IMPROVEMENTS -IN COMPRESSING, REGULATING THE PRESSURE AND FLOW OP, AND CONVEYING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO AIR AND OTHER FLUID PUMPS.
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Archibald Brooman, of 166, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
-IN COMPRESSING, REGULATING THE PRESSURE AND FLOW OP, AND CONVEYING
GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO AIR AND OTHER FLUID PUMPS.-
A communication from P. Hugon, of Paris.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Archibald Brooman
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st May 1856.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPRESSING, REGULATING THE PRESSURE AND FLOW OF,
AND CONVEYING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO AIR AND OTHER FLUID
PUMPS," (communicated to me by P. Hugon, of Paris, a foreigner residing
abroad,) to be as follows:-
The Invention consists, firstly, of an improved pump for compressing gas,
which with its appendages is applicable for air and other fluids; secondly, of
an improved tap or cock; thirdly, of a regulator; fourthly, of a cart or appa-
ratus for conveying portable gas.

page_text: ;
The improved pump for compressing gas, or other fluids, consists of a pump
barrel, fitted with a piston on the end of a hollow trunk, which forms the piston
rod; an annular space is provided. between the trunk and barrel; leather or
other suitable packings are inserted round the cover of the barrel and round
the piston to prevent the escape of gas. There are three valves to the pump;
one, the inlet in the bottom of of the barrel; another in the piston, opening into
channels leading into the annular space between the- trunk- or piston rod and
pump barrel and the third, for the exit of compressed gas at the side and
near the top of the barrel. Supposing gas to have been admitted through the
inlet valve and the piston to be about to descend, it will in its descent close
the inlet valve, and the gas in the barrel will open the valve in the piston, and
by forcing the gas into the annular space, before named, will compress it to a
certain extent, and on commencing its up-stroke the piston will compress the
gas in the annular space, until its pressure overcomes that at which the exit
valve has been weighted, when it will flow through it into a receiver. Imme-
diately upon the ascent of the piston; the valve in it will become closed, while
the inlet valve will be opened to admit a fresh supply of gas. These valves
are formed so as to insure their closing hermetically, and consist of a steel
closing piece, hollowed out on the under side; and-brought to a sharp edge,
which fits hermetically upon a metal scat: The leather-packings are fitted in
such manner as, to ensure their wear for a long time without requiring to be
removed for repair. Before the gas enters the pump barrel, it is passed first
through a gasometer, and then through a cylindrical receiver, ten or twelve
times the capacity of the barrel. If the supply of gas is lessened or stopped,
the gasometer descends, and the person in charge slackens or stops the pump,
thus keeping out the air..
The Tap.--Figure 1 of the annexed Drawing is a sectional elevation of my
improved tap. p is a steel plug of the peculiar form shewn, raised by a spring,
not shewn in the Figure, fitted into the, recess a. The. gas.enters; through an
opening o and escapes through an openings, or vicê versa. To closet the tap,the
screw A worked by the handle B brings the plug up against the orifice o. To
open it, the screw A is brought up, and the spring in the recess a raises the plug.
To prevent gas escaping at the threads. of the screw, a.packing of leather and
gutta percha c, c, is fitted into the cap or collar d: I is the, cover,(screwed
down against 'the packing c, which in its turn presses- against the washer e.
When the cock is to be opened, the screwA must be raised, till the, part-r
comes against the packing e, and so prevents escape of gas. I effect a tight
joint between the nose of the tap, and the pipe or tube to which it is to be

page_text: connected, by the following arrangement:-Into the opening s I fit a tube
m; n,which extends a little beyond the nose of the tap, and enters into a socket
x, y, in which the pipe or tube is soldered, and which is brought tightly up
against the nose of the tap by the screw p, q. For greater security I pour
melted tin or other soft metal into the recess 2.
The Regulator-The regulator consists of a receiver a, b, c, of the pecu-
liar shape shewn shewn in Figure 2. This receiver is immersed in water,
which rises round the axis o, and has at front a stopper A, opened from
outside, to allow of the length of the rod m, n, being regulated. The
receiver as it rises lifts up an arm or lever n, k, (centred at t,). by means
of the rod m, n. The end of the arm u, k, is formed into a fork, in
which runs a friction roller q. This friction roller moves a plug, which
partially or entirely closes the opening a, through which the gas is admitted
into the regulator; after having passed through an orifice i, i, in the guide
cylinder, in which the plug travels, á spring brings the plug back, when
the receiver is lowered, thereby also bringing the friction roller back, and
so forms a wider opening for the admission of the gas. The gas admitted
into the receiver escapes through the opening C at a pressure indicated by
the weight of the receiver, increased by that of rod and arm. When the con-
sumption of gas increases, the receiver descends and the opening for the gas
is widened; when the consumption of gas diminishes, the opening is narrowed;
when the gas, is to be turned off, the receiver rises and so shuts off the
gas. The plug p is provided with a piece h, h, screwed on the ring d, d, by
tightening a slotted arm u, so as to take into the fork m, k.
tube, by which the level of water is ascertained in the receiver.
R is a glass
The Cart for Conveying Gas.-This apparatus is a. vehicle containing a
number of cylindrical vessels; all communicating with a rail or gallery at the
back of the carriage, provided with as many taps as there are cylinders, so
that the supply may be cut off from each cylinder separately. The rail bar is
provided with a manometer, to indicate the degree of pressure of gas in the
receiver of any particular consumer. Each tap is opened successively until
the desired degree of pressure is arrived at: Gas is conveyed from the cart
to the consumer's private receiver through a caoutchouc pipe.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th October 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the. First day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special licence that I, the said Richard
Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPRESSING, REGULATING THE PRESSURE AND FLOW OF,
AND CONVEYING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO AIR AND OTHER FLUID
PUMPS," (a communication from P. IIugon, of Paris, a foreigner residing
abroad,) upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Richard
Archibald Brooman, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, 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 thereof, reference being had to the Drawings annexed
(that is to say):
This Invention consists, first, of an improved pump for compressing gases,
together with its appendages, applicable also for air and other fluids;
secondly, of an improved tap or cock; thirdly, of a regulating apparatus;
fourthly, of an apparatus for the conveyance of gas.

page_text: of gas.
My improved pump for compressing gas and other fluids consists of a pump
barrel, fitted with a piston on the end of a hollow trunk, which forms the piston
rod; an annular space is provided between the trunk and barrel; leathern
and metallic or other suitable packings are inserted round the cover of the
barrel and round the piston to prevent the escape
The pump has
three valves of peculiar construction; one, the inlet valve in the bottom of the
barrel; another in the piston, opening into channels leading into the annular
space between the trunk or piston rod and the pump barrel; and the third or
outlet valve, at the side and near the top of the barrel, for the exit of the com-
pressed gas; the first two valves open inward, the third outward; they are
fitted in such manner as to be removed if required for repair or otherwise,
without disturbing the other parts of the apparatus, and they are so constructed
as to close hermetically. Each consists of a plug or closing piece, hollowed out
on the under side, and brought to a sharp edge, which fits hermetically in a
metal seat. The packings are so fitted as to wear for a long time without
having to be removed for repair.
Figure 1 of the annexed Drawings is a sectional elevation of a pump con-
structed according to the present Invention. A is the pump barrel, fitted with
a piston or plunger B, at the end of a hollow trunk or piston rod C, to which
reciprocating motion is communicated from a steam engine or otherwise; D is
an annular space between the trunk and pump barrel; E' is a gland or cover
for the barrel, fitting into a cylindrical recess a, a, and acting as a guide for
the piston rod. This gland E bears against a leathern or other flexible
washer or packing b, b, of the peculiar shape shewn, which keeps that part of
the apparatus, gas, or fluid tight. The end of the piston rod is screwed at F
into a cap, which forms the outer part of the piston B. This cap fits over a washer
or packing d. The piston and trunk being thus arranged at top and bottom,
any lateral play of the piston is prevented. G is the inlet valve for admitting
gas or other fluid into the pump barrel; H is a valve in the piston, opening
into channels e, e, leading into the annular space D; I'is the exit valve or
outlet for the compressed gas or fluid. These valves are constructed in the
following manner :-Each valve has a cylindrical seat f, turned true on the
inside, in which works a steel plug or closing piece g, hollowed out on the
under side, and in a piece with the valve proper G; the closing piece g is per-
forated with small holes i, i, for the passage of the gas; the valve is conical,
and fits in the seat, which is cut to a sharp edge to form a tight joint; the valves
are also furnished with springs for closing them rapidly. The spring for the
valve G is a steel plate j, having an orifice j' in the centre, through, which a

page_text: screw passes, secured by a nut, and the ends of the spring are held in a
groove formed to receive them in the pump barrel. The valves H and I are
furnished with springs k; k. These three valves are so fitted that they may be
easily removed and replaced when required. The seat f of the valve G is
fixed by a nut to the base or sole plate J, which supports the pump, and is
kept gas-tight at that part by a packing. The seat of the valve H is secured
by means of an annular screw m, and also kept gas-tight by a packing; and
the valve I is mounted on the socket n, which is screwed on to the pump
barrel. The valves G and H open upward or inward, and the valve I opens
outward.
•
pump, and for the sake of
Supposing gas to have been
valve G, when the piston B
I now proceed to describe the action of the
example, to be applied to the compressing of gas.
admitted into the pump barrel through the inlet
descends, the gas contained in the lower part of the barrel will be compressed,
and will close the valve G and open the valve H in the piston;
the gas will
then pass through the channels e, e, into the annular space D, and will be com-
pressed therein, the pressure being of course in proportion to the difference
between the capacity of the barrel A and that of the space D on the piston ;.
commencing its up stroke, it closes the valve H, and as the space in the annular
chamber D gradually becomes lessened or filled up by the piston as it rises,
the degree to which the gas is consequently compressed increases, until its.
pressure overcomes that at which the outlet' valve I has been weighted, when
it will open that valve and flow through into a receiver. Immediately on the
piston commencing its up stroke the valve H will be closed; and a vacuum being
produced below it, the valve G will be raised or opened, and will thus admit a
fresh supply of gas into the pump. As the piston performs its down stroke,
the compressed gas that has passed out into the receiver will shut the valve I,
and close itself off from re-entering the pump barrel.
When this pump is applied for compressing gas for lighting purposes,
the gas before entering it is carried through a gasometer, which is made to
descend when the issue of gas slackens or ceases, in order that the attendant
may know when to slacken or stop the pump, and so prevent any air
being sucked in. The gas is also made to pass through a cylindrical receiver
before entering the pump; this receiver is furnished with an inlet tap or valve,.
and with an upright glass tube, leading into a vessel containing colored water.
The degree of suction or pressure in the pump is ascertained by closing the
inlet tap of the cylindrical receiver (so that the pump may only draw in the
gas contained therein), and noting the height to which the water rises in

page_text: the tube when the piston descends; if the lower valves close tightly the water:
should remain at the same height in the tube so that by these means it may.
be ascertained if either and which of the valves is out of order.
The piston trunk, working within covers or caps at top and bottom, the
packings or flexible washers are not put out of shape or thrown out of order.
by the lateral play of the piston.
Secondly, the Invention consists of an improved tap or cock, fitted with a
conical or sharp-edged plug for opening and closing the fluid way, acted on by:
a key, which bears against the plug, but is not in a piece with it. To close the
tap, the handle of the key is turned until the plug is pushed into a seat in the
fluid way between the inlet and outlet orifices; to open the tap, the handle is
turned back and a spring pushes the plug out of its seat.. Packing fitted in a
cap or socket is provided at the part where the handle passes out to prevent
the escape of gas therefrom.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of this tap. a is a plug, made of steel or.
other metal, and of the form shewn in the Drawing; b is a key or pin threaded
at c, and working in a screw cut on the inner surface of the tap. This key is
provided at the outside of the tap with a handle. d is a recess, in which is
lodged a spring, not shewn in the Drawings, and which embraces the pluga; e
is the passage through which the gas enters, and f the outflow through which it
escapes, or vice versa. Packing is provided to prevent the escape of gas through
the threads of the screw; this packing consists of washers g, g, of leather,.gutta
percha, or other like material, lodged in a cap or socket h; a cap i is screwed
tightly down on the washers, pressing them against the socket.h, and pressing
the socket against another washer j. To close the tap, the key 6 is turned
down until it pushes the plug a close up against the opening e' of the passage.
e, and thereby shuts off. communication between e and f.. To open the tap,
the key is turned up until the lip or threaded part c is brought closely up
against the collar j (to prevent the escape of gas at that part), and the spring
in the recess d being released, will push the plug back in such manner:as to
open the passage between.e and f. The caps or sockets prevent escape of gas
when the key is turned up and presses against the packing. To effect a tight
joint between the nose of the tap, and the pipe or tube to which it is to be
connected, I adopt the following arrangement :-Into the opening f I fit a short
tube l, which extends a little beyond the nose of the tap, and enters into. a
socket m, into which is soldered the pipe or tube into which the gas is to be
conveyed, and which by means of the screw n is tightly screwed up against
the face o of the nose of the tap. There is a recess cut in the face o in which

page_text: melted tin or other soft metal may be poured for greater security. This mode
of junction prevents any internal leakage, and facilitates the regular and easy
flow of gas.
Thirdly, the Invention consists of an improved regulator, or apparatus for
regulating the flow of gas or other aeriform fluid. This regulator consists of a
receiver or vessel of a peculiar form, floating in water in such manner as to
oscillate or vibrate as if on an axis, and furnished with arms connected with a
friction roller, which acts on a plug fitted in the passage through which the gas
enters, and which, according as the receiver rises or falls, wholly or partially
opens or closes the inflow of gas.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of this apparatus; Figure 4, a view, partly in
section, on the line x, x, of Figure 3; and Figure 5, a view, partly in section, on
the line y, y, of Figure 3. a, b, c, d, is the receiver floating in water, which
rises round the level o; e, e¹, are rods, of which the rod e is connected to an
arm or lever f, f', centred on a fulcrum f'; the arm f, f¹, terminates at the
end f¹ in a fork f³ (Figure 5), which carries a friction roller g, centred in the
fórk f, a little above the fulcrum f' of the arm ff. h is the opening
through which gas enters the receiver; i is a conical plug (similar to that
shewn at a, Figure 2,) for opening and closing the passage h; this plug works
in a cylindrical socket j. k, k, are orifices in the socket j for the passage of gas
into the body of the receiver; a spring, not shewn in the Drawing, is lodged
in the socket in such manner as to surround the plug. is an opening in the
side of the receiver, closed by a valve or lid P, through which the length of the
rods e, e', may be regulated; m is a glass tube for regulating the water level.
As the receiver rises, the arm e, e', rising with it, shifts the end f of the lever
ff, which brings the roller g against the back end of the plug i in such
manner as to push it forward into the opening h, so as to close the inflow of gas
wholly or partially. On the other hand, when the receiver descends, the roller
is brought away from the plug, while the spring round it, being released from
pressure, pushes the plug back and opens the passage h and orifices k, k, for the
inflow of gas. As a greater quantity of gas is consumed, the receiver descends,
and the gas inlet h is opened more widely, while, in the contrary case, the
receiver rises, and closes the opening h wholly or partially. n is the outlet
through which gas issues from the regulator for consumption at a pressure
indicated by the weight of the receiver a, b, c, d, added to that of the arms and
rods. When the gas is turned off, the receiver rises and closes the inflow
passage h. The socket j is fixed to a collar, which is connected to a neck o
by screws; between them is a slotted collar p, on which the forked end of the

page_text: arm ff, takes; thus, to inspect or remove the plug, roller, &c., the collar j
has to be unscrewed without having to take the whole apparatus to pieces.
The advantage of the gentle oscillating play of the regulator is this, that a
continuous flow at a regular rate of pressure is maintained; to increase the
pressure, the weight of the receiver must be increased.
Fourthly, the Invention consists of a cart or apparatus for the conveyance
of gas. This apparatus is a vehicle containing a number of cylindrical vessels,
each communicating separately, with a rail gallery or common pipe at the back
of the carriage, provided with as many taps as there are cylindrical vessels, so
that the supply may be cut off from each vessel separately. The rail is pro-
vided with a manometer, to indicate the degree of pressure of gas in the
receiver of any particular consumer. Each tap is opened successively until the
desired degree of pressure is arrived at. The pressure in each cylinder is
independent of that in the others. Gas is conveyed from the cart to the con-
sumer's private receiver through a strong caoutchouc or other flexible pipe or
hose. In this arrangement, each cylinder being separately connected to a
general tube or gallery, if one should happen to leak the gas in that particular
cylinder only would escape.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 are respectively front, side, and back elevations of my
improved gas-conveyance cart; Figures 9, 10, 11, details.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
First, the general construction, combination of parts, and method of action
of the improved pump and its appendages for compressing gas and other
fluids, herein-before described, and represented in the Drawings annexed.
Second, the construction, method of action, and arrangement of valves,
herein-before described, and represented in Figure 1 of the Drawings annexed.
Third, the arrangements for regulating the flow of gas and action of the
pump, herein-before described with reference to gas for lighting purposes.
Fourth, the construction, arrangement, and method of action of the tap or
cock, herein-before described, and represented in Figure 2 of the Drawings
annexed, especially in so far as respects the method of closing the tap by
means of a sharp-edged conical plug, separate from the handle or key of the
tap, and the employment of a cap or socket to receive the flexible packing, all
as herein-before described.
Fifth, the construction, arrangement, and method of action of the regulating
apparatus, herein-before described, and represented in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
of the Drawings annexed, especially as respects the receiver, and the mode

page_text: of regulating the inflow by means of an arm or lever and friction roller, all
as herein-before described.
And, sixth, the construction and arrangement of cart. or apparatus for the
conveyance of gas.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-six."
R. A. BROOMAN. (L.S.)