IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- RATUS FOR REGULATING THE PASSAGE OF FLUIDS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Ross, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Plumber, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR REGULATING THE PASSAGE OF FLUIDS."
Sealed the 16th June 1857, and dated the 27th March 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Ross at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
March 1857.
I, WILLIAM Ross, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS POR REGULATING THE PASSAGE OF FLUIDS," to be as follows,
that is to say-
This Invention relates to an arrangement of valvular apparatus to be used
in various situations, and for various purposes where the flow and pressure of
fluids are to be regulated. Under the modification of the apparatus as
suitable for regulating the supply of cleansing water to water-closets, it
consists of a hollow flexible and fluid-tight ball or bag of india-rubber, or
other suitable material, disposed in the interior of a spherical metal case.
This flexible ball is unconnected with its containing case, except at the bottom,
where there is an aperture in it coinciding with a small pipe, which opens at
that part into the metal chamber. The water for the supply of the closet is
conducted into the metal chamber by a wide pipe on the top, and it is dis-
charged by a correspondingly wide lateral branch, which passes to the closet

page_text: pan or soil receiver. This lateral branch is also on the upper side of the
metal chamber, and its junction with the chamber is guarded by a perforated
shield or bearing piece to support the inclosed flexible ball against the effect
of internal pressure. The main supply pipe has a small lateral branch from
it, guarded by a stop-cock or valve, this branch being connected at its other
end with the small bottom pipe opening into the bottom of the flexible ball.
The junction here is continued onwards in the shape of a single discharge
pipe, also governed by a stop-cock or valve. In this latter valve, which is
acted upon by the closet mechanism when the closet is put to use, so long as
this valve remains closed, no water being required, the fluid pressure from
the main supply pipe, upon the exterior of the flexible ball, is balanced by the
fluid pressure from the same source in the interior of the flexible ball, this
internal pressure being produced by the flow of water from the main pipe,
through the upper valve on the lateral branch, and thence down into the
small bottom pipe opening into the interior of the flexible ball. It is this upper
valve which governs the action of the apparatus, and when the closet is erected
the maker or fitter up adjusts the amount of opening of this valve, which
opening remains constantly the same. When the water-closet has been used,
and the ordinary handle is drawn for the supply of the cleansing water, the
same movement opens the bottom valve. This opening permits the water to
flow away from the interior of the flexible ball, and as the external pressure
upon the ball still remains, this external pressure depresses the top of the
ball, and opens up a passage for the flow of the water through the upper wide
lateral branch to the closet basin. The water continues to flow thus until the
gradual refilling of the flexible ball, by the slow influx of water through the
upper adjusted valve, causes the ball to become again distended, so as to shut
off the flow by the upper wide branch. In this way the flexible ball answers
in itself as an excellent valve, in addition to its other power of regulating
the flow of the water by its flexible action. This apparatus may obviously
be varied in many ways for the obtainment of the same or similar ends.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Ross in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th
September 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
Ross, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Plumber, send 3
greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto.
me, the said William Ross, Her special license that I, the said William
Ross, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Ross, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE PASSAGE OF FLUIDS," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said William Ross,, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, 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 William Ross, 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 in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates to an arrangement of valvular apparatus to be.
used in various situations, and for various purposes where the flow and
pressure of fluids are to be regulated. Under the modification of the appa-
ratus as suitable for regulating the supply cleansing water to water-closets, it
consists of a hollow flexible and fluid-tight ball or bag of india-rubber, or
other suitable material, disposed in the interior of a spherical metal case.
This flexible ball is unconnected with its containing case, except at the
bottom, where there is an aperture in it coinciding with a small pipe, which
opens at that part into the metal chamber. The water for the supply of the
closet is conducted into the metal chamber by a wide pipe on the top, and it
is discharged by a correspondingly wide lateral branch, which passes to the
closet pan or soil receiver. This lateral branch is also on the upper side of
the metal chamber, and its junction with the chamber is guarded by a per-
forated shield or bearing piece to support the inclosed flexible ball against.
the effect of internal pressure. The main supply pipe has a small lateral.
branch from it, guarded by a stop-cock or valve, this branch being connected

page_text: at its other end with the small bottom pipe opening into the bottom of the
flexible ball. The junction here is continued onwards in the shape of a single
discharge pipe, also governed by a stop-cock or valve. It is this latter valve
which is acted upon by the closet mechanism when the closet is put to use.
So long as this valve remains closed, no water being required, the fluid pressure
from the main supply pipe, upon the exterior of the flexible ball, is balanced by
the fluid pressure from the same source in the interior of the flexible ball, this
internal pressure being produced by the flow of water from the main pipe,
through the upper valve on the lateral branch, and thence down into the small
bottom pipe opening into the interior of the flexible ball. It is this upper valve
which governs the action of the apparatus, and when the closet is erected the
maker or fitter up adjusts the amount of opening of this valve, which opening
remains constantly the same. When the water-closet has been used, and the
ordinary handle is drawn for the supply of the cleansing water, the same
movements opens the bottom valve. This opening permits the water to flow
away from the interior of the flexible ball, and as the external pressure upon
the ball still remains, this external pressure depresses the top of the ball, and
opens up a passage for the flow of the water through the upper wide lateral
branch to the closet basin. The water continues to flow thus until the gradual
refilling of the flexible ball, by the slow influx of water through the upper
adjusted valve, causes the ball to become again distended, so as to shut off the
flow by the upper wide branch. In this way the flexible ball answers in itself
as an excellent valve, in addition to its other power of regulating the flow of
the water by its flexible action. This apparatus may obviously be varied in
many ways for the obtainment of the same or similar ends.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended, for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which my improvements may be judiciously
carried out in practice.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a closet pan with my improvements applied
thereto; Figure 2 is a plan corresponding to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical
section of the valvular apparatus, drawn to an enlarged scale, in order to show
the arrangement of the parts more clearly than in the smaller view, Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an elevation of a closet pan with another modification of my
improved valvular apparatus applied thereto; Figure 5 is a plan of the same,
and Figure 6, a vertical section of the valve, drawn to a scale one-half the real
size; Figure 7 is a vertical section of the valvular apparatus, as applied to
water pipes of large diameter; Figure 8 is a vertical section, showing the

page_text: arrangement applied to the water service pipes used for domestic purposes;
Figure 9 is a partially vertical section, showing the application of the valvular
apparatus to a ball float arrangement for controlling the admission of water.
In Figures 1 and 2 the iron basin A and lever B, by means of which the
valvular apparatus is actuated, are of the ordinary kind. The valvular
apparatus, for controlling and regulating the admission of the water, does not
form any part of the closet shown in Figure 1, but is a separate adjunct
applied thereto.
In the enlarged sectional view, Figure 3, which is drawn to a scale one-half
the real size, the internal arrangement of the valvular apparatus is clearly
shown.
The vertical inlet pipe C communicates with the spherical chamber D.
from which the outlet or discharge pipe E branches off in an angular or other
suitable direction.
For convenience of access to the chamber D, the valvular apparatus is made
in two halves, which are bolted or otherwise secured together at the central
flanges. A tubular passage F is made through the solid portion of the metal,
and beyond or outside the chamber D. This tubular passage F forms a
communication between the inlet pipe C and a vertical tube G.
The tubular passage F is governed by means of a stop-cock H', which
controls the passage of the water from the inlet pipe C to the tube G. Insido
the spherical chamber D a ball I of vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable
clastic material is fitted. This flexible ball I corresponds to the size of the
interior of the chamber D, and is arranged and fitted therein prior to the two
halves of the valvular apparatus being put together. A. hole is made in the
lower part of the ball I, through which the tube G passes; the upper part of
this tube is perforated round the circumference, and it terminates with a cap-
piece fitted on to the extremity. When the ball I is full of water, it balances
the pressure of the fluid in the inlet pipe C, and which is pressing upon the
exterior of the ball. If, however, the water contained within the ball is allowed
to escape, then the pressure of the fluid in the inlet pipe forces the upper part
of the ball inwards, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of my illustrative Drawings.
This collapsing of the ball removes it from the lateral opening of the outlet
pipe E, through which the water has free egress as long as the ball I remains
collapsed.
In applying this valvular apparatus to closet basins, as shown in Figures
1 and 2 of my Drawings, the water regulator is attached to the upper part of
the pan A by bolts, or other suitable attachments. The service pipe is con-
nected to the inlet pipe C, and the discharge pipe is in like manner attached,

page_text: to the outlet E. The stop-cock H', which governs the tubular passage G, is
connected to the lever B, by which the moveable pan of the closet basin is
actuated. The lever B is jointed at one end to its fulerum, and at about its
centre to the short lever J, through the upper end of which a square rod is
passed. This rod is the axis upon which the pan turns when the lever B is lifted
by means of a handle, the rod of which is attached to the weighted end of the
lever. The cock H' is actuated each time the lever B is raised by means of the
small bell crank lever K, one end of which is attached by a bolt and nut to
the lever B, whilst the other end is passed on to the key of the stop-cock H.
Whilst the lever B is down, and the flow of water shut off, the tubular
passage G is open, and the water has free access to the interior of the ball I,
and the fluid is in a state of equilibrium. When, however, the lever Bis
raised, the cock HI' closes the tubular passage G, and the water contained
within the ball I flows away away through the small lateral passage G¹, which
branches from the tube G and away into the basin of the closet. The pressure
of the water above the ball being no longer balanced by the fluid within it, its
upper part is borne down by the superincumbent weight, and assumes a concave
form. Now, as the ball when full of fluid completely fills up the chamber D,
it is obvious that the water in the inlet pipe cannot escape through the
discharge pipe E. But when the ball is partially collapsed by withdrawing a
portion of the whole of the water within the ball, then the passage E will be
wholly or partially opened. The cock H is so arranged that the passage G is
either wholly or partially left open, in order to regulate the filling of the valve.
Thus, if the passage G is entirely open, the interior of the ball is quickly
refilled, and the water as speedily shut off. On the contrary, the shutting off
of the fluid may be rendered very gradual by nearly closing the passage G,
and allowing the ball I to fill slowly, and thus gradually closing the passage E.
At the part where the passage E enters the chamber D, it is divided there-
from by a perforated diaphragm L, in order to prevent the clastic or flexible
material of the ball I from being forced into the aperture. A modified arrange-
ment of the valvular apparatus, as applied to water closet basins, is shown
in Figures 4, 5, and 6 of my illustrative Drawings.
In the enlarged view, Figure 6, the regulator is shown detached and drawn
to a scale one-half the real size. The service pipe M is screwed by a con-
necting screw or other suitable attachment to the upper extremity of the metal
casing N which contains the flexible valve. An annular passage O is formed
round the lower end of the inlet pipe M', and this passage communicates
with the outlet pipe P, and with the hemispherical valve chamber which form
the bottom of the valvular apparatus.

page_text: In this modification of my improvements the flexible valve or diaphragm Q
is of a hemispherical shape, and it is made with a flange round its edge, by
which it is secured between the flange of the valve chamber and the plate or
surface to which the regulator is fixed.
In applying this apparatus to a closet basin, it is fastened to the upper plate
by means of screws, as shown in the plan, Figure 5. The plate to which the
regulator is fastened has a small chamber R made in it immediately under
the flexible valve Q. The chamber R has diverging from it at right angles a
lateral tubular passage, into which a metal tube S is screwed. The free end of
this tube S comes against a piece of leather, caoutchouc, or other elastic mate-
terial recessed in a centre piece affixed to the bar of metal on which the pan T
turns. This part of the arrangement is more clearly shown in dotted lines in
the plan, Figure 5. There is a small hole U made in the upper part of the
flexible valve Q, so as to admit the water to the interior of the valve. When
the lever B is raised, the metal bar of the pan T turns partially round; this
action draws away the centre piece from the face of the tube S. The
diameter of the tube S being much larger than the orifice in the valve Q, the
water contained therein quickly flows away through the mouth of the tube.
The pressure of the water upon the upper side of the valve Q presses it
downwards and away from the apertures in the lower end of the inlet pipe.
The water consequently rushes through the apertures round the annular passage
and through the outlet pipe to the basin of the closet. Upon releasing the
lever B, the tube S is again stopped by the centre piece on the bar of the pan T,
and the water flows into the hemispherical valve Q through the aperture U.
The valve Q is filled with more or less rapidity according to the size of the
aperture in it, and this filling of the valve regulates the closure of the apertures
in the end of the inlet pipe, and consequently the shutting off of the flow of
water. The arrangement of the flexible valve may be modified, so that the
pressure of the water is upwards and against the valve, instead of downwards
and upon it, as in Figures 4, 5, and 6, of my Sheet of Drawings. And instead
of using a hemispherical flexible valve, a diaphragm of suitable flexible
material may be substituted for the hollow valve.
In arranging my improved valvular apparatus for the passage of fluids
through pipes of considerable diameter, as, for example, water mains, the
flexible valve is peculiarly advantageous, because, by simply turning a small
stop-cock so as to allow the water in the interior of the valve to escape, the
whole area of the pipe is opened, and the water has free egress through the
outlet. One arrangement, as applied to street mains, is shown in Figure 7 of
my Drawings. The service or inlet pipe Vis made with a series of holes at its

page_text: upper end; these apertures communicate with the annular passage W leading
to the outlet pipe X. The valve Y is fitted in a hemispherical chamber similar
to that shown in Figure 6, and before described. There is a small chamber Z
in the plate a; this chamber has a lateral tubular passage b, which is governed
by the stop-cock c. The outlet pipe X has upon its upper end the junction
piece of a hose pipe, or other attachment. The water from the inlet pipe fills
the flexible valve through the orifice made in its centre, and whilst it is full the
apertures in the upper end of the inlet pipe are effectually closed. Upon the
stop-cock being opened the water contained within the valve flows through
the lateral passage, which is made much larger than the orifice in the valve.
The emptying of the valve causes it to collapse and leave the apertures in
the end of the inlet pipe free for the passage of the water to the pipe X. It
will be obvious that by means of these improvements pipes of any calibre may
be "turned on," or governed with a key not exceeding in size that of an ordi-
nary latch key.
In applying my improvements to taps or stop-cocks for domestic purposes,
they are controlled, in like manner, with the same trifling expenditure of force.
Figure 8 of the illustrative Sheet of Drawings shows one modification suitable
for taps arranged for domestic purposes.
The inlet pipe d communicates with the hemispherical valve chamber e, in
which the flexible valve f is fitted. The valve f, when filled or distended with
water, covers the series of apertures 9 which communicate with the annular
passage h leading to the outlet pipe i. The flexible valvef has a small orifice
made in it to allow the water from the inlet to flow into and fill the valve.
The water is withdrawn from the valve by means of the stop-cock j, the
plug of which is made hollow, and communicates with the tubular passage k.
The passage enters the outlet pipe i at the side or behind the valve
chamber e, so that when the stop-cock j is turned on, as shown in Figure 8
of my Sheet of Drawings, the water contained within the valve is forced
out by the columnar pressure of the water in the service or inlet pipe d.
The water in the valve runs through the tubular passage and into the
outlet. The pressure of the head of water in the inlet pipe collapses the
valve f, and the water has free egress through the apertures g, and by the
annular passage h to the outlet pipe i. Upon closing the stop-cock ; the valve
is again filled by the water flowing through the hole in the valve, and as it
becomes distended, the efflux of water through the outlet pipe i ceases. So
that whatever the columnar pressure of the fluid may be it cannot in any way
effect the instantaneous and perfect control of the flow of the fluid afforded by
the governing action of the small stop-cock j.

page_text: In adapting my improved regulator to ball floats, and other self-acting
apparatus for controlling the passage of fluids, the regulator may be arranged
in various ways, but in my illustrative Drawings I have confined myself to one
example, as in Figure 9, showing its application to a ball float. As arranged in
this modification the water enters by the pipe 1, the inner end of which commu-
nicates by means of the apertures m with the annular passage n and outlet
pipe o. The valve chamber p is hemispherical, and has fitted within it the
flexible valve 9, the flanged edge of which is held between the flanges of the valve
chamber p and the face plate r. A tubular passage s is made through the
plate r; which is closed by means of the ball float levert. The lever t is jointed
to the projecting arm u, and in its upper or closing end is recessed a piece of
leather, caoutchouc, or other elastic material, which presses against the tubular
passages when the flow of water is shut off. The hydrostatic equilibrium is
maintained by filling the valve q with water by means of an orifice v made
through the valve material, as before described. As the water in the cistern
or other vessel sinks, the lowering of the ball float causes the levert to turn
upon its fulcrum, and its upper end is drawn away from the tubular passage s.
The water contained within the flexible valve q is forced through the
passages, and the consequent collapsing of the valve gives the water or other
fluid free egress through the apertures to the outlet pipe. When the water
in the cistern rises so as to lift the ball float, the end of the ball float lever t
descends, and effectually closes the tubular passage s. The water then flows
into the flexible valve, and the equilibrium is restored. In thus arranging
ball float or other self-regulating apparatus, an important advantage is gained,
namely, that the ball float is not required to be larger than is merely necessary
to close the area of the tubular passage s against the columnar pressure of the
fluid; and whatever size the water main may be, the efflux of the fluid is
controlled in this simple and effectual manner.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention; but what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,
First, the general arrangement and construction of valvular apparatus for
governing and controlling the passage of fluids through pipes, ducts, or water
ways, as herein-before described.

page_text: Second, the system or mode of governing or regulating the flow or passage
of fluids by means of flexible valves or diaphragms, in which the efflux of the
fluid is controlled or governed by taking off the pressure from one side of the
valve or diaphragm, as herein-before described.
Third, the use and application of flexible or elastic valves or diaphragms, of
a spherical or hemispherical shape, or other suitable figure, for closing the
outlet pipes for the passage of fluids, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of taking off the pressure of the fluid from
one side of the flexible valves or diaphragms by means of a tubular outlet
governed by a stop-cock or valve, through which tubular outlet the water
contained within the valve escapes, thereby destroying the equilibrium of the
pressure, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of controlling or governing the flow of fluids
through pipes of large diameter, by means of a supplementary or additional
stop-cock, as shown in Figure 7 of my Sheet of Drawings, and herein-before
described.
Sixth, the application of the flexible valvular arrangement to household
service pipes, as herein-before described and shown in Figure 8 of my Sheet
of Drawings.
Seventh, the system or mode of regulating and governing the flow or passage
of fluids through pipes by means of the flexible valvular apparatus and a
small ball float, or other self-acting closing apparatus, as herein-before
described.
Eighth, the system or mode of regulating or checking the closing of the
outlet or discharge pipes, either by only partially opening the tubular passage
through which the water flows to fill the flexible valve, or, by increasing or
diminishing the size of the orifice in the valve itself, so as to allow the valve
to be filled more or less quickly, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Ross, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of September, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-seven.
WILLIAM ROSS. (L.S.)