IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF CONSTRUCTING VALVES, VALVE-COCKS, GATES, AND STOP-COCKS, WHICH MAY BE USED IN STEAM ENGI- NEERING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Bacon, late of Prestwich, in the County of
Lancaster, but now of Southport, in the same County, Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF CONSTRUCTING VALVES,
VALVE-COCKS, GATES, AND STOP-COCKS, WHICH MAY BE USED IN STEAM ENGI-
NEERING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."-A communication from J. R. and
H. S. Robinson, of Clinton, in the United States of America.
Sealed the 5th April 1859, and dated the 15th October 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Bacon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th
October 1858.
I, WILLIAM BACON, of Prestwich, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MODE OF CONSTRUCTING VALVES, VALVE-COCKS, GATES, AND STOP-COCKS, WHICH MAY
BE USED IN STEAM ENGINEERING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," being a communication
from J. R. and H. S. Robinson, of Clinton, in the United States of America,
to be as follows:-
The form of valve to which these improvements relate, is that in which one
part in a valve chamber is covered and uncovered by a valve sliding in the
arc of a circle, said valve being made separate from its spindle, and being so
fitted on to said spindle that while the spindle forms the means by which the
valve is turned, the valve is free to move to and from the axis of said spindle,
which valve, when so placed as to uncover its port, leaves a passage for the
fluid around the valve and the valve spindle, from the induction port in the
valve chamber to the eduction in said chamber, and when the valve is so

page_text: placed as to cover its port in the valve chamber, it will prevent the passage of
a fluid from said chamber through the port that the valve covers, but it will
not prevent the passage of the fluid back through said port into the valve
chamber, for a pressure against the face of the valve will crowd it from its
seat, so as to let the fluid around the valve into the valve chamber and out
through the other port.
The nature of the Invention consists in so improving the construction of
this valve, that when it is in position to leave its ports uncovered, there will
be a passage or passages from the induction port or parts in the valve
chamber to the eduction port or ports in said chamber through the valve and
the valve spindle, thereby causing less friction to the steam, water, air,
illuminating or other gas, or any other fluid, whether elastic or non-clastic,
passing through it, thus obviating a loss of pressure or head. And, moreover,
in so constructing the valve that when it is in position to cover its ports, it will
prevent the flow of a fluid from the valve chamber through either of the ports
alternately without turning the valve spindle, and also in so constructing it
that the springs which hold the separate parts of the valve against their seats,
shall not act on the spindle to force it from its centre of motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Bacon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2
15th April 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
BACON, late of Prestwich, in the County of Lancaster, but now of Southport,
in the same County, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters 2
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Bacon, Her special licence that I, the said William Bacon,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said 3
William Bacon, 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,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN 3
THE MODE OF CONSTRUCTING VALVES, VALVE-COCKS, GATES, AND STOP-COCKS, WHICH

page_text: MAY BE USED IN STEAM ENGINEERING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," being a com-
munication from J. R. and H. S. Robinson, of Clinton, in the United States.
of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Bacon, 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 Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Bacon, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:
The form of valve to which these improvements relate, is that in whicli one
port in a valve chamber is covered and uncovered by a valve sliding in the
are of a circle, the said valve being made separate from its spindle, and being
so fitted thereto, that while the spindle forms the means by which the valve is
turned, the valve itself is free to move to and from the axis of the spindle.
The valve, when so placed as to uncover its port, leaves a passage for the fluid
around the valve and the valve spindle, from the induction port in the valve
chamber to the eduction port in the same. When the valve is so placed as to
cover its port in the valve chamber, it will prevent the passage of a fluid from
the chamber through the port that the valve covers, but will not prevent its
passage back through the port into the valve chamber, as a pressure against
the face of the valve will "crowd" (push or force) it from its seat, so as to let
the fluid pass around the valve into the valve chamber and out through the
other port.
The nature of the Invention consists in so improving the construction of.
this valve, that when it is in position to leave its ports uncovered, there will be
a passage or passages from the induction port or ports in the valve chamber to
the eduction port or ports in the same, through the valve and the valve spindle,
thereby causing less friction to the steam, water, air, illuminating or other gas,
or other elastic or non-elastic fluid passing through it, and thus obviating loss
of pressure or head. And, moreover, in so constructing the valve, that when it
is in position to cover its ports it will prevent the flow of a fluid from the
valve chamber through either of the ports alternately, so long as the spindle
remains unturned. And also in so constructing it that the springs which hold
the seperate parts of the valve against their seats, shall not act on the spindle
to force it from its centre of motion.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figs. 1 to 4 (inclusive) of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings represent
one of the forms in which the said Invention may be carried into effect.
Fig. 1 being a side elevation of a valve-cock or gate constructed according
thereto; Fig. 2, a longitudinal vertical section; Fig. 3, a longitudinal hori-
zontal section; and Fig. 4, a vertical cross section of the same. The same
letters of reference are made use of to indicate the same parts throughout.
a represents the induction, and b the eduction port. These ports are formed
in or with the outer casing c of the valve, and communicate, as shewn, with a
cylindrical chamber formed in the casing. Into this chamber is accurately
fitted the valve d, divided vertically at E into two seperate and equal portions.
The thoroughfare f passes through the valve d, and also through the rectan-
gular blade g formed on the valve spindle h, and having its sides fitting foosely
into vertical recesses or grooves i formed in the respective halves of the valve
and constituting the means whereby any circular movement given to the
spindle is imparted to them. That part of the valve spindle h which is
situated above the blade g passes through and is capable of turning freely in a
stuffing formed in the cover k of the cylindrical valve chamber; the lower
portion of the spindle (beneath the blade) being like the upper portion cylin-
drical in form and working in a suitable recess or cavity formed in the bottom
of the valve chamber, as shewn. The helical springs l, m, passing through
holes in the blade g, bear against and are compressed between the bottoms of
the recesses or grooves i formed in the seperate halves of the valve, which (the
halves) they hence tend to force asunder and keep in contact with the facing
or interior surface of the chamber, thereby following up the wear of the valve
and facing, and maintaining an accurate fit between them. The valve, in the
position represented in the Drawings, is wide open, the thoroughfare f coin-
ciding with the ports a and b, and forming a straight passage through the
valve and valve spindle from port to port, as before stated. It will readily be
seen that on turning the valve by means of its spindle into a position at right
angles to the one represented, the ports a and b will be covered, the valve
being made sufficiently large in diameter, with relation to the size of the ports
and thoroughfare, not only to allow cover for the ports, but also to allow a
sufficient amount of lap beyond their edges to prevent leakage. The blade g
is made somewhat thicker than the diameter of the upper end of the spindle
(or otherwise may have a small collar formed thereon), thereby constituting a
shoulder, which, without being intended to act as a perfect joint with the
cover k, will serve to check a flow of fluid outward from the valve casing

page_text: around the spindle, whenever it may be necessary to renew the packing of the
stuffing-box or gland while the valve is under pressure. It is also to be
observed that the length of the valve d and blade g are made slightly less
than that of the valve chamber, in order that they may not become bound or
fixed therein (by expansion) when their temperature exceeds that of the valve
casing. For the same reason the diameters of the cylindrical portions of the
spindle are made correspondingly less than those of the respective holes in
the casing c and cover k in which they work.
It will be obvious on inspection of the Drawings, that the springs I and m
in the absence of pressure on the valve, will keep both halves thereof in
contact with the interior facing of the valve chamber, as also that by being
passed through holes in the blade g, as described, all pressure or strain of the
springs upon the journals of the spindle is avoided, which result may otherwise
be arrived at by various mechanical contrivances, or by introducing any equal
springs of convenient form between the seperate pieces of the valve and the
valve spindle. In valves made in seperate parts with springs arranged sub-
stantially as described, the journals of the spindle being entirely relieved from
all side strain, will retain their perfect form much longer than where an
unequal pressure is thrown on the spindle, as in the common round sliding valve.
It will now be seen that the form of valve constructed in seperate pieces,
similarly as described with reference to the accompanying Drawings, embodies
that feature of the Invention which has reference to the prevention of the flow
of a fluid from the valve chamber, through either of the parts alternately so
long as the spindle remains unturned. For it is obvious that when the
position of the spindle is such as to bring the faces of the valve so as to cover
the ports a, b, a pressure entering at either one or other of the ports will
"crowd" or force that portion of the valve which covers the port in question
backward from its seat, thereby allowing the fluid to pass into the chamber,
where its pressure being upon the back of that part of the valve which covers
the opposite port will press it to its seat and prevent the escape of the fluid
from the chamber. In order to prevent a vibration or chattering of the parts
which would otherwise be liable to occur at times when the valve was but little
open, the induction end of the thoroughfare f is made somewhat larger than
the eduction end of the same, thereby causing the induction port to be slightly
opened to the valve chamber, before the opposite or eduction port has com-
menced opening for the egress of fluid therefrom. To ensure deriving the
advantage of this arrangement in cases where the valve is to be moved by
hand, a pointer or arrow is placed on the spindle (or on the arm or wheel by
which the spindle is to be turned) pointing in the direction in which it is in-

page_text: tended to have the fluid flow through the valve, which pointer, in connection
with the words "open" and "shut," or other symbol, or otherwise with fixed
stops placed upon the cap k or casing c, renders the working of the valve ex-
tremely simple. To ensure the free movement of the two parts of the valve,
upon the blade 9 of the spindle, it is essential that the faces of those parts wear
equally on both sides of a line drawn from the centre of the spindle, parallel
with the sides of the blade. It is hence necessary that they should have the
same amount of bearing surface at each side of the line named. To effect this,
as much bearing surface is added at o as will compensate for that taken off at
p. If it is wished to have the valve open and close its ports with less move-
ment of the spindle than that required in the construction shewn in the before
mentioned Figures (as for example, when the valve is used as a steam or exhaust
valve to a steam engine) the size of the valve must be varied in proportion to
the width of the ports, either by making the ports narrower and longer, or by
increasing the diameter of the valve while the ports remain unaltered. In this
construction of the valve the passage through the spindle will not be at right
angles to the sides of the blade as in the Figure named, but will vary more or
less from that angle according as the valve is proportioned to open its ports
with a greater or less motion of the spindle. This will be clearly understood
on reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the former of which represents a horizontal
section of this form of the improved valve when open, and the latter a similar
section of the same when closed. By the latter Figure it will be seen why
in cases where the traverse of the valve is less than one-fourth of the circle, the
passage or thoroughfare f must take an oblique direction through the blade g,
as in order that the valve wear equally and be free in movement, the blade g
must stand when the ports are covered, with its sides parallel to the line of
direction of the said ports, as represented.
Fig. 7 is a like section of a valve, similar to the foregoing, but constructed
to stop the flow of a fluid from one port only, and allow of its return should the
current or pressure be reversed.
When it is desirable to open the ports with still less motion of the spindle,
two or more passages are formed through the valve and connect corresponding
ports formed in the valve chamber, in a manner similar to that described with
reference to the valve having a single passage. This construction is illustrated
at Fig. 8, which is a horizontal section of a valve having three thoroughfares
or passages formed through it. This valve is shown as made to stop the flow
of a fluid from either port when shut; but it is evident that it may be made
to stop the flow of a fluid in one direction only by taking off the bearing at q.
similarly as shewn in Fig. 7, for the same purpose.

page_text: In all cases, whether having one or more passages through the valve and
spindle or through the valve alone, the passage or passages must be placed at
such an angle with the sides of the blade of the spindle, as to ensure free
movement of the several parts of the valve thereon, by having, as before
explained, an equal amount of bearing surface on either side of a line drawn
from the axis of the spindle, parallel with the sides of the blade, or, in other
words, the valves are always to be so constructed that when the ports are
covered, and there is the same amount of lap at either side of each of them,
the position of the blade of the spindle shall be such, that a line drawn from
the centre of the induction port or ports, or from the centre of the eduction
port or ports to the centre of the valve spindle, shall run parallel to the sides
of the blade thereof. In some cases it is required to have the valve so con-
structed that when closed it shall stop the flow of a fluid through it in one
direction only, as for the purpose of relieving a steam engine cylinder from
water by the valve being forced from its seat and permitting the egress of the
water, or for the purpose of an exhaust valve to a non-condensing steam engine,
so that when the pressure in the cylinder runs below that in the exhaust pipe,
the steam therein may force the valve from its seat and pass around it to the
cylinder.
In these and other similar instances the valve is either made in one piece
and kept to its seat, in the absence of pressure, by springs interposed between
the valve and the spindle in the usual manner; or, if, in order to remove the
pressure of the springs from the spindle, the valve be made in seperate pieces,
it is constructed so that the part which is presented to the induction port or
ports in the valve chamber when the valve is closed, is formed as represented
in Fig. 7, with a face which does not cover the said port or ports, but has
bearing surfaces at or near the ends or extremities of the valve, outside the
port, thus leaving a space for the passage of a fluid between itself and the valve
chamber, and causing the valve to allow the flow of a fluid in one direction,
while stopping it in the other. When used as an exhaust valve to a steam
engine, and whether made in one or more pieces, it is constructed so as to
have as little waste space as possible in the valve chamber, to be filled with
steam at each stroke of the engine.
The Patentee is aware that round sliding valves have previously been made
with a spindle seperate from the valve, and fitting into it so as to leave the
valve free to move towards or from the axis of the spindle; but the passage for
the fluid in such valves has not been straight through the valve and spindle as
in the improved form described, but has passed around them between the valve
and the valve chamber (the chamber forming one side of the passage) and has

page_text: consequently been curved or crooked in form. Such valves have morcover
been made in but one piece, thus covering one port only in the valve chamber
and stopping the flow of a fluid in but one direction at a time. This form of
construction also involves the objection that the thrust of the springs already
alluded to is thrown upon the journals of the valve spindle.
Although it is important sometimes to have the valve when closed stop a
flow from one direction only, there are many cases in which when the valve.
is used as a stop valve, it should be able to prevent a flow through it in either
direction so long as the spindle remains unturned; thus, for instance, when
placed in a steam pipe leading to a dye tub, or to any vessel where a liquid is
to be heated, by forcing the steam directly into it, it is necessary not only to
guard against the steam pressure on one side of the valve, when closed, but in
case of a vacuum being formed in the steam pipe to guard against the atmo-
spheric pressure on the other side, otherwise the liquid is liable to be forced
past the valve into the steam pipe. It is, however, to be observed that I do
not confine myself to valves made in seperate pieces, and that the improved
valve made in one piece, has the advantage over the common form of round
sliding valves of giving a straight instead of a curved or crooked passage
between the induction and eduction ports of the valve chamber, or when so
required, of having two or more straight passages from seperate induction ports
in the valve chamber to like seperate eduction ports in the same.
When made in seperate pieces, it has in addition to the straight passage,
the farther advantage of withstanding a pressure in either direction alternately
so long as the spindle remains unturned; as also of entirely removing the
pressure of the springs from the same. When made as described for a steam
engine, it has the combined advantages of the straight passage and of removing
side strain from the spindle, while retaining the capability, when closed, of
stopping a flow through it in one direction only.
The Patentec is aware that plug cocks have straight passages through them
when open, but many differences exist between plug cocks and valves con-
structed according to the present Invention; some of these may be pointed
out. Thus, plug cocks, in order to be tight, must stop the flow of a fluid at
the induction port of the case, and the plug has to be drawn or pressed into
the case with such force that it requires great power to move it alone, apart
from that necessary to overcome the friction caused by the pressure of the
fluid. And farther, as there is no provision for a greater ratio of expansion
in the plug than in the case, the greater expansion of the plug (in cases when
these cocks are used to stop the flow of hot fluids) often causes it to stick fast,
and so great is the trouble arising from this cause, that plug cocks of large

page_text: size arc of very little value for stopping or regulating the flow of fluids at
high or variable temperatures.
Now it has been shewn that the valve which forms the subject of this In-
vention does not stop the flow of a fluid through it by sliding a face over the
induction port or ports in the valve chamber and holding it there, but effects
the same by sliding a face over the eduction port or ports therein, and that it
is so constructed as to provide for the greater expansion of the valve than of
the case, in the line of the diameter by leaving the valve free to move upon the
spindle and by the yielding of the springs, and in the direction of its length
by making the valve and blade of the spindle shorter than the valve chamber.
It will also be apparent that the only resistance to the motion of the valve in
opening or closing its ports in addition to the slight friction caused by the
packing in the gland, and the friction of the springs is that caused by the
pressure of the fluid; and lastly, the wear of the valve faces is automatically
compensated for by the freedom of the seperate parts to move upon the blade
of the spindle.
In this Specification, the description has, with some few exceptions been
confined to the form of valve exhibited in the Drawings. It is evident,
however, that many changes may be made in the form and number of the parts
which embody the Invention herein-described, without in any way departing
from its spirit. It is to be understood that what is claimed as new with
reference thereto is,-
Firstly, the method of constructing valves, valve-cocks, gates, and stop-cocks,
substantially as specified, so that when the port or ports therein are uncovered,
there shall be a straight passage or passages from the induction port or ports in
the valve chamber to the eduction port or ports in the same, for the purposes
described, whether the valves in such valves, valve-cocks, gates, and stop-cocks,
are made in one or more than one piece.
And, secondly, making the valves in valves, valve-cocks, gates, and stop-
cocks, in seperate or detached pieces, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Bacon, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
WILLIAM (L.S.) BACON.