Patent GB-190406707-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and connected with Centripetal-Centrifugal Pumps and Condensers.
Inventor: JUSTICE PHILIP MIDDLETON
Filed: 1904-03-19
Granted: 1905-03-02
Abstract: 6707. Justice, P. M., [Wilkinson, E.]. March 19. Centrifugal pumps.-A centrifugal pump, in which the liquid is first drawn in towards the centre of the pump by blades to be subsequently discharged by centrifugal force, is combined with a steam turbine ; the pump may also be used as a condenser, induction pump, air-compressor, and for other purposes. Fig. 1 shows a section of one form of the pump suitable for driving by a belt, and Fig. 3 a cross-section of the impeller-wheel q. The blades z, y of the impeller are curved in opposite directions, and passages, such as s, are formed through the central vane w so that, when the impeller rotates, water is drawn in from one or other of the passages c, d to the centre, and is then discharged through the other passage. The partition e is arranged to fit loosely within the groove z formed in the vane w, and one or more inlet pipes 1 are arranged so as to discharge water from the delivery pipe upwardly against the vane, thereby producing a water packing between the partition and the impeller. The priming of the pump is effected by means of the pipes f, at the top. In the form shown in Fig. 4, the impeller is symmetrical, being supplied with water from either side 3, 4 and discharging into a centrally-disposed delivery pipe 27. When in motion, the impeller is supported upon water bearings consisting of hollow shafts 6, 7 through which water under pressure is discharged into the spherical chambers 32, 33. In order to drive the wheel 5, rings of impeller blades 40, 41 are mounted upon the extensions 36, 37, and these are acted upon by steam which is directed against them by diverting-blades 42, 43, and then passes into the delivery pipe 27 where it is condensed. The rush of liquid in the pipe 27 also acts so as to draw the steam with it, thus increasing the efficiency of the exhaust. Water from the passages 3, 4 is prevented from passing between the impeller and casing into the steam chamber by guard-rings 79,80. The central vane 29, which projects into the passage 27, automatically acts to prevent the impeller from oscillating sideways, and, in order to centre it, a ring 50, eccentrically mounted in relation to the vane 29 and supported by adjustable rods 54, Fig. 5, is provided. By bringing the lower portion of this ring closer to the vane 29, an upward pressure due to the reaction of the stream of water discharged by the impeller is produced, thereby raising the latter to any desired extent, after which the impeller automatically balances itself during rotation. Instead of the adjustable ring, a fixed ring supplied with adjustable blades may be used, or the ring may be made integrat with the vane 29, in which case the centering action is due to the fact that the pressure is greatest where the clearance for the discharge columns is least. The arms 38,39 act as before described to draw the liquid in towards the centre of the pump, thereby rendering it possible to run the pump at a very high speed. Fig. 8 shows a combined centrifugal pump and condenser or air compressor. The steam or air is drawn in from the chamber 71 through slanting perforations 78, Figs. 8, 9, and 10, formed in the sides of the casing 76 of the centrifugal pump, by the rush of water, and is thereby condensed or compressed as the case may be. In the case of ateam, the condensation is very efficient owing to the fact that the water is in motion, while, in the case of air, the heat produced by compression is continually removed by the water, rendering subsequent cooling unnecessary. The position of the shaft 59 is adjusted by means of washers 68.