A MAGNETIC FIRE ANNIHILATOR
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Walker, sen., of New Wortley, Leeds, in the
County of York, Manufacturing Chemist, for an Invention of "A MAGNETIC
FIRE ANNIHILATOR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Walker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st February 1881.
WILLIAM WALKER, sen., of New Wortley, Leeds, in the County of York,
Manufacturing Chemist. "A MAGNETIC FIRE ANNIHILATOR."
My Invention relates to an improved method of putting out or extinguishing
fires, which I accomplish by the decomposition of water by means of magnetism;
this is effected by one or more magnets being placed in vessels (open or closed), or
in conduits or pipes containing water, or in the delivery pipes through which the
said water is conducted or delivered (or the vessels or pipes may be magnetized or
otherwise); only a small quantity of water is required to accomplish the purpose.
When the water thus prepared comes into contact with the fire, it speedily becomes
decomposed (the oxygen and hydrogen contained in the water being thus
separated). The carbon arising from the burnt debris (such as charcoal) imme-
diately combines with the oxygen aforesaid. Carbonic oxide and carbonic acid
gas are thus generated which speedily puts out the fire. It is also well known
that the oxygen of the air has a great affinity for fire, and acting under the
circumstances, as aforesaid (viz., the speedy decomposition of the water), also
amalgamates with the carbon produced from the burning mass, and also generates
carbonic acid gas, thus forming an auxiliary in extinguishing the fire. The
discharge of the water may be regulated by either a "spray" or a "jet" according
to existing, circumstances. My delivery pipes treated as aforesaid can be attached
to any existing fire engine at present in use, or to any service of water, such as
ordinary towns' service under pressure, by simply connecting the same in the usual
way. The well known methods of decomposing water by electricity and galvanism
are not so applicable to the purpose as by magnetism previously described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th August
1881.
WILLIAM WALKER, sen., of New Wortley, Leeds, in the County of York,
Manufacturing Chemist. "A MAGNETIC FIRE ANNIHILATOR.”
"
"
My Invention relates to an improved method of putting out or extinguishing
fires, which I accomplish by the use of water that has been acted upon by a magnet
or magnets, which may be conveniently effected as follows:-Fig. 1 is an elevation
partly in section, and Fig. 2 is a plan of a vessel A, in which is a pressure pump B
for forcing the water through the delivery pipe C, the " spray nozzle D, or
"jet" E. A magnet F or magnets fixed in the vessel A acting on the water
prepares it for more speedy decomposition when it shall come into contact with
fire; Fig. 3 is an elevation partly in section, and Fig. 4 is a part plan shewing a
modification in the method of fixing the magnets F; Fig. 5 shews in section a close
and air tight vessel with one or more magnets fixed therein, and with an air
compressing pump G attached thereto for forcing water through the outlet H to
the delivery pipe C, and "spray" D, or "jet" E, as shewn in Fig. 1, the magnets
at F to act on the water; Fig. 6 is a part external elevation of the vessel shewn in
Fig. 5 taken at right angles to the previous Figure; Fig. 7 shews a discharge pipe
C with a portion of a hose pipe attached having a coiled magnetized wire I therein,
and Fig. 8 shews a hose pipe having a bent spring magnet J therein for the purpose
herein before described; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of a delivery pipe C
containing a spring magnet J within the internal delivery pipe proper; this pipe is
surrounded by a larger pipe forming an annular chamber K for compressed air;
D is the " spray" nozzle, and E the "jet" nozzle; L, Figs. 9 and 10, are grates
fixed in the delivery pipe C, one at each end of the magnet J, and which prevent
its endwise motion within the pipe. In lieu of using the before mentioned vessels
and pumps my apparatus may be attached to any existing fire engine, or to any
ordinary service of water under pressure.
My Invention is designed to enable a fire to be extinguished with much less
water than is required by the usual method, such water being prepared as
herein before described.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it understood that what
I consider to be novel and therefore claim as secured to me under the Letters
Patent hereinbefore in part recited is, the use for extinguishing fire of water that
has been acted upon by a magnet or magnets, substantially as and for the purpose
herein before described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Walker, sen., have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
WILLIAM WALKER, DEN. (L.B.)