AN IMPROVED APPARATUS POR REGULATING THE FLOW OR SUPPLY OF GAS THROUGH PIPES TO GAS BURNERS WITH A VIEW TO UNI- FORMITY OF SUPPLY
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HUGH
FORD BACON, of Fen Drayton, in the County of Cambridge, Clerk, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present Majesty Victoria, by Her Letters Patent under
the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing
date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of January now last past, did give
and grant unto me, the said Hugh Ford Bacon, Her especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Hugh Ford Bacon, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Hugh
Ford Bacon, my 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 of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, my Invention of "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS POR REGULATING THE
FLOW OR SUPPLY OF GAS THROUGH PIPES TO GAS BURNERS WITH A VIEW TO UNI-
FORMITY OF SUPPLY;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso
obliging me, the said Hugh Ford Bacon, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature
of my said Invention, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by
the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said,
Hugh Ford Bacon, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,

page_text: and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto annexed, and the
following description thereof (that is to say):-
gas
--
In my said apparatus for regulating the flow or supply of gas through pipes
to gas burners I effect the greater uniformity of its supply by a novel mode
or modes of employing the pressure of the gas in the apparatus as it passes
through from the gasometer to the burners, so as to cause the aperture through
which it is admitted from the main or service pipe into the apparatus to be
increased or diminished, according to the greater or less pressure there may
be in the pipe of supply, or to the greater or less quantity of gas actually
required for consumption, so that the gas shall always issue from the openings
or burners at which it is consumed with an uniform velocity, or nearly so; and
my method of effecting the object is shewn at Figure 1, in which Figure A, A,
represents a front section of a vessel made of metal, glass, or other fit and
proper materials, enclosed air-tight on all sides and parts thereof, except at
the passages B and C; B for the entrance, and C for the escape and delivery
of the gas. The entrance tube or pipe B is closed at the lower end thereof,
and the is admitted into the vessel through a slit or longitudinal aperture
F communicating with the bore G (shewn by dotted lines), the peculiar con-
struction of which slit or aperture F is after described. Above the slit on the
side of the tube B a balanced arm or lever D moves upon a pin or axis E,
screwed into a shoulder or raised part of the said tube; and a flat piece of
metal or slider II formed in one with the arm or lever D, is so fitted imme-
diately in front of the slit F, that, when a motion is given to the arm or lever
D, it passes gradually over the slit or aperture, and shuts off or opens it, more
or less, according as the arm of the lever is depressed or raised (as shewn by
the dotted lines). I is the counterbalance of the lever D. J, J, is a membrane
or piece of oiled or varnished silk, or other flexible and air-tight material;
this is tightly bound or secured as evenly as possible by its outer edge or skirt
round the outer side of the lower part of the ring K, K, but without being
strained tight over it; and the ring K, K, with the membrane so fastened and
appended to it, is fitted and made good within the vessel A, A, so as to be air-
tight. L, L, is a convex metal disc, which is hung or jointed to one end of
the lever D by means of the metal rod or wire M, which is screwed and
passed through the disc L, L, and membrane J, J, and secured by screwed
binding nuts above and below, preventing all escape of gas. A helical metal
spring O is placed underneath the disc L, and acts against it so as to raise it
up. The other end of the spring is supported upon a metal plate or stage P,
which has three holes in its outer parts or corners, whereby it is held upon

page_text: three metal screwed wires (two of which are shewn at Q, Q, as affixed into
the ring K, K,) by means of screwed nuts placed upon each leg above and
below the plate P, which may thus be placed higher or lower upon the screwed
legs, and adjusted so as to relax or lighten the spring O as required. The
membrane J, J, not being strained or stretched quite tight over the ring K, K,
is capable of a certain degree of elevation and depression. When the disc
L, L, is raised by the action of the helical spring O, the membrane J, J, is
likewise elevated, spreading with much evenness and smoothness over the
convex surface of the disc L, L, pressed against it into the position shewn at
Figure 1; at the same time and by the same action the arm of the lever Dis
raised, and the flat plate or slider H moved back and kept clear from the
slide or aperture F, so as to expose the whole thereof, and leave the passage of
the gas through it entirely free. The said aperture or slit F must be always
of sufficient size to allow the requisite quantity of gas to pass at the lowest
pressure made use of in practice. The helical spring O is tightened by means
of the screwed nuts on the wires or legs Q, Q, until it presses against the
metal disc L, L, and the membrane J, J; with force just sufficient, and. no
more, to prevent their being depressed when the gas enters and passes through
the body of the apparatus at such a degree of pressure as will cause it to issue
from the openings or burners with that degree of velocity which is necessary
to support the height of flame ordinarily required. Now, if the pressure of
the gas becomes from any cause increased so that it would pass to the burners
actually in use, and issue from them in a greater quantity and with greater
velocity than before, the gas in the body of the instrument presses with
increased force upon the membrane J, J, which pressure, by means of the
disc L, L, is communicated equably, steadily, and fully to the helical spring O,-
and thereby depresses or contracts it, and by the movement of the disc L, L,
draws down the rod M, lowers the end of the lever D, and carries the plate
or slider H forward over the aperture or slit F, so as partially to close or
obstruct the same, and diminish. the opening through which the gas enters
into the apertures to such a degree as to diminish the quantity which would
otherwise pass through the opening or slit F, until the pressure within the
body of the apparatus, the supply to the burners, and the velocity with which
it will flow or issue from them,,and, consequently, the height of flame, are
restored to their original state, or nearly so; when,, on the other hand, the
pressure of the gas in the pipe of supply, and in the body of the apparatus,
becomes from any cause again diminished, then the spring O immediately
rises or expands again, and, by means of the disc L and rod M, raises the arm
D, and draws the plate or slider II from the face of the slit or aperture F,

page_text: whereby a larger opening is exposed and a freer passage allowed to the gas
proportionate to the intended regulation. The apparatus will effect the regu-
lation required, whether the inequalities of pressure are occasioned by an
increased or decreased consumption at the burners, or by an increased or
decreased pressure in the pipe of supply. The effect above described could
not possibly be produced in the manner set forth unless the spring O exerted
an uniform unvarying force or pressure (or very nearly so) against the disc
L, L, and membrane J, J, during the whole extent of the movement required
from it, which force should be exactly equal to the force exerted by the gas
within the body of the instrument upon the membrane J, J, when the pressure
is precisely that which causes the gas to be supplied to and issue from the
burners at the velocity and consequent height of flame desired; for it is obvious
that if the force or tension of the spring O increased in proportion as it were
depressed, the gas entering through the slit F could not on increase of pressuro
depress it to any given point, or keep it so depressed until the gas within
the body of the instrument had also acquired and maintained a correspondent
increase of pressure or tension, which would inevitably increase the supply to
and the velocity at which the gas would issue from the burners. But, if the
force exerted by the spring O against the disc L, L, be uniform during the
whole of its required movement, it is equally plain that, whenever an increases
of pressure on the gas passing through the apparatus to the burners takes
place, it will immediately cause the spring to contract, and the plate or slider
H to go on moving over the aperture F until the opening is so much
diminished that no more gas can enter than is sufficient to counterbalance the
force exerted by the spring O upon the disc L, L, which, being invaribly the s
same, notwithstanding the change of position, the supply to the burners and
the velocity at which the gas issues from them, and, consequently, the height
of the flame, continues the same, or nearly so; and at this point it will stop
until another increase or diminution of pressure takes place. This uniformity
in the force exerted by the spring O during the whole movement required from 3
it is obtained by using a long and weak helical spring considerably com-
pressed. I do not aver that the force is absolutely, but relatively uniform, and
so nearly so as to be quite sufficient for all praetical purposes required.
Neither do I think it would be easy, if possible, to give to the spring sufficient
uniformity of force, if the movement or extent of contraction and expansion 3
required from it was considerable; but by using the arm D, and the plate or
slider H, in manner above described, a sufficient regulation may be obtained
with a comparatively small movement of the spring O, by increasing the length
and size of the slit or aperture F, and of the plate or slide II, without altering

page_text: the length of the arm D, or any of the other parts, more than may be found
convenient; thus obtaining a considerable range of regulation with a small
movement or contraction and expansion of the spring O, such movement or
contraction, and expansion being thus easily kept within those limits wherein
by the means above mentioned it is practicable to obtain an uniformity of
force or tension, or as nearly so as suffices for the above purposes in practice.
It frequently happens, that, besides the opening and shutting off the passage
for the gas through the aperture or slit F, by means of the plate or slider H
passing over it as before mentioned, it is desirable, within certain limits, more
permanently to enlarge or contract the area of the slit or aperture itself, so as
to adapt the general or average supply of gas passing through the apparatus
to certain peculiar circumstances which occur, such as the quality and average
local pressure or velocity of the gas, and the number, size, and situation of the
burners, which object is thus attained:-Figure 2 is a front view of the tube
B, with the bore G, and slit or aperture F, forming the inlet of the gas.
The slit is formed or fashioned by means of two pieces or cheeks of block
tin, or other metal or suitable material, presenting a flat and smooth sur-
face in front, and rounded off on either side. These two cheeks are let in
and fitted to the lower part of the tube B, in
a bed or space cut out and
One of the cheeks, when
properly grooved at top and bottom to receive them.
pushed home to the extremity of the said grooved bed or space, fits tight
therein, and is stationary; the other side or cheek R is left moveable, and
may be pushed along the grooves until it accurately meets the opposite cheek;
it is, however, fitted with a flange or projection behind (which is let into a
corresponding niche or hollowed space in the tube B), and a common brass or
other metal spring S is attached to this flange. The spring exceeds the said
moveable cheek in length, and, resting by its ends upon the side of the tube B,
as well above as below the cheek, resists the free advance of the cheek along
the grooves. A small screw T is passed gas-tight through the side of the
vessel A, and is brought to bear on the outer side of the moveable cheek R,
or the spring attached thereto, so as to drive the moveable cheek nearer and
nearer to the fixed cheek, and narrow the slit to the desired point, at the
same time tightening the spring; and, consequently, when the motion of the
screw is reversed, the tension of the spring causes it to move away from the
stationary cheek, and thus enlarge the opening of the slit again to the extent
required. Figures 3 and 4 are respectively side and back views of the said
tube B, and Figure 5 is a back view of the moveable cheek, shewing the
spring S and flange. It is not desirable that the face of the plate or slider H
should be in contact with any part of the face of the block tin cheeks which
form the aperture or slit F, but move as freely over it as the needful regulation

page_text: required will admit, since otherwise certain deposits, which occasionally take
place on the face of the block tin checks, or on the slider itself, from the
impurity of the gas, or other causes, would be liable to impede its motion or
stop it altogether; at the same time it is necessary, in order to obtain the
required regulation when the pressure of the gas becomes high, that the slider
II should, if not in actual contact with the face of the block tin checks, be
brought as close thereto as possible. To effect this double purpose the small
shoulder or projection in the tube B (marked e in Figure 2), into which is
screwed the pin or axis E, upon which the aforesaid lever D moves, does not
present a surface perfectly flat, but is slightly bevelled or inclined towards the
slit or aperture F, and the said pin or axis E is screwed into it in a line
vertical to this inclined plane or surface; moreover, the handle or slip
connecting the slider to the lever is, when so required, slightly bent inwards,
so as not to be in the same plane as the slider itself. The effect of this
construction is, that at the commencement of any downward movement of
the lever D the plate or slider H is thrown outward, at a slight distance
from the surface of the block tin checks, and approaches gradually and con-
tinually nearer thereto as the movement proceeds, and the slider H advances
farther over the slit or aperture F; whilst, on the contrary, when the
motion is reversed, the slider H keeps increasing its relative distance from
the face of the block tin cheeks, and the aperture or slit F, so that it always
lies nearer and closer to the block tin cheeks when the pressure is highest,
and vice versa. But as it may frequently happen to be desirable that the
action of shutting off the slit or aperture F by the movement of the plate or
slider II over it, should begin a little sooner or a little later, according to
circumstances, the following further provision is made for such purpose:―The
lower part of the rod M is made square at Z, and a key can be applied therein
whereby it can be turned round and be screwed more or less in a female screw
affixed underneath the disc L, L. The upper end of the rod M is made to
turn in the joint of the arm or lever D, and a circular hole is made in the
plate P to permit the key to pass when the rod M is turned round in the
female screw under the disc L, L; the said disc is placed in a different
situation on the rod M, higher or lower, as the case may be, but as the disc is
maintained in the same position by the spring O, the end of the lever D is
thus raised higher or lower, and the edge of the plate or slider H brought
further from or nearer to the margin of the slit or aperture F, before the
action of the instrument commences; and, consequently, when on an increase
of pressure the membrane disc and spring are depressed, the plate or slider H
begins to shut off the said slit a little sooner or later, as the case may be
The lower part of the vessel A, A, Figure 1, is made to take asunder at U, U,

page_text: and one or two small holes are made in this lower part of the vessel to suffer
the common or atmospheric air to pass and repass.
I do not mean or intend hereby to claim as my Invention the general
application of the varying pressure of the gas in its passage through the
apparatus to regulate its supply, but only the particular methods of employing
it herein shewn and described; and although the valve formed by the slit F,
and the plate or slider H, in manner above described, is the best adapted for
the purpose of any I have hitherto tried, I do not mean to confine myself
to that form of valve, but to use any other which may, under different cir-
cumstances, be found more convenient to effect the regulation required by
means of a spring exercising an uniform force throughout its motion, a disc
membrane rod and a lever enabling the valve to have a considerable range
with a small movement of the spring, as above described.
Neither do I mean to confine myself to a helical spring (although I have
hitherto found it the best adapted to my purposes, but to use any other form
of spring which can be made to exercise an uniform pressure against the disc
L, L, throughout the entire movement required from it.
Neither do I mean or intend hereby to limit or confine myself to the
employment of any particular material or materials in the construction thereof,
but to use any which are fit and proper for the purpose.
Nor do I mean or intend hereby to limit or confine myself to any particular
size of this apparatus, but to proportion the same according to the greater or
lesser number of the burners to be regulated by it.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hugh Ford Bacon, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord
. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
HUGH FORD (L.S.) BACON.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Seventh day of July, in
the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Hugh Ford Bacon came before
our Lady the Queen in IIer Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute in that case made and provided.