Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Pressure of Water and other Liquids, specially applicable to Hydraulic Hat Presses or Brim Shaping Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1893.
Complete Specification Left, 21st Aug. 1894-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1894
LIUS.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Pressure of Water
and other Liquids, specially applicable to Hydraulic Hat Presses
or Brim Shaping Machines.
1
We, ALBERT TURNER and HENRY HERBERT TURNER, trading as John Turner,
of Denton, near Manchester, Hatters' Machinists, do hereby declare the nature of
our said invention to be as follows:-
Our invention refers to new or improved apparatus for regulating the pressure of
water and other liquids and is more particularly designed for regulating the flow of
water to hydraulic hat presses and hydraulic hat brim shaping machines. In these
particular classes of machines it is required to vary the pressure of the water
according to the thickness of the crown.or brim and quality of hat. Hitherto in
order to effect such variation it has been the custom to vary the weights on
the hydraulic accumulator which is highly inconvenient and undesirable.
In accordance with our invention we mount upon the pipe leading from the
accumulator to the hat press a small cylinder and piston, by preference arranged
vertically, the lower end of the cylinder opening into or communicating with the
pipe aforesaid. Also in the length of this pipe and at a point between the accumulator
and the small cylinder (say within a foot of this latter) we apply a small sluice,
slide or similar valve which by rising and falling serves to cover or uncover an
opening for the passage of the water to the hat press.
We connect this sluice valve and the piston of the small cylinder to a lever,
which lever at a point between the two connections is fulcrummed on the top of a pillar
or pedestal which is of such a height that if the piston in the small cylinder is
in its lowest position the sluice valve is in its raised or highest position. The
said lever on the cylinder side of its fulcrum is provided with a weight which
always tends to keep the piston in its lowest position and the sluice valve in its
highest position.
As the water flows to the press it passes the open end of the cylinder aforesaid
and should the pressure of the water rise above the resistance offered by the
weighted piston (which represents the maximum pressure desired) it will force the
piston up, thereby causing the rocking lever to simultaneously lower the sluice
valve and so diminish the flow of water to the press and reduce the pressure to
the required degree.
Any tendency for the pressure to fall below the pressure required will be
compensated by the piston falling and raising the sluice valve proportionately
higher.
By varying the position of the weight along the lever varying degrees of
pressure may be obtained and said lever may be graduated to facilitate the
adjustment of the weight.
The same or a similar controlling action may be obtained by a screw valve
operating horizontally with suitable levers to communicate the movements of the
piston.
To allow for the radial movements of the rocking lever and its proper connections
with the sluice valve and piston we provide one or more swinging links.
Provision is made in the top of the cylinder for the escape of any water. which
may find its way above the piston.
Dated this 20th day of November 1893.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Pressure of Water
and other Liquids, specially applicable to Hydraulic Hat Presses.
or Brim Shaping Machines.
We, ALBERT TURNER and HENRY HERBERT TURNER, trading as John Turner
of Denton, near Manchester, Hatters' Machinists, do hereby declare the nature of
our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to new or improved apparatus for regulating the pressure
of water and other liquids and is more particularly designed for regulating the flow
of water to hydraulic hat body presses and hydraulic hat brim shaping machines.
In these particular classes of machines it is required to vary the pressure of the water
according to the thickness of the crown or brim and quality of hat and hitherto in
order to effect such variation it has been the custom to vary the weights on the
hydraulic accumulator which is highly inconvenient and undesirable.
In accordance with our invention we mount upon or introduce in the length of
the pipe leading from the accumulator to the hat press a small cylinder and piston
the lower end of the cylinder opening into or communicating with the pipe
aforesaid and also in the length of this pipe and at a point between the accumulator
and the small cylinder (say within a foot of this latter) we apply a small sluice,
slide or similar valve which by rising and falling serves to open or close the
passage for the water to the hat press.
We connect the sluice valve and the piston of the cylinder to a lever which lever
at a point between the two connections is fulcrummed on the top of a pillar or
pedestal which is of such a height that if the piston in the small cylinder is in its
lowest position the sluice valve is in its raised or highest position. The said lever
on the cylinder side of its fulcrum is fitted with a weight which always tends to
keep the piston in its lowest position and the sluice valve in its highest position, and
by its adjustment along the lever varies the pressure on said piston.
As the water flows to the press it passes through the sluice valve and proceeding
to the press passes the open end of the cylinder aforesaid and should the pressure
of the water be greater than the resistance offered by the weighted piston (which
represents the reduced pressure desired) the piston will rise thereby causing the
sluice valve to simultaneously fall and so diminish the opening for the flow of water
to the press and reduce the pressure to the required degree.
And in order that our said invention shall be the more readily understood and
carried into practical effect we have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings and will
now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and
letters of reference marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is an exterior view and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section of our improved
reducing valve.
In accordance with our invention we introduce into the length of the pipe leading
from the accumulator to the hat press the pipe or casting (A) on which pipe or
casting (A) is a small cylinder (B) fitted with a piston (C) and arranged vertically
upon said pipe. From this saine casting extends a pillar or pedestal (D), a pin (D)
at the top of which forms the fulcrum of a lever (E) to which is connected, through
the medium of link (F), the piston rod (G) of the piston (C). To this same
lever (E), through the medium of the link (H) and rod (1), is connected a
sluice valve (J) enclosed and working within the valve casing (K) bolted to the
casting (A).
The lever (E) is fitted with a movable weight (L), hence the normal position of
the several parts under the action of such weight is as shewn in the drawing,
that is, with piston (C) in its lowest position and the sluice valve (J) in its
highest position and presenting a clear way for the passage of water to the press.

page_text: The action is as follows:-The water from the accumulator enters our improved
reducing valve through the opening (M) in the sluice valve (J) and passing
forward is lead to the hat press. Assuming the reduced pressure required to
be 300 pounds per square inch and assuming the pressure from the accumulator to
be 500 pounds per square inch the weight (L) is adjusted along the lever (E) until
the piston (C) is loaded to the desired reduced pressure. The water now passing
through the valve and acting at a pressure of 500 pounds per square inch on the
underside of the piston (C) will force said piston up into the cylinder (B) and such
piston owing to its connection with the lever (E) will simultaneously cause the
sluice valve (J) to fall and diminish the opening for the passage of the water until
the upward pressure of the water on the piston (C) is reduced to the downward
pressure of the weight (L) which is the required reduced pressure.
fall in the pressure of the water from the accumulator will cause the
rise or fall and accordingly raise or lower the sluice valve and so
reduced pressure and cause the water to flow at a uniform rate.
The same or a similar controlling action may be obtained by a screw instead
of a sluice valve arranged horizontally, say with the lever (E) connected to the valve
handle.
Any rise or
piston (C) to
maintain the
To allow of its ready movement the piston (C) is made a comparatively easy fit
in the cylinder (B) and to allow of the escape of any water getting above said
piston a small hole (N) is made in the side of the cylinder. The valve casing (K)
is recessed at (K) to allow for the valve (J) to fall therein when lowered by the
lever (E). The links (F) and (H) are provided to allow of the radial movement
of the lever (E). The weight is fixed by a nut (L'). To facilitate the setting of
the weight the lever is marked with divisions or formed with a serrated edge to
indicate various pressures.
Having thus 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 :-
1st. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting our improved
reducing valve, consisting of the pipe or casting (A), cylinder (B), piston (C),
weighted lever (E), sluice valve (J), links (F) and (H), rods (G) and (I) and
fulcrum bracket (D) or their equivalent when mounted and operating substantially
as set forth and illustrated.
2nd. The use and application of our improved reducing valve to hydraulic hat
body presses and hat brim shaping machines substantially as set forth.
Dated this 20th day of August 1894.
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.