902 REPORT—1896, 
pipes were charged with water from the steam leaking and passing into the main 
steam-pipe and getting condensed into water. No means were afforded under the 
present valve system of draining this water, and hence it happened that the 
moment the stop-valves were opened on the boilers full to the engines a hammer- 
ing took place, the explosion immediately following. From the design of these 
valves he did not see how it was possible for a satisfactory drainage to be applied 
that could be always available and keep the steam-pipes free of water and of the 
danger to which he referred. 
The importance of haying reliable valves under extreme pressure, whether for 
steam, water, or other fluid, could not be overestimated. Having regard to this, 
he had designed a valve of globe form which, he might say with perfect confidence, 
was balanced under all or any pressures. The valve formed a complete sphere, 
with openings in the same at right angles to each other, with spindle cast on, 
working in a fixed and adjustable seating, and so arranged that the pressures were 
balanced or equalised, and friction was reduced to a minimum. This sphere was 
fitted into a valve-box, sometimes made in two parts for convenience in adjusting 
the sphere and its seatings, such being adopted to allow for contraction and 
expansion under pressure. Suitable openings were formed in the valve-box corre- 
sponding with those in the globe, so that when the globe was turned by its spindle 
to the required position the same might’be turned off or on. ‘The openings in the 
valve-box and in the sphere respectively were arranged to correspond with the 
full supply of steam, water, or other fluid. The globe or ball was perforated 
with a small passage corresponding to a similar passage in the valve casing, and 
when opposite to each other any condensed steam or waterescaped from the steam- 
pipes or valves either to the condenser or ran to waste, thereby effectually clearing 
the pipe of water and preventing any chance of explosion. 
As showing some of the defects arising from the existing system in connection 
with boilers, steam-pipes, and heating-apparatus in mills, on board ship, in public 
buildings and places of business, the author gave particulars derived from Board 
of Trade reports of official inquiries under Act of Parliament. These clearly 
pointed to the necessity of a new departure in the valve system if the present 
destruction of life and property was to be obviated. 
For hydraulic purposes the author claims that with the new valve no grit or 
sandy matter could get between the valve and seatings, for the simple reason that 
it worked in and on the seatings, and no foreign matter could be introduced. A 
valve on this principle has now been at work close upon eighteen months, and it 
had been found upon examination that it was as good nowas on the first day it was 
put in place, and had not cost a penny for repairs or even adjustment, although in 
daily work at a pressure of 750 lb. per square inch. In the use of higher pres- 
sures the limit of its working was the cohesive strength of the material of which 
it might be constructed, and being balanced it was manipulated by a small lever 
which a boy could work. The system which the author had advocated possessed 
equal advantages in connection with fire hydrants and water supply generally 
owing to its simplicity and the ease with which it could be worked. Briefly 
what the author claimed was that by the adoption of his valve system the follow- 
ing, amongst other advantages, would he attained :— 
1. The substitution of a perfectly balanced spherical valve under all pressure 
for one on the old principle of lifting, which is liable to get out of order or to 
cause explosion, consequent on faulty construction and the absence of proper 
means of draining steam-pipes and other connections therewith. 
2, The valve can be worked. easily and instantaneously, and is. not affected 
where dirty or gritty water is used. 
3. The valve can be adopted for steam, hydraulic, gas, mining, and all other 
purposes for which valves are in daily use, and made of cast iron or gun metal. 
4, The valve drains itself and the connections of boilers, &c., of all water 
created by condensation of steam, thereby preventing dangerous hammering in the 
pipes and obviating, under certain conditions, the bursting or freezing of pipes 
and concomitant dangers. 
