Improvements in Fire Extinguishing Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Extinguishing Apparatus.
I, HENRY BERnoulli Barlow, of the Firm of H. B. Barlow and Gillett, of
17 St. Ann's Square, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Patent Agents, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, which has been communicated to me
from abroad by Clarence Richmond Macomber, of 339 Main Street, Worcester, in
the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, in the United States of
America, Manufacturer, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following Specification:-
:-
The aim of this invention is to produce a new and improved fire extinguisher,
and to this end, the invention consists of the method and the device. described in
this Specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of one form of structure embodying
my_invention,
Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, and
Fig. 3 is a partial section on line x-r of Fig. 1 illustrating the arrangement of
the eduction from the chemical chamber.
Briefly stated, my invention cousists in the method of diverting part of a
stream that is to be used for the purpose of extinguishing fire, causing this diverted
portion to unite with a suitable chemical or chemicals, and then reuniting this
diverted portion with the main stream, whereby the entire stream is chemicalized
to the desired degree.
My invention further consists in the device which will carry out the method,
and which may, also, operate as hereafter described.
Referring now to the said drawing and in detail, 1 represents the main pipe or
line which has a valve therein. The pipe 1 is shown as extending under or
through the framework 3 on which is supported the mixing or chemical tank 4.
On the induction side of the pipe 1 relatively to the valve 2 is fastened a Y
joint 5 which connects to valve 6 and the valve 6 connects to the inside of the
tank 4.
Inside the tank 4, the liquid is led through the pipe 7 to the centre of the tank
substantially, then through elbow 8 into the vertical pipe 9 which extends to near
the top of the tank, and preferably is plugged up at the end, as shown.
The pipe 7, elbow 8 and vertical pipe 9 are perforated to operate as hereafter
described. An eduction pipe 10 leads from the tank 4 in line with the induction
pipe, and a suitable strainer 11 is placed over the eduction pipe, and this strainer
may be fastened to the tank, as by screws 12.
The eduction pipe 10 has a forwardly opening check-valve 13 therein, and the
eduction pipe 11 connects to pipe 1 by the Y joint 14. The tank 4 has a suitable
removable cover 15 for the introduction of the chemical or chemicals, and a pet
cock 16 that may be used to let out any air or gas that may accumulate in the top
of the tank.
be
A blow-off or test pipe 17 having valve 18 leads from the bottom of the tank,
and by means of the same, the quality of the solution in the tank may
ascertained and, also, the tank may be emptied after use, or whenever desired.
The valves 2 and 6 are shown as of the ordinary sliding gate, pattern, though,
of course, any other form may be used, and the valves are, also, shown, as oppositely.
turned in the pipes relatively to each other. The operating handles of the valves
may extend to the same side of the machine, and where this is the case, the handles
are connected by the slotted rod, or link 20. A suitable stud, or screw is set or
fastened to the frame, and has a collar, and an extending threaded portion 23
;

page_text: passing through the slot in the link 20 and on the same is tapped the butterfly-
nut 24 by means of which the link 20, and thus the valves 2 and 6 may be held in
any desired adjusted position.
Further, it will be seen, that as one valve is opened, the other is closed and
vice versa, and the valves are so set, that when one is entirely closed, the other is
wide open, and so that when in any intermediate position, the added area of the
valve openings is substantially a constant, and is substantially equal to the entire
full width opening of one valve, or to the area of the pipe 1. Thus, there always
is a full area for the stream.
In some of my experiments, I have placed a valve in pipe 1, and in place of the
check-valve 13, and have connected these two valves to operate with the valves 2
and 6; but I find' in most instances that the second valve in pipe 1 is unuecessary,
and that the check valve 13 is sufficient to accomplish the function of preventing
back flow into the tank, and, hence, the construction shown is the preferred form.
The operation of my device is as follows-In case of fire, water is turned
through the pipe 1 and directed by any suitable means on the fire. Now, if it is
désired to throw simply pure water on the fire, the handles of the valves are pushed
down, and the valve 6 thus closed, and the valve 2 opened..
Then the stream simply goes through the pipe 1 and does not combine with the
chemical or chemicals as the check-valve 13 prevents any back flow into tank 4.
But, now, if the fire is of such a character that it is desired to use a chemicalized
liquid, the handles of the valves are raised the desired degree, and then, as readily
understood, a portion of the stream is diverted and mixed with the chemicals,, and
then mixed with the main stream.
By adjusting the valves, the strength of the liquid thrown on the fire may be
accurately and quickly regulated, and, as the valves work together, only one
manipulation is necessary to keep the outlet areas a constant, so that there will be
no improper circulation.
In cases of great emergency, the entire stream may be diverted through the
tank 4, and thus all the chemical immediately thrown on the fire, but the preferred
method is to divert only part of the stream.
Of course, if so desired, the valves could be operated separately by discon-
necting the link 20, but I find it best to have them always connected, as then, all
that is necessary is to manipulate one handle to let chemical into the stream,, and,
by the use of any simple indicator, the most unskilled man can properly work the
device.
The action inside the tank is peculiar, and is as follows;-
I preferably use chemical reagents in the form of powder and as these are apt
to be of less specific gravity than water as soon as the tank is filled, a portion of
the powder will rise, and the clear or saturated solution will be left at the bottom
of 'the tank.
"
The powder being at the top or part way up, the tank will be under the action
of the jets from the pipe 9, and thus, the same will be quickly cut up and dissolved,
and mixed with the water. This action would not take place nearly as well if the
jets were only admitted from the bottom of the tauk, as in this case, the moving
water would only strike the bottom of the floating chemical.
The holes in the horizontal pipe 7 are useful, as the jets issuing from the
bottom of the same, cause a sort of whirlpool at the bottom of the tank, and will
thus thoroughly mix the solution before the same passes out through the eduction
pipe.
!
Part of the jets from the elbow 8 are directed so as to strike against the
strainer 11 and the action of the same will break up any lumps or dirt that may
accumulate to choke the same, and thus keep the strainer free. This is an
important point, and adds greatly to the efficiency of the device.
My device may be, of course, of any desired shape and size, and may be made
portable so as to be carried to fires, and attached to the hydrant or source of water
supply, or my device may be made as a fixture and set at any desired point in the

page_text: house, shop, or on ship-board, so that if called into service, it will stand connected
to the fire hose and ready for instant use.
Another point, that I wish to have noticed, is that by diverting only the
desired quantity of water necessary to dissolve and introduce the chemical, and by
not passing the whole stream through the chemical chamber, the friction of the
stream through the device will be iminaterial, and hence the volume and force: of
the stream will not be decreased.
I have also noticed that when the chemical is introduced in this manner that
the stream is actually thrown further than when pure water is used, and this I
explain by supposing that the chemical introduced in this manner acts to some
extent as a lubricant, and, therefore, decreases the friction.
Therefore, it is very advantageous to leave the main stream undisturbed and
deflect only a small portion of the same for the purpose of introducing the
chemical.
Practical tests bave demonstrated that my device will effect these results, and
that the issuing stream will most quickly extinguish fire.
While I prefer to use a chemical or chemicals that will not unite with the water,
or with each other to give off a gas, I may, of course, use such, or any kind of
chemicals in my device that will act to extinguish fire.
Modifications of my device may be made by a skilled mechanic without
departing from the scope of my invention.
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what I
claim is:
1. The method and apparatus for extinguishing fires by the use of chemicals,
substantially as herein shown and described.
2. The method of introducing chemical into a stream of water to be used for
extinguishing fire, which consists in diverting a portion of said stream, leading the
same into a chamber containing the chemical, causing the water to unite with
the chemical in said chamber, and then leading the solution from the chamber,
and returning the same into the main stream at a point beyond where the same was
originally diverted, substantially as described.
3. The combination of a pipe line and closed chamber, containing the chemical,
induction and eduction pipes leading from said main pipe, and connected with
said chamber, said induction and eduction pipes being of the same size as the
main pipe line, and a suitable valve or valves arranged so that any portion, or
the whole of the main stream may be diverted through the chemical chamber,
substantially as described.
4. The combination of a pipe line, a closed chamber containing chemical, branch
induction and eduction pipes leading from said main pipe line, and connected to
said chamber, and valves in the branch induction pipe and in the main pipe line,
and connections between said valves arranged so that the valves will be oppositely
operated, and so that any portion of the main stream may be diverted through the
tank, substantially as described.
5. The combination of a pipe-line, a closed chamber containing chemical, branch
induction and eduction pipes leading from said main pipe, and connected to said
chamber, a forwardly opening check-valve located in the branch eduction pipe,
and valves in the branch induction pipe and in the main pipe line, and connections
between said valves, arranged so that the valves will be oppositely operated, and
so that the added area of the openings of both valves will remain constant
whereby any portion of the main stream may be diverted through the tank,
substantially as described.
6. The combination of pipe 1, the chamber 4, the induction and eduction pipes
leading from the main pipe to said chamber, the valves located in the branch
induction pipe and in the main pipe, a connection as a link or rod between said
valves, connected so that one valve will be opened as the other is closed, and

page_text: means for holding the said valves in their adjusted position, substantially as
described.
7. In a fire extinguisher, a chemical tank having an induction and an eduction
pipe, a strainer over the mouth of said eduction pipe, and an outlet arranged in the
induction pipe, so as to direct a stream or jet against the face of said strainer
whereby the same will be kept clear, substantially as described.
8. In a fire extinguisher, a chemical tank having induction and eduction pipes
connected to the bottom thereof, Enid induction pipe being carried to the inside
of said tank, and a vertical perforated pipe connected to said induction pipe, and
extending to near the top of the tank, substantially as described.
9. In a fire extinguisher, a chemical tank having an induction and eduction
pipe connected to the bottom thereof, said induction pipe being carried to
substantially the centre of the tank as by pipe 7 and the vertical pipe 9 to which
the pipe 7 is connected, said pipes 7 and 9 being perforated for the purpose set
forth, substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of October 1894.
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
Agents for Applicant.