Improvements in Fluid Pressure Reducing Valves or Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 4th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1893.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fluid Pressure Reducing Valves or Apparatus.
1, HENRY HOCKING, of 14, Hale Road, Walton, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
:-
This invention has reference to valves or apparatus employed to distribute fluids
under a high pressure in mains or pipes, at a reduced pressure; as for instance, it
is serviceable for supplying steam at a relatively low pressure, from pipes or mains
containing steam at a higher pressure. It has chiefly for its object to render this
kind of apparatus or valve device sensitive and efficient under varying conditions
of supply and use; to cause the action of the apparatus to be constant and regular
continuously and after a lengthened use; to provide a simple construction; and, in.
some cases, means for adjusting the apparatus to work under varying pressures
and varying differences of pressure between the higher and the lower pressure.
fluid.
According to this invention, within a suitable containing chest there is employed
a valve which controls communication between the pipe conveying the higher
pressure steam or fluid, and that or those to which the higher pressure steam is
supplied, and maintained at the required lower pressure; a lever, beam, bar, or the
like; and a flexible, or extendible and collapsible device acted upon by the steam
and connected with the controlling valve through the said lever, beam, bar, or
the like.
.:
.02.
The above parts, or some of them, may be used or combined and arranged in
different ways, but to set forth more clearly the characteristics of my invention,
I will describe generally one form of apparatus employing the same.
The valve of such an apparatus, which say is an ordinary, non-return valve; or
equilibrium valve, or other suitable valve, is mounted within the containing chamber:
or vessel, whilst the flexible or extendible and collapsible device is mounted.
suitably on such containing vessel or chamber, and is connected with the valve
through a lever suitably fulcrummed. The fulcrum of this lever is, in some cases,
adjustable, and capable of being adjusted from outside, at any time, so as to render
the values of the different parts of, the lever varying ones under different
adjustments. The adjustment may be effected by a screw and slide device, or any.
equivalent device.
:
The flexible device may consist partly of annular discs or rings of light metal,-
connected or worked in such a manner, as to act upon the principle of an accordeon;
and the device is so connected with the lever, that the pressure of steam which is
introduced freely into such device acts thereon and so acts upon the controlling
valve. The interior of this device communicates with the interior of the main or
pipe which contains the lower pressure steam (or the higher pressure in some cases),
and is connected to the lever directly, and without the employment of stuffing
boxes or any device creating friction; thus, the action is practically entirely
frictionless, and constant at all times and for any length of time. In oue form
the lower pressure steam acts on the said flexible device whilst in another the
device may be adapted and arranged to be acted upon by the higher pressure
steam.
The whole of the working parts of the apparatus may be suitably mounted, on
a cover or part, and be capable of being removed and placed in position easily.
=
1
;
To vary the difference of load on the two counteracting parts, namely, the valve
and flexible device, a spring, or deadweights may be used in connection with the
flexible device (or valve in some cases), such. spring or deadweights being capable";
of adjustment or variation.

page_text: The valve may be capable of being closed, if desired, by suitable screw down
means.
As a modification of this invention, the parts described may be used in the
manner just specified or in or according to the converse arrangement of such parts.
Also the apparatus may be modified as to arrangement and construction of parts
in various ways, and the novel part or parts used in connection with other forms of
fluid
pressure reducing apparatus or valves, without departing from the characteristics
of this invention.
Dated this 3rd dor of Tenis 1000
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fluid Pressure Reducing Valves or Apparatus.
I, HENRY HOCKING, of 14, Hale Road, Walton, in the County of Lancaster,
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 has reference to valves or apparatus employed to distribute fluids
under a high pressure in mains or pipes, at a reduced pressure.; as for instance, it
is serviceable for supplying steam at a relatively low pressure, from pipes or mains
containing steam at a higher pressure. It has chiefly for its object to render this
kind of apparatus or valve device sensitive and efficient under varying conditions
of supply and use; to cause the action of the apparatus to be constant and regular,
continuously, and after a lengthened use; to provide a simple construction; and,
in some cases, means for adjusting the apparatus to work under varying pressures
and varying differences of pressure between the higher and the lower pressure
fluid.
According to this invention, within a suitable containing chest there is employed
a valve which controls communication between the pipe conveying the higher
pressure steam or fluid, and that or those to which the higher pressure steam is
supplied, and maintained at the required lower pressure; a lever, beam, bar, or the
like; and a flexible or extendible and collapsible device acted upon by the steam
and connected with the controlling. valve through the said lever, beam, bar, or
the like.
*:*
The above parts or some of them, may be used or combined and arranged in
different ways, but to set forth more clearly the characteristics of my invention,
I will describe generally one form of apparatus employing the same..
The valve of such an apparatus, which say is an ordinary non-return valve, or
equilibrium valve, or other suitable valve, is mounted within the containing chamber
or vessel, whilst the flexible or extendible and collapsible dévice is mounted suitably
on such containing vessel or chamber, and is connected with the valve through a
lever suitably fulcrummed. The fulcrum of this lever is, in some cases, adjustable,
and capable of being adjusted. from outside, at any time, so as to render the values
of the different parts of the lever varying ones under different adjustments.
The adjustment may be effected by a screw and slide, device or any equivalent
device.
The flexible device may consist partly of annular discs or rings of light metal,
connected or worked in such a manner as to act upon the principle of an accordeon,
and the device is so connected with the lever that the pressure of steam which is
introduced freely into such device acts thereon and so acts upon the controlling
valve. The interior of this device communicates with the interior of the main or
pipe which contains the lower pressure steam (or the higher pressure in some cases,
and is connected to the lever directly, and without the employment of stuffing:
boxes or any device creating friction; thus, the action is practically entirely

page_text: frictionless, and constant at all times and for any length of time. In one form
the lower pressure steam acts on the said flexible device whilst in another the
device may be adapted and arranged to be acted upon by the higher pressure
steam.
The whole of the working parts of the apparatus may be suitably mounted, on a
cover or part and be capable of being removed and placed in position easily.
To vary the difference of load on the two counteracting parts, namely, the valve
and flexible device, a spring or dead weight may be used in connection with the
flexible device (or valve in some cases), such spring or dead weights being capable.
of adjustment or variation.
The valve may be capable of being closed, if desired, by suitable screw down
means.
As a modification of this invention, the parts described may be used in the
manner just specified or in or according to the converse arrangement of such parts.
Also the apparatus may be modified as to arrangement and construction of parts in
various ways, and the novel part or parts used in connection with other forms of
fluid pressure reducing apparatus or valves, without departing from the characteristics
of this invention.
The invention the nature of which is above described is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated several different arrangements or
modifications thereof.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section shewing an arrangement or modification wherein
an internal and adjustable lever is employed to connect the valve with the
extendible or collapsible mechanism.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, and Figure 3 is a plan, shewing
another arrangement or modification wherein the valve and the extendible and
collapsible device are arranged and directly connected in line.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 and 7 are details shewing modifications of the construction of
the extendible and collapsible device.
Referring now to the drawings, a designates generally the extendible and
collapsible device; b is the part connecting the device a with the valve; c is said
valve; and d is the case in which the valve c is disposed and works.
The arrangement in Figure 1, as will be seen, consists of a horizontally arranged
case which it may be assumed is fitted on a steam pipe, and having within it the
lever e supported on a fulcrum pin e' carried by the part f, which is adapted to slide to
and fro longitudinally; its operation being effected by the threaded spindle.
The device a consists of a plurality of suitable sheet metal annular discs a', arranged
one above the other about a common axis, and being connected to each other at
their outer and inner edges alternately by the lapping or beading over of one upon
the other, as shewn. The lowermost of these diaphragms is secured by a nut a² on
to the top of the cylindrical base a³; whilst the uppermost one is secured by a
nut a to the cover or cap a³. This cover or cap is connected-and through, it the
device a is connected-to the valve c, through the spindle and the lever e, and
through it, the longitudinal movement due to the extension and collapsing of the
diaphragms al is transmitted to the valve. The spindle has a piston with
apertures in it, working in the cylindrical part a³, the steam having access to the
space within the device a through said apertures ².
The case d is provided with a cover on which the operative parts are mounted,
and by which they are removed from the case when desired by taking the cover off,
and inserted when placed in position on the case.
The valve e is an ordinary non-return or non-reflux valve working in connection
with the valve seat e' in the case d.
The action of this arrangement of apparatus is:-that when the steam (which
flows in the direction of the arrows) on the outlet side of the valve c reaches a
pressure above that it is desired to have in this part of the apparatus, this excessivė
pressure within the device a acting upon its diaphragms a' causes each two adjacent
diaphragms to move away from each other a small amount, and so the combined

page_text: small movements of all the diaphragms (through the spindle 6 and lever d) move
the valve ć towards its seat c', thereby restricting the passage for the flow, of steam
and reducing the pressure of steam admitted to and existing in the case and
chamber a on-the delivery side of the valve c.
One advantage afforded by this invention is that the movement of each diaphragm
will be small, and therefore fracture of them through constant or repeated actuation
of the apparatus is very largely diminished practically entirely obviated.
:
To vary the point at which the valve will be so actuated, the fulcrum e¹ of the
lever e is moved by revolving the screwed spindle 7" one way or the other, thereby
varying the values of the different arms of the lever."
In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the parts above set forth with
reference to Figure 1 are modified as to form and arrangement. The case din this
case is of the form of that of an ordinary globular non-return valve, and the
device a is differently connected or put together. The device a and the valve care
directly connected through the spindle b, which is guided by a bearing h, and
connected with the device a by the cap a³ and nut aⓇ.
The annular diaphragms a¹ are connected up by externally threaded rings a², and
angle shaped ring washers or nuts as, the diaphragms lying on the upper and under
edges of the rings a', and firmly pressed thereon by the ring nuts as, rendering the
joint at that part secure and steam tight. They are similarly connected or coupled
up at their inner edges by internally threaded rings a, and threaded ring nuts or
washers a screwing into same. This construction gives to the device a a multi-
chambered form, the steam passing from the pipe or case d to the various chambers
by the passage ', and the annular passages between the spindle and the ring
washers a¹0 The lowermost and uppermost diaphragms a' are connected respectively
to the cylindrical base portion a³ and the periphery of the cap a³.
The object of providing a small aperture to supply the steam to the device a
is, that in case of the device becoming fractured, the quantity of steam which
would escape by way of such aperture would be, small and not dangerous.
To provide for supplying steam in the cased on the discharge side of the valve cat
different pressures, a spring i is used in connection with the device a, and according
to the degree of compression under which the spring is put, so will be the difference
of the pressure of steam supplied by this apparatus. The reaction of the spring i,
acting against the tendency of extension of the device a due to the pressure of steam
within it, resists to a greater or less degree, according to the degree of compression
under which the spring is placed, the closing of the valve c.
The spring is held at its upper end by an adjustable stud j, screwing through a
bracket fixed at its lower part to the part a³, and bearing upon a dished washer
grasping the upper end of the spring. This washer has a pointer on it, which
working in connection with a scale on the bracket k provides a means of ascertaining
the point at which steam would be supplied, under any degree of compression of
the spring.
By this
In the modification shewn in Figure 4, the diaphragms a¹ are shewn supported
by a number of plates a¹x, the diaphragm a-on which the steam acts-forming a
complete diaphragm between the rings a' and a, and the plates al being concentric
rings decreasing in width as they are further from the main diaphragm.
means the main diaphragm may be itself made of comparatively thin metal, and so
possess a large degree of flexibility, its strength to resist the pressure of steam
being made up by the concentric rings a¹x.
Another modification by which a large degree of flexibility, combined with
sufficient power of resistance, is shewn in Figure 5, in which the main diaphragm a¹
is corrugated, and there is provided in connection with it a strengthening
diaphragm ax outside it as shewn. The joint or support which the latter diaphragm
is afforded in the rings a and the ring nuts as need not be such as to make a steam
tight joint, as this is effected with the diaphragm a', the diaphragm a¹× being merely
provided to afford to the diaphragm a' sufficient strength for resisting the steam
pressure.
:

page_text: In the construction shewn in Figures 6 and 7, strength is afforded in conjunction
with large extendible properties by the metallic ring ax which supports each two
adjacent diaphragms, such rings being kept in place by arms a³× formed on the
rings a³.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein described improvement in reducing valves or apparatus, consisting
of a plurality of annular diaphragms connected together, and within and on which
the fluid under pressure acts, and with the controlling valve; for the purposes set
forth.
2. Fluid
pressure reducing valves or apparatus, comprising an extendible and
collapsible device made up of metallic interconnected annular diaphragms a', and
connected with a valve C, said valve working in a case in connection with a valve
seat; constructed and operating substantially as set forth with reference to the
different figures of the drawings.
D
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.