A NEW OR IMPROVED GOVERNOR TO REGULATE THE SUPPLY OF GAS OR AIR and
Year: 1885

page_text: THOMAS ARTHUR GREENE Gas Engineer, 155 Cannon Street City of London,
and CHARLES MAYNARD WALKER Gas Engineer, of the same address do hereby
declare the nature of our invention for A NEW OR IMPROVED GOVERNOR TO
REGULATE THE SUPPLY OF GAS OR AIR and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The nature of our invention is the construction of an apparatus for the purpose
of regulating the supply of gas or air, whereby the difference in the degree of
pressure between that of the atmosphere and that of the gas or air to be supplied
is made to alter the flotative condition of an air-tight float actuating a valve in
such a manner that the apparatus being adjusted to a required degree an increase
of pressure of gas will raise the float and further close the valve and any decrease
of pressure will lower the float and further open the valve. For this purpose
we construct of any suitable size, shape or material a water tight case as shewn
in the annexed drawings F F, also an airtight float G G, having an inner
chamber H which is open at the lower part-the outer sides of this float extend
a convenient distance bolow the other part as at XX so as to form a curtain-in
the centre of the air-tight float is fixed a tube open top and bottom as R. R-there
is also an inner tube J fixed to the top of the 'outer 'case and extending a con-
venient distance below the air tight float (the object of this tube is to maintain
a passage for the. Rod K which is connected to the float at M.) and actuates the
valve) and as moreover guide-eyes top and bottom for the rod K. Upon the top
of the outer case we construct a gas-box D of sufficient size to carry the connection
with outlet pipe B and upon the top of this gas box we construct a second gas box
of sufficient size to carry the connection of inlet pipe A-in the centre of the
partition between these gas boxes we insert a valve-preferably of a socket form--
under the lower end of this valve but quite free from it, is a button shaped ending
of the rod K which, when the apparatus is at work rises with the float, touches the
valve and raises the same-the lowering of the float allowing the valve to full by
its own weight the communication between the interior of the air tight float and
the interior of the gas box D is made by means of the pipe O which leads outside

page_text: the float, under the same and rises to nearly the top thereof, the float is retained
in its vertical position by the guides at N and L L, upon the outer edge of the
case F is inserted a dip-pipe P, the cap of which is provided with a vent-hole to
admit of the pressure of the atmosphere of the surface of the liquid outside the
float the liquid we prefer to use is Glycerine-the dip-pipe extends to within
a short distance of the surface of the liquid and its purpose is this-supposing an
increase in the pressure of gas and an accidental obstruction to the closing of the
valve from any cause the contents of the inner chamber of float instead of being
blown out and the gas probably escaping into the atmosphere the liquid would rise
into dip-pipe rendering an escape impossible.
The action of the governor is as follows-Fig. 1 shews the apparatus charged
with liquid but at rest-the pipe A is attached to the inlet of gas supply and the
pipe B is attached to the outlet of Gas to burners-upon the gas being admitted
the pressure being greater than that of the atmosphere exerts its influence through
the pipe O to the interior of the float-thus the pressure upon that part of the
liquid is greater than that part which is open to the atmosphere consequently the
liquid which is in the inner chamber falls and the latter rises and buoys up
the float which being fixed to the rod K presses the button end on to the valve,
lifting the valve closer into its seating thus diminishing the area of gas supply,
having determined the required pressure at which it is desired that the gas shall
pass the valve-by pouring in more glycerine or taking therefrom, the plug of P-
is screwed on-and the action of the governor continues automatically any increase
of the pressure of the gas causing the valve to rise and compensate for the
increased pressure by diminishing the aperture, and any decrease of the pressure
causing the valve to fall and compensate for the decrease by enlarging the aperture
of gas supply-Further by reason of the float being attached by the lower end
thereof only, to the rod, and by its contact with the tube J. in sliding thereon the
action of pulsating or fluctuation common to the ordinary float governors is entirely
overcome Further the action of the valve moves in an opposite direction to that
of the gas, instead of the gas entering behind the valve and tending to shut
fast with sudden and extreme pressure-the gas enters in front of the valve-tbus
tending to neutralise the effect of sudden and extreme pressure Fig. 2 shews the
governor in plan the letters corresponding to those in Fig. 1.
Having now particularily described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed-we declare that what
we claim is
1st The combination of parts hereinbefore described as and for the purposes
of regulating the supply of gas or air substantially as shewn in the annexed
drawings.
2d In apparatus for the governing or regulating the supply of gas or air, the use
of a valve moving in a contrary direction to that of the gas or air substantially as
shown in the annexed drawings.