Improvements in Flexible Lift Valves.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 3rd May, 1894-Accepted, 9th June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Flexible Lift Valves.
I, JOHN GEORGE KINGHORN of Tower Buildings, Water Street, in the City
of Liverpool, Consulting Marine Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Flexible lift valves more especially those made from phosphor bronze and other
like material, have hitherto been made of a single layer. If this layer breaks, the
valve is useless until it be replaced, and with even the very best material these
valves are liable to sudden fracture, and further, the thicker the material is the
greater is its liability to fracture.
Now my invention is designed to remedy this evil to a very great extent.
In place of a single layer, I use two, three or even more layers, each superimposed
layer being preferably somewhat less in area than the one below; the lower layer
and intermediate ones are also preferably perforated, the perforations being covered
by the contiguous layer above. These perforations allow moisture and air to pass
through and between the layers, thereby assisting greatly in cushioning the impact.
In the event of one of the layers breaking, the remaining layers will still be
serviceable for a time and obviate the necessity of stopping the engine and replacing
it as would be the case if a single layer valve had been used. Furthermore, as
there are two or more layers mutually supporting each other, these layers can be
of considerably thinner material than when one only is used and yet be strong
enough to resist the pressure as well as being more closely held to the seating, due
to their flexibility. They are thus each individually much less liable to fracture
than a single layer would be, while the cushioning effect through the fluid passing
through the orifices and forming a film between the plates, greatly lessens the
chance of fracture.
The invention is valuable for all kinds of flexible lift valves, whether they be
composed of metal, rubber or other material.
bow 1902
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Flexible Lift Valves.
I, JOHN GEORGE KINGHORN of Tower Buildings, Water Street, in the City
of Liverpool, Consulting Marine 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:-
1
Flexible lift valves more especially those made from phosphor bronze and other
like material, have hitherto been made of a single layer. If this layer breaks, the
valve is useless until it be replaced, and with even the very best material these
valves are liable to sudden fracture, and, further, the thicker the material is the
greater is its liability to fracture.
Now my invention is designed to remedy this evil to a very great extent.
In place of a single layer, I use two, three or even more layers, each super-
imposed layer being preferably somewhat less in area than the one below; the
lower layer and intermediate ones are also preferably perforated, the perforations

page_text: being covered by the contiguous layer above. These perforations allow moisture
and air to pass through and between the layers, thereby assisting greatly in
cushioning the impact. In the event of one of the layers breaking, the remaining
layers will still be serviceable for a time and obviate the necessity of stopping the
engine and replacing it, as would be the case if a single layer valve had been used.
Furthermore, as there are two or more layers mutually supporting each other,
these layers can be of considerably thinner material than when one only is used and
yet be strong enough to resist the pressure as well as being more closely held to the
seating due to their flexibility. They are thus each individually much less liable
to fracture than a single layer would be, while the cushioning effect through the
fluid passing through the orifices and forming a film between the plates, greatly
lessens the chance of fracture. The invention is valuable for all kinds of flexible
lift valves, whether they be composed of metal, rubber or other material.
Referring to the drawings-
Figure 1 is a section, and
Figure 2 a plan of a valve and seat made in accordance with my invention.
In Figure 2 half of the valve and of the guard are removed to show the seating.
In these,
A, is the seating; B, lower perforated valve; C, upper unperforated valve;
D, perforated valve guard of usual type.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
1. The improvement in flexible lift valves which consists in forming them in
several thin contiguous layers instead of the single thickness substantially as
described.
2. In valves substantially as described in Claim 1 perforating the lower or interior
layer or layers or some of them where covered by the exterior layer.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London,
Patent Agents.