US1082606A - Supervisory alarm system. - Google Patents

Description

J. G. NOLEN.

SUPERVISORY ALARM SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1912.'

1 ,O82 ,606. Patented D60. 30, 1913.

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APPLlCATION FILED AUG 1, 1912.

1,082,606, Patented Dec.30,1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. G. NOLEN. SUPERVISORY ALARM SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1912.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNHE\ spurns PATENT neuron;

JAMES G. NOLEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T FIRE PROTECTION DEVELQPMENT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CQRPOR-ATION OF MAINE.

sUrE'rtwsonY ALARM SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9,1913.

Application filed August 1, 1912. Serial No. 712,764.

ments in Supervisory Alarm Systems, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in supervisory alarm systems such as are employed for indicating sudden and excessive rise in temperatures, and relates particularly to electro-pfieumatic systems, of the class referred to. Such systems comprise piping of small bore, laid through the space to be protected or supervised, and connected to fluid-pressureactuated alarm-initiating devices, which latter devices are arranged to be actuated by expansion of air in the piping, caused by sudden rise oftemperature;

which pressure-actuated alarm-initiating de vices may themselves indicate the alarm, or may be electric contact devices adapted when actuated to transmit an alarm through an electric circuit, or to-set in operation other transmitting means; or these fluid-pressureactuated alarm-initiating devices may operate to effect indication of abnormal conditions, or to efi'ect the transmission of a signal, in yarious other ways. In such systems, since the alarm initiating device should not be operated by slow rise of temperature, such as may be occasioned by natural causes, and may extend through a wide range, it is customary to provide an escape vent through which air will escape slowly,but with sufficient rapidity to prevent the signal-initiating device being actuated by slow rise of tempera-' ture, but which will not permit escape of air at such rate as to prevent actuation of the signal-initiating device when the temperature rises rapidly. Heretofore one diaphragm contact device has commonly been employed for each length of piping, or detector tubing, as it is" commonly called; such diaphragm being located at; one end of the length of detector tubing, the other end of su'ch tubing being closed; or, the detector tubing has been arranged in the forin-of a loop, both ends of which are connected to the diaphragm contact device, as the patent to April 7, 1908, and in my application Sr. No.

509,103, filed August 23, 1909; though in" some cases two diaphragm contactdevices J.- E. Shepherd, No; 884, 47, dated,

have been employed locatedrespectively at the two ends of a loop of detector tubing.

According to the present invention, instead of locating the diaphragmcontact devices, or detectors, as they are commonly termed, at the end or ends of a length of detector tubing, I locate a plurality of pneumatic contact devices or detectors at various I points intermediate the ends of a length of detector tubing, spacing such detectors suitable distances apart along such tubing, and by preference connecting such detectors electrically to the same signal transmitting de V106, and also connecting them, preferably in groups, to suitable annunciating devices.

ing several rooms, or several floors, one length of detector tubing may pass-through a number of rooms or number of floors; and in each room or each floor, there may he a plurality of detectors connected at intervals to that one detector tubing; the detectors of each room, or floor, then constituting a group; and in such cases the detectors of each group are commonly connected electrically to a single annunciating devicecommon to that group; the detectors of all of the groups being connected to a common .alarm transmitting device.

In many cases, with pneumatic alarm initiating devices or detectors so located on a single length of tubing, it is unnecessary to provide the individual detectors with vents; the ends of the tubing being open, in case the tubing extends fora considerable distance beyond the extreme detectors, or one or both ends of i the tubing "being provided with restricted escape means in casethe tubing does not extend a considerable distance beyond one or both extreme detectors; but in the case of a very long length of tubing having a large number of detectors connected to it, one or more restricted escape means may be provided at an intermediate pointor points of the detector tubing, such restricted escape means being, in such case, preferably, on one ormore of the detectors themselves.

The system embodying the invention of this application has the important advan tage over systems wherein the detectors arelocated at the end onendsnof the detector tubing, that ordinarily-a plurality of detectors will be opera byany fire, t he detector nearest the point-of inception af'the i'ire'being, ordinarily, first ope ated, and i In the case of a building or f risk compristhen the detectors on opposite sides of such first detector being operated, and so on. Possible failure of the first detect-or to operate makes very little difference, therefore, as to the sending of the alarm, as several detectors on opposite sides of the detector nearest the point of inception of fire will be operated almost immediately thereafter. The'operationof any one of these detectors will efiect the sending of an alarm. The annunciator of the system will indicate the room or floor in which the fire began.

The system herein described has numerous other advantages such for example as the simplification of circuits and annunciators, only one annunciating device or drop, and one .corresponding circuit, being required for each group of detectors. Some of the other advantages are that'an alarm is ob.

' prove. and simplify pneumatic alarm systems such as referred to, to increase 'the reliability and efficiency thereof, to maintain operativeness of the circuits notwithstanding breakage of either battery wire or the conductor leading from any one group of detectors to the annunciator and transmitter, to keep the circuits and current generator constantly under test, to provide for the giving of the trouble signals in case of breakage of conductors or material decrease of current strength, to decrease the number of individual annunciating devices required, and to improve and simplify the alar transmitting apparatus.

I will now-proceed-to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a plurality of detectors upon a single length of tubing, and illustrating circuits and alarm transmitting and annunciating devices such as may be employed; Fig.2 shows a detail vertical section of one form of pneumatic or diaphragm contact device or detector, which may be'e'rployed, and illustratesone method of connection of the detector tul')- ing thereto; Fig. 3 is a view similar t'o Fig. 2, illustrating "a further method of connection of the detector tubing to-the alarm initiating device; Fig. 4 shows a front View of one form of alarm transmitter which may be employed, and Fig. 5 shows aside View thereof. Fig. 5 shows a detail side view of the contact springs 47-54. Fig. 5 shows a detail side view of the contact springs which coact with the'cam disk 9, this view being a section on the line wac.o'f Fig. 5". Fig. 6 is aview showing a sect-ion on the line y-y of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail vertical section of the suction contact device 4. Fig. 8 isa diagrammatic view illustrating a heat-coil testing device whichmay be employed.

Referring first to Fig. 1, numeral 1 desig;

nates a length of detector tubing to whic are connected a plurality of detectors 2. I Y

have shown these detectors arranged in three groups of three each, and it may be understood that each group is located in a single Y room or floor of the risk, the difierent groups being located in different rooms or on different floors of the risk, the one length of detector tubing extending throughout the risk. At one end'of the length of detector tubing, I have illustrated a restricted escape means 3; and I have indicated that the other end of the detector tubing extends an indefinite distance beyond the last detector, that distance being such that no restricted escape means is required at that end of the detector tubing. I have further indicated,

beyond one of the extreme detectors, a spewith cor esponding magneticallyoperated drops or shutters, and 14 designates a special dropmagnet, likewise provided with an annunciating shutter, the purpose of the drop 14: being to indicate the electrical continuity of the circuits and, to indicate that the bat tery or generator '15 supplying current to these circuitsis supplying current of a suflicient strength for the operation'of the transmitter magnet 6 and the drop magnets of the annunciator. I

-- Referring now to Fig. 2, 16 designates the casing' of one of the diaphragm contact devices. or detectors, 17 designates the diaphragm thereof, 18 the contact screw thereof, insulated fromthe case 16 by insulating material 19, and 20 a binding post for the electric connection of a circuit conductor to the contact screw 18-.

'21 designates a bracket or other means by which the detector may be connected to a wall or ceiling or other suitable support, this bracket being in electrical connection with the case 16; and a circuit conductor is commonly'connected to this bracket 21, one of the screws by which the bracket is secured to the wall or other supports serving as a binding screw; the circuit conductor so connected to the bracket being therefore electrically connected to the diaphragm 17.

22 designates a restricted escape means such as may be provided in connection with the diaphragm contact device, said restricted escape means comprising a pipe nipple 23, connected to the case 16, beneath the diaphragm 17 and a short'length of fine tubing, preferably glass thermometer tubing, 24, secured to the end of the nipple 23 by means of a sleeve screw 25 screwing upon the nipple 23, the glass tubing 24 being sealed in place by means of plastic sealing material 26.

27 designates a cover, screwing upon sleeve screw 25, and having at its end an opening 28 to the external air;.suitable foraminous material 29 being usually provided, between the end of the glass tube 24 and this opening 28, to prevent dust entering tube 24, without materially retarding the escape of air through said tubing. I have found that a short glass tube of small diameter of bore, such as the tube 24, is a particularly efficient restricted escape means. It is not affected by exposure to air or other gases, since it is not oxidizable and is-practically inert, chemically; it is not affected by prolonged exposure to temperatures approaching those at which combustion usually occurs; it is not affected by moisture; and since the diameter of its bore (usually about five-thousandths of an inch) is less than that of average dust grains, it is not affected by dust. F urthermore, such' an escape means will serve lengths of pipe varying greatly in length. It is ordinarily required that no alarm shall be sent When-the temperature rises at a rate no more rapidly than four degrees per ininute, but that analarm shall be given if the'temperature rises at a greater rate. I have found that a glass tube of the bore referred to will serve detector tubing of about or less than .053 in. internal diameter, varying in length from fifty to nine hundred feet. For greater variations in length of detector tubing the length of the glass tube 24 may be varied.

The restricted escape means 3 shown in Fig. 1 as connected'to the end of the detector tubing 1, maybe preciselyv similar in construction to the restricted escape device-22 shown in Fig. 2.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5: The net 6 is mounted upon a base 30 upon which ispivotally mounted an armature'31. Themagnet 6 is preferably mounted in a vertical position ,with the armature beneath it and stil cated-that when the magnet 6 is deenergized the armature 31 drops away from it. A suitable stop screw 32 limits the approach of armature 31 to the poles of the magnet. The armature 31 is provided with a downward extension or rod 33, the end 34 of which is located between the two penoperating wheels 8 and 9, which wheels are mounted, one in front of the other, upon the same arbor 35, which arbor is driven by a spring 36. The end of this arbor is squared, as shown particularly in Fig. 4, for the convenient rewinding of the spring. Upon the arbor is mounted the first gear, 37, of a gear train driving the escapement wheel 38 of an escapement anchor 39 mounted upon a pivoted disk 40. From one side of the escapement anchor projects the usual-weight 41 (Fig. 6) regulating the period of oscillation of the escapement anchor, and so regulating tne speed of the clocktrain.

Signal wheel, or break wheel, 7, is mounted upon one of the arbors 42 ofthe gear train 3738, so that this break. wheel is driven when the said gear train is in operation. A spring pen 43 (Fig. 4) engages the teeth of the break wheel 7. This pen 43 is normally in contact with a contact spring 44; and when pen 43. is lifted by one of the teeth of break wheel 7, it makes contact with a further contact spring 45', and lifts such contact spring45 away from a fourth contact spring 46, with whichv contact spring 46 spring 45 is normally in contact.

Disk 8 on arbor 35 is provided with a cam projection 8 which, at-a properpoint in the rotation of disk 8, engages apen 47' and lifts same out of contact with a spring .48; pen 47 and spring 48 being normally in contact. VVheu pen-47 is so lifted out of contact with spring 48, it is lifted into contact with another spring 491 Beneath pen 4] and springs 48 and 49, is a precisely similar pen 50 arranged to be engaged by a cam projection 9 ofv disk 9, said pen 50 being normally in contact with a spring 51, but'arranged to no break contact with said spring .51, when so lifted.

Beneath the spring 36 on arbor 35, there is a cam 55, (Fig. 6) which rotates with said' arbor and, at the proper point in the rota- 15 tion of the arbor, lifts a pen 56 normally in electrical connection with contact springs 57, 58 and 5%,, one for each of the annunciator drop magnetsll, 12 and 18. Normally all of these springs 57, 58 and 59 are inelectrical connection with pen 56; but when said pen 56 is lifted as described, they are no lo-nger'in connection with said pen.-

The cam wheels 8 and 9 on arbor 35, are provided, in their adjacent faces, with notches, 8 and 9 respectively. These notchcs are-not exactly opposite each other,

notch 8 being, with respect to the direction of rotation, somewhat in advance of notch 9".

The magnet 6, when energized, tends to .134;

draw the end of the rod 34 into notch 8*;

and when said armature is denergized the end 34 drops-out of notch 8 and tends to drop into notch'9.

Upon the rod 33 there is a notched member 60 (Fig. adapted to engage a pin 61 projecting from the disk 40 to which the es- ,capement anchor 39 is secured. WVhen the end 34 of rod 33 is in notch 8 (when the parts of the transmitter are in their normal or set position, the end 34 is in this notch 8), one side of the notched member 60 en- 61 can travel freely back and forth through.

said notch, the esca'pement anchor 39 being thereby permitted to vibrate, so that the clock train wilhrun. When the end 34 of rod 33 is in notch 9", .the other side of the notch member 60 engages the pin 61 and so prevents the esbapement anchor f rom vibrating and prevents the clock train from running.

In Fig. 1, 62 designates a row of binding posts connecting the various contact springs of the transmitter with the circuits'of the system and'with battery 15.

-The circuits of the system are as follows: Starting from battery 15 a conductor 63 leads through coils of annunciator magnet 14 to contact spring 48 and thence, normally, through contact spring 47 to a conductor 64 which is connected in series to. the cases of thewa'rions diaphragm detectors 2. From the case of the last detector a conductor 65 leads to the coils of transmitter magnet 6 andthence a conductor 66 leads to contact spring 51 and thence normally, through contact spring 50 and conductors 67 and 68 back to the opposite pole of the battery.

Contact'spring 54 is connected to conductor '63.. Contact spring 49 is connected by a conductor 69 to conductor 65. Contact spring 53 is. connected to conductor 66. From conductor 68 a branch conductor 70 leads-to the coils of- annunciat'or drop magnets 11, 12 and 13, these magnets'being connected injparallel or multiple circuit to said conductor 70. y

The three groups of diaphragm, contact devices or detectors 2, are connected, each group by a separate conductor, to a correspondiug drop'magnefl- 11, 12, or 13.

71, 72 and 73 designate'the three conductors connecting'the several groups of detectors to their-corresponding .drop magnets. Since the contactscrews of the several detectors are normally-out of contact with, the diaphragms ofv those detectors, normally there is no circuit from the common battery wire 64 through one or another of the detectors to the corresponding annunciator wire 71, 72 or 73; but normally circuit is complete through the magnet 65 as follows: from battery 15, through conductors 63, spring 48, spring 47, conductor 64, the cases of the several detectors 2, conductor 65, coils of magnet 6, conductor 66, spring 51, spring 50, conductor 67 and conductor 68.

The common annunciator wire 7 O is con nected by a branch conductor 74 to contact spring 56. Each individual annnnciator conductor 71, 72 and 73 is connected by a branch 75, or 76, or 77, as the case may be, to contact spring 57, or contact spring 58, or contact spring 59, as the case may be. These contact springs 57, 58 and 59, are, normally, in contact with' each other and with the spring 56, so that shorts normally exist across the terminals of annunciator magnets 11, 12 and 13, and the closing of cirmediately energize the corresponding annunciator magnet.

When one of the detectors 2 closes circuit between the common detector wire 64 and one or another of the annunciator wires 71 72 and 73, a short is established across the poles of transmitter magnet 6, this short being at first from common detector wire 64, through one or another of the detectors, to one or another of the annunciator wires 71, 72 and-73 respectively, and thence through one or another of the branch wires 75, 76 and 77 to the corresponding contact spring, 57, 58, or 59, to spring 56, and wire 74 back to wire 70 and thence to wire 68. \Vhen'a short is established across transmitter magnet 6 by the operation of one of the detectors 2', as just described, the magnet of that transmitter is de'elnergized and its armature drops,'thus starting in operation the transmitter mechanism, as hereinafter described; but owing to the existence of the short across the terminals of the annunciator magnet corresponding to the particular detector which is operated, that annunciator magnet is not at once energized.

After one or more rounds of the signal have been sent by the signal wheel 7, but before all of the rounds of the signal have been sent, the cam 55 raises the spring 56 from contact with the brushes 57, 58 and 59, and the short across the terminals of transmitter magnet 6 then passes through that annun'ciator magnet 11, or 12, or 13, which corresponds to the particular group of detectors in which is the detector which operated; that annunciator magnet being thus energized; whereupon it attracts its corresponding annunciator shutter 11, or 12*, or 13, as the case may be, moving that shutter or drop to display position, so indicating the location of theparticular detectorwhich operated;

cuit by one of the detectors 2 does not im- Losacoa The signal wheel, 7, in its rotation, oper spring 45, the spring-43 when operated breaking contact with spring 44, and the spring 45 when operated breaking contact with spring 16; the result being to break the circuit of conductors 78 and 79 which lead to suitable binding posts, and thence, through externaleonductors, to a central otlice; the circuit in which conductors 78 and- 79 are comprised being the external signal transmitting circuit.

It has already been explained that when one of the detectors 2 is operated, the effect is to put a short across the terminals of the transmitter magnet 6, so deenergizing that magnet. Normally, the clock train driving signal wheel 7 is restrained from motion due to the en 34 of armature rod being in. the notch 8 of cam disk 8, and consequent engagement of one side of the notched stop 60 with the fly-pin 61 of the train escape ment; this being the normal or set position of the mechanism. When magnet 6 is de energized through the establishment of a short through one of thedetectors 2, its armature 81 drops by gravity, the end 34- o-f armature rod 33 then passing out of notch 8" and the notch of stop 60 being then, op

posite the fiy-pin 61, so permitting the clock train to run. After notch 8 has passed the end 34 of the armature rod, and before notch 9 has come opposite said end 34, the cams 8 and 9 of disks 8 and 9 encounter and raise, respectively, springs 47, 50 and 53 (this occurs while the first round of the box signal is being transmitted by wheel. 7), thus completing a circuit' from battery 15 through the magnet 6, while notch 9 is passing end 34-, as follows: from battery 15, through conductor 63, spring 542, spring 53, conductor 66, the coils of magnet 6, conductor 65, conductor 69, spring 49, spring 47, conductor 64, the diaphragm and contact screw of that detector 2 which has operated, and the corresponding annunciator conductor 71, 72, or 73, as the case may be, and the corresponding branch conductor 75, 76, and 77, as the case may be, to the corresponding contact spring 57, 58 or 59, as the case may be, contact spring 56, conductor 74:, conductor and conductor 68 back to the other terminal of the battery. Magnet 6 being thus energized while the notch 9 is passing the end 34- ofarmature rod 33, said end 34 is prevented from dropping into notch 9, and

the train continues to run until after notch 9 'to the firemen upon their arrival.

hold the armature rod 33 insuch position that the notch of stop 60 is opposite the fly pin 61, so that the train continues to run, notwithstanding magnet 6 is denergized, until it has run down; the signal wheel 7 being thereby rotated a number of times,

thereby sending in the box signal a number of times. During such rotation of the signal wheel, and before the last signal of the wheel is sent in, (and preferably, just after the first round of the signal has been sent in), the cam 55 raises the spring 56, so breaking the short theretofore existing across the terminals of the annunciator magnets 11, 12 and 13, so that the particular annunciator magnet which is in circuitwith that detector which was operated energized, and the shutter raised to the display position. Preferably, the cam 55 opens the shunt across the anmmciator magnet for a short time only, for example, the time required for the transmission of one round only.

The annuneiator drop mechanism 11, 1:2 and 13 employed, may be of any well known type, and are preferably of one of the types wherein a drop, once moved to display position, remains in such position until restored positively. The drop mechanism of these magnets being, .as stated, of a type such that the shutter, once moved to display position, remains in that position until positively restored, the annunciator drop which has been operated remains in display position, to indicate the point of inception of the fire Ordinarily, detectors on both sides of the detector first operated are operated soon after the operation of the first detector; and by their operation they insure the sending of an alarm, for should the first operated detector for any reason fail to close circuit, one of the other detectors is sure to do so. As the wave of ai'i in tube 1, generated by the expansion due to rise of temperature, spreads, the detectors of the other groups will be actuated successively and will operate in like manner; the alarm having already been sent in, and the clock mechanism having run down, their operation will not cause the sending in of a further alarm. The cam 55 having restored the short across the annunciator magnets after the end of thesecond round, no, annunciator drops other than the one first operated, will ordinarily be operated.

Annuneiator magnet 14 is employed to indicate the condition of the battery 15. Normally its shutter 14 is in the display position. This drop mechanism 14 is of the type which falls from display position as 'soon as the strength of its magnet is no longer sufficient to hold the shutter in display position. The adjustment of the magnet 6 and its armature 31 is such that in case the battery 15 decreases in strength materially and sufficiently to cause shutter 14 to drop from display position, the armature 31 will fall, permitting the train to start and causing wheel 7 to send in one round of the bbx signal; and after the first round has been sent in the notch 9 will be opposite the end 3 1 of the armature rod 33,

and sincethe strength ofthe battery 15 is insnflicient to energize magnet 6 suificiently to restore armature 31, upon the restablishment of the circuits through magnet 6 by the contact springs operated by cams 8 and 9, the end 34: of the armature rod 33, will drop into notch 9 the stop 60 of the armature rod then arresting the motion of the fiy-pin 61 and so stopping the train. The same will occur in case a break should occur in the circuit 64'65, leadin from the transmitter to the detectors 2. nc round only of the box signal, is therefore, a trouble signal indicating that the battery 15 has weakened, or that there is a break in the circuit leading from the transmitter to the detectors. interrupt the short across the annunciator magnets until after the end of the first round, the fire signal annunciators, 11,12 and 13, do not operate when a trouble signal is sent.

The adjustment of the clock mechanism is such, customarily, that, upon 'rewinding of the spring 36, by a key applied to the square end of staff 35, the dsks 8 and 9 are rotated so far that the notch 8 passes beyond end 34 of armature rod 33, a distance corresponding to one round of the box signal. Upon release of the key by which the spring is rewound therefore, the clock train will run until the end 3 1 of the armature rod 33 moves into notch 8 and the consequent rotation of the signal wheel 7 transmits one round of the box signal. One round of the box signal after the occurrence of a fire, indicates, therefore, that the transmitter has been rewound and restored to condition for service. Should the battery 15 be too weak to energizethe magnet 6 sufiiciently to retain the armature 31, or should there be a break in the circuit 6465, a second round of signal will inniediately follow the first round, indicating the rewinding of the'box, so that two rounds after an alarm indicates trouble. I

Two springs 36 are commonly provided for operating the clock mechanism, these springs being substantial duplicates of each other, and either being of strength sutficient to operate theclock mechanism in case the other spring should break.

Heretofore" in transmitters employed in pneumatic alarm systems such as those to which this invention relates, the transmitters employed have commonly comprised two magnets, the armature of one of the magnets controlling the running of. the

Since the cam 55 does nottrain, such armature being arranged to drop out of the field of its magnet when thatmag net is denergized; the other magnet being employed to restore the armature of the first magnet in the case of a fire signal, after the first round of the signal; while in the case of a battery failure or line break, the second magnet does not restore the armature of the 'first magnet, only one round of the boxsig nal being transmitted, therefore.

In the transmitter herein illustrated and described, I avoid the use of two magnets and resulting complications, by employing the two disks 8 and 9 having notches 8 and 9 said disks so spaced apart that the armature does not fall far from the poles ofthe magnet when. the magnet is first deenergized, but merely falls far enough to permit the clock train to start, and by employing contact springs arranged to close the circuit through the magnet after the first notch 8 has passed the end of the armature rod 33; the contact springs operated by the cam projections 8 and 9 of disk 8 and 9 (which contact springs are commonly termed transposing springs) closing circuit through the magnet of the transmitter immediately after the notch 8 has passed the end of the armature rod 33, so that the armature is held from entering notch 9 tmless the strength of battery 15 has greatly weakened, or unless there be a break in the circuits.

The detector tubing may be connected to I the diaphragm contact device 2 in various ways. In Fig. 2 I show the detector tubing connected to a contact device 2 by means of a T-connection 7 8; in Fig. 3 I show the diaphragm chamber connected directly to the detector tubing 1. For testing the continuity of the tubing it is convenient to provide beyond one of the extreme detectors 2, a suction contact device 4, and to provide. beyond the other extreme detector 2, a connection for a suction pump 5. The suction contact. device 4, shown in section in Fig. 7 is in general construction the same as the detectors 2,- except that the tubing 1 is connected to the upper side of the diaphragm chamber, instead of to the \lower side thereof. For the convenient connection of the suction pump 5, I commonly provide a three-way valve 7 9 having a gravitating handle 80 so arranged that normally the branch pipe 81 leading to the suction pump is shut off from the tubing 1, said tubing 1 being open to the end; while when the handle. of said valve is raised the detector tubing 1 is connected to the suction pump and connection to the open-end of the tubing is shut off. If the tubing be-intact, two or "three strokes of the suction'pump will create euction enough 'n the tubing to operate thesuction contact devicetat the opposite end of the system; the operation of this suctioneoa tact device being indicated by the ringing of a bell 82, which bell may be in any convenient location.

Ordinarily, the suction pump 5 will not be a permanent'part of the system, but will be connected thereto, when the system is to be tested, by means of a pipe union connection 83, or other convenient coupling.

If a pressure pump be substituted for the suction pump, the operation of the various detectors may be proved; in most cases, instead of employing a pressure pump for proving the operativeness of the detectors 2, a testing device, such as is shown in Fig. 8, and comprising a coil of tubing 84 similar to the detector tubing, wound about an electric heater S5, is employed; such tubing Set being connected to the tubing 1 at the union 83. The expansion of air in coil 84, when current is passed through the heater, is communicated to the tubing 1, when the handle of the valve 19 is raised.

The fact that the tubing 1 is open at the end, beyond the suction contact device 4:,

does not prevent thetesting of the system by suction; for if the tubing extend'for a number of feet (say fifteen or more feet) beyond such suction contact device, the resistance offered by such length of tubing beyond the contact device 4, to the fiow of air, is sutficient to cause the suction device 4 to operate when the suction pump is operated. Instead of extending the tubing 1 a number of feet beyond the end of the suction contact device 4, a restricted escape device, such as 22, may be provided; the resistance ofiered by this device 22 to the inflow of air being SllffiClBIlt to cause the suction contact device to operate when the suction pump is operated.

Since in this system both ends of the tubing may be open, 110 false alarms can occur through expansion of air in the tubing due to ordinary atmospheric temperature changes. The open ends of the tubing permit the pressure within the tubing to be always the same as that of the external air, (except when a fire occurs) since atmospheric temperature changes are necessarily slow, as compared with temperature changes.

due to the occurrence of a fire. If, for any reason, it be preferred to closethe ends of the detector tubing, then the diaphragm con tact devices will be provided with restricted escape means 22, as shown=for example, in Fig. 2, which restricted escape means permit inflow as well as outflow of air, so that except in the case of? abnormal expansion of theair due to the occurrence of a fire, thepressure within the tubing will be the same as that of the surrounding air.

. Since the magnet 6 will be deenergized in case of any breakage of a conductor of the circuit 64 65, leading from one side ofthe battery through the bases of the various denevertheless continue, since at such time both sides of the circuit 6465 are connected to the same side of the battery; wire 65 through contact springs 5st and 53 and wire 64 through contact springs 47 and 49. Should the wire, 71 or 72, or 73, leading from the group of detectors first operated to the annunciator, and to the common contact device 56 be broken, the wave of air traversing the tube 1 will soon thereafter actuate the detectors of another group; and it the 'annunciator wire, 71, or 72, or 73, of this second groups be broken, the wave of air will soon actuate the detectors of a third group; and so on. It follows therefore that the breakage of a wire after a detector has operated cannot prevent the sending of .an alarm signal unless both wires 6- and 65, and all of the annunciator wires 71, 72 and 73, are broken; and even then at least the trouble signal will have been transmitted.

On the spring stat? 35 of the clock mechanism, is a cam 87 normally holding a pen 88 in contact with a spring 89 connected to ground at 90; pen 88 being connected tos that side of'the battery opposite the side of the battery to which wire (it is normally'connected. If a ground should develop on circuit 64-65 with the clockwork at rest, a short will be established through ground and contact pens S8 and 89 across the terminals of magnet 6, which will deenergize said magnet, and so start the clockwork in operation this ground short across the poles of magnet 6 will be broken, by the action of cam 87, immediately after the box starts to run, and no detector 2 having operated to close a short across the terminals of magnet 6' while the transposing springs are being operated by cams 8 and 9, only one round of the box signal will be sent in; that is to say, the trouble signal will be sent in. Upon the rewinding of the box cam 87 closes contact between the ground pens 8S and 89 after the restoration signal (one round of the box number) has been sent in, and just as the end 34 of armature rod 33 comes to rest in notch 8 to-stop the running of the clock train.

hat I claim is 1. A temperature-alarm system comprising in combination a length of tubing, a pluralitv id-pressure-actuated alarm initiating devices connected thereto at various points intermediate its length, an electrically controlled transmitter, and circuits controlled by said contact devices and controlling said transmitter and comprising a generator, a circuit conductor connecting one side of said generator to said contact devices, and a plurality of conductors connecting the other side of: said generator to said contact devices, whereby in the event of failure of one contact device to operate, or in the event of breakage of the conductor of that contact device, the wave of fluid pressure spreading through said tube will operate another contact device having a separate conductor.

.2. A temperature-alarm system comprising in combination a length of tubing, a plurality of fluid-pressure-actuated alarm imtiating contact devices connected thereto at various points intermediate its length, an electrically controlled transmitter, and circuits controlled by said, contact devices andcontrolling said transmi ter, and comprising a generator, a plurality of conductors lead. ing from one side of said, generator to said contact devices, and a plurality of conductors leading from difierent of said contact devices back to said generator, whereby in the event of the breakage of one conductor on either side of the generator, or of a conductor on each side of said generator, the system nevertheless remains operative.

An alarm system comprising in combination a plurality of alarm-initiating contact devices, a signal transmitter comprising a controlling magnet and transmitting mechanism controlled thereby, and circuits controlled by said contact devices and controlling said magnet, said transmitter comprising means which, at a predetermined point in the transmission of the signal, will arrest the operation of said transmitting mechanism unless said magnet be then energized,

and further comprising means for energizing said magnet during such period unless the operation of the transmitter has been causedthy the breaking of one of said circuits.

4. An alarm system comprising in combination a plurality of alarm-initiating-contact devices, a signal transmitter comprising a controlling magnet and transmitting mechanism controlled thereby, and circuits controlled by said contact devices and controlling said magnet, said contact devices arranged each when it operates to close a short across the terminals of said magnet, said transmitter comprising means which, at a predetermined point in the transmission of the signal, will arrest the operation of said transmitting mechanism unless said magnet he then energized, and further comprising means for energizing said magnet during such period unless the operation of the nal, will arrest the operation of said transmitting mechanism unless the said magnet be then energized, and circuits controlled by said contact devices and controlling said transmitter and comprising a generator, two conductors normally leadingrfrom opposite sides of said generator to the same side of each of said contact evices and'including said magnet, said cir uits comprising also return conductors leading from the opposite side of each of said contact devices to the generator, and adapted, when one of the said contact devices is operated, to close a short across said magnet, said transmitter comprising tra'nsposing contact means, operating during the period when motion of said transmitting mechanism will be arrested unless said magnet be energized, which transposing means, when it operates, connects both of said'first named conductors to the same side of the generator and to that side of the generator opposite the side to which the return conductors are connected, .whereby in case the operation of the transmitter has been caused by the operation of "one of said alarm-initiating contact devices the full signal of the transmitter will be sent, and whereby in case the operation of the transmitter has been caused by the breaking of one of the first mentioned conductors, the transmitterwill be arrested prior to the completion of its signal.

6. An alarm system comprising in combination a plurality of alarminitiating-contact devices, a signal transmitter comprising a controlling magnet and transmitting mechanism'controlled thereby, said trans- ,mitting mechanism comprising means which comprising also return conductors leading from the opposite side of each of said contact devices to the generator, and adapted, when one of the said contact devices is operated; to close a short across said magnet, said transmitter comprising transposing Contact means, operating during theperiod when motion of said transmitting mecha nism will be arrested unless said magnet be energized, which transposing means when it operates, connects both of said first named conductors to the same side of the generator and to that side of the generator opposite the side to Which the return conductors are connected, whereby in case the operation of the transmitter has been caused by the operation of one of said alarm-initiating contact devices the full signal oi the transmitter will be sent, and whereby in case the operation of the transmitter has been caused by the breaking of one of the first mentioned conductors, the transmitter Will be arrested its signal.

' 7. An alarm system comprising in combination a plurality of alarm initiating contact devices, a signal transmitter comprising a controlling magnet and transmitting mechanism controlled thereby, circuits controlled by said contact devices and controlling said magnet, and comprising agenerator, two conductors leading from opposite sides of prior to the completion of said generator to said contact devices and including said magnet, and a plurality of return conductors leading from different con tact devices to the generator, and each adapted, when its corresponding contact de vice is operated, to close a short across said magnet, an annunciating device for each such return conductor, and contact means normally closing a short across said an nunciating devices, which contact means is operated by said transmitting mechanism and breaks the SllOltfltCIOSS said annun ciating device at a ]')IQ(-L"t11ni11(jl point in the transmission of the signal.

Sui-X11 alarm system such as described,

comprising in combination a transmitter having a controlling magnet, transmitting nisin adapted to transmit a signal a plurality of times when it. operates normally, and

including means for includingthe magnet in the other side of said circuit after at least one transmission of the signal and before all of the transmissions of the s1gnal have been completed.

9. An alarm transmitter for alarm systems, such as described, comprising in combination transmitting mechanism, a magnet and detent means controlled thereby and having three positions, viz., two extreme positions, corresponding to energized and deenergized condition of the magnet respec tively, and an intermediate n sition, said de:

tent means arranged to arrest the transmitting mechanism in either of said extreme positions, said transmitting mechanism provided with detent-controlling means permitting said detent means to occupy one extreme position normally and to go into the other extreme position at a predeter-- mined point in the operation of such mechanism, said detent-controlling means ar' ranged to hold said detent means in the 1n-' termediate position if such predetermined point is passed \YltllOUt the said detent means goinginto such other extreme position, said transmitting mechanism further provided with contact means adapted to cause said magnet to prevent said detent means from going into such other extreme position at such predetermined point in the operation of the transmitting mechanism.

, 10. An alarm transmitter for alarm systems such as described, comprising in combination transmitting mechanism, a magnet and detent means controlled thereby and havingtwo extreme positions corresponding to energized and deijnergized condition of" the magnet respectively, and an intermediate positiomisaid detent means arranged to ar rest the transmitting mechanism in either of said extreme positions, said transmitting nijecha'nism provided with detent-controlling "means permitting said detent means to occupy the energized position normally, and to go into the deenergized position at a predetermined point in the operation of such "nicchanisimsaid detentcontrolling means arranged to hold said detent means in the intermediate position if such pred' -ter1nined point is passed Without said detcut means"- goii'ig into the deenergized position, said transmitting mechanism; further provided with contact means adapted to close circuit.

through said magnet at such predetermined point in the operation of the transmitting mechanism. I s i 1 11. An alarm transmitter for alarm sys tenis such as described,comprising in combination transmitting mechanism, a magnetand detent means controlled thereby-and. having three positions, viz., two extreme p0 sitions, corresponding to energized and deenergized condition of the magnet respectively, and an intermediateposition, said 'detent meansarranged to arrest the trans 'mitting mechanism in either of said extreme positions, said transmitting mechanism pro 'vide'd with twodisks driven by said mechanism and between which a movable portion terns such as described, comprising in committing mechanism in either of energized condition of the magnet respecof said detentmeans is located, one of said disks having means permitting said detent means to occupy one extreme position normally, the other disk having means permitting such detent means to occupy t e other extreme position at a predetermined point in the operation of such mechanism, said disks arranged to hold said detentmeans in intermediate position if such. predetermined poi t is passed without said detent means going into such other extreme position.

12. An alarm transmitter for alarm syshination transmitting mechanism, a magnet and detent means controlled thereby and having three positions viz., two extreme positions, corresponding to energized and detiveiy, and an intermediate position, said. detent means arranged to arrest the transsaid extreme positions, said transmitting mechanism provided with two disks driven by said mechanism and between which a movable portion of said detent means is located, one of said disks having means permitting said detent means to occupy one extreme position normally, the other disk having means permitting such detent means tooccupy the other extreme position at a predetermined point in the operation of such mechanism, said disks arranged to hold said detent means in intermediate position if such predetermined point is passed without said detent means going into such other extreme position, said transmitting mechanism fur ther provided with contact means adapted to cause said magnet to prevent said detent means from going into such other extreme position at such predetermined point in the operation of the transmitting mechanism.

13. An alarm transmitter for alarm systems such as described, comprising in combination transmitting mechanism, a magnet and detent means controlled thereby and having three positions, viz., two extreme positions corresponding to energized and deenergized condition of the magnet respectively, and an intermediate position, said detent means arranged to arrest the transmitting mechanisnrirreither of said extreme positions, said transmitting means provided with two disks rotated by said transmitting mechanism in its operation, and between 'hich disks a movable member of the detent means is located, one of said disks provided with means permitting said detent means to occupy the energized position normally, the other disk provided with means for permitting said detent means to go into the deenergized position at a predetermined point in the operation of such mechanism, said disks arranged to hold the detent means in the intermediate position if such predetermined point is passed without said detentmeans going into the deenergized position.

14:. An alarm transmitter for alarm systems such as described, comprising in combination transmitting mechanism, a magnetand detent means controlled thereby and having three positions, viz., positions corresponding to energized and deenergized condition of the magnet re-' spectively, and an intermediate position, said detent means arranged to arrest the transmitting mechanism in either of said extreme positions, said transmitting means provided with two disks rotated. by said transmitting mechanism in its operation, and between which disks a movable u ember of the detent means is located, one of said disks provided with means permitting said detent means to occupy the energized position normally, the other disk provided with means for permitting said detent means to go into the deenergized position at a predetermined p int in the operation of such mechanism, said disks arranged to hold. the detent means in the intermediate position if such predetermined point is passed without said detent means going int-o the de'e'vnergized position, said transmitting mechanism further provided with contact through said magnet at such predetermined point in the operation of the transmitting mechanism.

An alarm transmitter for alarm sys tems such as described, comprising. in combination transmit-ting mechanism, a magnet and detent means controlled thereby and having three positions, viz. two extreme positions corresponding to energized and deiinergized condition St the magnet respectively, and an in't 'mediate position, said detent means arra.=-.-ged to arrest the transmitting mechanism in either of said extreme positions, said transmitting means provided with two disks rotated by said transmitting mechanism in its operation, and between which disks a movable member of the detent means is located, one of said disks provided with means permitting said detent means to occupy the energized position normally, the other disk provided with means for permitting said detent means to go into the deiinergized position at a predetermined point in the operation of such mechanism, said disks arranged to hold the detent means in the intermediate position if such predetermined point 15 passed without sa-id detent means going into the d energized position, contact means for closing circuit through said magnet, and cams onsaid disks arranged to operate said contact means to close vcircuit through sai magnet at such predetermined point in the operation of the transmitting mechanism.

1 16. An alarm transmitter tor alarm systwo extreme means adapted to close circuitncsaeee 11 terns such as described, comprising in combi nation transmitting mechanismincluding clockwork, a magnet, an arm secured to and actuated by said magnet, two disks, arranged. to be rotated by said clockwork, and between which the end of said arm is lo cated, one of said disks having a notch with which such arm engages when the transmitting, mechanism is in normal position, and when the magnet is energized, the other of said diskshaving a notch which is opposite said arm when the transmitting mechanism has run a predetermined. distance, the said arm being arrai'iged' to engage said latter notch when said latter notch is opposite said arm and when the magnet is deenergized, said disks arranged to hold said arm in an intermediate position except when said arm-is opposite one or another of said notches.

17. An alarm transmitter for alarm'systenis such as described, comprising in combination transmitting mechanism including clockwork, a magnet, an arm secured to and actuated by said magnet, two disks, arranged to be rotated by said clockwork, and between which the end of said arm is lo- *ated, one of said disks having a notch with which such arm engages when the transmitting mechanism is in normal position, and

when the magnet is energized, the other of said disks having a notch which is opposite said arm when the transmitting mechanism has run a predetermined distance, the said arm being arranged to e gage said latter notch when said latter notch is opposite said arm and when the 'magnet is de'e'nen gized, said disks arranged to hold said arm in an intern'iediateposition except when said arm is' opposite one or another of said notches, a fly-pin driven by said clockwork, and a notched detent member carried by said arm, the notch of said detent member being in the path of said fly-pin when said arm is in intermediate position, a solid portion of said detent member being in the path of said tly-pin when the arm is in either of said notchesv 18. An alarm system comprising in combination a plurality of alarm-initiating-contact devices, a signal transmitter comprising a controlling magnet and transmitting mechanism controlled thereby, said transmitting mechanism comprising means which, at a predetermined point in thetrans mission of the signal, will arrest the operation of said transmitting mechanism unless the said magnet be then energized, circuits controlled by said contact devices and controlling said transmitter, and comprising a generator, two conductors normally leading from opposite sides of said generator to the sam'e side of each of said contact devices and including said magnet, said conductors ha ring a ground connection, said circuits comprising also return conductors leading from the opposite side of each of said contactdevices to the generator and adapted, when one of said contact devices is operated, to close a short across said magnet, said transmitter comprising transposing contact means, operating during the period when motion of said transn'iitting mechanism will be arrested unless said magnet be energized, which transposing means, when it operates, connects both of said first-named conductors to the same side of the generator and to that side of the generator opposite the side to which .the return conductors are connected, and grourid-connection contact means also operated by said transmitting mechanism and arrangedto connect that side of the normal circuit in which said magnet is located to ground, normally, and to break such ground connection after the ferent of said contact devices, an annunci ating -dev-1ce tor each such. return conductor. and contact means normally closing ashort across said annunciating devices. which contact means is operated by said transmitting mechanism and breaks the short. across said annunciating device momentarily after said transmitting device start to operate, and then closes said short again. c

20. A temperature-alarm system comprismg in combn'iation a length (it tub1ng,a plu rality of fluid-pressure-actuated alarm-int tinting devices connected thereto at various points intermediate its length, an electrically controlled transmitter, arranged to send different signals for trouble, and for alarms, respectively, circuits controlled by said contact device and controlling said transmitter and comprising a plurality of return conductors leading from diiierent contact devices to the generator, an annunciating device for each such return conductor, and contact means normally closing a short across said annunciating devices, which con tact means is operated by said transmitting mechanism in the event of the sending of an alarm signal'for that transmitting mechanism, but is not operated in the event 0? sending of a trouble signal by that transmitting mechanism.

21. An alarm system comprising in combination a plurality of alarm-initiaLingt'contact devices, a signal transmitter compris ing a controlling magnet and transmitting mechanism controlled thereby, said transmitting mechanism comprising means Winch, at a predetermlned point in the transmlsslon of the signal, Will arrest the transmission of that signal unless the said magnet be then energized, circuits controlled by said contact devices and controlling said transmitter, and comprising a generator, two conductors normally leading from opposite sides of said generator to the same side of each of said contact devices and including said magnet, said conductors having a ground connection, said circuits comprising also return conductors loading from the opposite side of each of said contact devices to the generator and adapted, when one of said contact devices is operated, to close a short across said magnet, and ground-connection contact means also operated by said transmitting mechanism and arranged to connect that side of the normal circuit in which said magnet is located to ground, normally, and to break such ground connection after the transmitting mechanism starts to operate; whereby, in the event of development of a ground in the normal circuit leading from said generator through said magnet to said.

contact devices, said magnet will be deenergized by a circuit established through the ground thus developed and the normal ground connection, and the transmitter will be caused to operate.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of tvo subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES Gr. NOLEN.

Vvitnesses H. "M. MARBLE, D. A. DAVIES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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