US1169692A

US1169692A - Alarm-controller for sprinkler systems.

Info

Publication number: US1169692A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nathan H Suren
Original assignee: GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH
Current assignee: GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH Co; GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH
Priority date: 1914-04-06
Filing date: 1914-04-06
Publication date: 1916-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1933-01-25

Description

N. H. SUREN.

ALARM CONTROLLER FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED APRTG, I9I4.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

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1,169,692. I a a To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHAN H. SoREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Needh'am, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have nvented an Improvement in Alarm-Controllers for Sprinkler Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an lmprovement in alarm-controllers designed to be used 1n connection with sprinkler and simllar systems.

The invention is primarily designed for indicating, through suitable alarm-mechanism the flow of water, whereby a sub-normal pressure condition is produced 1n the sprinkler pipes, the constructlon being such as to avoid sounding an alarm upon occurrence of slight fluctuations in the pressure, due, for example, to the condition known as water-hammer, whereby false alarms are obviated.

The invention, broadly stated, comprehends a check-valve directly controlling communication between what may be termed the. supply and service pipes of the system, and a'pressure-control element operatively connected with the check-valve which is operated by the supply-pressure and controlled by the service-pressure, said element directly being arranged to govern a circuitcontroller for an alarm.

The invention also comprehends the provision of a yielding connection between the check-valve and pressure-control element, whereby the check-valve is caused to remain in engagement with its seat or to be immediately restored if lifted by sudden or momentary fluctuations in the pressure.

The invention also comprehands the provision of a variable movement for the circuit-contr'dler, whereby it is permitted to move bodily through a limited distance, and during such movement to maintain continuity ofthe circuit, thereby providing for slight movements of the pressure-control element due to water-hammer and the like.

Figlrre 1 is a central vertical section through the improved alarm-controller, the parts-being shown in elevation. Fig. 2 is a. side elevation with the end wall removed. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line AB of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line C-D of Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of my invention, as

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. April 3, 1914, Serial K0. 829,883.

Patented J an. 25, 1916.

here shown, 1 represents a casing havin a conduit pr passage 3, through it, am? a supply-plpe 6 communicates with the inlet end of the casing, and the service pipe 7 communicates with the outlet end of the casmg, so that the conduit 3, constitutes a direct means of communication between the supply 'pipe and.service pipe. Near the lower end-portion of the casing 1, and w thln the conduit an inwardly extending annular lip 8 is arranged, which serves as a valve-seat, and said seat is preferably inclined with respect to the transverse line of the case. a

A pivotally supported check-valve 9 is arranged to cooperate with the seat 8, and' when in engagement therewith, the continuity of the conduit 3 is interrupted. The wall of the conduit 3, adjoining the seat 8, is formed with a recess 10, and the checkvalve 9 has arranged on it above said recess,

a roll 11, which projects from the edge thereof and when the check-valve is raised said roll will enter and move in said recess thereby to guide and assist in supporting the check-valve; and said check-valve has on its under side a downwardly extended ear, engaging its pivotal connection which also assists in guiding and supporting the checkvalve, particularly against downwardmovement, when elevated.

At the lower end-portion of the casing a lateral extension 2 is formed having a passage 5 through it communicating at one end with the conduit 3, and its other end has fitted into it an extensible element 13, in the form of a hollow cylindrical bodyflhaving a convoluted wall to admit of longit dinal extension and contraction thereof. The opposing end of the cylinder is closed by a cap 14, having a surface area within the cylinder approximating the surface area of the check-valve 9. The cap 14 is directly connected to the check-valve through the medium of a rod composed of telescopically end with the lever 18,-said spring acting contractively to shorten the connections .be tween the cap and check-valve and thereby hold the sections 16 and 17 of the telescopic rod abutted together at their adjacent ends and the check-valve on its seat or to restore it in case it is lifted by a sudden or momentary change in the pressure.

The cap 14 is provided in its upper portion with a cross-bar 20 to the terminals of which are connected

springs

21, 21, secured at their lower ends in any adjustable manner to the wall of the case, as shown in Fig. 2. These springs act to oppose the extension of the cylinder 13, and are adjusted to hold the cap in a predetermined position with the check-valve closed upon its seat at a minimum predetermined pressure in the service pipe.

Pivotally supported on ears 22, pro ect1ng from the casing, above the cap 14, is the circuit-controller 23, by which the alarm is controlled. This controller comprises the circuit-terminals which are actuated through a pin 24, of insulating material, extending outwardly from the cap 14, a spring 25 being secured to the circuit-controller and to the partition to insure a downward tendency of the circuit-controller in order that its engagement with the pin 24 will be maintained on slight fluctuations or movements of the head 14. The cylinder 13 and circuit-controller 23 may be inclosed.

An alarm-motor service-pipe 26 leads into the conduit 3, and has its upper open end controlled by a diaphragm 27 carried by the check-valve 9.

The wall of the case above the check-valve is or may be formed with a side-opening adapted to be closed by a removable cover 29, to provide access to the interior of the case when desired.

When the sprinkler-system is empty, the check-valve 9 is positively held open due to the contractive force of the

springs

21, 21, and the contractive movement of tie cylinder 13, and the consequent operation of the lever 18. When the water is first turned on and passes through the alarmcontroller, the conduit 3 provides a means for delivering such water to the sprinklingsystem beyond the casing until such system is filled. Immediately succeeding the filling of the system, the incoming water fills the cylinder 13, and extends the same against the pressure of the springs 21, and against the inherent resiliency of the cylinder. This extensive movement of the cylinder continues until the cap 14 has been moved to a position, which, through the medium of the center-rod and lever 18, the check-valve 9 is actuated to close upon its seat; and the cap 14 when thus moved into operative position, that is with the water pressure static, will engage the circuit-terminals to maintain them closed, which, as here shown, is the non-alarm or normal position, as represented in Fig. 1.

When the check-valve is closed upon its seat it is substantially balanced by the pressure upon both sides of it, and as said checkvalve is of substantially the same area as the cap 14, the pressures acting thereupon will tend to hold the check-valve inert. When the pressure in the service pipe or other adjunct of the sprinkler-system becomes sub-normal from any cause, the normal balance of the check-valve is removed, and the pressure on the supply side of said valve is sufiicient to force the valve open.

This also reduces the pressure in the cylinder 13, permitting contraction of the latter, with the effect to open the circuit-terminals and sound the alarm, and while such contractive movement of the cylinder is purposely not immediate yet is positive, thereby to insure operation of the alarm. In case the pressure in the supply-pipe be comes sub-norma1 from any cause the pressure in the service'pipe will hold the checkvalve on its seat, and through the intermediate connections between said valve and the cap 14, said cap will be held in its normal position, notwithstanding the pressure in the cylinder is reduced. In any case fluctuations in pressure, as from waterhammer or other cause will not result in an alarm, which of course would prove a false alarm. This advantage is gained, as here shown, by the connection of the checkvalve 9 with the cap 14 through the tele scopic-rod connection, and the spring 15, as for instance upon a sudden lifting movement of the check-valve 9, the sections of the telescopic-rod will be separated and the spring 15 will be extended; and upon a sudden lifting movement of the cap 14, said sections of the rod will be separated and the

springs

15 and 21 and the corrugated cylinder will or may be extended, but immediately upon cessation of the increased pressurle the aforesaid parts will return to norma From the above construction, it will be obvious that any abnormal variation in pressure in the service pipes will be indicated by a proper alarm which is caused to operate by a reduction of pressure on the service side of the check-valve, but that false alarms will not be sounded, as the apparatus prevents alarm actuation under slight fluctuations in pressure.

I claim 1. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems or the like, including a balanced automatic check-valve controlling direct communication between the supply and service sides of said system, having movable balancing means open to the pressure from the supply side of the system connected flexibly iso to the check-valve and arranged to control an alarm only when the balancing means moves downward, substantially as described.

2. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems or the like including a check-valve controlling direct communication between the supply and service sides of said system, and means open to the pressure from the supply side of the system, including an alarm-controlling element, and a yielding connection between said element andrcheck-valve, substanti ally as described.

3. An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems and the like, including a balanced automatic check-valve controlling direct communication between the supply and service sides of said system, having balancing means open to the pressure from the supply side of the system and connected with the checkvalve, and a circuit controller operated when the check-valve opens and the balancing means contracts, substantially as described.

4. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems and the like including a check-valve controlling direct communication between the supply and service sides of said system, movable means-open to the pressure from the supply side of the system and connected to thecheck-valve, and a circuit-controller operative by said means, said circuit-controller being mounted for a limited movement in correspondence with the movement of said means, substantially as described.

5. An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems and the like including a check-valve controlling direct communication between the supply and service sides of the system,

movable means open to the pressure from the supply side of the system, a yielding connection between said means and the checkvalve, and a circuit-controller for an alarm operative by said means, said circuit-controller being arranged for a limited movement in correspondence with the movement of said means, substantially as described.

6. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems including a casing formed to provide a conduit forming a communication between the supply and service sides of the system, a check-valve arranged in the conduit, an extensible actuator in open communication with the pressure from the supply side of the system, means to connect said actuator with said check-valve and a circuit-controller for an alarm arranged to be operated by said actuator, substantially as described.

7 An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems including a casing formed to provide a conduit forming a communication between the supply and service sides of the system, a check-valve arranged in the conduit, a corrugated cylinder closed at one end and its other end being in open communication with the pressure from the supply side of the system, means to connect said cylinder with pressure from the supply side of the system,

a cap closing the upper end of the cylinder, a yielding connection between the cap and valve, and a circuit-controller movably supported above the cap, substantially as described.

9. An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems and the like including a casing formed to provide a conduit forming a communication between the supply and service sides of the system, a check-valve arranged in the conduit, an extensible cylinder open at its lower end to the pressure from the supply side of the system, a cap closing the upper end of the cylinder, a lever supported within the casing and connected at one end to the valve, a telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of the lever with said cap, a spring also connecting said opposing end of the lever and the cap and a circuit-controller for an alarm arranged for operation by said extensible cylinder, substantially as described.

10. .An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems and the like including a casing formed to provide a conduit forming communication between the supply and service sides of the ranged in the casing and controlling passage of the fluid through the casing from the supply side to the service side of the system, an extensible cylinder open at one end to the pressure from the supply side of the system and closed at the opposite end, a lever supported Within the casing and connected at one end to the valve, a telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of the lever and the closed end of the casing, and a springpressed yielding circuit-controller mounted in the casing above the closed end of-the cylinder, whereby to permit said controller a limited movement in correspondence with the-movement of the closed end of the casing, substantially as described.

12. An alarm-controller for sprinklersystems including a casing, 21, check-valve therein and controlling passage of the fluid through the casing from the supply side to the service side of the system, an extensible cylinder open at one end to the pressure supply side of the system, a cap closing the opposite end of the cylinder, a lever supported within the casing andconnected at one end to the valve, a spring-controlled telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of the lever and the cap, and a movably mounted circuit-controller arranged in the casing above the cap, substantially as described.

13. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems including a casing, a check-valve therein and controlling passage of the fluid through the casing from the supply side to the service side of the system, an extensible cylinder open at one end to the pressure supply side of the system, a cap closing the opposite end of the cylinder, a lever supported within the casing and connected at one end to the valve, 2. spring-controlled telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of the lever and the cap, and a movably mounted circuit-controller arranged in the casing above the cap, and springs mounted to oppose the extensible movement of the cylinder, substantially as described.

14. An a1arm-controller for sprinkler-s stems including a casing, a check-Va ve therein and controlling passage of the fluid through the casing from the supply'side to the service side of the system, an extensible cylinder open at one end to the pressure supply side of the system, a cap closing the opposite end of the cylinder, a lever supported within the casing and connected at one end to the valve, a spring-controlled telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of the lever and the cap, and a movably mounted circuitcontroller arranged in the casing above the cap, and a spring actuating the circuit-controller toward the cap, substantially as described.

15. An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems including a casingformed to provide the supply and service sides of the system,

a check-valve arranged in the conduit and name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

NATHAN H. SUREN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD J. BUTLER, CLARENCE O. BISSETT.

.a conduit forming communication between