Disclosed herein is a fast response fluid flow control valve/nozzle that
combines the technology used to rupture the frangible discs found in pressurized
container-based fire protection/suppression systems with that found in fixed pipe
spray/sprinkler systems. The apparatus' design projects a small, localized pressure
wave at the underside of a frangible disc that is sufficient to rupture the disc
in a very rapid manner. The present invention generally comprises an assembly of
six primary components; a chamber base, a jet core threaded into the chamber base,
a commercially-available rupture/frangible disc assembly, a disc retention ring,
a nozzle port threaded onto the chamber base to hold the retention ring and rupture
disc against the jet core and to tie the components together as a unitized assembly,
and a pressure cartridge actuator.
