IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE-APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR CON- TROLLING THE SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Wright, of Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, in the
County of Surrey, Plumber and Gas and Hot Water Engineer, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE-APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR CON-
TROLLING THE SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Wright at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th November 1878.
$5
WILLIAM WRIGHT, of Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, in the County of Surrey,
Plumber and Gas and Hot Water Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE.
APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF
WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS."
My said Invention relates to improvements in valve apparatus for regulating or
controlling the supply or admission of water or other fluids into cisterns, tanks, or
other vessels or receptacles, and may also be used for regulating and controlling
the discharge or delivery therefrom.
The said Invention is designed to provide a valve which will operate effectually
and will not be liable to fail in its action by reason of the presence of sand, grit,
or dirt within the same, and which is the cause of the uncertain action of many of
the valves heretofore constructed for this purpose.
In carrying my said Invention into practice I provide at the end of the supply
pipe over the cistern or other vessel a small cylinder or cylindrical chamber which
forms a continuation of the said pipe and presents its mouth downward, so that
the water or other fluid will be discharged into the cistern or other receptacle
when the valve is open. This cylinder or chamber may be formed in one piece.
with the pipe, or may be made separately and screwed or otherwise secured to the
same. The interior of the said cylinder or chamber is rounded at the upper end
and forms a seat for a ball, of india-rubber or similar flexible material, which when

page_text: pressed tightly to the said seat closes the aperture leading from the supply pipe and
prevents the flow of the water or other fluid. A plug or plunger, which may be of
conical, cylindrical, or other suitable shape, and which is preferably made of metal
slides within the said cylinder, the upper end of the said plug being hollowed to
conform to the shape of the aforesaid ball, which partly fits into the hollow space
thus formed when the said ball is being pressed to its seat at the upper part of the
cylinder or chamber. The said plug is of smaller diameter than that of the
cylinder, in order that the water or other fluid may pass freely between the internal
surface of the cylinder and the plug when the ball is not pressed up to its seat.
Projecting from the said plug there are wings or lugs which slide against the
internal surface of the cylinder, so that the plug moves freely up and down as
required. The ball lies between the upper part of the cylinder and the plug, and
when the latter rises the ball is carried with it, the inlet at the top of the cylinder
becoming entirely closed when the ball is pressed tightly to its seat by the rising
action of the plug. A stem or rod is connected. with the plug and communicates
with a lever pivotted at the lower or outlet end of the cylinder, to which lever a
hollow ball or float is attached in the ordinary manner. This hollow ball or float
lies upon the water in the cistern or other receptacle, and the aforesaid plug rises
and falls within the cylinder according to the movements of the said float, and thus
the ball within the cyliner is actuated to close and open the inlet to regulate the
supply of water or other fluid to the cistern. When the valve constructed as above
described is open the water or other fluid flows over the ball in the cylinder, and
causes this ball to rotate rapidly, thus effectually carrying away any dust, dirt, or
grit which might accumulate therein if it remained stationary. This ball is
therefore at all times free from any particles of dirt or grit, and a tight joint will
always be ensured when the ball is pressed up to its seat. The rotation of the ball
also ensures this advantage, namely, that the same part of its surface is not always
pressed against the seat when the valve is closed, and therefore whatever friction
there is on the ball is equally distributed.
In some cases instead of making the said ball of india-rubber or similar elastic
material I may make it of inelastic material, and provide a ring or a lining of india-
rubber at the upper internal part of the cylinder or chamber, against which india-
rubber the ball will be pressed when the inlet is closed, thus forming a close joint.
The said ball may also be made of glass, marble, or similar substance, and roughened
or ground on the surface, the seat also being roughened.
I may
if desirable enclose within the ball of india-rubber or other material a
core or filling of some lighter substance, such as cork, in order that the said ball
may not be so heavy as it would be if it were made solid, the object being to ensure
its rotation when the water or other fluid is flowing.
I propose to provide a counterweight on the lever to which the float is attached
at the end opposite to the float as an additional means for ensuring the rising of
the said lever and consequent closing of the valve when no more liquid is required
to be supplied or discharged. For this purpose I pivot the said lever to the
cylinder or chamber in such a manner that a part of the lever projects beyond
the cylinder at the end of the lever opposite to that to which the float is
attached.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Wright in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th May
1879.
WILLIAM WRIGHT, of Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, in the County of Surrey,
Plumber and Gas and Hot Water Engineer. " IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE-
APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF
WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in valve apparatus for regulating
or controlling the supply or admission of water or other fluids into cisterns, tanks,
or other vessels or receptacles, which apparatus may also be used for regulating and
controlling the discharge or delivery of liquids, or as a supply cock and water waster
preventer and high pressure cock.
In the Drawings, Fig. 1 represents in side view a "ball valve" constructed
according to this Invention, and Fig. 2 is an end view partly in section from right
of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 represents a modification of the. valve shown in Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 represents in sectional side view an arrangement of draw off high pressure
cock constructed according to a modification of the apparatus; Fig. 5 represents
the arrangement, Fig. 4, arranged for a "ball valve;" Fig. 6 represents in sectional
side view arrangement of apparatus for water closet supply and water waste
preventer.
In Figs. 1 and 2, A is a nozzle piece forming a continuation of the supply pipe.
and also the chamber within which is the valve seating B; C is a ball of india
rubber or other material, which when pressed tightly against the seating B closes
the aperture leading from the supply pipe and prevents the flow of the water or
other fluid; D is a plunger, here shown of conical form and cupped or recessed at
its inner end to receive the ball C, the said plunger D being of smaller diameter
than the bore of the nozzle in order that the water or other fluid may pass freely'
between the internal surface of the nozzle and the plunger when the valve is not
pressed to its seat.
The plunger D may have lugs or feathers cast of a piece therewith and standing
out radially therefrom to fit and slide against the interior of the nozzle, thus
leaving sufficient room for the flow of the liquid at the same time that the plunger
is steadied.
E is the carrier of the plunger, having side wing pieces E' working in guides F
on the nozzle A. To the upper end of the carrier arms E' is pivoted the cam G,
which is formed on the end of the lever H of the ordinary ball float.
In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the arm E' of the carrier E of the valve'
plunger D works through a hole in the guide block F, and the upper end of the
said carrier arm E¹ is entered into and pivoted in a slot of the float lever arm H.
The float of the lever arm H resting upon the water will be raised to close the
valve C by the action of the cam G, which will lift the carrier E, E', and plunger D,
and so press the valve C against its seating B, thereby shutting off more or less
completely the flow of the liquid.
It is preferred to use the ball C as the valve, as it will be caused to revolve by
the action of the passing of the water and so will disperse any dust, dirt, or grit
that might prevent the perfect closing of the valve, and again the point of contact
of the valve will change indefinitely; but it will be obvious that a valve plate of
india rubber or other flexible or non-flexible material might be mounted, secured,
or fitted upon or be carried by the plunger D upon the inner end thereof,

page_text: Again, instead of making the ball of india rubber or similar elastic material it
may be made of non elastic naterial, such as glass, marble, or like or similar
substance when the seating may be provided with an india rubber ring piece
against which the ball will be pressed.
The arrangement of cam G, Figs. 1 and 2, makes this apparatus particularly
valuable for high pressure supply, as when the float is raised (as shown in dotted
lines, Fig. 1) the pressure will be counteracted and exerted between the cam pin
and the carrier of the valve C. The arrangement, Fig. 3, is of lighter construction,
but very effectual for low pressure.
In Figs. 4 and 5, A is the nozzle; D, the plunger, provided with radial lugs or
feathers D', which in this case is necessary to steady the plunger; G, the cam
mounted rigidly upon a transverse pivot G¹ free to turn in holes in the metal of
the nozzle, and to the outer end of the said cam pivot G¹ is rigidly attached a
handle H, shown in Fig. 4, as forked at the end at which it is attached to the
pivot G'; I is a weight on the handle H which will always turn the cam G to close
the valve. When the handle is lifted, as shown by the dotted lines Fig. 4, the
cam will be turned down and allow the plunger D and valve C to fall away and
permit of the outflow of the liquid.
In Fig. 5 the cam G is shown with a different throw for purpose of use as a ball
valve, for when the arm H (the float arm) is raised by the sufficiency of supply
the cam G will operate to lift the plunger D, D¹, and valve C, to stop the flow.
In Fig. 6 the supply of water is in the direction of the arrows; and the valve is
similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but inverted. The plunger D works through
a hole in the cap of the cylinder A¹ and carries cup leathers D2; L is an air tap
communicating with the interior of the cylinder A'. The lever M. is pivoted at
N, N¹, by slotted holes and a spring O is applied as indicated to hold the lever M
forward, as shown. The outer end of lever M is formed with a curved nosepiece M¹,
and carries a small antifriction roll M²; P is the lever bar of the ordinary W. C.
pull up. The action of this apparatus is as follows:-The water is at pressure
from the cistern or main in the direction of the arrow. When the lever bar P is
pulled up to draw the water the friction roll of lever M will ride off the lever bar P
and commence to fall in consequence of the action of the cam G operated by the
lever arm H and weight I so as to draw down the carrier E with its plunger D and
valve C, but the cupleathers working in the cylinder A¹ will act to prevent the
valve being drawn down too rapidly by the cam G, and its weight according to the
quantity of air above said cuplcathers D² within the cylinder. This supply of air
being determined by the setting of the tap L more or less open, and however long
the pull up" is held only the regulated supply of water will flow.
When the pull
"
up is released it will allow the lever bar P to strike against the curved nose of the
lever M which will give upon its slotted pivotings against the spring O, and then
be returned by the springs O over the bar P for the next operation. Thus a very
effective W. C. supply and water waste preventer is obtained.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention, I
claim
First. In valve apparatus for regulating or controlling the flow of liquids, the
plunger D, carrier E, E¹, and the under valve C, operated so as to hold the said
valve C against the ¡pressure of the liquid and against its seating, as and for the
purpose herein set forth and as shown by the Drawings.
Second. The cam G of the arm H for lifting and holding the valve C against its
seating, as herein set forth and shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 of the Drawings.
Third. The arrangements of "ball valve" device, constructed and operating as
herein set forth and shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the Drawings.
Fourth. The arrangement of draw off cock; constructed and operating as herein
set forth and shown by Fig. 4 of the Drawings.

page_text: Fifth. The water closet supply apparatus and water waste preventer, constructed
as herein set forth and substantially as shown in Fig. 6 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Wright, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of May, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
nine.
In the presence of
WALTER A. BARLOW,
6, St. Paul's Churchyard,
London, E.C.
$
W. WRIGHT. (L.S.)