Improvements relating to Gas Governors, and Means for Enabling them to Vary their Load and Pressure, to Suit Changes in the Demand for Gas.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov.,
1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Gas Governors, and Means for Enabling
them to Vary their Load and Pressure, to Suit Changes in the
Demand for Gas.
I, WILLIAM COWAN, Buccleuch Street Works, Edinburgh, Midlothian, N.B.
Gas Apparatus Manufacturer, &c., do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
It has been proposed & attempted to make gas governors capable of loading
& unloading themselves & so, in response, & in proportion, to the demands of a
district, to vary the pressure they give.
In applying such a system the plan has been tried, of causing the bell, as it falls
in response to an increased demand for gas, to begin at a certain point in its
descent to take on, gradually and automatically, a load of water or other liquid,,
& to go on accumulating the same during the rest of its downward movement.
The extra load & pressure thus received, would, if in excess of the demand at the
time cause the bell to rise, & in so doing to gradually lose the extra load it had
taken on.
In this way the pressure has been raised above & then restored to the
minimum, in consequence of the falling and rising of the bell.
To such an application of the principle of self-loading there is the fundamental
objection, that it unnecessarily & undesirably, interferes with the degree of
pressure which may be sufficient at the time. After the valve has opened to the
point at which the self-loading begins an increase in the number of lights anywhere
in the district produces an increase in the pressure everywhere. A demand which
might be met by a mere increase of volume is supplied at an increased pressure, and
this increase of pressure may be entirely unnecessary. The arca of the valve
opening cannot be enlarged without the pressure being at the same time augmented.
In like manner, a decrease in the demand, which would be most properly met by a
diminished volume, is also attended by a decrease of pressure, & the combined effect
of the two (one being unnecessary) may lead to a too sudden reversal of the bell's
movement and therefore to a sudden increase of both pressure & volume, & so
a sort of "see-saw" action may be set up because a varying demand has been met
in an undesirable way.
So far as the consumers are concerned the above results might he avoided, or at
least lessened, by each consumer, or each group of consumers, being provided with
a governor which, whilst varying the volume to suit the demand, would maintain,
undisturbed, the required pressure against those changes in the density of the gas
supply which the inadequate size of the mains render imperative.
But the remedy
here suggested might not, in every case, be practicable, nor would it be always
convenient to carry it out.
The object of the present invention is, to provide means, and arrangements,
whereby the self-loading principle may be usefully applied, & in such a way that
no unnecessary or undesirable interference with the gas pressure need take place.
In carrying out the invention, I defer the self-loading till the bell has nearly
reached the position in which the valve is fully open & therefore equal to passing.
the largest quantity of gas of which its area is capable. For the purpose of load-
ing the bell (which is provided with a loading tank of the usual kind) employ a
water cistern provided with a ball-cock, or other suitable means, to regulate the
quantity of liquid, and a syphon, or a valve, (operated in the manner common to
flushing" cisterns), to effect the discharge of the contents,-which may consist of
water or any other suitable liquid. In some cases the cisterns may be pivoted in a
frame or support, the pivoting being in such a position that the top, or mouth, of

page_text: $6
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the cistern will be upwards when the cistern is empty, and will remain in that
position till the water from the ball-cock attains a given height at which point the
cistern will tend to "tip over & discharge its contents, and would do so but for
the interposition of a retaining catch or lever. The support given by this retaining
catch or lever is withdrawn by the pulling of a cord, chain, or other suitable
means, & when this occurs the contents are discharged into the loading tank of the
governor bell. In the case of syphon or valve cisterns, a pull cord, chain, or other
suitable means, is employed to open the valve or start the syphon, as is usual in
flushing" cisterns. It is desirable that the amount of pull necessary should be
the shortest possible, & for this purpose the leverage is arranged in such a way
that the necessary result is produced by a very small pull. The pull is applied by
connecting the cord, chain, or other suitable means, to the governor bell in such a
way that just as the bell is approaching the end of it downward movement, the pull
is given, & the contents of the cistern discharged. The loading tank of the bell
must be below the cistern outlet pipe & it may be desirable that it should carry a
"funnel," or other convenient receiver, to lead the water, as it issues from the
cistern, directly into the loading tank. In some cases instead of a mechanical pull
as above described being employed, an electric pull may be used. This would most
conveniently be effected, by employing an electro-magnet to attract the lever, or
pull chain, when an electric circuit was completed by the bell attaining a certain
position. Whichever form of cistern, or of pull, be employed, the principle of the
invention is the same, viz. that of discharging a given quantity of water or other
liquid into the loading tank of the governor bell on each occasion that the bell is
nearly in its lowest position & the valve nearly full open. The quantity of water
which will at any time load the bell, will be the total contents of the cistern, and
this water will be discharged as speedily as may be desired, & the discharge will
be independant of any movement on the part of the bell except the very slight one
which is required to initiate the flow. In this way, the extra loading of the bell
cannot take place till the valve is passing nearly all the gas it can give at the
existing pressure. When however, that point has been attained, the extra loading
will be immediate & complete, and its amount will be limited only by the contents
of the cistern from whicli it issues.
The load thus put on may, in some cases, produce a pressure greater than the
demand at the time requires, and when this is the case, or becomes so subsequently,
the bell will rise in the usual way to reduce the valve opening to the demand. In
this way a considerable, or continuous, reduction in the demand would cause a
considerable, or continuous, rise of the bell, a corresponding reduction
of the valve opening. But the pressure would remain
the same, and
this, with a reduced demand, would be undesirable. I provide therefore for the
reduction of the extra load so that the bell on rising, uuder the circumstances
described, may have its load reduced, either gradually or quickly, during the whole
rise, or may be retained, either wholly or partially, until suddenly parted with when
a certain desired rise of the bell has taken place.
When the object is to allow the water to leave the loading tank of the bell
gradually and in proportion to the rise, 1 employ a mechanically jointed, or other-
wise flexible, tube arrangement, one end of which is fixed in connection with the
lowest part of the loading tank so as to leave the tubular part, beyond the joint, free
to move within the limits of a guiding arrangement which causes the tube to lie
either in an angled or horizontal position and to vary its position as the bell rises
and falls. When the bell is at its lowest point & is receiving, or has received, the
water from the cistern, this jointed tube attains such an angle that none of the
water can escape till the angle is altered as the bell rises. It is entirely a matter of
arrangement how early during the bell's rise the angle of the tube will be so
altered as to enable water from the loading tank to escape from the outlet end.
is obvious that the escape may be varied by varying the guiding arrangement, but
it is desirable in most cases to arrange, that the tube outlet shall attain the.
horizontal position before the valve approximates too nearly to the closing point in
It

page_text: order that the extra load may be conveniently got rid of and the minimum pressure
re-established.
In some cases where the object is to retain all the water in the loading tank of
the bell during some portion of the rise & to part with the water more or less
suddenly at some particular point, a valve may be employed for this purpose. The
valve may be fixed in connection with the bottom of the bell's loading tank and be
so arranged, that it may be opened by the movement of the bell at any desired point
in the bell's rise. Or, instead of using a valve, a syphon may be fixed in the loading
tank, so that the shorter leg will be in communication with the water whilst the
longer leg, passed through the wall of the loading tank, will be capable of discharg-
ing the water outside. The position of the syphon would be such, that at no time
would the quantity of water in the loading tank be sufficient to charge it, and
hence the water would remain till the syphon was started by other means. For
the purpose of starting the syphon I fix a plunger, in a stationary position, so as
only to come into operation when the rising of the bell carries the water in the
tank up against the plunger and causes the level of the water to rise to the extent
necessary to charge the syphon and to ensure the removal of the contents from the
tank.
It may be observed that no C see-saw action such as was above mentioned can
take place under this invention, because the loading occurs only at one point &
that it is independent of the motion of the bell except for its initiation.
"
In carrying out the principle of deferring the self-loading till the bell has attained
its lowest position, mercury, or lead shot, night in some cases be applicable as the
loading material. When either of these are used, a different arrangement becomes
necessary, as the cistern plan, herein before described, would not suit either for
mercury, or for lead shot. For these I propose to employ a vessel cither fixed &
stationary or suspended by a cord, or chain, over a pulley, & supported by a
counter balance weight. In either case, the vessel when containing the mercury,
or the shot, would occupy a position only slightly above the loading tank of the
bell when the latter is in its lowest position. Between the vessel & the loading
tank the connection would be by means of a suitable jointed pipe, channel, or other
flexible conduit, capable of moving with the bell so as to let the mercury, or shot,
run down into the bell tank & load it, on the latter falling nearly to its lowest
position. On the bell-rising again, the conduit would so alter its position that the
mercury, or the shot, would run back into the vessel. In the event of the vessel
being suspended by a counterpoise, the loss of the weight of the mercury, or shot,
would cause it to rise more or less, as might be arranged, with the result, that the
bell would have further to rise before its load of mercury, or shot, would return to
the vessel. But, on this occurring, the vessel would fall to its former & lowest
position, & it would require the bell to fall also to its lowest position before loading
could again take place.
It is assumed, & intended, that the governor bell shall be, permanently or
otherwise, loaded sufficiently to give a minimum pressure, for this is necessary before
the self loading arrangements can come into action.
Dated this 29th day of December 1891.
WILLIAM COWAN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Gas Governors, and Means for Enabling
them to Vary their Load and Pressure, to Suit Changes in the
Demand for Gas.
1, WILLIAM COWAN of Buccleuch Street Works, Edinburgh, in the County
of Midlothian, North Britain, Gas Meter Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in gas governors and means for

page_text: enabling them to vary their load and pressure to suit changes in the demand
for gas.
It has been proposed and attempted to make gas governors capable of loading and
unloading themselves, and so, in response and in proportion to the demands of a
district, to vary the pressure they give.
In applying such a system the plan has been tried of causing the bell as it falls in
response to an increased demand for gas to begin at a certain point in its descent to
take on gradually and automatically a load of water or other liquid and to go on
accumulating the same during the rest of its downward movement.
The extra load and pressure thus received would if in excess of the demand of
the time cause the bell to rise and in so doing to gradually lose the extra load
it had taken on.
In this way the pressure has been raised above and then restored
to the minimum in consequence of the falling and rising of the bell.
To such an application of the principle of self loading there is the fundamental
objection that it unnecessarily and undesirably interferes with the degree of
pressure which may be sufficient at the time. After the valve has opened to the
point at which the self loading begins an increase in the number of lights anywhere
in the district produces in increase in the pressure everywhere. A demand which
might be met by a mere increase of volume is supplied at an increased pressure
and this increase of pressure may be entirely unnecessary. The area of the valve
opening cannot be enlarged without the pressure being at the same time augmented.
In like manner a decrease in the demand which would be most properly met by a
diminished volume is also attended by a decrease of pressure and the combined
effect of the two (one being unnecessary) may lead to a too sudden reversal of the
bell's movement and therefore to a sudden increase of both pressure and volume and
so a sort of see-saw action may be set up because a varying demand has been met
in an undesirable way.
So far as the consumers are concerned the above results might be avoided or
at least lessened by each consumer or each group of consumers being provided with
a governor which whilst varying the volume to suit the demand would maintain
undisturbed the required pressure against those changes in the density of the gas
supply which the inadequate size of the mains render imperative. But the remedy
here suggested might not in every case be practicable nor would it be always be
convenient to carry it out.
The object of the present invention is to provide means and arrangements
whereby the self-loading principle may be usefully applied and in such ways that
no unnecessary or undesirable interferance with the gas pressure need take place.
But in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and easily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the annexed
explanatory sheets of drawings throughout which the same reference letters denote
similar parts.
Figure 1 is an elevation shown partly in section of a gas governor, constructed
according to the present invention, and Figures 2 to 11 inclusive are part sectional
views showing details and modifications of same to be hereinafter more fully
described.
In carrying out the invention I defer the self-loading till the bell A has nearly
reached the position in which the valve B is fully open and therefore equal to
passing the largest quantity of gas of which its arca is capable. For the purpose
of loading the bell A (which is provided with a loading tank C of the usual kind)
I employ a water cistern D provided with a ball cock or other means to regulate
the quantity of liquid and a syphon d' or a valve (operated in the manner common
to flushing cisterns) to effect the discharge of the contents which may consist of
water or any other suitable liquid. I employ a pull cord, chain, or other suitable
means d² to open the valve d³ or start the syphon d as is usual in flushing cisterns.
It is desirable that the amount of pull necessary should be the shortest possible
and for this purpose the leverage is arranged as shown more particularly in
Figures 1 and 7 that is to say the pivoted lever d is provided at its one end with

page_text: a one way acting piece 5 so as to produce the necessary effect by a very small
pull. The pull is applied by connecting the cord or chain d to the governor bell A
in such a way that just as the bell A is approaching the end of its downward
movement the pull is given and the contents of the cistern D discharged. The
loading tank C of the bell A must be below the cistern outlet pipe de and it may be
desirable that it should enter into a funnel or other convenient receiver e mounted
on the top of the tank C so as to lead the water as it issues from the cistern D
directly into the loading tank C. In some cases as shown in section and elevation
Figures 5 and 6 the cistern D may be pivoted on a frame or support D¹ the
pivoting being in such a position that the top or mouth of the cistern will be
upwards when the cistern is empty and will remain in that position till the water
from the ball cock attains a given height at which point the cistern will tend to tip
over and discharge its contents and would do so but for the interposition of a
retaining catch or lever arrangement D. The support given by the retaining
catch of said arrangement is withdrawn by the pulling of a cord, chain, or other
suitable means as already described and when this occurs the contents are
discharged into the loading tank C of the governor bell A. Also in some cases
when it is desired to prevent the sudden flush of the water from the cistern D into
the tank C affecting the governor I may provide an arrangement whereby it is to
a certain degree arrested and so allowed to fall gradually into the tank C. The
said arrangement which is shown in sectional elevation Figure 7 consists of
mounting underneath the cistern D an auxiliary tank or reservoir D³ from which
the water flows to the main tank C in a small stream through the opening
formed in the outlet pipe d whose upper end extends upward above the hole dª so
as to permit of the stream of water being larger at the time it is required namely
on the bell A.
the emptying of the cistern D at the moment the load is required
In some cases instead of a mechanical pull as above described being employed an
electric pull may be used. This would most conveniently be effected by employing
an electro-magnet to attract the lever or pull chain when an electric circuit was
completed by the bell attaining a certain position.
Whichever form of cistern or of pull be employed the principle of the invention
is the same viz. that of discharging a given quantity of water or other liquid into
the loading tank of the governor bell on each occasion that the bell is nearly in its
lowest position and the valve nearly full open. The quantity of water which will
at any time load the bell will be the total contents of the cistern and this water will
be discharged as speedily as may be desired and the discharge will be independent
of any movement on the part of the bell except the very slight one which is
required to initiate the flow. In this way the extra loading of the bell cannot take
place till the valve is passing nearly all the gas it can give at the existing pressure.
When however that point has been attained the extra loading will be immediate
and complete and its amount will be limited only by the contents of the cistern
from which it issues.
The load thus put on may in some cases produce a pressure greater than the
demand at the time requires and when this is the case or becomes so subseqently
the bell will rise in the usual way to reduce the valve opening to suit the demand.
In this way a considerable or continuous rise of the bell and a corresponding
reduction of the valve opening. But the pressure would remain the same and this
with a reduced demand would be undesirable. I provide therefore means for the
reduction of the extra load so that the bell on rising under the circumstances
described may have its load reduced either gradually or quickly during the whole
rise or may be retained either wholly or partially until suddenly parted with when
a certain desired rise of the bell has taken place.
When the object is to allow the water to leave the loading tank of the bell
gradually and in proportion to the rise I employ a mechanically jointed or otherwise
Hexible tube arrangement E shown in Figures 2 and 3 one end e of which is fixed
in connection with the lowest part of the loading tank by means of an india rubber
or other sleeve el so as to leave the tubular part beyond the joint free. to move

page_text: within the limits of an adjustable guiding arrangement E' which causes the tube to
lie either in an angled or horizontal position as the bell A rises and falls. When
the bell A is at its lowest point and is receiving or has received the water from
the cistern D this jointed tube E attains such an angle than none of the water can
escape till the angle is altered as the bell A rises. It is entirely a matter of
arrangement how early during the bells rise the angle of the tube E will be so
altered as to enable the water from the loading tank to escape from the outlet
end 2. It is obvious that the escape may be varied by varying the guiding
arrangement E but it is desirable in most cases to arrange that the tube outlet &²
shall attain the horizontal position before the valve B approximates too nearly to
the closing point in order that the extra load may be conveniently got rid of and
the minimum pressure re-established.
Or as a modification of the foregoing arrangement I may as shown in Figure 4
form the tube E as a flexible tube and provide its top end with a small bent piece e²
which may be retained in any desired position by means of the support and screwed
so as to obtain the same result as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
In cases where the object is to retain all the water in the loading tank C of the
bell A. during some portion of the rise and to part with the water more or less
suddenly at some particular point a valve may be employed and arranged as shown
in Figure 8 for this purpose. The valve Finay be fixed in connection with the
bottom of the bell's loading tank C and be so arranged that it may be opened by
the movement of the bell A at any desired point in the bell's rise. This being
effected by mounting the valve F on the lower end of a small rod g whose top end
is connected to the one end of the pivoted lever the other end of which is left
free to come against the lower end of an adjustable stop at the desired point of
the bell's travel and so open the valve as shown in dotted lines. Or instead of
using a valve I may employ a syphon G as shown in Figures 9, 10 & 11 which
may be fixed in the loading tank Cso that the shorter leg will be in communication
with the water whilst the longer leg, passed through the wall of the loading tank C,
will be capable of discharging the water outside. The position of the syphon G
would be such that at no time would the quantity of water in the loading tank C
be sufficient to charge it and hence the water would remain till the syphon G was
started by other means.
For the purpose of starting the syphon G I fix a plunger H in a stationary
position as shown in Figure 9 so as only to come into operation when the rising of
the bell A carries the water in the tank C up against the plunger H and causes
the level of the water to rise to the extent necessary to charge the syphon G and
to ensure the removal of the contents from the tank C the said plunger H is
mounted on the lower end of the adjustable rod h in such a manner as to come
against the water in the tank C at the required time to charge the syphon G which
is more efficiently done by forming an auxiliary chamber C inside the tank C and
providing an opening or passage in the wall of said chamber so as to allow of the
water passing from main tank C, to auxiliary chamber C. Or as shown in
Figure 10 I may adjustably mount the plunger H on the one end of a pivoted and
balanced lever whose other end would be acted upon at the proper time by the
upright rod 2 which is mounted on the top of the bell A. The syphon employed
is preferably of an oval shape in section as shown in Figure 11.
It may be observed that no see-saw action such as was above mentioned can take
place under this invention because the loading takes place only at one point which
may be varied according to circumstances and that it is independent of the motion
of the bell except for its initiation.
In carrying out the principle of deferring the self loading till the bell has nearly
attained its lowest position, mercury or lead shot might in some cases be applicable
as the loading material. When either of these are used a different arrangement
becomes necessary as the cistern plan hereinbefore described would not suit either
for mercury or lead shot. For these I propose to employ a vessel either fixed and
stationary or suspended by a cord or chain over a pulley and supported by a

page_text: counter-balance weight. In either case the vessel when containing the mercury or
the shot would occupy a position only slightly above the loading tank of the bell
when the latter is in its lowest position. Between the vessel and the loading tank
the connection would be by a suitable jointed pipe channel or other flexible conduit
capable of moving with the bell so as to let the mercury or the shot run down into
the bell tank and Joad it on the latter falling nearly to its lowest point. On the
bell rising again the conduit would so alter its position that the mercury or the
shot would run back into the vessel. In the event of the vessel being suspended
by a counterpoise the loss of the weight of the mercury or shot would cause it to
rise more or less as might be arranged with the result that the bell would have
further to rise before its load of mercury or shot would return to the vessel. But
on this occurring the vessel would fall to its former and lowest position and it would
require the bell also to fall to its lowest position before loading could again take
place.
It is assumed and intended that the governor bell shall be permanently or other-
wise loaded sufficiently to give a minimum pressure for this is necessary before the
self-loading arrangements can come into action.
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.
Ist. In the loading of gas governors the employment of a flushing cistern whereby
a given quantity of water is automatically discharged into the loading tank of the
bell on each occasion that the bell reaches a predetermined point in its downwardi
movement, substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the annexed
drawings.
2nd. In the unloading of gas governors the automatic arrangement whereby the
load of the bell may be reduced either gradually or quickly during the rise of the
bell, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the annexed
drawings.
3rd. In the unloading of gas governors the automatic arrangement whereby the
load of the bell may be retained either wholly or partially until suddenly parted
with when a certain desired rise of the bell has taken place substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in the annexed drawings.
Dated this 25th day of October 1892.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.