US1817148A - Means for stopping the travel of exploding and burning fluids - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 4, 1931. A. P. HORNOR 1,317,146

MEANS FOR STOPPING THE TRAVEL OF EXPLODING AND BURNING FLUIDS Filed May 2, 192a INVENTOR (ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE AUBELIUS P. HORNOR, OF CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNQR- T0 E-K. MEDICAL GAS LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED, OF WEST ORANGE, JERSEY, A CORPORA- TION OE NEW JERSEY MEANS FOR STOPPING THE TRAVEL OF EXPLODING AND BURNING FLUIDS Application filed May 2, 1928. Serial No. 274,408.

. My invention relates to means for stopping the travel of fluids which are in an exploding or burning condition and particularly to means for checking in pipes or other fluid conveying conduits, the progress or travel of burning and exploding fluids.

My invention has for its objects, among others, the provision of an improved construction and arrangement for stopping the travel of exploding and burning fluids in fluid conveying pipes or conduits where, unless checked, the burning or exploding fluids would be likely to endanger life or property;

to provide novel means for so checking the travel of an exploding fluid which is operable by the force due to the explosion of the fluid itself; and to effect the checking of the travel of an exploding fluid in a pipe or conduit by the closing of the latter at a point which, with reference to the direction of travel of such exploding fluid, is in advance of the latter.

WVhile my invention as to certain of its features, is applicable to practically all cases where inflammable fluids pass through conduits in a gaseous or atomized state, it has been particularly designed for use in connection with the conveying of those fluids which, when exploding, travel at a very high speed, such, for example, as ethylene, acetylene, ether, ethyl-chlorid and illuminating gas. Also while many of the features of my invention are capable of being applied to or embodied in apparatus of many different forms adapted for conveying fluids, my invention is particularly adapted for embodiment in apparatus for administering various anesthetic fluids, such as ethylene, ether and ethyl-chlorid, which when mixed or combined with air or oxygen in certain proportions, are highly explosive and the explosions of which usually travel at great speed; and a further and important object of my invention is to provide an improved and novel construction for use in administering anesthetic fluids and embodying or containing means for effectually obviating the possibility of such fluid, if in a burning or exploding condition, reaching the patient.

Other objects, features and advantages of my invention will be hereinafter more specifically described and claimed.

For the purposes of illustration I have shown in the accon'ipanying drawings and shall proceed to describe a form of apparatus for administering anesthetic gases embodying what I now consider preferred physical embodiments of the features of my invention.

In the said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation partly broken away and partly in section of apparatus for administering anesthetics equipped with the features of my invention, the apparatus being shown in use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed perspective View, partly broken away, showing the construction employed in the apparatus of Fig.

1 for controlling the supply of air and anesthetic to the patient.

Fig. 3 is a plan view partly in section of the structure shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view showing the expiratory valve of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

The administering apparatus illustrated comprises the usual mask 1 having a pneu matic cushion 2 whereby the mask is adapted to fit tightly about the mouth and nose of the patient, the respiratory valve casing 3 having the extension 4 for connection with the usual rebreathing bag (not shown) and through the latter with the source of supply of anesthetic (also not shown), and a special form of connecting means between the mask 1 and the respiratory valve casing 3, which connecting means is of special design and will be presently described. The casing 3 is provided with means for controlling the supply of air and anesthetic to the patient, and also with an expiratory valve, suitable and usual forms of which means and valve I shall now proceed to describe.

he casino; 3 is cylindrical in form and has two openings 5 and 6 which respectively communicate with the outside atmosphere and the tubular extension 1. An openthreaded into the casing. A

ended split cylindrical member 7 formed of thin resilient metal is frictionally mounted Within the casing 3 for turning movement and is adapted to control the openings 5 and 6 and thereby the communication of casing 3 with the outside atmosphere and with the rebreathing bag and source of supply of anesthetic. The member 7 has an opening 8 and is turnable by a handle 9 secured thereto and extending through a slot 10 in the casing, the arrangement being such that whenthe handle is at one end of the slot, the opening 8 in member 7 registers with the opening '5 of the casing, as shown in 3, and when at the other end of said slot, the opening. 8 registers with the opening 6. T 1e opening 8 is of such size that the member 7 may beturned to a position intermediate the limits of the movement thereof, in which such opening registers with both the openings 5 and 6 of casing 3. The construction just described renders it possible to the patient with fresh air only, with gas from the rebreathing bag only, .or with a mixture of the two.

At its upper end casing 3 has a cap 1:1 connected thereto by means of an annular flange 11 provided on the cap which is disc 12 having a knurled edge is frictionally mounted the cap 11 for rotary movement by means of a shouldered pin 13 secured to the cap and supply extending through the disc and a spring washer 14 disposed between the disc and the shoulder on the pin. At its upper end the pin 13 has a flattened extension or finger piece 15'to enable the cap 11 to be unscrewed and disconnected from the casing 3. The cap 11 and disc 12 are respectively provided with similar series of circular openings 16 and 17 which are adapted upon turning the disc 12, to be brought into and out of regi ter to thereby control the communication of the interior of casing 8 with the outsioe atmosphere. Turning-movement of'the disc 12 with respect tothe cap 11 is limited by means of a slot 18 provided on the cap and a pin 19 secured to the disc and engaging said slot. The flange 11 of cap 11-is also internally screw-threaded, and a short hollow cylindrical member or thimble 20 is removably secured to the cap by being threaded into said flange. The member 20 is open at the top and communicates with the outside atmosphere through the openings 16 and 17 in the cap 11 and disc 12 when such openings register. The bottom of member 20 is provided with a central opening and an upturned flange 21 about such opening. A very light valve 22, preferably in the form of a small thin disc of aluminum or other suitable material, is disposed within the member 20 and is adapted to rest on the unturned flange 21, as shown in full lines in Fig. i, to close the opening at a very great speed,

cured atone end within an through the bottom of said member. The weight of the valve 22 is such that the same is lifted from its seat, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, by the exhalations of the patient so that upon each exhalation a portion at least of the gas exhaled will be expelled through the expiratory valve just described, to the outside atmosphere. Upon each inhalation of the patient the valve 22 will be in the closed full line position shown in Fig. 4 and the patient will then inhale gas only through one or the other or both of the openings 5 and 6 of the casing, depending upon the adjustment of member 7.

In the usual form of apparatus for administering anesthetic gases the face mask is connected directly to the respiratory valve casing by a short straight unobstructed tube. As indicated above, some anesthetic fluids, as for example, ethylene, when mixed with air in proper proportions for administration, are highly explosive, and should such gas become ignited at any point in the short connecting tube referred to, it is likely that the result to the patientto whom the gas was beingadministered would. be fatal. There are several cases on record where patients have been fatally injured by reason of the ignition and resulting explosion of the anesthetic being administered. In all such cases of which I have knowledge the anesthetic became ignited at some point more remote from the patient than the respiratory valve casing; the, anesthetic in some cases was probably ignited by a spark or flame at some point without the administering apparatus whereupon the burning or exploding fluid entered the apparatus through the respiratory valve casing, while in other cases the anesthetic fluid was probably ignited by static sparks generated within the rebreathing bag. It is very diflicult, however, in the case of an anesthetic such as ethylene to determine just where an explosion such as described originates, because or" the fact that the explosionv travels namely: approximately at the rate of a mile and a half a second. Nevertheless, in all cases of which I have knowledge such explosions originated at one of the two points mentioned, namely: either in the rebreathing bag or in the outside atmosphere adjacent the respiratory valve casing. To effectually check the travel of any burning or exploding fluid and prevent the same from reaching the patient, I provide in the apparatus shown a special form of conduit or connection for the flow of fluid between the mask 1 and the casing 3, describe. 1

A'short tube, or nipple 24 is tightly seopening prohas a short openextending through which I shall now proceed tovided in the mask 1 and ended reduced port1on'25 .eter 'than the section 29' of I member 28, is secured to anchextends upthe 5 bottom of a long tubular 1'memberr26r:

The bottom-of 'the tubular member :26 is provided by the reduced portion 25,was"by being brazed thereto. The'casing '3 is provided-"with a short tubular extension 27' onto the outer or lo'wer end of which a' tubular-member 28 isthreaded. The "tubula'r member 28 is preferably of substan- 'ti'all y the same diameter as the tubular member-'26, and has a reduced section 29 extending into said member 26, the latter at its' upper end being in-threaded connection 1 with the member 28 at point adjacent and ,just above the= reduced' secti'on 29 thereof;

The said section- 29 is preferably aligned Witlrand-terminates ashort distance from the end of the reduced portion of the tube or nipple 24; A tubeBO which isless in diamwarelly through thebottom of the member 2'71- This tube 30 is'open at each end, but hassecured to-the upper end thereof within the member 27, a-fine mesh cylindrical wire screen 131u The tube 30 is aligned with the nipple-2 L and extends downwardly within the reduced section 29 of the tubular unember28to a point slightly above an internalcoll-air 32 iformed on the said section: at a point adjacent the lower end of the latter;

The section 29 of memb'er 28 is closed at its lower end preferably by ineansof a sealing device-Sof special design preferably con-- sisting of a short sleeve-33 threaded into the said section againstthe collar 32-and provided with a liquid seal 37 :normally retained therein between two thindiaphra gins or inembranes 35- and-i36, said diaphragms being-suitably secured: to-the"sleeve andrespectively closi-ngrthe ends: thereof; The diaphragms 35 and 36 are preferably formedof- :thin: sheet metal such as nickel or copper and-the liquid seal 37 preferablv' con sists ofa suiiicient body-of suitable noninfiammable liquid, such as'water, to fill the space between-the diaphragms. Suitably secured to the diaphragm 36, as by being cemented" thereto and normally extending intobut "spaced from: the upper end portion of the reduce'd'section 25 of the'nipple-2-l, is a anember 38 which is preferably conical in shap'e andformed of suitable resilient material such-as rubber or cork, preferably thc latter.- Reference character 39 represents -'a long"tubular coil. oneend 40 of which-is securedwithin an opening provided in the large upper end portion of tubular member 28 so-as tocommunicate Wltllrtll interior 'of tl-ielatter, and the other end 41 of which is secured within an opening provided in the tubular whichlchamber, under normal conditions,v

only the 'lower end of the tube 30 and the ri'gidl 'y secured to the shoulder on tube 24- end lObf the coil 39 directly communicate; and the tubular member 26 provides an annular chamber B about the reduced sections 25and 29 of nipple 24 and tubular member-28 w-itlrwliich member, under normal conditions, only the nipple 24c and the end ll of the coil 39 directly communicate.

VVi'ththe construction described, the gas beingadministered will upon each inhala-r ti-on of the patient and so long as the memb'ranes'35 and 36 of the sealing device S remainintact, travel from casingv 3 to the patient in the path indicated by full arrows in' FigAl,- namely from casing 3 through extension 27, screen 31, tube 30, chamber A and coil 39 to-chamber B, and then from chamber B through the annular space between the'end of the reduced portion 25 of nipple 2 l and member 38, nipple 24 and maskal'to the patient; Upon each exhalation of the patient, the gases exhaled will pass to the casing 3 in a path, indicated by the dotted arrows in Fig. 1, directly opposite to that just described. Should the gas being administered become ignited at either of the two points mentioned, namely: in the rebreathing bag which is connected to casing-3 byth'e extension st of the latter, or in the outside atmosphere in the vicinity of casing 3, and should such gas contain such an amount ofair "or be in such a condition that upon becoming ignited it will not explode, but will merely burn, the progress of 'the'burning gas through the apparatus in a direction-from the casing 3 towards the mask 1 will be checked at the upper end of tube'30- by the screen 31 which acts in thesame'manner as the screen of a Davy lamp, to prevent the passage of'flame therethrough. B'ut should the ignition of the gas result in an explosion thereof, such explosion, traveling at an enormous rate, will enter thecasing 3 and pass therefrom throughthe screen-31 into the tube 30. The tube 30 will act to'concentrate and direct the explosion against-the diaphragm of the sealing device S, with the result that the force or impact of the explosion will be transmitted through the liquid seal 37 to the diaphragm 36 and will act to disrupt the'connection of the latter with the sleeve 33 and to forcibly project this diaphragm and the resilient conical member 38 carried thereby away from said sleeve. Such forcible projection ofthe conical member 38 will force the-same into the reduced section 25 of nipple'24 to thereby tightly close or seal the latter against the passage of gas there- 1 through from the chamber B to the mask 1. The timeta-ken in thus disrupting the diaphragm 36 and moving the member 38 the short distance'necessaryto seal the nipple .A, coil 39 and chamber B to the end of the reduced portion 25 of the conduit section or- .nipple 24, before the sealing of the latter by said member 38.

It is thus apparent that in the event of an explosion of the gas being administered,

the construction described will insure the automatic and effective seahng ofthe conduit providedfor the flow of such gas at apoint which with reference to the direction in which such exploslon travels in the conduit, is in advance of the explosion. The

use of the liquid sea 37 is an important fea-' ture as this seal, upon 'an-explosion of the gas, will, because of the mobile character thereof, effectively maintain the lower end of the reduced section 29 of tubular member28c completely closed orsealed against the passage of the exploding gas during the movement of member 38 under the impact of the explosion, from the position shown in'Fig. 1 to the position in which it seals the nipple 24. If only a frangible seal were used there would be the almost certain result, upon the disrupting of such seal by an explosion, of theexplodingfiuid passing directly through or by the seal and past the member 38 into the nipple Qt'bGfOI'Q said member 38 would be moved a sufficient distance, under the impact of the explosion, to close or seal the nipple.

. lVhile I have specifically described my invention as applied to apparatus for administering anesthetic gases,it is to be understood that many of thefeatures thereof are also adapted for application to or embodiment in other apparatus and devices through or by which inflammable and explosive fluids are designed to be passed or conveyed. It is further understood that the physical embodiments of the features of my invention shown and specifically described herein, are subject to various changes and modifications without departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 7 g 7 Having nowdescrihed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1.. In combination, a conduit comprising spaced portions and a, bypass connecting and establishing communication between said portions and having a length greater than the space between such portions, means normally sealing one of said portions and causing fluid to how from the latter through said by-pass to the other of said portions, and a device associated with said means and actuatable therethrough uponand bythe force or. impact of an explosion of fluid oc- .said portions, means normally closing one of said portions and causing fluid to flow from the latter through said by-pass to the other of said portions, and a device associated with said means and actuatable therethrough upon and by the force or impact of an explosion of fiuidoccurringin the conduit to a position in which the same closes communication between said bypass and the other of said portions, substantially as described. 7 V o 8. In combination, a conduit comprising spaced portions and a by-pass connecting and establishing communication between said portions, means comprising a liquid seal normally closing one of said portions and causing-fluid to flow from the latter through said by-pass-tothe other of said portions, and a device associated with said means andactuatable therethrough upon and by the force or impact of an explosion of fluid occurring in theconduit to a position in which it closes the said other of said portions and prevents such fiow of the fluid, substantially as'described. i

4. In combination, a conduit comprising spaced portions and a bypass connecting and establishing communication between said portions, means normally sealing one of said portions comprising a diaphragm and a body of liquid retained in such portion by said diaphragm, said means causing fluid to flow from the said sealed portion through said by-pass to the other of said portions, and a device associated with said means and actuatable therethrough upon and by the force or impact of an explosion of fluid occurring in the conduit to a position in which it closes the said other of said portions and prevents such flow of the fluid, substantially as described."

5. In combination, a conduit comprising spaced portions and a by-pass connecting said portions, means normally sealing one of said portions comprising a pair ofspaced diaphragms and a body of non-inflammable liquid therebetween, said means causing fluid to flow from the said sealed portion through said by-pass to the other of said portions, and a device associated with said means and actuatabletherethrough, upon and by the force or impact of an explosion of fluid occurring in the conduit, to a position in which it closes the said other portion and prevents such flow of fluid, substantially as described.

6. In apparatus for conveying fluid, a conduit, means normally closing said conduit comprising a fixed frangible diaphragm hragmia-nd the said open end of the tubuar member connecting said conduit and tubular -member,,and a closure member for ;.tl1'e,;said open end of the tubular member :Inountedon said diaphragm and normally wirheldrthereby. in open position but movable usupon'rdisruption of the diaphragm by an -:explosion .of fluid :in said conduit, to closed position, substantially as described.

1 7 .r In apparatus for conveying fluid, a con- ;duit,:means normally closing said conduit comprisinga fixedfrangible diaphragm inrtercep'tingthe conduit, a tubular member ,having an open end spaced from and adjacent said diaphragm, a by-pass of greater n length than the space between said dia- :;phragm, and the said open end of the tubular member connecting said conduit and tubular q member, and a tapered resilient closure member for the said open end of the tubular member mounted on said diaphragm and normally held thereby in open position, said closure member being adapted to be projected into the said open end of the tubular member to close the latter upon disruption of the diaphragm by an explosion of fluid in said conduit, substantially as described.

8. In apparatus for conveying fluid, a conduit, means normally closing said con duit comprising a fixed frangible diaphragm intercepting the conduit and a body of liquid retained in the conduit by said diaphragm, a tubular member aligned with said conduit and having an open end spaced from and adjacent said diaphragm, a bypass connecting said conduit and tubular member, and a tapered closure member for the said open end of the tubular member mounted on said diaphragm and normally held thereby in a position in which it projects within the said open end of the tubular member but is in spaced relation to the wall thereof, said closure member being adapted upon disrup tion of said diaphragm by an explosion of fluid in said conduit to be thereby forced to a position in which it seals said open end of the tubular member, substantially as described.

9. In'apparatus for administering anesthetics, the combination of a face mask, a respiratory valve casing, a conduit for the passage of fluid connecting said mask. and valve casing, said conduit comprising aligned spaced portions and a by-pass connecting said portions, means normally sealing one of said portions and causing fluid to flow from the latter through said by-pass to the other of said portions, and a closure member for said other portion, said closure member being normally maintained in open position' by said sealing means but being actuatable therethrough, upon and by the force or impact of an explosion offluid occuring in the conduit,gto closed position, substantially as described.

10. In combination, a conduit for the pas sage of fluid and means associated with said conduit comprising a device adapted to close the conduit, said device being normally ,maintainedin open position and being movable upon and by the impact of .an explosion of such fluid to aiposition closing' .the conduit at a point which with respect to the direction of travel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter, the length of thatportion of the conduit in which the fluid normally flows between points respectively corresponding to the said open and closed positions of said device being greater than the distance said device travels when so moved from open to closed position.

11. In combination, a conduit for the passage of fluid. and means associated with said conduit comprising a device adapted to check the flow of fluid in the conduit, said device being normally maintained in inoperative position and being movable upon andqby the impact of an explosion of such fluid to a position in which it checks the flow of fluid in the conduit at a point therein which with respect to the direction of travel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter, the length of that portion of the conduit in which the; fluid-normally flowsybetween points respectively corresponding to the said inoperative. and checking positions of said device being greater than the distance saiddevice travels when so moved from inoperative. to checking position.

'12. In apparatus for administeringancsthetics, the combination of a face mask, a

respiratory valve casing, a conduit for the vpassage of fluid connecting said mask-and valve casing, and means associated with said conduit comprising a device adapted to closethe conduit, said device, being normally maintained in open position and being movable upon and by the impact of an .explosion'ofifluid flowing in such conduit to a position closing the latter. at a point which with respect to the direction of travel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter, the length of that portion of the conduit in which the fluid normally flows between points respectively corresponding to the said open and closed positions ofsaid device being greater than the distance said device travels'when so moved from open to closed position.

13. In apparatus for administering. anestl etics, the combination of a .facemask, a respiratory valve casing, a conduit for the passageof fluidconnecting said maskand valve casing, means in said conduit adapted to prevent the passage of flame there through while permitting the passage of fluid-therethrough, and additional means 7 associated with said conduit comprising'a" device adapted to close theconduit, said device being normally maintained in open position and being movable upon and by the impactof an explosion of such fluid to a position closing the conduit at a point which withrespect to the direction of travel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter, the length of that portion of the contween points respectively corresponding to duit in which the fluid normally-flows bethe said open and closedipositions of said devlce belng greater than the distance said v device travels when so moved from open to closed posit1on.-

i 14;. In apparatus for administering anesthetics, the combination of aface mask, a

respiratory valve casing, a conduit for the passage of fluid connecting said mask and Valve casing, a device in said conduit "adapted to prevent the passage of flame therethrough butto permit the passage of y fluid therethrough, and means associated with said conduit comprising a closure member for the conduit disposed between sald devlc'e and face mask, sald closure member being-normally maintained in open position and being movable upon and by the impact of an explosion of such fluid to a position closing the conduit at a point which with respect to the direction of travel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter, the length of that portion of the conduit in which the fluid normallyflows between oints res ectivel corres ondin to the said open and closed positions of said closure member beinggreater than the distance said closure member travels when so moved from open to closed position. I

; In combination, a conduit for the pasi sage of fluid, means in said conduit adapted to prevent" the passage of flame theretherethrough but to permit the passage of fluid therethrough, and means associated with saidconduit comprising a device adapted to check the flow of fluid in the conduit and disposed in the path of fluid conduit in which the fluid normally flows between points respectively corresponding to the said inoperative and checking positions of said device beinggreater than the distance said device travels when so moved from inoperative to checking position;

This specification signed this th day of April, 1928 a AURELIUS P. HORNOR.

through but to permit thepassage of fluid therethrough and additional means associated with said conduit comprising a device adapted to close the conduit, said device being normally maintained in open position and beingnnovaole upon and by rthe impact of an explosion of. suchfluid to a- 7 position closing the "conduit at a point which withrespect to the'direction of travel ofthe exploding fluid is in advance of the latter, the length of that portion of the conduit in which the fluid normally flows between points respectively corresponding to the said open and closed positions of said device being greater than the distance said device travels when so moved from open to closed positlon. V 16. In combination, a conduit for the passage of fluid, a screen in said conduit adapted to prevent-the passage of flame 7

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