Improvements in Damper Regulating Apparatus for use in Connection with Steam Boilers.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb.,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by TIMOTHY JOHN KIERLEY and FREDERICK
THEODORE MUELLER, both of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Damper Regulating Apparatus for use in
Connection with Steam Boilers.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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:
My invention relates to an improvement in damper regulators, the object of the
same being to provide a device of this kind or character which will operate instantly
and in accordance with a very slight increase or decrease of pressure in the steam
boiler, and while very sensitive in its operations yet at the same time be durable
in use.
With these and other ends in view, my invention consists in the combination of
a motor for operating a damper, a valve for controlling the motor, and a movable
support provided with a chamber containing a diaphragm, which latter when acted
upon by the pressure in the steam boiler will raise the support and actuate the
valve.
My invention further consists in certain novel features of construction and
combinations of parts as will be hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my
improved regulator attached to a damper.
Figure 2 is a plan view thereof, the flue and damper being omitted.
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the diaphragm and adjoining parts, taken on the
line 5-5 of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a detached plan of the movable support provided with a diaphragm
chamber.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the valve chamber taken on the line 7-7 of
Figure 9, and showing the valve in its lowered position.
Figure 8 is a similar view showing the valve in its raised position.
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the valve chamber taken on the line 9-9
of Figure 7.
Figure 10 is a view of a modification, wherein the movable support for the
diaphragm is linked directly to the valve stem.
Figure 11 is a view of a modification showing the substitution of a piston for a
flexible diaphragm.
Referring to the drawings, 1 Figures 1 and 3 represents a cylinder of any suitable
size and dimensions, preferably constructed of cast iron and having its upper end
closed and its lower end resting upon and secured to a bed plate 2.
Within this cylinder 1 is fitted an inner and smaller cylinder 3, preferably formed

page_text: of brass and fitting at its upper end against the rib or shoulder 4, formed on the
inner surface of the cylinder 1, and at its lower end against the shoulder 5, also
formed on the inner surface of the cylinder I, this construction and arrangement
of parts leaving a space 6 between the outer surface of said inner cylinder 3, and
the inner surface of the cylinder 1.
Into the cylinder 1, and near its lower end, leads a pipe 7 from the valve
chamber S, and in the upper end of the cylinder 3 is formed an opening 9, allowing
of the ingress of water or steam from the valve chamber 8 into the outer cylinder 1
through the pipe 7 and into the inner cylinder 3 through the opening 9.
Within the inner cylinder 3 is fitteil a vertically moving piston 10. the piston
rod secured thereto passing through the top plate or cover 12 of the cylinder 1,
and through the stufling box 13 secured to the latter, the upper end of said piston
rod being provided with a hook 14, to which is attached one end of a chain or
repe 15, passing over the pulleys 16, the other end of said rope or chain being con-
Dected to the outer end of a crank or lever 17, which latter in turn has its inner end
secured to a shaft 18 fitted in the flue 19. and on which shaft the damper 20 is
rigidly mounted, the outer end of said lever 17, being provided with a weight 21,
the purpose and function of which will be hereinafter explained.
8 represents a valve chamber connected to the cylinder 1 by the pipe 7 and into
the end of which is threaded a nut 22, provided with a valve opening 23 leading
into the passage 24, which latter leads into the valve chamber S, the lower end of
said latter having threaded therein a similar nut 25 provided with the valve
opening 26 leading into the passage 27, which latter also leads into the valve
chamber S.
The valve chamber 8 is preferably cast, or otherwise formed of two parts, which,
when properly placed, are bolted or otherwise securely fastened together, the
vertical portion of said chamber 8 having formed thereon a horizontal wall 28 to
which is bolted or otherwise secured a plate 29, forming a horizontal chamber 30,
opening into and communicating with the vertical chamber, said plate 28 having
mounted therein a rod or shaft. 31, as shown in Figure 9, to one end of which is
secured a crank 32. the free end of the latter loosely fitting in an opening in the
vertically acting valve 33, it being evident by reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9 that
when the shaft is rocked, the lever 32 will be raised and lowered, causing the
valve 33 to accordingly open and close the valve openings 23 and 26 formed in the
hollow nuts 22 and 25 respectively.
Into the nut 22 is threaded one end of an outlet pipe 34, which communicates
with a suitable source of water supply under pressure, as for instance, the city
main, an elevated reservoir, tank, or the like, and into the lower nut 25 is threaded
one end of an outlet pipe 35, for conducting the water from the cylinders io som"
convenient or suitable place of discharge.
On the cylinder 1 is formed a bracket or stud 36, to which is secured, by means
of bolts 37, the bracket 3S provided on its ends with the bearings 39. in which
latter is mounted a shaft. 40, preferably of the form shewn, that is triangular in
cross section, in order that it may rest and move on the sharp edge in order to
lessen the friction between the parts as far as possible. On the shaft 40 is secured
the movable diaphragm support 41, the form or contour of which is shown in
Figure 6, said support being provided with the arms 42 on one side thereof, and
having its central portion dished or hollowed out as shown at 43 Figure 5 a passage
way 44 being formed diametrically through the support and communicating with
the chambered portion 43 by means of the opening or passage 45, one end of said
passage 44 being closed by a nut or plug 46, and the opposite end 47 having threaded
therein, one end of a pipe 48, preferably made of flexible material and leading
from the steam boiler, (not shown) said support being also provided with an arm 49,
To the bed plate 2 is
extending ontwardly from the central portion thereof.
secured the standard 50. the upper end being provided with the arms 51, shown in
cross section, Figure 4. between which the outer free end 49 of the support 41 moves,
and by means of which it is guided, screws or bolts 52 being provided for the
purpose of limiting the vertical travel of said arm 49.

page_text: To the under side of the support 41, is pivotally secured the upper end of the
pitman 53, the lower end of the latter being secured to the outer end of the crank 54,
the inner end of the latter being tightly secured to the outer end of the shaft 31,
it being evident from the foregoing that when the support 41 is raised or lowered
the shaft 31 will be rocked through the medium of the pitman 53 thus causing the
inner free end of the crank 32 to be raised and lowered, which in turn raises and
lowers the valve 33, as before described.
In practice the lever or crank 54 is made of the same length as the lever 32,
the result being that the valve 33 will be raised or lowered to the same extent as
that of the pitman 53 and to the same extent as the diaphragm support 41 is raised
or lowered.
In the chamber or hollowed out portion 43 of the support 41, is located a
diaphragm 55 constructed of rubber or other suitable material, the edge of which
is held or clamped in place by means of the flange 56, formed on the top or cover 57
of the chamber which is bolted to said support, said chamber 43 below the
diaphragm being filled with water as shown in Figure 3. Within the diaphragm
chamber and on top of the diaphragm 55, rests a piston 5S, the stem or rod 59
of which passes through the cover 57, and has supported in the upper notched end
thereof the lever 60, Figure 2 one end of the latter being provided with triangular
studs 61 which fit under and rest against the curved ends 62 of the vertical arms 63
formed on the cover 57, said lever 60 being provided in its length with a ring 64,
which encircles the cylinder 1, the inner end 65 of said lever 60, having pivotally
secured thereto, the upper end of the connecting rod 66, the lower end of the
latter being secured to the bed plate 2, or other stationary support.
In practice, the arm 49 of the support 41, has secured thereto a weight 67 for
the purpose of holding or retaining the device stationary or inoperative until the
steam pressure in the boiler reaches a certain degree. Any increase of pressure
over the desired point will be transmitted through the pipe 48 to the water in the
lower portion thereof, and to the water in the chamber 43, whereupon the increased
pressure will be exerted upon the diaphragm, and by or through the same to the
piston head 58 and piston rod 59, which in turn exert their pressure upon the
lever 60 causing the outer end thereof to rise, and the inner end 65 thereof to
slightly swing on its pivotal connection with the rod 66. As the outer end of the
lever 60 rises it lifts the support 41, thus causing the pitman 53 to rise, and thereby
rock the shaft 31 and lower the free end of the crank 32, which latter in turn forces
the valve 33 downwardly, in the position as shown in Figure 7, the result being that
the water under pressure in the inlet pipe 34, will flow through the openings 23
and 24 into the valve chamber S, through the pipe 7 to the outer cylinder 1, where-
upon it will flow through the opening 9 into the inner cylinder 3, and, exerting its
pressure on the piston 10, will lower the same, thus raising the lever 17, and closing
the damper 20.
Again, should the pressure in the boiler decrease, the pressure on the water in the
chamber 43 will decrease, thus allowing the outer end of the lever 60 and the
support 41 to lower and thereby raise the valve 33 to the position shown in Figure 8
whereupon the weight 21 will lower the lever 17 and open the damper 20, as
shown in Figure 1, said weight being sufficient to raise the piston 10, causing the
water in the cylinder 3 to flow out through the opening 9 into the outer cylinder 1,
and out of the latter through the pipe 7, into the valve chamber 8, from which it
escapes through the openings 27 and 26 into the outlet or discharge pipe 35, the
upward movement of the piston being limited by means of a pipe or collar 68,
striking the top or cover of the outer cylinder 1.
The damper will remain in the position above described until the pressure in the
boiler increases beyond the desired point, when the support 41 with its attached
parts will again rise and admit the water under pressure into the cylinder.
It will be evident to those skilled in the art that many changes might be made in
the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the
spirit of my invention, as for instance it will be evident, without illustration, that

page_text: instead of pivoting the inner end of the movable diaphragm support to the
cylinder 1, it might be pivoted to any other suitable and convenient stationary
support; further, as shown in Figure 10, the support 41 might be directly
connected or linked to the valve stem, the valve chamber being located in a vertical
line below the diaphragm chamber. Again, instead of using a rubber or flexible
diaphragm, 55, as above described, a piston 69 might be used as illustrated in
Figure 11, the chamber 70 containing the sume being provided with a packing 71
to prevent the escape of water therefrom, the piston rod 72 secured to the piston 69
supporting the lever 60 as described in the first instance."
It will also be evident that instead of utilizing the device for operating a damper,
it might be applied to other works, as for instance actuating a valve, steam jet
blower, and the like.
From the foregoing it will be understood that my invention is exceedingly simple
in construction, certain in its operation, and, as I have found from practical tests.
is very delicate and sensitive to any increase of pressure in the boiler.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a damper regulator, the combination with a fluid pressure motor, of a
valve for governing the supply of fluid to the motor, a lever pivoted to a support
and adapted to actuate the valve, a second lever pivoted to the free end of said
fermer lever and fulcrumed at its other end, and a suitably supported motor in
communication with the boiler and operatively connected with the two levers, and
adapted to change their positions relatively to each other, substantially as described.
2. In a damper regulator, the combination with a fluid pressure motor for
operating the damper, of a valve for controlling said motor, and means for operating
the valve, said means consisting of two levers, one end of each being pivoted to a
stationary support, and the movable end of one of the levers being pivotally
connected with the movable end of the other lever, a motor in com--
munication with the boiler and carried by one of the levers and operating
against the other lever and tending to separate them, and means for transmitting
motion from some part of the lover system to said valve, substantially as described.
3. In a damper regulator, the combination with a damper and motor for operat-
ing the same, of a valve connected with and controlling the motor, a movable
support for operating said valve, a pressure motor supported thereby, a lever
pivotally secured at one end to a stationary support, and at its opposite end
supported by said motor and connected to said movable support, substantially as
described.
4. In a damper regulator, the combination with a motor for operating the
damper, of a valve for controlling said motor, the pivoted support. 41. provided with
a water chamber 43 communicating with the boiler, a diaphragm located in said
chamber, a lever pivoted at one end to a stationary support and connected at its
opposite and to said movable support, and a piston resting upon said diaphragm
and against said lever for raising the latter and said movable support, when the
excess of pressure in the boiler is exerted upon said diaphragm, substantially as
described.
Dated this 12th day of October, 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.., Agents for the Applicant.