Improvements in the Raising and Forcing of Water or other Liquids, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 6th May, 1890-Accepted, 19th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Raising and Forcing of Water or other
Liquids, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, JAMES LYLE, of 12, Newton Street, Puistey, Renfrewshire, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has reference to and comprises a new or improved mode of, and
means or arrangements and combinations of the parts of apparatus for the raising and
forcing of water or other liquids by pneumatic or air pressure, and motive mechanism
for producing said air pressure, and which have many improvements over the modes
and means heretofore employed, such as being able to raise the liquid and place the
liquid raising apparatus at a greater distance from the motive machinery, and in the
use of more simple and durable appliances both for the raising of the liquid, and
the motive mechanism employed, which may be actuated by various pressure
fluids.
The improvements consist as follows:-First, as regards the direct water-raising
and forcing apparatus, in the combination and use of two air-pressure and water-
raising working vessels, hereinafter termed the " working vessels," which may be of a
long cylindrical form, or of large diameter and shorter form, preferably cylindrical to
better withstand the pressure, either made of cast-iron or of sheet steel or iron; and
when of large diameter, having preferably curved or capped ends, with embossed
flauges for strength, and simplicity of being rivetted from the outside, or when made
of cast-iron both vessels may be cast together on one bed. The water would be
admitted and filled alternately to these working vessels through duplex spring or
float balanced valves of an improved construction, or they might be ordinary valves,
preferably in connection with one inlet chest and pipe below the level of the supply,
water, which would therefore run in when the pressure within the vessel above the
water was reduced to that of or below the pressure of the atmosphere without, all as
will hereinafter be explained. The water would alternately be forced out of each vessel,
as filled, while the other was filling,-through a pipe extending to near the bottom
of the vessel, so as nearly to empty it at each action. Each pipe would be fitted with
a similar construction of balanced discharge duplex check valve, both leading into one
discharge valve chest, up oue rising main leading from this common valve chest up to
where the water has to be raised, and preferably fitted with a sediment depression
or pocket between the valves, to which a small blow-off pipe and cork would be
fitted to carry off sand or any heavy deposits in the water, which might otherwise
lie about and injure the faces of the valves within this chest. The flanges of all these
inlet and discharge valve chests might in some cases be jointed and bolted to the
upper end of the vessels, which might in that case be flat, and be strengthened by
these flanges and chests, thus securing the two vessels portably to each other; and
both vessels might be bolted on one soleplate below, all as a portable and self-
contained liquid-forcing apparatus. Each of these working vessels would also be
fitted with a cylindrical domed chamber above, bolted by flanges to the upper flat end,
and opening into the vessel for a float to work up inio, when the vessel was filled.
According to one arrangement the upper domed end of each of these vessels closing
in over the float, would be fitted with a cylindrical inlet and outlet check valve seal,
with feathers and open valve faces bath on the lower and upper end, for guiding the
spindle of the float and working check valve fitted on the top of the valve seat within
a valve chest fitted over each of them, for admitting the pressure air to the upper
part of each working vessel alternately as the floats rose in these vessels. Each of
these check valve chests would be fitted with lateral inlet branches, and the air
pressure pipes leading from these made to cross each other at their opposite junction

page_text: ends, so as to join ports on opposite sides of a central exhaust port and face of slide
valve chest, which exhaust port would lead to the atmosphere or to any exhausting or
pressure-reducing chest or arrangement, preferably fitted with a regulating tap or
valve to regulate the velocity of the exhaust. The faces of the slide valve would cover
these inlet ports to close the admission of pressure air from this valve chest to the
said inlet check valve of both working vessels when in the centre of its action over
said ports.
When the slide valve is moved in one direction, as say towards the one
vessel, it would open the pressure air to the inlet check valve of this vessel, and open
the exhaust from the opposite vessel.
This slide valve would be worked by and in the centre of a working rod, and two
small pistons, one at each end, working into a corresponding bored cylinder in this
pressure-air slide valve chest jointed over the face plate of the said inlet and exhaust
port chamber.
Pressure air would be admitted by a pipe from any air-forcing
apparatus plared at any convenient distance from or near this liquid-forcing apparatus,
io a branch in the centre part of this slide valve chest, so that the pressure air would
act on the inner faces of both pistons to actuate the slide valve as hereinafter
described. These small cylinders would have screwed tight outer ends with buffers,
or the buffers might be on the outer ends of the pistons," which, by the screwed ends
or screws in them, would regulate the distances these pistons travel to open the slide
valve to either vessel equally. Each of these spaces at the close end of these cylinders
would be fitted with a small hand screw relief valve chest and ports, fitted with
branches leading by small tubes to couplings fitted over a small valve chest mounted
over each air pressure inlet check valve, the spindle of which small valve would be
raised to give this relief of pressure behind each piston to the exhaust port of the valve
as the float and its valve were raised by the filling of each working vessel; and this
relief of pressure behind the piston would cause the pressure on the pistons to shift
the slide valve to open the pressure air to this vessel and exhaust from the other, to
allow it to fill with water and its float to rise. Each float which thus opens said air
admission and relief pressure valve in each vessel, is mounted loose on a vertical guide
spindle or rod, fitted also to slide loose in the hollow spindle of the valve, the weight
of which spindle and valve is counterbalanced by a small float, spring, or other
equivalent fitted below the lowest level of the water in the working vessel: and a
collar is so fitted on this spindle near the lowest desired water working level, that as
the water level and float fell by the water being discharged out of the vessel, this float
comes on the collar and shuts the inlet pressure check valve to stop the further inlei
of pressure air and discharge of water from it, until the float in the other working
vessel opens its check and relief valve to reverse the slide valve by its working pistons
as before stated, when the relief of pressure in the other working vessel will allow it
to fill again as the air is exhausted out of it above the level of the water. A valve
lid is also fitted on the top of the float to close the lower outlet check valve, when the
Hoat and water rose up into the dome of the working vessel, and thus always leave
some air in the top of the domes above the highest level of the water, and prevent the
possibility of water being forced up into the pressure air working pipes and valves.
The regulation of the speed of delivery of the pressure water from the working vessels
may either be regulated by a cock or valve on the exhaust air pipe of the slide valve,
or by a like cock or valve on the inlet pressure air to the slide valve in relation to each
other; and when properly regulated a nearly constant stream may be maintained in
the main discharge water pipe from both working vessels.
It will be understood that the said reversing slide valve arrangement might be
placed either close to the liquid forcing apparatus as described, or placed near the
engine or machinery working the air compressors, and have the air pressure and
exhaust pipes and relief pressure pipes of the slide valve pistons led from the
slide valve apparatus to the relief and check pressure valves fitted on the top of
the working vessels wherever these might be placed convenient for the raising and
forcing of the water.
The new or improved construction of the inlet and discharge water or liquid valves
to and from these working vessels bereinbefore referred to, consists in forming them

page_text: with a fixed bored valve seat, and a lid valve with perforations through its body part.
secured to a reciprocating spindle working in and liquid tight on said seat, with a
loose dise rubber or other equivalent valve over the perforations, working on the
outer or reverse spindle of this valve, which does not work in the seat. The inlet
valve would be inverted and open inwards towards the vessels, and the weight of the
spindle and perforated dise of the valve attached to it would be counterbalanced or
kept close to its seat by a regulating spiral or other spring, or it might be a float
when the valve chest was immersed in water, preferably on the outside of the valve
chest, while the closing disc part of the valve over the perforations would be secured
to and closed by a float sliding on the spindle within the working vessel, with stophead
or collar on the spindle to regulate the degree of opening. This lid and valve would
always remain open when the pressure of airwas relieved in the upper part of the vessels
above the water as it reached its lowest level, and be closed by its float as the water
rose to its highest level. The discharge valves close by their own gravitation, the
lid dise closing on the under part by the action of a light spring, thus giving a full
opening with a very slight motion of the valve.
The air compressing engines might be of any ordinary construction in use, such as
steam engines working the pistons of air-compressing cylinders, or other air forcing
apparatus worked by rotative machinery driven by water power or by electro-motors,
or by belts or ropes from rotative motive power shafts, forcing the air into a receiver.
from which the air pressure pipe might be led to the slide valve chest of the said
water-forcing apparatus: and these air-forcing appliances might in some
cases he
made to draw their air supply, or a portion of it, from the exhaust pipe of the
said water forcing and working vessels, and thus by producing a partial vacuum in
these vessels be enabled to raise the water to them, instead of requiring to place
them below the level of the supply water.
In some cases the raising and foreing apparatus may he worked under much higher
pressures than is required for the lifts, as say fifty or sixty pounds pressure for a
lift of say sixty feet, and shut the check valve on each vessel, and allow the air
admitted to expand within it down to the pressure due to the discharge as say thirty
pounds. And for very high lifts of water, as say for two or three hundred feet. by
this mode and appliances with pressure air, it would be more economical in power to
lift the water by stages of say one hundred feet, with each duplex chamber machine
working with pressures not exceeding sixty pounds, each machine forcing up the water
to fill the next in succession, to the height required.
Dated this 6th day of August 1889.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
Avents
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Raising and Forcing of Water or other
Liquids, and in Apparatus therefor.
1, JAMES LYLE, of 12. Newton Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement in
writing, reference being had to the accompanying four Sheets of Drawings, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say -
My Invention has reference to and comprises a new or improved mode of, and
means or arrangements and combinations of the parts of apparatus for the raising
and forcing of water or other liquids by pneumatic or air pressure, and motive
mechanism for applying said air pressure, and which have many improvements over
the modes and means heretofore employed, such as being able to raise the liquid and
place the liquid raising apparatus at a greater distance from the motive machinery.
and in the use of more simple and durable appliances both for the raising of the
liquid, and the motive mechanism employed, which is actuated by pressure air or
other gas.
.

page_text: And in order that my said Invention, and the manner of performing or carrying
the same into effect or practice may be properly understood I have hereunto appended
four Sheets of explanatory Drawings, in which the same reference letters are used to
indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where shown. Figures 1 and 2 on
Sheet are respectively a vertical section and a plan, the former taken on the line 1-1
of the latter through the two water raising vessels A, A', and the air pressure working
valves E2 of my duplex air pressure water or liquid pumping or raising and forcing
apparatus, constructed in accordance with one arrangement or combination of the
parts of my improvements. And Figure 3, on Sheet is a sectional elevation taken
on the irregular lines 2-2 in Figure 2 parallel and corresponding to Figure 1, but
taken through the discharge valve and pipe C. C'e & D D' of one of the water raising
vessels A, and the inlet valve B. B' of the other A. Figures 4, 5 and 6 are a sectional
side elevation, end elevation and plan respectively of the air pressure reversing slide
valve and its actuating plungers or pistons g. g', to a larger scale than that shown
in the general views Figures 1 and 2. In Figures 1 to 6 the inlet and discharge
valves B. B & C, C, are shown as fitted in the top ends A" of the working
vessels A A. Figures 7 and S on Sheet 3 are a sectional elevation and a plan
respectively of a modified form of my new or improved duplex pumping apparatus
froin that shown on Sheets 1 and 2, the former taken on the line 3 of the latter.
through one A of the forcing vessels A. A', which is shown as broken away in Figure 7
at A to save room in the height. Figures 9 and 10 are sectional elevations turned
to one side, taken on the lines 4-4 and 5—5 of Figure 8, at right angles to each
other, of the basement part A³ of the pumping vessels A. A. to show the inlet and
discharge water valves B. B', and C. (^), and ports B, C, leading to and from these
in the basement frame A³.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken
on the line 66 of Figure S. of the air pressure and relief valves f. . and their
casings F and fittings. And Figures 12 and 18 are transverse and horizontal sections
of the same taken on the lines 7-7 and 8-8 respectively of Figure 11. TH
Figures io 18 the water inlet and discharge valves B. B', & C. C. and ports B'. C+
are shown as formed and fitted in the bottom or basement part A3 made in the form of a
ported chest. Figures 14 and 15 on Sheet 4 are a sectional elevation and a sectional
plan respectively of a modified arrangement from that shown in the former figures of
My new or improved air-pressure liquid pumping apparatus, each taken on the
lines 9-9 and 10-10 of each other. through the two pumping vessels A A'.
Figure 16 is a sectional elevation taken on the line H 1 in Figure 15, through the
discharge water valves and chests C, D. al right angles to Figure 14. And Figure 17
is a sectional elevation of the basement part 3 of the same arrangement taken on
the angled line 12-12 in Figure 14, through one A of the working vessels A, A', and
its discharge valve chest C. D.
Referring to the arrangement of my improved pumping or direct water raising
and forcing apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 6 on Sheets 1 and 2, the improvements
consist in the combination and use in one apparatus of the two air-pressure and
water-raising working vessels A. A¹ hereinafter termed the " working vessels,"
which may be of a long cylindrical form, or of large diameter and shorter form.
preferably cylindrical to better withstand the pressure, either made of cast-iron or.
as shown in these Figures, of sheet steel or iron; and when of large diameter
having preferably curved or capped ends A. or it might be flat ends A" with
embossed flanges especially at the bottom for strength, and simplicity of being
rivetted to the side shell plates A. A'. from the outside, or when made of cast-iron
both vessels may be cast together on one bed. The water would be admitted and
filled alternately to these "working vessels A. A through duplex spring or float
balanced inlet valves B. B', of an improved construction, or they might be ordinary
valves, preferably in connection with one inlet chest and pipe below the level of
the supply water, which would therefore run in when the pressure within the
vessels A, A. above the water was reduced to or below that of the pressure of the
atmosphere without, all as will hereinafter he explained. The water would alternatel
be forced out of each vessel A or A¹ as filled, while the other was filling, through the

page_text: pipe e extending to near the bottom of the vessel, so as nearly to empty it at each
action. Each pipe and valve seat C¹ above it, is fitted with a similar construction of
balanced discharge duplex spring check valve C, C, both leading into one discharge
valve chest ), up one rising main D leading from this common valve chest D up
to where the water has to be raised, and preferably fitted with a sediment hollow
trapping part or pocket DH between the valves C, C', of the opposite working
vessels A, A, to which a small blow-off pipe and cock at D2 would be fitted to
carry off sand or any heavy deposit in the water, which might otherwise lie about
and injure the faces of the valves within this chest D. The flanges at D of all
these inlet and discharge valve chests B and D might in some cases be jointed
and bolted to the upper end A" of the working vessels, which might in that case
he flat, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and be strengthened by these flanges and
chests, thus securing the two vessels A, A' portably to each other; and both vessels
might be bolted or otherwise secured on one soleplate below at A³, all as a portable
and self-contained liquid-forcing apparatus to be set or hung below the level of
the water to be raised. Each of these working vessels A or A, would also be
fitted with a cylindrical domed chamber E above. bolted by flanges Eto the
upper flat end A, and opening into the vessel for a float e to work up into, when
the working vessel was filled with the liquid to be raised or forced. According to
one arrangement the upper end of each of these domed vessels E closing in over
the float is fitted with a cylindrical inlet and outlet check valve sent E', with
feathers and opening valves and faces both in the lower and upper end of this
seat, E' for guiding the spindle e' of the float e and ell of the working check
valve fitted on the top of the spindle and valve seat El within a valve chest El
fitted over each of them. for admitting the pressure air to the upper part E of
each working vessel A. A', alternately as the floats e rose into these chambers E.
Each of these check valve, chests E" would be fitted with lateral inlet branches
and air pressure pipes E3 leading from these made to cross each other at their
opposite junction ends, so as to joint ports / f' on opposite sides of a central exhaust
port and working face plate and chest f", of the slide valve f in the air
pressure valve chest F, which exhaust port would lead by a branch at ft to
the atmosphere or to any air exhausting or pressure-reducing chest or arrangement.
preferably fitted with a regulating tap or valve to regulate the velocity of the exhaust.
The faces of the slide valves would cover these inlet ports // to close the admission
of pressure air from this valve chest F to the said inlet check valve 2 of both
working vessels A, A', when in the centre of its action over said ports, as shown in
this position in Figure 1. When the slide valve f is moved in one direction, as
say towards one vessel A, it would open the pressure air to the inlet check valve
of this vessel, and open and exhaust the air from the opposite vessel A' by its
valve and pipe E3 through the exhaust ports f. f" of the air slide valve /. This
slide valve f is in this arrangement worked by and in the centre of a working
rod with two small pistons secured on its opposite ends working into
correspondingly bored cylinders F, F, formed in the ends of the pressure-air
slide valve chest F jointed over the face plate fill of the said inlet and exhaust port
valve and chamber F. Pressure air would be admitted by a pipe from any
air-forcing apparatus placed at any convenient. distance from or near this liquid-
forcing apparatus, to a branch F" in the centre part of this slide valve chest F, so that
the pressure air would act on the inner fares of both pistons g g' to actuate the slide
Falve fas hereinafter described. These small cylinders F F have screwed tight
outer ends F3 with buffers g of india rubber or other equivalent on their inner ends.
or the buffers might be on the outer ends of the piston g, g', which, by the
screwed ends f³ or screws gl in them, regulate the distances these pistons g' g',
travel to open the slide valve f to either vessel equally. Each of these spaces at the
close end of these cylinders F. F. is formed with a small hand screw relief valve
chest and ports, fitted by branches and small tubes g to couplings g fitted over a
small escape valve and chest mounted over the centre of each pair of pressure inlet
check valve E2 and its chest E", the spindle of which small valve g would project
.

page_text: down and be raised by the valve E² either direct, as shown in Figures 1 to 6 or
through a lever or other equivalent mechanical device as hereinafter shown to give
this relief of pressure behind each piston g g to the exhaust port f" of the air valve f
through the pipes E, and the valve g as the float e, and its valve E2, were raised by
the filling of each working vessel A. A with the water or liquid to be raised, the air
escaping through the exhaust port andvalve f" and this relief of pressure behind the
piston or would cause the pressure on the pistons to shift the slide valve 2 to open
the pressure air to this vessel say A, and exhaust from the other say A' to allow it A¹
to fill with water and its float to rise into the chamber E when filled. Each float e
which thus opens said air admission and relief pressure valve of each vessel A
or A is mounted loose on the vertical guide spindle or rod el which is fitted also to
slide loose in the hollow spindle ot of the valve E the weight of which spindle and
valve E is counter-balanced by a small float e², fitted to reciprocate slightly on a fixed
pin below the lowest level of the water in the working vessel, but a light spring or
other equivalent might be used instead of this float ; and a collar is so secured on
this spindle near the lowest desired water working level, that as the water level and
floate fell by the water being discharged out of the vessel, this float comes down on
the collar and shuts the inlet pressure chest valve E to stop the further inlet of
pressure air and discharge of water from it until the float in the other working
vessel opens its check and relief valve E2 by rising into the dome chamber E and
acting on its spindle ell and on the spindle of the relief valve to reverse the slide
valve by its working pistons g, gl, as before stated, when the relief of pressure in the
other working vessel will allow it to fill again as the air is exhausted out of it above
the level of the water. Or eine versa as shown in some of the other modifications
the float e might be made to open this relief pressure valve g to the atmosphere when
the float and rod e¹ were at the bottom of their stroke in the working vessel, in
which case the air pressure and exhaust pipes E³ would not require to cross each other
as in Figures 1 to 6, but lead direct from the vessel on the same side as hereinafter
described. A valve lid is also fitted on the top of the spindle e of the float e² to
close the lower open end of the seat El of the outlet check valve E2 when the float
water rose up into the dome E of the working vessel, and thus always leave some air in
the top of the domes above the highest level of the water, and prevent the possibility of
water being forced up into the pressure air working pipes and valves E, E. The
regulation of the speed of delivery of the pressure water from the working vessels A.A',
mayeither he regulated bya cock or valve on the exhaust air pipe of the slide valve f²,
or by a like cock or valve-on the inlet pressure air branch Fto the slide valve chest F
in relation to each other; and when properly regulated a nearly constant stream may
he maintained in the main discharge water pipe D' from both working vessels A. A¹.
It will be understood that the said reversing arrangement of slide valve 2, might
be placed as shown close to the liquid forcing apparatus, or it may be placed near the
engine or machinery working the air compressors, and have the air pressure and
exhaust pipes E Es and relief pressure pipes 7³ ³ of the slide valve pistons ggled
from the slide valve apparatus to the relief and check pressure valves E2, E², and y
fitted on the top of the domes E of the working vessels A. A', wherever this might
be placed convenient for the rising and forcing of the water. Hand relief
conical screw valves are also fitted on the branches 2 of the relief pressure
cylinders F, F².
and
The improved construction of the duplex inlet and discharge water or liquid
valves B, B. and C. C. to and from these working vessels A. A', hereinbefore
referred to, and shown particularly in Figure 3. consists in forming them with a fixed
bored valve seat or chamber B, C, and a turned and ground lid valve B and C with
perforations through the body part, secured to a reciprocating spindle B2 C², working
in and liquid tight on the centre eyes in said seats B, C, with a loose dise rubber or
other equivalent valve B1, C1, closing over the perforations, and working on the outer
or reverse spindle B2 or C2. of this valve, which does not work in the seat. The inlet
valves B. B', are inverted and open inwards towards the working vessels A A' and the
weight of the spindles B², C², and perforated dises B, C, of the valves attached to them

page_text: would be counterbalanced or kept close to the seats B C by a regulating spiral or
other spring B C (or it might be a float when the valve chest was immersed in water)
preferably on the outside of the valves; while the closing disc parts B of the inlet
valves over the perforations would preferably be secured to and closed by a float Bu
sliding on the spindle 13 within the working vessel, with stop heads or collars on the
spindle B to regulate the degree of opening. This lid B and valve B would always
remain open when the pressure of air was relieved in the upper part of the working
vessels A, A, above the water as it reached its lowest level, and be closed by its
Aoat Bas the water rose to its highest level. The discharge valves C, C', close by
their own gravitation, the lid dise C closing on the under part C by the action of a
light spring Cthus giving a full opening with a very slight motion of these duplex
discharge and inlet valves C, C', and B, B'.
Referring to the modification of my improvements shown in Figures 7 to 18 on
Sheet the construction and arrangement of my improved duplex pumps are mainly
and substantially the same as also the action of their parts as that described in reference
to Figures 1 to 6 on Sheets 1, and 2 and lettered to correspond. But as shown in
these Figures, the working vessels A A are made of cast-iron and of less diameter
proportionally to their length of working stroke, and shown as broken away at A
and are jointed and bolted by flanges at A', at their lower ends to a cast-iron basement
chest A3 with the inlet and discharge ports B, C, and duplex valves B, B, and C.C'.
and their chests B and D, fitted and formed in it on opposite sides of the seat for
both working vessels A, A', but with the inlet and discharge branches B, and D', on
the same side of the sole plate A leading to and from their respective ports. The
sole-plate A is also formed with a bored and screwed plug G or it might be a jointed
flange in the axial line of the working barrels A. A. to enable the ports and
ducts B, C, to be cleaned out when required, the whole being bolted together by
bolts at A as a self contained portable pumping apparatus, which can either be laid
on a suitable foundation with the inlet valves B. B, below the water level, or be hung
by chains down in or near the water to be lifted. In this arrangement as shown
particularly in Figures S, and 11 to 13 the air pressure chest F and its reversing slide
valve and face plate fi with inlet and exhaust ports f. f' is shown as made long
and bolted direct to the top of the float and air dome chambers E, E, to bind these and
the top of the working vessels together. The pipes or ducts E, E, leading to and
from the slide air pressure, and relief valves are in this case cast in the face
plate chest f, as shown particularly in Figure 1. And in this case each working
vessel A. A is formed with an axial water inlet and outlet duplex valve GG secured
to the lower end of the tubular rod el having the air pressure inlet and outlet valve all
on its upper end and balanced by a float at the lower end, which allows the water to
How into the working vessel, when the pressure of air is relieved within it, and also
flow out when the pressure of air is admitted to the top of the working chamber by
the slide valve fall as described in reference to the former modification. A separate
float is mounted to slide loose on the rode within the air dome chamber E, on the
top of each working vessel A, Al, over a perforated plate et secured between the joint
flanges Eat E at the top of the working vessel A. A', and the lower part of the
domes E E. When the water rises into the dome E of a working vessel A, or A¹, it
raises this float e, and by the rubber or elastic valve el which prevents water passing
up to the air valve arrangements also opens the air escape valve g, and relieves the
pressure air on the back of the piston g or gl of the one vessel to fill it with water and
admits the pressure air to the working vessel, on the side which is filled, by reversing
the slide valve f, which in this case is shown with a diaphragm or division in the
centre of its exhaust port fixed on the face plate f, on which the escaping pressure
air acts, and also by its reaction assists the action of the pistons g. 9, in reversing the
slide valve Screw pins " in this arrangement are also fitted in the ends of the
cylinders F, F, to regulate the travel of the pistons g. g, and slide valve f*; and
the hand escape valves to the air, in this case are fitted on the upper part of
the cylinders F¹, F.
e
Referring to the arrangement shown in Figures 14 to 17, the working vessels are

page_text: shown as formed of welded steel or malleable iron walls A, A¹, with turned ends
jointed into grooves at A in the bed plate or chest A³, and corresponding grooves in
the under side of the flange in the domed tops E, bolted together by long bolts A5
through the outer flanges or snugs at A', and E, of the lower and upper parts A³ E;
and the lower box sole plate As is preferably shown as formed with a deep outer rim
perforated to admit the water to the inlet valves B of each working, vessel, which in
this arrangement are of an ordinary disc india rubber construction with open radial
armed seats, and secured concentrically by a central screw stud bolt with a projecting
point above the guard of the valve B, for guiding the lower end of the tube rod c¹
of the float e, which in this case is formed with an india rubber or elastic disc valvo c'
secured on its lower end, and traverses on the rode the whole distance of the working
level of the water within the working vessels A, A; and when the float o reaches
its lowest position, as shown on the right in Figure 14 this valve part et comes down
against an annular rim fitted in the lower part of the vessels A, A1, to prevent the
discharge of all the water from the working vessels A, A, and the escape of pressure
air with the water, and brings down the rod el with it. The water is forced out;
through an ordinary discharge disc rubber valve C, fitted over a discharge port C4,
formed in the seating A³ leading from the working chambers A. A¹, and within a
discharge valve chest D for each working vessel, the discharge chests D, D, for hoth
vessels however, discharge by branches D₁ up through one common main stand
pipe D³, all as indicated by the arrows and shown particularly in Figures 16 and 17.
The upper end of the valve rod el, which only reciprocates a short distance to actuate
the cam lever is guided in a seating E at the upper end of the dome E, and at its
extreme end in a cap cover E in the chest E" in which the valve lever works, to
open the escape pressure valve g, in this case to the atmosphere, through an opening
at g in the valve seat. A. helical spring is fitted in the seating El around the tube
spindle e to hold the spindle and valve lever g up except when pulled down by the
float e as before described, so that the escape valve may always be closed by its
gravitation or a spring, while the pressure air is on the working vessel and on the
water being discharged. as shown in this position within the working vessel A, on the
left side of Figure 14 full of water. The valve e on the top of the float e, as before
explained, when it rises to the top position, shuts up the opening in the seating E', to
prevent water getting into the valve chest E. In this arrangement in which the
float e and rode opens the escape valve gi by the lever g" in its downward action the
pressure air and exhaust pipes are led direct to the top of the dome E on that side,
for the reversing of the slide valve 2 and putting the pressure air on the opposite
vessel, as shown in this position of the parts in Figure 14. in which the float of the
working vessel A. having discharged its water, reverses the slide valve to put the
pressure on the opposite working vessel A. which may have been filled some little
time before the other vessel had quite discharged itself, but only commences to
discharge when the other vessel has ceased to discharge, thus keeping up a nearly
constant discharge of water by this intermittent action of the working vessels A. A',
otherwise the construction of the parts of this arrangement are substantially the same
as that described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 and lettered accordingly to
correspond.
Although an ordinary reversing slide valve with separate actuating pistons g, g',
and rod fitted over it has been shown and described for reversing the air pressure
on the opposite working vessels A, A', it is to be understood that an equivalent hollow
cylindrical or piston valve may be similarly used, and the pistons for actuating the
same formed on or fitted to and set in line therewith.
The air compressing engines might be of any ordinary construction in use, sucli as
steam engines working the pistons of air compressing cylinders, or other air forcing
apparatus worked by rotative machinery driven by water power or by electro-motors.
or by belts or ropes from rotative motive power shafts, forcing the air into a receiver,
from which the air pressure pipe might be led to the branch F, of the slide valve
chest F of the said water-forcing apparatus A, A', and these air forcing appliances
might in some cases be made to draw their air supply, or a portion of it from the

page_text: exhaust pipe f" of the said water forcing and working vessels A. A¹, and thus by
producing a partial vacuum in these vessels be enabled to raise the water to them,
instead of requiring to place them below the level of the supply water.
In some cases the raising and forcing apparatus shown in Sheets 1 and 2 may be
worked under much higher pressures than is required for the lifts, as say fifty or sixty
pounds pressure for a lift of say sixty feet, and shut the check valves E on each
vessel A, A, and allow the air admitted to expand within it down to the pressure due
to the discharge as say thirty pounds. And for very high lifts of water, as say from
two or three hundred feet by this mode and appliances with pressure air, it would be
more economical in power to lift the water by stages of say one hundred feet, with
each duplex chamber machine working with pressures not exceeding sixty pounds
each machine forcing up the water to fill the next in succession to the height
required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is: :-
First. The construction, or arrangement and combination of the parts of air
pressure apparatus with duplex vessels, and valves, floats, and fittings, for the raising
and forcing of water or other liquids, substantially as herein described, in reference
to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction and use of an air pressure apparatus for the raising and
forcing of water or other liquids, with duplex vessels alternately filled and emptied
with liquid by the relief and application of the pressure air, each vessel reversing the
valves and pressure for the other by the rise or fall of the liquid in the vessels,
substantially as and in the manner herein described, in reference to and-shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
Third. In air-pressure apparatus with duplex vessels for the raising and forcing of
water or other liquids, the construction and use of duplex float actuated valves for
reversing the main valve which sets off and on the air pressure on the opposite vessels
alternately, substantially as and in the manner herein described, in reference to and
shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. In air-pressure apparatus with duplex vessels for the raising and forcing of
water or other liquids, the construction and use of a reversing slide or equivalent
valve, either with or without a reacting diaphragm in it, and with duplex pistons and
cylinders and with relief pressure valves connected with these and the working
vessels, substantially as and for the purposes herein described, in reference to and
shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Dated the 5th May 1890
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.