US1934503A

US1934503A - Fire protection for automobile storage buildings

Info

Publication number: US1934503A
Application number: US486690A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry D James; Harold E White
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1930-10-06
Filing date: 1930-10-06
Publication date: 1933-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1950-11-07

Description

Nov. 7, 1933. H. D. JAMES ET A1. 1,934,503

FIRE PROTECTION FOR AUTOMOBILE STORAGE BUILDINGS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 6. 1930 IN V E NTO R3 Hen/y Jmes a/la/ Hara/d W if@ g t c 4 ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1933` H. D. JAMES ET`AL 1,934,503

FIRE PROTECTION FOR AUTOMOBILE. STORAGE BUILDINGS Filed Oct. 6, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig 4 lNVENTORS Henn/ Jmes If/d l I ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1933 PATENT oFFIcE 1,934,503 FIRE PROTECTION FOR AUTOMOBILE sTORAoE BUrLpINGs e Henry D. James, Edgewood, and Harold E; White, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignors to vWestinghouse Electric andManufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application 'October s, 1930. serial No. 486,690 12 claims. (o1. lsv- 16) Our invention relates to fire protection for automobile storage buildings and it has particular relation to a control system for an automobile parking device of the circuitous-elevatorV type which automatically eiects the movement or' a receptacle to a station by the shortest route when a re occurs thereon, and to a control system for effecting movement of a circuitous elevator by control means on each receptacle thereof.

As a solution to the automobile parking problem incident to congested metropolitan areas, automobile storage buildings having elevators of the circuitous type have long been contemplated and various modifications of circuitous elevators, as to mechanical structure, have been suggested, each comprising essentially a plurality of automobile movers, cages, or receptacles simultaneously movable successively through two adjacent vertical straight paths interconnected at top and bottom to constitute an endless circuitous path. A preferred construction comprises a plurality of receptacles for supporting automobiles pivotally suspended in succession between a p air of endless flexible members, such as chains, disposed one on each side of the receptacles and suitably supported at the top and bottom by rotatable sheaves or sprocket wheels.

invention, as herein described, is applied to an automobile-storage device of the latter type, although it should be understood that it is applicable to circuitous elevators of any type. f

The danger of re hazard incident to the commercial operation of an automobile-storage device of this type, by reason of the presence of explosive and inflammable gasolines and oils, is obvious. In ordinary constructions, the circuitous elevator is completely enclosed in a towerlike structure which prevents access to automobile receptacles located, or stopped, at levels other than that of the loading station at the ground floor.

Therefore, in order to move va receptacle'in which a re has occurred, to a point in its travel, such as at the loading station at the ground level, where ready access thereto may be had for the application of nre-extinguishing fluids or vapors,

we have provided a control system for themotive means of the circuitous elevator'. Upon the occurrence of a re in any one of the receptacles',V our control system automatically eiects the actuation of the circuitous-elevator motive means to move the receptacle, upon which arirey has occurred,`

of fire-extinguishing sprays upon the arrival-of the burning receptacle at the proper position.-

We havefurther provided, as a part of our control system, control means on each receptacle by which a person on aereceptacle at some position, other than the loading and unloading station may control the operation of the circuitous elevator. Such a control is decidedly advantageous for purposes of maintenance andirepair, or when a person is, for any other reason, carried upon a receptacle away from the loading and unloading station, designedly or accidently, in that the person may return thereceptacle to the loading and unloading station, or otherwise control the operation of the circuitous elevator.

Therefore, it is an object of our invention to provide a means,` including a means responsiveto heat or iire upon any of the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, for automatically effecting the movement of the receptacles,Y whereby the receptacle upon which ya re occurs is moved, by the shortest route, to a predetermined position and stopped thereat. k k Another object of our invention is to provide an auxiliary means for controlling the movementv of the circuitous elevator by control means on ,each receptacle. j

Another object of our invention is to providean alarm means for indicating the occurrence ofa fire on any of the receptacles of a circuitous elevator. .l A further object of our invention is to provide means for automatically effecting the operation of sprays for projecting fire-extinguishing uids or vapors into a burning receptacle upon itsar.- rival ata predetermined position. v e A still further object of our invention is to provide means for interlocking our auxiliary control system with the main control system for vthe normal operation of thev circuitous elevator, whereby the latter is rendered ineffective whenever the former is operated. Y

Other objects of our vinvention will be readily appreciated from the subsequent description of our invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y Y

Figure l is a diagrammatic view partly in front elevation and partly in section, ofY a circuitous elevator showing the application of Your invention thereto; f Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View offthe means for supporting a receptacle from atrunnion shaft or rod, and the means associated therewith for establishing an electrical connection to a receptacle through. the end thereof;v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, taken on line III- III of Fig 1, showing the relation of the brush members and the associated track, comprising contact strips, when a receptacle is in the lower-most position inthe building structure, and.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of the control system for our invention for effecting the resultsherein described.

Our invention is illustrated as applied to a circuitous elevator (see Fig. 1) in which a plurality 1 of automobile receptacles or cages, l to 8in-- elusive, are suitably supported forsixnultaneous movement within a supporting or housing structure 21 in a circuitous pathcomprising-twofad- .i jacent straight vertical portions which are inter-gt connected at the top and at the bottom.

tached to, and supported at a lateral distance fromponeof a pair of endless chains 24 having the shape of aloop kand disposedl on oppositesides of the receptacle. The chains 24 are suitably supported and movable around upper sheaves or sprocket: wheels 25 and lower sheaves or sprocket wheels-26.

Bracket arms

27 and 28 are provided for supporting the receptacles at a lateralv distance from the endless chains 24. One end of the arm 27 is pivotally attached to the endless chain l24 at one portionthereof, and one end of thearm 28 is pivotally attached-to the same endless chain at adistance therefrom, approximately equal to the length of the'arms 27 and 28.. The other corresponding ends of the arms 27 and -28 converge and are suitably fastened to a bearing member 23 g forrotatably supporting one end of the trunnion shaft 22. Similar bracket-arm supports are attachedto the parallel endless chains at corresponding levels and at regular intervals for supporting opposite ends-of the trunnion shaft 22 of each receptacle. f

The

bracket arms

27 and 28, supporting the receptacles-at a lateral distance from the endless Chania-effect a close spacing of successive vreceptaclesduring movement -thereof through the vertical portions of their path of travel and also effect an increased speed'of movement of the cagesyas they transfer from one vertical'path to the other around the vupper sprocket` wheels 2.5 or the lower sprocket wheels 26, whereby the necessary clearance is obtained between successive receptacles.

Each of the

sprocket wheels

25 and 26 is keyed to a stub shaft 29 which is suitably retained in bearing members 30 attached to structural-members 31 constituting parts of the buildingl structure 21. n

The receptacles are moved simultaneously through a circuitous path which is similar-to, and greater in length than, that of the endless-chains 24, by a motorV 32 of any suitable type. The motor 32 drives a gear mechanism 33 comprising a pair Vof sprocket wheels 34,"each` engaging one-of the adjacent straight-verticalportions of the endless chain 24 at corresponding levels and having a pinion gear 35 keyed to the shaftf36 of the motor 32 and meshing with thev gear'wheels 37 which are alsojkeyed to thefsame shafts 38, respectively, as the sprocket wheels 34. K y

,Each ofthe receptacles or cagesv is of a boxshape and is suitably constructed of structural material constituting a suitable' framework'. Each of the cagesds provided with fire protective and insulating material'disposedl at the top and by insulating segments and 56.

at the bottom thereof. The ends of each cage are preferably open, and automobiles are driven directly upon and off the cages when they are in their lowermost position at a loading and unloading station at the bottom of the building structure 21. Suitable gates or closures may be provided which may or may not be of fire-protective material. The sides of the cages or rev.ceptacles are open, since the receptacles are of such a width as to necessitate such construction -to-allowthel doors of the automobiles disposed Vthereon to be opened.

-. yA,bralre.39, of a suitable and well known type,

--cornprisi,r1g,a` magnet coil 40 energizable to releaseithebrakeshoe 41 from engagement with the brake'drum 42,xkeyed to the shaft 36 of the motor, is provided. Each receptacle is suspended from a trunnionv rod or shaft 22, each end of which is pivotally at- A selector switch43, comprising a part of the controlsystem for normal operation of the circuitous elevator and for effecting the movement 'of aselectedreceptacle to a loading station by theshoitest-route, is provided. The principle of construction and operation of the selector'switch 43 is described in the copendingapplication of F. E. Lewis, Seria-l No. 398,898, nowPatent 1,856,876, assigned to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, and an almosty identical system' of control, associated with a selector sw'itchof this type, is described in the copending application of H. D. James and H. E. White,fSerial`No. 458,110, assigned to the Westinghouse lElectric & lManufacturing Company. It should-be understoodthat this selector switch andi-its associated -control system do not constitute parts of our invention.

--Briey, the selector 43 comprises a cylindrical drum 43-Y (see Fig. 1) which has three

rings

50, 51 and 52,(see Fig. 4) disposed around the outsideiperiphery thereof, and which is driven in accordancewith the movement of the receptacles by -any suitable means, such as an endless chain 44 which connectsthe sheaves or sprocket wheels 45 and 46 attached, respectively, to the shaft 47 of the drum-.43 and to one of the shafts 29.

' The-selector-switch may be mounted in any suitable position, such as on the wall of the supporting structure 21.

The/'rings 50 and 51 "are of any suitable conducting material and present an unbroken outer periphery. The ring 52 comprises two semi-circular-'segments 53 and 54 of 'conducting material, the segment 53 being slightly'longer than segment 54, -and the two segments being separated The segment 53 is connected to the ring 50 by a conductor 57, and-segment 54 is connected to the ring 51 by a conductor 58. l

AA push-button panelboard is provided which haspush button switches 1 to 8 disposed thereon in a suitable manner fori the purpose of calling L receptacles V1 to `8 respectively, to the bottommost .positionat the ground level by the shortest route:

One contactmember of each of the push-butconnected, respectively, to the energizing coil of a direction relay 69 and the coil 75 of a direction relay 74.

The energizatiofn of the relay 69, vby the operation of any of thecall switches 1" to 8", eiects the actuation ofthe motor 32 for moving the receptacles through the building structure 21 in a counter-clockwise direction. The relay 74, when energized by the operation of any of the call switches 1" to 8", eiects the actuation of the motor 32 to move the receptacles through the building structure 21 in a clockwise direction.

The direction of movement of a receptacle which is called to the loading station by the operation of one of the push-button switches 1" to 8" is automatically determined by the physical relation of the segments 5.3 and 54 on ring 52 and the brush members 1' to 8', which establishes 4the proper control circuit to so energize either relay 69 or relay 74 that the receptacle called moves `to the lowermost position in the building structure 21 by the shortest route.

An emergency-stop push-button 64 is provided on the rpanel 60 for the purpose of stopping the movement of receptacles at any time during their movement.

The call switches 1" to 8" may be of any suitable type which remain closed after a momentary closing thereof `by hand, until the receptacle, which is called thereby, reaches the lowermost positionin itspnath of travel.

Auxiliary push-button members 1A to 8A are provided for the push-button switches l" to 8", respectively, fonmanually opening each of the switches once they are closed, whether the receptacle which the operation thereof has called to the loading station has reached that position or not. That is, these auxiliary push-buttons 1A to 8A are provided for the purpose of cancelling a call prior to the complete response to the call set up by the operation of the call switches 1" to 8", respectively. f

We have provided a means for detecting extraordinary heat or fire on any of the receptacles 1 to 8, which comprises a plurality of fusible links on each receptacle (see Fig. 2). Each of the fusible links comprises a strip of metal which fuses, at a predetermined degree of heat or temperature caused by fire.

Referring-,t0 Fig. 2, it will be seen that we have provided a switch lever 81, pivotally attached at the joint 82 to a bracket arm 83, and in turn, attached to the top cross member 22 of a receptacle. The lever 81 is for the purpose of controlling the actuation of motor 32 for moving the receptacles.

The upper end of the lever 81 extends into the hollow end of the trunnion rod 22, the elongated slot 84 in the wall of the trunnion rod permitting a pivotal movement of the lever 81 about the joint 82. The upper end of the lever 81 is bifurcated, the prongs 87 of which having elongated slots 88 therein, extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lever.

A rod or yshaft is slidably mounted in a bearing member 86 which is retained within the hollow end of the trunnion shaft 22 and has a pair of lugs 89 projecting radially outward, at the opposite ends of a horizontal diameter of the rod 85, to engage the slots 88 in the prongs 87 of the lever 81. i

A cylindrical spring 90 is disposed concentrically around the rod 85 betweenthe inside end of the bearing member 86 and a collar 91 on the rod 85 which engages the prongs 87 of the lever 81. One end of a cable 92, comprising the fusivble links 80, previously mentioned, is kattached to the lower end 0f the lever 81, and the other` end is attached to a portion of the receptacle, such as the opposite end of thegtrunnion shaft 22,

whereby the fusible links 80 are suitably positioned to be acted upon by extraordinary heat or re occurring in the receptacle.

The length of the cable 92 and its point of attachment to the receptacle are such that the lever 8l is normally maintained in a vertical position against the force of the spring 90. The lever 81, although normally maintained in a vertical position, is manually movable to the right, in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, against the force of the spring 90. The lower end of the lever 81 is also movable to the left, in Fig. 2, by the force of the spring 90 when any of the fusible links 80 break. When the lower end of the lever 81 is moved to the left a requisite distance, the rod 85 is moved slidably in the bearing 86 to the right and a brush member 95 on the rod 85 is caused to engage a contact segment 98. When the lower end of the leverV 81 is moved to the right, the rod 85 is slidably moved to the left, and a brush member 96 thereon engages a contact segment 99.

The

contact segments

98 and 99 constitute parts of a switching means for automatically determining the direction of rotation of the motor 32 to move the receptacle on which a re has occurred to the lowermost position in the structure 21 by the shortest route.

The

contact segments

98 and 99 are parts of an endless track 93 that is similar, in contour, to the path of travel of the endless chains 24 and supported in parallel and concentric relation thereto. (See Fig. l.) The track is of laminated structure, having conducting strips on the outside that are separated by, and attached to, a common insulating strip 100 by means of screws 101. One of the conducting strips comprises two segments 98 and 98', respectively, the two segments being separated by short insulating

segments

102 and 103. The segment 102 is disposed at the lowermost point of the track at the bottom of the structure 21, and the segment 103 is disposed in the portion `of the track near the top of the structure 2l.

The conducting strip on the other side of the insulating strip 100 comprises the two segments 99 and 99', separated by two short insulating segments 102' and 103', in the manner described for `

segments

102 and 103, respectively, and

alined therewith.

The track is suitably supported in such manner as to allow a continuous movement of the

brush members

95 and 96, on the receptacles, therearound but free from engagement therewith until moved by the lever 81 into engagement therewith. The preferred method of supporting the track is by horizontally disposed struts 105, suitably attached to the bearing members 30 on theoutside of the

sprocket wheels

25 and 26 and connected to portions of the track on opposite sides ofthe sprocket wheels.

An insulating cylinder 85' surrounds the portion of the rod 85 between the two brush inembers 95 .and 95 to prevent short-circuiting the

segments

98 and 99 or the segments 98' and 99' by the rod 85.

The engagement of the brush memberl 95 on a. receptacle with the segment 98, when caused by movement of the associated operating rod 85, establishes an electrical circuit including the clockwise direction relay 74,` which effects the energization of the motor 32 to move that receptacle, in a clockwise direction, to the lowermost position in the structure, which is the shortest route to that position. When the brush member ico 95 runs oi the strip 98 and upon the insulating segment 102, the circuit is interrupted, andthe motor stops, with the receptacle in theloading and unloading position, whereby an automobile may be driven directly on or off the receptacle.

When the brush member 95 engages the segment 98' an electrical circuit is set up which causes the motor 32 to move the receptacles in a counter-clockwise direction and, when the brush 95 runs oi the segment 98 and upon the insulating segment 102, this circuit is interrupted, and the motor is stopped, with vthe vcorresponding receptacle in the lowermost position.

An alarm device, such as an ordinary electrically-operated bell 106, is provided, which rings whenever any of the brush members 95 engage either of the segments V98 and 98. The alarm bell serves to attract attention to the fact that a re has occurred in one of the receptacles.

An arcuate conducting strip 104, extending parallel to the lowermost portion of the track 93 is suitably supported from the structure 21. The arcuate strip 104 is disposed in the plane of the segments 98 and 98', and the brush member l95 simultaneously engages the lowermost portions of either of the segments 98v and 98' and the strip 104, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

A plurality of rire-extinguishing spraysf 109 for projecting suitable iiuids or vapors into a receptacle in the lowermost position of the path of travel thereof are provided in a suitable position and are automatically actuated when the brush member 95 of any receptacle engages the arcuate strip 104.

The sprays 109 have pipe lines or hose lines 108 leading thereto from a source of supply (not shown) to be controlled by electro-magnetically operated valves 107, which are normally closed, and manually operated valves 111, which are normally open.

The engagement or any of the brush members 95 with the arcuate strip 104 completes an energizing circuit for the magnet coils 110 of the valves 107, whereby the valves are opened. The valves 107 are reclosed by opening the normally closed switch 153, preferably of the push-button type, which deenergizes the magnet coils 110.

The valves 111 are for the purpose of stopping the operation of the sprays at any time.

The main control system, comprising call switches 1L to 8" inclusive is interlocked with the auxiliary control system, comprising the lever 81 on each receptacle, by means oi contact members b on

relays

121 and 157, whereby the former is rendered ineffective whenever the latter is operated. The relay 121 is actuated to` open its normally closed contact members b whenever any of the

brush members

95 and 96 engage, respectively, the segments 98 and 99', whereby the efiective operation of the call switches 1 to 8 inclusive having the contact members b or relay 121 in circuit therewith, is prevented. The relay 157 is actuated to open its normally Aclosed contact members b whenever any of the brushmembers 95 an-d 96 engage, respectively, the

segments

98 and 99, whereby the effective operation of the call switches l, to 8 inclusive is'prev'ented.v The operation oi lthe system, as a whole, is best understood by an ,assumed operation. Let itbe assumed that a fire occurs on receptacle 6 when positioned as illustrated in Fig. 1. One or severalof the fusible links80, melting underf'the application of heat or iire thereto, sever and! thus release the lever 81. The spring 99 forces the upu' per end of the lever 81 and, therefore, the'rod 85 tothe right (Fig. 2), causing the brush 95 to engage the segment 98 which completes an electrical circuit for actuatingthe alarm bell 106 and effects the rotation of the motor 32 in such direction as Yto cause the receptacles to be moved in a counter-clockwise direction. The circuit extends from the ground connection 115, through conductor 116, a source of supply, such as a battery 117,`

conductors

118, 119 and 120, relay 121, conductor 122', relay Y123, conductor 124, segment 98', `brush 95, and rod 85, back to the ground connection 125. It will be understood that the rod 85 is electrically connected to the ground through the

bracket arms

27 and 28, the chains 24, the sprocket'wheels 25 rand 26, the bearings 30 and the structural members 31.

Theenergization Vof the relay 128 effects the closing of the normally open contact members thereof which completes an energizing circuit through 'the alarm bell 106,`causing it to ring. This circuit'extends from supply conductor L1, through

conductors

128 and 129, contact members of relay 123,`c`onduc`tors` 130 and 131, bell 106, and conductor 134, to supply conductor L2.v Thus the alarm bell 106 rings whenever a i'ire occurs, or whenever a predetermined degree of heat, sufficient to fuse the links 80, exists on any ofthe receptacles yso'positioned that its brush member 95 will engage the segment 98.

The energization of the relay 121 effects the closing of the normally open Contact members a and the opening of the normally closed contact members b thereof. f

The opening* of the contact members b of the relayV 121 opens the control circuit through the call switches 1" to 8" and prevents the operation of the A`circuitous elevatorthereby. Therefore, it will be seen that the contact members b constitute an interlock between the main control system for the motor 32 Y comprising `the call switchesl'f to 8" and the auxiliary control for the motor 32, comprising the lever 81 on each of the receptacles, and prevents operation of the former controlwhenever the latter is in use.

The closing of the contact members a of the relay 12.1 closesa circuit for energizing the coil of the'counter-clockwise direction relay69, which circuit extends from supply conductor L1, through conductor 135, contact members a-of the relay'f121, Vconductor 186, coil 70, conductor 137, normally closed contact members e of the clock- Wise diiectionielay 74 and

conductors

138, 139 and140, to supply'conductor L2.

The energization of the coil 70 closes the normally open contact members a, b, c, and d and opens the normally closed contact members e of the relay 69.

' The contact members e of the relay 69 are in the energizing circuit of the coil 75 ofthe clockwisedirection relay 74, and, therefore, when open, prevent the energization thereof. It will thus be seen that the contact members e constitute an internet coil 40 `for therbrake 39, associated with the motor 32, which circuit extends from supply conductor L1, through conductor 128, coil 40,

conductors

141 and 142, contact members d of relay 69 and conductor 140, to supply conductor L2.

vThe energization of the coil 40 fmoves the brake slice 41 away from the brakedrum 42, against the torce of a spring (not shown) and permits the rotation of the motor 32, which is effected by the electrical connections established to the three phases X, Y and Z, of the motor 32,' by the closing of the normally open contact members a, b and c, of relay 69.

The electrical connections to the three phases X, Y and Z of the motor 32, for this direction of rotation, extend from the three-phase supply conductors AC3, AC2 and AC1, respectively,through the conductors 143, 144 and 145, contact members c, a, and b,

conductors

146, 147 and 148 and

conductors

149, 150 and 151.

The motor 32 thus rotates and causes the receptacles to be moved in a counter-clockwise direction. The receptacles continue to move until the brush-member 95 of receptacle 6 engages the arcuate strip 104, which establishes an energizing circuit through the magnet coils 110 for controlling the electromagnetically operated valves 107. This circuit extends from the ground connection 115, through conductor 116, source of supply 117, conductor 118, the coils 110, conductor 152, normally closed switch 153, conductor 154, arcuate strip 104, brush member 95 and the shaft 85, to the ground connection 125, as previously described.

The energization of the coils 110 opens the pipe line 108 leading to each of the sprays 109 and causes them to project a lire-extinguishing fluid or vapor upon and into the receptacle 6, which is, at this time, in the line of'projection thereof,

A short further movement of the receptacle 6 causes the brush member 95 thereon to run off the segment 98 and upon the insulating segment 102, which effects the interruption of the motor and bell circuits previously traced, and stops the motor 32, with the receptacle 6 in the lowermost position, Where the sprays 109 continue to project the rire-extinguishing fluid or 'vapor into the receptacle. When the rire is extinguished, the manually operated valves 111 are closed or the switch 153 is opened. In either case, the pipe lines 108 are closed, and the operation of the sprays 109 is stopped. We have illustrated 'only two sprays 109, but it should be understood that a plurality oi similar sprays may be suitably disposed for more ecient fire-extinguishing operation.

It should be noted that the moving of the receptacle, uponwhich arflre has occurred, to the lowermost position, permits the application by the garage attendants of fire-extinguishing iluids or vapors by means, other than the sprays 109,A

which may be conveniently brought or. moved to a burning receptacle in the lowermost position in its path of travel.

For a further understanding of our control system, let it be assumed that a re has occurred on the receptacle 4. In this case, the fusible links thereon are severed, the rod is so moved that the brush 95 on receptacle 4 engages the segment 98 which establishes a circuit for causing the alarm bell 106 to ring and the motor 32 to rotate in such direction as to move the receptacles in a clockwise direction. This circuit extends from the ground connection 115, through conductor 116, source of supply 117,

conductors

118, 119 and 156, relay 15.7,

conductors

158 and 159, relay 160, conductors 161, segment 98 and brush 95, to the ground connection 125 in a manner lsimilar to that previously traced. Y

The energization of the relay 160 closes the normally open Contact members thereof, which establishes a circuit through alarm bell 1 06, which circuit extends from Vsupply conductor L1, through

conductors

128 and 162, contact .members of the relay 160, conductors 130 and 131, bell 106,

and the motor 32.

and conductor 134, to supply conductor L2. It Will thus be seen that the engagement of the brushes 95 with either of the segments 98 and 98eiects the ringing of the 'alarm bell 106.

The energization of the relay 157 closes its normally open contact members aand opens its normally closed contact members b. The opening ,of contact members b prevents the effective operation of call switches 1 to 8 inclusive since it opens the control circuits controlled thereby. The closing of contact members a closes the energizing circuit through the coil 75 of the clockwisedirection relay 74. This circuit extends from supply conductor L1, through

conductors

135 and 165, contact members a of the. relay 157, cond uctor 166, coil 75,conductor 168, normally closed contact members e of the relay 69 and conductors 169 and 140, to supply conductor L2. ,l

The energization of the coil 74y causes the normally open contact members a, b, c, and d ofthe relay 74 to close and the normally closed contact members e to open.

As previously mentioned, the opening of contact members e prevents energization of relay 6'9 so long as relay 74 is actuated to a closed position.

The closing of the contact members d of the relay 74 effects the energization of the coil 40 of the brake 39 in the same manner yand'through substantially the same circuit as was, traced for contact members d of the relay 69, the contact members d of the relay 74 being shunted across the contact members d of the relay 69. 1

The contact members a, b and `c of the relay 74, when closed, connect thethree-phase alternating-current supply conductors AC1, AC2 and AC3 to the terminals of phases Y, Z and X, re-

spectively, of the motor 32. The connection to the terminal of the phase Y extends from the supply conductor AC1, throughconductor 170,v

contact members a of relay 74 and

conductors

147 and 151. The connection to phase Z extends from supply conductor AC2, through conductor 171, contact members-b of the relay t74 and conductors 148 and 150.- The connection to` phase X extends from supply conductor AC3,

through conductor 172, contact members c of the relay 74 and

conductors

146 and 149.

It will thus be seen that the connections ktothe phases Y and Z are interchanged from that established by the closing of contact members a, b and c ofthe relay 69. Therefore, it will be apparent that the closing of the relay 74 effects the rotation of the motor 32 in a direction opposite to that effected by the closing of the relay 69, and that thedirection issuch that the receptacles are moved ina clockwise direction.

When receptacle 4 reaches substantially the lowermost position in its path of travel, its brush member 95 engages the arcuate strip 104, which establishes an energizing-circuit for the coils 110- for opening the valves 107 Vin the pipe lines 108 leading to the fire-extinguishing sprays 109, in the samemanner as, andthrough a circuit substantially identical with that described previously'for receptacle 6. Y

When receptacle 4 reaches the lowermost position in its path of travel, its brush 95 runs oir the We have further provided a means for controlling the movement of the receptacles by a person ceptaclesby the motor 32 is thuseiectedin a beobvious-that, when -receptacle 4 'reaches 'sub When jthe'receptacle 4 reaches the bottom-most with;fengage s;the contactsegment 99. gagement'of brush-96 with the segment 99 comoperating a control means on any of thereceptacles; 11n this system of control, the leverl'of any of the receptacles is operated by a person on that receptacle, by his moving the lower end of the lever 8l to the right, in Fig. 2. The upper end ofthe level` is thus moved a sufficient amount' to the left, against the force of the spring' 90, untilthe brush 96 engages the contact segment 99,v comprising 'a part of the track 93, previously described. j'

kThe engagement of ,the brush 96 with the segment 99,v completes a control circuit for energizing the motor 32 to rotate in such direction as to move the receptacles in a clockwise direction; The automatic Astopping of the motor 32 to stop thereceptacle `on which vthe lever 81 has been operated; in 4its lowermost position in its path of traveLLis eiectedby` the brush 96 runningoff segment 99 and upon the insulating segment 102'. The operation ci this part of our control system is best understood by an assumed operation. 1

Let it be assumed that a person on receptacle 4, positioned as illustrated in Fig. 1, operates the lever 81 so that the brush 96, associated there- The enplates-a circuit forenergizing relay 157', whichcircuit'extendsfromground connection 115, through conductorf-ll; source of supply 117, conductors 118, y'119 and 156,*relay l157, conductor 158, sege of these contact-members have been-previously explained.` Contact lmembersl a, lwhen closed, complete-an energizing circuit through coil of clockwise-direction Yrelay 74,"which ,circuit has been previously traced. Movement ofthe reclockwiseedirection f The-arcuate strip 104, being in theplane 0f the contact-strips 98 -and 98 and not inthe plane of the-contactstrips-QQ'and 99 (see Fig. 3), it will stantially its vlowermost position in its path of travel, the brush 96'thereon does notl engage the arcuate-*strip 104 and, therefore, the fire-extinguishing sprays 109- are not operated:

position'in its-pathoftravel, the lbrush 96 there'- onrruns'oi thesegment 99 and upon the insulating=segment-lOZywhich eiects the interruption of theenergizing circuit for

relay

157, and,4 therefore, `the-imrnediatestopping of lthe receptacle 4 in that positionfas' a result ofv the immediate l Similarlygthe operation of the lever 81' on re-A ceptacle:6,aspositioned in Fig. 1, effects the engagement of the'brush member 96 on thatjcageY with contact'. strip 99.A This completesfthe energizing: circuitvthrough relay 121, which circuit extends-V fromground y'connection 115, through conductor 116, source of supply 117, conductors .1118, 119 and 120, relay 121, conductors'122 and closes its normally open contact members a, which complete the'energizing circuit for coil 70` of the counter-clockwise direction relay 69, as previously traced. This-effects a rotation of the motor 32 inadirection-to-'cause the'receptacles to move in a counter-clockwise direction until the brush 96 on the receptacle 6 runs ofi the segment 99' and 'upon the insulating segment 102, which effects the stopping of the motor 32, in the manner previously described.-

The normal operation of the circuitous elevator is effected by the maincontrol system comprising th'epush-,button switches 1" to 8" located on the panel`60.` This parto the control system illustrated in Fig. 4 does.'not constitute a part of our invention. However, an assumed operation for this control system will serve vto complete the understanding of our invention. 'Let it be 'assumed that it is desired to call'receptacle 5 from its position, illustrated inFig. l, tothe lowermost position in its path of travel, namely, the position occupied by receptacle 1 in Fig'. 1. A person depresses the call switch, thus immediately closing the contact members thereof. The closing of the contact members completes an energizingcircuit through `coil Y176 of theswitch 5 which effects the maintenanceV of the 'closed position ofthe Contact members o-the switch`5. The closing of the contact members of the's'witch 5 also completes an energizing circuit through coil 7010i the counter-clockwise-direction Vr'el'ay 69,1which is the same as the energizing circuitfor the' coil 176, and which extends from supply conductor Ll, through conductor 177, emergency stop push-button switch 64,

conductors

178 and 1,79,- coil 176, contact members of the switch 5, conductorilSO brushmember 5', contact segment 53 of the selector switch 43, conductor 57, ring 5G, brush member 61, conductor 181, interlock contact membersA b of the relay 121,

conductors

182 and 136, coil 70, conductor 137, contact members e of the relayv 74

andconductors

138, 139 and 140, to supply conductorL2.

The actuation of therelay 69 effects the actuation of the vmotor 32 to move the receptacles in a counter-clockwise direction. The stopping of the-receptacles is effected when the brush member 5' vruns off thecontact segment 53 and upon the insulating segment, which occurs when receptacle 5 reaches theV lowermost position in its path of. travel. The engagement of the brush 5 with the insulating segment 56 interrupts the energizing circuit through the coil 176 of the switch 54 and coil `7() of the relay 69 previously traced, so that .thecontact members of the switch 5" open simultaneously withthe. stopping of receptacle 5 in its lowermost position in its path of travel.

The operation ofthe call switch 4", when the receptacle 4 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, effectsthe .movement'of receptacle 4 to its lowermost position in its :path of travel by the shortest route, Which is a clockwise direction. The automatic stopping of receptacle 4, upon its arrival at its lowermost position in its path of travel, is eiected bythe interruption ofthe energizing circuitfor relay 74 bythe engagement ofY the brush 4 with insulating segment 56 of the selector switch 43. f Y f Itwill thus be seen that we have provided a control system for automatically eiecting the movement of a receptaclel ofV a circuitous elevator, upon which a iire has occurred, to the lowermost position in its path of travel `by the shortest` route, immediately upon the occurrence of the re, and for automatically stopping it arrival thereat. Y 4It -willl befseen also that We have provided a means for controlling the movement of receptacles by control means on each receptacle.

rIt will be `seen alsoI that we have provided a upon its means for automatically actuating nre-extinguishing sprays to project suitable fluids or vapors into a receptacle upon which a fire has occurred, when that receptacle reaches the lowermost position in its path of travel.

It will be seen further that We have provided a means for interlocking the control system comprising operating means on each receptance, when the control system for normal operation of the circuitous elevator whereby the latter is rendered ineiective when the former is operated or in operation.

We are aware that our invention is capable of various modifications without departure from the spirit of our invention. We intend that the iigures and diagrams, which we'have described, be illustrative only, and do not desire to be limited except by the scope of prior art and the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a conveyor, a plurality of load movers movable in a circuitous path past a station, motive means for moving the load movers in said path, and means, including means'responsive to the existence of a predetermined degree of heat or the existence of re in any of said load movers, for effecting the actuation ofv said motive means to move a load mover so conditioned to the said station by the shortest route. y

2. In a conveyor, a plurality of load movers movable in a circuitous path successively past a station, motive means for moving the load mover in said path, and means, including means responsive to the existence of a predetermined degree of heat or the existence of rire in any of said load movers, for effecting the actuation of said motive means to move said load movers and stop them When one on which a predetermined degree of heat or on which a fire exists reaches the said station.

3. In a conveyor, a plurality of load movers movable in a circuitous path successively past a station, motive means for moving the load movers in said path, and means, including means responsive to the existence of a predetermined degree of heat or the existence oi fire in any of said load movers, for eiiecting the actuation of said motive means to move a load mover on which a fire or a predetermined degree of heat exists to the said station by the shortest route and stop it thereat.

4. In a control system for the motive means for moving the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, means including means responsive to a predetermined degree of heat on any of the receptacles, for eiTecting the actuation of the motive means to move a receptacle, on which'a predetermined degree of heat exists, to a predetermined position.

5. In a control system for the motive means for moving the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, means including means responsive to a predetermined degree of heat on any receptacle, for effecting the actuation of the motive means to move a receptacle on which a predetermined degree of heat exists to a predetermined position and stop it thereat.

6, In a control system for the motive means for moving the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, means, including means responsive to a predetermined degree of heat on any receptacle,

for effecting the actuation of the motive means to move a receptacle on which a predetermined degree of heat exists to a predetermined position by the shortest route.

7. In a control system for the motive means for moving the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, means, including means responsive to the existence of a predetermined degree of heat on any receptacle, for eiecting the actuationl of the motive means to move a receptacle on which a predetermined degree of heat exists to a predetermined position by the shortest route and stop it thereat.

8. In a control system for the motive means for moving the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, means, including means responsive to the existence oi a fire on any of the receptacles, for effecting the actuation of the motive means to move the receptacles until the receptacle on which a fire exists reaches a predetermined position in its path of travel and then stopping the receptacles.

9. In a control system for the motive means for moving the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, means, including means responsive to the existence of a liire on any of the receptacles, for

electing the actuation of the motive means to move the receptacle on which a re exists to a predetermined position by the shortest route and stop it thereat.

10. In a re protective system for a conveyor comprising a plurality of load movers simultaneously movable in a circuitous path successively past a station, means responsive to the existence of a re on any of the load movers, fire-extinguishing means at said station, and means, cooperable with said fire-responsive means, for actuating said fire-extinguishing means when a load mover on which a re exists arrives substantially at the station.

11. In a conveyor comprising a pluralityof load movers movable simultaneously in a circuitous path successively past a station, and motive means for moving the receptacles in said path, control means for said motive means for automatically moving a load mover, on which a re exists, to said station by the shortest route and stopping it thereat, comprising a track having conducting segments and insulatingV segments therebetween, said track being similar in size and shape to the path oi' movement of said load movexistence of a iire thereon, means on each load mover actuable thereby to engage one or" the segments of the saidy track, whereby said motive means is connected to a source of supply and caused to move the load movers until the trackengaging means engages one oi' the insulating segments.

l2. In a control system for the motive means for moving the receptaclesvof a circuitous elevator, control means for said motive means for normal operation of said circuitous elevator, and control means for said motive means, on each of the receptacles, for operation in other cases, and means preventing the operation of the former control means upon operation of the latter.