Improvements in and relating to Automatic Closing Devices for Gauge-glass Cocks or Valves.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1894-Accepted, 28th July, 1894
COMPLETE SIMUIFICATION,
Improvements in and relating to Automatic Closing Devices for
Gauge-glass Cocks or Valves.
I, AUGUST OSENBRÜCK of 7° Bauern Strasse Bremen, in the Empire of
Germany, 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 :-
The device forming the subject of this invention is adapted in case of breakage
of the gauge-glass to automatically turn off the cocks or close the valves of water-
gauges in steam generators or other vessels wherein the fluid is under pressure, so
that there is barely time for a very small quantity of steam and liquid to escape
through the break or gap.
The invention mainly consists of a closing block or plug movably arranged in the
channel or port connecting the steam-chamber of the boiler with that of the gauge,
and so combined with the ordinary cut-off devices of the water gauge, that, as it
moves in the direction in which the steam passes from the boiler into the gauge-
chamber, it causes those devices to close. This closing block, which preferably
assumes the shape of a piston or diaphragm, instantly shifts when the gange-glass
happens to break, in consequence of the difference of pressure on either side thereof
due to the escape of steam which then takes place from the gauge-chamber.
To enable the water-gauge at all times to indicate the correct water-level, the
closing block should be so arranged that the slight differences of pressure, which
are apt to occur, even while the gauge-glass is intact between the steam-chamber
of the gauge and that of the boiler, may be equalized without any displacement of
the said closing block. To enable it to comply with this requirement, it is made
permeable to a limited extent, so that steam may, if necessary, pass through it in
either direction. This object is best attained by means of one or more small
perforations.
The closing block arranged within the steam port leading from the boiler to the
gauge-chamber, may be situated, as desired, either in front of, or behind, the cut-off
device of the gauge. This cut off device may even be omitted altogether and
replaced by such an arrangement that the closing block itself, on arriving at its
final position after completing its stroke in the direction towards the gauge-
chamber, closes the steam port.
Where, as has been usual hitherto, two like cut off devices (cocks or valves) are
provided, viz. one in the steam port, and the other in the water-way, the two
devices may be coupled together, so that only one of them need be connected with
the closing block or piston. The simplest way of effecting this coupling is, in the
case of cocks, the addition of second lever-arm to the handle of each cock, and
the connection of such additional lever-arms between them by means of a coupling
rod; and in the case of valves, the addition of a gear-wheel mounted upon each
valve-spindle, and of a rack gearing with both wheels; such rack being at the
same time a suitable means for connecting the closing devices with the cut-off
block or piston.
The problem of producing or bringing about the closing of the single or of both
connected cut-off devices by means of an additional closing block may be solved in
a variety of ways, some of which are illustrated, by way of example, in the
accompanying drawings, in which
Figure is a sectional elevation of a water-gauge fitted with an automatio
closing device constructed in accordance with this invention.

page_text: Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section of a double water gauge with the
closing devices of which a continuously operating catch is combined.
Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in section of a modified form of the invention
wherein the usual cut-off device of the steam port is formed by the closing device
itself and
Figure 4 is a front elevation thereof.
Referring now to Figure 1 the motion of the closing block results in the release
of a weight which, as it descends, causes the two cut-off cocks to be closed. The
upper cock, provided for the passage of steam, as well as the lower one, or the
water-cock, are fitted with the usual plugs 1 having, in addition to the handles 2,
lever arms 3 attached to them. These two lever arms are connected by the
coupling rod 4, so that each plug must follow, or participate in, the motion of the
other. In the horizontal channel or port of the casing of the upper cock, between
the plug and the glass-tube 5, there is arranged a piston 6 having perforations 7
and a rod 8 extending outwardly through a stuffing-box 9 and fitted with a flange
or collar 10 at its inner part, which flange, by coming in contact with the edge of
the stuffing-box 9, limits the extent of motion of the piston 6.
The outer end of the piston rod carries a bent piece or yoke 11 in which the
arm 12 of a double lever 12, 13 is adapted to engage, such lever being supported
at 14 by a carrier arm or bracket 16, the said arm or bracket being secured to the
casing of the cock by means of a screw 15. The arm 13 of the double-lever 12, 13,
is connected by a rod 17 with one arm 18 of a bell-crank lever 18, 19 carried by a
bracket 22 extending from the flange 21, whereon it rests at the point 20. The
second arm 19 of this bell-crank lever serves to retain the lever arm 3 of the
plug 1 and is provided for this purpose with a pawl 23 arranged to engage with, a
tappet 24 of the lever arm 3.
Should the gauge glass 5 break, and the closing piston 6 be in consequence
displaced towards the gauge-chamber by the surplus or excess of steam pressure
produced thereby on one side, the lever 18, 19 owing to the connections above
described, so oscillates or swings round that its pawl 23 releases the tappet 24.
This cuables the weight 26, suspended from an extension 25 of the lower end of
the coupling rod 4, to descend, and to thereby cause the plug to turn at right
angles, a stop (not shown in the drawing) then arresting the descending weight. It
will be understood that, the weight might also be attached to the lower end of a
chain, the upper end of which would be secured to the coupling rod 4, and which
might pass over a roller or pulley; or instead of the weight, a spring might be
connected with the coupling rod.
Referring to Figure 2 the operation of the catch is idle so long as the gauge
glasses continue in their normal condition; but should either of these glasses break,
the said catch operates with the positive effect of closing the cocks appertaining to
that glass. Upon the central piece 27 of this double gauge is erected a standard 28
supporting a shaft 29. This shaft is driven through the medium of a belt pulley 30
and carries, in addition to such pulley, a crank or eccentric 31 from which a
reciprocating motion is imparted, through the medium of a connecting rod or
pitman 32, to a sliding block 34 having two claws or clutches 33. The sliding
block 34 is arranged to move within the central groove of the guide plate 36
secured to the standard 28. The two lateral grooves 37 also have similar slide-
blocks 38 movable in them, each being provided with a pivot 39 whereon a three-
armed lever 40, 41, 42 is adapted to swing. This lever has its arm 40 operated
upon by a spring 43 secured to the slide 38, and is in consequence turned in such a
manner that its second arm 41 comes in contact with the free end of the rod 8 of
the closing piston 6, by means of the set screw 44 with which it is provided.
To the third arm 42 of the lever 40, 41, 42, there is linked a pawl 45, which a
spring 46, secured to the said lever arm 42 presses against a projection 47. The
pawl, is thereby caused to assume such a position that, whilst the gauge-glass
remains intact, and consequently the piston 6 retains its normal position, it does
not extend into the path of the catching clutch or claw 33. But when the glass

page_text: happens to break, and thereby brings about a displacement of the closing piston 6-
and of its rod 8, the lever 40, 41, 42 instantly swings round and brings the pawl 45.
into the path of the said claw or clutch 33, as indicated in the right hand side
portion of Figure 2. If at that moment the slide 34 together with the clutches 33.
should be situated above the pawls 45, the pawl, which has just altered its position
as stated is turned or moved to the outer side by the descent of the slide, and when
it rises again the pawl 45 and catching clutch 33 engage with each other (the said.
pawl having by this time been turned back again by its spring 46), the slide 38 being
thereby carried along in the upward direction. As, however, this slide is connected
with the coupling rod.4 of the two plugs 48 by means of a draw-rod 49 engaging
with the pin or stud 39, it follows that, in being thus raised, the said slide closes-
the water and steam ports.
The plug 48 of the steam-cock is provided with an angular perforation, through
which the steam makes its way into the vertical cylinder 50, where it passes through
the perforations 7 of the closing piston 6, the upper part 10 of which by coming
in contact with the stuffing box 9 limits the piston stroke. From the cylinder 50
the steam passes through the bent channel 51 into the hollow space provided above.
the glass tube in the casing of the steam cock. In the drawings it has been
assumed that the horizontal perforation or port provided in the casing of the steam.
cock extends as usual from the flange 21 to the orifice which is stopped by the
plug 52, although the plug 48 of the cock keeps this passage constantly closed, so
that by removing both this plug 48 and the plug 52, the portion of the said
horizontal perforation, which has been in use, is readily accessible.
Figures 3 and 4 show a modified form of the invention wherein the cut-off
device of the steam port is formed by the closing-block itself. There is, also in.
this arrangement, a plug 53 inserted in a horizontal perforation extending from the
front to the rear of the casing; but this perforation or passage is opened only
when after the removal of the plug 52 and piston rod 8 with the piston 6, it is
desired to clean the said passage. When therefore, special convenience in obtaining.
access to the part of the horizontal perforation, which is being used at the time is
not deemed desirable, the said perforation need only extend from the flange 21 down.
to the point situated just below the cylinder 50, in which case there is no occasion.
for either the cock 53 or an orifice which requires closing by means of a plug such as
52. The closing piston 6 is here also arranged to move within a vertical cylinder 50.
The end of the piston rod 8 projecting from the stuffing-box 9 is provided with an
arm 54 to which is linked the draw-bar 49 leading to the lever 3 of the gauge-
cock 1. When the closing piston, in the case of the gauge-glass being broken, is
raised by the steam, the water-cock is instantly closed by the connection just.
described; while at the same time the piston 6 immediately closes the steam port,..
on arriving at the end of its stroke, its upper conical part fitting the admission
orifice of the arched passage 51 which connects the said cylinder 50 with the space-
above the gauge-glass.
no
The three examples of the improved cut-off mechanism above given should by
means be considered as exhaustive, the principle of the invention being
realizable in a variety of other forms according to circumstances.
Even the parts
thus far described admit of quite a range of different combinations, apart from
other obvious modifications which may be made. The gist of the invention lies in
the arrangement of a closing block or body in the steam passage, and its employ-
ment for operating automatically the usual cut-off devices of gauges, in case of
breakage of the gauge glass, the motion imparted to the said cut-off devices in
such a case being derived from that of the additional closing device herein referred
to, by any convenient means and in any suitable manner.
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 device for automatically closing the ordinary cocks or valves of water-

page_text: gauges in case of a breakage of the gauge-glass; the main feature of such device
being that a movable closing block such as a piston or a flexible plate or diaphragm
is arranged within the channel or port through which steam is admitted into the
gauge-chamber the said closing block being sufficiently permeable to enable slight
differences of pressure occurring even while the gauge glass remains intact, between
the steam in the boiler and that which is contained in the gauge-chamber to be
equalized whilst the closing block is stationary, and the ordinary cocks or valves
of the gauge being made dependent on the closing block in such a manner that
they are closed when the great difference of pressure caused by a breakage of the
gauge glass shifts the closing block towards the gauge chamber essentially as
described with reference to the drawing.
2. A device of the class referred to in the first claim, wherein the closing block
itself cuts off the steam port or channel, on arriving at the end of its stroke, the
cock or valve in the water-conduit, however, being so connected with, or dependent
upon, the said closing-block that when the latter is shifted, the said cock or
valve cuts off the water passage essentially as described with reference to the
drawing.
3. A device of the class referred to in the preceding claims, wherein the closing
of the two cocks or valves (in accordance with Claim 1) or the closing of one such
device (according to Claim 2) is provided for by a weight or a spring, either of
which is released by the displacement of the closing block, essentially as described
with reference to the drawing.
4. A device of the class referred to in the two first claims, wherein the closing
of the two cocks or valves (in accordance with Claim 1) or of a single such device
(in accordance with Claim 2) is effected by a constantly reciprocating catching
mechanism, the displacement of the closing block, causing a piece suitably
connected with both cocks or valves or the single cock or valve to be moved
into the path of the catch, essentially as described with reference to the
drawing.
Dated this 19th day of Tune 1801
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.