Improvements in Glass Water-gauges.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1896-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Glass Water-gauges.
I, WILHELM STRUBE, of 8 Freiestrasse, Magdeburg-Buckau, in the Empire of
Germany, Manufacturer, 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 a special mode of fixing glass gauge tubes in the
stuffing boxes of water gauge fittings the objects of the invention being to prevent
the obstruction of the glass tube by the indiarubber packing washer in the stuffing
box, to avoid the movement of the glass tube, owing to excess of fluid pressure at
one of its ends, when the gland nut is rotated, and to necessitate only such
tightening of the gland nut as can be effected by the hand without the use of a
spanner or other tool, consequently avoiding the frequent breakages of glass tubes
during their insertion.
The accompanying drawing represents a vertical longitudinal section of a glass
water-gauge constructed in conformity with this invention.
With fittings for water gauges and with glass water-gauge tubes as hitherto
constructed, the latter frequently become obstructed during the tightening of the
gland nut, the glass tube rises, and thus the indiarubber washer, under compression
finds its way into the lower orifice of the glass tube. The consequence thereof is
that the true water level in the boiler can no longer be ascertained and boiler
explosions, due to a low water level, frequently occur.
In the device which forms the subject of this invention obstruction of the glass
is rendered impossible. The lower extremity of the glass water-gauge tube a is
provided with a flange b. Between this flange and the indiarubber washer d of the
stuffing box fa special packing ring c is interposed against which the flange b of
glass tube bears. This packing ring e keeps the indiarubber washer d away from
the lower orifice of the said glass tube. Owing to the flange b provided at the
lower end of the glass gauge tube, the latter is prevented from rising when the
gland nut e is being rotated and is likewise not allowed to yield to the steam or
other fluid pressure when the connection has been effected, since the ring c prevents
the movement of the glass in a longitudinal direction.
For the purpose of making a tight joint round the inserted glass, it is sufficient
that the gland nut e be screwed on very loosely, because the india rubber washer d
is ou all sides so surrounded by rigid bodies, that it is forced, even by the slightest
pressure from the nut, to press uniformly in all directions, and, unlike washers in
water gauges of this kind at present constructed, it can not be forced through the
free space between the glass and the wall of the water gauge fitting thereby
causing the glass to rise. Further, owing to the fact that, in the device forming
the subject matter of this invention, the gland only requires a slight pressure,
breakage of the glasses during insertion, so frequently occurring in other devices of
this kind, is efficiently prevented.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
ion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The combination with a water gauge glass and its head or fitting, of a hard or
igid packing ring such as c an indiarubber washer such as d and a flange such as b

page_text: on the water gauge glass, the said packing ring c being so arranged that it prevents
the obstruction of the lower orifice of the glass by the indiarubber washer, and
further prevents the longitudinal movement of the glass up and down, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 27th day of June 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.