IMPROVEMENTS IN EQUALIZING VALVES
Year: 1884

page_text: I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN EQUALIZING VALVES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to that class of devices commonly known as equalizing
valves" employed to control the flow of steam in connection with traps for returning
the water of condensation to a boiler, for supplying feed water to boilers, and for
other like purposes.
The valve embraces a reciprocating piston which constitutes the valve proper,
and by which the flow of the steam is controlled directly, also a secondary rotary
valve or spindle by means of which the steam is admitted to force the piston valve
in one direction or the other as required; also appliances whereby the water of.
condensation which may accumulate in the valve is automatically discharged
therefrom.
Referring to the accompanying drawings ;-
Figure 1 represents in elevation a steam boiler, the improved valve, and the
appliances used in combination therewith to return the condensation from a series
of radiators or other condensing apparatus to the boiler.
Figure 2 is a horizontal central section of the valve on the line x-x Figure 1.
Figure 3 represents a cross section of the valve on the line y-y Figure 1, the
main valve being opened, however, instead of closed as in the first figure.
Figure 4 is a cross section of the valve on the line z-z Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a section on the line 2¹¹ Figures 3 and 6.
Figure 6 is a cross section on the line ¹¹ Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal central section through a modified form of the valve.
Figures 8 and 9 are cross sections of the same on the lines e¹-e¹, and ƒ¹ƒ¹.
Referring to Fig. 1, A represents the pipe through which the water resulting
from the condensation of the steam is returned to the boiler, this pipe connecting
with and delivering water into a chamber or trap C whence it passes through the
pipe D into the boiler E below the water line. The trap or water chamber C also
Dune G1

page_text: -
connects at its top through a pipe F, with the top or steam space of the boiler so
as to receive live steam therefrom at the proper time. G represents the equalizing
valve which constitutes the subject matter of the present invention applied to the
pipe F between the boiler and the trap for the purpose of closing said pipe during
the proper intervals Within the trap C there is a float H connected through a
lever I, and rock shaft J with an external lever K carrying a weight L serving as
a counterbalance for the float.
The lever K is connected by a pitman M to a lever N applied to the controlling
spindle of the equalizing valve G as shown.
'
The arrangement of the parts is such that the equalizing valve G stands normally
in a closed condition whereby the live steam is prevented from passing through
pipe to the trap. The water of condensation flowing through the pipe A,
accumulates in the trap or chamber C, gradually elevating the float therein The
float through its lever connections upon reaching the top of the chamber causes the
valve G to be opened thereby admitting steam from the pipe Finto the top of the
trap C, thus equalizing the pressure above and below the water therein the result
of which is that the water flows by gravity through the pipe D into the boiler.
The discharge of the water permits the float H to descend, the result being
that the equalizing valve G is again closed and the trap permitted to fall as before.
The general mode of action of the parts above described is similar to 'that of
apparatus now known in the art and is recited herein in order to give a better
understanding of the purposes of the valve.
Passing now to the details of the valve G which constitutes the subject matter
of the present invention, attention is particularly directed to Figs. 1, 2 and 3
wherein a represents the cylindrical body of the valve closed at the two ends and
provided at one side with an inlet pipe through which the steam is received into
the interior and also 'with an outlet port e at the lower side through which the
steam is permitted to escape and descend to the trap. The flow of steam is checked
by closing communication between the inlet b and outlet'c, and this is accomplished
as shown in Fig. 2 by means of a reciprocating piston valve d. This valve'is made
of suitable diameter to tit closely within the cylinder a and of such length that it
may reciprocate therein. At one end the piston is made solid and of such size, that
when moved to the right end of the cylinder this solid portion will cover the inlet
and outlet ports and effectually close the same as shown in Fig. 2.
At the opposite end the valve is provided with a circumferential groove or
channel'e of such size and location that when the piston is moved to the left hand
end of the cylinder, this channel will be brought in line with the inlet and outlet
openings and afford communication between the same thus permitting the steam to
pass directly through the valve to the trap.
The movement of the piston to the right or left for the purpose of opening and
closing the valves is effected by admitting steam into the piston opposite or against
the two ends of the piston alternately.
This admission of the steam is controlled by means of the spindle O extending
Ingitudinally and centrally through the cylinder and valve as shown in Fig. 2 the
spindle being connected at one end with the before mentioned lever N by which it
receives a limited rotary motion. The cylinder a is provided on one side with an
independent chamber ig into which 'the steam is first received.
'
At its two ends this cylinder is provided with passages. or sports leading to
opposite ends of the cylinder spindle O. The spindle O is provided at its respective
ends with two longitudinal grooves or channels jj formed in its side, each serving
when in proper position to form a communication between the corresponding port /
and the interior of the cylinder. The two channels.jj stand circumferentially out
of line with each other so that upon turning the spindle in one direction the port j
will communicate with the port hand admit steam into the left end of the cylinder
while upon turning the spindle O in the opposite direction the channel j will be
thrown out of line with its port and tlie channel j¹ brought opposite the port /¹
thereby admitting steam into the right end of the cylinder.

page_text: Thus it will be seen that by rotating the spindle O steam may be admitted into
the two ends of the cylinder a alternately, the effect being that the steam acting
upon one or the other end of the piston valve d will cause the same to move to the
right or left permitting the steam to pass through the 'main valve or preventing
its flow through the same as required.
In order to provide for the escape of the water resulting from the condensation
of the steam within the cylinder I provide means which I will now describe,
attention being particularly called to Figs. 2, 5 and 6.
Two discharge ports / extending from opposite ends of the cylinder A communicate
by check valves m with opposite ends of a chamber n formed outside of the cylinder
and provided with a drip pipe o The two check valves have their 'spindles jointed
to opposite ends of a horizontal lever p pivoted at its middle in such manner that
the two valves will be opened and closed alternately. Two springs q seated beneath
the ends of the lever tend to hold the valves normally and when relieved from
pressure in an intermediate position both valves open.
When, however, live steam is admitted to either end of the cylinder it will serve
to close the corresponding check valve whereby the escape of the live steam will
be prevented. This closing of the check valve at one end causes at the same time
the opening of that at the other so that the steam condensing at said opposite end,
and also the exhaust steam, if any there be, which is uncondensed may escape from
the port past the chamber n and thence through the outlet o which will communicate
through a pipe or connection with the steam supply pipe or other receptacle.
The operation is as follows:-The lever N being depressed as a result of the
accumulation of water in the trap the spindle O is turned in such position that the
port j affords communication between the port h¹ and the right end of the cylinder,
whereupon live steam passing into the cylinder forces the piston valve d to the left
thereby opening communication through the main valve as represented in Fig. 3
permitting steam to pass through the pipe F to the trap. When, however, the
discharge of the water from the trap C permits the float to descend, the lever N
is elevated, thereby turning the spindle O to the position indicated in Fig. 2 the
effect of which will be to cut off the supply of steam at the right end of the
cylinder but admit steam through the port j¹ to the left end of the cylinder, thereby
causing the valve d to be forced to the right as shown in Fig. 2 closing the main
steam passage.
The construction represented in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 is an equivalent of that
represented in the preceding figures in that it represents the combination in an
equalizing valve, of steam inlet and outlet ports, a reciprocating steam-actuating
valve for closing said ports, secondary valves for admitting steam to opposite ends
of the main valves alternately, and two connected valves for permitting the es ape
of the water of condensation and steam from opposite ends of the cylinder
alternately.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The cylinder provided with inlet and outlet ports, in combination with the
piston valve and the rotary spindle provided with steam admission ports.
2. In a steam actuated valve, the cylinder provided with inlet and outlet ports,
the grooved reciprocating piston and the rotary spindle provided at opposite ends
with steam admission channels adapted to register alternately with steam admission
ports substantially as described.
3. In an equalizing valve the combination of a cylinder provided with inlet
ports, the steam actuated valves controlling the passage of steam through the
apparatus, the outlet ports k, the check valves m and the spring operated lever
connecting said valves, said parts adapted to operate substantially as and for the
purpose described.
4. In a piston valve, the combination of the cylinder a provided. with steam
inlet and outlet openings, the piston valve, the rotary valve O provided with steam

page_text: adinission channels, the ports h h¹ connecting the spindle O with the steam inlet,
the water discharge ports k and the water discharge valves m connected by means
substantially as described.
5. In an equalizing valve, the combination substantially as specified, of steam
inlet and outlet ports, the reciprocating steam actuated valves for closing said ports,
secondary valves for admitting steam to opposite ends of the main valve alternately
and connected valves substantially as described for permitting the escape of the
water of condensation from opposite ends of the cylinder.
6. In an equalizing valve, the combination of a cylinder and piston whereby
the closing of the main steam passage is effected directly or indirectly as desired,
the valves for permitting the escape of the water of condensation from opposite
ends of said cylinder, and connecting mechanism substantially as described, whereby
the closing of one of said waste valves is caused to effect the positive opening of
the other..