IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO SAFETY REDUCING AND OTHER VALVES, AND IN MEANS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROVIDING AGAINST EXCESSIVE PRESSURE AND SHORTNESS OF WATER PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Brierley, of Rochdale, in the county of
Lancaster, Brassfounder and Finisher, and Martin Mitchell, of Bacup, in the
said county, for an invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO
SAFETY REDUCING AND OTHER VALVES, AND IN MEANS OR ARRANGEMENTS
FOR PROVIDING AGAINST EXCESSIVE PRESSURE AND SHORTNESS OF WATER
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Brierley and
Martin Mitchell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
4th March 1882.
WILLIAM BRIERLEY of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Brass Founder and
Finisher, and MARTIN MITCHELL of Bacup, in the said County. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN OR APPLICABLE TO SAFETY, REDUCING, AND OTHER VALVES, AND IN MEANS
OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROVIDING AGAINST EXCESSIVE PRESSURE AND SHORTNESS
OF WATER IN STEAM AND OTHER BOILERS AND HEATING APPARATUS
"
Firstly, Our invention relates to safety valves weighted directly by weights or
springs.
The valve is formed like a cylinder or dome with the open end downwards, and
ground to fit the valve seating. In the centre of the steam pipe leading to the
valve there is a tube secured to arms fixed in the bore of the steam pipe, this
central tube extends downwards into the boiler, and upwards into the cylindrical
or dome valve and it has a disc secured upon it near the valve seating. Thus
arranged the valve will lift higher and give a more free discharge to the steam
when the pressure has arrived at the discharging point.
Secondly, Our invention relates to the combination and arrrangement of a
safety valve to be loaded by the pressure of a column of mercury. The valve is
secured to a disc to which a metal or other diaphragm is attached, above which is
a cap or vessel which covers the diaphragm and communicates by a column tube,
with a small reservoir of mercury at the upper end of the tube, which presses upon
1

page_text: the mercury in the cap or vessel, the lower end of the column tube in the cap or
vessel coming into a cup attached to the diaphragm plate.
The rise of the valve causes the diaphragm to force the mercury out of the cap
or vessel into the reservoir at the top of the column tube, and thus the weight
acting upon the valve is diminished as it rises and thus allows a more free escape
of steam.
Thirdly, Our invention relates to means and arrangements which are or may be
applied to ordinary safety valves, to lift them or the levers by which they are
weighted when the pressure attains a given limit, and thus give a more free outlet
for the steam to escape, and consists in arranging a loosely fitting piston in a
cylinder, so that the end of the piston rod will come under or be connected with
the safety valve or its lever. In the cylinder under the piston there is a small
hole, or the imperfect fit of the piston will be sufficient without the small hole, to
allow the steam to exhaust or pass away from the cylinder when not required to
act. There is also a pipe from the steam boiler to bring steam to the cylinder at
the underside of this piston, but this steam can only pass to the small cylinder
through a small steam valve kept closed by a lever and weight, when the pressure
in the boiler has not attained its maximum.
The weight on the small steam valve lever is a piston or float or it is weighted
and connected with a diaphragm or bellows which can be lifted to open the steam
valve by the action of water or mercury or both, when a column of mercury is
employed as the pressure measurer. There is a vertical pipe between two vessels
the one at the lower end is connected by a syphon pipe with the float piston or
diaphragm for the small steam valve.
The lower vessel and part of the suphon is filled with mercury, the upper
vessel with water, and this is connected by a pipe with the steam space of the
boiler.
The pressure in the boiler acts upon the water and thus forces the mercury out
of the lower vessel up the syphon tube until it reaches the float, piston or
diaphragm, and this column is made sufficient in height to resist the maximum
pressure fixed upon, and if this is exceeded, the mercury then acts upon the
float, piston or diaphragm and this opens the valve and allows steam to fill the
small cylinder, and as it enters much faster than it leaks out, the piston rises and
lifts the safety valve and gives a free escape for the steam.
When the pressure of the steam falls again the mercury in the pressure column
descends, the steam valve is shut, and the steam left in the small cylinder leaks
out and allows the piston to descend and the safety valve to close.
Fourthly, Our invention relates to arrangements for lifting or opening the safety
valve when the water level of a boiler has become dangerously low, and this part
of our invention may be combined with the arrangements described under the third
head of our invention, or used separately, and consists in a closed vessel attached
to or placed above the upper part of the boiler.
This vessel communicates with the boiler by two separate pipes, one pipe from
the bottom of the vessel has its lower open end extending to the low water level
fixed upon, the lower open end of the other pipe being a little higher and extending
nearly to the top of the closed vessel.
At the upper side of the closed vessel the small cylinder is secured, the piston
of which acts upon the safety valve, as herein before mentioned under the third
head, and there is a communication between the closed vessel and the small
cylinder closed by a valve, which is connected by a stem with a lever on a fulcrum
within the closed vessel, which lever has a weight suspended upon it, one at one
end and a cup filled with water at the other end so that the weight and the
leverage given to it will counterbalance the cup and water and keep the valve
shut when the closed vessel is full of water, but when empty as when the water
in the boiler is too low, the valve is opened and admits steam to act upon the
piston to open and keep open the safety valve until the water has again attained
the proper safe level in the boiler.

page_text: The closed vessel will be kept full of water as long as the lowest pipe is scaled
by water in the boiler, but when it is not, the water will remain in the cup but
will flow from the closed vessel into the boiler, and the steam will pass into it up
the other pipe.
The closed vessel will fill when the water is high enough and this will cause the
safety valve to close.
Another modification according to this part of our invention is one similar to
that above described, except that mercury is used in a small cup in place of the
weight, and the arrangement will act to open the safety valve either by reason of
low water or excessive pressure of steam.
The small cup at one end of the lever has the lower end of a pipe arranged to
dip in the cup, the pipe passing from the boiler, and ascending to a cup at the top
of the column.
When thus arranged the mercury from the small cup on the lever will be forced
by the pressure of steam up the column tube, and if it exceeds the pressure fixed
upon, it enters the cup at the top, and the weight of mercury at that end of the
lever then becomes too little to keep the small steam or water valve (as it acts for
both) closed against the action of the large cup filled and buoyed up with water at
the other end of the lever, and thus the safety valve is opened, as water enters
under the small piston; but when there is shortness of water the closed vessel
being empty of water the water left in the large cup overbalances the cup with
mercury and allows steam to pass to open the safety valve.
Fifthly, Our invention relates to arrangements applicable to boilers for baths
and domestic and other purposes to relieve them from excessive dangerous pressure
and consists in arranging a cistern for mercury near to, or within the boiler, and
connecting it with a column tube long enough to balance the safe working pressure
in the apparatus, the upper end of the column tube having a cup and an outlet to
the atmosphere.
If the pressure exceeds that arranged for by the column of mercury, the mercury
is all forced into the upper cup, and then water and steam freely follows and
escapes, but as long as the pressure in the boiler or apparatus is less than that fixed
upon, the mercury seals the outlet and the apparats works in the ordinary
manner.
Sixthly, Our invention relates to arrangements for obtaining any required length
of mercury in column without having it in one long column, and this part of our
invention is or may be used in combination, with our improvements hereinbefore or
hereinafter described where columns of mercury are required to balance or measure
pressure, and is also applicable in other safety valve and pressure measuring
arrangements.
Our invention consists in connecting together any required number of syphons.
There is a cistern at the lower part and a cup or cistern at the upper part of
each syphon.
The lower cisterns of each of the syphons are filled with mercury, the upper
cisterns and the connecting pipes between the upper and lower cisterns not filled
with mercury are filled with water or other liquid of comparatively light specific
gravity. When the pressure comes upon the inercury in the first syphon it acts
upon all the cisterns of mercury, the interposed liquid transmitting the movement
between each cistern of mercury, being practicably incompressible.
Seventbly, Our invention relates to valves for reducing the pressure of steam
and other fluid, and consists in applying to this purpose arrangements similar to
those hereinbefore described under the third head of our invention.
The column of mercury is connected with the pipe at the low pressure side of the
reducing valve and is arranged to act to open the small steam valve, when the
pressure on the low pressure side of the reducing or governing valve is too great,--
the steam allowed to pass by the small valve acts upon a piston connected with the
reducing valve to close it wholly or partly, ani when the pressure diminishes, the

page_text: steam is wholly or partly shut off by the small steam valve, and the reducing valves
open again.
Eighthly, Our invention relates to steam Traps that is, taps or valves arranged
to be opened or closed by decreasing or increasing temperatures, and consists in a
cock or valve actuated by a tubular lever connecting two cisterns, one at each end
of the lever.
One cistern is partly filled with mercury and partly with a spirit that will be
converted into gas, and thus generate pressure when exposed to heat. The cistern
at that end of the lever charged with mercury and spirit is enclosed in a vessel
into which the steam and water passing the valve enters, and as long as it remains
comparatively cool, there is no movement in the lever, but when the heat increases,
the spirit or part of it is converted into gas and its pressure, and to some extent
the expansion of the mercury, forces the mercury out of the cistern at one end of
the lever, to enter that in the other end and passing from one to the other through
the tubular lever, thus causing the weight at that end to preponderate and wholly
or partly close the cock or valve, until the spirit gets cool enough again and
condenses, when the mercury passes back and reverses or opens the valve again.
Ninthly. Our invention relates to means for closing the damper of furnaces of
steam boilers when the pressure or low state of water becomes dangerous, and
consists in combining the arrangements herein before described for lifting the safety
valve under conditions above mentioned, with a weight or spring or other power
for closing the damper, which weight is lifted and is or may be held up or out of
action by a catch connected with the piston lifting the safety valve lever, or with
that lever, so that when it lifts the catch will be released and the weight will then
descend and act to close the damper.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Brierley and Martin Mitchell in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th August 1882.
16
WILLIAM BRIERLEY of Rochdale in the County of Lancaster, Brass Founder, and
Finisher, and MARTIN MITCHELL, of Bacup, in the said County; IMPROVEMENTS
IN OR APPLICABLE TO SAFETY REDUCING AND OTHER VALVES, AND IN MEANS OR
ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROVIDING AGAINST EXCESSIVE PRESSURE AND SHORTNESS
OF WATER IN STEAM AND OTHER BOILERS AND HEATING APPARATUS."
Firstly. Our invention relates to safety valves loaded directly by weights or
springs The valve is formed like a cylinder or dome with the open end
downwards, and ground to fit the valve seating-In the centre of the steam pipe
leading to the valve, there is a tube secured and this central tube extends
downwards into the boiler or into the pipe from the boiler, and upwards into the
cylindrical or dome valve, and it has a disc secured upon it at its upper end
attached to a vertical pipe from the bore of the steam pipe. Thus arranged the
valve will lift higher and give a more free discharge to the steam when the
pressure has arrived at the discharging point.
This part of our invention also consists in modifications where the dome is used
and where the central tube is dispensed with.
Secondly, our invention relates to the combination and arrangement of a safety
valve to be loaded by the weight and pressure of a column of mercury-The valve
is secured to a disc to which a metal or other diaphragm is attached above which
is a cap or vessel which covers the diaphragm and communicates by a column tube,
with a small reservoir of mercury at the upper end of the tube, which presses upon
the mercury in the cap or vessel, the lower end of the column tube in the cap or
vessel coming into a cup attached to the diaphragm plate.
The rise of the valve causes the diaphragm to force the mercury out of the cap
or vessel into the reservoir at the top of the column tube, and thus the weight
acting upon the valve is diminished as it rises and allows a more free escape of
steam.
Thirdly. Our invention relates to means and arrangements which are or may be
applied to ordinary or our improved safety valves, to lift them or the levers or
nechanism by which they are weighted when the pressure attains a given limit,
and thus give a more free outlet for the steam to escape, and consists in arranging
a loosely fitting piston in a cylinder, so that the end of the piston rod will come
under or be connected with the safety valve or its lever-In the cylinder under
the piston there is a small hole, or the imperfect fit of the piston will be sufficient
without the small hole, to allow the steam to slowly exhaust or pass away from
the cylinder, when not required to act-There is also a pipe from the steam boiler
to bring steam to the cylinder at the underside of this piston but this steam can
only pass to the small cylinder through a small steam valve kept closed by a lever
and weight when the pressure in the boiler has not attained its maximum.
The weight on the small steam valve lever is a piston or float or it is weighted
and connected with a diaphragm or bellows which can be lifted to open the steam
valve by the action of water or mercury or both when a column of mercury is
employed as the pressure measurer. There is a vertical pipe between two vessels
the one at the lower end is connected by a syphon pipe with the float piston or
diaphragm for the small steam valve.
The lower vessel and part of the syphon is filled with mercury the upper
vessel with water, and this is connected by a pipe with the steam space of the
boiler.

page_text: The pressure in the boiler acts upon the water and thus forces the mercury out
of the lower vessel down and then up the syphon tube until it reaches, the float,
piston or diaphragm, and this column is made sufficient in height to resist the
maximum pressure fixed upon, and if this is exceeded the mercury then acts upon
the float piston or diaphragm and this opens the valve and allows steam to fill the
small cylinder, and as it enters much faster then it leaks out the piston rises and
lifts the safety valve and gives a free escape for the steam.
When the pressure of the steam falls again the mercury in the pressure column
descends, the steam valve is shut and the steam left in the small cylinder leaks out
and allows the piston to descend and the safety valve to close.
Fourthly, Our invention relates to arrangements for lifting or opening the safety
valve when the water level of a boiler has become high or dangerously low and
this part of our invention may be combined with the arrangements described
under the third head of our invention or used separately and consists in a closed
vessel attached to or placed above the upper part of the boiler.
This vessel communicates with the boiler by two separate pipes one pipe from
the bottom of the vessel has its lower open end extending below the low water
level fixed upon, the lower open end of the other pipe being a little below the
water level its upper end extending nearly to the top of the closed vessel.
At the upper side of the closed vessel the small cylinder is secured, the piston of
which acts upon the safety valve, as hereinbefore mentioned under the third head
and there is a communication between the closed vessel and the small cylinder
closed by a valve which is connected by a stem with a lever on a fulcrum within
the closed vessel, which lever has a weight suspended upon it, one at one end and
a cup filled with water at the other end so that the weight and the leverage given
to it will counter-balance the cup and water and keep the valve shut when the
closed vessel is full of water, but when empty as when the water in the boiler is
too low, the valve is opened and admits steam to act upon the piston to open and
keep open the safety valve until the water has again attained the proper safe level
in the boiler.
The closed vessel will be kept full of water as long as the lower end of the
highest pipe is sealed by water in the boiler but when it is not the water will
remain in the cup but will flow from the closed vessel into the boiler and the steam
will pass into it up the pipe.
The closed vessel will fill when the water is high enough and this will cause the
safety valve to close.
Another modification according to this part of our invention is one similar to
that above described, except that mercury is used in a small cup in place of the
weight and the arrangement will act to open the safety valve either by reason of
low water or excessive pressure of steam.
The small cup at one end of the lever has the lower end of a pipe arranged to
dip in the cup, the pipe passing from the boiler and ascending to a cup at the top
of the column.
When thus arranged the mercury from the small cup on the lever will be forced
by the pressure of steam up the column tube and if it exceeds the pressure fixed
upon it enters the cup at the top and the weight of mercury at that end of the
lever then becomes to little to keep the small steam or water valve (as it will act
for both) closed against the action of the large cup fitted and buoyed up with
water at the other end of the lever and thus the safety valve is opened, as water
enters under the small piston; but when there is shortness of water the closed
vessel being empty of water, the water left in the large cup overbalances the cup
with mercury and allows steam to pass to open the safety valve.
This part of our invention also consists of a modification of the above with a
lever in the boiler and a hollow float filled with water.
Fifthly. Our invention relates to arrangements applicable to boilers for baths
and domestic and other purposes to relieve them from excessive pressure and
consists in arranging a cistern for mercury near to or within the boiler and

page_text: connecting it with a column tube long enough to balance the safe working pressure
in the apparatus the upper end of the column tube having a cup and an outlet to
the atmosphere.
If the pressure exceeds that arranged for by the column of mercury the
mercury is all forced into the upper cup and then water and steam freely follows
and escapes, but as long, as the pressure in the boiler or apparatus is less than that
fixed upon the mercury seals the outlet and the apparatus works in the ordinary
manner.
Sixthly, Our invention relates to arrangements for obtaining any required
length of mercury, in column, without having it in one long column, and this
part of our invention is or may be used in combination, with our improvements
hereinbefore or hereinafter described where columns of mercury are required to
balance or measure pressure and is also applicable in other safety valve and pressure
measuring arrangements.
Our invention consists in connecting together any required number of
syphons.
There is a cistern at the lower part and a cup or cistern at the upper part of
each syphon.
The lower cisterns of each of the syphons are filled with mercury the upper
cisterns and the connecting pipes between the upper and lower cisterns, not filled
with mercury are filled with water or other liquid of comparatively light specifec
gravity-When the pressure comes upon the mercury in the first sypon, it acts
upon all the cisterns of mercury the interposed liquid transmitting the movement
between each cistern of mercury being practically incompressible.
This part of our invention also consists in a modification of the above arrange-
ments where two pipes are used between the lower and upper cisterns.
Seventhly. Our invention relates to valves for reducing the pressure of steam or
other fluid, and consists in applying to this purpose arrangements similar to that
hereinbefore described under the third head of our invention.
The column of mercury is connected with the pipe at the low pressure side of
the reducing valve and is arranged to act to open the small steam valve, when the
pressure on the low pressure side of the reducing or governing valve is too
great the steam allowed to pass by the small valve acts upon a piston connected
with the reducing valve to close it wholly or partly, and when the pressure
diminishes the steam is wholly or partly shut off by the small steam valve, and the
reducing valve opens again.
This part of our invention also consists of modifications of the above described
arrangements.
Eighthly, Our invention relates to steam Traps that is taps or valves arranged
to be opened or closed by decreasing or increasing temperatures and consists in a
cock or valve actuated by a tubular lever connecting two cisterns, one at each end
of the lever.
One cistern is partly filled with mercury and partly with a spirit that will be
converted into gas and thus generate pressure when exposed to heat-The cistern
at that end of the lever charged with mercury and spirit is enclosed in a vessel
into which the steam and water passing the valve, enters and as long as it remains
comparitively cool there is no movement in the lever, but when the heat increases
the spirit or a part of it is converted into gas and its pressure, and to some extent
the expansion of the mercury, forces the mercury out of the cistern at one end of
the lever to enter that in the other end and passing from one to the other through
the tubular lever, thus causing the weight at that end to preponderate and wholly
or partly close the cock or valve, until the spirit get cool enough again and
condenses, when the mercury passes back and reverse or opens the valve again.
This part of our invention also consists in a modification of the above described
arrangements.
.
Ninthly. Our invention relates to means for closing the damper of furnaces of
steam boilers when the pressure or low state of water becomes dangerous, and

page_text: consists in combining the arrangements hereinbefore described for lifting the safety
valve under conditions above mentioned with a weight or spring or other power
for closing the damper, which weight is lifted and is or may be held up or out of
action by a catch connected with the piston lifting the safety valve lever, or with
that lever, so that when it lifts, the catch will be released and the weight will then
descend and act to close the damper, Or the damper is connected by pulleys or
levers for multiplying the motion with a piston or diaphragm which has steam
admitted to it when the pressure is in excess by any of the arrangements
hereinbefore referred to and the motion thus imparted to the piston closes the
damper.
Fig 1 is a sectional elevation of a safety valve loaded directly by weights
which are at the exterior of the boiler; according to the first part of our
invention.
a is a part bolted to the boiler, a¹ forms a drip dish; a' a pipe at the top of
which, the seating for the valve is secured.
The seating part 6 of the valve is circular and globular and a tube rises from it,
having a series of slits b' all round and from the plate or disc at the top of the
short tube a central tube b* descends.
The valve b is dome formed as shown, and it is screwed to a tube b having
holes and slits 65 in it to allow the steam which escapes when the valve lifts to pass
away.
The tube b' has a circular weight 60 attached at its lower end to carry as many
other weights as may be required.
The steam passes up the interior of the central tube 62 and also through the
slits into the interior of the dome valve 63 so that the full pressure of the
steam acts upon it—The steam escaping when the valve lifts is diverted upwards
by the dished part round the seating b and its reaction tends to give lift to
the valve.
Fig 1ª (Sheet 4) is a modification the same as fig 1 except that the tube b*
ascends into a cup 6° partly filled with mercury, water or other liquid and another
cup 60 from the interior of the valve descends into the cup b°:-thus arranged,
boiler pressure is maintained in the cup 610 and helps to lift the valve higher when
it comes into action.
Fig 2 is a modification of a double safety valve weighted by springs coming
under the first head of our invention.
a boiler, 6 upright pipes from boiler for valves, having at the upper end seatings
formed upon them for the valves 61; 63 domes or cups on the spindle 6 of each
valve; b lever acting upon both valves; 65 spring attached to a bolt 6° for
adjusting the pressure of the spring.
When the valves lift, the steam will first enter the domes or cups 6³ and
will thus act more fully to lift the valves and allow the steam to escape
freely.
Fig 3 illustrates a spring weighted safety valve (being a modification under the
first part of our invention.
a casing for valve attached to boiler; b valve seating; 6¹ valve on the end of a
spindle 6 in suitable guides, 63 a dome secured on the valve spindle above the
valve. The spindle 6 has a shoulder upon it for a disc and a guide tube for one
end of the spring 65 the other end of which comes against a disc which rests
against a part be screwed in a pipe a¹ attached to the casing a which part also forms
a guide for the spindle.
a is a cap for the spindle which can be lifted for testing purposes by a lever
handle as, having its fulcrum a* on the exterior of the cap as shown.
Fig 4 is a sectional elevation of a modification of directly weighted safety valve
coming under the first head of our invention.
ax part of boiler; a¹ part bolted to boiler and forming a drip dish, a upright
pipe having the valve seating part b at its upper end; 6s dome valve.-In

page_text: this case it has a tube 6º secured in it extending down the centre of the
pipe a².
At the top of the dome valve, a seating is made for a small valve c weighted by
a rod c¹ passing down the central tube b₁ and having a weight c³ upon it, in the
interior of the boiler.
There is a cap 6x made to fit on a seating formed on the exterior of the dome
valve 63 which is connected with a tube b* for weighting the main valve, and this
tube has slits 6 in it for the escaping steam to pass through,
bare screws to check the oscillation of the weights 66.
When the steam arrives at the limit of pressure at which the small and large
valves are loaded, it lifts the small valve c and allows the steam to enter the cap
part 6x, this helps to lift the load from the large valve 63 and the steam can escape
between the dome part and the exterior of the dome valve.
Fig 5 illustrates a double directly weighted safety valve according to a modifi-
cation of the first and third parts of our invention.
a part of boiler; a' branch tube secured to boiler; a upright tubes; b seating
part for valve; b³ dome valve secured to exterior tube 6' to carry loading weights bª ;
and 65, slits in tube for escape of steam discharged.
a³ is a casing secured to a branch from the part a¹-It has a seating in it for a
small valve c loaded by a suspended weight c³. Above the valve there is a
cylinder c* with a piston in it having a rod c¹ passing through a guide and a
spring round the spindle, to act on a shoulder upon it to force the piston
down.
The end of the spindle c' comes under a bar 68 the ends of which pass under the
weights 6 of the safety valves. When the pressure of the steam attains that at
which the small and large valves are loaded the small valve c allows the steam to
pass under and lift the piston c³ and this lifts some of the weight from the large
valves and allows steam to freely escape from them until the pressure ceases to
sustain the small valve c which then shuts, and the steam then left in the
cylinder cx leaks out or condenses when the piston c³ is forced down by the spring c
and the weight of the bar 68 and this allows the weights be on the large valves to
act to close them.
Fig 6 is a sectional elevation illustrating a modification of a directly weighted
safety valve according to the first part of our invention, the load being inside the
boiler combined with an arrangement for acting to open the valve in the case of
high water or dangerously low water according to a modification of the fourth
part of our invention.
ax boiler; a¹ part secured to boiler; a stand pipe; a³ casing for valve;
b seating part of valve; b' slit in the tube; 6' central pipe; bs dome valve connected
by a coupling and spindle 68 with a lever as having its fulcrum at a*, for testing
the valve by lifting the lever, the play between the link and spindle 68 prevents
pressure from being put upon the valve as the shoulder on the spindle comes upon
the casing as when the lever acts to force it down.
The valve is loaded by a weight or weights 6 suspend on a rod 6* from the
valve.
For acting upon the arrangement of valve in the case of the water being too
high or too low a beam lever d is mounted on a fulcrum d' upon a rod d³ screwed
in the part a'. This lever d has a hole through it for the weight rod b* to pass
clear through and upon the lever is a knife edge d³ that comes against a disc b*
on each side of the rod b, the disc being screwed upon the latter.
There is a large float d' suspended on a rod from one end of the beam lever d
for low water and a smaller float d³ at the other end of the beam for high water.
As long as the large float d' is submerged in the water that end of the beam
where the small float is suspended is the lowest and the knife edge d³ does not
act upon the weight rod of the valve, but if the water sinks below the large float d'
the weight of the latter acts to bring the knife edge against the valve rod so as to
lift or assist in lifting the valve.

page_text: If the water level in the boiler gets so high as to submerge the small float d³ the
large float being unbalanced to this extent acts to lift the valve.
To supplement the action of the floats two hollow balls de and d' are connected
by two tubes d³ and do and the upper tube is secured on the side of the beam d
as shown There is as much mercury in the lower pipe do and one of the balls as
will say half fill one of the balls.
When the water is at the correct level in the boiler, the ball de at the small float
end of the beam is lowest and the mercury is in that ball do and in that part of
the lower pipe ď nearest it.
If the large float d' sinks by reason of low water, that end of the beam falls
and the mercury flows from the ball do to the ball d' (the upper pipe de allowing
any air or steam there may be in the pipes to flow freely) and this adds so much
more weight to the beam acting to lift the safety valve.
Too high a level in the water will cause the mercury to flow and act in like
manner.
When the water in the boiler comes to its proper level the mercury in the ball d
flows back to the ball do.
Fig 7 is a sectional elevation illustrating a safety valve according to the second
part of our invention.
ax boiler; a¹ part on boiler; a stand pipe; a³ casing for valve; b valve
seating; 63 dome valve attached to a diaphragm plate e; el diaphragm secured
between flanges on the casing a³ and the plate e² above; e tube from the plate e³
to a cup e which is covered by a lid e; e bracket to support e³.
Mercury is filled into the cup e and passes down the tube and fills the space
between the plate e and diaphragm e¹.
The valve 6s is loaded by its own weight and the weight of the diaphragm plate,
diaphragm and mercury, in addition to the pressure produced by the column of
mercury in the tube ea.
When the valve lifts, the mercury is forced up the tube e³ into the cup e* and
if that be of sufficient area the length of column of mercury is not materially
increased therefore the pressure of mercury remains the same, but the weight
acting on the diaphragm of the mercury is diminished by the quantity expelled
from the diaphragm chamber and thus there will be less load on the valve and the
steam will blow off freely.
Fig 8 is a sectional elevation and illustrates a modification under the third and
under the fourth parts of our invention.
a* part of a steam boiler, fan ordinary safety valve with its weight lever f¹;
c* a small cylinder with a piston in it, and connected with a piston rod c
having a spring c arranged to force down the piston when the steam is not acting
upon it.
The piston rod c* comes under the end of the lever fl of the ordinary safety
valve fand will lift it when steam acts upon the piston c³.
There is a small leak hole in the cylinder c* above and below the piston d, or
the latter and its rod is made a loose fit so that a little steam can escape from
above and below the piston. g is a steam pipe leading to a vertical pipe g₁ con-
nected with a valve g2 actuated by a lever g³ (as shown) the steam passing this
valve g² is conducted by a pipe g* to the cylinder d* at the under side of the small
piston d.
The steam pipe g is connected with a pipe passing to a chamber h with which a
syphon pipe ¹ is connected that is attached to a cistern ha with a float h³ in it
jointed by a rod with the lever g³ of the valve g².
The chamber h and part of the syphon pipe h¹ is filled with mercury.
The syphon h is made by preference long enough below the chamber to form
a column sufficient in height to prevent the mercury in the chamber being forced
into the boiler should a partial vaccum be formed therein at any time.
The column of mercury is sufficient to balance the pressure at which the boiler
is to be worked without forcing any into the cistern h³ but if the pressure is

page_text: excessive the mercury enters the cistern h³ and lifts the float h³ and opens the steam
valve g which allows the steam to pass much faster into the small cylinder c* than
it can leak out and its pressure thus lifts the piston c and relieves the safety
valve.
To lift the safety valve when the water in the boiler is to low the following
arrangements are combined with the above described apparatus.
The small cylinder c* is screwed in the steam tight lid a³ of a vessel a' jointed
with a pipe a screwed in the boiler a*.
The lower end of this pipe as descends a few inches below the low water level
but there is a small pipe a in its interior the lower end of which is at low
water level and the upper end at the higher part of the interior of the vessel a*.
There is a seating for a small valve c which is connected by a rod c¹ to and
weighted by a lever d suspended on a fulcrum on a rod d³ secured to the lid of the
vessel a³.
This beam lever d has a hollow open vessel d' suspended on one end and a
weight d³ on the other end.
When the water in the boiler is at the correct level it ascends the pipe a³ and
fills the vessel a' with water the weight do on the lever d then keeps the small
valve closed, but if the water in the boiler sinks so as to expose the lower end of
the small pipe aⓇ the steam passes up that pipe to the top of the interior part of
the vessel a and drives all the water out except that which remains in the dish d⭑
the weight of which overbalances the small weight d³ and opens the valve cand
admits steam to act on the piston c³ which lifts the valve lever.
Fig 9 shows a modification similar to that hereinbefore described and illustrated
by fig 8 except that the small valve c is actuated for both high and low water in
the boiler by an arrangement similar to that hereinbefore described and illustrated
by fig 6 of the drawings.
Fig 10 is a sectional elevation illustrating a modification under the third and
sixth heads of our invention.
a part of boiler, f ordinary safety valve, f¹ its weight lever, c* the small cylinder
and c its piston spindle, arranged as illustrated in fig 9 but the small valve for
steam is loaded by direct weight c".
The apparatus for admitting steam to the underside of the small piston (c³) when
the pressure acts upon the column of mercury is the same as that shown in fig 9.-
But the pressure measurer is according to the sixth part of our invention where a
series of short columns of mercury along with some liquid of small specific gravity
are combined together.
In this illustration there are three lower chambers or cisterns i, and and two
upper cisterns and connected by pipes 26, 27 and 18, and the cistern 2 is
connected with the float cistern h³ by the pipe h-The cisterns i, and i³
are filled with mercury, and the cisterns i³ and part of the cistern h² with
water.
The pipes between the upper and lower cisterns are filled with water except those
parts of the bends of the pipes below the level of the mercury in the cisterns i, i',
and which are filled with mercury.
When there is pressure in the boiler it acts upon the surface of the mercury in i,
and the pressure being transmitted by the water and mercury from cistern to
cistern, the height of the columns of mercury in the upright tubes is, and h'
above the level of the mercury in each cistern is the same, and the sum of these
three heights of mercury will represent the pressure resisted.
If the pressure in the cistern i is sufficient to drive all the mercury into the
cistern the water in the latter will pass to the cistern and so on, until the
mercury in will pass into the cistern h².
Fig 11 is a sectional elevation illustrating another modification under the third
fourth and sixth parts of our invention combined.
a part of boiler, f ordinary safety valve; f¹ its weight lever, c* small cylinder
c' the rod of its piston.

page_text: This small cylinder and piston and valve is arranged as in fig 9; c' being the rod
to the small valve e; d the beam lever with its fulcrum d¹ on the rod d. At one
end is suspended a hollow float d, filled with water for the low water float; at the
other side of the fulcrum d¹ of the beam there is a float d³ of brick material for
high water, and upon that end of the beam a cup d is suspende which when filled
with mercury and the water level in the boiler is correct, keeps the small valve
closed, if the pressure of the steam is not too great.
When the pressure of the steam acts upon the surface of the mercury in the
suspended cup do it forces a part of it from the cup up the tube which descends
nearly to the bottom of the cup without touching either bottom or sides.
This pipe passes steam tight through the boiler and forms the column if high
enough to measure the pressure.
In case of excessive pressure before all the mercury is drawn from the cup d³ the
weight of mercury in it is so much reduced that the weight of the float is in
excess and this lifts the small valve (c) and allows the steam to act upon the
piston c³ to lift the valve lever f¹.
But in place of one long column a series of short columns with intervening
cisterns are or may be used as described in reference to fig 10.
The float h³ in the cistern h² is connected with a double valve h which closes
against the entrance of air as shown in case a partial vacuum should be formed in
the boiler, and against the escape of mercury in the case of excessive pressure, 23
and are the upper cisterns, i and the lower cisterns for mercury-25, 26 and 27
connecting tubes between the cisterns.
Fig 12 is a sectional elevation illustrating a modification of fluid pressure
measurer formed by a series of short columns and interposed cisterns.
, and are a series of lower cisterns connected by column pipes with the
series of higher eisterns 3* and i³.
The bottom of each lower cistern is connected by a syphon or bent pipe with
the bottom of its respective upper cistern, and an orifice in the side of each lower
cistern a little above the bottom, is connected by a pipe i* with a orifice in the
side of its respective upper cistern near the top.
When the lower cisterns are full of mercury, the pressure of the steam passing
through the pipe 18 and acting on the surface will drive the mercury up both
pipes and ix and if the pressure is sufficient part of the mercury in the lower
cistern will be forced into the upper cistern until the orifice in the lower cistern is
exposed when the steam will pass up the pipe i* and will act upon the surface of the
mercury and fill the upper cistern, and the pipe 7 communicating with the next
lower cistern, this will cause so much of the mercury in the upper cistern to flow
back into the first lower cistern as will be sufficient to close or partly close the
orifice in the side of the lower cistern.-The elasticity of the steam between the
upper cistern and the next lower cistern causes the surface of the mercury in the
first lower cistern to present a greater resistance to the entering pressure and when
it increases again sufficiently to depress the surface of the mercury so as to expose
a part of the orifice, in the lower cistern a further quantity of steam passes into.
the higher cistern at greater pressure, and so on, the steam passing from one cistern
to the other until it has passed through the centre series, where the steam that
passes the last lower cistern in the series can escape from the last upper cistern by
the pipe .
Fig 13 is an elevation illustrating the fifth part of our invention.
a represents a kitchen or bath boiler; a¹ and a the ordinary connected
circulating pipes one for hot water leaving and the other for the cold or cooler
water returning to the boiler.
b is a pipe from the side of the boiler forming a junction with a vessel b' for
mercury in which there is an upright pipe 62 connected, water tight, with the
upper part of the vessel b', the lower end of this pipe 62 being open and passing
nearly to the bottom of the vessel 6-The upright pipe 62 ascends to a height to
give a column of mercury sufficient to balance the greatest safe pressure at which

page_text: the boiler (a) is to sustain and terminates in the side of a hollow ball or cistern b³,
and there is another pipe 6* that unites the lower part of the lower cistern b¹ with
the lower part of the higher cistern b³.
From the top of the higher cistern there is a pipe 65 to convey away steam or
escaping fluid.
The pressure on the boiler a, drives the mercury from the cistern 6' up both
tubes 6 and 6* but it is arranged so that there will be a column of mercury in
both tubes equal to the working pressure before so much of the mercury is
driven from the cistern b¹ as will unseal the lower open end of the tube b* in the
lower cistern.
If at any time a greater pressure than the proper working pressure exists in
the boiler it forces so much more mercury from the cistern 61 as will expose the
end of the tube 63 up which tube the fluid can pass into the upper cistern b³
and then escape from the pipe 65 and thus relieve the boiler a from dangerous
pressure,
Fig 14 is a sectional elevation illustrating one modification under the seventh
head of our invention.
a is a reducing valve the casing a' of which is connected on one side with the
high pressure pipe a² and on the other side with the low pressure pipe a³; b is
a pipe connected with the steam pipe a on the high pressure side, and with a
valve b', from which there is a pipe b to the cylinder a of the reducing valve,
which cylinder is fitted with a piston a³ that is connected by a spindle a with
the valve a.
The piston as is a loose fit or it is provided with a small hole so that steain
can escape from the upper to the lower side of the piston and pass to the low
pressure pipe a³ but the steam may be supplied to the cylinder a* by the valve b¹
faster than it can leak past the piston.
A pipe c is connected with the low pressure pipe a³ and with a mercury cistern cl
and syphon or column pipe c* at the upper end of which there is a cistern c³
having a float c suspended on the lever b³ of the valve b' suppyling steam to the
cylinder a*.
Should there be no greater pressure of steam on the high than on the low
pressure side of the valve a, no steam would be allowed to pass through the
valve b' to the cylinder a, and the piston a' and valve a, would be free to lift and
allow steam to pass the valve a, with the least resistance but if the pressure on
the high was greater than that on the low pressure side of the valve a, steam
would be allowed to pass through the valve b¹ to the cylinder a* and this would
give pressure on the piston a³ to partly close the valve a and this pressure upon
the piston a would increase and decrease with variations in the pressure on the
low pressure pipe as as the float would shut off or reduce the steam passing the
valve b' if the low pressure was less and vice versa if the low pressure was greater
than the pressure fixed upon.
Fig 15 is a sectional elevation illustrating a modification under the seventh head
of our invention.
a is an equilibrum valve; a¹ its casing; a² the high, and a³ the low pressure
side of the valve a.
The valve has a spindle a' that descends vertically below into a tube or
cistern c³ connected with the casing and a float c* is screwed on it at the lower end
of the spindle.
The tube or cistern c³ is open to the low pressure pipe a³ and condensed steam
will accumulate in the pipe above the float c*.
The lower end of the vessel for the float is connected by a syphon pipe c with
a cistern c¹ for mercury and the upper or cistern part of the pipe can be moved
telescopically through a gland c¹ in the lower pipe to increase or decrease and
adjust the length of column.
If the pressure on the low pressure side (a³) of the valve increases, the mercury
is driven from the cistern and the float c' being then unsupported or less supported,

page_text: the valve a descends and shuts more or less and vice versa if the pressure on the
low pressure side (a³) of the valve decreases.
d is a hand wheel on a screw spindle which can be used to shut the valve a but
not to open it.
Fig 16 is a sectional elevation of a modification somewhat similar to that shown
by fig 15 but the parts are reversed.
The screw spindle d acts on the valve to close it by drawing it up to its seating
the valve opening by moving vertically downwards.
The spindle a attached to the valve passes through a stuffing box below which
is the box c³ for the float having a tube c from it that passes through a gland c²
into a cistern c¹ and tube cx below, and the cistern c¹ for mercury is connected
by a tube co with a vertical pipe sliding through a gland c in another tube c' and
cistern for condensed water which is in communication with the low pressure
side as of the valve.
These glands and c allow the length of the column of mercury to be adjusted
by sliding the pipes in and out of the gland telescopically.
If the pressure on the low pressure side of the valve decreases, the mercury sinks
from the float * and allows it to descend to open the valve more and vice versa
if the pressure on the low pressure side increases.
Fig 17 is a sectional elevation of a "steam trap" apparatus according to the
eighth part of our invention.
a represents in section, the plug and a¹ the shell of a tap but the central
plug a is fixed to the steam discharge pipe, and the lever pipe b is attached to
the end and outside of the shell a' so that oscillating movement given to the
lever pipe b moves the shell upon the stationary central plug a and opens and
closes the cock.
A hollow ball b¹ is screwed on one end of the lever pipe 6 which has an outlet
for air through & small pipe 6ª at its upper side; 6ª is an adjustable balance weight
on the lever pipe.
The other end of the lever pipe is bent at an angle downwards and upon it
two hollow spheres 6 and 6° are screwed one within the other with a concentric
space between them.
The outer ball 6* is connected by a pipe be with the orifice from the shell a¹ of
the tap so that the escaping water may fill the hollow space before it escapes, and
heat the exterior of the inner hollow ball 65 which is partly filled with mercury
and partly with spirit.
If the temperature of the discharged fluid should increase it, acts upon both the
spirit and mercury to expand them, and the spirt being above the mercury is
forced out of the inner ball 65 up the lever tube b into the ball b' which makes
that end of the lever heavier and this moves the shell a¹ on the plug a of the tap
and closes or partly closes it but if the temperature decreases the spirit and mercury
condenses or contracts and the mercury flows back and opens the cock again more
or less.
Fig 18 is a sectional elevation showing another modification under the eighth part
of our invention.
b is a vessel in which the steam and water enters at bª.
There is an outlet through a valve a at the lower side which valve is connected
with a lever having its fulcrum at 6' one part of which lever is formed by a bent
tube b having a cistern b' screwed at its upper end provided with a short outlet.
pipe 62 for air to pass in and out.
Connected with the lever tube b there is a tube that forms the spindle of the
valve and has a hollow ball 68 screwed upon it inside the vessel b which ball is
partly filled with mercury and spirit-The hollow lever b is connected with an
arm bx having a balance weight b³ upon it.
If the temperature inside the vessel should increase, it expands the spirt and
mercury, and the latter is forced out of the ball 65 into the ball b' at the end of the
hollow lever b and this closes or partly closes the valve a. If the temperature

page_text: should decrease, the spirit and mercury contracts, and the balance weight b° opens
the valve.
Fig 19 is a sectional elevation illustrating the mode of carrying out the ninth
part of our invention.
k represents part of the brick work of a boiler flue; k¹ the damper which is shown
open connected by a chain to a large pulley ³, on a stud or any suitable
support.
From a small pulley on the same axis there is another chain to another large
pulley which has a small pulley on its axis and a a chain k from it connected
with a weight lever co having its fulcrum on a part screwed in a casting.
A short movement given to the weighted lever is multiplied by the pulleys so
as to be sufficient to open and close the damper k³.
The lever crests on a stem from a disc c³ on a diaphragm c' of india rubber or
other elastic material the margins of which are secured steam tight between the
flanges of the castings, the lower one c¹ of which is hollow to leave a cavity for
steam to act under the diaphragm which is brought to the cavity by a pipe g*
from a valve g which is connected by a pipe g¹ and pipe g with the steam in the
boiler.
The pipe g is also connected with two connected hollow balls reservoirs h and h*
for mercury and from these there is a syphon and mercury column pipe h' at the
upper end of which there is a cistern h³ for a float h³ connected to a lever actuating
the steam valve g³.
From the steam pipe g' there is a branch g*, to another valve h6 from which
there is a branch to a steam whistle h7 the valve he for the whistle has a lever h*
connected with a supplementary float h in the cistern h².
If the pressure of the steam becomes excessive the mercury is driven from the
ball to the cistern h² and this lifts the float h³ and opens the valve g² and allows
steam to pass under and lift the diaphragm c and lift the lever cand close
the damper and when the pressure diminishes sufficiently the steam is shut
off and that remaining in the pipe g can escape from a small orifice at g³.
When the pressure of the steam further increases after it has caused the float h³
to be lifted sufficient to drive the mercury from the ball * into the cistern h², the
supplementary float h* is acted upon to open the valve he and admit steam to the
whistle h².
We have now particularly described the nature of our invention and the manner
of carrying the same into effect and claim as our invention.
Firstly. The combination of a dome or cup valve with a globular seating for
safety valves and the combinations and arrangements of the parts of directly
weighted safety valves substantially as herein before described and illustrated by
fig 1 and fig 1 of the drawings.
Secondly. The combination of a dome or cup with a safety valve, substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by figs 2 and 3 of the drawings.
Thirdly. The combinations and arrangements of safety valves, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by figs 4 and 5 of the drawings.
Fourthly. The combination and arrangement of directly weighted safety valves,
as herein before described and illustrated by fig 6 of the drawings.
.
Fifthly. The combination with safety valves of a hollow beam or lever having
cisterns with mercury to assist to open the safety valve in the case of high or low
water in the boiler, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by fig 6
of the drawings.
Sixthly, The combination with a safety valve of mercury arranged to directly
load the valve by its combined weight and pressure in a column substantially as
bereinbefore described and illustrated by fig 7 of the drawings.
Seventhly. The combination of a column of mercury, Hoat, steam valve and
piston to act to lift a safety valve when the pressure is excessive substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by fig 8 of the drawings.
Eighthly. The combination of a vessel (a) valve (c), lever (d), weight (d³) and

page_text: counter weight (d') and pipes (a³ and a) to admit steam to act upon a piston (c³)
to lift a safety valve, when the water is low in the boiler, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by fig 8 of the drawings.
Ninthly. The combination of the apparatus to act to lift a safety valve either in
consequence of high pressure or low water, substantially as herein before described
and illustrated by fig 8 of the drawings.
Tenthly. The arrangement of the mercury so that there will be a column
sufficiently long below the reservoir (h) for mercury, to prevent it from being
forced into the boiler by the atmosphere when a partial vacuum is formed therein,
substantially as herein before described in reference to fig 8 of the drawings.
Eleventhly. The combinations and arrangements of mechanism, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by figs 9 and 10 of the drawings.
Twelfthly. The combination of upper and lower cisterns connected by tubes
filled partly with mercury and partly with water or other liquid of low specific
gravity as a measurer or balancer of fluid pressure, substantially as hereinbefore
described, and illustrated by figs 10 and 11 of the drawings.
Thirteenthly. The combination of a hollow water filled float with a lever and
ordinary float and with a cup for mercury arranged to act upon a valve to admit
steam to a piston to lift a safety valve, in the case of high or low water or high
pressure steam, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by fig 11 of
the drawings.
Fourteenthly. The combination and arrangement of a series of upper and lower
cisterns and double connecting pipes the lower cisterns and pipes below them filled
with mercury as fluid pressure balancing or measuring apparatus, substantially as
herein before described and illustrating by fig 12 of the drawings.
Fifteenthly. The combination and arrangement of pipes, cisterns and mercury
with a kitchen bath or other similar boiler to balance ordinary working pressure, but
allow the escape of fluid when at excessive pressure, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by fig 13 of the drawings.
Sixteenthly. The combination of a cistern, column of mercury float and cistern
to act upon a steam valve to admit steam to the piston of a valve for reducing the
pressure of the passing steam, substantially as herein before described and illustrated
by fig 14 of the drawings.
"
"
Seventeenthly. The combinations and arrangements or
reducing valves
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by figs 15 and 16 of the
drawings.
Eighteenthly. The combination and arrangement of "steam trap" apparatus
where spirit and mercury are used to open and close the valve substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by figs 17 and 18 of the drawings.
Nineteenthly. The combinations and arrangements of apparatus acting to close
the damper of the furnaces of steam boilers, when the pressure therein is excessive,
and also admitting steam to a whistle substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by fig 19 of the drawings.
Twentiethly. The combination of a cistern for mercury, syphon pipe, cistern and
float acting upon a steam valve with a whistle, to sound the whistle in the case of
excessive pressure, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by fig 19
of the drawings.
In Witness whereof we the said William Brierley and Martin Mitchell have
hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty-eighth day of August in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.