US2753926A

US2753926A - Oil burning furnace with fire extinguisher

Info

Publication number: US2753926A
Application number: US304905A
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew H Beach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-08-18
Filing date: 1952-08-18
Publication date: 1956-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1973-07-10

Description

July 10, 1956 A. H. BEACH OIL BURNING FURNACE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Aug. 18, 1952 8 2 DR 2 nm 3 am 4 0 .a a H F w M0 f m d M n A Y B 4 M a M n M. H w. 2 M 9m f M m United States Patent 2,753,926 OIL BURNING FURNACE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER Andrew H. Beach, Baldwin, Mich. Application August 18, 1952, Serial No. 304,905 2 Claims. (Cl. 1584) This invention relates in general to automatic fire extinguishers, and more specifically to an automatic fire extinguisher for furnaces.

Every year in this country thousands of fires are caused by defective heating equipment. Many of these fires may be blamed directly on the pot type oil burner which has valve means for controlling the flow of oil into the pot of the burner. Often times the valve means does not operate properly with the result that excess oil is supplied to the burner and the furnace overheats causing a fire. Furthermore, the overtaxed burner often times emits deadly carbon monoxide fumes with the resulting loss of lives in addition to the monetary loss of the burning home. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a suitable fire extinguisher for automatically extinguishing. a fire in a pot type burner upon the overheating of the same.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved furnace fire extinguisher which may be conveniently mounted ona furnace for automatically extinguishing the fire therein upon the overheating of the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide an im proved furnace fire extinguisher which is of a construction whereby the same may be conveniently attached to pot type oil burners now in existence.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved furnace fire extinguisher which includes an extinguisher supply having means for communicating the same with the interior of the furnace to which it is at tached, said communication between the extinguisher supply and the furnace being controlled by valve means which is in turn controlled by a heat responsive device mounted in the chimney of a furnace.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved fire extinguisher which includes means not only for extinguishing a fire, but also for simultaneously shutting off fuel to the furnace and sounding an alarm.

With these objects definitely in view, this invention resides in certain novel features of construction, combination. and arrangement of elements and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail in the specification, particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a material part of this application and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional pot type oil. burner which has mounted thereon the fire extinguisher which is the subject of this invention, a portion of the furnace casing being broken away and shown in section in order to clearly illustrate the arrangement of the burner pot with respect to the fire extinguisher.

. Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2-2 of Figure I and shows the general arrangement of the controls for the fire extinguisher;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional: view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shows the relationship of the fire extinguisher controls with respect to an extinguisher sup- P y;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the burner pot and shows the manner in which the supply line of the fire extinguisher is connected to the burner pot; and

2,753,926 Patented July 10, 1956 Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the upper portion of an extinguisher supply tank and shows the means for sealing a valve operating rod with respect to the top of the tank.

Similar characters of reference designate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the different views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure l a furnace which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The furnace 10 is a pot type oil burner and includes a burner pot 12 into which oil is fed for burning. Extending through one wall of the furnace casing, which is referred to by the reference numeral 14', is a fuel supply duct 16 whose opposite end is connected to a combined blower and fuel control mechanism disposed within a housing 18. The fuel supply duct 16 carries both oil and air into the burner pot 12. Extending into the housing 18 and connected to the carburetor (not shown) disposed therein is an oil line 20. The furnace 10 is also provided with an upstanding exhaust pipe 22 at the rear thereof.

Referring now to Figure l in particular, it will be seen that the furnace 10 is provided with an automatic fire extinguisher which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 24. The fire extinguisher 24 includes an extinguisher supply tank 26 carried by the exhaust pipe 22 and having piping 28 extending downwardly from the bottom thereof and communicating with the interior of theburner pot 12. As is best illustrated in Figure 4, the burner pot 12 is in the form of a cylindrical container which has a tubular projection 30 adjacent the upper edge of its side wall. The pipe 28 is connected through the tubular projection 30 by a suitable fitting 32.

Referring now to Figure 3 in particular, it will be seen that the extinguisher supply tank 26 has secured to the bottom wall thereof a horizontal flange 34 of an L-shaped mounting bracket. The mounting bracket also includes a vertical flange 36 which abuts the other surface of theexhaust pipe 22 and is secured thereto by a suitable fas-- tenet 38.

The top wall of the extinguisher supply tank 26 has secured thereto a lower flange 40 of a Z-shaped mounting bracket. The Z-shaped mounting bracket extends in wardly towards the exhaust pipe 22 and has a web 4-2 thereof engaging the outer surface of the same. The web- 42 is secured to the exhaust pipe 22 by a suitable fastener 44'. The Z -shaped mounting bracket also includes an upper horizontal flange 46 which projects through a small opening 48 in the exhaust pipe 22 and which terminates: in an upwardly directed flange 50.

It will be noted that the extinguisher supply tank 26 is generally cylindrical and has an opening 52 through the bottom wall thereof which is concentric with the upper end of the pipe 28- andcommunicates the interior of the same with the interior of the extinguisher supply tank 2 6.. Normally positioned within the openings 52 and sealing the same is a valve 54'. The valve 54 is mounted on thelower end of an elongated valve stem 56 which extends vertically through the extinguisher supply tank 26 and passes through an opening 58 in the top wall of the tank 26 As is' best illustrated in- Figure 5, the valve stem 56 is provided with a sealing washer 60' which overlies the top wall of the extinguisher supply tank 26 and seals the opening 58*. Downward movement of the sealing washer 60 is limited by a transverse pin 62 carried by the valve stem 56 and engaging the lower surface thereof. Overlying the upper surface of the sealing washer 60 is a spring 64- carried by the valve stem 56 and urged into compressive engagement with the sealing washer 60 by a washer 66*. Upward movement of the washer 66 is prevented by a second transverse pin 68 carried by the valve stem 56;

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, in particular, it will be seen that mounted on the top wall of the extinguisher supply tank 26 is a mounting plate 70 which has mounted on the upper surface thereof a mounting bracket 72. Disposed in a vertical plane and pivotally connected to the mounting bracket 72 is a bell crank which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 74. The bell crank 74 includes a horizontal crank arm 76 which is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 78 to a bifurcated fitting 80 on the upper end of the valve stem 56. The bell crank 74 also includes a vertical crank arm 82 which has connected to the upper end thereof a downwardly and rearwardly extending spring 84. The rear end of the spring 84 is connected to an L-shaped pin 86 carried by the mounting plate 70.

It will be noted that the bell crank 74 is urged to rotate clockwise, as viewed in Figure 3, by the action of the spring 84. Clockwise rotation of the bell crank 74 will result in the upward movement of the valve stem 56 and the valve member 54. As valve member 54 is raised, the sealing washer 60 is also lifted from its seat, thereby simultaneously breaking the air lock in supply tank 26 and communicating the same with pipe 28 to allow fast free flow of the extinguisher fluid 88, such as water or the like into the burner pot 12 to extinguish any fire there- In order that the spring 84 may be normally rendered inoperative, the upper end of the crank arm 82 also has connected thereto a forwardly extending rod 89 whose forward end passes into the exhaust pipe 22 and is connected to one end of a fusible link 90 which may be formed of a low melting point metal. The other end of the fusible link 90 is connected by a short rod 92 to the vertical flange 50 of the Z-shaped mounting bracket. The combined length of the

rods

89 and 92 and the fusible link 90 is such .that movement of the bell crank 74 is prevented.

Inasmuch as the fusible link 90 is disposed within the exhaust pipe 22, when the furnace overheats the fusible link 90 will fuse and connection between the

rods

89 and 92 will be broken. This will permit the spring 84 to rotate the bell crank 74 and move the valve member 54 to an inoperative position thus permitting extinguisher fluid 88 to flow into the burner part 12. It will be understood that the fusible link 90 may be set to fuse at any desired temperature.

Carried by the horizontal flange of the Z-shaped mounting bracket is a switch 94 which has a control arm 96. The control arm 96 is engaged by a stop 98 carried by the rod 89 and is moved by the same upon the fusing of the fusible link 90. Movement of the control arm 96 will result in the closing of the circuit of the switch 94 in the usual manner.

Referring now to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that two leads 100 and 102 of a power source is led into the fire extinguisher 24 and that the lead 102 is connected to one terminal of the switch 94. The lead 100 is connected to one terminal of a solenoid operated valve 104. Extending between the other terminal of the solenoid operated valve 104 and the other terminal of the switch 94 is a lead 106. The solenoid valve 104 is connected in the fuel line so as to automatically close the same upon fusing of the fusible link 90 whereby the supply of fuel to the burner pot 12 is stopped.

It will be noted that connected to the

leads

100 and 106 are terminals of a warning device 108. The warning device 108 may be in the form of a bell or any other suitable alarm and will be activated to awaken occupants of a house or trailer in which the furnace is mounted upon the fusing of the fusible link 90.

The supply tank 26 is of sufficient size whereby the quantity of extinguisher fluid 88 available will be sufficient to extinguish all flame in the fire pot regardless of the operation of the solenoid operated valve 104. This is neccessary in the event of a power failure or the like. Also, the supply tank is provided with a removable filler cap 114 to permit the refilling of the same after a fire and the replacement of the fused link.90.

Referring now to Figure 3 in particular, it will be seen that secured to the top wall of the extinguisher supply tank 26 is a housing 110. The housing 110 includes a tubular section 112 which is secured to the exterior of the exhaust pipe 22 and surrounds the opening 48 therein. The housing 110 is supported on the top wall of the extinguisher supply tank 26 so that the operating mechanism of the fire extinguisher 24 is entirely covered by either the housing 110 or the tubular extension 112.

Should it be found necessary to reduce the cost of the fire extinguisher 24, various portions of or the entire electrical system may be omitted. However, in the case where the furnace 10 is utilized for heating chicken coops or the like it will be necessary that some sort of alarm will be connected to the fire extinguisher 24 in order to warn the owner of the same to relight the fire. This will. be necessary to avoid the freezing of the chickens.

While the fire extinguisher 24 has been illustrated and described in combination with a furnace having blower means, etc., it will be understood that the invention is not so limited. The fire extinguisher will operate on any pot type burner, regardless of size, in any furnace, stove, hot water heater, etc.

The operation of this device will be understood from the foregoing description of the details thereof, taken in connection with the above recited objects and drawings. Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

Minor modifications of the device, varying in minor details from the embodiment of the device illustrated and described here, may be resorted to without departure from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new 1. In combination with an oil furnace of the pot type including a fire pot, a fuel line connected to said fire pot, and a smoke pipe, a fire extinguisher, said fire extinguisher comprising an extinguishing fluid supply tank carried by said smoke pipe, an extinguishing fluid line connecting said supply tank to said fire pot, a normally closed valve controlling flow of extinguishing fluid through said extinguishing fluid line, a spring-urged operator for said valve normally urging said valve to an open position, means including a fusible link normally rendering said operator ineffective, said fusible link being disposed within said smoke pipe.

2. In combination with an oil furnace of the pot type including a fire pot, a fuel line connected to said fire pot, and a smoke pipe, a fire extinguisher, said fire extinguisher comprising an extinguishing fluid supply tank carried by said smoke pipe, an extinguishing fluid line connecting said supply tank to said fire pot, a normally closed valve controlling flow of extinguishing fluid through said extinguishing fluid line, a spring-urged operator for said valve normally urging said valve to an open position, means including a fusible link normally rendering said operator ineffective, said fusible link being disposed within said smoke pipe, a normally open fuel control valve carried by said fuel line controlling the flow of fuel to said fire pot, and means connecting said fuel control valve to said operator for movement to a closed position in response to the operation of said operator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,261,715 Cuddy Apr. 2, 1918 1,373,160 Barravecchia Mar. 29, 1921 2,216,075 Henderson, Sept. 24, 1940 2,397,474 Czolgosz Apr. 2, 1946 2,498,131 Marchell Feb. 21, 1950 2,538,492 Anderson et a1 Jan. 16, 1951

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN OIL FURNACE OF THE POT TYPE INCLUDING A FIRE POT, A FUEL LINE CONNECTED TO SAID FIRE POT, AND A SMOKE PIPE, A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, SAID FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPRISING AN EXTINGUISHING FLUID SUPPLY TANK CARRIED BY SAID SMOKE PIPE, AND EXTINGUISHING FLUID LINE CONNECTING SAID SUPPLY TANK TO SAID FIRE POT, A NORMALLY CLOSED VALVE CONTROLLING FLOW OF EXTINGUISHING FLUID THROUGH SAID EXTINGUISHING FLUID LINE, A SPRING-URGED OPERATOR FOR SAID VALVE NORMALLY URGING SAID VALVE TO AN OPEN POSITION, MEANS INCLUDING A FUSIBLE LINK NORMALLY RENDERING SAID OPERATOR INEFFECTIVE, SAID FUSIBLE LINK BEING DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SMOKE PIPE.