US2477736A - Fire extinguishing system - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 2, 1949. c. A, GETZ FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 28, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 2, 1949. c. A. GETZ FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1942 3 MW War/@Afieiz a WMlII mg. 2, 1949. -rz 2,477,736

FIRE EXT INGUISHING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 28, 1942 e Sheets-Sheet a Aug. 2, 1949. c. A. GETZ FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4- Filed Sept. 28, 1942 Czar/05A fieiz' Aug, 2, 1949. c. A. GETZ 2,477,736

' FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 28, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 28, 1942 c. AL GETZ FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 grvum m Mar/05A fie Patented Aug. 2, 1949 UNI S PATEN T F Fl CE FIRE 'EXTI'NGUISHI'NG SYSTEM Charles A. one, Glen Ellyn, .1ll assigne by inesne assignments, to Cardin; florpofation, Chicago, Ill.,a corporation "of Illinois Application September 28, 194-2, -saaiso.i;-;9,n5

9 Claims. (01. T39 113 This invention relatesito new and useful improvements in fire extinguishing systems employing carbon dioxide as the extinguishing medium.

Fire extinguishing systems which are based on the method covered by the patent to Eric Geertz, No. 2,143,311, issued January 10,1939, are particularly adapted for selectively protectinga plurality of independent hazards because the en tire amount of low temperature and pressure liquid carbon dioxide made available for use in such a system is stored in a large capacity insulated tank and this type of storage permits release of the xtinguishing medium into the main header of the system by means of a single master control valve while separate selector valves are employed for directing the extinguishing medium into the particular branch lines that lead from the header to the various hazards. The use of a single master control valve for confining the liquid in the bulk storage tank desirable because it is then onl necessar to maintain a shortlength of piping and one of the valves bubble tight; i, e., sealed against leakage of liquid or vapor. Furthermore, it is possible to more rapidly deliver the liquid carbon dioxide to the discharge nozzles at the several hazards when the header is not filled with the carbon dioxide extinguishing medium in vapor form. n

On the other hand, the use of a master control valve in close proximity to the storage tank and selector valves in the various branch lines at points remote from said master valve presents a special problem when the positiveness and simplicity of an entirely manually controlled system is desired. That is to say, a system of this type would not be considered practical or entirely satisfactor if its operation in extinguishing a fire in a particular hazard remotely located with respect to the storage tank required an attendant to go to the locations of both the proper selector valve and the master control valve to manually open the same before the extinguishing medium could be delivered to the threatened hazard 'or hazards.

It is the primary object of this inventionto provide manually controlled fire extinguishing systems, employing as the extinguishing medium low temperature andpressure liquid carbon dioxide confined in a bulk storage tan-k, with a master valve at the tank for controlling the release of the extinguishing medium into the "dis tributing header of the system and a seleetor valve in each branch line for controlling the delivery of the extinguishing mediumto the threatened hazard or hazards. I a

A further important object of the inventiori' is to provide a system of the afforem" "1oned type in tvhich manu'al opening or any one of thesele'ctor valves will cause the tester controlvalve 'to be opened th t eq irlnfg any additional ectio' a h rate. leme Still andtherimportantbb'ject of the invention is to provide a fireex'tinguishing system, having a master control "alve and separate selector valves, which nualepening orclosing of any one of the select valves will result in causing the remotely p tneemaa er control valve to be opened or (1, respectively, without requiring "any additional action on the part of the attendant. A d I, V

Another objector the invention is to provide e ms j iaiee 'ke e ie e and selector va s r hammer a e vr y of the fire extinguishihg rnediuni individually to the several a a s and i wwlh rhrena r, m electric e ii r ei vlqy'eq f r q erat vel o connecting the sele ts re i Wil amette: contr valve; Said s stems beins ll ther-ue r ded Wi means for causing the master valve tqbeopenedautomatically in case the supply oi electric current to the said circuit, prycircui ts vfai ls ;so that discharge of the extinguisher at the hazards will then be llt llfidfifiksh by t se ct v l Qthsr bieetsan acl ant ees of the inv n i n will be apparent during the course of the followe e e pt dndr or r V.

t e.assemnanfinsdnwinss .formine a p of thisspecification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout tt am v 1-' igur 1 is diagrammaticview of a fire exting uishing system embody n this. invention,

H Fiig ure gis a similar ,view to Fig. 1 but illustrates a slightly modified form of fire extinguishe y em; .l V

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the master control valve which is normally employed in thesystem ofFig. ;1-for maintaining the carbon dioxide confined in its, storage tank whereby the distribution header will be of the non-pressure ype;

Figure 4 is partly eievatidna vie and partly vertical sectional view or st john of pilot valve whicl'i will functioh to automatically efiect opening of the master control valve and conversion of the non-pressure nee-eerie apressure header upon failure or the electric bw'er, said pilot valve being employed in birth or the systems illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; w q

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the a-eoi Fig. 4', 7

Figures 6" and 7 are detail perspective views of elements incorporated in the electric control mechanism for the pilot valve of Figs. 4 and 5,

Figure" 8 is a partly" vertical sectional view partly side elevationalv lew of a manually operable selector vaive with'ci'rcui't controlling means for the mast-er controrvalve operativ'e'ly associated therewith,

illustration are shown the preferred embodiments of this invention, and first particularly referring to Fig. 1, two different fire hazards, which are to be given fire protection, are referred toby the reference characters A and B. Although these two hazards are illustrated as being enclosed acter or to the discharge of carbon dioxide to effect flooding of an enclosed space. The system i just as applicable to the extinguishment of a fire by the direct application of the carbon dioxide to the object being consumed by the fire. It Will be noted that the hazards A and Bare illustrated as being of different sizes. The system is of such a flexible character that it is capable of protecting different sized hazards, or hazards which require the discharge of different amounts of carbon dioxide to effect extinguishm-ent of fires.

The liquid carbon dioxide employed for extinguishing fires involving the hazards A and B is stored in the insulated, bulk storage tank I l and is maintained at the desired low temperature, and its corresponding vapor pressure, in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned patent issued to Eric Geertz. The capacity of the storage tank Il may be varied to provide the types of discharges that are deemed to be most practical for protecting the particular hazards involved. In other words, the capacity of the storage tank Il may be such that it will afford protection for all of the hazards without requiring the tank to be refilled or the capacity may be limited so as to aiford simultaneous protection; i. e., actual extinguishment of fires, in only a limited number of the hazards without a refill. The character of the respective hazards, the proximity of the same with respect to each other, and other well known factors will determine the capacity of the storage tank for any given system.

Liquid carbon dioxide is obtained from the storage tank II by means of the dip tube or pipe l2 which terminates at a level which is relatively close to the bottom of the tank. This dip tube l2 extends from the tank and takes the form of a discharge pipe line [3 having a manually operable shut-oif valve [A properly connected therein. This shut-off valve is normally open and is only employed for confining the carbon dioxide in the storage tank II when changes or repairs are being made in the remainder of the system.

The outer end of the discharge pipe line I3 is connected to the inlet side of the master control valve l5. The discharge side of this master control valve is connected to the header 96 that is common to all of the branch lines ll that lead to the discharge devices l8 associated with the various hazards.

The master control valve I is intended to normally function to confine the carbon dioxide in the storage tank I I and the relatively short length of discharge pipe I3. Therefore, the master control valve I5 normally is closed. As the master control valve is normally subjected tothe pressure of the carbon dioxide stored in the tank II, this valve must be maintained bubble-tight, or in a condition to prevent leakage of carbon dioxide' past the same into the common header l6. Therefore, the master control valve renders the header it of the non-pressure type. Because of this non-pressure condition of the header and its branch lines H, the joints between pipe sections need not be maintained absolutely leakproof and the selector valves [9, which are provided for controlling flow of the carbon dioxide through their re'spectivebranch lines ll', need not be bubbletight.

The master control valve I5 is opened and closed as a result of the development of differential 'fluid pressure conditions within its casing. For this reason, a pressure chamber is formed in the upper portion 15a of the valve casing. Carbon dioxide is controllably delivered to the pressure chamber of the valve casing portion Ilia through the control line 20. A pilot valve 2| is provided in this control line and is normally closed so that the chamber in the valve casing portion I500 normally will not be supplied with the fiuid pressure which functions to open the pilot valve.

An electrical control device 22 is associated with the pilot valve 2|. This electrical device includes 'a solenoid that controls the condition of a trip lever which in turn controls the operation of a valve actuating lever. That is to say, when the solenoid coil is energized, the actuating lever will function to maintain the pilot valve 2| closed so that fluid pressure will not be created in the pressure chamber of the master control valve casing portion l5a to open the master valve. When the solenoid coil of the electric control device 22 is de-energized, the pilot valve 2| will open and fiuid pressure will flow from the carbon dioxide discharge line [3 through the control line 20 into the master control valve casing portion [5a for efiecting opening of this latter valve.

The electric circuit for the control device 22 includes the two main supply lines 23 and 24. A circuit line 25 extends from the supply line 23 to one terminal or binding post of the solenoid coil of the electric control device 22. A second circuit wire 26 extends from the second terminal or binding post of the solenoid coil of the control device 22 to one terminal of the normally closed switch 27. The circuit Wire 28 extends from the second post of this switch 21 to one post of a normally closed switch 29. The circuit wire 3!] extends from the second post of the switch 29 to the main supply wire 24. It will be seen, therefore, that as long as both of the switches 27 and 29 are closed a circuit will be established for the solenoid coil of the electric control device 22 but wheneither one of the switches 27 and 29 is opened, the circuit will be broken for said solenoid coil and the solenoid Will be de-energized. As-Was stated above, the pilot valve 2| will open when the electric control device 22 is de-energized.

The tWo selector valves H! are of identical construction. They are of such a design that they must be manually opened and closed. Therefore, each selector valve is provided with an operating lever 3|. A switch operating cam 32 is operatively associated with each valve actuating lever 3|. Fig. 1 discloses the valve operating lever 3| and the switch operating cam 32 of each selector valve in the positions they assume when the valve is closed. When the lever 3| of a selector valve is actuated to open the valve, the associated cam 32 will be moved so that it will actuate its circuit curves controlling switch 21 or 2 9 so as to open the switch. It will be seen, therefore, that whenever an attendant detects a fire in a hazard he can bring about extinguishment of that fire by merely manually opening the selector valve I9 which controls flow of carbon dioxide through the branch line H extending to the involved hazard. This opening of a selector valve will cause the circuit to the electric control device 22 to be broken and the pilot valve 2 I then will be opened. Opening of the pilot valve will cause the master control valve IE to open and the carbon dioxide will flow through the discharge line 13 and the master control valve l5 into the header l6 and from this header through the branch line I! which has its selector valve is opened. When the fire is extinguished, the attendant merely closes the opened selector valve is and discharge of carbon dioxide at the involved hazard ceases. The electric control device 22 for the pilot valve 2| is so constructed that it must be reset manually to cause the pilot valve 2i to close. When the pilot valve is closed how of carbon dioxide through the control line 2t to the master control valve casing portion its is cut off and the master control valve will'be closed. Any suitable means, not shown, may be employed for bleeding off the carbon dioxide trapped between the master control valve i5 and the selector valves [9.

From the above description of the mode of operation of the system shown in Fig. 1, it will be appreciated that any failure of power supply will cause the electric control device 22 to be ole-energiaed with the result that the master control valve it": will be opened. The system will then operate with the non-pressure header l6 converted to a pressure header and with the selector valves [9 functioning to control the delivery of the extinguishing medium to involved hazards.

The system of Fig. 2 differs from the system of Fig. 1 in only one fundamental principle. In the system of Fig. 1, the master control valve will be opened as a result of opening one of the selector valves but the master control valve will stay open after the selector valve is closed. In the system of Fig. 2, the mastercontrol valve will not only be opened when a selectorvalve is opened but it also will be closed when the actuated selector valve is closed. The instrumentalities which bring about this difference in mode ofoperation will now be described.

We again have two hazards A and B illustrated Fig. 2. The carbon dioxide storage tank II is provided with its'dip tube l2, thedischarge line it with its shut-off valve 14 and the master control valve 15. Flow of carbon dioxide through the master control valve into the header [6 is brought about when the master control valve is opened. The header [6; is provided with the branch lines ii that extend to thedischarge devices it's for the respective hazards. A selector valve to is provided for each, one of the branch lines ii.

The master control valve casing portion l5a is formed with a pressure chamber that is con-- trollably supplied with carbon. dioxide, through the control line 20-. A pilot. valve 2|. is provided in this line and is controlled by the electrical device 22. The supplyofcurrent to the electric control device 22 is provided-by theicircuit wires 33 and so which extend to; the two main supply r s and 35 respectively. A. suitable switch 3 l is connected in thecircuihto thescontrol device 22 so that openingmfl haswitchtwill resultin de energi-zing the solenoid coil fo'r the control device 22.

With the mechanism so far described, it will be appreciated that the master control valve I5 will be opened as a result of failure of power supply to the electric control device 22 of the pilot valve 2i. However, the master control valve IE will only be opened as a result of opening the pilot valve 2i when there is a power failure or when the switch 37 is intentionally opened. a

The master control valve l5 of this Fig. 2 system diners from the master control valve of the Fig. 1 system by having added thereto a solenoid operated pilot valve which is generally designated :by the reference character 38. This solenoid operated pilot valve includes a solenoid coil that de energized when its pilot valve is closed and is energized when its pilot valve is open. The circuit for the solenoid coil of the device includes a wire 39 that extends from the main supply line 35 and a circuit wire #0 that extends to one terminal of the normally open switch 62'. The second terminal 63 of this switch is connected to a wire Mi that extends to the second named supply line 35. The wire 46 has connected thereto a branch wire 25 which extends to the terminal lii of the normally open switch Ail. lhe second terminal 48 of this switch is connected by the wire 59 to the wire M. It will be seen, therefore, that the solenoid coil of the pilot Valve device 38 is normally ole-energized but it will become energized when either one of theswitches E2 or ll is operated to close the circuit. I

Each one of the selector valves [9 is provided with an operating lever 3! by means of which the vaive is opened and closed. Operatively associated with each valve lever ii! is a cam 32 which functions to actuate its normally open switch d2 or il. In Fig. 2 the selector valve operating levers 31 are illustrated in the posi tions they assume when the selector valves are closed. The cams 32, also, are illustrated in their normal positions that are assumedwhen the selector valves are closed. When either selector valve is opened by operation of this lever 3|, the associated cam 32 will function to close its switch 52 or ll. When this selector valve is again closed, the associated switch will be opened. Therefore, the circuit to the solenoid operated pilot valve 88 of the master control valve IE will be operated to open the master control valve when either pilot valve is opened and will be operated to close the master control valve when said pilot valve is again closed.

The detail features of construction of the various instrumentalities incorporated in the systems of Figs. 1 and 2 now will be described Fig. 3 discloses the construction ofthe master control valve that is used in the-Fig. 1 system. The discharge pipe iii of the carbon dioxide storage tank H is suitably conne'ctedto' the inlet 48 of the master control valve casing while the header it is suitably connected'to-the outlet 50 of this valve. The interiorof the master control valvecasing is provided with a partition 5|" that separates the inlet 49 from the outlet 503 A flow opening 52 is formed in the partition 51 and this opening has threadedly mounted therein the valve seat 53. A valve 5t is positioned to engage the valve seat 53 through the medium of the seating disc or ring 55". This valve 5"4, of course, controls how of the-carbondioxide from theinlet side iflto the-outletsidew; Theseat ing and unseating movements of' 'tlie vane-w .7 are guided by the plunger 56 which is movably mounted in the cylinder 51. The valve 54 is normally loaded by means of the spring 58 so that the valve will engage the seating ring 53 when no force is present which will overcome the spring 58. Of course, the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the inlet 49 will be applied to the valve 54 and will cooperate with the loading spring 53 to move the valve 54 toward and hold it in engagement with its seating ring '53.

The master control valve casing portion la is suitably connected to the main portion of the valve casing. This casing portion is provided with a cylinder 59 in which is mounted the fluid pressure piston 60. A piston rod 6| extends through the piston 66 and is connected at its lower end to the valve rod $22. A bore 63 is formed in the piston rod BI and communicates at its upper end with the fluid pressure chamber 64 through the medium of the plug 65 that is provided with a restricted aperture or opening. The piston rod bore 63 communicates at its lower end with a bore 66 that is formed in the valve rod 62. Lateral ports 61 communicate with the Valve rod bore 86 to provide communication between this latter bore and the discharge side 50 of the partition 5!. It will be seen, therefore, that the pressure chamber 64 is in open communication with the discharge side 50 of the master control Valve and that the aperture or opening of the plug 65 controls the rate of flow of fluid from the pressure chamber to the discharge of the valve.

A by-pass duct 68 is illustrated as being formed in the Walls of the main casing body and the pressure chamber casing portion IEa. This by pass duct provides communication between the inlet side 49 of the master valve and a chamber 59 which is formed between the top 10 of the pressure chamber 64 and the end closure plate H. This 'by-pass duct 68 and its communicat ing chamber 69 perform no function in this valve because the closure plug '12 prevents communication between the chamber 69 and the pressure chamber 64. In other words, when the master control valve I5 is used in the system of Fig. 1 the by-pass duct 68 is not in use. This duct, however, is used in the form of master control valve employed in the system of Fig. 2. Its function in this latter valve will be described at a later point.

Small portions of the control line 20 are illustrated in Fig. 3 as be ng connected to the storage tank discharge line l3 and to the pressure chamber 64 through the opening 13 that is formed in the'side wall of the pressure casing portion I5a. This opening 13 is tapped at 14 for receiving the coupling member 15. When the pilot valve 2| is opened, carbon dioxide will flow through the control line 20 from the discharge pipe l3 of the storage tank into the pressure chamber 64 of the valve. The pressure of the carbon dioxide will build up in the chamber 64 and will be applied against the upper face of the piston 60. As the area of this piston face is greater than the exposed area of the valve 54, a differential pressure condition will be created which will cause the piston to force the valve 54 away from its seat. When the p lot valve 2! is closed, the carbon dioxide pressure developed in the chamber 64 will be dissipated through the orifice or opening of the plug 65, the piston rod bore 63, the valve rod bore 66 and the lateral ports 61 into the discharge side of the valve casing. Due to this drop in pressure in the chamber 64, the pressure of the spring 58 and of the carbon dioxide'applied to the valve 54 will function to close the valve. Due to the fact that the aperture or opening of the plug 65 is of considerably smaller diameter than the bore of the control line 20, the pressure will be maintained in the chamber 64 to hold the valve open as long as the pilot valve 2| is open.

Fig. l0 discloses the master control valve for the system of Fig. 2. This Fig. 10 master control valve differs from the Fig. 3 valve only by having the solenoid pilot valve device 38 associated therewith. Therefore, this solenoid pilot valve will be described in detail. Reference may be made to the detailed description of the remaining elements as applied to the Fig. 3 disclosure.

In the master control valve of Fig. 10 an apertured plug 16 is substituted for the closure plug 12 of Fig. 3. This apertured plug acts as a seat for the pilot valve I? that is slidably mounted in the opening 18 formed in the cap 19. This cap is substituted for the closure cap ll of the Fig. 3 valve. A pilot valve stem connects the pilot valve 11 to the solenoid armature 8i that is operatively associated with the solenoid coil 82; The solenoid coil 82 is supplied with electricity through the circuit wires 33 and 34 in accordance with the description of the Fig, 2 system.

When the solenoid coil 82 is energized, the armature 8| is caused to move upwardly for unseating the pilot valve 77. This opening movement of the pilot valve permits the carbon dioxide to flow through the by-pass duct 68 into the chamber 69 and from this chamber through the aperture of the plug 16 into the pressure chamber 64 where it will be applied against the upper surface of the piston 60 for effecting opening movement of the valve 54. When the pilot valve 71 is closed, or seated against the plug 16, the carbon dioxide pressure developed in the chamber 64 will be dissipated through the bores of the piston rod 6| and valve rod 62 into the outlet 50 of the valve. 7

The pilot valve 2|, for the control line 20, and the electrical control device 22 for the pilot valve are of the same construction in both of the systems-of Figs. 1 and 2. These devices will be described in detail in connection with the disclosures of Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive.

The pilot valve 2| is provided with a main body portion 83 that has formed therein a chamber 34. The lower end of this chamber is closed by the cap 85. A valve seat 86 is formed on the inner end of this cap to cooperate with the valve body 87. A spring 88 is interposed between the inner end of the cap and the valve 81 and normally functions to unseat the valve. The main pilot valve body 83 and the cap 85 are illustrated as being connected with the sections of the control pipe 20. When the valve 81 is engaging its seat 86 carbon dioxide will not be permitted to flow throughthe pilot valve. The valve body 81 g. provided with a valve stem 89 which extends out of the chamber 84 and into the interior of the box 90 of the electric control device 22.

The end of thevalve stem 89 is engaged by an adjustable set screw 9| which is carried by the main valve operating lever 93. This lever is disclosed in detail in Fig. '7. A threaded aperture 94 is provided in the lever to receive the set screw 9|. One end of the lever is provided with an aperture 95 and a concentric socket 96. The remaining end portion of the lever is cut away at 9'! to form the side shoulders 98.

Fig. 4 discloses the box 99 as having a cap screw 99 secured to its bottom wall and passing through the aperture es of the lever 93. The relative diameters of the aperture 95 and the cap screw 39 are such that the lever will be permitted to rock or pivot to a limited extent with respect to the screw. The socket E of the lever 93 is employed for receiving the lower end of the spring lilfl. Anadjustable nut MI is threaded on the upper end of the cap screw 99 and engages the upper end of the spring Hit. By adjusting this nut II]! the force of the spring ltd applied to the associated end of the lever as may be varied. A stop we cooperates with the spring loaned end of the lever 93 to limit movement of the latter.

The shoulders 98 of the lever 93 are adapted to be engaged by the fingers I03 of the pair of parallel trip levers 564 which are shown in the assembly views of Figs. 4 and 5 While one of these levers is illustrated in detail in Fig. 6. These parallel trip levers H14 are pivotally connected at their lower ends N95 to the mounting block I85 by the pin Ill'I. Notches I68 are formed in the upper ends of these trip levers Hi4 to receive the transverse pin I09 carried by the projecting end of the solenoid armature IIU. This armature is associated with the laminated core III of the solenoid coil H2. Two different sets of ref erence characters are applied to the circuit wires for the solenoid coil in Figs. 1 and 2. To avoid confusion, the reference characters 25 and 26 applied to the circuit wires in Fig. 1 will be employed in Fig. 4.

As long as the solenoid coil H2 is energized,

its armature III will occupy the position illustrated in Fig. 4. When in this position, the armature will hold the pair of trip levers I84 in the position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 so that their fingers IE3 will engage the shoulders 38 of the main valve operating lever 93. The trip levers Hid then will hold down one end of the main valve lever Q3 while the other end of this lever is being held down by the spring IUD. With the lever 93 retained in the position illustrated in Figs. a

and 5, the set screw 9| will engage the upper end of the pilot valve stem 89 for holding the pilot valve body 58 against its seat 86. When the solenoid coil H2 is die-energized, by interruption of the flow of current through the wires 25 and 26, the solenoid armature III] will be permitted to move outwardly. This outward movement of the armature I I ill will cause the trip levers its to pivot about their pin Iil'I for moving their fingers I03 out of engagement with the shoulders 98 of the valve lever 93. Release of this lever 93 at one end will permit the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the cap bore H3 and the spring 88 to move the pilot valve body 81 away from its seat 86. Carbon dioxide then will flow through the pilot valve 2i I and its associated control pipe sections 2% for supplying the master control valve with the desired valve opening fluid pressure.

It was pointed out above that the electric control device 22 must be manually reset after it had functioned to efiect opening of the pilot valve 2 i. To manually reset this device, the box 9b is provided with a removable cover plate H3. which, when removed, exposes an opening IM. An attendant may gain access to the interior of the box 9! by removing the cover H3 and he may then depress the lever 93 so that its shoulders 93 may again be engaged by the fingers I113 of the pair of trip levers I04.

Theselector valves 19' for both of the systems ofFi'gs. 1 and 2 may be of the same construction and of any desired design. A manually operable gate valve has been selected to illustrate the principle of the selector valves. One such gate valve is illustrated in Fig. 8. This valve includes the body I I5 which is adapted to be connected to one section of a branch line IT. A nut I I6 is threaded in the opening III of the body H5 and functions as the coupling for the second section of the branch line ET. This nut IIB also functions to provide a seat I I8 for the valve disc I I9 to engage. The disc H9 is associated with the disc carrier 52b in the conventional manner. A rotatable stem I2I hasthe disc carrier I20 attached to its inner end. This stem extends through the bushing assembly I22 and has the operating handle 3! suitably attached to its projecting end. This handle is secured in place by means of the stem nut IM.

In the descriptions of the systems of Figs. 1 and 2 each selector valve I9 is described as havin associated therewith a cam 32 that functions to operate a circuit controlling switch. The switch of the system of Fig. 1 is normally conditioned to close its circuit when the valve is closed and the cam 32 of the valve functions to operate the switch to break its circuit when the valve is manually moved to its open position. In the system of Fig. 2 the switches are normally conditioned to break or open their circuits and the cams 32 function to actuate the switches to close their circuits when the associated selector valves ar opened. There are numerous makes of plunger type limit switches available on the open market which can be employed in connection with the selector valves of the systems of Figs. 1 and 2. These switches may be either of the single pole or double pole types which are normally either open or closed. When they are normally closed depression of their operating push rod or button results in opening the circuit through the switch. When the switches are normally open, depression of the push rod or button results in closing the circuit. The normally open and normally closed switches of a given manufacturer have the same exterior appearance and for that reason the disclosure of the switch 925 in Fig. 8 will suffice for the switches 2l2 of Fig. 1 and 42-41 of Fig. 2.

This switch I25 may be supported by the straps l 25 which are clamped to one section of the associated branch line H. The push rod or button E2? of this switch is illustrated in full lines in Fig. 8 in its normal, extended position. Depression oi this push rod or button I21 will cause the switch Add to break its circuit if the switch is in use in the Fig. 1 system. Depression of the push rod or button I21 will bring about closing of the circuit through the switch I25 if the switch is employed in the system of Fig. 2. The cam 32 includes a mounting disc I28 employed for connecting the cam to and mounting it on the valve stern itl. The valve handle attaching nut I24 also functions to secure the cam mounting disc 5283 on the valve stem. This disc carries a cam element i529 which is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 in full lines and in dotted lines. The full line position corresponds with the closed position of the valve disc IIS and its carrier I20. When the 12$ is in this full line position it is spaced from the switch push rod or button I21. When valve handle 3| is operated to open the selector valve I9, the cam 32 is moved to cause its earn element I29 to engage and depress the switch push rod or button I21. The dotted line positions of the cam I29 in Figs. 8 and 9 is assumed when the element has functioned to depress the push rod or button [21 of the switch I25. When the valve operating handle 3I is returned to its normal position, for closing the selector valve IS, the cam element I29 again assumes its full line position of Figs. 8 and-9 and the push rod or button I2? of the switch I25 will again assume its projected or full line position if it is not restrained in any way.

Fig. 8 discloses a push rod retaining latch I30 which is pivotally mounted on the casing of the switch I25 by means of the hinge structure I3I. This latch is normally loaded by the spring I32 which functions to urge the latch from its full line position to its dotted line position. An operating handle I 33 is attached to the latch I30 and is used to elevate the latch from its dotted line position into its full line position against the force of the spring I32.

By inspecting Fig. 8 it will be seen that the latch I30 occupies full line position when the switch push rod or button I2! is in its projected or normal position. When the push rod or button I2! is depressed by the cam element I29, the spring I 32 causes the latch I30 to move downwardly so that the extremity I30a of the latch will overlie the outer face of the push rod or button I2'I. This latch will then function to hold the switch push rod or button I 27 in its retracted or depressed position for maintaining the switch 25 in its abnormal condition.

This latch I30 is optional equipment. When it is employed it will function to hold the switch I25 in its abnormal condition after the associated pilot valve has been manually closed. Of course,

whenever the latch I 30 is elevated into its full line position the switch push rod or button I21 will be permitted to move outwardly into its normal position. Therefore, the latch may be elevated prior to manually closing the pilot valve I9 so that the switch will respond to the operation of the valve or the latch I30 may be elevated at any time after the pilot valve has been closed. The switch I25 then would be returned to its normal condition independently of closing of its pilot valve.

It will be appreciated from the above descriptions of the two systems of Figs. 1 and 2 and the instrumentalities that are incorporated therein that discharge of the fire extinguishing carbon dioxide at any hazard may be accomplished by manually opening the selector valve I9 which is opcratively associated with the involved hazard. This manual opening of the selector valve will bring about opening of the master control valve. In the system of Fig. 1 closing of the selector valve will not bring about closing of the master control valve because the electric control device 22 for the pilot valve 2I must be manually reset. In the system of Fig. 2, however, the master control valve I will be opened and closed in response to opening and closing operations of either one of the selector valves of this system. This is due to the fact that the switches for the selector valves control the circuit to the solenoid operated pilot valve device 38 of the master control valve l5 and this solenoid operated pilot valve is automatically opened and closed in response to energization and de-energization of its solenoid coil. In the Fig. 2 system the pilot valve 2I and its electric control device 22 only function in case of power failure and do not function in response to manual operation of the selector valves.

It is to be understood that the forms of this invention herewith shown and described are to 12 be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Havin thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separate hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, a header connected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extending to each hazard from the header, a solely manually operable selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, normally deenergized electrically controlled means operable in response to manual opening operation of any selector valve for effectin opening operation of the master valve, and additional normally energized electrically controlled means for effecting opening operation of the master valve and for causing said master valve to remain open in the event of failure of the supply of electricity for the normally de-energized electrically controlled means.

2. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separate hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioXide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, a header connected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extending to each hazard from the header, a selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, means for manually opening and closing each selector valve, electrical means for effecting opening and closing operations of the master valve, a circuit for said electrical means, and circuit controlling means operatively associated with and operated by each selector valve manual opening and closing means for effecting operation of the electrical means to open and close the master valve when any selector valve is opened and closed.

3. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separate hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, differential fluid pressure means for effecting opening operation of said master valve, a pilot yalve for controlling the application of the difierential fluid pressure to said means, a header connected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extending to each hazard from the header, a selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, means for manually opening each selector valve, and means operable in response to opening operation of the manual opening means of any selector valve for effecting operation of the pilot valve to cause the master valve to be opened.

4. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separate'hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplyin liquid carbon dioxide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, differential fluid pressure means for effecting opening and closing operations of said master valve, a pilot valve for controlling the application of the differential fluid pressure to said means, a header connected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extending to each hazard from the header, a selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, means for manually operating each selector valve, and means operable in response to openin and closing operations of the manual operating means of any selector valve for causing operation of the pilot valve to efiect opening and closing operations of the master valve.

5. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separate hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controllin the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, dilierential fluid pressure means for efiectin opening operation of said master valve, a pilot valve for controlling the application of the difierential fluid pressure to said means, electrical means for operating the pilot valve, a circuit for said electrical means, a header connected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extending to each hazard from the header, a selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, means for manually opening each selector valve, and circuit controlling means operated by the manual opening means of each selector valve for effecting operation of the electrical means for the pilot valve to cause the pilot valve to be operated to open the master valve when any selector valve is opened.

6. A fire extinguishing system for protectin a plurality of separate hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, differential fluid pressure means for efiecting opening and closing operations of said master valve, a pilot valve for controlling the application of the differential fluid pressure to said means, electrical means for operating the pilot valve, a circuit for said electrical means, a header connected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extending to each hazard from the header, a selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, means for manually operating each selector valve, and circuit controlling means operated by the manual operating means of each selector valve for effecting operation of the electrical means for the pilot valve to cause the pilot valve to be operated to open and close the master valve when any selector valve is opened and closed.

7. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separate hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, a header con" nected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extendin to each hazard from the header, a selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, means for manually operatin each selector valve, electrical means for maintaining the master valve closed when energized and for efiecting opening operation of the master valve when lie-energized, a normally closed circuit for the electrical means, and circuit opening means directly operated by the manual operating means of each selector valve for opening the circuit to the electrical means when any selector valve is opened, said electrical means being operable independently of said circuit opening means for all of the selector valves to effect opening operation of the master Valve automatically in the event of failure of the supply of current thereto.

8. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separate hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, a header connected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extending to each hazard from the header, a solely manually operable selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, normally tie-energized electrical means for effecting opening operation of the master valve, a circuit for said electrical means, circuit closinc means operatively associated with each selector valve for efiecting energization of the said electrical means to open the master valve when any selector valve is manually opened, and normally energized electrical means for effecting opening operation of the master valve in the event of failure of current supply thereto,

9. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separate hazards, comprising a source of supply of liquid carbon dioxide, piping extending from said source of supply to each one of the separate hazards and including a separate branch line for each hazard. and a header common to all of the branch lines, a master valve for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide from said source of supply to the header, fluid pressure actuated means for effecting opening and closing operations of the master valve, electric current actuated means for controlling the application of fluid pressure to the first mentioned means, a circuit for said electrical means, a selector valve for controlling each branch line, separate means for directly manually opening and closing each selector valve, and separate electrical current flow controlling means at each selector valve actuated by the means for manually opening and closing said selector valve and connected in the said circuit for the electrical means to cause the master valve to be opened and closed each time any selector valve is opened and closed.

CHARLES A. GETZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 461,089 Wolstencroft et a1. Oct. 13, 1891 777,888 Fiddes Dec. 20, 1904 1,768,739 Boyd July 1, 1930 1,912,458 Mapes June 6, 1933 1,923,160 McLaren Aug. 22, 1933 1,968,086 Mapes July 31, 1934 2,023,569 Allen et al Dec. 10, 1935 2,240,079 Roth Apr. 29, 1941 2,291,101 Papulskl July 28, 1942 2,307,784 Mapes Jan. 12, 1943

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