IMPROVED AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Year: 1877

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Adolphus Henry Jonas at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd April 1877. A com-
munication from abroad by Hirain S. Maxim, of the City, County, and
State of New York, United States of America.
CHARLES ADOLPHUS HENRY JONAS, of Clapham, in the County of Surrey.
IMPROVED AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER." (A communication from abroad
by Hiram S. Maxim, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States
of America.)
My Invention relates, firstly, to a new and improved apparatus for detecting and
extinguishing fires, specially adapted for protecting large buildings, ships, and
steamboats, and same relates to a system of pipes for conveying carbonic acid gas
or other fluid that will act to extinguish fire, my Invention, principally consisting
in a tell-tale apparatus that maintains a given pressure in the said system of
pipes under ordinary circumstances, compensating for slight leaks, &c., but which,
when the pressure is suddenly lessened by a cap or cover being opened by the heat
sets in motion the carbonic acid generator, or gives an alarm, or both.
The second part of my improvement consists in a peculiarly constructed generator
for producing carbonic acid gas, or other fluid that will act to extinguish fire; and
this Invention becomes an automatic fire detector and extinguisher, arranged and
constructed in such a manner that on the breaking out or commencement of a fire
it detects its existence and locality, and instantly applies the extinguishing agent to
the exact spot, thus quenching the fire in its incipiency, and causing no damage in
rooms or places where the heat of the fire does not reach.
I prefer to carry out my Invention mainly as follows:-I use a generator, which
may be constructed in the following manner:-A weight is suspended by a catch,
with a lever held against the said catch by a rod; I also have a copper rod, a thin
glass bottle for holding sulphuric acid, and a valve so arranged that it allows air to
open it in wards, and when open allows a free passage for air either way; but should
the volume be more than can pass a suitably-formed opening, it moves the valve
outwards, and so closes it entirely as far as flow in that direction is concerned.
Discharge pipes are provided.
The operation of this generator is as follows:-A reservoir being nearly filled.
with a solution of bicarbonate of soda in water, the bottle also being filled with
sulphuric acid, and the copper rod being properly adjusted and made air-tight at

page_text: the neck, care being taken that it works quite freely, and that the weight strikes it
properly, air may then be compressed into the pipes.until the pressure is sufficient
to press a diaphragm and the rod outwards, compressing a spring, and bringing the
catch before described under the weight. This being done it is ready for use; when
let, an opening be made in any of the pipes, the pressure soon relaxes the spring,
and will draw the catch sustaining the weight out, and the weight will fall and
drive the copper rod through the bottom of the bottle, and the acid will fall into
the soda solution, producing the well-known result of generating gas, such as will
extinguish fire. The gas produced by this means is conveyed by distributor pipes
which are arranged round the apartments or rooms, and the carbonic acid gas (when
the generator is set in motion) is brought to the precise spot required, the said
pipes being perforated and furnished with caps of fusible metal which dissolves
by the heat from the fire, so setting in action the generator as before described.
Another form of generator I construct as follows:-I use a tank containing the
bicarbonate solution, said tank being provided with a dome made air-tight, pro-
vided with a stuffing box at the top, through which a copper rod projects; inside
this dome is a glass jar containing the sulphuric acid; the weight is suspended
above said rod, and held in position by a catch, which catch at the further end is
provided with a weight or ball; to this catch a rod is jointed, same being at the
lower end provided with a diaphragm, being enclosed in a chamber in com-
munication with the tank; the distributor pipes are connected with the tank as
before described.
The operation is as follows:-All openings being closed a light pressure of air is
pumped into the pipes which will freely enter the space above the water in the
tank through suitable pipe; a slight pressure will raise the ball by springing up the
diaphragın; this presses the catch forward, and the weight may be raised up and
suspended by it, as shewn; it is thus set like a trap for the fire. Now suppose a
fire to open a vent at any point in any of the system of pipes, no matter how
remote, the light pressure is at once released, the unerring law of gravity bringing
down the ball, and with it the diaphragm. The catch is withdrawn, and the weight
falls with great force on the projecting end of the rod, which is driven through the
bottom of the bottle, and the acid falls on a perforated plate, and thence in many
streams into the soda solution in the tank. Should any of the acid from its
greater specific gravity reach the bottom, it combines with the carbonate of lime
(marble dust), a thin layer of which should be provided for that purpose. On the
falling of the acid into the solution the well-known re-action takes place, and an
immense pressure is at once generated by the carbonic acid gas set free. The great
pressure springs the diaphragm upwards and closes the valve in the connection
between it and the tank; then the water and gas have but one place of escape, and
that is through the pipes and from the opening made by the fire.
In regard to the second part of my Invention the pipes communicating with the
distributor pipe in connection with the generator are arranged in the various
places, rooms, or apartments required, said pipes being distributed according to
requirements. These pipes are furnished with fusible caps which (should a fire
occur in any part of the building protected) will soon soften or melt the nearest cap
or its retaining material, and set the generator in motion, gas and water being thus
conveyed to the part of the building where the fire is raging; and these caps may
be furnished with explosive material so as to aid the removal of said caps. These
pipes may be also perforated with holes (forming a sprinkling pipe) pipes being
formed with valves which act when a fire occurs, and set the generator in motion,
These valves may be of various forms as will be obvious.