Improvements in Vacuum Apparatus.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct, 1887
Specification Accepted, 25th Nov., 1887
Improvements in Vacuum Apparatus.
I, WILLIAM LEWIS HORNE, of Meriden, in the County of New Haven and State of
Connecticut, one of the United States of America, Inventor, 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 relates to means for producing a vacuum, and it consists in improved
apparatus for withdrawing air from a receptacle by means of the frictional contact of
the air with liquid. In my first and second forms of apparatus this is accomplished
by a moving body or moving bodies of liquid, and in my third form it is accomplished
by bringing the air in frictional contact with the liquid, the liquid being approximately
stationary and the passages containing the air being moved rapidly within the liquid
with the air in contact therewith.
In the first form a liquid supply is required having a certain amount of pressure.
The second form may be used with such a liquid supply or it may be used with a
stationary liquid reservoir by the application of power.
The third form of my invention is used in connection with such a liquid reservoir,
and requires power to operate it. In all of the forms, the withdrawal of the air is
through the frictional contact of liquid with air, and all valves are dispensed with,
enabling me to obtain a very high vacuum.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have illustrated the
different forms in the annexed drawings a description of which will be found in the
following Specification.
Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout.
In the first form,
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my vacuum pump.
Figure 2 is a view of the bottom of the upper plate of my apparatus.
Figure 3 is a view shewing the apparatus partially immersed with tank in section.
Figure 4 is a side view of the apparatus with the parts in reversed position with
the enclosing tank in section.
In the second form
Figure 5 is a view in elevation of a pump and mechanism connected therewith, the
pump being in section.

page_text: Figure 7 is a sectional view of one of the plates forming the periphery of the pump
wheel, or disk.
Figure 8 is an interior side view of one of such plates.
The third form of my invention is shown in the last two figures of the drawings.
Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view thereof with an incandescent lamp globe
connected therewith.
Figure 10 is a plan view of my apparatus with the cover removed.
The main portion of the first form of my invention consists of two plates A and B
of considerable thickness. The upper plate A is provided on its under side with a
hollow circular recess C so that when the two plates are brought together there is a
shallow space between the two plates. The upper plate is provided with tapering
passages D through it having their smaller diameter in the lower face of the plate.
The plate B is provided with corresponding passages E of inverted tapering form
with their smaller diameter a short distance below the upper face of the plate. These
passages from the smaller diameter upward, have an opposite taper so that the
openings in the upper surface of plate B shall be larger than the openings in the
lower face of plate A. The passages in the two plates are exactly opposite each other,
the passages
in the plate B being in their smaller diameter slightly larger than those
of the plate A.
The relative diameters of the passages D E have an effect in the results attained by
the apparatus under different conditions. For instance, the less the diameter of the
passages E exceeds that of the passages D, the greater the effect of the apparatus
under a small pressure of the liquid employed, and when the difference between the
dimensions of these passages is increased, in order to secure the best result the
pressure of the liquid must also be increased. It will be understood that if the two
sets of passages are of the same diameter, the utility of the apparatus will be destroyed
and on the other hand, if the diameter of the passages E are too greatly increased the
same result will follow.
The plate B is fitted with pipes F forming continuations of the passages E. These
may be of any length preferred or found most desirable. These pipes should not be
of much greater diameter than the passages E and their function is to assist in
preventing the return of air once expelled through the tubes.
If these tubes were
not employed particles of air would attach themselves to the bottom of plate B even
though the same were immersed in liquid and would at the first opportunity return
through the nearest passage to the space between the plates and destroy the vacuum,
had one been produced.
The plate B is also provided with an opening through the same and a pipe G
connected therewith. The two plates A and B are connected by screws H. or any
other suitable connecting means and plate A has the liquid supply pipe attached
thereto by a screw connection shown at I or by any other preferred construction.
When the devices are large and the plates of considerable extent I connect the liquid
supply pipe to plate A through the intervention of a tapering piece or hood J.
The
In operation the lower ends of the pipes F are preferably sealed with the liquid
used in the apparatus as shown in figure 3 but this is not always necessary.
apparatus may, however be submerged as far as desired.
In figure 4 the apparatus is shown with the plate B above the plate A and the
liquid supply pipe brought under and the water discharged from the top of the
machine. In this case I dispense with the pipes F but cover the upper face of
the plate with the liquid employed.
The plates A and may be of any size desired. Where the plates A and B are of
considerable size two or more supply pipes and two or more air pipes may be used.
Any liquid may be employed. This liquid is admitted to the upper plate through
the supply pipe and passing through the passages D enters the passages E carrying a
portion of the air in the intervening space with it. The pipe G being connected with
the receptacle desired to be exhausted of air, and each of the passages D E operating
to carry off a portion of the air in the space between the two plates, the operation is
rapid and effective.

page_text: B' is
In the drawings showing my second form of apparatus, A' is a liquid tank.
a disc or wheel mounted horizontally within the said tank. On the lower end of a
shaft which is supported in a bearing in a bracket D¹ attached to some rigid
support and extending above or within the tank.
A trunnion or journal E' extends below the disc and rotates within a stationary
bearing F¹, supported in any suitable manner below the disc. The bearing G¹ is
recessed to form a space H about the shaft C and a pipe I' is connected to the said
bearing and communicates with the said space. The shaft C extends nearly through
the disc and has a passage J¹ within the same. The upper end of this passage is
connected by small openings K' with the space H within the bearing G-The lower
end of the passage J communicates with passages L¹ within the disc which extend
from the shaft C to near the periphery of the disc. Within the periphery of the disc
are the tangential passages M' N¹ the former of which communicates with the
passages of the disc. These passages M' have a slightly decreasing taper from the
passages L to their junction with the passages N¹ so that they are slightly smaller at
the point of meeting with the passages N₁ than they are at their point of junction
with the passages L'. The passages N' are, nearest the passages M', slightly larger
than the passages M', and have a slightly increasing taper to the periphery of the
disc. Between the two passages M¹ and N is a narrow space 2 of greater area than
the diameter of the passages and this space communicates with passages T within the
disc. The passages M' N¹ form one continuous passage having only the interruption
of the narrow space and the said passages with L' form a single passage for the
discharge of liquid at the periphery of the disc from the central supply.
The bearing F below the disc B¹ is recessed to form the space and a pipe Q
communicates with this space. The shaft E¹ has a passage through the same and this
passage communicates by small openings R' with the space P-This
at its
passage
other end communicates with a space S₁ within the disc and which may be of circular
or star-shape. The outwardly extending portions of this space are connected with
passages T within the disc by vertical passages U¹.
Where this device is to be used in connection with a supply of liquid under
pressure the pipe I' is connected with such liquid supply and the pipe Q' is con-
nected with the vessel from which the air is to be exhausted. On admitting the
liquid to the pipe I' it flows through space H³, shaft C₁ passages L, M¹ and N¹
discharging at the periphery of the disc. The liquid passing through the space 01
withdraws the air therefrom and through passages U₁, space S, slot E, space P, and
pipe Q, from the required vessel until a vacuum is established in the said passages
and vessel. The discharge of the liquid from the periphery of the disc gives
motion thereto which can be utilized in any desired way, the shaft C₁ being pro-
vided with a band pulley V₁, from which motion can be communicated to the place
or mechanism desired.
In case it is desired to use the device to form a vacuum under circumstances in
which a supply of liquid under pressure is not obtainable, the pipe G' is replaced by
a pipe W extending to near the bottom of the tank X.-The tank X' is then filled
or nearly filled with liquid and power applied to the shaft by means of the
band pulley V or in any desired manner and the disc rotated in the direction of
the arrow in figure 6. This will cause the liquid in the tank to be drawn into the
disc through the pipe W and discharged from the periphery producing the same
result as before indicated.
In the drawings I have shown as a means of giving motion to shaft C¹ the rotary
motor mounted on the said shaft. When this construction is employed a
bearing Zabove the motor is essential, but I prefer in all cases to provide a
bearing for shaft C₁ above the bearing D₁ to secure steadiness.
I prefer to form the periphery of the disc B¹ of detachable sections a as shown in
figures 6, 7 &c. and to form the passages M¹ N' and spaces O', therein, but the
passages may be made in the edge of the disc when so desired.
I have shown in the drawings four passages in one vertical line connecting the

page_text: shaft C with the periphery and four passages M'N' connecting therewith. I may
however employ but one passage L at any single point to connect the shaft C
with one or more passages M¹ N in the periphery of the disc and may employ a
greater or less number of passages M' N' than I have shown in the drawings.
The passages U¹ and T may be connected with the passages L in the same way
in which they are connected with the passages M₁ N₁ when that construction is
preferred.
In using my construction the passages L' should extend to the periphery of the
disc and to secure the best results the outer portion of the said passage should have
a construction similar to that of the passage M' N'.
I have also contemplated providing the tank A' with a depending recess or well X¹
shown in dotted lines in Figure 5 and extending the pipe W downward into the
same in order to more perfectly insure the use of liquid unaffected by the air forced
from the disc. Although I prefer to use the tank A¹ the same is not a necessary
part of my invention as any vessel capable of holding liquid may be substituted for it
and when the device is connected with a liquid pressure supply it may be dispensed
with.
It will be understood that instead of the disc I may employ tubular arms of the
form of the passages within the same and employ tubes in the place of the spaces S¹
but I prefer the disc construction.
In the third form of my apparatus A² is a liquid reservoir. In the bottom of this
reservoir is placed a hub B2 through which passes the shaft C-The hub is provided
with stuffing boxes D2 D2 which prevent the escape of liquid from the reservoir.
The hub B is also provided with a liquid packing which is provided with a groove E³
in the hub connected with the reservoir A².
The hub B2 is also provided with a groove F2 surrounding the shaft C3 which com-
municates with a pipe G2 to which is connected the lamp globe or other article to be
exhausted of air.
The top of shaft C2 is provided with a central longitudinal recess or passage H²
which communicates with the groove F2 in the hub B2 by passages through the sides
of the shaft C. To the top of the shaft C2 is attached a horizontal disc [ which is
provided with narrow passages J' extending from the centre of the said disc to the
periphery. At the centre these passages connect with passages through the walls of
the shaft opening into the recess or passage H2 within the same and at the periphery
they terminate in narrow vertical openings. The construction just described it will
be seen forms a passage for air from the pipe G to the edge of the disc 12-The
openings in the periphery of the disc are surrounded with slight projections K
having inclined sides. Straight or curved radial tubular arms may be employed but
the employment of the disc lessens friction.
Power may be applied to shaft C² to rotate the same by means of a band pulley L³
shown or in any other desired manner.
The reservoir may be open at the top but I prefer to provide the same with a
cover M² and attached thereto an eduction pipe N2 and it is filled with the liquid
employed to about the point shown. This construction permits me to use mercury
as the liquid as the fumes are carried out through the pipe N2 and injury to the
operator prevented.
The reservoir and its attachments may be supported in desired
any
manner. I
have shown as a means of support, the bracket 02 which is rigidly secured to the
bottom of the reservoir and may be bolted to any suitable supporting structure or
standard.
In operating the device the receptacle to be exhausted is attached to the pipe G
and the shaft set in motion and rapidly rotated. This results in the formation of a
very perfect vacuum in pipe G2 and the connected receptacle.
In order to prevent the liquid in the reservoir A² from being rotated with the disc
I provide the partial divisions or wings P2 which in this instance extend inward
beyond the periphery of the disc and are notched to receive the edge of the disc.

page_text: These partitions may be of greater number and may extend to the centre if desired.
They may also be set at such different angles as may be desired.
While these wings
or divisions are advantageous, they are not essential and may be dispensed with.
While I have shown the disc provided with four radial passages J it may have less
or more as may be found advisable. The disc in this instance may be revolved in
either direction but when rotating in but one direction the passages J may be curved
instead of straight as shown in dotted lines in Figure 10, in which case the disc must
be rotated in the direction shown by the arrow. In case the passages are curved, the
slight projections about the mouth of the same may be dispensed with.
Qis a guage for determining when a vacuum is reached in pipe G².
In using water as the liquid, it sometimes becomes very much aerated and it is
desirable to change the liquid by admitting fresh water at the bottom and drawing off.
the aerated portion at the top, this may be accomplished by means of pipes R² shown
in the drawing.
The passages in the disc I need not be exactly at right angles to the shaft C², they
may be made to incline upward from the centre in either straight or curved lines.
The disc or its equivalent may be placed in other than a horizontal position.
Between the pipe G² and the receptacle to be exhausted I place a float and check
valve so that on the stoppage of the shaft (, the liquid rushing into the passage
and pipe G2 will close the valve and the vacuum be maintained in the receptacle as
long as may be desired.
I do not limit myself to my exact construction as various changes in the structure
can be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, for example in this
latter form the disc I may be stationary and the reservoir rotated. The passage H²
may continue further in the shaft and the groove F2 and connection with pipe G
may be in another bearing of the shaft or the connection with such pipe may be at
the end of the shaft. In these and other ways I do not wish to limit myself to the
exact constructions herein described and shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. An air pump consisting of a liquid supply conduit in combination with two
or more passages for the said liquid communicating therewith, and a single air
conduit in communication with all of the said passages by small openings,
substantially as described
2. An air pump consisting of two plates one superposed upon the other and pro-
vided with a passage or passages forming a liquid conduit through the said plates
in combination with a liquid supply common to the said passage or passages and an
air connection with the said passage or passages, within the said plates substantially
as described.
3. An air pump consisting of the combination with two plates one superposed upon
the other with a space between them, each of the said plates being provided with
passages corresponding with those of the other whereby liquid can be passed from
the passages in one plate into those of the other, a liquid supply common to all the
passages or one plate and an air pipe communicating with the space between the
plates, substantially as described.
4. In an air pump, the combination with two superposed plates having liquid
passages through them and an air connection with the said passages within the
plates, of tubes connected with the lower plate forming continuations of the passages
within the plates substantially as described.
5. The combination with the plate A having the recess C in the face of the same
and the tapering apertures D therein, of the plate B having pasfages E of a double
tapering form, the two plates A and B being connected so that the passages E form
a continuation of the passages C, a single liquid supply pipe connecting with all the
passages D and a single air pipe connecting with the space between the plates
substantially as described.

page_text: 6. The combination with the plate A having the recess (in the face of the same
and tapering passages D through the same, of the plate B having the double tapered
passages E and pipes F forming continuations of the same, the expanded liquid
supply pipe J, the said pipe and the plates being connected so that the pipe J
communicates with all of the passages D'and the passages D and E are opposite each
other and the latter form continuations of the former and an air pipe communicating
with the recess between the plates and a liquid reservoir enclosing the said parts,
substantially as described.
7. A vacuum pump consisting of a revoluble body having a central liquid supply,
a lateral passage communicating at one end with the central liquid supply and having
a discharge at its other end and an air passage (or passages) communicating with
the said lateral passage between the inlet point and the point of discharge substantially
as described.
8. A vacuum pump consisting of a revoluble disc having liquid passages discharging
at its periphery and an air passage or passages communicating with the said liquid
passages between the inlet points and discharging points of the same and a central
liquid supply communicating with the passages discharging at the periphery of the
disc, substantially as described.
9. The combination with a revoluble disc having liquid passages discharging at its
periphery, the said passages consisting of two parts of slightly different diameters
having a narrow space of greater diameter than the said passages between the two, of
an air passage or passages communicating with the said narrow space and a central
liquid supply communicating with the peripheral passages, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a revoluble disc having a central liquid supply and
tangential discharge passages communicating therewith, of an air passage or passages
communicating with the said tangential discharge passages between the central liquid
supply and the discharge points of such passages, substantially as described.
11. A vacuum pump consisting of a shaft having a passage within the same a
trunnion or journal having a passage within it, in line with the passage within the
shaft, but disconnected therefrom, a liquid supply pipe in connection with the
passage within the shaft and liquid passages extending laterally from the shaft
communicating with the shaft passage and air pipe communicating with the passage
in the trunnion, the said trunnion passage being in communication with each of
the lateral liquid passages substantially as described.
12. The herein described vacuum pump consisting of the combination with a
shaft having a passage therein forming a liquid supply passage, of a disc mounted
on the said shaft provided with liquid passages extending from the liquid passage
within the shaft to the periphery of the disc, air passages communicating with the
liquid passages and an axial passage separate from the liquid passage but communi-
cating with the air passages.
13. The combination with a liquid tank of a shaft having a passage within the
same extending within the said tank, a liquid supply pipe communicating with the
said passage within the shaft, liquid passages communicating with the shaft passage
and extending laterally therefrom, air passages communicating with the lateral liquid
passages an axial air passage disconnected from the liquid passage of the shaft but
communicating with the air passages and a connection with the axial air passage
extending without the receptacle, substantially as described.
14. A vacuum pump consisting of a liquid receptacle communicating freely with
the open air, having a passage extending into and opening within the same, the end
of the passage within the receptacle being adapted to be sealed by the liquid therein,
in constant communication with the receptacle and capable of movement within the
same, substantially as described.
15. A vacuum pump consisting of a liquid receptacle having a free communication
with the open air, in combination with a shaft extending into the same, and provided
with passages extending laterally therefrom, the outer ends of the said passages being
open and in constant communication with the liquid receptacle, but adapted to be
sealed by the liquid therein, and the said shaft having a passage connection with the

page_text: said lateral passages and extending outside of the said liquid receptacle, substantially
as described.
16. An air pump consisting of the combination of a liquid receptacle having a free
communication with the open air, with a shaft extending into the same and a disc
mounted on the said shaft within the receptacle, the said disc being provided with
radial passages open at their outer ends and in constant communication with the said
receptacle, but adapted to be sealed by the liquid therein, and the said shaft having a
passage communicating with the radial passages of the dise and extending outside of
the receptacle, substantially as described.
17. A vacuum pump consisting of the combination with a liquid receptacle
communicating with the open air, of a shaft extending within the same, a disc
provided with radial passages mounted on the said shaft within the receptacle but
adapted to be sealed by the liquid therein; and wings extending from the sides of the
receptacle to the edge of the disc, the said shaft being provided with a passage
connecting with the passages of the disc and extending outside of the receptacle,
substantially as described.
18. A vacuum pump consisting of the combination with a liquid receptacle having
a free communication with the open air, of a shaft extending within the same, a disc
provided with radial passages mounted on the shaft within the receptacle and adapted
to be sealed by the liquid therein, and notched wings extending from the sides of the
receptacle to the edge of the disc above and below the same, the said shaft being
provided with a passage connecting with the radial passages of the disc and extending
outside of the receptacle, substantially as described.
19. An air pump consisting of a liquid receptacle having free communication with
the open air, in combination with a shaft extending into the same, a disc provided
with radial passages open at their ends and in constant communication with the
receptacle and adapted to be sealed by the liquid therein, the said disc being provided
with slight projections around the open ends of the said passages and the said shaft
being provided with a passage connecting with the radial passages of the disc and
extending outside of the receptacle, substantially as described.
20. The combination with a liquid receptacle, of a rotary air exhausting device
within the said receptacle, a passage connecting the air exhausting device and the
vessel to be exhausted, the said passage being below the level of the liquid within
the receptacle and a check valve in the said passage between the exhausting devico
and the said vessel, substantially as described.
Dated the 25th day of October 1887
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, E.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.