Steam Boilers and for similar Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Steam Boilers and for similar Purposes.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake and Co Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates chiefly to the maintenance or regulation, at a stated or
given pressure, of steam in a steam-boiler by an automatic regulation of the draft
of the furnace of the boiler, through the closing and opening of the damper of the
furnace from the action of the steam pressure in the boiler.
As is well known apparatus of various kinds have been heretofore devised
for this purpose, and among them one using a column of mercury acted upon by
the steam-pressure in the boiler, and a float to float in the mercury and to freely
move up and down with its rise and fall as the same occurs from the rise and fall
of the pressure of the steam in the boiler in communication therewith and which
is suitably connected to the damper to be operated from its said movements, that
is to be closed or opened as the case may require, and it is to this particular kind
of such apparatus, for the above purpose that this invention pertains although, as
will be evident from the description hereafter given, the improved apparatus is
applicable to other purposes, as hereafter stated.
Such apparatuses, in substance and as well known, are composed of a syphon
stand-pipe made of metal or other suitable material and two vessels, one located at
each end of and in communication with the stand-pipe. These vessels are of different
superficial areas, the area of the upper being greater than that of the lower, and
the area of each greater than the superficial area of the syphon stand-pipe con-
necting the two. In the upper vessel is located a float, floating in the mercury
thereof and suitably connected with the damper which is to be operated by the rise
and fall of said float from the rise and fall of the mercury in said vessel; and the
lower vessel is connected by a pipe or other suitable passage for the steam, the
pressure of which is to be regulated, to act upon the mercury in the lower vessel and
77

page_text: which is the mercury reservoir proper, and through its action thereon, secure a rise
or fall of the float, as the case may be, and a movement of the damper in accordance
therewith.
As to such apparatuses, this invention consists in the combination with the lower
vessel, or mercury-reservoir and the upper vessel, or float-chamber containing the
float, of a stand-pipe connecting the two and in communication with both and the
whole so constructed that the height of the mercurial column within given limits
can be adjusted at pleasure, by lengthening and shortening, as it were, the stand
pipe also in the combination with the above of a graduated scale by which to
determine accurately the adjustments aforesaid; again, in the combination of a
mercury-reservoir and a float-chamber containing the float of different superficial
areas and the area of the mercury-reservoir greater than that of the float-chamber
also of a mercury-reservoir and a float-chamber containing the float and having
communication with the mercury of the mercury-reservoir, below the level thereof,
said reservoir being of a cubic capacity for mercury greater than the combined
cubic capacity for mercury of said float-chamber with the float in it and of the
means of its communication with the mercury-reservoir; and again, in the com-
bination with a mercury-reservoir, a float-chamber in communication therewith, and
a float in said chamber of a valve constructed and arranged and cooperating with
the vertical movement of the mercury to arrest its movement and to close the
apparatus against a further movement of its contained mercury and thereby to hold
it against liability to escape; also in the combination with the float-chamber and
a float floating in the mercury thereof, of a stop or abutment to the upward move-
ment of the float from the rise of the mercury in the float-chamber and a chamber
or receptacle above said abutment or stop which at all times is open to the mercury
of the float-chamber and preferably is of a reduced superficial area as compared
with that of the float-chamber; also in a relative construction of the vertical sides
of the float and of the mercury-chamber therefor, to secure a positive guide of the
float in its rise and fall and allow a movement of the mercury along and about the
sides and at or over the top of the float; again in a relative construction of the
lower end of the float and of the floor of the chamber containing it and the
mercury in which its float so that with the float at rest on the floor of the float-
chamber an open communication will still be had for the movement of the mercury
under the float and between it and said floor; also in the adaptation of the float
to be readily changed in weight; also in the construction of the mercury-reservoir
for an in and out adjustment of the stand pipe making connection between it and
the float-chamber; again in the combination with the apparatus of the pet-cock
for discharging it of its fluid contents without escape of the mercury contained in
it and also of a valve located in the stand-pipe and to be operated by the hand
for closing the apparatus to the further movement of its contained mercury, all
substantially as hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are central vertical sections of the improved apparatus of
this invention and
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views in detail illustrating modifications which
hereinafter fully appear.
A is a pipe for the passage of the fluid, the pressure of which is to be regulated,
or of a fluid acted upon by the pressure of such fluid, to the apparatus of this
invention as for illustration, if it is the pressure of steam in a boiler which is to be
regulated, the pipe A may lead either from the steam or the water-space of the
boiler. The pipe enters at the upper portion of and there opens to a closed shell
or vessel B, which is the lower of the two vessels, making with other parts the
apparatus of this invention and is the mercury-reservoir thereof and hereafter to be
so-called.
D is a vertical pipe, the stand pipe of the apparatus and hereafter to be so-called.
This stand-pipe, as shown, is in sections telescoping each other. As for instance
Figure 1, it is in two sections D2 D3 telescoping each other and the upper end of

page_text: the lower section D2 is provided with a stuffing box F to tightly close the joint
between the two sections, and Figure 2 it is in three sections D2 D3 D' and the
sections D, and D' both telescoping the section D³, but at the opposite ends
thereof, each end being provided with a stuffing-box E and the section D³ the lower
of the three sections and the section connected to the mercury-reservoir B, passes
through a stuffing-box E in the upper wall C thereof, and enters into a downwardly
extending tubular projection or well B, leading from the bottom or floor B3 of the
reservoir and in continuation of such floor. The upper end of the upper section of
the teloscoping stand-pipe D, in every instance is attached to the lower end of and
opens to a shell or vessel H, the upper of the two vessels of the apparatus of this
invention and making the float-chamber thereof and hereafter to be so called.
The telescoping of the stand-pipe D herein described enables the height of the
float chamber above the mercury-reservoir B, to be regulated and adjusted at
pleasure within given limits according to the height of mercurial column desired.
These adjustments are made by loosening the stuffing-boxes of the pipe and also
such other parts of the apparatus as may be necessary and then moving the parts
of the pipe upon each other until the height of float-chamber desired is obtained
and there fastening the pipe by tightening up the stuffing-boxes and other parts of
the apparatus previously loosened as aforesaid and all as will hereafter more
fully appear.
K is a float located in the float-chamber H. The float-chamber, figure 3 is shown
also as constituting, as it were, the stand-pipe D that is as continuing directly from
the inside of the reservoir B upward and without the intervention of a stand-
pipe D separate and distinct from the float-chamber as in Figures 1 and 2. The
float K is made of metal or other suitable material and otherwise all so as to float
in the mercury contained in the float-chamber H as will hereafter appear, and from
the downward movement or fall of the mercury to secure an operation of the
mechanism connected with the float as hereafter described.
The float-chamber H, except as to its communication with the stand-pipe D
described and as to a central opening R in its top, is closed on all sides and at all
parts and through this central opening passes a vertical rod L attached to and
projecting upward from the centre of the top of the float. The rod L, at its upper
end, is connected to the lower end of a belt, chain or other flexible line M which
passes upward and about a vertically placed grooved pulley-wheel N, carried by a
horizontal shaft or rod O, turning in suitable bearings and which, for instance, may
be the damper-rod of the damper to the furnace of a steam-boiler or the stem of a
steam, water, gas or other fluid valve or such like.
The rod O has a weight Q applied.to it on the side opposite to that at which the
chain M of the float K enters upon its grooved pulley N. The weight may be
either suspended from the opposite end of the chain M to that from which the float
is suspended or from said pulley-wheel or rod and if from either the pulley wheel
or rod, the chain M requires to be fastened to the pulley-wheel or rod as the case
may be. This weight Q is sufficient, as the float rises in its chamber from the rise
of the mercury releasing the weight to action, to secure a turning of the rod O and
the part to which it is attached, such as a damper or a valve and all otherwise so
that a fall of the float from a fall of the mercury in the float-chamber will secure
an opening of the damper or the valve, as the case may be, and a rise of the float
from a rise of the mercury in the float-chamber will secure a closing thereof.
The damper, furnace and steam boiler are not shown as it is not deemed
necessary, being so well known and, as they of themselves form no part of this
invention.
The top of the float-chamber H acts as a stop or abutment to the upward
movement or rise of the float in said chamber and the central opening R thereof
through which the rod L of float passes is sufficiently large to act as a vent and
inlet for air, to prevent, acting as a vent the cushioning of air and as an inlet, the
forming of a vacuum within the float-chamber in the operation of the apparatus of
this invention as hereafter described. The float K, Figure 1, at the central portion

page_text: of its upper end, has a face or projection K2 of suitable shape to seat upon and
against the inner face of the closed head of the float chamber H at and about the
central opening R thereof and all so as thus to close said opening. A suitable
packing may be used on either the face of the valve K², or its seat of the closed
head of the float-chamber or on both. H³ is an upward extension or chamber
leading from the central opening R in the top of the float-chamber. This
chamber H3 opens to the mercury in the float-chamber, and for securing com-
munication for the mercury of the chamber when the float is in abutment against
the top of the float-chamber, the valve K2 of the float is dispensed with, and the
top of the float is then provided with separate raised knobs K₁ (Figure 2) so as to
leave an open space between the top of the float and the top of the float-chamber,
or the float is provided with vertical passages leading through it from end to end.
The knobs K inay be on the top of the float-chamber in lieu of on the top of the
float or on both, in either case securing an open space over the top of the float.
K³ K are separate knobs on the upright sides of the float in the float-chamber, to
guide the float in its rise and fall in its chamber and these knobs may be on the sides
of the chamber in lieu of on the float as described or on both the sides of the float and
its chamber. K³ K' are separate knobs on the bottom of the float, making feet, as
it were, through which the float can rest on the floor, or bottom of the float-
chamber as stated or on both and in all cases free communication is left in the
float-chamber around all of said surfaces or sides of the float for the movement of
the mercury at all times. U is an ear piece projecting horizontally from one side
of the float-chamber H and fitting by its eye "U, upon a stationary vertical rod W
which is secured by end ear-pieces Y, to a suitable stationary and suitably located
support therefor. X is a set or thumb-screw screwing through the car pieces U
and which turned up to a bearing on the rod W fastens the float-chamber to said
rod. This vertical rod W is graduated along its length and as particularly shewn,
the lower graduation is marked 60 and the others running upward therefrom, are
marked in regular steps by fives, 65, 70, 75 and so on, to the upper graduation
of the series. Each graduation is in representation of a corresponding pressure on
the steam water, air, gas or other fluid the pressure of which is to be regulated by
the use of the apparatus of this invention and said graduation rod and the con-
nection of the float-chamber therewith are all such as to secure a practical and
serviceable means of accurately adjusting the apparatus to the pressure of fluid
desired to be maintained, as will hereafter appear.
The float-chamber H and the mercury-reservoir B are of different superficial
areas, the mercury-reservoir having the greater superficial area and again the
superficial area of the stand-pipe D, connecting the float chamber H and mercury
reservoir B is less than the superficial area of either
thereof. The mercury-
reservoir has a greater cubic capacity for mercury than the combined cubic
capacity for mercury of the float-chamber with the float therein and the stand-
pipe connecting the reservoir and chamber. The mercury-reservoir B is charged
with the quantity of mercury necessary for the working of the apparatus and
which quantity must be sufficient to fill the stand pipe D, the float chamber H
with the float K therein and the mercury-reservoir B and to a sufficient height in
the latter that the end of the stand-pipe opening to the mercury in said reservoir,
shall be at all times covered or closed by the mercury thereof.
The apparatus thus charged with mercury is ready for use and as a pertinent
illustration of its use, suppose it to be connected to a steam-boiler and the damper-
rod of the damper to the furnace of the boiler. In this application of the apparatus
the float K must be of a weight not only to float in the mercury of the float-
chamber but also as the mercury in said chamber lowers to lower with it and turn
the damper-rod to open the damper and the apparatus as a whole, connected as
described obviously is to be suitably supported, the support not being shewn as it
is so obvious what it should be as to require neither illustration nor description.
Again as so applied, with the open communication between the steam pressure
of the boiler and the mercury-reservoir, the apparatus if not already adjusted to

page_text: the steam pressure desired to be maintained is to be so adjusted and for this
adjustment the apparatus must first be relieved of any pressure of its contained
mercury, which then will be accumulated in the mercury reservior and then having
loosened the thumb-screw ✗ and stuffing-box slide in sections of the telescoping
stand-pipe D upon each other until an index mark suitably located on the ear-
piece U of the float chamber is brought to the graduation of the rod W, marked in
accordance with the pressure desired to be maintained in the steam-boiler when
the stuffing-boxes are to be tightened up and the thumb-screw turned up against
the graduated rod W, as for instance, suppose the pressure desired is a pressure of
60 lbs. to the square inch, then the mark of the ear-piece U of the float-chamber
should be brought to the graduation, marked 60 of the rod W and fastened thereat,
it being of course understood that said several graduations of the rod W are all
such as when the ear-piece U of the float-chamber is so fixed at either of them or
at any point between either of them, the apparatus will then be as so adjusted
adapted to the maintaining of the pressure of the fluid to a corresponding amount.
The apparatus thus adjusted is then put into communication with the steam-
pressure in the boiler and in its operation when a steam-pressure equal to the
pressure to which it was adjusted is reached in the boiler, the float, from the rise
of the mercurial column has risen in the float-chamber sufficiently, to secure,
through the operation of the weight Q of its connection described with the damper
of the furnace, a close of the damper and also at and about, but preferably just
after, a seating of the valve K of said float, and on a reduction in the pressure of
the steam in the boiler, the float then falling from the fall of the mercury, an
opening of the damper, and so on, the whole acting as is well known to secure a
regulation and maintaining of the desired pressure of steam in the boiler, by and
through the regulation of the draft of the furnace to the boiler.
In the operation of the apparatus its contained mercury is acted upon by the
pressure of the steam of the boiler and as this pressure varies the height of the
mercurial column is varied, on an increase, resulting, as has been stated, in a rise
and on a decrease in a fall of the float K and through it securing a closing and an
opening of the damper of the furnace, as has been described, as also a closing and
opening of the opening R of the float-chamber, by the valve K² of the float.
The valve of the float and its seat particularly shown and described are at the
upper portion of the float-chamber and float, but they may be otherwise situated
and yet secure the result stated. As for instance, the float may be adapted to
similarly close either the upper or the lower end, or both ends of the stand-pipe or
to close either the float-chamber or the stand-pipe intermediate of the length of
either, or of both. For illustration, Figure 4, the valve of the float is shown as at
the lower end of a stem K³, projected downward from the float through and into
the upper end of the stand-pipe connected to the float chamber H, the stand-pipe
at such portion being suitably enlarged to make a seat for the so located valve to
float.
Said downward projected stem K³ of the float may be extended through the
whole length of the stand-pipe and projected from its lower open end and at its so
projected end provided with a valve to seat against said end of the stand-pipe the
said pipe, in such case, preferably not telescoping, but it may telescope, provided
the stem is adapted to lengthen and shorten. A location of the valve carried by
the float to seat intermediately of either of the length of the float-chamber or of
the stand-pipe, in view of the illustrations and descriptions given is so obvious as
not to require illustration or description.
A valve and seat therefore combined with and operating in relation to the
movement of a float K in a float-chamber H, all substantially as has been described
enables the mercury to be retained in the apparatus and against any possibility
of escape or loss should the pressure go above the pressure at which the apparatus
is adjusted while, at the same time, the necessary ingress to, and egress of air
from the float-chamber is allowed. This is very essential in the practical use and

page_text: operation of mercurial pressure and vacuum regulating apparatus of the class to
which this invention pertains. A valve and seat for shutting off the vertical
movement of the mercury, may be combined with a float and a chamber therefor
separate and distinct from the float connected to the damper etc., to be operated
from its vertical movement.
Again the valve may be entirely separate from the float or any of its immediate
parts, as for instance, a valve in either the pressure pipe A connected to mercury
reservoir or in the pipe D connecting float-chamber to mercury-reservoir and such
valve connected to the float so that on its rise it will be closed thereby and thus
arrest the further movement of the mercury in the apparatus.
The telescope construction of the stand-pipe D, enables said pipe to be
lengthened, or shortened, as may be necessary to adapt the apparatus to the
pressure of steam desired to be maintained in the boiler, a shortening of the pipe
from a given length, adapting it for reduced, and a lengthening of the pipe from
the same given length adapting it, for increased pressure in relation to the pressure
to which, at said given length it is adapted.
The graduations particularly shown and described as on a stationary vertical
rod W, may be on an in and out moving section of the telescoping stand-pipe, or
any other suitable part of the apparatus and yet secure the same result.
has been described and as in all
In the apparatus of this invention as
mercurial apparatuses of the same class, as well known a variation of pressure in
the steam-boiler for instance, causes a vertical movement of the mercury in the
mercury-reservoir and float-chamber and of the float in said float-chamber and
from this movement of the mercury and the float the damper, etc., is opened or
closed as the case may be said opening and closing being wholly dependent upon
the rise and fall of the float and of the portion of the mercury contained in the
chamber for said float.
Plainly, if the float-chamber and mercury-reservoir are of the same superficial
area then the mercury rises and falls in the float-chamber to the same extent that
the mercury does in the mercury-reservoir, but by making the float-chamber of a
smaller superficial area than the mercury-reservoir and which is an important
feature of this invention, then the mercury in the float-chamber as also the
float, will have a vertical movement of greater length than the length of vertical
movement of the mercury in the mercury-reservoir from all of which it is plain
that from such a relative arrangement of superficial area of the float-chamber and
with a minimum
mercury reservoir the apparatus can be adapted to secure
vertical movement of the mercury in the mercury-reservoir the maximum vertical
movement of the mercury in the float-chamber and of the float floating therein, or
in other words, to have in practical operation substantially most of the movement
of the mercury to occur in the float-chamber, where it is most required and at the
same time making the apparatus most sensitive and active to small variations in the
pressure of the steam in the steam-boiler, all very and most important advantages
and results.
Again, having the mercury-reservoir of a cubic capacity for mercury greater than
the combined cubic capacity for mercury of the float-chamber with the float in
it and its connection with the mercury-reservoir combined with a dip of the
communication of the float-chamber with the mercury-reservoir below the level
of the mercury of said reservoir ensures at all times the scal and close of said
communication between the float-chamber and the mercury-reservoir with the
mercury of said reservoir, and prevents any possibility of the steam, water, or
other fluid acting upon the mercury in the mercury-reservoir from passing up
through the mercurial column and blowing off or escaping, it being of course
understood that at such times as this would be liable to occur, the upward
movement of the float has been in some manner arrested.
The apparatus herein described in practical use has been found to be most
sensitive and efficient and useful securing an absolutely perfect regulation of the

page_text: steam pressure in the boiler, by causing an opening and closing of the damper of
the furnace, in proper relation to an increase or decrease in said pressure, as the
same, from time to time, occurs.
The upward and downward moving float may be connected in many ways to the
damper, rod, other than that particularly described, as for instance, by a vertical
rack-bar meshing with a pinion-gear-wheel on the damper-rod, and it is not
intended to limit this invention in the relation of the connection of its float with
the part to operate from its rise and fall.
The float chamber and its float may be varied in length and diameter, as also the
mercury-reservoir for adaptations of the apparatus to special purposes, but taking
care in each instance to preserve the relative superficial area and cubic capacities
between the float-chamber and mercury-reservoir as has been described.
R Figure 2, is a horizontal level or beam, at one end fulcrumed on an upright S
of the float-chamber and at the other end connected by and resting through a
slot R³, on a cross-rest pin L' of the rod L of the float and between such ends
notched along its upper edge for the hanging of the weight T therefrom. By this
means the float is adapted to have its weight readily increased as may be desired
or practical and the same result may be attained by providing said float-rod L,
with a rest or support, as at L³ for weights to be separately placed thereon, one on
top of another, each weight having a hole through it and a side opening leading
thereto to enable it to be so placed and removed.
By suitably marking the beam or lever R2 at its separate notches R' and with
the use of any given weight thereon, obviously the weighting of the float may be
determined with accuracy and the same is true, with the weights which are to be
applied at the rest or support Ls of the float-rod L also marked for identification.
The apparatus herein described may be also adjusted within given limits as to
the steam-pressure which it is to regulate or maintain in the steam-boiler to which
it is connected, by increasing or decreasing the weight of the float as has been
described.
The telescoping of the stand-pipe and of the mercury reservoir and the downward
extending well B of the mercury-reservoir to receive and accomodate the stand-
pipe as also the stuffing box E' in the upper side of the mercury-reservoir for the
passage of telescoping-pipe are features of this invention and as is plain in the
practical use of the apparatus the mercury of the reservoir B never comes in
contact with the stuffing-box E2 thereof, contact being only made therewith by the
fluid, the pressure of which is to be regulated, a quite important advantage.
The entering of the stand-pipe into the mercury-reservoir and sinking it therein,
so as always to be below the level of the mercury therein, secures a seal of the
open end of the stand-pipe by the contained mercury of the mercury reservoir
and thus a closing thereof to the entrance of the stean or other fluid in connection
with which the apparatus is arranged to act and which if it were allowed to enter,
would under its pressure be forced upward through the mercury in the stand-pipe
and float-chamber.
The float-chamber and its float may be varied in length and diameter, as also
the mercury-reservoir for adaptations for the apparatus, to special purposes, but
taking care, in each instance, to preserve the relative superficial areas and cubic
capacities between the float-chamber and mercury-reservoir as has been described.
The apparatus constructed to telescope its stand pipe through the mercury
reservoir as has been described is particularly adapted for application to reducing
valves, in which case the float would be connected to the steam of the reducing
valve and the mercury reservoir to the pipe in which the valve is placed to the low
pressure side of the valve and the whole arranged and adjusted so that on a rise of
the pressure to the pressure desired the valve would be closed and on a reduction
of such pressure opened, and so on. By closing the valve V of the stand-pipe D
Figure 2, the damper can be held in whatever position it may then be, and the pet-
cock A in the pipe A enables the apparatus to be relieved of the pressure in it

page_text: without the escape of the mercury. The valve V in the stand-pipe is useful for
holding the damper closed.
In Figure 3 the float chamber H as shewn leads from near the bottom of the
well of the reservoir upward through said well and through the closed top of the
reservoir to and above the outside thereof, terminating at any suitable height above
the reservoir and at its upper and so terminating ends it is closed and has an
opening R through its centre. The lower end of the float-chamber H opens to the
well of the mercury reservoir and the float-chamber for the whole depth of the well
has an open space L³ around it, for the passage of the mercury of the reservoir
down and through said space and from thence into the float-chamber at its lower
and open end to and around the float located in said float-chamber.
The float is cylindrical and of a size to fit within the float chamber so that the
mercury can flow around it and of a length as to the length of the float-chamber,
for the desired movement thereof vertically.
In Figure 3 the movement of the float within its chamber from the rise and fall
of the mercury in the mercury reservoir plainly is upward and downward and in
a direction across the depth of the mercury reservoir and the horizontal plane of
its closed top and in such movement it is separated laterally from the mercury
within the mercury reservoir and its well by the walls of the float chamber.
In Figure 3 the float rod L passing through the central opening R of the top of
the float chamber, is, by chain M passing over a vertical pulley wheel N and from
thence over another vertical pulley wheel N in the same horizontal plane to a
horizontal lever or beam R2 fulcrummed at one end to a stationary post and
between such fulcrum and said chain connection, connected by a link Rº to a
stem R³ of a valve.
Again, in figure 3 the float rod is shewn, as provided with the same as in
Figure 2 with a rest L³ for attachable and removable weight blocks to weight the
float and the beam R³ to which the float is connected as has been described, has a
weight suspended from it and said lever is graduated and marked along its
length as guides to the location of said weight thereon, for a balance to the weight
of the float and thereby with a proper adjustment of the weight-blocks to enable
the float to be adjusted as to its weight as may be required, for it, in its operation
to maintain the pressure desired of its steam etc, in the place desired, as for
instance, as shewn in figure 3, at the reduced pressure side of the valve.
In the operation of the apparatus of figure 3, the float rises and falls with the
rise and fall of the pressure with which the mercury reservoir is connected, as for
instance with the rise and fall of the pressure at the reduced pressure side of the
said valve (not shown) and in its so rise and fall through the connecting mechanism
between it and the valve-stem as described, said valve is operated, closed on the
rise and opened on the fall of the float, and thus the pressure on the reduced side
of the valve is regulated as desired.
With the float-chamber and mercury reservoir relatively arranged and for a
vertical movement of the float across the depth of the mercury reservoir as
described (see Figure 3) and a proper adjustment of the weight of the float made,
this apparatus is made capable of regulating pressures of varying amounts above
and below Zero, which, as is plain, renders the apparatus still further most
advantageous and serviceable for practical application.
Although the apparatus has been particularly shewn and described for securing
the opening and closing of a damper to the furnace of a steam-boiler as the
pressure of steam in the boiler falls from or rises to, the pressure desired, the
same apparatus and without substantial or material changes in the construction,
arrangement and operation of its parts may be usefully, advantageously and
practically employed for other purposes as for instance, to the opening and closing
of valves in apparatuses of various kinds using steam, air, gas and other fluids, and
to the end of maintaining such fluids at a given or stated pressure, and therefore
it is not intended to limit the invention in this regard.

page_text: As illustration of some of its uses above referred to, may be mentioned valves of
steam, hot-water and hot-air heating and drying apparatuses, feed water and air
pressure apparatuses, safety and reducing valves, valves for regulating pressure of
steam, water or gas, and the vacuum in a vacuum pan or in a condenser of a
steam engine through regulating the speed of the pump or other apparatus
producing the vacuum, and of the flow of the injection water to the condenser, etc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the Baid
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:—
First. In combination, a mercury-reservoir B, a float-chamber H containing a
float K; and a stand-pipe D, connecting said reservoir and chamber, and
constructed and arranged to be lengthened and shortened, said reservor and
float being separately connected, substantially as described and for the purpose
specified.
Second. In combination, a mercury-reservoir B and a float chamber H containing
a float K, connected together and having the mercury-reservoir of a greater
superficial area than that of said float chamber with the float in it and of the
connecting parts thereof, said reservoir and float being separately connected,
substantially as described for the purpose specified.
Third. In combination, a mercury reservoir B; a float-chamber H containing a
float K; a stand-pipe, connecting said reservoir and chamber, provided with a
graduated scale, all the said parts being constructed and arranged for the stand-
pipe to be lengthened and shortened and such adjustments made certain and
definite and the reservoir and float separately connected, substantially as described
and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. In combination, a mercury-reservoir B, a float-chamber H connected
thereto, a float K located in said float-chamber and a valve and seat therefor, the
valve being opened and closed by the vertical movement of the mercury and the
mercury-reservoir and float separately connected, substantially as described for
the purpose specified.
Fifth. In combination, a mercury reservoir B and a float chamber H containing
a float K said reservoir and chamber being connected together and the chamber
submerged in the mercury of the reservoir and of a less cubic capacity for mercury
with the float in it than that of said reservoir, and the reservoir and float separately
connected, substantially as described, for the purposes specified.
Sixth. In combination, a stand-pipe D in telescoping sections, a mercury-
reservoir B, and a float chamber H connected by said stand pipe, and a float K in
said float-chamber, and it and the mercury-reservoir being separately connected,
substantially as described, for the purpose specified.
Seventh. In combination, a stand-pipe D in telescoping sections, a mercury
reservoir B and a float-chamber H connected by said stand-pipe, a float K in said
float-chamber, and a stationary graduated rod W connected to the stand-pipe, the
mercury-reservoir and float being separately connected, substantially as described,
for the purpose specified.
Eighth. In combination, a mercury-reservoir B, a float-chamber H containing a
float K, a stand-pipe D connecting said reservoir and float-chamber, a stop or
abutment to limit the rise of the float, and an upward extending chamber H³
above said stop in communication at all times with the mercury of the float-
chamber, said reservoir and float being separately connected, substantially as
described, for the purpose specified.
Ninth. A mercury-reservoir B, and a float-chamber H and a float K relatively
constructed for guiding the float in its rise and fall in the chamber and for
permitting a flow of the mercury around it, in combination with the upward
extending chamber H³ open to the float-chamber, said reservoir and float being
separately connected, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

page_text: Tenth. A mercury reservoir B, and a float chamber H and a float K relatively
constructed to provide an open space, between the bottom of the float and the floor
of the chamber, for permitting the flow of mercury under the float should the
float be seated on said floor, said reservoir and float being separately connected,
substantially as described for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. A mercury-reservoir B, and a float chamber H containing a float K
and connected to and telescoping through a stuffing-box E2 of said reservoir, the
reservoir and float being separately connected, substantially as described for the
purpose specified.
Twelfth. A mercury-reservoir B, and a float-chamber H containing a float K
and connected to and telescoping through a stuffing box E2 and entering into a
downward well of said reservoir, the reservoir and float being separately connected,
substantially as described, for the purpose specified.
Thirteenth. A mercury-reservoir B, a float chamber H containing a float K, a
stand-pipe D connecting suid reservoir and float-chamber, and a valve V in said
stand-pipe, the reservoir and float being separately connected, substantially as
described for the purpose specified.
Fourteenth. A mercury-reservoir B, a float-chamber H, containing a float K, a
stand-pipe D connecting said reservoir and float-chamber, and a pet-cock A²
located in the pipe connection A of the mercury reservoir and the float all
connected substantially as described for the purpose specified.
Fifteenth. In combination, a mercury-reservoir B, a float-chamber H entering
and crossing the depth of the mercury-reservoir and closed laterally but open
vertically to the mercury in said reservoir, and a float located in said float-chamber,
the float and mercury-reservoir being separately connected, substantially as described
for the purpose specified.
Sixteenth. In combination, a mercury-reservoir B, a float-chamber H in com-
munication therewith, and a float K in said chamber adapted to have its weight
adjusted, the float and mercury-reservoir being separately connected, substantially
as described for the purpose specified.
Dated this 8th day of June 1886
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.