US1874123A - Flow controlling system - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 30, 1932. Q ROWLEY 1,874,123

FLOW CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 5, 1928 ,5 Shgts-Shget 5 Aug. 30, 1932. A. c. ROWLEY ,1 3

FLOW CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 5, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 g] fi y 21 ,5 zze /ZZ7 g e1 99 I 1oz 1, "'I/(III/IIIIIIIIII/III/ll J5 w v 1932- A. c. RQWLEY 1,874,123

FLOW CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 5, 1928 Z, llllljlllllllllll ll fzuwia HWZAZWCJPOu/Z y Patented Aug. I 30, 1932 ems TTVES nit'rfiim o. nowiinY oF PHILADELPHIA, PF NsYLvAiaIA,- -essmnoit TO GLOBE Auro- PATIENT- FLow CONTROLLING SYSTEM Ap plication filed December 5, 1928. "Serial ivo. 323,931;

This invention relates to improvements in fire extinguishin an aratus and relates morefl v b l 3 particularly to improvements in means for.

releasing and controlling the flow ofthe fire n F1gs.2to 6;

extinguishing agencies. V e

The principal object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device operative under predetermined temperature conditions for releasing a fire extinguishing. agent. 7 1 i V p More specifically, an objectof the invention is to provide a device of the aforesaid character which shall be extremely sensitive and positive in operation and which will not be adversely affected by changing conditions of atmosphere and temperature and which will not deteriorate over long periods of time.

Another object of the invention is to. pro vide in conjunctionwith a device of the afore-. said character novel apparatus adaptedfor generating and releasing a fire extinguishing foam. v s

To this general end, the invention resides.

. in part in the provision of novel apparatus for releasing a foam-forming medium and for interrupting the flow of said medium after a predetermined period. 7

The invention further resides in certainnovel and useful structural and mechanical details hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general assembly view of. a-p-= paratus made in accordance with my invention; I

Fig. 2 shows in vertical section the release box and valve mechanisms forming a part of the apparatus Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the'release box and immediately associated valve parts as w w element which reacts with the water entering shown in Fig.2; z

v Fi get is a front view of the release box with the cover removed showing some ofthe in-. teri'or working parts;

Fig. 5 is a sectlonal 'view similar to Fig. 2

I but showing the parts in therelea'sed posit'i'on; s

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the release box and the associated parts asfsh'own 1n Fig.6;

7 Fi 7 is s section on ts line m; Fi '6 Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 Fig. Fig-9 1s a plan-view of the thermosensivtivedevice constituting one of the prime actuators of the release mechanism illustrated i 10 s a section an the line 10' 1'0,-Fi 1 Fi 11 is aside elevational vise of'the valve on the line 10-10, Fig. 9.

'-With reference to the drawings, theapparatus illustrated comprises a tank 1 which constitutes a mixing chamber for foam-formmg chemicals; the foam constituting in the present instance the fire extinguishing ne- 6.111111. Commonly, one .ofthe foam-forming elements is 'water, andin the present in stance I have illustrated the tank connected through a pipe 2 with a water main 3, the conne ctionbeing controlled by a valve 4'. The

tainer or accumulator 1, and in the present nstance an alarm device 5 connected to the pipe 2 is adapted to be actuated by water pressure in this pipeto close an electric circuit'6 including a suitable electricsignal.

"Preferably the pipe 2 has associated therewith a drain 7- of a'typ'e including a ballfloat which permits escape of relatively small quantities of waterleaking past the valve 4: but functioning toflclose the drain port when a large volume of water is admitted bythe opening of the valve; The alarm and drain elements associated with the pipe 2 as set forth above may be of standard type, and

' form no es'sential'par t of the present invention.

The tank I normally contains a chemical the chamber through the pip e'2 to form a fire extinguishing foam, which latter accumulates in the tank 1 and'escapes through a discharge pipe 8 located inthe' pres'ent instance at the bottom of the accumulator tank. I,

' The valve 4, see Figlll, is of'the'difi'erential type a'nd'comprises the valvep'roper 9 adaptedtos'e'at within the casinga's illustrated to close the connection between the pipes 2 and 3. Extending upwardly from the valve tinuously, to elevate the valve stem and with it the valve 9 from its seat;

The upper part of the valvecasing above the diaphragm 13 is. connected through a pipe 15 with, a chamber-16 in a casing 17, in

which chamber is operatively mounted a valve 18, said valve being adapted in alternate positions to close ports19 and2l. The.

port 19 communicates with a cylindrical chamber 22, which chamber in turn communi- 'cates through a bypass channel 23 wit-ha chamber 24 in a casing 25 integrally formed in the present instance with the casing 17, as

ill'ustratedin Fig. 7. 'Withinthe chamber 24 is mounted a valve 26 adapted to seat as 1llus-- trated in Fig. 5 so as to break the connection between the bypass 23 and a port 27, which through a pipe 28 is connected to a suitable dram.

The valves 18and 26 are operatively connected by a stem 29 which projects through the walls of the-casings Hand 25 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and ,5. V ith this stem 29,

the valve 18 has a sliding connection, a spring 31 tendingto force the valve'away from the end of the stem and the relative movement of the valve with respect to the stem being limited by a shoulder 32, as clearly illustrated. This free movement betweenthe stem 29 and the valve 18 insures thefirm seating of the valve 18 in the alternative closing of the ports 19 and 21. Associated with thestem 29'witha pressure tending toforce the valve 18 from in the chamber22 is a spring 33 which exerts its seat closing the port 19, as shown. in Fig. 2, into the. alternative position, as shown in I Fig. 5, in which it closes the port 21. The

stem 29 engages the valve 26 so as to hold this valve away from its seat when the valve 18 closes the port 19 and permits a'spring 34 to seat theva'lve 26, as shown in Fig.5, when the'valv'e 18 is in the position closing the port 21. The connection between the stem 29 and the valve 26 is also a sliding one insuring a proper seating of the valve 26.

Intermediate the casings 17 and 25, the

stem 29 comprises a threaded sleeve which constitutes a means for adjusting the overall length of the stem and the relative positions of the end sections thereof, one end of this sleeve also functioning as a valvetofclose the opening in the casing 17 through which the stem extends, the valve being effective when the parts are as shown in Fig. 5. r

The chamber 16 through the port 21 and a pipe 35 communicates with one or more sprinkler heads 36,.see Fig. 1, of well known type which will be locatedwithin; the area ratus.

controlled by the fire extinguishing appa- The. chamber 16 also is connected through the port 19 and through a pipe 37 having a second port which communicates through a pipe 46 with the water main 3; As

shown in. Fig. 1, this pipe'46 is controlled by a valve 47.. The casing 42 compriseschambers'48 and 51 which communicate respectively with the ports 43 and 45, and the chambers intercommunicate through a port 52 in whichis established a stem 53 longitudinally grooved or recessed in that part which projects through the port and adapted to restrict the opening to a desired extent This stem .53 is supported in the inner end of a plug 54 threaded into the casing 42, the plug having a recess 55 in the bottomof which 7 the end of the stem 53is held by a spring 56,

this springv being held under compression by a plug 57 threaded into the outer end of said recess. The plug 54 ,alsocarries at its inner end a cylindrical strainer 58 which-surrounds the projecting portion of the stem 53 and whose outer end fits against the partition 59 in such manner. as to completely surround the port 52.. The strainer 58 prevents any foreign materialin the Water from clogging the restricted port52. V r

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that withthe valve 18 closing. the

port 19, as it normally will, water from the main 3 will fill the pipe 46 and willpass through the restricted opening 52' into the pipe 15, and through this pipe to that portion ofthe valve casing 4 overlying the diaphragm 13 and also to the chamber 16 of the valve casing 17. The port 21 of this casing bemg open, water will'alsofill the pipe 35. Under these conditions, the valve 18 is held to its seat closing the port 19, and the main pressure upon the top of the diaphragm 13 of the differential valve 4 will also hold the valve 9 to its seat closing the pipe 2 and preventing passage of water from the main through said pipe to the accumulator 1. Also under these conditions, it'will be noted that the valve 26 is open whereby the casing 38 is connected through the pip'ej37 and the bypass 23 with the drain pipe 28.

Assuming now that thevalve18 is shifted to the alternative position, as shown in Fig. 5 closlng the port 21, it will be apparent that the chamber 16 will be connected through the chamber 22 and pipe 37 with the casing'38,

thevalve 26 being closed and thereby disconnecting the chamber 22 from the drain. Also I the sleeve 8t) nowperforms its valve function to prevent leakage from the chamber 22 around the valve stem 29. Opening of valve which discharges through the pipe 8 and is directed as required.

By reason of the restricted character of the port 52, waterfrom the main 3 gradually fills the casing .38 untihwhen this casing is completely filled and by reason of the automatic closing of the vent 39 by a float valve (notshown), the main pressure is again restored in the pipe 15, and acting upon the diaphragm 13' closes the valve '9, preventing further'flow of water from the main to'the j accumulator. The parts remain in this poupon the valve 1 8 is again held to its seat sition until the Valves 18 and 26 have been restored to their original positions, as may be done by means hereinafter set forth, whereby the mainpressure, closing the port 19, while the water in the casing 38automatically escapes therefrom through the chamber 24 and the drain pipe 28, thereby restoring the apparatus to its original condition.

' turns about its pivot in a clockwise direction As previously stated, the chamber 16 is connected through the pipe 35 with one or more sprinkler heads 36, and it will be apparent that release of the sprinklerhead by reason of excessive temperatures at the place of its location will result in a release of pressure in the chamber 1'6, permitting the spring 33 to shift the valve 18 over into the alter The native position, as shown in Fig. 5. sprinkler head or heads, therefore, constitutes one means for releas ng the control valves of the aforedescribed apparatus to permit the formation of the foam in the accumulator.

As shown in Fig. 2, I provide additional release means in the form of a release box 61, which in the present instance is carried upon a bracket 62, to which is secured the casings 17 and 25. Pivotally secured to this bracket 62 at 63 is a lever arm 64 which extends downwardly through the space between the casings 17 and 25 and is operatively connected with the stem 29 so that oscillation of the lever results in a corresponding longitudinal movement of the'stem, and vice versa.

Pivotally secured at 65 to the bracket 62 is a lever 66, this lever having a transverse-- 1y pro ect1ng lug 67wh1ch when the lever and as shown in Fig. 5 is adapted to engage the lower end of the lever 64. The upper end" 7 of the lever 66 is prov'idedwith weights 68 of such size that when the lever 66 is released Influx of water into thefrom the position shown in Fig. 2', as hereinafter set forth, they will cause the extension 67 to strike the-lever 64 with su-fiicient force to open the valve 18 against the water pressure which normally holds this valve to its seat closing the port 19.

The lever 6G is normally supported, as shown in Fig. 2, an elevated position by a yoke 69 which passes over and engages an arm 71 of a bell crank lever 72 pivotally se cured at to the frontof" the box 61 The other arm of the bell crank lever 7 2eX-tends upwardly as shown in Fig. 2'-

turns inwardly andd 'ownwa-rd l y through an opening 74in the front cover of the box 6-l'to be engaged and normally held in the upright position, as shown, supporting the i'v'eig ht'68 by'a latch 75 in the form of a suitably shaped arm of a bell crank lever 7 6 pivotal-1y mo-unted at 77 within the box 61. The other infil 78 of this lever 76 extends downwardly in the box, and its lower end is normallyengaged by an arm 79 of a secondpivoted lever 81 in the bottom of the box to prevent'oscil- V la-tion of the lever 76' in'al'clockwisddirec tion, see Fig. 2, to extentrel'asingthe arm 72. The lever 81 has a secoiidarn'i 82 89 attached to the upper end of the latch re siliently holds the latter in an advanced position such that the part 86" overlies the inner end of the lever84.- I

The lower end of the latch 87 engages be hind the head 9'1 of a pin 92 whiclr is'secured to a diaphragm 93-secured as illustrated over a dished receptacle 94, this receptacle having a port from whicl ra small pip e95ext ends through the side of the casing 61. Under atmospheric pressure within the receptacl'nn 94, the diaphragnr occupies the position shown in Fig. 2, which permits the latch 87 under the action of the spring 89to assume a position inwhichthelever 84eng a ges under the latch part 86, as described above and asillustrated in the aforesaid Figure lVhen the receptacle 94 is evacuated, as by" means hereinafter described, the diaphragm 93' will be flexed inwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, and; will thereby through the pin 92 oscillate th'e'"120 latch 87 to an extent releasing the arm 84.

Release of the arm 84" in th s-manner results in arelease of the arm 82, and thelever 81 is thereby permitted to oscillate inwardly to release the arm 78. The'l'ever 76 imda e- 125 ed to swinginwardly so as t'o-release the'arm 72 ofthe lever 73, which latter swings outwardly and releases the weight 68 and-the lever- 66. In the downward movement of the latter, the transverse projection 67 ensufficient force acting through the stem 29 gages the forward edge of the lever 64 with to open the valve 18, with the results described above. It will be noted that in addition to the action of the weight 68 tending to oscillate the lever 7172 outwardly from 98. Also a pivoted stop 99 is provided in the top of thecasing which by engaging the latch arm 75 prevents forward oscillation of the lever 76 after the rearward oscillation which releases the arm 72. An aperture 101 is provided in the :cover plate of the casing 61 whereby this stop 99 may be forced inwardly,

to release the arm 7 5 to permit the lever 6 to return to the normal position, as shown in Fig. 2, and a spring 102 is provided which.

a normally tends to return the lever to this position. I In resetting the parts to their original unsprung condition, the arm 7 2 is elevated, the weighted yoke 69 having been attached to the arm 71 and the upper curved hook end of the lever 72 forced inwardly through the aperture 74 and over thelatch arm 7 5.. The extremity of the arm 72 first engages the stop 99v and forces the latter inwardly, thereby releasing the arm 7 5, it being apparent that this latter arm cannot be elevated and the parts returned to their original positions until this look 99 has'been displaced. With the arm 7 2 in position as shown, the lever 81 may be oscillated in a clockwise direction by means of a knob 103 exterior of the casing 61 which through a shaft 104 is connected with this latter lever. wardly engages the under side of the lever 84 and must displace this lever upwardly in order to clear the shoulder 83 which normally holds the arm 82 in the advanced position. This displacement is provided for in the slotted formation of the pivot hole, and a spring 90 is provided to normally hold the lever in a depressed position at the pivot. The setting of the trip mechanism is completed by restoration of normal atmospheric pressure to the chamber 94, as by means here inafter set forth, which results in a return movement of the diaphragm 93 to the normal position shown .in Fig. 2 and permits the spring 89 to return the lever 87 to a position in which the cross piece 86 is effective to prevent elevation of the outer extremity of the lever 84.

It will be noted that I have provided with- The arm 82 in moving outin the casing a bell crank lever 105 the upper end of which is in position to engage the end of the diaphragm pin 92, this hell crank lever 105 beingconnected through a link 106 with i the upper end of the valve controlled lever 64. Under normal conditions, the lever .105:

occupies the position shown in Fig. 2. When i the valve 18 moves over into the alternative pos tion, however, asshown in Fig. 5 and as occurs for example when the normal fluid pressure in the chamber "16 is relieved by the opening of one or more of'the sprinkler heads 36, the accompanying'movement of the stem 29. acting 'throughth-e lever 64 and link 106 oscillates the lever 105 intocontaot with the pin 92 flexing the diaphragm 93 inwardly and thereby releasing the trip mechanism and permitting the lever 7 2 to drop.

' In resetting .the apparatus after actuation through the medium ofthe sprinkler heads the possible overlooking of this essential resetting operation, since the released position of the weights is an inescapable indication that the mechanism is not in operating condition. Proper complete resetting is thus assur'ed.

Evacuation of the receptacle 94 as de scribed above is accomplished in the present 36 as explained, it is necessary to withdraw instance through the medium of a thermosensitive device illustratedin Figs. 9 and 10. This device comprises a casing 111 in which is established an expansible element or sylphon 112. This sylphon is supported between a shoulder 113 in the top of the casing and a threaded closure member 114. This closure has a ort 115 which communicates with the interior of the sylphon and is controlled in the present instance by a gravityactuated check valve 116 which permits air to pass from the interior of the sylphon but prevents a return flow of air through said port. which also communicates with the interior of the sylphon and through the pipe 95 with the chamber 94 of the trip mechanism.

In the interior of the sylphon 112 and reacting against the inner face of the closure member 114. is a spring 118 which tends to extend the sylphon from the normal contracted position in which it is shown in Fig. 10. In the present instance, the bottom of the sylphon is recessed at 119, and in this recess is established a stem 121 which projects downwardly through a passage 122 in the threaded body portion 123 of a thermosensitive release unit. The 'lowerend of the passage 122 is normally stopped by a closure Theclosure 114 also has a port 117 member 124 which is held to a seat on the body member 123 by a pair of strut mem-.

the :outer face of the closure member 12 1,

1- wliile the lower ends are braced respectively against the outer ends of a pair of levers 126. These levers 126 are engaged behind the inwardly beaded lower edge 127 of the body member 123, while the levers converge to ;hear against the upper face of a washer 128 which is slidably mounted upon a stem 129 extending downwardly from the closure 124. The washer 128 is normally held in an ele vated operative position with respect to the lever's'126 by a body of fus ib'le compound 131 which is confined between the washer 128, a head 132 on the extremity ofthe stem 129, and a cylindrical cover member 133- which embraces the head 182 and a portion of the washer 128. v p

In operation fusion of the compound 131 permits the sleeve 128 to slide outwardly on the stem 129, thereby releasing the inner ends of the levers 126. The struts 125 are thereby also released so that the entire closure member drops away to release the stem 121, thereby permitting the spring 118 to extend the sleeve, which results, in an evacuation through the pipe '95 of the chamber 94 of the trip mechanism. In "resetting the latter mechanism, the sylphon is contracted and the struts 125 and the thermosen'sitive release element restored to its original condition to thereby support the sylphon in the contracted position. In the contractive movement of the sylpho-n, it is apparent that any excess air in the system will be expelled through the port 115.

The operationof the apparatus as a whole will be apparent from the toregoingdescription.

I claim: 7 1. A fluid system comprising a main duct, a differential pressure valve controlling said duct, a branch duct providing main pressure at the valve normally retaining it closed,

and means for relieving and subsequently restoring the pressure in said branch duct ineluding a timing chamber connected with 53 said branch duct and having an independent "drain, a second valve interposed and direct ly controlling the connection between the branch duct and the said chamber and normally retained in the closed position by the [3 1119.111 pressure in said branch duct, and a third valve controlling the said drain and having a synchronized operative connection with said second valve whereby when the latter valve is closed the drain valve is opened,

jand vice versa.

2. A fluid system comprising a main duct, branch duct, and a timing chamber connected with said branch duct and having-an independent drain, of a differential pressure i valve controlling said main duct and operatively associated .with said branch duct whereby main pressure in the latter ductnormally maintains the valve closed, a second valve interposed between saidchamber and the branch duct, said valve'being also normally maintained in the closed position by the main pressure in said branch duct and directly controlling the connection between the branch duct and "the timing chamber,

means for c'losingsaid second valve, a third valve controlling the "drain'from said timing chamber and operatively connected with said second valve whereby the opening of said second valve is efiective to close the third valve and whereby the third valve is opened Whenthe secon'd valve is closed, and means tore'iiecting the opening otsaid second valve.

3. A fluid system comprising a main duct adaptedffor connection with a source of fluid 1 supply, a differential pressure valve controlling salid duct, a timing chamber, a branch duct connecting the timing "chamber with the. main duct and also connected with said valve whereby the mainfpressure is eftect'ive to normally retain the valveclo'sed, a second valvecontrollin'g the connection between the branch duct and the timing chamber and also normally retained closed by said. main pressure, a single restriction in said branch duct effecting the flow iromthe main duct toboth of said valves and to the timing chamber, means for efi'ecting th'e opening of the second valve, an independent drain for said timingch'amber, a third valve operatively connected with said second valve and controlling'said drain, I

means for closing the said third valve by the opening movement of the second valve, and means for restoring said second valve to its seat and for simultaneously opening the third valve to permit said timing'chamber to drain.

LA fluid, system comprising a pressure duct, a'con'tainer, a valve casing having a chamber connected with said pressure duct,

and 'avsecond chamber connected with said container, and a port providing communicationbetween said chambers, valve means controlling; the said port including a stem projecting through the wall of said second chamber, said stem comprising a part effective to seal the opening v1n said second chamber through which thestem projects, and means for shifting the stem to open the valve and simultaneously to bring. said sealing part into operative position with respect tosaid open- 5. In a: fluid'system, the combination with a pressure duct, of a container, a valve casing having a chamber connected with said pres sure duct, and a second chamber connected with said container, and a port connecting said chambers, a valvecontrolling the connectionbetween said chambers and adapted normally to be held closed by the pressure in aid duct, a valve-actuating stein projecting through the wall of said second chamber and having a part adapted to seal the opening in saidsecond chamber through which the stem ,projects,'means for actuating said stem to.

open the valve and to seal said Opening upon vrelief of the closing pressure, thermosensi-' tlv'e means for relieving said pressure, means for actuating said stem. to open the valve againstthe closing pressure including thermosensitive trip mechanism, and an operative connection between the valve stem and the trip mechanism whereby actuation of the stem by relief of said pressure results in a release of the said trip mechanism and operaupon relief of said pressure to shift the'firstnamed valve from its normal seat to the alternative position closing the other port.

7. A fluid system comprising a pressure ,duct, a pairof ports communicating with said i duct, a valve adapted in'alternative positions to individually close said ports and adapted normally tobe held to a seat closing one of ,said ports by the pressure in said duct-,a thermally-actuated valve normally preventing flow through theother of said ports and adapted when open to relieve the pressure in the duct, and means for shifting the firstnamed valve from its normal seat to the alternative position closing the other port.

8. In a fluid system, the combination with a'pressure duct, of a container, avalve casing having a chamber connected with said pressureduct, a second chamber connected with said container, and a port connecting said chambers, a valve controlling the connection between said chambers and adapted normally to be held closed by the pressure in said duct, a valve-actuating stem projecting through thewall of said second chamber and having a part adapted to seal the opening in said second chamber through which the stem projects, means for actuating said stem to open the valve and to seal said opening upon relief of the closing pressure, means for relieving said pressure, means for actuating said stem to open the valve against the closing pressure including thermosensitive trip mechanism, and an operative connection between the valve stem and the trip mechanism whereby actuation of the stem by relief of said pressure results in a release of said trip mech anism and operation of said second stem-actuating means. 7 V

9.7 In a fluid system, the combination with a pressure duct, of a container, a valve casing having a'chamber connectedwith said pressure duct, a second chamber connected with said container, and a port" connecting said chambers, a valve controlling the connection between said chambers and adapted normally to be held closed by the pressure in saidduct, a valveactuating stem projecting through'the wall of said second chamber, 7

means for actuating said stem to open the valve upon relief of the closing pressure, thermosensitive means for relieving said pressure, means for actuating said stem to open the valve against the closing pressure including thermosensitive trip mechanism, and an operative connection between the projecting portion of said valve stem and the trip mechanism whereby actuation of the stem by relief of said pressure results in a release of the said trip mechanism and operation of the said second stem-actuating means.

10. In a fluid system, the combination with a pressure duct having a pair of ports, of a valve normally held in position closing one of said ports by thepressure in said duct and the other of said ports, a second valve normally preventing flow through the last-named port and adapted when open to relieve the pressure'in the -duct,means for moving the first-named valve from its normalposition to the alternative position when pressure in the duct is relieved by the opening of said second valve, means including trip mecha nism and operative to unseat the first-named valve against the duct pressure, and means operatively connecting the first-named valve with the trip mechanism whereby the unseating of the valve by the valve-actuating means first named results automatically in actuation of the trip mechanism and release of the second valve-actuating means.

h ARTHUR C. ROWLEY.

movable into an alternative position closing 7

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