Apparatus for Automatically Closing Valves to Prevent Sudden and Dangerous Outrush of Steam, Water, or other Fluid, Air or Gas under Pressure.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Automatically Closing Valves to Prevent Sudden and
Dangerous Outrush of Steam, Water, or other Fluid, Air or Gas
under Pressure.
I, ROBERT BROUGH, of 9 Western Hill, Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain automatic apparatus adapted to the purpose of
instantly closing the stop valve on a boiler, receiver or other vessel containing
steam or other fluid, air or gas under pressure in case of fracture of a steam pipe or
similar connection leading therefrom having special reference to the boiler stop
valves of marine or other steam engines.
In any of the various forms in which the apparatus may be constructed and
arranged its operation depends upon a disturbance of the equilibrium of pressure
between the boiler, receiver or other vessel and the steam pipe, or other connection
therefrom, and upon mechanism whereby this disturbance of equilibrium may be
made to act upon the steam stop valve so as to instantly close it. in case of the
main steam pipe bursting or any similar accident.
In the form in which I at present prefer to carry my invention into practical
operation, the apparatus consists of an automatic valve fitted upon or connected
with the steam pipe, and also connected to the steam space of the boiler and, by a
cock or valve, to one end of a small balance cylinder, a piston in which is secured
to the spindle of the stop valve on boiler, another branch on the cock leading to the
atmosphere or, in condensing engines, to the condenser.
The automatic valve is connected by a spindle with a diaphragm one side of which
is open to the main steam pipe. When in normal working order, the steam stop valve
being closed, the piston is at one end of the small cylinder until the stop valve is
opened by means of its screwed spindle which moves the piston to the opposite end.
There is now an equilibrium of pressure between the steam in the boiler and in the
steam pipe and the automatic valve is closed by the diaphragm, the cock in connec-
tion with the automatic valve being now open to the small balance cylinder, and
these conditions exist so long as all is right. Should any fracture of the main
steam pipe, or any of its connections with the engine occur, the equilibrium is
disturbed between the boiler and the main steam pipe and the automatic valve
opening, against the diminished resistance of the diaphragm, instantly admits steam
through the cock to the balance cylinder the piston in which is forced to the
opposite end and closes the stop valve, the automatic valve being then closed by
hand. When the damage has been repaired the steam in the small balance cylinder
is discharged by opening the cock to the atmosphere or condenser when the stop
valve is opened and the automatic valve, being set free, is kept closed by the
pressure upon the diaphragm.
The operation of the automatic valve may be controlled by other means than a
diaphragm as for instance by a piston or other device which will cause the valve to
open when the equilibrium of pressure is disturbed and the action of the automatic
valve to close the steam stop valve may be effected in several other ways than by a
simple piston in a cylinder as for instance by.differential pistons and the action may
be instead of direct through a lever to the spindle of the steam stop valve.
This ofth day of Lot 1801

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Automatically. Closing Valves to Prevent Sudden and
Dangerous Outrush of Steam, Water, or other Fluid, Air or Gas
under Pressure.
I, ROBERT BROUGH of 9 Western Hill; Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
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:-
This invention relates to certain automatic apparatus adapted to the purpose of
instantly closing the stop valve on a boiler, receiver or other vessel containing
steam or other fluid, air or gas under pressure in case of fracture of a steam pipe or
similar connection leading therefrom having special reference to the boiler stop
valves of marine or other steam engines.
In any of the various forms in which the apparatus may be constructed and
arranged its operation depends upon a disturbance of the equilibrium of pressure
between the boiler, receiver or other vessel and. the steam pipe or other connection
therefrom, and upon mechanism whereby this disturbance of equilibrium may, be
made to act upon the steam stop valve so as to instantly close it in case of the main
steam pipe bursting or any similar accident.
In the form in which I at present prefer to carry my invention into practical
operation, the apparatus. consists of an automatic valve fitted upon or connected
with the steam pipe and also connected to the steam space of. the boiler and, by a
cock or valve, to one end of a small balance cylinder, a piston in which is secured
to the spindle of the stop valve on boiler another branch on the cock leading to the
atmosphere or, in condensing engines to the condenser.
The automatic valve is connected by a spindle with a diaphragm one side of which
is open to the main steam pipe. When in normal working order, the steam stop
valve being closed the piston is at one end of the small cylinder until the stop valve
is opened by means of its screwed spindle or other appliance which moves the piston
to the opposite end. There is now an equilibrium of pressure between the steam in
the boiler and in the steam pipe and the automatic valve is.closed by the diaphragm,
the cock in connection with the automatic valve being now open to the, small balance
cylinder, and these conditions exist,so long as,all is right.
Should any fracture of the main steam pipe or any of its connections with the
engine occur, the equilibrium is disturbed between the boiler, and, the main steam
pipe and the automatic valve, opening, against the diminished resistance of the
diaphragm, instantly admits steam through the cock to the, balance cylinder the
piston in which is forced to the opposite end and closes the stop valve, the auto-
inatic valve being then closed by hand. When the damage has been repaired the
steam in the small balance cylinder is discharged by opening the cock to the atmo-
sphere or condenser when the stop valve is opened and the automatic valve being
set free, is kept.closed by the pressure, upon the diaphragm.
The operation of the automatic valve may be controlled by other means than a
diaphragm as for instance by a piston, or other device which will cause the valve to
open when the equilibrium of pressure, is disturbed and the action of the automatic
valve is close the steam stop valve may be effected in several other ways than by a
simple piston. in a cylinder as for instance by differential pistons and the action may
be,. instead of direct, through a lever, to the spindle of.the, steam stop valve.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.

page_text: On Sheet 1 Fig. 1 shews the apparatus described as an illustration in my
Provisional Specification, as applies to the main steam pipe leading from the stop
valve.
Fig. 2 shews an alternative form of the same without a diaphragm valve between
the boiler and the steam stop valve and
Fig. 3 shews a convenient method of applying the apparatus to a marine engine.
On Sheet 2, Fig. 4 shows another method in which the disturbance of the equili
brium of pressure acts directly to close an inverted stop valve without a diaphragm
valve or piston.
>
Fig. 5 shews another mode of carrying out the principle of my invention in which
the stop valve is instantly entirely closed in case of a fracture of the steam pipe or
any of the connections to the engine and acts also as a pressure regulating valve
between the boiler and the engine.
Figs. 6 and 7 shew my invention applied to water gauges to automatically prevent
the sudden and dangerous outrush of steam and water by the fracture of the gauge
glass.
The same letters apply to corresponding parts upon all the figs. where such parts
are shewn.
On Fig. 1, Sheet 1, A is the steam stop vàlve in boiler, B the main steam pipe
leading therefrom to the engine. C is a steam cylinder over stop valve fitted with a
piston D attached to the stop valve spindle E. F is the hand wheel by which the
valve is opened by hand the closing being entirely automatic. G is the diaphragm
open to the steam pipe on its under side and connected by a spindle H with the
small valve J which is kept closed against the boiler pressure in the pipe K so long
as all is right. The stop valve A. is now closed the piston D at the bottom of its
cylinder and the cock L between it and the diaphragm valve J being closed there
is no steam on its upper side. The stop valve A being opened the piston D is at
the same time raised in its cylinder (there being no pressure above it) and steam.
fills the main steam pipe and pressing upward the diaphragm G closes the valve J
and the cock L is now opened. In case of accident to the main steam pipe, the
equilibrium of pressure being destroyed, the full boiler pressure on the valve J
instantly opens it and steam passing through it and through the cock L to the top
of the piston D forces it down and closes the stop valve. The damage having been
repaired the diaphragm valve J is closed by the handle H¹ connected to the
spindle H and the cock L'is turned so as to allow the steam above the piston D to
escape to the atmosphere or into the condenser and working is resumed.
Fig. 2, Sheet 1, shews a modified form in which the diaphragm G and valve Jare
dispensed with steam being admitted direct from the boiler through the cock L to
the upper side of the piston D which when the stop valve A is open and all is right
is in equilibrium but should any accident occur to the main steam pipe the equili
brium being destroyed the full pressure of steam from the boiler instantly forces
down the piston and closes the stop valve. The opening of the stop valve may
conveniently be effected from below in the engine room or from the deck or bridge
by the lever M worked by suitable rods N, N or other connection a counterweight
or a spring being applied to balance the valve and its gear.
By Fig. 3, Sheet 1, is shewn a convenient arrangement of the apparatus for a
marine engine bringing all those parts which require to be operated by hand within
reach of the engineer on the platform. A is the steam stop valve on the boiler B the
main steam pipe to the regulator valve R R on the steam chest. The diaphragm
and valve shown in Fig. 1are contained in a box O fixed on one of the columns.
A pipe K conveys steam from the boiler to the valve J and opens it when the
equilibrium of pressure is disturbed by an accident to the main steam pipe or any of
its connections allowing the steam to pass through the cock L by the pipe K to
the top of the piston in the cylinder C above the stop valve A and to close it.
Steam is admitted to the lower surface of the diaphragm by the pipe P which is
attached for convenience to the branch of the regulator clear of the main steam
pipe. The cock L has another branch with a pipe Q leading to the condenser the

page_text: steam which requires to be discharged from above the piston D when the damage
has been repaired after an accident and the apparatus restored to its normal
condition.
Referring to Sheet 2, Fig. 4 shews another modification of my invention in
which the stop valve A is inverted in a seat which is introduced into the box
through the cover or "bonnet" and is opened downward by the lever M operated
by the rods N, N either from the engine room or from the deck or bridge a counter-
weight or a spring being applied to balance the valve and its gear.
So long as all is right there is an equilibrium of pressure on both sides of the
valve A but should any accident occur to the steam pipe this equilibrium is disturbed
and the valve instantly closes.
In order to facilitate the opening of the valve A against the boiler pressure I
prefer to fit in it a small valve R which will first open sufficiently to allow the stop
valve A to be more easily opened."
Fig. 5 shews another modification in which the stop valve A is formed with a
cylindrical closed portion S projecting through the stuffing box of the cover or
"bonnet" and a larger cylindrical open portion T working in a cylinder C. This
form of my invention serves as an automatic stop valve closing instantly in case of
accident and also as a pressure regulating valve between the boiler and the engine
its operation being as follows:-The valve A is opened by the hand wheel F but
closes automatically by steam from the boiler forcing up a piston D in the
cylinder Cagainst the projecting cylindrical open portion T when the equilibrium
is disturbed by an accident to the steam pipe or connections.
The pressure regulating action is effected by the valve spindle being loaded with
weights U, or by a spring which may be adjustable, and proportioned to the initial
pressure at which steam should enter the cylinder and when this is excluded in the
boiler the valve A momentarily closes by the different pressure in the two cylindrical
projections S and T which are of different areas, the steam entering through holes U¹
above the valve but the valve reopens almost instantly to such an extent as to allow
steam to pass to the cylinder at the required reduced pressure. Instead of the
action of weights or a spring the valve may be controllable by a governor con-
nected to the spindle.
Fig. 6 shews my invention applied to a water gauge to shut off the steam and
water in case of the glass breaking and is adaptable to any existing gauges with
slight alteration. In one a piston D works in a cylinder C in the top or steam end
and the piston is nearly in equilibrium when all is right having a slight excess of
pressure underneath it which keeps it in the position shewn clear of the steam port
from the boiler but should the glass break this state of things is disturbed and the
pressure above the piston instantly forces it down so as to close the port the water
cock being simultaneously closed by the action of the lever connected by the rod to
the water cock.
In a modified form a rod from a piston passing down the gauge glass may be made
to close a small valve V in a seat formed in the water portion of the gauge or
inserted therein in the case of an existing gauge. Fig. 7 shews another modification
in which a piston is fitted in a cylinder in the water portion also, the two pistons
being connected by a rod so as to move together and thus the steam port and the
water port from the boiler are simultaneously and instantly closed if the glass
breaks. In both these latter forms the automatic action is quite independent of any
closing of the cocks. The lower piston is of such diameter as to pass through the
gauge glass and when a glass breaks, the cocks being shut, the two pistons are
withdrawn till the lower one is clear of the top stuffing box when the new glass is
inserted and the pistons replaced in their cylinders. The automatic action being
independent of the cocks is a great advantage as the cocks sometimes get fixed and
require considerable force to close them.
In order to prevent the dangerous consequences which sometimes have happened
by the gauge cocks, or one of them, being left closed when the boiler is in steam, I
propose to fit to the gauge an alarm whistle which will sound if the cocks are

page_text: improperly closed when they should be open and I have indicated on Fig. 6 such a
device which will be clearly understood without any detailed description the key of
the whistle being so connected with the handles of the cocks that they cannot be
improperly closed without attention being called by the sounding of the alarm.
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 :-
1st. To prevent the sudden and dangerous outrush of steam, water or other fluid,
air or gas under pressure the application of automatic valves operating upon the
disturbance of the equilibrium of pressure, so as to instantly close the outlet from
the vessel containing such steam, water or other fluid, air or gas substantially as
described and in certain forms illustrated.
2nd. The automatic apparatus consisting of the various parts combined, con-
structed and operating substantially as described and illustrated by Figs. 1 and 3
ou Sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings as applied to the stop valve of a steam
boiler.
3rd. The automatic apparatus consisting of the various parts combined con-
structed and operating substantially as described and illustrated by Fig. 2 Sheet 1
and in modified form by Fig. 4, Sheet 2 of the drawings as applied to a steam
boiler.
4th. The automatic apparatus consisting of the various parts combined, con-
structed and operating substantially as described and illustrated by Fig. 5 Sheet 2
of the drawings as applied to a steam boiler and acting both as a stop valve and as
a pressure regulating valve.
5th. The automatic apparatus, consisting of the various parts combined, con-
structed and operating substantially as described and illustrated in different
forms by Figs. 6 and 7 Sheet 2 as applied to the water gauge of a steam boiler.
T. J. DANSON, F. Inst. P.A., Chartered Patent Agent,
2, St. Nicholas' Buildings, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Agent for Applicant.