IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS FOR EXHAUSTING OR CHARGING RECEIVERS, PRINCIPALLY APPLICABLE FOR WORKING PNEUMATIC TUBES FOR RAISING FLUIDS, AND FOR EXHAUSTING STEAM IN STEAM ENGINES; INCLUDING PARTICULAR ARRANGEMENTS OF APPARATUS FOR. CARRYING OUT. THESE SEVERAL OBJECTS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles William Siemens, of No. 3, Great
George Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS FOR EXHAUSTING OR
CHARGING RECEIVERS, PRINCIPALLY APPLICABLE FOR WORKING PNEUMATIC
TUBES FOR RAISING FLUIDS, AND FOR EXHAUSTING STEAM IN STEAM ENGINES;
INCLUDING PARTICULAR ARRANGEMENTS OF APPARATUS FOR. CARRYING OUT.
THESE SEVERAL OBJECTS."
Sealed the 14th March 1871, and dated the 12th December 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles William
Siemens at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 12th December 1870.
.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM STEMENS, of No. 3, Great George Street,
Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS FOR EXHAUSTING
OR CHARGING RECEIVERS, PRINCIPALLY APPLICABLE FOR WORKING PNEUMATIC TUBES
FOR RAISING FLUIDS, AND FOR EXHAUSTING STEAM IN STEAM ENGINES, INCLUDING
PARTICULAR ARRANGEMENTS OF APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THESE SEVERAL
OBJECTS," to be as follows:-
-
Currents or jets of steam are frequently applied for urging the draught
of. chimneys, for ventilating mines, or for other similar purposes where

page_text: only a slight degree of rarefaction is required, it being considered
necessary to resort to fan blast in cases where a reduction of the atmo-
spheric pressure exceeding one or two feet of water column is required,
and to the air pump where the reduction of the atmospheric pressure
has to exceed four or five feet of water column:
According to my present Invention a stream of steam or other elastic
fluid under pressure is so directed as to carry with it an induced current
of air or other elastic fluid (which is to be removed or urged forward)
with such energy and certainty as to compare favorably with the work
that would be accomplished by means of a steam engine and air pump
in exhausting a receiver. For this purpose I direct a current of high
pressure steam through a contracting annular orifice (capable of being
regulated), against which a stream or streams of air or other gaseous
body proceeding from the receiver to be exhausted and induced by the
steam jet is made to impinge, the air or gas being directed against the
steam through an annular orifice or orifices, or through several tiers of
holes surrounding the steam jet and impelled with it into an annular
receiving chamber or tube of increasing sectional area, causing a gradual
retardation of the combined stream. This gradual retardation of the
combined stream causes a vacuity of pressure at the point of junction
of the two streams and of increasing their respective velocities, the
effect being the same as though their discharge took place into an
exhausted receiver, and with the increased energy of action thus
produced the effect produced is also greatly augmented. In order to
realize these advantages it is necessary however that the annular orifice
or orifices through which the air is made to enter should also be
considerably less than that of the exhaust passage of the mixed stream.
In giving to the inducing stream the annular form a comparatively large
increase of surface of contact between the two streams is produced,
whereupon depends the relative amount of air capable of being urged
forward, and consequently the economical result of this arrangement.
The annular exhausting tube is by preference formed by introducing into
the tube of increasing sectional area a regulating cone passing down
into the orifice of the steam nozzle and capable of adjustment, so as to
increase or decrease the annular area of the nozzle.
In applying this mode of propelling gaseous bodies to pneumatic tubes
through which carriers containing light objects are conveyed the
exhausted receivers usually employed may be nearly or entirely dispensed

page_text: with; I prefer the use of the pneumatic tubes in the form of loops as
described in the Specification to my Patent, No. 1532, of 1867, with
this difference, that instead of working them by the circulation of one
and the same body of air in a closed circuit, I allow the atmospheric
air to enter freely at the one end of an open loop where the carriers are
introduced, and connect the other end (being situated at the same
station) to the exhausting apparatus before described. Or in place of
forming a loop with only one end station as described, the loop may be
divided into two separate lengths, with two end stations, an exhausting
apparatus being applied to the one length at the one end station, and
another to the other length at the other end station, while one or more
intermediate stations may be arranged on each length between the end
stations. At intermediate stations I sever the pneumatic tube, making
the two ends terminate a certain distance apart in parallel face plates
held firmly by distance pieces or bolts capable of adjustment. In the
space between these faces a rocking frame containing two or more
lengths of straight pipe is so adjusted as to bring one or other of these
pipes in a line with the two separated ends of the pneumatic main tube,
so as to form the continuation from the one to the other, and supposing
that a carrier has previously been placed into the moveable length of
pipe so inserted, it will instantly be caught up by the current passing
through the main tube, and be delivered at another receiving station
If it is intended to receive a carrier at any intermediate or at the terminal
station, the rocking frame is moved so as to bring a length of pipe in a
line with the main tube, the off end of which pipe is partially closed
so as to retard the motion of the carrier on passing into the moveable
pipe, and to bring it to a dead stop within the same. By means of a
side motion of the rocking frame the length of pipe containing the
carrier is brought out of line with the main tube, and the carrier is
removed from it by pushing a bolt through the orifice in the closed end
thereof in the direction of its axis. A by pass is provided to maintain
the flow of air through the main tube while these changes are being
effected. Leakage of air between the surfaces of the face plates and
the end surfaces of the moveable pipes is prevented or greatly diminished
by means of circular grooves formed in the meeting surfaces which
produce eddies in the escaping streamlets of air, whereby their progress
is greatly retarded and rendered practically of no account, and a free
motion of the rocking frame without friction between the face plates is
thus rendered admissable.

page_text: Another advantageous application of my before described improved
exhaust apparatus is for lifting water or other liquids to a height not ex-
ceeding from 20 to 24 feet. For this purpose an elevated close reservoir
is provided with a suction and a discharge valve near the bottom, the
former communicating with the liquid to be raised, and the latter with
the channel at the upper level for receiving the discharged liquid, while
the upper extremity of the close receiver communicates with the steam
exhaust apparatus before described. In turning on the steam in the
exhaust apparatus a partial vacuum is created in the close receiver, which
causes the water to rise into it through the suction valve until it is filled
when the steam is shut off and atmospheric air is free to enter, causing
the water to flow from the close receiver through the discharge valve.
When the receiver is discharged the steam is again turned on to draw
up another charge of water, to be again discharged by turning the
steam off. The alternate opening and closing of the steam valve may
be effected advantageously by means of a float and a tumbler motion
of any suitable known arrangement. Two or more such receivers or
cisterns may be so arranged as to act in concert and to maintain
a uniform flow of water, and one and the same exhaust apparatus
may be alternately connected to the one and the other. Apparatus
of this description may be used advantageously for draining lands on
account of the great simplicity of the apparatus required as compared
to pumping machinery. In cases where the fluid has to be raised to
greater heights than before stated this may be accomplished by a series
of such apparatus arranged at different heights and in connection with
each other.
Another application of my improved exhauster is for relieving the
working pistons of non-condensing steam engines from back pressure.
In this application the exhaust steam of the engine itself by its first
rush from the cylinder induces the current which evacuates the close
vessel or receiver, which in its turn receives the expanded steam passing
from the working cylinder after the first rush has taken place. The
flow of the steam into this exhausted receiver may be facilitated by
causing the steam nozzle to be lifted by the steam when at its greatest
pressure into close proximity to the cone regulating the steam area
during the first period of each blast, the nozzle being made to recede
from the regulating cone by the action of a spring when the blast
decreases. The exhaust tube must in the above case be provided at its

page_text: wider extremity or discharging end with an outlet valve to prevent the
egress of air into the exhausted receiver during the intervals of steam
blast, and the before described lifting of the steam nozzle may be
conveniently effected by connecting it by a rod to this valve.
The action of the exhauster may be aided by the injection of some water
say as much as is required for feeding the steam boiler, or by cooling
the vacuous receiver externally, or by applying to the same a separatė
exhauster provided with a continuous stream of high pressure steam
proceeding directly from the boiler.
It is evident that the apparatus herein-before described is also applic-
able for forcing air or other gases into receivers connected with the
delivery end of the channel through which the mixed fluids or gases
flow, and that the compressed gases may be used for propelling carriers
in pneumatic tubes, or for forcing liquids upwards or for other purposes,
either by themselves or in conjunction with the exhausting action of
the same or other exhausting apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles William Siemens in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th June 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
WILLIAM SIEMENS, of No. 3, Great George Street, Westminster, in the
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Charles William Siemens, Her special
licence, that I, the said Charles William Siemens, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles William
Siemens, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
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 Invention

page_text: for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS FOR EXHAUSTING OR CHARGING RECEIVERS,
PRINCIPALLY APPLICABLE FOR WORKING PNEUMATIC TUBES FOR RAISING FLUIDS,
AND FOR EXHAUSTING STEAM IN STEAM ENGINES, INCLUDING PARTICULAR ARRANGE-
MENTS OF APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THESE SEVERAL OBJECTS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles William Siemens,
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 Charles William Siemens, 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 thereof, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is
to say :-
Currents or jets of steam are frequently applied for urging the draught
of chimneys for ventilating mines or for other similar purposes where
only a slight degree of rarefaction is required, it being considered
necessary to resort to fan blast in cases where a reduction of the atmo-
spheric pressure exceeding one or two feet of water column is required,
and to the air pump when the reduction of the atmospheric pressure has
to exceed four or five feet of water column.
According to my present Invention, a stream of steam or other elastic
fluid under pressure is so directed as to carry with it an induced current
of air or other elastic fluid (which is to be removed or urged forward)
with such energy and certainty as to compare favorably with the work
that would be accomplished by means of a steam engine and air pump
in exhausting a receiver. For this purpose I direct a current of high
pressure steam through a contracted annular orifice (capable of being
regulated) against which a stream or streams of air or other gaseous
body proceeding from the receiver to be exhausted and induced by the
steam jet is made to impinge the air or gas being directed against the
steam through an annular orifice or orifices or through several tiers of
holes surrounding the steam jet and impelled with it into a receiving
chamber, or tube of increasing sectional area, causing a gradual retardation
of the combined stream. This gradual retardation of the combined

page_text: stream causes a vacuity of pressure at the point of junction of the two
streams and increases their respective velocities, the effect being the
same as though their discharge took place into an exhausted receiver,
and with the increased velocity thus attained the effect produced is
greatly augmented. In giving to the inducing stream the annular form
a comparatively large increase of surface of contact between the two
streams is produced, whereupon depends the relative amount of air
capable of being urged forward and consequently the economical result
of this arrangement.
In applying this mode of propelling gaseous bodies to pneumatic
tubes through which carriers containing light objects are conveyed the
exhausted receivers usually employed may be nearly or entirely dis-
pensed with, I prefer the use of the. pneumatic tubes in the form of loops
as described in the Specification to my Patent No. 1532 of 1867, with
this difference, that instead of working them by the circulation of one
and the same body of air in a closed circuit I allow the atmospherio air
to enter freely at the one end of an open loop where the carriers are
introduced and connect the other end (being situated at the same station)
to the exhausting apparatus before described. Or in place of forming
a loop with only one end station as described, the loop may be divided
into two separate lengths with two end stations, an exhausting apparatus
being applied to the one length at the one end station and another to the
other length at the other end station, while one or more intermediate
stations may be arranged on each length between the end stations. At
intermediate stations I sever the pneumatic tube, making the two ends
terminate a certain distance apart in parallel face plates held firmly by
distance pieces or bolts capable of adjustment. In the space between
these faces, a rocking frame, containing two or more lengths of straight
pipe, is so adjusted as to bring one or other of these pipes in a line with
the two separated ends of the pneumatic main tube, so as to form the
continuation from the one to the other, and supposing that a carrier has
previously been placed into the moveable length of pipe so inserted, it
will instantly be caught up by the current passing through the main
tube and be delivered at another receiving station. If it is intended to
receive a carrier at any intermediate or at the terminal station, the
rocking frame is moved so as to bring a length of pipe in a line with the
main tube, the off end of which pipe is partially closed so as to retard
the motion of the carrier on passing into the moveable pipe, and to bring
it to a dead stop within the same, By means of a side motion of the

page_text: rocking frame the length of pipe containing the carrier is brought out
of line with the main tube and the carrier is removed from it by pushing
a bolt through the orifice in the closed end thereof in the direction of
its axis. A bye-pass is provided to maintain the flow of air through the
main. tube while these changes are being effected. Leakage of air
between the surfaces of the face plates and the end surfaces of the
moveable pipes is prevented or greatly diminished by means of circular
grooves formed in the meeting surfaces which produce eddies in the
escaping streamlets of air, whereby their progress is greatly retarded and
rendered practically of no account, and a free motion of the rocking
frame without friction beween the face plates is thus rendered admissible.
Another advantageous application of my before described improved
exhaust apparatus is for lifting water or other liquids to a height not
exceeding from 16 to 20 feet, for this purpose an elevated close reservoir
is provided with a suction and a discharge valve near the bottom, the
former communicating with the liquid to be raised and the latter with
the channel at the upper level for receiving the discharged liquid, while
the upper extremity of the close receiver communicates with the steam
exhaust apparatus before described. In turning on the steam in the
exhaust apparatus a partial vacuum is created in the close receiver
which causes the water to rise into it through the suction valve until it
is filled, when the steam is shut off and atmospheric air is free to enter,
causing the water to flow from the close receiver through the discharge
valve. When the receiver is discharged the steam is again turned
on to draw up another charge of water to be again discharged by
turning the steam off. The alternate opening and closing of the steam
valve may be effected advantageously by means of a float and a tumbler
motion of any suitable known arrangement. Two or more such receivers
or cisterns may be so arranged as to act in concert, and to maintain
a.uniform flow of water, and one and the same exhaust or blast apparatus
may be alternately connected to the one and the other. Apparatus of this
description may be used advantageously for draining lands on account
of the great simplicity of the apparatus required as compared with
pumping machinery. In cases where the fluid has to be raised to
greater heights than before stated, this may be accomplished by a series
of such apparatus arranged at different heights and in connection with
each other.
The blast apparatus herein-before described is also applicable for
faming sin
tha
11

page_text: nough which the mixed muids or gases now, and
the compressed gases may be used for propelling carriers in pneumatic
tubes, or for forcing liquids or weighted pistons or lifts upwards, or
for other purposes, either by themselves or in conjunction with the
exhausting action of the same or other exhausting apparatus, and the
exhausting and impelling action of the apparatus may also be applied
with advantage to the ventilation of mines or to the compression of air
for working blast or other furnaces, care being taken to separate the
steam or vapour from the air before introducing the same into the blast
furnace, by passing the same through a scrubber, or by other known
means.
In blowing. furnaces for converting solid into gaseous fuel (gas
producers) the admixture of vapour with the air is on the contrary
advantagous in assisting in the decomposition of carbon.
Having thus set forth the nature of my Invention, I will now proceed
more particularly to describe the manner of performing the same, for
which purpose I shall refer to the accompanying Drawings, on which
Figure 1 shews a vertical section of my before described improved
apparatus as applied to the impelling or compressing of air or other
gases; A is a cylindrical chamber with a branch pipe B connected to
a pipe C for the introduction of steam or other elastic fluid into the
chamber. The chamber A is formed with a converging nozzle, at D
through which passes a second nozzle E in such a manner as to leave, a
very narrow annular orifice between the two, through which the steam
or other elastic fluid issues from the chamber. The nozzle E is screwed
into the lower end of the chamber A, and can thus be adjusted up or
down so as to increase or decrease the said annular orifice for the purpose
of regulating the action of the apparatus, and it is secured in position
when adjusted by the locking ring F. The nozzle E is open at bottom
for the free admission of air, and centrally within it is fixed a third
nozzle G communicating with the chamber A, in which nozzle is an
adjustable comb H passing through its orifice in such manner as to
leave a narrow annular space for the issue of steam. Upon the top of
the chamber A is fixed a tube I, having firstly a rapidly contracting
portion I¹ surrounding the nozzle thereof so as to leave a converging
annular space a
as shewn, into which air can pass through the lateral
apertures J, secondly, the tube has a portion I³ which converges gradually
up to the point X, from which point the tube gradually increases in

page_text: diameter by preference in a parabolic ratio up to the upper end where it
opens into a conduit K. The length of the converging channel I³
depends upon and increases with the breadth of the outer concentric
influx channel of the air, and also with the steam pressure employed.
Its most advantageous length thus varies from 12 to 20 times the
breadth of the circular air channel, the object being to effect the com-
plete commingling of the two fluids at the instant of reaching the
contracted neck.
From this arrangement it will be seen that annular jets of steam being
made to issue from the chamber A through the narrow annular orifices
of the nozzles D and G, they will induce annular jets of air through the
nozzle E, and the converging annular space between D and I', which air
will commingle intimately with and assume a mean velocity with the
steam on passing into the convergent portion Is of the tube. In issuing
thence into the diverging portion I of the tube the velocity of the
combined stream of steam and air will gradually diminish in consequence
of the increasing sectional area, whereby a vacuity of pressure will be
produced at the point X having the effect of increasing the velocity of
the jets of air and steam at the point where they enter the part I³ of the
tube, while the increased vis-viva thus acquired by the combined stream
will, in the passage of the latter up the diverging portion of the tube, be
reconverted into potential force or pressure, at which pressure the stream
will be impelled into the conduit K, to be conducted to wherever required.
Several such before-described apparatus may be made to communicate
with one and the same conduit K, in which case a valve L is provided
at the delivery end of the tube I for preventing any escape of the
impelled air or other gas down the tube should the apparatus in question
be put out of action. The third nozzle G may be dispensed with, or in
lieu of the same the central portion of the tube E may be filled up by
a solid cylindrical body with pointed or rounded end, or several concentric
steam nozzles may be introduced to increase the effect.
Figure 2 shews a vertical section of a modification the before-described
apparatus as applied to the exhausting of air or other gas from receivers.
The general construction of the apparatus is similar to that above
described, and the parts are designated by the same letters of reference,
the principal difference being that as the air or other gas to be impelled
has to be drawn from a receiver the chamber A and nozzles D and E are
enclosed in a casing M, communicating by means of a branch N with

page_text: the receiver, to be exhausted from which the air or other gas passes
through the central nozzle E and the annular space I' to meet the annular
steam jet issuing from the nozzle D, as indicated by the arrows.. The air
or gas to be exhausted being impelled together with the steam firstly
into the converging tube I³, and thence into the diverging tube I, issues
from the open upper end of the latter into the atmosphere; C is the pipe
through which steam enters the chamber A. In this arrangement the
chamber A being screwed into the casing, as shown, the nozzle D thereof
is capable of being adjusted as well as the nozzle E, in order to regulate
the outer annular orifice I' through which the air passes as well as the
annular orifice for the steam jet. The central annular steam jet shewn
in the previous arrangement is here dispensed with.
Figures 3 to 6 show one of the various applications of which the first
described arrangement of the apparatus is susceptible, it being here
applied to the forcing of air into gas generators, such as are used for
regenerative gas furnaces. Figure 3 shows a front view of the gas
generator; Figure 4 shows a section through the same on line V, V,
Figure 3; Figures 5 and 6 shew respectively an enlarged vertical section
and plan of the apparatus for impelling the air into the generator. The
space underneath the grate bars of the generator is enclosed by doors O,
and with this space the open end of the tube I of the impelling appa-
ratus is made to communicate the apparatus being built into the side
wall of the generator, in which an opening P is formed through which
the impelled air and steam issue into the space beneath the fire-grate.
The small proportion of steam that passes in together with the air is just
sufficient to assist beneficially in the production of the combustible
gases, inasmuch as the steam in passing through the incandescent fuel
becomes converted into hydrogen and carbonic oxide. The impelling
apparatus is similar in construction to that shown at Figure 1, with the
exception that the central steam jet and the valve K are omitted, and
that the nozzle E is secured to the chamber A by screw bolts instead of
being adjustable therein. The steam is introduced through the pipe C
from the main steam pipe Q leading to a number of such apparatus in a
series of gas generators. R is a valve for shutting off the steam from
the apparatus when not in use; 8 is a small tap for discharging any
condensed steam that may collect in the chamber A.
.
Figures 7 and 8 on Sheet II. shew the application of my improved
apparatus for exhausting air from mines and other localities for the

page_text: purposes of ventilation. Figure 7 shews an elevation and Figure 8.
shews a transverse section of an air flue or conduit T communicating
with the mine or other locality to be ventilated, in which air flue are
arranged a number of the before described apparatus I, I, I, the delivery
ends thereof being outside the flue, as shewn. Into these apparatus
steam is conducted from the pipe C thereby causing the air to be drawn
into the same from the flue T, the impelled steam and air being made to
pass into the atmosphere from the delivery end of the tubes I, which
may be provided with valves for preventing ingress of air should any
one or more of the apparatus be put out of action.
Figures 9 and 10 shew respectively a vertical section and sectional
plan of an arrangement of my before described apparatus when applied
to the production of blast for blast furnaces and other furnaces in which
air blast is employed; for this application it is necessary that the
impelled stream of mixed air and steam shall after issuing from the
impelling apparatus be purified from the steam. In order to effect
this I arrange a number of the apparatus I, I, I, round a closed
chamber U, the delivery ends of the apparatus being made to open into
the bottom space a of the chamber from which the mixed air and
steam are forced upward, firstly, through a layer of coke or other solid
substance b, through which water is made to percolate downwards from
a number of spray jets c in the space d. Any steam that has not been
condensed on its passage through the layer of coke will become con-
densed on issuing from the same in contact with the spray jets, while
the air in rising up through the layer of dry coke or other hydroscopic
substance e will be effectually deprived of moisture, and will pass away
under the requisite pressure to act as blast through the pipe f either to
hot blast stoves or to wherever required. The steam is conducted to the
impelling apparatus I, I, through the steam pipe C, each apparatus
being provided with a valve g for regulating or shutting off the supply
of steam, and with a slide h for closing the delivery opening of the
apparatus when its action is stopped. The water and condensed steam
that passes down from the layer of coke 6 into the space a is conducted
away through a pipe i.
I do not claim as part of my Invention the arrangements of gas
generators and purifying apparatus described with reference to Figures
3 to 6 and 9 and 10, except in so far as they comprise the application
of my improved apparatus for impelling air..

page_text: Figure 11 shows a vertical section of the before-described arrangement
of my improved apparatus for raising water for draining lands and other
purposes. k, k', are two closed air-tight chambers fixed at a height
of from 16 to 20 feet above the level of the water in the drain or
channel which is required to be raised; a branched suction pipe w
provided with delivery valves m, m³, inside the chambers passes from the
water channel to the bottom of the chambers k, k¹, and these chambers
furthermore communicate at the bottom through pipes n, n¹, provided
with delivery valves x, x³, with open conduits o, o³, for conveying away
the raised water. At the top of the chambers is fixed my improved
exhausting apparatus I, into which steam is conducted through the
pipe p, while the air nozzle is made to communicate by means of the
branch pipe q, q', with both the chambers k, k¹. The branch pipe is
provided with a reversing valve r by which the apparatus is made to
communicate alternately with each of the two chambers, and the
delivery end of the apparatus (which may be closed by a valve) is made
to communicate with the branch pipe q, q', through the pipe 8, 8. A
float t is provided in the chamber-k, the rod t¹ of which is connected to
the tumbling lever # which acts upon the weighted lever y of the
reversing valve by means of the looped rod v.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Assuming the suction end
of the exhausting apparatus to be put in communication with the
chamber k¹, as shown on the Drawing, it will exhaust this chamber of
air, and thus cause the water to rise into it from the channel 1. At the
same time the impelled stream of combined steam and air will pass from
the delivery end of the apparatus I through the pipes and branch
pipe q into the chamber which is full of water. The water in this
chamber will consequently flow out into the conduit o, partly by gravity
and partly by the forcing action of the entering stream of air and steam,
which forcing action may be regulated by covering the outlet tube with
a weighted valve, in which case the delivery channel may be raised
above the level of the closed chamber. As the water descends the float t
in sinking with it will move over the tumbler lever a gradually into the
vertical position from which the lever will then fall into the dotted
reversed position, and at the last part of its motion (which will not take
place until the chamber is empty) it will throw over the reversing
valve r, so as to cause the suction end of the exhausting apparatus to
communicate with the chamber ³, which during this time has become

page_text: filled with water; and the above described action of the apparatus. upon
the two chambers will now be reversed. As the steam which enters the
filled chamber kor k¹ together with the air from the exhausting
apparatus will become gradually condensed by contact with the inflowing
water, it will be seen that a partial vacuum will by this means be already
formed in the chamber when empty, whereby the amount of elastic fluid
to be removed by the apparatus I in raising the water will be diminished.
In place of employing two chambers or receivers k, k¹, as described, only
one may be used, in which case the delivery end of the apparatus I will
be open to the atmosphere, instead of being made to communicate with
the chamber, and the tumbler arrangement will be caused to act on the
steam supply valve of the apparatus instead of upon a valve r for
stopping the action of the exhaust apparatus while the chamber is
emptying. The chamber will in that case also be provided at the top
with an inlet valve for the entrance of air while it is emptying.
Figures 12 to 15 shew my before described improved arrangement of
pneumatic dispatch tubes combined with my improved exhausting appa-
ratus for producing the requisite currents of air therein. Figure 12 shews
a diagram of the arrangement, and Figures 13 to 15 shews respectively a
plan, longitudinal section, and transverse section of the improved receiving
and forwarding apparatus. The tubes A, A¹, through which the carriers
containing the dispatches pass are not formed as a close circuit as
in the arrangement previously proposed but are in two separate lengths,
the one A being made to communicate at the one end station X
with the exhausting apparatus I, while at the other end station X' it
is open for the reception of carriers, a current being produced in the
tube in the direction of the arrow by the exhaust apparatus. The other
length of tube A¹ communicates in like manner with the exhaust appa-
ratus I at the end station X¹, and is open at the station X. The exhaust
apparatus I, I are constructed and operate in a similar mannner to
that herein-before described with reference to Figure 2 for the exhaustion
of the air from the one end of the pneumatic tubes so as to produce
a current of air through the same; they are supplied with steam from
the generators Y, Y' At the end stations X, X¹, as also at intermediate
stations, Z, Z', are arranged the receiving and forwarding apparatus W, W,
of which the construction is shewn at Figures 13 to 15. A¹, A³, A³,
is the circuit pipe in which the air is made to circulate in the direction of
the arrow, and of which the portion A³ is removable, being made to fit

page_text: accurately with planed end flanges a against the planed surfaces of the
framing B to which the sockets C, O', of the parts A', A³ of the circuit
tube are secured. The part A2 is carried by a rocking frame D turning
upon the tie rod E of the framing B at bottom, which frame D also
carries the receiving tube or chamber F for receiving the cylinders, bags,
or carriers containing the dispatches from the cireuit. This tube is of
exactly the same size as the tube A' and is conveniently formed with
it's flanges f in one piece with the flanges of the latter, so as in like
manner to fit accurately between the surfaces of the framing B. This
tube F is open at the end next to the part A¹ of the circuit tube from
which the dispatches enter and is closed at the other end with the
exception of small apertures f¹. From this arrangement it will be seen
that when the frame D is moved over into the position indicated in dotted
lines in Figure 15 so as to bring the tube A³ in a line with the
circuit A¹, A³, any carriers conveying dispatches &c. will pass uninter-
ruptedly in the direction of the arrow from A' through A³ to A³ on
their way to some other station, but when the framing is moved over
into the position shewn in full lines in Figures 13, 14, and 15, so as to
bring the receiving tube F in a line with the circuit, the carriers will
pass from A¹ into the tube F and will be retained there, the speed at
which the carrier enters the tube being gradually absorbed by the carrier
being made to force out the air contained behind it in the tube through
the small hole f¹ into the tube A³. As by this interposition of the
receiving tube in the line of the circuit, the circulation of the air in the
latter would be intersepted, this is prevented by the application of a
"by pass" G connecting the socket C of the tube at A¹ with the socket C¹
of the tube at A³, and lateral openings c, c³, are formed in the tubes
inside the sockets, through which, when the receiving tube is in position,
the current of air enters the by pass at A¹ and passes again into the
circuit at As, as indicated by the arrow. A throttle valve H is provided
in the by pass having an external weighted lever / which when the
frame D is moved over so as to bring the receiving tube into position is
thrown over by a tappet J carried by the frame so as to open the valve
and allow the air to circulate through the by pass, but when the tube A*
is moved into position a second tappet J³ throws the valve H over so
as to close the by pass. A receptacle containing dispatches, &c. having
been received into the tube F¹ the frame D is thrown over into the
dotted position, Figure 15, thus- bringing the central hole f¹ at the
closed end of the tube F opposite a sliding rod K carried in a guide L,
"

page_text: so that by sliding this rod forward by means of the handle K¹ it enters
the tube and pushes out the receptacle contained therein. The tube F
may be provided with a cover as indicated at Figure 13 with a glass
pane in it for observing whether the carrier has entered the tube, and
to facilitate the removal of the same should it stick in the tube. If at
the time that a carrier was received into the station dispatches had also
to be transmitted from the station into the circuit, the carrier containing
them was previously placed in the tube A³ so that by the throwing
over of the frame this was brought in the line with the circuit, the
current of air passing through the latter at once conveyed the receptacle
out of A into A³ and thence to its destination.
In order to prevent leakage of air from between the surfaces in
contact of the flanges a, f, and of the framing B, circular grooves are
formed in the latter as shewn so as to produce eddies in any small
currents of air that may escape. The motion of the rocking frame D
is confined by the tie rods E³, E', of the framing B against which it
rests when in the extreme positions.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that
what I claim is,―
First. Constructing apparatus for exhausting receivers, or for com-
pressing or impelling elastic fluids generally in such a manner that
steam or other elastic fluid under compression is made to pass through
a narrow orifice or orifices opening into a converging passage or passages
through which the elastic fluid to be impelled passes, such passage being
of sufficient length to cause the two fluids to commingle and to be
discharged with a velocity resulting from their relative weights and
initial pressures through a contracted neck into a passage of gradually
increasing area whereby the acquired vis viva is reconverted into
potential force or pressure, substantially as herein-before described.
Second. The application of apparatus for propelling air as described
in the first claim to the production of blast for furnaces, gas producers, or
other purposes by causing the inlet end to communicate with the atmo-
sphere and by connecting the delivery end of the apparatus to pipes
or ducts for conveying the blast (which may or may not be deprived
of the admixture of vapour according to circumstances) to wherever
required, substantially as herein-before described with reference to
Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10-of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Third. The application of apparatus for exhausting or propelling air
or other gases as described in the first claim to the propelling of air or
other gases in pneumatic tubes for the conveyance of despatches and
other light objects, substantially as herein-before described with reference
to Figure 12 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The application of apparatus for exhausting or propelling air,
steam, or other gases as described in the first claim to the raising of
water or other fluids by combining therewith one or more elevated
closed reservoirs communicating with the fluid to be raised, arranged
and operating substantially as herein-before described with reference
to Figure 11 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. Arranging the receiving and forwarding apparatus of pneumatic
circuit tubes for conveying dispatches and other light objects in such
manner that for receiving the carriers a portion of the main tube is
removed from the circuit and a receiving tube is inserted in its place
into which the carriers pass from the circuit, the carriers to be con-
veyed into the circuit being introduced into the removable portion of
the main tube substantially as herein-before described with reference to
Figures 13 to 15 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles William Siemens, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of June, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
one.
5 Witness,
CHA. D. ABEL,
C. WILLIAM SIEMENS. (L.S.)
20, Southampton Buildings.