Improvements in Check Valves for Steam Boilers.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL DICITIATION.
Improvements in Check Valves for Steam Boilers.
EDWIN ROBERT HOUGH 49 Houston Road Forest Hill London S.E. Engineer
I do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
The object of my invention is to provide an improved form of check valve 'to
prevent concussion, vibration and noise in working, and this I accomplish by
providing a spiral spring of phosphor bronze (or other suitable material), so arranged
as to exert pressure on the top of the valve, so that instantly the pressure due to the
action of the pump (such action being intermittent) is removed, the valve 'is
sinoothly returned to its seat. By this means all concussion, vibration and noise
are prevented. I may make this spring adjustable from the outside or inside of
valve chest.
When making the adjustment from the outside, I may make the stuffing box
loose. Around the outside of this stuffing box, I provide a male thread which fits
or screws into a female thread in the cover of valve chest. By screwing this loose
stuffing box in or out, the required compression is given to the spring. I provide.
a lock nut on the outside of loose stuffing box, between the Hange of same and
cover of the valve chest, so as to follow up and make a joint around the thread,
and to prevent the stuffing box turning. Or the adjustment of the spring may be
made by screw bolts passing through the cover, and pressing on, or being attached
to a ring, flat on its top side, and suitably shaped underneath to receive 'the 'top coil
of spring. I may shape the top of the valve or provide a loose ring to receive
the bottom coil of spring.
If the adjustment is made from the inside of valve chest, I do so by inserting
washers of a suitable thickness at either end of the spring.
.
Or I may fix a spring of any modified form to suit some types of valve chests.
Dated this 21st day of January 1895.
Improvements in Check valves for Dream BOHOTS.
I, EDWIN ROBERT HOUGH, of Leadenhall House, Leadenhall Street, London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what 'manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in check valves, whereby
the concussion, vibration and noise in working is prevented, the valve being slowly
and silently returned to its seat.
According to my invention, I provide a spiral or other spring or springs of
suitable non corrosive material, so arranged as to exert pressure on the valve, the
spring being fitted in such a manner as to be readily capable of adjustment.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and

page_text: ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which,
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a check valve constructed according to my
invention.
Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are modifications of the above.
a is the valve chest, fitted with a cover b. c is a spring arranged to exert
pressure upon the valve d.
Referring to Fig. 1, the spring c is shown arranged above the valve d and
surrounding and impinging against one end of an adjustable stuffing box e, which
is screw threaded externally to fit the thread in the cover. A lock nut f is
provided for securing the same when the spring has received the desired amount
of compression, a regulating spindle g passing through the stuffing box, as shown,
for adjusting the amount of opening or lift of the valve.
In Fig. 2, the stuffing box is formed integral with the cover, the adjustment of
the spring being effected by screw bolts / h, fitted with lock nuts i i, passing
through the cover and acting upon a П, double trough or H section ring, as
shown.
The spring may be adjusted by inserted washers between the spring and the
cover a suitable cup k being provided for retaining such washers in place, as shown
in Fig. 3.
In the arrangement shown by Fig. 4, the spring is contained in the lower end of
the cover or stuffing box, and surrounding a loose spindle 4, the lower end of which
rests upon the upper face of the valve d, the upper end being acted upon by the
régulating spindle g for adjusting the lift or opening of the valve.
In order that the spring may be readily adjusted while under steam, I form the
valve chest with a door or manhole m shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5. In this
case the valve is fitted with a spindle n projecting from its underside. The spindle
is screw-threaded at its lower end to receive a nut o for regulating the power of
the spring which exerts its force between the nut o and the bridge or bearing p.
Suitable cups or rings are fitted at the ends of the springs to retain them in
place.
By the use of my invention I am enabled to dispense with (or in some cases,
assist) the air vessels usually fitted; while the corrosion of the interior of the boiler,
caused by the presence of air admitted with the feed water is obviated, my
improvements rendering such admission of air unnecessary for the proper working
of the valve.
The action of the valve is as follows:-The spring exerts its pressure on the
valve so that as the pressure of the water, due to the action of the pump is reduced,
as also the speed of How of water through the pipe, (the action of the pump being
intermittent), the valve is smoothly returned to its seat, without noise, concussion
or vibration, the water level being maintained more uniform in the boiler.
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 improvements in check valves for steam boilers, substantially as set
forth.
2. In check valves for steam boilers, the application and use of a spiral or other
spring exerting its force to close the valve silently and without concussion or
vibration, substantially as described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. The improved construction or arrangement of check valve, substantially as
described and shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings.
4. The improved construction or arrangement of check valve, substantially as
described and shown by Fig. 2 of the drawings.
"
5. The improved construction or arrangement of check valve, substantially as
described and shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings.

page_text: 6. The improved construction or arrangement of check valve, substantially as
described and shown by Fig. 4 of the drawings.
7. The improved construction or arrangement of check valve, substantially as
described and shown by Fig. 5 of the drawings.
Dated 19th October 1895.
GEO.
DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.