IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND IN THE METHOD OF APPLYING THE SAME FOR THE VENTILATION OF WATER MAINS AND SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Blacker, of Thornhill, near Dewsbury, in the
County of York, Manufacturing Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN VALVES AND IN THE METHOD OF APPLYING THE SAME FOR THE VENTILATION
OF WATER MAINS AND SIMILAR PURPOSES.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Blacker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd October 1879.
DAVID BLACKER, of Thornhill, near Dewsbury, in the County of York,
Manufacturing Chemist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND IN THE METHOD OF
APPLYING THE SAME FOR THE VENTILATION OF WATER MAINS AND SIMILAR
PURPOSES."
This Invention has reference to an improved valve, applicable more especially for
the purpose of ventilating water pipes or mains, either by admitting a supply of
fresh air or preventing noxious air or gases from entering into such pipes from
dwelling houses, closets, or other places where impure air is liable to be generated.
The valve, which is composed of brass or other suitable substance is circular in
form, and is furnished at three or more points of its circumference with projecting
lugs, the circular portion being ground so as to fit closely upon the seat or orifice
of the pipe to which it is applied. The casing within which the valve works may
be formed at the junction of two pipes, the ends of which are enlarged so as to form
a barrel or socket, the valve being kept in position by the projecting lugs which
afford sufficient space for the passage of water or air.
If applied to the pipes of a dwelling house or other place for the purpose of
preventing the passage of air into the main, the valve is inserted some distance below
the tap or outlet in such a manner that the pressure of water will force it from its
seat and pass forward to the outlet, but should the water be shut off at the main,
the valve will fall into its seat, the weight of water above pressing it closely down,
and preventing any air from passing down into the main if the tap should be left
open.
If the valve is applied with the object of admitting air into the main, the
position must be the reverse of the foregoing, that is to say, the ordinary pressure
must force the valve on to its seat whilst the removal of the pressure by turning
the water off will allow the valve to open and admit fresh air into the pipes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said David Blacker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd April
1880.
.
DAVID BLACKER, of Thornhill, near Dewsbury, in the County of York,
Manufacturing Chemist. IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND IN THE METHOD OF
APPLYING THE SAME FOR THE VENTILATION OF WATER MAINS AND SIMILAR
PURPOSES."
This Invention has reference to an improved valve, applicable more especially for
the purpose of ventilating water pipes or mains, either by admitting a supply of
fresh air or preventing noxious air or gases from entering into such pipes from
dwelling houses, closets, or other places where impure air is liable to be generated.
The valve which is composed of brass or other suitable substance is circular by
preference, in form, and is furnished at three or more points of its circumference
with projecting lugs, the circular portion being ground so as to fit closely upon the
seat or orifice of the pipe to which it is applied. The casing within which the
valve works may be formed at the junction of two pipes, the ends of which aro
enlarged so as to form a barrel or socket, the valve being kept in position by the
projecting lugs, which afford sufficient space for the passage of water or air.
If applied to the pipes of a dwelling house or other place for the purpose of
preventing the passage of air into the main, the valve is inserted some distance
below the tap or outlet in such a manner that the pressure of water will force it
from its seat and pass forward to the outlet, but should the water be shut off at the
nain the valve will fall back upon its seat, the weight of water above pressing it
closely down, and preventing any air from passing down into the main if the tap
should be left open.
In order that my Invention may be better understood, I have given reference to
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof. In Fig. 1, I have shewn
my Invention as applied to a pipe for preventing noxious air or gases from entoring
into the main. It will be seen that if water was turned off at the main A, the
pipes B would be empty, and a vacuum formed therein, but on the tap C being
opened the vacuum would be broken, and any noxious air which might be about
the tap would be drawn therein, and pass through the pipes B into the main A;
but to prevent this I have placed the valve d within the casing D, which when the
pipes are empty drops onto its seat, and prevents the downward passage of air.
When the water is turned on it will pass up the pipe B, lifting the valve d, forcing
its way through the pipe, and out at the tap C. If the apparatus be applied with
the object of admitting air into the main the position must be the reverse of the
foregoing, that is to say, if the ordinary pressure is turned off at the main the valve
will drop or open, and admit fresh air through the elevated pipe G, thereby
preventing a vacuum therein; this plan is illustrated in Fig. 2, A being the main,
and B the pipe; d is the valve which is kept up to its seat by the pressure of water
underneath it, but when the water is turned off at the main, the valve would drop
from its seat, and admit air in the orifice g. Or the apparatus may be screwed or
otherwise fastened to the main, same as a ferrule, as shewn in Fig. 9. Fig. 8 is an
enlarged view of the valve d, and its seating and other connections, yet it is obvious
that other arrangements of valves may be employed for the same purposes, and
when necessary the valve may be opened or shut by the application of a screw
spindle and hand wheel.
If this apparatus is applied to pipes where there is not much pressure of water,
I apply a float F perforated or otherwise (see Fig. 3) having a larger bearing
surface than the valve d, so that when the water riscs to the bottom of the float, it
will be lifted upwards bringing the spindle f underneath the valve, and thereby
closing it. If where this apparatus is fixed the water has been turned off at the

page_text: main, a quantity of air would gather in the empty pipes, and immediately water
was turned on again there would be a rush of air which would close the valve d
(Fig. 4) quicker than is necessary, and to prevent this I employ a float H, the
weight of which upon the valve d would prevent the valve closing too quick, but
by the time water arrived underneath the float H, the pressure of water would
close the valve d, and thus the air would gradually have made its escape. To keep
the floats F and H steady, and without much frictional contact with the sides of
their casing, I attach pegs or projections h around their periphery, as shewn in plan
view Fig. 5.
This Invention is capable of being applied in a variety of ways where the object
is the ventilation of water mains and sewers or where the object is to prevent the
escape of noxious gases. In Fig. 6 I have shewn the application of my Invention
to a pipe connected from the main sewer to a sink, J being the apparatus. It will
be seen that whilst the valve allows water to lift it and pass away, the valve would
prevent any noxious gas from behind passing through the pipes into the sink.
Fig. 7 shews the application of the Invention to a street gulley or trap, which
would be found of great advantage in droughty weather, when the gulleys are
empty of water and the sewers foul; by the application of this Invention the foul
air could not pass up through the gulley, as the valve d forms an effectual trap, and
would prevent the foul air passing.
•
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and shewn by Drawings how
the same is to be performed or carried into practice, I would have it understood
that I do not confine the application of my Invention to the purposes which are
only shewn in the Drawings, as it is equally applicable to other similar purposes, I
wish it therefore to be understood that I consider to be new, and therefore
claim,―
Firstly. The arrangement of valves, as herein shewn and described, or any mere
modification thereof, when applied for the purposes substantially as described and
illustrated.
Secondly. The means or method of ventilating water or other mains by
admitting a supply of fresh air, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Thirdly. The means or method of preventing noxious air or gases from entering
into water or other mains, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Blacker, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
DAVID BLACKER.
(L.S.)