Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Flow of Compressed Gases.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 8th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 12th Oct., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Flow of Compressed
Gases.
ALEXANDER THOMAS CLARKSON 28 Bartletts Buildings Holborn Circus E.C.
Scientific Instrument Maker, and JAMES BLEWITT SPURGE 2 Gloucester
Chambers Gloucester Street London W.C. Engineer do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more particularly to apparatus for use with gases that are
contained under pressure in cylinders or vessels for convenience of transport
The object of which is to obtain a uniform flow of the gas at a constant and
conveniently reduced pressure.
In the Patent granted to us No. 11,518 A.D. 1889 are described certain improve-
ments fulfilling this object, but are defective only on account of the flexible
diaphragms, covers or caps (6 & 61 Fig. I in the drawings accompanying it). These
being made of organic materials prevent the apparatus from being made gas tight,
on account of the diffusion that is constantly taking place through the substances
composing them.
The object of this invention is to remedy this defect, by the application of metal
diaphragms caps or covers either by themselves or in combination with these
substances.
These diaphragms, caps or covers can be made without, or with one or more
corrugations either, cylinderical spirally, concentric, excentric or radially arranged,
with reference to the centre of movement, or a combination of two or more may be
used for the purpose of increasing the distance traversed when acted upon by any
given pressure of gases, in order that they shall more effectually operate the valve
mechanism.
Dated this 15th day of January 1895
ALEXANDER THOMAS CLARKSON.
JAMES BLEWITT SPURGE.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Flow of Compressed
Gases.
ALEXANDER THOMAS CLARKSON of 28 Bartletts Buildings Holborn Circus
London E.C. Scientific Instrument Maker and JAMES BLEWITT SPURGE of
2 Gloucester Chambers Gloucester Street London W.C. Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates more particularly to apparatus for use with gases that are
contained under pressure in cylinders or vessels for convenience of transport, they
can also be employed for other purposes, the object of which is to obtain a uniform
flow of the gas at a constant and conveniently reduced pressure.

page_text: In the Patent granted to us No. 11,518 A.D. 1889 are described certain improve-
ments fulfilling this object, but are defective only on account of the flexible
diaphragins, covers or caps & Fig. I in the drawings accompanying it.
These diaphragms, caps, or covers, can be made (by either of the methods known
as spinning and stamping) without or with one or more corrugations either
cylinderical, spirally concentric, excentric or radially disposed with reference to
the centre of movement.
In the accompanying drawings
Figs. I and II 6' & " are a form of metallic diaphragm as applied to a two,
and single stage regulator respectively, showing also method of supporting their
centre portions and the fixing and making of a tight joint at their outer edges.
The supports are W W₁ and W" their object is to prevent b & " from
becoming damaged by the springs S S and S" when the regulators are out of use
and consequently not subjected to internal pressure, otherwise they would become
so deformed as to greatly deteriorate them for the purpose required.
In the case of W it consists of a bar having a hole for the stem n to pass through,
shown in cross section W to the form given to the partition and W" indirectly by
means of the plug P acting on the end of the stem n¹ which in its turn supports
For fixing their outer edges circular recesses R R & R are provided upon the
boxes or chambers, upon their interior surfaces are formed female screws. On
their flat portions a layer of lead, indiarubber or other suitable yielding
material T T and T is first laid, upon which the diaphragms band rest.
Clamping rings C C₁and (having corresponding male screws are then screwed
into these recesses, the result of this is to force the diaphragms uniformly on to the
yielding material which on being compressed makes good contact and effectually
secures a tight joint.
In order to facilitate their construction enabling the testing of each separately in
the case of the two stage regulator and for final adjustment of both kinds, the
chamber or box of the former is made in two portions, a similar joint to that
employed for the diaphragms being used as shown J Fig. I in the single stage
regulator, the plug P Fig. 11 fulfils a similar purpose.
For very low outlet pressures wherein the diaphragms are required to be very
sensitive to change of pressure, we make them of extremely thin leaf metal or foil,
and in order to strengthen them they are mounted upon a thin disc of sheet india-
rubber, kid, chamois, wash leather or similar material they are sometimes enclosed
between two such discs, in this condition they can be put into the die press and
given the necessary corrugations or form, when they will be found sufficiently
stable to be handled without damage accrueing in the process of mounting.
Having now particularly described the nature of our invention and in what
matter the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is
The diaphragms 61 & 6" composed entirely or partly of metal in combination
with the mechanism shown in Fig. I and II specially the cam action D D also in
combination with the mechanism comprising the levers M & M as shown on the
drawings accompanying our Specification 11,518 A.D. 1889 both of these for
the regulation of gases under pressure, substantially for the purpose herein set forth
and described.
Dated this 6th of August 1895.
ALEXANDER T. CLARKSON.
JAMES B. SPURGE.