US1827723A - Pressure-operated means for puncturing closure diaphragms - Google Patents

Description

I Oct. 13, 1931. 5, l ALLEN ET L 1,827,723

PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS FOR PUNCTURING CLOSURE DIAPHRAGMS Filed July 27, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 13, 1931. s. E. ALLEN ET AL 1,827,723

PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS FOR PUNCTURING CLOSURE DIAPHRAGMS Filed July 27, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 13, 1931 UNITED; STATES PATENT, OFFICE SOOTT E. ALLEN AND QZRO-N. WISWELL, OF LOS ANGEL, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOBS, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO C-O-TWO FIRE EQUIPITIENT COMPANY, OF CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 01 CALIFORNIA LOS enemas,

PRESSURE-OPERATED MEANS FOR PI INC'IURING CLOSURE DIAPHRAGHS Application filed m 27, 1927. Serial No. 208,795.

This invention relates to apparatus for releasing a fluid under pressure from a 'recep tacle. The invention is particularly useful 1 in fire extinguishing apparatus in which inert gas such as carbon dioxide is released from receptacles and delivered to burning parts for extinguishing them. In the description which follows, our invention will be described in connection with fire extinguishing apparatus, but it should be understood that the invention may be utilized in other arts and therefore we do not'wish to limit ourselves to the particular use disclosed herein.

The invention provides an improved apparatus whereby the discharge opening of a receptacle containing. a fluid under pressure may be opened for delivering this fluid to its place of application. I

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a fluid releasing apparatus which is operated by a fluid under pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character in which fluid under pressure may be released from one or more receptacles by the action of a fluid under pressure.

" A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned in which the fluid released from one 0 receptacle-will release the fluid from another receptacle. 1

A still further object of the invention is to rovide an apparatus of the character de scribed in which the supply of operating fluid to the operable parts for releasing the fluid under pressure is automatically or manually controlled.

Other objectsand advanta es of the invention"will be apparent from t e following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention throu hout which description referenceis had to t e drawings in which we illustrate our invention:

Fi 1 is a view illustrating the apparatus shown in section. t Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the operating fluid supply means.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of to Fig. 2.

provided by the invention, certain parts being openings 33 formed in walls 34, the lower Fig. fl; is a section taken on the line 4-4; of Fig. 2.;

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly Fig. 1, the numeral 11 designates a receptacle which in this application is in the form of the ordinary bottle 12 in which carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the market. The bottles 12 employed to handle carbon dioxide gas are provided with cylindrical threaded portions 13 to receive a cap or head. Projecting upward from the cylindrical threaded portions are projections 14 and formed through the projections 14 are discharge openings 15. Theouter ends of the projections 14 are sealed by closure members in the form of discs or diaphragms 17 retained in place by caps 18. It is understood that other means for closing the discharge openings 15 may be provided if desired.

Heads or bodies 20 are screwed onto the threaded portions 13, the bodies 20 having internally threaded portions 21 which engage the threaded portions 13. The bodies 20 provide or form chambers 23 which enclose the projections 14, the closure members 17 and the caps 18. The chambers 23 are connected to delivery means-in the form of a delivery pipe 24. The pipe 24 is provided with check valves- 25 adjacent to the oints where it connects to the chambers 23 or reventing flow from the pipe into the chain rs 23 but allowing free flow from the chambers 23 into the pipe 24. The delivery pipe 24 is ada ted to extend to any place where it is desired to appl the carbon dioxide. The upper parts 0 the bodies 20 are in the form of cyllnders 27, the upper ends of these cylinders 27 being closed by covers 28. Placed in the cylinders 27 are pistons 29 which are 0 rable therein. The pistons 29 are operatlvely connected with fluid 'release'means or penetrating means in the form of plun ers 31. 1 The plungers 31 extend upwardly t rough openin s 32 formed in the covers 28 and downwar 1y through ends thereof extending into the chambers 23. The lungers 31 are provided with flanges 36 whic engage the walls 34, thus determining the upper positions thereof. The lower ends of the plungers 31 are provided with points 1 37 which, when the plungers are moved down- ,ward intojthe positions indicated by dotted lines 39," penetrate the closure members and open the discharge openings 15. It should 5 beunders'tood that the plungers '31 may be designed to operate other types of closure members and any alterations necessary to adapt the plungers to other closure means is within the scope of this invention. The upper ends-of the plungers 31 are provided with external knobs 39 and compressed between the knobs 39-and the upper faces of the covers 28 are compression springs which normally yieldingly hold the plungers in the 1 ositions shown by full lines in the drawings. ormed through the walls 34 around the openings 33 are pressure relief ducts 42 which prevent a pressure from building up in the cylinders 26 below the pistons 29 prior to 20 actuation of the pistons and which allow fluid released from the bottles 12, when the discs 17 have been punctured, to act on the pistons 29 to move them up in the cylinders.

Connected to the upper parts of the cylin- 26 ders 27 above the istons 29 is operating means in the form 0 an operating fluid line 46, The operating fluid llne 46 is provided with check valves 47 adjacent to the points of connection with the cylinders 27 for the so urpose of preventing a flow from the cyline'rs into the operating fluid line 46. The operatin fluid line 46 is connected with a source 0 fluid pressure. The operating fluid line 46 may extend to a compressor 48 adapted 85 to supp'ly. fluid under pressure to the cylinders 27 or may be connected by a pipe 49- to an o erating fluid supply indicated in general ythe numeral 50.

This operating fluid supply 50 is shown 40 in the 'form 'of' a bottle or other receptacle 51 which contains a fluid under pressure, preferably the same kind of fluid that is retained in the receptacle 11. As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 the receptacle 51 is 5 substantially the same in form and construction as the receptacle 11 except that it is smaller. The receptacle 51 is provided with a threaded portion 51a from which a projection 52 extends. The projection 52 has a 60 cap 53 which secures a closure member 54 in place, this closure member 54 bein adapted to close a discharge passage 55. body 56 is screwed onto the threaded portion 51a, this body providing a chamber 58 to which the pipe 49 is connected. The closure mem ber 54 is adapted to be penetrated by a penetrating means in the form of a plunger 60. This plunger 60 extends through a cylinder 61 and is connected to a piston 62 operable to in the cylinder. The upper end of the plunger 60 has a plate 63, and compressed between theplate 63 and the cap 61a of the cylinder 61 is a spring 64 which normally yieldingly v retains t e plunger in the position shown in (3 full lines in Fig. 2. The plunger 60 may and engages the plate 63. The lever 67 may be depressed by supplying the fluid under pressure to the upper end of the cylinder 61 by means of a pipe 66 or by depressing a lever 67 which is pivoted at 68 to'the body 56 70 be operated "directly or by pulling upon a chain or cord 69. The plunger 60 may also be depressed by means of a weight 74 normally supported above the upper end of the plunger by a supporting means 75, this supporting means having a hook .76 which engages an eye 77 of the weight 74. The hook may be normally held in position to engage the eye'by means of a member 79 having a fusible link 80 which member 79' is connected to an arm 81 of'the supporting member 75. The weight 74 is released when the fusible link 80 is melted, this resulting from an unusually high temperature. The weight drops on the upper end of the plunger 60 and depresses it so as to penetrate the closure member 54.

Connected to each of the cylinders 27 and to the delivery pipe 24 adjacent to each of the check valves 25 are by-pass means in the form of by-pass pipes 86. One of the by-pass pipes 86 is provided with a constriction 87, and the other of the by-pass pipes 86 is provided with a check valve 88 which prevents a-flow from one of the cylinders 27 to the pipe 24.

The operatlon of the invention is as follows:

The closure members 17 are penetrated whenever a fluid under pressure is supplied to any one of the cylinders 27. This pressure is supplied either by the compressor 48 or by the operating fluid supply 50. The operating fluid supply 50 is released for operation either manually,- automatically or by fluid pressure. Either ofthese methods will operate the plunger 60 to penetratethe closure member 54 and thus release an operating fluid under pressure to the operating fluid line 46. This operating fluid passes into the upper parts of the cylinders 27 and forces pistons 29 downward. The plungers 31 are moved downward into positions indicated by dotted lines 39, penetrating the closure members 17. Thisreleases the fluid under pressure into the chambers 23, this fluid passing through the check valves 25 into the supply pipes .24. The pressure relief ducts 42 are provided so that there will be no resistance to the downward movement of the pistons 29. When any one of the discharge openings 15 has been opened, fluid under pressure will also pass through the by-pass pipes 86 and into the upper parts of the cylinders 27 When the pressure in the cylinders 27 exceeds that in the operating fluid line 46 the check valves 47 will close, thus preventing a reverse flow therethrough. In the event that one of the pistons is not operated by the operating fluid under pressure it will be ops erated by the fluid from the delivery pipe 130 supplied to the cylinder thereof through the the purpose of allowing any operating fluid to pass into the pipe 24 when the pressure in the supply pipe 24 drops below the pressure in the operating fluid line 46.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that this invention provides fluid-operated means for releasing fluid under pressure from one or more receptacles 11. The apparatus is capable of releasing the fluid under pressure from all of the receptacles 11 simultaneously by an'operating fluid line or by releasing fluid from one of the receptacles and thereafter releasing the fluid from the other of the receptacles by use of the first released fluid.

' Having described only a typical preferred form of our invention, we do not wish to limit ourselves to the specific details set forth but wish to reserve to ourselves any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

We claim as our invention:

1. In combination: a receptacle containing a fluid under pressure, and having a closure member for closing a discharge opening thereof; penetrating means adapted to penetrate said closure member conitructed to pro-' vide free discharge through said closure; means for delivering an operating fluid under pressure to actuate said penetrating means to cause said penetrating means to penetrate said closure member: and means for prevent- "ing a reverse flow of the operatingfluid.

2. In combination: a receptacle containing a fluid under pressure, and having a closure member for closing a discharge opening thereof; penetrating means adapted to penetrate said closure member constructed to provide free discharge through said closure; means for delivering an operating fluid under pressure for actuating said penetrating .means and causing said penetrating means to penetrate said closure member; an operating fluid receptacle; and means for releasing the operating fluid thereof into the means for delivering the operating fluid.

' 3. In combination: a receptacle containing alfluid' under pressure, and having a closure member for closing a discharge opening thereof; penetrating means adapted to penetrate said closure member constructed to provide free discharge through said closure;

means for delivering an operating fluid under pressure to cause said penetrating means to penetrate said closure member; an operating fluid receptacle; means for releasing the operating fluid thereof into the means for delivering the operating fluid; and meansfor preventing a reverse flow of the operating uid.

4. In combination, a series of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, each having a closure member for closin the discharge opening thereof; penetratlng means adapted to pene rate said closure members; cylinders; pistons associated with said penetrating means and in said cylinders; means for delivering an operating fluid under pressure to said cylinders for moving said pistons, said pistons causing said penetrating means to penetrate said closure members; a delivery means into which said fluid is delivered when said fluid is released; and bypass means connected to said delivery means and each of said cylinders.

5. In combination: receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, and having closure members for closing a discharge opening thereof; penetrating means adapted to penetrate said closure members; cylinders; pistons associated with said penetrating means and in said cylinders; operating means for delivering an operating fluid under pressure to said cylinders for moving said pistons, said pistons causing said penetrating means to penetrate said closure members; an operating fluid receptacle; means for releasing the operating fluid thereof into said operating means; a delivery means into which said fluidis delivered when said fluid is released; andby-pass means connected to said delivery means and each of said cylinders.

6. In combination: receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, and having closure members for closing the discharge openings thereof; fluid release means for opening said closure members; cylinders; pistons associated with said fluid release means and in said cylinders; means for delivering an operating fluid under pressure to said cylinders for moving said pistons, said pistons causing said fluid release means to penetrate said closure members, and a fluid connection between the cylinders whereby fluid under pressure released from one receptacle operates to actuate the piston in another cylinder.

7. In combination: a series of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, andhaving closure members for closing the discharge openings thereof; fluid release means for opening said closure members: cylinders; pistons associated with said fluid release means and in said cylinders; operating means for delivering an operating fluid under pressure to said cylinders for moving said pistons,

said pistons causing said fluid release means to penetrate said closure members; an op- III erating fluid rece tacle; means for releasing the operating flllld thereof into said operating means; means for preventing a reverse flow of the operating fluid, .and a fluid confor moving said pistons, said pistons causing said fluid release means to penetrate said closure members; a delivery means into which said fluid is delivered when said fluid is released; and by-pass means connected to said delivery means and each of said cylinders.

9. In combination: a pair of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure,.and having closed discharge openings, fluid release means for opening said discharge openings;

cylinders; pistons operablein said cylinders,

. each of said pistons being adapted to operate one of said fluid release means; means for delivering operating fluid to operate said fluid release means; delivery means into which said fluid is delivered when said fluid is released; and by-pass means connecting said delivery means and each of the cylinders. 10. In combination a pair of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, and havoperate one of said fluid release means;

ing closed discharge openings, a fluid actuated meansfor each of said discharge openings'to open the same; means for delivering operating fluid to operate said fluid actuated means; and delivery means into which said fluid is delivered when said fluid is.re-.'

leased; and by-pass means connecting said delivery means to each of said fluid actuating means. I 11. In comblnation: a pair of receptacles containing a fillld under pressure, and eac having a closed discharge 0 ening; fluid re-' lease means for opening sai discharge openings; cylinders; pistons operable in said cylinders, each of said pistons being adapted to means for admitting operating fluid to the face of the piston away from the fluid releasing means; delivery means into which fluid is delivered when said fluid is released;

' by-pass means disposed between said delivery means and each of said cylinders; and means for preventing a reverse flow through said delivery means.

12. A device for use in connection with a fluidcontainer having asealed outlet, and

means for opening the seal, saidmeans being constructed to provide free dlscharge of the fluid through the opening and including a body for mounting on the container and having a section forming a chamber to rece1ve fluid from the container and a section 13. In combination, a pair of receptacles holding fluid under pressure, control means in connection with each receptacle for controlling the discharge of fluid therefrom, and communicating means between the control means whereby the control means in connection with one receptacle is operable to release fluid from saidreceptacle. b pressure from the other receptacle, each 0 said con- -trol means including a receptacle opening member and a cylinder and piston device for operating said member.

14. In combination, a' pair of receptacles holding fluidunder pressure, fluid pressure actuated means in connection with each receptacle for controlling the discharge of fluid conduit into which the receptacles discharge,

fluid pressure actuated'means in connection with each receptacle for controlling the discharge of fluid therefrom, and fluid connections between the conduit and the fluid pressure actuated means conducting fluid from the conduit to said means to actuate them.

'16. In combination, a fluid container having an outlet opening, a frangible member closing the opening, and means for opening said frangible member, said means being constructed to provide free discharge of the fluid h' through-said member and including a art to be attached to the container inclu ing a cylinder, means for attaching said part to the container, a piston operable in the cylinder, a cutteroperable by the piston to rupture the frangible member, and means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder for actuatmg the piston to move the cutter to rupture the frangible member.

17 In combination, a fluid container having an outlet opening, a frangible member closing the opening, and meansfor opening said frangible member, saidmeans being constructed to provide free discharge of the flllld through said member and including a part to be attached to the container includlng a cylinder, means for attaching said part to the container, a piston operable in the cyhnder,

a cutter operable by the piston to rupture the frangible member, a source of fluid under pressure for operating the piston in the cylin- V der, and a conduit for conducting fluid from said source to the cylinder. 7

18. In combination, a fluid container having an outlet opening, a frangible member closing the opening, and means for opening said frangible member, said means being con- 10 structed to provide free discharge of the fluid through said member and including apart to be attached to the container including a cylinder, means for attaching said part to the container, a piston operable in the cylinder, a

1 cutter operable by the piston to rupture the frangible member, a source of fluid under pressure, a conduit for conducting fluid from said source of fluid to the cylinder, and control means for the fluid from said source remotefrom the c linder.

19. The com ination of a container, a delivery connection, a chambered coupling in communication with the container and the delivery connection, a sealing disc interposed between the container and the delivery connection, and means for opening said frangible member, said means being constructed to provide freedischarge of fluid through said member and including a piston member hav- I I so ing a close working fit in the coupling memher and subject to pressure by which it may be driven toward the disc, a device carried by the piston and adapted to rupture the disc m its forward movement with the piston, and

85 means. to prevent effective resistance to the operative movement of thepiston.

20. In combination, a receptacle carrying v a medium under pressure, a penetrable closure member closin a discharge opening of r40 said receptacle, an means for opening said closure member, said means being constructed to provide free discharge of flu1d through i said member and including a cyllnder, a p1ston -in the cylinder, a penetrating means adapted to be operated by the piston to pene- -trate the closure, and means or developing pressure in the cylinder for actuating the piston, the piston being confined m the cylmder in substantially gas tight relat on throughout operation o' the penetrating means. 1

- 21. In combination, a fluid'contamer having an outlet opening, a frangible member closing the opemng, a part to attached to this container inc uding a cy-hnder, means for attachin said part to the container to form a cham r to receive fluid from the container when the container'is open, an outlet conduit connected with said chamber, a check valve in the outlet conduit to prevent flu1d entering the chamber from the conduit, a piston operable in the cylinder, a cutter operable by the piston to rupture the frangible i member, and means for supplymg fluid res- '5 sure to the outlet conduit and to the cylinder for actuating the piston to move the cutter to rupture the frangible member.

'22. In combination, a fluid container hav ing an outlet opening, a'frangible member closing the opening, a part to be attached to the container including a cylinder, means for attaching said part to the container toform a chamber to receive fluid from the container when the container is open, an outlet conduit connected with said chamber, a check valve in the outlet conduit to prevent fluid entering the chamber from the conduit, a piston operable in the cylinder, a cutter operable by the piston to rupture the frangible member, a source of fluid under pressure for operating the piston in the cylinder, a conduit for conducting fluid from said source to the cylinder and to said outlet conduit.

23. In combination, a fluid container having an outlet opening, a frangible member closing the openin and means for opening the frangible mem er, said means being constructed to provide free discharge of the fluid through said frangible member and including a part to be attached to the container ineluding a cylinder, means for attachin said part to the container, a piston opera le in the cylinder,a cutter operable by the piston to rupture the frangible member, a source of fluid under pressure, a conduit for con- .5 ducting fluid from said source of fluid to the cylinder, and manual control means for the fluid from said source remote from the cylinder.

24. In combination, afluid delivery conduit, a pair of receptacles each carryin fireextingulshing fluid under pressure an connected in parallel to said conduit, closure means associated with each receptacle for controllin the discharge of the fire-extinguishinig uid therefrom into said conduit, means or opening one of the closure means, and means operable by pressure of the fluid thus released for opening the other closure means. 7

25. In combination, a pair of receptacles holding fire-extin ishing fluid under pres sure, each receptac e having only one opening, a closure for each opening, means for opening the closure of one of said receptacles, and means controlled by the discharge of fluid from the said receptacle for opening the other closure, the latter closure being a frangible member.

26. In combination, a pair of receptacles, a frangible closure means for each receptacle for retaining fire-extinguishing fluid under pressure therein, means for rupturing one of the frangible closure means to permit the discharge of fluid from a receptacle, and means operable by the fluid thus discharged for rupturing the other frangible closure means.

27. In combination, a fluid delivery conduit having an outlet opening to discharge fluid, a pair of receptacles normally carrying a fire-extinguishing fluid under presv receptacle,

sure, each receptacle being individually connected with the delivery conduit to discharge fluid to the conduit for passage directly through the delivery conduit to the outlet opening thereof, a closure for each receptacle, means for opening the closure of one and means controlled by initiation of the discharge of fluid from the said receptacle for opening the closure of the other receptacle.

28. In combination, a fluid delivery conduit having an outlet opening, a pair of receptacles for normally holding fire-extinguishing fluid under pressure, each receptacle ving only one outlet connected to the delivery conduit, so that fluid from each receiptacle discharges therefrom directly into t e delivery conduit and passes directly through the delivery conduit to the outlet opening thereof, a closure for each receptacle opening, means for opening the closure of one receptacle, and means controlled by pressure of the fluid-thus released for opening the other closure means.

29. In a gas control s stem, a fluid pressure container having a ischarge fixture including a fixture body, a disc therein sealing the outlet of said container into said body, a disc-clamping member, and means for opening said disc, said means being constructed to provide free discharge of the fluid through said disc and including a piercer-plunger in said fixture in combination with a casing connected to said fixture, and a fluid pressure piston in said casing adapted to depress said plunger and thereby open said sealingdisc.

30. A as control system comprising in combination a pilot bottle provided with a dischar e fixture having a disc and an asso.-

ciated isciercer' mounted thereon, a battery oftgas ottles each provided with a dis charge xture having mounted thereon a disc and anassociated disc piercing means comprising a piercer member and a fluid pressure cylinder having therein a piston operatively related to the piercer of that fixture, and ,piping connecting the discharge fixture of the pilot to all of said cylinders for fluid actuation of the piston in said several cylinders by the pressure fluid of the pilot bottle, said piercing means being each constructed to rovide free discharge of fluid from the hottle associated therewith. 31. Apparatus of the kinddescribed comprising a discharge manifold, a battery of 7 bottles containing fluid under pressure and respectively closed by puncturable sealing discs and each provided with a piercer-carrying fixture'adapted to conduct the pressure fluid to said manifold, in combination with a piercer-actuating head mounted on one of said, fixtures, fluid-pressure cylinders with piercer-actuating pistons therein mounted pressure to the cylinder to and a connection between the means whereby the means in connection w1th either receptacle is operable to release fluid from said receptacle by pressure from the other receptacle, each of the controlling means including a receptacle opening punch and a cylinder and piston device for operating the punch.

33. In combination, a primary receptacle carrying a fluid under pressure, primary fluid retaining means for retaining said fluid in said receptacle, a delivery means into which said fluid is delivered when it is released, a secondary receptacle carrying a fluid under pressure, a secondary fluid retaining means for retaining said fluid in said secondary receptacle, primary operating means for operating said primary fluid retaining means in a manner to release the fluid retaining means in a'manner to release the fluid from said primary receptacle, secondary operating means for operating said secondary fluid retaining means in order to release the fluid from said secondary receptacle, and fluid .operated means for actuatin said secondary operating means, said flui operated means being'operatively connected withsaid delivery means.

34. .A device for use in connection with a container carr 'ng fluid under pressure and having a scale outlet 0' ning and means for opening the seal, sai structed to provide free discharge of the fluid through the opening and includin a body for connection with the container orming a closed chamber communicating with the outlet opening and having a c lmder part, an

outlet conduit connected wit the chamber of means being con-' the body, a pistonoperable in the cylinder of the bod a member operable by the piston to open t e seal, and means for applying therein, the piston being confined in the cglinder in substantially gas-ti ht relation t roughout its operation of sai member. I

35., A device for opening a'fluid container, including an opening member, means for operating the opening member to open the container, and means whereby fluidreleased from the container acts in a manner to insure return of the opening memberto normal position.

actuate the PlStOIl 36. in combination, a pair of containers for fluid under pressure, discharge control devices for the containers, and means interconnecting the control devices whereby fluid released from either one of the containers causes actuation of the control device of the other container, each of the control devices being adapted for initial operation.

87. In combination a receptacle for carrying fire extinguishing medium under ressure and having an outlet opening, a rangible member closing the opening, a part to be attached to the receptacle including a chamber, means for attaching said part to the receptacle, an outlet conduit connected with the chamber, a check valve to prevent fluid entering the chamber from the conduit, and means for opening said frangible memher, said means being constructed to provide a free discharge of said medium through said opening and including a piston operable in the said part, means operable by the piston to rupture the frangible member, and means for supplying fluid pressure to operate the piston.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands at Los Angeles, California, this 21st day of July, 1927.

SCOTT E. ALLEN. OZRO N. WISWELL.

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