Improvements in Floating Stop Cocks.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Floating Stop Cocks.
. A communication from abroad by FRITZ DEIMEL, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany, Silversmith.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The usual kind of stop cocks, which works simply by rising through flotation, have
this fault, that they must be of considerable size if the stopping of the inflow effected
by them shall withstand even a moderate pressure. If, however, a ball cock has to be
used in a liquid of a very low specific gravity, it must, according to the usual mode of
construction, be made of such large dimensions, (even if it is to effect only a compara-
tively tight stoppage of the inflow) that its sphere of utility is very limited.
The subject of this invention is a floating stop cock which, rotating in consequence
of its new and peculiar construction, is screwed upwards by the rising liquid, and thus
not only forms a very strong and close fitting valve for the inflow, but also one which
can be kept within very moderate dimensions, as it is not raised solely by flotation
but also by a screw arrangement assisting the same..
On the annexed drawings:
-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation.
Figure 2 a plan.
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 views of various modifications hereinafter described.
The floating stop cock B rests in the cistern A, which has fixed in its bottom a
tubular lug a, provided with a vertical single or multiplex screw thread. The floating
cock is, as usual, hollow, and is round or spherical in shape. Its surface is provided
with oblique ridges or turbine-like wings b, b', or in a similar manner with oblique or
sloping spouts, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, whilst to the bottom of the float B is fixed
a vertical screw d engaging in the thread of the tubular lug a, and preferably ending
in a guiding spike e which serves as a slight support to the float cock.
On the apex
of the float is fitted the stop plug k which, (when the cistern cover C is put on) rises
into the closing position and tightly closes the mouth of the inflow pipe f which is
provided with a valve seat. As a slight assistance for holding it in position, the stop
plug ends preferably also in a guiding spike g.
The exit pipe D from the cistern A. can be arranged in any required position, and is
placed at the side, as shown in Figure 1.
If the inflow pipe be now opened, and it is desired to maintain the liquid in the
cistern A always at one level or at least nearly at one level, whilst the outflow from
the cistern is an irregular one, the ball cock B regulates the inflow so as to correspond
with the outflow, in the following manner :-
The liquid coming from the inflow pipe falls on the ball cock B against the
ridges b or b¹ respectively, and has a tendency to set the same revolving. Its own
weight, however, prevents the float from revolving until the liquid, rising in the
cistern A, supports the float to such an extent that the force of the inflowing liquid,
acting on it so as to revolve it, overcomes the above resistance. Then the float B
revolves, and, having its screw d engaged in the corresponding thread of the small
tube a, is screwed upwards, so that, by means of the plug k, the area of the inflow
relative to the outflow is reduced until both correspond.
If the exit D be closed, the inflow is also closed automatically, and, in fact, (in con-
sequence of the two forces acting on the ball cock, namely, the direct lifting force of

page_text: flotation and the force of the inflowing liquid acting on elevating screw or screws) this
closing takes place with so much extra force that there results a completely tight and
pressure-resisting stoppage of the inflow. A further result, and one very important
for maintenance of the constant tight fit of the stopper, is also attained by this float,
namely, that the stopper, in consequence of being revolved, is always kept perfectly
cleansed from impurities, and therefore must always fit tightly.
In place of the plug stopper employed in the above described arrangement, a flexible
plate can, with slight alterations, be employed as a means of stopping the inflow as
shown in Figure 5. The elastic disc i, fitted with a rigid pressure plate /, is fixed in
a suitable adjustable manner, to the inflow pipe f, and the float B has at its apex,
instead of the valve plug k, a simple pressure-rod k
Instead of arranging the screw d in the centre of the float, as shown in Figures 1
and 4, the screw can be carried round the circumference of the float B (Figure 5), in
which case the liquid surrounding the float acts as the screw matrix.
The
If the float be now raised by means of the inflowing water and the flotation power
of the same, the screw thread path arranged on the circumference of the float, works
exactly like the continuous screw d (Figures 1 and 4) within its metal thread.
float B is not only floated upwards whilst revolving, but it also screws itself upwards
in the liquid surrounding it. The rod k¹ presses the closing plate i against the aperture
for the inflow, and, in consequence of the action of the screw, this pressure is so great
as to form, in this case also, a completely secure stoppage.
Instead of arranging the closing plate at the mouth of the inflow, it can also be con-
nected directly with the pressure rod k³, as in the case of the plug k in Figure 1, only
in that case, care must be taken (in order to prevent a rupture of the closing plate),
to make the connection between the pressure-plate and the pressure-rod, a revolvable
one, so that the latter can revolve whilst pressing the plate upwards, without causing
the plate itself to revolve.
By the arrangement of the screw path on the circumference of the float (Figure 5)
the oblique ribs or turbine-shaped wings 61 61 (Figures 2 and 3) can be done away
with as the screw path has exactly the same effect in this case.
As the object of the above named oblique ridges and wings is only to cause the
float to revolve by means of the falling liquid, they may be replaced by other arrange-
ments having the same effect. This can be done, in the way illustrated in Figures 6
and 7, by the insertion of reaction pipes. Also the screw, or the screw arrangement,
for screwing the float firmly on to the inflow opening, can be replaced by any other
equally effective arrangement, as for instance, by the addition of wings fixed in a spiral
manner upon the float.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion 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 :—
1. A ball cock in which the closing power due to the flotation of the ball is
augmented by the pressure of an upward screw movement which is automatically
imparted to the ball by the force of the inflowing liquid, in a manner substantially
as herein set forth.
2. The various forms of rotative ball cocks, each constructed as a whole substan-
tially as described, and as shown on the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of Ananet 1889
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.