Year: 1886

page_text: VERNON LESLIE EDEN MILLER 2 Dr Johnsons Buildings Temple Barrister-at-law
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This machine consists of a wheel, driven by suitable motive power, enclosed in a
case fitting in the manner hereinafter described.
The wheel is except when it consists of a circular disc fitted with a convenient
number of spokes which unite in a point in the axle on which the wheel turns.
It is advisable but not necessary that all the spokes should be of the same
dimensions & of a thickness equal to the breadth of the rim of the wheel.
P
In some cases where it is undesirable to turn the blades or shutters hereinafter
described by means of the mechanism attached to the outer rim of the wheel & moro
particularly described below the axle must be surrounded with a hollow cylinder
hereinafter called the outer axle through which the spokes pass & unite in a point
in the axle to which they are firmly secured.
The blades or shutters consist of plates of suitable size shape & material fixed to
the wheel in the manner hereafter described.
The aforesaid wheel must be fitted with movable blades or shutters so arranged
(& connected with the necessary machinery for turning them & retaining them in
their proper positions) that as the wheel revolves each blade or shutter will on arriving
at that part of the case hereinafter described which is in connection with the intake
pipe revolve into such a position that the shutter or shutters shall as near as their
shape permits be in the same plane with the axle & their lower edge or edges
parallel thereto in which position they will fit the next division of the case as near as
may be so as to leave no space for leakage between the shutter or shutters & case
& wheel. As the wheel revolves each shutter as it quits this division of the case
& enters the next division of the case which is connected with the delivery pipe, again
revolves through an angle of 90° degrees or thereabouts into a position at right angles
to the plane of the axle in which position as the wheel revolves the edge of the
shutter will enter the next division of the case first & in this position the shutter
& wheel will exactly or as near as may be fit the case & leave no space for leakage

page_text: between the wheel shutters & case, on quitting this division of the case the shutters
will again revolve through an angle of 90° degrees & so the shutters will continue
turning backwards & forewards as the wheel revolves.
The above mentioned case, the divisions thereof & the numbers of such divisions
are more fully described hereafter.
Provided the foregoing conditions are fulfilled the exact form & plan of the blades
or shutters & of their attachment to the wheel is immaterial but I recommend one of
the two following plans, which of them it is most advantageous to use in any case
being determined by the size & purpose for which the pump is required.
The first of the two forms or plans of shutters which I recommend is as follows:-
The several areas bounded each by two spokes an are of the inner circumference of
the wheel & an arc of the outer circumference of the axle or outer axle as the case
may be are each filled up by a blade or shutter hereinafter described which is capable
of revolving on pivots fixed in the centres of the two above mentioned ares one of
which pivots passes completely through the rim of the wheel into a groove or slit
there provided for it & hereinafter described where it is attached to the mechanism
for moving it hereafter mentioned. Or in case the wheel is provided with the double
axle above mentioned one of the pivots may be made to pass completely through into
the interior of the outer axle & is there attached to the mechanism for moving it
hereinafter described.
The blades or shutters are made to fit as exactly as may be to the space between
the spokes & the arcs above mentioned save & except that it is not necessary that
there should in all cases be a spoke between each shutter & where no spoke
intervenes the two adjoining shutters must fit each other as nearly as can be, the
shutters are of such a thickness that when lying flat in the same plane with the wheel
both their faces shall be flush with the respective sides of the spokes adjoining them
in such a way that if at the same time all the shutters were closed flat with the wheel,
the wheel would save the rim thereof which need not be the same thickness as the
spokes & shutters be like a flat circular disc with two flat even sides or faces free
from irregularities of any kind.
These shutters are so arranged as to be capable of turning on the above mentioned
pivots through an angle of 90° degrees when the lower edge will be parallel to the
axle & in immediate contact therewith.
The second of the two plans I recommend is as follows.
The wheel in this case consists of a hollow circular disc which revolves on an axle
as before mentioned this disk is fitted with a convenient number of round holes of
equal size & at right angles to its faces & situated on lines of radii of the disc, the
holes on the same radii being equal distances apart & symmetrically distributed over
the whole disc, through each of these holes a suitable axle is inserted passing through
& fixed to a cog wheel which is placed within the above mentioned hollow disc, the
said cog wheels being of a size suitable to lock all the axles which pass through
the same radii togetherthe said axles extending to an equal distance on each side of the
disc. Each of these last mentioned axles is fitted with rectangular shutters of the same
size on-each-side of the disc & of-such.a-breadth as to let all those on the same radii
meet when expanded in the same plane with the principal axle, each of these shutters
must be curved in a manner suitable to enable it to pass through the slits in the case
provided for it in a sufficiently air tight manner. The mechanism for turning these
shutters hereinafter described may be attached to the cog wheels above mentioned by
any suitable mechanical means.
When the before mentioned outer axle is used it must be of sufficient size to allow
of the necessary machinery being attached to the pivots where they project through
into the interior: In width it must exceed the widest part of the aforesaid shutters
& must come into. immediate contact with the edge of the case & be attached to the
inner or real axle by a sufficient number of spokes.
The mechanism for turning the shutters & retaining them in their positions in the
case when the outer axle is made use of consists of two portions namely an exterior

page_text: portion firmly fixed in one position independent of the outer axle & an interior portion
attached to the outer axle & revolving with it.
groove
The exterior part consists of a circular disc or plate or similar contrivance fitted
with a suitable endless groove into which a series of levers projecting from within the
outer axle will be inserted the number of levers being the same as the number of
shutters or set of shutters locked together; the position & direction of the
must be such as to alternately raise & lower the levers as they revolving with the
outer axle arrive at corresponding parts of the groove. The interior part consists of
the above mentioned levers the ends of which where inserted into the groove are fitted
with friction wheels the other ends which are immediately within the outer axle are
firmly fixed into cogged wheels which work on pivots through their centres these
cogged wheels are either in contact with other cogged wheels or are attached to other
suitable mechanism & are so connected with the pivots of the shutters which pass
through into the outer axle or may be otherwise suitably connected with the shutters.
The distance which the shutters revolve on the levers being depressed or raised is
regulated by means of the relative size of the different cog wheels or by any other
suitable mechanical arrangement. In most cases it will be necessary for each shutter
or set of shutters to have a separate set of mechanism for turning them.
In those cases where the outer axle is dispensed with the case hereafter described
must be provided with an endless passage of suitable size & shape wholly or partially
surrounding concentric with or alongside to the top or side of the rim of the wheel
& in communication or connection with the top or side of the said rim by means of a
slit or other suitable connection which extends all round the wheel. The above
mentioned endless passage must be of the same size dimensions & shape at all parts of
its course & in all reference to the position of the said passage hereinafter made the
middle line thereof is referred to, the situation of which at any point being fixed the
position of the rest of the passage at that part of its course will be known.
The said passage will be made to take such a course that it will vary in different
parts of its course either in distance from the rim of the wheel or by diverging more
or less to one or the other side. Such variation in the course of the passage must be
of such direction & extent as by acting on the mechanism hereafter described
to cause the shutters to revolve & retain their positions at the right times and
places.
Each shutter will be so connected by means of suitable mechanism (passing through
the slit above mentioned) with a carriage or slide in the aforesaid passage that any
deviation in the passage from its relative position with regard to the position of the
wheel will set the aforesaid mechanism in motion & cause the shutter to revolve.
Any form of mechanism whereby the varying distance or position of the carriage
from the point in the rim of the wheel through which it is intended to connect the
carriage with the shutter can be utilised to cause the shutters or Blades to revolve
will do.
I recommend however one of the two following methods.
First. In this case the pivot on which the shutter turns must pass completely
through the rim of the wheel the projecting portion being fashioned in the form of an
archimedian screw, the counterpart of this screw must be placed over it, which
counterpart must be fixed to a carriage or slide working in the passage above mentioned
then as the passage varies in distance from the rim of the wheel the counterpart of the
screw being unable to revolve will by the motion of the wheel & the varying position
of the carriage be either pushed down or drawn up from the screw & so cause the
screw & the pivot to which it is attached to revolve & of course the shutter with it
the amount of revolution being regulated by the extent of the deviation of the passage
from its course round the wheel.
Second. In this case also the pivot on which the shutter turns must pierce
completely through the rim where it must be fitted with a cog wheel & it is advisable
but not necessary that another cog wheel be fixed to the exterior rim of the wheel
adjoining this last mentioned one & working with it on a pivot through its centre this
second or the first if the second is not used must have a pivot fixed near its outer

page_text: edge which pivot must be also fixed into the centre or other convenient point in the
carriage aforesaid then by making the centre of this passage diverge to one side or
the other from the plane of revolution marked out by the revolving wheel, as the wheel
revolves the carriage will be moved out of its straight course in the samo manner as
the centre of the aforesaid passage is & so by means of the pivot joining the centre or
other point of the carriage to the cog wheel cause the cog wheel to revolve & so turn
the shutter round.
If in either of the above cases the pivot on which the shutter turns cannot be
conveniently produced through the rim of the wheel suitable modifications in the
mechanism for turning the shutter must be introduced.
The wheel will be enclosed in an air and water tight case divided into one or more
similar divisions according to circumstances.
Every division of the case must be exactly similar & for the purposes of description
may be supposed to be divided into four parts of about equal size. The first of which
parts must exactly or as near as may be fit the wheel & shutters when the shutters
fixed to that part of the wheel are as nearly as their shape permits at right angles to
the plane which passes through the whole length of the centro line of the axle &
bisects the shutters. The second part need not fit close to the wheel or shutters but
must be connected with a pipe or other suitable connection with the fluid it is desired
to pump out & must be of a size sufficient for the shutter after leaving the first part
to revolve into a position at right angles to its former position in which position tho
plane of the shutter & of the axle will be the same, the third part must be of such a
width as to admit the wheel passing through it whilst the shutter is at right angles to
the plane of the wheel & in the same plane with the axle & of such a length that there
can never be less than two shutters within it at one time, this part of the case must.
exactly or as near as possible fit the wheel with the shutter extended as last mentioned,
the fourth part of the case need not fit close to the wheel & shutter but must be in
connection with the delivery pipe & of sufficient size to admit of the shutier
revolving through an angle of 90° degrees before again meeting the first part of the
case.
•
.
Within the case or rather surrounding it & part of it the passage before
described under the head of mechanism for turning the shutters must be situated it
must be air & water tight & have no communication with the rest of the case save
through the slit above mentioned which unites it to the rim of the wheel.
The axle or outer axle on which the wheel turns must fit closely to the case so as to
leave no place for leakage.
DL: 07111
M .1000

page_text: VERNON LESLIE EDEN MILLER 2 Dr Johnsons Buildings Temple Barrister-at-law
I 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:
A pump which is in construction of a rotary character, it is suitable for use in
pumping water air gas and other kinds of fluids and semifluids.
It consists of a wheel hereinafter described fitted with blades or shutters the shape
character positions and working of which are fully explained below, the aforesaid
wheel revolves on an axle within a case hereinafter described made to fit the wheel
and the blades in their respective positions.
The axle on which the wheel turns projects through one or both sides of the case
and is made to revolve by means of a crank band or other suitable contrivance
attached to one of the said projecting ends and driven by steam or other available
motive power, in some cases where it is undesirable to turn the blades hereinafter
described by means of the mechanism attached to the outer rim of the wheel and more
particularly described below, the axle must be surrounded with a hollow cylinder
hereinafter termed the outer axle through which the spokes pass and unite in a point
in the axle to which they are firmly secured.
The wheel except when it consists of a circular disk is fitted with a convenient
number of spokes which are firmly united to the axle on which the wheel turns.
The spokes must be constructed of a suitable material and of a thickness sufficient
to ensure the strength and stability of the wheel moreover it is advisable but not
necessary that all the spokes should be of the same dimensions.
The blades or shutters, hereinafter called blades, consist of plates composite or not
as the case may be of suitable size shape and material fixed or attached to the wheel
in the manner hereafter described.
The aforesaid wheel must be fitted with movable blades so arranged (and connected
with the necessary machinery for turning them and retaining them in their proper
positions) that as the wheel revolves each blade (or set of blades if there be more than
one blade fixed on the line of one radii of the circle of the wheel) will on arriving at
that part of the case, hereinafter called the first part and fully described below, which
is in connection with the intake pipe or conduit revolve into such a position that the
blade or blades shall as near as their shape permits be in the same plane with the axle
with their lower edge or edges parallel thereto in which position they will fit the next,

page_text: hereinafter called the second, part of the case as near as may be so as to leave little or no
space for leakage between the blade or blades and the case and wheel, as the wheel revolves
each blade as it quits this part of the case and enters the next hereinafter called the third
part of the case which is connected with the delivery pipe revolves through an angle of
90° degrees or thereabouts into a position at right angles to the plane of the axle, i.e. a
plane in which the centre line of the axle is situated, in which position as the wheel
revolves the edge of the blade will enter the next part of the case hereinafter called
the stop compartment, first and in this position the blade and wheel will exactly or as
near as may be fit the case and leave no space for leakage between the wheel blade and
case, on quitting this section of the case the blade will reenter the first part above
described (or in some cases another part also connected with the intake pipe or
conduit) and again revolve through an angle of 90° degrees and so the blades will
continue turning backwards and forwards as the wheel revolves.
The above mentioned case the divisions and parts thereof and the numbers of such
divisions and parts are more fully described hereafter.
Provided the foregoing conditions are fulfilled the exact-form and plan of the
blades and of their attachment to the wheel is immaterial but I recommend the
following plan or arrangement shewn in Fig. 1.
"The several areas bounded each by two spokes B D. and A. E an are B A of the
inner circumference of the wheel and an are DE of the outer circumference of the
axle or outer axle as the case may be are each filled up by a blade hereinafter described
which is capable of revolving on pivots fixed in the centres of the two above
mentioned arcs at C and Q one of which pivots passes completely through the rim of
the wheel into a groove slit or passage marked R S Fig. 2. 3 and 4 there provided for
it and hereinafter described where it is attached to the mechanism for turning it
hereafter mentioned, or in those cases where the wheel is provided with the outer axle
Fig. 6. above mentioned one of the pivots may be made to pass completely through
into the interior of the outer axle Fig. 6. V and is then attached to the mechanism for
moving it hereinafter described. The blades are made to fit as exactly as may be to
the space between the spokes and the arcs above mentioned save and except that it is
not necessary that there should in all cases be a spoke between each blade and where
no spoke intervenes the two adjoining blades must fit each other as nearly as can be,
the blades are of such a thickness that when lying flat in the same plane with the
wheel both their faces shall be flush with the respective sides of the spokes adjoining
them in such a way that if at the same time all the blades were adjusted so as to lie
flat with the wheel as in Fig. 1. the wheel would, save the rim thereof, which need not
be the same thickness as the spokes and blades, be like a flat circular disk with two
flat oven sides and faces free from irregularities of any kind. These blades are so
arranged as to be capable of turning on the above mentioned pivots through an angle
of 90° degrees when the lower edge (Fig. 2 and 3. DE) will become parallel to the
axle (Z) and in immediate contact therewith."
When the before mentioned outer axle is used it must be of sufficient size to allow
of the necessary machinery being attached to the pivots where they project through
into the interior, in width it must exceed the widest part of the aforesaid blades and
must come into immediate contact with the edge of the case and be attached-to the
inner or real axle by a sufficient number of spokes.
In the case where the aforesaid outer axle is made use of I recommend that the
mechanism for turning the blades and retaining them in their positions should consist
of two portions namely an exterior portion firmly fixed in one position independent
of the outer axle and an interior portion attached to the outer axle and revolving with
it. The exterior part consists of a circular disc or plate or similar contrivance
Fig. 6. N M fitted with a suitable endless groove into which a series of levers ON
projecting from within the outer axle will be inserted the number of levers being the
same as the number of blades or sets of blades locked together the position and
direction of the groove must be such as to alternately raise and lower the levers as
they revolving with the outer axle arrive at correspopiling parts of the groove.

page_text: The interior part consists of the above mentioned levers the ends of which where
inserted into the groove are fitted with friction wheels the other ends which are
immediately within the outer axle are firmly fixed into cogged wheels O which work
on pivots through their centres, these cogged wheels are either in contact with other
cogged wheels J and I or are attached to other suitable mechanism and are so.
connected with the pivots of the blades which pass through into the outer axle as
aforesaid or may be otherwise suitably connected with the blades the distance which
the blades revolve on the levers being depressed or raised is regulated by means of
the relative size of the different cog wheels or by any other suitable mechanical
arrangement."
:
In most cases it will be necessary for each blade or set of blades to have a separate
set of mechanism for turning them.
In all other cases where the outer axle is not made use of, the wheel case.
hereinafter described must be provided with an endless passage Fig. 2. 3 and 4 R S
of suitable size and shape wholly or partially surrounding concentric with or alongside
to the top or side of the rim of the wheel and in communication or connection with
the top or side of the said rim by means of a slit or other suitable connection which
extends all round the wheel. The above mentioned endless passage R S must be of
the same size dimensions and shape at all parts of its course and in all reference to
the position of the said passage hereinafter made the middle line thereof is referred
to the situation of which at any point being fixed the position of the rest of the
passage at that part of its course will be known.
The said passage will be made to take such a course that it will vary in different
parts of its course either in distance from the rin. of the wheel or by diverging more
or less to one or the other side, such variation in the course of the passage must be of
such direction and extent as by acting on the mechanism hereafter described to cause
the blades to revolve and retain their respective positions at the right times and
places.
Each blade will be so connected by means of suitable mechanism (passing through
the slit above mentioned) with a carriage or slide Fig. 4. U. in the aforesaid passage
that any deviation in the passage from its relative position with regard to the position
of the wheel will set the aforesaid mechanism in motion and cause the blade to
revolve.
Any form of mechanism, whereby the varying distance or position of the carriage
from the point in the rim of the wheel through which it is intended to connect
the carriage or slide with the blade can be utilised to cause the blades to revolve,
will do.
I recommend however the following plan.
According to this plan the pivot on which the blade turns must pierce completely
through the rim of the wheel and be there fitted with a cog wheel F Fig. 4 and 5 of
suitable size and on the rim of the wheel near to this last mentioned cog wheel a
pivot P must be fixed on which a second cog wheel (or section of a cog wheel) K
must be fixed which cog wheel works with the first mentioned cog wheel, this last
mentioned cog wheel is by means of a bar or plate K Fig. 4 & 5 of suitable size
shape and dimensions connected in manner hereafter described with the carriage or
slide U above mentioned which I recommend should be constructed of two equal and
similar wheels fixed together in the same plane by means of a plate or a bar or bars
united to pivots through their centres these two wheels must not touch each other and
must be capable of freely revolving on the pivots connecting them to the bar
aforesaid, the bar fixed to the last mentioned cog wheel must be firmly united (at
right-angles) to a point in the bar between the two wheels composing the carriage,
these said two wheels must be of such a size and so fixed that their outer edges fit to
and run on the respective sides of the passage aforesaid. Then by making the centre
of this passage diverge to one side or the other from the plane of revolution marked
out by the revolving wheel as the wheel revolves the carriage will be moved out of
its straight course and so by means of its connections with the aforesaid cog wheels

page_text: cause the blades to revolve the extent of the revolution being determined by the length
of the bar joining the carriage to the cog wheel and the relative sizes of the two cog
wheels.
The wheel will be enclosed in an air and water tight case divided into one or more
similar divisions according to circumstances.
Every division of the case must be similar and for purposes of description may be
supposed to be divided into four parts. The first of such parts need not fit close to
the wheel or blades but must be connected by a pipe or other suitable connection with
the fluid it is desired to pump out and must be of a size sufficient for the blade after
leaving the stop compartment see Fig. 3. H X hereafter described to revolve into a
position at right angles to its former position in which position Fig. 2 and upper half
of Fig. 3 the plane of the blade and of the axle will be the same, the second part
must be of such a width as to admit the wheel passing through it whilst the blades
are at right angles to the plane of the wheel and in the same plane with the axle and
it is advisable that this part should be of such a length that there can never be less
than two blades within at one time, this part of the case Fig. 2. T must exactly or as
near as possible fit the wheel L with the blade A B D E extended as last mentioned;
the third part of the case need not fit close to the wheel and blade but must be
in connection with the delivery pipe and of sufficient size to admit of the blade
revolving through an angle of 90° degrees before meeting the fourth part H X Fig. 3
or stop compartment of the case, this part or compartment must exactly or as near as
may be fit the wheel or blade D B. Fig. 3 when the blade (Fig. 1 A B D E) fixed to
that part of the wheel is as near as its shape permits at right angles to the plane which
passes through the whole length of the centre line of the axle and bisects the said
blades the size of this compartment need only be enough to form a check to prevent
the fluid, being pumped, returning and to support its weight. On leaving this part of
the case the blade will either again reenter the first part Fig. 2. or will enter another
part similar to the first part and so on.
Within the case or rather surrounding it and part of it the passage R S Fig. 4
before described under the head of mechanism for turning the blades, must be
situated, it must be air and water tight and have no communication with the rest of
the case save through the slit above mentioned which unites it to the rim of the
wheel.
The axle or outer axle on which the wheel turns must fit closely to the case for
which purpose a stuffing box may be made use of so as to leave no space for
leakage.
•
In order that my invention may be more readily understood I have appended the
accompanying drawings (one sheet) in which the various parts of the pump are
shewn but I do not bind or limit myself to the exact forms or shapes therein shewn.
Fig. 1. Is a section of the wheel shewing the blades (A B D E) all flat with the
rest of the wheel. L is the rim of the wheel, Cis the pivot fixing the blade to the
rim and passing through it, F is a cog wheel fixed on a pivot where it projects
through the rim K a second cog wheel or section of one working with the cog F,
U is the slide or carriage attached to K. Z is a section of the axle shewing the pivot
working in it.
Fig. 2. This is a section at right angles to Fig. 1. shewing the blades (A B D E) at
right angles to the wheel and fitting the case T. RS is a section of the passage
through which the slide or carriage U runs. Lis the rim of the wheel and C the
pivot on which the blade turns and Z is the axle.
Fig. 3. This section which is also at right angles to Fig. 1. shews a section through
the stop compartment H X where the case fits close to the blade the edge of which
DB is shewn in it. The variation of the position of the passage R. S is also shewn
when the blade is flat with the wheel and at right angles to it. In other respects this
figure is the same as Fig. 2.
4
Fig. 4. This shews the passage R S. (see Fig. 2 & 3) and the mechanism for turning
the blades namely the cog wheel F fixed on the pivot through the rim of the wheel

page_text: (Fig. 1. C) K a section of a cog wheel turning on the pivot P fixed on the rim of the
wheel and U the slide or carriage attached to K and running in the passage RS.
Fig. 5. This is a section at right angles to Fig. 4 shewing how the blade A B D E
is fixed to the cog wheel F.
Fig. 6. Shews the mechanism for turning the blades when the outer axle V is made
use of the inner or real axle Z is not drawn in this figure. I is a cog wheel fixed to
the pivot on which the blade A B works J is a compound cog wheel working with I,
O is another cog turning on its centre, it is in contact with the cog J. and has the
lever O N fixed to it, N M is the circular disk herein before described, N and Mare
sections of the endless groove into which the end of the lever ON projects.
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
1. The above described pump, machine or combination of machines for pumping.
2. The turning or feathering of the blades hereinbefore described and their passing
through the stop compartment edge first as more fully described above.
3. The case fitting the wheel and blades thereon in the manner herein described.
4. The stop compartment of the case as described within.