IMPROVEMENTS IN SLUICE VALVES OR SLUICE APPARATUS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Brunton, of Great George Street, Westminster, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SLUICE
VALVES OR SLUICE APPARATUS." A communication from abroad by Robert
Brunton, of Hyderabad, Scinde, India, Civil Engineer.
aled the 15th April 1879, and dated the 26th October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Brunton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th October 1878.
JOHN BRUNTON, of Great George Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SLUICE VALVES OR SLUICE APPARATUS." A communication
from abroad by Robert Brunton, of Hyderabad, Scinde, India, Civil Engineer.
This Invention relates to apparatus so arranged as to secure an equal discharge of
water per second or minute through a sluice formed in the wall of a reservoir or
dam on the side of any river or canal, through all the varying heights to which the
surface of the water in such reservoir, river, or canal, may be lowered or raised;
with regard to the sluice, that is to say, irrespective of the varying "head" to
which the sluice may be subjected.
In carrying out this Invention, the apparatus consists of a counter-balanced
lever, with a segmental arch head at each end, in length suited to the extreme
variation of "head" that the water in any particular reservoir may be estimated to
undergo between high and low water. This lever is sustained by a spindle or shaft
passing through its centre, resting on, and working in plummer blocks supported on
the tank or dam wall, or any suitable framing, one end projects over the water at
right angles to the wall of the support, and the other over the outside of such
support.
The arch heads of the lever are formed of light channel iron, and on one side of
the inner one is marked off the feet of the variation of "head," dividing the distance
equally on each side of the centre of the arch. To the top point of the arch, and
within its channel, is attached a light chain which hangs over the arch, and is cut
071

page_text: to such a length, that when the lever is placed in position so that the lowest guage
mark on the side of the arch is exactly level with the centre of the lever spindle,
and the chain attached to the suspension rod of a hollow float or buoy, on the body
of which is painted the “water line" of its intended immersion; this water-line"
shall correspond with the assumed high water line of the reservoir. The float is
made-of-a-cylindrical_form, open at the top, with a suspension rod fixed in the
bottom, and rising slightly above the top. -Before-making the buoy, it is necessary
to ascertain approximately the weights of the different parts of the sluice valve
connections, videlicit, of the valve plate, its connecting rod and appurtenances, and
the working power in lbs. required to overcome the friction of the surfaces of the
sluice when under the pressure-of-the high water "head."
These being known, and the weight of a suitable float ascertained-the-difference
between the two sums is to be supplied by balance weights placed inside the float.
The buoyancy being known, the "water line" of immersion can be painted on the
body of the float, and this line should correspond exactly with the high water line
of the tank when the lever is set as herein-before described.
As the buoy with its load has to be raised out of the water when it is desired to
close the sluice, there is attached a chain of the same dimensions as that suspending
the float to the top end of the outer arch head, and this is conducted to a crab winch
immediately below, by operating which the opening and closing of the sluice are
readily effected as required.
When the extremne distance between high and low water marks in the tank, and
the discharge per second or minute in cubic feet or gallons is determined, the most.
suitable proportion in width and height for the discharge opening in the wall are
.calculated.
Against this wall, and corresponding to the discharge opening, is fixed the sluice
plate frame which may be of cast iron, but the working pieces which form also the
bottom and sides of the discharge passage of hard gun metal, as also the valve plate.
The faces of the working pieces and the valve are planned accurately and then
carefully ground together so as to form a perfect joint in every position of the
valve plate.
On both sides of the opening through the sluice plate is accurately marked the
aperture required for the discharge of the stipulated number of gallons or cubic feet
per second under high water head of pressure and as a check; also those corre-
sponding to the diminishing feet of head, as the level of the water in the tank or
reservoir is lowered by the discharge. From the back of the sluice valve plate is
carried up a connecting or suspension rod to the platform above, and at a convenient
place above the level of high water there is placed in the rod an adjustment link by
which eventually the valve plate may be most accurately adjusted.
On the shaft carrying the lever and at a convenient distance from the latter is
fixed a cast-iron arin with a flange rising perpendicularly from one side of the body
of the arm.
This arm has its prolonged portion extending backwards or towards
the outside of the tank. The top face of the arm is planed perfectly true, and the
faces of some chipping pieces on the inner side of the flange are made accurately at
right angles to the planed surface of the body. . When fixing the position of this
arm on the shaft, the lever is to be brought into the position herein-before
described. The planed face of the arm is then to be placed at dead level, and the
keyway for fixing it carefully marked on the shaft. Resting on the arm and bolted
firmly against its flange is fixed a cam plate, and on the edge of the cam is placed
a wheel of a suitable diameter, having a groove turned in its edge to receive and
freely ride on the edge of the cam plate. This wheel is attached to an anchor bar
of convenient length which lies parallel to the lever, and at its other end is attached
to a bracket of such a height, that the centre of its connecting pin and that of the
axle pin of the wheel are level when the apparatus is set to the high water position.
The valve plate is suspended by its connecting rod to the axle pin of the wheel, and
the, apparatus is ready for final adjustment. In order to effect this with the lever
fixed at high water position by means of the adjusting link in the connecting rod,

page_text: the bottom edge of the sluice valve plate is brought accurately to correspond with
the line, marking the aperture of discharge under high water "head." The peculiar.
sweep of the cam is such that at every foot of fall of the inner or float end of the
lever, the wheel riding on its edge shall be raised exactly the height required to
increase the aperture of discharge proportionately to the reduced head. The lever
with its float suspended may now be raised until by the peculiar arrangement of the
cam, the wheel sustaining the sluice valve plate falls so low that the sluice is com-
pletely closed. The water may be now allowed to enter the tank or reservoir to
any height below high water mark, the float then be lowered until it rests freely in
the water, and all restraint on the lever removed.
It is immaterial whether the surface of the water be up to high water mark or
any intermediate height between that and low water, the quantity calculated on
will be discharged every second or minute. The simple apparatus above described
is suitable for cases in which several feet represent the difference of high and low
water. When applied to great falls, such as from say, 20 to 50 feet of difference
between extreme "heads," the arrangement of the lever may be modified in its
detail, but the same end is attained.
By means of this Invention, a constant and equal discharge of water is obtained
through the discharge sluice, irrespective of the "head" pressure to which it may
be exposed, and this through the automatic action of the apparatus, the regulating
or motive power being exercised by the lowering or rising of the surface of the
water in the reservoir to be discharged through the agency of a float or buoy
immersed therein, and the only manual labour required being that expended in
closing and opening the sluice, if the operation of discharge is intermittent when .
the quantity of water to be discharged may be guaged or ascertained by means of a
time piece.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Brunton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th April
1879.
JOHN BRUNTON, of Great George Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SLUICE VALVES OR SLUICE APPARATUS." A communication
from abroad by Robert Brunton, of Hyderabad, Seinde, India, Civil Engineer.
The said Invention has for its object securing an equal or uniform discharge from
reservoirs under all the varying "heads" to which the discharging valves of such
reservoirs may be subjected.
Few reservoirs have the advantage of their contents being maintained always at
the same level.
Large impounding reservoirs for the supply of cities are especially subject to great
variation, their source of supply generally being the rain water collected over an,

page_text: extensive area of drainage; consequently during the rainy season they overflow,
and during the dry season they are nearly exhausted.
There are other-classes of reservoirs formed of masonry walls, whose contents are
replenished at periodical intervals, and whose variation of level-at-high and low
water is known and regular.
"
-There are also innumerable cases of water to be discharged from "feeder canals
into much smaller local channels-for-the-purpose of irrigation, where it is a matter
of great moment to guage the discharge accurately to prevent waste-of-water, and..
where the variation of "head" in the feeder canal is very small.
To all these cases the said Invention is applicable, the size of the apparatus being
varied-to-suit-the-particular purpose to which it is to be applied.
In order that the said Invention may be perfectly-understood, I shall describe in
detail its application to the intermediate class herein-before referred to, videlicit, the
masonry reservoir, with a variation of "head" of nine feet, the reservoir being
supplied with water by pumping machinery, and in describing the mode of carrying
out the Invention, I shall refer to the two Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed,
the same letters of reference on which indicate corresponding parts in all the
Figures.
Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings represent sectional
elevations of a reservoir, having applied thereto apparatus constructed according to
the said Invention for ensuring a uniform discharge through the sluice valve what-
ever may be the level of the water in the reservoir, the valve with its connections
⚫ being shewn in two different positions in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, videlicit, with
the valve open to the extent corresponding to the highest head of the water in
Figure 1, and with the valve entirely closed in Figure 2. Figure 3 is a side elevation
of the apparatus corresponding in position to Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 (Sheet 2) are respectively end and front elevations drawn to a
larger scale of the can herein-after referred to, and its appurtenances detached.
Figure 6 is a full size diagram, shewing the relative degrees of opening of the valve
for different heads of water in the reservoir, and Figure 7 is a diagram (drawn to a
larger scale than Figures 1, 2, and 3,) illustrating the mode of determining the
configuration of the cam by geometrical means.
The apparatus consists of the following constituent parts, videlicit :-
First. A lever A, with a segmental arch head at each extremity, marked respec-
tively a, a', the said lever being fast on a shaft B passing through its centre, and
resting on two plummer blocks b.
Second. A cam arm c fast on the shaft B, and having formed on or attached
thereto the cam C.
Third. An anchor bracket D, to be fixed on a stage or wall E, and which supports
one end of
Fourth. An anchoring bar F, at the other end of which is placed the valve wheel
G working on the edge of the cam C, by the centre pin d of which wheel is
suspended from the bar d'-
Fifth. The sluice valve plate H.
Sixth. A float or open buoy I, with its chain e attached to the arch head a of the
lever A, which float being immersed to a certain depth in the water of the reservoir,
acts as the motive power of the said lever.
Seventh. A chain attached to the outer arch head a' of the lever A, and con-
ducted to a crab winch g² placed on the outside of the reservoir.
.
For the arrangement of any apparatus the following data are required.
First. A sketch of the situation where it is proposed to place it.
Second. The variation between high and low level of the surface of the water.
Third. The quantity of water to be discharged per second, and
Fourth. A determination as to the proportion of the sluice plate opening or
passage.
Having ascertained the second and third, the fourth is the most important point
to be decided on. In doing so it should always be a principal object to arrange the

page_text: proportions so that the sluice valve shall have as little motion as possible. This can
easily be done by giving the opening in the sluice plate a greater width. For
example, in the case illustrated by the Drawings, the extreme variation of "head"
is nine feet, the quantity to be discharged four cubic feet per second. The sluice
opening is twelve inches in width, the opening being a perfect parallelogram. The
total movement of the valve between the nine feet head and the one foot head being
only 6.452 inches. If twice the quantity of discharge were required, or eight cubic
feet per second, the opening should be made twenty-four inches in width instead of
increasing the motion of the valve. It is always convenient to fix the size or
width of the sluice plate opening before the passage is formed through the wall
or dam.
The length of the lever depends so much on the nature of the site where it is to
be placed, that it is impossible to fix any proportionate length compared with the
difference of "heads," but it will always be convenient to make it of such a length
that the angle subtended between its high and low water positions may be as small
as possible. The lever may be constructed as shown in the Drawing, videlicit, of two
limbs g, g, of equal lengths, fixed in a cast iron channel piece h, through the centre
of which is bored a hole for the reception of the shaft or spindle B, on which it is
to be secured, and the ends of which rest in the two pluininer blocks b. To the
opposite ends of the lever are attached the segmental arch heads a, a, made of light
channel iron, the arch being so formed that the bottom of the channel is a perfect
segment, with a radius of the length determined on. In the lever shown in the
Drawing this is twelve feet. For deciding the point of the segment where it is to
be fixed to the corresponding lever arm, one foot is measured from one end of the
segment, and then half the length of the difference between high and low water is
added, in this case eight feet two = four feet. This point is to coincide with the
centre line of the side of the lever arm. From this centre mark the other four feet is
measured, and a length is added corresponding to the movement necessary to close
the sluice, and to allow of a sufficient lap of the valve on the sluice plate. The two
arch heads are made of the same length, but in fixing them the long horn of the
segment a is placed downwards, and the long horn of the segment a' is placed
upwards. Whatever stays are necessary for the support of the segments should be
of equal length and material for both, so that the lever when fixed on its shaft may
be equipoised.
The cam arm is made as shown in the Drawings with a passage accurately bored
out to fit the shaft, the prolonged end of the arm being directed when fixed to the
outside of the reservoir.
The form of section of this arm is shewn clearly in Figure 4, the arm con-
sisting of a scat i on which the cam C rests and of a side flange k to which the cam
is bolted.
In fitting the lever and the cam arm to the shaft B the keyways in the boss of
the lever and the shaft for fixing them may be made at once, but the keyway only
in the boss of the arm should be cut until the whole of these pieces are ready for
erection in the shop. This being the case, and the lever keyed on to the shaft and
the arm slipt on, the shaft should be placed in its plummer blocks and accurately
levelled, the perfect perpendicularity of the two arch heads should be tested by a
plumb line. The mark on the inner arch head showing the extremity of the lower
half of the difference of heads of water should be brought up level with the centre
of the shaft, and the lever fixed. The cam arm should then be blocked up till the
planed seat for the cam is also dead level, and then the keyway carefully marked on
the shaft from the keyway already formed in the boss of the arm. The arm can
now be removed or moved farther along the shaft and the keyway cut; after which
a key should be accurately fitted and the arm fixed and the true position of each
part again tested by level.
The lever and cam arm are now in the position corresponding to that they will
occupy when the sluice valve is open giving a passage corresponding to the calculated
discharge with a full head or high water in the reservoir. The lowest mark on the

page_text: inner arch head a represents high water, the centre of the arm of the lever when
"level" half high water, and the highest mark on the arch head a low water.
In-the-upper point of each arch head and in the centre of the channels is fixed a
strong double hook to which chains may be hung...
The form of the cam plate (which is shewn clearly in Figure 5-Sheet-2) is best
determined geometrically at full size in the following manner, reference being had
to the diagram-Figure-7-(Sheet 2) drawn to a larger scale than Figures 1, 2, and 3,
(Sheet 1).
A plane board W is first-formed of sufficient size and of a figure to receive-the-
centre lines of the apparatus and the are to be described by the point of the lever.
-On-that-part of the table which represents the horizontal line of the apparatus is.
drawn the line K, on which at about-three feet from its extremity to the right hand
a perpendicular line L is erected; the point where these two lines-bisect.represents
the centre of the lever shaft and a pin of strong wire representing their lever shaft
is there inserted. Along the line K is measured the exact length determined on for
the length or radius of the lever, which may be arrived at from the design of the
apparatus adapted to the situation which it is to occupy. From this centre is
trammelled off a segment M. having for its radius the measurement just made; on M
beginning at K is marked off the number of feet between greatest and lowest
"heads," (K always being the greatest "head,") and short radius lines are drawn at
each foot mark. There is then laid down over L, by pasting it to the table, a strip
of drawing paper or cardboard on which is again drawn the line L and allowing a
sufficient space for the half of the boss of the cam arm and the height of the cam
plate from its seat on the arm; a fine line (1) is described at right angles to L ; this
cross line represents the bottom edge of the valve plate when open to the required
discharge at high water or greatest head.
Having decided on the width of the sluice opening and having calculated the
aperture necessary for discharging the stipulated quantity per second under the
greatest head the exact depth of that aperture is marked off on L below and from
the cross line (1), and a cross line is drawn at this point which will represent the
bottom of the sluice opening in the plate below, this is again marked off a con-
venient distance N to represent the lap of the valve when the sluice is closed.
Having calculated the apertures required to give the stipulated discharge under
the diminishing heads represented by the feet marked off on M they are laid down
on L measuring from the cross line and marking them upwards as II., III.,
IV.,―――IX.
Having decided on the diameter of the valve wheel (say nine inches), for the con-
venience of adjustment in ulterior operations there is measured off on L nine inches
from, and from this is laid down another scale of apertures, vidclicit, the upper
scale I., II, III., - - - IX.
Measuring up from (1) of the lower scale of apertures the half diameter of the
valve wheel (four and a half inches) a line O is drawn either forwards towards Mor
backwards from L parallel to K, and this line represents the centre of the anchoring
bar and measuring on it any convenient length (say six feet) the centre is marked
of the through pin which will unite the end of the bar to the anchor bracket by
which it will be sustained, and a pin of strong wire is there inserted.
Having now laid down all the lines required, a straight rod is taken of con-
venient section (say 2" or 2" square), and of the determined length of the arm of
the lever, plus a length sufficient to represent the arm which is to carry the cam
(following the Drawings, let the former be 12 feet, and the latter 2′,, 6"), both
measured from the point representing the centre of the lever. At this point, and
on a line struck down the centre of the rod, a hole is bored to fit the pin inserted
at the bisection of the lines K and L. The end of the rod cut exactly to the length
of the lever arm (say 12 feet) is forined into a chisel edge on the centre line.
At the other end there is let into the under side of the rod a thin plate of close
grained wood (say 3/8" thick). This plate will extend from the short end of the
rod to six or eight inches beyond the centre pin, and be secured by screws to the rod.

page_text: In width the plate will reach to the height of the centre of the wheel line O.
This plate, which is marked X in Figure 7, represents the cam, the rod being
marked Y.
Another rod (Z) is then taken, on which is marked off the length of the anchoring
rod (say six feet), the mark at one end representing the centre of the union with the
anchor bracket, the other the centre of the valve wheel. This rod should be one
inch thick and about two inches wide with a centre line struck down on the wider
side. At the point representing the centre of the union pin a hole is bored to fit
the pin fixed on O, and at the other centre is bored a hole for a pin of, say gor
inch diameter. A horizontal slot (of, say 3/8 inch in width) is then formed
in the centre of the thickness of the rod (one inch) with its sides parallel to the wide
faces of the rod.
This slot should be carried a distance beyond the centre pin sufficient to allow of
a disc of the same diameter as the valve wheel to work freely.
A disc provided of sheet brass, for example (say one-eighth of an inch thick)
turned accurately to the diameter of the valve wheel (say nine inches), with a hole
bored in the centre to fit accurately a turned brass pin five-cighths or half inch
diameter and one inch long from the head. This disc is placed in the slot (in O)
and secured by passing the pin through both, two small washers being placed one
on each side of the wheel, so that it may turn without rubbing on the sides of the
slot.
The lever rod is now placed on its centre pin, and the anchoring bar on its pin,
first placing on this a wooden washer about half an inch thick, and laying a strip
of wood of the same thickness crossways under the rod near the wheel and for it to
slide on, so as to raise it sufficiently for the cam plate to pass under it.
The centre chisel point of the lever rod is now brought up to the line K, when
it is in the position of greatest "head" or high water, and the line L is drawn on
the face of the cam plate. The wheel is brought over the cam plate until its upper
edge is exactly over (I. upper scale) on the line L, for doing which with greater
exactness a small steel square is used.
A small segment from the lower side of the wheel is then scribed off on the cam
plate, the point of the lever rod is next brought down to the mark on the segment
M corresponding to the first foot of fall of "head," and the wheel is raised until
its upper edge is exactly over II. (upper scale) W on the line L, and a small
segment is again scribed off from the lower side of the wheel.
Each of the diminishing feet of head being treated in the same manner until
the wheel segment corresponding to each has been scored on the cam plate.
The lever is then raised to the line K, and on the cam plate is traced a geometric
line, tangent to all the segments scribed; a line is then marked off parallel to the
geometric curve just traced, and at about three-eighths of an inch above it, and by
this line the superfluous portion of the cam plate is cut off.
Having effected this, and replaced the lever rod on its centre pin and brought it
up to K, the washer is removed, as also the strip of wood which raised the
anchoring bar, and the latter is allowed to lie on the table. A sheet of drawing
paper is then pasted on the cam plate, and on it is reproduced the line L, after
which the former process is repeated. The wheel disc will now lic close on the
surface of the cam plate, and at every one of the positions the small segments can
be most accurately drawn from its lower edge with a sharp pointed hard pencil.
I would observe that if considered desirable the diminishing "head" may be
taken at every six inches or three inches of fall by subdividing the feet marked off
on M, but it will be necessary to calculate the aperture for each of these sub-
divisions and draw them on L, as the corresponding aperture for (say) cach six
inches will not, fall equidistant from the preceding and succeeding feet points.
When all the small segments have been drawn on the cam plate they are united,
drawing in their tangents with the aid of a large Paris geometric curve.
The edge
of the cam plate is thus most carefully shaped to this new sweep.
By placing a thin washer under the lever rod on its centre pin the can plate is

page_text: raised sufficiently to enable the disc wheel to run on its edge. The lever rod is
then set point to the line K, and the wheel is brought against the edge of the cam
plate, and moving the lever to each station it is retired again, leaving the wheel
in the place to which it has been raised by the cam plate, the accuracy of its
movement may thus be verified by both the lower and-upper-scale of apertures.
I now proceed to consider the position which the wheel has to take when the
sluice-valve-is.closed. If it is found most convenient for the position the apparatus
is destined to, to have the anchor-bar-inwards (as shewn in the Drawing), then the
anchor rod being on the same plane as the lever rod impedes the-necessary move-
inent upwards of the latter, and this should be cut off at about two feet from the
_centre pin. That having been done, and the small washer and slide-piece replaced
under the anchor bar; the wheel should be brought down until it coincides with
the cross line N, which represents the bottom of the-sluice.valve with its "lap" or
sluice closed. The lever rod must now be raised until the edge of the wheel-has-
not only completely cleared the line L on the cam plate, but leaves a sufficient
interval to allow of a steep curved incline being traced from the point I on L to
the bottom of the wheel.
I would observe that the opening in the sluice plate for which this apparatus has
been designed was fixed at twelve inches in width, the peculiar circumstances of
the caso not admitting a greater width, but under any other circumstances it would
have been made twenty-four inches in width, when all the movements of the valve
would have been reduced to one-half.
The design of the cam as respects its two ends is next completed, and the cast-
iron cam arm having been designed a distance is measured from the centre of its boss
to the seat prepared for the cam, and that distance is laid down on the cam plate
a line is drawn on it exactly parallel to K, the superfluous portion is drawn off,
and the lower edge is accurately dressed to this line, the upper portion of the
wooden cam plate constituting a template, by which the metal cam plate may be
formed and dressed.
It is preferred to construct the cam of hard gun metal; when perfectly shaped
and with the line L scribed upon it it should be fixed by clamps on the arm, and the
requisite number of bolt holes drilled through both the cam and the cast iron arm
flange at one operation, and turned bolts fitted in. In placing the cam on the arm care
should be taken that the line L on the cam plate coincides accurately with the centre
of the hole in the boss for the shaft.
I may observe here that in some cases, such as those of very little variation in
the head of water in the reservoir, it may be convenient to remove the line L some
fixed distance behind the centre of the lever, say, two, three, or more inches, but in
all cases it should be perpendicular to K.
The valve wheel is constructed of gun metal with a groove turned in its edge, the
bottom of which is the exact diameter of the disc employed in the model and of a
width of, say, about one-eighth more than the thickness of the cam.
The whole being ready for erection there only remains to calculate the size of the
float or open buoy. The size of the face of the valve being known the pressure
against it at the highest head is calculated, and the working power in pounds for
overcoming the friction of metal on metal is ascertained. The weight of the valve
plate and of the valve rod is then found, and the sum of these deducted from the
ascertained working power (in pounds) will give the pounds that must be hung in
the form of a weight on some convenient part of the valve rod to enable it to close
the valve if need be with the full head pressing against it. The balance weight
which the float is to receive will therefore be equal to double the number of pounds
required for the working power of the valve.
The float is made of a cylindrical form of strong galvanized plate, open at the top,
and of such a size and displacement that the balance weight which it has to carry
shall sink it about twelve inches in the water, leaving another twelve inches out of
the water. The bottom is made slightly conical on the outside by fitting a flat cone
of wood, through which passes the centre rod by which the buoy is hung. This

page_text: rod or stein passes through a flat bar, or stay placed across the month of the buoy,
and rivetted to its sides, and has a loop on its top end to which the suspending
chain is to be hooked.
When complete the buoy is weighed, and its weight being deducted from that of
the working power in pounds x 2, the number of pounds to be placed inside it is
arrived at. For this balance weight it is preferred to use a piece of strong chain
laid in regular coils on the flat bottom of the buoy.
The depth of immersion being decided the lower part of the sides of the buoy is
painted black to the "water line," and white above.
In the upper part of the valve rod, so as to be above high water line, the rod is
divided, and an adjusting link is placed between the two pieces, into which they
are screwed, the parts being secured with jam nuts. On the lower part of the rod
a little above the valve plate there is welded a collar, and before it is connected
with the link there is passed down the rod on to the collor a cylinder of lead of
the weight required to make the valve plate and the valve rod equal to the known
working power" required for moving the valve under highest "head."
2
Before hanging the sluice valve to its rod a template of the "apertures" is made
with great exactness, the bottom edge of the template representing the bottom of
the sluice plate opening 7. On the sides of the opening are marked with a steel
scriber all the apertures. The valve rod is then hung to the wheel, and to the other
end of the rod is hung the valve plate. The lever is then placed in position, that is
to say, so that the planed seat of the cam on the cam arm is perfectly level. If the
lever has been carefully constructed the end of the lowest foot marked on the arch
head will be level with the centre of the lever shaft. The lever being blocked in
this position by means of the adjustment link in the valve rod the bottom edge of
the valve plate is made to coincide accurately with the line I of the scale of aper-
tures marked on the sides of the sluice opening. After freeing the lever it is worked
a little up and down and again brought to its former position, and if necessary the
valve is re-adjusted. After this the lever is brought down one foot, and then to
each foot at each point the actual aperture displayed by the valve is compared with
the corresponding line on the scale of apertures. If due care has been taken in the
shaping of the cam the two will correspond.
The lever being then replaced in position the distance is measured from the hook
fixed in the point of the arch head, the tape lying in the channel of the arch to the
high water line. From this distance is deducted the height of the stem of the float
from the water line painted on its outside, and the remainder is the required length
of the suspending chain for the float.
From the hook in the top of the outer arch head is suspended a chain of the same
size as the other, but of greater length, as it is required to pass to the barrel of a
crab winch g placed at a convenient spot below it, for the purpose of raising the
float out of the water when it becomes necessary to close the sluice. From the
upper horns of the double hook on two arch heads a chains is suspended across the
opening between them of the same size, or if necessary a little heavier per foot than
those used for the float and crab winch.
In order to open the sluice when closed the crab winch chain is let out gently
until the float rests in the water, and then all the slack of the chain run out, so
that as the float sinks with the water the arch head may pick it up without any
resistance. When all is thus arranged it is only necessary to see that the float is
down to its legitimate "water line," if necessary adding a few links as may be
required, to bring it down to secure the exact discharge of the calculated quantity
per second through the whole range of fall of the water from the highest "head"
to the lowest.
•
It will be understood that as the level of the water varies in the reservoir the
float I rises or falls as the case may be, and the lever A is turned upon its shaft B.
The cam C, which partakes of the motion of the shaft B, is thus caused to act by
its surface x, y, z, upon the wheel G, which following the movement of the cam C is
guided by its anchoring bar F effects the raising or lowering of the valve H, and

page_text: automatically regulates the sluice opening as required. The diagram Figure shews
_the relative degrees-of-opening-for-different-heads-of-water-in-the-reservoirs.
In cases, such for example as impounded reservoirs, where it may frequently
happen that an influx of water takes place during the time of discharge, and in
larger quantity than the discharge, it may be well to secure what may be termed
a reversing power to the lever. This is effected by fixing a weight propor-
tionate to the size of the apparatus on the end of the outer wooden limb of
the lever and a compensating weight inside the float. Should the float rise owing
to an influx of water the outer weight would exert its power and always maintain
the suspending chain of the Hoat. in tension. As-the-water-falls-and-the-cam-rises-
the point of impingement of the valve wheel is gradually removed farther from the
fulcrum, and therefore a little more resistance is offered, but as the water falls the
pressure against the valve plate is greatly diminished, and the working power
required for overcoming friction proportionately lessened. This in a great measure
overcomes the resistance offered by the wheel in its progress along the cam.
order to obtain a perfect compensation the distance is observed that the water line
on the float may be above the surface of the water, when this is at its low water
lovel, and the number of pounds required to bring the float down to its proper
water mark is calculated, and an equal balance weight is fixed to the top point of
the arch head; or, as may be found better in some cases, it is suspended from the,
chain connecting the two arch heads at a suitable distance from the arch. This
compensating weight is small, not exceeding 20 pounds, in the apparatus shown in
the Drawing.
In
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and a mode in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that I do not restrict myself to the precise details of
the dimensions and constructions herein described and delineated, as the same will
necessarily vary according to the site and other circumstances in each particular
case to which the said Invention is applied, but what I consider to be novel and
original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hercin-before in
part recited Letters Patent is,―
The combination in sluice apparatus of a single lever operated or controlled by a
float of a cam partaking of the motion of the said lever, and of a connection with
the sluice valve acted upon by the said cam, the latter being constructed of such a
shape and the parts generally arranged and combined as to ensure an equal discharge
per second through all the variations of head to which the water to be discharged
may be subjected, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Brunton, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of April, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-nine.
JOHN BRUNTON. (L.S.)