Patent GB-345452-A (GB)
Title: A new or improved method or system for operating ships bulkhead doors
IPC: B63B19/00
Filed: 1930-02-25
Abstract: 345,452. Valves. HENDERSON, A., Cromdale, Banstead Road, Banstead, and ANDERSON, H. P. H., 62, Elgar Avenue, Tolworth, Surbiton, both in Surrey. Feb. 25, 1930, No. 6324. [Class 135.] A system of operating bulkhead doors comprises a closed fluid circuit, a reversible fluid pressure motor for each bulkhead door with gearing for opening the doors, a main control valve for reversing the flow of fluid throughout the system and local control valves for each door for opening the doors irrespective of the setting of the main control valve. The fluid supply is derived from a supply tank F. The pressure main G and the return main G<1> are connected up to the supply mains E, E<1> through the main control valve which comprises a casing h, Fig. 3, having ports g, g<1>, e, e<1> connected up to the respective mains, the ports communicating with the interior of the valve through two rings of orifices provided in a liner L. Inside the valve works a hollow plunger h<5> connected up to plunger rods h<4> which work through stuffing-boxes in the ends of the valve casing. The plunger works fluidtight in the valve casing, rings h<7> being provided which terminate in extended lips h<8>. The ports in the plunger and casing are so arranged that movement of the plunger from one end of the casing to the other causes a reversal of the flow of the fluid from the pressure main. The position of the plunger is electrically controlled from the central station by electrical gear operating the motor k<1> which rotates stepwise a drum k to which is eccentrically pivoted an arm j connected by linkwork with the plunger rod h<4>. The electrical circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 2 includes contacts arranged on the surface of the drum k and shows that when the main switch l is operated to connect the lead l<2> to the main l<1> the circuit to the motor will be completed through the contacts k<3>, k<4> and will drive the drum until the contact k<3> moves clear of its stud and meanwhile the pivot point j<2> is moved from its highest to its lowest position or vice versa to reverse the position of the plunger h<5> in its casing. By changing over the position of the' main switch, the motor drives the drum k through a further half revolution through the contact k<5>. The warning lamps <4>, l<5> and bells m are operated by other contacts on the drum. The local control valves are designed to enable all the doors to be simultaneously opened or closed from the main station and also the local closing or opening of the individual doors when the doors are set to "open or close" at the central station and in the latter case e the subsequent closure of the local door after the opening operation is ensured. The valve comprises a casing n to which the supply pipes c<1>.. c<6> are connected through the ports n<1> .. n<4>. These ports communicate with the interior of the casing through rings of orifices in a liner n<5>. A plunger n<5> works in this casing and is connected by a rod n<13> to one arm of a T-shaped handle n<18> controlled by a spring n<20> the other arm of the handle being connected up through a spring-plunger arrangement contained in a casing n<26> with a lever n<34> which is finally operated by an abutment on the bulkhead door. When the plunger n is in its normal position, i.e. " doors open " the supply pressure is communicated to the port n<4> and thence to the annular space between the two sets of lips n<10>. The return main c<2> being connected to the port n<3> and also through the supply main E to the return pipe G, there is no force tending to overcome the pull of the spring n<20> and the valve remains in equilibrium. Should it be desired to shut the door locally the handle n<18> is moved to the left and the plunger n<8> takes up the position shown in Fig. 4 with the flow of pressure fluid from the port n<4> out of the port n<1> through the motor to the port n<2> through the plunger to the port n<3>. When the central control is operated to close simultaneously all the doors, the pressure is applied through the port n<3> to the upper end of the liner n<5> through the axial bore n<11> to the bottom end of the liner n<1>. There is a larger pressure surface at the top of the plunger than the bottom and the plunger consequently moves downwards tilting the handle n<18> to the left against the action of the spring n<20>. The pressure fluid will thus have access to the port n<1> thence to the motor, to the port n<2>, through the annular space between the rings n<9> to the port n<4> which is connected to the supply main E<1>. The operation of the motor and closure of the doors is thus secured. With the door nearly closed, the arm a<16> thereon depresses the lever n<34> and through the spring plunger n<28> restores the plunger n<8> to its normal position. The final closure of the door is obtained through a small number of fine orifices arranged out of alignment with the main orifices n<6> in the liner n<5>. With the doors'all shut if the bridge control is set to " doors open " the pressure will be applied to the port n<4> by reversal of the main control valve and the pressure will be removed from the port n<3> and so from the upper end of the plunger. The force opposing the tendency of the springs n<20>, n<28> to return the valve to its normal position cutting off all flow will be removed and the plunger n<8> will return to its normal position. With all the doors closed local opening of the door is secured by moving the handle n<18> over to the left, the consequent movement of the plunger n<8> puts the port n<3> in communication with the port n<1> and thence to the motor back to the port n<2>. The operation of the motor thus opens the door but as soon as the pressure on the handle is released the plunger n<8> is, owing to the excess pressure on its top end, depressed to the bottom of the liner. The port n<3> is placed in communication with the port n<1> and the motor is operated to close the door.