IMPROVEMENTS IN SLUICE AND OTHER COCKS. VALVES. AND TAPS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Patrick Benignus O'Neill, of St. Mary's Villa,
Fulham, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SLUICE AND OTHER COCKS. VALVES. AND TAPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Patrick Benignus O'Neill
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th June 1864.
I, PATRICK BENIGNUS O'NEILL, of St. Mary's Villa, Fulham, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SLUICE AND OTHER COCFS, VALVES, AND TAPS," to be as
follows, that is to say :-
By this Invention it is intended to introduce certain new forms and modes
of making and fitting sluice and other cocks, valves, and taps, and to alter
the forms and modes of fitting certain parts of the said articles as at present
constructed.
The objects of the said new forms and improved parts are, 1st, to supply a
more effective apparatus for opening and closing large and small pipes and
ducts for the passage of water, steam, gas, and other fluids and vapours;
2ndly, improved valves and taps for drawing off and more effectually securing
the contents of vessels containing liquids; 3rdly, to render such opening and
closing media, or any of them, capable of being used as meters; 4thly, to
remedy the leakage in certain parts of similar articles as at present formed;
5thly, to afford the means of access to the working parts without removing
the apparatus from the pipe or vessel; and, lastly, to make cocks, valves,
and taps for ordinary uses with a double stop, and in two parts to separate,

page_text: so that in the event of its being necessary to remove the tap from any vessel
containing liquid it may be so removed without causing the contents to leak
or be wasted.
In the improved construction of opening and closing media above mentioned
I propose to introduce a new form of plug. This plug, modifications of
which may be used in almost all cases, I make hollow, and of a cylindrical,
conical, or rectangular and tapering shape externally, such forms respectively
being either entire or segmental, as circumstances may require. In the case
of sluice cocks for opening and closing waterworks and other pipes, I propose
to use a three-sided hollow plug (with plain or curved surfaces) and to cause
the actuating screw to work in a nut in the hollow. The advantage of this
form of plug over the ordinary closing plate is, that when screwed down, it
shuts the water off and out of the box in both directions, or from the fore and
after pipes, so that the lid or cover can then be taken off when the interior plug
or screw and connections can be examined, and the latter removed, repaired,
(when required), and [replaced without it being necessary to shut off the
water at any other point, while a more effective water-tight closing is thereby
obtained, and the screw stuffing box leakage prevented. In order to make
the latter still more perfectly water-tight and at the same time prevent the
ingress of grit or other objectionable matter, I form the gland with a dipping
flange or circular tongue which fits into a circular groove in the lid.
Instead
of attaching the ends of the mains (fore and aft) directly to the box as is now
done, I introduce a plate valved end to each pipe, so that in case of
need the new or ordinary sluice cock when thus provided could be removed
altogether and replaced, or another substituted, without shutting off the water
at any other point. When a flap or balance valve is used in the pipe ends
I make the latter larger than the other part of the pipe. When it is neces-
sary to preserve uniformity of sectional waterway without lateral obstructions
or enlargements, I make the sluice cock in the form of a transverse double
cylinder (or segment), the inner cylinder (hollow) then forms the plug, and is
traversed by a pipe of the same size and shape as the main, the water in this
case is shut off by a rising or turning motion of the inner cylinder; the
cross pipe may be straight or curved as required by the "line" of the mains.
(The second above-mentioned improvements which apply to taps generally
are herein-after described.) By making the plugs of cocks, valves, and taps
in the forms herein described (so that a full way not only of the same area but
of the same shape or transverse section as the pipe, trunk, or main is pre-
served), I not only obtain a better flow but a better plan for making such
cocks, valves, and taps act as meters for indicating the quantity of liquids or

page_text: vapours passing through them. One form of cock, valve, or tap which I
propose to adopt as a meter, consists of fore and aft cylinders, pipes, or cones,
between which I insert an enlarged chamber. In this chamber I fit a vaned
wheel, the vanes of which exactly fit the chamber but do not touch at the
peripheries. The fluid passing this wheel will turn it either with the same or
some relative velocity, and thus through the axis motion may be given to a
train of wheel-work or other mechanism, by which the quantity of fluid
passing through the chamber may be ascertained. A double chamber, each
opened and closed, and filled and emptied alternately, may also be made to
form a part of such taps, and be substituted for the wheel if preferred. Other
forms of meters may also be added, such as a double tipping cup, or double
cylinder, or the fluid may be made to alternately fill two or more intermediate
chambers, one of which is charged with air, and I would here observe that
I propose to place a small compressed air chamber upon some of these meters
in order that a full flow may be thereby assisted.
In some cases I fit the taps with internal air tubes to answer the purpose
of vent pegs. These tubes rotate, and by such rotation alternately open and
close the air passage.
Common taps for general purposes I make with two
hollow cones or tubes to separate in the middle. In one of these cones I
form a filter, and in the other an inner hollow bell-mouthed coned plug. (The
same result may be obtained in the cylindrical form before mentioned with a
sliding or turning motion). The cone plug just described has an aperture in
the side, and in the outer cone a corresponding aperture and dipping nozzle.
The end of the plug passes through the outer cone, and is there fitted with a
lever or thumb-piece for turning it, or it may be turned by a knob and short
radial arm working through a slot in the outer cone, or by any other
suitable contrivance.
A further improvement in taps for securing the contents of vessels I effect
by the last-mentioned construction, and the addition of a lock in the end of
the fore cone and plug. The lock I propose consists of one or more fixed or
tumbling wards which the key must pass or raise before it reaches the plug,
and allows it to be turned either by the key or lever.
Another form of common tap which I propose to employ, having also a
separating joint in the centre, is fitted with a moveable end pipe and disc
valve closed by the pressure of the fluid when the tap is removed and opened
by the sliding or turning rod or lever which actuates the main valve or plug of
the tap. The driving ends of the common taps I protect by a small hard wood
knob, which can be put in and taken out at pleasure, or may be a fixture.
For steam and gauge cocks I also apply the bell-coned plug construction;

page_text: the plugs are either made to turn or slide, or both. The object of the bell-
coned form is to prevent the plug from getting fast, and of the sliding motion
combined with the turning motion to obtain a more perfect closing of the
plug this compound motion is effected by making the plug with a screw
end. In fitting the pipe connections to the steam cocks, I place the axis of
the cones in a line with the axis of the pipe when required, and carry the
latter past the cones at the side thereof and parallel (or inclined) thereto, and
return the said pipe when required to the line of pipe axis again beyond the
end of the coned cock, and at such end I fit the lever for turning the same;
these ends are fitted with a packing gland and internal and external screwed
collars; the packing and cone can thus be cased, or slacked, or tightened
when required. In bib cocks for boilers I place the plug cones at an angle
with one or both of the end pipes. In gauge cocks I provide for the blow-off
by a small cross tube through the hollow-coned plug. In cases where the
steam cocks are required to stand very high pressure I make the steam to
pass both outside and inside of the hollow plugs.
For fire plugs or brigade cocks I adopt both the cylindrical, conical, and
disc principles herein described, and in some cases use an outer and inner
globe, the inner globe being partly cut away and the outer one made to
separate in the centre, as in the case of the double-coned trunk before
described.
I further propose to make the plugs, cones, and valves self-lubricating;
this I effect by drilling one or more holes or oil chambers therein lengthways
near the periphery or outer surface thereof, such chambers being closed by
screws or other suitable means. In each of these longitudinal chambers I
make two or more small holes from the outside or periphery of the plug for
the oil to flow between the surfaces as the cone, plug, or valve is moved.
And in order to admit the necessary supply of air to the oil chamber, I pro-
pose to make a small channel part of the way down the side of the plug, but
not to reach to the top; and in the bore, or way, or seat of the said cone,
plug, or valve I form a similar small channel from the top down to the
channel before mentioned, so that a communication between the atmosphere
and the oil chamber is thereby provided, but only opened when the cock,
valve, or tap is turned "on."
In order to admit air to vessels containing liquids to or above the surface
of such liquids as the same is drawn off, I propose to form and apply
a double tap, or two taps, or a tap and valve so connected that both shall be
opened and closed simultaneously either by levers and connecting rods, or any
other suitable means.

page_text: Other modifications may be made by varying the position of the cones and
the trunk connections, but in all cases I propose to make use of one or more
of the forms and modes of fitting and actuating the parts herein described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Patrick Benignus O'Neill in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 15th December 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PATRICK
BENIGNUS O'NEILL, of St. Mary's Villa, Fulham, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the 27th year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Patrick Benignus O'Neill, Her special license that I, the said Patrick
Benignus O'Neill, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Patrick Benignus O'Neill, 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 SLUICE AND OTHER COCKS, VALVES, AND TAPS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Patrick Benignus O'Neill, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, or under the hand and seal of one of them, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the 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 Patrick Benignus O'Neill, 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 statement, that is to say :-
By this Invention it is intended to introduce certain new forms and modes
of constructing and fitting sluice and other cocks, valves, and taps, and to alter
the forms and modes of fitting certain parts of the said articles as at present
in use

page_text: The object of the first part of the said Invention is to supply an improved
and more effective apparatus for opening and closing pipes and other similar
ducts for the passage of water, steam, gas, and other fluids and vapours for
opening and closing vessels containing liquids, and for more effectively
securing the contents thereof, and also for measuring and registering or indi-
cating the quantity passing through the said apparatus; and the object of the
second part of the said Invention is to remedy the leakage, and otherwise
improve the form and construction of parts of similar apparatus as at present
made, and to render the same less liable to derangement and injury when
in use.
In the application of my said Invention to the production of a common tap,
I form the main trunk or body of the tap in two parts, each of which consists
of a hollow cone. I join the larger ends of these cones together by flanges
formed thereon, or by screws, or any other suitable means, thus forming a
straight pipe or duct tapering towards each end; one of these ends is fitted
with a filter, or is perforated for being inserted into the vessel or banel, and
the other end bored out and fitted with an inner hollow bell-mouthed cone
closed at the smaller end, but having an aperture in the side; this inner cone
forms the plug or valve of the tap, and in the side of the outer fore cone I
also form an aperture surrounded by a short curved-angular or dipping pipe
or nozzle; this piped aperture corresponds with the opening in the side of the
hollow plug before mentioned, by turning which plug the passage through the
tap is opened and closed. By making the body of the tap in two parts to
separate, as herein described, it can be readily taken to pieces for cleaning, or
when from any cause a ready access to the plug or interior of the tap is
desirable. By making the plug hollow and fitting it as herein described, a
very large, free, and uninterrupted passage is provided through the tap, and by
making the hollow cone plug bell-mouthed it is prevented from getting fast or
jammed in the socket, while less metal or material is required in its forma-
tion, and the body may be of similar or dissimilar materials. The end of the plug
passes through the end of the fore cone of the body of the tap, and is turned
by a cross head, thumb-piece, fixed or moveable key, or lever. By the simple
addition herein-after described the aft cone is made self-closing when in the
banel or vessel, and the fore cone and plug are removed. For further
improving this tap, I make the "fore cone" of the body to extend beyond the
end of the plug, and in the space between the outer and inner cones I form
and fit lock wards and tumblers, which the tap key has to pass and raise
before the plug can be reached and turned, thus affording great security to
the contents of the vessel.

page_text: Another improvement, which I also propose to introduce in the formation
of these articles, consists in the addition of a small rotating vent pipe, which
is fitted to, turns with, and is opened and closed by the turning of the
plug, so that the liquor and vent passages are opened and closed thereby
simultaneously.
In the construction of steam cocks I also apply the hollow bell-cone plug
with a lateral or side opening as before described; in this case, however, the
body of the cock is cast whole and screwed or tapped at the ends in the usual
way. The body is coned and plugged at one end and curved in the centre,
so that the body there passes the end of the cone on one side and then returns,
so that the axes of the two ends and the plug may be in a straight line, or the
axis of the latter may be at an angle with the former, so as to make the steam
passage as nearly direct as possible; the end of the coned plug passes through
the end of the body or outer cone, the former being fitted with a key or lever
for turning it, and the latter with a screwed stuffing box and an adjusting
screw, gland, or collar for slacking and regulating the cone plug in case
of need.
Another form of improved steam or stop-cock, which I propose to intro-
duce consists of a double-cone plug and a curved and straight end pipe; in
this case the cones are inverted, that is, the steam passes through the outer
cone of the valve or cock before it enters the inner cone or plug, both cones
being enclosed in one end of the pipe, which end is removable for ready access
to the valve or outer cone and plug, one or both of the latter being also
removable, together or separately, when required for cleaning or repair. In
the side of the main pipe of this cock there is an opening closed by a stuffing
box, through which a piston which actuates the inner cone or plug works;
this piston is turned by a cross head or lever; the plug is formed with a
straight short cylindrical flange beyond the bell of the cone; the outer cone
is formed to correspond therewith; at the small end of the plug (or upon the
piston which actuates it) there is a screw, and this screw as the plug is turned
causes it to move through a smaller space backwards and forwards in the line
of its axis. This form and compound motion of the plug gives it a double
advantage; first, it causes the plug to work home with a more perfect and
steam-tight action when closed; and, secondly, it gives the plug the necessary
slack when opening the cock, and prevents the possibility of leakage in the
one case and of binding or jamming in the other, evils which are common in
cocks of this class as at present constructed. By inverting the cones and
causing the steam to pass through the outer cone before it enters the plug, and
surrounding the latter, which is the moving part, by the former, which is the

page_text: fixed part, it thus acts as a shield or pressure jacket for the plug and prevents
the steam from pressing upon it with its full force and unequally, as in the
ordinary make, where the plug from this cause is constantly being rendered
unserviceable.
The bell-cone principle plug in the steam cock, first above described, also
possesses the improvement last mentioned, as although the interior of the plug
is directly open to the full pressure of the steam, the force is equalized by the
hollow form, and therefore the steam merely acts upon this kind of plug so as
to drive it home, and while the force of the steam is thus made to increase
the steam-tight closing efficiency of the plug, it is prevented from thus acting
injuriously, that is, from causing the plug to bind by the bell-mouth form.
The screw "slacking" motion of these plugs, whether of the conical, cylin-
drical, pyrimidal, or wedge form, I propose to introduce generally where
such improvement may be considered desirable.
;
In the formation of sluice cocks, such as are used for opening and closing
waterworks and other pipes, I propose to use a hollow plug, either in the form
above described, or with the cone surface reduced externally to a number of
sides having plain or curved surfaces; for instance, I will take the case of an
ordinary water main sluice cock; here, in place of making a rising and falling
plate to open and close the waterway, I introduce a three-sided tapering
hollow plug this plug I actuate by a screw in the usual way; I "face" each
side of this plug by plaining or otherwise, and in the plug box I also form a
similar three-sided opening (answering to the outer cone of the cone plug in
the common and steam cocks before mentioned); these openings I also "face,"
so that when the plug is screwed down "home" it closes the waterway, and
shuts off the water in both directions. By the introduction of the improved
form of plug in this case I obtain, first, a more efficiently water-tight appa-
ratus, and at the same time by the single operation of closing the plug thus
formed and fitted, and thereby shutting off the water on both sides of the
plug, and consequently shutting the water also out of the plug box, I obtain
a sluice cock, the box of which (when the plug is closed) can at any time be
opened and the screw taken out, or the plug examined and cleaned, and the
whole again replaced without closing any other cock, whereas with the common
sluice cock, in order to do this, it is necessary to first shut off the water in
the main by closing the next sluice on each side; in many cases these are at
a considerable distance, and the consequence is the water in the whole of the
intermediate service pipes is for the time being thereby intercepted (an evil
which this Invention proposes to remedy). I make the top and bottom of
the plug box removeable, so that access can be more readily obtained to every

page_text: part of the interior, and in the bottom plate I fit a tap to draw off the water
in the box.
Another improvement which I introduced in the construction of these cocks
is intended to prevent the ingress of grit or dirt to the stuffing box, through
which the stem of the screw works), and consists in forming a short cylin-
drical vertical flange at the top of the gland, and over this cylinder I fit an
inverted cup, in which there is a circular groove to receive the vertical flange
of the gland, and in the bottom of which groove I also fit a packing ring of
india-rubber, which rests upon the edge of the flange before mentioned when
the cap is fitted on.
Another improvement which I propose to introduce in conjunction with
the cock last mentioned, or in any case in which it is desired to effect a similar
object to that described, consists in forming and fitting at the sluice box pipe
junctions a balance plate, flap, or disc valve, to close the water ways on each
side of the regular sluice cock in case of need, so that the latter with the box
entire can be bodily removed when worn or otherwise rendered imperfect, and
be replaced by its duplicate or otherwise. In order that these valves may
offer no obstruction to the full volume of the water when open I form a recess
or enlargement at the top, bottom, or sides of the main, by preference at the
top), and in this recess I fit the flap, which consists of a simple flat plate
hinged in the centre and of such a size that its surface upon which the water
impinges shall be equal to twice the area of the main to which it is fitted,
and be thus balanced upon its vertical or horizontal axis of motion. The
disc valve, which is also similarly balanced, I place in an enlargement of the
main provided for its reception; in this form of valve the water flows past
the disc on all sides until it is actually closed. Where it is required to
preserve a very uniform flowing volume of water, a desideratum in all large
mains, I propose to introduce a hollow plug valve formed in the following
manner-I form two concentric cylinders, the length or depth of which in
the direction of their axis is a little greater than the diameter of the pipe
upon which they are intended to be placed. These cylinders may be coned as
before described, when required, or formed with a bell mouth at the opening
end, in either case they are closed at each end by suitable covers; these
covers, however, are removeable when required, and are fastened or fixed to
the cylinders by screws or otherwise. The outer cylinder has a short flanged
or otherwise formed junction pipe at opposite sides for attaching the same to
the water or other main pipe upon which it is intended to be placed, and is
also formed or fitted with a side recess to receive a screw for turning the
inner cylinder enclosed therein. The inner cylinder takes the place of the

page_text: plug of the cocks before mentioned, and like them is made hollow. The
diameter of these cylinders is a little more than twice the diameter of the
main pipe which they are intended to open and close; and in and across on
one side of the centre of the inner cylinder or "plug" an enclosed passage or
pipe of the same size and shape as the water main is formed or fitted. The
action of this sluice cock or valve is as follows:-The cross pipe in the inner
cylinder is the "water way" of the cock, and when turned so that its opposite
apertures are exactly in a line with the openings in the outer cylinder (these
latter openings forming continuations of the "main") it forms one continuous
pipe, duct, or passage of a uniform size and shape with the main, and as the
apertures in the outer cylinder exactly correspond, there is no angle, projection,
or recess to cause the water to "eddy" or contract in passing through the
valve. When it is required to turn the water "off" the inner cylinder is
moved round by a screw working in a rack on the edge of the flange thereof,
and which screw is fixed to the outer cylinder in the recess before mentioned.
In this position the top and bottom plate can be taken off and the interior
examined and repaired when necessary without closing any other valve. I
prefer to construct the outer and inner hollow portions of the valve in the
form of cylinders or cones, but at the same time I also propose to use
a square, oblong, or flat shape, where these latter forms are more convenient,
and to make them lift or slide according to the circumstances of space and
position; and I also propose to actuate the inner cyllinder or otherwise formed
plug by a lever rack and pinion, or other equivalent mover. With a valve of
any of these forms it is practical to open and close a curved or angular pipe
and still persever the "line" of flow. This is effected by making the "way"
"
or cross passage" curved, and so on.
Another modification of vertical tap I also propose to employ consists of a
chamber and vanes, or a cylinder and piston. In this case the fluid is caused
to act like the steam in a steam cylinder, i.e. to impel the vanes from end to
end of the chambers or cylinders to the other, and to register the strokes upon
an external dial or other indicator. I also propose to insert a tipping meter
between the cones, so that the issuing fluid in passing through the tap is made
to alternately fill two tipping cups, which are so fitted and balanced that they
will only tip when the water rises therein to a certain line (the quantity being
known), when the full one instantly falls over and brings the empty one into
position; or I effect the same result by making the rise of the water to a
certain line in two holders of equal capacity actuate opening and closing inlet
and outlet valves. Upon all these metrical media I fit a suitably formed air
vessel or chamber for holding a certain quantity of air pressed by a lever and

page_text: piston or otherwise, in order to regulate the flow and render it uniform in
quantity by keeping the channell "full," and also to receive the air separated
from the fluid by motion.
Another form of meter consit of a double tap or tap in which there is an
air passage or chamber in which the air replacing the fluid is measured and
indicated, and thus becomes the guage of the quantity of the issuing fluid.
In this case I place one of these taps at the top and the other at the bottom
of the vessel. The upper tap will in such cases (without being fitted with a
meter) act as a vent peg, and may be fitted so as to open and close by the
opening and closing action of the bottom or draw off tap. In the construc-
tion of cocks for fire hose or brigade cocks in which it is desirable to maintain
a full waterway, I propose to introduce the "double" cylinder or cone
principle herein described, and I also propose to make a cock for this purpose
in the following manner or form:-I make an outer and inner cone, through
the sides of which apertures of the same size and shape as the hose pipe
(interior), and in the hollow of the inner cone, which is the moving part, I fit
an inner plug, through which there is also an aperture or passage of the same
size and shape as the hose (interior). The inner plug is fixed to the outer
cone, and the inner cone fits over it and turns between it and the outer
cylinder. By this construction I obtain a full waterway with a small plug,
and to turn the water on and off it is only necessary to turn the inner hollow
cone partially round.
Another form of "brigade" cock I also use consists of a double globe, the
outer one being hollow to receive the inner one. The inner globe when fitted
has its two opposite sides cut away, leaving the centre entire; when it is
turned so that it stands across the outer globe the cock is closed, and when
turned so as to stand with its edges in the line of the flow, the water entering
the outer globe at one side passes on each side of the inner part just
described and out at the opposite opening. This outer globe I make in two
halves to separate vertically or longitudinally, and be secured by screws and
nuts or otherwise.
In applying this improved principle of construction to guage cocks I either
adopt the form first described for steam or that before mentioned with the
inverted cones, and in the lower cock I form a cross pipe similar to that
described in the water main "full way" valve, only that in the case of the
steam guage cock the cross pipe which traverses the inner cone or "plug" is
less in proportion to the size of the cone, a small opening only being
required as a "blow off." This cross pipe is either formed in the plug or the

page_text: latter is bored and a pipe fitted in, and the two ends are so placed that when
the plug for admitting the steam or water is "on," the cross passage is also
or "off," and is turned on by a slight variation in the position of the
66 on
plug.
"
In making the plugs of cocks, valves, and taps in the form or forms herein
described so that a full waterway not only of the same area but of the same
size and shape as the pipe or duct upon which they are placed is obtained,
have thereby a better means of making such cocks so as to act as meters for
indicating the quantity of liquid, &c. passing through them. I conceive this
to be so from the regularity of the flow or volume being undisturbed by latera
or angular projections or obstructions, and more especially from the non-
deviation or change in the shape or form of the transverse section of the
issuing fluid, the velocity of the various parts of such section being thus kept
equal, or very nearly so, in which case all that is required in order to determine
the quantity passing through such valve is the measure of the "velocity" of
the "flow," the uniform area of the passage being always known. One form of
tap for so measuring the quantity passing through the same which I propose
to adopt consists of a fore and aft cone, as before described, between which
I insert an enlarged chamber, through which I make a passage of the same
area and shape of transverse section at that of the waterway; this chamber
I make in the form of a circular cylinder, and through one quadrant of which
the fluid passes from the aft to the fore cone; in this circular cylindrical
chamber I fit a vane wheel, the vanes of which exactly fit the passage, but do
not touch the cylinder at their peripheries; now when the fore cone is opened
the fluid in passing through the cylinder has to carry the vanes along with it,
and as the latter turn upon an axis which passes through the centre of the
circular cylinder, motion is thereby communicated from the interior to the
exterior, and the velocity of the issuing stream thereby indicated by any
suitable mechanism, such as a hand upon the axis and a dial and wheel
work, or by pullies or other equivalents, which being properly arranged will
indicate the quantity in gallons, &c.
As a further improvement in common taps, I propose to fit a vent valve
thereto which shall be self-acting by the gravitating power of the fluid, opening
when the tap is turned to allow the liquid to flow, and closing by a balancing
spring or lever when the tap opening is shut. Where it is desired to provide
a separate vent to be used with the foregoing or other taps, I propose to
use the tap valve as an independent fitting. And in this case I form the
under part of the valve into a small pipe, either to screw or drive into the

page_text: barrel or other vessel; or I use two taps connected by a pipe, the taps being
opened simultaneously. I form this tap valve in the following manner:-
I make a small disc or piston with a short rod or stem or shank) to close the
opening in an enlargement in the top of a short pipe, this valve has a dipping
action by the pressure of the air when the tap is opened, and the fluid is
allowed to escape by its gravitating property; this valve is balanced or held in
its closed position by a small spiral or other spring lever or weight capable of
being adjusted as required, and is covered by a perforated cover for protection
from external injury.
) I also propose to construct valves to be fitted as cocks or taps for any and
all of the foregoing purposes with a plain disc opening and closing stop. This
stop is a simple flat piece of metal, glass, or other suitable material of any
shape, to which a stem is fitted for moving it bodily in the body of the cock
or tap.
I form an enlarged chamber, and in the "stop" of such enlargement
I fit a ring of cork, india-rubber, or other elastic substance or suitable material,
against which the flat side of the disc is pressed by the stem, and thus closes
the opening; this disc stop may be held in position by a spring or lever, or
any other suitable contrivance.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, and explained generally
the means by which the various improvements may be carried into effect,
I now proceed further to describe such of the said cocks, valves, and taps and
parts thereof as require it in detail, reference being made to the several
Drawings accompanying this Specification lettered respectively A, B, C, D, E,
&c., and to which the following explanation refers.
DRAWING A.
This Drawing is intended to illustrate the improved form of sluice, cock, or
valve for waterworks, main, and service pipes. Figures 1 to 5 show the
improved cock or valve specially designed for service pipes; and Figure 6 to
10 inclusive for water mains. The number and forms of the parts being the
same in both instances, the following reference applies to the whole.
a, a, the shell of the cock, which is made in two parts, and joined together
at b, b, by screw bolts c, c, the taper plug having three sides, as shewn at
Figures 3 and 5 and 8 and 10 respectively, but may be made with four or
more sides if required. d, d, the screw for raising and lowering the plug;
d, a nut through or in which the said screw works; e, e, is a collar or enlarge-
ment of the screw shaft to keep it from shifting up or down; f, f, is a cover
to which the packing gland is attached to keep the water from flowing out of

page_text: the cock when it is opened, which it cannot do when the cock is closed in
consequence of all the sides of the plug forming water-tight joints, and thereby
shutting the water entirely off from the shell; g is a cover placed at the
bottom of the shell and can be taken off to allow the bottom of the plug to be
got at without its being drawn out of the shell. h, h, a packing gland formed
with a cap flange at the top, over and upon which a recessed cover i, i, is
fitted, in order to prevent the grit or dirt from getting in by and down the
sides of the screw; this cover or cap is made to fit moderately tight, but can
be removed when required.
From the above description and explanation of this Drawing of my improved
sluice cock it will at once be seen that instead of using (as in the old sluice
cock) a plug with but one face or side to make it water-tight, I use a plug
having three or four or more sides (preferring the one shown on the Drawing)
and so tapered and finished that the pressure applied by the screw causes all
the sides of the plug and the corresponding sides of the shell or case of the
cock to fit so exactly together that a thoroughly water-tight joint is thereby
produced. Consequently one of the great advantages of my improved sluice
cock, unlike that of the old or ordinary one, is and will be its non-liability
to leak.
Another of its advantages consists in the fact that the screw or nut or both
can be removed without at all necessitating the shutting off the water from
the cock by another stop-cock, as must be done with the old or common
ordinary sluice cock.
A third advantage is that the bottom of the plug of my sluice cock can be
got at when required without removing or drawing it out.
A fourth advantage is that by the use of a cap fitting tightly on or near the
top of screw, and having a recess cut to a considerable and suitable depth on
and into the under side surface, in order to receive a corresponding part pro-
jecting from the top of the packing gland. I prevent the grit and dirt from
working down the side of and from destroying the screw. The said projecting
part falls and reaches to the top of said screw.
D
D

page_text: dotted lines, so that when the lever a is turned into a horizontal position the
water is shut off at b, while the pressure being turned on at c the pipe d is
cleared thereby of any fouling or sediment which may have accumulated
therein

page_text: avoided. A similar result may be obtained by fitting the metrical vessel with
two taps, one for admitting the liquid and the other for drawing it off. By
fitting two outer measuring vessels to the top, and causing the liquid to raise
a float in each alternately, the floats being attached to a rocking spindle or
spindles the flow may be continued, and the quantity thereby indicated upon
a dial graduated for the purpose. For the other forms of metrical taps sce
the written description herein-before contained.
Figure 3 is a side elevation, and Figure 4 a top view of my improved
brigade cock with enlarged waterway; Figure 5 is a section showing the cock
as closed; Figure 6 the same section showing the cock as open. This cock
is formed with an inner and outter globe, the latter being made in two parts,
a and b, to seperate at the line c, d, the joint being packed with a flat ring of
india-rubber, and secured by screw bolts thro' the flange e, e, or otherwise;
f is a coller for protecting the head of the plug g, by which the inner globe is
turned; the groove number 1 shows when the top is open and closed. The
plug may be formed by making the inner globe solid and cutting away
the sides, as herein-before described, as by making the inner globe also
hollow, as here shown, and cutting out the sides h, h, of the same size and
configuration as the pipe i, i, which construction I prefer when open; the
enlarged water-way j thus formed will increase the discharging capacity of
the cock.
Figure 7 shows the double-cone stop-cock, herein-before described at page
The sheet of this cock is made in two parts, a and b, to separate at
the line c, d, the part a being cast with the protecting cone e, in the end of
which is a female screw f; g is the inner hollow cone or plug, in which are
two apertures h, which correspond with similar openings i, i, in the outer
cone; j is a rod or stem, which turns the inner cone and works through a
stuffing box at k, where a key is fitted upon the end of the said rod or stem.
for turning the plug.
Figure 8 shows in plan view, and Figure 9 in section the means I propose-
to adopt for labricating the plugs of the owners cocks, valves, and taps herein
described, and which is also applicable for the same purpose to those of
ordinary construction. a is a small bore or hollow closed with a screw
at the outer end, and running along the shell at the side of the plug
from the plug seat or way into the opening; I form a small transverse per-
foration b, b, as near as practicable to each end of the plug; along the side
of the plug itself a small groove of just sufficient size to form an oil duct, and
extending to the surface of the plug at one end, so that air may be admitted
thereby when the plug is in such a position that the groove intersects

page_text: the two transverse perforations in the side of the shell opening into the oil
chamber.
In witness whereof, I, the said Patrick Benignus O'Neill, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.