Improvements in and relating to Valves for Controlling the Passage of Fluids.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Valves for Controlling the Passage
of Fluids.
I, FRANK JUNIUS FERRELL of 147 West 33rd Street New York City County
and State of New York United States of America, 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 valves for checking and controlling the passage of fluids
and has for its object to improve the construction of such valves and the con-
struction and means of attachment of indicating devices for the same and to provide
such valves with an improved and effective locking or sealing device for holding
the valve in desired position, but which sealing device may be readily severed or
disconnected when necessary to permit operation of the valve. The improved
indicator can be readily applied to any ordinary valve having a rotary stem, and is
of compact and simple construction, positive in operation, and gives exact and
reliable indications of the exact position of the valve.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is an elevation of a valve provided with my improvements.
Figure 1 is a detached view of the knife-edged lug of the sealing device.
Figure 2 is a vertical central section of the valve, shown in Figure 1.
Figure 2 shows a detached horizontal section of the same on the line 2",
Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the same taken on the line 3-3 Figure 1
looking upward.
Figure 4 is an elevation showing a modification in the construction of the
indicating device.
Figures 5 and 6 are elevations showing modifications in the construction of the
locking or sealing device.
Figure 7 is an elevation showing another modification in the construction of the
locking or scaling device, and
Figure 8 is a horizontal section of Figure 7 on the line 8-8 thereof.
In all the drawings the valves are of the gate valve pattern. The casings are
composed of two pieces bolted together, a main part a containing the valve or gate c,
the ports and fluid passages, and a bonnet b, supporting and guiding the operating
stem d of the valve. The lower portion of the valve operating stem d is screw
threaded and works within a counterpart thread formed in the gate or valve c.
The middle portion of the valve operating stem d is fitted to rotate only within a
stuffing box of usual construction or may be otherwise held so as to produce a water
or steam tight joint. A portion of the valve stem d which extends outside of
the stuffing box is formed of square cross section, so that the indicating and sealing
and locking devices may be readily connected with the valve stem to rotate there-
with or to prevent rotation thereof. At the extreme outer or upper end of the
valve stem d is secured thereon an operating hand wheel y.
In Figures 1 and 2 I have shown a portion of this invention which consists in a
five-way construction of valves. Three pipes a a² and a³ are tapped into the valve
As shown in Figure 2,
casing a at some place beyond the inlet port of the valve.
the inlet opening is at the back of the valve. The three pipes a', a² and a³ together
with the outlet opening at the front of the valve make four outlets, all of which are.
opened to the inlet by opening the valve, and the valve has five ways in all, one
inlet and four outlets.
My improved indicating device as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises a

page_text: disc upon the valve stem, said disc having a tooth y projecting therefrom, a
rotatable indicating plate, provided with the usual indicating marks upon its
upper surface, and provided on its lower surface with grooves i, meshing with the
tooth y on the valve stem d, and the concave faces engaging with the disc fon
the valve stem d to hold the indicating plate from rotation when the tooth and a
groove i are not in engagement; and the fixed pointer or index k, above the
indicating plate, the position of the indicating plate in relation to the fixed index
showing the position or amount of opening of the valve. It is essential that either
the index or indicating plate shall move in correspondence with the valve stem.
the best embodiment of my invention, as shown in the drawings, the indicating
plate is the movable part.
In
When my entire invention is used the number and position of the grooves i are
so adjusted that the tooth g is always in gear with a groove of the disc h. whenever
a division on the indicating disc is in line with the index k, so that at every part
of the movement of the valve which is marked by a division on the indicating plate
the indicating device will move with the valve and give an exact and accurate
indication of the position of the valve. When the parts are thus constructed, the
disc is locked during that portion of the movement of the valve which is not
especially marked upon it, preferably at a point midway between the indicating
marks. It is evident that, as the disc is at rest during a considerable part of the
movement of the valve, it can although geared directly to the valve stem, be made
of quite small dimensions.
In the practical use of my indicating valves it often happens that they remain
inactive for long periods of time, and become coated with dust and dirt. And the
class of valves of which this is most usually true, such as fire hydrant valves, are
required in cases of emergency as when a fire is imminent or progressing, and it
therefore is very essential that the construction of the valve will permit it to be at
once operated despite its long period of disuse. If the grooves i and concave
faces become clogged with dust so that they will not engage with their counter-
parts, the tooth and disc f, then the operation of the valve will be seriously
affected. To prevent any possibility of the clogging of these parts i form them
upon an annular ring 1, projecting downward from the indicating plate h, and cut
away portions of this annular ring at the middle portions of such concave faces and
at the grooves i, so as to form openings extending radially through such annular
ring, and so as to leave in their full dimensions the end portions of each concave
face and the projecting points on each side of each groove i. In the operation of
the valve, any clinging dust or dirt will he quickly pushed off from these full
portions and pushed through the openings or otherwise removed so as not to clog
or impede the meshing of the parts of the indicating device and the opening or
closing of the valve.
The disc is mounted upon the squared portion d' of the valve stem d, and is
held in place by a pin or otherwise. The indicating plate his shaped so that the
valve stem may be taken out without removing the indicating plate. This is
provided by continuing upward through the plate h the contour of the last concave
face that meshes with the disc f in the closed position of the valve, so that when
the valve is in closed position, the valve stem d may be readily lifted out of its
bearings in the valve.
The indicating plate his rotatively mounted upon a rod m, and the fixed index k
is secured to or formed at the upper end of said rod and forms a head to hold the
indicating plate in place. When my entire invention is employed two of these
rods mare provided, the one shown at the right in Figures 2 and 3 supporting the
indicating disc and the one at the left in said figures supporting an arm of the
locking and sealing device. These rods are held in the bonnet, a projecting
boss being formed on the bonnet for each rod m, extending upward a sufficient
distance to provide a support for the device mounted upon said rods m. These rods
extend downward to the bottom of such bonnet and each is provided at its lower
end with a nut m³, fitting in a recess or socket at the lower face of such bonnet so

page_text: that its outer face is flush with or is depressed within the lower face of such bonnet
and the nut is thus countersunk within the bonnet. One of these nuts m' is shown
in Figure 24 such figure affording an underneath view of a portion of the lower
face of the bonnet. The nuts are shaped so that they will not rotate when
within the bonnet and this is preferably accomplished by wings or projections on
the sides of the nuts, as shown in Figure 2. In assembling the various parts, the
rods m are inserted through the parts shown at their upper ends, then through the
holes in the bonnets. The nuts m having been placed in their sockets in the bonnet
the rods m are screwed down into them. When the rods are in desired position,
small screw pins m² are tapped and screwed into the rods and nuts so as to effectually
prevent further rotation of the rods m. One of these screws m² is shown in
Figure 2. The assemblage of parts is completed by bolting together the bonnet b
and main part a of the casing. The nuts m' and screws m³ are thus effectually
concealed and protected and the rods m and their attached parts held in place and
accidental dislodgement thereof absolutely prevented.
The upper end of the rod m shown at the left of Figure 2 is provided with a
head, and between this head and the boss is held the arin n, which forms a part
of the locking and sealing device. The arm is curved upward and at its end is
formed a vertically arranged perforated staple. Another arm o is mounted upon
the valve stem d, preferably projecting from and. forming part of the boss of the
disc and this arm o is also curved upward and has formed at its end a vertically
arranged perforated staple. The arm o is so constructed that its end will come
against the end of the arm a, and the staples on the arms n and o will fit alongside
of each other when the valve is in a predetermined position, as in the half open
position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The valve may be held in such position by
means of an ordinary lock alone, as shown in Figure 6, or by my improved severable
sealing device alone, as shown in Figure 5, or by both the lock and the sealing
device, as shown in Figure 1. In my improved sealing device a tape p, or a cord
or other strong but severable connecting piece passes through the eyes of the staples
at the ends of the arms n and o, and passes over a knife-edged lug (shown
detached and in side elevation in Figure 1) secured to or cast upon the casing of
the valve, and its ends are brought together and sealed in a suitable manner, so that
the ends cannot be separated without breaking the seal. The knife edge of the
lug is closed so that the tape cannot be removed therefrom without cutting the
same or breaking the scal. This knife edge is not sufficiently sharp to cut the tape
under ordinary conditions, but in cases of emergency a heavy intentional strain will
cause it to cut the tape and thus release the valve, and the valve may then be
readily operated, the arm n readily turning on the rod m so as to permit the arm o
and valve stem to be rotated. When the tape has been thus severed it is of course
impossible to reunite it so as to conceal the break and the inspector is thus provided
with a certain means of knowledge of any operation of the valve. If a lock is
also attached, as in Figures 1 and 3, it is of course necessary to remove the lock
before operating the valve. The lock will effectually prevent accidental operation
of the valve under heavy strain or tampering with it by those not in charge, but
the seal is the effective device to notify the inspector that the valve has been
operated. In Figures 1 and 14 the knife-lug q is formed upon one of the bolts that
hold the bonnet band main part a of the casing together, and this is the preferred
construction, but it may be formed directly upon the bonnet b, as shown in
Figure 6 (lettered ') or formed upon or secured to any convenient part of the
casing.
9
It is often desirable to construct the valve so that it may be locked or sealed in
two positions, as in open and closed position, or even in three or more positions.
This is provided by increasing the number of arms o on the valve stem. In Figure 6
two such arms are shown, one being employed in locking or sealing the valve in
tightly closed position (in which position the valve is shown locked in Figure 6) and
the other being employed to lock or seal the valve in wide open position.
The weight of my improved valve may be reduced and the construction to some

page_text: extent simplified by mounting the arm upon the same rod m that holds the
indicating plate h, as shown in Figures and 6, thereby requiring but one rod m
for both indicating and locking and sealing devices. For some purposes this
construction will be best adapted, while for other purposes the construction shown
in the main views of the drawing, that is to say, with two rods m, one for the locking
or scaling and the other for the indicating device, will be employed, as in the latter
construction there is no obstruction above the indicating disc, and the indication
may be read at a glance when the valve is sealed or locked and sealed.
In the modification of the locking and sealing device illustrated in Figures 7
and 8, two arms are fitted one above the other on the right hand rod m. and
are bent so as to fit side by side and to surround and hold the squared portion of
the valve stem d, and to fit one on each side of the left hand rod m, the upper
portion of such left hand rod m being flattened to form a staple and having a pin
passing therethrough and through the ends of the arms. A lock is secured at
the end of such pin. A sealing tape passes through slots in the arms and
over a knife lug g. The arms are thus locked and sealed and firmly hold the
valve in desired position and prevent its being moved therefrom without unlocking
the lock and breaking the seal.
In Figure 4 I have shown a modification in the construction of the indicating
device. The indicating plates is here arranged with its grooved face upward and
is mounted upon a rod similar to the rods m and similarly secured in the boss
and provided with an index s as are such rods m, but the boss does not form part
of the bonnet, but is secured thereto. This boss t is formed in one piece with an
arm and such arm is screwed upon a portion of the stuffing box that surrounds
the valve stem. A. disc is mounted upon the squared portion of the valve
stem, and a pin secured to the hand wheel e projects downward to the disc u and
is so arranged that it occupies the same position in relation to the disc was does
the tooth 9 in the construction shown in the main views of the drawing. This pin '
acts upon the indicating plates in the same manner as the tooth g of Figures 1 and 3
does upon the indicating plate h. The advantage of this modified construction is
that the valve stem may be readily removed in all positions.
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 combination with a valve, its operating stem and its casing, such casing
having two parts, a main part containing the valves, ports and fluid passages, and
a bonnet supporting and guiding the operating stem, of a boss projecting from said
bonnet and integral therewith, a rod passing through and projecting out of said
bonnet and boss thereon and held at its inner end by a nut countersunk within
the bonnet at the juncture of such bonnet and the main part of said casing, and a
rotatable device fitted upon the other outer end of such rod and connected with the
operating stem of the valve, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with a valve, its operating stem and its casing, such casing
having two parts, a main part containing the valves, ports and fluid passages, and a
bonnet supporting and guiding the operating stem, of a boss projecting from said
bonnet and integral therewith, a rod passing through and projecting out of
said bonnet and boss thereon, a nut on the inner end of said rod countersunk within
the bonnet at the juncture of said bonnet and the main portion of the casing, a pin
passing through the nut and rod to hold the rod from rotation, a fixed index formed
upon the outer end of said rod, and an indicating disc rotatively mounted upon the
onter end of said rod and meshing with the operating stem of the valve, substantially
as set forth,
3. The combination with a valve, its operating stem and its casing, such casing
having two parts, a main part containing the valves, ports and fluid passages, and
a bonnet supporting and guiding the operating stem, of a boss projecting from
said bonnet and integral therewith, a rod passing through and projecting out of

page_text: said bonnet and boss thereon and held at its inner end by a nut countersunk within
the bonnet at the juncture of such bonnet and the main part of said casing, a fixed
index formed on the outer end of said rod, and an indicating disc rotatively mounted
upon the other end of said rod, another boss projecting from such bonnet and
integral therewith, a rod passing through said boss and projecting out of said boss
and held at its inner end by a nut countersunk within the bonnet at the juncture of
such bonnet and the main part of the casing, an arm on the other end of such rod,
an arm secured to and projecting from the valve operating stem and adapted to
meet said arm on the casing at a predetermined position of the valve, and a device
for holding together the arms of the casing and of the valve stem, substantially as
set forth.
.
4. The combination with a valve and its casing, of the valve operating stem
having a portion thereof projecting outside of the casing, of square cross-section,
and a locking arm and an operating wheel of an indicating device mounted upon
such squared portion of the valve operating stem, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with a valve, its casing and operating stem, of an arm mounted
upon the casing, another arm attached to the valve stem and arranged to meet the
arm on the casing when the valve is in predetermined position, a projecting lug
upon the valve casing having a knite edge, and a severable holding device passing
over such knife edge and around the arms of the stem and casing to seal the valve
in desired position, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with a valve, its casing and a rotating valve operating stem,
of a disc on the valve stem and a projecting tooth on said disc, a fixed index, a
rotatable indicating plate, an annular rim on the indicating plate, gearing grooves
and concave faces formed along the outer periphery of such annular rim, said
grooves meshing with the tooth on the valve stem and said concave faces engaging
with the disc on the valve stem, the said annular rim having grooves formed therein
extending inward from said gearing grooves and from the centres of said concave
faces, substantially as set forth.
7. The five-way gate valve, consisting of the valve casing a, b the gate valve c
therein, the opening in the casing having the valve port at its inner end, the
opposite opening in the casing, and the three openings a 2 and 3 extending
outward from the central chamber of the valve casing, substantially as shown and
described.
8. The combination with a valve its operating stem and its casing, such casing
having two parts, the main part a and the bonnet 6, the boss upon said bonnet b
the rod m passing through the said bonnet and boss, the nut m² on the inner end of
said rod m and countersunk within the bonnet at the juncture of said bonnet and
the main part a of the casing, the screw pin m² held between the nut m' and the
rod m, and rotatable devices mounted upon the outer end of the rod m, substantially
as shown and described.
9. The combination with a valve, its operating stem and its casing, such casing
having two parts, the main part a and the bonnet b, the two bosses upon said
bonnet the two rods m m passing through the bonnet, one of said rods m projecting
out of each boss 6', the nuts m', one on each rod m, each nut m¹ being countersunk
within the bonnet at the juncture of said bonnet and the main part of the
casing, and the screw pins m, one held between each rod m and its nut m', and an
indicating disc rotatively mounted upon the outer end of one of said rods m, and
meshing with the valve stem, and an arm rotatively mounted upon the outer end of
the other of said rods m and arranged to fit against an arm on the valve stem, and
devices for holding together said arms on the rod m and on the valve stem, substan-
tially as shown and described.
10. The combination with a valve and a rotary valve stem of the indicating
device consisting of an index and an indicating disc having divisions marked thereon
and provided with grooves constructed to mesh with a tooth on the valve stem and
having faces between such grooves engaging with a disc on the valve stem, and the
dise and projecting tooth on the valve stem, whereby the indicating disc is rotated

page_text: by the tooth on the valve stem and is held from rotation when the tooth is not in
gear with a groove on the indicating disc, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with a valve and a rotary valve stem of the indicating device
consisting of the fixed index and the rotatable indicating disc the disc fupon
the valve stem and the tooth g on the disc and the grooves and concave faces j
on the indicating disc h, the tooth and grooves being constructed to move together
when the divisions on the indicating disc pass under the index and to lock the disc
only when the index is between the divisions of the indicating plate, substantially
as set forth.
Dated this 14th dov at Lanvau 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.