US1605622A - Fireman's water-screen apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2 1926. 1,605,622

S. C. SLADDEN FIREMAN'S WATER SCREEN APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1924 T INVENTOR BY m Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE.

SIDNEY C. SLADDEN, OF FREEPORT, NEW YORK.

FIREMANS WATER-SCREEN APPARATUS.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: To form a sheet of water between a fire and fire fighters to prevent the passage of heat there through; to produce a sheet of flowing liquid between a fire and firemen for absorbing the heat rays emitted by the fire; to form a continuously flowing sheet of heat absorbing liquid between a fire and the fighters thereof; to provide means for delivering water or fire-reducing liquid from a position above the fire, the liquld be ng delivered in an approximately horizontal sheet; to deliver fire-reducing liquid between adjacent walls not accessible to fire fighters or for the implements at present employed; and to produce the screen hereln disclosed in the most efficient or heat absorbing condition.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention, the same being shown as attached in service to a firemans hose nozzle of usual construction, the nozzle and a portion of the apparatus being shown in Description.

As seen in the drawings, the herein disclosed apparatus is adapted to be operat1ve ly connected with a firemans hose nozzle of usual construction and indicated in the drawing by the numeral 9. To this end an externally threaded collar is mounted on the nozzle 9, the threads of the collar being adapted to engage the internal threads on a coupling 11. The coupling 11 is rotatively connected with the water screen apparatus and with the neck 12 thereof. The neck 12 rotates within the collar 11 and for this purpose has mounted at the inner end thereof a bearing ring 13 which forms a race for bearing balls 14. It will be noted that the complete races for the balls 14 are formed by the ring 18 and a washer 17 held against an inturned flange 15 on the collar 11.

It will be noted that the pressure exerted by the column of water in the screen apparatus forces the ring 13 upon the balls 14, and the balls 14 upon the washer 17 seated against the flange 15 of the coupling 11. Any frictional drag on the screen apparatus is thereby avoided except as in so far as the balls 14 produce.

The flanges 15 and 16 as seen best in Figure 1 of the drawings operate to maintain the relative position of the screen apparatus and the nozzle 9 and parts associated. therewith.

Two elements in the apparatus cooperate to rotate the same on its axis. Within the neck of the apparatus are formed internally extended inclined vanes 18. The vanes 18 are inclined to the travelling column of water so as to produce a rotation of the apparatus in the direction indicated by the arrow A, in Figure 1, or contra-clockwise. The rotary impulse imparted by the vanes 18 is augmented by the laterally opening passages 19 formed in the head 20 of the apparatus. The borings of the passages 19 are somewhat tangential so that water being delivered from the head 20 is delivered at an inclination to the radii of the head 20. The streams of water thus delivered press upon the air with the result that the head 20 rotates upon its axis.

As seen best in Figure 2 of the drawings, the head 20 is provided with an inverted cone 21, the side of which is curved to form a deflecting surface leading to the various passages 19. The cone 21 is preferably constructed of solid metal, as seen in Figure 2, the weight of whichis utilized to steady the rotary action of the head. It will be understood, however, that should it be desired, Elie cone may have a hollow center or cham- With an apparatus constructed and arranged as described, it will be seen that if water under pressure is delivered through the nozzle 9 into the apparatus, it will press primarily upon the vanes 18 and upon the inclined surface thereof to impart a side pressure thereon which is translated into rotation of the apparatus. The water passing through the neck 12 is deflected by the cone 21 to the passages 19 through which the water escapes to the outer air in a number of fit separated streams, each leaving the cone at a slightly tangential direction or direction slightly inclined from the radii of the head 20. The forces thus exerted result in the rapid rotation of the head 20,. which action has an effect on the streams delivered from the passages 19 to seemingly bend the same backward from the direction of the rotation of the head, an action which results in the more positive mixing Orthe sprayed columns of water delivered by the passages 19.

It will be noted that in Figure 2 ot the drawings the passages 19 are also inclined for delivery of the water slightly toward what may be termed the direction in which the nozzle 9 is pointed. This results in de livering the screen forward from the head and from the firemen or operators who are in attendance upon the apparatus and the nozzle 9 connected therewith.

It is obvious that when in operation the spray of various streams delivered from the head 20, mingle to form a substantial sheet of water radiating from the head 20. Heat rays delivered thereon are absorbed thereby.

The water continuously moving outward results in carrying oii in a way the heat thus absorbed. In other words, the direct result of the operation is to form a screen through which the heat of the fire does not penetrate so that firemen locating behind the screen can approach in closer proximity to the heated area than before.

In Figures 3 and i of the drawings is shown a supporting table 22 upon which the nozzle 9 may be held by clamps 23, or other suitable devices. Locking latches 24 may be employed to hold the clamps 23 in service. The table 22 is preferably provided with legs 25. These are held in service position by the braces 26. T11 Figures 3 and a, the nozzle 9 is shown as connected to a hose pipe 527 of suitable construction.

It will be understood that while I have described the action of the apparatus as forming a water screen, it may be used in various other ways such as, by inserting the nozzle equipped with the apparatus through a hole in any floor or a building when the water may be delivered in a horizontal sheet to all parts of the lower apartment and in a livering nozzle.

Wide spread manner, and therefore more ei -iective manner, than when delivered by means of a single stream. This is peculiarly advantageous in fighting a fire in a cellar. Further, the nozzle may be extended through an opening in a side wall and the spray be effective on said side wall, not otherwise accessible. This use is of advantage where a fire is inside the walls of a partition as the water would be delivered above and below inside the partition walls. It will also be observed that firemen might utilize the apparatus as a heat or smoke screen for protecting firemen from the heat and smoke of an overhead structure. The streams of water have the effect upon smoke ot creating a draft which carries the smoke in lines parallel with the streams emitted from the passages 19 and thereby creates a clear and smokeless space bacl: of the screen.

While I have herein disclosed the apparatus as having, a pointed cone 21 by means of which the total output oi water passing through the head 20 is delivered throu h the passageways 18, it will be understood. 1 may have a central opening through the cone 2]. which delivers a stream directly in front oi the said head, thereby operating in the twofold capacity of a screen, and a stream de- I prefer, however, the use of the apparatus for forming a screen behind which firemen are at liberty to work lelivering through the screen, other streams of water for fire fighting purposes.

In a nozzle, a distributer head having a neck integral therewith and arranged ror connection to a source of water supply, inclined vanes disposed in said neck for imparting rotation to said neck and head on passage of water therethrough, an inwardly extending central conoidal deflector carried by the end of said head and extending into said neck, said head having a plurality of delivery openings annularly arranged about and flush with the base or said deflector to deliver water streams substantially at right angles to the stream passed through said neck.

SIDNEY C. SLADDEN.

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