Improvements in and relating to Water Gauges.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 21st Dec., 1899-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1900
PROVISIONAL SITUITICATION,
Improvements in and relating to Water Gauges.
We, JAMES ASHTON FLETCHER and SAMUEL FLETCHER, both of Borough Brass
Works, Cavendish and Blandford Streets, Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to water gauges for steam boilers or like apparatus where
the level of liquid is indicated by external glass tubes held in position by top
and bottom arms and fittings and the principal object of the invention is to so
construct these arms and their fittings that fracture of the glass is avoided either
during renewal or when the glass is in position. A further object of the inven-
tion is to provide certain improved constructions in the details of the ball valve
automatic safety device often employed in connection with water gauges.
The invention may be broadly divided into certain improved combinations of
packings attached to the glass tube end or ends previous to fixing it to the arms
or gauge cocks to prevent fracture through torsion on the glass and into certain
improved alternative arrangements of unions and metal joints to rapidly and
finally fix the glass in position on the cocks or arms and also provide means to
obviate the action upon the glass of the unequal expansion of the said gauge
cocks or arms.
That portion of the invention relating to the safety device consists generally
in making the ball in the top arm larger than the ball in the bottom arm and in
constructing the valve seat for the bottom ball integral with the glass tube stuffing
box so that the valve seat can be inspected or the ball removed easily.
In carrying the invention into effect according to one modification as applied
to the bottom cock of a water gauge the construction and operation is as follows.
A stuffing box piece is fitted with a woodite washer at the bottom of the box and
the glass tube end is butted upon this. The stuffing box is enlarged immediately
above to receive a soft rubber cone embracing the glass tube and a ledge or collar
is formed upon this cone at its upper part to bed upon the top edge of the stuffing
box. A loose gland or ferrule preferably having a collar thereon is threaded on
the glass tube and this collar beds upon the ledge of the rubber cone while the
smaller diameter of the gland passes through a union nut which in turn is screwed
on the exterior of the stuffing box piece. To make the first or packing joint the
union nut is screwed down and pressing the gland upon the rubber cone causes
it to grip the glass tube all round and at the same time beds the end of the said
The snare gauge
tube upon the woodite washer in a firm but elastic manner.
glasses are preferably stored away with the packing thus constructed.
The stuffing box piece is formed with a conical termination at its lower end
corresponding with a conical seat formed in an extension of the gauge cock.
A ledge or collar is formed immediately above the said termination and the gauge
cock extension is externally screwed and this external screw and ledge are of
such dimensions as to fit the screw and ledge of a second union nut. The gauge

page_text: glass with the fittings upon it herein before described is brought into position for
fixing by say, telescoping the upper end into the top gauge cock or fitting, and
then screwing the second union nut down on to the extension of the bottom cock
to make a pressure tight joint between the metal cone and its seating. By this
means the glass is secured in position at once and without injurious torque thus
avoiding breakages.
In carrying the invention into effect according to a second modification in which
a 'variation of the union nuts herein before described is employed the construction
and operation is as follows. The woodite or like washer, rubber cone, stuffing
box chamber and conical termination are similar to the first modification. The
first and second union nuts however, are now formed in one piece with threads of
different pitch; that is to say a single nut is employed preferably of two diameters
with the upper portion screwed a coarse pitch gearing with a similar thread upon
the stuffing box piece and the lower portion screwed a fine thread gearing with
one of similar pitch upon the screwed extension of the gauge cock. The packing
is placed in position as in the first modification and the double union screwed
lightly on to the upper screw. The gauge glass is placed in position for final fix-
ing in the usual manner and the bottom portion of the union screwed on to the
gauge cock extension. As soon as the metal cone bites and begins to grip the
further rotation of the union causes the ferrule or gland to be forced down on to
the ledge of the rubber washer at a quicker rate than the metal cone is being
forced to its seat. The joint is thus rapidly made both in the packing and on
the metal cone and seat. The upper and lower screw threads may be reversed
so that the ferrule or gland is screwed down at a slower rate if so desired.
In carrying the invention into effect according to a third modification a variation
on the final fastening is employed. The woodite or like washer, rubber cone,
stuffing box chamber, first upper union, and metal cone are similar to the first
modification. The gauge cock extension is not screwed but formed with an ex-
terior annular recess produced by turning the cock extension with a bottom ledge
and screwing or brazing and screwing a ring on the top of the said extension
after the ledge of a second union nut has been placed in position. The second
union nut is screwed at its upper part to gear with a thread cut on the bottom por-
tion of the stuffing box piece. It is evident that the final fastening can be per-
formed by this second union nut.
In carrying the invention into effect according to a fourth modification, specially
applicable to gauges used for high pressures or where mechanical stokers are em-
ployed the construction is as follows. The woodite or like washer, rubber cone.
and first and second unions may be similar to the first modification but instead
of forming the stuffing box piece with a coned metal termination, it is formed of
portion of a sphere with the seat in the cock extension to correspond thus prac-
tically forming a ball and socket. The ledge upon which the bottom union nut
beds is also formed with a correspondingly spherical surface. In boilers the
upper or steam arm of the water gauge expands more than the lower or water arm
and where high pressure steam is used or where long connecting pipes carrying
the gauge out from the boilers as in mechanical stokers are employed then the
differing expansions often break the gauge glass. In a gauge constructed as in
this modification, fracture is obviated as the glass swivels through a short distance
on the ball and socket seat.
It is to be clearly understood that the following minor modifications in the first
three constructions herein before. described may be employed without departing
from the subject of the present invention. The metal cone and seat may be re-
placed by a flat face to face joint or an ordinary socket and spigot. The bottom
union or its equivalent may be dispensed with completely and the final joint made
directly by the first union screwing on to the cock extension, in which case the
said extension would also form the packing box for the reception of the woodite
washer and rubber cone.
It is to be further understood that all the fittings hereinbefore described have

page_text: the usual full bore hole through them to correspond with the gauge glass and
that the usual clearances are left between the metal portions and the glass.
The detail improvements which relate to safety devices for water gauges are
as follows:-The ball valve in the top arm of the gauge is made of a larger dia-
meter than the ball valve in the bottom arm so that after a gauge has been tested
in the ordinary manner as to its safety action, the top ball being only immersed
in steam and also being of larger diameter drops clear from its seat and allows
the steam to blow down the gauge and force the bottom ball back into the open
position instead of the bottom ball dropping first as in the ordinary construction.
The remaining detail improvement consists in forming the stuffing box piece with
a screwed extension to fit in the lower arm instead of the second union nut here-
inbefore described. This extension is formed with the valve seat for the lower
ball and with an annular recess adjacent to the screw carrying a woodite or
fibre washer. A joint between the lower arm and the stuffing box piece can thus
be made and the ball valve seat can be easily examined or reground at any time
by unscrewing the stuffing box piece. The lower ball valve can also be here in-
serted or withdrawn if desired.
In the first, third, and fourth modifications as herein before described the steam
tight joint in the glass is always made previous to the attachment of the glass in
position on the gauge cocks or arms so that all that is required is the making of
the metal joint without further compression on the glass packing proper.
ated this 1st May I Druary 1079).
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents..
Improvements in and relating to Water Gauger.
We, JAMES ASHTON FLETCHER and SAMUEL FLETCHER, both of Borough Brass
Works, Cavendish and Blandford Streets, Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers, 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:-
This invention relates to water gauges for steam boilers or like apparatus where
the level of liquid is indicated by external glass tubes or other like apparatus
held in position by top and bottom arms and fittings and the principal object of
the invention is to so construct these arms and their fittings that fracture of the.
glass is avoided either during renewal or when the glass is in position. A further
object of the invention is to provide certain improved constructions in the de-
tails of the ball valve automatic safety device often employed in connection with
water gauges.
The invention may be broadly divided into certain improved combinations,' of
packings attached to the glass tube end or ends previous to fixing it to the arms
or gauge cocks to prevent fracture through torsion on the glass and into certain
improved alternative arrangements of unions and metal joints to rapidly and
finally fix the glass in position on the cocks or arms and also provide means to
obviate the action upon the glass of the unequal expansion of the said gauge
cocks, or arms.
That portion of the invention relating to the safety device consists generally

page_text: in making the ball in the top arm larger than the ball in the bottom arm and in
constructing the valve seat for the bottom ball integral with the glass tube stuffing
box so that the valve seat can be inspected or the ball removed easily.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a water gauge constructed according to our
invention.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on the line of Fig. 1.
.2°
Figures 3, 4 & 5 are sectional elevations showing modified forms of gauge
glass stuffing box and connection to the gauge arm.
Referring to Fig. 1, a stuffing box piece A is fitted with a woodite or fibre
or like washer B which forms an elastic seating for the end of the gauge glass C.
The stuffing box piece A receives a soft coned ring packing D threaded upon the
glass tube and this cone is formed with a collar or ledge E which beds upon
the top of the stuffing box piece A. A loose gland or ferrule F threaded upon the
glass tube C is provided with a projecting ledge against which the inturned end
of the union nut G bears. The nut G which screws on to the stuffing box piece A
serves to make a tight joint between the stuffing box piece and the glass tube C
by causing the coned ring packing D to grip the tube all round and force the end
of the tube against the washer B. The lower end of the stuffing box piece A
is conical and fits a conical seat formed in the upward extension H of the gauge
arm and a union nut I, which screws on to the extension H, secures the stuffing
box piece on its seat by the pressure on the projecting ledge J..
In place of the conical joint between the stuffing box piece A and the gauge
arm extension H it is obvious that a flat metal face to face joint or an ordinary
socket and spigot joint might be employed.
In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the union nuts G and I are combined to
form a single nut K the upper part of which screws upon the stuffing box piece A
the lower part screwing on to the gauge arm extension H. The screw thread
upon the upper part of the nut is preferably of a coarser pitch than that on the
lower part so that in fixing the stuffing box on to the gauge arm, the ferrule or
gland F is forced down at a quicker rate than the stuffing -box-piece. With this
form of coupling the packing joint and the joint between the stuffing box piece
and its conical seat can be made rapidly at a single operation.
Figure 4 illustrates a further variation of the mode of connecting the stuffing
box piece to the gauge arm in which the lower nut 12 is screwed on to the stuff-
ing box piece A and is provided with an internally projecting ledge L engaging
in an annular recess in the gauge arm extension H. The upper part of the
tube C is preferably fitted with a stuffing box fitting constructed as shown in
Fig. 1 in which the washer B is dispensed with and the diameter of the passage
through the stuffing box piece A¹ enlarged so that the tube C can be telescoped
into the upper arm of the gauge in fitting a glass into position.
This form of fitting is provided with a spherically ended stuffing box piece A¹
which beds in a spherical seat formed in the upper gauge arm extension H'.
The inturned end of the coupling nut I¹ is cunned so as to fit the rounded pro-
jecting shoulder J of the stuffing box piece. The flexible ball and socket ioint
or coupling thus formed allows free movement of the upper arm thus avoiding
breakage of the glass due to unequal expansion of the two gauge arms.
This
construction is specially applicable to gauges for use in coniunction with high
pressure boilers or with boilers fitted with mechanical stokers in which long con-
necting pines are employed carrying the gauge out from the boiler:
Figure 5 illustrates a further modification of our invention in which the stuff-
ing box piece A is provided with an extension A2 which screws into the gauge
arm extension H. An annular recess A3 cut in the stuffing box piece is filled
with a woodite or fibre washer or other suitable packing material which beds
upon the top of the extension H thus making a tight joint.
The end of the extension A² forms the seat for the safety ball valve S in the
gauge arm.
With this construction the ball valve may be readily withdrawn

page_text: and the valve or its seat may be easily examined and cleaned or repaired by un-
screwing the stuffing box piece.
Spare gauge glasses are preferably stored away with stuffing box pieces and
couplings constructed as above described so that a new glass can be expeditiously
fitted to a gauge in case of breakage.
When it is desired to fit a new gauge glass the packing nut G¹ Fig.1 for the
upper arm is loosened so as to allow the stuffing box piece to slide along the
gauge glass C. The tube can then be placed in position by telescoping it into
the upper arm. The coupling nut I is then tightened so as to secure the stuffing
box piece to the lower arm. The upper stufling box piece A¹ is slid into its
proper position and the packing nut GI tightened up. The final joint is then
made by screwing up the coupling nut I'.
By the arrangement of stuffing boxes and couplings above described the gauge
glass can be rapidly and easily fitted without subjecting the tube to injurious
torsion.
With the stuffing box shown in Figs. 1, 4 & 5, the packing joint between the
glass tube and the stuffing box piece is always made previous to the attachment
of the glass in position so that all that is required is the making of the metal
joints between the stuffing box piece A. and the gauge arm without further com-
pression of the packing.
:
The ball valve T in the upper or steam arm of the gauge is made of larger
diameter or heavier than the ball S in the lower gauge arm so as to ensure that
the ball T shall always drop clear from its seat before the lower ball S after the
gauge has been tested in the ordinary manner as to its safety action, and allow
steam to blow down the tube and effectively dislodge the lower ball S from its
seat. A false reading of the gauge, due to sticking of the ball valve on its seat
from dirt or other cause, is thus prevented.
The gauge arms are fitted with the usual cocks X, Y, Z preferably inverted
asbestos packed plug cocks. A three way passage is formed in the steam cock X
so as to equalise the pressure in the valve chamber and prevent the valve T from
being blown to its seat in ordinary working of the gauge.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. In water gauges for steam boilers or the like apparatus, a gauge glass fit-
ting consisting of a separate stuffing box piece provided with glands and packing
and couplings substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In water gauges for steam boilers or like apparatus, a gauge glass fitting
consisting of a separate stuffing box piece fitted with glands and packing, said
stuffing box piece being constructed with a valve seat for the safety ball valve,
substantially as herein before described with reference to Fig. 5, of the accom-
panying drawings.
3. In water gauges for steam boilers or like apparatus providing a flexible
joint or coupling between the gauge glass and the gauge arm substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described, and illustrated in Fig. 1, of the
accompanying drawings
D
Dahon 1900
Jan 1900
MARKS & CLERK.
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester,
Agents.