Improvements in Valves which Close with the Rush of Steam.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Apr., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 16th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1859
Improvements in Valves which Close with the Rush of Steam.
1, WILLIAM EDWARD ARTHUR JENNINGS, of 2, Whitecross Row, Richmond,
Surrey, Engine Driver, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In carrying out this invention a small enclosed chamber is attached next to
the steam valve on the boiler head. Inside this chamber is a hinged plate forming
a valve. This plate presents a bevel edge towards the boiler, whence the steam
flows.
The back edge of the valve plate is hinged by means of a fixed square bar let
into an angular groove or in any other suitable way. This square bar projects
through one or both sides of the chamber, and is turned round and furnished with
a gland where it passes through the chamber wall.
The end of the bar can be loaded to any weight desired, so that the valve cannot
rise under ordinary pressure. If a pipe bursts causing a rush of steam at very
high pressure the valve will be lifted so as to close the outlet of the steam pipe.
This valve would prevent the serious accidents which sometimes occur in marine
engine rooms of men of war, and other large steamers, causing death to the men
employed therein.
A screw lever could be introduced if necessary in face of the chamber to force
the valve back should it rise when not required.
On each side of the outlet a strong coil or other spring could be fixed, so as to
break the concussion of the impact of the sudden rise of the valve.
The valve chamber would have screwed sockets to fit on the flange of boiler head
valve.
300
Improvements in Valves which Close with the Rush of Steam.
1, WILLIAM EDWARD ARTHUR JENNINGS, of 2, Whitecross Row, Richmond,
Surrey, Engine Driver, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
―
This invention is designed to prevent the lamentable loss of life which occasionally
occurs in engine rooms, especially on' vessels and which is caused by a sudden
inrush of steam through a defective pipe, or from some analagons cause.
In carrying out this invention a small enclosed chamber is attached near to
the steam valve on the boiler head. Inside this chamber is a hinged plate forming
FD017

page_text: a valve.
flows.
This plate presents a bevel edge towards the boiler whence the steam
The back edge of the valve plate is hinged by means of a fixed square bar let
into an angular groove, or in any other suitable way. This square bar projects
through one or both sides of the chamber and is turned round and furnished with
a gland where it passes through the chamber wall. The end or ends of the bar can be
fitted with a lever arm loaded to any weight desired so that the valve cannot rise
under ordinary pressure: If a pipe bursts, causing a rush of steam at very high
pressure the valve will be lifted so as to close automatically the outlet of the
steam pipe. This valve would prevent the serious accidents which sometimes
occur in marine engine rooms of men-of-war and other large steamers, causing
death to the men employed therein.
A screw bolt can be introduced in face of the chamber to force the valve back
should it rise when not required. A similar screw beneath the valve plate will
form a stoppage to keep the valve in position.
On one or both sides of the outlet a strong coil or other spring could be fixed,
so as to break the concussion of the impact of the sudden rise of the valve.
The invention is preferably used on a horizontal pipe, but can be applied with
slight modifications to a vertical pipe if desired.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which:
Fig. 1 shows the invention in position in a length of horizontal piping fixed
overhead in an engine room.
Fig. 2 shows an enlarged outside elevation of the safety valve in the open
position.
Fig. 3 shows a vertical longitudinal section of Fig. 2, with the valve in the
closed position.
Fig. 4 shows a cross section on the line a- of Fig. 3, on a reduced scale.
a is the valve casing, provided at either end with the usual flanges a¹ for fixing
in position; a2 is a cover plate; a³ is the inlet, and at the outlet for steam. bis
a spindle which passes through one or both sides of the valve casing, and this forms
the hinge of the valve plate c.
The valve plate c is formed with a boss c¹, through which the spindle b passes,
both being squared or made angular, so that they will turn together. The spindle b
is rendered steam tight by the usual stuffing boxes and glands, and upon the
outer end of it is mounted a weighted arm d. Normally the weighted arm d
will keep the valve open, that is to say, depressed, but should a sudden rush of
steam occur, the valve c will be lifted and close the outlet at.
To ensure a steady and gradual closing and prevent to sudden concussion of
the valve plate before it closes the outlet completely, the outer end of arm d will
strike against a spring cushion such as that shown ate attached to one of the
Hanges a¹.
To regulate the outlet of steam in proportion to its pressure the position of the
valve plate when in the open position may be adjusted by screwing in or out the
screw stop f. Should the valve close when not required, or should it be desired to
keep it partly open it may be opened by screwing in the bolt g.
In order to enable the valve to be operated from a distance, a chain, wire, or wire
rope may be attached to the end of the weighted arm and conveyed over pulleys,
to any desired position as shown in Fig. 1.
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. The improved valve, adapted to close automatically with a rush of steam. con-
structed and operating substantially, as shown and described.
2. In an improved valve, adapted to close with a rush of steam, the hinged

page_text: valve plate e adapted to close an outlet at, spindle b, weighted arm d and with
or without the spring cushion e, substantially as described and set forth.
3. In an improved valve, adapted to close with a rush of steam, the combination
of valve casing a, flanges a¹, cover plate a², valve plate c, the spindle b, the
6 weighted arm d, screwed stop f, and screwed bolt g, with or without the spring
cushion e, substantially as described and set forth.
Dated this 16th day of January 1899.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
Patent Agent, 171, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.