Improved Means of and Apparatus for Automatically Effecting and Controlling the Discharge of Liquids.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 24th June, 1893
LELE CIDIFICATION.
Improved Means of and Apparatus for Automatically Effecting and
Controlling the Discharge of Liquids.
We, THOMAS WILTON, Manager, and GEORGE WILTON, Chemist, both of
the Tar and Liquor Works of the Gas, Light and Coke Co., Beckton, in the
County of Essex, 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 object of this invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to automatically
effect and control the discharge of liquids either intermittently when the inflow
is not constant and irregular, or continuously when the inflow is constant or
practically so. For example, our apparatus is applicable either as a "steam-trap,'
for collecting the water of condensation from steam mains and automatically
discharging same intermittently as and when required, and it is particularly
applicable to ammonia towers and other distilling or analogous plant where the
inflow is practically constant and continuous for controlling the discharge thereof.
The essential feature of our invention is the use and adaptation of a valve connected
to a float and arranged in a closed vessel in such manner that the valve normally
closes and maintains closed the outlet orifice until the floatation of the float by the
accumulating liquid overcomes the forces acting on the valve and raises same,
thereby admitting of discharge until the forces acting on the valve again prevail,
when the valve is automatically closed until the first action is repeated.
We will further describe our invention in reference to the accompanying drawing
in which the figure is a vertical section of one form of apparatus constructed
according to our invention.
A is a vessel having a cover a with fluid tight joint, inlet pipe I and outlet O,
the latter being with advantage detachably arranged as shown for examination,
cleaning, and so forth. The orifice O is normally closed by the valve V, the
spindle of which works vertically in suitable guides 99 and carries as shown or
is otherwise connected to a suitable float such as F. Liquid entering at I
accumulates in A until its floatative power serves to lift the float F and valve V
against the forces acting on them and discharge then ensues through O. If the
inflow is intermittent then the float valve V will automatically reclose when the
pressure in the vessel A acting on it prevails, and leakage of vapour through
the orifice O is prevented by the liquid left in the vessel. If and so long as the
inflow is continuous the float valve after lifting as described will remain open, the
area of its aperture varying with the volume and pressure of the inflow, but giving
a continuous discharge.
To mechanically open or close the float valve V by hand if desired and to keep
it free we may use a simple contrivance such as is illustrated consisting of two
stops ss fixed on the valve spindle between which rides the fork r of a rod R
passing through a suitable stuffing box in the cover a. This rod may be operated
either by a handle H or by a hand lever such as H¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
ion and in what manuer the same is to be performed, we declare that what
ve claim is :-
1. The hereinbefore described means of automatically effecting and controlling
he discharge of liquids as and when required, consisting in the use and adaptation
of a valve such as V connected to a suitable float arranged in a closed vessel with
nlet and outlet orifices and controlling the outlet orifice thereof, in such manner
hat when the floatative power of the liquid accumulating in the vessel exceeds the

page_text: forces acting on the float-valve it is raised and overflow then continues until the
forces acting on the float-valve prevail when the valve automatically closes
substantially as set forth.
2. The apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purposes
Dated this 8th day of April 1893.
For the Applicants,
J. C. CHAPMAN,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.