Component for a Fire Protection System, Method for Producing the Same and Fire Protection System Comprising the Same

Abstract

The invention relates to a component (1, 1, 1, 1, 2) for a fire protection system, in particular a fire extinguishing system having a housing (11, 21). In accordance with the invention, at least one nozzle (10, 20, 3, 3) for dispensing extinguishing fluid onto the component (1, 1, 1, 1, 2) is arranged on the housing (11, 21) or in the vicinity of the housing (11, 21), the nozzle (10, 20, 3, 3) being connectable to a supply of extinguishing fluid.

Claims

1. A component for a fire protection system having a housing, wherein at least one nozzle for dispensing extinguishing fluid onto the component is arranged on the housing or in the vicinity of the housing, wherein the at least one nozzle is connectable to an extinguishing fluid supply.

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed wholly or partly from a material having a melting temperature of less than 800 C.

3. The component according to claim 2, wherein the housing is wholly or partly formed from a plastic and/or a light metal.

4. The component according to claim 1, wherein the component comprises an extinguishing fluid inlet which is connected to the at least one nozzle in a fluid-conducting manner.

5. The component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle comprises a plurality of nozzle outlet openings, at least one triggering device and an alignment element, wherein the plurality of nozzle outlet openings is arranged in a geometrically predetermined arrangement on the alignment element.

6. The component according to claim 5, wherein the alignment element is implemented as an extinguishing fluid-conducting nozzle duct, which is configured to conduct the extinguishing fluid to the plurality of nozzle outlet openings.

7. The component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is arranged on or in the vicinity of a bottom side of the housing.

8. The component according to claim 1, wherein the fire protection system comprises a sprinkler system; and wherein the nozzle is connectable to the extinguishing fluid supply of the sprinkler system.

9. The component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is connected to a switching element which is configured to close when a predetermined pressure threshold value is exceeded, wherein the component is connected to an alarm element which is configured to output an alarm in response to the closing of the switching element.

10. The component according to claim 1, wherein the component is implemented as an extinguishing fluid-conducting component for a fire extinguishing system, wherein the component comprises an extinguishing fluid inlet and further comprises an extinguishing fluid outlet which is connected to the extinguishing fluid inlet in a fluid-conducting manner.

11. The component according to claim 10, wherein the extinguishing fluid inlet is connected to the at least one nozzle by a fluid duct running within the component.

12. The component according to claim 11, wherein the fluid duct comprises at least one valve element.

13. The component according to claim 1, wherein the component is implemented as a not-extinguishing fluid-conducting component, wherein an extinguishing fluid inlet, which is connected to the at least one nozzle in a fluid-conducting manner, is connectable to the extinguishing fluid supply via an external connecting element.

14. The component according to claim 13, wherein the extinguishing fluid inlet has a connection element, the connection element being connectable to the external connection element.

15. A nozzle for a component according to claim 14, comprising: a plurality of nozzle outlet openings, at least one triggering device, and an alignment element, wherein the plurality of nozzle outlet openings is arranged in a geometrically predetermined arrangement on the alignment element.

16. The nozzle according to claim 15, wherein the alignment element is designed as an extinguishing fluid-conducting nozzle duct which is configured to conduct the extinguishing fluid to the plurality of nozzle outlet openings.

17. A fire protection system, comprising at least one component according to claim 1.

18. A method for manufacturing a component for a fire protection system, comprising: arranging on a housing or in the vicinity of a housing at least one nozzle for dispensing extinguishing fluid onto the component; and connecting the at least one nozzle to an extinguishing fluid supply.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: forming the housing wholly or partly from a material having a melting temperature of less than 800 C.

20. The method according to claim 18, comprising: providing, within the component, an extinguishing fluid inlet and an extinguishing fluid outlet which is connected to the extinguishing fluid inlet in a fluid-conducting manner, and connecting the extinguishing fluid inlet to the at least one nozzle by a fluid duct running inside the component.

21. A method for protecting a component for a fire protection system, wherein a housing of the component is at least partially formed from a material having a melting temperature of less than 800 C., the method comprising: connecting a nozzle to an extinguishing fluid supply, providing, via the extinguishing fluid supply, an extinguishing fluid for application onto the housing, and cooling, by means of the extinguishing fluid, the housing and/or the component at a temperature below the melting temperature.

22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0102] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached figures and using preferred embodiment examples. The figures show:

[0103] FIG. 1 a component for a fire protection system according to a preferred embodiment in a schematic spatial view,

[0104] FIG. 2 the component according to FIG. 1 in a schematic spatial cross-sectional view,

[0105] FIG. 3 a component for a fire protection system according to another preferred embodiment in a schematic spatial view,

[0106] FIG. 4 a component according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a further preferred embodiment,

[0107] FIG. 5 a component according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 in a further preferred embodiment,

[0108] FIG. 6 a nozzle according to a first preferred embodiment,

[0109] FIG. 7 the nozzle according to FIG. 6 in a schematic spatial cross-sectional view,

[0110] FIG. 8 a nozzle according to a second preferred embodiment,

[0111] FIG. 9 the nozzle according to FIG. 8 in a schematic spatial cross-sectional view, and

[0112] FIG. 10 a component according to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 in a further preferred embodiment.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0113] FIG. 1 shows a component 1 for a fire protection system 100 according to a first, preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0114] In this embodiment, the component 1 is implemented as an extinguishing fluid-conducting component in the form of a wet alarm valve. The component 1 comprises a nozzle 10, a housing 11, an inlet-side connecting socket 113 with the extinguishing fluid inlet 111 and an outlet-side connecting socket 114 with the extinguishing fluid outlet 112. The housing 11 and/or the inlet-side connecting socket 113 and/or the outlet-side connecting socket 114 are preferably at least partially made of a light metal or a plastic.

[0115] The nozzle 10 is implemented as an upright sprinkler arranged on the housing 11 and is supplied with extinguishing fluid through a fluid duct (not shown in FIG. 1) running inside the component 1. The arranging of the nozzle 10 on the housing 11 ensures that the extinguishing fluid emerging from the nozzle 10 in the event of fire can directly get onto the housing 11 and protect it accordingly.

[0116] The extinguishing fluid-conducting component 1 is connected to an extinguishing fluid supply of the fire protection system, in particular of a fire extinguishing system, by the inlet-side connecting socket 113. The inlet-side connecting socket 113 comprises an extinguishing fluid inlet 111 through which the extinguishing fluid enters the interior of the component 1.

[0117] Furthermore, the extinguishing fluid-conducting component 1 is connected to the extinguishing fluid supply of the fire protection system by an outlet-side connecting socket 114 and thus forms an element within the extinguishing fluid supply. The outlet-side connecting socket 114 comprises an extinguishing fluid outlet 112, through which the extinguishing fluid can exit the interior of the component 1 again in order to get to other components of the fire protection system, such as the sprinkler heads or extinguishing nozzles.

[0118] In the event of fire, the temperature in the vicinity of the nozzle 10 heats up. In this embodiment, in which the nozzle 10 is implemented as an upright sprinkler, this heating destroys the temperature-sensitive element and the nozzle 10 is triggered and applies extinguishing fluid onto the component 1 to protect it.

[0119] FIG. 2 shows the extinguishing fluid-conducting component 1 from FIG. 1 in a schematic spatial cross-sectional view.

[0120] The extinguishing fluid passes through the extinguishing fluid inlet 111 in the inlet-side connecting socket 113 from the extinguishing fluid supply of the fire protection system into the interior of the extinguishing fluid-conducting component 1. In order to create a fluid-tight connection between the inlet-side connecting socket and the extinguishing fluid supply of the fire protection system, the inlet-side connecting socket 113 comprises a connecting and sealing element 115, which connects a supply line of the extinguishing fluid supply with the inlet-side connecting socket 113.

[0121] Inside the component runs a main chamber 12, which is divided by the locking element 116 into a fluid inlet chamber 121 and a fluid outlet chamber 122. A fluid duct 117 runs from the fluid inlet chamber 121 of the main chamber 12 towards the nozzle 10 and thus connects the nozzle 10 with the extinguishing fluid supply of the fire protection system.

[0122] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the fluid duct 117 comprises a supply line to the nozzle and further a discharge line towards the fluid outlet chamber 122, on which a valve element 118 is arranged. In the fluid inlet chamber 121, and thus also in the fluid duct 117 and at the nozzle 10, there is permanent water pressure (1 to 21 bar).

[0123] The fluid duct 117 acts as a bypass line, which is able to compensate for small pressure differences of about 15 l/min. As soon as the flow rate through the fluid duct 117 exceeds a flow rate of about 15 l/min, i.e. if the flow volume is higher than 15 l/min, the locking element opens and the alarm is triggered. The valve element 118 is designed as a non-return valve, which prevents the flowing back of possibly contaminated water, dead and stagnant water, from the sprinkler piping network and at the same time keeps the water available under pressure within the sprinkler piping network.

[0124] If the locking element 116 moves into the unlocking position, the extinguishing fluid can flow through the main chamber 12 from the extinguishing fluid inlet 111 towards the extinguishing fluid outlet 112 and then further through the fire protection system. For this purpose, the component 1 is integrated into the extinguishing fluid supply by the outlet-side connecting socket 114. The outlet-side connecting socket 114 also preferably has a sealing element such as a sealing ring to create a fluid-tight connection with the extinguishing fluid supply.

[0125] FIG. 3 shows a component 2 for a fire protection system according to another preferred embodiment.

[0126] The component 2 in FIG. 3 is a non-flammable component in the form of a switch cabinet for electronics. The not-extinguishing fluid-conducting component 2 comprises a nozzle 20 designed as an upright sprinkler for the self-protection of the component 2 and a housing 21.

[0127] The housing 21 comprises a nozzle connection area 222 for arranging the nozzle on the housing. The nozzle connection area 222 comprises an extinguishing fluid inlet 221 through which extinguishing fluid enters a fluid inlet chamber (not shown in FIG. 3) within the nozzle connection area 222, from where it is conducted to the nozzle 20. The nozzle connection area 222 is connected in a fluid-tight manner to an external connection element 225 via a connection element 223, which is preferably designed as a seal. The housing 21 and the nozzle connection area 222 are preferably made of a light metal or a plastic. The housing 21 should also be made splash-proof.

[0128] The external connecting element 225 is preferably implemented as a pipe or hose and is used to supply extinguishing fluid from an extinguishing fluid supply. This extinguishing fluid supply can either be a dedicated extinguishing fluid supply or an extinguishing fluid supply of a fire protection system.

[0129] In the event of fire, the area around the nozzle 20 heats up and triggers the nozzle 20. In this case, extinguishing fluid emerges from the nozzle 20 and is applied onto the component 20 to protect it during the fire.

[0130] FIG. 4 shows an extinguishing fluid-conducting component 1 according to a further preferred embodiment. The component 1 as shown in FIG. 4 corresponds in large parts to the component 1 of FIG. 1, i.e. the component 1 is also implemented in the form of a wet alarm valve. As already described in connection with FIG. 1, the component 1 comprises a nozzle 10, a housing 11, an inlet-side connecting socket 113 with the extinguishing fluid inlet 111 and an outlet-side connecting socket 114 with the extinguishing fluid outlet 112, where the housing 11 and/or the inlet-side connecting socket 113 and/or the outlet-side connecting socket 114 are preferably at least partially made of a light metal or a plastic.

[0131] In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the nozzle 10 in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 is not implemented as an upright sprinkler arranged on the top side of the housing 11, but is arranged on the bottom side of the housing 11. Here, analogous to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the nozzle 10 is supplied with extinguishing fluid by a fluid duct running inside the component 1.

[0132] The advantage of this embodiment, in which the nozzle 10 is arranged on the bottom side of the housing 11, is thatunlike in some embodiments in which the nozzle 10 is arranged on the top side of the housing 11in the present case, the housing 11 cannot create on its bottom side a fluid shadow for the extinguishing fluid, which could cause the extinguishing fluid not to be distributed everywhere along the housing 11 and could lead to an increase in the temperature of the housing 11 (and the other parts of the component 1) in the places where the extinguishing fluid does not reach. This increase in temperature can thus be limited by arranging the nozzle on the bottom side.

[0133] In another preferred embodiment, the component 1 may also be modified to have at least one nozzle 10 on the top side and at least one nozzle 10 on the bottom side. This enables even better cooling, as the nozzle 10, which is arranged on the top side, cools the component 1 from above and the nozzle 10, which is arranged on the bottom side, cools the component 1 from below.

[0134] FIG. 5 shows a modification of the embodiment according to FIG. 4. In order to avoid repetition, we will not go into the individual details of the component 1 below, which correspond to those of the component 1 and 1 according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, but will rather point out the differences to the previous figures.

[0135] In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the at least one nozzle 10 is not arranged on the housing 11 itself, but in the vicinity of the housing 11. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 5, the nozzle 10 is arranged in the vicinity of the bottom side of the housing 11. In other embodiments, however, the nozzle 10 can also be positioned in the vicinity of the top side of the housing 11 and/orstarting from the top and bottom sidein the vicinity of the middle of the housing 11 or at other positions. Other ways of arranging are conceivable. It is also possible to arrange several nozzles 10 in the vicinity of the housing 11 in this way.

[0136] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the nozzle 10 is connected to a nozzle extinguishing fluid supply 119, which is used to supply the nozzle 10 with extinguishing fluid. The nozzle extinguishing fluid supply 119 can preferably be implemented as part of the extinguishing fluid supply of the fire protection system. This means that the nozzle 10 is supplied with extinguishing fluid via the nozzle extinguishing fluid supply 119, the extinguishing fluid being conducted directly from the extinguishing fluid supply of the fire protection system. In this way it can be ensured that there is always enough extinguishing fluid available. In other embodiments, the nozzle extinguishing fluid supply 119 may also be designed as an additional nozzle extinguishing fluid supply which is independent of the extinguishing fluid supply of the fire protection system.

[0137] Providing a nozzle 10 in the vicinity of the housing 11 allows in particular for a better distribution of the extinguishing fluid for cooling the component 1. In some embodiments, the nozzle 10 in the vicinity of the housing 11 can also be combined with one or more nozzles 10 arranged on the housing 11.

[0138] FIG. 6 shows a schematic exploded view of a nozzle 3 according to one aspect of the present invention. The nozzle 3 comprises a plurality of nozzle outlet openings 301, an alignment element 302 and two triggering devices 30. The nozzle 3 is arranged on an extinguishing fluid supply line 4 of a component. For this purpose, the extinguishing fluid supply line 4 of the component comprises at least one nozzle connection opening 41, the principle of which is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 7.

[0139] In the specific embodiment of FIG. 6, the alignment element 302 is composed of two individual elements 302a and 302b, which are connected in a fluid-tight manner by means of the connecting elements 302c, which are designed as screws in FIG. 6. The nozzle outlet openings 301 are arranged on the top side of the alignment element 302 (and thus on the top side of the nozzle 3) in the embodiment of FIG. 6. Alternatively or additionally, the nozzle outlet openings 301 may also be arranged on the bottom side of the alignment element 302.

[0140] The alignment element 302 also has several openings 303, of which only one is shown in FIG. 6. These openings 303 serve to accommodate the triggering devices 30. Here, the triggering device 30 is inserted into the opening 303 and arranged in the opening 303 in such a way that the triggering device 30 closes the opening 303 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0141] This principle is once again schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, which shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle according to the embodiment of FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, the triggering device 30 is arranged in the opening 303 and the nozzle connection opening 41. The triggering device 30 is implemented in such a way that the opening 303 is in fluid-tight connection with the triggering device 30. Furthermore, the nozzle connection opening 41 is also in fluid-tight connection with the combination of alignment element 302 and triggering device 30.

[0142] As FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 further show, the triggering devices comprise a triggering element 31 and a locking element 32. In the specific embodiment, the triggering element 31 is implemented as a thermal triggering element. As shown in FIG. 7, the triggering element 31 holds the closing element 32 in a closing position 33, in which the closing element 32 closes the nozzle connection opening 41 in a fluid-tight manner and thus cuts the nozzle 3 off from being supplied with extinguishing fluid from the extinguishing fluid supply line 4. If the triggering element 31 triggers, i.e. bursts or is moved out of position in any other way, the locking element 32 is no longer held in the locking position but instead moves to the opening position 34. This releases the fluid flow through the nozzle connection opening 41. The extinguishing fluid thus passes through the nozzle connection opening 41 into the alignment element 302 in which it distributes itself. When the alignment element 302 is filled with extinguishing fluid, the extinguishing fluid then flows out through the nozzle outlet openings 301 on the top side of the alignment element 302.

[0143] The nozzle 3 according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is particularly suitable for being arranged on or in the vicinity of a bottom side of a component. Here, the nozzle 3 may be arranged in particular on the extinguishing fluid supply line 4, whichin the case of an extinguishing fluid-conducting componentsupplies the component with extinguishing fluid. The extinguishing fluid emerging from the nozzle outlet openings 301 is then directed towards the bottom side of the component and in this way cools both the housing 11 and the component itself, as well as the vicinity of the component. This makes it possible to manufacture the housing 11 wholly or partly from a material that has a lower melting temperature than materials known from prior art.

[0144] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a nozzle 3 according to another preferred embodiment comprising several nozzle outlet openings 301 and two triggering devices 30. The functionality of the nozzle outlet openings 301 corresponds to the functionality as explained in connection with FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0145] The principle of the triggering device 30 is also mostly analogous to the functionality as explained in connection with FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In this embodiment, as well, the closing element 32 is held by the triggering element 31 in a closing position in which the fluid flow from the extinguishing fluid supply line 4 through the nozzle connection openings 41 is cut off by the closing element 32. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the triggering of triggering element 31, which may again be designed as a thermal triggering element, has the effect that the closing element 32 is not moved into an opening position. Instead, the closing element 32 is disengaged and then falls out of the closing position to release the nozzle connection opening 41.

[0146] Preferably, the triggering device 30 is arranged on the alignment element 302 or connected to it in such a manner that the triggering device 30, and in particular the triggering element 31, is unprotected to such an extent that it is directly exposed to any temperature changes in the area around the nozzle 3, i.e. on the housing 11 or in the vicinity of the housing 11 of the component. This ensures a quick triggering of the nozzle 3.

[0147] The alignment element 302 also consists of two individual elements 302a and 302b, which are connected to each other by two connecting pieces 302c, which are designed as screws in the specific embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 8 differs decisively from the embodiment of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 in particular in that the alignment element 302 is not designed as a fluid-tight ring, but as a disc, which is opened at the top and bottom. This implementation of nozzle 3 is particularly suitable in cases where the extinguishing fluid is conducted under high pressure into the extinguishing fluid supply line 4 and accordingly exits with high pressure from the nozzle connection opening 41 when this is opened.

[0148] Here, the openings of the disc serve as nozzle outlet openings 301 of the nozzle 3, which comprises the alignment element 302. The nozzle 3 thus has nozzle outlet openings 301 at the top and bottom sides. However, the alignment element 302 of the nozzle 3 can also be implemented in such a way that the nozzle 3 has nozzle outlet openings 301 only on the top side or only on the bottom side.

[0149] FIG. 9 shows the nozzle 3 in a cross-sectional view. As FIG. 9 shows, the alignment element 302 comprises several directional surfaces 301a, which are arranged inside the nozzle outlet openings 301 on the outer ring of the disc in the direction of the extinguishing fluid supply line 4. These directional surfaces 301a serve to align the extinguishing fluid conducted from the extinguishing fluid supply line 4 through the nozzle connection opening 41 into the nozzle along a certain directional characteristic after the nozzle 3 has been triggered by the triggering device 30, in order to enable an optimum distribution of the extinguishing fluid on the component 10.

[0150] For this purpose, the directional surfaces 301a may be formed in different ways. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, for example, the directional surfaces 301a are rounded. In other embodiments, however, the directional surfaces 301a may also be formed as smooth surfaces, as wavy surfaces, in angular manner or according to other geometric designs. The size and surface form of the directional surfaces 301a should be selected with regard to the component to be protected, the position of the nozzle 3 in relation to the component, and the pressure and composition of the extinguishing fluid.

[0151] In the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 9, the nozzle 3, 3 was arranged on the extinguishing fluid supply line 4 of a component such as the component 1, 1 and 1. This arranging can preferably be along the direction of the fluid upstream of the component 1, 1, 1i.e. on the bottom side of the component 1, 1, 1or in the direction of the fluid downstream of the component 1, 1, 1i.e. on the top side of the component 1, 1, 1. The arranging on the extinguishing fluid supply line 4 means that the nozzle 3, 3 is arranged at some distance from the component 1, 1, 1 in its vicinity.

[0152] Alternatively or in addition, the nozzle 3, 3 may also be arranged directly on the component. Such a component 1, which is suitable to enable the connection of a nozzle 3, 3, is schematically shown in FIG. 10. The component 1 of FIG. 10 corresponds mostly to the components 1, 1, 1 as described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. To avoid repetition, we refer to the description of these Figures.

[0153] Unlike the components 1, 1 and 1 of FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the component 1 of FIG. 10 is suitable for connecting a nozzle 3, 3. For this purpose, the component 1 comprises at least one nozzle connection opening 41. This at least one nozzle connection opening 41 is preferably arranged at the inlet-side connecting socket 113 and/or at the outlet-side connecting socket pipe 114. The nozzle 3, 3 can then be arranged either at the inlet-side connecting socket 113 or the outlet-side connecting socket 114, as described in connection with FIGS. 6 to 9. Here, it needs to be noted that the embodiment of the nozzle 3, 3 can be designed in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 or in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. A combination of both embodiments or a different embodiment may also be used. It is important at this point to adapt the arrangement of the nozzle 3, 3 and the geometric arrangement of the nozzle outlet openings 301 and the triggering devices 30 to the respective conditions of the individual components.

LIST OF UTILIZED REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0154] Component 1, 1, 1, 1, 2

[0155] Nozzle 10, 20, 3, 3

[0156] Housing 11, 21

[0157] Main chamber 12

[0158] Fluid inlet chamber 121

[0159] Fluid outlet chamber 122

[0160] Extinguishing fluid inlet 111, 221

[0161] Extinguishing fluid outlet 112

[0162] Inlet-side connecting socket 113, 113

[0163] Outlet-side connecting socket 114, 114

[0164] Sealing element 115

[0165] Locking element 116

[0166] Fluid duct 117

[0167] Valve element 118

[0168] Nozzle connection area 222

[0169] Connection element 223

[0170] External connection element 225

[0171] Triggering device 30

[0172] Triggering element 31

[0173] Closing element 32

[0174] Locking position 33

[0175] Opening position 34

[0176] Nozzle outlet opening 301

[0177] Directional surfaces 301a

[0178] Alignment element 302, 302

[0179] Individual element 302a, 302b, 302a, 302b

[0180] Connecting element 302c, 302c

[0181] Opening 303

[0182] Extinguishing fluid supply line 4

[0183] Nozzle connection opening 41