GENERATING, PRO- DUCING AND APPLYING CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS TO PRODUCE CARBONIC ACID GAS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES IN ROOMS, APARTMENTS, BUILDINGS, VESSELS AND OTHER LOCALITIES AND FOR CERTAIN NOVEL APPARatus and MacHINERY THEREFOR "
Year: 1883

page_text: •
LETTERS PATENT to Abel French Spawn, of the City of Oakland, county of
Alameda and State of California, one of the United States of America,
Manufacturer of Fire Apparatus, for an Invention of "GENERATING, PRO-
DUCING AND APPLYING CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS TO PRODUCE CARBONIC ACID
GAS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES IN ROOMS, APARTMENTS, BUILDINGS, VESSELS
AND OTHER LOCALITIES AND FOR CERTAIN NOVEL APPARatus and MacHINERY
THEREFOR
"
I
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Abel French Spawn at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th June 1883.
ABEL FRENCH SPAWN, of the City of Oakland, County of Alameda, and State
of California, one of the United States of America; Manufacturer of Fire Apparatus
"GENERATING PRODUCING AND APPLYING CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS TO PRODUCE
CARBONIC ACID GAS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES IN ROOMS, APARTMENTS,
BUILDINGS, VESSELS AND OTHER LOCALITIES, AND FOR CERTAIN NOVEL APPARATUS
AND MACHINERY THEREFOR "
1.
My invention relates to chemical fire-extinguishing apparatus wherein a body of
carbonic acid gas is generated at the time when required for, use by the pre-
cipitation of a quantity of acid and an alkali into two disconnected or independents
tanks, vessels or receptacles containing each a body of water and then bringing the
two solutions together and discharging them thus combined upon the fire or
locality to be operated upon.
My improvements have for their object, first to provide an apparatus that is
absolutely safe and free from liability to explode at the time of use; secondly-to
obtain an equal and uniform or constant pressure and discharge of the generated
gas, whereby the force and energy of the stream of gas ejected by the apparatus
is the same at the termination as at the beginning of the operation; thirdly to
accelerate the production and discharge of the gas and thereby greatly increase the
value and effectiveness of the apparatus.

page_text: It consists in providing and employing separate or independent tanks or
receptacles to contain each a body of water and in connecting these receptacles
with a generating chamber or common receiver through the medium or by means
of force pumps and pipes or tubes, the pumps being arranged and combined with
said receptacles to draw off the solutions and force or discharge them into the
common receiver.
A suitable coupling or connection on said receiver for a conducting pipe or hose
is provided, through or by means of which the combined solutions are carried to
the point of application and action.
It consists also in combining and arranging said parts and devices together in a
single compact machine or apparatus whereby the same are made portable and
adapted to be conveniently handled transported and operated by a single person.
It consists also in putting up the acid and alkali or chemical substances from
which are prepared the solutions into the form of complete charges or bodies of
required size or quantity by enclosing the substances in a wrapping or envelope of
some material capable of repelling moisture whereby when said charges of acid
and alkali are placed in cans, cases, holders or compartments upon or about the said
water tank or receptacle, the interposed envelope or wrapping prevents the
substance from becoming caked, and from adhering to the side of the holder, and
when required for use they are instantly and entirely discharged by inverting the
holder
My novel apparatus consists of two cylinders forming independent compartments
each adapted to contain a body of water. They are joined together by a web
and a handle attached by cars to the outside of each cylinder is provided for
conveniently handling and carrying the structure.
One of these cylinders is employed to receive the alkali, and the other the acid,
by the combination of which the gas is produced.
These substances are introduced however only at the time when the time when
the apparatus is to be used. At all other times the cylinders contain nothing but
water,
The top of each cylinder is partly closed by a permanent part or cover and partly
by a hinged cover or lid capable of being opened to give access to the interior.
On top of the permanent part is fixed the means by which the two solutions are
drawn from the cylinders and brought together to form the gas. It also forms the
means by which the generated gas is forced out through the conducting hose and
nozzle.
This part of the apparatus consists of a generating chamber or compartment and
two long narrow pump cylinders or tubes one in each compartment and extending
down nearly to the bottom through horizontal perforated partitions placed across
the lower portion of the cylinder space
Each tube is fitted with a valve and valve plunger or rod the end of which is
carried out through a stuffing box and is then joined to a cross-head with a common
handle.
These tubes are single acting pumps, and as the handle is worked up and down
they operate simultaneously to raise a quantity of the liquids from the two
cylinders, at each stroke and bring them together in the common receiver, or
generator, as I have termed it.
This compartment is connected with a common outlet tube extending across from
the tuhe in the one cylinder to the tube in the other, and at the point of connection
an outlet and a coupling or means to attach the end of a hose is provided.
Upon the outside and preferably between the two cylinders, are provided two
sockets or holders to receive the cans or receptacles in which are contained the acid
and alkali in dry powdered or pulverized form.
These holders are placed on opposite sides of a web or connecting rib between
the two cylinders, and consist of two rings of suitable size to receive and hold
receptacles of cylindrical form. closed by a cap or cover to protect the contents from
atmospheric influences,

page_text: In order to effect a clean and instantaneous discharge of the contents of these
cans or receptacles at the time of action, 1 form the charge or quantity of the mattér,
acid or alkali as the case may be, into the form of a cartridge, by wrapping or
covering it with oiled or waxed paper, which being interposed between the interior
sides of the can and the contained matter or substance will prevent any portion
froin adhering or becoming fixed to the sides.
When the can is inverted over the open top of one of the cylinders, its entire
contents will be instantly precipitated into the water, no matter how long tho
apparatus may have remained inactive and the full charge is rendered immediately
available.
31.
1
Now as thus constructed and combined together the apparatus is operated as
follows:-
The two cylinders are supplied at all times with a quantity of water and stand
thus charged ready for use.
The cans or receptacles are also filled with charges of the substances, such as
crystallized acid in one, and an alkali, as bi-Carbonate of Soda, in the other.
At the time of operation the contents of one can is precipitated into the water
in one cylinder, and that of the other can into the other cylinder, whero they fall
on the perforated partitions which serve to keep the particles from settling on the
bottoms of the cylinders and also to facilitato and haston the dissolution as the
plungers are set in motion.
Power now being applied to the handle, the tubes draw the water downward
through the chemicals and raise the solution up into the generating chamber
where they are brought together in about equal quantities as the pumps are kept
at work.
By the pressure thus produced and accumulating in this compartment the gas
is forced out and is continuously discharged from the hose as long as any solution
remains.
And the force or onergy depending entirely upon the rapidity with which the
handle is worked, the pressure and strength of the discharging streain can be
kept constant and be always as efficient at the end as at the beginning of the
operation.
From the above description of the construction and operation of my apparatus
it will be noticed that there is no chemical solution left standing in any of tho
cylinders or compartments to act upon their joints and surfaces, that the large
cylinders do not receive and are not required to withstand any pressure
from generated gas, so that they can be constructed of light material as they are
simple water tanks.
Also that the force of the discharging stream of gas is not obtained from
but is independent of the gaseous pressure in the generating chamber so that
the stream can be more effectively applied and its force maintained at the same
degree.
propose to provide a form and arrangement of apparatus for use on board
ships and vessels, in factories and other situations where a permanent or stationary
extinguishing apparatus of the kind would be of value.
This arrangement comprises tanks, a common generating chamber, and the
force pumps and operating mechanism for drawing the solutions from the tank and
bringing them together at the point where conducting pipe or hose are connected,
this part forming a chamber. In the pipes or connection between the pumps and
this chamber are placed check valves. These valves are interposed for the purpose
of preventing back pressure into the tanks.
The tanks are conveniently placed, either upon or just beneath the floor of a
building or a vessel and are provided with covers or removable lids.
A chamber is located between the two tanks and the pump cylinders or suction-
tubes thereof carried down to enter the tanks below a perforated partition.
Suitable connection and couplings with shut off valves are provided in tho

page_text: chamber, and stationary pipes or flexible hose or other conductors attached
there to, and then led to various points, throughout the building or in the
vessel
Each pipe or conductor of the stationary kind terminates in a perforated end
portion through which the chemical is discharged in the form of spray, or jets or
divided streams or portions, so as to reach and quickly fill the locality, and the
hose or flexible conductors to be carried about are provided with nozzles having
keys or shut off valves.
Such an apparatus can be mounted on a wheeled truck and thereby adapted to
be drawn about by men and animals for use in different localities

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SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Abel French Spawn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th December 1883.
ABEL FRENCH SPAWN of the City of Oakland County of Alameda and State of
California ono of the United States of America Manufacturer of Fire Apparatus,
GENERATING PRODUCING AND APPLYING CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS TO PRODUCE
CARBONIC ACID GAS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES IN ROOMS APARTMENTS BUILDINGS
VESSELS AND OTHER LOCALITIES AND FOR CERTAIN NOVEL APPARATUS. AND
MACHINERY THEREFOR
"
My Invention relates to chemical fire-extinguishing apparatus wherein a body
of carbonic acid gas is generated at the time when required for use by the
precipitation of a quantity of acid and an alkali into two disconnected or
independent tank vessels or receptacles containing each a body of water and then
bringing the two solutions together and discharging them upon the fire or locality
to be operated on. My improvements have for their object, First, to provide an
apparatus that is absolutely safe and free from liability to explode at the time of
use Secondly, to obtain an equal and uniform or constant pressure and discharge
of the generated gas whereby the force and energy of the stream of gas ejected by
the apparatus is the same at the termination as at the beginning of the operation.
Thirdly to accelerate the production and discharge of the gas and thereby greatly
increase the value and effectiveness of the apparatus. It consists in providing
and employing separate or independent tanks or receptacles to contain each a
body of water and in connecting these receptacles with a generating chamber or
common receiver through the medium or by means of force pumps and pipes or
tubes, the pumps being arranged and combined with said receptacles to draw off
the solution and force or discharge them into the common receiver. A suitable
coupling or connection on said receiver for a conducting pipe or hose is provided
through or by means of which the combined solutions are carried to the point of
application and action. It consists also in combining and arranging said parts and
devices together in a single compact machine or apparatus whereby the same are
made portable and adapted to be conveniently handled transported and operated
by a single person. It consists also in putting up dry acid and alkali in the form
of cartridges or charges within protecting envelopes or wrapping both for
convenient handling and for instantaneous precipitation of the substances from
their metal case or holder at the time of operation.
In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1. is a perspective view of an engine
or apparatus constructed according to my invention, and of convenient form to be
carried about and worked by one person. Figure 2. is a vertical section through
the same showing the internal construction. Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-section
through figure 1. at about its middle. Figure 4. illustrates the mode of putting up
and preparing the chemicals in the form of cartridges. Figure 5. is a longitudinal
vertical section through an engine or apparatus designed for application to
buildings and vessels as a stationary or permanent apparatus of sufficient capacity
to operate upon several compartments or localities. Such construction may be
adapted also for use as a portable ongine by being mounted upon a wheoled truck
to be drawn about by men or horses. Figuro 6. is a horizontal cross section
through the generating clamp showing the connections provided for a number of
conducting pipes or hose to lead the chemical to several points of application and
discharge.
A. B. are two cylinders forming independent compartments each adapted to

page_text: attached by cars. c. c. to the outside of each cylinder is provided for conveniently
handling and carrying the structure. One of these cylinders is employed to
receive the alkali and the other the acid by the combination of which the gas is
produced. These substances are introduced however only at the time when the
apparatus is to be used. At all other times the cylinders contain nothing but
water. The top of each cylinder is partly closed by a permanent part or cover, d.
and partly by a hinged cover or lid. D. capable of being opened to give access to
the interior. On top of the permanent part is fixed the means by which the two
solutions are drawn from the cylinders and brought together to form the gas. It
also forms the means by which the generated gas is forced out through the
-conducting-hose E._and_nozzle_E¹. This part of the apparatus consists of a
generating chamber' or compartment, F. and two long narrow pump-cylinders-or-
tubes. g. g..one. in each compartment. A. B. and extending down nearly to the
bottom through horizontal perforated partitions. h. h. placed across the lower
portion of the cylinder space. Each tube is fitted with a valve and valve plunger
or rod. H. the end of which is carried out through a stuffing box. h². and is then
joined to a cross-head. J. with a common handle. K. These tubes are single-acting
pumps and 'as the handle K. is worked up and down they operate simultaneously
to raise a quantity of the liquids from the two cylinders A. B. at each stroke and
bring them together in the common receiver, or generator, as I have termed it.
This compartment is connected to a common outlet tube G. extending across from
one tube. g. to the other one g. and at this point of connection an outlet and a
coupling or means to attach the end of a hose E. is provided. Upon the outside
and preferably between the two cylinders A. B. are provided two sockets or
holders. m. to receive the cans or receptacles. N. N. in which are contained the acid
and alkali in dry powdered or pulverized form.
These holders are placed on opposite sides of the web or connecting rib. b.
between the two cylinders and as shown in the drawing, they, consist of two
rings. m. m. of suitable size to receive and hold the receptacles N. which are of
cylindrical form and are closed by a cap or cover. n. to protect the contents from
atmospheric influences. In order to effect a clean and instantaneous discharge of
the contents of these cans or receptacles N. at the time of action I form the charge
or quantity of the matter, acid or alkali, as the case may be, into the form of a
cartridge by wrapping or covering it with oiled or waxed paper which being inter-
posed between the interior sides of the can and the contained inatter or substance
will prevent any portion from adhering or becoming fixed to the sides. When the
can is inverted over the open top of one of cylinders. A. B. its entire contents will be
instantly precipitated into the water no matter how long the apparatus may have
remained in-active and the full charge is thereby rendered immediatly available,
A form and arrangement of apparatus for use on board ships and vessels, in
factories and other structures where a permanent or stationary extinguishing
apparatus of the kind would be of value, is shown in figure 5 of the drawing.
This is a vertical section through the tanks, a common generating chamber,
and the force pumps and operating mechanism for drawing the solutions from the
tank and bringing them together at the point where conducting pipo or hose are
connected. This point is the chamber. E. In the pipes or connection between the
pumps and this chamber are placed check valves. P. both in the construction of
the large apparatus and in the smaller portable or hand engine shown in figures 1, 2
and 3 of the drawing. These valves are interposed between the parts B to prevent
back pressure into the tanks
The tanks A, B. (figure 5) are conveniently placed either upon or just beneath
the floor of a building or a vessel and covered by removable lids D. The chamber, F.
is located between the two and the pump cylinders or suction tubes thereof aro
carried down to enter the tanks below the perforated partitions. . Suitable con-
nection and couplings with shut off valves are provided in the chamber and
stationary pipes or flexible hose or other conductors attached thereto are then led
to various points throughout the building or the vessel. Each pipe or conductor

page_text: of the stationary kind terminates in a perforated end portion, through which the
chemical is discharged in the form of spray or jets or divided streams or portions so
as to reach and quickly fill the locality about and around the conductor. Hose or
flexible conductors to be carried about are provided with nozzles having keys or
Shut off valves. Now as thus constructed and combined together the apparatus is
operated as follows:-The two cylinders are supplied at all times with a quantity
of water and stand thus charged, ready for work. The cans or receptacles N. are
also filled with the charges of the substance, such as a crystallized acid in one and
an alkali, as bi-carbonate of soda in the other. At the time of operation the
contents of one can N. is precipitated into the water in one cylinder A. and that of
the other can into the other cylinder B. where they fall on the perforated
partitions, which serve to keep the particles from settling on the bottoms of the
cylinders and also to facilitate and hasten the dissolution as the pumps are sot in
motion. Power now being applied to the handle. K. the tubes draw the water
down and through the chemicals and raise the solutions. up into the generating
compartment where they are brought together in about equal quantities as tho
pumps are kept at work. By the pressure thus produced and accumulating in this
compartment the gas is forced out and is continuously discharged from the hose as
long as any solution remains. And the force or energy depending entirely upon
the rapidity with which the handle. K. is worked. the pressure and strength of the
discharging stream can be kept constant and be always as effective at the end as at
the beginning of the operation.
From the above description of the construction and operation of my apparatus
it will be noticed that there is no chemical solution left standing in any of the
cylinders or compartments to act upon their joints and surfaces, that the large
cylinders do not receive and are not required to withstand any pressure from
generated gas; so that they can be constructed of light material as they are simple
water tanks. Also that the force of the discharging stream of gas is not obtained
from but is independent of the gaseous pressure in the generating chamber so that
the stream can be more effectively applied and its force maintained at the same
degree.
Baving now described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, what I claim as secured to mo by
the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is;
1 A portable fire-extinguisher wherein are combined tanks A. B., a common
generating-chamber having an outlet and a hose or nozzle, pump-cylinders g. g.
having connection with said generating-chamber and communicating with the said
tanks for drawing off the contents of said tanks and ejecting them simultaneously
into said chamber, and a cross-head to which the pump-cylinder plungers aro
connected, so as to be operated together by the movements of cross-heads, all
substantially as herein before described to operate as and for the purposo
set forth.
2. The combination together of the independent compartment, the common
generating-chamber F. the perforate partitions h. h., the pump cylinders. g. g.
having their suction ends carried down below said partitions and their discharge
ends connected to the generating chamber, the reciprocating plungers, and the
common cross-head with an operating-handle, substantially to operate as set forth.
3rd In a portable fire-extinguisher, the combination of tanks adapted to hold two
independent bodies of water, a common generating chamber, and means for
drawing off from said tanks simultaneously and forcing into said chamber equal
portions of the solutions, said means consisting of pump-cylinders. g. g. reciprocating
plungers. H. H. a connecting cross-head, and an operating handle, substantially as
described.
4th A portable fire-extinguisher consisting of tanks. A. B. having openings in the
tops covered by lids and united by a web. b. on which is provided holding means
for the removable receptacles, the generating chamber F. mounted on said tanks,
pump-cylinders. g. g. having a common cross-head and handle to which their

page_text: plungers are connected, and removable receptacles N. N. to contain charges of an
acid and an alkali, substantially as herein before described.
5th In a fire-extinguisher, the combination with the receptacle N. to hold a charge
of an acid or an alkali in a dry state for precipitation into the tank A or B. of a
wrapping case or envelope to prevent contact of said charge with any part of the
interior surfaces of said receptacles, whereby the whole charge is easily and quickly
dislodged, substantially as herein before described.
In Witness whereof I the said Abel French Spawn have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty third day of September in the year of Our Lord One
thousand Eight hundred and Eighty thrée.