Elements of Brass Instrument Construction:  Disc Valves Disc Valves ("Patent Lever Valves") The disc valve is characterized by the use of two discs (c, d) facing each other, one fixed, the other rotating. The rotating disc either blocks the valve slide (left) or allows free passageway to it (right), hence increasing the overall tube length of the instrument. Originally patented by John Shaw in 1838, an improved disc valve was subsequently introduced by John A. Köhler, who called it the "New Patent Lever Valve." However, the same principle was already known in France in 1835 as plaque tournantes or disques mobiles, where it was developed by the Parisian maker Halary. In the photographs above, the left valve shows the fixed disc from the back, with cork stops. The right valve shows the rotating disc from the front, with bows, "finger," clock spring with tension-regulating disc, and lower part of push rod (disconnected from upper part and pointing downwards). The ring that normally surrounds this disc has been removed. Disc Valve ("Patent Lever Valve") Diagrams Parts of a disc valve (letters refer to diagrams at right): a = main tubing b = valve slide c = fixed disc d = rotating disc e = bows attached to rotating disc, leading air either into main tubing or valve slide f = spring box with enclosed clock spring g = tension-regulating disc for clock spring h = push rod and touch piece i = "finger" driving rotating disc round when touch piece is depressed, also serving as stop arm k = cork stop (inside fixed disc) Top:  Side view of tubing.  The rotating disc either blocks the valve slides (left) or allows free passageway to them (right), hence increasing the overall tube length of the instrument. Bottom:  Two positions of the rotating disc. Left:  valve slides blocked. Right:  free passageway to valve slides (blue areas indicate airflow). Return to Elements of Brass Construction National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 ©National Music Museum, 2003-2007 Most recent update: October 23, 2007 This page was visited 30,400 times between April 1, 2003-September 20, 2007. You are the 963rd visitor to this page since September 20, 2007. The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page