IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL VALVES
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Albert Cutler at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th July 1882.
HENRY ALBERT CUTLER, of Clare Villa, Upton, in the County of Essex,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL VALVES
"
This invention has reference to improvements in ball valves so constructed that
they are in equilibrium or nearly so at all times and has for object the attainment
of equilibrium without the use of more than one valve or without the employment
of packing. In a ball valve according to my invention the valve spindle carries at
one end a valve of any convenient shape and at the other end a plunger or cylinder
of a diameter equal or approximately so to the effective or acting diameter of the
valve. The valve case has two openings situated on the same axial line, one of
which openings serves for the outlet of fluid and is controlled by the valve which
is so situated that it closes in opposition to the pressure of the fluid. The other
opening serves for the passage of the aforesaid cylinder or plunger which receives
the pressure of the fluid on its end that is within the valve case. In order that
there may be no leakage past the cylinder or plunger when the valve is closed it is
provided near its lower end with a ring or flange closing against a seating on the
casing. By preference I face the valve and the flange of the plunger with india
rubber to insure their both bedding firmly at the same time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Albert Cutler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th January 1883.
HENRY ALBERT CUTLER, of Clare Villa, Upton, in the County of Essex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BALI, VALVES
"
This invention has reference to improvements in ball valves so constructed that
they are in equilibrium or nearly so at all times and has for object attainment of
equilibrium without the use of more than one valve and without the employment
of packing or cup leathers. The accompanying drawing illustrates an arrangement
of ball valve according to my invention Fig. 1 being a sectional elevation and
Fig. 2 a plan.
The valve spindle A carries at one end a valve B of any convenient shape and at
the other end a plunger or cylinder C of a diameter slightly exceeding the effective
or acting diameter of the valve.
The valve case D has two openings situated in the same axial line one of which
openings D¹ serves for the outlet of fluid and is controlled by the valve B which is
so situated that it closes in opposition to the pressure of the fluid.
The other opening serves for the passage of the plunger or cylinder C whose
lower end is subject to the pressure of the fluid within the valve case.
In order that when the valve is closed there may be no leakage past the plunger
or cylinder C there is provided near its lower end a flange E (or it may be a ring)
between which and the plunger or cylinder C is interposed an india-rubber facing
or washer F closing against a seating on the casing as shewn.
The upper part of the flange E, as will be seen has a diameter slightly less than
that of the plunger.
It is advantageous also to face the valve B with india rubber as shewn at B¹.
By providing elastic faces I insure their bedding firmly and simultaneously on
their respective seatings.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The fluid entering under pressure
at G acts on the valve B and tends to force it open.
At the same time the fluid also acts on the plunger or cylinder C in opposition
to the pressure on the valve B, and, the plunger being of slightly greater diameter
than the effective diameter of the valve, no movement of the parts is caused by the
pressure of fluid against the valve.
The valve is opened and closed by the ball H which rises and falls with the
fluid in the cistern or tank to which the apparatus is applied thereby actuating
the lever I and giving a vertical motion to the plunger or cylinder C and valve B.
The lever I passes through slots L in the valve casing and through the upper
part of the plunger or cylinder C and is jointed at J to a projection or projections
from the valve casing.
When the valve closes the washers F and, BI take their seats simultaneously the
washer F preventing fluid from passing between the plunger or cylinder C and the
casing while the washer B' closes the opening D₁ through which the fluid would
otherwise flow into the cistern or tank. When the valve is open any liquid that
may force its way between the plunger or cylinder C and the casing is stopped in
its upward course by an annular groove K formed in the plunger or cylinder C and
passes freely through the slots L into the cistern or tank.
Having described the nature of the said invention and explained the manner in
which the same is to be or may be carried into practical effect I would have it
understood that what I consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the

page_text: invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is
providing the plunger or cylinder of an equilibrium ball valve with an elastic face
BO arranged in relation to the said plunger or cylinder and to a seat around the
lower end of its containing case as to prevent leakage past the said plunger or
cylinder when the valve is closed substantially as described.
I also claim the combination of parts constituting the improved ball valve
wherein equilibrium or approximate equilibrium is attained by the use of one
valve without packing or cup-leathers as described and shewn.
In Witness whereof I the said Henry Albert Cutler have hereunto set my
hand and seal this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
HENRY. ALBERT. CUTLER.
(L.S.)