Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Admission of Feed Water to Boilers or Steam Generators.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 9th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Admission of Feed
Water to Boilers or Steam Generators.
I, ALFRED BLECHYNDEN, of 276, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in that class of apparatus for regulating
the admission of feed water to boilers or steam generators in which the level of
water within the generator is caused to actuate a feed admission valve by means
of a float; and has reference more particularly to the construction of such admission
valve and to means whereby its operation may be regulated relatively to determined
levels of water in the boiler or generator.
In one arrangement of apparatus under this invention a spindle-valve-which
may be of either the single or double beat description-is employed, the valve
spindle being suitably connected to a pivotted float-lever which may be counter-
poised. The valve-chest is preferably cylindrical and is provided with inlet and
outlet apertures.
Within this valve-chest is an inner cylindrical casing upon one
end of which or on a suitable provision or provisions thereon the valve is seated.
This inner casing is provided with ports communicating with the interior of the
valve-chest, the feed outlet being through the apertures which can be closed by
the valve. The inner casing is movable in the direction of its axis within the valve-
chest, and is made to approach or recede from the valve by means of a screwed
rod which passes through a stuffing-box and works in a bracket or nut suitably
supported outside the boiler or generator. It will be understood that as the inner
casing is made to approach or to recede from the valve, the position of the float
lever at which it closes the valve is changed, and consequently the levels of water
in the generator at which feed water is permitted to enter, or is cut off, are
determined.
An obvious variation of the above described arrangement of parts consists in
placing the sliding sleeve or valve seat outside of the feed chest, with a double-
beat shell or Cornish valve outside of the sleeve, the said cleeve and valve being
operated substantially as above described.
In some cases I prefer to dispense with that part of the apparatus by means of
which the sliding sleeve or valve seat is operated from the outside of the generator,
and by means of a screw or other means make the said casing adjustable from the
inside of the generator or feed valve.
In a modification the valve is arranged to work in a similar manner to the
ordinary plug-valve. In this arrangement the valve-chest is provided with an
inner casing within which is arranged a hollow plug-valve provided with a lever
suitably connected with the float lever. The usual inlet and outlet apertures are
provided in the valve chest and plug, communication being made between the two
by way of ports formed in the inner casing. In order to adjust the position of the
ports in the inner casing relatively to that of the ports in the plug the inner casing
is made capable of limited rotation circumferentially by convenient means, such for
example as a toothed sector formed upon it and operated by a worm carried upon
a shaft which may be led to the exterior of the boiler. It will thus be seen that
as the inner casing is moved circumferentially in either direction the position of

page_text: the float lever at which it closes the valve is changed, and consequently the levels
of water in the generator at which feed water is permitted to enter, or is cut off,
are determined.
In a modified arrangement of the plug valve immediately above described, the
hollow plug and sliding sleeve are adapted to be movable in the direction of their
axis instead of circumferentially, the arrangement of ports and mode of operation
being otherwise substantially similar to those above described.
An alternative method of regulating the opening and closing of the feed admission
valve relatively to different levels of water in the boiler, consists in constituting
the counterpoise weight before referred to movable upon the float lever. A screwed
rod passing through a stuffing box on the shell of the boiler, and fitted with suitable
means of operating it, is connected with the weight by a link or rod connection, by
which the weight may be moved nearer to or further from the fulcrum of the lever.
When the weight is towards or from the fulcrum of the lever the float requires
more or less displacement before it will operate the valve, and so permits the
working level of water to be raised or lowered.
Although I have in the foregoing description described particular means by
which I propose to operate a sliding sleeve or valve seat of a feed admission valve,
for the purpose of regulating the position of a float lever at which it opens or
closes such valve, it must be understood that I do not confine myself to the use of
such specific means.
Dated this 7th day of June 1895.
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Registered Patent Agent,
10 St. George's Crescent, Liverpool, Agent for the Applicant..
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Admission of Feed
Water to Boilers or Steam Generators.
I, ALFRED BLECHYNDEN, of 276, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, in the
County of Lancaster, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in that class of apparatus for regulating
the admission of feed water to boilers or steam generators in which the level of
water within the generator is caused to actuate a feed admission valve by means
of a float; and has reference more particularly to the construction of such admission
valve, and to means whereby its operation may be regulated relatively to determined
levels of water in the boiler or steam generator which it feeds.
In the following Specification two methods are described whereby such regulation
may be effected. The first method lies in the construction of the valve and consists
in constituting the seating portion of the valve or that portion of the valve which
is normally stationary, adjustable relatively to that portion of the valve which is
moved by a float-lever. The second method consists in constituting a counterpoise
weight on said float-lever adjustable from the exterior of the boiler or steam
generator.
With reference to the drawings hereto annexed, Figures 1 to 17 illustrate
different forms of feed admission valves according to the first part of this
invention.
Figure 1 is a side view and Figure 2 an end view shewing the general arrange-
ment of a feed admission valve according to this invention, as applied to the upper
chamber of a water-tube boiler. A denotes the feed admission valve, B its spindle,

page_text: and C a spindle by which the position of its seat is adjusted. D is the float, E the
float-lever, and F a counterpoise thereon. G is the feed water inlet, and H its
outlet, J being the shell of the boiler. Three water levels are indicated in Figure 1,
the positions of the float D corresponding with these levels being dotted in the
figure. To protect it from the effect of violent ebullition, the float D is located in
a chamber D¹ having perforations.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a feed admission valve according to this
invention, Figure 4 being an end view thereof and Figure 5 a cross section on
line A. B., Figure 3. The valve here shewn is a single beat spindle valve. The
valve chest A is provided with inlet and outlet ports G, H respectively. Within
the valve chest is an inner sleeve a, upon one end of which the valve 6 is seated.
The valve 6 is carried by the spindle B which is operated by the float-lever. The
sleeve a is movable longitudinally, and is caused to approach or recede from the
valve b by a screwed rod C which passes through a stuffing box c and works in a
screwed bracket c¹ outside of the boiler, a handlever c and locknut c³ being mounted
on the rod C. The sleeve a has ports a¹ in permanent communication with the
valve chest A and feed inlet G. Ports a' in the chest A admit boiler pressure in
front of the sleeve a, and similar ports 61 admit it in front of the piston 62 on the
valve spindle B, thus preserving approximate equilibrium in these parts. Figure 6
shews the mode of connecting the spindle C to the sleeve a, and Figure 7 is an end
view of stuffing box c and bracket c¹.
As the sleeve a is caused to approach or to recede from the valve b, by turning
the hand-lever c³, the position of the float-lever E (Fig. 1) at which it closes the
valve is changed, and consequently the levels of water in the boiler at which feed
water is permitted to enter, or is cut off, are determined.
An obvious variation of the above described arrangement of parts consists in
placing the sleeve a outside of the valve-chest A, and a double-beat shell or Cornish
valve outside of the sleeve, the said sleeve and valve being operated substantially
as above described.
In the following modifications of the apparatus above described like or equivalent
parts are lettered alike in the drawings, and it must be understood that the functions
of such similarly lettered parts are substantially similar and therefore do not require
further description.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of a feed admission valve in which a double-beat
spindle valve bb is employed. Boiler pressure within the chest A is exerted on
both valves b, the piston 62 merely acting as a guide to the spindle B. a³ is an
auxiliary port in the valve chest, which permits an unimpeded inflow of feed water
when the sleeve a is drawn sufficiently far back to uncover it, the valve b being
prevented from following the sleeve by the stop B abutting against the end of the
valve spindle connecting rod. c is an index plate on the bracket c', on which the
index wheel, on shaft C, indicates the position of the sleeve a, the distance a. y
representing the limit of regulated inflow, and z the position of sleeve a when the
inflow of feed water is unimpeded. Figure 9 is an end view of Figure 8, Figure'10
a cross section on line A. B., Figure 8, Figure 11 shews connection of sleeve a and
spindle C, and Figure 12 is an end view of stuffing box c and bracket c'.
Figure 13 shews a feed admission valve the sleeve a of which is adjustable from
within the boiler. The sleeve a has formed upon it a lug at which is adjustable, to
and fro on the screwed stud a' by the nuts a. The feed pipe is attached to the
inlet G. The valve spindle B is coupled to a float-lever E (Figure 1) and the
operation of the valve is identical with those previously described.
Figure 14 shews a feed admission valve resembling a plug valve, inasmuch that
the sleeve a and valve b have rotary motion in place of longitudinal motion. A
lever B² mounted on the valve spindle B is coupled to the float-lever E (Figure 1);
or the float-lever may be mounted directly on the spindle B. A lever C¹ mounted
on the sleeve a is coupled by the link C' to a screwed rod leading through a stuffing
box to the outside of the boiler, by which it may be adjusted. A feed water pipe
is attached to the inlet G, from which latter a semi-annular passage G' leads round

page_text: the sleeve a. Communication between the passage G¹ and the interior of the plug
From
valve b exists by way of ports d in the sleeve a and ports e in the sleeve b.
the interior of the valve b feed water passes, by the ports e¹, to the valve chest A
and outlet H. It will be seen that as the sleeve a is moved circumferentially in
either direction, the circumferential distance to be travelled by the valve 6 before
a free passage through the ports d and e is established or cut-off, is varied; conse-
quently more or less travel is allowed to the float-lever E (Figure 1.), and thus the
levels of water in the generator at which feed water is permitted to enter, or is cut-
off, are determined. Figure 15 is a cross section of the valve, and Figure 16 is an
eud view shewing keep plate K for securing the sleeve a and valve 6 in position.
In a modification, shewn in Figure 17, of the "plug" valve above described, the
hollow plug b and sleeve a are movable longitudinally instead of circumferentially,
the arrangement of ports and mode of operation being otherwise similar to the
valve shewn in Figures 14 to 16.
The second method of regulating the opening and closing of a feed admission
valve relatively to different levels of water in the boiler, according to this invention,
is illustrated in Figures 18 to 20, and consists in constituting the counterpoise
weight movable on the float lever E from the exterior of the boiler. Figure 18
is a sectional elevation shewing a means of adjusting the counterpoise F, Figures 19
and 20 being plan and elevation respectively shewing the general arrangement of
the gear. A screwed rod k passing through a stuffing box on the boiler shell J,
and operated by a screwed sleeve g and wheel h, is connected with the counter-
poise F by a link i, by which the weight F may be moved towards or from the
fulcrum E¹ of the float-lever E. When the weight F is towards or from the
fulcrum E¹ the float D requires more or less immersion or displacement before it
will operate the feed admission valve, and so permits the working level of water in
the boiler to be raised or lowered. The rod k is squared at k to prevent its
rotation. The sleeve g works in a bracket formed on the stuffing box l.
It will be understood that although I have in describing this invention herein
described certain precise details that I do not restrict myself to such, as there are
many other obvious ways in which the principles involved may be carried out
mechanically. For instance the valve b may be the normally stationary part of
the valve which is adjustable from without or within the boiler, the sleeve or
seating a being the part which is coupled to the float-lever. Again, in some of the
valves herein described, namely those shewn in Figures 8, 14 and 17, the inlet G
The
may become the outlet for feed water, and the outlet H the inlet for same.
spindle C may be actuated by rack and pinion gear or a toothed sector, instead of
by screw threading as described, or by a combination of both methods.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In apparatus for regulating the inflow of feed water to a boiler, the combination
of a valve, or its equivalent, operated by a float on the surface of the water in said
boiler, with a valve seating, or its equivalent, which is capable of adjustment
relatively to said valve from the exterior of or within said boiler, substantially in
the manner herein described.
2. In apparatus for regulating the inflow of feed water to a boiler, the combination
of a single beat spindle valve operated by a float on the surface of the water in said
boiler, with a valve seating which is capable of longitudinal adjustment relatively
to said valve by means of a screwed spindle working in a stuffing box and screwed
bracket in the shell of said boiler, substantially as herein described with reference
to Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings hereto annexed.
3. In apparatus for regulating the inflow of feed water to a boiler, the combination
of a double beat spindle valve operated by a float on the surface of the water in said
boiler, with a valve seating which is capable of longitudinal adjustment relatively
to said valve by means of a screwed spindle working in a stuffing box and screwed

page_text: bracket on the shell of said boiler, substantially as herein described with reference
to Figures 8 to 12 of the drawings hereto annexed.
4. In apparatus for regulating the inflow of feed water to a boiler, the combination
of a spindle valve operated by a float on the surface of the water in said boiler,
with a valve seating which is capable of longitudinal adjustment relatively to said
valve by means of a provision on said seating controlled by nuts on a threaded stud
carried by the valve chest, substantially as described with reference to Figure 13
of the drawings hereto annexed.
5. In apparatus for regulating the inflow of feed water to a boiler, the combination
of a rotary valve provided with ports and operated by a float on the surface of the
water in said boiler, with a rotary sleeve provided with corresponding ports and
capable of circumferential adjustment relatively to said valve from the exterior of
or within the boiler, substantially as described with reference to Figures 14 to 16
of the drawings hereto annexed.
6. In apparatus for regulating the inflow of feed water to a boiler, the combination
of a hollow "plug" valve provided with ports and operated by a float on the
surface of the water in said boiler, with a sleeve provided with corresponding ports
and capable of longitudinal adjustment relatively to said valve from the exterior of
or within the boiler, substantially as described with reference to Figure 17 of the
drawings hereto annexed.
7. In apparatus for regulating the inflow of feed water to a boiler in which a
float on the surface of the water in said boiler is utilised to operate a feed admission
valve by means of a pivotted lever, so constituting a counterpoise weight on said
lever as to be capable of adjustment thereon from the exterior of the boiler, by
means of a link and screwed rod passing through a stuffing box and screwed bracket
on the shell of said boiler, whereby the degree of immersion of said float is varied,
substantially as herein set forth with reference to Figures 18 to 20 of the drawings
hereto annexed.
Dated th: AL 1
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Registered Patent Agent (Qual. by Exam.),
10 St. George's Crescent, Liverpool, Agent for the Applicant.