The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-07-16
NEW ENGINE.
How the Pure Water viii
be supplied.
Peculiarities of the new Holly
Water Works. sa.aoe

4
most complete water works to be found in
the western country, and in perfect keep
ing with this building and system is the
engine which will be erected in the new
engine house now in progress of construc-
| ton. The engine, for which a contract
was signed short time ago by the water
works committee of the city council, lis
being constructed at the Holly Works In
Lockport, New York. It is thought to be
one of the most perfect machines that has
ever been devised, and its utility will be
| manifest in this city.
PROBLEM
1t has been a problem of considerable
difficulty to design an engine which would
meet all the requirements of the direct sup
ply system, and at the same time produce
economical results as regards coal consump-
ton. Mr.. Holly during his long experience
with this system has noted all it's defects
and by ingenious contrivances and peculiar
methods of construction has remedied them,
so that the Holly Company is now prepar-
ed to guarantee results in coal construc
ton, while pumping direct, that will ex-
coed any that can be produced by duplex
pumping engine while pumping into a
stand pipe or reservoir, or better results
when pumping into reservoir or stand pipe
than with duplex pumping direct
THE ENGINE
consists of four steam cylinders, having
four corresponding reciprocating pumps
attached by direct connections, and erect
ed on heavy arched double frame of iron
set at an angle of go Q, one steam cylinder
and its pump being placed at each of the
four corners. The frame supports at its
top shaft with an overhanging crank on
either end, to which the ursengines are
connected by ordinary connecting rods
The cylinders and pumps are detachable at
pleasure, and my be run singly, in pairs,
or all together, according to the demands |
for water supply. The engine is provided |
with the usual air pump and jet or surface |
condenser, and by peculiar arrangement |
of pipes and valves may be run high, low, |
or compound steam pressure principle, and |
may be changed from one to another at
any moment by the engineer.
THIS ARRANGEMENT
is necessary to secure economical daily
pumping for domestic supply, which is
done by compromising steam, and prompt |
increase of power for efficient fire protec-
ton. which is amply secured by converting |
In q ipb
When compromising, the steam is taken |
directly from the boiler into one Of the |
cylinders and exhausted into the remaining
three; and when running high pressure, |
latter operation increasing the power of
the whole, four to eight times. To supply
this increase reserve boilers are provided, |
and to guard against failue in the water
supply duplicate engines are added when
the demands of consumers equal one-half |
the capacity of the engines first erected.
PROMINENT POINTS.
The Direct Pumping Service requires, to
make it efficient and economical, the follow
ing highly important features in the pump
ing apparatus:
Ample power to meet the extraordinary
demands for water for fire protection; du-
plicate engines, pumps and boilers, as a |
provision against accidents; economy in |
daily running expenses; uniformity Of wa
,er pressure; prompt increase of pressure
tor fire protection.
All these conditions are fulfilled by the
engine just described in connection with
.he Holly Hydrostatic Automatic Regula-
tor, for controlling the ater-pressure in
the mains and pipes Of water works, which
next to the engines and pumps is the most
important feature of the Holly system of
water supply, and is essential to securing
the following results;
Uniformity of water pressure; economy
in the use of fuel; relief to the machinery,
mains and service pipes from water ham,
mer," and the strain of unequal pressure;
relief to the engineer from almost constant
attention at the throttle valve; saves the
wages of one man.
THE REGULATOR
is provided with piston, placed within an
upright cylinder and having a rod extend
ing upward which is connected to a cross
BAR, having heavy weights, which by
means of suitable contrivanees bear down
upon the piston with force that increases
rs the piston rises. A small pipe connects
The water mains with the cylinder below