IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING STEAM BOILERS AND LIQUID OR FLUID RESERVOIRS, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO PUMPS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
" IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING STEAM BOILERS AND LIQUID OR
FLUID RESERVOIRS, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO PUMPS."-A communication from
abroad by Charles François Thibault, Engineer, of 13, Boulevart St.
Martin, Paris.
Sealed the 12th January 1869, and dated the 21st July 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 21st July 1868.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING STEAM BOILERS
AND LIQUID OR FLUID RESERVOIRS, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO PUMPS," to be as
follows:-
It is unnecessary to remark on the importance of obtaining a constant
and regular feed in steam generators of all kinds both as regards economy
and security.

page_text: The principal advantges of a self-acting feed maintained at a constant
level are, 1st, fuel is economised; 2ndly, longer wear is ensured for the
boiler and other parts; 3rdly, greater security is obtained.
The improved self-acting feed apparatus of this Invention is designed
to supply either one or a series of generators of any kind with water or
other liquid at any temperature by means of a float placed in communi-
cation with what I term an hydraulic feeder, by the aid of which the
level of the water is maintained at a certain point in the generator
without material variation. The apparatus is further provided with a
self-acting purge cock and plug for cleansing the same.
The hydraulic feeder is represented in vertical section in Figure 1
of the Drawings annexed taken on the line 1, 2, Figure 2, which is a
plan of the apparatus on the line 3, 4, Figure 1. The oscillations
of the float which are dependent on the level of the water in the
generator are transmitted either directly or otherwise (such as by a
bell crank) to the stem A of a valve B contained in a cock C interposed
on the suction pipe of the feed reservoir, the two parts of which suction
pipe communicate at the points D, E, with said cock C, one being placed
above and the other below the valve B. Every time the water in the
generator falls to the lowest level desirable the float which partakes in
such downward movement of the liquid will raise the valve B, and the
feed pump (the piston of which is continually acting) will receive water
from the reservoir the same as if the hydraulic feeder were not used, and
immediately the level of water in the generator is as high as desired the
float rises and allows the valve B to fall at same time into its seat, where
it is kept by the atmospheric pressure on the india-rubber diaphragm F
fixed on the stem A of the valve between the part C and cover G of
the cock. This diaphragm is necessary to prevent the introduction of
air between valve B and the suction valve of the feed pump. It will
thus be seen that the pump does not absorb any power except to over-
come the friction and when feeding; when it is not supplying water to
the generator the piston works in a vacuum.
Self-acting Purge Cock.-This is represented in longitudinal section
in Figure 3. With the apparatus above described a self-acting feed may
be obtained with the water at a high temperature by providing the feed
pump with a self-acting purge cock in lieu of the ordinary purge cock
operated by hand. The valve A of this self-acting purge cock is raised
at each return motion of the piston so as to allow of the escape at

page_text: nozzle B of an intermittent jet of the fluid or fluids contained in the
pump under a slight pressure, only just sufficient to overcome that of
spring C. This purge cock is further provided with a screwed stem D,
the position of which regulates the amount of the jet; it also enables
said purge cock to be readily cleansed of all incrustations or impurities
depositing under the influence of the temperature of the liquid which
would tend to obstruct the passage. This self-acting purge cock is
applicable to rotary and other pumps as well as to feed pumps for the
purpose of maintaining them in a working condition when the liquid
used is at a high temperature.
In
Figure 4 of the Drawings represents a central vertical section of an
improved float taken on the line 5, 6, which is a horizontal section of
same on line 7, 8, Figure 4. The hydraulic feeder herein-before
described may be operated by means of any kind of float, although the
one represented in Figures 5 and 6 is particularly adapted for ensuring
the requisite sensitiveness to maintain the water at a constant level.
order to obviate the friction produced in an ordinary stuffing box I
substitute a rotary friction in a metallic casing. On the oscillating
axis O is keyed a small forked lever A, B, on the end B of which the
stem D of the float acts, this stem being bent at E, B, in order to act on
the lever A, B, as far as possible from its centre of oscillation and conse-
quently with greater force, while it at same time enables the tube G of
the float to be made of smaller diameter. The oscillating axis O passes
through one side of the casing, at which point is fixed the index hand
I, H, provided with a weight K for balancing the float. The oscillating
axis passes through a metal bearing L, L, screwed on the one side for the
reception of a screw M, the point of which presses the shoulder N of
axis O into a recess P made in bearing L to prevent any escape of
steam. The screw M is fixed at the desired point by means of the nut Q
which bears against the cover R of the float box. An alarm whistle
may also be mounted above the float as indicated, which would be acted
on by the lever A, B, in case the level of the water should become too
low by causing the stirrup piece S to fall, which is directly connected to
the whistle.
4thly. Hydrostatic Connection between several Generators.-Figure G
shows a vertical elevation, and Figure 7 a partial plan of this arrange-
ment by means of which the self-acting feed before described may be
applied to several generators combined as well to one gencrator only.

page_text: In each case there is one hydraulic feeder operated by a single float and
feed pump provided, if desired, with a self-acting purge cock for ensuring
a constant and uniform supply to the whole series of generators. For
this purpose I place a pipe in the head of each boiler at the water level
A, A, provided with cocks B, said pipes being connected by a horizontal
pipe C of about four inches diameter, which is connected at a suitable point
of its length to a chamber D, in which acts a single float, the water in
said pipe and chamber having the same level as that in the generators.
In this manner there will be no danger of one generator discharging its
contents into the adjoining one in consequence of the difference of pressure,
which is the case when the communication between them is effected
below the water level by means of a tube in which only water circulates,
while in this case there is always a steam space above the water the
same as in a generator.
Lastly, each generator may be isolated from the others by means of
the pipes above mentioned in case all the generators are not required to
be used, or for repairing.
The several improvements herein described may be applied either
separately or combined in any suitable manner to generators and other
fluid reservoirs and pumps.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th January 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Melville
Olark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time

page_text: agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING STEAM BOILERS AND LIQUID OR
FLUID RESERVOIRS, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO PUMPS," a communication to me
from abroad by Charles François Thibault, Engineer, of 13, Boulevart
St. Martin, Paris, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Alexander Melville Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of thoir hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say) -
It is unnecessary to remark on the importance of obtaining a constant
and regular feed in steam generators of all kinds both as regards
economy and security.
The principal advantages of a self-acting feed maintained at a constant
level are, 1st, that fuel is economized; 2ndly, longer wear is ensured for
the boiler and other parts; 3rdly, greater security is obtained.
The improved self-acting feed apparatus of this Invention is designed
to supply either one or a series of generators of any kind with water
or other liquid at any temperature by means of a float placed in com-
munication with what I term an hydraulic feeder, by the aid of which
the level of the water is maintained at a certain point in the generator
without material deviation. The apparatus is further provided with a
self-acting purge cock for cleansing the same.
The hydraulic feeder is represented in vertical section in Figure 1
of the Drawings annexed taken on the line 1, 2, Figure 2, which is a
sectional plan of the apparatus on the line 3, 4, Figure 1. The
oscillations of the float which are dependent on the level of the water
in the generator are transmitted either directly or otherwise, such as

page_text: by a bell crank, to the stem A of a valve B contained in a cock C
placed on the suction pipe of the feed reservoir. The two parts of
this suction pipe communicate at the points D, E, with said cock C,
one being placed above and the other below the valve B. Every time
the water in the generator falls to the lowest level desirable the float
which partakes in such downward movement of the liquid will raise
the valve B and the feed pump, the piston of which is continually
acting will receive water from the reservoir the same as if the hydraulie
feeder were not used, and immediately the level of water in the generator
is as high as desired the float rises and allows the valve B to fall at
same time into its seat, where it is kept by the atmospheric pressure
on the india-rubber diaphragm F fixed on the stem A of the valve
between the part C and cover G of the cock. This diaphragm is
necessary to prevent the introduction of air between valve B and the
suction valve of the feed pump. It will thus be seen that the feed
pump does not absorb any power except to overcome the friction and
when feeding, as when it is not supplying water to the generator the
piston works in a vacuum.
Self-acting Purge Cock. This is represented in longitudinal section
in Figure 3. With the apparatus above described a self-acting and
regular feed may be obtained with the water at a high temperature
by providing the feed pump with a self-acting purge cock in lieu of the
ordinary purge cock operated by hand. The valve A of this self-acting
purge cock is raised at each return motion of the piston, so as to allow
of the escape at nozzle B of an intermittent jet of the fluid or fluids
contained in the pump under a slight pressure only just sufficient to
overcome that of spring C. This purge cock is further provided with
a screwed stem D the position of which regulates the amount of the
jet and also enables the purge cock to be readily cleansed of all
incrustations or impurities depositing under the influence of the tem-
perature of the liquid which would tend to obstruct the passage. This
improved self-acting purge cock may also be modified, as shown in
Figure 4. D is a screwed stem the position of which is regulated so as
to close orifice o more or less by means of its end d and thus permit
of the apparatus being instantly adjusted according to the supply and
temperature of the water in which it acts. The cleansing of the
passage o, o', (which may be necessary when the impure water is used
liable to produce incrustations) is effected by the substitution of the

page_text: screwed stem D', Figure 5, in lieu of D. This stem D' has a corre-
sponding thread but is made of the whole length of passage o, o', and
all deposits which may accumulate therein are forced out by the end d
of the said stem. This self-acting purge cock is applicable to rotary
and other pumps as well as to feed pumps for the purpose of maintaining
them in a working condition when the liquid used is at a high
sponding thread but is made of the whole length of passage o, o', and
all deposits which may accumulate therein are forced out by the end d
of the said stem. This self-acting purge cock is applicable to rotary
and other pumps as well as to feed pumps for the purpose of maintaining
them in a working condition when the liquid used is at a high
temperature.
Figure 6 of the Drawings represents a central vertical section of an
improved float apparatus taken on the line 5, 6, Figure 7, which is a
horizontal section of same on line 7, 8, Figure 6. The hydraulic feeder
herein-before described may be operated by any kind of float, although
the one represented in Figures 6 and 7 is particularly adapted for
ensuring the requisite sensitiveness to maintain the water at a constant
level. In order to obviate the friction produced in the ordinary stuffing
box I substitute a rotary friction in a metallic casing. On the
oscillating axis O is keyed a small forked lever A, B, on the end B
of which the stem D of the float acts, this stem being bent at E, B,
in order to act on the lever A, B, as far as possible from its centre
of oscillation, and consequently with greater force, while it at same
time enables the tube G of the float to be made of smaller diameter.
The oscillating axis O passes through one side of the casing, at which
point is fixed the index hand I, H, provided with a weight K for
balancing the float. The oscillating axis passes through a metal
bearing L, L, screwed on the one side for the reception of a screw M,
the point of which presses the shoulder N of axis O into a recess P
made in bearing L to prevent any escape of steam. The screw M is
fixed at the desired point by means of the nut Q, which bears against
the cover R of the float box. Two points should be more particularly
observed, viz., in the first place the bearing L is made in one piece,
the two sockets with which it is provided being bored at the same
time and in a line with each other. In this manner the small spindle O
fitted therein cannot become jammed so as to give rise to excessive
friction or the escape of steam. In the second place the small spindle O
is made slightly conical at one end, its larger diameter being on the
side of screw M, hence it results that the pressure of the steam in the
casing has a constant tendency to force the spindle O against screw M
and so prevent the shoulder N bearing too hard against socket P, and
consequently preventing any excessive pressure between these parts.

page_text: An alarm whistle may also be mounted above the float, as indicated,
which would be acted on by the lever A, B, in case the level of the
water should become too low by causing the stirrup piece S to fall which
is directly connected to the whistle.
4thly. Hydrostatic Connection between several Generators.-Figure 8
shows a vertical elevation, and Figure 9 a partial plan of this arrange-
ment, by means of which the self-acting feed apparatus before described
may be applied to several generators combined as well as to one
generator only. In each case there is one hydraulic feeder operated
by a single float and feed pump provided if desired with a self-acting
purge cock for ensuring a constant and uniform supply to the whole
series of generators. For this purpose I place a pipe in the head of
each boiler at the water level A, A, provided with cocks B, said pipes
being connected by a horizontal pipe C of about four inches diameter,
which is connected at a suitable point of its length to a chamber D in
which acts a single float, the water in said pipe and chamber having the
same level as that in the generators. In this manner there will be no
danger of one generator discharging its contents into the adjoining
one in consequence of the difference of pressure, which is the case
when the communication between them is effected below the water
level by means of a tube in which only water circulates, while in this
case there is always a steam space above the water the same as in the
generator.
Lastly, each generator may be isolated from the others by means of
the pipes above mentioned in case all the generators are not required
to be used or for effecting repairs.
The several improvements herein described may be applied separately
or combined in any suitable manner to generators and other fluid
reservoirs and pumps.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention
to be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. I claim the hydraulic feeder described and illustrated in Figures 1
and 2 of the Drawings to be placed on the suction pipe of a feed pump
in order that the piston of the latter may work in a vacuum when not
pumping water, so as to prevent any useless expenditure of power,
the whole arranged and operating substantially in the manner described.
2ndly. I claim the arrangements of self-acting purge cock shown in

page_text: Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the Drawings to be placed on the force pipe of a
feed pump consisting of a valve which is raised at each return stroke
of the piston and a cleansing screw to permit of a hot-water feed being
used, all as herein-before described.
3rdly. I claim the float apparatus represented in Figures 6 and 7
having frictional rotation in a metal casing for the purpose of rendering
it more sensitive in its action.
4thly. I claim the right of applying these apparatus either separately
or combined in any suitable manner for obtaining a self-acting constant
and regular feed in all kinds of steam boilers or liquid reservoirs.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of January,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
Witness,
JAMES DAISH,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)