IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO ECONOMIZE STEAM
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hutchinson, of Longroyd Bridge, Huddersfield,
in the West Riding of the County of York, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO ECONOMIZE STEAM."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hutchinson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th January 1855.
I, JOHN HUTCHINSON, of Longroyd Bridge, Huddersfield, in the West.
Riding of the County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO ECONOMIZE STEAM" to
be as follows, that is to say:-
The main feature and object of my Invention is to economize the steam used
for heating or warming buildings and other purposes, and my apparatus
consists of a suitably formed vessel made steam-tight to receive the condensed
water therefrom, having a tap of peculiar construction, compound levers, glass
globe or ball inside of the vessel, so arranged self-acting, for the purpose of
allowing the water to escape without loss or escape of steam thereby.
The accompanying outline Drawing will more clearly explain the nature
the said Invention for "IMPROVELIENTS IN APPARATUS TO ECONOMIZE STEAM " to
be as follows, that is to say:-
The main feature and object of my Invention is to economize the steam used
for heating or warming buildings and other purposes, and my apparatus
consists of a suitably formed vessel made steam-tight to receive the condensed
water therefrom, having a tap of peculiar construction, compound levers, glass
globe or ball inside of the vessel, so arranged self-acting, for the purpose of
allowing the water to escape without loss or escape of steam thereby.
The accompanying outline Drawing will more clearly explain the nature

page_text: of John Hutchinson's Invention. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of
the vessel; and Fig. 2 is a plan, with the lid or cover removed. a represents the
tap with a rose end extending to the bottom of the vessel; b, the levers; c, a
glass ball; d, a pipe to admit the water and steam; the dotted lines shew the
variable positions of the levers and ball, by the raising or lowering of the water
in the vessel. It will be seen that the water will only pass out at the tap when
it stands level therewith, unless driven out by the force of the steam, when the
ball will lower and close the tap before any steam can escape. On the other
hand, should the water encrease, the ball will be raised and the tap set wider
open, so as to allow a greater escape.
-
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Hutchinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th July 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HUTCHINSON, of Longroyd Bridge, Huddersfield, in the West Riding of the
County of York, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most. Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenthi
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said John Hutchinson, Her special licence that I, the said John
Hutchinson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Hutchinson, 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
APPARATUS TO ECONOMIZE STEAM," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Hutchinson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 Royal Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Hutchinson, do hereby declare the
nature of the said- Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-

page_text: statement (that is to say):
The main feature and object of my Invention is to economize the steam
used for heating or warming buildings and other purposes, and my apparatus
consists of a suitably formed vessel made steam-tight to receive the condensed
water, having a tap of peculiar construction, compound levers, glass globe or
ball inside of the vessel, so arranged self-acting, for the purpose of allowing
the water to escape without loss or escape of steam.. The accompanying
Drawing will more clearly explain the nature of my Invention. Fig. 1 is a
longitudinal vertical section of the vessel; and Fig. 2. is a plan, with the lid or
cover removed; the same letters in each Fig. having reference to the same
parts.
a represents the tap with a rose end extending to the bottom of the
vessel; b, the levers; c, a float ball, made of glass or other suitable material;
d, a pipe to admit the water and steam; the dotted lines shew the variable
positions of the levers and ball by the raising or lowering of the water in the
vessel, consequently closing or opening the tap. It will be seen that the water
will only pass out at the tap when it stands in a level or horizontal position,
unless driven out by the force of the steam, when the ball will lower or close
the tap before any steam can escape. On the other hand, should the water
increase, the ball will be raised and the tap set wider open, so as to allow a
greater escape.
Heretofore apparatus for this purpose have been employed, but through
various causes they have not accomplished the desired effect with certainty in
their operation, some having an ordinary tap with single lever and copper ball
float, which is rarely constructed without leakage, hence by lapse of time
will become charged with water, and consequently render such apparatus
inoperative; besides, the adjusting and maintaining such apparatus so that
the water shall escape without loss of steam is almost impossible. Others,
having a stone or earthenware float, lever, and balance weights, with a valve,
frequently become ineffective, by dirt, grease, or other substance getting betwixt
the valve and seat, so that all the water is drained out of the box, and the
steam then obtains a free escape along with the water. But by my improve-
ments these objections are avoided, the apparatus is certain in its operation, the
float ball never subject to leakage, and will bear the heat and pressure of
steam; the tap, by extending below the surface of the water, prevents the
escape of steam, and by means of the compound levers the tap can be com-
pletely opened or shut, should the fluctuations of the condensed water and
steam require it.

page_text: Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of my Invention, I
desire it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein described; but I claim as my Invention, and which, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, is new within this realm, the application and use of a
tap, the inlet end or orifice extending below the exit orifice, compound levers,
and float ball, as herein described, and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet
of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hutchinson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of July, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-five.
JOHN HUTCHINSON. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-named
John Hutchinson, in the presence of
W TASKER,
Patent Agent, Halifax.