Improvements in and relating to Centrifugal Pumps, Compressors, and Blowers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th July, 1890-Accepted, 16th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Centrifugal Pumps,
Compressors, and Blowers.
I, PLACIDE NÉZERAUX, of 33bis, Rue Jeanne d'Arc, Lille, France, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
For many purposes a centrifugal pump is the best form of pump because it gives a
considerable delivery in a small volume, is easily constructed, is little liable to get out
of working order, and has no such mechanical parts as connecting rods, pistons, valves,
gearing and air vessels; but from the fact that it does not form a vacuum like a piston
and that it will only raise liquids to a small height with a practicable speed of fan or
turbine its employment is limited, its chief application being for drainage works and
other works of analogous character.
Now the object of this invention is to construct centrifugal apparatus in sucli
manner that they will produce an almost perfect vacuum, raise liquids two or three
times higher than ordinary centrifugal pumps for the same speed of fan or turbine.
compress gases to a high pressure, or blow air with great force.
In my improved apparatus in its most approved form the liquid or fluid to be
drawn, raised, compressed or blown is not, as is the case with centrifugal pumps or
blowers of ordinary construction, first drawn into the fan casing or turbine and then
propelled or ejected therefrom by the fan or pallets, but is drawn through the suction
pipe by the inductive action of fluid ejected from the fan casing by the fan, and is then
propelled by this fluid into a delivery pipe, an amount of fluid equal to that ejected
from the fan casing being continuously returned to this casing by a return pipe which
is the only permanent inlet to the casing. The fluid propelled from the fan casing by
the fan is ejected through one or more conical tubes or nozzles in a chamber which is
in communication with the suction pipe: in line with each of these tubes or nozzles is
a divergent receiving tube. The fluid jets that issue from the first described tubes or
nozzles enter the divergent receiving tubes drawing with them by induction the fluid
which enters the nozzle chamber from the suction pipe. In the case of the apparatus
being used as an air blower or compressor the inlet ends of the receiving divergent
tubes may be open to the atmosphere. The tubes or nozzles and divergent receiving
tubes are not absolutely essential, as the outlet or mouth of the fan casing may be
connected directly with the delivery pipe. Also the apparatus may be arranged so
that the fluid drawn or raised or to be compressed or blown passes through the fan
casing on one side of its central line while the return fluid passes through the other
side. Further the apparatus may be arranged so that the fluid to be raised passes
through the fan casing on both sides and only a portion of it passes through the
divergent tubes, these tubes and the other conical tubes or nozzles serving to produce
the necessary vacuum in the suction pipe; this modification is useful where a large
delivery at a small height is required.
The working of the apparatus in its most approved form above described is as
fellows, Supposing water is to be drawn up the suction pipe and forced through the
delivery pipe the body or casing must first he filled through an opening which is then
closed. The fan is then set in motion and the water in the casing being consequently
subjected to the action of centrifugal force is driven from the centre to the circum-
ference of the fan, and as it has no other outlet than through the tubes or nozzles it is
projected in jets from these tubes into and through the divergent tubes and returns by
the return pipe to the fan casing to be again driven through the tubes. The water
Tats in their rapid movement have the effect of drawing up by induction first the air
that is contained in the suction pipe, and a vacuum being thus produced water flows
up the pipe into the chamber surrounding the nozzles from which it is in its turn

page_text: drawn by the jets and propelled to the delivery pipe. The water that returns con-
tinuously to the fan casing by the return pipe is naturally not all the same water as
that which has previously been driven through the jets, but it is of equal amount so
as to keep up a sufficient supply to the fan...
A peculiar feature of the action of this pump.is that the height to which the water
is raised does not depend solely on the speed of the fan or turbine, because for the
same speed this height may be more or less great. The height for a given speed of
fan or turbine depends to some extent upon the proportion existing between the
volume of water which is drawing or inducing and which returns over and over
again, and the volume of water, which. is drawn or. induced; thus for example if the
volume of the water drawing were twice that of the water drawn the height to which
this drawn volume would rise would be 60 feet for a speed which would only lift to
30 feet by centrifugal force. It will be understood that it is the difference of pro-
nortions of the volumes which acts, in the manner of a livdraulic ram, with this
difference that the action is continuous in the apparatus, and. that there is no loss of
water. To lift to a desired height it is sufficient to make the nozzles and the
'divergent tubes of proper proportions.
In order that the jets issuing from the nozzles may have their full power of induction
the air drawn must not return into the fan, and to prevent this it is well to prolong
the set of divergent tubes by a short pipe so as to give the air time to separate itself
from the liquid in motion, or to provide a réservoir or vessel separate from the pump
communicating therewith at the lower part through the suction or inlet and at the
upper part through the delivery..
This pump is capable of producing a vacuum of 27 inches of mercury or more.
of compressing air or gases to a pressure of four or five atmospheres or more, of
raising water two or three times liigher than ordinary centrifugal pumps for an equal
speed of fan, and if water be replaced by mercury in the body of the pump a baro-
metrical vacuum can be produced such as is required in certain industrial applications.
Or instead of water I can use an alkaline solution which is not highly volatile such
for instance as a calcic chloride with the view of obtaining a more complete vacuum
or when the pump is to be employed for refrigerating purposes.
To the pump above described I can add a vessel above or at the side of the fan
casing and connect the pump with a steam condenser or chamber so that the apparatus
can be employed as an air pump. The condenser or chamber is in communication
with the chamber surrounding the nozzles, and a vacuum is established therein by
the induction of the jets issuing from the nozzles. There is an outlet or overflow
for the continuous discharge of water from the vessel which is above or at the
side of the fan casing, in amount equal to that produced by the condensation of
the steam.
1
In another arrangement suitable for use as an air pump the condensation of the
steam is effected directly by the jets of water issuing from the nozzles; the water
after the condensation can either be returned after cooling to the suction pipe of the
One or more of the tubes or nozzles can be made shorter
pump or go to waste.
than the others, the corresponding divergent tube or tubes being proportionately
lengthened.
In one arrangement of my pump the apparatus for drawing or inducing the liquid
to be raised instead of being placed in the body of the pump is connected with two
pipes which form an equilibrated endless return column of liquid in the pump. he
raised or drawn up portion of the liquid being delivered by a pipe, which is connected
to one of those pipes.
In another arrangement which is more especially adapted for large deliveries to
small heights the apparatus which produces the vacuum is fixed to the discharge
pipe of the pump or fan casing and comprises a conical tube or nozzle which receives
the water from the interior of the pump, and a divergent receiving tube. There is, h
butterfly valve provided with a handle (and if desired with a sector for fixing it in
position); this valve is fitted to the outlet or mouth of the pump. is closed for
priming and opened afterwards for working. There is a pipe communicating between

page_text: the apparatus which produces the vacuum and the suction pipe immediately below the
seat of a valve. This arrangement of pump isworked as follows: The body of the pump
is filled with water by an orifice which is then closed. The butterfly valve being shut
and the fan being put in motion a cock in the pipe between the vacuum apparatus
and the suction pipe is opened; the liquid in the pump being pressed by, centrifugal
force enters the vacuum apparatus and returns to the pump by a passage. This action
being continued the apparatus produces an energetic induction of air which has the
effect of filling the suction pipe with. water. The butterfly valve should now be
opened and the working immediately begins, the pump drawing water through the
valve into the fan casing and delivering it at full bore. The butterfly valve also
serves to regulate the amount of delivery of the pump. In this arrangement, as in
that first described it is well to prolong the divergent receiving tube with a small
pipe so as to prevent the return of the aspirated air.
In another arrangement the conical tubes or nozzles and the divergent tubes are
dispensed with and the outlet or mouth of the fan is connected directly with the
delivery pipe and the fluid raised passes through the fan casing on the one side of its
central line while the fluid that returns to the fan casing by the return pipe passes
through the other side of the fan casing. There is a valve in the return pipe to
regulate the return of the water according to the degree of vacuum and the lift of
water desired.
Dated thin 10+1. Jaf Oriation 1000
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Centrifugal Pumps,
Compressors, and Blowers.
I, PLACIDE NÉZERAUX, of 33his, Rue Jeanne d'Arc, Lille, France, 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:
For many purposes a centrifugal pump is the best form of pump because it
gives a considerable delivery in a small volume, is easily constructed, is little
likely to get out of working order and has no such mechanical parts as connecting
rods, pistons, valves, gearing and air vessels; but from the fact that it does not
form a vacuum like a piston and that it will only raise liquids to a small height
with a practicable speed of fan or turbine its employment is limited, its chief
application being for drainage works and other works of an analogous character. "
Now the object of this invention is to construct centrifugal apparatus in such
manner that they will produce an almost perfect vacuum, raise liquids two or three
times higher than ordinary centrifugal pumps for the same speed of fan or turbine
compress gases to a high pressure or blow air with great force.
In my improved apparatus in its most approved form the liquid or fluid to be
drawn, raised, compressed or blown is not, as is the case with centrifugal pumps or
blowers of ordinary construction, first drawn into the fan easing or turbine and then
propelled or ejected therefrom by the fan or pallets, but is drawn through the
Suction pipe by the inductive action of fluid ejected from the fan casing by the fan,
and is then propelled by this fluid into a delivery pipe, an amount of fluid equal to
that ejected from the fan casing being continuously returned to this casing by a
return pipe which is the only permanent inlet to the casing. The fluid propelled
from the fan casing by the fan is ejected through one or more conical tubes or
nozzles in a chamber which is in communication with the suction pipe: inline
with each of these tubes or nozzles is a divergent receiving tube. The fluid jets
that issue from the first described tubes or nozzles enter the divergent receiving
tubes drawing with them by induction the fluid which enters the nozzle chamber
from the suction pipe. In the case of the apparatus being used as an air blower

page_text: or compressor the inlet ends of the receiving divergent tubes may be open to the
atmosphere. The tubes or nozzles and divergent receiving tubes are not absolutely
essential as the outlet or mouth of the fan casing may be connected directly with the
delivery pipe. Also the apparatus may be arranged so that the fluid drawn or raised
or to be compressed or blown passes through the fan casing on one side of its central
line while the return fluid passes through the other side; but this is not so good
an arrangement. Further, the apparatus may be arranged so that the fluid to be
raised passes through the fan casing on both sides and only a portion of it passes
through the divergent tubes, these tubes and the other conical tubes or nozzles
serving to produce the necessary vacuum in the suction pipe; this modification is
useful where a large delivery at a small height is required.
Figure 1 of the annexed drawings is a vertical section of a centrifugal pump
embodying my invention. D is the body or casing formed of two shells firmly bolted
together. B is the fan or turbine wheel and C the fan shaft driven in any ordinary
manner. The mouth of the fan casing is formed by the conical tubes or nozzles J J
which are in a chamber I connected with the suction pipe K; this pipe will have a
strainer at its lower part and a foot-valve if thought desirable. The combined areas
of the tubes J J should be so calculated that the speed of the delivery of the fluid, say
water, is in suitable proportion to the pressure engendered by the centrifugal force.
GG are divergent receiving tubes in line with the tubes J J. T is the delivery pipe
of the apparatus and E is the return pipe communicating with a central opening in
each half of the casing D; or instead of an opening in each half there may be only
a single opening.
The working of the apparatus is as follows:-Supposing water is to be drawn up.
the suction pipe K and forced through the delivery pipe T, the body or casing must
first be filled through the opening O which is then closed. The fan is then set in
motion and the water in the casing being consequently subjected to the action of
centrifugal force is driven from the centre to the circumference of the fan, and as it
has no other outlet than through the tubes or nozzles J it is projected in jets through
the tubes G and returns by the pipe E to the fan casing to be again driven through
the tubes J. The water jets in their rapid movement have the effect of drawing up
by induction first the air that is contained in the suction pipe K and a vacuum being
thus produced water flows up the pipe K into the chamber H from which it is in its
turn drawn by the jets and propelled to the delivery pipe T. The water that returns
continuously to the fan casing by the pipe E is naturally not all the same water as
that which has previously been driven through the jets J, but it is of equal amount so
as to keep up a sufficient supply to the fan.
A peculiar feature of the action of this pump is that the height to which the water
is raised does not depend solely on the speed of the fan or turbine, because for the
same speed this height may be more or less great. The height for a given speed of
fan or turbine depends to some extent upon the proportion existing between the
volume of water which is drawing or inducing and which returns over and over again,
and the volume of water which is drawn or induced; thus for example if the volume
of the water drawing were twice that of the water drawn the height to which this
. volume would rise would be 60 feet for a speed which would only lift to 30 feet by
centrifugal force. It will be understood that it is the difference of proportions of the
volumes which acts in the manner of a hydraulic ram, with this difference, that the
action is continuous in the apparatus and that there is no loss of water.
To lift to a
desired height it is sufficient to make the tubes J and the tubes G of proper
proportions.
In order that the jets issuing from the tubes J may have their full power of induc-
tion the air drawn must not return into the fan, and to prevent this it is well to
prolong the set of tubes G by a short pipe so as to give the air time to separate itself
from the liquid in motion; or to provide a reservoir or vessel separate from the pump
communicating therewith at the lower part through the suction or inlet and at the
upper part through the delivery.
This pump is capable of producing a vacuum of 27½ inches of mercury or more, of

page_text: compressing air or gases to a pressure of four or five atmospheres or more, of raising
water two to three times higher than ordinary centrifugal pumps for an equal speed of
fan, and if water be replaced by mercury in the body of the pump, a barometrical
vacuum can be produced such as is required in certain industrial applications.. Or
instead of water I can use an alkaline solution which is not highly volatile such for
instance as a calcic chloride with the view of obtaining the more complete vacuum or
when the pump is to be employed for refrigerating purposes.
Figure 2 represents a pump of similar construction to that shown in Figure 1
except that a vessel B is placed above the fan casing and a condenser or chamber R is
added so that the apparatus can be employed as an air pump. In this Figure, D is
the inlet pipe for the steam to be condensed and C the pipe for the inlet of the con-
densing water which can be regulated by means of a cock. The condenser or
chamber R is in communication with the chamber H and a vacuum is established
therein by the induction of the jets issuing from the tubes J J. G¹ is an outlet or
overflow for the continuous discharge of water in amount equal to that produced by
the condensation of the steam.
Figure 2 shows an arrangement similar to Figure 2 except that the vessel B is
placed at the side of, instead of above, the fan casing. The form of the tubes G is
also somewhat different. The air pumps shown in Figures 2 and 2ª can be connected
to any form of condenser as well as to the particular form of condenser shown.
Figure 2b shows another arrangement suitable for use as an air pump.
R is a
chamber in communication with the chamber H and D is the steam inlet; the con-
densation is effected directly by the jets of water issuing from the tubes J. In this
arrangement the water after the condensation can either go to waste or be returned
after cooling to the suction pipe of the pump. One or more of the tubes J can be
made shorter than the others as shown, the corresponding divergent tube or tubes
being proportionately lengthened.
Figure 2 shows an arrangement in which the chamber R is placed on the suction
side of the fan casing; the chamber H in which the nozzles J are situated communi-
cates with the chamber R by means of the pipe H so that the nozzles draw only gas
or vapour from the chamber R.
Figure represents an arrangement of my pump in which the apparatus X for
drawing or inducing the liquid to be raised, instead of being placed in the body of the
pump is connected with the pipes A and B which form an equilibrated endless return
column of liquid in the pump, the raised or drawn up portion of the liquid being
delivered by the pipe D which is connected to the pipe A. With this arrangement
water can be drawn from a depth of 60 feet or more without the necessity of fixing
the pump in the well.
Figure 4 shows in elevation another arrangement which is more especially adapted
for large deliveries to small heights. This pump differs from ordinary centrifugal
pumps in the vacuum that it produces in the suction pipe, in the fact that priming
can be effected when at work and without stopping, and in the facility with which the
amount of the delivery can be regulated without varying the speed of the fan. A is
the apparatus which produces the vacuum in this pump; it is fixed to the discharge
pipe of the pump or fan casing by screw bolts S S passed through the lugs B, C. a is
the conical tube or nozzle which receives the water from the interior of the pump and
is the divergent receiving tube. G is a butterfly valve provided with a handle X
(and if desired with a sector for fixing it in position); this valve is fitted to the outlet
or mouth of the pump, is closed for priming and opened afterwards for working.
His a pipe communicating at K with the apparatus A and at M with the suction pipe
immediately below the seat of a valve at I. This arrangement of pump is worked as
follows: If the pump has become empty during stoppage and is therefore not
primed the valve at I should be examined and cleaned; it is readily got at by
unscrewing the screw P and removing the cover Q. When the cover has been
replaced the body of the pump is filled with water by the orifice R which is then
closed. The valve G being shut and the fan being put in motion the cock O is
opened; the liquid in the pump being pressed by centrifugal force enters the

page_text: apparatus A and returns to the pump by the passage T. This action being continued
the apparatus A produces an energetic induction of air which has the effect of filling
the suction pipe with water. The valve G should now be opened and the working
immediately begins, the pump drawing water through the valve. I into the fan, casing
and delivering it at full bore. The valve G also serves to regulate the amount, of
delivery of the pump. In this arrangement as in that shown in Figures 1 and 2 it is
well to prolong the divergent receiving, tube with a small pipe so as to prevent the
return of the aspirated air.
Figures 5 and 6 show a modification in which the conical tubes or nozzles and the
divergent tubes are dispensed with, and the outlet or mouth of the fan casing is
connected directly with the delivery pipe and,in which the fluid raised passes
through the fan casing on the one side of its central line (iz.. the side B in
Figure. 6) while the fluid that returns to the fan casing by the pipe E passes through
the other side of the fan casing (the side. B in Figure 6). P is a valve in the pipe. E
to regulate the return of the water according to the degree of vacuum and the lift of
the water desired. R is the priming orifice, K the suction, pipe and I the valve
therein.
.
1
J
... 7. 1
3.
Figure represents my invention as applied to an air blower, or; compressor; it
will be seen that the divergent receiving tube is open to the atmosphere.,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the sanie is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a centrifugal pump, compressor or blower, a pipe or passage through which
an amount of fluid is continuously returned to the fan casing or turbine after having
been driven through the outlet or mouth of the same, whereby a vacuum, or inductive
action is produced in the suction pipe or channel communicating with the fluid to be
drawn, raised, compressed or blown, and this fluid is consequently drawn in and then
propelled into the delivery pipe, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In a centrifugal pump, compressor or blower constructed and working as referred
to in Claim 1, one or more conical tubes or nozzles through which the fluid from the
centrifugal apparatus issues in jets, in combination with one or more divergent
receiving tubes into which these jets enter, drawing with them and propelling forward
the fluid to be drawn, pumped, compressed or blown, substantially as herein before
described.
3. The several arrangements of centrifugal pumps, compressors or blowers, sub-
stantially as herein before described and represented in the annexed drawings.
Dated this 10th day of Tulv 1900
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.