IMPROVEMENTS IN DIRECT-ACTING STEAM PUMPS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Heck, of 1, Perrys Close, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DIRECT-ACTING STEAM
PUMPS."
Sealed the 13th March 1877, and dated the 27th December 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Heck at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th December 1876.
JOHN HENRY HECK, of 1, Perrys Close, in the County of Middlesex.
MENTS IN DIRECT-ACTING STEAM PUMPS."
"
IMPROVE-
This Invention has for its object improvements in direct-acting or other steam
pumps, and relates especially to the class of pumps known as pulsometers.
The pulsometer is now a well known pump, it consists essentially of a pair of
chambers, to which steam is admitted alternately by a self-acting valve. The steam
acts in the first place to expel the water from the chamber into the delivery pipe,
and then becoming condensed its forms a vacuum, which immediately is filled by
the water from the suction pipe.
The automatic steam valve used in the pulsometer is preferably of a globular
form, and it oscillates between two adjacent seats.
In order to render the nction of this valve more rapid, and to facilitate the fitting
of this part of the instrument, I form the seatings for the valve in a separate piece,
over which I apply a cap, the interior of which is divided by a vertical partition
or diaphragm, in some cases loose, in others cast with the cap, the lower edge of
which comes almost into contact with the ball valve. By the applicon of this
partition or diaphragm the steam on the one side of the ball valve is separated from
the steam on the other side, except that on both sides of the partition or diaphragm
there is free communication with the steam pipe. The slightest variation in the
pressure of the steam on the two sides of the partition or diaphragm, such as results
when consendation commences to take place in the chamber open to steam, at once
causes the valve to be thrown over from one seat to the other. In order to hasten
the condensation in the upper part of the chamber immediately beneath the seating
of the ball valve I provide in each chamber a channel or pipe to circulate the steam
and lead it down to the lower part of the chamber where the condensation is
active

page_text: I also hasten the condensation by means of an injection drawn from the air
vessel on the suction pipe by a passage or pipe fitted with a self-acting valvo
opening from the air vessel to the water chamber.
Now in order to adapt apparatus of this kind, or any other suitable nature, for
the automatic supply of water to steam boilers I employ cone valves in the pumps;
the delivery pipe is connected with the delivery valve chamber & passes from it
in a downward direction. To render the action of the pump easier, and to insure
its satisfactory working, I place on the delivery pipe, or on the air vessel in con-
nection with it, a weighted valve which permits a slight escape at each pulsation.
The valve is enclosed in a small chamber above, the outlet of which may be by a
pipe or a small cock to still further regulate the amount of escape.
The pump is fixed in some convenient position, preferably above the level of the
boiler. The steam pipe which supplies the pump is in connection with a chamber
connected at the top and bottom with the steam and water respectively. This
chamber can either be fixed outside or inside the boiler; if outside, the guage glass
can be very conveniently mounted upon it. The end of the steam pipe in this
chamber or trap has a form; this form of pipe has its mouth within the chamber
or trap at the water level, and when the mouth becomes covered the passage of the
steam is arrested to the pump. The action of the pump is then stopped, and it
will not start again until the water in the boiler has fallen to a lower level.
In some cases I fit upon the lower end of the steam pipe a chamber or water
trap; the lower end of this chamber or trap dips into the water in the boiler, and
aform pipe admits steam to it from the steam space of the boiler. By an
arrangement of plates or diaphragms I prevent any water which may mingle with
the steam through priming or any other causes to be carried to the pump.
In some cases I fit upon the pipe leading to the pump a chamber containing a
bell, and within the bell is a float. When the boiler is sufficiently full water enters
this chamber from the boiler and covers the lower end or the mouth of the bell,
which immediately fills by the condensation of the steam within it; the float
within the bell is thus lighter, and it raises to its seat a vave which shuts off the
supply of steam to the pump. When the water falls and the mouth of the bell is
uncovered the bell at once empties and the floats fall, removing the valve from
its seat; in this way a sudden opening or closing of the steam supply vave is
insured.
In some cases I apply a lever between the steam supply valve and the flout
within the bell.
In other cases I place in connection with the steam supply pipe a chamber con-
taining a weight or float, which has fixed to it on one end a valve, the other end
being in communication with the boilor; by means, of slots or holes the steam passes
this float or weight to the pump. The instant however that the mouth of the
steam pipe is covered by the water in the boiler recaching the desired level the
momentun of the water rushing through carries the weight or float with it,
thereby shutting off the steain valve to the pump. Directly the water falls in the
boiler below the desired level the water rushes out and the weight or float falls,
opening the valve and restoring the communication between the pump and the
steam.
In some cases I also employ in this particular arrangement a lever between this
weight or float and the steam supply valve. I also take from the chamber one or
two steam pipes (preferably two), the one dipping into the water, and the mouth
of the other placed at the required level of the water in the boiler. I can also
place upon the water chamber of the pump an alarum or steam whistle, which will
at once give notice if the apparatus should fail to work when necessary.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Heck in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th June
1877.
JOHN HENRY HECK, of 1, Perrys Close, in the County of Middlesex.
MENTS IN DIRECT-ACTING STEAM PUMPS."
"IMPROVE-
My said Invention relates more especially to the class of direct-acting steam
pumps known as "pulsometers" which are now a well-known form of direct-acting
steam pump, consisting essentially of a pair of chambers to which steam is admitted
alternately by a self-acting valve. The steam acts in the first place to expel tho
water froin one of the pair of chambers into the delivery pipe, and then becoming
condensed it forms a vacuum which is immediately filled by the water from the
suction pipe, and so on with each chamber alternately. The self-acting steam valve
used in the "pulsometer" is preferably of a globular form, and oscillates between
two adjacent seats. Now in order to facilitate the fitting of this part of the instru-
ment, I form the seatings for the said valve in a separate piece or casting, as shown
at A in Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings, which represents a vertical section of
the upper part of a "pulsometer" with its self-acting steam valve and valve seats,
the said valve seats forming a separate and distinct casting, and being provided
with suitable flanges for facilitating the fitting and removal of the same as may be
found desirable. I also propose to adopt a similar construction of separate flanged
valve seat to other parts of "pulsometers" and other direct-acting steam pumps,
with a view to facilitate the fitting and removal of the said valve seats, examples of
which are given as applied to the suction and delivery valves of "pulsometers" in my
Drawings, and will be herein-after referred to.
In order to increase the rapidity of action of the self-acting steam valve of a
"pulsometer," I apply a cap B over the valve and valve seats, the interior of which
cap is divided by a vertical partition or diaphragm C, which may be either loose and
adjustable, or cast in one with the cap. The lower edge of this partition or
diaphragm C, comes almost into contact with the self-acting ball valve D, and
serves the purpose of preventing the ball from rising too far from its seats. In
some cases, where the diaphragm C is not employed, a transverse pin passing
horizontally across the cap B a little above the ball valve may be used for the
purpose of preventing the valve from rising too far. The effect of the vertical
partition or diaphragm C is to divide the current of steam on entering the cap
from the steam pipe E into two streams or jets, the steam on the one side of
the ball valve being separated to some extent from the steam on the other side
thereof, excepting that on both sides of the partition C there is free communication
with the steam pipe E, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. The slightest variation
in the pressure of the steam on the two sides of the partition or diaphragm,
such as results when condensation commences to take place in the chamber,
which for the time being is open to steam, causes the valve to be rapidly thrown
over from one seat to the other,
"
In order to hasten the condensation of the steam in the upper part of each
chamber beneath the seating of the ball valve, I provide inside or outside each of
the chambers F, F¹, (sec Figures 2 and 3 which represent vertical sections of a
'pulsometer") a small pipe a, a¹, open at both ends and extending from the upper
to the lower portions of their respective chambers in order to circulate the steam
and lead it down to the lower part of the chamber where the condensation is most
active. According to another arrangement which I prefer to adopt for hastening
the condensation in the chambers, and which is shown in elevation at Figure 4,
employ an injection of water drawn from the air vessel G on the suction pipe H, or
if desired the said injection may be taken from the delivery pipe.
One mode of carrying out this part of my Invention consists in providing a
passage or pipe b, 6', fitted or not as preferred with a self-acting valve c, c¹, opening

page_text: from the air vessel or from the delivery pipe as the case may be, to the lower parts
of the chambers F, F¹, respectively.
Another part of my Invention has for its object the adaptation of "pulsometers
for effecting the automatic or other supply of the feed water to steam generators
and consists partly of a peculiar construction and arrangement of the delivery
valves of such instruments, whereby a more efficient action is obtained.
Figure 1 (Sheet 2) of my Drawings represents a vertical section of one arrange-
ment of my said improved "pulsometer" adapted as a boiler feeder, and Figure 2
(on the same Sheet) is a similar section taken at right angles to Figure 1. I
employ_by_preference for the two sets of suction and delivery valves, conc
valves H, H', and I (one delivery valve I only being seen in my Drawings), such
valves being by preference fitted respectively to the valve seats d, d', and e, which
are cast separately and provided with flanges of their own, as is clearly shown in
the Drawings, so as to be more readily fitted and removed as herein-before
described. In order that this apparatus may give the best results, I arrange the
delivery valves I contained in the delivery chambers K in the manner herein-after
described and illustrated in Figure 1 (Sheet 2) of my Drawings. The delivery
pipe L is connected with the delivery valve chamber K, and passes from such
chamber in a downward or other direction. Each of the delivery valves I, whether
working horizontally, as shown, or otherwise, operates without any mechanical con-
nection with the steam valve, and is guided in its seat e by a cylindrical casing f
cast on the valve, which casing fits easily inside the cylindrical or inner portion of
the valve seat, as is clearly shown in Figure 1 (Sheet 2). The said cylindrical
casing is connected with the conical or other head of the valve (working by
preference horizontally) by ribs or feathers so disposed as to leave free open spaces
at for the passage of the water. This peculiar construction and arrangement of
delivery valves, which is equally applicable to the suction valves, greatly facilitates
the action of the apparatus and reduces their wear and tear.
In applying this peculiar boiler feeder to a steam generator, it is to be fixed in
some convenient position, preferably above the level of the water in the boiler, as
shown in Figures 5 and 6 (Sheet 1) which represent two corresponding views look-
ing at right angles to each other of the said feeder, and illustrate also the mode of
applying and using the same. The steam pipe E which supplys alternately the
chambers F, F, of the feeder, is either in direct communication with the interior of
the boiler, having its lower end turned up in the form of a J, with its mouth on a
level with the proper water level in the boiler, as shown at M (Figure 5), or, which
prefer, is in connection with a separate chamber or trap N, such chamber or trap
being connected at the top and bottom with the steam and water respectively of
the boiler. This chamber can either be fixed outside or inside the boiler as pre-
ferred; if outside, the gauge glass can be conveniently mounted upon it as shown in
my Drawings. The end of the steam pipe E in this chamber or trap is also by
preference turned upwards in the form of a J, having its upturned mouth within the
said chamber at the water level therein, and when the water level rises above this
mouth, the passage of steam to the pump or feeder is arrested. The action of the
feeder is consequently stopped and it will not start again until the water in the 4
boiler has fallen to a level with or below that of the mouth of the steam pipe.
Although I prefer to turn the mouth of the steam pipe upwards, as shown, this
is not absolutely essential, as the said pipe may descend vertically down to the
water level in the boiler. O is a stop and starting valve for shutting off and
turning on the steam from or to the pump or feeder, as found requisite; when the 5
said valve is opened the feeder will operate or not according to the height of the
water level in the boiler, its action being automatic. P is the suction pipe which
dips into a feed tank Q situato either above or below the water level in the boiler,
and may be fitted when found requisite with a foot valve R. The delivery or feed
pipe is shown at S; it is connected to any suitable and convenient part of the boiler 5
below the water level, and is provided with the usual cock and stop valve T, U.
An alarum or steam whistle may if desired be fitted to either or both the chambers F

page_text: or F¹ of the feeder, which will at once give notice if the apparatus should fail to
work when necessary.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of a chamber or water trap N, which in some cases
I fit upon the lower end of the steam pipe E leading to the feeder, the lower end of
such water trap being open, as shown, and dipping into the water in the boiler, the
water level inside the chamber being indicated by the line w-L. Steam is admitted
from the steam space of the boiler into the interior of the said water trap N by the
pipe V, the inner and lower end of which pipe is turned upwards, as shown, and has
its open mouth on a level with the water level in the boiler. One or inore bafflo
plates or diaphragms W are provided inside the water trap for the purpose of pre-
venting any water which may mingle with the steam through priming or other
causes from being carried into the pump or feeder.
In the modification, Figure 8, the upper part of the chamber or water trap N is
left open, so as to be in free communication with the steam space in the boiler, and
the lower end of the steam pipe E which supplys the pump or feeder is by preference
turned upwards, as shown, so as to have its mouth level with the water level in the
boiler.
Figure 9 is another modification wherein a chamber N open at the bottom and
dipping into the water in the boiler is fixed to the lower end of the steam pipe E of
the feeder, the upper portion of this chamber being open to the steam space in the
boiler. A bell X is fixed in any convenient manner inside the said chamber N, tho
inverted mouth of such bell being level with the proper water line in the boiler.
Inside this bell there is a float Y which is connected by straps or other suitable
arrangement passing outside the bell with a valve i, such valve closing against a
seat on the bottom of the steam pipe E leading to the feeder.
The action of this arrangement is as follows:-When the boiler is sufficiently full
water enters the chamber N from below and covers the mouth of the bell, which
immediately fills by reason of the condensation of the steam within it. The float Y
inside the bell is consequently lifted and raises the valve i to its seat, thereby
shutting off the steam from the pump or feeder. When the water level falls and
the mouth of the bell is uncovered the bell at once empties and the float Y falls
again, removing the valve i from its seat, and thus a sudden opening or closing of
the steam supply valve is ensured, the apparatus being entirely self-acting.
If desired a lever Z (see Figure 10) may be applied between the steam supply
valve of the feeder and the float Y inside the bell, the free end of the said lever
being either over the top of the bell and connected by external straps h to the base
of the float, or the lever may be bent so as to pass under the lip of the bell and be
connected directly to the bottom of the float.
In some cases I use the arrangement shown at Figure 11, which consists of a
separate chamber N placed in any convenient position outside the boiler, but
preferably above the water level, such chamber containing a float Y attached to the
free end of a lever Z which works the valve i on the bottom of the steam supply
pipe E of the feeder. A steam pipe E' from the bottom of this chamber N leads to
the water level inside the boiler.
Figure 12 is a modification of the last described arrangement. It may also be
placed in any convenient position outside the boiler, by preference above the water
level, and consists of a chamber N, to the lower end of which is fitted a pipe E¹
leading to the water level in the boiler. To the upper end of this chamber there is
fitted the steam pipe E leading direct to the pump or feeder. A branch pipe E" from
the steam chest of the boiler enters the lower end of the steam pipe E, and is turned
downwards, as shown, so that its mouth will be concentric with the mouth of the
steam pipe E. i is a valve which is mounted on or connected with the float Y in
the chamber N, and serves to open and close both the concentric mouths of the
pipes E and E simultaneously. So long as the lower end of the pipe E¹ is covered
by the water in the boiler the float Y will be raised and will maintain the valve
closed and prevent access of steam to the pump or feeder; but so soon as the water
in the boiler descends below its proper level, then the float, being no longer held up

page_text: by the water, will descend and open the valve i, allowing the steam from the steam
chest of the boiler to pass by the pipe E" into the steam pipe E leading to the
pump or feeder.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that I lay no claim to the use of cone valves
working horizontally in the delivery pipes of "pulsometers" when such valves are
mechanically connected with the steam inlet valve or valves, neither do I claim
generally the use of cone valves in "pulsometers"; but what I consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The application and use to and in "pulsometers" and other direct acting
steam pumps, of valve seats made in a separate piece or casting provided with
flanges or their equivalents so as to facilitate the fitting and removal of the same,
substantially as herein-before described.
Secondly. The application and use of a partition or diaphragm inside the cap or
cover of the steami valve of "pulsometers," substantially as and for the purposes
herein-before described.
Thirdly. The application and use of pipes disposed inside or outside the chambers
of "pulsometers," and leading from the upper to the lower parts thereof for the
purpose of lastening the process of condensation of the steam in such chambers,
substantially as herein-before described.
Fourthly. The application and use of an injection into the chambers of "pul-
someters," such injection being obtained either from the suction air vessel or from
the delivery pipe, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fifthly. The adapting of "pulsometers" to the automatic feeding of steam
generators, substantially in the manner herein-before described.
Sixthly. The application and use to and in "pulsometers" for high lifts, or to be
used as boiler feeders, of suction and delivery valves arranged and constructed
substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described and illustrated on
Sheet 2 of my Drawings.
Seventhly. The self-acting arrangements for opening and closing a valve in the
steam pipe of "pulsometers" adapted for feeding steam generators or boilers by the
action of a float enclosed in a chamber or water trap, and operating directly or
through the intervention of a lever or otherwise on the said valve, substantially as
and for the purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Heck, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JOHN HENRY HECK. (L.S.)
Witness,
EDWIN P. ALEXANDER,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
14, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane,
W.C.