Improvements in Feed-water Regulators for Steam Boilers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1900-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Feed-water Regulators for Steam Boilers.
I, FRANK WATT, of 3, Rue des Pyramides, Lille, in the Republic of France,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to a feed-water regulator for steam-boilers which permits
of keeping the water level constant in the boiler fitted therewith.
The improved feed-water regulator comprises an impulse giving slide-valve
which is operated by a float and which opens steam communication to a large
piston valve for opening the water supply under pressure into the boiler, or for
controlling both passages at the same time.
One form of the feedwater regulator consists of a cylinder or vessel of cast
iron or other metal fitted with a float which may be of ordinary construction in
metal, or bricks or vitrified slabs and weighted with a balancing weight prefer-
ably of pumice-stone.
The said float by means of a small lever operates a valve mounted on a cylinder
provided with suitable admission and exhaust ports which lead into the ends of
the said cylinder in which moves a large piston valve. This cylinder is further
provided with ports in its periphery by which it is in communication with a
tubular socket to which is connected the steam supply pipe of a small feed
pump.
The rod of the large piston valve extends through a stuffing, box at one end
of the cylinder and is then articulated to the operating lever of a cock valve
inserted in the feed pipe for the boiler.
The lower end of the vessel communicates by means of a pipe, terminating in
a tube, in the interior of the boiler. In this conduit is placed a stop-cock forming
a non-return valve and having a small lateral passage with pointed screw valve
for regulating purposes.
The charging and discharging of the vessel takes place necessarily through the
same pipe and automatically through the effect of the variation in the water-
level in the boiler. To this end the lower end of the tube is perforated with holes
of about 5 m/m and its extremity coincides with the lowest water level. Directly
the water level sinks in the boiler and one of the small holes is uncovered a steam
jet passes through the water in the tube and causes the water to flow into the
boiler, then entering the vessel it causes the water therein to slowly flow through
the pipe, small lateral passage, and tube. The flow of water from the vessel may
be regulated to any desired low velocity by means of the screw valve. When
the float is sufficiently lowered it moves the valve mounted on the cylinder so
as to open the admission port underneath the slide-valve while at the same time
the exhaust port for the top of the valve is opened. This latter thereupon rises
owing to the effect of the difference between the steam pressure of the vessel and
the atmospheric pressure at the top of the valve through the intermediary of the
passage and a clearing out cock. The upward motion of the large piston valve
soon uncovers the ports in the cylinder and allows steam to pass through the

page_text: vessel, pipe, cylinder, ports, and tubular socket into the feed pump which it
starts. Simultaneously therewith the cock is opened and the feed water is forced
into the boiler.
As the water level rises in the boiler the steam ceases to pass into the per-
forated pipe the water then rises in this latter and enters the vessel owing to the
depression produced by the small passage. When the float again occupies its
initial position, the valve has moved down and reverses the admission for the
large piston valve, so causing this latter to descend and to cut off the steam supply
into the feed pump while at the same time closing the cock and thus auto-
matically stopping the feed into the boiler.
In order to prevent the too abrupt motion of the large piston valve I may
arrange small clearing or blow through cocks by means of which the escape of
the steam from the ends of the cylinder can be regulated as may be desired; or
I may furnish the admission and exhaust passages with pointed or pin-valves for
the same purpose.
In a modified arrangement the vessel is arranged at the exterior of the boiler
nearly at the normal water-level thereof and it communicates through the pipe
with one of the water tubes of the boiler and by a pipe at its upper end with the
steam chamber of the boiler; by reason of equal pressure existing in the boiler
and in the vessel the water level will always be the same in both. The regulating
mechanism is exactly the same as that already described and it is also operated in
the same manner by the float. When the water level in the boiler falls it also
falls in the vessel, the large piston valve rises supplies steam to the feed pump
and opens the cock; the feed thus started ceases when the water-level rises and
the large piston valve closes the ports.
The feed-water pipe with cock may be disposed either above or below or in
any other position with regard to the regulating apparatus so as to suit various
arrangements and localities.
In the two arrangements herein before described the large piston valve controls
at one and and the same time both the steam and the water supply, but it may
also be constructed so as to control one or the other only. For example if there
is a battery of boilers I may furnish each with a regulator and then cause each
regulator to act upon a cock of a branch pipe in separate connection with each
boiler and forming part of a common feed pipe from a feed pump which is worked
by steam from any source; in this case the tubular socket connections are not
required and they may be either suppressed or simply closed.
I may modify the relative positions of the parts herein described for example
the cylinder L may be horizontally arranged the distributing valve may be a flat
slide-valve with internal recess, a counterweight may be attached to the lever for
balancing to a greater or less extent the weight of the float; in short any equi-
valent arrangements of parts to those described may be employed as may be
required to suit various circumstances.
Dated this 8th day of August 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: in and by the following statement:-
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
This invention has reference to a feed-water regulator for steam-generators
which is capable of permitting the maintenance therein of a practically constant
water-level,
This regulator is founded upon the use of an admission slide valve adapted to
be operated by means of a float, so as to open orifices through which steam under
pressure is admitted upon a large slide valve which in turn operates either the
admission of steam to the feed pump, or the admission of water under pressure
into the generator, or both at the same time.
↑
In order that my invention may be readily understood and carried into effect
I will describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
by way of example have shown two forms of construction of regulator embodying
my invention.
Figure 1 shows an arrangement of feed regulator with dip-tube mounted at one
end of a boiler.
Figure 2 is a side-elevation partly in section corresponding to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the regulator.
Figure 4 is a plan of a part corresponding to Figure 3 partly in section at a
level with the outlet orifices in the cylinder containing the large slide valve.
Figures 5 and 6 show the feed regulator disposed at the height of the normal
water level in the boiler.
Figure 7 is a diagrammatical view of a feed regulator in connection with a
group of boilers.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of a regulator provided with a horizontally dis-
posed slide-valve.
Figure 9 is a plan of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a section on line 10-10 of Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a modified arrangement of feed-regulator with dip-pipe.
Figure 12 shows another modification with a large duplex slide-valve for con-
trolling the water and steam service.
Figure 13 shows a differential piston acting as duplex valve for controlling the
water and the steam service.
The feed regulator with dip-pipe shown at Figures 1 to 4 comprises a cylinder
or vessel A of cast iron or other metal enclosing a float 1) constructed of metal
as usual, or of a block, or if desired of squares or tiles of vitrified ceramic material,
but preferably said float consists of a block of pumice-stone. This float actuates
through a lever E, a small distributing piston F moving in a cylinder formed
with admission ports d, which latter communicate with the ends of a cylinder
fitted with a slide valve G of the piston type. This cylinder L is also provided
with ports H distributed over the periphery and forming communication through
a tubular socket I with a steam conduit connected with the steam chest of a feed-
pump. When the float D is composed of ceramic material, it is formed of a block
of baked earth having its entire surface preferably vitrified. A hole is provided
through the centre of the block for the reception of a suspension rod connected
with the lever E. Owing to the density of the baked earth the lever E must be
weighted with a counterpoise X, as is shown in Figure 8. The block thus pro-
vided may be prismatical like a brick, or it may be composed of several squares
or tiles of material superposed upon one another, or it may be of any other
convenient shape.
The rod of the valve G passes through one end of the cylinder L and is articu-
lated to the operating lever of a cock J placed in the feed-conduit of the
generator.
The lower end of the vessel A communicates through a conduit terminating in
a dip-pipe N with the interior of the boiler: the said pipe being furnished with
a stop-cock R forming a retaining valve and having a small passage 9 in which
is arranged a pin valve S.

page_text: The filling and emptying of the vessel A is effected automatically by the varia-
tions in the water-level in the boiler. For this purpose the lower end of the
pipe N is provided with a number of perforations h of about 5 m.m. and reaches
with its lower extremity to the lowest water level of the boiler. When the water-
level in the boiler falls, and the small holes or perforations h are uncovered, there
will pass through these latter a steam jet which ascends through the pipe N
and causes the water therein to return into the boiler, the steam finally arriving
in the vessel A from which it gradually forces the water out through the pipe B
passage g and pipe N. The lowering of the water level in the vessel A may be
rendered as slow as desired by means of the valve S. When the float 1) has been
sufficiently lowered the small piston valve F has ascended and opened the admis-
sion port below the piston valve G and at the same time also the exhaust above
this latter, which then ascends by the effect from the difference between the
steam pressure from the vessel A and the atmospheric pressure existing above
the valve through the intermediary of the port d and orifice K. The ascending
motion of the valve G then causes the orifices H to open, and thus enables the
steam to pass through the vessel A, pipe M, cylinder L, orifices H and pipe I into
the feed-pump which it starts. At the same time the cock J has been opened,
thus allowing the feed water to enter the boiler.
When the water rises in the boiler and penetrates into the pipe N, the water
flows upwards into the vessel A. After the float has returned to its former
position the valve F is lowered and has reversed the distribution of the valve G.
which thereupon has also descended and cut off the steam admission to the feed
pump at the same time closing the cock J; thus automatically stopping the
feed.
In order to prevent a too sudden movement of the valve G, I may if desired
provide at K purging cocks by means of which it is possible to regulate the
exhaust at the end of the cylinder L, or I may provide pin-valves in connection
with the admission and exhaust ports of the said cylinder.
The feed regulator shown at Figures 5 and 6 only differs from the preceding
one in construction and the method of water supply to the vessel A. In this case
the vessel A is placed at the end of the boiler at a height about level with the
normal water level in the boiler. The vessel communicates by the pipe B with
one of the lower heating cylinders or portions of the boiler and by the pipe C
By reason of the equality of pressure in
with the steam chamber of the boiler.
the boiler and in the vessel A, the water level is bound to be the same in both.
The mechanism of the regulator is absolutely the same as previously described
and its function results also from the displacement of the float D. When the
water-level in the boiler sinks, it also sinks in the vessel A, the valve G is moved
and directs the steam into the feed-pump and opens the cock J; the feed is thus
started, and ceases when the water level rises and the valve G recloses the
orifices H.
According to the arrangement of the boilers and the most convenient dis-
position of installation the feed conduit pipe and cock J may be placed either above
or below or in any other suitable position with regard to the regulating apparatus.
In the two cases hereinbefore described the valve G controls at one and the
same time the steam and the water admission; but it may be arranged to control
the one or the other only of these. For example when it is used with a set of
boilers I may place a feed regulator on each as is indicated in the diagram
Figure 7 and cause each regulator to operate a cock J in connection with a
short branch-pipe separately connected with each boiler but deriving the feed
water from a common feed pipe and pump worked by steam from any convenient
in this case the tubular connections I would either be omitted or merely
source;
closed.
The constituent parts of the feed-regulator may be placed in different positions
with respect of one another. For example as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 the
cylinder L may be horizontally disposed while the small distributing valve F
may be replaced by a flat shell-valve.

page_text: In the construction shewn in Figure 8 there is illustrated a counterpoise X
upon the lever E so as to more or less equilibrate the float 1). The feed regulator
with dip tube shown in Figure 11 comprises as before a vessel A of cast iron
fitted with a float 1) in the form of an ordinary metal float, or a cup open at top
and filled with water and furnished with a counterpoise.
The extremity of the lever E keeps the float balanced when it is half in the
water, and at the same time actuates a small slide valve F through the inter-
vention of its pivot O and small lever R. The said small slide valve may be
either circular, or in the form of a letter D.
In the construction illustrated in Figure 11, the valve F slides in front of the
face plate of a cylinder having admission ports c and exhaust port d leading to
the extremities of the cylinder L furnished with a large piston G which by its
rod T operates two levers 1 and 2.
The lever 1 operates the cock 3 so as to place the upper portion of the vessel A
into communication with the steam admission of the pump, and the lever 2
operates the cock 4' so as to open communication between the delivery pipe of
the pump with the generator without communication with the. vessel A.
When the generator is under steam pressure and the water level has sunk
below the lower end of the pipe N the float D being at the bottom of the vessel A
and the cocks 3 and 4' open, steam passes up the pipe N through the valve V
and also through a pipe N communicating with the upper part of the vessel A; the
lower end of such pipe N¹ being at a distance of about 3 centimeters above that
of the pipe N. The steam passing through the pipes N and N¹ and vessel A com-
municates by the pipe KK with the cylinder L and the casing of the spindle O.
The steam actuates the piston G and at the same time provides the equilibrium
of pressure upon the two extremities of the spindle O. This steam passes from
the vessel A through the cock 3 into the direct acting pump.
The pump is thereby started and the water from it is delivered through the
pipe P and cock 4' into the generator.
The water level rises in the interior of the generator and finally submerges the
end of the tube N and eventually also that of the tube N¹. When this occurs,
and as the pressure in the steam-pipe P of the pump soon falls below the pressure
in the generator, the water ascends in the tubes N N into the vessel. A lifts the
float D and actuates the lever E which latter operates the valve F. The admission
thus reversed causes the displacement of the piston G, which by its rod T closes
the cocks 3 and 41 through the intervention of the levers 1 and 2. The evapora-
tion continues and gradually lowers the water level; the valve V prevents the
water in the vessel A passing away through the pipe N, but forces it to return
into the generator through pipe N fitted with a regulating cock S¹.
When the water level has fallen as low as the bottom of the vessel A the
float causes the lever E to operate the valve F; the piston is forced back and
by its rod T, opens the cocks 3 and 4 thereby starting the pump to supply feed
water through the conduit P until the level again stands at N and N¹.
Figure 12 shows a modification of my improved feed regulator in which two
piston valves G1 G2 are employed in lieu of the cocks 3 and 4 shown in Figure 11.
The steam and the water pass through the hollow piston valves G¹ G2 which
latter are each provided with a double piston having a central valve adapted to
open the two ports P P¹ according to the positions at the right or left occupied
by these valves.
Figure 13 shows a differential piston for use in place of the cylinder 4 shewn
in Figure 11, and the two cylinders shewn in Figure 12, and also for the purpose
of dispensing with the cocks 3 and 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A feed regulator for steam generators, comprising a float contained in an

page_text: externally disposed vessel, and a small slide valve adapted to be operated by the
float and admitting steam to a large slide valve which in turn controls a valve or
the like in connection with a steam conduit leading to a feed pump substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. A feed regulator for steam generators, comprising a float contained in an
externally disposed vessel and a small slide valve operated by such float and
admitting steam to a large slide valve which in turn controls a valve or the like
in connection with a water conduit under pressure leading into the boiler sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
3. A feed regulater for steam generators comprising a float contained in an
externally disposed vessel and a small slide valve operated by said float and
distributing the steam to a large slide valve which in turn controls a valve in
connection with a steam conduit leading to a feed pump and a valve in connection
with the delivery pipe of the said pump for feeding the boiler substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
4. A feed regulator for steam generators comprising a vessel communicating
with the boiler by means of a dip-tube, a float movably disposed in the said
vessel, a small slide valve operated by the said float by means of an oscillating
lever, a cylinder provided with admission and exhaust ports corresponding with
the said small slide valve and forming passage for the live steam supplied to a
feed-pump, a large cylindrical slide valve movably disposed in the said cylinder
and having its rod connected to a cock in the feed-conduit of the boiler, a retaining
valve in the dip-tube and a return conduit with regulating cock for the water
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
5. A feed-regulator for steam generators comprising an external vessel instal-
lated at the same height as the water-level in the boiler and communicating with
this latter at the top and at the lower end, in combination with a float and a small
slide valve operated by such float for distributing the steam to a large valve
adapted to control either the steam supply to a pump, or the water delivered to-
wards the boiler, or both at the same time substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
6. A feed regulator for steam generators comprising a vessel communicating
with the boiler by two dip-tubes one leading from the bottom of the vessel and
the other from the upper end thereof and descending less far down into the boiler
than the former, in combination with a float and a small slide valve operated by
the float and distributing the steam to a large valve the rod of which latter is
connected by levers to cocks in a steam conduit of a pump and in the water
conduit leading from such pump to the boiler substantially as herein before de-
scribed and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 8th day of May 1900.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.