IMPROVED APPARATUS POR PREVENTING THE EXPLOSION OF STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Josiah Haste, of New Dock Works, Leeds, in the
County of York, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVED
APPARATUS POR PREVENTING THE EXPLOSION OF STEAM BOILERS."
Sealed the 25th May 1858, and dated the 1st February 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Josiah Haste at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
February 1858.
I, JOSIAH HASTE, of New Dock Works, Leeds, in the County of York,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THE, EXPLOSION OF STEAM BOILERS,"-to
be as follows:-
My Invention of improved apparatus for preventing the explosion of steam
boilers relates to a new or improved mode of constructing and operating the
safety valves of steam boilers and of adapting and working an additional valve
which will only be brought into operation when the level of the water in
the boiler is reduced by the generation of steam below the proper levels.
One of the essential features, of the Invention is, that the valves are so
constructed, arranged, and operated, that they are placed beyond the reach of
the attendant, who is thereby prevented from tampering with them. Should,
therefore, any attempt be made to raise the pressure in the boiler to an
improper height, either by weighting the safety valve or otherwise, or should

page_text: the level of the water in the boiler, either by accident or neglect sink below
the proper point, then the steam shall be allowed to blow off, and an explosion
of the boiler will be prevented.
In carrying out my Invention, I construct a second valve within the safety
valve, and so arrange and combine the parts and weight the additional or
inner valve, that it will not be brought into operation unless the pressure of
steam in the boiler exceeds that at which it is ordinarily intended to work, but
should that pressure be exceeded to any appreciable extent, then an entrance
into the additional safety valve will be opened thereby, and the steam will be
allowed to exert its pressure upon a surface greatly exceeding in area that of
the ordinary valve, and by thus increasing the area for the internal pressure
of the steam, any extra pressure that has been put on externally by loading
the safety valve with additional weights will be overcome, and another exit for
the steam will be made so as to relieve the boiler from any undue pressure.
It is important to state, that immediately such, undue pressure is removed by
the escape of some of the steam from the boiler, the additional safety valve
will be at once closed, and the various parts will resume their normal
position.
The valve which is brought into action when the water level in the boiler
sinks below the proper point is distinct from the safety valve, but I find it
convenient to connect them to a common lever, so that when required they
may act in unison. The water level valve consists of a cylinder open at both
ends, so that the steam may pass freely through into the upper part of the
case in which the valve is placed. The valve is provided with two flanges
which rest upon separate seats made in the valve box. One of these flanges
is made at the lower end of the cylinder, while the other is placed as near as
possible to the upper end of the cylinder, the upper one being rather smaller
in diameter than the lower one. The exit for the steam from the valve box
is situated between the two flanges, and their seats and the steam cannot
reach these exit passages until the value cylinder is pulled down off the seats
against which it is pressed by a coiled spring. The valve cylinder is connected
by a chain or rod to the same lever as the additional safety valve above de-
scribed so that the two valves may act together, and the chain of the water
level valve extends downwards to a float which rests on the water in the
boiler; it follows therefore that when the level of the water sinks, the float will
sink with it, and will pull down the valve cylinder and allow the steam to
escape, and will thereby prevent any chance of explosion from this cause.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Josiah Haste in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
31st July 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSIAH
HASTE, of New Dock Works, Leeds, in the County of York, Mechanical
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Josiah Haste, Her special license that I, the said Josiah Haste, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Josiah
Haste, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENT-
ING THE EXPLOSION OF STEAM BOILERS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Josiah Haste, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Josiah Haste, 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, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of "Improved Apparatus for Preventing the Explosion of
Steam Boilers" relates to a new and improved mode of constructing the
safety valves of steam boilers, and in the introduction of an internal or
additional self-acting balance valve or valves, which will operate when the
pressure of steam in the boiler slightly exceeds that at which it is intended to
work.
I construct an internal self-acting balance valve or valves which I place.
inside the ordinary safety valve or other cylinder, and so arrange and combine
the valve or valves that it or they will not be brought into operation unless
the pressure of steam in the boiler exceeds that at which it is intended to,

page_text: +
work. Should that pressure be exceeded to any appreciable, extent, an entrance
to the safety valve or valves will be opened, and the steam will be allowed to
exert its pressure upon another valve or valves, the surface of which greatly
exceeds in area that of the ordinary valve, thereby enabling the pressure of the
steam to overcome any extra weight that may be applied externally to the
safety valve or lever by loading the same. By means of this additional or
internal valve, another exit for the steam will be opened, and the boiler thereby
relieved from all undue pressure. It is important to state that immediately
such undue pressure is removed by the escape of a portion of steam from the
boiler, the additional safety valve will be at once closed, and the various parts
will resume their normal position.
My Invention consists also of an additional apparatus for the prevention of
explosions in steam boilers by adapting and working an additional valve
which will be brought into operation by means of a float, when the water in
the boiler is reduced by the generation of steam or otherwise, or should the
ordinary safety valve or valves by any means be prevented from acting. In
such cases the above-mentioned valve will be opened, and the steam allowed
to escape by means of an internal self-acting-balance valve and piston, and
by the above means every tendency of an explosion will be avoided.
The above-mentioned apparatus or water level valve consists of a cylinder
open at both ends, so that the steam may pass freely through into the case in
which the valve is placed; the valve is provided with two flanges which rest
upon separate seats made in the valve box; one of these flanges is made at the
lower end of the cylinder, and the other is placed at the upper end of the
cylinder. The upper one is rather smaller in diameter than the lower one,
and the exit for the steam from the valve box is situated betwixt the two
flanges and their seats, the steam therefore cannot reach these exit passages
until the valve cylinder is moved from off its seat against which it is pressed.
by the steam; when the boiler is devoid of steam, the cylinder is secured to
its seat by a spring or other arrangements. The valve cylinder is connected
by a chain or rod to a common lever which moves upon its centre on a stud
fixed to the boiler. The said chain or rod is connected with the lever a little:
on one side of its centre, and at the opposite side of the lever is attached at
spindle or rod, which barely reaches the end of the internal self-acting balance
valve or valves. The above lever is kept in a horizontal position by a weight
or other suitable means. A float is connected by a rod or other contrivance,
which passes through a loop or groove at the end. of the lever, and a pin or
centre is fixed therein.. Should the water in the boiler sink below the point:
of safety, then the weight of the float will bear upon the end of the lever, and

page_text: move the valve or valves from their seats, and thereby allow the steam to
escape with the greatest freedom, and cannot be prevented until the water in
the boiler is raised to its' proper height, or to a point beyond the limits of
danger, when the float will be raised and the valve will close, and the various
parts resume their normal position.
The means by which I cause the water level valve to be opened when the
ordinary safety valve by any means is prevented from acting, is a piston or
other equivalent contrivance placed in the steam box above the water level
valve. A communication or aperture is provided for the passage of the steam
from the cylinder which contains the balance valve on the top side of the
piston, and the steam causes the piston to move, which opens the valve at the
same time, and 'the steam will escape and relieve the boiler of any undue
pressure. The above-named apparatus is distinct from the safety valve, but
I find it convenient to connect them together, so that when required they may
act in unison.
One of the essential features and advantages of the Invention is that the
valves are so constructed, arranged, and operated, that they are placed beyond
the reach of the attendant, who is thereby prevented from tampering with
them.
J
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 in Sheet I. represents a front land
external' elevation of an apparatus constructed according to my Invention for
preventing the explosion of steam boilers; Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal.
section of the same, adapted to a steam boiler. a, a, is the steam box, bolted
or otherwise fastened on to the top of the boiler; b, b, is the ordinary safety.
valve made with a cylinder, which contains a self-acting balance valve c, c;;
n, n, is the seat of the balance valve, and f is a weight placed therein to
regulate the pressure of the same; r is a hole made in the cup of the valve c
to let out the condensed water; d; d, is the seat of the safety valve b, b;, and
e is an additional valve, of larger diameter than the ordinary safety valve b,
and having a hollow spindle g, which rests upon a steam-tight seats; t, t, is
the seat of the additional valve é; and k, k, k, are holes in the hollow spindle g
for the steam to pass to the under side of the additional valve e when required;
h, h, is a gland or weight to keep the packing j,j, steam-tight round the hollow
spindle g; i, i, is a partition plate, which separates the two valves and prevents
the steam from passing downwards to the circular chamber m, m, below, and
in which are made holes 1, 1, 1, round the circumference of the steam box for
the exit of the steam which escapes through the valve seats d, d, in the
ordinary way. The above valves are secured in the ordinary way by a lever

page_text: and spring balance, or by weights or other means. o is a stud secured to the
steam box; and p is the centre pin on which the lever 9 works.
The operation of the above apparatus is as follows:-The valve b, b, being
the ordinary safety valve, is weighted and adjusted to the required pressure by
means of the weight f, which may be charged or altered so as to increase or
diminished the pressure, as may be desired. Should the pressure in the boiler
exceed that at which it is ordinarily intended to work, the valve b, b, will be
raised from off its seat d, d, and steam will pass into the chamber m, m, and
escape through the holes l, l, into the atmosphere. When the boiler is relieved
of a portion of steam, the valve will close in the ordinary way; but should any
attempt be made to increase the pressure of steam in the boiler by screwing
down the spring balance at the end of the lever q, or by placing additional
weights upon the lever, immediately such interference takes place and the
steam slightly exceeds the ordinary pressure, then the self-acting balance
valve c, c, which is placed inside the cylinder of the ordinary safety valve b, b,
will be brought into action, and will be raised off its seat at n, n; steam will
then pass through the opening into the cylinder of the valve b, b, as indicated
by the arrows, and through the hollow spindle g and out at the holes k, k, k,
and will act against the under side of the enlarged additional valve e, and by
thus increasing the area for the internal pressure of the steam to act upon, any
additional weight placed upon the lever q in proportion to the increased surface
will be overcome, and by the above means the valves will be raised from off
their seats, and the steam will be allowed to escape. By the above means the
boiler will be relieved of all undue pressure, and an explosion prevented.
Immediately the steam is reduced to its ordinary pressure the various parts
will close and resume their ordinary position.
I have also shewn in Fig. 2, in combination with the improved construction
of safety valve, an apparatus for letting the steam escape from the boiler in
the event of the water level sinking below the proper point. a is the steam
box, which is cast with the valve cylinder of the safety valve; u, u, is a
cylinder or conical chamber, open at both ends and provided with two flanges
v, v, which rest upon the seat of a perforated case w, w; y, y, is a chamber or
annular space made all round the steam box a, and provided with holes for the
exit of the steam into the atmosphere; e¹ is a spindle, which passes through
the cylinder u, u, and is secured by a nut to a bridge piece at the top for the
purpose of moving the cylinder from off its seat when required; f¹ is a cross
bar, through which the spindle e¹ passes, and is thereby steadied in its proper
position; g, g, are two studs to prevent the valve from opening too far; h' is

page_text: a spiral spring, which rests against the cross bar f¹ and the bridge piece at the
top of the valve for the purpose of bolding the valve against its seat when the
boiler is devoid of steam; a¹ is a spindle, which passes through the gland b¹
and packing c¹, and is provided with a collar at its lower end to prevent it
from being taken out; and d¹ is a small lever for the purpose of opening the
valve when required, and ascertaining if the same is in working order. A
chain connects the spindle e' with the loop j¹. The length of the chain and
the height of the lever is regulated or adjusted by the two nuts k¹, k¹. n' is
the centre pin on which the lever m¹ moves; and o¹ a spindle which barely
reaches the bottom of the balance valve c, c; u¹ is a float at the lower end of
the rod v', and rests upon the water in the boiler; w¹ is a loop for adjusting
the distance the level of the water will be allowed to sink before the loop w
presses on the lever m³, and opens the valve and allows the steam to escape.
The action of the water level apparatus is as follows:-Should the level of
the water in the boiler be allowed to sink, the float will descend with it, and
the loop w will press upon the end of the lever m¹, and the weight of the float
will draw the lever down, when the valve cylinder u, u, will be moved from
off its seat, and steam will escape through the oblong holes or grating 2, 2, 2, 2,
into the chamber y, y, and will make its exit out at the holes x, x, x, into the
atmosphere. When the lever m' is pulled down by the weight of the float,
the spindle o¹ will raise the balance valve c, c, of the safety valve apparatus,
and the steam will be allowed to exert its pressure against the under side of
the additional large valve e. By the above means the safety valve b, b, and
the additional valve e will be raised from off their seats, and another outlet for
the steam will be provided. And as these valves cannot be closed by any
means applied externally, steam will continue to escape until the boiler is
supplied with a sufficient quantity of water to raise the float so as to lift thé
loop w clear of the lever m¹, which will be raised by the balance weight q¹.
Then the valves will close and all the parts will resume their ordinary position,
and by the above arrangements any tendency to an explosion will be
prevented.
Fig. 2, Sheet II., is a longitudinal section of a modification of the safety
valve shewn in Fig. 1, Sheet I. The modification consists in making the
increased valve 62 and cylinder b, b, all in one part. a, a, is the steam box,
and b, b, the cylinder, provided with a flange c, c, and resting upon a seat at
the bottom of the chamber n, n. A self-acting balance valve l, l, is placed
inside the cylinder 6, 6, and rests upon the seat d, d. m is a chamber. to
contain additional weights to adjust the balance valve to the pressure required:

page_text: f is a hole to let out the condensed water; and e, e, e, e, are holes for the steam
to pass through into the chamber n, n, where it will act against the under side
of the increased valve 62. The above valve is weighted and adjusted and
secured to its seat in the ordinary way by a lever and weight or other means.
The action of the above is as follows:-The valve is weighted and adjusted to
correspond with the diameter of the flange c, c. In case the weight upon the
lever should be increased with the intention of raising the steam to a greater
pressure, immediately any such attempt is made the balance valve 1, 1, will be
raised, the steam will pass through the opening at the seat d, d, and through
the cylinder b, b, and out at the holes e, e, e, e, and will exert its pressure
against the under side of the increased valve 63. Any additional weight
placed upon the lever in proportion to the increased area of the valve will be
overcome, the valve will be raised, and the steam allowed to escape; and by
the above means an explosion will be prevented.
Fig. 3, Sheet II., represents a front elevation, and Fig. 4 a longitudinal
section, of another modification of the apparatus shewn in Figures 1 and 2;
in the present instance, however, a cylinder and piston are employed to
actuate the water level valve when required, but this piston will only be
brought into operation in case the safety valve should by any means be pre-
vented from acting; when this occurs the water level valve u, u, is opened,
and the steam is allowed to escape by means of the self-acting balance valve
c, c, in combination with the piston c² above the water level valve. The
action of the apparatus is as follows:-In case the safety valve should be
immoveable and the steam to be raised slightly above the ordinary pressure,
then the balance valve c, c, within the safety valve will be raised and steami
will pass through the cylinder b, 6, up the hollow spindle g and through the
holes k, k, k, into the chamber a, and through the steam passage or aperture
6* into the cylinder d, d, and will exert its pressure upon the piston c², which
will be forced down; the spindle e at the bottom of the piston c² will depress
the water level valve u, u, from off its seat, and steam will be allowed to
escape, and cannot by any external means be prevented until the steam is
reduced to its ordinary pressure, then the valves will be closed and the various
parts will resume their ordinary position, and by the above arrangements
every tendency to an explosion will be prevented, even if the lever of the
safety valve were fixed. g','g', is a steam-tight seat of the piston spindle;
e and is a spiral spring to support the weight of the piston c. At h there is
a very small hole to allow the pent-up steam to escape from the cylinder d,
so as to prevent any resistance to the piston and valve rising; i is a larger

page_text: hole, to allow any condensed water or steam from the under side of the piston
to run off and to prevent any reaction; ; is a passage to convey the steam
and condensed water into the chamber y.
Fig. 5, Sheet IV., is a front elevation, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section;
of another form of water level apparatus, which I sometimes make and fix to
boilers where a common safety valve is in use; such common safety valves are
frequently liable to be overloaded and prevented from acting. a, a, is the
steam box; f, f, is a cylinder open at both ends, so that the steam may pass
freely through; 9; 9, 9, 9, are two flanges, which rest upon the seat of a
perforated case h, h; ,j, a chamber surrounding the steam box, and provided
with holes k, k, k, for the exit of the steam into the atmosphere; a¹ is a
spindle which passes through the cylinder f, f, and is secured by a nut to
a bridge piece at the top, for the purpose of moving the cylinder f from off its
seat; e¹ is a cross bar, through which the spindle a¹ passes, and f¹, f', are
studs for preventing the cylinder f, f, from opening too far; s¹, a spiral
spring for keeping the cylinder f against its seat when the boiler is devoid of
steam; o, o, is a cylinder; 1, a piston; m, the piston rod which passes through
a steam-tight packing t¹; by the side of this valve chamber is a cylinder a²
with a self-acting balance valve b; d is the steam way from the boiler, and e
a steady pin. An aperture s connects the cylinder a² with the space above
the piston . A very small hole is made at q for letting out the pent-up steam"
when the balance valve 6 is closed; p is a larger hole for letting out the
condensed water and steam from the under side of the piston; a passage »
conveys the condensed water and steam into the chamber 'j; a spindle w
passes through the gland and packing y at the top of the chamber a, a; vis
a lever, whereby the spindle w may be depressed for the purpose of opening
the valve when required. The other parts are very similar in construction
and operation to those shown in Sheet III.
The operation of the above-described apparatus is as follows:-Should the
level of the water in the boiler be allowed to sink, the float will descend with
it, and the loop n¹ will press upon the end of the lever, and the weight of the
float will press the lever down, when the valve cylinder f, f, will be moved
from off its seat, and the steam will escape through the oblong holes or grating.
i, i, i, i, into the chamber j, j, and will make its exit out at the holes-k, k, k,
into the atmosphere. As the valves cannot be closed by any means applied
externally, steam will continue to escape until the boiler is supplied with a
sufficient quantity of water to raise the float, so that the loop n¹ will be clear
of the lever, which will be raised by the balance weight j¹; then the valves

page_text: will close and all the parts will resume their ordinary position, and by the
above arrangements any tendency to an explosion will be prevented.
The action of the balance valve b and piston is as follows:-Should any
attempt be made to increase the pressure of steam beyond that at which it is
ordinarily intended to work by interfering with it or loading the ordinary safety
valve with weights or otherwise, then the water-level valve will be opened and
steam caused to escape by means of the self-acting balance valve and piston;
the action is as follows:-When the pressure is slightly exceeded, the balance
valve 6 will be raised, and steam will pass through the passage d into the
cylinder a², a³, and through the aperture s into the cylinder o, o, and will exert
its force against the top side of the piston l, which will be forced down, and
the piston rod m will cause the valve f, f, to be moved from off its seat, and
steam will be allowed to escape from the boiler, and cannot by any external
means be prevented until the boiler is relieved of all undue pressure, when all
the various parts will resume their ordinary position, and by the above means
an explosion will be prevented.
Having now described my Invention of "Improved Apparatus for Pre-
venting the Explosion of Steam Boilers," and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I would observe that although I have described
the construction and arrangement of parts which I prefer to employ, having
found them to answer in practice, I do not mean or intend to confine myself
thereto, as they may doubtless be varied in some particulars without departing
from the nature and object of my Invention, nor do I intend to claim all the
various parts taken separately, as some of them have heretofore been used for
similar or analogous purposes; but that which I consider to be new in the
above improvements, and therefore desire to claim as the Invention secured to
me by Letters Patent as aforesaid, is,-
First, the use and application, in combination with a safety valve acting in
the ordinary manner, of a self-acting balance valve placed within the ordinary
valve, and beyond the reach or control of the attendants, as above shewn and
described, whereby the steam after acting upon the surface of the ordinary
safety valve may, if required, be caused to act upon the increased surface of
another valve; I also claim the use of a self-acting balance valve placed
within a cylinder or case, and beyond the reach or control of the attendants, as
shewn in Sheet IV.
Second, I claim the mode herein described of constructing valves to be
worked by a float or other analogous contrivance, to be operated by the rise
and fall of the level of the water in the boiler; I also claim the combination

page_text: of the water-level valve with the safety valve, so that should the lever of the
safety valve become fixed and immoveable, either by accident or design, the
steam may be allowed to pass from the safety valve chamber to the water-level
valve chamber, and by operating upon a piston or other analogous contrivance
placed therein open a communication with the atmosphere, and thereby allow
steam from the boiler to pass out through the water-level valve so as to relieve
the pressure in the boiler.
In witness whereof, I, the said Josiah Haste, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
JOSIAH HASTE. (L.S.)