Improvements in Apparatus for Distributing Liquids.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Distributing Liquids.
I, JOHN CRAVEN, Junior, of Lytton Bank, Halliwell Lane, Cheetham Hill,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Chemist, 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:-
-
This invention relates to apparatus for distributing liquids, as for example in
connection with Gay-Lussac towers used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid,
and its object is to ensure a mare uniform distribution of the liquids with less
friction.
According to my present invention, the liquid to be distributed is first delivered
into a receiver which is provided with a plurality of outlet pipes having their
nozzles or outlets turned in such directions, in the manner of a Barker's mill, that
rotation is ensured by the force of the escaping liquid. This receiver is mounted
upon a float contained in any suitable vessel. By this arrangement the float and
receiver rotate together and the only friction which is set up is that which arises
between the surfaces of the float and liquid, and which is merely nominal
in practice.
The apparatus may be arranged to deliver two or more liquids if desired.
I will more particularly describe my said invention with reference to the accom-
panying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 shews a vertical section, and
Figure 2, a plan.
When the apparatus is in use, the outer vessel A, is suitably fixed within or
above the space in which the liquid or liquids is or are to be distributed. Within
the vessel there may or may not be arranged the concentric tube B, secured by
a fluid tight joint with the bottom of the chamber A. When this tube is used,
openings 6b, may be formed in the bottom for the escape of any fluid which may
accidentally enter it.
The chamber A contains any suitable liquid and the annular float C, which
may be constructed of sheet metal so as to form a closed annular chamber. The
receiver R is supported upon the float, for example by means of the four legs LL,
and is supplied with a plurality of outlet pipes PP, the nozzles of which are
arranged, as in a Barker's mill and as shewn by Figure 2, so that the escaping
liquid sets up a rotation of the pipes, receiver and float.
The liquid to be distributed may be supplied to the receiver through the supply
pipe S, and be regulated by a valve V. When more than one liquid is to be
distributed, there may be a corresponding number of the supply pipes and control
valves.
The apparatus is maintained in a central position by means of a pivot D, fixed
upon the upper end of the pillar E, which itself is fixed upon the bottom of the
vessel A, and by means of the cross-bar F, secured upon the float and having a
central vertical perforation through which the pivot passes. This perforation
may be provided with a glass eye, so that only the glass of which the eye is com-
posed comes into contact with the pivot.

page_text: It will be seen that the whole of the moving system floats and that there are no
mechanical bearings or rubbing parts whatever, and that no lubrication can ever
be required.
Obviously the float may be solid if constructed of sufficiently light material,
and it may have any convenient form other than that shewn by the drawings.
Also, the receiver may rest directly upon the float, and the rotary system may be
otherwise centred, or the centreing may in some cases be omitted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In apparatus for distributing liquids, a receiver carried upon a float and
provided with outlet pipes having nozzles turned in such directions that the liquid
escaping therefrom sets up rotation of the floating system, substantially as herein-
before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. An apparatus for distributing liquids, constructed arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.