An Improved Method of Controlling Water Pressure in Hydrants, Fountain Jet Pipes, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Controlling Water Pressure in Hydrants,
Fountain Jet Pipes, and the like.
I, DAVID JOHN, of Bridge House, Pontycwmmer, R.S.O., Glamorgan, Mining
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to control the pressure of water in hydrants,
fountain pipes and the like.
When the pressure of water in hydrants, fountain jet pipes and the like ex-
ceeds a given degree, the stream of water issuing falls short of the distance to
which it is really capable of reaching as an unbroken column, and is prematurely
broken into spray. But if the pressure be controlled so as to bear a given rela-
tion to the diameter of the discharge nozzle, the issuing stream is capable of
reaching unbroken to the furthest point which the nozzle will allow and the best
effect is obtained.
According to this invention, the pressure of water in the mains connected with
the discharge pipe is automatically controlled by a valve situated behind the
discharge nozzle and connected by a rod to a piston contained in a cylinder pro-
vided for it at a suitable distance from the valve. The valve is contained within
a chamber which is an enlargement of the water pipe. The weight of the valve,
together with the piston and rod, and, with the assistance of a coiled spring if
desired, is so proportioned to the diameter of area of the piston, that, in the norinal
condition of things, the water passages are fully open, but when the water
exceeds the given pressure which yields the best result in discharge, the valve
is raised by the pressure acting on the under face of the piston aforesaid. The
outflow is accordingly checked by the throttling action of the valve as it rises
in the chamber and reduces the area of the passages above it leading to the
outlet.
Accordingly, the pressure is reduced by the action of the valve to the degree
best adapted to the diameter of the aperture of issue for giving the desired result.
Dated this 16th day of December 1897.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Chartered Patent Agent, Bristol.
An Improved Method of Controlling Water Pressure in Hydrants,
Fountain Jet Pipes, and the like.
I, DAVID JOHN, of Bridge House, Pontycwmmer, R.S.O., Glamorgan, Mining.
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
[Price 8d.]

page_text: the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:
This invention has for its object the control of the pressure of water in hydrants,
fountain jet pipes and the like.
When the pressure of water in hydrants, fountain jet pipes and the like ex-
ceeds a given degree, the stream of water issuing from the discharge nozzle
falls short of the distance which it is actually capable of travelling as an un-
broken column or jet, and is, in that sense, prematurely broken into spray,
But if the pressure be controlled so as to bear a given relation to the diameter
of the discharge nozzle, the issuing stream is capable of reaching unbroken to
the furthest point which the nozzle will allow.
According to this invention, the pressure of water in the discharge pipe is
automatically controlled by a valve situated behind the discharge nozzle and
connected by a rod to a piston contained in a cylinder provided for it at a suit-
able distance from the valve. The valve is contained within a chamber which
is an enlargement of the water pipe. A spring is preferably employed in con-
nection with the valve and is coiled around the rod which connects the valvė
and the piston. The weight of the valve, together with the piston and rod, and
the weight and resistance of the coiled spring are collectively so proportioned in
relation to the diameter of area of the under face of the piston, that, in the
normal condition of things, the water passages which the valve controls are
fully open, but when the water exceeds the given pressure which yields the best
results in discharge, the valve is raised by the pressure acting on the under face
of the piston aforesaid. The outflow is accordingly checked by the throttling
action of the valve as it rises from its seat in the chamber.
By the action of the valve the water pressure is so controlled that the best
results in discharge, in the sense above indicated, are obtained. Although it is
preferred to use a spring acting on the valve, it is not absolutely necessary. If
a spring is not used, the weight of the valve, rod and piston must be such as
to control the discharge in the manner set forth.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents in vertical section,
water-pressure controlling apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance
with this invention and shown as applied to a hydrant having two branch pipes
and two nozzles. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the valve chamber, and Fig. 3 a
plan of the valve.
The valve chamber a is an enlargement of the stand-pipe 6 which has branches
leading to nozzles of the usual kind. From the valve extends upwards a rod d
carrying at its upper end a piston e fitting the cylinder f. Coiled around the
rod is a spring g, one end of which rests on the valve c, and the other end
against the bottom of the cylinder f. The valve chamber a is divided by radial
wings, the spaces a¹ between which are water-ways.
The apparatus is devised for a given degree of water pressure, that is to say,
a pressure at which the water discharged through a nozzle or nozzles of given
diameter will travel as an unbroken column or jet to the furthest point which the
said nozzle or nozzles will allow. So long as this pressure is not exceeded,
the valve c remains in its seat a2 and the water has free passage into the upper
part of the stand-pipe, and thence to the hoses and discharge nozzles. But when
the water pressure rises above the said given degree the valve is lifted from
its seat as by the pressure acting on the under face of the piston e which over-
comes the weight of the piston e, the rod d and the valve e as also the resistance
offered by the spring g.
The valve, in rising, reduces the outflow of water and thus the pressure is
kept at that degree at which the best effect is obtained. That is to say, the water
is discharged at a pressure proportional to the diameter of the mouth of the
issuing nozzle and at the pressure at which it will reach its furthest limit as an
unbroken jet before breaking into spray.

page_text: In order to more clearly set forth the action of the apparatus, assuming a
water pressure of, approximately, 70 lbs. per square inch and the diameter of
the discharge nozzle at ½ inch, the column or jet of water will travel unbroken
to, approximately, the furthest point from the nozzle which it is capable of so
travelling before it breaks into spray. With these figures as a basis and assum-
ing the area of the piston e to be one-half of a square inch, the weight of the
valve c, piston e and the weight and resistance of the spring g would amount to
approximately 35 lbs. When no spring is employed in the apparatus it is obvious
that the weight of the valve, rod and piston must be such as to control the dis-
charge in the manner set forth.
In the application. of this invention to fountain jet pipes and the like, the
arrangement is virtually the same as for a hydrant stand-pipe as above described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
Method of controlling and regulating water pressure in hydrants, fountain
jet pipes and the like in an automatic manner, that is to say, by a valve such as c,
and piston such as e, the latter being contained within a cylinder such as f and
connected to the said valve by a rod such as d; the said parts being constructed
and arranged (with or without the addition of a spring such as g, or its equiva-
lent) and proportioned in determined relation to a given water pressure and to
the diameter of the discharge nozzle or nozzles, substantially as hereinabove
described with reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Datod this 17th day of Sentombor 1898
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Chartered Patent Agent, Bristol.