US1264392A - Automatic chemical fire-extinguishing apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

v J. B. HAMILTON. AUTOMATIC CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED Aue.4. 1915.

, htenwd Apr. 30,1918.

w ATTOR/VEV JOHN R. HAMILTON, 0F YONKI ERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 SYPHU-CHJEMICAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION, OF CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK, A. CORPO- RATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC CHEMICAL FIRE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

aeaeea Patented Apr. 3d, 191%.

Application filed August t, 1915. Serial No. 43,535.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Yonkers, county of Westchester,.State of New York, have made a certain new and useful Invention Relating to Automatic Chemical Fire-Extinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms part of the same.

This invention relates especially to .auto matic chemical fire extinguishing apparatus in which a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid is connected to the distributing system and comprises a chemical mixa ing tank which may be operated through a suction actuating pipe 'or connection with the upper part of the distributing system. Under some circumstances in order to secure more reliable results a suction cut-0H valve or device is interposed in this suction pipe so as to automatically close it when the system comes into emergency operation andthe usual high emergency pressure of 50 to 100 pounds or so per square inch is developed in the mixing tank and system. The pin hole or other small equalizing or venting passages which are provided in the various parts of the system including acid chambers may also be automatically closed under emergency conditions by suitable pressure responsive devices or valves.

In the accompanying drawing showing in a somewhat diagrammatic way an illustrativeembodiment of this invention,

Figure .1 is a sectional elevation; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section showing the suction cut-ofi device.

The distri-butin system may be of any suitable constructlon and may comprisea supply pipe or riser 3 and connected distributing lines 5 supplying the distributing devices such as the automatic sprinkler heads -.7 arranged at various points around the building to be protected. Any suitable extinguishing liquid 33 may be normally contained in the distributing system and may be supplied thereto under the desired moderate initial head or pressure by the use of an elevated priming .or actuating tank 32 extending the desired distance above the upper part of preferably provided in some cases with a be mounted in the casing so the distributing system and pin hole or other small vent 41. A supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid is connected to the distributing system in any suitable way and may comprise the chemical mixing tank 1 containing a charge of carbonate extinguishing liquid 8, for instance, the supply connection 2 communicating with the supply pipe 3 or other part of the distributing system and extending into the mixing tank adjacent the bottom thereof and extinguishing liquid 33 may be retained in the elevated distributing system as by the check valve 74 in the supply pipe 3 as usual in this art, so that when the cooperating chemical mixing devices come into action the desired high emergency pressure of 50 to 100 pounds or so per square inch is developed through chemical action in the tank so as to give a forcible discharge from the distributing devices in operation.

The chemical mixing devices may, if desired comprise a suitable casing 4L mounted on themixing tank and containing one or more cooperating charges of sulfuric acid or other chemical adapted to react with the liquid in the mixing tank. For example, a primary chemical or acid chamber 13 may as to contain a primary charge 14 of sulfuric acid or other suitable chemical which may be withdrawn therefrom by the action of the starting siphon 11, the short leg 12 of which dips into the acid in this primary chamber, while its longer discharge leg 16 communicates with the charge 22 of similar acid in the automatically'discharging receiver 21. Under emergency conditions the discharge of liquid from the distributing system causes a considerable suction impulse or pressure reduction in the upper part of the distributing system which is allowed to act on the start ing siphon through a suitable suction actu ating pipe or connection 9, 10, so that acid is drawn up into both of the primed ends of the siphon and it begins to operate, quickly discharging the primary acid charge into the receiver 21 from which it is discharged by the automatic discharging siphon which may be provided therein and comprises a discharge leg 19 and a cooperating bell receiving member 18 drawing the liquid into the annular passage at the lower end 20 of this member. In this way substantially the entire acid charges 14, 22 are discharged into the mixing tank and are of such amount as to develop therein the desired initial emergency pressure which may be subsequently maintained by any desired chemical devices, for example, the automatic. pressure maintaining siphon device indicated in Fig. 1. This may comprise a supplemental acid or chemical chamber 23 containing a charge 24 of sulfuric acid or other chemical in its lower portion, a siphon or discharge device. of any suitable type cooperating with this chamber so as to discharge acid therefrom, preferably when there is a decrease in the emergency pressure on the device. The discharge pipe 26 may thus be arranged to communicate with the mixing tank and a siphon bell 25 may inclose its upper end so that when the upper part of this chamber is tightly closed after the emergency pressure has been developed in the apparatus any decrease in this pres sure forces part of the acid charge into the inlet end 27 of the discharging devices so as to deliver the acid into the mixing tank in such amounts as will develop sufiicient additional pressure to stop this automatic feeding action.

For some purposes it is desirable to have the suction connection automatically closed under emergency conditions, which for example, prevents any possibility of acid being forced up this suction connection or pipe by the emergency pressure on the apparatus, and for this purpose a suitable suction cut-off device or valve 6 may be installed at any convenient point in the suction connection preferably adjacent the priming tank 32. As shown in detail in Fig. 2 this device may comprise a suitable valve seat, such as 54, mounted for instance in a neck 55 formed on one of the connections preferably communicating with the upper part 9 of the suction pipe and a pressure responsive control member or diaphragm 58 is mounted so as to force a suitable valve down in closed position against this seat when the emergency pressure is exerted on this diaphragm. The diaphragm may, for instance, be held tightly against the casing by a suitable cover 59 secured thereto and a spring, such as 60, may normally tend to keep this diaphragm in full line position indicated in which it holds the cut-off valve open. A vent opening may be made in the cover so that this outer side of the diaphragm, is exposed to atmospheric pressure and a suitable bushing 62 may be interposed to restrict this vent opening so that in case of leakage or breakage of the diaphragm there is no possibility of an undesirably large escape in this way. The valve may be connected to this diaphragm in any convenient or suitable way as by the yoke 50 which may have its enlarged end 56 bolted or otherwise secured to the diaphragm as by the nut 57 and the valve body 49 formed on the other end of this yoke in such position as to cotiperatc with the valve seat 54 may be arranged to support a suitable yielding valve 51 of rubber, lead or other suitable material to insure the tight closure of the valve seat. This valve may be held in position as by the screwed washer 64 so as to securely hold this renewable or replaceable valve in position.

Under emergency conditions, therefore, the high emergency pressure chemically developed in the mixing tank and connected system after the initial suction impulse has caused the mixture of the starting charges of acid or other chemical forces the pressure responsive control diaphragm outward against its spring 60, tlllls quickly forcing the valve 51 tightly against the valve seat 54 and effectually closing this suction connection and positively preventing any substantial discharge of acid therethrough. It is also desirable in some cases to have a suitable indicator connected with this cut-olt device so as to visually or otherwise indicate its operation and for this purpose the indicator or rod 61 may be connected to the diaphragm in any suitable way and may project through the vent opening so as to be visible beyond the bushing when this device is in emergency action. It is'also for some purposes desirable to vent the suction pipe and connected parts by a suitable venting passage in the cut-off device in addition to or preferably instead of the vent 41 at the top of the distributing system and the vent 17 in the starting siphon and to automatically close this passage when the system comes into emergency action. For this purpose a suitable pin-hole or other small equalizing venting passage 63 may be provided in the cut-off casing 6 preferably in a special bushing 47 screwed into the same and this vent passage may be automatically closed on the emergency action of the pressure responsive control diaphragm as by connecting a suitable vent valve thereto, preferably through a yielding connection so as to insure the positive closure of this vent valve when the main cut-off "alve 51 is closed. For this purpose the vent valve 45 may be arranged to close this vent passage 63 and may be yieldably connected to the control diaphra m as by interp'osing a yielding connection hetween this vent valve and the valve body 49. For this purpose a collar 52 may be formed on the stem 46 of the vent valve and normally engaged and pressed inward by a suitable light vent spring 53 which may be held in operating position by a cap 48 screwed on the valve body 49. Under these conditions when the control diaphragm operates to close the main cut-off valve 51 against its valve seat 54 the menses vent valve 45 issimultaneously drawn toward its cooperating seat closin the equalizing or vent passage 63 and t e yielding vent spring insures the closure of both these valves regardless of any slight inaccuracies or lack of alinement .of ,7 the parts. The yielding connection may be constructed and assembled in any desired we and then placed in position through t e aipertuzre formed in the casing when the bushing 49 isv unscrewed and for some purposes it is also desirable to have a protecting vent cover 43 arranged around this vent valve for protection against injury thereto, for example, the cover being provided with one or more suitable vent holes, such as 44.

For some purposes it is desirable to form a suitable vent in the acid chambers or casing, such, for instance, as the supplemental chamber vent 28 and the vent 38 formed for instance in the cover 39 of the casing. Under emergency conditions it is for some reasons desirable to have these vent apertures quickly closed and this may be accomplished by a suitable pressure responsive closing device, such, for example, as the chamber vent diaphragm 33mounted in the casing cover,

' for instance, and tightly held in position as newand what is desired to Letters Patent is set forth in the appended thereon by the shield or cover 34 which may have a venting passage 42 formed therein.

'llhis chamber ventdiaphragm 33 may operate any suitable valves or closing devices in order to close these vents under emergency conditions. For example, the valve 29 may be arranged on a suitable lever 30 pivoted about the pin 32 in the casing cover so that this valve cooperates With-the vent 38 and tightly closes the same when the lever is drawn upward by the link 31 pivoted thereto and pivotally connected, for instance, with the bracket 40 on the diaphragm. This lever may also close one or more other vents preferably through yieldingly mounted valves, such as the valve 36, cooperating with the casing vent 38 and mov ably mounted in an aperture in the guiding portion 35 of this lever, a light spring 37 normally forcing this valve upward so. that under emergency conditions it yieldingly closes the cooperating vent.

This invention has been described in connection With'a number of illustrative forms,

arrangements, materials, proportions, sizes and parts of the apparatus, to the details of which disclosure the invention is not of course to be limited, since what is claimed be secured by claims:

1. In chemical fire BXtlIlglllShHl apparatus, an automatlcally closing cut-0% device adapted to be connectedin a suction actuating connection of such apparatus and comprising a casing, a pressure responsive control diaphragm member and a connected easing into ing chemical mixing devices cut-0E valve adapted to automatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in the chemical tank and casing, an indicatorconnected to the free side of said control member to be projected through a restricted vent hole in said indicating position under emergency conditions, there being a small area vent passage in said cut-ofi' casing and a cooperating vent valve yieldably connected to said cut-off valve to close said venting pas-, sage under emergency conditions.

2, In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, an automatically. closing cut-ofl' device adapted to be connected in a suction actuating connection of such apparatus and comprising a casing, a pressure responsive control member and a connected cut-off valve adapted to automatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in the chemical. tank and easing, an indicator connected to the free end of said control member to be projected through a restricted vent hole in said easing into indieating position under emergency conditions, there being a vent passage in said cut-off casing and a coopelzating vent valve connected to said cut-ofi valve to close said venting passage under emergency conditions.

3. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices, a suction connection between said mixing devices and said distributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-0E device in said suction connection and comprising a casing and a pressure responsive control diaphragm and a connected cut-ofi' valve adapted to automatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank and easing, an indicator connected to said diaphragm to be projected from said easing into indicating position un der emergency conditions. 7

4. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automatic distributing devices and a sup- 115 plemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said :system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperatto discharge chemical into said mixing tank, a pneumatic 120 suction actuating connection between said mixing devices and the upper portion of said distributing system, an automatically closing suction cutofi" device in said suction connection adjacent said mixing devices and 125 comprising a casing, a pressure responsive control diaphragm and a connected cut-off sure is developed in said tank and casing,

valve yieldably connected to said cut-ofi valve to close said venting passage under emergency conditions.

5. In chemical fire extinguishing -appara tus, a distributing system normally charged with extin uishing liquid and comprising automatic istributing devices and a supple mental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to saidgsystem and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices to discharge chemical into said mixing tank, a pneumatic suction actuating connection between said mixing devices and the upper portion of said distributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-ofi' device in said suction connection and comprising a casing, a pressure responsive control "diaphragm and a connected cut-oil valve adapted to automaticallry close said suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank and casing, there being a vent passage in said cut-off casing and a cooperating vent valve connected to said cut-ofl valve to close said venting passage under emergency conditions.

6. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automatic distributing devices and a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices to discharge chemical into said mixing tank, a pneumatic suction actuating connection between said mixing devices and the upper portion of said distributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-01f device in said suction connection and comprising acasing, a pres sure responsive control diaphragm and a connected cut-oif valve adapted to automatically' close said suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank and casing.

7. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices and a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices to discharge chemical into said mixing tank, a pneumatic suction actuating connection between said mixing devices and the upper portion of said distributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-ofi' device in said suction connection adjacent said mixing devices and comprising a cas ing, a pressure responsive control diaphragm and a connected cut-ofi valve adapted to automatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank and casing and an indicator connected to the outer side of said diaphragm to be projected through an opening in said casing into indicating position under emergency conditions, said opening being restricted to prevent excessive escape in case of failure of said diaphragm.

8. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprising distributing devices and a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices to discharge chemical into said mixing tank, an actuating suction connection between said mixing devices and said distributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-off device in said suction connection adjacent said mixing devices and comprising a casing, a pressure responsive control diaphragm and a connected cutoff valve adapted to automatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank and casing and an indicator connected to the outer side of said diaphragm to be projected through an opening in said casing into indicating position under emergency conditions, said opening being trestricted to prevent excessive escape in case of failure of said diaphragm.

9. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices including a starting siphon to discharge chemical into said mixing tank and a suction connection between said siphon and the upper portion of said distributing system, said mixing devices comprising substantially closed chambers having venting apertures and pressure responsive automatic closing means to close said venting apertures comrising a diaphragm adapted to be actedon y the emergency pressure in said tank and having a yieldable connection to close said venting apertures when the system comes into emergency operation.

10. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixin tank and coiiperating chemical mixing devlces to discharge chemical into said mlxing tank, said mixing devices comprising substantially closed chambers having venting apertures and pressure responsive automatic closing means to close said venting apertures comprising a diaphragm adapted to be acted on by the. emergency pressure in said tank meaeea and having-a yieldable connection to close said venting apertures when the system comes into emergency operation.

1 discharge chemical into said mlxing-tank,

said mixing devices comprising "substan- ,tially closed chambers having venting apertures and pressure responsive automatic closing means to close said venting apertures' comprising a diaphragm adapted'to be acted on by the emergency pressure in said tank to close said venting apertures when the system comes into emergency operation.

12. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devicesto discharge chemical into said mixing tank, said mixing devices comprising a substantially closed chamber having a venting aperture and pressure responsive automatic clos- 0 ing means to close said venting aperture comprising a diaphragm adapted to be acted on by the emergency pressure in said tank to close said venting aperture when the system comes into emergency operation.

-13.'In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributin system, a supplemental supply of extinguis ing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices, a suction connection between said mixing devices and said distributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-ofi' device in said suction connection and comprising a casing and a pressure responsive control device and a connected cut-ofi' valve adapted to automatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank and casing.

14. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices, a suction connection between said mixing devices and said distributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-0d device in said suction connection to automatically close said suction connection when emgggency pressure is developed in said tan 15. In chemical fire extinguishing appanection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank.

aonn n. Harmon. Witnesses:

Y L. Duncan, Jnssm l8. l1 1 tilt lid

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