Improvements in Automatic Pressure Regulators.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 13th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 13th July, 1898
[Communicated from abroad by FREDERIC VICTOR MAQUAIRE, 5, Avenue de anamne,
Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineer.]
Improvements in Automatic Pressure Regulators.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., Fel. Ch. Inst. P.A., F.I. Inst.,
practising as Phillips and Leigh, of No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the Administrative County of London, Engineer and Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to a system of automatic pressure regulators, the object
of which is to maintain between two fixed limits the variations in values of all
the phenomena which may be manifested by one movement, whatever may be
the absolute value of the actions or movements brought into play by the
phenomena in question.
By way of example I give below a description accompanied by drawings of
the application of my invention for regulating the pressure of gas or any fluid
whatsoever.
Upon the gas supply-pipe, Figures 1 and 2, there is placed at A one of those
appliances usually employed for opening and closing the pipe, such as a tap or
cock, valve, plug, etc. The drawing represents a tap or cock, beyond which
there is an orifice B communicating with a manometer chamber C forming a
confined space of small capacity, comprised between the rigid walls D and a
flexible membrane E.
If the pressure of gas below, it develops merely on the membrane E a force
insufficient to operate directly, with safety and precision, the working of a medium
constant value. It is,
or apparatus capable of regulating the pressure at a
therefore, necessary to employ the intervention of some auxiliary force of what-
soever nature, such as electricity for example, in order to accomplish the neces-
sary work. To this end, the movements of the membrane E are transmitted,
by means of a connecting rod i, i to a commutator lever H I joined to O. This
lever, which conducts the electricity, effects an electric contact between its ex-
tremity I and each one of the other two points of electric contact K and L, by
thus completing an electric circuit destined to control the action of an auxiliary
feed motor acting upon the pressure regulating apparatus.
In order that the value of the pressure of the fluid contained in the chamber C
may always be transmitted without alteration by the membrane E to the lever H I,
the whole of these parts-membrane connecting rod and lever can be perfectly
balanced, for instance, by the help of the variable counterweights hand h,
Figure 3. The centre of gravity of all the moveable parts may thus be made
to coincide with the axis of oscillation 0 of the commutative lever.
In order to regulate and measure at will the pressure that the regulator should
steadily maintain and impart to the gas or fluid, I cause an antagonistic variable
force to come into play, in opposition to the pressure developed in the chamber C.

page_text: Figure 3 represents one of the arrangements I employ in order to vary and
measure this antagonistic force and, consequently, to regulate at will the pres-
sure of the fluid. The commutative lever H I is fixed on its support M T by
means of a flexible plate at O. The support M T can be made to turn following
an axis of rotation taking the direction of O and coinciding with the line of
flexion of the flexible plate, that is to say, with the point of oscillation of the
commutative lever H I. A powerful spring 1" forces the arm M of the sup-
port MT against the regulating screw P which is fitted with an indicator needle
which travels over the graduated disc d. By selecting in a suitable manner the
elastic value of the plate O and by checking it more or less, by the aid of the
screw P, it is possible to exercise on the membrane E, by means of the lever H I
and the connecting rod i, i, a force which can be regulated at will in an antagon-
istic sense to that of the pressure of the fluid in the chamber C. The commuta-
tive lever H, I thus becomes dynamometric and the value of the antagonistic
force is measured and indicated by the needle of P on the disc d giving the
pressure of the fluid on its bearing the regulator.
The position of the two points of contact K and L can also be regulated, so
that the moment of contact between I and K or between I and L can always be
made to coincide with any determined pressure in the chamber C.
The movements of the membrane E and those of the lever H, I are connected
by means of connecting-rods the points of articulation whereof are formed of
flexible plates as at O. Hence there can be produced no undue movement, nor
friction, neither any false resistance nor loss of time, so that the slightest varia-
tions of the value of the pressure in the chamber Care integrally transmitted
to the lever H, I and by the motor to the apparatus or mechanism effecting
the regulation.
The arrangements above described having been suitably regulated, and pro-
vided the pressure in the chamber C will be maintained within the normal limits
the extremity I of the lever H, I will touch neither K nor L. But immediately
the pressure varies more or less, beyond the limits prescribed, I will come in
contact with K or L and will form an electric circuit, for instance, that of a
dynamo-electric feed motor acting on a stop-cock, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
I have provided the dynamo motor of my automatic regulator with special
arrangements in order to produce the inversion of the path of rotation by the
action of one single point of contact on the commutator lever H, I, and in order
that a weak current of electricity may suffice to drive it.
The inductor is formed of a permanent magnet, N, S Figures 1 and 4. The
poles N and S are provided with magnetic converters arranged in such a way
that they slightly raise by attraction the rotary inductor in order to increase
its mobility. At a, y and are three brushes occupying characteristic positions
on the inductor collector, Figures 1 and 4. The point of contact of the brush r
is in ratio to one of the magnetic induction poles, and determines in the inductor
an indifferent polarity from the point of view of the path of rotation. The points
of contact of the brushes y and z on the collector are situated, on the contrary,
in the neutral regions of the inducto-magnetic field, the brush y on one side
and the brush z on the other side. Under these conditions, Figure 1, the source
of the electric current Q being in permanent connection with the brush and
with the commutator lever H, I according as the extremity I of this latter touches
contact K or contact L, the inductor of my dynamo will turn in one direction
or in the reverse direction, thus effecting the movements necessary to ensure the 5
operation of my automatic pressure regulator. An electrically isolated part R
interrupts the circuits of the dynamo atv and at each of the extreme working
points of the regulator.
When a fairly large amount of work has to be done and it is necessary, in
consequence, to use currents of a certain power, the points of contact at I as well as 5
at K and L must be provided with carbons with a view to avoiding the effects
due to oxydization resulting from the electric are.

page_text: Under these circumstances it may be found advantageous to employ other
types of service-motors than that described. The commutator lever H, I then
controls such service-motors as the following:
A.
Dynamo electric motors with inductive electro-magnets. These latter must
then have two distinct excitative circuits if it is desired to assure the advantage
of being able to reverse the path of rotation by means of one single contact.
B.
Electric connecting gear placing the regulator gear in dynamic connection
with the sources of the motive power of whatsoever nature.
In order to obtain a perfect regulation of the pressure of the fluids it is further
necessary, in many cases, that the regulator gear shall comply with certain com-
plementary conditions. It must for instance either present, whilst in operation,
different variations, according to the methods of application, of the sections of
the stream of liquid running or flowing off, or give a form in general as compact
as possible to the current of liquid flowing off, and maintain it at the axis of
the discharge pipe.
These two conditions are realized by my special stops shown in Figures 5, 6, 7
and 8 of the cock type, in Figures and 10 of the valve type, and in Figure 11
of the obturator type.
Figures 5 and 6 give a sectional view, and Figures 7 and 8 a detailed plan of
the shape and arrangement of a stop-cock which allows not only of a discharge
stream-varying according to any law whatsoever-being obtained at will, but
also of the most appropriate forms and positions being given to the stream of
fluid.
Or in lieu of the above the regulator gear shall:-carry out the functions of
regulator stops with a speed in ratio to the speed with which the pressure of
the fluid is produced, and in ratio to the distance between the regulator itself
and the points at which the fluid is utilized.
I realize this condition by interposing an intermediary organ for transmitting
the movement between the service-motor and the regulator stop. By the aid
of this adjunct, all that is necessary to obtain the most favourable regime of
movement is to modify the rates of speed between the motor and the stop.
In the case of a service pipe of great length, or of different altitudes, I usc
several manometric pressure chambers with their dynamo-electric commutator
levers, see Figure 2, I place them, for instance, at X and Y, at the points of
highest or lowest pressure. These dynamometric commutators are connected
electrically with the motor of V conjointly with a dynamometric commutator V¹.
The main check-gear is thus placed under control at any point of the service-
pipe.
In the case of a service-pipe with branch-pipes, representing important por-
tions of the supply and working under notably different pressure conditions
and at variable moments, I place a regulator stop at the opening of each branch
pipe, or for example at X and Y, and each of them is provided with a main
5 regulator-check or stop with one or more dynamometric commutatives for its
control.
It is evident that the whole of the the working mechanism, I have just described,
can be used not only for regulating the pressure of gases or fluids of whatsoever
nature, but also-by means of arrangements similar to those indicated-for
regulating the value of all the phenomena which may be manifested by any
motion or movement.
1
101 .”
1..1.. 1007

page_text: Improvements in Automatic Pressure Regulators.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., Fel. Ch. Inst. P.A,, F.I. Inst.,
practising as Phillips and Leigh, of No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the Administrative County of London, Engineer and Patent Agent,
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:―
This invention relates to a system of automatic pressure regulators, the object
of which is to maintain between two fixed limits the variations in the pressure
exerted by the fluids by one movement, whatever may be the absolute pressure
resulting from the actions or movements brought into play by the fluids in
question.
By way of example I give below a description accompanied by drawings (filed
with the Provisional Specification) of the application of my invention for
regulating the pressure of gas or any fluid whatsoever.
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of my improved regulator, dynamo
and valve operating device.
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a modified arrangement for service pipes
of great length.
Figure 3 is an enlarged elevation partly in section of the regulator.
Figure 4 is a sectional plan taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation and
Figure 6 is a sectional plan of stop cock.
Figures 7 and 8 are developed detail plans of stop-cock.
Figures 9, 10, and 11 are different forms of valves to which my invention can
be applied.
Upon the gas supply-pipe, Figures 1 and 2, there is placed at A one of those
appliances usually employed for opening and closing the pipe, such as a tap or
cock, valve, plug, etc. The drawing represents a tap or cock, beyond which
there is an orifice B communicating with a manometer chamber C forming a
confined space of small capacity comprised between the rigid walls D and a
flexible membrane E.
If the pressure of gas below, it exerts on the membrane or diaphragm E, a
force insufficient to operate directly with certainty and precision the working
of a medium or apparatus capable of regulating the pressure at a constant value.
It is therefore necessary to employ the intervention of some auxiliary force of
some suitable kind, such, for example, as electricity, in order to accomplish the
necessary work. To this end, the movements of the membrane or diaphragm E
are transmitted by means of a connecting-rod 2, i¹ to a commutator lever H,-I,
having its fulcrum at O. This lever, which conducts the electricity, effects an
electric contact between its extremity I and either one or the other of two points
of electric contact K and L, and thus completes an electric circuit designed to
control the action of an auxiliary feed motor acting upon the pressure-regulating
apparatus.
In order that the value of the pressure of the fluid contained in the chamber C
may always be transmitted without alteration by the membrane or diaphragm E
to the lever H, I, the whole of these parts-membrane, connecting rod, and
lever, can be perfectly balanced, for instance, by the help of the variable
counterweights h and h¹, Figure 3. The centre of gravity of all the moveable
parts may thus be made to coincide with the axis of oscillation of the com-
mutator lever H, I.

page_text: In order to regulate and measure at will the pressure that the regulator should
steadily maintain and impart to the gas or fluid, I cause an antagonistic variable
force to come into play in opposition to the pressure developed in the chamber C.
Figure 3 represents one of the arrangements I employ in order to vary and
measure this antagonistic force and consequently to regulate at will the pressure
of the gas or fluid. The commutator-lever H-I is fixed on its support M-T
by means of a flexible plate 0. The support M-T can be made to turn about
an axis of rotation in the direction of H-I and coinciding with the line of
flexion of the flexible plate O, that is to say, with the point of oscillation of the
commutator-lever H-I. A powerful spring P¹ forces the arm M of the sup-
port M-T against the end of the regulating screw P the other end of which is
fitted with an indicator needle which travels over the graduated disc d. By
selecting in any suitable manner the elastic value of the plate O, and by check-
ing it more or less, by the aid of the screw P, it is possible to exercise on the
membrane E, by means of the lever H-I and the connecting-rod i, i, a force
which can be regulated at will contrary or opposed to that of the pressure of
the fluid in the chamber C. The commutator lever H-I thus becomes dynamo-
metric and the value of the antagonistic force is measured and indicated by the
needle of P on the disc d giving the pressure of the fluid on its leaving the
regulator.
The position of the two points of contact K and L can also be regulated, so
that the moment of contact between I and K or between I and L can always be
made to coincide with any predetermined pressure in the chamber C.
The movements of the membrane or diaphragm E and those of the lever H-I
are transmitted by means of connecting-rods the junctions whereof are formed
of flexible plates such as 0. Hence there can be produced no undue movement,
nor friction, neither any false resistance nor loss of time; so that the slightest
variations in the value of the pressure in the chamber C are simultaneously
transmitted to the lever H-I, and by the motor to the apparatus or mechanism
effecting the regulation.
The arrangements above described having been suitably regulated, and pro-
vided the pressure in the chamber C be maintained within the normal limits,
the extremity I of the lever H-I will touch neither K nor L, but immediately
the pressure varies more or less beyond the limits prescribed, I, will come in
contact with K, or L, and will form an electric circuit, for instance, that of a
dynamo-electric feed motor acting on a stop-cock, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
I have provided the dynamo motor of my automatic regulator with special
arrangements in order to produce the reversion of the direction of rotation by the
action of one single point of contact on the commutator lever H-I, and in order
that a weak current of electricity may suffice to drive it.
The inductor is formed of a permanent magnet, NS, Figures 1 and 4. The
poles N and S are provided with enlarged magnetic pole-pieces arranged in such
a way that they slightly raise by attraction the rotary armature in order to
increase its mobility. At x, y and are three brushes occupying special positions
on the inductor collector, Figures 1 and 4. The point of contact of the brush
is opposite to one of the magnetic induction poles and determines in the arma-
ture coil neutral polarity in relation to the direction of rotation. The points
of contact of the brushes y and z on the collector, are situated, on the contrary,
in the neutral regions of the magnetic field, the brush y on one side and the
brush zon the other side. Under these conditions, Figure 1, the source of the
electric current Q being in permanent connection with the brush and with
the commutator lever H-I, according as the extremity I of the latter touches
contact K or contact L, the armature of my dynamo will turn in one direction
or in the reverse direction, thus effecting the movements necessary to ensure the
operation of my automatic pressure regulator. An electrically insulating
cylindrical piece R interrupts the circuits of the dynamo at r and at each of
the extreme working points of the regulator.

page_text: When a fairly large amount of work has to be done and it is necessary in
consequence to use currents of a certain power, the points of contact at I, as well
as at K and L, must be provided with carbons with a view to avoiding the effects
due to oxydation resulting from the electric arc
Under these circumstances it may be found advantageous to employ other types
of motors than that described. The commutator lever H-I then controls such
motors as the following
(A.) Dynamo-electric motors with inductor-electro-magnets. These latter must
then have two distinct exciting coils if it is desired to assure the advantage of
being able to reverse the direction of rotation by means of a single contact.
(B.) Electric connecting gear placing the regulator gear (stop-cock or the
like) in dynamic connection with the source of motive power of whatsoever
nature.
The rotation of a plug valve may be obtained through a train of gearing such
as A operated from the dynamo shaft as shown in Figures 1 and 5 and in the
case of a slide or lift valve by any suitable mechanism such as a crank and
connecting rod.
But in order to obtain a perfect regulation of the pressure of the fluids it is
further necessary, in many cases, that the regulator gear shall comply with
certain complementary conditions. It must, for instance, present whilst in
operation different variations, according to the methods of application, of section
of the stream of fluid running or flowing off, and give a form in general as com-
pact as possible to the current of fluid flowing off, and maintain it at the axis
of the discharge pipe.
These two conditions are realized by my special stops, cocks, or valves shown in
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the cock type, in Figures 9 and 10 of the slide-valve
type, and in Figure 11 of the stopper or lift type.
Figures 5 and 6 give sectional views in plan and elevation and Figures 7 and 8
developed detailed plans of the shape and arrangement of a stop-cock which allows
to cbtain at will not only a discharge stream varying according to any law
which regulates the pressure, but also to give the most appropriate forms and
positions to the stream of fluid.
It is necessary to effect the working of the regulating stops with a speed in
ratio with the propagation speed in the pressure of the fluid and with the dis-
tance between the regulator and the points where the fluid is utilised.
I realize this condition by interposing an intermediary organ for transmitting
the movement between the motor and the regulator-stop. By the aid of this
adjunct, all that is necessary to obtain the most favourable action is to modify
the rates of speed between the motor and the stop.
In the case of a service-pipe of great length, or of very different altitudes, I
use several manometric pressure chambers with their dynamo-metric commutator-
levers, (see Figure 2) and place them, for instance, at X, Y and V at the points
of highest or lowest pressure. These dynamometric commutators are connected
electrically with the motor of the principal stop-cock gear conjointly with a
dynamo commutator or switches X Y and V₁. The main stop-cock gear is thus
placed under control at any point of the service-pipe.
In the case of a service-pipe with branch-pipes, representing important por-
tions of the supply, and working under notably different pressure conditions
and at variable times, I place a regulator-stop at the junction of each branch
pipe, for example at X and Y, and each of them is thus provided with a main
regulator-check or stop with one or more dynamo commutators or switches for
its control.
It is evident that the whole of the working mechanism I have just described
can be used not only for regulating the pressure of gases or fluids of whatsoever
nature, but also by means of arrangements similar to those indicated--for
regulating the value of all the phenomena which may be manifested by any
motion or movement causing the raising or movement of the diaphragm E.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A system of automatic pressure regulation and measurement, character-
ised by a combination of the following means and methods namely:-an arrange-
ment of a balanced dynamo-metric commutator-lever serving both to measure
the value of the phenomena it is desired to regulate, and to control either directly
or indirectly by the aid of feed motors and connecting gear, the apparatus neces-
sary to effect the regulation; these arrangements being such in substance as
have been described and represented in Figures 12, 3 and 4 of the drawings.
2. In a system of automatic pressure regulation and measurement, the arrange-
ment of the means for measuring and reading the dynamo-metric values of
certain phenomena by means of the motion of an elastic plate of variable degrees
of flexion; substantially as described and shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.
3. In a system of automatic pressure regulation and measurement, the arrange-
ment of auxiliary-motors consisting of a special dynamo-electric machine, the
direction of the rotation of which is changed by making a single contact only,
and by means of three brushes placed in special positions, on the collector of
the armature current placed near the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, in
substance as described and shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings.
4. In a system of automatic pressure regulation and measurement an arrange-
ment of feed-motors consisting of ordinary dynamos, but having two distinct
exciter circuits, with a view to change the direction of rotation by the formation
of a single contact and by means of carbon contacts; in substance as described
and shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.
5. In a system of automatic pressure regulation and measurement, an arrange-
ment of regulator-stops for checking the flow of any gas or fluid, through a pipe,
by means of cocks, slide valves, stopper valves, or other means of a like nature,
and having special characteristics, viz. the production by the regulator-stop
of a section of the flow varying according to any law whatsoever; imparting to
the stream of liquid, in the regulator-stop, the most advantageous forms and
positions; the assurance in all cases of the most suitable working speeds for the
parts composing the regulator stops; in substance as described and shown in
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the drawings.
6. In a system of automatic pressure regulation and measurement, an arrange-
ment of relays or dynamo commutator levers, either connected one with the
other, or exercising separate and special functions upon a service-pipe; in sub-
stance as described and represented in Figure 2 of the drawings.
7. In a system of automatic pressure regulation and measurement, the combina-
tion of the whole mechanism or of a portion of the arrangements described for
regulating and measuring the value of the pressure of fluids, and also the value
of all phenomena which may be transmitted by any other agent, substantially
as described and illustrated in the drawings.
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