IMPROVEMENTS IN COCKS AND VALVES FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Beverley Fenby of Sutton Coldfield in the
County of Warwick Civil Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN COCKS AND VALVES FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS
"
•
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Beverley Fenby at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th November 1883.
JOSEPH BEVERLEY FENBY, of Sutton Coldfield in the County of Warwick,
Civil Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN COCKS AND VALVES FOR CONTROLLING THE
FLOW OF LIQUIDS"
The first object of this Invention is to prevent the continuous waste of water
or other liquid when cocks aro left fully or partly open by design or negligence;
and to effect this object by means of appliances which cannot be reached nor
tampered with from the outside of the cock: and to provide that the appliancos
which prevent continuous waste shall not interfere with the turning on and off
of the cock in the ordinary manner.
.
To construct cocks and valves in such a manner that the rubber or other seats
for the valves may be withdrawn and replaced without turning off the water
or other liquid from the source of supply is the second object of my invention.
The third object is to construct ball cocks and water cocks generally with self
closing valves moving as nearly as possible without friction, and not liable to stick
from corrosion or dirt.
The fourth object is to construct water cocks which shall deliver fixed quantities
of water for certain purposes.
I shall describe the construction and action of all the types of cocks and valves
included in this specification as used for water; but I wish it to be understood
that the same types of construction may be used for other liquids.
I shall first describe a.water cock intended to be used for drawing variable
quantities of water, the turning on and off of the same being effected in any of the
ordinary ways; but the cock being fitted with my improved appliances for
preventing continuous waste. I construct a cock with three valves. One of these
is the ordinary valve for turning on and off the water, and this is preferably
operated by a scrow. This valve I shall call the screw valve. Its function is to
open and close a seat in one end of a cylinder forming part of the cock. This
cylinder I call the valve cylinder. At the other end of this cylinder is a small
hole and a valve to open and close the same. This small valve I shall call the
CD 937

page_text: pet valve. Within the cylinder and nearly fitting it is the third valve, preferably
in the form of a cylindrical plug. As the flow and pressure of the water within
the cylinder are the direct causes of the movements of this valve I shall call it the
hydraulic valve.
At one end of the valvo cylinder is the hole forming the seat of the screw valve,
and at the other end the small hole of the pet valve, and the hydraulic valvo has
its traverse between the two, and at times closes one or the other. I prefer
generally to have the valve cylinder vertical and the screw valve to act at its
lower end and the pet valve at its upper end, and 1 shall describe the action when
BO fixed. The supply of water enters the valve cylinder by a port close to the end
where the screw valve acts. The actuating mechanism which enablos the operator
to move the screw valve simultaneously affects the pet valve, and it is impossible
to have the screw valve and the pet valve open at one and the same time. The
nction of the complete apparatus is as follows. When the screw valve is fully
home to its seat, the pet valve is open, and the pressure of the water drives the
hydraulic valve towards the pet valve end of the cylinder, where it remains
closing the small hole of the pet valve. When the screw valve is reversed and
moved from its seat, the pet valve is closed before the screw valve allows any
passage for the water, and this closing of the pet valve causes the hydraulic valve
to commence a slow traverse towards the screw valve end of the cylinder. The
rate of progress of the hydraulic valve will be in proportion to the rate at which
the water can pass around it, and this is regulated by the difference between the
bore of the valve cylinder and the diameter of the hydraulic valve. When the
bydraulic valve arrives at the seat of the screw valve, the said hydraulic valve
closes the said seat, whether the screw valve be open or closed: and when the
hydraulic valve is on the said seat no water can pass. It will thus be understood
that within a certain time from the closing of the pet valve, the hydraulic valve
.will close upon the seat of the screw valve. And as the opening of the screw
valve is always slightly preceded by the closing of the pet valve, the length of
time during which the water can run through the seat of the open or partly open
screw valve is the length of time occupied by the descent of the hydraulic valve.
Hence continuous waste by either negligence or design is prevented. When the
hydraulic valve is down on the seat of the screw valve, the latter may be withdrawn
without the need of turning off the water at the main.
In ball cocks constructed according to my invention I cause the lever to operate
the pet valve, and the screw valve is done away with. The hydraulic valve opens
or closes in obedience to the action of the pet valve.
Stop cocks and other cocks may be made without the screw valve, and their
opening and closing effected by actuating the pet valve.
For purposes where a fixed quantity of water is required at each operation of
the cock, as for filling lavatory basins, I operate the pet valve by any suitable
mechanical means to cause only an instantaneous opening; such as a tumble-jack
motion. To enable the examination and repair of the seat on to which the
hydraulic valve shuts to be effected without shutting off the water at the main
I employ the following construction.
An annular ring of rubber or other material surrounds the valve seat at the
bottom end of the cylinder, and on to this the hydraulic valve shuts when its
proper seat is withdrawn.
The free fit of the hydraulic valve in its cylinder, its frequent to and fro
motion, and the wash of the water prevent its sticking fast from corrosion
or dirt.
When it is desirable that the motion of the bydraulic valve shall be apparent to
the eve I make the valve cylinders of Glass.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Beverley Fenby in the Patent Office on the 10th May
1884.
JOSEPH BEVERLEY FENBY of Sutton Coldfield in the County of Warwick
Civil Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN COCKS AND VALVES FOR CONTROLLING THE
FLOW OF LIQUIDS.
The first object of this Invention is to prevent the continuous waste of water or
other liquid when cocks are left fully or partly open by design or negligence; and
to effect this object by means of appliances which cannot be reached nor tampered
with from the outside of the cock; and to provide that the appliances which
prevent continuous wasto shall not interfere with the turning on or off of the cock
in the ordinary manner. To construct cocks and valves in such a manner that the
rubber or other seats for the valves may be withdrawn and replaced without
turning off the water or other liquid from the source of supply is the second object
of my invention. The third object is to construct ball cocks and water cocks
generally with self-closing valves moving as nearly as possible without friction, and
not liable to stick from corrosion or dirt. The fourth object is to construct water
cocks which shall deliver fixed quantities of water for certain purposes. I shall
describe the construction and action of all the types of cocks and valves included
in this specification as used for water; but I wish it to be understood that the same
types of construction may be used for other liquids
I shall first describe a water cock intended to be used for drawing variable
quantities of water; the turning on and off of the same being effected in any of
the ordinary ways; but the cock being fitted with my improved appliances for
preventing continuous waste. I construct a cock with three valves. One of these
is the ordinary valve for turning on and off the water, and this is preferably
operated by a screw. This valve I shall call the screw valve. Its function is to
open and close a seat in one end of a cylinder forming part of the cock, This
cylinder I shall call the valve cylinder. At the other end of this cylinder is a small
hole, and a valve to open and close the same. This small valve I shall call the pet
valve. Within the cylinder, and nearly fitting it, is the third valve, preferably in
the form of a cylindrical plug. As the flow and pressure of the water within the
valve cylinder are the direct causes of the movements of this valve, I shall call it
the hydraulic valve. At one end of the valve cylinder is the hole forming the seat
of the screw valve, and at the other end the small hole of the pet valve, and the
hydraulic valve has its traverse between the two, and at times closos one or the
other. I prefer generally to have the valve cylinder vertical and the screw valve
to act at its lower end and the pet valvo at its upper end; and I shall describe the
action when so fixed. The supply of water enters the valve cylinder by a port
close to the end where the screw valve acts. The actuating mechanism which
enables the operator to move the screw valve simultaneously affects the pet valve,
and it is impossible to have the screw valve and the pet valve open at one and the
same time. The action of the complete apparatus is as follows;-When the screw
valvo is fully home to its seat, the pet valve is open and the pressure of the water
drives the hydraulic valve towards the pet valve end of the cylinder, where it
remains closing the small hole of the pet valve. When the screw valve is reversed
and moved from its seat, the pet valve is closed before the screw valvo allows any
passage for the water; and this closing of the pet valve causes the hydraulic valvo
to commence a slow traverse towards the screw valve end of the cylinder. The
rate of progress of the hydraulic valve will be in proportion to the rate at which
the water can pass around it, to fill the upper part of the valve cylinder, and this is

page_text: regulated by the difference between the bore of the valve cylinder and the diameter
of the bydraulic valve. When the hydraulic valvo arrives at the seat of the scrow
valve, the said hydraulic valve closes tho said seat, whether the screw valve bo open
or closed; and when the hydraulic valve is on the said seat no water can pass. It
will thus be understood that within a certain time from the closing of the pot
-valve, the hydraulic valvo will close upon the seat of the screw valve. And, as
the opening of the scrow valve is always slightly preceded by the closing of the
pet valve, the length of time during which the water can run through the seat of
the open or partly open screw valve is the length of time occupied after the
Hence
opening of the screw valvo, by the descent of the hydraulic valve.
continuous waste by either negligence or design is prevented. When the hydraulic
valve is down on the seat of the screw valve, the said screw valve may be
withdrawn without, the need of turning off the water at the main
In ball cocks constructed according to my invention I cause the lever to operato
the pet valve, and the screw valve is done away with. The hydraulic valve opens
and closes in obedience to the action of the pet valve. Stop cocks, and other
cocks, may be made without the screw valvo; and their opening and closing
effected by actuating the pet valve. For purposes where a fixed quantity of water
is required at each operation of the cock, as for filling lavatory basins, I operate
the pet valve by any suitable mechanical means to cause only an instantaneous
opening; such as a tumble-jack motion, or the small ball within the valve cylinder,
as shown in the drawings To enable the examination and repair of the soat, on to
which the hydraulic valve shuts, to be effected without shutting off the water at
the main, I employ the following construction An annular ring of rubber or other
material surrounds the valve scat at- the bottom end of the cylinder; and on to
this the hydraulic valve shuts when its proper scat is withdrawn The free fit of
the hydraulic valve in its cylinder, its frequent to and fro motion, and the wash
of the water, prevent its sticking fast from corrosion or dirt. When it is.desirable
that the motion of the hydraulic valve shall be apparent to the eye I make the
valve cylinder of glass.
:
•
In the accompanying drawings are shewn several types of water cocks constructed
according to my invention, and illustrating the general scopo and objects of the
same. Like parts are throughout indicated by the samo letters of reference.
Figs. I and II are vertical sections. taken in planes at right angles to each other.
of a waste preventing cock. A is the valve cylinder; B, the hydraulic valve;
C, the screw valve; D, the pet valve; e, the small hole opened and closed by the
said pet valve; f, the double seat, common to the screw valve C and the hydraulic
valve B. In Fig I the screw valve C is shewn open, and the pet valve D closed, as
before described; and the hydraulic valve B is shewn as having completed its
descent on to the seat f. In Fig II the screw valve C is closed; the pet valve D is
opon; and the hydraulic valve B is driven, by the pressure of the water, up to the
small hole c. The cross head g, carrying the pet valvo, is united by, the rods h h to
the cross head j, carrying the screw valve; and thus it is impossible to move the
screw valve without moving the pet valve The screw valve c may be removed
from the crosshead j, when the valves are in the position shown in Fig: 1, without
turning off the water at the main-For, protection, and to gather the water to the
bib g, the mechanism of the cock is enclosed in an outor case as shown. When the
screw valve is closed, the moving parts of the cock are in the positions shewn in
Fig II, and the screw valve shuts off the main stream of water, while the hydraulic
valve closes the holo e. So soon as the crossheads g and j are lowered by tho screw,
the pet valve D approaches the holo e, and closes the same before the screw valve C
allows any passage of the water through the seat f. When tho pet valvo closes the
hole e tho hydraulic valve begins to descend; and, if the screw valve be left open,
by design or negligence, the hydraulic valve will close on to the scat f. Thus
continuous waste, by design or negligence is prevented. When the screw valve is
again closed, and the pet valve opened, the parts again assume the positions shewn
in Fig II; and the cock is ready for giving a further supply of water.

page_text: .
Fig III shews a vertical section of a ball cock constructed according to my
invention. In this cock the screw valve is not required, nor is there any outer case.
The short end of the lever k closes and opens the hole e, so performing the functions
of the pet valve; and the bydraulic valve rises and falls in obedience to the
opening and closing of the said hole e. The long arm k¹ of the lever k carries a
floating ball. Cocks of this type may be used for other purposes than as ball cocks,
any suitable means of opening and closing the hole e by a pet valve being adopted
Fig IV. shews the application of the hydraulic valve and pet valve to the
construction of a water cock intended to answer the purposes of an ordinary screw
down cock, but to prevent the injury to the valve seats, and consequent leakage,
due to excessive force used in screwing down. The disc acts as a pet valvo, and
takes all the pressure of the screw when screwed down. This pressure will not
injure it by reason of its great bearing surface. The stem m when screwed down,
does not quite reach the hydraulic valve, and cannot injure it by pressure on its
seat the hydraulic valve being only subject to the pressure of the water. The.
stem m, at the same time, controls the extent to which the bydraulic valve can
rise, when the cock is opened by the action of the screw Hence the hydraulic
valve is under the control of the screw to a sufficient degree to regulate the stream
of water at the will of the operator.
Fig V. shews a water cock suitable for filling baths and tanks, and capable
of being sot to deliver any quantity up to, but not beyond, a certain fixed
maximum, at the will of the operator. The hydraulic valve and pet valve perform
the same functions as before described; but the hydraulic valve carries a small
loose ball n, as shewn. This ball lies in a coned hollow in the top of the hydraulic
valve, and remains central. When the pet valve is opened by the screw, or other
means, the hydraulic valve begins to rise and its upward motion may be checked at
any point by closing the pet valve. In this cock I prefer to form the valve
cylinder of glass, so that the movements of the hydraulic valve may be visible,
and a scale of gallons may be marked on the valve cylinder or case, and an index
line on the hydraulic valve.-When the index line on the hydraulic valve-reaches
the required number of gallons on the scale the pet valve is closed, and the
hydraulic valve begins its descent. If the pet valve be left open, the hydraulic
valve will rise to the upper end of the valve cylinder, and the small ball n will
close the hole c. The water pressure keeps the ball n up to the hole e, and the
hydraulic valve begins to descend. Hence the cock cannot at any time deliver
more than its fixed maximum quantity of water, although it may be set, at the
will of the operator, to deliver less.
Figs. VI. VII. and VIII shew a water cock to deliver fixed quantities of water
for lavatory and other like purposes. Fig: VI shews the cock in its normal state
of rest, When pressure is brought to bear on the rubber diaphragm o as shown in
Fig: VII, the ball n falls, but no water can run so long as the pressure on the
diaphragm is maintained. As soon as the pressure on the diaphragm is removed,
the bydraulic valve rises, carrying up the ball n with it, as shewn in Fig. 8
The water, at the moment of the rise of the hydraulic valve, begins to run
the instant when the ball n seals the hole e, the hydraulic valve begins to descend,
and finally the parts reassume the positions shewn in Fig VI. Hence the quantity
delivered by this cock at each operation is independent of the will of the operator
and the mode of operation
At
Fig IX. shews the application of an annular ring p, of rubber or other suitable
material, to form a second seat for the hydraulic valve, so as to enable the working
seat to be withdrawn without turning off the water at the main.
Having now described the nature of my invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to
the precise details herein described and illustrated, as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature of my Invention; but I claim as my Invention
of Improvements in cocks and valves for controlling the flow of liquids:-
First The combination of the valve cylinder, hydraulic valve, screw valve, and

page_text: pet valve in the waste preventing Cock shewn in Figs I and II, and the mutual
and inter-dependent functions of the said valves in the manner and for the purposes
set forth
Secondly The connection by the rods h h, of the screw valve.and the pet valve
for securing simultaneous movement of the said valves for the purposes set forth.
Thirdly Tho general construction of the Cock shown in Fig III, as operated by
a pet valve moved by a floating ball or other means, substantially as set forth.
Fourthly The general construction of the scrow down cock shewn in Fig IV,
for the purposes set forth
Fifthly Tho general construction of the bath cock shown in Fig V, substantially
as described and illustrated, and for the purposes set forth.
Sixthly The general construction of the lavatory cock shewn in Figs. VI. VII
and VIII substantially as described and illustrated, and for the purposes set
forth
Seventhly The small balls within the valve cylinders of the bath cock and the
lavatory cock, when used in combination with the hydraulic valve for the purposes
set forth
Eighthly The general construction of the five types of water cocks shewn and
the action of the said cocks, so far as the said construction and action depend upon
the combination of the valve cylinder, hydraulic valve, and pet valve.
In Witness whereof, I the said Joseph Beverley Fenby have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this ninth day of May in the year of Our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty four.