Improvements in Pressure Regulators.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 19th July, 1894-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pressure Regulators.
I, EDWARD ETHEL GOLD, of No. 76 West 82nd Street, in the City, County
and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to regulators for reducing a fluid from a higher to a
lower pressure, and especially to such regulators wherein the valve controlling the
flow is moved directly or indirectly by a diaphragm which receives on one side
the reduced pressure from the eduction side of the valve, and on the other side the
pressure of a spring the tension of which determines the pressure existing on
the eduction side of the valve, this tension being varied by the adjustment of a
screw spindle in order to control at will the reduced pressure determined by the
regulator.
As applied to such regulators my invention provides certain practical improve-
ments the nature of which will be hereinafter fully set forth.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a vertical mid-section of the preferred
form of my improved regulator;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan thereof, the upper set-nut being removed;
Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a modification;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of the upper part of the spindle shown in Fig. 3,
and cut at right angles to the direction of section of the latter figure;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4; and
Fig. 6 is a similar plan view but showing a modified construction.
Let A designate the valve casing, B the induction pipe, and C the eduction
pipe. Within the valve casing is a partition a dividing it into induction and
eduction chambers B and C, and in this partition is formed a valve seat b against
which closes the regulating valve D, which is mounted on a valve-stem E and
receives the upward pressure of a spring c tending to close it.
The valve casing A
is formed with a diaphragm chamber F consisting of two halves or shells A¹
and F bolted together at their margins and clamping between them the
diaphragm G, which may be made of sheet metal or other suitable flexible
material. The chamber F communicates with the eduction chamber C¹ by means
of a restricted opening d through a partition e, this opening being very slightly
larger than the diameter of the stem E which passes through it, so that a slight
leak is left around the stem for the passage of steam between the eduction chamber
and the diaphragm chamber. On the top of the stem E is mounted a disc or
head H, which is held pressed against the under side of the diaphragm by the
tension of the spring c. On the upper side of the diaphragm is another disc or
head I, which is formed with a tubular upward extension I forming within it a
socket f, and in this socket the lower end of the regulator spring S is seated.
This spring extends up within a chamber J, and its upper end presses against the
enlarged head K' of a plunger K. The upper end of the chamber J has a screw-
threaded opening through which passes a screw spindle L, the threads of which
screw up or down in the opening when the spindle is turned by its handle L'.
Within the spindle L, which is made tubular, is an adjusting screw M whose
threads engage internal threads in the spindle, and whose lower end receives the
upward thrust of the plunger K. On the spindle L is screwed a nut or cap N,
which serves the double function of concealing the screw M and holding the
handle L' in place on the screw spindle. When the screw spindle L is adjusted up

page_text: or down by turning the handle L', it is clamped in position by a lock-nut P, which
is provided with a handle P¹ for convenience in turning it.
The induction pipe B being connected to a steam boiler or other reservoir of
fluid under pressure, and the eduction pipe C being connected to a point at which
it is desired to use the fluid at a lower pressure, the regulator serves to choke back
The
the flow of fluid sufficiently to reduce its pressure to the required extent.
spring S being adjusted to the proper tension to accomplish this result, exerts a
downward pressure upon the disc I, and consequently upon the diaphragm G, which
pressure is communicated through the disc H and stem E to the valve D, and
serves to press the valve open whenever the pressure on the eduction side of the
valve falls below that pressure to which the regulator is set. As the valve is
opened and steam passes through it and increases the pressure in the eduction
chamber, steam flows from the latter through the space d into the diaphragm
chamber F, and exerts an upward pressure upon the diaphragm until this upward
pressure is sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring and press the diaphragm
upwardly, whereupon the spring c will press the valve D upward against or nearer
its seat, thereby choking back the steam and correspondingly reducing the pressure.
As the pressure on the eduction side of the valve falls, the spring again presses
down the diaphragm and opens the valve, so that by a balancing of the downward
pressure of the spring and the upward pressure of the steam, the regulator is caused
to admit steam through the valve with just sufficient rapidity to keep up the
pressure beyond it to that which is required.
It will be observed that the diaphragm is a complete disc without perforations,
so that there can be no leakage of steam through it into the chamber J, where
the steam would rust the spring S and would be liable to escape around the
spindle L. The diaphragm is also stronger than if perforated to admit the passage
of the valve-stem up through it. The disc is held in place by its tubular
socket I, which engages the lower portion of the spring S, the spring being
guided by the walls of the chamber J so that it is held in central position. The
diaphragm is clamped between the discs I and H, and to an extent proportional to the
tension of the spring c. To prevent injury of the diaphragm by an excessive upward
pressure of steam, the disc I is made with its tubular portion I' projecting upward
beneath the bottom of the chamber J to within a suitable distance from a shoulder g
formed thereon, so that when the upper pressure has distorted the diaphragm to
a certain extent, this tubular portion strikes this shoulder and is stopped thereby.
This contact of course occurs after the valve D is fully seated, as otherwise it would
interfere with the seating of the valve. When thus stopped the disc I forms a
broad support for the central portion of the diaphragm and protects it from
injury. The tension of the spring is adjustable by screwing up or down a
lower cap or plug against which this spring is seated. This cap closes the lower
side of the valve casing, and has a chamber which constitutes a guide for the
lower end of the valve stem. By removing this plug the valve D and valve-stem
may be withdrawn downwardly, the valve-stem, being drawn out of the socket in
the disc H.
In the use of the regulator the pressure on the eduction side is determined by
turning the handle L' to right or left and thereby screwing the spindle L up or
To increase
down, whereby the tension of the spring S is increased or diminished.
the pressure, the spindle is screwed down to increase the tension of the spring S,
and vice versa.
The maximum pressure is limited by the under side k of the boss of
the handle L striking the upper side of the nut P, thereby constituting a downward
stop, while the minimum pressure is determined by the upper side of a flange l
on the spindle L striking the upper end of the chamber J. This last provision
is chiefly useful, however, to prevent the accidental withdrawing of the spindle.
For many uses it is desirable to be able to limit the maximum pressure which
may exist on the eduction side of the regulator. For example, as applied to the
steam heating of railway cars, such regulators are used on the engine to reduce the
boiler pressure, which is usually upwards of one hundred pounds per square inch,

page_text: to a pressure of ordinarily from twenty to thirty pounds. In such case it is necessary
at times to increase the pressure in order to more rapidly warm up the cars in cold
weather, but an increase of pressure to above fifty pounds or thereabouts is hazardous
because of the liability of bursting the lengths of rubber hose which connect the
steam pipes from car to car. It is consequently desirable to be able to so
adjust the regulator that the maximum pressure cannot exceed for example
fifty pounds or other predetermined limit. My invention provides a means for
accomplishing this result. By screwing down the spindle L until stopped by the
shoulder, and then (the nut or cap N being removed) screwing down the adjusting
screw M until the spring S is brought to such a tension as will give the desired
maximum fluid pressure on the eduction side of the regulator, and replacing the
nut or cap N, the regulator is so set that it can never be adjusted by the handle L¹ to
admit the passage of higher pressure than the maximum pressure thus determined,
although by screwing up the spindle L it may be adjusted to regulate the lower
pressures within any range or to any minimun for which it is constructed,
(depending upon the stiffness of the spring S and the length of the spindle L).
My invention thus provides a means for adjusting the tension of the spring S
relatively to the usual adjusting spindle L, or in other words, for adjusting the
initial or maximum tension of the spring independent of the adjustment which is
employed in the ordinary use of the regulator. This initial adjustment is effected
by the adjusting-screw M.
In order to lock the internal adjusting screw to the spindle L so as to insure its
turning therewith and prevent any friction between its lower end and the
plunger K from holding it stationary while the spindle L is turned, in which case
the initial adjustment would be impaired, I provide some means for fastening the
screw M to the spindle L so that both shall be compelled to turn together. This
may be accomplished in various ways. I prefer the construction shown in Figs. 1
and 2, wherein the screw M is in full view, and serves in addition to its function as
an adjusting screw, the purpose of contributing to the attachment of the handle L¹
to the screw spindle L. The handle L' has a square, hexagonal or other polygonal
socket which fits over the correspondingly shaped upper end of the spindle L,
while the screw M projects considerably above the top thereof to a distance
dependent of course upon the adjustinent of the screw for determining the initial
tension of the spring S. Over the upwardly projecting end of the screw M is
screwed a nut or cap N having internal threads engaging external threads on
the screw M, and which when screwed down to its place seats against the upper
surface of the socket portion of the handle L', so that this nut on being tightened
serves to hold the handle down firmly in place on the screw spindle. At the same
time the nut N serves to lock the screw M firmly in place and prevent any
pessibility of the adjustment being accidentally altered by reason of the turning of
the screw spindle L which carries the screw M, so that the end of the latter
rotates relatively to the plunger K, which normally remains stationary by reason
of its contact with the spring S. This relative rotation tends to turn the screw M
relatively to the spindle L and thereby to screw it up or down as the case may be,
and consequently to affect the adjustment of the maximum limit of pressure. To
prevent this possibility according to the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I impose
upon the nut the double function of locking fast the screw M, and of tightly clamping
the handle L' in place on the screw spindle.
Another feature of my present invention is the provision of a water seal Q
between the diaphragm chamber F and the eduction chamber C₁ for the purpose
of preventing the "chattering" of the regulator valve. It is well known that in
diaphragm valves there is a liability to rapid vibration or seating and unseating of
the valve, due as is believed to the opening of the valve admitting the steam
pressure against the diaphragm which presses it up to close the valve, whereupon
by the escape of this pressure the diaphragm is forced down by the spring, thereby
opening the valve and admitting another influx of steam, and causing a repetition
of the former effect, the opening and closing movements of the valve thus

page_text: following in rapid succession. My present invention entirely obviates this
difficulty by cutting off the diaphragm chamber from direct communication
with the steam or other fluid admitted past the valve, while preserving sufficient
indirect communication to retain the diaphragm under proper control of the steam
on the eduction side of the regulator. To this end I preferably construct the
disc H with a downwardly projecting annular flange , which enters an annular
groove or trough i formed in the upper side of the partition e, which is interposed
between the diaphragm chamber and the eduction chamber C¹. The flange h
projects sufficiently down into the groove to form a water seal, which in use is
quickly filled with water by condensation of the steam which passes up the
passage d into the chamber F, and which as it condenses runs back down the
inclined lower side of this chamber and collects in the groove i. In course of
time it is believed that the condensation will entirely fill the chamber F with
condensed water to the effect shown in the drawing. This result is believed
to be due to the fact that as the steam which first fills the chamber F condenses,
its place is taken by more steam ascending into the chamber, while the condensation
water collecting in the seal Q, in connection with the pressure in the chamber C¹
beneath, prevents the running out of the condensed water that accumulates, and
steam continues to ascend to take the place of that which is contracted by
condensation, until eventually the chamber F becomes filled with water. The
result is that a fluid brake is applied to the under side of the diaphragm to impede
any sudden movements thereof, so that the movements of the diaphragm are reduced
to comparatively slow or gradual movements, sufficiently rapid however for all
practical purposes in maintaining a uniform pressure on the eduction side of
the regulator. The pressure of steam in the chamber C₁ consequently acts
upwardly through the passage d upon the water on the inner side of the annular
flange h, pressing downwardly thereupon, and this pressure is communicated
through the body of water, so that an equal upward pressure is imparted to the
diaphragm.
This construction has been demonstrated by extended practical use to effectually
prevent all chattering of the regulator valve, a difficulty which prior to the
adoption of this improvement had proven highly objectionable and annoying
because of the noise produced, and the injury to the valve seat and the diaphragm
resulting from the rapid vibration or pounding. My invention is to be distin-
guished from a construction wherein the diaphragm is located beneath the
valve, in a pocket or chamber which becomes filled with water on both sides
of the diaphragm, and which has no water seal or trap, or circuitous passage,
between the diaphragm chamber and valve. In such a construction if the
regulator is disused in cold weather it is liable to be damaged by the freezing
of the imprisoned water, whereas with my construction if freezing occur the
diaphragm will be simply deflected upwardly, compressing the spring, and doing
no harın.
In my improved pressure regulator when employed for use with gases or
vapors which are not condensible, as compressed air for example, I propose to make
the liquid seal Q somewhat deeper as may be necessary, and fill it with an initial
charge of water, oil, glycerine, or other suitable liquid. When the regulator is
used for regulating water pressure, the function of the water column involved
in its circuitous flow through the seal Q, serves the same purpose as when the
regulator is used with steam and the seal is filled with condensed water, as already
described.
It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise details of
construction or arrangement set forth and shown as its preferred form, as these may
be modified in certain respects without departing from the essential features of the
invention. For example, the liquid seal Q may be constructed in several different
ways, its precise construction not being essential. In Fig. 3 is shown a modification
wherein the seal is constructed by a cup i fastened to and carried by the valve
stem E and entered by a downwardly projecting flange / formed integrally with the

page_text: dividing partition e. The cup is small enough to pass through the valve-seat b
in order to permit the taking out of the valve when the lower cap j is removed. In
this construction of seal it is the annular channel carrying the liquid that moves up
and down with the diaphragm, whereas in the former construction it is the annular
pendent flange h that is movable.
Other means for locking the screw M may be employed. In the construction
shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the adjusting screw, here lettered M', is concealed from
view, and its presence is unknown to the engineer or other person who ordinarily
uses the regulator. In this construction a screw cap, lettered N', covers the upper
end of the screw and appears externally to be merely the usual screw cap for holding
down the handle L', and there is no occasion for the operator ever removing this
cap. Even if he were to remove it, there would be no liability of his tampering
with the internal screw.
In this construction I provide the screw with a deep nick or slot, which may be
turned by a screwdriver, and I provide a key or flat plate of metal m adapted to
drop into this slot, and I provide vertical notches m² within the upper end of the
spindle L, the key in being wide enough so that when thrust down into the slot its
sides shall enter these notches. In adjusting the screw it is brought with its slot
into coincidence with two opposite notches, and the key is then slipped down
so that it engages both the notches and the slot and thereby prevents the screw
from turning relatively to the spindle. By theu screwing down the cap N', the
key m is prevented from being displaced, since it is held down in position by the
The notch in the screw head is made deep enough to allow for the necessary
up or down adjustment of the screw, the key m in any adjustment of the screw
being pressed down into the notches m' until it rests upon the bottoms thereof.
Fig. 6 shows a modified fastening consisting of a pin n entering half into a
notch in one side of the screw and half into one of a series of notches n¹ n¹ formed
within the spindle L. By screwing down the cap N' this pin is kept from
working out.
cap.
In case of the accidental bursting of the diaphragm there would be no damaging
escape of steam, since the steam would be confined in the chamber J and could only
leak out in minute quantities around the threads of the spindle L.
Dated this 26th day of October 1893.
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.
Improvements in Pressure Regulators.
I, EDWARD ETHEL GOLD, of Number 76 West 82nd Street, in the City,
County and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer,
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 :-
This invention relates to regulators for reducing a fluid from a higher to a lower
pressure, and especially to such regulators wherein the valve controlling the flow is
moved directly or indirectly by a diaphragm which receives on one side the
reduced pressure from the eduction side of the valve, and on the other side the
pressure of a spring the tension of which determines the pressure existing on
the eduction side of the valve, this tension being varied by the adjustment of a
screw spindle in order to control at will the reduced pressure determined by the
regulator.
As applied to such regulators my invention provides certain practical improve-
ments the nature of which will be hereinafter fully set forth.

page_text: Fig. 1 of the drawings left with my Provisional Specification is a vertical mid-
section of the preferred form of my improved regulator;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan thereof, the upper set-nut being removed;
Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a modification;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of the upper part of the spindle shown in Fig. 3,
and cut at right angles to the direction of section of the latter figure;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4; and
Fig. 6 is a similar plan view but showing a modified construction.
Let A designate the valve casing, B the induction pipe, and C the eduction pipe.
Within the valve casing is a partition a dividing it into induction and eduction
chambers B and C, and in this partition is formed a valve seat against which
closes the regulating valve D, which is mounted on a valve-stem E and receives
the upward pressure of a spring c tending to close it. The valve casing A is formed
with a diaphragm chamber F consisting of two halves or shells A' and F¹ bolted
together at their margins and elamping between them the diaphragm G, which may
be made of sheet metal or other suitable flexible material. The chamber F com-
municates with the eduction chamber C¹ by means of a restricted opening & through
a partition e, this opening being very slightly larger than the diameter of the
stem E which passes through it, so that a slight leak is left around the stem
for the passage of steam between the eduction chamber and the diaphragm
chamber. On the top of the stem E is mounted a disk or head H, which is
held pressed against the under side of the diaphragm by the tension of the
spring c. On the upper side of the diaphragm is a similar disk or head I, which
is formed with a tubular upward extension I forming within it a socket f, and in
this socket the lower end of the regulator spring S is seated. This spring extends
within a chamber J, and its upper end presses against the enlarged head K' of a
plunger K. The upper end of the chamber J has a screw threaded opening through
which passes a screw spindle L, the threads of which screw up or down in the
opening when the spindle is turned by its handle L'. Within the spindle L, which
is made tubular, is an adjusting screw M whose threads engage internal threads
in the spindle, and whose lower end receives the upward thrust of the plunger K.
On the screw M is screwed a nut or cap N, which serves the double function of
locking fast the screw M and holding the handle L¹ in place on the screw
spindle L. When the screw spindle L is adjusted up or down by turning the
handle L', it is clamped in position by a lock-nut P, which is provided with a
handle P for convenience in turning it.
up
The
The induction pipe B being connected to a steam boiler or other reservoir of
fluid under pressure, and the eduction pipe C being connected to a point at which it
is desired to use the fluid at a lower pressure, the regulator serves to choke back
the flow of fluid sufficiently to reduce its pressure to the required extent.
spring S being adjusted to the proper tension to accomplish this result, exerts a
downward pressure upon the disk I, and consequently upon the diaphragm G,
which pressure is communicated through the disk H and stem E to the valve D,
and serves to press the valve open whenever the pressure on the eduction side of
the valve falls below that pressure to which the regulator is set.
As the valve is
opened and steam passes through it and increases the pressure in the eduction
chamber, steam flows from the latter through the space d into the diaphragm
chamber F, and exerts an upward pressure upon the diaphragm until this upward
pressure is sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring and press the diaphragm
upwardly, whereupon the spring c will press the valve D upward against or nearer its
seat, thereby choking back the steam and correspondingly reducing the pressure. As
the pressure on the eduction side of the valve falls, the spring again presses down
the diaphragm and opens the valve, so that by a balancing of the downward
pressure of the spring and the upward pressure of the steam, the regulator is caused
to admit steam through the valve with just sufficient rapidity to keep up the
pressure beyond it to that which is required.
It will be observed that the diaphragm is a complete disk without perforations, so

page_text: that there can be no leakage of steam through it into the chamber J, where the
steam would rust the spring S and would be liable to escape around the spindle L.
The diaphragm is also stronger than if perforated to admit the passage of the
valve-stem up through it. The disk I is held in place by its tubular socket I*,
which engages the lower portion of the spring S, the spring being guided by the
walls of the chamber J so that it is held in central position. The diaphragm is
clamped between the disks I and H, with a strength proportional to the tension of
the spring c. To prevent injury of the diaphragm by an excessive upward pressure
of steam, the disk I is made with its tubular portion I' projecting upward beneath
the bottom of the chamber J to within a suitable distance from a shoulder g formed
thereon, so that when the upper pressure has distorted the diaphragm to a certain
extent, this tubular portion strikes this shoulder and is stopped thereby. This con-
tact of course occurs after the valve D is fully seated, as otherwise it would
interfere with the seating of the valve. When thus stopped the disk I forms a
broad support for the central portion of the diaphragm and protects it from injury.
The spring e reacts against a lower cap or plug j, and if desired its tension might
be made adjustable by screwing this plug up or down. This cap or plug closes the
lower side of the valve casing, and has a chamber which constitutes a guide for
the lower end of the valve stem. By removing this plug the valve D and valve-
stem may be withdrawn downwardly, the valve-stem being drawn out of the socket
in the disk H.
vice versa.
In the use of the regulator the pressure on the eduction side is determined by
turning the handle L' to right or left and thereby screwing the spindle L up or
down, whereby the tension of the spring S is increased or diminished. To increase
the pressure, the spindle is screwed down to increase the tension of the spring S, and
The maximum pressure is limited by the under side k of the boss of the
handle L striking the upper side of the nut P, thereby constituting a downward
stop, while the minimum pressure is determined by the upper side of a flange on
the spindle L striking the upper end of the chamber J. This last provision is
chiefly useful, however, to prevent the accidental withdrawing of the spindle.
For many uses it is desirable to be able to limit the maximum pressure which
may exist on the eduction side of the regulator. For example, as applied to the
steam heating of railway cars, such regulators are used on the engine to reduce the
boiler pressure, which is usually upwards of one hundred pounds per square inch,
to a pressure of ordinarily from twenty to thirty pounds. In such case it is
necessary at times to increase the pressure in order to more rapidly warm up the
cars in cold weather, but an increase of pressure to above fifty pounds or there-
abouts is hazardous because of the liability of bursting the lengths of indiarubber
hose which connect the steam pipes from car to car. It is consequently desirable
to be able to so adjust the regulator that the maximum pressure cannot exceed for
example fifty pounds or other predetermined limit. My invention provides a
means for accomplishing this result. By screwing down the spindle L until
stopped by the shoulder k, and then (the nut N being slackened or removed)
screwing down the adjusting screw M until the spring S is brought to such a
tension as will give the desired maximum fluid pressure on the eduction side of the
regulator, and replacing or retightening the nut N, the regulator is so set that it
can never be adjusted by the handle L to admit the passage of higher pressure
than the maximum pressure thus determined, although by screwing up the spindle L
it may be adjusted to regulate to lower pressures within any range or to any
minimum for which it is constructed (depending upon the stiffness of the spring S
and the length of the spindle L). My invention thus provides a
adjusting the tension of the spring S relatively to the usual adjusting spindle L, or
in other words, for adjusting the initial or maximum tension of the spring
independent of the adjustment which is employed in the ordinary use of the
regulator. This initial adjustment is effected by the adjusting-screw M.
means for
In order to lock the internal adjusting screw to the spindle L so as to insure its
turning therewith and prevent any friction between its lower end and the

page_text: plunger K from holding it stationary while the spindle L is turned, in which case
the initial adjustment would be impaired, I provide some means for fastening the
screw M to the spindle L so that both shall be compelled to turn together. This
may be accomplished in various ways. I prefer the construction shown in
Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the screw M is exposed to view, and serves in addition to
its function as an adjusting screw, the purpose of contributing to the attachment of
the handle L' to the screw spindle L. The handle L' has a square, hexagonal or
other suitably shaped socket which fits over the correspondingly shaped upper end
of the spindle L, while the screw M projects considerably above the top thereof
to a distance dependent of course upon the adjustment of the screw for
determining the initial tension of the spring S. Over the upwardly projecting end
of the screw M is screwed a nut or cap N having internal threads engaging
external threads on the screw M, and which when screwed down to its place seats
against the upper surface of the socket portion of the handle L', so that this nut
on being tightened serves to hold the handle down firmly in place on the screw
spindle. At the same time the nut N serves to lock the screw M firmly in place
and prevent any possibility of the adjustment being accidentally altered by reason of
the turning of the screw spindle L which carries the screw M, so that the end of
the latter rotates relatively to the plunger K, which normally remains stationary
by reason of its contact with the spring S. This relative rotation tends to turn
the screw M relatively to the spindle L and thereby to screw it up or down as the
case may be, and consequently to affect the adjustment of the maximum limit of
pressure. To prevent this possibility according to the construction shown in
Figs. 1 and 2, impose upon the nut the double function of locking fast the
screw M and of tightly clamping the handle L' in place on the screw spindle.
I
Another feature of my present invention is the provision of a water seal Q
between the diaphragm chamber F and the eduction chamber C' for the purpose
of preventing the "chattering" of the regulator valve. It is well known that in
diaphragm valves there is a liability to rapid vibration or seating and unseating of
the valve, due as is believed to the opening of the valve admitting the steam.
pressure against the diaphragm which presses it up to close the valve, whereupon
by the escape of this pressure the diaphragm is, forced down by the spring,
thereby opening the valve and admitting another influx of steam, and causing a
repetition of the former effect, the opening and closing movements of the valve
thus following in rapid succession. My present invention entirely obviates this
difficulty by cutting off the diaphragm chamber from direct communication with
the steam or other fluid admitted past the valve, while preserving sufficient indirect
communication to retain the diaphragm under proper control of the steam on the
eduction side of the regulator. To this end I preferably construct the disk H
with a downwardly projecting annular flange h, which enters an annular groove or
trough i formed in the upper side of the partition e, which is interposed between
the diaphragm chamber F and the eduction chamber C. The flange / projects
sufficiently down into the groove to form a water seal, which in use is quickly
filled with water by condensation of the steam which passes up the passage d into
the chamber F, and which as it condenses runs back down the inclined lower side
of this chamber and collects in the groove i. It is found that in use the
condensation thus fills or nearly fills the chamber F with condensed water to the
effect shown in the drawing. This result is believed to be due to the fact that as
the steam which first fills the chamber F condenses, its place is taken by more
steam ascending into the chamber, and the condensation water collecting in the
seal Q, is held by the pressure in the chamber C₁ beneath, which prevents the
running out of the condensed water that accumulates, and steam continues to
ascend to take the place of that which is contracted by condensation, until
eventually the chamber F becomes filled with water. The result is that a fluid
brake is applied to the under side of the diaphragm to impede any sudden
movements thereof, so that the movements of the diaphragm are reduced to
comparatively slow or gradual movements, sufficiently rapid however for all

page_text: practical purposes in maintaining a uniform pressure on the eduction side of the
regulator. The pressure of steam in the chamber C' consequently acts upwardly
through the passage d upon the water on the inner side of the annular flange h,
pressing downwardly thereupon, and this pressure is communicated through the
body of water, so that an equal upward pressure is imparted to the diaphragm.
This construction has been demonstrated by extended practical use to effectually
prevent all chattering of the regulator valve, a difficulty which prior to the
adoption of this improvement had proven highly objectionable and annoying
because of the noise produced, and the injury to the valve seat and the diaphragm
resulting from the rapid vibration or pounding. My invention is to be distinguished
from a construction wherein the diaphragm is located beneath the valve, in a pocket
or chamber which becomes filled with water on both sides of the diaphragm, and
which has no water seal or trap, or circuitous passage, between the diaphragm
chamber and valve. In such a construction if the regulator is disused in cold
weather it is liable to be damaged by the freezing of the imprisoned water, whereas
with my construction if freezing occur the diaphragm will be simply deflected
upwardly, compressing the spring, and doing no harm.
In my improved pressure regulator when employed for use with gases or vapors
which are not condensible, as compressed air for example, I propose to make the
liquid seal Q somewhat deeper as may be necessary, and fill it with an initial
charge of water, oil, glycerine, or other suitable liquid. When the regulator is
used for regulating water pressure, the function of the water column involved in its
circuitous flow through the seal Q, serves the same purpose as when the regulator
is used with steam and the seal is filled with condensed water, as already described.
It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise details of
construction or arrangement set forth and shown as its preferred form, as these may
be modified in certain respects without departing from the essential features of the
invention. For example, the liquid seal may be constructed in several different
ways, its precise construction not being essential. In Fig. 3 is shown a modification
wherein the seal is constructed by a cup ¹ fastened to and carried by the valve
stem E and entered by a downwardly projecting flange formed integrally with
the dividing partition e. The cup is small enough to pass through the valve-
seat 6 in order to permit the taking out of the valve when the lower cap jis
removed. In this construction of seal it is the annular channel carrying the liquid
that moves up and down with the diaphragm, whereas in the former construction it
is the annular pendent flange that is movable.
Other means for locking the screw M may be employed. In the construction
shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the adjusting screw, here lettered M¹ is concealed from
view, and its presence is unknown to the engineer or other person who ordinarily
uses the regulator. In this construction a screw cap, lettered N' covers the upper
end of the screw and appears externally to be merely the usual screw cap for
holding down the handle L', and there is no occasion for the operator ever to
remove this cap. Even if he were to remove it, there would be no liability of his
tampering with the internal screw.
In this construction I provide the screw with a deep nick or slot, which may be
turned by a screwdriver, and I provide a key or flat plate of metal m adapted to
drop into this slot, and I provide vertical notches m' within the upper end of the
spindle L, the key m being wide enough so that when thrust down into the slot its sides
shall enter these notches. In adjusting the screw it is brought with its slot into
coincidence with two opposite notches, and the key is then slipped down so that it
engages both the notches and the slot and thereby prevents the screw from turning
relatively to the spindle. By then screwing down the cap N', the key m is prevented
from being displaced, since it is held down in position by the cap. The notch in the
screw head is made deep enough to allow for the necessary up or down adjustment
of the screw, the key m in any adjustment of the screw being pressed down into the
notches m' until it rests upon the bottoms thereof. Fig. 6 shows a inodified fastening
consisting of a pin n entering half into a notch in one side of the screw and half
B

page_text: into one of a series of notches n' n' formed within the spindle L. By screwing
down the cap N' this pin is kept from working out.
In case of the accidental bursting of the diaphragm there would be no damaging
escape of steam, since the steam would be confined in the chamber J and could only
leak out in minute quantities around the threads of the spindle L.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a pressure regulator wherein the pressure is determined by a diaphragm
acting upon the valve, said diaphragm arranged above the valve and receiving on
one side a regulating tension and having on the other side a chamber communicating
with the eduction side of the valve, the combination therewith as a means for
preventing chattering, of a liquid seal beneath the diaphragm chamber and between
it and the chamber or passage on the eduction side of the valve, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
2. In a pressure regulator wherein the pressure is determined by a diaphragm
acting upon the valve, said diaphragm arranged above the valve and receiving on
one side a regulating tension and having on the other side a chamber communicating
with the eduction side of the valve, the combination therewith as a means for
preventing chattering. of a liquid seal Q beneath the diaphragm chamber and
between it and the chamber or passage on the eduction side of the valve, consisting
of two parts the one stationary and the other movable with the diaphragm, the one
part being a downwardly projecting annular flange and the other part formed with
an annular channel entered by said flange and adapted to hold liquid, substantially
as herein before described.
3. The combination to form a pressure regulator of a shell A, divided by a
partition a, having a valve-seat b, into eduction and induction chambers, and formed
with a diaphragm chamber F, and with an intervening partition e having an opening d
through it for the passage of a valve stem, and an annular channel i around said
opening, a valve D and its stem E, the latter passing up through said opening into
said diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm G having an annular flange h projecting
downwardly into said channel i to form the liquid seal Q, and a spring $ pressing
on the opposite side and tending to open the valve, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown.
4. A pressure regulator comprising a casing and valve-seat, a regulating valve,
a diaphragm in communication with the eduction side thereof connected to the
valve, a spring pressing against the diaphragm in direction tending to open the
valve, a screw-spindle for adjusting at will the tension of said spring to vary
the pressure determined by the regulator, an interposed adjusting screw for
varying the initial tension of the spring relatively to said spindle, and a stop for
limiting the screwing down of the spindle, whereby the maximum pressure of fluid
to which the regulator is adjustable by said spindle may be determined in setting
the regulator, substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. A pressure regulator comprising a casing and valve-seat, a regulating valve, a
diaphragm in communication with the eduction side thereof connected to the valve,
a spring pressing against the diaphragm in direction tending to open the valve, a
screw spindle for adjusting at will the tension of the spring to vary the pressure
determined by the regulator, a stop for limiting the screwing down of the spindle,
and an adjusting screw within the spindle, engaging threads therein and receiving
the tension of the spring and transmitting it to the spindle, whereby the initial
tension of the spring relatively to the spindle may be adjusted to limit the
maximum pressure of fluid that may pass the regulator, substantially as herein-
before described.
6. A pressure regulator comprising a casing and valve-seat, a regulating valve, a
diaphragm in communication with the eduction side thereof connected to the valve,
a spring pressing against the diaphragm in direction tending to open the valve, a

page_text: screw-spindle for adjusting at will the tension of said spring to vary the pressure
determined by the regulator, and an adjusting screw enclosed within the spindle,
engaging threads therein and receiving the tension of the spring, and a lock for
fixing said adjusting screw, substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. A pressure regulator comprising a casing A and valve-seat, a regulating
valve D, a diaphragm G in communication with the eduction side thereof
connected to the valve, a spring S pressing against the diaphragm in direction
tending to open the valve, a screw-spindle L having a handle by which to turn it
and constructed for adjusting at will the tension of the spring to vary the pressure
determined by the regulator, an interposed adjusting screw M engaging threads
within the spindle, and receiving the tension of the spring and transmitting said
tension to the spindle, whereby the connection between the spring and spindle may
be adjusted to vary the initial tension of the spring, and a cap nut N¹ (Fig. 3) for
enclosing and concealing said adjusting screw, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown.
8. In a pressure regulator wherein the pressure is determined by the tension of a
spring S pressing against a diaphragm G for controlling the opening of a valve,
and the tension of said spring is varied at will by turning a screw spindle L, the
combination therewith of an adjusting screw M which receives the pressure of said
spring and communicates it to said spindle, the said screw screwing into said
spindle and projecting above the top thereof, and a nut N screwing on said screw M
and tightening against the top of said spindle for locking said screw to the spindle
to prevent its turning therein and impairing the adjustment, substantially as herein-
before described and shown.
9. In a pressure regulator wherein the pressure is determined by the tension of a
spring S pressing against a diaphragm G for controlling the opening of a valve,
and the tension of said spring is varied at will by turning a screw spindle L having
a handle L' fitted on its upper end, the combination therewith of an adjusting
screw M which receives the pressure of said spring and communicates it to said
spindle, the said screw screwing into said spindle and projecting above the top
thereof, and a nut N screwing on the projecting portion of said screw and bearing
down against said handle L', whereby it locks the screw M fast in the spindle and
locks the handle L¹ fast to the spindle, substantially as hereinbefore described
and shown.
10. A pressure regulator comprising a casing and valve-seat, a regulating valve D.
its stem E, the diaphragm G, the spring S pressing against the diaphragm and
tending to open the valve, a plunger K receiving the opposite reaction of the
spring, an adjusting screw spindle L, and an adjusting screw M screwing in said
spindle and receiving the thrust of said plunger, whereby the thrust of the spring
is transmitted to the spindle L through the plunger K and screw M, substantially
as hereinbefore described and shown.
11. In a pressure regulator having an imperforate diaphragm, the combination
of valve-casing A A and spring chamber J, the latter formed with a stop
shoulder g, imperforate diaphragm G, a regulating valve with its stem bearing
against one side of said diaphragm, a regulating spring S inclosed in and guided by
said spring chamber, and a disk I resting loosely against the opposite side of the
diaphragm and having a tubular portion l' arranged to abut against said shoulder g
I¹
after the seating of the valve to limit the further distortion of the diaphragm, and
formed with a chamber f receiving and fitting the lower portion of said spring,
whereby the spring holds the disk I centrally in place against the diaphragm with
its portion I in position to engage said shoulder, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown.
12. In a pressure regulator, the combination with the valve-casing, the
imperforate diaphragm G, and the valve D, having its stem bearing against one
side thereof, of a disk I resting loosely against the other side thereof, the helical
spring S pressing against the diaphragm through said disk, and a cylindrical
spring-chamber for said spring formed partially in the casing at J and partially in

page_text: said disk at f, so that the spring by being inclosed within and engaging the walls of
said chamber serves to hold the loose disk in place centrally against the diaphragm,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown.
Dated the 19th day of July 1894.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.