IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES OR APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
VALVES OR APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS." A com-
munication from abroad by W. Henry L. Green, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany. Civil Engineer.
Sealed the 18th July 1879, and dated the 30th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th April 1879.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES OR APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE
FLOW OF FLUIDS." A communication from abroad by W. Henry L. Green, of
Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, Civil Engineer.
This Invention relates to a high pressure valve closing automatically which is
adapted more particularly for use in water closets and other like places for ensuring
the passage of only a definite quantity of water each time the apparatus is used,
but is also applicable to the regulation of the flow of other fluids, and it consists in
the combination of a rotatory hollow plug and a plate formed with studs or cam
like projections with a chamber containing a piston and having inlet and outlet
passages, all of such relative dimensions that they may be acted on by hydraulic
pressure in the manner hereinafter described.
The opening of the outlet passage causes the piston to rise and thereby the water
to flow through the valve itself, and the communication from above the piston can be
closed by either of two separate pieces, one of which is moved at will by hand, the
other automatically by the action of the water, and so constructed that both together
cannot remain open for a longer time than is designed by the constructor, whereby
it is rendered impossible for water to flow through the valve for a longer period of
time than is required by the piston to rise and fall ouce, the rise of the piston and
opening of the valve being caused by the operator moving the plug, whilst the fall
of the piston and consequent closing of the valve is caused by the action of the
water on the internal mechanism of the valve, and is incapable of being controlled
by the operator.

page_text: In carrying out this Invention as applied for example to a water closet, the valve
consists principally of a chamber, preferably of cylindrical form, with the service
inlet branch at the lower part of one side, and the outlet to the pan at the hottom
thereof, and a plunger or piston working within it, the lower part of the piston
being seated water tight on the outlet. The chamber is closed by a cover in which
A
a conical plug is placed. Below the plug is a horizontal plate either moving freely
between two vertical guide pins fixed to the cover or hinged to the latter.
suitable key, knob, or handle is attached to the top of the plug, and the whole is
mounted or fixed to the closet seat or otherwise as convenient. The plug chamber
and chamber cover are each provided with a small passage which together form a
communication between the chamber and the outlet capable of being closed by
turning the plug partly round. The piston is constructed to work freely within the
chamber and at the same time to allow a small quantity of water to pass from its
under to its upper surface.
The plate is capable of a small vertical movement, and either closes water tight
against the under surface of the plug hole in the cover, or rests below on the pro-
jections of the guide pins provided for that purpose. The upper surface of the
plate is provided with certain cam like projections or studs.
[
The plug is ground water-tight in the cover and has on its under surface similar
cam like projections to those on the plate.
The apparatus operates in the following manner :-
Assuming the plate to be depending in its lowest position and the plug turned
open," water can then flow from the chamber above the piston through the plug
and communication passage away into the outlet, thus taking off the pressure from
the upper surface of the piston, which being forced upwards by the pressure of the
water from the service pipe rises in the chamber, at the same time opening the valve
seat at the bottom and allowing water to flow through the chamber to flush the
closet. The relative sections of the inlet and outlet, as well as of the chamber, are
so arranged that the piston will continue to rise until it shall have carried up the
plate to its seat under the cover, and have thus automatically closed the communica-
As the water
tion passage through the plug which still remains turned to "open.”
which continues to pass through or past the piston can no longor flow away above
the same but is pressing the plate tight up against its seat under the cover, the
piston itself is in equilibrium and the pressure of the water on the lower end of the
same causes the valve to close gradually on to its seat and stop the flushing of the
closet, without any manipulation on the part of the operator. In order to open the
valve again the plug must be turned sufficiently for its cams to drive down the plate
from its seat, thus opening the communication between the chamber and the plug,
but this movement of the plug at the same time closes the communication between
the plug and the outlet so that the piston cannot rise and the valve will not open
until the plug be turned further round or back again to "open
"when the position
first herein-before referred to of all the parts will be resumed.
The flow through the communication passages can be adjusted by screws or
otherwise, thus regulating the velocity of rise and fall of the piston, and consequently
the time allowed for flushing the closet.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
October 1879.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES OR APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE
FLOW OF FLUIDS." A communication from abroad by W. Henry L. Green, of
Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, Civil Engineer.
The said Invention relates to a high pressure valve closing automatically, which
is adapted more particularly for use in water closets and other like places for insuring
the passage of only a definite quantity of water each time the apparatus is used,
but is also applicable to the regulation of the flow of other fluids, and it consists in
the employment of a rotatory plug having an outlet passage and a plate formed
with studs or cam like projections and arranged in connection with the said passage
in combination with a chamber containing a combined piston and valve proper and
having inlet and outlet passages, all of such relative dimensions and so arranged
that the flow of fluid is controlled automatically in the manner hereinafter
described.
The opening of the outlet passage causes the piston to rise, and thereby the water
or other fluid to flow through the valve itself, and the communication from above
the piston can be closed by either of two separate pieces, one of which is moved at
will by hand, the other automatically by the action of the fluid. The valve and
plug are so constructed and arranged that both together cannot remain open for a
longer time than is designed by the constructor, whereby it is rendered impossible
for the water or other fluid to flow through the valve for a longer period of time
than is required by the piston to rise and fall once, the rise of the piston and
opening of the valve being caused by the operator moving the plug, whilst the fall
of the piston and consequent closing of the valve is caused by the action of the
fluid on the internal mechanism of the valve, and is incapable of being controlled
by the operator.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in both the Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a vertical section of an
apparatus constructed according to the said Invention, as applied for example to the
regulating of the flow of water to a watercloset. Figure 2 is a detail to be herein-
after referred to.
In
A is a chamber, preferably of cylindrical form, having a service inlet branch a at
the lower part of one side, and an outlet b to the pan at the bottom thereof.
this chamber is fitted a plunger or piston b, the lower part of which is seated water
tight on the outlet at c and forms the valve proper B¹. The chamber is closed by
a cover C, in which is fitted a conical plug D, and below the latter is a horizontal
plate E arranged so as to be capable of moving freely along the vertical guide
pins d, d, fixed to the cover C. A suitable key, kuob, or handle F is attached to
the top of the plug D, and the whole is mounted or fixed to the closet C or other-
wise, as convenient. The plug D, chamber A, and chamber cover C, are each
provided with a small passage, which together form a communication e, f, g, between
the chamber a and the outlet b, capable of being closed by turning the plug D
partly round. The piston B is constructed so as to work freely within the
chamber A and at the same time to allow a small quantity of water to pass from
its under to its upper surface, for which purpose it is perforated at h.
The plate E, which, as before mentioned, is capable of a vertical movement, closes
water tight against the under surface i of the plug hole of the cover when in one
extreme position, or rest below on the projections d', d, of the guide pins d, d,
when in the other extreme position. The upper surface of the plate E is provided
with cam-like projections or studs k, and the plug D, which is ground watertight

page_text: in the cover C, has on its under surface cam-like projections or studs k¹ similar to
those on the plate, for a purpose hereinafter explained.
The apparatus operates in the following manner :-Assuming the plate E to be
depending in its lowest position and the plug D turned open, as shewn in Figure 1,
water can then flow from the portion of the chamber A. above the piston B, through
the plug D and communication passage e, f, g, into the outlet b, thus taking off the
pressure from the upper surface of the piston, which being forced upwards by the
pressure of the water from the service pipe a rises in the chamber, at the same time
lifting the valve B₁ and allowing water to flow through the chamber direct from
the passage a to the passage b to flush the closet. The relative sections of the
inlet and outlet as well as of the chamber are so arranged that the piston will
continue to rise until it shall have carried up the plate to its seat i under the
cover C (as shewn in the detail of the plug and plate, Figure 2), and have thus
automatically closed the communication passage e through the plug which still
remains turned to "open." As the water which continues to pass through the
piston B can no longer flow away above the same, but is pressing the plate E tight
up against its seat under the cover, the piston itself is in equilibrium and the
pressure of the water on the lower end of the same causes the valve B¹ to close
gradually on to its seat c and stop the flushing of the closet without any manipu-
lation on the part of the operator. In order to open the valve again the plug must
be turned sufficiently for its cams to drive down the plate E from its seat i, thus
opening the communication between the chamber and the plug, but this move-
ment of the plug at the same time closes the communication f between the plug
and the outlet b, so that the piston cannot rise and the valve will not open until
the plug be turned further round or back again to "open." When the position
first hereinbefore referred to of all the parts will be resumed, and so on in succession,
as often as the apparatus is used, the flow through the communication passages
can be adjusted by screws or otherwise, thus regulating the velocity of rise and
fall of the piston and consequently the time allowed for flushing the closet.
The plate E may be hinged to the cover C in lieu of being mounted upon pins d,
and the piston B may be made a loose fit in its chamber in place of being perforated,
as in the arrangement described, or in lieu of employing the piston B a cupshaped
flexible diaphragm may be used, the said diaphragm having its out periphery
secured to the sides of the cylinder, and its central portion attached to the upper
part of the valve. Such other slight alterations in the details may also be made as
will readily suggest themselves to persons conversant with apparatus of this
description.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that 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,-
In apparatus for regulating the flow of fluids the employment of a rotatory plug
having an outlet passage and of a moveable plate for closing the said passage in
combination with a chamber containing a combined valve and piston or its equiva
lent, and provided with inlet and outlet orifices, the several parts being constructed,
arranged, and combined together so as to operate substantially in the manner
hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Specifi-
cation set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)