US1516608A

US1516608A - Detection of suspended matter in gases

Info

Publication number: US1516608A
Application number: US480967A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kidde Walter; Barzillai G Worth
Original assignee: Walter Kidde and Co Inc
Current assignee: Kidde Inc
Priority date: 1921-06-28
Filing date: 1921-06-28
Publication date: 1924-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1941-11-25
Also published as: NL14479C; DE394973C; FR542978A; GB191856A

Description

l W. K|DDE ET .AL

DETECTION 0F SUSPENDED MATTER IN,GAsEs Fired une ze 1921 4 sheets-sheet s' Tube ,V0.1 Tube Nov, 25, 1924.

v .l y w. KIDDE ET A1.

\.DE' IECTIQN OF SUSPENDED MATTER IN GASES Filed Juney 2,8.

1321 4 sheets-sheet 4' atented Nov. 25, 1924.

UNITED STATES IAliliNT oFF1cE.

WALTER HIYDE, 0F MONTCLAJIB., AND IBARZILL'AI GL WOBTH,'OF WESTOBANGE, NEW

JERSEY, JERSEY.

ASSIGNOBS TO KIDDE & rC0MPANY,".A GORPOBALTIQN 0F NEW DETECTION 0F SUSPENDED MATTER IN GASES;l

application nieuwe as, 1921. serial no, 480,967.

nue, West Orange, N. J.), have jointly invented certain new and useful Improverrients in Detection of Suspended Matter 1n ases Our invention herein described has fory its, object the detection and observation of suspended matter in air or other gases. is` particularly applicablerto the detection lof very minute uantities of Smoke in air,

but is equally e ective in the detection of suspended dust particles, partially condensed vapors and other forms of suspended matter, the detection and observation of which may be desirable in various arts. A. specific embodiment of the invention relates to the detection yof smoke in apparatus for indicating and extinguishing fires in vessels or buildings, and particularly of the type vdisclosed in Patent No. 1,343,911, .June 22, 1920, wherein a pipe leads from each of several compartments of the vessel to an.

indicating cabinet whereby a fir'e originating in any compartment will betray its presence by smoke issuing from the mouth of the corresponding pipe in the indicatin cabinet, and can thereupon be extinguishe by 'directing a fire extinguishing gas` or vapor through said pipe.' tJ is obvious that the detection of a lire' should be made as speedily as possible after its inception, and itis therefore important that the presence `of smoke in the indicating cabinet should be observed even when' it exists in very minute quantities.` To permit a lire tov smolder until relatively large amounts of' smoke are produced obviously increases .the time required toextinguish the same. By our present invention we are able to detect with entire certainty the presence of i smoke man times less in amount than could be posslbly observed by its issuance int'oi a generally light cabinet fromthe mouths ofy the detectorpipes asdisclosed in ourpatent above referred to. i

Broadly stated our invention consists 1n 4 ew. Jerseyy (post-oliice addressNo. 422 Gregory Aveleading the smoke, vapor or other finely suspended `matter into a chamber from which general illumination is excluded and utilizing alight beam so directed as to be substantially invisible, the finely suspended `matter being caused toA progress. through the beam whereby the particles will become villuminated by reflection, and their presence thus manifested. Our invention as thus broadly defined may be carried out in many different ways, some of which are illustrated in the accom anying drawings forming part of this speci cation and lto which attention is now directed.

In the drawings:

Fig. vhows more or less diagrammatic- It ally the constituent parts of a lire indicating and extinguishing system ofthe type dis.

closed in our patent referred to, illustrating a convenient arrangement for detectin the presence` of vsmoke luing from any o the detector pipes.

Fig. 2, an enlarged view partly iny section of the kdetecting device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3; a diagrammatic view illustrating the possibility of using two sources of i1- lumination withk a large number of detector pipes. n

Fig. 4, a modification showing a single source of illumination with a plurality of r`detector pipes, the smoke passing transversely through the light beam.

Fig. 5, shows lan alternative arrangement in which the lightbeamis projected.k downward into a tube; and

Fig. 6, an alternative form ,of observation ltube in which'the observationy is effected throu h thek transparent wall of a continuousftu Inall of the above views corresponding parts are represented by the same` numerals.

In apparatusheretofore used for detecting smoke'or other su ended matter issuing from an orifice, it has een usual to observe the issuing jet by lsimple unaided vision, the smoke being seen in the general illumination of daylight or otherdiused general illurmnation.v This is leffective when the smoke or suspended ymatter is suiiicienfv from'fa *concealed source and observing the illuminated particles from a "direction oblique to: that of the beam. When the gasior vapor is freev from suspended matter,

but if suspende matter exists even in vminute quantities the particles-'cause difof which detector pipeslead to an indicafraction or reflection of the light which thus becomes visible as a -`continuous and 'pr longed beam. -In the preferred formgof the apparatus where the light is projected Athrough ythe, Atube from which the particle- 'be'aringgas or vapor issues, from' a source or vmirror .inV the`.axis of fthe tube, the

vslightest trace of! suspended matterrv will cause anl appearance as offa glowing coal in themouth of the tube, witha'shaftv'of light "projecting from it. This not only in- 'I creases enormously the detectingv sensitivit of the apparatus, but produces a visual e -fect ysostriking as Jtov arrestA attention at once', being thus highly eiicientfas fa': tire alarm.-y Byvmeans of this invention, smoke or other suspended matter is rendered clear? ly` Visible whenso highlyV attenuated that itcannotv be detected byv ordinary observation; f'

1 Referring rst to' Fig. 1, a pipel is shown n leadingfrom the valve 'cabinet 2 to a com- 30 l j vided with a hood 4 located preferabl near 'partment`3, the eiid of the pipe'beig prothe top of the compartment. It 'will e understood of course that Aas many of these pipes l are employed as may 'be needed to reach -the several compartments ofthe ship or other structure with which the'apparatus is used. Each pipe is provided with a valve 5 which `may' be opened to permit steam or other extinguishing medium to pass from the header 6 to which the steam pipe 7 leads, withk main valve V8 therein. Ifvdesired, carbon-dioxide or other re eX- ti'nguishingirgaspmay be admitted to the lligadr 6 from the gas tank 9 throughvalves 1 Leading from each ofthe extinguishing pipesyl is a detector orv smoke pipe 11, all

tor cabinet 12y having a transparent Vfront `13. Each detector pipe` is provided with a valve 14 'which is norm-all opened, "and each valve is provided with'av ever 15 extending down" over the hand-wheel of the corre'- sponding steam valve,.so that before the steam valve can `be opened'the corresponding smoke valve. 14 must be `first closed to lprevent steam` from entering the detector' pipe. This special arrangement of interlocking ,valves is not claimedy herein, but is madek the Subject. of a separate application Serial No.l (180,966 filed b us on even date herewith.iy Suction; wit in thefdetectolPipes is created by a fan 16 as shown, whereby a vcirculation will be maintained from the several compartments, and any erably at an angle. as shown, and the observation tube bein located in the bottom of the indicator lca inet whereby the gas or vapor with its suspended matter will be drawn outthrou'gh the mouth ofthe obser- `vation tube. Coaxial with the observation 'tube 17 is asourceof light 18 which'may be lan incandescent lamp located ydirectly `in the axis as shown in Fig. 6,' or a mirror or lprism 19 l and 2.

InfFig. 2, we .show observatlon tube No.

in the axis yasrshown` in Figs.

l2 as receiving light directly from the lamp 18, andthe other tubes equipped with mirrors so that the light from the same lamp is reflected" axiallyfthrough the tube. Light is thus caused to pass through the tube in the same direction as the current of gas or vapor, forming a beam in which the suspended matter is strongly illuminated. As an alternative the light may be projected ina direction opposite to the gas flow asin Fig. 5. 'n Preferably the beam is concentrated by a lens 20 or equivalentmeans.

`Thev 'orifice or observing portion of the. )tube :is so llocated that the observer views -it from a position out ofthe lpath ofthe beam or beams, that is, from anangle'oblique to the beam orv beams, as indicated in Fig. l, so that the light is completely invisible when the gas is clear and clean, but any suspended matter acts as a secondary source of lightand appears as an illuminated shaft of strikingvisibility. Y

In the simple arrangement of F ig. 2 Vthe source of light 18. is shown as an incandescent lamp. The lens 20fis shown as va convex lens mounted in the axisof the robservation -tube 1 7 or. in an offset, and projecting a concentrated 'beam of'light through the orifice or' mouth of the tube. We prefer to employ a lens having a relatively large aperture with relation toits focallength so as to utilize asy large a cone of light as possible pointv a short distance above theforifice Yof the observation tube' as indicated in Figsr. 2, 5 and' 6, the point of focus` beingv shown in directiline with the observers eye when placed at a convenient ypoint out of -the path of the beam. Thisy arrangement results in a highly effective illumination.

Instead lof projecting 4the beam of light on the gas or vaporissuing'from the orifice froma point within the orifice, the process may be reversed, a light beam being projected toward the `t-ube from the outside as from the lamp18, and the distance of-jthe lamp from the lensvis preferably so chosen' asto focus an 'image'of the filament at a shown in Fig. 5.v lThe source of light, 18 is'. shown vprojecting a beam through a convex v lens 20 to a focal point located a short distance from the orifice of the indicator tube 17. In this case the entire tube constitutes the gas or vapor channel, the branch 11 being omitted, and the light entering the tube from the source above is absorbed without producing a glare visible to the observer.

For the sake of simplicity of construction, we prefer to locate the tubes approximately in a circle or circles with the source of light at they center. 'This arrangement has the advantage of permittting the optical systems of'all the tubes in a given circle to be made identical or substantially so. Such an arrangement of tubes is shown in plan,

view in Fi 3 where two sources of illumination X serve to illuminate alarge number of observation tubes arranged around the source of illumination in substantially concentric circles. To prevent the cutting off ofthe light from the tubes in the outer cir'clesthe tubes may be arranged either between those in the inner circle ,or in different uertical planes, Las shown in F ig. 2, the angle of the'mirrors being properly selected to project the light beam axially throu h the observation tube.

We prefer to emp oy a clear glassy window 2l at the lower opening of the observation tubes, as shown in Fig. 2 (see tubes Nos. 2 and 3, Fig. 2), in order to protect the optical surfaces of the lens 2O and mirror 19 from dust. Instead of this arrangement the lens itself may be located at this point. (see tube No. 1, Fig. 2), in which case the clear glass takes `the place of the lens. above the mirror. Thus all optical surfaces are protected except those that are readily accessible for cleaning. Each observation tube is made of two sections, as shown in Fig. 2, telescoping together as with common optical instruments and clamped in position by a lgrip ring 22, thus permitting both vertical and angular adjustment and allowing also the lower section of any tube to be removed for the purpose of cleaning the same.

While we prefer to employ an observation tube terminatin in an open mouth or orifice as described, this is not necessary and sometimes, as in the case of noxious gases, not desirable. For example the tube may be continuous and its observation portion 23 made of glass or other transparent materiak as in 'F ig. 6. In this case care should be taken to prevent the beam of light from striking the glass and thus producing a visible illumination. This may be done by restricting the diameter of the tube at the` point 24, as shown.

, Another alternative arrangement is shown in Fig. 4. Here the light beam is not axial with the tube as in the preferred fornabut vis projected horizontally above a row of it impinges upon suspended matter issuing-l from the orifice of one of the observation tubes. With this modification of the invention, two plano-convex lens y27 are employed to form a parallel light beam which projects across the mouths of the observation tube.

The. operation of the device has been al- `ready generally indicated. Normally the steam valves 5 are closed and the valves 14 opened so that the suction fan 16 will cause a circulation of air from within` all the compartments or rooms of a, ship or buildf ingor other structure to be protected. Preferably a perforated plate 28 is mounted near the top of the observation cabinet 12, .so as to secure a uniform suction over the whole area lof this, cabinet, whereby the smoke issuing` from the orifice of the observation tubes will be drawn directly upward following the path ofthe light beams and not deflected by eddies. Obviously any other form of exhaust which produces a substantially uniform flow ofair or gas may be employed. A canopy or screen 29 prevents the Vobserver from seeing the upper blackened portion of the indicator cabinet in Awhich the light is absorbed without producing a distracting glare. ln case fire occurs in any of the compartments, its presence will be indicated by smoke passing up through the detector pipe Vand throughl the corresponding observation tube. By reason of the illuminating device described, vthis smoke even when extremely attenuated will be readily and strikingly indicated. The observer, noting the orifice from which the smoke passes and thus locating the compartment in which fire has occurred, will thereupon proceed to close the valve 14 of the corresponding detector pipe and open the steam valve`5 thereof, whereby steam will be allowed to enter the compartment and thus extinguish the iiire. VWhen the valve cabinet 2 1s located at aj: distance from the detector cabinet, for instance, at or near the engine room, the proper instructions as to location of the fire will be given by telephone or otherwise. v

It will be readily understood that the means for observing suspended matter here set forth is applicable not only to the detection of smoke, but it may be used also fora variety of other purposes.I Among the possible. .applications of the invention may be mentioned thevobservation of flue gases from furnacesfor detecting suspended solid matter due to incomplete composition, the

ag now described our invention, what We claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s asfollows:

1. The -method of bserving suspended matter in a gas or vapor, which consists in causing a stream of as or vapor to flow into the path of a liglgit beam normally invisible to the observer, and observing the illuminated suspended matter from a point out of the path of the light beam, substantially as set forth.v

2. The ,method of observing suspended vmatter in a'gas or vapor,'vvhich consists in causing a restricted stream of gas or vapor` to flow in' contact with a light beam ,normally invisible to the observer, and observing the illuminated suspended matter' from a point out of the path of the light beam.

3. The method of observing suspended matter in a gas or vapor which consists in'4 causing a stream of gas to flow through a tube, illuminating the gasor vapor stream 4by a light. beam normally invisible to the observer, and observing the illuminated suspended matter from a point out of the path of the light beam, substantially as set forth.

4.' 4The method of observing suspended matter in a vgas or vapor, which consists ink causing a stream of gas orV .vapor to flow parallel with a light beam and observing the illuminatedy suspended matter from a point out of the path of the beam, substantially as set forth. Y

5. The method of yobserving suspended ymatter in a gas or vapor, which consists kin causing ap'stream of gas or vapor to fiow parallel with a light beam normally invisible to thel observer, and observing the stream from a point Where it becomes visible by diffraction 'o r' reection when suspended matter is present, substantially as set forth. d. The method of observing suspended matter in a gasl or vapor, which consists in causing a stream of gas or vapor to flow throu h a tube, illuminating the gas stream Y by a light beamalso traversingthe tube and observing the illuminated suspendedmatter from a point out of thefpath of the beam, substantially'as set forth.

7. llie method 0f observing suspended matter in a gas or vapor which consists in causing'the gas or vapor With its suspended matter to issue from an orifice, projecting a beam of light in line with .the stream of gas and observing the illuminated matter from a point out of the path of the beam.

8. The method of observing suspended in a4 gas or Vapor, which consists in causing the gas with its suspended matter to' issue from an orifice, projecting a beam- .of light through the orifice on the matter issuing thereon, and observing the illuminated matter from a point out of the pathl of the beam, substantially as set forth.

9. The method of observing suspended matter in agas or vapor which consists' in causing the gas or' vapor with its suspended mattei' to issue from an orifice, projecting suspended matter to pass through a tube, 1

projecting a lconcentrated axial beam off light through they tube from a source ex ternal tothe tube,y and yobserving the illuminated matter from an an le oblique to the vvaxis, substantially as set orth.

11. The method of observing suspended sists in causing the gas and suspended matter to issue from an orifice, projecting solid matter in a gas or vapor, which conthrough the orifice a beam of light normally vinvisible to the observer,- but becoming Visible by diffraction or reflectioniwhensuspended solid matter is present, substantially as set forth.

12. Apparatus for detecting suspended matterin gases, in which are combined an observation tube, means for causing a current of gas with suspended matter to flow through the tube, means for projecting a `beam of light through the tube parallelwith its axis, and means for observing the illumif nated suspended matter froman angle ob-fl lique to the axis, substantially as set forth.

13. An apparatus for detecting suspended matterin gases, in which are combinedan observation orifice, means for passing a cur, rent of gas .or vapor with its sus ended l matter through the orifice, a source o light,

means for projecting a concentrated beamfrom said sourcethrough the gas or Vapor current, and means for observing the illumie nated suspended matter from a point out of the path of the beam, substantially as set forth.

14.-. An apparatus for detecting suspended vmatter in gases or vapors, in which are combined an observation orifice, means for passing a current of gas of vapor with its suspended matter through the orifice', a source of light, means for rojecting a concentrated beam from said) source axially with respect to the gas or vapor current, and `means for observing the illuminated lsuspended matter froma point', outfjof the path of the beam.

15. An apparatus for detecting suspended matter in gases or vapors, in which are com-r bined an' observation orifice, means for passing a current of gas or vapor withits suspended matter through the orifice, a source of light, means for projecting a concentratled beam from said source through said orifice, and means for observing the illuminated suspended matter from a point out of the path of the beam, substantially as set fort f 16. An apparatus for detectingy suspended matter in gases or vapors, in which are combined an observation orifice, means for causing a current of gas or vapor with suspended matter to issue from said orifice, a source of light located out of the axis of the orifice, and a mirror located in said axis and projecting an axial beam from said source through the orifice, substanitally as set forth.

17. An apparatus for detecting suspended matter in gases or vapors, in which are com bined an observation orifice, means for causing a current Yof gas or vapor with `suspended matter to issue from said orifice, a source of light located out f the axis of `the orifice, a mirror located in said axis and projecting an axial beam from said source through the orifice, and a lens for concentrating said beam, substantially as set forth.

18. An apparatus for detecting suspended matter in gases or vapors, in which are combined a plurality of observation orifices, means for passing currents of gas or vapor with its suspended matter through said orifices, a single source of light, means for projecting a concentrated beam from said source with respect to the several orifices and in contact with the several gas or vapor currents, and means for observing the illuminated suspended matter from a point out of the path of the several beams, substantially as set forth.

19. An apparatus for detecting suspended matter in gases, in which are combined a plurality of observation orifices, means for passing currents of gas or vapor with its suspended matter through said orifices, a single source of light, means for projecting a cencentrated beam from said source axially with respect to the several gas or'vapor currents, and means for observing the illuminated suspended matter from a point out of the path of the beam, substantially as set forth. l

20. An apparatus for detectin suspended matter in gases, in which are com ined a plurality of observation orifices, means for passing a current of gas or vapor With its suspended matter through the several orifices, a source of light, means for projecting a concentrated beam from'said source through each of the several orifices, and means for observing the illuminated suspended matter from a point out of the paths of the beams, substantially as set forth.

21. An apparatus for detecting suspended matter, in which are combined a plurality of observation orifices arranged substantially circularly, a single source of light located centrally with respect to the several orifices, means for passing a current of gas or vapor with its suspended matter through sev-` eral orifices, means for projecting a concentrated beam from a" single source axially `through each orifice, and means for observing .the illuminated suspended matter from apolnt out of the path of thebeam, substantially as set forth.

23. An apparatus for detecting suspended matter in gases, in which are combined a plurality of observation orifices arranged ap,

proximately in concentric circles, a single source of light centrally located with respect to ysaid orifices, means for passing a current of gas or vaporwith its suspended matter through the several orifices, means for projectmg a concentrated beam from said source axially with respect to the several orifices, and means for observing the illuminated suspended matter from a point out of the paths of the beams` substantially as set forth.

24. An apparatus for detecting suspended matter in ases or vapors, in which are combined a p urality of observation orifices located approximately in concentric circles, a single source of light centrally located with respect to said orifices, means for passing a current of gas with its suspended matter through the several orifices, means for projecting a concentrated beam from the single source through the several orifices, and means for observing the illuminated suspended matter from a point out of the paths of the beams, substantiallyas set forth.

25. An apparatus for detecting suspendedY matter in gases, comprising in combination an observation cabinet, means yfor exhausting air therefrom, a plurality of observation ori-v fices opening into said cabinet, connections for admitting gas or vapor with suspended matter to said orifices whereby currents of gas or vapor will flow therefrom, means for projecting light in contact with the gas 4or vapor currents, and means for observing the illuminated suspended matter from an angle l blique to the axis, substantially as set ort 26. An apparatus for 'detecting suspended matter in gases, comprising in combination an observation cabinet, means for exhausting air therefrom, a plurality of observation orifices leading into the cabinet, connections luminatedsuspended matter from. a point .for 'projectingV4 a concentrated light beam axially with respect 1to each orifice, p and means for observing, ,the illuminated! suspended matter from apoint out of the paths of the beams, substantiallyas set forth. 4

27. An apparatus .for detecting suspendedl matter in gases, comprising in combination an observation chamber, means Jfor exhausting air therefrom,l aplurality of observation .orifices leading'ntosaid chamber, rmeans for admitting gas or vapor with rits suspended matter n to each orifice, vwhereby a current of .gas or vaporwilly issue therefrom, means Jfor projecting a o concentrated light beam throughl each oriice,'and means 'for observingl the 11# out of the paths ofthe beams, substantially as set forth. l

28. apparatus for detecting suspended matter in gases, comprising inv combination an observation cabinet, means for exhausting air therefrom, connections for admitting gas orvapor with its suspended matter to each orifice,l whereby currents of gas or vapor will issue therefrom, a single source 1 29'. An apparatus for detecting suspended beam from' said source axi ly. with respect 30 to the s everai orifcespand means ffor obpservinglthe illuminatedv suspended matter t from apoint out; of the paths' of' the beams,

substantially asset forth.

matter in gases, comprising incombination van observation cabinet-.means for Aexhaust Ing a1r therefrom, Vaplurality of observation orifices leading into ysaid cabinet, connections for admitting gas or vapor with its suspended matter to saidforicesrwhereby currents of'gas orf'vapor will issue therefrom,a sin-A gle source of. light, means for .projecting a concentrated beam from said source, .through eachyof the several orifices, and means for "observing the illuminatedgsuspended matter, ,from a point outyof the paths ofthebeam's, substantially as lse, This specification signed and witnessed this 24 da57 of June, 1921.

a y ,'WA'LTER KIlDE.

` Witnesses:

FREDERicK 'Si F-ITsWoRTH. G. A. Hownr."y Y' BARZILLAI G. WORTHA