US1026439A - Sprinkler-alarm apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

J. R. HAMILTON. SPRINKLER ALARM APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 26, 190!)A Patented May 14, 1912.

ATTORNEYS UNITED sTATEs NPATENT oEEIoE.

JOHN R. HAMILTON, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIG'NOR T0 VENTURIALARM COM- .PANY, OF DOVER, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1912.

Application filed June 26, 1909. Serial No. 504,423.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN R. HAmLToN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Yonkers, county of iilestchestei', and State of New York, have made a certain new and useful Invention Relating to Sprinkler-Alarm Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to sprinkler alarm apparatus and relates especially to apparatus in which the alarm is provided with alarm valves or actuating devices normally operating the alarm on a relative decrease in pressure in the distributing system and also provided with detent devices which are operated on an initial increase of pressure in t-he supply pipe so as to prevent the operation of the alarm devices.

In the accompanying drawings, showing in a somewhat diagrammatic manner an illustrative embodiment of this invention, and in which the same reference numeral refers to similar' parts in the several. figures, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation, parts being shown in section, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of part of the device.

As indicated the supply pipe 1 may be connected with suitable distributing pipes, such as 38, at the various floors 40 of the building so as to supply sprinkler heads, such as 39, located at intervals in the usual manner. The main 5 may connect through the suitable shut-off valve 4 with the inlet portion 3 of the supply pipe leading to the supply chamber 80 which may have a suitable supply valve in the form of a check valve 31 coperating if desired with a valve seat 61 having an annular recess communieating with the vent or drip connection 33 leading to the dri chamber 43 so as to relieve the pressure 1n this annular recess and give the valve a differential action. The drip chamber may as indicated be provided with a drip ball 45 mounted upon a suitable contact lever 48 so that when the leakage cannot be taken care of through the escape pipe 50 having a suitably throttled discharge the drip ball rises and the lever comes in contact with the coperating contact 44 in the insulating bushing 49 so as to complete the electric circuit indicated through the battery 46 and drip alarm 47 calling attention to this difficulty. A similar distributing valve may be mounted at the other side of the supply chamber next the distributing system, or if desired, the distributing valve 30 may be loosely mounted on the valve lever 32 and as indicated may have the bleeding passage which should be of such size as to properly coperate with the bleeding passage 74 in the supply valve, in the form of a Venturi passage 34, as is indicated in somewhat greater detail in F ig. 2. The exhaust passage 62 may, as indicated, communicate with the throat of the venturi and with the annular recess 35 in the valve seat 60, so that as flow commences the reduction of pressure at the throat of the venturi causes a corresponding reduction of pressure in the annular recess in the valve seat which may be given the proper size to effect the desired differential action of the valve. If desired a suitable air chamber 37 may be connected with the supply chamber by the pipe 36 preferably provided with a suitable adjusting valve 56 so as to regulate the flow of fluid during operating conditions.

The alarm apparatus may comprise a suitable float chamber 84 and coperating detent chamber 7 connected by a suitable channel, such as 52, which may be provided with a. suitable detent valve seat 66. This chamber may have a suitable valve seat 68 with which the float or alarm valve 69 coperates so as to control the action of the alarm devices and the fioatI valve may, as indicated, be loosely connected with a suitable float 9in 'the float chamber which may, as indicated,

be provided with a suitable stem 16 on which is mounted a suitable socket or connecting member 70 loosely embracing a collar or projection at the lower end of the float valve 69. A suitable buoyant fluid, preferably of a heavy water immiscible character, such for instance, as mercury may be used in the float chamber which may be provided with a suitable choke passage 10 of' sufficient length or provided with a suflicient enlargement, or reservoir 11 so as to allow the proper action of the fluid, an ad 20 A therein and this detent member may, as inadjustable throttle valve 54 so as to cont-rol its effective area and the movement of the fluid from the detent chamber into the throttle passage with which a suit-able enlargement or receiver 6 may be connected,

if desired. It is of course understood that the, other parts of these chambers, except the air chamber and drip chamber, and also the supply-and distributing pipes are normally filled with water which is not indicated in the drawing to avoid confusion. A

. lsuitable detent member 13 may be mounted in any desired way in the detent chamber so as to be buoyed up when the fluid rises dicated, be loosely pivoted toa suitable bell crank lever or connection 14 connected to the detent 15 which may as indicated be located within the channel 52 and supported adjacent its free end in a suitable guide 67. This detent may coperate in any desired way with the alarm valve or connected alarm devices so as to prevent its actuation when the detent is operated. For example, the end of the`detent may when it is forced forward engage in a suitable lock connect-ed to the float or float valve, as for example by forming a suitable lock' 71 in the form of annular notches on the stem 16 of the float valve which may of coursev character may be mounted on the detent sol as to engage the coperating detent valve seat 66 when the detent is operated and thus close the connecting channel and in this way prevent the actuation of the alarm valve and devices or, .if desired, both these expediente may be adopted as indicated in the drawings.

Any suitable forms of alarm may be used, such for example, as the usual mechanical alarm in the form of a suitable water motor 19 whose'shaft carries a bell hammer 22 to engage a bell located on the outside of the building or other desired place, when water is supplied to the motor which may have the discharge pipe 20. A suitable electrical alarm may also be used if desired and this may be in the form of an alarm bell connected with its operating battery or the like and with the two contacts 25, 426 coperating with the contact member 27 mounted on a suitable flexible diaphragm 29 within the chamber 24. When the pressure in the pipe 23 increases this diaphragm is of course forced upward, making electrical contact through the bell and battery and giving a cated be operated by connecting them 'with the alarm .pipe 18 which is connected with4 suitable alarm. These alarms may as indior float valve 69 so that when this valve is withdrawn from its seat fluid within the float chamber may pass to the alarms and actuate them.

A suitable distributing connection such as 12 may connect the distributing system pref erably adjacent the supply chamber with the choke passage 10 or its reservoir 1l... A suitable supply chamber connection such as 41 may connect the supply chamber with the detent chamber 7 and channel 52, and also under normal conditions with the lioat chamber 8. A suitable main connection such as 42 may connect thesupply pipe below the supply chamber, that is, on the opposite side from the distributingsystem with the throttle passage 51 or the connected enlargement thereof, 'that is, the receiver 6. It will of course be readily understood by those familiar with this art that the emergency operation of the system in the event of a fire causes flow of water' from the various sprinkler heads and consequent diminution of pressure in the distributing system and connected supply pipe. This reduction of pressure is transmitted through the distributing connection 12 to the reservoir 11 into which the mercury or other buoyant fluid is forced from the float chamber so that after a short interval the float 9 ceases to press the float valve 69 against-its seat and finally withdraws it therefrom allowing t-he admission of'fluid to the alarm pipe 18 and thus actuating the alarms. If, however, an increase of pressure through water hammer or other laction occurs in the main and connected portion of the supply pipe below the supply chamber 13 and actuating the detent 15. The de? vtent would thus engage the lock 71 and prevent such movement of the float as would actuate the float valve and Y also, as indicated, 'the detent valve 65 4would be brought into engagement with the coperating seat 66 so as to close the channel 52 and thus prevent such movement of fluid therethrough as might actuate the float. While of 'course flow occurs through the comparatively small bleeding passages 34, 74 in or adjacent to the valves on either side of the supply .chamber the pressure in this supply chamber remains substantially constant at the beginning of How in the system, especially when-an air chamber is connected thereto. take care of slight variations yin pressure rllhese bleeding passages however iat) and gradually equalize the fluid pressure in the' various parts of the system, except, of course, under emergency conditions when j the valves open, giving a free passage through the supply chamber and supplying water to the heads opened by the tire.

Having described this invention in connection with a number of illustrative embodiments, devices, proportions and arrangements of parts, to the details o-which disclosure the invention is not of course to be limited what is claimed as new and what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is set forthjn the appended claims.

1. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, a supply'pipe connected with a distributing system and formed with a supply chamber, a distributing check valve between said supply chamber and said distributing system and a supply check valve governing the inlet of said supply chamber away from said .distributing system, an air chamber provided with an adjustable connection communicating with said supply chamber, said distributing and supply valves being provided with bleeding passages and with seats having annular recesses, one of said valves *having a Venturi passage therethrough and having the exhaust throat of said Venturi passage connected to the annular recess in the coperating valve seat and one of said valves having the annular recess in its seat connected to a relief drip chamber to cause a differential action, a Heat chamber, a cooperating detent chamber, a channel connecting said 'loat chamber and said detent chamber and .provided with a detent valve seat, a reservoir connected to said float chamber through a choke passage provided 40 with an adjustable choke valve adjacent its lower port-ion, mercury in said ioat chamber, a float. having a float stemand lockl and having a float valve loosely connected thereto, electrical and mechanical alarms, an

alarm pipe connected with and adapted to actuate said alarms and connected to said fioat chamber through a valve seat controlled by said float valve, a receiver con- 'nected with said detent chamber through a throttle passage having an adjustable throttle valve adjacent 1ts lower portion, mercury in said detent chamber, a detent member mounted in said detent chamber, a detent operatively connected with said detent member and coperating with said lock to prevent the release of said float valve when said detent member is actuated, a detent valve on said detent coperating with said detent valve seat in said channel, and

closing connection between said detent chamber and said fioat chamber when said detent member is actuated, a supply chamber ,connection between said detent chamber and said-supply chamber, a distributing con,

nection between said reservoir and said distributing system normally tending to operate said oat valve and alarms when the pressure in said distributing system becomes less than in said supply chamber and a main connection between said receiver and said supply pipe to actuate said detent devices when the pressure in said supply pipeincreases beyond that in said supply chamber.

2. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, a supply pipe connected with a distributing system and formed with a supply chamber, a distributing valve between said supply chamber and said distributing system and a supply valve governing the inlet of said supply chamber, an air chamber communicating with said supply chamber, said distributing and supply valves being provided with seats having annular recesses, one of said valves having a Venturi passage therethrough and having the exhaust throat of said Venturi passage connected to the annular recess in the coperating valve seat and one of said valves having an annular recess in its seat provided with a relief connection to cause` a differential action, there being bleeding passages provided on both sides of said supply chamber, a float chamber, a coperatlng detent chamber, a channel connectlng said float chamber and said detent chamber, a choke passage connected with said float chamber and provided with an adjustable choke valve, buoyant -fluid in said fioat chamber, a float having a float stem and lock and having a float valve loosely connected thereto, an alarm connected to said float chamber through a valve seat controlled by said float valve, a throttle passage connected to .said detent chamber and having an adjustable throttle valve, bouyant fluid in said detent chamber, a detent member mounted in said detent chamber, a detent operatively connected with said detent member and coperating with said lock to prevent the. release 'of said float valve when said detent member is actuated, a supply chamber connection between said detent chamber and said supply chamber, a distributing connection between said choke passage and said distributing system normally tending to operate said float valve and alarm when the pressure in said dis-v tributing system decreases and a main connection between said throttle passage and said supply pipe to actuate said detent devices when the pressure in said supply plpe increases. y

3.*In sprinkler alarm apparatus, a sup-i ply chamber to be connected with a distributing system and with a supply pipe, a

distributing valve between said supply chamber and said distributing system anda supply valve governing the inlet .of sa1d supply chamber away from sald distributing system, anA air chamber communicatlng with said supply chamber, bleeding passages n on both sides of said supply chamber, a

float chamber, a coperating detent chamber adapted to b connected to said supply chamber, an adjustable choke passage connected to said float chamber and adapted to be connected to said distributing system, buoyant Huid in said float chamber, a float and connectedioat valve in said ioat cham: ber, an alarm connected to said float chamber and actuated When said iioat valve is Withdrawn from its seat, an adjustable ply chamber to be connected with a dist-ribthrottle passage connected to said ldetent chamber adapted to be connected With said supply pipe, buoyant fluid in said detent chamber, a detent member mounted in said detent chamber and a detent operatively connected with said detent member and preventing the operation of said float valve when said detent member is actuated..

fi. In sprinkler' alarm apparatus, a suputing system and with a supply pipe, a distributing valve between said supply cha-mber and said distributing system and a supply valve governing the inlet of said supply chamber away from said distributing system, an air chamber communicating With said supply chamber, a float chamber, a co-v operatingV detent chamber adapted to be connected to said supply chamber, a choke' passage connected to said iioat chamber and adapted to be connected to said distributing system, buoyant fluid in said float chamber, a loat and connected float valve in said float chamber, an alarm connected to said float chamber and actuated When said float valve is Withdrawn from its seat, a throttle passage connected 'to saidl detent. chamber adapted to be connected with said supplyk connected With said supply chamber, a float chamber and a coperating detent chamber to be connected With said supply chamber, a choke passage connected to said float chamber .and adapted to be connected/'With said distributing system, buoyant fluid in saidvloat chamber, a iloat in said floatv cham-v lber, an alarm to be actuated bymovement ogfsaid iioat, a throttle passage connected to` saidfdetent chamber and adapted to be connected with said supply pipe, buoyant fluid air chamber connected With said supplyv chamber, a distributing valve governing the discharge of :fluid from said supply chamber into said distributing system, a supply valve governing the entrance of fluid into said supply chamber from said supply pipe, normally open bleeding passa es on both sides of said supply chamber, a oat chamber and a. cooperating detent chamber adapted to be connected with -said supply chamber, a channel connecting saidiioat chamber-and said detent chamberand provided with a detent valve seat, a choke passage connected to said. icat chamber and adapted to be connected With said distributing system, an alarm, means in said iloat chamber to actuate said alarm by movement of fluid in said float chamber, a throttle passage connected to said detent chamber and adapted to be connected With said supply pipe, a detent having a detent valve cooperating with said detent valve seat and means in said detent chamber to actuate said detent and prevent the actuation of said alarm.

7. In sprinkler' alarm apparatus, a supply chamber adapted to be connected With a distributing system and With a supply pipe and having means at both its inlet and outlet sides to cause a difference of pressure `on the'beginning ofloW therethrough, an air chainber connected to said supply chamber,

an alarm and alarm 'actuating devices adapted `to be connected with said distributing system to actuate said alarm on decrease of pressure in said distributing system, a detent chamber to be connected to said supply chamber, a passage connected With said detent chamber and adapted to beco-nnected to said supply pipe, a ydetentmember in, said detent chamber to be actuated on an increase of pressure in said supply pipe and a detent operatively connected with said detent member and preventing the operation oi'said alarm by said alarm devices when said detent member is actuated.

8. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, an alarm, and alarm actuating devices adapted to actuate said alarm on decrease of pressure in a distributing' system, detent actuating means to be connected With the supply pipe of said distributing system and be operated on an increase of pressure in said supply pipe and a detent operatively con-` nected Withsaid detent actuating means vand cooperating With said alarm actuating devices to prevent their actuating said alarm whn said detntactuating means is operate 9. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, a supply chamber adapted to be connected with a distributing system andwithasupply pipe and having means at both its inlet and outlet. sides to cause a difference of pressure on the beginning of low therethrough, an alarm and alarm actuating devices adapted to be connected with said distributing system to actuate said alarm on decrease of pressure in said distributing system, a detent chamber to be connected to said supply chamber, a passage connected with said detent chamber and adapted to be connected to said supply pipe, a detent member in said detent chamber to be actuated on an increase of pressure'in said supply pipe and a detent operatively connected with said detent member and preventing the operation of said alarm by said alarm devices when said detent member is actuated.

10. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, a supply chamber to be connected with a distributing system and vwith a supply pipe, a distributing valve governing the discharge of lluid from said supply chamber into said distributing system, a supply 'valve governing the entrance of fluid into said supply chamber from said supply pipe, normally open bleeding passages on both sides of said supply chamber, a float chamber and a cooperating detent chamber adapted to be connected with said supply chamber, a channel connecting said float chamber and said detent chamber and provided with a detent valve seat, a choke passage connected to said float chamber and adapted to be connected with said distributing system, an alarm, means in said float chamber to actuate said alarm by movement of fluid in said float chamber, a throttle passage connected to said detent chamber and adapted to be connected with said supply pipe, a detent having a detent valve coperating with said detent valve seat and means in said detent chamber to actuate said detent and prevent the actuation of said alarm.

11. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, a supply chamber to be connected with a distributing system and with a supply pipe, a distributing valve governing the discharge from said supply chamber to said distributing system, a supply valve governing the entrance of fluid into said supply chamber from said supply pipe, a float chamber and a coperating detent chamber to be connected with said supply chamber, a choke passage connected to said oat chamber and adapted to be` connectedwith said distrib-` uting system, buoyant fluid in said float chamber, a float in said float chamber, an alarm to be actuated .by movement of said oat, la throttle passage connected to 4said detent chamber fand adapted to be connected with said su ply pipe, buoyant Huid in said detent cham er, a detent member mounted in said detent chamber and a detent operatively connected with said detent member and preventing the actuation of said alarm by said float when said detent member is actuated.

12. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, a supply chamber to be connected with a distributing system and with a supply pipe, a distributing valve between said supply chamber and said distributing system, a float chamber, a coperating detent chamber adapted to be connected with said supply chamber, a choke passage connected to said float chamber and adapted to be connected to said distributing system, buoyant fluid in said float chamber, a float and connected float valve in said float chamber, an alarm connected to said float chamber, a detent member mounted in said detent chamber and a detent operatively connected with said detent member and preventing the operation of said float valve when said detent member is actuated.

13. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, a supply chamber to be connected with a distributing system and with a supply pipe, a distributing valve between said supply chamber and said distributing system and a supply valve governing the inlet of Said supply chamber away from said distributing system, a floatchamber, a coperating detent chamber adapted to be connected to 'said supply chamber, a choke passage connected to said float chamber and adapted to be connected to said distributing system, buoyant fluid in said float chamber, a float and connected float valve in said float chamber, an alarm connected to said float chamber and actuated when said float valve is withdrawn from its seat, a throttle passage connected to said detent chamber adapted to be connected with said supply pipe, buoyant fluid in said detent chamber, a detent member 4mounted in said detent chamber and a detent operatively connected with said detent member and preventing the operation of said float valve when said det'ent member is actuated.

14. 'In sprinkler alarm apparatus, an alarm, and alarm actuating devices adapted to actuate said alarm on decrease of pressure in a distributing system, a detent member and detent actuating means to be connected with the supply pipe of said distributing system to actuate said detent member on an increase of pressure in said supply pipe, said detentmember coperating with said alarm actuating devices to pre-v vent the actuation of said alarm when said detent member is actuated.

15. In sprinkler alarm apparatus, alarm actuating devices adapted to operate on a decrease of pressure in a distributing` systo prevent their operar-lon when said detent tem, a-detent membr and detent actuating member is actuated.

means adapted t0 econnected with said distributing system to actuate said detent JOHN R' HAMILTON' `5 member on an increase of pressure in said Witnesses:

distributing system, said detent member co- JEssIE B. KAY,

operating with said alarm actuating devices HARRY L. DUNCAN.

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