Improvements in or relating to Automatic Feed Regulators for Boilers and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 6th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 11th Apr.,
1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Automatic Feed Regulators for
Boilers and the like.
1, JOSEPH WILLIAM REED of Mayfield, Jarrow in the County of Durham,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in or relating to automatic feed
regulators for boilers and the like and has for its object a novel arrangement or
combination of parts whereby an automatic feed and ready adjustment can be
obtained and ensured as hereinafter foreshadowed.
My invention is specially applicable to water tube and other boilers of like type
in which very rapid steam generation is produced because in such cases owing to
the rapid evaporation an almost constant and therefore an automatic feed or fresh
supply of water is required.
To effect my object I provide a vessel in or in connection with the boiler and in
which the water in the beiler having access thereto maintains a like level.
In such or an equivalent vessel I provide a sealed or closed or open float adapted
or balanced so as to be partially submerged therein and I connect the float or its
spindle or rod to one arm of a pivoted lever the other arm of which may be
weighted or balanced by weights or equivalent mechanism such as compression or
tension spring-gear as desired or the float may be so connected to a lever or system
or combination of levers as to actuate or control the valve hereinafter mentioned
in like manner the system of levers in some cases being more convenient than the
single one by reason of their occupying less space.
In both cases the float whose movements will be coincident with the rise and fall
of water level in the generator will act as described to close or open as required a
double beat piston or other suitable design of valve which will be so enclosed as to
control when open or shut a steam passage between the steam generator and the
cylinder or cylinders of the feed pump or pumps so as thus to automatically
regulate the feed.
The lever or system of such as alluded to may or will be contained in a suitably
formed extension of the float or equivalent vessel so that no part of the gear
connecting the float with the valve passes or need pass through a stuffing box
whereby the liability to "sticking or "getting out of geari is reduced to a
minimum.
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79
To enable the attendant to ascertain whether the float is working and in order
the spindle which forms the fulcrum on which the lever works may be produced
through one side of the vessel and kept steam tight in the ordinary manner or this
spindle may simply act as a fulcrum and a separate spindle in line or nearly in line
therewith may be produced as above described.
On such or an equivalent spindle or device inside the casing or vessel and close
to the lever I propose to form an arm or enlargement with a special projection-
device and on the lever near to its boss surrounding or contiguous to the fulcrum
1 form a projecting catch or stop device a suitable distance apart so as to allow the
projection on the spindle to intervene.
On the outer end of such a spindle as is herein alluded to I place a hand lever
by means of which the spindle pivoted or mounted as described may be rotated to
a certain extent in either direction. Thus when the lever is in a certain e.g. its
mid-position the arm will allow the float lever or levers to oscillate without

page_text: interference but if the hand lever is moved so as to rotate the spindle slightly
in one direction or the other the internal arm may then engage with the float lever
or levers or a part thereof as described and move it or them in a corresponding
direction so as to either shut or open the valve at will.
When the nature of the float requires a counterbalance I preferably extend the
lever on the opposite side of the fulcrum to the float and thereon place a suitable
weight the vessel or casing being correspondingly extended for this purpose or
tension or compression springs may be employed for this purpose as found desirable
according to circumstances.
Suitable access openings and cover pieces or plugs will be provided for draining
the vessel and its connections and cleansing it or them as and when required.
The position of the vessel and enclosed gear or part thereof may be arranged as
desired either without or within the boiler shell and in the latter case the hand-
moving spindle above alluded to would be produced through the shell to give the
necessary control.
With an automatic feed regulator such as is herein foreshadowed the feed may
be so rendered constant as to similarly regulate the firing and thus improve the
general efficiency of the generator.
Dated this 5th day of June 1895.
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
3 St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Automatic Feed Regulators for
Boilers and the like.
I, JOSEPH WILLIAM REED of Mayfield, Jarrow in the County of Durham,
Engineer, 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 has reference to improvements in or relating to automatic feed
regulators for boilers and the like and has for its object a novel arrangement or
combination of parts whereby an automatic feed can be obtained and ensured as
hereinafter foreshadowed.
My invention is specially applicable to water tube and other boilers of like type
in which very rapid steam generation is produced because in such cases owing to
the rapid evaporation an almost constant and therefore an automatic feed or fresh
supply of water is required.
To effect my object I provide a vessel in or in connection with the boiler and in
which the water in the boiler having access thereto maintains a like level. In
such or an equivalent vessel I provide a float adapted or balanced so as to be
partially submerged therein and 1 connect the float or its spindle or rod to one arm
of a pivoted lever the other arm of which may be weighted or balanced by weights
or equivalent mechanism such as compression or tension spring-gear as desired or
the float may be so connected to a lever or system or combination of levers as to
actuate or control the valve hereinafter mentioned in like manner the system of
levers in some cases being more convenient than the single one by reason of their
occupying less space.
In both cases the float whose movements will be coincident with the rise and fall
of water-level in the generator will act as described to close or open as required a
double beat piston or other suitable design of valve wbich will be so enclosed as to
control when open or shut a steam passage between the steam generator and the
cylinder or cylinders of the feed pump or pumps so as thus to automatically
regulate the feed.

page_text: The lever or system of such as alluded to may or will be contained in a suitably
formed extension of the float or equivalent vessel so that no part of the gear
connecting the float with the valve passes or need pass through a stuffing box
whereby the liability to "sticking or "getting out of gear is reduced to a
minimum.
"
"
To enable the attendant to ascertain whether the float is working and in order
the spindle which forms the fulcrum on which the lever works may be produced
through one side of the vessel and kept steam tight in the ordinary manner or this
spindle may simply act as a fulcrum and a separate spindle in line or nearly in line
therewith may be produced as above described.
On such or an equivalent spindle or device inside the casing or vessel and close
to the lever I propose to form an arm or enlargement with a special projection-
device and on the lever near to its boss surrounding or contiguous to the fulcrum I
form a projecting catch or stop device a suitable distance apart so as to allow the
projection on the spindle to intervene. On the outer end of such a spindle as is
herein alluded to I place a band lever by means of which the spindle pivoted or
mounted as described may be rotated to a certain extent in either direction. Thus.
when the lever is in a certain e.g. its mid-position the arm will allow the float lever
or levers to oscillate without interference but if the hand lever is moved so as to
rotate the spindle slightly in one direction or the other the internal arm may then
engage with the float lever or levers or a part thereof as described and move
it or them in a corresponding direction so as to either shut or open the valve at
will.
When the nature of the float requires a counter-balance I preferably extend the
lever on the opposite side of the fulcrum to the float and thereon place a suitable
weight the vessel or casing being correspondingly extended for this purpose or
tension or compression springs may be employed for this purpose as found desirable
according to circumstances.
Suitable access openings and cover pieces or plugs will be provided for draining
the vessel and its connections and cleansing it or them as and when required.
The position of the vessel and enclosed gear or part thereof may be arranged as
desired either without or within the boiler shell and in the latter case the hand-
moving spindle above alluded to would be produced through the shell to give the
necessary control.
With an automatic feed regulator such as is herein foreshadowed the feed may
be so rendered constant as to similarly regulate the firing and thus improve the
general efficiency of the generator.
I will fully describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Figures 1 and 2 show respectively sectional elevational and sectional plau views,
Figure 3 showing an enlarged view of part of Figure 2.
Figures 4 and 5 as well as the two Figures 6 show further views of details
hereinafter described,
Figures 7 and 8 showing how springs may be adapted for use when required.
Figure 9 shows a sectional elevational view of a modified construction with
compound instead of simple levers, Figure 10 being a sectional plan view of part
of same, while
Figure 11 shows a modified construction of float and in the following description
like marks of reference designate like parts.
Referring to the drawings 12 is a vessel having a pipe 13 connected to the steam
space and a pipe 14 connected to the water space of the boiler. Thus the water
level in the boiler is maintained in the vessel 12. 15 is a float with spindle 16
connected to lever 17 which is fulcrumed on a spindle 18, 19 being a weight adapte 1
to balance the float. The casing of the vessel 12 is extended as shown at 12" so
as to enclose the gear connecting the float with the valve hereinafter mentioned
thus rendering the adoption of stuffing boxes unnecessary.
Connected with the lever 17 is a spindle 20 adapted as shown to actuate the

page_text: double-beat valve 21 controlling the steam passage between pipe 22 leading from
the dome of the steam boiler and pipe 23 leading to the cylinder of the steam
pump.
On the boss 24 of the lever 17 I form (see Figure 4) two projecting lugs 25
and on the spindle 18 I fit an arm 26 with a gib-head 27 adapted to work
between the lugs 25 aforesaid. The spindle 18 I prefer to prolong as shown in
Figures 2 and 3 through a stuffing box and on the end of it I mount a hand
lever 28 controllable as to its motions by the lugs 29 of the handle-plate 30.
As the level of the water in the boiler subsides the float subsides and draws down
one end of lever 17 elevating the opposite end thus raising the valve at 21
and allowing steam to pass from the boiler via pipe 22 valve 21 and pipe 23 to the
steam pump which at once consequently replenishes the boiler with water.
Instead of balancing the float by a weight 19 as shown I may provide as shown
in Figure 8 a tension spring 31 connected to the float spindle or a compression
spring 32 as shown in Figure 7 may be used above the valve 21 and such springs,
which will only be used when the temperature of the steam is insufficient to deprive
them of their elasticity, may be protected against corrosion by a suitable metallic
coating for example by electro-plating with nickel silver. In case of springs being
substituted for the weight 19 as just described then the casing 12" may terminate
about the line xx.
With a view to there being no uncertainty as to the action of the float, by moving
the hand lever 28 against either lug 29, the gib-head 27 of arm 26 on spindle 18 is
caused to strike one of the lugs 25 on the boss of the lever 17 which of course will
actuate the lever 17 to open or close the valve at 21 and thus warn the attendant
as to the action of the apparatus. Normally lever 28 will remain midway between
the lugs 29 so as to allow free oscillation of lever 17 on its fulcrum.
Where it is desirable specially to economise space I may use an arrangement of
levers such as is shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this design the float spindle is
connected to a lever 33 mounted and adapted to oscillate on a fixed pin 34; lever 33
thus actuates link 35 which in turn actuates lever 36 centred at 39. The lever 36
in this case lifts or shuts the valve 21 as and for the purpose already described.
The method of testing the working of the float and valves is in this case also
performed by the hand lever 28 but instead of mounting the lever 33 (Figures 9
and 10) on the spindle of the hand lever I mount it on a separate fixed pin 34 in
line with but disconnected from the hand lever spindle and on the latter I mount
an arm 26 inside the casing an extension of which may either be adapted to operate
the lever 33 as and for the purposes above described or the extension may be simply
bifurcated so as to enable either fork thereof to elevate or depress the lever 33 for
the purpose of closing or opening the steam valve at 21 and it will be obvious that
this arrangement of disconnecting the hand lever spindle from the spindle or pin
on which the lever 33 (Figures 9 and 10) works is equally and readily applicable
to the lever 17 of Figures 1, 2 and 3 but in both devices the intermediary gear
connecting the float with the steam valves leading to the feed pump is rendered
absolutely free in its action and is independent of any stuffing box
mechanism.
or like
Suitable access doors for inspection cleansing or repairing of the chamber 12ª
are provided as shown while the pipe 38 admits of its being drained and
similarly the base of the float chamber may be provided with a blow through
cock as at 37.
The apparatus is preferably arranged outside and contiguous to the boiler shell
but it may if specially required be placed entirely inside the boiler in which case
the steam eduction pipe 23 would have to be led first to and then out through the
shell and the hand lever 28 would similarly have to pass through the shell by a
stuffing box or equivalent means.
In Figure 11 is shown an open-topped float which may be filled with water
and balanced as above described so as to keep a part of it above the surrounding
water

page_text: 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 I
claim is :-
1. In automatic boiler feed regulators the combination with the float casing 12 of
an extended casing such as 12" adapted to contain the whole of the intermediary
gear connecting the float and the steam valve or valves leading to the feed pump
all arranged disposed or adapted to operate substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
2. The combination with the float lever 17 fulcrumed within the casing 12ª at 18
of the projections 25 adapted to be actuated at will by the gib-head 27 of an arm 26
fitted on the fulcrum-spindle all arranged disposed or adapted for working sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated with reference to
Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings.
3. The combination with the float lever (whether it be lever 33 in Figures 9 & 10
or lever 17 in Figures 1 to 6) fulcrumed within the extended casing 12ª on a separate
pin such as 34 of the means for testing the working of the apparatus by a hand-
lever whose spindle is disconnected from the spindle or pin on which the lever
works and on which hand-lever spindle is provided means for mechanically moving
the float lever substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference more
especially to Figures 9 & 10 of the drawings.
4. The combination or arrangement of parts substantially as herein described and
illustrated with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
6. The combination or arrangement of parts substantially as herein described and
illustrated with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings.
6. The combination or arrangement of parts substantially as herein described and
illustrated with reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.
7. The improvements in automatic feed regulators for boilers substantially as
herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of March 1896.
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.