IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS, APPLICABLE TO SHIPS' PUMPS AND TO PUMPS FOR DRAINING MINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS, APPLICABLE TO SHIPS' PUMPS AND TO PUMPS FOR
DRAINING MINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad
by James Robertson, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, United States
of America.
Sealed the 4th December 1877, and dated the 27th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th June 1877.
WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS, APPLICABLE TO
SHIPS PUMPS AND TO PUMPS FOR DRAINING MINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
[A communication from abroad by James Robertson, of Brooklyn, in the State of
New York, United States of America.]
The Invention relates to improvements in double-acting pumps, more especially
applicable to ships' pumps, but also applicable to draining mines, and for other
purposes.
The objects of the Invention are to render such pumps more efficient for use as
ships' pumps, and for other purposes,-
(1.) By rendering them less liable to choke.
(2.) By making the working parts of valves more easily accessible.
(3.) By facilitating the operation of sounding through the pump.
And (4.) By such construction of parts as will enable the pump to be worked
with less power and render it generally more serviceable than pumps of the ordinary.
construction.
The Invention consists in the combination with a clamping and lifting bar, having
a valve attached thereto, of a lug having an inclined under surface, and formed on
1

page_text: the inside of the head of the pump, under which lug the upper end of the clamping
and lifting bar fits; this bar will serve for taking out and putting in the detachable
or removable valve, which has to be taken out for sounding the pump. In combi-
nation with this lifting bar there is a clamping cross bar pivotted to the clamping
and lifting bar, and this pivotted cross bar, when pressed down crosswise in the
barrel of the pump, secures the clamping and lifting bar and its attached valve in
the pump.
The Invention further consists in the combination with the parts above set forth
of a lifting bar and a bolt for connecting the same with a second valve, which must
be removed for sounding the pump; this second valve is lifted out and put in simul-
taneously with the first-named valve by means of the bolt which plays loosely in
a hole at the end of the lifting bar. This construction of parts allows the bolt to
perform the function of a stem and guide for its attached valve, which may therefore
rise from or drop into its seat.
The Invention also consists in the combination with a discharge valve, which
overlies and covers the piston chamber, of a yoke guide and vertical guides formed
in the head of the pump, to which yoke is fitted a rising-and-falling valve, and to
which yoke guide the discharge valve is attached. The yoke and valve have their
centres perforated to permit the passage of the piston rod, and they therefore act
reciprocally as guides both for the piston rod and valve. In combination with a
pump piston rod and the centrally perforated valve which plays on the piston rod,
packing is applied within the valve to prevent the passage of air through the valve
and around the piston rod.
The Invention also consists in the combination with a pump barrel of a combined
flap and puppet valve or valves, which, while ordinarily acting as flap valves, will
rise bodily when any obstructions reach them that would otherwise choke the pump.
By this arrangement such obstructions are permitted to pass through and out of the
pump, leaving the pump free and operative.
The general construction of the pump is as follows:-The suction pipe is sepa-
rated from the lower valve chamber by a valve. From the suction pipe a passage
leads to the upper valve chamber, from which it is separated by a valve. From the
lower valve chamber another passage leads into the lower part of the piston
chamber, and from the upper valve chamber a passage leads into the upper part of
the said piston chamber. The upper end of the lower valve chamber is closed by a
valve, from which a passage leads to the head of the pump. The upper end of the
upper valve chamber is closed by a plate, which is held down to its seat by a screw
which passes through a screw hole in a cross bar, the ends of which are placed
beneath lugs cast upon the head. The piston works up and down in its cylinder,
and the piston rod passes up through the valve, which rests upon the upper end of
the piston chamber, and serves as a discharge valve to such chamber.
The piston rod is reciprocated by any suitable means, and the pump operates as
follows As the piston rises, water passes up through the suction pipė, raises the
lower valve, passes into the lower chamber, and thence through a passage into the.
piston chamber under the piston, from thence it is forced out by the next down-
ward stroke of the piston. While rising, the piston also lifts the water which lies
above it out of the piston chamber through the upper valve into the head of the pump,
whence it flows out through a spout. The downward stroke of the piston forces the
water out of the piston chamber from below the piston through the lower chamber,
up through the upper valve of this chamber, and up a passage into the head of the
pump. At the same time the valve at the top of the piston chamber closes, and a
. vacuum is produced in the space above the piston below the valve, and also in the
upper valve chamber. To fill this vacuum water rises through the suction pipe, and
passage, and upper valve; this water being lifted by the next up stroke of the
piston, passes through the valve into the head, whence it flows out through the
spout.
The pump can be sounded, after removing the valves of the lower chamber, as
after removal of the valves there will be a straight continuous passage. The two

page_text: valves of this chamber are connected together in such manner that they may be
simultaneously inserted into or removed from the pump barrel, and are both securely
held in the pump barrel by the clamping devices, which at the same time afford
the utmost facility in taking out said valves.
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS, APPLICABLE. TO
SHIPS PUMPS AND TO PUMPS FOR DRAINING MINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
A communication from abroad by James Robertson, of Brooklyn, in the State of
New York, United States of America.
The Invention relates to improvements in double-acting pumps, more especially
applicable to ships' pumps, but also applicable to pumps for draining mines, and
for other purposes.
The objects of the Invention are to render such pumps. more efficient for use as
ships' pumps and for other purposes,
(1.) By rendering them less liable to choke.
(2.) By making the working parts of the valves more easily accessible.
(3.) By facilitating the operation of sounding through the pump.
Aud (4.) By such construction of the parts as will enable the pump to be worked
with less power, and render it generally more serviceable than pumps of the ordinary
construction.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the pump; Figure 2 is
a top view of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation, the vertical section being taken
on the line x, x, in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2, z, in
Fig 1; Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line y, y, in Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a
horizontal section taken on the line w, w, in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a detail view of the
two connected detachable valves and their connection; Fig. 8 is, a vertical. section
taken on the line v, v, in Fig. 2.
The Invention consists in the combination with a clamping and lifting bar, having
a valve attached thereto, of a lug having an inclined under surface formed on the
inside of the head of the pump, under which lug the upper end of the clamping
and lifting bar fits; this bar will serve for taking out and putting in the detachable
or removable valve, which has to be taken out for sounding the pump. In combi-
nation with this lifting bar there is a clamping cross bar pivotted to the clamping
and lifting bar, and this pivotted cross bar (when pressed down crosswise in the
barrel of the pump) secures the clamping and lifting bar and its attached bar in
the pump.
The Invention further consists in the combination with the parts above set forth
of a lifting bar and a bolt for connecting the same with a second valve, which must
be removed for sounding the pump; this second valve is lifted out and put in simul-
taneously with the first-named valve by means of the bolt which plays loosely in
a hole at the end of the lifting bar. This construction of parts allows the bolt to

page_text: .
perform the function of a stem and guide for its attached valve, which may
rise from or drop into its seat.
therefore
The Invention also consists in the combination with a discharge valve, which
overlies and covers the piston chamber, of a yoke guide and vertical guides formed
in the head of the pump, to which yoke is fitted a rising-and-falling valve, and to
which yoke guide the discharge valve is attached. The yoke and valve have their
centres perforated to permit of the passage of the piston rod, and they therefore act
reciprocally as guides both for the piston rod and valve. In combination with a pump
piston rod and the centrally perforated valve which plays on the piston rod, packing
applied within the valve to prevent passage of air through the valve and around the
piston rod.
The Invention also consists in the combination with a pump barrel of a combined
flap and puppet valve or valves, which, while ordinarily acting as flap valves, will
rise bodily when any obstructions reach them that would otherwise choke the pump.
By this arrangement such obstructions are permitted to pass through and out of the
pump, leaving the pump free and operative.
The general construction of the pump is as follows:-The suction pipe A is
separated from the lower valve chamber B by a valve C. From the suction pipe A
a passage D leads to the upper valve chamber E, from which it is separated by a
valve F. From the lower valve chamber B'a passage G leads into the lower part of
the piston chamber H, and from the upper valve chamber E a passage I leads into the
upper part of the piston chamber H. The upper end of the lower valve chamber B
is closed by a valve J, from which a passage K leads to the head Li of the pump.
The upper end of the upper valve chamber E is closed by a plate M, which is held
down to its seat by a screw N; which passes through a screw hole in a cross bar O,
the ends of which are placed beneath lugs P cast upon the head L. The piston Q
works up and down in its cylinder, and the piston rod R passes up through the
valve S, which rests upon the upper end of the piston chamber H, and serves as a
discharge valve to such chamber.
The piston rod R is reciprocated by any suitable means, and the pump operates
as follows-As the piston Q rises, water passes up through the suction pipe A,
raises the lower valve C, passes into the lower chamber B, and thence through the
passage G into the piston chamber H under the piston Q, and from thence it is
forced out by the next downward stroke of the piston. While rising, the piston Q
also lifts the water which lies above it out of the piston chamber H through the
upper valve S into the head L of the pump, whence it flows out through a spout B¹.
The downward stroke of the piston Q forces the water out of the piston chamber E
from below the piston through the lower chamber B, up through the valve J of the
chamber and the passage K into the head of the pump L. At the same time the
valve S closes, and a vacuum is produced in the space above the piston Q below
the valve S, and also in the chamber E, Fig. 3, communicating with said space by
the passage I. To fill this vacuum water rises through the suction pipe A, and
passage D, and valve F, Fig. 3; this water being lifted by the next up stroke of
the piston Q, passes through the valve S into the head L, whence it flows out
through the spout B¹.
The pump can be sounded straight through after removing the valves C and J.
The two valves C and J are connected together in such a manner that they may be
simultaneously inserted into or removed from the pump barrel, and are both securely
held in the pump barrel by the clamping device, which at the same time affords the
utmost facility in taking out such valves, as will be understood by reference to
Figures 2, 5, 6, and 7.
The valve J and its guide %, Figures 5 and 7, are attached to a clamping and
lifting bar T, preferably formed in one piece with the guide k. Below the guide k,
and projecting downward and inwardly, is a lifting bar T¹, Figures 5 and 7, also
preferably formed in one piece with the clamping and lifting bar T and guide k; but
the parts T, T, and k may be separately formed and afterwards conjoined by any
*suitable means.

page_text: Through the lower end of the lifting bar T¹ is passed a bolt a, which also passes
down through the valve C; this bolt a is fitted loosely in the end of the lifting
bar T, and acts partly as a stem for the valve C. The upper end of the clamping
and lifting bar T is bevilled or inclined, as shewn at c, Figures 5 and 7, to fit.under
a lug d, Fig. 5, when the bar and the attached valves are placed in the pump. To
the upper part of the clamping and lifting bar T is pivotted a clamping cross bar fi
(Figures 5 and 7) which when placed within the pump barrel in the position shewn
in Fig. 5 (and pressed down against the side of the barrel) firmly presses and clamps
the bar T against the opposite side of the barrel.
The valve seats, when the valves are placed in the pump barrel, rest respectively
on shoulders g and h, Fig. 5, formed in the pump barrel. This construction greatly
facilitates the taking out and putting in of the valves J and C. To take them out
the clamping cross bar fis pulled upwards into the position shewn in dotted outline
in Fig. 5, the clamping and lifting bar T is pushed out from under the lug d, and
the clamping and lifting bar T, valve J, valve guide k, lifting bar T¹, bolt a, and
valve Care altogether lifted out of the pump barrel. The valves are replaced by
putting all the parts so lifted out back in the pump barrel together, the bevilled end
of the clamping and lifting bar T being forced under the lug d, and the clamping
cross bar pressed down against the inner wall of the pump barrel, as shewn in full
outline in Fig. 5.
The discharge valve S is inserted in the head of the pump to cover the top of the
piston H; this valve is fitted to the piston rod R in such a manner that it is prac-
tically air-tight around the piston, yet it retains all the necessary freedom of motion
on the piston rod.
The valve S may be a centrally perforated disc or a double flap valve made of
metal plates attached to a perforated piece of leather, rubber, or other suitable
flexible material; or it may be a metal plate, packed around the piston rod, as
herein-after described, and carrying puppet or drop valves. But whatever may
be the material or construction of the valve, the method of inserting and holding it.
in the pump and packing it around the piston rod are the same, and they will be
sufficiently illustrated by the description of the same as when a double flap valve
is used.
On the interior of the head L of the pump are formed vertical guides m; Figures
2 and 8, to which is fitted the yoke guide n for the piston rod R; the vertical por-
tions of the yoke guide being externally grooved to fit the guides m, as shewn in
the top view, Fig. 2, or otherwise fitted to the guides and centrally perforated, as
shewn in Figures 2 and 8, for the passage and reciprocation through the same of the
piston rod R.
The valve S is by bolts or otherwise attached to the under side of the horizontal
part of the yoke guide n, which thus forms a support for the valve, the seat of the
valve being on the shoulder o (Figures 5 and 8) at the top of the piston chamber H.
The parts of the valve S lying respectively on opposite sides of the horizontal part
of the yoke n act together as a double flap valve. The weight of the yoke guide n
is sufficient to hold the valve S in place, but pins may be used if desired for this
purpose.
Either in the leather of the valve S or in a separate piece of leather of other
suitable material is formed an up-turned cup packing p', Figures 2, 5, and 8, to pack
the central perforation in the valve and its supporting yoke n around the piston
rod R;
of a separate piece of similar material is formed a turned-down cup packing pl
for the same purpose, such packing being interposed and held between the hori-
zontal part of the yoke guide n and a plate r, Figures 5 and 8, bolted or otherwise
attached to the yoke guide; but the valve may be packed around the piston rod in
other ways.
A combined double flap and puppet valve F seats on a shoulder s, Fig. 3, at the
top of the passage D. The flaps f, f¹, Figures 3, 4, and 6, of the valve are hinged
to a central T shaped stem t, which is fitted loosely in a sleeve a', Fig. 3, that pro-
jects downwards from the plate M. The stem and sleeve a formed guides for the

page_text: valve F, which acts under ordinary circumstances as a flap valve, but when any
floating obstruction. too large to pass easily through the valve reaches it, the whole
valve and the stem trise bodily to permit the passage of such obstruction by and
through the valve, and thus prevent choking the valve. The stem t moreover acts
as a convenient handle for lifting out the valve F when it is desired to open the
passage D.
The valve C is constructed, in like manner to act both as a double flap valve and
a puppet valve, the bolt a acting as a stem for the valve, and playing freely in the
perforated end of the bar T¹.
By these improvements are removed important defects existing in pumps hitherto
used, and a pump is supplied which it is well nigh impossible to choke, and all the
working parts of which are accessible with a much shorter expenditure of time
than in other ships' punips heretofore known, a most important advantage in
such pumps, in the use of which a brief stoppage may often give rise to a serious
disaster.
Having now described the Invention which has been communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and having explained the manner of carrying the same into
effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid,―
First. The general construction and arrangement of parts herein shewn and
described for the purposes above set forth. I claim particularly the combination with
the clamping and lifting bar T, having the valve J and its seat attached thereto, of
the lug d and the clamping cross bar f pivotted to the bar T for clamping the valve
in the pump barrel, and for lifting such valve and seat out of the pump barrel, as
and for the purpose specified.
Second I claim the combination with the lug d, clamping and lifting bar T, and
pivotted clamping cross bar f, of the lifting bar T¹ and bolt a, attached to the valve C
for lifting the valve out of tlie pump barrel, as and for the purpose specified.
Third. I further claim the combination of the yoke guide n, perforated in the
centre of its horizontal part, having the valve S attached to it, and acting as a guide
both for the valve and the piston rod R, with the vertical guides m provided inside
of the head L of the pump, and fitted to the vertical parts of the yoke guide, as and
for the purpose described.
Fourth. I also claim the combination with a pump piston rod and a centrally
perforated valve (playing on the piston rod) of packing applied within the valve to
prevent the passage of air through the valve around the piston rod, as and for the
purpose set forth.
Lastly. I claim the combination with a pump barrel of a combined flap and
puppet valve or valves, as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Y
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