IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPLYING STEAM BOILERS WITH WATER, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS OR MODIFICA. TIONS THEREOF ARE APPLICABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF FLUIDS. AND THE INDICATION OF FLUID LEVELS UNDER PRESSURE
Year: 1856

page_text: i s
LETTERS PATENT to Robert M°Connell, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Bleacher, and Alexander Mackenzie, of the
same Place, Mechanist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPLYING
STEAM BOILERS WITH WATER, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS OR MODIFICA.
TIONS THEREOF ARE APPLICABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF FLUIDS. AND THE
INDICATION OF FLUID LEVELS UNDER PRESSURE."
Sealed the 17th March 1857, and dated the 10th October 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert McConnell and
Alexander Mackenzie at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 10th October 1856.
We, ROBERT MCCONNELL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Bleacher, and ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, of the same Place, Mechanist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SUPPLYING STEAM BOILERS WITH WATER, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS OR
MODIFICATIONS THEREOF ARE APPLICABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF FLUIDS, AND
THE INDICATION OF FLUID LEVELS UNDER PRESSURE," to be as follows, that is
to say.
This Invention relates to various modifications of apparatus to be employed
for the several purposes of supplying steam boilers with water, the regulation
of the flow of liquids, the pumping or forcing of liquids,and the inasurement
and registration of fluid pressures.
In feeding steam boilers with water according to this Invention, the
apparatus employed consists of a double cylindrical chamber, formed of two
vessels placed one inside the other; and so as to forin an annular space between
the exterior of the inner chamber and the interior of the outer one. This

page_text: double chamber is placed on a level somewhat above that of the boiler, and
its annular chamber. is put in communication with the supplying reservoir,
whilst the inner or central chamber is similarly open to the steam boiler. In
the interior of the inner chamber is a ball float and actuating lever apparatus,
so arranged, that when the ball float sinks to its lowest point, from the absence
of water in the inner chamber,an upper arm ofthe lever movement disengages
an overhead detent or catch, and allows a buoyant ball, which is there sus-
pended, to drop down a vertical guide to the bottom of the chamber, where
the ball re-engages itself upon a bottom detent.
The same upper lever action also closes a stop-cock on a steam pipe
leading from the boiler into the top of the inner chamber, and which pipe has
been open during the time that the loose buoyant ball was suspended
overhead. The effect of this action is, that the steam which has been
supplied to the interior of the inner chamber, is now condensed, as this
inner chamber is surrounded with cold water, which stands to a con-
siderable height in the surrounding annular chamber. The unbalanced
atmospheric pressure then forces cold water up into the annular chamber,
until it overflows the top of the inner chamber in a thin sheet all round,
and pours into the interior of the inner chamber, which is purposely made
a little shorter than the outer one. As the inner chamber fills with
water the lever ball float rises, and its lower lever arm then disengages the
loose ball float, which is now secured at the bottom of the water in the
chamber; this loose float then at once rises, is again engaged in its upper
position, and re-opens the overhead steam pipe, admitting steam from the
boiler to press upon the top of the water in the vessel. The valve which
governs the communication between the bottom of the inner chamber and the
boiler opens inwards towards the boiler, and is so arranged and weighted, that
when the steam pressure comes to act upon it, in conjunction with the fluid
columnar pressure of the water in the inner chamber, it opens and admits the
water in the inner chamber through into the boiler; the lever ball float then
falls, and the action goes on as before. The regulation of this supply of water,
as regards the proper working level of the water in the boiler, may be accom
plished in various ways, either by an open dipping pipe passing into the
boiler, and contrived so that when the water in the boiler rises high enough
to cover the open end of the pipe it prevents steam from getting into the feed
apparatus, or by placing a regulating apparatus, of a kind to be herein-afte
described, upon the cold-water feed pipe.
The same apparatus under different modifications is also applicable fo
pumping and forcing water, the action being similar to that which has been

page_text: already described. The measurement and registration of fluid levels under
pressure according to this Invention are accomplished by an apparatus to be
used as a superior substitute for the common glass water-guage tubes. This
apparatus consists of a short vertical tube with a flanged end at top and
bottom. To each of these flanged end is attached a small valve casing, con!
taining an elastic cup piece of caoutchouc, or other suitable material, the
convexity of each cup piece being outwards, or turned from the vertical tube;
the upper valve casing is open to the steam in the boiler, and the lower
one is similarly open to the feed water reservoir. The tube has within it
a longitudinal rack, one end of which is attached to each elastic cup piece!
This rack has in gear with it a toothed pinion, carrying an index 'hand
working over a graduated dial. As the water level rises in the boiler; the
superadded columnar pressure of the water passing into the tube acting upon
the lower elastic cup piece, draws down the rack and moves the index to the
corresponding number on the dial, indicative of the actual water level in the
boiler. Elastic valve cup pieces may also be fitted up in the feed apparatus
itself for the purpose of obtaining the same regulating action for the supply
of water as regards the water level in the boiler.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert McConnell and Alexander Mackenzie' in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 9th April 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ROBERT
Bleacher,
McCONNELL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, F
and ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, of the same Place, Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six,. in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Robert McConnell and Alexander Mackenzie, Her special license that we,
said Robert McConnell and Alexander Mackenzie, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Robert McConnell and
Alexander Mackenzie, our executors, administrators, or 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 "IM-

page_text: PROVEMENTS IN SUPPLYING STEAM BOILERS WITH WATER, PART OF WHICH IN
PROVEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS THEREOF ARE APPLICABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF
FLUIDS, AND THE INDICATION OF FLUID LEVELS UNDER PRESSURE," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that we, the said Robert McConnell and Alexander
Mackenzie, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, 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 we, the said Robert McConnell and Alexander
Mackenzie, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement in writing, reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:-
Our said Invention relates to various modifications of apparatus to be
employed for the several purposes of supplying steam boilers with water, the
regulation of the flow of liquids, the pumping or forcing of liquids, and the
measurement and registration of fluid pressures. In feeding steam boilers
with water according to this Invention, the apparatus employed consists of a
double cylindrical chamber formed of two vessels placed one inside the other,
and so as to form an annular space between the exterior of the inner chamber
and the interior of the outer one. This double chamber is placed on a level
somewhat above that of the boiler, and its annular chamber is put in com-
munication with the supplying reservoir, whilst the inner or central chamber
is similarly open to the steam boiler. In the interior of the inner chamber is
a ball float and actuating lever apparatus,so arranged, that when the ball float
sinks to its lowest point, from the absence of water in the inner chamber, an
upper arm of the lever movement disengages an overhead detent or catch,
and allows a buoyant ball, which is there suspended, to drop down a vertical
guide to the bottom of the chamber, where the ball re-engages itself upon a
bottom detent. The same upper lever action also closes a stop-cock on a
steam pipe leading from the boiler into the top of the inner chamber, and
which pipe has been open during the time that the loose buoyant ball was
suspended overhead. The effect of this action is, that the steam which has
been supplied to the interior of the inner chamber is now condensed, as this
inner chamber is surrounded with cold water, which stands to a considerable
height in the surrounding annular chamber. The unbalanced atmospheric
pressure then forces cold water up into the annular chamber until it overflows

page_text: the top of the inner chamber in a thin sheet all.round, and pours into the
interior of the inner chamber, which is purposely made a little shorter than
the outer one.
As the inner chamber fills with water the lever ball float
rises, and its lower lever arm then disengages the loose ball float, which is
now secured at the bottom of the water in the chamber; this loose float then
at once rises, is again engaged in its upper position,and re-opens the overhead
steam pipe,admitting steam from the boiler to press upon the top of the water
in the vessel. The valve which governs the communication between the
bottom of the inner chamber and the boiler opens inwards towards the boiler,
and it is so arranged and weighted, that when the steam pressure comes to act
upon it, in conjunction with the fluid columnar pressure of the water in the
inner chamber, it opens and adinits the water in the inner chamber through
into the boiler; the lever ball float then falls, and the action goes on as
before. The regulation of this supply of water,as regards the proper working
level of the water in the boiler, may be accomplished in various ways,either
by an open dipping pipe passing into the boiler, and contrived so that when
the water in the boiler rises high enough to cover the open end of the pipe,
it prevents steam from getting into the feed apparatus, or by placing a
regulating apparatus of a kind to be herein-before described upon the cold-
water feed pipe. The same apparatus under different modifications is also
applicable for pumping and forcing water, the action being similar to that
which has been already described. The measurement and registration of
Hluid levels under pressure according to this Invention are accomplished by
an apparatus to be used as a superior substitute for the common glass water-
guage tubes. This apparatus consists of a short vertical tube with a flanged
end at top and bottom. To each of these flanged ends is attached a small
valve casing,containing an elastic cup piece, of caoutchouc or other suitable
material,the convexity of each cup piece being outwards, or turned from the
vertical tube. The upper valve casing is open to the steam in the boiler,and
the lower one is similarly open to the feed water reservoir. The tube has
within it a longitudinal rack, one end of which is attached to each elastic cup
piece. This rack has in gear with it a toothed pinion carrying an index hand
working over a graduated dial. As the water level rises in the boiler, the
superadded columnar pressure of the water passing into the tube acting upon
the lower elastic cup piece, draws down the rack and moves the index to the
corresponding number on the dial, indicative of the actual water level in the
boiler. Elastic valve cup pieces may also be fitted up in the feed apparatus
itself for the purpose of obtaining the same regulating action for the supply
of water as regards the water level in the boiler.

page_text: And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings, which we have hereunto appended for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which our improvements may be judi-
ciously carried out in practice.
Figure 1 on our Sheet of Drawings is an elevation, partially in section, of one
modification of our improved apparatus for supplying steam boilerswithwater;
Figure 2 is an elevation, partially in section, of another arrangement of
apparatus for a similar purpose; Figure 3 is a vertical section of a rotatory
apparatus for feeding or supplying water to boilers; Figure 4 is an eleva-
tion, partially in section, of one modification of our improved apparatus
for indicating the height of the water within steam boilers; Figure 5 is
an elevation, partially in section, of another arrangement of apparatus for
indicating the water level; and Figure 6 is another modification of an appa-
ratus for a similar purpose.
In Figures 1 and 2 of our illustrative Drawing the two arrangements
are similar in their essential features but different in their details; like
letters of reference are therefore used in both of these Figures to indicate
corresponding parts. The apparatus consists of a cylindrical metal cham-
ber A, which is made with an inner ring or chamber B, so as to leave
an annular space between the interior of the chamber A and, the exterior
of the chamber B. To the upper part of the chambers A and B, a double
dome cover C is fitted, being in communication at its highest part with
the feed water pipe D, which is connected at its other end to the cold-
water tank or reservoir, and by this means the outer chamber is kept
nearly, or quite full of water. The pipe E for supplying the boiler with
water is attached to the lower part of the apparatus and opens into the
inner chamber B; this communication is, however,governed by means of a
weighted ball valve opening inwards towards the boiler. Within the inner
chamber B a ball float I is attached by means of the duplex bell-crank leverG
to, the horizontal shaft H, carried in end bearings in the interior of the inuer
chamber, and which shaft forms its fulcrum,and on which it turns freely. In
Figure 1 on our Sheet of Drawings the ball float F is shown in a horizontal
or nearly horizontal position, the upper and lower ends or arms I and J of
the bell-crank lever being in a vertical line or at right angles with the hori
zontal part G. But as the ball float Frises or falls,according to the amount
of water in the inner chamber, one, or other of the ends. I, J, as the lever
deviates from a horizontal position,will come in contact with a
apin fast to one
end of a catch or detent and cause it to move aside. The apparatus is
.

page_text: the
furnished with two of these catches or detents K and L. and they are attached.
by pins, on which they rotate, to the vertical shaft M. supported in upper and
lower bearings in the chamber B. The apper catch or detent K serves to
support a buoyant ball N by means of a hook or latch projecting from the
upper part of the ball, and the lower catch or detent L retains the ball N
(when it is released from the upper detent K) by means of a hook or latch O
projecting from the lower part of the ball. A vertical aperture or passage is
made through the buoyant ball N to admit of its sliding up and down the
shaft M, which thus forms a guide on which the ball travels. Supposing the
chamber B to be filled with water to the level of the dotted line, its upward
pressure lifts the ball N, which becomes engaged and held by the catch or
detent K,andwill remain so as long as thewater is retained in the chamber B ;
but as soon as the water sinks the ball float F falls also, which action causes
upper end I of the bell-crank lever G to come in contact with the pin on
the longer arm of the detent K,and this thrusting it aside liberates the hooked
end from the catch or latch on the upper part of the ball N. The ball being
liberated slides down the shaft M, and the catch or latch on the lower side of
the ball is caught or engaged by the detent L. The mechanical arrangement
is rendered self-acting by connecting it to a cock or valve by which the ingress
of steam into the chamber B is regulated. On oue side of the' buoyant ball N
is a lug, to which is connected a link O, attached at its upper end to the
lever P; this lever is fast to the plug of the cock Q. which communicates
with the pipe R; the lower end of this pipe is open to the upper part of the
boiler, and serves to convey steam from thence to the interior of the inner
chamber B. The plug of the steam-cock Q is so arranged, that when the
buoyant ball N is held by the detent K, the passage through the steam pipe R
is open and the steam passes freely into the chamber B; but as the water in
the boiler is evaporated, the pressure of steam within the chamber forces down
a weighted ball or other valve fitted within the pipe E, and opening inwards
to the boiler, and the water descends from the inner chamber B through the
pipe E into the boiler. The escape of the water from the chamber causes the
bell float F to sink, and by the action of the bell-crank lever G on the
detent K the ball N is released, and when it reaches the lower part of the
shaft M it is there caught and retained by the detent L. The downward
action of the ball N causes the lever P which it carries with it to shut the
passage of the steam-cock Q. The inner chamber B being surrounded on
all sides with the cold water contained in the annular or outer chamber, and
at the upper part between the double cover C, the quantity of steam confined
within the chamber B is rapidly condensed. The vacuum thus obtained

page_text: causes a portion of the water in the tank or reservoir to overcome the weight
of the ball or other valve in the feed pipe D, and pass down the pipes Sinto
the annular chamber,and thence through the apertures T into the chamber B.
The flow of water into the chamber B causes the ball float F to turn upon
its
shaft,and the lower end J of the ball-crank lever G strikes against the project-
ing pin of the detent L, thereby releasing the hall float N, which is lifted by
the water and again caught by the detent K. The upward motion of the
buoyant ball N opens the passage of the steam-cock Q, thereby admitting the
steam to the chamber B, and restoring the equilibrium of the moving parts
of the apparatus. To prevent the ball N from being liberated too quickly
from the detent L while the inner chamber B is being filled with water, the
lower end of the detent is loaded with a counterbalance weight, by this meaus
greater force is required to be exerted by the ball float F on the pin of the
detent L before it releases the buoyant ball N. This extra force allows the
water to rise to a predetermined level before the steam-cock Q is opened
By means of the foregoing mechanical arrangement the supply of water to
boiler goes on uninterruptedly, and whollyindependent of personal attention.
Another modification of our improvements in self-acting apparatus for
supplying steam boilers with water is shown in Figure 2 of our illustrative
Sheet of Drawings. This apparatus consists of an outer annular chamber
formed by the double casing A and an inner chamber B This inner part of
the dome cover C has in this modification an opening at its upper part, through
which opening the water passes to the inner chamber. The cold-water supply
pipe leading from the tank or reservoir opens into the outer chamber of the
casing A at its lower part,and is furnished with a ball or other valve,as herein
before described in the modification shown in Figure 1. The supply pipe F
leading from the inner chamber B to the boiler is also fitted with a weighted
ball or other valve. In the centre of the chamber B is fitted a vertical shaft F,
the upper
end of which is supported by a transverse stay crossing the opening
in the inner cover C. On this shaft is placed the cylindrical float G, which
has at its upper and lower ends a projecting catch I and J. To the shaft F
are secured the pins of the detents K and L; both the catches I and J and
the detents K and L are somewhat modified in form from those shown in
Figure 1. In this instance both are rounded off at the engaging parts, by
which means the catches I and J may be released from the detents by the
weight or pressure of the float. The float G is attached by means of a lug to
a lever M, which is connected at its other end to the plug of the steam-cock N,
opening to the steam pipe O; the lug H on the float G has a slot made in it,
and the lever M is connected to it by a pin. This arrangement admits of the

page_text: ever M adjusting itself to the different positions of the float G as it slides up
and down the shaft F. The action of this arrangement of the apparatus is
somewhat similar to the modification before described in reference to Figure 1
of our Sheet of Drawings. As the height of the water in the boiler decreases
the ball or other valve in the pipe E is opened, and the water in the chamber B
passes through the pipe into the boiler. The descent of the water leaves the
float G, supported by its upper catch I bearing against the detent K, until the
weight of the float overcomes the pressure of the detent, and the float slides
down the shaft F, and its lower catch J is caught by its detent L. This
action shuts the steam-cock N, and the steam within the inner chamber
is condensed by the cooling influence of the surrounding cold water. The
unbalanced atmospheric pressure thus obtained causes the water to rise within
the annular chamber and pour over the edges of the aperture in the inner
cover C. The flow of fluid into the inner chamber releases the float G when
its pressure is sufficient to overcome the resistance of the weighted detent L,
by which means the steam is again admitted to the inner chamber B, the
filling and discharging of the water in the inner chamber going on alternately,
according to the consumption of water in the boiler.
Another modification of an apparatus for a similar purpose to those herein-
before described consists in alternately opening and shutting the water and
steam passages by means of a ball float connected by an arın to a fixed shaft
or axis, on which it has a radial motion. On the arm of the ball float is
placed a solid or heavy ball, which is made to slide freely along the arm by
means of antifriction rollers fitted in the aperture through which the arm of
the ball float passes. Near to the ball float is fixed a segmental guide; this
is attached to the inner casing of the apparatus, but is brought sufficiently
near to the ball on the float arm, that a pin projecting from the surface of the
ball will rest against the guide which serves to retain the travelling ball at
that point on the ball float arm. There is also a short curved guide fitted
near the shaft to which the ball float arm is connected, which serves to retain
the travelling ball during a certain portion of the radial traverse of the ball float.
The action of this modification is thus -When the ball float is ascending
from the lowest to its highest point the travelling ball on the arm is retained
at the float end of the arm by the longer segmental guide. The length of this
guide is so arranged, that when the ball float reaches a predetermined height
the travelling ball is free of the guide, and it runs down the ball float arm,
passes over the shorter segmental guide, and strikes the lever, which opens the
steam-cock, thereby admitting the steam to the inuer chamber. The travelling
ball is retained at the inner end of the floatarm by the shorter segmental guide,

page_text: and while in this position keeps the steam-cock open and the water valve closed.
As the water flows out of the inner chamber the ball float sinks, and when
at its lowest point the float arm is free of the shorter segmental guide, which
allows the travelling ball to descend the float arm. By this action the steam
cock is shut and the waterway opened, the shutting of the steam cock and
the opening of the watervalve being effected by springs or weights, which,
however are not sufficiently powerful to overcome the pressure of the travelling.
ball when it is at the inner end of the ball floatarm.
Another part of our Invention consists of the mechanical arrangement or
apparatus for supplying steam boilers with water, and is shown in Figure 3 of
our Sheet of Drawings. In this modification the apparatus consists of a
circular chamber A, supported by vertical side standards B attached to a
suitable base plate. The interior of the chamber A is divided into three
parts or separate chambers by the partitions C, which are also attached to an
inner chamber D, and this chamber is likewise divided by the three pipes
E, F, G. The inner parts of the chamber D forms a journal, which fits the
axle H closely, but is free to rotate thereon. The three pipes E, F, G, com-
municate with two passages I, J, bored partially through the axle H; the
upper passage I is open to the supply tank or reservoir of water, and the lower
passage J is in connection with the feed pipe of the boiler. There is also
another passage K bored partially through the axle H in a longitudinal
direction, and then downwards at a right angle, opening into the division
of the chamber below it. The inner chamber D is also divided by the
partitions L into three parts. or, chambers, each of which has an opening at
its outer part to the annular space between the interior of the outer chamber
A and the exterior of the chamber D. On the exterior of the outer case A
are three studs or stops M, fitted opposite or in a line with the centre of the
pipes E, F, G, and at the central part, between the side standards below the
chamber A is fixed a spring N, which presses against one of the studs when
either of the pipes E, F, G, is in a vertical line above it. For example, as the
apparatus is shown in our Drawing, the water in the bottom chamber is being
discharged into the boiler; this is done by the pressure of the steam which is
admitted through the aperture K in the axle H, and forces the water up
pipe G, through the aperture J, and thence into the boiler. While this is
being done, the water from the tank or reservoir is flowing into the right hand
upper chambers through the aperture I and pipe E. As the water is forced
out of the lower chambers they become filled with steam, and consequently
lighter, until the weight of water accumulated in the upper chambers over-
comes the pressure of the spring N against the stud opposite the pipe G.
the

page_text: This action causes the wheel to rotate, and the pipe is brought in com-
munication with the aperture J, the spring N meanwhile stopping the
further rotation of the apparatus. During this discharging and filling action,
the steam which filled the chambers communicating with the pipe F has
become.condensed, and the water from the tank or reservoir will be forced
through the aperture I when the pipe F is brought in communication with it.
Another modification of this apparatus consists in making the chamber
of a double wedge-shaped form, and giving to it a vibratory motion instead o
a rotatory action, as herein-before described. Our improved apparatus may
also be modified as to supply the boiler from a vessel attached to a beam, on
which it turns, and is supported by a counterbalance weight, so adjusted
that the water vessel descends when filled to a certain height, this descent
causing the waterway to the boiler to be opened, and thereby discharge the
water from the supply vessel. Or the supply vessel may be adjusted hori-
zontally to turn upon a central supporting axis, the interior being furnished
with a piston, and so arranged, that the accumulating weight of water upon
one side causes the supply vessel to turn upon its axis and discharge the
contents; this action going on alternately.
The next part of our improvements has reference to means or apparatus for
indicating the height of the water in the boiler. One description of our
improved apparatus for this purpose is shown at Figure 4 on our Sheet of
Drawings. The circular case A encloses the volute flattened tubes B and C."
One of these tubes B communicates with the steam pipe D, and the other
tube C is connected to a pipe E, which is carried below the surface of the
water in the boiler; to the inner end of the tube B is attached the segmental
rack F; a similar rack G being affixed to the tubes C. Both of the segmental
racks F, G, act on a pinion H fitted centrally between them, to the spindle of
which an index hand is attached, to indicate upon a dial fitted to the case A
the height of the water in the boiler. As the weight of the column of water
in the tube E decreases, the pressure of the steam being constantly equal in
both tubes, this variation is at once indicated by the pointer or index hand on
the dial.
Another modification of our improved apparatus for indicating the height of
the water within boilers is shown in Figure 5 of our Sheet of Drawings. It
consists of a horizontal tube A having broad flanged ends, to which are fitted
the convex caps B. Between the faces of the flanges and the caps are fitted
two pieces of vulcanized india-rubber, or other suitable flexible material C.
These flexible diaphragms are connected to each other by the shaft or spindle
D, which has at each end two discs, which are placed one on each side of the

page_text: flexible diaphragms C, the whole being secured by nuts screwed on to the ends
of the spindle 1). The steam pipe E is carried upwards and bent into a
siphon form, the shorter leg of which, and the space formed between the cap'
B and the diaphragm C, is filled with water. The object of this is to prevent
the steam from injuring or destroying the diaphragm C, with which it would
otherwise come in contact. The pipe F is carried down into the boiler below
the surface of the water, which is forced up the pipe by the pressure. of the
steam. A screw thread G is cut on the centre of the spindle, and this screw
is in gear with the pinion H, to the spindle of which the index hand is
attached outside the dial plate I. The screw G also gives motion to a pinion
J. which actuates the rod K, by means of which the cock or valve of the feed
water pipe is opened. When the pressure of steam in the pipe Eexceeds the
weight of the column of water in the pipe F the steam will force the
diaphragm C at that end of the apparatus inwards, and cause the spindle D
to actuate the pinions Hand J. The rotatory motion of the pinion J opens
the cock or valve of the cold-water pipe, and thereby admits the necessary
quantity of water to the boiler, at the same time the disturbance of the equi
librium is at once indicated to the stoker or attendant in charge of the boiler.
The next and last modification of our improvements is shown in Figure 6
of our Sheet of Drawings. In this modification the indication is obtained
by differential pressure on corrugated plates. The cylindrical casing A has
attached to its flanged ends the convex caps or end pieces B, between
which and the flanges of the casing A are fitted two corrugated plates of metal
Cand D; these are connected in the centre by the short horizontal spindle E.
A screw thread is made in the centre of the spindle, which gears with a small
pinion F, to which the indicator hand outside the dial plate G is attached.
The steam has access to the corrugated plate C by means of the pipe H, and
If the
the water is admitted to the opposite plate D through the pipe I.
weight of the column of water decreases, the metal plate C will be forced
inwards by the preponderating pressure of the steam. This inward pressure
tends to straighten the plate C, which causes the spindle E to actuate the
pinion F, and the decrease in the quantity of the water is at once indicated on
the dial plate G.
It will be obvious to the practical engineer that the foregoing mecha-
nical arrangements for indicating the height of water in steam boilers may
be used either in conjunction with our improved apparatus for supplying
boilers with water or without, as may be found convenient; and we may
also observe that a useful modification of the arrangements represented in
Figures 1 or 2 on our Sheet of Drawings may be obtained by attaching thereto

page_text: a modification of the fluidmeasuring apparatus, for which Thomas Kennedy, of
Kilmarnock, obtained British Letters Patent on or about the Fourth day
of October, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two. Such modification of
meter apparatus is in this instance attached to the top of my apparatus, as
represented in Figures 1 and 2 of my Drawings, so as to act in working the
same,insteadof the internal machineryrepresented in the special arrangements
which I have herein-before represented.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or restrict
ourselves tothe precise details or arrangements which we have had occasionto
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of our Invention ; but what
we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of apparatus or means for
supplying steam boilers with water, as herein-before described, either by
vacuum or columnar pressure.
Second, the system or mode of supplying and regulating the supply of
water to steam boilers bymeans of the mechanical arrangements or apparatus
as herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of the mechanicalarrangementsorapparatus,
as herein-before described, to or for the purposes of pumping, forcing, and
regulating the supply of water.
Fourth, the general arrangement and construction of the apparatus or
mechanical arrangements for measuringand registering the heightof the water
in steam boilers, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of measuring and registering the levels of fluids
under pressure by means of the apparatus or mechanical arrangements as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Robert McConnell and Alexander
Mackenzie, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighth day of
April, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
ROBT M.CONNELL.
(L.S.)
ALEX MACKENZIE. (L.S.)