Improvements in and relating to Water-gauges.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1890
· Complete Specification Left, 14th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Water-gauges.
We, JOHN ADDY HOPKINSON and JOSEPH HOPKINSON, both of the firm of
J. Hopkinson & Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
Our invention relates to improvements in the construction of water-gauges, and
more particularly to water-gauges of the kind or class wherein automatic or shut-off
valves are employed for preventing the escape of water and steam in case of
breakage of the gauge-glass.
Our improvements are designed to afford large and practical thoroughfares or
ways in such gauges for the flow of the water and steam to the gauge-glass; to
improve the efficiency of the said gauges; to facilitate the removal of the valve and
the cleaning of the said ways or thoroughfares; and to otherwise simplify the con-
struction of the said gauges.
In water-gauges hitherto constructed, a ring, washer or annular piece has, in
some instances, been employed in the top or steam arm, having a hole of con-
siderably less area than that of the way or thoroughfare of the gauge.
This ring
or annular piece was intended to diminish the area for the escape of steam in case
of breakage of the gauge-glass. This arrangement is fraught with serious
objections or defects, as the said ring or annular piece forms a permanent con-
traction of the steam thoroughfare; and our present invention is partly intended to
obviate these defects, and to afford, under the normal conditions of working, a clear
thoroughfare substantially the full area of the gauge, whilst permitting only a
diminished flow or escape of steam in case of breakage of the glass, and also
providing for the ready removal of the valve or ball. We are thus enabled more
effectually than heretofore to blow through the top arm and glass with the steam
from the boiler, whilst, in case of breakage of the gauge-glass, the steain-cock can
be shut with safety.
In carrying one part of our invention into effect, we connect the steam or top arm
and the water or lower arm by means of a glass in the usual manner, and we also
connect the said arms in any convenient manner by means of a supplementary pipe
or tube of metal or other suitable material. The connection through this tube
between the top and bottom arins is, under normal conditions, closed by a valve or
ball resting on an orifice or valve-seat at the top of the said tube, so that there is
an unobstructed thoroughfare between the boiler and the gauge-glass, and by
simply opening the bottom or try-cock, a full blow-through of the steam is ensured
through a way or thoroughfare equal to the full area of the orifice through the plug
of the steam-cock. The automatic valve in the bottom or water arm is constructed
and arranged in any convenient and advantageous manner. For instance a ball is
arranged upon an inclined plane and held in place by the cleaning screw or other
suitable device as described in the Specification filed with our Application for
Provisional Protection No. 1435 dated 27th January 1890. Or a ball is mounted
upon a spiral or other spring attached to the cleaning screw or other suitable device
as described in the Specification filed with our Application for Provisional Protection
No. 2839 dated 21st February 1890.
Should the gauge-glass break, the ball or valve in the bottom arm is immediately
forced against its seat and thereby prevents the escape of water, whilst the pressure
from the bottom arm acting, through the aforesaid supplementary tube, upon the
underside of the ball or valve in the top arm, and assisted by the escaping steam

page_text: forces this ball or valve to another seat, thereby closing the communication between
the boiler and the glass, and preventing the escape of steam. A. small subsidiary
hole is provided in the top arm, if desired, to restore equilibrium of pressure after
the gauge-glass has been replaced. In this form of our improved water-gauge, the
ordinary straight thoroughfare through the plug of the steam-cock is all that is
necessary, and the said plug does not require to be turned into any special position
as in some water-gauges hitherto constructed, whilst the thoroughfares of the
gauge can be cleaned in the usual manner by simply removing the ordinary cleaning
screw.
The said ball or valve in the top arm may be carried in a nut or screw inserted
in the top or side of the said arm or in any other convenient position; or it may be
placed within the plug of the cock, in which case we preferably employ an open-
bottom plug with the thoroughfare through it. The seats for the said ball or valve
may also be formed in the said mut or screw or in the plug of the cock.
The auxiliary or supplementary pipe or tube connecting the top and bottom arms
is an essential feature of this part of our invention, and we do not confine ourselves
to any special arrangement thereof, providing it connects the steam and water arms
in such a manner as to allow the pressure from the water-arm to act upon the said
ball or valve in the steam arm to drive it, or assist in driving it against its seat in
case of breakage of the gauge-glass.
According to another method of carrying our said invention into practice, which
is more particularly advantageous in the case of locomotives and steam-ships, we
attach the valve or ball to a spring or flexible arm in the top arm of the gauge,
somewhat similar to that described in the aforesaid Provisional Specification No. 2839
for shutting off the water. We prefer to employ a bridge-seat either separate
from, or formed on or attached to the top nut or screw, and having a large hole or
seat for the valve and also a smaller or subsidiary hole or bye-pass which is at all
times open.
The said bridge-piece or seating can be removed through the top hole
to permit the insertion of a new glass. Or the valve-seat is formed in the steam-arm
of the gauge and the bridge-piece is dispensed with. The valve or ball and its
spring or Hexible arm are attached to the cleaning screw or to another screw
inserted in the top or side of the steam arm, or are otherwise suitably arranged.
Should the glass break, the rush of steam forces the valve or ball to its seat and
thus closes the larger thoroughfare, leaving only the smaller aperture for the
escape of steam; the escaping steam is consequently so much diminished in
quantity as to enable the engineer to close the cock without danger, whilst the
aperture is sufficiently large to permit of obtaining equilibrium of the pressure in
the glass and in the boiler and thus preventing retention of the valve upon its seat
when the gauge is again in its normal condition.
According to another method of carrying our invention into practice, we insert a
bridge-piece or valve-seat either separate from, or formed on or attached to the top
nut or screw, through the hole in the top arm usually employed for putting in the
gauge-glass; this bridge or seating piece is provided with an inclined plane on
which the ball or valve rests, and with a vertical division or partition having a hole,
into which the cleaning screw enters so that it holds the ball or valve in a
suitable position on the said inclined plane. The gauge is so constructed that,
when the cleaning screw is removed, the valve or ball will roll out leaving the
steam thoroughfare of the gauge clear for cleaning. Above the valve or ball, there
is another hole through which the steam passes to the gauge-glass, and which forms
the seat for the ball or valve should the glass break. A smaller or subsidiary hole
may also be provided, which is always open to, and in connection with the steam
thoroughfare between the boiler and the glass. Should the gauge-glass break, the
ball or valve is immediately blown from the inclined plane and cleaning screw
against the upper hole or seat, thereby automatically closing the larger passage or
thoroughfare between the boiler and the gauge-glass, the only hole for the escape
of steam being the smaller or subsidiary hole used to ensure equilibrium of pressure

page_text: when the glass is replaced. By this arrangement, moreover, without wholly
removing the cleaning screw, the block and valve can be removed through the top
hole through which the glass is inserted and this is as simply done as in the case of
an ordinary gauge.
According to another modification of our invention, we dispense with the hole
through the block or piece which connects it directly to the steam thoroughfare
from the boiler, and we form the passage for the steam around or on the outside of
the said block or piece, the way or passage through the block or piece for con-
ducting the steam to the gauge-glass being behind the inclined plane on which the
ball rests.
In this arrangement, the said block or piece must be removed through
the hole in the top of the arm, to permit the cleaning and examination of the
steam thoroughfare.
In some instances we provide for preventing the loss of the ball or valve when
removed either from the bottom or water arm of the gauge or from the top or steam
arm thereof. For this purpose we attach the said ball or valve by a small link or
chain to the cleaning screw so that in taking out the latter the ball or valve will be
withdrawn therewith and will be suspended therefrom.
According to another modification of our said invention we arrange the ball
within a hollow extension of the cleaning screw, which extension has a passage for
the steam adapted to be closed by the ball, should the gauge-glass break, the valve-
seat being within the said extension. The said extension also has a small or
subsidiary hole which is always open for the passage of steam. This modification
of our invention is also applicable to the water arm of the gauge, in which case we
provide a supplementary passage to the try-cock so that the latter can be opened
without liability to forcing of the ball to its scat. Moreover on the restoration of
equilibrium of pressure after a gauge-glass has been replaced, the ball will fall
from its seat thus leaving a full way or thoroughfare for the steam or water.
It is obvious that the construction of our improved water-gauge can be somewhat
We
further modified without departing from the nature of our said invention.
prefer, however, to so construct it that the ball can be removed through the
cleaning screw hole, or through the hole for the top nut or screw. It is obvious,
moreover, that the smaller or subsidiary hole may be made through the ball, or the
ball may be grooved or fluted, or the seat grooved or otherwise suitably shaped so
as to permit the passage of steam for the purpose of restoring the equilibrium of
pressure on both sides of the valve after a gauge-glass has been replaced, whilst
leaving an unobstructed passage for the steam under normal conditions.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Water-gauges.
We, JOHN ADDY HOPKINSON and JOSEPH HOPKINSON, both of the firm of
J. Hopkinson & Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Engineers, 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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in the construction of water gauges, and
more particularly to water gauges of the kind or class wherein automatic or shut off*
valves are employed for preventing the escape of water and steam in case of
breakage of the gauge-glass.
Our improvements are designed to afford large and practical thoroughfares or
ways more particularly in the top or steam arm of such gauges for the flow of the
water and steam to the gauge-glass; to facilitate the removal of the valve and the

page_text: •
cleaning of the said ways or thoroughfares and to improve tlie efficiency of the
said gauges. Moreover in our improved ranges larger balls may be used than in
ordinary gauges as heretofore constructed:
In water gauges as heretofore constructed, a ring, washer, or annular piece chas,
in some instances; been employed in the top or steam arm, having a hole of 'con-
siderably less area than that of the way or thoroughfare of the gange. This ring
or ännular piece is intended to diminish the area of the orifice for the escape of
steam in case of breakage of the gauge-glass. Such an arrangement is however
very objectionable as the said ring or annular piece forms a permanent contraction
of the steam thoroughfare; it in fact measures the capacity of the gauge. Our
present invention intended to obviate the defects arising from this arrangement
and to afford, under the normal conditions of working, a clear thoroughfare equal in
area to the full area of the gauge, whilst permitting only a greatly diminished flow
or escape of steam in case of breakage of the glass, and also providing for the ready
removal of the valve or ball which closes the steam arm when the glass is broken.
We are thus enabled more effectually than heretofore to blow through the top arm
and glass with the steam from the boiler whilst in case of breakage of the gauge-
glass the steam-cock can be shut with safety.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown how our said invention may be
carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section through the upper and lower arms of a
water-gauge constructed according to our said invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the linea a Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal central section of a water gauge constructed according
to a modification of our invention.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line y Figure 3, and
Figure 5 is a partial plan of the upper or steam arm of Figure 3.
Figure 6 shows in central section the upper arm of a water gauge provided with
a spindle for the purpose hereinafter described.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the upper or steam arm and B the lower or water arm of the gauge, the said
arm being connected by a gauge glass C in the usual manner, D, D are the plug-
'cocks, and E is the try-cock.
In addition to the connection formed by the gauge-glass we also connect the
upper and lower arms by means of a supplementary pipe or tube of metal or other
suitable material. This pipe is preferably constructed in two sections F F one of
which is arranged to slide within the other, a stuffing box and gland F being
provided to prevent leakage at the joint and to allow of expansion. The said
sections are screwed or otherwise attached the one to the upper arm and the other
to the lower arm of the gauge each at a point between the gauge-glass and the
plug-cock.
As shown in Figure 1 the connection through this tube between the top and
bottom arms, is under normal conditions closed or partially closed by a valve or
ball G resting on an orifice or valve seat at the top of the said tube. The said
seat Gis preferably inclined as shown in Figure 2 and the ball is retained thereon
by a
screw G³, and it is obvious that the ball will roll out of the gauge when the
said screw G³ is removed. Moreover the said ball or valve lies within a deep
recess A¹ formed in the upper arm so as to allow of an unobstructed thoroughfare
between the boiler and the gauge-glass above the ball and, by simply opening the
bottom or try-cock E, a full discharge or blow-through" of the steam is ensured
through a way or thoroughfare the area of which is equal throughout to the full area
of the orifice through the plug of the steam cock D just as though no automatic
valve were in the top arm. The automatic valve in the bottom or water arm is
constructed and arranged in any convenient and advantageous manner. For instance
a ball H is arranged upon inclines Hand held in place by the cleaning screw H
or other suitable device as described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted
to us No. 1435 dated 27th January 1890. Or a ball may be mounted upon a'spiral

page_text: or other spring attached to the cleaning screw or other suitable device as described
in the Specification of prior Letters Patent granted to us No. 2839 dated
21st February 1890. Or any other suitable arrangement may be employed.
Should the gauge-glass break, the ball or valve H in the bottom arm is
immediately forced against its seat and thereby prevents the escape of water, whilst
the pressure from the bottom arm acting through the aforesaid supplementary tube
on the underside of the ball or valve G in the top arm, and assisted by the escaping
steam, forces this ball or valve against the seat G thereby closing the communication
between the boiler and the glass and preventing the escape of steam.
A small
subsidiary hole or bye-pass g is provided in the top arm, if desired to restore
equilibrium of pressure after the gauge-glass has been replaced or at any other time,
so that the ball will fall from its seat G. In this form of our improved water-gauge
the ordinary straight thoroughfare through the plug of the steam cock is all that is
necessary, and the said plug does not require to be turned into any special position
as in some water-gauges, heretofore constructed, whilst access to the thoroughfares
of the gauge for cleaning the same is obtained by simply removing the ordinary
cleaning screw I.
In the modification of our invention shown in Figures 3 to 5 the upper and lower
arms of the gauge are constructed with side projecting chambers A², B¹ in line
with the plug taps, and the supplementary tube sections F F are screwed or
otherwise attached to the said chambers. We form the plug taps D, D with axial
thoroughfares D', D¹ which open into the chambers A2, B1 and form a through
connection between the upper and lower arms of the gauge supplementary to the
gauge-glass. G is the valve or ball which normally rests on the upper end of the
tube F and closes the said tube as in the arrangement above described and does not
interfere with the free passage of the steam to the gauge-glass. When, however
the glass breaks the pressure of water from the bottom arm acting through the
tubes F, F forces the valve or ball G into the steam plug D and against the
seat G and closes the communication between the boiler and the glass and
prevents the escape of steam. A bye-pass may be formed in the seat G as in
the arrangement above described for the purpose of restoring the equilibrium of
pressure after a new glass has been inserted or at any other time.
The auxiliary or supplementary pipe or tube connecting the top and bottom arms
is an essential feature of our invention; we do not confine ourselves to any
special construction or arrangement thereof, providing it connects the steam and
water arms in such a manner as to allow the pressure from the water-arm to act
on the ball or valve G in the steam arm to drive it, or assist in driving it, against
its seat in case of breakage of the gauge-glass.
In Figure 6 we have shown an arrangement for forcing the valve or ball from
the seat G2 (to which it is driven when the gauge-glass breaks) so as to restore
free communication between the boiler and the gauge-glass. This arrangement
comprises a spindle J that passes through the cleaning screw I and is arranged
to slide therein in line with the thoroughfare of the top arm. A stuffing box l₁
is provided to prevent leakage. The said spindle has a collar J' to prevent its
being blown out by the steam pressure and has mounted on its outer end a disc or
knob J2 by which it may be forced inwards to cause the inner end to strike the
valve or ball G when on the seat G2 and force the same from the said seat thus
restoring the free communication between the boiler and gauge-glass. Immediately
the spindle J is released it is forced back by the pressure of the steam until the
collar Jrests against the inner face of the cleaning screw I. The disc or knob .J²
may be secured to the spindle J by screwing or by a pin J3 or otherwise.
In some cases we employ a spring in connection with the spindle J to keep the
valve or ball G from the seat G in cases except when the glass is broken.
Figure 7 is a central longitudinal section, and
Figure 8 is a section on the line Figure 7 showing the steam arm of a water
gauge constructed according to another part of our invention, and

page_text: Figures 9 and 10 are similar views of a further modified form of our improved
water-gauge.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8 we mount the ball or valve G, employed for closing
or partially closing the steam thoroughfare when the gauge-glass breaks, within a
block or seating piece K' formed by an extended part of the top nut or screw K.
In some cases we form the said block or seating piece separate from the top nut K
and arrange the same to fit the upper end of the gauge arm, and the nut K to screw
down on the said block to keep it in position. Or we may attach the block to the
nut if desired. The said block is formed with an inclined plane or with two inclined
ridges Gon which the ball G rests, and with a vertical division or partition K²
having provided therein two openings K³, K the former to permit of the insertion
and withdrawal of the ball or valve and the latter forming the thoroughfare leading
to the gauge-glass and also a valve seat against which the ball or valve G is forced
when the gauge-glass breaks. The opening K³ is so arranged as to be exactly
opposite the cleaning screw I when in position in the gauge and the said cleaning
screw is constructed to enter the said opening and to serve as a support to retain the
ball on the inclined seat G. Moreover the block K' is open at the back to the
steam thoroughfare leading to the boiler. We prefer to reduce the thickness of
the cleaning screw as shown at 12 so as not to restrict unduly the thoroughfare
leading to the gauge-glass. With this construction of gauge arm it is obvious that
the ball or valve G will roll out of the said arm when the cleaning screw is removed,
leaving the steam thoroughfare of the gauge clear for cleaning. is a small
subsidiary hole or bye-pass always open to and in connection with the steam
thoroughfare between the boiler and the gauge-glass.
The action of our improved gauge is obvious and may be very briefly described.
When the gauge-glass breaks, the rush of steam carries the ball or valve G upwards
and throws it against the seating formed by the opening K thus automatically closing
the larger or main passage or thoroughfare between the boiler and the gauge-glass
and preventing the escape of steam except through the bye-pass g which is used to
ensure equilibrium of pressure when the glass is replaced or at other times.
By this arrangement, moreover, without wholly removing the cleaning screw, the
block and valve can be removed through the top hole through which the glass is
inserted, and this is as simply done as in the case of an ordinary gauge.
In the modification shown in Figures 9 and 10 instead of connecting the recess of
the block K' directly to the steam thoroughfare of the boiler, we form the passage
for the steam around or on the outside of the said block to the front thereof and
thence downwards through the block by a thoroughfare K✦ leading to the gauge-
glass. The ball or valve is retained on the inclined plane G¹ by the cleaning screw
as in the previously described arrangement, and it is blown by the rush of steam
when the gauge-glass breaks to the seating formed by the opening K¹ as above
described, while leaving open the small subsidiary hole or bye-pass g. In this
arrangement very ample thoroughfares through the gauge are secured but in order
to permit cleaning or examination of the steam thoroughfare leading to the boiler
it is necessary to remove the block K¹ which can be done through the hole in the
top of the arm.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. In a water-gauge the combination with the upper and lower arms, and
the gauge-glass, of a supplementary connection between the said arms, for the
purpose specified.
Second. A water-gauge provided with a connection between the upper and lower
arms supplementary to the gauge-glass, and having an automatic shut-off valve or
ball in the upper arm, for the purpose specified.
Third. In the top or steam arm of a water-gauge, the use of a ball for the purpose

page_text: specified, which ball is retained on an inclined surface by a lateral support, on the
removal of which the ball will roll out of the arm.
Fourth. A steam arm of a water-gauge having a ball arranged on an inclined.
plane in combination with thoroughfares leading to the gauge-glass, substantially as
described for the purpose specified.
Fifth. A water-gauge constructed substantially as herein described and illustrated
in Figure 1, or in Figures 3 and 4, or in Figure 6, or in Figures 7 to 10 of the
drawings, for the purposes specified.
Datel this Lith 1
1001
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.