BACKGROUND

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a fire suppression system configured to be activated manually or automatically. More specifically, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a conduit fitting configured to couple to an electrical mechanical tubing (EMT) in the fire suppression system.

Fire suppression systems are commonly used to protect commercial buildings where flammable liquids are present. Fire suppression systems are most commonly found in restaurants where cooking units, such as grills and deep-fryer units, are being used. The grease used in the deep-fryer units and on the grills can pose a significant fire hazard.

Typically, these fire suppression systems use electrical metal tubing (“EMT”) conduit sections and corner pulleys to route a cable between a control unit and a mechanical device, such as a remote pull station or fusible link. The EMT conduit sections and pulleys allow the cable to be routed around objects and corners while allowing the cable to move along its length inside of the EMT conduit sections between the mechanical device and the control unit. However, the cable is exposed at the corners to dirt, grease, and other environmental conditions that can accumulate on the cable, causing jamming or a malfunction. This can cause loss of life, injury and millions of dollars in property damage. Due to the sensitivity of the cable, maintenance is often not pragmatic, resulting in a required replacement of the EMT conduit section. The cost of replacing the EMT conduit and the associated cable typically includes thousands of dollars.

Accordingly, there is a need and desire for a fire suppression system that is less prone to jamming or other malfunctions and easy to clean to meet industry standards.

SUMMARY

An exemplary conduit fitting is provided herein. The conduit fitting may be configured to couple to an electrical mechanical tubing (EMT). The conduit fitting may include an upper cylindrical section and a lower conical section. The upper cylindrical section and the lower conical section may both include a slit extending partially through the conduit fitting.

In one aspect, the upper cylindrical section and the lower conical section may be formed of a unibody structure. In an alternative embodiment, the upper cylindrical section and the lower conical section can be mated together via at least one of molding, welding, stamping, and extrusion. The upper cylindrical section can include a diameter dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the EMT connector. In some embodiments, the upper cylindrical section includes a top surface configured to mate to the EMT connector.

In some embodiments, the upper cylindrical section includes a threaded receiving element configured to receive a threaded securing element of the EMT connector. The lower conical section can include an inner conical surface slanted at an angle between twenty and eighty degrees. In some embodiments, the slit is configured to receive a portion of a fusible link line passing therethrough. In some embodiments, the slit includes a first slit section in the upper cylindrical section, a second slit section in the lower conical section, and an aperture located at a vertex of the lower conical section.

A fire suppression system is also provided. The fire suppression system includes a control system including a storage container containing a fire suppression agent, and a protected area including an exhaust duct and an exhaust hood. The protected area includes conduits extending from the control system. The fire suppression system also includes at least one fusible link system positioned on at least one conduit. The fusible link system includes an electrical mechanical tubing (EMT) connector and a conduit fitting configured to couple to the EMT connector. The conduit fitting includes an upper cylindrical section and a lower conical section. The upper cylindrical section and the lower conical section may each include a slit extending partially through the conduit fitting.

In one aspect, the upper cylindrical section and the lower conical section in the fire suppression system may be formed of a unibody structure. In an alternative embodiment, the upper cylindrical section and the lower conical section in the fire suppression system can be mated together via at least one of molding, welding, stamping, and extrusion. The upper cylindrical section in the fire suppression system can include a diameter dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the EMT connector. In some embodiments, the upper cylindrical section in the fire suppression system includes a top surface configured to mate to the EMT connector.

In some embodiments, the upper cylindrical section in the fire suppression system includes a threaded receiving element configured to receive a threaded securing element of the EMT connector. The lower conical section in the fire suppression system can include an inner conical surface slanted at an angle between twenty and eighty degrees. In some embodiments, the slit in the fire suppression system is configured to receive a portion of a fusible link line passing therethrough. In some embodiments, the slit includes a first slit section in the upper cylindrical section, a second slit section in the lower conical section, and an aperture located at a vertex of the lower conical section.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part, will be obvious from the description; or can be learned by practice of the principles disclosed herein. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

