Automatic Flushing Tanks.
Year: 1890

page_text: Automatic Flushing Tanks.
I, ANDREW ROSEWATER, of 422 Bee Building, Omaha, in the County of Douglas,
and State of Nebraska, United States of America, Civil and Sanitary Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relatos to devices for automatically flushing sewers, pipes,
conduits, etc.
The object of this invention is to provide a positive and quick acting automatic
flushing tank, that shall be extremely simple of construction, and possess great flushing
power and in furtherance of this object my invention consists in the construction,
combination, and arrangement of parts, as heroinafter more fully described, pointed
out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings: in which,
Fig. 1. represents a vertical sectional view of my automatic flushing device as
arranged and adapted to work in combination with a flushing tank.
Fig. 2 represents an enlarged detail view, more clearly illustrating the operating
parts.
Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 represents a modification wherein a pivoted gravity actuated cup is sub-
stituted for the actuating lever shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 illustrates a modification wherein I employ a stationary compressing
chamber, provided with a central vent tabe, at the upper end of which is placed a
mercurial seal which is operated by means of a float attachment. In the modification
shown in Fig. 6. the vent tube is let directly into the syphon outlet, and in place of
a mercurial a water seal is employed.
In Fig. 7, I have shown a modification, wherein I employ an ordinary annular
siphon, which is fixed within the tank, and provided with a vent tube that leads into a
small auxiliary tank fixed near the top of the siphon, operating precisely as the
larger one shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 illustrates another modification wherein an angular float rod provided
at the lower end with a small roll, works upon the dock of the chamber as
shown.
Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate my device as modified when used in connection with
house tanks. A suitable annular siphon is led into a tank, the projecting leg being
encompassed by a hinged compression chamber as shown in the previous figure.
The chamber is released by means of a hand operated gravity acting lever, which
automatically locks the compression chamber when the tank has flushed.
Similar letters of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In my present invention, I aim to overcome the great objections generally en-
countered in flushing devices, to-wit: ('omplexity of construction and unreliability
of action. To attain the best results, a flushing device should be simple of construction,
sudden and positive of action, free of valves, and the operating parts should be
light and readily adjustable. These principles I have endeavoured to embody in my
invention, wherein
A represents a flushing tank of the ordinary form of construction, which is
provided at a convenient point with a supply pipe and regulating cock B, by means
of which a constant stream of water is brought within the tank. Leading from the
lower part of said tank is a trap or inverted outlet siphon C, made of iron, clay, or
other suitable material, which connects with a sewer or other outlet D, at some
point below the inner base of the tank. This trap may be of any suitable construc-
tion, but must be water and air tight throughout its entire length. The end
of said trap, which extends the requisite distance from the bottom of the tank, may
upper

page_text: be straight and of the general uniform diameter of the section, or,
he bell mouthed as illustrated.
what is preferable,
Encircling the upper end of the trap or siphon C, and resting upon the base of
the tank, is an elongated anchor plate E, made of iron or any other suitable material.
This plato has an annular opening adapted to encompass the projecting mouth of the
siphon, and is provided with two supporting lugs, e, e, shown in Fig. 3, which are
adapted to support the hinged inverted air compressing chamber F. The anchor
plate is further provided with two sets of pivot lugs, e, and eat opposite
extremities to which are pivoted respectively the actuating float or locking lover G,
and the inverted air compressing chamber F.
This chamber is preferably of an annular form, and is provided at a suitable
point with a hinge g, adapted to be engaged by the lugs e³, and pivotally connecting
said chamber to the anchor-plate.
Movably connected to the anchor-plate E, and directly opposite the hinged
portion of the compressing chamber F, is situated the float actuated locking lover (t.
This lever is preferably of brass, and is provided at its lower end with 'i <hoe y'
adapted to be engaged by the Ing e', '.
At a distance corresponding to the height of the air compressing chamber F, the
lever is provided with an angular shoulder which is adapted to work upon the dock
ortion of said chamber, und 1ck it, in an inverted position as shown in figure 1.
The rod beyond the shoulder extends in the form of a curve, and terminates in a
suitable float g. by means of which said rud is actunted.
The lower end of the lever G terminate in the curved shoe, which checks the
oscillating movements of said lever, when looking and unlocking the compression
chamber, as will is understood by reference to Fig. 2.
The compression chamber is checked in its upward movement by means of
the check-lug, which is disposed centrally to and near the lugs, e, as shown.
Before my device can be operated, it is necessary to seal the trap or siphon (, so
as to bring the water in both arms flush with the level line XX. This being accom-
plished and the apparatus having been properly adjusted and locked as shown in
Figure 1, the water is admitted at any desired rate of speed, when the operation of my
device would be as fullows:
As the water fills the bottom of the tank and rises within the compressing
chamber, it confines a column of air, which fills the chamber F, and extends to tho
water level within the trap. This will cause resistance to the rising of water within
the compressing chamber, and, as a consequence the confined air in the chamber and
siphon will gradually compress, forcing the water within the inner section of the trap
downward, and admitting a little more than an equal body of water upward into the
compressing chamber.
The height of water within the tank and extending above the line of compression
dotermined by the rim of said chainhor, will equal "the difference between the two
columns of water in the two arms of the trap; or, in other words, the water within the
open-ended leg of the siphon will be depressed as much below the original line of
level, as it has risen above the line of compression within the tank, as will be readily
understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains.
When the water has risen sufficiently high to roach the float at the upper end
of the actuating lever, it will radially carry it to a position perpendicular to its pivot
point. But before this position is reached, the angular portion of the lever, locking
upon the compressing chamber, will have worked free, and the unconfined chamber
forced by the compression of the air within, springs open, and as the compressod
air makes its escape from the trap and portion of the chamber, the space will be filled
with an inward rush of water. This will again draw down the compressing chamber,
and rapid, powerful, and complete siphonage of the tank will ensue. The pivoted
float rod, which but for the regulating shoe would have gone beyond the perpendicular,
now that the water has receded from the float will fall back to its normal position,
and again lock upon the compressing chamber as illustrated.
As soon as the water would fall below the bottom of the compressing chamber, the

page_text: siphonage would be destroyed, and the tank remain inoperative. In order to reprime
the compressing chamber and destroy the vacuum, I provide the siphon at its
upper end with a suitable auxiliary siphon H, the shorter leg of which extends below
the base of the repriming chamber, and as this siphon is set in operation upon the
discharge of the main siphon, continues to thoroughly exhaust the tank, and reprimos
the compressing chamber, until the water shall again rise to the line of compres-
sion, when the operation will be continued as before. If desired, the auxiliary siphon
may be dispensed with, in which case the compressing chamber is provided with
suitable repriming opening, marked Z, as shown in the figures.
The operation of my device is, of course, intermittent, the speed being regulated
by moans of the inlet pipo B.
Figure 4 shows a modification wherein, in place of the actuating lever 1 employ
a hinged inverted cup which is provided with an adjustable gravity catch b, by means
of which the compressing chamber is held in a locked position. The cup is suffi-
ciently heavy to overcome the upward pressure of the compressing chamber, until
the air within the cup itself is compressed sufficiently to overcome its weight, when
it is carried readily upward, permitting the escape of the chamber, when the tank
is emptied precisely as in the former case.
Figure 5 shows a device, wherein I use a stationary compressing chamber, which
is provided with a central vent tube, which is provided at the upper end with a
mercurial seal. The sealing vessel receives an impulse by means of the float n',
which is attached to the sealing vessel by means of suitable rods. The vessel is locked
and released as in the previous cases.
In Figure 6, I show a modification, wherein I lead the vent tubo into the siphon,
instead of the chamber as in the previous cases, and also employ a water soul in place
of the mercurial seal described in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 shows my modification in the form of an auxiliary tank, as applied to an
ordinary annular siphon. The auxiliary tank itself serves as a repriming chamber,
repriming by means of an annular hole c, the air from the siphon escaping through a
connecting pipe el at a point below the shorter or outer arm of the siphon C.
Figure 8 represents à device, wherein 1 have employed a pivoted lever G, the
bent end of which is provided with a friction roll g², adapted to work upon and lock
the compression chamber F until the ball g is carried upward by the water, when
said chamber is released.
In applying my flushing device to house tanks, I prefer employing a small
annular siphon, the long leg of which projects into the tank, as shown in Figures 9
and 10.
Figure 9 illustrates a device wherein is a lever a, the longer arm of which extends
beyond the compression chamber, and ends in a scroll. At a suitable point the lever
provided with a weighted depending rod a¹, which is forced slightly out of the
perpendicular by means of the scroll. The shorter arm is provided with a chain by
means of which the lever is operated. The tank is provided with any suitable float-
actuated inlet cock, by means of which it is always charged. When it is desired to
start the siphon, it is simply necessary to give the chain a sudden jerk, when the
pivoted weight rol a¹ is carried out of the path of the compressing chamber, and the
tank is rapidly emptied. When the compressing chamber falls back into position, it
simply pushes the rod a out of its path, whereupon it is again locked.
In Figure 10, I have shown two pivoted levers, which operate substantially as the
device just described. By attaching a chain to the upper end of the lever a², the
lever a may be dispensed with, though I prefer using the device as shown, but
without the chain marked ✗.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In a flushing tank provided with a supply and a siphon outlet pipe, the
combination of an auxiliary tank, said tank being connected to the siphon proper, by

page_text: means of a connecting pipe, an inverted air compressing clumber within said
auxiliary lank, provided with a float actuating locking device, said auxiliary
tank being adapted to operate in conjunction with an annular siplion, substantially as
describod.
Second. In a flushing tank provided with a regulating inlet and exhaust pipe, tho
following instrumentalities, to wit: A hinged inverted air compressing chamber, a
pivoted float actuated locking lever, adapted to intermittently lock and release said
inverted chamber, and a repriming opening within said inverted air compressing
chamber, all arranged an 1 adapted to operate substantially ns, and for the purpose
specified.
Third. The combination with a flushing tank, provided with a supply pipe, and a
siphon outlet pipe, of a fixed air compressing chamber above sail siphon outlet, of an
nir compressing tube leading within said compressing chamber, a sealing tube
encompassing said compressing tube, a pivotel flot actuated rod alapfest to inter-
mittently lock and release said sealing tube, and a repriming opening within the said
compressing chamber, all arranged and adoptel to work, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with a flushing tank provides with a supply pipe, and
a siphon outlet pipe, of a fixed air compressing eh umhor above si siphon outlet, of
an air compressing tube lading within said siphon outlet, a sealing tube encompassing
said compressing tub, a pivoted that are rol adapted to work upon said
sealing tube, and a ropriming opening within said compressing chamber, all arranged
and adapt to work, substan ialay as descritasi.
Fifth. In a flushing tank for house purposes, provided with a regulating inlet and
exhaust pipe, the following instrumentalities, to-wit: a hinged inverted air compressing
chamber, a pivoted and operated releasing lever, said lever being provided with a
weighted depending bar alipted to lock and release said inverted air compressing
chamber, and a repriming opening within said air compressing chamber, all arranged
and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The combination in an automatic flushing tank provided with an inlet
supply and a siphon outlet pipe, of an auxiliary siphon, the shorter leg of which
terininates below the shorter log of the Hushing siphon, while the larger leg of
said auxiliary siphon enters the flushing siphon at a suitable point, for the
purpose of repriming said flushing siphon, substantially as shown, and for the purpose
set forth.
Dalad this tith day 1800