and for other Analogous Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: and for other Analogous Purposes.
I, DAVID LAURIE of 400 Crown Street Glasgow in the County of Lanark,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It is a Feed valve which is closed or opened simultaneously with the rising or
subsiding of the water or other fluid contained within the Steam Engine (or other)
Boiler or close vessel to which the said valve is applied.
This simultaneous action is effected automatically, in a Steam Engine Boiler by
means of Levers which connect the working parts of the Valve with an apparatus
commonly designated a "Float" and which is used within such Boilers to indicate
the supply of water therein.
Although principally designed for regulating or governing the influx of water
into steam Engine Boilers this invention is also intended to apply to other
Boilers, Tanks, or close vessels and to other fluids besides water and where the
same require the use of such an automatic check valve.
The construction of this Valve and its connections may be thus described;
It is, or may be, but is not imperatively, attached to the Boiler in a lateral or
horizontal position.
The valve is external to the Boiler.
The lever attachments more immediately connected with the Float are, or may
be chiefly, under the roof of the Boiler, upon or connected therewith, or in any
convenient part of the vessel.
The Float is suspended from, or under, the cover of the Boiler.
Inside the roof of the Boiler there is suspended a Balance Bar, after the manner
of a weigh scale Beam, and this bar is pivotted to the member which supports it.
To one end of this Balance Bar there is suspended a Float, and to the other end
a compensating weight. Above this Balance Bar there is a metal Box or chest,
which is attached to the Boiler, but is open to it at one part so as to afford. free
passage for a link rod which will be hereafter described.
Within this metal Box, or chest there is fitted a horizontal spindle, to which are
attached two, or more, levers; one of them being inside the chest and the other
outside of it; that lever which is within the chest is united to the Balance Bar by

page_text: means of the link rod, above named, and which said rod has a free passage through
the aperture existing between the metal Box and the Boiler; whilst the lever
which is outside the chest is coupled to a similar one upon the valve spindle which
is to be hereafter described.
A "Stuffing Box " is fitted to the horizontal spindle just named.
The valve is connected with the "Feed-water" pipe of the Boiler.
The Chamber of the valve is in the form of a short circular tube and is fitted,
internally, with two, flat perforated plates or discs, which are, or may be, circular
in outline one of these plates is stationary and attached to the inside of the
chamber and the other, although not stationary, is immoveably attached to a 1
horizontal spindle which forms an axis upon which it is moved.
The first named, and stationary, plate, supplies one seat or socket for this spindle,
and a crosshead, outside of the valve chamber supplies another, whilst the "Stuffing
Box" (hereafter named) provides one or two more.
The two perforated plates correspond with an ordinary " valve and seat" and are
adjacent, and carefully adjusted to each other, the valve being open or close,
alternately, as the perforations hit or miss each other in the oscillating motion to
which the spindle is subjected.
The cap, or cover, of the valve chamber is, or may be, a "Stuffing Box."
The two perforated plates, which here compose the valve and its seat, are kept in
their proximate relations by means of a spring which may be either external to the
chamber of the valve or within it.
There is a short lever attached to the valve spindle and connected by a rod, or
bar, to the corresponding lever outside of the metal box or chest which has been
described in connection with the Float and Balance Bar.
The whole apparatus, as above detailed, operates in the following manner.
When the Boiler is full (for practical purposes) of water the valve is closed and
the Float and Balance Bar, are in their normal positions; but as the water subsides
the Float lowers with it and and alters the position of the Balance Bar, where-
upon the motion being communicated by the link and lever to the spindle in the
chest, overhead, and from it to the lever and spindle of the valve the perforated
plate which is attached to the valve spindle is moved on its axis, and, the valve is.
thus.opened and allows the water access to the Boiler.
The operation of this valve is rendered self acting, or automatic by the com-
bination of spindles, Float, Balance Bar, Levers, and other mechanism, in the
manner just described; as the rising or subsiding of the water within the Boiler is
thereby productive of an instant change in the valve.
.
The general principle of automatically actuating a water regulator for steam
Engine Boilers by means of a combination Float Governor, such as that just
described is capable of application to vertical as well as horizontal Boilers and the
inventor does not limit the principle of his invention to the exact number of the
parts (such as spindles, levers &c) as herein detailed but contemplates the use of
one or more of the parts named according as the exigencies of the apparatus may
render necessary.
The construction, and operation, of the mechanical motion herein described bears
a strong resemblance to that which associates the governor of a steam Engine with
its steam valve; the Governor Balls, etcetra, in this latter case operating very
similarly to the Float in the invention just detailed.

page_text: A Self Acting Valve for Use as an Automatic Feed Water
Regulator or Governor for Steam Engine (or other) Boilers,
and for other Analogous Purposes.
I, DAVID LAURIE, of No 400 Crown Street Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for A, SELF
ACTING VALVE FOR USE AS AN AUTOMATIC FEED WATER REGULATOR OR GOVERNOR.
FOR STEAM ENGINE (OR OTHER) BOILERS AND FOR OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The nature of this invention is an improved Feed Valve (for steam generating
Boilers and other vessels) which is opened simultaneously with the subsiding of
the water or other fluid contained within the vessel to which it is applied: and is
closed simultaneously with the rising of the water or other fluid within the Boiler
or such like vessel.
This simultaneous action is effected automatically by means of motive power
derived from an apparatus, called a float which is commonly known and used in
Steam Generating Boilers for stationary engines.
"
The said "float
is used within such Boilers as an agent in connection with
other appliances to give external indication of the supply of water contained within
the Boiler.
The motive power which is obtained from the said "float" is, in this invention,
communicated directly to the spindle of the Feed-Valve by means of Levers and
connecting rods (one or more) in the way hereafter described.`
Although principally designed for regulating or governing the influx of water
into steam generating boilers, this invention is also intended to apply to other
vessels resembling steam boilers and to other fluids besides water and where the
use of such a valve is required..
Such vessels, other than steam generating boilers, are or may be enumerated as,
those which are used in connection with the manufacture, storage or treatment of
oils, beverages, chemicals or other fluid substances whether in a simple or com-
pounded state, either hot or cold, and which benefit by and require the use of, a
feed-valve, automatically operated as hereinafter described and shewn. All such
vessels and fluids are, and may be understood to be, included in the following
descriptions although the latter may, for the purpose of making the particulars of
this invention better understood, be limited to valves operating in conjunction with
steain generating boilers.
There are two chief principles involved and contained in this invention: one
principle having relation to the construction of the valve, and the other to the
means and mechanical motion employed for operating it.
Although somewhat similar principles, both of construction and operation, already
exist in connection with steam valves associated with steam engines, these principles.

page_text: have not hitherto been applied to steam generating boilers for the purpose of
regulating the supply of a fluid substance to them or to other such like vessels.
The novelty of this invention consists, not so much in an originality of construction
and mode of operating the valve herein described, as in applying old principles of
construction and operation to new uses.
The advantages obtainable by the application of the principles contained in this
invention are,
1st. To make the steam generating boiler or other vessel to which its improve-
ments are applied, self-feeding and automatically regulating:
2nd. To render steam generating boilers thus furnished less liable to explosion
by irregularities in the supply of water thereto :
3rd. Economy of attendants time in using boilers so furnished:
4th. Uniformity of service derived from such vessels when thus furnished.
These being the principal features of novelty and advantage contained in this
invention, in order that the same may be more readily understood and carried into
effect, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings,
which give some examples only, it being understood that the details will necessarily
vary to suit the dimensions, position and kind of vessel associated with each
application of the invention.
Fig. 1. is an elevation of the whole apparatus shewn in its relation to a
horizontal boiler. Part of the apparatus is shewn in section in order to display
the Lever motion which connects the float (A) with the valve (B).
.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the valve (B) externally; and shews its connection with the
external part of spindle (C).
Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of the parts shewn in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of valve B.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation of valve B: part of it being in section.
Fig. 6 is a sectional plan showing the valve B in union with the float spindle C
and in close proximity to the lever chest.
The position of the valve B relatively to the boiler or other vessel with which it
is associated is generally, though not of necessity, horizontal; it is external to the
boiler or vessel and is connected with the feed pipe thereof.
The interior or chest of this valve is in the form of a short circular tube of
varying diameters the part (D) which is immediately behind the cover plate (E)
being the largest in diameter and terminating in a portion of smaller diameter (F)
which unites it with the inlet pipe (G). The point of union of these two varying
diameters affords a shoulder (H) inside of the said chest suitable for fitting thereto
a perforated plate or valve seat (J).
The centre of this perforated plate is provided with a socket, K (or other
appliance) for supporting one end of a spindle (L). Upon this spindle is fixed a
second perforated valve plate (M) which is adjusted upon the face of the one first
mained in the manner of a circular "Hit and Miss "ventilator so that as the spindle
is made to oscillate backward and forward the perforations hit or miss each other
and so alternately afford, or refuse, passage to the water or other fluid for which
the valve is required. These two perforated plates constitute the valve seat, (J)
and stopper (M).
The valve chest is covered by means of a metal cap or plate (E) which is
provided with a "stuffing box" (N) and affords passage for the spindle (L) which
is supported outside of the valve chest by an adjustable centre (P) contained within
a crosshead (Q) The adjustment of this centre may be made automatic by means
of a spring associate, within the crosshead, or may be effected by a pinching pin or
screw (R), affixed therein.
There is, or may be, a lever (S) keyed on to the spindle (L) which projects
outside of the valve chest for the purpose of connecting it by an external link
rod (T) when required, with the lever motion of the "float," (hereafter described)
or where a close proximity of the feed valve to the "float" is possible and desired
this and other external levers may be dispensed with and the spindle of the valve

page_text: may be simply an extension of the spindle of the float motion as shewn in the
sectional plan Fig. 6.
The lever motion more immediately connected with the "float" is, or may be,
chiefly, but not of necessity, within or under the roof of the boiler or other vessel.
The float, (A) is suspended from (or under) the cover of the boiler, thus; beneath
the roof of the boiler there is suspended a balance bar, (U) after the manner of a
weigh scale beam, and this bar is pivotted to the member (V) which supports it.
To one end of this balance bar there is suspended a "Float," (A) and to the
other end of it a compensating weight, (W). Above this balance bar there is a
metal box or chest, (X) which is attached to the boiler but is open to it at one
part, (Y), so as to afford free passage for a link rod, (Z), which will be hereafter
described.
j
Within this metal box or chest (X) there is fitted a horizontal spindle, (C), to
which are attached one or more levers (marked a, b,) for communicating the
motive power, derived from the variations of the "float" (A), to the spindle (L)
of the feed valve (B). Where the spindle (C), projects beyond and through the
wall of the chest (X) it is provided with a collar, (C) turned and ground to the
face of a metal Gland (d) of the nature of a valve for the purpose of rendering
the spindle joint, steam-tight.
i
"
The Lever (a) which is attached to the spindle (C) within the chest (X) is'
united to the balance bar (U) by means of the link rod (Z) before mentioned: and
this link rod has a free passage through the aperture (Y) whilst the lever (b, if
required) which is outside of the chest (✗) is coupled to a similar one (S) which is
fitted upon the valve spindle (L) which has been already described.
The whole apparatus as above detailed operates in the following manner;
When the boiler is sufficiently full of water (or other fluid) the valve (M. J.) is
closed and the Float (A) and balance bar (U) are in their normal positions, but as
the water &c subsides the float lowers with it and alters the equilibrium of the
balance bar, whereupon the motion being communicated by the link (Z) and
levers (a, b,) to the spindle (C) in the chest (X) overhead and from it to the
(lever S if required and) spindle (L) of the feed valve, the perforated plate (M)
which is attached to the spindle (L) is moved on its axis and the valve is thus
opened and allows the water (or other fluid) access to the boiler, (or vessel).
The operation of this valve is rendered self acting and automatic by the rigid
(and yet flexible) manner in which the oscillating valve plate, (M), and spindle (L),
are connected with motion represented by the lever (a) the link rod (Z) and the
balance bar (U), the whole of the motion being dependent upon, and responsive to,
the slightest variation of the float (A); the rising or subsiding of the water (or other
fluid), within the boiler (or other vessel) being thereby productive of an instant
and necessary change in the valve.
The general principle of automatically actuating a feed water regulator for steam
generating boilers by means of a Combination Float Governor such as herein
described is applicable to vertical as well as horizontal boilers.
The inventor does not limit the principle of this invention to the exact number
of the parts, such as spindles, levers, rods or other mechanical members herein
described and shewn but contemplates the use of one or more of the parts referred
to-according as the exigencies of the apparatus may render desirable.
The construction and operation of the reciprocating mechanical motion for
governing the feed water valve herein described resembles in many respects the
construction and operation of the steam valve governor of a stationary steain
engine, the intermediate actuating agent in the latter case being the Governor
Balls and in the former the "Float," the primary agent in this invention being the
water or other fluid contained within the boiler or other vessel.
To prevent misapprehension, I desire to say that I do not claim as my invention
the particular form and character of the valve and seat herein described and shewn;
nor yet the use of such a valve except for water or fluid substances inasmuch as

page_text: valves similarly constructed have been known and used (prior to my application
thereof for the above invention) for steam valves.
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,
1st. In a feed water valve for steam generating boilers, the use of perforated
plates for the "valve seat" and "stopper" substantially as herein described and
shewn.
2nd. In a feed valve for vessels or boilers containing oils, beverages, chemicals
or other fluid substances the use of perforated plates for the "valve seat" and
"stopper" substantially as herein described and shewn.
3rd. In a feed water valve for steam generating boilers, the principle of opening
and closing the valve by means of an uninterrupted or direct lever motion which
connects the valve with a float contained in such a boiler, substantially as herein
described and shewn.
4th. In a feed valve for vessels or boilers containing oils, beverages, chemicals or
other fluid substances the principle of opening and closing the valve by means of
an uninterrupted or direct lever motion which connects the valve with a float
contained in such a boiler, substantially as herein described and shewn.
Dated thin outh