Fire fighting apparatus

Fire fighting apparatus has a fire retardant or fire quenching system mounted on a structure operative in response to detection of fire to take water from a reserve supply in the absence of main water line or supply flow or pressure. The reserve supply may be a reservoir such as a pool or it may be unpressurized water in the main water line. Detection is achieved via remote temperature or smoke sensors as examples as well as remote actuators such as telephone or portable signal transmitting units. Power is supplied by battery connection to motors, pump, and relays for oprating the apparatus and valves are selectively disposed in an interconnecting pumping network with the pump and motor to conduct water from the reserve supply.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to fire prevention systems, and more 
particularly to a novel fire prevention system having fire quenching 
elements mounted on a structure and having temperature, smoke or other 
detector means interiorly or externally mounted or remotely carried for 
controlling distribution of a reserve supply of water to the fire 
quenching elements in the absence of main water line pressure or water 
flow. 
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
In the past, it has been the conventional practice to employ a variety of 
water systems for controlling fires which frequently occur in a dwelling 
or building or outside in adjacent fields or remote areas. Usually, 
sprinkler systems are extended across the roof and are activated by 
manually turning valves to supply the sprinklers with pressurized water 
from a main line supply. In some instances, the valves are connected to an 
automatic fire detection system which is internally mounted in the 
dwelling and that senses a combustible condition which then automatically 
operates the valves. Similar systems are employed to release water or 
other fire retardant materials in remote areas such as fields, yards, 
forest areas, or the like. 
Although these prior systems have been successful for their intended 
purposes, it is noted that the systems are usually located on the dwelling 
or building and that the sensing or detection is achieved only when a 
combustible condition is present. These prior systems usually operate upon 
the detection of heat through temperature sensing and require pressure of 
the main line water supply. Although smoke detectors are available, the 
smoke detectors are generally used in connection with alarms that are 
either visual or audible and do not control nor compensate for loss of 
main line pressure or fluid flow. 
Other problems and difficulties are encountered with conventional fire 
alarm and detection systems which stem largely from the fact that 
actuation of the systems cannot be achieved remotely nor can the systems 
be actuated by a variety of environmental conditions. For example, 
actuation may be needed in order to prevent a building from igniting when 
a fire is nearby. In this instance, detection by temperature and/or smoke 
would be needed rather than actual fire conditions. Secondly, a person may 
wish to remotely control actuation of a water system through the use of 
telephone or a portable transmitter, while a desirable feature would be to 
simultaneously alert a remotely located service organization or 
fire-fighting unit. 
Furthermore, current systems may utilize swimming pool water as a reserve 
supply. No system utilizes the water supply or volume in the main line in 
the absence of pressure or flow. 
Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide an improved fire 
sensing and detection system which not only detects a drop in water main 
line pressure and/or flow but further senses the presence of water in the 
main line and provides for remote as well as automatic operation of the 
system from a variety of sensors and signal sources. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are obviated by the 
present invention which provides a novel means for quenching or retarding 
a fire which includes a fire-quenching system, such as sprinklers which 
are operably connected to a main line of pressurized water. Sensors are 
provided for detecting a drop in main line water pressure or flow and a 
motor pump arrangement is operably coupled to a reserve supply of water 
which, in response to main line pressure drop and/or flow, pumps the water 
to the sprinkler system. A plurality of remote actuators are provided 
which may take the form of a portable transmitter, a telephone 
transmission network, heat sensors, smoke detectors, and the like. Also, a 
back-up power supply is provided for motor operation taking the form of 
batteries, and a latching relay is coupled thereto for supplying power in 
response to sensor or remote actuation of the detectors. 
Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to 
provide a novel fire-quenching or retardation system which includes means 
for sensing a pressure drop or water flow in main line water pressure 
which is then translated into motor operation for supplying a reserve 
volume or supply of water to a fire retardant means such as a sprinkling 
system. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel means of 
compensating for a drop in main line water pressure or flow by utilizing a 
reserve supply of water responsive to the pressure drop or flow via 
sensors and detectors as well as remote actuators. The reserve supply may 
be a reservoir, pool, or volume of water in the main line. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic 
fire fighting system whereby the system may be operated by signals 
generated remotely from portable transmitters and/or environmental sensors 
so that a reserve water source can be placed on line in the absence of 
main line water pressure or flow. Water volume in the main line is 
considered a reserve water source as well as pools or the like. 
Another object resides in switching the system back to main line supply 
when flow and/or pressure returns to the main line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, the novel fire fighting system of the present 
invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10 that is 
intended to service a dwelling 11 coupled to a main water source 12 for 
receiving pressurized water intended to service the various utilities of 
the dwelling. The system of the present invention is coupled to the main 
water source by means of a conduit 13 connected at one end to a 
fire-quenching or retardant means, such as a plurality of sprinklers, as 
indicated by numeral 14. The opposite end of conduit 13 is coupled to the 
main water source 12 through a pressure sensor switch 15 and a sprinkler 
water actuator 16. Coupled in parallel to the conduit 13 is a source of 
alternate or reserve water, indicated by numeral 17, such as water that 
may be held in a conventional swimming pool 18. However, it is to be 
understood that the reservoir may take other forms, such as water storage 
tanks or the like or unpressurized standing water in conduit 12. The 
reserve water supply 17 is coupled to the conduit 13 via pipes 20 and 21 
via a pump 22 operated by a motor 23 from a starter means 24. Check valves 
26 and 27 assure that there will be no backing of the water through the 
respective pipes or conduits from either the main water source or the 
reserve water supply and determine which side has more pressure. 
The motor 23 may be operated from a 115 volt A.C. system 30 or by a 24 volt 
battery system 31. A battery charger 32 is coupled into the line power 
network so that the batteries can be charged when not in use. An inverter 
33 is employed for converting D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage and a latching 
relay 34 is responsive to signals from receivers, such as indicated by 
receivers 35 and 36 generating signals when activated by a telephone 37 or 
a portable remote transmitter 38. Other remote detectors or sensors may be 
provided, such as temperature sensors 40 which are remotely located about 
the grounds or acreage surrounding the dwelling 11. The sensors 40 send 
activating signals to the receivers which energize the latching relay and 
cause additional signals to actuate remote monitoring devices by telephone 
which may actuate audible and/or visual alarms or displays. It is to be 
understood that the sensors or detectors 40 may take the form of 
temperature sensors, smoke detectors, or the like. 
It is also to be noted that the reserve water supply line 20 is connected 
to the main water source pipe 12 via a conduit 41 which includes a water 
actuator valve 42. A two-way valve for permitting the drawing of water 
from either reserve water in the pool or in the main water line couples 
the conduit 41 to the conduit 20 and is indicated by numeral 43. The main 
line water supply is monitored to detect water volume and flow of main 
line water. If water flow becomes insufficient, the valve switches to the 
reserve or back-up water supply. Therefore, it can be seen that the pump 
22 may draw or extract water from the presence of water in the line 12 in 
the event of water pressure or flow loss. Water can be taken from the main 
line in the event that there is no pressure or flow but when water is 
still available. However, when there is no water at all in the main water 
line, then this condition is sensed and the pump is switched to the 
alternate reserve supply such as reservoir or pool 17. 
A receiver 44 is used for the wireless heat sensors and monitors these 
sensors on an hourly basis as a testing procedure to ensure that the 
sensors and detectors are operating. In this connection, a call alarm 45 
is included notifying a remote location when the system requires service. 
Also, a monitoring service is notified when any sensor or transmitter 37, 
38, or 40 causes activation and sets off an audible alarm. Additionally, 
the monitoring service is alerted as to which sensor or source of signal 
has caused the actuation. As part of the testing procedure, a sensor 46 
monitors house current. If there is a loss in house current, the sensor 45 
operates as a switch to turn on the back-up power represented by batteries 
or other alternate electrical power source systems. 
Therefore, it can be seen that the pressure switch 15 monitors the main 
water pressure in line 12 and if there is a drop or loss of pressure, 
back-up pump 22 is turned on and reserve water is withdrawn from the 
static supply in the main line via line 41 and supplied to the sprinkler 
system via line 13. In the event insufficient water volume is detected by 
water flow detector 47, the switch 43 will permit withdrawal of reserve 
water from the pool 17. The sprinkler valve actuator 16 turns on the flow 
for the sprinklers. Check valves 26 and 27 are one-way valves for 
maintaining the water flow in the direction of the sprinkler system. The 
back-up batteries 31 may be employed in connection with the inverter 33 to 
supply proper voltage to the starter 24 to energize the motor 23 for 
driving the pump 22. The battery charger 32 may be employed to maintain 
full charge on the battery system and the inverter converts 12-volt D C. 
to 115 V.A.C. The telephone actuator 37 will energize the system by means 
of a phone call remotely made by the user of the system and the remote 
receiver or sensor 36 activates the system or alarm service through a 
remote and portable actuator 38. Heat, temperature, or remote sensors 40 
monitor the surrounding environment and, when activated, will energize the 
system and notify the alarm service. Industrial sprinklers of a suitable 
type may be mounted on the roof of the dwelling 11 or any outside 
environment such as fields, yards, forests, or commercial structures, and 
are directed to conduct a fire-quenching spray of water completely around 
the house. 
It is to be noted that the fire-quenching spray may be a substance other 
than water, such as a fire retardant or a mixture of water and fire 
retardant chemical. A storage source for the retardant is indicated by 
hopper 48 connected to conduit 13 by a supply conduit 49. 
Release and distribution of the fire-quenching substance or spray may be 
beyond the house or structure on which the sprinklers are located, such as 
other outside areas intended to be protected. 
The sensors are coupled to the system so that, when activated, sensor 46 
will alert an alarm service that will respond in the case of a full 
activation, or the sensor may be employed for alerting a fire department 
in the case of an actual fire situation. Additionally, the system may be 
turned "OFF" in the event of a false alarm. 
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its 
broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover 
all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and 
scope of this invention.