IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPING, AND IN MACHINERY THEREFOR
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPING, AND IN
MACHINERY THEREFOR." A communication from abroad by Eusebius Joseph
Molera and John Cervera Cebrian, both of San Francisco, California, United
States of America.
Sealed the 5th September 1879, and dated the 18th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th March 1879.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PUMPING, AND IN MACHINERY THEREFOR.". A communication from
abroad by Eusebius Joseph Molera and John Cervera Cebrian, both of San
Francisco, California, United States of America.
pure
This Invention relates more particularly to a system of pumping liquids and
fluids from and into mines or other places, and consists, while removing the liquids,
also in ventilating when necessary said places by creating currents of and cold
air. Also in the utilization of any natural source of heat which may be at hand.
Further, in the employment as motive power for pumping purposes of suitable
gases, which at comparatively low temperatures acquire great tension, such as
ammoniacal gas, such gases being subjected to heating influences. The improve-
ments are performed by expanding a gas, introducing it under due regulation into
a convenient pumping chamber, exhausting and finally condensing the said gas.
The gas is placed in a boiler furnished with inlet and outlet pipes with suitable
connections leading to one or more valve chests fitted to a pumping chamber,
which is provided with a float adapted by its varying height in the chamber as it
rises or falls with the different depth of water therein to automatically regulate
delivery and exhaust valves secured to a valve rod upon which said float works.
The various parts are best made of metal.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
September 1879.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in, the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PUMPING, AND IN MACHINERY THEREFOR." A communication from
abroad by Eusebius Joseph Molera and John Cervera Cebrian, both of San
Francisco, California, United States of America.
This
Also
This Invention relates to an improved system of pumping and cooling, and is
adapted for use so that the two processes may be carried on simultaneously, or
either one singly to the exclusion of the other. The Invention is especially
applicable for mines and subterranean shafts, but is also intended for any purpose
or use to which it may be adapted. Heretofore the process of pumping has been
carried on by huge, costly, complicated, and defective machinery, and where the
pumping is connected with mining or subterranean works, the above disadvantages
are increased by the difficulty of ventilating and cooling said works. For
convenience, in reference thereto we will hereafter speak of the motive power
simply as a gas, though any suitable vapor may be used; and the vessel in which
the same is heated, though of any desired character, we will call a boiler, and the
substance which is pumped from the mine or shaft or other locality we will speak
of as water. The said latter part of our Invention relates, first, to a process of
pumping consisting in expanding a gas, introducing it under due regulation into a
suitable pumping chamber exhausting, and finally condensing the same.
process economises the expense in running pumping machinery, since the amount
of heat necessary to start the same in operation is much less than is required in
other processes. Thus, about one fourth the amount of heat is necessary to
disengage gas from the liquid ammonia that is required to generate steam.
low. temperature, which would produce no result in generating steam, when applied
as a heating influence in the above process will cause gas tensions of great power.
Thence we may utilize almost any natural source of heat; hot springs will frequently
suffice to produce the required gas expansion; even the solar heat if properly
collected will impart a very high power of expansion, whereas the same amount of
heat when applied to steam might even condense it, and in instance of mining
purposes the water to be pumped is not infrequently of a temperature, which, while
it would not hasten the generation of steam, would be amply sufficient as a heating
agent in our process. In many subterranean works the atmospheric temperature
is very high, and could be used in said process, while it would be of no avail
whatever in the formation of steam. The said last part of our Invention relates,
secondly, to a process of cooling mines or subterranean shafts consisting in
expanding gas under suitable conditions within the same, passing it up through a
draught opening under confinement, condensing and finally returning the same to be
again passed through the said process. The ascending current will tend naturally
to expand, which will require a corresponding quantity of heat to be taken from
surrounding objects, heat being thus taken from the air within the draught
opening, through which latter the gas passes within pipe enclosure, the same is
cooled in equal ratio, and by its increased gravity over the lower strata of heated
air, descending currents of cold air are created, which draught down into the mine
or shaft. These currents may be utilized in any suitable manner for purposes of
cooling and ventilation. The said last part of our Invention relates, thirdly, to a
combined process of pumping and cooling, consisting in introducing expansional
gas in a state of tension, and under due conditions into a pumping chamber;
exhausting the same after it has duly operated therein, and passing said exhaust
gas under confinement up through a draught opening and then condensing the
-same. This process prevents the loss or waste of any part of the expansional

page_text: power of the motor used in pumping, after it has acted upon one or more pumping
chambers; since at that stage all the expansional power of the gas is used in
creating the cold draughts of air, which latter purpose is in many cases scarcely
secondary to the pumping. The said latter part of our Invention relates also to a
process of pumping consisting in introducing under due regulation expansional gas
in a state of tension within a pumping chamber, said gas operating upon a
liquid piston, which latter is interposed. between the same and the liquid
or other substance to be pumped. The said latter part of our Invention
further relates to the mechanism used in carrying out the foregoing processes;
and consists in the same as appears from the description and claims which follow.
Refering to the Drawings, Fig. 16 is a view in vertical sectional elevation of one
form of mechanism, illustrating the said latter part of our Invention, the said being
applied to the pumping compartment of a mining shaft, and representing a vertical
series of pumping chambers together with their connections. Figure 17 is a sectional
view in detail of a inodification of the pumping chambers. It is supposed in this
case that the mine is supplied with hot water, and the gas boiler is immersed therein.
The gas to be used in any particular instance is placed in a boiler A³, which is
located at any suitable point inside or outside the shaft. This boiler is provided
with a delivery pipe B3, which passes upwards and communicates by suitable con-
nections 6 with the valve chests C³ of the several pumping chambers D³. These
pumping chambers are each provided with a float d adapted by its varying height
in the chamber as it rises or falls with the different depth of the water therein to
automatically regulate the delivery and exhaust valves c, c. Both said valves are
secured by their independent stemns to a common valve rod de, upon which said float
has sliding vertical movement to a certain extent. Stops d', ds, are formed at
suitable points upon said valve rod above and below the float; these stops are
adapted by their position to cause the float to strike against them respectively when
the pumping chamber is practically filled and emptied of water; hence when the
chamber is sufficiently filled with water, the float being raised by the latter will
engage with upper stop d', which will cause the valve rod to move upwards, and to
open delivery valve and close exhaust valve c. The section valve E³ of the
respective pumping chambers being closed, the water is caused by the pressure of
the expanding gas upon the surface of the same to be forced up through its discharge
pipe T and out from said chamber. After the latter is practically emptied the fall
of the water causes the float to engage with the lower stop d³, and the valve rod
operates to close delivery valve c³, and therewith to open exhaust valve co. The gas
enters through exhaust G³ into the main draught pipe H³, which latter passes up
through a suitable draught opening or conduit J³, and conducts the gas into a
condenser K³, from whence it is passed into a receiver, and remains therein in the
form of liquid subject to the call of the boiler; a force pump L³, operated by the
current of drained water or in any other way, converts the gas after it leaves the
condenser into such liquid form, and the process of liquifying is preferably carried
on within the receiver M³. A feed pipe N³ provides interior connection between
the receiver and and the boiler, and a feed valve controls such connections. Instead
of the valve being located in the boiler, it may be placed in the receiver, or at any
point intermediate between the two. In any instance however said valve is pro--
vided with a valve rod p³ of corresponding length, so that it may extend from the
valve seat, wherever formed, down into the boiler, said rod being provided with a
float p, which is acted upon by the varying quantity of liquified gas in the boiler,
whereby the valve is opened when the liquified gas is consumed below a certain
level, and is correspondingly closed as long as the same above such level. This feed
valve may be conical, slide, or of other appropriate construction; if it is made conical
the
upper and lower faces thereof are accurately made of such respective areas that the
pressure from above and below the valve may be nearly balanced in their action upon
the latter, so that any tendency of movement imparted to it by the float may sensibly
effect it. The receiver is provided with a safety valve Q3 and pipe connection Q
with the condenser....If desired this receiver, discharging pipe, or any other parts

page_text: of the apparatus may be felted over, or encased with any non conductor of heat.
The boiler is also provided with a suitable safety valve a³ and pipe connection a
with the condenser. Both of these safety valves may be of any description, and
are internal or covered up. By means of the same the surplus gas may be directed
into the condenser respectively from the boiler and receiver. That which proceeds
from the boiler passes through the draught pipe Hs, and thus serves the function of
cooling the air in the draught opening J³ during its course to said condenser. The
boiler is also connected with the condenser by means of a pipe R³ which is provided
with a suitable valve 5 at any point of its length. The object and function of this
pipe is to utilize the expansional power of the gas for cooling or draught purposes
when the pumps are not working or are working at a rate of speed less than of
their usual capacity. This pipe is also preferably connected with the main draught
pipe H³ so as to avoid the necessity of a separate pipe in passing said gas up
through the draught opening. In this connection we would observe that the several
exhaust pipes leading from their respective pumping chambers may be connected or
disconnected, and instead of each of the same communicating with the main draught
pipe any or all of them may communicate with each other or with independent
pipes leading to the condenser. Returning to the process of pumping, the operation
is repeated by which the expanding gas from the boiler is introduced into the
respective pumping chambers, and since the exhaust, together with the suction valve
of the said chambers are closed, the pressure of the gas forces the water out through
the discharge pipe. In the accompanying Drawings the discharge pipe of each of
the lower pumping chambers empties into the chamber next above, while the last
chamber discharges the water finally from the shaft. Hence the suction valves of
all but the lowest chamber control the upper openings of the several discharge pipes
which empty into their respective chambers and only the suction valve of the lowest
chamber communicates directly with the water in the bottom of the shaft. If
however such a vertical series of pumping chambers be unnecessary or not used,
then it is apparent that the gas-delivery and water discharge apparatus or con-
nections would be accordingly changed to adapt the Invention to but a single
pumping chamber, or to two or more chambers as the case may be. While we have
shewn the several valves operating in connection with the pumping chambers as
conical, we desire it to be understood that we may substitute for any or all of the
same other forms of valve adapted to accomplish the end in view, and instead of
moving the valves by means of the floats and valve rods provided with float
engaging stops herein set forth, we may substitute any other suitable mechanism
adapted to be operated from the interior or exterior of the pumping chamber. In
any instance in which the pressure of the expanding gas cannot readily be imparted
to the water or any other substance which is to be pumped by direct and simple
contact, as is the case with gases which are absorbed by the same, we use a liquid
piston. This liquid piston may be of any suitable liquid or mixture of liquids placed
between the substance to be pumped and the gas or vapor, and has no reciprocal
chemical action either with the latter or with the gas which is used as the motive
fluid. For instance, if water is being pumped, and ammoniacal gas is the motive
fluid used, then the liquid piston may be petroleum, since neither water nor said gas
has any reciprocal action with petroleum. The thickness of this piston may vary
from a very thin film which covers all the transverse section of the pumping
chamber, up to any desired degree of depth. Suitable precaution should be exercised
that this liquid piston does not reach the opening of the discharge pipe, or that of,
the valve chest, so as to escape from the chamber. In case of using the floats
previously described, the stops on the valve rod may be placed at the points thereon
adapted to cause the mechanism in the valve chest to operate so as to prevent such
escape. The three upper pumping chambers in the Drawings are represented as
being provided with liquid pistons, lettered be. Instead of keeping the gas which is
used as a motor in a liquid state previous to passing it into the boiler the same may
be kept in an aqueous or other liquid solution. In using gases thus beld in
suitable solutions, instead of being liquified, the well known property of certain
.

page_text: gases, such as the chloride of methyle, the ammoniacal gas, and others of analagous
nature to dissolve in large quantities in alcohol, water, glycerine, or other liquids
is taken advantage of. As soon as the temperature of any of these solutions is
raised the gases readily disengage themselves, and are employed as active agents,
the same is the case with the expanding gas produced from a liquified instead
of a dissolved gas. If the same liquid which formerly held the gas in solution is
again cooled it may be used over again continuously to re-absorb the exhaust gas.
To accomplish this the liquid may or may not be passed through a worn surrounded
by cold water, and the exhaust gas which was formerly disengaged from it or any
other equal volume of gas be introduced therein under suitable conditions. One
feature in the use of dissolved gas needs explanation, as provision must be made
whereby the solvent liquid which remains in the boiler after the gas is expended
from the latter may be emptied therefrom in order to permit of a recharging of the
boiler with a new solution. Since this solvent liquid is of a greater density than
the solution, it collects at the bottom of the boiler, whence it will be forced by the
internal pressure of said boiler to the condenser. Should it however be the case
that the specific gravity of the solvent should be such as to render it impossible to
thus automatically force the same entirely up to said condenser, then suitable
mechanism can be employed to force the solvent from such point as it is carried by
the boiler pressure up through the remaining distance into said condenser. As
before intimated the condenser will in such cases act as an absorber, and it may be
desirable at times in order to quicken the process of absorption to employ refri-
gerating apparatus, through which the solvent liquid passes before entering said
condenser or absorber. The pumping chambers thus far described are on the
principle of single acting pumps, but if desired other forms of pump action may be
substituted for the same. Thus in Fig. 17 a modification is shown of a chamber in
detail, which operates as a continuously acting pump; any number of such
chambers might be employed in a vertical series. Twin pumping chambers S³, S4,
are provided with suction valves S5, S6, which control openings of branches of a
single suction pipe T³. They are also respectively provided with discharge valves
n5, 6, controlling communication with branches of a common discharge pipe U³.
If a series of these chambers are used this discharge pipe will constitute the suction
pipe for the chamber next above. The valve chest W³ has a gas-way communicating
with the boiler, and an exhaust way communicating with the condenser. Each of
these ways are provided with openings into both of the twin chambers, the same
being independent of one another, and provided with a valve mechanism adapted
to cause one of said chambers to be in active communication with the boiler, while
simultaneously therewith the other twin chamber is in active communication with
the condenser. Hence it is apparent that one of the chambers will be more or less
empty of water and not in active operation. As this relative condition of operation
will obtain in continuous alternate succession with the twin chambers a constant
stream of water will flow through the suction and discharge pipes, instead of an
intermittent flow, as was first described with the pumping chamber working on
the principle of a single acting pump. The valves illustrated as operating in this
modification are arranged as two pairs of conical form, each pair being rigidly con-
nected to a common stem, and both said stems rigidly connected with a valve rod,
which latter is provided with a float, and is adapted to operate the valve mechanism
in the same manner as the valve rod in the single acting pumping chambers here-
tofore described operate its valve mechanism. Claims.-1. A process of pumping,
consisting in expanding a suitable gas or vapor, passing it under due regulation
into a pumping chamber, exhausting the same, and finally condensing it pre-
paratory to being subjected to a similar repeated process, substantially as set forth.
2. A process for cooling and ventilation for mines and subterranean shafts,
consisting in expanding a suitable gas or vapor to a due degree of tension
within said shaft or mine, and then passing the same out therefrom under
confinement through a draught opening or conduit, substantially as set forth.
3. A continued process of pumping and cooling (consisting in raising a suitable gas

page_text: or vapor to a due degree of tension, introducing the same into a pumping chamber,
exhausting the gas, and passing said exhaust gas under confinement through a
draught opening previous to condensing it, substantially as set forth. 4. A process
of pumping consisting in subjecting a liquid piston within a pumping chamber to
the pressure of an expansional gas or vapor, which latter is introduced into said
pumping chamber under due regulation, substantially as set forth. 5. In a system
of pumping by means of the expansional power of certain gases or vapors, the com-
bination with a gas vessel or boiler, intermediate connection, and suitable valve
mechanism of a pumping chamber which is adapted to be operated by a liquid
piston, substantially as set forth. 6. In an apparatus for pumping by means of the
expansional power of certain gases or vapors, the combination with a suitable vessel
or boiler in which the latter are heated, of one or more pumping chambers, together
with intermediate connections and valve mechanism, substantially as set forth.
7. In apparatus for pumping by means of the expansional power of certain gases
or vapors, the combination with a suitable gas vessel or boiler and one or more
pumping chambers connected therewith under valve controlling communication,
of a condenser and exhaust pipe connection leading from said chamber or
chambers thereto, substantially as set forth. 8. In apparatus for pumping by
means of the expansional power of certain gases or vapors, the combination with
a gas vessel or boiler, one or more pumping chambers, a condenser, and suitable
intermediate connections of mechanism adapted to liquify the gas, substantially
as set forth. 9. In apparatus for pumping by means of the expansional power
of certain gases or vapors, the combination with a gas vessel or boiler, one or
more pumping chambers, a condenser, and intermediate connection of a force
pump and a receiver adapted to liquify the gas and store the same in said
liquid condition, substantially as set forth. 10. In apparatus for pumping by
means of the expansional power of certain gases or vapors, the combination
with a suitable gas vessel or boiler located within a mine or subterranean
shaft of a condenser located above the same, and pipe connection controlled by
valve mechanism between the same, said pipe connection being placed within a
draught opening or conduit, substantially as set forth. 11. In apparatus for
pumping by means of the expansional power of certain gases, or vapors, the com-
bination with a gas boiler, one or more pumping chambers, a condenser and
intermediate connections, of a receiver and pipe connection between the same and
the gas boiler, said pipe being provided with suitable valve mechanism, substantially
as set forth. 12. In apparatus for pumping by means of the expansional power of
certain gases or vapors, the combination with a gas boiler located within a mine or
subterranean shaft, of a receiver in which the gas after being once used is stored in
the form of a liquid or a solution preparatory to being again used, together with a
pipe connecting said boiler and receiver, and which is provided with a valve adapted
to be moved by valve-rod and float mechanism operating within said boiler, sub-
stantially as set forth. 13. In apparatus for pumping by means of the expansional
power of certain gases or vapors the combination with a gas boiler located within a
mine or subterranean shaft and a condenser located above the same, of pipe connec-
tion between the two, and suitable safety valve mechanism, said pipe communicating
with the top or upper body of the boiler, substantially as set forth. 14. In appa-
ratus for pumping by means of the expansional power of certain gases or vapors, the
combination with a gas boiler located within a mine or subterranean shaft, and a
condenser or absorber located above the same, of a pipe connection and suitable
valve mechanism between the two said pipes communicating with the bottom or
lower body of the boiler, substantially as set forth. 15. In apparatus for pumping
by means of the expansional power of certain gases or vapors the combination with
a gas boiler, one or more pumping chambers, and intermediate connections of
suitable valve chests and vàlve mechanism, the latter being adapted to feed and
exhaust gas in alternate succession respectively into and from said chamber or
chambers, substantially as set forth. 16. In apparatus for pumping by means of
the expansional power of certain gases, the combination with a gas boiler, a pumping

page_text: chamber, and intermediate connection, of gas inlet and gas exhaust valves, said
valves being adapted to be closed and opened in alternate succession, substantially
as set forth. 17. In apparatus for pumping by means of the expansional power of
certain gases, the combination with a gas boiler, intermediate connection, and a
pumping chamber formed with gas inlet and exhaust ports governed by suitable
valve mechanism, of respective water-feed and discharge pipes, substantially as set
forth. 18. In apparatus for pumping by means of the expansional power of certain
gases the combination with a gas boiler, intermediate connection, and a pumping
chamber, of respective gas inlet and gas exhaust valves, a valve rod to which the
stems of said valves are secured, and a float adapted to close or open the latter,
substantially as set forth. 19. In apparatus for pumping by means of the expan-
sional power of certain gases, the combination with a pumping chamber provided
with suitable water-feed and water-discharge mechanism, of gas inlet and exhaust
valves, whose stems are secured to a common valve rod, said rod being formed with
stops located at suitable points thereon, with which the float is adapted to engage,
and thereby respectively close and open said valves, substantially as set forth.
20. In apparatus for pumping by means of the expansional power of certain gases
the combination with one or more pumping chambers and gas exhaust pipes of a
draught pipe or pipes connecting the same with suitable condensing mechanism,
said draught pipe or pipes being located within a draught opening leading from
the surface ground down within a mine or subterranean shaft, substantially as set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
this Tifteenth day of September A.D. 1879.