US1917001A - Temperature responsive device - Google Patents

Description

July 4, 1933. E..TYDEN I TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE DEVICE Filed NOV. 19, 1930 Patented July 4, 1933 eiir EMIL TYDEN, F HASTINGS, IVIICHlG-AN TEMPERATURE BESPONSEVE DEVICE Application filed November The purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to be easily installed in a building or apartment for operating by a temperattire-responsive device 1 any sort of a device or apparatus for protecting the building or any apartment thereof from fire.

The invention consists in the elements and features of construction shown and described as indicated in the claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing in partly sectional elevation a thermostatic A operating device embodying the invention in diagrammatically indicated association with two typical lire protective devices, which are selected as specimens to indicate a wide variety of protective expedients and devices which are included within the scope of this 3 invention.

Figure-2 is a detail section in the same plane as Figure l for more clearly showing the detailed construction of the thermostatically operated parts.

' The present invention is most definitely characterized by details of the valvedevice which controls the release of the fluid pressure, which, according to the purpose and q principle of the invention, brings into operation the various lire protective devices of the total installation.

An absolutely essential requisite in respect to the means of control is that it shall be such as to reliably prevent leak of the control fluid pressure during the intervals between instances of release of that pressure for operating the protective devices; and I have found in long experience with this class ofapparatus that any form of valve which is adapted when seated to eitlecta complete seal, and which is arranged to be automatioally operated for opening and closing, is comparatively valueless for the purpose of controlling stored up fluid pressure in a sys tem of the character shown in this application; for the reason. that in case of any valve which is held forcibly seated for a long timc,as the interval. between fires in a given building,and requiring operation for opening to afford the fire protection, either the 19, 1930. Serial No. 496,307.

valve or its seat is liable to become deformed by the pressure by which it is "forcibly seated, and to become permanently set in such deformed condition, so that on being automatically opened and subsequently automatically closed, the cooperating faces of the valve and scat are not only liable, but extremely likely, to be found unmated when they are re set at closed position; and accordingly leakage almost invariably is found occurring after an instance of automatic opening and closing of such valve.

When a lire protective system of this character is installed in an extended structure of several floors and many apartments, there will be a considerably large number of these pressure release devices, which present a valve held forcibly seated and arranged to be opened by a temperature-responsive device on occurrence of fire danger in the particular apartl'nent; and when in accordance with the most usual practice, all of these pressure release devices are installed in continuing,or as it might be called, permanent,connection with a fluid pressure storage tank, which serves the entire build ing and all the lire protective systems thereof, it will be seen that there is necessity for vigilant attention to the pressure gauge connect-ed to the storage tank and pressure lines therefrom; because a leak in any one of the fluid pressure lines,at any one of the pressure release control valves,will cause lowering and eventual exhaustion of the fluid pressure throughout the entire installation, and in all apartments of the entire building. And when such lowering of pressure is indicated to the watchman by the pressure gauge, the point or" leakage must be promptly located by inspecting all the pressure release control valves. And when a fire has occurred and been extinguished due to the effective operation in the manner described, of one or more oi". the pressure release control valves in the systen'i, complete inspection of the entire system throughout the building is necessary to locate the individual pressure release control device or devices which have been. operated, and in which the strut-seated valved elements must be removed and re placed by perfectly set and tested duplicates, and since these valved devices are in most instances necessarily for their function located at high points in the several apartments,usually at the ceiling,the construction is desirably such as to afford ready access to the housings for removal and replacement of the valve elements which have suflered displacement in the operation under fire conditions, without dismounting the housing from the pipe system; and thecon struction shown and above outlined as hereinafter described in detail, is designed for meeting these requirements.

The invention may first be described in general terms without reference to the mechanical details.

It consists of a compressed air tank or reservoir in any convenient form arranged for connection with a source of compressed air or means for charging it by pumping, this reservoir being connected by a discharge conduit with any number and variety of devices and apparatus in dilferent parts of the building to be protected, arranged to be set in operation for their respective functions of protection against fire by the action of compressed air upon some elements or features of the respective devices or apparatus, when the compressed air is admitted from the compressor or reservoir to the discharge conduit by the operation of the temperature-respon sive device which is associated with the valve which controls the compressed air discharge for opening said valve by the action of the temperature-responsive device, due to predetermined temperature conditions affecting said responsive device.

The means for affording protection from fire may comprise means for causing discharge of water for extinguishing the fire, or means for cutting off particular areas of the apartment from the fire, as by closure of fire doors, or means for defeating air circulation by which the fire may bespread from apartment to apartment. The thermostatic element for operating the valve for discharge of compressed air may be any type of structure having an element whose change of form or dimensions under dange ous temperature in the vicinity can be utilized for causing movement of connections for operating the valve.

A preferred form of such thermostatic device is embodied in the construction shown in the drawing and hereinafter described in detail, and is of the type in which the valveoperating movement of the temperature-responsive member of the thermostatic device results from rapid change of temperature, and is not produced by slow change. such as might occur from normal change of atmospheric temperature in the absence of dangerous fire.

Referring to the drawing in detail:

The compressed air reservoir is shown at in the form of a relatively long tube having at one end a fitting, 21, adapted for connection with a source of compressed air or for connection with a pump for charging it directly, such adaptation being indicated by a screwed-in plug, 22, which may be removed for temporarily connecting a pipe leading from the compressed air source or the pump to the inlet passage, 23, which is furnished with a check valve, 24, opening to admit the air under pressure and being seated by reaction of the compressed air for retaining the same while the connection from the pump or compressed air supply pipe is being disconnected and the plug, 22, reinserted.

,As shown, there is provided a supplemental precautionary plug, 22*, which is shown screwed into the entrance to the passage, 23, to which for lateral entrance, ports 23", are provided, which are cut off by fully screwing in the plug, 22", and are partly uncovered by partly screwing back the plug. This sup plemental plug may be used as described to ensure the retention of air. under pressure against the possibility of the check valve being imperfectly seatedby reason of becoming fouled.

The reservoir, 20, is arranged at the opposite end for connection with a discharge conduit indicated by a pipe, 26, the connection for discharge from the reservoir to the pipe being controlled by a valve shown at 27 seating at the discharge port, 28, which is formed in a yoke member, 30, arranged to be screwed into the terminal fitting, 39, of the reservoir, said valve being arranged to be held positively seated, preventing discharge by a strut, 29, extending between the valve and an adjusting screw, 31, which is set through the head of the yoke. The yoke and valve, and strut carried by it, are all enclosed in the chamber, 32, of a hood member, 32, into which, therefore, the port, 28, opens and which discharges through a centrally apertured plug, 33,screwed into the head of the hood for making connection with the pipe, 26, which is shown connected by a compression coupling, 24:, of familiar construction.

The hood member, 32, has an aperture lat erally opposite the strut, 29, with a flexible diaphragm closing and sealing the aperture; and there is mounted in this diaphragm a stem, 36, which at its inner end rests and is adapted to be thrust against the strut, 29, in the flexure of the diaphragm inwardly with respect to the hood chamber.

At its outer end the diaphragm stem is arranged as hereinafter more particularly described, for securement and actuation for such thrust inwardly with respect to the chamber, by a movable element of the thermostat or temperature-responsive device referred to. Such inward thrust it may be understood operates to displace the strut, which is preferably constructed and arranged for such displacement by breaking, for which purpose it is made of frangible material and may be weakened as shown at 29 about midway its length and, as shown, preferably at the point at which the diaphragm stem bears and is thrust against it.

The hood, 32, is arranged to be mounted against the end of the reservoir tube by an air-tight joint, as indicated by packing gasket, 38, interposed at the seating of the hood on the terminal fitting, 39, of the reservoir tube; and the hood is detachably secured to said terminal fitting of the reservoir by screws, l1, set through the base flange, 42, of the hood.

The temperature-responsive element for operating the valve, 27, by displacement of the strut, 29, comprises a larger bar, 50, and a lesser bar, 51, of substantially different cross sectional dimensions mounted side by side in a housing, 52, which extends alongside the tubular reservoir, 20, said housing and tubular reservoir being mounted in fixed relation to each other as hereinafter more particularly described; so that the entire structure comprising the reservoir and the terminal fittings described and the temperature-responsive element comprising the parallel bars and their housing and terminal fittings and operating parts, hereinafter described, may be mounted as a unit in any desired location in the building to be protected.

The two bars, 50 and 51, are made fast at one point in the length of each bar, preferably at their ends remote from the discharge end of the compressed air reservoir; and at the other end the lesser bar, 51, extends loosely through a support and guide bearing, as shown at 53, formed by the terminal web, 541, ofxan elbow terminal member, 55, of the housing, the corresponding end of the larger bar, 50, being made fast to said web and thereby held fixedly at that end with respect to the housing with respect to which the opposite ends of both bars are movable longitudinally with respect to the bars and hous- Trom this description it may be understood that assuming the two bars made of the same material, or materials having approximately the same thermal conductivity, it will resultthat upon change of temperature occurring so slowly that the larger bar will become heated through before the substantial elongation of the more slender bar will be caused by that bar being heated through so as to be elongated, and consequently the elongation of the two bars will not be materially difierent. But in case of a rapid rise of temperature the lesser bar responding promptly to the temperature change by longitudinal expansion, the larger bar being unable to eX- pand longitudinally to any appreciable ex- Advantage is taken of this action due to i rapid rise of temperature, to operate means for displacing the strut, 29, and permitting the hood, 2?, to be opened by the air pressure for discharge of compressed air and communication of the pressure through the con- '2 duit, 26, for operating the protective devices as indicated above.

For this purpose there is provided in the terminal elbow fitting off the housing, 52, a

lever member, 56, pivoted at the lower side i of the housing, as shown at 57, said lever being weighted as indicated t 58 and being normally held in upright position by a latch, 60, whose latch nose, 61, engages a latch nose, 62, on the lever, 56. i

The latch, 60, pivoted at 6% to the web, 54, above the guide bearing of the bar, 51, has a lug, G3, which carries an adjustable screw, 63*, with which the protruding end of the lesser bar comes in contact upon predetermined elongation of the bar, 50, and operates the latch, 60, to release the catch, 62, of the lever, 56, permitting the weighted end of the lever to fall, the lever swinging about its pivot. The lever, or the weight which it carries, is provided with a projection, 67, positioned for striking the end of the diaphragm stem in the descent oi. the weight and the swing of the lever; and the weight is heavy enough so that that encounter serves to thrust the inner end of the diaphragm stem against the strut, 29, and displace it by breaking or otherwise; whereupon the valve, 28, being displaced from its seat,or it it adheres thereto, being forced open by the air pressure,the air pressure is admitted to the conduit, 26, for operating the protective device as it will. be described.

One type of me fire of course con in fire-extingui .iing means, such as a so-called spinkler system; and in a building equipped with such apparatus the present invention may be installed for cooperating with such sprinkler system by having a branch oi the compressed air discharge conduit, 25, extending, as seen at 68, to a device illustrated in detail in Figure l, and indicated as to its entirety by reference numeral, T0, for opening any number of water discharge heads indicated at 71 of a sprinkler pipe system indicated at 72 for dis charge of the water in the apartment in which the fire heat has caused the temperatureresponsive device to operate as described for s for protecting against lm connecting the Compressed air reservoir with the device, 70.

The device, 70, is aiitting arranged to be interposed between the branch, 68, of the compressed air discharge conduit and a pipe line, 72, having in its extent any number of normally open water discharge heads, 71. This fitting, arranged for connection as seen at 74, with the water supply pipe indicated at 74, has between said connection and the connection at 75 with the water discharge head line, 72, a port, 76, controlled by a valve, 77, which is held normally seated by a spring, 78, and which also seats in the direction of r the water pressure from the pipe, 74, and is accordingly normally held seated by the water pressure. This fitting has beyond the port, 76, and the connection with the pipe line, 72, a chamber, '79, partitioned by the flexible diaphragn'i, 80, which is operatively connected with the stem, 81, of the valve, 77, for opening the valve by the fl xure of the diaphragmas it may be flexed by the pressure admitted from the port and valve, and

which is suitably connected for such operation.

Figure 1 may be understood as showing at a sliding lire door which is normally held at open position by a latch, 91, upon whose release the door will be automatically closed by the means provided for sliding it, as a spring or weight not shown. In this figure the branch, 92, of the compress-ed air conduit 26 is shown leading to a fitting, 93, which comprises a flexible diaphragm, 9-1, exposed at one side to the pressure admitting through the pipe branch, 92, and connected. for operating the latch, 91, to disengage it from the lire door to release the latter for automatically closing it to cut ofi the fire from the apartment to which the doorway which it closes leads.

I claim 1. A construction arranged to be mounted as a unit on the enclosing walls of an apartment to be protected against fire comprising two cooperating members, the first being an elongated chamber arranged for connection at one end with a source of fluid under pressure and having at the other end a valved fitting adapted to be connected for communieating said fluid pressure, and having a valve controlling said communication; a similarly elongated structure comprising elongated temperature-responsive members and housing in which they are carried arranged to serve as a mounting for said fluid pressure chamber and having said chamber fixedly attached to said housing, the housing having mounted movably on it proximate to the valve fitting of the fluid pressure chamber a part whose movement is controlled by the temperattire-responsive action of said temperature-responsive members arranged with 65 respect to said fitting and the valve thereof for operating said valve for communicating the fluid pressure to fire-protective devices.

2. A construction arranged to be mounted as a unit on a wall of a building to be protected against fire comprising an elongated chamber arranged for connection at one end with a source or" fluid pressure and'having at the other end a valved fitting adapted to be connected for communicating the fluid pressure to protective devices upon the displacem-ent of the valve from its seat in the fitting, said fitting having valve displacing means exteriorly operable for such displacement, the second member of said unit comprising elongated temperature-responsive elements and a housing in which they are mounted, means associated with said temperature responsive elements and with the valve-displacing means for being brought into operation by the temperature-responsive elements and for operating said valve-displacing means to displace the valve upon the response of said temperature-responsive elements to predetermined temperature conditions in the protected area, said housing being arranged to serve as a mounting for the first member of the unit and having said first unit member fixedly attached to said housing.

3. A valved device adapted to be interposed in av fluid pressure conduit, said valved device consisting of a chamber having an outlet port and an inlet port and a valve seating at the inlet port interiorly of the chamber, means holding the valve normally seated against the inflow to the chamber, and exteriorly operated means for displacing the valve-holding means to release the valve, the valve and'thc displaceable part of said holding means being wholly within the chamber and unattached thereto or to the displacing 1 means, the valve holding means comprising a displaceable strut, the valve seat having a yoke overhanging the seat and furnished with an adjustable stop for one end of the strut, the chamber having a normally closed opening, and a removable closure, said opening being positioned for affording access from the exterior to said adjustable stop.

4. A valved device adapted to be interposed in a fluid pressure conduit, said valved device consisting of a chamber having an outlet port and an inlet port and a valve seating at the inlet port interiorly of the chamber, means holdingthe valve normally seated against the inflow to the chamber, and exteriorly seated against the inflow to the chamber, and exteriorly operated means for displacing the valve-holdin means to release the valve, the valve and the displaceable part of said holding means being wholly within the chamber and unattached thereto or to the displacing means, the valve holding means comprising a displaceable strut, the valve seat having a yoke member overhanging the seat and furnished with an adjustable stop for one end of the strut, the outlet from the chamber being aligned with said adjustable stop, whereby upon disconnecting the discharge fitting access is obtained through the outlet port to said adjustable stop for adjusting the same to enforce the secure seating of the valve.

5. A valved device adapted to be interposed in a fluid pressure conduit, said valved device consisting of a chamber having an outlet port and an inlet port and a valve seating at the inlet port interiorly of the chamber, means holding the valve normally seated against the inflow to the chamber, and extehaving a normally closed opening with a removable closure, said opening being positioned for affording access from the exterior to said adjustable stop.

6. An apparatus comprisinga fitting arranged for detachably attaching thereto a charging pipe with a plug closing said connection, said fitting having a chamber Which is closed at the outer end by a sleeve mounted in the fitting constituting a flow passage from said chamber of the fitting into a fluid pressure chamber, and a check valve in said flow passage opening for flow into the pressure chamber and seating against backfiow.

7. The construction defined in claim 6, the

check valve seat being formed by an axially apertured bushing drive-fitted in the sleeve,

and the valve having a stem extending through the bushing and furnished with a spider for guidance in the sleeve, and a spring reacting between the spider and the bushing for seating the valve.

8. A fire protective apparatus, adapted to be mounted as a unit on a wall of the building to be protected, comprising two structural elements, the first being a chambered element arranged at one end "for connection with a source of fluid pressure and carrying at the other end a valved terminal fitting arranged for connection with fire protective devices, the second being a temperature responsive device comprising temperattire-responsive parts and a releasably upheld weighted member, and upholding means operably related to the temperature responsive part for operation thereby upon movement ofthe temperature responsive part due to temperature change, for releasing the weighted member, the terminal fitting of the first element being a valve, and displaceable means holding it normally seated, and exteriorly operable means for displacing said holding means exposed for actuation in the path of gravity movement of the releasable Weight.

9. The construction defined in claim 8, the valve holding means being a displaceable strut, and the displacing means comprising in combination with a thrust pin, a flexible carrying member carried by the fitting opposite the strut for holding the thrust pin normallyagainst the strut, said flexible carrying means being positioned for impact of the falling wei ht thereagainst.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set mv hand at Chicago, Illinois, this 1st day of Nbvember, 1930.

EMIL TYDEN.

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