Year: 1886

page_text: I JOHN THOMSON KING of 4. Clayton Square Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster Patent Agent 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:-
Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved governor.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the fluid weight vessels.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the valve disks and its seat.
Figs. 4. 5. and 6 are respectively plan side elevation and section of a modified
form of the valve.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the yoke or frame which supports the weight wheels.
Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line X-
---
X of fig. 4.
Figs. 9 and 10 are views of details of construction.
Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.
My invention relates to that class of automatic gas governors in which the valve
is actuated by a float caused to rise and fall and thereby close and open the valve
by the pressure in the service main.
In such governors as heretofore made and known to me, the valve is so con-
structed as to have a movement of considerable length in its seat, without greatly
increasing or diminishing the supply, between the points at which the day pressure
and the night pressure are admitted This provision is made in order that when
the change from day to night pressure is being made, time may be allowed for a
weight to be automatically thrown on the valve to counteract the increased friction
in the service main, which weight is automatically removed when the decreased
pressure in the service main again permits the valve to enter its seat-The objection
to this construction is that the length of the stroke of the valve is arbitrary and
the valve cannot be controlled beyond the length of the stroke, so that in case the
initial pressure and the pressure in the mains are nearly equal, the weighted valve,
when the consumption is great, is apt to run down beyond the point necessary to
admit the full pressure and requires a large diminution of consumption before the

page_text: float can rise far enough to cause a transfer of the weight and reduce the
pressure-During this time, there is an excess of pressure on the main which
causes leakage. By my improvement this difficulty is obviated and the pressure
equalised.
Experience has demonstrated that no two automatic governors can be placed in
use under the same conditions, owing to different elevations, capacity of mains
initial pressure at the gas holders and consumption of gas-To illustrate: at a gas
works passing 70000 cubic feet of gas per hour through a 16 inch governor holding
a pressure of inches at the outlet with an initial pressure of 14 inches the valve
will drop 2 inches from its seat-With the same governor under the same con-
ditions except that the initial pressure is 18 inches the valve will drop one half an
inch from its seat-Thus a governor which under the circumstances of one use will
secure the necessary increase of pressure will not do so in another and consequently
no rule can be established for the manufacture of governors but usually they need
to be constructed especially for the particular use for which they are intended-
In each of the supposed cases it may be desired to adjust the Gas Governor to
hold. day pressure and 3. night pressure. It is quite clear that the greater the
excess of pressure on the inlet side of the Governor, the less the valve will open to
pass a given volume of gas. It is therefore essential to increase or diminish the
capacity of the valve and thus compel it to travel for enough to make the desired
stroke to secure the proper influence on the float or bell to give the required
pressure In all automatic Governors known to me the weighting of the float or
valve and consequent increase of pressure is determined by the stroke or opening
of the valve. If the area of the bell or float is such that it must drop one inch to
receive the weight to give the desired maximum pressure on the main during the
maximum consumption and the consumption or flow of gas should only be sufficient
to open the valve but one half of an inch and allow the bell or float to fall that
distance only one half the required weight would be received and only half the
required pressure obtained This is not an uncommon occurrence in the use of the
automatic governors heretofore known to me.
My improvement is desired to overcome these difficulties and to render an
automatic governor readily adjustable to correspond with any conditions under
which it may be required to operate.
In the drawings a indicates the main leading from the gas holder a¹ the service
main b the valve chamber c the valve composed of two disks c¹ c'; d the valve
stem e the valve seats or openings made in the diaphragm el fa plate or disk
closing the upper end of the valve chamber b; g a tubular chamber supporting the
float chamber h which contains a float or bell i; h¹ a central tube which extends
from the bottom of the chamber h to a point above the level of the liquid therein;
ka tube which extends from the plate f up through the tube h¹; 1 a yoke sur-
mounting the chamber h and provided with friction wheels or sheaves n; o a pipe
connecting the service main a¹ with the chamber g and controlled by a cock o¹
p. q. fluid weight vessels, p being fastened to the valve stem d and q suspended
therefrom by the chains n extending on the sheaves n and both connected together
by the flexible tube 8; t an oiling tube; gl an annular passage between the
chamber g and interior of the float i; and g a drain cock. The valve c is
suspended from the float i by the stem d The vessel p has a central chamber 1,
and one two or more annular chambers 2, 3, surrounding it. The compartments
are preferably of different capacities and are connected by a pipe 4 having a
branch opening into each compartment. The branch pipes are controlled by cocks 5
by which communication with any particular compartment may be opened or
closed at will. The vessel 9 is provided with two compartments 6, 7, one of
which (6) communicates with the vessel p by the flexible tubes and constitutes
one of the transfer chambers, and the other (7) which is open at the top is designed
to contain a weight medium to counterbalance the valve. This is provided because
the weight fluid when transferred to the vessel q is not in itself sufficient to raise
the valve to give the light day pressure. The vessel g is provided with a glass
'

page_text: guage tube 8 communicating with the compartment 6 by a tube 9 to indicate the
height of the column in the vessel. On the rod d is a guage m, secured in position
by a set screw and having a vertical end or point The purpose of this device and
the tube 8 is to enable the movements of the vessels p and q necessary to the
transfer of the weight fluid from the one to the other, to be accurately determined.
The end of the guage m is set to indicate the exact level of the inside of the
bottom of the vessel p. The length of the chain n¹ is then adjusted so that the
surface of the weight fluid in the compartment 6 as shown by the tube 8 will be
on a level with the end of the guage m. The object of this is to insure the
beginning of the transfer at the proper time or as soon as the valve begins to
.descend.
I will now describe the construction of the devices. by which the vessels p and q
are suspended. The crown of the yoke figure 7) is an oblong frame 1, in the
sides of which are vertical slots or openings, in each of which are journalled two
wheels 12 those on one side being exactly opposite to those on the other. Resting
on the inner surface of the flange 10 of each of two opposite wheels 12 is the shaft
or axle 11 of one pair of grooved wheels or sheaves n upon which the vessels p
and q are suspended by means of the chains n¹. When the vessels move the
wheels n turn and their axles 11 rolling on the flanges 10 of the wheels 12 cause
the latter to turn in their bearings.
The full stroke of the valve of a governor is three inches a distance far in excess
of the stroke actually made by a governor when in use. I usually make the
wheels 12 and n three inches in diameter so that if the valve made its full stroke
of three inches the wheels n would make about one third of a revolution The
diameter of the reduced end of the axle 11 which rests on the flanges 10 of the
wheels 12 is one sixteenth of an inch, so that the movement communicated thereby
to the wheels 12 would be about one sixteenth of an inch at the periphery, and at
the axle of the said wheels it would infinitesimal-In fact the movement of the
wheels 12 in governors we have now in use is imperceptible to the eye of an
inexperienced observer-The only friction there is in the movement of the weight
vessels is that of the axles of the wheels 12 in their bearings, and the movement
of the latter is so inconceivably small that the friction is practically nil―The object
of this anti-friction bearing is to render the governor sensitive to the slightest
change of pressure in the mains so that it may respond quickly thereto I make
use of an adjustable valve, a suitable form of which I will now describe by reference
to figure 3 in which the disc or valve c¹is provided with a tapering bead c² around
its lower edge, of such diameter that when the valve is closed, the inclined surface
of the bead shall strike the edge or corner e² of the seat, and there shall be no
friction between the parts-The valve also has a wide flange 3 in which is an
annular groove et provided to receive an adjustable annulus or ring u of any desired
width-This ring or annulus is adjustable to increase or diminish the height of the
valve-It may be sprung in place, so as to hug the valve and remain in any position
to which it is moved or it may be adjusted by screws or other suitable devices-
If in using this valve it is found that the movement of the valve which gives the
required pressure is not great enough to effect a transfer of the weight, the ring is
raised to increase the height of the valve and compel it to make a longer run before
such pressure is obtained and thereby effect the necessary transfer of weight-If, on
the other hand, it is found that the movement is greater than is necessary, the
ring u is moved back into its groove to the proper point to secure exact corre-
spondence between the movement of the valve and the transfer of the weight, which
will secure a variation of pressure in exact proportion to the consumption.
In figures 4, 5 and 6 we shew another construction of adjustable valve-Here
a notch or opening v preferably of v form, is made in the flange c³ at one, two, or
more points A slide wis provided to close each opening said slide being secured
on the inside of the flange by a headed pin x extending from the flange through
a slot y in the slide The slide has a thumb piece z by which it may be moved-
In this instance, the flange c³ is made quite wide ordinarily 24 inches, and it is

page_text: better that there should be several openings v of various angles in each valve, in
order that a nicer adjustment may be obtained The movement of the valve is
regulated by opening or closing the slides w more or less By fixing the slides at
the proper point the valve is compelled to move the proper distance to secure the
maximum weighting and pressure, when the maximum consumption is reached,
and the pressure to vary correspondingly with the consumption. Access is had to
the interior of the valve chamber by means of a hand hole or holes in the side of
the casting, for the purpose of adjusting the valves.
The purpose of having the separate compartments 1 2 3 in the vessel p, is to
enable the transfer of the weight fluid to be made in a longer or shorter stroke as
may be necessary to suit the exigencies or conditions of each particular plant. In
some plants, the valve has a short stroke, and in that case, the height of the
column of weight fluid, when in the vessel p, must be less than when the stroke
is greater, in order that its entire quantity may be transferred during the stroke.
If the stroke of the valve is long, the height of the column should be corre-
spondingly greater, because the transfer is required to be gradual, so that the full
weight may not come on the valve until the end of the downward stroke, and so
that the float may be gradually releived of the weight from the instant it begins
to rise. This insures a steady movement and prevents shocks to the lights. The
proper height of the column is secured by first setting up the governor with the
compartments open, and when the maximum consumption is reached and all the
weight fluid is transferred into the vessel p and it is holding the desired maximum
pressure, the exact stroke or opening of the valve is ascertained. It is then easy to
determine, from their width and capacity, which one or more of the compartments
(1 2 and 3) of the vessel p should be used to cause the governor to receive its
weighting gradually throughout the entire length of its downstroke, and in like
manner be releived of it gradually throughout the entire length of its up-stroke,
and thus increase and diminish the pressure in proportion to the volume of gas sent
out. The object of thus weighting the float or bell is to overcome the friction of
the gas in the pipes, which increases and diminishes proportionately with the
amount sent out. When the proper compartment or compartments have been thus
selected, the others are cut out by closing their cocks 5, and then no change of the
governor in this respect will need to be made, unless some of the conditions of the
plant are changed, as for instance by the erection of a heavier holder, or an increase
in the capacity of the mains, when a readjustment may be necessary.
If desired, the compartment vessel p may be used with a stationary vessel (q),
so arranged that, when the compartment vessel moves up and down, it shall be
alternately above and below the normal level of the fluid in the stationary vessel.
If desired, the transfer may be effected in such case by a siphon attached to the
stationary vessel, but in such case there should be always enough fluid in the
compartment vessel to seal the end of the siphon, as will be understood.
I make no claim to such construction but refer to it only to show that my
improved compartment vessel is of utility in other forms of governors.
I can make the vessel p with two compartments, but I prefer to use three
(1, 2, 3), because it enables me to make a greater variety of adjustments; for
instance, the separate use of any one will give a different adjustment from either
of the others, and so will the combined use of any two, or the use of all three.
At the upper end of the rod d, I have provided a cup d', for the purpose of
weighting the valve. In some plants, a heavier day pressure is required than in
others, and at the same time, the machine must be set to give a large margin of
increase.
In such case, the compartment 6 has enough mercury in it to bring the day
pressure down below the desired point, even when the compartment 7 is empty,
and consequently place a sufficient weight in the cup d¹ to prevent the valve closing
too far.
While I have described two forms of valve, I do not limit myself thereto,
because the form of the valve may be varied without departing from the spirit of

page_text: my Invention, so long as the valve is capable of adjustment to pass different
volumes of gas on the same stroke or travel.
My improved governor can be adjusted not only to suit present conditions of any
plant, but also any changes in the same affecting pressure and distribution of
the gas
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a gas governor the combination of a valve, valve-stem, and float with
compensating weight vessels and transfer connection, one of which vessels is
provided with several compartments communicating with each other, and is
fastened to the valve stem and connected to the other vessel by chains passing
over suitable sheaves, so as to rise and fall alternately there with substantially as
and for the purposes described.
2. In a gas governor, having a valve, valve-stem and float; a weight vessel
provided with several compartments attached to the valve stem, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
3. In a gas governor, having a valve, valve stem, float and compensating weight
vessels suspended by chains the combination of the weight vessels and their
suspension chains and sheaves, with wheels journalled in stationary bearings and
having rims or flanges upon which the axles of the suspension sheaves are loosely
journalled, substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. The combination of the suspension chains n¹, sheaves n, wheels 9, and axle 11
resting on the rims of flanges of the wheels 9, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
5. In a gas governor, having a float, valve, valve stem, and compensating weight
vessels, one weight vessel being fastened to the stem and the other suspended
therefrom on chains over sheaves; a chamber attached to the suspended weight
vessel for containing a counter-balancing weight medium, substantially as and for
the purposes described.
6. In a gas governor, tho combination of a seat having a square corner or edge,
with a valve having a tapered flange or bead surrounding the same, of greater
diameter than the seat, so that when the valve is closed, the inclined surface of the
flange seats against the corner of the seat; substantially as and for the purposes
described.
7. In a gas governor; the combination of a float; valve; valve stem ;
compensating weight vessels; and a weight holder on the valve stem; substantially
as and for the purposes described.
8. The combination of an automatic gas governor, so constructed as to
automatically increase or diminish the pressure at its outlet in proportion to the
volume of gas passing through it; and an adjustable valve, capable of adjustment
to pass different volumes of gas without changing the length of stroke or travel;
substantially as and for the purposes described.