Improvements in Stop-cocks or Valves.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1891 Accepted, 19th, Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
“Improvements in Stop-cocks or Valves.
I, JOHN MILLER RALSTON 15 Brand Street Hitchin, Herts, 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 for improvements in stop-cocks or valves relates to full way stop
valves of the sluice or sliding type and has for its object to construct a stop valve
in such manner that, while the fluid is allowed to pass through without any
obstruction when the valve is open, the said valve will be firmly pressed or jammed
on its faces or seats when closed, and so stop the passage of the fluid and the
valve can be easily opened and closed.
My invention consists in forming the valve of two separate discs in which is
placed a ring of asbestos or india-rubber, they are pressed outwards against their
faces or seats when the passage is being closed, by means of the wedge on the end
of the spindle which is forced downwards by means of the screwed nut in the
cross-bridge.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Fig. 1. is a vertical section through the passages of a full way stop valve,
shewing the valve closed, constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 2. is also a vertical section of the same shewing the valve partly opened
with the valves or discs drawn inwards to prevent the india-rubber or other
packing from rubbing when rising.
Fig. 3. is a horizontal section of the same shewing the shape of the wedge and
the valve closed.
Fig. 4. is a part section through the chest shewing the guides and stop for the
casing or box which carries the valve discs.
An outer chest a with through passages b and flanges c having projecting faces
or seats d on which two valves or discs e in which is fixed a ring of india-rubber or
asbestos, are forced outwards for the purpose of closing the passages b.
Projections on the back of the valves e fit into suitable apertures in a hollow
box raised and lowered by means of the wedge h on the end of the screwed
spindle 1, said projections being made to fit the wedge h. On the sides of the
box g are two lugs i which work in parallel grooves or guides k cast on the sides of
the chest a.
Inside the hollow box g and between the end of the wedge h and the
bottom of the box, is a spring n which keeps the box g from rising till the wedge h
comes in contact with the top of the aperture in box g, as will be clearly seen.
The actuating screw / engages with the nut m and passes through the stuffing
box o and gland p in the cover a secured by the bolts r to the chest a and is
surmounted by the hand wheels as is clearly shewn.
The action in opening and closing the valve is as follows the spindle / being
raised, the wedge h follows and draws the valves inwards off their faces without
raising the box g, as the spring n keeps it down till the wedge h comes in contact
with the top of the box, when the box with the valves is raised till the passages b
are fully open; in closing, the spring n takes up the pressure of the screw and
prevents the wedge from pressing the valves outwards till the passages 6 are
covered, when the lugs i on box y come in contact with the projections & on the
sides of the chest a and stop the box and valves from travelling downwards; the
spring is then compressed and the wedge in travelling downwards presses the valves
outwards against their faces or seats; and as the packing does not touch the faces.
till closing there is no rubbing or wearing of it.

page_text: 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 :-
1st) In a full way stop valve, automatically keeping the valves off their faces
till the passages are covered by them, thus preventing any rubbing of the
packing; and pressing them outward against their faces, by means of the duplex
wedge, as herein described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
2nd) The arrangement, construction and packing of full way stop valves, as
herein described and shewn in acco...panying drawings.
Dated this Second day of November 1891.
JOHN M. RALSTON.