Porong its spread or Extension.
Year: 1885

page_text: Porong its spread or Extension.
I, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, of 3 Vernon Chambers, Southampton Row, in the
County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE AND FOR
PREVENTING ITS SPREAD OR EXTENSION to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements connected with apparatus for extinguishing
fire and for preventing its extension or spreading, whereby automaticity of action
and other advantages are obtained.
A known method of extinguishing fires automatically consists in the employment
of apparatus comprising discharge pipes fitted with valves, the said valves being
operated by weights, springs or the like, on the release of a detent, by the com-
bustion of a stretched inflammable cord, or by the fusion of an alloy. These pipes
are in connection with water mains or with water tanks or reservoirs whence
water for the extinction of the fire is obtained. When however the pressure in
the water supply mains is not sufficient to raise the water to the discharge pipes,
or discharging orifices, whence the water is to be discharged over the flames or
burning matter, it is usual in connection with this known method of extinguishing
fires to create an artificial pressure by the mixing of chemical substances which on
combination generate or liberate a gas, the pressure of which is utilised to force the
water, or mixture of water and the substances resulting from the said chemical
combination, up to the discharge pipes or discharging orifices, whence they are
discharged over the flames. The generation or liberation of this gas takes place in
a closed vessel or mixing tank to which water and the two substances which
combine to generate or liberate the gas are supplied from separate sources or
receptacles. The passage of the water and of the two chemical substances froin
their said several sources or receptacles into the mixing tank is controlled by
valves situated in the pipes connecting the said sources or receptacles with the
said mixing tank, the said valves being operated in a manner similar to that in
which the valves in the discharge pipes before mentioned are operated. In some
cases the mixing tank already contains water with one of the chemical substances
already in solution therein, and the other chemical substance alone is contained in
a separate receptacle, it being connected with the mixing tank by means of a pipe,
D1 031

page_text: so that when the valve in this pipe is opened the reagent in the separate receptacle
enters the mixing tank, causing gas to be generated which, forces the solution up
through a pipe leading from near the bottom of the said mixing tank to the
orifices from which the water is discharged. This pipe is also sometimes fitted with
a valve operated in the manner hereinbefore mentioned. Substances frequently
employed to generate the gas are sulphuric acid and sodic carbonate. In this
known method of extinguishing fire it is usual, instead of causing the water to
pass directly out of the discharge pipes on to the flames or burning matter, to
distribute the water by means of distributors such as roses, pipes containing
minute orifices, perforated caps fitted to the ends of the said discharge pipes, or
revolving perforated pans or centrifugals. These revolving perforated pans or
centrifugals are generally caused to revolve by the pressure of the water itself,
somewhat after the manner of miniature turbines. Various forms of valves are
employed for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned. When situated in the body or
at an intermediate part of a pipe, the valves generally consist of an ordinary form
of tap, or of a form of throttle valve, and when fitted to the orifice of a discharge
- pipe they frequently take the form of a hinged stopper secured in position by a
lever and detent. In this latter case the discharge pipe with its valve lever and
detent is frequently made removeable or replaceable. In this known method of
extinguishing fires, instead of employing water as the extinguishing agent, other
extinguishing agents are frequently employed, such for example as various solutions,
or liquid carbonic anhydride, or carbonic anhydride gas under compression, or
water highly charged with carbonic anhydride gas; and these are sometimes
contained in bottles, drums or other closed vessels. In this known method of
extinguishing fire it is customary to shut off the fire itself by means of valves or
fire doors to prevent the spreading or extension of the fire from one part of a
building or the like to another; and such valves or doors are operated in a similar
manner to that of the valves herein before referred to, by closing by gravity upon
the withdrawal of a detent or its equivalent kept in position by a fusible alloy or
stretched cord, and closing when such alloy is fused or such cord is consumed.
My invention differs from this known method of extinguishing fire automatically
in that I operate such valves and distributors electrically, employing for this
purpose electromotors actuated by automatic thermal electric contact makers.
The electromotors and automatic thermal electric contact makers are placed in
any convenient situation, or upon any convenient part of the apparatus. When
however I employ a replaceable device analagous to that referred to in the known
system of fire. extinguishing apparatus, I frequently place the valve, the electro-
motor and the automatic contact upon the replaceable discharge pipe, and make
them removable and replaceable therewith.
In carrying my invention into effect I employ electromotors of any convenient
type, such for example as those referred to in the Complete Specification prepared
to accompany my Letters Patent No. 339 of the year 1885.
These electromotors I cause to be called into action and otherwise controlled by
automatic thermal electric contact makers such for example as those referred to
under the name of thermal contacts" in the Complete Specification prepared to
accompany my Letters Patent No. 339 of the year 1885.
"
I employ these electromotors to operate the valves and distributors herein-
before referred to in connection with a known method of extinguishing fires
automatically.
The electromotors and thermal contacts herein before mentioned are. placed in
circuit with any convenient source or reservoir of electrical energy, such for
example as a primary battery or an electric accumulator or an electric light circuit
or the like.
The thermal contacts, whose action is well known and is fully described in my
Specification prepared to accompany my Letters Patent No. 339 of the year 1885,
serve to close the electric circuit when the temperature due to a fire breaking out
has risen to a dangerous degree. The circuit being closed the current of electricity

page_text: passes from the source or reservoir of electrical energy through the electromotor,
causing the latter to operate the valves or distributors, the said valves and dis-
tributors fulfilling the functions hereinbefore referred to when speaking of the
known method of extinguishing fires automatically.
The thermal contacts actuate the electromotors by calling them into action when
required, controlling their action whilst it lasts, and causing or allowing such action
to cease when no longer required.
The electromotors operate the valves or distributors by calling them into action
when required, controlling their action whilst it lasts, and causing or allowing such
action to cease when no longer required. It is not necessary that each electro-
motor should be actuated by a separate thermal contact, or that each valve or
distributor should be operated by a separate electromotor. In practice one or
several electromotors may operate one or several valves and distributors, and one
or several thermal contacts may actuate one or several electromotors.

page_text: Preventing its Spread or Extension.
I JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, of Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment, London,
formerly of 3 Vernon Chambers, Southampton Row, in the County of Middlesex,
Consulting 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:—
My invention relates to improvements connected with apparatus for extinguishing
fire and for preventing its extension or spreading, whereby automaticity of action
and other advantages are obtained.
A known method of extinguishing fires automatically consists in the employment
of apparatus comprising discharge pipes fitted with valves, the said valves being
operated by weights, springs or the like on the release of a detent, by the com-
bustion of a stretched inflammable cord, or by the fusion of an alloy. These pipes
are in connection with water mains or with water tanks or reservoirs, whence
water for the extinction of the fire is obtained. When however the pressure in
the water supply mains is not sufficient to raise the water to the discharge pipes,
or discharging orifices, whence the water is to be discharged over the flames or
burning matter, it is usual, in, connection with this known method of extinguishing
fires, to create an artificial pressure by the mixing of chemical substances which on
combination generate or liberate a gas, the pressure of which is utilised to force
the water, or mixture of water and the substances resulting from the said chemical
combination, up to the discharge pipes or discharging orifices, whence they are
discharged over the flames. The generation or liberation of this gas takes place in
a closed vessel or mixing tank, to which water and the two substances which
combine to generate or liberate the gas are supplied from separate sources or
receptacles. The passage of the water and of the two chemical substances from
their said several sources or receptacles into the mixing tank is controlled by
valves situated in the pipes connecting the said sources or receptacles with the
said mixing tank; the said valves being operated in a manner similar to that in
which the valves in the discharge pipes before mentioned are operated. In some
cases the mixing tank already contains water with one of the chemical substances
already in solution therein, and the other chemical substance alone is contained in
a separate receptacle which is connected with the mixing tank by means of a pipe
so that when the valve in this pipe is opened the reagent in the separate receptacle
enters the mixing tank, causing gas to be generated, which forces the solution up
through a pipe leading from near the bottom of the said mixing tank to the orifices
from which the water is discharged. This pipe is also sometimes fitted with a
valve operated in the manner hereinbefore mentioned. Substances frequently
employed to generate the gas are sulphuric acid and sodic carbonate.
known method of extinguishing fire it is usual, instead of causing the water to
pass directly out of the discharge pipes on to the flames or burning matter, to
distribute the water by means of distributors, such as roses, pipes containing
minute orifices, perforated caps fitted to the ends of the said discharge pipes, or
revolving perforated pans or centrifugals. These revolving perforated pans or
centrifugals are generally caused to revolve by the pressure of the water itself,
Bomewhat after the manner of miniature turbines. Various forms of valves are
employed for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned. When situated in the body,
In this

page_text: or at an intermediate part, of a pipe, the valves generally consist of an ordinary
form of tap, or of a form of throttle valve, and when fitted to the orifice of a
discharge pipe they frequently take the form of a hinged stopper, secured in
position by a lever and detent. In this latter case the discharge pipe, with
its valve lever and detent, is frequently made removeable or replaceable. In
this known method of extinguishing fires, instead of employing water as the
extinguishing agent, other extinguishing agents are frequently employed, such
for example as various solutions, or liquid carbonic anhydride, or carbonic
anhydride gas under compression, or water highly charged with carbonic anhydride
gas; and these are sometimes contained in bottles drums or other closed vessels.
In this known method of extinguishing fire it is customary to shut off the fire
itself. by means of valves or fire doors to prevent the spreading or extension of the
fire from one part of a building or the like to another; and such valves or doors
are operated in a similar manner to that of the valves hereinbefore referred to, by
closing by gravity upon the withdrawal of a detent or its equivalent kept in
position by a fusible alloy or stretched cord, and closing when such alloy is fused,
or such cord is consumed.
My invention differs from this known method of extinguishing fire auto-
matically in that I operate such valves and distributors electrically, employing
for this purpose electromotors actuated by automatic thermal electric contact
makers.
The electromotors and automatic thermal electric contact makers are placed in
any convenient situation, or upon any convenient part of the apparatus. When
however I employ a replaceable device analogous to that referred to in the known
system of fire extinguishing apparatus I frequently place the valve the electro-
motor and the automatic contact upon the replaceable discharge pipe, and make
them removable and replaceable therewith.
In carrying my invention into effect I employ electromotors of any convenient
type, such for example as those referred to in the Complete Specification accom-
panying my Letters Patent No. 339 of the year 1885.
"
These electromotors I cause to be called into action and otherwise controlled by
automatic thermal electric contact makers hereinafter referred to as [ thermal
contacts" such for example as those referred to under the name of thermal
contacts" in the Complete Specification accompanying my Letters Patent No. 339
of the year 1885.
I employ these electromotors to operate the valves and distributors hereinbefore
referred to in connection with a known method of extinguishing fires automatically.
The electromotors and thermal contacts herein before mentioned are placed in
circuit with any convenient source or reservoir of electrical energy, such for
example as a primary battery, or an electric accumulator, or an electric light
circuit, or the like.
The thermal contacts, whose modes of action are well known and are fully
described in my Specification No. 339 of the year 1885, serve to close the electric
circuit when the temperature due to a fire breaking out has risen to a dangerous
degree. The circuit being closed, the current of electricity passes from the source
or reservoir of electrical energy through the electromotor, causing the latter to
operate the valves or distributors; the said valves and distributors fulfilling
the functions hereinbefore referred to when speaking of the known method of
extinguishing fires automatically.
The thermal contacts actuate the electromotors by calling them into action when
required, controlling their action whilst it lasts, and causing or allowing such action
to cease when no longer required.
The electromotors operate the valves or distributors by calling them into action
when required, controlling their action whilst it lasts, and causing or allowing such
action to cease when no longer required. It is not necessary that each electro-
motor should be actuated by a separate thermal contact, or that each valve or dis-
tributor should be operated by a separate electromotor. In practice one or several

page_text: electromotors may operate one or several valves and distributors; and one or several
thermal contacts may actuate one or several electromotors.
In order that my invention may be more readily or fully understood I shall now
proceed briefly to describe a few illustrative cases, reference being made to the
figures on the accompanying sheets of drawings. I desire it to be understood that
these figures are purely diagrammatic.
In the majority of the figures in the accompanying drawings the automatic
contact is symbolically represented by the letter O within a circle, the electromotor
by the letter E within a circle, and the source or reservoir of electrical energy by
the letter G within a circle.
I desire it to be understood that in the figures in the accompanying drawings
the positions occupied by the symbols for automatic contact, electromotor, and
source or reservoir of electrical energy, are not necessarily the positions which
they would occupy in practice. In practice the positions which these would occupy
vary to a great extent with individual cases. In many cases the proper position
would be obvious.
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent forms of the same type of thermal contact
as that represented in figure 12 of the drawings accompanying the Complete
Specification of my patent No. 339 of the year 1885; figure 1 being of simplex,
figure 2 of duplex, figure 3 of multiplex, and figure 4 of combined duplex and
multiplex, construction. These forms of automatic contact will be readily under-
stood by reference to the description of figure 12 in the Complete Specification
accompanying my Letters Patent No. 339 of the year 1885. I desire it to be
understood however that I make no claim to this form of contact in this present
specification.
In figure 5 I show my invention as applied to one part of the known method of
extinguishing fires hereinbefore referred to. D is a water pipe fitted with a
valve which is operated by the electromotor E¹. H is a distributor, in this
case a centrifugal machine, consisting of a circular pan capable of revolving in a
borizontal plane. It is rotated by the electromotor E³; and I prefer that the
centrifugal revolve on the axle on which is mounted the revolving part of the
electromotor E. J J show a screen to prevent the water falling on the
electromotor. The action is as follows:-When a fire breaks out the rise of
temperature will cause the thermal contact C to close the electric circuit and
call the two electromotors E¹ E into action. E¹ open's the valve V, and allows
water to flow into the centrifugal; whilst E' causes the centrifugal to revolve so as
to scatter or sprinkle the water all round.
In figure 6 I show my invention as applied to another part of the known
method of extinguishing fires bereinbefore referred to. A is a closed vessel or
mixing tank partially filled with a solution, say of sodic carbonate in water. F' is
a pipe passing from near the bottom of A to the pipe F' fitted with minute orifices.
D is a pipe leading into A from a reservoir or receptacle B, containing say sulphuric
acid. V is a valve in the pipe D by means of which the electromotor E operates
the apparatus, and controls the supply of sulphuric acid to A. The action is as
follows: A fire having broken out, the rise of temperature will cause the thermal
contact to close the electric circuit through the electromotor E, which will move
the valve V, and cause the sulphuric acid to flow from B into A. When sulphuric
acid is supplied to A, chemical action takes place between the sulphuric acid and
the sodic carbonate, and the carbonic acid gas is set free in large quantities. This
collects in the upper part of A and forces the water through F, and out in jets at
the orifices in F.
This arrangement is specially applicable in cases where the water or other
extinguishing fluid has to be raised to a great height, for example when the
pressure in the water mains is insufficient. The pressure of the disengaged
carbonic acid gas, if the sulphuric acid and sodic carbonate be supplied in sufficient
quantity, will suffice to force the extinguishing liquid to the top of the highest
building.

page_text: .
I have mentioned 'sodic carbonate and sulphuric acid as the chemicals employed,
but any other suitable reagents may be used which will readily generate gas on
being brought together..
In the figure the solution of sodic carbonate is shown already in the vessel A,
but I prefer in practice to have a pipe from the water main, or from a water tank
or reservoir, communicating with the vessel A, and fitted with a valve controlled
by an electromotor; and to have the sodic carbonate in a concentrated solution
supplied from a separate vessel similar to that shown in the figure as containing
the sulphuric acid, and also fitted with a supply pipe and valve. All three valves
are thus simultaneously operated by the electromotor or electromotors controlling
them, when the circuit is completed. I prefer to have the pipes supplying the
water, the sodic carbonate, and the sulphuric acid, respectively, of such relative
sizes as to deliver their contents in the most suitable proportions to the vessel A.
These proportions will of course vary with the pressure of the water and the
strengths of the sulphuric acid and sodic carbonate solution.
If the end of the bent tube F1, instead of passing nearly to the bottom of the
vessel A, terininates above the surface of the liquid in A, the fluid ejected will
be carbonic acid gas. I sometimes fit the pipe F¹ with a valve operated by an
electromotor as are the other valves herein mentioned.
In figure 7 I show my invention as applied to another part of the known method
of extinguishing fires hereinbefore referred to. In this device liquid carbonic
anhydride, or carbonic anhydride gas under high pressure, is liberated, when a fire
breaks out, for the purpose of extinguishing the same. The liquid or compressed
gas is contained in the iron bottle K which is furnished with a tap or valve V.
To this tap or valve is attached one end of a bent lever L having a weight M near
its other end. This end of the lever is furnished with a slot which engages a
detent N attached to the armature of the simple form of electromotor shown. When
the circuit is closed the armature is attracted towards the electromagnet, the detent
withdrawn from the slot, the valve opened by the descent of the weighted lever,
and the carbonic anhydride allowed to escape from the nozzle of the bottle.
The fire is extinguished not only because the carbonic anhydride cannot support
combustion but also because its expansion on escaping produces intense cold, and
reduces the temperature of the comburants below the point at which combustion
takes place.
In some cases I fill the bottle K with a mixture of a liquid and a gas under
compression. It then ejects its contents, when the tap or cock is automatically
opened, after the manner of a soda water bottle.
It will be obvious that the pipe D, see figure 5, may, instead of delivering the
water into a centrifugal, deliver it straight over the burning spot. In such a case,
in order that the water may be spread, it is convenient to fit a perforated cap over
the end of the pipe. This device is shown in figure 8 and its action will be readily
understood from what has preceded.
Figure 9 diagrammatically represents a somewhat similar device to the last but
with a preferable form of valve. A is a valve held firmly in its position by the
detent. D, which constitutes the armature of the simple form of electromotor
shown a simple electromagnet. This device may be arranged in a cheap and
symmetrical form by having the pipe P of soft iron, and making it form the core
of an electromagnet, by suitably surrounding it with a coil of insulated wire.
When magnetised by the passage of the electric current through the coil it would
attract the detent and release the valve.
Such an arrangement is represented in figure 10, in which A is the valve, B the
lever, D the detent, and P the pipe as before. The detent is in this case shown
as a semicircular one embracing half the circumference of the pipe. When the
current passes through the coil of the electromotor E, the detent D is attracted,
B is released, and the valve opened. H is a counterweight attached to D to make
it hold B. It will be seen that in this figure the iron pipe P forms the core of the
electromotor E, but I sometimes use a separate core (also a pipe of soft iron) which

page_text: I slip over this pipe. When I desire the device to be replaceable I frequently form
a thread upon it, as shown in the figure, so that it can be readily screwed on to
any suitable pipe. This constitutes a replaceable device consisting of both the
electromagnet and the valve which it is required to operate.
A still more complete replaceable apparatus is shown in part in figure 11. This
is the same device as that shown in figure 10 except that it has the thermal
contact attached to the lever B. Of course it could be equally well attached to
any other suitable part of the device, which could also bear suitable binding posts
for the attachment of the necessary wires. A handy and readily portable replaceable
device is thus formed.
In figure 12 I show my invention as applied to another part of the known
method of extinguishing fires hereinbefore referred to. A is a valve constituting a
fire door, serving to close up the passage B. D is a rail on which the door, shown
open in the figure, travels by means of the suspension wheels F F. The door is
normally kept open, in the position shown, by ineans of a detent H, actuated by
the electromotor E. The action is as follows:-When a fire breaks out, the rise of
temperature causes the thermal contact C to close the electric circuit through E,
which then actuates the detent, releasing the door, and allowing it to run down
the rail by gravity, and thus close up the passage.
I sometimes instead of using the electromotor to release a detent to allow the
door to close by gravity, employ the electromotor to pull the door shut. I however
prefer the method illustrated.
I desire it to be understood that the diagrammatic illustrations herein given are
.only set forth as types. The devices may be modified and rearranged inter se to
an almost indefinite extent.
Of the various forms of thermal contacts referred to, I prefer to employ those
whose actions depend upon the bending of a compound strip.
As the power required to move the valves is sometimes considerable I sometimes
employ mechanical power for that purpose, using electrical energy simply to call
the mechanical power into play; and this I effect by employing mechanisms such
as those set forth with reference to figures 96, 97, 98 & 99 in the Complete Specifi-
cation accompanying my Letters Patent No. 339 of the year 1885, but I desire it
to be understood that I make no separate claim to the use of such mechanisms.
It will be readily understood than in some cases it is convenient to employ a
counter weight, or counterspring, or other equivalent device, to react against the
electromotor, more particularly when one of the more simple forms of electro-
motor is employed. Thus an electromotor may be employed to exert a pull when
contact is made, and a counterweight or [counterspring to assert a pull in the
opposite direction when contact is broken. As an illustration I may cite an
electromotor pulling a valve open when the circuit is closed, and a counterweight
or counterspring pulling it shut when the circuit is opened, and the pull of the
electromotor ceases. Such cases are shown in some of the accompanying drawings.
In the more complex forms of electromotor however, such as those which may
exert a pull in two directions, or such as those which have a rotating armature, it
is generally unnecessary that counterweights or countersprings or their equivalents
should be used, because the passage of the current through a different coil, or in a
· different direction through the same coil, will reverse the direction of action of the
electromotor, and produce the effect desired.
I desire it to be understood that I lay no claim to the method or apparatus for
extinguishing fire referred to in that part of this Specification which describes a
known method of extinguishing fire: for example I lay no claim to the uses of valves
or distributors as mentioned in such part of this Specification, nor do I lay claim to
the method therein mentioned of creating an artificial pressure by the bringing
about the generation or liberation of gases, nor do I lay any claim to the use
of any of the extinguishing agents therein mentioned, nor do I lay any claim to
the liberation of liquid or compressed gaseous carbonic anhydride from a bottle of

page_text: other vessel, nor do I lay any claim to the use of valves constituting automatic fire
doors: but, 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. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire, and for preventing its spread or
extension, the combination of a thermal contact and an electromotor, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire, the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, and a valve controlling the discharge of water, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In automatic apparatus for preventing the spread or extension of fire the
combination of a thermal contact, an electromotor, and a valve, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth with reference to figure 12.
4. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, and a valve controlling the passage of a chemical reagent
to a mixing tank, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, and a valve controlling the passage of water to a mixing
tank, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, and a valve controlling the passage of water or of a
chemical solution or of an extinguishing gas from a mixing tank, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
7. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, and a valve controlling the passage of a liquified or com-
pressed gas or of a liquid containing a gas under compression in solution from a
bottle or vessel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth with reference to
figure 7.
8. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, and a distributor, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
9. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, a valve, and a distributor, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth with reference to figure 5.
10. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, a valve, a discharge pipe, and a distributor, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth with reference to figure 8.
11. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of a thermal
contact, an electromotor, a valve, and a detent, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth with reference to figure 9.
12. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of parts
constituting the replaceable device substantially as set forth with reference to
figure 10.
13. In automatic apparatus for extinguishing fire the combination of parts
constituting the replaceable device substantially as set forth with reference to
figure 11.
14. In automatic apparatus for preventing the spread or extension of fire the
combination of parts substantially as and for the purpose set forth with reference
to figure 12.