Improvements in Steam Boiler Water Level Regulating and Indicating Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th July, 1890-Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Boiler Water Level Regulating and
Indicating Apparatus.
JAMES MURRIE 45 West Nile Street Glasgow N.B. Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My said invention has for its object certain improvements in apparatus for main-
taining the level of water in steam boilers at a constant point and also improvements
in the mode of giving audible indication on the water changing its level and in testing
the condition of the apparatus at any time without interfering with the working of the
boiler. By means of these improvements all complicated parts such as springs,
pistons, steam valves, drain cocks and analogous fittings are dispensed with and the
apparatus rendered more simple and reliable than by any other known system at
work.
The first improvement applies to the special form of apparatus for regulating the
feed. wherein the float is placed inside the boiler and the float lever, counterbalance
weight, and adjacent parts are fitted inside a vessel or chest, placed outside the boiler
at its upper side, the float being connected to one arm of the lover by a suspension
rod passing through a branch from the casing, said branch forming the standard for
resting on the stool.
The aforesaid improvement consists in operating from the float lover a valve by
means of a connecting link or spindle, the valve is made to work on a seat, the seat
being fitted in a branch pipe or port, preferably situated on the lower side of the
aforesaid casing.
The water before entering the boiler on its way from the pump, injector, high level
tank or other feeding arrangement, is made to pass through the aforesaid valve and the
position of this valve depends on the relative position of the float inside the hoiler.
The float so adjusting the position of the valve to permit the necessary quantity
of water to enter the boiler to maintain the level at a nearly constant point.
After the water passes through the valve, it enters the boiler by an independent
passage or channel. A valve may or may not be placed on the tube conveying the
water to the boiler after leaving the aforesaid casing.
My second improvement is a modification of the aforesaid first improvement and
consists in placing the float inside the outer casing along with the lever and adjacent
parts. In this arrangement the casing is preferably placed at the boiler front, steam
and water pipes connecting it with the boiler. In the casing the float is adjusted to
ct at the same level as it would have been at inside the boiler, and being fitted to one
arm of a lever any change in the level of the water inside the boiler would also
occur in the external casing and the float would rise and fall accordingly. The float
ever gives motion to a valve working on a guide in the lower side of the casing, the
valve seat being fitted in an inlet branch to which the feed pipe is attached. The flow
of water is regulated precisely in the same way as described under the aforesaid first
mprovement, the water after passing the valve, passing into the boiler by the water
connecting pipe.
My third improvement consists in combining with either of the aforesaid improved
nodes of regulating the water level, a low water alarm, on the casing is fitted a steam
whistle, the valve being held in position by a spring or dead-weight. On the float
alling below a predetermined point, the lever actuates the valve and permits steam
o escape and sound the whistle.
My fourth improvement relates to the mode of combining with either of the aforesaid
mprovements an arrangement whereby the condition of the apparatus can be tested
t any time.
This is effected by having a spindle passing through a stuffing gland in.

page_text: the casing, said spindle bearing against the float lever and causing it to rise or fall as
desired.
My fifth improvement consists in employing two floats on one rod suspended from
the lever These floats are adjusted so that the upper float is always immersed in
steam and the other in water. Any change from these positions causing the tension
on the suspension rod to become greater or less, which leads to the lever rising or
falling on one side of the fulcrum and thereby operating a valve or valves leading to
alarm whistles.
D
'
1
100
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Boller Water Level Regulating and
Indicating Apparatus.
1, JAMES MURRIE, of 9 Granville Street, Charing Cross, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My said invention has for its object certain improvements in apparatus for main-
taining the level of water in steam boilers at a constant point, and also improvements
in the mode of giving audible indication on the water changing its level, and in
testing the condition of the apparatus at any time without interfering with the
working of the boiler. By means of these improvements all complicated parts, such
as springs, pistons, steam valves, drain-cocks and analogous fittings are dispensed
with, and the apparatus rendered more simple and reliable than by any other known
system at work.
In order that my Invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect, I have hereunto appended one explanatory sheet of drawings in the
several Figures of which corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of
reference.
Figure 1, is a transverse vertical section shewing the mode of regulating the supply
of water to a steam boiler.
Figure 2, is also a transverse vertical section of a modification of my improve-
ments but shewing an alarm whistle and an arrangement for testing the
apparatus.
Figure 3, is also a transverse vertical section of another modification of my
improvements.
A is the boiler, on the outside of which there is placed a chest or chamber B
communicating with the steam space of the boiler. In this chamber B there is
fulcrumed at C a lever D, having a long arm E and a short arm E¹. To the end of
the long arm E of the lever D there is pivoted or otherwise secured a suspension
rod F, which passes through a branch of the casing B into the boiler A. To the
end of this rod F there is a float G, and to the end of the short arm E', of the lever D
there is a weight H acting as a counterpoise to the float G.
When the water I in the boiler sinks below the desired normal level the float G
falls, and by its weight draws down the arm E of the lever D, at the same time
opening the valve K by means of the connecting link or spindle L' which is pivoted or
otherwise fixed to the arm E¹ of the lever D, and so allows the water on its way from
the pump, injector, high level tank, or other feeding arrangement to pass through the
valve K into the boiler by the passage M. So soon as the necessary quantity of
water has entered the boiler the valve K closes by means of the float G having risen
to its normal position. A valve may, or may not be placed on the passage M,
conveying the water to the boiler after leaving the chamber B.
Figure 2, is a modification of the improvements I have just described, and consists
in placing the float inside the outer chamber along with the lever and adjacent parts,

page_text: all of which having already been fully described need not be here further referred to.
In this arrangement the chamber B is preferably placed at the front of the boiler A,
and connected thereto with the steam and water pipes N, O, respectively, which are
provided with suitable stop cocks P, Q. In the chamber the float G is adjusted to
act at the same level as it would have been at inside the boiler, and being fitted to
one arm of the lever, any change in the level of the water would also occur in the
external casing, and the float would rise and fall accordingly.
As the float G falls it takes with it the arm E, of the lever D and at the same time
opens the valve K, the seat of which is fitted in an inlet branch S to which the feed
pipe is attached.
The flow of water is regulated in a manner similar to that already
described with reference to Figure 1, that is to say, the water from the
pump, or
other feeding arrangement after passing the valve K into the chamber B flows into
the boiler by the pipe O.
To the top of this chamber B there is or may be screwed or otherwise fixed an
alarm whistle T so that if sufficient water is not supplied to the chamber B and the
float G continues to fall below the predetermined point the weight H still rises and
coming in contact with the valve spindle U, opens the valve and so allowing steam
to escape from the chamber B blows the whistle thus calling the attention of the
attendant. The valve may be held in position by a dead weight H', as shewn or by a
spring or other convenient manner.
I may also provide an arrangement for testing the condition of the apparatus.
This consists of a rod V passing through a stuffing box fixed to the chamber B. This
rod is provided with a handle and as the rod is pushed down it acts on the float G
thereby raising the weight H, and it pushing against the valve spindle U opens the
valve and so sounds the whistle T.
Figure 3, shows a further modification of my improvements and consists in the
employment of two floats G and G₁ both of which are connected to the rod F
suspended from the lever D in a manner similar to that already described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2. These floats G and G¹ are so adjusted that the upper
one G is immersed in steam and the lower G' in water. As the water falls below the
low level float G1, the arm E of the lever D falls with it and raises the arm E', and it
coming in contact with the valve spindle U opens the valve and so allows steam to
escape and sound the whistle T. Again when the water rises above the high level
float G the arm E of the lever D ascends and coming in contact with the valve
spindle U opens the valve and so sounds the whistle T'. Each of these whistles
having a different tone it indicates whether the water is too high or too low. I may
also provide a testing arrangement similar to that herein before described.
It is also be understood that the arrangement as described and shewn in Figure 1
may also be provided with an alarm whistle and testing appliance.
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 [
claim is :-
1. The general construction or arrangement and combination of the parts for
automatically regulating the supply of water to a steam boiler, substantially as
described and shewn on the accompanying sheet of drawings.
2. The combination with a steam boiler of a chamber fitted in connection with the
boiler and having float valve mechanism fitted therein for automatically regulating the
supply of water to a steam boiler, substantially as described and shewn in Figure 2
of the accompanying sheet of drawings.
3. The arrangement and combination of the parts of the float, lever and escape
valve apparatus for giving an alarm when the water in the boiler falls below or rises
bove a certain level, substantially as described and shewn on the accompanying sheet
of drawings.
4. The arrangement for testing the condition of the apparatus, substantially as
described and shewn on the accompanying sheet of drawings.

page_text: 5. In apparatus for indicating the water level in steam boilers or for feeding the
boiler, the use of a double float suspended on one rod, substantially as described and
shewn in Figure 3 of the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 18th day of July 1890.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.