Improvements in Valves for Steam and other Fluids.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 18th May, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Steam and other Fluids.
I, JAMES CASEY, of 10 Philpot Lane, London E.C., Consulting Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My invention relates to valves formed with a globe or ball, bored or otherwise
mutilated so as to form passages or openings where required; the valves being
fitted in suitable seatings, and so arranged that the pressures are balanced or
equalised, and friction is reduced to a minimum.
The valve box is sometimes made in two parts, for convenience in adjusting the
ball and its seatings, and other fittings, such fittings being suitably adapted to allow
for contraction and expansion. Suitable openings are formed in the valve box,
corresponding with those in the ball, so that, when the valve is turned to the
required position, the same may be shut off or turned on. The openings in the
valve box, and in the ball respectively are arranged to correspond with the full
supply of steam, water, or other fluid."
The valve may be operated by hand-wheel, lever, or screw; its radial action
and combination of parts being so arranged as to render it very easy in working.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascer-
tained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
of
Figs. 1 to 6 are respectively sectional elevations and end views, showing forms
my invention suitable for steam valves.
Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate one form of my invention suitable for hydraulic valves.
Figs. 9 and 10 are detail sections of the ball.
d is a
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a a is the valve-box, the internal space being made
rather larger than the enclosed ball valve b. The ball valve b is preferably made
hollow. c is a spindle attached to the ball, for turning it upon its centre.
cover, fixed to the valve box by bolts in the usual manner, and forming, with the
upper part of the valve-box, a gland and stuffing box e. f is an annular ring of
metal, which is held down upon the ball by means of a spring g, the pressure of
the spring being regulated by the screw . f' is a metallic or other ring, forming
a seat to the ball valve. i is the inlet passage for the steam and k is the outlet
passage leading to the engine or other apparatus. is a small passage for draining
any water arising from condensation of the steam, in the pipe or valve when the
valve is used as a terminal valve, and the steam is shut off from k, as shown.
When the valve is open this passage is closed by the wall of the ball.
The opening in the ball shown at m, is always open to the passage i. The
opening n in the ball, when turned by the spindle c, so as to coincide with the
passage k, passes the steam to the engine or other apparatus.
The pressure on the ball is equalised by the entrance of the steam to the several
spaces o o, between the ball and the case, the ball being in equilibrium whether the
passage is shut or open. Further to insure this result, a passage p is formed in
the case to equalise the pressures above and below the ball, in the event of back
pressure from the engine. An external pipe may be substituted for the passage p.
The valve is opened and closed by means of the spindle c, with a hand-wheel,
lever, or other ordinary appliance, attached thereto.

page_text: The casing shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is in two parts, which are secured together
by bolts passing through the flanges a' a', after the insertion of the ball and other
fittings.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the casing a is shown formed in one casting, the
upper part being bored so as to permit of the insertion of the ball. In this
arrangement the packing of the gland may be made sufficiently elastic to keep the
rings and fin steam tight contact with the ball, the packing being suitably
compressed by screwing down the cover d and gland".
In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cover is bolted down upon the
lower flange, and a spring g is inserted (as in Fig. 1) to keep the ring f down upon
the ball.
The opening m in the ball may be perforated with a number of small holes, to
separate water carried over by the steam when priming occurs, as shown in Fig. 1,
and also in separate section in Fig. 9. In other cases a clear opening may be made,
as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and also in separate section in Fig. 10.
The valve being at all times open to the full pressure of the steam in the boiler,
the steam gains access to the spaces o o Fig. 1 whereby the pressures on the inner
and outer surfaces of the globe, in contiguity with the spaces o o, are equalised.
In order to equalise the pressures on the segments r and s, a passage t is formed in
the ring. The space above the ring fis in communication with the passage k by
means of a passage p formed in the casting, (or an external pipe may be fitted for
the same purpose). My improved valve may be used for the combined purposes of
a steam and throttle valve in one.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, one modification of my invention, as applied to
hydraulic valves, is shown. The packing rings f and are kept in contact with
the ball by the gun-metal or other non-corrosive regulating screw h. i is the inlet
passage, and is the outlet passage.
It is obvious that my improved valves are applicable for controlling the passages
of other fluids besides steam.
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 :-
1. The improvements in valves for steam, hydraulic and other fluids, substantially
as described.
2. In valves of the description aforesaid, the combination of packing rings f
and f, the ring being adjustably held down upon the ball, by means of a spring
or otherwise, and the ring f' forming a seat to the valve, substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. In valves of the description aforesaid, the method of and means and appliances
for equalising the pressures upon the ball valve, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
4. In valves of the description aforesaid, and referred to in Figs. 1 and 2, 3, 4, 5
and 6, the combination therewith of an opening for draining any water arising
from condensation of steam in the pipe or valve, when the valve is used as a
terminal valve, and the steam is shut off from the engine or other apparatus,
substantially as described and illustrated by Fig. 1 of the drawings.
Dated 5th February 1895.
JAMES CASEY.