IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING AIR TO THE AIR VESSELS OF PUMPS AND MACHINERY
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hugo Wippermann, of Leeds, in the County of York,
and Gilbert Lewis, of Moss Side, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND
IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING AIR TO THE AIR VESSELS OF PUMPS AND
MACHINERY."
Scaled the 22nd September 1877, and dated the 26th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hugo Wippermann and
Gilbert Lewis at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th March
.1877.
"
HUGO WIPPERMANN, of Leeds, in the County of York, and GILBERT LEWIS, of
Moss Side, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF AND IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING AIR TO THE AIR VESSELS
OF PUMPS AND MACHINERY."
Our Invention relates principally to the air vessels which are applied to certain
classes of pumping machinery, in order that the air contained in such air vessels
may, by virtue of its elasticity, absorb and neutralise the irregularities in the
flow of liquid through the pumps, in manner as is well understood. As the air
in such air vessels is subject to loss through absorption, it is necessary to supply
additional quantities of air to the air vessels at shorter or longer intervals in
order that a suitable quantity of air may be maintained within the said air
vessels.
The object of our said Invention is to obtain a constant and regular supply of air,
which supply may be regulated or adjusted to suit the requirements in each case
and of any time. To this end when applying our Invention to a water pumping
engine, we connect a supplementary air-feeding chamber with the main air vessel,
and also with the valve chamber, or with the pump barrel, or with any convenient.
part of the waterways conveying water between the suction and delivery valves,
Daina G31

page_text: and we provide the said feeding chamber with air inlet and discharge valves.
During the time that the pump is drawing in each stroke, water flows from the
air feeder into the valve chamber, and air flows into the said air feeder through the
air inlet valve; and on the contrary, when the pump is delivering, water flows into
the air feeder and forces air therefrom through the delivery valve into the air
vessel. A cock or valve on the connection with the valve chamber serves to
regulate the amount of air fed into the air vessel at each stroke of the pump.
In some cases we may also connect the air feeder with the valve chamber by
means of a supplementary passage provided with a back pressure valve which
permits the flow of water into the air feeder but prevents a return flow of water
through the said supplementary passage. We prefer to provide the said air feeder
with a glass water gauge or with a suitable appliance for ascertaining its correct
working.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Hugo Wippermann and Gilbert Lewis in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 22nd September 1877.
HUGO WIPPERMANN, of Leeds, in the County of York, and GILBERT LEWIS, of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
Moss Side, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
METHOD OF AND IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING AIR TO THE AIR VESSELS OF.
PUMPS AND MACHINERY."
"
Our Invention relates principally to the air vessels which are applied to certain
classes of pumping machinery in order that the air contained in such air vessels
may, by virtue of it's elasticity, absorb and neutralise the irregularities in the flow
of liquid through the pumps, in manner as is well understood. . As the air in such
air vessels is subject to loss through absorbtion, it is necessary to supply additional
quantities of air to the air vessels at shorter or longer intervals in order that a
suitable quantity of air may be maintained within the said air vessels.
The object of our said Invention is to obtain a constant and regular supply of air,
which supply may be regulated or adjusted to suit the requirements in each case.
To this end, when applying our Juvention, say, for example, to a water pumping
engine, we connect a supplementary air-feeding chamber or vessel with the main
air vessel, and also with the valve chamber, or with the pump barrel, or with any
convenient part of the waterways conveying water between the suction and delivery
valves, and we provide the said feeding chamber or vessel with air inlet and dis-
charge valves. During the time that the pump is drawing, at each stroke water
flows from the air feeder into the valve chamber, and air flows into the air feeder
through the air inlet valve; and, on the contrary, when the pump is delivering,
water flows into the air feeder and forces air therefrom through the delivery valve
into the air vessel.
And in order that our Invention may be more readily described and understood,
a Sheet of Drawings, marked with letters of reference and illustrative of the said
Invention has been appended hereunto.
Referring to the said Drawings, Fig. 1 represents an elevation partly in section
of the complete apparatus. In the said Figure A. is the air-feeding vessel, and B is
a valve box fixed on the top thereof. The said valve box is represented detached
in plan by Fig. 2, and in vertical section by Fig. 3, which is drawn about the full
size.
It will be understood that the sizes and proportions of the parts may be varied
to suit varying requirements. In the example the vessel A is fixed by it's lower
end in a bracket c, which is attached to any suitable part of the pump or apparatus,

page_text: ör is, otherwise suitably secured.... To. the lower end of the air feeding vessel is
attached a tap d which is connected by suitable piping, not represented, with a
part of the pump, say, for example, with the valve chamber, the connection being
such as that when the pump is drawing in the liquid, the liquid is caused to flow
from the said vessel into the pump barrel or passages, and that, on the contrary,
when the pump is ejecting or forcing, liquid returns or flows into the said vessel.
The valve box B communicates by means of a passage è with the vessel A, and the
said valve box is formed or provided with an air inlet valve fand an air discharge
valve g. In the example the valve opens downwards and is provided with. a
spiral spring which tends to close the valve. The valve-g opens upwards and tends
to close by reason of it's own gravity. The said valves are of a simple construction,
and are faced with leather or other suitable elastic material.
"
The forms and arrangements of the valves may be greatly varied, as may be
considered to be most suitable to the requirements of any caso. The valve g delivers
into a passage h, which communicates with a pipe This pipe is connected
with the main air vessel of the pump or pumping machinery. The vessel A is
provided with a glass guage K, which is connected with the upper and lower ends
of the said vessel, and is.employed as a means for ascertaining the working of the
apparatus.
If preferred, a glass plate may be fixed in a suitable manner in the side of the
vessel A, or the cylindrical portion of the said vessel may consist entirely of glass,
as, for example, a glass cylinder may be bolted between two metal ends, washers of
leather, or other suitable packing material being interposed between the glass and
the metal, or the joints may be packed in the same manner as ordinary glands or
stuffing boxes. When the apparatus is at work, the pump, when sucking or drawing
in the liquid, say, for example, water, causes water to flow froin the vessel A into
the pump or waterways, and air flows through the valve f to supply the place of
the water so withdrawn. During the times when the pump is discharging or
forcing the water out or to a higher level, water flows from the pump into the said
vessel, and air is thereby forced through the valves and the pipe i into the aforesaid
main air vessel. The quantity of air so fed or discharged into the said air vessel
during each complete stroke of the pump or pumping machinery may be regulated
by means of the tap d. A constant and regular supply of air to the air vessel is
thus ensured by the employment of the apparatus herein described.
In some cases it may be desirable to connect the vessel A with the pumps by
means of two passages, one of the passages being provided with a back pressure
valve; or each passage may be provided with a valve, one valve opening when the
pump is drawing in, and the other valve when the pump is discharging.
This arrangement would be of use more particularly in cases wherein there is a
great difference between the extent of the lift of the pump and the head or the
height to which the water or liquid is forced. For example, I will suppose that the
water is forced to a height equal to only half the lift. In such a case the water
would be withdrawn from the vessel A with greater force than that with which it
would be returned. By providing separate passages for the outflow and return
each may be separately regulated and the correct working of the apparatus may
thereby be ensured.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of our said Invention and
the manner in which we prefer to carry the same into practical effect, I would have
it to be understood in conclusion that we claim,―
First. The apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated
herein-before, and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The air-feeding vessel connected with the pumping machinery for the
passage to and fro of liquid, and with the "air vessel" for the supply thereto of air,
substantially as set forth and indicated.
And, lastly. An air-feeding chamber or vessel provided with air inlet and outlet
valves and connected with the pumping machinery by means of one passage

page_text: or of more than one passage, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and
indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Gilbert Lewis, for myself and on behalf of
the said Hugo Wippermann, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Twenty-seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Signed and sealed by the
said Gilbert Lewis in the
presence of
HUGH GRANT,
Clerk to Edward K. Dutton,
3, Princess Street,
Manchester.
GILBERT LEWIS. (LS.)