Improvements in Hydraulic Gas Mains and in Valves connected therewith.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1889
Improvements in Hydraulic Gas Mains and in Valves connected
therewith.
I, DANIEL IRVING of the Gas Works, Stapleton, Bristol, in the County of Gloucester,
Gas 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 has for its object the construction of hydraulic gas mains and valves
connected therewith in such a manner as to allow of the seal of the dip pipes being
adjusted with facility, and accuracy, and at the same time afford ready means for
flushing the hydraulic main with water or other liquid and the removal of thick tar
that may have accumulated.
In order that the invention may be easily understood drawings are attached hereto
Fig. 1 being a transverse vertical sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 an end elevation of
Fig. 1 looking at the latter from the right hand side. In both views similar letters
refer to the same parts.
In carrying out the invention I make the hydraulic main A of the usual D form,
although not necessarily confined to that shape, with an orifice B in in the side, and
another C in the bottom, of each section of main. To the side and bottom of
the main attach a casting E, and to that another casting F as shown in Fig. 1. The
bottom of the orifice B is arranged so as to be slightly higher than the bottom of the
dip-pipe G. Within the casting F there is a valve H which has attached to it a rack I,
the valve being kept close to its seat by volute or other steel springs, but omitted in
the drawing in order to avoid confusion. The valve and inner surface of the casting F
are both faced true so as to form a tight valve joint. Within the chamber Q formed
by this casting there is also a vertical spindle J carrying a worm K.
The spindle is
supported by a step L and works through a stuffing box M, the worm K being made
to gear into the rack 1. The upper part of the spindle carries an indicator N and
passes through a bridge piece guide O, whereon is marked a scale or scales, and the
extremity of the spindle is made with a square so as to be turned with a wrench,
winch, or other suitable appliance. In order to prevent the lower part of the valve
being opened by mistake a hinged a weighted forked catch or stop P is made to engage
or to fall against the spindle J, and arrest the upward motion of the indicator N, and
consequently the opening of the valve, but when it is desired to open the lower part
of the valve this stop P is drawn ontwards and upwards, and the impediment to the
free opening of the valve is removed. The indicator on one side of the bridge piece
points to the scale showing the depth to which the dip-pipes are sealed while the
opposite end of the pointer will by the scale on the other side of the bridge piece
exhibit the extent to which the lower part of the valve has been opened whenever
occasion may require it.
The action of the apparatus is as follows. The gas will pass down the dip-pipe G
and enter the bydraulic main A and pass through the orifice B and chamber to the
outlet R, the depth of the seal to G being regulated by the height to which the top of
the valve H is adjnsted. The dip pipe is sealed in ammoniacal liquor, the thick and
heavy tar falling to the bottom passes through the orifice into the chamber S.
When it is found necessary to remove this tar and to flush the main, the stop P is
lifted and the wrench applied to the spindle J when the valve H will be raised so as
o open a free passage from the chamber S to the lower part of the chamber Q and
rom thence through the tar and liquor outlet T to any convenient receptacle.
In addition to the facility with which the seal may be regulated and the main
lushed the use of this form of apparatus has the advantage of keeping the dip-pipes
ealed in ammoniacal liquor only, thus enabling the retorts to be worked at a minimum

page_text: pressure, and, further from the tar being separated from the liquor in the chamber S
the gas is no longer subjected to its heavy hydrocarbons being absorbed by passing
over such.tar, and when necessary both gas and tar ways can be shut off so as to
allow of the hydraulic main being otherwise cleaned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 'I declare that what
I claim is,
1. The construction of hydraulic gas mains with orifices B and C in combination
with the castings E and F as herein described and shown on the drawings.
2. The valve H and rack I together together with the spindle J, worm K. and
outlets R and T arranged as herein described and shown on the drawings.
Dated this fith der of November 1889