IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS, VENTILATORS, BLOWERS, WATER MOTORS, AND STEAM WHEELS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Karl Wilhelm Alexander Leverkus, of Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PUMPS, VENTILATORS, BLOWERS, WATER MOTORS, AND STEAM WHEELS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Karl Wilhelm Alexander
Leverkus at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th June
1881.
KARL WILHELM ALEXANDER LEVERKUS, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS, VENTILATORS, BLOWERS, WATER
MOTORS, AND STEAM WHEELS."
Instead of ladles of the ordinary construction for centrifugal pumps, ventilators,
blowers, water motors, turbines and steam wheels, I adopt a new form of ladle,
enabling me to cause the water or other fluid to leave the wheel of the pumps,
turbines, or other engines in a direction as nearly as possible tangential, say, in an
angle of 1 to 2, or outside 5 degrees, whilst these machines as at present in use are
constructed so that the water or other fluid leaves them in a direction at an
angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the tangent. My new form of ladle is a varying
archimedean spiral, that is to say, a line in the polar equation of which = ax w;
the factor a is variable, 7 being the radius vector and w the polar angle. I
further use in case of low lifts divergent sides for the discs or wheels; ie, the
ladles which are at present constructed narrower at the periphery than at their
internal circumference are made by me of same height, or broader at the periphery
than at the internal circumference. By these alterations of ladel I am enabled to
increase the lift, to which centrifugal pumps can pump, from 10 to 35 feet to a
height of 400, 600, and more feet, further to increase in a similar proportion the
force of blasts and ventilators, and to work my steam wheels with less steam than
the common ones. I am likewise enabled to determine the number of revolutions
at pleasure by reducing or increasing the diameter of the wheel, and thus
can employ my improved machines in cases where the present machines cease to
be practicable. Further, to save the water or other fluid from having its speed

page_text: reduced by sudden deflections I construct where necessary a diffuser consisting of
a canal or chamber surrounding the casing of my pumps, blowers, or other engines
in one or more turns and ending in the delivery pipe, the area of such chamber or
canal gradually increasing, and thus conveying the water from pump or other
engine to delivery pipe with a larger diameter without any sudden reduction of
speed and consequent loss of power. I provide where necessary the ladle boards of
wheels or discs for pumps, turbines, and other engines with crowns on their edges
in various shapes where such wheels are not closed in, thereby obtaining the
advantages of partly closed wheels instead of having them entirely open. I put a
slot or slots or a slit or slits in the beginning and end of each ladle to prevent the
centrifugal force from damaging them, and also a slit at the commencement of the
wall of casing when a diffuser is used to obtain a gradual and not sudden entrance
of water or other fluid in diffuser or casing.
I arrange the pipe admitting the water or other fluid from one or both sides of
machine at such a distance from the casing and in such a manner as to avoid all
sudden deflections, and I so construct my engines that I can cast where necessary
the inlet pipe, bed plate, and bearings for shafts all in one picce, and attach the
casing with disc or wheel to one flange of bed plate for such machines as have bed
plates.
I provide my turbines or other motors with a pear shaped valve to reduce or
increase the volume of power; this valve is so shaped that it produces a gradual
alteration of the areas and velocities, and that every sharp inflexion is avoided. I
place the valve in the inlet pipe, and adjust it so that it may be actuated by means
of a governor or by hand.
I sometimes dispense with packing and furnish my turbines, water motors, steam
wheels, or other engines with glands in which are several annular recesses between
the stand and the casing to prevent or diminish the escape of water or other
fluid.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Karl Wilhelm Alexander Leverkus in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th December 1881.
KARL WILHELM ALEXANDER LEVERKUS, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS, VENTILATORS, BLOWERS, WATER-
MOTORS, AND STEAM WHEELS."
The four classes of machines named above are intended to have a new form of
ladle, paddle, bucket, or scoop (hereinafter called always the "ladle"), and other
new parts and alterations by which they will be greatly improved.
Before describing my Invention I will name some of the faults and difficulties
connected so far with above machines, in order to show the value of my
Invention.
I. CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS.
They present foremost two difficulties, viz. :-
1.) The high number of revolutions.
2.) The heavy loss of power by friction and shocks.
The first difficulty is easily shown, as the number of revolutions amounts often
to 2000 to 3000 per minute, and in the case of large pumps with the usual
proportion of size of wheel to that of delivery pipe is so large, if the height to
which the water has to be raised is greater than usual, that their employment is
rendered impossible.
The second fault, viz., loss of power by friction and shocks, will be understood
when the sharp curves, turns, and bends are considered which the water has to
describe in the old systems of centrifugal pumps. In all scientifically constructed
pumps with casing intended to conduct the water to delivery pipe, I beg to point
out that the water never leaves the wheel tangentially, but in a direction differing
considerably from the tangent. This produces great loss of power by shocks,
because the water cannot remain in the direction originally received, but colliding
with the casing alters its direction, and continues the way to delivery pipe with
speed reduced, viz., the tangential component of original velocity.
The angle
between tangent and direction of water leaving the wheel varies from 10 to
30 degrees, or more, in the old systems of pumps, while I am enabled to take it
much smaller for my pumps, viz., 2 to 3 degrees as a rule, seldom up to 5 degrees,
by which I obtain a nearly tangential direction of the water on leaving the wheel.
1 beg further to point out that the pumps built so far are provided with an inter-
mediate chamber or pipe to collect the water before forcing it up, since the speed
of water in casing is 2 to 5 times larger than in delivery pipe, and this intermediate
chamber causes a considerable loss of power by the sudden reduction of the speed.
The pumps without casing, as used for irrigation and other purposes, discharge the
water with so great a velocity that a great loss of power is caused.
The actual effect obtained from centrifugal pumps has for these reasons been very
much reduced, and the high speed required to raise to high lifts has rendered
centrifugal pumps impossible where anything over a low lift is to be overcome.
In opposition to the centrifugal pumps as constructed so far, my new improved
pumps are so arranged that with the help of a new form of ladle the number of
revolutions can be reduced at will by the adoption of a larger diameter, and that
the water is gradually turned, bent, and inflexed, and all sudden and strong shocks
are avoided. By means of these improvements I am enabled to increase the height
to which my pumps can force the water or liquid from 20 to 35 feet, as at present,
to 400 and 600 feet and more.
2.) The heavy loss of power by friction and shocks.
The first difficulty is easily shown, as the number of revolutions amounts often
to 2000 to 3000 per minute, and in the case of large pumps with the usual
proportion of size of wheel to that of delivery pipe is so large, if the height to
which the water has to be raised is greater than usual, that their employment is
rendered impossible.
The second fault, viz., loss of power by friction and shocks, will be understood
when the sharp curves, turns, and bends are considered which the water has to
describe in the old systems of centrifugal pumps. In all scientifically constructed
pumps with casing intended to conduct the water to delivery pipe, I beg to point
out that the water never leaves the wheel tangentially, but in a direction differing
considerably from the tangent. This produces great loss of power by shocks,
because the water cannot remain in the direction originally received, but colliding
with the casing alters its direction, and continues the way to delivery pipe with
speed reduced, viz., the tangential component of original velocity.
The angle
between tangent and direction of water leaving the wheel varies from 10 to
30 degrees, or more, in the old systems of pumps, while I am enabled to take it
much smaller for my pumps, viz., 2 to 3 degrees as a rule, seldom up to 5 degrees,
by which I obtain a nearly tangential direction of the water on leaving the wheel.
1 beg further to point out that the pumps built so far are provided with an inter-
mediate chamber or pipe to collect the water before forcing it up, since the speed
of water in casing is 2 to 5 times larger than in delivery pipe, and this intermediate
chamber causes a considerable loss of power by the sudden reduction of the speed.
The pumps without casing, as used for irrigation and other purposes, discharge the
water with so great a velocity that a great loss of power is caused.
The actual effect obtained from centrifugal pumps has for these reasons been very
much reduced, and the high speed required to raise to high lifts has rendered
centrifugal pumps impossible where anything over a low lift is to be overcome.
In opposition to the centrifugal pumps as constructed so far, my new improved
pumps are so arranged that with the help of a new form of ladle the number of
revolutions can be reduced at will by the adoption of a larger diameter, and that
the water is gradually turned, bent, and inflexed, and all sudden and strong shocks
are avoided. By means of these improvements I am enabled to increase the height
to which my pumps can force the water or liquid from 20 to 35 feet, as at present,
to 400 and 600 feet and more.

page_text: The steam wheels now known have the great objection of losing most of the
steam pressure without utilization, and of consuming a quantity of steam out of
proportion large.
My steam wheels are arranged so that, firstly, on account of the new form of
ladle the steam works by expansion, finding on its way through the wheel at every
step more room to fill up; and, secondly, that the number of revolutions can be kept
moderate by taking a larger diameter for the wheel.
After having shewn the objections now existing in the four classes of machines
named, and the improvements attained by my Invention, I pass on to the description
of my
NEW FORM OF LADLE,
It is a varying archimedian spiral, that is to say, such a line in the polar equation
of which raw, the factor a is diminishing either in a proportional or in a
disproportional manner, and in the case of steam wheels either diminishes or
remains constant, or increases when the polar angle u is increasing, the letter being
the radius vector. The law for the diminution or increase of the factor a is
determined by the dimensions and proportions given in each case.
The number of ladles varies according to size of ladle wheel and to the facility
of the production. The ladles may either all continue from the internal circum-
ference of wheel to the external one without interruption, or they may be partly
shortened, so that either at the internal circumference there are more ladles than
outside, or vice versa.
In the four classes of machines named above the fluid may either enter the wheel
at its inner circumference and leave it at its periphery, or it may travel the reversed
way.

page_text: As shewn on Fig. 1, the different dimensions and velociores may
by the following letters (provided that the fluid enters the wheel at its inner
circumference).
1, the internal radius of wheel.
, the external radius of wheel.
91, the actual velocity of the liquid or fluid on entering the wheel.
9, the same velocity on leaving the wheel.
v₁, the velocity of the inner circumference of the wheel.
v₁, the velocity of the external circumference of the wheel.
e₁, the radial component of g' (this velocity may be altered somewhat so as to
pay regard to any slip similar to that of screw propellers).
c, the radial component of g
u₁, the relative velocity with which the liquid or fluid passes along the ladle on.
entering the wheel.
, the same on leaving the wheel.
b, the height of ladle at the internal circumference of wheel.
by, the height of ladle at the external circumference of wheel.
1
In order to make the diagram of velocities mark in any scale on the straight line
A G, divide the piece
A G, Fig. 2, the peripherical velocities of wheel v₁ = A B & v₂
BG into several equal parts, erect in the division points B, C, D, E, and so on,
perpendicular lines upward and downward, put in the perpendicular line in B the
distance B B¹ ₁, the radial component of g₁, and further in the perpendicular
line in G the distance G G¹ like y.
This length y will be taken in different sizes. For centrifugal pumps, turbines
this distance y will be like e₁, therefore G G₁ = B B¹, because the water or liquid
with which they have to deal cannot be compressed. For ventilators and blasts, y
must be taken according to nature of meterials dealt with; air or other fluid, that
is, e, stands in same proportion to y as the volume of the air or other fluid on
entering the wheel to that on leaving it. Therefore for ventilators y will be like e₁,
For steam wheels, again,
or slightly smaller, but for blasts always smaller than e₁.
it is necessary to take y greater than e₁, because the steam or other fluid is to work
by expansion.
=
curve
Connect point G' and B' in Fig. 2 by a straight line crossing the perpendicular
lines in C, D, E, and so on; lay through these points and the pole A straight lines,
crossing the normal line B B' in points marked in the above figure, and draw from
these latter points lines parallel with A G to the proper normal lines, viz., to
C, D, E Underneath the line AG put down in the normal lines the heights
of the ladles, viz., BB₁ = b₁, CC₁, DD₁, and so on - GG₁ b₁, lay a
through the points B, C, D,, and so on, draw from B, a line parallel with A G,
crossing the normal lines in C, D, E, and so on G₁ draw round the centres
C, D, E, and so on, circular arcs with CC, DD, EE", and so on, as radiuses
downwards crossing the line A G; lay through these crossing points and the points
C, D, E, and so on, straight lines; draw lines parallel with these lines from
C D E and so on, to the line A G. From the new crossing points draw again
circular arcs round the centres C, D, E, and so on, upwards to the normal lines
crossing them in C, D, E, and so on. The distances CC, DD, EE
and so on, now represent the different radial components of the actual velocities of
the fluid for the radiuses of wheel in question.
In order to prove the correctness of this construction it is sufficient to do so in
the case of centrifugal pumps where the fluid, that is, the water, cannot be com-
pressed, since the same proof governs the other classes of machinery covered by my
Invention. In a given time (say, a second) the quantity of water to be raised is
On entering the
the same on entering the wheel, passing through, and leaving it.
wheel this quantity is equal to 21, b, e, per second, which product remains the
same for every radius of wheel. For a radius, say, rx (Fig. 1) corresponding with
the point D in Fig. 2 the height of ladle is given as bx = DD, and the peripherical

page_text: vx
It will easily be seen that in the diagrain DD" is like c, and therefore
e, that is, the radial component ex
DD =
radius 7x-
b₁
DD"
-
Ն.
Tx
•
1:
×
for the
In.exact calculations it will be necessary to put down smaller heights of ladle
in the diagram than the actual ones, so as to bring into calculation the thickness of
the ladle.
To be yet clearer, transfer from the Figure 2 to Fig. 3 the line A G with the
perpendicular lines BB, CC, DD, EEшI, and so on; draw from the point B'
a line B' A' parallel to A G; lay through B a line B H in a direction you think
proper, either in the perpendicular line BB', or on its right or left hand, and draw
through H and A,a straight line. You will then have in AB the internal
peripherical velocity of wheel v₁, in BH the actual velocity g, of the fluid, and in
AH the relative velocity u₁ of the fluid along the ladle, see Fig. 1.
Draw from G a line G I, so that I is in a line parallel through G with AG,
and that either GI is like the actual velocity g₂ of the fluid on leaving the wheel;
or that the exit angle IGA (i.e., the angle between the tangent of the periphery
and the direction of the fluid on leaving the wheel has the proper size, that is to
say, for the pumps and other machines with casing up to 2 or 3° or 5°, and without
casing any size, say, 50° to 90°. For turbines and steam wheels the line G I may
also be put on the left hand of the perpendicular line G G Thus in a manner
similar to the above AG will be the external peripherical velocity v of the wheel,
GI is the actual velocity g₂ of the fluid on leaving the wheel, and AI is the relative
velocity u, along the ladle.
Now lengthen the beams A H and AI to H¹ and I', and lay through these
points either a straight line or a line curved in any such form as may be adopted
according to practice or special circumstances.
For simplicity's sake I adopt here a straight line, as shown in the Figure, while
curved lines will be referred to later on. The straight line H¹¹ crosses the per-
pendicular lines when they are lengthened. Draw straight lines from these crossing
points to point A further from C, D, E, and so on; lines parallel with A G to
cross the lines drawn to A, and lay through these crossing points a curve H, c, d,
e, f, I. By this line all velocities are determined for any radius. For example,
for x, corresponding with the point D, the actual velocity of gx of the fluid is
found in the imaginary straight line Dd; AD will be peripherical velocity vx of
the wheel, and Ad is the relative velocity ux along the ladle.
If from this diagram I transfer the peripherical velocities (or radiuses) as alscesses,
and the actual velocities as well as the relative velocities as ordinates to a system
of co-ordinates, I obtain two curves which show exactly the increase and decrease
of the different velocities. If the law for the increase and decrease of these
velocities is required to be altered, either the straight line H'I' must be curved
simply or repeatedly or the heights BB₁, CC, D D₁, and so on, of the ladle boards
must be altered, while G G₁ remains of course the same.
The above is the diagram of the velocities.
In order to make the auxiliary construction transfer from Fig. 3, the angles ✗
HAG and IAG to the line A G, in Fig. 4, make A B=7, and AG=7, erect in
B and G perpendicular lines BH and GI crossing the sides A H and AI in H
and I, and lay through these points such a line that the new figure AGIH
becomes geometrically similar to the figure AGIH', in Fig. 3. Thus the new
figure will have the property that the perpendicular line BH represents a value a₁ of
the factor a in the polar equation =aw of the form of ladle corresponding with

page_text: the radius vector r₁, and that the perpendicular line GI represents another value d
of the same factor for the radius vector 7, therefore the perpendicular lines situated
between them in C, D, E₁, and so on, will represent different values of a for the
different radiuses vectores between 7, and r.
Now put down a straight line M N in any length in Fig. 5, divide it into as many
equal portions as you like, erect in the division points perpendicular lines (not
shown in the Figure for clearness sake), divide in the preceding Figure 4 the
length BG in as many equal parts, and erect in the division points perpendicular
lines to the curve HI (again not shewn). According to the rule of the archi-
median spiral calculate the proper circumferences 2 a,, and so on to 2 a π, for
the values a, and so on to a₂ of the factor a as radiuscs (ie., for the perpendicular
lines in Fig. 4), divide them by a number n (for example, 8) and put the quotients
in the perpendicular lines of Fig. 5 upwards, laying a curve M' N' through the top
points, lengthen the perpendicular line in N upwards, so that the length NO in
any scale is like the external radius of wheel r, and O P is like the internal radius
of draw from P to M' a straight line, draw further from M a line parallel
to this till NO crossing the curve M N in a, draw a perpendicular line from a
to , and a line parallel to MP from a, to b in NO crossing M'N' in b, lay
through perpendicular line to b₁, and continue in the same manner until the
line NO is passed and the figure will be ready (you may also lay the line P M'
through P and M instead of P and M¹, and do the remainder as above).
The reason for above method of constructing will be clear on reflection that the
angles between the peripherical and the relative velocities, or in other words, the
angles between the ladle boards and the tangents for the different radiuses of
wheel are defined by the diagram of the velocities, and that therefore the form of
ladle must be such a line that these requirements are fulfilled.
th
On observing the form of ladle (described hereafter) it will be found that after
1/ revolution of wheel, 1/8th of 2 ax must be added to the preceding radius so
as to get the radius vector. For example, the radius vector is in the beginning
equal to 7, and after / revolution 1/8th of the circumference of the factor a in the
polar equation = a was radius, that is, M M' = Pa, must be added, so that the
radius vector becomes 7, +Pay = 0 α, and so on.
The above is the auxiliary construction.
Now draw the form of ladle itself as follows:-Inscribe in Fig. 6 circles with r₁
and 7, as radiuses, divide these into n (here 8) equal parts, lay straight lines
through the division points and the centre Q, put the compasses in Ŏ of the
auxiliary construction, take off Ou, and transfer it to the new figure in Q1
from Qto B, put the compasses in the former figure, take off Ob, and transfor
it in Q2 from Q to y, and continue until you arrive at the external circum-'
ference of .
Draw through the points found a, ß, y, ô, a curve, viz.,. the form
of ladle required.
The above mode of finding the form of ladle may be shortened considerably as
follows:-In the diagram of velocities, Fig. 3, mark on the line A, G, the radius r.
(not shown in Figure) from A to G, A being the one end of this length; draw in
the other end a perpendicular line upwards and lengthen all the beams A, H, A c,
and so on, to cross this perpendicular line. Take the greatest length (*) in
perpendicular line crossed by the beam most distant, that is, A, H, as radius,
calculate the proper circumference, divide this by n (here S), and put the quotient
found (that is 2X) as perpendicular line (1) on A, G, so that its top point falls
in the line A, H. On a special line (similar to N, O, in Fig. 5) the radiuses
and r, are cut off, the piece between end points of r, and is divided into as
many equal parts, as described in reference to B, G, in Fig. 3, and in the division
points perpendicular lines are erected. Now put in the perpendicular line to end
point of r, the length y with all the crossing points in beams from Fig. 3, lay
straight lines through these crossing points and the first, point of base line (corre-
sponding with O in Fig. 5). These beams, cross the respective perpendicular lines,

page_text: and through the crossing points a curve is laid (similar to M', N', in Fig. 5).
Finally, put a triangle having angles of 45° to the end point of r₁, draw therefrom
a line to the curved line, and from the crossing point here a perpendicular line to
the base; draw again a line at 45° to curved line above, lay a perpendicular line
to base and continue so until the end point of r, is passed. The crossing points in
the base line thus found are exactly the same as ₁, b₁, C₁, and so on, in Fig. 5.
Of course for blowers and steam wheels it may in some cases be useful to connect
the points G¹ and B₁ in Fig. 2 by any curve instead of a straight line. For
example, this line might be made for some distance parallel with A, G, so that, say,
in steam wheels the steam on entering the wheel is not allowed to at once work
with expansion.
After having described the new form of ladle belonging to the four kinds of
machines in question, I proceed to shew my improvements special to each of the
four classes as rendered necessary by their different nature.
My pumps may be arranged to suck the water at the inner circumference and
to deliver it at the periphery, or they may be so made as to suck the water at the
periphery and to deliver it at the inner circumference. To avoid misunderstandings,
however, it shall be hereafter always assumed that the water enters the wheel at
its inner circumference and leaves it at the periphery.
For low lifts, the principal advantages of my pumps against the common ones
are, besides the form of ladle, that I adopt divergent sides instead of convergent
ones; further that I do not require an intermediate piece as used with common
pumps; and finally, that the surfaces of the casing are constructed as if they were
a continuation of the sides of the wheel, which is not the case with common
pumps.
The principle of common pumps is shown in Figures 7 and 8, and that of mine
in Figures 9 and 10. As will be seen from these Figures the height of ladle b₁ of
common pumps diminishes from the internal circumference to be at the periphery,
while for my pumps this proportion is inversed. In the common pumps the sides
of wheel when drawn in section collide either with a rectangle in Figure 7 or
with a circle in Figure 8, while in my pumps the external height of ladle (or
wheel) is more or less the same as that of the casing. In the common pumps,
Figures 7 and 8, a great difference exists between the end area of the proper casing
and the (dotted) area of the delivery pipe, while the same is not the case with my
pumps in Figures 9 and 10. The sectional lines of the sides of wheel may be
either straight, as in Figure 9, or simply curved, as in Figure 10, or in any other
suitable form.
The divergence of the sides in combination with the form of ladle causes two
advantages, viz., in the first place that the water leaves the wheel almost
tangentially, and in the second place that the wheel can be made where necessary
very large in proportion to the diameter of delivery pipe. Thus the number
of revolutions can be kept low at pleasure. An intermediate piece between casing
and delivery pipe is rendered unnecessary, since I arrange my pumps either so
that the water leaves the wheel with the same velocity as in the delivery pipe, or
I adopt a diffuser consisting of a canal, the area of which is gradually increasing
from that of pump to that of delivery pipe, and which surrounds the casing of
pump, as shown in Figure 16. In the latter case a gradual change of the velocities
is obtained.
Standing pumps for low lifts may be made, for example, according to Figures 11
and 11a (light pump), and to Figure 12 (heavy pump).
To render turning and facing of the sides of wheel easier I make the wheel in
two halves, and in cach of these I construct one of the sides plain, while the other
is cast conically or with a curved surface, or otherwise as may suit me best.

page_text: However, the wheel may also be made in one piece with even sides, and a hollow
interior in its nave.
Horizontal pumps with single and double entrances for low lifts are built
according to Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16. In Figures 15 and 16 a diffuser e, f, g, h, i,
is shown, which I produce by fitting a sheet metal wall E, E, and so on, with
angles into the cast casing dividing the latter into the proper leading casing a, b,
c, d, e, and the diffuser e, f, g, h, i. According to the circumstances the casing with
diffuser may be built in a similar manner to that shown later on in Figure 17ª to
Figure 17m
In order to strengthen the sides of the casing, cross pieces F, F, in Figure 14, of
cast or sheet metal may be fitted in for staying the sides; this is done whether
there is a diffuser wall or not. The number and length of the cross pieces is
determined according to each case.
The pump may be supported either by the 3 stays A, A, A, or in any other way;
for example, beneath the bottom cover, as shown in Figure 23, by a cylindrical
wall, either full or broken, or the pump may be suspended as the case may be.
For higher lifts it will be necessary for the sake of the easier construction to
make the sides of the wheel the less divergent the higher the lift and the greater
the peripherical velocity of the wheel, because the ladle boards would come too
near each other at the external circumference unless this were done.
Thus I may
even make the wheels of my pumps with parallel or convergent sides. In this case
my pumps will be similar to the common pumps in Figures 7 and 8. The vital
difference remains, the form of ladle, and either the omission of the intermediate
piece between pump and the delivery pipe, or the employment of a diffuser, which
latter is of particular importance for high lifts.
In Figure 17 such a pump without diffuser is shown. The casing has the same
height as the wheel, but it may also be much higher than the wheel, similar to
Figures 7 and 8.
For pumps with diffuser, the Figures 17a to m show the construction of casing
and diffuser. In Figure 17 to the casing is made of two halves, while in
Figures 17, to m, it is in one piece. In Figures 17a and b, the casing is cast
together with the diffuser; Figure 17c and d are the same as before, only that in
the proper casing there is a plate a corresponding exactly to the nave plate y of
wheel, say, in Figure 15. It is mostly used with wheels having parallel or
convergent sides to avoid any contraction of the water on leaving the wheel. In
Figure 17, g to i, the proper leading casing is made separately and fitted into the
turned faces of casing. In Figure 17e this proper casing however is cast together
with one of the two halves of casing. In Figures 17 b, d, f, and i, the diffuser is
carried twice round the proper casing. It may however also make still more
turns round the casing as may be required by the circumstances; Figures 17, k tom,
require no explanations.
When using sheet and angle metal in constructing my standing pumps (as per
Figures 11 and 12) they may be so arranged that either the wheel only, or the
wheel as well as the casing, are altered in shape similar to the pumps shown
later on, while only the nave of wheel and the suction pipes with bed plate may
be cast.
Also ladle boards made of sheet metal may be fitted on cast wheels.
Horizontal pumps of sheet metal are represented by Figures 18 to 23.
In
Figure 23 the wheel is made of sheet metal, while the casing with the covers is
cast. In order to get a proper union of wheel and shaft, cast bosses are fitted to
the wheel. These bosses may also be made of wrought iron or steel or other
material. Sheet casings may have on their covers cast mouth pieces holding the
bearings for the shaft, as shown in Figures 18, 20, and 21, to ensure a smooth
entrance of the liquid. These mouth pieces may also consist of sheet metal
hammered or pressed into the proper shape with wrought arms and shaft bearings.
Pumps with large wheels, but in proportion with small entrance pieces, may be so
arranged that the wheel is made of two convergent halves, as shown in Figure 20

page_text: 1
by which the shaft bearings will be kept at a greater distance, and thus will give
a steadier position to shaft and wheel. The ribs between the two halves of wheel
may be radial or concentrical, or both at once. Instead of the ribs stay bolts or other
strengthening pieces may be adopted.
To make sheet casings tight and strong, I adopt the construction shown in
Figures 18 to 22, 24, and 27. The angles for connecting the sides with the walls
are always outward, while the plate a, Figures 19 and 22, and the diffuser wall
alone, are connected by inward angles. The corner H is closed by a plate b, and
may be either filled up with any mass, say, cement or other material, or left empty.
The flange c is so constructed that the edge angles of the casing are welded in the
corners, and therefore run from the bottom border continuously to the top border.
At top and bottom single angles are put on the sides of the casing (Figure 27) and
a frame of flat iron or other metal completes the flange.
The wheels of all the pumps described so far may be either, open or partly open
(see later on), i.e., the ladle boards remain free on one side, or the wheel may be
closed by putting on a closing plate of an equal diameter, vide Figure 15, right
hand, Figures 18, 20, and 23, left hand. On this closing plate a flat ring may be
put round the edges inside or outside, or both, see Figure 18.
Figure 24 shews a pump in which the height of the ladle boards is diminishing
from the internal circumference of wheel to the external one."
Figures 26, a, b, c, and d, show sheet casings with diffusers used when the
difference between the area of leading casing and that of delivery pipe is too
great for having the same height in both the leading casing and the diffuser, as
shown in Figures 21 and 24. In the first two, Figures 26, a and b, the diffuser is
carried once round the leading casing, but in the latter two, Figures c and d, it is
carried twice round it. In some cases the diffuser may be carried more than twice
round the casing. The construction of casings is easily understood after above
explanation.
The covers of the casings for all the pumps hitherto mentioned with casings,
Figure 11 to Figure 27, require strengthening.
For light standing pumps, as on Figure 11, strengthening may be dispensed with
where the covers are strong enough without it. For the other pumps the
strengthening is obtained as usual by ribs and walls. The former are radial, and
where necessary concentrical, either straight or curved. The walls (inside as well
as outside) are only used where necessary, and may also be either straight
(Figure 27, right hand) or curved (Figure 27, left hand). The ribs as well as the
walls, further, may be either plain, Figures 12, 13, 18, 24, and 27, or edged as
usual, see Figures 21 and 23, left hand (the walls alone).
Where it appears advisable I reserve the right to strengthen the ribs and walls
further by a coverplate opposite the proper coverplate. This extra cover may be
either plain, or have holes cast in or cut for dressing and painting the inner
surfaces and other parts, as per Figure 20, top half, for sheet covers. The internal
walls may be either higher than the external ones, Figures 12, 13, 23, right hand,
or as high as those, Figures 18, 23, left hand, and 24, or lower, Figures 20 and 21.
The covers are fitted into the turned flanges of the casing. These turned flanges
are made in the case of cast metal either plain as usual, Figures 11, 13, and 15, or
they are joined to the casing by a cylindrical piece or wall, Figure 12, as usual.
For sheet casings however I make these flanges of a flat ring fastened to the
casing. The covers are either laid flat on these rings and fixed by turned bolts and
nuts (or studs), or by several flat pieces, or by a flat ring butting against the flange
or against the cylindrical face of opening; or the covers go into the aperture of
the flanges, and are fixed on the flanges by means of flat and angle rings riveted
round the covers. For sheet covers it does not matter whether the angles for
connecting the external as well as the internal walls with the coverplates are inside
or outside.
For all horizontal pumps described in Figures 13 to 24 and 27, the casing has
two removable covers, viz., one at bottom and one at top. I may however make

page_text: one of thein of one piece with the casing, the other remaining removable, Of the
two bearings for shaft, as shown in all the pumps with double entrance, one or
both of them may be omitted in case there is any other bearing for the shaft
outside the casing. This is especially done when the wheel is to be put on the
shaft in a similar manner to the common turbines. For example, the shaft may be
made hollow to take in a staff which is fixed below in a bed plate, and holds at its
upper end a step for a "pivot above water," while at the bottom end of the shaft
the wheel is fixed.
The pumps represented by Figures 18 to 22, and 24 and 27, with sheet casings,
are arranged for double entrance similar to these; it is easy to construct pumps for
single entrance.
Sheet casings for open or partly closed wheels, as per Figures 21 and 24, may be
provided with a layer of cast material or with a second sheet plate at the inner
surfaces of the covers, for the purpose of obtaining a turned face level with the
surrounding side faces. Thus, a turning of the proper cover plate will be avoided
if required, since otherwise thicker sheets would be necessary.
I proceed to the description of the ladle boards. Their sections are shown in
Figures 28 to 37. The sections in Figures 28, 32, and 35 belong to open cast and
sheet wheels, and are such as used now for common pumps. The wheel can
however also be partly closed in the way that the edges of the ladle boards are
provided with so called crowns, a, a, in Figures 29, 30, 33, and 30, partly in order
to diminish the friction of the water along the sides of covers, and partly to
strengthen the ladle boards. These crowns have hitherto not been adopted. The
sections, Figures 31, 34, and 37, belong to closed wheels such as used for common
pumps. For small wheels the union of wheel and closing plate may be simply
made by holes bored through the ladle boards, as per Figure 28, and by rivets.
The thickness of ladle from beginning to end may be determined at pleasure,
while for the beginning and the end it is advisable to make the ladle thin and to
sharpen its edge. Besides this, for open and for partly and entirely closed wheels,
the beginning and the end of each ladle will have to be sloped by cutting off a long
triangular piece, so that the ladle terminates in the face of wheel plate. Instead
of this, for closed wheels, a slit may be cut in at the beginning and the end of each
ladle similar to a vane, so that the one blade runs from middle of ladle to the face
of wheel plate to terminate there, while the other blade goes from middle of ladle
to the face of closing plate. Thus, the contraction of the water will be rendered
less, and the centrifugal force will not be able to do any harm to the ends of the
ladles.
For pumps with diffusers, the beginning of the wall of leading casing will havo
to be slit like a vane to reduce the contraction of the water.
II. VENTILATORS AND BLASTS.

page_text: Fig. 39, upper part, gives an example. The recesses may be turned in a nave of
wheel or in a wall of casing, or both.
All I have said above for the pumps refers in a like manner to my ventilators
and blasts as far as their nature admits. The fluid may either enter the wheel at
its inner circumference and leave at the periphery, or it may travel the reversed
way.
III TURBINES.
The principle of turbines differs from that of pumps, especially in the point that
the water in the former case has to produce power, while in the latter the water is
to suffer the action of power. The water may also either enter the wheel at the
inner circumference and leave it at the outer periphery (inner water supply), or it
may travel the reversed way (outer water supply).
Therefore in general the turbines will be built the same as the pumps and
ventilators only that besides this, they, like other motors, require a valve motion.
As water cannot be compressed, the valve must be so shaped that it produces a
gradual alteration of the areas and velocities, and that every sharp inflexion is
avoided.
I therefore adopt a taper valve similar in its shape either to a pear or to a
cartridge, and provide it with an arrangement for increasing or decreasing the areas
for the water supply by means of a governor or by hand.
Standing turbines with single pipes leading to inner circumference of wheel and
with casing are built according to Figures 42 to 45, which all represent the same
motor; Figs. 42 and 44 are elevations taken from opposite sides, and Fig. 43 is an
elevation taken from the third side, and Fig. 45 is the ground plan. The governor
is put into action from the wheel shaft by means of pulleys, belt, and bevil wheels.
Beneath the bevil wheels there is on the governor spindle a loose muff a with two
friction plates b and c, connected by tension bars with the upper muff h of the
governor, so that the loose muff a goes up and down when the balls of the governor
are moving up or down. At the same time this muff shares the revolution of
the spindle. Between the two plates b and c there is a larger plate d on a special
shaft.
When the governor is running normally this plate is in the middle between the
two smaller ones b and c, without being touched by either of them. When the
balls rise the muff a is raised, and thereby the under plate c pressed against
the larger d, thus moving the latter in one direction. When the balls sink down
the upper plate b will be lowered by means of the muff and pressed against the
plate d, thus moving the latter in the opposite direction. These movements are
transmitted to the pear shaped valve g by means of the worm e, wheel and lever
motion.
"
The transmission of movement described above from the governor to the valve,
as shown in the Figures 42 to 45, is to be regarded in principle only as peculiar
to my turbines, while in details there may be alterations made. The friction
plates b, c, and d may be shaped conically, or instead bevil wheels may be adopted
where required, while the muff a may be altered into a friction clutch. The
governor may be of any style or system. The pear shaped valve may also be
moved by hand only instead of governor where required.
The turbine in Figures 42 to 45 corresponds with the light pump in Fig. 11.
For heavier turbines a proper strengthening of the bed plate and casing must take

page_text: inetal in a similar manner to the pumps.
The turbine may be made either without or with a pressure plate like the
common turbines (a in Fig. 45, left hand) to take off the pressure of water from
wheel.
The inlet pipe
may be arranged either at the side; as Fig. 42 to 45, or at
bottom (Fig. 12) or top.
The transmission of power from turbines may be arranged either by pulleys or
by couplings or spur wheels, or in any other way. The bed plate will have to be
shaped accordingly.
The turbine in Fig. 42 to 45 may be provided with a diffuser, and the wheel
may have divergent, parallel, or convergent sides.
My turbines with casing in general are in so far different from the pumps and
ventilators that the casing may be made either in the same direction regarding the
ladles as in the pumps and ventilators, or in the opposite direction.
Standing turbines with double pipes leading to inner circumferences of wheel
are made as per Fig. 11, 11a, and 12, when either the two pipes, Fig. 11 and 12,
are connected together outside the casing, and in this place the regulating valve
is put in and is moved either by hand or from a governor, similar to Fig. 42 to 45.,
Or the valve may be put in each of the two pipes leading to inner circumferences
of wheel, or it is put into pipe leading to casing as the case may be.
The valve g in Fig. 45 may either be larger in diameter than its seat, or it
may be of the same diameter. It may be cither pear shaped or cartridge shaped,
as shown in Fig. 45a in principle.
Horizontal turbines with single pipes leading to inner circumferences of wheel
but without casing are built according to Fig. 46 to 50. The turbines in Fig. 46
and 48 are wholly cast. Both Figures differ from each other in the mode of fixing
the wheels to the shafts. In Fig. 46 the shaft is provided with a step, while in
the other a "pivot above the water" is adopted so that the shaft must be hollow.
Further, the latter Figure differs from the former in its pressure plate x, which is
used in case the pressure of the water on the wheel is greater than the dead weight
of the wheel and shaft. In Fig. 50 the stand on which the wheel runs in the step
is cast, and besides.shaped in a special way to insure a better introduction of the
water into the wheel, while the latter consists of sheet metal. In Fig. 47 the
stand is partly cast and partly of sheet metal, while in Fig. 49 the greatest part
of the stand is of sheet metal. The stand however may be constructed entirely
of sheet metal when the upper part is made of plates hammered or pressed into
the proper shape.
In cases where the stands are not sufficiently protected against vibrations they
may be strengthened outside by ribs (vertical and also horizontal, or in any other
direction) of cast or of sheet metal, which reach down to the bed plate.
For this the Fig. 50 a shows an example.
In all the Figures 46 to 50 I have drawn the wheels in different halves, the right
hand of which are without and the left hand with back strengthening: The wheels
are shown in the Figures with parallel sides; however, wheels with divergent or
convergent sides may be used. The fixing of the wheels on the shafts is clearly
shown in the Drawings for the different cases. At the point y between stand and
wheel annular recesses may be adopted in a similar manner, as I shall show later on
for steam wheels in Fig. 51, 54, and 56, to render difficult the overflow of water
between stand and wheel. The recesses may be turned either in the flange of stand
or in a special flange in place of the angle ring on the wheel or in both flanges. The
valve in the Figures 46 to 48 and 50 is cast, but in Figure 49 mostly of sheet metal.
It is moved by lever gearing a, worm b, and wheel e (Fig. 46 and 48), and either by
a governor or by hand. The valve may be either pear shaped, the same as Fig. 46
to 50, or 42 to 45 and 50a, or it may be cartridge shaped, as per Fig. 45a.

page_text: Of horizontal turbines with single pipes leading to inner circumferences of wheel
and with casing, Fig. 50a shows a case for example.
According to Fig. 11, 11a, and 12, and after the above, it is easy to construct
horizontal turbines with double pipes leading to inner circumference of wheel and
with casing.
Horizontal turbines with simple openings at inner circumference of wheel are
built to Fig. 13 to 24 and 27, when the regulating valve is placed in the pipe at
the outer periphery of casing.
My description of my pumps and ventilators refers also to the turbines as far as
Same me one principle may be considered
opposite to that of blasts, because in steam wheels the steam is growing in volume
when giving off its power, while in the blasts the air or other fluid is decreasing in
volume when suffering the action of power.
Therefore in general the steam wheels may be constructed similar to the turbines,
only that they differ somewhat in so far as the steam pipe is comparatively small
in diameter. Again in the steam wheels the steam may either enter the wheel at
the inner circumference and leave it at the outer periphery, or it may travel the
reversed way.
Fig. 51 shews a steam wheel with single entrance for inner steam supply, but
without valve motion. Such a steam wheel may be put up on any bed plate or at
a wall, or from the ceiling or on the floor, by means of a flange (large or small in
diameter) as shown in the Figure, left hand, or by means of ribs as indicated in the
Figure, right hand, or with trestles, or in any other way, so that a standing, or a
wall, or a hanging, or a horizontal steam wheel is thus obtained.
In order to reduce as much as possible the loss of power by friction or otherwise
in the valve box, I adopt the same shape of a pear for the valve as for the turbines.
In cases however where cheapness is required the pear shaped valve may be left
out. In order to lessen in steam wheels with closed wheels the loss of steam and
pressure through the concentrical space at the entrance to the wheel as much as
possible I take a nave with annular recesses turned in and fit it on the wheel in
such a manner that it runs closely in the chamber formed by the bottom end of the
valve box and by the opening in the top casing cover.
Thus several chambers are
obtained which make it difficult for the steam to go from the valve through the
concentrical space into the room between wheel side and casing, cover, and thence
into the casing and exhaust pipe. The recesses may be also turned in the bottom
end of valve box instead of the nave, or on both sides.
The bottom end of the valve box carries a pressure plate x for diminishing the
pressure of the steam on the wheel in a similar way as for turbines. This pressure
plate may be left out. The bottom end of the valve box with or without pressure
plate may be made separate.
The Figures 53 and 54 show a steam wheel with single entrance for inner steam
supply and with valve motion, which is an imitation of the turbine in Fig. 42 to 45.
The principal difference is that the steam pipe on account of its small size is led
separately through the bed plate to the entrance in wheel. A nave with or without
recesses is put on the wheel in the same way as before in order to keep the pressure
of the steam as even as possible. The tube in which the shaft of wheel is running
carries a pressure plate a, which however may be left out. This steam wheel may
give off its power by means of pulleys, or of couplings, or spur wheels, or other
gearing. It may further be fitted with a fly wheel.
Fig. 52 shows a standing steam wheel which differs from the above especially in
so far that the steam enters the wheel on one side and the shaft is on the other
side; thus a fly wheel may be attached better than before, while at the same time
a small foundation will suffice for the steam wheel. The casing is cast with a stand

page_text: in one piece, similar to Fig. 56. The governor is on the stand, and transmits its
motion to the valve by means of a muff, friction plates, and bevil wheels, while a
worm with wheel, as shown for the turbine in Fig. 42 to 45, as well as for the
preceding steam wheel, is rendered unnecessary, since the valve spindle is provided
with a screw thread, as shown in Fig. 51. The valve spindle has at the top part a
key groove, or is of a cornered section, so that it is turned with the bevil wheel
without being prevented from freely moving in its axle.
Steam wheels may be built to work with a common shaft going from one side
through the casing and wheel to the other side. The construction is easily found by
remodelling Figures 52 to 54.
The Figures 55 and 56 show a wall steam wheel, which is similar to the standing
steam wheel in Fig. 52. The governor is attached in such a manner that its upper
corner is in about the same height as the upper corner of, the casing, so that the
steam wheel can be fitted to the wall close to the ceiling. In cases however where
the space above is not limited, the governor may be put on the stand in about the
position indicated by m, Fig. 56, similar to Fig. 52. The valve spindle may be
provided with a screw thread, in which case the worm with wheel is left out.
The exhaust pipe a may lead upwards, as shown in the Fig. 55, or downwards,
or in any other direction. The wall steam wheel in Fig. 55 and 56 may be turned
into a hanging steam wheel when required, in which case the governor will have
to be altered accordingly.
Horizontal steam wheels, similar to Fig. 51, with valve motion may be built
likewise.
Besides the valve at the entrance the. steam wheel may have a second valve in
the exhaust pipe to be moved either by hand or from the governor.
Instead of the annular recesses at the entrance, a stuffing box may be used.
All the Figures 51 to 56 show steam wheels with single entrance for inner steam
supply. Equally, steam wheels with double entrance for inner steam supply may
be built, say, as per Fig. 57, or in a similar manner.
Steam wheels with outer steam supply may be built, for example, as per Fig. 58
(standing steam wheel), when the regulating valve is put in the entrance pipe at
the outer periphery of casing, and moved by a governor.
The regulating valve may be, again, either pear shaped, as Fig. 51 to 56, or
similar to Fig. 45, or it may be cartridge shaped, say, as per Fig. 45a.
My descriptions given for pumps, ventilators, and blasts and turbines also refer
to the steam wheels as far as allowed by their nature, and the casing may be
disposed either in the same direction in regard to ladles as for the pumps, or in the
opposite direction. The wheels may have divergent, parallel, or convergent sides,
and they may be either open or partly or entirely closed. The steam wheels may
be provided with diffusers.
My steam wheels may be used as caloric engines or as compressed air or other
motors.
I reserve my right of combining my pumps, or ventilators, or blasts in any way
I like with my turbines, water motors, or steam wheels to form one combined
machine.
I reserve the right to employ iron, steel, brass, copper, and any other metal, or
wood or other substance, for the construction of my pumps, ventilators, blasts,
turbines, and steam wheels.
Having given a full description of my Invention and its sundry applications, I
declare that I claim,
1. The new form of ladle, viz., a varying archimedean spiral, to be determined as
herein shown and described.
2. The diffuser, consisting of a canal the area of which is gradually increased
and surrounding the leading casing in one or more turns, as shown and described.
3. The use of divergent sides for the discs or wheels, as shown and described, for
all the machines named herein excepting the turbines.

page_text: 4. The crowns of the ladle boards for partly closed wheels or discs, as shown
and described.
5. The sloping or slitting in the beginning and end of each ladle, and the slitting
in the beginning of the wall of the leading casing when a diffuser is used, as
herein described.
6. The pear or cartridge shaped valve for regulating the admission of liquid or
fluid to the wheels, as herein shown and described.
.7. The annular recesses between tubular surfaces at the entrance of blasts,
turbines, and steam wheels, as described and shown.
8. The use or employment of sheet metal in the construction of the casings and
covers of the pumps and other machines, as herein described and shown.
9. The construction of the standing ventilators and blowers without attached
suction pipe, as described, and as shown in Figs. 38 to 40.
In witness whereof, I, the said Karl Wilhelm Alexander Leverkus, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
T