Method and system for inducing circulation by convection in a looped fire protection system and method for installation of same

• US 20080223589A1
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Richard Young
• Original Assignee: Richard Young
• Inventors: Young, Richard
• Application Number:
  US11/029,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20080223589A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/16
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K

Abstract

A method and system for installing and operating a multipurpose fire protection system is disclosed. The steps of the method include providing a water source to a structure, providing pre-assembled vertical sprinklers drops, installing vertical sprinkler drops at designated locations within the structure, and sequentially attaching flexible tubing to each drop to create a loop, whereby water is supplied to each sprinkler via two different flow paths. A system for simultaneously inducing flow and adding or removing heat from fluid in the piping includes a convection drop comprising a piping loop with a u-shaped section, the convection drop containing a fluid which has a density that varies as a function of temperature, and a thermal means for changing the temperature of fluid in the convection drop, whereby freezing of the fluid is prevented by adding heat using the thermal means and inducing the heated fluid to flow throughout the piping system.

Claims

1. a method of installing fire protection sprinklers in a structure comprising:

i. providing a water source;

ii. providing preassembled vertical sprinkler drops;

iii. installing vertical sprinkler drops at desired locations; and

iv. sequentially attaching flexible tubing to each drop to create a loop whereby, water can be supplied to any of the drops from the source via two different paths.

2. The method of claim 1 further including at least one domestic water use supplied by the flexible tubing.

3. The method of claim 1, each of the drops having a hangar support for affixing the drop to a structural member.

4. The method of claim 3, each of the drops further having a vertical length corresponding to a length of the structural member to which it is attached.

5. The method of claim 4, each of the drops further having a closure for installation at a level of a finished ceiling, whereby a finished appearance is provided when the drop is viewed from below.

6. The method of claim 5 further including at least one domestic water use supplied by the flexible tubing.

7. A system for inducing flow in a piping system comprising:

a. a piping loop including a unshaped section with a first convection drop, a return portion, and a secondary convection drop;

b. disposed within the piping loop, a fluid with a density that varies as a function of temperature; and

c. a thermal means for changing a temperature of fluid in the first convection drop, whereby, when heat or cooling is introduced into the first convection drop, the density of the fluid changes inducing a flow through the piping loop.

8. The system of claim 7 where both domestic and fire protection uses are supplied by water from the piping loop.

9. The system of claim 7 further incorporating at least one thermocouple for measuring fluid temperature and a control means for activating the thermal means when the fluid temperature reaches a set temperature.

10. The system of claim 9 where the thermal means is heat tape wrapped around the piping, whereby freezing of the fluid is prevented.

11. The system of claim 9 where the thermal means is a cooling means for removing heat from the fluid.

12. The system of claim 11 where the thermal means is a thermoelectric device for selectively removing or adding heat to the fluid.

13. The system of claim 12 where both domestic and fire protection uses are supplied by the water from the piping loop.

14. A method of designing a fire protection system for installation in a structure comprising:

a. determining the total pressure of the water supply available to the structure;

b. measuring the length and width of the structure; and

c. determining the size of tubing needed by reference to a chart showing the size of tubing needed as a function of the length plus width of the structure and the total pressure available.