IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING, REGULATING, CONTROLLING, AND ARRESTING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Philip Preston, John Theodore Prestige, and
Edwin James Preston, trading as J. Stone & Co., and William George Simmons,
in the employ of the said Firm, all of Deptford, in the County of Kent, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING, REGULATING,
CONTROLLING, AND ARRESTING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS."
Sealed the 18th February 1879, and dated the 8th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Philip Preston,
John Theodore Prestige, Edwin James Preston, & William George Simmons at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th November 1878.
FREDERICK PHILIP PRESTON, JOHN THEODORE PRESTIGE, and EDWIN JAMES
PRESTON, trading as J. Stone & Co., and WILLIAM GEORGE SIMMONS, in the employ
of the said Firm, all of Deptford, in the County of Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING, REGULATING, CONTROLLING, AND ARRESTING THE
FLOW OF FLUIDS."
The first part of this Invention relates to an improved apparatus for drawing off
definite quantities of water or other fluids, and applicable as a water waste
preventer, and also for drawing off and measuring other liquids and other fluids.
This improved apparatus consists mainly of a cylinder and a piston working
therein, and fixed on a hollow piston rod, or trunk, or tube; the piston may be
made with an easy fit and without packing, or it may be provided with cup
leather or other packing, and there is a small passage (which may be made adjust-
able by cock or valve) communicating with both sides of the piston, but, by
preference, the communication is made by a small aperture through the piston and
having a loosely fitting plug through same. The tube or piston rod seats itself at
one side, against a valve which is actuated by a screw, or lever, or other suitable
appliance, and at the other side it is open to the outlet. When the valve is with-
drawn from the end of the tube the water can pass to the outlet through the tube,
the latter with its piston gradually receding from the end of the cylinder, fluid

page_text: passing from one side of the piston to the other until the tube seats itself against
the valve again.
The cylinder when constructed close may be charged with glycerine, or oil, or
other cold resisting liquid.
.
Instead of a piston in the aforesaid cylinder, the tube may be connected to a
flexible diaphragm, or we use a diaphragm fitted with a small valve, or we may
use a combination of both these arrangements, or we may use a piston and a
flexible diaphragm, or two flexible diaphragms. Or we may use a piston and a
fixed partition fitted with or without a valve. The piston or diaphragm may be
brought back by a spring, or weight, or by elastic fluid, cushion, or pressure.
Sometimes instead of the piston or diaphragm being attached to the hollow
trunk we attach it to the valve, and actuate the trunk by screw, or lever, or other
appliance.
When the apparatus is to be used for closets where an after flush is required, we
use an additional cylinder with piston, or diaphragm and tube, and so arranged as
to come in operation after the closet lever is let go.
When the apparatus is applied as a water meter, we prefer to use two or more
cylinders, and add suitable counting and registering appliances, but we may in
some cases use only one cylinder.
Another part of our Invention relates to a waste preventer to be fixed in closet
supply cisterns, and for other purposes; in this modified arrangement a sliding
cylinder connected to a rod is actuated by lever, or other well known gear, or fluid
pressure; the cylinder is by preference closed, and charged with oil, or glycerine, or
other fluid. The cylinder is fitted with piston or diaphragm actuated by spring,
weight, or other appliance, and there is a very small passage or communication
between both sides of same, as in the first arrangement. The piston or diaphragm
has a spindle carrying a weighted valve for governing communication between the
cistern and the supply pipe to closet. Sometimes, instead of fixing the outlet valve
to the piston rod, we fix it to the cylinder, and lift the piston instead of the
cylinder. When an after flush is required, we arrange an additional cylinder with
weighted valve and other parts, and arranged to act after the lever or other connec-
tion is let go. No service box is needed or indispensable in this arrangement.
Another part of our Invention relates to an improved method of regulating the
quantity of fluid allowed to pass through valves, or cocks, or passages in connection
with the aforesaid water waste preventer. This consists in screwing or pushing
into the inlet or outlet of same a regulating cap or plug, and so arranged that
according to the distance which the cap or plug is screwed in so the amount of
fluid allowed to pass may be increased or diminished. This improvement is also
applicable to other cocks, valves, and passages.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick Philip Preston, John Theodore Prestige, Edwin James
Preston, and William George Simmons in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th May 1879.
FREDERICK PHILIP PRESTON, JOHN THEODORE PRESTIGE, and EDWIN JAMES
PRESTON, trading as J. Stone & Co., and WILLIAM GEORGE SIMMONS, in the employ
of the said Firm, all of Deptford, in the County of Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING, REGULATING, CONTROLLING, AND ARRESTING THE
FLOW OF FLUIDS."
The first part of this Invention relates to an improved apparatus for drawing off
definite quantities of water or other fluids, and applicable as a water waste
preventer, and also for drawing off and measuring other fluids.
And in order that this our Invention may be more fully understood, we will
proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying Drawings. Like
letters refer to corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a vertical section through a waste preventer arranged to be
fixed in connection with a water closet or. urinal. a is cylinder and b a piston
working therein and fixed on a hollow piston rod, or trunk, or tube c; the piston
is, in this case, fitted with a cup leather packing, as shown, or it might be a hemp
or other packing. There is a small passage or aperture through the piston b, with
a loosely fitting plug d through same. The tube or piston rod c passes through
double cup leather or other suitable packing at each end of the cylinder a and seats
itself at one side (in this case at the bottom) against a valve e on a stem ƒ passing
out through a stuffing box on the chamber n below the cylinder d. g is a weighted
lever connected to the stem f and to the fulcrum link h. The hollow piston rod c
may, in some cases, pass out through the ends of the cylinder a without cup leather
or other packing. The upper side or end of the hollow piston rod c is open to the
outlet shank above the cylinder a. ; is a regulating cap or plug for the inlet,
which will be described later on with reference to Figures 35 and 36. The action
of this apparatus is as follows:-
When the valve f, e, is withdrawn from the bottom end of the hollow piston rod
or tube c, as here shown, the water can pass from the inlet k through the plug j to
the outlet through the tube c; this latter with its piston 6 will then gradually
descend in the cylinder a assisted by a helical spring m (or it might be a weight),
fluid passing from one side, that is, the bottom of the piston to the top of same,
through the space between the plug d and its hole, until the tube c seats itself
against the valve e again. The cylinder a is charged with water, or with glycerine,
or glycerine and water, or oil, or other cold resisting liquid.
☺
Figure 2 is a sectional view of part of a similar apparatus as Figure 1 but with
a side passage communicating with the top and the bottom of the cylinder a, and
fitted with a tap, or plug, or screw d for regulating the speed with which the liquid
passes from one side of the piston b to the other.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of part of a similar apparatus. The piston 6 is, in
this case, packed with india-rubber, or hemp, or other packing, and is fitted with an
annular valve d', which in one or more places has a fine notch through its cone face
to admit a small amount of liquid to pass through even when the valve is seated.
When the piston 6 descends in the cylinder the valve d³ will close against its seat,
the liquid in the cylinder a passing through the notch or notches in the valve d¹.
when the piston b rises the valve d' will drop from its seat against stops below
same and allow a rapid flow of liquid from the top to the bottom of the piston b,
that is, admit of the latter being raised much quicker than it descends. The liquid
is also allowed to pass through by the plug d, and if this latter. has sufficient play
the valve d may be made without notch or notches, and thus fit tight on its seat,
allowing, nevertheless, the piston to be raised quickly.

page_text: .
:
Figure 4 is a view very similar to Figure 3, but the piston b is in this case only
fitted with a ring valve d¹ notched on its face for allowing liquid to pass slowly
through for the same object as above stated.
Figure 5 is a part view of a cylinder a having a piston b without any packing, and
fitted with a small valve d', and also formed with the aperture fitted with the loose
fitting plug d.
In Figure 6 we show a cylinder a fitted with a piston b provided with an india
rubber ring packing b¹, and chambered out near the middle, where there are several
small holes forming a communication between the two ends of the cylinder; the
'holes are closed by an india rubber ring d' which forms a valve; when the piston b
is raised, the liquid above it expands the ring d¹ and escapes quickly by it; the
ring may also be of a flat band section; when the piston descends, the liquid
below the same keeps the ring valve d¹ tight against its seat, and passes slowly by
the plug d from the bottom to the top of the cylinder a.
Figure 7 shows a similar arrangement, in which, however, the piston b is
'provided with another kind of packing, say a ring of india-rubber fitting a recess
all round.
Figure 8 illustrates another modification, in which the tube or hollow piston
rod c at one end is made with a rolling india rubber packing ring c¹ and at the
'other end made to pass through a deep bush with an easy fit; or it may have a
'rolling packing at each end; the piston b is here shown without packing and
with a valve d¹ formed with one or more notches on the face, as in the previous
examples.
In Figure 9 we show a flexible diaphragm b instead of a piston; this diaphragm
is fixed between two flanges of the cylinder a with interposed washers for the
facility of tightening them up against the diaphragm. n¹ is an equilibrium cham-
ber above the cylinder a and which communicates with the lower chamber n by a
'side passage n². The stem is formed with two or more projections e¹ or with a
lantern for raising the diaphragm b. The stem c seats itself with a disc or part e
on the tube l' which forms the outlet.
Figure 10 illustrates another arrangement adapted for a waste preventing, draw-
off, or measuring-cock, in which the cup leather piston bis fixed on a solid stem c
passing through double cup leathers above and below, and has a disc or part e
scating itself as a valve on the hollow stem or outlet tube l' which is connected to
the weighted lever g. j is the inlet valve. The piston 6 has a hole through, and a
loose fitting peg d therein, as in some of the previous examples, for the slow passage
of the fluid from one side of the piston to the other. There is also in this case an
equilibrium chamber n' above the cylinder a communicating with the interior of
the body n by a lateral passage n²; we thereby facilitate the descent at the
commencement thereof.
is
In Figure 10a, the arrangement just described is reversed, that is, the handle
at the top, and it has a flexible diaphragm b instead of a piston. The stem seats
itself on the tube , which, when the stem c is raised by means of the lever g,
allows the passage of the fluid from the inlet valve; to the outlet shank l.
Figure 11 shows another waste preventing bib-cock or valve in which the stem f
is moved down and then run back quickly for opening a communication from the
inlet valve j through the piston rod or tube c to the outlet shank l, while the
piston b, by the assistance of the spring m, rises again slowly, the fluid escapes,
until the tube c seats itself again against the disc e on the stem f.
Figure 12 shows a similar arrangement of waste preventing bib-cock or valve in
which the stem f is raised by a weighted lever which, as long as it is left in the
depressed position, prevents escape; to cause a discharge of fluid the lever g is
raised, the fluid then escapes until the spring m has raised the piston b, piston
rod c, and stem f; if the lever g is let go the valve will also close.
Figure 13 illustrates an arrangement of a similar construction as that shown in
Figure 11; the valve is in this case arranged in a casing or box o, suitable for a

page_text: drinking fountain, or it could be fixed on a post or cistern. The inlet k is in this
case at the back; the valve is actuated by turning the knob or handle g.
"
Figure 14 illustrates the application of any of the hereinbefore described con-
structions of waste preventing valves actuated by levers to an ordinary "hopper
or servant's" closet. The lever g is connected to the pull up p.
<<
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate another arrangement of self closing waste preventing
cock. The sliding stem is actuated by the cam lever g (Figure 15) or the knob g
(Figure 16); the stem is formed with a disc or part e which seats itself against a
ring, valve, or tube c, which again seats itself against an india rubber or other
suitable packing on the diaphragm across the cylinder or body a. When the stem f
is depressed, the disc e first leaves its seat against the ring valve c; on depressing
the stem f further, the pin or projection pushes the ring valve c off its seat, thus
allowing a full flow of fluid from the inlet shank k to the outlet 1, when the hand
pressure on the lever g or knob g is released, the spring m gradually forces the
stem and therewith also the ring valve c into their normal position.
When this Invention is to be adapted in places where an after flush is required,
we arrange the apparatus more or less as shown in Figure 17. The apparatus
consists substantially of double cylinder piston (or diaphragm) and hollow piston
rod or tube appliances, one of the same being for the "flush" and the other for the
"after Hush.' The upper cylinder a¹ is fitted with piston b¹ on a hollow piston
rod c', which latter seats itself against the disc part e on the stem f which is con-
nected to the weighted lever g in connection with the pull up of the closet. The
disc'e has holes through, as shown, and seats itself on the upper part of the lower
hollow piston rod c², which has a piston b working in a cylinder a². The action of
this arrangement is as follows:-
When the lever gis raised, as shown, the water will rush from the inlet k,
through the hollow piston rod c¹, and give the desired flush. When the lever g is
let go it will force the piston rod f up and also thereby seat the disc c on the piston
rod c', which will be raised further together with its piston 6, the disc e being
raised from its lower seat on the top of cylinder a will then first descend again on
to the hollow piston rod c², whereby the disc e will be removed from its seat on the
upper hollow piston rod c¹, causing another rush of water, the "after flush," through
the same; the piston b' descending slowly again, the hollow piston rod c¹ will seat
itself on the disc e, and thus the after flush be stopped.
Figure 18 shows the after flush apparatus just described as it may be applied to
a pan or valve closet.
Figure 19 is a vertical section and Figure 20 a plan of a supply cistern arrange-
ment. a is the cylinder and c a hollow trunk or piston working therein, and
passing out through a cup leather or other stuffing box in the bottom of same. The
cylinder is provided with a water inlet shank k, and the trunk c is provided with
an outlet aperture x below, as shown; the trunk c seats itself against an india
rubber block or washer e in the cap of the cylinder, and its lower part is connected
to the ball lever g which works freely in a link or slotted part h, which is con-
nected to an ordinary outlet valve q by a so-called lost motion. The link h is
actuated by an ordinary lever p connected to a pull. When this pull is drawn
down in the direction of the arrow, and supposing the cistern is charged with
water, the link will first be raised into the position shown; on further depressing
the pull end of the lever p, the ball lever g will be raised and the tube c pressed
against its india-rubber or other elastic seat e, thus entirely shutting off the connec-
tion with the inlet k. On still further depressing the pull end of the lever p the
outlet valve q will be raised, and the contents of the cistern discharged. On letting
go the pull, the other heavy link end of the lever p will descend, thus first closing
the outlet valve q and then allow the ball lever g to descend and open the com-
munication between the inlet shank and the cistern through the upper, now open,
end of the tube c, and hole x in the lower part of same, the cistern will become
charged and be ready, for the next flushing operation.

page_text: Another part of our Invention relates to a waste preventer to be fixed in closet
supply cisterns, and for other purposes.
Figure 21 shows such an arrangement of cylinder and piston valve applicable for
fixing in cisterns. The sliding cylinder a is fitted with a piston b and helical
spring m. The piston is fixed on a solid stem c, as in Figure 10, passing out
through stuffing boxes at the top and bottom of cylinder a; it has a disc e seating.
itself as a valve on the outlet tube or shank . The upper end of the cylinder a is
connected to a closet lever in the ordinary manner; when the cylinder is raised it
carries with it the piston b and valve e, discharging a certain amount of water from
the cistern through the outlet tube 1, the amount being regulated as required in
the same manner as before described with reference to Figure 1.
In Figure 21° we have shown a modification in which the cylinder a is not formed
with a stuffing box at the top.
In Figure 22 is shown an arrangement similar to Figure 21, but with a flexible
diaphragm b instead of a piston.
Figure 23 illustrates a kind of reverse arrangement, according to which the
'cylinder a is made to act as or in connection with the outlet valve e.
On lifting
the piston rod or stem c, the cylinder a and valve e are carried with it, allowing a
certain amount of water to flow from the cistern into the outlet ¹, which amount is
regulated in the manner before described.
Figure 23 shows a similar arrangement, but with a diaphragm b instead of a
piston b.
Figure 24 shows the application of the arrangements shown in Figures 21, 21ª,
22, 23, and 23a to a cistern. a is the cylinder; c, the outlet valve; and ", the
outlet tube.
Figure 25 illustrates the mode of adapting the valve arrangement just described
to the effecting of an after flush. a¹ is the cylinder for the flush; and a², the
cylinder for the after flush; the piston rods or stems c¹ and c² are connected by a
double armed lever ; the pull is here connected to the upper end of the cylinder a³,
or it might be connected to the lever r, or other moving part of the apparatus:
The disc or valves e¹ and e² seat themselves on the outlet part P. Instead of
pistons 61, 62, flexible diaphragms may be applied, as in the previous examples.
Figure 26 shows the application of this afterflush apparatus to a cistern.
Figure 27 shows a flush apparatus to be placed in a cistern. a is the cylinder;
b, a hollow piston or bucket made to slide therein, and fitted with a regulating
valve c which admits the water from the cistern to the measuring chamber n. The
piston rod f is in this case made hollow for the purpose of fitting an interior air
pipes therein.
On raising the piston b and piston rod f, the regulating valve c
closes the inlet from the cistern to the measuring chamber n; on raising it further,
the valve e will rise from its seat on the outlet 1, thus allowing the contents of the
chamber n to be discharged into the outlet l¹. When the hollow piston is in the
position shown, the water will enter the cylinder a by the holes through the top,
and passing by the valve center the chamber n. The dotted lines show an
arrangement for effecting an after flush, viz., the ordinary trapping box.
Figure 28 shews a similar arrangement of flushing apparatus but fixed to the
side of the measuring chamber n. An after flush arrangement is shewn in dotted
·lines here also.
Figure 29 shews an improvement relating to stuffing boxes for valves where it is
desirable to pack the spindles of such valves without shutting off the supply. f is
the spindle of the valve; it fits against the inside of the bottom of the valve cover
with a shoulder e; c is an india rubber ring; and d, a ring or disc which, by means
of bolts g or other suitable means, can be pressed against the ring c, thus arresting
the flow or leakage of fluid from within the valve while the stuffing box is being
repacked. c'illustrates one mode and c² another mode of preventing leakage by
the bolts g.
In Figure 30, the ring d has horns g, against which the valve in
rising is made to press, thus taking the place of the bolts g in Figure 29. In

page_text: Figure 31, the spindle is made in two pieces ƒ and ƒ¹ which are connected by clutch
teeth, as shewn in plan in Figure 32. The shoulder e on the bottom of spindle fis
pressed against the ring c by the rising valve or other suitable means. One mode
of lifting the valve spindle is by tongs nipping the square of the spindle f; there
is a ring thereon and a screw connected to the tongs, and having a nut on the top
of legs or bracket. In Figure 33, the ring plate d may be made to force up the
india rubber washer c against the shoulder e on the spindle f and the underside of
the cover by means of two bolts g and the keys g' (or it might be nuts on screwed
bolt ends). Figure 34 shews a socket formed outer spindle f and the valve
spindle f, which latter, with its shoulder e, may be made to compress the india
rubber ring c. Figure 35 shows an improved method of regulating the quantity of
fluid allowed to pass through valves, or cocks, or passages in connection with the
aforesaid water waste preventers. The plug or cap j enters the passage t and may
by its outer or cap part, which works as a nut on the shank u, be pushed more or
less into the passage t, thus, according to the distance which the plug is made to
enter the passage t, so the amount of fluid allowed to pass may be increased or
diminished: The plug may be made as a screw fitting in a screwed shank, as
shewn in Figure 1, where plug ; serves to regulate the influx from the inlet k.
Figure 36 shews the screw plug applied for an ordinary ferrule t for a water main,
affording facility for regulating the opening from the main A to the ferrule and
supply pipe t, according to the different pressures. This improvement is applicable
to other cocks, valves, and passages.
And having thus described and ascertained the nature of this Invention, we
declare that we claim,-
Firstly. The combination of parts forming our improved waste preventing
apparatus, in which a closed cylinder a with piston or diaphragm band hollow or
solid piston rod c forming or connected to an outlet valve are employed, the fluid
enclosed in the two ends of the cylinder a communicating by one or more small
passages or valves, and the whole operating substantially as described with reference
to Figures 1 to 15, 17 and 18, and 21 to 26 in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The combination of parts forming our improved waste preventing
apparatus, in which a cylinder a with hollow piston or trunk and outlet valve
connected therewith are employed, the whole operating substantially as described
with reference to Figures 19, 20, 24, 27, and 28 in the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The means for preventing fluid waste in valves, substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly. The means for controlling the flow of fluid in pipes or passages,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 35 and 36 in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Frederick Philip Preston, John Theodore
Prestige, Edwin James Preston, and William George Simmons, have here-
unto set our hands and seals, this Sixth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine