Improvements in or connected with Valves.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 16th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 14th Apr., 1894
Improvements in or connected with Valves.
I, WILLIAM BUCKWELL of Brighton Sussex England, now residing at Aspra
Sabina, in the Kingdom of Italy Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows :-
:-
My invention refers to improvements in or connected with valves for governing
the entrance, exit or flow of any liquids or gases whether under natural or increased
pressures, and the principal objects of my invention are to produce valves that shall
have an entirely sliding motion on their seatings and work without any impact
whatever between the said valves and their said seatings; to so construct the said
valves that there shall be the least possible area of contact surface between the
sliding frictional parts as is consistent with efficiency, and to so form the adjacent
sliding surfaces that the latter are provided with liquid lubrication while providing
meaus whereby the working of the valves may be readily inspected and governed.
The general characteristics of the valves constructed according to my invention
are as follows:-I form the valves with inclined surfaces where contact is to
take place with the correspondingly inclined surfaces of the seatings, the angles
of the inclined contact surfaces being so great from the perpendicular as to entirely
render sticking or fixing of the valve impossible, and allow of easy motion. Upon
the inclined surfaces of the moving valves I form recessed parts of such size as
to leave no excess of the raised contact surfaces between the valves and their
seatings, and I so arrange the area of the contact edges that in all positions of
the valves the pressure is uniformly distributed upon such rubbing or sliding
parts, while the said recessed parts in the valves permit of the entrance of passing
liquids between the valves and their seatings, whereby most efficient lubrication of
the moving parts is effected, the ease and efficiency of working being greatly
increased by such lubrication. The seatings are provided or formed with suitable
inlet and outlet passages or ports, these being formed within and opening from or
on to the inclined contact surfaces of the valve seatings, and likewise the corre-
sponding passages in the valves proper also are formed within and opening on to,
the inclined surfaces of the latter, a suitable width of contact edge being left
around such openings or ports.
I form the seatings open above, and closed beneath the valves, the latter being
retained in position within the seatings and leakage prevented by elastic packing
held in position by adjustable rings or collars; asbestos may be employed for such
packing, or balls or rollers may be substituted therefor according to circumstances.
I preferably line the inclined rubbing surface of the seatings with anti-friction
metal. The valves are formed of such a depth as (when in position) to leave
a space between the base of the valve and the closed bottom of the seating.
and openings or what I call "sight apertures are formed extending through from
the top of the valve to bottom; by these means no bottom leakage can occur
without being detected by sight, and the working of the valve can be readily
inspected.
"
The valves constructed as described may be operated either by being rotated, or
slidden, by, for instance, a rotative spindle connection, or key in the case of
rotation, or by rack and pinion lever, or equivalent devices when slidden.
In some cases, especially with rotary valves, I make the passages not extending
entirely through same, or I form divided chambers in the valve itself opening on
to the inclined surface of same, such valves being suitable for abstracting quantities
of the liquids or gases from reservoirs, conduits or receivers, or to indicate the

page_text: height of liquids, vapour or gases within such reservoirs or containers without
occasioning any rush, gush, or splash of such gas or liquid, and such valves are also
suitable for feeding or conveying quantities of liquids from reservoirs, conduits or
containers, into open or closed containers, and are safe from being left open.
The apertures, openings, chambers, and passages I form preferably alike in
contour and to give from the least opening to the fullest, and rice versa, and to
close with the least sliding movement.
When required I provide spring devices to regulate or govern the opening and
closing of the valve. so that the same may close automatically, or whereby the
accuracy of the open or closed positions may be readily ascertained or automatically
effected. For this purpose I provide springs fixed to the seating framework and
pressing on facetted surfaces of the valve socket, spindle, or key, whereby-for
instance the valve, if opened, will when released close automatically or vice versá;
or in other cases the opening causes the end of the spring to press on to another
facet of the valve and ensure an accurate position. Instead of such an arrangement
of springs 1 may fit a rectangular open frame above the valve seating, there being
within such frame, and at each end thereof, a bent spring to retain two sliding
hars; between these two bars, (in cases where the valve is to be rotated) and
holding same separated, there is a projecting part of the valve, or the valve spindle
say of diamond or suitable cam shape, acting so that when the valve is partially
rotated, say opened, the sliding bars will be separated until the extremities of the
major axes of the cam take into recesses on the now separated bars, and the open
position of the valve is assured; the closing position may be similarly regulated as
will be well understood. Such a rectangular frame, having spring regulation for
the valve movement, may be provided, for cases where the valve slides in its acting
movements, say by the frame being fixed to the seating and working perpendicularly
thereto, when the axle of the pinion carried by the seating having suitable facets
or surfaces, will act against the springs on the bars, as in the rotary actuating of
the valve.
In addition to the advantages hereinbefore partly enumerated, I obtain by my
invention all the efficiency of the well known flap, disc,"
," "screw-down," and
other like valves, these latter, when fitting securely in their seats, always requiring
a pressure to close them greater than was required to open them.
When compared
with the ordinary slide valve I obtain better lubrication of rubbing surfaces,
greater accuracy of fit and adjustment, liquid contact instead of metallic contact,
small frictional metallic surface, and consequently increased speed and accuracy of
action. My invention differs from the ordinary conical plug tap in that I am
enabled by my construction, to provide a perfectly acting valve with very much
wider angle of frictional surface, and consequently no liability of becoming fixed,
less frictional surface, liquid lubrication, capability of testing the efficiency of
action by sight, durability by reason of uniform bearing surface, together with
other advantages too lengthy and unnecessary to enumerate in this Specification.
Dated this 16th day of May 1893.
*
"
€6
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Valves.
I, WILLIAM BUCKWELL of Brighton, Sussex, England now residing at Aspra
Sabina in the Kingdom of Italy, 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 invertion refers to improvements in, or connected with valves for governing
the entrance, exit, or flow of any liquids or gases whether under natural, or

page_text: increased pressures and the principal objects of my invention are, to produce
valves that shall have an entirely sliding motion on their seatings, and work
without any impact whatever between the said valves and their said seatings; to
so construct the said valves that there shall be the least possible area of contact
surface, between the sliding frictional parts as is consistent with efficiency, and to
so form the adjacent sliding surfaces that the latter are provided with liquid
lubrication, while providing means whereby the working of the valves may be
readily inspected and governed.
The general characteristics of the valves constructed according to my invention
are as follows:-I form the valves with inclined surfaces where contact is to take
place with the correspondingly inclined surfaces of the seatings, the angles of the
inclined contact surfaces being so great from the perpendicular, as to entirely
render sticking, or fixing, of the valve impossible, and allow of easy motion.
Upon the inclined surfaces of the moving valves I form recessed parts of such
size as to leave no excess of the raised contact surfaces, between the valves and
their seatings, and I so arrange the area of the contact edges that in all positions
of the valves, the pressure is uniformly distributed upon such rubbing or sliding
parts, while the said recessed parts in the valves permit of the entrance of passing
liquids between the valves and their seatings whereby most efficient lubrication of
the moving parts is effected, the ease and efficiency of working being greatly
increased by such lubrication. The seatings are provided, or formed, with suitable
inlet and outlet passages or ports, these being formed within and opening from, or,
on to, the inclined contact surfaces of the valve seatings, and likewise the corre-
sponding passages in the valves proper also, are formed within and opening on to
the inclined surfaces of the latter, a suitable width of contact edge being left
around such openings or ports.
I form the seatings open above, and closed beneath the valves, the latter being
retained in position within the seatings, and leakage prevented by elastic packing
held in position by adjustable rings or collars; asbestos may be employed for such
packing, or balls or rollers may be substituted therefor according to circumstances.
preferably line the inclined rubbing surface of the seatings with anti-friction
metal. The valves are formed of such a depth as (when in position) to leave a
space between the base of the valve and the closed bottom of the seating, and
openings, or what I call "sight-apertures," are formed extending through from the
top of the valve to bottom; by these means no bottom leakage can occur without
being detected by sight, and the working of the valve can be readily inspected.
The valves constructed as described may be operated either by being rotated, or
slidden, by for instance a rotative spindle connection, or key, in the case of
rotation, or by rack and pinion lever, or equivalent devices when slidden.
When required I provide spring devices to regulate or govern the opening and
closing of the valve so that the same may close automatically, or whereby the
accuracy of the open or closed positions may be readily ascertained, or
automatically effected. For this purpose I provide springs fixed to the seating
framework, and pressing on facetted surfaces of the valve socket, spindle, or key,
whereby for instance, the valve if opened will when released close automatically or
vice-versa; or in other cases the opening causes the end of the spring to press on
to another facet of the valve and ensure an accurate position.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood I will now describe
same by reference to the accompanying drawings, whereon are shown at Figs. 1
to 26 various examples of valves as previously referred to constructed according to
my said invention.
Fig. 1 is a half horizontal section and half plan, and Fig. 2 is a vertical section,
showing a valve operating by rotation or partial rotation. The valve or moving
part A has its sides as aforesaid inclined at so great an angle from the perpendicular
as to render sticking or fixing impossible. A' are the recessed parts in the valve
to allow of lubrication by passing liquids as described. A² are the contact surfaces
formed on the valve, A³ is an upper extension to receive a key or spindle B, having

page_text: a square, hexagonal, or other head for operating the valve A. A' is the passage
or way in the valve. C is the valve seating. C₁₁ are the inlet and outlet ports
or ways, C is the anti-frictional metal lining. The lower part of the seating C, as
will be observed at Fig. 2, is closed and the valve A is retained in position, by a
metal ring D and asbestos or other packing D', held in position by a gland D²,
adjusted to position by screws. E is the space beneath the valve, and A° are the
sight apertures through the said valve A, whereby the latter may be lubricated
and any bottom leakage may be instantly detected by sight. F is the spring
secured at both ends by bolts F¹ on the fixed part C, and connected with the
valve A, the spring being of S form; this or an equivalent spring is applied when
automatic return action is required, either to keep the valve open, or closed, as the
case may be.
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the valve arranged to have a reciprocating sliding
action, Fig. 3 being a half horizontal section and half plan, with the guides, and
operating parts removed; Fig. 4 half end sectional elevations, and Fig. 5 is a
longitudinal vertical section of Fig. 3, with the actuating apparatus as shown
at Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view of a valve similar to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, but slightly
modified.
.
As in the case previously described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, A is the
valve, A recessed parts on same, A² contact surfaces, A' is the passage or way,
A' are the sight apertures, C is the valve seating, C¹ the inlet and outlet ports or
ways, C2 the anti-frictional lining, E is the space in the seating C, below the
valve A, with which the sight apertures communicate. In the example shown, the
valve C is slidden from side to side by means of teeth A³ upon the valve taking
into a toothed segment lever B, mounted on the axle B' of the rollers that press
the valve to its seating C, the axle B₁ being carried in bearings from the said
seating C. B is a yoke piece with adjusting screws, to hold the bearing brasses,
in position and DD are retaining guides, or rollers to maintain the valve in proper
relation to the seating. By rocking the segment lever B, the valve is given a
sliding motion to effect the opening or closing of same. At Fig. 6 the travel
allowed to the valve is given by operating the lever in que direction, whereas in
the previous figs., the lever may be operated in either direction, otherwise the
construction is the same described and shown at Figs. 3, 4 and 5.
Instead of an arrangement of springs to automatically regulate the opening and
closing of the valves, such as I have described at Figs. 1 and 21 may fit a
rectangular open frame F2, above the valve seating, as is shown in plan view
at Fig. 7, and in vertica! longitudinal section at Fig. 8, taken on line X Y Fig. 7,
there being within such frame, and at each end thereof, a bent spring F to retain
two sliding bars F³; between these two bars F3 (in cases where the valve is to be
rotated) and holding same separated, there is a projecting part of the valve or of
the valve spindle B, say of diamond, or suitable cam shape as at B', acting so that
when the valve is partially rotated, say opened, the sliding bars F3 will be
separated until the notched extremities of the major axis of the cam B³, take into
studs on the now separated bars F3, and the open position of the valve is assured;
the closing position may be similarly regulated, as will be well understood. Such
a rectangular frame, baving spring regulation for the valve movement, may be
provided, for cases where the valve slides in its acting movements, as, for example,
is shown at Fig. 9. This frame is to be fixed to the seating arranged
perpendicularly thereto in such manner, that the axle B' (as in Figs. 3, 4 and 5)
passes through the frame Fig. 9, and projecting parts or facets formed, say, on the
toothed lever B, take against the spring parts of the said frame Fig. 9, with
similar effects to those described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8, as applied to
rotary valves.
In some cases, especially with rotary valves I make the passages not extending
entirely through same, or Í form divided chambers in the valve itself opening on to
the inclined surface of same, such valves being suitable for abstracting quantities of
the liquids or gases from reservoirs, conduits or receiver, or to indicate the height

page_text: of liquids, vapor or gases within such reservoirs, or containers without occasioning
any rush, gush, or splash of such gas, or liquid, and such valves are also suitable
for feeding or conveying quantities of liquids from reservoirs, conduits, or-
containers, into open, or closed containers and are safe from being left open.
The apertures, openings, chambers, and passages I form preferably alike in
contour and to give from the least opening to the fullest, and vice versa, and to close.
with the least sliding movement.
Fig. 10 shows in horizontal section and Fig. 11 in vertical section, a valve-
constructed according to my invention to serve three ports or ways; the general.
construction is similar to that shown at Figs. 1 and 2, and the same letters of
reference equally apply. The three ports or ways are marked CCC. Fig. 12.
shows a four way, rotating or partially rotating valve, and Fig. 13 a similar six.
way valve, Fig. 14 being a vertical section on the line C¹ D' of Fig. 13, both these
valves being arranged with the small area of contact surface and other advantages
of my construction. The four way valve Fig. 12, is suitable for steam cylinders or
the like, a quarter turn reversing the ways, the passages being full ways with easy
curves while the six way valve Figs. 13 and 14 is suitable for high pressure or
compound engines.
Figs. 15 and 16 are horizontal sections, and Fig. 17 vertical section, of a rotary
valve, wherein the passages do not extend entirely through same, such valves being
applicable for abstracting and indicating height of contents in boilers and other
containers, without occasioning any rush or splash of the contents. Figs. 15 and 17
show one compartment of the valve as having been filled and discharged, and
Fig. 16 with one compartment filled. Fig. 18 shows a half horizontal section and
halt plan, Fig. 19 shows half vertical sections, on lines X Y and X' Y' of Fig. 18,
and Fig. 20 a half right hand side elevation of a sliding valve and casing in which
valve A, there are two ways A* A*, and the valve casing or seating C is provided
with inlet and outlet ports, or ways arranged in such manner that the way A₁ of
the valve A is emptied at the same time that the way A is filled, so that by
every to and fro movement both the two ways A and A** become filled and
discharged.
Fig. 21 is a half horizontal section and plan, Fig. 22 a central vertical trausverse
section, and Fig. 23 a vertical longitudinal section, of the arrangement shown at
Fig. 21.
In this case is shown the application of two valves constructed according
to my invention, arranged to supply feed water to boilers; the sliding valve has.
two cavities or ways A A** and with its seating, C, is located at the bottom G
Figs. 22 and 23 of a cistern or container, and the reciprocations of the valve, feeds.
from the contents of the cistern by the descending ways CC in the valve casing C
to the conduit C, which is shown as controlled by a rotary three way valve V..
The liquid enters the upper slide valve by the apertures C³, and passes (by the
valve) into the said conduit C. A quarter turn of the valve V will close and
shut off the feed of conduit C₁x, and keep open the lateral steam or air pressure.
passage H (Figs. 22 and 23) into the lower part of the conduit C₁x forming the
communicating pipe with the boiler, and a further quarter turn will close the
passage H. In some cases, hot water may be forced from the boiler to the water-
supply tank, by an aperture (not shown) to a pipe opposite to passage H. Valves
constructed as described are capable of being actuated at high velocities and work
with a minimum of frictional resistance, and may be given either rotary, or
reciprocative motions by either hand or power. Figs. 24 and 25 show an arrange-
ment of valves for effecting a withdrawal of the contents from a cistern container,
similar in action to that previously shown at Figs. 21 to 23, but differing therefrom.
in that the valve, placed within the cistern container is rotative in action, instead
of reciprocative (as at Fig. 21). The upper rotative valve is of like construction
to that shown at Figs. 15, 16 and 17 and is marked with corresponding letters of
reference, but I would draw attention to the example here shown, of the appli-
cation of ball bearings, to such valves; D¹× are balls intervening between the
valve A and the retaining ring D,

page_text: Fig. 26 shows a sectional view of a slide valve constructed with the reduce
bearing surfaces and recesses for promoting liquid lubrication according to my
invention.
In addition to the advantages hereinbefore partly enumerated, I obtain by my,
invention all the efficiency of the well known "flap," "disc," "screw-down" and
other like valves, these latter, when fitting securely in their seats, always requiring
When compared
a pressure to close them greater than was required to open them.
with the ordinary slide valve I obtain better lubrication of rubbing surfaces,
greater accuracy of fit and adjustment, liquid contact instead of metallic contact,
small frictional metallic surface, and consequently increased speed and accuracy of
action. My invention differs, from the ordinary conical plug tap in that I am
enabled by my construction to provide a perfectly acting valve with very much
wider angle of frictional surface, and consequently no liability of becoming fixed,
less frictional surface, liquid lubrication, capability of testing the efficiency of
action by sight, durability by reason of uniform bearing surface, together with
other advantages too lengthy and unnecessary to enumerate in this Specification.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In valves, the sight apertures formed entirely through the valves proper, and
communicating with a cavity, or space between the base of the valve, and the
bottom of the casing, whereby leakage may be instantly detected by sight,
substantially as described.
2. In valves, the sight apertures, formed entirely through the valves proper, and
communicating with a cavity or space between the base of the valve, and the closed
bottom of the casing, whereby leakage may be instantly detected by sight, in
combination with projecting frictional bearing parts, and recessed parts formed on
the inclined working surfaces of the valves proper, whereby the working surfaces
are lubricated by the passing liquids, and floating contact is maintained substantially
as described.
3. In valves, forming the inclined contact surfaces at so great an angle from the
perpendicular as to prevent fixing and allow of easy motion, together with recesses
and projecting frictional bearing parts on the working faces of the valves, the said
recesses giving liquid lubrication to the bearing surfaces, and sight apertures
formed entirely through the valves proper, the said apertures communicating with
a space between the base of the valve, and the closed bottom of the casing
whereby leakage may be instantly detected by sight, all substantially as described.
4. In valves constructed as described the spring devices for automatically opening
or closing same or to regulate and govern the accurate opening or closing of same,
substantially as set forth.
5. In valves constructed as described, the formation of divided chambers therein,
or passages, not extending entirely through same, whereby quantities of liquids, or
gases may be conveniently abstracted from containers, without rush, or splash,
and liquids fed into boilers or other containers, against any or no pressure without
impact, by applying the valve in a cistern or container substantially as set forth.
6. The general arrangement and combination of parts composing my improved
rotative, or partially rotative valves, all constructed and acting substantially as and
for the purposes herein set forth.
7. The general arrangement and combination of parts composing my improved
reciprocative sliding valves, all constructed and acting substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
Dated this 15th day of February 1894
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.