New or Improved Automatic Valve-closing Apparatus for Application to Valves on Water Mains.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1893
Complete Specification' Left, 24th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 21st Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Automatic Valve-closing Apparatus for
Application to Valves on Water Mains.
I, JOHN DAVISON, Engineer, of Scotswood Engine Works, Scotswood on Tyne,
in the County of Northumberland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to new or improved automatic valve-closing apparatus for
application to valves on water mains.
My invention consists in the provision of a water cylinder connected to a water
main by small piping and cock such piping being preferably fitted to the main on
outflow side of main water valve.
A ram works in the cylinder and is fitted with a crosshead from which weights
are suspended by suitable chains or ropes and sheaves.
The outer end of the ram is fitted with a toothed rack gearing into suitable
toothed wheels fitted in connection with spindle of main valve in any suitable
position with the requisite increase gear to give the number of turns required on
valve spindle.
The ram with weight attached is held in position by the pressure of the water on
the main through the small piping: the ram being out at full stroke the toothed
rack and gearing are set to hold main valve full open.
The bursting of the main reducing the pressure in the cylinder the ram is drawn
back by the weight and sets in motion the gearing attached in connection with main
valve spindle which has the effect of closing the valve with a speed regulated by the
outflow from the cylinder.
1300
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
3, St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent, (in obtaining
acceptance of the Provisional Specification filed by the inventor).
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION:
New or Improved Automatic Valve-closing Apparatus for
Application to Valves on Water Mains.
I, JOHN DAVISON, Engineer, of Scotswood Engine Works, Scotswood on Tyne
in the County of Northumberland, 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 relates to new or improved automatic valve-closing apparatus for
application to valves on water mains.
My invention consists in the provision of a water cylinder or hydraulic ram
connected to the water main by small piping and cocks, such piping being
preferably fitted to the main on the outflow side of main water valve.
A ram works in the cylinder and is fitted with a crosshead from which weights
are suspended by suitable chains or ropes and sheaves or drums. The outer end of
the ram is fitted with a toothed rack which is adapted to gear into suitable toothed
wheels fitted in connection with the main valve spindle in any suitable position, the.
gear being designed to give the requisite number of turns or travel to the valve
spindle.
The ram with its attached weights is held in its forward or outward position by

page_text: the pressure of the water in the main through the small piping aforesaid and when
in this position the rack and gearing are designed to hold the main valve full
open.
Should a burst pipe occur in the main line, the pressure in the ram cylinder
is reduced and the weights then act to draw inwards the ram which through
the gearing aforesaid has the effect of closing the main valve with a speed
regulated by the outflow from the ram cylinder.
In the case of a burst pipe or broken main line after the necessary repairs have
been effected the pipe line can be recharged or refilled with great steadiness by
regulating at the cock or valve on the small piping its area of opening and
consequently the rate of outstroke of the ram and the rate of opening of the
valve.
I will fully describe my invention and the sensitive working thereof and the
advantages thereto accruing with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 shows a general side elevational view partly in section of the apparatus,
Figure 2 being a general plan view partly in section of the same;
Figure 3 shows an end view of part of the gearing and in the following description
like marks of reference designate like parte.
Referring to the drawings, a represents the main water pipe line, a¹ is the ram
cylinder, a the ram, a the small piping connecting these parts, a' a cock on the
small piping, as the crosshead on the ram, and a steel ropes connecting the cross-
head with conical rope sheaves a', mounted on an axle a³. On the same axle is a
conical sheave a for the rope or chain 10 which carries the suspended weights 11.
The ropes are so arranged with regard to the sheaves a', and crosshead that
when the ram is at its outstroke end the ropes are on the minimum diameter of the
scroll sheaves and the rope or chain 10 is then on the maximum diameter of its
scroll sheave whereby power is gained at the termination of the stroke but the
drawings show the ram at its instroke, with the ropes or chains in the reverse positions
to that just described. 12 is a rack fitted to the outer end of the ram; this rack
gears with a pinion 13 on an axle 14 and the spur wheel 15 gears with a pinion 16
on the hollow shaft 17, 18 being a bracket to carry the gearing. 19 represents a
sluice valve on the main and the outer end of its spindle 20 is a screw as shown in
the drawings, to gear with an internally screwed boss 21 on the hollow shaft 17
aforesaid; the rack 12 is kept in gear with the pinion 13 by a friction roller 22
which presses on or is kept in immediate contiguity to the lateral flanges of the
rack girder.
•
For the purpose of actuating the sluice valve by hand, should this be found
desirable, a hand gear apparatus may be provided consisting of a worm wheel 23
on spindle 24 gearing into a toothed wheel 25 mounted on the hollow shaft
aforesaid.
At the instroke end of the ram casing I may provide a pipe 26 and cock 27 for
the purpose hereinafter described and to provide against bending of the sluice valve
spindle, owing to slight subsidences of the ground or otherwise, I may divide the
spindle and connect the two ends together by a simple fish-coupling as shown at 28.
The operation of the improved apparatus is as follows:
Normally the pressure of the water in the main is allowed to act through cock
or valve a and piping a³ on ram a²; the ram is thus forced outwards and the
rack 12 thus turns the pinion 13, spur 15, pinion 16, hollow shaft 17 and screwed
boss 21 which has the effect of revolving spindle 20 and consequently opening the
sluice valve.
As long as the pressure in the main remains constant, the sluice valve will thus
be kept full open but if it is desired to actuate the valve or apparatus at any time
this can be done by opening the cock 27 which will in consequence reduce the
pressure in the ram cylinder and allow the weights 11 to actuate the gearing, the
water from the ram cylinder passing out through pipe 26.
Should a breakage or burst pipe occur in the main the pressure will be
immediately reduced and the weights 11 will draw in the ram and by the action of

page_text: the rack and gearing aforesaid close the main sluice valve. As soon as the
necessary repairs to the main have been effected, the valve a' may be slightly
opened to admit pressure to the ram, which will thus partially open the sluice valve.
The water passing the sluice will slightly reduce the pressure in pipe a and on the
ram (it may be below the pressure required to lift the weights 11) and until the
main pipe is refilled or charged this reduction of pressure will not be fully made up,
but as soon as the main pipe is fully charged, the normal pressure will be resumed
and the sluice will then be fully opened.
It will be observed that should the reduction of pressure fall below the power
required to lift the weights, the sluice will cease opening until the main has been
sufficiently charged to produce the requisite pressure to open the sluice, and in this.
manner I find that a steadiness in opening the valve is obtained which hitherto has
not been possible by any other means.
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 automatic valve-closing apparatus for application to valves on
water mains consisting in the use and application of an hydraulic ram device con--
nected to the main by valve-controlled piping, the ram device being fitted with a
tooth device or rack and with counterweights adapted to actuate suitable gearing
designed to open and close the sluice valve substantially as herein set forth.
2. The combination with a water or pressure main of an hydraulic ram fitted at
its forward end with a tooth device or rack and at its crosshead with ropes or
chains connected to a suspended weight, the water pressure on the ram or the
weights connected to the ram crosshead being respectively adapted to actuate the
gearing for opening or closing the water main sluice valves substantially as and for-
the purposes herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of August 1893.
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent..