Improvements in and relating to Water Gauges.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1893-Accepted; 24th June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Water Gauges.
WILLIAM HAIGH, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury Mining Engineer and Colliery
Proprietor and EDWARD RICHARDSON Ravensthorpe Dewsbury Engineer's Brass
Founder and Finisher 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 reference to improvements in gauges for showing the level
of the water in steam boilers and also for showing the level of water under
pressure in other contrivances.
The object of our improvements is to prevent the water or steam escaping from
the gauge if the glass is accidentally broken, and thus prevent injury to the
attendant.
We secure the object of our invention by forming a chamber in each fitting
between the tap or cock and the end of the gauge glass. Fitting into this chamber
is a valve box with an opening at each end for the water or steam to pass through
and with a ball valve inside the same, the valve being larger than the openings in
the valve box so that it cannot pass through the same. The valve box has also a
suitable valve seat which is inclined to the horizontal axis of the valve box, for
the purpose of allowing the ball to fall away from it when there is an equal
pressure on both sides of the ball. The valve box with the valve inside it can be
readily removed from the gauge fitting the ball taken from the valve box, and the
valve and box cleaned, after which the whole can be as easily replaced.
We have attached hereto one sheet of drawings illustrating our invention and
the method we adopt for carrying out the same.
Fig. 1. is an elevation of the upper fitting of a water gauge, partially in section.
Fig. 2. is an elevation of the lower fitting of a water gauge, also partially in
section.
Fig. 3. is a longitudinal section of our valve box, and
Fig. 4. a front elevation of the same.
The upper fitting is shown attached to the front plate a of the boiler by a nut b,
and it is provided with the usual stop cock c and gland d for the glass e. It is
also fitted with a screw f for cleaning purposes. The lower fitting is constructed
similarly to the upper fitting, the corresponding parts having the same letter with
a dash. The lower fitting has in addition a cock for blowing through the gauge
as required.
Our valve box k Figs. 3 and 4 is provided with a screw thread for holding it
in position in the gauge fittings, the front of the box being provided with a square
or other shaped projection for screwing the box in or out. The back of the
box is screwed into it and has an openings through which the steam or water
passes. Inside the box is a ball valve o which remains upon the bottom of the box
while the glass remains unbroken. When a glass breaks the outside pressure is
reduced and the issuing steam or water then carries forward the valve o to a seat
formed in the inclined end n of the box k the ball o thus closing the outlet p and
stopping the further escape of water or steam. In Fig. 3 the inclined seat n is
shown in one piece with the box, but it will be understood that this seat may be a
separate piece and secured to the end of the box by any suitable means. When
it is desired to clean out the valve box k the screw g is removed from the front of
the fitting and the box screwed out of the gauge by a box spanner or key.
The
end of the box may be then removed and the valve and seat easily cleaned after
which the valve is placed in the box the end is screwed in, and the valve box
replaced in the gauge fitting.

page_text: In Figs. 1 and 2 the valve box and ball are shown in position in the fittings the
parts having the same reference letters as in Figs. 3 and 4.
We are aware that other gauges are fitted with valves for effecting the same
object as our own invention, and we lay no claim to the use of valves for the
purpose specified.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of our said invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
1. In water gauges having valves for the purpose specified the forming or
constructing of the valve seat in a box or case which also carries the valve
substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings and Specification.
2. The combination with water gauge fittings of a box or case for carrying a
valve and seat for the purpose specified and arranged in substantially the manner
shown and described in the accompanying drawings and Specification.
3. In water gauges fitted with valves for preventing the escape of steam or
water, the use of an inclined valve seat, formed within a box carrying the valve so
that the whole may be removed from the valve fitting substantially as, and for the
purpose specified.
Dated this 3rd day of May 1893.
W. H. POTTER, M.I.M.E.,
Parliament Chambers, Nottingham, Agent for the Applicants.