US1211014A - Dry-pipe valve for automatic fire-extinguishing systems. - Google Patents

Description

E. 0. VAN NESS. DRY PIPE VALVE FOR AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20. l9l6- I 1,21 1,014. v v v Patented Jan. 2,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES INVEIV'TOR g Www {g a M5zwa E M) ATTORNEY E. D. VAN NESS- DRY PIPE VALVE FOR AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTlNGUlSHiNG SYSTEMS.

. v APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20. 1916. 1.21 1,014.;

Patented J an. 2, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

lllll Hill,

I mlrlll III I JTTORNEY rirnn s'ra'rns PA EN orrlos.

EUGENE D. VAN NESS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y,

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, Enonwn I). VAN Nnss, a'citizen of the United States, residin at New York, county and State of New iork,

' have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drylipe valves for Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems, of which the following is a specification.

' This invention relates to improvements in dry pipe valves of automatic fire extinguishing systems and has for its object to provide a dry pipe valve, the operation of which is controlled by electrical members adapted to fuse a portion of the valve mechanism at a prearranged signal actuated at the outbreak of fire. I

A further object is to provide a dry pipe valve having means for applying a fixed degree of compression to, and maintaining it 0 in the water closure of my valve without the useor agency of air or water and independout of thesepressures in the valve chamber. A further object is to provide a dry pipe r valve which will permit the use of a more 5' simplified signal and alarm system in its connections, and one which will eliminate the auxiliary variable pressure alarm systein heretofore'necessary in pneumaticallycontrolled dry pipe valves.

.A further object is to provide a dry pipe valve insuring a more eifective and reliable .water seal and quicker and more reliable operation in case of fire, and one which will eliminate various other defects of pneumatically-controlled valves now in general use.

These and other objects of my invention are described in the annexed specification and are shown in the accompanying drawings, theparticular features of novelty constituting my invention being pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

. 1 Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this specification: Figure 1 is a dia grammatic view showing my invention, the

valve casing and part of the closing mechanism being in section; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig.

3 is a plan view of the fusible link, a part being broken away to show the arrangement of thefusing wires; Fig. 1 is a .side

elevation of astrut forming part of the closing mechanism. a

, m, .1;indi'cates the casing of my valve.

Q is the nozzle of a water supply pipe, and

5 3 the water closure of the same. In order to insure against leakage I prefer to grind Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed June 20, 1916. Serial 1T0. 104,752.

Patented Jan. 2, 191 *7.

the opposing surfaces of the nozzle and the water closure, and a non-corrosive washer 4-, of oiled or rubberized paper or fabric, may be interposed between the nozzle and water closure. The valve casing has hand holes 67, to permit of access to the interior. The water supply pipe 5 may be provided with a shut-off valve 6, and the casing 1 has an outlet 7, leading into a drain pipe 7. A'cutoif valve 8 controls the outlet 7.

At the upper part of the casing l, a riser 9, in open communication with the interior of the said casing, leads to the water delivery.

pipes 10 and sprinkler heads 11 of the sprinkler system. I have shown. in the drawings only one each of such delivery pipes and sprinklerheads, but it will be un-, derstood that all the water delivery pipes 10 of the sprinkler system lead out of the riser 9, and receive their water supply therefrom,

and that said delivery pipesare provided with as many sprinkler heads 11 as are necessary or desirable.

The casing 1 may have flanges 12, 13, which may be bolted to flanges 14, 15, on the main water supply pipe, or it may be secured around the nozzle 2 in any other usual or desired manner.

In the casing 1, at a point approximately opposite to the nozzle 2, I threaded opening 16, to receive a screw 17, or some other means of applying compres sion, and between said screw 17, and the water closure 3, I inter-pose a strut, which I prefer to construct substantially as follows: A foundation piece 18 is-provided with two outwardly extending arms 19, 20, which have a transverse groove 30 on their outer ends-to receive the wedge shaped trunnions 31 of a tipping piece 21 which is retatably mounted thereon.

The head 22 of the tipping piece has a *rceess 23, to receive aeonical end 24 of the water closure; while a pointed end 25 on the foundation piece 18 is adapted to seat in a recess 26 in the end of the means of compression l7. AnL shaped tripping piece 27 is pivotally secured to the foundation piece 18 on a pivot pin 28, which passes through said foundation piece, and the tipping piece has a tongue 29 which extends from the trunnions 21, between the arms 19, 20, to a point near the bottom of the foundation. piece where it normally engages the tripping piece 27, which is adapted, when the parts are in normal position, to hold form a screwring if), of

of the battery 38.

the strut together by preventing the tipping piece 21 from tin-nin but when the tripping piece 27 is allowed to turn upon its pivot pin '28, it permits the tipping piece 21 to turn on its trunnions-31, when the tipping piece and the foundationpiece will fall apart and release the water closure 3.

In order to hold the tripping piece 27 in its normal position, and prevent the tipping piece 21 from turning on its trunnions until a fire occurs, 1 provide a fusible link 32, formed of two approximately L shaped pieces of metal 33, 3+, or other suitable material, which are joined together by fusible solder 85, in which are inserted the wires 36, 37, of an electrical battery 38, the ends of the wires being separated in the solder suliiciently to form an are when the current is closed, which will develop heat sullicient to melt the solder 35, and release the parts 3%, of the link.

The L shaped tripping piece 27 being pivotally secured to the foundation piece 18, one of its arms 89 extends toward the waterclosure 3 a. sullicient distance to engage the tongue 29 of the tipping piece 21, to hold it in its normal position. The other arm 40 has a screweye or hook 4E1 secured to it, which receives a ring 42, made of glass or other non-comlucting material, which is held by a screw-eye or hook 43, which is attached to the part 3 3 of the link The other part 34 of the link 32 is also provided with a screw-eye or hook i which receives a lass or other non-conducting material, wlncl is held by a screw-eye or hook 46, attached to the wall of the casing 1. Thus constructed the link is held insulated except as it is connected to the wires 36, 37, The wires 86, 37, lead from the interior of the fusible solder 35 to binding posts l7, l8, secured to the wall of the casing 1. and from the binding post l? one wire it) leads to the battery 38. while I check valve. (3!, and a cut oil valve (32.

another wire 50, leads from the post +8 to a conta t point 51, on a high and low pressure alarm gage 52, which is of the usual construction except that its index finger 53, is provided with a contact point fi-l, and the gage itself has the low pressure contact point 51, and a high pressure contact point 55, from the latter of which a wire 56 leads to the battery 35. A wire 57 connects the index linger 53 with the battery 38. A pipe 5o, leads from the interior of the gage #12 to the interior of the valve casing 1, and a branch pipe 5%) leads from the pipe .38 to an air pump it). and is provided with av The air pump on is adapted to force air in to the dry pipe valv casing l. to the gage 5'3 through the pipe 8. aml through the riser t) throughout the. water dcli\c.r v pipes 10 aml to the prinkler heads ll of the [ire extinguishing system.

The groove 30 is out of line with the conical end 9i of the water closure 3, and the pointed end 25 of the foundation piece 18, so that as pressure is put upon the strut by the means of compression screw 17, a leverage is formed between the parts, tending to turn the tipping piece 21 on its trunnions 31, and throw its tongue 29 out from between the arms 19, 20, of the foundation piece. But, so long as the fusible link 32 remains together, it will hold the arm 40 of the tripping piece 27 in place, and the other arm 39 of the tripping piece will hold the tongue 29 between the said arms, and prevent the tipping piece from turning. T he moment the fusible solder is melted however, the two parts 33, 3t of the fusible link will separate, releasing the tripping piece 27, and allow the tipping piece 21 to turn on its trunnions 31, until the strut will also fall apart thereby releasing the water closure 3, which with the tipping piece will fall into the bottom of the casing l, and the water in the pipe 5 will be free to how into the riser 9 and through the water delivery pipes 10 to the sprinkler heads 11.

The battery 38 has three cells, 63, 6- 65. The negative pole of the cell 63 is connected with the high pressure contact point of the gage .72. and its positive pole with one binding post of the alarm bell (36. The positive-pole of the cell 6% is connected with the index linger 53 of the gage, and its negative pole to the other binding postof the alarm bell. The negative pole of the cell is connected to the binding'post 47 leading to the fusible link, while its positive pole is grounded.

in operation. the water closure 3 is placed on the nozzle '2 of the water pipe 5, with the non-corrosive washer-4 between the nozzle and closure. The strut is then secured in place between the water closure and means of compression and compression is plied b the screw or other means 17, the usible link being put in place to hold the tripping piece in working position as hereinbefore de scribed. Air is then forced into the valve casing. the gage, the water delivery pipes 10, aml the sprinkler heads, until the index finger 53 of the gage is held by the air pressure at a desired position preferably midway be tween the high and low pressure contact points of the gage. \Vhile all this is being done the. electrical connection between the battery and the fusible link should be interruptcrhbnt when all the parts are inthe above described position, the electrical .conncction may be made. I

The sprinkler heads used in this system may be of any usual or desired construction, but should have a fusible strut adapted to fuse at a prcdctermincd temperature upon the outbreak of lire.

The moment a fire occurs, the sprinkler heads nearest the fire will be acted upon, and their water closures released opening their water delivery pipes when the air in the pipes and in. the valve casing will escape through the open sprinkler heads and out of the gage 52, the index linger 53 of which will move until its contact point 54 strikes the low pressure contact point 51. The instant this occurs a current will pass from cells. 64, (35, through wires ll", 48,,3l}, 37, to the fusible solder 35, making an are which will fuse the solder and. allow the parts 33, 34, of the fusible link to fall apart, allowing the trip ping piece to release the tongue of the'tipping piece, the strut to fall apart releasing the water closure, and allowing water to enter the valve casing, gage, riser, water delivery pipes and. sprinklers. As the water which is under high pressure passes from the casing 1 to the gage, through the pipe 58, the index finger of the gage will be carried around bythe pressure of the water until. its contact point strikes the high pressure contact point 55, completing the circuit' between cells 63, 64 and the alarm bell 66, which will sound an. alarm. The gage and battery with their connections therefore form a signal system one impulse of which causes the fusing ofv the link and releases the water, while the other impulse causes the sounding of the fire alarm.

In other dry-pipe valve systems the water closure is kept upon its seat upon the nozzle of the water pipe by the air pressure in the valve, and consequently it is necessary to maintain a compressed air plant to maintain the requisite air pressure in the valve and system. Furthermore, owing to variations in pressure caused b varying temperatures and other causes, it has also been necessary to maintain what has been called a variable pressure alarm system in connection with these valves. Again, owing to variations in pressure, leakage between the water closure and nozzle has been of frequent occurrence, and in cold weather such systems have been rendered inefficient or in operative by thefrcezing of this water in the valve. 1 overcome all these disadvantages by my constructions. I close the nozzlc of my water pipe by a.water closure held in positive engagement with the nozzle under a predetermined degree of compression,

and in such manner that leakages are im-.

possible. As avery small air pressure is sufficient in my system, a simple air pump, operated by hand, is all that is necessary to n'iaintain the necessary pressure, as l do not use the air for holding the water closure, but only for the purpose oi actuating the alarm and signal system, and the electrical fusing curilnt. I

My fusible link is sensitive and positive in action, while my strut, being under a high I degree of compression. not onlvholds the ater closure positively and rigidly to its seat on the nozzle of the water inlet so that no leakage can possibly occur, but it acts instantly and forcibly to release the closure to permit the flow of water, and" also in sounding an alarm.

Having now described my invent-inf what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is rreleased by the electrical fusing of a portion of its mechanism, and an electrical system connected therewith adapted to communicate a fusing impulse to said mechanism upon the outbreak of fire.

l. A dry pipe valve having means for applying and maintaining a fixed degree of compression upon its closing mechanism without the use of air or water and independent of any of these pressures in its valve chamber or system piping, and electrically fusible means controlling the release of said closing mechanism.

5. In fire extinguishing systems, a dry pipe valve having a valve chamber in open communication with a. sprinkler system, a water supply pipe opening into said chamher and closing mechanism therefor which includes a strut, and electrically fusible means for controlling said strut and adapted to operate the same upon the outbreak of fire. i V 6. In lire extinguishing systems, a dry pipe valve having a valve chamber in open communication with a sprinkler system, a, water supply pipe opening into said chamber, a water closing mechanism for said pipe which includes a strut which is interposed bctwccn said closing mechanism and exterior supporting means, means for applying compression to said strut, and elec trically fusible means controlling said strut and adapted to operate the same at the outbreak of fire.

-7. A dry pipe valve for automatic fire extinguishment, comprising a valve chamber, a water supply pipe and closing mechanism therefor, and electrical members adapted at one impulse to fuse a portion of said closing mechanism upon the out break ol lire or other prearranged signal, .aud to sound an alarm at another impulse thereof.

8. In a dry pipe valve for automatic fire strut normally holding said closure under.

pressure, a :i'usible link controlling said strut, and means for electrically fusing said link at a prearranged condition of the system.

10. In tire extinguishing systems, a dry pipe valve having a valve chamber, a water supply pipe opening into said chamber, a

nter closure for said pipe, a strut engaging said water closure, means for a pplying compression upon said strut, a fusible link controlling said strut, and means for electrically fusmg said link.

11. In tire extinguishing systems, a dry pipe valve having a valve chamber, a water supply pipe opening into said chamber, a

water closure for said pipe, a closure arranged within said chamber and normally holding said closure in operative position,

a fusible link controlling said strut, and means for electrically fusing said link at a prearranged condition of the system.

1'1. In lire extinguishing systems, a dry pipe valve having a valve chamber, a water supply pipe opening into said chamber, a water closure for said pipe, adjustable means for compressing said closure against said pipe, :1 fusible link controlling the operation of said adjustable means, andmeans l'or electricallyfusing said link at a prearranged condition of the system.

in. testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of mo subscribing witnesses. this 17th day of June, 1915.

EUGENE D. VAN NESS.

\Vi tuesses:

WILLIAM E. Riel-mans, (banners Rirssnrn

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