Improvements in Syphonic Apparatus and Apparatus connected therewith.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 12th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Syphonic Apparatus and Apparatus connected
therewith.
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS, Hydraulic Engineer, Cumbrae, Park Avenue, Harrogate,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
My apparatus is especially intended to regulate the supply to and discharge
from filter beds, it is equally applicable to other purposes where it is desired to
bring about the automatic controlled filling and emptying of receptacles. In one
form I construct my filling apparatus somewhat as a syphon, by preference of a
rectangular shape and having a deep trap, I prevent the passage of liquid through
this apparatus by transferring air under pressure to it and usually locking this in
through a water seal-its pressure being sufficient to hold back the liquid which
before its application could pass freely through. I prefer that the filling of the
tank or receptacle into which my apparatus discharges should as the liquid enters
an air receptacle, displace air therefrom and deliver it through a pipe or suitable
means to my apparatus. I may however place this air receptacle in any con-
venient tank or position one of my intentions being simply to form an apparatus
which whilst allowing the passage of liquid through it, before the transferrence
of air, will when air has been transferred to it, no longer pass liquid through
but will be closed. I can unlock my apparatus by allowing the escape of air from
it either by opening a valve, or by allowing the exit of air to take place through
a water seal or trap in connection with my apparatus and this I usually, do, and
for my purpose I prefer to use a special water trap or seal which though in
connection with my supply apparatus is in connection also with another apparatus
through which I prefer to operate, (either by vacuum or pressure) but ordinarily
allowing the air to escape from and unlock my supply apparatus. For the purpose
of my invention in one form I desire that when a tank or receptacle shall have
been filled by my supply apparatus the latter shall automatically close to the
further passage of liquid and that when this liquid shall have remained for a
given time in the receptacle or tank containing it, that it shall be automatically
discharged, to bring about this automatic discharge I prefer to use a controlled
syphon, this last
form usually in such a way that until the release of air from
within it cannot come into operation, I prefer to allow the release through a tap
or valve and to cause this latter to open partly by the action of a ball float and
attachment which operating in a cylinder or dome under water pressure is so
placed that it cannot lift until water entering the dome shall reach it. The
entry of water to the dome follows the escape of air from within it and I prefer
to allow this escape to take place through a small valve placed for the purpose
the syphon having now discharged the contents of the receptacle or tank in which
it is placed I desire that after a given time the supply shall again come on
through my supply apparatus and to bring this about I allow the exit of air
therefrom, this I may do in various ways or by suction but I prefer the following
I contrive that the discharge of the syphon shall fill a specially formed receptacle
and that having entered, it is so trapped that it cannot escape excepting as air

page_text: is admitted to it I can by a small tap placed for the purpose regulate the rate of
admission of air to the receptacle and consequently the release of the liquid
within. I contrive that the release of this liquid shall bring about the exit of
air from my supply apparatus which then being unlocked will again allow the
passage of liquid through it. I may liberate my supply apparatus also by the
operation of filling a receptacle somewhat as first named or I may bring about my
operations by a syphon or suitable apparatus placed in any position I desire,
and I use various water seals and traps for my purpose to give the pressures and
vacuums necessary.
Improvements in Syphonic Apparatus and Apparatus connected
therewith.
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS, Hydraulic Engineer, Cumbrae, Park Avenue, Harrogate,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
My invention relates to apparatus especially intended to regulate the supply
to and discharge from filter beds, but equally applicable to other purposes where
it is desired to bring about the automatic controlled filling and emptying of
receptacles. In one form I construct my filling apparatus somewhat as a syphon,
by preference of a rectangular shape and having a deep trap, and when required I
prevent the passage of liquid through this apparatus by transferring air under
pressure to it and usually locking such air in by means of a water seal, the
pressure being sufficient to hold back the liquid which before the introduction
of the air could pass freely through the apparatus. I prefer that the filling of
the tank or receptacle into which my apparatus discharges should operate to
displace air from a receptacle placed in the tank and deliver it to my apparatus.
I may however place this air receptacle in another convenient tank or position,
one of my intentions being simply to provide an apparatus which whilst allowing
the passage of liquid through it before the transference of air will when air has
been transferred to it no longer allow liquid to pass through. I can unlock
the apparatus by allowing the air to escape from it either by opening a valve,
or by means of a water seal or trap in connection with the apparatus, and this I
usually do, and for my purpose I prefer to use a special water trap or seal in
connection with my supply apparatus and also in connection with another
apparatus through which I prefer to operate either by vacuum or by pressure.
For the purposes of my invention, in one form I provide that when a tank or
receptacle shall have been filled by my supply apparatus the latter shall auto-
matically close to the further passage of liquid and that when this liquid shall
have remained for a given time in the receptacle or tank containing it that it
shall be automatically discharged. To bring about this automatic discharge I
prefer to use a controlled syphon formed usually in such a way that it cannot
come into operation until the air is released from within it. I prefer to allow
the release through a tap or valve and to cause this latter to open partly by the
action of a ball float attachment which, operating in a cylinder or dome under
water pressure, is so placed that it cannot lift until water entering the dome
shall reach it. The entry of water into the dome follows the escape of air from
within it and I prefer to allow this escape to take place through a small valve

page_text: provided for the purpose. The syphon having now discharged the contents of
the receptacle or tank in which it is placed, I so provide that, after a given time,
the supply shall again come on through my supply apparatus, and this I may
do in various ways but I prefer the following, that is to say:-I contrive that.
the discharge of the syphon shall fill a specially formed receptacle and that liquid
having entered is so trapped that it cannot escape excepting as air is admitted.
I contrive that the release of this liquid shall bring about the exit of air from
my supply apparatus which then being unlocked will again allow of the passage
of liquid through it. I may also liberate the supply apparatus by the operation
of filling a receptacle somewhat as first named or I may bring about my opera-
tions by a syphon or like apparatus placed in any suitable position and I use
various water seals and traps, and pressures and vacuums for my purpose.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention:
Figure shows in section a simple form of the apparatus. Liquid will pass
freely from the receptacle A through the special syphon apparatus or trap B
following the direction indicated by the arrows until the volume of liquid
entering A, say from a channel E. is in excess of the discharging capacity of
the trap B whereupon the liquid will rise in A to a higher level, and the air
in the dome C which is open at the bottom will be displaced by the pressure of
liquid around and above said dome and forced through a pipe L into the trap B
thereby depressing the level of liquid within the trap below the top edge of the
plate and entirely preventing the further passage of liquid through the trap.
The liquid will then, this outlet for it being closed, rise still higher in A and
will find its exit through any suitable channel provided for it, in this instance
through a pipe D. The above described apparatus allows a normal flow to pass
freely through it but when the flow becomes excessive it automatically closes
and the whole of the flow then passes away by another outlet. I can set the air
receptacle C at any desired level to regulate the height at which the trap B
shall be closed to the passage of liquid. In this instance the trap B is rectangular
in form and the vessel C is a circular dome or bell, but it is evident I may make
either of them of any desired shape.
Figure 2 shows in section a similar rectangular syphonic apparatus or trap B
with air dome C, connecting air pipe L, and supply pipe E, but in this example
the dome C is placed in the tank or other receptacle F which is supplied by the
apparatus B, and the pipe L and dome C dip down into the liquid in the
apparatus B so as to be sealed by such liquid. The supply from A through B will
filf F and displace air from the dome forcing such displaced air through the
pipe L into the apparatus B and stopping the flow through said apparatus by
depressing the level of the liquid therein below the edge of the plate b. When
the tank or bed F is emptied, the air under pressure in the apparatus B cannot
return by the pipe L by reason of the mouth of the pipe being sealed by the
liquid in B. Thus by means of the dome C. I lock air in B and prevent the
passage of further liquid through B until such time as I release the pent up
air from B. For releasing the air in B, I show a tap N which on being opened
releases this air pressure and so brings about again the passage of liquid
through B. At 0, I show an air bell or dome placed in a tank or bed R which is
not or may not be supplied by the apparatus B but which is connected to the
said apparatus by a pipe P which does not dip into the liquid in the apparatus B.
When the receptacle R empties, the air locked in B will escape through the
pipe P and the passage of liquid through B will follow. By this means the
emptying and filling of one tank or bed is made to control the filling of another.
In Figure 3 I show a syphon-like apparatus B made of ordinary round pipe
which will answer the same purpose as those of rectangular form before
referred to.
Figure 4 shows in section a syphonic apparatus B which answers a similar
purpose to those above described but in this case no air dome is used, the outgo
of the apparatus being made to answer.
r the same purpose as the dome by being

page_text: turned down as shown to dip into the liquid as the latter rises in F. The rise
of the liquid level in F shuts air in the part 61 of the apparatus B and by depress-
ing the level of liquid in the apparatus B prevents the further passage of liquid
through it until the air is released again either by the discharge of the contents
of or otherwise.
16
Figure 5 shows a syphon apparatus B with air pipe L in this case connected
to a cylinder or receptacle G in the tank or filter bed F from which receptacle G
the desired amount of air is forced through L to B. This auxiliary apparatus G
serves two purposes. The flow through the apparatus B enters F, and some
liquid passes through a trap G' into the receptacle G which it fills driving the
air therefrom through a pipe g and water seal g¹ (into which g dips) as shown,
and finally out through a vent pipe g. J is another pipe in the receptacle G
and having a smaller air pipe extending from its summit and connected through
a W-shaped" pipe K to the syphon apparatus. The pipe K has an enlargement
at for a purpose hereinafter specified. A pipe j for air exit (similar to that
used for exit of air from G) is attached to J-so that as liquid enters J air may be
expelled. This pipe dips into a water seal at and the air finally makes its
exit from the vent pipe. A cock Q operated by an arm Q¹ and pendant ball
float Qgoverns the passage of air from J to j. In operation liquid will pass
from A through the apparatus B filling F, and will rise in G, entering at G¹,
the air escaping through g. The ball float Q will then lift and shut off the
connection between J and j and the air displaced from within J will pass away
through allowing J to fill. When G has filled up to the level of the mouth
of the pipe g and the said pipe is closed by the liquid, the remaining air shut
in G and which cannot escape in any other direction will be forced through the
pipe L into B and its pressure will stop the further passage of liquid through B.
The pipe L dips into the liquid in B hence the air passed into B cannot escape
again through the pipe L even if said pipe should be open to the atmosphere at
its other end. To unlock B in this instance I employ a vacuum; thus, assuming
the liquid contents of F to be drawn off, the contents of G and J would pass
out, but for the partial vacuum formed in said vessels, the pipes g and being
sealed by the liquid in the seals gland. I may provide plugs in the sides of
the vessels and for allowing surplus liquid to pass away when desired.
Z is a pipe dipping down in the vessel G to the level of the mouth of the pipe g.
This pipe Z is furnished with a small cock which can be set to allow entry of
air into the vessel G at any desired rate. The air thus sucked in will tend to
destroy the vacuum in G and the liquid will thus gradually pass away from G
through G and when the level is sufficiently low, the ball float Q which was
formerly buoyant in the liquid and holding the cock Q closed, will descend with
the liquid and in so doing will actuate the arm Q¹ and open the cock Q. The
vacuum in J will then operate through pipe to suck up liquid into the enlarge-
ment of the "W-pipe " K, whereupon the level of liquid in the central pipe K¹
of the W-pipe" will instantly fall, thus reducing the strength of the seal
formed by such liquid and the air pressure within B will then be sufficient to
blow out the remainder of the liquid in K and the confined air in B will escape.
The flow of liquid through apparatus B will then be resumed and F will again
become full from the original source A. In some instances I use the vacuum
pipe and is attachments apart from the receptacle G.
I may discharge F in many ways but prefer to do so through a specially
constructed syphon. Figure 6 shows such syphon where S is a deep trap, S¹ a
central pipe, $2 a dome, $3 an air pipe, S a cock in this pipe actuated by a ball
float S, and S6 is an outer dome furnished with a vent tap S. Liquid rising
in will cause air pressure within the syphon, the release of which when F is
sufficiently full will start the syphon. This release is effected by the raising of
the float S which opens cock S and allows air to escape from syphon thus
starting syphonic action. Liquid cannot enter S6 until the air within it is
displaced, and the tap S7 governs the exit of air from and the consequent entry

page_text: of liquid to S6 which liquid serves to raise the ball float S5 so that the time taken
by the liquid to enter So determines that during which the syphon will stand
with liquid around it ready to come into operation.
I may however use any syphon or any valve to withdraw the contents of the
receptacle fed by my apparatus B.
Figure 7 shows two apparatuses B and B each similar to that above described
and both drawing from a common source A and discharging into receptacles F
and Frespectively. In this instance I show B' stopped off by an air dome C¹
in F whilst it is liberated through the medium of a W-pipe" K³ worked by
pressure from a dome C in the vessel F instead of by vacuum as described in
connection with Figure 5. Thus liquid rising in F will lock air in the air
dome C which air will pass through the pipe L2 to the " W-pipe" K3 and force
out some of the liquid standing in the central portion ³. Then the pressure
within B' being sufficient will drive out the remainder of the seal in the pipe k
and a clear way through the pipe L being thus provided the air pressure will
pass from B' through pipe L2 and finally out at 3 with the result that the flow of
liquid through B₁ into receptacle F1 will recommence. I may attach to the
apparatus B an escape cock N with ball float N¹ to operate it if desired in
order that in case the liquid rises to a very high level in A, due to an excessive
supply, this escape cock may open and free the air from B¹ and thus again bring
on the supply to the receptacle F. The apparatus B is stopped off by passage of
air from air dome C and released in this instance by suction on "W-pipe" K*
in the tank F caused by the lowering of liquid in F. In the air dome C³ I
form a small orifice which allows of escape of air taking place whilst F¹ fills but
which if F empties rapidly is not large enough to allow air to enter the dome C³
sufficiently fast to break the vacuum and so prevent suction of " W-pipe."
At T I show a syphon for discharging contents of For other receptacle where
the start is brought about by the use of my "W-pipe either by vacuum or
pressure, in this case however by pressure, air being passed from air dome C+
through pipe T¹ to " W-pipe" K where it displaces some of the liquid contained
therein and weakens the liquid trap whereupon the pressure within the syphon T
is sufficient to force out the remainder of the liquid (which before it could not
do) and so allows exit of air from syphon, and syphonic action follows. It will
be evident that I may use this special water trap or "W-pipe" in a variety of
ways and for many purposes where I desire to bring about the release of pent
up pressure and where suitable conditions exist.
::
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
.
(1) The syphon or apparatus so formed that liquid shall pass freely through it
until air being put therein under a sufficient pressure the passage of such liquid
shall be prevented, substantially as described.
(2) The combination of a syphon or apparatus through which liquid may flow
freely and a dome or receptacle the air from which having been displaced there-
from by liquid pressure, and so transferred to the said apparatus, shall auto-
matically prevent the further passage of liquid through such syphon or apparatus,
substantially as described.
(3) The combination of a supply apparatus for liquid formed with a deep
seal or trap, an air dome or receptacle, a pipe leading the air therefrom to the
apparatus, such pipe dipping into the liquid seal allowing the free passage of
air to the apparatus but preventing its escape therefrom in the same direction,
and another pipe or cock attached to the apparatus which may be used to allow
the escape of air therefrom automatically or otherwise, substantially as described.
(4) A syphonic apparatus preferably of a rectangular form used for the passage
of liquid, and which being turned down at its outlet sufficiently far or so formed
specially shall as liquid rises around it lock in sufficient air under a pressure

page_text: which will prevent the further passage of liquid through it, substantially as
described.
44
(5) A syphonic apparatus having a deep trap formed of ordinary' round pipes
into which deep trap air shall be automatically sent by liquid pressure from a
receptacle provided for the purpose, substantially as described.
(6) The water trap or seal for the escape of air from a supply apparatus.
syphonic or other, which whilst in connection with such apparatus and used for
the escape of air therefrom is operated upon either by vacuum or pressure caused
by another apparatus or receptacle to which is also connected, substantially as
described.
(7) The water trap formed as a "W" pipe and so constructed that suction
or pressure at one end shall bring about the release of air from the other end,
and hence from any apparatus to which it is connected, substantially as described.
(8) The receptacle for liquid wherein the latter is held up by vacuum, its
descent being allowed by the admission of air to this receptacle, the rate of such
admission governing the rate of descent of the liquid, and an air escape pipe
dipping into a water seal, allowing easy exit of air from the receptacle but up
which when a vacuum forms in the latter a column of liquid shall rise which
wili equal and balance that in the receptacle to which the vacuum is due,
substantially as described.
I
(9) The vacuum receptacle above described when combined with another,
vacuum chamber placed in communication with it and having a float descending
with the liquid of the main vacuum receptacle, such float or connection causing
the vacuum in this auxiliary receptacle to be communicated to an apparatus to
which it is connected and from which it is wished to allow escape of pent up
air, substantially as described.
(10) The vacuum receptacle governed by the descent of any liquid in which-it
has been immersed, and having an air cock and float or suitable connection
through which such vacuum is imparted to an apparatus connected thereto in
order to allow the escape of pent up air therefrom, substantially as described.
(11) The receptacle for liquid provided with a water seal upon which the
pressure of the atmosphere shall act preventing the exit of liquid from the
receptacle until entry of air is allowed thereto, and an' inlet for air through
which air may enter in order to bring about the exit of such liquid which was
before prevented, substantially as described.
4.77
(12) The receptacle from which air is displaced by liquid as the latter enters
therein and an orifice through which such air escapes when used for the purpose
of governing the operation of a syphonic apparatus, substantially as described.
(13) The apparatus substantially as described with reference to the various
drawings for the purposes specified.
Dated this fith day of January 1900.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
...
11 and 12, Southampton Buildings, London, WC,
"
Agents for the Applicant.
1