An Improved Water Engine.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 6th June, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Water Engine.
I HENRY JERGER of Norwood in the Province of South Australia Watch
Maker do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED WATER
ENGINE and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
"
This invention consists of an improved engine for utilising and applying water as
a motive power. My invention is especially useful on a river, when water there-
from is required to be raised on to the bank, or otherwise above the surface of the
stream, for irrigation or other purposes. Its use however is not limited to rivers,
but may be adopted wherever a quantity of water is available, a portion of which is
required to be raised, and a fall can be obtained for the working water.
applied to the lifting or transferring of a large or small quantity, provided the
source of supply is sufficiently in excess of the amount to be raised. Water from a
stream or reservoir may be supplied through an open or closed channel, or an
inverted syphon, a suitable trap for stones and debris being provided.
It can be
The principle of my engine is that of an oscillating lever beam which is depressed
at either end alternately by a weight of water, applied by means of a pair of tanks
or cisterns, and acting on a pump-rod or rods, or other like mechanism arranged at
any suitable distance from the fulcrum, the weight of the water and the leverage
exerting a force which is very powerful at a small cost for working. One of the
essential features of my engine consists in retaining the upper tank for the time
being in its position after the water therein would naturally be sufficient to depress
it and overcome the resistance of the pump or work. In this way a super. added
weight is obtained causing the lever beam to descend with rapidity and power and
also ensures the empty tank rising to its upper position. I attain the above effects
by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation with portion of the framework removed to shew the
locking apparatus.
Figure 2 is a plan of the entire engine.
Figure 3 is a section of the supply tank on line -y of Figure 4.
Figure 4 is a plan of the supply tank.
Figure 5 is an end view of one of the actuating tanks.
Figure 6 is a plan and Figure 7 a side view of the same.
Figure 8 is a side view shewing alternative method of releasing spring and
valve.
Figure 9 is a side view of the locking and unlocking mechanism.
Figures 10 and 11 are end views of the same.
Figure 12 shows an alternative lock.
Figure 13 shows an alternative construction of the hanger.
Figures 1 and 2 are on the scale of about half an inch to the foot. The other
figures are enlarged. Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several
views.
I will first describe the general construction of the engine made according to my
invention, and as illustrated in the drawings (Figures 1 and 2). It consists of a
frame A in the centre of which are provided two fulcrum posts of which one is
shewn in elevation B' bearing the oscillating lever beam C₁ C². The beam is
constructed of strong timbers C₁ C² with cross pieces such as C C C C C¹
and C18 and stay rods C and oscillates upon the axle C³ journalled as shewn at B³
and also in a similar journal at the other side. At either end of and between the
side parts C and C of the beam actuating tanks D¹ and D2 are suspended on

page_text: brackets C C7 C° C. These tanks are alternately filled or partially filled with water
from the supply tank E and thus cause the depression of the lever beam at either
end respectively in the manner hereinafter explained. D³ and D' are two rods
which keep the two actuating tanks upright when ascending and descending. E is
a centrally situated supply tank. Into this the water is led through the pipe E'
from whatever source supplies the motive power. E2 and E³ are pipes to deliver
the water into the actuating tanks D' and D2 respectively by means of suitable
valves which are operated by the cross-pieces C and C in the beam C'. At one or
both sides of the fulcrum axle and at such distance therefrom as may be convenient
are attached rods F1 F2. These may be used to work pumps or other intermittent
motion. In the drawings I have shewn the application to a pump G on one side,
which is the method I have used and prefer but it will be evident that the power
may be applied in other ways such as by a crank motion. The water to be raised is
admitted from the supply tank E through the pipe G' and forced up by the pump
or pumps through the pipe G2 to where it is required. The supply tank E is
supported on a floor at the top of the framework A. The delivery pipes E2 and E³
are supported at their outer ends by stays A' and A². A³ and A are two buffer
pieces, which receive the ends of the beams C1 and C2 when they come to the
bottom of the stroke and avoid danger of damaging the locking gear. As and A
are two bars which close the valves in the actuating tanks. A' and A³ are two
cross-beams in the frame, which carry the locking mechanism.
In Figures 3 and 4 the construction of the supply tank and attachments are
shewn. E is the body of the tank with E¹ the supply pipe and E² and E³ the
delivery pipes, leading into the actuating tanks. E and E are the valves which
control the supply of water to these. E is a pipe for overflow from the tank E.
E3 and E are two stays strengthening the top of the supply tank. The cross
levers E and E' are hinged at E and E and are connected to the valves E' and E'
by means of connecting-rods E" and E18. These cross levers are also connected by
rods E and E (see Figure 1) to levers E1 and E" hinged at E1 and E2 which
are actuated by the cross pieces C and C³ in the oscillating beam. E" is the
opening to the pipe G' which supplies the pump and E" and E are guides for the
levers E and E.
In Figures 5 6 and 7 one of the actuating tanks is represented, the other being
similar. All the tanks may be constructed of galvanized iron or of any suitable
material and shape. D and D are two journals which rest in the brackets C and C².
D" is the stud upon which the parallel guide D³ is pivotted. D' is a valve for
emptying the actuating tank. This valve is larger than the corresponding valve in
the supply tank E thus allowing the actuating tank to be emptied when it has
descended before the raised tank at the other end of the beam is filled or released.
D is a support or bar which passes across the tank. To this is attached a specially
constructed steel spring D°. D10 is a catch which holds the spring D either closed
or open as required. In Figure 5 the full lines show the valve open and the dotted
lines shew it closed. The normal tendency of the spring is to open the valve D' by
means of the connecting rod D". The spring is so arranged that it presses laterally
against the catch D10 and when the tank is raised the spring comes in contact with
the piece A and is depressed from its recess D" in the hook D and engages in the
shoulder D¹ thus closing and securing the valve. When the tank has a sufficient
supply of water, it is unlocked in the manner hereinafter described and descends.
Dia is a cranked-bar pivotted at D. At the end D1 hangs a rod D16 which passes
through a guide in the bar D³. The upper end of D¹³ is bent round as shown in
Figure 7 and when the rod D1 is raised the upper end of D¹³ pushes the spring D
from the shoulder D₁ thus allowing it to spring upwards and open the valve.
In Figure 8 (an alternative method) the cranked-bar D slides in two guides
instead of being pivotted and the rod D" is connected to the bar D³ at some
suitable point so that as the tank descends the rod D" pushes the bar D¹³ forward
and releases D'.

page_text: Figures 9 10 and 11 show the mechanism for locking the tanks while filling, and
unlocking when sufficiently full. A represents one of the uprights of the frame and
D' portion of the tank. A' and A³ are two cross-pieces of the frame. C² represents
the end of the lever beam and C17 is a cross stay. H' H2 are two arms pivotted or
hinged at the bottom at H1 to the cross piece C" and carrying at their top end a
roller H³ thus forming what I have termed a hanger. His a block which prevents
the roller H3 from falling too far outwards and H' prevents it falling inwards.
It is necessary that this hanger shall be held in an approximately perpendicular
position and for this purpose I attach either a spring such as H or counterpoise.
weight such as shewn in Figure 13. Attached to the beam A8 are two bearings H'H'
carrying the bar H' square in its centre, to which is affixed another bar of iron
forming a hook H₁ of the shape shewn. The upper end of this hook H10 in
provided with an eye H" in which is pivotted a catch-piece H¹. In order to cause
the catch piece H₁ to be returned after action to its normal position a spring H¹³ in
attached at the lower end. After the hook H10 has released the actuating tank and
the frame H20 carrying the stop H" has fallen to its position on the blocks HH2
the hook Ho is returned to its normal position by means of the spring H³. The
catch piece H2 turning upon its hinge, "H" passes under H, and by means of the
spring His returned to its upright position. To the outside of H a spring
piece His rivetted at its top end. The bottom end tends to close against H10 but
may be thrust outwards and regulated by means of the screw H15. The bottom
part of Ho is shaped as shown in order to ensure the roller H3 passing outwards and
lodging in its right position. The purpose of the screw H is to enable the
plate H to be set so that the centre of the roller H³ is a little outside the line of
the centres of the pivots H and H. This tends to pull the bar H0 round on its
In the meanwhile
pivot which would free the roller H3 and allow the tank to fall.
the bar H is kept in position by the cross-piece or stop H" which is operated as
follows. H is a ball float having a long shaft H" attached to its upper part.
H20 is a frame which is pivotted at H2 and H22 to the bar A'. At the lower end
of H20 is a casing H23 which fits round the shaft H and is caused to grip the same
by a screw H. As it may sometimes be desirable to work without filling the
actuating tanks the ball may be set at any required height by loosening the
screw H and sliding the shaft H19 up or down the casing H23 to the position
required when H24 is again tightened and secured. H2 is a framework pitotted
at H2 and H2 having in its free end a hole through which the shaft H passes and
whose purpose is to keep the shaft upright. In Figure 10 this piece is shewn cut off at
line ab. His a cross piece forming portion of the frame H20. H28 and H29 are
two stops which support the framework H20 and the ball when the actuating tank
has fallen. H is a tube which keeps H2 and H the right distance apart.
When the tank has a sufficient amount of water in it, the ball H rises, carrying
with it the crosspiece or stop H thus freeing the piece H and consequently
releasing the roller H3 and the actuating tank. A spring H³ is provided which
has the effect of causing the piece H to be returned to its normal position when
the weight of the tank has been removed. The piece H12 turning upon the pivot H"
passes under the stop H" when the spring H draws it back into its normal
position.
It has a bar H³*
Figure 12 shows a different construction of the piece H10.
instead of the spring H³. As the roller H³ rises it strikes against H32 and lifts it up
so as to cause the catch piece H12 to pass under the stop H.
The method of operation is as follows. The supply water from the stream
reservoir or other source is led into the supply tank E and thence through which-
ever one of the delivery pipes may be open into one of the actuating tanks. These
tanks may be set to fall when full or when they contain sufficient water to perform
the work required. As soon as one of the upper tanks D' has received sufficient
water the ball Hrises lifting with it the stop H" allowing the piece H10 to rotate
on its axis thus freeing the roller H3 allowing the tank to descend and actuating the

page_text: pump rods or other mechanism. As the tank D' descends the hinged leve E
which rests upon the cross-piece C falls with it and allows the valve E' to close
thus preventing any more water flowing out.
When the actuating tank D¹ reaches within a short distance of the floor the
bottom end of the rod D₁ strikes a stop moving the lever D¹³ on the pivot D" and
pushes the spring rod D° out of the shoulder D12 thus opening the valve D'. The
tank D is thereupon emptied the time of emptying being so arranged by the size of
the valve that it is completed before the other actuating tank D2 has been filled.
As the other end of the beam with the tank D2 rises the crosspicce C³ strikes the
hinged piece E and carries it upwards, and, by means of connecting rods E'
lever E' and connecting rod E18, opens the valve E' and allows the water to flow
through delivery pipe E³ into the tank D2 until there is sufficient water to lift the
float when the same process as before described is repeated. The valve D' in the
tank D2 is closed in the following manner. When the beam has nearly reached
the top of its stroke the upper end of the spring D strikes against the stop A° and
as the tank continues to ascend is forced downwards until it springs into the
shoulder D thus closing the valves D. Either one or two pumps and either
suction or force pump may be used. The water is delivered by the discharge
pipe G2 at such height or position as may be determined having due regard to the
quantity required and the power of the machinery. An important feature of this
engine is the continuity of operation without manipulation. Whether the inflow of
motive water is large or small the actuating tank will descend when the water
reaches the valve ball and not before.
I do not bind myself to the details of construction herein set forth. The engines
may be made of any size and of suitable material. Where a cheap engine is
required for light work a counterpoise weight may be substituted for one of the
tanks. The locking and unlocking of the tanks may be varied.
I have shewn
several methods others may be applied, without departing from my invention.
I prefer the one shewn in the main drawings. I have omitted some of the
stay pieces of the framework for the purpose of clearly indicating the other
mechanism.
I am aware that a lever beam has been used having a fixed tank at each
end with water continuously running from a fixed central supply pipe to one or the
other tank alternately as the same was raised or depressed without locking and
unlocking apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The use of a pair of actuating tanks one at each end of an oscillating
lever beam hinged or suspended and locked and unlocked for filling and emptying
by suitable mechanism preferably in the manner substantially as shown and
described.
2. The use of a hanger such as that comprised in the parts H1 H2 and H³ for the
purpose of retaining a lever actuating tank in upper position after it has received a
supply of water which would otherwise be sufficient to counterbalance the weight of
the other end of the lever beam and the work connected therewith.
3. The apparatus and mechanism including the above substantially as shewn and
described whereby a tank suspended on a lever is allowed to fill with water and on
becoming full or as full as may be required the said apparatus by the automatic
action of the ball float is unlocked thus releasing the tank and allowing it to
descend.
4. The device and apparatus for admitting the working water from a supply
tank to one or other of the actuating tanks immediately upon each tank coming to
its top position on its lock and for closing the supply immediately the tank is
unlocked substantially as shewn and described.

page_text: 5. The combination and arrangement of lever beam C¹ C² supply tank E the
pump rods F1 F2 the actuating tanks D' D' the locking apparatus shown in
Figures 9 10 and 11 substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. The use of one actuating tank at one end of the lever beam with a
counterpoise weight at the other end in lieu of the other tank as and for the
purposes described.
Dated this Second day of December 1890
HENRY JERGER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.