IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
Year: 1869

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 CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS."
_A communication from abroad by William Draper Andrews, of
the City and State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 4th February 1870, and dated the 12th August 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left bythe said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 12th August 1869.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has reference to pumps which operate by centrifugal
action, and are made up for the most part of a propelling wheel, disc, or
conical shaped vane carrier arranged to rotate within a suitable shell or

page_text: chamber, and operating in connection with passages of a diminishing
spiral character to direct or divert the course of the current.
Pumps of this description as heretofore constructed are open to various
objections, and give rise to a great amount of friction. These objections
are overcome by this Invention, power is largely economised, and the
construction of the pump simplified and cheapened, as well as its
durability increased. To this end the vanes are confined to the suction
side or face of their revolving disc or carrier, and the step bearing on
such side or face may be dispensed with. The vanes are arranged to
meet in the centre of the carrier, and the latter is balanced or supported
by reason of a vacuum established on the back of such carrier by or
through the action of the vanes as arranged on the front of it. The
eduction case or chamber is so constructed that while it is made to
receive the fluid from the vanes of the propelling wheel in line with
their action, or nearly so, the fluid is guided and delivered by or through
an easy and gradually curved passage from such case either at right
angles to the plane of motion of the disc (and in the axial line or course
of the driving shaft), or is discharged from the pump in a direction at
right angles to the driving shaft, thus securing a delivery either parallel
with or at right angles to the plane of motion of the propelling disc or
wheel, or thereabouts.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th February 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special
licence that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time

page_text: agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS," being a communication
to me from abroad by William Draper Andrews, of the City and State
of New York, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say):-
This Invention has reference to pumps which operate by centrifugal
action, and are made up for the most part of a propelling wheel, disc, or
conical shaped vane carrier arranged to rotate within a suitable shell or
chamber, and operating in connection with passages of a diminishing
spiral character to direct or divert the course of the current.
In pumps of this description in which the vanes that in rotating
produce the suction and expulsion of the fluid or fluid mass are arranged
only upon the suction side or face of their carrying disc or cone, there is
a force or pressure equal to the head of the fluid above or at the back,
and the atmospheric pressure induced by the vacuum created on the
suction side or face of the carrier thrown upon the back of disc or vane
carrier, which necessitates a step bearing on the suction side or face of
the carrier, produces a heavy friction, and serious amount of wear, and
derangement as regards effectiveness of the vanes, and also prevents the
vanes from being extended to the centre of the carrier. These defects
have only heretofore been partly remedied by such an outward extension
of the vanes beyond or in rear of the disc in close proximity to the

page_text: stationary eduction case or chamber as that the disc is relieved by the
action of the rear protruding portions of the vanes from fluid pressure
at its back, and a partial vacuum is created at such part, which to a
certain extent relieves the disc from the pressures herein-before referred
to, but such relief is comparatively slight, so that a step bearing on the
suction side or face of the disc still remains necessary, and the vanes are
restricted as before to an outer travel around the step bearing. This
step bearing too often forms a serious obstruction to the passage of the
fluid, especially when mixed with foreign substances, such as partially
pulped paper stock, mud, and sand, mixed with shells, roots, &c., tanning
bark, and other substances, likewise by compelling the starting of the
fluid at a considerable distance from the centre of the revolving disc much
power is consumed in abruptly giving to the fluid the high velocity due to
an outer initial as contradistinguished from a central initial action of the
vanes. These objections are overcome by this Invention, power is largely
economised, and the construction of the pump is simplifiedandcheapened,
as well as its durability increased. To this end the Invention consists in
such a construction of the working parts of the pump as that while the
vanes are restricted to the suction side or face of their revolving disc or
carrier the step bearing on such side or side face may be dispensed with.
The vanes are arranged to meet in the centre of the carrier, and the
latter is balanced or supported by reason of a vacuum established on the
back of such carrier by or through the action of the vanes as arranged
on the front of it.
The Invention also includes certain peculiar constructions of the
eduction case or chamber, whereby while the latter is made to receive
the fluid from the vanes of the propelling wheel in line with their
action, or nearly so, the fluid is guided and delivered by or through an
easy and gradually curved passage from such case, either at right angles
to the plane of motion of the disc (and in the axial line or course of the
driving shaft), or is discharged from the pump in a direction at right
angles to the driving shaft, thus securing a delivery either parallel with
or at right angles to the plane of motion of the propelling disc or wheel,
or thereabouts.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 represents a side or longitudinal
view of a centrifugal pump constructed in accordance with the In-
vention; Fig. 2 a longitudinal sectional view of the same; Fig. 3 is
a similar view of the pump in part under a modified construction of

page_text: certain parts; Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken as indicated by the
line x, x, in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a face view of the revolving vane
carrier constructed as represented in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a similar view to
Fig. 3 of a further modification or change in shape of the vane carrier
showing the same in connection with the chambers and passages of the
pump; and Fig. 7 is a side view of such vane carrier with the vanes
arranged upon it; Fig. 8 represents a longitudinal or side view of the
pump with a different construction and arrangement of its cduction
chamber and delivery passage or outlet; and Fig. 9 is a longitudinal
section of the pump under such modified construction of it.
Referring in the first instance mostly to Figures 1 and 2 of the
Drawing, A is the induction case secured by bolts and flanges a, b, to
the eduction case B, which has an inner shell or case C cast with and
connected to it by spiral wings c, of which there may be any suitable
number. These wings are of a gradually diminishing spiral shape from
their outer to their inner ends. This inner shell C has a long bearing d
through its centre, in which the driving shaft D revolves. E is a
discharge bend or elbow secured by a flange e to the flange f sur-
rounding the central eduction passage F to or of the case B. This
elbow is provided with a stuffing box g concentric with the centre of
the pump, and through which the driving shaft D (having the driving
pulley upon it) is made to pass into or to the bearing on the
standard G, which is attached to or forms part of the bed plate H. The
elbow E may be turned to discharge in any direction at right angles to
the driving shaft or thereabouts. The induction case A is provided with
a central inlet branch or induction passage I, to which a suction pipe of
any desired length or form may be attached. J is the revolving vane
carrier or disc secured to the shaft D and carrying on its front face any
suitable number of wings or vanes k, k, arranged to work freely within
the case A and between it and the inner shell C, but not necessarily
extending beyond the latter though projecting beyond the periphery of
the disc J in close proximity to the front or face edge of the inner shell.
Near the periphery of the disc J upon its back surface is a projecting
annular flange m having its sides parallel with the driving shaft and
extending so as to enter in a close manner without rubbing against or
touching the interior of the shell C or recess formed in the mouth of
the same.
This flange m allows of the adjustment of the disc in the
axial direction of its driving shaft without establishing an objectionable

page_text: opening or space between the disc and inner shell, and forming an
angular passage between the disc and shell through which but little
water or fluid can pass from the induction case A. Through the disc J,
as near to the centre thereof as they can conveniently be placed, are
what may be termed vacuum passages n, n, through and by means of
which the wings or vanes k, k, of the revolving disc create and maintain
a vacuum within the inner shell C upon the back of the disc J equal
to that or thereabouts upon the front side or face of the latter. These
passages should have a combined area several times greater than that
of the space established by the open or free joint of the outer portion or
periphery of the disc with the mouth or interior of the inner shell C.
By this connection of the induction chamber A with the interior of the
shell C or space at back of the disc J the latter is balanced as it were
by or through the action of the vanes k, k, as arranged on front of it,
relieving the back as well as the front of the disc alike of atmospheric
and water or fluid pressure. The same result may be obtained by means
of a tube K, as shewn by red lines in Fig. 3, arranged on the outside of
the pump and made to connect the induction chamber or suction inlet I
with the back of the disc or interior of the shell C, or it may be obtained
by passages formed in the walls of the induction case and inner shell
and connecting with each other to produce a like action or effect. In
such case or cases the passages n, n, may be dispensed with. By this
means the back of the disc J is relieved of atmospheric and water or
fluid pressure by the passage-like connection of the induction case or
inlet with the space on the back of the disc, thus dispensing with the
necessity of a step bearing to the front of the disc or any protrusion of
its driving shaft through it, and allows of the wings or vanes k, k, being
extended to meet in the centre of the disc, whereby the several objections
herein-before named as incidental to previous arrangements are avoided.
By the direction given to the eduction space or passages o, o, of the
case B and connection of the same with the central discharge passage F
the fluid is received into the eduction case B from the vanes k, k, nearly
in their plane of motion, and by an easy curve of gradually varying pitch
and by or through the spiral arrangement of the wings c which connect
the outer shell B with the inner shell C, the direction of the fluid is
changed from a tangential and rotary one to a straightforward course
in line with the driving shaft and at right angles to the plane of motion
of the revolving disc and its wings. This arrangement forms a cheap,
simple, and advantageous construction of pump.

page_text: Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the Drawings indicate essentially the same
features as referred to in describing Figures 1 and 2, and in these as
in the subsequent Figures like letters of reference denote corresponding
parts; but in these Figures (3, 4, and 5) the vane carrier J is made
slightly sloping or of conical form on its face, and the induction case is
shaped to correspond.
Figures 6 and 7 show a like construction of the vane carrier and
induction case under an enlarged slope to or increased conical con-
figuration of it on its front side or face which occupies an angle of about
forty-five degrees to the axial line of the driving shaft.
Figures 8 and 9 represent a pump having the same principle of action
or leading novel features of keeping up a vacuum in rear of the vane
carrier J by the action of the vanes in front of it as herein-before
described, but in this pump the discharge is made at an outlet L in line
as it were of the plane of motion of the vane carrier and its wings or
vanes. The carrier is here represented as similar to that shewn in
Figs. 6 and 7, and by being made hollow establishes the rear vacuum
space within it, but it may be of the form shewn in Fig. 2, or of the
shape indicated in Fig. 3. This delivery of the fluid at the outlet L is
at right angles, as it may be termed, to the driving shaft in contra-
distinction to the parallel or axial discharge, shewn in Fig. 2, and is
produced by a peculiar construction of the eduction case and its apper-
taining parts; thus in Figures 8 and 9 A is the eduction case, and B
and C the outer and inner eduction cases secured together by flanges
and bolts, as shewn, and forming between them a spiral passage which
gradually and easily changes the direction of the water or fluid from a
circular to a straightforward motion nearly in a line with the plane
of motion of the revolving disc or vane carrier or parallel thereto and
at right angles to a line lying parallel with the axis of the driving shaft,
the delivery portions, as at S, of the eduction cases being of a convolute
character and having a flattened out construction, as at s, to secure the
outlet L its specified line of discharge. This form of the pump
economises power by the ease with which the water or fluid is con-
centrated and directed as regards its discharge.
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,-
First. A propelling wheel for centrifugal pumps having its wings or

page_text: vanes arranged on that side or face only of it which faces the induction,
the body of which wheel may be of a flat disc, conical, or other suitable
shape, and is balanced or supported by means of a vacuum established
on the back of it through the action of the vanes as arranged on the
front of it and operates in connection with a suitable vacuum passage
or passages, as specified, whereby, a front bearing or step to the wheel
may be dispensed with.
Second. In a propelling wheel for centrifugal pumps balanced as
described, the extension of the suction and propelling vanes to the
centre of the disc or body which carries them, as herein set forth.
Third. The eduction case or cases of the pump constructed to receive
the fluid or water from the suction and propelling vanes in line or
nearly in line of their action, and by means of fixed spiral wings or
guides serving to deliver it in the axial direction of the driving shaft or
at right angles to the plane of motion of the vane carrier, as described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 of the Drawing.
Fourth. The combination with a propelling wheel, when balanced or
supported as described, of the eduction case or cases of the pump,
constructed to receive the water or fluid from the propelling wings or
vanes in the line or nearly in the line of their action, and operating to
gradually and easily change its direction from a circular or rotary one
and to concentrate it into a straight delivery at right angles to the
driving shaft of the propelling wheel or in a plane parallel to the plane
of motion of the vane carrier or thereabouts, as described with reference
to Figures 8 and 9 of the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the Twelfth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)