US3977474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency reserve water and foam generating system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-27
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1995-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a supply of fresh water during emergency situations when the normal fresh water source is interrupted and for generating a high volume of air-water foam for extinguishing fires. The emergency system is connected to the normal fresh water source at the place of installation and diverts the fresh water through a standby tank to continually replenish the tank with fresh water. In the event of fire, a regulated source of high pressure gas is supplied to the tank to expel the water at high pressure through a high expansion foam generator, the foam outlet of which communicates with the spaces of the building or other installation in which the system is installed. The standby tank of reserve water may be positioned above or below ground level according to alternate embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments are disclosed wherein a separate foam generating installation for extinguishing fires is adapted for use with one or more foam generators. According to a further embodiment of the invention, a compact, self-contained foam generating system is disclosed, several of which may be strategically placed in various locations throughout a building or the like for extinguishing fires in the vicinity.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Boegli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:03
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03B; E03B11/00; E03B11/02; E03B11/06; A; A62; A62C; A62C35/00; A62C35/58; A62C5/00; A62C5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A water reserve system for supplying fresh water for emergency use and for generating a fire-extinguishing foam comprising: a supply conduit adapted to be connected to a source of fresh water; a standby tank of predetermined volume; inlet and outlet means connected to said tank for introducing fresh water into said tank and for continually replenishing the fresh water in said tank, said inlet and outlet means being arranged to maintain said tank in a substantially full condition during normal non-emergency use; means connected to said tank and said supply conduit for diverting fresh water from said supply conduit into said tank and back to said supply conduit; means operatively connected to said tank for generating a volume of air-water foam; and means connected to said foam generating means for distributing said air-water foam to a remote location for extinguishing a fire at said location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A water reserve system for supplying fresh water for emergency use and for generating a fire-extinguishing foam comprising: a supply conduit adapted to be connected to a source of fresh water; a standby tank of predetermined volume; inlet and outlet means connected to said tank for introducing fresh water into said tank and for continually replenishing the fresh water in said tank, said inlet and outlet means being arranged to maintain said tank in a substantially full condition during normal non-emergency use; means connected to said tank and said supply conduit for diverting fresh water from said supply conduit into said tank and back to said supply conduit; means operatively connected to said tank for generating a volume of air-water foam; and means connected to said foam generating means for distributing said air-water foam to a remote location for extinguishing a fire at said location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet means includes an inlet conduit having an open end positioned in the lowermost portion of said tank to insure substantially complete removal of the water content thereof during emergency use and wherein said outlet means includes an outlet conduit having an open end positioned in the uppermost portion of said tank to insure a substantially full tank for emergency use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as defined in claim 1 including a high pressure gas source means connected to the uppermost portion of said tank for expelling the water in said tank through said foam generating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined in claim 2 including a caged ball check valve located at the open end of said outlet conduit for closing the open end of said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system as defined in claim 3 including means for regulating the high pressure gas supplied to said tank from said gas source means and wherein said foam generating means includes a foam generator operatively connected to said tank and to a source of foam liquid, said foam generator having a foam outlet, air inlet means, and means for mixing air, water and foam liquid whereby a large volume of foam having a high air-to-water ratio is produced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as defined in claim 3 including a check valve installed in the operative connection between said foam generating means and said tank, said check valve being arranged to admit flow to said foam generating means when the pressure in said tank reaches a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as defined in claim 3 including means for remotely operating said gas source means to introduce high pressure gas into said tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
246 words
A water reserve system for supplying fresh water for emergency use and for providing a fire-extinguishing fluid comprising: a supply conduit adapted to be connected to a source of fresh water; a standby tank of predetermined volume; inlet and outlet means connected to said tank for introducing fresh water into said tank and for continually replenishing the fresh water in said tank, said inlet and outlet means being arranged to maintain said tank in a substantially full condition during normal non-emergency use, said inlet and outlet means including an inlet conduit having an open end positioned in the lowermost portion of said tank to insure substantially complete removal of the water content thereof during emergency use and an outlet conduit having an open end positioned in the uppermost portion of said tank to insure a substantially full tank for emergency use; means connected to said tank for diverting fresh water from said supply conduit into said tank and back to said supply conduit; means operatively connected to said tank for generating a fire extinguishing fluid, said generating means including a high pressure gas source means connected to the uppermost portion of said tank for expelling the water in said tank and means for regulating the high pressure gas supplied to said tank from said gas source means; and means connected to said tank for distributing the fire extinguishing fluid generated by said generating means to a remote location for extinguishing a fire at the remote location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
246 words
A water reserve system for supplying fresh water for emergency use and for providing a fire-extinguishing fluid comprising: a supply conduit adapted to be connected to a source of fresh water; a standby tank of predetermined volume; inlet and outlet means connected to said tank for introducing fresh water into said tank and for continually replenishing the fresh water in said tank, said inlet and outlet means being arranged to maintain said tank in a substantially full condition during normal non-emergency use, said inlet and outlet means including an inlet conduit having an open end positioned in the lowermost portion of said tank to insure substantially complete removal of the water content thereof during emergency use and an outlet conduit having an open end positioned in the uppermost portion of said tank to insure a substantially full tank for emergency use; means connected to said tank for diverting fresh water from said supply conduit into said tank and back to said supply conduit; means operatively connected to said tank for generating a fire extinguishing fluid, said generating means including a high pressure gas source means connected to the uppermost portion of said tank for expelling the water in said tank and means for regulating the high pressure gas supplied to said tank from said gas source means; and means connected to said tank for distributing the fire extinguishing fluid generated by said generating means to a remote location for extinguishing a fire at the remote location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |