Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Delivery of Liquids, especially in connection with the Delivery of Sewage to Filters or on to Land.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th June, 1900-Accepted 10th Nov
1000
vation, it sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th June, 1900-Accepted 10th Nov, 1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Delivery of Liquids,
especially in connection with the Delivery of Sewage to Filters or
on to Land.
We, DONALD CAMERON, of No. 1, Sylvan Road, Pennsylvania, Exeter, Civil
Engineer, FREDERICK JAMES COMMIN, of 7, Bedford Circus, Exeter, Fellow of
the Institute of Surveyors, and ARTHUR JOHN MARTIN, of Bradninch House,
Exeter, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
Our invention provides for regulating the delivery of liquids, and is more
particularly intended for use in connection with the delivery of sewage to
Dacterial filters, or on to land.
The first part of our invention consists in an improvement in our invention
for which we received Letters Patent, No. 5671 of 1898 and has for its object to
accelerate the filling of a filter by causing the tank effluent to accumulate during
the whole time that the filter previously filled remains full. The present
improvement consists in placing a check valve in the siphon by which the
actuating bucket shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings accompanying the
specification of the above mentioned patent is emptied, so that the filtered
effluent from the filter previously filled, which fills the siphon, may not pass
into the bucket thereby. The filling of the previous filter will therefore have
no immediate effect on the filter under consideration, but when such previous
filter is discharged, such discharge will cause the return of the filtered effluent
through the siphon, emptying the actuating bucket, which will then rise, per-
mitting the opening of the admission valve.
The amount of liquid accumulated by the operation of this part of our inven-
tion will depend on the quantity of sewage flowing during the time that the
previous filter remains full, and may or may not be sufficient to fill a filter.
The second part of our invention provides means for definitely storing sufficient
liquid to fill a filter. It consists substantially in a valve actuated by a pair of
floats immersed respectively in the liquid on the up stream and down stream
side of the valve. Where a float is used for the purpose of opening a valve,
and is immersed in the liquid which will be discharged through such valve, it is
difficult to secure a proper opening of the valve, inasmuch as the fall of the liquid
due to the partial opening of the valve tends to lower the float and to close the
valve before it has obtained its full opening.
Our invention secures a proper opening of the valve by means of a weighted
lever connected with the floats in such a manner that it opposes the motion
thereof, but that such opposition becomes less as soon as such motion has
commenced.
1
The connection of the valve with the floats is made by means of a slotted
ink or its equivalent, and in such a manner that the motion of the float which
opens the valve is not communicated to the latter when the float begins ta

page_text: move, nor till the float and weight have moved through a considerable distance,
and the resistance offered by the weight has been reduced to such an extent
that the power of the float suffices to open the valve to the full extent. When
the accumulated liquid has fallen so that the level thereof above the valve
approximates to that on the lower side, the lower float will overcome the upper
and will rise, thereby closing the valve.
The means for quickly opening a valve provided by this part of our invention
may be utilized with advantage for the purpose of flushing a sewer, while the
small fall required to operate it will permit the utilization of flushing water
from sources which would not be available with flushing appliances of the
ordinary type.
The third part of our invention likewise consists in an improvement in our
previous invention described in the specification of the patent already referred
to, and has for its object to facilitate the opening of the admission valve whereby
a filter is supplied. In cases where the tank effluent is allowed to accumulate
as provided in the first part of our invention, the pressure of such tank effluent
on the admission valve will tend to retard its opening. This part of our inven-
tion provides means for overcoming such pressure and consists in a cylinder
suspended from the valve lever in the discharge well of the filter supplied by
such admission valve. When the discharge well fills, the weight of the cylinder
will be wholly or partially neutralised, and will therefore not oppose the closing
of the admission valve to the same extent as would be the case with an equivalent
weight fixed on the lever.
The cylinder may be so proportioned that when the water in the discharge
well has risen to a certain height, the admission valve will close, either by its
own weight or by the action of a weight attached for that purpose.
The fourth part of our invention consists in an improved inlet for use with a
septic tank, in combination with a removable valve or stop; the seat of which
is formed on the inlet. The inlet consists of a vertical trunk or pipe extending
some distance below the ordinary water level in the tank. The upper opening
of the inlet is placed at the side of the channel delivering sewage to the tank,
and its edges occupy a vertical or slightly battered plane, upon which the valve
may seat itself, being supported by a lug or lugs attached to the inlet. The
upper opening should be flaring in order to facilitate the ingress of solid matter.
Dated this 11th day of Santember 1809
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Delivery of Liquids,
especially in connection with the Delivery of Sewage to Filters or
on to Land.
We, DONALD CAMERON, of No. 1, Sylvan Road, Pennsylvania, Exefer, Civil
Engineer, FREDERICK JAMES COMMIN, of 7, Bedford Circus, Exeter, Fellow of
the Institute of Surveyors, and ARTHUR JOHN MARTIN, of Bradninch House,
Exeter, Civil 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:-
Our invention provides for regulating the delivery of liquids, and is more
particularly intended for use in connection with the delivery of sewage to
bacterial filters, or on to land.

page_text: We will now proceed to describe our invention in connection with the accom-
panying drawings, in which
Fig. is a front elevation partly in section of an apparatus for regulating
the delivery of liquids embodying parts of our invention, and
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of same.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section illustrating an arrangement for use when it is
desired to definitely store sufficient liquid to fill a filter, and
Fig. 4 is a plan view of same.
Figs. 5 and 6 are corresponding views of a modification of the arrangement
shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
Fig. 7 is an elevation.
Fig. 8 a transverse section of an improved form of inlet for use with a septic
tank, and
•
Fig. 9 is a detail view of same.
The first part of our invention consists in an improvement in our invention
for which we received Letters Patent No. 5671 of 1898 and has for its object to
accelerate the filling of a filter by causing the tank effluent to accumulate during
the whole time that the filter previously filled remains full. The present
improvement consists in placing a check valve in the siphon by which the
actuating bucket shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings accompanying the
specification of the above mentioned patent is emptied, so that the filtered
effluent from the filter previously filled, which fills the siphon, may not pass
into the bucket thereby. The filling of the previous filter will therefore have
no immediate effect on the filter under consideration, but when such previous
filter is discharged such discharge will cause the return of the filtered effluent
through the siphon, emptying the actuating bucket, which will then rise, per-
mitting the opening of the admission valve.
Another part of our invention likewise consists in an improvement in our
previous invention described in the specification of the patent already referred
to, and has for its object to facilitate the opening of the admission valve whereby
a filter is supplied.
In the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the valve 1
admitting tank effluent to a filter is suspended by a rod 2 from a lever 3 pivoted
on a bearing 4 carried by the front wall of the admission valve box 5. The
discharge valve 6 is similarly suspended by rod 7 from a lever 8 pivoted on a
bearing 9 which is bracketed on the front of the discharge well 10. The near
ends of the two levers 3 and 8 are connected by a rod 11. On the rod 7 which
carries the discharge valve 6 a cylindrical counterweight 12 is placed for the
purpose of holding the admission valve 1 open and the discharge valve 6 down
on its seat.
In installations where the tank effluent is allowed to accumulate before being
discharged onto the filter, so as to ensure a quick filling of the latter, the weight
of such cylindrical counterweight 12 will tend to overcome the pressure on the
admission valve 1 caused by such accumulation of the liquid. Its weight will
however be wholly or partially neutralized by the liquid flowing into the dis-
charge well 10 in which it is suspended, when the filter has been filled, and it
will therefore not oppose the closing of the admission valve 1 to the same extent
as would be the case with an equivalent weight fixed on the lever.
In some cases however an ordinary weight may be used instead of the
cylinder 12; the plain weight will not give so much displacement as the cylinder,
but what there is will assist the motion of the gear.
In order that both valves 1 and 6 may not be open at the same time, the upper
end of the connecting rod 11 between the levers 3 and 8 is looped as shown at 13,
and the lower end of the discharge valve rod slides through a stirrup 14 on
the top of the valve, the lengths being so adjusted that the admission valve 1
shall drop to its seat before the discharge valve 6 begins to open, and vice versa.
When a filter is being filled, a portion of the filtered effluent passes by the

page_text: _main collector 15 into the discharge well 10, and when the water in the latter
has risen to near the level of the surface of the filter, the weight of the cylindrical
or other counterweight 12 on the valve rod 7 is partly taken up, thereby per-
mitting the admission valve 1 to drop to its seat. The discharge valve 6 is
opened by means of an actuating bucket 16 suspended from the outer end of the
lever 8 which is cranked in order that the moving parts may come to rest without
shock.
On the filling of a filter, a small quantity of filtered effluent will overflow
from the discharge well 10 into the actuating bucket 16, the rate of flow being
regulated by an orifice or "time overflow" 17, so that the filling of the bucket
shall occupy the desired time. A quick overflow pipe 18 is also provided at a
somewhat higher level, to ensure the closing of the admission valve 1 at the
proper time. The quick overflow takes place through a valve 19 which is lifted
by a lever 20 bearing on a pin 21 on the rod 22 carrying the bucket 16, when
the latter rises to its highest position, and is closed about the same time as the
admission valve 1, by the descent of such bucket. When the bucket is nearly
full, the weight of its contents will overcome the pressure on the discharge
valve 6, opening the latter and releasing the contents of the filter.
A single installation will comprise several filters, which will generally be
arranged in sets of four; one filter of each set will as a rule be cut out for rest
and aeration. Of the filters in use, the tank effluent will be delivered to one at
a time, the discharge valve of which will be closed meanwhile, so that the inter-
stices of the filtering material will become filled with the tank effluent. The
filter, after being filled, will be kept full for a period of from one to two hours,
when its contents will be discharged, and the flow of tank effluent automatically
diverted to the next filter.
At the same time that a filter (which we will call filter A) begins to overflow
into its own actuating bucket 16, another portion of filtered effluent from its
discharge well will pass through its branch to the ring 28 and the four way
cock 23, and the four way cock of the next filter (which we will call filter B)
in rotation, and fill the siphon 24 provided for emptying the actuating bucket 16
of the latter. The foot of this siphon 24 is closed by a check valve 25, which
prevents any flow into the bucket 16 thereby. The air displaced from the
siphon 24, when it is filled with filtered effluent, will escape through a vent
pipe 26 carried up from the top of the bend, and brought down to dip into a water
seal in the air vent supply box 27. When the previous filter (filter A) is
discharged, the effluent in the siphon 24 will pass back through the four way
cocks 23 and overflow pipes 28 into the discharge well 10 of that filter, and will
siphon after it the water contained in the actuating bucket 16, the return of
air into the siphon 24 by the vent pipe 26 being prevented by the column of
water which will be drawn up in this pipe from the air vent supply box 27.
The actuating bucket 16 being thus lightened by the removal of its contents,
will no longer be heavy enough to overcome the counterweight 12, which will
descend, closing the discharge valve 6 and opening the admission valve 1. The
filter (filter B) to which these valves belong will then be filled, and will in due
course be discharged, causing the filling of the next filter (filter C) in the manner
already described.
During the time that each filter remains full, all the admission valves 1 will
be closed, and the tank effluent, having no means of escape, will accumulate in
the septic tank where sufficient space is provided to receive it. When the next
admission valve 1 is opened, the effluent so accumulated will pass quickly on
to the filter, which will thus be filled in much less time than would otherwise be
possible.
All the overflow pipes from each set of filters are connected into a continuous
ring 28, having branches from all the discharge wells, and to all the actuating
bucket siphons. At the junction of each set of branches with the ring there
is a fourway cock 23, by turning which the filter to which they belong may be

page_text: cut out of the set. When a filter is thus cut out, the overflow from the previous
filter, which would otherwise fill its siphon 24, is diverted by the four way
cock 23, and passes on into the siphon 24, of the next filter. That portion of
the overflow from a filter which goes into its own actuating bucket 16 through
the time overflow 17 is drawn off from its discharge well 10 through a tubular
screen of perforated copper, in order that nothing may pass through which
might choke the regulating orifice. This screen is readily accessible, and can
be removed for cleaning if necessary.
The amount of liquid accumulated by the operation of this part of our inven-
tion will depend on the quantity of sewage flowing during the time that the
previous filter remains full, and may or may not be sufficient to fill a filter.
A further part of our invention provides means for definitely storing sufficient
liquid to fill a filter, an arrangement for this purpose being shown in Figs. 3
and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
In carrying out this part of our invention we provide a valve 29 actuated by a
pair of floats 30 and 31 immersed respectively in the liquid on the up stream
and down stream side of the valve, the opening of the latter permitting the
liquid to pass from chamber 34 in which float 30 is mounted into chamber 35
in which float 31 is mounted, and in which a weir 36 may be placed. The liquid
passes from chamber 35 through the main effluent carrier 37 to the filters.
Where a float is used for the purpose of opening a valve, and is immersed in
the liquid which will be discharged through such valve, it is difficult to secure a
proper opening of the latter, inasmuch as the fall of the liquid due to the partial
opening of the valve tends to lower the float and close the valve before it has
obtained its full opening.
Our invention secures a proper opening of the valve 29 by means of a weighted
lever 32 connected with the floats 30 and 31 in such a manner that the weight
of the moving parts, taken together, opposes the motion thereof, but that such
opposition becomes less as soon as such motion has commenced. The weight may
be movable on the lever, for the purpose of varying at will the quantity of
liquid which will be accumulated before the valve opens.
The connection of the valve 29 with, the floats 30 and 31 is made by means of a
slotted link 33 or its equivalent, and in such a manner that the motion of the
floats which opens the valve 29 is not communicated to the latter when such
floats begin to move, nor till they and weight 32 have moved through a consider-
able distance, and the resistance offered by the weight of the moving parts has
been reduced to such an extent that the power due to the immersion of the
float 30 suffices to open the valve 29 to the full extent. When the height of the
liquid accumulated in chamber 34 has fallen so that the level thereof above the
valve 29 approximates to that in chamber 35 on the lower side of such valve,
the displacement of lower float 31 will overcome that of the upper one 30 which
will fall, thereby closing the valve 29, and so cutting off the supply to the
filters.
The term "float" above mentioned does not necessarily mean a body lighter
than water. It is sufficient as a rule that what we have designated a float should
displace a certain amount of water, so that a pre-existing equilibrium may be
destroyed when the water rises around same, and it is more convenient that
the float should exert a downward pull than an upward thrust.
"
The float 31 on the lower side of valve 29 will not always be necessary, being
provided to meet certain cases in which the water on the downstream side of
the valve is liable to "back up to such an extent as to hold up that on the
upstream side, thereby preventing the fall of float 31. Where such a risk does
not exist the upstream float 30 may be used without the other, as shown in
Figs. 5 and 6.
With this arrangement, it is convenient that the weight should constitute
the moving power for opening the valve 29, for which purpose it should be
placed outside the plane of the bearing, but near thereto, so that its moment may

page_text: be comparatively slight, and less than that of the weight of the float 30. As
the water rises around the float, the weight of the latter will be gradually
neutralised thereby, until a point is reached at which it will be overcome by the
weight of the lever, which will descend, rocking the shaft and opening the
valve. The fall of the water around the float, consequent on the opening of
the valve, will, after a time, leave so much of the float exposed that it will again
overcome the weight on the lever and close the valve.
The means for quickly opening a valve provided by this part of our invention
may be utilised with advantage for the purpose of flushing a sewer, while the
small fall required to operate it will permit the utilisation of flushing water from
sources which would not be available with flushing appliances of the ordinary
type. This part of our invention may also be used for other purposes for which
the sudden release of an accumulated body of liquid is desirable, as for instance
the irrigation of land.
The last part of our invention is illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, and consists in
an improved inlet for use with a septic tank, in combination with a removable
valve, stop or cover 38, by which the supply of sewage to the tank can be cut off
if necessary or desired; the seat of such valve, stop or cover 38 is formed on
the inlet, and the valve is provided with a suitable handle 39 by which it may
be operated. The inlet consists of a vertical trunk or pipe 40 extending some
distance below the ordinary water level in the tank, and having an opening 41
at its lower end by which the liquid passes into the latter. The upper opening 42
of the inlet is placed at the side of the channel delivering sewage to the tank,
and its edges occupy a vertical or slightly battered plane, upon which the valve 38
may seat itself, being supported in such a manner as to secure a tight joint by a
lug or lugs 43 attached to the inlet, as shown in detail in Fig. 7. The upper
opening 42 should be flaring as shown in order to facilitate the ingress of the
sewage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is :-
:-
1. The employment of a counterweight in combination with the admission and
discharge valves of a filter to facilitate the opening of the admission valve, the
counterweight being hung in the discharge well of the filter so that its weight
will be wholly or partially neutralised when such discharge well is filled, thus
facilitating the subsequent closing of the admission valve, substantially as
specified.
2. In apparatus for regulating the delivery of liquids, the employment of a
weighted lever operated by a float or equivalent means when a sufficient quantity
of liquid has been accumulated, the motion thus obtained being employed to
open a valve by which the liquid so accumulated can pass off, substantially as
specified.
3. In apparatus for regulating the delivery of liquids, the combination of a
float or floats operating a shaft to which a valve is also connected, a weighted
lever being also mounted on such shaft so that it opposes the motion of the float
or floats during the first part of its or their movement, such opposition gradually
diminishing as the movement progresses, substantially as specified.
4. In apparatus for regulating the delivery of a liquid, the combination of a
float or its equivalent immersed in the liquid in communication with the main
supply and a float or its equivalent immersed in the liquid in communication
with the discharge, such floats being connected to a shaft on which a weighted
lever is mounted and which operates a valve, the motion of one of the floats or
equivalents being so adjusted as to cause the opening of the valve when the
desired accumulation of liquid has taken place, and the weighted lever being
so arranged as to cause such valve to open and remain completely open, while
the second float or equivalent causes the valve to close, substantially as specified.

page_text: 5. In apparatus for regulating the delivery of liquid, the combination of a
valve with a weight governing the extent to which the liquid will accumulate
before the opening of the valve, and the quantity of liquid which will be released
before the closing of the valve, substantially as specified.
6. In apparatus for regulating the delivery of liquid, the combination of a
valve with a weight governing the extent to which the liquid will accumulate
before the opening of the valve, and the quantity of liquid which will be released
before the closing of the valve, such weight being adjustable, so as to vary the
quantity of liquid accumulated and discharged, substantially as specified.
7. An improved inlet for a tank into which liquid is to be delivered below
the normal level of the liquid therein, consisting in a vertical shaft, which can
conveniently be built into the wall of the tank, and having a flaring mouthpiece
as shown, substantially as specified.
S. The combination with a septic tank of an inlet having an opening at its
lower end by which liquid is delivered below the normal level of the liquid in
the tank, the upper end of such inlet being provided with a removable valve,
stop or cover, by which the supply of liquid to the tank can be cut off when
desired, substantially as specified.
9. The combination with a septic tank of an inlet having an opening at its
lower end by which liquid is delivered below the normal level of the liquid in
the tank, the upper end of such inlet being provided with a removable valve,
stop or cover, by which the supply of liquid to the tank can be cut off when
desired, a lug or lugs mounted on or secured to the inlet supporting such remov-
able valve, stop or cover, in such a manner as to secure a tight seating of same,
substantially as specified.
Tata 1 0th 1 of T1000
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.