Improvements in Automatic Fire Extinguishing Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1889-Accepted, 27th July, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Fire Extinguishing Apparatus.
I, AUGUSTUS FREDERICK NAGLE of No. 495 Fullerton Avenue, of Chicago County
of Cook and State of Illinois United States of America, Constructing 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:
My invention relates to the main valve of what is known as the "dry-pipe" system
of automatic fire extinguishers, where the water is prevented from entering the
distributing-pipes by a main-valve, which is in turn so controlled by a light air pressure
in said distributing-pipes as to be only liberated when said light air pressure is
reduced by the opening of one or more of the sprinkler-heads.
My improved valve consists of a double-seated main valve or gate having unequal
areas, an open water passage or by pass communicating with the under and upper
sides of the valve and a small waste valve controlling a waste-passage from one side
of said main valve and exposed to the light air pressure of the distributing-pipes on
one side and to atmospheric and water pressure on the other side. The main valve is
kept seated by the water pressure and the small valve at the same time is kept seated
by the pressure of air upon its face the effective area of the latter being such that
the small pressure of the air upon it will somewhat exceed the pressure exerted by the
water upon the under side of the waste-valve. Now, in case of a fire and the opening
of a sprinkler, the air-pressure is quickly reduced below the fixed limit, and the water
pressure immediately acts to automatically lift the waste-valve, and consequently
reduces the pressure upon that side of the main valve, when the larger volume of
water forces the valve from its seat, thereby allowing the water to flow into the
distributing-pipes, whence it is discharged into the room to quench the fire. The
main valve is also composed of two independently movable parts, which automatically
adjust themselves to the two valve seats, so that the distance between the valve heads
will always correspond to the distance between the valve seats and the valve will be
properly seated upon both sides, thereby preventing all leakage.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 represents a vertical central section of a structure embodying my invention,
the valves being shewn closed as in their ordinary or normal position.
Figure 2, a similar view of the same, with the valves open as in case of a fire
opening the sprinklers.
Figure 3, a plan view of the main valve, partly broken away, and
Figure 4, an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of the main valve shewing
a modification in construction.
I have shewn in the drawing only so much of the apparatus as is necessary to an
understanding of my present invention. The general system of distributing-pipes and
sprinklers, in apparatus of the kind mentioned above, is well known and, as it
constitutes no part of the present invention, I have not shewn it in the drawing, but
have only shown the application of the valve to the pipes at a point where it controls
the inlet of water to the distributing-pipes.
In the drawing, A. represents the body or shell within which the valve is located.
This shell has a flanged outlet nozzle a adapted to be secured to a pipe leading to the
distributing pipes which are provided, as usual, with a series of sprinkler heads; and
it also has a flanged inlet nozzle a¹ adapted to be secured to the main water supply-
pipe. Centrally within this shell is formed a chamber a³, within which is secured the
lower seat, B, for the main valve. A seat B¹, is also fitted into the upper portion of
the shell, which constitutes the upper seat for the main valve and also forms a
chamber a. The lower valve seat is set in the lower part of the case by a threaded
Price 82 1

page_text: connection, as seen in the drawing, and is provided with a hollow central hub b
connected to the rim by radial arms between which the water flows from the inlet
pipe when the valve is open. The upper seat is a wide band or ring set in the
upper part of the shell by a threaded connection and having at its lower edge a short
internal flange 61, which constitutes the bearing portion on which the valve rests.
The upper seat is somewhat greater in diameter than the lower one. A by-pass, C, is
formed in the valve-casing or shell which extends from the inlet nozzle below the
lower valve seat upward past the valve to the chamber formed by the upper valve
seat and a smaller orifice c extending inward from the upper end of this passage
through the side of the upper valve seat, provides a communication between the
by-pass and the said upper chamber, thus permitting water to enter the chamber
above the valve. The main valve D is constructed and adapted to rest upon the two
seats described above so as to form two water tight joints. But it is very difficult to
prevent leakage in valves of this description owing to variations in the distance
between the valve seats and the valve heads due to unequal expansion or contraction
or to other causes. I therefore construct this valve in a peculiar manner. to overcome
this difficulty which I accomplish by making the valve of two independently movable
parts which automatically adjust themselves to the valve seats, so that the distance
between the valve heads will always correspond to the distance between the valve seats
and so perfectly tight joints are always obtained upon both sides. This valve D
I have shown in the drawing as composed of two separate pieces or sections D', D²,
the former being provided with a seating surface à, adapted to rest upon and fit
the lower seat B; and the latter being provided with a seating surface d¹, adapted
to rest upon and fit the upper seat B¹. The upper section D2 is practically a hollow
cylinder, which encloses the body of the lower section D' that fits within the same,
so as to permit the two sections to move freely relatively to each other. The two
sections are fastened together by a screw d², which passes through a short slot d³,
in the outer section and is received in a suitable threaded socket in the inner section,
thus connecting the two sections together in such way as to prevent the rotation of one
upon the other but at the same time permitting free movement lengthwise within
the limits of the slot. The upper section D² is provided at its upper margin with an
upwardly extending flange d₁ threaded longitudinally as shown and within the circular
space formed by this flange there is placed a thin flexible metallic disc E which rests
upon a suitable seat e provided for it at the bottom of the flange thus closing the top
of the upper section D2 of the valve. This disk is preferably of brass and is held
in position by means of a nut, E, threaded to correspond with the aforesaid threaded
flange within which it is screwed down to bear upon the disk, an annular washer or
gasket, el being preferably interposed between the nut and disk, so as to form a
perfectly tight joint. This nut is provided with several perforations, e², which
permit the water in the chamber above to flow freely therefrom into the space between
the disk and nut. Now, the two sections of the valve being movable, relatively
to each other, it will be seen that, when the valve is closed, as shown in Figure 1
of the drawing, and held in this position under water pressure on both sides thereof,
in case of any increase in the distance separating the two seats, the water in the
chamber above the valve passing freely through the perforations in the nut will
exert its pressure upon the disk, which being flexible will transmit this pressure to
the head of the lower section and so will cause the two sections of the valve to
separate sufficiently to compensate for any change in relation of the parts. The
effective area presented to the water pressure by the upper section is greater than
that presented by the lower section, as will be seen from an inspection of the drawing,
which clearly show the head of the lower section somewhat smaller than the pressure
area of the upper section composed of its vertical flange and the nut upon the inside
thereof; it follows, therefore, that a constant downward pressure upon both of the
sections from the water in the chamber above will hold both sections firmly to
their seats, while at the same time in case of any diminution in the distance between
the two valve seats, the two sections will approach each other to compensate for any
such variation. There is thus provided a two-part double-seated valve which will

page_text: automatically adjust itself to the distance separating its seats and so will compensate
for all variations affecting this distance, thereby securing tight joints under all
conditions and overcoming a frequent cause of leakage with such valves. Preferably
the adjacent edges of the parts of the valve, forming the joint covered by the
metallic disk are slightly rounded, as seen in the drawing to save the sharp bending
of the disc. The lower section of the valve is provided with a central stem d
which fits the hub in the lower seat, thus serving to guide the valve. As already
explained the pressure area of the upper portion of the valve exceeds that of the
lower and upon an inspection of the drawing it will be seen that the diameter of the
upper seat is greater than that of the lower so that the actual seating pressure upon
the upper seat is greater than that upon the lower seat, hence the water filling the
chamber above the valve being at the same pressure per square inch as that below
the valve acts to depress the valve and keep it upon its seat.
A head or cap F is provided with a depending flange f adapted to fit within the
opening at the upper portion of the shell and so this cap securely closes the upper
portion of the shell and forms the top of the chamber within the shell above the
valve. Above this cap or formed upon the top thereof, is a chamber G, within which
is located a waste valve H which is properly seated upon a ledge g within the
chamber and is provided with a winged stem that passes down through a suitable
tubular bearing extending through the cap into the upper water chamber. An air
inlet pipe I opens into the chamber above this waste valve and connects at its other
end with the distributing-pipes this may be effected by connecting it with the outlet
to the valve shell as shown in the drawing, or in any other suitable way. There is
therefore the same pressure in the chamber above the waste valve as in the outlet a
or, in other words the pressure in the distributing pipes and the said chamber is the
same. This chamber is also provided with a waste or outlet aperture gl below the
valve which also admits the atmosphere on this side of the valve. The valve itself is
provided with an upwardly projecting pin h' which when the valve is raised serves to
close the mouth or inlet aperture i of the air pipe I. This waste valve is also provided:
with a detent pin J, which when depressed engages a spring bolt K when disengaged.
by the raising of the valve an alarm is given by means of an electric circuit, or in
any other suitable manner.
•
In the construction of the valve I prefer to employ the flexible disc described above,
for the reason that it closes completely the joint between the two sections, thereby
obviating the necessity of nice fitting or packing of the two sections to prevent
leakage, this disc may be dispensed with, however together with the particular
devices which serve for retaining it in position, in which case the fitting or packing
between the two sections must be very accurate to prevent serious leakage. Instead
of a disc extending entirely over the head of the inner section as already described,
this device may be annular in form which modification I have shown in Figure 4 of
the drawing, wherein will be seen a thin metal annulus L covering the joint between
the two sections with its outer margin secured to the outer section by a ring and
its inner margin secured to the inner section by a similar ring both being fastened
by screw-bolts as shown in the drawing. The flexibility of the annulus is sufficient.
to permit the slight motion of the sections, relatively to each other necessary to seat
them properly.
The operation of this mechanism is as follows:-Suppose the inlet and outlet pipes
connected to the shell as heretofore suggested the main valve closed and water
supplied to the pipe under considerable pressure. Now it is evident that the water
pressure is upon both the upper and under sides of the main valve at the same time,
the water passing freely into the chamber above the valve by way of the by-pass,
owing to the excess of area of the upper over the lower side of the valve, the latter
will be maintained upon its seats. At the same time the water will also press against
the underside of the waste-valve. The distributing pipes and of course the outlet of
the valve shell and the chamber above the waste valve, being free of water, are next
filled with air under pressure. Now the effective area of the waste-valve upon its
upper face is very much greater than that portion of its lower face exposed to the

page_text: water pressure. This should be regulated so that the air pressure above will be
sufficient to ensure the seating of this valve against the water pressure below, which
being effected, it is evident that the main valve will be firmly seated by the water-
pressure as explained above, and as already explained, the construction of this valve
being in two movable sections, it will be properly seated under all circumstances.
Now, if the sprinkler heads are automatically opened by the breaking out of a fire,
the air will of course escape therefrom and so the air-pressure will be suddenly
reduced and the pressure upon the upper side of the waste-valve being thus relieved,
the pressure of the water underneath will lift this valve, fill the chamber below and
escape through the waste opening. Now the area of the orifice leading from the
by-pass into the chamber above the main valve is considerably less than the waste
outlet from the chamber above; hence the water-pressure upon the upper side of the
main valve will be immediately reduced and becoming less than the pressure below
the valve, the latter will be forced upward, thereby permitting the water to flow
outward into the distributing pipes to the sprinklers. When the main valve is fully
raised it closes the small passage leading to the by-pass, and also holds up the
waste-valve, as seen in Figure 2 of the drawing. From the foregoing description it
is obvious that the operation of the valve is entirely automatic and that it is controlled
by a light air-pressure, so that only a comparatively low air-pressure need be
maintained in the distributing-pipes. So long as the pressure is maintained within
the distributing-pipes, it is impossible for the main valve to raise from its seats, but
as soon as the air-pressure is reduced below a certain fixed limit, the valve is at once
lifted and permits an unobstructed flow of water to the sprinklers.
Modifications in the details of construction of other parts of the structure, described
above, may be made and I do not limit myself herein to precise details. The two-part
double-seated valve may be employed with other apparatus or mechanism than fire
extinguishing apparatus which is here shown.
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 I
claim is :-
First. The combination, of the supply-pipe charged with water under pressure,
with the outlet and distributing-pipe charged with air under less pressure than the
water a double-seated valve arranged with one head closing the supply-pipe and the
other closing a chamber on the opposite side of the valve, a by-pass connecting said
chamber with the supply-pipe a waste-valve of differential area arranged in a chamber
opening into the said valve chamber and provided with a waste opening larger than
the opening between the valve chamber and the by-pass, and an air pipe connecting
the distributing-pipe with the waste-valve chamber above the valve substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
Second. The combination, of the supply pipe charged with water under pressure,
with the outlet and distributing-pipe charged with air under less pressure than the
water, a differential valve arranged at the junction of said two pipes with the smaller
head closing the supply pipe and the larger a chamber above, a by-pass connecting
the supply-pipe with the said valve chamber, a waste chamber communicating with
said valve chamber and provided with an outlet larger than the by-pass opening into
the latter, a differential waste-valve with its smaller area closing the communication
between the valve chamber and waste chamber, and an air pipe connecting the
distributing-pipe with the waste chamber, so as to bring the pressure of the air upon
the greater area of the waste-valve, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Third. The combination, of the supply-pipe charged with water under pressure,
with an outlet and distributing-pipe charged with air under a less pressure, a double-
seated differential valve made in two parts movable upon each other, the head on the
one side closing the supply-pipe and the head on the other part closing a chamber on
the opposite side of the valve, and a by-pass connecting said chamber with the supply-
pipe, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The combination of the supply-pipe charged with water under pressure,

page_text: with the outlet and distributing-pipe charged with air under a less pressure, the two
seated valve, closing on one side the supply-pipe and on the other a chamber above, a
by-pass connecting the supply pipe with said chamber, a waste valve closing on one
side the outlet from said valve chamber and on the other face exposed to the air-
pressure of the distributing-pipes, the said waste valve being normally held closed
against the water-pressure by said air-pressure and held in its open position by the
main valve when the latter is fully raised, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
Fifth. The combination, of the valve-casing, provided with two stationary seats, of
the valve composed of two sections, movable relatively to each other and each provided
with a seating surface to fit the corresponding seat of the valve-casing, the said sections
being held to their seats under pressure independently of each other, substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The combination, of the valve-casing, provided with two stationary valve
seats, with a valve composed of two independently movable sections, each provided
with a seating surface to fit the corresponding valve seat and consisting of an inner
section closed at one end and an outer hollow cylindrical section surrounding said
inner section, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The combination, of the valve casing, provided with two stationary seats,
with the valve composed of an inner and outer section movable one upon the other
and each provided with a seating surface to fit its corresponding seat, and a flexible
metal covering arranged over and closing the joint formed by the meeting surfaces of
the two sections, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Eighth. The combination, of the valve-casing, provided with two stationary valve
seats, of a differential valve composed of two sections movable relatively to each other
and each provided with a seating surface to fit its corresponding seat, the effective
pressure-area of one section being greater than that of the other, substantially as and
for the purposes specified.
Ninth. The combination, of the valve-casing, provided with two stationary seats,
with a valve composed of an inner and an outer section movable upon each other and
provided with seating surfaces adapted to the respective valve seats, and a flexible
metallic disc closing the head of the outer section and arranged to bear upon the head
of the inner section, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Tenth. The combination, of the supply-pipe charged with water under pressure,
with the outlet and distributing-pipe charged with air under less pressure than the
water, a valve arranged to close on one side the supply-pipe and on the other chamber
opposed to the supply-pipe, a by-pass connecting said chamber with the supply-
pipe, a chamber opening into said valve-chamber and provided with a waste outlet,
both said openings being larger than the opening of the by-pass into the valve-
chamber, an air pipe connecting the distributing-pipe with the said waste chamber,
and a waste-valve of differential area arranged within said waste-chamber with its
smaller head closing the passage to the main valve chamber and its larger head
exposed to the action of the air-pressure, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 31st day of Mov 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.