US2537009A - Delayed action fire-extinguishing system - Google Patents

Description

1951 F. B. ALLEN ETAL 2,537,009

DELAYED ACTION FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed June '7, 1947 S Sheets-Sheet 1 El. 2.. M? 789 ado mmvroxs FRANK B. AL .LEN NORMAN H. SIEBENS Jan. 9, 1951 F B, ALLEN r 2,537,009

DELAYED ACTION FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed June 7, 1947 s SheetS Sheet 2 INVENTORS FRANK B.ALLEN NORMAN H. SIEBENS Ml W,

Jan. 9, 1951 F. B. ALLEN ETAL DELAYED ACTION FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 7, 1947 Patented Jan. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DELAY-ED ACT-ION FIBE-EXTEENGUISHING SYST Frank B. Allen, Verona, "and Norman Harry Sieb'ens, Cedar Grove, N. .31, assignors to -0- Two Fire Equipment Company, Newark, N. ilk, a corporation o'fDc'la'war'e Application L'i'une'l, 1947, Serial No. 753,260

(Cl. Hie-=9) 17 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in fire extinguishing systems in which the discharge oi the fire extinguishing fluid into a space to be protected is delayed for a predetermined time interval after the system is operated.

The system is used to flood an enclosure with a fire extinguishing fluid to provide an atmosphere incapable of supporting combustion and thus extinguishing the fire. The enclosure may be occupied and thus it is advisable to provide a delayed discharge of the fluid to allow time for a warning signal to be given and to enable the occupants of the enclosure to escape. In other cases it 'is advisalole to withhold the discharge of the fluid until sufiicient time has elapsed for ventilating fans to be shut off and for ventilating doors or the'like to be closed so that the fire extinguishing fluid will be retained within the enclosure.

Heretofo-re, in some cases time delay systems have been provided including moving parts which have not operated efiec'ti'vely under adverse conditions of tem erature. In other cases friction has developed due to dust accumulation resulting in a wide variation in the operating time of the system. Other systems have depended for their proper operation upon the venting of air from a bellows which, in turn, has operated linkage actuated valves for the release of the fire extinguishing fluid. Such devices have not been altogether satisfactory because the devices often get out of adjustment and thus the time interval varies considerably.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of prior devices "by providing a time delay system having no external operating parts and which-depends for its operation on fluid pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguishing apparatus including means actuable by the fluid to delay the discharge thereof for a predetermined time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguishing apparatus in which the time interval of a delayed discharge :may be easily set and which remains constantly in adjustment during use. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a time delay device including means for the automatic resetting thereof after an actuation thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a time delay device which is simple in construction,re1ie.-ble in operation and rugged in use.

In accordance with the invention the foregoing obiects are accomplished :by providing a fire. ex-

.2 tinguish'ing system in which fluid is caused to now through one chamber into another chamber, a time interval being required for the pressure in the second chamber to reach a value at which it 'o've-rbalances a force dependin upon the pressure in the first chamber and actuates means to release the fire extinguishing fluid.

An apparatus in accordance with the invention is advantageous in that the length of a set time interval is not affected loy changes of tem perature within the range in which the apparatus is used. The apparatus 'may be operated by various types of fluid medium and when operated by non-condensible gases itmay be mounted in any position without affecting the accuracy of the time interval.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent f-rorn the following description and from the accompanying drawings which show by way of example embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a delayed action l-hre extinguishing system in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schemat'ic view of asystem similar to that shown in Fig. 1 which has been modified "for remote operation.

Fig. 3 is'a diagrammatic view of a typical appli cation of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a curve illustrating the relation of the operating time to pressure in the chambers of a device in'accordanc'e with the invention.

Fig. '5 is an elevational view of a time delay device in accordance with the invention.

F g. 6 is a sectional elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings there is shown a schematic view of a fire extinguishing systemin accordance with the invention. The system comprises generally a container I adapted to retain a fluid under pressure, a valve '2 to releasably retain the fluid in the container, a fluid passage or conduit 3 to lead the discharged fluid from the container t a valve 4 adapted to close the passage against the discharge of the fluid, a time delay device =5 to release fluid to open the valve 4 at the end of a predetermined time interval, and a conduit 6 to conduct the fluid to an enclosure 9 illustrated reduced in size.

The container '5 isof the usual type for storing fire extinguishing fluid under pressure such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide or any other compressible fire extinguishing fluid medium. Ihe valve 2 is of the usual type for releasing high pressure fluid and is shown as arranged to release the fluid by turning a handle M on the top thereof unseating a valve member [5 from a set It releasing the fluid through conduit 3 to the time delay device 5.

The valve 4 is adapted to restrain the flow of fluid from conduit 3 to the enclosure 9 until the end of a predetermined time interval. The valve is shown in detail in Fig. 6 and comprises a body 2%, an inlet 2! for fluid released from the container I, a valve chamber 22 in fluid communication with the inlet 2 I, an outlet 2 to lead fluid from the valve chamber 22 to the time delay device 5. The valve also includes a valve seat 26 and a valve member 2? seating thereon and adapted to releasably close the fluid passage from the chamber 22 to an outlet 2% which is provided with a threaded portion (not shown) for connection to conduit 5.

The valve member 27 is slideably mounted in the valve chamber 22 by its piston extension 39 adapted to be received in and reciprocate in a cylindrical portion 3! of the valve body An O-ring seal 32 is carried in a groove 3 in the wall of the piston extension 38 to provide a fluid tight seal between the valve chamber 22 and the atmosphere. The valve member 2? is provided with means for manual operation by a valve rod 35 attached to, or forming part of the cylindrical extension 38. A manual operating handle 35 is pivotally mounted on a pin 3'1 extending through the valve rod 35. In order that the valve member 271 will be normally seated a compression spring 3% is placed around the valve rod 35 and compressed between the inside of a valve cap 49 and end ll of the piston 39. To provide a fluidtight seat for the valve member 21 with its seat 26, a recess 32 is formed in the face of the valve member adapted to receive a seat material M such as nylon or the like. To facilitate manuiac ture the valve cap 43 and the body 28 are shown as made separately and assembled by means of a threaded connection 45.

Means for operating the valve member 2? by fluid pressure comprises a push rod 46 having one end received in an elongated recess in the valve member, the push rod forming an extension of a piston 4i adapted to reciprocate in a cylinder iii formed in end 59 of the body 2%. Fluid may be admitted to the cylinder it through an inlet 5!. The piston is made fluid-tight by an O-ring gasket 52 received in a groove 54 in the wall thereof. The diameter of piston extension 33 is made slightly greater than the diameter or" the seat 25 so that the effects of the spring 39 and the pressure in chamber 22 tending to seat the valve member 27 will be counteracted and the valve member 21 easily unseated by pressure on the piston 41 in the cylinder 39. After the valve member 27 is unseated, pressure acts on its outlet side holding it 01f its seat until all of the fluid has been discharged from the system, after which the valve is reset in the closed position by the action of the spring 39.

The time delay device 5 is adapted to open the valve 5 at the end of a predetermined time interval and is actuated by the pressure of fluic released from container l passing through the housing of valve 3 into the device from the inlet side of the valve member 27. The device 5 receives the fluid through a pipe connection positioned in the threaded end 5? of the outlet 2d of the valve 2. The device comprises a lower body portion 5! a storage means or chamber 59, an upper body portion El, and a second storage means or chamber 52.

The lower body portion 59 is provided with an inlet 63 having a threaded surface G l for engagement with the pipe connection 56. Inlet 63 is narrowed at its upper end to provide a shoulder 65 and is thereafter enlarged to provide a chamber 86 adapted to receive a valve member The valve member 81 has a passage 68 extending therethrough. An orifice disc 65 is positionecl in an enlarged portion Ill of the passage 68. The orifice 69 is protected against 0bstructions blocking its opening by strainers ll of hemispherical shape positioned on either side thereof. A threaded member 72 having a passage 53 therethrough supports the orifice disc 59 with the strainers H in the enlarged portion 10 of the passage. A second portion 15 of body 59 is formed with a passage 16 extending therethrough. A seat ll is positioned adjacent an outlet F8 for the passage of fluid from the body to the chamber 60. Valve member 5'! is made with a somewhat smaller diameter than the diameter of passage E6 in which it is positioned in order that fluid medium may pass between the wall of the passage and the valve member when it is in the open position. The valve member 6'! is adapaed to engage with the seat 5?, and in order to provide a fluid-tight seat, a seating material as is positioned in a recess 8i in the face of the valve member. The valve member 67 is normally urged against seat 1'! by a light spring 62 positioned about the valve member and engaged between the shoulder 65 of body 59 and an annular wall of the valve member. The upper portion E5 of the body member 58 acts as a support for the wall of chamber 69 which may be welded or otherwise attached thereto.

The chamber 56 is adapted to receive fluid restricted in flow by the orifice disc 69 and is shown as made spherical in shape for economy of material in the manufacture thereof. The sphere may be formed with a lower portion 86 and an upper portion 87 which are shown as welded together at joint 88.

The upper body portion BI serves to support chamber 62 and provides a fluid passage between the fluid chambers. The upper body portion also acts as a housing for a pressure operable valve responsive to the relationship of the pressures in chambers 60 and E2, the valve being adapted to release fluid stored in chamber 60. The upper body portion Si is formed of a central member 98 having a passageway extending therethrough and is shown as provided with a threaded end 9i adapted to be received in a fitting 92 shown as attached to the top portion 81 of chamber 69 by a welded joint 93 or the like. The body 92] has a bore 9G extending therethrough having a center or chamber portion 95 encircled at its inlet end by a valve seat 96 and having an enlarged portion 91 at its upper end adapted to receive a piston member 99. A valve member N18 is adapted to engage with the seat 98. The valve member 199 is provided with a recess it] on its face adapted to receive a seat material 502 to provide a fluid-tight seal between the valve member and its seat. The valve member N30 is also provided with a bore I63 in an enlarged portion I04 of which is positioned an orifice member I55 protected against obstructions blocking the opening therein by hemi-spherical screens I06. The screens and orifice are held in position by a plug IE9 which is shown as provided with a threaded connection lit with a threaded inner surface of bore IE4. The plug has a passage lil extending therethrough to lead fluid to the orifice I05. In order that the valve member Hill may be normally held against its seat, a light spring H2 is positioned about the lower end thereof mean ing between end wall 3- of fitting 9'2 and a shoulder I98 of the valve member. Fluid pres.- sure may pass between the wall of bore 94 and the valve member I99, through longitudinall extending slots i I4 in the shoulder I98 of the valve member. The valve member I00.- is adapted tov be opened by fluid pressure in chamber 62 acting against the surface of piston 99. The valve member I65) has a hollow tubular extension H5 adapted to provide means for actuation of the valve member by the piston 99. The piston is shown with a base portion I I6 having an annular wall Ill and a reduced portion H8. The tubular extension I 55 extends upwardly through the pas.- sage 94 and the base portion II6 of the piston from the valve member I90. The reduced end.

80f the piston is adapted to slide in an enlarged portion [I9 of the bore 94. A gasket I 29 provides a fluid-tight seal between chamber 95 and the underside of the piston 99 which is open to the atmosphere by vents IZI. Base portion H9 is also provided with an upwardly extending cylindrical portion I22 adapted to receive a gasket I24 between its inner wall and the outer wall of tubular extension i id. The outer surface of cylindrical portion I22 is shown as threaded to receive an apertured cap member I25 having an annular flange I255. The piston 99 is adapted to reciprocate in a cylinder I2! formed in the, upper end of body 99. A gasket I29 seals the piston against fluid leakage While the annular flange I26 slides against the surface of the cylinder wall I 21 guiding the piston in its movement. The area of the operating surface of piston 99 is made larger than the area of the fluid passage closed by valve member I99 in order that a predetermined relationship of pressures in chambers 65] and 62 will cause the piston to move the valve member from its seat against the pressure on the valve member from chamber 69 and from spring H2. Fluid is thus released from chamber 6% through chamber 95 to an outlet E28. 1

To provide for a possible slow leak past valve seat 96 resulting in fluid entering chamber 95' during the delay interval, means are provided for discharging the fluid to the atmosphere without permitting it to accumulate and render the time delay device inaccurate. The means for venting chamber 95 is provided in the wall thereof and includes a plug I39 shown as threadedly engaged in a bore I3I in the side wall of body 99. The plug I30 carries a check valve member I32 having a recess I34 to receive the usual seating material 35 and is supported by an extension I36 loosely extending through a bore I31 in the plug I39 and held in position by an enlarged end portion I39. The check valve I32 is nor-,

mally held away from its seating surface I49 by a spring Isl engaging between the surface of plug I39 and the valve member. Any leakage past valve seat 95 is vented to theatmosphere through the space between the walls of bore I31 and extension I36. The vent is rendered ineffective during operation of the time delay device by pressure against the bottom of the check valve member I92 which overcomes the action of spring MI and moves the valve member against its seat Chamber 52 is also shown as spherical in form and is comprised of hemispherical portions I 44 and I45 joined by a welded junction I45. Chamber 52 is shown as approximately the same size as chamber 99. The chamber is supported on the upper body portion 8| by a fitting I41 shown attached to the chamber by a welded ioint I48. The fitting is tubular and is shown threaded on. its inner surface for engaging with the threaded outer surface of the cylindrical portion I21 of the body 51. The outlet I 28 for chamber 95 of the upper body portion BI is connected to the inlet 5| of cylinder 49 by a conduit I50 having end fittings I5I and I52.

The operation of the system in accordance with one form of the invention may be understood more readily by reference to Fig. 1. Fire extinguishing fluid stored under pressure in container I is released by valve 2 allowing the fluid to. pass through conduit 3 to valve 4.. The passage of the fluid to discharge conduit 6 is blocked by valve member 27' positioned on its seat 25.. However, fluid may pass from the valve 4 through pipe connection 55 to the time delay device 5. Upon entering the device, the fluid pressure aids the spring 82 in seating the valve member ill on its seat ii. The fluid medium flows through the orifice 59 into the slorage chamber 552, the orifice restricting the flow of the fluid. As. fluid pros sure gradually builds up in the chamber Eli, the pressure aids the spring H2 in seating the valve member Iiiii on its seat The fluid medium through orifice Hi5 and through tubular extension Ii5 of the valve member into the second, storage chamber 52. As fluid. pressure gradually builds up in chamber 52, piston 99 is actuated downwardly to move valve member 59% from its seat 96. The fluid medium stored in the charm ber 66 is then released through the conduit I59 to the valve 4 to cause the piston 41 to unseat valve member 2.? from its seat 25. The fluid medium will then flow through the conduit ii to the enclosure 9. Valve member 2? remains off its seat 25 until all fluid medium has been dis. charged from the system after which the time delay device 5 and the valve 4. are automatically reset by the action of the various springs.

The time delay of the discharge occurs while pressure is building up in the second chamber &2 against the surface of piston 99 to actuate the Valve member Ito. As has been previously stated, the area of the operating surface of piston 99 is made with a larger area than the area of the fluid passage closed by the valve member I89 in order that a predetermined pressure relationship in the chambers to and IE2 will cause the piston to move the valve member its from its seat against the pressure against its surface from chamber to and against the slight force exerted by spring I l2. The time interval required for the operation of the device has been found to depend primarily upon the size of the orifice leading to the second chamber when the two chambers are of approxi-. mately the same size. It has been found that the operating time of the device does not vary appreciably within the pressures generally available in a system of this type. In Fig. 4 there is shown a set of curves of pressures in the two chambers plotted against time in seconds for a device nominally set for a delayed operation interval of thirty seconds. Curve A represents the pressure in the first chamber Gil while curve B rep-resents the pressure in the secand chamber 52. The device was operated with carbon dioxide vapor at a pressure of 7855' pounds per square inch at a temperature of 70 F. The operating time of the device was found to be thirty seconds. A second set of curves, C and D, show respec tivelythe pressure-time relationships in the two chambers for operation by carbon dioxide liquid at a pressure of 900 pounds persquare inch at F. A third set of curves, E and F,

shows the pressure-time relationships for operation by carbon dioxide vapor at a pressure of 515 pounds per square inch at 30 F. The fourth set of curves, G and H, shows the respective pressure-time relationships for carbon dioxide liquid at 30 F. It will be noted that the delayed action intervals did not vary more than one second plus or minus from the optimum time of thirty seconds. The ratio of the pressures in chambers 99 and 62 was the same at the time of operation under the various conditions.

In some installations it may be preferable to provide means for releasing the fire extinguishing fluid from a location remote from the enclosure to be protected. This may be accomplished by using a small container of fluid to act as a control fluid source. This container may be positioned at the desired control location, while a larger container of fire extinguishing fluid is positioned near the enclosure to be protected. In Fig. 2 there is shown a system in accordance with the invention, in which the control cylinder I is shown smaller in size than in Fig. l. The container may be charged with any compressible fluid such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide air, or the like. The conduit 3 is made of the necessary length so that a secondary container 150 containing fire extinguishing fluid under pressure may be positioned near an enclosure itI. The

secondary container is provided with pressure operable valve I52, the utlet I55 of which is con nec.ed with a conduit I55 leading to the enciosure IBI.

The valve IE2 is formed of a housing or body I66 having a passage I61 therethrough for the fluid. A seat I59 is formed at the lower end of the valve and is adapted to be contacted by a valve member 199 to releasably retain the fluid in the container. The valve member I59 is actuated by a hollow extension rod I19 attached to a piston HI, positioned for reciprocal movement in a cylinder I2 2 formed in the upper part of the valve body and in fluid communication with outlet I54. The hollow rod I19 has openings $1 3 at its lower end and a second opening I spaced 9. short distance below its upper end and above the top surface of piston III, opening into a passage I11 therein. A constricted portion E15 of the passage I11 in the hollow rod acts as a seat for a ball valve I18. The ball valve is held on its seat by gravity and is adapted to be forced upwards by fluid released from the container which leaves the rod through openings I15. The extension rod I'iJ has a solid extension I85 on the upper end thereof passing through a fluid-tight opening if in a wall I82 forming the upper end of cylinder H2. An extension of, the body I59 forms a second cylinder I84 in which is positioned a piston I85 fixedly mounted to the solid extension I85. The lower end of the cylinder I84 is vented by an opening I86 to prevent back pres sure on the underside of piston I85. The upper end of the solid extension extends through another fluid-tight opening I81 in the top wall I83 of the first cylinder I12 and has affixed thereto a knob i89 providing manual means for the unseating of the valve member I69. The valve member I59 may be unseated by fluid pressure entering cylinder I85 through an inlet I99 to which is connected a conduit IQI leading from t e outlet of valve 4.

This system is operated in a manner similar to the operation previously deescribed for the system shown in Fig. 1 excepting that the fluid released from the outlet of the discharge valve 5 is led through the conduit I9I to the pressure oper- 8 ated valve I62. through the inlet I90 and causes the piston I to unseat the valve I69. The fire extinguishing fluid is released to pass around the valve member I59 and enter the openings I14 to the passage I11 in the hollow rod I10. The fluid unseats th ball valve I18 and leaves the passage through its upper openings I15. Fluid pressure builds up in the cylinder I12 against the top of the piston I1I assuring the complete opening of the valve member I69.- The fluid then passes from the cylinder I12 through the outlet I64 and the conduit I65 to the enclosure I6I.

Another fire extinguishing system in accordance with the inventionis shown in Fig. 3 in which corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 and 2 with the addition of 250. The system shown in Fig. 3 is advantageous for use in protecting two enclosures, one of which is occupied and, because of its size, requires only a portion of the capacity of the bank of containers of fire extinguishing fluid which is to be discharged after a warning signal has been given. The other enclosure requires the immediate discharge of the full bank of containers. By utilizing the invention the full bank may be discharged without actuation of the time delay device. Referring to Fig. 3 there is shown a pair of control containers 20! adapted to contain fire extinguishing fluid under pressure, each of which is provided with a pressure-operated valve 252 having a construction similar to valve I52 and adapted to releasably retain the fluid in the containers, a conduit 2&3 adapted to receive discharged fluid, a valve 204 to close the discharge conduit against the flow of discharged fluid, a time delay device 295 to open the valve at the end of a predetermined time interval, a main conduit 295, a branch supply conduit 291, one or more containers 298 adapted to feed into the main conduit 206 through the branch conduit 291. The containers 258, with containers 28L form the required capacity for an enclosure 299. A warning device 309 positioned in the enclosure 299 is operated by released fluid in the conduit 203. The fluid is passed to the warning device by means of a conduit 3! connected into the dis-- charge conduit 203 ahead of the valve 204. A second group of one or more containers 3H) is connected to a manifold 3| I, which in turn, is connected through a standard unidirectional check valve 3I2 with the branch conduit 291. The check valve is of the usual type permitting fluid to flow in one direction while obstructing the flow of'fluid in the reverse direction. The main conduit 296 is T-connected by a connection 3H3 to valves 3M and 3I5 to supply conduits SIG and 3i 1. The conduit 3H5 extends into the enclosure 299, while the conduit 3I1 feeds into a second enclosure 3I8. The second enclosure 3H3 requires the entire capacity of containers 28I, 208 and 3I0. The valves 202 for containers 2(lI, as stated before, are constructed the same as the valve I62. In using the valve 292 in the system shown in Fig. 3, the pressure fluid inlet I may be closed with a vented plug to keep out dirt and other foreign matter as the top portion of the control for the valve is not necessary unless it is desired to operate the valve by fluid pressure ather than manually. The valves for containers 2&8 and 3H] are of like construction as the valve I62, while the valve 284 is constructed in the same manner as valve 4 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In operating the system shown in Fig. 3 to flood the enclosure 299, the valve 3M is placed in the The fluid enters the valve" 9 open position and the "valve 345 leading to the second enclosure is closed. One of the valves 262 is opened releasing fluid into conduit 283. A portion of the fluid will flow through conduit so! to actuate the warning device 390. By reason of the back pressure in con-duit 253, the other valve .202 will be actuated discharging the second control container. For an explanation of the back pressure operation reference may be made to Fig. 2 showing valve I52 which is of the same construction "as valves 2'82. Back pressure in conduit 1'65 causes a pressure in cylinder i'iZ on the top side of piston Ill. The piston is then actuated unseating the valve member l to permit-- ting fluid to escape from the container Rererrin'g back to Fig. 3, upon the discharge of the containers 2131., pressure is built up in conduit zoo and time delay device 235 operates as previously described in the description of the operation of time delay device 5, finally allowing the fluid from containers 2%! to pass through conduits 296 and 316 to the enclosure etc. By reason of the build-- ing up of pressure in conduit cor upon the actuation of valve 2 the valves of the containers 2% will also be actuated allowing the fluid containedtherein to flow to enclosure 269. However, be cause of check valve 312-, no pressure will build up in conduit 31-! and containers tit) will not be discharged. Th pressure in conduit set will hold valve 294 in the open position by pressure on the bottom side of the valve member 2'! (Fig. 6). After the fluid has been discharged and the pressure in conduit '21! has dropped, the valve 25 will be automatically closed and reset for another "operation by the spring "39.

In operating the system shown in Fig. 3 to flood the enclosure 3"1'8, the valve M4 is placed in the closed position and valve 345 leading tothe enclosure 3H3 is opened. One of the valves on containers 31 8 may then be actuated causing pressure to build up in conduits 3! l and 29? and thus cause the remaining containers 3H] and containers 2 88 to be discharged as check valve -3l 2 ofiers no obstruction to the passage of fluid from "containers 310. Fluid from con-g.

duit 201 also flows through valve 2% to discharge contain'ers 2M. The operation of valve 2nd in this case may be understood by referring to valve 4 in Fig. l, in which it will be seen that back pressure in conduit e merely unseats valve member 27 against the spring 39 allowing fluid toflow through the valve to conduit 3, the pressure holding the valve member 27 off from its seat 26 until the discharge of the containers has been completed. Referring back to Fig. 3, it will q illustrated with reference to specific embodi merits thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention. For instance, means are shown to releasably retain the fluid in the containers comprising seated valve members.v it is to be understood that the invention is like- Wise applicable to systems in which the fluid is retained in the containers by using closure diaphragms having pressure operated means for puncturing the 'diaphragms to release the fluid such as shown in Allen et a1. Patent No. 1,827,723. Further, while the chambers of the time delay device of the present invention are shown of approximately equal capacity, it is to be understood that containers of unequal capacity may be utilized resulting in a method of obtaining a variation in the length or the timed interval without varying the means restricting the flow of fluid to the chambers. It is also to be understood that although the time delay unit 5 has been shown as operating a valve d, it may also be used for operating any other device such as a switch, mechanical linkage or the like, or for controlling the operation of other types of valves such as weight operated valves. Therefore, the form of the invention set out above should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a delayed discharge fire extinguishing system, a source of fluid under pressure, a conduit leading from the source to a space to be protected against fire, means for admitting the fluid from the source to the conduit, means restraining the passage of the fluid through the conduit to the space to be protected, primary fluid storage means in fluid communication with the conduit, secondary fluid storage means in fluid communication with the primary storage means, and pressure operable means controlled by the relationship or the fluid pressure in the secondary fluid storage means and the fluid pressure in the primary fluid storage means to render inoperative the means restraining the passage of the fluid through the conduit to the space to be protected.

2. In a delayed discharge flre extinguishing system, a source of fluid under pressure, a discharge conduit leading from the source to a space to be protected against flre, means admitting flui-d from the source to the conduit, means restraining the discharge of fluid from the conduit to the space to be protected, primary fluid storage means in fluid communication with the discharge conduit, secondary fluid storage means in fluid communication with the primary storage means, and pressure operable means controlled by the relationship of the fluid pressure in the secondary fluid storage means and the fluid pressure in the primary fluid storage means and adapted to release fluid from the primary storage means to render inoperative the means restraining the discharge of fluid from the conduit.

3. In a delayed discharge flre extinguishing system a container for fluid under pressure, valve means for releasing fluid from the container, first chamber means, means defining a fluid passageway for fluid released from the container leading to the first chamber means, means restricting the flow of fluid into the first chamher, a second chamber means, means defining a fluid passageway leading from the first chamber to the second chamber, means restricting the flow of fluid into the second chamber, means defining a discharge conduit for fluid released from the container leading toa space to be protec'ted against fire, and pressure operable means normally closing the discharge means to the space to be protected and responsive to the relationship of the fluid pressure in the second chamber with respect to the fluid pressure in the flrst chamber.

'4. In a delayed discharge flre extinguishing system, container for fluid under pressure, a

- release valve for the container, a first chamber,

a conduit leading from the valve to the chamber, an orifice to restrict the flow of fluid from the container to the chamber, a second chamber, a conduit leading from the first chamber to the second chamber, an orifice to restrict the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, a discharge conduit for fluid released from the container leading to a space to be protected against fire, and a pressure operable discharge valve normally closing the discharge conduit to the space to be protected and adapted to be actuated by the pressure of fluid released from the first chamber dependent upon the relationship of the pressures in the first and second chambers.

5. In a delayed discharge fire extinguishing system, a container for fluid under pressure, a release valve for the container, a first chamber, a conduit leading from the valve to the chamber, an orifice to restrict the flow of fluid from the container to the chamber, second chamber, a conduit leading from the first chamber to the second chamber, an orifice to restrict the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, a discharge conduit for fluid released from the container leading to a space to be protected against fire, a pressure operable discharge valve normally closing the discharge conduit to the space to be protected, and a pressure operable valve for releasing fluid from the first chamber, said valve being responsive to fluid pressure in the second chamber, and a conduit leading from the outlet of the pressure operable valve of the first chamber to the discharge valve, whereby the discharge valve is operable by fluid released from the first chamber to release fluid from the source to the space to be protected.

6. In a delayed discharge fire extinguishing system, a control container for fluid under pressure, a release valve for the control container, a first chamber, a control conduit leading from the release valve to the first chamber, an orifice to restrict the flow of fluid from the control container to the chamber, a, second chamber, a conduit leading from the first chamber to the second chamber, an orifice to restrict the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, a discharge conduit for fluid released from the control container, a pressure operable valve normally closing the control container discharge conduit, a pressure operable valve for the first chamber responsive to the relationship of the fluid pressure in the second chamber and the fluid pressure in the first chamber, a conduit leading from the outlet of the pressure operable valve for the first chamber to the pressure operable valve for the control container discharge conduit to convey fluid pressure from the first chamber to actuate the control container discharge conduit valve, a secondary container,

pressure operable release means for the secondary container, and a conduit leading from the control conduit outlet of the discharge valve to the pressure operable release means for the secondary container to convey fluid pressure to open the secondary container release means.

7. In a delayed discharge fire extinguishing system, a control container for fluid under pressure, a pressure operable release valve for the control container, a first chamber, a control conduit leading from the release valve to the first chamber, an orifice to restrict the flow of fluid from the control container to the chamber, a second chamber, a conduit leading from the first 12 chamber to the second chamber, an orifice to restrict the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, a discharge conduit for fluid released from the control container, a pressure operable valve normally closing the control container discharge conduit, a pressure operable valve for the first chamber responsive to the relationship of fluid pressure in the second chamber and the fluid pressure in the first chamber, a conduit leading from the outlet of the pressure operable valve for the first chamber to the pressure operable valve for the control container discharge conduit to convey fluid pressure from the first chamber to actuate the control container discharge conduit valve, a secondary container, pressure operable release means for the secondary container, a conduit leading from the outlet of the control container discharge conduit valve to the pressure operable release means for the secondary container to convey fluid pressure to open the secondary container release means, and normally closed fluid releasing means for the first chamber adapted to be rendered ineflective by fluid pressure in the first chamber exceeding fluid pressure in the control container discharge conduit, whereby fluid pressure may be rapidly released from the first chamber.

8. A fluid pressure time delay device comprising first fluid storage means having an inlet and an outlet therefor, a second fluid storage means having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first fluid storage means, fluid pressure operable means responsive to the relationship of fluid pressure in the second fluid storage means and the fluid pressure in the first fluid storage means, and fluid pressure release means for the fluid'in the first storage means, said release means adapted to be actuated by said fluid pressure means.

9. A fluid pressure time delay device comprising first fluid storage means having an inlet and an outlet therefor, fluid flow restricting means in the inlet, a second fluid storage means having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first fluid storage means, fluid flow restricting means in the fluid passage between the first and second fluid storage means, fluid pressure means responsive to the relationship of fluid pressure in the second fluid storage means and the fluid pressure in the first fluid storage means, and fluid pressure release means for the fluid in the first storage means, said release means adapted to be actuated by said fluid pres sure means. I Y

10. A fluid pressure time delay device comprising first fluid storage means having an inlet and an outlet therefor, fluid flow restricting means in the inlet, a second fluid storage means having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first fluid storage means, fluid flow restricting means in the fluid passage between the first and second fluid storage means, fluid pressure means responsive to the relationship of fluid pressure in the second fluid storage means and the fluid pressure in the first fluid storage means, fluid pressure release means for the fluid in the first storage means, said release means adapted to be actuated by said fluid pressure means, and normally closed fluid pressure release means normally closing the first storage means and adapted to be rendered ineffective by pressure therein appreciably in excess of pressure in said inlet.

11. A fluid pressure time delay device comprising a hollow spherical member, a fluid inlet for the member, an orifice restricting the flow of fluid into the inlet of the member, an outlet for the member, a second spherical member having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first spherical member, an orifice restricting the flow of fluid into the second spherical member, a normally closed pressure operated release valve for the first spherical member, and pressure operable means adapted to actuate the release valve in response to the relationship of fluid pressure in the second spherical member and the fluid pressure in the first spherical member.

12. In a fire extinguishing system, a source of fluid under pressure, a conduit leading from the source, means for admitting fluid from the source to the conduit, and a, fluid pressure operable valve including a valve seat, a valve member adapted to close the valve seat and positioned between the source and the valve seat normally restraining the passage of fluid through the conduit in the direction away from the source yet allowing the passage of fluid in the conduit in the direction of the source to actuate the means for admitting fluid from the source to the conduit.

13. A fluid pressure time delay device for a fire extinguishing system comprising first fluid storage means having an inlet and an outlet therefore, a second fluid storage means having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first fluid storage means, fluid pressure operable means responsive to the relationship of fluid pressure in the second fluid storage means and the fluid pressure in the first fluid storage means, and venting means in the outlet of the first storage means normally open and adapted to be closed by normal fluid operating pressure.

14. A fluid pressure time delay device comprising a housing having a passage therethrough, one end of the passage enlarged to provide a valve chamber, a valve seat about the passage in the valve chamber, a normally closed valve member adapted to coact with the valve seat to enlarged to form a cylinder, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder, a hollow valve operating member to actuate the valve member by the piston, the piston and valve member having fluid passages therethrough communicating with the opening through the hollow valve operating member, an outlet fluid passage leading from the housing passage behind the valve seat, means providing a first chamber having as its outlet the one end of the passage through the housing, means providing a second chamber having an opening in fluid communication with the other end of the passage through the housing, means providing an inlet passage for the first chamber, a valve seat about said last-mentioned inlet passage, a valve member for the last-mentioned valve seat, means providing a main fluid passage, a valve seat about the main fluid passage, a normally closed pressure operable main valve member to coact with the valve seat to close the main valve passage, means providing a fluid passage leading from the main fluid passage ahead of the valve seat to the first chamber, and fluid passage means from the said outlet fluid passage of the housing to the pressure operable main valve, whereby fluid from the main passage may flow into the first chamber to the second chamber to actuate the piston actuated valve member for the first chamber to release fluid therefrom to open the main valve.

15. A fluid pressure time delay device comprising first fluid storage means having an inlet and an outlet therefor, a second fluid storage means having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first fluid storage means, and a pressure operable valve responsive to the relationship of the fluid pressure in the first and in the second fluid storage means and adapted to release fluid from the first fluid storage means.

16. A fluid pressure time delay device comprising first fluid storage means having an inlet and an outlet therefor, a second fluid storage means having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first fluid storage means, a, first orifice member to restrict the flow of fluid into the first storage means, a second orifice member to restrict the flow of fluid from the first fluid storage means to the second fluid storage means, a pressure operable valve responsive to the relationship of fluid pressure in the first and second fluid storage means and adapted to release fluid from the first fluid storage means after a predetermined time interval.

17. In a fire extinguishing system, a first source of fluid under pressure, a conduit leading from the source, a first pressure operable valve for admitting fluid from the first source to the conduit, a second fluid pressure operable valve with conduit including a, valve seat, a valve member positioned between the first source and the valve seat and adapted to engage the valve seat to normally restrain the passage of fluid through the conduit in the direction away from the first source, and a second fluid source in fluid communication with the conduit, the second fluid pressure operable valve allowing the passage of fluid in the conduit in the direction of the first source from the second source to actuate the first pressure operable valve to admit fluid from the first source to the conduit.

FRANK B. ALLEN. NORMAN HARRY SIEBENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,969,869 Allen et a1 Aug. 14, 1934 1,990,264 Benson Feb. 5, 1985

Images