Abstract: A valve has a valve body that defines a chamber. The chamber has an inlet and an outlet through which a flow path passes. A seat is positioned within the chamber and surrounds the flow path. A closing member is positioned within the chamber and a biasing member biases the closing member into an open position away from the seat. The biasing member exerts a biasing force on the closing member which exceeds the force exerted on the closing member by a first fluid which enters the inlet and flows past the closing member and through the open valve. The biasing force is less than the force exerted by a second fluid having one or more different characteristics from the first fluid. Force exerted by the second fluid on the closing member overcomes the biasing force and moves the closing member into engagement with the seat, closing the valve.

Abstract: An actuator for use with a negative pressure fire suppression sprinkler system is disclosed. The actuator has three chambers, each chamber having a flexible diaphragm. One chamber is connected to the sprinkler system piping network. Its diaphragm moves in response to an increase in pressure in the piping network signaling a fire. The diaphragm in the second chamber opens an orifice in response to the motion of the first diaphragm. The open orifice allows water to flow from the third chamber to the ambient. The diaphragm in the third chamber moves in response to the water flow from the third chamber. The third chamber is connected to a valve controlling water flow to the piping network. Motion of the diaphragm in the third chamber actuates the valve, releasing water to the system.

Abstract: A valve for fire suppression sprinkler systems is disclosed. The valve has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A closure member, positioned within the chamber, is movable to close and open the inlet. A latch engages the closure member to hold it in the closed position. The latch also engages a deformable diaphragm. The diaphragm deforms in response to pressure applied to it and allows the latch to move between a latched position engaged with the closure member and an unlatched position away from the closure member. When the diaphragm is depressurized it allows the latch to move and disengage from the closure member, which opens under fluid pressure from the inlet and allows fluid to flow through the valve.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed having an inlet duct aligned with an outlet duct and an angularly oriented elliptical seat positioned between them. A pressure chamber faces the seat. A pivoting valve closure member is positioned between the pressure chamber and the seat. An asymmetrical rolling diaphragm is attached to the closure member and defines part of the pressure chamber. A seat engaging surface on the side of the closure member opposite the pressure chamber is sealingly engageable with the seat to close the valve. The valve closure member is pivoted into the closed positioned by pressurizing the pressure chamber. The valve remains closed against hydraulic pressure in the inlet duct. The valve is permitted to open by de-pressurizing the pressure chamber, allowing the closure member to pivot out of engagement with the seat. Fluid may then flow from the inlet duct to the outlet duct.