Improvement in Water Works Systems.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Water Works Systems.
I, PATRICK JOSEPII MORAN, Mechanic, 73 Mudison Street, Memphis, Shelby
County, State of Tennessee, United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates in general to an improved water works system and more
particularly to such a system where water from a number of wells is piped to a
central or pumping well from which the pumping engines deliver it to the city
reservoir mains &c.
In artesian water works system it is necessary to collect the water from a
number of deep wells, into one main or pumping well, comparatively shallow
and of large diameter, the bottom of which extends some distance below the
lowest water level of the different wells. In accomplishing this purpose it has
heretofore been the custom to connect this pumping well by means of under-
ground tunnels, with the several deep wells. These tunnels commonly lead into
one main tunnel, connected with the pumping well at or near the level of the
bottom of the same. This system is unsatisfactory because of the large first cost
of the tunnels, and the necessity of the repairs which, owing to the location of the
tunnel, are made with extreme difficulty and at excessive cost. The wells too,
often become fouled with sand and must then be disconnected from the tunnel
for cleaning. To accomplish this a ball of slightly less diameter than the well,
is lowered until it comes even with the mouth of the tunnel, when the flow of
water carries the ball against a seat in the said mouth of the tunnel, and effectually
stops the inflow of the water, allowing the necessary work on the well to be
done without injury to the general water supply. In removing this ball to put
the well again in use it is necessary to fish for the eye in the ball by which
same was lowered into place. This becomes quite a difficult problem where the
tunnel is 75 or 100 feet below the surface of the ground and is often the cause of
much worry and delay.
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It is the object of my invention, in all systems where the water level approaches
within 25 feet more or less surface to provide means of connecting these wells
whereby the expensive underground tunnels and connections can be dispensed with
and a surface system established with easy access to all connections and to the
wells themselves, and in systems in which the distance below the surface is
greater, to furnish means whereby the extreme depth of tunnel is avoided and
a system requiring much less depth of excavation is substituted,
I accomplish this object by the combination with a pumping well and one or
more deep water wells, of suitable siphons, with means of starting, controlling,
and stopping the flow of water in same, and with means of disconnecting the
wells for cleaning and the like.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a plan view, showing siphons from a plurality of water wells
leading into the pumping well.

page_text: Referring to the drawings in which the same numerals relate to the same parts
in both views 1 represents a pumping engine supported in the pumping well 2;
3 is the inflow pipe; 4 the discharge pipe; 6 and 7 are the steam and exhaust
pipes respectively.
15 is the surface end of an artesian well with its water level 23, only a short
distance below the surface of the ground. The top of this well is closed by a
plug 16 which is capable of being removed when it is desired to clean the well.
Extending from the well 15 at or near the surface of the ground but preferably
enough below the surface to give protection from frost, to a point in the well 2,
just above the water level 5, in a pipe 8 forming a siphon. This siphon is pro-
vided with valves, 14, near its connection with the well 15, and 13, near its lowest
end in the pumping well 2, as before stated, just above the water level 5. of said
pumping well.
11 is a pipe, leading from a pump or reservoir, for filling the siphon 8, when
it is desired to put the same in use.
12 is a pipe and valve to permit the escape-
ment of air while filling the siphon.
In case it should be desired the pipe 11 may be dispensed with altogether and
air exhausted through the pipe 12 until the siphon
full of water.
9, 10, 17, 18, etc are siphons leading from wells similar to 15 and like the
siphon 8, lead into the pumping well 2 and are operated in similar manner.
To put a well as 15 in operation the valve 13 is closed the valve 14 and air
escape 12 are opened, and the siphon filled through the pipe 11.
This having been accomplished the air escape 12 and the pipe 11 are closed and
the valve 13 opened allowing the siphon to act and discharge water from the
well 15 into the pumping well 2. To disconnect the well for cleaning the air
escape 12 is opened, the admission of air opening the siphon allowing the pipes
to drain themselves, and the water in the well to sink to its level 23. The valve 14
may be brought into use and the water in the siphon held in case it should be
so desired. It is also evident that except for the use above mentioned, this valve
may be omitted as it is not absolutely essential to the working of the system.
The positions of the pipe 11 and the air escape pipe 12 may be varied as desired,
and one or both may be put directly over the deep well if so desired. 24 is a sand.
pit at the bottom of the pumping well.
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:-
First In an artesian well system, the combination with a pumping well,
suitable pumping engines, and an artesian well having its water level near the
surface of the ground, of a siphon substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
Second In an artesian water system, the combination with a pumping well,
suitable pumping machinery, and a plurality of adjacent artesian wells having
their water levels near the surface of the ground, of a plurality of siphons sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Third In an artesian well system, the combination with a pumping well,
suitable pumping machinery, a plurality of artesian wells having their water
levels near the surface of the ground, and siphons for each, of means of filling
the siphons to put same in use and of opening same to throw them out of use
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth In an artesian well system the combination with a pumping_well,
suitable pumping machinery, adjacent artesian wells having their water levels
near the surface of the ground, and siphons for each, of water pipes leading from
a source of supply to fill the siphons, air escape valves to permit the filling, and
valves to close the lower ends of the siphons substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
Fifth-In an artesian well system, the combination with a pumping well,

page_text: suitable pumping machinery, adjacent artesian wells, having their water levels
near the surface of the ground, siphons for each, and means of disconnecting the
siphons, of means of opening and closing the top of the wells substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Sixth In an artesian well system, the combination with a pumping well,
suitable pumping machinery, adjacent artesian wells, having their water levels
near the surface of the ground, means of opening and closing the wells, and
siphons for each, of means of exhausting the air from the siphons to fill and
start same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Seventh-In an artesian well system, the combination with a pumping well,
suitable pumping machinery, adjacent artesian wells, caps to close the wells,
siphons leading from each well to the pumping well, of valves for closing the
lower end of the siphons, and pipes leading to an exhaust pump for exhausting
the air and filling the siphon, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 26th day of September 1899.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.