IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND PURIFYING WATER."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Wright, of Tipton, in the County of Stafford,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND
PURIFYING WATER."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Wright at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May 1880.
JOSEPH WRIGHT, of Tipton, in the County of Stafford.
APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND PURIFYING WATER."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to further improvements applicable to apparatus of the
type of what is known as the Berryman feed water heater, or to analogous
apparatus, whereby the efficiency and utility of such apparatus is increased.
In carrying out my Invention I apply to the outlet steam pipe from the heater
for the partially condensed steam a valve, which I designate a vacuum valve, opening
outwards, but which is maintained closed by a weight or spring, the position or
tension of which may be adjusted so as to secure any required load upon the valve.
When any undue pressure of steam exists in the heater tubes the valve is lifted,
overcoming the weight or spring, and the pressure is relieved.
When on the other hand a greater degree of condensation takes place in the
heater tubes the valve is retained closed by the weight or spring, and a vacuum is
maintained within the heater tubes, thereby effecting an economy in the con-
sumption of steam in the engine, the exhaust steam from which supplies the heater.
When the exhaust steam is insufficient for the supply of the heater, live steam may
be admitted from a boiler or other source, the said steam being supplied by a
regulator valve operating automatically so as to secure any required pressure of
steam in the heater tubes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Wright in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th November
1880.
JOSEPH WRIGHT, of Tipton, in the County of Stafford.
APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND PURIFYING WATER."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My said Invention relates to further improvements applicable to apparatus of the
type of what is known as the Berryman feed water heater, or to analogous
apparatus, whereby the efficiency and utility of such apparatus is increased.
In carrying out my said Invention I apply to the outlet steam pipe from the
heater for the partially condensed steam a valve (which I designate a vacuum
valve) opening outwards, but which is maintained closed by its own gravity or by
a weight or spring, the position or tension of which may be adjusted so as to secure
any required load upon the valve. When any undue pressure of steam exists in
the heater tubes the valve is lifted, overcoming the weight or spring, and the
pressure is relieved. When on the other hand a greater degree of condensation
takes place in the heater tubes, the valve is retained closed by the weight or spring,
and a vacuum is maintained within the heater tubes, thereby effecting an economy
in the consumption of steam in the engine, the exhaust steam from which supplies
the heater. When the exhaust steam is insufficient for the supply of the heater,
live steam may be admitted from a boiler or other source, the said steam being
supplied by a regulator or reducing valve operating automatically so as to secure
any required pressure of steam or degree of vacuum in the heater tubes.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the accompanying Drawing, which represents a sectional elevation of an apparatus
constructed and arranged according to my said Invention.
A represents an apparatus of the type known as the Berryman feed water heater,
a being the tubes thereof, b the inlet steam pipe, and c the outlet pipe for the
partially condensed steam. To this outlet pipe I apply a valve B (designated a
vacuum valve), which may be conveniently constructed and arranged in the
following manner, videlicet:-In the valve box or casing d, which is bolted to the
outlet pipe c, I form a valve seat e, to which is adapted a lift valve f; this valve is
is connected by a link g to a lever arm h fast on a rocking spindle ¹, which extends
at one end through the side of the valve box or casing d, and carries a weighted
lever i, the weight on which may be adjusted to any position on either side of the
fulcrum h, according to the load required or the effect desired to be produced.
When any undue pressure of steam exists in the heater tubes a, the valve fis
lifted, overcoming the weight %, and the excess of steam escapes by the outlet Z.
When on the other hand a greater degree of condénsation takes place in the heater
tubes a, the valve f is retained closed by the weight k, and a vacuum is maintained
within the heater tubes, thereby effecting an economy in the consumption of steam
in the engine, the exhaust steam from which supplies the heater.
When the exhaust steam is insufficient for the supply of the heater, live steam
may be admitted from a boiler or other source. In this case I employ for the
admission of the steam a regulator or reducing valve operating automatically so as
to secure any required pressure of steam or degree of vacuum in the heater tubes.
Any of the well known steam reducing valves may be used for the purpose, but
I prefer to employ a valve of the peculiar construction described in a Provisional
Specification accompanying my application for Letters Patent dated the Tenth
November, One thousand eight hundred and eighty, No. 4622.
This valve, which is represented at C in the accompanying Drawing, is constructed
in the following manner, videlicet:-m is an inverted vessel (similar to an ordinary

page_text: gas holder) which is mounted within a chamber n, so as to be capable of rising and
falling, and is immersed at its lower extremity in water or other suitable liquid.
Through the bottom of the chamber n, and extending up within the inverted
vessel m, is a pipe o which serves as a passage for the ingress and egress of steam.
The vessel m is connected by a rod p passing loosely through a lid q at the upper
part of the chamber n to a weighted lever mounted on a centre or fulcrum s,
which lever is in its turn connected by a rod t to a valve u at the exterior, which
controls the admission of the high pressure steain.
The weight on the lever is adjusted at either side of the fulcrum 8, according
to the reduced pressure of steam or vacuum required. When therefore the high
pressure steam is admitted through the controlling valve u, a portion of such steam
passes into the inverted vessel m, thereby raising it, and consequently causing the
weighted lever to act upon the controlling valve u, and reduce the quantity of
steam admitted or entirely intercept the same, the inverted vessel m again
descending by the pressure of the atmosphere thereon when the steam condenses in
its interior, and opening the controlling valve u so as to admit steam, or an
increased quantity thereof.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The combination with a Berryman feed water heater, or analogous
apparatus, of a vacuum valve for controlling the steam outlet from the apparatus,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The combination with a Berryman feed water heater, or analogous
apparatus, of a steam regulator or reducing valve applied to the inlet for high
pressure steam to the apparatus, for the purpose of securing any required pressure
of steam or degree of vacuum in the tubes of the apparatus, substantially as herein
before described.
Third. The combination in an apparatus for heating and purifying water, of a
Berryman feed water heater or analogous apparatus, a vacuum valve, and a steam
regulator or reducing valve, all arranged and combined together, substantially in
the manner and for the purposes herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Wright, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of November, One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
JOSEPH WRIGHT. (L.S.)