Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Regulating the Temperature of the Water used in Cooling the Cylinders of Gas and Oil Engines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 13th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Regulating the
Temperature of the Water used in Cooling the Cylinders of Gas
and Oil Engines.
I, ALEXANDER SHIELS, of 190 Bath Street, Glasgow, M.B., C.M., B.Sc., do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for automatically regulating the temperature
of the water used in cooling the cylinders of gas and oil engines, and it has for its
object to provide a more simple and cheaper apparatus than that described in the
Specification of my prior Patent, Number 17033, dated 7th October 1891.
The invention mainly consists in using a diaphragm, piston, or equivalent, as the
means for actuating the valve for running off hot water from, or supplying cold
water to, the circulating tanks.
In carrying out my invention, I arrange in any suitable place, a casing, in which
is fitted a diaphragm made of india-rubber or other suitable material. There is, in
the casing, at one side of the diaphragm, a passage way, which is connected, by
piping or otherwise, to the pipes or tubes containing the sensitive fluid, and which
are immersed, as in my prior Patent aforesaid, in the water contained in the
circulating tanks, or in the water jacket surrounding the cylinder of the engine.
At the other side of the diaphragm, a sliding spindle is fitted in any suitable
manner. This spindle, which has, or may have, a head and suitable guide arms on
it, is preferably so arranged as to bear, at one end, against the diaphragm or a plate
or projection on it. The other end of the spindle projects out through the casing,
and is connected, by any well-known arrangement, such as levers etc., with the
valve for controlling the outflow of water from the circulating tank. This valve is,
preferably, a lifting or sliding valve, although it may be of any other suitable
construction. A spring or weight or equivalent is provided for normally holding
the spindle in its inner or closed position, so as to keep the outlet valve shut.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The apparatus is so arranged that
when the temperature of the water in the circulating tanks rises to a fixed point,
say 120°, the expansion of the sensitive fluid in the piping moves the diaphragm
and forces out the spindle against the action of the spring, so opening the outlet
valve, and running off the hot water, which, by the action of the usual inflow ball-
valve, is automatically replaced by a fresh supply of cold water. When the
temperature falls again, through the influx of cold water, the sensitive fluid in the
piping contracts, and the diaphragm is relieved of its pressure, and, as a consequence
of this relief of pressure, the spring is allowed to expand and gradually force back
the spindle to its original position and close the outlet valve.
The diaphragm, and also the outlet valve, is allowed ample movement to meet
any abnormal increase of temperature."
Should the diaphragm at any time reach the limit of its movement, which could
only take place under very abnormal conditions, it, or the spindle, would, by
means of electrical or mechanical connections, be made to automatically sound aL
alarm.
The sensitive fluid may be contained within a box or vessel, (fitted or not with
tubes for giving it a larger surface), placed at or near the surface of the water in
the circulating tank. The sensitive fluid box or vessel may be connected by suitable
pipe connections, to the diaphragm casing.
The outlet valve may be actuated by a lever, which is, or may be, provided with
a small friction roller at its end. This roller, if used, bears against an inclined
plane or a cam surface, connected, either directly or indirectly, to the spindle.
.

page_text: Although I prefer to use a diaphragm for actuating the spindle, a piston may be
used in lieu thereof.
The spindle may, if desired, be connected to the diaphragm, in any well-known
and suitable manner.
The apparatus may be arranged to work either horizontally or vertically. When
it is fitted horizontally a spring is preferably used for moving back the spindle, but,
when it is fitted vertically, the spindle may be weighted, or have a weight fitted to
it for this purpose.
Dated this 12th day of January 1893
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
Glasgow and London, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Regulating the
Temperature of the Water used in Cooling the Cylinders of Gas
and Oil Engines.
I, ALEXANDER SHIELS of 190 Bath Street, Glasgow, M.B., C.M., B.Sc., 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 apparatus for automatically regulating the temperature
of the water used in cooling the cylinders of gas and oil engines, and it has for its
object to provide a simpler and cheaper apparatus than that described in the
Specification of my prior Patent Number 17,033 dated 7th October 1891.
The invention mainly consists in using a diaphragm, piston or equivalent, as the
means for actuating the valve for running off hot water from, or supplying cold
water to, the circulating tanks.
In carrying out my invention, I arrange in any suitable place, a casing in which
is fitted a diaphragm made of india-rubber or other suitable material. There
is in the casing, at one side of the diaphragm, a passage way, which is connected,
by piping or otherwise, to the pipes or tubes containing the sensitive fluid, and
which are immersed, as in my prior Patent aforesaid, in the water contained in the
circulating tanks, or in the water jacket surrounding the cylinder of the engine.
At the other side of the diaphragm, a sliding spindle is fitted, in any suitable
manner. This spindle, which has, or may have, a head and suitable guide arms on
it, is preferably so arranged as to bear, at one end, against the diaphragm or a plate
or projection on it. The other end of the spindle projects out through the casing,
and is connected, by any well-known arrangement, such as levers etc. with the valve
for controlling the outflow of water from the circulating tank. This valve is,
preferably, a lifting or sliding valve, although it may be of any other suitable
construction. A spring or weight or equivalent is provided for normally holding
the spindle in its inner or closed position, so as to keep the outlet valve shut.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
The apparatus is so arranged that when the temperature of the water in the
circulating tank rises to a fixed point, say 120°, the expansion of the sensitive fluid
in the piping moves the diaphragm and forces out the spindle against the action of
the spring, so opening the outlet valve, and running off the hot water, which, by the
action of the usual inflow ball valve, is automatically replaced by a fresh supply of
cold water.
When the temperature falls again, through the influx of cold water,
the sensitive fluid in the piping contracts, and the diaphragm is relieved of its
pressure, and, as a consequence of this relief of pressure, the spring is allowed to
expand and gradually force back the spindle to its original position and close the
outlet valve.
The diaphragm, and also the outlet valve, is allowed ample movement to meet
any abnormal increase of temperature.

page_text: only take place under very abnormal conditions, it, or the spindle, would, by means
of electrical or mechanical connections, be made to automatically sound an alarm.
The sensitive fluid may be contained within a box or vessel, (fitted or not with
tubes for giving it a larger surface), placed at or near the surface of the water in
the circulating tank. The sensitive fluid box or vessel may be connected by
suitable pipe connections, to the diaphragm casing.
Although I prefer to use a diaphragm for actuating the spindle, a piston may be
used in lieu thereof.
The spindle may, if desired, be connected to the diaphragm, in any well known
and suitable manner.
The apparatus may be arranged to work either horizontally or vertically. When
it is fitted horizontally a spring is preferably used for moving back the spindle, but,
when it is fitted vertically, the spindle may be weighted, or have a weight fitted to
it for this purpose.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended an explanatory sheet of drawings whereon:-
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation.
Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views of slight modifications.
Fig. 5 is a section and 6 a plan of an outlet valve.
Referring to the drawings :-
a, a¹, a³, are the sensitive fluid pipes which are immersed or partially immersed
in the water contained in the circulating tanks of the gas engine. The pipes are,
preferably, connected together, at top and bottom by hollow boxes or headers b, c.
The upper box or header b has a lateral branch into which is screwed a solid
plug having, on its outer end, a broad flange d' which is dished or concaved as
shown at Fig. 1.
e is the cylindrical casing which has a dished flange e' on it corresponding to the
flange of the plug d. The flanges d', el are connected together by means of
bolts d, and, when connected, the two concaved flanges form a hollow chamber in
which the flexible diaphragm f works. The edge of the diaphragm, which may, as
aforesaid, be made of rubber or the like, is secured between the meeting faces of
the flanges.
The plug d is bored with a central hole g through which the sensitive fluid can
pass from the header 6 to the back of the diaphragm f.
i is a sliding head or piston which is fitted loosely in the casing and can be
reciprocated backwards and forwards therein. Connected to the head i is a
spindle the outer end of which passes through a hole in the end of the casing.
The head i bears against the diaphragm fand its bearing surface is rounded off, as
shown, so as to fit into the diaphragm when pressed back. is a spiral spring fitted
within the casing, and around the spindle, with one of its ends bearing against the
end of the casing and its other end against the head i. The spring normally tends
to press the head i and diaphragm backwards. The spindle is made of rectangular
shape at its outer end and a pink is passed through it. The ends of the pin work
in jaws l, one at each side of the spindle, formed on the end of a bell crank lever m.
A jaw is also formed on this lever for the reception of the end of the spindle
(see Fig. 2). The bell crank lever is fulcrumed, at n, to an arm o on the forked
supporting bracket and this bracket is secured at its upper end to the bottom of
the casing e, and, at its lower end, it is provided with an externally screwed ring pl
which is coupled to the outlet pipe u. is the outlet valve, which may be a ball
as at Figs. 1 and 2, or a plug valve as shown at Figs. 5 and 6. The valve ris
connected to the bell crank lever by means of a chain or equivalent s.
The upper
end of the pipe u is or may be made to serve as a seat for the valve r.
The outlet valve, which may be located at any suitable part of the water tank,
but, preferably, as shown, a few inches below the water level to, is connected by

page_text: means of a hose pipe connection t¹ to the syphon discharge pipe v which is passed
over the upper edge t of the water tank.
The apparatus may be secured to a board fitted on or to the water tank.
The sensitive fluid is filled into the fluid pipes a through the filling tube at which
can be closed air tight by the screw plug a'.
When the pipes are being filled the contained air can escape through the
vent d' and also through the filling tube . The vent d' is closed by a taper pin as
shown.
Fig. 3 shows, in section, a slightly modified arrangement. In this view the
plug is dispensed with and the cover d' of the diaphragm chamber is made with.
an externally screwed pap, having a central hole g, (as before) through it. The
pap is coupled to the pipe y which leads to the tube system a.
In Fig. 4 a piston is shown fitted in the casing e instead of the diaphragm f.
The action is in both cases the same.
Should it be desired to control the inflow of water, by means of the apparatus,
instead of the outflow, then the spindle would be connected to the spindle or
handle of the inflow valve, which would, preferably, in this case, be a balanced
valve, and the reciprocations of the diaphragm or piston would, in this manner, be
made to turn the valve on or off.
If desired the outlet valve r may be connected to a vertical lever sliding in
guides and having a friction roller, held in a fork, at its upper end. The spindle,
also, may have an inclined plane or cam surface at its outer end. The arrangement
is such, that, when the spindle is forced out by the expansion of the sensitive fluid,
the inclined plane on the spindle passes into the fork and below the roller and lifts
said roller with the lever and valve up, thereby allowing water to escape. When
the spindle again passes into the casing, on the contraction of the sensitive fluid,
the valve automatically closes by its own weight.
The apparatus may be further modified in its details of construction without
departing from the principle of the invention.
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:
--
An apparatus for automatically regulating the temperature of the water used in
cooling the cylinders of gas and oil engines, constructed, arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 12th day of October 1893
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
Glasgow and London, Agent.