APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE WASTE OF WATER
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of Harris
and Mills, 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, for an Invention of "APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE WASTE OF
WATER." A communication from abroad by Elliott Emerson Furney, of
St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th October 1880.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of
23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent.
"APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE WASTE OF WATER." A communication from
abroad by Elliott Emerson Furney, of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, United
States of America, Mechanical Engineer.
The Invention consists in a device to be used in connection with a hydrant or
discharge water pipe and cock or valve, to stop the water discharge after it has
run a certain time, to prevent or check the waste of water.
Under one form of the apparatus it consists of a cylinder or case through which
the water passes, and which contains a cylindrical cup, which is preferably movable,
and forms a gravitating valve to stop or check the flow of water, and which has in
the bottom a valve port or orifice with a ball-valve of less specific gravity than the
water, so that its floative character will tend to keep it in contact with the valve
seat.
In the valve cup or cylinder is an automatic valve of greater specific gravity
than water, and which fits the interior of the cup. When the water is flowing
through the apparatus the valve aforesaid is gradually raised by the water entering
through the port of the ball-valve (the ball-valve not quite closing the port).
When the upwardly moving valve has attained a certain elevation it reaches
its seat and closes the eduction port of the apparatus, and stops the flow of
water until the hydrant or discharge cock is closed, and the pressure being thus

page_text: equalized above and below the stop valve it subsides, and a subsequent opening
of the discharge cock results in another flow of water. It is proper to state
that there must be a slight leak in the stop-valve to allow the equalization of
the water pressure above and below, and the closing of the discharge cock.
Under another modification the apparatus is constructed with a bottomless
cylinder moving within a casing, and an inverted cup moving within said
cylinder actuated by the water pressure so as to alternately cover and uncover
radial openings in the cylinder in such a manner as to cause the closure of the
discharge opening after a certain period or quantity of flow, and permit the free
return of the parts to their original or normal position after the outlet cock
has been turned off.
The Invention further relates to the provision on the surface of the moving
cylinder of bands of material repellent to water, so that the cylinder may work
loosely and freely within the casing, and still the passage of water through the
space between them may be prevented.

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th April 1881.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of
23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent.
APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE WASTE OF WATER." A communication from
abroad by Elliott Emerson Furney, of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, United
States of America, Mechanical Engineer.
The Invention consists in a device to be used in connection with a hydrant or
discharge water pipe and cock or valve to stop the water discharge after it has run
a certain time to prevent or check the waste of water.
Under one form of the apparatus it consists of a cylinder or case through which
the water passes, and which contains a cylindrical cup, which is preferably movable,
and forms a gravitating valve to stop or check the flow of water, and which has in
the bottom a valve port or orifice with a ball valve of less specific gravity than
the water, so that its floative character will tend to keep it in contact with the
valve seat.
In the valve cup or cylinder is an automatic valve of greater specific gravity
than water, and which fits the interior of the cup. When the water is flowing
through the apparatus the valve aforesaid is gradually raised by the water entering
through the port of the ball valve, the ball valve not quite closing the port.
When the upwardly moving valve has attained a certain elevation it reaches
its seat and closes the eduction port of the apparatus and stops the flow of
water until the hydrant or discharge cock is closed, and the pressure being thus
equalized above and below the stop valve it subsides, and a subsequent opening of
the discharge cock results in another flow of water. It is proper to state that
there must be a slight leak in the stop valve to allow the equalization of the
water pressure above and below, and the closing of the discharge cock.
Under another modification, the apparatus is constructed with a bottomless
cylinder moving within a casing, and an inverted cup moving within said cylinder
actuated by the water pressure so as to alternately cover and uncover radial
openings in the cylinder in such a manner as to cause the closure of the discharge
opening after a certain period or quantity of flow, and permit the free return of
the parts to their original or normal position after the outlet cock has been
turned off.
The Invention further relates to the provision on the surface of the moving
cylinder of bands of material repellent to water so that the cylinder may work
loosely and freely within the casing, and still the passage of water through the
space between them may be prevented.
And in order that the said Invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings, more
fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in vertical section representing one form of the
apparatus.
Figures 2 and 3 are vertical sections illustrating another form of the apparatus ;
Figure 2 shows the valve and its piston descending after the discharge has
been closed; Figure 3 shows the valve and piston ascending as they do during
the flow of water.
Referring to Figure 1 A
sulinda A
alooed :

page_text: position in the course of the water supply pipe, and coupled therewith by means
of the "male" coupling members B and C, the lower one B being the induction
port or opening, and the upper one C being the eduction port of the apparatus.
Within the pipe section or cylinder A is a cylindrical cup G, capable of vertical
movement in the cylinder, and working against guides H, shown as extending
inwardly from the cylinder A, though they may extend radially from the cup G
and work against the inside of the cylinder. The office of the wings or guides H
is to hold the cup concentrically in the cylindrical case A, to preserve an annular
water space M between the cylindrical case A and cup G, and to insure the proper
closure of the induction and eduction valves of the apparatus.
The cylindrical cup G forms the induction valve, and when the water is not
flowing it settles down by gravity upon the valve seat B¹.
In the bottom of the cup-valve G is a valve port or water orifice d nearly closed
by a ball valve J, which is of less specific gravity than water, so that it remains in
the position shown except when there is a downward flow of water through the
port d. The ball valve works in an open bottomed guide cylinder G, and is
retained therein by a cross pin i, above which may be a gauze strainer i, to prevent
the entrance of any matters that would interfere with the efficient working of the
valve J.
"
The inside of the cup valve G should be made nearly or quite true so as to fit a
cylindrical valve block F, which rises and falls therein (in the manner of a piston),
and which constitutes the means for closing the eduction port C by contact with
the valve seat D. The valve block F may have " cup or other packing to prevent
the passage of water between it and the cylinder G. I prefer to furnish the top
of the valve F with a rubber or other disc or face E, that will have sufficiently close
contact with the seat D, but there should be a small leak allowing the passage of
water to equalize the pressure above and below the valve on the closing of the
discharge cock.
The valve J is made to fit its seat so loosely that a small quantity of water
passes through the port d when the water is flowing through the discharge cock,
or a small orifice may be made in the bottom of the cup G, or a channel or notch
in the valve seat, as shown at d'. The water passing into the cylinder or cup G,
below the valve F, gradually raises said valve to the seat D, and closes (substantially)
the eductlon port C, after the water has run a given time, or when a given quantity
has been discharged. It will be seen that it is not absolutely necessary under all
circumstances to the working of the apparatus that the cylinder valve G should be
moveable, for if it should remain stationary in the case the automatic valve would
still act with a moderate discharge of water from the discharge cock. When the
discharge cock is opened very slightly, so as to cause a very small flow of water, it
will be seen that the difference in the pressure beneath and above the valve F
might not be sufficient to cause the upward movement of the valve where the
water has free escape from the induction port B.
In such case the apparatus would not act with full efficiency. When the valve
cylinder G has the described moveable character its position is governed by the
amount of water passing. Thus when a small amount of water is passing the
valve cylinder G would be lifted only a small distance from its seat, and the pressure
of water beneath the valve F would be maintained.
The operation of the apparatus, shown in Figure 1, is as follows :—
M
On the opening of the discharge cock or valve of the hydrant or other water
discharge, the pressure of the water beneath the valve G raises it and opens the
induction passage B. The water flows upward through the annular space
between cylinders A. and G, and then through the eduction opening C into the
discharge pipe. A small quantity of the water enters the cylinder G beneath
the valve F, and gradually raises it until the face F comes in contact with the
seat D, and stops further flow. The parts remain in this position as long as the
discharge cock remains open. On closing the discharge cock the pressure is
equalized between the upper and under sides of the valve F, and as the latter

page_text: is heavier than water it descends in the valve cylinder G, and forces the water
out therefrom through the valve port d.
The ball valve J may be dispensed with, and the orifice d made just large
enough to allow the influx of a little more water than would escape between the
valve F and the cylinder G, so as to cause the required upward movement of the
valve F in the cylinder. The valve F might be made to fit the interior of
the cylinder easily, and the orifice d made of proportionately increased area, as
it is no consequence how much water escapes between the valve Fand the cylinder G
if there is a still larger quantity passing through into the cylinder valve & beneath
the valve F.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3,-
A is the outer cylinder or case of any suitable forun, with an induction opening B,
and an eduction opening C.
At the inner end of the eduction opening or passage C is a valve seat D, against
which closes the valve E to stop the flow of water after it has flowed for a time.
It is preferred to make the valve E of some soft material, such as rubber for
instance, but this is not essential.
The valve E is attached to the top of a piston F of greater specific gravity than
water, and working freely in a cylinder G open at top and botton, and which (the
cylinder) it is preferred to make vertically moveable in the case A, being guided in
the case by knobs H, attached to either the cylinder or case, and working against
the other. In its lower position, as shown in Figure 2, the cylinder rests upon the
bottom A' of the case. In Figure 3 the cylinder is shown elevated by the hydraulic
pressure, so that the water passes beneath its edge.
The piston F has one or more circumferential grooves to contain tallow, or other
material not wetted by contact of water. By means of such material, even if there
is quite a space between the piston and cylinder, the water will not pass through
the space not wetted without a greater pressure than that found necessary for the
perfect working of the apparatus. It is not intended that this material shall have
actual contact with the cylinder G. It will be seen that the material acts on an
entirely different principle from ordinary piston or plunger packing, such packing
preventing the passage of the fluid by close contact with the cylinder rod or other
body.
The described material facts by preventing capillary attraction at that point,
and prevents the passage of the liquid by capillary repulsion there, and by the
capillary attraction of the piston below. By the use of the described device f the
piston can be made to work in the cylinder almost without friction, because the
piston need not be closely fitted to the cylinder, and because it is held in a position
strictly concentric with the cylinder by capillary repulsion. As a valuable result
the piston may be made of greater specific gravity, so as to increase the rapidity
of its descent in the cylinder on the closing of the hydraulic discharge. It will
be seen
that the pressure of the hydrostatic over the hydraulic bead has to
overcome both the friction and the weight of the valve piston in the water (that
is, the whole weight of the piston and valve minus the weight of water displaced),
and consequently for any decrease in friction addition may be made to the weight
of the piston.
I is a stop ring fixed to the interior of the cylinder G, to arrest the descent of
the piston in the cylinder; J is a piston working in the cylinder G beneath the ring.
The piston J is shown made in cup form to increase its bearing upon the cylinder
without adding materially to its weight. In the top of the piston J is a water
orifice K, to allow the water to enter the space in the cylinder between the
pistons F and J, to force the piston F upward while the hydraulic discharge is
open. L, L, are perforations or orifices in the cylinder G, communicating from the
interior of the cylinder to the water space M, between the cylinder and the case A.
The circumference of these holes may be tangential to the upper and lower edges
of the piston J in its two positions, shown in Figures 3 and 2 respectively.

page_text: The purpose of these holes is two fold, 1st, when the piston J is raised by
the first flow of water on the opening of the cock or other hydraulic discharge, th
water passes through the orifices to water space M; 2nd, when the cock o
other hydraulic discharge is closed the piston J drops, and the water escapes freely
from beneath the piston F through the orifices L upward through space M, and
into the top of the cylinder above the valve piston F, so that said piston quickly
descends to its lower position.
The position of the parts when the cock is opened and the flow going on i
shown in Figure 3, and the position of the parts after the closing of the cock i
shown in Figure 2.
It will be understood that when the valve E closes the pressure beneath will be
greater than that above it.
This would continue even after the closing of the cock, and would prevent the
piston sinking in the water and opening the valve E. To meet the case
substantially the same expedient is used as described in reference to Figure 1
except the provision of a small hole n in the eduction pipe above the valve seat
On the closing of the cock a very small flow of water through the orifice n will
equalize the pressure above and below the valve, and then, the cylinder being
heavier than the bulk of water, it will quickly descend to the ring I.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 2 and 3 is as follows:-
The induction pipe B having been connected with the hydrostatic head, and the
eduction pipe C with the hydraulic discharge pipe, and the latter pipe being
opened, either by opening the discharge cock or by other means, the water enters
through pipe B, and raises the piston J until the water is allowed to escape under
said piston through the holes L, and to pass through a space M to the eduction
opening C.
But at the same time, since the pressure under the piston J is greater than the
pressure above the piston F, by an amount equal to the weight of both pistons,
minus the weight of water they both displace, the water will be forced through the
small hole K and slowly raise the valve E, until it shall close the eduction pipe C,
then no more water is allowed to escape than can pass through the small bole n.
Should the hydraulic discharge have been opened very wide, where the holes L have
not area great enough to allow sufficient water to pass, then the pressure beneath
the piston J will lift the cylinder G until the required escape has been provided
under the lower edge of the cylinder.
When there is sufficient head to allow it the stop ring I may be placed lower
down, so that when the piston J is raised it will close the holes L, and the whole
discharge would be beneath the cylinder G. In such case the holes L would only
have a single purpose, viz., to allow the rapid transfer of water from beneath
to above the valve piston F when said piston is descending.
Now if the hydraulic discharge which is still going on through the small hole n
be closed by the closing of the discharge cock, the difference in pressure above and
below the valve E will cease, and the pistons (J first and then F) will descend to
their lower positions ready for another discharge to take place on the opening of
the discharge cock.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in which
the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
First. In an apparatus for checking the waste of water, a checking valve or
stopping piston actuated by water admitted through a contracted orifice, and
adapted to close or nearly close the eduction port after the passage of a certain
amount of water by the difference in pressure on its opposite sides, in combination
with a passage from the eduction to the induction pipes, and a valve for partially
resisting the flow of water through said passage, substantially as set forth.
Second. The automatic valve F gradually closed by the passing water, and
opened by the closing of the discharge cock of the water pipe or other discharging
orifice.

page_text: Third. The combination of outer cylinder or case A, cylindrical valve or cup G
and valve F, working as a piston in cylindrical valve G, valve seat D, and water
orifice d, closed or partly closed by valve J, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The combination of cylinder or case A, cylinder G (whether fixed or
moving), automatic valve F, and valve and port (or passage) J, d, with small water
passage in the bottom of cylinder G, for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the case A having induction and eduction openings,
and cylinder G therein, of the orifice L in said cylinder and piston J, actuated by
water pressure to direct or stop the flow of water through the orifices, substantially
as set forth.
Sixth. The combination of case A, cylinder G moveable therein, water orifices L,
piston J with opening K, and piston F, with valve E closing the eduction
opening C, all substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The combination with the piston F of the circumferential surface or
surfaces f devoid of capillary attraction for water, for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, have hereunto
- set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
B. J. B. MILLS. (L.S.)