Improvements in Gas-compressors.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLEIE SIMULTICA HON.
Improvements in Gas-compressors.
I, GUSTAV VELLEMANN, of Crefeld, in the Province of the Rhine, in the German
Empire, Engineer, 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 :-
A known procedure for compressing air and gases consists in leading the gas into a
tightly closed reservoir in which a certain quantity of liquid is alternately pressed in
and sucked out by means of pumps so as to compress the gas and force it out when
pumping the liquid into the reservoir, and sucking fresh gas in when pumping liquid
out of the reservoir. Said method affords the great advantage of avoiding any
clearance (noxious space) as the liquid fills the compression-room up to the valves;
the variableness of the quantity of liquid, however, conditional to the escape of liquid
through the valves and to evaporation, is a disagreable matter, which must be altered
in order to render these apparatus perfect.
I attain that object by an apparatus in which the quantity of liquid used for com-
pressing the gas has always the same volume, that is to say, in which the quantity of
liquid lost by evaporation and by other causes, is automatically replaced.
In order to make my invention more clear, I refer to the accompanying drawing,
in which similar letters denote similar parts throughout the different figures, and in
which :-
Fig. 1 (comprising four parts, denoted by a, b, c, d) shows the following views:
Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the compressing-chamber, taken on the line 4-5
of Fig. 1b.
Fig. 1 is another vertical section through the compressing-chamber, taken on the
line 6-7 of Fig. 1ª.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the regulator.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the separator.
Fig. 2 (comprising three parts denoted by a, b, c) shows the following views:
Fig. 2 is a part of an upper view of a modification of the compressing-room.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the same modification, taken on the line 8–9
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 is another vertical section through the same modification, taken on the
line 10-11 of Fig. 2b.
Fig. 3 (comprising three parts denoted by a, b and c) shows the following views
Fig. 3 is an upper view of a detail of Fig. 2.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section through Fig. 3, taken on the line 12-13 and seen in
the direction 12-14 of Fig. 3ª.
Fig. 3 is another vertical section through Fig. 3ª taken on the line 15-16 of
Fig. 3 and 3, and seen in the direction 17-18 of Fig. 3b.
Fig. 4 (comprising three parts) shows a modification of Fig. 1, the regulator 1°
being replaced by a valve-arrangement.
Fig. 5 is a modification of a valve-arrangement in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a detail of Fig. 1.
The compressing-chamber A (Figs. 1ª and 1b) carries two valves a and b, communi-
cating at one side with the inner of the compressing-chamber, and at the other with
tubes c and respectively, tube f leading gas to the compressing-chamber, and tube c
leading it away to the separator B (Fig. 1). The liquid when sinking sucks gas
into the compressing-chamber through valve b, and when raising presses the gas out
through valve a. Sinking and raising the liquid is effected by means of a pump
(not to be seen in the drawing) which is connected with tuber (Fig. 1).
The separator B (Fig. 1d) is by means of sieves divided in a number of compartments.

page_text: The gas entering the separator through tube c is compelled to pass all the sieves
before going away through tube. d; thus the liquid particles torn with by the gas
are precipitated on said sieves. The liquid collects in the under part of the separator,
and flows through tube e to the regulator.
The liquid thus separated from the gas must form a continuous column, which is
freed from the compression-pressure, and which takes up the gas-pressure during the
time of sucking, in order to enable the liquid to flow back into the compression-
chamber during the time of sucking, either by its own gravity or if necessary, by a
"slight over-pressure.
To attain that result two different apparatus have been constructed, one apparatus
intended for plants in which the work of compressing is slowly done, so as to give
the liquid sufficient time to completely run back; the other apparatus intended for
plants which are quickly worked, and in which the liquid has not sufficient time to
completely run back.
The first mentioned apparatus termed the regulator in this description is constructed
as follows:
The regulator (Fig. 1°) contains two chambers C and D, one above the other, which
are connected by a cock F inserted in the partition-wall between both.compartments.
Said cock F is moved. by a float S held and guided by a rod. b, the float swimming
in the liquid that flows from the separator, thus opening or closing cock F according
to the height of the liquid within compartment C. The float when ascending effects
opening of cock F, and thus a, communication between both the chambers.
A tube L connects chamber. D with chamber A, and terminates in chamber A at a
place which is covered by liquid even when the latter is in its lowest position (Fig. 1a).
During the time of compressing the pressure in chamber A surmounts considerably
that in chamber D, and thus the liquid contained in chamber D can be led back to
the compressing-chamber A only during the time of sucking. This is effected by
the following mechanism :
Tube L terminates not directly into chamber A but in a casting / forming part of
one of the side-walls; said casting, also representing a tube, contains a turn-valve h¹
intended to close the communication between tube L and chamber A during the
compression and to open it during the suction (Fig. 1a and 1b). A short shaft /²
firmly secured to the turn-valve h' extends horizontally through the side of chamber A,
and carries a disk K provided with projections k¹ and k² (Figs. 1 and 6). Said disk
is turned by a rod 7. provided with projections 12, the rod being in connection with
the pressing-pump and moved by it to and fro. Thus the projections of rod
in pushing against the projection k k of disk K cause an alternate motion of the
disk, and alternate opening and closing of the communication between chambers D
and A.
_ Besides tube L the chambers D and A are connected by another tube t¹ intended
to lead the gas discharged from the liquid in chamber D back to the compression-
chamber. A back-stroke valve t is inserted in tube t', and is loaded so as to open
earlier than valve b during the sucking-period. Thus when sucking gas into
chamber A the back-stroke valve opens first, and the gas discharged from the liquid
in compartment D is sucked into the chamber A; this being finished valve 6 opens,
and the gas sucked in through that valve effects closing of the back-stroke valve
owing to its higher pressure.
Now the pressure within chamber D is less than that in chamber A; consequently
no liquid can flow from D to A. But in case the liquid in A has owing to losses of
any kind got so low a position at the end of a sucking-period as to stand lower than
the orifice of tube L gas will flow from chamber A through tube L to chamber D,
equalizing thus the pressure within both chambers, and liquid will flow from chamber D
to A through tube I, too, until the orifice of tube L or of the turn-valve .h¹
respectively is covered by liquid again. Thus the liquid in chamber A has regained
its original volume, or the quantity of liquid lost by evaporation and by other cause
has exactly been replaced, and the disadvantage mentioned in the beginning of this
Specification is entirely overcome.

page_text: Instead of using a single compression-chamber two may also be employed for
rendering the process continuously. There are, in Fig. 2, two compression-
chambers A² and A³ each provided with a suction-valve and a delivery-valve, both
suction-valves connected with each other and with the reservoir, and both delivery-
valves also connected with each other and with the separator. The mechanism for
alternately opening and closing the communications between both the chambers and.
the regulator is preferably arranged within the wall between said chambers. That
mechanism may be constructed according to that shown and described in Fig. 1, or
the following arrangement may be made use of (Fig. 3).
Both compartments are connected by a short tube n' that communicates with tube L
by means of a channel n inserted in the partition-wall m (Figs. 2b, 3ª and 3°). Said
tube contains a spindle of somewhat greater length than the tube itself, the spindle
provided with plates P P'; one plate at each extremity, and provided with an eccentric
hole adapted to receive an eccentric bolt p₁ attached to rod S, the latter being turned
by the press-pump either continually or alternately. The spindle with its two plates is
guided by two guiding-cheeks q q'. Thus by turning rod S the spindle is moved to
and fro, and the plates P P alternately open and close the tube n. effecting thus an
alternate communication between one and the other compartment with tube L through
channel n. In case the liquid in one of the compartments be diminished as much as
to get a lower surface than the upper rim of tube n', the same exchange of gas and
water will take place as described above, and the same result will be attained thereby.
The apparatus detailed in the aforegoing lines is intended for slowly working
pumps which allows the liquid running back to the compressor sufficient time thereto.
In case quickly working pumps be employed the regulator (Fig. 1) must be replaced
by another apparatus adapted to effect quick movement of the return-liquid. An
apparatus answering that purpose is shown in Fig. 4.
A is again the compressing-chamber, and B the separator. The tubes e and e
leading the return-liquid from the separator to the compressing-chamber are connected
by a valve-arrangement K comprising two chambers a and c which are separated from,
and connected with each other respectively by a valve f the rod of which extends,
downwardly and is tightened by a leather collar. Compartment a is in communication
with the separator, and compartiment c with the compressing-chamber. The pressures
acting on the valve fare first, that of the gas compression-compartment, that is to
say, through tube e¹ and chamber c as well as through tube e and chamber a, and
secondly the pressure of the atmosphere acting on the rod of valve f. During the
time of compression the pressure on the valve from above surmounts that from
below owing to the larger upper surface of valve, f, and the valve remains closed.
During the time of suction, however, the pressure on the upper surface of valve f
becomes much less, and the pressure from below surmounts. Consequently the valve
is raised and a certain quantity of liquids enters chamber c and flows through tube e¹
into the compression chamber. The liquid contained in tube e and chamber a comes
from the gas flowing through the separator, thus in delivering that liquid back to the
compression-chamber the quantity lost is replaced, and the original volume regained.
In normal work the proportion between the compression-pressure and suction-pressure
will be a constant one, thus the play of the apparatus will be a continuous and
equal one.
In case the press-pumps work quicker and slower from any reason, and the liquid
be pumped in and sucked out in irregular manner, another modification of said
valve-arrangement, illustrated in Fig. 5, has been constructed. In this modification
the spindle of valve f is not directly exposed to the pressure of the atmosphere but
dips into a chamber g filled with any liquid. Besides the spindle a plunger k rests
on the liquid in chamberg and carries a platform for supporting a weight, by means
of which pressure is exerted on the under 'surface of valve f. Thus the raising of
valve f during the time of sucking is facilitated and by choosing the suitable weight
for the plunger the play of the apparatus may be adjusted so as to always lead the
suitable quantity of liquid from the separator to the compressor according to the
manner of working of the latter at any time,

page_text: 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. In a gas-compressor: The combination with the compressing-chamber and with
the separator, of a regulator having two chambers connected by a cock or its
equivalent, said 'cock actuated by a float swimming in one of the chambers and,
adapted to open or close the passage between them the regulator communicating with
the separator and with the compressing-chamber, and adapted to maintain constant
volume in the latter, substantially as described.
2. In a gas-compresor: The combination with the compressing-chamber and with
the separator, of a regulator, having two chambers (CD) connected by a cock (F) or
its, equivalent, one chamber (C) communicating with the separator, the other
chamber (D) communicating with the compressing-chamber by two tubes (L t¹) one
tube (L) terminating under the lowest surface of the liquid within the compressing-
chamber and opened and closed alternately and automatically by a valve or its
equivalent, the other tube (t) having a back-stroke valve (t) inserted, and terminating
in the gas within the compressing-chamber, said back-stroke valve loaded so as to
open earlier than the suction-valve (6), for the purpose
as described.
3. In a gas-compressor: The combination with the regulator containing two
chambers (CD) of a cock or valve (F) acted by a float (S) swimming in the liquid.
separated from the gas and flown into the respective chamber (C) the float when
rising adapted to open the cock or valve (F) and to effect communication with the
second chamber (D), for the purpose as described..
4. In a gas-compressor: The combination, with two compressing-chambers (A² A³)
worked alternately, and with the regulator (CD) of a double-seat valve (P P1) com-
municating alternately with one or the other chamber, said valve moved by a rod (S)
having an eccentric (p'), and said rod adapted to convey motion from the press-pump
to the valve, the latter adapted to lead the discharge-liquid from the regulator to one
or the other compressing-chamber, for the purpose as described.
5. In a gas-compressor: The combination with one or two compressing-
chambers (AA) and with. the separator (B), of a regulator (K, Fig. 4), having
two chambers (a c) and a valve (f) inserted between them, one chamber communi-
cating with the separator, the other with the compression-chamber; said valve (f)
adapted to alternately open and close the passage between chamber (c and a), the
latter receiving the discharge-liquid from the separator, for, the purpose as described.
6. In a gas-compressor: The combination with one or two compressing-
chambers (A2 A³) and with the separator (B), of a regulator (K', Fig. 5) having
three chambers (ca g) a valve (1) inserted between two of them (c, a) the spindle of
said valve influenced by liquid contained in the third chamber (9) said liquid pressed
by a plunger (K) working automatically, said valve (f) adapted to alternately open
and close the passage between chamber c and a, the latter receiving the discharge
liquid from the separator, for the purpose as described.
7. In a gas compressor: A regulator (K, Fig. 4) having two chambers (a c) and a
valve (f) inserted between them, one chamber communicating with the separator, the
other with the compression-chamber; said valve (f) adapted to alternately open and
close the passage between chamber e and a, the latter receiving the discharge liquid,
for the purpose as described.
8. In a gas-compressor: A regulator (K¹, Fig. 5) having three chambers (ca g)
a valve (f) inserted between two of them (ca), the spindle of said valve influenced
by liquid, contained in the third chamber (9) said liquid pressed by a plunger (K)
working automatically, said valve adapted to alternately open and close the passage
between chamber c and a, the latter receiving the discharge liquid, for the purpose as
described.
400
GUSTAV VELLEMANN.
By Rayner & Cassell,
37. Chancery Lane. London. Agents for the Applicants