IMPROVED FRICTIONLESS-BALANCED SUPPLY VALVES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Frederick Lee Meakin, of No. 24, St. Mary's
Road, Peckham, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVED
FRICTIONLESS-BALANCED SUPPLY VALVES."
Sealed the 24th April 1878, and dated the 29th October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Frederick Lee Meakin
at the Office of the Comminissioners of Patents on the 29th October 1877.
GEORGE FREDERICK LEE MEAKIN, of No. 24, Saint Mary's Road, Peckham,
in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVED FRICTIONLESS BALANCED SUPPLY VALVES."
The Invention has for its object the saving of pumping power and water, and
the nature of the Invention consists in the mode in which the water pressure on
the supply valve is balanced by a weight connected with or supported or moved
by it in such manner, that when the water is drawn from the cistern, the weight,
losing its support, falls, and, by its weight, opens the valve until the water again
rises and restores the balance which closes the valve, and the pressure on the valve
being counterbalanced by the weight, prevents all friction.
In the accompanying Drawings, Nos. 1 and 2, A is shewn as a conical spindle
valve, but it may be replaced by a ball, clack, or other valve, made of any metal
or other suitable material; B is the balance weight for opening the valve shewn as
wood, but it may be made of any other material; C is a lever, bar for connecting
the weight with the valve, and is introduced for increasing the leverage or power
of the weight, but the valve may be connected directly by a rod or. bar with a
weight of sufficient power to counterbalance the pressure of water on the valve,
as shewn in Drawing No. 2, or the power of the weight may be increased by a
lever or other equivalent mechanical contrivance.
The valve seat is shewn screwed to a metal supply pipe, but it may be equally
finished for brazing, soldering, or otherwise uniting it to any description of pipe.
The lever C offers an easy mode for adjusting the weight to overcome the
pressure of water that any service may need, so that when such pressure is exceeded

page_text: the valve will be kept closed and the water will then supply cisterns at higher
levels, thereby effecting a great saving in pumping power, and will also enable the
water companies, by increasing their pressure, to keep all valves closed, and thus
obtain the maximum quantity of high-pressure water in case of fire.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Frederick Lee Meakin in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 27th April 1878.
GEORGE FREDERICK LEE MEAKIN, of No. 24, Saint Mary's Road, Peckham, in the
County of Surrey. IMPROVED FRICTIONLESS BALANCED SUPPLY VALVES."
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The Invention has for its object the saving of pumping power and water, and
the nature of the Invention consists in the mode in which the water pressure on
the supply valve is balanced by a weight connected with, or supported, or moved
by it in such manner that when the water is drawn from the cistern, the weight,
losing its support, falls, and, by its weight, opens the valve until the water again
rises and restores the balance which closes the valve, and the pressure on the valve,
being counterbalanced by the weight, prevents all friction.
. I construct the valve plug or valve cap wholly or in part of metal or other
material, with a hole through it so formed that it shall serve for the flow of the
liquid and seat for the valve for closing the ends of pipes, or of sockets, elbows,
bends, springs, tees, crosses, bosses, linings, or other forms of unions or chambers in
connection with pipes for the purpose of regulating the discharge of water or other
liquid that the pipes may contain.
.
The valve may be a ball, a conical, a flat, a spindle, a clack, or other valve made
of metal, or wholly or in part of leather, india-rubber, glass, or other material
suitable to various uses.
The lever bar or rod is for connecting the balance weight with the valve, and is
introduced for increasing the power of the balance weight, but the valve may be
connected directly by a rod or bar with a weight of sufficient power to counter-
balance the pressure of water on the valve, or the power of the weight may be
increased by a lever or other equivalent mechanical contrivance. The power of the
balance weight and lever may be adjusted or it may be graduated and made
adjustable so as to enable the water companies or consumers to regulate the pressure
at which any cistern shall be supplied, so that when such pressure is exceeded, the
valve will be kept closed and the water will then supply cisterns at higher levels,
thereby effecting a great saving in pumping power, and will also enable the water
companies, by increasing their pressure, to keep closed all valves, and thus obtain
the maximum quantity of high-pressure water in case of fire, and by, regulating the
capacity of any cistern and the pressure under which it can be supplied, a fair mode
for rating any service may be established.
When the valve is applied to a kitchen or other boiler with the aid of a three-
way cock, it will form a self-supply valve, and will enable hot and cold water to be
drawn (in an unmixed state) from the same cock.

page_text: The valve may also be used for separating the clear water in a cistern from that
containing deposit.
When the valve is not required to be worked automatically, it may (of course)
be moved by the weight of the hand, and in such case, for the purpose of enabling
the valve to be fixed with any required outflow, the lever to which manual force is
applied may be retained at any point by suitable stops, or an inclined plane or
screw action may be substituted, or the valve lever may be retained by the friction
of surfaces or by other equivalent modes. Any ordinary form of mouth-piece may
be used to control the outflow.
When the valve is applied to waterclosets or urinals, it may either be actuated
by hand in the ordinary ways, or, in self-acting waterclosets or urinals, by; the
weight of the person using it, with counterbalance. weights or springs, and have
a suitable outlet for distributing the water in the usual ways for properly cleansing
the same.
A cylinder or chamber may (when required) be added and connected with the
valve in such manner that the closing of the valve shall be automatically retarded
during the time occupied in the escape of air or water through an orifice into or out
of the cylinder, or chamber, vessel, or bellows connected either externally or
internally with the valve.
When suction or back pressure can occur, the end of the lever may pass round
the valve or through a hole or loop united or attached to the valve so as to prevent
the valve being drawn into the pipe, or a washer will effect the same object, or it
may equally be done by a stop of any kind.
In cases when the valve is not of sufficient weight to overcome vibration,
capillary attraction, and other forces in order to keep it water-tight at all pressures,
an additional weight shall be hung from it or supported on it, or the valve may be
drawn or forced down by a straight, spiral, or other spring, either of metal or other
elastic material, above or below it; such additional weights or springs are inter-
changeable.
The accompanying Drawings, in which the same letters refer to the same parts
in all the Figures, are for the purpose of further illustrating the nature of this
Invention.
A is the valve cap or valve plug.
In Figure 1 A is shewn as a valve plug fitted with an ordinary spindle valve
lined with leather or other elastic substance moving in a guide (b) below the valve,
with an additional valve weight (a) suspended from it.
In Figure 2 A is shewn as a valve cap fitted with a conical valve with a spiral
spring (a) above, serving both in place of an additional valve weight and as a
guide.
In Figure 3 A is shewn as a valve plug fitted with a conical valve, moving in
guides (b) above the valve with a spring (a) below the valve, to serve in place of
an additional valve weight.
In Figure 4 A is shewn as a valve cap fitted with a valve resting on a leather
or other elastic seat with three or more wings (b) below the valve as guides.
In Figure 5 A is shewn as a valve cap fitted with a spherical valve, either of
metal, glass, or an elastic substance, or of metal or glass covered with an elastic
substance, or an elastic or non-elastic ball filled with mercury, with guides (b) above
the valve seat.
.
In Figure 6 A is shewn as a valve plug fitted with a spindle valve lined with
leather or other elastic substance. Below the spindle a chamber (b) is made, into
which water will flow, and the slow escape of such water from the chamber will
retard the sudden closing of the valve.
In Figure 7 A is shewn as a valve plug fitted with a conical valve and guides (b),
as in Figure 3, but inverted and arranged for the bottom of a cistern.
In Figure 8 A is shown as a valve plug fitted with a conical valve with three or
more guide wings (b), and arranged for a stand pipe in a cistern.
In Figure 9 A is shewn as a valve plug, similar in construction to Figure 7, and

page_text: nitted to a three-way cock of a boiler as a self-supply valve, and for hot and cold
water service.
In Figures 10 and 11 A is shewn as a valve plug for supplying water free from
deposit, and for opening the valve case under pressure for the removal of cistern deposit.
In Figure 12 A is shewn as the valve plug fitted with a conical spindle valve
working in a guide (b) below the valve, with a small piston on the spindle working
in a chamber of water for retarding the sudden closing of the valve (this arrange-
ment may be applied to any of the valves).
In Figure 13 A is shewn as a valve plug fitted with a spindle valve faced with
leather or other elastic material.
In Figure 14 A is shewn as a valve plug fitted with a spindle valve faced with
leather or other elastic material, with a moveable cylinder or chamber (b) below the
valve, in which the valve spindle or piston can fall by the escape of water, so as to
close the valve.
In Figure 15 A is shewn as a valve plug fitted with a conical spindle valve con-
taining a chamber by which the valve spindle or piston can raise the valve through
the pressure of water in such chamber, and the slow escape of the water from the
chamber through a small hole (a) will cause the valve to close. The spindle head or
piston may be either of metal, or packed with leather or other packing in the usual
way, or the valve may be made without the chamber and piston.
In Figures 16, 17, and 18, A is shewn as a valve plug and valve arranged for a
self-acting watercloset or urinal, and is equally applicable to all kinds of water-
closets or urinals now in use. In Figure 16 the valve is shewn applied to
an ordinary hopper basin. In Figures 17 and 18 the valve A2 is shewn
as a pan applied to a self-acting watercloset basin, but it may be equally a flat,
conical, or other valve, balanced and lined in the usual way of such valves. The
pan or other valve may be made of metal or other material so placed and protected
by suitable material in the core for the casting or space for moulding the valve
chamber, so that when the valve chamber shall be cast or made the valve shall be
inside the chamber, thus saving the ordinary large joint. The valve works on a
small shaft (a), and when not used automatically it may be balanced and worked in
the usual way by cranks and weights. In Figure 17 the valve chamber is shewn
with a syphon trap and china basin, and in Figure 18 of metal or stoneware, but
these arrangements are interchangeable.
In all the foregoing Figures, and in all cases, the valve plug or valve cap A are
interchangeable, and may be made of any length, either straight or curved, and fitted
with male or female screws on them, or with faces made suitable for soldering,
brazing, or otherwise, uniting the valve plug or valve cap with any pipe or parts in
connection with pipes with or without the guides (b), which are also interchangeable,
or with any other guide used for guiding valves, with or without the additional
valve weight or spring to serve as weight (a), which are also interchangeable. Bis
the balance weight for opening the valve of such a shape (by preference) as to
remain in equilibrium in all positions without friction.
In Figure 1B is shewn as a glass or other bottle left free to retain its equilibrium
in all positions.
In Figures 2, 7, 8, and9 B is shewn as a block of wood, which may be of any
description or shape, and formed (by preference) so as to retain its equilibrium in all
positions without friction.
In Figure 3 B is shewn as a piece of stone or other material requiring a suitable
counterbalance weight B², which may be replaced by a spring, and balanced in
equilibrium.
In Figure 4 B is shewn as a lump of glass, stone, or other material, filled with air
bubbles to lighten its specific gravity, its form and centre of weight being so made
that it remains in equilibrium in all positions without friction.
In Figure 5 B is shewn as a substance with a cavity below to lighten its specific
gravity, being so formed that it remains in equilibrium in all positions without
friction.

page_text: In Figure 6 B is shewn as a hollow glass weight with pieces cast on to keep the
balance lever rod in place, or grooves or a hole may be made to effect the same
object. The centre of weight is so placed that it remains in equilibrium in all positions
without friction.
In the foregoing Figures all the balance weights (B) are interchangeable, and may
be made adjustable on the balance lever C.
In Figures 10 and 11 B is shewn as a circumferential weight, balancing the clear
water valve (A) through the balance lever or levers C. This valve is so balanced that
when a slow current is induced in the pipe, as would be the case when drawing
water from a small tap, the water flows down the centre valve A, which may lead
from any desired part of the cistern, but when the water is drawn for the supply of
a watercloset the large flow by suction draws down the valve A, and opens a way
by raising the circumferential weight shield from the bottom of the cistern, and
thus enable all deposit of organic matter or lead to be drawn from the cistern into
the watercloset supply. To facilitate this action the cistern bottom may be inclined.
towards the valve. A small air tube (a). may be fixed, and extend above the surface
of the water in the cistern, aërating the water as drawn.
In Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15 B is shewn as the weight of the hand.
In Figures 16, 17, and 18 the weight of a person lowers the seat, and is shewn
in Figure 16 as also depressing a spring or springs B; and in Figures 17 and 18 as
raising counterweights B, which opens the valve when the weight of the person is
removed from the seat. The closing of the valves may be retarded during the time
required for the escape of water or air into or out of a chamber or cylinder or bellows
through suitable orifices, or the closing may be retarded, as shewn in Figure 16, by
the time required for water to escape through a hole from a chamber forming part
of the valve (a), which hole may be closed when not in use by a small internal spring.
valve, and in Figures 17 and 18 for the time that water occupies in escaping from
an orifice or leak out of a cylinder against the pressure of the weight added to the .
time which the valve takes in falling to its seat by its weight under the resistance
to the passage of water into the cylinder.
These valves when not made self-acting may be opened and closed by the hand
in the usual way.
In Figure 18 B2 is the weight of water acting in a pressure chamber, with top of
leather, india-rubber, or other flexible substance in connection with the watercloset
service pipe. This chamber may be placed as shewn, or it may be wholly or in part
within the valve chamber under or behind the valve, and acting directly on the
valve, or it may be replaced by a flexible ball, pipe, or a cylinder with piston, in
which the water can be retained, and its power give the required motion to the
valve; it may act as follows:-When the weight of a person is removed from the
scat it is made to rise by a weight B, or a spring may be substituted, and the lever C
opens the supply valve, which reduces the pressure in the chamber (B2), and allows
the balance lever (C) and valve (A²) to fall or open, they being connected together
by the rod (b), the balance lever (C2), and the shaft (a), with valve (A2) attached.
As the service valve begins to close, the pressure in the supply pipe will increase, and
its weight acting on (B2) will be adjusted to close the valve before the supply ceases,
which will be balanced to fill the pan or leave the basin partly filled with water
with other kinds of valves; or the valve (A) may be worked, as shewn in Figure 17,
without the chamber (B2) by the difference of weight of water in the basin (B²)
when the valve is open. The valve (A) being suitably balanced by a balance
counterweight (B³) on its lever bar, the valve (A2) will be balanced to close before the
water through the valve (A) quite ceases to flow.
A balance counterweight (B3) is shewn in Figure 18 for aiding the valve, and may
be added in any case. C is the lever bar or rod for connecting the balance weight
with the valve, as well as for increasing the leverage or power of the balance
weight.
In Figures 1, 2, 4, and 6 C is shewn as a wire or rod resting on a seat in the
valve plug or cap, as does a steelyard or any balance on its fulcrum. In Figures 1

page_text: and 6 the power of the weight can be adjusted by shortening the wire, and in
Figures 2 and 4 by moving the weight on it. In Figure 1 two fulcrums are shewn
at E, F, for giving two powers to the weights; E is for opening against the full
pressure; F is for further opening the valve under the reduced pressure; or a curved
fulcrum may be formed between the extremes E, F, to balance the varying pressure
at all times, or in any way that may be required. Such fulcrums may be made to
any of the valves.
In Figures 3 and 5 C is shewn as a bar resting on a pin of any suitable form as
its fulcrum, and the weight is shewn moveable.
In Figures 7, 8, and 9 C is shewn as resting directly on, the valve, but in these
cases a suitable lever may be introduced for increasing the power of the balance
weight.
In Figures 10 and 11 C is shewn as the balance lever rods resting on fulcrums,
either attached to valve plug or separate.
In Figure 12 C is shewn as a lever bar resting on external seats on the mouth-
piece of the valve plug as a fulcrum.
In Figure 13 C is shewn as a lever bar resting on a pin as a fulcrum, and
encircling the mouth-piece of the valve plug, so as to produce any required friction
for holding the valve open.
In Figure 14 C is shewn as a lever bar resting on an internal fulcrum with a
friction clip (a) for holding the valve open.
In Figure 15 C is shewn as a lever having the action of a screw or inclined plane
for increasing the force of the hand, as well as securing the lever in any position, as
shewn in elevation, Figure 15.
In Figures 16, 17, and 18 C is shewn as a lever bar or trigger moved by the self-
acting watercloset seat, weight, or spring for opening the valve, but the lever may
be moved by the hand in the usual way. In Figures 17 and 18 the trigger is dis-
engaged from the valve by an inclined face (a) as soon as the weight (B) comes to
rest, which enables the valve to close.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which it is to
be performed, I beg it to be understood that I claim the different arrangements and
combinations, substantially as described and set forth, but I do not confine myself
to any particular form shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Frederick Lee Meakin, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
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