IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VALVES FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO WASH-BASINS WATER-CLOSETS AND THE LIKE
Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VALVES FOR CONTROLLING
THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO WASH-BASINS WATER-CLOSETS AND THE LIKE" and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to valves for the supply of water to wash-basins and
water-closets, and for other purposes.
In the use of common faucets serious difficulties arise from leaving the valve
open to permit a continuous flow of water. Not only does this cause injury to
buildings, but a serious waste of water, it being a common practice to leave the
faucet open in freezing weather.
Attempts to overcome this difficulty have been made by providing self-closing
faucets, but this does not accomplish the object from the fact that it is an easy
matter to apply the same device to hold the faucet open.
The object of my invention is to provide apparatus whereby only a certain
quantity of water can pass through the faucet, without some personal attendance,
and the invention consists in providing a cylinder having a free piston arranged
therein to traverse from end to end, with an opening at each end of the cylinder
to the respective sides of the piston, combined with a valve arrangement, communi-
cating by independent passages to the respective ends of the piston, and with an
inlet and an outlet, whereby the inflow may be turned to one side of one piston
to permit the exit from the other side, and vice-versa, the said piston being provided,
with cushions upon its opposite faces, to come to an easy bearing within the
cylinder as the piston approaches the respective ends of its stroke all as hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal central section of the cylinder showing an

page_text: Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section through the valve casing, showing the
inlets and outlets.
Figure 3 is a side view of the stirrup on the valve rod.
Figure 4 is a sectional view showing a modification adapting the valve to
automatic operations.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views of modifications, showing the adaptation of a two-
way plug cock for changing the flow and discharge.
A represents the cylinder, its ends being closed by heads B C; in the head B is
an opening a, and in the head C a like opening b. Around the opening a is a
tubular projection d extending into the cylinder, and around the opening b is a like
tubular extension e.
D is the piston fitted to move freely in the cylinder from end to end. Centrally
on one side of the piston is a cushion f, this may be of any flexible or elastic
material. On the reverse side and in the centre is a like cushion g. These cushions
stand in line with the tubular extensions de in the respective heads of the cylinder.
Around the respective cushions are tubular projections h, the internal diameter of
which is larger than the external diameter of the tubular extensions de, and also
somewhat shorter than the said extensions de.
E represents the casing or shell of the valve, open at both ends, and to one open
end of which the pipe G leads from the opening a in the cylinder, and from the
opening bin the cylinder a like pipe leads to the opposite end of the valve casing.
F is the inlet, and I the outlet, here represented as opposite each other, and at right
angles to the axis of the casing.
Through the valve chamber two parallel rods L, M are arranged in guides
within the shell, as shown, so as to be supported in their parallel position, but
permitted longitudinal movement. The two rods are connected by a bar N, so
that a movement of one will be imparted to the other.
Within the main valve chamber is an auxiliary inlet chamber P constructed with
an opening at one end and an opening at the opposite end; the inlet F opens
directly into this chamber P. The rod L passes centrally through the openings
in this chamber, and within this chamber, ou a rod, a doubled ended valve R is
fixed, so that setting at one end of the chamber it closes the one opening 1, as seen
in Figure 2, or moved to the opposite end it closes that opening i, as indicated
in broken lines Figure 2. When one end is closed, the other will be open.
S is the outlet chamber, also formed within the casing of the valve, the said
chamber opening at I for discharge. This chamber is constructed with a valve
seat m at one end, and a like valve seat n at the opposite end; both the valve
seats m n are of conical shape, opening outward from the chamber S. The valve
rod M runs centrally through these valve openings and the chamber S, and carries
a valve corresponding to the valve seat m, and a like valve t corresponding
to the seat n; each valve is adapted to close its respective opening when set
therein.
The relative arrangement of the valves R and t, r is such, as seen in Figure 2
that when the inlet valve closes the opening at one end of the inlet chamber P,
the valve t at the same end of the outlet chamber stands open, and in this condition
the passage is opened, and the corresponding outlet valve r is closed. In the
outlet chamber a lever or arm T is arranged upon a shaft U, the said shaft,
extending through the shell, is provided with a handle W, by which the shaft may
be turned.
The valve rod M. in the chamber S is constructed with a stirrup 2 into which the
arm T extends. The opening in the stirrup is considerably longer than the width
of the arm, as seen in Figure 3. To illustrate the operation of the valve, suppose
the parts to stand as seen in Figure 2, that is the inlet valve closing the opening l
leaving a free passage through the opening i; at the same time the valve r closes
upon the seat m. Water now flowing through the inlet F and thence through the
opening i passes directly to the pipe H and thence to the cylinder A. at the right
hand of the piston D; and under the pressure of the water the piston will move

page_text: toward the opposite end, as the cylinder fills, and will continue so to move until
the piston seats itself upon the extension d at the opposite end, then the cylinder
being full, the flow will cease. If now the shaft U be turned to throw the valves
in the opposite direction, as indicated in broken lines Figure 2, the inlet opening i
will be closed, and the other inlet opening opened, at the same time the outlet
opening n will be closed, and the opposite valve will be opened, the inflow now
will be turned to the left, and the water passing through the opening 1, will flow
through the pipe G to the left hand of the piston, applying the pressure of the
water thereto will force the piston to travel toward the opposite end, it being
permitted so to do as the water upon the opposite side of the piston is now
permitted to pass out through the pipe H, thence through the opening m to
discharge; the inflow and outflow will thus continue until the piston seats itself at
the right hand end to close upon the opening at that end.
The pressure of the water upon the inlet valve when upon its seat, serves to hold
it firmly seated, and until it shall be turned from its seat by the movement of the
arm T as before described.
As the piston in its passage through the cylinder arrives at the left hand end, it
will come to rest on the projection d, the cushion f taking a bearing thereon, so that
notwithstanding the fact that the flow may be still open to the opposite end, no
further flow of water can be produced while the plug stands in that condition.
On the return of the piston it will in like manner cushion upon the projection e
at the opposite end.
The cushions on the piston combined with the internal projections on the heads of
the cylinder, permit the piston to come to an easy bearing at the respective ends
of the cylinder, under the pressure of the water, so that if the pressure be very
great, there will be no thumping when the piston comes to a stand, the cushions
yielding sufficiently to prevent its instantaneous or positive arrest.
It is not material that the piston shall traverse from one end to the other in
order to make the discharge, for, suppose the water to be cut off when the piston
stands midway of the cylinder, then the water may be drawn from either end, but
no more can be drawn, at one turning of the plug than happens to be in the
cylinder, on that side of the piston from which the draft is made.
The tubular flange h around the cushion being of less extent than the length of
the tubular projections into the cylinder, permits the respective cushions to yield
until the flange shall strike the head of the piston, and when so resting the cushion
is relieved from further strain or compression.
In order that the valves may not be forcibly held all in an open condition, and
thereby permit a continuous flow of water without regard to the cylinder A, the
stirrup 2 is constructed with its openings of greater length than the width of the
arm T, so that the arm T is only used to start the valves in their movement,
the movement being completed by the flow of the water.
To illustrate, suppose the parts stand in the position seen in Figure 2, the arm T
is turned, as indicated in broken lines, until it comes against say the right hand
end of the stirrup, the turning of the arm continuing, will start the valves to the
right, and after they are so started the reaction produced by the inflow of water
coming upon the reverse side of the valve R, will at once throw the valve to its
opposite seat, carrying with it the outlet valves, the one away from and the other
to its seat. This throw or movement of the valve is permitted independent of the
arm T, because of the freedom which the stirrup has about the arm, as when the
valves are so started, the arm is only bearing upon the stirrup toward the desired
movement of the valve, and so soon as that movement is started, the open space on
the reverse side of the arm permits the valve to be thrown by the action of the
water, so that the arm cannot hold the valves at any intermediate point between
their open and closed condition, which it might do were the connection between the
rod and the arm made close; the result of this action of the valves is to at once
place the valves on the one side wide open, and closed upon the opposite side, or
vice-versa, an intermediate or partly open position being impossible.

page_text: The operation of the valve may be made automatic, that is may be produced by
the piston, as for illustration, suppose a lever 3 hung at one end of the cylinder, and
a like lever 4 at the opposite end. One arm of each lever is extended through its
respective end of the cylinder, so that the valve as it approaches the end of the
cylinder may strike that arm, and thereby turn the lever, the other arm of the
lever has an extension into the valve shell, so as to bear against one end of one of
the valve rods, say L, as seen in figure 4, hence as the piston approaches one end,
the valves will be reversed to throw the flow to that end, and open the outflow
from the opposite end, there must however be the same freedom of the valves
between the action of the respective arms of the levers as shown, so that movement
of the valves will be simply started by the levers, but completed by the flow of
water independent of the levers.
If preferred a common two-way-plug cock may be used, as seen in figures 5, 6,
and 7, figure 5, shewing the plug as turned to close all the openings; figure 6,
shewing the inlet turned to throw the flow through the pipe H to the right hand
end of the cylinder, and the outflow through the pipe G. Figure 7 shows the plug
turned to reverse the flow. I therefore do not wish to limit my invention to any
particular construction of valve, as any suitable two-way valve may be used, and in
the use of the term "two-way valve" I wish to be understood as embodying any
suitable valve which may thus turn the flow and outlet.
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
First The combination of the cylinder A having an opening a at one end and
an opening at the opposite end, each of the said openings being constructed with
an internal tubular projection; the piston provided with cushions upon its opposite
faces, corresponding respectively to the internal projections on the heads of the
cylinder, so as to seat thereon in the arrest of the piston at the extreme of its
stroke; and a two-way valve with passages opening therefrom to the respective
openings a bin the cylinder, said valve being provided with an inlet and outlet,
whereby the inflow may be turned to either end of the cylinder at the same time
opening an exit from the opposite end, substantially as described.
Second-The combination of the cylinder A having a central opening a at one
end and an opening b at the opposite end; a tubular projection extending into the
cylinder around each of said openings; the piston D provided with cushions upon
its opposite sides, corresponding to the said tubular extensions, and the piston
constructed with a tubular flange h around said cushion of less length than the said
tubular extension; and a two-way valve with passages leading therefrom to the
respective ends of the cylinder and with an inlet and an outlet, substantially as
described.
Third: The combination of the cylinder A having an opening a at one end and
an opening b at the opposite end; the piston D arranged in said cylinder and free
to travel from end to end; the valve shell E; tubes or pipes .connecting the
respective ends of the cylinder with the corresponding ends of the said shell, the
said valve shell being constructed with an inlet chamber P having valve seats i l'at
the opposite ends of the said chamber, and also constructed with the outlet
chamber S having valve seats m n at the opposite ends of that chamber,.the valve
seats in the two chambers being. in parallel planes; the valve rod L extending
through the inlet chamber P; the double ended valve R arranged on said valve
rod Land adapted to close either of said seats i, 1; and the valve rod M extending.
through the outlet chamber S and carrying valves rt corresponding respectively to
the valve seats m n in the outlet chamber and adapted to alternately close. their
respective seats, the two valve rods being connected so that a movement, imparted
to the one will be imparted to the other whereby the flow of water to and from
the cylinder may be alternately changed to or from the opposite sides of the piston,
substantially as described,

page_text: Fourth-The combination of the cylinder A having an opening a at one end
and an opening 6 at the opposite end; the piston D arranged in said cylinder and
free to travel from end to end; the valve shell E; tubes or pipes connecting the
respective ends of the cylinder with the corresponding ends of the said shell, the
said valve shell being constructed with an inlet chamber P having valve seats i l
at the opposite ends and also constructed with the outlet chamber S having valve
seats m n at the opposite ends, the valve seats in the two chambers being in
parallel planes; the valve rod L extending through the inlet chamber P; the double
ended valve R, arranged on said valve rod L, adapted to close either of said
seats i 1; the valve rod M, extending through the outlet chamber S, carrying
valves rt corresponding respectively to the valve seats m n in the outlet chamber,
and adapted to alternately close upon their respective seats, the said two valve rods
being connected so that a movement imparted to the one will be imparted to the
other, the valve rod M being constructed with a stirrup 2; and a shaft U carrying
the arm T, the said arm extending into the said stirrup, the opening in the
stirrup being greater than the width of the arm, the said shaft being adapted to be
turned to throw the said valves toward and from their respective seats, substantially
as described.
Fifth-The combination of the cylinder A, having an opening a at one end and
an opening b at the opposite end; the piston D arranged in said cylinder and free
to travel from end to end; the valve shell E; tubes or pipes connecting the
respective ends of the cylinder with the corresponding ends of the said shell, the
said valve shell being constructed with an inlet chamber P having valve seats i
at its opposite ends, and also constructed with the outlet chamber S having valve
seats m, n, at its opposite ends, the valve seats in the two chambers being in
parallel planes; the valve rod L extending through the inlet chamber P; the
double ended valve R arranged on said valve rod L and adapted to close either of
said seats i ; the valve rod M extending through the outlet chamber S, carrying
valves rt corresponding respectively to the valve seats m n in the outlet chamber,
and adapted to alternately close their respective seats, the said two valve rods
being connected so that a movement imparted to the one will be imparted to the
other; and a connection between the piston and the said valves, whereby the
movement of the valves will be produced by the movement of the piston,
substantially as described.
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