IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY POR LIFTING, FORCING, AND EXHAUSTING
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Egleson Anderson Gwynne, of Essex Wharf,
Essex Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY POR LIFTING, FORCING, AND
EXHAUSTING."
Sealed the 20th March 1855, and dated the 22nd September 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Egleson Anderson
Gwynne at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 22nd September 1854.
I, JAMES EGLESON ANDERSON GWYNNE, of Essex Wharf, Essex Street,
Strand, Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LIFTING, FORCING, AND EXHAUSTING,"
to be as follows:-
1st, in an improved mode of forming the passages or water-ways, & the
admission of the water or other fluids or gases into the revolving wheel or
piston of centrifugal pumps, for pumping water, air, & other fluids &
2nd, in the general arrangement of the case or receiver.
gases.
3rd, in the shape or form and internal construction of the revolving wheel
or piston.
And, 4th, in the improved shape or form of the foot valve, used in this &
other pumps.
I make the admission passages on each side of the case or receiver of the
pump in the form of a semi or semi-oblong cylinder, the case of the pump

page_text: forming one of the sides of my passages. These passages are brought in a
gradually inclined direction into the mouth or centre of the wheel or piston, or
they are made to discharge themselves into a cylinder, which forms part of the
body of the pump, said cylinder having removeable flange ends, one end having
a bearing to support the spindle of the piston, and the other a stuffing box for
the spindle to pass through, & to which is applied the motive power. The supply
passages are carried downwards through the bed plate of the pump, uniting
together on or below it, and converging into one pipe or tube communicating
with the water, fluid, or gas to be raised. I place curved blades in the water
passages, where they supply or enter the wheel or piston, to divide the stream
of water, admitting it to the revolving wheel or piston at the proper angle and
with less friction. I also construct the vanes, arms, or passages in the piston
or wheel, curved slightly backwards to a tangent to the piston's periphery,
where they approach or intersect it, but radial or inclined at an angle from the
boss or centre, varying from one-eighth to six-eighths of their entiro length,
terminating backwards, as described. The two sides of the piston at their
outer extremity are made slightly bell-mouthed, to prevent the contraction of
the vane or stream of water when it is thrown off. I make the commence-
ment of my discharge pipe at the centre of the wheel or piston, & having the
wheel revolving in close contact (without friction) with the inner side of dis-
charge pipe thus formed, I prevent the rotation of the fluid in the case or
receiver. The area of the discharge pipe, where it commences, & also where
the water leaves it, is increased to prevent the water's contraction. I also
increase the size of the water passages at their junction with the revolving
wheel, so that the stream entering it may not lose by contraction. I apply the
same arrangement to pumps receiving their supply from one side only.
My improvement in the construction of valves consists in giving to the
stream of entering water an uninterrupted and undisturbed passage through
the valve into the pipes (which no valve at present in use will do). The lower
portion of it is square or oblong, tapering gradually to a circle in a conical
shape, the base of the cone representing the lower portion. Two flaps are
attached to the bottom piece or seat of the valve, and close the passage of the
water downwards, but open freely upwards; below these flaps an arrange-
ment is made for receiving a sheet of perforated metal, to prevent rubbish or
any injurious matter from entering. The valve is so proportioned that the
fluid enters without contraction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Egleson Anderson Gwynne in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 22nd March 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
EGLESON ANDERSON GWYNNE, of Essex Wharf, Essex Street, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Ier heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Egleson Anderson Gwynne, Her special license that I,
the said James Egleson Anderson Gwynne, ny executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said James Egleson Anderson Gwynne, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LIFTING,
FORCING, AND EXHAUSTING," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said James Egleson Anderson Gwynne, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and scal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Egleson Anderson Gwynne, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings
(that is to say)
--:
First, the nature of the Invention consists in an improved method of con-
structing the passages or water-ways for the admission of the water or other
fluid or gases, into the revolving wheel or piston of centrifugal pumps, for
pumping fluids or gases.
Second, in the general arrangement of the case or receiver of such pumps.
Third, in the shape or form and in the internal construction of the revolving
wheel or piston.
Fourth, in the improved construction of valves, used in this and other like
machinery.

page_text: In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 5 represents an end elevation of my
improved pump; Fig. 6 is a side view thereof; Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation
(taken through the line a, b, Fig. 6); Fig. 8 is a plan thereof; Fig. 9 is an
internal view (taken through the line c, d. Fig. 5); Figs. 10 and 11 show a
side and end elevation of my improved wheel or piston. Fig. 4 is an end
view of my improved pump, attached to the same spindle or shaft of a
rotary engine. Fig. 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 is an end elevation, and Fig. 3a
section (taken through the line e, f, Fig. 2) of my improved foot valve.
The same letters of reference mark similar parts in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
and 11.
I construct the admission passages or supply pipes C, C, on each side of the
case or receiver of the pump A, A, in the form of a semi or semi-oblong
cylinder, the case or side of the pump A, A, forming one of the sides of my
passages C, C. These passages are carried in a gradually inclined direction
into the mouth or centre of the wheel or piston H, II; or they are constructed
so that they discharge themselves into a cylinder B, B, forming part of the
case of the pump; the wheel or piston H, H, working in casy contact with
the inner end of said passages or cylinders B, B; the other end of said
passages B, B, having removable flange ends, one end (2) carrying a bearing
to support the spindle I, I, of the piston II, H, and the other end (1), a gland
or stuffing box K, K, for the spindle I, I, to pass through. I construct the
water passages B, C, so that once core or mould box makes the core or mould
for both, and in this way the passages on each side of the pump are made of
exactly the same area, and the quantity of water passing into the piston being
the same through each water-way, I get an equal pressure on the sides of my
piston, and consequently little or no friction; but in water containing sand or
other foreign matter, wear takes place by the grinding or cutting action of the
saud, &c. between the sides or collars N, N, of the piston and that part of the
case 0, 0, upon which it bears. This wear I compensate for by the introduc-
tion of a ring of metal N, N, into the side of the wheel or piston, which may
be turned and fitted into a groove made for it in the wheel, or may be rivitted
or screwed upon it, or a ring may be put upon both sides of the piston instead
of one; or, if preferred, the side or sides of the case or receiver A, A, may be
treated in the same way. But I prefer altering the wheel or piston, as it is
removed with less trouble and cost. In this way the wear of several years may
be compensated for and made good at the cost of a very small sum. I liave
shown one way of effecting this at N, N, Fig. 11. Fig. 12 shows the ring I
introduce into the piston; its thickness will be regulated to suit the wear of the
It is apparent the same object may be accomplished in various ways.
pump.

page_text: E, E, is the standard supporting the spindle, and F, F, a rigger or pulley
keyed on end of same, to apply the motive power to it. The supply pipes
or passages C, C, are carried downwards through the bed plate G, G, of the
pump, uniting together on or below it, and converging into one pipe or tube
communicating with the fluid to be raised or forced. I place in the passages
B, B, curved diaphrams P, P, to conduct the water with a gradually inclined
motion in the direction of the impelling force of the revolving piston H, H,
thereby saving considerable power, and preventing the circulation of the water,
which it would have a tendency to do from the motion the wheel would other-
wise impart to it. These blades or diaphrams I prefer to construct of sheet
copper, or some such material, thin and light, so as to offer no obstruction to
the entering water, at the same time of sufficient strength to effect my object;
or, if preferred, they may be cast in, by using a suitable core box in the.
moulding.
H, HI, is the revolving wheel or piston, which I construct of the forms
shown in section in Figs. 7 and 11, and in side view in Figs. 9 and 10. The
arms, vanes, or blades 3, 3, (or instead of arms, vanes, or blades, passages may
be used,) are made straight or radial; or they may be inclined at an angle for
part of their length, and are then bent or turned backwards in a tangent to
the piston's periphery; the sweeps or curves are shown to vary in Figs. 9 and
10, and these I regulate or adapt to suit the work they are required to per-
form. For instance, I do not use the same form of blade in pistons moving
with slow velocities and those moving with great velocities; neither do 1 use
the same construction of blade or arm for raising water to great heights and to
low elevations. The blades or arms at the centre of the wheel or priston I con-
struct so that they will act upon the water as a screw without concussion, and
not cut off the entering water when revolving at high speeds, but so as they
will screw into it, as it were, with an easy entrance, obviating the jar occasioned
by the blades striking flat on the entering water, as they must do when made
of the usual form. I construct the periphery of the piston M, M, where the
water is thrown off, with a slightly expended curve, or, in other words, a bell-
mouthed curve, to facilitate the free exit of the water into the discharge pipe.
My discharge pipe D, D, commences at the centre of the piston H, HI, and the
wheel revolves in close contact (without friction) against the inner side of dis-
charge pipe 4, 4, Fig. 9. By this formation I prevent the rotation of the fluid
in the case or receiver A, A. The area of the discharge pipe, where the water
first enters it and where the water leaves it, is slightly increased. In order to
facilitate the exit of the fluid, I also increase the size or area of the water
passages B, B, at their junction with the revolving wheel, so that the stream

page_text: of entering fluid may not be diminished by contraction. I also apply the
same arrangement to pumps receiving their supply from one side only. In
Figure 4 I show my improved centrifugal pump attached to the same shaft
as a rotary engine, by which I intend, for many purposes, to drive my pump.
Where it is found more convenient, the pump and engine may be united by
a coupling box or otherwise. I construct the rotary engine so as to give
the proper number of revolutions to the pump, and in this way I dispense
with all intermediate gear or shafting. For the propulsion of vessels by
the reaction of the water driven through this pump, I prefer this mode of
arrangement to any other for economy, efficiency, durability, simplicity, and
space; I also prefer this arrangement for the draining of
large bodies of water have to be lifted at low elevations, and where cost is
an object.
&c., where
W, W, Figs. 1 and 3, is a plan Drawing, shewing the centre rib or bearing
of my improved valve, on which the flaps or wings or covers Y, Y, rest when
shut. V, V, is the seats upon which the flaps are fastened. V, V, is the lower
portion of the seats V, which is so made that a sheet of perforated metal may
be introduced to prevent any foreign matter (such as stones, wood, &c.,) from
entering through the valve, should it be found necessary.
R is the flange, by
which the valve is attached to the piping; it may also be made with a socket
joint, or in any other way to suit the circumstances of the case for which it
may be required. I make the valve bell-mouthed, so that a full stream of
water may enter without obstruction or friction, and without obstructing the
fluid. The flaps or doors I construct of leather, india-rubber, or any suitable
material; one each side of such material I secure a thin plate of iron or
copper, or other suitable metal, so that the door may be stiff, at the same time
having all necessary elasticity towards the hinge or inner part. The upper
plate prevents the weight of water from forcing the door down further than it
ought to come. The stop or rib W, and also the two sides, I construct gene-
rally with a ridge, as shewn at W, Fig. 3, for the door or flap to rest upon; or
a centre piece of a conical shape may be used, the doors resting upon the sides
of the cone. In this way I get a better joint, at less cost in the construction;
and when sand or other foreign matter is contained in the water, the valve is
not so liable to be kept open by an accumulation of these foreign matters on
the seat, as they are very narrow, and at the same time of a circular, conical,
or knife-shaped edge. In constructing valves where metalic seatings are
necessary, a metal hinge is made on the flap or door, and the bearings are
ground or turned smooth. The bearings of the valve doors may be either made
flat, or as shewn in the Drawing at W, and a groove, if thought advisable,

page_text: may be cut in the flap or door, to correspond with the bearing on which it
rests. It is apparent that this valve, with very little alteration, may be made
to work at any required angle.
I put a small air cock in the top of the body of the pump, shown at Z,
Fig. 6, to allow any air in the pump case to get away, for when it is allowed
to accumulate, and cannot get freely away, it greatly retards the action of the
pump; or a small tube may communicate with this portion of the case of the
pump and the discharge pipe, which will effect the same object. No cock will
in this instance be required, as it will be self-acting.
When centrifugal
pumps as at present constructed draw air, or have any communication with
the atmosphere when they are at work, as, for instance, if the water when the
pump is at work should get below the suction pipe and air enters the pump,
it cannot be made to work again till all that air is removed, and the pump
filled up with water. This in many cases is very inconvenient, and attended
with great loss of time and expence. This, however, I remedy by placing a
second valve immediately below the body of the pump, as at the entrance of
the pipes C; by using this second valve the pump will always recover itself,
and may be continuously without stopping, though the water may be frequently
below the bottom of the suction pipe, and allowing air to pass to the pump.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect,
1 would observe, in conclusion, what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of centrifugal pumps, as
herein-before described and shewn in Drawings.
Second, the introduction of curved diaphrams into the water passages,
giving to the entering water au easy motion in the direction of the piston, and
preventing it acquiring a circular motion.
Third, the improved construction of piston or wheel, as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the improved method of compensating for wear in or renewing of
piston or sides.
Fifth, the application of two valves to the suction pipe, to prevent the
necessity of stopping to fill the pump.
Sixth, the constructing of rotary engines and centrifugal pumps on one
bed plate, for driving centrifugal pumps to be worked from the same spindle
or to be attached, as described.
Seventh, the improved arrangement and construction of valves, as described,

page_text: by which the water is admitted with slight friction or impediments, and in a
straight course through the valve, and the method by which the flaps are
rendered easily water-tight.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Egleson Anderson Gwynne, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-second day of March, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness,
GEORGE MARSHALL.
JAMES E. A. GWYNNE. (L.S.)