US692172A - Automatic safety gas-valve. - Google Patents

Description

Application med may 13, 1901.)

J M WESCOTT & C B SMITH AUTUMATIC SAFETY GAS VALVE.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE., e

JAMES M. WESCOT'I, OF HORNELLVSVILLE, AND CHARLES B. SMITH, OF PRATTSBURG, NEW YORK.

AUToMATlc 'sAFi-:TY GAS-VALVE.

SPEGFKGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,17 2, dated January 28, 1 902.

Application led MaylS, 1901. Serial No. 60.070. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES M. Wnsoorr,4 residingV at Hornellsville, and OHARLEsB. SMITH, residingat Prattsb'urg, in the county of Steuben and State of New York, citizens of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Safety Gas-Valves, of which the following is a speciication.

Our invention relates to an improved automatic safety gas-valve, more particularly an v improvement upon the automatic safetygasvalve set forth in our application filed October 20, 1900, Serial No. 33,779, which merges into Letters Patent bearing date of May 14,

The invention aims to construct an automatic safety gas-valve especially adapted for use in connection with pipes for conducting natural gas to a burner or burners, and in which the several parts of the valve are so constructed and arranged'as to automatically shut od the passage or passages leading to the burner, when from any cause the pressure of gas is decreased below the normal average or when an accident orbreak occurs in the main or supply pipe,- the `automatic closing of the valve being provided to prevent any escape of the gas at that time in oase the stop-cock at the burner has been left open.`

The principal object of the invention is to provide means for adjusting the tension of the spring operating the actuating mechanism for seating the `inlet and outlet valves.

A further object ot' the invention consists in providing means'which can be adjusted so that the inlet and outlet valves will beseated in such a manner as to completely close the inlet and outlet to the valve-casing.'

A further object of the invention is to construct the supporting means to which the valves are connected in such manner as to enable the interior of the valve-casing to be examined, so that if the operation of the valves is unsatisfactory the cause for the same can be determined.

The invention further aims to provide a valve for the inlet to the val ve-casing and another for the outlet from said casing` and to connect said valves by toggle mechanism to be actuated by a piston for closing both of said valves when the gas in the valve-casing falls below normal pressure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for indicating that the said valves have been closed by a fall of pressure in the valve-casing andto permit resetting of said valves or opening of the same from the outside of the valve-casing, so that a iow ot gas to the burner or burners is resumed.

The invention consists in certain novel features in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts in our improved sat'ety gas-valve, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichv Figure l represents a centrally longitudinal section of our improved safety gas-valve, showing the valves open. Fig. 2 is a part sectional elevation of the same with a modified form of valve-casing and showing the valves closed. Fig. 3 is an end elevation with the plug at one end of the valve-casing removed. Figli is a perspective view of the plate to which the valves are pivoted. Fig. 5 is aperspective of the toggle-connected valves detached. Fig. 6 is across-section of one of the valves'.

Referring to the drawings for details of construction, the'reference-numeral l designates a substantially cylindrical valve-casing having one end provided with a tubular or cylindrical extension 2, the latter closed at its outer end by an integral casting 3. The eX- tension 2 may be of reduced diameter as compared with the main body of said valve-casing. The other end of saidvalve-casing has a somewhat-extended portion 4, which is internally screw-threaded for reception of a centrally perforated screw-plug 5, having a reduced and externally-screw-threaded eX- tension or neck 6 for engagement of a centrally-perforated screw-cap 7, Figs. l and 2.

On opposite sides and intermediate the valve-casing extensions 2 and 4 the main portion or body l of the valve-casing is con structed with a tubular inlet-nozzle 8 and a tubular outlet-nozzle 9, both the nozzles 8 and 9 being internally screw-threaded, the former to receive an externally-screw-threaded adjustable valve-seat l0 and the latter to re- IOO ceive a delivery-pipe connection or union for connecting up the valve-casing. The nozzle 9 is formed with an integral squared portion 11 to permit of the gripping of a Wrench thereto for screwing up the valve-casing to the union or. pipe connection. The valve-seat is suitably notched or recessed at its lowerA end, as at 12, to permit of the engagement of a tool therewith for adjustment. The nozzle 8 is also externally screw-threaded for engaging with the screw threaded coupling 13, through which the valve -casing obtains a union or connection with a gas-supply pipe 14.

The inlet-nozzle 8 and the outlet-nozzle 9 are controlled, respectively, by valves 15l and 16, arranged Within the main body 1 of the valve-casing. Each valve 15 and 16 is provided on one edge with a partly-circular lug 17, arranged at right angles to the valve-disks, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and these lugs 17 are provided on their opposite sides with pintles 18, through which the respective valves are hinged within the valve-casing. Each valve 15 and 16 has its engaging face provided with a washer or packing 19 of leather or other suitable material and which is removably secured to each valve by the screw 2O or other suitable lneans. By securing the washer in the manner set forth to each of the valves when it becomes worn it can readily ,be removed and a new one secured in position. v

There is arranged in one end of the main valve-body 1 a plate 2l, with the sides cut away in a semi-elliptical manner, Figs. 1,. 2, and 4. This plate 21 has a central perforation 22, and its rim or body portion is provided at opposite points with radial slots 23 for receiving the lugs 17 of the two hinged valves. In the periphery of this plate 21 there are provided grooves or kerfs 24, that intersect the slots 23 at right angles, and in Ithese grooves 24 are received the pintles 18 on the lugs 17 of the two hinged valves. One side of the ring or annular plate 21 has projecting therefrom a pin or dowel 25, Fig. 5, to enter a recess 26, Fig. 3, in a shouldered or internal web portion 27 of the central 0r body portion of the valve-casing. By means of the pin and recess 26 the plate 21 is prevented from turning, and thus the valves 15 and` 16 are maintained in the required position for controlling the inlet and outlet nozzles of the valve-casing. The construction and arrangement of the slots 23 and grooves 24 of this plate 21 are such as to permit a sucient play of the valves 15 and 16 to insure accurate seating of said valves when closed.

The inner face of each valve 15 and 16 has pivotally connected therewith one end of a toggle-link 28, and the other end of each toggle-link is pivotally connected with a'slideblock 29, Figs. 1, 2, and 5, having a central perforation 30 in line with the longitudinal axis of the valve-casing.

The casting 3, closing the outer end of the valve-casing extension 2, is provided with a central longitudinal bore 31, terminating in a vent-opening 32 at the outer end of said casting 3. The bore 31 of the casting 3 receives one end portion of the stem 33 of a piston 34, that is arranged to operate in the reduced cylindrical portion or extension 2 of the valvecasing. A packing 35 on the outer end of the piston-stem 34 will insure closing the vent'32 when the piston is in its outermost position. The inner face or end of the casting 3 is constructed With a recess 36, in which is arranged the adjusting-nut 37, through which operates the stem 33. The walls ot' the recess 36 are screw-threaded and are engaged by the external screw-threads of the adjusting-nut 37 for retaining the latter in the desired position. The adjusting-nut 37 not only forms a bearing for one end of the coiled. tension-spring 38, but also forms a means to permit of adjusting the latter. The outer end of the spring 38 bears against one face of the pistonhead. On its other face the piston-head 34 carries a somewhat-elongated hub portion 39, through which the slide-block 29 is actuated for closing the valves 15 and 16 when the pressure of gas within the valve-casing falls below the pressure to which the spring 38 may have been adjusted by means of the nut 37. The passage of gas to the burner or burners will thus be automatically cut off whenever the gas falls below normal, as by any accident to the gas-main or service-pipe or any serious interruption to the fiow of gas, so that should the gas cock or valve at the burner have been left open there will be no escape ofgas at that point when the normal ow of gas is resumed.

The inner end portion of the piston-stem 33 is constructed with an axial recess or bore 40, Fig. 1, to receive an elongated and circumferentially-reduced portion or extension 41 of a rod 42, having a knob or head 43 on its other end outside the valve-casing. On this rod 42 there is formed a collar 44, which is so located as to be capable of being brought into bearing contact With one face of the slide-block 29 opposite that face of said block against which the hub portion of the piston is designed to act.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 2 the construction is the same as that set forth in Fig. 1, the same reference-numerals being applied thereto, with the exception that the extension 2 is not closed by the integral casting 3, but is closed by the externally-screwthreadedplug 45. This plug is similarly constructed as the casting 3, with the exception that itis separable from the extension 2.

In setting the parts of this safetyvalve mechanism into operative position for permitting the flow of gas at a usual or an ordinary pressure to the burner or burners it is only necessary to push inward the head 43 of the rod 42, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby bringing the collar 44 of said rod against the slideblock 29, so as to force the toggle-links 28 into an inclined position, thus opening the valves IOO IIO

15 and 16,Which control the flow of gas through the valve-casing. When the valves are in the open position shown in Fig. 1, the packing 35 on the end of the piston-stem 34 will close the vent 32 and prevent any escape of gas in that. direction. The act ot' opening the valves 15 and 16 will atthe same time compress the spring 38 in readiness for action in closing said valves when the normal pressure of gas within the valve-casing falls as a result of accident or otherwise. At this time the compressed spring 3S will expand, thereby forcing the piston 34 in an inward direction and causing its hub 39 to bear against the slideblock 29, consequently extending the togglelinks 28, and through them forcing the valves 15 and 16 to their seats. All flow of gas through the valve-casing is thus automatically cut off, and consequently there can be no escape of gas at a burner or burners should the accident be repaired or the iiow of gas resumed before the valves 15 and 16 are reset. It will also be seen that the movement of the slide-block 29 in closing the valves 15 and 16 will cause said slide-block to bear against the collar 44 of the rod 42, thereby forcing outward the head 43 of said rod. The outwardlyextended position of the rod 42 as thus produced will at once indicate that the valves 15 and 16 are closed and that no flow of gas can be obtained at the burner without resetting 'said valves l5 and 16 by pushing said rod 42 seen that by the employment of the nut 37 the tension of the spring 3S can be adjusted as desired. The valve-seat 10 can also be adjusted so that it will secure theaccurate seating of the valves 15 and 16 for securely closing the inlet and outletnozzles 8 and 9 ofthe valve-casing, there being a sufficient play of the rod 42 for such purpose. lt will also .be evident that by constructing the plate 21 with substantially semi-elliptical-shaped sides the interior of the valve-casing can be seen.

The construction and arrangement of the several parts of the valve mechanism are such as to insure reliable automatic action for shutting off a ow of gas to a burner or burners when the pressure of gas falls below normal, as by accident or otherwise, and the position of the rod 42 and its head 43 will always indicate whether the valves 15 and 16 are open or closed.

What we claim as our invention is- 1. In an automatic safety gas-valve, the combination with the valve-casing and its inlet and outlet, of a pair of valves for controlling said `'inlet and outlet, a plate in said casing having its sides cut away for the purpose specified and suitably connected with said valves, a slide-block having toggle-link connections with said valves, means for moving said slide-block by hand to open said valves, and an adjustable automatically-actuated piston formoving said slide-block in an opposite direction to close said valves on fall of gaspressure below normal, substantially as described.

2. In an automatic safety gas-valve, the combination with the valve-casing and its inlet and outlet, of a plate in said casing having\its sides cut away for the purpose specitied, a pair of valves hinged to said plate and having a packing removably secured to their engaging face and adapted to control said in-` let and outlet, a slide-block having togglelink connections with said valves, a longitudinally-movable rod for moving said block in one direction to open said valves, one end portion of said rod being extended outside the valve casing and serving to indicate whether the valves are open or closed, and an adjustable spring-pressed piston for automatically moving said slide-block in the opposite direction to close said valves on fall of gaspressure below normal, substantially as de scribed.

3. In an automatic safety gas-valve, the combination with the valve-casing and its inlet and outlet, of a plate in said casing having its sides cut away for the purpose specied, a pair of valves hinged to said plate for controlling said inlet and outlet, an adjustable valve-seat for one of said valves, a slideblock supported in the valve-casing between said valves and having a toggle-link connection with each, a longitudinally-movable rod for movingsaid slide-block in one direction to break extension of the toggles and thereby open said valves, and an adjustable springpressed piston for automatically moving said slide-block in the opposite direction to close said valves on fall of gas-pressure below normal, substantially as described.

4. In an automatic safety gas valve, the

combination with the valve-casing and its inlet and outlet, of an adjustable valve-seat in said inlet, a pair of valves for controlling said inlet and outlet, packing suitably connected to the engaging face of said valves, a plate having the sides thereof suitably cut away for the purpose specified and suitablysup- IIO ported in the valve-casing, means for hinging the valves to said plate, a slide-block supported in the valve-casing and having togglelink connections with said valves, a longitudinally-movable rod projecting from the valvecasing, for moving said slide-block in one direction to open said valves, and an adjustable spring-pressed piston for automatically moving said slide-block in the opposite direction to` close said valves on fall of gas-pressure below normal, substantially as described.

5. In an automatic safety gasvalve, the combination with the valve-casing and its inlet and outlet, said valve-casing being further provided in one end with a screw-plug and at its opposite end with an integral casting, said plug and casting having axial perforations one of which constitutes a vent, of a plate in said casing having its sides cut away for the purpose specified, valves hinged to said plate for controlling the inlet and the outlet of said valve casing, an adjustable valve-seat for one of said valves, a slide-block supported in the valve-casing between said valves and having a toggle-link connection with each, a rod extended through the perforation of said plug for moving said slide-block in one direction by hand from the outside of the valve-casing t0 set the valves in open position, and an adjustable automatically-actuated mechanism mounted in the valve-casing to control the gas-vent and to close the valves at the inlet and outlet of the valve-casing on fall of gas-pressure below normal, substantially as described.

6. n an automatic safety gasvalve, the combination with the valve-casing and itsvinlet and outlet, of a plate secured in the casing and having its side cut away for the purpose specified, a pair of'valves hinged to said plate

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