U.S. patent number 3,884,307 [Application Number 05/414,660] was granted by the patent office on 1975-05-20 for fire extinguisher.
Invention is credited to Robert A. Williams.
United States Patent |
3,884,307 |
Williams |
May 20, 1975 |
Fire extinguisher
Abstract
The specification discloses a fire extinguisher comprising a
fire extinguishing substance located in a closed container. A small
amount of explosive charge is employed primarily for opening the
container wall in the presence of high temperatures to allow the
fire extinguishing substance to pass out of the container. In the
preferred embodiment, the wall has weakened portions selectively
formed to facilitate rupturing to form an opening in the wall
without fragmentation. The small amount of explosive charge is
located in the container in close proximity to the wall in the
vicinity of the weakened portions for rupturing the wall at the
weakened portions to form an opening therethrough. In addition, a
heat sensitive fuse or firetrain is provided for actuating the
explosive charge in the presence of heat above an undesired level.
In one embodiment, a secondary explosive charge is located in the
fire extinguishing substance and spaced from the small amount of
explosive charge and which is actuated by the fuse or firetrain
after the small amount of explosive charge is actuated to force the
fire extinguishing substance outward through the opening formed by
the small amount of explosive charge. The fuse or firetrain
comprises a metallic wire having a high thermal conductivity, a
fast burning substance located around the wire, a confining cover
comprising wires spirally wrapped around the fast burning
substance, a nylon yarn counter wrapped, as added hoop compression,
and a water-proof layer of highly flammable material deposited on
and throughout the confining cover.
Inventors: |
Williams; Robert A. (Fort
Worth, TX) |
Family
ID: |
23642389 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/414,660 |
Filed: |
November 12, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
169/59; 169/28;
169/65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62C
35/10 (20130101); A62C 3/006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A62C
35/00 (20060101); A62C 35/10 (20060101); A62c
013/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;169/2R,26,28,36,59,65
;102/27 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Mar; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wofford, Felsman, Fails &
Zobal
Claims
I claim:
1. A fire extinguisher comprising:
a closed container,
a fire extinguishing substance located in said container,
force producing means located in close proximity to a given portion
of the wall of said container for use primarily for opening only
said given portion of said container wall when actuated, and
heat sensitive means for actuating said force producing means in
the presence of heat above an undesired level to form said opening
to allow said fire extinguishing substance to pass out of said
container,
said heat sensitive means comprising:
a metallic wire having a high thermal conductivity,
a fast burning substance located around said wire,
cover means wrapped around said substance to provide strength for
said heat sensitive means and to hold said substance in place,
and
a water-proof layer of highly flammable material deposited on said
cover means.
2. The fire extinguisher of claim 1 comprising:
means coupled to a top end of said container for hanging said
container from a desired object,
said force producing means being located at the bottom end of said
container for forming said opening in the bottom of said container
when actuated to allow said fire extinguishing substance to fall
out of said container through said opening, when formed, by the
force of gravity.
3. The fire extinguisher of claim 2 wherein:
the wall of said container has weakened portions selectively formed
to facilitate rupturing to form an opening in said wall without
fragmentation,
said force producing means being located in close proximity to said
weakened portions for rupturing said wall at said weakened portions
to form an opening therethrough to allow said fire extinguishing
material to pass out of said container.
4. A fire extinguisher comprising:
a closed container,
a fire extinguishing substance located in said container,
a small amount of explosive charge located only at a position
outward from the center of said fire extinguishing substance in
close proximity to the wall of said container for forming an
opening in the container wall when exploded without forcing the
bulk of said fire extinguishing substance out of said container,
and
heat sensitive means for actuating said explosive charge in the
presence of heat above an undesired level to form said opening to
allow said fire extinguishing substance to pass out of said
container,
said explosive charge being characterized as capable of developing
brisance without confinement.
5. The fire extinguisher of claim 4 comprising:
means coupled to a top end of said container for hanging said
container from a desired object,
said explosive charge being located at the bottom end of said
container for forming said opening in the bottom of said container
when actuated to allow said fire extinguishing substance to fall
out of said container through said opening, when formed, by the
force of gravity.
6. The fire extinguisher of claim 4 wherein:
said explosive charge is deposited on the wall of said
container.
7. The fire extinguisher of claim 4 wherein:
the interior zone of said fire extinguishing substance is free of
explosive.
8. A fire extinguisher comprising:
a closed container,
a fire extinguishing substance located in said container,
a small amount of explosive charge located in said container for
use primarily for opening the container wall,
said explosive charge being located in close proximity to a given
portion of the wall of said container for forming an opening only
through said given portion,
heat sensitive means for actuating said small amount of explosive
charge in the presence of heat above an undesired level to form
said opening to allow said fire extinguishing substance to pass out
of said container, and
a secondary explosive charge located in said fire extinguishing
substance and spaced from said small amount of explosive
charge,
said heat sensitive means extending from the exterior of said
container to said small amount of explosive and to said secondary
explosive charge to allow said small amount of explosive to be
actuated initially to form an opening through said container and
then to allow said secondary explosive charge to be actuated to
force said fire extinguishing substance outward through said
opening.
9. The fire extinguisher of claim 8 wherein said small amount of
explosive is deposited on the interior of the wall of said
container.
10. The fire extinguisher of claim 8 wherein:
the wall of said container has weakened portions selectively formed
to facilitate rupturing to form an opening in said wall without
fragmentation,
said small amount of explosive charge being located in close
proximity to said weakened portions for rupturing said wall at said
weakened portions to form an opening therethrough to allow said
fire extinguishing material to pass out of said container.
11. The fire extinguisher of claim 8 wherein said given portion of
the wall of said container next to which said explosive charge is
located is formed of a material capable of being disintegrated by
said explosive charge when exploded to form said opening.
12. A fire extinguisher comprising:
a closed container,
a fire extinguishing substance located in said container,
a small amount of explosive charge located in said container in
close proximity to the wall thereof for forming an opening in said
container wall when exploded to allow said fire extinguishing
material to pass out of said container, and
heat sensitive means for actuating said explosive charge in the
presence of heat above an undesired level,
said explosive being characterized as a primary initiating
explosive capable of developing brisance without confinement.
13. The fire extinguisher of claim 12 wherein said small amount of
explosive is located only next to said wall and the interior zone
of said fire extinguishing substance is free of explosive.
14. The fire extinguisher of claim 12 wherein said small amount of
explosive is deposited on the interior of said wall.
15. The fire extinguisher of claim 12 wherein said explosive charge
is selected from the class consisting of mercury fulminate, lead
azide, nitrosoguanidine, lead styphnate, double salts of lead
styphnate as with nitroaminotetrazole, or with lead hypophosphite,
or with lead propionate, lead picrate, or its double salts, lead
dinitroresorcinate, diazodinitrophenol, tetracene, mono-basic lead
dinitrobenzoate, di-basic lead dinitrobenzoate, double salt of lead
trinitroresorcinate, basic salts of tetrazole and basic lead salts
of nitrotetrazole, nitrotetrazole, salts of mercury nitrotetrazole,
salts of silver nitrotetrazole, acid copper salt of
C-nitrotetrazole, silver and mercury azides, or combinations of
explosives such as picric acid and silver azide or
diazodinitrophenol primed with lead azide alone or with the
addition of lead styphnate or tetrazene or with diazodinitrophenol
as the primary explosive, tetryl, the lead salts of picric acid and
trinitroresorcinal, m-nitrophenyldiazonium perchlorate, nitrogen
sulfide, copper acetylide, fulminating gold, the tartarates and
oxalates of mercury and silver, fulminate of silver, cadmium azide,
cuprous azide, thallium azide, cadmium fulminate, copper fulminate,
thallium fulminate, sodium fulminate, potassium fulminate, cobalt
azide, barium azide, calcium azide, strontium azide, nickel azide,
manganese azide, lithium azide, mercurous azide, zinc azide,
etc.
16. The fire extinguisher of claim 12 comprising:
a secondary explosive charge located in said fire extinguishing
substance and spaced from said small amount of explosive
charge,
said heat sensitive means extends from the exterior of said
container to said small amount of explosive and to said secondary
explosive charge to allow said small amount of explosive to be
actuated intially to form an opening through said container and
then to allow said secondary explosive charge to be actuated to
force said fire extinguishing substance outward through said
opening.
17. The fire extinguisher of claim 12 wherein:
the wall of said container has weakened portions selectively formed
to facilitate rupturing to form an opening in said wall without
fragmentation,
said small amount of explosive charge being located in close
proximity of said weakened portions for rupturing said wall at said
weakened portions to form an opening therethrough to allow said
fire extinguishing material to pass out of said container.
18. The fire extinguisher of claim 17 comprising:
a secondary explosive charge located in said fire extinguishing
substance and spaced from said small amount of explosive
charge,
said heat sensitive means extends from the exterior of said
container to said small amount of explosive and to said secondary
explosive charge to allow said small amount of explosive charge to
be actuated initially to form an opening through said container and
then to allow said secondary explosive charge to be actuated to
force said fire extinguishing substance outward through said
opening.
19. The heat sensitive means of claim 1 wherein said cover means
comprises thin metallic wires.
20. A heat sensitive fuse for igniting an explosive charge
comprising:
a metallic wire having a high thermal conductivity,
a fast burning substance located around said wire,
cover means wrapped around said substance to provide strength for
said fuse and to hold said substance in place, and
a water-proof layer of highly flammable material deposited on said
cover means.
21. The fuse of claim 20 wherein said cover means comprises a
wrapping of thin metallic wires.
22. The fuse of claim 21 wherein its end to be exposed to sense for
undesired temperatures is cut at an angle relative to the axis
thereof to form an end with a pointed tip and a relatively large
surface area,
said water-proof layer of highly flammable material being deposited
on the cut end of said fuse.
23. A fire extinguisher comprising:
a closed container,
a fire extinguishing substance located in said container,
said container having a bottom end and a top end,
a magnet coupled to said top end to allow said container to be
attached in place to a metallic object to locate said bottom end in
a downward direction,
said bottom end having weakened portions selectively formed to
facilitate rupturing to form an opening in said bottom end without
fragmentation,
a small amount of primary initiating explosive charge located in
said container, only in the vicinity of said weakened portions for
rupturing said bottom end at said weakened portions to form an
opening therethrough to allow said fire extinguishing material to
fall out of said container, and
heat sensitive fuse means for igniting said explosive charge in the
presence of heat above an undesired level.
24. The fire extinguisher of claim 23 wherein said container is
formed by a cup shaped member having a lid attached thereto by a
double seam.
25. A fire extinguisher comprising:
a closed conatiner,
a dry fire extinguishing substance located in said container,
means coupled to said container for attaching said container to an
object,
at least a portion of the wall of said container comprising a layer
of highly combustible material sandwiched between two layers of
combustible material, and
ignitable fuse means extending from the outside to said layer of
highly combustible material for igniting said layer of highly
combustible material and hence said two layers of combustible
material in the presence of an undesired high temperature for
rapidly removing at least a portion of the wall of said container
from its confining position for allowing the passage of said fire
extinguishing substance out of said container.
26. A fire extinguisher comprising:
a closed container,
a dry fire extinguishing substance located in said container,
means coupled to said container for attaching said container to an
object,
said fire extinguisher container wall being formed at least in part
of an explosive material,
said explosive material is sandwiched between two layers capable of
being disintegrated when said explosive material is exploded,
and
fuse means for actuating said explosive material in the presence of
undesirable high temperatures.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fire extinguisher employing an
explosive charge for releasing fire extinguishing substance from a
container and in addition to a fast burning and effective fuse or
firetrain for use actuating the charge.
Fire extinguishers have been built or proposed comprising a scored
container wall having located therein a fire extinguishing powder
with a single explosive charge embedded in the powder and which is
ignited by a heat sensitive fuse to rupture the scored container
wall and force the powder outward into the surrounding environment.
Unless the explosive charge is relatively large, problems have been
observed to occur in that the explosive force tends at random to
rupture one portion or the other of the container wall leaving a
large amount of powder in the container. This is due in part to the
fact that the scoring of the container wall may not be the same on
all sides and hence certain sides may be more weakened than the
others. The explosive force will seek the path of least resistance,
through the powder, and the portion of the wall in this path will
be ruptured and possibly fragmented, dispersing only a small
portion of the powder in a random direction with the balance of the
powder being tightly packed in the other side of the container.
Improved rupture and dispersion of the powder may be obtained if
the centered or embedded explosive charge is made relatively large,
however, this presents safety problems particularly if the fire
extinguisher is to be used indoors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement
for effectively opening the wall of a fire extinguisher container
in the presence of undesired temperatures to allow a fire
extinguishing substance to pass out of the container.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
effective and practical non-fragmenting fire extinguisher employing
an explosive charge for forming an opening or openings through the
wall of a container for the purpose of releasing a fire
extinguishing substance and which has a high factor of reliability
or repeatability in forming the opening or openings where desired
and further which does not require a large explosive charge to form
the opening or openings.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fast
burning, easily ignitable, and effective fuse or firetrain for use
for actuating an explosive charge used in a fire extinguisher.
In the preferred embodiment, the fire extinguisher comprises a
closed container having a fire extinguishing substance located
therein. The wall of the container has weakened portions
selectively formed to facilitate rupturing to form an opening in
the wall without fragmentation. A small amount of explosive charge
is located in the container at a position outward from the center
of the fire extinguishing substance and in close proximity to the
wall in the vicinity of the weakened portions for rupturing the
wall at the weakened portions to form an opening therethrough to
allow the fire extinguishing material to pass out of the container.
In addition, a heat sensitive fuse or firetrain is provided for
actuating the explosive charge in the presence of heat above an
undesired level.
In one embodiment, a magnet is attached to the container to allow
the container to be attached in place to a metallic object.
In a further embodiment, the fire extinguisher comprises a
secondary explosive charge located or embedded in the fire
extinguishing substance and spaced from the small amount of
explosive charge. The fuse or firetrain extends from the exterior
of the container to the small amount of explosive charge and to the
secondary explosive charge to allow the small amount of explosive
charge to be actuated by delayed action to force the fire
extinguishing substance outward through the opening.
The fuse or firetrain comprises a metallic wire having a high
thermal conductivity, a first burning substance located around the
wire, cover means wrapped around said fast burning substance to
provide strength for said fuse and to hold said fast burning
substance in place, and a water-proof layer of highly flammable
material deposited on said cover means. In one aspect, the cover
means comprises thin metallic wires spirally wrapped around the
fast burning substance with a nylon yarn counter wrapping to bind
these wires in place and provide a foundation for the water-proof
layer of highly flammable cover material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a fire extinguisher attached to the top of a
vent-a-hood of a cooking stove;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the fire
extinguisher of FIG. 1 illustrating a thin lyaer of explosive
charge deposited on the interior of its bottom wall for rupturing
scored portions of the wall when the charge is ignited;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the fire extinguisher of FIG. 2
illustrating scored lines on its bottom end;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of FIG. 3 taken through
the lines 4--4 thereof illustrating scored lines;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the container
of FIG. 2 illustrating the double seam connecting the bottom end
and the side walls;
FIG. 6 illustrates the fire extinguisher of FIGS. 2 and 3 after its
explosive charge has been ignited and its rupturable segments
forced outward to form openings through the bottom end to allow its
fire extinguishing powder to fall out for fire extinguishing
purposes;
FIG. 7 illustrates a ferrule and a push on friction nut for holding
the fuse in place;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the bottom
end of the fire extinguisher illustrating an embodiment for
minimizing the amount of explosive charge required for rupturing
the bottom wall of the fire extinguisher for releasing its
powder;
FIG. 9 is a view of the bottom end of the embodiment of FIG. 8 as
seen from the inside of the fire extinguisher;
FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional view of another embodiment of
the fire extinguisher employing a secondary charge embedded in the
fire extinguishing powder;
FIG. 11 is a partial cross sectional view of a fire extinguisher of
the type illustrated in FIG. 10 but having a dome shape;
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the fire extinguisher of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 illustrates the fire extinguisher of FIGS. 11 and 12 after
its explosive charge has been ignited and its rupturable segments
forced outward to form openings;
FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged and partial cross sectional view of
the fuse or firetrain employed in the fire extinguishers of FIGS.
1-13;
FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 14 taken through the line
15--15 thereof;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross sectional view of another embodiment
of the fire extinguisher wherein its wall is formed of a material
capable of being disintegrated by the explosive charge when
exploded;
FIG. 17 illustrates a further embodiment wherein the walls of the
container are formed of a highly flammable material; and
FIG. 18 illustrates a portion of a container wall of an embodiment
wherein the container wall is layered having an inner sandwiched
layer formed of a highly flammable, self-oxidizing material or an
explosive material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, the fire extinguisher illustrated
therein is identified by reference numeral 11 and comprises a
container 13 formed by a cup-shaped member 15 having a lower lid 17
sealed to the lower end 15a of the member 15 by a double seam
illustrated in FIG. 5. Located within the container is a fire
extinguishing substance 19, preferably a fire extinguishing powder
which may be of the A.B.C. type or for example, of the B.C. type.
As is well known, the A.B.C. type is formed of about 90%
monoammonium phosphate with about 10 percent silicones and other
materials (silica, ground mica) added to keep it free flowing to
protect it from moisture. The B.C. type is about 90-94 percent
sodium bicarbonate. The balance of the material is stearates or
silicones and other materials added to keep it free flowing and to
protect the sodium bicarbonate from moisture.
The top 15b of the container 13 has a magnet 21 attached thereto to
allow the extinguisher to be attached to a metallic object and hung
with its bottom end 17 downward. When used as illustrated in FIG.
1, the fire extinguisher will be attached to the top of a
vent-a-hood of a stove for protection against grease fires. The
magnet 21 is encased in a case 23 which is movably attached to the
container 13 by a ring 25. This ring is inserted through loop 23a
of the case 23 and through aperture 27 formed member 29 attached to
the top end 15b of the container 13.
Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom lid 17 has grooves or scored lines
31a-36a selectively formed on one side thereof to facilitate
breaking or rupturing of the bottom end into separate tear-open
segments 31-36 without fragmentation to form openings 31b-36b only
in the bottom end or bottom wall portion when the free ends of the
segments are forced outward to allow the fire extinguishing powder
to fall or pass outward from the container onto the fire. Although
the scoring is illustrated on the outside surface of the lid 17,
preferably it will be on the inside surface thereof.
The explosive charge for rupturing the bottom end along the
weakened or scored lines for forcing the free ends of the segments
outward comprises a small amount of explosive charge 41 deposited
on the inside of the lid 17. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the
charge 41 is deposited as a thin layer in the area defined by the
dotted circle 43, as seen in FIG. 3. Extending through the lid 17
and to the explosive layer 41 is a heat sensitive fuse or firetrain
51. As illustrated, the fuse 51 is held in place by a ferrule 53
and a push on friction nut 55. The fuse 51 ignites when the
temperature outside of the fire extinguisher reaches a certain
level to explode the charge 41. When this occurs, the force of the
explosion ruptures the scored or weakened lines and forces the tear
open segments 31-36 outward to form the openings 31b-36b. In
addition, the force of the charge pushes the fire extinguishing
powder upward in the container, loosening any caking. The fire
extinguishing powder then gently falls out of the can by
gravitational force to extinguish any fire below which may be in a
frying pan, for example. The non-erupting portions 17a of the lid
17 control the flow so that the powder does not fall out in one
lump, which might splash grease from the frying pan, but gently
trickles out for about 10 seconds, in one embodiment. Thus in the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the fire extinguishing powder is not
dispersed too widely but only on the flame area below the fire
extinguisher.
Since the explosive charge 41 is located in close proximity to the
grooves or weakened lines formed in the lid 17, the charge will
form the openings where desired when ignited with a high degree of
reliability thereby insuring proper release of the fire
extinguishing powder. Moreover, the amount of explosive charge
required is small, thereby reducing dangers or hazards which may be
otherwise present if a large amount of charge were employed. For
ease of assembly, the fuse or firetrain 51 is inserted in place
through the lid and the explosive charge applied onto the interior
side of the lid 17 before it is attached to the member 15.
Instead of depositing a thin layer of explosive charge on the
inside of the lid 17, within the full area defined by dotted line
43, a small amount of explosive charge may be deposited on the
inside of the lid 17 concentrated closely around the fuse 51, in
effect to form a ball of more concentrated charge. Such a ball of
charge having a diameter of about one fourth of an inch has been
found to be sufficient to force the tear open segments outward when
exploded even though it is not directly opposite the scored lines
defining the tear open segments. The use of a small ball of charge
has advantages over the thin layer of charge in that increased
brisance is obtainable with less explosive material.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there will be described another
embodiment for minimizing the amount of explosive charge required
for forcing the tear open segments 31-36 outward to form the
desired openings for releasing the powder from the fire
extinguisher. As shown in FIG. 9, scoring is done on the inside
surface of the lid to define the segments 31-36. In this
embodiment, a small plate 61 is held in place on the inside of the
lid 17 by eyelets 63 and 65 which also hold the fuse in place. A
plurality of pockets 67 are formed in the plate by punching
portions 62 inwardly with the openings 67a facing the axis of the
plate 61. As illustrated, the pockets are located next to the free
corners or free ends of the rupturable segments 31-36. The pockets
are filled with an explosive charge 69 which also is deposited on
the plate 61 forming a firetrain 71 leading to the fuse 51. When
the fuse or firetrain 51 is ignited, the firetrain 71 is ignited
which in turn ignites and explodes the charge 69 in the pockets to
rupture the lid at the scored lines and force the segments 31-36
outward forming the desired openings to allow the powder to fall
outward. In this embodiment, the portions 62 forming the pockets
reflect the force of the explosion occurring in the pockets outward
to increase the amount of force applied to force the segments 31-61
individually outward to form the desired openings.
Preferably the container formed by member 15 and lid 17 are formed
of this aluminum. In one embodiment, the container has a diameter
of about 3 inches and a height of about 2 inches. The lid is
attached to the member 15 by way of a double seam since this manner
of attachment can be done rapidly and economically and in addition,
provides a water-proof seal for the powder in the container.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9, the purpose of the explosive
charge 41 and 69 is to act solely on the container wall to form an
opening or openings without forcing the bulk of the powder out of
the container. After the opening or openings have been formed, the
fire extinguishing powder then is allowed to fall out by the force
of gravity.
In the preferred embodiment, the explosive charges 41 and 69 are a
primary or initiating type of exposive in that it does not require
confinement or enclosure to develop brisance. Examples of this type
of explosive are mercury fluminate, lead azide, nitrosoguanidine,
lead styphnate, double salts of lead styphnate as with
nitroaminotetrazole, or with lead hypophosphite, or with lead
propionate, lead picrate, or its double salts, lead
dinitroresorcinate, diazodinitrophenol, tetracene, mono-basic lead
dinitrobenzoate, di-basic lead dinitrobenzoate, double salt of lead
trinitroresorcinate, basic salts of tetrazole and basic lead salts
of nitrotetrazole, nitrotetrazole, salts of mercury nitrotetrazole,
salts of silver nitrotetrazole, acid copper salt of
C-nitrotetrazole, silver and mercury azides, or combinations of
explosives such as picric acid and silver azide or
diazodinitrophenol primed with lead azide alone or with the
addition of lead styphnate or tetrazene or with diazodinitrophenol
as the primary explosive, tetryl, the lead salts of picric acid and
trinitroresorcinal, m-nitrophenyldiazonium perchlorate, nitrogen
sulfide, copper acetylide, fulminating gold, the tartarates and
oxalates of mercury and silver, fulminate of silver, cadmium azide,
cuprous azide, thallium azide, cadmium fulminate, copper fulminate,
thallium fulminate, sodium fulminate, potassium fulminate, cobalt
azide, barium azide, calcium azide, strontium azide, nickel azide,
manganese azide, lithium azide, mercurous azide, zinc azide, etc.
For further information on primary or initiating explosives,
reference is made to The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives by Dr.
Tenney L. Davis, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York 1943, pages 2
and 3. A suitable binder is mixed with the explosive used and a
protective coating such as nitrocellulose may be applied to protect
it environmentally. The binder may be gum arabic, karaya gum, gum
tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum, arabinogalactan derived from
locust bean gum, glucose, gum yacca (red gum), or the following may
be used alone or in combinations of two or more: methyl cellulose,
hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, dextrin,
polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, linear high molecular weight poly (ethylene
oxide), polyvinyl alcohol, and ureaformaldehyde or
melamine-formaldehyde polymers, as well as shellac, rosin, calcium
resinate and ester gum, all of which are more or less commonly used
explosive binders.
Referring now to FIG. 10, there will be described another
embodiment of the fire extinguisher which is similar to that of
FIGS. 1-9 except that it has embedded in the fire extinguishing
powder 19, a secondary charge identified at 81. The container is
similar to that of FIG. 1 in that it is formed of a cup shaped
member 83 having a lid 85 sealed to the side walls by a double
seam. The lid 85 forms the top of the fire extinguisher while the
other end 87 forms the bottom thereof. Formed in the bottom end 87
are scored lines similar to that disclosed in FIG. 3 forming a
plurality of rupturable segments 31-36. In addition, the side walls
have scored lines 89 formed to provide rupturable but
non-fragmenting segments 91. Deposited on the inside of the bottom
87 and on the inside of the side wall 86 is a thin layer of
explosive charge 93. Both charges 81 and 93 may be formed of the
same material as charges 41 and 69 described previously. However,
since the explosive charge 81 is housed in a paper container,
explosives such as black powder, flash powder commonly used in
firecrackers and similarly used explosives may be effectively used
for the charge 81. The explosive charge 81 is housed in a paper
container 94 which is held centered within the powder 19 by member
95 which may be a polyethylene, closed cell, sponge material.
Member 95 also may be formed metal or cardboard. As illustrated,
the charge 81 is spaced from the primary charge 93 in that the
container 94 has a lower insert 96 providing a space 97 between the
secondary charge 81 and the primary charge 93. The upper end of the
container also has an insert 101 which spaces the charge 81 from
the upper end of the container. The fuse 51 extends through the
primary charge 93 and to the secondary charge 81. In operation,
when the fuse 51 is ignited, the primary charge 93 will be actuated
initially to force the segments 31-36 and 91 outward to form
openings in the container wall. The explosion of the primary charge
93 also drives the powder 19 tightly around container 94 housing
the secondary charge 81. Since the secondary charge is spaced from
the primary charge, its ignition will be delayed subsequent to the
ignition of the primary charge. As the fire extinguishing powder
starts moving into the vacuum caused by the primary charge, the
secondary charge is exploded by the fuse thus taking advantage of
the reflex phenomena. The secondary charge then widely disperses
the powder through the openings formed.
The embodiment of FIG. 10 has a number of useful applications, for
example, it may be used in the attics of homes for providing fire
protection. It may be attached to the rafters with a nail, hook, or
staple inserted through the ring 25.
The embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 is similar to that of FIG. 10
except that the container is dome shaped and the scored lines 103
forming the tear open segments 105 are continuous. In the
embodiment of FIG. 10, the primary charge 93 is deposited on the
sides, as well as on the bottom of the container. In the
embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12, however, the primary charge may be
deposited on the inside of the rounded bottom end as illustrated or
a small amount of explosive charge may be deposited on the inside
of the bottom concentrated around the fuse or firetrain 51 in
effect balling the charge so as to increase the brisance. A charge
of lead styphnate having a diameter of about one half of an inch
has been found to be sufficient in force to open the segments
outward when exploded even though the charge is not opposite the
scored tear open segments.
Referring not to FIGS. 14 and 15, there will be described the fuse
or firetrain 51 which is a fast burning, highly flammable,
water-proof and explosion-proof fuse. In addition, it is readily
ignited by a low temperature flame or an ambient temperature of
approximately 310.degree.F. In the preferred embodiment, the fuse
or primary firetrain 51 comprises a thin copper wire 121 heavily
coated with a fast burning substance or material 123 which may
comprise 2-3 micron size fine silicon powder for the fuel ranging
from 30 to 60 percent (40 percent preferred), and lead peroxide
(PbO.sub.2) ranging from 30 to 60 percent (58 percent preferred) as
the oxidizer plus 0.5 to 10 percent (20 percent preferred) fine
zinc powder to add to the heat and vigor of the burning. Acetone
wetted cellulose nitrate may be used to bind these materials
together. The ratios of this formulation may be varied to produce
different burning rates and this formulation is extremely stable.
Wrapped around the material 123 is a protective covering comprising
five spirally wrapped wires 125 to prevent the fuse from being
extinguished or destroyed by the substance 123 when ignited or by
the explosive charge of the fire extinguisher before the fuse can
effectively perform its function. This is particularly important in
the embodiments of FIGS. 10-13 wherein the fuse is employed to
ignite the secondary charge after the primary charge is exploded.
Also spirally wrapped around the wire 121 in a counter direction is
a nylon yarn illustrated at 127 for providing additional
protection. Deposited on the yarn 127 and hence on the cover and
cut ends is a coating 129 of nitrocellulose for environmental
protection and which also provides high flammability. The purpose
of the wire 121 is to provide support for the fuse firetrain or
fuse material and assist its continuity of burning since the wire
121 has a high thermal conductivity. It is noted that the ends of
the fuse are cut at an oblique angle of about 45.degree.relative to
the axis of the fuse to provide a sharp pointed tip to allow the
highly flammable coating 129 to ignite easily and to provide a
large surface exposure on the end to facilitate ignition of the
fuse material 123 by the burning of the highly flammable coating
129 whereby the fuse may be readily and reliably ignited by a low
temperature flame. In one embodiment, the wire 121 has a diameter
of 16 mils while the wrapped wire 125 has a diameter of 8 mils and
is formed of galvanized soft iron. The total diameter of the fuse
is 0.068 of an inch. Its burn rate was three forth of an inch in
227 milliseconds.
Although the preferred fuse or firetrain employed is that disclosed
in FIG. 14, it is to be understood that other types of fuses may be
employed. For example, the fuse may be common black powder
preferably fine meal size powder, prepared as what is commonly
known in pyrotechnics as a black match and utilized in the tube
provided by the eyelet 65 of FIG. 8 as a quick match (see the lower
portion of page 67, reference 21 of The Chemistry of Powder and
Explosives, by Tenney L. Davis, volume 1). Also, a regular
commerically available fusing may be used, if desired.
Since the fuse 51 has a core 121 formed of copper wire, it may
employed to actuate the fire extinguisher remotely by applying
electrical current through the fuse for remote ignition thereof.
This application is particularly useful, for example, in the
embodiments of FIGS. 10-12. Referring to FIG. 10, for example, two
separate electrical leads may be attached to the outside end of the
fuse end 51 at spaced positions such that when an electrical
current is applied through the leads, the wires in the fuse will
heat to a point where the fuse 51 will ignite to actuate the
primary explosive charge and the secondary charge. In the
alternative, the fuse 51 may be looped in a hairpin manner into the
primary and secondary charges. Electrical leads then may be
attached to the two ends of the fuse extending from the casement or
housing of the fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher will be
able to automatically release its fire extinguishing powder in the
presence of heat from a fire or may be actuated remotely to release
its powder by closing an electrical switch to pass an electrical
current through the fuse 51 for ignition.
Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, there will be described other
embodiments of the fire extinguisher. In FIG. 16, the fire
extinguisher illustratted is the same as that disclosed in FIG. 2,
except that the lid 17 has a central aperture formed therethrough
which is covered by a circular disc 137 of a material capable of
being disintegrated by the explosive charge 41 to form an opening
in the bottom of the container 13 when exploded, thereby allowing
the fire extinguishing powder to fall out of the container by
gravitational force onto the fire below. The disc 137 in one
embodiment, may be formed of a thin sheet of fiber board sealed to
the lid portion 17. The fuse 51 is attached to the disc 137, as
illustrated.
Referring to FIG. 17, the container 141 is domed shaped and has
located therein the fire extinguishing powder. All or a portion of
the wall of the container is formed of a highly flammable material
such as nitrocellulose plastic. Thus the container in the presence
of heat above an undesired level will ignite and rapidly burn
through to free the fire extinguishing powder and allow it to fall
by gravitational force onto the fire below. In this embodiment, the
container 141 has fusing means consisting of projections shaped as
small points 143 formed of nitrocellulose or other fusing material
randomly attached over the area of the container. The burning rate
of such a container may be increased by adding to the
nitrocellulose material, when in a liquid state, oxidizing agents
(5 to 50 percent by weight) such as barium nitrate and lead
peroxide. These are the preferred oxidizing agents, however, others
may be used, such as sodium nitrate, potassium chlorate, potassium
perchlorate, potassium permangmate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium
perchlorate, barium peroxide, strontium peroxide, lead monoxide, or
ferric oxide. A fuel component also may be added generally to the
extent of 5-25 by weight and which may comprise as one example, one
or more finely powdered metals, metal alloy, or other combustible
elements or compounds such as aluminum, magnesium, zirconium,
titanium, iron, antimony sulfide, lead hypophosphite, or lead
thiocyanate. In addition, the highly flammable material from which
the container wall is constructed may be chemically treated paper
such as paper treated with an oxidizing agent such as potassium
chlorate, potassium perchlorate, barium nitrate, etc., as disclosed
above.
Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 18, all or a portion of the
wall of the container is formed of an inner layer 151 sandwiched in
between two other layers 153 and 155. The layer 151 may be formed
of the highly flammable material mentioned above while the layers
153 and 155 are also combustible and may be formed for example, of
paper. As an alternative, the layer 151 may be an explosive layer,
layers 153 and 155 being formed of a material which will
disintegrate when the charge layer 151 is exploded. In this
embodiment, the charge of layer 151 may be the primary or
initiating charge mentioned above while the layer 153 and 155 may
be formed of thin fiber board. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the fuse
51 extends through the outer layer 155 to the inner layer 151 for
igniting or actuating this layer in the presence of heat to release
the fire extinguishing powder.
* * * * *