Improvements in Steam Pumps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 9th June, 1896-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1996
Irvington, in the State of New York, United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer.]
Improvements in Steam Pumps.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of The Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of London, Patent Agent, 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 :-
One feature of the present invention consists in an improved valve pot which is
simpler and cheaper of manufacture than valve pots heretofore in use, by which
the strength of the valve pot is increased, and at the same time various advantages
secured in the construction of the valve pot aud pump upon which it is used.
In the improved valve pot embodying this part of the invention in the preferred
form, the minimum width of the pot is in the direction of the axis of the pump
cylinder, thus decreasing the requisite length of the cylinder, and provision is
made for casting the pot in a single two part flask, using ordinary cores, and
without loose pieces of any kind in the pattern, so that hand moulding is greatly
simplified, and machine moulding made possible, and numerous other advantages
secured. For instance, in such preferred form of pot, the suction and delivery
flanges are so placed as to bring the main suction and delivery pipes on one side,
and between the two cylinders, in a duplex pump, so that the main suction and
delivery pipes may be simply straight pipes, with branches to each pot; the face
of the suction and delivery flanges may be placed in the same plane, so that they
can both be machined at one setting; any one of the, valve pots can be removed
without interfering with any of the others, or the suction and delivery pipes; no
more metal is required than is necessary to withstand the fluid pressure, none being
required for purely constructive purposes; and the construction may be such that
the same pot is made applicable to either side of a duplex pump, without losing
the desirable uniformity of appearance of the two sides. The valve pot, in certain
forms, also has features of special value in connection with duplex pumps, and the
invention includes specific constructions in duplex-pump valve pots.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved steam dash
valve construction for direct acting pumping engines, by which a steam cushion for
the piston shall be secured at the end of the stroke. The cushion is usually
provided by arranging the exhaust port so as to be covered by the piston as the
latter approaches the end of its stroke, but it is found, in practice, that this
arrangement is not under all conditions certain, and sufficient for the purpose, and
provision has sometimes been made for the admission of a small amount of live
steam in front of the piston, just at the end of the stroke, either on the normal
stroke of the piston, or when the piston, through failure of the usual steam cushion,
is not stopped at the normal point. The present invention provides a construction
by which this steam is taken from the cylinder at the opposite side of the piston,
and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, this connection is made
through the piston, a very simple, compact, and efficient construction being thus
provided.

page_text: The present invention includes also an improved piston rod connection for
pumps. It is customary, in pumps, to make the piston rod continuous between
the steam piston or pistons and the water plunger, and to connect the valve move-
ment to the piston rod between the steam and water ends. In some cases, however,
it is desirable to use brass rods in the water end, while the ordinary steel
rods may be used in the steam end, and the present invention is especially
designed to provide a simple and efficient means for connecting the brass and steel
rods together, and providing a spool for the connection of the valve movement.
For a full understanding of the invention, a detailed description of a construction
embodying all the features of the invention in their preferred form, and certain
modified forms of valve pots, will now be given, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings, and the features forming the invention, specifically pointed out
in the claims:-
Referring to said drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a duplex pump embodying the invention, with part
of the frame broken away, to show the piston rod connection.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the water end of the same.
Fig. 3 is a central vertical cross section of one of the valve pots, taken
transversely to the pump cylinder, on the line 3 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a central section taken longitudinally of the pump cylinder, on the
line 4 of Fig. 3.
Figs. 5 and 6 are views corresponding respectively to Figs. 3 and 4, showing a
modified construction.
Fig. 7 is a central cross section taken transversely to the pump cylinder on the
line 7 of Fig. 9, showing a double valve pot for a duplex pump having its cylinders
set closely together.
Fig. 8 is a cross section of the same taken longitudinally of the pump cylinder,
on the line 8 of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of this double valve pot.
Fig. 10 is a central vertical section of one of the steam cylinders, the parts being
shown on centre in the normal operation of the engine, the valves and trips being
sectioned.
Fig. 11 is a similar view, showing the parts at the end of the stroke just before
the piston stops, with the steam dash valves opened, the valves and trips being
shown in elevation and section.
Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail side view of the piston rod connection.
Fig. 13 is a cross section, on the line 13, of Fig. 12.
Referring to said drawings
A are the steam cylinders, and B the pump cylinders on opposite sides; C the
steam piston, having piston rod a connected to plunger rod b, as hereafter described.
D is a suction and E the force main, these mains being arranged at different levels
between and above the two water cylinders B; and G the valve movement having
the usual lever g connected to the piston rod. Connection between the force and
suction mains and pump cylinders on opposite sides are made by the valve pots F,
which will now be described in detail.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, each valve pot F connects with the water cylinders by
a branch 10, provided with flange 1, with the suction main by branch 11, provided
with flange 2, and with the force main by branch 12, provided with flange 3, these
brauches 10, 11, 12, and flanges 1, 2, 3, or their equivalents, being placed in the
same vertical plane, so that this valve pot may be cast in a two-part flask without
loose parts of any kind, and the cylinder, suction, and force branches preferably
being arranged in line transversely to the pump cylinder, so that the width of the
valve pot, longitudinally of the cylinder, is reduced to that of a single pipe and
flange of the size required for strength. In the valve pot are the suction valve e
and the force valve, which may be of any suitable construction, the common
spring-seated valves being shown, these valves being introduced through openings
made in the top of the valve pot, which are closed by plugs 13, against which the

page_text: valve springs are seated, these plugs being held in place by bolts, as shown, or in
any other suitable manner, all as usual in such constructions.
In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a similar construction except that the suction
branch 11 crosses the cylinder brauch 10, the suction port being divided into two
parts, and passing around on opposite sides of the cylinder port, so as to divide the
weight of metal, and make a more symmetrical valve pot, although it will be
understood that this suction port may pass the cylinder port wholly on one side, if
desired. In this construction it will be seen that, while the suction branch does
not lie in the same vertical plane with the cylinder and delivery branches at every
point throughout its entire length, the important feature of the outer ends of all the
branches lying in the same plane, central to the branches, is retained, and in this
construction, in which the suction branch lies in the same plane with the other
branches throughout substantially its entire length, the carrying of the suction
branch out of said plane for a short distance, so as to pass on one side, or both sides
of the cylinder branch, between its ends, does not prevent securing most of the
advantages of the constructions previously described.
It will be seen that, with this valve pot, the length of the pump cylinder is
reduced to the minimum, as the branches are arranged transversely to the cylinder;
the suction and delivery flanges face in the same direction, and are placed so as to
bring the main suction and delivery pipes in the same vertical plane on one side, so
that in a duplex pump they may be placed between the two pump barrels, and
consist of simple straight pipes, with branches to each pot; that any one of the
pots can be removed without interfering with any of the others, or with the suction
and delivery pipes; that the amount of metal required in the valve pot is largely
reduced; that the pot may be cast in a common two-part flask, using ordinary
cores; and that the manufacture of right and left pots is unnecessary, as the same
pot is equally applicable to either side of the pump.
In Figs. 7,8, and 9, there is shown a valve pot for duplex pumps having the cylinders
set closely together, which enables a single pot to be used for both sides. In this
construction, the valve pot is preferably cast, as shown, with a short section of pipe
on each side, provided with flanges 4. These short sections of pipe form parts of
the suction and delivery mains D, E, so that by securing together these flanges 4,
of the different pots, suction or force mains will be constructed in accordance with
the number of pots used. It is apparent that this valve pot, as well as those
previously described, can be cast in a two-part flask, the parting being on the line 7
of Fig. 9. The flanges 4, if used, can be drawn in different ways, but preferably
by cores, as usual, in such constructions. The construction of the pump and valve
pot, and the arrangement of the branches, will be understood from Figs. 7 and 8,
the suction ports on the opposite sides being divided, and passing the cylinder ports,
one half on each side, as previously described in connection with Figs. 5 and 6.
In this construction of a single casting, forming pots for both cylinders, it will be
seen that the outer ends of the three branches of each pot lie in the same plane,
central to the branches, as in the constructions previously described, even though
the short pipes D, E, be cast integral with the branches, as shown, and as is
preferable, since the outer ends of the suction and delivery branches are at the
points of junction with the suction and force mains, whether such junctious be made
by attaching the branches to the force and suction mains, as in the construction.
shown in Fig. 2, or by casting them integral with parts of the suction and force
mains, as in the construction shown in Figs. 7 to 9.
Referring now to the steam cushion construction as shown in detail in Figs. 10
and 11, X is the steam slide valve, x the induction ports, and y the exhaust ports,
and the piston C is provided with a passage 14 extending through it, so as to
connect the opposite ends of the cylinder, and this opening is enlarged within the
body of the piston, so as to provide valve seats i, on which are seated two hollow
cylindrical valves k l, having ports 15, and pressed apart and towards the seats i by
a spring 16, seated within said valves, the hollow bodies of the valves preferably

page_text: D
overlapping each other, as shown. The piston may be constructed in any suitable
manner, to accommodate the valves, but the construction shown is preferable.
The stems 22 of the valves k, l, may engage the cylinder heads, but in the
preferred construction shown, an adjustable valve trip is provided at each end of
the cylinder so that the amount of dash or cushion may be varied as required.
Any suitable construction may be used for this purpose, but that shown is simple
and efficient, in which the trip consists of a screw rod 23 threaded into a plug 24
screwed into the head of the cylinder, and packed outside the plug by suitable
packing held by a screw cap 25 on the plug.
The valves and trips will preferably be so constructed and adjusted as to operate
at the end of each stroke, thus forming a more effective dash than the usual
cushion, and at the same time securing greater economy, by filling the clearance
space with steam of approximately the admission pressure. They may be arranged,
however, so as to come into action only as a safety device, in case the piston pass
the point at which it is stopped in the normal operation of the engine. The
trips 23, in the latter case, will be adjusted so as not to be engaged by the stems 22
of the valves kl, when the piston is stopped properly by the usual steam cushion,
or otherwise, but to actnate one of these valves if the piston passes this point.
The operation of the construction adjusted to operate at each stroke, is as
follows:-
The normal position of the valves k, l, when there is no pressure in the cylinder,
and after the pressure on opposite sides of the valve on the admission side of the
piston is equalised, is that shown in Figs. 1 and 10, both valves k, l, being seated on
their respective seats i by the spring 16, and the passage 14 closed. When steam
is first admitted, and the piston is moving to the right, the pressure of the live steam
behind the piston is sufficient to open the valve k, against the pressure of spring 16,
and admit steam through opening 14 and ports 15 into the valve chamber formed
by the space within the valves, and behind the valve l, which is held closed by this
pressure, and that of spring 16. As soon as the pressure in this valve chamber is
equalized with that on the admission side, that is, behind the piston, valve k also is
closed by the spring 16, and the parts are again in the position shown in Fig. 10.
As the piston approaches the end of its stroke, the exhaust port y, in advance of
the piston, is closed by the piston, so as to prevent the escape of steam, and the
stem 22 of valve engages the trip 23, and is thus pressed backward from its seat i,
and opened against the steam and spring pressure behind it, and the pressure in the
valve chamber thus being relieved, the valve k is then opened by the steam pressure
behind the piston, and steam passes from the rear, or admission, to the front
or exhaust side of the piston, and fills the exhaust end of the cylinder. The
position of the parts, as the piston approaches the end of the stroke, with the
valves k, l, open, is shown in Fig. 11. As the piston advances, it compresses
the steam thus admitted on the exhaust side, and, under this compression of the
steam, the steam pressure on the opposite sides of the valve k is equalized, and the
valve closes under pressure of the spring 16. Upon reversal of the piston by
shifting the steam valve X, the operation is repeated on the opposite side.
It will be seen that, by taking the cushioning steam from the steam cylinder on
the pressure side of the piston, a single connection may be used for cushioning at
both ends of the cylinder, and a simple and compact construction be thus provided.
It should also be observed that, by utilizing the steam just before it is exhausted
from the cylinder, to fill the waste clearance space, a decided gain is secured in the
economy of the engine. The temperature of the clearance walls of the cylinder is
raised to a point corresponding to that of the steam on the opposite side of the
piston, thereby reducing largely the condensation of the fresh steam admitted for
the return stroke. While it is preferable that this connection be made through the
piston, and controlled by valves of the form shown, and this construction forms a
. part of the invention, it will be understood that this part of the invention is not to
be limited to a construction in which connection is made through the piston, nor to

page_text: the special devices shown, but that modifications may be made by those skilled in
the art, without departing from the invention.
Referring now to the piston and plunger rod connection, as shown in detail
in Figs. 12 and 13, these rods a, b, have their adjacent ends screw-threaded, and
these ends are screwed into a collar H, which in the construction shown, forins the
spool for connection with the lever g, this spool being provided with a central screw-
threaded opening for the ends of the rods, and being split out from this opening ou
one side, and the two parts being secured together adjustably, preferably by
a bolt, 6, as shown, so that by tightening this bolt, the two parts of the spool will
be pressed together upon the ends of the rod screwed therein, but on loosening the
bolt, the two parts may spring apart slightly. The connection of the lever g to this
spool may be made in any suitable mauner, but the form of connection shown, and
preferably used, is that common in this construction, in which the lever g is provided
with forks, 7, at its lower end, carrying bowls, 8, which enter vertical grooves, 9,
formed in the sides of the spool H, so that as the rod moves backward and forward,
the lever g is rocked, to actuate the valve movement, as usual in such constructions.
The connection of the rods a, b, is made as follows:-The bolt 6 is loosened, so as
to loosen the two parts of the split spool, and the two rods a, b, are then screwed
into the spool. The bolt 6 being then tightened up, presses the two parts of the
spool together upon the screw threads, which prevents unscrewing of the rods, and
forms a very rigid connection.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed (as communicated to me
from abroad), I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A valve pot having the outer ends of its cylinder, suction, and delivery
branches, in the same plane central to the branches, and having the outer ends of
its suction and delivery branches on the same side of the pot, and facing in the same
direction, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the pump cylinder of a pump, of a valve pot having the
outer ends of its cylinder, suction, and delivery branches in the same plane central
to the branches, and transverse to the pump cylinder, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the pump cylinder of a pump, of a valve pot having its
cylinder, suction, and delivery branches, lying substantially throughout in the same
plane, central to the branches, and transverse to the pump cylinder, substantially as
described.
4. The combination with a pump cylinder, of suction and force mains at one side
of, and above the cylinder, and a valve pot on the top of the cylinder, having suction
and delivery branches on the same side of the pot, and extending transversely to
the pump cylinder, and a cylinder branch at the bottom of the pot, substantially as
described.
5. A valve pot cast in one piece, and having two cylinder branches, and suction
and delivery branches, for each cylinder branch, said cylinder, suction, and delivery
branches, having their outer ends in the same plane central to the branches, and the
suction and delivery branches for the different cylinder branches, being arranged
end to end, substantially as described.
6. A valve pot for duplex pumps, cast in one piece, and having cylinder, suction,
and delivery branches for both cylinders, with their outer ends in the same plane
central to the branches, and with the suction and delivery branches for the different
cylinders arranged end to end, substantially as described.
7. A valve pot for duplex pumps cast in one piece with cylinder, suction, and
delivery branches for both cylinders, with their outer ends in the same plane
central to the branches, and having suction and force main pipes extending
transversely to said branches, and cast in one piece therewith, substantially as
described.
8. The combination with the pump cylinders of a duplex pump, of force and
suction mains extending longitudinally of, and in a plane between said cylinders,

page_text: and a valve pot cast in one piece, having cylinder, suction, and delivery branches
for both cylinders, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the pump cylinders of a duplex pump, of suction and
force mains extending longitudinally of, and in a plane between said cylinders, and
valve pots mounted on the tops of the cylinders, and having suction and delivery
branches on the same side of the pots, and extending transversely to the pump
cylinders, and cylinder branches at the bottom of the pots, substantially as
.described.
10. The combination with the pump cylinders of a duplex pump, of suction and
force maius extending longitudinally of, and in a plane between said cylinders, and
valve pots mounted on the tops of the cylinders, and having suction and delivery
branches on the same side of the pots, and extending transversely to the pump
cylinders, and cylinder branches at the bottom of the pots, said cylinder and
delivery branches lying in the same plane central to the branches, throughout
substantially their entire length, substantially as described.
11. The combination with a steam cylinder and piston, of a steam passage con-
necting the cylinder ends on opposite sides of the piston, a valve mechanism
controlling said passage, and under a constant pressure less than the steam pressure
on the admission side of the piston, tending to close the passage, and normally
closing the passage during the stroke, and means for actuating said mechanism
to open the passage at the desired point in the movement of the piston,
substantially as described.
12. The combination with a steam cylinder and piston, of a steam passage
connecting the cylinder ends on opposite sides of the piston, valves controlling
said passage, said valves operating independently, and opening from the opposite
ends of the cylinder, and seated by a constant pressure less than the steam
pressure on the admission side of the piston, and means for opening the valve
on the exhaust side of the piston, at the desired point in the movement of the
piston, substantially as described.
13. The combination with a steam cylinder and piston having a steam passage
through it, of valves controlling said passage, said valves opening from the
opposite ends of the cylinder, and seated by a constant pressure less than
the steam pressure on the admission side of the piston, and means for opening
the valve on the exhaust side of the piston, at the desired point in the
movement of the piston, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a steam cylinder and piston having a steam passage
through it, of valves controlling said passage, said valves operating independently,
and opening from the opposite ends of the cylinder, and means for opening the
valve on the exhaust side of the piston, at the desired point in the movement of
the piston, substantially as described.
15. The combination with a steam cylinder and piston, of a steam passage
connecting the cylinder ends on opposite sides of the piston, a valve mechanism
controlling said passage, and under a constant pressure less than the steam pressure
on the admission side of the piston, tending to close the passage, and normally
closing the passage during the stroke, and adjustable means for actuating said
valve mechanism, to open the passage, whereby the point of the stroke at which
the passage is opened, can be varied, substantially as described.
16. The combination with the cylinder A and piston C, having steam passage 14,
of the valves k, l, seated by a spring-pressure less than the steam-pressure on the
admission side of the piston, and means for opening the valve on the exhaust side
of the piston at the end of the stroke, substantially as described.
17. The combination with the motor, water cylinders, and valve movement of a
pump, of the two-part screw-threaded piston rod a, b, threaded split spool H,
connected to the valve movement, means for drawing the two parts of the spool
together upon the rods, and connections between said spool and valve movement,
substantially as described.
18. The combination with the steam and water cylinders of a pump, of the two-

page_text: part screw-threaded piston rod a b, threaded split spool H, having grooves 9,
bolt 6, and a valve movement having lever g provided with bowls 8 entering said
grooves 9, substantially as described.
1000
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.