Improvements in Automatic Feed Apparatus for Steam Boilers.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1897
Complete Specification Loft 25th Feb. 1808 Accented 9th Apr 1898
Improvements in Automatic Feed Apparatus for Steam Boilers.
I, JOHN GIBB DUNLOP, of Clydebank, Dumbartonshire, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
My invention relates to automatic feed apparatus for steam boilers, of the
following description.
Within the boiler at the water level a float consisting of a strong hollow vessel
is mounted on a horizontal arm of a lever carrying a counterpoise on its opposite
arm and having a short vertical arm to which is jointed a rod that passes through
a stuffing box to the outside when it is linked to a hand lever. This rod at one
part of its length in its course from the short arm has a cross pin which works in
the gab of a lever fixed on the spindle of a valve of the Corliss type, which valve,
as the float ascends or descends, closes or opens lateral ports, communicating with
the casing of the valve. This casing is supplied with water from the feed pipe
which outside the boiler is furnished with a check valve, the supply being thus
more or less lessened or increased as the float ascends or descends. I prefer to
make the opening to which the flange of the feed pipe is bolted of sufficient size
to admit the valve, so that the valve can be readily taken out for inspection or
repair and replaced. The rod extending from the float lever to the hand lever
outside is preferably made in parts connected by screws so that their respective
lengths can be adjusted, that is to say the distance from the float lever to the valve
lever, and the distance from the valve lever to the external hand lever; the water
level can thus be varied as desired. By means of the hand lever the float and valve
can be oscillated so as to keep the parts free to move.
Dated this 8th day of June 1897.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Automatic Feed Apparatus for Steam Boilers.
I, JOHN GIBB DUNLOP, of Clydebank, Dumbartonshire, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to automatic feed apparatus for steam boilers as I shall
describe referring to the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the water and steam drum of a boiler, with
elevation partly sectional of feed apparatus according to my invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the feed apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section and Fig. 4 is a transverse section to an enlarged
scale of the valve and float rod.
Within the boiler at the water level which may vary from W to W₁, a float ✗
which is a strong hollow vessel is mounted on the arms A A of a double lever
which is pivotted at B and carries on its opposite arms counterweights C. A third
arm D has jointed to it a rod E a part of which E' passes through a stuffing box F
to the outside where it is linked to one arm G of a bell crank lever, the other arm
of which is connected to a handle H provided with a catch h. The two parts E E¹
are connected by a screw sleeve or shackle K, so that when E' is turned by a handle
applied to its squared end E, the length of rod can be adjusted from the outside of
the boiler. The position of the float relatively to the valve lever M can thus be
varied and the water level varied as desired while the boiler is in operation, and
this sleeve K has a cylindrical bore and collar L in which the end part of rod E¹
can work, the stroke being limited by collars e el on the rod. Side studs k k on
the sleeve K engage in gabs of arms M fixed on the spindle of a rotary slide valve R
which works within a casing S, a branch from which extends through the boiler
wall and is connected to the feed valve V. In order that the valve casing S can be
readily taken out for inspection or repair and replaced, I prefer to make the opening
through the boiler wall, as shewn, large enough to pass the valve casing, forming
the rear sides of the gabs of the arms M so as to admit of their ready disengage-
ment from and engagement with the studs k k when the valve casing is taken out
and put in..
As the water level rises or sinks the float by its movement communicated through
the lever arm D, rod E and sleeve K to the valve R decreases or increases the area
of passage through the lateral ports of the valve and casing. In order to keep the
parts free to move they can from time to time be oscillated by working the handle H.
Although I have shewn the apparatus applied in the steam and water drum of a
water tube boiler or the like, it can obviously be applied to boilers of other kinds.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:.
―
An automatic feed apparatus for steam boilers, constructed and operating sub-
stantially as described with reference to the drawings.
נ.י.
LOL
1000
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.