Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Fire-extinguishing Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Fire-extinguishing
Apparatus.
I, THEODORE HENRY TILTON, of City Bank Buildings, Queen Victoria Street, in
the City of London, Managing Director, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to pneumatic fire-extinguishing apparatus, and comprises
improvements whereby I simplify the construction and increase the efficiency of such
apparatus and render the same more compact than heretofore.
In my improved apparatus a cylinder or vessel for containing compressed air is
arranged within the chamber or vessel for containing the water or other liquid used
for extinguishing the fire.
The said air cylinder or vessel is inserted through a hole in the top or other
convenient part of the outer chamber, and is secured therein by screw threads or in
any other suitable manner that will permit of its being readily removed. A washer
of leather or other suitable material is provided for making a tight joint between a
flange on the air-vessel and the surface of the outer chamber.
The air-vessel is provided with a suitable valve having a screw-spindle passing
through the end of the said vessel, and an external handle or wheel for opening or
closing the passage for communication between the interior of the said air-vessel and
the outer or liquid chamber. The spindle or stem of this valve works in a stuffing-
box in the top of the air-vessel. The communicating passage, which is situated near
the top of the air-vessel, serves also for filling the said vessel with air, which is
compressed to the desired pressure by means of a pump or otherwise. A small
pressure-gauge is mounted on the air-vessel for the purpose of indicating the
amount of pressure within the said vessel at any moment.
The discharge pipe for the liquid extends upward from the bottom, or near the
bottom, of the outer chamber and through the top of the said chamber either at
the side or front thereof or in any other convenient position.
The top of the air-vessel is preferably formed of a solid casting having therein
the aforesaid communicating passage and a passage for the air to the pressure
gauge, and also a screw-threaded hole or cavity for the reception of the valve and
valve-stem and the stuffing-box through which the said stem is passed. The valve
is so arranged that, when it is closed the compressed air is shut off from the
stuffing-box. The valve-stem is formed with a screw-threaded enlargement which
fits into the tapped hole in the top of the air-vessel, so that the valve cannot be
completely withdrawn while the stuffing-box is in place. By this arrangement
I provide very effectually for avoiding leakage of the compressed air from the
air-vessel.
I make the delivery-nozzle in such a manner as to obtain a more effectual
discharge of the liquid than heretofore, that is to say, I make the said nozzle uiuch
longer than heretofore and slightly conical or taper both internally and externally.
Dated this 9th day of February 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Fire-extinguishing
Apparatus.
I, THEODORE HENRY TILTON, of City Bank Buildings, Queen Victoria Street, in
the City of London, Managing Director do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to pneumatic fire extinguishing apparatus and comprises
improvements whereby 1 simplify the construction and increase the efficiency of such
apparatus and render the same more compact than heretofore.
In my improved apparatus, a cylinder or vessel for containing compressed air is
arranged within a chamber or vessel for containing water or other liquid to ho used
for oxtinguishing the fire, and suitable means are provided as hereinafter described
whereby the said compressed air can be caused to act on and eject the water or other
liquid, when required.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure is a side elevation, partly in vertical contral section, of my improved
apparatus, and
Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof also partly in vertical central section.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in these two figures.
A is the vessel or receptacle for fire extinguishing liquid. B is the compressed air
cylinder or vessel which is inserted through a hole in the cover A' of the vessel A,
and is secured therein by screw-threads or in any other suitable manner that will
permit of its being readily removed. A washer a of leather or other suitable
inaterial is provided for making a tight joint between a flange & on the air-vessel B
and a corresponding flange e on the cover A'.
The cap or cover of the air-vessel B consists of a solid casting having formed
therein the passages dd' for communication between the said air-vessel and the liquid-
receptacle A the passage serving also for connection with an air-compressing
apparatus or pump for filling or charging the vessel B with air, compressed to the
desired pressure and being screw-threaded to permit the ready connection of the said
vessel with and its removal from the said air compressing apparatus or pumps.
A valve d is provided for closing the passage d and is arranged to be operated by a
screw-spindle which extends through a stuffing box in the upper part of the said
cover and Ims at its upper extremity a hand-wheol y for rotating it and thus raising
the valve from its seat or screwing it down upon the same. A pressure gauge
is provided on the cover to indicate the pressure of air in the vessel B with which
the said gauge communicates through a passage j also formed in the solid casting or
cover C.
Dis the discharge or delivery pipe which dips into the vessel A and
extends nearly to the lower end thereof. To this pipe is attached a flexible pipo or
hose I provided with a delivery nozzle k. The cover 'A' is provided with a handle A'
to facilitate the carrying of the apparatus.
h
To prepare the apparatus for use the vessel or receptacle A is charged with the
fire extinguishing liquid, and the inner chamber or vessel B is charged with air
compressed to a suitable pressure, usually about from 150 to 200 lbs. to the square
inch, and is inserted into the said vessel A and firmly secured therein. When the
apparatus is to be used for extinguishing a fire, the valve is opened by means of
the hand wheel and spindle e, thus allowing the air pressure to act on the liquid in
the vessel A through the passages d and d. The cock of the delivery nozzle is
then opened so that the liquid is discharged through the pipe D, flexible tube D' and
nozzle and can be directed as desired.
The valve stem e is formed with a screw-threaded enlargement e' which fits into
a corresponding scrow-threaded portion of the passage d; this enlargement prevents
the complete withdrawal of the valve while the stuffing box is in place. It will be
seen moreover that the valve is so arranged that when it is closed the compressed air
has no access to the stuffing box.

page_text: By this arrangement I provide very effectually for avoiding leakage of the com-
pressed air from the air-vessel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that
I claim
First. A compressed-air cylinder the cover of which consists of a solid casting or
piece of metal having formed therein the communicating passages the valve-seat,
and the cavities for the valve-spindle and stuffing box, substantially as above
specified.
Second. The combination of parts comprising the valvo, the valve stem formed
with the screw-threaded enlargement, and the stuffing-box, substantially as described,
all so arranged that the valve, when closed will shut off the compressed air from
the stuffing box, and, while the stuffing box is in place the valve cannot be
completely withdrawn.
Third. The improved fire-extinguishing apparatus constructed substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
T
110080
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.