DIRECT-ACTING PUMPS
Year: 1886

page_text: We, WILLIAM VOIT, of Berlin, Germany, Engineer, and WILLIAM DAVIS HOOKER,
of the City of St Louis, and State of Missouri, United States of America, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of our invention for DIRECT-ACTING PUMPS, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—–
Our invention relates to improvements in direct-acting steam pumps.
The object of the invention is to produce a simple, powerful, and effective pump
with means for moving the steam valve and means for governing the velocity of
the pump.
The pump and attachments can be used upon fire engines or for any other
purpose to which steam pumps are applicable.
The invention includes features of novelty and superiority in construction and
operation which will be hereinafter set forth.
.
The accompanying drawings illustrate what we consider the best means for
carrying our invention into practice.
Figure 1 is a section of the pump valve movement and governor in working
relation.
Figure 2 is a section of pump taken at right angles to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of pump with top or cover removed.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of pump taken through the upper valves..
Figures 5, 6, & 7 are enlarged views of the valve movement.
Figure 8 is a plan view of the governor.
Figure 9 is a sectional view of a modified form of governor.
Similar letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the
figures where they occur.
1 is the steam cylinder, 2 the valve chamber and D the piston rod of the engine
and pump. A is the outer shell or cylinder of the pump. The following named
parts are cast integral with the said shell, the solid ends a, a, at bottom and top,
the partitions a¹, a¹, which separate the induction and eduction chambers, the
valve seat partitions a³, a³, a³, a³, the working barrel A** of the boiler feed pump
and the central internal projection A* in which the pump barrel is held. This
integral formation of these parts gives great strength and solidity to the pump,
avoids a great amount of packing and enables us to make the pump much lighter
than it otherwise could be done. The projection Ax affords an enlarged annular

page_text: space a* in the pump cylinder opposite the induction and eduction ports to allow
free entrance and exit of the water.
The valves b, b, are the induction valves and are held against their seats by
springs 61, 61, which tend to keep the valves always closed but permit them to
open and admit water at the proper time. These valves are arranged at or near
the top and at or near the bottom of the pump.
The eduction valves c, c, are similarly arranged above and below and are
provided with springs c',.c¹, but open outward to permit the escape of the fluid.
This construction makes a double acting pump.
Openings are made in the shell of the pump through which the valve stems pass.
The valve stems have plugs a' which cover the openings in the shell. When the
valve stems are removed a tool may be inserted through these openings to true up
the valve seats.
The ends a, a, are trued up and faced and the pump heads or covers A¹ are
placed upon and secured to said ends. The heads or covers are provided with
projecting edges or flanges a³ which fit over the sides of the cylinder and prevent
the packing from being blown out from between the heads and ends.
The head or cover at one end is provided with stuffing boxes d, d, the former
being for the piston rod D of the main pump and the latter for the piston rod D¹
of the boiler feed pump. The cylinder or barrel of this latter pump, A**, is formed
as already stated integral with the main body of the pump and is preferably cast
or bored in one of the partitions which separate the suction and discharge chamberg
of the pump. Its piston rod D¹ is yoked or coupled to the main piston rod D
and operated in unison therewith.
The main pump barrel C is a separate piece from the body of the pump and is
provided with a shoulder cx which rests against the edge or rim of the pro-
jection A bored true to receive it. The upper end of the barrel is provided with
lugs cx which rest against the under side of the head A' at the upper end of the
pump. By means of these lugs and the shoulder c*, having bearings as described,
the barrel is firmly held.
The piston D is attached to rod D and works in barrel C.
The piston D* may be of any desired pattern that will act well under strong,
quick strokes.
A valve chest a** secured to the exterior of the pump forms, the connection for
water supply and discharge for the boiler feed pump barrel A** and contains the
usual induction and eduction valves which operate in the manner well known in
single acting pumps.
E is the induction or suction port and F is the eduction or discharge port of the
main pump.
An air charging device is applied to the discharge side of the pump. F¹ is an
air chamber mounted over the eduction port F. The top of the discharge chamber
in the pump cylinder or shell is connected with the top of the air chamber F1 by.
an opening or bore f passing through the wall between the top of the eduction or
discharge chamber and the discharge port, and a tube f¹ connecting with the bore f
and extending nearly to the top of the air chamber as shown. This passage f, f¹,
connects the extreme top or upper end of the discharge chamber with the top of
the air chamber, and all the air contained in the water which passes through the
pump finds its way through it into the air chamber. This chamber will become
charged with air and it will form, a cushion which will receive all the throbs and
pulsations of the water as it is driven out of the pump and prevent the same from
being communicated to the stream flowing out through the eduction port. Where
the water is used for fire extinguishing purposes and carried through a hose this
avoidance of pulsations and throbs is a matter of vast moment as the stream thrown
through the nozzle is thereby rendered steady and regular both as to quantity and
force.
In Fig. 2 is shown a modification of the air charging device, where the air is
taken direct from the top of the inside pump barrel; the passage or tube f contains

page_text: a little valve f', which closes during the suction of the pump thereby preventing
the vacuum from being destroyed.
The discharge port connects with the discharge side of the pump about mid
height so that the opening f is well above said discharge port and insures that all
the air shall escape through said passage or opening f and none find its way into
the discharge passage or port.
To admit the requisite amount of air to charge the chamber F¹ properly we
place a small air cock in the suction side of the pump which may be opened
when necessary to admit air to the inflowing water.
shown under the suction pipe in Figure 2.
This cock is marked e and is
In case the pump is drafting from a hydrant or other source where the water is
under pressure the cock e would leak water and not admit air. To prevent this
we may place the air cock in the top of the cylinder cover and provide a check
valve which will automatically close against the egress of water but will open to
admit air. The check valve is located between the air cock and cover as shown in
Figure 2, where k represents the air cock and the check valve. Both cock e and
parts and may be provided upon a pump.
To ascertain when air in chamber F1 is at proper compression and a sufficient
body is contained therein to effect the end above described, we place a gage or test
tube in the discharge side of the pump and connect it with the air chamber at
a proper height to insure that when the water falls below it there is the proper
amount and compression of air in the chamber F¹. This gage consists of a glass
tube G closed at top and provided with a metallic base which is screwed into the
pump to bring said tube into connection with the discharge side of the pump.
A metal case H is placed over the glass.tube, in which the said glass tube is
packed at the base. The metallic base which is screwed into the pump shell is
preferably formed with or upon the case H. The case is provided with a longi-
tudinal slit h through which the height of water in the tube, corresponding with
the height of water in the air chamber, can be observed. The tube is connected
with a passage or opening which opens into the duct or passage with which the
air chamber is connected at a point below the bore f.
The mouth of this opening is marked fx. When the water in the air chamber
and connected duct sinks below the mouth fx the water in the tube G will flow
out, and when thus conditioned the amount and degree of compression of air in
chamber F¹ is just right to destroy and avoid the pulsations in the stream flowing
out from the pump, and the cock e or k can be closed, to be again opened when
the water again rises in tube G. .
This air charging device and test tube can be used with good effect upon
any pump.
The valve movement which we employ consists essentially of a plate or casting
so constructed and applied as to be moved at or near each end of the stroke of
the pump and engine and thereby to move the steam valve at just the right point
to effect the reversal of the engine and pump.
The lower head of the steam cylinder and the upper part of the pump are
secured together by connecting rods as shown. By means of these rods the steam
and water cylinders are brought into true alignment. This connection and accuracy
of position of the engine and pump may however be obtained in various other
ways and we would not be understood as limiting ourselves to this mode of
connection.
The piston rod D as already described bears upon one end the pump piston or
plunger, and on the other the steam piston. About midway between the engine
and pump we fasten to the rod D a hub I. This hub has a lug I¹ projecting out
from one side to which is journalled or pivoted the driving arm J, which is
provided with a longitudinal slot in its outer end.
M is a driving plate or casting through which the arm
passes loosely. The.
part M is formed with angular sides m, m³, n, n³, disposed in the manner shown,
whose purpose and function will presently appear..

page_text: Cast or forged with plate or part M is a shaft O which is journalled in a box ox
fixed upon one of the connecting rods, or upon other suitable support. The
opposite end of shaft O is made separate and has a flange o¹ on its end which is
secured to the open side of plate M by bolts as shown. This end of shaft O
is also journalled in a box o* similar to the box before described and supported in
the same or any suitable manner. The shaft O is preferably made of two pieces
as described to facilitate manufacture but it is evident that it could be made in one
piece if so desired.
The adjacent ends of shaft O before being bolted together have seats or holes
bored in their centers and into these holes are inserted the pin p over which 1
may be placed the piece 9 for centering and guiding the driving arm J. The
piece q may however be dispensed with. The slot r in arm J rests over the pin p
or piece q.
Both pin p and piece q may however be dispensed with in most cases.
and the arm allowed to move through the plate or casting M without these
centering or guiding devices.
An arm K projects from plate M to which is connected the valve rod N of the
engine.
The projections, angular sides or faces m, m', n, n¹, are placed or formed on
plate M above and below the center, and are set at such an angle as that the
driving arm J will when near the ends of its strokes or movements come in contact
with and fit said parts accurately on opposite sides above and below the center;
the sides m, m¹, being struck at one end of the stroke and the sides n, n¹, at the
other..
When these sides are thus struck, which will occur just before the end of each
stroke of the engine and pump, the valve is quickly and smoothly reversed or
shifted and the stroke of the engine and pump reversed without loss of time
or power and the movement in the opposite direction begun without jar or
unevenness.
A modified form of the valve movement is shown in Figure 7 where the arm K
is fastened to the shaft O and the box o* placed between arm K and plate M as
may be found desirable in some instances. The valve of the engine may be driven
in either direction by reversing the position of the arm K, so that both B and D
vulves can be used with equal facility and effect.
The pin p and piece q may be made in one piece or in two pieces as desired.
The governor used in conjunction with our pump and forming part of this
invention is illustrated in Figures 1, 8 & 9 of the drawing.
The principle on which this governor works is the dead weight of a fluid taken
from one vessel and discharged into another, thereby opening and closing the
regulator valve.
To the steam inlet of the engine, shown at 1 Fig. 1, is secured the shell 2* of
the balanced regulator valve 3. The shell is accurately bored and the valve 3
is fitted and works easily in it. This valve 3 is preferably of tubular form and
provided with numerous small openings as shown through which the steam finds
its way to the engine. The valve 3 is provided with a stem 4 by which it may be
raised or lowered to supply or cut off the steam as desired. The valve stem 4
passes through a stuffing box 5 placed in the cap of shell 2*.
6, 6° are the fluid containing vessels which are capable of up and down move-
ments in or upon posts or guides 7, 7; these guide posts are connected together at
their upper end by a cross piece 7* in which is mounted a small sheave wheel 8
which carries a small wire or cord marked 9, 10; one end 9 of this cord is attached
to the lower vessel 6 and the other end 10 to the upper vessel 6°.
A small valve 13 is fitted into the bottom of the upper vessel 6º, and is opened
or closed by a wheel 14 which is graduated or indexed around its circumference
and can be set to measure the quantity of liquid discharged into the lower vessel
and be set to run the engine at any speed desired.
A small pump 16 of any suitable construction is connected to and driven in
any suitable manner from the main engine. This pump draws the liquid from the

page_text: lower vessel through the suction pipe 17 and discharges it into the upper vessel
through pipe 18.
The operation of this steam regulator is as follows:-The lower vessel 6 being
full or nearly full of liquid the engine on starting will put in motion the small
pump 16 and the liquid will be drawn from the lower vessel and discharged into
the upper vessel 6 and this upper vessel will descend and as both vessels are
connected together by the cord passing over the pulley the lower vessel will ascend
and draw the regulator valve upward thereby gradually closing it and slowing
down the engine. Now by opening the small valve 13 the liquid in the upper
vessel will be discharged back into the lower vessel and the engine will run at
any speed steadily which may be ascertained and held by the scale on the hand
wheel attached to stem of valve 13. For instance if it is required to run the
pump 50 strokes to the minute the graduated wheel is set at the point indicating
50 strokes. If unequal work is being done by the pump or if the suction should
come out of the water the pump will not run any faster but will maintain the
same speed.
A modification of the governor is shown in Figure 9 where on the lower end of
the stem 4 is placed a spring 4 below a collar 4b. A lever 15 is jointed to the top
of the valve cover and stem 4. is pressed downward against spring 4 by the lever.
On the free end of this lever is suspended the vessel 6, the vessel 6 being held
stationary below it. The vessel 6" has in this modification as in the main view a
graduated discharge slide or other valve in its bottom opened and closed by the
graduated rod or wheel as before described. The vessels 6 and 6ª are connected
by pipes leading to the small pump as in the other form. The operation of this
modified form of governor will be readily understood. The spring 4° taking the
place of the lower sliding vessel.
We have designed this steam governor for direct acting steam pumps, and only
intend to claim its use in connection with such pumps.
Any form of small pump can be applied to receive and discharge the liquid
from and to the vessels, and any kind of connection from the main engine to
this small pump can be used. We make no claim to the pump or its driving
mechanism.
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-In a double acting pump the combination with the outer and inner shells
cast integral and having a central projection forming on the interior of the inner
shell a support for the pumping barrel and a division between the upper and lower
valves and upon the exterior of said inner shell enlarged openings as a*, a*, for
the suction and discharge of the pump, of the pump barrel as described and pump
heads one of which holds said barrel in place.
2 In a double acting cylindrical pump the combination with the discharge
chamber common to both actions of the pump and a discharge opening at about mid
height of said chamber, of the air chamber located over the discharge opening and an
air passage as f, f1, connecting the extreme top of the discharge chamber with the
top of the air chamber whereby the air in the water will all escape through said
passage ff', without passing with the water out through the discharge opening,
as set forth.
3-The combination with the pump cylinder having the discharge opening
below the top of the discharge chamber and the air chamber as described, of the
tube and opening or passage connecting the top of the discharge chamber with
the top of the air chamber and a glass test tube open at the bottom and closed at
the top and sides connected with the discharge of the pump at a point below the
tube or opening as and for the purpose set forth.
3-In a double acting pump an opening or passage f, f1, connecting top of
pump barrel with the top of air chamber whereby the air in the water will escape

page_text: through said passage f, f¹, and a valve f which closes during the suction of pump
thereby preventing the vacuum from being destroyed.
4-A pump having its ends cast integral with the shell and also having a barrel
for the boiler feed water pump formed directly in the body of the pump and
integral therewith in one of the dividing partitions and a valve chest for said feed
water pump secured upon the outside of the pump.
5-The combination with an oscillating plate having angular sides or projections
connected directly to the valve stem of the auxiliary valve of a direct acting
engine, through the rock shaft which is rigidly attached to the plate, of the main
piston of the engine and means substantially as described for operating said plate
from said piston, as set forth.
6-The combination with the plate or part M constructed substantially as
described and the shaft O made in pieces and bolted together, of connections
as described to piston rod and valve rod.
7-A driving arm fitted to and oscillating on a bearing on the piston rod and
passing loosely through plate M and adapted to slide on the angular sides of said
plate when it is in contact with said sides, in combination with said plate M,
substantially as set forth.
8 The combination with the plate M and rock shaft to which it is secured of
the driving arm fitted to and. oscillating in a bearing on the piston rod of the
engine and having a slot as described and a centering piece secured in and oscillating
in its bearings in the rock shaft, the slotted arm sliding over said centering pièce,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth..
9 The method of controlling the motion of the regulator valve of an engine by
the weight of liquid supplied and discharged to and from vessels substantially as
set forth.
10-In a steam governor the vessels 6, 65, into which the liquid is supplied and
discharged in combination with the valve 13 and the regulator valve 3 of the
engine as set forth.
11-The combination of the vessels 6 and 6ª and valve 13 of the graduating
device or wheel 14, as set forth.
12-The vessel 6 attached to regulator valve 3 by its stem 4 in combination
with vessel 6º, wire or cord as described and sheave pulley or wheel 8, as shown
. and described.
13 The combination of the vessels 6, 6ª, guides 7, 7, in which they work and
means substantially as described for operating said vessels, as set forth.
14-The combination with the vessels 6, 6ª, and the regulator valve of an
engine of a pump as described drawing the liquid from one vessel and forcing
it into the other and a valve for returning the water to the lower vessel, as
set forth.
15 The jointed lever 15 in combination with movable vessel 6ª attached to
said lever and discharging the fluid into stationary vessel 6 and the regulator
valve 3 of an engine, as set forth.
16-The combination of the jointed lever 15, vessel 6ª attached thereto stationary
vessel 6, regulator valve 3 and resistance spring on stem 4, as shown.
ALLISON BRO³,
Agents for the Applicants.