Patent GB-229652-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to pumping apparatus particularly for steam vacuum heating systems
IPC: F24D1/00
Filed: 1925-02-11
Abstract: 229,652. Jennings, I. C. Feb. 21, 1924, [Convention date]. Pumping - machines.- Apparatus used in connection with vacuum steam heating systems consists of water and air pumps on the same base with a tank connected to the return pipe of the system, and which supports a separator for air and water. All the air passages between the pumps and the tank are arranged in a single manifold. The parts are detachably secured to render all easy of access. The return pipe is connected to the outer end of the header 223, Fig. 1, through which water and air are supplied to the tank 13. Tubular posts on the base 10 support the tank and one of the posts 185 communicates with the interior of the tank to convey water to the suction side of the water pump 52, and water to prime the air pump 66, Fig. 6. The water pump connection is at a slightly higher level in the tank than the air pump connection so that the air pump always remains primed. An electric motor 11 is used to drive the pumps through a flexible gear connection 98 and is controlled by means of a float mechanism which actuates electromagnetic starters. The casing 240, Fig. 1, on the tank also contains a switch actuated by the air pressure in the tank. The air and water pumps are combined within one casing consisting of a central part 28 and end parts 29, 30; all the pipe connections for the pump are included in the central part. The air-pump is of the type which has vanes 103<b> on a rotor 103, Fig. 11, operating within a ring of liquid in an elliptical casing 66, air being drawn in through the ports 76 from the pipe 144, Fig. 6, and expelled through the ports 77 and the pipe 143. A port plate 75 ensures the parts being in the right positions. The impeller 51 of the water pump is carried on the air pump shaft 41. The casing wall 31 separates the two pumps and carries the volute of the water pump, while the end plate 29 carries the wall 36 of the impeller casing. An inwardly projecting part of the end wall forms a small chamber 44 round the shaft 41 at the point at which it enters the casing. This guides any air leaking through the packing 43 to the top of the pump casing. The shaft is carried in ball bearings supported by arms extending from the end plates of the casing. The shaft is provided with a rib 81 against which the air pump and water pump rotors are held by a nut 106 screwed on the shaft section 105. On the other side the collar is held by the end plates 30 and the shaft is reduced in diameter so that the inner race 90 of the ball bearing 89 is held against the shoulder 82 on the shaft by the screw sleeve 91. The outer race is held between screw sleeves 92, 93 which are held in position by pins 92<a>. The other ball bearing 111 permits axial movement. The manifold from the pump casing contains three channels, one 145 carries air from the water pump, another 143 carries air from the air pump and the third 144 carries the air to the air pump. The channel 145 eventually opens into the channel 144 which is in connection with the top of the tank to convey air from the tank to the pump. A separator casing 155 is carried by the tank and has divided plates 160, 176 fixed as shown in Fig. 3. A channel 167 communicates between the chamber 161 and the tank 13 and is controlled by a float valve 170 to keep a constant level in the chamber 161. The air discharged from the pump passes through the pipes and chamber 161 and emerges from the outlet 163. The water from the tank 13 flows through the tubular supports 185 and the pipe 129 to the suction side of the water pump from which it is conveyed to the discharge pipe 138. The end plate 30 and the parts associated with it on one side of the rib 81 can be easily removed to expose the working parts of the pumps. A double set of pumps may be used as shown in Fig. 8, and the ends of the manifolds can be closed by caps when the extra set is not required. Pumps of various sizes may be used the manifold connections being all made to one size.