IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC MA- CHINERY FOR OBTAINING, UTILIZING, TRANSMITTING, AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Davies, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC MA-
CHINERY FOR OBTAINING, UTILIZING, TRANSMITTING, AND APPLYING MOTIVE
POWER."
Sealed the 25th March 1873, and dated the 12th October 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Davies at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th October 1872.
I, EDWARD DAVIES, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HYDRAULIC MACHINERY POR OBTAINING, UTILIZING, TRANSMITTING, AND APPLYING
MOTIVE POWER," to be as follows :-

page_text: Thirdly, to a system of obtaining an increased power from turbines,
and transmitting and applying such power as a prime mover to
machinery.
Fourthy, to a system of utilizing the power obtained from working
the said turbines.
The improvements in turbines consist in the first place in the appli-
cation of an adjustable valve or plate on the top of the turbine case, and
which valve or plate regulates the delivery and discharge of water out
of the top of the turbine instead of delivering the water at the bottom,
or at the top and bottom of the turbine, as at present practised. By
means of such adjustable valve or plate the discharge at the top is
regulated and governed, and such discharge being at the top only the
speed and power of the turbine is regulated.
Some of the advantages gained by this Invention are, that the turbine
is prevented in a greater degree than now attained from working in what
is known as tail water. Thus a turbine immersed and discharging water
through the bottom has to drive an equal body of water away before, or
while the power comes into play, whereas water discharged through the
top delivery by centrifugal force and by its tendency to lift itself to its
normal level presents less resistance than water driven or discharged
through the bottom or side of the turbine.
Also another improvement consists in forming the vanes or blades of
the turbine, so that the driving water acts or impinges on the flat surface
instead of a pointed or other shaped blade as at present used, the
'improved vanes or blades being made to receive the water on the flat
surface, and the water is then discharged on the top by centrifugal
force, thereby securing both powers; namely, the whole of the water
impinging on the vane or blade, and the upward tendency of the water
by centrifugal force, and its reactionary tendency in the act of dis-
charging.
Turbines constructed according to this Invention may be of any
approved form as regards the case and mountings, the improvements to
which this Invention relate being an adjustable discharge at the top
only, according to the amount of delivery of water allowed. The tur-
bines thus made may be used as prime motors in this system for dis-
tributing and applying motive power, as for example, take the case of a
tidal river where a head of water can be obtained, a turbine or series of

page_text: turbines
may be fixed in connexion with a suitable dock or reservoir, so
that the incoming tide will give a head of water to drive the turbines,
and by means thereof force water into accumulators, and charge accu-
mulators by suitable pumps with a great pressure. From these accu-
mulators pipes may be laid to convey the water power thus obtained to
any place (adjacent or otherwise) required, and where such water power
may be used for driving turbines or hydraulic engines for working mills,
factories, or any other machinery for which it may be required. By
similar method air may be forced into accumulators at a great pressure,
and then distributed to pipes to places where it may be required, and
used as a motive power. Any natural head of water may be utilized to
give power to the turbines in the first instance. In tidal rivers or on
the sea shore, reservoirs or docks may be so arranged that the flood or
ebb tide may be both equally applicable as a motor, by giving a head of
water by which turbines may be kept going continuously.
The power obtained from the turbines may be used for propelling
tramway carriages, railway traius, boats, and other purposes for which
steam and other powers are now used, and may be also used for supplying
towns with fresh or salt water for domestic purposes, watering roads,
extinguishing fires, and any other such like purposes to which water is
applicable. The power obtained from the turbine may be used for
pressing air through pipes as a motive power; also may be used as a
means of pressing air, and which compressed air may be transmitted or
forced through pipes almost any distance to be used as a motive power.
5 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Davies in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 5th April 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
DAVIES, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Edward Davies, Her special licence that

page_text: I, the said Edward Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Edward Davies, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC
MACHINERY POR OBTAINING, UTILIZING, TRANSMITTING, AND APPLYING MOTIVE
POWER," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Edward
Davies, 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 Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Davies, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
CALL

page_text: Some of the advantages gained by this Invention are that the turbine
is prevented, in a greater degree than as at present attained by other
turbines, from working in what is known as tail water; thus a turbine
immersed and discharging water through the bottom has to drive an
equal body of water away before or while the power comes into play,
whereas water discharging through the top delivery by centrifugal force
and by its tendency to lift itself to its normal level, presents less
resistance than water driven or discharged through the bottom, or
through the top and bottom, or through the side of the turbine.
Also another improvement consists in forming the vanes or blades of
the turbine so that the driving water acts or impinges on a flat surface
instead of a pointed or other shaped blade as at present used, the
improved vanes or blades being made to receive the water on the flat
surface, and the water is then discharged on the top by centrifugal
force, thereby securing both powers, namely, the whole of the water
impinging on the vane or blade, and the upward tendency of the
water by centrifugal force, and its reactionary tendency in the act of
discharging.
Turbines constructed according to this Invention may be of any
approved form as regards the case and mountings, the improvements
to which this Invention relate being an adjustable discharge at the top
only, according to the amount of delivery of water allowed. The tur-
bines thus made may be used as prime motors in this system for
obtaining, utilizing, distributing, and applying motive power. Several
examples might be given, for instance, take the case of where there is
any pressure of water to be obtained, or where a head of water can be
had from reservoir, canal, river, or otherwise, or take the case of a tidal
river, or running stream, or reservoir, or canal, where a head of water
can be obtained; a turbine or series of turbines may be fixed in
connexion with suitable tanks, or reservoirs, so that the reservoir, canal,
river, or incoming tide will give a head of water to drive the turbines,
and by means thereof force water into accumulators, and charge
accumulators by suitable pumps with a great pressure; from these
accumulators pipes may be laid to convey the water power thus obtained
to any place (adjacent or otherwise) required, and where such water
power may be used for driving turbines or hydraulic engines for working
mills, factories, or any other machinery for which it may be required.
Or again as regards inland rivers, where it is inconvenient to build mills

page_text: or other works by the side of said rivers, if advantage be taken of a part
of the river where there is a fall by fixing a turbine, an accumulator, and
a pump, water may be forced through pipes to great distances at a
great pressure to work mills, factories, or other machinery. By a
similar method air may be forced into accumulators at a great pressure
and then distributed in pipes to places where it may be required and
used as a motive power. Any natural head of water may be utilized to
give power to the turbines in the first instance. In tidal rivers or on
the sea shore reservoirs or docks may be so arranged that the flood
or ebb tide may be both equally applicable as a motor by giving a head
of water, by which turbines may be kept going continuously.
Another example may be given where turbines may be used as
prime motors in this system for obtaining, utilizing, distributing, and
applying motive power as in the case of water supplied to a town,
the pressure of that water may be used by means of the turbine in
the working of hoists or lifts in warehouses, railway stations, and any
other buildings.
The power obtained from the turbines may be used for propelling
tramway carriages, railway trains, boats, and other purposes, for which
steam and other powers are now used; and it may be also used for
working hoists and supplying towns with fresh or salt water for driving
machinery; also domestic purposes, watering roads, extinguishing fires,
and any other such like purposes to which water is applicable. The
power obtained from the turbine may be used for compressing air
through pipes as a motive power; also may be used as a means of
compressing air, and which compressed air may be transmitted or forced
through pipes almost any distance to be used as a motive power.
The before-going being the nature, object, and some of the purposes
of my Invention, I will now proceed to describe more explicitly and in
detail how the same may be carried into practical effect, and for that
purpose I have hereunto attached two Sheets of Drawings marked with
figures and letters of reference corresponding with thoso in the following
explanation. Liko letters and figures marked thereon are used to denote
similar parts throughout the various views.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents a sectional side elevation of a turbino

page_text: an outside end view of same; Figure 3, Sheet 1, represents a plan of
same with cover in section; Figure 4, Sheet 1, represents a plan with
cover on; Figure 5, Sheet 1, a plan of turbine case or cylinder with
turbine and gear removed; Figure 6, Sheet 1, illustrates a chain
arrangement for regulating discharge valve. These Figures are shown
half size and illustrate a turbine adapted to very high pressures.
Figure 7, Sheet 1, is an outside elevation of turbine showing shape
of vanes; Figure 8, Sheet 1, is a sectional plan of same; Figure 9,
Sheet 1, is a sectional plan showing turbine case or cylinder with water
course and ports. These threo Figures are drawn full size.
Figure 10, Sheet 2, represents plan of general arrangement of turbines
in connection with a tidal river course and two tanks or reservoirs, the
turbines being shown as supplying power to drive pumps and shafting;
also to drive pumps to supply accumulators, from which accumulators
pipes may be led to drive hydraulic engines or pumps or to supply water
for any required purpose. The pipes from these accumulators may also
supply water to drive engines and to compress air, which air may be
used as a motive power in any required manner, such as driving mills,
factories, or other works; also for compressing air for driving atmo-
spheric railways, tramways, canal or river boats, and many other similar
purposes.
Figure 11, Sheet 2, is a plan showing cover of turbine race or tanks
with turbines and pumps; Figure 12, Sheet 2, is an elevation of gearing
suitable to be fitted on the top of turbine shaft for transmitting power;
Figure 13, Sheet 2, represents a sectional elevation of a turbine race
or tank showing turbine driven from any natural head of water, the
discharge or overflow being led away to a lower level. The upright shaft
of turbine may lead through the several floors of a mill and be used to
give power to drive millstones, or to drive shafting for transmitting
power in any direction.
Figure 14, Sheet 2, represents a turbine fitted in a race, which race is
built in a canal or channel led from a river and returning to the river
at a lower level. The turbine is shown working a pump and charging
an accumulator. From this accumulator pipes may be led conveying
water to any required point where the water may be used as a motive
power to drive hydraulic engines or to compress air, which engines may
work mills, factories, or other such like industrial places. The same

page_text: method may be used for supplying towns with water from a lower level.
By the use of this arrangement mills, factories, or such like works can
be built any distance away from the river side, such position often being
a more desirable locality, at the same time they can be supplied by
the turbine with the power derived from the fall of stream or head of
water.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, Sheet 1, it will be
seen that the turbine wheel A is fitted to a vertical shaft B. The
turbine works in the cylinder or case C, which has a horizontal flange
D, which may be bolted to any suitable base. E is the supply pipe;
E', the watercourse, and F, the ports through which the water flows and
strikes or impinges on the vanes G; H is an adjustable valve or plate
on the top of the turbine case or cylinder. This valve or plate H
regulates the delivery and discharge of water from the vanes G at the
top of the turbine. The adjustable valve or plate II is regulated by
two screws J and J. These screws are screwed through and guided
by a guard or bridge tree K which also serves to carry shaft B. L
and L', are toothed wheels which gear into M, a toothed wheel running
loose on a boss through which shaft B passes. N, hand wheel which
works screw J, and thereby J', by means of the toothed wheels Land
L'. In some instances, particularly in the case of large turbines, an
endless chain or band working on suitable wheels or pulleys may be
made to effect the same purpose as the toothed wheels (for example
see Figure 6). O is a cover which may be made to fit over turbine
casc to carry off waste water. This cover may be used in the case of
small turbines working at high pressures, but in the case of large
turbines it will be found more convenient to have the turbine working
in a race, and the waste water led away by suitable pipes, culverts, or
subways. O' is a discharge pipe leading from cover.
In Figures 7, 8, and 9, Sheet 1, the improvements relating to the
form of the vanes or blades and ports are illustrated full size. It will
be seen that the vancs or blades G of the turbine are formed straight
with a top bend and delivery, so that the water passing through the
ports Fimpinges on the flat surface of the vane or blade and passes
upwards, thereby securing both powers, namely, the force of the water
impinging on the flat vane or blade and the upward tendency of the
water by centrifugal force and its reactionary tendency in the act of
discharging.

page_text: Turbines constructed according to this Invention, may be of any
approved form as regards the case and mountings, and may be arranged
to work horizontally or vertically, as required, the improvements to
which this Invention relates being the adjustable valve or plate H at
the top of the turbine, the shape and form of the vanes or blades G and
their relation to the ports F, so that the water impinges or strikes the
blade or vane G on the flat.
Referring to Figures 10, 11, and 12, Sheet 2, a is the course of a tidal
river; b, b, b', are turbine races or tanks built in with masonry c; d, d',
tanks or reservoirs; e, e, e, and e¹, e¹, e¹, turbines; ƒ,ƒ, f, and ƒ³, ƒ¹‚ƒ³,
sluice valves opening from river course to turbines e and e¹; 9, 9, 9, and
g', 9, g', valves opening from tanks d and ₫ to turbines e and e¹,
respectively; h and h¹, sluice valves from tanks d and d¹ to races 6 and
6 respectively; i and sluice valves from turbine races 6 and 6' to river
course a, respectively; j, sluice valve from tank d to tank d'; k, k, k, and
k, k, k, pumps worked by T, T, T, and T¹, T', T', vertical shafts from
turbines 1, 1, 1, and F, 1, 1, pipes leading from pumps to accumulators
m, m, m, and m¹, m², m¹; n, n, larger accumulators; o, hydraulic
engine and shafting; p, shafting and pump driven by shafting or belts p¹..
The action of this arrangement may be thus described :-The tidal
river a affords a head of water; this head of water is used to work the
turbines e, e, e. These turbines may each be worked independently or
conjointly, the supply being through the valves fff; ƒ ƒ³,ƒ³, being
the openings from the river. The water rises in the turbine races nearly
in proportion as it is discharged through the turbine. It flows through
the sluice valves h into the tank d, the turbines working all the time.
When the tank d is filled the tank d¹ can be brought into operation
by opening valves f¹ in connection with the turbine e, the tank d'
being filled by the waste water from the turbines e¹ through the sluice
valve. Upon the ebb tide the turbines can be worked together or by
shifts from the tanks d and d, the valves f and being closed, and g
and g¹ and i and ¹ being open.
The sluice valve j enables the tanks d
and d to be filled from each other if required. The pumps k and k¹ are
driven direct or by gearing from the turbine shaft. These pumps force
water through the pipes and A into accumulators m and m¹ or n
and n', from which water may be led to drive a hydraulic engine and
shafting, or pumps, or other turbines, and be used as a motive power
for working mills, factories, or other works, or the water may be forced
j

page_text: direct from the pumps and through pipes for irregation purposes, or
for supplying towns with water for domestic purposes, street watering,
or other purposes. Shafting may also be led direct from the turbines to
transmit motive power.
Referring to Figure 13, a shows a river course, or dam, or natural
head of water; ba turbine race or tank. The water flows through the
sluice valve and pipe into the turbine e, drives the turbine, and is
discharged through any suitable pipe, culvert, or subway r. The
upright shaft T may run through several floors of a mill, giving motion
to the stones, or may be used to drive any required machinery, as will
be well understood.
Referring to Figure 14, a represents a fall in the stream or river; t, a
canal. The water flows through the canal from the higher level through
the sluice gate into the turbine race or tank b, drives the turbine e,
and discharges through the canal into the lower level. The turbine
drives the pump k, which pump charges the accumulator at a great
pressure with water through ; the water is then driven and conveyed
through the pipe wo to any place where it may be required to be used as
a motive power, or to supply towns with water.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature, object, and
purposes of this my Invention, and the best means I am acquainted with
for carrying it into practical effect, I would have it understood that I do
not limit myself to any proportions, style, or size of turbine, as shown in
the Drawings, Sheet. 1, nor do I confine myself to the exact method
illustrated in the various Figures on Sheet 2, for carrying my system
into operation, as the same may be considerably altered without de-
parting from my Invention, but what I claim as new and secured to me
by Letters Patent, as aforesaid, is, -
Firstly. The improvements in turbines, consisting in the application,
construction, and use of an adjustable valve or plate on the top of the a
turbine case, and which valve or plate regulates the delivery and
discharge of water out of the top of the turbine only, such valve or plate
being used to regulate, govern, and control tlic speed and power of the
turbine, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described and set forth.
Secondly. The improvements in turbines, consisting in forming the
vanes or blades and ports of the turbine, so that the driving water acts
3

page_text: or impinges on a flat surface, and discharges at the top of the vane or
blade only, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described and set forth.
Thirdly. The general arrangement and combination of turbines, turbine
race, tanks, accumulators, and pumps, for obtaining, utilizing, applying,
accumulating, and transmitting water to be used as a motive power,
either direct or by compressing air, substantially in the manner herein-
before described and set forth.
Fourthly. The general arrangement and combination of a canal or
waterway, cut parallel, or alongside of a running stream or tidal river,
together with a turbine race and turbine pumps and accumulator, as
shown at Figure 14, for the purpose of transmitting power to neigh-
bouring positions, substantially as herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Davies, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
Witness,
EDWARD (L.S.) DAVIES.
FREDERICK JOHN CHEESBROUGH,
of 15, Water Strect,
Liverpool.