Condensate collector arrangement for dry pipe sprinkler system

Abstract

A condensate collector arrangement for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprises a float or a sensor which activates an alarm when a predetermined amount of condensate has been collected.

1 . A condensate collector arrangement for a dry pipe sprinkler system, comprising:
 a first valve comprising an inlet and an outlet, said first valve having a first valve member for selectively preventing communication between the inlet and the outlet of the first valve;   a second valve comprising an inlet and an outlet, said second valve having a second valve member for selectively preventing communication between the inlet and the outlet of the second valve;   a collection chamber in fluid communication with the outlet of said first valve and the inlet of the second valve, said collection chamber being generally elongate between said first valve and said second valve;   a switch operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration;   a float member provided downstream of said first valve member and upstream of said second valve member, said float member being configured to move upwardly in response to an accumulation of condensate in said collection chamber, said movement of said float member causing said switch to change between said open configuration and said closed configuration; and,   an alarm which is operatively connected to said switch, said alarm being activated when said float member causes said switch to change between said open configuration and said closed configuration to indicate the presence of a predetermined amount of condensate in the collection chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pivot arm connected to the float about a first pivot and configured to rotate about a second pivot through an angle when the float moves upwardly; and   an actuator disposed on the pivot arm, said switch being caused to change configurations in response to movement of said pivot arm causing said actuator to move relative to said switch.   
   
   
       3 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein said switch comprises a proximity switch configured to activate the alarm when the actuator is placed in operative proximity to the proximity switch by said rotation of the pivot arm through the angle. 
   
   
       4 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said proximity switch is open when said actuator is distal from said proximity switch and wherein said proximity switch is closed when said actuator is proximal said proximity switch. 
   
   
       5 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is located at a first end of the pivot arm, and wherein said second pivot is provided between the actuator and said first pivot. 
   
   
       6 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said alarm is battery powered. 
   
   
       7 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein said collection chamber is generally cylindrical and wherein said float is provided substantially within said collection chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein said first pivot and said second pivot are provided within a housing for said first valve and wherein said float extends substantially into said collection chamber. 
   
   
       9 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 8 , wherein said alarm is battery powered. 
   
   
       10 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said float is configured to slide linearly along a shaft member in response to said accumulation of condensate in said collection chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein said float member is provided within an outlet of said first valve. 
   
   
       12 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein first valve member and said second valve member are aligned with one another with said collection chamber extending longitudinally between said first valve member and said second valve member, said float member being provided in fluid communication with the outlet of said first valve. 
   
   
       13 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein said first valve member comprises a housing comprising an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, said first outlet and said inlet being collinear with said float member being provided in said first outlet. 
   
   
       14 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein said first valve member comprises a housing comprising an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, said first outlet and said inlet being collinear, said second outlet being oriented perpendicular to said inlet and said first outlet with said float member being provided adjacent said second outlet. 
   
   
       15 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein said alarm is battery powered. 
   
   
       16 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the second valve comprises a locking valve whereby movement of the second valve member for selectively preventing communication between the inlet and the outlet of the second valve requires the use of a key. 
   
   
       17 . A condensate collector arrangement for a dry pipe sprinkler system, comprising:
 a first valve comprising an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, said first valve having a first valve member for selectively preventing communication between the inlet and said outlets of the first valve, said first valve member comprising a housing comprising said inlet, said first outlet, and said second outlet, said first outlet and said inlet being collinear;   a second valve comprising an inlet and an outlet, said second valve having a second valve member for selectively preventing communication between the inlet and the outlet of the second valve;   a collection chamber in fluid communication with the outlet of said first valve and the inlet of the second valve, said collection chamber being generally elongate between said first valve and said second valve;   a sensor provided in fluid communication with said second outlet of said first valve; and,   an alarm which is operatively connected to said sensor, said alarm being activated when said sensor indicates the presence of a predetermined amount of condensate in the collection chamber.   
   
   
       18 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein said alarm is battery powered. 
   
   
       19 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein said collection chamber is generally cylindrical. 
   
   
       20 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein said first outlet of said first valve and said inlet of said second valve are aligned with one another with said collection chamber extending longitudinally between said first valve member and said second valve member, said sensor being provided within said second outlet of said first valve. 
   
   
       21 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 20 , wherein said first outlet of said first valve and said inlet of said first valve are collinear, said second outlet being oriented perpendicular to said inlet and said first outlet, with said sensor being provided adjacent said second outlet. 
   
   
       22 . The condensate collector arrangement of Claim. 21 , wherein said alarm is battery powered. 
   
   
       23 . The condensate collector arrangement of  claim 22 , wherein the second valve comprises a locking valve whereby movement of the second valve member for selectively preventing communication between the inlet and the outlet of the second valve requires the use of a key.