Improvements in or in connection with Fluid Pressure Regulators or Reducers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
Improvements in or in connection with Fluid Pressure Regulators or
Reducers.
A communication by HARLEY M. DUNLAP, of Battle Creek, in the County of
Calhoun and State of Michigan, United States of America, Physician.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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 improvements in pressure regulators or reducers and
to suitable connections enabling the proper determination of relative and absolute
pressure in the various parts connected.
The objects of this invention are, first, to provide for use in connection withi
compressed air tanks or for use in connection with steam boilers for that matter
of an improved pressure regulating device which shall be simple in construction
and efficient in operation; Second to provide in connection with the pressure
regulator suitable valves and connections whereby the operator can easily deter-
mine from a single pressure gauge the pressure in the supply tank and also reduced
pressure which is to be delivered, by a very simple manipulation. Further objects
will definitely appear in the detailed description to follow.
The objects of this invention are accomplished by the devices and means
described in this specification. The invention is definitely pointed out in the
claims. The structure is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a
part of this specification, in which-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the same showing a tank in conventional form.
Fig. 2 is a vertical detail transverse sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
looking in the direction of the little arrows at the end of the sectional line."
Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
In the drawing, Q represents the pressure tank to which the improved regulator
and mechanism is connected. A is the main body of the regulator which contains
a hollow chamber H, in its upper portion and through which a passage E, leads
up from tank; Q. below, which passage is provided with a stop cock C. The
passage continues beyond the stop cock within the casing A, at G. A tube I, the
upper end of which is reversed is inserted into the bottom of the hollow portion H,
and connects to the passage G. The passage G, continues laterally through the
casing A, at G, and is connected by a pipe I, with suitable couplings to a vertical
pipe P. The pipe 1, is closed by a suitable valve or stop cock D, actuated by a
hand wheel. The pipe P, is connected at its upper end to a suitable pressure
gauge R.
A cross pipe 0, with suitable connections connects the pipe P, at a
point between the pressure gauge R, and the valve D with the chamber H.
Over the upper part of the chamber H, is a diaphragm K, secured in position

page_text: by a suitable cap M. On the underside of the diaphragm is a suitable stirrup J,
having a packing J, at the bottom_adapted to be raised against the reversed
end of the pipe I, to close the samé. A stem L, is secured opposite the stirrup J,
and projects out through a suitable tubular thumb nut M, which is threaded on
its outside and engages screw threads within the cap M. A. spring N, is on the
stem L, and rests against the thumb nut M, above and against the shoulder or nut
on the stem L, just above the diaphragm K. Thus it will be seen that the tension
on the spring. N, can be varied by the adjustable nut M.
Connected to each side of the main casing A, and delivering from the cham-
ber H, are pipes B, with suitable globe valves B', adapted to couple to any
tube or part B A pair of these is provided so that the connection can be easily
made from either side, though the single coupling would be all that is really
required in any single instance.
Having thus specifically and minutely described the various parts of the
improved pressure regulating apparatus and connection, my correspondent will
now state their operation. Air under pressure in tank Q, will pass through the
passage E, up through the passage G, through the tube I, into the chamber H:
When the pressure in the chamber H becomes sufficient the diaphragm K, will
be raised and the tube I, closed by the stirrup J, raising the packing J', against
the opening in the tube. Air will also pass through the pipes O and P, to the
pressure gauge R, and the pressure within the chamber H, can thus be easily
read. If the pressure is more than is desired, the amount can be regulated by
screwing the thumb nut M, up, which will relieve the pressure on the spring
and permit the valve to be closed that much quicker or if the pressure is insuffi-
cient the thumb nut M, can be screwed down to secure a greater resistance in
the diaphragm which will increase the pressure within the chamber. It will of
course be necessary in determining the pressure after each adjustment to open
the delivery pipe B, to allow a little air to escape so that the pressure will
become normal, for the particular adjustment.
At any time that it is desired for any reason to know the exact pressure within
the tank, the valve D, can be opened and the direct pressure of the tank will be
read on the pressure gauge R. When the valve D, is closed the pressure
regulator then performs its work, otherwise the full pressure is delivered.
The gauge always shows the full pressure delivered. When the
apparatus is not in use the valve C, can be closed and all leakage practically
prevented and unnecessary pressure on all parts of the apparatus be relieved.
Having this fully and specifically described the improved pressure regulator
and connections, it is desirable to state that the particular connection for the
pressure gauge could be employed with almost any style of pressure regulator
without departing from the invention in that particular and of course the exact
couplings could also be varied or tubes and pipes used without couplings and
any kind of stop cock or valve be employed.
The exact construction of regulator is believed to possess merit over any other,
and it is therefore desirable to claim the same specifically alone as well as generally
along with the special connection.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a pressure regulator and connection, the combination of the main casing A,
having passage E, provided with stop cock C; passages G and G', leading through
the same, and having a chamber II. therein, a tube I, curved backwardly on
itself within the chamber H; a diaphragm K, with a suitable stirrup bearing
a packing adapted to open and close the tube I: a cap M¹, for retaining the
diaphragm in place; a stem L, secured to the diaphragm; a spring surrounding
the stem to exert pressure on the same; an adjustable thumb nut for adjusting the
tension on the spring, a connecting tube F, delivering to the tube P; a pressure

page_text: gauge connecting with tube P; a second tube 0, connecting the chamber H
to the tube P; and a stop cock or valve D, to close the tube F, all co-acting for
the purpose specified.
2. The combination, in a pressure regulator and connection of a suitable main
casing containing means for regulating the pressure; a pipe connecting said
main casing below the pressure regulator with a pressure gauge; a valve for
closing the same and a pipe connecting the first named pipe and the pressure
gauge directly with the casing beyond the pressure regulator, so that by opening
an additional valve, the tank pressure could be read on the same gauge indicating
reduced pressure as specified.
1000