US2705791A

US2705791A - Fire and power failure detecting device

Info

Publication number: US2705791A
Application number: US296458A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur E Merancy
Original assignee: MICHAEL V OSTASZESKI
Current assignee: MICHAEL V OSTASZESKI
Priority date: 1952-06-30
Filing date: 1952-06-30
Publication date: 1955-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 1972-04-05

Description

April 1955 A. E. MERANCY 2,705,791

FIRE POWER FAILURE DETECTING DEVICE Filed June 30, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F I6. I.

INVENTOR ARTHUR E. HERA/V07 BY m Q= ATTORNEYS April 1955 A. E. MERANCY 2,705,791

FIRE AND POWER FAILURE DETECTING DEVICE 4 ATTORNEYS United States Patent FIRE ANI? PGWER FAILURE DETECTING DEVICE Arthur E. Merancy, Ansonia, Conn, assignor of one-half to Michael V. Ostaszeski, Seymour, Conn.

Application June 30, 1952, Serial No. 296,458

4 Claims. (Cl. 346-220) This invention appertains to improvements in alarms and has for its primary object to provide signalling means and a control means therefor which responds to a power failure in a house or plant electrical circuit and to an increase in temperature above a certain limit.

A further object of this invention is to provide a compact, simple and inexpensive alarm unit that can be mounted on awall in a heat originating area, such as over a furnace or the like, and which will not only sense and reactively signal any rise in temperature above a certain limit but which will also be so connected with the power circuit of a building that it will react to a power failure and signal such power failure.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a weight actuated siren for audibiy signalling a rise in temperature and an electrical power failure, the siren being constructed and actuated in a manner so that the pitch of the sound rises responsive to the gravity acceleration of the weight.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gravity driven Weight for rotating the rotor of a siren, the weight being held in a suspended position by an electro-tnagnet and/or by a thermostatic unit and, when released, rotating the rotor and, under gravity acceleration, increasing the velocity of rotation and, therefore, the frequency of the sound so that the pitch of the sound rises.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a siren that is operated by a gravity driven weight and to provide an electro-magnet for holding the weight in a suspended position, the magnet being deenergized by a power failure or by a switch operated by a thermostat and to provide means for varying the pitch of the siren dependent upon whether the electro-magnet alone or actuated by the thermostat releases the weight.

These and ancillary objects and structural features of merit are attained by this invention, the preferred embodiments of which are set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view in perspective of an alarm unit, constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the unit, with the front Wall of the casing being removed and portions of the unit shown exposed and in section;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a single siren unit, which is controlled by the electro-magnet and by the thermostat.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings and initially to Figures l4, the alarm 18 includes a pair of identically constructed signalling devices 12 and 14. Both of the signalling devices are operated by gravity driven actuators, which are controlled, in the sense of being retained in a suspended position, by sepa rate means. The signalling device 12 is provided for the purpose of audibly indicating a failure in the power circuit of a building, regardless of the cause. The signalling device 12 is of especial value in a home having a refrigerator and freezer units and the like appl es. The signalling device 14 is controlled by a thermostat, usually set for 130 F. and is placed in a danger area, such as over a heating unit or the like to indicate a temperature rise above the set level.

ice

The signalling devices 12 and 14 are mounted side-byside in a casing 16, which is formed at its upper wall with upstanding apertured ears :3 provided so that the casing can be conveniently mounted on a wall or other vertical support. The bottom of the casing is open and

weights

20 and 22 fit under the casing to form a bottom for the casing.

The signalling devices, for example the signalling device 12 as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, are of the siren type. The signalling device 12 includes a back plate 24, which is formed with laterally extending mounting posts 26 that are secured by screws 28 to the back 39 of the casing. The back plate terminates at its lower end in a pair of diverging arms 32 and 34. A cross-shaped front plate 36 is provided and has its lower ends secured to the arms 32 and 34. The closed upper end of the front plate is secured to the back plate with an arcuate spacing member 38 interposed therebetween.

A pulley or drum 4 0 is rotatably mounted on an axle 42 that extends transversely through the center of the front plate 36 and the lower end portion of the back plate 24. Spacers 44 space the sides of the drum from the front and back wall. A large driving gear 46 is fixedly circumposed on the extending end of the axle 42. and rotatably disposed on the back of the back plate 24. A ratchet wheel 48 is mounted on the axle 42 and engaged by a pawl 50 that is pivoted as at 54 to the gear 46. An arcuate spring 52 is fixed at one end to the gear 46 and has its other end biasing the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 43. An upstruck lug 56 from the gear holds the spring on the gear. A key slot or kerf 5% is formed in the end of the axle, which is held by nut 69. A key or screw driver can be used to rotate the axle in a direction opposite to its driving direction for a purpose to be described.

A planetary reduction gearing 52 transmits the drive from the axle 46 to the siren. The planetary gearing includes a pinion that is rotatably disposed on a stub axle 62 and fixed to the overlying gear ?4. The gear ratio is approximately 5 to l. The gear 74 is enmeshed with a pinion '76 that is fixed on a rotor axle 7S and extends through an opening 3%) in the back plate.

The siren 82 includes a rotor 5% that is mounted on the axle 73, the axle being journaled in bearings 86 in the back wall and in the cover 83 of the siren. The cover 88 is cylindrically shaped and secured by screws 99 to the back plate to form a casing 94 for the siren. The periphery 92 of the siren casing 94 is formed with a plurality of equi-distantly spaced ports or sound producing apertures 96. The siren rotor 98 of hollow cylindrical construction has its hub 16% fixed on the shaft 78. From the hub, blades or vanes 102 radially extend and are relatively spaced. The blades terminate in valves 104. The valves 104 are slightly curved to correspond to the curvature of the periphery 92 of the siren casing and are shaped and of a size equal to the ports 96. The rotor 93 has a closed back wall 1% and a front wall 1% which has a central opening 119. The vanes 1&2 are beveled at their inner ends from the front wall, at the edge of the opening toward the hub 11%). A plurality of eyes or apertures 112, which constitute intake ports, are formed in the front wall of the casing 94 and communicate with the interior of the rotor.

A flexible, braided steel cable 114 is wound on the pulley 46 and has its free end fixed to either the weight 20 or the weight 22. The cable rotates the pulley or drum 40 as the weight is driven by gravity.

To rewind the cable on the drum, an opening 115 is formed in the back plate 30 exposing the end of the axle 42 and afiording access to the slot 5%. 'A key can be inserted through the opening and rotate the axle to rewind the cable.

The weight '22 is controlled by an eiectro-magnet 316 which is energized by conductors 113 and that are connected to the power circuit of a building so that the electro-magnet is in series with the power circuit. The electro-magnet is secured to the horizontal leg 122 of an angle bracket 124 that is fixed to the side of the casing. A bolt 126 secures the electro-magnet to theunderside of the horizontal section 122 of the bracket and the bolt is formed with an axial bore 128 to slidably receive the cable 114. It will be noted that the upper end of the weight 22 is fiat and is held by the lower face of the magnet at the lower end of the casing 16. The weight is thus maintained in a suspended and inoperative position, so long as the electro-magnet is energized.

Upon the occurrence of a power failure in the circuit, such as occasioned by a short circuit or the like causative factor, the electro-magnet 116 will be deenergized. The

weight 22 will then be freed to gravitate away from the casing and will unwind the cable 114 to' effect rotary movement of the drum 40. The rotary movement of the drum 40 is transferred to the rotor 98 by the reduction gearing 62. Under gravity acceleration of the weight, the velocity of rotation of the rotor 98 is increased. As the velocity of rotation of the rotor increases, the internal pressure in the rotor casing 94 is increased, as the air is sucked in through the eyes 112. The radial blades 102, upon rapid rotation of the rotor, expcll the air centrifugally therefrom through the ports 96. The rotor blades create within the casing a pressure, which is expelled by centrifugal force through the ports 96 and which is cut off by the valves 104 to produce the sound. As the velocity of rotation of the rotor increases, the movement of the valves past the ports 96 will be increased, so that the frequency of the sound produced through the ports by the valves cutting off the internal expelled pressure will increase. Thus, the pitch of the sound will rise responsive to the gravity acceleration of the weight 22.

As seen in Figure 2, the signalling device 14 is constructed identical to the signalling device 12 but is controlled by a thermostat 130. The thermostat 130 is of the bellows type and is either loaded to expand axially when the temperature rises above 130 F. To mount the thermostat in a position to sense a temperature rise and in a position to control the operation of the signalling device 14, an open housing 132 is provided and is formed integral with the side 134 of the casing adjacent the top wall. The threaded stern 136 of the thermostat is disposed through an opening in the top wall 138 of the housing 132 and is held by a nut 140. Thus, the thermostat depends from the top wall 138 of the housing 132 and is arranged vertically within the housing. A pin 142 is threaded at its upper end-in a boss 144 formed on the lower end of the thermostat.

A locking dog 146 is pivotally mounted on a pin 148, which extends laterally from the back plate 24 of the signalling device 14. A pin 150 pivotally connects the outer end of the dog to the lower end of the pin 142, the dog being vertically swingable through an opening 152 on the side of the casing. The inner end of the dog is adapted to be disposed through one of the ports 96 and engage the free edge of one of the valves 104 to lock the rotor 98 against rotation. A spring 154 is' attached at one end to the side wall 134 and at its other end to the movable pivot 150 to hold the inner end of the dog in locking position, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Since the rotor 98 cannot rotate, the weight is held in a suspended position of potential energy by the locking action of the gear- 7 ing 62.

When the temperature rises above 130 F., the thermostat 130 will begin to expand downwardly, against the opposition of the spring 154, and will expand the spring 154 and move the movable pivot 150 downwardly. The downward movement of the pin 142 and pivot 150 will move the outer end of the dog. downwardly about the fixed pivot 148 and pull the inner end of the dog away from the held valve, so that the rotor is free to rotate. immediately upon the release of the rotor, the weight 20 will gravitate downwardly and the action will be the same as described with reference to the signalling device.

To guide the cable 114, a bracket 156 is secured to the side 134 of the casing and the horizontal leg 158 thereof is formed with a bearing recess or opening 160 through which the cable 114 slides.

The casing 16 will usually be mounted on a wall, slightly below the ceiling, and at a point of fire hazard, such as over an oil burner or other heating unit and over other types of equipment, which would cause considerable damage if permitted to overheat above 130' F. Of

course, the thermostat can be set for a lesser or greater temperature limit or range.

'In Figure 5, means is illustrated for operatively associating both the thermostat 130. and the electro-magnet 116 with a single signalling unit and weight 22'. Thus, both the electro-magnet and the thermostat individually 4 control the weight 22' and, correspondingly, the actuation of the signalling device through the drive transmitted by the gearing to the rotor 98.

The electro-magnet 116 is energized by the conductors 118' and in identical fashion to the energization of the electro-magnet 116 in Figure 2. Similarly, the electro-magnet 116 is supported and receives cable 114' in an identical manner and the construction of the pulley 40 is identical to the construction of the pulley 40 and the gearing and siren assembly is identical to that illustrated in Figure 2 and aforedescribed.

The thermostat is mounted in a housing 160, that is formed integral with the side of the casing 162, within which the single signalling device 164 is mounted. The casing has side walls which are formed with openings 166 and has a top wall 168 to receive the pin 136. of the thermostat. An elongated pin 170 is threaded in the boss 144 on the lower end of the thermostat and has its lower end bearing on a button 172 that projects above a switch housing 174, within which a normally closed microswitch (not shown) is positioned between the conductors 120', 118' and the leads 176 and 178. The switch housing 174 is seated on the horizontal leg 180 of a bracket 182 which is secured to the lower end of the housing 168.

Upon a power failure of the circuit, the electro-magnet 116' will be deenergized and, therefore, as stated with regard to the operation of the signalling device 12, the weight 22' will be released and will actuate the siren.

However, when the thermostat is expanded, upon a rise in temperature above 130 F., the pin 170 will be moved downwardly and will bear against the button 172 to force the button inwardly of the switch housing 174 and, therefore, open the normally closed microswitch.

This will interrupt the circuit and shunt the electro-magnet 116 out of the circuit and, therefore, deenergize the electro-magnet 116'. When the magnet 116' is deenergized, the weight 22 will be released and the siren rotor will be rotated.

It has been found that it is advantageous to provide means, whereby a person hearing the audio factors from the siren can differentiate between a power failure and a temperature rise, that is, can tell whether the siren was set off by the thermostat 130 or by the magnet 116. Of course, the magnet 116' directly controls the weight 22' to maintain it in a suspended position but the magnet 116 can be deenergized, independent of a power failure or any trouble in the power circuit by opening the normally closed microswitch. Such action is performed by the expanding thermostat 130.

As aforestated, the frequency of the sound produced by the rotating rotor 98 is increased in accordance with the gravity acceleration of the weight 22, so that the pitch of the sound rises,'as the weight 22 drops downwardly toward the floor.

Based upon this, I provide a brake 182, which is in the form of a shoe that bears against the periphery of one side of the drum 40. The shoe is carried by a lever 184 and is offset therefrom. The lever 184 is pivoted as at 186 on the arm 36'. A pin 188 extends laterally from the lower end of the lever and a spring 190 is attached thereto, the other end of the spring being attached to the wall 162 through an opening 192. Thus, the spring 190 biases the shoe 182 into engagement with the periphery of the drum 40. The shoe 182 is, engaged with the drum, when the electro-magnet is 'deenergized due to a powerfailure and, therefore, the ve locity of rotation of the drum is slightly decreased or, stated otherwise, the drum 40' does not reach its maximum rotative speed. Therefore, the rotor 98 does not reach its maximum rotative speed and the pitch of the siren does not rise as high, as it would, if the drum 40' were not braked and the drum 40 and the rotor 98 were rotating, without any drag.

When the electro-magnet 116 is deenergized by the operation of the thermostat 130', the brake shoe .182 is pulled away from the drum 40. To effect the release of the brake drum, a bell crank 194 is provided and has a horizontal leg 196 formed with an axial slot 198 to receive a pin 200 that extends laterally from the pin 170. The bell crank is pivoted on an car 202 as at 283 and the vertical arm 204 of the crank is pivotally con nected' to alink 206, which is disposed through an "opening 208 in the side 162 of the casing. The link 206 is pivoted as at 210 to the lever 184. Y

Thus, as the pin 170 moves downwardly, under the expanding action of the thermostat 130', the bell crank 194 is moved about the pivot 2G3 and the link 296 is pulled outwardly to move the lever 184 about its pivot 186.

The pitch of the rotor will, therefore, rise to its highest point, when the electro-magnet 116' is deenergized by the action of the thermostat 136. Accordingly, due to the difierences in pitch of the sound produced or caused by the rotor, 21 clear difierentiation can be made between the causative factor, that is, whether there is a power failure or an increase in temperature.

Of course, it is to be understood that all of the parts of the casing, plates, rotor and other structural elements in the signalling devices are not formed from non-ferrous metal or any other magnetic material, which would interfere with the operation of the electro-magnet 116.

Furthermore, while the signalling devices 12 and 14 have been illustrated as including sirens, it is to be understood that one of the signalling devices could consist of a rotating bell, so that the audible signalling means r'or one could be a siren, while for the other a revolving bell or the like could be used. Furthermore, a visual signalling means could be used in conjunction with the audible signalling means and operated by the gravity acceleration of the weights or 22.

Accordingi while the best known embodiments of this invention have been described herein, it is to be understood that limitations are sought only in accordance with the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An alarm responsive to temperature changes and power failure of an electrical circuit comprising a siren device, gravity driven means actuating the device, an electro-rnagnet controlling said means and adapted to be wired in series with a circuit, means for deenergizing the magnet, and a temperature responsive means controlling said last named means and means connecting said gravity driven element to the siren device and means connected to said last named means to limit the rise in pitch or" the siren and release means for said last named means actuated by said temperature responsive means.

2. An alarm responsive to a rise in temperature above a predetermined limit and to failure of an electrical power circuit, comprising a siren, a gravity driven weight actuating the siren with the pitch of the siren rising under the gravity acceleration of the weight, an electromagnet adapted to be energized by the power circuit and maintaining the weight in a suspended position, normally closed switch means in said circuit for deenergizing said magnet independent of failure of said circuit, and a thermostat connected to the switch to open the same upon a rise in temperature above a predetermined degree, means connecting the weight to the siren and a brake means operatively connected to said thermostat and connected to said last named means to limit the rise in pitch of the siren when the magnet is deenergized by a failure in the circuit.

3. An alarm responsive to a rise in temperature above a predetermined limit and to failure of an electrical power circuit, comprising a siren, a gravity driven weight actuating the siren with the pitch of the siren rising under the gravity acceleration of the weight, an electrornagnet adapted to be energized by the power circuit and maintaining the weight in a suspended position, normally closed switch means in said circuit for deenergizing said magnet independent of failure of said circuit, and a thermostat connected to the switch to open the same upon a rise in temperature above a predetermined degree, means connecting the weight to the siren and a brake means connected to said last named means to limit the rise in pitch of the siren when the magnet is deenergized by a failure in the circuitand release means for said brake actuated by the thermostat so that the siren rises to its highest pitch when the magnet is deenergized by opening the switch.

4. An alarm responsive to temperature changes and power failure of an electrical circuit comprising a siren device, a gravity driven element, an electro-magnet controlling said element and adapted to be wired in series with a circuit, means for deenergizing the magnet, temperature responsive means controlling said last named means, means connecting said gravity driven element to the siren device for actuating the siren device, and means connected to said last named means and to said temperature responsive means to limit the rise in pitch of the siren when the temperature responsive means is inoperative and to be rendered inoperative when the temperature responsive means is actuated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS