Patent GB-338197-A (GB)
Title: Fire extinguishers
IPC: A62C99/00
Filed: 1929-08-15
Abstract: 338,197. Triggs, W. W., (Swingspout Measure Co.). Aug. 15, 1929. Storing under pressure. - In a fire-extinguishing installation wherein a plurality of containers for compressed fluid, such as carbon-dioxide gas, are so arranged that release of fluid from one container automatically causes release of fluid from one another or other containers; containers 12 are supported as a battery 11 by blocks 10. Each container is sealed by a diaphragm 15, Fig. 3, held in the neck 13 by a sleeve 16. A cylindrical casing 18 secured to the neck by a sleeve 19 houses a hollow piston 22 carrying a tubular cutter 23 having a ball valve 29. The piston has a stem 31 with handle 33. All the casings 18 of the battery are interconnected by pipes 35, and from each casing a pipe 36 runs to a header 57 delivering to the place of consumption. Vent openings 40 are provided in the casing 18 below the piston 22, and the latter has, on its lower face, a valve gasket 38 cooperating, when the piston is depressed, with the head of the sleeve 16 to prevent escape of gas around the cutter 23. The neck 13 has a transverse filling passage. 41 closed at one side by a diaphragm 42 and at the other by a ball valve 46. One or more cf the container heads for example that shown at 49, is provided, above the piston, with a plug housing explosive matter and a heating element in a circuit 52 which includes a thermal switch 51 and, if desired, a hand switch. At a predetermined temperature, the explosive is fired, c.riving down the piston 22 of the head 49, and cutting the diaphragm of that container. Gas then escapes to the header 57 and a portion passes to the other heads 18 of the battery driving the pistons down to open the other containers. Alternatively, any container may be opened by pressure on its handle 33, the escaping gas then opening the other containers. The members 58, 60 of a second battery 59 may be opened automatically after a definite time interval. To this end, a pipe 64, 66, 78 leads from the header 57 to the casing 18 of the container 58, with the interposition of a timing device 61 comprising a pressure reservoir 62, a piston cylinder 63, and a valve 68. The arrangement is such that, initially, pressure gas from the header 57 passes to both sides of the piston in the cylinder 63, and to the reservoir 62. When the pressure in header 57 falls, the pressure above the piston escapes by a " bleeder " valve 76, the piston rises, and opens the valve 68. Pressure gas then passes to the casings 18 and opens the containers 58, 60, which deliver to a header 81. In a modification, Fig. 5, containers 82, 93 are provided with casings 83, pistons 87, and handles 111 similar to those described with reference to Fig. 1. A container 84 has a casing 91, and a piston 94 which may be depressed by a hand lever 101, or by a weight 99 when released by fusion of a link 97. When this occurs, pressure gas passes by pipes 105 to the casings 88, to open the container 82, 83, which deliver to a header 110. If the container 82 or 83 is opened first by its handle 111. gas passes by a pipe 103 to operate the piston 94 of the container 84.