US2020427A

US2020427A - Fire extinguisher

Info

Publication number: US2020427A
Application number: US733544A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mossberg Frank
Original assignee: MOSSBERG PRESSED STEEL CORP
Current assignee: MOSSBERG PRESSED STEEL Corp
Priority date: 1934-07-03
Filing date: 1934-07-03
Publication date: 1935-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1952-11-12

Description

12, 1%)35. F. MOSSBERG 2,020,427

FIRE EXTINGUI SHER Filed July 3, 1954 6- v INVENTOR 2/ Ffi/I N/r Masmm BY 28' 2mm; 92*

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES NT OFFICE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Application July 3, 1934., Serial No. 733,544

3 Claims.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers, and particularlyto improvements in that type of extinguisher which is adapted to release a liquid fire extinguishing agent automatically when the temperature in the vicinity of the apparatus rises to a predetermined point.

In apparatus of the type described, a receptacle is provided for a fire extinguishing liquid, for example, carbon tetrachloride, and a gas generating agent such as an aqueous solution of ammonia. The apparatus is provided with a sprinkler head or similar distributor and an outlet leading thereto, which is normally sealed but is adapted to be released when a fire occurs. Pressure developed l5 by the gas generating agent when the temperature rises forces the fire extinguishing agent through the outlet when the latter is release-d. The fire extinguishing agent is distributed over the surrounding surface.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus wherein the release of the outlet under predetermined conditions is made more certain and dependable, thereby increasing the efficiency of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved outlet controlling means adapted to assure increase-d sensitiveness to tem perature in the vicinity of the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference to the specification and accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section through an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the sprinkler head;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a plan detail of an element of the sprinkler head. I

In carrying out the invention, I provide a receptacle 5 which is preferably made of aluminum, particularly if the liquids used therein consist of carbon tetrachloride and aqueous ammonia, because aluminum resists the corrosive .effect of these liquids in combination. Other materials may be used for the container, which may be of any shape or size to meet particular requirements. The receptacle 5 is provided preferably with a bail 6 to facilitate suspension. The positi-onof the receptacle may be reversed so that the discharge is downwardly rather than upwardly, as

indicated.

An outlet pipe 1 extends from a point near the bottom of the receptacle 5 to the top thereof, and terminates in a sprinkler head 8. If the sprinkler head is disposed at the bottom rather than at the top of the receptacle 5, the pipe I may be omitted, being unnecessary when the contents are permitted to escape from the bottom of the receptacle.

The sprinkler head 1 is of special construction 5 to embody the dual. control features of Patent No. 1,735,255, to which my improvements more particularly relate. An opening 9 in the sprinkler head receives a nozzle l0. This nozzle is made of a steel alloy containing chromium in the propor- 10 1 tion of, for example about 18-8%, or similar alloy designated as stainless steel, which resists corrosion and is capable of receiving an adhering ring of low melting point solder. The nozzle is provided with a central bore l l which is enlarged 15 at the lower end. The bore is closed at its outer end by a cap 12 also preferably of stainless steel which is secured by a ring [3 of solder having a composition well known in the art and adapted to be melted at a temperature which ensures the 20 release of the outlet when a fire occurs in the vicinity of the apparatus. The cap I2 is provided preferably with an indentation M which centers it by cooperation With the bore l l on the top of the nozzle. The outlet is thus normally hermeti- '25 cally sealed until a fire occurs, but is then released automatically.

Within the nozzle is is a thimble I5 secured by a press fit and having an end I6 directed inwardly and preferably conical in form, with openings I1 30 disposed about it. The openings permit egress of the liquid contents of the extinguisher and prevent the liquid from acquiring a swirling motion which otherwise would tend to throw it outwardly before it strikes a deflector H3 at the top of the 35 sprinkler head 8. When the liquid is released as described, it issues as a direct stream from the mouth of the nozzle and strikes the deflector which causes it to spread in all directions about the apparatus. The even distribution thus ef- 40 fected ensures the proper functioning of the extingm'sher.

-As a further control of the operation of the extinguisher, I provide a diaphragm [9 of thin metal, preferably gold foil, between two washers 5 20 and 2], the former having lugs 22 to engage

slots

23 and 24 in the diaphragm l9 and opposing washer 2! respectively. The washers 20 and 2| are held between the

shoulders

25 and 26 on the sprinkler head and the co-operating part 21 which 50 is threadedly connected thereto and supports the outlet pipe I. The upper washer 20 has a large opening 28, and the lower washer 2| 2. smaller opening 28'. The diaphragm is adapted to be ruptured when the pressure rises to a predeter- 55 mined point in the receptacle 5, thus affording dual control and preventing release of the liquid contents before a sufiicient pressure is developed. The diaphragm may be made of other metal such as platinum, silver or aluminum.

To protect the diaphragm from premature rupture before the cap I2 is released, I preferably fill the bore of the nozzle above the diaphragm with a material 29 which is aliquid or semi-liquid at the temperature at which the apparatus is designed to operate. Vaseline and glycerin are suitable materials. Low melting point waxes and similar materials can be used. When the conditions for operation exist, the cap I! is released by the melting of the solder, the diaphragm I9 is ruptured by the pressure generated within the receptacle, and the liquid contents force the material 29 from the bore and are ejected against the deflector l8 which distributes the liquid over surrounding surfaces.

The structure as described has been subjected to many practical tests for fire extinguishing characteristics and is certain and effective in operation. It likewise ensures the protection and preservation of the contents of the receptacle indefinitely, so that it is ready and dependable when a fire occurs. None of the contents can escape until the predetermined fire conditions occur, and consequently the maximum possible protection is assured at all times.

The various advantages of the invention are set forth herein, and these and other advantages may be attained with numerous modifications of the structure without departing from the invention or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle, a sprinkler head connected thereto, a nozzle of noncorrosive steel in the sprinkler head, a cap adapted to close the outlet from the nozzle, means sensitive to temperature of predetermined degree, normally holding the cap in nozzle-closing position and adapted to release the cap at such temperature, and a frangible diaphragm at the inner end of the nozzle, said diaphragm being ruptur- 5 able in response to a predetermined pressure, the space between said diaphragm and said cap being substantially filled with a material which is substantially liquid at such temperatures and which under normal temperature conditions is expella- 1o ble but maintained against expulsion by said cap.

2. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle, a sprinkler head connected thereto, a nozzle, :1. cap adapted to close the outlet from the nozzle, means sensitive to temperature of predetermined degree, 15 normally holding the cap in nozzle-closing position and adapted to release the cap at such temperature, and a frangible diaphragm at the inner end of the nozzle, said diaphragm being rupturable in response to a predetermined pressure, the 20 space between said diaphragm and said cap being substantially filled with a material which is substantially liquid at such temperature and which under normal temperature conditions is expellable but maintained against expulsion by said cap. 25

3. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle, a sprinkler head connected thereto, a nozzle, a cap adapted to close the outlet from the nozzle, means sensitive to fire temperatures normally holding the cap in nozzle-closing position and adapted to re- 30 lease the cap at such temperature, a frangible diaphragm in the inner end of the nozzle, said diaphragm being rupturable in response to a predetermined pressure, and means between said diaphragm and said cap for normally reinforcing 35 said diaphragm, said means under normal temperature conditions being expellable but maintained against expulsion by said cap.

FRANK MOSSBERG. 40