Improvements in Valves which Control Certain Automatic Fire Extinguishing Sprinkler Installations and Fire Alarms.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1892
QUMILELE DIEUITT
Improvements in Valves which Control Certain Automatic Fire
Extinguishing Sprinkler Installations and Fire Alarms.
I, GEORGE MILLS, of the Globe Iron Works, Radcliffe, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in the controlling valves of those systems
of automatic fire extinguishing sprinklers wherein the pipes carrying the sprinklers
are charged with compressed air which keeps the water in check until a fire occurs.
The improvements consist chiefly in combining the ordinary fire alarm valve
with the valve which controls the admission of water to the sprinkler installation,
and to effect this I mount three valves on a single stem or spindle and in such a
manner that each one may seat itself independently of the others. By this
arrangement and combination the apparatus is simplified and the number of its
moving parts reduced.
The improvements further consist in an improved device for preventing the
valves after opening from returning to their seats until released and re-set.
A sectional elevation of the improved valve is shown on the accompanying sheet
of drawing-
In this view, a designates the water inlet, 6 the pipe leading to the sprinkler
installation, c a waste pipe for emptying the installation, d the pipe leading to the
gong, steam whistle, or other alarm, e is the valve casing, the valve stem, carrying
the three valves hand j, of which the valve g is provided with a cup leather, the
valve has a leather face, and the valve; is mounted on a movable sleeve and so is
free to rise and fall within certain limits on the valve stem, is a spring catch
pivoted to the valve stem, and a cover for a handhole formed in the pipe or casing
above the valve stem.
Air is pumped into the installation through the waste pipe c or other convenient
access until the pressure sufficient to keep the water valve closed. The water is
then turned on but will not rise beyond the valve h. The valve j then seats itself
and stops the opening into the alarm pipe d. When a sprinkler opens the pressure
of air in the pipe is reduced and the valve stem rises by reason of the water
pressure and the catch k springs out and prevents it descending.
After a fire has been extinguished the pipes are emptied by means of the waste
pipe e. The handhole is then opened and the catch k pressed in and the stem f
lowered so as to seat the valves.
The catch is mounted in a slot through the valve stem and is actuated by a
spring fixed to the valve stem. When the valves are seated the spring is not in
compression the catch being open, and concealed in an internal hollow in the valve
stem guide and only during the operation of re-seating the valves or when the valve
opens is the spring brought into compression.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is
-
In those automatic sprinkler installations which are filled with air under pressure
in order to prevent the water from entering until a fire occurs-
1. The arrangement and combination of controlling and alarm valves upon a
single valve stem substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
2. A valve stem carrying three valves each of which seats itself independently of
the others, the first of said valves being acted on by the air under pressure in the

page_text: sprinkler installation; the second valve keeping the water in check until a fire
occurs and the third valve controlling the alarm apparatus substantially as
specified.
3. The combination with a valve stem, of a pivoted catch hung within a slot
through the stem and controlled by a spring which is in compression only when the
valve is opening or being closed and out of compression when the valve is closed or
open, the said catch, until released, preventing the valve re-seating itself after it
.has opened.
Dated this 15th day of October 1892.
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for Applicant.