Regulating or Reducing Valves or Apparatus for Regulating and Reducing the Pressure of Steam, Compressed Air, Gas, or other Elastic Fluids under Pressure.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1887
Complete Left, 29th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1888
Regulating or Reducing Valves or Apparatus for Regulating and
Reducing the Pressure of Steam, Compressed Air, Gas, or other
Elastic Fluids under Pressure.
J
I HENRY MCLAREN of 3 Hyde Park Terrace Leeds Yorkshire Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to regulators, or reducing valves for steam, compressed air,
gas or other elastic bodies, which for convenience of use it is required to reduce from
a higher to a lower pressure. For instance in a Locomotive or other Conveyance
propelled by steam it is sometimes necessary to pull up quickly or to retard the speed
when going down hill. For this purpose Steam brakes are commonly used. An
ordinary cock or valve would suffice to admit the steam pressure from the boiler to
the Steam brake cylinder, but it will be evident that by the sudden opening of such
a cock or valve the full boiler pressure would be at once conveyed to the brake which
would be immediately applied with its full force and such sudden application might
be a source of much danger as well as inconvenience. In descending long inclines
where the resistance to the Engine or Vehicle is constant it is necessary to apply the
brake with just sufficient force to control the speed which cannot be done by an
ordinary cock or valve, for however slightly these may be opened the pressure
of steam flowing through even the smallest aperture will accumulate in the brake
cylinder until it becomes equal to the pressure on the boiler thus putting the brake
hard on.
The same remarks apply to compressed air and other gaseous bodies. In my
Invention I divide my device into two classes, One to reduce by hand or at will the
pressure from the boiler or other vessel in which the compressed steam or other
gaseous body is generated or contained to any pressure between that pressure and the
pressure of the atmosphere and the other to reduce the normal pressure automatically
to a lower fixed or constant pressure, such as is required to do any accurately
ascertained work, as in the case of reducing compressed illuminating gas to a burning
pressure. As this latter device is principally designed to reduce automatically from a
varying high pressure to a uniformly low pressure, I shall hereafter distinguish it by

page_text: referring to it as the "automatic low pressure regulator," while the former one I shall
refer to as the "high pressure regulator." In both these devices I employ the
principle of the balance, so applied as to give the required pressure in the discharge
pipes or orifices.
My high pressure regulator consists of a metal casing with an inlet for the fluid
under pressure, which inlet is controlled by a valve upon the end of a spindle, having
a hollow thread at one end in which a screw works. This screw is worked by means
of a hand-wheel. Or the valve may be worked by a hand-lever or other convenient
arrangement. At one side of the casing are two openings, the one being the
delivery or outlet from the casing of the reduced fluid into the brake pipe or other
vessel, and the other being the exhaust or waste pipe therefrom. A plug or piston is
fitted into an extension of each of the said openings inside the casing, the said plugs
being guided at the top in guides, which also form caps, by removing which, the
plugs or pistons can be removed and replaced. The full pressure of the fluid inside
the casing is maintained inside the caps by means of openings therein, communicating
with the casing. The pressure of fluid inside the casing is therefore always acting
upon these plugs or pistons to the extent, due to the area of the outlet and exhaust
aforesaid. The position of the plugs or pistons in their respective cylinders is
however regulated by a balance lever turning upon a fulcrum formed in any cor-
venient manner for example it may be made solid with the spindle of the valve
controlling the inlet to the casing. The plugs or pistons are suspended upon this
balance lever and have each the same pressure upon them as they are of the same
area consequently they are in equipoise but the moment the position of the fulcrum
is changed in either direction the equilibrium is disturbed and though the pressure
still remains the same on each of the plugs or pistons the one furthest from the
fulcrum has the advantage of the increased leverage over the other which imparts to
it a downward movement the other one on the opposite end of the balance lever being
correspondingly raised.
It will thus be seen that when the valve controlling the inlet to the casing is
opened the fulcrum is moved in the direction of the piston or plug in connection
with the waste pipe thereby disturbing the equilibrium and causing the plug or piston
in connection with the outlet from the casing to be depressed. This latter plug has
its diameter reduced so as to constitute it also a piston valve so that when it is
depressed it first closes a passage leading from the cylinder of this plug to the
cylinder of the waste pipe plug and then opens a port or passage through the casing
whereby the fluid passes from the casing into the outlet causing a pressure in the pipe
or vessel with which it communicates.
This pressure of course acts on the under side of the plug or piston and so soon
as it accumulates sufficiently to balance the difference in the leverage as aforesaid it
raises the plug of the outlet (which is restored to equilibrium) at the same time
closing the port or passage for outlet of the fluid from the casing supposing the
area of the cylindrical parts of the openings in which the plugs operate to be one
square inch and the distance apart of the plugs to be two inches with a fluid pressure
of 100 lbs. in the casing and the fulcrum to be exactly in the centre the two plugs
would be in equilibrium but supposing the fulcrum to be moved half an inch towards
the plug of the waste pipe the equilibrium will be disturbed and the plug of the outlet
from the casing (having the advantage of a leverage of three to one over the waste
plug) would be at once depressed and the waste plug correspondingly raised So
soon however as the fluid pressure in the outlet rises to 75 lbs. on the square inch
(being three fourths of the total pressure in the casing) it will counteract the effect
of the excess of leverage of the outlet plug over the waste plug and the equilibrium
will be restored the plug outlet raised the fluid outlet passage closed and a pressure of
75 lbs. on the square inch will be left standing in the outlet opening and the vessel
with which it communicates although there will still be the full pressure of 100 lbs. in
the casing The instrument being left in this condition with the full pressure in the
casing if from any cause such as condensation or leakage the pressure in the outlet
should fall below 75 lbs, on the square inch the equilibrium will be again disturbed

page_text: and the plug or piston of the outlet will be depressed until such a sufficient supply of
fluid has been admitted through the outlet passage as will restore the equilibrium
again when the passage will again be closed-It is therefore evident that by merely
moving the fulcrum the pressure can be instantly varied at will and in whatever
position it is left the pressure due to that position will be left and maintained in
the outlet opening and the vessel with which it may communicate When it is
desired to release the pressure from the outlet opening or the receiver it is only
necessary to move the fulcrum in the direction in which the inlet valve to the
casing will be closed that is towards the outlet plug when the waste plug not only
obtains the advantage of a leverage over the outlet plug but is further assisted by
the pressure already in the outlet. The waste plug or piston is then instantly
depressed and the outlet plug raised until it opens the exhaust passage which opens
up a communication between the outlet pipe or the receiver with which it is connected,
and the exhaust pipe by which the fluid escapes and the pressure in the outlet is
relieved.
When the valve for inlet of fluid to the casing is closed and the instrument at rest
the fulcrum is a little nearer the plug or piston of the outlet so that any pressure
which may be in the casing or in the outlet serves to depress the plug of the
exhaust.
The Invention when applied as what I have called "low pressure regulator
consists of a metal case in one or more chambers.
"
The high pressure air or gas is admitted to the apparatus through a tube or
opening which forms at its inner bed a face or seating upon which a valve bears.
This valve may be formed of a disc of leather or other suitable material driven into
the end of a spindle which is moved backwards and forwards by a lever and is kept
in position by the guides.
The lever is hinged at one end (on one side of the valve spindle) upon a fixed point
and at the other end (on the other side of the valve spindle) it is connected to a piston
working in a cylinder' forming a clamp, which bears upon, and holds in position a fine
membrane of india rubber or leather or other suitable material, which forms a packing
and prevents the pressure from forcing the air or gas in the chamber past the piston:
By means of a spring the valve is kept open, until the pressure of compressed air or
gas entering the apparatus causes a sufficient pressure therein to depress the piston
and close the inlet valve. The pressure at which the piston will act can of course
also be regulated to some extent by the spring under it. When it is required to
reduce the pressure extremely low, as in the case of compressed gas for burning
purposes, I prefer to reduce it from a very high to a moderate pressure in one casing
and reduce it to its final pressure in a further casing or casings. The means of
such further reduction are substantially the same as for the first reduction the parts
being if desired somewhat modified to meet the requirements of the lower pressure.
The low pressure air or gas escapes by an outlet through the casing-In the con-
struction of this regulator I prefer to arrange the lever or levers so that they hang
vertically and are thereby unaffected by the vibration of the vehicle or other object
apon which the regulator is fixed.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C.,
Agents.

page_text: Regulating or Reducing Valves or Apparatus for Regulating and
Reducing the Pressure of Steam, Compressed Air, Gas, or other
Elastic Fluids under Pressure.
I HENRY MCLAREN of 3 Hyde Park Terrace Leeds Yorkshire Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this Invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My Invention relates to regulators or reducing valves for Steam compressed air
gas or other Elastic fluids under pressure which for convenience of use it is required
to reduce from a higher to a lower pressure. An example of its application may be
formed in the case of a locomotive or other motor propelled by Steam in which the
application of the brake is frequently necessary, either to stop the train as quickly as
possible or merely to retard its speed more or less, as when going down-hill. For
this purpose, Steam-brakes are commonly used. An ordinary cock or valve would
suffice to admit the Steam pressure from the boiler to the Steam-brake cylinder, but
it will be evident that by the sudden opening of such a cock or valve, the full boiler
pressure would be at once conveyed to the brake which would be immediately applied
with its full force, and such sudden application might be a source of much danger, as
well as inconvenience. In descending long inclines where the resistance to the
Engine is constant it is necessary to apply the brake with just sufficient force to
control the speed, which cannot be done by an ordinary cock or valve, for however
slightly these may be opened, the pressure of Steam flowing through even the smallest
aperture, will accumulate in the brake cylinder until it becomes equal to the pressure
in the boiler, thus putting the brake hard on. The same remarks apply to compressed
air and other gaseous or fluid bodies. In my Invention, I divide my device into two
classes, one to reduce, by hand, or at will, the pressure from the boiler or other vessel
in which the compressed Steam or other gaseous body is generated or contained, to
any pressure between that pressure and the pressure of the atmosphere, and the other
to reduce the normal pressure automatically to a lower fixed or constant pressure,
such as is required to do any accurately ascertained work, as in the case of reducing
compressed illuminating gas to a burning pressure. As this latter device is principally
designed to reduce automatically from a varying high pressure to a uniformly low
pressure, I shall hereafter distinguish it by referring to it as the "automatic low-
pressure regulator," while the former one, I shall refer to as the "high-pressure
regulator." In both these devices, I employ the principle of the balance so applied
as to give the required pressure in the discharge pipes or orifices.
I will explain my high-pressure regulator, by reference to figures 1, 2 3 and 3*,
of the accompanying drawings which are respectively a longitudinal Section, a
transverse Section on the line UV a plan and an end view, Figures 4, and 6,
illustrating a detail as hereinafter described. It consists of a metal casing Á with an

page_text: two
inlet B, for the fluid under pressure which inlet is controlled by a valve C, upon the
end of a spindle D, having a hollow thread D' at one end, in which a screw E is
worked by means of a hand-wheel F. Or the valve may be worked by a hand-lever
or any other convenient arrangement. At one side of the casing are
openings H and G, the one G being the outlet or delivery of the high-pressure fluid
from the casing into the brake-pipe or other vessel, where the reduced pressure is
required, and the other, H, being the exhaust or waste-pipe therefrom. A plug or
piston, (marked respectively I and K,) is fitted into an extension of each of the said
openings inside the casing, the said plugs being guided at the top in guides G2 H' which
also form caps, by removing which, the plugs or pistons I K can be taken out and replaced.
The full pressure of the fluid, inside the casing A is maintained inside the caps by means
of openings L L, therein, forming communicating passages between the casing and the
caps. The pressure of fluid inside the casing is therefore always acting upon these
plugs or pistons I K to the extent due to the area of the outlet and exhaust aforesaid.
The vertical position of the plugs or pistons I K in their respective cylinders H¹ G'
is however regulated by a balance lever M turning upon a fulcrum N formed in any
convenient manner for example it may be made as shown solid with the spindle of
the valve C controlling the inlet to the casing A. The plugs or pistons I K are
suspended upon this balance lever M and having each the same pressure upon them
as they are of the same area they are consequently in equipoise, but the moment the
position of the fulcrum N is changed in either direction the equilibrium is disturbed
and though the pressure still remains the same on each of the plugs or pistons I K
the one furthest from the fulcrum N has the advantage of the increased leverage over
the other which imparts to it a downward movement, the other one of the said plugs
or pistons on the opposite end of the balance lever being correspondingly raised.
in
It will thus be seen that when the valve controlling the inlet B to the casing A
is opened, the fulcrum N is moved in the direction of the piston or plug
connection with the waste pipe H thereby disturbing the equilibrium and causing
the plug or piston K in connection with the outlet G from the casing to bo depressed.
This plug or piston K has its diameter reduced at O so as to constitute it also a
piston-valve so that when it is depressed it first closes a passage Q leading from the
cylinder G of this plug K to the cylinder H¹ of the waste-pipe plug I and then opens
a port or passage P through the casing A whereby the fluid passes from the said
casing into the outlet at G causing a pressure in the pipe or vessel with which the
said outlet communicates.
This pressure of course acts on the under side of the plug or piston K and so soon
as it accumulates sufficiently to balance the difference in the leverage as aforesaid the
said plug K is thereby restored to equilibrium and rises, thereby closing the port or
passage P for outlet of the fluid from the casing.
Supposing the area of the cylindrical parts of the openings in which the plugs
operate, to be one square inch and the distance apart of the plugs to be two inches
and that there is a fluid pressure of 100 lbs. in the casing and that the fulcrum is
exactly in the centre, the two plugs would be in equilibrium, but supposing the
fulcrum to be moved half an inch towards the plug of the waste pipe, the equilibrium
will be disturbed and the plug of the outlet from the casing (having the advantage of
a leverage of three to one over the waste plug) would be at once depressed and the
waste plug correspondingly raised. So soon however as the fluid pressure in the
outlet rises to 75 lbs. on the square inch (being three fourths of the total pressure in
the casing) it will counteract the effect of the excess of leverage of the outlet plug
over the waste plug and the equilibrium will be restored, the outlet plug raised, the
fluid outlet passage closed, and a pressure of 75 lbs. on the square inch will be left
standing in the outlet opening from G and the vessel with which it communicates
although there will still be the full pressure of 100 lbs. in the casing A. The
instrument being left in this condition with the full pressure in the casing if from any
cause such as condensation or leakage, the pressure in the outlet should fall below
75 lbs. on the square inch, the equilibrium will be again disturbed and the plug or
piston of the outlet will be depressed until such a sufficient supply of fluid has been

page_text: admitted, through the passage P as will restore the equilibrium again, when the
passage will again be closed. It is therefore evident that by merely moving the
fulcrum, the pressure can be instantly varied at will and in whatever position it is
left the pressure due to that position will be left and maintained in the outlet opening
and the vessel with which it may communicate. When it is desired to release the
pressure from the outlet opening or the receiver it is only necessary to move the
fulcrum N in the direction in which the inlet valve to the casing will be closed that
is towards the outlet plug K when the waste plug I not only obtains the advantage
of a leverage over the plug K but is further assisted by the pressure already in the
outlet. The waste plug or piston I is then instantly depressed and the outlet plug K
raised until it opens the exhaust passage Q which opens communication between the
outlet pipe G or the receiver with which it is connected and the exhaust pipe H by
which the fluid escapes and the pressure in the outlet is relieved.
When the valve C for inlet of fluid to the casing is closed and the instrument at
rest the fulcrum N may be a little nearer the plug or piston K of the outlet G so
that any pressure which may be in the casing or in the outlet serves to depress the
plug I of the exhaust and tends to prevent any leakage from the casing in the event
of the inlet valve to the same not being properly closed.
Although in the drawing the pistons or plugs are shewn in a vertical position they
may be arranged in any other convenient position. Figure 4 is a plan of the
valve. C and its rod separately. Figure 5 is a transverse section of the screw E and
Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line Y Z Figure 4.
The arrangement by which the screw E is retained, in position longitudinally is so
clearly shown in Figure 1 that it requires no special description.
The section of the valve rod Figure 6 shews clearly the passages for the fluid under
pressure from B into A. ST are screws acting as guides in the recesses in the
ribs of the valve rod.
Although I have shewn the fulcrum N and the valve C as being operated by the
same rod yet it will be evident that the invention is not confined to this arrangement
as the fulcrum and the valve may both be operated independently by any arrangement
suited to the purpose.
Figures 1A 2A 3A and 4 shew a modified construction of the valve with a moveable
fulcrum as hereinbefore described Figure 1A being longitudinal section Figure 2ª a
sectional plan and Figures 3 and 4 sections on the lines 1-2 and 3-4 (Figure 1A)
respectively.
The high pressure which is to be reduced enters the casing A at B through the
valve C and acts upon the piston K which has a piston rod connected by a pin k² to
the lever M turning on the moveable fulcrum N and so the pressure closes the valve
against the high pressure and only admits pressure as required; m is the valve spindle
upon which the valve Crests. The position of the fulcrum N determines the pressure
in the casing A and the pipes or vessel with which it communicates through the
outlet G.
If a low pressure be required the fulcrum N is moved towards the valve C giving
the piston K a leverage superior to the valve C and consequently a comparatively low
pressure on the piston K is sufficient to close the valve Cagainst the high pressure.
If it be desired to increase the pressure in the casing the fulcrum N is moved towards
the piston rod k thereby reducing the leverage of the piston and consequently a higher
pressure is required in the casing to enable the piston K to close the valve C against
the incoming pressure.
The lever M is guided by the slot m² in the casing this slot being arranged (as
shewn) to allow the valve C to lift a sufficient distance from its seat to admit a full
head of pressure and until this is attained the lever M rests in the end of the slot m²
and prevents the valve C from getting out of place laterally.
The fulcrum N is fitted with a small roller so that when the said fulcrum is moved
under pressure it does not cut the lever, the said roller is carried in mountings n²
sliding on facings a in the casing so that the whole of the pressure on the fulcrum is
imparted direct to the casing. The fulcrum N is moved in either direction by means

page_text: of the screw D engaging with a nut n let into a recess in the fulcrum mountings and
is allowed a little play so that it is not absolutely necessary to have the facings, fulcrum
and screw in line with each other, any end play in the screw can be taken up by the
set screw d. The screw spindle D projects beyond the casing and is provided with a
hand wheel for operating. The piston K works. in a cylinder K2 and the pistou
spindle k is guided by the recess a² in the casing A. Pressure is admitted into a²
through the hole so that there is constantly the same pressure in a² as in the
casing A. The cylinder K2 is in communication with the atmosphere through the
hole k⭑.
Although I have shown a piston it will be understood that the lever M can be
worked by a metallic diaphragm or by a piston covered with a rubber diaphragm such
as has commonly been used in steam reducing valves and that instead of a screw for
moving the fulcrum it can be moved by a lever or by hand and fixed by a set screw
or wedge at any desired point.
This Invention when applied to what I have called low pressure regulator consists
of a metal case in one or more chambers and arrangements such as I will now describe
with reference to the two chambered arrangements shewn in longitudinal vertical section
in Figure 7 in transverse section in Figure 8, and in part longitudinal section and part
elevation in Figure 9. The high pressure air or gas is admitted to the apparatus through a
tube or opening E which forms at its inner end a face or seating upon which a valve G
bears. This valve G may be formed of a disc of leather or other suitable material
driven into the end of a spindle F which is moved backwards and forwards by a
lever H and is kept in position by the guides H². The lever is binged upon a fixed
joint or pin at the end I on one side of the valve spindle F and at the other end which
is on the other side of the said spindle F it is connected by the rod J to a piston K
working in a cylinder L, forming a clamp which bears upon and holds in position a
fine membrane S of india rubber or leather or other suitable material, which forms a
packing and prevents the pressure from forcing the air or gas in the chamber past the
piston K. By means of a spring M the valve G is kept open until the pressure of
compressed air or gas entering the apparatus causes a sufficient pressure therein to
move the piston against the power of the spring M and so cause the lever H to move
the spindle F to close the inlet valve. The pressure at which the piston K will act
can of course be regulated to some extent by the spring M. When it is required to
reduce the pressure extremely low, as in the case of compressed gas for burning
purposes, I prefer to reduce it from a very high to a moderate pressure in one casing
and reduce it to its final pressure in a further casing or casings. The means of such
further reduction are substantially the same as for the first reduction the parts being
if desired somewhat modified to meet the requirements of the lower pressure. The
arrangement is shewn in Figure 7.
The gas from the chamber A passes into the chamber B by the pipe E¹ and valve G¹
as in the chamber A. The other parts are also substantially the saine and are mostly
marked with the same letters with the numeral "1" added but in this chamber B a
larger diaphragm S' is shewn secured between the cover D and sides of the chamber B
and strengthened by a disc N. The piston V is small and works in the chamber o
containing the spring M₁ the pressure of which is regulated by the screw P provided
with the lock nut Q. R is the outlet for the gas to the place of consumption. Where
A is the only chamber used this outlet R will of course be in that chamber. In the
construction of this regulator I prefer to arrange the lever or levers so that they hang
vertically and are thereby unaffected by the vibrations of the vehicle or other object
upon which the regulator is fixed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
First In valves or apparatus for regulating or reducing the pressure of steam or
other fluid under pressure a fulcrum which is moveable for adjusting the leverage on
the pressure regulating devices substantially as hereinbefore described.

page_text: Second-In valves or apparatus for regulating or reducing the pressure of steam
or other fluid under pressure a fulcrum which is moveable for adjusting the leverage
on the pressure regulating devices the latter being enclosed in a casing outside which
are situated the device or means in connection with the moveable fulcrum for
adjusting it.
Third In valves or apparatus for regulating or reducing the pressure of steam
or other fluid under pressure the combination of plugs or pistons situated in outlet
and waste passages and operated by a lever substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth A regulating valve or apparatus arranged or constructed and operating
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1,
2, 3 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Fifth The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the valve or apparatus
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of the accom-
panying Drawings for the purpose described.
Sixth-The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the valve or apparatus
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the
accompanying drawings for the purpose described.
Seventh-The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the reducing
valve or apparatus for gases substantially as herein before described and illustrated in
Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings whether there be but one or more
than one chamber.
D L 1 11
1
1
1007