Improvements in Adjustable Spring Valves
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1900
"
Improvements in Adjustable Spring Valves "
I, MAX FRIEDRICH GUTERMUTH, of 107 Kiesstrasse, Darmstadt, Germany, Professor
at the Technical University, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
The present invention relates to improvements in spring valves, having for their
object to effect a quick working of the same without the drawbacks which are
experienced in the valves hitherto employed. These drawbacks consist mainly in the
fact that a light valve, such as for example a flap valve of the ordinary construction,
does not close so fast as is necessary for quick working compressors and blowing
machines, and-that-in-the-ease-of-dise--valves,--eonieal--or--plug--valves--and--other
valves,-the-action-of-their-momentuni-is-such-as-to-render--shocks-unavoidable-both
in-opening-and-in-closing.-The-object-of-this-invention-is--therefore--more--partier-
larly-to-obviate-the-occurrence-of--such-shoeks-in-the--working--of-the--valves: In
general the improved arrangement of the spring of such valves is such that the spring
is connected at one end adjustably to the valve casing by attachment to an axle
which forms a fulcrum and is fastened at its other end to the body of the valve, so
that it can act both as a compression spring and as a tension spring. This spring is
regulated by the adjustment of its abutment against the valve casing i.e. its carrying
axle in such a manner that in the position of the spring wherein no strain is exercisee
on it the body of the valve would be slightly raised from the valve seat. The conse-
quence of this is that the spring during the last portion of the closing stroke of the
valve acts with a retarding effect upon the valve body, that is to say, diminishes the
shock, while inversely, at the opening of the valve this action of the spring produces
at first a corresponding acceleration. A similar retardation of the movement is pro-
duced towards the end of the opening movement, and an acceleration takes place at
the commencement of the closing movement of the valve. In cases in which the
weight of the valve body is very small, the retarding action may sometimes be
omitted in the closing of the valve, especially when the pressure of the liquid or gas
acting to close the valve is very slight. In-the-ease-of--valve-bodies--which--consist
of two parts, namely a guiding part--and--the--elosing body, which-may-itself-have-B
small-movement relatively to--the-guiding part,-the-spring-may be provided-en-the
guiding-part: Instead-of-one-spring-two-springs-may also-be--employed,-namely-a
tension-spring-and-a-compression--spring--which are--eaused--to-net-together-in-the
same-manner-as-one-spring, as above-indicated. In the various modifications special
improvements are employed which will be described later on.

page_text: On the accompanying drawings Fig--1-is-a-section-through-an-annular-valve-which
is-supported-on-a-spring. Fig. 2-is-a--section-through--an-annuler-valve--which-is
suspended-by-a-spring-Fig. 3-is-a-section-through--8--dise-or--dished--valve-in-the
elosed-state. Fig. 1 4 is a section through a combination of several flap valves.
Fig. 2 is a plan of a cylinder cover having rows of flap valves, the flaps being partly
omitted. Fig. 63 is a section through Fig. 25 on the line 6-6. Fig. 47 is a side
elevation of the adjusting device for the flap valves. Fig--8--is--an--elevation-of--a
special-arrangement-of-spring. Fig. 5 9 is a section through a flap valve for com-
pressors and pumps on a larger scale. Fig. 6 10 is a section through a flap having a
multiple-coiled spiral spring and elastic (leather, rubber or the like) or soft metallic
(composition) material for its seat. Fig. 11-is-a-section--through--an-annular-valve
in-which-the-ring-itself-is-connected-direetly--with-several--helical--springs-of--the
kind-above-mentioned-(Figs.-1-and-3)--Fig.-12-is--a--section-ofa-construction-with
esenteheue-springs. Fig. 13-is-an-elevation-ofa-part--of-the-spring-supposed to be
developed-in-a-plane.--The-same-letters-indicate corresponding--parts-in-the-several
figures.
In-Fig 1, A-is-the-valve-seat, C-the-valve-bedy-which-is-guided--by-means-of-the
studs-c-in-the-guide-piece-B--and--is--capable--of-a--slight--movement--in--relation
thereto. The guide-piece-B-is-guided-by-means--of--its-central-cylindrical-part-BI
in-a-corresponding-part A'-of-the-valve-seat-A.-The-guide-piece-B-is-carried-by-the
helieal-spring-F-by-means-of-the-stem-E: For--this--purpose--some-convolutions-of
the-spring-at-one-end-of-the-helical-spring-are--fixed-at-b-to-the-guide-piece-B,-and
at-the-other-end-of-the-spring--at-e-some--convolutions-are--fixed-to-the-thickened
end-of-the-stem-E.-The-latter-is--fixed-at-its-upper--end--by--means--of-a---serew
thread-E'-and-of-a-nat,-and-is-adjustably-connected-to--a-cross-piece--G-or-the--like
which-is-fixed-in-the-valve-easing. In-this--manner,-by-neenrate-adjustment-of-the
stem-E-the-spring-F-ean-be-so-regulated-that--when the spring-is-not-in-a-condition
of-strain,-the-guide-part-will-be-situated-slightly-above-its-lowest-position.
Fig. 2-shows-a-construction-of-valve--which-differs--essentially-from-that--shown
in-Fig. 1-by-the-faet--that--the--valve--is--constructed--without----guide-part-and-is
suspended-by-a-spring:-The-valve-B-is-in-this-ease--guided-by-means-of-its-central
portion-B'-on-a-stem-A'-which-is-fixed--to--the-valve-seat-A.-The-spring-F-is-con-
neeted-at-b-rigidly-to-the-valve-part-B'-and-at-e--also-rigidly-to-the-thickened-lower
end-of-the-stem-E-which-in-its-turn-is-fixed--to--the--cross--piece.-Fig--3--shows--a
construction--of--a--dise--valve--together--with--the--adjacent-parts-of-a--compressor
eylinder. On-the-valve-seat-A-there-rests-the-elosing-part-C-which-is-guided-in-the
guide-part-B.-The-latter-is-carried by means-of-the-spring-F-which-is-fixed-to-the
guide-part-at-b-and-to-a-fixed-abutment-at-e.-This--abutment-is-formed-by-a-thick-
ening-of-the-tubular--stem--which-is-adjustably-fixed--to--the-valve-easing-in-the
following manner.
The outer-sleeve-K-which-is-formed-with-serew--threads-is-serewed into the-valve
easing V-and-is-here-held-fast-by-means-of-a-nut--k. Through-this-sleeve-is-passed
the-serew-belt-E-which--ean-be-tightened--at--the--top-by--means-of-the-nuts-e',
whereby-the-tubular-stem-H-is-pressed-firmly-against-the-sleeve-K-so-that-E-H,K,
form-one-rigid-piece. The-cover-V-of-the-valve--easing--has-a-raised-and-internally
serew-threaded-rim-Y-into-which--the--cap--W-can-be-serewed. By-means-of-the
latter-and-the-packing-ring-w-the-valve-easing-ean-be-closed-fluid-tight.
Z-is-the-supply-passage-which communicates--direet-through-the-holes-z-and-also
by-means-of-a-branch-passage----which--passes-round--the--part Al-of-the-valve
easing, with-its-outlet-towards-the-interior-of the-eylinder. Fig. 4 1. shews a flap
valve in which L is the valve seat, M the closing part or flap, N the spring and P
the axle or spindle upon which one end of the spring N is fixed. Q is the abutment
against which the flap bears when it is opened to its greatest extent.
The flap M consists of a piece of sheet steel and is formed in one piece with the
spring N. This spring bears, when the flap is opened, closely round the boss q of the
abutment which is fixed on the spindle P. A simple clamping screw n serves for
the attachment of the end of the spring. The adjustment of the flap is effected by

page_text: rotating the axle P, preferably in such a manner that when the spring N is not under
strain, the flap will be slightly open. The turning and fixing of the axis P may be
effected in any known manner. The figure also shews the manner in which several
flaps are to be arranged behind one another, and how the passages 1 are arranged
obliquely in order to cause the flow to take place as much as possible in the direction
of the open flap,
i
Figs. 52, 63, 74 shew the general arrangement of flaps in the manner in which
they may be situated on the cover of the cylinder of a compressor or of a blower.
The entire cylinder cover is pierced by apertures which serve on the one side as the
inlet, and on the other side as the ontlet. These apertures are arranged in rows
and for each row there is a number of closing flaps M, each row of which are mounted
on a common axis P. These axes pass out through suitable stuffing boxes p and are
provided externally with levers r. These levers may be connected together by means
of connecting rods ¹ so that they can be operated together, or they can be operated
singly.
Fig.
S-shows-a-partienlar-modification-of-the--helical-spring--in-detail--it-has-a
variable-spring-action-of--such--kind--that-the-resistance-increases-considerably-to-
wards-the-end-of-the-straie. This-is-effected-by--forming the helical-spring-in-sueh
a-manner that-when-it-is-being-compressed-all-the-convolutions-except one-are-made
in-the-first-instanee-to-bear-close-against- one-another. Thus, in-being-compressed,
all-the-convolutions-of-the-spring--are--deflected--equally--and--each-has-its-definite
share-in-the-contraction-of the whole-spring, whereas, at--the--last--moment--of--the
compression-the-whole--contraction--of-the--spring--is--effeeted--only--by-bending-a
single--convolution. This convolution-consequently--produces--&--proportionately
greater-resistance.
Fig. 5 shews a special form of the spring flap. In this case also the flap M and
the spring N are made in one piece, and the spring N is fixed on the adjustable
axle P. The flap itself is in this case made very strong and is ground on its meet-
ing surfaces whilst the spring portion is rolled thinner.
Fig. 6 10 shews a flap M which is of particularly light construction and in which a
particular elasticity is produced by means of several coils of the spring N. In order
to make the flap lighter, the packing ring M' in this case is also rigidly fixed to the
valve seat L.
Fig. 11-shows-an-annular-valve-in-which--no-separate-guide-piece-as-in Fig. 1 is
employed,-and-the-ring-or-annular-part-is-pressed upward by-several (at-leust-three)
springs. B-is-the-annular-valve-body-from-which-a-number-(at-least three)-stude-Bi
project upward-and-guide the ring-vertically-in-the-guides--S: In-the-upper part of
these-guides-are-fixed-the-upper-ends of the springs-, the lower-ends-of-which-are
fixed-directly-above the valve--B-to-the--thickened--bases--of--the--studs-B¹-The
guides-S-are-fixed-in-arms-s-which-extend-from-the-middle--piece-s'.-This-Intter-is
mounted-on-a-sleeve-which-is-placed-upon--a-fixed--bolt-A-und--is--provided-at-the
serew-sleeve--which-bears-with--its--lower--end--upon--a--shoulder-u-of-the-bolt-A,
top-with-an-internal-screw thread. In-this-serew-thread-there--engages-a-hollow
and-is-seeured-at-the-top-by-means-of-a-nut--u'. By-this-means-the-arms-s-can-be
moved-up-and-down.
Fig.-12-shews-a-construction-which-is-similar-in-other-respects-to-that-of-Fig. 11,
but-in-which-eacutehone-springs-are-employed, and-for--which-purpose-a-few-medi
fieations-have-to-be-made-beenuse these--springs--can--only--be-strained-in-compres
sion-and-not-in tension.
The parts A, U,-u¹-8--8'-are--shaped as in Fig. 1.-From-the-arms-s'-there
extends-a-cylindrica: part-V-having--a-flange. V₁--which-serves on its lower-side-as
an-abutment-for-the-caoutehone-springs-X, and--at-its--upper--side-as--an-abutment
for-the-springs-Y. X-is-a-cerrugated-or-undulated--piece-of--euontehone-which-ex-
tends-in-a-erele-around-the-cylinder-V. A wire spiral--x--is--inserted-between-the
eaoutchoue-and-the-cylinder-in-order to facilitate-the-guidance. This spring-presses
the-annular-valve-B-downwards. On-the-ring-valve-there-are-arranged shoulders-w
into which-are-serewed-stems-W-which-are-surrounded at their upper-ends-below the

page_text: head-w-by-the-tubular-eaoutehone-springs-Y. The stems W,-are-serewed-in-so-far
that-the-spring-Y-comes-into-action-only just-before--the-valve-B-strikes upon-its
the-same-way-as-the
seat.-In-this-manner-the-two-springs-X-and--Y-net-in-exactly
spring-which-is-fastened-at-its-two-ends-in-the-other-constructions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination-with-a-valve--of-a-spring--so-arranged-as-to--necelerate-the
elosing-of-the-valve-and-to-be-adjustable-so-as-to-afford-different-speeds-of-accelera-
tion, substantially-as-described.
2.-The-combination-with-a-valve-of-a-spring-so--arranged as to--relieve-the-valve,
or-its-guide-of-pressure-when closed,-while--when-the-valve
necelerates-the-closing-thereof,-substantially-as-deseribed.
is fully-open-the-spring
3.-In-spring-valves-sneh-as-are--referred--to--in--the--first--and--second-Claims,-so
arranging-the-spring-that-when-the-valve-is--slightly open-it-is-subject-to-no-strain
beyond-that-due-to-the-weight-of-the-valve,-substantially-as-described.
4.-In-spring-valves-sueh-as-are referred--to--in--the-third-Claim,-the-arrangement
of-a-helieul-spring-in-sueh-manner that-its one-end-is-fixed-to-the-valve-or-the-guide
piece-thereof,-while-the-other-end-is-secured-to-an-adjustable-abutment-on-the-valve
easing;-substantially-as-described.
5.-In-spring-valves-sneh-as-are-referred-to-in-the-fourth-Claim,-the-method-of-in-
ereasing-the-resistance-to-compression-of-the--helical--spring--during-the-latter-part
of-the-compression--period-by--arranging-one--or--more--convolutions--thereof-at-a
greater-distance apart;-or-pitch;-than-the majority-of-the-convolutions,-so-that-after
pressing-the-latter-together;-an-increased--resistance--to-compression-will-be-offered
by-the-former-substantially-as-described.
6.
1.
A-spring-flap-valve-operating-as-set-forth-in-the-first-Claim, An angularly
moving spring flap valve having a spring so arranged as to accelerate the closing
of the valve, and to be adjustable so as to afford different speeds of ucceleration
wherein a supporting eoiled spring is coiled on the fulcrum and acts upon the
valve so as to tend to close it during the whole or greater part of its stroke, sub-
stantially as described.
7. 2. In a spring flap valve such as is referred to in the first sixth Claim, the
arrangement of a spring coiled one or more times round an axis to which it is fixed,
which axis is made rotatable for adjusting the strength of the spring substantially
as described.
8. 3. In a spring flap valve such as is referred to in the second seventh Claim,
constructing the coiled spring and the valve of one and the same piece of metal, sub-
stantially as described.
9. 4. In a spring flap valve such as is referred to in the second seventh Claim,
forming the coiled spring in one piece with a valve of some thickness by rolling out
an extension of the valve into spring form which extension is then coiled up, sub-
stantially as described.
10.-In-a-ring-shaped-valve--constructed--as-set-forth-in-the-fifth Claim, combining
the-valve-body-directly-with--several--springs--arranged--symetrically round its-eir
enmference--substantially-as-deseribed.
H-In-spring-valves such-as-referred--to--in-the--fifth--Claim,--construeting--the
springs-of-eorrugated-caoutchoue-substantially-as-described.
Dated this 27th day of December 1899.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.