Improvements in Suction and Force Pumps, Applicable also to Suction Dredging.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1887
Specification Accepted, 29th Nov., 1887
Improvements in Suction and Force Pumps, Applicable also to
Suction Dredging.
I, ALBERT THIÉRY, of 5 Rue Saint-Maur Paris, France, Manufacturer, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My Invention has for its object improvements in suction and force pumps, applicable
also to suction dredging. My improved pump is composed of one or several continuous
spires, but preferably of two such spires communicating at one of their extremities
with a common pipe serving for the suction, and at the other extremity with a second
pipe serving for the forcing out. My improved pump operates without any clack or
other valves and may serve for the suction and forcing out of all kinds of liquid and
solid matters.
In order that my Invention may be readily understood, I proceed to describe the
same with reference to the accompanying drawings which shew, by way of example, in
figure 1 a longitudinal sectional elevation of a pump, taken on the line 1, 2, of fig. 2,
which latter figure is a front view of the pump taken on the forcing out side, and a
cross section on line 3, 4 of figure 1.
The apparatus shewn in the drawing consists of two continuous spires from the
beginning B, C. of which start two converging pipes b, c united to form the suction
space a of the pump. In like manner start froin the two opposite ends D, E of these
same spires two converging pipes d, e, which are united to form the forcing out space f.
The two converging pipes b, c for the suction are in a plane perpendicular to that of
the two forcing pipes d, e. The suction pipe has an air cock and a vacuum gauge in
proximity to the said cock. The two spires are caused to rotate by the bevil gearing R, T,
or by any other suitable means. In order to allow this rotary motion to proceed,
the suction space a, formed by the junction of the two pipes b and c, and the
forcing out space formed by the junction of the pipes d and e, are united to the
suction and forcing out pipes respectively by joints L, formed by a stuffing box which
.allows the rotation of the spires to take place while forming a tight joint. An arrange-
ment of lubricating bearings M supports the whole of the apparatus.

page_text: In the rotary motion of the apparatus the air in the nearest spires of the suction is
rarefied and soon after the water rises in the spires, while at the same time a certain
amount of air enters through the cock. The vacuum gauge permits of the quantity of
solid matter, sucked up by the apparatus, being ascertained.
This vacuum gauge is constructed in the manner of an ordinary manometer. The
apparatus accomplishing a determined number of revolutions and exhausting at a known
depth produces a suction which acts upon this vacuum gauge. The more compact the
liquid matter the greater will be the rarefaction of air registered by the index or
pointer of the gauge.
Experiments made before hand upon substances whose nature and amount of liquid
containing them are known will furnish a knowledge of the corresponding position of
the index or
pointer of the gauge. Such experiments will allow of a tabular statement
being made shewing, for each division at which the index or pointer stops, the propor-
tion of solid matter exhausted by the apparatus. This gauge is placed usually between
the extremity of the exhaust or suction pipe and the air cock at a distance of about
0 m. 30 cm. from the latter.
The suction of air and water takes place in a continuous manner so that the spires
containing water and solid matters in their lower part, contain air in their upper part.
The two suction pipes work alternately, the one by drawing in water the other by
drawing in air. In the rotary motion of the pump, the water and air are exhausted in
a continuous manner. The two internal suction pipes dip alternately, and air and
water are thus drawn into these two pipes, the air, on account of its density, enters
preferably in the upper pipe, and the water in the dipping pipe, thus the two pipes,
at the same time, exhaust air and water, but when one of the pipes assumes its upper
position it will draw in much more air than the other pipe which would then be in its
lower position.
When the two pipes assume a horizontal position the exhaust of water and air is the
same in both of them.
The water and solid matters drawn in are brought to the forcing pipe by
the rotation of the apparatus where liquids and solids are raised to a height
determined by the sum of the differences of levels of the liquid produced in each spire
operating for the forcing out.
The suction results from an analogous principle. In the spires operating for the
suction there is produced, in consequence of the rarefaction of the air differences in
levels of the liquid in each of the consecutive spires; the sum of these differences of
levels counterbalances the suction column and the matters once brought by the
suction into the first spires are easily carried away by the helix as far as the
force pipe.
My improved pump, such as above described may serve for dredging purposes, for
the extraction of auriferous or other sands, and in all cases where it is required to
raise liquids containing solid matters. It may also be employed in all cases where an
ordinary pump is used.
In cases of compact and resisting soils 1 employ, in combination with my improved
pump, a regulating hydraulic dredger, shewn in sectional elevation, and in sectional
plan figures 3 and 4. This hydraulic dredger which is placed at the extremity of the
suction pipe is formed by a small water wheel having curved floats h, and is set in
motion by the suction caused by the pump; the floats are armed at their extremities
with curved picks-or scoops. In cases where the force of suction of the pump is too
weak, this defect, is remerlied by a pressure of water admitted at i, fig. 3.
In order to prevent wear and tear of the bearings, I key upon the shaft of the
wheel and at each side thereof, two screws, one of which has a right hand thread,
while the other k, has a left hand thread; these screws, by the rotation of the shaft of
the wheel draw in clean water through the pipes l, m, which are united into one pipe .
This clean water circulates and washes the bearings and forces out at the same time as
the screws the water and the matters contained within the drum O.
In the case of shifting soils I simply use a tube A terminating in two branches B, C,
forming between them an angle of 90° (fig. 5). This arrangement enables the ground

page_text: to be attacked either on the right or on the left hand side while leaving a branch in
communication with the water. The regulation for the admission of the water and
for the solid matters is effected by means of a slide or gate D actuated from the outside
by means of a handle or rod.
Having now described my Invention and in what manner the same may be carried
into effect, I claim :
1. The improved suction and force pump operating without clack or other valves and
capable of use alone or in combination with a regulating hydraulic dredger for the
suction and forcing out or discharge of all kinds of solid and liquid matters, the same
consisting in the combination of one or soveral continuous spires communicating at
one of their extremities with a common pipe which serves for the suction and at the
other with a second pipe serving for the forcing out or discharge, substantially
as hereinbefore described and as shewn by way of example in the accompanying
drawings.
2. In combination with the improved suction and force pump, the use, in the case
of compact and resisting soils, of a regulating hydraulic dredger formed by a
small water wheel provided with curved floats armed with picks or scoops
and set in motion by the suction itself of the pump, or by a pressure of water,
substantially as herein before described and as shewn by way of example in the
drawings.
3. In combination with the improved exhaust and force pump, the use in the case
of shifting soils, of a pipe for the suction terminating in two branches forming an
angle of 90° whose opening can be regulated by a slide or gate, and permitting the
ground to be attacked either on the right or on the left hand side while leaving a
branch in communication with the water, substantially as herein before described and
as shewn by way of example in the drawings.