Fluid control assemblies for sprinkler systems

Abstract

Automatic fluid control assemblies and methods for fire protection include an arrangement of electrically operated control points, a valve body and a controller to operate the fluid control assembly. The automatic fluid control assembly has an inlet, an outlet and a valve body to control flow between the inlet and the outlet. An electric latch includes a first electrically operated control point and a second electrically operated control point in fluid communication with a control line to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the valve body and outlet. The methods of fluid control include controlling a plurality of electrically operated control points to perform any one of: a leak test, a trip test, a flow test, a water delivery test, and a validation test of a non-trip condition and a trip condition.

1 . An automatic fluid control assembly having an inlet and an outlet defining an unactuated state in which the inlet is sealed from the outlet and an actuated state in which the inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet, the assembly comprising:
 a fluid pressure biased diaphragm valve body including an internal seat,
 an internal diaphragm member for engaging the seat to control flow between the inlet and the outlet, the diaphragm member defining a fluid chamber to control the engagement between the diaphragm member and the seat; 
   a fluid control line having one end in fluid communication with the inlet and another end in communication with the diaphragm chamber; and   an electric latch including a first electrically operated control point and a second electrically operated control point in fluid communication with the control line to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the diaphragm chamber,
 the first control point in the unactuated state of the automatic fluid control assembly defines a normally energized open configuration to place the inlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber for pressurizing the fluid chamber to provide a sealed engagement between the diaphragm member and the internal seat, in the actuated state of the automatic valve, the first control point defines a de-energized closed configuration to prevent pressurization of the diaphragm chamber, 
 the second electrically operated control point in the unactuated state of the automatic valve defines a normally de-energized closed configuration to prevent the release of pressure from the diaphragm chamber to maintain the sealed engagement between the diaphragm member and the internal seat, in the actuated state of the automatic assembly, the second control point defines an energized open configuration to release pressure from the diaphragm chamber such that the diaphragm member disengages the internal seat to permit fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid detector to monitor fluid flow downstream of the internal seat, the fluid detector being coupled to the first electrically operated control point to de-energize the first electrically operated control point upon detecting a fluid flow. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid detector is disposed to detect fluid flow in the outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the automatic valve assembly defines an intermediate chamber between the inlet and the outlet, the fluid detector being disposed to detect fluid flow in the intermediate chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising, a check valve coupled to the diaphragm valve body, the check valve defining the outlet, the diaphragm valve defining the inlet, the check valve and the diaphragm valve body defining an intermediate chamber between the check valve and the diaphragm valve body. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the internal seat defines an outlet seat and an inlet seat, the valve defining an intermediate chamber between the inlet and outlet seat. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the assembly defines an intermediate port in communication with the intermediate chamber, a fluid detector and an electrically operated solenoid valve being coupled to the intermediate port. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm valve includes an inlet port proximate the inlet, the control line being coupled to the inlet port to place the control line in fluid communication with the inlet, the assembly further comprising at least one electrically operated control point coupled to the inlet port and normally closed in an unactuated state of the assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one control point is a solenoid valve is coupled to a fluid detector to provide for a water flow alarm signal. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a fluid detector coupled to the inlet port to monitor flow at the inlet for communication with a controller and a fluid detector coupled to the diaphragm valve body for monitoring the fluid flow in the fluid chamber and communication with the controller. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly includes an outlet port proximate the outlet, the assembly further comprising an electrically operated control point coupled to the outlet port. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve disposed along the control line between the diaphragm chamber and the first electrically operated control point to prevent backflow from the diaphragm chamber to the first electrically operated control point. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrically operated control points are electrically operated solenoid valves. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrically operated control point change configuration in response to a fire detector such that the first control point de-energize closed and the second control point energizes open. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second electrically operated control points change configurations substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         16 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A method of electrically latching open a fluid control assembly for controlling a flow of fluid between an inlet and an outlet in a fluid control valve assembly having a fluid chamber to control engagement between a pressure operated diaphragm member and a valve seat, the method comprising:
 de-energizing a first normally open electrically operated control point coupled to the fluid chamber so as to close the first control point and stop a flow of fluid to the fluid chamber; and   energizing a second normally de-energized closed electrically operated control point so as to open the second control point and discharge fluid from the fluid chamber to electrically latch the assembly open in the event of a loss of power.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein de-energizing the first control point includes periodically monitoring one of a pressure or flow condition at an outlet port proximate the outlet with a controller and a fluid detector coupled to the outlet port and de-energizing the first control point based upon the monitored condition. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein de-energizing the first control point and energizing the second control point latches the assembly open in the event of power loss. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising comparing periodically monitored data of pressure and flow between two ports of the valve assembly and identifying a problem with the assembly based upon monitored data. 
     
     
         43 .- 78 . (canceled)