Abstract
M. WIESNEGG has lately constructed for M. d'Arsonval a new steam-pressure regulator which deserves notice. It fulfils, according to the inventor, the following conditions:—(1) It maintains a perfectly constant pressure of steam in a boiler, whatever the actual output; (2) it maintains the consumption of fuel at a rate proportional to the output of steam; and (3) it is absolutely automatic, and therefore prevents all risks of explosion. This regulator is of very simple construction. A lead pipe from the boiler leads to a little apparatus somewhat resembling an ordinary lever safety-valve, but in which the valve-plug, instead of fitting into the usual conical seat, rests upon a thin disk of india-rubber. This disk rises when the pressure from below exceeds the down-ward pressure of the plug and the superincumbent lever, and of the weight which it carries. It cannot get hot, as it is far from the boiler, and the space below the disk is filled with water condensed from the steam. The upper surface of the valve-plug regulates by its movement the flow of gas, which comes in and goes out by two pipes leading to the upper part of the regulator. One of these comes from the gas mains, the other goes out to the burners under the boiler. By this arrangement, whenever the pressure in the boiler reaches any desired maximum, the apparatus itself reduces the supply and turns down the flame, thus maintaining the pressure constant and the consumption proportional to the output of vapour. It will be seen that the invention is only applicable to the case where the fuel employed is gas, The apparatus is also in itself an automatic safety valve, putting out the fire, when the pressure exceeds the limit. M. Wiesnegg has had practical experience during three years of the working of the new regulator, which appears to leave nothing to be desired in its performance. The same gentleman has constructed a constant-pressure air-blast on the same principle.
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Physical Notes . Nature 23, 372–373 (1881). https://doi.org/10.1038/023372a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/023372a0