IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Kissack Joshua Foster, of Bolton, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Kissack Joshua
Foster at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th April
1881.
JOHN KISSACK JOSHUA FOSTER, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster,
5 Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to improvements in the apparatus for extinguishing fire
for which Letters Patent were granted to myself and to Matthew Cranswick
Greenhill, dated 19th October 1878, No. 4181, and my present improvements have
for their objects,―
1st. To enable the engine or fire extinguisher to eject either plain water or
water impregnated with carbonic acid gas automatically for a limited length of
time, or by working the pump or pumps for an unlimited length of time.
2nd. To prevent the perforated plate upon which the chemicals rest from being
clogged.
3rd. To utilize the pressure of the carbonic acid gas generated by the reaction or
combination of the chemicals as an auxiliary power to assist or replace the com-
pressed air when such air has escaped, or when the machine has not been charged
with compressed air by neglect or otherwise.
4th. To enable the chemicals to be kept dry and in condition for use for an
unlimited length of time, although the engine may at any time be used for ejecting
plain water; by adding a constant supply of plain water a constant stream of
water can be ejected without any cessation of the chemical liquid on the fire or
otherwise, and to enable the apparatus to be recharged with chemicals when
exhausted without any cessation in the discharge of water.
5th. To ensure the whole of the water contained in the chambers of the engine
DC1

page_text: being impregnated with carbonic acid gas immediately water is admitted to the
chamber containing the chemicals.
6th. To simplify the construction and working of the apparatus. The apparatus
comprises a tank to hold water in which the chambers or cylinders stand, a
cylinder fitted with a pump provided with suitable valves, as in the said former
Patent, and drawing either water or air through a syphon pipe dipping into the
tank and furnished. with a cock, a second cylinder furnished with a discharge pipe
leading up from the bottom thereof and controlled by a stop cock; and a third
cylinder to contain the chemicals divided by a perforated plate or grid upon which
the chemicals rest, said partition being inclined so as to prevent the perforations
becoming clogged. The first and second cylinders are connected by a pipe leading
from the bottom of the first to the lower part of the second cylinder, and terminating
in a valve to prevent return of the water. Another pipe leads from the bottom of
the second cylinder to the upper part of the chemical cylinder, where it also
terminates in a valve just above the chemicals on the perforated partition. This
pipe is provided with a pressure gauge and is controlled by a stop cock, by which
all access of the water to the chemicals is shut off until required for fire extinguishing
purposes. Another pipe leads from the lower part of the chemical cylinder beneath
the partition to the first or pumping cylinder, and also terminates in a valve.
In operation, first air and then water is pumped into the first and second
cylinders until the proper pressure and height of water are attained, the water
rising equally in both cylinders. The third cylinder having been charged with
chemicals the engine is ready for use.
If. plain water is required it is only necessary to open the cock on the discharge
pipe to which a hose would be attached, the water flowing from the first or pumping
cylinder into the second, and out through the discharge pipe.
In case of fire, water is admitted to the third or chemical cylinder by opening
the stop cock, whereupon carbonic acid gas is generated by the reaction or combi-
nation of the chemicals, and a pressure is produced in the third cylinder higher
than the normal pressure in the first cylinder, whereby water saturated with
carbonic acid gas is forced into the first cylinder, and from thence into the second
cylinder, thus immediately impregnating the water in both a continuous circulation
of the water from the first cylinder to the second, and from the second to the third,
and from the third back to the first, being thus maintained.
By shutting off the water from the third cylinder it may be recharged with
chemicals, whilst the water contained in the other two continues to be
discharged.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Kissack Joshua Foster in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th October 1881.
JOHN KISSACK JOSHUA FOSTER, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to improvements in the apparatus for extinguishing fire
for which Letters Patent were granted to myself and to Matthew Cranswick
Greenhill, dated 19th October 1878, No. 4181, and my present improvements
have for their object,―
First. To enable either plain water or water impregnated with carbonic acid
gas to be ejected for a limited length of time by the power stored up in the
apparatus, or for an indefinite length of time by working the pump or pumps.
Second. To prevent the perforated plate or grid from being clogged by the
chemicals placed upon it.
Third. To utilize the pressure of the carbonic acid gas generated as an
auxiliary power to assist or replace the compressed air when it has escaped or
become exhausted, or when by neglect or otherwise the machine has not been
charged with compressed air.
Fourth. To enable the chemicals to be kept dry and in condition for use for an
unlimited length of time, although plain water may be ejected at any time or
continuously if a constant supply be provided, and to enable the apparatus to be
recharged with chemicals when exhausted without any cessation in the discharge
of water.
Fifth. To ensure the whole of the water contained in the chambers of the engine
being impregnated with carbonic acid gas immediately water is admitted to the
chamber containing the chemicals.
Sixth. To simplify the construction and working of the apparatus by reducing
the number of pipes and cocks.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood, I will proceed to
describe it with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1
represents a front elevation in section; Figure 2 a cross section; and Figure 3, a
plan in section of the improved engine.
The cylinders stand in a tank A containing water and mounted on wheels; B is
a cylinder fitted with a pump C, worked by handle C₁ and provided with suitable
valves as in the said former Patent, and drawing either water through a syphon
pipe D dipping into the tank A, or air through a stop cock on a branch pipe D¹.
E is a second cylinder of about the same size as B, furnished with a discharge
pipe F controlled by a stop cock at F1, and with a pressure gauge G.
E is a third cylinder, smaller than the other two, to contain the chemicals which
are introduced through an opening at top, closed by a screw down cap (preferably
of the kind known as Watkinson's) and placed upon a perforated plate or grid I,
dividing the cylinder H, and inclined, to prevent the perforations becoming clogged.
A pipe K leads up from the lower part of cylinder B to a three way cock L, and
another pipe M leads down from said cock to the lower part of the cylinder E,
and is furnished with a valve M¹ (preferably of the construction shown separately
in Figure 4), to prevent the passage of the water in the opposite direction.
Another pipe N branches from the three way cock L, and leads into the upper
part of the cylinder H, and is provided with a valve N¹ (like that before referred
to) just above the inclined grid I. When cock L is closed to pipe N and open to
pipes K and M, the water is entirely shut off from the chemicals. Another pipe O

page_text: leads from the lower part of the cylinder pipe P leading on the one hand
to cylinder B, and on the other to cylinder E, and terminating at both ends in
similar valves P¹, P².
S is a safety valve on pipe K, from which water escapes into the tank in the
event of excessive pressure.
In operation, first air and then water is pumped into the cylinders B and E,
until the proper pressure and height of water are attained, the water rising in
both cylinders. The cylinder H having been charged with a mixture of carbonate
of soda, tartaric acid, alum, and pearl ash, in proper proportions, and the cap having
been applied, the engine is ready for use.
If plain water is required, it is only necessary to open the discharge cock at F¹,
to which a hose would be attached, the water flowing from the cylinder B through
pipes K, M, into the cylinder E, and out through the discharge pipe F.
In case of fire, water is admitted to the cylinder H by turning the cock L, so as
to open it to pipes K, N, and close it to pipe M, whereupon carbonic acid gas is
generated by the combination of the chemicals, and a higher pressure is produced
in the cylinder H than that in the cylinders B and E, whereby water saturated
with carbonic acid gas is forced into the said cylinders through pipes O and P,
thus immediately impregnating the whole of the water in both of them.
By shutting off the water from the cylinder H it may be recharged with
chemicals, whilst the water contained. in the other two continues to be discharged.
Having described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to be protected by the hercin-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The improved apparatus constructed, combined, and arranged for operation,
substantially as herein described and shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the
Drawings for the purposes specified.
Second. The combination of the three cylinders, B, E, and H (provided with
their respective appurtenances), by means of pipes K, M, and N, combined with a
three way cock and pipes O, P, the pipes being provided with valves and arranged
for operation, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the Drawings
for the purposes specified.
Third. In the apparatus herein described, the arranging the perforated plate or
grid in an inclined position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Kissack Joshua Foster, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.