IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER FLUID GAUGES
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Abraham Pullan, of Fortie Cottage, New Cross, in
the County of Kent, Engineer, and Thomas Cresswell, of Ravensbourne
Terrace, Lewisham, in the same County, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER
FLUID GAUGES."
Sealed the 27th September 1860, and dated the 4th April 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Abraham Pullan and
Thomas Cresswell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 4th April 1860.
I, ABRAHAM PULLAN, of Fortie Cottage, New Cross, in the County of
Kent, Engineer, and I, THOMAS CRESSWELL, of Ravensbourne Terrace,
Lewisham, in the same County, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM, WATER,
AND OTHER FLUID GAUGES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in gauges (applicable chiefly to.
steam boilers) for indicating the level of water in the boiler, and calling
attention to an undue depression for indicating the pressure of the: steam in
the boiler, and in marine boilers for gauging the brine contained therein.
These several objects may be attained by the use of one instrument, combining
within it the several parts requisite to perform these various offices; or the

page_text: parts may be separated into two or more cheap and efficient instruments. For
the purpose of indicating the level of the water in the boiler, we adopt a
peculiar arrangement and construction of steam and water chambers, passages,
and of three-way cock for commanding the same. The front of the gauge
we form of glass embedded in india-rubber cement, or other suitable elastic
substance which will allow for its contraction and expansion, and behind this
glass is a vertical passage or chamber for receiving the water from the boiler
to indicate the level thereof. The water comes direct from the boiler, passing
through a central passage in the conical plug of the cock, which cock is set in
the bottom of the gauge at the level at which the water enters it, and rising up
the chamber gives a visible indication of the height of the water in the boiler.
To ensure a proper indication of water level this water chamber is made open
at top, and connects with a passage leading down to a steam-way in the three-
way cock, which is also in connection with a steam passage leading to the
boiler. In this latter passage a thermometer is fixed, the bulb thereof projecting
therein for the purpose of ascertaining the temperature, and consequently the
pressure of the steam. When the cock is turned to let water into the gauge
the steam-ways will be opened to lead steam to the top of the column of water
in the water chamber. To allow of the discharge of water from the gauge a
passage leading from the central passage in the cock is brought into coincidence
with a discharge opening in the bottom of the gauge. Instead of employing the
three-way cock the passages may be so arranged.as to be commanded by conical
valves, or by slides mounted or fixed to the same stem, which is readily
operated by a bandle. When thought desirable, the steam, instead of indicating
by its heat the pressure in the boiler, may be made to act upon liquid confined
in a chamber closed at bottom by a flexible diaphragm, and at top by a tap,
and having a column of confined air above the liquid. The steam when let
into the gauge will press upon the flexible diaphragm and force the liquid
upwards, the rise of which will be seen through a slip of glass let into the
chamber. In connection with this arrangement the steam may be made to
indicate the undue depression of water in the boiler; thus, near the bottom of
the vertical water passage is an outlet pipe fitted with a whistle, and com-
manded by a weighted valve, which is supported in position by the water.
The absence of water will, therefore, allow steam to occupy its place, when the
valve will fall, and the steam will escape at the outlet pipe and sound the
alarm whistle. In some cases we propose to attach the steam escape valve
for sounding the whistle to a flexible diaphragm, which, when the level of the
water is unduly depressed, will be caused to lift the valve, and allow the

page_text: steam to sound the whistle. Or the opening of the valve which governs the
steam passage to the whistle may be assisted by a column of water in front of
the valve. In this instance the valve will be a flap valve, and in the water
chamber in front of the valve a partition will be run up a given distance to
retain a column of water in front of the valve. This column by pressing on
the valve face will cause it to leave its seat when not sustained by water at
the back, the valve will, therefore, fall back and open a steam way to the
whistle.
For marine purposes we propose to cast on the side of the gauge a box in
communication with the boiler, into which, by means of a regulating cocks,
water is admitted and kept to the boiling temperature. The bulb of a
thermometer dipping into this box will, by shewing the temperature of the
boiling water, test the quantity of salt held in solution in the boiler.
To guard against the inconveniences arising from the breaking of a gauge
glass, we propose to combine several gauges together, and to make the water
and steam passages common to all the series. By separating these gauges by
stop-cocks when the glass of one is broken, it may be cut off from the series
without any inconvenience. If desired, mercury bulbs may be suspended in
the water chambers, whereby the temperature will be shewn at the time the
level of the water is being ascertained. Into the passages leading from the
boiler and in the gauges a spindle with a square end is caused to project, for
the purpose of affording a ready means for removing any obstructions therein
caused by deposit or rust.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Abraham Pullan and Thomas Cresswell in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 4th October 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ABRAHAM
PULLAN, of Fortie Cottage, New Cross, in the County of Kent, Engineer, and
THOMAS CRESSWELL, of Ravensbourne Terrace, Lewisham, in the same County,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
5 said Abraham Pullan and Thomas Cresswell, Her special license that we,

page_text: the said Abraham Pullan and Thomas Cresswell, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Abraham Pullan and Thomas
Cresswell, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER FLUID GAUGES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Abraham Pullan and
Thomas Cresswell, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals,
or under the hand and seal of one of us, 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 we, the said Abraham Pullan and Thomas
Cresswell, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is s
to say)-
This Invention relates to improvements in gauges applicable chiefly to
steam boilers for indicating the level of water in the boiler, and for calling
attention to any improper or inconvenient depression of such level, also for
indicating the pressure of the steam in the boiler. In marine boilers the
instrument will also be useful for gauging the brine contained therein.
These several objects may be attained by the use of one instrument com-
bining within it the several parts requisite to perform these various offices; or
the parts may be separated into two or more cheap and efficient instruments.
For the purpose of indicating the level of the water in the boiler we adopt a
a peculiar arrangement of steam and water chambers, passages, and of three-
cock for commanding the same. The front of the guage is formed of
glass embedded in india-rubber cement, or other suitable elastic substance
which will allow for its contraction and expansion, and behind this glass is a
vertical passage or chamber for receiving the water from the boiler to indicate a
the level thereof. The water comes direct from the boiler and passes through
a central passage in the conical plug of the cock, which is placed at or
near the bottom of the gauge at the level at which the water enters, so
way

page_text: that the water by rising up in the chamber gives a visible indication of the
height of the water in the boiler. To insure a proper indication of water level
this chamber is made open at the top, and is connected with a passage leading
down to a steam way in the three-way cock, which is also in connection with
a steam passage leading to the boiler. In this latter passage a thermometer
is fixed, the bulb thereof projecting into the passage for the purpose of ascer-
taining the temperature, and consequently the pressure of the steam. When
the cock is turned to let water into the gauge the steam ways will be opened
to lead steam to the top of the column of water in the water chamber. In
order to allow of the discharge of water from the gauge, a passage leading
from the central passage in the cock is brought into coincidence with a
discharge opening in the bottom of the gauge. Instead of employing the
three-way cock the passages may be so arranged as to be commanded by
conical valves, or by slides mounted or fixed to the same stem, which is
readily operated by a handle. When thought desirable the steam, instead of
indicating by its heat the pressure in the boiler, may be made to act upon
some liquid confined in a chamber, closed at bottom by a flexible diaphragm
and at top by a tap, and having a column of confined air above the liquid.
The steam when let into the gauge will press upon the flexible diaphragm and
will force the liquid upwards, the rise of which liquid will be seen through a
slip of glass let into the chamber. In connection with this arrangement the
steam may be made to indicate the undue depression of water in the boiler.
Thus near the bottom of the vertical water passage is an oulet pipe fitted with
a whistle, and commanded by a weighted valve, which is supported in position
5 by the water. The absence of water will therefore allow steam to occupy its.
place, when the valve will fall and the steam will escape at the outlet pipe;
and will then sound the alarm whistle. In some cases the steam escape valve
for sounding the whistle may be attached to a flexible diaphragm, which when
the level of the water is unduly depressed, will be caused to lift the valve and
allow the steam to sound the whistle. Or the opening of the valve which
governs the steam passage to the whistle may be assisted by a column of
water in front of the valve. In this instance the valve will be a firp valve,
and in the water chamber in front of the valve a partition will be run up a
given distance to retain a column of water in front of the valve. This column
5 by pressing on the valve face will cause it to leave its seat when not sustained
by water at the back; the valve will therefore fall back and open a steam way
to the whistle.
For marine purposes we cast on the side of the gauge a box that is to be

page_text: put in communication with the boiler.
By means of a regulating cock water
is admitted into this box and kept to the boiling temperature. If the bulb of
a thermometer be made to dip into this box, it will by shewing the tem-
perature of the boiling water test the density of the water, and will indicate
the quantity of salt held in solution in the boiler.
To guard against the inconveniences arising from the breaking of a gauge
glass, several guages are combined together, and the water and steam passages
are made common to all the series. By separating these gauges by means of
stop-cocks when the glass of one is broken, the damaged one may be cut off or
removed from the series without any inconvenience. If desired, mercury bulbs
may be suspended in the water chambers, whereby the temperature will be
shewn at the same time that the level of the water is being ascertained.
Into the passages leading from the boiler and in the gauges a spindle with
a square end or provided with two studs is caused to project, for the purpose
of affording a ready means for removing any obstruction therein caused by
deposit or rust.
In the accompanying Drawing we have shewn views of different forms of
gauges constructed according to our improvements.
Fig. 1 is a front clevation, and Fig. 2 a vertical section of a water gauge
for indicating the level of water in a steam boiler; Fig. 3 is a horizontal
section through the instrument taken in the line A, A, of Fig. 2. This gauge
is provided with a thermometer, whereby the temperature of the steam as it
enters the instrument may be ascertained. a is one of the side plates of the
boiler to which the gauge is to be bolted or secured in any convenient
manner; is the foundation plate of the instrument whereby it is fixed to the
boiler; c is a cock communicating with the interior of the boiler through the
opening 1, so that water may flow from the boiler through the cock c into
the water space d of the instrument, in which it will rise to the same level as
in the boiler. This cock c is provided with a handle c', whereby it may be
turned when required. At the inner end of the cock c there are two pins 2, 2,
which work in the hole 1 when the cock is turned, and serve to keep the hole
clear from any obstruction. A strong thick plate of glass e is secured in a
metal frame f,f, between two washers of india-rubber 3, 3, in such a manner
that the level of the water in the chamber d may be seen through the-glass.
A reflector g made of tin, enamel, or other suitable material is placed behind
or at the back of the water chamber d. In order to equalize the pressure in
the gauge, steam is admitted from the boiler through the passage h. The
bulb of a thermometer j is inserted into the steam space h* near the opening h,

page_text: in order that the temperature of the steam as it issues from the boiler will be
correctly indicated, and the pressure of steam may be thereby ascertained.
Instead of allowing the steam to enter the water chamber d directly from
the boiler, the space h* at the top of the instrument is divided by a vertical
partition i (Fig. 3) into two parts, in each of which there is a pipe or channel
and . On entering the chamber h the steam will descend the pipe and
pass through a passage or channel c (Fig. 2), made or cut out of the cock c,
and will enter the pipe 2 (Fig. 3), and on reaching the top of this pipe it will
pass through an opening ", shewn by dots in Fig. 2, and press upon the
surface of the water in the chamber d.
It will be obvious that by this arrangement and construction of parts
the attendant will, by means of the cock c, have control over. the water
and steam passages, and that by turning the cock c the passage to the
water chamber d will be closed, and at the same time the channel or
passage c² made in the surface of the cock to open a communication between
the descending and ascending steam pipes i¹ and i will also be closed, one
turn of the cock c being sufficient to cut off the water and steam from the
chamber d. A transverse passage c is made through the cock, and is arranged
to correspond with the open end of the chamber d, and also with an opening
³ in the frame, so that by bringing the passage c* in a line with the open end
of the chamber d and the opening ³, the chamber may at any time bo
emptied.
B, C, and D, (Fig. 4,)
considered to be con-
The last of the series
ordinary way, and the
Fig. 4 is a sectional view shewing the manner in which we propose to
combine two, three, or more gauges together, so that should the glass of one
be broken accidentally the damaged gauge may be removed with facility,
leaving another gauge in perfect order and operation.
are three distinct and separate gauges, which may be
structed on the principle shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
(say the guage D) is to be secured to the boiler in the
other gauges are to be secured in front of it, the steam and water passages of
all the series being made to communicate with the passages 1, 1, and h, h;
that extend through all the guages. Now should the glass e of the gauge B
be broken by a blow, all that it will be necessary to do will be for the
attendant to insert in the holes k, k, transverse conical plugs which will
5 prevent the steam and water from passing forward. The. damaged gauge may
then be removed, and the gauge Ċ will be used in its place until the damaged
one be repaired. The plugs in the holes h, k, may be made like the plug of a
cock, so that by simply turning them in their seats the passages will be closed

page_text: in the manner already described. When two or more glasses e, e, one behind
the other, are used as in Fig. 4, they will act as reflectors to shew the water
level clearly; it will not therefore be necessary to employ enamelled, tin, or
other reflectors for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 2. Thermometers may be
placed in the water spaces d of each instrument in order to indicate the
temperature and pressure.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation, and Fig. 6 a vertical section of a modification of
the gauge shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of the
same, taken in the line Z, Z, of Fig. 6. a is the side of the boiler; b, the
foundation plate of the instrument; c, the cock; d, the water space or cham-
ber; e, the glass in front of the water space; g, the reflector, made of enamel,
tin, or other suitable material. Water from the boiler is admitted through the
opening 1 and cock c to the interior of the instrument, as in the former instance.
Steam passes down the pipe , which is placed inside the boiler, and from this
pipe it enters a chamber in the cock c, from whence it passes up another pipe
22 into the water space or chamber d, and of course acts upon the surface of
the water contained therein. Instead of the cock c being made to turn on its
axis independent of the gauge, as in the former instrument, it is fixed to the
part 6* of the instrument, which is made to turn by means of the handle c¹.
The lower end of the part * is accurately fitted to a conical seat in the fixed
part b, and the upper end of the part 6* turns on a point at the end, of
a screw 6', which passes through a bracket secured to the boiler a, as seen in
Fig. 6.
It will now be understood that water and steam have free access to the
interior of the instrument through the opening 1 in the boiler, but when the
moveable part of the instrument is turned round on its axis and with it
the cock c; the steam and water passages in the cock c will be closed, and the
steam and water thereby simultaneously cut off by one operation, as in the
former instance. In order to empty the instrument, a supplementary passage
in the cock c must be brought into coincidence with the opening in the trial
cock b.
Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of Fig. 6. In this
instance the chamber d is formed of a glass tube, which is secured at its lower
end in a socket, in any convenient manner.
Water passes from the boiler through the passage 1 to the interior of the
tube d, and steam from the pipe ¹ enters a chamber in the lower part of the
cock c, and ascends therefrom into a pipe 2 contained in the tube d; a handle
Gis adapted to the cock c for the purpose of turning the same when required.

page_text: The upper end of the tube d is supported by an elastic pad or bearing at the
lower end of the screw b.
Fig. 9 is a front elevation, Fig. 10 a plan view, and Fig. 11 a vertical
section, of another form of gauge, in which the steam from the boiler is made
to act directly upon the surface of the water instead of being allowed to pass
down and up tubes or passages as in the former Figures. a is the boiler; b, b,
are two brackets fixed to the sides of the boiler and bored out to receive the
conical ends of the gauge tube *, in which is fixed the glass gauge d. The lower
end of the brass tube is ground to fit the conical seat in the bracket b, and
acts as a cock to admit water to the tube d. The upper end of the gauge
tube is also ground to fit a conical seat in the upper bracket b, and is
bored to act as a cock for the admission of steam to the upper end of the
tube d; a handle c' is fixed on one side of tube b* for the convenience of turn-
ing the same. Upon water being admitted through the opening 1, it will rise
in the tube d to the same level as in the boiler, and steam is admitted at the
same time through the opening h to the upper end of the tube d, it will therefore.
be evident that upon turning the tube * by means of the handle c', the water
and steam may be simultaneously cut off from the instrument. The conical ends
of the tube are made to fit their conical seats in the brackets b, b, by means
of a conical gland 5, which is pressed down by means of a screw above. In
order to empty the tube da passage is made in the conical end of the tube b*
to coincide with a passage into the trial cock, so that by turning the tube 6*,
the contents of the tube d will be blown out, as in the former instances.
Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a modification of the guage shewn at Figures
9, 10, and 11, the principal difference being that the water chamber is formed
as in Figures 2 and 6 of the flat glass e and the back of the moveable part 6*
of the gauge, a reflector g being also employed. The two ends of the moveable
part 6 are made conical and ground to fit the seats in the fixed brackets b, b,
as in Fig. 11. The same letters of reference are marked on corresponding
parts in the Figures, and therefore the description of Figures 9, 10, and 11
will to a great extent apply to Fig. 12 also.
Fig. 13 is another modification of Fig. 11. In this instance the steam is
admitted to a hollow plug h*, which is so adjusted vertically and held in
position by lock-nuts 1, l. The moveable part 6 of the gauge turns upon the
conical end of the hollow plug h*, in which is made an opening 5 into the
water space d of the gauge. By turning the moveable part * on its axis
the hollow plug h* being at the same time stationary, the steam port 5 will be
closed as in the former cases.
;

page_text: Fig. 14 is a vertical section of another form of gauge, in which the water
and steam enter the space or chamber d direct, as in Figures 11, 12, and 13,
but in the present instance all the parts of the gauge, except the cock, are
fixed, as in Fig. 2. Water is admitted from the boiler into the cock c, and
from thence passes into the space or chamber d, while steam from the boiler
enters through the opening into the space *, from whence it passes through
the valve m into the space d. In order to control the water and steam pas-
sages by the same operation, a conical plug which closes the valves m is fixed
on the end of a rod n, and the lower end of this rod bears against the conical
surface of the cock c.
Upon referring to Fig. 15, which is a cross section of the cock c, it will be seen
that a depression is brought under the end of the rod n, the latter will drop down
and will close the valve m above, and cut off the steam from the space d; but
when the cock c is turned back again to admit water to the gauge, the rod n will
be lifted up, and consequently the valve m will be again opened and will admit
steam as before. The upper end of the rod n is fitted to a socket bored or
made in the screw plug, which closes the upper end of the instrument and acts
as a guide to the rod n. The cock c is provided at its inner end with pins 2, 2,
which project into the opening 1 made in the boiler, to allow the water to flow
into the guage. These pins are for the purpose of keeping the hole 1 clear
from any sediment or obstruction that may be liable to collect therein.
Figures 16 and 17 are sectional views of two cocks fitted with this con-
trivance for preventing the accumulation of sediment in the passage 1. In
fitting the flat glasses e, e, into these frames, india-rubber washers are employed
to make a steam and water-tight joint; this object is facilitated by making
grooves along the sides of the glass, as seen at Fig. 18, so that the india-
rubber washers may enter therein.
Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view, and Fig. 20 a partial horizontal section
of another form of water gauge, in which the level of the water in the boiler
is indicated by an index or pointer p, commanded by a weighted lever 9,
jointed to a valve r, attached to a rod s, which is supported in position by the
water which is admitted into the chamber d through an opening 1. When
the level of the water descends in the chamber d, the rod s, with the valve r,
will fall and carry down the lever 1, thereby causing the index arm to indicate
on the scale the altered level. At the same time the valve », by its descent,
will expose an opening in the outlet pipe t, into which the steam will rush,
and will issue out at the top, and in so doing will sound the whistle u, and
give the alarm when the water is either too low or too high. This arrange.

page_text: ment of water indicator is intended to be employed in combination with the
flat glass water gauge shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
Fig. 21 is another form of gauge, in which, while the water level is pro-
perly maintained, a weighted valve r will close the outlet pipe, but imme-
diately the water in the chamber d sinks below the valve, the latter will fall
and allow steam to enter the outlet pipe t, and sound the whistle u. .
}
A salinometer E is adapted to a chamber v cast on one side of the instru
ment, and into this chamber water from the boiler is admitted through a
suitable aperture. Steam also is admitted into the chamber 6 for the purpose
of keeping the water at the boiling point. The bulb of a thermometer will
be inserted into the water to indicate the temperature, and the bulb of a
salinometer will be also immersed to indicate the density of the water. On
the other side of the instrument is a pressure guage F of peculiar construction,
and is adapted to a chamber w, which is cast on to the side of the water
guage. Steam from the upper part of the water gauge passes down a pas-
sage to the chamber w, and presses on the under side of a flexible
diaphragm y,.composed of vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable material,
and secured between flanges as shewn in the Figure, and forms a close
chamber containing any suitable liquid. Above the column of the liquid in
the vertical tube there is a volume of air which, as the pressure in the
chamber w increases, becomes compressed, and allows the water or liquid to
rise in the vertical tube and indicate the pressure. A stop-cock is adapted
to the upper end of the vertical tube for the purpose of regulating the supply
of air or for giving access to the interior of the tube. Fig. 22 is a modification
of the water gauge first described.
In Fig. 22 a flat clack valve m is employed instead of the conical valve
shewn in Fig. 21. When the water sinks below the clack valve m, the latter
will fall back and allow steam to escape to the whistle u, as in the former
instance. A pressure gauge F, of precisely similar construction to that already
described, is adapted to a chamber w cast on the side of the water gauge.
Fig. 23 is a sectional view of an alarm gauge, in which two whistles are
; employed. The flexible diaphragm y is secured to a stem r', which is provided
with two valves, one communicating with the outlet pipe t and whistle u, and
the other with a second outlet pipe t¹ and whistle u¹. Water from the boiler
is admitted to the chamber d, and steam is admitted to the same chamber,
and also to a pipe (shewn by dots in the Figure) whereby it is conducted to
the under side of the diaphragm. It will now be understood that the weight
of water on the top of the diaphragm will keep the valves closed, and when

page_text: the level of the water sinks to a given point, the pressure of the steam on the
under side of the diaphragm, assisted by the column of condensed steam in the
pipe, will lift up the same and open the valve, thereby allowing the steam to
escape through the whistles, and sound an alarm.
Having now described our Invention of "Improvements in the Construction
of Steam, Water, and other Fluid Gauges," and having explained the manner
of carrying the same into effect, we claim the arrangements of parts herein
set forth for the purposes above mentioned.
In witness whereof, we, the said Abraham Pullan and Thomas Cresswell,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, the Third day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
ABRAHAM PULLAN. (L.S.)
THOS. CRESSWELL.
(L.S.)