Improvements in Boiler Level Indicators.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 16th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boiler Level Indicators.
I, SAMUEL GREEN of 12 Cleveland Terrace, Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton
in the County of Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the construction of "tell tales" for indicating the extreme
range of change of water level in steam boilers, and it consists in attaching to the
exterior projecting part of any balanced float of ordinary construction an arm or
projection which acts upon two indicators.
When the water level is low the projection moves one pointer upon a scale, and
leaves it in the position to indicate the lowest point reached by it. When the level
is high it moves another pointer so that the highest position attained is indicated.
The pointers thus indicate the minimum and maximum water level since the last
observation. The scale upon which the pointers indicate, may be of any convenient
material provided that the graduations are clear and distinct and the arrangement
of the sliding pointers is such that by means of springs falling into ratchet or other
teeth or indentations, the pointers are each of them free to move in one direction,
that is to indicate high water and low water; but each pointer is retained in the
extreme position to which it is thrust by the spring catches.
Friction catches may be used instead of teeth if desired. Suitable buttons or
levers are provided to release the springs applying friction or springing into the
ratchet teeth so as to allow the pointers to be approached to each other when it is
desired to set them back for another observation. The springs are sometimes
arranged so that by pressing them directly they release from the ratchet teeth, and
so allow the indicating pointers to be returned to the position at which the
projection from the moving part is in communication with the balanced float.
I prefer to construct my float so that it is attached to a rod which moves up and
down through a stuffing gland in the boiler shell and I balance it by connecting the
end to a chain passing over a pulley and having a suitable weight suspended from it.
I prefer to place the exterior part of the apparatus in a locked up case with glass
in one portion so that the maximum and minimum water level may be registered
and the registration be beyond the control of the man in charge of the boiler.
Dated this 10th day of July 1890.
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boiler Level Indicators.
I, SAMUEL GREEN, of 12 Cleveland Terrace, Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton,
in the County of Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the saine is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to the construction of tell tales for indicating the extreme
range of change of water level in steam boilers and it consists in attaching to the
exterior projecting part of any balanced float of ordinary construction an arm or
projection which acts upon two indicators moving over a scale. When the water
fevel is low the projection moves one pointer upon the scale and leaves it in the
position to indicate the lowest point reached by it. When the level is high it
Din Qri

page_text: moves another pointer so that the highest position attained is indicated. The
pointers thus indicate the minimum and maximum water level since the last
observation.
The scale upon which the pointers indicate may be of any convenient material
provided that the graduations are clear and distinct and the arrangement of the
sliding pointers is such that by means of springs falling into ratchet or other teeth
or indentations the pointers are each of them free to move in one direction that is to
indicate high water and low water level but each pointer is retained in the extreme
position to which it is thrust by the spring catches.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings :-
Figure 1 is a section showing the application of my invention.
Figure 2 is an external view of the apparatus.
Figure 3 is a sectional plan referring to Figures 1 and 2 and
Figure 4 is a similar sectional plan with the float rod outside instead of inside
the case.
Figure 5 shows one method of constructing the spring catches.
The float rod H (Figures 1 and 2) passes through a stuffing gland in the boiler
shell I and also through the case A preferably of cast metal. This case contains a
rack G which carries two pointers E, F indicating on the scale C. A projection K
from the float rod H on rising moves up the pointer E and when the water level
falls again the pointer E remains in its upper position as a spring catch one
construction of which is seen in detail at Figure 5 prevents it from falling. The
pointer F is moved down by the fall of the boiler float and is fitted with a similar
spring catch so that it may be easily moved down but cannot be moved up so long
as the catch operates.
The teeth of the rack G are arranged to permit of easy movement of the
pointers each in one direction only. The scale C and the pointers are clearly
visible through a glass plate in the hinging locking door B and the pointers
remain in the extreme positions indicating the extremes of water level in the boiler
quite beyond access of the boiler attendant and thus imposes a check upon him.
Poth pointers come together at the centre of the rack G and are kept at their
respective ends by the stop L Fig. 1. When the pointers have indicated to the
boiler owner or foreman the maximum and minimum water level during the period
desired the door B is unlocked and the spring catches of the pointers E and F are
liberated by pulling out of gear with the rack, the pointers are then moved to their
normal position and they are again ready to indicate the lowest and highest water
level during any desired period. Slots M, M Figure 2 are preferably arranged to
allow the case A to slide into position around the float rod Has indicated in
sectional plan at Figure 4. In this case the projection K operating the pointers
passes through a slot N in the side of the case. The spring catches are so placed
that it is impossible for the attendant to tamper with them through the slot N in
order to fulsify the registration and make it appear that the boiler level has
remained constant while he has readily allowed it to vary. This is most effectually
prevented however by entirely surrounding the float rod H by the case as in
Figures 1, 2, and 3. Sometimes I dispense with the slots M Figures 1, 2, and 3
and slip the case over the end of the rod by detaching the balance chain temporarily
to allow this to be done.
Friction catches may be used instead of the tooth catches and rack shown in
Figure 5 and the construction of the catches may be varied. Suitable buttons or
levers may be provided to release the springs applying friction or springing into
the ratchet teeth so as to allow the pointers to be approached to each other when it
is desired to set them back for another observation.
The springs are sometimes arranged so that by pressing them directly they
release from the ratchet teeth and so allow the indicating pointers to be returned
to the position at which the projection from the moving part is in communication
with the balanced float.
I prefer to construct my float so that it is attached to a rod which moves up and

page_text: down through a stuffing gland in the boiler shell and I balance it by connecting
the end to a chain passing over a pulley and having a suitable weight suspended
to it.
The lock up case may be constructed in various ways provided the rack and
pointers are beyond the control of the man in charge of the boiler so that the
regulation may be independent.
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 :-
(1) An apparatus for registering the low and high water level in boilers
comprising pointers moved by a float rod in which the registering parts are placed
within a lock up case so as to be beyond tampering substantially as herein before
described and illustrated.
(2) The water level registering apparatus hereinbefore described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
11th day of ▲ neil 1901
CLERK & MARKS,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicant.
CLERK & MARKS,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicant.