IMPROVEMENTS. IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING OR FEEDING WATER TO STEAM BOILEBS, WHICH APPARATUS MEASURES AND REGULATES THE WATER SUPPLIED, AND IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Varley, of Bloomfield Road, Plumstead, in
the County of Kent, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS.
IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING OR FEEDING WATER TO STEAM BOILEBS, WHICH
APPARATUS MEASURES AND REGULATES THE WATER SUPPLIED, AND IS ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Varley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th
⚫October-1866.
1, JOHN VARLEY, of Bloomfield Road, Plumstead, in the County-of Kent,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention. for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING OR FEEDING WATER TO STEAM BOILERS,
WHICH APPARATUS MEASURES AND REGULATES THE WATER SUPPLIED, AND IS ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES." to be as follows:-
This apparatus consists of a vessel or chamber of capacity mounted on a
-fulcrum on which it oscillates during the action of feeding or passing water-to
á_bõilēr, the water-so passed entering within the said vessel, whichi vessel.
coincident with the feeding measures the quantity of water passed. The
vessel is extended in a horizontal position from the axis. on which it is mounted,
[Price 8d.]

page_text: and is counterbalanced by an arm and ball or weight extended from the axis in
the opposite direction; this 'axis is hollow and forms passages of communi-
cation to the interior of the vessel, the one being a passage for the water from
one end of the axis, steam being admitted at the other, the two passages being
separated by a transverse diaphragm. The water passage opens direct from
the axis into the end of the vessel, which I make of a conical form, the apex
of the cone being towards the axis, while the steam passage has commu-
nication from the axis to the large end of the vessel and at the highest point
by a pipe which is of a piece and oscillates with the vessel and hollow axis.
Both ends of the axis are in communication with a double slide valve; the
one leading in a direct line by a socket pipe working freely in a packed gland,
or it may be by means of an india-rubber pipe fixed at each end, which
admits of the twist occasioned by the oscillation of the axis, while the other
has a similar flexible or socket pipe connecting the passage with the valve;
this slide valve is double as before mentioned, having an upper and an under
valve face. The under face on which the valve works has three ports similar
to the steam ports of a steam engine, the extreme one on the one hand
leading from the tank or source of supply of the water, the other extreme
port communicates with the boiler, and the central one with the feeding
measuring vessel. In the upper face on which the valve works only two
ports are necessary for regulating the admission of the steam, there being no
eduction necessary. The steam port communicates with the boiler to be fed
on the one hand, and on the other with the hollow axis and measuring vessel
as before described. This apparatus is mounted in a suitable framework or
support, and with the hollow axis at or about the level the water is required
to be in the boiler, and with the necessary communications established as
before described, supposing the level of the water to be too low in the boiler,
.and the machine in its normal position (with the vessel raised and inclined),
water will flow from the tank or other source into the vessel through the
valve and passages before mentioned, filling the vessel and causing it to
preponderate over the counterbalance weight and to descend to the horizontal
position; during and it may be subsequent to such descent the water passes
into the boiler. During this descent also the weighted arm gives motion to a
second ball lever by means of a toothed quadrant fixed to the weighted arm
taking into a segment of teeth fixed on the axis of the second and small ball
lever; this it elevates from a horizontal position to a vertical position over its
axis, having passed over which it prepondérates and falls suddenly on the
opposite side. The axis of this second ball lever carries a plate with a

page_text: quadrant or segmental slot taking on to a pin of the rod or connection fixed
to the valve before mentioned, which it then actuates during the sudden fall,
causing the valve to change from the induction to the eduction (or vice versa,
according to the direction of the oscillation).. When the vessel is empty the
counterbalance ball preponderates and so again raises the vessel; in its descent
it will open the induction of the water and will cut off, the communication of
the steam from the boiler to the vessel by throwing over the small ball lever
in a direction opposite to the previous throw; this allows the water to flow
from the source of supply into the oscillating vessel until it is full or
nearly so, when it preponderates over its counterbalance, and falls to the
horizontal and lowest position, during which the valve will be changed by
the quadrant gearing, as before described, so as to open the eduction passage
of the water to the boiler, and at the same time open the steam communication
between the boiler and the upper part of the oscillating vessel; this establishes
an equilibrium of pressure between the boiler and the vessel, when the water
is free to pass from the vessel to the boiler; when the vessel is empty the
counterbalance again preponderates, operating the second ball lever and
shifting the slide valve for the succeeding fill of the vessel, and so on. The
ball lever is thrown over its axis of oscillation alternately on the one side and
then on the other, in each case falling suddenly from its highest point, and
during such falls giving motion to and changing the valve in the one direction
and the other. In this manner so long as any deficiency of water exists in
the boiler the vessel will continue to pass water thereinto, and according to
the rate of evaporation. and consumption of water in the boiler will the
apparatus continue to work faster or slower. The steam admitted from the
boiler to the vessel will be condensed therein, and will heat the feed water,
and therefore occasion no loss. In cases where the source of supply is below.
the level of the apparatus the condensation of the steam may be made
available for creating a vacuum in the vessel to draw the water up.
This apparatus is also similarly applicable for introducing fluid into other
vessels under pressure, as, for instance, it might be into a vessel containing a
pressure of air or gas; it is also applicable for measuring fluids, such as
water, or it may be spirit in distilleries, or wort or other liquors in breweries,
or it can be applied as a meter of spirits or other fluids in public houses, to
act as a tell-tale. to indicate the quantity that has been drawn off from the
bulk. For these purposes the valve need only be single acting, that is to say,
provided with the several liquid passages only, the steam passage parts being

page_text: This apparatus may also be used for the purpose of delivering water to
waterclosets instead of the usual cistern and valve apparatus, and may be
made to operate continuously or only when the water may be turned on for a
short time, as in ordinary, which may be effected by the usual pull handle or
otherwise.
For measuring purposes it is simply necessary to measure the fill of the
vessel, that is to say, the quantity passed at each oscillation, and to place the
oscillating axis, or it may be the axis of the secondary ball lever, in commu-
nication with a train of wheels and indicator to regulate the number of
oscillations as for ordinary meters.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Varley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th
April 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
VARLEY, of Bloomfield Road, Plumstead, in the County of Kent, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Varley, Her special licence that I, the said John Varley, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Varley,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, excrcise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR SUPPLYING OR FEEDING WATER TO STEAM BOILERS, WHICH APPARATUS
MEASURES AND REGULATES THE WATER SUPPLIED, AND IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR
OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Varley, my executors or administrators, by an instrument. in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, 'and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal

page_text: Patent Office within six calendar montos next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Varley, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment, reference being had to the three Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This apparatus consists of a vessel or chamber of capacity mounted on a
fulcrum on which it oscillates during the action of feeding or passing water to
a boiler, the water so passed entering within the said vessel, which vessel
coincident with the feeding measures the quantity of water passed. The
vessel is extended in a horizontal position from the axis on which it is
mounted, and is counterbalanced by an arm and ball or weight extended from
the axis in the opposite direction; this axis is hollow and forms passages
of communication to the interior of the vessel, the one being a passage for the
water from one end of the axis, steam being admitted at the other, the two
passages being separated by a transverse diaphragm. The water passage
opens direct from the axis into the end of the vessel, which I make of a
conical form, the apex of the cone being towards the axis, while the steam
passage has communication from the axis to the largest end of the vessel and
at the highest point by a pipe which is of a piece and oscillates with the
vessel and hollow axis. Both ends of the axis are in communication with a
double slide valve; the one part leading in a direct line by a socket pipe
working freely in a packed gland (or it may be by means of an india-rubber
pipe fixed at each end, which admits of the twist which would be occasioned
by the oscillation of the axis), while the other has a similar flexible or socket
pipe connecting the passage with the valve; this slide valve is double as
before mentioned, having an upper and an under valve face. The under face
on which the valve works has three ports similar to the steam ports of a steam
engine, the extreme one on the one hand leading from the tank or source of
supply of the water,' the other extreme port communicates with the boiler, and
the central one with the feeding measuring vessel. In the upper face on
which the valve works only two ports are necessary for regulating the admis-
sion of the steam, no eduction being required. The steam port communicates
with the boiler to be fed on the one hand, and on the other with the hollow
-axis and-measuring-vessel-as-before described. This apparatus is mounted in
a suitable framework or support, and with the hollow axis. at or about the
level the 'water is required to be in the boiler, and with the necessary commu-
.

page_text: nications established as before described, supposing the level of the water to
be low in the boiler and the machine in its normal position (with the vessel
raised and inclined), water will flow from the tank or other source into the
vessel through the valve and passages before mentioned, filling the vessel and
causing it to preponderate over the counterbalance weight and to descend to
the horizontal position when the water passes into the boiler. During this
descent the weighted arm gives motion to a second ball lever by means of a
tooth quadrant fixed to the weighted arm taking into a segment of teeth
fixed on the axis of the second and small ball lever; this it elevates from a
horizontal position to a vertical position over its axis, having passed over
which it preponderates and falls suddenly on the opposite side. The axis of
this second ball lever carries a plate with a quadrant or segmental slot taking
on to a pin of the rod or connection fixed to the valve before mentioned,
which it then actuates during the sudden fall, causing the valve to change
from the induction to the eduction, or vice versa, according to the direction
of the oscillation. When the vessel is empty the counterbalance ball pre-
ponderates, and so again raises the vessel; in its descent it will open the
induction of the water and will cut off the communication of the steam from
the boiler to the vessel by throwing over the small ball lever in a direction
opposite to the previous throw; this will allow the water to flow from the
source of supply into the oscillating vessel until it is full or nearly so, when it
preponderates over its counterbalance and again falls to the horizontal and
lowest position, during which the valve will be changed by the quadrant gearing
as before described, so as to open the eduction passage of the water to the
boiler, and at same time open the steam communication between the boiler and
the upper part of the oscillating vessel; this establishes an equilibrium of
pressure between the boiler and this vessel, when the water is free to pass
from the vessel to the boiler; when the vessel is empty the counterbalance
again preponderates, operating the second ball lever and shifting the slide
valve for the succeeding fill of the vessel, and so on. The ball lever is thrown
over its axis of oscillation alternately on the one side and on the other, in
each case falling suddenly from its highest point, and during such falls
giving motion to and changing the valve in the one direction and the other.
In this manner so long as any deficiency of water exists in the boiler the
vessel will continue to pass water thereinto, and according to the rate of
evaporation and consumption of water in the boiler so will the apparatus
continue to work faster or slower. The steam admitted from the boiler to
the vessel will be condensed therein and will heat the feed water and therefore

page_text: occasion no loss. In cases where the source of supply is below the level of the
apparatus the condensation of the steam may be made available for creating
a vacuum in the vessel to draw the water up..
This apparatus is also similarly applicable for introducing fluids into other
vessels under pressure, as, for instance, it may be into a vessel containing a
pressure of air or gas; it is also applicable for measuring fluids, such as water,
or it may be spirit in distilleries, or wort or other liquor in breweries, or it
can be applied as a meter of spirits or other fluids in public houses to act as a
tell-tale to indicate the quantity that has been drawn off from the bulk. For
these purposes the valve need only be single acting, that is to say, provided
with the several fluid passages only, the steam 'passage parts being dispensed
with.
This apparatus may also be used for the purpose of delivering water to
waterclosets instead of the usual cistern and valve apparatus, and may be
made to operate continuously or only when the water may be turned on for a
short time, as in ordinary, which may be effected by the usual pull handle or
otherwise.
For measuring purposes it is simply necessary to measure the fill of the
vessel, that is to say, the quantity passed at each oscillation, and to place
the oscillating axis, or it may be the axis of the secondary ball lever, in
communication with a train of wheels and indicator to register the number of
oscillation as in ordinary meters.
Figure represents an elevation of the apparatus complete; Figure 2, a
plan of the same; Figure 3 is a section taken through the axis of oscillation
showing the communication between the valve and the oscillating vessel;
Figures 4 and 5 show longitudinal and cross sections of valve box and
valve, of which Figure 6 shows face under valve, being the water passages,
and Figure 7, face above valve, the steam passage, while Figures 8 and 9
show upper and under faces of the valve itself.
a, a, is the oscillating vessel; b, b, the hollow axis on which it is mounted;
c, diaphragm separating the passages; d, water passage from and to valve,
being a socket pipe; e, steam pipe from valve, which is made with sufficient
spring to be held steam-tight against the end of b, or it may be socketted and
packed-e-steam pipe leading to the highest point of vessel a; f, steam
communication with boiler to be fed; g, water pipe from supply; "h, outlet of
water from vessel a to boiler; i, double-faced valve (see Figure 4); k, steam

page_text: and the
face and passage above valve; I, water passages and faces below the double-
faced valve i. In the steam face there is passage only in one direction, the
passage on the one hand communicating with the boiler by pipe
other to vessel a by e. In the water-valve face one of the extreme ports is
connected with the supply g; the other is in communication with pipe h
leading to the boiler, while the central one is in communication with the
vessel a; m is the counterbalance weight fixed to axis b; p, second weighted
arm to which the arm of m gives motion by quadrants of teeth q, r;. q being
fixed to arm of m. and r to axis of p; axis t is furnished with a slotted
quadrant v, a stud traversing in which gives motion to the valve-i by rod u at
each time ball m is carried over its top centre, from which point it falls
suddenly and moves the valve i quickly, as herein-before described.
The second arrangement of apparatus operates on precisely similar prin-
ciples to the foregoing, but differs in some of its mechanical details and in its
valves; like the above described it consists of a vessel or chamber of capacity
mounted on a fulcrum on, which it oscillates during the action of feeding or
passing water to a boiler, the water so passed entering within the said vessel,
which vessel coincident with the feeding measures the quantity of water
passed. This vessel is extended in a horizontal position from the axis on
which it is mounted, and is counterbalanced by a weight extended in the
opposite direction by means of a lever, which lever takes its bearing in a stud
which works in the framework and underneath the axis of the vessel; this
lever is extended to the centre of the underneath part of the vessel, and has
a roller fixed to the end, which roller runs over or against a cam surface
placed on the bottom of the said vessel, which cam surface is for the purpose
of holding the roller until it is desired that the vessel shall either rise or fall.
The axis before mentioned is hollow and forms passages of communication to
and from the vessel on the one hand to an inlet passage for the purpose of
admitting water to the vessel from the tank or supply, and on the other hand
from the vessel to the boiler to be fed. the two passages being separated by a
transverse diaphragm; steam is also admitted through the inlet passage to the
top of the vessel; the water passage opens direct from the axis to the top
of the vessel, which I sometimes make of a conical form, the apex of the
cone being towards the axis, and the outlet passage direct from the vessel a
the lowest point of the apex. The trunnions of the hollow axis take
bearing in the ends of two separate valve boxes, which trunnions work freely
in the bearings, which I make steam-tight by means of a faced bush in which
each trunnion works, and I then place a faced metal washer to the face o

page_text: the bush and an india-rubber washer between the metal washer and the
shoulder of the trunnion. The valve boxes before mentioned contain each a
separate valve; on the one hand an inlet valve, which in this case is an
equilibrium or double-beat valve, and worked by means of a lever, which lever
receives its motion from the axis of the oscillating vessel, this lever also
works a steam valve which is placed on the top of the inlet valve box. On
the other hand the box contains a common lifting valve; it acts as an outlet
and back valve, and is worked in the same manner as the inlet valve. I
place a train of wheels in connection with the stud on which the weighted
lever works and in a suitable part of the framework; this index is for the
purpose of recording the number of gallons that pass through the vessel.
This apparatus is mounted upon a suitable framework or support, with the
hollow axis' at or about the level the water is required to be in the boiler,
and with the necessary communication established, viz., the inlet valve
box in connection with a source of supply, the outlet valve box with the
bottom of the boiler, and the steam valve with the top of the boiler.
Supposing the level of the water to be too low in the boiler and the machine
to be in its normal position with the vessel raised, water will flow from the
supply through the inlet valve and through the one end of the hollow axis
into the said vessel, which when full will preponderate over the counter-
balance weight and descend to the horizontal position; during this descent the
roller will have escaped from the notch at the one end of the cam and will
run to and fall in the notch at the reverse end, at the same time the inlet.
valve will be shut off, the steam valve opened, and the pressure removed from
the outlet valve. The steam will then pass to the top of the vessel (by an
internal communication) through the inlet passage, and will establish an
equilibrium of pressure between the boiler and the vessel, when the water by
its own gravity will lift the outlet valve and flow into the boiler. When the
vessel has discharged a given amount the counterbalance weight will pre-
ponderate over the vessel, causing the roller to travel over the cam, raising the
vessel, at the same time closing the steam and outlet valves and opening the
inlet valve, the vessel will be again charged and act as before described.
this manner as long as any deficiency of water exists in the boiler the vessel
will continue to work faster or slower. The steam admitted from the boiler
to the vessel will be condensed therein and will heat the feed water, and
therefore occasion no loss. In cases where the source of supply is below the
-level-of-the-apparatus the condensation of the steam which remains in the
-vessel after it has discharged the water; may be made available for creating a
vacuum in the vessel to draw the water up.
In

page_text: This apparatus is also similarly applicable for introducing fluid into other
vessels under pressure, as, for instance, it may be into a vessel containing a
pressure of air or gas; it is also applicable for measuring fluids, such as
water, or it may be spirit in distilleries, or wort or other liquor in breweries,
or it can be applied as a meter of spirits or other fluids in public houses to act
as a tell-tale to indicate the quantity that has been drawn from the bulk, or
for delivering water to waterclosets instead of the usual cistern and valve
apparatus, and may be made to operate continuously or only when the water
may be turned on for a short time, as in ordinary, which may be effected by
the usual pull handle or otherwise.
..For measuring purposes it is simply necessary to measure the full of the
véssel, that is to say, the quantity passed at each oscillation, and to place
any moving part of the apparatus in connection with a train of wheels and
indicator to register the number of oscillations as in ordinary meters.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING OF MODIFIED APPARATUS:
Figure 10 represents an elevation, and Figure 11 a plan of the same;
Figures 12, 13, and 14 represent sections of the valve box, Figure 12 being
a section through the box and single-acting back valve, Figure 13 a section
through the box and equilibrium or double-beat valve, and Figure 14 a
section taken through both valve boxes, while Figure 15 is a detached view
of the axis of the oscillating vessel.
...A is the vessel to receive and discharge water mounted upon the axis B;
C, the inlet valve box; D, the outlet valve box; E,. counterbalance weight
fixed to the one end of the lever F, which works on the stud G; H is a
roller which travels upon the cam 1; J, the supply pipe from tank; K, steam
valve; L, feed pipe from the outlet valve box to the boiler; M, index or
counter; N is an adjustable wedge to regulate the extent of motion of the
oscillating vessel and the amount of water to be passed at each oscillation of
the vessel; O, a plate holding down the valve box covers; P, outlet or back
valve; lever by which it is worked from the axis B; R, double-beat
valve worked by lever S from the axis B; this lever also works the steam
valve; T, opening from the boiler; V, the frame on which the whole is
mounted.
of
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the combi-
nation, arrangement, and application of apparatus, such as herein-before
described and illustrated in the Drawings annexed, for feeding steam boilers

page_text: and for other purposes as herein set forth, such apparatus regulating or
regulating and measuring the fluid passed, all in the manner and as herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, 1, the said John Varley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
JOHN VARLEY. (L.S.)