IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF VALVES FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY OR DISCHARGE OF STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Holt Lloyd, of Stockport, in the County
of Chester, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF VALVES FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY
OR DISCHARGE OF STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER FLUIDS."
Sealed the 18th November 1870, and dated the 21st May 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Holt Lloyd
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st May 1870.
I, THOMAS HOLT LLOYD, of .Stockport, in the County of Chester,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF VALVES FOR REGU-
LATING THE SUPPLY OR DISCHARGE OF STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER FLUIDS," to be
as follows:-
1 "
The object of this Invention is to produce valves that will be very
sensitive to pressure and require comparatively little weighting,' and
which when employed for discharging steam rapidly or water and other

page_text: fluids, shall open a larger area for the passage of the same, although
constructed of comparatively small dimensions. The valve, although
capable of considerable modification in form, may be described generally.
as consisting of an open cylinder with an internal or an external flange
at one end. This valve I provide with two (or more) seats or bearing
surfaces, upon one of which the flange beds, while against the other
the opposite end of the cylinder bears. Supposing the valve to have an
internal flange at its upper end, and for it to be applied to a boiler as a
safety valve, I place it over a cylindrical cage which is fitted over the
discharge opening of the boiler and is provided with a closed top.
I thus form a cap valve, which arrangement exposes only a small
portion of the flange of the valve to the pressure of the steam, and will
therefore when slightly weighted resist its upward pressure. When
however the pressure of the steam lifts the valve the steam will escape
through the lateral openings in the cage and pass the top and bottom
edges of the valve.
I also propose to construct the valve as a plug valve, in which case
it will have an external flange at its upper end, the flange resting on the
lip of the discharge pipe, and the lower end of the valve resting on a
disc shaped seat.
In this case also only a small annular surface of the valve will be
exposed to the lifting power of the steam, and when the valve is lifted.
the steam will escape past the flange and also through the centre of the
valve. This arrangement of valve I employ for the automatic discharge
of the condensation water of steam cylinders and also for the discharge
of liquids through pipes or from vessels containing the same.
In both;
these cases I provide the seats for the valve within the discharge pipe,
one being a dise seat, and the other a seat with a central opening of
sufficient diameter to form an escape passage past the valve. The valve
for discharging the condensation water is held down by a coiled spring
or its equivalent, the pressure of which is capable of adjustment, and
in the other case I form a quick screw on the valve stem, which screw
works into a tapped socket of the discharge pipe, and I raise and lower.
the valve by a wheel, handle, or key. By inverting this valve and
coupling it with a piston which works in a cylindrical cavity in the a
steam pipe to which the valve is fitted I form a reducing valve, which
in passing steam from a high pressure boiler will attenuate it to any,

page_text: desired extent. The steam in forcing the valve from its seats will be
free to act on the under side of the piston (which may be weighted to
any required extent) and the piston presenting a larger area to the
steam than the valve will have a tendency to rise under any undue
upward pressure, and thereby lift the valve and close or partially close
the passage. By the two counteracting tendencies of the valve and its
weighted piston any degree of attenuation of the steam desired may be
secured. The same result I also attain by using the cap valve inverted
and leading the attenuated steam up to a weighted piston connected
therewith as in the former arrangement, the steam passing up through the
cage by a tubular extension of the lower valve seat. I also propose when
the cap valve is used as an escape valve and not inverted to connect
therewith a small conical valve which will depend centrally therefrom.
This conical valve I scat in a hollow projection of the steam boiler,
which projection forms the upper seat of the cap valve. The weight for
holding the valve to its seat may be applied to the stem of the conical
valve, and if a piston is used, water may be led up to it by a pipe that
leads down below the lowest water level for the purpose of starting the
valve and increasing its sensitiveness.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Holt Lloyd in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 21st November 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
HOLT LLOYD, of Stockport, in the County of Chester, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-third
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Thomas Holt Lloyd, Her special licence
that I, the said Thomas Holt Lloyd, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Holt Lloyd, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during

page_text: the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF VALVES FOR REGULATING
THE SUPPLY OR DISCHARGE OF STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER FLUIDS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Holt Lloyd, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and scal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Holt Lloyd, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
'same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, and accompanying Drawings (that is
to say)
This Invention has for its object the production of valves which while
exposed to great pressure will require but little weighting to close them,
and yet will be very sensitive to variations of pressure when used
as self-acting valves, and while constructed in smaller dimensions in
comparison with ordinary valves they will when opened present a much
larger area for the escape or passage of the fluid through them.
My improved valves are applicable as safety valves for steam boilers,
as diminishing valves for receiving fluid at a high pressure, and dis-
charging it at a given low pressure, as automatic cocks or valves for
discharging condensed steam from the cylinders of steam engines, and
also from pipes and other vessels containing the same, and also as cocks
or valves for various purposes.
My Invention consists in combinations and arrangements of parts and
their adaptation to the several purposes herein-after described, the valve
being formed by a cylinder having facings at each end; in one modifi-
cation the facing at one end of the cylinder is formed upon an internal,
flange, and in the other modification the facing is formed on an external
flange. The internal flanged valve fits the exterior of a skeleton cylinder
having one end closed, and the seatings for the valve facings are formed
upon the end and side of the skeleton cylinder, and a small annular
space is left between the skeleton cylinder and the cylindrical sides of

page_text: the valve, which is exposed to the pressure of the acting fluid and tends
to open the valve. When the flange is upon the exterior of the valve,
as in the other modification, the valve fits inside a circular opening
forming one seating and has guiding ribs on its exterior, and the annular.
space exposed to the pressure of the acting fluid tending to open the valve
is upon the exterior of the valve between its barrel and the largest scating.
But the particular combinations and arrangements constituting my
Invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, and by the following description thereof.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of one modification of my improved valve
as applied to a steam boiler, and arranged to blow off steam when the
water sinks too low in the boiler. a represents the shell of the upper
side of the boiler; b, a stand pipe or projection upon which is secured
the skeleton cylinder (c) having the scatings of the valve formed upon
it. This cylinder has four or any other suitable number of ribs (c¹)
cast in the interior, which serve to carry and support the cap or end (c³)
and to guide the valve in its vertical movements. The valve (d) is
cylindrical and has an internal flange d' at its upper end, and its facing
is formed on the under side of this flange and the seating for it on the
edge of the cap or end (c²). The valve is accurately ground, so that
when the flange (d) is close down upon the cap or end (2) the lower
end will also be down tight upon the seating formed upon the side of
the skeleton cylinder (c), as shown. When the valve lifts, the steam
will not only escape at the lower edge of the valve, but will ascend
through the cavity (d²) formed round the interior of the valve opposite
and below the edge of the cap (c²) and pass out from the interior of
the valve which is left open above the cap, as shown. If the interior
diameter of the valve (d) below the cavity d and the diameter of the
cap (2) were the same the valve would be in perfect equilibrium as to
the pressure of the fluid acting upon it, but by making the interior
of the valve a little larger in diameter than the cap (c²) there will be
an annular space equal to the areas between the two diameters exposed
to pressure and tending to lift the valve from its seatings. This tendency
is counteracted in the example shown in Fig. 1 by a weight (e) in the
boiler, suspended upon a vertical rod (e¹), which at its upper end is
connected with a cross bar (e²) the two ends of which pass through the
lateral spaces on the skeleton cylinder (c) to come against the interior
་

page_text: sides of the valve d. Two screws (d) pass steam-tight through the
sides of the valve, and the ends of these screws enter and fit holes in
the ends of the cross bar. The same two screws form the joints or con-
nections for a bent bar f passing over the valve, to which a rod ƒ¹ is
connected that passes through a gland in the cover g, and is then
jointed to a lever handle f2, having its fulcrum on a stand screwed in
the cover as shown. This lever handle is to test the valve by lifting
it from its seating, but if the handle is moved to try to force down the
valve, the rod (f¹) being loose in the bent bar will pass through it
without acting upon the valve. The rod e¹ for weighting the valve
passes through a slot in a beam lever h, having its fulcrum on a
bracket (1) fixed to the shell of the boiler as shown. This lever. has a
float (2) at one end and a suitable counterweight (½³) at the other end.
There is a screw nut e³ upon the weighting rod which can be adjusted to
the edges upon the beam lever, so that the weight of the float will act
to take off weight from the valve when the water line in the boiler
has sunk below the given limit.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, showing another modification of my
improved safety valve for steam boilers to be weighted by a weight
suspended in the interior of the boiler. c is the skeleton cylinder; c',
the ribs; c², the cap or end; and d, the valve. The cap in this case has
a central hole through it, and the weighting rod e¹ passes through, the
hole being closed by a valve e formed upon the rod, as shown. The
weight is put upon the valve by a spring e³ secured to the rod e', as
shown, which spring must be of such strength and screwed down to such
extent as to give the required pressure upon the valve, the pressure
exerted by the spring being a little less than the weight suspended upon
the rod. This valve may be enclosed by a cover (g), same as that shewn
in Fig. 1, and a rod may be connected with the projection above the
valve (e), but so as to come against a collar to lift the rod or valve only
and not push it down.
-
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of my improved safety valve arranged
to be weighted externally. c is the skeleton cylinder; c', ribs; c², cap
or end; and d, the valve. The valve has an external flange ď, upon
which any suitable ring weights may be placed. In the example given
I have supposed the valve to be covered by a casing (g!), which acts as
a weight, as shown. This casing has a series of perforations in its
upper

page_text: or dome part to allow the steam escaping from the upper part of the
valve to pass out, and it has lateral openings (92) for the like purpose for
the steam escaping from the lower part of the valve. The cap (c²) has a
central projection c³ cast or formed upon it for a three-armed piece c*,
which serves to prevent the valve from lifting too high. The entire
casing or the valve when weighted by simple weights only may be
enveloped in a cover (g) like that shown in Fig. 1.
passes
Fig. 4 is an outside clevation, and Fig. 5 a sectional elevation of my
improved valve arranged as a diminishing valve. is the body con-
taining the passages, the inlet and outlet being shown by the arrows in
Fig. 5. The valve and skeleton cylinder are similar to those already
described, but they are used in an inverted position. The skeleton
cylinder c is screwed to fit tight in the body; c' are the ribs; c*, the
cap, which in this case has a hole in it, through which a tube i
forming a fluid-tight joint; the upper part of this tube also screws fluid-
tight into the body part b, as shown. Thus arranged there is an annular
passage between the central tube i and the interior of the skeleton
cylinder (c). d is the cylindrical valve; it has a bar d³ extending
across from one side to the other, to which the lower end of a rod do is
secured by a screw nut. This rod passes up the centre of the tube (i),
and its upper end is connected with the lower end of a ram piston k
accurately fitting a cylinder ¹ screwed into the body part, as shown.
When the ram piston (/) is forced upwards to the fullest extent both
facings of the valve will be tight against their seatings, and no fluid can
pass; but when the ram piston descends the valve will be opened more
or less, and the fluid then passing through the valve will ascend the
tube i and act upon the under side of the ram piston. The area of this
piston is such that the lowest pressure required will have power when
acting upon it to counteract the pressure upon and shut the valve, but
to prevent the entire closing of the valve the ram piston is weighted to
such extent as to allow fluid to pass through the valve at the pressure
fixed upon, but should this pressure increase or decrease, the piston, and
consequently the valve, will move accordingly, closing proportionately
for an increase, and opening for a decrease of pressure. 6' is a cap, and
a plug to get access to the valve; k² is a bracket secured to the body
part, and carrying a stand ³ forming the fulcrum of the weighting
lever, which is connected to the exterior end of the ram piston by

page_text: mcans of a ball-and-socket arrangement ⁄ or other suitable means.
In certain cases it may be necessary to apply a spring or weight to the
lever to act so as to lift the ram piston. is a small pipe to conduct
away any water from condensed steam that may escape past the piston.
Fig. 6 is a sectional clevation of another and simpler arrangement of
diminishing valve. The two seatings for the valve are formed in the
body part b, and the valve d has an external flange at its larger end, and
also onc at its other end, but this is not necessary, as will be seen when
other examples are hercin-after described. The valve has ribs d* on its
exterior to guide and keep it central in its movements. When the valve
is closed the entering fluid surrounds its exterior, and according to the
difference in diameter between its two facings there will be an annular
area subject to pressure tending to open the valve, and when open the
fluid will pass both seatings, and will enter the chamber and pass out of
the body part. The valve shown is supposed to be hollow and to have a
cross connecting bow d, to which a central rod d is secured, which is
also connected with a ram piston. The cylinder in this arrangement
is open directly into the passage for the fluid, and the tube i used in the
modification shewn by Fig. 5 is dispensed with. The valve shown in
Fig. 6 may be made with a cross bar d³ at its upper or smaller end, or it
may be made solid and the rod do screwed or otherwise secured directly
into it, so that no cross bar will be required. In other respects than
as described the valve shewn by Fig. 6 is the same as that shown
by Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is an outside elevation, and Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of my
improved valve arranged as an automatic discharging cock or valve. b
is the body part of the cock, having seatings for one facing of the valve
in a cross partition in the body, and a seating for the other facing on a
projection from the body part, as shewn. The valve d is cylindrical.
with an external flange at its upper or larger end and ribs d* upon it to
guide and keep it central. When the valve lifts, the fluid will pass the
flange facing and under the end facing and up the hollow of the valve.
When the valve is shut the entering fluid will surround the exterior of
the valve, and will act upon the annular space between the cylindrical
side of the valve and the sides of the upper seating tending to lift the
valve. When the valve is open the fluid will pass through the passages
in the direction pointed by the arrows on Fig. 8.
There is a bow cross.

page_text: °
bar d connecting the two sides of the valve, in the centre of which there
is a pin hat fits a hole in a collar part 1, upon which one end of a
spring rests, the other end coming against a collar & upon a screw
handle, as shewn, this screw passing through a cap (63) screwed upon
the body. The screw 1³ may be arranged to rotate only and to screw
through a part 1* having six or other number of sides to fit the cap so as
to be prevented from rotating with the screw, and a collar may be
used on the screw to prevent the escape of the fluid, as shown in Fig. 8*.
In using this valve as an automatic discharge cock or valve for allowing
the water of condensed steam to escape from cylinders of steam engines
or other vessels the handle is screwed down to compress the spring
upon the valve until sufficient force is obtained to keep the valve closed
against the highest pressure of the steam, and when the condensed steam
accumulates as water the piston acts upon it, and forces it through the
valve, the spring giving way to allow it to open, or if the pipe conveying
the condensed steam descends sufficiently, a head of water will accumu-
late, which will be discharged when the head gives pressure enough to
overcome the force of the spring.
Fig. 9 is an outside elevation, and Fig. 10 a sectional elevation of my
improved valve arranged as a tap or cock. It is similar to that shown
by Figs. 7 and 8, except that the spring is not required, and cone facings
and seatings are used upon the valve, though flat facings may be used.
The screw handle passes through a packing gland, as shown. The end
of the screw rotates in a hole in the centre of the cross bow d³ of the
valve, and is connected so as to lift the valve by a groove and pin, as
shown. The exterior projecting part of the bow of the valve may be
made square or with six or any other desired number of sides, so that it
will be prevented from rotating when fitted into a hole with corre-
sponding si les in the cap part (6³) that screws into the body part, and the
lower part of the band spindle ³ may be screwed to screw into the centre
or cross bow part, and a collar 1 may be formed upon the spindle to
prevent the escape of fluid and dispense with a packing gland, as shown
in Fig. 10. By rotating the spindle so arranged the valve will be
opened and closed, but the spindle will not move endways as in
Fig. 10.
13
I have new particularly described the nature of my Invention and the
mode of carrying it into effect, and claim as my Invention the several

page_text: combinations and arrangements of valves or cocks, substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Holt Lloyd, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Nineteenth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Manchester.
THOMAS HOLT LLOYD. (L.S.)