AN IMPROVED HYDRO-PNEUMATIC VALVE FOR DISCHARGING CISTERNS, TANKS AND SIMILAR RECEPTACLES
Year: 1884

page_text: ROYAL
"
JOHN SAMPSON STARNES of number 13 Broad Street, Ratcliffe, London, E. in
the County of Middlesex, and number 4 New London Street in the City of
London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED
HYDRO-PNEUMATIC VALVE FOR DISCHARGING CISTERNS, TANKS AND SIMILAR
RECEPTACLES" to be as follows:-
The apparatus according to my said invention consists of a series of vertical
vessels of cylindrical or other suitable shape arranged one within the other with
spaces left so as to allow of liquid as it flows into the enclosing tank or cistern, to
charge the said passages. The entrance to which is at the base of the outer of the
said series of cylinders, or other enclosing vessels.
As the liquid flows into the tank or cistern enclosing the apparatus according to
my invention, it rises in the outer space of the said enclosed apparatus, passes over
into the central space thereof, descends to the foot of the same, and ascends up the
space surrounding the last named central space. The result of this action is that
the air contained in the spaces before referred to becomes compressed and so
prevents the further entry of liquid into the apparatus.
To allow of the discharge of the contents of the enclosing tank or cistern or
other vessel or receptacle it is simply necessary to raise the outer casing of the
series of vertical vessels before referred to, by means of a pivotted lever or other
suitable mechanical contrivance, upon which the fluid following the direction of
motion of the said outer casing it rises up and discharges the cistern of its contents,
down to the level of the inlet apertures of the outer casing of the apparatus,
when the same then immediately becomes charged with air and the same syphon-
like action as before described is repeated.
A stud is placed on the before mentioned outer casing, which on coming into
contact with the ball lever of the cistern supply, shuts off the inlet of liquid and
thus renders it impossible for any waste of the liquid to occur.
By the novel arrangement of apparatus according to my invention the necessity
for the usual mechanically acting valves is entirely obviated.
10014

page_text: I JOHN SAMPSON STARNES of 13 Broad Street Ratcliff, London E. in the
County of Middlesex Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
AN IMPROVED HYDRO-PNEUMATIC VALVE FOR DISCHARGING CISTERNS, TANKS AND
SIMILAR RECEPTACLES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement and t
accompanying sheet of drawings:-
The object of my invention is to substitute in lieu of the ordinary mechanically
acting and "seated" valves employed for discharging the contents of cisterns,
tanks and other vessels or receptacles containing liquids, a hydro-pneumatically
acting device, contrivance or apparatus, the working of which is extremely simple, 1
and said apparatus being free from liability to derangement. It is also of especial
value as a preventative means against waste and leakage.
The main portion of said valvular device or contrivance according to my
invention is secured to the bottom of the supply tank and comprises a series of
concentric chambers preferably of cylindrical shape, arranged, communicating with
each other, and ensuring, the action hereinafter described, reference being had to
"the accompanying sheet of drawings; in which, Figure 1 is a horizontal section on
the line A A, Figure 2; and, Figure 2, a vertical Sectional Elevation on the line BB
Figure 1, of an arrangement of apparatus according to my invention, and such as
would be a lopted for instance, in its application in conjunction with a tank or
cistern such as usually employed for "flushing" the pans of water closets.
In the illustrations above referred to, a represents the supply tank or cistern;
6 the inlet or supply pipe; e, f, g, are the three concentric chambers above referred
to; h, is an outer and adjustable, bell-topped casing, cover or cap surrounding the
series of concentric chambers e, f, g, and suspended by a chain or other attachment i
connected to the operating lever j pivotted at k on the standard Z, Said lever j is
provided with two stops or catches m, n, which serve to determine the range of
elevation and depression of said lever j. o is an ordinary ball float, the operation
of which prevents the further entry of water into the supply tank when the same
has become charged; an arm p being attached to it and jointed at 9 on a
prolongation of the valve box or casing 8. which contains a valve t with spiral
or other spring u adapted to it. The end of the float arm p being kept in contact
with the outer end of the stem or spindle t' of the valve t, as and for the purposes
bereinafter described. A vertical pipe v, leading from the barrel or casing 8 of the
inlet valve t, conducts the inlet supply from same to the supply tank a.
- Now, as the water flows into the tank or cistern a it passes through the
openings w formed in the base of the outer suspended cylindrical cover or cap h
and ascends gradually in the annular space between the latter and the vessel or
chamber e, whence it is discharged into the central vessel or chamber g, and
accumulates in the pocket shaped vessel or chamber f and causes the displacement
of a certain volume of the air contained in the space above the water level.
In proportion to the quantity of water with which the cistern or tank a becomes
charged, the displaced air above referred to, becomes more and more compressed or
cushioned until the cistern or tank is filled. The float o will then be at its maximum
elevation: And, the formation of the jointed end q of the arm p is such, that
whilst on the one hand until the cistern is filled the valve t is kept back free from
its seat and allows of the passage of water down the inlet pipe u to the cistern or
tank; on the other hand, when the latter is filled, a recessed portion formed in the
end q of the float arm p, is exposed in front of the valve stem or spindle & and the

page_text: valve t is, by the action of the spring u, forced back on to its seat and effectually
intercepts and prevents the introduction of any additional quantity of water into
the hydro-pneumatic device, contrivance or apparatus e, f, g, h.
"
In order to empty the cistern or tank a of its contents, it is only necessary to
momentarily pull the chain or other attachment of the operating lever j, when the
stop u will be brought in contact with the standard ; and, on the pull upon the
chain i being released, the outer casing or cover h will gradually descend and reach
its original position as shewn in Figure 2. The movement just described has the
effect of destroying the equilibrium produced by the compression or "cushioning
of air before described, and results in a syphon-like action: as, the water in the
reservoir, re-ascends between the casing or cover h and the vessel or chamber e,
flows over the top into the central portion or chamber g of the apparatus, rises up
in the concentric space between g and f; thence down the concentric space
between e and f, and making its exit by the pipe & Under these conditions all
the water in the tank a will be discharged down to the level of the top of the
apertures w forined in the base of the adjustable casing or cover h.
Vertical wing pieces are attached (Figure 1). to the exterior of the vessel or
chamber e and serve as guides for the adjustable cover or casing h. A short arın,
bracket, or study is fixed to the outside of h, which is brought in contact with the
arm p of the ball float o, and, on the upward movement of the cover h, the valve s
closes the inlet to the cistern or tank a whilst the casing or cover h is raised.
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,
Firstly: The arrangement of apparatus for diseharging the contents of cisterns,
tanks and similar receptacles, hereinbefore described and indicated by the letters
of reference e, f, g.
Secondly: The adjustable cover or casing used in conjunction with the above
parts e, f, g in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Thirdly: The stud, bracket or other suitable attachment y. to the outer casing h
for ensuring in conjunction with the arm p of the ball float o,, the opening and
closing of the supply valve as herein-before described.
Dated this Fourth day of November 1884.