Year: 1899

page_text: I, JOHANN EHRHART OTTOKAR RICHTER, of No. 94, Holtenauer Strasse, Kiel,
in the Empire of Germany, Imperial Marine Constructor, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows.
This invention relates to improvements in steam valves, and the object of it is
to bring about a reliable automatic closure of a steam pipe at the moment of a
break occurring in the pipe, or an explosion in an inter-connected boiler or other
similar mishap, even when the size of the fracture is relatively small to the
diameter of this self-closing valve. Its use obviates stuffing-boxes or glands in
connection with the valve cone and the deposition of boiler-scale on the working
parts, and further, special actuating pistons springs or weighted levers and
similar actuating devices are not required. The simple construction renders the
action thoroughly reliable as the only agent for holding open and closed the valve
is the full steam pressure, consequently an accidental closure of the valve by a
sudden removal of a large quantity of steam or of a rapid generation of steam as
is often the case in other valves already in use for this purpose, is impossible.
According to my invention, the valve casing is provided with flanged or socketed
ends and contains the usual diagonal partition possessing a port or opening for
the passage of the steam from one part of the valve casing to the other, the edge
of said opening forming the valve seat. The valve proper is a plate having two
conical faces formed by frustrums of cones placed base to base, and is formed into
a piston-like extension on one side, which extension fits in a corresponding
cylinder or sleeve formed in the cover of the valve casing. The edge of the sleeve
is provided with an annular groove which is normally closed by the cone of the
double valve which rests on it, this annular groove is connected with the external
atmosphere by a channel the exit end of which may be screw-threaded for the
attachment of a pipe to convey the steam to some convenient position for observa-
tion at any time by those in charge.
The casing is secured on the steam dome, casing of the safety valve or on any
other suitable part of the steam pipe system as near to the boiler as possible by
the flange or socket which terminates the steam way which is under the steam
port, while the opposite flange or socket is connected to the steam pipe. In the
sleeve terminates, out of the reach of the valve body, a pipe connection connected
by a pipe with the boiler or with the steam delivery pipe to which the first men-
tioned Hange is attached. The valve together with its extension can be raised
or lowered by means of a threaded spindle which passes through the bottom of the
valve which is made hollow to permit of that, without packing, and is provided
at its end with a fixed nut. The latter is passed into the hollow extension of the
valve through a side opening therein; the valve spindle can be secured in posi-
tion after adjustment by a spring pawl which catches in between the threads on
the spindle.
The valve works as follows:-
When the valve spindle is in the raised position, the steam can pass as usual
through the opening or port in the interior of the casing, it also passes through
the special pipe connection to the underneath side of the piston-like extension of
the valve, and as the pressure surface of the valve cone is somewhat larger than

page_text: the surface of the piston influenced by steam coming through the connection the
valve will be pressed against the edge of the cylinder or sleeve and close the
annular groove in whatever position the valve (as a whole) is in in the system,
that is to say, even if it is hanging on the nut at the end of the spindle. Should
a breakage now occur in the pipe attached to the flange, the steami pressure above
the valve will be diminished, so that the undiminished pressure of the steam
beneath it from the special connection acting on the piston-like extension pre-
sents a paramount upward pressure, and presses the valve tightly against the
seating on the port and consequently closes same so that no more steam can pass
to the broken pipe.
The steam in the valve casing and steam delivery pipe passes now through the
annular groove and channel and by the exit of the steam through the pipe con-
nected thereto, gives notice of the break-down to the attendant in charge.
Dated the 30th day of December 1899.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH
Agents for the Applicant.
I, JOHANN EHRHART OTTOKAR RICHTER, Imperial Naval Constructor, of
94 Holtenauer Strasse Kiel, in the Empire of Germany. 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 object of this invention is to provide a valve which will secure with cer-
tainty the automatic closing of a steam pipe, or the shutting off of steam on the
explosion of the boiler with which it is connected or the fracture of the steam
pipe even though the aperture caused by such fracture is small in comparison
with the sectional area of the pipe and of the valve itself.
The reliability of the automatic action of the valve is ensured by avoiding
exposed or sliding surfaces liable to a deposit of scale, and by avoiding the use of
any actuating piston, stuffing box, spring or weighted lever. The closing move-
ment or action of the valve is effected by the pressure of the steam. By this
construction the liability of failure to act upon the fracture of a steam pipe is
removed as well as the prevention of any undesirable cut off or closing of the
valve upon a sudden increase of the amount of steam withdrawn.
Referring to the drawings,
Fig. 1. End elevation partly in section.
Fig. 2. Longitudinal section on line - Fig. 1.
Fig. 3. End elevation partly in section showing a modification.
Fig. 4. Longitudinal section on line y-y Fig. 3.
Fig. 5. Sectional plan (looking from below) on line - Fig. 1.
Fig. 6. Sectional plan on line - Fig. 2.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 5 and 6, in the valve casing A provided with a
seating B is fitted a sliding cone faced valve controlled or actuated by a screw
spindle s.
The valve is constructed at one side with an extended ram or piston s sliding
in the guide bracket or cylinder f attached to or forming a cover F for the valve
casing A. At the other side the valve is constructed with double cone shaped
faces and the face fitting upon the seat B in the casing A and the face e
extending beyond the edge of and fitting against the end of the bracket or
cylinder F.
In the end of the guide bracket or chamber F is formed an annular air
chamber with an air passage k leading to the external atmosphere. When

page_text: the valve is open it is held by the pressure of steam with its face e against the
end of the cylinder or bracket F covering or closing the annular air chamber r
and the air passage k. The air passage may by a tube or pipe attached at L be
connected with the stoke hole or other convenient position for observation.
The screw spindle s is loosely coupled to the valve cone with free play at both
sides by a nut s or a pin secured to the end of the spindle. This permits of a
movement of the valve separated from and independently of the screw spindle s.
The valve is opened by withdrawing the screw spindle s, the nuts against the
interior surface of the valve withdrawing it from the seat B. When open the
pressure of the steam against it holds it open and the screw spindle s is then
screwed back to a position in which the nut s¹ is out of contact with the valve,
in which position it is held by the spring catch K. By withdrawing the catch K
the valve can be closed by continuing the screwing down of the spindle s.
The valve casing below the valve is connected with the boiler by a steam
passage D provided with a drainer or blow off passage a.
k
The valve can be used in any situation either as a simple automatic closing
valve or as a valve to be closed by hand with the automatic closing arrangement.
When working under normal conditions the excess of pressure on the face d
of the valve by reason of its greater area-no pressure being exerted on the
other side over the area comprised by the annular air chamber r it and the air
passage being shut off steam tight-maintains the valve open or at a fixed dis-
tance from the valve seating B of the casing A. On a fracture in the steam pipe
occurring the reversal of the excess of pressure resulting from a sudden fall in
pressure in the valve casing A acts immediately on the valve v. The sudden
excess of pressure in the reverse direction forces the face c of the valve from its
seating, opening the annular air chamber and air passages and forces the
face d of the valve into the seating B of the valve casing A closing the valve.
Steam escapes through the air passage & indicating audibly or visibly that the
valve has closed. In the modification of construction of the valve shown in
Figs. 3 and 4 instead of the annular air chamber r and air passage in the guid-
ing bracket or cylinder Fan air passage is formed through the centre of the
valve spindle s. When the valve is open the projection on the inner side or
behind the valve rests against the aperture in the end of the spindle thus reducing
the area under pressure behind the valve and closing the end of the passage k¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A valve for cutting off steam on the fracture of a steam pipe or other similar
occurrence constructed with a valve of piston or ram shape open to the steam
pressure at both sides formed with two cone shaped faces one to rest upon a
seating B in the valve casing A and close the steam passage there through, the
other e to rest against the lower edge of a guiding bracket or cylinder and close
an air chamber and passage therein open to the atmosphere substantially as and
for the purpose described.
2. A valve for cutting off steam on the fracture of a steam pipe or other similar
occurrence constructed as described above with an air passage placed inside or
passing through the valve spindle s and closed by a projection on the valve to
reduce the area behind the valve substantially as described.
2. A valve having the several parts constructed and arranged in combination
substantially as and for the purposes described and shown.
That th: 20th of c
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.