IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS PRESSURE REGULATORS OR GOVERNORS
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I THOMAS CAINE of No 2 Westbourne Terrace Malvern Link in the parish of
Loigh in the County of Worcester Gas and Sanitary Engineer and Surveyor, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS PRESSURE
REGULATORS OR GOVERNORS to be as follows:-
The prime object of this invention is to secure a means whereby the pressure of
Gas in the mains issuing from the gas governor may be increased or diminished
automatically at such times and to such extent as the consumption of gas supplied
therefrom requires.
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The Apparatus is adapted and may be applied to any of the usual forms of gas
governors which are generally constructed for the purpose of maintaining
uniform outlet pressure with a variable inlet pressure and "consumption. The
object here sought may be attained by weighting the governor with a variable
lever weight in such a manner that the rising and falling of the inverted bolder of
the Governor shall change the position of the weight relatively to the fulcrum on
which the lever moves. There are however important objections to this method
and I prefer that hereinafter described and which forms the subject of this
application.
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The Gasholder of the governor is usually provided with an air vessel which
counteracts the weight of the holder and valve and gives buoyancy thereto.
I divide this air-vessel into a series of chambers A. A'. A¹ A¹¹. A¹Ù ▲
(as shown on drawing accompanying this application) preferably annular and con-
centric, the divisions which separate the chambers extend from the top to within
a short distance say inch of the bottom, the openings at the bottom being the
only communication between the various chambers. From the top and open to
each of the chambers respectively rise tubes B. B'. B. B B BB
extending gas tight through the gasholder and provided with a screwed plug or
cap or other contrivance for the purpose of rendering the upper portion of the
chambers airtight when required. One of the legs of a syphon pipe C. C which
has the lower end of each leg turned up or otherwise "sealed " extends from the
bottom of one of the chambers through the top and upwards to top of holder; it
then passes out of holder and the other leg extends downwards outside the holder
and terminates with its open end on a level with the open end of the other leg of
the syphon, a plug is provided at the upper end of one of the legs for the purpose
of charging the sunbon.

page_text: An annular tank D. D, in which the outer leg of syphon ascends and descends,
surrounds the gasholder tank of the governor but is separated watertight there-
from. The annular tank is charged with water to near the level of bottom of air-
chamber or float in holder when valve is quite closed. I make the depth of air
chamber preferably equal to length of valve.
The adjustment and action of the apparatus are as follows. Screw the caps on
the tubes rising from air-chambers, and then chargo syphon through opening at top
of same temporarily stopping up end of outer leg; then screw cap on top of
syphon. The open ends of the legs of the syphon being on the saine level the
syphon will remain charged indefinitely although neither leg may be immersed in
the water.
In charging the syphon the water will only rise in the annular chambers of the
float to a very small extent owing to the escape of air therefrom being prevented
by the caps at top. Now weight the governor so as to give the minimum day
pressure desired, and then charge with water the outer tank B up to the level of
open end of syphon. Remove the caps from the tubes of such of the chambers as
shall when charged with water to the required height add such weight to the
bolder as shall give the night pressure required.
As the consumption of gas increases the pressure in the mains is thereby lowered
and (as is also the case in the ordinary gas governor) the holder and valve descend.
The descent of the holder E brings down with it the syphon C the outer leg of
which becomes immersed below the level of the water in annular tank D, and the
outlet of inner leg of the charged syphon being also below level of water, the
consequence is that water flows from D through syphon and rises to its level in
such of the chambers as by the removal of the caps from the tubes communicating
therewith are in communication with the external atmosphere. Hence the greater
the draught upon the mains the greater the descent of the holder and the greater
the pressure communicated thereto. When the draught diminishes the pressure
in the mains increases which raises the holder and consequently lifts the water in
the air-chambers above the level of the water in outer annular tank, the result is
that the water flows back from the air chambers through the syphon returning to
the tank and so removing the pressure from the holder. By dividing the air
vessel into chambers of various widths as for example such as would yield a pressure
of 1-10th, 2-10ths, 4-10 ths, 8-10ths, 15-10ths, 30-10th, and 40-10ths respectively
and making the proper combination, a maximum pressure of any number of 10ths
up to 100 can be obtained.
If it be desired that the pressure shall not begin to increase until the valve has
opened to a given extent the level of water in outer tank must be lowered to the
level at which it is required the increase of pressure should commence.
If it is desired that the increase of pressure shall cease on a given opening of
the valve being attained, the level of water in outer tank must be raised to such
a height, that when the valve, has been opened to the required extent the top of
air vessel shall be on a level with that of the water.
If it be desired to increase the rate of increase of pressure as the valve descends
it may be accomplished by constructing the division walls of air vessel so that they
shall converge towards one another from top to bottom.
If it be desired to diminish the rate of increase as the valve descends it may be
accomplished by constructing the division walls of air vessel so that they shall
diverge from one another from top to bottom. Or the rate of increase may be
made to vary by suiting the shape of the cone valve to the required variation.
Instead of the syphon for conveying the water from tank to annular chambers
of float a flexible tube F shewn in dotted lines on drawing may be employed.
The weight added to the bottom of holder and distributed over a large area
gives a steadiness of action to the governor superior to that produced by weighting
the holder at the top as is usually done.
Further instead of charging the air-vessel of holder a separate vessel placed on
top of holder and a separate water tank may be employed for producing thể

page_text: variation of pressure and may consist of one or more chambers Or as in some
governors the weights are suspended over a wheel so may the water chambers be
suspended in place of the weights the change of pressure taking place similarly to
that already described.
Further instead of the annular tank D for containing the water, a separate tank
placed at any convenient distance may be employed It will only be necessary to
convey a pipe from same to Governor and let such pipe terminate in a stand pipe
of sufficient dimensions to allow of the syphon C (if a syphon be used) to rise and
fall within it.
When the apparatus has been adjusted to suit the gas supply to any system of
mains it will be seen that, with an uniform inlet pressure a given opening of the
valve will always be accompanied by the same outlet pressure, and since a given
orifice with a given pressure will discharge a certain known quantity of gas per
hour an indication either of the extent of the opening of the valve or of the degree
of outlet pressure will be an indication of the rate of discharge.
It is usual in Gas Works to employ a self registering apparatus for registering
the pressure. By using such selfregistering apparatus in conjunction with the
governor herein described the registration of the pressure becomes also a regis-.
tration of the comparative consumption from day to day, or at different times
during the same day, and may also serve as a means of detecting the occurrence
of a leakage in the mains by indicating an abnormally large discharge during
the day.
The absolute consumption may also be determined.
I do not limit myself to the precise details described herein or shewn on
accompanying drawing but to apparatus substantially as and for the same purpose.
1

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I THOMAS CAINK of N° 2 Westbourne Terrace Malvern Link in the parish of
Leigh in the County of Worcester Gas and Sanitary Engineer and Surveyor do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS PRESSURE
REGULATORS OR GOVERNORS and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
"
The prime object of this Invention is to secure a means whereby the pressure of
Gas in the mains issuing from the Gas Governor may be increased and diminished
automatically at such times and to such extent as the consumption of Gas supplied
therefrom requires. The apparatus is adapted and may be applied to any of the
usual forms of Gas Governors which are generally constructed for the purpose of
maintaining an uniform outlet pressure with a variable inlet pressure and
consumption.
The Gasholder of the Governor is usually provided. with an air-vessel which
counteracts the weight of the holder and valve and gives buoyancy thereto.
I divide this air-vessel into a series of chambers A A¹ A¹¹ Aш ▲▲▲
(as shewn on drawing) preferably annular and concentric. The divisions which
separate the chambers extend from the top to within a short distance of the bottom
the openings at bottom being the only communication between the various
chambers. From the top and open to each of the chambers respectively rise
tubes B B B B B B B extending gas tight through the Gasholder
and provided with a screwed plug or cap or other contrivance for the purpose of
rendering the upper portion of the chambers air tight when required. One of the
legs of a syphon pipe CC which has the lower end of each leg turned upwards or
otherwise "sealed " extends from the bottom of one of the chambers through the
top and upwards to top of holder, it then passes out of holder and the other leg
extends downwards and terminates with its open, end on a level with the open
end of the other leg of the syphon.
This arrangement enables the syphon when once charged to remain charged
indefinitely even though neither leg may be immersed in the water. A plug is
provided at the upper end of one of the legs for the purpose of charging the
syphon.
An annular tank D. D. in which the outer leg of syphon ascends and descends
surrounds the Gasholder tank of the Governor but is separated water-tight there-
from. The annular tank is charged with water to near the level of bottom of air
chamber or float in holder, when valve is quite closed.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-A's the consumption of gas increases
the pressure in the mains is thereby lowered and (as is also the case in the ordinary
Gas Governor) the holder and valve descend.
The descent of the holder E brings down with it the syphon C the outer leg of
which becomes immersed below the level of the water in annular tank D and the
outlet of the inner leg of the charged syphon being also below level of water the
consequence is that water flows from D through syphon and rises to its level in
such of the chambers as by the removal of the caps from the tubes communicating

page_text: therewith are in communication with the external atmosphere. Hence the greater
the draught upon the mains the greater the descent of the holder and the greater
the pressure communicated thereto. When the draught diminishes the pressure in
the mains increases which raises the holder and consequently lifts the water in the
air chambers above the level of water in outer annular tank, the result is that the
water flows back from the air chambers through the syphon returning to the tank
and so removes the pressure from the holder.
By dividing the air vessel into chambers of various widths and making the
proper combination any required maximum pressure may be obtained.
If it be desired that the pressure shall not begin to increase until the valve has
opened to a given extent the level of water in outer annular tank must be lowered
to the level at which it is required the increase of pressure shall commence.
If it be desired that the increase of pressure shall cease on a given opening of
the valve being attained the level of water in outer tank must be raised to such
a height that when the valve has been opened to the required extent the top of
air-vessel shall be on a level with that of the water. If it be desired to increase
the rate, of increase of pressure as the valve descends it may be accomplished by
constructing the division walls of air chamber so that they shall converge towards
one another from top to bottom. If it be desired to diminish the rate of increase
as the valve descends it may be accomplished by constructing the division walls of
air vessel so that they shall diverge from one another from top to botton. Or the
rate of increase may be made to vary by suiting the shape of the valve to the
required variation.
.
Instead of the syphon for conveying the water from tank to annular chambers
of float a flexible tube F shewn in dotted lines on drawing may be employed.
Further instead of charging the air vessel of holder a separate vessel placed on
top of holder and a separate water tank may be employed or the vessel for receiving
the water from tank may be suspended over a pulley wheel in' place of the weights
as employed in some Governors.
When the apparatus has been adjusted to suit the gas supply of any system of
mains, it will be seen that with an uniform inlet pressure a given opening of the
valve will always be accompanied by the same outlet pressure and since a given
orifice with a given pressure will discharge a certain known quantity of gas per
hour an indication either of the extent of the opening of the valve or of the
degree of outlet pressure will be an indication of the rate of discharge.
It is usual in Gas Works to employ a self registering apparatus for registering
the pressure daily. By using such self registoring apparatus in conjunction with
the Governor herein described the registration of the pressure becomes also a
registration of the comparative consumption from day to day or at different times
during the same day, and may also serve as a means of detecting the occurrence of
a leakage in the mains by indicating an abnormally large discharge during the day.
The absolute consumption may also be determined.
The Governor above described is well adapted for use as a District Governor
where it is invariably necessary that the change of pressure should be effected
automatically also for large consumers where the same thing is desirable.
I do not limit myself to the precise details described herein or shewn on
accompanying drawing.
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
1 The use or employment of means in conjunction with Station, District, or
Consumers Gas Governors or Pressure Regulators whereby an increased draught
upon the mains or pipes issuing therefrom is made to produce automatically an
increased weight upon the Governor and as a consequence an increased pressure of
gas upon the mains or pipes, and whereby a diminished draught upon the mains or
pipes is made to produce automatically a contrary effect.

page_text: 2 The use or employment in conjunction with Automatic Pressure Changing Gas
Governors of a vessel so arranged as to partake of the motion of the Gasholder of
the Governor and having communication with another vessel or tank containing
water or other liquid by such means that when the first mentioned vessel descends
and ascends a portion of the water contained in the other vessel or tank shall be
transmitted thereto and therefrom respectively substantially as hereinbefore set
forth.
3 The use or employment in conjunction with apparatus as aforesaid of a syphon
having the open ends thereof placed upon the same level and "sealed" substantially
as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
4 The use or employment in conjunction with apparatus aforesaid of a vessel
divided into a series of chambers of various dimensions whereby the Governor may
be made to yield any desired pressure up to its maximum substantially as herein-
before set forth.
5 The use or employment of Gas Pressure Selfregistering apparatus in con-
junction with Automatic Pressure Changing Gas Governors whereby the registration
of the outlet pressure from Governor is made also a registration of the comparative
or absolute rate of discharge or consumption.
Dated this twentyninth day of June 188K