IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE AND DISCHARGING POWERFUL JETS OF WATER, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING MOTIVE-POWER FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Phillips, of Linden Grove, Nunhead, in
the County of Surrey, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE AND DISCHARGING
POWERFUL JETS OF WATER, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE FOR PRODUCING
AND APPLYING MOTIVE-POWER FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Phillips at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th November 1881.
WILLIAM HENRY PHILLIPS, of Linden Grove, Nunhead, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE AND DISCHARGING POWERFUL JETS OF WATER, PART OF WHICH IS
APPLICABLE FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER FOR OTHER USEFUL
PURPOSES."
This Invention relates, first, to the arrangement and construction of apparatus
for discharging and projecting powerful jets of water for extinguishing fire and
other useful purposes (from reservoirs arranged and provided for the purpose), by
the energy or power resulting from the gravitation of a weight or weights or
leverage.
For this purpose I employ collapsable vessels made either of flexible or ductile
metal (which will readily collapse under pressure), india rubber, prepared water-
proof canvas, or other suitable materials.
These collapsable vessels may be of cylindrical or of any suitable form and size,
and placed in any convenient situation being charged with water ready for use
when required, and they are not necessarily kept under pressure until required.
Each vessel is furnished with one or more hose pipes, nozzles, and stop cocks,
and they may either be stationary or portable on wheels, or as rollers or otherwise,
so as to be moved from place to place as required.
When stationary they may be placed in communication with a water main or
other source of sannly.

page_text: In order to discharge the contents of these vessels for extinguishing fire or for
other useful purposes, they are compressed by applying weight or leverage thereto,
the upper surface being constructed or formed with a rigid platform for the support
of a dead weight or weights, or for one or more persons to mount thereon to
discharge the contents of the vessels by the gravitation of the weight on the upper
surface.
They may be formed of a size suitable for being carried by the user, and the
water discharged by standing thereon. Or they may be formed with circular ends
or discs of wood, metal, or other rigid material (with stays or guides fixed to ono
end if desired), and so that they may be readily rolled to the place required, and
then if desired turned up on end for the contents to be discharged as previously
described.
I will now describe the second part of my Invention, which relates to improve-
ments in the arrangement and construction of means and apparatus for producing
and applying motive power for extinguishing fire, the same being applicable to
other useful purposes.
According to this part of my Invention I construct a steam boiler or vessel
(advantageously cylindrical), and capable of resisting great internal pressure, the
vessel being formed with partitions into a series of separate chambers.
The central chamber is partly filled with powdered refined nitrate of potass (or
other chemical equivalents), and from the top of the chamber a block of hard wood
or other suitable carbonaceous substance is suspended by a regulating rod passing
out through a suitablo aperture, and connected by a chain passing over a pulley so
as to raise and lower the block within the chamber when required by this or by
other suitable means or apparatus.
The upper and lower parts of the internal chambers are formed with perforations
alternately above and below, all except the central chamber being partly filled
with water.
Suitable apparatus is arranged for producing ignition on the surface of the
nitrate of potass with the block of hard wood (or other suitable material) resting
thereon. The combustion resulting from this combination causes highly heated
gases to be evolved, which by passing through the perforations in the upper and
lower portions of the walls of the inner chambers, and through the water con-
tained therein rapidly converts it into steam and gas of high pressure in the outer
chamber or last of the series from which it is taken for actuating a suction or
other pump for extinguishing fire, or for actuating a steam engine, or applying
motive power for other purposes.
By raising the block of wood from off the surface of the nitrate of potassa, the
active combustion of the materials may be reduced and the pressure and power of
the apparatus regulated.
Another part of my improvements relates to the arrangement and construction
of a strong portable cylindrical vessel strengthened by a central axis and tie rods
from end to end in order to sustain great pressure. Each end is formed with
rims or flanges upon which the cylinder can be rolled from place to place. It
is also furnished with a suction and force pump for forcing air or water into the
cylinder, and by which it can be charged with water under great pressure (or it
may be charged with water under pressure by other means), which can be dis-
charged through suitable hose pipes applied to the cylinder for extinguishing fire
or other purposes.
Arms or shafts are applied to the central axis, and a handle for the purpose of
drawing it from place to place by manual or horse power, as may be required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Henry Phillips in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th May 1882.
WILLIAM HENRY PHILLIPS, of Linden Grove, Nunhead, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE AND DISCHARGING POWERFUL JETS OF WATER, PART OF WHICH
APPLICABLE FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER FOR OTHER USEFUL
PURPOSES."
IS
This Invention relates, first, to the arrangement and construction of apparatus
for discharging and projecting powerful jets of water for extinguishing fire and
other useful purposes (from reservoirs arranged and provided for the purpose) by.
the energy or power resulting from the gravitation of a weight or weights or by
leverage.
For this purpose I employ collapsible vessels made either of flexible or ductile
metal (which will readily collapse under pressure) india rubber prepared waterproof
canvas, or other suitable materials.
These collapsible vessels may be cylindrical or of any suitable form and size, and
placed in any convenient situation, being charged with water ready for use when
required, and they are not necessarily kept under pressure until required.
Ench vessel is furnished with one or more hose pipes, nozzles, and stop cocks,
and they may either be stationary or portable on wheels, or as rollers, or otherwise,
so as to be moved from place to place as required. When stationary they may be
placed in communication with a water main or other source of supply.
In order to discharge the contents of these vessels for extinguishing fire or for
other useful purposes, they are compressed by applying weight or leverage thereto,
the upper surface being constructed or formed with a rigid platform for the support
of a dead weight or weights, or for one or more persons to mount thereon, to
discharge the contents of the vessels by the gravitation of the weight, or by
pressure on the upper surface.
They may be formed of a size suitable for being carried by the user, and the
water discharged by standing thereon. Or they may be formed with circular ends
or discs of wood, metal, or other rigid material (with stays or guides fixed to one
end or around the circumference if desired) so that they may be readily rolled to
the place required, and then if desired turned up on end for the contents to be
discharged as previously described.
And in order that this part of my Invention may be clearly understood and
readily carried into practice, I will proceed to describo the Drawings bereto
annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is an horizontal section of a compressible water vessel con-
structed of ductile metal or of prepared waterproof canvas a, a, the two ends b, b,
being made of metal or wood; c is a screw plug with flange and washer, on
opening which water is supplied; d is a hose tap and discharge tube.
Figure 2 is a transverse section showing the form of the ends b, b.
Figure 3 are horizontal sections of a pair of vessels a, a, showing the form
they assume when fully charged with water.
Figure 4 is a vertical section shewing one of the vessels a when fully charged
with water; e is the base plate or platform of wood or other suitable material
aving fixed pillars f rigidly attaching together the base mlada

page_text: plato g; h is a suspended plate of wood connected water tight to a bar of wood,
imetal, or other suitable material i by two bolts, as shewn; a similar bar i* is
bolted to top plate g; j is a bar working on bearings k, k; l, l, are ropes or chains
attached to plate hand to bar j; m, m, are lever handles for applying motive
Where admits there may be two or more barsj worked by 4 or more
power.
space
lever handles m, as shewn by Figure 4.
Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section having the same letters of reference to
the parts as in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a vertical section, and Figure 7 an horizontal section of a compressible
chamber to contain water; n, n, are circular discs of wood, metal, or other suitable
material forming rollers, by which the vessel may be moved from place to place as
required.
The water contained therein is confined by strong prepared canvas formed
conically, as represented at o, o; p, p, are two discs of wood bolted together. to grip
the canvas together, and thus make tight joints; q, q, are flat iron rings furnished
with numerous screw bolts by which the canvas or other waterproof material is
made fast to the discs of wood n, n.
The aperture c to supply water and the discharge pipe d are such as before
shewn and described.
I will now describe the method of using the apparatus shewn in Sheet 1 of the
Drawings.
The compressible vessels a, a, filled with water may be put by for use, and on
the alarm of fire, one, or by preference two vessels, may be compressed by means
of a board or platform, the pressuro being induced by heavy weights or by persons
standing on the yielding platform ejecting water from the hose, the discharge end
being checked or stopped by the use of stop cocks.
For stationary use the vessels a are to be mounted on wheels; two compressible
vessels a, a, are placed in a frame casing or in a tank, and when charged with
water, the winch handles being turned by manual power, a pressure is put on the
compressible vessels and water discharged under pressure, as before described.
By the arrangement shewn by Figures 6 and 7, Sheet 1, simple and easy
means are obtained for rolling a flexible vessel short distances, either empty or
containing water. When filled with water the stretcher bars n' are removed, and
the vessel canted over into the position shewn by Figure 7; weight or leverage is
applied to project a streain of water under regulation by the hose taps.
I will now describo the second part of my Invention, which relates to improve-
ments in the arrangement and construction of means and apparatus for producing
and applying motive power for extinguishing fire, the same being applicable to
other useful purposes.
According to this part of my Invention I construct a steam boiler or vessel
(advantageously cylindrical), and capable of resisting great internal pressure, the
vessel being formed with partitions into a series of separate chambers.
The central chamber is partly filled with powdered refined nitrato of potassa
(or other chemical equivalents), and from the top of the chamber a block of hard
wood or other suitable carbonaceous substance is suspended by a regulating rod
passing out through a suitable aperture, and connected by a chain passing over a
pulley so as to raise and lower the block within the chamber when required by
this or by other suitable means or apparatus.
The upper and lower parts of the internal chambers are formed with perfo-
rations alternately above and below, all except the central chamber being partly
filled with water.
Suitable apparatus is arranged for producing ignition on the surface of the
nitrate of potass with the block of hard wood (or other suitable material) rosting
thereon. The combustion resulting from this combination causes highly heated
gases to be evolved, which by passing through the perforations in the upper and
lower portions of the walls of tho inner chambers, and through the water contained
therein, rapidly converts it into steam and gas of high pressure in the outer

page_text: chamber or last of the series, from which it is taken for actuating a suction or
other pump for extinguishing fire, or for actuating a steam engine or applying
motive power for other purposes.
By raising the block of wood from off the surface of the nitrate of potassa tho
active combustion of the materials may be reduced, and the pressure and power of
the apparatus regulated.
This part of my improvements will be more clearly understood by reference to
Sheet 2 of the, Drawings.
Figure 8 is a vertical section; Figure 9, an horizontal section of apparatus
arranged in accordance with this part of my Invention for extinguishing fire, by
discharging powerful jets of water, the power being obtained by the combustion of
a block of wood resting on a quantity of nitrate of potassa, the combustion being
checked by lifting the block of wood from off the bed of nitre, and accelerated by
lowering the block of wood onto the nitre, this apparatus being applicable for
producing and applying motive power for other useful purposes.
a, a, is a strong iron cylinder made to sustain a high pressure; b is a cylinder
having numerous small perforations b* formed all round the upper portion; c is
an annular water vessel (shewn separately by the horizontal section, Figure 10).
This cylindrical annular vessel contains water up to cx, or thereabouts, metal
tubes are fixed in water tight, affording a free passage through the tubes c³ for
the tie bolts h. Below the annular vessel c are perforations e³ all round the inner
and larger cylinders; c' is an aperture by which water is admitted; d, d, is an
annular cover having a cylindrical screen d', and also an external cylindrical
flange d², d², being soldered or luted steam tight.
e is a strong iron water tight cylinder having half inch perforations e* all round
the upper portion, as shewn; ƒ and g are strong iron or metal circular plates
furnished with tie bars and nuts h and h*, by which the bottom plate f and top
plate g are securely held to sustain internal pressure; the tie bars h, h, pass freely
through the tubes c³ of the water jacket c; i is a stuffing box, through which an
iron rod j passes, supporting a block of hard wood jx; k is a standard or support
with sheaves and cord or chain for the purpose of raising or lowering the block of
wood j; is a tube provided with a screw down cap in which to place the
ignition fusee.
m is a loose plate to screen the top plate g from excessive heat; n is a water
reservoir having a screw plug n for occasional supply of water; n² is a water way
and tap connected to main cylinder a; n³ is a steam way and tap by which steam
from main cylinder a is admitted into vessel n to force water when required from
chamber n into main cylinder a; o is a vessel to free steam and gases from water
particles. This cylinder o is connected to cylinder a by union joint o¹, the'
connecting tubes being se urely fixed by screw nuts or otherwise.
The vessel o is furnished with a safety valve o to be loaded to a given
pressure ; o³, o³, are pipes for connections to convey the expansive power to cylinders
or rotary engines, to be worked thereby for drawing and for throwing powerful
streams of water for extinguishing fire, or tho power may be employed to work
propelling apparatus for propelling life boats and for other urgent uses.
To prepare the apparatus represented in Sheet 2 for use, the top nuts of all the
bolts are removed, as also the top plate 9 when water is poured in at c', nearly
filling the annular chamber c; the chamber n is also charged with water through
the aperture of screw plug n'. The taps n², n³, being turned off' refined nitrate of
potassa in powder is filled into the furnace e to the height of the base of the block
of wood j*.
The block of wood j* is then lowered on to the nitre, a rod being keyed under
the lower end of the wood for the purpose of raising the block when desirable to
slacken the speed of combustion. The loose plate m is then put in its place. The
top plate is then rendered upon a surface of cloth and packing, and the nuts h, h*,
screwed down tight to make sound joints; the cap of stuffing box is then
adjusted, and the cord or chain j' is connected to the top end of rod j.

page_text: A fusee mixture is placed in tube l, which fusce may be ignited by a sealed
glass globule of sulphuric acid being broken into a glass tube containing a mixture
of equal parts of refined sugar and chlorate of potassa, both in powder. Or the
sugar or chlorate of potassa may be ignited by a gun lock blow striking a percussion
cap when the apparatus is required for use.
In place of lowering the block of wood on to the nitre; the same object of con-
trolling the speed of combustion and evolution of power may be obtained by a
governable feed of supply of nitre or other suitable supporter of combustion being
brought into contact with the mass of wood or other combustible, as whether the
wood is supplied to the nitre or the nitre to the wood the result is the same.
On proceeding to put the apparatus into action, first the taps n², n³, are opened
to allow water to flow into cylinder a.
On screwing down the pin into the globule of sulphuric acid (or after the gun
lock is made to strike the percussion cap), combustion immediately ensues, exerting
great pressure, the heated products of combustion passing through the perfora-
tions et, and down to and through the perforations c³, c³, and through the
surrounding water froin which steam is at once evolved, steam also issuing from
the perforations near top of chamber c, the heated products of combustion mixing
with the steam, pass up and through the perforations b*, and thence through the
union connection into vessel o. From the chamber o the mixed gases and steam
pass through suitable connections to work ordinary cylinder engines, or for working
ordinary suction and force pumps, by which water may be thrown to a great
height for extinguishing fire, or the evolved steam power may be used for other
urgent useful purposes.
To control the intensity of combustion of the block of wood and nitre, one
special part of my Invention consists in the device of applying means to separate
block of wood from contact with the nitre at intervals as required.
To recharge the apparatus the residuum has to be washed out, and another
charge of nitre introduced with a block of wood as before.
Another part of my improvements relates to the arrangement and construction
of a strong portable cylindrical vessel strengthened by a central axis and tie rods
from end to end, in order to sustain great pressure. Each end is formed with rims
or flanges upon which the cylinder can be rolled from place to place. It is also
furnished with a suction and force pump for forcing air or water into the cylinder,
and by which it can be charged with water under great pressure (or it may be
charged with water under pressure by other means), which can be discharged
through suitable hose pipes applied to the cylinder for extinguishing fire or other
purposes.
Arms or shafts are applied to the central axis, and a handle, for the purpose of
drawing it from place to place by manual or horse power, as may be required.
Figures 11 and 12, Sheet 3, are vertical sections of apparatus arranged in
accordance with this part of my improvements.
a is a strong cylinder of wood, metal, or other material as shewn, having strong
erids b, b, securely bolted and held against internal pressure by the axle tie bar c,
nuts c*, c*, and by the tie rods and nuts d, d*. e, e, are tubes furnished with
valves closing by internal pressure, and forced open by the tube of the hose pipe f.
By forcing open one of these valves, water, air, and gases are charged under
pressure, and the acrated water is discharged by opening a stop cock on discharge
nozzle f, not shewn in the Drawing. g is a handle or shaft made to drop onto the
axle bearings for the purpose of traction.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of per-
forming or carrying the same into practice, I would remark that I do not limit
myself to the exact details herein before described, so long as the essential character
of my Invention is retained; at the same time I do not claim any of the parts
separately which are well known and in common use, but what I claim is,-
First. The improved means and apparatus for forcing and projecting jets of
water from compressible vessels, such as a, by the application of weights, levers, or

page_text: other mechanical power to compress and discharge the contents of the vessels,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before fully described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, Sheet 1, of the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Second. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of apparatus for
rapidly generating and evolving steam and gas combined under pressure by the
combustion of wood or other carbonaceous materials brought into contact with
nitrate of potassa or other chemical equivalents, and in the means of controlling
and governing the combustion thereof, for actuating steam engines, pumps, or
other machinery or apparatus for throwing water or for producing and applying
motive power for other useful purposes, such apparatus being arranged to act
substantially in the manner herein before described and represented in Figures 8, 9,
and 10, Sheet 2, of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Third. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of portable vessels
suitably arranged for being charged with water under pressure, or with aerated
water and gases for the purpose of discharging powerful jets of water for extin-
guishing fire, arranged to act substantially in the manner herein before described
and represented in Sheet 3 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Phillips, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness,
T. G. TONGUE,
34, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, W.C.
WILLIAM HENRY PHILLIPS. (L.S.)