Improvements in Water Gauges for Steam Boilers.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st Dec., 1893-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water Gauges for Steam Boilers.
I, JESSE HENRY BROWN of 16 Bedford Street, in the Town and County of
Derby, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The objects of my invention are to dispense with the top and bottom cocks
now generally in use on water gauges and to operate the whole with one cock, also
to effect an improvement in the packing of the water glass.
In constructing a water gauge according to my invention the steam and water
are both admitted at the bottom of the gauge a pipe being brought down from the
steam chamber in the boiler to this point, the water being admitted through a
straight passage from the boiler. I provide a water and condensed steam cock in
one and in the plug of this I bore holes opposite the steam chamber and water
glass of the gauge, one hole in each case passing clear through the said plug, and
also a hole at right angles to the same, a section through the holes in the plug
being in the form of a letter T, these holes will also come opposite the steam and
water inlets from the steam dome and boiler.
In the first position of the cock when turned off the blank portion in the plug
comes opposite the connections with the boiler thus cutting off water and steam
and there is an open passage for the steam and water to get clear away through
the holes bored through the plug, there is thus less fear of the driver getting
scalded as the water immediately passes down the waste pipe. In the next position
(that is in working order) the passages in the plug are opposite the steam and
water communications from the boiler and gauge respectively; I may drill a fine
hole at the bottom of the plug opposite the steam chamber of the gauge when in
this position for the escape of condensed water, a pipe or chamber being connected
therewith into the waste pipe used when clearing out the glass. In the third
position there is a clear passage through the plug for the steam from the boiler
which rushes up the steam chamber of the gauge forcing the steam and condensed
water together down the glass and there being thus a full opening through the
plug under the glass and under the steam chamber of the gauge the steam and
condensed water pass down the waste pipe; it being understood that between the
first and last operations the plug of the cock has been turned half round.
Three suitable stops or marks are provided to indicate in which position to stop
the tap. I may also provide two clearing out screws in the front part of the
gauge opposite the inlets from the boiler and steam chamber over same for the
more efficient clearing of the cock and passages.
The upper part of the water glass is provided with a suitable cover or cap
forming a chamber having a stuffing box at its lower end and fitting in the head
carrying the glass and steam tubes, this chamber is of any suitable form and
length according to the purpose required and communicates with the steam
chamber of the gauge round the glass, perforations being left at the bottom of
the stuffing box communicating with the said steam chamber the steam passing
upwards round the glass into the cup or chamber above mentioned and down the
glass.
With respect to the packing of the glass tube, by the method now generally in
use the glass is packed upwards and downwards at the top and bottom stuffing
boxes respectively thereby putting a certain amount of strain on it, I pack mine
both downwards so as to equalize or dispense with any strain; by my method of

page_text: gauging there is also less fear of breaking glasses the expansion and contraction
being perfectly vertical and the pressure from the steam not being directly upon
the glass.
For locomotive engines or where there is much vibration provide a balance
handle of suitable construction.
The steam chamber of the gauge may be made of various lengths to suit
various lengths of glasses.
In reference to the fine hole drilled in the plug for the escape of condensed
water may if desired dispense with this and form a chamber in the neck of the
gauge for the condensed water to collect in, passing thence through a small plug
down a channel to the waste pipe.
Dated this 20th day of March 1893.
W. SWINDELL,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Water Gauges for Steam Boilers.
I, JESSE HENRY BROWN of 21 Bakewell Street, Derby in the County of
Derby, Mechanie, 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:-
The objects of my invention are to dispense with the top and bottom cocks now
generally in use on water gauges and to operate the whole with one cock, also to
effect an improvement in the packing of the water glass,
In order that my said invention may be the more realily under-tood I have
caused to be annexed to this Specification a sheet of drawings the different figures
and letters of reference marked upon which will be hereinafter referred to,
Figure 1 is a vertical section on line a. a. of Figure 2.
Figure 2 is a plan on line b. b. of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse section through the plug on line c. c. of Figure 1.
Figure is a transverse section through the plug on line d. d. of Figure 1.
Figure is a vertical section through the condensing valve.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are drawn to an enlarged scale, and certain parts are broken
away for the sake of convenience or are not shewn, not being necessary for the
illustration of my invention.
In constructing a water gauge according to my invention the steam and water
are both admitted at the bottom of the gauge at A and 13 respectively a pipe being
brought down from the steam chamber in the boiler to this point, the water being
admitted through a stright passage from the boiler. provide a water and
condensed steam cock in one and in the plug C of this I bore or otherwise form
holes opposite to the steam chamber D and water glass E of the gauge, one hole
in each case F and G respectively, passing clear through the said plug and also a
hole at right angles to the same, and G respectively, a section through the
holes in the plug being in the form of a letter T, these holes will also come
opposite the steam and water inlets A and B from the steam dome and boiler.
In the first position of the cock when turned off the blank portion II in the plug
comes opposite the connections with the boiler thus cutting off water and steam
and there is an open passage for the steam and water to get clear away through
the holes bored through the plug and out at the waste 1, there is thus less fear of
the driver getting scalded as the water immediately passes down the waste pipe.
In the next position (that is in working order and in the position shewn upon the
drawings) the passages in the plug are opposite the steam and water com-
munications from the boiler and gauge respectively; I may drill a fine hole l'at
the bottom of the plug opposite the steam chamber of the gauge when in this

page_text: position as shewn by dotted lines on Figures 1 and 4 for the escape of condensed
water, a pipe or chamber J being connected therewith into the waste pipe used
when clearing out the glass; in lieu of this a condensing valve K may be used
which allows a fine spray of steam to pass through it, the upper lip Ĺ projects
above the level of the chamber M so as not to admit dirt or the like and the
steam or condensed water passes through the fine hole N and along the channel O
to the waste pipe I. In the third position there is a clear passage through the
plug for the steam from the boiler which rushes up the steam chamber of the
gauge taking the course indicated by the arrows and forcing the steam and
condensed water together down the glass and there being thus a full opening
through the plug under the glass and under the steam chamber of the gauge, the
steam and condensed water pass down the waste pipe 1; it being understood that
between the first and last operation the plug of the cock has been turned half
round.
Three suitable stops or marks are provided to indicate in which position to stop
the tap. I may also provide two clearing out screws P and Q in the front part
of the gauge opposite the inlets from the boiler and steam chamber over same,
for the more efficient clearing of the cock and passages.
The upper part of the water glass is provided with a suitable cover or cap R
forming a chamber S having a stuffing box T at its lower end and fitting in the
head U carrying the glass and steam tubes, this chamber is of any suitable form
and length according to the purpose required and communicates with the steam
chamber of the gauge round the glass, perforations V and an annular groove or
recess W being formed at the bottom of the stuffing box communicating with the
said steam chamber the steam passing upwards round the glass into the cap or
chamber above mentioned and down the inside of the glass.
With respect to the packing of the glass tube, by the method now generally in
use the glass is packed upwards and downwards at the top and bottom stuffing
boxes respectively thereby putting a certain amount of strain on it. I pack mine
both downwards so as to equalize or dispense with any strain, the bottom stuffing
box X being fixed in the same direction as the top one. By my method of
gauging there is also less fear of breaking glasses the expansion and contraction
being perfectly vertical.
For locomotive engines or where there is much vibration I provide a balance
handle Yof suitable construction for operating the cock.
The steam chamber of the gauge may be made of various lengths to suit various
lengths of glasses.
I may form a small annular recess Z in the plug for preventing any escape from
the steam to the water passage or vice-versa, and water or steam collecting in same
to pass through the hole Z'.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved means of operating the water gauges of steam boilers, each
with one cock having the plug bored or otherwise formed with passages F, FI,
G, G', through the same communicating with the water and steam from the
boiler and with the water glass E and steam chamber D of the gauge, also with
the waste pipe I, the said plug being further provided with an annular chamber Z,
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated.
2. The improved means of providing for the escape of condensed water either
by means of the fine hole I' in the plug or by means of the condensing valve K
communicating with the waste pipe substantially us described and illustrated.
3. The improved means of communication between the steam chamber D and
water glass at the head of same, consisting of orifices or perforations V in the
stuffing box and an annular groove or recess W the steam passing from the head U
of the steam chamber round the said groove or recess and through the said

page_text: orifices and upwards into the chamber S and down the water glass substantially
as described and illustrated.
4. The improved method of packing the water glass so that the top and bottom
ends of the said glass are packed in the same direction substantially as described
and illustrated.
5. The whole substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
illustrated,
Dated this 20th day of December 1893.
W. SWINDELL,
Agent for the Applicant.