Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Regulating the Flow of Liquids.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Regulating the Flow
of Liquids.
We, EDMUND BROWNELL WESTON and WALTER WELDON JACKSON, Engineers,
both residing in Providence, County of Providence, and State of Rhode Island,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement; -
The invention relates to an automatic regulating-weir especially designed and
adapted, among other uses, to be employed in connection with mechanical filters
in order to secure a constant rate of discharge of filtered water from the weir-tank
or chamber, irrespective of the height of the water column in said weir-tank, and
irrespective of the condition of the filter-bed. The device may, however, be used
in connection with an irrigation plant designed to supply unvarying amounts
of water from the source of supply to the various consumers, or, again to the
regulation of the water flow for power purposes, or still again, to control the
supply of solutions in chemical manufacturing plants.
It is well known to those skilled in the art that when water first begins to flow
through the filter-bed of a filter the bed is easily permeated, and the rate of dis-
charge is much greater than can be maintained after the filter-bed has become
less permeable through the collection of the coagulent generally used in filter
plants, or the impurities removed from the water and lying on and within the
filtering medium. Practice has determined a limiting velocity, or rate of dis-
charge, for each unit of area of the surface of the filtering medium, and this rate
must not be exceeded if the efficiency of the filter in the removal of bacteria and
other impurities is to be maintained. It is not only necessary to place a maximum
limit upon the rate of discharge, but it is also very desirable to preserve a con-
stant rate of flow of the fluid; and although variations in this rate may not rise
as high as the maximum limit, any considerable variation is still very detrimental
to the efficiency of the apparatus. Changes of rate cause changes in pressure on
the filtering bed, and, however slight, will tend to cause scouring action.
Our invention is designed to obviate the disadvantages referred to and to secure
a predetermined constant rate of discharge of filtered fluid from the filtering
apparatus.
The leading idea of our invention is to provide in a controlling device a con-
stant discharge opening consisting of an orifice traversing a tube of unvarying
diameter through the movement of a disc situated in said tube and operated in
the manner and for the purpose hereinafter set forth.
Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which letters of
reference indicate various parts throughout the several views. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
and 6 show our invention as adapted for water flowing by gravity. Figure 8
shows our apparatus adapted for water flowing by gravity or under pressure; while
Figs. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 show our apparatus when arranged for water
flowing under pressure.

page_text: Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a plant of 4 filters with
the inlet pipes for unfiltered water and the outlets for filtered water to the dis-
charge chamber. Fig. 2 shows in elevation and part section two filters with
their controllers, or regulating-weirs, and the discharge chamber. Fig. 4 shows
a sectional view of one of our controllers with its inlet pipe, and Fig. 3 exhibits
a cross-sectional view of Fig. 4 on the line lxl. Fig. 5 shows a sectional view
of a modified form of controller embodying the same principle of operation.
Fig. 6 shows partly in elevation and partly in section a controller through which
the water flows by gravity. Fig. 7 shows a controller through which the water
flows under pressure, and Fig. 8 shows a modified form of controller through
which the water flows by gravity or by pressure. Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14
show modifications of controllers through which the water flows under pressure.
The arrows in the drawings show the direction of the flow of the water.
Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, A indicates the filter which may be of
any suitable type of gravity or pressure filter containing the filter-bed and the
stirring and other apparatus and which it is not necessary to illustrate in detail
in order to explain our invention. CC, are inlet pipes to the filter for unfiltered
water, having the valves shown. D, D, are the outlet pipes for the filtered water,
and provided with the valves shown. B, B, are the controllers to regulate the
flow or discharge, and E, is the discharge chamber into which the water passes
for distribution. Now referring to Figs. and 4, M is the pipe through which
the filtered water passes through the butterfly valves V. into the controller
chamber B. The height of water at some determined period is indicated by the
dotted line w, w, (Fig. 4). F, is a float mounted upon the float-stem, J, operating
in the guides G, G, and P, is a deflecting or baffling plate designed to quiet the
water and reduce any currents, thereby giving a smooth entrance to the discharge
tube being aided in this respect by the cone N. N is a cone-shaped funnel leading
to the discharge tube L, having the purpose just stated, and is the float chamber.
Q indicates air-vents. Mounted also upon the float-stem J, at a fixed distance
below it so as to be maintained at a constant depth, there is the disc R, which is
preferably turned with a thin edge and sharp corners, and of such a diameter as
will give the annular orifice between the disc and walls of the discharge tube L
a predetermined area proportionate to the rate of discharge of the filtered fluid
desired. It is obvious that this rate of discharge can be increased or decreased
by decreasing or increasing, respectively, the diameter of the disc R.
The object of having the float F and the disc R mounted at a fixed distance
from each other is to maintain a constant head of water above the disc R, irre-
spective of the height of the water level in the chamber, and the consequent
position of the float F.
The butterfly valves V, of which there may be one or more, are operated by the
valve levers H, H, connected to the valve links K, K, and thus to the float, so that
the rise and fall of the float F operates to close and open the valves V, V.
The operation of our device is as follows:
The filtered water enters the instrument through the inlet pipe M and reaches
the float chamber through the valves V, V; it is discharged from the instrument
through the annular orifice between the regulating disc R and the discharge tube;
so that whatever the level of the water in the float chamber may be the discharge
through the annular orifice is constant, as the depth of the orifice below the free
level of the water, and its area, remain the same.
The function of the butterfly valves is to regulate the inflow of water through
the pipe M, and they act in the following manner:-
•
With a given head or pressure on the surface of the filtering medium, and free
discharge from the filter, the rate of discharge will vary with the condition of
the filtering medium. For a given head or pressure on the surface, the rate of
discharge being controlled by the controller, the condition of the filtering medium
will effect the pressure in the pipe M: the pressure being greater with a clean
filter-bed than with a filter-bed clogged with coagulant and impurities. If for

page_text: a given level w, w, of the water in the float chamber, the pressure in the pipe M
is such that more water will pass through the valves V V than can be discharged
through the annual orifice, the level of the water in the float chamber will rise,
and with it the float, to such a point that the flow through the valves V V is so
throttled that the equilibrium is once more established between the supply to
and the discharge from the float chamber. If, on the other hand, the pressure in
the pipe M is reduced, and consequently the flow through the valves V V, the water
level rises and the valves V V are opened wider by the float so as to preserve the
equilibrium. Should the head in the inlet pipe A be reduced below that deter-
mined as the minimum limit, the float will be submerged less, and, consequently,
the-head on the annular orifice and the discharge tube will be diminished below
the minimum desired. This will indicate a needed washing of the filter-bed, and
its indication can be manifested to the operator by an electric alarm (not shown
in the drawings) which can be connected to the float-stem of the controller so as
to ring a bell; or a small pipe can be run from the lower part of the pipe M
leading to the controller in which a ball float and graduated rod can be placed
so as to be watched by the attendant. We have not thought it necessary to
illustrate this device in the drawings.
The rated capacity of discharge may be adjusted by altering the degree of sub-
mergence of the disc R, or by changing the area of the annular orifice by sub-
stituting a larger or a smaller disc, as above described.
If there is a free discharge from the pipe L into the atmosphere, it is necessary
that air be freely admitted below the disc R, and this may be effected either
wholly or in part from below, or the float-stem may be made hollow, with vents Q
below the disc, as illustrated (Figs. 4 and 5).
repre-
In Fig. 5, we have shown a modification of our device which, while it is other-
wise like the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 4, differs therefrom in the fact
that the butterfly valve V, is placed in the inlet pipe M, this valve being operated
to open or shut by means of the jointed lever K, S, connected to the float-stem J,
so that the rise and fall of the float-stem J, operates to close and open the valve V,
respectively, and thereby regulate the flow of water into the controller chamber.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 show modifications of our device in which the differ-
ence of pressure in the water on the two sides of the disc which traverses that
portion of the discharge tube which constitutes the controller proper as well as the
parts connected to this disc and moving with it are counterbalanced by a weight.
In Fig. 6 P represents the inlet pipe for the filtered or other water and
sents the casing of the controller. GG are guides in the top and bottom of the
controller, respectively, and preferably situated at the centre thereof. The stem, I,
operates in the guides G G and has mounted upon it a disc D situated within the
chamber so as to reciprocate with the stem. The chamber F terminates within
the controller in the cone-shaped funnel N. The stem I has a pin p, at its upper
extremity which operates in the slots, at one extremity of the pivotal lever L.
To the other end of this lever L is attached the rod R operating at its lower end
the crank C. V is a butterfly, or other suitably balanced valve mounted upon a
shaft having its bearings in the walls of the pipe P and affixed to the crank C
so as to partially rotate and thus open and close in accordance with the recipro-
cating motion of the stem I. The weight c is suspended by a rope r, or other
suitable means, from the segment m attached to and movable with the lever L.
B is a deflecting or baffling plate designed to quiet the water and reduce any
currents, thereby giving a smooth entrance to the chamber F. Q indicates air
vents. X X indicates the height of the water in the controller chamber at a given
period.
In Fig. 7 our device' is shown as arranged for a form of controller through
which the water passes under pressure. In this figure, as before, P is a pipe
through which water is admitted to the controller and situated in this pipe is the
butterfly valve V, mounted upon a shaft and operated by the stem, I, through the
rack and pinion L. The counterweight is attached to the rope r secured to the

page_text: segment m which is mounted upon one end of the shaft of the valve V. D is a
disc mounted upon the stem I which operates, as above, in the guides G G. F, is
the disc chamber and E is the outlet pipe.
Fig. 8 shows a form of apparatus through which the water flows, either by
gravity or pressure, and in which the water is admitted to the controller through
the vertical pipe P. As in Fig. 6 the disc D is mounted upon the stem I
operating in the guides G G within the disc chamber F. E is the outlet pipe.
Attached to the upper end of the stem I at y is a link L which is connected at
its other end to the lug or crank u operating the valve V situated in the pipe P.
Also attached to the upper end of the stem I is a roper fastened to the segment t.
This segment t is mounted upon a shaft having its bearings in the sides of the
disc chamber. To one of the outer ends of this shaft is attached the arm a
terminating at its outer extremity in the segment-m. To this segment there is
fastened the rope r from which the weight w is suspended.
Referring to Fig. 9, P is the inlet pipe in which is situated the butterfly valve V,
operated through the jointed lever L by the stem I reciprocating in the guides GG,
and having mounted upon it the disc 1). The counterweight, arranged as shown,
consists of a toothed segment t gearing in a rack upon the stem I, and a
segment m having the weight w suspended therefrom by the rope r. These
segments render the action of the counterweight upon the stem I constant. E is
the outlet pipe.
Fig. 10 shows another form of controller also adapted for water under pressure,
in which the difference in pressure on the two sides of the disc is counterbalanced
by a weight. In Fig. 10, the valve V is situated downstream of the disc D, while
the counterweight is situated between the valve V and the disc D), as shown. The
device is otherwise substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 9.
In Fig. 11 is shown still another modification adapted for water under pressure.
In this Figure, the valve V is shown downstream of the disc D, and the counter-
weight is situated between the disc D and the valve V. The construction of this
figure is very similar to that shown in Fig. 9, and will be readily understood from
the drawing.
In the cases of Figs. 6 and 8, the counterweight balances the weight of the
disc D, the stem I, and the weight or pressure of water on the upperside of the
disc 1). In the cases of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the counterweight counterbalances the
difference in the pressure on the opposite sides of the disc D, respectively, for a
determined rate of discharge. In Fig. 7, the counterweight with the disc and
stem, balance the pressure on the disc.
The operation of our device in these forms having a counterweight is as follows:
The filtered water enters the instrument through the pipe P, reaching the con-
troller chamber through the inlet valve V; (in the case of submerged discharge,
the valve may be up stream from the disc, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, or
as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 downstream from the disc); the water is discharged
through the annular orifice between the disc D) and the walls of the disc chamber F.
As with a uniform rate of discharge through the annular orifice, the disc
chamber F, having the same diameter through the path of travel of the disc D,
the pressure on the disc will be constant. It is necessary that the movement
of the counterbalancing weight w remain the same, hence the weight is suspended
from the segment m.
The area of the orifice around the dise D and the weights and lever arms are
so adjusted that with the desired rate of discharge through the orifice, the counter-
weight will be balanced.
Suppose that this rate of discharge be established in the instrument. Now, if
the pressure in the pipe P be increased, or the pressure back of the disc D be
diminished, the discharge will be increased.
With increased discharge, increased pressure insues overbalancing the opposing
forces and moving the disc in the direction of the discharge. The movement of

page_text: the disc and stem in the direction of the flow tends to close the butterfly valve,
thus throttling the discharge until the rate of flow is reduced and the forces acting
on the disc are again balanced.
Conversely, a falling off in the rate of discharge due to increase of pressure in
front of the instrument, or increase of pressure back of the instrument, reduces
the pressure on the disc D below that necessary to balance the weights; in this
case, the disc and stem are moved against the direction of the flow, the butterfly
valve V is opened and throttling is reduced until equilibrium is again established
through restoration of the desired rate of flow. The above description applies
to those figures in which the valve V is shown upstream of the disc D.
The rated capacity of discharge may be adjusted by altering the degree of sub-
mergence of the disc D, by altering the counterweight, or by changing the area
of the annular orifice by substituting a large or a smaller disc as required.
If there is a free discharge from the annular orifice into the atmosphere it is
necessary that air be freely admitted below the disc D, and this may be effected
either wholly or in part from below, or the disc stem may be made hollow with
vents Q below the disc, as illustrated in Fig. 6.
It may be added that instead of a single disc D, having a single sharp edge,
we may use a disc which is made up, of several discs, or it may have rounded
edges; but in this latter case the discharge orifice should be made smaller for
the same rate of discharge by increasing the diameter of the disc. Further, the
disc may be of any suitable form; square, oblong, or ir regular, and the discharge
tube may, of course, be of any desired shape in cross-section, the fundamental
idea being that the disc, and thereby the orifice, may traverse the disc chamber F
without friction or retardation of any kind, and may keep the area between the
disc and the walls of the chamber constant.
.
It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the apparatus without
departing from our invention. Thus, other forms of lever may be adopted for the
levers shown; (the rack and pinion shown being an equivalent therefor); and
suitably balanced valves may be substituted for the butterfly valve V. Other
devices may be used for the segments; and the location of the parts permits of
some variation.
In Figs. 12, 13 and 14 we have shown forms of apparatus suitable for immersed
discharge and in which no floats or counterweights are used to operate the disc
which forms the orifice of the controller. Fig. 12 shows partly in section and
partly in elevation a controller through which the water flows upward under
pressure. Fig. 13 shows partly in section and partly in elevation a form of con-
troller through which the water flows under pressure to the discharge pipe at
an angle. Fig. 14 shows partly in section and partly in elevation a modification
of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 12.
In Fig. 12, P represents the inlet pipe for the filtered or other water, and A
represents the casing of the controller. G, G, are guides at the top
and bottom of the controller, respectively, and preferably situated at
the centre thereof. The stem I operates in the guides G G and has mounted upon
it a compound disc D, situated within the controller A so as to reciprocate with
the stem. E is the discharge pipe. Mounted upon the disc-stem I there is a
jointed or elbow lever L which operates the butterfly, or other suitably balanced
valve, V. This valve V is situated in the inlet pipe P and is mounted upon a
shaft which has its bearings in the sides of the pipe P.
Fig. 13 is similar to Fig. 12 with the exception that it shows the controller
arranged at an angle and not perpendicular, and the disc of a different form.
Fig. 1A is similar to Fig. 12, except that for the elbow lever L there is sub-
stituted a rack r and pinion p, the latter being in the form of a segment mounted
upon the shaft upon which the valve V operates.
While we have illustrated in the drawings Figs. 12, 13 and 14 the valve V as
being situated on that side of the disc D which is up stream of the disc D, or
toward the source of supply of water, it will be understood that the device will

page_text: be operative and the supply kept constant by placing this valve downstream of
the dise D, or toward the discharge.
The operation of this form of our device is as follows:
The orifice for the discharge of the water from the controller is the area between
the disc D and the walls of the controller. The friction of a certain rate of dis-
charge through this orifice determines the difference of pressure on the two sides
of the disc; this difference being balanced by the weight of the disc plus the
stem I, and link; L, or rack, r. For a given discharge, this difference of pressure
is constant. If the discharge increases under increased pressure of the water
supply the friction increases, and the excess of pressure being unbalanced causes
the disc to move in the direction of flow, thus reducing the opening of the valve V
until the discharge is again reduced to the rated capacity.
If, on the other hand, the pressure in the pipe l' falls, or the back pressure in the
outlet pipe E is increased, the discharge decreases, the friction through the orifice
decreases, and the disc falls back against the direction of flow, thereby opening
the valve V and admitting water until the rated capacity is again established.
The disc may have a single edge, as in Fig. 13, or it may have scores in its
perimeter or be composed of several discs superimposed and separated slightly,
as in Figs. 12 and 14. The disc may have rounded edges as well. Further, the
discs may be of any suitable form; square, oblong or irregular, and the discharge
tube may, of course, be of any desirable shape in cross-section, the fundamental
idea being that the disc, and thereby the orifice, may traverse the controller with-
out friction or retardation of any kind, and keep the area between the disc and the
walls of the controller, or disc chamber, constant.
The rated capacity of the instrument may be altered by changing the weight
of the disc or by changing the area of the orifice between the disc and the walls
of the disc chamber by enlarging or contracting the diameter of the disc.
It is obvious that in these forms of our apparatus, also, various modifications
may be made without departing from our invention.
Thus, other forms of lever may be substituted for the lever L, and other devices
used in place of the rack and pinion shown in Fig. 14. So, also, any suitably
balanced valve may be substituted for the butterfly valve V, and the location of
the parts permits of some variation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a liquid controlling device, a constant discharge opening consisting of an
orifice traversing a tube of unvarying diameter through the movement of a disc
situated in said tube and means for operating the same, substantially as described.
2. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of a float and disc, a dis-
charge tube, and inlet valves, said valves being operated by the float, substantially
as described.
3. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a tube
through the movement of a disc operated by a float, and one or more balanced
inlet valves operated by said float, substantially as described.
4. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a tube
through the movement of a disc operated by a float, and one or more balanced inlet
.valves situated in a false bottom in the filter chamber and operated by said float,
substantially as described.
5. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a tube
through the movement of a disc operated by a float, one or more balanced inlei
valves situated in a false bottom in the float chamber and operated by said float,
and a baffling-plate in said float chamber, substantially as described.
6. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing
a tube through the movement of a disc operated by a float, one or more balanced
inlet valves situated in a false bottom in the float chamber and operated by said

page_text: float, a baffling-plate in said float chamber and a funnel-shaped discharge-outlet,
substantially as described.
7. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a tube
through the movement of a disc operated by a float, and a balanced valve situated
in the inlet pipe to the float chamber and operated by said float, substantially as
described.
8. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a tube
through the movement of a disc operated by a float, a balanced valve situated
in the inlet pipe to the float chamber and operated by said float, and a baffling-
plate in said float chamber, substantially as described.
9. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a tube
through the movement of a disc operated by a float, a balanced valve situated in
the inlet pipe to the float chamber and operated by said float, a baffling-plate in
said float chamber, and a funnel-shaped outlet, substantially as described.
10. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an inlet balanced valve
operated by a lever connected to a sliding stem traversing the controller chamber,
said stem having a submerged disc mounted thereon, and a discharge tube, sub-
stantially as described.
11. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an inlet balanced valve
operated by a lever connected to a sliding stem traversing the controller chamber,
said stem having a weighted submerged disc mounted thereon; and a discharge
tube; substantially as described.
12 In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an inlet balanced valve
operated by a pinion, and a rack connected to a sliding stem traversing the
controller chamber, said stem having a submerged disc mounted thereon; and
a discharge tube; substantially as described.
13. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an inlet balanced valve
operated by a lever connected to a sliding stem traversing the controller chamber,
said stem having a submerged compound disc, consisting of two or more super-
posed discs mounted thereon; and a discharge tube; substantially as described.
14. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a
tube through the movement of a submerged disc mounted upon a stem, said stem
being connected to a lever operating a balanced inlet valve, substantially as
described.
15. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an inlet balanced valve
operated by a lever connected to a sliding stem traversing the controller chamber,
said stem having a submerged disc mounted thereon, and the pressure of the fluid
on said disc being, counterbalanced by a weight, and a discharge tube, substan-
tially as described.
16. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a
tube through the movement of a submerged disc mounted upon a stem, said stem
being connected to a jointed lever operating a balanced inlet valve; the pressure
of the fluid on said disc being counterbalanced by a weight, substantially as
described.
17. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a
tube through the movement of a submerged disc mounted upon a stem, said stem
being connected to a jointed lever operating a balanced inlet valve; the weight
of said disc, stem, and the pressure of the fluid on said disc being counterbalanced
by a weight, substantially as described.
18. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a
tube through the movement of a submerged disc mounted upon a stem, said stem
being connected to a jointed lever operating a balanced inlet valve; the weight
of said disc, stem, and the pressure of the fluid on said disc being counterbalanced
by a weight and a baffling-plate; substantially as described.
19. In a liquid controlling device, the combination of an orifice traversing a
tube through the movement of a submerged disc mounted upon a stem, said stem
being connected to a jointed lever operating a balanced inlet valve; the weight

page_text: of said disc, stem, and the pressure of the fluid on said disc being counterbalanced
by a weight; a baffling-plate; and a funnel-shaped discharge outlet, substantially
as described.
Dated this 24th day of October 1800
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicants.