Improvements in Hydraulic Mine Pumping Machinery.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydraulic Mine Pumping Machinery.
I, JOSEPH MOORE, of Ardgowan, Musselburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian,
North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows, that is to say:-
My said invention relates to mine pumping machinery of the kind in which
pumps at a low level or levels from which water is to be raised are worked by
rams or pistons of hydraulic cylinders operating by means of water acted on by
motor-driven power rams at the surface, the surface apparatus being connected
by pipes to the hydraulic cylinders below.
One of my improvements has for its object to prevent irregular actions and
strains due to the water in the cylinders of the surface apparatus, in the lower
hydraulic cylinders, and in the pipes connecting those cylinders, occupying more
or less space accordingly as it is subjected to less or greater pressure, the water
(possibly having more or less air or gas in it) being appreciably compressible.
For the purpose indicated I provide, in connection with the ends of the water
cylinders of the surface apparatus, equalising valves which at the proper times
are opened to admit water from a suitably elevated tank, or allow water to pass
into that tank, accordingly as the water when ascending tends to do so with more
or less pressure or velocity. Each valve is arranged in a casing, its spindle extend-
ing out through a stuffing box, so as to be acted on by a lever which is moved to
open the valve by a projecting rib on a bar or plate which reciprocates with the
cross-head of the engine or in an equivalent manner. The valve is closed by a
spring. The opening of the valve of each cylinder takes place when the ram of
that cylinder is drawing in water, and the valve may continue open to the end
of the stroke; it is however, preferably, allowed to close gradually a little before
the end of the stroke is reached. To avoid opening the valve on the return stroke
its lever is provided with a jointed piece having preferably a roller to be acted
on by the rib of the reciprocating bar or plate. A pin on the jointed piece engages
with the lever when the movement is in one direction, but the jointed piece is
free to turn so as not to move the lever during the return movement.
Another improvement consists in arranging hydraulic pumps in two sets, one
at the lowest level from which water has to be raised, and the other at a higher
level, both sets of pumps being worked from the same surface apparatus. The
lowest set of pumps discharges up into the suction part of the upper pumps
or into a tank or receiver from which the upper pumps draw. In some cases it
may be convenient for the upper pumps to also operate on water occurring at the
higher level. The portions of the power water pipes extending down from the
surface apparatus to the level of the higher pumps must be of a size suitable for
the full quantity of water for working both sets of pumps. The lower portions
of the pipes may be smaller, and are by preference provided with adjustable
valves for controlling the action of the power water on the lower pumps. Adjust-
able. valves may also be provided on the branch pipes communicating with the

page_text: higher pumps. Automatic equalising valves such as are herein before described,
are by preference provided also in connection with the arrangement comprising
pumps at different levels.
A further improvement is applicable to the surface apparatus and consists in
substituting for the motor-driven rams working stroke for stroke with the pumps
at the low level or levels, a comparatively small and quickly running motor
arranged to act on three or other suitable number of rams in a manner to produce
continuous pressure in one pipe and continuous suction in another. The pressure
and suction pipes of the surface apparatus are both connected to both pipes com-
municating with the low-level pumps, but the connections are controlled by valves
actuated by rotating cams or otherwise, the cams or equivalents being driven from
the surface motor apparatus through gearing giving a suitably reduced speed.
The pressure and suction pipes of the surface apparatus may be connected to two.
or more pairs of pipes communicating with pumps at different levels or in different
localities the action of the water in the several pairs of pipes being controlled by
the same, or similar, or differently speeded valves.
Dated this First days of Cantamlion 1007
Improvements in Hydraulic Mine Pumping Machinery.
I, JOSEPH MOORE, formerly of Ardgowan, Musselburgh, in the County of
Mid Lothian, North Britain, but now of 65, Priory Road, Kew Gardens, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say: -
My said invention relates to mine pumping machinery of the kind in which
pumps at a low level or levels from which water is to be raised are worked by
rams or pistons of hydraulic cylinders operating by means of water acted on by
motor-driven power rams at the surface, the surface apparatus being connected
by pipes to the hydraulic cylinders below.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append three sheets of explanatory draw-
ings to be hereinafter referred to in describing my improvements.
Figure, 1, on Sheet, 1, of the accompanying drawings is a plan Figure, 2, is a
sectional side elevation, and Figure, 3, is a transverse vertical section of the sur-
face apparatus consisting of two motor driven power rams, as made with my
improvements. Figure, 4, is a side view of a detail. Figure, 5, on Sheet, 2, is a
sectional elevation of an improved arrangement of hydraulic pumps, showing the
pumps arranged in two sets at different levels and connected to the motor-driven
power rams at the surface. Figure, 6, on Sheet, 3, is a sectional side elevation of
an improved surface apparatus for working hydraulic pumps at the low level or
levels, in this figure the surface apparatus being shown as operating on one double-
acting pump. In these drawings the same reference letters and numerals are used
to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
One of my improvements has for its object to prevent irregular actions and
strains due to the water in the cylinders of the surface apparatus, in the lower
hydraulic cylinders, and in the pipes connecting those cylinders, occupying more
or less space accordingly as it is subjected to less or greater pressure, the water

page_text: (possibly having more or less air or gas in it) being appreciably compressible.
For the purpose indicated I provide, in connection with the water cylinders, A, A 1,
of the surface apparatus shown on Sheet, I, equalising valves, B, B1, which at
the proper times are opened to admit water from a suitably elevated tank, C, or
allow water to pass into that tank, accordingly as the water when ascending tends
to do so with more or less pressure or velocity. The valves, B, B1, are arranged
in a casing, B2, attached to a bracket, A 2, on the front end of the cylinder, A 1,
pipes, A3, A4, connecting the cylinders, and the casing, and a pipe C1, connecting
the casing and the tank. The valve spindles, B3, B4, extend down through
stuffing boxes, so as to be acted upon by levers, B5, B6, mounted on the
bracket, A 2, which are moved to open the valves, B, B1, by projecting ribs, B7,
on a bar or plate, B8, which reciprocates with the crosshead, A5, of the power
rams, A6, A7; or any other equivalent method of opening the valves, B, B1,
may be adopted. The valves, B, B 1, are closed by springs, B9. The opening of
each valve, B, or, B1, of each cylinder, A, and A1, takes place when the ram of
that cylinder is drawing in water. In Figure, 2, the ram, A7, is assumed to be
drawing in water, consequently the valve, B, which controls the communication.
between its cylinder, A. 1, and the tank, C, is shown open. The valve, B, may
continue open to the end of the stroke, but it is preferred to allow it to close
gradually a little before the end of the stroke is reached, this action being accom-
plished by tapering the ends of each projecting rib, B7. To avoid opening the
valve, B1, of the cylinder, A, on the return stroke (that is when the ram, A 6,
is proceeding towards the left as has been assumed) its lever, B6, (Figure, 4) is
provided with a triangular piece, D, jointed to it at, D2, and having preferably
a roller, D3, fitted at the lower corner to be acted on by the rib, 137, of the recipro-
cating bar or plate, B8. A pin, D4, on the triangular piece, D1, also jointed
to the lever, B5, engages with that lever, as shown in Figure, 2, and opens the
valve, B, of the cylinder, A 1, when the ram, A7, is moving in a direction to
draw in water, but the jointed piece is free to turn on its hinged part, D2, so as
not to move the lever on the return stroke of the ram, the positions of the
lever, B6, and the jointed piece, D, during the return stroke of the ram, A6,
being shown clearly in Figure, 4. A short vertical arm, D5, is formed on each
lever, B5, B6, which acts against a stop piece, I 6, formed on the bracket, A 2,
and thereby prevents undue depression of the levers.
Another improvement shown in Figure, 5, Sheet, 2, consists in arranging
hydraulic pumps in two sets one, E, being placed at the lowest level from which
water has to be raised and the other, F', at a higher level, both sets of pumps
being worked from the same surface apparatus. The pump, E, at the lowest
level discharges up by pipe, E1 into the suction part, F 1, of the upper pump, F,
or it may discharge into a tank or receiver (not shown). In some cases where it
may be convenient for the upper pump, F, to also operate on water occurring at
the higher level, a ranch suction pipe, F2, with a foot valve, F 3, attached is
provided. The portions, AS, A9, of the power water pipes extending down from
the surface apparatus to the level of the higher pair of power cylinders, G, must
be of a size suitable for passing the full quantity of water for working both sets
of pumps. The lower portions, A 10, A 11, of the power water pipes may be.
smaller, and are provided with adjustable valves, II, for controlling the action
of the power water on the lower pair of power cylinders, J. Adjustable valves, H 1,
are also provided on the branch pipes, H2, communicating with the higher pair
of power cylinders, G. Automatic equalising or regulating valves, K, K1, are
provided in connection with the lower cylinders, J, for the purpose of controlling
the power water acting on the rams, J1, J2, and thereby preventing injury to the
pumps. Projecting ribs, J3, J4, with tapered ends formed on a bar, J 5, which
reciprocates with the crosshead, J 6, of the rams act on the valve stems, K 2, K 3,
so as to open the valves, K, K 1, and admit power water to work the rams, J1, J2,
and also allow the return of the suction water, but when the end of the stroke

page_text: is almost reached the valve stem drops off the projecting rib and the valve closes
and shuts off the power water supply, and the rams are stopped within a safe
distance from the ends of the cylinders, J. The higher pair of power cylinders, G,
is also provided with equalising or safety valves, L, L1, of the same type as those
described in my Patent Specification No. 2447 of 1883, with the difference that
the inclined pieces, J3, J 4, on the bar, J 5, act directly on the valve stems, L2, L3,
instead of indirectly through bell crank levers as described in the aforesaid
specification.
A further improvement shown in Figure, 6, Sheet, 3, is applicable to the sur-
face apparatus and consists in substituting for the motor driven rams (A6) (A7)
working stroke for stroke with the pumps at the low level or levels, a comparatively
small and quickly running motor, M, arranged to act on two rams, N, N 1, (or any
other suitable number) in a manner to produce continuous pressure in one pipe and
continuous suction in another. The pressure and suction pipes, N 2, N 3, of the sur-
face apparatus are both connected to both pipes, N 4, N5, communicating with
the low level power cylinders, N 6, N 7, driving the hydraulic pump, N 8, but the
connections are controlled primarily by valves actuated by a rotating cam or other-
wise (other valves being also brought into operation the cam or equivalent being
driven from the surface motor, M, through spur gearing, M 1, giving a suitably
reduced speed. The surface apparatus is arranged to give, say, five strokes for one
stroke of the low level pumps, and the spur gearing, M1, on the motor, M,
is therefore proportioned to cause the rotating cam, P, fixed with the spurwheel
on the counter shaft, M2, to act on the valves, Q, Q1, in the casing, K, during
two and a half revolutions of the crank shaft, M3. In the example shown in
Figure, 6, the cam, P, acting on the lever, P1, opens the valves, Q1, and the
power water coming from the pressure pipe, N 2, through branch pipe, S, enters
and passes out of the casing, R, through a pipe, $1, and raises the differential
piston, T, and levers, T 1, so as to open the valves, Q2, Q3, in the casings, R 1, R 2.
Power water then passes from the power pump, U, by pressure pipe, N 2, into the
casing, R1, and through the valve opening, Q2, into the pipe, N 5, along which
it proceeds to act on the ram, N 10, in the low level power cylinder, N 7. The
suction water in the power pipe, N 4, is meantime being drawn up, entering
casing R2, by branch pipe, N8, and passing through the valve opening Q3, and
pipe 2, into the elevated tank, C, from which the power pump, U, draws its
water supply. A similar action takes place on the return stroke. The valves
already mentioned are closed and the valve, Q, is opened by the action of the
cam, P, in order to allow the water under piston, T, to be drawn up through
pipes S 1, and C 1, into the elevated tank, C, and the valves, Q4, Q5, are also opened
by the descent of the differential piston, T, and levers, T 1, caused by the action
of the power water which enters the piston chamber, T2, by a branch pipe, $2.
The power water is thus free to pass from the power pump, U, into the power
pipe, N4, to act on the ram, N9, in the low level power cylinder, N 6. The
suction water in the power pipe, N 5, then passes up as before into the elevated
tank, C, through a branch pipe, N11, casing, R 2, valve opening, Q 5, and pipe, C2.
The pressure, and suction pipes, N2, N3, of the surface apparatus may be con-
nected to two or more pumps at different levels or in different localities or there
may be separate pressure and suction pipes for each separate pump the action of
the water in the several pumps being controlled by the same or similar or differently
speeded valves.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declaré that what
I claim is:
1. Providing in connection with the water cylinders of the surface apparatus of
hydraulic mine pumps equalising valves each of which is acted on by a lever
moved by a projecting rib on a bar which reciprocates with the engine the lever
being provided with a jointed piece acted on by the projecting rib of the recipro-

page_text: cating bar, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and as
shown in Figures, 1, 2, 3, and 4, of the accompanying drawings.
2. Arranging hydraulic mine pumps in two sets one at the lowest level and the
other at a higher level both sets of pumps being worked from the same surface
apparatus, the lowest set of pumps discharging up into the suction part of the
upper pumps and both sets of pumps being provided with adjustable and equalis-
ing valves substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and as
shown in Figure, 5, of the accompanying drawings.
3. In hydraulic pumping apparatus for mines, combining a comparatively small
and quickly running motor with pumps arranged to produce continuous pressure
and continuous suction in separate pipes, and with valve mechanism driven at a
relatively low speed to control the distribution of the pressure and suction in the
pumping apparatus situated at the low level or levels substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figure, 6, of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Thirty first day of May 1898.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.