IMPROVEMENTS IN PLUMBERS' FURNACES WHERE LIQUID FUEL IS USED, AND IN VALVE APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE PASSAGE OF THE LIQUID FUEL OILS OR OTHER LIQUID TO OR OUT OF PLUMBERS' FURNACES. ENGINES AND OTHER APPARATUS.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Samuel Cooper of Philadelphia in the United
States of America, but temporarily of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PLUMBERS' FURNACES
WHERE LIQUID FUEL IS USED, AND IN VALVE APPARATUS FOR REGULATING
THE PASSAGE OF THE LIQUID FUEL OILS OR OTHER LIQUID TO OR OUT OF
PLUMBERS' FURNACES. ENGINES AND OTHER APPARATUS.'
13
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Samuel Cooper at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th April 1882.
WILLIAM SAMUEL COOPER of Philadelphia in the United States of America but
temporarily of 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PLUMBERS FURNACES WHERE LIQUID FUEL IS USED AND IN VALVE
APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE PASSAGE OF THE LIQUID FUEL OILS OR OTHER
LIQUID TO OR OUT OF PLUMBERS FURNACES ENGINES AND OTHER APPARATUS."
The chief object of this invention is to provide a portable furnace for melting
lead, tin babbit metal or other easily fusible metal. The same can also be
arranged to heat plumbers' or tinsmiths' irons and mandrils, or spindles, round
which babbit metal is to be cast for machinery bearings.
In the stand or lower part I form a reservoir for containing the combustible
fluid which is raised to the burner by means of the expansive force of air pumped
into it by an air pump placed in any convenient position in the stand. Tho
burner is suitably connected to the top of the stand, and above the burner is fixed
the shield which conveys the flame around the vessel containing the metal or other
material to be melted or heated. On the top of the stand or oil reservoir is
mounted the upper part of the construction which forms the furnace proper the
vessel being let down into it from above. A door is provided in the sill and near
the bottom through which irons or other articles to be heated can be inserted.
The fuel is admitted to the burner by a valve as hereinafter described so con-
structed that it can be regulated to give at all times the same precise feed and
provided with an indicator to show the amount of fuel the valve is set to deliver.
The handle for carrying the apparatus is hinged to the side of the lower stand or
reservoir connected to a locking motion which holds the handle rigid when in use
and prevents the furnace from tipping over through the same being below the
centre of gravity when a quantity of metal is in the melting vessel in the upper
part or furnace proper. The pin on which the handle is hinged or swivels is made
of the shape of a keystone and a slot of corresponding shape at one end is formed
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page_text: When
in the end of the handle that attaches to the pin, the other end of the same slot
being circular and large enough to allow the pin to swivel or turn in it.
the handle is at rest by the side of the furnace (where it must be during the time
that the furnace is in operation so as to remain cool) the pin is in contact with the
large end of the slot but when raised into position for carrying, the pin engages
with the narrow end of the slot of keystone or other shape corresponding with
that of the pin which might be square or of other angular contour.
The amount of fuel consumed is regulated by a valve of peculiar construction in
which the valve is held to its seat by a screw or can and when open the fluid
passes through a series of holes of square or different diameter. The valve spindle
consists of a central stem having at its upper end a winged portion to guide it in
the crown cam when the latter is revolving and a hollow lower extension in which
are four or more holes of equal or different dimneters through which the fluid
passes The valve may be opened and closed by a screw spindle as is usual in
steam valves, and where volatile oils are used this is the preferable way, but I have
also designed a cam for actuating the valve: the extent to which the valve is open
is regulated by a crown cam or circular inclined plane against which the valve
spindle is held by a spiral or other spring. The hollow part below the valve seat
fits closely into the tube through-which-the fluid passes so that all the fluid must
pass through the holes into the hollow part and the flow is regulated by the-number_
of these that are exposed. When it is desirable to subdivide the flow a point or
wire is inserted in this hollow part for that purpose.
A lug or projection is attached to the spindle in suitable place to engage in n
slot-or-link-to-prevent its revolving. To the handle for operating the valve is
attached a revolving piece secured by screw-or-otherwise immediately over the
valve spindle and on the underside of this is the crown cam or inclined plane-
which opens and closes. In the underside of this cam are notches-cut into which
that part of the valve spindle-which-bears against the can catches when the valvo
is open at specially regulated distances. The handle for opening-and-closing_tho
valve may be of any suitable shape or construction and may be removable in which
case it is held in position by a peculiar mushroom-shaped spring with four slots
which fasten down over a dove tail or double incline projecting from the revolving
piece which carries the cam and a key is fitted in the centre of the mushroom-
shaped spring which passes down into and engages with the revolving cam piece.
A pointer is attached to the handle to indicate the position of the cam and valve
and thus show the amount of fluid passing through. If it is desired glass sides
may be inserted to show the fluid as it passes through which will be securely fixed
in an outer casing and packed with cork or other material both top and bottom.
This valve would I think be very serviceable as a lubricator for supplying oil to
hearings in different classes of machinery. In the bottom of the stand or oil
reservoir of the furnace for the purpose of drawing off the oil therefrom should it
so be desired 1 have designed a simple valve and one which shall not be liable to
allow the escape of the liquid. It consists of a taper circular plug valve fitting
into a seat of corresponding contour. To the spindle of the valve is attached a
rack into which engages a small pinion, A handle is attached to the axis of the
pinion which if turned in one direction raises the valve and if in the other lowers
it and forces it down on its scat. On one side of the handle may be inscribed the
word "Shut" and on the other the word "Open" so that the position of the handlo
will at once indicate the position of the valve. This arrangement of valve would
also be applicable for use where liquids are from time to time required to be drawn
or removed from the vessels containing them such as used in lavatories and like
places.
When only small quantities of metal are to be fused one jet or flame will be
sufficient, but when as in the case of laying street mains or other jobs where a
large amount of metal has to be fused the number of jets or flames can be
multiplied indefinitely.

page_text: irons to be heated at the underside of the pot that holds the solder both objects
being accomplished at the same time.
The furnace may be made of any size and any number of burners can be placed
in the larger retort. Where it is required for melting lead or making the joints
for street mains 12 to 20 burners may be employed, the number being determined
by the amount of metal to be fused in a given time, and when used for this purpose
the air pump reservoir and retort are preferably made separate: and the air may
be forced into the reservoir by any ordinary airpump placed at a distance from the
retort and burners.
'
The handle L for carrying the furnace is hinged to the side by a connection
containing a locking motion (shown in detail Fig. 10) which holds the handle L
rigid. when in use and which prevents the furnace from tipping over through the
sanie being placed below the centre of gravity when a quantity of metal is in the
melting vessel in the upper part or furnace proper. The pin M on which the handle
is hinged or swivels is made with a head of the shape of a keystone and a slot M².
of corresponding shape at one end is formed in the end of the handle that attaches
to the pin M, the other end of the same slot being recessed with a circular part
large enough to allow the head of the pin to swivel or turn in it. When the
bundle Lis at rest by the side of the furnace (where it must be during the time
that the furnace is in operation so as to remain-cool),-the-pin M is in contact with
the large end of the slot, but when raised into position for carrying the furnace
the pin M engages with the narrow end of the slot M of keystone J or other shape
corresponding with that of the pin which might be square or of other angular
contour.
--The amount-of-fuel consumed is regulated by a valve of peculiar construction in
which the valve is held to its seat by a screw or cam and when open-the-fluid.
passes through a series of holes of regulated diameter.
Such a valve is shown at D in Fig. 1. and also in Figs. 4 and 5.
In the valve D the spindle a is fitted-and-packed_in_a_screw and opened and
closed as is usual in steam valves. The lower end of the spindle is hollow
and provided with four or more holes c of equal or different diameters through
which the fluid passes. This hollow part 6 of the spindle A is accurately fitted
into a tube or hole through which the fluid passes so that all the fluid must pass
through the holes c and the flow is regulated by the nuinber of these holes which
are exposed. A shoulder is formed on the spindle above the holes which is forced
down against a seat when the valve is closed the handle for operating the valve
may be fixed as shown at d or movable as in Fig. 4.
holds
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a lubricator for machinery fitted with my improved valve
by which oil can be fed to a journal or cylinder in such quantities as may be
desired under all temperatures. The feed may be changed at pleasure and shut
off when not in use to prevent waste. The valve is similar to that shown at b
in Fig. 1 though the fluid passes through the holes c in the opposite direction.
a is the valve spindle which consists of a central stem. The extent to which the
valve is open is regulated by a circular inclined plane or crown cam e. a lug or
projection on the spindle a bears against the care and a spiral spring
the valve from its seat when it is open. In the underside of the came notches are
cut into which the projection ƒ catches when the valve is open at specially required
distances. The upper end of the spindle a is winged to guide it in the centre of
the cam e and two projecting pins between which the lug passes prevents the
spindle turning with the cam. A wire or fine point h may be inserted in the
hollow b of the valve to subdivide the flow of the fluid. The handle i for operating
the valve is attached to the crown came by screw or may be removable as shown
in the drawing being held in position by a peculiar mushroom shaped spring ; with
four slots which fasten down over a dovetail or double incline projecting from the
lid or cover of the apparatus. A key is fitted into the centre of the handle
and mushroom shaped spring which passes down into and engages with the
revolving cam piece. The sides m may be of glass to show the fluid in the cup

page_text: as it passes through. n is a bottom and outer casing into which the glass is fixed.
o cork or other suitable packing to prevent leakage round the edges of the glass.
? nut to hold the cam e in its position in the top . a pointer on the handle
indicates the position of the valve whether open or shut. For locomotive work I
prefer to make the bottom of tough wrought iron and make the joint at the bottom
instead of the top; wrought iron is here used because it will bear more strain in
screwing up than brass will and is less liable to be affected by the jar or knocking
of the engine when at work.
In Fig. 2 another variation of the valve is shown the fluid passes in through
the holes c and up the conduit pipes C and C-C is a fixed pipe in which C'
slides up and down and 'the number of holes left uncovered are determined and
the flow of the liquid regulated thereby. The pipe C. is moved up and down by
incans of a rack and pinion el actunted by a handle i'. The position of the
valve is indicated on the quadrant r¹. Fig. 6 shows an outlet valve which may
be fitted in the bottom of the stand or reservoir A to draw off the liquid should it
be desired.
S is a taper circular plug valve fitting onto a seat of corresponding contour.
To the spindle of the valve is attached a rack and pinion e similar to those
shown at D'., Fig. 2. The handle i¹ is attached to the axis of the pinion which if
turned in one direction raises the valve and if in the other lowers it, and forces it
down on its scat. On one side of the handle may be inscribed the word "Shut"
and on the other the word "open," so that the position of the handle will at once
indicate the position of the valve.
This arrangement of valve would also be applicable for use in other situations
where liquids are from time to time required to, be drawn or removed from vessels
containing them.
Figs. 7 and 8. Shew it arranged for a secret waste and overflow for baths and
basins The rack fl and pinion e' actuated by the handle i raise the valve as
already described giving a lift of fully one inch thus allowing of a very clear
passage for the waste water. The overflow is very simple, u is the passage leading
to the bath or basin. v is the pipe for the waste water. when the valve s is raised
from its sent the waste water has a clear passage to the pipe but when the valve
is closed should the water rise too high in the bath or basin it flows over at x and
thus finds its way to the waste pipe v.
"
Fig. 9. Is an elevation of a secret supply cock for a bath or basin actuated by
means of a rack f¹. piuion e' and handle in a manner similar to that already
described.
Having now described my invention and the best modo known to me of
carrying it into effect I wish it to be understood that while I do not claim all
the separate parts of the apparatus as new especially when not used for the
purposes Specified yet I do claim as my invention secured under the Letters
Patent.
The manufacture of plumbers furnaces where liquid fuel is used constructed
and arranged substantially as above described and illustrated and in combination
with other parts for forming a plumbers furnace the following separate parts
substantially as described.
1. The reservoir with its air pump forming a stand for whole apparatus.
2 The arrangement of locking handle enabling the furnace to be carried without
tipping.
3. The movable arrangement of cowl which surrounds the load pot during the
melting (but not flame guides in general as I am well aware that baffle plates are
constantly used for directing flames for other purposes). I also claim the manu-
facture of regulating valves or lubricators for supplying liquid fuel oils or other
liquids substantially as herein described.
The following parts I consider especially new when arranged and combined
substantially as described.
1. The central stem a guided at its upper end in the cover and provided with

page_text: lug to prevent its rotation when in position its lower end provided with a
hollow extension. in which are four or more holes of equal or different diameters all
for the purpose as specified and described.
2. The central wire or point h extending below the hollow end 6 of central
stem a.
3. The revolving piece or came fixed in the cap or cover k provided on its
under side with an inclined plane in which are four or more notches to receive
the lug of the stem a and made to receive the key of the handle i on its
upper side.
4. The handle i provided with the spring clutch j and key l.
5. The handle i provided with pointer r.
6. The cap or cover provided with the double incline to receive and hold the
handle in position.
7. The combination of the outer casing the central stem a the cap or top k
the revolving piece or cam c and the handle i with the glass m.
I also claim the combination of rack pinion and valve rod for opening and
closing the hidden or secret waste valves of lavatories and other places from which
liquids have occasionally to be withdrawn substantially as described and
illustrated.