Dry pipe/deluge valve for automatic sprinkler systems
View Patent ↗A dry/deluge valve for an automatic sprinkler system. The valve includes a main chamber having an input port for receiving fluid from a supply line and an output port. A clapper assembly is installed in the main chamber for sealing the input port. The clapper assembly includes a threaded valve seat configured to be screwed into a wall of the main chamber, so as to be in communication with the input port. The assembly further includes a collar configured to receive the valve seat, wherein the collar is held in position by the valve seat. A clapper configured to seal the input port, in cooperation with the valve seat, is hinged to the collar, and a lever also is hinged to the collar and is movable between a first position in which the clapper is held closed by the lever and a second position in which the clapper is allowed to open. The dry pipe/deluge valve further includes a sensing chamber having components responsive to a control pressure of the sensing chamber, the components being in communication with the lever to move the lever between the first position and the second position.
1. A valve for an automatic sprinkler system, the valve comprising:
a main chamber having an input port for receiving fluid from a supply line and further having an output port;
a clapper assembly installed in the main chamber for sealing the input port, the clapper assembly comprising:
a threaded valve seat configured to be screwed into a wall of the main chamber, so as to be in communication with the input port;
a collar configured to receive the valve seat therethrough, wherein the collar is separately positionable with respect to the valve seat and is held in position by the valve seat;
a clapper configured to seal the input port, in cooperation with the valve seat, the clapper being hinged to the collar; and
a lever hinged to the collar and movable between a first position in which the clapper is held closed by the lever and a second position in which the clapper is allowed to open; and
a sensing chamber comprising components responsive to a control pressure of the sensing chamber, the components being in communication with the lever to move the lever between the first position and the second position.
2. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the input port is sized to have a thicker portion at an end thereof to allow the valve to be machined to any pipe size selected from the group consisting of: 2 inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches, and 76 mm.
3. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the output port is sized to have a thicker portion at an end thereof to allow the valve to be machined to any pipe size selected from the group consisting of: 2 inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches, and 76 mm.
4. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the input port and the output port have a nominal size of 8 inches.
5. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the sensing chamber comprises:
a control input port for receiving fluid from a control supply;
a control output port;
a piston responsive to a fluid pressure in the sensing chamber; and
a push-rod in communication with the piston, the push-rod extending into the main chamber and abutting the lever to hold the lever in the first position.
6. The valve of claim 5 , wherein the sensing chamber further comprises a diaphragm positioned between the fluid in the sensing chamber and the piston.
7. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the lever has an extended portion that tends to rotate the lever toward the clapper.
8. The valve of claim 7 , wherein the extended portion of the lever, in the first position, contacts an upper edge of the clapper to prevent the clapper from opening.
9. The valve of claim 7 , wherein the extended portion of the lever, in the first position, contacts a lower edge of the clapper to prevent the clapper from re-seating.
10. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the clapper is hinged to the collar using a rod that extends through an edge of the clapper and through support portions that extend from the collar.
11. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the collar forms a slip fit with the valve seat, such that an upper lip of the valve seat rests on a surface of the collar.
12. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the valve seat comprises an upper rim having a circumferential canal.
13. The valve of claim 12 , wherein the upper rim comprises a plurality of holes that lead through an interior of the valve seat to corresponding alarm output ports on an outer surface of the valve seat.
14. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the clapper assembly further comprises a sealing disk removably attached to an underside of the clapper, so as to engage with the valve seat when the clapper is closed.
15. The valve of claim 14 , wherein the sealing disk comprises a metal disk having a seal formed on a surface thereof and at least one threaded post extending from a central portion of an opposite surface.
16. The valve of claim 15 , wherein the sealing disk comprises three threaded posts extending from the central portion of the surface opposite the seal surface.
17. The valve of claim 15 , wherein the seal comprises a layer of rubber that is vulcanized to the metal disk.
18. The valve of claim 17 , wherein the seal comprises a circumferential portion with edges that form a concave rim around the disk.