have an inner surface with a recessed central area, and a recessed redirecting area about the central area at a predetermined acute angle and axial offset thereto. The deflector has tines with inner surfaces inclined towards the outlet, at least a first set of tines disposed in planes at about 45.degree. to a first plane of sprinkler frame arms, the surfaces of the first set of tines being inclined at an angle relatively more outward from the axis than the angle of inner surfaces of adjacent tines.

Abstract: A pendent-type diffuser impingement water mist fire protection nozzle has a body defining an orifice and an outlet for flow of water from a source. The orifice defines an axis, and the outlet is disposed generally coaxial with the orifice. A diffuser is disposed generally coaxial with the axis of the orifice and defines a diffuser inner surface positioned for impingement of the flow of water thereupon and an opposite outer surface. The diffuser has a plurality of tines distributed about a diffuser periphery and defining a plurality of openings therebetween. The diffuser inner surface defines at least one channel extending along the inner surface of the diffuser toward a predetermined region of the diffuser periphery, preferably positioned to collect water impinging thereupon and to divert collected water toward the predetermined region of the diffuser periphery.