Improvements in and relating to Steam Whistles and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1895
Improvements in and relating to Steam Whistles and the like.
I WILHELM MÖLLER, Engineer, of Bremerhaven, in the Empire of Germany,
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:-
With steam whistles it is often found that the sound frequently does not come
at once in its full strength and distinctness owing to the presence of water which
collects in the valve body and the tube conductors through condensation of the
steam. This condensed water also freezes in very cold weather and prevents the
whistle from acting properly.
This invention has for its object to so construct the valve for operating the
whistle that water of condensation normally has a free egress and after the
operation of the valve any water is automatically discharged.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a valve for a steam whistle acting by high pressure
steam and
Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a valve for low pressure steam.
Fig. 3 is a section of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 on the line X X.
The steam conducting tube is connected to the valve box G by the flange F
and the tube for the whistle by the flange F'. A spindle S is fitted horizontally
in the box and carries a piston disc K fitting closely to the inner surface of the
valve box G. Over the inner end of this spindle is forced the valve V bored
centrally and in this central bore slides the small valve V2 which is fitted on the
spindle S'. A spring fis arranged between the piston disc K and the valve V
and a spring facts similarly on the valve V. For the ejection of water of
condensation the channel H is provided the lower end of which may be connected
to a suitable receptacle such as a collecting tank. The lever for starting the valve
is shown at b.
The arrangement shown in Figs. 2 and 3 varies only from the foregoing in that
only one cone valve V is required.
The action of the valve is as follows:
In the normal position the piston K leaves the communication open between the
steam supply tube above the valve through the channel H to the collecting tank
so that any condensed water is free to flow to the said collecting tank. On
actuating the spindle S by means of the lever o the water discharge channel H is
first closed by the movement of the piston K. During this movement when the
opening is covered about inch the cone valves V or V are caused to open by
means of the spindles S S and allow steam to pass to the whistle to cause it to
sound. After the whistle has sounded the cone valve first closes and the discharge
of water from the tube commences automatically by the return of the piston disc
owing to the small quantity of steam in front of the valve flowing naturally at
first downwards through the opened channel. In order to facilitate the discharge
of condensed water out of the valve chamber it is preferable to file surfaces on
the inner part of the spindle S and to mount the whole valve somewhat inclined
towards the side of the exhaust or water discharge.
The amount of energy necessary for the opening of the valve V does not exceed
the amount necessary for ordinary steam whistles and effects simultaneously the
opening of the exhaust and water discharge channel H.
D

page_text: 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. A valve for steam whistles, characterised by a discharge channel H for
steam and condensation water which on setting the steam whistle in operation is
closed by a stop cylinder K connected to the valve rod S and is left open on putting
the whistle out of operation.
2. The improvements in and relating to steam whistles and the like arranged
constructed and operating substantially as described in the foregoing Specification
and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 17th day of September 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C.; Agents.