Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1887
Complete Left, 6th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 4th May, 1888
1 CUTHBERT BURNETT, of 5 Burn Terrace, Hartlepool, in the County of Durham,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
any
This invention relates to apparatus or pumps in which the water or other liquid is
raised by direct action of steam which is intermittently and automatically admitted
into a vessel which I call the steam chamber. By my invention I effect a more.
perfect control and regulation of the steam admission and so that I have
may
desired cut off and utilize the expansion to the highest attainable limit in such class of
water raising apparatus or pump. I also by means of injection from outside of the
pump effect a correctly timed and prompt admission of injection water for condensing
the steam admitted into the apparatus.
In my invention I also use a vessel which I call the air chamber, and into which I
by means of an automatic valve intermittently admit air so as to allow the column of
water to be kept moving and a continuous flow of water to be produced with one
steam chamber and one suction valve and one delivery valve.
The steam chamber and the air chamber each communicate below with and are by
preference mounted on the valve box which latter communicates with the suction and
the delivery or rising main.
I also provide a connection between the air inlet valve and the steam valve casing
for the purpose of intermittently admitting a regulated quantity of compressed air
thereto for closing the valve according to the expansion of steam desired or at any
part of the stroke of the pump. On the top of the steam chamber is mounted the
aforesaid steam valve and on the top of the air chamber is mounted the aforesaid air
valve which is arranged to open inwardly to the air chamber. These valves are
mounted in suitable casings, the steam valve being provided with a piston of at least
equal area with the valve. A second piston of considerably reduced area is formed
above the large piston the object of which is to form an approximately air tight
connection between the said larger piston and the atmosphere. These several large

page_text: and small pistons and valve are preferably cast in one piece, suitable provision being
made at the end opposite to the valve for a starting handle or lever. At a convenient
point between these two pistons is an opening or portway of small area, from which
leads a small air pipe with cock to a similar opening or portway in the air valve
casing on the top of the air chamber. The lower piston may form the valve.
Instead of as heretofore taking the water from the rising main or what is practically
the same from the air vessel, I either return it from the cistern or other point of
delivery, or from its equivalent as say in cases where the pump is discharging
through a long range of horizontal pipes. I may use a vertical pipe from a suitable
cistern for the purpose of supplying the injection or, (and excepting in the case of
pumps for circulating water over and over again this latter arrangement would be
preferred) a separate cylinder of small but suitable dimensions provided with a piston
the said piston being weighted so that the pressure on same may approximately
represent that of the rising main:
When the pump is used in connection with coal washing apparatus or in any case,
where the water or other liquid is being re-delivered over and over again and thus
materially increased in temperature the injection pipe leading from the cistern is
preferably constructed of copper and made of considerable length by introducing say
a number of coils with the object of reducing the temperature of the said injection
water, either by exposure to the atmosphere or by immersion in cold water. In the
process of coal washing a certain proportion of water is absorbed and carried off by
the washed coal, whilst there is also a loss through evaporation. To meet this loss a
supply of water is delivered to the apparatus, this water might be passed through a
cistern the inlet being at the bottom and overflow at the top. Into this cistern tho
injection coil referred to might be immersed, the outlet from same being through the
bottom of the cistern and leading therefrom through a back pressure valve to
the nozzle and discharged into the steam chamber at the proper moment as will be
hereinafter explained. With this arrangement of injection I prefer to retain the
usual internal injection passage for starting the pump for the first time.
It has been found in practice that under ordinary circumstances owing to the high
velocity at which the water is discharged into the usual air vessel of this class of pump,
that before the return stroke of the pump a partial vacuum is formed in the said air
vessel and hence the column is brought to rest and indeed a considerable quantity of
the water already delivered into the pipes is drawn back before the injection will flow
into the steam chamber, and hence there is a considerable loss of both duty and time.
Now by the aforesaid admission of air to the air chamber so as to allow the flow of
water to be maintained during the operation of filling in the steam chamber (and
which is rapidly done by the employment of the separate injection arrangement)
I prevent this loss and secure a continuous flow of water under ordinary conditions.
In order to further explain the action of one form of pump constructed according
to this my invention and specially applicable for coal washing purposes, I will proceed
to describe the manner in which these several conditions are fulfilled, and explain
the action of the several parts by which they are effected; and first it should be noted
that the suction pipe suction and delivery valves are relatively of very large area,
whilst the delivery pipe is of the usual dimensions; this affords quick filling and
quick discharge to the air chamber.
For the purpose of starting the pump for the first time, a separate injection pipe
may be used this being connected between the two chambers in the ordinary way.
The air chamber is first filled with water through any suitable opening, or a special
feeding or charging pipe may be fitted preferably between the foot valve and suction
valve of the pump. The chamber having been charged, steam is turned on by means
of a stop valve fitted between the steam supply pipe and the steam valve already
referred to. The latter is now opened by means of the starting handle and steam
admitted to the steam cylinder to expel the water and air therefrom. The steam
valve is now closed when a portion of the water in the air chamber will pass through
the ordinary starting injection pipe referred to, and thus condense the steam, and this
may he repeated a few times until the water has flowed from the tank, or other vessel

page_text: from which the water is being pumped, into the steam cylinder, and which water will
now in turn be passed into the air chamber and delivery pipe, and eventually to the
cistern or other place to which the water is being pumped; the apparatus will now be
automatic. By this time the independent injection will have become operative and
the starting injection tube will now be shut off, and its further uso will not be required
unless the pump and cistern may have at any time been emptied, as say in sevore
weather, or for the purpose of repairs, &c. It will hence be understood that in
ordinary working the only thing necessary will be to admit steam to the steam
chamber, when the apparatus will at once start and continue to work automatically.
It will also be clear that by this peculiar arrangement the injection water cannot
enter the steam chamber until the steam has fallen to the pressure of the column, but
it is important also to bear in mind that immediately the steam has fallen to the
pressure of the column the injection water will promptly enter and the vacuum
forming and completing the injection will soon be very vigorous and effective. The
injection, as explained, is entirely independent of the column. The water is now
flowing into the steam chamber and with it a limited quantity of air through a suitable
snifting valve, and which latter will soon be compressed against the bottom of the
steam valve, which it will open. Steam is now re-admitted and the water rapidly
expelled through the large delivery valve part into the delivery and a portion into the
air chamber, and so compressing the air therein contained. After a few strokes of
the pump the level of the water will rise considerably in the air chamber, and we will
assume that a few strokes have been made.. The air, being reduced in volume and of
superior pressure to the column, will at once give off its expansive force, and the
water flowing with vigorous upward current and the water rapidly leaving the air
chamber to supply same, the pressure in the latter will soon fall to that of the atmo-
sphere, when the air valve already referred to will open and admit the atmosphere and
allow the remaining water to flow and thus allow the column to keep moving.
Another important operation which takes place on the charging of the air chamber
is the passing of a regulated quantity of compressed air through the cock and pipe
previously referred to, to between the differential pistons in connection with the steam
valve on steam chamber as previously described. It is of course necessary to effect
the closure of the steam valve on the completion of the stroke or at any earlier portion
thereof. The exact point at which the steam valve shall close is regulated by the
amount of air passed over to the pistons surmounting same. An early cut off is
effected by a free admission of air and a late cut off by reducing the flow of air and
hence the steam valve may be closed at any desired point of the stroko of the
pump.
Steam then is admitted to the rapid expulsion of the water from the steam chamber
into the air chamber and delivery, the air in the latter chamber is compressed to a
point considerably in excess of the column and maintains the delivery by forcing the
water into same and subsequently allowing it to flow thereto; whilst at the instant of
pressure in the air chamber a portion of the air is passed over to close the steam valve
at any desired point of the stroke, when on the expansion of the steam to the pressure
of the column the injection promptly flows in to the condensation of the steam, in the
steam chamber, the water now flows in and with it air through the snifting valve, the
steam valve is opened and the water delivered to the air chamber into which air has
only just previously been admitted, this air is compressed and a small quantity of
same, passes over, to effect the closure of the steam valve, whilst the principal volume
expands and delivers the water into the rising main, when on the water continuing to
flow the air valve opens inwardly and permits the column to keep moving. Meanwhile
the steam vessel has received its injection and has filled with water and is now dis-
charging its contents to the air chamber, and so rapidly is all this done that the pump
although constructed similarly to a single acting pump is practically a double acting
pump.
I am aware that a separate injection has been used but I admit injection water at or
approximately at the pressure of the column, and I would point out that when the
separate injection is stored against a column of air as now used in connection with my

page_text: apparatus made according to patent No. 4755 of 1883 it follows that it will almost
immediately be returned to the steam chamber again and hence the pump will make a
series of short strokes. And not only will it not perform long strokes, but the steam
will be condensed long before it has done its duty, while by my present invention the
steam is utilized more fully.
Generally the pump will be constructed with the separate injection cylinder with
weighted piston as already referred to, and in this arrangement no other form of
injection is necessary.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Raising Water and other Liquids.
I, CUTHBERT BURNETT of 5 Burn Terrace Hartlepool in the County of Durham
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 :-
This invention relates to apparatus or pumps in which the water or other liquid
is raised by direct action of steam which is intermittently and automatically admitted
into a vessel which I call the steam chamber. By my invention I effect a more
perfect control and regulation of the steam admission and utilize the expansion to
the highest attainable limit in such class of water raising apparatus or pump. I also
by means of injection from outside of the pump effect a correctly timed and prompt
admission of injection water for condensing the steam admitted into the apparatus.
In my invention I also use a vessel which I call the air chamber, and into which I by
means of an automatic valve intermittently admit air so as to allow the column of
water to be kept moving and a continuous flow of water to be produced with one
steam chamber and one suction valve and one delivery valve.
The steam chamber and the air chamber each communicate below with and are by
preference mounted on the valve box which latter communicates with the suction and
the delivery or rising main.
I also provide a connection between the air inlet valve or upper part of the air
vessel and the steam valve casing for the purpose of intermittently admitting a

page_text: regulated quantity of compressed air thereto for closing the said steam valve before
the completion of the stroke as will hereinafter be fully explained.
<<
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a vertical section through a pump or
'aquameter" constructed according to this invention.
Figures 2 and 3 show it applied in two ways for pumping to a great distance.
Figure 4 shows it applied as a ship's ballast or bilge pump.
On the top of the steam chamber A is mounted the aforesaid steam valve B and
on the top of the air chamber C is mounted the aforesaid air valve D which is
arranged to open inwardly to the air chamber. These valves are mounted in
suitable casings, the steam valve B being provided with a piston B¹ of at least equal
area with the valve. A second piston of considerably reduced area (not shown on
the drawing) might be formed above the large piston B' the object of which would
be to form an approximately air tight connection between the said larger piston B¹
and the atmosphere-if I carry a stem of the valve B out through the top of the
valve casing and connect a handle or lever thereto for starting, but I find I can do
without such special appliance for starting and hence need no such second piston.
The valve B and piston B¹ are preferably cast in one piece, as shown. At a
convenient point between the piston B₁ and the valve casing cover is an opening or
portway 6 of small area, from which leads a small air pipe c with cock d to a similar
opening or portway in the casing for the air valve D on the top of the air chamber C
already referred to. Or the pipe c may be connected directly to the upper part of
the air vessel, and may be so proportioned in area, as to dispense with the cock d.
The use of the valve D will be more particularly described further on.
The suction valve G and the delivery valve H are arranged in the valve box I I
whereon are fixed the working chamber A and the air vessel C. The valves are by
preference arranged as shown whereby they can be withdrawn or examined through
lateral openings in the valve box II such openings being covered by lids. K is the
suction pipe and L the delivery pipe or rising main. E is the injection pipe, P the
injection valve and Q the stop valve therefor.
In pumps of this class in which the water required for condensing the steam is
taken from the rising main or what is practically the same from the air vessel as in
my former patent 4755 of 1883, the column must first come to rest. In this my
present invention I either return it by a pipe E from the cistern F or other point of
delivery as shown in Figure 1, or from its equivalent as say in cases where the pump
is discharging through a long range of horizontal pipes L as shown in Figure 2.
I may use a vertical pipe E from a suitable cistern M for the purpose of supplying
the injection and which cistern may either be kept charged by the pump or may be
supplied from any convenient source for instance by a pipe from the delivery
pipe L, or the injection may be supplied from an occasionally replenished separate
cylinder shaped cistern of small but suitable dimensions provided with a piston the
said piston being weighted so that the pressure on same may approximately represent
that of the rising main. Or as shewn in Figure 3 for delivery to a great distance
I may arrange a cistern F into which the rising main L delivers and whence the
pipe L' takes it off to a distance the cistern F also supplying the water for condensation
by the pipe E.
.
Figure 4 shows a mode of using the pump as a ballast or bilge pump for ships'
holds where the injection water is taken from the sea.
In my provisional specification I claim that when the pump is used in connection
with coal washing apparatus or in any case where the water or other liquid is being
re-delivered over and over again and thus materially increased in temperature the
injection pipe E leading from the cistern may be constructed of copper and made of
considerable length by introducing say a number of coils, with the object of reducing
the temperature of the said injection water, either by exposure to the atmosphere or
by immersion in cold water and point out that in the process of coal washing a
certain proportion of water is absorbed and carried off by the washed coal, and refer
to the loss of water through evaporation to meet which a supply of water is delivered
to the apparatus and that this water. might be passed through a cistern the inlet being

page_text: at the bottom and overflow at the top and also that into this cistern the injection coil
referred to might be immersed, the outlet from same being through the bottom of the
cistern and leading therefrom through a back pressure valve such for instance as P
Figure 1 to the nozzle and discharged into the steam chamber A at the proper
moment. Now in the practical application of the pump for this particular purpose
I find it to be unnecessary to use this cistern and coil the fact being that the pump
works very well with the pipe leading direct as shown in the drawing.
It has heretofore been found in practice that under ordinary circumstances,
owing to the high velocity at which the water is discharged into the usual air
vessel of this class of pump, that before the return stroke of the pump a partial
vacuum is formed in the said air vessel and hence the column is brought to rest
and indeed a considerable quantity of the water already delivered into the pipes
is drawn back into the air vessel before the injection will flow into the steam
chamber, and hence there is a considerable loss of both duty and time. Now by
the aforesaid admission of air by the valve D to the air chamber so as to
allow the flow of water to be maintained during the operation of filling in the
steam chamber A (and which is rapidly done by the employment of the separate
injection arrangement) I prevent this loss and secure a continuous flow of water under
'ordinary conditions and especially when the pump delivers to low elevations.
In order to further explain the action of one form of pump constructed according
to this my invention I will proceed to describe the manner in which these several
conditions are fulfilled and explain the action of the several parts by which they are
effected; and first it should be noted that the suction pipe K, suction valve G and
delivery valve H are relatively of very large area, whilst the delivery pipe L' is of the
usual dimensions; this affords quick filling and quick discharge to the air chamber.
For the purpose of starting the pump Figure 1 for the first time, I may either use
a separate injection pipe as referred to in my provisional specification or a small
quantity of water may first be put in the cistern F or into a smaller cistern M and
which I will designate the injection cistern and this latter means will usually be
preferred. By another method the water having been placed in the vessel referred
to steam is turned on by means of a stop valve N fitted between the steam pipe O
and the steam valve B already referred to. Tho steam lifting the piston B₁ and thus
raising the valve B is admitted to the steam cylinder and expels the air therefrom
forcing it out through the valve H. The steam valve N is now closed and the valve Q
opened to admit water through the injection valve P into the working chamber A and
thus condense the steam, and this may be repeated a few times until the water is
delivered into the cistern F from the tank or other vessel from which the water is
being pumped and as will be understood the water passes through the foot valve and
through the suction valve G into the steamı cylinder and which water is in turn
passed into the air cylinder C and delivery pipe Land eventually to the cistern For
other place to which the water is being pumped as already explained. The apparatus
will now be automatic. By this time the independent injection from the pipa E will
have become permanently operative. It will be understood that in ordinary working,
the only thing necessary will be to open and close the steam valve N once or twice
when the apparatus will start and continue to work automatically.
. It will also be clear that by this peculiar arrangement the injection water cannot
enter the steam chamber until the steam has fallen to the pressure of the column of
water in the rising main that is to say until the steam has done all the work it is
capable of performing but it is also important to bear in mind that immediately the
steam has fallen to the pressure of the column the injection water will promptly enter
and the vacuum forming and completing the injection will soon be very vigorous and
effective, the injection being as explained entirely independent of the rising main
column or the pulsations thereof. The water is now flowing into the steam chamber A
and with it a limited quantity of air through a suitable snifting valve such as R
Figure 1 and which latter will soon be compressed against the bottom of the steam
valve which it will open. Steam is now re-admitted and the water rapidly expelled
through the large delivery valve.H part into the delivery. pipe L and a portion into

page_text: the air chamber C and so compressing the air therein contained. After a few strokes
of the pump the level of the water will rise considerably in the air chamber C and
we will assume that a few strokes have been made. The air being reduced in volume
and of the superior pressure to the column will at once give off its expansive force,
and the water flowing with vigorous upward current and the water rapidly leaving
the air chamber to supply same, the pressure in the latter will soon fall to that of
the atmosphere, when the air valve D already referred to will open and admit the
atmosphere and allow the remaining water to flow and thus allow the column to keep
moving.
Another important operation which takes place on the charging of the air chamber.
is the passing of regulated quantity of compressed air through the cock d and pipe c
previously referred to, to the aperture b above the piston B₁ in connection with the
steam valve B on steam chamber as previously described.
of
Steam is then admitted to the rapid expulsion of the water from the steam chamber A
into the air chamber C and delivery the air in the latter chamber is compressed to a
point considerably in excess of the column and maintains the delivery by forcing the
water into same and subsequently allowing it to flow thereto; whilst at the instant
pressure in the air chamber a portion of the air is passed over to close the steam
valve B at any desired point of the stroke when on the further expansion of the
steam to the pressure of the column the injection promptly flows in to the condensa-
tion of the steam in the steam chamber. The water now flows in and with it air
through the snifting valve, the steam valve B is opened and the water delivered to
the air chamber into which air has only just previously been admitted this air is
compressed and a small quantity of same passes over to effect the closure of the steam
valve, whilst the principal volume expands and delivers the water into the rising
main I. when on the water continuing to flow the air valve D opens inwardly and
permits the column to keep moving. Meanwhile the steam vessel A has received its
injection and has filled with water and is now discharging its contents to the air
chamber C and so rapidly is all this done that the pump although constructed similarly
to a single acting pump is practically a double acting pump.
It will be understood that on the first admission of steam to the working chamber A
the pressure of steam at this moment will be at its greatest and that with the
quickening flow of water from the said working chamber the flow of steam into the
chamber will be so to speak anticipated (as the steam pipe area compared with that
of the working chamber is relatively small) and so the pressure on the underside
of the piston will be reduced and when it may have fallen below the pressure of air
on top side it will fall. I would point out that when the separate injection is stored
against a column of air it follows that it will almost immediately be returned to the
steam chamber again and hence the pump will make a series of short strokes and so
the steam will be condensed long before it has done its duty, while by my present
invention the steam is utilized more fully.
In my arrangement the injection water cannot flow in until the pressure of steam
has fallen below it and not in fact until the steam has done all the useful work it is
capable of doing.
For ordinary heights and where the steam pressure is greatly superior to the
weight of the column of water there is with my pump an approximately continuous
flow but this does not apply in cases where the two pressures are nearly equal. In
one example where the rising main is about 62 feet vertical the pump will work until the
steam has fallen to from 28 to 30 lbs. per square inch and even under such circumstances
my experience is that it will perform a complete stroke viz. discharge its determined
capacity but will take longer time to do so nor will the steam flow into the air
chamber and delivery until the steam has fallen to the pressure indicated and it is to
be specially noted that the load on the piston B₁ and valve B is not constant but
varies according to the velocity with which the water is delivered to the air vessel
and hence varies with the quantity and pressure of steam admitted to the pump.
It is thus compensating and as the injection cannot enter until the steam has fallen

page_text: to a pressure less than the column the conditions of working are highly favorable to
uniform action.
I may use more than one working vessel A for one common air vessel C and rising
main L.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
First The use and application in apparatus for raising liquids by the direct
action of steam of a connection between the air vessel and the steam inlet valve for the
purpose of automatically at each stroke admitting from the air vessel a certain amount
of compressed air regulated according to the expansion of steam desired to the steam
inlet valve which is suitably constructed so as to be closed by such compressed air
substantially as set forth.
Second-The use and application in apparatus for raising liquids by the direct
action of steam of an air inlet valve on or connected to the top of the air vessel
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third: The construction and combination of steam inlet valve B B¹ and an air
inlet valve D substantially as described and shewn and for the purposes stated.
Fourth-The use and application in apparatus for raising liquids by the direct
action of steam of a water injection applied to the condensation of the steam in the
working chamber and drawing its supply not directly from the rising main but from
the cistern or other part supplied by the rising main or from a separate cistern
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth The construction and combination of parts forming the injection appliances
substantially as described and shewn and for the purpose stated.
Sixth-The new or improved direct acting liquid raising apparatus giving full
working stroke and expansive working of the steam consisting mainly of one or more
working chambers each with injection appliance and steam inlet and an air chamber
such chambers being connected by pipe with cock for admitting compressed air to
the steam inlet valve and fixed on a valve box with suction and delivery valves
substantially as described and shewn.
1
1000