Improvements in or relating to Ball Valves for Flushing or Supply Cisterns or the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1899
1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 14th Oct.,
Improvements in or relating to Ball Valves for Flushing or
Supply Cisterns or the like.
I, STEWART ROBERTSON, of 55, Yeaman Shöre, Dundee, in the County of For-
far, Sanitary Engineer and Merchant and Agent for Sanitary Appliances, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to improvements in ball valve fittings as used for auto-
matically controlling the supply of water to flushing cisterns of the like, the
object being to render the operation of such, valves more silent, certain, and
effective; and their repair môre simple than hitherto.
>
In carrying out my invention I form in the body of the valve proper, a cir-
cular groove or grooves, whose depth is approximately that of a ring of rubber
or the like to be contained therein, but whose length in the direction of the
valve's axis or motion is greater than the length of such ring, or, the sum of
the lengths if a groove is provided with more than one, ring., Separation of
two or more rings in one groove may be secured if desired, by the use of inter-
mediate webs or diaphragms of metal or their equivalent. The ring or rings
are preferably of circular section, and when contained in their groove or
grooves before described, their outer periphery fits the tube, or guiding cylinder
in which the valve works, while the inner periphery fits the bottom of the groove
or channel of the valve beforementioned.
:
On the valve being operated in the known way, it is free to move, either carry-
ing with it the ring or rings slipping by their outer periphery on the inside
of the guiding tube; or the valve may slip in or through their inner periphery
to the extent allowed by the excess length of their containing grooves; or
both movements may take place together. Greater freedom of movement and
adaptation to frictional or like conditions is thus obtained, while the sealing
properties of the valve are unimpaired if not improved.
In conjunction with my improved valve and appurtenances as above described,
I may substitute for the guiding tube referred to of known construction,.a special
sleeve or liner for attachment to or incorporation with the valve casing, after
the boring and fitting operations' on. such sleeve are complete. I am thus enabled
to simplify and enhance the perfection of these operations; and to secure, if
desired a "hard to hard" seat or seal for the valve, or collar formed thereon;
as also to confine or limit the movement of the contained valve as required:
In a further improvement facilitated although not necessarily dependant
upon the use of a separate, sleeve,. I may cast or, otherwise form the valve cas-
ing and outlet nozzle or "drown-pipe." as a continuous. chamber whose diameter
at the inlet or valve seat is considerably greater than the waterway of the valve,
and whose form is preferably that of a slightly flattened hollow sphere. From
süch chamber and as a' continuation of it, the "drown-pipe" is' led off with as

page_text: little change of internal dimensions, direction, and conformation as possible,
but gradually narrowing and deflecting so as to direct the issuing fluid towards
the side of the cistern.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Ball Valves for Flushing or
Supply Cisterns or the like.
I, STEWART ROBERTSON, of 55, Yeaman Shore, Dundee, in the County of For-
far, Sanitary Engineer and Merchant and Agent for Sanitary Appliances, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in ball valve fittings as used for auto-
matically controlling the supply of water to flushing cisterns or the like, the
object being to render the operation of such valves more silent, certain, and
effective, and their repair more simple than hitherto.
In order that my said invention may be the better understood, I have here-
unto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings in which the same reference
numerals are used to denote the same or like parts where shown.
Fig. 1, (Sheet 1,) is a longitudinal view of one form of my improved valve,
with its lower half in section, and having the contiguous parts shown by dotted
lines.
Fig. 2, is a cross-section at A, A, (Fig. 1,) and Figs. 3, and 4, illustrate modi-
fications of the form shown in Fig. 1, showing how a valve may be fitted with
more than one ring.
Fig. 5, is a vertical section of the affected portion of a flushing cistern fitted
with my improvements; while Fig. 6, is a plan and Figs. 7, and 8, are end
elevations looking on the left and right respectively of the valve fitting of
Fig. 5.
Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 12", (Sheet 2) show in part section, modifications of
valves and casings suited for varying requirements or conditions of working.
In carrying out my invention I form in the body of the valve proper 20, a
circular groove or grooves 21, whose depth is approximately that of a ring 22,
of rubber or the like to be contained therein, but whose length in the direction
of the valve's axis or motion is greater than the length of such ring, or the
sum of such lengths if a groove is provided with more than one ring. Separa-
tion of two or more rings may be secured if desired by the use of intermediate
webs 23, or diaphragms 24, of metal or their equivalent.
The ring or rings 22, are preferably of circular section as shown, and when
contained in their said groove or grooves 21, their outer periphery fits the tube
or guiding cylinder 25, in which the valve works, while their inner periphery
fits the bottom of the groove or channel 21.
On the valve 20, being operated in the known way to close or open the water-
way 26, by the rising or falling of the ball 27, with the water 28, in the
cistern 29, and the consequent constraint of the toe of the lever 30, upon such

page_text: alve, the latter is free to move, either carrying with it the ring or rings slip-
ing by their outer periphery on the inside of the guiding tube, or the valve
nay slip in or through their inner periphery to the extent allowed by the excess
ength of their containing grooves, or both movements may take place together.
When the circular or like section ring 22, is made of rubber, there may also be
combined rolling and shearing movement induced between the valve 20, or
tube 25, and the ring, under which the resiliency of the latter aids in the return
of the valve. Greater freedom of movement and adaptation to frictional or
like conditions are thus obtained, and while the simplicity of the construction
renders little or no fitting or adjustment of the relative parts necessary, the
sealing properties of the valve are unimpaired, if not improved.
In conjunction with my improved valve and appurtenances as above described
I may substitute for the guiding tube. 25, referred to and shown more parti-
cularly by Figs. 5, 6, 8, and 9, a special sleeve or liner 31, for attachment to
or incorporation with the valve casing 32, after the boring and fitting opera-
tions on such sleeve are complete. I am thus enabled to simplify and enhance
the perfection of these operations and to secure if desired a properly. formed
"hard to hard" seat or seal for the valve or collar formed thereon, as also by
lengthening or shortening such sleeve to confine or limit the movement of the
contained valve as required, as shown more particularly by Fig. 10.
66
In a further improvement facilitated although not necessarily dependant
upon the use of a sleeve or valve guide 31, which can be separately machined
drown tube" or outlet nozzle 33, of the valve cas-
I or fitted, I may cast the
ing 32, in one piece as shown, or otherwise form such casing and outlet nozzle
as a continuous chamber 34, whose diameter at the inlet or valve seat 35, is
considerably greater than the waterway 26, of the valve, and whose form is
preferably that of a slightly flattened hollow sphere 37. From the chamber 34,
the "drown pipe" 33, is led off with as little change of internal dimensions,
direction, and form as possible but gradually narrowing and deflecting. so as
to direct the issuing fluid towards the side of the cistern 29. This conformation
permits first of the gradual and practically noiseless reduction within the
enlarged and flattened chamber 34, of the high pressure water issuing from the
supply pipe 26, and then by properly directing its discharge therefrom as
described and shown, subdues the rushing noise of efflux and consequently
renders the filling of the cistern an almost silent operation. To this end the
smooth, sensitive, and gradual action of my improved valve 20, materially con-
tributes, by preventing shock at opening and closing.
In the various figures of the drawings I have shown modifications of design
and application to varying requirements. Thus in Figs. 5, to 8, I have shown
the simplest form of fitting suitable for low pressure supply. In Figures 9, 11,
and 12, stopcocks 38, are introduced between the supply pipe and my improved
fitting, preferably so as to form or aid in forming the valve seat 35, or equi-
valent integral part of a complete fitting. By projecting such valve seat 35,
so that it extends half or thereby into or across the chamber 34, as shown more
5 particularly by Figs. 11, and 12, I am enabled by the reaction of the issuing
to. The dishing or
jet to materially assist the silent action before referred
hollowing out of the valve where it bears on such seat also contributes to such
a result.
In Figures 5, 11, and 12, the valve acts horizontally, while in
Figures 9, and 10, a vertically acting valve is illustrated. Again in Figures 5,
09, and 11, the valve is formed of one piece or plunger of uniform diameter, of
the type shown in Fig. 1, and carrying the toe of the lever 30, in a slot 39. In
Fig. 10, the valve is in two pieces screwed together at 40, of which the upper
is forked to receive the said toe, and carries a pin 41, working in a slot 42, while
in Figures 12, and 12ª an eccentric or cam 43, formed with a stop or rest 44;
5 is rotated by the rising arm 30, so as to actuate the valve rod 45, protruding
from the sleeve gland 31. 'Pads or seating pieces 46, may be fitted to the ends
of the valves or a hard to hard" joint 47, may be used as in Fig. 10.
66

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be clearly
understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details of construction
herein set forth and illustrated in the appended sheets of drawings, but that I
hold myself free to make from time to time such modifications thereof as con-
form with the spirit and scope of my invention, and I declare that what I
claim is
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(1) In ball valve fittings a valve carrying a circular or like section ring or
rings of rubber or the like in a groove or grooves in the manner and for the
purposes herein set forth and substantially as illustrated in the appended sheets
of drawings.
(2) In ball valve fittings the use in conjunction with the valve above claimed
of a separate containing or guiding sleeve or liner for the purposes herein sét
forth and substantially as herein before described and illustrated more parti-
cularly by Figs. 10, 11, and 12, of the appended sheets of drawings.
(3) In ball valve fittings the construction and use of the combined pressure
reducing chamber and deflecting outlet tube or drown pipe for the purposes
herein set forth and substantially as herein before described and illustrated in
the appended sheets of drawings.
(4) In ball valve fittings the combination of the sensitive valve and pressure
reducing and supply deflecting chamber and drown pipe all above claimed, for
facilitating the silent filling of the cistern, substantially as herein before described
and illustrated in the appended sheets of drawings.
(5) In ball valve fittings the combination and arrangement and relative con-
formation of supply pipe 26, stopcock 38, valve 20, and valve seat 35, sleeve or
liner 31, lever and appurtenances 30, reducing chamber 34, and outlet nozzle
or drown pipe 33, for the purposes and in the manner herein before set forth
and substantially as illustrated in the several figures of the appended sheets of
drawings.
1
1
1
1000