GB223102A - Improvements in automatic apparatus for controlling the flow of gas, and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

223,102. Moldenhauer, E. Jan. 23, 1924. Hydraulic-seal safety apparatus for preventing explosions; valves controlled by pilot or relay valves.-A hydraulic-seal device adapted to close automatically when the conduit pressure falls below a predetermined minimum has the supply of water to flood the seal admitted through a pipe provided with an automatically-actuated valve. In the form shown, the seal comprises a casing 2 interposed in the pipe line and having a vertical partition 40 terminating short of the bottom of the casing. Water is supplied through a conduit 4 controlled by a valve 5 and exhausted through a conduit 6 provided with a valve 7. an overflow being fitted at 3. The valves 6, 7 are connected by a rod 15 to a lever 14 resting on the top of a float 11 having an opening 10 at the bottom constricted by a screw 18. The float is housed in a tank 9 subject to the pressure in the fluid conduit so that as the pressure varies the buoyancy of the float alters and the valves are acuated. To avoid the necessity of resetting the device by hand the lever may be linked to the top of the float. In a modification the float is arranged to close successively a number of electric switches so energizing electromagnets arranged to operate the control valves of a number of seals. In a further modification the sealing liquid is forced by the conduit pressure through a manually-actuated valve into an auxiliary tank in which a constant level is maintained by a ball valve. The control valve is held to its seat by a, spring so that when the conduit pressure falls the valve opens to admit water to the seal.