Improvements in Air Pumping Machinery.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 10th Feb.,
1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Air Pumping Machinery.
I, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS GORMAN, trading as Siebe, Gorman & Co., of 187, West-
minster Bridge Road, in the County of London, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in air pumping machinery more par-
ticularly applicable for supplying air to a person submerged in 'water or in an
irrespirable gas.
In the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 shows a side view, partly in section, of apparatus made according to
the invention; and
Figure 2 is a front view of the same.
"
My apparatus, which is chiefly designed for use for deep sea diving such as
pearl and sponge fishing and which I designate the "pearling pump' or "pearler
pump" comprises three open topped cylinders A, A, A in which are worked
pistons B, Figure 1, these pistons being connected by means of rods C to a
crank-shaft D adapted to be operated by handles E. The crank-shaft I) is also
fitted with two fly wheels F, one on each end (one fly wheel and one handle
only being shown in the figures). The air pump cylinders A, A, A. are encased
in a common water cistern W for the purpose of keeping them cool while at
work.
The action of the air pump is as follows, one cylinder only being included in
this description. When the piston B commences to rise, air is admitted through
the inlet valve G, access to which is obtained through a series of small holes g.
As soon as the piston B has reached the top of its stroke, the spiral spring H
situated on the shank of the air inlet valve G automatically causes the valve
to close, and as soon as the piston commences its downward stroke the air inlet
valve is forced more tightly upon its seating by the action of the air, whilst
the air outlet valve J rises so as to allow the air to flow through the outlet
pipe K to the diver. Immediately the piston commences to rise again this out-
let valve J closes, being assisted by the spiral spring L, while the air inlet
valve G opens again and the cycle of operations is recommenced. The three
pumps are all connected at the bottom by suitable passages N to one common
valve box M. Access to the valves can be obtained by unscrewing caps situated
over them without the inconvenience of turning the pump over sideways or
backwards as has hitherto been the case.
I also employ a pressure gauge P directly connected to the air delivery cham-
ber M and having upon its dial a double graduated scale S, s showing at the
same time the pressure of the air and the corresponding depth of water into
which the diver has descended.
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:-

page_text: pumps A, A, A contained in one water cistern W and connected at the bottom
ends by passages N terminating in a single valve box M, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated.
2. The use in combination which apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1
of an air pressure gauge showing simultaneously upon its dial by means of two
graduated scales the pressure of the air which is being pumped to the diver
and the depth of water to which he has descended, substantially as set forth.
3. In apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1 the arrangement whereby
the suction and discharge valves are easy of access without the necessity of
turning the pump over sideways or backwards; substantially as described and
illustrated.
4. The combination and arrangement of parts forming the improved pumping
machine herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 17th day of November 1899
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.