Improvements in Fire Extinguishers.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Extinguishers.
I, ARTHUR CORNELIUS ROWE, of 280, Broadway, City, County and State of New York,
United States of America, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to chemical fire-extinguishers, in which certain chemicals are
placed ready to be combined at the time of the fire, to produce a flame-extinguishing
gas, or combination of gas and liquid.
There are two kinds possible; one, in which the gas is thrown mingled with water,
the water acting primarily as a vehicle to carry the gas to the fire, and the other in
which a stream of gas only is to be thrown. In the latter kind, I have found that a
secondary or drying chamber is necessary, to rid the gas of the watery vapor or spray,
which issues with it from the commotion of the generating chamber.
But it frequently occurs at a fire around electrical apparatus that it is desirable to
first throw a stream of dry gas, and afterward throw water and gas upon another part
of the fire. The latter carries further, and is more effective upon burning wood. To
do this in any other way, it would be necessary to have two machines, one of each kind,
each with its separate charge.
The object of my invention is to provide a single machine, which can be made to
throw a stream of dry gas, and then, by simply reversing it, instantly change this to
a stream of water and gas, all from the same charge. Thus the same machine and the
same charge can be used either as a wet or dry machine, until the charge is exhausted;
and can also be made to change from one to the other instantly, as the necessity
arises.
Further objects of my invention are to dry the gas from moisture; to provide a
tight seal for the receptacle containing the acid which shall protect it completely from
the air and from the liquid in the main receptacle, but shall automatically release the
acid on reversal of the machine; to provide in a machine throwing liquid or dry-gas
interchangeably, means for continuing the regulated issue of the acid from the bottle,
no matter how many times the machine is reversed; to provide means by which the
dry-gas may be formed under pressure but be applied to the flame under reduced
pressure; and a means for throwing a combination of dry-gas and sand or other cooling
substance upon the fire.
It consists substantially of two separate compartments, a generating and a drying
chamber, affixed to each other, and capable of reversal together, and with the outlet
from the generating into the drying chamber, and the outlet from the latter
into the outer air so arranged, that in one position they are above the level of
the liquid in their respective chambers, and in the reversed position are below that
level; so as to throw gas in the first position, and mingled water and gas in the second
position; and also of the following devices; viz. a liquid seal of oil or like substance
in a groove around the top of the acid receptacle, in combination with a gravity valve
or closure, such valve extending entirely over both the mouth of the bottle and its oil
trough, so as to form a cover for both, and having on its bottom an annular projection
dipping into the oil-trough while the machine is upright, and forming a distributing

page_text: cup on reversal of the machine; a cage to contain both the acid bottle and the gravity
valve, hung upon pivots in such way as to be automatically released on the reversal of
the machine, and to hang mouth-downwards thereafter, though the machine be
re-reversed; a metal delivery tube to be attached to the nozzle, having a much greater
diameter than the nozzle and forming both a conveying channel and an expanding 5
chamber for the dry-gas; and a delivery tube having a receptacle for sand or other
cooling material to be mingled with the gas and thrown with it upon the fire.
In the accompanying drawings, which show a machine capable of being used
either as a dry-gas machine, or one throwing a stream of mingled gas and
water;
Fig. 1 is a sectional perpendicular view of the entire machine;
Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views of two alternative forms of the acid
receptacle with its liquid seal and reversing cage to hold it ;
Fig. 10 is a perspective of the reversing cage;
Fig. 9 is a detail showing how the cage is supported ;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line X of the secondary chamber, looking
downward;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pipe a from the left-hand side;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the delivery tube;
10
I
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the delivery tube furnished with a receptacle for sand, 2
to throw sand and gas combined; and
Fig. 6 a sectional view of the delivery tube having a large opening at its end with
gauze diaphragms.
Fig. 11 is a varied form of the liquid seal.
A (Fig. 1) is a closed cylinder, having an open exit pipe a leading from a point 2
near the bottom into a second cylinder B. The exit b from the cylinder B is also at a
point near the bottom thereof, and leads through a flexible tube c and a metal delivery
tube d, into the air; these passages being at all times open, without valves or stop
cocks.
To the head a¹, of the cylinder A, are attached two depending rods e, having slots e¹, 3
to receive the two pivots f¹ which form part of the cage C (Figs. 7, 10).
The cage C
It
is the part into which is put the bottle or other receptacle containing the acid.
consists of a head c', a base c¹¹, and four rods f connecting them. One of the rods
(see f111) swings on the circular strengthening strip f", and engages with the boss c¹¹, by
means of a spring g. This rod can thus be swung up for the insertion of the acid 3
receptacle. Upon two opposite rods are the two pivots f¹. The cage C hangs by its
pivots from the rods e. The pivots f¹ are so placed that with the acid receptacle
inside the centre of gravity is above the pivots ; and until the machine is reversed
the cage and acid receptacle are held in their upright position by means of a
projection el in the base-bar connecting the rods e, which projection engages with a 4
similar one g¹ in the base of the cage C.
A is the first compartment. For producing carbonic acid gas, this is to be filled
about one-half full of water, and bicarbonate of soda added until it reaches saturation.
P is the acid receptacle. B, the second compartment, (Fig. 1) is a vessel about 1/3
the size of compartment A, rigidly attached to it, having as its inlet from A the pipe a, 4
and its outlet at the point 6, at which any suitable hose-pipe and nozzle may be
attached.
The pipe a which forms the communication between the two chambers, starts from
near the bottom of the first compartment A and terminates in the second compart-
ment B at a point some distance from the top thereof, and with its mouth near to and
directed against the interior surface of the compartment. The bend in the pipe a,
forms a handle (in case of a portable machine) and the bark at the other end serves as
a handle when it is reversed.
The operation as a dry carbonic acid gas machine is as follows: The compartment A
having been charged with the water and bicarbonate of soda, and the receptacle P with
the acid, the whole machine (both compartments) is reversed, the lead stopper E (Fig. 7)
falls out, the acid mingles with the solution, and carbonic acid gas is evolved. In this

page_text: The chemical action
s so quick and violent that the entire space in the machine not filled with liquid is
As the machine
illed with spray or watery vapor, floating in the carbonic acid gas.
stood before reversal, the liquid filled the pipe a up to the same level as in the rest
of the compartment. Upon reversal of the machine, and the evolving of the gas, this
iquid in the pipe a is forced into the second compartment B but falls by gravity to the
bottom thereof (top before reversal), and so cannot issue onto the fire. The carbonic acid
gas laden with the watery vapor follows through the pipe a under pressure, and strikes
the interior surface of the compartment B forcibly. This forcible directing of the
stream against a solid surface, has the effect of separating the watery vapor from
the gas, the particles of water or liquid clinging to the surface and dropping
thence by gravity to the bottom (top before reversal), of the chamber B, while the
gas under the pressure passes on to the exit b. The first discharge, being of liquid,
completely wets the surface opposite the end m¹ of the pipe a, and thereafter
all the particles of moisture are forced by the blast against this wet surface, and
uniting with the body of liquid there, run off into the receiver or pocket by
gravity.
position the liquid stands below the mouth of the exit pipe a.
The second compartment not only serves as a comparatively quiet place away
from the generating chamber, where this depositing of the particles of vapor may
go on, but it also serves as a receptacle, or pocket as it were, for holding the
condensed (collected) vapor, as well as the liquid discharged at the start from the
pipe a, and preventing any of it reaching the flames.
The same machine may be used as a wet extinguisher, delivering combined gas and
water, by simply reversing it (turning it top end up again), after the acid has run out
of the bottle P. The end of the pipe a, in chamber A, then again comes below the
surface of the liquid, and it is liquid charged with the gas, which is forced through
the pipe and the compartment B, to the outlet b. Thus, if after putting out a fire
on a switch-board, there is some of the charge left, the same machine may be reversed
and used elsewhere on an ordinary fire, the same as other extinguishers. Or, by the
same process, the entire charge may be used upon an ordinary fire, throwing the liquid
charged with gas as in the case of extinguishers now in use.
It is evident that a third or fourth condensing chamber may be used to extract more
of the vapor, if desired. Different degrees of dryness are essential for different
situations.
Fig. 8 shows the simpler construction; as it has fewer parts than Fig. 7. It consists
of a bottle D to be inserted within the cage C, removable for filling. It has a circular
flange d¹, which with corresponding projections d¹¹ just above it in the rods f of the
cage, prevents its falling down on the reversal of the machine.
Upon
The
E is the valve, or closure, made of lead or other material not acted upon by the
acid covering the mouth of the bottle, until it is necessary to use the machine.
reversal of the machine it falls between the guides h, until it meets the stop F.
stop F and guides h, (of which there are 3 or 4) are attached to the cage C. The
valve E is therefore always in position for use, and cannot get lost.
A serious trouble heretofore had with machines using a gravity closure for the acid
This,
receptacle, has been that the acid absorbs water from the air in the machine.
in time, surely leads to its overflowing and frequently leads to the freezing of the
mingled acid and water, if the machine is kept in a cold spot, and so to its uselessness
when needed. No gravity closure alone can prevent this absorption of moisture by
the acid. To obviate this difficulty entirely, and at the same time preserve the gravity
valve, I provide a liquid seal. In the top of the bottle D is formed a shallow annular
trough to contain a little oil, and into this oil dips an annular projection ; formed on
the bottom of the valve E. Only enough oil is put in to cover well the bottom of the
projection j. By bending over the lips of the acid receptacle, two annular
chambers are formed, and into these the oil runs when the machine is reversed, so
5 that little or none issues from the machine.
The gravity valve E not only closes the mouth of the bottle D, but it also forms a
cover for the seal. In extinguishers of this class the liquid in the main receptacle

page_text: frequently rises nearly to the mouth of the bottle, and in the necessary handling it is
almost sure to splash into the oil trough i. This might destroy the seal, by its freez-
ing, or by its changing the character of the liquid used for the seal:
The automatic valve E also has another function. It will be noted that on
the reversal of the machine the projection j of the valve E, being of annular form,
makes a sort of cup into which the acid pours. A very important feature in
a chemical extinguisher is the proper mixing of the chemicals. In forms where this
is not done, acid is thrown out, goods are damaged, and the power is wasted. But
the cup-shaped gravity closure properly adjusted, receives the acid, it being heavier
than the surrounding water, and distributes it, ensuring gradual and complete
mixing. In the forms shown in Figs. 7 & 8, there is also a secondary trough formed
upon the bottom of the gravity valve E which serves to further distribute the acid.
The machine having been charged with its acid and alkaline solution, and the
stopper or valve E arranged over the acid bottle, in contact with the oil in its trough,
the machine can remain that way until needed, even for months or years, even in a
cold place and through severe freezing weather, without danger of the acids' over-
flowing, or freezing.
Upon reversal the pivots f¹ drop down through the slots e¹ and release the projec-
tion g¹ from the projection ell, so that upon re-reversal of the machine the cage C
will swing upon the pivots fl with its mouth downward, to allow the rest of the acid
to issue.
The essential feature in connection with the delivery of the mingled carbonic acid
gas and spray, in the chamber B, when the machine is used as a dry-gas machine, is
that the stream of mingled gas and vapor should be delivered against the per-
pendicular side of the chamber. Almost perfect dryness in the gas is necessary
around electrical devices, or any delicate machinery. When the gas comes from the
chamber A it is mingled with spray. If the end of the pipe a in chamber B is
directed against the side of the chamber, the vapor collects there, and runs down
into the pocket, away from the exit b.
In the drawing (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) I have shown the best method of directing it
against the side, viz. at an acute angle, in a flattened stream, and in a downward
spiral direction.
The flattened orifice of the pipe a, delivering directly against the side of the
chamber, and at an acute angle is shown at m, Fig. 2, and the downward spiral direc-
tion is shown at m¹, Figs. 1 and 3.
Variations of the oil-seal are shown in Figs. 7 and 11. In Fig. 11, it consists
simply of a shallow annular groove n cut in the top of the bottle N. The under
surface of the valve E (if of glass) is ground, and the upper surface of the bottle N
is ground, so as to secure an accurate fit. If then a few drops of oil, or such sub-
stance, not acted upon by the acid, are inserted in the groove n, it adheres to the
surface of the valve E, and closes the mouth of the bottle effectually. Thus
an exceedingly small quantity of oil can be used.
In Fig. 7 is shown the annular trough o, like that of Fig. 8, but instead of being
formed in the acid bottle itself, it is formed in the top of a cylinder M enclosing the
bottle P. The cage C and its supporting rods e, are the same as in Fig. 8.
bottle P may be made removable from its containing cylinder M, by a screw bottom,
shown at p, the joint there being made air-tight.
The
The cage C may
be made removable from its supporting rods e, by giving one of
such rods e, a hinge n¹ at the top, and a hole and nut connection at the bottom n¹¹.
In both Figs. 7 and 11, the valve E is shown as covering not only the mouth of the
bottle but the oil-trough as well, for the purpose described above. In such a form as
that shown in Fig. 11 where an exceedingly small quantity of oil can be used, just a
few drops, this covering of the oil-trough is especially essential, as a very small
quantity of water added to it would destroy it as a seal.
The stop F consists of a thimble screwing upon a post o¹, affixed to the top c¹ of the
cage C. The purpose of this is as follows: it is desirable for different purposes to
vary the speed at which the acid is allowed to mingle with the soda solution. Thus

page_text: a machine may be set up in a place where the likelihood is that in case of a tire, a
In such
machine will be needed which will need a strong stream and quick action.
case the stop F is adjusted at the time the machine is set up, so as to allow the
valve E to fall away completely from the mouth of the acid receptacle, If a slow
mingling of the acid and soda is likely to be needed, the stop F is adjusted, when the
machine is set up, as near as desired to the valve E. A further purpose is to allow of
proper adjustment of the stop F in case of acid bottles differing in size.
The metal delivery tube d acts as follows (Fig. 4):
The opening z at the end of the flexible tube c serves as a nozzle, i.e.: its
In a machine of the pro-
diameter regulates the time of the delivery of the gas.
portions shown in the drawing, acting under a pressure of, say, 90 lbs. to the square
inch, with all the communications uncontracted, say, e.g. half an inch in diameter,
This would
the entire charge of gas would be spent in a quarter to a half a minute.
be insufficient time to enable the operator to direct it upon the fire effectively.
Therefore the opening z must be contracted to say 1/32 of an inch thus gaining the
But if the opening of such a nozzle
necessary time to do the most effective work.
is placed as near the fire as may be, say even only an inch or two away, the effect is
that the stream of gas issuing therefrom with great velocity, sets in motion and
carries with it a stream of air, which tends to feed the flame, thus neutralizing in
great measure the effect of the gas. The added tube d remedies this, owing not to
its length but to the increased diameter of its bore t, which may be a half inch or
more. The stream of gas issuing with velocity from the nozzle z expands many
diameters and loses its velocity while passing through the tube d, and is at the same
time prevented from mingling with the air. The narrow opening z could not be
placed at t, for then we would have the same strong current of gas, carrying a current
of oxygen, no matter how near to the fire t was placed. On the other hand the
opening z could not be enlarged to the size of t, for then the machine would dis-
charge too quickly to be of practical use. But with controlling the time of
discharge and t the velocity of the stream, both objects are accomplished. The
function of keeping the hand of the operator away from the fire, is entirely
secondary to act on the idea of the invention the tube d need not be more than a
foot or two long: though ordinarily I would make it of any necessary length, say 4
or 5 feet long.
To make a practicable, merchantable machine, especially of the reversible type, the
gas must be formed under pressure. The delivery tube d in combination with such
a machine, is therefore a device to form the gas under pressure and at the same time
deliver it upon the flame without pressure, breathing it out, as it were. This feature,
i.e., delivery in volume without pressure, is of especial use on surface fires where the
smothering effect of the gas has the freest scope; as is the usual kind on electrical
switch boards, where water cannot be used, nor any draught created without fanning
the flames.
Fig. 6 shows a variation of the conveying tube and expanding chamber d of Fig. 4.
In this r is a metal tube, 4 or feet long, having a semi-globular end r¹, and across
The gas which issues at
the mouth are arranged one or more gauze partitions 1.
great velocity from the narrow opening in the nozzle expands in the larger opening
of the tube and upon reaching the larger globular end r is expanded several
hundred diameters in filling the larger space, thus reducing the velocity of the
stream in corresponding measure. By this means the whole body of gas is delivered
in a smothering volume upon the flame and covering a large area of the burning
surface.
The gauze partitions have no function in reducing the pressure, and so are not
essential, but aid in keeping the gas in a smothering volume.
Fig. 5 shows another attachment to be used with the dry gas; consisting of a metal
tube s, upon which is arranged a receptacle 8¹ to contain sand or other mineral sub-
The sand runs
stance, the effect of which is to cover and cool the burning parts.
down through the opening v into the tubes, and is carried along by the stream of

page_text: gas, mingled with it, to the fire. The receptacle 8¹ is of such form, that the sand will
run, in any position in which the tube 8 is likely to be held.
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. A reversible chemical fire-extinguisher to throw gas or liquid from the same
charge at will, consisting of a generating chamber containing an acid receptacle, and
a separate drying chamber, affixed to each other in parallel positions and reversing
together; the outlets from the first to the second, and from the second to the outer
air being placed in such positions in their respective chambers that they will both be
above the level of the liquid therein, in one position of the machine, and below that
level in the reversed position; and the inlet into the drying chamber being situated
close to and directed against the perpendicular side of the chamber.
2. A chemical fire-extinguisher to throw dry-gas, consisting of a generating
chamber and a separate drying chamber; the outlets from the first to the second and
from the second to the outer air being placed in such positions in their respective
chambers as to be above the level of the liquid therein; and the inlet into the
drying chamber being situated close to, and directed against the perpendicular side
of the chamber.
3. In a reversible chemical fire-extinguisher, the combination of a main receptacle
for the alkaline solution, an acid receptacle within the main receptacle, a trough or
space formed about the mouth of the acid receptacle and containing a liquid not
acted upon by the acid, and a gravity valve completely covering and closing the top
of both the acid receptacle and the trough; such valve touching the liquid in the
trough to form a liquid seal when the machine is upright, and falling away by gravity
when the machine is reversed.
4. In a reversible fire-extinguisher, to throw liquid or dry-gas interchangeably, the
combination of an acid receptacle, a gravity closure therefor, pivots attached to the
acid receptacle below the centre of gravity, supporting rods attached to the machine
having longitudinal slots to receive the pivots of the acid receptacle, and a corre-
sponding upright projection and socket upon the acid receptacle and its support
respectively; such projection and socket holding the acid receptacle upright while the
machine is upright, and disengaging by gravity when the machine is reversed.
5. The combination of a dry-gas fire-extinguisher having a contracted nozzle, to
form the gas under pressure, and an additional delivery tube, having its diameter
greatly increased over the diameter of the nozzle, to form both a closed conveying
channel and an expanding chamber, and delivering the gas upon the fire under
reduced pressure.
6. In combination with a dry-gas fire-extinguisher a metal delivery tube, having
upon the top thereof a receptacle for sand opening into, such tube.
Dated this 4th day of Janu
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.