Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Closing Water Tight Doors in Ships.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Closing Water Tight
Doors in Ships.
I, WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, C.E., of 62, Saint Vincent Street, in the City of
Glasgow, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(as communicated to me by Charles Thomson, of Grenfell, Assiniboia, Dominion
of Canada) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to doors for closing doorways in bulkheads of water-
tight compartments and companion doors or like doors used on shipboard, and
it has for its object to provide simple and efficient means for automatically closing
such doors upon the accidental influx of water such as might endanger the vessel
or the safety of the crew or passengers.
The bulkhead or other doors may be fitted in the usual way to open and close
vertically or horizontally or otherwise and in closing automatically they are
operated either directly or through gearing from a piston or plunger in a cylin-
der to which the inflowing water has access or by means of gravity or weights,
springs or motive power engines set in operation upon the release of retaining
catches or like devices actuated by the said piston or plunger.
In one convenient arrangement a tank is fitted under the decks having an
inlet on each side of the bulkhead closed by a valve which opens inwards against
a spring or otherwise by the pressure of inflowing water which thus has access
to the tank. In connection with the tank is a cylinder furnished with a plunger
or piston and connecting rod which may be arranged to directly act on the door,
but which when the door moves horizontally is connected to a lever or drum
having attached to it chains or wire ropes also attached to the door so that the
movement of the piston or plunger on the ingress of water automatically effects
the closing movement of the door. The opening of the door may be effected by
opening a valve to let free the water in the tank or in the cylinder, the door being
moved back by hand or by counter-balance weights or like means.
In other modifications the cylinder and plunger when operated by the water
collecting in the tank act on and disengage catches which retain the door in the
open position and allow the door to be traversed over the doorway to close the
latter, the movement of the door being effected by gravity or by weights, a motive
power engine or otherwise.
The movement of the piston rod or plunger of the cylinder may be arranged
to open a valve to admit water from outside the ship through a pipe or pipes com-
municating with cylinders wherein are fitted plungers which act to close the door
directly or through gearing or by compressed air or a vacuum.
Companion doors may be arranged and operated in this way so that they close
automatically. when a rush of water takes place on deck and the doors may he
arranged to fly open when the water leaves them.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1899

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Closing Water Tight
Doors in Ships.
I, WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, C.E., of 62, Saint Vincent Street,- in the City of
Glasgow, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this m invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and' by the following statement:-
This invention relates to doors for closing doorways in bulkheads of water-
tight compartments and companion doors or like doors used on shipboard, and
it has for its object to provide simple and efficient means for automatically closing
such doors upon the accidental influx of water such as might endanger the ves.el
or the safety of the crew or passengers.
The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a ver-
tical section through the main operating valve which when opened by the pres-
sure of water upon it, transmits the power necessary to actuate pistons within
cylinders, or to release catches or clutches to effect the closing of the bulkhead
door. Fig. 2 is an elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 1, showing the posi-
tion of the valves, of which there is a pair, in relation to the bulkhead. Figs. 3
to 8 inclusive are views partly diagrammatic of various arrangements of mech-
anism hereinafter particularly described which are suited to different forms of
bulkhead door, the mechanism in every case being put into operation by the
opening of either of the valves shown at Figs. 1 and 2. The description imme-
diately following is applicable to all the modifications illustrated and will serve
as a general description of the invention, before referring separately to the par-
ticular mechanism employed in order to suit the various requirements in opera-
ting bulkhead doors.
The bulkhead or other doors X may be fitted in the usual way to open and
close vertically, as shown at Fig. 4, or horizontally, as shown at Figs. 3, 5, 7
and 8, or on a hinge as at Fig. 6, or otherwise and in closing automatically they
are operated either directly or through gearing from a piston or plunger A in a
cylinder B to which the inflowing water, after the opening of one of the main
operating or inlet valves C, has access, or the door may be closed by means of
gravity or weights, springs or motive power engines set in operation upon the
release of retaining catches or like devices actuated by the said piston or plunger A.
In conjunction with the main operating valves C a tank or pipe D is fitted
under the decks E having an opening F on each side of the bulkhead G, each
closed by a valve which opens inwards against a spring C₁ or otherwise by the
pressure of inflowing water which thus has access to the tank or pipe D. In
connection with the tank or pipe D is a cylinder B furnished with a plunger or
piston A and connecting rod H which may be arranged to directly act on the
door X, or upon crank discs or cranks, as shown at Figs. 3 and 6, or the piston
rod H¹ may be connected direct to a lever for withdrawing retaining catches or
clutches, as shown at Figs. 4 and 5. or to a drum having attached to it chains or
wire ropes also attached to the door X, or the piston rod or connecting rod may act
otherwise, the result in each case of the movement of the piston or plunger A on
the ingress of water being the automatic closing of the door X.
The movement of the piston rod or plunger A of the cylinder B may be
arranged to open a valve to admit water from outside the ship through a pipe or
pipes communicating with cylinders wherein are fitted plungers which act to
close the door directly or through gearing or by compressed air or a vacuum.
Companion doors may be arranged and operated in this way so that they close

page_text: automatically when a rush of water takes place on deck and the doors may be
arranged to fly open when the water leaves them.
The opening of the door X may be effected by opening a valve to let free the
water in the tank or in the cylinder, the door being moved back by hand or by
counter-balance weights or like means.
I will now describe in detail the mechanism employed in each of the modifica-
tions illustrated by the drawings.
Referring to the inlet or main operating valves shown at Figs. 1 and 2, G is
the bulkhead; C are two valves situated one on each side of the bulkhead. These
valves C which are made round with a bevel face are seated upon a similar shaped
valve seat or opening F. The valves have each a spindle C guided in a bar or
bridge C³ and a spring C₁ is placed between said bar and a shoulder on said
spindle in order to keep the valve up to its seat F. The spindle C extends above
the valve C for a few inches, the top part of the spindle C having a slot cut in
it to admit of the passage through said spindle C of a lever C, this slot being of
sufficient length to allow the valve to be pressed down without interfering with
the lever C in order that the valve can act independently of the lever C. The
lever is only used should the door close when there is no necessity for it, and
by connecting the levers C with handles on the bulkheads which can be operated
from each side the valves can be lifted by this means against their seats F, if
there was any pressure of water on either of them. By this means any person
accidentally imprisoned in the damaged compartment could be released, the
pressure being taken off cylinder and the door partially opened to admit of this.
The pressure could be let on again in a few seconds to close the door by releasing
the lever C and consequently leaving the main valve C free to be opened by the
pressure of water upon it. The levers C are pivoted upon a spindle C working
in bearings C which are fixed to the deck E and connecting rod and lever can
be attached to connect said lever with the bulkhead handle and main valve, if
the valve lever is not in a line with them.
Referring to the arrangement illustrated by Fig. 3 in which the door X is
moved horizontally by means of racks and pinions, C are the main operating or
inlet valves, one on either side bulkhead G, so that if either compartment is
damaged and water rushes in, the valve in that particular compartment will open
and the water enter the pipe 1) leading to the cylinder B, and also to a cylinder
where it acts upon the underside of a piston I' and lifts said piston I'. One end
of a lever J is connected to the piston I and is lifted by it, the other end being
depressed withdraws the clutch K and leaves the door free to be moved. The
pressure of water acts upon the piston A and moves it to other end of
cylinder B. The piston A is connected to a crank pin on a bevel wheel K¹ by
the piston rod H¹ and a connecting rod H so that at the end of the stroke of the
piston A the crank pin has moved to the opposite side of the centre line. The
bevel wheel K' works into a bevel pinion K2 which is fixed on the same shaft as
spur pinions K' which actuate the racks K on the door X, and one revolution
of these pinions K+ closes the door.
To steady the door during its closing action I provide a regulator, which con-
sists of a cylinder L with a piston L', the regulator being filled with liquid. The
piston L is connected with the door X and when the door moves it draws the
piston L against the liquid in the cylinder J, thereby forcing the liquid through
a pipe to a cylinder L2.
In order to open the door X the lever C4 of the valve C is connected by a rod C10
to a lever C, which is in turn connected by a rod C9 with the lever of
a discharge valve (8. On the lever a nob is provided to press
on the lever J and keep it from moving as the discharge valve C8 takes the pres-
sure off the piston A. The lever C is also connected with a pin on hand lever (",
which is fixed on small spindle going through bulkhead & so that by pressing
lever C, lever C is lifted and consequently the valve C, (if held down by pres-
sure). the discharge valve C8 is opened, the discharge valve C2 closed, and the

page_text: lever J, engaging the clutch K which would otherwise lock the door, is actuated
to withdraw said clutch and release said door. Turn the hand wheel B² thereby
turning the rod B, which has a screw on it working in a nut B. This action
opens a valve 13, which lets water in from the sea, and moves the piston A in
the cylinder B to the end of its stroke. The door is then opened by the action of
the sea water on the other side of the piston A. The rod B3 is connected at B8
by four mitre wheels and a horizontal shaft so that a second handle may be pro-
vided on the other side of the bulkhead. This door can be opened in the usual
way by a lever on an upright shaft.
Referring to the modification illustrated by Fig. 4 in which the door falls by
its own weight, X is the door which slides in a frame bolted on the bulkhead G;
C is the valve, one being on either side bulkhead G; D the pipe leading to the
cylinder B. A is the piston and H' the piston rod which in this case is connected
to a lever M fixed to the short spindle M', which spindle has upon it a short
lever M². This lever M2 is connected to a lever M on a shaft M by a connecting
rod M, the shaft M having two catches M on it that fit against snugs M on the
door X and hold it up.
The pressure of the water on piston A moves it in the direction of the lever M,
which moves the lever M², this latter lever moving the lever M³ which turns the
shaft M through part of a revolution to move the catches Me clear of the suugs M7
on the door X.
The door X now hangs on a piston N in a cylinder N¹ and is
supported by the liquid in the said cylinder. On the shaft M is a lever I which
is connected to a cock lever O, which lever O has now moved and allows liquid
to flow from the cylinder N' to cylinder L2 by way of the pipe L. The piston
rod N2 is fixed to the door X at N³ and the weight of the door brings down the
piston N and forces the liquid into cylinder L as the door closes. The liquid
passing into the cylinder L acts on a piston L therein and traverses the piston
to the opposite end of the cylinder.
A spring Me on the opposite end of the lever M², but at a greater leverage, pre-
vents the piston A from moving till the pressure comes on it.
The cylinder N¹ which is bolted to the bulkhead G at N³ is also secured to an
iron beam N4 which is bolted to the bulkhead G and allows the door X to move
behind it.
In order to open the door it is necessary to compel the return of the liquid from.
the cylinder L to the cylinder N₁ and this is effected in the following manner.
When the piston L is in the position shown by the drawings it is bearing upon
one end of a screwed sleeve L surrounding the rod L of said piston L' and
turning loosely round it and that end of the sleeve L is at that time in engagement
with a nut L13 formed on or secured in the cylinder end. A bevel wheel L is
fitted on the opposite end of the screwed sleeve L upon a key L¹³ formed on a
smooth portion L of said sleeve L³ so that the sleeve may travel through the
bevel wheel which is prevented from travelling by means of a bracket or other
retaining device. To the bevel wheel L6 a wheel L fixed on one end of a shaft L'
is geared, another bevel L at the opposite end of the shaft L' being geared to a
bevel L8 on a short shaft L passing through the bulkhead and provided with
hand wheels on both ends of said shaft. When either of the hand wheels are
operated the sleeve L5 is by means of the gearing L³, L1, L' and L", traversed
inwards into the cylinder pushing the piston L before it and causing the liquid
in the cylinder L² to pass into the cylinder № where, acting on the piston N, it
raises the door X to its normal position, where it is supported by the catches M6
The screw thread upon the sleeve L³ may be of such pitch that when the liquid
acts upon the back of the piston L the sleeve is pushed outwards through the
nut L in the cylinder end making a few revolutions during its forward travel,
or the screw thread upon the sleeve may be of such pitch that it may be necessary
after returning the piston to its back most position to withdraw the sleeve in order
that the piston may be able to travel under the influence of the liquid when such
is again forced into the cylinder by the falling of the door X.

page_text: Referring to the modification illustrated by Fig. 5 in which the door is moved
to the closed position by a travelling weight; the weight is represented as travel-
ling double the distance through which the door travels, thereby gaining double
the power.
As before mentioned C are the main operating or inlet valves, one on each side
of bulkhead. If water enters either compartment, it will flow by way of the
valve through the pipe D into cylinder B and press against piston A, which is
connected to a lever M fixed on a shaft M¹, on which is fixed another lever M²
which moves a clutch K normally holding the door open. When the piston A
is moved by the weight of water in the tank or pipe D, it moves the levers M, M²,
and clutch K and leaves the door free to be moved, whereupon the travelling
weight Q on which a rack Q' is fixed and which was formerly locked by the spur
and bevel pinions Q², Q, Q, and pinions K4 in turn locked by the clutch K is
freed and falls by its own weight. The rack Q gears into the pinion Q³ fixed on
the shaft Q3 having the mitre wheel Q gearing into a mitre wheel Q5 fixed on a
vertical shaft Ko. As the weight falls, the pinion Q2 revolves, as also the mitre
wheels Q, Q, and as the mitre pinion Q is fixed on the same shaft as the two
pinions K, which gear with the racks K³ on the top and bottom of the door, the
door is thereby closed; two revolutions of the pinions K being sufficient to
effect this. The lever M2 is extended beyond its pivot and a spring Ms placed on
it, to keep the piston A in position until moved by pressure of the water.
A regulator, such as described in reference to Fig. 3, and geared as shown at
Fig. 4, is also preferably provided, or the regulator may be worked by a force-
pump, forcing the water from cylinder L to cylinder L³.
The door can be opened in the ordinary way by a lever on an upright shaft.
Referring to the modification illustrated by Fig. 6 wherein the mechanism for
closing a hinged door is shown; this door X is keyed upon a shaft R which has
a screwed portion R₁ and is prevented from turning by means of a clutch h
actuated by means of a lever J from a piston I in a cylinder I connected to the
tank or pipe D. When the clutch K is withdrawn through the intervention of
the lever J and piston I', the latter being actuated by the pressure of water in
the tank D, and cylinder I the weight of the door and shaft R, pressing upon the
nut R2, causes the shaft R to turn and consequently the door X, the screw thread
being of such pitch that when the door falls about six inches vertically it has per-
formed half a revolution, this in ordinary cases being sufficient to close the door.
The door may in some cases be assisted in closing, and this is effected by connect-
ing a crank arm S on the shaft R to a piston A fitted to travel in a cylinder B
connected to the tank D and operated therefrom in the manner already described
with reference to the previous modifications.
The door is opened in the same manner as described with reference to Fig. 3,
excepting that the sea injection valve is operated by hand wheels on the end of
a short shaft T passing through bulkhead G and connected with the valve rod B³
by mitre wheels B6, B. All parts can be operated from either side of the bulkhead.
A regulator L, L2, as shown in Fig. 3, is provided and is connected by chain
to the centre of the door X.
These regulators can be operated by air (instead of liquid) by having a very
small hole at the end of the cylinder, or by a small groove in piston.
Referring to the modification illustrated by Fig. 7, in which the door is closed
by compressed air; the door X sits on the back of the framework X which sup-
ports cylinders U provided with pistons U. The door X slides on a frame fixed
to the bulkhead G and any water entering the compartment on either side of
bulkhead G will find its way to the valves C, and open the one on that side of
bulkhead into which the water has entered.
The water from either of these valves flows through the pipe D, and enters the
cylinder B below the piston A, raising said piston, which is connected with a
valve V, which is thereby opened. The compressed air stored in a chamber VI
and pipe Va will then pass into the cylinders U and press against the pistons U¹

page_text: connected with the door X, so that as the pistons move, the closing of the door
is effected.
In order to open the door, the handle C on either side of the bulkhead is
pressed. This handle is attached to the lever C+ which moves a connecting rod Co
working a second lever C12 to open the discharge cock C. The pressure of the
water is then taken off the piston A, and said piston will fall by its own weight,
thereby moving the valve V, and closing it. The pressure is then shut off from
that end of the pistons U¹, and a valve W opened either by hand or by connec
tions from the deck through which valve W compressed air flows to the other
ends of the cylinders U, acting on the pistons U₁, and forcing these back to their
original positions, thereby opening the door.
The spindles of the air valves V and W pass through the framework X' and
bulkhead G and are fitted with handles to be operated by hand or otherwise on
each side. A regulator is also attached to door as shown.
The catch for holding the door open is relieved by a lever on the spindle of the
valve V behind the valve casing.
Referring to the modification illustrated by Fig. 8, in which the bulkhead
door is closed by electricity; C are two valves set in the deck E on each side of
the bulkhead G, as before mentioned. Water rushing into the compartment on
either side will flow through one of these valves to the pipe 1) and entering the
cylinder B will press piston rod H¹ or a connection thereto up against button Y
to complete an electric circuit from the store battery to motor Z. A shaft Z is
connected with the motor Z and has a bevel wheel 72 on one end gearing into one
or other of two bevel wheels on an upright shaft 74, these two wheels being on
a loose boss moving up or down on a fast key on the shaft Z, and moved thus
by a lever Z connected to a handle which can be operated from either side of
bulkhead.
The shaft is turned by the motor and turns the upright shaft 7, which has
two spur pinions !K gearing into racks K3 on the door X, one revolution of this
shaft being sufficient to close the door. At 78 on the pinion K is a fork to
switch off the current when said pinion has made one revolution.
The door X is set free by the piston A raising the lever A¹, which is connected
at its other end to a rod A2 which is in turn connected to the lever A³ of a retain-
ing catch.
To open the door the handle 77 which is connected to the lever Z6 by a rod Z12,
is pressed down so that the other end of the lever Z is lifted which moves the loose
bevel wheels 73 on the shaft 74. This action reverses the motion. The discharge
valve C is next opened by actuating the handle C, and upon the handle Z'
being pulled down, the circuit is completed by striking the button Y with the
hammer Z10
Z is a support which carries the bracket, not shewn, for the shaft Z' and lever Zº,
which support can be fixed either to the deck E or bulkhead G.
The electric contact may be broken by hand switches such as Z¹³ on either side
of the bulkhead G. This arrangement may be provided with a regulator as
already referred to.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what maner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:―
1. In apparatus for automatically closing water-tight doors in ships, the com-
bination of a valve in each water-tight compartment adapted to open by the
pressure upon it of inflowing water, a tank or pipe communicating with the lower
end of a cylinder and a moving piston in said cylinder adapted to actuate the door
closing mechanism, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for automatically closing water-tight doors in ships, the com-
bination with a valve situated in the floor of each air-tight compartment and
adapted to open downwards by the pressure of inflowing water, a tank or pipe

page_text: communicating with said valve casing and with a cylinder having a movable
piston, of mechanism substantially as described with reference to Fig. 3, for
effecting the closing of the water-tight door and for returning it to its normal
position.
3. In apparatus for automatically closing water-tight doors in ships, the com-
bination with a valve situated in the floor of each air-tight compartment and
adapted to open downwards by the pressure of inflowing water, a tank or pipe
communicating with said valve casing and with a cylinder having a movable
piston, of mechanism substantially as described with reference to Fig. 4, for
releasing retaining catches and effecting the closing of the water-tight door, and
for returning it to its normal position.
4. In apparatus for automatically closing water-tight doors in ships, the com-
bination with a valve situated in the floor of each air-tight compartment and
adapted to open downwards by the pressure of inflowing water, a tank or pipe
communicating with said valve casing and with a cylinder having a movable
piston, of mechanism substantially as described with reference to Fig. 5. for
withdrawing a clutch and effecting the closing of the water-tight door, and for
returning it to its normal position.
5. In apparatus for automatically closing water-tight doors in ships, the com-
bination with a valve situated in the floor of each air-tight compartment and
adapted to open downwards by the pressure of inflowing water, a tank or pipe
communicating with said valve casing and with a cylinder having a movable
piston, of mechanism substantially as described with reference to Fig. 6, for
withdrawing a clutch and effecting the closing of the water-tight door, and for
returning it to its normal position.
6. In apparatus for automatically closing water-tight doors in ships, the com-
bination with a valve situated in the floor of each air-tight compartment and
adapted to open downwards by the pressure of inflowing water, a tank or pipe
communicating with said valve casing and with a cylinder having a movable
piston, of mechanism substantially as described with reference to Fig. 7, for
effecting the closing of the water-tight door and for returning it to its normal
position.
7. In apparatus for automatically closing water-tight doors in ships, the com-
bination with a valve situated in the floor of each air-tight compartment and
adapted to open downwards by the pressure of inflowing water, a tank or pipe
communicating with said valve casing and with a cylinder having a movable
piston, of mechanism substantially as described with reference to Fig. 8, for
establishing an electric circuit and effecting the closing of the water-tight door,
and for returning it to its normal position.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1900