Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding Boilers.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding Boilers.
I, ALEXANDER TURNBULL of St. Mungo Works, Bishopbriggs, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, 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 improvements in apparatus for feeding boilers and is
illustrated on the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Figure 1 is a general view of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a section of the valve for operating the ordinary check or feed valve
which admits the water into the boiler. The arrangement is applicable whether
the check or feed valve is upon the top or the front or side of a boiler.
Figure 3 is a section of the valve in the top of the boiler.
The admission of the feed water is regulated by the rise and fall of the low water
alarm float A inside the boiler which hangs from one end of a lever B pivoted at /
to a supporting rod C attached to the boiler. At the other end of the lever B there
is a high water alarm float D of the same material and acts also as a counterpoise
to the low water float. A rod E pivoted at b, is connected to the valve F, this
valve is arranged as shewn at Figure 3 to be above the top of the boiler and so
that it may be got at for repairs without the necessity of going inside the boiler.
This is a defect with other apparatus for a similar purpose. A steam pipe G,
Figure 1, leads from the valve F to the feed apparatus. The feed apparatus is
shewn at Figure 2. H is a valve which is pressed down by a spiral spring I made
of phosphor-bronze or other non-corrosive material. This valve is connected
loosely to one end of the rod M, the other end of which presses upon and keeps
the check valve L closed. The spring is enclosed in a gun metal case J. The
screw compressing the spring passes through the exterior of the casing and a ring
or ferrule X is inserted if the necessary depth to regulate the compression and to
prevent the passage of any steam or fluid passing the screw. There is a passage K
leading to a drain pipe. Upon the lower part of the gun metal casing the valve
seat is formed as shewn at j. j. The rod M is of adjustable length and works
through two stuffing boxes and glands N, N', both of which are accessible from
the outside so that they can be got at for repacking without interfering with the
working of the boiler. To prevent dirt getting to the feed valve a mud box O is
provided. The top and bottom of this mud box are made of gauze or perforated
plate the bottom having preferably larger holes than the top-so that any dirt in
the water may be caught in the box and prevented passing through the upper gauze.
This box can be removed at any time without interfering with the other parts of
the feed apparatus. The mud-box may be dispensed with and a single piece of
gauze or perforated plate may be fixed to the underside of the check valve or may
be cast thereon or across any part of the feed pipe adjacent to the boiler. In
valves having the discharge pipe at the side or not in the same plane with the
supply pipe introduce a common stop valve P, Figure 1^, so that the connection
between the boiler and the check valve or feed apparatus may be closed and so that
any repairs may be effected without stopping the working of the boiler.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-When the water in the boiler falls
the low water float falls and opens the valve F which admits steam through the
pipe G to the underside or back of the valve H. The valve H is lifted up or
pressed against the spiral spring I and carries the rod M up and allows the check
valve L to rise and admit the water into the boiler.
Should the level of the water in the boiler act abnormally low through any cause
whatever the low water float will sink until that part of the lever B at R presses

page_text: up the point of and sounds the alarm whistle Q. On the other hand should the
water level get abnormally high the high water float will be lifted and sound the
alarm as before.
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. The general arrangement of apparatus for feeding boilers and for giving a
high and low water alarm substantially as described and illustrated on the accom-
panying drawings.
2. In automatic feed apparatus for steam boilers, the valve H held down by a
spiral spring to the lower part of which steam is admitted when the water in the
boiler falls, and which rises against its seat and allows the check valve to open and
admit water to the boiler.
3. In apparatus for feeding steam boilers the mud box or single perforated plate
or gauze to prevent dirt getting to the feed valve.
4. In automatic feed apparatus for steam boilers, the arrangement of the valve
which is acted on by the float so that it may be got at from the outside, substan-
tially as described and shewn at Figure 3.
Dated this 8th day of August 1892.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.