IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Smith, of Mauchline, in the County of Ayr,
North Britain, Manufacturer of Scotch Fancy Woodwork, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
80th April 1858.
I, ANDREW SMITH, of Mauchline, in the County of Ayr, North Britain,
Manufacturer of Scotch Fancy Woodwork, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES," to be as follows, that is
to say:
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of valvular
apparatus for controlling and regulating the passage of steam, liquids, or
gaseous bodies. The improved valve under one arrangement is made of brass
tubing of the kind known as telescope tubing. In constructing a tubular
slide valve for shutting off or controlling the passage of steam or liquids
through a horizontal pipe, the valvular apparatus consists of a vertical
piece of tubing with a branch diverging from each side at right angles to
the central vertical piece, through which the steam or liquid passes.
The passage of the steam or liquid is shut off by means of a cylindrical

page_text: valve, which works within the central vertical part. This cylindrical valve
consists of a piece of tubing of the same size as the part within which it
works; it is cut through longitudinally to admit of its being fitted inside the
valve casing. The flexibility of the metal causes the tubular valve to fit
closely to its containing tube, so as to be steam and fluid tight. The pressure
of the tubular valve may, if required, be increased by an internal spring, or
other equivalent contrivance. The vertical tube is closed at its upper and
lower ends by metal plates soldered or otherwise attached thereto, excepting
that in the upper plate there is a small aperture for the rod by which the
tubular valve is actuated. The valve rod passes through a stuffing box at the
upper part of the valve casing, and its inner end is connected to a piece of
metal which is soldered to the internal surface of the valve. A suitable knob
or handle is fitted to the outer end of the valve rod; upon pressing this knob
the cylindrical valve slides down, and' closes the steam or liquid passage.
In this arrangement of valvular apparatus, the entire area of the pipe is
open to the passage of the steam or liquid; since the valve consists only of a
tube fitting closely to the casing, it offers no obstruction whatever to the flow
of the steam or fluid. The tubular valve may be readily arranged to work in a
horizontal instead of a vertical direction, so as to divert the flow of steam or
fluid from a horizontal to a vertical direction, or vice versa.
ment the valve rod is disposed horizontally, and works out
stuffing box; by pushing in the valve the passage of the steam or fluid is
thereby stopped. With suitable modifications these valves may be applied to
all purposes where it is desired to control or regulate the passage of steam,
liquids, or aeriform bodies.
In this arrange-
through an end
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Andrew Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th October 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ANDREW
SMITH, of Mauchline, in the County of Ayr, North Britain, Manufacturer of
Scotch Fancy Woodwork, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto

page_text: me, the said Andrew Smith, Her special license that I, the said Andrew
Smith, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Andrew Smith, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
VALVES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Andrew Smith,
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 Andrew Smith, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following.
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of valvular
apparatus for controlling and regulating the passage of steam, liquids, or
gaseous bodies. The improved valve under one arrangement is made of brass
tubing, of the kind known as telescope tubing. In constructing a tubular
slide valve for shutting off or controlling the passage of steam or liquids
through a horizontal pipe, the valvular apparatus consists of a vertical piece of
tubing, with a branch diverging from each side at right angles to the central
vertical piece through which the steam or liquid passes. The passage of the
steam or liquid is shut off by means of a cylindrical valve, which works within
the central vertical part. This cylindrical valve consists of a piece of tubing.
of the same size as the part within which it works; it is cut through longitu-
dinally to admit of its being fitted inside the valve casing. The flexibility of
the metal causes the tubular valve to fit closely to its containing tube, so as to
be steam and fluid tight. The pressure of the tubular valve may, if required,
be increased by an internal spring, or other equivalent contrivance. The
vertical tube is closed at its upper and lower ends by metal plates soldered or
otherwise attached thereto, excepting that in the upper plate there is a small
aperture for the rod, by which the tubular valve is actuated. The valve rod
passes through a stuffing box at the upper part of the valve casing, and its
inner end is connected to a piece of metal which is soldered to the internal

page_text: surface of the valve. A suitable knob or handle is fitted to the outer end of
the valve rod; upon pressing this knob the cylindrical valve slides down and
closes the steam or liquid passage. In this arrangement of valvular apparatus
the entire area of the pipe is open to the passage of the steam or liquid; since
the valve consists only of a tube fitting closely to the casing, it offers no
obstruction whatever to the flow of the steam or fluid. The tubular valve
may be readily arranged to work in a horizontal instead of a vertical direction,
so as to divert the flow of steam or fluid from a horizontal to a vertical direc-
tion, or vice versa. In this arrangement the valve rod is disposed horizontally,
and works through an end stuffing box; by pushing in the valve, the passage of
the steam or fluid is thereby stopped. With suitable modifications these
valves may be applied to all purposes where it is desired to control or regulate
the passage of steam, liquids, or aeriform bodies.
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 judi-
ciously carried out in practice.
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a vertical section of
one modification of my improved tubular valve or cock, suitable for stopping,
controlling, and regulating the flow of fluids through pipes and tubes;
Figure 2 is a plan of the same partially in transverse section. In this
arrangement the fluid or
liquid passes through the horizontal pipe A, which is
intersected at right angles by the vertical pipe B, within which is arranged the
valve C. This valve consists simply of a piece of brass or other metal tubing
somewhat larger in size than the internal circumference of the tube or pipe B.
The tubing I prefer to use for the purpose of making these tubular valves is
the smooth drawn tubes known as "telescope tubing," which is made in
various sizes to fit tightly one within the other. The piece of tubing C, which
is cut to the proper length of the valve, is then divided longitudinally, and a
portion of the metal is cut away from this divided part, as shown in the trans-
verse section, Figure 2. The edges of the piece of severed tube are pressed
together, and the valve is inserted within the tube B; in this manner the
tubular valve C fits the pipe B closely and accurately, as it has a tendency to
spring outwards in consequence of its being compressed within the tube B
To the inside of the tubular valve is soldered or otherwise secured the forked
piece of metal D, into which the lower end of the valve rod E screws; the
valve rod passes through a stuffing box F that is screwed into the cap G

page_text: which encloses the upper part of the pipe B. The upper extremity of the valve
rod is furnished with a cross handle H, by means of which the valve is
actuated, so as to open or close the passage of the pipe A. The lower end
of the tube B is closed by a disc of metal, which is soldered or otherwise
fastened to the tube. In the modification shown in elevation in Figure 3, the
internal arrangement is similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, the external
part, however, differs therefrom. The tube B has cast upon its upper part the
bracket H, to which is jointed the link I, the upper end of this link being
attached to the cross lever J. The valve rod E is made with a forked end,
and is jointed to the cross lever J, so that the valve is actuated in manner
similar to an ordinary pump motion. Figure 4 is a sectional elevation
showing a modification of the tubular valve applied to an elbow pipe in which
the fluid or liquid passes along the horizontal pipe A, and down the vertical
pipe B, or vice versa. Figures 5 and 6 are an elevation and a plan of the tubular
valve, and Figure 7 a plan of the valve or cock corresponding to Figure 4.
The valve C is similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is connected in
the same way by the forked arm D to the valve rod E, which works out
through the stuffing box F, fitted in the cap G. A small screw or stud H is
passed through the tube B, so as to project inside the pipe, as shown in the plan,
Figure 7; this screw passes between the longitudinal division made in the
valve C, and serves as a guide to the valve to prevent its turning round in the
tube or pipe B. The valve rod E has cast or otherwise formed upon it a
conically shaped projection I, the angular surface of which is upwardly
directed; this conical part fits into a corresponding recess made in the cap G,
the two opposing surfaces being ground to fit each accurately, and prevent the
leakage of steam or liquids through the stuffing box. A corresponding conical
projection J is also formed upon the upper part of the valve rod E, which fits
a similar recess in the stuffing box, and thus prevents all leakage when the
valve is down.
Figure 8 is a vertical section, showing another modification of the tubular
valve; Figure 9 is a transverse section of the valve; Figure 10 is a front
elevation of the same, and Figure 11 is a plan partially in section cor-
responding to Figure 9. In this arrangement the valve C has a triangularly-
shaped piece cut out of it longitudinally, as shown in the elevation, Figure 10.
A piece of metal H, of a shape corresponding to this triangular opening, is
riveted or otherwise secured to the inside of the vertical tube B. The tubular
valve C is fitted within the tube B, so that the triangular piece of metal F
and the longitudinal opening in the valve are in the same vertical line. The

page_text: effect of this arrangement is, that when the valve C is pushed down by means
of the handle I, the piece of metal H acts as a wedge upon the valve C,
forcing the edges of the opening asunder, and fixing the valve firmly in the
lower part of the tube or pipe B. By this arrangement the tubular valve fits
very closely to the interior of the tube or pipe B, effectually stopping the
passage of the fluid or liquid through the horizontal pipe A. The other parts
of this valvular apparatus are arranged in manner similar to the modification
shown in Figures 1 and 2, the several parts being indicated by corresponding
letters of reference.
Figure 12 is a partially vertical section of a modification of the last
described valve or cock; Figure 13 is an elevation of the tubular valve, and
Figure 14 a plan of the same. In this valve or cock the lower end of the
pipe B has an external thread cut thereon, to which is adapted the cap J,
having a stuffing box K screwed therein. Through this stuffing box the
spindle L passes, the upper end of which has a thread cut in it, and below
this screw a shoulder on which the loose metal disc M rests. The screw of
the spindle L enters a laterally projecting part of the wedge-shaped piece of
metal H, which has a longitudinal slot N cut therein. Projecting from the
inner side of the tube B is a pin O, which passes through the slot N, and
prevents the wedge H from moving in a lateral direction, but does not inter-
fere with its motion vertically. When the valve C is pushed down by the
handle I, the valve is wedged as before described, but this expansive pressure
upon the valve may be increased at pleasure by raising the wedge H. This is
done by turning the thumb nut P on the lower extremity of the spindle L; as
the wedge H cannot move laterally, the turning of the screw on the spindle L
causes the wedge H to ascend in the longitudinal opening of the valve, and
force its edges asunder, thereby firmly securing the valve at the lower part of
the pipe B.
Another mode of applying this action to valves or cocks is shown in the
partially vertical section, Figure 15, and in the transverse section, Figure 16.
In this arrangement the wedge H is forced between the sides of an opening
made in the valve C, the sides of which opening are parallel at the face
of the valve, and slightly widen out inwards, as shown in the transverse
section, Figure 16. The wedge H fits into this longitudinal opening, and has
at its central part an internal screw, through which the screwed end of the
spindle L passes. The spindle L projects out beyond the stuffing box K, and
has a shoulder M, which fits a corresponding recess in the stuffing box to
prevent its moving to and fro; the outer extremity of the spindle is fitted with

page_text: a thumb nut P. By turning this thumb nut to the right, so that the screwed
end of the spindle L enters the wedge H, it will be drawn outwards towards
the periphery of the valve, thereby distending it so as to force it in close
contact with the internal surface of the pipe B, and thus it will remain until
the wedge is again released.
The last modification of my present Invention which it will be necessary
for me to illustrate is shown in Figures 17 and 18, the former being a vertical-
section of a valvular apparatus adapted to a pipe or tube of a semicircular
figure in its transverse section, the latter figure being a plan of the valve.
The semicircular pipe A has fitted to it a valve C, of a figure corresponding
to the internal form of the pipe; this valve is cut through longitudinally (as
shown in the plan of the valve, Figure 18) to give it flexibility, so that it may
fit easily yet closely to the interior of the pipe A. This valve may be actuated
by a rod attached thereto, and put in motion by a handle or lever according to
either of the modifications herein-before described. These several arrange-
ments of valvular apparatus afford the means of controlling and regulating the
passage of gaseous or liquid bodies under all the circumstances where such
apparatus may be required, and at a primary cost far less than those at present
in use.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may 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 opening and closing the passage or way of pipes, tubes, or ducts, as
herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of controlling and regulating the passage or
flow of gaseous or liquid bodies through pipes or ducts by means of valvular
apparatus arranged as herein-before described, or any mere equivalent
therefor.
Third, the application and use of circular or other tubes to and in the
construction of tubular valves, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of enlarging or expanding the tubular valves
by means of the several mechanical arrangements herein-before described and

page_text: shown in the accompanying Drawings. The said mechanical arrangements
being applied for the purpose of keeping the valves distended, and thereby com-
pletely shutting off the flow of the gaseous or liquid body, and retaining the
valves as long as required.
Fifth, the system or mode of arranging and constructing valves wherein an
elasticated tube is caused to slide or work within another tube or shell, as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Andrew Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of October, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight.
ANDREW SMITH. (L.S.)