Cocks Accidentally left Open and for similar Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 20th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 22nd July, 1887.
from Cocks Accidentally left Open and for similar Purposes.
I, JOSEPH PATRICK, of Frankfort o/Main in the Empire of Germany, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved valve or apparatus having for its object to
prevent the inundation of houses which is caused by leaving open a cock of a house
supply pipe after the water has been shut off in the main so that when the latter is
subsequently opened the water escapes through the said cock.
The valve can also be used for preventing an inundation in case of leakage.
The improved valve or apparatus consists of a casing which is inserted in the
house supply pipe above the highest point at which water can be drawn.
The water enters the casing through a suitable connection at the side, and leaves
the same through an outlet at the bottom.
In the said casing is a hollow ball acting as a float valve, at the lower end of which
is arranged a shoulder fitting upon a valve seat around the outlet.
Through this hollow ball passes a vertical pipe which is open at the top and bottom
and serves as a guide to the float, also when the valve is closed the said pipe affords a
small passage to the house cocks, on the main pipe being opened again.
This guide pipe at its lower end slides through a cross piece and at its upper end
upon a downwardly projecting stud fixed to the top of the casing and entering the
guide pipe.
When the main is open, the float is lifted from its seat by the water in the casing
so that the water has free passage through the case to the house cocks. The float
also remains elevated when the main pipe is closed, as long as all the cocks in the
house pipe are closed.
If one of the cocks remains open when the main pipe is closed, the house pipe
and the casing are emptied whereupon the valve descends upon its seat by reason of
its own weight.
If now the main pipe is again opened, the casing is filled again with water, but as
this water is under pressure, it does not lift the valve but rather presses it more

page_text: forcibly upon it seat, because there is no pressure to balance the water pressure in the
main pipe. While the valve is closed a small portion of the water from the casing
passes through the guide pipe, a space being left between the interior of the latter
and the guide stud for this purpose, and flows into the house supply pipe.
If, when the water in the main pipe was shut off a cock in the house pipe remained
open, the water arriving through the guide pipe flows off continuously through the
said cock, without filling the house pipe. In this case owing to the pressure in the
main pipe the valve remains closed until the cock which was left open has been
closed. When the latter takes place the water admitted through the guide pipe fills
the house pipe.
When the house pipe is filled, the pressure therein, in combination with the lifting
power of the air contained in the hollow ball, overbalances the pressure in the main
pipe upon the valve, thereby causing the float to rise and the opening of the water
passage.
The lifting of the float valve when the house pipe is opened will not take place on
the valve of the main being opened again, if the said float valve is made so heavy
that its weight in combination with the weight of the water column pressing upon it
exceeds the floating force of the valve. The valve comes into action only when the
water pressure is removed on both sides (that is, when the house pipe cock is closed)
and only the force of gravity of the valve has to be overcome.
In this case it is quite immaterial whether the air has a free escape through the
open cock or not.
The air in the previously emptied house pipe does not require to be conducted
away, as it is compressed by the water flowing through the small permanently open
accessory pipe, and the valve ascends as soon as the pressure in front of and behind
the valve is balanced, no matter whether the counter pressure existing behind the
valve is effected only by water or by water in conjunction with air.
If a leakage exists in the main pipe, the water passing through the guide pipe will
flow out through the same without filling the house pipe, the valve will thus remain
closed until the defect is repaired.
The guide pipe is advantageously provided at its lower end with a perforated plug
through the narrow bore of which only very little water can pass out so that, even
when the house cock remains open for a considerable time an inundation cannot
occur.
In order to discharge the air continually entering the casing from the main pipe,
and which would gradually collect in the said casing thereby disturbing the operation
of the valve, an air valve may be arranged at the highest point of the casing, through
which the air can escape. I prefer, however, to employ the following means for
automatically permitting the escape of the air.
The guide stud is made tubular and is provided with an opening at its upper end
and is also open at its lower end. If then, water flows through the guide pipe, this
water acts at the lower end of the valve in the same manner, as an injector, and sucks
the air collected in the upper part of the casing through the upper opening of the
stud pipe into the latter, and thence away. In this manner the casing is kept free
from air when there is an afflux from the main pipe.
The guide pipe is notched at its upper end, so that, even when the valve is
open, water can flow through the said pipe and draw away the air in the manner
described.
If this automatic removal of the air is unnecessary a solid guide stud for the guide
pipe may be arranged in the place of the tubular one. In this case also the guide
stud can be entirely dispensed with and the float guided at its lower end by one or
more guide pins arranged upon the same. The opening through which, when the
valve is closed, the water flows to the main pipe can be either a narrow branch pipe
passing around the casing, or a special aperture in the valve seat.
I sometimes modify the construction hereinbefore described by substituting for the
float two pistons fixed upon a common rod.
The larger piston corresponds to the valve of the float herein before described and

page_text: in it is formed a small bore for filling the house pipe. The force which lifts up the
large piston is the pressure exerted by the water upon the small piston. A spring
above the latter serves to aid the descent of the valve piston upon its seat.
According to another modification the pipe which in the former construction
passed through the float valve and served as a guide to the latter is altogether
dispensed with. The valve consists of a hollow egg-shaped unperforated float to the
bottom of which is fastened a conical valve. Ribs cast on the internal walls of the
valve casing serve to guide the valve. The conical valve is provided internally
with the channels or passages which performs the functions of the pipes or passages
herein before described.
The function of the guide pipe set forth in the constructions first described is in
the present construction performed by an air valve the shell of which is situated
above the casing and communicates with the latter through suitable channels.
This air valve rises when the valve casing is filled with water, by reason of its
floating capacity and closes an air outlet with a conical projection at its upper end.
If air collects, it partly balances the air valve and allows the latter to sink so far that
the air can escape.
As soon as the air has escaped the outlet is again closed by the
conical projections.
A rod serves as a guide to the air valve. This rod extends so far into the casing
that the air valve is struck by the ascending float valve in case it should not be at
once actuated by the floating force.
The construction of the valve can be further modified. The employment of the
small accessory pipe or passage which when the main pipe is open and the house
pipe is closed balances the water pressure upon both sides of the valve so that the
latter is then removed from its seat and gives free passage to the water is, however,
most important.
D
17
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing the Escape of Water
from Cocks Accidentally left Open and for similar Purposes.
1
I, JOSEPH PATRICK, of Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany:-
This invention relates to an improved valve or apparatus having for its object to
prevent the inundation of a house, which is caused by leaving open a cock of the
house-supply pipe after the water has been shut off in the main, so that when the latter
is subsequently opened the water escapes through the said cock.
The said valve can also be used for preventing water running to waste through
open cocks, and for detecting leakage.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of apparatus constructed according to this
invention, the valve being shewn in a closed position.
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but shewing the valve in an open position.
Figure 3 is a section on the line A, B, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating a modification of the said invention.
Figure 5 is a similar view illustrating another modification, and
Figure 6 is a section on the line a¹¹, Figure 5.
The apparatus shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3 comprises a casing a which is connected
to the house-supply pipe above the highest point at which water can be drawn, or an
apparatus can be fitted to each water cock, according to local requirements. The
water enters the casing through a suitable connection 6 and leaves the same through
an outlet c.
In the said casing is a hollow ball d acting as a float-valve, at the lower end of which
is arranged the shoulder f fitting upon the valve-seat e around the outlet. Through
this hollow ball passes a vertical pipe 9 which is open at the top and bottom, and
serves as a guide to the float. Also when the valve is closed the said pipe affords a small
passage
to the house cocks, on the main pipe being opened again.
This guide pipe 9 slides at its lower end through the cross piece h and at its upper
end upon a downwardly projecting stud ¹ fixed to the top of the casing and entering
the guide pipe.
When the main is open the float d is held away from its seat by the water in the
casing, so that the water has free passage through the casing to the house cocks. The
float also remains elevated when the main pipe is closed as long as all the cocks in
the supply pipe are closed.
If one of the cocks remains open when the main is closed, the house pipe and the
casing are emptied, whereupon the valve descends upon its seat e by reason of its
own weight.
If now the main pipe is again opened, the casing a is filled again with water, but,
as this water is under pressure, it does not lift the valve but rather presses it more
forcibly upon its seat, because there is no pressure to balance the water pressure in
the main pipe before the valve.
While the valve is closed a small portion of the water in the casing a passes through
the pipe g, a space being left between the interior of the latter and the guide stud for
this purpose, and flows into the house supply pipe.

page_text: If when the water in the main pipe is shut off, a cock in the house pipe remains
open, the water arriving through the pipe g flows off continuously through the cock
without filling the house pipe. In this case, owing to the pressure in the main pipe,
the valve remains closed until the cock which is left open has been closed. When the
latter takes place the water admitted through the guide pipe 9 fills the house pipe.
When the house pipe is filled, the pressure therein in combination with the lifting
power of the air contained in the hollow ball d, overbalances the pressure in the main
pipe upon the valve, thereby causing the float to rise and the opening of the
water passage.
The lifting of the float valve when the house pipe is opened will not take place on
the valve of the main being opened again, if the said float valve is made so heavy that
its weight in combination with the weight of the water column pressing upon it
exceeds the floating force of the valve, the pressure of the water flowing into the casing
also helps to hold down the float valve. The valve comes into action only when the
water pressure is removed or is equal on both sides of the float valve. That is when
the house-pipe cock is closed and the pipes full of water, and only the force of gravity
of the valve has to be overcome.
It is quite immaterial whether the air has a free escape through the open cock
or not.
The air in the previously emptied house pipe does not require to be conducted away,
for it is compressed by the water flowing through the small permanently open
accessory pipe, and the valve ascends as soon as the pressure in front of and behind
the valve is balanced, no matter whether the .counter pressure existing behind the
valve is effected only by water or by water in conjunction with air, always granted
that there is sufficient water to float the valve.
If a leakage exists in the main pipe, the water passing through the pipe 9 will
flow out through the same without filling the house pipe; the valve will thus remain
closed until the defect is repaired.
The pipe g is advantageously provided at its lower end with a perforated plug g¹
through a small hole in which only very little water can pass, so that even when the
house cock remains open for a considerable time an inundation cannot occur.
In order to discharge the air continually entering the casing from the main pipe,
and which would gradually collect in the casing a thereby disturbing the operation of
the valve, an ordinary air valve may be arranged at the highest point of the casing,
through which the air can escape. I prefer, however, to employ the following means
for automatically permitting the escape of the air.
The stud is made tubular and is provided with openings k at its upper end and is
also open at its lower end. If then water flows through the pipe g this water
acts at the lower end of the tubular stud in the same manner as an injector, and sucks
the air collected in the upper part of the casing through the upper opening of the
tubular stud into the pipe and thence away. In this manner the casing is kept
free from air when there is an afflux from the main pipe.
As shewn in Figure 1 the pipe g is notched at its upper end, so that, even when the
valve is open, water can flow through the pipe and draw away the air in the manner
described.
If this automatic removal of the air is unnecessary a solid guide pin for the pipe g
may be arranged in the place of the tubular one. In this case also the guide stud can
be entirely dispensed with and the float guided at its lower end by one or more guide
pins or ribs arranged upon the same. The opening through which, when the valve is
closed, the water flows to the main pipe can be either a narrow branch pipe / passing
around the casing as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, or a special aperture min
the valve seat as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 2.
I sometimes modify the construction hereinbefore described, as shewn in Figure 4,
by substituting for the float d two pistons o and p fixed upon a common rod n.
The larger piston o corresponds with the valve of the float herein before described
and in it is formed the small bore q for filling the house pipe. The force which lifts
up the large piston in this modification is the pressure exerted by the water upon the

page_text: small piston p. A spring r above the latter serves to aid the descent of the valve
piston o upon its seat. This construction will naturally only operate when the water
in the water pipes is at a higher pressure than the atmosphere.
According to another modification shewn in Figures 5 and 6 the pipe which in the
former construction passed through the float valve and served as a guide to the latter
altogether dispensed with. The valve consists of the hollow egg shaped unperforated
float C, to the bottom of which is fastened the cone valve G. Ribs a cast on the
internal wall of the valve casing A serve as a guide to the valve C. The cone G is
provided laterally with channels or passages g which perform the functions of the
accessory pipes or passages g l or m respectively, as shewn in the arrangements
hereinbefore described.
The function of the pipe g set forth in the constructions first described is in the
present construction performed by an air valve D, the shell B of which is situated
above the casing A and communicates with the latter through suitable channels f,f..
This air valve rises, when the valve casing is filled with water, by reason of its
floating capacity and closes an air outlet e with the conical projections e d¹ at its
upper end. If air collects, it partly balances the valve D and allows the latter to
sink so far that the air can escape. As soon as the air has escaped the outlet is again
closed by the conical projections.
A rod d serves as a guide to the valve D. This rod extends so far into the casing A
that the valve D is struck by the ascending valve C, in case it should not be at once
actuated by the floating force. The construction of the valve can be further modified
if desired.
The employment however, of the small accessory pipe or passage which, when the
main pipe is open and the house pipe closed, balances the water pressure upon both
sides of the valve so that the latter is then removed from its seat and gives free passage
to the water is most important.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
First. The casing a between the house pipe or cock and the main pipe, and having
an accessory pipe or passage or m, in combination with a valve upon which is
exerted a pressure smaller than, and in an opposite direction to the pressure of the
water flowing through the pipe, this smaller pressure being produced either by a
float or by the action of the water upon a valve connected with the main valve, but
acting oppositely, in such a manner that when the pressure is equalized upon both
sides of the main valve through the accessory pipe passage or the like when the house
cock is closed and the main opened the said valve is removed from its seat by the
additional pressure and allows the passage of the water.
Second. The automatic discharge of the air from the valve casing through a pipe or
passage communicating with the house supply pipe below the valve seat and extending
to near the top of the casing or by means of an air valve arranged upon and connected
with the casing, and actuated by a float.
Third. The improved apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing, and operating
as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Dated this 20th day of June 1887.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.