Abstract: A sprinkler having a design such that they can be arrayed where the coverage of each exceeds 80 square feet—preferably less than 200 square feet in extra hazard or high piled storage environments up to ceiling heights of 25 feet or greater, including ceiling heights of approximately 30 feet or greater and being adapted to control through the maintenance of the heat release rate for the prescribed period of time established by NFPA-13 standards for what are termed “Extra Hazard” and “High Piled Storage” occupancy in which sprinklers preferably having a K factor of 18-40 through the selective combination of pressure and trigger-speed provide sufficiently large drops of water to permit the same to maintain sufficient size and density after contacting the structural members generally encountered in warehouse-type facilities to be able to penetrate the fire plume.

Abstract: An emitter for atomizing and discharging a liquid entrained in a gas stream is disclosed. The emitter has a nozzle with an outlet facing a deflector surface. The nozzle discharges a gas jet against the deflector surface. The emitter has a duct with an exit orifice adjacent to the nozzle outlet. Liquid is discharged from the orifice and is entrained in the gas jet where it is atomized. A method of operating the emitter is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a first shock front between the outlet and the deflector surface, a second shock front proximate to the deflector surface, and a plurality of shock diamonds in a liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter.

Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a source of pressurized gas and a source of pressurized liquid. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas sources. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. A method of operating the system is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a gas stream having first and second shock fronts using the emitter, atomizing and entraining the liquid with the gas at one of the two shock fronts to form a liquid-gas stream, and discharging the stream onto the fire. The method also includes creating a plurality of shock diamonds in the liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter.

Abstract: A tool and a method for installing a sprinkler head in a threaded fitting of a fire suppression system is disclosed. The sprinkler head is protected by a cover. The tool is formed from an elongated body having a cavity that is sized to receive the cover. One end of the body interfaces with a wrench, the other end has one or more axially extending slots sized to receive the fingers of a torque plate affixed to the sprinkler head. The sprinkler head has a threaded nipple that engages the threaded fitting. The nipple is engaged with the fitting and torque is applied to it by engaging the slots of the tool with the fingers and turning the tool with the wrench. The tool has an external index allowing the sprinkler head to be angularly oriented to direct its discharge stream.

Abstract: A cover mountable on a support frame for protecting a frangible item mounted within the frame is disclosed. The cover has first and second cover portions engaging the frame on opposite sides of the item. A hinge connects first ends of the covers together and a releasable fastener connects the other ends. Fingers extend from one or both of the cover portions toward the opposite cover portion and are positioned in spaced relation to the ends of the cover portions. The fingers and the ends of the cover portions define spaces at opposite ends of the cover which receive and engage portions of the support frame. The fingers are in spaced relation to one another and define a space between them for receiving the frangible item. The fingers are sized and spaced so that they transfer any force on the cover to the frame exclusively. The covers have an arcuate shape to provide increased stiffness.

Abstract: Delivery of binary encoded character data and facsimile encoded data to a specified recipient is controlled rapidly, simply, and with versatility, by, e.g., DTMF commands sent by a user.