Improvements in Water Columns or Water Gauges for Steam Boilers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water Columns or Water Gauges for Steam
Boilers.
I, JOHN BRUNSWICK BARTON, of 38, St. John's Road, Longsight, Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in water columns or water gauges for
steam boilers each end of the column being provided with valves so arranged that
in case the glass tube is broken the valve will be closed by the steam pressure in
the boiler thereby preventing the escape of steam or heated water thus preventing
serious accidents to attendants or other persons.
My improvements consist of novel features of construction and in the arrangement
and combination of parts of water gauges which I will now proceed to describe
reference being made to the drawings hereto annexed and to the figures and letters
marked thereon.
Figure shows an elevation partly in section of a water gauge or column
arranged and constructed in accordance with my invention the glass being broken
to shorten the figure.
Figure 2 shows a separate view of one of the tubular valves and
Figure 3 an underside view thereof.
a is a glass tube each end being mounted and retained in the "heads" or tubular
supports b, b, which also act as safety valves to close the passages cc and thus cut
off the escape of steam and water from the boiler d should the glass tube a be broken
by the pressure of the steam or otherwise.
Corresponding letters of reference apply to corresponding parts at each end of
the apparatus in which the glass tube a is mounted and as such parts are identical
they are made interchangeable.
The tubular safety valves bbare mounted in the tubular "heads " or supports A A
in the following manner. e e are screw collars which screw into tubular sockets c¹ c¹
forming part of the tubular heads or supports A A the tubular valves b b being
free to rise and fall in the collars e e. Other screw collars fare mounted on the
tubular valves b, b the enlarged end of such collars compress india rubber rings or
other packing ele¹ between them and the ends of the screw collars e e to make the
parts steam tight. g. 9 are screw caps (having suitable packing rings) which also
screw onto the ends of the tubular valves bb to make the parts steam tight.
The tubular valves bare formed with collars b¹¹the inner surfaces of which
act as valves when the pressure of the steam or water forces them against the
ends e', el of the screw collars e e which then act as valve seatings to the collars b¹ b¹
on the ends of the tubular valves b. b.
The valves are formed with steam passages 12 62 to admit steam or water to
the glass indicating tube a whilst the tube is intact or unbroken but directly it is
broken the pressure of the steam or water acts instantly on the back surface of each
valve b' to force them against their valve seatings and thus cut off the escape of
steam and water from the boiler.
1,63 are lugs or projections on the ends of the tubular valves between which
lugs the screw plugs or valves h, h pass and thus serve to guide and keep the
valves bb in position.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A. water column or water gauge in which a glass tube is combined with suitable
"heads" or supports in communication with a steam boiler or receptacle for steam
and having valve seats therein with valves located in the "heads," the glass tube
connecting the valves and holding them out of contact with their respective seats
substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
represented in the drawings hereto annexed.
"2
2. In a water column or water gauge the combination with suitable "heads
having valve seats therein of moveable cylinders located in said "heads" and fitted
with valves and a glass tube the ends of which are secured to said cylinders sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore fully described and
represented in the drawings hereto annexed.
29
3. In a water column or water gauge the combination with suitable "heads "
having valve seats therein of moveable cylinders located in said "heads and
formed on their outer ends with lugs or projections and a glass tube secured to the
inner ends of said moveable cylinders substantially in the manner and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and represented in the drawings hereto annexed.
4. In a water column or water gauge the combination with a glass tube and the
"heads "suitably constructed for being connected to a steam boiler or other steam
receptacle of slotted cylinders each of which is provided with a valve substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and represented in the drawings
hereto annexed.
5. A water column or water gauge in which the upper and lower parts being
exact counterparts of each other are interchangeable substantially as hereinbefore
described and represented in the drawings annexed.
6. The improved arrangement construction and combination of parts forming a
water column or water gauge arranged to act substantially in the manner and for
the purpose hereinbefore fully described and represented in the drawings hereto
annexed.
Dated this 17th day of January 1891
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Patentee.