AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE DAMPERS OF STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Robinson, Engineer, and Stephen Robinson, Iron
Roller, both of West Bromwich, in the County of Stafford, for the Invention
of "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE DAMPERS OF STEAM
BOILERS."
Sealed the 10th May 1878, and dated the 23rd November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Robinson and Stephen
Robinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd November
1877.
JOHN ROBINSON, Engineer, and STEPHEN ROBINSON, Iron Roller, both of West
Bromwich, in the County of Stafford. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REGU-
LATING THE DAMPERS OF STEAM BOILERS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture or construction of
dampers or valves for regulating the draught of steam boilers, furnaces, ovens, and
the like, by giving greater control over the fires, and thereby lessening or obviating
the danger to human life by explosions through over pressure; and by our
Invention a large amount of fuel is saved, which is now wasted.
According to our Invention we construct a vertical cylinder or outer tank, with
its upper ends open, to hold water (or other suitable liquid), so as to form a lute or
flexible joint in the said cylinder or tank. We insert a similar cylinder or tank
having its upper end closed; this is made to rise and fall by means of a valve and
jet of steam which is caused to pass through the liquid by means of a small tube,
and it is attached to the damper.
The damper and movable tank are nearly balanced, and are connected by means
of a small chain or other suitable contrivance.
Steam is admitted to raise the inner tank or cylinder. When the steam is cut
off it is brought down again by a vacuum formed in the inner tank and by the
atmosphere pressing on its top or outer sides.

page_text: We propose to construct
suitable chamber or box for containing the required
valves (through which the steam passes into the chamber) and the springs or
levers.
This Invention may be applied to conservatories, hot-houses, and the like.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Robinson and Stephen Robinson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 17th May 1878.
JOHN ROBINSON, Engineer, and STEPHEN ROBINSON, Iron Roller, both of West
Bromwich, in the County of Stafford. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REGU-
LATING THE DAMPERS OF STEAM BOILERS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture or construction of
dampers or valves for regulating the draught of steam boilers, furnaces, ovens, and
the like, by giving greater control over the fires, and thereby lessening'or obviating
the danger to human life by explosions through over pressure; and by our Inven-
tion a large amount of fuel is saved, which is now wasted.
According to our Invention we construct a vertical cylinder or outer tank, with
its upper ends open, to hold water (or other suitable liquid) so as to forin a lute or
flexible joint in the said cylinder or tank. We insert a similar cylinder or tank.
having its upper ends closed; this is made to rise and fall by means of a valve and
jet of steam which is caused to pass through the liquid by means of a small tube.
The damper and tank are nearly balanced, and are connected by means of a small
chain or other suitable contrivance.
Steam is admitted to raise the inner tank or cylinder. When the steam is cut
off it is brought down again by a vacuum formed in the inner tank and by the
atmosphere on its top or outer sides.
We propose to construct a suitable chamber or box for containing the required
valves, through which the steam passes into the chamber.
This Invention may be applied to conservatories, hot-houses, and the like.
That our Invention may be fully understood we have annexed Drawings thereof,
which we now proceed to describe.
Figs. 1 and 2 are Drawings illustrating our Invention. A (Fig. 1) is a small
steam pipe provided with a stop-cock, which is used to stop or break the com-
munication between the boiler and damper when not required.
The steam pipe is connected with the boiler or main steam pipe, and is provided
with a small valve and chamber constructed as shewn,
When the pressure has risen in the boiler to nearly its required height, the steam
is allowed to pass through this valve down the tube B and up C through the water
or lute (as shewn at E, in Fig. 2). The steam then presses on the water and causes
the inner tube to rise, thus acting as a piston, but being (as shewn in Fig. 1)
without packing and its attendant friction..

page_text: The outer cylinder is made parallel about three-fourths of its height, and then
is enlarged, as shewn at Figs. 1 and 2, in order to receive the water which is
pressed out of the inner tube or cylinder when ascending and closing the damper,
as shewn in Fig. 1. On the top of the inner tube is fixed a valve G (Fig. 1) very
similar to the inlet valve, and adjusted by small weights, and acting as a safety
valve. Thus, as soon as the damper is closed it rises and lets the over pressure (if
any) escape into the air. Otherwise it would blow the water out of the cylinder. It is
so adjusted as to allow the water to rise to the overflow pipe H (Fig. 1) which is
arranged to carry off what condensed water there may be.
As soon as the steam in the boiler begins to lower its pressure the inlet valve
closes, and thus the jet of steam is stopped. A vacuum is then formed by the
atmosphere acting on the thin metallic outer surface of the inner cylinder I (Fig. 1)
which causes the water to rise in the inner,cylinder, and thus the damper is raised
or opened as shewn in Fig. 2.
At the bottom of the tube B is a small cock J (Fig. 1), which is used to break
the vacuum when the damper is not required, and to let off any condensed water
which may lodge in the tube B (Fig. 1).
For the better illustration of our Invention we have also provided Drawings of
the detailed parts connected therewith, which we will now proceed to describe.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the base plate.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of the outer cylinder, showing belt and bosses for attaching
guide bar and inlet valve.
Fig. 5 is an elevation of the inner cylinder.
Fig. 6 is a stand for carrying the chain wheel.
Fig. 7 is a guide for the connecting bar which connects the damper with the
chain.
Fig. 8 is the connecting bar.
Fig. 9 is an inlet valve which is drawn full size, and shews its internal arrange-
ments with spring and lock nut complete.
Fig. 10 is the safety valve, with chamber and outlets for escape steam.
Fig. 11 is a chain wheel.
Fig. 12 is a plan of the top of the outer cylinder.
Fig. 13 is a cap or cover for steam valve, chest, or chamber.
Fig. 14 is an internal plug and guard for valve, showing hole through the centre
for scouring out the said valve when required, or for other purposes.
Fig. 15 is a lock nut which secures the plug when the valve is properly
adjusted.
Fig. 16 is a valve with spindle.
Fig. 17 is a small weight for adjusting the safety valve.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is or may be carried into effect, we desire it to be understood that
without limiting ourselves to the precise details herein-before contained (as it will
be obvious these may be varied or modified without departing from the nature of
our said Invention) we desire it to be understood that what we claim as the
Invention to be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The use and construction of the vertical cylinder or outer tank, having its
upper ends open to hold water or other liquid (for the purpose of forming a tube or
flexible joint) in combination with the said inner cylinder having its upper ends
closed, substantially as herein-before described, and as illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings.
Second. The use and construction of the safety valve on the top of the inner
cylinder in combination with the said outer and inner cylinder, the said valve
acting as a safety valve for the boiler, and thereby preventing explosions, and also
thus preventing the water from being blown out of the tank, substantially as
herein-before described, and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The use and construction of the inlet valve in combination with the

page_text: other parts; as herein-before described, and as illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Robinson and Stephen Robinson, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN ROBINSON.
(L.S.)
STEPHEN ROBINSON. (L.S.)