IMPROVEMENTS IN Low WATER ALARM APPARATUS FOR STEAM GENERATORS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Julius Allmann and Samuel Turton, of Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
Low WATER ALARM APPARATUS FOR STEAM GENERATORS."
Sealed the 14th July 1876, and dated the 17th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Julius Allmann and Samuel
Turton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th January
1876.
JULIUS ALLMANN and SAMUEL TURTON, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOW WATER ALARM APPARATUS FOR
STEAM GENERATORS."
'
Our Invention. relates to the apparatus attached to steam generators which
indicate by the sounding of whistles the falling of the water within the generator
to a dangerous level, or to any point fixed upon as the low water level.
The upper
end of a tube which extends downwards to the low water level is connected with
or arranged to act upon a lever which is arranged to act upon the spindle of a
valve through which steam can be admitted to the whistle. The said whistle is
supplied with steam by means of a separate pipe. On the water level falling to the
low water level the lower end of the said tube becomes uncovered, and the steam
having access to the interior of the said tube raises its temperature and thereby
effects an elongation of the said tube, whereby the upper end thereof is caused to
act upon the lever which effects the opening of the said valve. In one arrangement
the said tube passes through and is fixed to a small steam chamber to which a
steam pipe is also fixed. The whistle is mounted on the upper end of the said
steam pipe. An arm fixed on the said steam pipe embraces the said tube and
sustains or is formed to act as a fulcrum for the said lever.
We may insert an inner tube within the tube which extends to the water.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Julius Allmann and Samuel Turton in the Great Seal Patent Offico
on the 15th July 1876:
JULIUS ALLMANN and SAMUEL TURTON, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOW WATER ALARM APPARATUS FOR
STEAM GENERATORS."

page_text: .
Our Invention relates to the apparatus attached to steam generators which
indicate by the sounding of whistles the falling of the water within the generator
to a dangerous level, or to any point fixed upon as the low water level. The upper
end of a tube which extends downwards to the low water level is connected with
or arranged to act upon a lever which is arranged to act upon the spindle of a
valve through which steam can be admitted to the whistle. The said whistlo is
On the water level
supplied with steam by means of a separate pipe or passage.
fulling to the low water level the lower end of the said tube becomes uncovered,
and the steam having access to the interior of the said tube raises its temperature
and thereby effects an elongation of the said tube, whereby the upper end thereof
is caused to act upon the lever which effects the opening of the said valve.
We may insert an inner tube within the tube which extends to the water.
And in order that our said Invention, may be fully understood we have appended
hereunto a Sheet of Drawings made about one quarter of the full size, and marked
with letters of reference.
Referring in this place to the said Drawings Fig. 1 represents an elevation and
Fig. 2 a sectional elevation of our said apparatus.
In the said Figures a is a cast-iron column formed with side openings in order
that the air may have free access to the internal tube; to the lower end of the said
column is secured a casting b, in which is formed a steam passage c which com-
municates with a steam whistle d; within the said column is secured a tube e
which is formed or provided with a collar at f which is screwed into the lower part
of the column; the upper end of the said tube is screwed into a globular chamber g;
in the example a short tube h is screwed into the casting b and serves as means
for attaching the apparatus to the shell of a steam generator, as indicated in Fig. 2.
This method of connection may be varied, and if preferred the base of the column
may be arranged to be bolted on to the shell of the steam generator or on to a block
fixed thereto. The lower end of the tube c extends through the tube to the low
water level, indicated by i, the annular space between the two tubes serving as a
passage for the flow of steam to the whistle; a collar is screwed upon the neck
of the chamber g, and the said collar is formed with a number of holes extending in
a circle around the said collar; the said collar may be raised and lowered upon the
said neck by turning the said collar in one direction or the other, and when
adjusted a bolt may be passed through one of the said holes and through a hole in
a projection from the column, and be secured by means of a padlock; as indicated
in Fig. 1; an arm projecting from the side of the column serves as a fulcrum for a
lever m which is connected by one end with a rod n which extends downwards to
the steam whistle, and is fitted to slide in holes drilled in brackets o which are cast
upon the column; the other end of the said lever extends over a part of the collar;
the rod is connected with a valve which admits steam to the whistle, the arrange-
ment being such as that when the said rod is pushed downwards the said valvo is
pushed open and steam is admitted to the whistle.
The action of the apparatus is as follows :-So long as the lower end of the tubo o
is immersed in the water the said tube remains filled with water, which becomes
comparatively cold in consequence of the absence of a circulation of water into and
out of the said tube. The collar is so adjusted as that when so filled it will not
act upon the lever m. The bolt and padlock furnish means for preventing the
When the level of the water
adjustment being altered by unauthorized persons.
fall so much as that the lower end of the tube is uncovered, as represented in Fig. 2,
the water flows out of the tube and steam takes its place. The said tube now
becomes heated and thereby expands in length, whereby the collar is caused to
press upon the lever, the effect being that the rod is pushed down to some
extent. The depression of the rod opens the valve for the admission of steam to
the whistle and an alarm is thereby sounded.
If preferred the steam whistle may be at a distance from the other parts of the
apparatus, a pipe conveying the steam from a valve which is controlled by the rod n
to the said whistle

page_text: In some cases we may insert an inner tube within the tube e to ensure the
speedy discharge of the water from within the said tube when the lower end
thereof is uncovered. In such cases we prefer that the said inner tube shall extend
a little below the lower end of the tube c.
We are aware that previously to our said Invention tubes have been caused by
their expansion to open valves which have admitted steam to sound an alarm, but
in such apparatus the water has had access to the said valves and has caused
derangement in the apparatus.
What we consider to be the important feature in our Invention is the employ-
ment of a steam passage to convey steam to the whistle, the said passage not being
connected with the tube which remains filled with water under ordinary conditions.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of our said Invention, and
the manner in which we carry the same into practical effect, we would have it to
be understood that we claim,―
First. The important feature substantially as herein-before set forth and
indicated.
And, Secondly. The apparatus substantially as and for the purpose set forth and
indicated herein-before and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Samuel Turton, for myself and on behalf of the
said Julius Allmann, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth
day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
Seve
OUTVITE
Witness,
EDWARD K. DUTTON.
SAMUEL TURTON. (L.S.)