IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND PREVENTING THE ESCAPE OF GAS FROM MAIN PIPES AND CONNECTIONS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO WATER PIPES"
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Warner, Engineer, of the Gas Works, South
Shields, in the County of Durham, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND PREVENTING THE ESCAPE OF GAS FROM MAIN
PIPES AND CONNECTIONS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO WATER
PIPES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William John Warner at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd February 1876.
WILLIAM JOHN WARNER, Engineer, of the Gas Works, South Shields, in the
County of Durham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND PRE-
VENTING THE ESCAPE OF GAS FROM MAIN PIPES AND CONNECTIONS, PARTS OF
WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO WATER PIPES."
This Invention has for its object the reduction of loss by leakage which occurs
in gas mains and in the junctions of services thereto consequent upon the
imperfection of the joints or by fractures, and for means of readily testing the
saine.
The Invention consists, in the first place, of making the mains with a turned
spigot and cast socket, the spigot being a plain cylindrical one, and the socket
When the
formed with two or more grooves of a V or taper or dovetail section.
spigot is thrust into the socket the joint is made much in the usual way with yarn
and melted lead, which latter runs into the grooves, and retains a firm hold; but to
prevent the yarn getting into the main, and to ensure a space between the end of
spigot and bottom of socket a ring of lead may be used therein. Mains so jointed
will, in consequence of the cylindrical form of the spigot, permit "drawing" to such
an extent as to compensate for any expansion, contraction, or settlement in the
mains without destroying the soundness of the joint; or the socket may be bored,
and the spigot left rough with a bead or beads, the joint being such as above
described, to ensure greater freedom for settlement, and to allow in the taking
up of such pipes the withdrawal of one from the other without destroying or
injuring the pipes.
The Invention, in the second place, consists in the construction of a clip or
collar for the purpose of uniting the plain ends of mains, or reuniting the ends of

page_text: such as may become fractured, and consists in casting the clips or collars in two
longitudinal halves, the upper one of which is made with a plain longitudinal
flange, and the other with a grooved one, so arranged as to clip the plain one just
named. The faces of the flanges and grooves are at a slight angle with the axis of
the collar, or wedge shaped, so that when brought together and slid the one into
the other, the two may clip and form a "thimble' or double socket around the pipe.
The junction, a piece of sheet lead having been first placed round the two ends of
the main, is then completed by caulking, and running lead into the " thimble,"
filling it and the grooves, a bead, beads, bosses, or studs being cast or formed on the
inner side of the collar to strengthen the joint, and clip more effectually the
enclosed pipe. Instead of plain flanges and grooves the collars may be formed with
curved flanges, so as to lock into each other. These clips or collars may be made
with one or more sockets or bosses cast or formed thereon, and into which other
pipes or services may be inserted or screwed without endangering the main pipe
by separation at the point of junction; they may also be made to serve most
effectively in connecting ordinary branches to the mains, especially the smaller
sizes. These clips may be made in more than two parts, and with one or more
wedge-shaped pieces to fasten the whole together.
The Invention, in the third place, has reference to the attachment to the collars
before mentioned, or to ordinary mains, of a removable service or stand pipe
suitable for lighting market and other places, for taking pressures, or for any
purpose where only occasional or periodical additional public lights or connections
are required. The apparatus consists of a vertical pipe, the lower end of which
is fixed to the main or collar, and the upper end to a box like a common syphon
box. Into this box is fastened a plate having a plug or valve thereon. The valve
or barrel is fitted to a fixed seat or plug capable of turning upon it, and is square
on the outside, and of such size as to fit a collar made to slip over it, the joint
between the collar and the plug being made gas-tight by the former being forced
down upon an india-rubber washer by certain projections coming in contact with
other projections formed in the interior of a cap or cover which surrounds the valve
and collar before described. The top of the cover has a round hole with a notch or
key way on its opposite sides to admit of the projections or feathers on the collar
passing through and on to the plug. To the collar is fixed the stand or service
pipe, which is provided with an ordinary stop-cock and gas burner or pressure
guage at its upper end. The action of the apparatus is simple. When it is desired
to make the attachment, a service or stand pipe furnished with a collar, as described,
is thrust down through the cap or cover, and on being turned will fix or jam itself
tightly, so as to remain firmly upright, and at the same time turn on the gas from
the main beneath. The action of removing the pipe effectually shuts off the gas,
thereby ensuring great security against fraud, and loss by leakage.
The Invention, in the fourth place, consists in intercepting a line of main at any
convenient spot by a box or chamber divided by partitions, so as to constitute a
hydraulic valve and a case in which a meter wheel inay revolve, the revolutions of
such wheel, and consequently the quantity of gas passed through it, being indicated
upon an index attached to the case for this purpose. The arrangement is such that
when no test is being proceeded with the gas will pass by the meter without
actuating it; but on a test being desired, all that is necessary is to pour water into
the box or chamber sufficient to seal the valve, when the gas will be compelled to
pass through the meter, and thus register its quantity.
The same result may be arrived at, though not so conveniently, by introducing
an ordinary hydraulic valve at any suitable place along the line of main, and
attaching one of the valves or connections described under the third head of
this Invention to the main on each side of it. If a temporary connection is
then made between these two valves and an ordinary meter of sufficient capacity,
and the hydraulic valve is scaled, the gas usually flowing at this point will be com-
pelled to pass through the meter, when its quantity may be ascertained by an
inspection of the index.

page_text: .
The improvements pointed out under the first and second heads of this Invention
are not limited to gas pipes, but are equally applicable to pipes for the con-
veyance of water.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
William John Warner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th August
1876.
WILLIAM JOHN WARNER, Engineer, of the Gas Works, South Shields, in the
County of Durham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND PRE-
VENTING THE ESCAPE OF GAS FROM MAIN PIPES AND CONNECTIONS, PARTS OF WHICH
ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO WATER PIPES."
This Invention has for its object the reduction of loss by leakage which occurs
in gas mains and in the junctions of services thereto consequent upon the
imperfection of the joints, or by fractures, and for means of readily testing the
soundness of the same.
In jointing the mains the object is attained by increasing the flexibility of the
mains through the improved formation of the joints, giving a greater longitudinal
and a considerably increased axial freedom.
The Invention consists, in the first place, of making the mains with a turned
spigot and cast socket, the spigot being a plain cylindrical one, and the socket
formed with two or more or less grooves of a V or taper or dovetail section. When
the spigot is thrust into the socket the joint is made much in the usual way with
yarn and melted lead, which latter runs into the grooves, and retains a firm hold;
but to prevent the yarn getting into the main, and to ensure a space between end of
spigot and bottom of socket a flanged ring or sleeve of lead may be used therein.
Mains so jointed will in consequence of the cylindrical form of the spigot permit
drawing" to such an extent as to compensate for any expansion, contraction, or
settlement in the mains without destroying the soundness of the joint; or the
socket may be bored, and the spigot left rough with a bead or beads, the joint being
such as above described, to ensure greater freedom for settlement, and to allow in
the taking up of such pipes the withdrawal of one from the other without destroying
or injuring the pipes.
"
The Invention, in the second place, consists in the construction of a clip or
collar for the purpose of reuniting the ends of broken or fractured mains, and
consists in casting the clips or collars in two longitudinal halves, the upper one of
which is made with a plain longitudinal flange, and the other with a grooved one,
so arranged as to clip the plain one just mentioned. The faces of the flanges and
grooves are at a slight angle with the axis of the collar or wedge shaped, so that
when brought together and slid the one into the other, the two may clip and form
a "thimble"
or double socket around the pipe. The junction, a piece of sheet lead
having been first placed round the two ends of the main, is then completed by
caulking and running lead into the " thimble," filling it and the interstices between
the flanges, a bead, beads, bosses, or studs being cast or formed on the inner side of
the collar to strengthen the joint by clipping more effectually the enclosed pipe.
Another advantage attending the use of these studs or small bosses is that if they
are cast full long they may always be clipped off to suit the varying external
diameter of pipes of the same bore to which they are applied. Instead of plain flanges
and grooves the collars may be formed with curved flanges, so as to lock into each
other. These clips or collars may be made with one or more sockets or bosses cast
or formed thereon, and into which other pipes or services may be inserted or screwed
without endangering the main pipe by separation at the point of junction; they
may also be made to serve most effectively in connecting ordinary branches to the
mains, especially the smaller sizes. These clips may be made in more than two

page_text: parts, and with one or more wedge-shaped pieces to fasten the whole together;
they are however preferred to be made as shown in the Drawing. Under this head.
of the Invention, because involving the saine principle in the construction of the
joint, attention is directed to Fig. 8, wherein clips are shown for the purpose of
binding together the boxes or troughs wherein it is now usual to lay services, the
said services being enveloped or packed with tar and sawdust, pitch, or other
material of a preservative character.
The Invention in the third place has reference to the attachment to the collars
before mentioned, or to ordinary mains, of a removable service or stand pipe
suitable for lighting market and other places, for taking pressures, or for any
purpose where only occasional or periodical additional public lights or connections
are required. The apparatus consists of a vertical pipe, the lower end of which is
fixed to the main or collar, and the upper end to a box something like a common
syphon box. Into this box is fastened a plate having a plug or valve thereon. The
valve or barrel is fitted to a fixed seat or plug capable of turning upon it, and is
square on the outside, and of such size as to fit a collar made to slip over it, the
joint between the collar and the plug being made gas-tight by the former being
forced down upon an india-rubber washer by certain projections coming in contact
with other projections formed in the interior of the top of the box which surrounds
the valve and collar before described. The top of the box has a round hole with
notches or keyways on its opposite sides to admit of the projections or feathers on
the collar passing through and on to the plug. To the collar is fixed the stand pipe,
which is provided with an ordinary stop-cock and gas burner or pressure guage at
its upper end. The action of the apparatus is simple. When it is desired to make
the attachment a stand pipe furnished with a collar, as described, is thrust down"
through the top of the box, and on being turned will fix or jam itself tightly, so
as to remain firmly upright, and at the same time turn on the gas from the main
beneath. The action of removing the pipe effectually shuts off the gas, thereby
ensuring great security against fraud, and loss by leakage.
The Invention, in the fourth place, consists in intercepting a line of main at any
convenient spot by a box or chamber divided by partitions, so as to constitute a
hydraulic valve, and a case in which a meter wheel may revolve, the revolutions of
such wheel, and consequently the quantity of gas passed through it, being indicated
upon an index attached to the case for this purpose. The arrangement is such that
when no test is being proceeded with the gas will pass by the meter without
actuating it; but on a test being desired all that is necessary is to pour water into
the box or chamber sufficient to seal the valve when the gas will be compelled to
pass through the meter, and thus register its quantity.
The same result may be arrived at though not so conveniently by introducing an
ordinary hydraulic valve at any suitable place along the line of main, and attaching
one of the valves or connections described under the third head of this Invention
to the main on each side of it. If a temporary connection is then made between
these two valves and an ordinary meter of sufficient capacity, and the hydraulic
valve is sealed, the gas usually flowing at this point will be compelled to pass
through the meter, when its quantity may be ascertained by an inspection of the
index.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood Drawings are attached
hereto of which the following is a description :-Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent longi-
tudinal sections of the various modifications of joints made in accordance with this
Invention. In Fig. 1, A is the roughly cast socket, and B, the cylindrically turned
spigot ends of two pipes united together by the spigot provided with a leaden
sleeve C being thrust into the socket, and then caulked, with yarn D, preferably
steeped first in a mixture of oil and tallow. The interstice between the two pipes
is then filled in with melted lead, which runs into the grooves E, E, and as it con-
tracts on cooling clips the sides of the grooves and circumference of the spigot to
such a degree as to ensure a tight joint, which may be "set up" by hand or not, as
is found desirable; F, F, are two holes penetrating through the thickness of the

page_text: socket to the groove, so as to allow of the escape of air when pouring in the melted
lead. Fig. 2 exhibits a precisely similar pipe, with the exception that it has but
one groove formed in its socket instead of two. Fig. 3. is a section of the form of
joint I prefer. It will be seen that in general it is similar to the preceding Figure,
but the hinder part of the socket is recessed as at G, G. I prefer this form of joint,
because it more completely carries out the principle that I consider ought to be
adhered to, namely, to so construct the joint that while it is not only capable of
drawing" to a slight extent without destroying its tightness, it shall also be free
to deflect in the direction of its length by turning on the band of lead H, the centre
of which forms the axial point of its deflection. In this form of joint the leaden
sleeve may be dispensed with. Fig. 4 is a modification wherein a cylindrically
turned socket is employed together with a roughly cast spigot having a bead or
beads I, I, thereon. The joint is made with a leaden sleeve C, yarn, and melted
lead, as before described.
"
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal elevation of the clips or collar for joining the ends of
broken or fractured mains. Here J, K, are the two halves or clips, which when
brought together and slid one into the other forms the collar or thimble. It will
be observed that on looking at Fig. 6, which is a transverse section through the
middle of the collar, that the upper half J has a plain longitudinal flange, while K,
the lower half, has a curved flange, as shown in the Figure, and each half of the
collar is furnished with internal studs L, L, as before-mentioned. In this Figure the
main is lettered M. In Fig. 5 the strip of sheet lead used to envelope the ends of
the fractured main is shown in dotted lines, and marked N. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal
elevation of the same kind of collar or thimble showing the mode of joining services
or smaller mains thereto, M being the main ; J, K, the collar; and O, the service or
smaller main.
Fig. 8 exhibits the modification of these slips as adapted to binding together the
wooden or other service boxes or troughs and their covers for enclosing the service
pipe in a mixture of tar and sawdust to protect the pipe from the action of the
soil. The troughs and clips may be made of various sizes and shapes, but the
hexagon or square is preferred. In the Fig. the trough or box is shown as P, P,
its cover as Q, Q, the service as R, R, and the clips or collars as S, S, the latter
being placed at such intervals along the trough as is found necessary to bind it and
its cover securely together.
Fig. 9 represents the arrangement for the attachment of removable, market, or
other gas stand pipes. In this view, which is a side elevation and part section, T
represents the main with its service U attached to it in the ordinary manner, or by
a socket as at V, or by means of a collar, as shown at Fig. 7. To the top of the
service U is fixed a plate W, and upon that is fastened by bolts the case or
box X. To the plate W is also fixed by screws the plug or valve Y, and upon
this plug the barrel Z is free to turn. That part of the barrel marked a is square.
The stand pipe has attached to its lower end the collar c, which is square in the
interior, so as to slip over and turn the barrel by the square part a until the hole
in the plug and that in the barrel coincides, when a gasway will be established
between the service U and the stand pipe b. A gas-tight joint between the collar
c and the plate of the plug or valve Y is made by the former being forced down
upon an india-rubber washer d by the upper part of the feathers e of the collar
coming in contact contact with inclined projections cast on the inner side of the box X.
Fig. 10 is a plan of the top of the box or case containing the valve.
Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the plug or cover of the box when out of use, and
Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation of an outer box or covering suitable for enclosing
the box or case X when placed in such situations as to render it requisite. The
peculiarity of this box is that the cover is heavy, and so made that the lid cannot
be raised to its own centre of gravity; consequently unless the lid is supported by
the stand pipe b, it will fall and keep the box closed of its own accord when the
apparatus it encloses is out of use.
Fig. 13 is a side sectional elevation of the "district meter" or apparatus for

page_text: testing the soundness of the mains. It consists, as before described, of a box or
chamber divided by partitions g, h, so as to constitute a hydraulic valve and a
case, in which a meter wheel i might revolve. In this Fig. jis the inlet for the
gas, the inlet to the spout, one end of which is placed within the hollow cover
of the wheel or drum i, and is the outlet for the gas. Upon it being desired that
a test of mains should take place, this "district meter," if not already inserted
within the line of main permanently, is attached by flexible or other temporary
connections when water is to be admitted to the case until it fills that part wherein
the wheel revolves, flows over, and sufficiently fills the lower part of the chamber to
seal the gasway. On the cock m being turned the gas will have to pass through
the wheel i, and any leakage or consumption will be registered by an index placed
at the top of the meter, but not shown in the Drawing, the index being driven by
the upright spindle n. On the test being completed the water from the lower part
of the case is pumped out by the pipe p, or drawn off, and the cock m shut, when
the gas will flow uninterruptedly by the meter.
Fig. 14 is a plan of Fig. 13, the cover being removed, and shows the filling
pipe O.
In each of the Figures similar letters refer to the same parts.
The improvements pointed out under the first and second heads of this Invention
are not limited to gas pipes, but are equally applicable to pipes for the conveyance
of water.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise
details or arrangements which I have described or referred to, as variations may be
made therein without deviating from the principles or main features of this
Invention; but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part Letters Patent is,
Firstly. Making the joints of pipes with turned cylindrical spigots and roughly
cast sockets with a groove or grooves therein, as herein described and shown on
the Drawings, Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
Secondly. The use of a leaden sleeve C, as herein described and shown on the
Drawings in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.
Thirdly. Making the joints of pipes with a cylindrically turned socket and
roughly cast spigot with a bead or beads, as herein described and shown on the
Drawing, Fig. 4.
Fourthly. The clips or collars used to unite the ends of broken pipes, or for con-
necting services or small mains to larger ones, as herein described and shown on the
Drawings, Figs. 5, 6, and 7.
Fifthly. The removable stand pipe with its attachments, as herein described and
shown on the Drawing, Figs. 9, 10, and 11.
Sixthly. The district meter" or apparatus herein described, and shown in the
Drawings, Figs. 13 and 14.
In witness wheroof, I, the said William John Warnor, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand aircht hundored and savante viv