An Improved Apparatus for Automatically Supplying Water to, Cutting Water off from, and Flushing Water Troughs or other Analogous Vessels.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 5th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 16th Nov., 1888
DE MULTICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Automatically Supplying Water to,
Cutting Water off from, and Flushing Water Troughs or other
Analogous Vessels.
I, WILLIAM MALTMAN MUIRHEAD of 145 Dundas Street, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This Invention, which relates to an improved apparatus for automatically supplying
water to, cutting water off from and flushing water troughs or other analogous
vessels, is more especially applicable for water troughs which are used in streets and
other public places for providing water for horses, cattle and other animals.
The object of the Invention is firstly to prevent an undue waste of water, secondly,
to flush the trough after a horse or other animal has been drinking therefrom and
thirdly to cut off the supply of water when the apparatus is not in use, for example
during the night.
The apparatus consists of a supply valve or cock through which water is admitted
or cut off. This cock is coupled to a rocking beam by means of a weighted rod.
The other side of this rocking beam is connected to a hollow cylindrical vessel
contained within and capable of moving freely upwards and downwards within another
cylindrical casing fixed to the bottom of the trough. During such time as the trough
is filling the aforesaid cock is open and the weight attached at one side to the rocking
beam lifts the moving cylindrical vessel. So soon however as the trough is filled or
nearly so some of the water overflows through a pipe in the upper part of the outer
cylindrical vessel and this water is caught in the inner cylindrical vessel. As the
water gathers in this cylindrical vessel its quantity increases until its weight is
sufficient to overbalance the counterweight at the opposite side of the rocking beam
It therefore turns the rocking beam upon its axis, raises the counterweight and shuts
the admission valve or cock. In this position the apparatus rests until water is
abstracted from the trough by a horse or other animal drinking therefrom, which has
the effect of at once lowering the level of water in the trough. This lowering of the

page_text: level of water causes a ball float to sink and move the lever to which it is attached
upon its axis or fulcrum. The short end of this lever is then caused to act upon an
inclined plane which releases a catch by which the inner or moveable cylindrical
vessel is retained in its lowest position. This cylindrical vessel is then raised by the
reaction of the counterweight and the water or admission valve or cock is reopened
when water is again admitted for both filling and flushing the troughs.
It is here explained that the catch for keeping down the moveable cylinder is
essential for the reason that so soon as the moveable cylinder has reached its lowest
position within the outer or fixed cylinder a valve in the bottom thereof is opened by
which and by a small hole therein the water contained in the lower cylinder
and the weight of which had previously overbalanced the counterweight is allowed to
escape.
ST. JOHN V. DAY,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Petitioner's Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Automatically Supplying Water to,
Cutting Water off from, and Flushing Water Troughs or other
Analogous Vessels.
I, WILLIAM MALTMAN MUIRHEAD of 145 Dundas Street, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My Invention relates to an improved apparatus for automatically supplying water
to, cutting water off from and flushing water troughs or other analogous vessels, is
more especially applicable for water troughs which are used in streets and other
public places for providing water for horses, cattle and other animals.
The object of the Invention is first to prevent an undue waste of water, secondly,
to flush the trough after a horse or other animal has been drinking therefrom, and
thirdly, to cut off the supply of water when the apparatus is not in use for example
during the night.
The apparatus consists of a supply valve or cock through which water is admitted
or cut off. This valve or cock is coupled to a rocking beam by means of a weighted
rod. The other end of this rocking beam is connected to a hollow cylindrical vessel
contained within and capable of moving freely upwards and downwards within
another cylindrical casing fixed to the bottom of the trough. During such time as
the trough is filling the aforesaid cock is open and the weight attached at one end to
the rocking beam lifts the moving cylindrical vessel. So soon, however, as the trough
is filled or nearly so, some of the water overflows through the pipe in the upper part
of the outer cylindrical vessel and this water is caught in the inner cylindrical vessel.
As the water gathers in this cylindrical vessel its quantity increases until its weight is
sufficient to overbalance the counterweight at the opposite end of the rocking beam.
It therefore turns the rocking beam upon its axis, raises the counterweight and shuts
the admission valve or cock. In this position the apparatus rests until water is
abstracted from the trough by a horse or other animal drinking therefrom, which has
the effect of at once lowering the level of water in the trough. This lowering of
the level of water causes a ball float to sink and move the lever to which it is attached,
upon its axis or fulcrum. The short end of this lever is then caused to act upon an
inclined plane which releases a catch by which the inner or moveable cylindrical
vessel is retained in its lowest position. This cylindrical vessel tben raised by the
reaction of the counterweight and the water or admission valve or cock is reopened
when water is again admitted for both filling and flushing the troughs.
It is here explained that the catch for keeping down the moveable cylindrical vessel
is essential, for the reason that so soon as this moveable vessel has reached its
lowest position within the outer or fixed cylindrical casing a valve in the bottom
thereof is opened, by which, and also by a small hole therein the water contained in the
moveable cylindrical vessel and the weight of which had previously overbalanced the
counterweight, is allowed to escape.

page_text: In order that my Invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect, I have hereunto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings 'on the several
Figures of which corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of reference.
Of these, Figure 1, is a vertical section of the apparatus constituting my Invention
shewn in position in a divided off part of a water trough marked A, which may be of
cast iron or other suitable material. The division marked B, is for the purpose of
dividing of the space C, (within which the apparatus constituting my Invention is
contained) from the space D, which is continued outwards to the right hand side of
the Figure for a sufficient length to constitute a water trough of the kind usually
made of cast iron and employed as a public water trough in streets, at road sides, in
cattle markets, railway stations and other places where water troughs are commonly
used. The division B, is perforated with holes a, to admit of the water flowing
freely through it, and therefore maintaining an uniform level in the two divisions of
the trough.
The apparatus consists of a vertical casing E, preferably cylindrical in form. This
is fastened by bolts or otherwise to the bottom of the division C, of the trough A.
At the upper part of the casing E, there is carried the rocking beam F, moveable
upon a pin or centre G, carried in the bracket FL, attached to the upper part of the
casing E. To the outer end of the beam F, the weight I, is attached and the tendency
of that weight when the level of water in the trough is low, is to sink to the lower
position shewn in dotted lines at Figure 1. When in that position the lever J, whose
outer end is attached to the lower end of the rod K, upon which the weight I, is carried,
is,moved round upon its axis L, into the position shewn in dotted lines at Figure 1.
As in this position the outer and longer end of the lever J, is depressed, the
shorter and inner end thereof is upraised and pressing against the lower end of the
spindle of the valve M, raises that valve from of its scat, in which position water from
the main or supply pipe flows into the trough N. The main or supply pipe passes into
the trough either through its bottom, sides or top and is connected by a screw
coupling nut or by an equivalent coupling to the branch N. From this arrangement it
will be seen that the tendency of the water entering the trough by the branch N, is to
press the valve M, downwards and keep it shut, and this function the pressure of the
water does perform when the trough is full and the upward pressure of the lever J,
has been taken off from the stem of the valve M, by the raising of the weight I, as
hereinafter described. When the valve M, is raised, water continues to flow into the
trough through the opening O, so that the level therein continues to rise not only in
the trough itself but also in the vertical passage P, at the side of the vertical casing E,
part of which may be perforated to prevent sediment getting into the cylindrical
vessel R. So soon as the water reaches in the passage P, the height of the branch Q
it begins to overflow from the passage P, by the branch Q into the moveable cylindrical
vessel R, which is suspended by a link as shewn at Figure 1, from the inner end of
the beam F. At the time of the commencement of the overflow from the branch Q,
the inner cylindrical vessel R, and the inner end of the lever F, are in their upper-
most position as indicated by the dotted lines o, o, and q, q, in Figure 1, and of course
the outer end of the lever F, and its connections are as hereinbefore stated still at
their lowest positions. As water from the overflow Q, goes on collecting in the
vessel R, the weight suspended from the inner end of the beam F, necessarily con-
tinues to increase until its weight overbalances the weight I, and that of its
connections. When water has accumulated in the vessel R, to this extent, it causes
the beam F, to be turned on its axis G, by descending to the bottom of the empty
casing E, and simultaneously raising the weight I, thereby relieving the upward
pressure of the short end of the lever J, from keeping open the valve M. The valve M,
therefore instantly closes and the supply of water from the main or service pipe is
discontinued until the level of the water in the trough is lowered by some of the
water being removed therefrom through horses or other animals drinking some of
the water.
In connection with the vessel R, it is important to explain that it is by
preference
suenended in
ourved
lot S at the inner and of the bonus F

page_text: The reason for so suspending the vessel R, is, that when the inner end of the
beam F, is in the upraised position, that is to say the position corresponding to
the period of admission of water into the trough, the weight of the vessel R, causes it
to slide through the said slot S, to the inner end thereof, thus bringing the weight of
the vessel R, to oppose a shorter leverage to the weight I, giving therefore to the
weight I, a preponderating influence for maintaining the valve open, whilst, on the
other hand when the vessel R, becomes loaded with water and pulls down the inner
end of the beam F, the connecting link T, and pin passing through it and the curved
slot S, slide down to the outer position therein thus causing the vessel R, when loaded
with water to act with a preponderating leverage or influence upon the weight 1, and
so the better insuring for the time, being its not acting to open the valve M.
The moveable vessel R, is provided at its bottom with a bridge U, carrying at its
centre a guide for the upper part of the valve V. The lower part of the valve V, is
preferably covered with India rubber so as to form a water tight seating against the
bottom of the vessel R. When the vessel R, is in its upraised position as shown by
the dotted lines o, o, o, o, in Figure 1, the weight of the valve V, causes it to shut
water tight against the bottom of the vessel R, and therefore during the time that the
vessel R, is filling by the overflow water from the spout Q, no escape of water through
the valve V, can take place, but a small hole x, is provided in the bottom of the
So soon,
vessel R, which is always open, so as to allow a constant slight leakage.
however as sufficient water has accumulated in the vessel R, to cause it to descend to
the position shewn in section at Figure 1, the bottom stem of the valve V, comes in
contact with the bottom of the casing E, and the valve V, is thereby lifted, thus
allowing the water in the vessel R, to escape under the valve V, to the outlet
passage W, leading from the casing E. As the lowering of water in the vessel R,
gradually diminishes the weight on the inner end of the lever F, it is obvious that
unless means are provided to prevent the vessel R, from rising, the weight I, would
shortly bring the vessel R, and the parts connected thereto back into the normal
position indicated by the dotted lines o, o, 9; 9, in Figure 1. To prevent this,
however, and to keep the vessel R, in its lowest position after the water it
contains shall have become emptied from it by the opening of the valve V, a catch
lever X, is provided, pivoted to a bracket Y, on the upper part of the casing E.
The tendency of the weight of the catch lever X, is to cause it to hang down-
wards inside the casing, E, and towards the side of that casing. The lower part of
the catch lever X, is formed with a more or less circular retaining notch as shewn,
and being conditioned as is hereinbefore described its weight causes the said notch to
hold upon the step Z, inside the vessel R. The catch lever X, therefore maintains the
vessel R, in its lowest position and all the parts connected therewith in the position
shown in full lines in Figure 1, not only during all the time that the vessel R, remains
empty but until some influence acting upon the catch lever X, forces its notch off the
stop Z, when the weight I, being thereby freed to fall, instantly opens the admission
valve M.
A guide W², is fixed in the lower part of the casing E, against which the side or
bottom of the vessel R, bears by the action of the weight I, tending to pull the
vessel R, upwards during such time as it is held down by the catch lever X.
An influence or means for removing the catch of the lever X, off the stop Z, is
supplied in the float A', which is attached by an adjusting screw and nut B¹, to the
outer end of the lever C. The lever C, is pivoted to a fulcrum or pin in the
bracket Y, which carries the fulcrum or pin on which the lever X, is suspended. So
soon as the level of water in the trough becomes lowered by horses or other animals
drinking therefrom, the float A', also lowers until its lowest position as shewn by
dotted lines in Figure 1, is reached. On reaching this position the short inner end
of the lever (, comes into contact with the inclined plane on the inner side of the
upper part of the lever X, and as the float A¹, continues to descend with the sinking
of the water, the weight of the float A', gradually forces the lever X, outwards and
therefore ultimately removes its notch from off the stop Z, on the vessel R. When
so released the weight I, instantly overbalances the beam F, raises the vessel R, to its

page_text: normal position shewn by the dotted lines o, o, o, o, allows the valve V, to shut by its
own weight, and reopens the admission valve M. When water again begins to flow
into the trough and continues to fill it until the level of the overflow Q, is reached,
when the cycle of operations of the apparatus as hereinbefore described is repeated
with the result of automatically supplying water to, and cutting off the supply thereof
intermittently, and at any periods as may be required. It is explained that the
apparatus constituting this Invention may also be used for automatically flushing
urinals and the drains and receptacles connected therewith, being also applicable
for stables, cattle sheds and byres.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed or practically carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion that I do not claim all the parts of my
apparatus separately, but what I do claim is,-
1. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the apparatus for auto-
matically supplying water to, cutting water off from, and flushing water troughs
or other analogous vessels; the several parts of which operate in conjunction,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn upon the annexed sheets of
drawings.
2. In automatic water supply, cut off, and flushing apparatus the placing in a
division of the trough or tank a fixed casing E, for isolating the moveable
vessel R, from the water in the trough or tank so that the vessel R, may move
freely upwards or downwards in the casing E, as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
3. In automatic supply, cut off, and flushing apparatus the arrangement consisting
of the rocking beam E, carrying at one end the weight I, and at the other end the
vessel R, with the small hole X, and valve V, or its equivalent, the parts operating
in relation to each other substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. The suspending of the vessel R, in a curved slot at the inner end of the rocking
beam F, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn upon the annexed the
sheets of drawings.
5. The suspended lever X, provided with a notch for retaining the vessel R, in its
lowest position when empty, and formed at its upper end with an inclined plane upon
which the the short end of the lever C, operates by the sinking of the float A¹
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and shewn upon the
annexed sheets of drawings.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1888.