Improvements in Apparatus for Filtering Water.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1889-Accepted, 22nd June, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Filtering Water.
We, OMAR HESTREN JEWELL and IRA HESTREN JEWELL both of No. 230 South
Irving Avenue, Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, one of the
United States of America, Mechanical Engineers, 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 :-
Our invention relates to water filters, and more particularly to that class adapted
for the filtration of large quantities of water, the same being passed, under pressure,
through a closed tank containing a bed of suitable filtering material. Our present
invention relates more especially to the arrangement and details of construction of
the pipes, valves, and other devices whereby the flow of the water during the
operations of filtering and washing is controlled and directed, and has for its object
to render these portions of the apparatus simpler in construction and more effective
in operation. To these ends our invention consists in certain novel features herein-
after described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 represents a front elevation of an apparatus embodying our invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan taken on the line 1. 1. Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 2, 2, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a detail elevation, partly in section, of the main valve and its casing,
the cover being removed.
Figure 5 is a detail sectional plan of the same, taken on the line 3, 3 Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a detail front elevation of the main valve detached.
Figure 7 is a detail bottom plan view of one of the strainers, detached.
Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of one of the distributor valves, detached, and
Figuro 9 is a sectional plan of the same, taken on the line 4, 4 Figure 8.
Figures 4 to 9 inclusive are on an enlarged scale with respect to the remaining
Figures.
Like letters refer to like parts in all the Figures.
In the drawings, in which we have shown a filtering apparatus embodying our
invention in one form, A represents the filter tank, which is a closed tank, provided
with one or more manholes a and filled with sand, gravel or other suitable filtering
material to a suitable height, such, for instance, as that indicated on the drawings by
the dotted line marked "sand line." The tank is strengthened by suitable bolts or
stay rods a passing through the same from top to bottom. The tank A is provided
with a lateral opening a², closed by a plate or saddle b, secured thereto by riveting
or other suitable means and serving as a support for the valve chest. B¹ represents
the base of the valve chest, which is secured to the plate or saddle 6 by means of
bolts ¹. On the front face of this base is mounted the valve seat B which is
preferably constructed of brass or some similar metal not readily affected by water,
and in front of this valve seat is arranged the body B3 of the valve chamber, which is
closed at the front by means of a cap or cover B. The several members B¹, B², B³
and B', of which the valve chest is composed, are secured together by means of
bolts 62. The body B³ of the valve chamber is provided internally with flanges b³,
located a slight distance back from the front of the body on each side thereof and
extending from top to bottom as shown. B' represents a strainer constructed of
perforated metal, wire gauze or other suitable material, resting against the flanges b³
and clamped against the same by means of the cap or cover B. The cap or cover B
is provided with an aperture 4 closed by a plate 6 by the removal of which access
may be had to the interior of the valve chest in front of the strainer. Be indicates a
drain pipe or outlet pipe arranged at the lower end of the cap or cover B* in front of
the strainer B and provided with a valve 66 by means of which it may be opened or
closed as desired. C represents a supply pipe by means of which the water is

page_text: admitted to the interior of the valve chest B, said supply pipe opening into the same
through a suitable aperture in the front of the cover B as shown in Figure 2. The
valve chest is provided with four ports D, D1, D2 and D³ which open into corre-
sponding chambers d, d', d² and d³ in the base B. E represents a pipe leading into
the chamber d and leading thence into the interior of the filter, and E and E³ repre-
sent similar pipes communicating respectively with the chambers d² and d³ and
leading into the filter. A pipe E opens into the chamber d' at the side thereof.
F represents the valve proper, which has in its general form the shape of what is
known as a D-valve, having in its inner face a groove or recess f, by means of which
either the ports D and D₁ or D' and D2 may be brought into communication with
each other, as hereinafter described. This valve is also provided with a downward
extension F¹, of sufficient length to close the port D³ when the valve is in the
position shown in the drawing that is to say, in its lowest position. This valve is
operated by means of a valve rod G which is threaded at its upper end and passes at
this point through a suitable hand-wheel G', the rotation of which will move the valve
in either direction as desired. A suitable stuffing box is provided at the point
where the valve-rod passes through the valve chest. The valve-rod G is connected to
the valve F in the following manner. There is formed in the front face of the valve,
a recess or depression F which receives the valve-rod, the same being reduced and
shaped to conform to this recess, as indicated in Figure 4, the recess being, however,
of a depth slightly greater than the diameter of the valve-rod for the reasons herein-
after pointed out. The sides of the valve-rod being square at this point, rotation of
said rod is thereby prevented. The valve-rod is threaded at each end of the valve and
there are mounted thereon nuts gl, between which the valve is clamped on the valve-
rod. The valve-rod extends downward as shown, beyond the body of the valve to a
point about even with, or slightly beyond the end of the extension F of said valve,
and the nut g at the upper end of the valve is at a point slightly above the upper
end of the lap of the valve at this point. By this means either the valve-rod or
the nut thereon will strike the end of the valve casing before the valve proper does,
and will thus prevent any twisting of the valve away from its seat, in case force is
applied to move the same after it has reached the limits of its motion. In order
to hold the valve up to its seat, we attach to each side of the valve a spring H,
the free ends of which bear upon the inner face of the flanges 63 and exert a
constant pressure inward upon the valve to prevent the same from sagging away
from its seat. At the same time these springs take up any wear which may occur
either on the face of the valve or of its seat B, the additional depth of the recess F2.
permitting this inward movement of the valve in an obvious manner.
additional means for holding the valve up to its seat, we employ a pressure screw I,
provided with a hand-wheel i by means of which it may be turned and passing
through an internally threaded screw plug 1, which is screwed into a suitable
aperture in the plate and is provided with a stuffing box i, to prevent leakage.
The inner end of this pressure screw bears against a friction plate G2, which is
mounted on the front face of the valve F so as to cover the recess F³, thereof, being
secured by screw bolts g², passing through lateral projections at each end and
screwing into the body of the valve. This plate, being thus removable, permits the
valve and valve-rod to be readily connected and disconnected. The pressure screw I
enables us to lock the valve firmly on its seat, when desired, after the valve has been
brought into the necessary position.
As an
D represents a small port leading from the valve chamber into the chamber d²,
and the lower end of the extension of the valve is recessed or cut away, as shown
at f', so that when the valve is raised to its uppermost position the port D' will be
opened and communication established through said port between the valve chamber
and the chamber d².
There is mounted on the supply pipe C a pressure-gauge c, and at the top of said
pipe there is arranged a safety-valve C, of any suitable construction, connecting with
an overflow pipe cl. ( represents a valve in the supply pipe C, by means of which
the passage of water through said pipe may be controlled.

page_text: The pipe E¹ opens into a three-way valve c¹, by means of which it may be placed
in communication with either the pure water supply pipe E or the waste pipe E.
To this latter the overflow pipe c¹ is directly connected, while the drain pipe B, being
connected to the overflow pipe c', as shown, also communicates ultimately with the
waste pipe. A basin J, provided with a pipe j, leading to the overflow pipe c¹, is
arranged to receive the water from two test-cocks J¹ and J, which communicate with
the valve casing at two separato points, by means of pipes and ³, respectively, to
test the condition of the water both as it enters and as it leaves the filter. J indi-
cates an air outlet cock, arranged above the basin J and provided with a pipe j³,
extending upward within the tank to as near, the top thereof as practicable; the same
serving to permit the escape of air while the tank is being filled, the basin receiving
any water which may escape through the same at the end of this operation.
The pipe E is extended upward at the middle of the tank, its end adjacent to the
valve screwing into a threaded collar c, bolted to the saddle b, while its upper end is
supported by a strap a³, passing around the same and around one of the stay rods a¹.
The pipes E2 and 3 aro similarly supported at their outer ends by a threaded collar e³,
bolted to the saddle b.
The pipe E extends into the tank and is provided with branch pipes K, which
extend downward almost to the bottom of the same, being provided at their lower ends
with strainers of wire gauze or other suitable material, as shown in detail in
Figure 7. The wash pipo E3 extends into the tank to about the centre thereof, and
then downward nearly to the bottom, where it connects with the distributor L.
This latter consists of a central hollow chamber L', into which the wash pipe E³
opens at the top, and from the sides of which distributing pipes L2, radiate outward
over the bottom of the tank. Each pipe L' is provided on its upper side with a
series of valves L³, constructed preferably in the manner shown in detail in Figures 8
and 9. A suitable cage 1, is provided, which terminates in a stem 1', threaded at its
lower end to provide for securing it to the pipe L³, the openings in which are
correspondingly threaded. A passage or duct 12, is made through the stem of the
cage, the upper portion of which is enlarged so as to provide a flaring mouth or
outlet, as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. Two balls are applied to this opening
one M somewhat larger than the mouth of the opening within which it is properly
soated, and the other m, considerably smaller than the flaring mouth of the passage,
but larger than the lower portion of said passage, so that this ball will be seated
within the flaring outlet and just at the upper end of the straight passage through
the valve stem. A pin 13 may be inserted across the open upper end of the cage to
retain the balls within the latter.
The apparatus thus organized operates in the following manner. The valve F
being in the position shown, the water to be filtered is admitted under pressure
through the supply pipe C, the valve C2 of which is of course, first opened. This
water must first pass through the screen or strainer B³, which serves to prevent.
any large objects from entering the valve chamber proper and thereby injuring the
valve or clogging the ports and preventing its operation. The pipe B serves to
drain out such substances as are arrested by the screen B, and in case they are too
large to pass out through said pipe, the plate 65 may be removed, thus giving
access to the interior to remove any large obstacles. The water, after passing
through the screen and valve chamber, enters the port D, and, passing through said
port and through the chamber d, enters the filter through the pipe E. As before
stated, the air in the tank, during the preliminary filling escapes through the pipe is
and cock J. The water is then forced downward through the filtering material in
the tank A, and during its passage through the same is deprived of its impurities.
The filtered water then enters the pipes K through the strainers thereon, which
strainers prevent any portion of the sand or other filtering material from being
carried out along with the same. Being collected by the pipes K it passes through
the pipe. E² into the chamber d² and thence through the port D² recess f in the
valve F, and port D₁ into the chamber d', out of which it passes through the pipe E'.

page_text: The three-way-valve e¹ being so turned so as to place the pipe E¹ in communication
with the pipe E, the pure water is conducted off through this latter pipe to the
point or points to which it is to be delivered. During these operations the port D³
is closed, as is also the small port D4 by the extension of the valve.
After the operation of filtering has proceeded for a certain length of time,
depending, of course, upon the condition of the water to be filtered, the filtering
material within the tank becomes clogged by the impurities deposited therein by the
water during its passage within the same. It then becomes necessary to wash the
filtering material, and this is accomplished by rotating the hand wheel G₁ until the
upper nut g¹ comes in contact with the valve casing, and at the same time turning
the three-way-valve so as to establish communication between the pipe E' and waste
pipe E. The water entering through the supply pipe C now passes through the
port D³ and chamber d³ into the pipe E³, which is the wash pipe. From this pipe it
is distributed over the bottom of the tank by means of the distributor I, through the
radiating pipes L2, whereby it is carried to all parts of the filtering material issuing
from said pipes through the valves L³ thereof. These valves are for the purpose of
preventing the filtering material from entering the distributing pipes, and, at the same
time, permitting the water to issue freely therefrom during the washing operations.
To these ends they operate as check valves, closing the valve apertures as soon as the
supply of water to the distributing pipes is cut off. It will be observed that the
lower small ball drops almost instantly into its seat, so that if a little gravel or sand
should escape passed the larger ball, it will be retained in the cup-shaped opening
between the two, from which it will be driven outward and upward when the supply
is let on again. The wash water thus discharged from the distributor passes upward
through the filtering material in a direction reverse to that in which it passed during
the filtering, and thoroughly agitates and cleanses the filtering bed, carrying off with
it all impurities which have collected therein. It will be observed that the port D³
is now closed, while the ports D and D¹ are in communication with each other through
the valve so that the wash-water, along with the impurities, passes out through the
pipe E and through these ports and the valve into the chamber d, from which it is
carried by the pipe E¹ to the waste pipe E' and there discharged.
During these operations the small port D₁ is opened so that a small quantity
of water passes into the tank through the pipe E2 and its branches K in order to wash
the strainers at the end of said pipes and keep the same clear. This small port may
be dispensed with, if desired, but we prefer to employ the same, as we have found
that it materially aids the operation of washing. When the washing operation is
completed, the valves are returned to their former position and the filtering operation
proceeds as before. In all its positions the valve F is held up to its seat by the
springs H, and may be locked in position after adjustment by means of the pressure
screw I, as herein before pointed out.
If at any time, from any cause, the pressure of the water becomes too great for
safety, the safety valve C will open and relieve the pressure, allowing the water to
escape through the overflow pipe c¹ to the waste pipe Es. The pressure may, of
course, be ascertained at any time by examining the pressure gauge c. The water
may be examined for testing purposes at any time during either the filtering or
washing operations by means of the test-cocks J¹ and J2, either as it enters or as it
leaves the filter.
-
It is obvious that various modifications in the details of construction may be made
without departing from the principle of our invention, and we therefore do not wish
to limit ourselves strictly to the precise details hereinbefore described and shown in
the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The combination, with the valve chest, provided with an inlet at one side and

page_text: a valve seat having suitable ports at the other side, of the slide valve for controlling
said ports, and a suitable strainer arranged between the inlet and said valve, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes specified.
Second. The combination, with the valve chest, having body B³, and the sliding
valve arranged therein, of the cover B, the strainer B' arranged between said cover
and body, and the inlet pipe C opening into the cover, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
Third. The combination, with the valve and valve chest, the latter provided with
cover B and the strainer 133, of the outlet pipe B6, provided with a suitable valve
and arranged at the bottom of the cover, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
•
Fourth. The combination, with the base B' provided with suitable chambers and
ports, of the valve seat B³, provided with corresponding ports, the body B³ and its
enclosed valve, the cover B, and suitable bolts connecting the said several parts of
the valve chest, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The combination, with the valve chest, provided with a suitable seat and
ports therein, of the slide valve, and springs to force said valve against the seat,
substantially as, and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The combination, with the valve chest, provided with a suitable seat, and
having lateral flanges ³, of the slide valve F, having springs H attached thereto and
bearing against the said flanges, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The combination, with the valve chest, having ports D, D1 D2 and D³, of
the slide valve F, having recess and downward extension F, substantially as and
for the purposes specified.
Eighth. The combination, with the valve chest, having the large ports D, D¹, D³
and D, and the small port D, of the slide valve F, having recess and downward
extension cut away at f, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Ninth. The combination, with the slide valve F, having recess F2, of the valve
rod G, reduced to fit said recess, threaded at each end of the valve and provided
with suitable nuts at said ends, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Tenth. The combination, with the slide valve, of the valve rod connected thereto
and projecting downward as far as or beyond the lower end of the valve, said valve
being provided with a nut or enlargement which extends above the upper end of the
valve, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Eleventh. The combination, with the valve chest, having a suitable seat, and the
sliding valve arranged therein, of the pressure screw passing through the valve chest
and adapted to bear upon the valve, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Twelfth. The combination, with the valve chest, and the pressure- screw I, passing
through the same, of the valve F provided with a longitudinal plate G³ against which
the end of the pressure screw may bear, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
Thirteenth. The tank A, provided with a distributor composed of suitable pipes at
the bottom thereof, in combination with the check valves provided with two ball valves
one smaller than the other and having its seat below the larger one, substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
Fourteenth. The check valve L³, consisting of the cage l, through the stem of which
a channel is provided flaring at its upper end, and the two balls M and m of unequal
size, arranged and seated as described, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Fifteenth. In a water filter, the filter tank, in combination with the valve chest,
the sliding valve arranged therein and recessed as described, the water supply pipe
opening into said valve chest on one side of the valve, the four ports, and the four
pipes connected to said ports, three of them, to wit, the wash pipe and inlet and outlet
pipes, extending into the tank and the fourth connected with the pure water and waste
pipes, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Sixteenth. In a water filter, the combination, with the filter tank, of a single
discharge pipe leading from said tank, a pure water supply pipe and a waste pipe,
and a three-way valve at the junction of said three pipes, whereby the discharge pipe

page_text: may be connected either to the pure water supply pipe or to the wasto pipe, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes specified.
Seventeenth. The combination, with the filter tank, the valve controlling the inlets
and outlets thereof, and the supply pipe; of a safety valve mounted on said supply
pipe, substantially as and for the purposes specified:
Eighteenth. The combination, with the filter tank, and the valve and valve-casing
controlling the inlets and outlets thereof, of test cocks communicating with said
valve-casing, whereby the water may be tested both as it enters and as it leaves
the filter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 16th day of March 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.