Improvements in or Applicable to Valve Mechanism for Cylinders to Contain Liquids or Gases under Pressure.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 18th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 23rd Oct., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Applicable to Valve Mechanism for Cylinders to
Contain Liquids or Gases under Pressure.
We, JAMES ASTLEY and WALTER YOUEL, both at the Carbonic Acid Gas Company,
Pollard Street East, in the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Foremen, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to valve mechanism to be used with cylinders for holding
carbonic acid gas in the liquid or gaseous form, or Oxygen, Hydrogen, Coal Gas,
or other gases or aeriform fluids under pressure, and our invention consists in
combinations and arrangements of mechanism by which the valve will be closed
when the cylinder is charged by the pressure of the fluid or gases contained
therein; and the valve will be opened by a screw spindle rotated by a suitable
handle on the exterior end of the spindle. Our improved valve mechanism is
designed so that it can be combined with new casings or with existing casings
replacing the valve mechanism in such old casings.
We will describe three combinations and arrangements for carrying out our
invention.
a. There is a fluid tight junction in the end of the cylinder to which the valve
mechanism is to be applied, and into this junction one end of a casing is screwed
gas tight in the ordinary manner.
This casing has a screwed branch on one side for coupling with the pipe when
charging the liquid or gases into or discharging them from the cylinder.
The outer end of the casing is also screwed for a screw cap which acts upon
a gland ring to compress the packing, which is placed in the stuffing box at that
end of the casing, the bottom of the stuffing box being formed by a washer passing
on to the spindle and resting upon a shoulder within the cavity for the packing.
The interior of the casing is bored out in its axis, with a small bore at its
inner end, and then a larger bore for the lower end for the valve to work in, then
a slightly larger bore forming a shoulder for an elastic packing ring formed of
impervious india-rubber or other suitable material.
Then the bore is again slightly enlarged and screw tapped, then the bore is
further enlarged to form a chamber for the exterior of the movable valve spindle
and between this chamber and the side branch, there is a small passage, then
the bore is again further slightly enlarged and screw tapped, then the bore is
further enlarged to form the cavity for the packing material. The spindle for
forcing open the valve is screw threaded near its inner end to screw into the
screw tapped bore, the washer to form the bottom of the stuffing box is placed
on the spindle, then the packing material is placed into the box, and then the
washer or junk ring which is to compress it is placed upon the spindle and then
the screw cap is screwed on to act upon the junk ring."
But before the screw spindle is placed in its position as above described the valve
mechanism is first inserted within the casing.

page_text: The valve head is formed upon the inner end of a hollow stem or spindle.
Two holes are drilled just above the facing of the valve so that fluids can pass
past the valve head when open, into the hollow stem and then out of lateral
holes at the outer and of the hollow stem or spindle into the said chamber from
which it goes through the small passage to the side branch on the casing.
Of course the fluids or gases pass in the reverse directions when the valve is
open and the cylinder is being charged.
On the stem of the valve at its inner side a washer of suitable elastic material
such as "Impervious india-rubber" is placed, then a metallic ring or washer,
then a screw collar and above this there is the enlarged head on the outer stem
of the valve.
When the valve is inserted in the bore, the screw collar is rotated by a box key
or tube, which causes the inner end of the screw collar to force the metal
washer against the elastic washer and its edges against the shoulder in the interior
bore of the casing, thus making a tight joint between the metal washer and the
inner bore of the casing.
When there is pressure within the cylinder, the enlarged head of the valve is
moved outwards and the face of the valve is pressed fluid tight against the face
of the elastic washer. When the valve is to be opened, the outer spindle is
screwed inwards and its inner end acts upon the outer end of the stem of the
valve, and thus forces the valve off its seat, but when the outer spindle is screwed
outwards, the valve is free to close.
b. According to another modification of our invention, the casing, its stuffing
box and side branch, is similar to that described under head a.
There is an elastic washer, a metal washer on its outer side, and a screw collar
for securing these in the bore of the casting against a shoulder therein. The
interior bore of the casing on the inner side of the stuffing box is screw tapped
for a screw on the spindle coming to the exterior of the casing.
The inner end of the spindle passes through the screw collar and the metal
and elastic washer into a partly tubular valve free in the bore of the casing.
The outer end of this partly tubular valve forms the facing of the valve.
The fluid can pass from the cylinder into a hole in the centre of the inner end
of the partly tubular valve through side holes to spaces on the side of the valve
and when it is open can pass through lateral passages or holes into the hollow
inner end of the spindle and from the hollow spindle through side holes into the
chamber communicating with the side branch of the casing.
When the valve is opened by screwing the spindle inwards its inner end
(which passes into a hole in the centre of the other end of the valve) forces the
valve facing away from the elastic seating and the fluid can pass out from the
cylinder. The fluids pass in the reverse direction when the cylinder is being
charged, and the valve closes when the spindle is screwed outwards.
c. Another modification of our invention is somewhat similar to that described
under head b-a ball valve being substituted for the partly tubular valve.
There is a chamber formed in the casing for this ball valve the inner end of
which is closed by a washer or part secured in the bore of the casing, which
washer or part has say three holes through it, which will not be covered by the
bali when at the inner end of the chamber.
It is the inner end of the spindle which is tubular as described under modifica-
tion b, which pushes the hall away from its seating when the valve is to open,
then fluids passing the ball can enter side passages in the end of the spindle and
pass up its exterior into the chamber communicating with the side branch.
The fluids pass in the reverse direction when the cylinder is being charged.
We do not confine ourselves to the details above stated as they may be varied,
and for new valve mechanism the spindle and stuffing box are or may be dispensed
with, and the valve actuated to open and close it by the union, which screws on
and connects the pipe with the junction on the casing, which union may have at

page_text: cock or valve or other equivalent arrangement in it for regulating the flow of the
fluid.
Dated this Twentieth day of November 1896.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.
Improvements in or Applicable to Valve Mechanism for Cylinders to
Contain Liquids or Gases under Pressure.
We, JAMES ASTLEY and WALTER YOUEL, both at the Carbonic Acid Gas Company,
Pollard Street East, in the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Foremen, 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:
Our invention relates to valve mechanism to be used with cylinders for holding
carbonic acid gas in the liquid or gaseous form, or Oxygen, Hydrogen, Coal Gas,
or other gases or aeriform fluids under pressure, and our invention consists in
combinations and arrangements of mechanism by which the valve will be closed
when the cylinder is charged by the pressure of the fluid or gases contained
therein, and the valve will be opened by a screw spindle rotated by a suitable
handle on the exterior end of the spindle. Our improved valve mechanism is
designed so that it can be combined with new casings or with existing casings
replacing the valve mechanism in such old casings.
We will describe combinations and arrangements for carrying out our invention.
There is a fluid tight junction in the end of the cylinder to which the .valve
mechanism is to be applied, and into this junction one end of a casing is screwed
gas tight, in the ordinary manner.
This casing has a screwed branch on one side for coupling with the pipe when
charging the liquid or gases into or discharging them from the cylinder.
The outer end of the casing is also screwed for a screw cap which acts upon
a gland ring to compress the packing which is placed in the stuffing box at that
end of the casing, the bottom of the stuffing box being formed by a washer passing
on to the spindle and resting upon a shoulder within the cavity for the packing.
The interior of the casing is bored out in its axis, with a small bore at its
inner end, and then a larger bore for the lower end for the valve to work in, then
a slightly larger bore forming a shoulder for an elastic packing ring formed of
impervious india-rubber or other suitable material.
Then the bore is again slightly enlarged and screw tapped, then the bore is
further enlarged to form a chamber for the exterior of the movable valve spindle
and between this chamber and the side branch, there is a small passage, then
the bore is again further slightly diminished and screw tapped, then the bore is
further enlarged to form the cavity for the packing material. The spindle for
forcing open the valve is screw threaded near its inner end to screw into the
screw tapped bore, the washer to form the bottom of the stuffing box is placed
on the spindle, then the packing material is placed into the box, and then the
washer or junk ring which is to compress it is placed upon the spindle and then
the screw cap is screwed on to act upon the junk ring.
But before the screw spindle is placed in its position as above described the valve
mechanism is first inserted within the casing.
The valve head is formed upon the inner end of a hollow stem or spindle.

page_text: Two holes are drilled just above the facing of the valve so that fluids can pass
past the valve head when open, into the hollow stem and then out of lateral
holes at the outer end of the hollow stem or spindle into the said chamber from
which it goes through the small passage to the side branch on the casing.
'
Of course the fluids or gases pass in the reverse directions when the valve is
open and the cylinder is being charged.
On the stem of the valve at its inner side a washer of suitable elastic material
such as "impervious india-rubber" is placed, then a metallic ring or washer,
then a screw collar and above this there is the enlarged head on the outer stem
of the valve.
When the valve is inserted in the bore, the screw collar is rotated by a box key
or tube, which causes the inner end of the screw collar to force the 'metal
washer against the elastic washer and its edges against the shoulder in the interior
bore of the casing, thus making a tight joint between the metal washer and the
inner bore of the casing.
When there is pressure within the cylinder, the enlarged head of the valve is
moved outwards and the face of the valve is pressed fluid tight against the, face
of the elastic washer. When the valve is to be opened, the outer spindle is
screwed inwards and its inner end acts upon the outer end of, the stem. of the
valve, and thus forces the valve off its seat, but when the outer spindle is screwed
outwards, the valve is free to close.
We do not confine ourselves to the details above stated-as-they may be varied,
and for new valve mechanism the spindle and stufling box are or may be dispensed
with, and the valve actuated to open and close it by the union, which screws on
and connects the pipe with the junction on the casing, which union may have a
cock or valve or other equivalent arrangement in it for regulating the flow of the
fluid.
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section of one modification of our invention.
Fig. 2, is a detached section of a metallic washer for the elastic seating.
Fig. 3, an alternative arrangement of the valve being a longitudinal section
of the screw collar and other parts, and an external view of the stem and valve.
Fig. 4, a longitudinal section similar to that shown by Fig. 1,-but of another
modification.
Fig. 5, a similar view of another modification' in which the valve is actuated
by a screw. union on the tube which is connected with the pipe that takes away
from or supplies the fluid to the casing, and
Fig. 6, is a longitudinal section of the tube and union detached.
In the modification illustrated by Fig. 1:-
b, is the casing; b, the branch from it upon which the union is screwed' for
conveying the liquids or gaseous fluids to and from the casing, through the small
passage b, between the casing and branch.
The exterior and interior of the casing is screw threaded and bored out as
shown.
There is a metal washer 3, with a projecting tubular part e, on one side, (see
detached view' Fig. 2,) and this metal washer has a washer of impervious
india-rubber e, placed upon it and is then inserted in the bore of the casing as
shown, the metal washer e, being forced. down by a screw collar e, to hold and
secure the washer of india-rubber e, against the shoulder b, in the casing to
make a tight joint between it and the india-rubber washer which is formed of
what is known as "impervious rubber" or other similar or equivalent elastic
material.
The screw collar, has projecting squares , at its upper end by which it may
be rotated by a box key to screw it.in or out.
This screw collar e, forms the guide for the, valve stem dl, which is tubular
having a bore e, in its axis which branches at!its head end,into two side holes e,
and at its inner end this central bore also branches into two side holes cupon
which end the valve head c, is screwed fluid tight; as 'shown, the lateral holes

page_text: being just above the facing of the valve which facing is annular round the
stem c, this annular space being large enough to pass over and clear of the
tubular part c³, of the metal washer c, when the valve is closed and against the
elastic seating
The outer head of the stem of the valve, rests when the stem is pushed down
to its lowest position against the upper face of the squared 'projection on the
screwed collar. The valve c, is shown open and away from its seating c
The fluid first enters the small bore .at the inner end of the casing b, then
passes the annular space between the valve and enlarged bore ba, then passes
through the holes c,, and the central bore e, in the stem of the valve, out from
it through the holes, into the chamber 6, in the casing round the valve stem,
through the small bore b*, to the junction b'. The spindle d, is formed at its
inner end with a large screwed head de, to screw into a screw tapped bore in
the casing, which is large enough to allow the screw collar, to pass or screw
through it, then a washer do, is placed upon the spindle d, and its inner side
rests against a shoulder in the casing, and the space in the casing above the
washer dd, and between it and the junk ring d, forms the stuffing box, this junk
ring being forced inwards to compress the packing material against the spindle
and sides of the cavity forming the stuffing box by a cap dt, screwing
exterior thread on the outer, end of the casing.
on to the
As shown, the enlarged screwed head of the spindle de, is shown in its outermost
position with its outer face against, the inner face of the washer dd, in which
position it will allow the valve to lift. and close, but when screwed inwards its
inner propelling end will come against the head of the stem of the valve and
force it from its seating to allow fluid to pass outwards or inwards as required."
The stem c¹, of the valve may be arranged in some cases as shown in Fig. 3,
which is a longitudinal section this modification being intended more particularly
to close the valve when the cylinder to which the casing is attached is exhausted
of fluid, so as to prevent the admission of atmospheric air.
The stem of the valve c', and valve c, is constructed and arranged as shown
in Fig. 1, but the stem c¹, is surrounded by an helical spring f, which fits freely
in a cavity in the screw collar c, and rests at its inner end against the outer
face of the metal washer c, and acts at its outer end against the under side of the
head of the stem of the valve, the helical spring thus acts at all times to close the
valve, except when forced inwards as hereinbefore and hereinafter described.
Fig. 4, is a modification similar to that shown by Fig. 1, which modification
Fig. 4, we prefer to Fig. 1, as the valve is actuated by a spindle that rotates
simply, and a stuffing box in the ordinary sense is dispensed with.
The casing b, is shown as when screwed into the end of the cylinder a, which
is to hold the fluid under pressure.
The inner end of the casing b, screws and makes a fluid tight joint with the
cylinder a, by being forced against a red fibre washer a¹, as shown.
The casing and valve is constructed and arranged as herein before described
in reference to Fig. 1.
..
There is a screw plug d, which screws into the end of the casing b, against a
washer, of red fibre or other suitable flexible material.
The axis of this screw plug is bored out for the stem of the spindle d³,, and
there is a collar d, on the inner end of the spindle that acts against a metal
washer V shaped in cross section on its outer face that comes against' a
washer 5, of impervious india-rubber or similar material."
. When there is pressure of fluid in the casing the spindle is forced outwards,
and its collar da, causes the elastic washer to be compressed against the spindle,
and the side of the cavity do, in the screw plug.
The inner end of the spindle screws into a cap d', which has a projection d³,
from one side which fits a groove in the lengthway of the enlarged bore of the
screw plug d, that allows the cap, d, to move in and out but prevents it from
rotating. By rotating the spindle. d, one way, the screw
ew cap, moves inwards
**La
3243

page_text: to push the valve from its seating, and by rotating it the other way the valve by
the pressure acting thereon is allowed to close.
The end of the cylinder a, is screw threaded at a², to suit a cap to close the
cylinder when the valve casing b, is removed as usual.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the modification we prefer to use as the simplest and
most convenient.
;
fiffiffi
The casing in this case is shown with a taper thread to screw into a taper
screw tapped hole in the cylinder a, which is to hold the fluid.
The casing b, and valve are arranged in a manner similar to the modifications
illustrated by Figs. 1 and 4, except that there is no side branch 7, as in those
modifications.
There is a screw plug d, to screw into the end of the casing b, and it makes a
tight joint by coming against a red fibre or other suitable flexible washer d'. This
screw plug d, is bored out axially to guide a tubular spindle e, which can slide
in and out, e, being the bore of the tube which at its inner end has an enlarged
head e, and there are two lateral holes e, from the central bore e³. It is
the inner end of this head e¹, that comes against the head of the stem of the
valve to force it inwards and open the valve. Round the tubular spindle e, there
is a metal washer that is shaped in cross section on its outer face, and between
this metal washer d, and the end of the enlarged hore of the inner end of the
screw plug there is an elastic washer d, of impervious india-rubber or equivalent
material so that when there is pressure of fluid in the casing it comes upon the
metal washer, and compresses the elastic washer against the sides of the tubular
spindle and the end and sides of the cavity do, in the inner end of the screw plug,
and prevents the passage of fluid.
There is an outward projection d, from the screw plug, which is screwed for
a union e, (see Fig. 6) and this union is loose upon the end of a tube, connected
with the pipe which is to convey the fluid to or from the casing b.
There is a collar e, on the tube e, against which collar the union comes and
rotates, the inner end of the tube e, projecting into the interior of the union
when screwed upon the projection d", and this inner end of the tube e5, has a
washer of impervious india-rubber or equivalent material e', on its end.
Or the inner end of the tube 5, is or may be formed for a short length with a
thin projecting tube round its bore similar to e, Fig. 2, for tho elastic washer e,
to be placed upon and the outer end of the tubular spindle e, is made with a
cavity so that the thin tube on the inner end of the tube e, may freely enter it.
When the union e, is screwed on to the projection, from the screw plug d,
the inner end of the tube e, enters the cavity db, and the inner side of the elastic
washer e, comes against the outer end of the tubular spindle e.
It will be noted that as the valve c, is closed by the pressure of the fluid within
the cylinder, its stem acts to push the tubular spindle c, outwards until the
valve c, comes against its seating c, and when the union e, is screwed on the
projection d, the elastic washer e, will come against the outer end of the spindle,
and the washer will have to be compressed by screwing on the union e, with a
pressure equal to that holding the valve e, against its seating, before the valve
begins to open, therefore the elastic washer c', will thus make a tight joint before
the fluid pressure enters the casing from the cylinder a, and when it does it
continues to press the outer end of the tubular spindle e, against the elastic
washer e, thus keeping the junction between the two tight, while the valve
remains open and fluid is passing.
When the union e, is screwed on sufficiently the valve is opened, when
unscrewed more or less (without being entirely screwed off) the valve is closed,
or it is closed to any required extent.
The "impervious india-rubber" hereinbefore or hereinafter referred to is
known commercially as "Dexine" and the "red fibre" hereinbefore referred to
"vulcanized fibre" which is preferred, but other suitable material such as
soft metal, Ebonite or leather may be substituted in place of red fibre. It

page_text: will be seen that the elastic seating c, of the valve e, in each modification can be
readily changed or removed when worn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The combination of a screw collar, metal washer, elastic washer, valve stem
and valve with the casing for the valve so that the screw collar will both guide
the stem of the valve and hold the elastic washer forming the seating of the
valve made of impervious india-rubber or equivalent material substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. The combination of the alternative arrangement of the valve stem, valve,
screw collar, elastic washer or seating made of impervious india-rubber or
equivalent material and helical spring substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and illustrated by Fig. 3, of the drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of valve mechanism and spindle for
actuating the same with a casing substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described and illustrated by Fig. 1, of the drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement of a spindle rotating only screwing into
a cap within the casing held from rotating but allowed to move endways on the
screw of the spindle a packing arrangement formed by a metal and elastic washer
with a plug screwing fluid tight into the end of the casing for the valve sub-
stantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 4,
of the drawings.
5. The combination of valve mechanism and spindle rotating only, for actuating
the valve, with a casing substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated by Fig. 4, of the drawings.
MM
6. The combination and arrangement of a tubular spindle with a metal and
elastic washer with a plug screwing fluid tight into the end of the casing sub-
stantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 5,
of the drawings.
7. The combination of an union and connected tube having an elastic washer
on its inner end to make a tight junction with the end of the tubular spindle
shown in Fig. 5, when the union is screwed on to the screw plug screwing fluid
tight into the end of the casing substantially as and for the purpose herein before
described and illustrated by reference to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.
8. The combination of a casing having valve mechanism and mechanism for
artaating the same which is actuated by screwing the union on to the screw plug
closing the end of the casing, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described and illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.
This distaanth day of August 1897.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.