Improvements in and relating to Valves.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
Improvements in and relating to Valves.
I, ALEXANDER THOMSON MACFARLANE, of 25 St. Andrews Drive, Pollok-
shields, in the County of the City of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to valves of the
class described in the Specification of Patent No. 4823 of 1895, and comprises.
various modified ways of actuating said vaives.
Referring to Figures 4 to 6 of the specification of said patent, the inlet branch
to valve chest may extend from a flange opposite the outlet branch down to bottom.
of chest, and the lower disc valve be dispensed with, while a screw nut or projection
on lower end of spindle would raise the piston valve when desired, and a square or
projecting part on spindle bring it down. With this arrangement when a burst.
took place the piston would act in the manner described in the aforementioned
specification. A pointer would be arranged to indicate on a dial the positions
of valve.
Under another arrangement a sleeve would be mounted round the lower half or
part of central spindle and a screw thread would be formed on the upper part of
this sleeve working into a corresponding thread on a central fixed collar of valve
chest. The lower disc valve would be secured to the bottom of sleeve. When
the hand wheel on top of central spindle is turned the spindle and sleeve are also
turned and the sleeve works in screw thread of valve chest and the valve at lower
end operated. To operate the piston valve a cotter is passed through sleeve and
central spindle and to press down the piston bears on a lower ring flange on the
latter, while it raises the piston by bearing on a boss part of piston in its upward
travel. A pointer is fitted ou handle on upper part of spindle to indicate in stop
positions the open, shut, and working positions of valve. By a slightly modified
arrangement the sleeve is secured to the spindle by a feather, and the spindle
turned to operate the piston valve by a handle near its upper end, said handle being
secured to spindle by a collar and feather. In this case the lower end of spindle
is extended down to and secured to the lower disc valve; and this spindle is raised
and lowered to open or shut the disc valve by a handle and screw threaded collar
working into a screw thread at top of spindle and so sliding the latter up or down,
while a thumb screw would be used to hold the wheel which turns the spindle
from turning when raising or lowering the bottom valve, or a jamb nut might be:
used for this purpose.
Under another arrangement instead of only having one spindle as described in
connection with Figures 4 to 6 of the specification of aforesaid patent, an outer
hollow annular spindle would be formed separate from the central spindle and
work through a screw nut at its lower end for independently operating the piston.
A wheel or a handle would be used for operating this annular spindle and when
the latter is moved downwards a projecting part on it acts on top surface of inner
central boss part of piston valve to move it down to its lowest position. While by
raising the annular spindle the nut part on lower end of this spindle will press on
under surface of central boss of piston valve and raise same. A pointer would be
secured to the annular spindle to indicate the open, shut, and working positions of
the piston valve.

page_text: Under another arrangement the valve secured to lower end of inner central
spindle may be dispensed with and the apparatus be worked in conjunction with
an ordinary stop valve. In this arrangement the upper disc valve would be formed
in one with an outer hollow annular spindle operated by a screw wheel, and having
an indicating pointer secured to it. The piston valve would be brought down to.
its lowest position by the disc valve bearing over the boss part of same, or by a
projection on the central spindle and be raised by a screw nut on spindle bearing
on under surface of boss part of piston. In the same manner and using the lower
disc valve three separate spindles may be used one for operating the upper disc
valve, the other for operating the piston valve, and the third for operating the
lower disc or stop valve or the upper disc valve may be formed on the inner central
boss. The lower disc valve in this arrangement could be arranged to act as the
non-return valve as described on page 4 lines 24 and 25 of aforesaid specification
a spindle or spindles being provided for working lower disc valve and piston.
A spindle might be formed in one with the piston and a handle or lever attached
which when not required to act as an automatic valve would be arranged to fit in
stops provided for same. Under a modified arrangement the upper disc valve may
be dispensed with and the lower disc valve be fitted on bottom of central spindle.
A central chamber may be formed by a ring extending from top of valve chest to
bottom travel of piston, so that when a burst took place the piston would rise
outside this central chamber and shut off steam at opening in annular chamber, or
at outlet orifice.
In these arrangements the lower disc valve could be dispensed with and only the
piston or diaphragm used and the apparatus worked in conjunction with an ordinary
stop valve. Instead of actuating the operating spindle by a handle or hand- wheel
a hand lever may be used, stops or holes being provided for fixing lever by a pin
to suit the several positions of gear. Under a modified arrangement the steam
instead of passing through the bottom of piston as shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the
specification of aforesaid patent would be directed round and exert its pressure at
other end before passing through outlet branch and when a burst took place the
piston would shut off these passages. Similarly a disc or diaphragm through or
round which the steam or other fluid passes and is then directed to exert its pressure
at the other end of disc or diaphragm may be used, or correspondingly two discs
may be used said discs moving up to and thereby shutting off steam should a burst
or escape take place.
A pointer would or may be connected to piston or diaphragm to show exactly
the position of piston valve. This could be effected by a rod from piston valve
being connected by a pin or crank to a lever with slotted end, which in turn would
be connected to a spindle passing out through a stuffing box to side of chest where
the pointer would be connected to spindle and indicate on a dial the exact position
of piston valve.
Dand the 1st M.- 1806
Improvements in and relating to alves.
I, ALEXANDER THOMSON MACFARLANE, of 25 St. Andrews Drive,
Pollokshields, in the County of the City of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention, aud in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say :-
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to valves of the:

page_text: class described in the Specification of Patent No. 4823 of 1895, and comprises
various modifications in the designs and methods of actuating said valves.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of carrying same into
practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended five sheets of
explanatory drawings in which the same reference letters are used to indicate
corresponding parts in the several figures where shown.
In Sheets 1 and 2 are shown sectional elevations and plan views of arrangements
of automatic stop valves as constructed in accordance with my improvements, and
on Sheets 3 and 4 are shown similar views of automatic acting valves which can be
worked independently or in conjunction with ordinary stop valves, and on Sheet 5
are shown similar views showing my improvements as applied to the water tubes of
tubular boilers.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of these drawings:--The valve E is packed like a
piston while its centre part E' is formed with a series of segmental openings.
This piston E is mounted loose on the spindle B and a valve b is fitted on lower end
of spindle to work over an inlet branch seat D" on the chest D.
The spindle B as shown is formed with a square part at B3 so that it will not turn
when raising or lowering the valve b. A baffle plate P is fitted under the piston so
that in the event of priming the water will be projected against the plate P and
directed through openings E. The disc 6¹ is formed on end of the spindle boss.
The action of the valve is as follows:-
When the valve b is raised from off its seat D2 steam or other fluid passes in by
the branch D and ascends through the segmental ports E of valve E. The
steam or other fluid exerts its pressure on the upper and lower surfaces of piston E,
and then passes into the outlet branch D. In its normal condition the float
valve E remains in the position shown in the drawings, but should a burst or escape
take place, the pressure is released and this valve E will be automatically raised
until it comes against the disc b¹ and so the supply of fluid will be shut off."
In the arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5 the cover A of chest D is formed
with a hollow or annular chamber space d and an opening d' is formed at the upper
part of this chamber opposite to outlet branch D. A tubular spindle a is formed
separate from the central spindle B and works through a screw wheel ¹ for
independently operating the piston valve E. The wheel is used for operating
this spindle and when the latter is moved downwards the projecting part 2 on it
acts on inner central boss part of piston E to move it down to its lowest position,
while by raising the spindle. x the nut part on lower part of spindle presses on
under central boss surface of valve E and raises same. A pointer would be
secured to the spindle a to indicate the open, shut, and automatic positions of the
piston E. The disc valve 6' is mounted loose on the tubular spindle x.
valve b is raised from off its seat D2 steam or other fluid passes in by the branch D2
and ascends through the segmental ports E' of valve E and raises the disc bi against
the stop d³ on end of stuffing box, the steam then passes into chamber d and travels
by the opening d¹ into the outlet branch D passing round above the top of valve E.
Should the pipe burst or an escape take place the pressure on pipe will be released
and this valve E will be automatically raised until it comes against the disc bin
the raised position of the latter and as the supply will be shut off the stop valve b
can then independently be shut.
When the
In the case of this being used in connection with a battery of boilers the valve b¹
would act as the non-return valve, so that should the pressure in any one boiler be
less than in the others the steam instead of being able to pass from the boilers with
full pressure into that in which the pressure had fallen, would act on the back of
the valve 6 and so isolate the boiler referred to.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7 the opening d¹ in annular
chamber d leads directly into outlet branch D' and the boss of piston E is shown
as connected with an actuating hand lever F. This arrangement can be used as a
throttle valve, and should the cylinder burst or cover blow off, the pressure would

page_text: be released and the piston E act in the manner herein before described. The
actuating of the lever F will ensure the automatic valve being in working order.
The arrangement shown in Figures 8 and 9 is substantially the same as that
shown in Figures 4 and 5 except that the stop valve b is arranged to act as a
non return valve, the valve b¹ is formed on end of spindle boss.
A screw wheel is used for operating the spindle X and a handle y is used for
testing the automatic acting piston valve E.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 10 and 11 the upper end of chest D is
shown as connected to a pipe and the spindle B operated by a hand lever F. The
disc valve might be dispensed with and the piston E be arranged to shut the
openings d when a burst bad taken place.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 12 and 13 the inlet branch D' to valve
chest D extends from a flange opposite the outlet branch D* down to bottom of
chest. A screwed nut on lower end of spindle B raises the piston E when
testing it, while a shoulder a² on spindle brings it down. With this arrangement
when a burst took place the piston E would act in the manner herein before
described. A pointer a would be fitted on spindle to indicate the open, shut, and
automatic positions of the piston E.
In the arrangement, Figures 14 and 15, the valve & is shown as formed on a
tubular spindle operated by a screw wheel a' and having an indicating pointer
secured to it, while the piston E would be brought to its lowest position by a
projection on the central spindle B, and be raised by the nut a on same spindle
in the upward travel of the latter.
In the same manner, and using the lower disc valve, three separate spindles may
be used, one for operating the upper disc valve, the other for operating the piston
valve, and the third for operating the lower dise or stop valve or the upper disc
valve may be formed on the inner central boss. The lower disc valve in such an
arrangement could be arranged to act as the non-return valve as described on
page 4 lines 24 and 25 of the specification of aforementioned patent, a spindle or
spindles being provided for working lower dise valve and piston. In such arrange-
ments the outlet branch of the existing stop valve would be connected to the inlet
branch D. As the valve & forms part of the spindle, it would be desirable that
the valve of the existing stop valve would be free to act as a non-return valve, as
in the case of a battery of boilers, should the pressure in one boiler be less than the
others, the non-return valve would shut until the pressure in this boiler was equal
to the rest.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 16 to 18 the spindle B is shown as connected
at F to an actuating hand lever F fulcrumed at F, while the position in which the
piston E may be at any time is indicated by a pointer on a dial this being
effected by a stud h on piston E being connected by a crank h¹ to a slotted lever h
mounted on a spindle h on which the pointer is secured. The various details
and parts of the valves herein shown and described may be modified, interchanged
and arranged to suit the requirements of any particular service.
In the arrangement of valves shown applied to the tubes of water tube boilers in
Figures 19 to 21 the water in water drum of boiler entering by the inlets D' passes
into the tube X, steam is formed, and when a burst takes place the pressure within
the tube X is released and reduced in pressure, and the pressure in the steam and
water drum acts on outer surface of valve E and automatically closes it against the
seats d³ and d. The collar C is screwed or pinned on. A baffle plate P is fitted
so that when the tube X has burst the pressure is directed away from the inner
surface of valve E. In Figures 22 to 28 the valves shown are arranged for tubes X
having an internal circulating tube X. In Figures 22 to 24 the water enters the
tube by the inlets D2 and passes down the inner tube X' the outer tube X being
closed at bottom end, while the steam rises up the outer tube and passes out. by
outlet D. Should a burst take place the valve acts in the same manner as
described in Figures 19 to 21.
Figures 25 to 28 show slightly modified arrangements from, that shown in

page_text: Figures 22 to 24. The water circulates through the inlets D³ into the inner
tube X and steam is formed in the annular space between inner and outer
tubes and ascends through the outlet D lifting the valve E and should a burst
take place the pressure in tube is released and acting on the top of valve E closes
the valve E on the inlet and outlet branches.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The constructions or arrangements and combinations of the parts of valves,
substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the several figures of "
the accompanying drawings.
Second. In valves, the arrangements of hand operated levers and fittings herein
described for testing the working of the valves substantially as shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Third. In valves, the arrangements of central and annular spindles for operating
the valves, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In valves, the arrangements of indicating the position of the main valves,.
substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Figures 16 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.