IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STEAM TO THE RAISING AND FORCING OF WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
60, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical
Draughtsman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
APPLYING STEAM TO THE RAISING AND FORCING OF WATER AND OTHER
LIQUIDS." A communication from abroad by William Burdon, of
Brooklyn. in the State of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 22nd January 1873.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR APPLYING STEAM TO THE RAISING AND FORCING OF WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS,"
to be as follows:-

page_text: into which water is raised by atmospheric pressure to be discharged
either by gravitation or steam pressure on the admission of a fresh
discharge of steam. When live steam from a generator is used, the
water raised as just mentioned may be forced from the vessels by the
pressure of the steam upon it, but when steam exhausted from an engine t
is employed, owing to its low pressure, the water has to depend for its
discharge mainly or wholly on the force of gravity, the steam admitted
to the vessel after its filling being used merely to destroy the vacuum
and allow the exit of the water by gravitation, or when steam is taken
directly from a generator it may be admitted to the vessels in only 1
sufficient quantity to destroy the vacuum and let the water fall out :-
One part of the Invention consists in the combination of a steam
vacuum pump with a steam engine, whereby such pump is operated by
the exhaust steam from the engine and is made to serve as a condenser
to the engine without an air pump, the water being allowed to fall out 1
of such condenser instead of being pumped out.
Another part of the Invention consists in the combination of a steam
engine, a steam vacuum pump, and a water wheel, so that the exhaust
steam from the engine is used to operate the pump for the purpose of
raising water to drive the water wheel, the exhaust steam being thus
utilized to obtain additional power auxiliary to the steam engine.
The Invention further embraces means of combining the engine and
pump, and also improvements in the pumps themselves whereby they
are made to discharge their water very freely, and their operation is
greatly expedited and likewise rendered more effective. The pumps may
consist of one, two, three, four or more vessels situate above a water
chest, with which a water supply pipe is in connection. The water
chest is provided with openings for the upward passage of the water to
the pump vessels. These openings are commanded by valves which are
held to their scats by springs. The valve chest is also fitted with outer
valves of large aggregate area, which serve to discharge the water as it
leaves the pump into a discharge box, whence it may flow off in any
desired direction. Exhaust steam from an adjacent engine may be let
into the vessel or vessels of the pump by a pipe or pipes, its admission
thereto being commanded by a valve or valves worked by steam or other
power. When steam is admitted to one of the vessels filled with water
it will serve to force out the water which will escape from the water

page_text: chest by the large external valves. To permit of this vessel being
refilled with water it is necessary to condense the steam contained
therein. For this purpose a retaining cup is mounted centrally in tho
vessel, the same being pierced with holes near its bottom. The rise of
the water in this vesscl causes the cup to fill, and as the water level in
the vessel falls below the cup jets of cold water will be discharged by
the cup into the surrounding steam, and thereby serve to condense it.
To expedite the condensing operation a jet pipe leading from the discharge
box to the upper part of the vessel is provided for throwing jets of cold
water into the steam, the supply of steam being cut off before this comes
into action. In like manner jets of cold water may be discharged into the
steam pipe leading to the vessel, the pipe being inclined toward the
vessel to run off the condensing water. The pumping apparatus admits
of various modifications. Thus slide or rolling valves may be used for
supplying the steam, and when a series of vessels is employed in one
pump tappets arranged hiclically on a shaft may be used for working the
valves. Or rotary valves arranged to act in succession may be con-
nected to one continuous shaft. In some cases it may be found
desirable to connect the water supply pipe directly with the top and
bottom of the vessel and to omit the use of the water chest. The steam
supply and water discharge valves may also be connected together so as
to act in concert. The inlet valves of the steam vacuum pump may
be worked by an excentric connected with but adjustable independently
of the excentric employed for working the valves of the engine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 22nd July 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, GG, Chancery Lane, in the
O County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,

page_text: give and grant unto me, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special
licence that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred Vincent
Newton, 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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STEAM TO THE RAISING
AND FORCING OF WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS," being a communication to me
from abroad by William Burdon, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York,
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
scals, 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 Scal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, 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, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say) :-
This Invention relates to the construction and use of what are known
as steam vacuum pumps in which steam is condensed to form a vacuum,
into which water is raised by atmospheric pressure, to be discharged
either by gravitation or steam pressure on the admission of a fresh dis-
charge of steam. When live steam from a generator is used the water
raised as just mentioned may be forced from the vessels by the pressure
of the steam upon it, but when steam exhausted from an engine is
employed owing to its low pressure the water has to depend for its dis-
charge mainly or wholly on the force of gravity, the steam admitted to
the vessel after its filling being used merely to destroy the vacuum and
allow the exit of the water by gravitation; or when steam is taken
directly from a generator it may be admitted to the vessels in only
sufficient quantity to destroy the vacuum and let the water fall out.

page_text: One part of the Invention consists in the combination of a steam
vacuum pump with a steam engine, whereby such pump is operated by
the exhaust steam from the engine, and is made to serve as a condenser
to the engine without an air pump, the water being allowed to fall out
of such condenser instead of being pumped out.
Another part of the Invention consists in the combination of a steam
engine, a steam vacuum pump, and a water wheel, so that the exhaust
steam from the engine is used to operate the pump for the purpose of
raising water to drive the water wheel, the exhaust steam being thus
utilized to obtain additional power auxiliary to the steam engine.
The Invention further embraces means of combining the engine and
pump, and also improvements in the pumps themselves, whereby they
are made to discharge their water very freely, and their operation is
greatly expedited and likewise rendered more effective.
After thus specifying the nature and objects of the Invention the
description will be continued in connection with the accompanying
Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section of a steam
vacuum pump and engine combined according to this Invention. Fig. 2
is a horizontal section of the pump alone.
Fig. 3 is a side view partly in section shewing another mode of com-
bining the engine and pumps, and Fig. 4 is a view of some of the details
thereof. Figures 5 and 6 represent other modes of combination.
Fig. 7 is a plan of the pump shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a central
vertical section thereof on a larger scale.
Figures 9 and 10 are views taken at right angles to each other, illus-
trating the combination of a steam engine, a steam vacuum pump, and
a water wheel, and Figures 11 and 12 are views of some of the details
of the samc.
Figures 9* and 10* represent a modification of the pump shown in
the last named Figures.
Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16, Figures 17 and 18, Figures 19 and 20,
Fig. 21, Fig. 22, Fig. 23, Figures 24 and 25 arc views which will be
hercin-after explained, illustrating improvements in the construction of
the pumps themselves.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the

page_text: Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, A represents a portion of a steam
engine which is combined with a steam vacuum pump made according
to this Invention. This pump is composed of two vessels B, B, arranged
side by side on a box C, which is divided transversely to form two com-
partments, one communicating with cach vessel. Under these compart-
ments is what is termed,a water chest D, to which the suction pipe E of
the pump is connected. The horizontal partition between this water
chest and the compartments C, C, has numerous openings, and within
the said compartments is furnished with upwardly opening inlet
valves g, g, through which the water passes to the vessels. An outlet
valve H is also provided on each of the three outer sides of the compart-
ments C, C. These outlet valves H, H, consist of strips of leather,
india-rubber, or other suitablo material, and are secured at their upper
edges so as to control the egress of water from outwardly inclined spouts
formed on the sides of the compartments. The operation of these outlet
valves, by reason of their aggregate area of opening being much larger
than the horizontal section of the vessels and of their arrangement, is
equivalent to dropping the bottom out of the pump vessels, and of course
the discharge of the said vessels is greatly facilitated and expedited.
The water chest D and compartments C, C, are surrounded by a dis-
charge box I, which is or may be made of sheet metal, and receives the
discharge from the vessels B, B, of the pump. It is furnished with lips
or spouts to conduct the water off as represented, and these spouts aro
arranged at such height as to keep the water around the outlet valves,
thereby to seal them when closed. The steam valves J, J, of the pump
work within a valve box K that communicates with both vessels B, and
bas leading to it the exhaust pipe L of the steam engine A. Tho
valves J, J, are secured to a rod connected with the arm M of the way
shaft, by which the valve or valves of the steam engine is operated.
They cover and uncover ports in the top of the vessels B, B, and thereby
control the admission of steam thereto, the port of one vessel being
closed while the other is opened.
In the lower part of each vessel B there is a retaining cup N, which
during cach discharge of its respective vessel retains a certain quantity
of water, and after the receding water gets sufficiently low in the vessel
delivers its water in a shower through its perforated bottom, and by
condensing the surrounding steam reduces the pressure in the vessel,
pipes 0, 0, leading cach from the discharge box I to one of the vessels,
spray water into the vessels upon a reduction of pressure therein and

page_text: thereby perfect the condensation of steam; these pipes are furnished
with check valves. The vessels B, B, are first filled with water either
by pouring it in through openings provided therefor or by forming a
vacuum in them, and so causing water to be raised into them by
atmospheric pressure. At each stroke of the steam engine the pump
valves are shifted and steam exhausted from the steam engine is
admitted to one of the vessels. For convenience of description this may
be supposed to have taken place in the right hand vessel. The receding
water having got below the retaining cup N of said vessel the latter
showers out its contents, and by condensing the surrounding steam
reduces the pressure in the vessel and causes the condensing pipe O to
deliver a spray of water from the discharge box into the upper part of
the vessel. About this time the valves J, J, arc shifted to shut off the
supply of steam from the right hand vessel and admit it to the left hand
vessel and the continued influx of water through tho pipo O condenses
the remaining steam in the right hand vessel and a vacuum is thereby
formed therein. This vessel now fills with water by atmospheric
pressure and the steam entering the left hand vessel destroys the
vacuum therein, or in other words counterbalances the atmospheric
pressure and allows the water to discharge by the force of gravity through
the outlet valves H, H, into the discharge box I. As soon as the water
gets below the retaining cup in the latter vessel the contents of the cup
N are showered out and also water is induced to flow from the pipe O
leading to that vessel. The supply of steam having been shut off from
the said vessel the condensation of the steam remaining therein is
effected by the shower of water thereinto and a vacuum is formed.
Water is consequently caused to flow into it and on the admission
of steam to it the right chamber is caused simultaneously to discharge.
Figures 3 and 4 represent another mode of combining a steam vacuum
pump with a steam engine. This method is designed especially to be
used when the pump and engine are on different floors of a building, or
otherwise at different elevations. Two pumps are shown in connection
with the engine, but this is merely to explain that a pump can be
combined with an engine with equal facility when either above or below
the cngino. The pumps here shewn are essentially like that shewn in
the Figures just described, the only difference being in the steam inlet
valves P, P, and the discharge valves H, H. There is but one steam
valve to each pump and it is of the kind commonly known as a rolling

page_text: hollow plug valve. It receives steam from the engine through one cud
and delivers it through either of two parts in its sido to one of two
branch pipes connecting with the vacuum vessels B, B. The valve P
is furnished with a lover by which it is operated. The outlet valves
H, H, are like those on the pump before described except that they aro
fastened at the lower edge instead of the upper, and open at the top. In
addition to these valves there are also other outlet valves H', H',
arranged on the top of the compartments C, C, of the pump around the
vessels B, B. These valves are flap valves like the inlet valvos of the
pump. Besides the excentric Q used for operating its own valve the
steam engine is furnished with an independent excentric R for working
the pump valve P; the hoop of this excentric is shown as connected by
two rods with bell cranks on rock shafts S, S, arranged in proximity
to their respective pumps and the bell cranks are severally connected
by a rod with the lever of the pump's steam inlet valve P. By this
means the independent excentric R is made to operate the valvo to
control the admission of steam to the pump. The great advantage of
this mode of combining the pump with a steam engine is that by
shifting the excentric Rany amount of lead may be given to the pump
valve whereby the water will be held in suspension as it were waiting
for the ingress of steam to destroy the vacuum and permit it to
discharge.
Fig. 5 requires but little description. The pump has no steam inlet
valves of its own, and with this exception it is like the one described
in Fig. 1. Each of its vacuum vessels B is connected with one of two
separate exhaust pipes T, T, each communicating with one of the exhaust
passages at the ends of the steam engine cylinder. By this means tho
exhaust valve or valves of the steam engine are made to constitute also
the steam inlet valve or valves of the pump. In this caso the steam
engine must have separate induction and exhaust valves.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 show another mode of combining a steam vacuum
pump and steam engine, whereby the valve of the engine controls the
admission of steam to the pump. The pump herein represented has but
ono vacuum vessel, which in its construction and appurtenances is sub-
stantially like one of the vessels of the pumps represented in Fig. 3
save that there is no steam inlet valve, and that the inlet valves g,g,
and outlet valves II', ', are of somewhat different construction. They
consist of discs of vulcanized india-rubber or other suitablo material

page_text: arranged to slide up and down on stems suitably arranged within groups
of openings which the valves control. Between the valves and the
upper ends of their spindles are spiral springs which send the valves to
their seats when not by other means upheld. U is the exhaust pipe of
the engine; it leads from the cylinder A. to a small chamber on the top
of the vacuum vessel B. It is slightly inclined towards the vessel, so
that water sprayed into it from a pipe V flows into the vessel. This
pipe V leads from the discharge box up into and along the exhaust
pipe U. That portion of the pipe U within the exhaust pipe is perforated
so that at the same time the pipe O is induced to shower into the vessel
a spray will also be delivered into the exhaust pipe, and all the steam
will be condensed therein, and so is prevented from deteriorating tho
vacuum formed by the condensation of steam in the chamber. Tho
box C upon which the vacuum vessel B of the pump is crected is
square, and considerably larger horizontally than the pump vessel, and
the aggregate area of the opening of the outlet valves H', H', on tho
top of it is greater than the horizontal area of the vessel B. By these
and the additional opening given by the valves H, H, at the side of the
box a very free discharge is obtained.
Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 show the combination of a steam vacuumi
pump, a steam engine, and a water wheel, and an improvement in tho
pump. The steam engine A is like the one represented in the other
views, except that a pulley W is shewn on its driving shaft. The pump is
arranged considerably above the engine, and has several vacuum vessels B
arranged all in a row. They are erected each on a separate box C, which
is furnished with outlet valves II like the pumps previously described,
and with inlet valves g, g, controlling communication with the suction
pipe E. The suction pipe in this case leads from a reservoir below the
engine, and it extends along beneath the wholo scries of pumps or
vacuum vessels, and communicates with cach. The exhaust pipe T of
the steam engine extends along the top of the series, and communicates
with the several vessels by short branches. These branches are furnished
with rolling plug valves similar in their construction to cocks. The
stems or spindles of theso valves are furnished with levers which project
out in proximity to a shaft G supported in suitable bearings provided on
the vessels or otherwise suitably arranged: This shaft is furnished with
a series of tappets or wipers, one for each vessel or pump, and these are
arranged in a spiral round the shaft, as shown in Fig. 12. The shaft is

page_text: driven from a countershaft Y with which the pulley on the engine shaft
is connected by belting, and as it revolves the wipers just mentioned
raise the levers of the pump vessels one after another in regular suc-
cession, and correspondingly admit steam to them. The valvo levers
are brought back to position by spiral springs shown in Fig. 11. These
pumps are always one or another in full discharge, and the others are in
intermediate stages of operation. The exhaust pipe of the engine is
likewise subject to the effect of a vacuum in one or other of the pump
vessels. The discharge box I, into which the pumps discharge, delivers
the water into a trough Z from which a pipe leads to a turbine water
wheel A* arranged a little way above the reservoir from which the
pumps derive their supply. The shaft of the wheel A* is geared with a
countershaft that by a belt is connected with the countershaft driven
by the engine. Thus the exhaust steam of the engine is utilized to
pump up water, and thereby made to drive a water wheel, which by
intermediate gearing is made to assist the engine, and consequently to
increase the motive power.
In all the combinations described the
exhaust steam from a steam engine is utilized to produce a result
beyond what is obtained by the mere condensation of the steam in a
condensing engine.
The description will now be proceeded with in relation to other
improvements in the pumps themselves.
It will be well to allude here to the fact that the quicker the stroke
of the engine combined with the pump the greater the number of
pumps or pump vessels is required. For an engine having a very slow
stroke, one vessel may be sufficient, but for a quick stroke engine sevoral
are required.
Figures 9 and 10* exhibit vertical sections at right angles to cach
other of a pump composed of a series of vacuum vessels like those shown
in Figures 9 and 10, except that instead of having in their steam pipes
rolling plug valves operated by tappets on a rotating shaft, the several
vacuum vessels have steam valves of the cock kind, and the several
valves have their spindles all connected in the same line, so that all
rotate together. These valves are arranged so that they will give steam
to the several vacuum vessels one after another in regular succession.
Figures 13, 14, 15, and 10 shew an improvement in the steam vacuum
pump, consisting in a combination of three vacuum vosscls. B, B, B,

page_text: are the vacuum vessels; they are erected on a largo circular box
divided into three compartments C, C, C, communicating one with cach
vessel. This box is shown more particularly in Figures 15 and 16.
Under it is a water chest D to which, as in the other pumps, the suction
pipe E leads. The inlet and outlet valves of these vessels and their
other appurtenances are like those of the pump described in Figures 6, 7,
and 8. One steam valve C* is common to all three vessels. It is a
rolling plug valve, and one end receives steam and delivers it from a
single port which successively communicates with three ports in its
shell, which are connected by branch pipes with the vessels. The
spindle of this valve has a pulley on it to enable the valve to be driven
by a steam engine, or derive motion from any suitable prime or counter
motor. The operation of the pump is essentially like that of the pumps
before described, the vessels filling and discharging successively, and
thereby ensuring the delivery of a steady stream.
Figures 17 and 18 are viows on an enlarged scale of one of the pumps
shewn in Fig. 3, except that the inlet and outlet valves instead of being
flap vales secured in the middle are sliding discs like those of the pump
shewn in Figures 6, 7, and 8. The object of these enlarged views
is to shew the details, and especially the great arca of valve surface
obtained.
Figures 19 and 20 shew a single pump, the steam valve of which may
be worked by hand. The vacuum vessel is clevated above the water
chest D, and is supported by four pipes D* loading to the lower portion
of the sides of the vessel. The bottom of the vessel is entirely open, and
a valve X is arranged to close it. This valve consists of a metal disc of
an area slightly greater than that of the transverse section of the vessel
faced with leather or india-rubber, and furnished with a stem which
works within a guide provided on the water chest. A spiral spring
interposed between the water chest and the valve forces the latter to its
scat when not prevented by other means. The steam valve of the pump
is of the hollow plug kind, and its spindle is furnished with a lever
which may either be manipulated by hand or be shifted by machinery.
The rest of the pump is similar to those already described, save that tho
retaining cup N is dispensed with, the pipes D forming a substitute for
it; about the time the receding water gets below the top of the pipes D*
the supply of steam is shut off. When this occurs the steam in the
vessel is suddenly expanded to fill a larger space, and is therefore rarefied,

page_text: and at the same time it is brought into contact with a larger surface of
water, and is thereby somewhat condensed. On these accounts its
pressure is sufficiently reduced to induce the spray pipe O to operate and
perfect the condensation of steam. When this is effected a vacuum is
of course formed, and water is caused to flow into the vessel through the
pipes D* by atmospheric pressure.
Fig. 21 represents another pump that may be operated either by hand
or power. Its steam inlet valve is like that of the pump last described,
and its discharge valve is of a corresponding kind. The levers of both aro
connected by an intermediate rod, and thus by operating the steam valvo
the discharge valve is likewise operated, both being opened and closed
simultaneously. The suction pipe E of this pump leads to the upper
part of its vacuum vessel, and also leads by means of a branch pipe e to
the lower part of the vessel. By this means the incoming water is
delivered both into the upper and lower portions of the vessel, and
thereby is made to assist in perfecting the condensation of the steam to
form a vacuum. In this pump, owing to the positive operation of its
valves, there is considerable straining sustained on the completion of the
filling of the vessel by the momentum acquired by the water in flowing
up the suction pipe. To obviate any injury from this cause, and also to
get the fullest possible discharge from the pump, the suction pipe is
furnished with a device for permitting the flow of water to continue
until its momentum is expended. This device consists simply of a short
branch pipe f, having a turned up end, furnished with an outwardly
opening valve, and surrounded by a small dischargo box.
Fig. 22 illustrates another mode of connecting the steam inlet and the
discharge valves for simultaneous operation. The steam valve is of the
samo kind as previously described, but the dischargo valve is somewhat
different. It consists of a rotating disc provided with a number of
segmental ports, and furnished with ratchet teeth at its periphery. The
valve thus constructed shuts and opens ports in the side of the box C, on
which the vacuum vessel is crected. A radius arm pivolted to the
centro pin of the valvo carries a pawle which engages with the ratchet
teeth, and (as the radius arm is rocked by a rod connected with suitable
machinery) rotates the valve.
11
00:
mation of the last desouiled wan

page_text: Sixth. The combination with the hollow base or box C, C, of a horizon-
tal partition, and a system of inlet valves g, g, substantially as herein
described, and as shown principally in Figures 14 and 17.
Seventh. The combination with the hollow base of the side discharge
openings and valves H, H, as herein described with reference to Figures 1, ६
3, 6, 8, 9, 9, 10, and 17.
Eighth. The hollow base constructed with upper and lower compart-
ments, and with upper and lower valve seats, in combination with the
vacuum chambers and suction pipe, substantially as herein shewn and
described in Figures 3, 6, 8, 14, and 17.
Ninth. The combination with the hollow base constructed as described,
and its discharge valves H, H, and H', H', of the discharge box I, for
keeping said valves submerged in water, substantially as described with
reference to Fig. 1.
1
Tenth. The retaining cups N and pipes O, O, for assisting in the 1
condensation of steam in the vacuum vessels, substantially as herein
described.
Eleventh. The positive connection of the steam valve and water dis-
charge valve, substantially as described with reference to Figures 21, 22,
and 23, and also 24.
Twelfth. The application to the vacuum vessel of a bifurcated suction
pipe, leading both to the upper and lower portions of the vessel, and the
escape device, substantially as and for the purposo described with
reference to Fig. 21.
2
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have 25
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-second day of July, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.