Improvements in and relating to Feed Water Regulating Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Feed Water Regulating Apparatus.
We, THOMAS SCOTT KING, of Flora House, Colchester, and JOHN HENRY TOULMIN,
THOMAS COULTHARD, the younger, and WILLIAM NORRIS, all of Cooper Road,
Preston, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to feed water regulating apparatus for steam generators
and other purposes, and has for its object to effect the regulation of the feed water
upon the rise or fall of the water in the boiler from the normal level.
In feed water regulating apparatus and low water alarms as at present generally
used, a float is employed which is supported by displacement in the boiler and con-
nected to the regulating point through stuffing glands or steam tight joints which
have the obvious defects, among others of variation of packing resistance and
cumbersome mechanism stowed away in the steam space of the boiler.
The feed water regulating apparatus according to the present invention is capable
of being mounted on the outside of the boiler and has the advantage of positively
and unrestrictedly operating to regulate the feed water supply upon the rise or fall
of water from the normal level in the boiler.
The invention consists in providing a vessel connected by means of flexible tubing
to the steam and water spaces respectively of a boiler, and so mounted as to be
capable of vertical movement which is permitted by means of the flexible tubing
to which it is connected. The weight of the vessel may be carried by means of a
spring or balance weight. The vessel is connected by means of a suitable arrange-
ment of levers or mechanism to the valve of a by-pass or pump, so that upon the
rise of water in the boiler there is a corresponding rise in the vessel and by the
weight of the water admitted the vessel immediately descends thereby operating
the valve to diminish or temporarily stop the supply to the boiler, while upon
the fall of the water within the boiler there is a corresponding fall of water within
the vessel and owing to the consequent deficiency the vessel immediately rises
under the action of the spring or balance weight and operates a valve to increase
or open the supply of water to the boiler or to set in operation a pump for the
purpose.
In carrying our invention into effect we provide a vessel of suitable dimensions
and preferably having its greatest diameter at its central part and having its
diameter gradually diminishing towards its upper and lower ends and to such
vessel we secure pine connections to which respectively are secured a spiral flexibie
tube, the opposite extremity of each of which we secure respectively to the face
of the boiler in determined positions so as to communicate respectively with the
steam and water spaces, and so as to arrange the vessel in line with the normal
level of water in the boiler. The upper extremity of the uppermost pipe connec
tion is preferably extended and is mounted to move within a fixed collar which
O receives a spiral spring the opposite extremity of which is maintained in position
by means of nuts screwed upon the extremity of the pipe connection referred to

page_text: Such spring may be suitably encased and it will be understood that its function
is to balance the weight of the vessel with the contained water at normal level.
The vessel is connected by means of à lever to a valve rod operating a by-pass
or pump such lever being mounted upon a pillar or support and being connected
to the valve spindle by means of a screwed collar permitting of adjustment thereof
for the purpose of providing for a high or low normal level as required, such
screwed collar having the effect on its adjustment of diminishing or increasing
the effective resistance of the spring against displacement of the vessel.
For the purpose of precluding too sensitive operation of the vessel and for the
purpose of precluding the vibration from effecting the vessel when the apparatus
is used upon a motor car, we provide a dash pot which may be arranged at the same
time to form a support for the lower extremity of the lower pipe connection which
slides within a cylinder suitably provided for the purpose.
In carrying our invention into-effect according to another modification we may
support the vessel by means of a balance weight instead of a spring. It will be
seen that by the use of an apparatus made in accordance with our present invention
the feed water is positively regulated and the rise or fall of the water within the
boiler automatically causes an accelerating movement of the vessel which thereby
ensures effective regulation upon a relatively small rise or fall of the water in the
boiler.
It is obvious that the movement of the vessel may be communicated to the
regulating point by means other than those hereinbefore described, while the move-
ment of the vessel may be permitted by other means or connections than the flexible
tubing before referred to.
100
his 21st day of March
1898.
MARKS & CLERK,
18. Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
Improvements in and relating to Feed Water Regulating Apparatus.
We, THOMAS SCOTT KING, of Flora House, Colchester, and JOHN HENRY TOULMIN,
THOMAS COULTILARD, the younger, and WILLIAM NORRIS, all of Cooper Road,
Presten, in the County of Lancashire, Engineers, do hereby dclare 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 relates to feed water regulating apparatus for steam generators
and other purposes, and has for its object to effect the regulation of the feed water
upon the rise or fall of the water in the boiler from the normal level.
In feed water regulating apparatus and low water alarms as at present generally
used, a float is employed which is supported by displacement in the boiler and con-
nected to the regulating point through stuffing glands or steam tight joints which
have the obvious defects, among others of variation of packing resistance and
cumbersome mechanism stowed away in the steam space of the boiler.
The feed water regulating apparatus according to the present invention is capable
of being mounted on the outside of the boiler and has the advantage of positively
and unrestrictedly operating to regulate the feed water supply upon the rise or fall
of water from the normal level in the boiler.
The invention consists in providing a vessel connected by means of flexible tubing
to the steam and water spaces respectively of a boiler, and so mounted as to be

page_text: apable of vertical movement which is permitted by means of the flexible tubing
o which it is connected. The weight of the vessel may be carried by means of a
spring.or balance weight. The vessel is connected by means of a suitable arrange-
ment of levers or mechanism to the valve of a by-pass or pump, so that upon the
ise of the water in the boiler there is a corresponding rise in the vessel and by the
weight of the water admitted the vessel immediately descends thereby operating
the valve to diminish or temporarily stop the supply to the boiler, while upon
the fall of the water within the boiler there is a corresponding fall of water within the
vessel and owing to the consequent deficiency the vessel immediately rises
under the action of the spring or balance weight and operates a valve to increase
or open the supply of water to the boiler or to set in operation a pump for the
purpose.
:-
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:-
a feed water regulating
Figure 1 represents in longitudinal section
apparatus made in accordance with the present invention, and
Figure 2 is a modification thereof shown in longitudinal section.
In carrying our invention into effect as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accom-
panying drawings we provide a vessel A of suitable dimensions and preferably
having its greatest diameter at its central part and having its diameter gradually
diminishing towards its upper and lower ends and to such vessel A we secure.
pipe connections B, C, to which respectively are secured a flexible tube D the
opposite extremity of each of which we secure respectively to the face of the boiler.
in determined positions so as to communicate respectively with the steam and water
spaces, and so as to arrange the vessel A in line with the normal level of water in
the boiler. The upper extremity of the uppermost pipe connection B is preferably
provided with a rod E which is mounted within a guide F and serves to carry
the vessel A. A spiral spring G provided within the guide F abuts against a plate
at the upper extremity of the rod E and serves to balance the weight of the vessel A
with the contained water at normal level. The vessel A is connected by means of
a lever H to a valve rod I operating a by-pass or pump, such lever being mounted
upon a pillar or support J and may be connected to the valve spindle by means
of a screwed collar permitting of adjustment thereof for the purpose of providing
for a high or low normal level as required, such screwed collar having the effect on
its adjustment of diminishing or increasing the effective resistance of the spring
against displacement of the vessel.
For the purpose of precluding too sensitive operation of the vessel and for the
purpose of precluding the vibration from effecting the vessel when the apparatus
is used on a motor car, we provide a dash pot K which may be arranged at the same
time to form a support for the rod L of the lower pipe connection C which slides
within the dash pot cylinder, A cushion regulating valve M may be provided
which is capable of adjustment by means of the handle N.
As illustrated in the drawings the whole apparatus may be encased in a casing ().
In accordance with a modification in construction illustrated in Figure 2, we may
provide for carrying the vessel A by means of flexible spiral spring tubes P, 1"
which at the same time serve for communication with the steam and water spaces
of the boiler.
In carrying our invention into effect according to another modification we may
support the vessel by means of a balance weight instead of a spring.
It will be seen that by the use of an apparatus made in accordance with our
O present invention the feed water is positively regulated and the rise or fall of the
water within the boiler automatically causing an accelerating movement of the
vessel which thereby ensures effective regulation upon a relatively small rise or fall
of the water in the boiler.
It is obvious that the movement of the vessel may be communicated to the regu-
5 lating point by means other than those hereinbefore described, while the movement
of the vessel may be permitted by other means or connections than the flexible
tubing before referred to:

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. Means for automatic regulation of feed water to boilers consisting of a vessel
which is preferably arranged exterior to the boiler, and capable of movement upon
variation of the water level, whereby the feed water is regulated substantially as
hereinbefore described.
2. Means for automatic regulation of feed water to boilers consisting of a vessel
which is preferably arranged exterior to the boiler, and is connected to the water
and steam spaces thereof by flexible tubing, and is carried by means of a spring
or weight and is capable of movement upon variation of the water level, whereby
the feed water is regulated, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. Means for automatic regulation of feed water to boilers consisting of a vessel
which is preferably arranged exterior to the boiler, and is connected to the water
and steam spaces thereof by flexible tubing and is carried by means of a spring
or weight and is capable of movement, under the resistance of a dash pot, upon
variation of the water level, whereby the feed water is regulated, substantially as
herein before described.
4. Apparatus for automatic regulation of feed water to boilers substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.
5. Apparatus for automatic regulation of feed water to boilers, substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.
1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and 21
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and 21
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.