IMPROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING, DELIVERING, AND REGULATING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS, ADAPTED TO BE EMPLOYED ALSO AS A MOTOR OR A METER."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Washington Harvey and William Denham Seal,
both of the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia, and United States
of America, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR
COMPRESSING, DELIVERING, AND REGULATING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS, ADAPTED
TO BE EMPLOYED ALSO AS A MOTOR OR A METER."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Washington Harvey
and William Denham Seal at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 9th April 1879.
GEORGE WASHINGTON HARVEY and WILLIAM DENHAM SEAL, both of the City of
Washington, in the District of Columbia, and United States of America.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING, DELIVERING, AND REGULATING
THE FLOW OF FLUIDS, ADAPTED TO BE EMPLOYED ALSO AS A MOTOR OR A METER."
Our Invention consists,―
Firstly. In what we term the compressor, consisting of a vessel hung to a
counterbalanced lever communicating with a water supply, and receiving water
when elevated, which water compresses the air and forces it from the vessel, and
the water by its added weight causes the vessel to descend, and in its movement
automatically operate valves, which cut off the supply, admit air, and discharge the
water previously received.
Secondly. The Invention consists of a casing provided with a chamber, channels,
flexible diaphragm and pipe, and adjustable wedge, whereby the pressure of a fluid
admitted to the casing is made the means of regulating the pressure at the discharge
opening.
Thirdly. The Invention consists in the peculiar arrangement of the above
described parts, and in minor details of construction as shown by the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the compressor.
Fig. 2, like view of valves and appliances showing parts in a different position
from Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, transverse section of hollow valve stem.
Fig. 4. like view of regulating device

page_text: Before starting, the apparatus occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, water being
passed to the tube P flows into vessel F; as it rises in this it compresses the air
therein, as well as in a cask or reservoir, until the pressure equals that of the inflowing
water, when the flow will be arrested. When liquor is drawn from the cask the
pressure will be reduced, and an additional quantity of water equal to that of the
fluid withdrawn from the cask will be admitted into the vessel F.
When the weight of F exceeds that of weight 68 the vessel descends, and
tightening the cord or wire L raises the lever G into the position shown in Fig. 2.
This cuts off the water supply and admits air, while water runs out through
tube Q.
When all the water has run out the weight bs falls and raises the vessel F, and
the operation is repeated.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Washington Harvey and William Denham Seal in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 7th October 1879.
GEORGE WASHINGTON HARVEY and WILLIAM DENHAM SEAL, of the City of
Washington, in the District of Columbia, and United States of North America.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING, DELIVERING, AND REGULATING
THE FLOW OF FLUIDS, ADAPTED TO BE EMPLOYED ALSO AS A MOTOR OR A METER."
The apparatus mainly consists, first, in what we term the compressor, consisting
of a vessel hung to a counterbalanced lever communicating with a water supply,
and receiving water when elevated, which water compresses the air in and forces it
from the vessel, and by its added weight causes the vessel to descend, and in its
movement automatically operate valves, which cut off the supply, admit air, and
discharge the water previously received.
Second. Of a casing provided with a chamber, channels, flexible diaphragm and
pipe, and adjustable wedge, whereby the pressure of a fluid admitted to the casing
is made the means of regulating the pressure at the discharge opening.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of the compressor.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the valves and appliances showing the parts in a
different position from that shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the hollow valve stem; Figure 4 is a like
view of the regulating devices, and Figure 5 is a vertical section of Fig. 4.
A is a bracket or frame of any suitable character provided with a pivot a and
two stops a¹, a², between which vibrates the long arm b of a weighted lever B
hung from the pivot a, and carrying the adjustable weight 62. A spirit level W is
secured to the frame to facilitate its adjustment. From a clevis hung to a pin a³
at the outer end of the arm b' of the lever B depends a rod D carrying two flanged
caps E, E¹, provided with washers c, which bear upon and close the open ends of a
cylindrical vessel F of glass or other material. The rod D screws into the perforated
domef of the cap E¹, which may therefore be turned as a nut so as to bring both
packings firmly against, and seal the ends of the vessel. The cap E is recessed to
form a chamber e, with which communicates a tube g, and a slotted lever G is
connected by a link h to ears h' on the cap E. Through a packed opening in the
cap E' slides & hollow valve-stem having trunnions & extending into openings in
the lever G, and into the tube H extends a smaller tube I communicating with an
opening at the upper end of said valve stem, as shown in Fig. 3.
At one side of the valve stem below a valve-shoulder x is an opening i¹ with
which communicates an air inlet tube J; larger openings is below said shoulder
communicating with the interior of the valve-stem.
At the lower end of the rod D is a facing m of lead or other suitable material
forming the seat for the upper end of the valve stem H. A wire, cord, or chain L
is connected at any suitable point to the frame A or other stationary object, and also
to the outer end of the lever G, but is of such a length that the lever can move down-
ward a certain distance before the wire is drawn taut. With the tube g is connected
a flexible pipe M communicating with pipes leading to a cask or to any other
receptacle in which air is to be compressed, a casing N containing a check-valve n
being placed in the line of the pipes to prevent back pressure. The tube I
communicates with a flexible water supply tube P and a flexible discharge pipe Q
is connected to the hollow valve stem H which is surrounded by a drip cup R and
is perforated at p. Before the apparatus is set in operation it occupies the position
shown in Figure 1. Water being passed to the tube P it will flow through the
tubes I and out of the opening i into the vessel F. As the water rises in the vessel it

page_text: When
will compress the air in the same and in the cask, until this pressure equals that
of the inflowing water, when the flow will be arrested. When any liquor is drawn
from the cask the pressure will be reduced and an additional quantity of water
equal to that of the fluid withdrawn will be admitted into the vessel F.
the quantity of water in the latter is sufficient to counterbalance the weight 62, the
reservoir with its appliances will begin to descend, at first slowly, but with an
accelerating speed as the lateral distance between the fulcrum pins a, a', increases,
and that between the pin a and weight decreases, a result which ensues from the
angular position of the arm 61 to the arm b. After the vessel has acquired a certain
velocity the wire L will be drawn taut, the lever G will be raised, and the end of
the valve-stem will be brought quickly against the seat m, thus cutting off the
further supply of water to the vessel F.
The importance of the increase of leverage as the reservoir descends will be
readily seen, as will that of permitting a slight motion before lifting the lever G,
both combining to close the inlet valve suddenly. If such motion is gradual the
force of the flow might arrest the movement. The parts now being in the position
shown in Fig. 2, air passes into the vessel through the tube J and opening 2,
which with the openings is exposed while the water flows outward through
the openings to the waste pipe. Should there be any condensation on the
reservoir or any leakage or any flow of water through the tube J it will be caught
by the cup R and discharged through the opening p into the waste pipe. When
the water has all passed out the weight b2 will overcome the weight of the reservoir
and its appliances and will tilt the lever with a movement, the completion of which
is secured by the decreased leverage resulting from the approach of the fulcrum a³
to the fulcrum a and the increase in distance on the horizontal line between the
fulcrum a and weight b³. As the reservoir rises the lever G being weighted at its
outer end assumes its first position and the water flows in as before. It will be
seen that these operations are entirely automatic, that the air is thereby compressed
and supplied as required, and that the device may be used in the manner described
to measure off water or other liquid, or as a motor for any purpose for which it is
suitable. It will be apparent that other means may be employed for vibrating the
lever G; for instance, it may strike stops projecting from a bracket so arranged that
the contact shall not take place until the lever has moved a certain distance. By
adjusting the weight 62 on the arm 6 the reservoir may be caused to empty after
having received any determined quantity of fluid; and in order to regulate
proportionally the throw of the lever eccentrics q are arranged so as to be rotated
upon the pins a, a³, and fixed in any desired position.
It will be seen that the flexible tubes M, P, Q, permit the cylinder to move easily
without affecting the communications, and as that the air can only reach the casks
by passing through water it is both cooled and purified. In order to regulate the
pressure in the casks I employ the device illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. S is a
casing containing a chamber y covered in front by a flexible diaphragm t and across
the latter extends a yoke 8¹. The casing has an inlet u which communicates with
a flexible pipe T, the latter extending across the inner face of the yoke 8¹, and to a
channel u leading to the chamber y.
From the chamber extends an outlet pipe w. This regulator is placed in the line
of pipe leading to the casks, the air flowing in at u and out at u¹, as shown by
arrows. Between the diaphragm t and pipe T is interposed a wedge U. The
pressure of the air passing into the chamber y exerted over the whole face of the
diaphragm forces the latter out to press the wedge U against pipe T compressing it
and closing the passage. When the wedge is raised so as to present a sharp narrow
edge against the pipe T, the latter will be closed more readily and by less pressure
than when the wedge is adjusted to present a wide surface to the pipe T, so that
by adjusting the wedge the pressure at which the pipe shall be closed may be
easily regulated to secure any determined pressure in the casks.
Having now described our Invention, and the manner in which the same may be

page_text: carried into practical effect, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent
is,―
1st. The combination of a vessel, appliances for introducing and discharging
liquid therefrom by [the movement of the vessel, and air pipe leading from the
vessel to a cask or other liquor receptacle and provided with a check-valve, sub-
stantially as specified.
2d. The combination of a suspended counterbalanced vessel and inlet and outlet
passages arranged substantially as described, whereby the admission of a fluid to
and its discharge from the vessel is regulated by the position of the vessel resulting
from the entrance or discharge of said fluid.
3d. The combination of the suspended counterbalanced vessel inlet and outlet
passages, valves and operating appliances arranged to change the position of the
valves after the vessel has begun its movement, for the purpose set forth.
4th. The combination of the lever, vessel suspended thereto, and counter-
balance, all constructed and arranged substantially as described, so that the
leverage will increase as the vessel descends, for the purpose set forth.
5th. The combination of the lever B, vessel F, its passages and valves, and
devices, whereby the momentum of the moving parts is made the medium of
quickly opening and closing the valves, substantially as specified.
6th. The combination of the suspended vessel, valve lever G arranged to operate
the valve, and wire or stop L arranged to assist the movement of the lever at one
end after the vessel is in motion, for the purpose set forth.
7th. The combination of the vessel, fluid inlet and outlet passages, valve and its
operating appliances, and air inlet pipe, substantially as described.
8th. The combination with the vessel F of the sliding tube H perforated at p,
air inlet tube J, and drip cup R, substantially as set forth.
9th. The combinationof the tube H, its opening ³, the air inlet tube J, and water
inlet passage i arranged substantially as specified.
10th. The combination of the glass vessel F, rod D, and securing caps E, E¹, and
packings, substantially as set forth.
11th. The combination of the bent lever B, counterbalance and suspended vessel
F, as set forth.
12th. The combination with the lever B of the adjustable eccentric 9, as
specified.
13th. The regulator consisting of a flexible tube through which the fluid passes,
a flexible diaphragm forming the side of a chamber to which the fluid is admitted,
and having an outlet and a wedge arranged between the diaphragm and tube,
substantially as set forth.
14th. The combination of the flexible diaphragm t, tube T, and adjustable
wedge U, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, we, the said George Washington Harvey and William
Denham Seal, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventh day of
October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy
nine
GEORGE WASHINGTON HARVEY. (L.S.)
WILLIAM DENHAM SEAL.
(L.S.)