IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS REGU- LATORS OR GOVERNORS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY AND PRESSURE OF GAS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Blatch Cox, of 13, Strand, Torquay, in the County
of Devon, Ironmonger, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS REGU-
LATORS OR GOVERNORS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY AND PRESSURE OF
GAS"
Sealed the 23rd December 1879, and dated the 18th September 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Blatch Cox at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th September 1879.
JAMES BLATCH Cox, of 13, Strand, Torquay, in the County of Devon, Ironmonger.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS REGULATORS OR GOVERNORS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY
AND PRESSURE OF GAS."
This Inventiontion consists of improvements in gas regulators or governors for
regulating the supply and pressure of gas and for insuring at all times an equal
supply and pressure to burners, gas, fires, and other similar uses, no matter how
great the variation or irregularity in the company's mains. The apparatus consists
of a vessel of any convenient size or shape, filled about half way with water or
other fluid or fluids; within this vessel is a container or bell placed mouth down
in the said vessel, and which is jointed to the vessel. The inlet and outlet pipes
come from the bottom of the vessel to above the surface of the water and beneatli
the bell. To the inlet pipe and above the water line is arranged a suitable valve,
which valve is attached to the inside of the bell for the purpose of regulating the
area of the opening of the inlet pipe. An arm proceeds from the dome of the bell
for adjusting the screw and weight for setting or regulating the apparatus.
The action is as follows:-Gas is admitted through the inlet pipe to the container,
thence through the outlet pipe to supply the necessary lights.
The mode of adjusting is as follows:-At the time of the day when the pressure in
the main pipes is at its lowest the greatest number of lights required to be used at one
time should be turned on and lit, the quantity of gas needed should then be regulated
by screwing or increasing the balance weight which raises or allows the container®
to fall and closes or opens the valve. When any of the lights are turned off or the
pressure in the main is increased gas accumulates and raises the container still
further, closing the valve which prevents pressure at the burners which still remain
lit from increasing but preserves it at its original force.
In some cases I may use two containers connected by means of a pipe, and
working on an axis furnished with an adjusting screw and weight.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Blatch Cox in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
March 1880.
JAMES BLATCH Cox, of 13, Strand, Torquay, in the County of Devon, Ironmonger.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS REGULATORS OR GOVERNORS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY
AND PRESSURE OF GAS."
This Invention consists of improvements in gas regulators or governors for regu-
lating the supply and pressure of gas, and for insuring at all times an equal supply
and pressure to burners, gas, fires, and other similar uses, and which are meant to
be fixed to service pipes of houses, factories, or other places supplied (with gas at
or near their connection with the main pipes, for the purpose of preventing
alteration of pressure in the former no matter how it may vary in the latter.
They are made in various sizes according to number of lights required to. be
supplied.
The apparatus consists of a vessel or vessels of any convenient size or shape,
made of metal, china, or glass, or metal enamelled with china or glass, or of
two or more combined, through the bottom of which are inserted outlet and inlet
pipes. Inside this vessel and attached to it at or near one end by a hinge or joint
is a second inverted vessel or container. Gas is prevented from escaping between
these vessels by mercury, solutions of chloride of calcium, chloride of magnesium,.
or other salt or salts, or glycerine, or their solutions, or any other liquid.
The action is as follows:-Gas is admitted through the inlet pipe to the container,
thence through the outlet pipe to supply the necessary lights.
The mode of adjusting the valve is as follows:-Gas being turned on the desired
pressure or flow of gas is secured by screwing or unscrewing the balance weight,
which governs the movement of the container and the consequent opening or
shutting of the valve. The nearer the balance weight is brought to the hinge upon
which the container swings the lighter and more buoyant is the latter, and the
nearer the weight is brought to the opposite end of its screwed bar the greater the
effort required by the gas to raise the container. When any of the lights are
turned off or the pressure in the main is increased gas aecumulates and raises
the container still further, closing the valve which prevents pressure at the burners
which still remain lit from increasing but preserves it at its original force.
It will be obvious however that the inner vessel or container E being hinged
or pivotted at one end acts in itself as a lever, and except for the purpose of pro-
viding a convenient means of adjustment where pressure may vary from time to
time, the above mentioned bar and balance weight may be dispensed with.
In some cases I may use two containers connected by means of a pipe, and
working on an axis furnished with an adjusting screw and weight.
And in order that my said Invention may be clearly understood I will now
proceed to describe the same with reference to the annexed Drawings.
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section, and Figure 2 a cross section on the
line M, N. A is a vessel through the bottom of which pass the outlet pipe B and
inlet pipe C, at the upper end of the latter is an opening D; E is an inverted vessel
or container attached to the vessel A by means of the hinge or joint F; G is a plug
attached to the container E and fitting into the opening D, thus forming a valve;
H is an air chamber to assist in raising the container E; K is a balance ball or
weight before referred to for regulating the permanent pressure required. Line L
shews the height of liquid in the vessel A, but this may be varied without in any
way altering the action of the regulator, provided there is always a sufficiency of
liquid to submerge the mouth of the container.
A cover is sometimes used as shewn by dotted lines, Figures 1 and 2, in which
case the balance ball or weight K and screw are dispensed with, and pressure is
adjusted by placing small weights K¹ on the container E; these are put on or

page_text: taken off through the plug R. S is a vent pipe to prevent pressure of air in the
outer vessel A.
Its action is as follows:-Gas being admitted through the pipe C and valve D,
G passes out through the pipe B to supply the lights. Should all the taps be closed
the container E will immediately rise and close the valve D, G, falling again and
opening the valve as the lights are lit.
The pressure of gas at the burners is regulated by screwing forward or back the
ball or weight K. (or by putting on or taking off the equivalent weights K'), and
once fixed no variation can take place unless the regulating ball K (or weights K¹)
be again purposely moved; the air chamber H may be dispensed with by enlarging
the container E.
Figure 3 represents a longitudinal section of regulator specially planned for use,
where mercury is preferred as a means of sealing the joint between the outer and
inner vessel. A is a trough for containing mercury; B, outlet pipe; C, inlet pipe ;
D, container; E, plug which fitting into end of pipe C forms valve; F, ball or
weight to balance container D and adjust pressure; H, hinge or joint line; L,
height of mercury.
Figure 4 represents a cross section of same through the line O, P.
Figures 5 and 6 represent modifications of the valve G.
Having now fully set forth and explained my said Invention, I wish it to be
understood that I do not claim protection for any particular size or shape, or
whether the apparatus is covered or uncovered, or for any special valve or valves;
but what I do claim is,-
1. The general arrangement and combination of apparatus for regulating the
supply and pressure of gas, substantially as herein before described and shewn on
the Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
2. The use, for the purposes aforesaid, of the inner vessel or container E, pivotted
or swinging as a lever with or without the adjustable weight or weights
substantially as herein before described and shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Blatch Cox, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
TAMTA DT
MAT 244