IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUMPS AND ENGINES, AND IN MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION OF POWER THEREBY, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY BLOWERS AND VENTILATORS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUMPS AND ENGINES, AND
IN MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION OF POWER THEREBY, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY
BLOWERS AND VENTILATORS.”—A communication from abroad by John
Harris. of Montreal, Canada. Gentleman.
Sealed the 6th December 1872, and dated the 13th June 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 18th June 1872.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUMPS AND
ENGINES, AND IN MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION OF POWER THEREBY,
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY
BLOWERS AND VENTILATORS," a communication, to be as follows:-
This Invention may be considered as divided into two parts, one being
the application to the purposes for which a pump is employed, and the
other the application to the uses to which an engine may be applied.

page_text: It consists principally in the manner in which the water is controlled
and acted upon, and conducted to and from the machine, so as in the
first case to apply the mechanical force of the machine most effectively
to the water, and in the other to abstract the momentum and mechanical
force from the water by the machine in both cases, allowing the water
to flow continuously in the same direction throughout the operation, so
as neither to unnecessarily obstruct nor impede the water in receiving
or imparting the full mechanical effect.
In ordinary rotary pumps and in turbine wheels the water is brought
to the machine at right angles to the direction in which it is thereby
compelled to flow; consequently the continuous motion and momentum
of the water are destroyed, and a loss of mechanical effect occasioned;
and where the water is supplied at or from near the centre, and dis-
charged from the circumference as in the ordinary centrifugal pump,
the quantity and velocity of the water being greater near the circum-
ference than near the centre, the supply is necessarily inadequate, and
the due discharge of the water is thereby impeded and lessened. In this
Invention, however, the water is in both cases brought to and discharged
from the machine tangentially to the direction in which it flows or is
compelled to flow, and the supply is effected at a distance from the centre
almost as great as the distance at which the discharge takes place.
"
This result is accomplished by so shaping the circular casing as to
form therein two chambers or passages, one of them at the periphery of
the casing, being precisely similar to the chamber or passage into which
the water is discharged in the rotary pump known as Gwynne's cen-
trifugal pump." Shallow at the beginning, the chamber continually.
increases in depth until arriving at that part of the circumference from
which it started its arca becomes equal to or greater than the area of
the pipe which enters it at that point, and of which it forms a con-
tinuation. The inner side of this chamber or passage being circular the
outer side forms the curve known as a spiral or helix. The second or
inner chamber or passage is formed in the casing near the outer one and
between it and the centre of the circle. It may conveniently be divided
into two chambers, one of them being formed on each side of the casing.
This inner chamber, whether single or double, is shaped in a similar manner
to the outer chamber, one side being circular, and the other side forming
a spiral curve; but the curve of this inner chamber is made to run in the
opposite direction to that of the outer chamber, and the area of this

page_text: inner chamber continually increases until it is at least equal to the area
of the pipe in which it terminates and of which it is a continuation.
The said Invention is also applicable, by the substitution of air in
place of water, for the purpose of a rotary air blower and rotary venti-
lator, and for a compressed air engine, for which purposes it possesses
the same advantages over the machines now in use for such purposes as
already stated in the case of water. I also make use of the said Invention
for the purpose of transmitting motion and mechanical power through
the medium of water, by connecting the said improved water engine by
metallic pipes or flexible hose at any convenient distance with this pump
(or any other suitable pump), so as to take the water supplying the said
water engine or engines from the discharge of the pump, and return the
same water from the engine to the suction of the pump. By this means
the mechanical force imparted to the water by the pump is abstracted,
and the same water is continuously utilized to convey the mechanical
force and apply the same advantageously to perform the required work
at any convenient distance from the pump.
Motion is imparted to the main shaft of the pump by a belt and
pulley, or in any other ordinary or convenient manner; the said shaft
rotates a drum firmly secured to it. To this drum are attached blades
or vanes. Six of these vanes may be advantageously used, but I do not
limit myself to this number. A perforation or opening is made in each
These perforations are not, however, absolutely necessary, and
in some cases they may be omitted.
vane.
The said vanes are enclosed laterally by what is technically termed a
"sheath," of which one side is formed by the periphery of the drum or
wheel. The said sheath is open at the top, thereby communicating with
the outer chamber, and is also open at the inner part of the sides, thereby
communicating with the inner chambers, which are connected with two
branch pipes, having at that point the greatest area, and gradually con-
tracting therefrom around the circle to a form resembling as nearly as
possible the sheath and enclosed vane.
The said outer chamber is arranged in the same manner but inversely;
it starts from one point on the circumference of the machine at but a
little distance from the outer edge of the vanes, and gradually increases
that distance as it passes round till it becomes the full size of the pipe.

page_text: The whole casing is preferably made in two parts, flanged and secured
together in any ordinay way.
A stop formed of any suitable metal is secured to the drum, so as to
give a rubbing joint against the casing (or vice versa) to prevent the
overflow of the water from the inner chamber or passages into the space
between the drum and the casing, and a stop of like nature is secured to
the sheath to give a rubbing joint against the casing (or vice versa) to
keep the water from passing out of the inner chambers into the outer
chamber without passing through the sheath and between the vanes.
The vanes, sheath, and outer and inner chambers, in some cases arc
so modified that no stops are needed, the casing between the two inner
chambers and the outer chamber following the shape of the sheath so
closely as to form a rubbing joint. In this case the sides of the inner
chambers are formed in the side of the casing and not by an extension of
the periphery of the casing.
I sometimes make the inner chamber single. In this modification the
places of the inner and outer chambers are reversed, but otherwise the
general arrangement of the parts is the same.
When this part of the said Invention is used as a pump, the rising
main or discharge pipe is connected with the outer chamber, and the
suction or supply pipe being divided into two branch pipes at any short
distance from the pump, is connected to the two inner chambers. When
used as a water engine on the contrary, the supply pipe is preferably
connected to the outer chamber, and the eduction or discharge pipe to
the two inner chambers. In this latter case, however, this arrangement
may
be reversed, and the engine will still be effective.
In another modification of this Invention, as applied for the purpose
of a water engine in the form of a water wheel, I use a trough, sup-
ported in any convenient manner. The inner side of the trough is
formed by the inlet or supply pipe, which is brought in from above,
entering the trough at its full diameter, and forming its side on the
inner circumference, gradually diminishes until having passed round
the whole of the inner circumference, it comes into very close proximity
with the water wheel. In like manner, but inversely, the discharge
pipe, forming the outer side of the trough starting close to the water
wheel, gradually increases in area, till at the point of exit it is of its full
section. The said discharge pipe may be carried down with a bend or

page_text: may be simply a centrifugal discharge, the former being perhaps the most
desirable. The water-wheel is preferably rectangular in section with
"buckets" formed in it. The number of these buckets and their area
will be adjusted with reference to the area of the supply pipe. To the top
of the said wheel are attached standards fitting into and secured to eyes
at the ends of radial arms projecting from a collar on the main shaft,
the lower end of which is stepped into a support in any suitable manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th December 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent bearing date the Thirteenth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special
licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,
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." Iμ-
PROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUMPS AND ENGINES, AND IN MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE
TRANSMISSION OF POWER THEREBY, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE
TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY BLOWERS AND VENTILATORS," a communication
to me from abroad by John Harris, of Montreal, Canada, Gentleman, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Robert Lake, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, 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

page_text: Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the 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 forming a part of this Specification:-
This Invention may be considered as divided into two parts, one being
the application to the purposes for which a pump is employed, and the
other the application to the uses to which an engine may be applied.
It consists principally in the manner in which the water is controlled
and acted upon, and conducted to and from the machine, so as in the
first case to apply the mechanical force of the machine most effectively
to the water, and in the other to abstract the momentum and mechanical
force from the water by the machine, in both cases allowing the water
to flow continuously in the same direction throughout the operation, so
as neither to unnecessarily obstruct or impede the water in receiving or
imparting the full mechanical effect.
In ordinary rotary pumps and in turbine wheels the water is brought
to the machine at right angles to the direction in which it is thereby
compelled to flow, consequently the continuous motion and momentum
of the water are destroyed, and a loss of mechanical effect occasioned,
and where the water is supplied at or from near the centre and discharged
from the circumference as in the ordinary centrifugal pump, the quantity
and velocity of the water being greater near the circumference than near
the centre, the supply is necessarily inadequate and the due discharge of
the water is thereby impeded and lessened. In this Invention however
the water is in both cases brought to and discharged from the machine
tangentially to the direction in which it flows or is compelled to flow,
and the supply is effected at a distance from the centre almost as great
as the distance at which the discharge takes place.
This result is accomplished by so shaping the circular casing as to
form therein two chambers or passages, one of them at the periphery of
the casing being precisely similar to the chamber or passage into which
the water is discharged in the rotary pump known as "Gwynne's centri-
fugal pump," shallow at the beginning of the chamber and continually

page_text: increasing in depth until arriving at that part of the circumference from
which it started, its area becomes equal to or greater than the area of the
pipe which enters it at that point and of which it forms a continuation.
The inner side of this chamber or passage being circular, the outer side
forms the curve known as a spiral or helix. The second or inner
chamber or passage is formed in the casing near the outer one and
between it and the centre of the circle; it may conveniently be divided
into two chambers, one of them being formed on each side of the casing.
This inner chamber whether single or double is shaped in a similar
manner to the outer chamber, one side being circular and the other side
forming a spiral curve, but the curve of this inner chamber is made to
run in the opposite direction to that of the outer chamber, and the area of
this inner chamber continually increases until it is at least equal to the
area of the pipe in which it terminates and of which it is a continuation.
The said Invention is also applicable by the substitution of air in
place of water for the purpose of a rotary air blower and rotary
ventilator, and for a compressed air engine, for which purposes it possesses
the same advantages over the machines now in use for such purposes
as already stated in the case of water. I also make use of the said
Invention for the purpose of transmitting motion and mechanical power
through the medium of water by connecting the said improved water
engine by metallic pipes or flexible hose at any convenient distance with
this pump (or any other suitable pump), so as to take the water supplying
the said water engine or engines from the discharge of the pump and
return the same water from the engine to the suction of the pump; by
this means the mechanical force imparted to the water by the pump is
abstracted and the same water is continuously utilized to convey the
mechanical force and apply the same advantageously to perform the
required work at any convenient distance from the pump.

page_text: Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
a is the main shaft, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, to which
motion is imparted by a belt and pulley or in any other ordinary or
convenient manner, and which rotates a drum 6 firmly secured to it.
This drum may either be constructed as shown in the Drawings, or
formed by two sets of radial arms projecting from a collar formed on the
shaft a, and having a periphery formed between them preferably of the
shape shown in Figures 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10. To this drum or double
whcel bare attached blades or vanes c horizontally in the section shown
in Figures 7 and 8, and vertically as in Figure 1. (It will be remembered
that the pump is regarded as being placed vertically.) Six of these vanes
are shown in Figure 1, attached to the drum b, but I do not limit myself
to this number, as any number found most effective may be used. c¹ is
a perforation or opening in each vane, situated as shown and arranged,
so as to leave enough space on either side to attach it securely to the
drum. These perforations are not however absolutely necessary, and in
some cases may be omitted.
The vanes c are enclosed laterally by what is technically termed a
"sheath" marked d, of which one side is formed by the periphery of the
drum or wheel b. The sheath d is open at the top, thereby communicating
with the outer chamber g, and is also open at the inner part of the sides,
as shown at d³, thereby communicating with the inner chambers e, e; the
latter are preferably of the section shown in Figure 4, and connect with

page_text: the two branch pipes, as shown in Figure 2, having at that point the
greatest area, and they gradually contract therefrom around the circle,
as shown, through the various stages in Figures 5, 3, and 6, to the
form shown by the dotted lines in Figure 5, in which the outer side
approaches as nearly as possible to the sheath d and enclosed vane c.
g
The outer chamber is arranged in the same manner, but inversely; it
starts from one point on the circumference of the machine at but a little
distance from the outer edge of the vanes c, as shown in Figures 1 and 5,
and gradually increases that distance as it passes round till it becomes
the full size of the pipe, and connects with it where shown in Figure 1.
The whole casing will be preferably made in two parts, flanged and
secured together in any ordinary way. h is a stop formed of any suitable
metal secured to the drum so as to give a rubbing joint against the
casing (or vice versa) to prevent the overflow of the water from the inner
chambers or passages e. The space between the drum band the casing f, i,
is a stop of like nature, secured to the sheath d, to form a rubbing joint
against the casing (or vice versa) to keep the water from passing out of
the inner chambers e into the outer chamber g, without passing through
the sheath d, and between the vanes c.
In Figure 10 is shown a form of vancs, sheath, and outer and inner
chambers, which in many cases will be preferable to that shown in
Figures 5 and 6; the dotted lines show the inner chambers e and outer
chamber g at their least area, while the strong lines show them at the
point where they are largest.
It will be seen that in this modification no stops are needed, the
casing between the two inner chambers e and the outer chamber g
following the shape of the sheath so closely as to form a rubbing joint.
In this case the sides of the inner chambers shaped to the spiral curve
are formed in the side of the casing, and not by an extension of the
periphery of the casing as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Figure 9 shows an arrangement with the inner chamber e single; in
this modification the places of the inner and outer chambers are reversed
but otherwise the general arrangement of the parts is the same, tho
strong lines showing the greatest, and the dotted lines the least area
of each.
When this part of my Invention is used as a pump, the rising main
or discharge pipe is connected with the outer chamber, and the suction

page_text: or supply pipe being divided into two branch pipes at any short distance
from the pump is connected to the two inner chambers. When used as
a water engine, on the contrary, the supply is preferably connected
to the outer chamber, and the eduction or discharge pipe to the two
inner chambers. In the latter case, however, this arrangement may be
reversed, and the engine will still be effective.
The particular form given to the outer and inner chambers or passages
I consider to be the best and most effective, but I do not confine myself
to that precise form or shape, since it is obvious that the form of those
passages might be made to deviate therefrom and approach to a circular
shape, or the reverse (as for instance, the helix might extend partially
instead of entirely round the whole circumference, or I may avoid the
spiral shape altogether, and arrange stops so as to guide the water),
without destroying the utility of the novel arrangement of which they
constitute an important part.
The operation of this Invention as a pump will not differ in manner
from the usual rotary pumps, the gain being in increased efficiency. The
water will be drawn through the inner chambers e, and entering between
the vanes c through the lateral openings d¹ in the sheath & will pass
through the outer chamber g and discharge pipe to any point required.
When used as an engine, the water entering the sheath from the outer
chamber g will act on the vanes c, and flow out through the inner
chambers c.
A modification of my Invention, as applied for the purpose of a water
engine in the form of a water wheel, is shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13,
in which shows a trough supported in any convenient manner, as on
piers, framing, or the like. The inner side of the trough is formed by
the inlet or supply pipe ɩ, which is brought in from above, entering the
trough at its full diameter, and forming its side on the inner circum-
ference it gradually diminishes, until having passed round the whole of the
inner circumference it comes into very close proximity to the water wheel.
In like manner, but inversely, the discharge pipe m forming the outer
side of the trough &, starting close to the water wheel gradually increases
in area till at the point of exit it is of its full section, as shown in
Figure 13. The pipe m may be carried down with a bend, as shown, or
be simply a centrifugal discharge, the former being perhaps the most
desirable. The water wheel n is preferably rectangular in section with

page_text: "
" buckets o formed in it of the shape shown; but it must be clearly
understood that I do not confine myself to this particular form of bucket,
as the same may require to be modified under some circumstances. The
number of these buckets and their area will be adjusted with reference to
the area of the supply pipe. To the top of the said wheel n are attached
standards p fitting into and secured to eyes q at the ends of radial arms r
projecting from a collars on the shaft a, the lower end of which is
stepped into a support in any suitable manner.
The operation of this wheel is very simple: the water led through the
supply pipe tangentially to the wheel enters the buckets o in the
direction shown by the arrows, passing through them and out into the
discharge pipe m in a straight line at right angles to the direction of
motion of the wheel thus rotating, and by means of the standards p and
arms » imparting motion to the shaft a.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. The drum or wheel b, sheath & with apertures d³, and vancs c,
in combination with casing, inner chamber or chambers e, and outer
chamber g, and with shaft a, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
Second. The combination of the periphery of the drum band sheath d,
forming a chamber, substantially as set forth.
Third. The inner chamber or chambers e in combination with the
casing, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fourth. The combination of the casing f, inner chamber or chambers e,
and outer chamber g, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fifth. The sheath d in combination with the inner chamber or
chambers e, and outer chamber g, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
Sixth. The sheath & in combination with the drum b, and enclosing
alternate closed spaces and channels between the inner chambers e
and outer chamber g.
Seventh. The wheel n with buckets o in combination with the trough k,

page_text: standards p, radial arms r, and' shaft a, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Eighth. The trough k, with inner or supply pipe 1, and outer or
discharge pipe m, substantially as set forth.
Ninth. The novel combination of the rotary pump and water engine
for the transmission of power, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two
Witness,
W. J. LowE.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)