An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Regulating or Controlling the Flow of Water and other Fluids.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 11th May, 1891—Accepted, 4th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Regulating or
Controlling the Flow of Water and other Fluids.
I, HARRY WILLIAMSON TEED, of 188 Camberwell Grove in the County of
Surrey, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for regulating or
controlling the flow of water and other fluids.
My said invention is chiefly designed to provide for the delivery of water into
baths or other vessels at any predetermined temperature. For this purpose I
utilize the variations in the temperature of the water passing through the apparatus
for automatically regulating or controlling the flow of hot and cold water as
required, or for automatically regulating or controlling the flow of water from a
heater of any suitable description so that the rapidity with which the water flows
through the heater will be increased or diminished according to the temperature of
the water delivered from the apparatus. Moreover I provide suitable means for
varying the action of my apparatus according to the desired temperature of the
fluid.
My said invention although more especially applicable for the delivery of water
to baths and other vessels is also applicable for other purposes where it is necessary
to regulate the flow of fluid so as to ensure its delivery at any predetermined
temperature.
An important feature of my said invention consists in providing in combination
with a valve or valves or the like, a suitable device which is operated by the
expansion and contraction due to changes or variations of temperature of a solid,
liquid, or gaseous body acted upon by the fluid passing through the apparatus and
whereby the position of the said valve or the like will be automatically controlled.
Another important feature of my said invention consists in causing the said
device to be acted upon by the fluid just previous to its discharge from the
apparatus so that any change of temperature of the said fluid will by acting upon
the said device, immediately increase or diminish the flow of the fluid as required.
Another important feature of my said invention consists in providing my improved
apparatus with an index or pointer moving over a scale or dial marked with degrees
of temperature, so that by setting the indicator at any particular temperature the
flow of the fluid from the apparatus will be automatically regulated thereby and
the fluid thus kept at the desired degree of temperature.
My said invention moreover comprises other improvements hereinafter set forth.
In carrying my said invention into practice I preferably provide my improved
apparatus with a mixing chamber a regulating valve, and a regulator in a chamber
distinct from the mixing chamber, the said mixing chamber having one or more
inlet ports for the fluid or fluids and one or more outlets into the chamber
containing the regulator. The chamber containing the regulator is provided
with an outlet for the delivery of the fluid at the required temperature. The arca
of the outlet of the chamber containing the regulator is preferably larger than the
combined areas of the inlet parts. The passage or passages between the mixing
and regulating chambers is also preferably of a larger area than the inlet parts.
The valve is preferably of the circular or rotary type.
The regulator comprises an automatic device coupled to the valve for regulating
the position of the latter. It consists preferably of a coil or volute formed of two
strips of dissimilar metals such as iron zinc, having different coefficients of
expansion, united together by soldering or otherwise, and is placed near the outlet

page_text: of the mixing chamber, where it acquires the same or approximately the same
temperature as the issuing liquid. One extremity of the said coil is attached to a
central pivot the other extremity being connected in any convenient manner to the
valve, so that the movements of the regulator due to the coiling and uncoiling of
the same caused by the difference in the degrees of expansion of the two metals on
change of temperature will be communicated to the valve and will vary the
opening of the port holes. The parts are so combined or arranged that the
heating of the coil will in cases where two fluids of different temperature are being
intermixed cause the valve to move in such a manner as to close or partially close
the hot fluid port and correspondingly open the contrary effect while in cases
or partially open the cold fluid port
while the cooling of the said coil will
where the water or other fluid is being heated by al geyser" or the like the
heating of the coil operates the valve so as to permit the fluid to flow more rapidly
through the geyser, while the cooling of the coil tends to close the valves so as to
diminish the rapidity of the flow. In this manner the issuing stream is maintained
at a uniform or nearly uniform temperature. To adjust the regulator for different
temperatures provide for rotating the central pivot on which the coil is mounted
in either direction by means of a lever connection extending outside the chamber,
or otherwise, thereby moving or adjusting the regulator to permit the discharge of
water of any desired temperature a scale and pointer being provided to show the
position corresponding to each particular temperature.
CE
It is obvious that in lieu of a coil regulator such as above indicated, I may
employ any other convenient arrangement or combination of metals for the same
purpose and that in certain instances I do not require to employ two metals as the
expansion and contraction of a single metal, bar, tube or coil may be communi-
cated to the valve by a system of multiplying levers or in any other convenient
manner for the purpose of my invention. In some cases I employ a sealed Bourdon
tube secured at one extremity to an adjustable centre and having its free end in
mechanical connection with the valve, the said tube being filled with a suitable
liquid so that the expansion and contraction of the liquid within the tube at
different temperatures will by varying the internal pressure actuate the free end of
the said tube and by the aforesaid connections regulate the position of the valve.
Or in lieu of completely filling the Bourdon tube with liquid I may place therein
a volatile liquid like ether which will be more or less vapourized according to the
temperature of the tube, thus varying the pressure within the said tube and through
suitable connections as above indicated regulating the position of the valve.
Instead of a Bourdon tube I may employ any equivalent device with the same
object such for instance as a chamber having flexible sides.
Or I may employ a regulator comprising a float immersed in mercury or other
suitable liquid and connected to the valve in such a manner that the rise and fall of
the float due to the expansion and contraction of the mercury will adjust the
position of the valve.
Or I may employ a regulator comprising a chamber filled with a fluid and in
connection with a cylinder fitted with a piston connected to the valve in such a
manner that the movement of the piston due to the expansion or contraction of the
fluid will adjust the position of the valve.
It is obvious moreover that instead of employing a circular or rotary valve in
my apparatus may make use of any other convenient form of valve such for
example as a piston, gridiron or other type of valve, the mechanical arrangement
of the parts being modified to suit for this alteration without departing from the
nature of my said invention.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Regulating or
Controlling the Flow of Water and other Fluids.
I, HARRY WILLIAMSON TEED, of 188 Camberwell Grove, in the County of
Surrey, Civil 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 :—
My invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for regulating or
controlling the flow of water and other fluids.
My said invention is chiefly designed to provide for the delivery of water into
baths or other vessels at any predetermined temperature.
For this purpose, I
utilize the variations in the temperature of the water passing through my apparatus,
for automatically regulating or controlling the flow of hot and cold water through
the same as required or for automatically regulating or controlling the flow of
water through my said apparatus from a heater of any suitable description so that
the rapidity of such flow will be increased or diminished according to the
temperature of the water desired.
An important feature of my said invention consists in providing in combination
with a valve or valves or the like a suitable regulator or device which is operated
by the expansion and contraction due to changes or variations of temperature of a
solid, liquid, or gascous body acted upon by the temperature of the fluid passing
through the apparatus, and whereby the said valve or valves or the like will be
automatically controlled.
Moreover 1 provide suitable means whereby my apparatus may be set or adjusted
to regulate or determine the temperature at which the fluid shall be delivered
therefrom.
My said invention, although more especially applicable for the delivery of water
to baths and other vessels, is also applicable for other purposes where it is necessary
to regulate the flow of fluid so as to ensure its delivery at any predetermined
temperature.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown how my said invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figure 2 a vertical central section on the line a Figure 1 showing one form of
my improved apparatus.
Figure 3 is a vertical section through the outer box or casing on the line y, Y,
Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 2 through the outer
Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the lineFigure 2.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line
casing showing the valve hereinafter described.
Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 5 showing the valve in a different
position.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
A is a box or casing having a fluid-tight lid or cover A*, and provided with an
inlet aperture A' for the hot water A or other fluid and with an inlet aperture A²
for the cold water or other fluid. The said box or casing is also provided with an
outlet aperture A³.
The said box or casing A. is divided by an internal partition or diaphragm A'so as
to form a lower or mixing chamber and an upper or regulating chamber.
B is a
rotary valve formed with a spindle or axis B', B fitted to rotate in suitable bearings
in the casing A and partition or diaphragm A. The inlets A', A2 communicate
with the lower or mixing-chamber, and the outlet A³ communicates with the upper
or regulating chamber. The area of the outlet A³ is preferably larger than the
combined or collective area of the inlets or inlet-ports A', A². A°A° are holes in

page_text: the partition or diaphragm A forming a communication between the said lower or
mixing chamber and the upper or regulating chamber. The collective area of the
holes A' is also preferably larger than the said inlet-ports.
C is a Bourdon tube filled with a suitable fluid and sealed at both ends, the outer
end of which is secured to the free extremity of a lever D firmly secured to the
upper pivot B of the valve B, and the inner end of which is secured' to a disc or
plate E. This disc or plate E is provided with a stud or pin E which extends
through a suitable hole in the lid or cover A* and which has fixed upon it a pointer
or index F. G is a nut for securing the said pointer or index upon the stud or
pin E and for clamping or securing the disc or plate E so that the said pointer or
index F can be adjusted in any desired position relatively to a suitably graduated
scale H marked upon the outside of the lid or cover A*. By means of the said
pointer or index and scale the apparatus can be set or adjusted to deliver water or
other fluid at any predetermined temperature. The Bourdon tube C is preferably
filled with petroleum and is hermetically sealed as above mentioned.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows, that is to say :-The Bourdon
tube C and the valve Bare first set or adjusted by means of the pointer or index F
and scale H to deliver the water or other fluid at the desired temperature. In this
form of my apparatus the predetermined temperature must be between the
temperatures of the inflowing fluids or at the temperature of either of them. In
Figure 6 the said valve is shown set or adjusted to deliver the fluid at a high
temperature. The hot water or other fluid is then admitted to the inlet A¹ and the
cold water or other fluid to the inlet A'. The hot and cold fluids mix or unite in
the lower or mixing chamber and pass up through the apertures A" in the partition
or diaphragm A to the upper or regulating chamber from which the said fluid is
discharged through the outlet A³. The fluid in the Bourdon tube is raised to
the same temperature or to approximately the same temperature as the said
water or other fluid, and the said tube acts to move or adjust the valve B into
the position shown in Figure 5. Should the temperature of the fluid in the
upper or regulating chamber rise too high the expansion of the fluid in the
sealed Bourdon tube will cause the latter to act upon the valve B to close or
partially close the inlet A, and correspondingly open the inlet A2 if on the other
hand the temperature in the regulating chamber should become too low the fluid
in the sealed Bourdon tube will contract and the latter will act upon the valve B
to close or partially close the inlet A2, and correspondingly open the inlet A...
21
In cases where the water or other fluid is heated by a "geyser or the like,
the apparatus is so arranged that the fluid from the heater enters the said apparatus
through the aperture A, the aperture A¹, being dispensed with, and so that the
heating of the Bourdon tube operates the valve to permit the fluid to flow more
rapidly through the geyser while the cooling of the said Bourdon tube closes or
adjusts the valve so as to diminish the rapidity of the flow. The valve in such
case is so arranged as to allow a sufficient quantity of the heated fluid to gain
admission to the apparatus to actuate the regulator when the aperture A² is closed
by the said valve. The strearm issuing from the geyser is thus maintained at a
uniform or nearly uniform temperature.
It is obvious that I can somewhat modify the construction of my improved
apparatus without departing from the nature of my said invention; for instance
sometimes partially fill the Bourdon tube with a suitable volatile liquid such for
example, as ether, which will be more or less vaporized according to the temperature
of the tube, thus varying the pressure within the said tube and through suitable
connections regulating or adjusting the valve.
Instead of a Bourdon tube 1 sometimes employ a coil or volute formed of two
strips of dissimilar metals having different coefficients of expansion such as iron
and zinc, and united together by soldering or otherwise, or I employ a single
metal bar, tube or coil, or a sealed chamber containing a fluid and having flexible
sides.
In some instances I employ a float immersed in mercury or other suitable liquid|

page_text: and connected to the valve in such a manner that the rise and fall of the float due
to the expansion and contraction of the mercury by reason of any variation of
temperature in the fluid passing through the apparatus will adjust the position of
the said valve. Or I provide a chamber filled with a suitable fluid and connected
with a cylinder fitted with a piston coupled to the valve in such a manner that the
movements of the piston due to the expansion or contraction of the said fluid will
adjust the position of the said valve.
Instead of a rotary valve, I may employ any other convenient form of valve or
valves, the mechanical arrangement of the different parts being modified to suit
the said valve or valves. In some cases employ a separate mixing chamber.
I sometimes employ suitable levers or gearing between the Bourdon tube or
other regulating device and the valve or valves so that a comparatively small
expansion or movement of the said tube or other device will cause a comparatively
large movement or adjustment of the said valve or valves. Suitable levers or
gearing may in like manner be employed between the said Bourdon tube or other
regulating device and the pointer or index, whereby a comparatively large move-
ment of the latter upon the graduated scale or dial will effect a comparatively
small movement or adjustment of the said Bourdon tube or other regulating
device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim :-
-
First. The herein described method or manner of providing for the delivery of
fluids at a predetermined temperature, by the use of a regulating device which is
acted upon by the temperature of the fluid in its passage to the delivery or dis-
charge aperture, and whereby the flow of the fluid is controlled for the purposes
above specified.
Second. An apparatus in which suitable provision is made for utilizing the
variations of temperature of water or other fluids Howing through the said
apparatus, to operate a valve or equivalent device for regulating or controlling the
flow of such fluids, for the purposes above specified.
Third. An apparatus for the purpose above specified which is provided with
inlet apertures for both hot and cold fluid, and wherein the regulation of the
temperature of the discharged fluid is automatically effected by varying the pro-
portions of hot and cold fluid admitted to the said apparatus.
Fourth. An apparatus which is designed to be applied to a water or other fluid
heater and which is provided with a valve and with a regulating device whereby
the said valve is operated to vary the flow of the fluid from the said heater
according to the temperature of such fluid, for the purpose above specified.
Fifth. An apparatus for the purpose above specified comprising a valve a mixing
chamber, and a regulating chamber communicating therewith and containing a
suitable regulator which is connected with the said valve substantially as, and for
the purpose, above specified.
Sixth. The provision of suitable means for setting or adjusting the apparatus
to regulate or determine the temperature at which the fluid shall be delivered,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Seventh. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawing and operating as, and for the purposes
above specified.
111
HARRY WILLIAMSON TEED.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.