Improvements in Automatic Fire Extinguishing Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: .
Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Fire Extinguishing Apparatus.
I, ALBERT EDWARD KENNEDY, of 507 and 508, Reibold Building, South Main
Street, Dayton, in the County of Montgomery and State of Ohio, United States
of America, Attorney-at-Law, 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 an entirely automatic fire-extinguishing system for
buildings and it has for its object the production and co-action of automatic
means whereby, in the absence of watchmen or attendants, should a fire break
out at any time in any room or part of the building equipped with my appara-
tus, the heat occasioned thereby would first release one or more discharge
valves in the line of distributing pipes and by such release and consequent
reduction of pressure in the distributing pipes permit the automatic action of
means for causing the generation of gas in a vessel or tank containing liquid
and chemicals which vessel would first discharge its gaseous and liquid con-
tents through the distributing pipes upon the incipient fire and at the same
time sound and send in an alarm to some fire department, and then when the
discharging pressure of the vessel became nearly or quite exhausted a second
source of constant water supply would be automatically turned on and dis-
charged through the distributing pipes upon the fire, so that should the alarm
be unheeded or a delay occur in reaching the fire there would be no cessation
of discharge of water upon the fire even after the gas-generating vessel had
ceased to act. The novelty of my invention will be hereinafter set forth and
specifically pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, in which the same numerals and letters of
reference are used to indicate identical parts, Figure 1 designates a general
view of my fire extinguishing system, parts being in section to illustrate details
of construction. Figure 2 is a view in side elevation and section, on a larger
scale, of the diaphragm and acid jar tripping or dropping mechanism. Figure 3
is a side view of the acid jar and its supporting frame. Figure 4 is a side
view of my improved sprinkler head. Figure 5 is a top plan view of the
sprinkler. Figure 6 is a side view of a modified sprinkler head.
1 designates a tank which is to be supplied with a suitable quantity of water
containing soda in solution. Leading from this tank at or near its bottom is
a pipe 2 which will terminate in any desired or suitable number of sprinkler
heads near the ceiling of the room to be protected against fire. 3 designates
the pipe of the street or main water supply which is connected with the pipe 2-
and with the tank by branches which are provided with suitable valves for
opening and closing the same. Below the point of connection of the main
water supply with the pipe 2 is a check valve 4 which opens upward only and
therefore prevents back flow of water into the tank when a flow from the main
is established in the sprinkler pipes.

page_text: Constructed upon the top of the tank is a dome or cage 5 through which
the acid jar 6 is passed into the tank and in which it is supported. The acid
jar will preferably be made of aluminium because of the non-corrodibility of
that metal and it will have at its open end a horizontally projecting collar or
shoulder 6 chamfered at its under side for the purpose to be explained further
on. The gas also has two trunnions 6b located on opposite sides thereof. below
and in a line to one side of a vertical line passing through the centre of gravity.
These trunnions project into the slots 7" in a fraine 7 screwed to the underside
of the cap plate of the dome or cage. At the inner side of the dome or cage
is an arc-shaped piece 8 which has its upper side bevelled or chamfered to fit
under the correspondingly-shaped shoulder on the upper end of the acid jar.
This arc-shaped piece has a rod or stem 8" that extends out through a per-
forated fitting or boss on the side of the dome. The stem or rod is encircled
by and has attached to it a coil spring 8 which is adapted to hold the same
normally outward. Pivoted to the fitting or boss is a forked lever 9 the short
or fork arms of which are connected to the end of the rod 8 so that when the
long arm is pressed down the spring 8 is compressed and the arc-shaped piece 8
thrown inward into position to engage and sustain the jar in an upright posi
tion in the upper part of the tank. Arranged upon the tank and in juxta-
position to the lever 9 is a diaphragm chamber 10 formed of two concaved discs
which are bolted together upon a diaphragm 10ª of rubber or other flexible
material. Fastened to the diaphragm and passing through a centrally located
boss or fitting on the inner side of the diaphragm chamber is a stem or rod 11
which has at its end a trip 11" adapted to extend over the trip lever 9. The
stem or rod 11 is encircled by a coil spring 11b which tends to push the rod
toward the diaphragm chamber 10. Connecting the outer side of the diaphragm,
or that side opposite the trip 11 and the pipe 2, is a pipe 12 in which is a
check valve 12" to prevent the back flow of water into the diaphragm chamber.
Communicating with the outer side of the diaphragm chamber also is a pipe 13
through which compressed air is supplied to the diaphragm chamber and pipe 2
by means of a hydraulic motor and air pump 14 operated automatically by
water flowing from the main supply through pipe 15. Where no main or
street supply is available and the liquids and gases of the tank are relied upon
for extinguishing a fire, suitable reservoirs of compressed air or gas may be
substituted for the hydraulic motor and air pump.
The number of sprinkler heads to be employed will of course be determined
by the area to be protected. In Figure 4 I have illustrated one form of
sprinkler that I have devised for use in connection with my apparatus. It
consists of a short pipe or nipple 16 provided with horizontally-extending
ears 16 and 16b. Pivoted to the car 16" is a lever 17 one arm of which is
curved down to stand under the opening of the nipple or short pipe 16 where
it is furnished with an adjustable screw-threaded pin that supports at its upper
end a valve adapted to close the opening of the nipple. The other end of the
lever 17 is constructed to be fastened to the ear 16" by means of a few coils
of wire 18 which fuse or melt upon an abnormal rise of temperature. A coil
spring 17 aids in throwing the lever 17 outward, when the wire 18 has fused.
The sprinkler or water-spraying device consists of a hub 20 having radially
extending wings 20ª set therein at an incline to the direction of the water
flowing from the nipple. These wings also have teeth 20 bent out of their
lower edges which are designed to further break the stream. Upon the top
of the hub of the sprinkler is secured a disc 21 having teeth bent slightly
upward which are arranged to extend over the space between the radial arms
to further divide the descending current water. In the centre of the disc 21
is a cone which spreads and directs the impinging stream outwardly to the
sprinkling devices. The latter are supported horizontally upon a pendant
rod 20° which is slidable in the bar 6 and may be clamped in any adjustment
by a screw as shewn in Figure 4.

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I propose to combine with the apparatus thus far described, means for auto-
matically establishing a flow of water from the street main or other main water
supply if such a supply be available. To do this I connect a pipe 22 having
a check valve 22ª closing toward the diaphragm chamber with the pipe 12
between the diaphragm and the check valve 12 in said pipe and with a com-
pressed air chamber 23. On this chamber 23 I provide cylinder 23° having
a movable piston 23ª connected air tightly by an expansible bellows-like sack
of leather or other flexible material 23b with the interior of the chamber. The
valve 24 of the water main pipe is furnished with a slotted arm 24 which is
connected with the piston 23" by a rod 25. Upon this rod is a shoulder 25"
between which and a fixed bracket on the pipe is a coil spring 25b that forces
the rod, and consequently the valve's arm, inward when pressure on the inner
side of the piston is reduced to the desired degree. The chamber 23 is con-
nected with the upper part of the tank by means of a short pipe 26 in which
is a check valve 26" opening into the tank, so that when the pressure in the
tank is exhausted the compressed air of this chamber 23 shall also exhaust
into the tank and allow the spring 25b, as before stated, to draw inward the
rod 25 and consequently the lever 24 thus opening the main water supply.
In connection with my apparatus I may also employ an alarm, one electri-
cally operated will be most convenient and effective. The circuit for such an
alarm can be closed by the action of the trip on the diaphragm. I have illus-
trated the proper devices for carrying out this detail and they will be readily
understood from an inspection of the drawing. Not only can a bell at the place
of the fire be sounded but connections may be made for signalling the muni-
cipal fire department.
The operation of my apparatus is as follows:-The tank is supplied with a
suitable quantity of water containing soda in solution and the acid jar with a
proper quantity of sulphuric acid. The valves of the sprinkler heads are closed
tightly, the fusible wires having been first fastened around the supporting
lever. The air pump is then put into operation and the air compressed into
the outer side of the diaphragm chamber as well as into the sprinkler pipes
and the chamber containing the piston for the automatic operation of the
main water supply. When the pressure of air in the sprinkler pipes and dia-
phragm chamber has risen to a given point. the trip rod on the diaphragm is
pushed out until it extends over the depressed long arm of the lever 9 which is
thus held until the diaphragm retracts upon the release of pressure in the
diaphragm chamber. Upon an abnormal and dangerous rise of temperature,
as in case of fire, the fusible wire fastenings of the levers of the sprinkler
heads melt, the valves on the nipples drop off, and the compressed air escapes,
permitting the diaphragm to retract and with it the trip on the lever 9. The
coil spring on the stem 8" withdraws the holder of the acid jar which drops
and turns over, discharging its contents into the tank. A large quantity of
carbonic acid gas is thus generated which together with the water flows with
great violence into the sprinkler pipes and on to the incipient fire, the sprinklers
thoroughly distributing the water and gas. Very little, or no, water is ordi-
narily required as the carbonic acid gas alone is an efficient extinguisher of
fire. Usually the fire department or other persons will have appeared by the
time the tank is exhausted, but if not the main water supply will have been
automatically put into operation upon the reduction of pressure in the tank as
hereinbefore stated.
In the modified sprinkler head shewn in Figure 6 two levers or arms 17ª
and 17 are arranged horizontally one upon the other and are held together by
a curved lever 17° which engages their free ends, and by a fusible wire 18"
that is coiled around the three parts 17ª, 17b, 17. The out-turned or divergent
ends of the levers or arms. 17 and 17b bear against the valve and sprinkler
proper, respectively, as shewn. It is apparent the valve will be instantly
released upon the melting of the wire 18*.*

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
. 1. In a fire-extinguishing system and in combination, a preliminary supply
vessel containing liquid; a distributing pipe leading from said vessel and hav-
ing therein one or more heat-releasable discharge valves; means for auto-
matically maintaining a pressure in said distributing pipe; a chemical supply
vessel movably mounted in said preliminary supply vessel and containing
chemicals adapted to generate gas when mixed with the liquid in said preli-
minary supply vessel; releasing means for said chemical supply vessel held
in engagement therewith by said constant pressure in said distributing pipe;
a fire-alarm mechanism actuated simultaneously with the releasing of said
chemical supply vessel; a second and constant liquid supply independent of
said preliminary supply vessel and connected to said distributing pipe and a
valve intermediate of said constant liquid supply and said distributing pipe,
said valve being normally held closed by said constant pressure in said dis-
tributing pipe and abnormally held closed by the pressure of the gas generated
by the releasing of the acid chemical supply vessel, and said valve being adapted
to be automatically opened by the lowering of the pressure of said gas in said
pipe caused by the exhaustion of said preliminary supply vessel after the con-
tents of said chemical supply vessel have been mixed with the liquid in said
preliminary supply vessel; whereby on the releasing of one or more of said dis-
charge valves said chemical supply vessel is released and an alarm actuated
simultaneously, gas is generated in said preliminary supply vessel and forced
through said released discharge valve or valves and when the pressure of said
gas is reduced below an effective pressure the constant liquid supply valve is
opened admitting a constant source of liquid supply, providing the fire depart-
ment (adapted to be called by said fire alarm) has not yet arrived and prevented
the opening of said constant liquid supply valve in their discretion, substan-
tially as specified.
2. In a fire extinguisher system the combination with a main water supply
pipe 3, a gas generating tank containing an acid jar with devices for sustaining
the same, a pipe 2 leading from said tank to a structure to be protected, the
pipe 3 being connected with the pipe 2, a valve closing said pipe 2 adapted to
be automatically operated upon an abnormal rise of temperature, a chamber 10
containing a flexible diaphragm having devices for holding and releasing the
acid jar, a pipe 12 containing check valve 12" connecting one side of the diaph-
ragm chamber with the pipe 2, an air pump, a pipe 15 for supplying water
from the pipe 3 to automatically operate said pump, and a pipe 13 for convey-
ing compressed air to the diaphragm chamber and pipe 2, substantially as
described.
3. In a fire extinguishing system the combination with a main water supply
pipe 3, a gas generating tank containing an acid jar with devices for releas-
ably holding the same, a pipe 2 leading from said tank to a structure to be
protected, the pipe 3 being connected with the pipe 2, a valve closing said
pipe 2 adapted to be automatically operated upon an abnormal rise of tempera-
ture, a chamber containing a flexible diaphragm having devices for holding
and releasing the said jar, a pipe 12 containing check valve 12" connecting one
side of the diaphragm chamber with the pipe 2, an air pump with a pipe 13
for supplying compressed air to the diaphragm and pipe 2, a valve 24", a com-
pressed air chamber 23 communicating with the gas generating tank, a check
valve 26 interposed between said chamber 23 and the tank, and means substan-
tially as described in said chamber for actuating the valve 24 upon the escape
of the compressed air from said chamber into the tank as set forth.
4. In a fire extinguishing system the combination with the main water sup-
ply pipe 3, a gas generating tank containing an acid jar with devices for

page_text: releasably sustaining the same, a pipe 2 leading from said tank to a structure
to be protected, the pipe 3 being connected with the pipe 2, a valve closing
said pipe adapted to be automatically operated upon an abnormal rise of tem
perature, a chamber 10 containing a flexible diaphragm having devices for hold-
ing and releasing the acid jar, a pipe 12 containing check valve 12ª connecting
one side of said diaphragm chamber with the pipe 2, an air pump with a pipe 13
for supplying compressed air to the diaphragm chamber, and a pipe 2, a
valve 24, a compressed air chamber 23 communicating with the gas generating
tank, a check valve 26" interposed between the said chamber 23 and the tank,
a pipe 22 containing check valve 22ª connected with the pipe 12 for supplying
compressed air to the chamber 23, and means substantially as described in
said chamber for actuating the valve 24" upon the escape of the compressed
air from said chamber into the tank substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
5. A sprinkler for fire extinguishers having a series of inclined radial arms 20°
of sheet metal with free spaces between them said radial arms having teeth 20b
bent out of their lower edges and projecting into the space between the said
arms substantially as shewn.
6. In a tank for chemical fire extinguishers an acid jar having a chamfered
or bevelled shoulder at its upper end and trunnions located out of the centre of
gravity of the jar when in upright position, a supporting frame for said jar
consisting of two arms 7 having slots 7" to receive the trunnions secured to
the under side of the cap of the tank, and a trip for sustaining and releasing
said jar including an arc-shaped piece 8 adapted to engage the bevelled shoulder
of the jar, and a rod or stem 8 adapted to be operated exteriorly of the tank
substantially as shewn and described.
7. In a fire extinguishing system and in combination a preliminary supply
vessel containing liquid, a distributing pipe leading from said vessel and having
therein one or more heat releasable discharge valves, means for automatically
maintaining the pressure in said distributing pipe, and a chemical supply vessel
adapted to discharge its contents into said preliminary supply vessel, means
operated by said constant pressure in said distributing pipe for preventing the
discharge of said chemical supply vessel, a second and constant liquid supply
connected directly to said distributing pipe, and a valve intermediate of said
constant liquid supply and said distributing pipe, said valve being normally
held closed by effective pressure in said distributing pipe or said preliminary
supply vessel, and said valve being adapted to open when said vessel ceases to
be effective, whereby on the release of one or more of said discharge valve, the
contents of said chemical supply vessel are discharged into a preliminary supply
vessel to generate gas to force the contents of said preliminary supply vessel
through said discharge valve or valves, and when the pressure in said dis-
tributing pipe or preliminary supply vessel ceases to be effective said constant
liquid supply valve is opened admitting a constant source of liquid supply
directly to said distributing pipe, substantially as specified.
8. In a fire extinguishing apparatus the combination with the water and gas
tank, a cage or reduced top extension 5, and a pendent frame or parallel bars
having lengthwise slots, of the acid jar having a head or top shoulder and trun-
nions which are located at one side of the diametrical centre of the jar, the hori-
zontally slidable rod- 8" which engages the head of the jar and supports it in
normal position; a coil spring encircling said rod, a pivotal lever 9 (whose
shorter arms are connected with said rod by links) the slidable trip, a rod 11
held in suitable bearings and having a catch or trip proper 11ª, which engages
the longer arm of the lever 9, when the latter is in horizontal position; a
flexible diaphragm connected with the inner end of the trip rod, and a chamber
for said diaphragm having air pipes attached for operating as shewn and
described.
9. In a fire extinguisher, two aligned levers or arms applied for holding the

page_text: valve of a water pipe normally closed, a curved lever or catch lying upon and
engaging the free ends of said arms, and an easily fusible wire wound around
the three aligned parts for holding them together until released by a certain
degree of heat to permit them to separate and automatically release the valve
to discharge the water substantially as specified.
10. In a fire extinguisher the sprinkler head arranged below the nipple of
the water-distributing pipe and having radial arms which are inclined trans-
versely and constructed with downwardly inclined wings for dividing and deflecț-
ing the water as specified.
11. In a fire-extinguisher in connection with a water-distributing pipe hav-
ing a heat-releasable valve, a chemical supply vessel and means for discharging
it into a tank containing chemicals adapted to generate gas and a fire alarm
mechanism actuated simultaneously with the releasing of the acid vessel, and
a valve adapted to be automatically opened by lowering the pressure of gas in
the distributing pipe, whereby upon releasing the discharge valve the chemical
supply vessel is released and an alarm actuated and a constant liquid supply
valve is opened substantially as shewn and described.
JL,
12. In a fire-extinguisher an acid-holding jar or vessel having trunnions
located eccentrically and working in vertical slots of a supporting frame so
that when means for releasing said vessel are operated it will instantly rotate
automatically as specified.
13. A fire-extinguishing apparatus constructed and arranged to operate sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 19th day of Santambor 1800
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.