WA GAUGES OF STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Holden at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th February 1883.
JAMES HOLDEN of Swindon in the County of Wilts Engineer
IN THE WATER GAUGES OF STEAM BOILERS
"
"IMPROVEMENTS
The object of this invention is to provide a water gauge for steam boilers in
which both the steam and water cocks are worked each time the gauge is blown
through also in which the cocks may be shut in case of a broken glass with less
risk to the operator than at present.
The gauge glass can also be inserted more readily and economically than at
present and the gauge if required shall automatically bar the egress of steam and
water from the boiler when a gauge glass breaks.
First, my invention consists in arranging the various parts of the gauge and
coupling them together in such manner that the water steam and waste cocks shall
work together and be all controlled and operated by one handle.
Second, In combining with a water gauge so constructed a connexion by means
of which the handle of the gauge can be actuated from a place away from the
immediate vicinity of the gauge so that in case of accident the gauge cocks may be
shut without risk of the operator being scalded
Third, In arranging the glass tube so that the lower end shall rest upon a
packing ring of suitable material inserted in a groove formed round the orifice, the
other end entering the opposite orifice where a cap is forced down upon it by the
boiler pressure, a packing ring being interposed between the end of the tube and
the cap to prevent leakage. A spring is employed to keep the packing rings water
tight when the boiler pressure is removed
Fourth, In arranging the glass tube of the gauge so that the ends enter circular
valve chambers communicating with the steam and water orifices of the gauge, the
chambers being fitted with valves separated from the ends of the glass tube by

page_text: the interposition of packing rings of suitable material and so arranged that when
pressure is admitted from the boiler sufficient force is exerted against the backs of
the valves to propel them forward towards their seats, but the glass tube being
too long to permit them to reach their seats the intervening rings are so con-
pressed as to prevent leakage and the steam and water can enter freely the glass
tube. The end of each of the valves next the tube may be formed with a nipple
which enters the tube and prevents the packing ring being squeezed into the tube.
When the boiler pressure is removed the valves are kept in their normal position
by springs, and a projection may be formed upon the back of each valve to prevent
either valve being moved forward against its seat so long as the glass tube remains
unbroken.
When the interposing glass tube breaks the opposition which has hitherto kept
the valves from closing is removed and the excess of pressure behind instantly
thrusts them forward against their seats in which position they block the passages
from the boiler and thus automatically bar egress of steam or water.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Holden in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th August
1883.
:
JAMES HOLDEN of Swindon in the County of Wilts Engineer
IN THE WATER GAUGES OF STEAM BOILERS
"IMPROVEMENTS
The object of this Invention is to provide a water gauge for steam boilers in
which both the steam and water cocks are worked each time the gauge is blown
through, also in which the cocks may be shut in case of a broken glass with less
risk to the operator than at present.
The gauge glass can also be inserted more readily and economically than at
present and the gauge if required shall automatically bar the egress of steam and
water from the boiler when a gauge glass breaks.
First. My Invention consists in arranging the various parts of the gauge and
coupling them together in such manner that the water steam and waste cocks
shall work together and be all controlled and operated by one handle.
Second. In combining with a water gauge so constructed a connection by means
of which the handle of the gauge can be actuated from a place away from the
immediate vicinity of the gauge so that in case of accident the gauge cocks may be
shut without risk of the operator being scalded.
Third. In arranging the glass tube so that the lower end shall rest upon a
packing ring of suitable material inserted in a groove formed round the orifice the
other end entering the opposite orifice where a cap is forced down upon it by the
boiler pressure a packing ring being interposed between the end of the tube and
the cap to prevent leakage. A spring is employed to keep the packing rings water
tight when the boiler pressure is removed.
Fourth. In arranging the glass tube of the gauge so that the ends enter circular
valve chambers communicating with the steam and water orifices of the gauge, the
chambers being fitted with valves separated from the ends of the glass tube by the
interposition of packing rings of suitable material and so arranged that when
pressure is admitted from the boiler sufficient force is exerted against the backs of
the valves to propel them forwards towards their seats but the glass tube being
too long to permit them to reach their seats the intervening rings are so com-
pressed as to prevent leakage and the steam and water can enter freely the glass
tube. The end of each of the valves next the tube may be formed with a nipple
which enters the tube and prevents the packing ring being squeezed into the tube,
when the boiler pressure is removed the valves are kept in their normal position by
springs and a projection may be formed upon the back of each valve to prevent
either valve being moved forward against its seat so long as the glass tube remains
unbroken.
When the interposing glass tube breaks the opposition which has hitherto kept
the valves from closing is removed and the excess of pressure behind instantly.
thrusts them forward against their seats in which position they block the passages
from the boiler and thus automatically bar egress of steam or water.
And in order that my improvements may be readily understood I will proceed
to describe the accompanying drawings.
J

page_text: and water cocks respectively. Figure 1 shows the position of the cocks when
water is being blown through. Figure 5 is a section of the water cock shewing the
position of the parts when steam is being blown through. In this drawing the
water cocks are fitted with my improved automatic valve. The steam cock is
shewn as arranged to work without the automatic valve.
place
A and A¹ are the steam and water cocks which in this arrangement
vertically opposite each other. B is a coupling tube and I arrange it by notching
or squaring or preparing in some other suitable way to engage the cocks A A¹ with
the coupling tube B in such manner that when the coupling tube is turned both
cocks are necessarily turned with it.
I arrange the gauge glass C within the coupling tube B each end entering one of
the cocks A A¹ and I pack the joints steam tight by compressing a suitable packing
material in the annular space provided at b b by screwing up the internal plug Ď
of the cock A. I sometimes employ a spring or springs for this purpose.
To one of the cocks A A¹ or to some part of the coupling tube B I attach the
handle E by which the cocks may be operated. The water cock A' is provided
with a waste pipe F which I arrange for carrying away the steam and water blown
through the gauge and it will be clearly understood from this description and the
drawings annexed that the steam and water cocks are operated every time the
gauge is blown through.
I make the glass tube C sufficiently long to prevent the valve V from reaching
its seat and steam and water may pass freely so long as the glass tube is unbroken,
but when it breaks the valve is driven against its seat by the pressure behind it
closing the passage and preventing any further issue of water.
--The cocks may be shut by operating the handle the plug D withdrawn and a
new glass introduced through the interior of the plug A
In applying my improvements I sometimes combine an automatic valve with
each cock and I sometimes omit the use of valves in both cocks.
When a gauge glass breaks where the passages from the boiler are not closed by
automatic valves steam and water escape until the cocks can be closed. I therefore-
sometimes connect the gauge with a rod chain or other suitable means in such
manner that the cocks can be operated from a safe distance without risk of the
operator being scalded. In the case of a locomotive they may be operated from
the front of the weather board or from the top of the cab. In a marine boiler from
the deck or engine room.
In drawing Sheet 2 Figure 7 I have shown a section of another arrangement in
which I sometimes apply my improvements.
According to this arrangement I place the steam and water cocks vertically
opposite each other and connect them by means of the coupling tube B for which
coupling tube I sometimes employ two half tubes bolted together as shewn in
Figures 7 and 8. I do not confine myself to the particular form of section shewn.
I arrange my glass tube C outside the coupling tube and I place my automatic
valves U U at the ends of the glass tube and separated from them by some suitable
packing material p p¹ I employ a set screw G to compress the packing and render
the joints tight under pressure, I sometimes employ a spring or springs for this
purpose.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
carrying the same into practice I would remark that I make no claim to any of the
parts separately which are well known and in common use but what I claim as my
Invention is-
First. The improved arrangement of the various parts of the gauge and coupling
them together in such manner that the water steam and waste cocks shall be
controlled and operated by one handle substantially in the manner herein before
described and represented in the drawings annexed.
Second. I claim in combination with a water gauge constructed as described the
improved means of shutting the cocks of the gauges without risk of the operator
being scalded substantially as described and represented in the drawings annexed.

page_text: Third. I claim the improved method of packing the glass tube of a water gauge
substantially in the manner and for the purposes described and represented in the
drawings annexed.
Fourth. I claim in combination with a gauge glass packed as described and
shewn a valve or valves arranged to shut automatically when the glass tube is
broken substantially in the manner hereinbefore described.
Fifth. I claim the improved method of forming the coupling tube substantially
as described and represented in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings annexed.
Sixth. I claim the improved arrangement of the ends of the glass tube within
the plugs of the cocks of a water gauge and coupling the cocks together and
operating them substantially in the manner shown and described.
Seventh. I claim the improved general arrangement and combination of parts
forming my improved water gauge substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and represented in the drawings annexed.
In witness whereof I the said James Holden have hereunto set my hand
and seal this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
TRRA