IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nedrick Jarvie and William Miller, of Glasgow, in the:
County of Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE"
Sealed the 16th December 1879, and dated the 12th September 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. left by the said Nedrick Jarvie and William
Miller at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th September
1879;
NEDRICK JARVIE and WILLIAM MILLER, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS. IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE."
This Invention relates principally to fire extinguishing apparatus of the kind in
which a solution of an alkaline carbonate and an acid are provided together with
appliances for mixing them when the apparatus is to be used, so that a stream of
carbonic acid gas and liquid may be projected on the fire.
'
In one improved modification of the apparatus the carbonate solution is contained
in a strong metal cylinder, which is ordinarily kept in a vertical position, and which
has the outlet pipe for the gas and liquid connected to the top of it. The receptacle
for the acid, which may be sulphuric or any other suitable acid, is in the form of a
long tube of glass or other material not acted on by the acid, and it is placed
vertically in the cylinder, its upper end being open or furnished with a loose- .
fitting cap or stopper. The top of the acid tube projects through a neck formed
on the cylinder, and a cap is screwed on the neck when the apparatus has been
charged. The acid tube is of such a size that the proper quantity of acid does not
fill it nearly to the top, so that the acid is not liable to be spilled when carrying
the apparatus from place to place in a vertical position. When the apparatus is to
be used the cylinder is inverted, or it is turned over sufficiently for the acid to run
out of the tube and mix with the carbonate solution.
In a second modification the acid receptacle is spherical or of other suitable form,
with a neck, and is only partly filled with acid so that it floats in the carbonate
solution. The neck of the bottle is entered up into the neck at the top of the
cylinder, but when the apparatus is to be used a rod working through the cap on
the cylinder neck is pushed down and forces the acid receptacle sufficiently down
for its neck to get clear, whereupon the receptacle turns over and empties its acid
into the carbonate solution. In this modification the outlet pipe for the gas and

page_text: liquid is connected to the bottom of the cylinder. The acid receptacle may be held
with its neck uppermost by a cord or other appliance instead of or in addition to
its being floated, the appliance so holding it being released when the apparatus
is to be used.
In a third arrangement the apparatus constructed and fitted as in either the
first or second modification is made self-acting by being mounted on journals, so
that it will turn over whenever a cord which holds it up is disconnected. This
cord is passed over pulleys or through guide eyes, and led backwards and forwards
across the space to be protected from fire; and on a fire occurring the cord is burnt
through, and the cylinder being then released turns over and the discharge of gas
and liquid is thereby brought about. A very fine cord or thread that will very
easily take fire may be used if laced backwards and forwards after the manner of
a block and tackle.
In a fourth arrangement the apparatus can be automatically set in action by a
less increase of temperature than that required for burning the retaining cord or
thread in the third arrangement. Air or any suitable gas is confined in a glass or
other suitable vessel which is in communication with the acid receptacle, and this
acid receptacle is made with an overflow..or siphon, communication with the
cylinder or vessel containing the carbonate solution, On the air vessel becoming
heated the air or gas in it expands and presses the acid up to the overflow or to
the top of the siphon, whereupon the acid mixes with the carbonate solution and
causes the evolution of carbonic acid gas. If necessary to insure a sufficient
quantity of acid being rapidly mixed with the carbonate solution the expanded air
may be made to first act on a little acid and carbonate solution in a confined space,
the gas thereby generated then forcing the main supply of acid over into the main
carbonate solution.
}
In a fifth arrangement a cord or thread arranged as in the third arrangement is
made to hold up a weight or hammer, which, on being released pushes inwards a
rod fitted to slide in the cover or cap of the cylinder, and the rod causes the dis-
charge of the acid either through the tilting or breaking of its receptacle. The
suspended weight or the cylinder itself if automatically movable as in the third
arrangement may also be connected by a wire to an alarm bell at a greater or less
distance.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Nedrick Jarvie and William Miller in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 11th March 1880.*
NEDRICK JARVIE and WILLIAM MILLER, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE."
Our said Invention relates to fire extinguishing apparatus of the kind in which
a solution of an alkaline carbonate and an acid are provided together with
appliances for mixing them when the apparatus is to be used, so that a stream of
carbonic acid gas and liquid may be projected on the fire. Our object is to
simplify the construction of such apparatus, and to contrive it so that when its use
is required, it may be put into action with the greatest. rapidity and ease, and
without having to employ any separate tool or instrument; which might not be
at hand when wanted.
In one of our improved modifications of the apparatus, the carbonate solution is
contained in a strong metal cylinder, which is ordinarily kept in a vertical position,
and which has the outlet pipe for the gas and liquid connected to the top of it.
The receptacle for the acid, which may be sulphuric or any other suitable acid, is in
the form of a tube or bottle of glass or other material not acted on by the acid, and
is held in the cylinder with its upper open end or mouth projecting up into a neck
or short tube formed or fixed on the cover, a cap being screwed on the neck when
the apparatus has been charged. A loose stopper is placed in the mouth of the
acid bottle or vessel, simply to prevent small quantities of the acid being shaken
out or spilled. When the apparatus is to be used, the cylinder is inverted,
or it is turned over sufficiently for the acid to run out of the tube or bottle
and mix with the carbonate solution, the loose stopper in no way hindering the
action.
The
In a second modification, which whilst it can be made in a comparatively small
and portable size, is better adapted than the first modification for larger sizes such
as have to be stationary, the neck of the acid holder which may be spherical or of
other suitable form, is entered up into the neck at the top of the cylinder, and is
held up by a rod or pin entered from the outside into the interior of the cap.
acid holder is connected to the cover by a loose chain attached to its bottom end so
that when the retaining rod or pin above is withdrawn, the acid holder falls down,
and becoming inverted by the action of the chain, empties its contents into the
carbonate solution. We now prefer to make the acid holder in this modification
sufficiently heavy to insure its sinking in the carbonate solution when let go,
instead of making it to float as formerly proposed.
And in order that our said Invention, and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, we hereunto append a sheet of explanatory Drawings,
to be hereinafter referred to, and representing two examples of our improved
apparatus. In these Drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same
or like parts wherever they are repeated.
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a vertical section, and
Figure 2 is a plan of a portable modification, and Figure 3 is a vertical section of a
stationary modification.
The apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a strong metal cylinder A to
contain the solution of bicarbonate of soda, which is the alkaline carbonate we
prefer to use. In the centre of the cover B of the cylinder A, there is fixed a short
tube or nozzle C, from which there projects down internally an open metal cage D.
A bottle E, of glass or earthenware or lead, rests in the cage D, and contains
sulphuric acid when the apparatus is charged, and the mouth of this bottle E reaches
up into the nozzle C, so as to be quite above the solution in the cylinder A; and a
glass ball G is placed in the mouth of the bottle to check the escape of acid that

page_text: might otherwise be caused by slight shaking. The part of the neck of the bottle
on which the ball G rests, is by preference shaped so that the ball may fit it closely.
A wire handle H is attached to the bottle E, for lifting it out by, and an airtight
screw plug J is fitted to the nozzle C, to close the same after charging the apparatus.
This plug Jis supposed removed in Figure 2. A pipe or nozzle K is fixed in the
cover for the discharge of the carbonic acid gas and liquid, when the apparatus is
in action, and a wirework strainer L is fixed inside the cover to prevent the passage
of materials that would choke the outlet K. A flexible or hose pipe should be
fixed on the outlet K with a nozzle at the end of it for directing the stream of gas
and liquid upon the fire.
When not in use the cylinder A is placed vertically, but when it has to be put
in action it is turned down so as to rest with its nozzle end inclined downwards.
In order to secure a suitable position, two feet M are fixed so as to project
horizontally from the bottom when the cylinder A is vertical, and when it is turned
down it rests on these feet M, and on a point at the other end with its bottom end
tilted up by the feet. When the apparatus is in this position, the ball G leaves the
mouth of the bottle E, and the sulphuric acid runs out of the bottle and mixes with
the solution, there being sufficient space round the neck of the bottle and the inside
of the nozzle C to allow of this. Then the acid acting on the bicarbonate, causes
the disengagement of large volumes of carbonic acid gas, and this gas being
disengaged in a confined space, éxerts a considerable pressure and issues in a forcible
manner through the outlet K, forcing and taking the liquid with it. As is well
known the carbonic acid gas acts effectually in extinguishing fire wherever it can
be brought to act upon it, and the liquid it carries with it greatly assists the
extinguishing action..
.
Two handles N are fixed to the top of the cylinder A, for carrying it by in a
vertical position to the scene of the fire, and a handle P is also fixed to the side
opposite to that at which the feet M are for conveniently carrying it when empty
or for directing it when in use.
In some cases, and particularly when the apparatus is made of extra size, the
sulphuric-acid bottle E is arranged as shown in Figure 3 so that it can be turned down
to empty the acid without turning down the entire apparatus. In this modification
the cage D is dispensed with, and the bottle E has attached to its bottom one end
of a chain Q, the other end of which is attached to the screw plug J. When ready
for use the bottle E is held up by means of its handle H, a screw pin R movable
externally being screwed in so as to hold it as shown. On proceeding to set the
apparatus in action, the pin R is turned so as to withdraw its point from the
handle H, and the bottle E drops and turns down in the manner indicated by the
dotted lines, and empties the acid into the bicarbonate solution. When this
arrangement of the acid bottle is used the outlet K should be extended inside the
cylinder A down to the bottom end, as shown in Figure 3, so that the disengaged
gas may force the liquid out.
In both our modifications hereinbéfore described, when the apparatus is set in
action, the acid mixes with the carbonate solution at the lower part of that
solution, in consequence of which the acid and carbonate solution become mixed
together much more thoroughly and rapidly than when as in some former kinds of fire
extinguishing apparatus the acid is set free at or near the surface. When the acid
is set free at the surface, the upward motion of the gas bubbles immediately
evolved prevents its rapid descent and admixture, but the same motion of the gas
bubbles promotes the admixture when the acid is at the lower part of the solution.
The feature thus indicated is an important practical advantage possesed by our
improved apparatus.
We prefer to form the acid holder or bottle E with an internal screw thread in
the neck, and we provide a screwed stopper, such as is shown in Figure 4, for closing
the bottle. It is convenient to provide a number of acid bottles with each engine'
or cylinder of the kind represented in Figures 1 and 2, such bottles being ready
charged with acid, and closed with screwed stoppers by preference secured with

page_text: cement, and when recharging the app tus, a fresh bottle is substituted for the used
one, the screwed stopper being rem d, and the loose ball G put in its place.
In our Provisional Specification relative hereto reference was made to various
modifications or additions besid chose herein before described, we do not however
now desire to make any claim-in respect of them.
Having thus particularly described our said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, we have to state that we do not restrict ourselves to the
precise details herein described or delineated, but that what we believe to be
novel and original, and claim as the Invention secured to us by and in terms of the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The combination of a vessel (A) for containing a solution of an alkaline
carbonate, with a bottle (E) for containing acid, such bottle being furnished with a
loose stopper (G) which does not prevent the acid from running out when the
bottle is turned down, the parts being arranged substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described.
2. The arranging or combining together of the parts of fire extinguishing
apparatus substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
3. The arranging or combining together of the parts of fire extinguishing
apparatus, substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described with
reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
4. The arrangment of the chain (Q) or an equivalent connection whereby the
acid bottle (E) becomes inverted when let go, as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Nedrick Jarvie and William Miller, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
30 Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
NEDRICK JARVIE. (L.S.)
WILLIAM MILLER. (L.S.)