IMPROVEMENTS IN ALARM APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6 Breams Buildings
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN ALARM APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention relates to an alarm mechanism which is designed for use in
connection with what are known as automatic Fire Extinguishers or Sprinklers;
that is to say, that class of devices which are so constructed and arranged that the
heat occasioned by the breaking out of a fire in their vicinity will operate to
release a valve, or other similar device controlling a water supply and permit the
water to be ejected in the form of a shower over a considerable area surrounding
the sprinkler, and thus extinguish any fire which may be within the range of such
shower.
•
These devices although differing greatly in form and construction, have all or
nearly all consisted essentially of a nozzle which is connected to a water supply
pipe and closed by a valve or other similar device, which is held in place, either
directly or through suitable connections, by an alloy which is fusible at a
comparatively low temperature so that whenever a fire was lighted in the vicinity
of one of these sprinklers so as to raise the temperature of the surrounding air
above the melting point of the alloy, the valve would be released so as to permit
the water to flow, as just stated.
These devices have proved very successful in practice for the purpose intended,
and have gone into extensive use in those places where little or no damage would
result from the discharge of water. But a very serious objection exists to their
use in dry goods stores, and other like places, where great damage is sure to result
from any unnecessary use of water in this manner.
First;
Because owing to the necessarily frail nature of the means by which the
valve or other device, which confines the water in the sprinkler, is held in place, it
is liable to become dislocated so as to cause the water to flow when no fire exists.
037

page_text: Second; Because even when the valve is not entirely released so as to set the
sprinkler in full operation, it is liable to become slightly dislocated or get out of
order to such an extent so as to permit a small amount of water to leak from the
sprinkler, and even a small leak if not detected at once, is liable to cause great
damage in establishments of this class, and
Third;
Because, when the sprinkler is once set in operation it will continue to
operate until the water is shut off from the supply pipe, which, if notice is not given
of the fact, may, and in most instances will, be long after the fire is extinguished;
and this continued flow of water would in such places be sure to cause a very great
amount of damage.
It is the object of the present invention to obviate these difficulties, and to provide
devices of this class with an automatic alarm mechanism, by which notice of any
escape of water from the sprinkler, occasioned either by the entire displacement of
the valve as in case of a fire or the breaking of the valve-retaining devices, or by
any slight displacement or disorder of the valvo which will occasion a leak, will be
instantly cominunicated to the watchman or other person having charge of the
building in which the sprinkler is located, or to the fire department, or to any other
desired point; so that measures may be at once taken to shut off the water from
the supply pipe and thus prevent damage to the contents of the room or building,
or to the building itself in which the sprinkler is located.
To this end the invention consists broadly in providing fire extinguishers or
sprinklers of this class with electrical circuit connections and means whereby the
water set in motion by the release or partial displacement of the valve, and whether
escaping from the sprinkler in large or small quantities will make operative the
electrical circuit, and, through a suitable alarm mechanism give notice of the fact at
any desired point. The invention also embraces various details of construction and
combinations of parts in an apparatus of this character; all of which will now be
fully explained aud particularly pointed out in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure. 1 is a side clevation of a sprinkler provided with the connections for
operating an alarm mechanism, the parts being shown in their normal position.
Figure: 2 is a side elevation showing the valve released, and the sprinkler in
operation.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the same taken upon the line xx.
Figure 4 is a like view, taken at right angles to Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the plate carrying the valve.
Figure 6 is a side elevation showing a modified form of circuit closing
mechanism.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of the same.
Figures 8 and 9 are side elevations showing still other modified forms of circuit
closing mechanism, and
Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken upon the line xx of Figure 9.
As before stated these sprinklers differ greatly in form and construction but the
present invention as will hereinafter appear, is equally applicable to any of these
forms, one of the most common of which has been selected for illustrating the
principal and application of the invention.
This sprinkler consists essentially of a nozzle 10, which is attached in any
convenient manner to a water supply pipe 23, and is provided with a downwardly
extending yoke 12, within which is placed a plate 9 which is provided, upon its
opposite sides, with recesses in which lie the arms of the yoke; the recesses 8
being of such size that the plate can move freely up and down between the arms
of the yoke.
The centre of the plate 9 is provided with a suitable packing 7 forming a valve
which when the plate is in its raised position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 is pressed
against the nozzle 10 so as to close it tightly and prevent the escape of the water.
The valve plate 9 is also provided upon its edge with an upwardly extending
flange, in which are formed a series of vertical slots, 6, which act when the valve is

page_text: unseated as shown in Figure 2 to divide the water issuing from the nozzle into a
large number of small streams, and cause it to fall in the form of a shower around
the sprinkler. The valve plate 9 is held in position to close the nozzle by means of a
cross-bar 13 one end of which rests upon a lug or projection 5 formed upon one
5 side or arm of the yoke 12; while its opposite end is slotted so as to embrace a
similar lug 4 formed upon the opposite arm of the yoke; the free end of the bir 13
being supported by a curved lever 14, the upper end of which rests in a notch 2
formed in the yoke, while its opposite end is secured to the bottom of the yoke by
means of fusible alloy 15.
Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive it will be seen that the plate
is provided upon its upper side with an annular groove or depression 1, which is
provided with an opening 3, to the edge of which is secured a wire or other
suitable substance 16 leading downward and outward, and terminating over a
cup 17 secured to one arm of the yoke 12. The cup 17 is of such depth that the
wire 16 will not interfore with the downward movement of the valve-plate 9 when
the latter becomes released so as to drop to the position shown in Figure 2.
To the yoke 12 or to some other convenient part of the sprinkler or its water
supply pipe there is attached one of the wires 18, 19 of an electric circuit, while
the other wire of said circuit enters and terminates in the cup 17, it being
surrounded by a plug 20 of some insulating material so as to be insulated from the
sprinkler. These two wires are provided with suitable battery power, and are
connected to any suitable form of alarm mechanism which is located, as before
stated, at any point where it is desired that notice of the escape of water from its
sprinkler shall be given.
The action of the sprinkler, thus equipped, will be as follows: When the parts
are in their normal position, as shown in Figure 1, no connection will be forined
between the wires 18, 19 so as to complete the circuit through the alarm mechanism,
and, consequently no alarm will be given. If, however, for any reason, the plate 9
fails to entirely close the end of the nozzle 10 so that more or less water is allowed
to escape, the water escaping will pass into the recess 1 and thence through the
opening 3 from which it will be conducted by the wire 16 downward into the
cup 17 where it will accumulate until the cup has been filled above the point at
which the wire 19 enters, or until it touches the wire, as indicated in Figure 4.
As soon as this takes place the water in the cup, being a good conductor, will
complete the circuit between the wires 18, 19 and through the alarm mechanism
so as to give the alarm, and indicate to the watchman or other person that the
water is escaping from the sprinkler. If, instead of leaking slightly, as just stated,
the plate 9 becomes entirely detached so as to fall to the position shown in Figure 2,
which will be the case when the lever 14 becomes displaced, either by the melting
of the alloy 15 or or from other cause, the water issuing through the nozzle will
immediately fill the cup 17 and give the alarm in the same manner so that the
watchman or other person can visit the room in which the sprinkler is located and
turn off the water from the supply pipe so as to prevent unnecessary damage.
In the construction shown in Figures 6 and 7 the circuit through the wires 18, 19
and the alarm mechanism, instead of being completed by connecting these wires
through the water accumulated in the cup 17, is completed by a contact plato 21
which forms one arm of a bell crank lever, to the other arm of which is secured
the cup 17. In this case the wires 18, 19 can be both insulated from the sprinkler
so that the latter need not form any part of the circuit.
The operation of the apparatus thus constructed is substantially the same as
that already described. When the valve plate 9 is in its normal position, as shown.
in figure 6, the light spring 22, or an equivalent balancing weight 27, as shown in
dotted lines, operates to hold the contact plate 21 away from the wires 18, 19, or
one of them, so as to keep the circuit through the alarm mechanism broken. As
soon however, as the cup 17 becomes filled with water either from a slight
displacement of the valve plate 9 so as to cause a leak from the nozzle, or by
reason of the displacement of the lever 14 so as to permit the valve plate to drop

page_text: entirely away from the nozzle, the weight of the water accumulated in the cup will
overcome the tension of the spring 22 or the weight 27 so as to rock the lever to
the position shown in Figure 7 and connect the wires 18 19 and complete the
circuit through the alarm mechanism.
In the constructions shown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive the wires 18 19 which 5
form the electric circuit in which is located the alarm mochanism are connected to
the sprinkler by means of a piece 16 of insulating material which holds the wires
insulated from each other and from the sprinkler. The circuit closing mechanism
by which the circuit thus formed can be closed consists, as shown in Figure 8, of a
lever 21 which is pivotted in any convenient manner at one side of the sprinkler 1
and the upper arm of which forms a contact plate which when the lever is rocked
to the position shown in Figure 8, will connect the wires 18 19 and thus close the
circuit through the alarm mechanism. This lever is provided with a suitable
balancing weight 27, as indicated by dotted lines, or with a light spring 22, by
which the lever is normally held in such position that the circuit through the 1
wires 18 19 is broken. The lower end of this lever is provided with a broad
surface 17, which is located in such position that the water issuing from tho
sprinkler when the valve becomes unseated will impinge against said surface and
rock the lever to the position shown in Figure 8 so as to make operative the circuit
through the alarm mechanism.
The operation of the apparatus when thus constructed is as follows:-.
So long as the valve of the sprinkler remains in its normal position the spring 22
or the weight 27 will continue to hold the lever 21 away from the wires 18, 19 so
as to keep the circuit through the alarm mechanism open, and consequently no
alarm will be given. As soon however, as the valve becomes displaced either by
the melting of the alloy which holds the lever 14, as in case of fire; or by the
breaking of said alloy either by an accidental blow or by undue pressure of water
in the supply pipe, the water issuing from the nozzle will impinge against the
broad surface 17 of the lever and thus rock it to the position shewn in Figure 8, so
as to close the circuit through the wires 18, 19 and give the alarm.
In the construction shown in Figure 9 the circuit closing apparatus instead of
being operated by the moving force of the water issuing froin the sprinkler is
arranged to be operated by the moving force of the water in the supply pipe,
which water will be set in motion whenever the valve confining it therein is
released. To effect this the pipe 23 is provided at some convenient point with a
gate 25 which partially or wholly closes the pipe as shown in Figure 10 and is
secured to a rock shaft 26 the end of which projects outward through the pipe and
is provided with a rock-arm or lever 21, the end of which forms a contact plate
which when the gate 25 is rocked by the movement of the water in the pipe, will
be carried into position to connect the wires 18 19 and close the circuit through
the alarm mechanism as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 9. The insulating
material by which the wires 18, 19 are connected with the sprinkler is in this case
supported upon a bracket 15, secured to the side of the pipe 23.
The operation of the apparatus, when thus constructed, is exactly the same in
effect as that already described in connection with Figure 8; so long as the valvo
remains closed so as to prevent the escape of the water from the sprinkler the
gate 25 will be held in a horizontal position by the weight of the lever 21. As soon,
however, as water cominences to issue from the sprinkler in any considerable
quantity, the movement of the water in the pipe 23 will carry the gate downward,
thereby rocking the lever upward so as to close the circuit through the wires 18, 19
and give the alarm.
When this construction is used and it is desired to connect a number of sprinklers
to the same alarm mechanism it is not necessary that each sprinkler should be
provided with a circuit closing apparatus, as a single circuit closing apparatus
located in the supply pipe leading to a series of sprinklers will operate to give the
alarm when one or some of the sprinklers is or are set in operation.

page_text: In the construction shown in Figures 8 to 10, no alarm will be given unless the
valve of the sprinkler is wholly released, or at least so much displaced as to allow
considerable water to escape, these constructions are not therefore regarded as so
advantageous as those shown in Figures 1 to 7.
5 It will, of course, be seen that many modifications may be inade in the details of
the apparatus, just described without departing from or losing the advantages of
the invention.
In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the wire 18 instead of
being attached to the sprinkler may be introducod through an insulating plug into
the cup 17, the same as the. wire 19, so that the filling of said cup with water will
connect the wires directly, instead of indirectly as just described.
It is also to be observed that with either form of circuit closing mechanism,
instead of using two wires, as 18, 19 to form the electric circuit, the water
connections may if preferred, be used in place of one of the wires. Or where two
wires are used, as shown in the present case, one of the wires may be connected to
the sprinkler or to the pipe 23, so that the circuit through said wires will be
formed through the sprinkler or the pipe, instead of directly through the two
wires, ns illustrated.
The operation of the apparatus may also in some cases be reversed so that the
alarm will be given by breaking instead of closing the electric circuit.
When sprinklers are used in a number of rooms in the same building and it is
desired to indicate in which particular room the water is leaking or flowing from
the sprinkler, an alarm mechanism similar to a hotel annunciator may be employed
to indicate the particular room. And the same style of alarm mechanism may be
used to indicate in which one of a number of buildings the water is leaking or
flowing from a sprinkler. Instead of employing a wire, as 16, to conduct the
water from the opening 3 to the cup 17, a small tube or a piece of lamp wick, or
other conducting substance may be used.
In conclusion it is also to be remarked that the circuit closing apparatus shown
in Figures 9 and 10, although especially designed for use in connection with
devices of the class specified, may be used for many other purposes when it is
desired to have notice given of the flow of water or other fluid through a supply
pipe.
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:-
1. The combination with an automatic fire extinguisher or sprinkler, of electrical
circuit connections for operating an alarm mechanism, and means substantially
such as described whereby the water set in motion or released by the partial or
entire displacement of the valve will make operative said electrical circuit to give
an aların.
2. The combination with an automatic fire extinguisher or sprinkler, of electrical
circuit connections for operating an alarm mechanism, a cup, as 17 arranged to be
filled by the water escaping from the sprinkler, and connections whereby the water
in the cup makes operative said electrical circuit to give an alarm, all substantially
is described.
3. The combination with an automatic fire extinguisher or sprinkler, provided
with a cup, as 17, arranged to be filled by the water escaping from the sprinkler,
of an electrical circuit for operating an alarm mechanism and connections whereby
he water in the cup closes said circuit to give an alarm, all substantially as
escribed.
4. The combination with an automatic fire extinguisher or sprinkler, of a cup,
s 17, arranged to receive the water escaping from said sprinkler, and an electrical
ircuit passing through or into said cup and connected to an alarm mechanisin and
o arranged that the water in said cup will complete said circuit and cause an
larm to be given, substantially as described.

page_text: 5. In an automatic fire extinguisher or sprinkler, the combination with the nozzle 10
and the valve plate 9 for closing the same, of the cup 17, means for conducting any
water which may leak from said nozzle into said cup, and an electric circuit for
operating an alarm mechanism which circuit is arranged to be made operative by
the water thus accumulated, substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of October 1884.