Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Closing and Opening Gas Pipes or Connections.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 21st Mar., 1895-Accepted. 27th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Closing and Opening
Gas Pipes or Connections.
1, CHRISTIAN WEUSTE, of Mühlkein a/d Ruhr, Empire of Germany, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for closing and opening gas-connections of all
kinds by the transmission of liquid from two vessels, communicating with one another,
into an enclosure in connection with the gas-pipes which object is attained through
an increase or decrease in the pressure in the pipes.
The device combines in a certain measure the arrangement of two well-known
apparatus for the saine purpose, whereof by the first the whole volume of the fluid
is fast enclosed, under a high pressure of gas, in a suitable reservoir, not in a vessel
in communication with another; and, in the second, by the gas-pressure, and the
conjoint action of a fluid in communication with the service-pipes, a floating valve is
raised or depressed, whereby the closing and opening of the pipe-communications is
operated.
The following description relates to various modifications in the application and
use of this invention, which are described by way of example, as being preferable for
gas lighting installations.
One device constructed according to this invention is so arranged that, when the
gas-pressure is interrupted or lowered so as to extinguish the Haines at the burner
or gas-stove, the pipe is also closed at once, in consequence of the change of pressure,
by a liquid flowing into a reservoir whereby the supply of gas is entirely cut off,
aud this, on the renewal or restoration of the pressure, all danger of an escape
of gas is avoided. If this protection is to be extended to the entire house-
service, then the apparatus must be introduced into the pipe in front of the main
gas-cock.
Further, the apparatus can be used for special protection at any subordinate point,
in front of any single burner or group, gas-stove, etc.
For example, assume that in a house the main gas-cock is turned off and at
the same time the closing of the taps of a gas-stove, burner, or burners is
omitted, if such an apparatus as that above described has been specially provided
at this particular point, no danger can ensue, because the pipes will be at once
automatically sealed by the protecting apparatus, and thus, when the gas is
turned on again at the meter or main, and the gas flows in, all outlets of escape
are guarded.
The object of a particular modification of the apparatus is to open and close
simultaneously all street-lamps, or house-lighting services and the like which derive
their supply from a branch from a central point in the general net-work.
the street-lamps are to be extinguished, then, for a moment or so, the
pressure of gas at the central station is increased and then lowered to its normal
amount thereupon, the liquid flows into a pipe and cuts off the gas-supply. By
renewed pressure, more fluid flows into the pipe and attains such a height that
it reaches the top of the syphon which is connected therewith, whereby it is
drawn off, and the pipe connection is again opened. The legs of the syphon are so
proportioned that a certain quantity of fluid remains in the pipe to prevent an
escape of gas.

page_text: The working of the apparatus is as follows:-The gas flows in through a pipe
and passes through a funnel and through a sump or inverted syphon to the outlet
and thence further to the point of consumption.
The fluid is not always present in the sump wherefore a free passage is left open
for the flow of gas.
If the receiver be filled with fluid the said fluid will stand at
a lower level in the bell-receiver with which it is in communication, according to
the pressure of gas and this level is so arranged that, with the lowest permissible
working pressure, it is coincident with the top of the funnel.
Then, if the gas-pressure, from any cause or for any reason, be lowered so as
to extinguish the flame at a burner or gas-stove which is protected by the
apparatus, the fluid in the reservoir seeking to rise to its own level as the
counteracting pressure is removed, overflows into the sump and closes the passage
against the supply of gas. On the restoration or renewal of the initial pressure
of gas at the inlet, the fluid which has overflowed into the sump effectually stops
the pipe. In this manner all danger of an escape of gas is prevented. If, now,
the commmunication is to be re-opened, the fluid in the sump is drawn oil through
an opening provided for the purpose at the bottom.
The replenishment of the fluid in the reservoir can be effected either by hand or
by an automatic arrangement.
In the before described modification the gas enters by a pipe and finds its way
ns in the last described arrangement to the outlet pipe. When it is desired to
close the communication, the pressure at the central station is increased for a
moment or so, whereby the surface-level of the fluid in the reservoir is raised, so
that a portion thereof overflows into a pipe and thenes into the sump or syphon-
trup cutting off the gas-supply. When the communication is to be restored, the
pressure at the central station is again raised to such a degree that the fluid-level
in the sump is raised to above the level of the top of a discharging syphon attached
to the sump, which is thereby set in operation, and the fluid is thus discharged from
the sump and through-passage restored to the gas-supply.
The gas-lamps within the circuit protected by the apparatus, which would be
provided with rekimlling jets, would be lighted up as son as the gas-supply was
renewed. The legs of the syphon are so proportionel as to leave sufficient flui! in
the bottom of the sump to keep the syphon sealed, in order that there may be no
possibility of an escape of gas through the syphon.
The before described apparatus may be modified without departing from the spirit
of the invention.
Dated this 19th day of June 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Closing and Opening
Gas Pipes or Connections.
1, CHRISTIAN WEUSTE, of Mühlheim ad. Ruhr, in the Empire of Germany,
Engineer, 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 apparatus for closing an opening gas pipes of all
kinds by transmitting liquid from two vessels, communicating with each other
and partially filled with the said liquid, into a liquid seal in the gas untlet pipe, tho
said seal being opened or closed by varying the pressure in the gas pipe.
The apparatus combines so to speak the arrangement of two well-known

page_text: devices which have the same object, and in the first of which the filling material
of the liquid seal is retained by the higher gas pressure in a suitable receptacle-
not a communicating vessel-and in the second of which a float valve is raised or
lowered by the gas pressure acting upon a liquid contained in communicating pipes,
the said valve being designed to effect the closing of the pipe.
I will hereinafter explain the invention by several constructional examples such
as may preferably be employed with gas lighting apparatus.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown several forms of apparatus by
which my said invention may be conveniently and advantageously carried into
practice.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of an apparatus constructed according to my
invention.
Figure 2 is a section of a similar apparatus provided with a siphon for opening
the seal and
Figures 3 and 4 show other constructional forms of the improved apparatus.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a represents an inlet pipe leading to a bell or
chamber the lower end of which projects into a receptacle is a short pipe
projecting upward from the bottom of the said receptacle and forming a communi-
cation with the liquid seal e which communicates with the outlet e for the gas,
the said seal being provided with an opening y, to allow of the escape of the
liquid.
Figure 1 shows an apparatus constructed in such a manner that when the gas
pressure is interrupted or decreased, the gas burners or gas stoves or the like will
be extinguished, by the closing of the liquid seal, which is effected by the liquid in
the receptacle passing into the liquid seal chamber c. By this means the gas outlet
pipe, as shown in the drawing, is closed and when the pressure is again established
all danger of an escape of gas will be obviated. If this protection is to be
provided for an entire house the apparatus must in this case be arranged in front
of the main cock.
Furthermore the apparatus may be used in order to protect single chandeliers or
gas stoves or the like. When for instance in a house the main cock is closed and it
has been forgotten to turn off a gas stove or chandelier connected with this apparatus
the latter will close the stove or the like automatically so that when the main cock
is opened again the escape of gas and the concomitant dangers will be completely
obviated.
In Figure 2 the apparatus has for its object to shut off and also open again lamps
for street and domestic lighting or other devices at any distance from a central
point.
If the lamps are to be extinguished the gas pressure is for a moment increased
from the central point. Owing to this increased pressure the liquid runs through
the pipe and closes the pipe. By another pressure a quantity of liquid again runs
through the pipe the level of the liquid in the seal chamber thereby rises to
such a height that it is higher than the top of the siphon provided therein, so that
the latter will operate to withdraw the liquid from the chamber caud the pipe will
be again opened. The legs of the siphon are of such a length that a certain quantity
of liquid will remain in the seal chamber, thus preventing an escape of gas through
the said siphon.
The mode of operation of the apparatus is as follows: The gas enters through
the pipe a Figure 1 and passes through the pipe and the water seal chamber c to
the pipe e, and thence to the place where it is to be used.
Usually there is no liquid in the water seal chamber e; so that the gas has a
free passage.
When the receptacle is filled with a liquid the latter in the bell
or chamber which communicates with the receptacle, will be lowered in
accordance with the pressure of the gas in the said chamber. This level is so
adjusted that at lowest pressure admissible it will coincide with the top of the
pipe b.
If the pressure of the gas is diminished from any cause, so that any burners or

page_text: stoves which may at the time be lighted are extinguished, the liquid from the
receptacle owing to the tendency of the same to find its own level will partly flow
into the pipe and will close the seal c. On renewal of the gas pressure the liquid
in the water seal chamber e will prevent the passage of the gas. Any danger through
escape of gas is thereby obviated. When it is desired to again provide n free passage
for the gas, the liquid is caused to flow from the water seal chamber through the
outlet g.
The refilling of liquid into the receptacle, Figures 1 to 4, may be effected
automatically or by hand.
In Figure 2 the gas enters through the pipe a aud as in Figure 1 passes to the
outlet pipe .
If the pipe is to be shut off the gas pressure is increased for a
moment at the central point, whereby the liquid is forced back into the receptacles:
it will consequently flow partially through the pipe 4 into the water seal chamber c,
thus closing the pipe. To again provide a free passage for the gas the pressure of
the same is raised once more so that the liquid in the water seal chamber is raised
above the top of the siphon i provided therein the latter then draws the liquid
from the water seal chamber and thereby opens the passage again to the gas. The
corresponding lamps, which must be supplied with an igniting flame, are lighted again
in consequence of the inlet of gas. The legs of the siphon i are as above state of
such a length that a portion of the liquid remains in the bottom of the water seal
chamber and closes the inlet opening of the siphon so that the gas cannot flow out
through the said siphon.
Figures 3 and 4 represent an apparatus, the operation of whigh takes place as in
Figure 1, but u-e is made of another construction of parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
chuim is:-
First. An apparatus for automatically closing gas pipes wherein in two communi-
cating receptacles d partly filled with liquid the level of the liquid in one
receptacle d is lowered and in the other raised by the pressure of the continually
passing gas, characterized by the feature that with a change in the pressure the
liquid passes from one leg of the communicating receptacle over an overflow into a
liquid seal chamber e of the gas pipe and thereby closes the latter.
Second. A constructional form of the apparatus characterized in the first
claim, in which a discharge siphon i is arranged in the gas outlet pipe, which
siphon when the gas pressine increases withdraws the liquid from the liquid seal
cliamber c.
Da li of Wo
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.