Improvements in Pressure Regulators for Fermenting Liquids.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Pressure Regulators for Fermenting Liquids.
I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the county of Middlesex,
Engineer. do hereby declare the nature of this invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PRESSURE REGULATORS FOR FERMENTING LIQUIDS" (a communication from
Albert S Bigelow of Rochester, New York, United States of America) 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 regulators for controlling the pressure
at which the gases produced by fermentation are allowed to escape from the vessels
in which the fermentation is carried on.
This improved pressure regulator is represented in the accompanying drawings,
in which-
Figure 1 is an elevation.
Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section.
Figure 3 represents the valve stem and ring detached.
Figure 4 represents the diaphragm detached.
Figure 5 is an end view of the valve and ring.
Figure 6.represents the interior of the case, as seen from the left hand of
Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a plan view, representing a modification.
Figure 8 is a partial section illustrating the operation of the diaphragm.
Figure 9 is an end view of the nut on the adjusting screw..
This improved pressure regulator is represented in the accompanying drawings,
in which A is the case or shell, B the inlet pipe, C the outlet, D the flexible
diaphragm, E the valve, F the valve stem, and G the ring or annulus, by which
the movement of the diaphragm caused by the pressure of the gases is transmitted
to the valve stem and valve., H is a coiled spring surrounding the valve stem and
serving to keep the inlet chamber I Figure 2 closed by pressing the valve E against
the valve sent formed by the end of the tube J, except when the pressure of the
gases in the inlot chamber becomes sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring,
DOJ

page_text: As represented in the drawings, the case A is cylindrical in shape and of sufficient
dimensions to enclose the valve, ring and spring-its end opposite the diaphragın
being provided with a tubular extension or, socket K which receives the adjusting
screw L by which the tension of the spring H is regulated. The case A is provided
with the circular flange N Figures 2 and 6 against which the edges of the
diaphragm D are secured by the flange O of the inlet chamber I and the screw
ring P. The edge of the case is threaded internally so as to receive the screw
ring P which holds both the inlet chamber and the diaphragm in place against the
annular flange N. The screw ring is provided with lugs or openings for the
purpose of adapting it to be inserted or removed by means of a suitable wrench.
The opposing surfaces of the flanges O on the inlet chamber and N on the case are
preferably roughened or grooved so that the edge of the diaphragm is firmly held
between them when they are forced together by the screw ring P. A series of
screws or bolts may be substituted for the screw ring for the purpose of attaching
the inlet chamber and the case together, and of securing the periphery of the
diaphragm in place but it is preferred to employ the screw ring. The valve seat J
consists of a short tube or collar the inner end of which is adapted to act as a
seat for the valve E-and is attached to the wall of the inlet chamber by means of
two or more radial bars R-the openings between which permit the free action of
the pressure of, the gases in the chamber upon the outer face of the diaphragm D.
The inlet chamber is provided with an inlet passage. B through which the gases in
the fermenting cask are allowed to communicate with the chamber. The inlet
passage may be provided with a cock T Figures 1 and 2 by which the, communi-
cation between the fermenting cask and the regulator may be cut off if desired.
A pressure gauge V may also be attached to the inlet chamber by means of the
pipe V. The centre of the diaphragm is perforated to fit over the valve seat J and
it is secured in place just outside the valve seat by a ring or collar S which clamps
the diaphragm against a circular flange W Figure 2. The collar S may be secured
by a series of screws or preferably by being screwed onto the valve seat, the
exterior of which is threaded to receive it. It will thus be seen that the diaphragm
is firmly connected at or near its centre and at its periphery to the casing, so that
its intermediate annular surface is free to move in consequence of the flexibility or
elasticity of the material of which the diaphragm is composed, under the pressure
of the gases in the inlet chamber, which movement is transmitted directly to the
valve E by means of the ring G and arms X X (see Figure 8) The diaphragm D
is made of sheet rubber or other suitable fabric. The valve E is also of rubber but
of a harder or less elastic quality than that used for the diaphragm. The ring G is
preferably slightly rounded on the face which bears against the diaphragin, as
shown in the sectional views. The ring G is attached by means of the arms X X
to the boss which is provided with a threaded opening into which the end of the
valve stem F is screwed by which means the valve E is held in place against a
circular flange a Figure. 2.
4.
> :
The valve E is constantly pressed against the valve seat J by the spring H
except at such times as the valve is forced. away from the valve seat by the
pressure of the gases in the inlet chamber moving the diaphragm towards the right
hand in Figure 2. The spring H bears at one end against a shoulder or collar on.
the valve stem and at the other, against the nut Y which is fitted to the adjusting
screw L being prevented from turning when the screw revolves by lug or lugs
which are arranged to slide in the ways or grooves d d Figure 6 in the casing A.
The adjusting screw is made tight in the boss K by means of a stuffing box and
screw follower Z. By turning the screw in one direction or the other the nut Y is
caused to travel along the screw and the tension of the spring H can be adjusted
so that this improved pressure regulator will blow off at any desired pressure.
In Figure 1 of the drawings this improved pressure regulator is represented
as provided with a single inlet passage designed to be connected with a single
fermenting cask but it is obvious that this improvement may be connected with a
number of casks by suitable piping, or the inlet chamber may be modified in form

page_text: so that it may be provided with a number of inlet passages as represented in
Figure 7 in which I is a cylindrical or suitably shaped receiver provided with the
inlet passages B¹ to any or all of which suitable tubes or pipes connecting with
separate fermenting casks may be attached. The inlet passages B¹ may also be
provided with suitable stop cocks so that the communication between any of the
casks and the regulator may be cut off if desired. The receiver I' is connected to
the casing by means of a neck e which is provided with a flango secured to the
casing by a screw ring as already described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
1. The combination in a pressure regulator of a suitable casing provided with
inlet and outlet passages a flexible diaphragm secured to the casing at its centre
and periphery, a centrally located valve seat and a spring actuated valve provided
with a ring bearing on the free portion of the diaphragm substantially as
described.
'
2. The combination in a pressure regulator of a suitable casing provided with
inlet and outlet passages of the flexible diaphragm D secured to the casing at its
centre and periphery the valve seat J valve E ring G spring H and adjusting
screw L substantially as described.
3. The combination with the diaphragm D and valve seat J of the ring G and
valve E secured in the boss Q by the threaded valve stem F substantially as
described.
4. The combination with the casing A having outlet passage C of the inlet
chamber I provided with valve seat J and the diaphragm D secured to the inlet
chamber around the valve seat by ring S and at its periphery between the
flanges and N and the spring actuated valve E having ring G connected
therewith substantially as described.
5. In a pressure regulator a flexible valve operating diaphragm forming a
partition between the inlet and outlet chambers and secured thereto at its centro
and circumference substantially as described.
6. The combination in a pressure regulator of the casing A having flange N and
outlet passage C of the inlet chamber I provided with centrally located valve
seat J connected to the inlet chamber by bars R the flexible diaphragm D fastened
at its centre to the inlet chamber and at its periphery between the casing and inlet
chamber, and the spring actuated valve E having ring G connected therewith
substantially as described.
7. The combination in a pressure regulator of the case A having flange N outlet
passage C and boss K of the inlet chamber I provided with centrally located valve
seat J connected to the inlet chamber by bars R the flexible diaphragm D screw
rings P and S valve E ring G spring H and means for adjusting the tension of the
spring substantially as described.