IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF WORKING HYDRAULIC PRESSES, CRANES, LIFTS, AND OTHER MACHINERY, AND APPARATUS ACTUATED BY WATER- PRESSURE, AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Rudolph Bodmer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
December 1864.-A communication from abroad by Charles Brown, of
Winterthur, in the Republic of Switzerland, Engineer.
I, Louis RUDOLPH BODMER, of 2, Thavies Inn, Holborn, in the City of
London, Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF WORKING HYDRAULIC PRESSES,
CRANES, LIFTS, AND OTHER MACHINERY, AND APPARATUS ACTUATED BY WATER-
PRESSURE, AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," (a com-
munication from abroad by Charles Brown, of Winterthur, in the Republic of
Switzerland, Engineer), to be as follows:-
The said Invention consists, firstly, in the application of that class of
machinery known as centrifugal pumps, for the purpose of working hydraulic
presses, hydraulic cranes, hydraulic lifts, and every description of machinery
adapted for being actuated by water pressure, and also for transmitting power
or motion generally.
By the application of centrifugal machines in the manner hereafter described,
the use of pumps and of accumulators hitherto employed, can be dispensed
with. Every description of centrifugal pump is applicable, and more or less
suitable for the purpose, but the Inventor prefers the use, for certain purposes,
of a pump constructed on the principle hereafter described, and which together
with the general arrangements in connection with the same or with other
centrifugal pumps forms the second part of the said Invention.
This improved centrifugal pump consists of a circular disc-shaped box, the

page_text: top or upper side of which is flat, and the lower side trumpet-mouth shaped.
This box is cast or formed in two halves, joined together at the periphery.
The upper part of the box is provided with a boss, through which passes the
vertical axle or spindle, upon the conical collar of which the boss is secured.
The lower trumpet-mouthed side of the box is open at the bottom and dips
into the water of the tank or cistern in which the pump is placed. The axle
rests in a footstep, in preference of lignum vitae, and the upper part passes
through a suitable bearing, and has a wheel or pulley fixed upon it, through
which motion is communicated to the pump direct or otherwise from an engine.
Blades or vanes are fixed or cast to the lower part of the box, and covered
with plate iron, for the purpose of giving motion to the entering water.
For conveying the water from this centrifugal apparatus or pump to the
machine or apparatus to be actuated by it, stationary curved pipes are fixed
inside the box, one end of each reaching horizontally from the centre towards
the circumference, the other end being bent downwards near the axle, and
reaching to the bottom of the cistern into which it is screwed or otherwise
secured, and where they open to the channel and pipes leading to the hydraulic
pump or other apparatus. The ends of the horizontal curved pipes open towards
the moving water or other fluid. The horizontal parts of the pipes may reach
and open into any part of the box from the centre to the circumference, and
as the pressure of the water in the box increases from the centre towards the
circumference, those pipes opening nearest the circumference will convey water
at the greatest pressure, and those nearer the centre will convey water of a
corresponding smaller pressure. Thus the apparatus may be divided into
pressure zones, and according to the requirements the water may be drawn
from a higher pressure or from a lower pressure zone. By increasing either
the diameter of the boxes, or the velocity at which they are made to revolve,
or both, the power of the machine or the pressure of the water or other fluid
is likewise increased. The water in the cistern is maintained at a uniform
level by a supply pipe and valve and an overflow pipe, or the water, after it
has performed its work in a bydraulic press or hydraulic lift, or other machine
or apparatus, can be returned to the cistern by a separate return pipe or by
the pressure pipe.
A modification of the improved centrifugal pump consists in dispensing
with the curved pipes, as described, and substituting for them a disc, in which
waterways of the same or of different form, are cast. This disc can be made
either in one piece or in several pieces joined together; the waterways may
open into the water upwards or downwards, or both, and for the highest
pressure at the periphery. The disc rests upon a pillar or stand in place of

page_text: the vertical pipes before mentioned, and contains the waterways leading to the
pressure pipes conducting to the apparatus or machine to be worked. A diso
such as described, would offer less resistance to the revolving water than
separate pipes.
The mode of connecting the pressure pipes to the pumps varies according to
the principle or construction of such pumps, and the use to which the power
is to be applied. It is evident that so long as none of the water or other
fluid is taken from the centrifugal pump by the pressure pipes, it will
remain in the condition of a fly wheel, magazine of power, or accumulator ;
but as soon as water is drawn from it by the pipes, the water in the cistern
immediately rushes in to supply the loss, and the engine has to exert power to
communicate motion to the entering water, so that the power consumed is
always in proportion to the work done.
The above described improved centrifugal pump and centrifugal pumps of
other constructions, are perfectly uniform and smooth in their action, and every
description of machinery and apparatus, adapted for being actuated by water
pressure, can be worked by the same with great advantage and economy.
These pumps can be employed for working forging machines, for rivetting
machines, whether stationary or travelling, for steering ships, for working
large guns on board ship, where ordinary accumulators are inadmissible, and
for numerous other purposes.
In dyeworks and other establishments where a constant supply of water at
a certain pressure is required, and where reservoirs or tanks have hitherto
been formed for the purpose on the top of the building, the centrifugal pump
will be applied with great advantage. A main pipe closed at the end would
for this purpose be attached to the pump; and from the main pipe, branch
pipes fitted with the necessary cocks or valves would conduct the water as
required, and the pump would be driven at a velocity equivalent to the
pressure of a head of water, of for instance, fifty feet. As long as all the cocks
remain closed the pump simply revolves, consuming only the trifling power
required to overcome the friction of the pump and of the water against the
pump, but as soon as any of the cocks are opened power is consumed in
proportion.