Fire Suppression Valve Improvements

Abstract

Disclosed is a fire suppression system, a valve for the system, and a movable valve member for the valve. The system includes a reservoir for a fire suppressant material. The reservoir has an outlet, at least one nozzle from which the suppressant is delivered, and a valve governing passage of the suppressant to the nozzles. The valve includes a movable valve member and first and second valve seats cooperating therewith. The valve member is movable from a first position seated with respect to the first valve seat preventing communication between the reservoir and the nozzles, to a second position seated with respect to the second valve seat permitting suppressant flow from the reservoir to the nozzles and preventing suppressant flow to an actuator operatively associated with the valve to selectively cause movement of the valve member from the first position to the second position.

1 . A fire suppression system comprising a reservoir to contain a fire suppressant material, said reservoir having an outlet, at least one nozzle from which the suppressant is delivered, and a valve governing passage of the suppressant to the nozzles, said valve comprising a movable valve member and first and second valve seats cooperating therewith, said valve member being movable from a first position seated with respect to said first valve seat preventing communication between said reservoir and said at least one nozzle, to a second position seated with respect to said second valve seat permitting the flow of said suppressant material from said reservoir to said at least one nozzle and preventing suppressant flow to an actuator operatively associated with said valve to selectively cause movement of said valve member from said first position to said second position. 
     
     
         2 . The fire suppression system of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator maintains a fluid or gas under pressure to position said valve member in said first position, said actuator being operable to vent said fluid or gas and permit said valve member to move to said second position. 
     
     
         3 . The fire suppression system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable valve member comprises a diaphragm having opposing sides, and a sealing means on both sides, thereby permitting sealing of the movable valve member against either of the first or second valve seats. 
     
     
         4 . The fire suppression system of  claim 3 , wherein the sealing means are substantially identical sealing members. 
     
     
         5 . The fire suppression system as in  claim 3 , wherein the diaphragm is dished, and this dishing is reversible via inversion, permitting dual action of the movable valve member. 
     
     
         6 . The fire suppression system of  claim 5 , wherein the natural extent of movement of the movable valve member during inversion of dishing is greater than the distance between the first and second valve seats so that the diaphragm holds the sealing means against either of the first or second annular valve seats with a degree of force that is independent of fluid pressure, be this fluid liquid or gas. 
     
     
         7 . The fire suppression system of  claim 3 , wherein the movable valve member is a diaphragm comprises an elastomeric material which substantially encapsulates a sheet of reinforcing material. 
     
     
         8 . The fire suppression system of  claim 7 , wherein the diaphragm of elastomeric material further substantially encapsulates at least one form providing insert. 
     
     
         9 . The fire suppression system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable valve member comprises a central body portion and a flexible but strong flange extending outwardly from and around the central body portion. 
     
     
         10 . The fire suppression system of  claim 9 , wherein opposing sides of the circular body portion of the movable valve member provide oppositely directed sealing surfaces for sealing the movable valve member against either of the first or second annular valve seats. 
     
     
         11 . A valve for a fire suppression system comprising a reservoir to contain a fire suppressant material, said reservoir having an outlet, at least one nozzle from which the suppressant is delivered, wherein said valve governs passage of the suppressant to the nozzles and comprises a movable valve member and first and second valve seats cooperating therewith, said valve member being movable from a first position seated with respect to said first valve seat preventing communication between said reservoir and said at least one nozzle, to a second position seated with respect to said second valve seat thereby permitting the flow of said suppressant material from said reservoir to said at least one nozzle and preventing suppressant flow to an actuator operatively associated with said valve to selectively cause movement of said valve member from said first position to said second position.