Improvements in Steam Injectors.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 11th July, 1899-Accepted 12th Aug
1899
[Communicated from abroad by SCHÄFFER AND BUDENBERG, of Magdeburg-
Buckan, in the Empire of Germany.]
Improvements in Steam Injectors.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co., Patent
Agents, 45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an injector with a divided mixing nozzle for the
purpose of assisting initial suction, the object being to establish communication
between the supply-pipe or main and the space or chamber in which the movable
or adjustable portion of the nozzle and the cut-off or division between such adjust-
able part and the fixed part of the said nozzle are situated, so that, while the
nozzle is kept closed hydrostatically the joint between the two parts of the same
is at the same time made perfectly tight.
By this construction of the injector certain material advantages are secured.
It is a well known fact that injectors, in order that they may be readily started,
have the parts which receive the nozzle made movable (although these injectors
vary considerably in their construction) so that while suction is taking place an
outlet for the free escape of steam may be formed at some point in the length
of the nozzle.
"
In all injectors of this class as heretofore known, the arrangement however is
such, that the point of the nozzle at which the said outlet for the steam is
formed, is situated in a special compartment which may be described as the
bubbling" fluid chamber. This chamber is cut off from communication with the
pressure Huid but communicates either direct with the outer atmosphere, or with
an inwardly closing valve. In the first case however there is the disadvantage
that the part where the outlet is situated cannot be closed quite tightly in a
permanent manner so that after a time air is drawn into the jet along with the
liquid while in the second case a vacuum forms all round the jet whereby an
unfavourable influence is exercised upon the action of the injector.
Now owing to the fact that in accordance with the present invention the outlet
is arranged within the chamber in which the liquid to be injected is compressed
so that it is surrounded by such liquid as soon as injection properly commences
after a period of suction, the disadvantages just mentioned are obviated and a
more satisfactory operation of the apparatus is ensured; the useful effect being
improved and enhanced, while air is prevented from being drawn in through the
outlet in the nozzle. Moreover the continuance of the automatic action of the
injector may be with certainty relied on.
In carrying our invention into practice the injector comprises an outer casing
connected in a suitable manner to the steam pipe, a nozzle through which the
steam passes, arranged in front of a mixing nozzle, the latter consisting of a
fixed or stationary part, and a second part which is adjustable in the longitu-
dinal direction, so that a break or outlet may be formed in the said mixing

page_text: nozzle. The said outlet is located directly in the injector casing and the movable
part of the mixing nozzle is provided with a stop sciving to limit the stroke of
the said part. The liquid to be injected passes to the mixing nozzle through
the suction pipe.
The operation of the injector thus far described is as follows: The outlet is
formed in the mixing nozzle before suction commences. Supposing now the
injector delivery pipe to be still empty or to have been emptied by suitable
means so that the steam may escape freely through the outlet formed in the
mixing nozzle. The steam enters at the steam inlet and passes through the
steam nozzle into the mixing nozzle, the greater part of the same issuing through
the said outlet, drawing the water through the suction pipe and forcing it past
the narrowest part of the mixing nozzle and through the delivery into the
injector delivery pipe. As soon as the forcing or injecting effect begins to
manifest itself the outlet closes of its own accord and the reliable closing of the
nozzle is assisted by the pressure developed in the injector delivery pipe. Inas-
much as the outlet is wholly surrounded by the liquid under pressure no air can
be drawn into the nozzle, and the degree of tightness with which the closing of
the said outlet is effected is independent of possible wear.
A modified arrangement of the injector differs from the arrangement described
above in that the casing surrounding the mixing nozzle is provided with a special
outlet orifice or tube, wherein a valve or cock for the discharge of suction-steam
is fitted.
end.
In the use of this form of injector the cock is opened for the purpose of
suction, and after suction is completed it is closed. Supposing the injector is
used in feeding steam boilers; then the feed valve is connected at the discharge
This valve of course cannot open until after the pressure in the casing
has increased sufficiently to overcome the boiler pressure upon the said valve
This pressure naturally cannot be attained until after the closing of the cock.
In a further modification of the injector, the outlet is formed by a lateral
clack valve opening and closing automatically.
Moreover instead of the cock
a valve is in this case arranged, which is kept open by a spring so long as there
18 no pressure in the injector delivery pipe. When this form of injector is
started the clack valve opens so that at first the steam may escape through the
valve unimpeded. But the moment the injector commences to act, the valve is
automatically closed in the outward direction by the water which is being dis-
charged.
It will therefore be seen that the action of this valve is just the reverse of
that of the well known " bubble" valves the object of which being just the
opposite viz. to prevent over pressure in the "bubble" liquid chamber it being
opened, while in the present instance the "bubble" liquid chamber is dispensed
with.
In a further modification a valve is provided, which closes automatically in
the outward direction under the action of the pressure developing in the appa-
ratus. The valve in this case is formed integral with the movable portion of the
mixing nozzle. The said valve surrounds this portion of the nozzle and the joint.
In the space remaining between the valve and the movable part of the nozzle the
compressed fluid has access to the joint between the movable and fixed parts of
the nozzle so that here also the required hydrostatic closing effect is produced
and the compressed liquid itself secures the desired degree of tightness,
As will be understood by the foregoing examples the details of this new
injector may be varied in many respects according to the particular purpose for
which the injector is to be used. In the most simple form, the pipes may be
emptied preparatory to a fresh suction-stage by means of valves taps or the like
which may be controlled by hand or may operate automatically, and may be
arranged in any convenient position on the apparatus or in the pipe system. In
the modifications the outlet tubes may be situated some distance from the outlet
in the jet. Where steam outlet valves are provided it is essential that these

page_text: should remain closed against inner pressure or that they should be maintained
in the closed position by such inner pressure.
Dated this 14th day of November 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Steam Injectors.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co., Patent
Agents, 45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement;
This invention relates to an injector with a divided mixing nozzle for the
purpose of assisting initial suction, the object being to establish communication
between the supply-pipe or main and the space or chamber in which the movable
or adjustable portion of the nozzle and the cut-off or division between such adjust-
able part and the fixed part of the said nozzle are situated so that, while the
nozzle is kept closed hydrostatically the joint between the two parts of the same
is at the same time made perfectly tight.
By this construction of the injector certain material advantages are secured.
It is a well known fact that injectors, in order that they may be readily started,
have the parts which receive the nozzle made movable (although these injectors
vary considerably in their construction) so that while suction is taking place an
outlet for the free escape of steam may be formed at some point in the length
of the nozzle.
In all injectors of this class as heretofore known, the arrangement however is
such, that the point of the nozzle at which the said outlet for the steam is
formed, is situated in a special compartment which may be described as the
bubbling" fluid chamber. This chamber is cut off from communication with the
pressure fluid but communicates either direct with the outer atmosphere, or with
an inwardly closing valve. In the first case however there is the disadvantage
that the part where the outlet is situated cannot be closed quite tightly in a
permanent manner so that after a time air is drawn into the jet along with the
liquid; while in the second case a vacuum forms all round the jet whereby an
unfavourable influence is exercised upon the action of the injector.
Now owing to the fact that in accordance with its present invention the outlet is
arranged within the chamber in which the liquid to be injected is compressed,
so that it is surrounded by such liquid as soon as injection properly commences
after a period of suction, the disadvantages mentioned are obviated and a
more satisfactory operation of the apparatus is ensured; the useful effect being
improved and enhanced, while air is prevented from being drawn in through the
outlet in the nozzle. Moreover the continuance of the automatic action of the
injector may be with certainty relied on.
Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:-
Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal sections of an injector carried out in accord-
ance with this invention. Figure 1 illustrating its position in the act of inject-
ing, and Figure 2, its position during the suction period.
Figures 3 to 5 are longitudinal sections of three modified forms of the
injector

page_text: In Figures 1 and 2 L is the main injector casing, said casing being connected
at D in a suitable manner to the steam pipe. A nozzle II, through which the steam
passes, is arranged in front of the mixing nozzle, the latter consisting of a fixel
or stationary part M and a second part M which is adjustable in the longitu-
dinal direction, so that a break or outlet may be formed at a-b in the said
mixing nozzle. The said outlet - is located directly in the injector casing L,
the movable part of the mixing nozzle being provided with a stop M serving
to limit the stroke of the said part M. E is the narrowest part or throat of the
jet; A the delivery jet through which the liquid is sent into the injector pipe I.
The liquid to be injected passes to the mixing nozzle M M¹ through the suction
pipe W.
The operation of the injector thus far described is as follows: Figure 2 repre-
sents the position of the mechanism before suction commences. Supposing now the
injector delivery pipe to be still empty or to have been emptied by suitable means
so that the steam may escape freely through the outlet ab formed in the mixing
Rozzle. The steam enters at the steam inlet D and passes through the steam
nozzle, into the mixing nozzle M M', the greater part of the same issuing
through the said outlet drawing the water through the suction pipe W and
forcing it past the narrowest part of the mixing nozzle E and through the
delivery A into the injector delivery pipe I. As soon as the forcing or injecting
effect begins to manifest itself the outlet ab closes of its own accord as illus-
trated in Figure 1. The reliable closing of the nozzle is assisted by the pres-
sure developed in the injector delivery pipe I. Inasmuch as the outlet ab is
wholly surrounded by the liquid under pressure no air can be drawn into the
nozzle, and the degree of tightness with which the closing of the said outlet is
effected is independent of possible wear.
The modified arrangement of the injector as shown in Figure 3 differs from
the arrangement described above in that the casing R surrounding the mixing
nozzle is provided with a special outlet orifice or tube U, wherein a valve or
cock H for the discharge of suction-steam is fitted. The forcing pipe is con-
nected to the apparatus at R¹.
In making use of this form of injector the cock H is opened for the purpose of
suction, and after suction is completed it is closed. Supposing the injector is
used in feeding steam boilers; then the feed valve is connected at the discharge
end at R. This valve of course cannot open until after the pressure in the
casing has increased sufficiently to overcome the boiler pressure upon the said
valve. This pressure naturally cannot be attained until after the closing of the
cock.
Figure 4 illustrates a further modification of the injector, the outlet a-b-c-d
on which is formed by a lateral clack valve M' opening and closing automatically.
Moreover a valve S is in this case arranged within the junction tube U instead of
the cock H such valve being kept open by a spring St so long as there is no
pressure in the injector delivery pipe. When this form of injector is started the
clack valve M¹ opens so that at first the steam may escape through the vlave S
unimpeded. But the moment the injector commences to act, the valve is auto-
matically closed in the outward direction by the water which is being dis-
charged.
It will therefore be seen that the action of this valve is just the reverse of
that of the well known "bubble" valves the object of which being just the
opposite, viz. to prevent over pressure in the "bubble" liquid chamber it being
opened, while in the present instance the bubble fluid chamber is dispensed with.
In a further modification illustrated in Figure 5, a valve is provided, which closes
automatically in the outward direction under the action of the pressure develop-
ing in the apparatus. The valve S in this case is formed integral with the
movable portion of the mixing nozzle M at the joint a-b. In the space remain-
ing between the valve S and the movable part M¹ of the nozzle the compressed
fluid has access to the joint between the movable and fixed parts of the nozzle

page_text: so that here also the required hydrostatic closing effect is produced and the com-
pressed liquid itself secures the desired degree of tightness.
As will be understood by the foregoing examples the details of this new
injector may be varied in many respects according to the particular purpose for
which the injector is to be used. In the most simple form, as represented in
Figures 1 and 2, the pipes may be emptied preparatory to a fresh suction-stage
by means of valves taps or the like which may be controlled by hand or may
operate automatically, and may be arranged in any convenient position on the
apparatus or in the pipe system. In the modifications shown in Figures 3 to 5
the outlet tubes Umay be situated some distance from the outlet in the jet.
Where steam outlet valves are provided it is essential that these should remain
closed against inner pressure or that they should be maintained in the closed
position by such inner pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1
1. An injector having a mixing nozzle for assisting in starting it characterized
in that the movable and adjustable nozzle portion M1 together with the break or
outlet ab therein is arranged in a chamber R connected directly with the
delivery pipe, the arrangement being such that the outlet a- of the mixing
nozzle M M is closed by the surrounding liquid thus preventing the suction of
air, while the mixing nozzle is hydrostatically closed by the pressure from the
delivering current, substantially as set forth.
2. A form of injector in accordance with Claim 1 characterized by a valve S
or its equivalent in the pressure chamber R so arranged as to allow the steam
from the mixing nozzle previous to starting the suction to escape freely without
encountering pressure and which valve after the starting of the suction is closed
automatically by the pressure which is being formed in the mixing nozzle, sub-
stantially as set forth.
3. A form of injector as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 in which the valve S, for
closing the mixing nozzle chamber R towards the exterior, is formed in one with
the nozzle part M Figure 5 without removing the outlet ab from the pressure
chamber R, substantially as set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.