Improvements in Valves for Regulating the Pressure of Gas and other Fluids.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 21st June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Regulating the Pressure of Gas and
other Fluids.
We, CARL AUGUST REMPEN, Mechanic and EMIL ANDRE, Engineer both of No. 15
Sieges-Allee, Hannover, in the Kingdom of Prussia, and Empire of Germany, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to improvements in pressure regulating valves, in which the
valve casing or shell is closed by means of a swinging lever like membrane or
diaphragm which is weighted according to the lessening of the gas or fluid pressure,
and actuates or influences the valve in such manner that the inflow of the gas or
other fluid, of which the pressure is to be lessened, is regulated.
The improvements refer on the one hand to the arrangement and guiding of the
moving part of the valve, and on the other hand to an arrangement of the weighting
of the membrane or diaphragm for the purpose of shutting the valve with a moderate
pressure when the valve is suddenly relieved.
The diaphragm may be weighted by means of a weight or spring or both and in
both cases either direct or by means of a lever arrangement.
The diaphragm in one form is provided with an upper and a lower stiffening
plate and mounted between the lower part and cover of the casing being pressed
downwards by means of a helical or other spring which in the case of a helical
spring is kept in position on the stiffening plate by means of a stud above the
diaphragm. The stiffening plates on the diaphragm are so mounted towards one end
of the diaphragm that it can to a certain extent swing after the manner of a lever.
The gas or other fluid, of which it is desired to reduce the pressure enters at one
end by a small hole in the inlet pipe in the valve chamber and underneath the
diaphragm when the valve proper is away from its valve seating on the end of the
pipe. The valve proper is in this case made in the form of a well ground flat
surface and is mounted on the end of a bolt or slide which moves longitudinally in a
sleeve or guide. An arm projects from the lower side of the bottom stiffening plate
of the diaphragm and has a set screw therein the end of which can be adjusted
against the other end of the bolt. The said bolt has a screw or pin which moves in
a longitudinal slot in the sleeve to allow only of longitudinal movement and to
prevent its turning round. The diaphragm is weighted above either by weights on
the before mentioned stud or the spring or by both. The pressure of the spring on
the diaphragm can be regulated by means of a screw which screws into a tube
formed on the top of the casing and thus entry of the gas or other fluid is regulated.
From what has been described it will be evident that the diaphragm acts as a lever
by reason of the stiffening plates being fixed on the diaphragm nearer one end of
the box than the other and the pressure of the gas entering the valve casing pushes
up the diaphragm against the action of the spring whereby the projection on the
bottom stiffening plate acts by its adjustable screw on the bolt and closes the valve
proper more or less all according to the pressure of the incoming gas or fluid as it
is evident that the gas acts with greater effect on the larger surface of the diaphragm
than on the comparatively small surface of the valve face. If the adjustable screw be
screwed down the pressure on the spring will be increased and consequently only a
little high pressure gas will be able to enter the valve casing.
However gas will always enter by the valve, until the pressure of the incoming gas
raises the diaphragm against the downward pressure of the spring and thereby closes
the valve. Instead of using a flat valve face it is evident that a cone or other suit-
able device might be used. The certain connection of the valve with the adjustable
screw permits of the most delicate and sure adjustment of the apparatus.

page_text: The diaphragm may be made of india rubber with a wire backing, of leather
metal plate or other similar materials.
Under most circumstances the diaphragm can serve as its own fulcrum hinge
especially when made of sheet metal but that end of the diaphragm which serves as
fulcrum may further he strengthened by a thin metal plate.
We prefer to make the diaphragm in the form of an elongated horse-shoe it might
however be made round or elongated. The spring might also act on the diaphragm
by means of a lever instead of direct.
If the pressure of the spring be suddenly taken off the diaphragm by unscrewing
the screw which holds it down the valve will be forced violently against its seating,
if the gas be not simultaneously allowed to escape out of the space underneath the
diaphragm. Consequently the valve might easily be damaged and therefore leak.
In order to avoid this inconvenience, the moving part of the valve is connected to
a lever of peculiar construction, on the diaphragm, in such manner as only to rise
but never to be capable of falling.
Therefore the closing of the valve is attained by a special auxiliary spring. This
spring may conveniently be formed on the lower stiffening plate of the diaphragm,
which latter is accordingly completely free from this plate.
If the pressure on the diaphragm from above be suddenly taken off by unscrewing
the spring regulating screw in the upper part of the casing, the diaphragm will rise,
whilst the lower plate or lever will only be forced up by means of a counter spring
resting on the bottom of the casing. A weak spring ensures a constant and elastic
connection between the diaphragm and the lower plate or lever.
The valve in another forin may be provided with a flat seating made in the form
of a sleeve which slides over the pog like end of the inlet pipe.
Or the valve may be made with a pointed end and guided in a continuation of the
inlet tube. Whilst the projecting arm on the plate or lever takes into a slot formed
in a continuation of the valve, the arm in this case merely presses against the head of
the valve which is normally kept away from its seat by means of a helical or other
spring.
In all cases the apparatus may also be provided with safety valves and pressure
gauges. In like manner by the exclusive use of springs for easing the diaphragm,
the apparatus may be so arranged that the diaphragm does not lie horizontally but has
any other position.
Dated this 26th day of July 1889.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Regulating the Pressure of Gas and
other Fluids.
We, CARL AUGUST REMPEN Mechanic, and EMIL ANDRE Engineer both of No. 15
Sieges-Allee, Hannover in the Kingdom of Prussia and Empire of Germany do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention refers to improvements in pressure regulating valves, in which the
valve casing or shell is closed by means of a swinging lever-like membrane or
diaphragm which is weighted according to the lessening of the gas or fluid pressure
and actuates or influences the valve in such manner that the inflow of the gas or other
fluid of which the pressure is to be lessened, is regulated.
The improvements refer on the one hand to the arrangement and guiding of the
moving part of the valve and on the other hand to an arrangement of the weighting
of the membrane or diaphragm for the purpose of shutting the valve with a moderate
pressure when the valve is suddenly relieved.

page_text: The diaphragm may be weighted by means of a weight or spring or both and in
both cases either direct or by means of a lever arrangement.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 represents such a pressure regulating
valve in vertical sectional elevation in which the weighting is attained simply by
the direct action of a spring on the diaphragm. Fig. 2 is a plan of same with the cover
of the valve casing and diaphragm removed.
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent some modified forms of pressure regulating valves
also in vertical sectional elevation.
i
Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the diaphragm d is provided with an
upper and a lower stiffening plate and mounted between the lower part 9 and
cover g' of the casing and being pressed downwards by means of a helical or other
spring which in the case of a helical spring is kept in position on the stiffening plate
by means of a stud above the diaphragm. The stiffening plates on the diaphragm
are so mounted towards one end of the diaphragm that it can to a certain extent
swing after the manner of a lever. The gas or other fluid of which it is desired to
reduce the pressure enters at one end by a small hole in the inlet pipe / in the valve
chamber and underneath the diaphragm d when the valve proper el is away from its
valve seating on the end of the pipe h. The valve proper c¹ is in this case made in
the form of a well ground flat surface and is mounted on the end of a bolt or slide 1
which moves longitudinally in a sleeve or guide » cast in one with or soldered to the
bottom of the valve casing. An arm projects from the lower side of the botion
stiffening plate of the diaphragm d and has a set screw t therein, the end of which
can be adjusted against the other end of the bolt . The said bolt has a screw or
pin a which moves in a longitudinal slot in the sleeve to allow only of longitudinal
movement and to prevent its turning round. Instead of this arrangement the valve
proper may be guided in or on the inlet pipe h. The diaphragm d is weighted above
either by weights on the before mentioned stud a or the spring u or by both. The
pressure of the spring u on the diaphragm can be regulated by means of a screw
which screws into a tube formed on the top of the cover g' and thus the entry on the
gas or other fluid is regulated.
From what has been described it will be evident that the diaphragm acts as a lever
by reason of the stiffening plates and being fixed on the diaphragm nearer one
end of the box than the other and the pressure of the gas entering the valve casing
pushes up the diaphragm against the action of the spring u whereby the projection f
on the bottom stiffening plate acts by its adjustable screw t on the bolt ¹ and closes
the valve proper c¹ more or less all according to the pressure of the incoming gas
or fluid as it is evident that the gas acts with greater effect on the larger surface
of the diaphragm than on the comparatively small surface of the valve face. If the
adjustable screw t be screwed down the pressure on the spring u will be increased and
consequently only a little high pressure gas will be able to enter the valve casing by
the hole of the tube h because the valve proper c¹ will only be slightly opened.
However gas will always enter by the valve until the pressure of the incoming
gas raises the diaphragm d against the downward pressure of the spring u and
thereby closes the valve c'. Instead of using a flat valve face it is evident that a
cone or other suitable device might be used. The certain connection of the valve
with the adjustable screw t permits of the most delicate and sure adjustment of the
apparatus.
The diaphragm may be made of india rubber with a wire backing, of leather,
metal plate or other similar materials. Under most circumstances the diaphragm d
can serve as its own fulcrum hinge especially when made of sheet metal but that
end of the diaphragm which serves as fulcrum may further be strengthened as shewn
by a thin metal plate i.
We prefer to make the diaphragm in the form of an elongated horseshoe as shewn,
it might however be made round or elongated. The spring u might also act on he
diaphragm by means of a lever instead of direct.
If the pressure of the spring be suddenly taken off the diaphragm d by unscrewing
the screw
which holds it down the valve c¹ will be forced violently against its

page_text: seating 62 if the gas be not simultaneously allowed to escape out of the space
underneath the diaphragm. Consequently the valve might easily be damaged and
therefore leak. In order to avoid this inconvenience, the moving part of the valve
is connected to a lever of peculiar construction on the diaphragm, in such manner as
only to rise but never to be capable of falling. Therefore the closing of the valve
is attained by a special auxilliary spring. This spring may conveniently be formed
on the lower stiffening plate of the diaphragm which latter is accordingly completely
free from this plate.
Figure 3 shews this arrangement in sectional side elevation. The ball shaped end
of the valve cone crests in the correspondingly bored out end of the adjusting
screw t screwed into the projecting arm of what answers to the lower stiffening
plate which is hinged to the casing by means of a special kind of hinge in the
form of a thin plate. This plate or lever hangs connected to the diaphragm by
means of a bolt n and spring m in such manner that the pressure of the diaphragm d
is carried down on to the plate or lever direct.
If the pressure on the diaphragm d from above be suddenly taken off by unscrew-
ing the spring regulating screw in the upper part of the casing the diaphragm
will rise, whilst the lower plate or lever will only be forced up by means of the
counter spring k resting on the bottom of the casing. A weak spring m ensures
a constant and elastic connection between the diaphragm d and the lower plate
or lever 1.
In Figure 4 this arrangement is shewn in a somewhat modified form. The valve c¹
is provided with a flat seating made in the form of a sleeve which slides over the
peg like end of the inlet pipe and is guided thereby in a manner equivalent to that
described with reference to Figure 1.
In Figure 5 the valve is again made with a pointed end and is guided in a
continuation of the inlet tube h. Whilst the projecting arm on the plate or
lever as shewn in Figure 4, takes into a slot formed in a continuation of the valve,
the arm in this case merely presses against the head of the valve which is normally
kept away from its seat by means of a helical or other spring y
Figure 6 shews the position of the diaphragm d in the case where a sudden release
of the diaphragm d has taken place by loosening the spring adjusting screw » and
the release of its spring u (not shewn on this figure, see Figure 3) whilst gas under
pressure is still contained in the space underneath the diaphragm. The closing of the
valve only takes place in this case by the pressure of the counter spring k on the
bottom of the casing in such manner that the valve only closes with a moderate but
sufficient force and is preserved from damage.
In all cases the apparatus may also be provided with safety valves and pressure
gauges. In like manner, by the exclusive use of springs for weighting the
diaphragm, the apparatus may be so arranged that the diaphragm does not lie
horizontally but has any other position. As shewn in Figure 7 a stop or set screw S
may always be provided for limiting the upward movement of the plate
consequently prevent damage to the diaphragm d if a sudden access of pressure
take place.
and
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. A valve for regulating the pressure of gas and other fluids in which the
closing valve proper c or el is worked upon by means of a diaphragm d with a lever
like action being weighed down by springs or weights and whereby the
transmission of movement of the diaphragm d is effected by an arm f provided with
a set screw t substantially as set forth.
Second. A valve for regulating the pressure of gas and other fluids with a
diaphragm d working with a lever like action, in which the movable valve
proper c or c¹ is moved by means of an arm on the diaphragm and guided in a
guide in the valve casing or in the inlet pipe substantially as set forth.

page_text: Third. A valve for regulating the pressure of gas and other fluids provided with
a diaphragm with a lever like action which is not directly connected to the movable
part of the valve, but by means of the lower lever and the arrangement of counter
spring tending to close the valve substantially as set forth.
Fourth. A valve for regulating the pressure of gas and other fluids provided with
a diaphragm with a lever like action, the said diaphragm being connected by means
of a bolt n with spring m with the lever which acts on the valve proper
substantially as set forth."
Fifth. A stop S for the purpose of limiting the movement of the diaphragm and
thereby preventing damage thereto by a sudden increase of pressure substantially
as set forth.
Sixth. The constructions of valves as shewn on the drawings.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.