Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Preventing, Subduing, and Extinguishing Fires.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 21st Oct., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Preventing,
Subduing, and Extinguishing Fires.
LOUIS JOSEPH TROWBRIDGE of 7 Norfolk Road, St. Johns Wood, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows :-
:-
My invention relates to apparatus for preventing, subduing and extinguishing
fires in ships or vessels and in warehouses, factories and other structures.
It has been proposed to utilize carbonic acid gas for subduing or extinguishing
fires, by storing such gas in a liquid form in a reservoir, and, when a fire occurs,
permitting such gas to expand and conducting it into the hold or other compartment
or space in which the fire has broken out. When carbonic acid gas is to be used
in this manner, it is necessary to keep the reservoir full of the said gas in a liquid
The use of
form and, consequently, under a high pressure until a fire breaks out.
the apparatus is, therefore, always attended with more or less danger. Moreover,
by reason of the great reduction of temperature due to the expansion of the gas,
heat must be applied to the reservoir while the apparatus is in use, in order to
prevent undue cooling of the liquid. Furthermore, should the whole of the gas
at any time be used for extinguishing a fire on board ship, the reservoir cannot be
re-charged until the ship reaches a port where there are means for effecting the
re-charging thereof. The apparatus is, therefore, not available for extinguishing
any other fire that may, in the meanwhile, break out on board the ship.
The main object of my present invention is to obviate the difficulties and incon-
veniences above mentioned. For this purpose, provide for the generation of
carbonic acid gas under any desired pressure, when, but not until the same is
required for subduing or extinguishing the fire, and also during this operation, so
that it is only necessary to carry a supply of the ingredients in separate vessels ready
for use, and, when required, to utilize these ingredients for generating the gas.
Another object of my said invention is to provide for enabling the precise
locality of a fire to be readily ascertained. For this purpose, I provide small
pipes which extend from the different holds or compartments of the ship and com-
municate with the space above the deck. These pipes are bent or curved or are
otherwise so arranged that, whilst no water can enter through them into the hold,
any smoke generated in the hold will escape through the corresponding pipe and
I mark cach
thus indicate in which hold or compartment the fire has broken out.
of the said pipes so that, when a fire breaks out and smoke issues from either of
the said pipes, the watchman can ascertain at a glance where the fire has occurred.
On board ship, these pipes are preferably so arranged that they open into a space
in which they can be conveniently seen from time to time by the quartermaster or
other person.
For generating the carbonic acid gas, I prefer to employ duplicate vessels or
retorts or sets of vessels or retorts, so that, while one is being used for generating
and distributing the gas the other can be charged. I find it advantageous to
construct the generators or retorts as follows, that is to say I secure together
end to end two cylindrical or other retorts, and I connect with each retort one or
more vessels for containing sulphuric acid, so that, when either retort has been
charged with bicarbonate of soda and water, sulphuric acid can be admitted thereto
in regulated quantities. I provide, if desired, suitable stirrers or agitators in the
retorts for expediting the generation of the gas.
The extraction from the retort of the residuum of the mixture of bicarbonate of

page_text: soda and sulphuric acid is sometimes a difficult and tedious operation, by reason of
the thickening or solidification of this mixture. To avoid loss of time, I prefer to
make each retort with an outer casing or jacket provided at one end with a cover
or door, which is so arranged that it can be readily opened and closed; and to
employ a number of interchangeable vessels, so that, when one has been used for
generating the carbonic acid gas, it can be readily removed and replaced by another
already charged with bicarbonate of soda. Each of these vessels is provided with
a stirrer or agitator having a spindle which extends through the end of the said
vessel and is adapted to engage with another spindle fitted to rotate in a stuffing-
box in the corresponding end of the casing or jacket; this latter spindle is provided
with a hand-wheel or other suitable device for operating it. Each of the interior
vessels is made with openings which, when the said vessel is in the casing or jacket,
are respectively beneath apertures or pipes for the admission of the sulphuric acid
and for the passage of the gas into the sulphuric acid chamber, whence the said gas is
conducted to the hold or compartment where the fire has broken out. Or the
delivery pipe for the gas may extend directly from the generator or retort to the
purifier hereinafter described, or to the place where the fire is to be extinguished.
To recharge the retort, the inner vessel containing the residuum is withdrawn, and
a similar vessel charged with bicarbonate of soda and water, is inserted in its place.
Time is thus saved which would otherwise have to be expended in removing the
residuum from the retort and recharging the latter. The residuum can be removed
from the said vessels and the latter be re-charged at a subsequent period in any
convenient place.
The sulphuric acid chamber is constructed in a manner somewhat similar to that
above described, that is to say, the said chamber is provided with a door or cover
adapted to be screwed thereon or otherwise so arranged that it can be readily
opened and closed, and interchangeable cylindrical or other receptacles of lead or
similar material for containing the sulphuric acid, are employed in combination with
the said chamber. Suitable supports are provided in the said chamber for support-
ing the said receptacles or acid-holders a short distance above the bottom of the
said chamber. A pointed rod or perforator operated by a screw or by other
convenient means, is provided for boring holes through the upper and under side of
the acid-holder when the apparatus is to be used.
I provide suitable cocks or valves for controlling the flow of acid into the
generator or retort and the flow of gas therefrom. When one acid-holder is empty,
the said cocks or valves are closed and the cover of the acid-chamber is removed,
the empty acid-holder can then be withdrawn and replaced by a full holder, which
must be perforated like the first by means of the said pointed rod. I sometimes
provide, in combination with each generator or retort, two acid-chambers or sets of
acid-chambers, so that, while one is being used, the other can be charged.
For the purpose of removing any deleterious matter from the gas, I prefer to pass
the said gas through a purifying chamber containing pumice-stone or other suitable
material, which chamber is connected in any convenient manner with the retorts.
In some instances, I make the apparatus portable and provide it with a flexible
pipe for connection with the aforesaid smoke-pipes or indicator-pipes, or with other
suitable pipes for the delivery of the gas into the holds or compartments. In other
instances, I make the apparatus stationary and connect it with pipes or nozzles in
the various holds or compartments, which pipes or nozzles are provided with
suitable cocks or valves so that the gas may be admitted to either of the said holds
or compartments. I so arrange the said cocks or valves that they may be operated
from the deck or other convenient part of the ship. Or I connect all the pipes with
a casing or box which is situated in proximity to the generator, and in which the
controlling or distributing valves are arranged.
Another object of my said invention is to provide for preventing the occurrence
of fires on board ship or for diminishing the liability thereto, and for facilitating
the putting out or subduing of such fires, by drawing or exhausting the air as far as
practicable from the spaces in which cargo of an inflammable nature or liable

page_text: to spontaneous combustion is stored. For this purpose, I employ exhaust-fans
which are suitably connected with the holds or compartments of the ship.
These faus may be worked continuously during the entire voyage, if such
precaution is considered necessary; or the said fans may be used, when a fire occurs,
to facilitate the putting out or subduing thereof.
An advantageous method of extinguishing a fire in a ship's hold, according to my
present invention, is to force the carbonic acid gas into the upper part of the hold
at one end thereof, so that the said gas displaces the air therein, thus forcing the
same towards an air-outlet at the other end of the hold. I sometimes simultaneously
draw the air from the hold through the said outlet. In this manner I can very
rapidly remove the air from the hold and replace it by carbonic acid gas.
My improved system and apparatus for subduing or extinguishing fires, afford the
following advantages amongst others, viz. :-The carbonic acid gas is not made
until required for use, and can then be very rapidly evolved at any desired pressure.
The gas can be produced without the employment of pumps and without the use of
ice and salt, all of which are required in liquefying carbonic acid. Sufficient
material for the production of an ample quantity of gas for a long voyage can be
very conveniently stored on board of a ship. There is no necessity for the
application of heat, as with the reservoirs of liquid carbonic acid. Moreover one
generator or set of generators can be very readily re-charged while the gas is being
produced by means of the other generator or set of generators.
Dated this 21st day of December 1891.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Preventing,
Subduing, and Extinguishing Fires.
1, LOUIS JOSEPH TROWBRIDGE, of 7, Norfolk Road, St. Johns Wood, in the
County of Middlesex, 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 apparatus for preventing, subduing and extinguishing
fires in ships or vessels and in warehouses, factories and other structures.
It has been proposed to utilize carbonic acid gas for subduing or extinguishing
fires, by storing such gas in a liquid form in a reservoir, and, when a fire occurs,
conducting the gas from such reservoir into the hold or other compartment or space
in which the fire has broken out. When carbonic acid gas is to be used in this
manner, it is necessary to keep the reservoir full of the said gas in a liquid form
and consequently under a high pressure until a fire breaks out. The use of the
apparatus is, therefore, always attended with more or less danger. Moreover, by
reason of the great reduction of temperature due to the expansion of the gas, heat
must be applied to the reservoir while the apparatus is in use, in order to prevent
undue cooling of the liquid. Furthermore, should the whole of the
gas at
any time
be used for extinguishing a fire on board ship, the reservoir cannot be re-charged
until the ship reaches a port where there are means for effecting the re-charging
thereof, and, consequently, the apparatus is not available for extinguishing any
other fire that may in the meanwhile break out on board the ship.
The main object of my present invention is to obviate the difficulties and
inconveniences above mentioned. For this purpose, I provide for the generation
of carbonic acid gas under any suitable pressure when but not until the same is
required for subduing or extinguishing the fire and also during this operation, so
that it is only necessary to carry a supply of the ingredients required for making

page_text: the gas, in separate vessels ready for use, and, when required, to combine these
ingredients for the purpose of generating the gas.
For generating the carbonic acid gas, I provide a generator or retort in which
is arranged a stirrer or agitator, and which is charged with bicarbonate of soda or
other equivalent substance, and I connect with the said retort, by a pipe or passage
provided with a controlling valve or cock, a vessel or chamber for containing a
suitable acid such as sulphuric acid. I prefer to employ duplicate vessels or
retorts or sets of vessels or retorts so that, while one is being used for generating
and distributing the gas, the other can be charged or re-charged.
The extraction from the retort of the residuum of the mixture of bicarbonate of
soda and sulphuric acid is sometimes a difficult and tedious operation by reason of
the thickening or solidification of this mixture. To avoid loss of time, I prefer to
make each vessel or retort with an outer casing or jacket provided at one end with
a cover or door which is so arranged that it can be readily opened and closed to
permit the withdrawal of the vessel or retort; and I employ a number of inter-
changeable vessels or retorts, so that, when one has been used for generating the
carbonic acid gas, it can be readily removed and replaced by another already
charged with bicarbonate of soda.
For the purpose of removing any deleterious matter from the gas, I prefer to
pass the said gas through a purifying chamber containing pumice-stone or other
suitable material, which chamber is connected in any convenient manner with the
retorts.
Another object of my said invention is to provide for enabling the precise
locality of a fire to be readily ascertained. For this purpose I provide small pipes
which extend from the different holds or compartments of the ship and communicate
with the space above the deck. These pipes are bent or curved or are otherwise
so arranged that, whilst no water can enter through them into the hold, any smoke
generated in the hold will escape through the corresponding pipe, and thus indicate
in which hold or compartment the fire has broken out. I mark each of the said
pipes so that, when a fire breaks out and smoke issues from either of the said pipes,
the watchman can ascertain at a glance where the fire has occurred. On board
ship these pipes are preferably so arranged that they .open into a space in which
they can be conveniently seen from time to time by the quartermaster or other
person.
Another object of my said invention is to provide for preventing the occurrence
of fires on board ship or for diminishing the liability thereto and facilitating the
putting out or subduing thereof, by drawing or exhausting the air as far as
practicable from the spaces in which cargo of an inflammable nature or liable to
spontaneous combustion is stored.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown a fire-extinguishing apparatus
constructed in accordance with my said invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of the said apparatus.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line a, a, Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating the manner in which the apparatus is
set in operation.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
A is the generator or retort, which is supported centrally within a casing or
jacket B as more clearly shown in Figure 2. This casing B is provided with a
door or cover B₁ adapted to be screwed thereon or otherwise arranged in such a
manner that it can be readily opened and closed. The said generator A. is provided
with a stirrer or agitator Chaving a spindle C¹ which extends through the end of
the said generator A. and is adapted to engage with another spindle D fitted to
rotate in a stuffing-box in the removable cover or door B₁ of the casing or jacket B;
this said spindle D is provided with a hand-wheel D' or other suitable device for
operating it.
E is a vessel or receptacle of lead or similar material for containing sulphuric
acid this vessel or receptacle is supported centrally within a chamber or casing F

page_text: which is provided with a door or cover F' adapted to be screwed thereon or other-
wise so arranged that it can be readily opened and closed.
I provide any desired number of interchangeable generators A. and cylindrical
or other receptacles or acid-holders E, so that, when one is empty, it can be
removed and replaced by a full one.
The chamber or casing F is connected with the chamber or casing B by means
of a pipe G provided with a stop-valve or stop-cock G, whereby the flow of acid
from the said chamber into the generator A can be regulated or controlled as
required. The said chambers or casings are also connected by means of another
pipe H to permit the flow of the gas from the generator A.
Jis a pointed rod or perforator extending through a stuffing-box in the chamber
or casing F and operated by a screw (or by other convenient means) for the
purpose of boring holes through the upper and under side of the acid-holder E
when the apparatus is to be used. This pointed rod may also be used for
regulating the flow of acid from the holder E. The generator A is made with
openings a, a', which, when the said vessel is in the casing or jacket B, are
respectively beneath the pipes G, H for the admission of the sulphuric acid, and
for the outflow of the gas. The said gas is conducted from the chamber or
casing F to a purifier K through a pipe L, and flows from the said purifier
through a pipe M to the place where the fire is to be extinguished. Or the gas
may, if desired, be conducted directly from the generator or retort A to the
purifier K or to the hold or compartment where the fire has broken out.
To re-charge the apparatus, the generator A containing the residuum is with-
drawn from the chamber or casing B and a similar generator charged with
bicarbonate of soda and water is inserted in its place. The acid-holder E, when
empty, is likewise withdrawn from the chamber or casing F and replaced by a full
holder, which must then be pierced or perforated as above described. Time is thus
saved which would otherwise have to be expended in removing the residuum from
the generator or retort and refilling the latter, as the removal of the residuum
from the generators and the re-filling thereof can be effected at a subsequent period
in any convenient place.
I provide suitable cocks or valves for controlling the flow of the gas from the
generator or retort into the holds or compartments as required.
I sometimes modify my invention in such a manner as to permit of the delivery
of gas from either of two sets of generating apparatus while the other set thereof
is being charged or re-charged.
For this purpose, I find it advantageous to construct the apparatus as follows,
that is to say-1 secure together end to end two cylindrical or other suitably
shaped generators or retorts, and I connect with each generator or retort one or
more vessels for containing sulphuric acid, so that, when required sulphuric acid
can be admitted in regulated quantities to the said generator or retort which is
charged with bicarbonate of soda and water. I provide, if desired, suitable stirrers
or agitators in the retorts for expediting the generation of the gas. These stirrers
or agitators may be arranged substantially as above described with reference to the
accompanying drawing or in any other convenient manner.
For the purpose of exhausting the air from the holds or compartments of the
ship, employ exhaust-fans which are suitably connected with the said holds or
compartments. These fans may be worked continuously during the entire voyage,
if such precaution is considered necessary, so as to obviate or diminish any liability
to an outbreak of fire; or the said fans may be used, when a fire occurs, to facilitate
the putting out or subduing thereof.
An advantageous method of extinguishing a fire in a ship's hold, according to my
present invention, is to force the carbonic acid gas into the upper part of the hold
at one end thereof; so that the said gas displaces the air therein, thus forcing the
same towards an air-outlet at the other end of the hold. I sometimes simultaneously
draw the air from the hold through the said outlet. In this manner I can very
readily remove the air from the hold and replace it by carbonic acid gas.

page_text: In some instances I make the apparatus portable and provide it with a flexible
pipe for connection with the aforesaid smoke-pipes or indicator-pipes or with other
suitable pipes for the delivery of the gas into the holds or compartments. In other
instances I make the apparatus stationary and connect it with pipes or nozzles in
the various holds or compartments which pipes or nozzles are provided with suitable
cocks or valves, so that the gas may be admitted to either of the said holds or
compartments. I so arrange the said cocks or valves that they may be operated
from the deck or other convenient part of the ship. Or I connect all the pipes
with a casing or box which is situated in proximity to the generator, and in which
the controlling or distributing valves are arranged.
My improved system and apparatus for subduing or extinguishing fires afford
the following advantages amongst others, e. The carbonic acid is not made
until required for use, and can then be very rapidly evolved at any desired pressure.
The gas can be produced without the employment of pumps and without the use
of ice and salt, all of which are required in liquefying carbonic acid. Sufficient
material for the production of an ample quantity of gas for a long voyage can be
very conveniently stored on board of a ship. There is no necessity for the
application of heat such as is required in using reservoirs of liquid carbonic acid.
Moreover one generator or set of generators can be very readily re-charged while
the gas is being produced by means of the other generator or set of generators, and
thus the supply of gas can be maintained continuously until the stock of ingredients
carried on board the ship are exhausted.
It is obvious that I can somewhat modify the construction of my improved
apparatus, if desired, without departing from the nature of my said invention.
For instance I can provide means other than those above described for operating
the stirrers or agitators in the generators. Moreover I can connect the acid-
holder with the generator in any other suitable manner for the purpose of my
invention.
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 ;-
First. The improved method of providing for subduing or extinguishing fires, by
means of carbonic acid gas generated under pressure when but not until the same is
required for use, substantially as herein before described.
Second. A fire-extinguishing apparatus in which a generator or retort for con-
taining bicarbonate of soda or other equivalent substance and an acid holder are
enclosed in separate chambers or casings connected by a pipe or passage provided
with a controlling valve or cock, and in which suitable provision is made for
permitting the flow of the acid from the said holder when required, substantially
as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Third. A fire-extinguishing apparatus in which bicarbonate of soda or other
equivalent substance and sulphuric acid are contained in separate vessels or
receptacles, and in which suitable provision is made for the ready removal and
replacement of either of the said vessels or receptacles, substantially as, and for
the purposes, above specified.
Fourth. The combination of a chamber or casing adapted for the reception of
a generator or retort containing a stirrer or agitator, and provided with means for
operating the said stirrer or agitator, another chamber or casing adapted for the
reception of an acid holder and provided with means for piercing or perforating the
said holder, a pipe connecting the said chambers or casings and provided with a
controlling valve or cock, and a pipe for the delivery of the gas, with or without a
purifier, all substantially as, and for the purposes, above described.
Fifth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawing and operating as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
Sixth. The modification of my invention wherein I provide for the delivery of

page_text: gas from either of two sets of generating apparatus while the other set thereof is
being charged or re-charged, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Seventh. The improved means herein before described whereby I provide for the
indication of the precise locality of an outbreak of fire.
Eighth. The herein described method of providing for preventing an outbreak of
fire on a ship or vessel or for diminishing the liability thereto, and, in the event of a
fire, facilitating the subduing or extinguishing thereof, by drawing or exhausting the
air from the holds or other compartments, as set forth.
Ninth. The herein described method of providing for subduing or extinguishing
a fire, by drawing or exhausting the air from the space in which the fire has broken
out and simultaneously forcing carbonic acid gas into the said space.
Dated the 21st day of October 1892.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.