Patent GB-368529-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to automatic control apparatus, particularly suitable for use in the manufacture of water gas and other cyclic processes
IPC: C10J3/24
Filed: 1931-03-17
Abstract: 368,529. Valve apparatus. HUMPHREYS & GLASGOW, Ltd., Humglas House, Carlisle Place, Victoria, London.- (Assignees of Soc. de Constructions d'Appareils pour Gaz a l'Eau et Gaz Industriels ; 164, Quai de Jemmapes, Paris.) March 17, 1931, No. 8239. Convention date, June 5, 1930. [Class 135.] In automatic control apparatus for cyclic processes such as water gas generation, in which a continuously running mechanical device operates the piston of a hydraulic distributer so that the stroke of the piston is affected in a series of successive steps each corresponding to the actuation of the operating device on the plant in one direction or in the other, the variation of the intervals between the steps is controlled by adjustment of the continuously running device. In an arrangement for controlling the actuation for example, of the boiler valve, the blast valve, steam cock, and the gas-making reversal valve, the cylinder 11 of the distributer A is connected to the pressure cylinders attached to each valve by pipes 16 .. 19 respectively. A pipe system 14 conducts the fluid under pressure to the chambers between pistons 12, 13, pipe 15 connecting to exhaust, the arrangement being such that the pipes 16 .. 19 communicate with exhaust or fluid pressure in an order determined by the control adopted. A power-driven chain wheel 22, loose on a shaft 21, through the intermediary of a clutch, drives a wheel 23 the rim of which is provided with a number of equally spaced holes 24. A number of rollers such as 25, 26, corresponding to each member to be controlled, are attached to the wheel 23 at appropriate holes selected according to the points at which opening and closing of the controlled member is to take place. In the example, the rollers correspond respectively to the opening and closing of the boiler valve ; the distributing piston is shown at the commencement of the blast. The roller 26 contacts with an arm 27 integral with an arm 28, the latter then operating a pawl 30 which descends a ramp 32 on to a rack 33 which is a prolongation of the piston-rod. As the lever 28 continues its travel the pawl 30 contacts with a tooth 34 causing the rack to advance towards the left. The pipe 16 is now brought into communication with the pressure fluid, and the boiler valve is opened. The roller 26 continuing its travel allows the arm 27 to escape and the lever 28 subjected only to its counterweight 35, moves to the right to its normal position. As the wheel 23 continues to rotate, the roller 25 contacts with a ramp 36 on a lever 37 which by similar movements returns the piston 12 to the position shown, resulting in the closing of the boiler valve. Other rollers on the wheel 23 act on the levers 28, 37, which on moving the rack further to right or left operate the valves mentioned. More than one distributer may be used and in operating the plant under consideration, the carburetter air valve, the stack valve and the oil cock require a second distributer B, Fig. 4, the pipes 75, 76, 77 being connected respectively to the cylinders actuating each of these valves. A corresponding power wheel is driven from shaft 21 and actuates a corresponding control system. Each of the controlled members of the plant is connected to a return bar 48 by means of which the movements of the member are repeated in the vicinity of the timing wheel and the arrangement is such that if any member fails to respond the corresponding return bar is displaced by a tappet on the timing wheel, this displacement resulting in all the controls being brought to a " shut down" position. The same result is effected if the current fails in the motor circuit, by the intermediary of an electromagnet 61 which releases a counterweight 55 which causes a valve 56 to put the pipe 14 into communication with the exhaust. The pawl actuating levers of each distributer may be adapted for manual operation.