AN IMPROVED AND SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FEED OR SUPPLY OF WATER INTO STEAM BOILERS WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO WORKING BOILER WHISTLES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William White, Engineer, of N° 74 Mansford Street
Hackney Road London in the County of Middlesex for an Invention of
AN IMPROVED AND SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FEED OR
SUPPLY OF WATER INTO STEAM BOILERS WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO
WORKING BOILER WHISTLES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William White at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th May 1883.
WILLIAM WHITE Engineer of N° 74 Mansford Street Hackney Road London
in the County of Middlesex AN IMPROVED AND SELF ACTING APPARATUS FOR
REGULATING THE FEED OR SUPPLY OF WATER INTO STEAM BOILERS WHICH IS
ALSO APPLICABLE TO WORKING BOILER WHISTLES.
This Invention has for its object the regulation of the feed or supply of water
into steam boilers by a self regulating apparatus so as always to keep the water
in the boiler at one level so long as injection pump acts and thus make it impossible
for a boiler to explode for want of water and further as a safe guard against the
pump failing to act I place a whistle on the boiler or on the apparatus which
being worked by the float after mentioned acts when the water gets below the
proper level at once giving an alarm
Now to carry this into effect I make or cause to be made a cylinder or other
suitable chamber at the lower part of which I make an inlet to receive the water
from the pump and an outlet from the chamber to feed the boiler or boilers At.
the other part of the chamber I make an inlet and an outlet for steam and by
means of a pipe I convey steam from the boiler into the inlet and by means of
another pipe I convey the steam from the outlet into the pump or suction pipe-
I allow the last mentioned pipe to project inside the chamber on to the end of
which I fix a suitable valve and valve box and in the lower part of the chamber I
place a float that will rise and fall as the water ebbs and flows and by means of
ID 1

page_text: two side rods and a cross bar I connect the float with the valve in the valve box
so that the valve will rise up and lower down with the float as the water ebbs and
flows in the chamber and boilers-The effect of which is as soon as the water is
pumped into the chamber to the right level the float will open the valve and allow
steam to pass into the pump or suction pipe and prevent the pump from throwing
any more water until the valve is again closed and by this means neither can too
much water be got into the boilers nor will the water be allowed to fall below its
proper level it being perfectly self acting without the interference of any workman
And further in the event of the pump ceasing to act for the purpose of giving an
alarm I place a whistle either on the boiler or on the chamber to be worked by a
valve and float which acts in the same manner as the apparatus for regulating
the feed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William White in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th November 1883.
WILLIAM WHITE Engineer of N° 74 Mansford Street, Hackney Road, London,
in the county of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED AND SELF ACTING APPARATUS FOR
REGULATING THE FEED OR SUPPLY OF WATER INTO STEAM BOILERS WHICH IS
ALSO APPLICABLE TO WORKING BOILER WHISTLES
"
This invention has for its object the regulation of the feed or supply of water
into steam boilers by a self regulating apparatus so as always to keep the water in
the boiler at one level so long as injection pump acts and thus make it impossible
for a boiler to explode for want of water, and further, as a safeguard against the
pump failing to act, I place a whistle on the boiler, or on the apparatus, which
being worked by the float after mentioned acts when the water gets below the
proper level at once giving an alarm.
Now to carry this into effect I according to one modification make or cause to
be made a cylinder or other suitable chamber, at the lower part of which I make
an inlet to receive the water from the boiler and an outlet from the chamber to
feed the boiler or boilers. At the upper part of the chamber I make an inlet and
an outlet for steam and by means of a pipe I convey steam from the boiler into the
inlet, and by means of another pipe I convey the steam from the outlet into
the pump or suction pipe. I allow the last mentioned pipe to project inside
the chamber, onto the end of which I fix a suitable valve and valve box and in the
lower part of the chamber I place a float that will rise and fall as the water ebbs
and flows, and by means of two side rods and a cross bar I. connect the float with
the valve in the valve box so that the valve will rise up and lower down with the
float as the water ebbs and flows in the chamber and boiler, the effect of which is
as soon as the water is pumped into the chamber to the right level the float will
open the valve and allow steam to pass into the pump or suction pipe and prevent
the pump from throwing any more water until the valve is again closed, and by
this means neither can too much water be got into the boilers nor will the water
be allowed to fall below its proper level it being perfectly self acting without the
interference of any workman. And farther in the event of the pump ceasing to
act for the purpose of giving an alarm I place a whistle either on the boiler or on
the chamber to be worked by a valve and float which acts in the same manner as
the apparatus for regulating the feed.
As another modification of my apparatus I in some cases instead of using steam
employ air in the place of steam.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will proceed to describe
the same by reference to the accompanying drawing in which figure 1, represents a
part end view of a steam boiler with my improved apparatus applied thereto as
constructed when the pump is operated by steam; figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, detached
enlarged views of some of the parts; figures 6, and 7, longitudinal and transverse
sectional elevations of a modified arrangement of apparatus; figure 8, a sectional
elevation of the apparatus as arranged when the pump is operated by air; figures
9, 10 and 11, detached enlarged views of the valve; figure 12, a vertical section
of another form of valve for operating the pump by atmospheric air; figure 13,
shews a sectional elevation of the whistle arrangement; figures 14, and 15,
represent an end view and sectional elevation respectively shewing a whistle
arrangement combined with the self acting regulating apparatus; 'figure 16,

page_text: detached view of the float; and figure 17, is an elevation shewing the self acting
arrangement for operating the pump and the whistle arrangement placed in
separate chambers connected together. Figures 18, 19 and 20, longitudinal section,
transverse section and plan respectively of an arrangement in which one float is
employed to operate the pump and whistle. Similar letters in all the figures
represent similar or corresponding parts.
In the arrangement shewn in figure 1, a, represents an ordinary steam boiler,
and b, a chamber in communication with the boiler a, by the connections c, and d,
the former c, opening into the stean space in the boiler a, and the latter
connection d, opening into the water space in the boiler so that the level of the
water in the chamber b, is the same as that in the boiler a; e, and f, stop cocks
for shutting off communication between the chamber b, and boiler a, when
required; g, is a pipe from the chamber b, and communicating with the feed
pump or suction pipe; h, stop cock of the pipe g; the pipe g, projects into the
chamber 6, as shewn and is provided with a valve i, and valve box j, as shewn
in the enlarged sectional view at figure 2; k, is a float connected by the bow 1,
(shewn in detached enlarged views at figures 3, 4 and 5) to the valve i, the head
of the bow fitting in the slot 1, in the valve i, in which it is secured by the pin m;
n, is the usual water gauge; the dotted line o, shews the water level which it is
desired to maintain within the boiler.
.
By this arrangement it will be evident that if the valve i, and float k, be
arranged so that when the water in the boiler is above the normal level, the
valve i, shall be open, steam from the chamber b, will pass through the pipe g, into
the feed pump and thereby prevent the same from working, so that no water will
be thrown into the boiler a. As soon however as the water in the boiler a, is
evaporated down to or below its proper level the float falling with the water will
close the valve i, thereby shutting off the steam from the pump which will then
begin to act and feed the boiler and so on by which means the level of the
'water will vary but slightly, as I have found in practice that the apparatus is very
sensitive
The arrangement of apparatus shewn in figures 6 and 7, is substantially the
same as that shewn in figure 1, except that the valve i, is arranged horizontally
instead of vertically, the float k, being fixed to the end of a bent lever 1, the upper
end of which works on a centre or fulcrum at p.
The operation is substantially the same as that hereinbefore described and
therefore needs no further description.
Figure 8, shews one of the arrangements I have found to answer when the
pump is to be operated by atmospheric air. In this case the, float k, is provided
with a rod k¹, which passes through a stuffing box q, in the bottom end of the
chamber b; the lower end of the rod has a double eye r, which clips over the
lever s, on the valve cock i, in the pipe leading to the
pump.
When the water in the boiler is above the normal level, the valve cock i, is open
and air can pass from the air inlet o¹, to the pump which will thereby be prevented
from acting, but if the level of the water falls, the float k, falls with it and closes
the valve cock i, and the pump will act and throw, water. into the boiler and so on,
the action being substantially the same as in the arrangement of steam apparatus
herein before described. Figures 9, 10 and 11, are detached enlarged details of the
valve cock and the connections shewing how they may be fixed inside a chamber
if required.
Figure 12, shews on an enlarged scale a horizontal arrangement of valve for the
same purpose and its operation being substantially the same as that of the valve
shewn in figure 8, will be understood without further description, o³, being the
air inlet.
In all cases a stop valve should be placed near the pump, in the pipe leading
from the regulating, apparatus to prevent water from the pump entering the 5
pipe g.
"
~
The arrangement for blowing a whistle in case the water should fall below the

page_text: normal level and the pump cease to act is substantially the same as that for
operating the pump except that when the float falls a valve is opened and steam
allowed to pass through and blow a whistle.
Such an arrangement is shewn in figure 13, in which figure b, is a chamber
connected with the boiler similarly to the chamber of the self regulating apparatus
herein before described. B, is a float connected with the valve in the pipe C, which
communicates with a steam whistle. If the water falls below a certain level
(which level may vary by adjusting the lever operating the valve by means of the
set screw t,) the float also falls and opens the valve thereby allowing the steam to
pass to and sound the whistle.
In figures 14, and 15, the apparatus for working the pump and that for
working the whistle are shewn in one chamber while figure 17, shews two
separate chambers connected together, one containing the pump apparatus and the
other the whistle apparatus. Figure 16, is a detached view of the form of float
preferred for the whistle apparatus.
In some cases it may be advantageous to operate the pump and whistle by
means of one float, the rising of the float closing the steam or air valve leading to
the pump and the falling of the float opening the valve for blowing the whistle.
Such an arrangement is shewn in figures 18, 19 and 20.
When the water in the boiler is above the normal level the float rises and
atmospheric air or steam (as the case may be) enters through the pipe o¹, and
passes through the valve i, into the pump and stops it acting; upon the float
falling, the lever l, coming against the set screw t, will open the valve and
steam will pass through the valve to the whistle and the whistle will be blown.
The set screws t, t, are for the purpose of regulating the height at which the
float shall open the valve.
It will be obvious that my improved apparatuses may be placed within the
boiler itself instead of in separate chambers outside the boiler as hereinbefore
described, also that by connecting the bottom of the chamber containing the
apparatus with the pump the boiler can be fed by passing the water through the
chamber instead of it passing direct from the pump to the boiler.
Amongst the advantages resulting from the use of my improved apparatus may
be mentioned.
Firstly. The prevention of boiler explosions from the want of a proper and
regular supply of water.
Secondly. Saving of labour by dispensing with a constant attendant to the
pump and boiler.
Thirdly The better regulation of the pressure of steam by the water being
practically maintained at one level in the boiler.
Fourthly. Saving of fuel which must necessarily be effected by avoiding the
necessity of large quantities of cold water having to be pumped into the boiler
at one time as hitherto under the present system of working the boiler and
pump.
Having thus described my said invention and the best means I am acquainted
with for carrying the same into effect I wish it to be understood that what I
claim is :-
Firstly. The herein described improved apparatuses for automatically regulating
and maintaining the level of water in steam boilers, the said apparatuses being
constructed, arranged and operating substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described and represented in figures 1, 6, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19 and 20 of the
accompanying drawing.
Secondly. The use in combination with an automatic apparatus such as that
herein described for regulating and maintaining the level of water in steam
boilers of an automatic whistle arrangement as and for the purposes herein-
before described and represented in figures 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 20 of the
accompanying drawing.
Thirdly. The use in combination with a steam boiler of the improved apparatus

page_text: herein described for blowing a whistle when the water in the boiler falls below
a certain level as hereinbefore described and represented in figure 13, of the
accompanying drawing.
In witness whereof I the said William White have hereto set my hand and
seal this sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty three