Sprinkler housing for a sprinkler, as well as sprinklers for fire extinguishing systems with selbigem and use thereof

The present invention relates to a sprinkler housing for a sprinkler, in particular for operating pressures above 16 bar, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a sprinkler with such a sprinkler housing and the use of such a sprinkler housing.

Input designated sprinkler housings are well known. A recurrent problem with such sprinkler housings is the longevity of the sealing elements used in the sprinkler housings. As a matter of principle, the sealing elements are often fastened to the closure element, or to a stationary seat opposite the closure element, with which the closure element closes the fluid channel together in the blocking position.

If the closure element is opened, very large extinguishing fluid flows occur within the sprinkler housing, in particular at the high pressures mentioned above. These extinguishing currents also cover the sealing element in the known housings and lead to the sealing element being subjected to considerable stress on shear and abrasion. This can lead to partial or complete destruction of the sealing element, especially when the sealing elements have aged after long periods of use. The detached parts of the sealing elements are caught and moved by the flow

free inside the sprinkler housing. In extreme cases, it may happen that the parts of the sealing elements settle on or into the fluid outlets of the sprinkler housing and thus lead to a partial or, in the worst case, complete blockage.

Accordingly, the invention has for its object to provide a sprinkler housing in which the aforementioned disadvantages are overcome as much as possible. In particular, the invention has for its object to provide a sprinkler housing in which the risk of clogging of the fluid or the outlets is reduced.

The invention solves the underlying task in a sprinkler of the type described with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description and the figures.

wherein in the release position between the closure element and the recess, a protective chamber is defined, in which the sealing element is arranged. The invention is based on the finding that the most effective protective measure for the sealing element is to remove it as far as possible from the main flow, which extends from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet (s), when the closure element is in the release position , For this purpose, according to the invention, a protective chamber is provided between the recess for receiving the closure element and the sealing element, within which the sealing element is arranged. In other words, the sealing element is in the release position according to the invention within the recess for receiving the closure element in a flow-calmed area. Due to the inlet into this recess, the sealing element is subjected to less severe stresses by the fluid flow of the extinguishing fluid, and the risk of partial but complete destruction of the sealing element is greatly reduced.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sprinkler housing has a distribution chamber from which both the recess for receiving the closure element and the at least one fluid outlet branch off, wherein the recess for receiving the closure element in a first direction, preferably equal to the release direction A, and the at least one fluid outlet extends in a second direction different from the first direction. The fact that the recess branches off from the distribution chamber, the sealing element is in the release position of the closure element de facto outside the distribution chamber in a "side arm" already due to the fact that the main flow takes place in the direction of the fluid outlets less flowed.

Preferably, the at least one fluid outlet is arranged radially outside and / or in the release direction A in front of the recess for receiving the closure element. In particular, by the "advancing" of the fluid outlets against the release direction, a dead space is formed below the fluid outlets during operation, in which flow moves primarily turbulent.

In a further preferred embodiment, the closure element has a circumferential groove in which the sealing element is seated. The circumferential groove provides a recess for receiving the sealing element, which receives this radially partially or completely into the closure element, whereby a further shielding of the sealing element is provided by the surrounding fluid flow.

The closure element preferably has, opposite to the release direction A adjacent to the circumferential groove receiving the sealing element, a projection for protecting the sealing element against the effects of flow in the release position. The projection forms the edge of the groove in the direction of the distribution chamber from the groove, in which the sealing element is seated. The provision of such a projection has the effect that the protection chamber formed between the recess for receiving the closure element and the closure element itself is at least partially closed on its side facing the release direction A, preferably the distribution chamber side facing. This will be a particularly strong

Partitioning of the sealing element created before prevailing in the distribution chamber flow conditions. This constructive solution lends itself to particularly high operating pressures, for example in the range above 100 bar.

In a further preferred embodiment, a flow deflector is formed on the projection. The flow diverter is preferably configured to serve as a baffle element for the extinguishing fluid entering the distribution chamber and to generate turbulence.

The flow deflector preferably extends counter to the release direction A into the distribution chamber. More preferably, the flow deflector is adapted to deflect into the distribution chamber inflowing extinguishing fluid from the first direction in which the recess is aligned.

More preferably, the flow diverter is configured to divert extinguishing fluid entering the distribution chamber to the second direction in which the fluid outlet (s) are aligned.

The projection preferably has a diameter of at least the sum of a basic diameter of the groove, which receives the sealing element, and half the material thickness in the radial direction of the sealing element. As a result, a good protection and at the same time a reliable seat of the sealing element is ensured in the groove.

The sprinkler housing is advantageously further developed in that the at least one fluid outlet is formed as a bore, or alternatively as a reversibly releasably coupled insert element, which has a swirl body in particularly preferred embodiments.

Due to the design as an insert element, a wide variety of fluid delivery patterns, for example spray cones, can be realized.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sprinkler housing according to the present invention, a cage which defines a cage space for receiving the closure element in the release position, and for receiving a thermally activated triggering element in the blocking position. In particular, this embodiment allows the use of the sprinkler housing as an open extinguishing nozzle when it is dispensed with the use of the thermally activated triggering element. In

In this case, the closure element in mounted mounting position of the sprinkler housing is permanently in the release position, which is not disadvantageous because the sealing element is arranged in the protective chamber.

Alternatively, this embodiment allows the use of the sprinkler housing together with a thermally activated triggering element inserted into the cage space in a sprinkler, in particular in a high-pressure sprinkler. Consequently, the invention solves its underlying object also in a sprinkler of the type described by a sprinkler housing is used on it, which is designed according to one of the preferred embodiments described above.

Furthermore, the invention solves the underlying task by the use of a sprinkler housing according to one of the preferred embodiments described above as extinguishing nozzle, in particular as an extinguishing nozzle for operating pressures in the range of above 16 bar.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached figures with reference to a preferred embodiment. Hereby show:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a sprinkler in a first

Operating condition

FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the sprinkler according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a further partial view of the sprinkler according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a further partial view of the sprinkler according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the sprinkler according to FIG. 1 in a second operating state,

6a, b is a partial view of the sprinkler according to the preceding figures in the first operating state and a third operating state, and

FIGS. 7a-f show various alternative designs of a part of the sprinkler according to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 shows a sprinkler 1 according to a preferred embodiment. The sprinkler 1 has a sprinkler housing 50. The sprinkler housing 50 comprises a main body 2, a passage unit 3, and a fluid channel 12, which extends from a fluid inlet 10 to a plurality of fluid outlets 8. A closure element 4 is arranged to be linearly movable inside the sprinkler housing 50. The closure element 4 is shown in FIG. 1 in a blocking position in which a sealing element 5 radially and axially compressed between the closure element 4 and the passage unit 3 closes the fluid channel 12 and thus prevents the fluid-conducting connection between the fluid inlet 10 and the fluid outlets 8.

In the passage unit 3, an aperture 1 1 is preferably designed to limit the flow rate.

The closure element 4 is held in the blocking position shown in FIG. 1 by a thermally activatable triggering element 25. The thermally activatable triggering element 25 is held in a cage 27, which is integrally formed on the sprinkler housing 50, in particular on the base body 2. For this purpose, the cage 27 has a first abutment 28 for the axial, and preferably radial, positioning of the thermally activated triggering element 25, while the closure element 4 at its end facing the thermal activatable trigger element 25 preferably a second abutment 29 for the axial and / or radial positioning of the thermally activatable trigger element 25 has. The thermally activatable triggering element 25 is seated in a cage space 31 defined by the cage 27, and is used and held there bolt-free. The necessary tension for holding the thermally activatable triggering element 25 is determined exclusively by the dimensioning of the closure element 4 and the pressure force acting in the release direction A (FIG. 5) of the extinguishing fluid above the sealing element 5 in the fluid channel 12 (reference numeral 33).

In the sprinkler housing 50, a receiving channel 16 for receiving a sieve unit 9 on the side of the fluid inlet 10, and a distribution chamber 15 are formed. From the distribution chamber 15 branch off the fluid outlets 8 and a recess 17 for receiving the closure element 4 from.

The sprinkler housing 50 has a connection unit 38 with a coupling mechanism 26, preferably an external thread, wherein the connection unit 38 serves to connect the sprinkler 1 to an extinguishing fluid-carrying piping system. To the

Sealing the connection unit 38, the sprinkler 1 has a sealing element 6. The passage unit 3 is further sealed by means of a sealing element 7 against the base body 2.

The base body 2 has a nozzle head 39 adjacent to the portion of the connection unit 38. In the section of the nozzle head 39, the distribution chamber 15 is formed with the fluid outlets 8. Axially adjacent to the portion of the nozzle head 39 of the cage 27 is integrally formed on the base body 2, so that the base body 2 together with distribution chamber 15 and cage 27 is integrally formed.

As can further be seen from FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 4, the fluid outlets 8 extend in one or more second direction (s) B, B 'deviating from the release direction A, while the recess 17 extends in the release direction A. The extinguishing fluid flowing into the distribution chamber 15 in the release direction A, indicated by reference numeral 33, initially flows in the direction of the recess 17, and must be deflected from this direction for exiting the fluid outlets. This will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIG.

At the bottom of the recess 17 in Figure 2, a tapered in the release direction A sealing surface 19 is formed. In the above embodiment, the tapered sealing surface 19 is conically shaped with a cone angle a 2 . The closure element 4 shown in more detail in Figure 4 has a in the assembled state in the release direction A also tapered sealing surface 32 which is conical in the above embodiment and has a cone angle a 3 . Preferably, the cone angle a 2 and a 3not or only slightly, in particular in a range of <5 °, from. The preferably correspondingly formed tapered sealing surfaces 19, 32 serve as a stop for the closure element in the release position according to FIG. 5. Preferably, they form an elastomerless seal 35.

With reference in particular to Figures 3, 4 and 6a, b, the sealing function of the sealing element 5 will now be explained in more detail. At the passage unit 3, a widening in the release direction A sealing surface 18 is formed. In the present embodiment, the widening sealing surface 18 is conically shaped with a cone angle α ·· , The diameter of the fluid channel 12 thus becomes continuously larger in the release direction A in the course of the widening sealing surface 18. In the blocking position according to FIG. 1, the sealing element 5 bears against the widening sealing surface 18 and is compressed both radially and axially relative to the release direction A due to the non-parallel course of the widening sealing surface 18. This compression behavior is supported by that the sealing element 5 is pressed in the locking position (Figure 1) against a radially extending sealing surface 30 and an axially extending sealing surface 36. The contact surfaces between the sealing element 5, the passage unit 3 and the closure element 4 thus form partial sealing surfaces, which are each smaller than would be a single sealing surface in a known from the prior art sprinkler with sealing element.

With reference in particular to Figures 6a, b, the compression behavior of the sealing element 5 will now be explained in more detail. In FIG. 6a, a first pressure P-1 is applied to the sprinkler 1 on the inlet side. This pressure is also referred to as stand-by pressure, and may for example be in a range of 10-13 bar, preferably <12.5 bar. In this installation situation, the sealing element 5 assumes a material thickness S. If the pressure rises to a value P 2On, shown in Figure 6b, the sealing element 5 is first further compressed and pressed more towards the expanding sealing surface 18 and the radially extending sealing surface 30. The effective area of ​​the operating pressure on the closure element is increased in this way. This shows in particular the advantageous embodiment of the sealing arrangement in the stand-by mode according to FIG. 6a. When the triggering pressure exceeds or is equal to the value P 2is, for example in the range of 40 bar or more, the closure element 4 is moved after escape of the thermally activated trigger element 25 from the blocking position shown in FIG. The sealing element 5 loses immediately, after only a few millimeter fractions, the contact with the widening sealing surface 18 and releases the fluid flow.

The passage unit 3, which receives the expanding in the release direction A sealing surface 18 is preferably made as a machined workpiece and has on its outer peripheral surface a groove 13 for receiving the sealing element 7 (Figure 3).

In the following, in particular, a design protecting the sealing element 5 in the release position according to FIG. 5 against wear and destruction will be explained. Reference is made in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the release position of the sprinkler 1 shown in FIG. 5, extinguishing fluid 33 presses in the release direction A into the distribution chamber 15. The closure element 4 is located in the release position shown in Figure 5 below. At the distribution chamber 15, a protective chamber is formed between the closure element 4 and the branching recess 17, in which the sealing element 5 is received. The protection chamber 17 is located away from the main flow direction from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlets 8 because they extend in the direction B, B 'deviating from the release direction A (see Figure 2). As a result of this disposition of the sealing element 5, the sealing element 5 is in the release position of the closure element 4 in a flow-calmed area and is less exposed to wear due to the rapidly flowing flow of the extinguishing fluid. This significantly reduces the damage susceptibility of the sealing element 5 and reliably prevents blocking of the fluid outlets 8 with the material of the sealing element 5 being sheared or torn off.

The fluid outlets 8 are located radially outside the recesses 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure element 4 has a circumferential groove, characterized by the axially extending sealing surface 36 as a groove bottom. In this groove, the sealing element 5 is added. As a result of the at least partially recessed arrangement of the sealing element 5 on the closure element 4, exposure to the flow of the extinguishing fluid forced in the direction of the fluid outlets 8 is further reduced. Contrary to the release direction A adjacent to the groove 36, a projection 21 is formed on the closure element, which protects the sealing element 5 against flow influences in the release position. On the projection 21, a flow deflector 37 is particularly preferably formed, which extends counter to the release direction A. In the blocking position shown in Figure 1, the flow deflector 37 preferably extends through the aperture far into the fluid channel 12 in the direction of the fluid inlet 10. In the release position shown in Figure 5, the flow deflector 37 still extends at least largely through the distribution chamber 15 in Direction of the fluid inlet 10. In the distribution chamber 15 inflowing extinguishing fluid is at least slowed down by the flow deflector 37, whereby the dynamic pressure component of the extinguishing fluid decreases and the load of the sealing element 5 even further decreases or the sealing element 5 is even more shielded. The protected arrangement of the sealing element 5 shown here in the protective chamber between the recess 17 and the closure element 4 makes it possible to

As a result, a significant synergy is generated in terms of manufacturing technology, because one and the same component, namely the sprinkler housing 50 together with the closure element 4 and the sealing element 5, can be used for a plurality of purposes without it having to be retrofitted. The sealing element 5 will be much less likely to damage or be destroyed on its protected arrangement, whereby an unwanted clogging of the fluid outlets 8 is prevented even more reliable.

The structure of the closure element will now be described in more detail, with reference initially to FIG. 4.

The closure element 4 is preferably designed as a rotationally symmetrical body having a plurality of sections, in the present example four sections. A first portion is the projection 21 having a diameter d1. A second section 22 is present with a diameter d2 and is adapted to receive the sealing element 5. In this section, the axial sealing surface 36 and the radial sealing surface 30 are formed. The radial sealing surface 30 is at the same time the transition to a third section 23 with an outer diameter d3 and in the release direction A tapered portion with the sealing surface 32. There is a continuous decrease in diameter in the release direction A to the diameter d4, wherein a conical shape with the Cone angle a3 is formed. From there on, a further section extends with a cylindrical course in the form of a receiving cylinder 24. The receiving cylinder 24 is adapted to move into the cage space 31 of the cage 27 when moving the closure element from the blocking position (FIG. 1) to the release position (FIG. 5) penetrate.

The second abutment 29 is preferably formed in this receiving cylinder 24. Preferably, the diameters d1, d2, d3 and d4 are in the following size relationship:

D1 is greater than d2, d2 is less than d3, and d3 is greater than d4. Preferably, the second region 22 with the diameter d2 is adapted in its length to the material thickness of the sealing element 5. Preferably, the difference d3 - d2 is greater than the material thickness of the sealing element 5 in the unloaded state. Preferably, the diameter d3 is greater than the outer diameter of the sealing element 5 in the unloaded state. The diameter d3 dimensioned radially extending sealing surface 30 thus serves as a stop surface for the closure element and also serves when pressing the first sealing member 5 to the widening sealing surface 18, too much deformation and shearing of the sealing element 5, or slipping of the sealing element. 5 to prevent it from sticking out during assembly.

Due to a diameter difference between d2 and d3, the groove characterized by the axially extending sealing surface 36 in the second region 22 is to be understood as an asymmetrical groove.

Preferably, the diameter d2 is in a range of 1, 5 to 50 mm, more preferably in a range of 2 to 12 mm, more preferably in the range of 12 mm to 30 mm.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7a to 7f, a position is taken in addition to the structure of the closure element 4.

The different variants of the closure element 4 are shown in FIGS. 7a to 7f. The basic structure of the closure element 4 is similar in all these variants. The essential exception is the expression of the projection 21 and the flow deflector 37 thereto. While the Ausführungsbespiel according to the figures 7a, b has no flow deflector 37, but substantially with respect to the design of the receiving cylinder 24 and the axial extent of the area between the sealing portion 22 and the receiving cylinder 24 differs, in the according to Figure 7a still a cylindrical intermediate portion 23b and a slightly conical counterpart section 23a are formed, the closing element 4 according to FIG. 7c has on its projection 21 a flow deflector 37 in the form of a circumferential annular projection 37a on the end face 40. Conversely, the projection 37a can also be defined as a concave recess 41 in the end face 40.

In the case of the closure element 4 according to FIG. 7d, a conical tip 37b is formed on the projection 21, which advantageously supports the deflection of the extinguishing fluid entering the distribution chamber 15 radially outwards towards the fluid outlets 8.

According to FIG. 7e, a tip 37c with a concavely curved lateral surface 42 is formed on the projection 21 of the closure element 4. The concave curvature supports the deflection of the fluid in the direction of the fluid outlets 8 and reduces the impact of the impinging fluid on the projection 21. In Figure 7f, a variant of the closure member 4 is shown in which at the projection 21 also has a tip 37d with a concave curved surface 43 is formed, wherein the concavely curved lateral surface opens into a concave recess 44 on the end face 40, which supports a deflection of the incident on the projection 21 fluid against the release direction A.

The following will discuss the advantages of the one-piece design of the main body 2 together with the cage 27 and the advantageous effects of preferred material combinations.

Characterized in that the sprinkler housing 50 has a base body 2, in which both the distribution chamber 15 with the fluid outlets 8 and the cage 27 are formed integrally with the cage space 31, a thermally activatable release means 25 can be used and then only by mounting the closure element, preferably in the abutments 28,29, be kept safe. Insertion and clamping of the thermally activatable triggering element by means of union nuts and similar means, as known from the prior art, can be omitted here. During assembly work steps are saved, and the risk of premature damage to the thermally activated trigger element by excessive clamping force is prevented.

The integral body 2 is preferably formed of a seawater resistant copper alloy such as seawater resistant brass or any of the other materials mentioned above. However, particularly preferred is the seawater resistant copper alloy. Further preferably, the base body is at least in the region of the fluid outlets, but preferably completely, chemically nickel-plated. In chemical nickel plating, a nickel-phosphor coating is applied to the base material in an autocatalytic deposition. Preferably, this coating is then cured by means of a heat treatment. The residence time and temperature of the heat treatment is in this case preferably adapted to the melting point of the base material. If polymers are used as the base material, Thus, the temperature of the heat treatment is naturally lower than for metals such as a brass material. The coating created by means of chemical nickel plating has the special advantage that with its help the abrasion resistance of non-hardenable materials such as brass can be significantly increased. As a result, the advantages of different materials by sprinkler systems are linked together favorably.

The combination of integrality with the aforementioned material selection and heat treatment has the particular advantage that the sprinkler housing 50 as a whole is significantly less susceptible to clogging. As part of the approval test of sprinklers and extinguishing nozzles, it must be ensured that the fluid outlets do not change, or only slightly, with respect to their flow rates during operation. This applies on the one hand to reducing the outlet cross-section through blockages (hence clogging) but on the other hand also to increasing the outlet cross-section by abrasion. In particular, when technical water, or seawater is used as extinguishing fluid, so in simplified terms, water with particle loading or other impurities, the risk of enlarging the outlet cross-sections is usually greater than a blockage. Due to the increased hardness in conjunction with the corrosion resistance of the base material and the coating, the invention provides in a one-piece body in this respect surprisingly good properties.

claims

1. Sprinklergehäuse (50) for a sprinkler (1), in particular for operating pressures above 16 bar, with

a fluid channel (12) provided in the sprinkler housing (50) with a fluid inlet (10) and at least one fluid outlet (8),

- A closure element (4), which in a release direction (A) from a blocking position into a release position is movable, wherein the closure element (4) closes the fluid channel (12) in the blocking position and releases in the release position, - a sealing element (5) , which is attached to the closure element (4) and adapted to fluid-tightly close the fluid channel (12) in the blocking position, characterized in that the sprinkler housing (50) has a recess (17) through which the closure element (4) extends at least in the release position, wherein in the release position between the closure element (4) and the recess (17) is defined a protective chamber, in which the sealing element (5) is arranged.

2. sprinkler housing (50) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the sprinkler housing (50) has a distribution chamber (15) from which both the recess (17) for receiving the closure element (4) and the at least one fluid outlet (8) branch off, wherein the recess (17) for receiving the closure element (4) extends in a first direction, preferably equal to the release direction (A), and the at least one fluid outlet (8) extends in a second direction (B, B ') different from the first direction.

3. sprinkler housing (50) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the at least one fluid outlet (8) is arranged radially outside and / or in the release direction (A) in front of the recess (17) for receiving the closure element (4).

4. sprinkler housing (50) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the closure element (4) has a circumferential groove (36) in which the sealing element (5) sits.

5. sprinkler housing (50) according to claim 4,

characterized in that the closure element (4) against the release direction (A) adjacent to the groove (36) has a projection (21) for protecting the sealing element (5) against the influence of flow in the release position.

6. sprinkler housing (50) according to claim 5, characterized in that on the projection (21) a flow deflector (37) is formed.

7. sprinkler housing (50) according to claim 6,

characterized in that the flow deflector (37) extends counter to the release direction (A) in the distribution chamber (15) into it.

8. sprinkler housing (50) according to claim 6 or 7,

characterized in that the flow deflector (37) is adapted to deflect into the distribution chamber (15) inflowing extinguishing fluid from the first direction in which the recess (17) for receiving the closure element (4) is aligned.

9. sprinkler housing (50) according to any one of claims 6 to 8,

characterized in that the flow diverter (37) is adapted to divert extinguishing fluid entering the distribution chamber (15) toward the second direction (B, B ') of the at least one fluid outlet (8).

10. sprinkler housing (50) according to any one of claims 4 to 9,

characterized in that the projection (21) has a diameter of at least the sum of a basic diameter (d2) of the groove (36) and half the material thickness in the radial direction of the sealing element (5).

1 1. Sprinklergehäuse (50) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the at least one fluid outlet (8) is designed as a bore or as a preferably reversibly releasably coupled insert element, which particularly preferably has a swirl body.

12. sprinkler housing (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, with

a cage (27) which defines a cage space (31) for receiving the closure element (4) in the release position and a thermally activatable trigger element (25) in the blocking position.

13. Sprinklers, especially high pressure sprinklers, with

a sprinkler housing (50) according to claim 12, and a thermally activated trigger element (25) received in the cage (27), which keeps the closure element (4) in the blocking position until it is activated.

14. Use of a sprinkler housing (50) as extinguishing nozzle, in particular for operating pressures in the range of above 16 bar, wherein the sprinkler housing (50) is designed in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12.