IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF SAFETY AND OTHER VALVES, AND
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Leatham, of Brookfield Engine Works,
Leeds, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF SAFETY AND OTHER VALVES, AND
"
Sealed the 1st July 1873, and dated the 2nd January 1873.

page_text: '
or ring space is formed a cup with a bridge across to receive the stem of
the valve and also a spindle, on which is an eccentric or tappet to
operate upon the foot of the valve stem when necessary. On the valve
are projecting facings forming covers for the openings in the seat, leaving
recesses betwixt, and on each facing is a wing projecting into the
openings. Affixed to or cut on or into the stem or other part of the
valve or valves is one or more threaded screws or inclined planes fitting
into and capable of working in one or more fixings. In connection
therewith is a spindle having a centre point or otherwise for the valve
or valves to act upon. On this spindle is fixed a plate or seat to support
one or more springs, and also on the said spindle (at the opposite end of
the spring or springs) is another plate capable of sliding on the spindle.
By means of a screw or other mechanical equivalent the spring or
springs may be expanded or contracted. A lid is attached or binged
to the apparatus to cover this screw or its equivalent, which can be
locked when the spring or springs are adjusted to prevent them being
tampered with.
Secondly. The Invention consists in the application to the said or an
ordinary safety valve of an auxilary valve for the purpose of assisting
the said or ordinary safety valve to lift further from its seating should
the steam increase. This is effected by having a funnel or bell-shaped
tube extending into the boiler, and communicating with the auxilary
valve, also a lever extending from one valve to the other, bearing under
the foot of each stem, and being hinged or having its fulcrum inter-
mediate, this lever is enclosed within a box. The auxiliary valve is
inverted, but so placed as to act in conjunction with one or more valves,
as may be required, the arrangements being such that when the
valve or valves lift to allow an escape of steam this lever transmits
the power of the auxiliary valve to assist the escape valve in opening.
.
Thirdly. In applying to the lever described in the second part a rod
which extends through the shell of the boiler, and by a slot hole in that
end embraces a lever hinged within the boiler. To one end of this lever
is attached by means of a rod a float which is balanced in its specific
gravity as only to just float, and at the other end of this lever is attached
another float not to rest on the water (when the water is at its proper
working level), so that should the water get too low in the boiler the
lever will be operated, and the valves will open; and so let steam escape,
'as before explained; and in like manner should the water get too high

page_text: in the boiler it will come in contact with the other float, causing the
former float to sink, and thereby opening the valves as before stated;
allowing steam to escape to prevent explosion.
Fourthly. The Invention relates to regulating valves or valves for the
emission or supply of steam, gas, water, or other fluids in suitable or deter-
minate quantities; and the improvements consist in the application
thereto of a screw or inclined planes, as set forth in the first part of
this Invention connected by a socket joint so that the valve will
move direct or not turn upon its axes when moving to and from its
seat.
Fifthly. The Invention relates to equilibrium valves or valves for
diminishing the pressure of steam or other fluids used under pressure; and
the the improvements consist in constructing one of the discs or valves
used therewith with a cylindrical flange to fit and work outside of a
cylindrical fixing, such valve being provided with a stuffing box or
packing ring to prevent escape of steam or other fluid used. Also.in
the application to such valves of an adjustable spring or springs to act
thereon for lifting or opening the said valves.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Leatham in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 2nd July 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
LEATHAM, of Brookfield Engine Works, Leeds, in the County of York,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Leatham, Her special licence
that I, the said William Leatham, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Leatham, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully miglit make, use, exercise, and

page_text: L
Firstly. To safety valves for steam boilers, and the improvements
consist in the construction of a disc valve, the seat of which is formed
with an annular or ring space, and within the annular or ring space a
is formed a cup with a bridge across to receive the stem of the
valve, and also a spindle on which is an eccentric or tappet to
operate upon the foot of the valve stem when necessary. On the
valve are projecting facings forming covers for the openings in the
seat, leaving recesses betwixt, and on each facing is a wing projecting
'into the openings. Affixed to or cut on or into the stem or other part
of the valve or valves is one or more threaded screws or inclined planes
fitting into and capable of working in one or more fixings. In con-
⚫nection therewith is a spindle having a centre point or otherwise for the
valve or valves to act upon. On this spindle is fixed a plate or seat to
.support one or more springs, and also on the said spindle (at the opposite
end of the spring or springs) is another plate capable of sliding on the
spindle. By means of a screw or other mechanical equivalent the spring
or springs may be expanded or contracted.. A lid is attached or hinged
to the apparatus to cover the screw or its equivalent, which can be
locked when the spring or springs are adjusted to prevent them being
tampered with.

page_text: Secondly. The Invention consists in the application to the said or an
ordinary safety valve of an auxiliary valve for the purpose of assisting
the said or ordinary safety valve to lift further from its seating should
the steam increase. This is effected by having a funnel or bell-shaped
tube extending into the boiler, and communicating with the auxiliary
valve, also a lever extending from one valve to the other bearing under
the foot of each stem, and being hinged or having its fulcrum inter-
mediate, this lever is enclosed within a box. The auxiliary valve is
inverted, but so placed as to act in conjunction with one or more valves,
as may be required. The arrangements being such that when the valve.
or valves lift to allow an escape of steam this lever transmits the power
of the auxiliary valve to assist the escape valve in opening.
Thirdly. In applying to the lever described in the second part a rod
which extends through the shell of the boiler, and by a slot hole in that
end embraces a lever hinged within the boiler.. To one end of this lever
is attached by means of a rod a float which is balanced in its specific
gravity as only to just float, and at the other end of this lever is attached
another float not to rest on the water (when the water is at its proper
working level), so that should the water get too low in the boiler the
lever will be operated, and the valves will open and so let steam escape,
as before explained; and in like manner should the water get too high
in the boiler it will come in contact with the other float, causing the
former float to sink, and thereby opening the valves, as before stated,
allowing steam to escape to prevent explosion.
Fourthly. The Invention relates to regulating valves or valves for the
emission or supply of steam, gas, water, or other fluids in suitable or
determinate quantities; and the improvements consist in the application
thereto of a screw or inclined planes, as set forth in the first part of
this Invention, connected by a socket joint so that the valve will
move direct or not turn upon its axis when moving to. and from its
scat.
Fifthly. The Invention relates to equilibrium valves or valves for
diminishing the pressure of steam or other fluids used under pressure,
and the improvements consist in constructing one of the discs or valves
used therewith with a cylindrical flange to fit and work outside of a
cylindrical fixing, such valve being provided with a stuffing box or
packing ring to prevent escape of steam or other fluid used. Also in

page_text: the application to such valves of an adjustable spring or springs to act
thereon for lifting or opening the said valves.
Such being the nature of the said Invention, I will now proceed to
describe the same in detail by the aid of the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings marked with figures and letters of reference.
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 shew the construction of the safety valves for steam
boilers. A is a disc valve, the seat of which is formed with an annular
or ring space B and a series of openings C, and within the annular or
ring space is formed a cup E with a bridge E¹ across to receive the
stem E³ of the valve, and also a spindle F, on which is an eccentric or
tappet F¹ to operate upon the foot of the valve stem E³ when necessary.
On the valve are projecting facings G forming covers for the openings in
the scat, leaving recesses betwixt, and on each facing is a wing G¹ pro-
jecting into the openings. Affixed to or cut on or into the stem or
other part of the valve or valves is one or more threaded screws H or
inclined planes fitting into and capable of working in one or more
fixings or cross bar H¹. In connection therewith is a spindle J having
a centre point or otherwise for the valve or valves to act upon. On the
spindle J is fixed a plate or seat J¹ to support one or more springs J³,
and also on the said spindle (at the opposite end of the spring or
springs) is another plate J³ capable of sliding on the said spindle. The
springs are enclosed in the casing J' to protect them from the steam.
Or in lieu of the plates J¹ and Js and springs J² a diaphragm or
diaphragms adjusted by means of the screw K may be substituted, and
so dispense with the use of the said springs. By means of a screw K or
other mechanical equivalent the spring or springs may be expanded or
contracted. A lid is attached or hinged to the apparatus to cover the
screw or its equivalent, which can be locked when the spring or springs,
weighted lever, or mechanical equivalent are adjusted to prevent them
being afterwards tampered with.
To the said valve, as described, or to an ordinary safety valve, I apply
an auxiliary valve (see Fig. 4) for the purpose of assisting the said or
ordinary safety valve to lift further from its seating should the steam
increase. This is effected by having a funnel or bell-shaped tube
extending into the steam space of the boiler, and communicating with
the auxiliary valve N, also a lever L, extending from one valve to the
other, bearing under the foot of cach stem M, and being hinged or having
its fulcrum intermediate; this lever is enclosed within a steam-tight

page_text: box M¹. The auxiliary valve N is inverted, but so placed as to act in
conjunction with one or more valves, as may be required, the arrange-
ments as shewn being such that when the safety valve P lifts to allow
an escape of steam the lever Ltransmits the power of the auxiliary
valve to assist the safety or escape valve P in opening.
When applying and connecting to the lever L, described in the second
part of this Specification, a rod P¹ which extends through the shell of
the boiler P³, and by a slot hole or joint P³ admits of the rising and
falling of the lever R and floats R¹ and S, the said lever R is hinged
within the boiler. To one end of this lever is attached by means of a
rod a float R', which is balanced in its specific gravity as only to just
float, and at the other end of this lever R is attached another float S not
to rest on the water (when the water is.at its proper working level), so
that should the water get too low in the boiler the lever will be operated,
and the valves will open and so let steam escape, as before explained;
and in like manner should the water get too high in the boiler it will
come in contact with the float S, causing the float R' to sink, and
thereby operating the rod P' and opening the valves, as before stated,
allowing steam to escape to prevent explosion.
In constructing regulating valves or valves for the emission or supply
of steam, gas, water, or other fluids in suitable or determinate quantities,
I apply thereto a screw or inclined planes, as set forth in the first part
of this Invention, connected by a socket joint T, so that the valve will
move direct or not turn upon its axis when moving to and from its seat,
so reducing the friction to a minimum. At Fig. 8 I have shown the
lever T for operating the valve secured to a screwed bush W, which by
means of the screw on the end of the valve spindle admits of the valve
being raised or lowered to or from its scat without any rotary motion of
such valve or rod. The screws H or equivalents for working the valves
may be inside the casing, as shown at Fig. 7, or outside, as shewn at
Fig. 8.
Equilibrium valves or valves for diminishing the pressure of steam or
other fluids used under pressure are shown at Fig. 9, in constructing
which a disc or discs or valves A are used therewith with a cylindrical
flange X to fit and work telescopically outside of a cylindrical
external flange or stuffing box fixing, the valve rod J being provided
with a stuffing box or packing ring Y to prevent escape of steam or
other fluid used. Also in the application to such valves of an adjustable

page_text: spring or springs or diaphragm to act thereon for lifting or opening
the said valve, disc, or discs.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Leatham, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of Junc, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three..
WILLIAM LEATHAM. (L.S.)
Witness,
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Tasker & Brierley,
Patent Agents,
Halifax, Bradford, & Blackburn.