IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR PUMPS. PART OF WHICH IMPROVE. MENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PISTONS OF OTHER PUMPS AND OF STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Ashion, of Preston, in the County of
Lancaster, and Thomas Cartmell, of the same Place, Engineers, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR PUMPS. PART OF WHICH IMPROVE.
MENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PISTONS OF OTHER PUMPS AND OF
STEAM ENGINES."
Sealed the 10th May 1859, and dated the 13th November 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Ashton and
Thomas Cartmell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 13th November 1858.
We, WILLIAM ASHTON, of Preston, in the County of Lancaster, and
THOMAS CARTMELL, of the same Place, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR PUMPS, PART OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PISTONS OF OTHER PUMPS
AND OF STEAM ENGINES," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention consists of a double-acting air pump for
condensing steam engines. In carrying out this part of the Invention we
employ two condensers, one connected to an exhaust pipe leading from the
steam cylinder above the piston, and the other connected to a similar pipe
feading from the said cylinder below the piston, and each furnished with a
separate injection cock. A pipe from the lower part of one of these con-
densers communicates with the lower part of the air pump cylinder below the
bucket or piston, and a similar pipe from the lower part of the other

page_text: condenser communicates with the upper part of the air pump cylinder above
the bucket or piston. Each of these pipes is furnished with a valve opening
only towards the air pump. The air pump cylinder is furnished with Lwo
delivery pipes, one at or near the top, and one at or near the bottom thereof.
These two delivery pipes are each furuished with a valve opening only from
the cylinder. It will be obvious that with this arrangement the air pump
will be double acting, exhausting both with the upward and downward stroke.
Each of the exhaust pipes leading from the cylinder to the condensers is
furnished with a vacuum valve, provided with a hand lever. This valve may
be opened when required to let air into the exhaust pipe when the steam is
cut off, and thus prevent the rising of the water into the steam cylinder.
The second part of the Invention consists of an improved metallic packing
for pistons, to be used in the above double-acting air pump, which is equally
applicable to the pistons of other pumps or of steam engines. This packing
consists of two outer slightly excentric rings, which are divided at their
thinnest part, so as to give equal elasticity throughout their circumference,
and are conical upon their inner surfaces, and two inner spring rings (also
excentric and divided) conical upon their outer surfaces. These inner rings
have a constant tendency to expand, and are furnished (in the interior) near
their ends or points of division with lugs or ears, through which a screw bolt
passes. When the piston is first put in the cylinder the ends of the spring
rings are drawn close together by the nut, which is then slackened to allow
the springs to exert their elasticity. There is a nut also on the screw between
the lugs to keep the spring expanded, or a spiral spring may be placed round
the screw pin between the lugs for the same purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Ashton and Thomas Cartmell in the Great Seal
⚫ Patent Office on the 12th May 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
ASHTON, of Preston, in the County of Lancaster, and THOMAS CARTMELL, of
the same Place, Engineers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said William Ashton and Thomas Cartmell, Her special licence that

page_text: we, the said William Ashton and Thomas Cartmell, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said William Ashton and
Thomas Cartmell, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AIR PUMPS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
PISTONS OF OTHER PUMPS AND OF STEAM ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said William Ashton and Thomas Cartmell, our executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our or one of our, or
their or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Palent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said William Ashton and Thomas Carimell,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement in writing, and on reference to the accompanying
Drawings (that is to say):-
The first part of our Invention consists of a double-acting air pump for
condensing steam engines.
A pipe from
In carrying out this part of the Invention, we employ two condensers, one
connected to an exhaust pipe leading from the steam cylinder above the piston,
and the other connected to a similar pipe leading from the said cylinder below
the piston, and each furnished with a separate injection cock.
the lower part of one of these condensers communicates with the lower part of
the air pump cylinder below the bucket or piston, and a similar pipe from the
lower part of the other condenser communicates with the upper part of the air
pump cylinder above the bucket or piston. Each of these pipes is furnished
with a valve opening only towards the air pump. The air pump cylinder is
furnished with two delivery pipes, one at or near the top, and one at or near
the bottom thereof; these two delivery pipes are each furnished with a valve
opening only from the cylinder.
It will be obvious that with this arrangement the air pump will be double
acting, exhausting both with the upward and downward stroke of the piston.
Each of the exhaust pipes leading from the cylinder to the condensers is
furnished with a vacuum valve provided with a hand lever; this valve may be

page_text: opened when required to let air into the exhaust pipe when the steam is cut
off, and thus prevent the rising of the water into the steam 'cylinder.
The second pari of our Invention consists of an improved metallic packing
for pistons to be used in the above double-acting air pump, which is equally
applicable to the pistons of other pumps or of steam engines. This packing
consists of two outer slightly eccentric rings, which are divided at their
thinnest part, so as to give equal elasticity throughout their, circumference, and
are conical upon their inner surfaces, and two inner spring rings (also
eccentric and divided) conical upon their outer surfaces; these inner rings
have a constant tendency to expand, and are furnished (in the interior) near
their ends or points of division with lugs or cars, through which a screw bolt
passes. When the piston is first put in the cylinder the ends of the spring
rings are drawn close together by the nut, which is then slackened to allow
the springs to exert their elasticity as much as required. There is a nut also
on the screw between the lugs to keep the spring expanded; or a spiral
spring may be placed round the screw pin between the lugs for the same
purpose.
In order more clearly to illustrate our Invention, and to describe the same
more in detail, we have annexed to these Presents a Sheet of Drawings,
shewing the practical application thereof, and have marked the same with
figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the following
explanation thereof.
Figure represents an elevation of an air pump and condensers, showing
the application of the first part of our Invention. A is the condenser
connected by the exhaust pipe B to the steam cylinder above the piston; and
C is the condenser, connected by a similar pipe D to the steam cylinder below
the piston, cach condenser being furnished with a separate injection cock E.
The pipe F, from the lower end of the condenser A, communicates with the
lower end of the air pump cylinder G, below the bucket or piston H, and a
similar pipe J, from the lower part of the other condenser C, communicates
with the upper part of the said cylinder above the bucket or piston. Each of
these pipes is furnished with a valve K, opening only towards the air pump.
The air pump cylinder G is provided with two ordinary delivery pipes L
each fitted with a valve M, opening only from the cylinder. N are the
vacuum valves for admitting air into the exhaust pipes B and D, so as to
prevent the rising of the water into the steam cylinder.
The second part of our Invention is illustrated by Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5
Figure 2 representing side view and section of our improved piston. A is the
body of the piston, and B the top plate or cover; C are two ordinary slight

page_text: eccentric outer packing rings, which are divided at their thinnest part, and are
conical upon their inner surfaces, as usual; and D are two inner spring rings
(also eccentric and divided) conical upon their outer surfaces.
These inner
rings D have a constant tendency to expand, and are furnished in their interior
(see detached plan view, Figure 3,) near to their ends or points of division
with lugs or cars E, through which a screw bolt passes, and is held firm by
two nuts F, G. When the piston is first put in the cylinder the ends of the
inner spring rings D are drawn close together (as in Figure 3) by the nut. G,
which is then slackened to allow the spring rings to exert their clasticity.
The nut F between the lugs E is to keep to spring rings expanded. As the
packing rings C wear, the nut G is slackened and the nut F tightened,
allowing the spring ring to expand, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 5 shews the application of a spiral spring H round the bolt between
the lugs, to assist the expansion of the spring ring.
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention for
"Improvements in Air Pumps, Part of which Improvements is also applicable
to the Pistons of other Pumps, and of Steam Engines," together with the
manner of carrying the same into practical effect, we wish it to be understood
that we claim as our Invention,-
Firstly, the adaptation of two condensers to one air pump cylinder, whereby
the air pump is rendered double acting.
And, secondly, the novel and peculiar arrangement of spring rings, shewn
and above described, for packing pistons, whether of air or other pumps, or of
steam engines.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Thomas Cartmell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of May, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-nine.
THOMAS CARTMELL. (L.S.)