Improved Apparatus for Reducing the Pressure of Water or Steam.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 25th June, 1892--Accepted, 30th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Reducing the Pressure of Water or Steam.
I, ARCHIBALD CALDWELL, of Strathbungo in the County of 'Renfrew, North
Britain, Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improved apparatus for reducing the pressure of water,
in dwelling houses for example, and is also applicable for reducing the pressure of
steam.
In accordance with my invention 1 employ a closed iron casing or cistern; within
the said cistern I employ a ball cock with lever attached, the one end of the 'lever
is in connection with the ball cock and the other end of the lever is connected to
the lower end of an upright piston which passes through the lid or top of the
cistern; the upper part of the said piston is fixed to the top of an inverted cup or
liaphragm of india rubber or other material, the cup being contained within an
outer brass or other metal covering. The piston projects through the 'brass
covering of the cup and has a weighted lever resting upon it. In action the main
supply is at one end or any part of the cistern and passes into and through the 'ball
cock into the cistern and the water pressure acting upon the cup or diaphragm,
the weighted lever is raised, the weighted lever being regulated according to
the required pressure, and simultaneously the ball cock is closed, through the
action of the lever inside the cistern, and the water supply is stopped until any tap
in the house is opened. The outlet from the cistern to the service pipe being
preferably at the opposite side of the cistern to the main supply.
In the carrying out of my invention I may in some cases employ my economiser
which is described in the Specification of my Patent of 28th October 1886,
No. 13,835. In this case the economiser is also placed inside the cistern at the
water inlet, preferably at the bottom of the cistern. The ball cock is connected to
the top of the economiser so that the main supply has to pass through the
economiser before reaching the ball cock, by means of which an increased supply.
of water up to extent of inlet is obtained after the ball cock is opened.
Dated the 24th day of September 1891.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Petitioner's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Reducing the Pressure of Water or Steam.
I, ARCHIBALD CALDWELL of Strathbungo in the County Renfrew North
Britain Plumber, 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 which relates to improved apparatus for reducing the pressure of
water in dwelling houses may be fully explained as follows.
In accordance with this invention a closed iron casing or cistern is employed
within which is placed a valve with lever attached, the one end of the lever is in
connection with the valve, and the other end of the lever is connected to the lower
end of an upright piston, which passes through the lid or top of the cistern,
the upper part of the said piston being fixed to the top of an inverted cup or.

page_text: diaphragm of india rubber or other suitable material, the cup being contained
within an outer brass or other metal covering. This piston projects through the
brass cup as well as through the outer covering and has a weighted lever resting
upon it. The main supply may be placed at. one end or any suitable part of the
cistern and, the water passing into and through the valve into the cistern, the
water pressure acts upon the cup or diaphragm, causing the spindle or lever to
rise, and simultaneously the valve closes and the water supply is stopped until any
tap in the house is opened. The outlet from the cistern to the service pipe is
preferably placed at the opposite side of the cistern to the main. supply. In
order that the said invention may be properly understood, I now proceed more
particularly to set forth the system under which the same may be practically
carried into effect, reference being had to the annexed sheet of drawings and to the
letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 a longitudinal section shewing the
internal arrangement of the improved apparatus. A represents the iron casing
or cistern which in the drawings is illustrated as being elliptical in form, but
may be of rectangular or other suitable shape or configuration. B represents the
inlet pipe, or conduit, leading from the water main or other source of supply.
C represents a valve with an upward cylindrical extension and C₁ the seat upon
which it rests, also constructed with an upward cylindrical extension C³, in which
the valve C, as it rises or falls upon its seat C' is guided in its vertical travel. In
the sides of the cylindrical casing C, openings are made for the free outflow of the
liquid, into the cistern A. The valve C is provided centrally with a feather c
which engages one end of the longitudinal lever D, which is pivoted at d, on a
bracket or bifurcated arm, springing from the casing of C. The other end of the
lever D works in a link or slot of a vertical spindle or piston E, to the upper
end E, is securely attached by jam nuts or metal washers e and e' a hemispherical
diaphragm F of india rubber, or other resilient material. This diaphragın Fis
contained in a dome G, screwed into or otherwise rigidly attached to the lid A'
of the casing or cistern A, as seen in both figures. The said upper extension E'
of the vertical spindle or piston E, passes through the dome G, and terminates
in a forked end which constitutes a fulcrum for the horizontal lever H which
has a pivoted connection at h from the bracket I. A counterweight J is free to be
moved along the horizontal lever H, thereby securing an adjustment of varying
pressures to the service supply as will be understood. The pipe leading to
the service supply represented as B', is furnished with a stop cock or valve, not
shewn on the drawings, in any suitable position. I will now describe the action of
my improved apparatus as follows.
Water under pressure entering the cistern A by the pipe B, lifts the valve C off
its seat C' and flows freely into the said cistern A. As it rises, pressure is exerted
on the interior of the rubber diaphragm E, which becomes upwardly distended,
and as the water pressure increases abnormally within the cistern, the diaphragm
circumferentially increases therewith, and so raises the vertical spindle or piston E,
which operation closes the valve C on its seat C¹ and thereby cuts off the water
for the time being, and at the same time reduces the pressure within the cistern A.
As the pressure becomes reduced the lever H by virtue of the counterweight J,
presses down the fulcrum end E', of the spindle or piston E which is connected as
described to the longitudinal lever D, and raises that end which engages with
the feather of the valve C. and so allows of the valve C, being opened for a fresh
admission of water.
It will be seen by this arrangement that an equable or a varied pressure, can
always be obtained by adjusting the counter weight J along the lever H, and when
a good working pressure for the service supply has been determined, the efficient
working of the apparatus can be constantly maintained.
The above apparatus for reducing or regulating the pressure of water may also
he edented if atom in

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
First. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved
apparatus substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Secondly. The employment in apparatus before referred to of the lever D,
attached at one end to the suply valve C, and at the other end to the piston E,
which passes through the lid or covering A¹ of the cistern A substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of June 1892.
D. DRYSDALE AUSTIN,
45, Hope Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agent.