Improvements in and connected with Water Gauges for Steam Boilers.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 26th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Water Gauges for Steam
Boilers.
I, JAMES WEIR, of Holm Foundry, Cathcart, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object to render more efficient and reliable the
water gauges of steam boilers, especially boilers working at high pressures. To
attain this object I modify one or both of the pipes or connecting passages between
the gauge and the boiler in such a manner as to prevent in some measure the
direct communication of the temperature of the water and steam due to the
pressure in the boiler. By so doing rapid and extreme changes of temperature
will be prevented in the transparent material through which the water level is
observed.
One of the principal causes of the breakage of glass gauge tubes, and of damage
to mica or other transparent plates in gauges as presently fitted, is the
accumulation of air above the water in the gauge and the difference of temperature,
due to the cooling influence of the atmosphere, between the air and the water, and
acting upon the glass, mica, or other material of the gauge.
By my invention I make the passage leading from the boiler to the bottom of
the gauge dip down and rise up to form a trap or reservoir, preventing convection
currents, and allowing the water in the gauge to cool down. Connected to this
dipping part is a passage which leads up to the top or steam connection of the
gauge, and which leads down any water condensed in the stean portion and also
any water which may be "primed" over, the hot water returning down this passage
instead of through the comparatively cool gauge.
The top or steam portion of the gauge is arranged to rise and drop down to form
an air trap or reservoir.
These improved connections are fitted with stop cocks, and sludge cocks for
shutting off and blowing through. The present improvements are applicable to
most of the ordinary well-known descriptions of water gauge.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of November 1895.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Water Gauges for Steam
Boilers.
I, JAMES WEIR, of Holm Foundry, Cathcart, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Engineer, 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, that is to say :-
To
My said invention has for its object to render more efficient and reliable the
water gauges of steam boilers, especially boilers working at high pressures.
attain this object I modify one or both of the pipes or connecting passages between
the gauge and the boiler in such a manner as to prevent in some measure the
[Price 81

page_text: direct communication of the temperature of the water and steam due to the
pressure in the boiler. By so doing rapid and extreme changes of temperature
will be prevented in the transparent material through which the water level is
observed.
One of the principal causes of the breakage of glass gauge tubes, and of damage
to mica or other transparent plates in gauges as presently fitted, is the accumulation
of air above the water in the gauge and the difference of temperature, due to the
cooling influence of the atmosphere, between the air and the water, and acting
upon the glass, mica, or other material of the gauge.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings to be
hereinafter referred to and showing my improvements.
Figure, 1, is a front elevation and Figure, 2, is a vertical section as at right
angles to Figure, 1, showing a water gauge as made with my improvements.
Figure, 3, is an enlarged vertical section of a part to be hereinafter referred to.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
By my invention I make the passage, A, leading from the boiler to the bottom
of the gauge tube, B, dip down and rise up to form a trap or reservoir, preventing
convection currents, and allowing the water in the gauge tube to cool down.
Connected to this dipping part, A, is a passage or stand pipe, C, which extends up
to the upper or steam connection, D, of the gauge tube, B, and which is connected
at its upper and lower ends to the boiler. The pipe, C, also leads down any water
condensed in the steam portion, D, and any water which may be "primed" over
through the upper boiler connection, the hot water returning down this passage, C,
instead of through the comparatively cool gauge tube, B.
The upper or steam portion, D, of the gauge is constructed with ascending and
descending legs to form an air trap or reservoir.
These improved connections, A, D, are fitted with stop cocks, F, G, and a sludge
cock, H, for shutting off and blowing through; the connections being also fitted
with known forms of ball valves, J, K, the lower one, J, of which, with its valve
box, L, and the manner of securing the lower end of the gauge glass, B, is shown
enlarged in Figure, 3. These valves, J, K, come into action and prevent the
passage of water and steam only in the event of the gauge tube, B, becoming
broken. There is provided a hollow ring, M, having an external screw thread
working in an internal screw thread in an upper extension of the valve box, L, and
this ring is adjusted so that on the parts being put together the bottom end of the
gauge tube, B, bears on it and the gauge tube is thereby prevented from slipping
down should the stuffing-box packing become loose. The present improvements
are applicable to most of the ordinary well-known descriptions of water gauges.
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 :-
1. In a water gauge making the passage leading to the bottom of the gauge
tube dip down and rise up, and connecting this dipping part to a passage or stand
pipe connected at its upper and lower ends to the boiler, and communicating with
the upper or steam portion of the gauge which portion is made to ascend and
descend, all substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
2. In a water gauge making the passage leading to the bottom of the gauge
tube dip down and rise up, and the connection to the upper or steam portion to
ascend and descend, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Dated this Twenty-fourth day of August 1896.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.