Improvements in Valves in Sprinkler Installations and Fire Alarms.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1897-Accepted, 6th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves in Sprinkler Installations and Fire Alarms.
GEORGE MILLS Globe Works Radcliffe Lancashire do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the Valves controlling certain
automatic fire Extinguishing Sprinkler installations & fire alarms for which I
obtained Letters Patent No. 18524 A.D. 1892, wherein the Sprinklers are charged
with Compressed Air which keeps the water in check until a fire occurs. I mount
one valve on one stem or spindle to cover three valve seats-air, water & fire
alarm seats by which arrangement & combination the apparatus is simplified.
My improvement further consists in a balance catch for preventing the Valves
after opening from returning to their seats until released & reset. By an
improved device in the special construction of the Valve I can convert the dry,
pipe Valve into a wet or water Valve by means of two small taps.
Dated this 16th day of December 1896.
GEORGE MILLS.
Improvements in Valves in Sprinkler Installations and Fire Alarms.
I, GEORGE MILLS, of the Globe Ironworks, Radcliffe, in the County of Lancaster,
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:-
This invention relates to improvements in controlling valves of systems of
Automatic Sprinklers, wherein the pipes carrying the sprinklers are charged with
compressed air, which keeps the water in check until a fire occurs; for a similar
purpose I obtained Letters Patent No. 18524, A.D. 1892, and this now relates to
further improvements.
The improvements consist chiefly in combining the ordinary Fire alarm valve
(patents for which I possess) with the valve which controls admission of water to
the Sprinkler Installation, and to accomplish this, I mount a valve lid to cover
three seatings on a single stem or spindle. By this arrangement and combination,
I obtain a Water, Air, and Alarm Valve.
The improvements further consist in an improved device for preventing the
valves after opening from returning to their seats until released and reset.
I shew in the accompanying sheet a sectional elevation of the valve. The valve
lid A is mounted on stem or spindle B to cover three valve seatings C. D. E.
respectively for Air, Water, and Alarm; by such arrangement and combination

page_text: the apparatus is simplyfied. F is a balance catch for preventing the valve after
opening for fire purposes from returning to its seat until released and reset by
catching in the tooth bush f. By our improved device in the special construction
of the valve I convert the Dry Pipe or Air Valve into a wet or water valve by
rueans of two separate small taps G. and H. Valve I is our ordinary sluice valve
for turning on and shutting off the water in the installation. J is a wrought Iron
pipe to admit air from the air pump into the installation. K is a pipe for admitt-
ing water into the gauge glass. L is a pipe for admitting air into the gauge
glass. M is a glass gauge showing position of water and air in the installation.
W is a pipe carrying water to the Alarms Bell Turbine and Bucket. O are hand
holes for examination of valve. P is a pipe leading to installation, and R is the
pipe from the water supplies.
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
J claim is:
1. The arrangement and combination of a three-seated valve on a single stem,
to act as an air, water, and alarm valve as and for the purpose herein set forth.
2. A balance catch hung within a slot through the stem to prevent the valve
reseating until released and reset.
3. Application of two taps, by the opening of one and closing the other the
valve acts as an Air valve and visa versa, making the valve act as a water valve.
Dated this the 20th day of September 1897.
GEORGE MILLS.