Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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H8322750CA
=
TRIM MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY FOR A SPRINKLER SYSTEM
10 FIELD
[0002] The
present disclosure relates to fire protectiori systems and,
more particularly, to a trim manifold assembly that controls the operation of
the
control valve of a sprinkler system for various fire protection systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This
section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Fire
protection systems come in several forms. For example,
deluge fire protection systems totally flood the protected area with
pressurized
fire suppressant, such as water by way of non-limiting example, with the
system
designed to empty until the control valve is closed by a release system, such
as
a hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or manual release system. These deluge
systems ,are often used in an area in which a fire may spread rapidly or in an
area that contains combustible material, solutions, or the like. Other
fire
protection systems cycle between an actuated and non-actuated state and, in
some cases, only deliver water to the effected area when activated by a heat
sensor.
[0005] In
some systems, the sprinkler system piping is filled with water
prior to operation to permit a more rapid response. In other systems, the
sprinkler piping is dry¨these systems are primarily used to protect unheated
structures where the system may be subject to freezing or in areas that are
susceptible to water damage.
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[0006] In each of these
systems, the control valve that directs the flow
of water to the sprinkler piping is controlled by a piping circuit or "trim
piping."
Trim piping varies depending on the type of system and, further, on the size
of
the valve. The trim piping may require over one hundred fittings that must be
fastened together. The fittings can be expensive and the time to assemble the
fittings adds cost to the sprinkler system. Additionally, the complexity of
the trim
piping may result in installation errors that can impair proper operation.
Moreover, the trim piping can be cumbersome in size and weight such that use
in tight spaces is inhibited and/or prohibited.
SUMMARY
[0007] This section
provides a general summary of the disclosure, and
is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
[0008] A trim manifold
assembly is utilized to facilitate control of the
control valve in a fire protection system. The trim manifold assembly utilizes
a
manifold block with numerous passageways to provide desired flow
communication between various components, such as automatic and manual
valves, check valves, inlet and outlet ports, and sensor ports, by way of non-
limiting example. The trim manifold assembly can be cost-effectively
manufactured and may require less assembly steps. The trim manifold
assembly can facilitate the assembly of a fire protection system and the
attachment of the trim manifold assembly to the control valve for operation
thereof.
[0009] According to the
present disclosure, the trim manifold assembly
includes an alarm block and a release block. The
alarm block is in
communication with a fire suppressant fluid supply and defines a first alarm
passage in communication with an alarm sensor. The release block is coupled
to the alarm block and includes a drain passage and a first control passage.
The
first control passage is in communication with the fire suppressant fluid
supply
and a pressure-actuated system control valve to control communication between
the fire suppressant fluid supply and the sprinkler system.
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[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this
summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only
of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0012] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a portion of an exemplary pre-
action deluge fire protection system utilizing the trim manifold assembly of
the
present invention;
[0013] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the trim manifold assembly of
Figure 1;
[0014] Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the trim manifold
assembly of Figure 1;
[0015] Figure 5 is a front plan view of the trim manifold assembly of
Figure 1;
[0016] Figures 6-8 are cross-sectional views along lines 6-6, 7-7, and
8-8, respectively, of Figure 5;
[0017] Figure 9 is a top plan view of the trim manifold assembly of
Figure 1;
[0018] Figures 10-12 are cross-sectional views along lines 10-10, 11-
11, and 12-12, respectively, of Figure 9;
[0019] Figure 13 is a back plan view of the trim manifold assembly of
Figure 1;
[0020] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate trim
manifold assembly according to the present disclosure;
[0021] Figure 15 is a front plan view of the trim manifold assembly of
Figure 14;
[0022] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the trim manifold
assembly of Figure 15 taken along line 16-16;
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[0023] Figure 17 is a
cross-sectional view of the trim manifold
assembly of Figure 15 taken along line 17-17; and
[0024] Figure 18 is a
cross-sectional view of the trim manifold
assembly of Figure 15 taken along line 18-18.
[0025] Corresponding
reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Example
embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the terms "top,"
"bottom," "right side," "left side," "front side," and "back side" refer to
the
orientation of the trim manifold assembly as shown in Figures 1-2. It should
be
appreciated that these terms are relative terms and that these terms are not
absolute indications of the orientation of the trim manifold assembly and,
rather,
are merely exemplary and for purposes of description. Furthermore, it should
also be understood that as used herein, the terms "normally open" and
"normally
closed" refer to the operational condition of the associated component when
the
trim manifold assembly and the fire protection system are in a ready or set
condition for normal operation to activate in the event of a fire condition.
[0027] With reference to
Figure 1, a fire protection system, generally
indicated at 20, incorporating a trim manifold assembly 22 of the present
teachings is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, fire protection system 20
is a
pre-action deluge system. It
should be appreciated that a trim manifold
assembly according to the present teachings may be used in other types of fire
protection systems, as described below. Fire protection system 20 includes a
control valve 24, which is normally closed and controls the flow of fire
suppressant, such as water, from a fire suppressant supply 26 to sprinkler
system piping 28, which includes a plurality of sprinklers for delivering the
fire
suppressant to an area protected by fire protection system 20. As will be more
fully described below, trim manifold assembly 22 controls the flow of fire
suppressant through valve 24 using a release mechanism 30, which is normally
closed and which may be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic, by way of non-
limiting
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example. Furthermore, trim manifold assembly 22 may provide a compact
assembly that is pre-assembled and may be pre-tested prior to installation to
ease the assembly of fire protection system 20.
[0028] Fire suppressant
supply 26 delivers fire suppressant to valve 24
through a supply control valve 32, which is normally open and whose output
delivers fire suppressant to the input 34 of valve 24. Output 36 of valve 24
delivers fire suppressant to the input 38 of a check valve 40, whose output
delivers fire suppressant to sprinkler system piping 28. Check valve 40 is
provided to prevent the pressurized supervisory air in sprinkler system piping
28
from entering valve 24.
Sprinkler system piping 28 is supervised with
pressurized air from air system 42, which is used to monitor the pressure in
fire
protection system 20 to monitor the integrity of the sprinkler system piping
28
and its components. In the illustrated embodiment, air system 42 delivers
pressurized air to sprinkler system piping 28 and may monitor the changes in
pressure in sprinkler system piping 28 with one or more pressure switches 44.
[0029] In the illustrated
embodiment, valve 24 comprises a deluge
valve, which includes a priming chamber 46, as is known in the art. Trim
manifold assembly 22 controls the pressure in priming chamber 46 and
communicates with valve 24 and fire suppressant supply 26 through conduits 48,
50, respectively. Conduits 48, 50, by way of non-limiting example, may be flex
hoses. Trim manifold assembly 22 also communicates with a control panel 52
(via wiring indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1), which provides actuating
signals
to or monitors signals from components within trim manifold assembly 22 and
also components located exteriorly of trim manifold assembly 22 to control the
opening of valve 24 in response to low-pressure signals from pressure switch
44
and in response to fire-condition signals from detector 54. Detector 54, by
way
of non-limiting example, may be a heat detector or, alternatively, a smoke
detector.
[0030] Referring to
Figures 2-12, details of trim manifold assembly 22
are shown. Trim manifold assembly 22 may include a solid one-piece manifold
60 with a plurality of fluid passages therein to allow trim manifold assembly
22 to
control the operation of valve 24, as described below. Manifold 60 may be
metal
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and the passages therein may be formed by machining the passages into a solid
manifold block.
[0031] Manifold 60 may
have a top surface 55, a front surface 56, a
bottom surface 57, a back surface 58, a right side surface 59, and a left side
surface 61. Manifold 60 includes a prime input passage 62 that extends from
bottom surface 57 into manifold 60 along the X axis. An alarm test valve
passage 64 also extends along the X axis into manifold 60 from top surface 55
and is aligned with and connected to prime input passage 62, as seen in
Figures
6 and 12. Conduit 50 is connected to prime input passage 62 while an alarm
test valve assembly 66, which is normally closed, is located in alarm test
valve
passage 64. A prime-line shut-off valve passage 68 extends along the Z axis
within manifold 60 from front surface 56 and intersects prime input passage
62,
as shown in Figure 6. A prime-line shut-off valve assembly 70, which is
normally
open, is disposed in passage 68. A prime-line strainer passage 72, as shown in
Figure 6, extends along the X axis from top surface 55 into manifold 60 and
intersects passage 68 between seat seal 70a and stem seal 70b of prime-line
shut-off valve assembly 70. A strainer 74 is disposed in passage 72 and
retained with a plug 76. A prime-line check valve passage 78 extends along the
Z axis from front surface 56 into manifold 60 and intersects passage 72. A
check valve assembly 80 is disposed in check valve passage 78 and retained by
a plug 82.
[0032] A prime-line
output passage 84 extends along the Y axis from
right side surface 59 into manifold 60 and intersects prime-line check valve
passage 78, as shown in Figure 11. Conduit 48 is attached to prime-line output
passage 84 on right side surface 59 of manifold 60. A gage passage 86 extends
along the Z axis from front surface 56 into manifold 60 and intersects passage
84, as shown in Figure 7. A pressure gage 88 is disposed in gage passage 86
and indicates the fluid pressure in passage 84. A release passage 90 extends
along the X axis from top surface 55 into manifold 60 and intersects prime-
line
output passage 84, as shown in Figures 7 and 11. Release mechanism 30 is
coupled to release passage 90 by conduit 92, as shown in Figure 1.
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[0033] A drain passage 94
extends along the X axis from top surface
55 through manifold 60 and out bottom surface 57, as shown in Figures 8 and
10. A conduit 96 extends from release mechanism 30 to drain passage 94 on
top surface 55, as shown in Figure 1. Conduits 92, 96 and release mechanism
30 may collectively be referred to as a release line assembly 97. A conduit 98
extends from drain passage 94 at bottom surface 57 of manifold 60 to an open
drain 100, also as shown in Figure 1. Conduit 98 may be a flex hose. An
emergency relief passage 102 extends along the Z axis from front surface 56
into manifold 60 and intersects passageways 94 and 84, as shown in Figure 8.
An emergency relief valve assembly 104, which is normally closed, is disposed
in passage 102.
[0034] A pressure
operating relief valve (PORV) passage 106 extends
along the X axis from bottom surface 57 into manifold 60 and intersects
release
passage 90, as shown in Figures 7 and 11. PORV passage 106 and release
passage 90 may be coaxial. A pressure operated relief valve (PORV) 108,
which is normally closed, is disposed in PORV passage 106. A conduit 110
extends from PORV passage 106 at bottom surface 57 of manifold 60 to another
conduit 112 which is in fluid communication with an intermediate chamber 114
of
valve 24, as shown in Figure 1. Conduit 110 may be a flex hose. Conduit 112
also communicates with open drain 100 through a drip check valve 116.
[0035] A PORV drain
passage 118 extends along the Y axis from right
side surface 59 into manifold 60 and intersects both drain passage 94 and
PORV passage 106, as shown in Figures 7, 8, and 10. A plug 120 is disposed in
the end of PORV drain passage 118 adjacent right side surface 59. A drain
check valve passage 124 extends along the X axis from top surface 55 into
manifold 60, as shown in Figures 7 and 12. A drain check valve assembly 126 is
disposed in drain check valve passage 124. A connecting passage 130 extends
along the Z axis from back surface 58 into manifold 60 and interconnects drain
check valve passage 124 with PORV passage 106 below PORV 108, as shown
in Figures 7 and 12. A plug 132 is disposed in connecting passage 130 adjacent
back surface 58.
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[0036] A first alarm
passage 136 extends along the Y axis from right
side surface 59 into manifold 60 and intersects with drain check valve passage
124 and alarm test valve passage 64, as shown in Figures 8 and 12. A second
alarm passage 138 extends along the X axis from top surface 55 into manifold
60 and intersects first alarm passage 136. First and second alarm passages
136, 138 may be connected to alarms for fire protection system 20. The alarms
may be operable to detect a pressure within first and second alarm passages
136, 138 which may be indicative of operation of control valve 24 due to a
fire
condition.
[0037] Referring again to
Figure 1, fire protection system 20 may also
include an auxiliary drain valve 142 which is coupled to conduit 112.
Auxiliary
drain valve 142 is normally closed and may be manually operated to drain fire
suppressant from intermediate chamber 114 of valve 24. A flow test valve 144
may be coupled to the input 34 of valve 24. Flow test valve 144 is normally
closed and may be opened to verify the flow of fire suppressant to valve 24.
[0038] Referring now to
Figures 1-2, 6-8, and 10-12, operation of trim
manifold assembly 22 and fire protection system 20 will be described. To place
trim manifold assembly 22 in a ready or operational mode, the fire suppressant
from fire suppressant supply 26 flows, via conduit 50, into prime input
passage
62 and flows through the various passages that are in flow communication
therewith with the various valves in their normal operating position (i.e.,
either
normally open or normally closed, as described above). This fire suppressant
in
trim manifold assembly 22 is also referred to as the priming fluid and is at a
prime pressure and is in a closed volume within manifold 60 between the seat
seal 66a of alarm test valve assembly 66, the stem seal 70b of prime-line shut-
off valve assembly 70, plug 76 in prime-line strainer passage 72, stem seal
80b
of check valve assembly 80, prime pressure gage 88, stem seal 108b of PORV
108, seat seal 104a of emergency relief valve assembly 104 , release
mechanism 30, and priming chamber 46 of valve 24 via conduit 48. Thus, when
trim manifold assembly 22 is in the set or ready condition, fire suppressant
(priming fluid) at the prime pressure (e.g., the pressure of fire suppressant
supply 26) is disposed in a defined closed space within manifold 60, conduits
48,
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50 and priming chamber 46 of valve 24. The pressure in priming chamber 46
controls the position of a clapper assembly 148, which opens and closes
communication between input 34 and output 36 of valve 24.
[0039] Automatic
operation of trim manifold assembly 22 is controlled
by release mechanism 30. To release the pressure in priming chamber 46 and
supply the fire suppressant to sprinkler system piping 28, release mechanism
30,
which is normally closed, is activated to open a flow path into conduit 96. As
stated above, release mechanism 30 may include one or more actuators, such
as an electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic actuator, by way of non-limiting
example, that can selectively allow flow communication between conduit 92 and
conduit 96 and release the prime pressure in (depressurize) priming chamber
46. By way of non-limiting example, when release mechanism 30 includes an
electrically actuated actuator, such as a solenoid valve, the actuator may be
in
communication with control panel 52 and is actuated to open when control panel
52 receives a signal from detector 54, which is actuated in a fire condition,
or
from sensor 44, which is indicative of a loss of the supervisory pressure in
sprinkler system piping 28, such as when a sprinkler has opened.
[0040] A pneumatic
actuator, by way of non-limiting example, can be
included in release mechanism 30 and may be responsive to the pressure in
sprinkler system piping 28. In particular, the pneumatic actuator is normally
closed but is opened when the sensing side of the actuator detects a drop in
pressure in sprinkler system piping 28. In a fire condition, when a sprinkler
opens, the supervisory pressure in sprinkler system piping 28 is reduced,
causing the pneumatic actuator to open.
[0041] In some
embodiments, there may be multiple actuators in
series arrangement that form release mechanism 30 and release line assembly
97. In these embodiments, multiple conditions may be required to occur in
order
to provide flow communication between conduits 92, 96 and release the prime
pressure in priming chamber 46. In one dual actuator arrangement, when
control panel 52 receives a signal from detector 54 of a fire condition and
one or
more sprinklers open in response to a fire condition, control panel 52
actuates
the solenoid valve to open while the pressure drop in sprinkler system piping
28
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opens the pneumatic actuator so that the pressure is released from priming
chamber 46. The use of multiple actuators in release mechanism 30 can provide
a double interlock system. It should be appreciated that release mechanism 30
can include a variety of different types of actuators and/or a combination of
actuators to provide the desired interlocking and releasing of the pressure
within
priming chamber 46 for fire protection system 20.
[0042] When release
mechanism 30 and the actuator therein are
opened to allow flow communication between conduit 92 and conduit 96, the
pressure of the fire suppressant in trim manifold assembly 22 is reduced as
the
fire suppressant can flow out of trim manifold assembly 22 through release
passage 90. The fire suppressant flows from conduit 92 past the actuator of
release mechanism 30 and into conduit 96 for travel back into trim manifold
assembly 22 through drain passage 94. Within drain passage 94, the fire
suppressant flows through trim manifold assembly 22 and exits therefrom
through conduit 98 and into open drain 100, thereby being discharged. The
reduction of the prime pressure causes the operation of valve 24.
Specifically,
the reduction in the pressure in priming chamber 46 allows clapper assembly
148 to move, thereby allowing flow communication between input 34 and output
36. As a result, fire suppressant can flow through sprinkler system piping 28.
[0043] As valve 24 is
caused to operate, the fire suppressant at an
intermediate pressure in intermediate chamber 114 enters PORV passage 106
of manifold 60 through conduit 110. The fire suppressant enters connecting
passage 130 and drain check valve passage 124. The fire suppressant
overcomes the biasing closed force and travels through drain check valve
assembly 126 and enters first and second alarm passages 136, 138, wherein the
sensors attached thereto can detect the pressure. The fire suppressant also
enters a sensing port 108c of PORV 108. The pressure at sensing port 108c
causes PORV stem 108d to move, thus breaking the PORV stem seal 108b and
seat seal 108a. The effect of the operation of PORV 108 will prevent
accumulation of fire suppressant and pressure buildup in release passage 90 in
the case that the actuator of release mechanism 30 ceases to operate (i.e.,
closes). If the actuator of release mechanism 30 ceases to operate, the fire
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suppressant will drain (discharge) through release passage 90, past PORV stem
seal 108b, through PORV drain passage 118, out of manifold 60 through drain
passage 94, and into conduit 98 through open drain 100.
[0044] Thus, when the
pressure in priming chamber 46 is released
(depressurized), the flow of fire suppressant from fire suppressant supply 26
to
sprinkler system piping 28 occurs and PORV 108 in conjunction with trim
manifold assembly 22 prevents an increase in pressure in priming chamber 46
even in the event that release mechanism 30 were to reset and close flow
communication between conduits 92 and 96.
[0045] In order to reset
trim manifold assembly 22 to working
condition, the pressure at PORV passage 106 must be removed so that PORV
108 can return to its normally closed state. The pressure in PORV passage 106
can be removed by closing supply control valve 32 and draining the fire
suppressant liquid from the system.
[0046] Trim manifold
assembly 22 may be manually operated as
opposed to automatic actuation, discussed above. The manual operation varies
from the automatic operation only in the terms of the initiation of the
operation.
In the manual operation, the operator opens emergency relief valve assembly
104, which reduces the fire suppressant pressure from prime input passage 62
and prime-line output passage 84. In particular, the opening of emergency
relief
valve assembly 104 allows the fire suppressant to be discharged through drain
passage 94 to open drain 100 via conduit 98, thereby relieving the pressure.
This begins the remaining operation of trim manifold assembly 22, as described
above.
Accordingly, further description of the operation of trim manifold
assembly 22, when manually operated, is not discussed further.
[0047] Trim manifold
assembly 22 allows for the pressure alarms
coupled to first and second alarm passages 136, 138 to be tested without
activating valve 24. Alarm test valve assembly 66 can be opened, which results
in fire suppressant in prime input passage 62 flowing past seat seal 66a and
into
alarm test valve passage 64. The fire suppressant will then enter drain check
valve assembly 126 between seat seal 126a and stem seal 126b. This traps the
pressure in this chamber and thus prevents the operation of PORV 108. The fire
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suppressant travels through drain check valve assembly 126 to first and second
alarm passages 136, 138. The alarm sensors coupled to first and second alarm
passages 136, 138 can detect the pressure in those passages. When the alarm
pressure is verified, alarm test valve assembly 66 can be closed. The fire
suppressant that is in first and second alarm passages 136, 138 and in drain
check valve assembly 126 will then drain through an orifice 126c in drain
check
valve assembly 126, through drain check valve passage 124, connecting
passage 130 and PORV passage 106, as shown in Figures 7 and 12. The fire
suppressant will continue to drain through conduit 110 and through drip check
valve 116 into open drain 100, as shown in Figure 1. Thus, trim manifold
assembly 22 allows for the pressure alarms to be tested without activating
valve
24 and PORV 108.
[0048] Check valve
assembly 80 in prime-line check valve passage 78
can protect the prime pressure in priming chamber 46 of valve 24 from being
reduced as a result of varying supply pressures of the fire suppressant and/or
operation of alarm test valve assembly 66. In particular, as fire protection
system 20 is being put into an operating condition, prime-line check valve
assembly 80 lets the fire suppressant go past seat seal 80a as the pressure
overcomes the force of the biasing spring 80d. Once the prime pressure in
prime-line check valve assembly 80 reaches its set pressure, spring 80d causes
seat seal 80a to close and, as a result, retain the pressure in prime-line
check
valve passage 78. By retaining the pressure in prime-line check valve passage
78, prime-line check valve assembly 80 protects the pressure in priming
chamber 46 of valve 24 from being subjected to varying pressures as a result
of
potentially varying supply pressure of the fire suppressant. Additionally,
this also
protects priming chamber 46 from being subjected to varying pressures as a
result of operation of alarm test valve assembly 66.
[0049] Drain check valve
assembly 126 is configured to allow the
pressure in first and second alarm passages 136, 138 to be drained through
PORV passage 106 while not causing the operation of PORV 108. In particular,
when alarm test valve assembly 66 is opened, fire suppressant from prime input
passage 62 flows through manifold 60 to the port between seat seal 126a and
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stem seal 126b. The fire suppressant pressure is checked from PORV sensing
port 108c by drain check valve assembly 126 which is a drip check valve. Drain
port (orifice) 126c of drain check valve assembly 126 is sized such that it is
sufficient to drain the pressure from first and second alarm passages 136, 138
through PORV passage 106 while not causing the operation of PORV 108.
Drain check valve assembly 126 allows the fire suppressant to flow into first
and
second alarm passages 136, 138 at a first flow rate while also allowing fire
suppressant to flow out of first and second alarm passages 136, 138 through
drain port 126c at a second flow rate substantially less than the first flow
rate.
This prevents operation of PORV 108 and thus operation of fire protection
system 20 when testing the pressure alarms.
[0050] It should be
appreciated that drip check valve 116 works in
conjunction with trim manifold assembly 22 to facilitate the reducing of
pressure
from first and second alarm passages 136, 138 and allow the testing of the
pressure sensors coupled thereto.
Furthermore, valve 24 includes an
intermediate chamber 114 that is pressurized only upon activation of valve 24
through trim manifold assembly 22 and the release of the pressure from priming
chamber 46. Additionally, supply control valve 32 may be closed to allow trim
manifold assembly 22 and fire protection system 20 to be setup and also to
shutdown the operation of trim manifold assembly 22 and fire protection system
20. Auxiliary drain valve 142, while having no interdependence on trim
manifold
assembly 22, can be utilized to restore fire protection system 20 and trim
manifold assembly 22 to its original operating condition by relieving pressure
from PORV passage 106 and intermediate chamber 114.
[0051] Trim manifold assembly 22 according to the present invention
can be used with other types of control valves 24. For example, trim manifold
assembly 22 can be used with a control valve that utilizes a different type of
fluid
pressure activated device, such as a side differential valve instead of the
priming
chamber. In such an application, a side differential valve is operable to
maintain
the clapper (or other flow communication device within control valve 24) in a
closed position, thereby preventing flow of fire suppressant from fire
suppressant
supply 26 to sprinkler system piping 28. The side differential valve may
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communicate with the trim manifold assembly 22 such that when a fire condition
is detected, trim manifold assembly 22 can utilize release line assembly 97 to
release pressure (depressurize the priming fluid) in the side differential
valve.
Releasing the pressure in the side differential valve can thereby activate the
control valve, allowing flow communication between input 38 and output 36, and
allowing fire suppressant fluid to flow to sprinkler system piping 28 from
fire
suppressant supply 26 by activation of release mechanism 30. As a result, fire
suppressant can flow through sprinkler system piping 28. The activation of the
control valve can cause fire suppressant at an intermediate pressure from an
intermediate pressure chamber 114 to enter PORV passage 106 and manifold
60 through conduit 110. This intermediate pressure fluid can enter into first
and
second alarm passages 136, 138, wherein the sensors attached thereto can
detect the pressure, as described above. Furthermore, the fire suppressant at
the intermediate pressure can also be present at pressure sensing port 108c
causing PORV stem 108d to move, thus breaking the PORV stem seal 108b and
seat seal 108a, as discussed above. Thus, when the pressure in the side
differential valve is released (de-pressurized), the flow of fire suppressant
from
fire suppressant supply 26 to sprinkler system piping 28 occurs and PORV 108
in conjunction with trim manifold assembly 22 prevents an increase in pressure
in the side differential valve, even in the event that release mechanism 30
were
to reset and close flow communication between conduits 92 and 96.
[0052] The use of a side
differential valve may allow for different
pressure differentials to be utilized that may allow for smaller sizes of the
component devices for a given flow rate and/or quicker reaction. For example,
the side differential valve may have a differential of 4.5 to 1 as compared to
a
differential of a control valve having a priming chamber which may be 1.1 to
1,
by way of non-limiting example.
[0053] A trim manifold
assembly according to the present invention
may also be utilized in other types of fire protection systems, such as dry
systems, wet valve systems, and deluge systems. The specific flow passages in
communication within trim manifold assembly 22 can vary depending upon the
needs to activate the control valve associated with these different fire
protection
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systems. It
should be appreciated that in these varying applications, the
configuration of the release line assembly 97 can vary depending upon the
needs of the system.
[0054] In some
embodiments, release line assembly 97 may be in the
form of another manifold assembly that can be coupled to trim manifold
assembly 22. In this manner, trim manifold assembly 22 may be utilized for a
variety of different applications while the release line assembly manifold
configured for a specific application can be utilized with trim manifold
assembly
22 to meet the needs of the fire protection system. For example, when the
release line assembly is provided as an integral manifold, one or more release
mechanisms 30 can be incorporated therein to provide the desired
functionality,
such as a single interlocked, a double interlocked and the like, as discussed
above, by way of non-limiting example. The release line assembly manifolds
can all be configured to be coupled to release passage 90 and drain passage
94.
In this manner, the trim manifold assembly 22 may be a universal trim manifold
assembly, while a specific release line assembly manifold is utilized to meet
the
particular design requirements for the fire protection system. Use of a
release
line assembly manifold in conjunction with trim manifold assembly 22 can
facilitate the interconnection thereof, while diminishing the possibility of
inadvertent connections or incorrect installation. Moreover, by utilizing a
universal trim manifold assembly 22, less parts may be required to be stocked
by
suppliers of the components as trim manifold assembly 22 can be utilized with
a
variety of different fire protection systems and the release line assembly
manifold
chosen for the particular application.
[0055] While the present
invention has been described with reference
to specific embodiments, illustrations, and descriptions of same, it should be
appreciated that the foregoing is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the
invention. The various features and/or configurations can be altered from that
shown while still providing the described functionality.
For example, the
passageways, while being described as extending along either the X, Y, or Z
axis, can extend in other orientations different than those shown and
described.
Additionally, the various valve assemblies may come in different
configurations
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that provide the described functionality and various flow communications
between the various passages depending upon differing operating conditions.
[0056] Moreover, while
the trim manifold assembly 22 is shown and
described as being a single solid member with the flow paths formed from one
or
more straight passages machined therein, it should be appreciated that the
trim
manifold assembly 22 may be formed from a variety of pieces that are
assembled together to have the desired flow paths therethrough. Additionally,
the flow paths may be configured in orientations other than straight. By way
of
non-limiting example, one or more components of the trim manifold assembly
may be molded or cast and the associated passages therein cast or molded into
the associated member. As such, the passages may take on configurations
other than being straight, such as being curved. Furthermore, it should be
appreciated that while the present invention has been described as reference
to
specific embodiments, illustrations, and descriptions of same, other features
and
components that may be present and utilized, such as strainers, restricted
prime
orifice, serviceable strainer, or gauge, by way of non-limiting example. As
such,
the trim manifold assembly may include other features and components, such as
those mentioned.
[0057] In another
arrangement, shown in Figures 14-18, a multi-piece
fire protection system manifold assembly 160 may be used in the fire
protection
system 20 illustrated in Figure 1 in place of the manifold 60. The protection
system manifold assembly 160 may be similar to the manifold 60 shown in
Figures 1-13, but includes a separate alarm block 161 and release block 163
instead of being formed from a single solid block. The alarm block 161 forms a
first monolithic body and the release block 163 forms a second monolithic
body.
The views shown in Figures 14-18 are generally similar to Figures 2 and 5-8,
respectively. Similar elements include similar reference numerals increased by
"100". For simplicity, similar elements will not be described in detail with
the
understanding that the description and operation from Figures 1-13 applies.
[0058] As seen in Figures
16 and 17, the alarm block 161 defines a
prime line input passage 162, an alarm test passage 164, a first alarm passage
236 in communication with the alarm test passage 164, a prime line shut-off
16
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passage 168, a prime line strainer passage 172, a prime line check valve
passage 178 (as seen in Figure 16), a drain check valve housing 225, and a
drain check valve passage 224 (as seen in Figure 17). The first alarm passage
236 may house an alarm sensor (not shown). An alarm test valve assembly 166
is located in the alarm test passage 164, as seen in Figure 16. A prime line
shutoff valve assembly 170 is located in the prime line shut-off passage 168.
A
check valve assembly 180 is located in prime line check valve passage 178.
With reference to Figure 17, a drain check valve assembly 226 is located in
the
drain check valve housing 225. The alarm block 161 may be in communication
with fire suppressant supply 26 through conduits 50 being in communication
with
prime line input passage 162, as shown in Figures 15 and 16.
[0059] As seen in Figures
17 and 18, the release block 163 includes a
prime line output passage 184, a release passage 190, a drain passage 194, a
PORV passage 206, and a PORV drain passage 218. An emergency relief
valve assembly 204 is located in drain passage 194. PORV 208 is located in the
PORV drain passage 218.
[0060] The check valve
assembly 180 forms a pressure control valve
located in the alarm block 161 between the prime line input passage 162 and a
first control passage defined by the prime line output passage 184. The check
valve assembly 180 maintains a fixed volume of fire suppressant fluid at a
prime
pressure between check valve assembly 180 and the pressure-actuated system
control valve 24 when in a closed position.
[0061] The drip check
valve assembly 226 forms a pressure-actuated
alarm valve and is normally biased into a closed position isolating the first
alarm
passage 236 from communication with a second control passage defined by the
PORV passage 206. The drip check valve assembly 226 is displaced to an open
position by fire suppressant fluid from the control valve 24 when the control
valve
24 is open, providing fire suppressant fluid to the first alarm passage 236.
[0062] The alarm test
valve assembly 166 forms a manual control
valve that isolates the first alarm passage 236 from the prime line input
passage
162 when in a closed position. The alarm test valve assembly 166 is normally
in
the closed position. The alarm test valve assembly 166 is manually
displaceable
17
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to the open position to provide communication between the prime line input
passage 162 and the first alarm passage 236 to activate the alarm sensor.
[0063] The prime line
shutoff valve assembly 170 forms an additional
manual control valve. The prime line shutoff valve assembly 170 is normally in
the open position, providing communication between the prime line input
passage 162 and the prime line output passage 184. The prime line shutoff
valve assembly 170 is manually displaceable to the closed position to isolate
the
prime line output passage 184 from the prime line input passage 162.
[0064] The PORV 208
isolates the prime line output passage 184 (first
control passage) from the PORV passage 206 (second control passage) until the
PORV passage 206 (second control passage) exceeds a predetermined
pressure. The emergency relief valve assembly 204 forms a manual control
valve that isolates the prime line output passage 184 (first control passage)
from
the drain passage 194 when in a closed position. The emergency relief valve
assembly 204 is manually displaceable to the open position to provide
communication between the prime line output passage 184 and the drain 100 via
the drain passage 194.
[0065] In the arrangement
of Figures 14-18, a release control block
197 (Figure 15) is coupled to the release block 163 to selectively open the
control valve 24. The release control block 197 may be used in place of
release
line assembly 97 and defines first and second passages 192, 196 separated by
a release mechanism 130. The first protection system 20 incorporating the
multi-
piece fire protection system manifold assembly 160 may be actuated in a
manner similar to that described above using the release mechanism 30, and
therefore will not be described in detail with the understanding that the
description provided above applies equally.
[0066] Accordingly, the
foregoing description of the embodiments has
been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended
to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention.
Individual elements or features of a
particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment,
but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected
embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be
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varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from
the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within
the
scope of the invention.
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