IMPROVEMENTS IN EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Pierre Ambjorn Comte de Sparre of Boulevard Saint
Denis No 1, at Paris Engineer for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Pierre Ambjorn Comte
de Sparre at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th April
1882.
PIERRE AMBJORN COMTE DE SPARRE of Boulevard Saint Denis No. 1 at Paris,
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND IN APPARATUS TO BE
EMPLOYED THEREFOR
"
This Invention relates to apparatus for extinguishing fires and comprises 3 novel
arrangements, The first arrangement is chiefly characterized, first, by a safety
apparatus for the escape of the gases when the maximum pressure is exceeded and
thus prevent liability to explosion; second, by the employment in each of the two
receivers of an agitator for mixing the liquids, bicarbonate of soda and tartaric
acid for example, which produce the pressure-forming gases. This apparatus is
composed of a large receiver within which is a smaller receiver fixed to the upper
part. This second receiver has a pipe which passes through the top of the outer
receiver and is closed by a screw stopper. The two receivers are traversed by a
rod carrying a plate which is movable with it and closes orifices formed in the top
of the inner receiver. This rod also carries (1) a screw agitator for agitating the
liquid in the inner receiver, (2) a second movable plate which forms a bottom to
this receiver, and (3) an agitator which intimately mixes the liquid of the two
receivers at the time of the fusion of the salts, or salt can be put into the small
receiver which becomes mixed with the large receiver owing to the action of the
agitator-screw which draws in liquid at the top and forces it out at the bottom.
In the outer receiver is an aperture, fitted with a stopper for filling the apparatus
with tartaric acid or like solution. Through this stopper an opening is formed
which terminates in a conical portion on which a valve sits-On this stopper is
screwed a cap containing springs which may be convex discs placed against each
DC11

page_text: other or spiral springs. These springs which are calculated for a certain pressure
and, are secured by a nut fixed to the cap, press on the valve and prevent it rising
until the pressure within the receivers exceeds the maximum. It is only then that
the gases, acting forcibly against the valve, raise it slightly and the excess pressure
is relieved through holes in the cap; the valve then again closes.
My second arrangement of apparatus consists of a single receiver carrying at its
side a vertical rod on which are fixed arms for agitating the liquid and dissolving
the salts which are thrown into it. This apparatus has a stopper fitted with the
safety valve and fixed on a curved plate covered with caoutchouc. This plate closes the
opening in the top of the receiver the edges of which are lined with brass so as to
correspond with the form of the said plate. To the cover is hinged a strap the
The strap
upper part of which has an opening to receive the rod of the stopper.
is fixed firmly to this rod by means of a winged nut; the hinge allows the strap
to be lowered to give passage to the charge or cartridge. The object of the
strap is to make the closing plate form a joint with the opening in the receiver so
as to prevent the escape of the gases which are produced therein; these gases
can only issue when they have reached a certain pressure and then by the valve.
The stopper is connected to a larger one by a chain so as to allow of immersing
the closing plate in water for the purpose of keeping the caoutchouc fresh and
moist so that it may always form a hermetic joint with the top of the receiver
when it is raised. While the plate is immersed in the water the apparatus is
closed by the second stopper. The opening in the apparatus is intended to receive
a cartridge containing the two salts employed in solution in the preceding arrange-
ment and combined with talc and chalk or whiting in powder. These latter have
the property of preventing the salts forming into lumps that is to say of
maintaining them in the state of perfectly divided powder which is therefore
immediately dissolved.
The cartridge is filled in the following manner:-
First; the tartaric acid mixed with the anti-agglomerating powder as above;
then a layer of pure tale and last the bicarbonate of soda also mixed with anti-
agglomerating powder. When the contents of the cartridge have been emptied
into the apparatus, the closing plate is lifted by means of the chain and fixed
firmly to the cover; then the agitator is worked to mix the salts and facilitate
their rapid solution.
My third arrangement of apparatus differs from that last described only in the
substitution for the vertical agitator of a horizontal agitator at the bottom of the
apparatus. This agitator which is formed of two blades is mounted on a shaft
As
carrying a screw which turns in à cylinder screwed to the water outlet cock.
soon as this cock is opened the water causes the agitator to rotate; this dissolves
the salts and forms the gases which produce the pressure in the apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Pierre Ambjorn Comte de Sparre in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 5th October 1882..
PIERRE AMBJORN COMTE DE SPARRE of Boulevard Saint Denis No. 1 at Paris,
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND IN APPARATUS TO BE
EMPLOYED THEREFOR
"
This invention relates to extinguishing fires and comprises novel arrangements
of apparatus which are characterized by the following chief points:-
First By a safety apparatus for the escape of the gases when the maximum
pressure is exceeded and thus prevent liability to explosion. Second. By the
employment in the receiver of an agitator for mixing the salts (bicarbonate of
soda and tartaric acid for example) which produce the pressure-forming gases.
Third. By the construction of the cartridges which enclose the salts for producing
the gases. Fourth. By the addition to the apparatus of an appliance to make it
more easy to carry.
The improvements will be fully understood by the annexed drawings. Figure 1
is a sectional elevation of the fire extinguishing apparatus when not in use.
Figure 2 a similar view after the introduction of a cartridge. Figure 3 shows
more particularly the safety apparatus arranged in the stopper. Figures 4 and 5
are plans. Figures 67 and 8 show details of the cartridge which is shown
complete in Figure 9.
The apparatus consists of a receiver A carrying at its side internally a rod B
(with handle o) on which are fixed arms or paddles C for agitating the liquid and
dissolving the salts contained in the cartridge. This apparatus has a stopper D
fitted with the safety valve K, and connected by a chain G to an external hinged
lid L in such manner that when the apparatus is not in use it is closed by this
lid L. The stopper D is for closing the opening in the cover of the receiver. To
this cover is hinged a strap H the upper part of which has an opening to receive
the rod I of the stopper D. The strap is fixed firmly to this rod by means of a
winged nut J. The hinge allows the strap to be lowered to free the orifice of the
receiver. The object of the strap is to form a joint with the opening of the
apparatus in such manner as not to allow the gases which are formed therein to
escape; these gases can only issue when they have reached a certain pressure and
then by the spring or other safety valve K.
My cartridges are constructed as follows:-On a rectangular piece of caoutchouc.
coated cloth a, I sew by their edges bands b of the same nature. Between these
bands and the cloth are inserted flat springs c previously curved. At the ends of
these springs are eyes d which are brought round in a direction the reverse of the
curve so as to form the cylinder or cartridge g. A ród h passing through the
eyes d keeps the cartridge closed. A string i attached to the upper part of the
rod is for disengaging it from the eyes. The cloth which I employ for these
cartridges is coated with caoutchouc in order to preserve it from the action of acid
and moisture. The band j is for hanging the cartridge inside the apparatus at the
time of danger; then after having removed the lid to give passage to the rod h the
string is pulled and then the hole is completely closed by connecting the stopper D
to the strap H.
The rod having been withdrawn the cartridge opens out and the salts fall into
the apparatus.
The cartridge is filled in the following manner:-First, the tartaric or other
acid mixed with anti-agglomerating powder, then a layer of pure talc, and lastly
the bicarbonate of soda likewise mixed with anti-agglomerating powder.

page_text: In order to produce a respirable air I also add to the salts a certain quantity of
phenic acid either in the form of crystals or in a solution contained in a small
flask attached to the cartridge and having its stopper fixed to the rod h so that'
when the latter is withdrawn the flask is opened.j
n is the outlet cock for the liquid.
The cartridge is enclosed in a box or sheath in order to preserve it from
accidents.
k (Figures 3 and 5) is a segment of a hoop fixed to the back of the apparatus
and pivoted at l. It is folded against the apparatus when the latter is not to be
carried, but when the apparatus has to be carried the segment kis moved out as
shown in dotted lines so as to embrace the man's body resting on his hips and thus
facilitate the carriage of the apparatus, the point of support being lower. The
ends of the segment k are provided with pads to bear on the hips.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I claim :—
First. The combination with apparatus for extinguishing fires of a safety
apparatus for the escape of the gases when the maximum pressure is exceeded,
substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in the annexed drawings.
Second, Fitting the receiver of apparatus for extinguishing fires with an agitator
for mixing the salts with the liquid substantially as hereinbefore described and
represented in the annexed drawings.
Third. Constructing cartridges containing the salts for producing the gases in
apparatus for extinguishing fires, substantially as hereinbefore described and
represented in the annexed drawings.
Fourth, The combination with the fire extinguishing apparatus hereinbefore
described of an appliance at the lower part of the same to facilitate its being
carried, substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in the annexed
drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Pierre Ambjorn Comte de Sparre have
hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of October One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness:
-
PIERRE AMBJORN COMTE DE SPARKE (L.S.)
ALBERT CAHEN
Civil Engineer
of Boulevard Saint Denis 1
at Paris