Abstract: A residential or commercial sprinkler system is provided wherein the sprinkler heads and piping distribution network are provided with a relatively low pressure fire suppressant liquid in place of pneumatic pressure, which is typical, and control valve keeps fire suppressant supply pressure from entering the discharge sprinkler system at design discharge pressure until a fire detection system detects a fire condition. Upon the detection of a fire condition, a control valve is opened to provide the sprinkler heads and piping distribution network with a fully pressurized supply of fire suppressant. Also in the case of electric control power loss the system will operate from loss of outlet supervised pressure releasing sprinkler liquid suppressant to the discharge system of closed fused sprinklers.

Abstract: A differential dry pipe control valve for fire protection sprinkler systems includes an eccentric plug that rotates and separates supply water and system air pressure and uses an integral actuator that maintains the seal of the eccentric plug with a smaller ratio of air pressure to a higher supply water pressure. When the sprinkler system is actuated, the actuator allows the rotary eccentric plug to open the waterway and includes an eccentric plug opening that swings out of the waterway to reduce friction loss of the water supply. The eccentric plug includes a conical rubber coated seat surface and dynamic metal seal seat that seals due to water pressure eliminating close tolerance mating of sealing components. The actuator includes an integral alarm connection to provide a required alarm function and acts as a pilot differential actuator to provide the required operation of an approximately 5.5:1 ratio differential dry pipe control valve.

Abstract: Improved fire fighting foam proportioning devices and systems include an improved ratio controller and an improved bladder tank. The improved ratio controller is characterized by a modified foam concentrate metering orifice disposed in a foam concentrate inlet proximate to an annular low pressure chamber, the metering orifice having a central circular passage having a length at least 50 per cent of the diameter of the passage, the improved orifice decreasing the turbulence of foam concentrate and providing a smoother flow transition into the annular low pressure chamber. The improved bladder tank is characterized by a modified discharge tube having a plurality of holes disposed along its length, wherein the combined area of holes per foot of length is at least 50 per cent of the inner diameter of the discharge tube.

Abstract: A mounting coupling for a fire sprinkler support system includes an adjustable opening for receiving a sprinkler reducer coupling that allows insertion of the sprinkler coupling into the mounting coupling with a sprinkler head assembled thereto. The mounting coupling can be securely engaged to the reducer coupling and fixed to a support bar of the sprinkler support system using a single fastener thereby providing improved installation and functionality.

Abstract: A dry pipe sprinkler assembly is provided including a sprinkler body having a thermally responsive trigger mounted thereto. A housing, including an inlet end and an outlet end is provided with the outlet end being connected to the sprinkler body. A seal member is disposed at the inlet end of the housing, and a load mechanism extends between the thermally responsive element and the seal member. The load mechanism may include a support portion, a passage tube portion, and an outlet orifice portion slidably received within the housing and movable within the housing upon activation of the thermally responsive trigger to allow the seal member to be dislodged from the inlet end of the housing to allow suppressant fluid to flow therethrough. The dry pipe sprinkler assembly allows the use of different outlet orifice members to provide dry pipe sprinkler assemblies having different K factors while utilizing common components for the remaining dry pipe sprinkler assembly.

Abstract: A dry pipe sprinkler assembly is provided including a sprinkler body having a thermally responsive trigger mounted thereto. A housing, including an inlet end and an outlet end is provided with the outlet end being connected to the sprinkler body. A seal member is disposed at the inlet end of the housing, and a load mechanism extends between the thermally responsive element and the seal member. The load mechanism may include a support portion, a passage tube portion, and an outlet orifice portion slidably received within the housing and movable within the housing upon activation of the thermally responsive trigger to allow the seal member to be dislodged from the inlet end of the housing to allow suppressant fluid to flow therethrough. The dry pipe sprinkler assembly allows the use of different outlet orifice members to provide dry pipe sprinkler assemblies having different K factors while utilizing common components for the remaining dry pipe sprinkler assembly.

Abstract: A mounting coupling for a fire sprinkler support system includes an adjustable opening for receiving a sprinkler reducer coupling that allows insertion of the sprinkler coupling into the mounting coupling with a sprinkler head assembled thereto. The mounting coupling can be securely engaged to the reducer coupling and fixed to a support bar of the sprinkler support system using a single fastener thereby providing improved installation and functionality.

Abstract: An early suppression fast response fire protection system includes a sprinkler piping system with at least one sprinkler head assembly, a water supply system, and a check valve in fluid communication with the sprinkler piping system and the water supply system. An antifreeze solution supply system is in fluid communication with the sprinkler piping system, with the check valve isolating the antifreeze solution from the water supply unless a fire condition occurs.

Abstract: An early suppression fast response fire protection system includes a sprinkler piping system with at least one sprinkler head assembly, a water supply system, and a check valve in fluid communication with the sprinkler piping system and the water supply system. An antifreeze solution supply system is in fluid communication with the sprinkler piping system, with the check valve isolating the antifreeze solution from the water supply unless a fire condition occurs.

Abstract: A differential dry pipe control valve for fire protection sprinkler systems includes an eccentric plug that rotates and separates supply water and system air pressure and uses an integral actuator that maintains the seal of the eccentric plug with a smaller ratio of air pressure to a higher supply water pressure. When the sprinkler system is actuated, the actuator allows the rotary eccentric plug to open the waterway and includes an eccentric plug opening that swings out of the waterway to reduce friction loss of the water supply. The eccentric plug includes a conical rubber coated seat surface and dynamic metal seal seat that seals due to water pressure eliminating close tolerance mating of sealing components. The actuator includes an integral alarm connection to provide a required alarm function and acts as a pilot differential actuator to provide the required operation of an approximately 5.5:1 ratio differential dry pipe control valve.

Abstract: A residential or commercial sprinkler system is provided wherein the sprinkler heads and piping distribution network are provided with a relatively low pressure fire suppressant liquid in place of pneumatic pressure, which is typical, and control valve keeps fire suppressant supply pressure from entering the discharge sprinkler system at design discharge pressure until a fire detection system detects a fire condition. Upon the detection of a fire condition, a control valve is opened to provide the sprinkler heads and piping distribution network with a fully pressurized supply of fire suppressant. Also in the case of electric control power loss the system will operate from loss of outlet supervised pressure releasing sprinkler liquid suppressant to the discharge system of closed fused sprinklers.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes system piping and at least one sprinkler with the system piping for delivering fire suppressant to the sprinkler. The sprinkler has an outlet and a temperature sensitive trigger with temperature sensitive trigger opening the outlet for dispersing fire suppressant when sensing temperatures associated with a fire condition. The system also includes a deluge valve that is in selective fluid communication with the system piping and has a normally closed condition whereby the system piping is normally dry. The deluge valve controls the flow of suppressant to the system piping and the sprinkler. A control system, which is in communication with at least one source of power, opens the deluge valve in a fire condition when the power source is in a powered condition and opens the deluge valve in a loss of pressure condition when the power source is in a loss of power condition.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes system piping and at least one sprinkler with the system piping for delivering fire suppressant to the sprinkler. The sprinkler has an outlet and a temperature sensitive trigger with temperature sensitive trigger opening the outlet for dispersing fire suppressant when sensing temperatures associated with a fire condition. The system also includes a deluge valve that is in selective fluid communication with the system piping and has a normally closed condition whereby the system piping is normally dry. The deluge valve controls the flow of suppressant to the system piping and the sprinkler. A control system, which is in communication with at least one source of power, opens the deluge valve in a fire condition when the power source is in a powered condition and opens the deluge valve in a loss of pressure condition when the power source is in a loss of power condition.

Abstract: A trim assembly for a fire protection system valve includes a mounting member and a piping assembly supported by the mounting member. The piping assembly includes a priming line with an inlet for receiving priming fluid from a fire suppressant fluid supply line and an outlet for delivering priming fluid to a priming chamber of the fire protection system valve. The inlet and the outlet are provided at the mounting member. The piping assembly also includes a component, which responsive to a control signal and/or a pressure differential. The component redirects priming fluid away from the outlet of the priming line in response to the control signal and/or the pressure differential for controlling the delivering of priming fluid to the priming chamber of the fire protection system valve.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes system piping and at least one sprinkler with the system piping for delivering fire suppressant to the sprinkler. The sprinkler has an outlet and a temperature sensitive trigger with temperature sensitive trigger opening the outlet for dispersing fire suppressant when sensing temperatures associated with a fire condition. The system also includes a deluge valve that is in selective fluid communication with the system piping and has a normally closed condition whereby the system piping is normally dry. The deluge valve controls the flow of suppressant to the system piping and the sprinkler. A control system, which is in communication with at least one source of power, opens the deluge valve in a fire condition when the power source is in a powered condition and opens the deluge valve in a loss of pressure condition when the power source is in a loss of power condition.

Abstract: A trim assembly for a fire protection system valve includes a mounting member and a piping assembly supported by the mounting member. The piping assembly includes a priming line with an inlet for receiving priming fluid from a fire suppressant fluid supply line and an outlet for delivering priming fluid to a priming chamber of the fire protection system valve. The inlet and the outlet are provided at the mounting member. The piping assembly also includes a component, which responsive to a control signal and/or a pressure differential. The component redirects priming fluid away from the outlet of the priming line in response to the control signal and/or the pressure differential for controlling the delivering of priming fluid to the priming chamber of the fire protection system valve.

Abstract: A floor nozzle for a floor fire suppressant system includes a body and a deflector which is supported on the body. The body includes a transverse passage and a body flange. The transverse passage defines an inlet opening and an outlet opening, with the body flange extending around the outlet opening. The inlet opening is provided for coupling to a fire suppressant supply system. The deflector is spaced from the outlet opening and includes a deflector flange with a plurality of projecting members which extend from the deflector flange toward the body flange. Projecting members are radially spaced around the outlet opening to form a plurality of passageways through which the fire suppressant exiting the outlet opening flows to form a generally lateral radial pattern for delivering fire suppressant to the floor area. The deflector and the body are adapted to support at least a portion of the weight of an aircraft riding over the flange.

Abstract: A floor nozzle for a floor fire suppressant system includes a body and a deflector which is supported on the body. The body includes a transverse passage and a body flange. The transverse passage defines an inlet opening and an outlet opening, with the body flange extending around the outlet opening. The inlet opening is provided for coupling to a fire suppressant supply system. The deflector is spaced from the outlet opening and includes a deflector flange with a plurality of projecting members which extend from the deflector flange toward the body flange. Projecting members are radially spaced around the outlet opening to form a plurality of passageways through which the fire suppressant exiting the outlet opening flows to form a generally lateral radial pattern for delivering fire suppressant to the floor area. The deflector and the body are adapted to support at least a portion of the weight of an aircraft riding over the flange.

Abstract: An in-line check valve includes a housing defining a cavity with an inlet and an outlet, a removable seat attachable to the inlet, a piston movably positioned in the housing and including a seal that operably engages the seat, and a spring positioned around the piston for biasing the piston into engagement with the seat. The piston defines a surface impinged on by fluid flowing therethrough so that the differential pressure across the valve in a given flow range is less than the opening pressure. The housing defines a plurality of lugs which retain the piston within the housing and permit servicing of the seal.

Abstract: A rotary joint for use with rotating heat exchanger drums particularly suitable for installations utilizing higher fluid pressures, temperatures and rotative speeds. The joint includes a nipple mounted upon the drum shaft having an enlarged diameter portion within a body chamber upon which a pair of seals are mounted having differential pressure faces to balance fluid medium pressures imposed upon the seals, seal wear does not produce relative axial displacement between the nipple and body, and concentric alignment between the nipple and body is maintained by axially spaced alignment bushings interposed therebetween.