NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GOVERNING THE FLOW AND PRESSURE OF WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Foulis, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "NEW OR IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR GOVERNING THE FLOW AND PRESSURE OF WATER AND OTHER
LIQUIDS."
Scaled the 17th September 1878, and dated the 5th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Foulis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th July 1878.
WILLIAM FOULIS, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Civil
Engineer. "NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GOVERNING THE FLOW AND
PRESSURE OF WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS."
This Invention which relates to new or improved apparatus for governing the
flow and pressure of water and other liquids is in part based upon the apparatus
for regulating the distribution of gaseous bodies described in the Specification of
the said William Foulis, filed in pursuance of a certain proviso contained in Letters
Patent, numbered 3655, and dated the Nineteenth day of September, A.D. 1870.
According to the first modification the apparatus herein-after called the
'governor " consists of a casing with inlet and outlet openings, and wherein is
contained a valve having a cylindrical prolongation, whose diameter is equal to
that of the valve. This cylindrical prolongation fits into a corresponding chamber
in the casing, and is packed either with rolling, packing, a cup leather, asbestos, or
with the equivalent thereof.
"
The inlet of the apparatus is on one side of the valve seat, and the outlet on the
other side.
The cylindrical chamber is connected by a pipe either with the inlet side of the
governor, or with any separate source of liquid supply, which liquid, acting upon the
piston of the governor, regulates the extent of opening of the valve, and thereby
Pains G71

page_text: produces the requisite outlet pressure. On this pipe a regulator is placed for
varying the pressure in that chamber according to the outlet pressure required.
In cases where it is desireable to reduce the travel as well as the diameter of the
valve of the governor, two valves of equal diameter on a common stem may be
used.
In cases where it is desired to maintain a constant ratio between the inlet
and outlet pressure, the area of the piston is made less than that of the valve or
valves.
For the purpose of controlling the pressure of water in pipes other than main
pipes, such for example as in the service pipes to houses, there is placed on the
pipe a double piston valve loaded by weights, which maintain the valve open until
the outlet pressure begins to rise above the desired point, in which case this outlet
pressure, acting upon the under side of the piston valve and against the weights,
causes the piston to move until it closes the inlet to the required extent for
reducing the outlet pressure to the fixed point.
It is preferred to make the communication between the inlet and outlet a series
of narrow slits, or of an equivalent form, for the purpose of insuring a gradual
change in the pressure from time to time between the inlet and outlet.
A modification of this last form of apparatus consists in connecting the stem of
a piston moving in a cylinder to the lever of an ordinary stop-cock, so that as the
piston rises or falls, it opens or closes the stop-cock, and thereby regulates the
flow.
The two forms of apparatus last herein described may be applied to the pipo
communicating with the piston chamber of the governor heroin first described, in
which case it is provided with an overflow opening communicating with the outlet
or with the drain.
In cases where a limited pressure is available for acting on the piston of the
governor first described, this piston may be of larger area than that of the valve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Foulis in the Groat Seal Patent Office on the 4th January
1879.
WILLIAM FOULIS, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Civil
Engineer. "NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GOVERNING THE FLOW AND
PRESSURE OF WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS."
My said Invention which relates to new or improved apparatus for governing the
flow and pressure of water and other liquids is in part based upon the apparatus
for regulating the distribution of gaseous bodies described in the Specification of
the said William Foulis filed in pursuance of a certain proviso contained in Letters
Patent, numbered 3655, and dated the Nineteenth day of September, A.D. 1876.
According to the first modification the apparatus herein-after called the
governor" consists of a casing with inlet and outlet openings, and whoroin is
contained a valve having a cylindrical prolongation, whose diameter is equal to
that of the valve. This cylindrical prolongation fits into a corresponding chamber
in the casing, and is packed either with a cup leather, asbestos, or with the equi-
valent thereof.
"
The inlet of the apparatus is on one sido of the valve seat, and the outlet on the
other side.
The cylindrical chamber is connected by a pipe, either with the inlet side of
the governor or with any separate source of liquid supply, which liquid, acting upon
the piston of the governor, regulates the extent of opening of the valve, and
thereby produces the requisite outlet pressure. On this pipe a regulator may be
placed for varying the pressure in that chamber according to the outlet pressure
required.
In cases where it is desireable to reduce the travel as well as the diameter of the
valve of the governor, two valvos of equal diameter on a common stem may be
used.
In cases where it is desired to maintain a constant ratio between the inlet and
outlet pressure, the area of the piston is made less than that of the valve or valves.
For the purpose of controlling the pressure of water in pipes other than main
pipes, such for example as in the service pipes to houses, there is placed on the pipe
a double piston valve loaded by weights, which maintain the valve open until the
outlet pressure begins to rise above the desired point, in which case this outlet
pressure acting upon the under side of the piston valve and against the weights,
causes the piston to move until it closes the inlet to the required extent for
reducing the outlet pressure to the fixed point.
The communication between the inlet and outlet may consist of a series of
narrow slits or their equivalents for the purpose of ensuring a gradual action.
The form of apparatus last herein described may be applied to the pipe com-
municating with the piston chamber of the governor herein first described, in
which case it is provided with an overflow opening communicating with the outlet
or with the drain.
In cases where a limited pressure is available for acting on the piston of the
governor first described this piston may be of larger area than that of the
valve.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
Figure 1 of the said Drawings represents in front elevation, and Figure 2 in
longitudinal vertical section a "governor" constructed according to one modification
of any Trvention

page_text: The said governor consists of a casing A containing a valve B, which is so formed
in its lower part as to ensure a gradual opening, that is to say, it is of a tapered
or somewhat conical form, whereby, as the valve lifts the annular space between it
and its seat, is gradually enlarged. This valve B, when resting upon its seat, cuts
off communication between the inlet C from the main or reservoir and the outlet D
to the service or supply. The valve B is guided by the spindle b sliding in a
guide on the cover of the governor. At the lower part of the governor is a
cylinder E, in which slides a piston b forming a prolongation of the valve B. The
said piston is of an area equal to that of the valve B, and this piston is shewn as
packed with cup leathers. The piston may however be packed with any other
suitable packing so as to ensure a water-tight working of the said piston b in the
cylinder E. A pipe e opens into the cylinder E from two vessels F, containing
liquid, such as water, glycerine, or oil. These vessels F are fitted with rams
having cross heads f1 carrying weights". It will thus be seen that the degree
of opening of the valve B may be regulated by the weight which is placed upon
the cross heads, the liquid from the vessels F being caused by these weights to pass
through the pipe e into the cylinder E, and bear upon the under side of the piston b,
and by raising it, opening the valve B to a greater or lesser degree, according to the
excess of pressure produced by the weights f* over the weight of the valve B, plus
the pressure of liquid at the outlet.
The pressure and flow of the liquid at the outlet may, by means of this governor,
be reduced to the desired extent, according to the amount of weight placed upon the
cross heads f¹. The outlet pressure will be maintained constant or nearly so,
although the inlet pressure or outlet consumption may vary.
Instead of the valve B being of a conical or current shape as shewn, it may be
cylindrical and furnished with a number of slits, as illustrated in Figure 14
(Sheet 2), which will give the same gradual opening effect.
Figure 3 represents in longitudinal vertical section a governor of a slightly
modified form, the guide spindle b' being dispensed with, and the cover being
provided with a stop 68 for limiting the motion of the valve.
Figure 4 represents in longitudinal vertical section another modification of
governor in which the area of the piston b is less than the area of the valve B. In
this case the space underneath the piston is open to the atmosphere by the pipe b².
The inlet pressure acting on the top of the piston and under side of valve, will, in
consequence of the unequal area, tend to lift the valve, and will continue to do so
until the outlet pressure counteracts this tendency. Inasmuch as the outlet pressure
acts on the whole area of the valve, the pressure per unit of area on the outlet will
be less than that on the inlet side in proportion to the difference between the
whole area of the valve and the amount that this area exceeds that of the piston
under all variations of inlet pressure or outlet consumption; this governor is shown
fitted with a safety valve b
Figure 5 represents in vertical section one of my governors so arranged as to
suit cases wherein it is desireable to reduce the travel as well as the diameter of the
valve. The valve B is in this case compound or double, consisting of two small
valves resting upon the seatings 65, 66. The inlet C communicates with the under
side of the top valve and the upper side of the bottom valve, and the outlet D com-
municates with the upper side of the top valve and the under side of the
bottom valve.
The other parts of this arrangement correspond with the governor, illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2, and are marked with the same letters of reference. In this arrange-
iment equivalent work to that done by the herein-before described arrangements
will be effected if each of the valves constituting the compound valve be one-half
of the area of the valve in the said other arrangements, and it can be worked by a
ram half of the size of that (f and F) described with regard to Figures 1 and 2,
and an amount of weight but half that necessary for the said arrangement, Figures
1 and 2, will be required.

page_text: The forms of my improved governor herein-before described are more especially
adapted for controlling the flow and pressure of water in main pipes.
Figure 6 (Sheet 2) represents in longitudinal vertical section a smaller governor,
more especially adapted for controlling the pressure of water in pipos other than
main pipes, such for instance as in the service pipes to houses. This arrangement
is essentially similar to that represented in Figure 4, and corresponding parts aro
marked with the same letters of reference.
Figure 7 represents in vertical section another arrangement of my apparatus,
also especially suited for controlling the pressure of liquid in pipes other than main
pipes, such for instance as in the service pipes to houses. This consists of a short
cylinder I placed upon the service pipe, which is represented by the parts marked
,, being the inlet to and the outlet from the cylinder I. Sliding water-
tight in the cylinder I are the two pistons j',j, of a double piston valve J. Between
the two pistons j¹, 2, and the inner side of the cylinder I is an annular space j³,
which space is in communication by means of the passage in the lower piston
with the space between the under side of the piston j and the closed bottom of
the tube I. The rod of the piston valve J which extends through the nearly closed
top of the cylinder I, carries a bracket K, upon which are placed weights k, the
amount of which may be varied as required and regulated according to the pressure
at which the water is required to be delivered at the outlet.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-So long as the pressure in the main
or service pipe is not in excess of that exerted by the weights k, the openings of
the inlet and outlet pipes i, 2, will not be covered by the pistons j¹, that is to
say, both of these openings will be in full communication with the space ³, and
liquid will flow from the inlet i through the said space and out at the outlet 28.
Should the pressure of the liquid at the inlet become increased, the said liquid
passing as it does through the passage into the space ³, will press upon the under
side of the piston j', and raise the pistons, whereby the piston is caused to close
or partly close the opening of the inlet pipe i', until the outlet pressure be reduced
to the fixed point determined by the amount of the weights k; is the air outlet.
Figure 8 represents in vertical section a modified form of the apparatus shown
in Figure 7, suitable for automatically controlling the pressure of water admitted
through the pipe e to the piston chambers of the governors herein-before described,
and to be used in place of the arrangement of rams shown at Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 9 represents in elevation this apparatus in connection with a governor.
From the cylinder I the pipes i, 22, lead respectively to the inlet and outlet sido
of the valve (B) of the governor, and the pipe e leading to the under side of the
piston b at the lower part of the said valve B opens into this cylinder I at such a
point between the pipes i, i, that its opening will never be obstructed by either
of the two pistons 1,j, of the double piston valve J. The said pistons slide water-
tight or nearly so in the cylinder I, and are in such relative positions with each
other that when the opening of either of the pipes i, 3, is wholly uncovered by one
of the said pistons, the other of them is wholly covered by the other piston.
Either the outlet pipe 2 or the inlet pipe i' (as the caso may be) and the pipe e open
into the space between the two pistons 1, 3, the hole establishing commu-
nication between the space ³ and the space ³, as described with regard to
Figure 8.
The weights are regulated in amount according to the pressure at which the
liquid is to be admitted through the valve B. So long as the pressure in the main
or service pipe is not in excess of that for which the weights have been adjusted,
the piston valve will remain in the position illustrated, that is to say, in its lowest
position, the piston covering the opening of the pipe from the outlet, the
opening of the pipe being uncovered and open to the space 13, the water therefrom
passing into the said space and through the opening to the space jo, and through the
pipe e to press upon the under side of the piston 6 of the valve B of the governor,
which will by this pressure be kept at its proper degree of opening; but should
the pressure in the main become excessive, the pressure thereof upon the under
•

page_text: side of the piston j¹ overcomes the downward pressure of the weights k, and the
piston valve will rise, which will cause the piston j to partially or entirely cover
the opening of the pipe from the inlet side of the valve B, and the piston to
uncover or partially uncover the opening of the pipe 2, and thus reduce the
pressure of liquid passing by the pipe e to the under side of the piston 6 of the
governor, and therefore to lower the valve B. The pipe when open constitutes
an overflow pipe.
In place of the said pipe leading to the outlet side of the valve of the governor,
it may lead to a drain or other place of discharge. When excessive pressure ceases
the weights will cause the piston valve J to descend again into the position
illustrated in the Drawing; jis the air outlet; or, as illustrated in Figure 10, the
pipe e may open into a cistern L, which may be supplied with water to a certain
level by means of a float valve l. The head of water will in this case create the
necessary pressure upon the piston of the governor.
Figure 11 illustrates an arrangement analogous to that shewn at Figures 1 and 2,
in which the pressure upon the piston of the governor is obtained by means of a
weighted or screw ram M working water-tight in a vessel N containing water or
other liquid with which the pipe e is in communication.
This form of my apparatus is specially adapted for the purposes to which large
sluice valves are now generally applied.
In cases where only a limited pressure is available for acting on the piston of the
governor, à cylinder with a piston may be placed above the valve after the manner
shewn with regard to the retentive valve, Figure 12 (Sheet 1), so as to counter-
balance part of the outlet pressure on the top of the valve. The aforesaid cylinder
is (above the piston) open to the atmosphere.
This arrangement of my apparatus may be used as retention valve on descending
mains from which the water flows by an ascending main upon the opposite side of
a valley. In this arrangement (shewn at Figure 12) the inlet is above the valvo B
and the outlet below the valve. Above the valve B a cylinder G with an air
opening is situated and fitted with a piston g connected by a stem g¹ to the
valve B, the piston g being of less area than the valve B. The space E below the
piston is or may be connected to both the inlet and outlet C and D respectively,
or to the outlet D only by the communicating pipes c, d, which are provided
with stop-cocks c¹ and d¹, so that by opening or closing these cocks the pressure
which acts upon the piston b to adjust the opening of the valve B may be the outlet
pressure, or a mean of the inlet and outlet pressures. Valves so constructed will
shut by the inlet pressure above the valve should a fracture occur in the main at
any position, whereby the head of water at the outlet side becomes reduced below
that head for which the valve is adjusted. Or in both governors and retentive
valves a supplementary piston of larger area than that of the valve may be used
in place of the arrangement, Figure as shown.at Figure 13, this piston (g)
working in the cylinder G below the piston b, and the upper side of the said piston b
being open to the atmosphere.
Pipes from the inlet and outlet provided with stop-cocks, as shewn at Figure 12,
may also be applied to the apparatus when that apparatus is used as a retentivo
valve.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may
be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
ne by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The apparatus for controlling the flow and pressure of water, substantially
as herein-before described and shewn at Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, and 14 of the
accompanying Drawings, wherein the gradual action of the valve B is produced by
constructing the stem of the said valve of a conical or curved shape, or of a cylin-
drical form with slits, so that as the valve rises from or falls to its seat, the opening
or passage between it and its seat is gradually enlarged or diminished, and wherein

page_text: the pressure at the outlet side is controlled either by the inlet pressure or by an
independent column of water acting upon a piston attached to the valve.
Second. The differential apparatus shewn at Figures 4 and 6, consisting of the
valve B in combination with the other parts, as shewn and described, for controlling
the flow and pressure of water.
Third. The apparatus shewn at Figure 12, in which, when used as a governor, a
portion of the outlet pressure is balanced by a piston g of smaller diameter in a
cylinder G placed above the valve B.
Fourth. The apparatus shewn at Figure 13, wherein a piston G, of larger diameter
placed below the valve B produces an effect similar to that of the arrangement
forming the subject of the last preceding claiming clause.
Fifth. The apparatus with the pipes d, e, and cocks c, d, as shewn at Figures
12 and 13, or their equivalents, for use as a retentive valve on descending mains,
and wherein, whon a fracture occurs on the outlet side, the inlet pressure closes
the valve.
Sixth. The apparatus herein-before described and shewn at Figure 7 of the
annexed Drawings.
Seventh. The apparatus herein-before described, and shewn at Figure 8 of tho
annexed Drawings, for controlling the action of water governors as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, tho said William Foulis, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-ninc.
WILLIAM FOULIS. (LS.)