IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS FOR RAISING OR FORCING LIQUIDS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles John Galloway and John Henry Beckwith, both
of Knott Mill Iron Works, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS FOR RAISING OR FORCING LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 1st February 1878 and dated the 6th December 1877
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles John Galloway and
John Henry Beckwith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patonts on the
6th December 1877.
CHARLES JOHN GALLOWAY and JOHN HENRY BECKWITH, both of Knott Mill Iron
Works, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS FOR
RAISING OR FORCING LIQUIDS."
In working pumps quickly the valves are often subject to objectionable blows,
owing to the fact that the liquid cannot follow the plunger or piston with sufficient
rapidity, whereby a vacuum is formed behind the plunger, which on the return
stroke consequently strikes the water with a sudden blow after having already
attained some speed.
According to our present Invention we obviate this defect by providing a closed
chamber communicating with the pump, barrel, or valve chamber of the pump, and
containing either a flexible diaphragm or a piston, the space on one side of which
communicates freely with the pump barrel, while the space on the other side com-
municates with the atmosphere by an opening in the chamber, by preference
provided with a check valve. Thus on the plunger or piston commencing its out-
stroke, any vacuum tending to form behind it will cause the diaphragm or piston
to be forced inwards by the atmospheric pressure entering behind it through the
check valve, thereby reducing the capacity of the pump to an extent corresponding
with the vacuum that would otherwise be formed. On the return stroke the
plunger will force back the diaphragm or piston compressing the air behind it,
the pressure of the latter increasing in proportion as the pressure in the pump
increases, so that the diaphragm or piston is subject to no strain.

page_text: Instead of providing the chamber with a check valve for confining the air
admitted in cases where a piston or plunger is employed, a spring may be used, so
arranged as to press the piston inwards on the outstroke of the pump plunger, and
to be compressed by the latter on the return stroke. The said chamber with
diaphragm, or piston, or plunger may also be utilised for charging the air vessel of
the pump with air when required. For this purpose it is provided with a second
opening behind the diaphragm or piston communicating by a pipe or passage with
the air vessel, and having a check valve opening outwards, so that when the
diaphragm is forced outwards by the return stroke of the pump plunger, the
confined air behind it after having been compressed to a certain extent will then be
forced through the said check valve into the air vessel, and a fresh supply of air
will enter the chamber on the return stroke of the pump through the first described
opening and check valve.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles John Galloway and John Henry Beckwith in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 5th June 1878.
CHARLES JOHN GALLOWAY and JOHN HENRY BECKWITH, both of Knott Mill Iron
Works, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS FOR
RAISING OR FORCING LIQUIDS."
In working pumps quickly the valves are often subject to objectionable blows,
owing to the fact that the liquid cannot follow the plunger or piston with suflicient
rapidity, whereby a vacuum is formed behind the plunger, which on the return
stroke consequently strikes the water with a sudden blow after having already
nttained some speed.
According to our present Invention we obviate this defect by providing a closed
chamber communicating with the pump barrel or valve chamber of the pump, and
containing either a flexible diaphragm or a piston, the space on one side of which
communicates freely with the pump barrel, while the space on the other sido
communicates with the atmosphere by an opening in the chamber, by preference
provided with a check valve. Thus on the plunger or piston commencing its out-
stroke, any vacuum tending to form behind it will cause the diaphragm or piston to
be forced inwards by the atmospheric pressure entering behind it through the check
valve, thereby reducing the capacity of the pump to an extent corresponding with
the vaccuum that would otherwise be formed. On the return stroke the plunger
will force back the diaphragm or piston compressing the air behind it, the pressure
of the latter increasing in proportion as the pressure in the pump increases, so that
the diaphragm or piston is subject to no strain.
Instead of providing the chamber with a check valve for confining the air
admitted in cases where a piston or plunger is employed, a spring may be used, so
arranged as to press the piston inwards on the outstroke of the pump plunger, and
to be compressed by the latter on the return stroke. The said chamber with
diaphragm, or piston, or plunger may also be utilised for charging the air vossol of

page_text: the pump with air when required. For this purpose it is provided with a second
opening behind the diaphragm or piston communicating by a pipe or passage with
the air vessel, and having a check valve opening outwards, so that when this
diaphragm is forced outwards by the return stroke of the pump plunger, the
confined air behind it after having been compressed to a certain extent will then
be forced through the said check valve into the air vessel, and a fresh supply of air
will enter the chamber on the return stroke of the pump through the first described
opening and check valve.
the pump wear when required. For this purpose it is provided with a second
opening behind the diaphragm or piston communicating by a pipe or passage with
the air vessel, and having a check valvo opening outwards, so that when this
diaphragm is forced outwards by the return stroke of the pump plunger, the
confined air behind it after having been compressed to a certain extent will then
be forced through the said check valve into the air vessel, and a fresh supply of air
will enter the chamber on the return stroke of the pump through the first described
opening and check valve.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
The accompanying Drawing represents a section of the end of a force pump with
a flexible diaphragm applied to it according to our Invention.
A is the plunger; B, the suction valve; and C, the delivery valve of the pump,
all of ordinary construction; D is the flexible diaphragm_covering the ond of the
pump, and having in front of it a perforated guard plate E to prevent it from being
bent inwards beyond its proper limit. Outside of the diaphragm is a cover F
enclosing an air chamber behind the diaphragm, to which there is a passage from
the outer air provided with a check valve G, and with a cock H, by which air can
be blown off from the chamber when required.
For the simple check valve G, a pair of valves acting as suction and delivery
valves as shewn at K may be substituted with a delivery pipe L communicating with
the air vessel of the pump at a higher level, so that when the pressure behind the
diaphragm exceeds that in the air vessel, air will be forced into the latter, a fresh
supply entering the chamber from the atmosphere by the suction valve when the
pressure in the chamber falls below the atmospheric pressure
Although we have shewn in the Drawing a flexible diaphragm as applied to a
pump in the manner and for the purpose stated, it may be readily understood that
a piston working in a short cylindrical cavity at the end of the pump might be
substituted for the diaphragm.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be formed, we claim,——
First. Applying to a forco pump a flexible diaphragm or piston with a chamber
behind it, either communicating with the atmospliere by a passage provided with a
check suction valve, or containing a spring, substantially as and for the purposes
hercin set forth.
Second. In combination with the apparatus referred to in the preceding claim
providing a delivery valve and pipe leading to the air vessel of the pump, sub-
stantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Beckwith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of June, in the year of our Lord Oue
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN HENRY RICK WITLE 101