Improvements in Water or other Liquid Gauges for Steam or other Fluid Pressure Boilers and Tanks for Holding Liquids under Pressure.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 7th July, 1893-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water or other Liquid Gauges for Steam or other
Fluid Pressure Boilers and Tanks for Holding Liquids under
Pressure.
JAMES ROBINSON of Penryn Cornwall, Engineer and DAVID DONALD of
Penryn Cornwall, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be.
as follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved means for indicating the water or
other liquid level in fluid pressure boilers and tanks for holding liquids and is
applied as follows:
First. In the case of a steam boiler arrangement we propose to attach or
connect to the boiler in any convenient position and manner, preferably in &
vertical position a metallic vessel, tube or pipe having two ports or passages on
its side, which ports or passages are in direct communication with the interior of
the boiler. One passage is connected to the water space of the boiler and will be
referred to hereinafter as the bottom passage or waterway. The other is connected
to the steam space of the boiler and will be referred to hereinafter as the top
passage or steam way. The interior of the vessel, tube or pipe may be of any
form but is preferably cylindrical and is fitted with a float which is constructed of
metal or other suitable material and may be of any convenient form and it is made
an easy working fit in the interior of the vessel, tube or pipe hereinbefore referred
to. The float is fitted with a long stem or needle which stem or needle projects
upwards and is guided by a small hole formed in the top end or head of the
cylindrical tube hereinbefore referred to. The stem of the float is an easy working
fit in the hole in the top of the cylindrical tube. With a view to prevent the
escape of steam, water or vapour to the atmosphere we propose to mount in
suitable fittings a transparent tube, plate or plates in such a manner as will admit
of the movements or action of the float and its stem or needle being observed
as hereinafter described. On the needle or stem near the float can be fixed or
formed a small collar or valve which is intended to prevent any considerable escape
of steam, water or vapour around the said stem, when the transparent tube,
plate or plates is removed or fractured, and the float forced upwards to the top.
of the cylindrical tube by the pressure of the water, steam or vapour or by
mechanical means. We would here point out that it is not essential to use a
transparent tube, plate or plates as. above described when the fluid pressure is low
or nil. At or near the bottom of the cylindrical tube is fitted a tap, cock or
valve and will be referred to hereinafter as the blow out cock. Cocks or stop
valves may also be fitted in the water & steamways after the manner of ordinary
water gauge fittings now in use on steam boilers. The action of our new or.
improved water gauge on steam boilers as herein before described & referred to
will be as follows:-When the boiler is in working trim the water in the
cylindrical tube will be at the same level as the water within the boiler. The
float which will rest on the surface of the water within the cylindrical tube will by
means of its stem indicate the level of the water within both the cylindrical tube
and the boiler and also any variations or rise & fall in such level. With a view.
to prevent the accumulation of foreign matter on the walls of the cylindrical
tube and float, we propose to fit spiral projections or rings on one or both of the
above when such are considered necessary.
Second. We propose to apply our new or improved water gauge to the ordinary
water gauge fittings now in use in the following manner, namely, by replacing
the ordinary glass tube by a metallic one of comparatively large diameter &

page_text: fitting the float and stem therein & also mounting a transparent tube, plate or
plates in suitable fittings on the top of the metallic tube so as to act and indicate
the water level within the boiler as hereinbefore described.
Third. We propose to apply our new or improved water gauge to steam or
fluid pressure boilers & tanks for holding liquids by placing the metallic tube or
pipe & also its ports or passages float, etc. directly within the boiler. The trans-
parent tube, plate or plates & their necessary fittings alone being exposed to view
when the boiler is in working trim.
Fourth. We further propose to mount the transparent tube, plate or plates in
any convenient position relative to the cylindrical tube. An important part of
this, our invention is to admit of the level of the fluid being observed & ascertained
through a transparent tube, plate, or plates and also in the case of these being
fractured (a common occurrence) to prevent the rush of steam water or vapour
which usually takes place and is a source of great inconvenience and risk.
Dated this Twenty-fifth day of November 1892.
JAMES ROBINSON.
DAVID DONALD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water or other Liquid Gauges for Steam or other
Fluid Pressure Boilers and Tanks for Holding Liquids under
Pressure.
We, JAMES ROBINSON of Penryn Cornwall, Engineer and DAVID DONALD of
Penryn Cornwall, 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 :-
Our invention has for its object to provide safe, simple, durable, reliable and
efficient means whereby the level of water in steam boilers or of liquids under
pressure in tanks or vessels can be ascertained the liability of the gauge glass_to
fracture being greatly lessened and if fracture should occur the rush of fluid under
pressure from the boiler, tank or vessel which occurs when ordinary gauge glasses
are fractured will be prevented.
We will refer to the accompanying drawings in describing the nature of our
invention and the manner in which it may be carried out in practice premising that
we do not limit ourselves to the precise details of the examples shewn in the
drawings.
Figure 1 represents in vertical section a gauge constructed according to our
invention arranged entirely outside a boiler and
Figure 1 is a section on the line 1. 2 Figure 1.
Figure 2 shews a vertical section of a similar gauge with only the part at
which the indications are seen arranged outside the boiler.
Figure 3 shews a modification of a gauge constructed according to our invention
and arranged or applied like Figure 1 entirely outside a boiler.
Figure 4 shews a gauge constructed according to our invention and applied to
a boiler end plate, part of the gauge being within and part without the boiler.
This construction may be arranged to work within the boiler having like Figure 2
only the part at which the indications are seen arranged outside the boiler.
Figure 5 shews our invention as applied to a gauge on which a hand or pointer
is caused to turu on an axis and indicate on a curved or circular scale or dial
the level of the fluid in the vessel.
Referring first to Figure 1 A is a metallic vessel or tube connected to the boiler
(part of which is shewn at X) the said vessel or tube having ports or passages a a²
in its side which coincide with holes or passages in the boiler. The lower port or
passage a communicates with the water space of the boiler and the upper port or
passage a communicates with the steam space of the boiler. The interior of the

page_text: vessel or tube A may be of any convenient form in cross section but is preferably
cylindrical. B is a float which is of any suitable form and is made of hollow
metal or other suitable material which will float on water and is an easy fit in the
vessel or tube A. To the said float is secured a long stem or needle b which
may be solid or it may be a hollow tube open at top and perforated at the lower
part to permit steam to pass therethrough. The said stem or needle projects
through a hole a³ in the top or head of the vessel or tube A the said stem or
needle being an easy fit in the said hole so as to prevent any danger of the stem
or needle becoming fixed therein. C is a closed tube or similar vessel made in
whole, or in part, of transparent material such as glass which will permit of the
movements of the stem or needle being observed. It is shewn as a glass tube
secured in the holder e by packings at top and bottom the said holder forming a
protector also for the glass and having a slit in it at c² through which the tube C
can be seen.
On the stem or needle or on the float B may be fixed or formed a collar
or valve 2 which, if the glass of the tube or vessel be fractured or is removed,
will close the opening a³ and prevent any considerable escape of steam or fluid
through the said opening as the float will then be forced upwards so that the said
collar or valve will seat itself against the lower side of the opening a³. A blow
out cock may be fitted at D to the end of the tube or vessel A with the view of
testing the action of the float and also of clearing the tube or vessel A of sediment
for instance. Cocks or stop valves may also be fitted in the water and steam ways
similar to those employed on ordinary water gauge fittings for boilers. Or the
tube or vessel A may be fitted with a liner with holes in it corresponding to the
openings a a² so that by moving the said liner by rotating it, or otherwise, by any
suitable attachment led to outside the tube or vessel A the said holes can be
moved out of coincidence with the openings a a² so as to shut off communication
with the boiler and allow of the float being removed with safety even whilst there
is pressure in the boiler. Figure 2 shews an apparatus similar to that shewn in
Figure 1 but the tube or vessel A is arranged inside the boiler.
In this figure
the parts which correspond with those shewn in Figure 1 are marked with the
same letters of reference. E is a passage leading to the bottom of the tube or
vessel A and screwed at top for the reception of a test cock. In both figures fis
a thrust piece working in a packed glaud to enable the stem or needle 6 to be
forced down after the glass or its equivalent C has been put in place and so move
the valve away from the opening a³. When the apparatus is in operation the
water in the tube or vessel A will be at the same level as that in the boiler and
the float B will rest on the water in the said tube or chamber A and the stem or
needle as seen through the glass or its equivalent C will indicate the level of
water and any variation thereof in the tube or vessel A and consequently in the
boiler. Any suitable part or parts of the gauge may be provided with a scale or
divisions to indicate levels or the needle or stem herein before referred to may
have a scale or divisions thereon and then the glass or transparent part of the
gauge may be so reduced as to admit of say one or two only of the said 'divisions
being seen at one time thereby indicating the position of the float and conse-
quently the level of the water or fluid within the boiler. This is shewn at
Figure 1B.
To prevent accumulation of foreign matter on the walls of the tube or
chamber A and the float B spiral projections or rings or the like may be.
provided on either or both of them to clear off any matter which may tend to
adhere.
Figure 3 shews an apparatus resembling that shewn in Figure 1 but wherein the
metallic vessel or tube A is provided with only one passage or port at or near its
lower end (at a) and connected to the boiler below the normal water level therein
the top passage or port a² being arranged at the top of the glass tube C and
communicating with the steam space of the boiler.
It will be evident that when the said tube is fractured or removed under pressure

page_text: the valve or collar on the stem of the float will by its action only close the exit
from the bottom port or passage a. A stop cock or valve a is fitted in the
passage a' for the double purpose of testing the action of the float and of closing
the top port or passage a². This stop cock may be of the three-way type so as to
allow of the internal part of the gauge being periodically opened to the atmosphere
by the passage as with the view of clearing the gauge and glass of sediment or the
like. Automatic appliances such for example as are at present in use in water
gauges for closing the passage in the event of the glass breaking may be applied to
the top passage in addition to the stop cock or valve a' and scales or divisions as
hereinbefore described may be applied to either the stationary part of the gauge or
to the moveable stem.
Figure 4 shews a gauge constructed according to our invention in which the
doat B is attached to one end of a lever B2 in such a manner as to admit of the
travel of the indicating needle being considerably reduced in proportion to
the movement of the float. In this arrangement we anchor or centre one end
of the lever B2 in such a manner (as by the pin at 63) as will allow the float
to rise and fall. The lever B2 is shewn passing through a slot in the boiler
plate X the said slot being surrounded by a hood or box X2 which is fixed rigidly
and steam tight to the boiler plate. The anchoring or centreing of the lever B² is
effected within this hood or box. A suitable case for the glass tube or its
equivalent is formed with or attached to the hood as shewn. A stem or needle o
resting on the lever B2 and entering the glass tube C is employed to indicate the
position of the float and consequently the water level within the boiler substantially
as hereinbefore described.
A sector rack quadrant or other convenient mechanism may be employed to
convey motion from the float to the needle in place of or in addition to the
lever B².
In the arrangement shewn in Figure 4 the needle will when the glass is fractured,
fly up and the valve or collar 2 will close the opening around the needle leaving
the movement of the float unaffected by such fracture." At or near the top of the
bracket wherein the glass tube is fixed is applied a pusher or stem which is
operated by a screw thread or other suitable means having for its object the double
purpose of testing the action of the float by forcing it under the surface of the
water and allowing it to rise by its buoyancy and also to push the needle or stem
with its valve or collar away from its seat when a new glass has been applied.
This application of our invention may be applied within the boiler as in Figure 2
the part only on which the indications are seen being arranged outside the boiler.
When thus, applied the lever 12 may be extended beyond the pin 63 and a weight
be applied thereto so as to partly balance the float and render it more sensitive
and its action steadier. Scales or divisions as herein before described may be
applied either to the moveable stem or needle or to the stationary part of the
gauge.
In the arrangement Figure 4 the opening a is in the steam space the passage A
through the needle or stem 6 forming (in addition to any space around the
stem or needle) the means by which the steam enters the upper part of the
gauge..
Although we have referred to boilers and water and steam it will be readily
understood that our invention may be used with vessels generally containing fluids
under pressure.
Our invention may be applied to water gauge fittings already on boilers by
replacing the ordinary glass tube by a metallic one preferably of larger diameter
and fitting the float and stem or needle therein and mounting a transparent tube or
its equivalent (such as C) at the top of the metallic tube or vessel A so as to com-
municate therewith as described. The transparent tube or its equivalent may be in
any position relatively to the tube or vessel A provided that it will allow of the
movements derived from the float being indicated within the said transparent tube
or its equivalent C substantially as herein before described.

page_text: For example the float in its movements may cause an index finger contained in
a transparent chamber, (the equivalent of the transparent tube) to be operated in a
circular path over a scale the movement of the float being conveyed to the index
finger in any suitable way.
An arrangement of this kind is shewn in Figure 5 in which A represents the
float chamber and 6 the rod or stem of the float. "This stem passes through a guide
at a³ into the transparent chamber C and is provided with rack teeth gearing
with a pinion d fast on a spindle d' mounted in bearings in the interior of the
chamber C which spindle also carries a hand or pointer d². As the float rises and
falls with the level of the fluid in the chamber A. the spindle d' will be rotated
through the rack teeth on the stem and pinion d and cause the pointer 2 to
travel over a scale of inches which may be marked on the transparent face of the
chamber C or on a dial contained inside the chamber the position to which the
hand or pointer is moved thus indicating on the scale the height in inches of
the fluid in the vessel.
In the arrangement Figure 2 the tube or vessel A may be dispensed with and the
float be so supported and guided that it rests upon and will rise and fall with the
water in the boiler itself the other parts being arranged substantially as herein-
before described.
The floats may be of any suitable description for instance they may be solid or
partly solid working in conjunction with counterbalance weights as mentioned with
regard to Figure 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A gauge for indicating the level of liquids under pressure in boilers or other
vessels the said gauge having a chamber communicating with the interior of the
said boiler or vessel both above and below the liquid therein and containing a float
provided with or actuating a stem or attachment passing into a transparent tube or
chamber in communication or connection with the first named chamber substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. A gauge for indicating the level of liquids under pressure in boilers or other
vessels the said gauge consisting of a float for rising and falling with the liquid and
provided with or actuating a stem or attachment passing through an opening in the
boiler or vessel or attachment thereto and above the level of liquid therein and
communicating with an external transparent tube or chamber through which the
said stem or attachment can be seen substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The several arrangements and combinations of parts constituting the gauges
for the purposes mentioned and as herein before described and shewn in the several
figures of the accompanying drawings.
Dated 1: 71 1
CL 1002
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.