CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS
Year: 1832

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
TODD, of the Town of Kingston-upon-Hull; Shipping Agent, send greeting..
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-fourth day of November, in the third year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,. the
said Thomas Todd, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and autho-
rity, that I, the said Thomas Todd, my exors, admors, and assigns; or such
others as I, the said Thomas Todd, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during
the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR RAISING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said Thomas Todd, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Todd, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, (which is also
an improvement on my former Patent for a hydraulic pump or machine for
raising water and other liquids, dated the Ninth day of May, One thousand

page_text: seven hundred and ninety-seven,) by the following description thereof, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed and carried into effect.
My Invention consists of a very peculiar combination and arrangement of
certain parts of the common pumps, either lifting, forcing, sucking, or syphon
pumps, as well also of certain parts of the engines already known for extin-
guishing fires; and from the very simple method of effecting those combina-
tions, my machines or apparatus can, without the least trouble, at any time,
and under any circumstances, in one minute .be converted from its use (as a
pump for all common purposes) into a double-action pump, raising and dis-
charging water, &c. &c., both by the ascent and descent of a single piston,
thus discharging the same quantity of water, &c. as any other common pump
of the same size, but with only half the labour, or discharging double the
quantity to any common pump with the same labour, both being of one size,
and under the same circumstances. It can also in one minute, with the
greatest ease, be converted into a most effective engine for extinguishing fires,
or into a most complete and very powerful syphon, or for raising water, &c.
to any height, or from deep wells, &c. &c. on board ships. This Invention
will be found invaluable from the ease with which it works, and the quantity
of water it discharges; and in all cases of fire at sea the vessel may be filled
with water, by the self-action of the syphon, to any height in a few minutes,
while at the very same moment the engine, with only the labour of two
men, may be throwing a powerful and constant stream of water on the upper
part of the ship or cargo, by which many valuable lives, ships, and cargoes
would be preserved. On land every manufactory, farmhouses, public or private
buildings, breweries, tan yards, docks, and dockyards, gentlemen's seats, &c.
&c., possessing this apparatus, would at the same time be in possession of a
very effective fire engine available for service in one minute, or for raising
water, &c. to any height, and at all other times ready for all other common
purposes.
My very simple mode or method of combining and arranging the aforesaid
certain parts and principles, &c. &c., and for which I claim an exclusive
privilege, is effected as follows; videlicet, I make the principal or main part
of my apparatus or machine of three separate and distinct tubes, channels, or
compartments, and of different sizes or shapes, according to the circumstances;
and I join these said channels, &c. together by flanches in the usual way
(when they are not made in one piece); but I prefer having them made in
one entire piece, either of wood, copper, brass, cast iron, or any other proper
metal or material; but I very much prefer cast iron, and in such case I have
these channels or compartments cast in one piece, but divided from each

page_text: other by a partition. The middle tube or channel I call the working barrell
or chamber. It is accurately bored, and forms a communication with each of
the side channels or tubes; that is to say, with one side at the bottom end,
and with the other side at the top or upper end. This working chamber or
barrell is closed at its upper end by a reversed stuffing box, which is always
covered with water to the height of five or six inches, by which means the
admission of air into the machine is effectually prevented. At the top and
bottom of each of the side channels there is a valve fixed, opening upwards
and into a receiving channel, from which channel there is an opening to allow
a passage for the water, &c. into the common cistern (which is cast of one
piece with the machine, or not, at pleasure). It is then discharged by the
spout. The opening in this channel has a brass male screw, on which is fixed
or screwed the air vessel when the machine is wanted as a fire engine, or else
the rising main or forcing pipe, if wanted to raise water to any great height.
To the bottom part of the three tubes or compartments which constitutes the
main part of my machine, I annex what I call an air chest, or rather a general
receiver, to which general receiver is fixed any number of pipes that may be
wanted for any different purposes, each pipe having its own stopcock to shut off
its communication when not wanted. At one end or side of this general receiver
or air chest is an opening with a brass male screw for screwing on the suction
pipe of the fire engine, which suction pipe may be of leather, such as are in
general use, but for ships I prefer copper; this suction pipe goes over the gun-
wale of the ship, and down on the outside a little below the light water-mark.
This suction pipe forms the tail pipe of the fire engine, should there not be
any water in the vessel, or it forms the: syphon when water is wanted into the
ship. When the syphon is not wanted; and there is plenty of water in the
ship, there is then no occasion for the engine suction pipe; and at all times
when the main pipe to the bottom of the hold is not wanted, the same must
be shut off by its stopcock. When this machine is used as a fire engine on
land, or for raising water very high, the main pipe to the well or reservoir is
sufficient, and the engine suction pipe is not at all wanted. I make the whole
or part of my machine of metal, or of wood and metal together; and I make
the valves of wood and leather, or brass, or any other proper metal or mate-
rial, according to price and other circumstances; but I prefer valves of brass.
The piston rod and piston I make of copper and brass or any other'
proper
material, and I use all or any of the well-known methods of packing pistons.
I also make my machine or apparatus of any size, so as to be easily, worked
by manual labor, or by any other power, such as steam, wind, water, horses,
&c. &c.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING, HEREUNTO. ANNEXED.
Figure 1 is a perspective, view of, the, machine on a scale of: one inch. to: a
foot of the real size, the same, letters, refer to the same parts. in all the
Figures. C, a part of the copper piston rod. at half the up stroke; D, the.
main suction, pipe. to the water; E, E, the chest or box that receives the water.
from the suction pipes; G, the place of a stopcock for shutting of or closing.
the main suction pipe and syphon when fixed on board ship, but is not wanted
for land purposes; H, a brass screw to which is affixed the suction. pipe.
H, Q, Q, when wanted for a fire engine; I, I, shews the deck of a ship. or the
ground line with the pump fixed thereon; M, M,.M, M, the cistern from
which all the water, &c. is discharged by the spout.O when acting as a pump
for common purposes; P, a copper air vessel, which is screwed on in the
cistern at N (see Figure 4th) when acting as a fire engine; Q, Q, a copper
suction pipe for the engine and syphon (on board ship) the straight.part H, Q,
is screwed on at H,. the bent part Q, Q, is placed over the gunwale of.the
ship, and then fixed to the other part by an union joint at Q; R, R, R, shews
the leather or canvas hose for the engine; S;. the copper branch or spouting
pipe for throwing a large stream of water when used as a fire engine, and is
screwed on to the hose; T, T, a strong iron standard well fitted into a socket
at one end of the cistern, and can be taken away at pleasure when not
wanted; U, U, the double lever or handle for working the machine, with its
joints and shackles a, b, c, which,, together with, the standard T, T, are all
taken away when not wanted by drawing out the forelock of the socket at d
and at the bottom of the standard at e;. V, the place in the air vessel where
the hose for, the engine screws on..
.
Figure II. is a front vertical section through the middle. of Figure, 1st.
A, A, the working barrel, or chamber of. brass or iron, accurately. bored;
B, a solid piston of brass; C, a copper piston rod; D, the main suction pipe
to the bottom of the ship, or, if on land, to the water in the well, and grated
at the bottom end; E, E, the receiving chest or box; F; the stuffing box
always covered with water to the height of K, K; G, the place of the
stopcock (see Figure 7th); H, the screw to which the suction pipe H, Q, Q,
is affixed when wanted as a syphon.or fire engine; I, I, the deck or ground
line; J, J, the places for the two lower valves or boxes of brass, J' being
open and Je shut; J, J., the two upper valves or boxes, Js being shut and
J open; K, K, two bonnets. or .covers over. the upper valves, to be screwed
down tight in. their, places when acting as a fire engine; L, L, two small
copper rods affixed to the lower valves by a loose joint for the purpose of the

page_text: 2
more easily drawing out the valves at any time for examination; M, M; M, M,
the outside of the cistern (the front with its spout O not shewn in this Figure).
N.B. The two arrows thus (x, x,) shew the course of the water.in barrels
at the up stroke or ascent of the piston, and the contrary takes place on the
descent. The other two arrows shew the course of the water through the
pipes D and H, Q, Q.
..
Figure III. is a bird's-eye view of the cistern when the machine is not
made to act as a fire engine. M, M, M, M, the outside of the same; K, K,
the place of the bonnets; O, the spout.
Figure IV. is the same view of the cistern when the machine is made to
act as a fire engine. N shews the place where the air vessel is screwed on.
Figures V. & VI. shew the valves complete and ready for dropping into
their seats or places (shewn in Figure 2), Figure 5 being open and 6 shut.
The moving clacks or buttons X, X, are guided in their places by the narrow
edges of their three angular leaves, which just fit and move freely in the
inside of the main pieces Y, Y, by which a greater passage is allowed for the
water, &c., &c.
Figure VII. shews the plug of the stopcock G, which is only allowed to
turn one quarter round, its pointer W being vertical when open and horizontal
when, shut.
Figure VIII. is a brass bonnet or cover for the screw H (see Figures 1
and 2) when the suction pipe H, Q, Q, is taken away, and is always secured to
the pump by its chain z. For the more easily drawing out the valves for
examination, I fix by a loose joint a small copper. rod to the lower valves, by
which they can be easily drawn out at any time without any trouble, and this
I claim as my Invention, as well also as the simple method of combining all
the parts of the apparatus, but particularly the air chest or general receiver,
the situation of the valves, and the prevention of air to the machines by the
stuffing box. Then I claim as my Invention, and are, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, entirely new, and have never before been combined
or used in this manner within that part of His said Majesty's United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland called England, His Dominion of Wales, or
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, but I do not claim any exclusive right to the
principle of the double pump, having, as before stated, obtained a Patent for
such pump thirty-six years ago; neither do I claim any exclusive right to any
of the parts, such as the valves, &c., &c., considered separately, or for any
particular sort of material or metals of which the same are composed, and
I use all or any of such valves and other parts of pump works as have
heretofore been and are at present used for such purpose according to circum-

page_text: stances; but I claim an exclusive right to this mode or method of converting
my machine into a very powerful syphon at pleasure for all purposes where.
such syphons are wanted. I do hereby declare this to be my Specification of
my said Invention, and I do verily believe this my said Specification doth
comply in all respects fully, and without reserve or disguise, with the proviso in
the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent contained, wherefore I.
do hereby claim to maintain exclusive right and privilege to this my said
Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Todd, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of May, in the third year of the reign
of our Sovereign Lord William the Fourth, by the grace of God of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King, Defender of
the Faith, and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and thirty-three.
Inrolled the Twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and thirty-three.

page_text: FIGURE IV.
Is the same Tiew of the Cistern when the Machine is made to act
as a Fire Engine
Shews the place where the Air Vessel is screwed on
FIGURES V & VI.
Shew the Valves complete and ready for dropping into their seats
or places (shewn in Figure 2nd/Figure 5 being open and 6 shut
The moving Clacks or Buttons XX. are guided in their places
by the narrow edges of their three angular leaves which just fit
and move freely in the inside of the main pieces YY by which a
greate passage is allowed for the Water &c. &c.
FICURE VII.
Shews the Plug of the Stop Cock G.which is only allowed to turn one
Found
quarter its pointer W. being vertical when open and horizontal when shut
FIGURE VIII
Is a Bass Bonnet or Cover for the Screw H See Figures 1 and 2,
21
when he Suction Pipe HQ.Q is taken away and is always secured
to the Pump by its Chain 7
Is a perspective view of the Machine on a Scale of one inch to a foot of the real
size, the same letters refer to the same parts in all the Figures.
A Part of the Copper Piston Rod at half the up
D. The Main Suction Pipe to the Water
stroke.
E. The Chest or Box that receives the Water from the Suction Lipes.
G The place of a Stop Cock for shutting of or closing the Main Suction Pipe and
Syphon when fixed on board Ship but is not wanted for Land purposes
II A Brass Screw to which is affixed the Suction Pipe H.Q.Q when wanted for a Fire Engine
1. Shews the Deck of a Ship or the Ground Line with the pump fixed thereon
M. The Cistern from which all the Water &e is discharged by the spout 0 when acting as a
Mpump for common purposes.
(A Copper Air Vessel which is screwed on in the Cistern at N See Figure 4th) when
acting as a Fire Engine.
Copper Suction Pipe for the Engine and Syphon on board Ship the straight part HQ
Qis screwed on at H the bent part QQ is placed over the Gunwale of the Ship and then
fixed to the other part of an Union Joint at Q.
R. Shews the Leather or Canvass Hose for the Engine
The Copper Branch or Spouting pipe for throwing a large Stream of Water when used as a
Fire Engine and is screwed on to the llose
A Strong Iron Standard well fitted into a Socket at one end of the Cistern and can be taken
away at pleasure when not wanted.
The double Lever or Handle for working the Machine with its Joints and Shackles a bc which
together with the Standard 1.T. are all taken away when not wanted by drawing out the
Forelock of the Secket at d. and at the bottom of the Standard at e.
The place in their Vessel where the Hose for the Engine screws on
Is a Front Vertical Section through the middle Figure 1 st
The working Bart or Chamber of brass or iron accurately bored
1
A solid Piston of brass.
A Copper pisten Rod
The Main Suction pipe to the bottom of the Ship or if on Land to the Water in the
Well and grated at the bottom end.
The reciving Chest or box.
The Stuffing Box always covered with Water to the height K
The place of the Stop Cock See Figure 7th)
The Screw to which the Suction Pipe HQ Q is affixed when wanted as a Syphon or Fire Engine
The Deck or Ground Line
The places for the two lower Valves or Boxes of brass, J'being open and J2 being shut.
The two upper Vales or Boxes, Js being shut and J4 open
Two Bonnets or Covers over the upper Valves to be screwed down tight in their places when
acting as a Fire Engine
Two small Copper Rods affixed to the lower Talves by a loose joint for the purpose
easily drawing out the Valves at any time for examination
The outside of the Cistern the front with its Spout O not shewn in this Figure.)
of
more
VR The wo