Improvements in or relating to Valve Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 1st Aug., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Valve Apparatus.
A communication from GÜNTHER ALOYSIUS ADALBERT WANJURA, Engineer,
of 5, Marienstrasse, Berlin, N.W., in the Empire of Germany.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an admission and cut-off valve for conduit-pipes and
the like, which may be closed by hand or automatically, for use with fluids or gases
under pressure, such as water, steam or other vapour and compressed air.
The invention is especially designed to automatically cut off the supply of fluid
or gas at any predetermined points, as may be desired, as well as to cut off com-
munication with the reservoir in which such fluid or gas is contained, as e.g. a
steam-generator, a water-cistern or reservoir, a gas-holder, etc., in case of rupture
at any point of a pipe in the system. Furthermore, the valve is so arranged, and
operates in such a manner, that when there are several valves of this kind
introduced at various points in a pipe system, on any one valve being closed, all
those lying behind it, i.e. between it and the chief reservoir or source of supply
and when any two valves are closed, all those lying between them, are at the
same tinie automatically closed, if the working fluid is compressible (such as
steam).
The apparatus as applied to say a steam boiler comprises a valve-body, located
immediately on the top of the boiler or its dome. The valve itself is double (a
double-beat valve for instance) and partly loaded in relation to the steam-pressure.
The valve-spindle is prolonged at both ends and passes through suitable bearings
or glands and stuffing boxes in the outer walls of the valve-body or casing. On
the flange surrounding one of these passages is mounted a cylinder in which travels
a piston secured to the prolonged valve-spindle, so that the latter serves as a piston-
rod as well, and passes through a gland and stuffing-box in the cylinder-cover,
terminating (a short distance beyond the latter) in a socket or collar or the like
part suitably secured to it. Between the latter and the cylinder cover and
encircling the prolonged valve spindle or piston-rod a spring is interposed which
keeps the valve closed. At one end of the cylinder is connected a branch-pipe
whose opposite end is connected with the main steam-pipe.
The working of the apparatus is as follows ;-
The valve loaded in relation to the steam-pressure by the before-mentioned
spring or if desired by a weight, is normally closed. In order to open it the free
end of the elongated valve spindle is suitably connected so as to slide in a slotted
hand lever or equivalent suitably pivotted say on the top of the boiler or dome
which carries the valve-box, in such manner that it reciprocates in the direction of
the longitudinal axis of the valve-spindle, so that it may be moved in one direction
and open the valve by overcoming the opposing pressure of the spring which keeps
the valve normally closed; the passage being thus opened, the high-pressure steam
is admitted into the main steam pipe, and, at the same time, as it is in free com-
munication (through the branch pipe) with the cylinder, it exerts a pressure on
the piston whereby that of the spring is overcome, and the valve is kept open.
now, a rupture occurs in the pipe system, the steam pressure at once falls, not only
in the line of the steam-pipe but also in the outer end of the cylinder, where by
the counter-pressure of the spring overcoming that exerted on the piston effects
the closing of the valve, so that the steam-supply from the boiler is cut off.
If

page_text: The working is similar with cold water supply pipes, compressed air
conducting pipes, central steam or hot water supply services, and other like
installations.
To further explain the special operation of the cut-off valve, the following
supplementary remarks may be made;-
In this manner all weak points, which must receive special attention, in point of
safety apparatus, are here provided for and guarded against. These dangerous
points may be classified as follows ;-
(a) Those arising from defective working relations and connections.
(b) Those arising from inattention or neglect in the service.
(c) Those arising from defective construction.
As regards the first class (a) the valve acts not only at the moment of danger,
but is constantly in action, or in a state of effective readiness for action. Thus,
reliability and safety are secured. To set the boiler, compressed air or water
reservoir in action is impossible without having the proof that the cut-off valve is
in working order, inasmuch as it has to be opened first. The valve also closes
itself automatically, as soon as the pipe-system is cut off by another valve;
inasmuch as, e.g. at the cessation of work overnight the steam in the pipe system
gradually condenses so that its pressure is not maintained in the cylinder, and
consequently the coiled spring (or weight) prevails to close gradually and surely
the cut-off valve.
As regards the second class (6) by the introduction of this safety device not the
least addition is made to the duties of the working-staff. This is no auxiliary valve
or other new apparatus to be attended to, which involves any complications, and
the neglect of which-easily possible because difficult to control-might in the end
endanger the working of the whole. The principal cut-off valve is and remains
the only cut-off device, the safety valve requires no attention after it has been
opened on the boiler being first set to work, and there is nothing to be done which
might be neglected or forgotten. If requisite this valve itself may be made to
serve as the principal cut-off valve.
As regards the third case (c) ;-The safety-valve, by reason of its construction,
is independent of all auxiliary valves, connecting pipes or other like device, on the
safety of which the reliability and security of the said safety-valve would in its
turn necessarily depend. The construction of the cut-off valve is its own guarantee
of security, which is dependent on no other element or adjunct. The working parts
are so firmly arranged and guided, that any defective or irregular motion in the
internal mechanism is compulsorily rendered impossible, by the simple rectilinear
reciprocating movement of the single through-going valve spindle.
The cut-off valves herein before described are simply introduced at the specified
points of the pipe-system, without any modification or auxiliary intermediate
devices whatever.
The working in this case is as follows;-
The valves are introduced at suitable points in the vicinity of any particular
section of the pipe-system to be specially guardel. If a pipe-barst occurs at any
place, the valves at once cut off the supply, and nothing more can be wastel either
of the pressure-fluid, or steam, etc. than the limited quantity contained in that
particular section of the pipe system.
In such a specially protected section also, no intermediate device is needed, not
any supplementary or auxiliary connections, or the like which would necessitate an
alteration in the existing pipe-system.
This automatic cut-off valve can be used as a safety-valve for the isolation of
steam-generators, steam-pipes, cold-water-reservoirs and pipes, conduit-pipes for
compressed gas or air, etc. as well as for steam or hot water heating apparatus.
Dated this 7th day of Anril 1894
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: A communication from GÜNTHER ALOYSIUS ADALBERT WANJURA, Engineer,
of 5, Marienstrasse, Berlin, N.W., in the Empire of Germany.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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:-
The subject of this invention, hereinafter more fully described, and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings, is a cut-off valve which is opened and closed by hand,
but which, after having been opened, only remains open so long as the pressure
prevailing on each side of it is the same, i.e., so long as the difference of those
pressures, if any, does not exceed a predetermined and ascertainable amount.
This valve is not a safety-valve, for the reason that it is not generally operative,
but only comes into operation whenever an abnormal working i.e., condition of
pressure exists in the steam-admission pipe; and, under ordinary conditions of
working, it acts as an independent or self-dependent admission and cut-off valve.
The valve is designed to be employed, not together with, but in substitution for
the ordinary cut-off valve actuated by a screw-spindle, with the additional function
above-mentioned, viz.: to close automatically whenever abnormal conditions of
pressure arise in the steam-admission pipe.
The device may be so arranged that this automatic closure takes place, no
matter on which side of the valve the decrease of pressure occurs.
It may further also be remarked that this valve may be installed at any point of
the steam-admission pipe, at option, independently of any other auxiliary valves,
supplementary connections, or intermediate constructions, whatever, as regards its
working and effect; but such additional appliances would rather embarrass and
injuriously affect its operation, as, in fact, is generally the case with other like
devices.
The problem which has, for the first time, been set and practically solved in the
present invention and by the device herein described is illustrated in one form in
Figure 1.
The valve-case or box A, which is located outside of a fluid pressure generator
or holder (e.g. on the top of a steam boiler) is provided with a double-seated-valve,
with two discs or valves B and C and two conical valve-seats B and C, the
former joined by the spindle D. The diameter of the valve-disc B is equal to
(or greater than) that of the valve-dise C so that at the outset, when there is as
yet no steam pressure in the steam-admission pipe L the valve is kept closed by the
steam-pressure inside, because the free inner surface of the valve-disc B is greater
than that of C (owing to the valve-seat C¹).
The valve-spindle E (behind B) is prolonged through a gland and stuffing-box
in the valve-case A and may be of the same diameter as D but for a purpose
hereinafter described is preferably of larger diameter as shown; its outer end
terminates in a piston-head G working in a cylinder H secured to the flange F
formed around the gland on the valve-case A. One end of this cylinder, adjacent
to the valve-case, is open i.e., in communication with the outer air through suitable
openings and slots cut through the cylinder-shell, opposite to one another, and
serving, on the one hand to give access to the gland and permit of its being
conveniently removed for renewal and repair; on the other hand to permit the
steam tightness of the piston (+ to be examined and maintained; and lastly to allow
convenient apertures for the passage of the hand-lever K serving to actuate the
valve by hand. The other end of the cylinder on the contrary communicates,

page_text: through the connecting pipe J with the steam admission pipe L (beyond the valve)
or, as hereinafter explained, in case the valve is placed in the middle of a steam
pipe, with the section thereof connected to the outlet side of the valve. The valve
can be opened by the hand-lever K above mentioned.
The live steam admitted to the pipe L through the valve B C finds its way to
the outer end of the cylinder H through the pipe J and pressing against the
piston Gholds the valve open so long as the same pressure exists within and
without the valve, or, as the difference (if any) of pressure does not exceed a
certain fixed limit. Whenever that limit is exceeded the valve closes automatically,
in consequence of the cessation of pressure behind the piston G, and remains closed
until it is re-opened by hand from the outside.
If, for example this valve is applied as a cut-off valve, in front of the steam (or
other) engine, and the pipe J is connected with the slide-valve-box, then, supposing
there occurs a fracture in the slide-valve-box cover, the valve at once closes the
steam-admission pipe, and no more steam can issue. The valve, when thus placed
and used, would also close automatically whenever, in consequence of a fracture
in the engine-shafting (rolling-mill shaft, screw-propeller shaft of a vessel etc.)
a sudden lightening of the load on the engine takes place, causing the engine
to race.
Should it be desired to give special protection against the consequences of a
pipe-fracture, or the like, to any place through which the pipe-connections pass
(as, for instance, spaces in which or above which there are workmen or any human
beings) this may be effected by introducing at convenient and suitable points along
the steam pipe L as shown in Figure 2, two or more valves X X constructed
substantially as before described but with the valve rods E of greater diameter
than D. Thus, in this case, as hereinafter explained, a fracture of the steam pipe L
anywhere between any two valves would immediately bring about the automatic
closure of them both, and, in consequence only the small quantity of steam which
fills the pipe between those two valves can escape.
In a case such as last mentioned, or where the fluid under pressure is conveyed
to a distance from the generator or reservoir as for example from a central heating
station, a hydraulic power supply station etc. and in which, in cases of accident, the
automatic closure of the valve is compulsory, the valve spindle E (outside the
valve) as shown in Figures 1 and 3 and as before referred to is made of a greater
diameter than the spindle D (within the valve) uniting the valve-discs B and C.
This arrangement has the effect that when a fracture occurs on that portion of the
pipe which in relation to the direction of the normal steam-admission and supply,
lies in front of or before the valve, the backward flow of the pressure-fluid on the
valve-disc C acts upon a larger surface than on B (aided by the co-operating
influence of the dynamic working of the flow), wherefore the valve is automatically
closed from the other side also. Thus the valve has the remarkable and peculiar
property of closing itself automatically from either side.
Moreover, by means of this valve-arrangement, the result is attained, that, in
case any one of a range of boilers should be thrown out of action and emptied, and
no longer under pressure, the back-pressure of the steam in the other boilers
operates to close the valve and cut-off steam; and in this manner (in cleansing or
repairing a boiler), the same effect is obtained that otherwise requires special
arrangements for its attainment, e.g., by detaching the pipe connections and closing.
the pipe ends with dead-plates.
The proportion in which the diameter of the valve-spindle E is enlarged in
comparison with D as well as all the other dimensions, is the result of calculation
in each particular case.
A modification which would appear to be advantageous and well adapted for
certain cases consists of the employment of a weight (Figure 1^) or of a spring,
acting to keep the valve closed until a certain steam-pressure is attained.
Another modification of the improved valve is shown in Figure 3. Here the
connecting pipe J supplying steam to the outer end of the cylinder H behind the

page_text: piston G in Figure 1, is dispensed with, and the steam-admission is effected by
inaking the valve-spindle or piston-rod E hollow and providing perforations or slots
in that part which lies between the valve-casing A and the valve-disc B. If there
is steam in the supply pipe it finds its way through the perforated hollow piston rod
to the outer end of the cylinder and exerts its pressure behind the piston, the
working being clearly the same as in Figure 1. It would seem to be advantageous
in this case to arrange inside the hollow piston rod a conical piece with the smaller
end directed towards the valve. In this inanner, in case of a pipe-fracture, or the
like, which would cause a more rapid outflow of steam from the boiler, the arrange-
ment would act as an injector, whereby the steam would be drawn or sucked out
of the cylinder. The advantage of this arrangement would be the abolition of the
pipe J.
The application of a curved or winding funnel, or bell-mouthed pipe L' would
appear to be well adapted for this modification (as shown in dotted lines in
Figure 3) because thereby the steam admission and injector-orifice is located
further up the pipe.
In this Figure (3) there is also shown a set screw with a milled head or hand-
wheel which renders it possible so to control and limit the beat of the valve that
any desired degree of opening can be obtained while the action of the valve remains
unchanged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A cut-off valve so arranged that the flow of steam or pressure-fluid through
the valve openings has a constant tendency to close the valve while the steam or
other fluid under pressure in the pipe outside the valve by means of a connecting
pipe and of a piston secured to the valve-spindle and working within a suitable
cylinder acts upon the valve to open it in such manner that when the pressure on
the valve is the same on both sides the valve remains open, but whenever a
reduction of pressure takes place on either side of the valve so as to create an
inequality of pressure the valve immediately closes itself automatically substantially
as described and illustrated.
2. A cut-off valve such as described in Claim 1 having a weight or spring
upon the valve-spindle tending to close the valve substantially as described and
illustrated.
3. A cut-off valve such as described in Claim 1, having a double-seat valve
whereof the spindle E is of a larger diameter than the rod or spindle D connecting
the two valve-discs B and C so that a back pressure or flow of steam or other fluid
in a direction contrary to that of the ordinary working also tends to close the valve
substantially as described and illustrated.
4. A cut-off valve such as described in Claim I so arranged that the connection
of the steam supply pipe with one end of a cylinder is effected through a hollow
piston-rod provided with slots in that portion of it which lies inside the valve-
casing substantially as described and illustrated.
5. A cut-off valve such as described in Claims 1 and 4 so arranged that within
the valve-casing and upon the hollow slotted piston-rod a winding bell-mouthed
funnel is fixed over the slots so that the mouth thereof and at the same time the
orifice of admission of the steam acting upon the piston is located further back
within the steam supply pipe substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 1st day of August 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.