IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND REGULATING THE FLOW AND PRESSURE OF GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO HYDRAULIC RECEIVERS AND TO STEAM GENERATORS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Archibald Brooman, of 166, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND REGULATING THE FLOW AND PRESSURE
OF GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO HYDRAULIC RECEIVERS AND TO
STEAM GENERATORS."-A communication from abroad by Jean Claude
of Dania Frunce
Sealed the 12th September 1862, and dated the 13th March 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Archibald
Brooman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 13th March 1862.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND REGULATING THE FLOW AND
PRESSURE OF GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO HYDRAULIC RECEIVERS AND TO
STEAM GENERATORS," (communicated to me from abroad by Jean Claude Garnier,
of Paris, France,) to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in constructing an apparatus which is calculated,
1st, to regulate, iudicate, and control the quantity of gas passing through it;
2nd, to indicate the pressure of the gas entering and of that leaving it; 3rd,
Padl

page_text: to cause a uniform light from every burner in any one establishment whatever
the number of such burners; 4th, to compensate for any neglect by its hermetic
closing and by the ringing of a bell,which takes place on the extinction of the
last burner at whatever distance it may be from the apparatus; and 5th, to
prevent any explosion or loss of gas by instantaneously indicating all escape,
however small the quantity may be.
The Invention will be understoodon referring to theaccompanying Drawing
and to the following description:-Figure 1 is a front view,partly in section, of
the apparatus open, showing the mechanism and the indicating dial; Figure 2
is a plan of the bell-ringing mechanism and the working of the indicating disc
hereafter explained; Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 are views of parts in detail. A is a
case in which a box a in tinned iron is fixed, the lower part of which is divided
into two compartments b,c; bis in communication, through a conduit d, with
and under a bell f,the sides of which dip in water held between the inner side
of the box a and a double side forming a false bottom g. A conduit h, com-
municating with the compartment c, enters the upper part of the false bottom
9. The gas inlet pipe opens into the compartment b.
i
The mouth of the
conduit d is wholly or partly closed by the conical valve, the rod of which,k,
is prolonged and fixed to the top of the bell f. The end of the rod k is saddled
by a knife upon a lever B,which is itselt fixed by a knife edge upon the box a,
but the end of which is prolonged to receive the rod 7, which connects the
lever B with the counterpoise pressure regulating lever C; B¹is a small lever
fixed upon the axis of the lever B outside the box a, and jointed to the rod m
of the toothed sector D, in gear with the pinion n, upon the axis of which the
needle of the dial, shewn in red line, is fixed. As the gas is introduced into
the compartment b it passes through the space left between the conical valve
and the mouth of the conduit d, when it enters under the bell f, the bell rises
and with it the rod and the valvej, which from its form progressively closes
the mouth of the conduit d, until a perfect equilibrium of circulation and of
pressure for the inlet and outlet is established. When there is too much gas
under the hell, the valve closes and prevents any further inflow, and on the
gas issuing from under the bell the latter falls, and consequently the valve j.
To control the pressure of gas on its entrance as well as on its exit from the
apparatus, two manometers are fitted, the workings of which are indicated by
the small needles shewn in red at Figure 1. As these manometers are alike,
I proceed to describe one. A metal case with double sides E, F, is kept
charged with water, and a bell I dips in the water and forms ahermetic joint.
A tube L, communicating with the compartment b,in which the gas enters, or

page_text: with the compartment c, from which the gas issues, opens under the bell. When
the gas enters under the bell it raises it, causing the lever M to play. N is a
counterpoise on the lever M. The axis of the lever M carries a rod O, to
which the cross bar P is connected at one end, at the other end this cross bar
is connected to the rod Q, which moves the toothed sector R. The rod Q
has attached to it a weight to cause it to assume a vertical position. The
toothed sector R gears with the pinion S, the axis of which carries the small
needle of the small dial. The water level in the two manometers is maintained
from the reservoir H, fitted upon one of the sides of the compartment a, feeding
through the pipe G, communicating with the box F. Communication between
the two manometers is effected through the pipe V. The constant water level,
whether in the meter or in the manometers, is obtained by the following
arrangements: A metal case or receiver o is provided at bottom with an air
tube p. This tube is carried up in the case to near the top thereof and serves
for the admission of air into the case. In the centre of the tube there is a
smaller tube q issuing from the former at the bottom of the case o, to allow
of water running from the case. When the water level falls in the meter the
mouth of the tube p is opened and allows air to enter the case, water falls
through the tube q and the water level rises in the meter until it covers
the mouth of the tube p and cuts off the
passage of air into, and consequently
the outflow of water from, the case o. At the bottom of the compartment c
a cock is fitted to allow of the outlet of any water that might penetrate
into it. X is a manhole at the bottom of the compartment a, through
which the valve j may be cleaned or repaired. The shut off and bell-
ringing mechanism, Figures 1 and 2, is placed horizontally above the com-
partment a of the meter. It is put in motion by the lever B in the following
manner-The lever B is provided with a pin s, see Figures 5 and 6, and a
movable catch t; the bed of the bell-ringing parts supports a rod to which
the bell 1 is fixed; a grooved pulley is attached to this rod, and receives
a to-and-fro circular motion through a cord v and a cord spring a placed on
the bell rod. Three pins 2, fixed laterally in the groove of the pulley u, putin
motion a movable spring catch y fixed to the bar 3, which carries the hammer.
In consequence of the play of the catch y when the pulley is drawn by the
cord v, the pins 2 pass over the catch, which yielding allows of their passing
without causing any other movement, but as soon as the cord is let go the
coiled spring brings back the pulley, and the pins 2 meeting the catch y in a
contrary direction carry it with them, together with the axis of the hammer,
which then strikes the bell; a coiled spring placed upon the axis of the hammer

page_text: brings it back again. Two travellers Y, Y¹, acted on by the pulley u, work in
contrary directions. The traveller Y carries a hinged lever 5, the outer
end of which is furnished with a click z; the lever 5 arrests the pulley u
in its rotary course by means of a notch formed in its circumference, into
which it takes during the first disengagement, when the apparatus is opened
by pulling the cord v. The second traveller Y' is prolonged forward in the
form of a rack m², which drives the pinion f, the axis of which carries the
disc d. This traveller Y' carries a roller ¹ and an oscillating piece i, the
use of which will be hereafter explained.
The large dial as well as the two smaller dials are each divided into
hundreds in sections of five or otherwise, and indicate the quantity of, gras
passed through the apparatus; and the smaller dials the pressure of the gas
on entering and on leaving the apparatus.
General working of the apparatus.-The reservoirs o for maintaining the
constant water level being sufficiently filled with water as well as the boxes a
and F, and the meter open, the apparatus is set in action by pulling sharply
the cord v. While the meter was closed the needle of the large dial stood
below zero, and those of the smaller dials upon zero. The indicating disc
should be turned to show the white face. When the gas is lighted the
gas entering through the pipe i into the compartment b passes through the
conduit d and round the valve j, and causes the bell f'to ascend, as also the
valvej, which progressively closes the mouth of the conduitd. In consequence
of these movements, and through the agency of the lever B, the needle of the
large dial at the commencement of lighting up has been caused to make one
turn, and has become placed opposite zero. At the same time the gas which
has penetrated through the tube L into the manometer to the right causes
the needle to move and indicate the pressure of the inflowing gas. The gas
which entered the bell f passes by the conduit / and enters the manometer to
the left, and causes the needle connected to it to indicate the pressure of the
gas balanced by the weight of the bell and the counterpoise of the
regulating lever C.
The difference of the pressures cannot, when the apparatus is closed, cause
the complete closing of the valve j, because it is compelled in order to move
to allow passage to the gas, at all events to supply a small burner; but the
little click t of the great lever in rising meets the articulation z of the small
lever 5, which it raises and frees the pulley u arrested by its notch. All the
mechanisms moves slightly. The traveller Y' advances about ths of an inch,
while the traveller Y recedes about the same distance; the pulley u performs a

page_text: quarter of a revolution, and the oscillating piece i abuts against the pin's on
the lever B; at the same moment the first pin on the pulley u has set the hammer
in motion, which strikes the bell, while the roller on the same axis as the
oscillating piece i has become placed in front of the end of the lever B. Thus
the closing of the valvej to within the supply for about one or two burners
has been effected. On extinguishing the last burner the gas finding no issue
from the apparatus will cause the bell f to ascend and also the lever B, the
pin s on which escapes entirely from the oscillating piece i, then the traveller
Y will advance rapidly, the traveller Y will recede, while the last pin on the
pulley will cause the hammer to strike the bell, and the roller will
become placed, and will advance under the lever B to hermetically close the
valve j. The rack m in advancing with its traveller Y' has caused the
pinion f, and with it the disc d', which exposed its white face as previously
stated, to turn. To again take gas, pull smartly the cord v, whereupon the
bell-ringing mechanism is made to move in the reverse direction to that
already described, that is to say, the disc shows a red face, the lever B is
freed, and in falling allows of the entry of gas into the apparatus. A movable
bolt can be fitted to the traveller Y, so as to ensure a sufficient supply for one
burner, and prevent it being entirely shut off. It will be understood that,
notwithstanding the apparatus being open, if no burner is lighted the needle
should remain at zero on the large dial, otherwise there must be some escape
from the pipes; if, on the contrary, one or several burners is or are lighted,
the needle will travel and show the quantity consumed.
For small apparatuses the manometers with their needles and dials may be
replaced by tubular glass manometers, and the divisions marked vertically
upon a scale at each side of the tubes.
The application of the constant level arrangements which form part of the
gas controlling and regulating apparatus herein-before described may be
advantageously made to all hydraulic receivers, gas meters, and regulators
aud steam boilers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditious of the Letters Patcut, filed
by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 13th September 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMмAN, of 166, Flect Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special licence that I, the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING
AND REGULATING THE FLOW AND PRESSURE OF GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE
TO HYDRAULIC RECEIVERS AND TO STEAM GENERATORS," (communicated to me
from abroad by Jean Claude Garnier, of Paris, France,) upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Archibald Broonian, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:-
This Invention consists in constructing an apparatus which is calculated,
1st, to regulate, indicate, and control the quantity of gas passing through
it; 2nd, to indicate the pressure of the gas entering and of that leaving it;
3rd, to cause a uniform light from every burner in any one establishment
whatever the number of such burners; 4th, to compensate for any neglect
by its hermetic closing and by the ringing of a bell, which takes place on
the extinction of the last burner at whatever distance it may be from the
apparatus; and 5th, to prevent any explosion or loss of gas by instantaneously
indicating all escape, however small the quantity may be.
The Invention will be understood on referring to the accompanying
Drawings and to the following description :-

page_text: Figure 1 is a front view, partly in section, of the apparatus open, shewing
the mechanism and the indicating dial. Figure 2 is a plan of the bell-ringing
mechanism and the working of the indicating disc hereafter explained.
A is a case, in which a box a in tinned iron is fixed, the lower part of which
is divided into two compartments b, c; b is in communication, through a
conduit d,with and under a bell f,the sides of which dip in water held between
the inner side of the box a and a double side forming a false bottom g.
A conduit h, cominunicating with the compartment c, enters the upper part
of the false bottom g. The gas inlet pipe i opens into the compartment b.
The mouth of the conduit dis wholly or partly closed by the conical valve j,
the rod of which,, is prolonged and fixed to the top of the bell f. The end
of the rod is saddled by a knife upon a lover B, which is itself fixed by a
knife edge upon the box a, but the end of which is prolonged to receive the
rod l, which connects the lever B with the counterpoise pressure regulating
lever C. B¹ is a small lever fixed upon the axis of the lever B outside the
box a, and jointed to the rod m of the toothed sector D in gear with the
pinion n, upon the axis of which the needle of the dial, shewn in red lines, is
fixed in the centre of the case A. As the gas is introduced into the compart-
ment it passes through the space left between the conical valve and the
mouth of the conduit d, when its enters under the bell †, the bell rises and
with it the rod k and the valvej, which from its form progressively closes the
mouth of the conduit & until a perfect equilibrium of circulation or of pressure
for the inlet or outlet is established. When there is two much gas under the
bell, the valve closes and prevents any further inflow, and on the gas issuing
from under the bell the latter falls and consequently opens the valve j. To
control the pressure of gas on its entrance as well as on its exit from the
apparatus two manometers are fitted, the workings of which are indicated
by the small needles, shewn in red, at Figure 1. As these manometers are
alike, I proceed to describe one. F is a box,circular or of any other convenient
form,closed at bottom, while the upper is open in the centre to receive a tube
I, extending down to near the bottom thereof; the upper end of this tube I
is open and the lower end is closed, with the exception of a small aperture ().
On water being poured into the tube I it enters also through this aperture O
into the box F. Pis a ball float in the tube I, it has connected to it a rod
Q, which passes through the open head of the tube I, and is jointed to a bent
lever M pivotted at the point e, and through a rod N communicates motion
to the toothed sector R, which is in gear with a pinion S, the axis of which
carries the needle of the small dial. When the gas contained in one of the

page_text: b
compartments 6 or c passes by the tube Linto the box F, the pressure acting
on the water causes the latter to descend and to pass through the aperture
O, and the two vessels being of equal size it rises in the tube I in the same
proportion as it descends in the box F, the float P also rises and with it the
the rod Q,which communicates motion to the mechanism before describedfor
moving the needle, which thereby indicates the inflow and outflow pressure
in the pipes. The constant water level, whether in the meter or in the mano-
meters, is obtained by the following arrangements:-A metal case or receiver
o is provided at bottom with an air tube p; this tube is carried up in the
case to near the top thereof, and serves for the admission of air into the case.
In the centre of the tube there is a smaller tube q issuing from the former
at the bottom of the case o, to allow of water running from the case. When
the water level falls in the meter the mouth of the tube p is opened and
allows air to enter the case, water falls through the tube q,and the water level
rises in the meter until it covers the mouth of the tube p, and cuts off the
passage of air into, and consequently the outflow of water from, the case o. At
the bottom of the compartment c a cock ris fitted to allow of the outlet of
any water that might penetrate into it. X is a manhole at the bottom of the
compartment a, through which the valve j inay be cleaned or repaired.
The shut-off and bell-ringing mechanism, Figures 1 and 2, is placed horizon-
tally above the compartment a of the meter. It is put in motion by the lever B
in the following manner;-On the foundation plate of the bell-ringing appa-
ratus there is a traveller Y, free to move on the plate by rollers (1), (1), on
the axis of which there is another roller ', which acts as a support to the
The traveller Y is
lever B when the latter is at its maximum elevation.
formed with a rack ou it, in gear with a piuion under the grooved pulley u,
which latter is adjusted in a bearing on a rod fixed to the foundation plate
and there kept by a helical spring, and it is to this rod that the bell is fitted.
The grooved pulley carries three pins 2, 2, 2, which actuate the catch y,
which is united by a spring with the hammer rod. The axis of the rollers i
and h³ passes through the cam i,so that the latter oscillates when the traveller
Yadvances or recedes. In the front of the traveller Y there is a balance lever H,
with a groove formed in it to receive the pint of a lever fixed on the guard
z, in which the traveller slides. This lever H is held by a pin (3) fixed to
the end of a detent G and to the lever at the point 4. The detent G carries
a catch (5) which acts as an abutment for the pins of the lever B.
tooth m', formed on the end of the traveller Y, works the pinion f of the
disc d'. The pulley u receives its to-and-fro circular motion from a cord v,
A

page_text: which is carried down below the case where it terminates in a ring. The
large dial as well as the two smaller dials are each divided into hundreds
in sections of 5 or otherwise, and indicate the quantity of gas passed through
the apparatus, and the smaller dials the pressure of the gas on entering and
on leaving the apparatus..
General working of the apparatus.-The reservoirs o, for maintaining the
constant water level, being sufficiently filled with water as well as the boxes a
and F, and the meter open, the apparatus is set in action by pulling sharply the
cord v.
While the meter was closed the needle of the large dial stood below
zero, and those of the smaller dials upon zero. The indicating disc should be
turned to show the white face. When the gas is lighted, the gas entering
through the pipe i into the compartment 6, passes through the conduit d
and round the valve j, and causes the bell f to ascend, as also the valve ;,
which progressively closes the mouth of the conduit d. In consequence of
these movements and through the agency of the lever B, the needle of the
large dial at the commencement of lighting up has been caused to make a
portion of a revolution, and has become placed opposite zero. At the same
time the gas which has penetrated through the tube Linto the manometer to
the right causes the needle to move and indicate the pressure of the inflowing
gas. The gas which entered the bell f passes by the conduit h, and enters
the manometer to the left and causes the needle connected to it to indicate
the pressure of the gas, balanced by the weight of the bell fand the
counterpoise of the regulating lever C.
When the apparatus is closed the difference of the pressures cannot cause
the complete closing of the valve j, because in moving it necessarily allows
passage to gas, at all events to supply a small burner; but at this point the
lever B, while rising, causes, by means of the pin s, the catch (5) and the
detent G to rise and to free the balance lever H, and thereby advance the
traveller Y. During this motion the cam i¹ advances, but the pin s of the
lever prevents it from falling entirely, and still holds the traveller in the
desired position to keep the lever B, and also the valvej, at the opening required
to admit sufficient gas for one or two small burners. The hammer is caused
to strike the bell by the first pin (2) on extinguishing the last burner. The
gas finding no issue will cause the bell to ascend and also the lever B, the
pins of which will entirely raise the catch (9) and the detent G,then the cami¹
being no longer held will oscillate, and the traveller Y will rapidly advance,
while the last pin on the pulley will cause the hammer to strike the bell,
and the roller h¹ will become placed and will advance under the lever B to

page_text: prevent its descending and hermetically close the valve j. The rack m! in
advancing with its traveller Y has caused the pinion f', and with it the disc d',
which exposed its white face as previously stated, to turn. To again take gas
pull smartly the cord », whereupon the bell-ringing mechanism is made to
move in the reverse direction to that already described, that is to say, the disc
shows a red face. the lever b is freed by the recoil of the roller h¹, and in falling
allows of the entry of gas into the apparatus. A movable bolt E can be fitted
to the traveller Y, so as to ensure a sufficient supply for one burner and prevent
it being entirely shut off. It will be understood that, notwithstanding the
apparatus bring open, if no burner is lighted the large needle should remain
at zero ou the large dial, otherwise there must be some escape from the
pipes. If, on the contrary, one or several burners is or are lighted, the needle
will travel and show the quantity consumed.
For small apparatuses the manometers with their needles and dials may
be replaced by tubular glass manometers, and the divisions marked vertically
upon a scale at each side of the tubes.
A bell-ringing apparatus may also be arranged in the following manner :-
The end of the lever B may have a series of notches formed in it, against
which the tail of the hammer acts and causes the bell at a given time to sound
and indicate the rise or fall of the lever for opening and closing the apparatus.
In some cases water is not employed, where, for example, it might be liable to
get frozen, then an apparatus shown at Figure 3 is substituted. It consists of a
case with two compartments b,c, corresponding with those shown at Figure 1.
One of the plates of the bellows is fixed to the case f, the lever B is con-
nected to the centre of the upper plate as in the apparatus before described
with a water joint. The apparatus works in a similar manner to that before
described, and as the gas enters the valve j will close and will open as
the pressure decreases. The plan shewn at Figure 4 is sometimes used in
substitution of the bell, only the diaphragm above will be movable; the
valve rod j acts as before. As the gas enters it will push back the caout-
chouc diaphragm and will thus communicate motion to the valve rod. The
application of the constant level arrangements which form part of the gas
Controlling and regulating apparatus herein-before described may be advan-
tageously made to all hydraulic receivers, gas meters, and regulators and steam
boilers. In a similar manner the manometers may be applied separately,
simply to indicate escapes, with or without the bell-sounding apparatus.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as the "Improve-

page_text: ments in Apparatuses for Measuring aud Regulating the Flow and Pressure
of Gas, Parts of which are applicable to Hydraulic Receivers and to Steam
Generators,"-
First, the employment of manometers for indicating upon a dial or dials
the pressure of the gas entering and leaving the apparatus, constructed and
operating substantially in manner herein-before described with reference to
the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the employment of reservoirs for maintaining the water at an
even level, made to act substantially in manner herein-before described, and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Third, the construction and method of action of the bell-ringing apparatus
herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth, the employment of an indicating disc in manner and for the
purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of September,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
A. R. BROOMAN. (L.S.).