Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 30th June, 1894
Fig. 6 horizontal section through the axes of the plugs.
The suction pipes C are always to be arranged in pairs; they are open at both
ends and set together so as to be level at the one end with the chamber F and at
the other end with the floor of the chamber A.
The central pipe Q passing to the ground (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6) is of a larger
diameter than the before described pipes and forms the large branch of the syphon ;
it has at its lower end a valve S2 which opens from above downwardly and may be
In the upper part of
supported or held against its seat by means of a chain T.
the pipe Qa concentric pipe E of smaller diameter is inserted, which is open at
its two ends and fixed along its upper edge to the interior of the pipe Q, said
pipe E may vary slightly in its length, but experience has shown that the greatest
regularity in the action is attained if the length of nearly five feet or approximately
that length be applied. This arrangement provides a free annular space between
the outer surface of the pipe E and the inner surface of the pipe Q; the purpose
of this space will be explained hereinafter.
The central pipe Q being hermetically closed at its upper part by its circum-
ferential junction with the pipe E brings the latter above into communication with
the four suction pipes C whilst its lower and free portion passes obliquely outwards
from above the upper part of the chamber F.
The chamber A (Figs. 5 and 6) which serves as the connecting part between
the suction pipes and the central pipe, encloses the essential appliances of the
apparatus by means of which appliances a certain quantity of water can be

page_text: enclosed and raised. These appliances consist of the propeller and the conical
plug G.
The chamber A is cylindrical and is contracted at a between the orifices of the
suction pipes, this contracted belt having at each side an annular canal u, the
portion a freely communicates with the orifice of the central pipe (see Fig. 6).
The horizontal propeller (shown on a larger scale in Fig. 2) is composed of a
rod H on which are suitably fixed the valves S held in a fixed position by nuts N.
Said propeller has at its middle part a circular groove O; its extremities freely
engage in the sockets M of the plugs G. Said propeller consequently is allowed
to travel horizontally to and fro under lateral impulse, this movement being limited
by the abutment of the valves S against the central part a. The groove O serves
to receive the extremity of a small lever I by the aid of which a reciprocating
motion can be imparted to the propeller in case the latter should happen to stop
owing to choking or any other cause. When at work the extremity of the lever I
(the arm of which slides under friction in the walling of the chamber A) lies
before or behind the rod H so as not to hinder the reciprocating movement.
A conical plug G closes the chamber A at each side, it is solidly fixed by a
cross plate Y. This plug G (shown on a larger scale in Fig. 1) possesses in
direction of its longitudinal axis a deep socket M serving to receive the extremities
of the propeller; in the bottom of this socket a clearing hole V is provided. A
slot Z made in the outer part of the plug G allows of the insertion of a tool for
removing said plug.
The chamber A has an orifice X to receive a cock for filling the apparatus to
charge the pump. The rectangular upper chamber B (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) com-
municates with the chamber A by 4 openings facing the four suction pipes, which
are level with the floor of the chamber A; these four openings are of the same
diameter as the pipes C and carry each a light and movable valve opening from
below upwards and secured by pressing screws.
A cock J placed above the orifice ✗ of the chamber A serves for an overflow,
when it is desired that the water should not rise higher, but under any circumstances,
when open, will indicate by its flowing, that the apparatus is at work.
In the chamber B plunges the under part of a pipe K, which descends down to
the middle part of said chamber.
The rectangular chamber F (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) receives in its upper plate the four
suction pipes C. Said chamber is perforated toward the middle of its floor by an
orifice allowing of the introduction of the liquid and upon said orifice is a valve S₁
which opens from below upward. If it should be desired to increase the height of
the apparatus an elongating pipe is added corresponding to the orifice and the
valve Sthen could be arranged at the lower end of this pipe.
This apparatus being plunged in the source of the liquid to be raised is held in
vertical position by any suitable framing; in this position the ground pipe and
the chamber Fare sunk as low as is wanted, but not surpassing the lowest level of
the liquid to be raised (the pipe naturally projecting outward and somewhat
beneath the highest level of the liquid source). First of all the pump is charged.
For this purpose the valve S is held by means of the chain T against the orifice of
the pipe Q the apparatus is filled with liquid through the orifice X until the
cock J, which is left open, begins to flow; from this moment the apparatus is filled,
then the orifice X is closed, the chain T left free, the valve S opens and the
apparatus begins its syphoning action.
The water rising in the tube C and falling again in the pipe Q, meets the
propeller and takes its course through the annular space u whence it enters in a,
but as it acts in its flow upon the valve S this latter becomes pressed on its seat
and thus interrupts the passage, the liquid abruptly arrested in its course suffers a
pressure which, being unable to expend itself on or against the wallings or against
the plug G, causes the valve S³ to open and thus the liquid enters the chamber B;
the same phenomenon takes place at the other face of the propeller and by these
alternative movements the liquid rises and partially fills the chamber B.

page_text: If it is desired that the liquid should not rise higher, it is passed off through the
cock J; but if on the other hand it is to be raised to a certain height, the cock J
is left closed; the water continuously accumulating in the chamber B more and
more compresses a certain volume of air, which latter in its turn exerts pressure
upon the liquid and causes the same to rise in the pipe K.
In either case, the apparatus once set in action works automatically in a.
continuous uninterrupted manner.
The liquid, which falls back in the plunger-pipe Q, removes by its impulse all or
a portion of the air contained in the annular space existing around the middle
pipe E, so that within this annular space a partial vacuum originates which will
tend to hold back the liquid in its flowing; this action secures and regulates the
reliable working of the apparatus. In case foreign matter should enter the
apparatus which might have the effect of stopping it up, a simple reciprocating
movement imparted to the propeller by the lever I will set it again in action.
It is obvious that the effects obtained depend on the differences in the levels of
the liquid, on the dimensions of the pipes etc., but the principle remains the same
and the effects will always be proportionate to these circumstances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The improved automatically acting liquid-elevator, with simple or multiple
effect adapted to transform the action of a syphon into an elevating action and
worked by the liquid to be raised substantially as described.
2. The combination of suction pipes arranged in pairs with one delivery-pipe
(these pipes forming the branches of the syphon).
3. The combination of these different pipes with a cylindrical chamber A in
which moves a horizontal propeller with fixed valves and acting by the rapid
reciprocating movement kept up by the continuous arrival of liquid by syphon-
action in the portion a of the chamber A.
4. The combination of the above described appliances with an upper closed
chamber B provided with valves opening from the chamber A and with a cock J
and into which chamber B a rising-pipe K plunges.
5. The combination of a desired number of pairs of suction pipes with only one
lower chamber F provided with a valve.
6. The combination of the delivery pipe Q with a concentric pipe arranged
therein in the manner set forth.
Dated this 27th day of March 1894.