IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES OR TAPS FOR STEAM AND WATER
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Sutcliffe, of Halifax, in the County of York,
Mechanic, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES OR TAPS FOR
STEAM AND WATER.”
Sealed the 19th December 1879, and dated the 21st June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Sutcliffe at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st June 1879.
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE, of Halifax, in the County of York, Mechanic.
MENTS IN VALVES OR TAPS FOR STEAM AND WATER."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to the construction of valves and taps for steam and water
in which double valve and double seatings are provided, so that when one valvo
and seat becomes worn, so as not to be steam or water tight, the other or remaining
valve and seating may be used without disconnecting or removing any of the parts
constituting the improved valve or tap referred to.
Valves or taps constructed according to this my said Invention comprise a mid-
feather or partition as ordinary, but having double valvo seatings; that is to say,
one such seating on the under side of the midfeather or partition, the other seating
on the upper face thereof.
The upper valve is turned upon or forms part of its spindle, the latter having at
a distance from this valve a swell or enlarged part which is screwed or chased for
reception of the second or lower valve.
The midfeather and its upper and lower seatings are between the upper and
lower valves; the necessary caps are provided.
The action of the valve is as follows:- When the main valve spindle is turned,
say, to the right hand, the lower valve is forced from its seating, and steam or water
flows, and this lower valve will be used until worn out (or the upper valve and
seating may be first used).
The action of the main spindle by forcing the lower valve from its seating, if
continued (by further turning the main spindle in the same direction, will bring
the upper valve down upon the upper seating, and shut off the discharge; this
brings the upper valve into use; to open the valve it is necessary only to turn the
valve spindle in the opposite direction to that which is brought into use, the first
or under valve; and in order to provide against any objection as to the reverse
action of the main valve spindle being necessary the caps may be changed and the
valve turned over, when the same direction of turning the main spindle for working
is restored.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Sutcliffe in the Great Seal Patent- Office on the 20th
December 1879.
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE, of Halifax, in the County of York, Mechanic.
MENTS IN VALVES OR TAPS FOR STEAM AND WATER."
"
IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to the construction of valves and taps for steam and water
in which double valve and double seatings are provided, so that when one valve
and seat becomes worn so as not to be steam or water tight, the other or remaining
valve and seating may be used without disconnecting or removing any of the parts
constituting the improved valve or tap referred to.
Valves or taps constructed according to this my said Invention comprise a mid-
feather or partition as ordinary, but having double valve seatings, (that is to say)
one such seating on the under side of the midfeather or partition, the other seating
on the upper face thereof.
The upper valve is turned upon or forms part of its spindle, the latter having
at a distance from this valve a swell or enlarged part which is screwed or chased
for reception of the second or lower valve.
The midfeather and its upper and lower seatings are between the upper and
lower valves. The action of the valve is as follows:-When the main valve spindle
is turned, say, to the left hand, the valve is lifted from its seating and steam or
water flows, and this upper valve will be used until worn out; or the lower valve
and seating may be first used.
The action of the main spindle, by lifting the upper valve from its seating, if
continued (by further turning the main spindle in the same direction), will bring
the lower valve up to its seating, and shut off the discharge; this brings the lower
-valve into use; to open the valve it is necessary only to turn the valve spindle in
the opposite direction-to-that which brought into use the first or upper valve; and
in order to provide against any objection as to the-reverse action of the main valve
spindle being necessary the caps may be changed, and the valve turned over, when
the same direction of turning the main spindle for working is restored.
In order that this Invention may be better understood I will proceed to describe
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is section of my improved
valve or tap. In the position in which the valve is shewn A is the inlet, and B the
outlet; C is a spindle, having two valves D and E thereon, for acting on the two
Beats d and e. It will be easily understood that when the hand wheel F is turned
in a direction as to lift the main spindle G, that the pressure of water or steam
would lift up the valve D, and thereby steam or water would escape in the ordinary
manner, and when the upper valvo D and its seating d, become worn out and unfit
for further use the cap H and main valve spindle are unscrewed and reversed, so as
to exchange places, and by turning the valve over bodily what is now the bottom
valve becomes the top valve, and thus the valve or tap becomes as it wero, a new
one. This unscrewing and changing of the main spindlo G can be done while the
full pressure of steam is on by simply lifting the spindle G sufficiently high as to
allow the pressure of steam or water to lift the lower valve E up to its seating e,
which will at once shut off the passage of fluids so that the main spindle can be
taken out without steam escaping through that part; it will therefore be seen that
the valve can either be opened or closed by turning the band wheel F in one
direction.
Instead of their being two separate valves on the spindle C one valve L, having
..two faces, will suffice, as shewn in Fig. 2, only in this case the main spindle could
not be changed whilst the pressure of steam or water was on the valve.
This construction of valve is capable of being adapted to many useful purposes,
and it is of great service in case a pipe bursts. If pipes be changed with steam, and

page_text: the valve opened, the loose spindle C would assume the position shewn in Fig. 3,
that is, the spinde and valves would be kept oscilating or floating in the steam, but
should a pipe burst at a point past the valve the spindle would immediately rise,
and the lower valve would be shut, and prevent further passage of steam or water.
Having thus fully described the nature of my said Invention, and shewn by
Drawings in what manner the same it to be or may be carried into practical effect,
I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
The construction and arrangement of valves whereby they can be reversed in
manner and for the purpose substantially as described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Sutcliffe, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE. (LS.)