Improvements in Apparatus for Softening Water.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1894.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Softening Water.
I, CHARLES EDWARD GITTINS, of 18 Paper Street, Redcross Street, in the
City of London, Water Softening Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:
:-
In apparatus as at present constructed for softening water by the addition to it
of lime water the mixer in which the lime water is produced has usually been a
disconnected open vessel placed above the tank or cistern containing the water to be
softened. Inis is an inconvenient arrangement especially for a domestic supply
where the cistern is generally in the roof of the house.
According to this invention I make the lime water in a closed vessel exposed to
the water pressure and connected with the cistern by a branch main through
which the lime water is carried by the flow of the supply, part of which is led
through the mixer whilst the remainder goes by another branch main direct to the
cistern.
This arrangement enables the mixer to be placed at any level say for example in
the basement.
The pipes leading to and from the mixer are provided with cocks so that the
pressure can be shut off from it when it is desired to introduce a fresh supply of
lime which is done through a funnel at the top.
The branch main leading direct to the cistern like that leading to the mixer is
provided with a cock and by means of these two cocks the relative quantities of
lime water and hard water delivered to the cistern can be regulated.
The cistern is provided with a ball or float which acts upon a cock on the main
before it branches to the mixer and cistern.
There is a stirrer in the mixer driven by a motor worked by the incoming
water.
In place of regulating the relative quantities of lime water and hard water
delivered to the cistern by cocks on the branch mains as above described, it may be
done by means of a tappet or other valve operated by the motor and admitting
water to the mixer at a rate dependent on the speed of the motor that is to say on
the rate at which the hard water is entering the cistern.
It is obvious that the apparatus is suitable for other reagents besides lime.
Dated this 3rd day of Nov 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Softening Water.
I, CHARLES EDWARD GITTINS, of 18 Paper Street, Redcross Street, in the
City of London, Water Softening 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:-
In apparatus as at present constructed for softening water by the addition to it
of lime water the mixer in which the lime water is produced has usually been a
disconnected open vessel placed above the tank or cistern containing the water to
be softened. This is an inconvenient arrangement especially for a domestic supply
where the cistern is generally in the roof of the house.

page_text: According to this invention I make the lime water in a closed vessel exposed to
the water pressure and connected with the cistern by a branch main through
which the lime water is carried by the flow of the supply, part of which is led
through the mixer whilst the remainder goes by another branch main direct to the
cistern.
This arrangement enables the mixer to be placed at any level say for example in
the basement.
The pipes leading to and from the mixer are provided with cocks so that the
pressure can be shut off from it when it is desired to introduce a fresh supply of
lime which is done through a funnel at the top.
The branch main leading direct to the cistern like that leading to the mixer is
provided with a cock and by means of these two cocks the relative quantities of
lime water and hard water delivered to the cistern can be regulated.
The cistern is provided with a ball or float which acts upon a cock or valve on
the main before it branches to the mixer and cistern.
There is a stirrer in the mixer driven by a motor worked by the incoming
water.
In place of regulating the relative quantities of lime water and hard water
delivered to the cistern by cocks on the branch mains as above described, it may be
done by means of a tappet or other valve operated by the motor and admitting
water to the mixer at a rate dependent on the speed of the motor that is to say on
the rate at which the hard water is entering the cistern.
It is obvious that the apparatus is suitable for other reagents besides lime.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
a is the closed mixing vessel, it is supplied with hard water by the pipe 6 from
the rising main c. 6c care cocks upon the pipes b and c. d is a stirrer in the
vessel a it is driven by a motor (preferably actuated by the incoming water) not
shown in the drawing. e is a funnel by which the vessel a is supplied with lime
and el is a cock by which the opening is closed. is a pipe for emptying and
cleaning the vessel a and f¹ is a cock upon it. g is a pipe leading the lime water
from the vessel a to the cistern. h is a cock on the pipe c actuated by a rod /' from
a float in the cistern.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :
1. Apparatus for softening water in which the lime or other reagent is contained
in a closed vessel exposed to the water pressure substantially as described.
2. Apparatus for softening water in which the supply pipe is divided into two
branches one leading direct to the cistern and the other having upon it a closed
vessel containing lime or other reagent substantially as described.
3. Apparatus for softening water substantially as described and shown in the
drawings.
Dated this 25th day of January 1894.
CHAS. E. GITTINS.