Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating or Controlling the Supply of Steam and other Fluids to Engines or Motors, and for similar purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 1st Dec., 1891-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating or Controlling the
Supply of Steam and other Fluids to Engines or Motors, and for
similar purposes.
I, WILLIAM TULLY, of 58 Gurney Road, Leytonstone, in the County of Essex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for regulating or controlling the flow of steam
and other fluids.
My said invention is chiefly designed to improve the construction and increase
the efficiency of apparatus such as I have described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent granted to me and dated 3rd December A.D. 1888 No. 17,610.
According to one part of my present invention, I provide an auxiliary or
supplementary device, for effecting or assisting to effect the re-opening of the
valve should the same at any time be completely closed by a sudden or rapid flow
or rush of the steam or other fluid through the valve-casing.
For this purpose I, in some instances, employ a strong spring or a weight or
weighted lever (with or without a spring), so arranged that it will come into action
when, but not until the said valve is nearly closed, and will then resist the further
closing and assist in the re-opening of the said valve.
In other instances, I combine, with the apparatus described in the said former
Specification, a small auxiliary cylinder in which works a piston arranged to be
operated by a lever connected with the regulating valve. This cylinder is con-
nected with the valve-casing of the apparatus by means of a pipe or passage
provided with a valve for closing it. These parts are so arranged that, should the
main or regulating valve be closed, the lever connected therewith will be turned
about its pivot or fulcrum through such an angle that it will move the piston of the
auxiliary cylinder and thereby open the valve thereof. The fluid under pressure
will thus be admitted to the said cylinder from the valve-casing, and, by its action
upon the said piston, will assist in effecting the re-opening of the main or regulating
valve. In the movement of the piston under the pressure of the fluid, the valve of
the auxiliary cylinder will be automatically closed.
According to another modification of my said invention, I provide the regulating
valve with a spindle on which is formed or fixed a suitable piston arranged to work
in a cylinder attached to or formed as an extension of the valve-casing. This
piston is of smaller diameter than the regulating valve, and is so arranged that the
pressure of the fluid thereon will tend to draw the said valve away from its seat. I
prefer to so arrange the parts that when, but not until, the regulating valve is
nearly closed, the pressure of the fluid will be allowed to act upon the said
piston.
I can employ any other suitable device for the purpose above specified, such, for
instance, as a piston working in a cylinder, in which, when the regulating valve is
closed, air will be compressed by the said piston, and will, by its expansion, assist
in effecting the re-opening of the said valve.
When the form of apparatus shown in Figure 11 of the drawings accompanying
my said former Specification, is intended to serve as a governor and also as a stop-
valve to be opened and closed by hand, I find it advantageous to substitute for the
bridge-piece shown in that figure, a cranked rod which can be turned about its
axis into either of two positions, that is to say, into such a position that, when the
main valve is closed, the spindle of the relief-valve will strike the said rod and this
valve will be opened to equalize the pressure on each side of the main valve as
described in the said former Specification; or into such a position that the said rod

page_text: .
will be out of reach of the spindle of the relief-valve and the main or regulating
valve can, consequently be tightly closed by hand without opening the relief-valve.
For securing the said cranked rod in place, 1 sometimes provide an annular piece or
disc which is secured to a flange on the valve casing, and between this disc and the
said flange I arrange the said cranked rod in such a manner that one end thereof
extends through a suitable stuffing-box in the periphery of the said disc and flange.
This end of the cranked rod is provided with a suitable handle or is adapted to
receive a spanner or key for turning it as required.
According to another part of my said invention, I provide for diminishing the
amount of extension of the spring used for opening the regulating valve. For this
purpose sometimes connect the said spring at one end to the valve-casing and at
its other end to a lever which is pivoted to the said casing, and is coupled to the
main lever connected with the said valve. This main lever moves the other lever
through but a small angle; consequently the said spring is not at any time greatly
extended in the closing of the valve.
To provide for closing the regulating valve by hand, I find it advantageous to
provide a hand-lever which is arranged to turn about the same axis as the aforesaid
lever pivoted to the valve-casing, and which is connected by a rod or link with the
last named lever. The said hand-lever is preferably formed with a curved slot
through which extends a pin or stud fixed in the valve-casing and provided with a
nut whereby the said hand lever may be securely fastened in any desired position.
Or the said hand-lever is provided with other suitable devices for this purpose.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating or Controlling the
Supply of Steam and other Fluids to Engines or Motors, and for
similar purposes.
I, WILLIAM TULLY, of 58 Gurney Road, Leytonstone, in the County of Essex,
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:-
My invention relates to apparatus for regulating or controlling the flow of steam
and other fluids.
My said invention is chiefly designed to improve the construction and increase
the efficiency of apparatus such as I have described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent granted to me and dated 3rd December A.D. 1888 No. 17610.
According to one part of my present invention, I provide an auxiliary or
supplementary device for automatically effecting or assisting to effect the re-opening
of the valve should the same at any time be completely closed by a sudden or rapid
flow or rush of the steam or other fluid through the valve-casing.
Another part of my present invention relates to the form of apparatus shown in
Figure 11 of the drawings accompanying my said former Specification and consists
in certain improvements whereby the said apparatus is adapted to serve as a
governor and also as a stop-valve to be opened and closed by hand.
According to another part of my said invention, I provide for diminishing the
amount of extension of the spring used for opening the regulating valve, and also
in this modification I provide a hand lever for closing the valve by hand.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure is an elevation of a controlling valve provided with one form of my
present improvements for opening or assisting to open the valve in case it should be

page_text: completery Closed by a sudden rush of steam of ONCE on one respects is
constructed as described in the aforesaid prior Specification.
Figure 2 is an elevation of a similar valve provided with another device shown
partly in section for effecting the same object.
Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section through another form of valve con-
structed according to my said prior Patent and provided with another device for
effecting the above object.
Figure 4 is a central longitudinal section, and
Figure 5 is a transverse section of a valve provided with another of my present
improvements, and
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a valve provided with the last of my present
improvements.
Like letters represent corresponding parts throughout the drawings,
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 A is the valve casing, and B is the outside lever
for actuating or governing the valve, said lever being fixed on a spindle C and
controlled by a spring D as described in my aforesaid prior Specification.
In order to prevent the sticking of the valve should it be completely closed by a
sudden rush of steam or other fluid I provide according to one arrangement as
follows, that is to say, to the side of the valve casing A Figure 11 pivot at a a
lever a which is formed with a hooked or bent end a² and is adjustably loaded by a
movable weight a³. The said lever is supported at its extremity by means of
a spring a which is attached to the valve casing. I form an extension or arm bon
the lever B of a suitable length and I arrange the said extension in combination
with the lever in such a manner that when the valve is working, the end of the
arm will vibrate just in front of the hooked end u² of the lever a, and so that
when the valve is actually or nearly closed the arm will press upon the said
hooked end a² in such a manner as to raise the weighted end of the lever a. In
this manner the weighted lever a is caused to assist the spring D in opening the
valve, when the said valve is very nearly or quite closed. Should the valve be
closed very suddenly as for instance by a rush of steam or other fluid through the
casing, the arm will strike the hook at a sharp blow and will thereby raise the
weight a very suddenly.. The parts are so proportioned that the reaction of this
blow will be sufficient to prevent the valve closing, or to cause it to immediately
open should it actually close. Inasmuch as the lever a is supported by a spring at
its free end, it is obvious that the strain on the said lever and on the arm & caused
by the aforesaid blow will not be very severe.
To enable this valve to be used as a stop valve as well as a governor, I form a
slotted lateral curved extension on the arm and 1 fix a screw bolt in the
valve casing which bolt extends through the said slot, and is provided with a wing
nut 3 by which the arm can be clamped to the valve casing in any desired
position. To shut down the valve, all that is required is to lift the lever B and
then clamp it in position by means of the wing nut . In some cases I may dis-
pense with the spring at and support the lever on a ledge formed on or fixed to
the casing.
It is obvious that I may
I prefer however to use a spring as above described.
further vary this device in other ways, for instance, I may employ a strong
loaded spring in lieu of the weighted lever so arranged that the arm & will strike
and extend or compress the said spring just before the valve closes.
In the device shown in Figure 2 I employ the fluid pressure itself for re-opening
the valve. In this case a small cylinder c is secured to the side of the casing A
and is provided with a valve cat one end thereof that opens outwards from the
cylinder and into a pipe that forms a communication between the cylinder and
the interior of the valve casing. ³ is a piston working in the cylinder c and con-
nected through its rod c and a link with the arm of the leyer B. The end of
the piston rod and the pin or spindle of the valve c are so arranged in relation to
each other that when the main or regulating valve closes and the piston e³ iş

page_text: consequently forced to the other end of the cylinder from that shown in the
drawing, the said rod strikes the valve and drives it from its seat thereby
admitting steam or other fluid under pressure into the cylinder from the interior of
the valve casing. The pressure thus brought to bear on the piston tends to open
the main or regulating valve again and the parts are so arranged that the force will
be sufficient to accomplish this desired result. A stop is provided to prevent the
valve e being driven too far away from its seat. Immediately the main valve
opens again, and the piston c³ retreats in the cylinder c the fluid pressure behind
the valve automatically closes the said valve. The cylinder is then drained or
relieved of pressure by means of a small hole provided in the cylinder
wall which hole is so situated as to be opened when the piston retreats to the
other end of the cylinder.
It is obvious that I may disconnect the arm & from the piston c³ and so arrange
that the said arm will strike the piston rod thus moving the piston back to open
the valve el when the main regulating valve is nearly closed. At other times the
arm will be free from the said piston.
This device is also shown with the same arrangements as above described with
reference to Figure 1 for locking the valve or securing it in the closed position so
that it may be used as a stop valve.
It may be desirable in some circumstances to keep the main regulating valve
closed for a brief period after it has been shut by a sudden rush of steam in order
that the engine or motor should be the more quickly brought down to its
normal or required speed. For this purpose I place in the pipe a suitable
valve as at which can be partially closed so as to throttle the steam
other fluid and thus delay the action on the piston c³
or
According to another arrangement shown in Figure 3 I form or fix on the
regulating valve spindle E a piston d and I attach to the valve casing a small
cylinder in which the said piston works. The inner end of the cylinder is formed
with a recess 2 in which works another small piston d³ fixed on the valve spindle.
The said piston is made steam tight by an ordinary piston ring or packing and
prevents any escape of steam or other fluid from the interior of the valve casing.
Two or more small valves are mounted in the end of the cylinder to form a
communication between the interior of the casing A and the cylinder and these
valves are arranged to be opened by the piston d when the regulating valve is
nearly or quite closed, thus allowing the steam or other fluid under pressure to act
upon the piston & which pressure will then assist in re-opening the main valve when
closed or will resist the closing of the said valve. When the main or regulating
valve is re-opened the aforesaid small valves will be forced to their seats by the
pressure of the steam or other fluid, and the piston d is then relieved of pressure,
the steam or other fluid in the cylinder escaping by a small orifice provided in
the cylinder for the purpose. This orifice is only open when the valves are
shut, it being closed by the piston when the latter is moved. downward to open
the said valves . Another opening is provided in the cylinder to prevent
compression and expansion of the air behind the piston as the latter moves up
and down. ', d' are stops to limit the distance through which the valves can be
moved from their seats.
The governor spring D is placed on the top of the regulating nut D₁ which
latter is screwed on the cover of the cylinder d. Instead of employing the
piston for preventing leakage, I may if desired employ a stuffing box.
If it is desired to vary the time required for this device to operate I may effect
this in many ways, for instance I may lengthen the cylinder below the end which
contains the valves d and provide the cylinder with a false bottom, in which is or
are mounted one or more taps. The said taps form a communication between the
valve casing A and the space between the false bottom of the cylinder d' and the
partition containing the valves and by opening the said taps more or less
the time required for filling the said space to the required pressure with steam or

page_text: other fluid from the casing will be regulated to suit any requirement, and may be
made long or short as described.
Instead of using the pressure of the fluid in the valve casing to act upon the
piston d for re-opening the main valve I sometimes effect the re-opening by means
of compressed air. For this purpose I dispense with the valves and the
opening and thus compress the air in the cylinder d' by the movement of the
piston d as the main valve closes. In this manner sufficient pressure may be
obtained in the said cylinder to prevent the main valve closing or to immediately
re-open it again should it for an instant closc.
The second feature of my present invention relates to an improvement in the
device shown in Figure 11 of the Specification of my aforesaid prior Patent which
improvement is intended to make the apparatus serve as a governor and also as a
stop valve. For this purpose I find it advantageous to substitute for the bridge
piece 13 shown in the said Figure 11 of my former Specification a cranked rod e
Figures 4 and 5, which can be turned about its axis into either of two positions,
that is to say, into such a position that when the main valve is closed, the spindle Fi
of the relief valve F will strike the said bar and the said valve Fwill be opened
to equalize the pressure on the two sides of the main valve and thus enable the
main spring to open the said main valve; or into such a position that the said rod
will be out of reach of the spindle and the main valve can then be tightly closed
by hand without opening the relief valve F. For securing the rod e in place; I
provide an annular piece or disc which is secured to the flange at one end of
the casing A. Between the said disc and flange is arranged the said cranked rod e
one end of which extends through a suitable stuffing-box so that a spanner or key
can be applied for turning the said rod about its axis.
:
The last feature of my present invention relates to diminishing the extension of
the spring that governs the main valve. In accordance with this part of my
invention I modify the construction of my apparatus as shown in Figure 6, that is
to say connect the spring D at one end to the casing A and at its other end to
a lever pivoted at g' to the said casing. This lever coupled at its free end to
the lever B fixed on the spindle C which is connected with the main valve as here-
tofore. It is evident that the extension of the spring D will in this case be much
less than in my valves as heretofore constructed. For closing the valve by hand,
I provide a hand-lever which is also pivoted at ' and which is connected with
The said lever is formed with a curved slot through
which is provided with a nut ¹ for securing the said lever
the lever by a link j.
which extends a stud
in any desired position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what 1
claim is :-
First. The combination with a valve such as I have described in my Specification
No. 17610 A.D. 1888 of a supplementary device which comes into action only
when the valve is nearly closed, and which then resists the closing and assists in the
re-opening of the said valve, for the purpose specified.
Second. The combination with the said supplementary device of a valve for
varying the time required for the said device to act, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Third. The combination with the main valve and the auxiliary or relief valve
within the same for equalizing the pressure on both sides thereof of an adjustable
cranked rod which can be turned when desired into a position to open the auxiliary
or relief valve when the main valve is closed, or into a position where it will not
open the relief valve, substantially as specified.
Fourth. The combination with the valve, and the governing spring, of the lever
arrangement substantially as described with reference to Figure
for the purpose
specified.
Fifth. The combined governor and stop-valve constructed as described with

page_text: reference to any one of the forms or modifications shown in the accompanying
drawings, and operating as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 1st day of December 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.