IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO PUMPS
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hays Wilson, of the Firm of John Hays
Wilson and Company, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Brass
Founders and Ships' Ironmongers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
APPLICABLE TO PUMPS."
Sealed the 18th July 1865, and dated the 21st January 1865..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hays Wilson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st January 1865. -
I, JOHN HAYS WILSON, of the Firm of John Hays Wilson and Company,
of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Brass Founders and Ships' Iron-
mongers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS APPLICABLE TO PUMPS," to be as follows (that is to say) :-
This Invention for improvements applicable to pumps may be applied to
all descriptions of lift pumps, but will be found peculiarly suitable to those for
ships' use.
To apply this Invention to, say, a main pump, the working barrel it is
preferred to cast with a chamber parallel to the bore of the working barrel,
and by preference in one piece therewith. The chamber is divided internally

page_text: by a vertical diaphragm which extends nearly to the top of the chamber.
One side of this chamber, at the bottom, opens on to and is connected with
the head of the suction pipe, and the other is provided with a port or side
opening into the working barrel at a point below the lower or foot valve,
which may be a feather or other description of valve. Any description of
pump bucket may be used, but it is preferred to use a clack valve con-
structed according to the Invention of the applicant, and for which he obtained
Her most Gracious Majesty's Letters Patent, numbered 2343, and dated
19 September 1861. The suction chamber, which is divided by the vertical
diaphragm, is closed on the top by a suitably formed air-tight lid fitted with a
screwed plug or vent constructed according to the Invention of the applicant,
as described in the Specification of the said Letters Patent. The object of
this plug being to admit air to the suction pipe to enable the air-tight cover
to be easily removed for the purpose of sounding the pump well, or for the
removal of chips, or other foreign matter calculated to impede the action of
the pump. The portion of the chamber down which the water descends is
fitted with an oblique grating for the purpose of trapping any foreign matter
that may be drawn through the suction pipe so as to prevent the same reaching
the valves, and which foreign substance can be readily removed by hand by
taking off the air-tight cover. The object of making the grating or per-
forated plate oblique is to allow of a greater number of perforations or
openings for the passage of the water from the suction pipe to the working
barrels. The top of the pump barrel is fitted with a domed or other suitably
shaped cover, on one side of which is formed the discharge nozzle, and the
top of which is constructed with a suitable gland or guide for the spear rod.
This cover is attached to the barrel by means of short screwed rods which are
jointed to to the barrel and fitted with thumbscrews. The jointed screwed rods
are folded into notches on the edge of the cover. The object of this arrange-
ment is to enable the cover to be readily secured to the pump barrel or
loosened therefrom so that the same may be turned round that the discharge
nozzle may be turned in any direction that may be required, and that when
a hose is attached to the discharge nozzle it may be carried direct to any
point required.
The action of this modification is as follows:-On the pump being set in
motion and vacuum or partial vacuum being formed, the water or other liquid
passes up the suction pipe and through the opening in the bottom of the
chamber, and in an upward direction until it arrives at 'the top of the
diaphragm, when it passes over, 'falls on to the oblique perforated grating or

page_text: plate, after which it passes through the port or side opening into the working
barrel below the suction valve, which, on the up stroke of the pump, opens,
and allows the water to follow the pump bucket. On the down stroke the
lower valve closes, preventing the return of the water. The valve in the pump
bucket opening to allow the water to pass above it, and which is discharged
on the next upstroke. The action of the working barrel being similar
to that of all lift pumps except the lower valve, at all events is always
covered with water, therefore the pump is always primed and ready for
immediate use.
To apply this Invention to, say, a bilge pump, I so arrange the parts that a
single pump may be used alternately for port or starboard bilge pump, and
the same is so arranged that it may be alternately connected to one, two,
three, or any number of suction pipes, so that it may be used for drawing
water or other liquids from any position to which the several suction pipes
lead: A pump constructed according to this modification consists of a
working barrel, valves, and spear of the same description as the last described
modification, but in this modification I do not divide the chamber on the side
of the pump barrel with a diaphragm, but in place of fitting the head of the
chamber with an air-tight cover I use a semicircular pipe which is capable of
being turned round so as to be brought in connection and coupled to either the
port or starboard or other suction pipe, which are arranged in such a manner
that the semicircular pipe has only to be turned round to be brought over the
head of the suction pipe which it is intended to be used at that time, and
connecting the same by means of a simple union joint or its mechanical
equivalent.
The action of this modification is as follows:-On the pump being put into
action the water or other liquid is drawn up the suction pipe and through
the semicircular pipe, entering the chamber on the side of the working
barrel at the top, descends and passes through the side port into the working
barrel beneath the lower valve. The semicircular junction pipe it is pre-
ferred should have a higher elevation than the top of the stroke of the
pump bucket, by which arrangement the pump barrel at all times retains
its water although it may be disconnected from the suction pipes.
Where it is desirable to apply this Invention to, say, a port and starboard
bilge pump alternately, or where only two suction pipes are required, the
pump barrel, valves, and spear are of the same description, but it is cast or
formed with two parallel pipes or passages, the bottom of each of which open
on to and are connected with the heads of the suction pipes immediately

page_text: below them. Between these two vertical parallel pipes or passages there
is a third enclosed chamber or passage having a port or side opening at or
near the bottom which opens into the working barrel, and at the top thereof
there are side openings into the parallel vertical pipes or passages on the
heads of the suction pipes. The heads of the two vertical parallel pipes
or passages on the heads of the suction pipes are enclosed with suitable air-
tight covers or lids through each of which pass a vertical screwed spindle, the
lower ends of which are connected to hydrant valves which can be lifted from
or brought on to their seats formed in the casting a little below the port or
side opening. The top of these screwed rods are fitted with crank handles
or their mechanical equivalents for the purpose of operating the valves.
The object of these valves is to enable the connection of the pump to be cut
off from or connected with either of the suction pipes.
The action of this modification is as follows:-Previous to putting the
pump in motion the hydrant valve on the head of the suction pipe through
which it is intended to draw the liquid is elevated by hand though the screwed
rod and crank handle so as to be above the port or side opening forming the
passage into the centre chamber, at the same time care being taken to screw
down the valve on the opposite side, then upon the pump being set in motion
the water or other liquid is drawn up through the suction pipe and chamber
on the head thereof, and passes through the side opening into the centre
chamber, and thence through the port at the bottom thereof into the working
barrel. When it is desired to change the source of supply to the pump from
one suction pipe to the other all that is required is to close the last described
hydrant valve and elevate the reverse one.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Hays Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 21st July 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HAYES WILSON, of the Firm of John Hayes Wilson and Company, of 80
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Brass Founders and Ships' Iron-
mongers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of January, in the year of our

page_text: Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Hayes Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said John
Hayes Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said John Hays Wilson, 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 APPLICABLE TO PUMPS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Hays Wilson, 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 Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Johu Hayes Wilson, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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):-
This my said Invention for improvements applicable to pumps may be
applied to all descriptions of lift pumps, but will be found peculiarly suitable
to those for ships' use.
To apply this my said Invention to, say, a main pump, the working barrel
I prefer to cast with a chamber parallel to the bore of the working barrel, and
by preference in one piece therewith. The chamber I divide internally by a
vertical diaphragm, which extends nearly to the top of the chamber. Ono
side of this chamber at the bottom opens on to and is connected with the head
of the suction pipe, and the other is provided with a port or side opening into
the working barrel at a point below the lower or foot valve. Any description
of pump bucket may be used, but I prefer to use a clack valve constructed
according to an Invention of mine, and for which I obtained Her most Gracious
Majesty's Letters Patent, Numbered 2348, and dated 19th September 1861.
The suction chamber, which is divided by the vertical diaphragın, I close on
the top by a suitably formed air-tight lid, fitted with a screwed plug or vent,
constructed according to my said Invention as described in the Specification
of the herein-before last-recited Letters Patent. The object of this plug
being to admit air to the suction pipe to enable the air-tight cover to be casily

page_text: removed for the purpose of sounding the pump well, or for the removal of
chips or other foreign matter calculated to impede the action of the pump.
The portion of the chamber down which the water descends I fit with an
oblique grating for the purpose of trapping any foreign matter that may be
drawn through the suction pipe, so as to prevent the same reaching the
valves, and which foreign substance can be readily removed by hand by
taking off the air-tight cover. The object of making the grating or per-
forated plate oblique is to allow of a greater number of perforations or
openings for the passage of the water from the suction pipe to the working
barrels. The top of the pump barrel I fit with a domed or other suitably
shaped cover, on one side of which I form the discharge nozzle, and the top
of which I construct with a suitable gland or guide for the spear rod. This
cover I attach to the barrel by means of short screwed rods, which are jointed
to the barrel, and fitted with thumb screws. The jointed screwed rods I fold
into notches on the edge of the cover. The object of this arrangement is
to enable the cover to be readily secured to the pump barrel, or loosened
therefrom so that the same may be turned round, that the discharge nozzle
may be turned in any direction that may be required, and that. when a
hose is attached to the discharge nozzle it may be carried direct to any point
required.
The action of this modification is as follows:-On the pump being set in
motion, and vacuum or partial vacuum being found, the water or other
liquid passes up the suction pipe and through the opening in the bottom of
the chamber and in an upward direction until it arrives at the top of the
diaphragm, when it passes over, falls on to the oblique perforated grating or
plate, after which it passes through the port or side opening into the working
barrel below the suction valve, which on the upstroke of the pump opens and
allows the water to follow the pump bucket. On the down stroke the lower
valve closes, preventing the return of the water. The valve in the pump
bucket opening to allow the water to pass above it, and which is discharged
on the next upstroke. The action of the working barrel being similar to that
of all lift pumps, except that the lower valve, at all events is always covered
with water, therefore the pump is always primed and ready for use.
To apply this my said Invention to, say, a bilge pump, I so arrange the
parts that a single pump may be used alternately for port or starboard bilge
pump, and the same I so arrange that it may be alternately connected to one,
two, three, or any number of suction pipes, so that it may be used for drawing
water or other liquids from any position to which the several suction pipes lead

page_text: A pump constructed according to this modification consists of a working
barrel, valves, and spear of the same description as the last-described modifi-
cation; but in this modification I do not divide the chamber on the side of
the pump barrel with a diaphragm, but in place of fitting the head of the
chamber with an air-tight cover I use a semi-circular pipe, which is capable
of being turned round so as to be brought in connexion, and coupled to either
the port or starboard or other suction pipe, which I arrange in such a manner
that the semicircular pipe has only to be turned round to be brought over
the head of the suction pipe, which I intend to use at that time, and I
connect the same by means of a simple union joint, or its mechanical
equivalent.
The action of this modification is as follows:-On the pump being put into
action, the water or other liquid is drawn up the suction pipe, and through
the semi-circular pipe, entering the chamber on the side of the working barrel
at the top, descends and passes through the side port into the working barrel
beneath the lower valve. The semicircular junction pipe I prefer should
have a higher elevation than the top stroke of the pump bucket, by which
arrangement the pump barrel at all times retains its water, although it may
be disconnected from the suction pipes.
Where it is only desirable to apply this my said Invention to say a port
and starboard bilge pump alternately, or where only two suction pipes are
required, the pump barrel, valves, and spear are of the same description, but
it is cast or formed with two parallel pipes or passages, the bottoms of each
of which open on to and are connected with the heads of the suction pipes
immediately below them. Between these two vertical parallel pipes or
passages there is a third enclosed chamber or passage, having a port or side
opening at or near the bottom, which opens into the working barrel, and at
the top thereof there are side openings into the parallel vertical pipes or
passages on the heads of the suction pipes. The heads of the two vertical
parallel pipes or passages on the heads of the suction pipes I enclose with
suitable air-tight covers or lids, through each of which pass a vertical screwed
spindle, the lower ends of which are connected to hydrant valves, which can
be lifted from or brought on to their seats formed in the casting a little below
the port or side opening. The top of these screwed rods I fit with crank
handles or their mechanical equivalents, for the purpose of operating the
valves. The object of these valves is to enable the connexion of the pump to
be cut off from or connected with either of the suction pipes.
'
The action of this modification is as follows:-Previous to putting the,

page_text: pump in motion, the hydrant valve on the head of the suction pipe through
which it is intended to draw the liquid is elevated by hand through the screwed
rod and crank handle so as to be above the port or side opening forming the
passage into the centre chamber, at the same time care being taken to screw
down the valve on the opposite side, then upon the pump being set in motion
the water or other liquid is drawn up through the suction pipe and chamber
on the head thereof, and passes through the port or side opening into the
centre chamber, and thence through the port at the bottom thereof into the
working barrel. When it is desired to change the source of supply to the
pump from one suction pipe to the other, all that is required is to close the
last-described hydrant valve, and elevate the reverse one.
That this my said Invention may be the more readily seen and understood
I have hereunto annexed Drawings illustrating so much of three modifications
of my Invention as will be necessary to illustrate the practical application of
the same. Like letters and figures marked thereon are used to denote similar.
parts.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of one of my improved lift pumps constructed
with a chamber on the side of the working barrel, which is divided by a vertical
diaphragm, which extends well up the chamber, and the bottom of one of
which sub-chambers or passages is open and connected with the suction pipe,
and the other is provided with an oblique grating or perforated plate for the
trapping of chips or other foreign matter, and has a port or side opening into
the lower end of the working barrel beneath the foot valve; and Figure 2 is
a plan or top view of the casting forming the body of the working barrel and
divided chamber on the side thereof.
Figure 3 is a partial plan of the flange on the head of the chamber F,
in Figure 1, slotted on its edge to receive the folding jointed screwed rods for
closing the top of the side chamber; and Figure 4 is a partial sectional
elevation of the same and the flange on the head of the side chamber.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of another modification of my Invention taken
from A to B, Figure 6, applied to a pump, which is well adapted to be used
as either a port or starboard bilge pump alternately or together.
Figure 6 is a top view or plans of the casting forming the working barrel
and two suction chambers, illustrated in Section No. 5.
.
Figure 7 is another modification of my Invention whereby I am enabled to
use one working pump barrel in connexion with one, two, three, or any greater
number of suction pipes, having their heads within the radius of the semi-
circular junction pipe; and Figure 8 is a plan of the top of the pump barrel

page_text: and ascending pipe, and showing the position of the heads of three suction
pipes.
A, pump barrel; B, foot valves; C, pump bucket; D, spear rods, which
are shown broken off, and worked through glands in E, cover of working
barrel; F, semi-chamber or passage, through which the water or other liquid
descends and passes into the working barrel through the side or port opening
below the foot valve B, as indicated by the direction of the arrows; G, an
oblique grating or perforated plate for the trapping of chips or other foreign
matter drawn through the suction pipes; H, chambers or passages on the
heads of the suction pipes; J (Figure 7), semicircular junction pipe on the
head of chamber F, and which is capable of being attached to or disconnected
from the heads of any number of suction pipes by means of K, a union nut
with an internal screw, which takes into L, a screw formed on the head of
the suction pipes; M, suction pipes; N (Figures 1 and 4) a partial sectional
elevation of the cover and top of the chamber F (Figure 1) showing the
folding screwed rod for securing the cover; P (Figure 5), hydrant valves,
which are actuated through Q, screwed rods, by means of R, hand wheels
for elevating and depressing the hydrant valves; S, deck of vessel or other
foundation for the pump gear.
The action of the modification illustrated in Figure 1 is as follows:-On
the upstroke of the pump bucket the water is drawn up through the suction
pipe into the chamber H, passes over the diaphragm, and falls on to the
grating G in the division F, and passing through the grating or perforated
plate, and through the port or side opening beneath the foot valve B in the
pump barrel A, when it passes through the foot valve, following the pump
bucket; on the downstroke the foot valve closes, and the valve of the pump
bucket opens, allowing the water to escape above it, when it is discharged at
the next stroke, the action being that of an ordinary lift pump, and delivered
through the discharge nozzle on the side of the cover of the working barrel.
The action of the modification illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 is as follows:-
Assuming in this modification that the two chambers Ḥ are connected to the
two seperate suction pipes, and it is desired to draw from both at one time,
all that is required is to raise the hydrant valves P from their seats and set
the pump to work. And when it is required to use either of the two suction
pipes seperately, all that is required is to screw down the hydrant valve in
the chamber on the head of the reverse suction pipe. The arrangement of
pump barrel and pump valves are precisely the same as that of the last
herein-before described modification.

page_text: In the modification illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 all that is required.
to be done is to turn round the semi-circular junction pipe, so as to be
immediately over the head of the suction pipe it is intended to use, and con-
nect the same therewith by means of the union nut K, when the pump is
ready for use.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this my said
Invention, and how I believe the same may be best carried into practical
effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise
details, relative proportions, or dimensions herein-before described and set
forth, as it will be readily seen by those acquainted with the art that the same 1
may be considerably varied without departing from the Invention; but what
I claim as new and my Invention is,-
Firstly, casting the chamber on the side of the pump barrel in one piece
therewith, and dividing the said chamber by a vertical diaphragm, substantially
in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described, set forth, and 1
illustrated by Figures 1 and 2.:
Secondly, the application of the oblique grating or perforated plate, sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described, set
forth, and illustrated by Figures 1, 2, and 7.
Thirdly, the general form, arrangement,, and combination of the various 2
parts of the pumping apparatus, herein-before described, set forth, and illus-
trated by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Fourthly, the forming of single pumps with two chambers, capable of
being connected with two separate suction pipes, substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated by 2
Figures 5 and 6.
Fifthly, the application of the hydrant valves, with screwed rods and so
forth, for operating the same, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated by Figures 5 and 6.
Sixthly, casting the said hydrant chambers and descending passage for the 3
liquid to pass into the pump barrel in one piece with the said pump barrel, as
illustrated by Figures 5 and 6.
Seventhly, the general form and combination of the apparatus, substantially
in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described, set forth, and
illustrated by Figures 5 and 6.
Eighthly, the use and application of the semicircular swivelling junction
pipe for enabling a single pump to be connected to the head of any particular
suction pipe, the head of which may be within the radius thereof, substantially
5

page_text: in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described, set forth, and
illustrated by Figures 7 and 8.
And, lastly, the general form, arrangement, and combination of the various
parts, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described,
set forth, and illustrated by Figures 7 and 8.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hays Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal, this Twentieth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
0 Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER,
Of 44, Castle Street,
Liverpool.
JOHN HAYS (L.S.) WILSON.