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EP-4487923-B1 - FLOW RESTRICTOR VALVE

EP4487923B1EP 4487923 B1EP4487923 B1EP 4487923B1EP-4487923-B1

Inventors

  • GLEESON, BENTLEY F.
  • FERRUCCI, MICHAEL B.
  • McHUGH, George J. IV
  • MCHUGH, JAMES P.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20210527

Claims (5)

  1. A flow restrictor valve (600), the flow restrictor valve comprising: a plunger (610); a compression spring (620); a retaining member (603) configured to house the plunger (610) and the compression spring (620); an accelerator (608) configured to increase a flow of gas or liquid onto the plunger (610) with a reduced diameter passageway arranged immediately upstream of the plunger (610); and a retaining ring (612) located on an inner surface of the flow restrictor valve (600), wherein the retaining ring (612) is configured to retain at least the plunger (610), the compression spring (620) and the accelerator (608) within the flow restrictor valve (600), wherein the retaining member (603) includes an inner annular side wall (635) and a base portion (637) having a plurality of openings (633) and configured to retain the compression spring (620), wherein the retaining member (603) includes an inner annular protrusion (639) that extends upward from the base portion (637) and provides a platform for the compression spring (620) to be compressed downward, wherein the plunger (610) is configured to be held in an open position by the compression spring (620), the open position configured to allow a liquid or gas to flow through the flow restrictor valve (600) and a closed position in which a flow of the liquid or gas generates a velocity sufficient to cause the compression spring (620) to compress and engage an outer edge (676) of the plunger (610) with a seat (650) of the retaining member (603) to restrict the flow of the liquid or gas through the flow restrictor valve (600).
  2. The flow restrictor valve (600) according to claim 1, wherein the plunger (610) includes one or more notches (670) in an outer edge (671) to allow at least a portion of the gas or liquid to flow through the flow restrictor valve (600) when the flow restrictor valve (600) is in the closed position.
  3. The flow restrictor valve (600) according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge (676) of the plunger (610) includes a tapered edge and the seat of the retaining member (603) has a tapered edge, and wherein an angle of the tapered edge of the plunger (610) is different than an angle of the tapered edge of the seat of the retaining member (603).
  4. The flow restrictor valve (600) according to claim 1, wherein a downstream portion of the plunger (610) forms a protective shroud (622) configured to protect the compression spring (620).
  5. The flow restrictor valve (600) according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer (606) arranged between a lower edge of the accelerator (608) and an upper edge of the retaining member (603).

Description

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to dry pipe sprinkler systems or pre-action systems and in particular to a system for maintaining integrity of a dry pipe system in a heated cabinet with a mechanical drain trap and a Y-strainer, or a programmable logic controller with automatic valves, and an optional a flow restrictor valve. BACKGROUND A dry pipe sprinkler system or pre-action system comprises a fire suppression system that is typically used in structures and areas that are oftentimes unheated and subject to freezing temperatures. The dry pipe sprinkler system includes a network of pipes including branch lines servicing sprinkler heads, risers, and feed mains for delivering water from a water supply to the branch lines. Under normal conditions, this network of pipes contains a pressurized gas, such as air or nitrogen, which holds closed a dry pipe valve that connects the main supply pipes of main feeds of the sprinkler system to the water supply. When heat from a fire opens a sprinkler, the compressed gas is released from the system. The resulting drop in pressure causes the dry pipe valve to open, or trip, thereby releasing water into the main supply lines or main feeds. When the network of pipes is filled with the pressurized gas and the ambient temperature lowers, condensate can collect in the network of pipes. If the condensate builds up in the system, then there is a risk that the condensate will freeze in the pipes. Freezing condensate can cause pipes to leak or burst, or inhibit the flow of water through the branch lines in the event of fire. For this reason, dry pipe systems often include one or more condensate collector arrangements (sometimes called an "auxiliary drain") which collect condensate from the network of pipes. These auxiliary drains are typically located at low points of the dry pipe system and usually include a drainage valve and a shut-off valve connecting the auxiliary drain to a low point. An auxiliary drain is drained of condensate by first closing the upper valve. This prevents pressurized gas from exiting the system when the auxiliary drain is being drained. The drain valve is then opened and condensate is drained from the auxiliary drain. Then the drain valve is closed again and the upper valve is reopened to again allow condensate to be collected. A fully open or ruptured auxiliary drain will allow the compressed air inside of the dry system to rapidly vent. This will falsely trip the dry valve, allowing pressurized water to enter the dry portion of the system and a potentially damaging high flowrate will spill out of the open/broken auxiliary drain. In addition to occupant inconvenience, a compromised auxiliary drain can result in thousands of dollars in damage and repair costs plus, hours of maintenance/service time to restore the system to normal operation. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0060652 discloses an assembly having an auxiliary drain with a level switch, housed in an insulated cabinet with a heater. The heater monitors the temperature in the cabinet and turns on and off as needed to keep the accumulated condensation in the auxiliary drain from freezing. When the amount of water collected reaches a certain volume the level switch will activate and an audible and/or visual alert can be given that the auxiliary drain needs attention. One of the factors working against an automatically draining auxiliary drain is the fact that building code currently requires that the outlet of an auxiliary drain terminate in either a cap or a plug. Typically, auxiliary drains have been located throughout a structure with little concern for incorporated draining, basically a maintenance worker goes around with a bucket or if temperatures are warm enough just dumps the contents of the auxiliary drain out onto the floor of the structure, giving a distinct rust color staining on the floor and walls near the auxiliary drain. However, as systems become more sophisticated and the desire for automation increases, it is anticipated that relevant building codes will be altered or Authority Having Jurisdiction's (AHJ's) will allow auto draining as long as accommodations have been made to drain the water safely so as not to cause a potential slip-and-fall situation. WO 95/20117A1 discloses a valve which is operable to drain fluid remaining in a conduit system. The drain valve is of a general type known as a biased open line condition change responsive check valve. The drain valve is comprised of a conduit, a spring, a fluid blockage device and a seal. The fluid blockage device is movably suspended in an axial direction within a pocket of the conduit by the spring. The seal is juxtapositioned around the fluid blockage device and is movable therewith. Accordingly, the fluid blockage device acts to axially compress the spring when a predetermined axial fluid pressure differential occurs between the ends thereof such that the seal and the fluid blockage devi