IMPROVEMENTS IN AP- PARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING, PURIFYING, AND REGULATING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Collet and Jean Baptiste Denans, both of Paris,
in the Republic of France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AP-
PARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING, PURIFYING, AND REGULATING THE FLOW OF
LIQUIDS"
Sealed the 5th December 1876, and dated the 25th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Collet and Jean
Baptiste Denans at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th
September 1876..
HENRY COLLET and JEAN BAPTISTE DENANS, both of Paris, in the Republic of
France. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING, PURIFYING, AND
REGULATING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS."
This Invention relates to an Improved mode of constructing high-pressure cocks
or valves, and consists in the employment of india-rubber valves or obturators not
liable to deterioration or decay, and constituting at the same time a closing valve
or clack and a gland or stuffing box. The Invention is applicable to apparatus of
every description for supplying and distributing water. By the use of these two
obturators united, that is to say, rigidly connected or forming one, the deteriora-
tion of the glands and liability to leakage is obviated.
The arrangement combines other advantages resulting from the elastic nature of
the india-rubber, namely,-
1st. Dispensing with metal springs in apparatus for intermittent supply or
self-closing.
2nd. Facility in regulating a continuous supply.
3rd. Obviating the shocks or tendency of the head of water to burst the pipe.
A considerable reduction is also effected in the cost of manufacture, whilst the
apparatus is at the same time preserved from the effects of frost, for in valves or
obturators constructed according to this Invention the india-rubber is capable of
being compressed to a greater degree than that to which the water would expand
in freezing, so that a frost can in no way paralyze the action of these cocks or
valves.

page_text: According to this Invention it is proposed to employ a valve or obturator, having
a disc embedded therein in the process of moulding, and also another obturator or
piece of india-rubber acting as a stuffing box, in which is embedded in like manner
a tube with a projection or flange. By the introduction into the obturators during
the process of moulding of rods, tubes, or discs the desired effects of tension,
elasticity, and compression are obtained without the deterioration of the material.
The two obturators are connected together by a rod which is screwed and
soldered to the disc, and passes through the tube before mentioned. Separating
washers are employed at the upper and under sides of the obturator forming the
gland, which washers serve to prevent leakage and ensure the regularity of com-
pression, and the whole is secured by a suitable tightening nut.
In applying the apparatus, the valve (herein-after termed No. 1) is placed under
a suitable seat, and the gland, herein-after designated obturator No. 2, bears upon a
projecting flange formed upon the body of the valve casing.
By turning the nut before-mentioned the tension of the obturator No. 2 and the
compression of the obturator No. 1 may be adjusted as required.
In operating the apparatus it is simply necessary to press upon the extremity of
the rod or upon the nut before mentioned in order to produce an opening between
the seat and the obturator No. 1. As soon as the pressure is removed the action of
the tension causes the parts to return to their original position, that is to say, under
the minimum effect produced by the screwing up of the nut, so that while it
prevents any leakage the obturator No. 2 acts as a spring or recoil.
At the part where the obturator No. 2 is fitted the casing is made in two parts
screwed together, by the operation of adjusting which the tightness and tension are
completed. According to another mode of applying the apparatus the valve is
actuated by means of a four-threaded screw which returns automatically, the upper
part is provided with a screwed cap or socket, by turning which more or less the
valve may be opened, the discharge is then continuous, but regulated as desired, at
the same time allowing the valve sufficient play to admit of its being opened to its
full extent. This arrangement of hydraulic valve has also the effect of annulling
the shocks of the head of water, that is to say, the shock resulting from the sudden
closing of the outlet orifice for the water.
According to another modification the obturator is provided at its lower
extremity with a tube moulded in one with it. In the hollow there is introduced
a metal rod which closes the tube or orifice when the apparatus is opening, which
latter operation may be effected by the act of depressing a lever or otherwise. As
soon as the flow of water ceases the water penetrates into the tube, the shock is
deadened both by filling up the hollow and by the elasticity or yielding of the
sides. Holes are provided in the sides of the tube for the escape of the water when
flowing, that is to say, when the valves are actuated.
According to a further modification the valve is isolated from the pressure by a
metal cover secured to a tube or seat which is provided at its circumference with
vertical triangular openings which graduate the supply. The three constituent
parts of the apparatus are connected by a soldered joint.
The apparatus may be otherwise modified, whilst retaining the essential feature
of the obturators forming a stuffing box and spring combined, and the different
parts may be connected together in various ways.
In the case of apparatus to be constructed for large supplies the valve or
obturator No. 1 may be surrounded by a metal box in order to prevent the separa-
tion of the sides of the obturators, the elasticity of which is increased by a
compressible cushion of india-rubber placed in their internal hollow.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Collet and Jean Baptiste Denans in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 21st March 1877.
HENRY COLLET and JEAN BAPTISTE DENANS, both of Paris, in the Republic of
France. " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING, PURIFYING, AND
REGULATING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS."
The said Invention relates to an improved mode of constructing high-pressure
cocks or valves, and consists in the employment of india-rubber valves or obturators
not liable to deterioration or decay, and so constituting at the same time a closing
valve or stopper and a gland or stuffing box. The Invention is applicable to
apparatus of every description for supplying and distributing water. By the use
of these two obturators united, that is to say, rigidly connected or forming one, the
deterioration of the glands and of the closing valve and all liability to leakage are
obviated.
The arrangement combines other advantages resulting from the clastic nature of
india-rubber, viz. :-
1st. Dispensing with metal springs in apparatus for intermittent supply or
self-closing.
2nd. Facility in regulating a continuous supply.
3rd. Obviating the shocks or tendency of the head of water to burst the pipe.
A considerable reduction is also effected in the cost of manufacture, whilst the
apparatus is at the same time preserved from the effects of frost, for in valves or
obturators, constructed according to the said Invention, the india-rubber is capable
of being compressed to a greater degree than that to which the water would expand
in freezing, so that a frost can in no way affect the action of these cocks or valves.
India-rubber (which may be preserved under water for an indefinite period)
developes and preserves its power of elasticity to a greater degree when subjected
to frequent use, and maintained partially compressed. But in order to preserve its
elasticity it is indispensable that its shape should be such as to leave certain parts
free to yield and to impart to others the necessary resistance to compression.
The said Invention is based upon the foregoing principles, and the mode of
carrying the same into effect will be understood by reference to the several Figures
on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings which I shall now proceed to describe,
the same letters indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figures 1, 1, 2, 2ª, 3, 3ª, 3b, 4, and 5 of the accompanying Drawings represent
examples of valves or cocks constructed according to the said Invention, and the
views marked No. 1, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 illustrate the
application of the same.
Referring first to the parts by means of which the valve operates it will be seen
on reference to Figures 1, 1ª, 2, 2ª, 3, 3ª, 3b, 4, and 5 that the same principle is
applied to all the obturators which differ from each other in their forms only.
The apparatus No. 1 illustrates the application of the obturators similar in their
general features to those, Figures 1, 1, 2, and 2ª. A is the india-rubber valve or
obturator, having a disc a imbedded therein in the process of moulding; B is an
obturator or piece of india-rubber acting as a stuffing box, in which is immbedded in
like manner the tube b, with a projection or flange b¹. By the introduction into
the obturators during the process of moulding of rods, tubes, or discs, the desired
effects of tension, elasticity, and compression are obtained without the deterioration
of the material.
The two obturators are connected together by a rod C, which is screwed and
soldered to the disc a, and passes through the tube b. Washers D, D¹, are employed
situate one on each side of the obturator B, which washers serve to prevent leakage,
and ensure the regularity of compression, and the whole is secured by a tightening
nut E.
In applying the apparatus the obturator A is placed under or at the rear of the

page_text: seat S, and the obturator B bears upon the projecting flange at R formed upon the
body of the valve casing. By turning the nut E the tension of the obturator B and
the compression of the obturator A may be adjusted as required. These arrange-
ments ensure at the same time power of tension, elasticity, and impermeability.
In operating the apparatus it is simply necessary to press upon the extremity of
the rod or upon the nut E in order to effect an opening between the seat S and the
obturator A. As soon as the pressure is removed the action of the tension causes
the parts to return to their original position, that is to say, under the minimum
effect produced by screwing up the nut E, so that while it prevents any leakage the
obturator B acts as a spring or recoil. At the part where the obturator B is fitted
the casing is made in two parts screwed together by the operation of adjusting one
of which K the tightness and tension are completed.
In the apparatus No. 1 the valve is actuated by means of a four-threaded screw K³,
which returns automatically; the upper part is provided with a screwed cap or
socket F, by turning which more or less the valve may be opened; the discharge is
then continuous but regulated as desired, whilst at the same time sufficient play is
allowed to admit of the valve being opened to its full extent. This arrangement of
hydraulic valve has also the effect of neutralizing or deadening the shock or con-
cussion of the head of water, that is to say, the shock resulting from the sudden
closing of the outlet orifice for the water, and which increases in violence in propor-
tion as the pressure and supply are augmented.
The results obtained according to the said Invention by the employment of tubular
valves as next hereafter described are in proportion to the pressure.
In the apparatus No. 1a representing the application of the valve shown in
Figure 1 the obturator A is provided at its lower extremity with a tube T moulded
in one with it. In the hollow there is introduced a metal rod X, which closes the
orifice N of the tube when the apparatus is opening, which latter operation may be
effected by the act of depressing a lever L. As soon as the flow of water ceases the
water enters the tube T, and the shock is deadened both by the filling up of the
hollow, and by the yielding of the sides due to the elasticity of the tube. Holes O, 0¹,
are provided for the escape of water when flowing, that is to say, when the valves
are actuated.
The apparatus No. 2 illustrates the application in a modified form of the valves,
Figures 2 and 2. According to this arrangement the valve A is isolated from the
pressure by a metal cover P screwed to the tube or seat S, which is provided at its
circumference with vertical triangular openings, which graduate the supply.
The apparatus No. 3 may be fitted with either of the arrangements of obturators,
Figures 3, 3, and 3b, which likewise form a stuffing box and spring combined,
arranged upon the same principles as the obturators herein-before described.
The apparatus Nos. 4, 5, and 6 may be fitted with the combined spring and
stuffing box of either of the arrangements, Figures 4 and 5, which are specially
designed for large supplies. The metal box M prevents the separation of the sides
of the obturators A, the elasticity of which is increased by a compressible cushion Z
of india-rubber placed in their internal hollow.
The apparatus Nos. 4, 5, and 6 are constructed of dimensions proportioned to the
requirements of large supplies. The length of the rods is varied as required, the
supply pipes being underground, and the discharge being at any convenient height
above the surface, and the dimensions of the obturators are also regulated by these
conditions.
The initial tension of the india-rubber or spring valve is produced in the example,
Figure 4, by means of the adjusting screw E, and in the example, Figure 5, by the
screw at E¹
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, we
would observe in conclusion that 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,-

page_text: First. A hydraulic spring valve formed by connecting together by means of rods
two elastic obturators constituting a valve or stopper and a gland or stuffing box,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 1, 1ª, 2, 2ª, 3, 3ª,
3b, 4, and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The introduction into the interior of the obturators in the process of
moulding of rods, tubes, and washers or discs for the purpose of obtaining the requisite
tension, elasticity, and compression without deterioration or wear of the material,
substantially as herein-before described.
Thirdly. Constructing the various parts of the obturators of such a relative shape
and combining therewith tubular appendages fitted with internal rods, and arranged
in such a manner as to neutralize or deaden the shocks or concussions of the pressure
of a head of water resulting from the sudden closing of the outlet orifice, substan-
tially as berein-before described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly. The application to cocks and hydraulic apparatus generally of the
arrangement of screwed socket in conjunction with the obturator or combined spring
and stuffing box B, whereby a continuous, graduated, or limited flow may be obtained
at will, or a maximum flow by operating directly such obturator, substantially as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Henry Collet and Jean Baptiste Denans, have
to this our Specification set our hands and scals, this Twentieth day of
March, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
HENRY COLLET.
(L.S.)
JEAN BAPTISTE DENANS. (LS.)