Improvements in and relating to Chemical Fire-extinguishers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 27th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Chemical Fire-extinguishers.
I, CHARLES MADISON MARTIN, residing at Number 1715, G Street, North West,
in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America,
Gentleman, 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 relates to that class of fire-extinguishing apparatus known as
chemical fire-extinguishers; and is designed for the use of a neutral fire-extin-
guishing preparation, i.e., a preparation which generates gases only when brought
into contact with heat, in contradistinction to that class of extinguishers commonly
known as "automatic extinguishers," in which an extinguishing preparation is used
which generates gases within a chamber or cylinder on the union of its ingredients,
which preparation is discharged from the chamber or cylinder by the pressure of
such gases.
In my apparatus the extinguishing preparation or mixture is discharged by the
pressure of air pumped into the chemical-chamber or cylinder after the latter has
been charged with the chemical preparation.
When the fire-extinguisher is designed to be stationary it comprises two or more
cylinders arranged "in battery," each connected with an air-forcing apparatus for
charging the same with compressed air, and all connected with a common delivery
or service pipe, through which the chemical extinguishing preparation with which
they are charged is discharged.
When the extinguisher is made portable it comprises a single cylinder or reservoir
provided with means for forcing air into the same.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention-
Figuro 1, is a side elevation of the stationary apparatus, showing the relative
arrangement of the cylinders of which one is shown in section, and the connec-
tion of said cylinders with each other and with an air-forcing and compressing
apparatus;
Figure 2, is a left-hand-end elevation of the same, taken on the line, a-
looking toward the right, and
c, and
Figure 3, is an elevation partly in section, of a portable apparatus.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, in which I have shown the
apparatus for use on board ship, the cylinders, A, A³, are constructed with flanges, a,
at their ends, and are closed by semi-spherical heads, A2, which are similarly flanged,
and secured in place by bolts passing through both flanges. Each cylinder has
running centrally through it a longitudinal shaft, b, which has its bearings in the
two heads, one end of each projecting through and being provided with a crank c.
The shafts are also, cach provided with a number of radial arms, d, which serve
as stirrers to agitate and mix the contents of the cylinders when the shafts are
turned.
Each cylinder is provided in its upper side with an opening through which the
chemicals are introduced, which openings are closed with screw-caps, e.
B, designates the air-pump, which is connected with both cylinders by branch-
pipes, fg, each branch being provided with a stop-cock, h. Air may be pumped
into either cylinder by opening the stop-cock in the branch leading to that cylinder;
or into both by opening the cocks in both branches.
C, designates the service-pipe, which is connected by branches, C1, C2, with the
two cylinders, A, A¹. Each branch is provided with a stop-cock, i, by the
opening or closing of which either or both cylinders may be thrown into or out
of action.

page_text: The service pipe may be connected with the cylinders at the top, bottom, or sides;
in the drawings it is shown as being connected to the top of one cylinder and near
the top of the other. When connected above the bottom, they must extend down
within the cylinder to near the bottom, to enable such pipe to take up all'the chemicals
from its cylinders.
The cylinders, A, A1, may be arranged in any preferred position relatively to each
other. In the drawings they are shown as arranged one above the other, and
supported by brackets, and although I prefer this arrangement, it is not absolutely
necessary.
Each cylinder is provided with a pressure-gauge, j, to indicate the pressure of the air
pumped into the cylinder.
The apparatus is used and operated as follows:
The caps, e, are unscrewed, and the chemical preparation with which the cylinders
e to be charged is introduced, after which the caps are again screwed on. Air is
tnen pumped into the cylinders by means of the air-pump, B.
I may remark here that the air-pump forms no part of my invention, and any other
preferred construction of pump may be substituted for that shown.
Air may be forced into both cylinders simultaneously by opening both the stop-
cocks, n, in the two branches, f, g, or into one only by closing one of the stop-cocks.
The cylinders being duly charged with compressed air, the apparatus is ready for use.
The stop-cocks, i, (one or both) in the branch-service-pipes being now opened, the
pressure of the air in the cylinders will force the chemical extinguishing agent there-
from through the service-pipe, C.
By turning the shafts, 6, the chemicals will be agitated and thoroughly mixed
and an even delivery secured. By using the cylinders successively or alternately,
one may be charged after becoming exhausted, while the other is in use.
Referring to Figure 3: A designates the cylinder or reservoir for containing a
chemical fire-extinguishing compound, the bottom, a, thereof being inwardly-dished
or concave, and has a central opening, o, for the introduction into the cylinder of the
chemical solution which is to be used as the extinguishing agent. When the
cylinder is inverted the concave bottom serves as a funnel, into which the chemical
mixture is poured, and from which it enters the cylinder through the said opening, o.
The opening in the bottom is fitted with a hollow screw-plug, p, the inner end of
which carries a check-valve, v. The outer end of the plug, P, projects from the
bottom, and is screw-threaded for the attachment of an air-pump, P, which may be of
any ordinary or preferred construction.
The plug, P, is removed for the introduction of the chemical solution; and after
the latter has been introduced the plug is screwed into the opening in the bottom and
the air-pump is attached. The air-pump being operated, air is forced into the cylinder
through the hollow plug, p, the valve, v, opening for its admission, but closing by the
pressure within to prevent its escape. When sufficient air has been pumped in to
give the requisite pressure, the air-pump is detached, and a screw-cap, c, is screwed
upon the plug, p.
When the cylinder, after being charged, is turned into its proper vertical posi-
tion the chemical solution takes its place at the bottom and the air at the top, the
latter thus exerting a downward pressure to force the air-extinguishing compound
out through a nozzle, n, which is fitted to an opening in the side wall, near the
bottom.
This nozzle is provided with a stop-cock, n¹, to control and regulate the flow of the
solution: with which the apparatus is charged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is-
First: The herein described chemical fire-extinguishing apparatus, comprising one
or more cylinders for the reception of the chemical solution, in .combination with
means for forcing air into said cylinder or cylinders, and means for controlling the>

page_text: discharge of the solution from such cylinder or cylinders, and for directing the
stream of solution expelled by the pressure of the air therein, substantially as
described.
:
Second In a fire-extinguishing apparatus, the combination of two or more
cylinders having a common delivery, and an air-pump connected with all the
cylinders by branch-pipes, each provided with a stop-cock whereby the cylinders
may be charged simultaneously or successively with compressed air, substantially as
described.
Third: In a fire-extinguishing apparatus, the combination of two or more
cylinders connected with a common delivery by branch-pipes, each of which is
provided with a stop-cock, and an air-pump connected with all the cylinders by
branch-pipes, which are also provided with stop-cocks, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Fourth A chemical fire-extinguishing apparatus comprising a battery of cylinders,
each having an opening for the introduction of a chemical extinguishing preparation,
and each provided with means for closing the same, a common service-pipe connected
with all the cylinders by branches, each provided with a stop-cock, and an air-pump
connected with all the cylinders by branch-pipes, which are also each provided with a
stop-cock, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 4th day of November 1000
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.