IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER GAUGES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Thurlow and Arthur Sykes, both of Wakefield,
in the county of York for an invention of “IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER
GAUGES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Thurlow & Arthur
Sykes at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th April 1882.
JOHN THURLOW and ARTHUR SYKES, both of Wakefield, in the county of
York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER GAUGES."
This invention relates to the construction of an improved water gauge for steam
boilers whereby on the breakage of the glass tube the steam and water are auto-
matically shut off thereby avoiding the danger and inconvenience which
frequently result on the breakage of the glass tube in a gauge of the ordinary
construction
In carrying out our invention we provide a suitable valve such as a ball valve
at the top and bottom of the gauge respectively and so arranged that on the
breakage of the glass tube the valves are automatically forced into seats by the
pressure of the steam and water in such a manner that the openings leading to
the glass tube are closed and the escape of steam and water thereby shut off. On
the tube being replaced the upper valve is moved back to its norinal position by
any suitable means which will depend upon the form of valve employed and the
equilibrium being thus restored the gauge will be again put in operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Thurlow & Arthur Sykes in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th October 1882.
JOHN THURLOW and ARTHUR SYKES, both of Wakefield, in the county of
York 'IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER, GAUGES
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3
This invention relates to an improved construction of that class of water gauges
for steam boilers in which on the breakage of the glass tube the steam and water
are automatically shut off thereby avoiding the danger and inconvenience which
frequently result on the breakage of the glass tube in a gauge of the ordinary
construction.
In carrying out our invention we provide a suitable valve such as a ball valve
at the top and bottom of the gango respectively and so arranged that on the
breakage of the glass tube the valves are automatically forced into sents by the
pressure of the steam and water in such a manner that the openings leading to the
glass tubo are closed and the escape of steam and water thereby shut off. On tho
tube being replaced the upper valve is moved back to its normal position by any
suitable incans which will depend upon the form of valve employed and the
equilibrium being thus restored the gauge will be again put in operation.
:
In order to enable our invention to be better understood we will proceed to
describe the same by reference to the accompanying drawing in which figure 1, is
a front elevation and figure 2, a vertical section of a water gauge constructed
according to our invention. Figure 3, is a plan of the valve support.
is the upper part and b, the lower part of the gauge adapted to be screwed
(or otherwise fixed) to the boiler plate as usual; c, is an ordinary glass gauge
tube forming the communication between the upper and the lower parts of the
gauge; d, and e, the usual glands for securing and packing the gauge glass c; in
the lower part of the gauge is formed a chamber the upper cud of which is
open to or in communication with the glass tube c, and is formed of a conical shape
at f, so as to form a seating for the ball valve g, as hereinafter described; into
the lower end of the chamber f, is screwed the body h, of the trial cock i; j, is the
passage from the boiler into the chamber f; the part of the body h, in the
chamber opposite the passage j, is reduced in diameter so as to form a neck at k,
thereby leaving an annular space between it and the chamber; from the said neck
extends a number of projections, with spaces m, between them the outer circum-
ference of the said projections being turned to fit tightly in the chamber, these
projections are bored out conically so as to form a support or seat for the ball g,
when in its normal position so as to partly close the passago n, londing to the trial
cock i; o, o, openings in the nock k, so as to form a communication between the
chamber, and the passage n.
22 ;
and 9,
The upper part a, of the gauge is formed with two chambers
communi-
cating at their upper part by the passage r; the chamber p, is open to the gauge
glass c as shown; the gauge glass is passed through this chamber into its position
and the chamber is closed by the screw plug 8; into the bottom of the chamber 9,
is screwed a plug t, provided with a support u, for a ball valve v, the said support
being constructed similarly to the herein before described support 1, of the ball
valvo g; w, upper scating for the ball valve v, and similar to the hereinbefore
described seating f, in the lower part of the gauge; c, passago leading from tho
boiler to the chaibor q, and to the passago y, in the ball support; s, piston or rod
working in the stuffing box a', in the upper part of the chamber q.
From this construction it will be seen that the parts being in the position
shown in the drawing and the cock i, being closed water from the boiler can pass

page_text: through the passage j, into the chamber f, through the spaces m, and passages o,
and n, over and around the ball g, and into the gauge glass c, and as soon as
steam is formed it will pass from the boiler through the passage x, into the
chamber g, through the passage y, and spaces in tho support u, and over the ball
and thence through the passage 7, into the chamber p, and down into the glass
gauge o, where it will meet the water and an equilibrium will thus be established.
Should the glass gauge c, break, the valves g, and v, would be automatically
forced into their respective upper seats f¹, and 2, (as shown by the dotted lines)
by the pressure of the water and steam and thereby close the openings leading to
the glass tube and shut off the escape of water and steam.
The tube being replaced by a new one, the steam valve v, is moved back to its
normal position by incans of the piston or rod z, and the equilibrium being thus
restored the gauge will be again in working condition.
If the trial cock i, be opened water rushes from the passage j, and through the
openings o, into the passage n, and in passing out through the cock i, will draw
with it the water from the tube through the chamber f, spaces m, and
apertures o.
On the pressure in the glass tube being thus relieved the valve v, will be
instantaneously closed by being forced into its top seat w, by the pressure from
the boiler and the cock thus being closed a flow of clean water then cleanses tho
glass tube so that the equilibrium or height of water is more easily ascertained.
Further if the piston z, be forced and held down a volume of steam in addition
to the water will be sent through the glass tube at the same time.
The cock, being closed and the piston, released the valve r, will fall by its
own weight into its normal position and the pistons, will be raised by the pressure
in the boiler.
We have described our gauge provided with ball valves as being those which
we have found to answer best; but it will be understood that other forms of
valves such as spindle valves may be employed. Among the advantages of our
improved water gauge may be mentioned immunity from the danger and incon-
venience usually resulting from the breakage of the gauge glass thereby rendering
the gauge specially suitable for locomotive and other boilers exposed to the varying
conditions of the weather and other unfavorable circumstances, only one cock being
required, leakage from the wear of movable parts is diminished and consequently
the escape of steam and water and accumulation of dirt; in case of the breakage
of a tube in the absence of the attendant, which frequently occurs in working
stationary boilers, the boiler will retain its contents thereby preventing danger
from explosion.
Having thus described our invention and the best means we are acquainted with
for carrying the same into effect What we claim is :—
The improved water gauge constructed and operating as herein before described
and represented in the accompanying drawing, or any mero modification thereof.
In witness whereof we the said John Thurlow and Arthur Sykes have
hereto set our hands and seals this tenth day of October in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.