AN IMPROVED WATER GAUGE FOR STEAM BOILERS."
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Paul Ward, of Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey, for
the Invention of "AN IMPROVED WATER GAUGE FOR STEAM BOILERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Paul Ward at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1877.
PAUL WARD, of Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey.
GAUGE FOR STEAM BOILERS."
"
AN IMPROVED WATER
This Invention consists in the construction of an improved water gauge for steam
boilers which combines great efficacy with extreme simplicity.
•
The main portion of the gauge consists of a glass tube which is attached to the
exterior of the boiler, the lower end thereof being in communication with the water
and the upper end with the steam space. In the interior of the tube is placed a
small indicating sphere or float of other suitable form of glass, metal, or any suitable
substance, the same being of such weight as to be capable of floating on the surface
of the water contained in the tube, and of rising or falling therewith. At the lower
end of the interior of the tube is placed a spiral metallic spring for the purpose of
preventing the indicating sphere or float from striking the bottom of the gauge tube
with violence when the water is expelled from the tube by the pressure of the
steam through the valve provided for its emission at the bottom thereof.
A portion of the exterior of the tube is sometimes provided with an opaque
coating, and upon which when desired a scale may be marked, and in this case it is
preferred that that the indicating sphere or float shall be black. When such opacity is
dispensed with, the indicating sphere is, by preference, silvered or provided with a
reflecting surface.
By the employment of the indicating sphere or float the ascertainment of the
height of the water in the boiler is much easier, especially when there is little
light, than when the level of the water alone in the gauge tube is the only
guide.
In order to prevent the sphere or float from being ejected from the tube by the
water or steam, and also to preserve the same in position when the gauges are kept
[Price 2d1

page_text: .
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Paul Ward in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th August
1877.
PAUL WARD, of Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey. "AN IMPROVED WATER
GUAGE FOR STEAM BOILERS."
My said Invention consists in the construction of an improved water guage to be
used in connection with steam boilers, and which combines great efficacy with
extreme simplicity.
The main portion of the gauge consists of a glass tube which is attached to the
exterior of the boiler,, the lower end thereof being in communication with the water
in the interior of the boiler, and the upper end with the steam space. In the
interior of the tube is placed a small indicating sphere, or a float of any other
suitable form of glass, metal, or any other suitable material, the same being of such
weight or gravity as to be capable of floating on the surface of the water contained
in the tube, and of rising or falling therewith as the same is elevated or depressed.
At the lower end of the interior of the tube is placed a spiral metallic spring for the
purpose of preventing the indicating sphere or float from striking the bottom of the
guage tube with violence when the water is expelled from the tube by the pressure
of the steam through the valve which is provided for its emission at the bottom
thereof.
A portion of the exterior of the tube is sometimes provided with an opaque
coating, upon which when desired a scale may be marked, and in this case it is
preferred that the indicating sphere or float shall be black. When such opacity is
dispensed with, the indicating sphere or float is, by preference, silvered or provided
with a reflecting surface.
By the employment of the indicating sphere or float the ascertainment of the
height of the water in the boiler is much easier, especially when there is little light
available, than when the level of the water in the guage tube is the only guide.
In order to prevent the indicating sphere or float from being ejected from the
tube by the water or steam, and also to preserve the same when the guages are
kept in stock, a stop which may consist of a collar or any suitable contrivance is
placed in the interior of the tube at either end thereof.
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention
secured to me by the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the con-
struction of an improved water guage for steam boilers, substantially as and for the
purposes herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Paul Ward, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.