IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER GAUGES FOR STEAM BOILERS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO COCKS USED FOR STEAM AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Smith, of Derby, Brass Founder, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER GAUGES FOR STEAM BOILERS, WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO COCKS USED FOR STEAM AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 22nd August 1856, and dated the 28th February 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th February
1856.
I, JOHN SMITH, of Derby, Brass Founder, do hereby declare the nature of
my said Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER GAUGES FOR STEAM BOILERS,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO COCKS USED FOR STEAM AND OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention consists of the adaptation of a screwed rod valve in the
construction of water gauges for steam boilers, so that in case of the breakage
of the glass guage tube, the pressure of the steam and water shall cause
the valves to be shut instantly, and thus prevent the escape of the water
and steam. These improvements are also applicable to cocks of various
descriptions, such as stop-cocks, bib-cocks, and blow-off cocks for steam and
cold water.

page_text: The accompanying Drawing represents the improved water gauge in partial
section. A is the valve; B, its seat; C, valve rod; in the middle of this rod
is a three-threaded screw D. At the end of the rod is screwed the milled cap
E, by which the valve is opened or closed. The brass body F is screwed to
the end piece G, which is screwed into the steam boiler. At the opposite end
is fitted a gland II, in which is placed the leathern washer I, to make the valve
rod fit steam-tight in the event of the screw wearing away. J is the glass
gauge tube fitted on the top of the brass washer K, and made steam-tight by
a washer of gutta percha or leather secured by the nut L. The upper part of
the tube is fitted to the brass body M in a similar manner. The body M in
which the steam enters is provided with a valve of the same construction as
the one above described. N is the blow-off cock for cleaning and testing the
gauge. In the adaptation of the screwed valve rod to cocks of various kinds,
a catch or bolt is made to enter a notch or hole in the rod, to keep the valve
open.
SPECIFICATION.in. pursuance of the .conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd August 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
SMITH, of Derby, Brass Founder, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand oight.hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her loirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Smith, Her special license that I, the said John Smith,
my executors, administrators, and, assigns, or such others as I, the said
John Smith, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend,, within the. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for IMPROVEMENTS.IN
WATER GUAGES FOR STEAM BOILERS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO
COCKS USED FOR STEAM AND OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Smith, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the

page_text: same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Smith, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment thereof, reference being had to the Drawing hereto annexed, and to the
figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
This Invention consists in the adaptation of a screwed rod and valves in
the construction of water guages for steam boilers, so that in the event of the
glass guage tube being. broken, the pressure of the steam and water shall cause
the valves to be closed instantly, and thus prevent the danger arising from the
escape of the water and steam. This screw rod and valves are also applicable
to cocks of various descriptions, such as stop-cocks, bib-cocks, and blow-off
cocks for steam and hot or cold liquids.
The same letters refer to the same parts in the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 1 represents an elevation, and Figure 2 a partial section of the im-
proved water guage. It is composed at the lower part of a brass body A, in
which the valve rod B works, water-tight. To this rod are screwed or other-
wise fixed the two valves C, C, which fit tight to their seats D, D¹, when
necessary. The rod B is fitted with a screw E, which screws in the cap
piece F, screwed to the body A. The valve rod has fixed to it, by a small
nut F', a handle G, for the purpose of opening and closing the valves. II is a
blow-off cock-screwed to the body A, and is used for cleaning and testing the
guage; I is a nut screwed to the boiler plate J and to the brass body of the
guage A; L is a leaden washer; M is the glass guage tube fitted on the top
of the brass washer N; and made steam or water tight by a washer of gutta
percha or leather secured by the nut O. The upper part of the tube is fitted
in the same manner by the nut O'. The guage brass framing A' is fitted with
valves, which work as those already described, and is fixed to the boiler by the
same means. P is the water level of the boiler, also indicated in the guage
tube. To put the guage in action it is necessary to place the handles G in an
upright position, a little inclined to the left, by which means the valves C¹ are
opened, allowing the steam and water to enter the guage tube. In conse-
quence of the equilibrium of pressure in the guage, the valves remain in the
position in which they are placed, the valves C being shut, and the valves C¹
open; but in the event of the glass guage tube being broken by any means,
the equilibrium of pressure is removed, and the valves C¹³ instantly close, and
thus prevent the danger arising from the escape of the hot water and steam.
Figure 3 is an elevation, and Figure 4 a partial section of a stop-cock fitted

page_text: with the screwed rod B and valves C, C¹; U, the water way; V, a screw plug.
Figure 5 is an elevation of a bib-cock, and Figure 6 a partial section of the
Its construction is similar to the guage and stop-cock. In the adap-
tation of the screwed rod and valves to cocks of various descriptions a catch or
bolt may be made to enter a notch or hole in the rod to keep the valve open.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details herein laid down; but what I claim is,―
First, the construction of water guages for steam boilers with valves and
screw rod, as herein-before described and shewn in the Drawing annexed, in
order to prevent (in the event of the glass tube being broken) the danger
arising from the escape of the steam and hot water, as in the guages at present
in use:
Second, the construction of stop and bib-cocks, as herein-before described
and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
Witness,
JOHN SHELDON.
JOHN SMITH. (L.S.)