Alarms Operated by Smoke or Non-combustion Supporting Gases.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date claimed for Patent under Sect. 103 of Act,
being date of first Foreign Application 5th Nov., 1898
(in United States),
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Alarms Operated by Smoke or Non-combustion Supporting Gases.
I, HENRY CHARLE BAER, of No. 562, West 182nd Street, New York, United
States of America, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention has for its object the giving of an audible signal or alarm
through the agency of smoke or such non-flame supporting gases as are ordinarily
generated by fire and to this end it consists in novel means for effecting such
result, the especial points of novelty thereof being particularly pointed out in
the claims at the end of this specification.
Referring to the drawings,
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a thermostatic fire alarm embodying
the principle of my invention; and,
Figure 2 is a similar sectional view thereof taken in a plane at right angles
from that in which Figure 1 is taken;
Figure 3 being a detail sectional view taken through the regulating means for
controlling the flow of gas to the burner.
My invention is based upon the well known principle that a flame of gas or
other combustible material is only supported or continues to burn by being
supplied with a given or definite amount of oxygen and when such supply is
diminished to a certain degree, it is extinguished. I utilize this principle by
causing the flame to act upon a thermostatic bar included in an electrical circuit
with an electrical alarm of any well known form, the circuit being normally open
so long as the flame continues, the arrangement being such that when it, the
flame, is extinguished the circuit will be closed through two electrical contacts,
one of which is stationary and the other of which is carried by the thermostatic
bar, thereby causing an alarm to be continuously sounded at some distant point.
[PQ71

page_text: Referring to the drawings in detail for a full and clear understanding of my
invention such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it most nearly
relates to construct and use the same,
I represents a cylindrical shaped block of insulating material such, for instance,
as slate, adapted to withstand great heat, provided at its centre with an opening
adapted to receive the upper end of a screw-threaded pipe P", the lower end of
which is turned upward so as to receive a gas nipple for a gas flame f; the upper
end of said pipe 1" being secured by screw threads to a metallic junction E
which in turn is secured to a gas pipe P', connected with a supply of flame support-
ing gas located at any desired point.
S represents a reglating screw for controlling the supply of gas to the burner.
WW represent binding posts located on the upper surface of the insulating
block I and A and J represents metallic arms extending downwardly from the
under surface of said block and secured by screws to metallic lugs or ears integra!
with the binding posts W W'.
T represents a curved thermostatic bar having one end secured by a screw b to
the rigid metallic arm J and carrying at its lower or free end a platinum or
equivalent electrical contact point t, the curved portion of said thermostatic bar
being located directly above the flame f, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1.
S represents a screw-threaded or adjustable contact located in the lower end of
the metallic arm A and in the direct path of the movable contact point t.
represent insulated electrical conductors running from the binding
posts W W to a source of electrical energy and an electrically actuated device
of any preferred form, but not here shown. H represents a casing which is pro-
vided with a large number of perforations or openings adapted to supply a
definite amount of oxygen to the flame f, said casing being enlarged at its upper
end and secured to the insulating block I by bayonet slots and screws s¹ sl.
It is important that the perforations in this casing shall be of such number
and dimension as to supply only a sufficient amount of oxygen from the external
air to support the flame under normal conditions of atmospheric temperature
and the normal supply of flame supporting gases usually found in rooms or
buidings.
C represents a cylindrical shaped outer protecting casing which is adapted to
fit snugly over the inner perforated casing H and is secured to the insulating
block by bayonet slots and the same screws ss which support or sustain the
inner casing H. This outer casing is provided at its bottom with a number of air
vents or openings hh adapted to admit air to the interior thereof, as shown by
the arrows, and at its upper end with a corresponding number of vents or open-
ings adapted to carry away such of the products of combustion as may be
omitted therethrough.
ee are protecting shields which are secured to the inner wall of the casing C
at points opposite the vents or openings h¹ h, so as to prevent sudden gusts of air
from the outside of the casing from extinguishing the flame f. k is a regulating
cup secured inside of the casing C by a screws extending upward from the
bottom thereof, the arrangement being such that said cup may be raised and
lowered so as to regulate the inflow of air through the vents or openings hh.
2 represents a peep-hole consisting of a perforated casing and a mica or other
transparent medium m, said peep-hole being located directly opposite the flame f
so that a person may ascertain by visual observation as to whether or not the
flame is burning. C represents a metallic cap provided with an opening on its
end for the pipe l' and additional side openings for the out-going conductors wow,
the arrangement being such that when the parts are put together they will appear
as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.
The operation of the device is as follows-
One or more of said devices is placed in each room or chamber which it is
desired to protect and connected in any well known manner with an electrical
alarm mechanism located at some distant point, said device being preferably

page_text: cured to the ceiling by the pipe P. The regulating screw S is adjusted
admit the proper supply of gas for combustion under normal atmospheric
onditions, dependent upon the capacity of the perforations in the casing H
admit the necessary supply of oxygen for supporting the flame f of the desired
eat giving capacity.
The casings C and H are now removed and the gas ignited so as to produce the
ame f; the casings are then restored to their permanent positions and the
djustable cup regulated by the screws for a proper supply of air at the base
f the device. The conditions of proper adjustment may be ascertained by the
As soon as sufficient heat
ser by visual examination through the peep-hole P2.
s generated beneath the thermostatic bar T the platinum contact point t is caused
to assume the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, such that the circuit
s interrupted between it and the stationary adjustable contact S².
Should an abnormal condition take place in the surrounding atmosphere, such
for instance, as is attributable to the presence of smoke, it, the smoke, will be
drawn into the casing C and ultimately pass through the perforations in the
inner casing H, until such a quantity thereof is present as will extinguish the
flame f; consequently, the thermostatic bar T cools and in a few seconds
the movable contact t established the circuit by coming into contact with the
stationary contact S2 and causes the alarm at the distant point to be sounded
continuously.
Although I have shown in the preferred form of device for carrying out the
generic principle of my invention a gas burner with a flame f for generating the
heat which controls the movements of the thermostatic bar T, I do not limit
wish it understood that
myself to this special means of generating such heat, as
my claims include broadly heat generating means wherein carbonaceous sub-
stances are subjected to combustion, such for instance as lamps, candles, and the
like. also wish it understood that my claims include generically all types of
thermostatic devices which may be effected generically in the same manner as is
the thermostatic bar T.
It will be apparent that my invention is generic in its nature and has other
uses than that of giving indication of the presence of fire; as, for instance, in
determining the presence of such poisonous gases as ordinarily extinguish a
flame which is supported by carbonaceous materials and oxygen or equivalent flame
5 supporting gases.
15
presence
of
To illustrate, my invention might be employed to indicate the
carbonic acid gas or any equivalent non-flame supporting gas which may be pre-
sent in the atmosphere, in such quantities as to extinguish a flame in the manner
indicated.
It is also obvious that the generic principle of my invention may be utilized
for other purposes than the sounding of an alarm, as for instance, it might be
utilized for causing sprinklers to be actuated in such manner as to extinguish a
fire, the thermostatic bar T being utilized for controlling the escape of water
from the sprinklers.
It is also apparent that said thermostat might be utilized for controlling the
operation of a mechanically actuated alarm and still come within the scope of
my claims hereinafter made.
I have obtained good results with such a casing having perforations corre
sponding in size and number to those found in well known forms of wire gauze
50 having about twenty meshes per lineal inch. My invention may also be used fo
the detection of illuminating gas in rooms and other places, its operation being
such that when said gas, in sufficient quantity, appears around the instrument i
will instantly cause the flame therein to be extinguished and allow the thermo
static bar to act in the manner already described.
55
I am aware that prior to my invention electrical alarm mechanism had bee
controlled by the action of fire-damp, in connection with miner's lamps, b
causing the fire-damp to generate increased heat within the lamp, which increase

page_text: heat caused an electrical circuit to actuate alarm. mechanism located at some
distant point.
I make no claim hereinafter of such scope as to include any such structures, the
generic novelty of my invention, as herein before indicated, lying in the
extinguishment of a source of heat or flame through gas, smoke, or such non-
flame supporting gases as are generated by fire, said flame being surrounded by
a finely perforated protecting casing such as wire-gauze or the like and acting
upon a thermostat which in turn controls the movement or operation of an alarm.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. Means for indicating the presence of smoke or a non-combustion support-
ing gas, consisting of a source of heat as a flame, a thermostat acted upon by said
flame and included in an electrical circuit, together with a protecting casing,
wholly surrounding the flame and provided with perforations or openings having
a capacity to supply a definite amount of air to the flame, substantially as
described.
2. Means for indicating the presence of smoke or a non-combustion supporting
gas, consisting of a source of heat as a flame, in combination with a thermostat
adapted to actuate or control an alarm and a perforated protecting casing wholly
surrounding the flame and adapted to furnish only sufficient air to support the
flame, substantially as described.
3. Means for indicating the presence of smoke of a noncombustion supporting
gas, consisting of a source of heat as a flame, a perforated protecting casing
wholly surrounding the flame and adapted to furnish a sufficient supply of oxygen
therefor; a thermostat controlled in its movements by the flame and an alarm
actuated or controlled by said thermostat, together with regulating means for
varying the flow of gas to the flame, substantially as described.
4. Means for indicating the presence of smoke or a non-combustion supporting
gas, consisting of a source of heat as a flame, a perforated protecting casing
therefor adapted to furnish a sufficient supply of oxygen for the flame; a thermo-
stat controlled in its movements by the flame, an alarm actuated or controlled
by said thermostat; an exterior protecting casing provided with vents or openings
for supplying air to the inner casing and flame, and means for regulating the
supply of gas to the flame, substantially as described.
5. Means for indicating the presence of smoke or a non-combustion supporting
gas, consisting of a source of heat as a flame; a perforated protecting casing
therefor adapted to furnish a sufficient supply of oxygen for the flame; a thermostat
controlled in its movements by the flame; an alarm actuated or controlled by
said thermostat; an exterior protecting casing provided with vents or openings for
supplying air to the inner casing; a peep-hole located in the outer casing for
enabling one to observe the flame, and means for regulating the flow of gas to said
flame, substantially as described.
6. Means for indicating the presence of smoke or a non-combustion supporting
gas, consisting of a source of heat as a flame; a perforated protecting casing
therefor adapted to furnish a sufficient supply of oxygen for the flame; a thermostat
controlled in its movements by the flame; an alarm actuated or controlled by
said thermostat; an exterior protecting casing provided with vents or openings
for supplying air to the inner casing; a peep-hole located in the outer casing for
enabling one to observe the flame; means for regulating the flow of gas to said
flame and additional means for regulating the flow of air into the outer casing,
substantially as described.
7. Means for indicating the presence of smoke or a non-combustion supporting
gas, consisting of a source of heat as a flame, a perforated protecting casing
therefor adapted to furnish a sufficient supply of oxygen for the flame; a thermo-
stat operatively connected with an electrical circuit and an alarm, said thermostat

page_text: being controlled in its movements by the flame; an exterior protecting casing
provided with vents or openings for admitting and emitting air and smoke to
the interior casing and flame, substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of May 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.