Improvements in Valves Used for Controlling the Flow of Water, Steam, Compressed Air, or other Fluids or Gases through Pipes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov,, 1886
Complete Left, 20th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 7th Oct., 1887
Improvements in Valves Used for Controlling the Flow of
Water, Steam, Compressed Air, or other Fluids or Gases
through Pipes.
I, HENRY BAMFORD of 16 White Lion Street, Pentonville, in the County of
Middlesex, Hydraulic Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES USED FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF WATER, STEAM,
COMPRESSED AIR, OR OTHER FLUIDS OR GASES THROUGH PIPES to be as follows :-
My invention has for its object the opening and closing of valves used for controlling
the flow of Water, Steam, Compressed air, or other fluids or gases through pipes, the
opening and closing being effected from any convenient point, at a distance from the
valve itself, and my invention also ensures the gradual opening and closing of the valve,
to prevent the too sudden filling of a pipe, or the racing of an engine, before it is
fully loaded with its work.
The following is a description of my invention
A valve (which I call the "Main Valve") is arranged to rise and fall vertically on a
suitable seating. The rising and falling of this main valve, alternately opens and
closes an orifice, the area of which, is equal to the area of the pipe, which the valve
controls. Suitable guides are provided to ensure the falling of the main valve into its
proper position on the seating.
The centre, or other convenient part of the main valve is perforated with a small
opening. This opening is covered by another valve which is arranged to rise and fall
vertically on a suitable seating on the upper side of the main valve. This valve I call
the "Small Valve." The rising and falling of this small valve, alternately opens and
closes the small opening through the main valve. Suitable guides are fixed on the
upper side of the main valve, to ensure that the small valve falls into its proper
position on its seating.
The distance which the small valve rises off its seating, is regulated by an adjustable
screw stop, so that the quantity of water (or other fluid or gas) allowed to pass
through the small opening in the main valve, can be regulated as desired. This stop
is attached to the main valve, so that when the small valve has risen to its limit, the
force applied to raise the small valve will be exerted to raise the main valve.
These two valves are contained within a casing of suitable shape and size, to allow

page_text: of their rising and falling as described. The space in this casing above the valves is
connected to the inlet or supply end of the pipe, so that the pressure is on the top of
both valves when closed. The space in the casing below the orifice which the valves
open and close, is connected to the outlet or delivery end of the pipe.
The upper part of the small valve is elongated in the form of a cylinder which is 5
bored perfectly true internally. The area of this cylinder is somewhat, greater than
the area of the small valve, but considerably less than the area of the main valve. The
axis of this cylinder is vertical.
A stem projects vertically downwards from the upper cover of the valve casing.
This stem is central with the cylinder in the upper part of the small valve. The lower 1
end of this stem forms a piston, which accurately fits the cylinder formed in the upper
part of the small valve. This piston may be made watertight by a cup-leather or other
suitable means, but must be sufficiently free to allow the small valve and cylinder to
fall by gravity. The length of the stem with the piston on its end, and also the length
of the small cylinder, are sufficient to allow of the rising of the small valve, and also
the rising of the main valve, to the desired height: the piston and stem remaining
stationary.
The stem which carries the piston on its end, is hollow, and forms a pipe which
communicates with the space within the cylinder below the piston. This pipe is
carried through the upper cover of the valve casing, and is connected to a small pipe,
which can be continued to any desired spot, and connected to an ordinary stop cock.
This small pipe is continued beyond the stop cock and carried to the nearest drain or
other suitable outlet.
A fine hole is drilled through the lower part of the cylinder, to allow the pressure
to accumulate inside when the valve closes. (If it is found more convenient, the upper
part of the small valve may be elongated and the piston formed on its upper end, In
this case the piston would rise and fall in a cylinder projecting vertically downwards
from the upper cover of the valve casing, The small pipe would communicate with
the interior of the cylinder at its upper end, and the fine hole would be drilled through
the upper end of the cylinder).
The action of this arrangement is as follows
When the cock in the small pipe (at a distance from the valve) is closed the pressure
will accumulate within the cylinder of the small valve (through the fine hole) and
allow both the small valvo and main valve to fall by gravity on to their seatings.
When on their seatings, they will be kept tight by the pressure on their upper sides.
When the cock in the small pipe is opened the interior of the cylinder of the small
valve will be releived of the greater part of its pressure (the area of the small pipe
being much greater than the area of the fine hole) The area of the cylinder being
somewhat greater than the area of the small valve, the small valve will be lifted off its
seating (to the height allowed by the adjustable stop) by the pressure of the water,
Steam, compressed air, or other fluid or gas contained within the upper part of the
valve casing. The area of the main valve being much greater than the area of the
cylinder, the power exerted will not in the first place be sufficient to raise it. The
rising of the small valve, will allow the water, steam compressed air, or other fluid or
gas, to pass through the opening in the main valve. And as soon as the pressure
below the main valve approaches sufficiently near to that above it (caused by the
gradual filling of the pipe, or the closing of the regulating valve of an engine which
the pipe supplies) the force exerted to raise the small valve will be sufficient to raise
the main valve (owing to its being nearly or quite in equilibrium) and the small
valve and main valve will then rise together and fully open the orifice which they
cover.
If the small pipe carried to a distance should rise to any considerable height
vertically above the valve (when used for fluids) the difference between the area of
the cylinder and the area of the small valve must be proportionately greater.
Dated this 94th day of November 1886

page_text: Improvements in Valves Used for Controlling the Flow of
Water, Steam, Compressed Air, or other Fluids or Gases
through Pipes.
I, HENRY BAMFORD, of 16 White Lion Street Pentonville, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :—
My invention has for its object, the opening and closing of valves, used for controlling
the flow of water, steam, compressed air, or other fluids, or gases, through pipes, the
opening and closing being effected from any convenient point, at a distance from the
valve itself. And my invention also ensures the gradual opening and closing of
the valve, to prevent the too sudden filling of a pipe, or the racing of an engine, before
it is fully loaded with its work.
The following is a description of my invention
A valve (which I call the main valve) is arranged to rise and fall vertically on a
suitable seating. The rising and falling of this main valve, alternately opens and closes
an orifice, the area of which is equal to the area of the pipe which the valve controls.
Suitable guides are provided, to ensure the falling of the main valve, into its proper
position on the seating.
The centre or other convenient part of the main valve, is perforated with a small
opening, this opening is covered by another valve, which is arranged to rise and fall
vertically on a suitable seating on the upper side of the main valve, this valves is called
the "Small valve." The rising and falling of this small valve, alternately opens and
closes the small opening through the main valve. Suitable guides are fixed on the
upper side of the main valve, to ensure that the small valve falls into its proper
position on its seating.
The distance which the small valve rises off its seating, is regulated by an adjustable
screw stop, so that the quantity of water (or other fluids or gases) allowed to pass
through the small opening in the main valve can be regulated as desired. This stop
is attached to the main valve, so that when the small valve has risen to its limit, the
force applied to raise it will be exerted to raise the main valve.
These two valves are contained within a casing, of suitable shape and size to allow
of their rising and falling as described. The space in this casing above the valves is
connected to the inlet or supply end of the pipe, so that the pressure is on the top of
both valves when closed. The space in the casing below the orifice which the valves
open and close, is connected to the outlet or delivery end of the pipe.
The upper part of the small valve is elongated in the form of a cylinder, which is
bored perfectly true internally. The area of this cylinder is somewhat greater than the
area of the small valve, but considerably less than the area of the main valve. The
axis of this cylinder is vertical.

page_text: A stem projects vertically downwards from the upper cover of the valve casing.
This stem is central with the cylinder on the upper part of the small valve. The
lower end of this stem forms a piston, which accurately fits the cylinder formed in the
upper part of the small valve. This piston may be made watertight by a cup-leather
or other suitable means, but must be sufficiently free to allow the small valve and 5
cylinder to fall by gravity. The length of the stem with the piston on its end, and
also the length of the small cylinder, are sufficient to allow of the rising of the small
valve, and also the rising of the main valve, to the desired height; the piston and stem
remaining stationary.
The stem which carries the piston on its end is hollow, and forms a pipe, which 1
communicates with the space within the cylinder, below the piston. This pipe is
carried through the upper cover of the valve casing, and is connected to a small pipe
which can be continued to any desired spot, and connected to an ordinary stop cock.
This small pipe is continued beyond the stop cock, and carried to the nearest drain or
other suitable outlet.
A fine hole is drilled through the lower part of the cylinder, to allow the pressure to
accumulate inside, when the valve closes.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I will proceed to describe
it more closely by the aid of the accompanying drawing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
On Shoot 1 is represented a vertical section of a valve, shewing the various parts as
described above.
A. A. A. A is a cylindrical casing in which the valves rise and fall. The water,
steam, compressed air, or other fluid or gas, enters the casing A. A. A. A. by means
of the inlet B which is connected to the source of supply. At the lower part of the
casing A. A. A A. a valve seating E. E is formed. Below the valve seating E. E. is
a smaller cylindrical casing C which communicates by means of the outlet D with the
delivery end of the pipe, this end of the pipe being connected to the engine or other
apparatus to be supplied."
Upon the seating E E a valve FF (which I call the main valve) rises and falls.
The outside of the valve FF is circular and fits somewhat easily in the casing A A. A. A.
in order to form a guide to keep it in position, and also to prevent the passage through
the valve casing being fully opened until the main valve F F has risen above the
inlet B.
A hole G is bored through the centre of the main valve F. F. The hole G is
opened and closed by the rising and falling of the valve H (which I call the small
valve).
The upper part of the small valve H is elongated in the form of a cylinder J_which
is bored perfectly true in its inside. The cross sectional area of the cylinder J must
be somewhat greater than the area of the small valve H but considerably less than the
area of the main valve F F.
The upper part of the outside of the cylinder J is enlarged in diameter, and forms a
solid piston P. P. The piston P P fits more or less easily in the valve casing AAA A
so as to form a guide, and also to prevent the valves from rising too suddenly. It
also acts as a weight, to cause the valves to fall by gravity on to their seating when
closing.
In order to keep the small valve H in position, the outside of the cylinder J fits
easily within three guides K K (and one not shown) these guides are attached to the
upper side of the main valve F F.
The distance which the small valve H can rise from off its seating on the upper side
of the main valve F F is regulated by means of the screw Q which passes through the
solid piston P P and is screwed into the upper part of the guide K. The small
valve H can therefore rise until the upper part of the piston P P comes into contact
with the shoulder R of the screw Q. Upon the top of the valve casing A A A A fits
the cover N N.
1
"
2

page_text: From the centre of the cover NN a hollow stem L projects vertically downwards.
The lower end of the hollow stem L carries a piston M M which fits accurately within
the cylinder J.
The stem L being hollow, forms a communication with the space within the
cylinder J below the piston M M. This communication is carried through the
cover N N and is continued by means of a small pipe O to the desired spot from
which the valve is to be actuated. It is there connected to an ordinary stop-cock by
means of which the communication through the pipe, can be opened or closed at
pleasure.
The small pipe O is continued beyond the stop cock to the nearest drain, or other
suitable outlet.
A fine hole T is drilled through the cylinder J at its lower end.
In cases where a slight hissing sound (which is sometimes caused by a small quantity
of water &c. passing through a fine orifice under pressure) would be objectionable, a
pad U composed of a number of layers of fine wire gauze (or other porous material)
is fixed in the bottom of the cylinder J. When the valve rises to its full extent the
pad U rises against the lower lip S of the hollow stem L and allows the water &c. to
slowly percolate through thus preventing any sound.
When the arrangement as described above is used for water, the valve seatings and
piston may be made tight by means of leathers. When it is used for steam, com-
pressed air, or other fluid, or gas, metallic or other suitable seatings and piston must
be used.
If the water, steam, compressed air, or other fluid or gas, for which the valve is used
contains dirt, it is advisable to protect the fine hole T by means of a cover of fine wire
gauze fixed over it, outside the cylinder J.
When the above arrangement of valves is fixed in position, the axis of the
casing A A A A must be perfectly vertical.
The action of the arrangement as described above is as follows.
In the drawing (Sheet 1) the valve is shewn closed, the stop-cock at a distance in
the pipe O being closed.
The inlet B being in connection with the source of supply, the casing A A A A is
filled with water, steam, compressed air, or other fluid or gas, under pressure. This
pressure being on the upper side of the main valve F F keeps it firmly down on the
seating E E. The small valve H is also kept firmly down on its seating by the
pressure within the cylinder J which has accumulated through the fine hole T.
The space below the valves, and the outlet pipe connected to D being cut off from
the source of supply, are free from pressure.
Upon the stop-cock at a distance being opened, a free communication is set up in the
pipe O and the interior of the cylinder J is relieved of the greater part of its
pressure.
The small valve H will be lifted off its seating owing to the difference between the
area of the cylinder J and its own area.
The small valve H will be lifted until the upper part of the piston P P comes
into contact with the shoulder R of the screw Q. The lifting force of the cylinder J
will then be communicated to the main valve F F.
The lifting of the small valve H will allow the desired quantity of water, steam,
compressed air, or other fluid or gas, to pass through the opening G.
Owing to the much larger area of the main valve F F the cylinder J will not in the
first place exert sufficient force to lift it. When however the pressure under the valves
rises sufficiently (owing to the filling of the outlet pipe, or the partial closing of the
regulating valve of the engine which the pipe supplies) to put the main valve F F
more or less in equilibrium, the force exerted by the cylinder J will be sufficient to
raise it, and the two valves will be lifted until the pad Ú comes into contact with the
lip S of the hollow stem L.
The water, steam, compressed air, or other fluid or gas, will then be allowed to flow
freely through the valve casing A A A A from the inlet B to the outlet D.
Upon the stop-cock in the pipe O being closed, the pressure will slowly accumula

page_text: within the cylinder J and the valves will settle down on to their seatings by the force
of gravity.
The opening and closing of the main valve F F and small valve H can thus be
effected by simply opening and closing the stop-cock in the pipe O.
If the pipe O rises above the level of the valve casing A A A A the difference
between the area of the cylinder J and the small valve H must be proportionately
greater, to allow for the pressure of the column of water in the pipe O. The pro-
portionate sizes of the valves and cylinder may also have to be varied to suit different
pressure which the valve has to control.
[An alternative arrangement may be made by elongating the upper part of the
small valve H in the form of a solid stem, carrying the piston M M on its upper end.
The cylinder J would project vertically downwards from the top cover N. N. The
pipe would communicate with the upper end of, the cylinder, and the fine hole T
would be drilled through the upper end of the cylinder.]
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. The means by which the main valve F F carrying the small valve H on its back
may be lifted from off the seating EE by the cylinder. J and piston M. M. The
cylinder J and piston M M exerting sufficient force to raise the small valve H only in
the first instance. The force exerted by the cylinder J and piston M. M lifting the
main valve F F from off the seating E E as soon as the pressure beneath the said main
valve F F approaches sufficiently near to the pressure above it, in the manner and for
the purpose as hereinbefore described.
2. The means by which the bissing sound caused by water, steam, compressed air,
or other fluid or gas, passing through a fine orifice under pressure is prevented as
hereinbefore described.
Dated this Twentieth day of August 1887.