Improvements relating to Alarm and Fire Extinguishing Apparatus on Excessive Diminution of Water in Steam-boilers and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1893
COMPLETE DIDUITIVATION.
Improvements relating to Alarm and Fire Extinguishing Apparatus
on Excessive Diminution of Water in Steam-boilers and the like.
I, REGINALD HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of
18 Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London, Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention a communication to me from abroad by
Louis Bougnet, Mechanic, of 48 Rue de Jupille, and Jacques Piedboeuf,
Boilersmith, of 46 Rue de Jupille, both of Bressoux, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists in certain apparatus to be fitted in steam boilers for the
purpose of actuating a signal when the level of the water in the boiler descends to
a certain prearranged level, thus calling the attendant when feed water supply
becomes necessary; and secondly after some time has lapsed since the call and
should the diminution continue, to extinguish the boiler fire, in case the signal
was not heard or where from any reason, for instance owing to failure of the feed
pump to act, the boiler has not been properly replenished.
The annexed drawing shows the apparatus fitted in a boiler shown in longitudinal
section.
This apparatus consists of the upright tube a, fixed upon the fire-plate of the
boiler, with passage way x, valve b and bracket c and of the levers h and i pivoted
on the bracket, by pins e and d; these levers being connected with each other by
means of bolts or pins o and p, and connecting rod n.
The lever carries at its
end a slot shaped loops in which the pin r, on the float f, engages. The lever i
with its long arm and by the aid of block k fixed adjustably by pin 9, is in
connection with the draw bar 7 of the whistle or equivalent signal ; and with its
shorter arm or thumb m serves to actuate the valve b.
The float is guided by any suitable means so as to not move laterally, for
instance by means of a sleeve g arranged in the centre of the float and the vertical
bart traversing the sleeve.
The shorter arm or thumb of said lever i has play enough in the slot w to allow
of the longer arm of said lever first performing a downward motion, to a certain
extent, before the shorter arm or thumb m touches the upper end of the slot w of
the valve, thus opening the latter.
The free swing of the longer arm of the lever i is regulated at will by shifting
the block k and draw bar / so that the signal will be sounded at an earlier or later
moment as the water level falls; the signal may be of any kind such as a steam
whistle or electric bell etc.
When the water level sinks to the lowest point allowed, the float f moves the
lever and by means of the bar a moves also the longer arm of lever i in a down-
ward direction and first the steam whistle or other appropriate signal device v
begins to sound continuously to warn the attendant, or any other person, that feed
water is wanted. If however the given signal should not have been heard by
anybody, or if the signalling device refuses to act, or that the feeding arrange
ments from any reason should not act, thus preventing the boiler from being
supplied, the water level in the boiler will consequently sink further and at the
same time also the float f, then, before a dangerous level is attained within the boiler,
the short arm or thumb m of lever i touches the end of the slot w of the valve b
and the latter thereby opens allowing steam to pass through the passage of the
upright tube a into the fire box, so that the fire is extinguished. Where on the
other hand feeding is duly effected, all parts of the apparatus, influenced by
the float f return to their initial normal positions.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The apparatus substantially as described comprising the tube a, arranged in the
firing plate of a steam boiler and provided with valve band bracket c, two
levers and pivoted thereto and movably connected by the bar n, one of said
levers being connected to a float and the other carrying upon its longer arm an
adjustable block k and draw rod 1 for actuating a signal and its shorter arm or
thumb m actuating a steam valve b on said tube a in the events and for the
purposes set forth.
Dated this 15th day of November 1893.