Improvements in and Connected with Water Gauges for Steam Boilers.
Year: 1888

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Connected with Water Gauges for Steam
Boilers.
I, STEPHEN MATTHEWS, of 13 Noble Street, Hendon, Sunderland in the County of
Durham, Engineer 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 :-
--
This invention relates to Improvements in that class of Water Gauges where ball
valves are used and is applicable to the ends of the Gauge Glass tubes its object
being to minimise the inconveniences attending the occurrence of broken gauge
glasses by bursting or otherwise by providing means for the adjustment of the valvo
as well as easy access to the interior of the gauge attachments.
In explanation of my invention I will now refer to the annexed drawings in which
fig. 1 represents a side sectional elevation and fig. 2 a sectional plan of a water gauge
and fittings according to my invention, fig. 3 represents a cross section of the Huted
end of spindle K and fig. 4 is a section through the valve chamber.
A is the end plate of a steam boiler into which is screwed the plug B forming one
end of the gauge fittings. C is an ordinary gland cock for controlling the connec-
tion between inside of boiler and gauge.
D is a chamber in which the ball valve E works, access being obtained to the
interior of chamber and valve through aperture F which is closed when in working
order by screw-plug G. The bottom of chamber D is sloped or inclined towards the
boiler so that the normal position of valve E shall be at the lowest point of the
incline which terminates with a stop H as shown in figs. 1 and 2. J is a chamber
into the top or bottom of which the gauge glass J' is fitted in the ordinary way, a
suitable blow-through cock being fitted on that side of the chamber opposite to the
gauge glass. That side of the chamber J noarest the boiler is arranged with an
aperture giving communication between the boiler and gauge the area of the aperture
being controlled by the relative position of spindle K as well as by the position of the
valve E.
The end K of spindle K is hollowed out to the radius of the ball valve and its
diameter for a short distance from end K' is reduced as shown in figs. 1 and 2, the

page_text: portion reduced in diameter being fluted as shown in section in fig. 3 for purposes
more particularly hereinafter referred to.
The outer end of spindle K is made of a somewhat larger diameter than the inner
end, and the nut N through which the spindle passes is arranged with a quick pitched
thread so that an half turn of the handle or lever M, gives a horizontal travel to the
spindle coincident with such pitch of thread. The nut N is further arranged to screw
down the gland O upon its packing and this arrangement of double nut with threads
of different pitch performs a highly useful effect, for by easing nut N, the packing
gland is eased and the spindle can be drawn from the gauge thus affording means
for examining and cleaning the interior of the passage traversing the gauge fittings
without disconnecting the nut N and taking out the gland and packing as has hitherto
been found necessary.
The end K2 of spindle K is preferably cone-shaped to take the adjusting handle M
and a nut may be fitted on the extreme end of spindle to tighten up the handle M on
its cone.
The action of my improved gauge is as follows:-Under ordinary conditions of
working the cock C is open, the valve E rests on its seat at the bottom of the incline
and the spindle K is in the position shown in figs. 1 and 2, communication being
established between boiler and glass through port L. When it is necessary to blow
through for cleaning the glass or for other purposes, the ball is of course forced into
position E¹ but the spindle K is not only arranged with sufficient travel to hold the
ball off its seat but the fluted ends afford a passage for steam and water past the
spindle and through port L. by means of the flutes or grooves L' aforesaid.
Further when a gange glass bursts from any cause, the ball E is immediately forced
by the steam pressure in boiler into position shown at E which effectually prevents
the egress of steam and water from the boiler. The attendant having then closed
cock the ball E returns by gravitation to its seat and a new glass can be fitted at
leisure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be
clearly understood that I hereby disclaim the right to the exclusive use of ball
valves in water gauges, and I further disclaim the right to the exclusive use of
spindles for the adjustment of such valves, but what I do claim is :-
(1.) In water gauges for steam boilers where ball valves or their equivalent are used,
the specific arrangement or combination of parts formed by the valve E and inclined
seating and adjustable plug F in combination with the arrangement of quick pitched
spindle K and nut N all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and illustrated in the annexed drawings.
(2.) The specific arrangement or combination of parts substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated.
Data 191 CML 1000