Crack detection function for a fire sprinkler with frangible bulb
Provided are embodiments including a sprinkler, a method for operating a sprinkler, and a sprinkler system. Embodiments include receiving a signal and triggering a test of a bulb responsive to the signal. Embodiments include heating fluid in the bulb responsive to the triggering the test. Embodiments also include detecting a condition of the bulb, wherein the one or more sensing elements are in contact with the fluid in the bulb, and transmitting a notification to a device indicating the condition of the bulb.
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 break 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 test mode signal;
an energy storing unit configured to store energy for a heating element, wherein the energy is received from the wireless power and communication unit;
a control unit operably coupled to the wireless power and communication unit and the energy storing unit, wherein the control unit is configured to trigger a test of the sprinkler bulb;
the heating element configured to supply the energy to a fluid in the bulb responsive to the trigger;
one or more sensing elements configured to detect a condition of the bulb and the one or more sensing elements are in contact with the fluid in the bulb; and
wherein the wireless power and communication unit is configured to transmit a notification indicating a detected condition of the bulb.
2. The sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein the condition of the bulb indicates at least one of an intact bulb or a crack in the bulb.
3. The sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a memory configured to store a device identifier.
4. The sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensing elements comprise at least one of a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor.
5. The sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein operation of the bulb switches from a normal mode to a test mode responsive to receiving the test mode signal.
6. The sprinkler of claim 5 , when operating in the normal mode, the bulb is a thermally responsive frangible bulb configured to break at a threshold temperature allowing the seal to move to the second position.
7. The sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein the wireless power and communication unit comprises an RFID device configured to receive a wireless signal.
8. A method for operating the sprinkler of claim 1 , the method comprising:
receiving, by the control unit, a signal;
triggering the test of the bulb responsive to the signal;
heating, by the heating element, fluid in the bulb responsive to the triggering the test;
detecting, by the one or more sensing elements, a condition of the bulb, wherein the one or more sensing elements are in contact with the fluid in the bulb; and
transmitting a notification to a device indicating the condition of the bulb.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the condition of the bulb indicates at least one of an intact bulb or a crack in the bulb.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising storing a device identifier of the bulb in a memory.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more sensing elements comprise at least one of a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising switching operation of the bulb from a normal mode to a test mode responsive to receiving the signal.
13. The method of claim 12 , when operating in the normal mode, the bulb is a thermally responsive frangible bulb configured to break at a threshold temperature allowing the seal to move to the second position.
14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising communicating a notification indicating a detected condition of the bulb using an RFID device associated with the bulb.
15. The method of claim 8 , wherein transmitting the notification comprises transmitting a sprinkler identifier, temperature measurements and pressure measurements of the environment within the bulb.
16. The method of claim 8 , further comprising controlling the heating element responsive to detecting a threshold temperature value by one or more sensing elements.
17. A sprinkler system comprising:
a fluid source;
a pipe coupled to the fluid source;
a sprinkler coupled to the pipe, the sprinkler including a bulb housing a circuit configured to perform a test, the circuit comprises:
a wireless power and communication unit configured to receive a test mode signal;
an energy storing unit configured to store energy for a heating element, wherein the energy is received from the wireless power and communication unit;
a control unit operably coupled to the wireless power and communication unit and the energy storing unit, wherein the control unit is configured to trigger a test of the sprinkler bulb;
the heating element configured to supply the energy to a fluid in the bulb responsive to the trigger;
one or more sensing elements configured to detect a condition of the bulb and the one or more sensing elements are in contact with the fluid in the bulb; and
wherein the wireless power and communication unit is configured to transmit a notification indicating a detected condition of the bulb.
18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising a memory to store a history of temperature measurements and pressure measurements that can indicate a normal condition or abnormal condition of the bulb.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the control unit switches operation of the bulb from a normal mode to a test mode responsive to receiving the test mode signal.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the wireless power and communication unit transmits the notification, wherein the notification comprises transmitting a sprinkler identifier, temperature measurements and pressure measurements of the environment within the bulb.