Improvements in and relating to Valves for Controlling the Passage of Live Steam from Boilers or like purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1900
Improvements in and relating to Valves for Controlling the Passage
of Live Steam from Boilers or like purposes.
We, JAMES ASIITON FLETCHER and SAMUEL FLETCHER, both of Borough Brass
Works, Cavendish and Blandford Streets, Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to junction or steam stop valves usually employed on
boilers or steam pipe ranges and to automatic isolating valves sometimes used in
conjunction therewith, and its object is to provide an improved construction of
such valves.
The invention may be broadly divided into three parts consisting generally as
follows. First a novel byepass construction of the junction or stop valve and
its fittings whereby the steam can be gradually admitted from any one side of the
valve to the other, and therefore safely to any coupled line of pipe. Second a
removable seat for the main stop valve arranged with improved devices for rapidly
fixing or removing, and to provide for expansion. Third, an improved construction
of automatic isolating valve preferably attached to the junction valve, on the
opposite side from the boiler so that when a fall of pressure takes place on the
boiler side the isolating valve closes.
In carrying the first portion of the invention into effect as applied to an ordinary
screw down junction or straight way or other lid valve, one construction is as
follows. The valve box consists of the usual two branches, one containing the
valve seating and forming a chamber below the valve and the other leading to a
chamber above the valve which is closed overhead by a stuffing box flange carrying
external pillars and a bridge piece or in internal screw valves a nut is carried
under the cover. A main valve with a conical or other suitable face rests upon
the main seating and is constructed with radiating webs having a central boss
formed on the bottom thereof. The top of the main valve is drilled centrally
through and the webs above the boss cut away to form a passage from one side
of the valve to the other and also an auxiliary or bye pass valve seat. The valve
spindle is formed at the outer end in the ordinary manner with a screw thread cut
upon that portion of it which passes through the cross bar supported by the
external pillars or passes through in internal screw valves the nut under the cover,
while the plain portion passes through the stuffing box. The valve spindle towards
its inner end is turned down and grooved to form a valve and guide webs fitting
the auxiliary or bye pass seating and the extremity of the spindles inner end is
reduced in diameter, screwed and passed through a screwed hole formed in the
boss on the guide webs of the main valve. A collar is rigidly attached to the
inner end of the spindle a short distance from the said boss when the junction
valve is closed. Both screw threads are preferably of the same pitch and hand.
When a junction valve constructed as herein before described is in use and the
steam connected to the branch above the valve the operation is as follows.—The

page_text: hand wheel is revolved and causes the spindle to move upwards. The pressure on
the large main valve, prevents it turning and the auxiliary or bye pass valve opens
and allows a gradually increasing flow of steam until the bottom and inner
screw of the spindle rises far enough to bring its collar into contact with the
boss on the main valve. As soon as this takes place it carries up and opens the
main valve allowing the usual full bore opening. Upon reversing the hand wheel
the main valve is closed first and then the auxiliary or bye pass.
The following variations in the construction hereinbefore described may be
employed without departing from the subject of the present invention. The
main valve may have a finger formed upon it catching on a projection on the valve
chest to prevent it revolving. Further in conjunction with this the bottom and
inner screw upon the spindle may be of a much finer pitch and of an opposite
hand to that upon the exterior thereof; so that upon elevating the spindle by the
hand wheel a quick opening of the auxiliary or bye pass valve takes place
relatively to a simultaneous slow opening of the main valve until the collar beds
upon the boss. The pitches of the two screws upon the valve spindle may be of
any relative proportions and may be of similar or opposite hands.
The first portion of the invention thus consists of a junction valve with a
bye pass operated directly from the ordinary hand wheel in an automatic manner
and capable of being utilized from both branches with live steam on either side.
It is evident that the screw gearing with the main valve boss would prevent this
valve being blown open if the pressure were on the bottom side when the bye
pass was being opened.
The first portion of the invention, relating to the provision of a bye pass for
a junction or like valve as herein before described may be carried into effect without
the addition of a second auxiliary valve, and in the following manner. The main
valve seating is constructed with an annular rib or ring of larger diameter than the
actual seat projecting upwards. The valve spindle has only the ordinary screw and
its inner end carries a collar or equivalent device attached to a boss upon the top
of the main valve in any usual way. The valve itself however has in addition to
the usual seat a recessed or U shaped extension in diameter, which when the
valve is closed, embraces the rib or annular ring upon the seat, leaving a small
annular clearance all round the said rib or ring. The depth of this U shaped recess
and the annular rib or ring are so proportioned that upon opening the valve by
the movement of the spindle the valve and valve seat proper are a considerable
distance apart before the U shaped recess leaves the rib. It is thus evident
that as soon as the valve opens and until the recess is clear of the rib or ring, a
bye pass of steam or wire drawing takes place through the small annular clearance
herein before described, thus carrying into effect the first portion of the invention.
In carrying the second portion of the invention into effect as applied to a
removable expansion seat the construction and operation is as follows.-The
seat consists of a ring turned with a step which beds in and forms a joint with
a recess turned in the valve body, clearance being allowed diametrically for expan-
sion. Snogs are formed on the outer periphery of the top portion of the ring and
of such dimensions & shape that the whole ring can be dropped into the top
chamber of the valve chest and turned round so that the said snogs come partly
underneath similar projecting snogs cast on the walls of the chamber and there
interlock. The interlocking surface of the valve chamber snogs are preferably
made parallel with the valve seat, but the same surfaces of the corresponding
valve seat snogs are wedge shaped and two set pins are screwed into each of the
said valve snogs and carry coned collars. When the valve seat is in place these
coned collars bear against either side of the valve chamber snogs, one at the
narrow end of each wedge surface and the other at the thick end. It is evident
that by screwing either one or other of the set pins down, that the coned collars
acting against the chamber snogs will slightly rotate the ring in one or other
direction and thus slacken the valve seat for removal or tighten it for work in a
simple and efficient manner,

page_text: In carrying the third portion of the invention into effect as applied to an
isolating valve the construction is as follows. A valve body or chest with curving
walls is provided with two connecting branches and in one of these a suitable
valve seat is fixed. The top of the valve chest has an opening for introducing the
valve and this opening is covered by a flanged upwardly projecting pipe closed at
the top by a small cover. The valve consists of a metal sphere preferably hollow
suspended by a rod from a short link and hemispherical swivel carried on a seat
at the top of the pipe or in some cases it may be suspended directly by a chain.
The valve normally hangs clear of the valve seat and it has placed behind it and
away from the valve seat a guide rod at an angle to. the axis of the valve branches
but in approximately the same horizontal plane therewith. An isolating valve
constructed as hereinbefore described when connected by the branch on the valve
seat side with a junction valve and by the other branch with the feed pipe of a
range of boilers would operate as follows.-When steam is normally flowing from
the boiler through the junction valve to the pipe range the current tends to keep
the ball valve on the guide and away from its seat against the wall of the valvé
box. Suppose however, this particular boiler was shut down for repairs and the
junction valve was opened through some oversight, allowing live steam to pass
backwards from the rest of the range. The backward rush of steam would at once
swing the ball valve to, and isolate the boiler and thus prevent probably a serious
accident or death to workmen who might be employed therein. The necessary tilt
to the ball suspender may be provided for by placing the valve box or the upwardly
projecting pipe at an angle.
Data: 201 Jav
1000
MARKS & CLERK,.
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13. Temple Street. Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street,, Manchester, Agents..
Improvements in and relating to Valves for Controlling the Passage
of Live Steam from Boilers or like purposes.
We, JAMES ASHTON FLETCHER and SAMUEL FLETCHER, both of Borough Brass
Works, Cavendish and Blandford Streets, Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers, 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:-
This invention relates to junction or steam stop valves usually employed on
boilers or steam pipe ranges, and to automatic isolating valves sometimes. used
in conjunction therewith and its object is to provide an improved construction of
such valves.
The invention may be broadly divided into three parts consisting generally as
follows-First, a novel bye-pass construction of the junction or stop valve and
its fittings whereby the steam can be gradually admitted from any one side of the
valve to the other, and therefore safely to any coupled line of piping. Second, a
removable seat for the main stop valve arranged with improved devices whereby
it may be rapidly fixed or removed, and further to provide for expansion, of, said
seat. Third, an improved construction of automatic isolating valve preferably
fitted in conjunction with the junction or stop valve on the opposite side from the
boiler so that, when a fall of pressure takes place on the boiler, 'side, the
isolating valve automatically closes,

page_text: In the accompanying four sheets of drawings:-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a stop valve fitted with a bye-pass constructed
according to our invention.
Figures 2 and 3 are sectional elevations of modifications of the valve shown in
Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively sectional elevation, and plan of a valve showing
the removable valve seat and its fittings.
Figure 6 is a plan showing a modified form of removable valve seat.
Figure 7 is an end elevation of a removable valve seat, as applied to a stop
valve of the double seated vertical slide valve type, and
Figure S is a side elevation showing the two removable seats in position in the
stop valve casing, one of the seats being shown in section.
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of an isolating valve constructed according to
our invention.
Referring to Figure 1, A is the valve casing fitted with the usual cover B
provided with a stuffing box C through which the valve spindle D passes. The
cover B carries external pillars supporting a bridge piece in which a nut E is
formed. The valve spindle is formed in the ordinary manner with a screw
thread D engaging with the nut E, and a handwheel F is fitted for operating the
valve. G is the main valve which controls the thoroughfare through the valve
casing A. This valve is constructed with radiating webs II uniting in a central
collar H. The top of the valve G is drilled through centrally and the webs H cut
away at H to form the auxiliary passage or bye-pass from one side of the valve
to the other. The valve spindle D is turned down at its lower end and fitted with
guide webs D so as to form the valve for the bye-pass, the shoulder D³ seating
upon the top of the main valve G.
The collar H¹ is screw-threaded internally to receive, and serve as a nut for,
the screw-threaded part D of the valve spindle, and a nut or collar D is fixed to
the extremity of the spindle to serve as a stop for limiting the travel of the
spindle relatively to the main valve G. In the modification shown in Figure 2 the
screw thread D is of finer pitch and opposite hand to that shown in Figure 1 to
enable a quick opening of the bye-pass valve with a simultaneous opening of
the main valve to be obtained; the other details of the valve are the same.
It is obvious that the screw threads D and D* may be formed in the spindle D
of similar or opposite hand or direction.
When a junction valve constructed as herein before described is in use and the
steam supply connected to the branch above the valve G, the operation is as
follows: The hand wheel F is revolved and causes the spindle D to move
upwards. The steam pressure on the valve G prevents it turning on its seat and
the auxiliary or bye-pass valve opens, allowing a gradually increasing flow of
steam until the screw D rises far enough to bring the nut D.into contact with
the collar H. When this takes place the main valve G is lifted from its seat
allowing the usual full bore opening. Upon reversing the hand wheel the main
valve Gis closed first and then the auxiliary or bye-pass valve.
The junction valve with its bye-pass as above described may be utilised with
stean pressure on either side of the valve. It is evident that with pressure on
the lower side of the valve G the screw will prevent the valve from being
blown open when the bye-pass is being opened.
Referring to Figure 3 which illustrates a method of carrying our invention into
effect without the addition of the auxiliary valve as shown in Figures 1 and 2,
the main valve seating I is provided with an upwardly projecting ring or rib I¹
of larger diameter than the seating. The main valve K, which is guided by the
downwardly projecting rod sliding freely in the collar I2 carried by radiating webs
attached to the seating I, is provided with an annular shaped or recessed exten-
sion K embracing the rib I¹ so as to leave a small annular clearance round the said
rib. The depths of the extension K and the rib I are so proportioned that
upon opening the valve by movement of the spindle the valve and its seat are a

page_text: considerable distance apart before the U shaped extension leaves the rib. It is
thus evident that as soon as the valve opens and until the extension is clear of
the rib, a bye-pass or wire-drawing of steam takes place through the space between
the extension K and the rib. Further movement of the valve spindle effects the
full bore opening of the valve.
This construction of stop valve may also be used with steam pressure on either
side of the valve K.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, illustrating a stop valve fitted with a removable
expansion seat constructed according to our invention, the seat consists of a
ring L turned with a step L' and fitting a recess M¹ formed in the valve casing M.
This ring is constructed with a cross piece L2 carrying a collar L which forms a
guide for the downward extension of the valve N. A clearance space L is left
between the ring and the valve casing to allow for expansion.
Snugs are formed upon the top of the ring or seating L of such dimensions
as to allow the ring to be dropped into position in the valve chamber. Similar
projecting suugs m are cast on the walls of the chamber and when the seating L
is turned round the snugs come partly underneath the snugs m and interlock
therewith. The interlocking surfaces of the snugs m are preferably made parallel
to the valve seat and the suugs are wedge shaped so as to present inclined
surfaces to the surfaces of the corresponding snugs M. The ring or
seating L is thus firmly wedged down into the recess M by turning
it round 80 as to bring the smugs and IV into engagement with
cach other. The snugs l are fitted with tightening and locking
set screws which carry conical collars Figure 4 bearing upon the
sides of the smugs m, or screwed taper pins may be employed. These set screws
are fitted into the snugs at the narrow end of the wedge. A similar set screw B
is fitted in one of the suugs at the thick end of the wedge. It is obvious that
by screwing the set screws into the snugs the conical collars will cause the
ring or seating L to rotate slightly and tighten it into position for working. On
removing the screws and tightening up the screw the ring or seating L is
rotated in the opposite direction thereby slackening it so that it can be removed
for repairs or renewal in a simple and efficient manner.
Figure 6 shows a removable seating in which a single bolt is employed for
tightening the ring into position or slackening it for removal. The ring or seating
has cast upon it two hollow internally screwed lugs and the ring is tightened
up or slackened by transferring the bolt into one or other of the lugs.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the method of applying the removable valve seat to a
stop valve of the type described in Specification of former Patent granted to us
ciz: No. 24489 of 1894. In this modification the snugs are formed upon the
side of the ring seating so as to leave the faces of the seatings clear for the vertical
slide valve (not shown). The snugs engage with corresponding snugs m on the
valve body as in modifications already described. The ring is rotated for tighten-
ing and slackening by means of the bolts and 0 respectively which work in
fixed lugs P, P₁ attached to the valve body, and bear against bracket pieces 18
formed on the side of the ring.
Referring to Figure 9, the isolating valve is constructed with a valve body Q
provided with two connecting branches Q¹ and Q2 and the branch Qis fitted
à suitable valve seat 7. The top of the valve body has an opening R through
which the valve is introduced. This opening is covered by a conical pipe S
closed at the top by a small cover S¹. The valve consists of a metal sphere T
preferably hollow, suspended on a rod U by a chain or other suitable flexible
connection, from a hemispherical swivel seating in the top of the pipe S.
Guides q only one of which is shown in the drawing, are provided on the valve
chest to control the direction of motion of the ball when it swings to its seat; and
the length of the chain V is such that the centre of the ball T is below the centre
line of the seat q so that when the ball swings it takes a proper seat upon the
ring 9.

page_text: W is a spring buffer which is guided in a collar 3 supported on webs attached
to the ring fixed in the branch Q2 of the valve casing. This buffer acts as a stop
against which the valve T is pressed when steam is flowing through the casing;
and the spring prevents shock to the buffer when the ball swings from its seat.
The isolating valve above described is employed in conjunction with a junction
or stop valve on a boiler supplying steam to a range of pipes fed by two or more
boilers. When steam is flowing from the boiler through the junction valve to
the pipe range the branch Q¹ is open and the current of steam passing to the
branch Q keeps the ball pressed against the buffer W. Suppose however the boiler
to which the isolating valve is fitted is shut down for repairs and the junction
valve inadvertently left open, allowing steam to pass backwards from the rest of
the range, the backward rush of steam will at once swing the ball to its seat
and shut off the passage Q₁ thereby automatically isolating the boiler from the
pipe range.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:
1. A junction or stop valve in which the spindle of the valve proper controls an
auxiliary passage or bye-pass formed in said valve substantially as described.
2. The construction of stop-valve with bye-pass or auxiliary valve substantially
as described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3. A junction or stop valve in which the valve proper forms with its seat a
bye-pass or auxiliary valve substantially as described with reference to Figure 3
of the accompanying drawings.
.
4. A removable seat for junction and like valves provided with snugs or like
fittings to engage with corresponding snugs or fittings upon the valve casing, and
means for rotating said seat in the valve casing substantially as described and for
the purposes specified with reference to Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. A non-return valve provided with a ball valve suspended from the valve
casing or like support by a chain or suitable flexible suspension substantially as
'described.
6. The construction of steam isolating valve substantially as described and
ilustrated in Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings and for the purpose specified.
T41 001111 11000
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham; and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.