AN IMPROVED DIAPHRAGM MOTOR AND ITS APPLICATION IN AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING VALVES AND LEVERS IN LOW WATER DETECTORS, AIR COMPRESSING MACHINES, SUPPLY OR DISCHARGE PIPES, DOUBLE-ACTING VACUUM PUMPS, AND OTHER HYDRAULIC OR PNEUMATIC MACHINES AND ENGINES BY MEANS OF AN INTERMITTENT FLUID PRESSURE
Year: 1872

page_text: "
TTERS PATENT to David Auguste Burr, of Washington City, in
the District of Columbia, and United States of America, for
the Invention of "AN IMPROVED DIAPHRAGM MOTOR AND ITS APPLICATION
IN AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING VALVES AND LEVERS IN LOW WATER DETECTORS,
AIR COMPRESSING MACHINES, SUPPLY OR DISCHARGE PIPES, DOUBLE-ACTING
VACUUM PUMPS, AND OTHER HYDRAULIC OR PNEUMATIC MACHINES AND
ENGINES BY MEANS OF AN INTERMITTENT FLUID PRESSURE."-A, com-
munication from William Edgar Prall, residing at Washington City,
District of Columbia, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Auguste Burr
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
: . the 25th January 1872:
:.
I, DAVID AUGUSTE BURR, of Washington City, in the District of
5 Columbia, and United States of America, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED DIAPHRAGM MOTOR AND ITS
APPLICATION IN AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING VALVES AND LEVERS IN LOW Water
די

page_text: DETECTORS, AIR COMPRESSING MACHINES, SUPPLY OR DISCHARGE PIPES, DOUBLE-
ACTING VACUUM PUMPS, AND OTHER HYDRAULIC OR PNEUMATIC MACHINES AND
ENGINES BY MEANS OF AN INTERMITTENT FLUID PRESSURE," a communication,
to be as follows :-
This Invention relates to an improved device for employing and
utilising the intermittent weight or pressure of a column of water or
other fluid in connection with a variable fluid level as a motor for
opening and closing valves, gates, or cocks, or for actuating levers in
hydraulic or pneumatic machines and engines, or in steam, air, water, or
gas pipes, which said device consists mainly of a hollow case or chamber
divided into two compartments by means of an elastic or flexible
diaphragm, to either or both sides of which is attached a rod extending
through the walls of the chamber, the two compartments being both
connected respectively by means of removable pipes, either with a
common reservoir in which a variable fluid level is produced, or each
with a separate reservoir between the fluid contents whereof differences
of level are produced.
This Invention is an improvement upon the diaphragm and casing
described and illustrated in the Specification of Letters Patent bearing
date October 19th, 1871, No. 2794, in which the diaphragm is arranged
in a casing open on one side to the external air so as to be operated
intermittently in opposite directions by the pressure of the atmosphere
upon one side thereof, and by the pressure of a column of water or
steam upon the other, for the purpose of actuating a valve or lever con-
nected therewith.
The enclosed diaphragm arranged to be operated upon intermittently
by a pressure of water or other fluid upon opposite sides thereof, as
herein described, is claimed as new in all applications which can be
made thereof, and in itself constitutes the chief and primal feature of
this Invention.
The Invention relates however secondarily to the application of the
diaphragm thus arranged and actuated for the purpose of serving as a
low water detector and safety guard for steam boilers. To this end a pipe
is carried from the lower compartment of the diaphragm chamber to a
point in the steam boiler at the extreme low water line. A second pipe
is carried from the upper compartment of the diaphragm chamber to a

page_text: point in the boiler wholly below the low water line. Thus when the
water in the boiler is at a proper level the two pipes and the com-
partments on either side of the diaphragm are filled with water, and the
pressure on both sides of the diaphragm is equal. A third pipe, which
may be termed an escape pipe, connects with the pipe below 'the
diaphragm and extends thence to the fire space under the boiler. The
upper end of said escape pipe is closed by a valve connected directly to
the diaphragm and so arranged that when the diaphragm is depressed
the valve is closed. The diaphragm is automatically depressed and the
escape pipe consequently kept closed, when the pressure on both sides
of the diaphragm is equal by means of a weight or spring.
With the apparatus thus constructed and connected, when the water
in the boiler falls below a safe level, the lower pipe communicating with
the lower compartment of the diaphragm chamber becomes uncovered and
this pipe fills with steam. The equilibrium of pressure upon the
diaphragm is now disturbed, for in addition to the steam pressure
exerted upon both sides: as stated, there has been taken from one side
thereof the weight of the column of water displaced from the lower
pipe, and the result is that the weight of the column of water left
hanging upon the upper side. in the upper pipe will instantly cause the
diaphragm to rise. This movement of the diaphragm will open the
valve which closes the escape pipe and thereby open a free passage for
the steam from the boiler into the fire space, and the steam thus
admitted over the fuel will quickly extinguish the fire.
The apparatus may be used as a simple alarm by connecting the.
escape pipe with an alarm whistle instead of conducting it to the fire
chamber for the purpose of extinguishing the fire, or the alarm may be
added to the extinguisher. So soon as the boiler is refilled to a proper
height, the equilibrium of pressure will be at once restored in the
diaphragm chamber and the diaphragm will quickly fall by its gravity
and close the escape pipe. If preferred the escape pipe may be con-
nected to the pipe communicating with the upper side of the diaphragm
and the lower level in the boiler, in which case water alone would flow
into the fire when the escape pipe is opened by a movement of the
diaphragm.
This Invention relates thirdly to the application of the diaphragm as

page_text: water pressure. To this end the diaphragm chamber constructed as first.
herein described is placed between a supply and a discharge pipe, both
of which communicate with the bottom of an air-tight cylinder, and the
diaphragm is connected by a rod to valves so arranged in said pipes
respectively that when the diaphragm is depressed the valves in the
supply pipe will be closed, and those in the discharge pipe opened, and
vice versa. The upper compartment of the diaphragm chamber is .con-
nected by an open pipe with the upper end of the cylinder, and by a
smaller pipe with the bottom of the cylinder, the latter pipe being.
closed by a valve opening inwardly towards the cylinder. The lower
compartment of the diaphragm is connected by a stand pipe with a
closed water reservoir elevated as high as the top of the cylinder. A
small pipe extends from the top of said water reservoir to the bottom of
the cylinder, a branch therefrom entering the cylinder a little higher up.
A third upper pipe connects the top of the water reservoir with the
upper end of the cylinder (or with its air delivery pipe below the valve
therein) and is closed by a valve opening outwardly, so that when air is
forced up and out of the last-mentioned branched pipe it will pass out
freely through said upper pipe. A valve is fitted into the top of the
cylinder for the admission of air thereto whilst it is being emptied of
water, and which closes to prevent an escape of air thereat while the
cylinder is filling with water.
With the apparatus thus constructed and with its water reservoir and
stand pipe filled, the weight of the column of water in the stand pipe
bearing against the lower side of the diaphragm will bear it up and thus
open the supply pipe and close the discharge pipe of the cylinder. The
water thus admitted to the cylinder will in rising therein compress the
air therein and force it out through the air delivery pipe in its upper
end into a suitable air tank or reservoir for use. As the water rises in
the cylinder it will also rise and fill the branched pipe extending from
the lower end thereof to the top of the water reservoir. So soon as the
water has reached the top of the cylinder, and expelled all the air there-
from, it will find an escape through the fall pipe connecting the upper
end of the cylinder with the upper compartment of the diaphragm
chamber, and passing down into the latter, will by its weight and
pressure balance the pressure of the water in the stand pipe. With
this equilibrium of pressure upon both sides thereof the weight of the
diaphragm and valve rod will suffice to drop it,, and thus close the water
:

page_text: supply pipe and open the discharge pipe; and permit thereby all the
water in the cylinder to escape.
As the water discharges itself from the cylinder the fall pipe will also
be emptied through its connection with the bottom of the cylinder, but
the position of the diaphragm will not be changed thereby, because the
weight of the water in the branched reservoir pipe being now sustained
by the column of water in the stand pipe balances said column of water
and relieves the diaphragm from its pressure. The moment however
the water level in the cylinder is so far reduced as to uncover the upper
branch of this reservoir pipe and admit air thereto, the pipe will at once
empty itself, and the column of water in the stand pipe being thus left
unsupported will exert its full pressure against the diaphragm to lift it,
and thereby close the discharge pipe and open the supply pipe of the
cylinder so that it may again fill and compress the air caught therein.
This hydraulic air compressing apparatus is admirably adapted, when
constructed on a small scale, for compressing air into beer barrels or
mineral water fountains in cities having waterworks, as it will auto-
matically maintain a pressure upon the liquid in the barrel or fountain
equal to that of the pressure in the water pipes. On a larger scale it
becomes valuable in utilising a fall of water, in compressing air for
driving machinery, and other useful purposes.
'
This Invention relates fourthly to the application of the diaphragm as
a valve motor in the construction of double-acting steam vacuum
pumps. To this end the diaphragm chamber constructed as first herein
described is placed between the two cylinders of the pump so that its
upper compartment shall be connected with the bottom of the one
cylinder, and its lower compartment with the bottom of the other
cylinder: A rod from the diaphragm extends up to a two-way valve in
the pipe supplying steam to the two cylinders, said valve being so
arranged as that when the pipe to one cylinder is closed by the valvo
the pipe leading to the other shall be open, and vice versa. Hence
when steam is admitted to one cylinder to force the water out there-
from the diaphragm is forced up, cutting off the steam supply to the
other cylinder, but so soon as the first cylinder is emptied of water, and
the steam pressure therein reduced by condensation, the water pressure
from tlic opposite cylinder (which, while the first is being emptied, fills

page_text: by reason of the vacuum produced by condensation therein) will bear
down the diaphragm, and thus change the valve so that the steam will
now be shut off from the first cylinder and be admitted to the second to
eject the water therefrom.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said David Auguste Burr in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th July 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
AUGUSTE BURR, of Washington City, in the District of Columbia, and
United States of America, send greeting...
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in
the thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said David Augusto Burr, Her
special licence that I, the said David Auguste Burr, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said David
Auguste Burr, my exccutors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "AN IMPROVED DIAPHRAGM MOTOR AND ITS APPLICATION IN AUTOMATICALLY
OPERATING VALVES AND LEVERS IN LOW WATER DETECTORS; AIR COMPRESSING
MACHINES, SUPPLY OR DISCHARGE PIPES, DOUBLE-ACTING VACUUM PUMPS, AND
OTHER HYDRAULIC OR PNEUMATIC MACHINES AND ENGINES BY MEANS OF AN
INTERMITTENT FLUID. PRESSURE," a communication to me from William
Edgar Prall, a person resident at Washington City, District of Columbia,
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said David Auguste Burr, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or-one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
.

page_text: Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Auguste Burr, 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 :-
This Invention relates to an improved device for employing and
utilising the intermittent weight or pressure of a column of water or
other liquid in connection with a variable fluid level as a motor for.
opening and closing valves, gates, or cocks, or for actuating levers in
hydraulic or pneumatic machines and engines, which said device
consists mainly of a hollow case or chamber divided into two compart-.
ments by means of an clastic or flexible diaphragm, to either or both
sides of which is attached a rod extending through the walls of the
chamber, the two compartments being connected respectively by means
of suitable pipes either with a common reservoir in which a variable
fluid level is produced, or each with a separate reservoir between the
liquids whereof differences of level are produced.
This Invention is an improvement upon the diaphragm and casing
described in the Specification of Letters Patent, bearing date October 19th,
1871, No. 2794, in which the diaphragm is arranged in a casing open on
one side to the external air so as to be operated intermittently in opposite
directions by the pressure of the atmosphere upon one side thereof, and
by the pressure of a column of water or of steam upon the other, for the
purpose of actuating a valve or lever connected therewith.
The enclosed diaphragm arranged to be operated by an intermittent
pressure of water or other liquid exerted upon both sides thereof, as
herein-after described, is claimed as new, and as the subject' matter of
this Invention only when it is so connected and combined with a separate
valve, léver, or crank that it shall operate to move said valve, lever, or
crank when it is itself moved by a variation in the liquid pressure
exerted upon its opposite sides.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the simplest
application of the diaphragm m (or of a piston m¹as its equivalent) to
operate a crank lever p or p¹ by means of variations of pressure on
opposite sides thereof, owing to the differences of level which may occur
in two separate reservoirs or vessels A, A'. When the fluid level is

page_text: certain, the upper plates of the casing being in such case suitably
formed to enclose the weight (or spring).
With the apparatus thus constructed and connected, when the water
in the boiler falls below a safe level, the lower pipe T communicating
with the lower compartment of the diaphragm chamber becomes un-
covered, and this pipe fills with steam. The equilibrium of pressure
upon the diaphragm is now disturbed, for in addition to the steam
pressure exerted upon both sides as stated, there has been taken from
one side thereof the weight of the column of water. displaced from the
lower pipe T, and the result is that the weight of the column of water
left hanging upon its upper side in the upper pipe U will instantly cause
the diaphragm to rise. This movement of the diaphragm will open the
valve 12, which closes the escape pipe V, and thereby open a free passage
for the steam from the boiler into the fire space, and the steam thus
admitted over the fuel will quickly extinguish the fire.
The apparatus may be used as a simple alarm by connecting the
escape pipe with an alarm whistle instead of conducting it to the fire
chamber for the purpose of extinguishing the fire, or the alarm may be
added to the extinguisher, or the movement of the diaphragm may be
. employed to start automatically a suitable feed pump. So soon as the
· boiler is refilled to a proper height the equilibrium of pressure will be at
once restored in the diaphragm chamber, and the diaphragm will quickly
fall by its gravity and close the escape pipe. If preferred, the escape
pipe may be connected to the pipe communicating with the upper side
of the diaphragm and the lower level in the boiler, in which case water
alone would flow into the fire when the escape pipe is opened by a move-
ment of the diaphragm.
i
:
Figure 5 illustrates the third part of this Invention, which consists in
the application of the diaphragm as an automatic motor in an apparatus
for compressing air by a direct water pressure, and in the arrangement
and construction of said apparatus. R, Fig. 5, is an air-tight cylinder
of any desired capacity, into the bottom of which open respectively a
supply pipe H and a waste pipe K for the admission and discharge of
water thereto and therefrom. Between these pipes, near to their: con-
nection with the cylinder, is placed a diaphragm motor Y, constructed
substantially as herein-before-described (see Figure 2), and the-diaphragm

page_text: therein is connected by a rod to valves f and g, so arranged in said
pipes H and K that when the diaphragm is depressed the valves f, g, of
the supply pipe will be shut and the pipe consequently closed, and the
valve in the discharge pipe opened, and vice versa. The diaphragm
has twice the movement required to open either of the valves for g,
and the plunger of each has an additional movement after. it has.
closed its port; the object of this being that the first half of the move-
ment of the diaphragm upward will close the port or opening of the
valve g in the discharge pipe, and the additional movement will open
the valve fin the supply pipe, and vice versa. The upper compartment of
the diaphragm chamber is connected by an open pipe I with the upper end
of the cylinder, said pipe being connected also below the diaphragm with
the bottom of the cylinder, its lower end being closed however by a
valve opening inwardly towards the cylinder. The lower compartment
of the diaphragm is connected by a stand pipe J with a closed water
tank M elevated as high as the top of the cylinder. A small pipe N
extends from the top of said water tank to the bottom of the cylinder, a
branch N¹ therefrom entering the cylinder a little higher up. A third
upper pipe P connects the top of the water tank with the upper end of
the cylinder (or with its air delivery pipe L below the valve therein) and
is closed by a valve i opening outwardly, so that when air is forced up
and out of the last-mentioned branched pipe N' it will pass out freely
through said upper pipe P. A valve S is fitted into the top of the
cylinder for the admission of air thereto whilst it is being emptied of
water. A pipe L extends from the top of the cylinder to a reservoir for
compressed air, and is provided with a valve i to prevent a re-flow of air
into the cylinder R.
With the apparatus thus constructed and its water reservoir N and
stand pipe J filled, the weight of the column of water in the stand pipe
bearing against the lower side of the diaphragm, will bear it up and thus
open the supply pipe H, and close the discharge pipe K of the cylinder.
The water thus admitted to the cylinder R under pressure will in rising
therein compress the air therein, and force it out through the upper air
delivery pipe L up into the reservoir provided to receive it. As the

page_text: upper compartment of the diaphragm chamber (which said pipe has been
kept from filling by the valve in its lower end), and passing down into
the latter, will by its weight and pressure balance the pressure of the
water in the stand pipe J. With this equilibrium of pressure upon both
sides thereof the weight of the diaphragm and valve rod will suffice to
drop it, and thus close the water supply pipe H, and open the discharge
pipe K, and permit thereby all the water in the cylinder to escape. As
the water discharges itself from the cylinder, the fall pipe I will also be
emptied through its connection with the bottom of the cylinder, but the
position of the diaphragm will not be changed thereby, because the
weight of the water in the branched tank pipes N, N', being now
'sustained by the column of water in the stand pipe J, balances said
column of water, and relieves the diaphragm from its pressure. The
moment however the water level in the cylinder is so far reduced as to
uncover the upper branch N₁ of this tank pipe and admit air thereto, the
pipe N will at once empty itself, and the column of water in the stand
pipe J being thus left unsupported; will exert its full pressure against
the diaphragm to lift it, and thereby close the discharge pipe K, and
open the supply pipe H of the cylinder, so that it may again fill and
compress the air caught therein.
This hydraulic air compressing apparatus is admirably adapted, when
constructed on a small scale, for compressing air into beer barrels, or
mineral water fountains in cities having water works, as it will auto-
matically maintain a pressure upon the liquid in the barrel or fountain
equal to that of the pressure in the water pipes. On a larger scale it
becomes valuable in utilizing a fall of water in compressing air for
driving machinery and other useful purposes.
1
Figure 6 is a side elevation partly in section; Figure 7 a vertical
section in line x, x, of Figure 6; and Figure 8, a bottom view above the
line y, y, of Figure 6; illustrating the application of the diaphragm
as a valve motor in the construction of double-acting steam, vacuum
pumps, and this constitutes the fourth part of my Invention..
In said Drawings A,, A', represent the two cylinders or chambers
of an improved double-acting steam condensing vacuum and force
pump. These cylinders may be cast of metal, separately or in one,
divided by a simple partition as illustrated in Figure 7.: 20 is a

page_text: bottom plate made of cast metal to receive the lower ends of the
cylinders A, A¹, which being firmly bolted thereto are closed thereby.
In one with said bottom plate are formed two separate valve chambers t, t,
each communicating freely with one of the cylinders A or A¹ so as
to form in effect each a contracted continuation thereof, as shown
in Figure 7. From each of these valve chambers proceed separate
.discharge pipes or water ways 22, 22, which may likewise be cast in
one with the bottom plate 20. These extend horizontally parallel with
each other far enough to project beyond the circumference of the
cylinder, and so terminate as to be readily covered by a suitable valve
plate G, upon which are placed valves 23, 23, to close said pipes.
C is a discharge pipe enlarged at its base to cover and enclose the
openings of the two water ways 22, 22, and to form a valve chamber C¹
for the valves 23, 23, closing said water ways. An opening covered
by a face plate 24 is left in the side of the valve chamber C¹ to permit
the valves to be readily inspected when required. The lower open ends
of the valve chambers t, t, are covered by the enlarged upper end
of a suction pipe B, a plate 25 being interposed to form seats for suction
Ivalves 8, 8, controlling the ports from the pipe B into the said
chambers t, t, as shown in Figure 7.. The plate 25 may be cast in
one with the enlarged end of the suction pipe B. Small injection
pipes 26, each opening into the discharge valve chamber C³, extend
thence to the upper part of each cylinder and project thereinto, being
-perforated at their ends so that the water passing into the cylinder
through them shall enter in fine jets. Each injection pipe is fitted with
a valve opening inward toward the cylinder.
Instead of connecting the injection pipe of either cylinder to the
discharge pipe of said cylinder, as just described, so as to draw water
for an injection from its discharge pipe, the injection pipe of one
cylinder may be connected with the bottom of the opposite cylinder,
and vice versa so as to draw from one cylinder the water for injection
into the other. E is a steam pipe from the boiler; E¹, E', branches
'therefrom to each cylinder; and F a two-way valve connecting the
pipe E with said branch pipes, and so arranged as that when one branch
Y is a
pipe is opened the other shall be closed, and vice versa.
diaphragm motor constructed substantially as herein-before described.
The upper and lower compartments of the device are connected
respectively, with the lower valve chambers t, t, of the two. cylinders, as

page_text: shown in the Drawings, Figures 6 and 8, or respectively with the lower
ends of the cylinders themselves. The rod from the diaphragm extends:
to the valve F, so that the movements of the diaphragm shall actuate:
said valve. If both cylinders of the pump thus constructed be filled:
with water, the pressure of water in each bearing equally upon opposite
sides of the diaphragm will allow it to fall under the influence of the weight
of the valve rod, so that one of the branch steam pipes E¹ will be opened
and the other closed. If now steam be admitted through the pipe E it
will pass through the open branch E¹ into the cylinder A¹ and force
the water out of the same through its appropriate waterway into
the discharge pipe C, its pressure keeping the diaphragm forced down
and thereby maintaining the steam valve in its first position. So soon.
however as the steam strikes the bottom plate and passes into the lower
valve chamber and waterway it is so far condensed that the pressure
exerted thereby upon the diaphragm is reduced below that, of the water
thereon from the opposite cylinder, and the result is that the diaphragm
instantly, moves and changes the steam valve, cutting off steam from the
cylinder A, and admitting it to cylinder A². At the same time the same
effect causes a flow of water through the injection pipe of the cylinder A,
which completes the condensation of the steam in said cylinder. A
vacuum is thus produced in the cylinder causing it to fill rapidly with
water from the suction pipe B, and be full by the time the opposite
cylinder is emptied. Thus each cylinder is alternately filled and
emptied, the alternate pressure upon the opposite sides of the diaphragm
causing the steam valve to operate automatically at the proper moment
in changing the flow of steam from one cylinder to the other.
As both cylinders are connected with a comnon suction pipe and the
same discharge pipe, the flow of water through said pipes, when the
pump is in operation, is very nearly constant and unbroken.
Having thus fully described the said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. In combination with a valve rod, lever, or other moving
mechanical device, an elastic diaphragm (or a piston as its equivalent)
when made to move in opposite directions by the variable weight or
pressure of one or more columns of fluid, bearing intermittently upon
the opposite sides thereof, substantially in the manner and for the

page_text: Second. The within described apparatus for detecting, indicating, and
preventing low water in steam boilers or generators, by the movement of
an elastic diaphragm (or its equivalent) combined therewith, substantially
as herein set forth.
Third. The within-described apparatus for compressing air, under the
pressure of a column of water, operated automatically by the movement
of an elastic diaphragm (or its equivalent) combined therewith, sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
Fourth. The within-described double acting steam vacuum pump,
operated automatically by the movement of an elastic diaphragm (or
its equivalent) combined therewith, substantially as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Auguste Burr, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.