NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY OF WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS, AND THE QUANTITY DELIVERED INTO RECEIVERS
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
ROBERT ABRAHAM, of Keppel Street, in the Parish of Saint George, Blooms-
bury, and County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer and Architect, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Fourteenth day of June, in the first year of Her reign, and in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, did, for Herself,
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Henry Robert
Abraham, Her especial licence, full power, söle privilege and authority, that
I, the said Henry Robert Abraham, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Henry Robert Abraham, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,.
from time to time and at all times during the term therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "NEW OR IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY OF WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS, AND
THE QUANTITY DELIVERED INTO RECEIVERS;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso obliging me, the said Henry Robert Abraham, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her
Majesty's. High Court of Chancery within six calendar months from the date
thereof.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Henry Robert Abraham, do hereby declare that the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of new or improved apparatus for regulating the supply of
water or other liquids, and the quantity delivered into receivers, consists,―
Firstly, in certain new constructions and arrangements of the parts and
details of cocks and valves used in the delivery of fluids, by which their action
is improved, and their capabilities for resisting pressure increased, and
by which also they may be made more, durable and less subject to leakages.
Secondly, in the application of a known principle, called the bydrostatic
paradox, to the delivery and regulation of liquids, by which that principle is
made an effective agent, either self-acting or assisted by machinery.
Thirdly, in the combination of the above principles with other means to
feed boilers or other vessels, either against pressure or otherwise, by which
co-efficiency the trunk or supplying force may be assisted or relieved from
pressure, either gaseous or liquid, at the moment of supply; and by the con-
trivance of a self-acting valve or apparatus fixed in the boiler or receiver, or
communicating therewith, a reduction of pressure and friction upon the
supplying force is obtained, and the receiver filled more promptly. The
casualties arising from want of water or other liquid in close boilers being by
these means prevented, I do not intend to limit the construction of my
improvements to the particular forms and arrangements delineated in the
accompanying Drawings, but I claim the application of the Inventions
generally in the most comprehensive sense, that is, however, modified as to
forms or arrangements. The several letters of reference in the Drawings
point out similar parts in each view of the same object.
Figures 1 represent in several views a guage tap, A, being an elevation; B, a
section taken vertically; C, a horizontal view; and D, a front view of the
guage tap. a is the valve formed as the pustrum of a cone attached to a
horizontal spindle 6 working in guides or bridges c, d. A key e works in front
of the valve seat; and f is a pin which may be screwed up to give to the key
and handle g any amount of friction; h is a stop for the handle; i, i, flanges
and screw by which the two parts of the barrel are connected. The flanges
are worked acutely within in order to prevent the washer being blown out
funder pressure. In this form of cock or tap the action of the handle' prevents
the hand from being scalded while using it.

page_text: Figs. 2 représent in several views a cock either as a union cock or a bib cock
if made with a round nose. A is an elevation of this cock; B, a section taken
vertically; C, a plan or horizontal view; E and F, end views. a, a, the
conical valve fixed on a horizontal spindle; b, b, bridges; c, a key either
forked or otherwise working the spindle and valve a. The key may have a
perforation for the spindle d, which is fitted thereto and into the plughole in
the box e; f is a socket ground to fit accurately at g in the box. A washer h
with ears slips into notches in the female screw i. A screwed cap k secures
the action and regulates the friction of the cock; is the lever. In these
Figures the box e is a receiver for liquids flowing, commixed with gases,
from which they may be easily emptied. Figures 3 represent a variation of
the above construction, with the action reversed for ordinary use.
Figures 4 exhibit a ball valve cock, similar in principle, so far as relates
to the action of the spindle, to the foregoing, but having the front guide
open for the protrusion of the spindle, which, when unobstructed, is impelled.
forward, and the valve driven upon its seat by the action of the liquid
pressing upon it, but retained open by the intervention of an excentric k
worked on the rod of a float 1, 1, and turning on the centre m until the float
has risen above the cock, when it is slowly relieved, and the valve finds its seat.
The novelty of this cock consists in the proper arrangement of the valve seat
at an angle which prevents the recursion of the valve and the reciprocating.
movement which is otherwise communicated to it under great pressure. The
screwed valve box, which gives easy access to the valve, and the excentric
upon the ends of the float rod, not intercepting the water way, are new forms.
A is an external view of the cock and ball; B is a section of the same taken,
vertically; C, a top view; D, a front view. a, the valve; b, the spindle;
è and d, guides or bridges.
Figures 5 represent in several positions a conical plug cock, principally
applicable where liquids flow slowly into receivers and for hot liquors.
This cock may be worked by the direct impulse of a float, or with a guide
and lever passing through a slot in the spindle of the plug. A is an external
view of the cock; B, a section of the same taken vertically, C; top view;
D, front view of the cock. a, the plug; b, the spindle; c, the guide; d, the slot
in the spindle; e, the lever; f, the float. E represents the same construction of
cock worked by the direct impulse of the float f; F is a section of the same';
G is a front view, and H a top view, of the cock without the float.
Figures 6 represent a conical plug cock for liquids, and particularly those in
commixture with gaseous fluids, where the liquid portion is required to be
separated, in which case the box below the plug receives the liquor, giving the

page_text: gas free passage, the liquor being emptied in any ordinary way. A is an external
elevation; B, a section of the same; C, top view; D, horizontal section shewing
the bottom. a, a threaded spindle working through and in the conical valve,
by rotation elevating or depressing it; b, the valve having guides c, c, which
work in perpendicular grooves in the box d, d. The screw of the spindle is
worked by the usual means of lever or key fixed on the square f, and the lower
end of the spindle turns in the step e at bottom; g is the pipe for the discharge
of the liquid, or it may be drawn off through a hollow spindle.
Figures 7 represent a meter to determine the quality of the liquid passed
through an aperture. A is an elevation of the meter; B, a section of the same
taken vertically. a is the chamber or barrel in two parts united at 6; spiral
fans e are attached to a spindle so disposed as to give motion to the endless
ścrew d, which communicates with the clockwork e, and by the rotation of a
dial plate f, or by other indicators, shewing the number of revolutions of the
spiral, and necessarily the quantity of liquid discharged through the orifice of
the attached pipe.
super-
Figures 8 exhibit the hydrostatic valve. This apparatus is put in action by
the pressure of a fluid column on the dilatable or lifting part or parts of a
receiver on the principle of the hydrostatic paradox, the pressure of the
incumbent or opposing force being relieved by a surrounding case or other means,
and the power obtained by the pressure of the fluid column so communicated to
the extensible receiver is transferred to affixtures thereon, so as to shut or open
valves under great pressure, and effect other mechanical purposes for the
regulation of liquid supply. The apparatus is relieved from action by
emptying the supply pipe; this part of the machine being so constructed as
to regulate the action of the whole, and to discharge, as may be required, its
altitude of fluid or liquid, either to waste or rense as may be necessary; and
this apparatus may also be worked by the action of an external super-
ponderating force displacing the column of liquid which maintained, the
dilatable part of the receiver in extension, and be made to discharge the
pressing column into a receiver above it, from which it would again descend
when the external pressure was removed, and both these cases. may be
exemplified in manner following:-First; by the descent of the fluid into the
receiver. A is an elevation of the apparatus for closing a valve against pressure.
B, the section taken vertically. a is a receiver which may be formed, as in the
Drawing, by a waterproof flexible band secured round a metallic or other
disc b and also to a plate d'below it, or it may be formed as a cylinder and
piston, after the manner of 'those used for steam engines, but in both cases
being made to communicate with a tube or tubes (e) and f, and secured from

page_text: external pressure of liquid by a case g, g, having a perforation for a shaft or
spindle affixed to the rising plate, and a stuffing, and guide, or washer, or
some other contrivance to secure a vertical action and prevent leakage from
above. To this spindle may be connected the water way and valve i, and the.
outer case be screwed to the bottom plate. A small pipe k may communicate
with a waste pipe to prevent the case from accidentally filling. If the
apparatus described be placed at the bottom of a cistern (both the receiver
and tube being empty, and the upper disc or piston down upon the bottom
plate, and the top of the tube about the level of the top of the cistern, and the
waste pipe passing through the bottom as usual for waste pipes), then, if a
service pipe be attached to the valve seat i and liquid admitted, when the
cistern becomes nearly full, a quantity would flow down the pipe e into the
receiver and throw up the valve i with a force proportionate to the height of
the column of liquid in the tube multiplied by the area of the disc, and by this
means great power may be gained. A leakage in the pipe finto the waste
pipe regulates the continuance of the power and limits its duration. In the
other case the power may be applied as at H, Figures 9, about to be
described, where p is a receiver filled with liquid similar to that already
shewn, but without the case g. The tube q is filled with liquid to a height
that will extend the receiver with a given force; a shallow vessel r above the
tube is open to the atmospheric pressure, and receives the rising liquid;
a lantern frame s, s, sustaining the bottom plate. Any adventitious force
acting upon p will depress the top plate when it exceeds the power of the
sustaining column q, and will force the liquid into the receiver r, at the same
time.opening the valve t.affixed to the top plate of the receiver, and upon the
weight being removed from p the fluid will regain its place in the receiver
and reclose the valve.
Figures 9 represent an apparatus by which the water in steam boilers may
be saved for re-use after condensation, and by which pressure opposing the
supplying force may be relieved in the moment when free action is necessary.
I do not claim the Invention of this principle of supply by equalization of
pressure, but only certain improvements in the principle which will work it
more effectually and more safely. A represents an external elevation of this
apparatus; and B, a section of the same taken vertically. (a) is a close vessel
communicating with a boiler b by tubes c, c, and d,; e, f,t, are valves shutting
off communication; g, a float; h, a guide; i, a lever to work the valve f;
k, a supply pipe with a valve opening upwards; m, a hollow float. If the
float g is so contrived that when the steam in the boiler 6 is at a given pressure,
and the water at a given height, the valve e shall be closed, and if the regu-

page_text: lator H-be so contrived that at the same pressure it shall maintain the valve t
in its close position, and if the valve f be closed by the lever i, then if the
vessel a be full of water, none will flow into the boiler; but if the water
becomes low, and the float 9 descends, the valve e is first opened, and the
steam will rise from the boiler into the vessel a above the float m, for which
'may be substituted a diaphram or a bag of air or gas. When an equilibrium
between a and b is formed by the ascent of the steam, water will flow into the
boiler through d; and when a vacuum is produced by condensation, a supply
may be readily given to a by the pipe k. The float a should be so poised that
the pressure of steam upon the valve e shall assist its flotation, until the
water nearly leaves the float; it will then drop, and not again rise until nearly
'covered with water; an interval for the action of the steam will thus be given.
The valve is not opened until an interval after e has been opened. This
arrangement is necessary for the increments of action and for the prevention
of sudden pulsion of the valves. The float m or other suitable contrivance
will prevent the sudden contact of steam with the colder fluid and too rapid
condensation, and will otherwise assist the delivery of the liquid. The con-
trivance H upon any sudden increase of pressure assists the other valves, and
also the supply of water at a high temperature to the receiver, and will upon
any occasion of danger relieve the pressure from the supplying force.
"
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Robert Abraham have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.