Improvements in Chemical Fire-extinguishing Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chemical Fire-extinguishing Apparatus.
I, RANDALL TOMPKINS VAN VALKENBURG, Manufacturer, resident of Muskegon,
Muskegon County of Michigan one of the United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment-
In the drawings which accompany this specification, and form a part thereof;
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved chemical engine;
Fig. 2 is a plan thereof with the hose-reel removed to show the parts below;
Fig. 3 is à rear elevation ;
Fig. 4 is a diagram plan of the mixer, generator and connections thereof;
Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on line X X in Figs. 2 and 4;
Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line Y Y in Fig. 3;
Fig. 7 is a vertical central section on line Z Z in Fig. 2 ;
Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on line W W in Fig. 3
Fig. 9 is a detached perspective view of one of the perforated cups shown in
Figs. 7 and 8.
All the operating parts of my chemical engine are mounted upon a light and
strong frame, mounted on two wheels A A on a curved axle B, and small wheel C,
see Fig. 1, in the center in front of the wheels A A, serves as a front support.
The frame is preferably constructed of the longitudinal bars D rigidly connected
near the front and rear by cross-bars E with the inner longitudinal bars D¹ extended
in front and provided with a suitable appliance, such as the handle-bar F and the
rope pulley G.
The franie is supported on the axle by means of springs, such as the C-springs H
under the side bars of the frame, and the cross-spring I which connects the rear ends
of the side springs and supports the frame in the center of the rear cross-bar of the
frame.
The frame thus constructed forms an opening in the center, in which the generator J
is supported, and two openings on the sides on which the boxes K K¹ are secured,
and which serve to carry the materials for charging the generator.
The generator forms a closed tank, and is suitably constructed to withstand a high
degree of pressure, and for this purpose it is preferably made of cylindrical shape,
with convex heads, as shown, and is supported upon the frame by means of the lugs a
secured to the sides of the generator. Near the rear end this generator is provided
with a dome L which incloses the acid chamber, and the dome is provided with a
removable head L' detachably secured thereto, preferably by means of a screw-threaded
engagement; suitable hand holds L³ being formed on said head, for conveniently
screwing it on and off when required to charge the dome with the acid.
Into this dome L is fitted a removable cylindrical vessel M which is provided
with one or more vertical ribs M which engage into corresponding grooves on the
inner face of the dome L, for the purpose of holding the vessel M in a fixed relation
within the dome L, and prevents it from rotating, therein.
On the bottom of this vessel is formed a spider M which may be formed integral
with the ribs M', and which supports on a central step M³ the breaker shaft M*.
This breaker shaft is provided at its lower end with the breaker-arms Ms and passes
through a stuffing box in the head of the dome, and bears a handle M' for rotating
it in its bearings.
To the walls of the inner vessel are secured the open-ended pockets N adapted to
securely hold the acid containing bottles O. The bottom of the vessel M is perforated,
or provided with the screen P.

page_text: To the top of the generator are connected two discharge pipes Q and Q1, which
are controlled by the valves Q and extend downwardly in front of the generator;
they connect into the horizontal system of discharge pipes Q³ and Q, which form
two distinct outer circuits around the ends and sides of the generator, and terminate
at the rear and near the center into the coupling members 5 and Q to which the
fire-hose is adapted to be secured.
I preferably connect the two systems of discharge pipes into one single structure,
which forms a four-sided pipe frame, supported by brackets b on the four corners,
upon the cross- or the side-bars, of the supporting frame.
At different places on these discharge pipes, preferably at the corners, and in the
center where the two systems are untied, I place enlarged couplings S S and S.
The couplings S at the four corners of the frame are preferably cast integral with
the brackets b and are provided with an opening on top, which is closed by a screw-
cap cand in this opening is removably secured a cup T made of perforated metal or
wire-screen. In the bottom of this coupling is an opening or drip, which is closed
by a suitable drip plug, d.
The oouplings S and S are similarly constructed to the couplings S, but are made
twice as long, and divided in the center by a partition e, so as to form a separate
chamber for each system of discharge pipes, and the couplings S' is provided in the
same manner as described for the couplings S, with the screw-cap and perforated cup,
and the drip at the bottom of the chamber.
The coupling members Q and Q are connected to or formed integral with the
couplings S, as shown.
The coupling S is similarly constructed to the coupling S', except that the open-
ings on top of the coupling are connected to the discharge pipes QQ respectively.
Lipon the forward part of the frame is supported the mixing tub or cylinder U;
this contains an axial shaft journaled on suitable bearings in the heads of the cylinder,
and is provided upon one end with the crank U¹ and within the cylinder with the
stirring wings U2.
The top of the cylinder is provided with the opening or hopper U³ which is closed
by a suitable cover U..
From the bottom of the cylinder a discharge pipe V leads into the generator, and
this pipe is controlled by a valve V', and its inlet opening is covered by a screen V².
This mixing tub or cylinder is secured above the level of the generator, so that its
contents may be drained into the generator by opening the valve V; it is preferably
enclosed in an outer frame Us by means of which it is supported upon the forward
portion of the frame.
A hose-reel W is suitably supported upon the frame of the machine, and upon it
are preferably secured two lines of hose, and from the central support of this hose-
reel an arm fextends rearwardly and is provided at its free end with the hinged cap 9,
which is adapted to engage with the free end of the lever M7.
A pressure gauge Y, in Fig. 1, is attached to any suitable part of the generator,
and to the under side of the generator is attached the blow-off pipe Z which is
controlled by the blow-off cock of valve Z'.
In practice, the parts being constructed and arranged as shown and described, they
are intended to operate as follows:
A suitable quantity of the carbonate, together with the necessary amount of water for
forming a solution is introduced into the mixing tub U and by turning the crank U¹
a quick solution is effected from there, by opening the valve V1, the contents are
drained into the generator, after which the valve V₁ is closed.
The bottles containing the acid having been previously secured in the pockets N
of the acid-containing vessel, the lever M of the breaking device is disengaged from
the locking latch g and by giving it a vigorous turn, the break or arms M at the
lower end of the breaker shaft. will smash the bottles and allow. the liquid to escape
through the perforated bottom in the generator, all pieces of broken glass being
retained in the vessel M.

page_text: The generator having now become charged, a discharge may be effected by opening
either one of the valves in the discharge pipes Q and Q, or by opening both of the
valves, as desired; thus either one or two streams may be obtained from the engine.
The discharge through the discharge pipe Q follows the system of pipes Q³ to the
outlet Q, and the discharge through the discharge pipe follows the system of
pipes Q to the outlet Q, into the flexible hose connected therewith.
The object of the perforated cups T is to contain some dry carbonate for the purpose
of neutralizing all the acid which may possibly be carried off from the generator
unconsumed, and thereby, it not alone increases the pressure, but also prevents the
waste of acid and its injurious action in the discharge passages and hose.
If the material in these cups become spent, they may be readily re-filled by
unscrewing the cap c.
The especial advantages of my construction consist in the economical disposition
of the various parts, in the facility for controlling the generator, and obtaining one
or more streams, the formation of the circuitous system of discharge whereby all the
acid may be eliminated from the charge, in the peculiar construction of the system
of discharge pipes, which forms an element of strength on the construction, in the
novel arrangement of the mixing tab whereby no time is wasted in preparing new
charges as a solution may be readily prepared while the generator is discharging, and
in the peculiar arrangement for permitting the whole system to be drained and cleaned
after usc.
By bending the axle downwardly, as shown, the generator may be hung low, and
thereby present great stability combined with light draft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In a Chemical Engine, the combination of the supporting frame consisting of
the longitudinal and cross bars, the generator supported thereon, and the quadri-
lateral system of discharge pipes secured to said frame, substantially as described.
2. In a Chemical Engine, the combination of the supporting frame, consisting of
the longitudinal and cross-bars, the generator supported thereon, and the quadri-
lateral system of discharge pipes provided with the brackets at the corners secured
to said frame, substantially as described.
3. In a Chemical Engine, the combination with the generator, of a discharge pipe
and a perforated cup removably secured in a chamber or coupling in said discharge
pipe, substantially as described.
4. In a Chemical Engine, the combination with the generator, of a quadrilateral
system of discharge pipes, divided by central partitions, and two independent discharge
pipes connecting each half thereof with the generator, substantially as described.
5. In a Chemical Engine, the combination with the generator, of a quadrilateral
system of discharge pipes divided by central partitions, perforated cups contained in
enlarged couplings or sections of said system, and two independent discharge pipes
connecting said system with the generator, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the generator, of a quadrilateral system of discharge pipes,
provided with the couplings S and S, the dividing partitions e in the couplings S
and S2, the hose connections Q and Q on the coupling S', and the two independent
discharge connections Q and Q' from the generator to the coupling S", substantially
as described.
7. The combination with the generator, of the quadrilateral system of discharge
pipes and Q, the couplings S and S in said system, the dividing partitions e in
said coupling the hose connections Q and Q on the couplings Si, the corner
couplings S and the perforated cups T, removably secured in the couplings S and S',
substantially as described.
8. The combination with the generator and its system of discharge pipes, of a
coupling, such as S, provided with an opening on top closed by a screw cap c, and

page_text: a perforated cylindrical cup T removably secured in said opening, substantially as
described.
9. In a Chemical Engine, the combination of the generator provided with the
dome I having the removable head L' and the acid containing vessel M detachably
secured in said dome, substantially as described.
10. In a Chemical Engine, the combination of the generator, the dome L provided
with the removable head L' the acid containing vessel M detachably secured in said
dome, the spider M² on the bottom of the vessel M and carrying the step M³, and the
breaker shaft supported upon said step and carrying breaker arms M³, substantially
as described.
11. In a Chemical Engine, the combination of the generator, the dome L provided
with the removable head L¹ the acid containing vessel M detachably fitting therein
and provided with the ribs M¹ engaging into grooves in the cylindrical wall of the
dome, the acid holding pockets secured to the walls of the vessel M, the breaker
shaft M provided with the breaker arms M³, and the lever M', substantially as
described.
12. In a Chemical Engine, the combination with the generator, of a mixing tub or
portion supported above the generator, and provided with a stirring device and a
valve controlled connection with the generator, substantially as described.
13. In a Chemical Engine, the combination with the generator, of a mixing
cylinder H provided with an axial shaft carrying the handle H and stirring wings U³,
by the valve V, substantially as described.
14. In a Chemical Engine, the combination with the frame, consisting of the
longitudinal bars D and cross-bars E, the supporting springs H and I, the supporting
wheels A A on the axle B, the draft appliances secured to said longitudinal bars, and
the mixing tub mounted in front thereof, substantially as described.
Detroit, Michigan. April 2nd 1889.
RANDALL TOMPKINS VAN VALKENBURG.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.