US2115371A - Fire extinguisher - Google Patents

Description

April 26, 193s. F. MOSSBERG .2,1121371v FIRE. EXTINGUISHER Original Filed Feb. l1, 1936 7 3/ Z5 l lNvENToR l File/'lk /Vosseny BY Fund '82A-fu ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITESD STATES FIRE EXTINGUISI-IER Frank Mossberg, Attleboro, Mass.

Application February 11, 1936, Serial No. 63,301

Renewed September 16, 1937 11 Claims.

This invention relates to re extinguishers and particularly to improvements in extinguishers of the type in which a liquid re extinguishing agent is released automatically when the temperature in the vicinity of the apparatus rises to a predetermined point.

Fire extinguishers of the type referred to are adapted to be lled with a fire extinguishing liquid, for example, carbon tetrachloride and a gas generating agent such as an aqueous solution of ammonia. The receptacle for the fire extinguishing liquid is provided with a suitable distributor such as a sprinkler head and with an outlet leading thereto which is normally sealed and adapted to be opened when a re occurs. Pressure developed by the gas-generating agent when the'temperature rises forces the fire extinguishing liquid through the outlet, and the liquid is distributed over the surrounding surface.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved fire extinguishing apparatus wherein the release of the liquid is more positive and dependable and the eiliciency of the apparatus 5 is increased.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved outlet and distributor whereby the liquid is delivered more uniformly to the surrounding surface which is to be protected.

will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the specication and the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a vertical section through a re exs.; tinguisher embodying the invention;

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

Fig. 3 is a similar View illustrating the structure when the liquid has been released; and

Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of the diaphragm supporting member in the distributor head.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates a receptacle which is made preferably of aluminum, particularly if the liquids used therein consist of carbon tetrachloride and aqueous ammonia. Aluminum best resists the corrosive effect of these liquids in combination. The receptacle 5 may be of any shape or size depending upon the requirements. It may be constructed of other materials than aluminum, although alruninum is preferred for the reasons noted. In the form of the invention illustrated, the receptacle 5 is adapted to be supported with the distributor head inverted. u Brackets 6 secured to bosses 'l on the receptacle Other objects and advantages of the inventionr may be fastened by bolts 8, for example, tothe ceiling of a room or to any other support. The upper part of the receptacle is preferably divided by internal transversely disposed partitions 9 and l0 which may be secured Iby solder or otherwise to the wall of the receptacle.

The receptacle is provided preferably with a threaded internal ange Il to receive an outlet l2 which is secured in liquid and gas-tight relation to the flange to avoid leakage. 'Ihe outlet i2 is preferably made of a material such as stainless steel to avoid corrosion. and also to permit adherence of the solder of lo-w melting point as hereinafter described.

The outlet embodies the dual control features of U. S. Patent No. 1,736,255, to which my improvements more particularly relate. It is pro- L vided with a shoulder i3 supporting a washer i4 upon which is mounted a thin diaphragm I5 preferably of gold foil. The diaphragm may be made of other metals such as platinum, silver, or

aluminum. It normally closes the outlet and is securely held between the washer l i and a Washer I6 which bears against a shoulder il and is held l in position by a threaded plug I3. The plug I8 has an opening therethrough communicating with a pipe I9 curved as indicated with its inlet end 25 disposed adjacent the bottom of the receptacle 5, so that substantially all of the liquid in the receptacle will be drained therefrom when the outlet is released.

As a safeguard against premature release of the liquid, the diaphragm l5 is supported by a head 2l mounted on a stem 22 which extends through an opening in a strainer 23 having perforations 26 therein. The stem 22 extendsl through an opening 25 which Vis substantially larger than the stem and terminates in a head 26 having sloping surfaces 2l, the purpose of which will hereinafter more ful-ly appear. A Washer 28 with depending legs 29y is adapted to center'the head 2l and ensure longitudinal movement when the head is released. A shoulder 3U is provided against which the legs 29 come to rest, thereby limiting the movement of the head when it is released. Y

The head 2l is normally held in position toY support the diaphragm l 5 by a cap 3l having legs 32 which are embedded in solder 33 of suitable composition, so that it will melt at a predeteri mined temperature at which the extinguishing liquid is to be released. The solder is disposed in a recess 34 provided for that purpose. l

As indicated in Fig. 2, the outletV from the extinguisher is normally closed by the diaphragm l5 cated in Fig. 3. 'I'he liquid .passes around the head l5 oughh/e perforations 24 in the amer 23 through the opening 25and is ejected VYso With considerable force against the sloping surface`2'l of the head 26. The head 26 is held in predetermined position by engagement of the legs 29 with the shoulder 30 and the sloping surface 21 deflects the liquid, causing it to bedistributed uniformly over the surface inthe vicinity of the extinguisher, which thus acts eiciently to ensure that fire'will be extinguished bythe ac- Vtion of the liquid. When the extinguisher has been discharged in the manner described and the fire has been extinguished, the apparatus may be relled. A new diaphragm I5 may be inserted and the valve may be again locked in the Yposition indicatedin Fig. 2 by the application of a cap held by solder as before. .Y

As previously indicated, stainless steel is used Vpreferably for the parts Vcomprising the outlet from the extinguisher including particularly the head 2| and the outlet I2. Stainless steel has relatively slightelectrolytic effect in contact with the gold diaphragm l5 and it is likewise adapted to hold the solder 33 which does not readily adhere to metals such as steel and aluminum. The stainless steel may be of any suitable composition, a steel alloy containing'chromium in the proportion ofv for exampler about 18-.8%; being suitableffor the purpose. Y Asfhereinbefore indicated, the structure as described has the advantages Vof, dual control and is particularly adapted for applications VWhere it is desirable to have the outlet directed Vdovvnto many practical, tests for fire extinguishing characteristics and is effective -in operation. It'

*Wardly The mechanism of the diaphragm sup- Y port is practical and certain in operation. It as,-v

sures successful operation 'o f theextinguisher when the emergency arises.

[The Astructure as described has been subjected also ensures the protection and preservation-ofv the contents ofV the receptacle indefinitely so that the re extinguishing liquid is available when a fire occurs.y None of the oontents'can escape previous to Ythe emergency which the device is intended to meet.

'Ihey various Vadvantages Yof thefinven'tionV are u set` forth hereinjand'these and other advantages .j

may be attained `vvith numerous modifications, of

the'structure Without departingY from the in- VVention or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

I claim: f A 1. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain fire extinguishing and gas 4generating, agents; a discharge ynozzlev having a Y passage therethrough and means normally closingv the lnternal'pressure of the'receptacleV comprising aY Y passage and adapted to` be released under predetermined conditions of external temperature and frangible diaphragm across the passage, a member supporting the diaphragm havinga stem and Va distributor Vheadon the stem, 'and temperature sensitive means normally holding said member in diaphragm'supporting position.

i` 2. Ina fire extinguisher, a1receptacle adapted;

u ing as a guide therefor.

to contain lre extinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle having a passage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and termined conditions of external temperature and adapted to be released under predeinternal pressure of the receptacle comprisingaVY 3. In a re extinguisher, a receptacle adapted y,

to contain lire extinguishing and gasgenerating agents, a discharge nozzle having aY passage therethrough and kmeans normally closing the passageand adapted to be'relea'sed under predetermined conditions of external temperature and internal pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragm across the passage, a mem- 'ber supporting the diaphragm having a stem and a distributor head on the stem, temperature sensitive means normally holding said member in diaphragm supporting position, and means for limiting the movement of said member when it is released, comprising legs on the valve and a ledge adapted to be engaged by the legs.

4. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain fire extinguishing and'gas generating 's agents, a discharge nozzle having a passage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adapted to be released under predeterminedVVV conditionsV of external temperature and internal pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible n .diaphragm across the passage, a'memberisupporting thediaphragm'having a stem and a distributor headon the stemV having a sloping surface to spread the Vfire extinguishing agent, and

temperature sensitive means normally holdingV said Valve in diaphragm supporting position.

5. In a iire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted Y to contain fire extinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle having av passagetherethrough and means normally closing the passage and adapted to be released under predetermined conditions of external temperature and internal pressure of thefreceptacle comprising a frangible diaphragm across the passage, a

member-supporting the diaphragm having a stem 4 and a distributor head on thestem, temperature sensitive means normally holding said member in diaphragm supporting position, and a pipe connected tov the passage with an Vinlet adjacentthe V.bottom of the receptacle. y Y f 5 6. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted! to contain-nre extinguishing and gasgeneri-.itingI agents, a discharge nozzlehavinga passage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adapted to be released under predetermined conditions of external temperature and internal;

pressure'of the receptacle comprising a frangiblediaphragm across the passage,y a member sup-4 porting the diaphragm having vka stem anda dis` f tributor head onthe stem, temperature sensitive means normally holdingysaid member indiaphragm supporting position, and a strainer in the Y Y,

passagehaving an opening for the stem andserv'- 7. In aV nre extinguisher, a'rreceptacle adapted Yto contain nre extinguishing and gas generating agentsa discharge nozzle having a passage there-v,

through and means normally closingthe/passage.

and adapted to be released under predetermined conditions of external temperature andV internal,-

pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragm across the passage, a member supporting the diaphragm having a stem and a distributor head on the stem having a sloping surface to spread the re extinguishing agent, temperature sensitive means normally holding said member in diaphragm supporting position, and a pipe connected to the passage with an inlet adjacent the bottom of the receptacle.

8. In a re extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain iire extinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle having a passage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adapted to be released under predetermined conditions of external temperature and internal pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragm across the passage, a member supporting the diaphragm having a stem and a distributor head on the stem having a sloping surface to spread the fire extinguishing agent, temperature sensitive means normally holding said member in diaphragm supporting position, and a strainer in the passage having an opening for the stem and serving as a guide therefor.

9. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain fire extinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle having a passage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adapted to be released under predetermined conditions of external temperature and internal pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragm across the passage, a member supporting the diaphragm having a stem and a distributor head on the stem, temperature sensitive means normally holding said member in diaphragm supporting position, a pipe connected to the passage With an inlet adjacent the bottom of the receptacle, and means for limiting the movement of said member when itis released.

10. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain fire extinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle having apassage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adapted to be released under predetermined conditions `of external temperature and internal pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragm across the passage, a member supporting the diaphragm having a stem and a distributor head on the stem, temperature sensitive means normally holding said member in diaphragm supporting position, a strainer in the passage having an opening for the stem and serving as a guide therefor, and mea-ns for limiting the movement of said member when it is released. 11. In a re extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain fire-extinguishing and gas-generating agents, a discharge nozzle having a passage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adapted to be released under predetermined conditions of external temperature and internal pressure of the receptacle, comprising a frangible diaphragm across the passage, a member including a diaphragm-supporting head substantially as large as the portion ofthe diaphragm to be exposed to the fire extinguishing agent, a stem connected at one end to said supporting head and a distributor head connected to the other end of said stem, and temperature-sensitive means normally holding said member in position so that said head bears against and supports the diaphragm.

A FRANK MOSSBERG.

Images