IMPROVEMENTS IN TO APPARATUS FOR WASHING CASKS OR OTHER VESSELS, APPLICABLE ALSO to be as APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND HEATING WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS follows
Year: 1885

page_text: I, HENRY JOSEPH WEST, of Stamford Works, Southwark Bridge Road, Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TO
APPARATUS FOR WASHING CASKS OR OTHER VESSELS, APPLICABLE ALSO
to be as
APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND HEATING WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS
follows:-
"2
This invention relates more especially to what is known as cask washing
apparatus, that is to say, to apparatus for admitting and regulating a supply of
water or steam, or both, to casks or other vessels, for the purpose of cleansing the
interiors thereof, but it is also applicable to apparatus for raising and heating water
or other liquids.
In cask washing apparatus of the above description as usually constructed, the
valve arrangements are somewhat complicated and liable to get out of order, and
the object of my present invention is to simplify the construction of such valve
arrangements, to make them more certain in their action, and to cheapen the cost
of manufacture. Heretofore the valve for admitting water to, and shutting it off
from, the water box or measuring chamber; for admitting steam to, and shutting
it off from, such chamber; and for allowing the water to pass from the water box
or measuring chamber to the cask, have been made separate and distinct from each
other, although operated by certain mechanical devices. According to my present
invention, I arrange the steam and water valves on a single stem, so that they are
both operated together.
The apparatus may be arranged in two ways, that is to say, either so that the
water and the steam are admitted alternately, or so that both steam and water are
admitted together..
:
For apparatus in which water and steam are admitted alternately, I employ the
following arrangements:-On the top of the usual water box or measuring chamber
and communicating with the interior thereof, I fix a valve box having steam
and and water inlet passages which are connected by pipes in the usual way with
the sources of steam and water supply. Into this valve box is inserted a valve

page_text: chamber or casing, the lower end of which extends downwards into a chamber in
communication with the water inlet, but so that its lower end does not reach the
bottom of the said chamber by a narrow space which forms an annular port for the
passage of the water into the usual water box or measuring chamber. The lower
end of the aforesaid valve seating is bored out cylindrical for a certain distance,
and in a diaphragm or partition crossing the upper part of the valve chamber, is
formed a conical seating which communicates by a port with the steam inlet. On
a spindle passing through the valve chamber and issuing through a stuffing-box
on the top of the valve box, are formed, firstly, a conical plug or valve which fits
steamtight into the above mentioned conical seating, and secondly, a cylindrical
Blide valve which fits into the cylindrically bored part of the valve chamber. This
cylindrical slide valve is formed at the bottom as a conical valve which bears, when
the said slide valve is lowered into its lowest position, against a corresponding
conical seating formed round the outlet from the valve box into the water
measuring chamber. This conical valve seat is placed at the bottom of a cylindrical
part which forms a continuation of the cylindrically bored part of the main valve
chamber, being separated from it however by the aforesaid annular port. Instead
of a cylindrical sliding water valve, a taper or conical valve may be employed if
preferred. It will now be understood that when the spindle, carrying the conical
steam valve and the cylindrical water valve, is raised by a lever applied to the end
projecting through the cover of the valve box, into its highest position, the conical
steam valve bears against its seat in the main valve chamber and prevents the
entrance of steam into the apparatus, and that the cylindrical water valve is raised
into the cylindrical part of the main valve chamber clear of the annular water
port, so that there is a free passage for water from the water inlet to the water
box or measuring chamber. When the latter is full, and it is desired to force the
contents by the steam pressure into the cask or other vessel, the valve spindle is
lowered and the steam valve is thereby moved from its seat so as to admit steam;
at the same time the cylindrical slide valve descends so as to cover the annular
water port and to shut off the water, and the conical lower end of the cylindrical
slide valve closes on to its seating so as to prevent the escape of steam into the
water inlet passage. The cylindrical slide valve is furnished with passages through
which the steam entering through the steam valve can pass to the water box or
measuring chamber to act on the water therein or to blow through into the cask
in the usual way. The steam valve may also be perforated to allow of the passage
of steam through it as well as past its conical sides if preferred. On again raising
the spindle, the steam valve is closed, and the water valve is opened.
When using the above described alternately acting apparatus, the air in the
water box or measuring chamber is allowed to escape through a snifting valve
consisting of a small tubular box cast on the side of the main valve box, at the
bottom of which box is a hole through which the air escapes into the said box,
from whence the air escapes through a hole in the top or cover of the said box.
The hole in the bottom of the box is covered with an indiarubber or other suitable
valve opening upwards, which, when the water measuring chamber and snifting
valve box become full of water or steam, rises in the said valve box and closes the
hole in the top thereof, thereby preventing the escape of water or steam after the
air has been ejected. Or the hole in the top of the box may be provided with a
suitable opening inwards to allow of the escape of air, but adapted to close by the
pressure of water or steam when the box is full of either.
For apparatus in which both water and steam are admitted together, I employ
arrangements very similar to those above described in reference to the alternately
acting arrangement, the only differences being that no suifting valve is required
and no water box or measuring chamber, and instead of a cylindrical slide valve
for admitting the water, I employ a conical valve fitting against a conical seating
in the lower end of the main valve chamber, and instead of the said main valve
chamber not extending down to the bottom of the chamber at the end of the water
inlet, I cause it to extend down to the bottom thereof, and to form a watertight
"

page_text: joint therewith, and I form the water inlet ports through the side of the main
valve chamber into the conical seating of the water valve. It will now be under-
stood that, on pressing down the valve spindle as before, both the steam and
water valves will be opened, and both water and steam will enter the cask or
other vessel direct, and that when the said spindle is raised, both the steam and
water valves will be closed, and the supply of both steam and water stopped until
the spindle and valves are again depressed.
The lever for operating the steam and water valves may be counterbalanced by
a counterweight, so that when the lever is let go, the valves shall be moved into
their normal positions automatically.
It is obvious that the above described improvements are equally applicable when
the apparatus is used for raising or heating water or other liquids by the direct
action of steam.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Washing Casks or other Vessels,
Applicable also to Apparatus for Raising and Heating Water
or other Liquids.
I, HENRY JOSEPH WEST, of Stamford Works, Southwark Bridge Road, 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, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of Drawings and to the
letters and figures marked thereon :—
This invention relates more especially to what is known as cask washing
apparatus, that is to say to apparatus for admitting and regulating a supply of
water or steam, or both, to casks or other vessels for the purpose of cleansing the
interiors thereof but it is also applicable to apparatus for raising or heating water
or other liquids.
In cask washing apparatus of the above description as usually constructed, the
valve arrangements are somewhat complicated and liable to get out of order, and
the object of my present invention is to simplify the construction of such valve
arrangements, to make them more certain in their action, and to cheapen the cost
of manufacture.
Heretofore the valves for admitting water to, and shutting it off from, the water-
box or measuring chamber, for admitting steam to and shutting it off from such
chamber, and for allowing the water to pass from the water box or measuring
chamber to the cask, have been made separate and distinct from each other,
although operated by certain mechanical devices.
According to my present invention I arrange the steam and water valves on a
Bingle steun so that they are both operated together.
The apparatus may be arranged in two ways, that is to say, either that the
water and the steam are admitted alternately, or so that both steam and water are
admitted together.
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings represent in longitudinal vertical
section and side elevation respectively a cask washing apparatus arranged so that
the water and steam may be admitted alternately, and Figure 3 represents in
longitudinal vertical section an apparatus arranged so that both steam and water
are admitted together.
For apparatus in which water and steam are admitted alternately I employ
the following arrangements (see Figures 1 and 2):-On the top of the usual water
box or measuring chamber A, and communicating with the interior thereof, I fix a
valve box B having a steam inlet passage C, and water inlet passage D each of
which is connected by pipes in the usual way with the source of steam and water
supply respectively. Into the valve box B is inserted a valve chamber or casing E
the lower end E₁ of which extends downwards as shewn into a chamber in com-
munication with the water inlet D, but so that its lower end does not reach the
bottom of the chamber F by a narrow space G which forms an annular port for
the passage of the water into the water box or measuring chamber A. The lower

page_text: end E¹ of the valve chamber or casing is bored out cylindrical for a certain
distance; and in the upper part of the said valve chamber or casing is formed a
conical seating H which communicates by a port J with the steam inlet C. On a
spindle K passing through the valve chamber or casing E, and issuing through the
stuffing box L, are formed, firstly a conical plug or valve M which fits steam tight
into the conical seating H, and secondly, a cylindrical slide valve N which fits into
the cylindrically bored part E¹ of the valve chamber or casing E. This cylindrical
slide valve N is formed at the bottom N¹ as a conical valve, which bears, when the'
said slide valve is lowered into its lowest position, against a corresponding conical
seating P formed round the outlet Q from the valve box B into the water box or
measuring chamber A. The conical valve seating P is formed at the bottom of a
cylindrical part which forms a continuation of the cylindrically bored part E¹ of
the main valve chamber or casing E, being separated from it however by the
annular water space, or port G. If preferred, a taper or conical water valve may
be employed instead of the cylindrical sliding valve N. R is a lever centred at S,
and connected with the spindle' K at T and preferably provided with a counter-
balance weight U for returning the valves to their normal positions as in Figure 1.
It will now be understood that when the spindle K carrying the valves M and N
is raised by the weighted lever R into its highest position (as shewn in Figure 1)
the conical steam valve M bears against its seat H in the valve chamber. or casing E
and prevents the entrance of steam into the apparatus, and that the cylindrical
slide valve N is raised into the cylindrical part E¹ of the valve chamber or casing E
clear of the annular water space or port G, so that there is a free passage for water
from the water inlet D to the water box or measuring chamber A. When the
chamber A is full, and it is desired to force the contents, by the steam pressure,
through the ordinary nozzle, into the cask or other vessel the lever R and valve
spindle K are lowered and the steam valve M is thereby moved from its seat so as
to admit steam; at the same time the cylindrical slide valve N descends, so as to
cover the annular water space or port G and to shut off the water, and the conical
lower end N¹ of the cylindrical slide valve N closes on to its seating P, so as to
prevent the escape of steam into the water inlet passage D. The cylindrical slide
valve N is furnished with central passages as shewn through which the steam
entering through the steam valve M can pass to the water box or measuring
chamber A to act on the water therein, or to blow through into the cask in the
usual way. The steam valve M may also be provided with similar passages through
its central portion as shewn to allow of the passage of steam through it, as well as
past its conical sides. On again raising the lever R and with it the spindle K the
steam valve M is closed and the water valve N is opened.
When using the above described alternately acting apparatus, the air in the water
box or measuring chamber A is allowed to escape through a snifting valve which
consists of a small tubular box V (see Figure 2) cast or otherwise formed on the
side of the valve box B. At the bottom of the box V is a hole W through which
the air escapes into the said box V, and thence through the holes X X' in the top
and cover of the box V. The hole W is covered with an india rubber or other
suitable valve Y opening upwards, which, when the water box or measuring
chamber A and snifting valve box V become full of water or steam, rises in the
Baid valve box V and closes the hole X in the top thereof, thereby preventing the
escape of water or steam after the air has been ejected. Or the hole X in the top
of the box may be provided with a suitable valve opening in wards to allow of the
escape of air but adapted to close by the pressure of water or steam when the box V
is full of either. In order to secure with certainty the removal of the valve Y from
its seating at the top of the valve box I sometimes provide a pin actuated by the
movement of the lever R which pin forces the said valve downwards so as to
allow the escape of air or steam and thereby the filling of the chamber A with
water.
Figure 3 illustrates an apparatus in which both water and steam are admitted
together. For this purpose I employ arrangements very similar to those above

page_text: described and shewn in Figures 1 and 2 in reference to the alternately acting,
arrangement the only differences being that no snifting valve is required, and no
water box or measuring chamber and instead of a cylindrical slide valve for
admitting the water, I prefer to employ a conical valve N fitting against a conical
seating n in the lower end E¹ of the valve chamber or casing E which latter I cause
to extend down to the bottom of the chamber F and to form a water tight joint
therewith as shewn at P in Figure 3 instead of leaving the water space or port G
uncovered as in Figure 1, and I form the water inlet ports through the side of the
valve chamber or casing E into the conical seating n of the water valve N as shewn
at G in Figure 3. I prefer also to provide a throttle regulator C in the steam
inlet passage for the purpose of regulating the admission of steam to the apparatus
so as to prevent the pressure of steam from forcing the water back into the water
inlet passage D. I sometimes make the spindle K with one or more knuckle joints
therein as shewn in dotted lines at K¹ and K' in Figure 3 in order to ensure the
valves M and N fitting perfectly to their seats. Similar letters of reference relate
to like parts in all of the Figures of the Drawings.
It will now be understood, that on pressing down the lever R and with it the
spindle K the valves M and N will leave their seats, and both water and steam will
by the outlet pipe A¹, and through the usual nozzle, to the cask or other vessel;
and that when the lever R and spindle K are raised both the valves M and N will
be closed and the supply of both steam and water stopped until the lever R and
spindle K are again depressed.
It is obvious that the above described improvements are equally applicable when
the apparatus is employed for raising or heating water or other liquids by the
direct action of steam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
First. The improved apparatus consisting of the valve box B, valve chamber or
casing E, with valves M and N, spindle K working through stuffing box L, and
actuating lever R and snifting valve V, the whole arranged, combined, and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described, and shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of the
Drawings hereto annexed, and for the purposes set forth.
Second. The improved apparatus, consisting of the valve box B, valve chamber
or casing E, with valves M and N, spindle K working through stuffing box L
actuating lever R with or without the steam throttle regulator C¹, the whole
arranged, combined, and operating, substantially, as herein before described, and
shewn in Figure 3 of the Drawings hereto annexed and for the purposes set forth.