Improvements in Apparatus for Purifying, Sterilizing, and Filtering Water, and Rendering the same Fit for Potable Purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Purifying, Sterilizing, and Filtering
Water, and Rendering the same Fit for Potable Purposes.
I, SIMEON LESLIE WEST, of the City of Washington, in the County of
Washington, and District of Columbia, United States of America, Physician,
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 :-
It is a well-known and recognized fact, that many diseases are propagated by
disease germs contained in drinking water. Water which contains such germs, or
which there is reason to believe may contain such germs, can be drank only at the
risk of contracting disease. The liability of water for drinking purposes containing
dangerous germs is particularly great in large cities where the water is obtained
from streams or natural reservoirs, which are in constant danger of contamination.
Accordingly many persons use for drinking purposes only water resulting from the
melting of ice. This ice water, however, cannot be relied upon, since only a few, if
any, of the dangerous germs are destroyed by freezing, and the ice may have come
from polluted streams or ponds. The only practicable known method of completely
destroying all dangerous germs, and thus sterilizing the water, is by boiling the
same. Accordingly, many physicians instruct their patients, and families under
their care, that no water should be used for drinking unless it has previously been
boiled. This rule, however, of never drinking any but boiled water, is a difficult
one to carry out under the conditions existing in the average household.
manifestly impracticable to stop and boil water and wait for it to cool each time
it is wanted, and if an attempt is made to keep a supply of boiled water on hand,
constant attention (such as cannot always be given) is required to ensure the supply
never failing, and even in case an unfailing supply of previously boiled water can
be secured, it is, with the ordinary household facilities, exposed to the surrounding
atmosphere and hence susceptible to possible contamination between the time of
boiling and the time of use.
It is
Now the object of the present invention is to provide a certain and unfailing
supply of drinking water which has been previously boiled, sterilized and filtered,
and which has not subsequently been exposed to the atmosphere, in houses and
buildings which are supplied with water under pressure (as by ordinary street mains),
The
and which are furnished with any ordinary means for heating the water.
present invention consists in apparatus for effecting this result. The apparatus
constituting this invention is primarily designed to be used in connection with the
usual water supply and heating apparatus which is in common use in houses in
localities where the water is supplied from street mains. The invention, however,
is not restricted in its application to such water supply and heating apparatus.
In order. however, that the nature of the invention may be clearly understood, it
will be described in connection with such a water supply and heating apparatus.
The improved apparatus constituting the invention is illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings, wherein -
Fig. 1 is a view of ordinary water supply and heating appliances with the
improvements applied thereto;
Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of a thermal or thermostatic valve employed,
and of the connection between the drinking water distributing system or sterilized
water service apparatus, and the water supply and heating apparatus;
Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are detail views of the filter employed.
Referring to the drawings, A is a cold water supply pipe through which cold
water is brought from the water main into the building. The supply pipe A has

page_text: itable lateral branches, such as B, C and D, one of which, as D
nk 10 and has the usual draw-off spigot E; another branch, as C, carries cold
ater throughout the building; while the third branch D, leads to the boiler F, to
upply water thereto. The water in the boiler is heated by connection in the usual
nanner with the water back of a range or stove 11, or by connection with any 5
ther source of heat. There are shown in the drawings the usual connections with
he water back of a range, G being the pipe leading from the boiler to the range,
and H the hot water return pipe leading from the range to the boiler.
usual hot water pipe conveying water from the boiler to the places of use.
branch hot water pipe leading to the sink, and K, a discharge faucet or spigot. 10
All of these parts are old and well-known, being the usual appliances to be found
in ordinary city dwellings.
I is the
J is a
The water which is supplied by this usual boiler F, cannot be relied upon for
drinking purposes, since there is no certainty that the water within the boiler has
In boilers of this character, as is well-known, cold 1
ever reached boiling heat.
water is supplied as fast as hot water is drawn off, since the cold water inlet pipe
is always in communication with the boiler, consequently, if any considerable
quantity of water is drawn off for any purpose, the temperature of the water within
the boiler will be reduced below the boiling point. And if water should then be
taken from the boiler for drinking purposes, it would be water which had not been
sterilized by being subjected to a boiling temperature. Furthermore, these usual
boilers cannot be relied upon in the summer season (when the greatest demand
would be made for drinking water), since in the summer time these household
boilers are heated ordinarily only for a few hours during the day; and, although
from time to time the water within the boiler may be heated to the boiling point,
nevertheless, as soon as the fire which heats the boiler is out, and any water is
drawn therefrom, the boiler fills up with cold water which has not been subjected
to boiling. Accordingly, this ordinary household boiler is unreliable for furnishing
sterilized drinking water.
Now the present invention consists in a drinking water distributing system or
sterilized water service apparatus applied to this ordinary water supply and heating
system in common use, since by applying the invention to such ordinary apparatus
it can be rendered available under existing circumstances.
The improved drinking water distributing system or sterilized water service
apparatus consists essentially in a drinking water tank L, a water-discharge pipe M
leading therefrom, a water delivery pipe N, leading thereto, a thermal or thermo-
static valve in a casing O, connecting the delivery pipe N with a water feed-pipe P
This casing is divided by
The casing O, which contains the thermal valve, is shown best in Fig. 2, where i
is shown on an enlarged scale in vertical section.
central annular partition 12, into an inner feed water heating chamber 13, and a
outer annular chamber or jacket 14, which chambers 13 and 14 have no communi
cation with each other. The outer chamber 14 constitutes a portion of the ho
water pipe H, leading from the water back of the range or stove 11, to the boiler F
so that while there is a fire in the range there is a constant upward current of he
water in the chamber 11. The food water pipe P, leads from any suitable ar
convenient point of connection from the supply pipe A, (as from the branch pipe.
as shown in Fig. 1) to the lower part of the casing O, where it communicates wi
the inner feed-water heating chamber 13, which is thus a continuation and part
the water-feed pipe.
The casing O
The hot water flowing through the jacket 14, transmits heat to the water with
the feed-water heating chamber 13, thereby heating the same.
will be noted is located close to the range or stove 11, so that it receives the
water therefrom at its highest temperature. Since the usual hot water appara
connected with a range is designed to raise the water to the boiling point,
water within the heating chamber 13 will also be raised quickly and with certai
to the boiling point when the range 11, is in use.
The thermal valve is one of any proper construction, which will only open u

page_text: As a
the surrounding temperature reaching a predetermined limit. This limit in the
present apparatus should be fixed at a sufficiently high degree to destroy disease
germs in water, say at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The preferred construction of
thermal valve here employed is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. As there shown,
there is a depending cup a, arranged vertically within the upper part of the
chamber 13, so as to be enclosed by and in contact with the water therein. The
bottom of this cup a is permanently closed, and its top is covered by a flexible
metallic diaphragm b. Within this cup a is located a quantity of mercury or of
other similar thermo-expansible liquid which expands or contracts quickly in
response to changes in temperature. Above the diaphragm is a valve c, which
co-operates with a valve seat d, and which slips over an upwardly extending stem e
carried by the diaphragm. Normally, the valve rests on its seat and closes the
passage beneath it between the chamber 13 and the delivery pipe N. When,
however, the temperature of the water in the heating chamber of the water-feed
pipe beneath the cup a reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit, the thermo-expansible
liquid within the cup expands sufficiently to lift the diaphragm and thus lift the
valve from its seat. As the valve rises it establishes communication between the
feed-water pipe and the delivery pipe N of the drinking water distributing system
or sterilized water service apparatus leading to the drinking water tank L.
result of this construction, it will appear that as soon as the water within the heating
chamber 13 of the water feed pipe P reaches a temperature of 212 degrees Fahren-
heit, the valve c will be opened, thereby permitting a portion of the hot water at
the temperature of 212 degrees or over to enter the delivery pipe N. As soon,
however, as the temperature of the water within the heating chamber 13 of the
water-feed pipe falls below 212 degrees the mercury will fall in the cup a and the
valve e will close both by gravity and by reason of the water pressure within the feed
pipe P, thus closing the delivery pipe N and preventing any water passing there-
through. The prompt closing of the valve is further insured by a spring f. In
this manner, by the employment of a thermal valve, it will be evident that no
water under the desired boiling temperature can pass through the delivery pipe N
into the drinking water tank L. It will be noted that the thermo-sensitive
portion of the thermal valve is surrounded by the water in the water feed
pipe P, so that the action of the thermal valve is controlled solely by the
temperature of the water within said water feed pipe.
Since the water within the drinking water tank L will, under ordinary cir-
cumstances, be too hot to be immediately drank, it is necessary to cool the water
during its passage from the tank to its point of use. The water within the tank
is cooled by a cold water coil Q, located within it. This coil may be a portion
of any one of the usual pipes through which cold water flows. Preferably,
however, it is a part of the cold water pipe A, which supplies the boiler F. The
advantage of having the cold water supply first connected with the coil Q, within
the tank as shown, is that the cold water not only serves to cool the drinking water,
but is itself warmed thereby, thus partly saving the heat which has been imparted
to the drinking water.
C
If it is desired that any portion of the drinking water from the tank L should
be reduced to the temperature of ice water, this may be accomplished by connecting
pipe M, or a branch thereof, with any receptacle containing ice. As an illustration
of this, the pipe M, is shown extending into an ice box K, and coiled therein, so
that the ice placed in the box may come in contact with the coiled pipe and cool
the water passing therethrough. Suitable branch pipes, as 15, may lead from the
discharge pipe M, and be carried throughout the building in which the apparatus
is located, and the sterilized and purified water may be drawn off at as many
places as may be desired. Suitable means are to be provided for drawing off the
water, a faucet 16, at the end of pipe M, being shown for this purpose.
The drinking water distributing system or sterilized water service apparatus is
a closed system or apparatus, it will be noted, so that the boiled water within it
is not subject to atmospheric contamination.

page_text: The filter
In order that the water may be filtered, a filter S, of improved construction 15
employed. This filter is located, by preference, between the point of connection
of the feed water pipe P, with the water supply branch B, and. the casing O.
By locating the filter at this point, only the drinking water passes through the
filter, which is the only water necessary to be filtered, and the water is filtered 5
before it reaches the thermal valve, thereby preventing the proper action of the
valve being injuriously affected by the mechanical impurities in the water. The
construction of the filter is illustrated in Figs. 3 to 7 of the drawings.
comprises a casing T, and a conical hollow turning plug U. The casing T has
an inlet of ening i, and outlet opening by means of which the interior of the
casing communicates with the feed pipe P. The inlet opening i, communicates
with two branching passages m and n, and likewise the outlet opening 1, com-
These passages co-operate with
municates with two branching passages o and p.
suitable ports in the turning plug. The hollow interior of the plug is divided
into three compartments s, t and in, the central compartment t, being adapted to
The plug has four ports r, w,r, and y,
contain a filtering medium such as charcoal.
two of which, r, w, are located in the wall of the compartments, and the other
These several
two, x and y, are located in the wall of the compartment u.
ports v, w, and y, are located at intervals of ninety degrees, as shown in Fig. 5.
As shown in Fig. 3, the plug U, is in such position that the port registers with
the inlet branch passage m, the port a registers with the outlet branch passage p,
and the two ports w, y, are idle. The water consequently enters the compartments,
thence passes through the filtering medium in compartment t, and thence out through
the compartment u. By turning the plug through 180 degrees, the current of the
water through the filtering medium would be reversed, since the port a would then
register with the inlet branch passage, while the port v would register with the
outlet branch passage o, the ports w and y being idle.
and
0
P,
y are
The object of the ports and y is to clean the filter. These ports w and
adapted to register with the inlet branch passages m and n, respectively, but they
but with branch
passages
do not register with the outlet branch
In Fig. 4, the plug U is shown turned
passages 1 and 2, of a cleaning outlet W.
In this position
to a position at ninety degrees from the position shown in Fig. 3
the ports and are both idle, while the port to registers with the inlet branch
passage m, and the port y registers with the cleaning outlet branch passage 2.
Consequently, the water enters the chamber s, passes through the filtering medium,
Should the plug be turned 180 degrees
and thence out through the chamber u.
from the position shown in Fig. 4, the current of the water would pass through the
filtering medium in the opposite direction, since the port y would register with
the inlet branch passage n, and the port w with cleaning branch passage 1, while
the ports and would be idle.
If necessary to remove and replace the filtering medium, the plug would be
In this position
turned 45 degrees from the position shown in either Figs. 3 or 4.
all of the ports in the plug would be closed, so that the flow of water would cease
The plug is provided with a removable threaded cap X, so that the inner com
partments of the plug can be reached. The charcoal, or other fitering material 1
preferably enclosed in a cage V, supported by a spindle Z.
It is not essential to the invention that the improved apparatus should be used
It can b
in connection with a water supply and heating system such as is shown.
It is only necessary tha
used in connection with any water heating appliances.
the sterilized water service apparatus, consisting of the drinking water tank, an
the delivery and discharge pipes thereof, should be connected to a source of wate
supply by means of a valve, the movements of which are automatically effected b
changes in temperature (such valves being commonly known as thermal or thermo
static valves), and that the water supplied to the pipe delivering water to th
drinking water tank should be subjected to heat so that the water may be heated t
a temperature which will destroy all disease germs in it.
It is, however, preferred to adapt the new improvements to the ordinary water

page_text: heating appliances common in ordinary households, since the usual appliances
provide means for heating the water to a sufficient temperature and in sufficient
quantities to ensure an unfailing and automatic supply of drinking water which has
been subjected to such temperature as to destroy all disease germs. It will be
noted also that the invention provides means for the isolation of the water from the
exterior air after being heated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A tank for holding drinking water, and a discharge pipe leading therefrom,.
in combination with a hot water delivery pipe for delivering water to said water
tank, and a thermal valve for controlling the How of water into said water delivery
pipe, substantially as set forth.
2. In combination with a water heating apparatus, a water supply, a closed
sterilized water service apparatus connected with said water supply, a thermal
valve normally stopping the passage to said closed water service apparatus and
operative by the temperature of the water of the water-supply when at a germ-
destroying heat, and means for withdrawing the sterilized water at will from the
closed sterilized water service apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
3. A hot water circulating system, means for heating the water, and a drinking
water tank, in combination with a delivery pipe leading from said hot water
circulating system to said tank, a thermal valve controlled by the heat of the
water in said hot water system, and controlling the outlet to said pipe, a discharge
pipe leading from said tank to the place (or places) of use, and a filter for filtering
the water before it reaches said thermal valve, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination of a thermal valve, a water feed pipe leading thereto, a
water delivery pipe of a drinking water distributing system leading therefrom,.
and means for heating the water in said water feed pipe, said thermal valve
controlling the passage of water from said water feed pipe to said water delivery
pipe, and the action of said thermal valve being controlled by the temperature of
the water in said water feed pipe, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination of a thermal valve which opens only at a temperature
sufficiently high to destroy disease germs in water, a water feed pipe leading to
said valve, a water delivery pipe of a drinking water distributing system, leading
therefrom, and means for heating the water in said water feed pipe, said thermal
valve controlling the passage of water from said water feed pipe to said water
delivery pipe, and the action of said thermal valve being controlled by the
temperature of the water in said water feed pipe, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination of a thermal valve which opens only at a temperature
sufficiently high to destroy disease germs in water, a water feed pipe in which the
water is constantly under pressure, said water feed pipe leading to said thermal valve,
means for heating the water in said water feed pipe, and a water delivery pipe of a
drinking water distributing system leading from said thermal valve, said thermal
valve controlling the passage of water from said water feed pipe to said water
delivery pipe, and the action of said thermal valve being controlled by the
temperature of the water in said water feed pipe, substantially as set forth.
7. A thermal valve which opens only at a temperature sufficiently high to destroy
disease germs in water, a water feed pipe leading to said valve, and a water
delivery pipe of a drinking water distributing system leading therefrom, said
thermal valve controlling the passage of water from said water feed pipe to said
water delivery pipe, and the action of said thermal valve being controlled by the
temperature of the water in said water feed pipe, in combination with means for
heating the water in said water feed pipe, and a filter through which the water
passes, substantially as set forth.
8. The combination of a thermal
valve, a water feed pipe leading thereto, a

page_text: water delivery pipe of a drinking water distributing system leading therefrom, and
means for heating the water in said water feed pipe, said thermal valve controlling
the passage of water from said water feed pipe to said water delivery pipe, and the
thermo-sensitive portion of said thermal valve being surrounded by the water in
said water feed pipe, whereby the action of said thermal valve is controlled by the
temperature of the water in said water feed pipe, substantially as set forth.
9. The casing O, having the inner heating chamber 13, and the outer jacket 14,
and the thermal valve located within the casing, and controlled by the temperature
of the water within said heating chamber, in combination with the boiler F, the
range or stove 11, the circulating pipe G leading from the boiler to said range or
stove, the pipe H leading from said range or stove back to the boiler, said outer
jacket 14 being connected with said pipe H so as to be a part thereof, the water-
feed pipe P leading to said heating chamber 13, and the delivery pipe N, of the
sterilized water service apparatus leading from said heating chamber 13, the outlet
from said heating chamber to said pipe N, being controlled by said thermal valve,
substantially as set forth.
10. The filter composed of the casing T having water passages m, n, v, p, 1 and 2,
in combination with the hollow turning plug U having a filtering medium within
it, and removable cap, and provided with ports r, w, and y. adapted to register
with said water passages, whereby the current of the water may be reversed through
the filtering medium, and the filtering medium may be cleaned, and replaced,
substantially as set forth.
11. The filter composed of a casing having water passages therethrough, and a
hollow turning plug within the casing having a filtering medium within and having
ports adapted to register with said water passages, whereby the current of water
may be reversed through the filtering medium, and the filter medium may be
cleaned, and replaced, substantially as set forth.
12. Apparatus for purifying, sterilizing, and filtering water and rendering the
same fit for potable purposes substantially as herein before described and shown in
the drawings.
Dated the Twenty-second day of March 1892.
NEWNHAM BROWNE,
Agent for the Applicant.