IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Burbidge, of Surrey House, Penge, in the
County of Surrey, Ironmonger, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
VALVES FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE
OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS."
'
aled the 2nd November 1877, and dated the 7th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Burbidge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th May 1877.
THOMAS BURBIDGE, of Surrey House, Penge, in the County of Surrey,
Ironmonger. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE
SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS."
My said Invention relates to improvements in valves for regulating or controlling
the supply, or admission, or the discharge, or delivery of water and other liquids into
and from cisterns, tanks, or other vessels or apparatus.
The said Invention is designed to be applied to ball valves for regulating the
supply of water for household and other purposes; but is also applicable for use as a'
valve in connection with other liquor or water apparatus, and for beer engines, and
in all cases where it is desirable or necessary to have a valve or tap that will be
perfectly tight, and at the same time free from sticking, and which will work easily.
and permit a free entrance and exit of the water or other liquid, and will not be
easily liable to derangement by corrosion or otherwise.
I construct my improved valve as follows, namely:-I fit in a suitable box or
case a plate or piece of glass which has a port or opening through it, and which
forms the valve seat. Upon this valve seat I place a glass slide, which is fitted in
the said case and upon the said glass plate, with a capability of sliding freely to and'
fro thereon. The said slide and seat must be well fitted together, so that no liquid
can enter or pass between their surfaces.
The valve case or box, and the glass sent, are of such a length that the slide can
move far enough to uncover the port in the said seat, and thus open the valve. The
said case or box has a suitable cover secured by screws or otherwise. It also has
an inlet aperture above the slide and seat, so that the pressure of the inflowing
•

page_text: liquid tends always to keep the slide tight upon the said seat; but this pressure
is uniformly distributed over the surface of the valve, and does not cause great
friction or resistance to the movement of the said valve.
The outlet or discharge opening is formed in the case or box below the valve seat.
Although I prefer to construct the said slide and seat of glass, I may in some
instances form them of metal or other suitable material.
When my improved valve is used as a ball valve I may provide the slide with a
stud or pin projecting through the seat and casing, and working in a longitudinal
slot extending from the aforesaid port and discharge aperture. This pin outside
the box or case is connected with the short arm of the float lever in such a manner
that when the float descends it moves the slide away from the port or aperture in
the seat, and thereby opens the said valve; and when the said float rises it moves
the slide over the said port, and closes the valve. Instead of using a hollow metal
ball for these ball valves I may use a float formed of cork or wood.
When my improved valve is used as a valve or tap otherwise than in connection
with a ball or float, the stud or pin projecting from the slide may be provided
or connected with a suitable lever or handle for operating or adjusting the said
alide.
And instead of having a pin or stud projecting through the seat and lower part
of the case or box, I may provide the said slide with a rod or spindle projecting
through either end of the box or casing; or may provide the said valve with other
convenient means for opening and closing the same.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Burbidge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
November 1877.
THOMAS BURBIDGE, of Surrey House, Penge, in the County of Surrey,
Ironmonger.
* IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE
SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS."
My said Invention relates to improvements in valves for regulating or controlling
the supply, or admission, or the discharge, delivery, or distribution of water or other
fluids into and from cisterns, tanks, or other vessels, apparatus, or machinery.
One very important application of the said Invention is its use as a ball valve
for regulating the supply of water for household and other purposes; but is also
applicable for use in connection with other water supplying, discharging, or
distributing apparatus.
Also as a valve for beer engines and other apparatus for drawing wine, spirits,
or other liquids from their casks or barrels.
Also for use in chemical apparatus or vessels containing corrosive or other liquids
that would quickly destroy the surfaces of the metal valves.
Also for steam slide valves, and in all cases where it is desirable or necessary to
have a valve or tap that will be perfectly tight, and at the same time not liable to
sticking, and which will work easily and permit a very free entrance and exit of
the water or other liquid, and will not be liable to derangement by corrosion,
oxidation, or otherwise.
I construct my improved valve as follows, namely:-I fit in a suitable box or
casing a plate or piece of glass which has a port or opening through it, and which
forms the valve seat. Upon this valve seat I place a glass slide which is fitted in
the said casing and upon the said glass seat, with a capability of sliding freely to
and fro thereon. The said slide and seat must be well fitted together, so that no
liquid can enter or pass between their surfaces.
In the accompanying Drawing I have illustrated the application of my Invention
for the purpose of a ball valve for household or other cisterns.

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved valve, shewing the same arranged to
be actuated by an ordinary float or ball; Figure 2 is a plan of the glass seat; and
Figure 3 is a plan of the glass slide of the same.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the said valve.
Like letters refer to corresponding parts throughout the Drawing.
A is the casing or box, which may be formed of brass or other suitable metal; a
is the glass seat, preferably cemented in the said box; b is the glass slide; c is the
inlet or supply aperture; d is the outlet or delivery port or aperture.
The valve case or box A. and the glass seat a are of such a length that the slide b
can occupy a position in which it covers the port d, and can move therefrom far
enough to fully uncover the said port, and thus open the valve, as shewn in Figure 4.
The said casing or box A has a suitable cover a¹ secured by screws a² or otherwise;
and the inlet passage c is through this cover, so that the pressure of the inflowing
liquid tends always to keep the slide b tight upon the said seat; but this pressure is
uniformly distributed over the surface of the valve, and does not cause great friction
or resistance to the movement of the said slide. The cover a¹ is provided at a³
with a screw nipple and collar for connection with a suitable supply pipe. I prefer to
form the slide 6 of a glass plate b¹ with a metal back 62 cemented thereon, but it may
be formed of glass without this metal back, and in some instances in constructing my
improved ball valves.
I wish it understood that under the word glass I include all kinds of glass or
vitreous materials, and materials which have a vitreous coating or facing, such as
porcelain or metals coated with glass or enamel, or other like materials which may
be found suitable for my purpose.
It will be seen that the outlet or discharge opening d is formed through the case
or box A below the valve seat. I cast on the under side of the box or casing a
guideway e, in which a rod f is fitted to slide freely. The inner end of this rod extends
to the outlet aperture d, and has a hole through it for the reception of a pin b*, which
is fixed in the slide, and projects down through the port d to connect with the said
rod, as shewn in Figure 4. The outer end of the rod f has a slot at f', into which
projects the short arm of the ball or float lever g; the latter is pivotted or
fulcrumed at g¹ in a slotted bracket / cast on the said box or casing. When the
float descends it moves the slide b away from the port or aperture d in the seat,
and thereby opens the said valve; and when the float rises, it moves the slide
over the said port and closes the valve. Instead of using a hollow metal ball for
these ball valves I may use a float formed of cork or wood.
When my improved valve is used otherwise than in connection with a ball or
float I form the seat or slide, or both, of glass, and the stud or pin projecting from
the said slide may be provided or connected with a suitable lever or handle for
operating or adjusting the said slide. And instead of baving a pin or stud
projecting through the seat and lower part of the case or box, I may provide the
Baid slide with a rod or spindle projecting through either end of the box or casing,
or may provide the said valve with other convenient means for opening and
closing the same.
"When my Invention is applied to the slide valve of a steam or other engine the
ordinary connections of such valves may be used.
My Invention will be found very advantageous, particularly when employed as a
ball valve. It has no cup leather or india-rubber, which is necessary in other ball
valves, and which when worn causes great inconvenience, and has to be frequently
renewed. When the said valve is closed the pressure of water on the slide keeps it
tight upon its seat without the aid of any other pressure, but does not impair its
free movement when the ball descends. When the valve is open there is a very
free and full discharge, which cannot be obstructed by the accumulation of grit or
sediment. Moreover the said improved valve will work in a smaller space than an
ordinary ball valve.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-

page_text: First. The use of glass or materials covered or faced with glass or the like in the
construction of the seat or slide, or both the seat and slide of a valve for controlling
the admission or delivery of water, steam, or other fluids, as above set forth.
Second. The valve consisting of a slide and seat, constructed of glass or of any
material with a vitreous or enamelled coating or facing, enclosed in a box or casing,
provided with supply and delivery ports or apertures, and arranged in combination.
with a lever and ball or float, as above set forth.
In witness whereof; I, the said Thomas Burbidge, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
THOMAS BURBIDGE. (L.S.)