US984885A - Automatic fire-extinguisher valve. - Google Patents

Description

A. BLAUVELT.

AUTOMATIC P1111: 11111111111115111111 VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. B, 1909.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.'

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l ...l L M.

i IL- A. BLAUVELT. AUTOMATIG 'PIRE EXTINGUISHEB VALVE APPLIOATION TILED HAB. 8, 1009.

Patented FebQZ, 1911.

4 BHEBTEB'HEET 2.

A. BLAUVELT. JUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHEE VALVE. APPLIUTIOI; HLM) ma. s, 19cm.

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A.. BLAUVBLT. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHEB VALVE.

APPLIOATIOFYFILED ARS, i809.

984,885. Patented Feb. 21, 1.9.11.

4 EERSTE-SHEET 4.

fg@ j@ `tion` the same emhttdying features ot' ada specification.

Ymechanism. the construction and arrange- .LEERT BLAUVLT. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A'IOMA'C FIRE-EXTINGUISHER VALVE.

v Specification of Letters Patent.` lgltallted Feb. 2li, 1911.

Application lett March 8, 1909. Serial No. 482.683.

To all whom'it 'may concern;

Be it ltnown that l. Annuler BLALfvnI/r, a citizen ot' the United States. residing at Chi cago, in the, county ot toohV and State ot' illinois, have invented certain new and useful lx'nprovements in Automatic Fire-EX- y tinguisher Valves, ot which the following is i My invention relates to automatic tire; sprinkler systems otl the dry pipe type and t theol'ijeet thereof is to provide automatic t valve mechanism Ytor such systems which is ot novel construction and etiicient in operavantage which will be made apparent from the description hereinafter given.

'My invention relates more particularly to the mechanism or devices for controlling the aetion ot the` 'alves proper and the main object thereot' is Vto provide for the positive opening ot' the valves when the pressure in the distributing pipes ot the system has4 been reduced to the lredetermined minimum t'or the operation ot' the system and the consequent applying of water thereto. Speaking in general terms. such controlling devices consist ot' novel and improved lever mechanism interposed between they vater and airvalves usual indry pipe valves, which lever mechanism is by preference adapted to cooperate with a weight pret'- erahly. arranged within the valve casing itselic4 and in the same chamber witl the lever ment of such trigger mechanism and weight mechanism being such ,as topermit the said meclmnisn't to operate irrespective ot' the weight which. however.y is preferably emi ployed to assure a more positive action ot the valves and to cause them to he released more unit'orml }y at a desired ,and predetermined reduction otl pressure in the distributing system. i

My invention also includesI the provision l .of a cover plate for the valve casing, which cover plate is so constructed and adapted to cooperate with the valve mechanism as to insure the setting of the weight inoperative position ready tor action wl'len`the cover plate is applied and closed.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a central seetional elevation ot' iny automatie valve showing the valves proper in closed position and the mechanism yset read-y for action: Fig. 2 a slnnlar view but. showing the valves and i mechanism in operatlve.position; Fig. 3 a

section on theline of Fig. l; Fig. 4 a A section on the irregular line. 4 4 of Fig. 1; y and Figs. 5, tt and t perspective views ot' the three members of the lever mechanism.

Referring to the present embodiment of my invention as illustrated in the drawings, the valve device or mechanism comprises a casing 1 having at its lower end 'an inlet open-ing 2 conununicating with the usual riser connected to a source o't' water sup ply and provided at its upper end with an outlet opening t connnunicatiug with the distributing pipes otl the sprinkler system, the main pipe ot which is illustrated at ln the present instance the valve easing is divided into two'ehainbers (t and 7, the. t'ormer Containing the'so-called water valve and the trigger or lever mechanism between the valves and the latter the so-called air valve. rl`he communication between the inlet openiitgl Q and clnnnber tt is controlled by the water alve lnorma'llft-r seated upon its seat 9 and the communication between such ehamht and the chamber 7 is controlled by thc air valve l() which is normally seated upon its seat 11. The trigger or lever mechanism hereinafter described in detail consists ot' a series of levers interposed between the two valves proper and preferably cooperating with a pivote-d weight, it being understood that. the air pressure ot' the sprinkler system acting downwardly upon the air valve l() maintains the trigger or lever mechanism in its set position and the latter conse piently holds the 'ater "alvo upon its seat..

Describing the parts in detail, the water valve is-mounted upon the lower end ot' an adjusting screw 1Q which is screw-tln'eaded through a bridge-piece 13 as shown in ,Figi l. This bridge-piece is pivoted atone end in the bearing lugs 14 extending upwardly from the bottom ot ille chamber (t. (Figs. 1, Zand 5). rlihe construction and arrangement otl the bridge-piece and the valve asing are such that. when the lever mechanism is released and thel water valve opened hy the pressure ot' the vater supply,`the valve and its bridge-piece will be swung wholly to one. side of the water in ct in order to provide a free and unobstructed passage,l for the 'ater as illustrated in Fig. 2. The water val 'e t; may be nmunted upon the, adjusting screw in any suitable manner and as herein shown the lower end of such screw is provided with a' head or flange 12 fitting into a `screwthrcadml rei-ess or socket in the'upper face ot' the water valve and held in position therein-by means of the split nut 15.

The free end of the hridgepiece 13 is adapted to engage an intermediate trigger or lever 1Gu which, as clearly shown in the perspective, Fig. 5, is forked at its lower end by the provision of the parallel arms 16a having similar irregular-shaped bearing openings 16h. Onc'member ofthe fork is provided with a laterally-extending lug 1G on which the weight is arranged to exert stress as hereinafter explained. The upper 'it passes through the intermediate lever, such pin being at this point half round, that is, semi-circular in cross section. asseen in Figs. 1 and 2. The ends of thebearing pin are left round and are adapted to bear in the 'bearing lugs 18 and 19 which here form a part of the valve casing, the intermediate lever being arranged to oscillate in a` plane lbetween such bearing lugsas clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The third member of the trigger mechanism, which is shown by itself in the perspective, Fig. 7, consists of a strut V2() interposed between the upper end of the intermediate lever and the underside of the air valve, such strut being pivoted at 21 in ythe forked and depending head of a screw 22 which extends upwardly through the air valve and is heldin place by means of the nut 23. This strut is pivotcd at one side of its central point. thereby providing a longer arm 20a and a shorter arm 20, the longer arm engaging the intermediate lever and the vshorter arm being arranged to engage or contact the air valve, in the present instance such contact being against a curved lor socket portion 24 of the head of the screw 22 at a point at the base or inner ends of the members of the forks of such head, Figs. land 3. In order that tlie upward pressure on the air valve exerted by the strut shall be such as to lift the valve upwardly in a horizontal plane and prevent the same from being canted, I prefer to locate this contact 24 between the. strut and the air valve on the same plane or substantially the same plane as the seat 11 of such air valve. By reason ot' the connecting of the strut with the air valve, such strut is held to the latter and removed from interference with the flow of water by the opening of such air valve, as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, by reason of the pivoting of such strut to the air valve andthe provision of the longer and shorter arms, thev restoring of the air valve to normal or closed position automatically brings the strut `to its proper or normal position ready for the settingof the trigger mechanism, the. longer arm 2()a being the heavier and consequently swinging the strut to such normal position. i

It will be understood that the air `valve is pivotcd in its chamber 7, the same being pivotcd upon the lever arni 25.

In practice the valves proper are seated andthe three membersof the trigger mechanism ai'e set as shown in Fig. 1 and the adjusting or tension screw 12 is screwed downwardly in order to hold the 'water valve upon its seat and to supply some tension or stress upon the trigger mechanism, which stress is resisted by the pressure of the sprinkler system acting downwardly upon the air valve 10. When this air pressure is reducedl to a predetermined amount through any 'cause such as the opening of a. sprinkler head, the trigger mechanism is released, the

strut 20 being permitted to oscillate and the intermediate lever and bridgepiece being thereupon permitted to swing in opposite passage, as

to be actuated more positively and uniformly i according to a certain degree' of reduction of pressure, I employ a weight device cooperating with the trigger mechanism. As shown andby preference this weight device is in the same chamber as the trigger mechanism,I the case being somewhat swelled out onone side at 1., Fig. 3 in order to accommodate the wcight.` The weightI de vice consists of a weight proper marked 26 which is pivotcd upon a bearing pin 2T through theniediuin oi a yoke 28, oner of whose arms is extended at 2S) forattachnientto such weight, as clearly indicated in Fig. 4.-. i 'lliis yoke is in the form of a bail whose cross arm 2 8 is adapted to bear upon the lug 16c of the intermediate lever. The

weiglit 6 is of a predetermined weight and by reason of its described cooperation with the intermediate lever it is arranged to con- Fig. 1 the cross bar16 of the intermediate.

lever is located close to and atl one'side of' "secured in place.

the bearing pin 1T whilethe lug 16C is located at the op osite side thereof, with the. result that the ower edge of such cross bar serves as a ulcrum for the action of the weight, the bearing pin 17 being cut away in the described manner in order that this result may be accomplished. The weight.l

is quite. important iii automatic sprinkler practice.

Another feature of my invention 'relates to a provision for compelling thatJ after the triggermechanisnris set the weight. shalhy also be in set or operative 'position before the coverplate for access or working opening to the chamber 6 can be applied and To this end the cover plate 30, which .in the present instance is pivoted to the casing 1. at. 31 and secured in place by the fasten-ing bolts 32 is provided on its inner face with an inwardlyextending hig 33, Figs. 2l and 4, 'adapted to cooperate with a rod 34 which at its front or outer end is bent at a right angle to form a handle or lever 34 which may be oscillated in a plane parallel with the cover plate 3() to rotate the rod.- 'lh-e rear end of the rod is also bent, in a direction parallel with the front end. and lies below or within a recessl formed in thebottoin ott-he weight 26,. Figs. 2 and'4. This rod 34 thus pro vides means whereby th'e operator or engineer may as a needed working convenience elevate the weight so ity will not interfere with manual resetting or restoring of the trigger mechanism to normal position.

.liVhen the trigger mechanism propel' is thus restored the handle 3l must of'necessity be restored to. normal position and lower the weight into.uorinal working position in to -coinpletethe operative setting ot' the'- valve. Except. for such provision the operatoi' might forget. to properly place the weight and close vthe valve without benefit ofthewcight.

ln this art as practiced by others the fact that the cover plate must necessarily and to the inind ott the operator uiifaillngly he closed as a .completion of thtl setting of this type ot valve has not heretofore been made ot avail to insure that the'valve mecliffuiisin in full be properly set before the cover plate is closed by designing said cover plate to be in positive mechanical cooperation with the valve mechanism.

My invention in its broader aspect is not to loe-confined tothe particular form ot mechanical cooperation' shown because other practical means may he adopted, the hand lever and cover plate lug herein shown be# ing. however, very simple and ethcient for the purpose 1n view. I

l'. claim:

`1. The combination-with the 'asing ot anv automatic sprinkler valve and valve mechanism `therein comprising a train oi operating mechanism, a weight. cooperating ltl'ierei'vith. and a lever arrangedto be shifted in one position to lift said weight and per mit said operating mechanism to be set. andshifted in the other position to permit the weight to assume cooperative relation with the operating mechanism, of a cover plate for said casing, said cover plate having an inwardly-projecting.lug arranged to interfcrc with said lever 'when the latter is in its first-mentioned position and thcreliy prevent. the application of the cover plate.. 'io the casing` and notY to interfere with such lever when 'it is in its last-mentioned position. i

2, In an automatic sprinkler system, the combination with the casing and with thc valves, air and water, and valve actuating mechanism therein, ot' an independent movable weight mounted to rock in bearings seated in said casing and tending through connection with the operating mechanism to open said aiivvalve, said weight being located within the casing.

3. In an automatic sprinkler system. the combination with the casing having in inlet communicating with a source ot' water supply and'an outlet coinn'iunicating with the distributing pipes of, the s vstein, a water valve governing'said inlet, an air valve governing said outlet, and with trigger mechanisin comprising a series ol interengaging levers interposed between the valves and dependent for set. position upon the pressure ot the system onvthe air valve. ot a weight pivotally inounted"independently in hearings v y.. in the wallsotf and arranged within the casdoingl so, else the handle will iiiterterewitli closing of the cover plate. il() as is necessary ing and adapted to exert its stress upon the levers, the latter being arranged to operate with' or independently of the weight'.

4. In an automatic sj'irinkler system. the coinl'iination ywith the easing having an inlet communicating with a source ot' water slipply and an outlet communicating with the distributing,r pipes of the system, a water llt) 65 valve, a strut coperating with the air valve,

air valve, and an intermediate lever pivoted i to rock in bearings within the casingacting `as a trigger vbetween the bridge piece and the strut, a screw for exerting pressure between the water valve and bridge to provide some of the stress upon the trigger mechanism, of a weight mounted to rock within the Casin independently of the trigger mechanism an adapted to coperate with said intermediate lever and to provide a constant amount of supplemental stress upon such mechanism.

5. In an automatic sprinkler system, the combination with the casing having an inlet communicating with a source of Water supply and an outlet communicating with the distributing pipes of the system, a water valve governing said inlet, an air valve governing saidoutlet, and with trigger mechanism interposed between `the valves and comprising a. bridge piece coperating with the water valve, a strut coperating with the air valve, and an intermediate lever acting as a' trigger between the bridge piece and 4the strut, a screw for exerting pressure between the water valve and bridge piece to provide some' of the stress upon the trigger mechanism, of a weight mounted to rock within the casing independently ofI the trigger mechanism and adapted to'coperate with 3.0 said intermediate lever and to provide a predetermined amount of stress upon such -mechanism, anda rocking lever within the casing for elevating said. weight when the trigger mechanism is to be set.

6.' In an automatic sprinkler system, the combination with the casing havingv an inlet communicating with a source of water supply and an outlet communicating with the distributing pipes of the system, a water valve governing said inlet,v an air valve governing said outlet, and with trigger mechanism'mterposcd between the valves and comprising a bridge piece coperatingwith the water valve, a strut coperating with the air valve, and anintermedlate lever acting as a trigger between the bridge piece and the strut, means for exerting stress between the water 'valve and bridge piece, of a pin on which said intermediate'lever oscillates and which has a cutaway portion where it passes through such lever to permit the latter moving in a direction transverse to said pin. when the trigger is tripped, and a weight adapted to coperate with said intermediate 5i lever by exerting stress thereupon. i

` -7. In an automatic sprinkler system, the

combination with the casing having an"inlet communicating with a source of water supply and an outlety communicating with the 50 distributing pipes of the system, a water valve governing said inlet, an air valve governing said outlet,V of trigger mechanism interposed between the valves and comprising a bridge piece coperating/ with the water n8. In an automatic sprinkler system, the

between the bridge piece and the strut and `combination with the casing 'having an inlet communicating with a source of water supply and-an outlet communicating with the distributing pipes of the system, and with the water valve governing said inlet and the air valvegoverning said outlet, ofvtrigger mechanism interposed between the valves and comprising a bridge piece coperating with the water valv`e a strut coperat'ing 85 with the airivalve, and a-n intermediate lever acting as a trigger between th'e bridge piece and the strutand having a pivot opening,a cross-bar adjacent said opening and at'one sidel thereof and a projecting lug. at the opposite side of such opening, a pivot pin 1n said opening, and a weight adapted to co-Y operate with said intermediate lever by ex- 4 erting its stress upon said lug, said bridge piece engaging the cross-bar. 95 9. In an automatic sprinkler system, the combination with the casing having an inlet A communicating with a source of Water supply and'an outlet communicating with t e` I distributing pipes of the system and with the water valve governing said inlet and the air valve governing said outlet, of trigger mechanism interposed between the -valves' and comprising a bridge piece coperatingv` with'tthe water valve, a strut coperating 105 with the air valve, and an intermediate lever actin f as a trigger between the bridge'piece and t 1e strut, and having a pivot opening, a cross-bar adjacent said opening and at one side thereof and a projecting lug at the opposite side of such opening, a pivot pin 1n said opening, and a pivoted wei ht having a yoke adapted to bear Vupon sai lug and to thereby exert stress upon the trigger mechamsm.

10. In an automatic sprinkler system,the combination. with the easmg having an opening in one side aninlet communicating'with a source of water supply and an outlet com-' municating with the distributing pipes of the system, a cover plate for said opening and with the water valve governing said inlet and theair valile governing said outlet, of triggersmechanism interposed between the valves and comprisinga bridge piece cooperatingwith the water valve, a strut coy operating with the air valve, and an intermediate lever acting as a trigger between the bridge piece and the strut, a-pivoted weight adapted'to exert stress-upon a portion of the 130 intermediate lever, and a rocking lever adapted to be manually operated. to elevate said Weight to permit the trigger mechanisin being set and afterward to lower said Weight onto said trigger mechanism, the

latter movement of the lever being necessary l .lo permit restoration of the cover plate.

ll. In an automatic sprinkler system, the combination with the casing having an inlet K communicating.with a Source of Water supply vand an outletr communicating with the distributing pipes of the system, and with the Water valve governing' said inlety and the air valve governing said outlet, of trigger l mechanism interposed between the valves 15 and comprising a bridge piece cooperating with the ivalervalve, a Strut cooperating with the air valve, and an interinediatelever acting as a trigger between the bridge piece and the strut, and a forked lower end with a connecting` cross bar engaged by ihe bridge piece, one of the nienibers of the forli having-a projecting lng, and a Weight adapted to exert Stress upon Such lug'.

ALBERT BLVELT.

Witnesses 5 LOUISE. lflnwlx, i Bonnin' H. Donnizniux.

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