Patent GB-190718595-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Methods of Raising or Forcing Liquids and in Apparatus therefor.
Inventor: HUMPHREY HERBERT ALFRED
Filed: 1907-08-16
Granted: 1908-08-13
Abstract: 18,595. Humphrey, H. A., and Rusdell, W. J. Aug. 16. Direct explosive-gas pressure apparatus.-Relates to a method of raising and forcing liquids, by the explosion of a combustible mixture in a chamber the cycle of operations consisting in (1) explosion and expansion of the charge and expulsion of the liquid, accompanied by the intake of a fresh supply of liquid for expelling partially or wholly the waste gases ; (2) return of the expelled liquid to compress an elastic cushion which may be some of the waste gases or a separately provided cushioning-medium ; (3) second expulsion of the liquid by the expansion of the cushioning-medium, whereby a fresh charge is drawn into the chambers; (4) second return of the expelled liquid to compress the charge. Some of the arrangements described in Specifications No. 20,736, A.D. 1906, and No. 18,594, A.D. 1907, are applicable to the present invention. The combustion chamber 1, Fig. 1, is provided with a spring-controlled inlet valve 7 and an exhaust valve 6 controlled from the watersupply valve 2 in the delivery pipe 4. After explosion and expansion, the momentum of the expelled liquid enables the valve 2 to open and release the exhaust valve 6, and supply liquid from the tank 22 then enters the pipe 4, part of it following the expelled liquid and part entering the chamber 1. After expending its momentum, the expelled liquid returns, closing the valve 2, expelling the waste gases until it closes the valve 6 by impact, and then compressing the remaining gases in the upper part of the chamber. These compressed gases react to force the liquid out again, whereby a fresh charge is drawn in through valve 7, the exhaust valve being then locked, and the liquid finally returns to compress the charge prior to ignition. Mechanism is described for controlling both of the valves 6, 7 so that the inlet valve is prevented from opening when the exhaust valve opens. The chamber 1 may be strengthened by cross-ribs or tie-rods. To prevent the charge from mixing with the waste gases serving as a cushioning-medium, these gases may be compressed into a central bell arranged in the chamber 1, the gases surrounding the bell being entirely expelled by the returning liquid ; or the exhaust valve may be arranged at the top of the bell, an air valve for scavenging being provided, and these valves may be controlled from one another so as to act at the required times. The cushioning-medium may be compressed in a chamber arranged externally to the combustion chamber and controlled by a valve actuated from the water-supply valve or by a spring piston. The scavenging - air may be introduced through the water-supply valve 2, Fig. 11, from a bell 112 arranged in the supply tank 22 and provided with controlled perforations 115. To provide for drawing supply liquid from a lower level, the combustion chamber communicates with the delivery pipe through a valve controlled by a float in the chamber, so that when the liquid is expelled, the valve closes and the momentum of the expelled liquid causes water from the supply tank to be drawn after it through a non-return valve ; or the float-controlled valve may be replaced by a double valve working between seats on the delivery pipe and the pipe supplying liquid to the chamber, and in this case, the supply liquid may flow into the chamber by gravity or be injected therein by energy derived from the expelled liquid. Air vessels may be provided on the discharge pipe for varying the periodicity of the movement of the liquid, and can be partly or wholly shut off to vary their effect ; and the delivery pipe may be duplicated, the expelled liquid being always delivered along one of them and the return liquid flowing along the other. Fig. 19 shows an arrangement of air vessels for producing a high pressure in the liquid and for providing a' cushion for effecting the first return of the expelled liquid. In this arrangement, a valve 129 in the delivery pipe is held open to allow the expelled liquid to attain a considerable velocity, when it shuts by hydraulic-ram action and is locked. The expelled liquid then enters air vessel 134 until the valve 133 is closed by the float 135 when it passes into vessel 137 at a high pressure. The cushion in vessel 134 then acts to produce the first return movement of the liquid to the combustion chamber. The valve 129 is controlled from the admission valve by electric means, or is otherwise controlled, so that it can only open on the explosion stroke. The charge, or a constituent of it, may be introduced under pressure, as described in Specification No. 18,594, A.D. 1907, and the valves may be operated and controlled electrically or by changes of pressure, and may be fitted with dash - pots or timing - devices. Duplicate supply pipes may be employed and air vessels arranged in various parts. Fig. 4 shows an arrangement for preventing the liquid that comes in contact with the exploded gases from being driven into the delivery pipe. The liquid expelled from the chamber 1 passes along the pipe 4 into which a delivery pipe 154 extends, the liquid supply being introduced through the valve 2. The liquid driven out of the chamber by explosion never reaches the end of the pipe 154 and is cooled by contact with this pipe. The liquid-supply pipe may be controlled by a spring to retard its closing movement so that in case of misfire the returning liquid in the delivery pipe can pass into the supply pipe, thus attaining a greater velocity so as to maintain the oscillation through another cycle to the next explosion stroke.