US 11,986,691 B1
Fast response glass bulb thermal trigger arrangements and methods thereof for large orifice suppression fire protection sprinklers
Stefan Daniel Sekula, Holt, MI (US)
Assigned to Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH, Bad Oldesloe (DE)
Filed by Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH, Bad Oldesloe (DE)
Filed on Nov. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/982,977.
Application 17/982,977 is a continuation of application No. 16/905,139, filed on Jun. 18, 2020, granted, now 11,511,145.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/863,513, filed on Jun. 19, 2019.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A62C 37/12 (2006.01); A62C 37/50 (2006.01)
CPC A62C 37/12 (2013.01) [A62C 37/50 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of providing an operational arrangement for fast response suppression fire protection sprinklers, the method comprising:
defining a configuration of components that includes:
a sprinkler frame having a body defining an inlet, an outlet orifice and an internal passageway extending along a sprinkler axis between the inlet and the outlet to define an orifice with a nominal K factor in a range of 14 [GPM/(psi)1/2] to 36.4 [GPM/(psi)1/2], the body including a sealing surface formed about the outlet and centered about the sprinkler axis;
a load screw aligned along the sprinkler axis and spaced from the outlet; and
a thermally responsive glass bulb trigger and sealing assembly arrangement disposed between the sealing surface and the load screw to form a fluid tight seal in the outlet, the glass bulb trigger and sealing arrangement being coaxially aligned with one another along the sprinkler axis, the glass bulb trigger having a nominal temperature rating and an operational response time index rating of no more than 100 (ft·s)1/2; and
verifying that the configuration of components defines an operational arrangement, the verifying including:
testing the configuration of components to withstand an internal fluid test pressure greater than a maximum fire protection system installation operating pressure of 175 psi and less than or equal to 700 psi; and
subsequently testing the configuration of components in a thermal response bath test for operation at a temperature that is within 95%-105% of the nominal temperature rating in a range of 135° F. to 300° F. so as to verify that the configuration of components defines an operational arrangement.