On-off control for sprinklers and the like employing a sealing membrane
US6068205A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA62C31/02
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In an automatic on-off sprinkler, water enters an inlet and passes through a hollow interior region to the outlet. A reciprocating member in the hollow region normally blocks the outlet when water entering a narrow passageway fills a central chamber above the reciprocating member. A large gap between the hollow region ID and the reciprocating member OD permits friction-free movement of the reciprocating member. A flexible, water-tight diaphragm seals the central region, preventing liquid entering the narrow passageway from communicating with a lower region from passing to the outlet. A sensor detects an emergency condition, unsealing a control opening larger than the narrow passageway, allowing liquid to rapidly escape through the unsealed control, dropping the pressure in the central region, whereby a pressure imbalance lifts the reciprocating member closing the outlet. When the control opening is resealed, liquid pressure in the central region sealed by the water-tight membrane increases. The internal pressure urges the reciprocating member to the closed position when the central region is filled, which condition is maintained during normal temperature conditions. The flexible wa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.