Improvements in Steam Pressure Gauges.
Year: 1895

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by THE BABCOCK & WILCOX Co., of New York,
in the United States of America, Steam Boiler Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Steam Pressure Gauges.
I, WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, C.E., of 62 Saint Vincent Street, in the County
of the City of Glasgow, Chartered Patent Agent, 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 :-
The objects of this invention are to produce a gauge whose indicating mechanism
will not be affected or deranged by any expansion, contraction or movement of the
case; and to combine with the gauge a syphon-pipe in such a position that its
presence with the gauge, and its proper filling will always be assured, as well as the
position of the pipe be such that it will not be injured, that it will not render the
gauge unsightly in appearance, and will enable steam to be taken in at the top of
the gauge.
These objects I attain by mounting the expansion-tube and the indicating
nechanism which it operates, upon a hollow standard or post, and in such a manner
that said tube and mechanism have no bearings except upon the post; and in
locating the syphon-pipe entirely within the gauge-case, all as hereinafter described
and claimed.
In the accompanying two sheets of drawings
I
:-
Figure represents a front view of a gauge embodying my invention, with the
outer casing, dial, and indicating hand removed.
Figure 2 shows a central vertical section of the case, with the post, tube and
indicating mechanism in elevation, the syphon-pipe being partially removed.
Figure 3 represents a top view of the gauge secured to a vertical support, which
is shown in horizontal section.
Figure 4 represents a front view of the same.
Figure 5 shows a side view of the gauge with its case partly broken away and
partially in section.
C represents the body-portion or case of the gauge which is cup-shape, is
provided with the usual dial D, the surrounding front rim O secured in place by
screws 01, Fig. 2, and exterior sheet-metal casing R, which is attached to the body
in any suitable manner, as by screws R', Fig. 5. The gauge is shown attached to a
support, as a column T, and the case C is shown as provided with a flange F and
ears A, which flange is engaged by bolts M, Fig. 2, to clamp the ears on the case
to a bracket H, which is attached to the column T by bolts V Figs. 3 and 5.
To the body of the case C is secured (in any suitable manner, as by screws b,
Fig. 1) a hollow standard or post P, which is closed at the top, and at the bottom
by a removable cap K. To this post, one end of the curved expansion-tube E is
attached, the bore of the tube communicating with the interior of the post. The
upper or free end of the tube is closed, and to it is pivoted a link L, the lower end
of which is pivoted to the tail of a sector-gear G, whose bearing-pin g is journaled
in two plates or upward extensions B of the post P as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The
gear G meshes with a pinion G', the shaft g¹ of which is also journaled in the
plates B and carries upon its outer end the indicating hand I.
Steam is introduced at the top of the gauge through the inlet pipe N and
elbow N', to which latter the upper end of the interiorly located syphon pipe S is
attached, the lower end of which is connected to the hollow post P, so that the

page_text: steam passes into the expansion tube, condenses therein in the post P and in the
pipe S and charges them with water.
As is well known, the expansion and contraction of the tube E causes the hand I
to indicate the amount of pressure.
From the foregoing it will be seen and understood that, as the indicating
mechanism is all mounted on the post P, and out of contact with the case, any
movement or expansion of the gauge-case due to a heating of the same will in no
way disturb or affect such indicating mechanism; and the location of the syphon
pipe insures its use with the gauge and a proper filling of it, besides dispensing
with the usual external syphon which causes a gauge to be unsightly in appearance,
and renders the syphon liable to damage by accident.
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. In a pressure-gauge having a steam inlet, an interior expansion tube and
connected indicating mechanism, a syphon-pipe located entirely within the gauge
casing and independent thereof, and forming a connection between the steam inlet
and the expansion tube, substantially as set forth.
2. In a pressure-gauge having a steam inlet, the combination of a body or case,
a hollow post mounted on said case; an expansion-tube and connected indicating
mechanism mounted on said post out of contact with the body; and a sypbon-pipe
located upon the interior of the casing, independent thereof, and forming a
communication between the steam inlet and the hollow post, substantially as
set forth.
Dated this 12th day of February 1895.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER.