IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOP- STAY WIG
Year: 1881

page_text: IETTERS PATENT to John Addy Hopkinson and Joseph Hopkinson, both of
the Firm of J. Hopkinson & Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York,
Engineers, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOP-
STAY WIG"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Addy Hopkinson
and Joseph Hopkinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
20th October 1881.
JOHN ADDY HOPKINSON and JOSEPH HOPKINSON, both of the Firm of
J. Hopkinson & Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Engineers.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOP VALVES."
Our said Invention relates to stop valves of that class in which the valve proper
or cover is formed with two parallel faces which slide upon seats surrounding and
extending from the inlet and outlet apertures of the valve-box or casing.
Heretofore these stop valves have usually been so constructed that the slide or
cover in opening or closing the valve is moved vertically by means of a screw,
and is provided with special means for keeping the valve tight when closed, and
where the slide or cover consists of two separate pieces they have been provided
with wedges or similar devices for forcing the two parts of the slide up to their
seats, and for relaxing the pressure on the valve or cover to permit the same to be
easily drawn up by the screw.
All of these stop valves are subject to the objection that in opening the valve
the slide for well known reasons has to be separated from the seat or surface on
which it works, so that a space is left between the two surfaces which permit the
entrance of sediment or particles of dirt, or any substance that may be contained
in or deposited from the fluid which passes through the valve. The presence of
this substance or body between the slide and the seat will prevent the proper
closing of the valve, and although the pressure may be applied by means of the
wedges or other devices, the valve will leak.
But according to our present Invention we obviate this difficulty and provide a
stop-valve, which is simple of construction, easy to manipulate and keep in order,
and which will be free from all liability to leakage.

page_text: The said Invention consists chiefly in the combination of two discs or plates,
with a spring or springs placed between them in such a manner that the slide or
valve faces are held to their seats with an elastic pressure, and no wedges or other
like devices are necessary for tightening the valve when closed. We prefer to form
one of the said discs with a socket which receives a stem or stud on the other disc,
so that the two discs, though connected, are free to act under the influence of the
aforesaid spring or springs.
We prefer to use a spiral spring, but any other suitable spring may be
employed.
The employment of a spring as above described as an agent for keeping the
valve slides or covers in contact with the seats or surfaces on which they work
ensures a free and smooth working of the said slide faces to and fro upon the same,
and as the disc faces are never separated from the said seats or surfaces, and the
said discs are free to turn on their axis, it will be obviously impossible for any
sediment or dirt to collect or remain between the slide or disc faces and the seats.
All difficulties arising from heat and pressure are avoided, and the valve will work
as freely when heated and under pressure as when cold and free from pressure.
Moreover as the pressure on the discs can never be greater than that due to the
spring or to the pressure of the fluid, the tight working of the valve will be
effected with comparatively slight friction.
For effecting the vertical movements of the said valve or slide we prefer to use
a screw formed or provided with a hoop or collar to fit over the said spring; this
screw extends upward into a screw socket in a spindle, which passes up through
a stuffing box, and is provided at its upper end with a hand wheel or handle for
turning the said spindle, and thereby opening and closing the valve.
Or we may modify this arrangement by forming the spiral spring with a central
block having a tapped hole for the reception of the lower end of the screw. In
this case the screw passes down between the said discs, and is formed on the
spindle, whose upper end extends up through the stuffing box.
According to another modification of our Invention, instead of placing the
spring or springs between the two discs, we make the valve seat on the inlet side
of the valve adjustable; that is to say, we fit the said seat in a socket formed in
the valve box so that the seat is capable of moving towards or from the valve or
slide face, and we place a spiral spring in this socket behind the said seat.
According to another part of our Invention we combine with the above described
improvements adjustable wedges or similar devices for increasing the pressure upon
the aforesaid discs when closed, and thereby more effectually preventing leakage
of the valve. This modification of our Invention is more particularly applicable
for large stop or sluice valves.
Another part of our said Invention relates to means for facilitating the admission
of the aforesaid double faced valve or cover into its chamber.
For this purpose
we drill a hole through the disc which has the socket at its back or inner side, and
in the stem of the other disc we drill a hole, which is tapped with a screw-thread,
and we provide a screw which extends through the hole in the first-named disc
into the said tapped hole. When the valve is to be placed in its chamber this
screw affords the means for forcing the two discs together against the pressure of
the spring, so that the width of the valve will be slightly less than the distance
between the two valve faces, and the said valve will enter freely in its place. Then
the said screw is withdrawn by a key passed through the inlet or outlet aperture
of the valve, and a short screw plug is inserted in the disc to close the aperture
through which the other screw was passed as above described, thus releasing the
discs and allowing the spring to press them against their seats.
In some instances we may employ the said screws on both sides of the valve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Addy Hopkinson and Joseph Hopkinson in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 20th April 1882.
JOHN ADDY HOPKINSON and JOSEPH HOPKINSON, both of the Firm of
J. Hopkinson and Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Engineers.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOP VALVES."
(1
Our said Invention relates to stop valves of that class in which the valve proper,
that is to say, the part which covers and uncovers the passage, is formed with
parallel faces, which slide upon seats surrounding and extending from the inlet and
outlet apertures of the valve-box or casing.
Heretofore, these stop-valves have usually been so constructed that the slide or
cover (which in opening or closing the valve is moved vertically or otherwise by
means of a screw), is provided with special means for adjusting the slide to make it
tight when closed, or press it to its seat; and where the said slide or cover consists
of two separate pieces, they have been provided with wedges or similar devices for
forcing the two parts of the slide to their seats after screwing down the said slide
to close the valve, and for relaxing the pressure on the said slide to permit the
same to be easily drawn up by the screw in opening the valve.
All of these stop-valves are liable to the objection, that in opening the valve the
slide (for well known reasons) is separated or withdrawn from the seat or surface
on which it works, so that a space is left between the surfaces of the slide and seat
for the entrance of sediment or particles of dirt, or any substance that may be
contained in or deposited from the fluid which passes through the valve. Moreover
when the slide is open or partially open it is loose between the seats, and will
therefore be caused by the passing fluid to "chatter," and will injure itself and the
seats. The presence of this substance or body between the slide and the seat will
prevent the proper closing of the valve, and although great pressure may be applied
by means of the wedges or other devices, the valve will leak and will be found.
unsatisfactory with regard to its durability and otherwise.
But according to our present Invention we obviate these difficulties and provide
a stop-valve, which is simple in construction, easy to manipulate and keep in order,
and which will be free from liability to leakage.
The said Invention consists chiefly in the combination of two discs or plates, or
pieces with flat or plane surfaces which form the slide or valve proper, with a spring or
springs placed between them in such a manner that the slide or valve faces are held to
their seats with a constant or unremitting elastic pressure, and if employed without
wedges or other like devices the said springs are efficient for tightening the
slide when closed, that is to say, the slide has the property of sustained lateral
elastic expansion, which ensures tight fitting of the slide faces to their seats, and
prevents their leaving the said seats in the opening and closing of the valve,
while permitting the free movement of the slide in these operations. The disc
on the egress side of the valve will always be forced or pressed to its seat, even
if the pressure of the fluid on the inlet side should be greater than that of the
spring. We prefer to form one of the said discs with a socket which receives a
stem or stud formed on the other disc, so that the two discs, though connected,
are free to act under the influence of the aforesaid spring or springs. We also
prefer to use a spiral spring, but any other suitable spring may be employed.
For effecting the sliding movements of the said slide we prefer to use a screw
spindle, which passes up through a stuffing box and is provided at its upper end
with a hand wheel or handle, or a lever for turning or lifting the said spindle, and
thereby opening and closing the valve.

page_text: The accompanying Drawings shew our said Invention embodied in various forms
convenient for its construction, like letters being used to indicate the same parts
throughout the said Drawings.
Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of one of the said valves, and
Figure 2 is a similar section illustrating a modification of the same.
A is the valve-box or casing which may be formed of cast iron or other suitable
material, and of any required dimensions; a, a¹, are the valve seats which, if made
separately from the casing, may be formed of gun metal, and tightly secured with
their faces parallel to each other in the said casing surrounding the inlet and outlet
passages b, c, as shown; d, d, are the two parts which form the valve-proper or
slide, and which are fitted accurately to and slide upon the faces of the seats a, a¹.
It will be seen that the part d has at its back or inner side a socket d², and that
the part has a central stud or boss d³ which projects into the said socket, as
above specified; e is the spiral spring which is shewn in Figure 1 placed upon the
exterior of the socket d, with its ends bearing upon the back of the two plates d, d'.
The spring may however be placed inside the part d³, as shewn in Figure 2. In
these valves the screw spindle f extends upward into a screw socket spindle g
which turns in the stuffing box in the lid or cover of the casing A.
We may modify this arrangement by forming the valve with two spiral springs
and a central block or part, as shown in Figure 3, which is a central vertical
longitudinal section of another form of our Invention. In this modification the
valve proper or slide consists of three parts, viz., the two discs, plates, or pieces d, d',
and the central block d*. This central block has on its opposite sides two studs or
projections d' which fit into the sockets d³ of the two plates d, d¹, and a spiral
spring e is placed over or within each of the said sockets, as shown. The screw
spindle fin this case has a plain or unscrewed upper portion which works in the
stuffing box, and its lower screwed portion works through a nut h formed on or
secured to the top of the block d*, the said block being formed with a central
hole to afford a passage for the end of the spindle.
According to another modification of our Invention, instead of placing the spring
or springs between two discs, we make the valve seat on the inlet side of the slide
adjustable, that is to say, we fit the said seat in a socket formed in the valve box,
so that the seat is capable of moving towards or from the valve proper or slide
face, and we place a spiral spring in this socket behind the said seat. This
modification is illustrated in Figure 4, which is a vertical longitudinal section.
In this valve the valve proper or slide d consists of a single piece or block with
two faces fitted to work upon the seats a, a¹, and the said block is provided with a
nuth and central hole i for the passage of the screw spindle f, as in the valve last
above described. The seat a, which is adjustable as above stated, is fitted accurately
in the inlet passage b (which forms its socket) with a capability of moving endwise,
or to or from the valve face, and is kept up to the said face by the spring & which
is placed behind the said adjustable seat as shown, and by the pressure of the
water. If preferred this valve may have a screw and socket spindle, as shewn in
Figure 1.
According to another part of our Invention, we combine with the above described
improvements wedges or similar devices for increasing the pressure upon the
aforesaid discs when closed, and thereby more effectually preventing leakage of the
valve. This modification of our Invention, which is more particularly applicable
for large stop or sluice valves, is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, Figure 5
being a central vertical longitudinal section; Figure 6, a vertical transverse section
on the line x, x; Figure 7, a horizontal section on the line y, y; and Figure 8, a
vertical longitudinal section on the line z, z. In this valve the slide is constructed
with three parts, viz., the central piece d*, and the discs or plates d, d', and with
two spiral springs e, substantially as described with reference to Figure 3, and the
said slide is operated by the screw spindle ƒ which works through the nut h, and
the central passage i formed in the part d as shewn. The wedges are provided
by forming projections or lugs j at the sides of the casing, as shown in Figures 6, 7,

page_text: and 8. These lugs or projections are inclined on the surfaces j' which are in
contact with the flanges d³ of the plates d, d', the inclination or taper of the said
surfaces being such that as the slide is moved downward they act in conjunction
with the springs e to force and keep the valve faces to their seats. It is obvious
that various arrangements of these wedges or equivalent devices may be employed
in combination with our valves for the purpose specified, and the said wedges may
be made adjustable.
Another part of our said Invention relates to means for facilitating the admission
of the aforesaid double faced slide or cover into its chamber. For this purpose we
drill a hole through the disc which has the socket at its back or inner side, and in
the stem of the other disc we drill a hole which is tapped with a screw thread, and
we provide a screw which extends through the hole in the first named disc into
the said tapped hole. When the valve is to be placed in its chamber this screw
affords the means for forcing the two discs d, d¹, together against the pressure of
the spring or springs e, so that the width of the valve will be then slightly less
than the distance between the two slide faces, and the said valve will pass freely
into its place. Then the said screw is withdrawn by a key passed through the
inlet or outlet aperture of the valve, and a short screw plug k is inserted in the
disc to close the aperture through which the other screw was passed, as above
described, thus releasing the discs d, d, and allowing the spring to press them
against their seats.
In some instances we may provide these devices on one side of the valve, as
shewn in Figure 1, and in other instances on both sides of the valve, as shewn in
Figures 3 and 5.
The employment of a spring or springs as above described for keeping the valve
slides or covers in contact with the seats or surfaces on which they work ensures
tightness of the valve under high pressure and temperature, and a free and smooth
working of the said slide-faces to and fro upon the seats, and as the disc-faces are
never, while the valve is in use, separated from the said seats or surfaces, and the
said discs are free to turn on their axes, it will be obviously impossible for any
sediment or dirt to collect or remain between the slide or disc-faces and the seats,
so that the said valve has the advantage of cutting off like a plug tap in opening
and closing, without the disadvantage of being liable to become fixed by reason of
unequal expansion of the plug and socket. All difficulties arising from heat and
pressure are avoided, and the valve will work as freely when heated and under
pressure as when cold and free from pressure. Moreover, as the pressure of the
discs upon the seats can never be greater than that due to the spring or to the
pressure of the fluid, the tight working of the valve will be effected with com-
paratively slight friction.
It will be obvious that our Invention is applicable to valves which have more
than two apertures or passages to be opened and closed.
Having thus fully described our said Invention, and shewn how the same may
be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, we wish it understood
that we make no claim to or in respect of a valve with cylindrical or curved slide
faces; we also wish it understood that while, on the one hand, we do not limit
ourselves to the precise details of construction and arrangement of the parts shewn
in the accompanying Drawings, on the other hand we do not claim broadly or
irrespectively of the construction and arrangement of parts as herein specified the
employment of springs to force or keep a sliding valve upon or to its seat, nor the
use of the wedges or other like means, whereby the sliding parts of a stop-valve
are withdrawn from and forced to their seats, nor do we claim the use of a spring
or springs arranged or employed otherwise than for the purpose above specified,
but we claim,―
First. A stop-valve which has its sliding part (that opens and closes the
passages) formed of discs, plates, or pieces with flat or plane surfaces fitted to their
seats, and kept in proper contact therewith when at rest, or when moving by

page_text: constant elastic pressure so adjusted or arranged as to keep the valve tight when
closed, but permitting its free movement in opening and closing.
Second. The construction of the valve proper or slide in two parts, united by
means of a socket on one part, and a stud or projection on the other part (or of
three parts united by means of studs or projections on one part, and sockets in the
other parts), and having the spring or springs combined therewith, substantially as
set forth, so that the said parts which work in contact with the faces are kept in
place while free to act under the pressure of the spring or springs, for the purpose
specified.
Third. The modification of our Invention, wherein one of the valve-seats is made
adjustable, and is kept in contact with the valve-face by a spring arranged behind
it in the inlet passage or socket, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. In the said sliding part or valve proper of our improved stop-valve, the
combination with the discs or plates, and the springs for exerting constant elastic
pressure thereon, of the wedges or equivalent devices arranged and operating as
above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The novel means whereby we provide for facilitating the admission or
introduction of the said sliding part or valve into its place between the valve seats
without leaving any unclosed aperture in the said valve, by which its efficiency
would be impaired, substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Hopkinson, for myself and on behalf
of the said John Addy Hopkinson, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty two.