Improvements in Automatic Fire-extinguishing Sprinklers and in an Alarm Valve Employed in Connection therewith.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Oct, 1886
Complete Left, 2nd July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 2nd Aug., 1887.
RESERVE
Improvements in Automatic Fire-extinguishing Sprinklers and in
an Alarm Valve Employed in Connection therewith.
We, RALPH DowSON and JOHN TAYLOR of Knowsley Street, Bolton in the County
of Lancaster, Fire Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention to
be as follows :-
This invention relates to improvements in automatic fire extinguishing sprinklers
employed to protect buildings and other places, and in an alarm valve employed in
connection therewith, and consists in constructing sprinklers on the sealed principle
wherein the latter is performed by sealing or soldering two tubes together by a
metal fusible at a low temperature.
The internal or outlet tube of the sprinkler
is provided on its outside with an elongated conical or other tube over which is
placed an elongated metallic conical or other cap or cover sealed or soldered at the
end farthest from the bulk of the water. By thus removing the sealed joint from
the bulk of the water a degree of sensitiveness is secured hitherto unattainable in
this class of sprinkler.
Our new or improved alarm valve employed in connection with automatic fire-
extinguishing sprinklers is designed to be so sensitive as to operate when a leakage
takes place equal to fractional part of a sprinkler, and its construction makes it
impossible for a false alarm to be given unless motion is given to the water by the
aforesaid leakage. The valve is mounted on a double seat in the form of a U,
leaving an annular chamber or cavity between the inner and outer seats which is
open to the atmosphere by a suitable pipe or other connection passing through the
valve box or casing; the outlet being provided with a tap in order to set the main
valve in working order. In another modification the annular chamber or cavity is
disposed on the main valve by which two facings are formed thereon, the valve seat
being covered with leather or other suitable substance provided with a slot, slots or
openings to allow of the annular chamber or cavity in the valve being open to the
atmosphere as and for the purpose before described. After the main valve is set
the tap is left wide open, being throttled by a small nozzle or outlet to minimise

page_text: ⋅
the waste of water when the main valve is open and working, the same being carried
outside the building or otherwise by suitable pipes. Should it be necessary to check
the small waste of water from the tap after the main valve has operated the
pipe or tap is provided with a flat valve or lid placed in front of the small outlet so
that it may be blown or driven by the force of water against its seat, thereby stopping
the outlet entirely. The top and bottom areas of the main valve are made according
to the various requirements or pressures which may be equal on both sides of the
valve, the larger area being on the top side by which the valve is kept tight.
Immediately a leakage takes place and the pressure above the main valve becomes
reduced it is overcome by the pressure underneath which places the valve in equilibrium,
being opened full bore by the action of a weight or its equivalent attached to a lever
mounted on the extended spindle to the outside. If desired the lever and weight can
be dispensed with the main valve being operated or opened by pressure alone. The
face of the main valve is covered with leather or other suitable substance secured in
any convenient manner or otherwise. In case the volume of water above the top side
of the main valve evaporates or becomes reduced in pressure by the air in the pipes
combining with the iron pipes a small compensating valve or its equivalent is
provided on the main valve to allow of the passage of small quantities of water from
one side of the valve to the other, which may be substituted by a pipe and tap or
valve connecting the pipes on either side of the valve. The main valve is attached to
a spindle and mounted in cross bars or guides in the valve box and seat. The valve
spindle is provided with a socket or slot in which operates a lever pivotted on a spindle
extended to the outside of the valve box through a stuffing box. The spindle is fitted
on the outside with a double ended lever, one end of which slides on a pin-attached
to the valve box or otherwise carrying a button or its equivalent attached to an
electric or other alarm; the opposite end of the lever being provided with a weight
or its equivalent to force open the valve immediately the total pressures on each side
are equal or thereabouts. In case the lever and spindle are dispensed with the button
or its equivalent communicating with the electric or other alarm is mounted on a
fixed spindle or pin on the outside of a valve which is attached to the waste water
pipe before mentioned, being forced off by a sliding fork and piston arrangement
operated by the pressure of water liberated into the aforesaid waste water pipe when
the main valve opens.
If desired the main valve can be arranged to fulfil the function of a reduction
valve, by which varying pressures can be obtained on each side, for example,
say 120 lbs per □ in the mains and 80 lbs per ☐ in the sprinkler pipes and
sprinklers, the difference being compensated for by the areas of the upper and lower
or under faces of the valve. In this case the compensating valve is dispensed with.
In another modification the main valve may be weighted by adjustable weights and
levers in the ordinary manner to vary the pressure on both sides of the main valve
when in operation or otherwise, acting in the capacity of a throttle valve when water
is passing through.
The advantage of this alarm valve is that fire-extinguishing sprinklers and the
joints in the pipes throughout the building beyond the said main valve are protected
from the hammer action of water, thereby relieving the soldered and sealed joints
of sprinklers from a strain detrimental thereto. Another advantage is that whilst
being extremely sensitive it is impossible for the main valve to operate unless a
leakage occurs of a greater extent than the aforesaid compensating valve can supply,
thereby dispensing with the evil of a false alarm so prevalent to the present time.
Dated the 1st day of October 1886.
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent for Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Automatic Fire-extinguishing Sprinklers and in
an Alarm Valve Employed in Connection therewith.
We, RALPH DOWSON and JOHN TAYLOR of Knowsley Street, Bolton in the County
of Lancaster, Fire Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in automatic fire-extinguishing sprinklers
employed to protect buildings and other places, and in an alarm valve employed in
.connection therewith, and consists in constructing sprinklers on the sealed principle
wherein the latter is performed by sealing or soldering two tubes together by a
metal fusible at a low temperature. The internal or outlet tube of the sprinkler is
provided on its outside with an elongated conical or other tube over which is placed
an elongated metallic conical or other cap or cover sealed or soldered at the end
farthest from the bulk of the water. By thus removing the sealed joint from the
bulk of the water a degree of sensitiveness is secured hitherto unattainable in this
class of sprinkler.
Our new or improved alarm valve employed in connection with automatic fire-
extinguishing sprinklers is designed to be so sensitive as to operate when a leakage takes
place equal to a fractional part of a sprinkler, and its construction makes it impossible
for a false alarm to be given unless motion is given to the water by the aforesaid
leakage. The valve is mounted on a double seat in the form of a U, leaving an
annular chamber or cavity between the inner and outer seats which is open to the
atmosphere by a suitable pipe or other connection passing through the valve box or
casing; the outlet being provided with a tap in order to set the main valve in
working order.
In another modification the annular chamber or cavity is disposed on the main
valve by which two facings are formed thereon; the valve seat being covered with
leather or other suitable substance provided with a slot, slots, or openings, to allow
of the annular chamber or cavity in the valve being open to the atmosphere as and
for the purpose before described. After the main valve is set the tap is left wide
open, being throttled by a small nozzle or outlet to minimise the waste of water
when the main valve is open and working, the same being carried outside the building
or otherwise by suitable pipes. Should it be necessary to check the small waste of
water from the tap after the main valve has operated the pipe or tap is provided with
a flat valve or lid placed in front of the small outlet so that it may be blown or driven
by the force of the water against its seat, thereby stopping the outlet entirely. The
top and bottom areas of the main valve are made according to the various require-
ments or pressures, which may be equal on both sides of the valve, the larger area
being on the top side by which the valve is kept tight. Immediately a leakage takes
place and the pressure above the main valve becomes reduced it is overcome by the
pressure underneath which places the valve in equilibrium, being opened full bore by
the action of a weight, or its equivalent, attached to a lever mounted on the extended
spindle to the outside. If desired the lever and weight can be dispensed with, the
main valve being operated or opened by pressure alone. The face of the main valve
is covered with leather or other suitable substance secured in any convenient manner

page_text: or otherwise. In case the volume of water above the top side of the main valve
evaporates or becomes reduced in pressure by the air in the pipes combining with
the iron pipes a small compensating valve or its equivalent is provided on the main
valve to allow of the passage of small quantities of water from one side of the valve
to the other, which may be substituted by a pipe and tap or valve connecting the
pipes on either side of the valve. The main valve is attached to a spindle and
mounted in crossbars or guides in the valve box and seat. The valve spindle is
provided with a socket or slot in which operates a lever pivoted on a spindle extended
to the outside of the valve box through a stuffing box. The spindle is fitted on the
outside with a double ended lever, one end of which slides on a pin attached to the
valve box or otherwise carrying a button or its equivalent attached to an electric or
other alarm, the opposite end of the lever being provided with a weight or its
equivalent to force open the valve immediately the total pressures on each side are
equal or thereabouts. In case the lever and spindle are dispensed with the button or
its equivalent communicating with the electric or other alarm is mounted on a fixed
spindle or pin on the outside of a valve which is attached to the waste water pipe
before mentioned, being forced off by a sliding fork and piston arrangement operated
by the pressure of water liberated into the aforesaid waste water pipe when the main
valve opens.
If desired the main valve can be arranged to fulfil the function of a reduction
valve, by which varying pressures can be obtained on each side, for example, say
120 lbs per □ in the mains and 80 lbs per □ in the sprinkler pipes and sprinklers,
the difference being compensated for by the areas of the upper and lower or under-
faces of the valve. In this case the compensating valve is dispensed with.
In another modification the main valve may be weighted by adjustable weights and
levers in the ordinary manner to vary the pressure on both sides of the main valve
when in operation or otherwise, acting in the capacity of a throttle valve when water
is passing through.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of our improved sealed automatic sprinkler-Fig. 2 is
a sectional elevation of our improved alarm valve-Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional
elevation of compensating valve 37 in Fig. 2-Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of
another modification of our alarm valve-Fig. 5 is a plan of valve seat through
line A. B in Fig. 4 with valve and top portion of valve box removed-Fig. 6 is an
outside elevation of another modification of our alarm valve and Fig. 7 is an outside
elevation of our improved valve when converted into a dead weight throttle or
reducing valve.
The internal or outlet tube 8 of the sprinkler is provided on its outside with the
elongated conical tube 9, over which is placed the elongated conical cap or cover 10
sealed or soldered at 11, which is the farthest end from the bulk of the water. The
nozzle or inlet end 12 of the sprinkler and the tube 8 are fitted with the crossbars 13
and 13* in which is mounted the spindle 14 carrying the deflector 15. When the
sprinkler is sealed the deflector 15 is held against the underside of the tube 8 by the
cap or cover 10. Immediately a fire takes place and fuses the sealed joint 11 the cap
or cover 10 falls away and allows the deflector 15 and spindle 14 to drop until the
collar 16 comes in contact with the crossbar 13, at which point they are arrested to
diffuse the water over the fire.
•
Our new
or improved alarm valve box is composed of the upper and lower
portions 17 and 18 respectively; the latter being fitted with the double valve seat 19
in the form of a U on which is mounted the valve 20. The annular chamber or
cavity 21 between the facings 19* of the valve seat 19 is open to the action of
atmospheric pressure by the hole or passage 22 and pipe 23 in the valve box or
casing 18, and through which water flows-immediately the main valve 20 opens, and
can be used to operate a bell or other suitable alarm. This annular chamber or
cavity is for the purpose of providing two separate seatings of different areas; the
annular chamber or cavity being only subject to the pressure of the atmosphere when
the main valve is closed. The pipe 23 is fitted with the tap 28 for the purpose of
stopping the waste of water after the fire has been detected, and also, if necessary,

page_text: for seating and re-seating the alarm valve. The top and bottom areas of the valve 20
and the width of the chamber or cavity 21 are constructed according to the various
requirements or pressures, the larger area being on the. top side by which the valve is
kept tight on its seat. The face of the main valve 20 is covered with the ring 30 of
leather or other suitable substance, secured thereto by the metallic washer 31 and
nut 32, the latter being screwed on the stem 33 on the underside of the valve 20.
The valve 20 is provided with the spindle or stem 34 and is mounted in the
crossbar 35 in the upper portion 17 of the valve box, and the guide or cross har 36
in the valve seat 19. In case the volume of water above the top side of the valve 20
evaporates or becomes reduced in pressure by the air in the pipes combining with
the iron pipes the valve 20 is fitted with the small compensating valve 37-of which
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation-to automatically allow small quantities of
water of an increased pressure to pass from the lower side of the valve to the upper
side, which may be substituted by the pipes 38 and back-pressure valve 39, shown
in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The compensating valve or by-pass 37 is mounted on the
valve seat 40, the lower end of which is screwed into the upper side of the main
valve 20; the latter being provided with the hole or passage 41 to admit water to
the valve 37, the size of which regulates the sensitiveness of the action of the main
valve. The valve 37 is enclosed in the casing 42 provided with the outlets 43.
Immediately a sprinkler is placed in action, from whatever cause, or a leakage
takes place so as to reduce the total pressure on the top side of the main valve 20
below that of the total pressure below the same, the valve 20 opens and allows the
water to flow through the same to the installation, and at the same time flows through
the pipe 23 from the annular chamber or cavity 21 to a water motor or turbine, or
other suitable connection or alarm.
In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the annular chamber or cavity 21 and the
double facings 19* are disposed on the main valve 20; the valve seat 19 being formed
of leather or other suitable substance secured to the casing 18 by the metallic ring 44
and the upper portion 17 of the valve box or casing. The ring 44 is provided with
the crossbar 36 in which is mounted the spindle or stem 34, the opposite or upper end
being mounted in the crossbar 35 in the upper portion 17 of the valve box. The
valve seat 10 and the valve box or casing 18 are provided with the slot 45 connecting
with the hole or passage 22, by which the annular chamber or cavity 21 is open to
the pressure of the atmosphere. The hole or passage 22 is fitted with the pipe 23 on
the outlet of which is disposed the valve box 46 and flat valve or lid 47. When the
main valve 20 is closed the valve 47 rests on the crossbar 48, as shown in Fig. 4,
which, immediately the valve 20 opens, is blown or driven by the force of water in
the pipe 23 against the seat 49, thereby stopping the outlet entirely. In case the
main valve 20 leaks the water passes the valve 47 and out through the holes 50.
pipe 23 is fitted with the valve box 51 mounted on the T piece 52, in which is
disposed the valve 53. Immediately the valve 47 is blown or forced against its
seat 49, by the opening of the main valve 20, the pressure forces the valve 53 against
the india-rubber or other seat 54, which in rising, the stem 55 lifts the button 56 off
the upper end of the valve box 51, and sets the electric or other alarm in operation it
is connected to by the wire or cord 57.
The
In another arrangement the valve spindle 34 is provided with a socket or slot and
is operated by the lever 58, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4: this lever is attached
to the spindle 59 which extends through the stuffing box 60 to the outside of the
valve box, as in Fig. 6, on which is fitted the double ended lever 61. The end 62 of
the lever 61 is forked to slide on the pin 63 attached to the valve box 17, which
carries the button 56 attached to an electric or other alarm by the wire or cord 57.
Immediately the main valve 20 opens the fork lifts the button 56 off the pin 63 and
sets the alarm in motion. The opposite end of the lever 61 is fitted with the
weight 64, or its equivalent, such as, a spring, to force open the main valve 20
immediately the total pressures on each side are equal or thereabouts. If considerable
variation in the pressures between the two sides of the valve 20 is required the
weight 64 can be placed on the opposite or fork side of the lever 61.

page_text: If desired the main valve can be arranged to fulfil the function of a reduction valve,
by which varying pressures can be obtained on each side, for example, say 120 lbs
per square inch in the mains and 80 lbs per square inch in the installation, the
difference being compensated for by the areas of the upper and lower or underfaces
of the valve. In the case of employing a valve of this description the pipes above
and below the main valve 20 are charged with water to the pressure intended to
be utilized in the installation, then the stop valve leading from the sheet or other
main is closed to stop the flow of water so as to allow the valve 20 to become seated,
after which the stop valve or street main can be opened and the increased pressure
placed under the valve 20. Any evaporation or decrease of pressure in the installation
is renewed by opening the tap or by-pass 39, which is again closed when the requisite
pressure is attained.
In another modification the main valve 20 is weighted by the adjustable weights 65,
as shown in Fig. 7, to vary the pressure on both sides when in operation, or otherwise,
in such case acting as a throttle or reducing valve when water is passing through.
The mode of operating the alarm can be varied in any convenient manner, for
instance, that shown in connection with Fig. 2 can be applied to the valve shown in
Fig. 4, and vice-versa.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. In a sealed sprinkler the use and application of an elongated outer cap or
thimble for the purpose of removing the soldered joint as far as possible from the
water to minimise its detrimental effect upon the same when in the act of fusing;
substantially as described and as shown on the drawings in Fig. 1.
2. The use and application, in combination with a valve, of the double seating with
an annular chamber or cavity open to the pressure of the atmosphere when the valve
is closed, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth and as shown on the
drawings in Fig. 2.
3. The use and application of a valve provided with two facings and an annular
chamber or cavity between the same, in combination with a seating and a slot or
openings through same to allow of the annular chamber or cavity being open to the
pressure of the atmosphere when the valve is closed, and through which water flows
to operate an alarm when the main valve opens, substantially as and for the purpose
herein set forth and as shown on the drawings in Fig. 4.
4. The use and application of the compensating valve or by-pass 37 in valves with
one or more seatings having a larger area of pressure on the outlet side resisting the
same or a greater pressure on a smaller area on the inlet side, applied and operating,
substantially as described and as shown on the drawings in Figs. 2 and 3.
5. The use and application of the valve 53, valve box 51, and button 56, applied and
operating substantially as described and as shown on the drawings in Fig. 4.
6. .The use and construction of the valve 47 and valve box 46, substantially as and
for the purpose herein set forth and as shown in Fig. 4.
7. The use and application of the stop tap 28 for the purpose of seating and
re-seating alarm valves with two or more seatings of differential areas, substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated the 27th June 1887
EDMUND CHADWICK, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
92, St. George's Road, Bolton,
Agent for Applicants.