IMPROVEMENT IN CHECK VALVES FOR STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1885

page_text: We, HENRY SELBY HAYWARD, a citizen of the United States of America,
residing at Jersey City, in the County of Hudson, and state of New Jersey,
Gentleman, and RICHARD MCDOWELL, also a citizen of the United States of
America, residing at Lambertville, in the County of Hunterton, State of New
Jersey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVEMENT
IN CHECK VALVES FOR STEAM BOILERS 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 check valves for steam boilers, and has for its object to
provide a boiler with a check valve which is located on the inner side of the shell
of the boiler, in order to be thoroughly protected against the escape of steam in
cases of collision or from any accidents that may occur to the feed pipes.
Heretofore all check valves have been placed on the outside of the boiler (that is
secured to the exterior side of the shell) and in cases of accident to the feed pipes
the valve connection is broken at its weakest place which is the point at which its
connection is made to the boiler. The valve thereby becomes separated from the
boiler leaving it without any check to the escape of steam, thus endangering the
lives of those in the immediate vicinity.
It will be understood that our improved valve is applicable to any kind of boiler
or steam generator, but by preference we have illustrated the valve as attached to
a locomotive or horizontal boiler.
In the accompanying drawing which forms part of this specification Fig. 1
represents a transverse vertical section through a portion of a locomotive boiler
showing our improved check valve as it appears when the flange B of the same is
secured to the exterior side of the boiler shell G. Fig. 2 represents a section
similar to that of Fig. 1, illustrating our improved check valve when its flange B
is secured to the interior side of the boiler shell G, also showing an outside check
valve C as it will appear when used in combination with our inside check valve
which in some cases may be advisable, especially in high pressure boilers. Fig. 3
also represents a section similar to Fig. 1, showing our improved valve with its
T
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page_text: flange B secured to the interior side of the boiler shell G and provided with an
interior extension of the feed pipe i, so as to deliver the feed water below the
steam space in any part of the boiler that may be desired.
The construction of our improved check valve is fully illustrated by the drawing
in which A represents a casting which is provided with a flange B and in which the
- valve seat o is formed. a represents a gate valve which is hinged to the casting by
means of the hanger a¹ in such a manner as will admit of the valve being revolved
on its seat when it is in position and without its being removed from the hanger.
The valve a is provided on its under side with a socket E which is for the purpose
of receiving or engaging with a tool by means of which it can be properly ground
and seated from the outside of the boiler without necessitating the removal of the
valve or entering the boiler. The. hanger a¹ is provided at its upper end with a
tipe which is for the purpose of coining in contact with the flange B or boiler
shell G and thereby preventing the valve from being thrown too far open. The
casting A is provided with a suitable guard as illustrated at D which crosses the
upper end of the hanger a¹ in such a manner as will prevent the hanger from
becoming loose or disengaged from the casting should the rivet n become broken or
useless.
It is our intention and preference that the flange B of the casting should be
secured to the inside of the boiler shell as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 but it is not
absolutely necessary so long as the valve seat is inside of the circumferential line
of the boiler shell, or so long as the valve seat is inside of the point at which the
connection is apt to be broken in case of accident to the feed pipe. The flange B
therefore being secured to the outside of the boiler shell as shown in Fig. 1 does
not in the least respect reduce the safety and protection afforded by our valve, as
in case of accident the feed pipe would break at the point where it is joined to the
casting A thus leaving the valve perfectly intact. The operation of our valve is
the same as all other check valves. That is, the feed water is forced by means of
an injector or pump or any other suitable method through the feed pipe in the
direction of the arrow. The force of the water will raise the valve and thus pass
into the boiler; when the force of water is stopped the internal pressure will
close the valve and thus it remains until it again becomes necessary to feed the
boiler.
It will be easily understood from a careful examination of the drawing that a
straitway valve similar to that shown at C Fig. 2 could be used in place of the gate
valve as described; in fact a check valve of any practical construction can be used
if located on the inside of the boiler as described and the results would be the
same. We do not therefore confine ourselves to the use of any particular construc-
tion of valve as it may be necessary to use valves of different constructions under
different circumstances.
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
.
I. A check valve inclosed within the inside of the boiler and secured thereto by
any suitable means for the purpose herein specified and set forth.
II. A check valve located on the inside of the boiler in combination with a feed
pipe i and adapted to be operated by means of an injector or pumps in the manner
specified.
III. A check valve located on the inside of the boiler in combination with an
outside check valve adapted to be operated in connection therewith by means of
injector or pumps as and for the purpose described.
IV. A check valve located on the inside of the boiler and adapted to be operated
as described in combination with an exterior and interior feed pipe i and i¹ as
specified and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: V. A check valve provided with a socket E or suitable projection formed to
engage with a tool inserted from the outside of the boiler for the purpose of grinding
and seating said valve as described and specified.
VI. A check valve constructed of a casting A as herein described and provided
with the guard D for the purpose of holding the hanger a' in position should the
bolt n become broken or detached as set forth and specified.
VII. A check valve constructed as herein described consisting of the casting A
provided with the flange B, guard D and lip din combination with the hanger ¹
and valve a provided with the socket E all as and for the purpose herein specified
and set forth.