Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Governing or Regulating the Pressure of Gas in Pipes or Mains.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Governing or
Regulating the Pressure of Gas in Pipes or Mains.
I, JOHN PETTY LEATHER, The Gas Works, Burnley, Gas Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Gas regulators or governors have hitherto generally been constructed to maintain a
constant pressure independent of the flow of gas. It has, therefore, been customary
to employ men to increase the pressure when darkness sets in, and more gas is
consumed, and decrease it when the consumption decreases. This is unsatisfactory
for several reasons, chiefly because the punctual attendance of the man cannot be
depended upon, and even if he does attend to his work, the regulation or control of
the supply is more or less a matter of guess work, and is left to his own judgement, or
to that of the managers. In some cases pressure changers have been employed,
worked by clockwork, but they are unsatisfactory in that they do not provide for the
increased consumption of gas during cloudy or foggy weather, nor do they adjust
themselvos automatically to suit the length of the days.
The object of my invention is to provide a governor or regulator which adjusts the
pressure of the gas automatically, so that with increased consumption the pressure
increases, and with decreased consumption, the pressure is decreased.
In carrying out the invention, the governor is provided with two valves, namely, a
a first or inlet valve communicating with a second or discharge valve. The first is
preferably an equilibrium valve and may consist of a cylinder open at both top and
gas does
bottom, suspended, with its lower edge in water, so that the pressure of the
not tend to open or close it.. Two open bottomed holders are also provided,
preferably, cup or bell shaped and inverted in the usual way in a tank or tanks
containing water. One of the gas holders works inside the other, or is otherwise
enclosed so that it may be subjected to the pressure of the gas both internally and
externally, and is attached to and controls the first or inlet valve. The interior and
exterior of this holder communicate by means of pipes in the case of one of them,
with the outlet of the first valve and also with the inlet of the second valve, and in

page_text: the other case with the outlet of the second valve and exit to the main, this communi-
cation being so arranged that the pressure which tends to close the valve is that from
the outlet of the first valve or inlet of the second valve. As a consequence of this
arrangement the first valve maintains a pressure at the inlet of the second valve greater
than that in the exit to the main by a constant amount.
The interior of the second gas holder communicates by means of a pipe with the
outlet of the second valve, which valve is attached to and controlled by the said
holder. The second valve may be of the ordinary conical type, the section of the
cone being preferably a parabola. As the difference between the two sides of this
valve is constant, the velocity of the gas for any given position of the valve is
constant. Hence, the position of the valve or its holder may be taken as an index of
the rate of consumption.
The pressure and flow of gas to the main is adjusted by weights on the second
holder and on chains which act on this holder through the intervention of pulleys.
The said pulleys may be so placed and arranged that as the holder ascends the weights
descend and vice versa, the weights being hung on the further side of the axle to
that on which the chain attached to the holder works, or they may be so arranged
that the weights ascend as the holder ascends, and descend as the holder descends,
the weights being in this case hung on the same side of the axle as the chain
attached to the holder. The chains supporting the weights do not hang from the
periphery of the-said pulleys in the usual manner,, but from arms or projections
attached to the pulleys or to their-axles and preferably curved though any
other suitable shape may be adopted. The said arms-are_attached
pulleys in such a manner that as the holder ascends, due to increased pressure,
the weights hang further from or nearer to the axis of the pulley, so that greater force
is applied for raising the holder, or less force for pulling down at the holder, according
to which of the two arrangements above described is adopted. On the other hand as
the holder descends owing to decreased pressure or increased consumption of gas,
the reverse action takes place, the holder pressing downwards with increased force.
The curve of the arms is preferably designed so that the extra pressure due to
increased consumption is proportional to the square of the opening of the valve.
to the
The weights on the holder and on the arms are adjusted so as to give the desired
minimum pressure when the holder is raised. The maximum pressure is increased or
diminished by increasing or diminishing the weights on the chains, at the same time
making a corresponding alteration in the weight on the holder, if necessary, so as not
to affect the minimum pressure.
The mode of action is as follows:
When the pressure of the gas in the second holder diminishes owing to an increased
consumption of gas, the said holder descends, and owing to the peculiar arrangement
of the weights already described, the holder descends more readily as the pressure
diminishes and a larger supply of gas is required. The descent of the holder
operates the second valve and the opening is increased, thus permitting an increased
flow of gas to the delivery pipe. Decrease in pressure also causes the smaller holder
to descend, thus operating the first or inlet valve, increasing its opening and
admitting a greater flow of gas. When the consumption of gas decreases causing
increase in pressure, the action is of course reversed.
According to one form of apparatus, the first holder works inside the other and
larger holder. The former is connected with the first, preferably an equilibrium
valve, and the latter with the second valve by means of rods. Access for the gas to
the first holder is provided for by means of a pipe or pipes attached to the framing or
casing, the end or ends of such pipe or pipes being above the level of the water in
the tank. Access for the gas to the second holder is provided for in a similar way,
for which purpose a passage through the first holder inay be constructed, having a
pipe for the gas fixed in any convenient manner. The first holder is guided by
rollers or their equivalent, rolling on the surface of the said supply pipe or on the
the shell of the outer holder, or on guides fixed to the casing or framing. The other
holder is guided by a like arrangement.

page_text: In another arrangement the first or equilibrium valve opens upward and works in
a cylinder having triangular slots with their points downward, so that as the valve
rises, these slots are uncovered allowing gas to pass. This valve is connected with
and controlled by a holder situated below it, and having the same area in plan as the
valve, so that the inlet pressure acts equally and in contrary directions on the valve
and its holder. The interior of the holder communicates with the outlet of the
second valve, or with the exit to the main, whilst the top of the valve is acted on by
the pressure at its own outlet or the inlet to second valve. This holder is upheld
against the excess of pressure on the valve by a float and maintains a constant
difference of pressure between the inlet and outlet of the second valve. The second
valve and holder may be exactly similar to that before described, but, if desired it
may be smaller and is also upheld by a float. It can be guided at the top by a bar
working between two grooved pulleys or rollers. This bar may be graduated to
shew the extent of opening of the valve.
The arrangements above described may, however, be modified or altered without
departing from the nature of the invention.
-
1 2000

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Governing ог
Regulating the Pressure of Gas in Pipes or Mains.
T, JOHN PETTY LEATHER, of The Gas Works, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster,
Gas Engineer, do hereby declare the inture-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 :-
Gas regulators or governors have hitherto generally been constructed to maintain a
constant pressure at the main outlet independently of the amount of gas consumed.
It has, therefore been customary to employ men to increase the pressure at the outlet
from the governor when darkness sets in, and more gas is consumed, and to decrease
it when the consumption decreases. This is unsatisfactory for several reasons, chiefly
because the punctual attendance of the man cannot be depended upon, and even if he
does attend to his work, the regulation or control of the supply is more or less a
matter of guess work, and is left to his own judgment, or to that of the manager. In
some cases pressure changers have been employed worked by clockwork, but they are
unsatisfactory in that they do not provide for the increased consumption of gas during
cloudy or foggy weather, nor do they adjust themselves automatically to suit the
length of the days.
The object of my invention is to provide a governor or regulator which adjusts the
pressure of the gas at the outlet automatically, so that with increased consumption
the pressure increases, and with decreased consumption, the pressure is decreased.
The precise nature of the invention and the manner of carrying it into effect may
be understood from the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of an ordinary gas governor with part of my
invention applied thereto.
Figure 2 is an elevation of another type of governor with part of my invention
applied to it.
Figure 3. is a central vertical section of an improved governor constructed in
accordance with my invention.
In carrying out the invention, the ordinary type of governor may be employed
consisting of a valve A Figures 1 and 3 provided with a seat a, and suspended from
an open bottomed holder or bell B, working in a tank C, containing water, the interior
of the holder being connected by a pipe b, with the gas at the outlet D of the valve.
The force tending to cause the holder to descend and the valve to open is regulated
by weights such as E, on the holder or on a chain or chains E¹, which act on the
holder through the intervention of one or more pulleys or levers F, F. Or weights
may be used on both holder and chains. The said pulleys or levers
may be so

page_text: placed and arranged, that as the holder ascends the weights descend (as in figures 1
and 3) and vice versa, the weights being hung in this instance on the further side of
the axle to that on which the chain E attached to the holder works, or they may be
arranged as in figure 2, so that the weights ascend as the holder ascends, and descend
as the holder descends, the weights being in this case hung on the same side of the
axle as the chain E2 attached to the holder.
In my improved governor, the chains E' supporting the weights do not hang from
the periphery of the said pulleys, or from the levers in the usual manner, but from
arms or projections G attached to the pulleys or levers or to their axles, and preferably
curved as shown, though any other suitable shape may be adopted. The said arms
are attached to the pulleys or levers or their axles in such a manner that as the holder
ascends, due to increased pressure at the valve outlet, the weights hang further from
or nearer to the axis of the pulley or lever, so that greater force is applied for raising
the holder, or less force for pulling down at the holder, according to which of the
two arrangements above described is adopted. On the other hand as the holder
descends owing to diminished pressure or increased consumption of gas, the reverse
action takes place, the holder pressing downwards with increased force. The curve
of the arms is preferably designed, on the assumption that the additional outlet
pressure required to meet the increased consumption is proportional to the square
of the rate of consumption.
The weights on the holder and on the arms are adjusted so as to give the desired
minimum pressure when the holder is raised. The maximum pressure is increased or
diminished by increasing or diminishing the weights on the chains, at the same time
making a corresponding alteration in the weight on the holder, if necessary, so as not
to affect the minimum pressure.
The mode of action is as follows:-
When the pressure of the gas at the outlet H of the governor diminishes owing
to increased demand for gas, the holder B which is upheld by this pressure descends
opening the valve A and permitting an increased flow of gas, and owing to the
peculiar arrangement of the weights and arms already described, the holder presses
downwards with greater force the further it descends, and therefore it does not come
into equilibrium again until the pressure in the delivery main has increased beyond
its former amount. When the consumption of gas decreases and causes momentary
increase in the pressure in the main, the action is of course reversed and the pressure
is diminished.
The above described arrangement of weights and arms may be applied to existing
governors with perfect success where the pressure at the inlet J, of the governor is
practically constant, as in the case of a works with one single lift holder or in the
case where the gas is first passed through an ordinary governor adjusted to give a
constant pressure at least equal to the maximum pressure required at the outlet H. In
the latter case one governor might be employed to give a constant inlet pressure to a
series of governors supplying different mains and each provided with my arrangement
of weights and arms.
When however, the inlet pressure of gas is variable, I provide the governor with
two valves, namely, a first or inlet valve K communicating with a second or outlet
valve A (see figure 3). The first is preferably an equilibrium valve and may consist
of a cylinder open at top and bottom, suspended with its lower edge in water so that
the pressure of the gas upon it tends neither to open nor close it. Two open bottomed
holders L, B, are also provided preferably cup or bell-shaped and inverted in the usual
way in a tank or tanks C containing water. One of the holders L works inside
the other (which is the ordinary holder B above referred to) and is attached to and
controls the first or inlet valve K, by means of rods k which work in pipes attached
to the framing or casing C, the ends of these pipes being above the surface of the
water in the tank C, so as to communicate the pressure of the gas from the outlet M.
of the first valve K (which is also the inlet of the second valve A) to the interior of
the said holder L. The exterior of this holder which is also the interior of the second
or outer-holder B is connected in a similar manner by means of the pipe b aforesaid,

page_text: to the outlet D of the second valve A and to the main outlet H. The pipe b may pass
through a central passage in the inner holder L. The first or inner holder is weighted
or supported by a float or floats 2 if necessary, and so adjusted as to be in equilibrium
when the pressure in its interior exceeds that on its exterior by a definite and
convenient amount. As a consequence of this arrangement the first valve K maintains
a pressure at the inlet M of the second valve A greater by a constant amount than that
at the main outlet H.
The interior of the second holder B communicates by means of a pipe or pipes b
with the outlet D of the second valve A, which valve is attached to and controlled by
the said holder as aforedescribed. The second valve A may be of the ordinary
conical type the section of the cone being preferably a parabola. As the difference
between the pressures at the two sides of this valve is constant, the amount of gas
passed through the valve is constant for any given position of the valve. Hence the
position of the valve or its holder may be taken as an index of the rate of consumption.
The second or outer holder B is provided as aforesaid with the arrangement of arms
and weights already described and so produces the desired effect of increased pressure
for increased consumption and decreased pressure for decreased consumption. The
inner holder L and first valve K neutralize the effect of variable inlet pressure and
make the position of the second or outer holder dependent only on the rate of
consumption in the manner already described.
The first-holder L may be guided by rollers 13 or their equivalent rolling on the
surface of the pipe or pipes b, supplying gas to the holders or on the shell of the
outer holder or on guides fixed to the casing or framing. The other holder is
guided by a similar arrangement.
The arrangements above described may, however, be modified or altered to a certain
extent without departing from the nature of the invention. For example, the following
arrangement might be employed :-
The first or equilibrium valve is made to open upward and works in a cylinder
having triangular slots with their points downward, so that as the valve rises, these
slots are uncovered allowing gas to pass. This valve is connected with and controlled
by a holder situated below it, and having the same area in plan as the valve, so that
the inlet pressure acts equally and in contrary directions on the valve and its holder.
The interior of the said holder communicates by any suitable connection with the
outlet D of the second valve A, or with the exit H to the main, whilst the top of
the valve is acted on by the pressure at its own outlet that is the inlet to second
valve A. The aforesaid holder and valve are upheld against the excess of downward
pressure on the valve by a float and maintain a constant difference of pressure
between the inlet and outlet of the second valve A. It will be seen, however, that in
this modification the external and internal pressures on the subsidiary holder are
reversed as compared with the arrangement shown in Figure 3. The second valve
and holder may be exactly similar to that before described, but if desired it may be
smaller and may also be upheld by a float. It can be guided at the top by a bar
working between two grooved pulleys or rollers. This bar may be graduated to shew
the extent of opening of the valve.
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. In a gas regulating apparatus having a bell or holder such as B, the suspension
pulley or lever F and its weight or weights E, in, combination with a preferably
curved arm or projection G moving with the said pulley or lever and having the
weight suspending medium attached thereto as set forth, whereby the movements
of the said holder due to momentary variations in the pressure at the main outlet are
accelerated by variations in the leverage of the said weight or weights, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In a gas governor, the combination with a main valve A, a holder such as B,
and a device such as herein set forth having a weight or weights acting on said holder

page_text: with variable leverage, of a subsidiary holder L, affected in one direction by the
pressure of the gas at the said main valve outlet and in the opposite direction by the
pressure at the inlet of the said valve, and of a subsidiary valve K moving with said
subsidiary holder L and adapted to control the pressure at the inlet to the said main
valve, whereby such pressure is maintained in excess of the pressure at the main
outlet by a constant amount, and whereby the effects of variable inlet pressure are
neutralized, substantially as described.
3. The improved gas governing or regulating apparatus as a whole, substantially as
herein described and shown in Figure 3.