Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding, Regulating, and Indicating the Level of Water in Steam Boilers and other Receptacles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 26th June, 1890-Accepted, 26th July, 1890
TROYLOIONAL DIRITTOATION
Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding, Regulating, and Indicating
the Level of Water in Steam Boilers and other Receptacles.
JOHN THOMSON Germiston Mains Springburn Glasgow Lanarkshire Teacher, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
My Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for feeding steam boilers and
for regulating and indicating the level of water in steam generators and vessels of
an analogous kind.
The apparatus being of the class wherein the float is placed inside the boiler or
vessel, while the float lever and mechanism for opening and closing the valves is
fitted in an outside chest, said chest being generally placed on a stool on the upper
end of the boiler. The improvements are also applicable to apparatus of a corre-
sponding design, where the float and mechanism may be wholly inside the steam
vessel.
In apparatus of the aforesaid description the float has a tendency to vary in
density due to water searching through the metal. My first improvement consists
in charging the float with bitumen, woodite or other analogous mineral or fibrous
material, or the float may be filled with water, oil or other liquid, or, with this
special arrangement of external chest I may employ as a float, a block of wood,"
argillaceous material or stone.
My second improvement relates to a mode of obtaining a high and low water
alarm indication with a single float and whistle.
To effect this end the float lever instead of operating the steam valves direct, is
made to actuate an intermediate lever having its fulcrum some distance from the
float lever fulcrum, the paps or pins on each side of the float lever fulcrum being
arranged to bear against and cause the intermediate lever to ascend on the float
rising or falling; the intermediate lever in ascending opening a steam valve and
permitting steam to escape and sound the alarm whistle.
My third improvement relates to a mode of releasing the steam from the boiler on
the low water alarm not leading to the feed being put on. To effect this end the
float lever in addition to operating the valve to the low water alarm whistle is
made to open a larger steam valve preferably of the equilibrium type and permits
the steam to escape into the atmosphere. The spindle for opening said valve is
so adjusted that the spindle will be actuated on the float falling to the lowest safe
working level of water in the boiler.
My fourth improvement relates to a mode of removing surplus water from the
boiler, which consists in leading a hollow tube or pipe from the boiler at the level
above which the water should not rise. and connecting said tube with a chamber in
which is filled a float, the float on the water accumulating, setting in motion a dis-
charge valve to permit the water to escape.
My fifth improvement relates to the mode of feeding the boiler and consists in
having an outside chamber connected with the boiler at its upper and lower end, the
feed water being pumped into said chamber preferably by being precipitated through
the steam in the upper end in the form of spray, the water passing from the chamber
to the boiler by the channel at its lower end. The float for regulating the steam
valves leading to whistle, atmosphere, or feeder, is also preferably placed in said
outside chamber. The chamber may have scum or sludge cocks for removing
impurities sent in with the feed water.
"
Dated this 25th day of September 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding, Regulating, and Indicating
the Level of Water in Steam Boilers and other Receptacles.
I, JOHN THOMSON, of Germiston Mains, Springburn, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Teacher do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My Invention relate to improvements in apparatus for feeding steam boilers, and
for regulating and indicating the level of water in steam generators and vessels of
an analogous kind, the apparatus being of the class wherein the float is placed
inside the boiler or vessel while the float lever and mechanism for opening and
closing the valves is fitted in an outside chest, the said chest being generally
placed on a stool on the upper end of the boiler. The improvements are also
applicable to apparatus of a corresponding design where the float and mechanism
may be wholly inside the steam vessel.
In apparatus of the aforesaid description the float has a tendency to vary in
density due to water searching through the material. I therefore charge the float
with bitumen, woodite, or other analogous mineral or fibrous material, or with this
special arrangement of external chest 1 may employ as a float a block of wood,
argillaceous material, or stone.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have hereunto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings, in the several
figures of which corresponding or equivalent parts are marked with the same letters
of reference.
Figure 1. is a sectional elevation of my improvements for indicating the water
level in steam boilers.
Figure 2. is a similar view to Figure 1, but with a steam escape valve.
Figure 3. is a part section and part elevation showing the mode of removing any
⚫surplus water from the boiler; and
Figure 4. is a part section and part elevation showing the mode of feeding the
boiler.
A is the boiler, on the outside of which there is a chest or chamber B, resting
on a stool C placed on the top of the boiler A. Inside of this chest or chamber B
is fulcrumed at e a lever D, having a long arm E, and a short arm E. Pivoted
or otherwise secured to the long arm E of the lever D there is a rod F, which
projects into the steam space of the boiler A, and at the end of this rod F there is
a float G charged with bitumen, woodite, or other analogous mineral or fibrous
material. At or near the end of the short arm E' of the lever D there is a weight
H acting as a counterpoise to the float G. On the top of the chest or chamber B
there is an alarm whistle I, having a steam outlet valve J connected to the lever
D at f.
When the water K falls below the normal level, the float G falls, and by its
weight draws down the long arm E of the lever D. and opens the valve J. and
so allows steam to escape from the chamber B, and thus sounding the alarm
whistle calls the attention of the attendant.
I may also have an arrangement for testing the action of the alarm. This con-
sists of a hand lever L, with spindle L', passing through a stuffing-box placed on
the top of the chest or chamber B. As this liand lever L is turned or pulled down,
it presses the spindle L' against the arm E of the lever D. and it falling opens
the valve J, and so allows steam to escape to blow the whistle.
Referring to Figure 2. I have also shown a mode of releasing the steam from the
boiler. To effect this purpose the lever D, in addition to operating the valve J to
the low water alarm whistle I, is made to open a larger steam valve M. preferably
of the equilibrium type, and permits the steam to escape into the atmosphere
through the ports m. This valve M is kept closed by means of a spring N, with
the adjustable arrangement n, and the whole is enclosed within the casing O,

page_text: pivoted or otherwise secured to the chest or chamber B. The spindle m¹ of the
valve M is so adjusted that it will be actuated on the float G falling to the lowest
safe working level of the water in the boiler A.
Referring to Figure 3, this shows a mode of removing surplus water from the
boiler. This consists in leading a tube or pipe P from the boiler A at the level
above which the water should not rise, and connecting said tube P with a chamber
or vessel B', in which is fitted a float G', preferably consisting of a piece of wood,
argillaceous material, or stone. As the water accumulates in the vessel B', the
float Grises, and opens the valve J' connected to the lever D', and so allowing
the water to escape from the vessel B. This may also have the testing arrange-
ment as already described and shown.
Referring to Figure 4, this shows the mode of feeding the boiler, and consists in
having a chamber B connected with the boiler A at its upper and lower end.
Steam is conducted from the boiler A by the pipe S, and the iced water is pumped
into the chamber B preferably by passing through a coil of pipe Q placed in the
upper end of the chamber B, and the water passes from the chamber B² into the
boiler A by the pipe R at the lower end of the chamber B*. To the chamber B* is
fitted float valve mechanism of a somewhat similar construction to that hereinbefore
described with reference to Figure 3, except that the valve J for allowing steam
to escape to feed the pump, or other purpose, in place of being at the under part
of the chamber B, is secured to the top. The tubes or pipes S. R are provided
with suitable stop-cocks T U. This may also have the testing arrangement as
described and shown.
The chamber B is provided with a sludge well V, and cock W, for removing any
sludge which might accumulate, and it may also have a cock X for removing any
oil or scum.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is: ན
1. The general construction or arrangement and combination of the parts of float
lever and escape valve apparatus for giving an alarm when the water falls below
the desired normal level, substantially as described and shown in Figure 1 of the
accompanying sheets of drawings.
2. The general construction or arrangement and combination of the paris of float
lever and escape valve apparatus for giving an alarm when the water falls below
the desired normal level, and safety valve for the release of steam, substantially
as described and shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying sheets of drawings.
3. The arrangement for testing the action of the alarm whistle, substantially as
described and shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The arrangement and combination of the parts of float lever apparatus as a
chamber for drawing off any surplus water from the boiler, substantially as described
and shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying sheets of drawings.
5. The general construction or arrangement and combination of the parts of float
lever and escape valve apparatus for feeding, heating, and regulating the supply of
water to a steam boiler, substantially as described and shown in Figure 4 of the
accompanying sheets of drawings.
6. The chamber B and sludge well V, with cocks W, and X, as and for the pur-
poses hereinbefore described and shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
7. The construction of the float, charged with bitumen, woodite, or other
analogous mineral, or fibrous material, substantially as described and shown on
the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Dated this azib day of luna 1800
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.