US1691710A - Fire-extinguishing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov.

-F-IRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS origina1 Filed April 1. 1922 Patented Nov. 13, 1928i.

UNITED .STATES PATENT; (OFFICE.

FRANK A. IEFPS, OF YORK, N. Y.; 'ADDISON O. BONIFACE, OF EAST ORANGE, AND

WILLIS D. WITTER, OF RQSELLE PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NORS, :BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, T AMERICAN LA FRANCE AND FOAMITECORPORATION, A CORPORA- l TION OF NEW YORK.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

Application filed .April 1, 1922, Sierial No. 548,610. Renewed December 24, 1924.

Our invention relates to fire extinguishing "valv'ele ss and are main connections in the apparatus of they foam. type and provides an inexpensive foam system useful especially in the protection of small plants where a complicated-and costly installation would be barred. We provide means, whether automatic or manual, for starting siphonic delivery of` solutions from the usual acid solu-` tio-n and basic solution containers, solution 'delivery thereafter ,being by gravityv only and Without aid, or at' all events without predominating eXpu-lsive action,'of thel starting means, usually a pressure means'iye; a

means for changing `pressure conditions in the system, and` which may therefore be of slight capacity or of 'only momentary operation, or both, thus reducing expense. r

Referringto the drawings 2.

Fig. 1 is. an elevation partly in cross sec`'vv 2o tion.

Fig.-'2 is an enlarged detail view.

The ire hazard to the protection of which our system is" illustratedas applied is an open ydip tanklO, containing an iniammable` 2 5 liquid as varnish, lacquer or gasolene. With` this tank, inthe installation shown,is as'- s s ociated a solution mixing Achamber 11 of known type for delivering foam to the surface of the liquid 12 in the dip -tank to extinguish the fire, Acidl solution container 13 and basic solution container 14 elevatedl above thefdip tank 10, and preferably situated onv a higher floor, are each connected' to the mixing chamber by connections which 36 are normally openthat is tosay they are empty of liquid. 'I heseconnections'are illustrated as comprising. the-risers .15 and`16 connected respectively at their lower ends to piping 17 'and'18, andby 19 'and 20 to the mixing chamber, theirA upper ends being' connected to the tanks 13 and 14 by the: re-

spective siphoning sections 21 and 22 .which vextend into the tanksand terminate adjacent their bottoms, the elevation of thefcontai'ners above. the fire vhazard providingI a suilicient head forigravity ow of the solutions tothe mixing chamber for its practical o ration. These siphonic connections are dgfeyf and sense that they conduct the whole of 'the component solutions andare devoid of any collateral pipes lon which their action is de-v pendent. As the nieans for starting the siphonic ow, we prefer to adopt pressure means, the cartridge illustrated, or other pressure unit,v

Whether or not explosive, of suiiicient capac.- .f

ity only or kept Iin operation only long enough, to fill the siphons. This is best done by a temporary pressure impulse suiiicien't to raise each solution to the top of its Siphon. Where automatic operationis required, we consider 1t best to use agas generator adapted to be brought into action by abnor- `mal heatladjacent the fire hazard, the gases conducted in the, 'system illustrated to the tanks 13 and 14 for thereupon generated being exerting on the lsolutions therein enough.4

pressure to start'the 'siphons In the .preferred form of our installation we provide thegas generator I23, which comprises gas producing means of thety e disclosed in the patent to Frederick Bargar, 1,422,406, granted July l1, 1922, and consisting` of a gas 4chamber, 24 having a 'com-4 bustible cartridge 25 in one end and a free No. l

weight 26 in the other and havingv in its walls Va pluralityof gas-exit perforations 27. A self-contained energy unit v is thus provide ed whichlbeingv of limited capacity is op erativeonly through a period of short duration. The v,gas producing means which *is made up as a separate refill is' shown as loose in an-enclosing tubular casing 28, closed at,

one end by the cap 29, and'oonnected at its other end to a iexible tubing 30 attached to .l

the cap '31, the casing 28 with the enclosed as generating means being normally'suspen ed in horiontal position, as shown in full lines in Figures 1, and 2 of the drawings, by ;a

fusible link 32, whose ends are attached`re-- spectively to the cap 29 and the ceililg is in other support. The gas generator communication with the solution tanks 13 and 14, b the gas line 34 which has one end by one or more brackets 35- and 1 .SUPP

,lconnected to the flexible tubing 30 and its y in order to prevent any vapor pressure of suiiiciently to and 14 and the gas line 34 from initiating movement of the' other end connected by means of the pipe sections 36 and 37, to the tank inlets 38 and 39,which may be provided with gauges 40 and 41,

For the purpose of opening the tanks 13 lines 36 and 37 to atmosphere after the pressure means has started flow of. thesolutions through the sphonic -connections, in order to equalize pressure, in the containers and said connections, a check valve 42, located in the gas line 34 is yarranged to be closed by the start-ing pressure from the gas generator 23 and to be opened by atmospheric pressure when the pressure in the tanks falls below atmospheric vpressure. For the purpose of preventing any departure from normal temperature in thev solutions through the siphoning lines, and

the solutions. in the tanks from building up start such fiow, we further preferably provide a bleeding or breathing valve 43 in the gas line 34, the said valve conveniently taking the form of a T connection provided with a Monel filter cloth sufficient to permit the-normal breathing ofthe system'andinsuficient to interfere with the normal operation of the pressure means. But it will be evident that one small breather hole will serve the purpose of both-valves.

The operation of the system is as follows: Upon the occurrence of a fire in the dip tank 10 the link 32 will be fused and the gas generator 23 will drop to substantially vertical position as shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2, the weight 26 falling upon the end of thecartridge 25 and setting olf the same,- the gases generated moving into and through the casing 28 and by the fiexible piping 30- into the pressure line 34 and thence to the tanks 13 and 14, exerting pressure on the solutions therein to fillthe siphons and start sphonic ow through the solution delivery lines 15 and 16. When the starting impulse is expended air enters by valve 42 or by a breather hole to vreplace the solutions, as, once the sphonic action has been'started,-

-tliey flow thereafter by gravity into the mixing chamber 11 where the usual intermixtureof the solutions with foam production takes place and from which the foam is expelled into the dip tank 10 and over the burning surface of the liquid therein.

While we have shown our device in thev l preferred form, it will beiobvious that, many changes and modifications may be made in the lstructure :disclosed without departing froinvthe spirit of the invention, defined in the following-claims:

1. A foam protectinginstallation comprising an acid solution tank, aI basic solution. tank, a mixing chamber below saidytanks,

`ing the respective tanks to the mixing 2. A foam protecting installationv com` prising an l,acid solution container and a basic solution container elevated above the fire hazard, a mixing chamber, normally d' open Siphon delivery pipes connecting each con tainer -with the mixing 'chamber and means for initiating solution iow through. said,

pipes by'temporary pressure impulse.

A foam protecting installation comprising an acid solution container and a Ibasic. solution container-both elevated above the fire hazard, a mixing chamber, normally container with the mixing chamber, means for initiating solution flow through said pipes, and means for admitting atmosphere to the tanks to compensate the delivery of liquid therefrom.

4. In a gravity operated fire extinguish- Vopen siphon delivery pipes connectingeach ing system, an acid solution container, a.

basic solution container, a mixingchamber, sphonic connections between each of said containers andsaid mixing chamber, both said containers being elevated above the fire hazard to provide a suiiicient head for gravity iow ofthe solutions to the mixingchamber for the practical operation of the latter,

and means for altering onlyl temporarilyA pressure conditions in the system to initiate l sphonic fiow thereafter .maintained by gravity. l 5. Fire extinguishing apparatus comprising an acid solution container and la-basic solution container elevated' above the hazard, a mixing chamber, sphonic connections between 'nach of said containers and said mixing chamber, a cartridge connected t?? both Vsaid containers, and means to set it o 6. In a gravity "operated fire extinguishing system, an acid solution container, 'a basic solution container, a mixing chamber, siphonic connections between each of said containers and said mixing chamber, both LaidV containers being elevated above the'fire hazard to provide a suicient head for. gravity .flow of the solutions to the mixing chamber for thepractical operation 'of -the latter,

`means brought into pla?7 by abnormal Aheat adjacentI the ire`ha`zard for `altering only temporarily' pressure conditions in the system to initiate siphonic'fiow thereafter maintained by gravity.

extin 'Shing' apparatus com rising an acid so ution container and a solution container elevated above the lire hazard, a mixing chamber, normally open siphonic connections between each of said containers and said mixing chamber, and means for altering pressure conditions in the system to start siphonic flow, thereafter maintained by gravity Without predominating expulsive action of the starting means.

8. In a fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which normally stored chemical component solutions are intermixed in time of fire for the production of4 a fire extinguishing medium, tank means for separately holding the component solutions, a mixing station, solution lines for independently conducting the component solutions to the said mixing station, the tank means being located at an elevation above the mixing sta-y tion to provide a gravity head in the solution lines, and means for initiating movement of the solutions through the said lines, feeding of the solutions after the initiated. movement thereof being accomplished by the gravity head; the said means including provisions automatically'controlled by fire conditions for exerting pressure on the solutions in the tank means.

9. In a fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which normally stored chemical component 'solutions are intermixed in time of fire for the production of a fire extinguishing medium, tank means for`separately holding the component solutions, a mixing station, solution lines for independently. conducting the component solutions tothe said mixing station, the tank means being arranged at an elevation above the mixing station to provide a gravity head in the solution lines the said solution lines being cony nected in siphoning relation with the tank means and meansfor initiating movement of the solutions through the said lines, the said means including provisions automatically controlled by fire conditions for exerting pressure ,on the solution Alevels in the tank means. v

10. In a vlire extinguishing lapparatus' of the type in which normally stored chemical com onent solutions are intermixed in time ofliie for thev production of a lire extinvguishing medium, a mixing chamber, tank means for separately holding the componentV solutions located at-,a-n elevation above the mixing chamber, solution lines for independently conducting the component solutions toV the said mixing chamber, the saidi solution lines being lconnected in siphoning relation Y with the tank means and." means for initiating movementofthe solutionsfthrough the said lines/including provisions independent ofthe said mixing chamber and automatically controlled by re conditions forexerting pressure on the solution levels inthe tank means.

' 11. InA a lire extinguishing apparatus otv the type in which normally stored chemical component solutions are intermixed in time of fire for the production of a lire extin` guishingvmedium, a mixing chamber, tank means for separately holding the component solutions-,located at an elevation above the.

mixing chamber, solution lines for independently conducting the component solutions to the said mixing chamber, the said solution lines being connected in siphoning v relation 'with the tank'means and means for initiating [movement of the solutions through the said lines including a gas generator effective when brought into operation to cause the solutions to fill the siphons and thus initiate siphonic action.

12. In a lire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which'normally stored chemical component solutions are intermixed'in time of fire for the production of a Ere extmfguishing medium, a mixing chamber arranged for protecting a fire hazard, tank means for'separately holding the component solutions, solution lines for independently conducting the component solutions to,the sald mixing chamber and connected inl siphoning relation with the said tank means, the tank means being located at anelevation above /the mixing station for providing a gravity head in the solution lines and means for initiating movement of the solu- 13, In a iire 'extinguishing apparatus, .i

t'ank` means for holding a fire extinguishing solution, solution distributing means connected to the tank means vfor conducting the solution to a discharge station,l .the tank means being located at an elevation above the discharge station to provide a gravity head in the distributing-means and a de- Vice operatingl by combustion for initiating movement of the solution through the said distributing means, feeding of the solution afterfthe. initiated movement thereof being accomplished by the gravity head, the said means including provisions automatically controlled by firef" conditions for .exerting pressure on the, solution in the tank means.

' 14. Afoam-protecting installation of the dry type 'comprising a solution tank, a chamber having an -opening for admission of a,solution mutually -reactive with the solution in said ytank t`o produce a foam, -Valveless mamy dehvery siphoningV means operating independently of said mutually reactive solution for conducting solution from said tank to said chamber into contact. therein with said mutually reactive solu- .tion and thereby producing' the foam'stream,

and a source of energy operative only through a period of short duration for starting the siphonic iiow through said valveless sirhonic means, said flow continuing therea er predominantly a gravity flow.

' 15. A foam protecting installation of the dry type comprising a solution container, a

chamber having an f inlet for a solution 1 mutuallyreacti-ve with the solution in said tank to produce a foam, valveless main delivery siphonic means for delivering solution rom'said container into 'contact in said chamberA with said mutually reactive solution andv thereby producing the foam stream, and a gas producing cartridge of limited capacity operative only through a period of short'dura-tion for startin the -siphonicsflow through said vvalveless sip onic means, said flow .continuing thereafter predominantly agravity flow.

16. A lire extinguishinginstallation comprising a tank for fire-extinguishing medium above the fire hazard, main delivery means therefor normally open and empty all the wa to the fire hazard `and including sip onic means, and heat-actuated means putting the fire extin uishing'medium in the ,tank' under pressure or a short period'only l for initiating sphonic4 action therein, said action being thereafter maintained predominantly by gravity, and means opening the tank tothe yatmosphere suiciently to com- I. ent of re eratin independently. oi'one'of said solu-.

tions' or conducting theV other from its` container into contact therewith and forV deliv- .er-ing foam -to the ire hazard, said means belng-normallyopen and empty all the way to the fire hazard and 'including siphonic means, and means for initiating slphonic action therein, said action 'being'l thereafter maintained predominantly by gravity, and

means opening the container of' said solation'to the atmosphere suiciently to compen-` sate the delivery of liquid therefrom.-

S. In fire extinguishing apparatusa con? temer ,for fire extinguishing charge, a casing for communication therewith, and a gravity-operated gas producer loose therein and made 11p-as a separate refillV unit *havf ing a casing containing both a cartridge and operating 'meanstherefo`1--, one of which is ,free to' fallonto the otherV to. set'oi'f the cartridge when the casing approaches the vertical. Y f

20. 'A foanrprotectin installation accord-t.

ing to claim 18, in whic the siphonic-actionv- 'casing .initiating-means is vWholly independent of fire emergency discharge from the system.

21. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, a 'container for ire extinguishing charge, a suspended casing exterior to the container and adapted to have its interior in communication with that of the'container, a cartridge in the casing, and means for setting it o on dropping of the casing.

22. A foam protectlng mstallatin of the dry type comprising containers formutually reactive solutions, valveless siphoning means constituting the main solution delivery means for bringing one ofv said solutions into contact with the otherto producel the foam stream, and a self-contained energy unit oflimited ca acity operative only through a eriod of sliort duration for starting thesip' onic flow through said valveless siphonic means, said flew continuingthereaftervpredominantly a gravity flow, and

means for lcalling said energy unit into activity. `l

23. A fom protecting installation of the dry type comprising containers for mutually reactive solutions, valveless siphoning means constituting the main solution delivery,

means for bringing one of said solutions into contact with the otherto produce the foam stream, and aself-contained energy unit of limited capacity operative only through 'a period of short duration for starting the .si-

phonic 'i'ow through said valveless siphonic means, lsaid lilovv continuing ythereafter predominantly a gravity. flow, and means brou ht into play byy abnormal heat ad] acent Athe re hazard to set the energy unit into operation.

24. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a container for fire extinguishing charge, a dry for communication with said container, movable with res ect thereto and having therein 'a gas'pro ucer including a cartridge and means yto set it off on relative.

movement of said cartridge and means resulting with reference to the container.

` 25. In lire 'extinguishingapparatus, a.

movablefcasing, and a gravlty-operated gas produter loose therein and made up as a sep-- arate refill unit having a casing containing both a cartridge and operating means there` for, one of which is'free to fall onto the -gotherto set oli' .the cartridge /when the cas:

ing ap roaches the vertical.

26. n a fire extinguishin container for fire extinguis an piping connecting theinteriors of the container and (g, a gas producerA loose 'in the casing' and ma e u as a separate refill unit having movable re atively therein aparand means for setting it o'- on droptrid'ge pin of the casing. 2 In a fire lelsrtinguiehing apparatus, n

from movement of the dry casing.

apparatus, a. 4 l ngcharge, a vsus Iided casmg'exterior to the contalner,

ALemma `A i v --5 container for fire extinguishing clnirge, a Y the lire hazard 'for permittingv the pasingto *10fsusiended casing exterior to the container, drgfan piping, in part flexible, connecting the l lgned at New York city in the county interlors of the container and casing, a, 'gas of ew York and State of ew York, thls 'producer loose in' the casing and made up 31st day of March, A. D.`1922.

as a separate refill unit having movable reltively therein a, cartridgefand means for FRANK A. EPPS. setting it off on droping of the casing, and ADDISON O. BONIFACE.

' normal heat afhucent WILLIS D. WITTER.

,means operated by a

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