IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF GAS OR. OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Alfred Joy, of 40, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF GAS OR. OTHER
FLUIDS."
Sealed the 16th April 1880, and dated the 18th October 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Alfred Joy at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th October 1879.
ALEXANDER ALFRED JOY, of 40, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW
OF GAS OR OTHER FLUIDS."
This Invention relates to apparatus used for regulating the flow of gas where the
pressure of such gas is liable to variation, the regulation being effected automatically,
so that the size of the passage for the gas is varied according to the varying
pressure.
My present Invention has for its objects improvements in the construction and
arrangement of such apparatus, so that it is less liable to leakage of gas, whilst
injury from such leakage if it takes place can be prevented; it is little affected by
any very sudden variations of pressure, and is simple, cheap, and easily adjusted and
regulated.
I take a casing or box, preferably of metal and rectangular in plan, and having a
horizontal flange projecting round its upper edge.
A short distance below this flange I make a recess or seat, upon which is placed
a frame consisting of two flanges of brass or other suitable material screwed or
attached together, and having between them a diaphragm of thin leather, india
rubber, or other sufficiently flexible and durable material.
This compound frame with its diaphragm is fixed upon the seat already described,
a gas tight joint being made between them by cement or otherwise.
Below the diaphragm I make a horizontal partition across the casing, the size of
which casing (in plan) decreases downward, and in this partition is an opening
under the centre of the diaphragm, into which opening is screwed or fixed a conical
tubular valve seat, the wider part of which is below and projects beneath the
partition, and in this tubular seat I arrange a horizontal valve in the form of a disc,

page_text: or preferably of a cone truncated above, having a central wire passing through the
diaphragm and adjusted and fixed to the latter by a washer or nut upon each side.
I fix a cover upon the upper flange of the casing by means of screws, making
between them a gas tight joint by means of india rubber or cement, and in the
centre of this cover I make an opening through which weights can be introduced
upon and withdrawn from the wire for the purpose of adjusting the exact position
of the valve. For greater facility in adjusting these weights I arrange round the
wire a loose tube having a flange at its lower end, and I make the weights tubular
and resting upon the flange, so that the tube with its weights can be readily
withdrawn and replaced for the purpose of adjustment. Or an adjustable spiral
spring may be used for the same purpose.
The casing is closed in at a sufficient distance below the valve seat so as to form
a chamber into which the gas is admitted through a supply pipe in any convenient
position, an opening (which may itself be used for the supply pipe) being made
directly under the valve seat for the purpose of introducing the valve and its wire
spindle. The chamber in the lower part of the casing is divided by a vertical
partition into two parts, one of which contains the valve and the other an outlet
pipe in any convenient position, the latter part also communicating with the space
above the valve-seat and below the diaphragm.
· I sometimes allow the opening in the cover to remain open when the apparatus
is in use, so that the movements of the diaphragm are not restrained by the pressure
of air in the cover, but I prefer to close the opening by a cap or stopper, and to
make in the cover a small tube, the upper end of which can be readily closed if
desired by a small screw cap or plug attached by a chain if leakage should take
place through any defect in the diaphragm.
Gas admitted to the apparatus passes between the edge of the valve and the
valve seat, and filling the space under the diaphragm it passes out through the
outlet pipe.
If the pressure increases the diaphragm is raised and lifts with it the valve, thus
reducing the area of the passage for the gas, of which a smaller quantity therefore
passes.
Should the pressure decrease the diaphragm falls, and a larger quantity of gas is
admitted.
The supply and flow of other fluids as well as gas may be automatically regulated
by my improved apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Alfred Joy in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
April 1880.
ALEXANDER ALFRED JOY, of 40, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW
OF GAS OR OTHER FLUIDS."
My Invention relates to apparatus used for regulating the flow of gas in positions
where the pressure of such gas is liable to variation. My present Invention has for
its objects improvements in the construction and arrangement of such apparatus, so
that is is less liable to leakage of gas, whilst injury from such leakage taking place
accidentally is prevented; it is little affected by sudden variations of pressure, and
is simple, cheap, and easily adjusted and regulated. In order to put my Invention
in operation I take a casing or box, preferably of metal and rectangular in plan,
with a horizontal flange projecting round its upper edge. At a short distance below
this flange I make a recess forming a seat, upon which I place a frame consisting of
two flanges of brass or other suitable material, screwed or otherwise attached
together, and holding between them a diaphragm of thin leather, india rubber, or
other sufficiently flexible and durable material. The compound frame with the
diaphragm is fixed upon the seat in the box or casing, a gas tight joint being made
between them by means of cement or other suitable packing. I make a horizontal
division or partition below the diaphragm across the casing, the dimensions of which
casing in plan preferably diminish downward, and in this partition I make under
the centre of the diaphragm an opening into which is screwed or fixed a conical
tubular valve seat, the wider part of which is below and projects below the
partition, and in this seat I arrange a horizontal valve in the form of a disc, or
preferably of a truncated cone having fixed to it a central wire or spindle passing
through the diaphragm, to which it is adjusted and fixed by a washer and nut
above and below the latter. Upon the upper flange of the box or casing I fix a
cover, making between them a gas tight joint by means of india rubber, cement, or
other suitable material, and in the centre of this cover I make an opening through
which moveable weights can be introduced upon and withdrawn from the wire for
the purpose of adjusting the exact position of the diaphragm and valve. For greater
facility in adjusting these weights I arrange round the wire a loose tube having a
flange at its lower end, and I make the weights tubular, so that they pass down
and rest upon the flange whilst the tube together with the weights can be readily
withdrawn or replaced for the purpose of adjustment. Sometimes I use an
adjustable spiral spring instead of weights. At a convenient distance below the
partition which carries the valve seat the casing is closed in so as to form a chamber
into which the gas is admitted through a supply pipe in any convenient position,
an opening (which may itself be used to receive the supply pipe) being also made
directly beneath the valve seat for the purpose of introducing or withdrawing the
valve and its wire spindle. The chamber formed as described in the lower part of
the casing is divided by a vertical partition into two parts, one of which contains
the valve and the supply pipe as described, and the other an outlet pipe in any
convenient position, this latter part also communicating with the space above the
valve seat but below the diaphragm. I sometimes allow the opening in the cover
above the diaphragm to remain open when the apparatus is in use, so as not to
restrain the movements of the diaphragm by the pressure of the air above it, but I
prefer to close the opening by means of a cap or stopper, and to make a second
small opening or tube, the upper end of which can be readily closed if desired by a
small screw cap or plug attached to it if leakage of gas should take place through
or round the diaphragm. The accompanying Drawing is in illustration of my

page_text: m is a
Invention. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 2 a transverse section of
the apparatus, Figure 3 showing the cover. a is the box or casing, having the
flange b and the seat c upon which are screwed the frames d having the flexible
diaphragm e between them. fis a horizontal partition carrying the valve seat g.
The valve i is suspended to the spindle by nuts and washers, as shewn.
cover screwed to the flange b and having a central opening closed by the stopper 8,
which is itself provided with a small opening which can be closed with the screw
cap t.
A loose tube is shewn at n carrying small weights and readily removeable
when necessary., o is the inlet gas pipe, and p is a partition separating the inlet o
from the outlet at r. The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Gas is admitted
through the inlet pipe at o, and passes between the valve seat g and the valve i,
filling the space beneath the diaphragm e and passing out through an outlet pipe
at r. By making the hollow valve seat project down the valve is not affected by
the current of entering gas. If the pressure increases the diaphragm e rises, lifting
with it the valve i, and thus reducing the area of the passage for the gas round the
latter, and a proportionately smaller quantity accordingly passes. Should the
pressure decrease the diaphragm e falls, and a larger quantity of gas is enabled to
pass. The tube n can be readily removed after unscrewing the caps and the
weights upon it adjusted so as to properly adjust the position of the valve i. If
gas should escape through or round the diaphragm e and frames d the small screw
capt can be readily fixed in its place. The supply and flow of other fluids as well
as gas may be automatically regulated by my improved apparatus.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner in which it is to be
performed, I claim the valve seat projecting down into the lower chamber so that
the valve is not affected by the current of entering gas, substantially as described
and shewn; also the moveable tubular support for adjustable weights upon the
valve spindle, substantially as described and shewn; also the method of producing
a communication between the space above the diaphragm and the open air in
combination with a screw cap or plug for closing such communication when
necessary, substantially as described and sl ewn; also the combination of the valve
seat projecting down the tubular weight carrier, and the method of making or
closing the communication between the space above the diaphragm and the air in
combination with the remaining parts of the apparatus, substantially as described
and shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Alfred Joy, have hereunto set my