Improved Apparatus for Raising and Forcing Water or other Liquids.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Oct., '889
Complete Specification Left, 26th Aug., 1890--Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Raising and Forcing Water or other
Liquids.
We, WILLIAM PAUL THEERMANN, of No. 18 Phoebe Street, Regent Road, Salford
in the County of Lancashire, Engineer, and JOHN BURFORD FOXWELL of 4 Parsonage
Blackfriars Street Manchester, in the said County; Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to that class of pump or pumping apparatus in which the
steam is allowed to act within the working chambers direct on the water or other
liquids to discharge it and force it to a desired height and then by forming a vacuum
within the chambers raise the liquid through the suction pipe and again fill the
chambers with it, and which is known as the Pulsometer Pump.
The apparatus is fitted with inlet and discharge water valves to each working
chamber, a steam valve common to both and so fitted in a steam valve chest ; which
branches off to both chambers, that the vacuum found in one chamber instantaneously
shuts the valve on its own steam entrance, and opens that of and to the other, to let
in the steam to force the water out of it, the steam getting condensed by the water in
this chamber forms a vacuum and closes its steam entrance and opens that of the
other, thus simultaneously by the vacuum formed in one chamber filling it with water,
whilst the pressure admitted to the other forces the water out of it, and these series
of action continue to be repeated alternately and successfully as stated, as long as the
steam is supplied to the steam valve, and sufficient water to the suction pipe and valves
below.
The object of our invention is to make such pumping apparatus more simple in
construction and more easily repaired and kept in thorough working order and more
efficient, reliable and economical in their action and more suitable for purposes to
which they have heretofore been applied.
To effect these improvements we propose to employ two separate cylindrical
chambers which are reduced in area on the upper part in a conical or other suitable
form and both joining together in a steam valve chest, into which they converge
towards each other in the form of circular ports opposite each other, with twin faced
ring seatings of the working chambers. In the said steam valve chest we place a disc
valve in the form of two hemispheres or half balls joined at their convex surface so
that the flat surfaces of the two hemispheres are parallel or at a suitable angle to each
other.
In the centre of the valve (where the two convex surfaces of the two hemispheres
meet), we project downwards a rib or two logs on which the said valve rests and is
allowed to oscillate.
By this peculiar construction of this valve, the same will work with more regularity
and will thus give a greater increased efficiency of action in filling the chambers with
and disebarging the water; we give the valve a suitable amount or play between the
twin faced ring seatings so that one side is closed and the other open and vice versa
to admit steam to one or other of the two chambers.
The lower part of the two chambers are formed in one piece with separate inlet and
discharge chambers, in which are placed inlet and discharge valves, which are of the
ordinary general india rubber disc construction but which are fitted here in an
improved manner and which forms part of our invention, we employ an ordinary grid
with a centre boss and suitable number of arms and is fitted into a circular conical
chill cast opening, and is held in its position by a central screw bolt, (with collar
head), having one end secured with a screw and nut to the apparatus, whilst the other
inner end of the bolt carries the rubber disc valve with ordinary curved guard at the

page_text: back. This rubber valve will form a seating on the upper outer surface of the conical
chill cast opening and also on the centre bars of the grid, by this improved arrange-
ment all other extra joints are dispensed with and simplicity of construction is
effected.
To effect the instantaneous condensation of the steam in each working chamber at
the proper time when the water has heen forced out of it down to proper level desired
above the inlet valve and near the centre of the discharge valve, we form
in the lower part of each working chamber a projection or shelf (in an inclined
position) extending nearly to the centre line of the working chamber, and about
level with the centre of the discharge valve, at this level also we fix a pipe, one
end of which is in the form of a nozzle pointing to the upper part of the chamber,
while the other end passes through the wall into the discharge chamber. The pipe
will admit a jet of water with full force of the head or column on discharge pipe into
each working chamber when the steam reached or passed below said shelf and nozzle
of the pipe and thus forming an instantaneous and complete vacuum.
The discharge
chamber and lower parts of the two working chambers are provided with suitable
openings and covers for the insertion or removal of the discharge and delivery valves,
the steam valve chest, is also provided with two triangular openings and covers so
that the steam valve can be easily inserted or removed.
Each working chamber near the top is as usual fitted with a small automatic suction
valve for the admission of a small portion of air, not sufficient to destroy the vacuum
but only to cushion the blow of the water and prevent the overfilling of the working
chamber.
Another of our improvements consists in making this apparatus duplex, by
employing four working chambers instead of two, with two separate steam valve
chests and steam valves. The discharge valves of the four working chambers lead
into one discharge chamber (to which is joined the discharge pipe), situated in the
centre of the four chambers and all the inlet valves lead into one inlet chamber (to
which is joined an inlet pipe), situated at the lower part of the four chambers and in a
vertical line with the discharge pipe. By this improved arrangement a more regular
and steady flow of water in the suction and delivery pipes is effected, and thus a more
steady action of the whole apparatus is ensured, besides having the advantage in case
of an insufficient supply of water, to be able to shut off two chambers and work with
the remainder.
Dated this 25th day of October 1889
W. P. THEERMANN,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Raising and Forcing Water or other Liquids.
We, WILLIAM PAUL THEERMANN, of 18 Phoebe Street, Regent Road, Salford, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and JOHN BURFORD FOXWELL, of 4 Parsonage,
Blackfriars Street, Manchester, in the said County, 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 :-
This invention relates to that class of pump or apparatus for raising and forcing
water or other liquids formed with two or more (preferably two or four) working
chambers in which alternately the steam acts direct upon the water to discharge it, and
is then condensed forming a vacuum within the chamber whereby the water is raised
through the suction pipe and valves to again fill the chamber which is well known
under the names of the pulsometer or pulsating steam pumps.
The invention is designed to effect several improvements in the apparatus whereby
greater simplicity in construction and greater efficiency in working will be effected
while at the same time it is considered that the cost of production will be reduced.
It consists essentially in constructing the apparatus with a steam valve in the form
of two hemispheres half balls or other convex bodies of oval, egg shape, or other

page_text: Similar Torm divideⱭ
COILTCA
rib or lugs upon which it oscillates the two flat or concave sides forming the valve
faces; with the suction and delivering valves formed with a grid or grating of an
ordinary form fitted or let into a conical or stepped chill cast opening in the base of
the chamber without any packing and held in position by a central stud or pin which
carries or holds an ordinary disc valve of rubber or other suitable material, the valve
having a seating on the casting beyond the conical or stepped opening and covering
the joint made therein with the grating; with an inclined partition or shelf extending
or projecting partway across the bottom part of each working chamber to effect a more
rapid condensation of the steam; and in the case of a four cylindered apparatus con-
structing it with a common discharge chamber and a common inlet or suction chamber
connected together by a conical pipe or nozzle rising from one into the other and with
passages communicating with each pair of chambers to control or regulate the discharge
to prevent back pressure.
The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1. is an elevation-part in section on line x. Fig. 4-of pulsometer con-
structed in accordance with this invention.
Fig. 2. sectional elevation on line y. Y.
Fig. 3. sectional elevation on line z. z.
Fig. 4. plan-part in section.
Fig. 5. elevation of four chambered apparatus-part in section on line ». v. Fig. 6.
Fig. 6. plan-part in section of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7. sectional elevation of valve chest and steam admission valve adapted for use
of exhaust steam.
Fig. 8. elevation of valve H.
The two working chambers A and B are of any ordinary form preferably circular
in cross section and tapering towards the top and are connected together at the top in
the usual way by means of a valve chamber or chest C and are fitted at the base with
water valves D and E for suction and delivery one opening into an inlet chamber F
and the other into the discharge chamber G.
The steam valve H which is placed in the valve chest C and controls the admission
of steam to working chambers A and B is formed of two hemispheres or half balls
joined together at their back or convex surfaces. Each of the semi-spherical parts h
of the valve may be concave as shown or may be solid with a flat face we prefer
however the concave form. The concave or flat side of the valve H finds a seating
over the ports I in the upper end of each of the working chambers A and B. On the
underside of the steam valve H midway between the two parts h projects a rib or
lugs upon which it rests and oscillates between the valve seats over the ports I
opening and closing them alternately. Instead of being formed from the halves of
two exact spheres the valve H may be constructed from a convex body of oval form
or egg shape with the two parts connected together in the way described.
When intended to be used with exhaust steam or steam at a very low pressure the
valve is formed (see Fig. 7) with a vertical passage h" extending from the top of the
valve between the two semi-spherical parts h down to meet a horizontal cross passage h
leading from the interior cavity of one part into that of the other part. The cross
passage is of double V-shape or of V-shape at each opening to allow for rapid
expansion of steam as it is passed through. Through these passages a small quantity
of the exhaust or low pressure steam is admitted into the working chamber after the
valve H has closed the admission of steam to that chamber. By this means a
sufficient vacuum is produced to ensure the complete filling of the chamber with
water.
The inlet and discharge water valves D and E are each formed with a grid or grating K
which is fitted into a conical or stepped opening formed in the casting and prefer-
ably chilled. The grid fits loosely into the conical opening, bearing at three or more
points to make it steady but a tight joint is not formed and no packing or close fitting
is required as the disc valve extends over the grid K to a seating on the chill casting

page_text: completely covering its joint with the grid. The disc valve Dor E is held in position
by a central bolt or stud d or e carrying a guard d' or e'. The stud d of the inlet
valve D fits into a bole in or bears upon the top of the centre of the grid K at one end
and at the other carries a nut d" which is caused to abut against the underside of a
shelf or projection L-hereafter described-in a slot in which the end of the stud
projects.
The discharge valve E is held in position in a similar way by the stud e bearing
against the projecting piece M the nut e" acting in a similar way to the nut " and
the grating is effectually clamped in place and the disc valve also retained.
Instead of this arrangement the grid or grating K and the disc valve and guard
may be held in position by means of a central bolt passing through the grating from
the valve side to the other side and there secured by a clamp K similar to what are
ordinarily applied for securing manhole-doors (as shown in connection with
valve R Fig. 5).
The grid K instead of fitting into a conical hole or recess in the casting may be
fitted into a cylindrical recess with a flange or step k the india rubber disc of the
valve in this forin as in the other extends and has its seating beyond the limits of the
grid K covering the joint made by it (as shown at valve R Fig. 5).
In order to effect the instantaneous condensation of the steam in each working
chamber A or B when the water has been forced out of it down to the working
level there is formed or placed an inclined projection or shelf I extending from one
side to about the centre line of each chamber the lower edge being about level, with
the centre of the discharge valve. At this level there is also formed a passage or
port N leading from the discharge chamber into and joining a passage or port N'
from one working chamber to the other. When the water has been forced down in
one of the working chambers below the shelf La certain amount of water that has
been held up by the pressure of the steam under the shelf L falls and meets the steam
thus forming a partial vacuum and relieving the pressure and causing the valve H to
close.
A jet of water is then projected either from one chamber into the other
through the passage N¹ or from the discharge chamber by the passage N or from
both and by these means the condensation of the steam in the working chamber is
almost instantaneously effected.
The valves O for the admission of air into the working chambers are placed on
the side of the steam valve chest with ports o leading through the sides thereof into
the interior of the working chambers A and B. The air passages p leading to the
valves are controlled by a single set screw P by which the area of the small inlet
passage p may be diminished or increased. The head of the screw P is preferably
notched and a small pawl or tumbler fits therein to prevent it being accidentally or
unintentionally turned. By placing the air admission valves O in the position stated
it is less liable that any water will reach them which will be of great advantage
when pumping dirty water, and by controlling the air admission by one set screw
the amount of air admitted to both working chambers will be equal.
In four chambered pulsating steam pumps the several parts already described are
so constructed and each pair of chambers A B and A¹ B' are connected together at
top and fitted with steam valves H as already described. The inlet valves D of the
four chambers (see Figs. 5 and 6) lead into one common inlet chamber F situated at
the lower part of the four chambers. And the discharge valves E lead into one
common discharge chamber G. The inlet chamber F is connected with the discharge
chamber G by a valve R opening into the discharge chamber. Over the valve R is
placed a conical pipe or nozzle S rising from the bottom of the discharge chamber G
into the delivery pipe. The flow and velocity of the discharge water around this
conical pipe or nozzle S acts as an ejector to reduce the pressure at the mouth and
within the conical pipe to almost or even below atmospheric pressure whilst the flow
and velocity of the water in the suction pipe also having an upward tendency of
considerable force induces the valve R to open and permits water to flow direct from
the suction pipe S and thence into the delivery pipe where it is carried forward with
the discharge water.

page_text: In addition to the water passages already described N N¹ between the discharge
chambers G and the working chambers A and B water passages N are also provided
between the working chambers A and A' and between the working chambers Band B¹
which also communicate with the discharge chamber. One set of passages which
communicates with the discharge chamber may be dispensed with and the working
chambers used in pairs. The communication between the working chambers through
the passages N prevent the opposite chambers discharging at the same time and so
prevent a back pressure but ensure that the chambers A and B will be filling while
the chambers A and B are discharging.
The lower part of the two working chambers A and B and the discharge chamber G+
are provided with openings fitted with covers T for the insertion and removal of the
inlet valves D and delivery valves E. The steam valve chest is triangular and opens
at both sides so that the valve HL may be readily fitted and removed two triangular
plates H¹ form covers therefor one bolted on each side one of such covers carrying
the valves and valve chambers for the admission of air.
By these arrangements a more regular and steady flow of water through the
suction and delivery pipes is obtained and thus a more steady and efficient action of
the whole apparatus is ensured besides in the case of the four chambered apparatus
having the advantage in the event of an insufficient supply of water being able to
shut off two of the working chambers and performing the work with the remaining
two.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is
1. A pulsating steam pump having a steam admission valve formed of two semi-
spherical or other convex bodies connected together at their convex part-with or
without steam passages from one side to the other-substantially as described and
shown.
2. The inlet and discharge valves for apparatus for raising water formed with a
grid or grating let into a conical or stepped opening in a casting preferably chilled,
a disc valve extending beyond the grid having a seating on the casting and covering
the joint between the two and a central pin which carries the disc valve and holds
the whole in position substantially as described.
3. A pulsating steam pump having an inclined shelf or partition within each
working chamber projecting from one side partway across the chambers near the
base substantially as shown and described.
4. A pulsating steam pump with four chambers having a common discharge
chamber and a common inlet or suction chamber connected together by a conical
pipe or nozzle projecting into the delivery pipe and forming an ejector substantially
as described and shown.
5. A pulsating steam pump constructed either with two working chambers or with
four working chambers having the several parts constructed and arranged sub-
stantially as shown and described.
Dated this 23rd day of Angust 1900
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.