IMPROVEMENTS IN INSPIRATORS
Year: 1878

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN INSPIRATORS." A communication from abroad by Henry Melvill Whitney,
President of the Hancock Inspirator Company, Boston, Massachusetts, United
States of America.
Sealed the 11th October 1878, and dated the 24th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th April 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN INSPIRATORS." [A communication from abroad by
Henry Melvill Whitney, President of the Hancock Inspirator Company, Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America.]
This Invention of improvements in inspirators relates to certain improvements in
an inspirator for which a Patent was granted to John T. Hancock, in the United
States, January 2nd, 1877, No. 185,861.
In the said Patent four distinct and separate motions were necessary to be made
to start the apparatus.
By these improvements the operator is enabled to operate all the vowels necessary
to start the apparatus by the movement of a single lever.
The Invention consists in so constructing and arranging the connections of the
several valves that they are all actuated by one continuous motion of a single lever,
so that each valve shall act at the proper moment to set the apparatus in operation.
The Invention also consists in the interposition between the discharge conduit
and the final overflow valve of a supplementary valve forming a part of the said
overflow valve connection, and so constructed and arranged as to relieve the latter
of the pressure which would be occasioned by the force of the water if concentrated
upon the said overflow valve.
T

page_text: *
The Invention also consists in the method of actuating the two overflow valves
at one operation by means of a tumbling shaft, so constructed and arranged as to
cause the said valves to open and close each at the proper moment to insure their
ready co-operation with the ingress steam valve.
The Invention further consists in the cylindrical elongation of one of the overflow
valves for the purpose of partially closing the valve opening so as to cause the
water to flow through the "combining tube," and the supplementary valve opening
to the final overflow valve, and allow of a further movement of the first-named
valve in order that both valves may be brought to their seats at or nearly at the
same moment.
Referring to the Drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an apparatus
embodying the improvements; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same; and
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 are enlarged views of different portions of the apparatus.
The main apparatus is of the same general construction as that shewn and
described in the United States Patent herein-before mentioned.
A and B are two cylindrical casings connected together and cast in one piece.
The casing A contains the apparatus for lifting the water; and B, the apparatus
for transmitting the water to the boiler; S is the opening to be connected with a
pipe leading from the boiler for the admission of steain.
Instead of a circular valve a slide valve V is employed, covering the two ports 1
and 2, and actuated by an arm or lever 3, on shaft 4, on the outer projection of
which is an arm 5, shown in Figure 1, provided on its free end with a projection 6,
fitting in arecess in the lever 7, as shown. The lever 7, by which the several
valves are actuated is fulcrumed on the casing A at 8, and to its lower end is
pivoted a connecting arm 9 attached to the end of a lever arm 10, which latter is
connected to a tumbling shaft 11 that actuates the two overflow valves.
D and E are the two steam chambers (see Figure 2). In chamber D is a
conical pipe or passage a, having its larger diameter at the lower end. Below the
passage a is a conical tube b, a space g being left between the two; the lower end
of tube b is open and terminates at the conduit J.
In the lower part of steam chamber E is fitted the conical tube c, and below
the tube c is the conical tube d, its smaller diameter being at the bottom, and a
space being left between the two to admit of the passage of water or steam into
tube d from the main casing of chamber B. Below the tube or passage d is the
tube enlarged at its lower end, opening into the conduit J', as shown in Figure 2.
In the lower part F of casing B are arranged the two overflow valves K and L,
which are operated by means of a tumbling shaft 11, connected to the main
operating lever 7. Forming a part of the tumbling shaft 11, and extending each
side of the same is an arm or bar 12, shown in Figures 2 and 6. On each end of the
bar 12 is a projection B, P, which fits respectively in recesses 13 of each valve stem,
the one fitting snugly in the recess in the stem of valve L, and the other being
allowed a little play in the stem of valve K so as to cause valve L to open in
advance of valve K, and thus lessen the pressure which would be exerted in
opening both valves simultaneously. The valve K is constructed with a cylindrical
elongation, above the seat i, by means of which the valve opening is partially
closed, and the water is caused to flow through the "combining tube" d, and the
supplementary valve opening n to the final overflow valve, and both valves will
be brought to their seats at or nearly at the same moment. On the upper portion
of this stem of valve L is a winged guide o, fitting in an opening n in the bottom
of conduit J', and surmounted by a solid cylindrical head r, which serves as a sup-
plementary valve, and when closed in opening n causes the water in conduit J¹ to
pass to the boiler. The solid head r being of less area than that of the valve L
enables it to be easily controlled against the high pressure exerted by the flow of
water, which, if concentrated upon the valve L, would render the latter difficult to
be controlled by the actuating lever.
14 represents the check valve in the passage leading to the boiler.

page_text: Figure 5 represents a portion of the spindle which actuates the slide valve V,
and also that of the tumbling shaft 11.
3 is the nut which fits over or upon the spindle or shaft, and the flange or
shoulder u; t is a washer made of soft metal, rubber, or other suitable material ;
it is made flat on one side, which has a bearing against the shoulder and convex
on the opposite side so as to fit snugly with a corresponding recess in the nut 3,
and thus adapt itself to any irregular motion of the shaft always fitting its seat
in the recess.
OPERATION.
The valve V is first moved to uncover port 1 to admit steam to the chamber D,
the valves K and L being open; the steam then passes through the tube a into tube
b, and thence to conduit J, through valve opening K, into chamber F, and thence
through valve opening L, making its exit, unless condensed during its passage
through the waste pipe H, to the atmosphere.
The flow of steam across the interval g, between the tubes a, b, soon exhausts the
air in casing A, and the pipes connecting with the water supply, the water then
ascends through opening W and condenses the steam and fills the conduit J and
chamber F through valve opening K.
By continuing the motion of lever 7 the port 2 is uncovered, and the cylindrical
portion of valve K enters the opening m, and adinits of the further movement
of valve K, which checks the flow of water sufficiently to cause it to pass upward into
casing B, and into and through tube d, or to conduit J', and into the upper aperture
n, in which is fitted the winged guide o, and the supplementary valve r. A
continued movement of the lever 7 causes the supplementary valve r to close
the opening n, so as to direct the water to the boiler, the steam at the same
time passing from chamber E through tubes c, d, and f. The final movement of
the lever 7 serves to bring the valves K and L to their seats, which sets the
apparatus in full operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
October 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN INSPIRATORS." A communication from abroad by
Henry Melvill Whitney, President of the Hancock Inspirator Company, Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention of improvements in inspirators relates to certain improvements
in an inspirator for which a Patent was granted to John T. Hancock, in the
United States, January 2nd, 1877, No. 185,861.
In the said Patent four distinct and separate motions were necessary to be made
to start the apparatus.
By these improvements the operator is enabled to operate all the valves necessary
to start the apparatus by the movement of a single lever.
The Invention consists in so constructing and arranging the connections of
the several valves, that they are all actuated by one continuous motion of a
single lever, so that each valve shall act at the proper moment to set the
apparatus in operation.
The Invention also consists in the interposition between the discharge conduit
and the final overflow valve of a supplementary valve forming a part of the said
overflow valve connection, and so constructed and arranged as to relieve the latter
of the pressure which would be occasioned by the force of the water if concentrated
upon the said overflow valve.
The Invention also consists in the method of actuating the two overflow valves
at one operation by means of a tumbling shaft so constructed and arranged as to
cause the said valves to open and close, each at the proper moment, to ensure their
ready co-operation with the ingress steam valve.
The Invention further consists in the cylindrical elongation of one of the overflow
valves for the purpose of partially closing the valve opening so as to cause the water-
flow through the "combining tube," and the supplementary valve opening to the
final overflow valve, and allow of a further movement of the first-named valve in
order that both valves may be brought to their seats at or nearly at the same
moment.
Referring to the Drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an apparatus
embodying the improvements; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same; and
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 are enlarged views of different portions of the apparatus.
The main apparatus is of the same general construction as that shown and
described in the United States Patent herein-before mentioned.
A and B are two cylindrical casings connected together and cast in one piece.
The casing A contains the apparatus for lifting the water; and B, the apparatus for
transmitting the water to the boiler; S is the opening to be connected with the
pipe leading from the boiler for the admission of steam.
Instead of a circular valve a slide valve V is employed, covering the two parts 1 and
2, and actuated by an arm or lever 3 on shaft 4, on the outer projection of which
is an arm 5, shown in Figure 1, provided on its free end with a projection 6, fitting
in a recess in the lever 7, as shown. The lever 7, by which the several valves are
actuated, is fulcrumed on the casing A, at 8, and at its lower end is pivoted a con-
necting arm 9, attached to the end of a lever arm 10, which latter is connected to a
tumbling shaft 11 that actuates the two overflow valves.
D and E are the two steam chambers (see Figure 2). In chamber D is a conical
pipe or passage a, having its larger diameter at the lower end. Below the passage
a is a conical tube b, a space g being left between the two; the lower end of the
tube b is open, and terminates in the conduit J. In the lower part of steam

page_text: chamber E is fitted the conical tube c, and below the tube c is the conical tube d,
its smaller diameter being at the bottom, and a space being left between the two to
adinit of the passage of water or steam into tube d from the main chamber of
casing B. Below the tube or passage d is the tube f, enlarged at its lower end,
opening into the conduit J¹, as shown in Figure 2.
"
In the lower part F of casing B are arranged the two overflow valves K. and L,
which are operated by means of a tumbling shaft 11 connected to the main operating
lever 7. Forming a part of the tumbling shaft 11, and extending each side of the
same, is an arm or bar 12, shown in Figures 2 and 6. On each end of the bar 12 is
a projection P, P, which fit respectively in recesses 13 of each valve stem, the one
fitting snugly in the recess in the stem of valve L, and the other being allowed a
little play in the stem of valve K so as to cause valve L to open in advance of
valve K, and thus lessen the pressure which would be exerted in opening both
valves simultaneously. The valve K is constructed with a cylindrical elonga-
tion h, above the seat i, by means of which the valve opening is partially
closed, and the water is caused to flow through the combining tube" d
and the supplementary valve opening to the final overflow valve, and
both valves will be brought to their seats at or nearly at the same moment.
On the upper portion of the stem of valve L is a winged guide o fitting in
an opening in the bottom of the conduit J, and surmounted by a solid
cylindrical head P, which serves as a supplementary valve, and when closed in
opening n causes the water in conduit J¹ to pass to the boiler. The solid head r
being of less area than that of the valve L enables it to be easily controlled against
the high pressure exerted by the flow of water, which, if concentrated upon the
valve L, would render the latter difficult to be controlled by the actuating lever.
14 represents the check valve in the passage leading to the boiler.
Figure 5 represents a portion of the spindle which actuates the slide valve V, and
also that of the tumbling shaft 11.
3 is the nut which fits over or upon the spindle or shaft and the flange or shoulder
u; t is a washer made of soft metal, rubber, or other suitable material; it is made
flat on one side, which has a bearing against the shoulder u, and convex on the
opposite side, so as to fit snugly within a corresponding recess in the nut 3, and
thus adapt itself to any irregular motion of the shaft, always filling its seat in the
recess.
OPERATION.
The valve V is first moved to uncover port to admit steam to the chamber D,
the valves K and L being open; the steam then passes through the valve a into
tube b, and thence to a conduit J, through valve opening K, into chamber F, and
thence through valve opening L, making its exit, unless condensed during its passage
through the waste pipe H, to the atmosphere.
The flow of the steam across the interval g, between the tubes a and b, soon
exhausts the air in casing A, and the pipes connecting with the water supply. The
water thien ascends through opening W, and condenses the steam, and fills the con-
duit J and chamber F through valve opening K.
By continuing the motion of lever 7 the port 2 is uncovered, and the cylindrical
portion h of valve K enters the opening m, and admits of the further movement of
valve K which checks the flow of water sufficiently to cause it to pass upward into
casing B and into and through tube d or to conduit J', and into the aperture n, in
which is fitted the winged guide o and the supplementary valve v. A continued
movement of the lever 7 causes the supplementary valve v to close the opening n
so as to direct the water to the boiler, the steam af the same time passing from
chamber E through tubes c, d, and f. The final movement of the lever 7 serves to
bring the valves K and L to their seats, which sets the apparatus in full operation.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,—

page_text: First. The combination of an ingress valve V and the overflow valves K and L
with the lever 7 and its connecting arms, so that the said valves may all be
operated by a single continuous movement of the lever, substantially as set forth.
Second. The employment of a supplementary valve constructed as described, and
interposed between the discharge conduit and the overflow valve, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
Third. The combination with the overflow valve L of the supplementary valve v,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The method of actuating the valves K and L by means of the shaft 11,
provided with the arm 12 and projections P, P, fitting in recesses in the stems of
the said valves, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The elongated cylindrical projection h, fitting in the opening m, in
combination with the valve K, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
* WITT TTIN
MADAANDDAWAT
G