Year: 1886

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I, HENRY PERCY HOLT, of Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
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 tho
following statement:-
In my specification N° 3747 of 1885 I have described a regulator for supply of
gas to gas motor engines, wherein a flexible diaphragm covering the side of the
regulator operates the gas supply valve, causing it to open when it is collapsed,
and permitting it to close when it is distended. My present invention relates to
an improvement in regulators of this kind whereby I provide for considerable
fluctuations of the diaphragm taking place without altering the valve; and safety
against fire, as I will describe referring to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings
which is a vertical section of a regulator according to my present invention. A is
the gas inlet and B the outlet, C the regulator casing having for its one side the
flexible diaphragın D which is secured to the rim of C by the ring d, and is held
between two discs e e, the inner of which is preferably larger than the outer.
From the centre of the diaphragm a bolt H, by which the diaphragm and its
discs e e are clamped together extends back through the plunger E which loosely
fits within the cylinder boss F projecting back from the casing C. The bolt H
which moves to and fro with the diaphragm D is free to slide a certain distance
through the plunger E without moving E, and on it there are caoutchouc
washers h h to act as buffers when either the disc in front or the head behind
come to bear against E. The front part of E is made with a groove at K having
on its front side a rapid inclination, beyond which the boss L continues with a
gradual inclination. A wire or rod I, free to play a little in the slot of a
stud M extends up to a notch in the supply valve J. As shewn, the rod I is
resting in the groove K the valve J being then closed. In this condition, no fresh
supply of gas entering the regulator, whilst gas passes out by B, the diaphragm D
goes on collapsing until the washer bears against the front of L, and then, by
the farther collapse of the diaphragm, the plunger E is moved backwards operating
as a cataract to prevent sudden movement. This movement goes on until the rod I
comes to bear against the back of the slot in M, and then, as it cannot go farther
back, the continued retreat of E causes the lower end of 1 to mount the rapid

page_text: inclination at the side of K thus opening a little the supply valve J. If, notwith-
standing the entrance of gas thus admitted, the diaphragm still goes on collapsing
then by the gradual inclination of L the rod I is raised gradually opening the gas
valve J more and more until sufficient supply is given. The diaphragm can now
become distended until the washer h¹ under the head of the bolt H comes to bear
against the rear of E, and then by the continued distention of the diaphragm E is
drawn forward operating as before as a cataract. By the forward movement of L
the rod I, after being brought to bear against the front side of the slot in M, is
gradually lowered permitting the valve J to close more and more until I, rapidly
descending the slope into K permits J to close entirely preventing escape of gas in
case of the engine stopping. By thus providing certain freedom of movement to
the diaphragm without moving the plunger E, by the cataract operation of this
plunger, and by the action of the slopes at K and L on the rod I, considerable
fluctuations in the capacity of the regulator are permitted without any sudden
alteration of the supply valve. In order to provide against ignition of the gas at
the supply inlet A in case of fire destroying the diaphragm D, I attach to the
bolt Ha weight-N by a chain which passes over a rod O and is held up by a
combustible string Q so as to hang in a loop at P sufficiently loose to allow the
ordinary movements of the diaphragm. In case of fire, the string a is consumed
and the weight N, descending, draws forwards the bolt H and plunger E till the
rod I drops into the groove K, and the valve J is closed., In cases where it is
desired to protect the diaphragin D against fire, I dispense with the weight N and
its connection and as shewn by Fig. 2 I fix on the outer face of the ring d a
corrugated metallic diaphragm indicated by the curved line R, and from the space
between D and R I lead a small pipe S to another apartment or to the outer air.
The metallic diaphragm R, while it serves to protect the flexible diaphragm Dis
not capable of so much collapse or distention, but by the small pipe S there is
allowed sufficient ingress or egress of air to and from the space between the
diaphragms to allow for the differences of their respective movements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1, In a regulator for supply of gas to a gas motor engine, in combination with
the flexible diaphragm D, the bolt H free to slide within limits, the plunger E,
grooved at K and sloped at L, and the rod I and valve J, arranged and operating
substantially as herein described.
2, In combination with the bolt of the regulator diaphragmn, the weight N, chain
looped at P and string Q as and for the purpose specified.
4
3, In combination with the flexible diaphragm D, the corrugated metallic
diaphragm R and air pipe S, as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 13th day of April 1886
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.