Regulating the Temperature and Pressure of Fluids, Specially apparatus for Indicating and Applicable for Regulating the Level Generators. of Water in Steam
Year: 1887

page_text: Regulating the Temperature and Pressure of Fluids, Specially
apparatus for Indicating and
Applicable for Regulating the Level
Generators.
of Water in Steam
I, JAMES MURRIE, of 45 West Nile Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
My said Invention comprises certain improvements in or upon the apparatus for
indicating and regulating the temperature and pressure of fluids, or of steam or other
vapour in their generators or other close vessis or places, and of the kind described in
the Provisional and Complete Specifications of the Inventions for which Royal Letters
Patent were granted to me, No. 303 Jany. 9 1885 and that granted to John Thomson,
No. 2520 Feb. 20 1886.
The basis or fundamental character of all these indicating and regulating apparatus
consists in the employment of a hollow chamber or tube, partly, or wholly filled with
water, or other liquid or fluid, or fluids, termed the expansion chamber, having its
one end or extremity closed or sealed, and the other extremity is connected by a tube
to a pressure indicator, graduated to show pressures and also temperatures,
corresponding to the pressures developed in said close expansion tube or chamber of
the indicator. This expansion chamber acts by the heating or cooling of its closed
extremity, either direct or by enclosing it in a heating jacket or chainber in direct
circulation or connection with the heating fluid. The corresponding expansion or
condensation of the fluid within the expansion chamber is transmitted by the inter-
vening liquid or fluid in the tube leading to the indicator, which would thus indicate
the pressure in the expansion chamber and also the temperature graduated to
correspond to said pressure. The apparatus has also heretofore been provided with
a pressure diaphragm, piston valve, or other equivalent mechanism fitted on the tube
leading from the expansion chamber, which changes its position on being subjected
to variations in temperature and pressure, and the motion derived therefrom has been
utilized. in actuating mechanism for indicating and giving audible signals when the
water fell below a given level in a steam boiler and setting on the feed water, an 1
[Price 8d.1

page_text: lowing it off when the water rose too high, and opening a safety valve when
nd pressure rose too high, and regulating the temperature and flow of air and gases
n ovens or chambers and through pipes or tubes, all as described in the Specifications
of the before mentioned Patented Inventions.
Heretofore in applying this indicating and regulating apparatus for indicating and 5
regulating the level of the water or other liquid in steam generators or other like
vessels, two tubes and ports were connected between the heating chamber of the
expansion chamber and the steam boiler; one tube being led from the steam space,
and the other tube from the water space connected respectively some distance above
and below the desired normal level of the water in the boiler somewhat in the same
At a point in
way as an ordinary water gauge glass for showing the water level.
the passage between the aforesaid tubes where it is desired to obtain audible or other
indications on the water falling below this point or the normal level, the heating
chamber of the expansion chamber was heretofore placed horizontally,
One of the improvements of this invention consists in placing the heating chamber
vertically, and in connecting it near its lower end by a single tube and port (instead
of two tubes and ports as heretofore) to the steam boiler or generator at the point
where it is desirod to maintain the water lovel, and where it is desired to obtain an
audible or visible indication on the water falling below said point. Thus the heating
chamber (of and surrounding the expansion chamber which it heats) being fitted
above the tube passage and part connecting it with the boiler, causes the wator always
to fill it when the water is higher than the port, but whenever the water level falls
the least below the port the steam displaces the water and fills the chamber and heats
the expansion chamber to the high temperature due to the steam, and generates
vapour from the liquid therein, the pressure of which actuates the index indicator and
sets the pressure moving disc and other regulating mechanism in motion.
This single port and tube arrangement of the apparatus may be applied to
automatically feed, regulate the feed, or give an alarm on the water falling below or
rising above a predetermined point or level in the steam boiler, otherwise much in
the same way as described and illustrated in the Specifications hereinbefore referred
to. This new arrangement of single branch and port connection permits of the
expansion chamber and its heater and the temperature and pressure indicating
apparatus being placed some distance from or below the water level and further fron
the boiler instead of being at the water line level, as required in the forme
connections of two ports and tubes with the boiler.
My second improvement relates to a mode of preventing partially or wholly heate
water from ascending into the heating chamber or cylinder in which the aforesai
expansion chamber is placed. To maintain said heating chamber at a comparativel
low temperature when in communication with the water in the boiler, the intermediat
hollow tube, cylinder or passage way connecting it with the boiler, has one, two,
more coils, curves, or bends in it, between the boiler port and the aforesaid chambe
so arranged that there is a gradual rise or ascent to permit the water falling bac
into the boiler on being displaced by steam.
My third improvement consists in applying the aforesaid arrangement of coils
the expanding tube or temperature or regulating apparatus proper, that is to t
hollow tube which connects the expansion chamber with the pressure or temperatu
indicator, or with the diaphragm or like contrivance to be used for giving an ala
and regulating the flow of fluids suitable. to the pressure or temperature indicat
The life or durability of the apparatus depends on the moving parts, such as
diaphragm plates or Hat hollow coils used in the pressure indicator, retaining th
elasticity, it is important to maintain these parts at a comparatively low temperatu
To isolate said parts from the heated part or expansion chamber of the apparatus,
connecting hollow tube may be indefinitely lengthened by coiling, curving, or bend
said tube to maintain the liquid at a comparatively cool state in the indicator
acting diaphragm, and prevent vapour from passing into the indicator or diaphra
and at the same time to prevent the indicator or diaphragm being heated through
metal acting as a carrier or conductor,

page_text: my fourth improvement relates to the employing of metals placed within the heating
chamber instead of the enclosed liquids within the expanding chamber as the motive
agent or expander in actuating the valves for giving an alarin on the water rising or
falling beyond a fixed point in the boiler, or actuating an index pointer. Said
improvement essentially consists in applying any known arrangement of metal rods,
metal coils, or metal spirals, or a tube of metal in the aforesaid chamber, which is
alternately heated and cooled, said metal rods or tubes or like contrivance actuating
the valves direct in any manner now adopted for separating water from steam, or
through levers or other mechanisin, or the rods in the act of expanding or contracting
may set intermediate mechanism in motion, said mechanisin giving motion to the
valves or indicators. This improvement may be applied to the single port arrange-
ment in connection with the heating chamber forming the first part of this invention,
or the double port arrangement in connection with both the steam and water spaces
forming the subject of Thomson's said Patent No. 2520 Feb. 20 1886, and for the
purpose of giving an alarm on the water varying between one or more fixed points, or
for regulating the level of the water in the boiler.
Dated this 15th day of December 1887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFI
Improvements in and Connected with Apparatus for Indicating and
Regulating the Temperature and Pressure of Fluids, Specially
in Steam
Applicable for Regulating the Level of Water
Generators.
I, JAMES MURRIE, of 45 West Nile Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
My said Invention comprises certain improvements in or upon the apparatus
for indicating and regulating the temperature and pressure of fluids, or of steam
or other vapour in their generators or other close vessels or places, and of the
kind described in the Provisional and Complete Specifications of the Inventions for
which Royal Letters Patent were granted to me, No. 303 January 9 1885 and that
granted to John Thomson, No. 2520 Feb. 20 1886.
The basis or fundamental character of all these indicating and regulating apparatus
consists in the employment of a hollow chamber or tube, partly or wholly filled with
water, or other liquid or fluid, or fluids, termed the expansion chamber A, having
its one end or extremity A¹ closed or scaled, and the other extremity connected
by a tube a to a pressure indicator I, graduated to show pressures and also temperatures,
corresponding to the pressures developed in said close expansion tube or chamber
of the indicator or their relative equivalents in the boiler. This expansion chamber A
acts by the heating or cooling of its closed extremity A' either direct or by
enclosing it in a heating jacket or chamber B in direct circulation or connection
with the heating fluids or steam and water spaces of boiler D as shown in Figure 2
by two ports and tubes b, 6, 126. The corresponding expansion or vaporisation
and condensation of the fluid within the expansion chamber A is transmitted by
the intervening liquid or fluid in the tube a leading to the indicator I, which
would thus indicate the pressure in the expansion chamber A or the pressure and
temperature graduated on the indicator I corresponding to that in the boiler D.
This apparatus has also heretofore been provided with a pressure diaphragm Cor
it might be a piston, valve, or other equivalent mechanism fitted on the tube
leading from the expansion chamber A and which changes its position on being
subjected to variations in temperature and pressure within the tube A, and th
motion derived therefrom has been utilized in actuating mechanism for giving an
einission of steam and audible signals, such as by a valve and whistle C¹, C, show
in Figure 2 when the water falls below a given level in the steam boiler D, an
setting on the feed water, and blowing off the water when it rose too high, an
opening a safety valve when the heat and pressure rose too high in the boiler, an

page_text: regulating the temperature and flow of air and gases in ovens, or chambers,
and through pipes or tubes, all as described in the Specifications of the before
mentioned Patented Inventions.
Heretofore in applying these indicating and regulating apparatus for indicating
and regulating the level of the water or other liquid in steam generators D or
other like vessels, two tubes and ports b', 6," and b² 6, were connected between the
heating chamber B of the expansion chamber A and the steam boiler D; one tube b¹
being led from the steam space, and the other tube from the water space con-
nected respectively some distance above and below the desired normal level of the
water in the boiler D, somewhat in the same way as an ordinary water gauge glass
for showing the water level. At a point in the passage between the aforesaid tubes
where it is desired to obtain audible or other indications on the water falling below
this point or the normal level, the heating chamber B of the expansion chamber A
was heretofore placed horizontally all as seen in Figure 2.
And in order that the improvements of my present invention and the manner of
performing or carrying the same into effect or practice may be properly understood,
I have hereunto appended an explanatory sheet of Drawings in which the same
reference letters are used to indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures where
shown. Figure 3 shows a sectional elevation of the end of a steam boiler or
generator D, as fitted with the said improved close fluid expansion chamber A, and
its outward enclosing heating casing B in accordance with one modification of the
first improvements of this invention, for giving an alarm by a steam whistle C²,
when the level of the water z falls below the lowest desired regulated point in the
boiler D. Figure 4 shows a corresponding sectional elevation of a slight modifica-
tion of that shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows another modification of the
arrangement shown in Figure 3, as applied to the feeding of the boiler D when
the level of the water falls below the said lowest desired regulated point, all
illustrative of the first improvements of this invention. Figure 6 shows a sectional
elevation of one end of a steam boiler D, as fitted with one arrangement of my new
or improved indicator and fittings, illustrative of the second improvement of this
invention. Figures 7 and 7 A show sectional elevations of my expansion tube
indicator A as fitted with and illustrative of the third improvement of this invention.
And Figure 8 shows a sectional end view of a boiler D, as fitted with and illus-
trative of the first and fourth improvements of this invention, for giving an alarm
when the level of the water z falls below the lowest desired regulated point.
Referring to Figures 3 to 5-One of the improvements of this invention consists
in fitting the expansion chamber A and its heating chamber B vertically, and in
connecting the latter near its lower end by a single tube and port d, preferably fitted
with a tap d (instead of two tubes and ports as Leretofore and as shown in Figure 2)
to the steam boiler or generator D at the lowest point it is desired to maintain the
water level, and where it is desired to obtain an audible or visible indication on
the water falling below said part d. Thus the heating chamber B (surrounding the
expansion chamber A which it heats) being fitted above the tube passage d and part
connecting it with the boiler D), causes the water always to fill it when the water is
higher than the port tube d, but whenever the water level falls the least below the
port d, the steam displaces the water and fills the chamber B and heats the expansion
chamber A to the high temperature due to the steam, and generates vapour from
the liquid therein, the pressure of which depresses the liquid actuates the moving
disc and sets the outside regulating mechanism C, c, c¹ c², in motion when that is
used as seen in Figures 3, 5, 6 and 8.
=
This single port and tube arrangement d, d, of the apparatus A, B, may be applied
to automatically give an alarm feed, or regulate the feed, on the water falling below,
(or rising above) a predetermined point or level d in the steam boiler D, otherwise
much in the same way as described and illustrated in the Specifications hereinbefore
referred to. This new arrangement of single port and pipe connection d between
the boiler D and heating chamber B permits of the expansion chamber A and its
heater B and the temperature and pressure indicating apparatus being placed some

page_text: distance below the normal water level z, in the boiler D with advantage to its working
instead of being at the normal water level, as required in the former connections of
two ports and tubes with the boiler D, as shown in Figure 2, and in the Specification
of the former Patent No. 2520 Feby 20 1886.
Referring more particularly to Figure 3; E shows a tube connecting the steam
space of the boiler D with the tube E leading to the branch E2 of the valve C¹ and
whistle C² for giving an audible indication, or alarm signal, when the water falls
below the tube d. The tube E' in this arrangement is also shown in communication
with the top of the heater B, and taps e, e¹, are fitted in these tubes E, E', for testing
the working of the apparatus from time to time, and a pet cock B¹ is fitted on the
top of the heating chamber B to test the circulation of the fluids through it. The
action of this arrangement is as follows:-On the water falling below the tube d
steam enters and displaces the whole of the water in the upper part of the close
heating chamber B, and suddenly heats the fluid in the close expansion vessel A
causing the vapour thereby raised in the upper part of the tube A to press down the
liquid into the chamber of the diaphragm C, which being deflected outwards depresses
the lever c, raising the rod and bell crank lever c¹, c², so as to open the valve ("', in
the branch E connected with the branches E, E', and sound the whistle C above it.
The arrows indicate the direction and action of the steam in sounding the whistle.
Figure 4 shows a modification of Figure 3, with the heater B connected by the new
single branch d, and in which the liquid in the expansion chamber A is connected
direct by a pipe a with the diaphragm chamber C, so as to open the steam valve C¹
when the water falls below the tube d, and through the pipe C sounds a whistle, or
other alarm. Instead of leading to a whistle alarm, this tube (1 may lead to auto-
matically feed, or regulate the feed of the water to the boiler D. Referring to
Figure 5 this arrangement of the expansion and heating chamber A, B, with the
new single connecting tube d of the indicating apparatus, is substantially the same
as shown in Figure 3, and lettered to correspond, except that the steam tube C" is
led to the upper part of a close supply or feed water chamber F, the bottom of which
is directly connected by the pipe to the water space of the boiler D preferably
fitted with stop cock for use while filling the close chamber F or it might be a
back pressure check valve; so that on the water in the boiler falling below the
tube d, the steam enters the chamber B, and heats the fluids in the close chamber A,
deflects the diaphragm C, and through intermediate lever mechanism c c c² opens
the steam valve C, which equalises the pressure in the water supply chamber F
and allows it to fall or discharge into the water space of the boiler D.
Referring to Figure 6-My second improvement relates to a mode of preventing
partially or wholly heated water from ascending into the heating chamber or cylinder B,
in which the aforesaid expansion chamber A is placed. To maintain said heating
chamber B at a comparatively low temperature when in communication with the
water in the boiler D, the intermediate hollow tube, cylinder or passage way d³,
connecting it with the boiler D, has one, two, or more coils, curves, or bends d² in it,
between the port at D' securing the tube d to the boiler D and the aforesaid chamber B,
so arranged that there is a gradual rise or ascent to permit the water falling back
into the boiler on being displaced by steam when the level falls below the port d.
In this case the diaphragm of the expansion chamber A is shown as opening the
valve C direct, to admit steam to the pipe C to give any audible signal desired,
or supply water to the boiler, as described in reference to Figures 3 to 5.
Referring to Figure 7: My improvement consists in applying the aforesaid
arrangement of coils d² to the tube a of the expansion temperature regulating
apparatus proper, that is to the tube a, which connects the expansive liquid in the
chamber A with the pressure or temperature indicator I, or with the diaphragm C, or
like contrivance to be used for giving an alarm and regulating the How of fluids
suitable to the pressure or temperature indicated. The life or durability of the
apparatus depends mainly on the moving parts, such as the diaphragm plates Cor
flat hollow coils used in the pressure indicator I, retaining their elasticity, it is
important to maintain these parts at a comparatively low temperature. To isolate

page_text: said parts from the heated part or expansion chamber A of the apparatus, the con-
necting hollow tube a may be indefinitely lengthened by coiling, curving, or bending
said tube a as indicated at d in Figure 7, to maintain the liquid at a comparatively
cool state in the indicator I and chamber of the acting diaphragm C, and also prevent
vapour from passing into the indicator or diaphragm, and at the same time to prevent
the indicator or diaphragm being heated through the metal tube a acting as a carrier
or conductor. When it is desired to have a longer acting close expansion liquid
chamber A than can be conveniently obtained with the straight construction shown in
the previous Figure 7, this may be made in the form of a reverse coil chamber A²
to be heated at the lower end of the tube a, as shown in Figure 7 A, either in
combination with the upper coil d² on the same tube or not, A being the close end
fitted with a tight screw plug for filling in the expansion liquids to be heated and
vaporised, to produce the acting pressure within the liquid tube a.
Referring to Figure 8-My fourth improvement relates to the employing of
metals placed within the heating chamber B, instead of the enclosed liquids within
the expansion chamber A, as the motive agent or expander in actuating the valve C
for giving an alarm on the level of the water z falling or rising beyond a fixed
point or tube d in the boiler D, or actuate an index pointer. Said improvement
essentially consists in applying any known arrangement of metal rods, metal coils,
or metal spirals, or a tube of metal in the aforesaid chamber B, which is alternately
heated and cooled, said metal rods or tubes or like contrivance actuating the valves
direct in any manner now adopted for separating water from steam, or through
levers or other mechanism, or these new metal rods within the heating tube B in
the act of expanding or contracting may set intermediate mechanism in motion,
said mechanism giving motion to the valves or indicators. This improvement may
be applied to the single port arrangement d in connection with the heating chamber B,
forming the first part of this invention, and shown in Figures 3 to 6, or the double
port arrangement & shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying Drawings, and in
connection with both the steam and water spaces forming the subject of Thomson's
said Patent No. 2520 Feby 20 1886, and for the purpose of giving an alarm
on the water varying between one or more fixed points, or for regulating the level =
of the water in the boiler D. In Figure 8 is shown an arrangement of the heating
chamber B with one port d, as fitted with one arrangement of this new or improved
metallic expanding and contracting rods forming the fourth improvement of this
invention, and in which a copper tube A³ is used, instead of the fluid chamber A.
shown in the other Figures, and heated in the same manner as the tube A and
fixed at its lower end pressure tight by the end screw cap B2 of the heating tube B,
but left free to expand and contract at the upper end, which is connected by a centre
rod a jointed to a lever c, which on the expansion of the copper tube A³ by the
admission of steam to the chamber B raises the inner end of the lever c and pulls
down the rod e¹ and bell-crank c² to open the steam valve (, and sound the whistle C
substantially as described in reference to Figure 3. Or the branch E instead of
leading to the whistle C might lead to an indicator I or to a water cistern F to feed
the boiler D when the water fell below the tube d; or actuate a valve in a discharge
valve chest and pipe to draw off water from the boiler when it rose too high. When
a straight or coiled metal rod is to be used in this arrangement, its upper end might
be secured to the top of the heating chamber B, and have a straight cylindrical
part working out through a small stuffing-box in the lower end of the chamber B to
actuate the lever mechanism C, c, c1, c2, or other equivalent to work the indicators I
or valves for the purposes described as effected by the close liquid expansion
chamber A. This vertical arrangement of the expansion chamber A and its heating
case B, is also capable of being fitted and worked with a second tube connecting the
steam space of the boiler with the top of the heating chamber B, in which case, when
the water rose too high in the boiler D and in the heating chamber B, it would cool
or condense the fluids in the expansion chamber A, and so by the reaction of the
diaphragm (, or a spring or weight on it, could be made through the lever

page_text: mechanism C, c, c¹, c², to open a valve in a blow-off chest and pipe, so as to draw off
water or liquid from the boiler when it rose above the desired fixed level.
These new or improved arrangements of pressure and temperature indicators having
their expansion acting chamber A and its heating case B, fitted vertically and with
one water and steam port and tube d, connecting the point of lowest liquid level
desired within the lower end of the heating chamber B, may with advantage be
frequently mounted at a greater distance from the boiler than shown in the drawings,
and at a greater height above the boiler, as shown in Figure 6. And they are equally
suitable for being applied to other close boilers, vessels, and pipes, where liquids are
being boiled or vaporised by heat, all for giving the said indication of pressure or
temperature or both, and giving emission of the fluids and audible signals, and a
supply of the liquids at certain desired levels of these in the vessels, all as herein
described.
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,
First. The construction, or general arrangement and combination of the parts of
apparatus for and connected with the indicating and regulating of the temperature
and pressure of fluids, consisting in having its confined fluid expansion chamber or
expansive metallic rod or tube and outer heating fluid chamber, ranged vertically,
with a single port branch or pipe leading from the lowest water level of a pressure
boiler to near the lower end of the heating chamber and so that the steam enters
when the water falls below this point, and by heating the confined fluid in the
expansion chamber actuates mechanism for liberating steam from the boiler, and
giving audible signals or for feeding water into the boiler, all substantially as herein
described, in reference to and distinguished in Figures 3, 4, and 5, 6, and 8 respectively
of the accompanying Drawings.
Second. In apparatus for and connected with the indicating and regulating of the
temperature and pressure of fluids, with a confined fluid expansion chamber, and
outer heating chamber, the having of coils, curves or bends on the tube connecting
the heating chamber with the water space of the boiler, all substantially as and
for the advantages hercin described and shown in reference to Figure 6 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Third. In apparatus for and connected with the indicating and regulating of the
temperature and pressure of fluids, with a confined fluid expansion chamber, the
having of coils, curves or bends on the tube connecting the expansion chamber with
the indicator and diaphragm or moving mechanism, all substantially as and for the
advantages herein described, in reference to and shown in Figures 7 and 7 A of the
accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. In apparatus for and connected with the indicating and regulating of
the temperature and pressure of fluids with an outer heating case or chamber, the
having of an expansion metallic rod or tube within it for actuating the mechanism
of the indicator for liberating steam from the boiler and giving audible signals or for
feeding water into the boiler, all substantially as herein described and distinguished
in reference to and shown in Figure 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
D
11
1
C
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