Improvements in and relating to Water Gauges.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Water Gauges.
We, JOHN FARMER, Engineer, of 147 St. Andrews Road, Pollokshields,
Renfrewshire, and ALLAN STEWART, and CHARLES STEWART, Brassfounders,
of Port Eglinton Brass Foundry Glasgow, Lanarkshire, do hereby declare the
nature of our invention to be as follows:--
This invention has reference to and comprises certain improvements in gauges
for showing the water level in steam or other boilers, or vessels, especially that
class with glass tubes, and in the construction and arrangement of the valves
therefor; and which will make such gauges more reliable in their action and
better suited for applying new glasses, while preventing accidents or injury to the
attendants, from the breaking of the glasses.
The improvements mainly consist in the construction and arrangement of
the steam and water valves and fittings with their outer operating handles in the
chambers attached to the branches connected to the boiler above and below the
water level and securing the upper and lower ends of the glass gauge, whereby
these can be easily replaced, when broken, with safety, besides showing the actual
positions of the said valves by the handles outside and whether the gauge is
working properly.
According to one arrangement of our improvements as applied to a glass water
level indicating gauge, a bored cylindrical valve chamber preferably placed
horizontally is formed in each branch box of the upper steam and lower water
branches connected to the boiler, and which by stuffing boxes receive and secure
the upper and lower ends of the glass water level indicating tube. The valve
chamber in this arrangement is preferably ranged in the box in axial line and at
right angles to the branch leading to the boiler, but separated from this by a
division wall, and having its inner end formed with a small ground valve seat
leading into the upper and lower chambers of the stuffing boxes of the glass gauge ;
and the valve proper is ground to fit this seat on a projection out from the inner
piston end of the valve, which is turned to reciprocate freely by guide feathers or
other equivalent, and is inserted from the open end of this cylinder, fitted with a
portable screw coupling jointed end for the purpose. The back guiding part of
this piston valve is formed with a hollow guiding recess in it, into which the free
actuating end of a short crank or lever works to oscillate it, secured or formed on
the inner end of a horizontal lateral spindle working out through a stuffing box
above or it might be below the valve chamber, and having at its inner end a
bearing on a projection within the box chamber, while the spindle has a handle
formed or fitted on it, which would preferably be arranged vertical when the
ground valve on the inner end of piston was open, and the rear end of valve
spindle or its guides was back against the stop on its closing end cap, or against a
regulating screw stop in this. Two openings would be made into this piston valve
chamber, through the diaphragm or division before mentioned into the branch
leading to the boiler, the large opening leading into the space behind or outside
the piston, and a smaller one leading from the branch into the front or inner valve
end of the piston and ground valve chamber, this opening being rather smaller
than the ground valve opening leading to the gauge stuffing box chamber, all so
that when the blow off cock fitted to the stuffing box chamber at lower end of
glass gauge was open, or a glass got broken, the pressure would be immediately
relieved on the inner valve end of both piston valves and the pressure of steam
left in the open space behind or outside the piston valves would immediately and

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automatically shut these valves, and close communication with the boiler, and this
shutting of the valves would be seen by the position of the handles off the
vertical position lying at an angle outside, so that they might be opened by hand
to blow through the glass and see that the valves were properly working and the
handles when put again to their vertical position with the glass gauge in and the
blow off cock shut would maintain the valves in either open working position by
reason of the pressure being equal on each side of the piston of the valve and the
weight of the hand lever outside. A conoidal hole would be formed on the
opposite side of the valve spindle to the small branch hole, with a screw cap or
plug on it for inserting a wire through these and into the branch leading to the
boiler to clean these in front of the piston valve at any time desired. For the
screwing on of the cap or plug easily without burning the attendants hands, a
bearing part opposite this hole would be formed on the piston valve, so that the
handle outside in shutting the valve would prevent any escape of the hot water or
steam when putting on or taking off the screw cap or plug. In some cases a
screw plug might also be fitted on the outer end cover of the piston valve with
tapered ground valve end to shut a hole formed in it and have the end of the
piston ground to close this, and having a lateral hole at the inner end of this screw
plug, so that on screwing out the plug a blow through might be effected to remove
any sludge which might collect in the chamber at the outer end of the piston valve,
and the drawing out of the piston valve shut the hole, for the insertion of the
screw pin. In some cases this valve might be actuated by the lateral spindle of
the outer handle passing out through the valve and valve chamber itself, and have
a segmental wheel on its inner end working into teeth cut on the inner face of
the guide feathers, in this case made with a hollow recess for that purpose.
Instead of making the piston valve long with feathers and a recess for the crank
on the inner end of the hand spindle working into it or with the toothed
segmental wheel, the piston at the inner end of valve chamber might be made
longer to guide itself in its chamber and also open or shut off the wire cleaning
hole in front of it and in line with the branch leading to boiler; while its back
end might be formed with a lateral projection or stud on to which a slot in the
inner end of the crank might work to actuate the piston valve by the hand spindle,
or be actuated by it automatically as herein before described. Or a solid spindle
might be formed on the back of this piston valve and taken out through a stuffing
box in the end of the piston valve chamber and be actuated by or automatically
oscillate a hand lever outside in the direction of its axis fulcrumed to a bracket on
one side of the valve chamber all otherwise as hereinbefore described. Or an
inclined or helical groove might be formed in one side of the hollow piston with an
'antifriction pulley working in it, fitted on the inner end of a lateral screw stud
passed through one side of the valve chamber, so that when the pressure of the
steam acted on the back end of the piston to move it laterally it would spirally
move it longitudinally on its spindle and so turn the handle on it outside direct
without any fulcrumed lever or turn this handle automatically as described in
reference to the other modification when a glass broke or when anything went
wrong with the working of the valves.
By another arrangement this piston valve and its chamber might be fitted in the
axial line of the branch leading to the boiler with a hole right through it, and with
the small valve formed annularly on its inner end with guiding ribs, and the piston
part on its outer end, so that the pressure of steam or water would pass through the
hole in the piston valve and act on it to shut the valve as soon as a gauge glass
broke or the usual blow off cock at the bottom of the gauge was opened, and which
would be connected to the stuffing box chambers of the glass on the inner face and
chamber of the valve seat; and this hollow piston valve might be actuated by the
inner end of the lever on the said lateral spindles of the outer handles at one side,
working into an annular groove formed on the hollow spindle; or be actuated by a
segmentul toothed wheel working into similar teeth formed on the periphery of the
hollow spindle. Or instead of actuating this hollow piston valve by this lever or

page_text: toothed segment. direct, it might have a hollow spindle formed on its outer end
working out through a stuffing box on the outer end cover of the bored valve
chamber with lateral holes in it to allow the pressure of the steam to pass out and
act on the piston valve between it and its end cover; and this hollow spindle
would be actuated by, or automatically actuate a hand lever fitted on it outside
the stuffing box, and have a screw plug on its outer end for the insertion of a wire
or cleaning spindle through this centre hollow spindle of the piston valve, and
substantially otherwise as herein before described. A cock might be fitted on the
outer end cover of the piston valve chamber, in line with the piston valve, and
with a screw plug on its outer end, so that a wire or other equivalent might be
pushed in through this cock to clear out any sediment that might accumulate in
the lateral branch or valve chamber leading to the boiler. Or a triangular or
polygonal "scavenger" spindle might be fitted by a screw and screw nut in the
end cover right up through the hollow spindle of the piston valve and branch
leading to the boiler, so that by turning this "scavenger" spindle on its outer end
it would clear any sediment or accumulated matter in the lateral branch or valve
chamber, and also by a collar inside the cylinder form the stop for the piston
valve in its outward position, or this collar might be made in the form of a valve
to allow of a blow through from the outer end of the piston valve chamber past
the piston into the inner end or small valve chamber and through the glass tube
to the blow off cock, when the piston is brought back beyond its outer normal
working position.
By another arrangement this piston valve chamber might be formed in its valve
and gauge glass boxes, to work vertically in the vertical axial line of the gauge
glass and across the axial line of the branches of the stuffing box chambers, and
have a hollow cylindrical piston, with a recessed or segmental part cut away on
one side beyond the piston part separating it from the close valve end leading to
the tube, with a small hole bored through this piston part rather smaller than the
valve on the end of the piston, so that on the blow off cock of the glass gauge
being opened, or the glass breaking, these valves would close as before described,
and the relief of the pressure taking place on the front or valve side of the
piston, the whole pressure of the boiler would act on the back of the piston and
close the valve, and in this case only require one hole in the diaphragm branch
leading to the boiler. And this arrangement of piston valve might be actuated
by or actuate its indicating handles outside by any of the arrangements of cam
levers or segmental wheel and rack inside or by a back central spindle passed out
through a stuffing box in the close end of the piston valve chamber and have the
indicating or actuating handle outside the stuffing box fulcrumed on a bracket as
herein before described. And the cleaning of the small hole through the piston
valve may be effected through a lateral hole in the bored chamber with screw
plug or cap as in the former arrangements through a lateral hole in the hollow
piston and closed by it when the piston valve was in its shut position. In any of
these arrangements actuating hand rods may be attached by lateral joint pins to
the outer levers of the valves to operate them at a distance from the glass gauge,
the ends of these rods being connected to the hand levers by a long open slot
which would allow the lateral pins in the hand levers to automatically work
without requiring to move the weight or friction of the rods, or the rods when
jointed direct to the levers may work on anti-friction rollers or balls.
Dated the 28th December 1892.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Water Gauges.
We, JOHN FARMER, Engineer, of 147 St. Andrews Road, Pollokshields,
Renfrewshire, and ALLAN STEWART, and CHARLES STEWART, Brassfounders, of
Port Eglinton Brass Foundry, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, do hereby declare the
nature of our invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement in writing,
that is to say :-
This invention has reference to and comprises certain improvements in gauges
for showing the water level in steam or other boilers, or vessels, especially that
class with glass tubes and in the construction and arrangement of the valves and
valve chests therefor, and which will make such gauges more reliable in their
action and better suited for applying new glasses while preventing accidents or
injury to the attendants from the breakage of the glasses.
The improvements mainly consist in the construction and arrangement of the
steam and water valves and fittings with their outer operating. handles in the valve
chamber attached to the branches connected to the boiler above, and below the
water level, and securing the upper and lower ends of the glass gauge, whereby
these can be easily replaced, when broken, with safety besides showing the actual
position of the said valves by the handles outside and whether the gauge is
working properly.
And in order that our said invention and the manner of performing or carrying
the same into effect or practice may be properly understood, we have hereunto
appended nine explanatory sheets of drawings in which the same reference letters
are used to indicate equivalent parts in all the figures where shown.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 shows a front elevation of one general arrangement of a
glass gauge apparatus as fitted in accordance with one modification of our improve-
ments, and
Figure 2 on Sheet 1 is a sectional elevation as taken on the line 1-1 in Figure 1
but at right angles thereto, and to a larger scale, through the stuffing box of the
spindle and levers which actuate one of the valves in its valve chamber.
Figure 3 on Sheet 2 shows a horizontal section as taken on the line 4-4 in
Figure 4 which is a corresponding sectional elevation as taken on the line 3-3
Figure 3, the gauge glass z being shown as broken away at
Figure 5 is a vertical section as taken on the line 2-2 in Figure 3 through the
valve and its chamber.
Figure 6 shows an outer end view of the valve detached, and
Figure 7 a sectional end view through the valve on the line 2'-2'.
Referring to the arrangement of these improvements shown in Figures 1 to 7, a
bored cylindrical valve chamber a preferably formed horizontally is formed in each
branch valve chest or box A. A¹ of the upper steam and lower water branches A¹.
connected to the boiler, and which by stuffing boxes A³ receive and secure the
upper and lower ends of the glass water level indicating tube z.
The valve chamber a in this arrangement is preferably ranged in the box A in
axial line and at right angles to the branch A, A, leading to the boiler, but
separated from this by a division wall A' and having its inner end formed with a
small ground valve seat a leading into the upper and lower chambers A' of the
stuffing boxes A³ of the glass gauge z and the valve proper bis ground to fit this
seat a on a projection out from the inner piston end of the valve 6 which is
turned to reciprocate freely by guide feathers 6 or other equivalent, and is inserted
from the open end of this cylinder a fitted with a portable screw coupling jointed
end on which a close screw cap B, is shown as fitted for the purpose.
The back guiding part of this piston valve 6 is formed with a hollow guiding and
actuating recess 6 in it into which the free actuating end of a short crank or

page_text: lever c works to oscillate it secured or formed on the inner end of a horizontal
lateral spindle c' working out through a lateral stuffing box c shown particularly
in Figure 2 preferably above but it might be below the valve chamber a and
having at its inner end an end journal bearing at c³ formed on a projection within
the box chamber A, while the spindle c' has a handle et formed or fitted on its
outer end beyond the stuffing box c* which would preferably he arranged vertical
when the ground valve b or the inner end of piston was open as shown in Figure 1
and the lower valve chamber A in Figure 4 and the outer end 6 of valve spindle c¹
or its guides was back against the stop on its closing end cap B or act as a valve
against the escape opening B¹ of a regulating screw stop valve B' in this.
Two openings a², a³, would be made into this piston valve chamber a through
the diaphragm or division A before mentioned into the branch A' leading to the
boiler, the large opening a² leading into the space behind or outside the piston
part of the valve b and a smaller one a leading from the branch A¹ into the
front or inner valve end of the piston and ground valve chamber a¹ this
opening a being rather smaller than the ground valve opening a leading to the
gauge stuffing box chamber A', all so that when the usual blow off cock C, C',
fitted to the stuffing box chamber A' at the lower end of glass gauge z was open
or a glass got broken, the pressure would be immediately relieved on the inner
valve end of both piston valves and the pressure of steam left in the open
space behind or outside the piston valves would immediately and automatically
shut these valves, and close communication with the boiler; and this shutting of
the valves would be seen by the position of the handles et off the vertical position
lying at an angle outside, so that they might be opened by hand to blow through
the glass, and see that the valves bb¹ were properly working, as shown in dotted
lines in Figure 1, and the handles c when put again to their vertical position with
the glass gauge in, and the blow off cock C, C', shut would maintain the valves bb
in either open working position by reason of the pressure being equal on each side
of their pistons 6 of the valve band the weight of the hand levers outside.
A hole a would be formed on the opposite side of the valve chest A to the small
branch hole as with a screw cap a³ or it might be a plug on it for inserting a wire
through these holes a a³ and into the branch A¹ leading to the boiler to clean
these in front of the piston valve b, b', at any time desired.
:
For the screwing on of the cap or plug a' easily without burning the attendants
hands, a bearing part 6 opposite this hole a would be formed on the piston
valve b, b, so that the handle et outside in shutting the valve would prevent any
escape of the hot water or steam when putting on or taking off the screw cap
or plug.
In some cases a screw plug B2 might also be fitted on the outer end cover B of
the piston valve b,, with tapered ground valve end to shut a hole B' formed in it,
and have the end of the piston valve b, b', ground to close this, and having a
lateral hole B at the inner end of this screw plug, so that on screwing out the
plug a blow through might be effected to remove any sludge which might collect in
the chamber a at the outer end of the piston valve, and the drawing out of this
piston valve shut the hole B' for the insertion of the screw pin.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 on Sheet 3 are respectively a horizontal section and side
and end sectional elevations through an upper valve and valve chest showing a
slight modification from that shown in Sheets 1 and 2 in which a segmental pinion d
and rack d' are made to move the valve b, b', instead of the lever c in the said
former arrangement shown in Sheets 1 and 2.
While Figures 11, 12 and 13 on Sheets 3 and 4 are corresponding horizontal
and vertical sections in which the lever cof the said first arrangement is made a
slotted lever to actuate the valve b, b', by a cross pin c. And Figures 14 to 33
are views of modifications hereinafter described.
Referring to Figures 8 to 10 the valve b, b', is actuated by the lateral spindle c¹
of the outer handle c passing out through a space in the valve b, b', and stuffing

page_text: box in the valve chamber A itself, and has a segmental wheel d on its inner end
working into rack teeth cut on the inner face of the guide bars or feathers 6 in
this case made with a hollow recess for that purpose, and in this case the branch A¹
is made as a screw socket for coupling to a screw branch secured to the steam
boiler, instead of the flange A" in the arrangement shown on Sheets 1 und 2.
Instead of making the piston valve long with feathers and a wide recess for.
the crank on the inner end of the hand spindle c¹ working into it, or with the
toothed segmental wheel d as herein before described, the piston part at the inner:
end of the valve chamber A might be made longer to guide itself in its chamber
as shown in Figures 11 to 13 with a narrow cross slot in it, as shown in the
modification in Sheets 1 and 2 and also open or shut off the wire cleaning hole a
in the front of it and in line with the hole as in the branch A leading to boiler;
while its back end is fitted with a stud e³ but it might be a projection across the
slot and on to which a slot in the inner end of the lever c works to actuate
the piston valve b, b, by the spindle c' and the handle e outside all substantially as
herein before described, or like all the other valve and lever arrangements be
actuated by it automatically as herein before described.
Although in all the previously described valve chests A the glass tube and valve
chamber A has been shown in the same vertical plane in both direction with the
centre line of the valve, it is to be understood, as shown in the sectional view
Figure 14 on Sheet 4, that this chamber A leading to the open ends of the tube
may extend so much laterally beyond the chest A as to enable the glass tube z to
be inserted through its stuffing boxes A from the insertion plug and hole A'
quite clear of the chest A. Figure 15 shows a sectional plan view of a valve
chest A, and its valve b, b', in which a permanent scavenger rod or spindle D is
fitted through the holes a³ for cleaning the branch A' screwed at the neck into the
recess at a with a hand lever D¹ outside, instead of using a mere hole and plug
for the insertion of a portable wire or scavenger for cleaning as hereinbefore
described; and this is effected by making the valve chamber a longer, and removing
the piston part 1 of the valve 6 further back beyond the recess a³ in its normal
closed position and making a slot through the elongated valve part 6 for the
seavenger spindle D to pass through as described. This scavenger spindle D would
preferably be formed polygonal or triangular in cross section so as to clean the
branch A and the recess as by turning the spindle D by the lever D' outside and
then screwing it up to prevent the escape of steam or water when not in use.
otherwise the arrangement is formed substantially the same as in Figures 8 to 10.
Figure 16 is a sectional plan corresponding to Figure 15, but showing the
piston part of the valve b as formed on the outer end, and the inner end as
having turned guide parts to steady the valve in its cylinder a, and forming
the inner end of the spindle c as a scavenger spindle D and steadying its inner
end by ribs D within the hole a³, so that these clean the hole as each time the
valve b, b, is moved by its spindle c¹ and the area of the annular hole a between
the ribs D would as hereinbefore described be less than that of the valve hole a',
so as to act in the manner described in reference to the other modifications when
the glass broke or the blow off cock of the gauge was open.
All
Although the spindle D c¹ has been described as used for cleaning out the hole c
it will be evident that it might be used to clean out the hole a² by the movement
of the spindle which moves the piston valve b, 61, in which case the hole a³ would
be cleaned by a portable scavenger through the hole and cap a', a³, as shown in
the former arrangements.
Figures 17 and 18 on Sheet 5 show a sectional plan and side elevation respectively
of one of the upper valve chests A of a gauge glass arrangement in which a solid
spindle c is formed in the centre line of the piston valve band taken out through
a stuffing box in the end cover B of the piston valve chamber a and is reciprocated
direct by a hand lever et outside in the direction of its axis fulcrumed to a bracket c
screwed on one side of the valve chest A and acting all otherwise as hereinbefore

page_text: described in reference to the former figures. In this arrangement both of the
openings a³ and as are used for cleaning the branch A' with a portable scavenger
wire or other equivalent inserted through the plug holes at a*, a³.
Figures 19 and 20 are a sectional plan and elevation analogous to that shown in
Figures 17 and 18, but made so that the solid central spindle c of the piston
valve b, b, opens and closes the valve and port a by the turning of the handle c',
instead of the reciprocation of it, as in Figures 17 and 18. This is effected by an
inclined or helical groove e formed in one side of the hollow piston b with an
antifriction pulley working in it, fitted on the inner end of a lateral screw
stud e passed through a screwed socket e at one side of the valve chamber A, so
that when the pressure of the steam acted on the back end of the piston b' to move
it laterally, this pulley would spirally turn the piston with its spindle, and so
turn the handle on it outside direct and show that the valve was closed without
any fulcrumed lever as shown in Figures 17 and 18 and thus operate automatically
when a glass broke or when anything went wrong with the working of the valves
as in the other modification.
By another arrangement this piston valve b, b', and its cylinder a might be fitted
in the axial line of the branch A leading to the boiler with a tube or hollow
spindle & right through it and with the small valve formed annularly on its inner
end with guiding ribs and recesses 67 and the piston part b' on its outer end.
Figures 21 and 22 on Sheet 6 show sectional side and end views, and Figure 23 a
plan view corresponding to Figure 21 illustrative of this modification of our
improvements in which the piston part of the valve b is formed at the outer end
to work light in its cylinder a with a hollow tube or spindle, part through said
valve and piston part, so that the pressure of steam or water in the branch A'
passes through and acts on the outer end of the piston b'.
In this case the valve b which works in the valve opening and seat a¹ is formed
by small recesses or channels 67 taken out of it opening into the chamber A
leading to the open end of the glass gange z so that when the pressure in this chamber,
and on the inner end of the piston 6' is relieved by the breaking of a glass or the
opening of the blow off cock C, C', the valve immediately closes and shifts_the
handle c' outside to the closed position. In this modification a cock or tap. E is
fitted on the outer cover B of the valve chest a, so as to allow a cleaning wire or
spindle to be passed in through this cock E, by the socket opening E' or blow off
by the branch Es for cleaning the interior branch parts and outer end of the
cylinder, a. In this modification the piston valve b,, is shown as actuated by the
segmental toothed wheel d on the spindle c' working into the annular toothed and
grooved rack d turned on the inner end of the piston valve, but it will be understood
that this might be actuated, as in any of the former arrangements by a lever, c
instead of the toothed segment d.
Or instead of actuating this hollow piston valve b, b', by the spindle c' and rack
arrangement d, d¹, it might be done direct by a continuation of the hollow spindle 6º,
as a solid spindle passed out through a stuffing box in the cover B and be
actuated by a reciprocating lever et as shown in Figures 17 and 18, lateral holes e¹
being formed at the outer end of the piston b¹ to allow the pressure of steam or
water to act on the outer end of the piston valve 6 and be actuated or
automatically actuate the hand lever c' fitted on it outside the stuffing box.
Figures 25 and 26 on Sheet 7 show sectional elevations of a valve chest A a with
the valve b, b, shown in section in its out position in the former and in elevation in
its closed position in the latter, and Figure 27 is a section as taken on the lines a―x
in Figure 25.
Figure 28 is an end view of the inlet branch A' and valve band Figure 29 is a
sectional view corresponding to Figure 25, but with the valve o, b, drawn out past
its normal position to give a blow through the hollow spindle 66 and outer end of
the cylinder a when that is desired, and Figure 30 shows a sectional view of an
arrangement having a forked lever instead of the single lever c shown in Figures 24
and 25 for working the piston yalve b bl..

page_text: "
"
These views Figures 25 to 30 show a triangular or polygonal "scavenger
spindle D as fitted by a screw D" passed out through the end cover B with a
handle D on it outside, passed in through the hollow spindle 6 of the piston
valve b, b', and branch A¹ leading to the boiler, so that by turning this "scavenger
spindle D by the handle D¹ on its outer end it would clear any sediment or
accumulated matter in the lateral branch or valve chamber a'. The collar piston b¹
formed on the outer end of the hollow valve and spindle b, 68, forms a stop for the
valve in its outward position or this stop collar may be formed as a valve seat on
the outer end of the hollow piston rod and valve D³ on the spindle D to allow of
a blow through from the outer end of the piston valve chamber a past the piston 61
into the inner end and through the chamber A of the glass tube to the blow off
cock, when the piston is brought back beyond its outer normal working position, as
shown in this position in Figure 29, and the hand spindle D', D", outside can be
screwed up to shut the seat on the piston 6' and valve b and seat. a', as shown in
Figure 26 for the purpose of preventing escape of steam when inserting a new glass
tube and the lever c, on the spindle c', in this case actuates the piston valve b, b², by
acting between collars on the hollow spindle c' either as a single lever or as a fork
ended lever, as shown in Figure 30.
Figures 31 and 32 on Sheet 8 are side and end sectional elevations respectively
taken at right angles to each other through the centre of the vertical axial planes
of the bored chamber A a and its piston valve b, b', and the glass gauge tube z of a
Blightly different modification from those shown in the former figures.
In this arrangement the piston valve chamber a is formed with its valve b, b¹, in
the chest A to work vertically and across the axial line of the branches of the
stuffing box chamber A A¹ and the piston part b' of the valve is formed hollow at ƒ
and a recessed or segmental part is cut away at fl on one side beyond the piston
part 6 which in this case is formed on the lower end of the valve separating it
from the close valve end a a¹ leading to the chamber A of the glass tube, with a
small hole bored or formed through this piston part 6¹ rather smaller thau the
port a' of the valve at the end of the piston and equivalent to the hole a³ in the
former arrangements but bored at an angle into the hollow space of piston for being
cleaned through the plug hole a, a, as well as cleaning the hole a² when the piston
valve is and so that on the usual blow off cock C, C, of the glass gauge z being
opened, or the glass breaking, the valve b would close as before described, and the
relief of the pressure taking place on the front or valve side of the piston, the
whole pressure of the boiler would act in the recess ff, on the back, or upper end
of the piston and close the valve 6 and in this case only require one hole a in the
diaphragm A³ of the branch A¹ leading to the boiler. And the cleaning of the
small hole a' through the piston valve b, b', may be effected through a lateral screw
hole a on one side of the bored chamber a with screw plug a or cap as in the
former arrangements through the lateral hole f in the hollow piston and closed by
it when the piston valve was in its shut position. And this arrangement of piston
valve might be actuated by or actuate its indicating handles c¹ outside by a
back spindle c¹ passed out through a stuffing box in a close chamber between the
valve cylinder a with the segmental wheel d working into the rack d' on the
valve b, b, as shown in Figure 32 or it might be by any of the arrangements of
cam levers c herein before described.
Or this might be done by a central spindle formed on the upper end of the
piston b' and passed out through a stuffing box formed on the close end B of
the piston valve chamber a and have the indicating or actuating handle outside the
stuffing box fulcrumed on a bracket as hereinbefore described in reference to
Figures 17 and 18 but the handle c₁ in this case would be made a bell crank.
In
any of these arrangements of valves worked by the vertical handles or levers c
outside, as shown in elevation Figure 33, actuating hand rods G may be attached
by lateral joint pins g g at their one end to the lower end of the outer levers ct of
the valve spindles c' to operate them by a handle G¹ on the rod G at a distance
from the glass gauge, the ends of these rods being connected to the levers c¹ by a

page_text: long open slot g', as shown in the upper valve arrangement A of the figure which
would allow the lateral pins in the rods G to automatically work without
requiring to carry the weight of the rods G; or the rods G when jointed direct to
the levers may work on antifriction rollers or balls running in a housing or
trough gas seen in side and end view at G'G'.
Or as shown on the lever e, of the lower valve box A, when the connection is
made by a single lateral pin a long wide slot g' would be formed on the end of
the rod G so as to allow the pin to move freely in the slot g while the hand
rod G, G¹, would move it when desired, the rod G being locked at y to its carrying
guide plate to permit the lever c' and pin g' freedom of automatic action when the
blow off cock c, c', is opened or a glass breaks.
Figure 34 is a sectional elevation of the lower valve chest A. Figure 35 is a
horizontal section as taken on the line 34-34 in Figure 34, and Figure 36 is a
transverse section as taken on the line 35-35 of Figure 35, all illustrative of
a modified arrangement of our improvements somewhat analogous to that shown in
Figure 16. In this arrangement the blow-off cock C is cast or formed in one with
the valve chest A, and is formed with two lateral openings h', ", with asbestos
packing all round, and the key H has a three ported opening which communicates
through the passage in the cock C to the glass and through the passage h¹¹
when blowing through to the drain pipe which would be coupled to the branch
leading from chest A. When the key. H is in the normal position shown in
Figure 34 with the passage " closed to the drain pipe one of the ports is only
open to the glass z, and the steam and water communication from boiler is at all
times maintained with the glass z through the opening 2 in the bottom of key H.
As shown in Figure 35 the spindle c¹ of the valve b,, is formed where it passes
tbrough the circular hole as in the wall A³ of the cylinder, of a D shape as shown
in the transverse section Figure 35; while the scavenger portion D beyond is
formed of a triangular section as shown in Figure 35³, all for the purpose of
clearing the passages A', A', as the spindle is turned in operating the valve. As
shown in Figure 36 the crank part e cast on the spindle c' is formed of a curved
shape to actuate the piston valve b, b'; and to permit passage of the steam and
water from the branch A¹ of chest A to the front of valve part of the valve
cut away, as shown at 6* in the detached view Figure 35º. Figure 35º represents
a sectional view showing a feather or tongue piece T projecting inside the hole a
so that when the spindle is turned in either direction any deposit lodging on the
spindle C¹ is scraped off. In other respects this arrangement Figures 34 to 36 is
substantially the same as in the other figures.
is
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
--
First. The improvements in automatic acting water gauges consisting in having
a piston valve fitted in its bored outer chamber which in its movement actuates a
crank or cam connected to a spindle passing out through a stuffing box with outside
handle attached thereto; the wall of the chamber opposite the inlet branch leading
to boiler being perforated with two holes, one communicating with the front for
filling the glass with steam and water and for keeping the valve in equilibrium in
its working position, and the other a² for maintaining the pressure on the back of
the piston valve substantially as described.
Second. In apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1 the formation of the
piston valve with valve faces to close or open the inlet into the glass, the blow
through at back of valve and the cleaning holes, substantially as set forth.
Third. In apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1 a piston valve having a
hole in its centre in line with branch leading to boiler to carry the steam or water
to back of valve, and having said piston valve fitted direct by a connection to the
spindle with outside handle attached, so that no movement of the valve can take
B

page_text: place without actuating the handle or of the handle without actuating the valve as
substantially shown with reference to Figures 21 to 24.
Fourth. In apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1, the fitting of the piston
valve in its chest, with a branch at right angles communicating with boiler, and
having a hole in said branch to admit steam or water to top of piston valve and the
piston valve having a hole in it communicating with both sides of piston and which
hole can be cleaned as well as the hole in branch by the removal of the side
clearing pin, all substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1, the forming of holes
through the cylinder, and its valve for or fitted with a cleaner or scavenger spindle,
whereby the cleaning can be effected from the outside while the boiler is under
pressure, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. In apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1, a screwed spindle with
scavenger attached and having a valve formed upon it for closing the central hole
in the piston valve to prevent any steam escaping while a new gauge glass is being
inserted substantially as shown in reference to Figures 25 to 29.
Seventh. In apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1, the end cap for
covering in the valve chamber having a hole bored through its centre, into which a
screw plug is inserted, a valve face formed on the inside of cap for the valve piston
closing or opening for blowing through as desired, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. In apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1, the end cap for covering
in the valve chamber having a screwed pin with a valve face on it, fitted into a
corresponding face in the cover, with a hole to the outside of the valve face for
blowing through, without unscrewing the pin altogether, substantially as set forth.
Dated the 26th September 1893.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.