Improvements in Air Relief Valves for Hot Water Boilers and Radiators, Water Mains, Service Piping, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left: 3rd Nov., 1893-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Air Relief Valves for Hot Water Boilers and
Radiators, Water Mains, Service Piping, and the like.
I, JAMES KEITH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E. of 57 Holborn Viaduct in the City
of London, Gas, Hydraulic, Heating and Ventilating Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the provision of a reliable automatic relief valve
for permitting the escape and admission of air whilst preventing outflow of water
from hot water heating apparatus such as boilers and radiators water mains, service
piping and the like.
The improved valve is enclosed in a casing which is screwed or otherwise
attached to the hot water radiator or piping in the usual way a hollow plug or key
being fitted in the orifice in the casing to close the outlet from the radiator or
piping when required. Within the casing is placed a small hollow float which is
attached to one end of a lever pivoted in the casing and at whose opposite end is
hung the air relief valve proper. This valve which may be of conical or other
form is seated preferably on a rubber ring fitted over the outlet orifice the valve
being arranged to close by preference by a downward movement by gravity and
being held tightly on its seat by the action of the float acting through the lever
when the water rises into the valve casing. Upon the accumulation of air within
the casing or whilst the piping is being filled with water, the hollow float falls and
by its weight and leverage raises the air relief valve from its seat to permit the
escape of air, the valve being immediately closed when the water level rises so as
to act on the float.
When the water within the radiator or piping is drawn off the float falls and
opens the relief valve so that air is at once admitted to prevent the formation of a
partial vacuum.
a
1
February 1893.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Air Relief Valves for Hot Water Boilers and
Radiators, Water. Mains, Service Piping, and the like.
1, JAMES KEITH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E. of 57 Holborn Viaduct in the City
of London, Gas, Hydraulic Heating and Ventilating 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 :-
This invention has for its object the provision of a reliable automatic relief valve
for permitting the escape and admission of air whilst preventing outflow of water
from hot water heating apparatus such as boilers and radiators water mains,
service piping and the like.
The improved valve is enclosed in a casing which is screwed or otherwise
attached to the hot water radiator or piping in the usual way a hollow plug or key
being fitted in the orifice in the casing to close the outlet from the radiator or
piping when required. Within the casing is placed a small hollow or other float
which is attached to one end of a lever pivoted in the casing and at whose opposite
end is hung the air relief valve proper. This valve which may be of conical or

page_text: other form is seated preferably on a rubber ring fitted over the outlet orifice the
valve being arranged to close by preference by a downward movement by gravity
and being held tightly on its seat by the action of the float acting through the
lever when the water rises into the valve casing. Upon the accumulation of air
within the casing or whilst the piping is being filled with water the float falls and
by its weight and leverage raises the air relief valve from its seat in the case of
the downward gravity valve with horizontal seat or moves the valve away from its
seat when arranged with vertical seating to permit the escape of air, the valve
being immediately closed when the water level rises so as to act on the float.
When the water within the radiator or piping is drawn off the float falls and
opens the relief valve so that air is at once admitted to prevent the formation of a
partial vacuum. -
-
The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention under a number of modifica-
tions. Figure 1 is a horizontal section, Figure 2 a vertical section, Figure 3 an
end elevation and Figure 4 a side elevation of one modification in which the relief
valve consists of a casing A which can be screwed on to a radiator boiler or service
pipe and has fitted in it an air admission valve a actuated by one end of a lever b
fulcrumed at c and whose other end is attached to a float d which when the water
level falls, drops and thereby raises the valve a from its seat e to admit air to the
radiator, boiler or pipe. The valve casing is also provided with a hollow plug f
operated by a key by means of which the water can be shut off from the valve
casing when it is desired to inspect the valve the cover g being for this purpose
removed. Figure 5 shews a modification of the valve a and seat e in which the
valve a has an annular ring formed on its underside which rests on the seat e when
the valve is in its closed position. Figure 6 is a horizontal section, Figure 7 a
vertical section and Figure 8 a side elevation of another form of the relief valve
the valve casing and float being somewhat modified in form. Figures 9 and 10
are respectively a vertical section and an end elevation shewing a different form
of air admission valve, the valve seat e being in this case vertical and the
valve a, the face of which is composed of india rubber being by preference
adjustable. Should leakage occur a wooden plug can be driven from the outside in
to the outlet from the valve seat e. The arrangement as shewn is also provided
with a shut off cock but this may be dispensed with if desired. Figure 11 is a
part vertical section and part elevation of a modification wherein the shut off
cock is screwed into the radiator, boiler or service pipe and communica-
tion between these and the valve casing opened or closed by turning the
casing upon the cock f as a pivot. Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11
but the shut off cock is in this case dispensed with. Figure 13 is a vertical section
of another form of the relief valve, the float being of a different construction
but the air admission valve a similar to those shewn in Figures 9, 11 and 12.
This valve as shewn is secured direct to the radiator boiler or service pipe without
the intervention of a cock but it may as shewn by Figure 14 be provided with
one the water being in the latter case shut off by turning the casing A about its
vertical axis. Figure 14 is a similar view to Figure 13 but is shewn as provided
with a liner in which the float d works freely the space between the liner and
the valve casing permitting the air to ascend to the top of the float and so assist
the float in dropping thereby sharply opening the air admission valve. The float
in Figures 13 and 14 may be made with a hole through its centre similar to the
floats shewn by Figures 19 to 22 inclusive. Figure 15 is a plan with the cover g
.removed and Figure 16 a vertical section of a modification in which the valve a
is similar to that shewn in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7 but in this case the lever b
which is acted on by the float is pivoted at c and has attached to it one end of a
forked lever i pivoted on the casing at ; whose other end operates the admission
valve. This modification is shewn with a shut off cock. Figures 17 and 18 are
respectively a plan view with the cover g removed and a vertical section of the
apparatus in which the casing A has ribs / formed thereon for the proper guidance
of the float d the arrangement of the air admission valve a being similar to those

page_text: hewn in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7. Figure 19 is a vertical section of an arrangement
wherein the air admission valve a which is composed of rubber, leather or similar
naterial is secured at one end to the casing whilst the other end is attached to an
rm k operated by the float d and Figure 20 is a similar view the valve a and
seating being slightly varied. The short end of the metal lever K i.e. the end
next or under the flexible material a may also be pivoted on small brackets p
formed on seat piece e as shewn by dotted lines on Figure 20. In both the casing
is shewn as being screwed direct to the radiator boiler or service pipe but a shut
off cock may be introduced if desired. Figures 21 and 22 are similar views of the
air relief valve in which the guide m for the float d is in Figure 21 shewn secured
to the casing A. and in Figure 22 to the cover g the air valves and seating being
similar to Figures 19 and 20. The casing in each of the modifications described
may be connected direct to the radiator or may have a cock provided in the part
connecting the casing to the radiator for the purpose of preventing escape of water
when the valve may be removed for repair.
In the case of Figures 13 and 14 cocks may be arranged similar to those shewn
on Figures 16 and 21 with two openings through keys and barrels and a division
pipe piece S attached as shewn on Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 21. The same
form of division pipe piece S may also be attached to the casing in Figure 13 or to
the casings in the other figures with or without cocks in order to prevent the
hanging of water in the casing and to quicken the dropping of the float, this
division pipe piece S acting as effectively for this purpose as the liner / shewn in
Figure 14.
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. A relief valve for hot water boilers radiators water mains service piping and
the like constructed and operating substantially as described under various
modifications with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. A relief valve for hot water boilers radiators and the like composed of a
casing having in it a float connected to and operating a valve fitted over an air
orifice a plug or cock being provided to close off the water connection with the
casing substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of November 1893.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIK WEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.