阅读说明：本技术 具有远程释放功能的消防喷洒器 (Fire sprinkler with remote release function ) 是由 N·克鲁茨凯维奇 W·齐姆尼 于 2019-08-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供喷洒器和喷洒器系统的实施例。实施例包括具有流体入口的喷洒器本体、构造成防止在密封件处于第一位置时穿过喷洒器本体的流体流的密封件,以及构造成将密封件固持在第一位置的球管,球管构造成在一温度处破裂并允许密封件移动至第二位置,允许穿过喷洒器本体的流体流。球管包括构造成接收无线触动信号的无线功率和通信单元、构造成储存用于加热元件的能量的能量存储单元、可操作地联接于无线功率和通信单元以及能量存储单元的控制单元,以及构造成响应于触发而将能量供应至球管中的流体的加热元件。(Embodiments of sprinklers and sprinkler systems are provided. Embodiments include a sprinkler body having a fluid inlet, a seal configured to prevent fluid flow through the sprinkler body when the seal is in a first position, and a bulb configured to retain the seal in the first position, the bulb configured to rupture at a temperature and allow the seal to move to a second position, allowing fluid flow through the sprinkler body. The bulb includes a wireless power and communication unit configured to receive a wireless activation signal, an energy storage unit configured to store energy for the heating element, a control unit operably coupled to the wireless power and communication unit and the energy storage unit, and a heating element configured to supply energy to fluid in the bulb in response to a trigger.)

1. A sprinkler comprising

A sprinkler body having a fluid inlet;

a seal configured to prevent fluid flow through the sprinkler body when the seal is in a first position; and

a bulb configured to retain the seal in the first position, the bulb configured to rupture at a temperature and allow the seal to move to a second position, allowing fluid flow through the sprinkler body, wherein the bulb comprises:

a wireless power and communication unit configured to receive a wireless activation signal;

an energy storage unit configured to store energy for a heating element, wherein the energy is received from the wireless power and communication unit;

a control unit operatively coupled to the wireless power and communication unit and the energy storage unit, wherein the control unit is configured to trigger release of the energy stored in the energy storage unit in response to the activation signal; and

the heating element configured to supply the energy to the fluid in the bulb in response to the trigger.

2. The sprinkler of claim 1, wherein the activation signal is triggered by an alarm signal of a fire sprinkler system.

3. The sprinkler of claim 2 wherein the bulb is configured to provide status information of the sprinkler including a unique identifier and diagnostic information of the sprinkler.

4. The sprinkler of claim 2 wherein the sprinkler operates in a dual mode including a normal mode and a remote activation mode.

5. The sprinkler of claim 4, wherein when in the normal mode, the bulb is a thermally responsive frangible bulb configured to rupture at a threshold temperature that allows the seal to move to the second position.

6. The sprinkler of claim 4, wherein when in the remote activation mode, the bulb is configured to rupture in response to the activation signal allowing the seal to move to the second position.

7. The sprinkler of claim 1, wherein the wireless power and communication unit includes an RFID device configured to receive the wireless signal.

8. The sprinkler of claim 1, wherein the energy storage unit is a dedicated energy storage unit.

9. A method for operating a sprinkler having a remote release function, the method comprising:

detecting a trigger signal by a remote trigger module of the sprinkler;

storing energy in response to detecting the touch signal;

releasing the energy to a heating element, wherein the heating element is configured to supply heat to a fluid in a bulb of the sprinkler; and

activating the sprinklers of a sprinkler system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the activation signal is triggered by an alarm signal of a fire sprinkler system.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing status information of the sprinkler including a unique identifier and diagnostic information of the sprinkler.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the sprinkler is operated in a dual mode including a normal mode and a remote activation mode.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein when in the normal mode, the bulb is configured to rupture at a threshold temperature that allows the seal to move to a second position.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein when in the remote activation mode, the bulb is configured to rupture in response to the activation signal allowing the seal to move to the second position.

15. A method according to claim 9, wherein the touch signal is an RFID signal.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein stored energy is supplied only to the heating element.

17. A sprinkler system, comprising:

a fluid source;

a tube coupled to the fluid source;

a sprinkler coupled to the tube, the sprinkler including a bulb containing a remote activation module configured to activate the sprinkler in response to an activation signal; and

a wireless power source and a communication unit configured to communicate the activation signal to the remote activation module.

18. The sprinkler system according to claim 17, wherein said remote actuation module further comprises:

a wireless power and communication unit configured to receive a wireless activation signal;

an energy storage unit configured to store energy for a heating element, wherein the energy is received from the wireless power and communication unit;

a control unit operatively coupled to the wireless power and communication unit and the energy storage unit, wherein the control unit is configured to trigger release of the energy stored in the energy storage unit in response to the activation signal; and

the heating element configured to supply the energy to the fluid in the bulb in response to the trigger.

19. The sprinkler system according to claim 18, wherein said wireless power and communication unit includes an RFID device configured to detect RFID signals from said wireless power source and communication unit.

20. The sprinkler system according to claim 19, wherein the remote activation module is configured to provide status information of the sprinkler including a unique identifier and diagnostic information of the sprinkler.

Technical Field

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to sprinkler systems and, more particularly, to a sprinkler device with remote release functionality and a sprinkler system for using the same.

Background

Sprinkler systems typically include a plurality of sprinklers for discharging a fire suppression fluid in the event of a fire. The system may use "intelligent" sprinklers equipped with wiring, sensors, processors, etc. to track the location and/or status of each sprinkler. Such sprinklers can be difficult to install on existing distribution networks because the electronics must be implemented within the sprinkler body. Furthermore, such installations may require additional certification prior to operation.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment, a sprinkler device is shown. The sprinkler device includes a sprinkler body having a fluid inlet; a seal configured to prevent fluid flow through the sprinkler body when the seal is in a first position; and a bulb configured to hold the seal in a first position, the bulb configured to rupture at a temperature and allow the seal to move to a second position, allowing fluid flow through the sprinkler body. The bulb comprises a wireless power and communication unit configured to receive a wireless activation signal; an energy storage unit configured to store energy for the heating element, wherein the energy is received from the wireless power and communication unit; a control unit operatively coupled to the wireless power and communication unit and the energy storage unit, wherein the control unit is configured to trigger release of energy stored in the energy storage unit in response to an activation signal; and a heating element configured to supply energy to the fluid in the bulb in response to the trigger.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a remote trigger signal triggered by an alarm signal of the fire sprinkler system.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a bulb configured to provide status information of the sprinkler including the unique identifier and diagnostic information of the sprinkler.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a sprinkler that operates in a dual mode including a normal mode and a remote activation mode.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include when in the normal mode, the bulb (thermally responsive frangible bulb) is configured to break at a threshold temperature that allows the seal to move to the second position.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include the bulb being configured to rupture in response to an activation signal that allows the seal to move to the second position when in the remote activation mode.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a wireless power and communication unit including an RFID device configured to receive wireless signals.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include an energy storage unit that is a dedicated energy storage unit.

According to various embodiments, a method for operating a sprinkler having a remote release function is provided. The method includes detecting a trigger signal by a remote trigger module of the sprinkler; storing energy in response to detecting a touch signal; releasing energy to a heating element, wherein the heating element is configured to supply heat to a fluid in a bulb of a sprinkler; and a sprinkler of the touch sprinkler system.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include an activation signal triggered by an alarm signal of the fire sprinkler system.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include providing status information of the sprinkler including the unique identifier and diagnostic information of the sprinkler.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include operating the sprinkler in a dual mode including a normal mode and a remote activation mode.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include the bulb being configured to rupture at a threshold temperature that allows the seal to move to the second position when in the normal mode.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include the bulb being configured to rupture in response to an activation signal that allows the seal to move to the second position when in the remote activation mode.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may comprise the activation signal being an RFID signal.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include stored energy that is supplied only to the heating element.

In accordance with another embodiment, a sprinkler system is provided. The sprinkler system includes a fluid source; a tube coupled to a fluid source; a sprinkler coupled to the tube, the sprinkler including a bulb containing a remote activation module configured to activate the sprinkler in response to an activation signal; and a wireless power source and communication unit configured to transmit the touch signal to the remote touch module.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a remote activation module comprising a wireless power and communication unit configured to receive a wireless activation signal; an energy storage unit configured to store energy for the heating element, wherein the energy is received from the wireless power and communication unit; a control unit operatively coupled to the wireless power and communication unit and the energy storage unit, wherein the control unit is configured to trigger release of energy stored in the energy storage unit in response to an activation signal; and a heating element configured to supply energy to the fluid in the bulb in response to the trigger.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a wireless power and communication unit including an RFID device configured to detect RFID signals from a wireless power source and communication unit.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments can include a remote activation module configured to provide status information of the sprinkler including the unique identifier and diagnostic information of the sprinkler.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include a sprinkler device with remote sprinkler release function capability. Technical effects and benefits provide advance protection against fire in evacuation paths and other critical areas.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusion, unless expressly stated otherwise. These features and elements and their operation will become more apparent in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature, and not restrictive.

Drawings

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and is not limited in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.

Fig. 1 depicts a sprinkler system including a sprinkler with remote release functionality according to one or more embodiments;

fig. 2 depicts a sprinkler according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts an architecture of a sprinkler bulb according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 depicts a normal case of a bulb according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 depicts a pre-release condition of a bulb according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 depicts a sprinkler release of a bulb according to one or more embodiments; and

fig. 7 depicts a flow diagram of a method for operating a sprinkler with remote release in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Detailed Description

Sprinklers are distributed throughout the area to provide fire suppression. However, sprinklers are generally activated when the heating element of the sprinkler reaches a temperature sufficient to rupture the sprinkler bulb. This can cause a delay in activating the sprinkler while the sprinkler waits to reach the threshold temperature, which can result in unnecessary property damage. Currently, sprinklers also comprise a wire, which can cause problems with respect to installation and/or reliability if it comes into contact with the liquid.

The technology described herein provides sprinklers that can be remotely activated to provide pre-protection in critical areas and evacuation paths. Instead of waiting for the sprinkler to reach a threshold temperature, the sprinkler may be configured to be triggered upon an alarm event, such as a fire alarm or the activation of some other remote activation event. These remotely activated sprinklers include a remote activation module that uses RFID technology to trigger activation of the sprinklers. Further, the sprinkler may function as a normal sprinkler in addition to functioning as a remotely operated sprinkler.

Fig. 1 depicts a sprinkler system 100 in an exemplary embodiment. Sprinkler system 100 includes a fluid source 12, fluid source 12 connected to one or more sprinklers 40 via one or more pipes 14. The fluid source 12 may be water and may be under pressure to direct fluid to the sprayer 40. In other embodiments, a pump may be used to direct fluid to the sprayer 40. The sprinkler system 100 can be a "wet pipe" type system in which fluid is present in the pipe 14. Upon rupture of the bulb at the sprinkler 40, the seal is opened and fluid is discharged at the sprinkler 40.

The controller 115 communicates with the elements of the sprinkler system 100 as described herein. The controller 115 may include a processor 222, a memory 224, and a communication module 222. The processor 222 may be any type or combination of computer processor, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, application specific integrated circuit, programmable logic device, and/or field programmable gate array. Memory 224 is an example of a non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly embodied in controller 115, including executable instructions stored therein, e.g., as firmware. The communication module 226 may implement one or more communication protocols to communicate with other system elements. The communication module 226 may communicate over a wireless network, such as 802.11x (wifi), short-range radio (bluetooth), or any other known type of wireless communication. The communication module 226 may communicate over a wired network (e.g., LAN, WAN, internet, etc.).

One or more readers 50 obtain an identifier from each sprinkler 40. The reader 50 may be an RFID reader that reads a unique sprinkler identification code from an identification device at each sprinkler 40. In one embodiment, a single reader 50 is associated with each sprinkler 40 in a one-to-one manner. The reader 50 may communicate with one or more sprinklers 40 using a wireless protocol (NFC, radio waves, etc.). The reader 50 communicates with the controller 115 through a wireless and/or wired network. The readers 50 may also form a mesh network, where data is transmitted from one reader 50 to the next, ultimately leading to the controller 115. Each reader 50 is programmed with a unique reader identification code that identifies each reader 50 to the controller 115.

The sprinkler system 100 includes one or more sensors 20. Sensor 20 senses one or more fluid parameters, such as fluid pressure in tube 14 or fluid flow in tube 14. The sensor(s) 20 may be positioned at the outlet of the fluid source 12 or at various locations along the tube 14. The fluid parameters are used by the controller 115 to determine the status of the sprinkler system 100 (e.g., with the sprinkler 40 activated). The sensors 20 communicate with the controller 115 through a wireless and/or wired network. The controller 115 uses the fluid parameters from the sensors 20 and the presence or absence of the sprinkler identification code to determine the condition of each sprinkler 40.

Fig. 2 depicts a sprinkler 200 in an exemplary embodiment. The sprinkler 200 includes a sprinkler body 42 having a fluid inlet 43 and a fluid outlet 44. The fluid inlet 43 is in fluid communication with the tube 14. Between the fluid inlet 43 and the fluid outlet 44 is a seal 45. The bulb 46 maintains the seal in the first position (i.e., closed), preventing fluid from exiting the fluid outlet 44. The bulb 46 may be a thermally responsive frangible bulb (e.g., a quartz-like bulb) having a liquid within a container. When the bulb 46 breaks due to temperature, the seal 45 moves to the second position, allowing fluid to flow through the sprinkler 200. The bulb 46 includes an RFID device 47 configured to receive a signal for remotely activating the sprinkler 200.

FIG. 3 depicts an architecture 300 of the sprinkler bulb 46 in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown, the bulb 46 includes a remote activation module 302, the remote activation module 302 housing a plurality of units for remotely activating the sprinklers. The wireless power and communication unit 304 is configured to communicate with an external system (not shown), such as an external fire protection system, that performs supervisory or supervisory functions for the sprinklers. The wireless power and communication unit 304 is configured to receive data and transmit the data to the control unit 306. The wireless power and communication unit 304 is further configured to send a signal to the energy storage unit 308 to charge the energy storage unit 308. In one or more embodiments, the wireless power and communication unit 304 is configured to communicate with a wireless power source and communication unit 410 (shown in fig. 4).

An example of an architecture of the wireless power and communication unit 304 includes a number of circuit elements, as shown in fig. 3. In one or more embodiments, the wireless power and communication unit 304 includes RFID technology to receive wireless signals to be stored in the energy storage unit 308. For example, the circuit may include a magnetic antenna to detect and receive wireless signals.

The control unit 306 is configured for two-way communication. Specifically, the control unit 306 is configured to receive data, such as data from an external system. The data may include a status request (based on a unique ID) for each of the spray units, such as activated/deactivated, or the data may include a command to trigger activation of the heating element. Suitable sensors may be included in the sprinkler to detect the pressure of the fluid in the bulb 46.

The control unit 306 is configured to send data (e.g., status information of the bulb along with the unique identifier) to the wireless power and communication unit 304. Furthermore, the control unit 306 is coupled to the energy storage unit 308 to trigger the activation of the heating element 308. In one or more embodiments, the control unit 306 can include a memory that stores a unique identifier so that each individual sprinkler device is addressable.

In one or more embodiments, the control unit 306 is configured to operate the sprinkler device in a dual mode including a normal mode and a remote activation mode. In the normal mode, the bulb will rupture upon exposure to sufficient thermal energy, which activates the sprinkler device. In a remote touch mode, the bulb will rupture in response to a control signal from the control unit 306, which causes the energy storage unit 308 to release its energy to the heating element 310.

As shown in fig. 3, the energy storage unit 308 includes a number of circuit elements including diodes, capacitors, and switches. The energy storage unit 308 is configured to store energy received from the wireless power and communication unit 304 in a capacitor. The switch is controlled by the control unit 306 and the output of the switch is coupled to the heating element 310, allowing the capacitor to discharge the stored energy into the heating element 310. It will be understood that other configurations may be used for the energy storage unit 308.

As mentioned above, the heating element 310 may include a heating coil configured to heat the fluid of the bulb 46 in response to an activation signal. It will be appreciated that alternative mechanisms may be used in sprinkler devices, where the heating element is a remotely operable explosive element, igniter element, semiconductor fuse, or the like. In one or more embodiments, the heating element 310 directly contacts the fluid in the bulb, which allows the heating of the fluid to rupture the bulb 46. In other embodiments, the remote activation module 302 is in contact with a fluid, wherein the fluid is a non-conductive liquid that allows for proper operation of the module.

FIG. 4 depicts a normal case of a bulb according to one or more embodiments. As shown in fig. 4, the bulb 46 is a sealed quartz-like bulb filled with a liquid that expands due to thermal heating. The liquid fills the bulb to a level that leaves air-filled bubbles or fluid vapor-filled bubbles, which allows the liquid to expand before the bulb breaks. Also shown in fig. 4 is a wireless power source and communication unit 410 configured to communicate with the bulb wireless power and communication unit 304. The wireless power source and communication unit 410 may be operatively coupled to an external system, such as a fire alarm system. Further, the wireless power source and communication unit 410 can be operatively coupled to multiple sprinkler devices, or each sprinkler device can be coupled to a single source near its signal range. The signal may comprise a magnetic signal.

FIG. 5 depicts a pre-release condition of a bulb according to one or more embodiments. As shown in fig. 5, the bulb receives an activation signal from the wireless power source and communication unit 410 causing the energy storage unit 308 to discharge energy into the heating element 310. The heating element 310 heats and expands the liquid, displacing a volume of air-filled bubbles or fluid vapor-filled bubbles.

In fig. 6, the sprinkler bulb is shown in a sprinkler release condition. As shown in fig. 6, the sprinkler bulb is split into several segments. In one or more embodiments, the sprinkler bulb 46 breaks due to a remote activation signal. In another embodiment, the sprinkler bulb 46 breaks due to the sensed thermal heating.

Fig. 7 depicts a flow diagram of a method 700 for operating a sprinkler with remote release functionality according to one or more embodiments. The method 700 begins at block 702 and continues to block 704 where block 704 provides for detecting a touch signal. In one or more embodiments, the activation signal is an RFID signal for activating the sprinkler device. The method 700 proceeds to block 706, where block 706 provides for storing energy in response to detecting a touch signal. At block 708, the method 700 provides for releasing energy to a heating element, wherein the heating element is configured to supply heat to a fluid in a bulb of a sprinkler. The method 700 provides for activating the sprinklers of the sprinkler system at block 710. When the bulb is broken, the seal moves from a first position to a second position to allow fluid flow through the component. Thus, embodiments are not limited to sprinklers, but rather to any component that uses a bulb to control fluid flow. The method 700 ends at block 712.

Technical effects and benefits include a reduction in time and complexity of assembling a bulb into a sprinkler system. Further, technical effects and benefits include increasing bulb reliability by eliminating hot coil leads, and providing the ability to poll the status of each of the sprinkler devices. Technical effects and benefits include operating a sprinkler device in a dual mode including a remote actuation mode and a normal mode. Technical effects and benefits include wireless and battery-less solutions for remote sprinkler activation functionality without any negative impact on functional delay.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various example embodiments are shown and described herein, each having certain features in certain embodiments, but the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.