Improvements connected with Steam Sound Signalling Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with Steam Sound Signalling Apparatus.
1, WILLIAM BENJAMIN BARKER, of Kent Square, Liverpool, 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 has reference more particularly to steam sound signalling
apparatus, as steam whistles, sirens, read sound signalling devices, and the like,
used on board ship; and the object of this invention is, primarily, to enable the
full and proper sounding of such signals or apparatus to take place, instantly upon
the steam being turned on or admitted to thein, by preventing the access of water
resulting from the condensation of the steam in the supply pipe, to the whistle,
siren, or other device.
According to this invention, this object is effected, and the inefficient and
objectionable action of such sounding devices, when water has access to them at
the starting of the sounding, obviated, by drawing off the water, as it condensos,
from the supply pipe in such a manner that when the steam is turned on, the
whistle or other devices will be set in action, and the full and proper sounding
of the device commences instantly; and moreover, no water is discharged from
and at the whistle or other sounding device.
The means by which this object and effect is carried out, is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing, in which
Figure is an elevation shewing the whole arrangement and combination of
parts of the means and apparatus employed; and
Figures 2 and 3 are sectional elevations shewing in detail some of the parts of
the apparatus.
Figures 4 and 5 are sections shewing modifications of one of the parts.
The invention will now be described with the aid of these drawings.
Referring to the drawings, a is the ordinary ship's whistle, fixed upon the upper
end of the steam pipe b, and standing above the ship's deck a in the normal
position. Just below the deck c, there is provided upon the steam pipe b, a trap
or interceptor d, having a pipe e connecting it with the boiler f, by which the
water condensed in the pipe above the device d is caught and carried back
to the boiler, thereby preventing it from flowing down through the other
part of the pipe b below the device d. This part of the pipe b between the
trap device d and the boiler, is under the upper deck of the ship, and being thus
covered in, little condensation of steam takes place within it; and the amount
which does so condense does not affect the proper action of the whistle when
blown. Preferably, this part of the pipe b should be given sufficient inclination
towards the boiler to carry back whatever water is formed within it. On the
pipe e at the boiler, there is a cock (or equivalent device or provision) having a
regulated opening, or an opening capable of regulation, by which the pipe e, under
normal working conditions, will be charged more or less with water, so that there
is always a head of water within it. Ono form of this device or provision is shewn
in detail in Figure 3 of the drawings.
The internal construction of the device d shewn in Figure 1 is shown in
Figure 2. It consists of a casing having within it a valve 1, which normally rests
apon a scat 2, which projects in tubular form above the bottom of the case, as
hewo. On the side of the case near the bottom there is a branch 3, which serves
to conduct the water away from the trap, and to which the pipe e is secured.
With regard to the detail of the cock h, shown in Figure 3, this consists in the

page_text: example shewn, of an ordinary plug cock, the end of which is fastened into the
boiler shell; and in this end there is a comparatively small hole of regulated
area, by which the rate of flow of water back to the boiler is regulated. As
equivalents of this, however, the cock plug could be provided with a regulated
opening of similar area; or, in the case where a cock is not required, a plug or
similar provision with a regulated aperture for discharge of water back to the
water, could be provided; but the form shewn is preferable, as the cock enables
the pipe to be cut off entirely from the boiler in case of need, and the aperture h¹
is within the cock and out of reach of anyone, so that it cannot be tainpered with
or altered; avoiding, thereby, all chances of putting the apparatus or means out of
their normal and correct condition for proper action.
I find that in the case where the steam pipe from the boiler supplying steam to
the whistle is from say 1 to 2 inches diameter; and a normal length above the
deck, that is to say, in the case of average conditions as regards n ship's steam
whistle, pipes, etc., a completely successful effect is obtained with the apparatus, by
employing a pipe (e) for the return water from the trap of about inch in
diameter, whilst the regulated opening ', for governing the return flow of water to
the boiler, is about inch diameter. By that means and combination, when steam
is turned on at the whistle, and the whistle sounded, the flow of steam from the
builer to the pipe e is prevented, and the correct action assured. In some cases
1 may use in connection, however, with the pipe e or cock h, or equivalent
provision at this part, a small non-return valve.
In action, all the water condensed from the steam in that part of the steam
supply pipe in which the great bulk of condensation takes place, that is in the part
of the pipe b above tho trap devico d, is intercepted by the trap, and carried
off from the whole system; so that when the valve of the whistle a (or other
surrounding apparatus as the case may be) is operated, the amount of water in the
pipe is small, and does not exist to such an extent as prevents or interferes with
the stunt proper action of the whistle when it is blown; but at once, upon the
cock being opened, the whistle gives its full and clear normal note. As regards
the action of the trap device d, the water flowing down the pipo b enters the casing
of the device d, aud Hows down into the annular space round the central projecting
tubular seat 2, it being prevented from flowing down the pipe d by the non-return
valve 1. From this annular part of the casing, the water flows by the branch 3
into the pipe e, and collects and rests in this pipe under a certain head, when in
use, and finally flows back into the boiler through the regulated apertura /'
in h.
The trap or intercepting device may take various modified forms, examples of
-which-are-given-io-Figures 4-and-6.-In-the-modification-shewn-in-Figure-4,-the-
trap dovice d consists of an internal pipe 2 extending up within au aunular casing
around it. The upper end of the internal pipe 2 has openings in it as shewn, and
is provided with a cap or cover 1; whilst at the bottom of this casing there is the
⚫ water outlet branch 3. In this case, water from the upper pipe 6 flows down into
the annular space between the internal pipe 2 and the outer casing of the device,
and is carried off by the branch 3 to the boiler, as in the former cases described.
Another modification is shewn in Figure 5, in which the steam from the pipe b
below the trap or intercepter d, is taken in at one side of the casing, and the water
is drawn off from the botton at the other side where it collects, this inlet for
steam, and the chamber the water flows into, being separated by a diaphragm,
which is arranged in the casing in relation to the steam pipes, and other parts as
shewn. The water is taken away from the water chamber by the branch 3 to the
water return pipe e.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invOD-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim :-

page_text: equivalent sounding devices, upon the steam being turned on to same, consisting
of a water trap or intercepting device placed in the steam supply pipe at or about
the position specified, and a water return pipe therefrom for conducting the water
away from fame; arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein Bet
forth.
2. The water trap or intercepting device, steam supply pipe or branch, water
collecting device, and water draw off brauch, constructed and adapted to be used
in connection with a ship's whistle (or like device) and steam service pipo, and to
operato as herein set forth with reference to and shown in the different figures of
the drawings.
3. In means for effecting the instantaneous sounding of ships' whistles or
equivalent sounding devices upon the steam being turned on to same, the.
employment of a device or provision in connection with the boiler, having a
Sinal regulated opening connecting the boiler with the water return pipe, and
water intercepter or trap device on the steam pipe; substantially as set forth.
4. The arrangement and combination of parts forming means for effecting the
instantaneous sounding of ships' whistles or equivalent sounding devices, upon
the steam being turned on to same; as herein set forth, and as shewn in the
drawings.
Dated this and do of 1907
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.