Improvements in and relating to Injectors for Steam Engines or for other Purposes for Lifting Water or other Fluids and Injecting or Ejecting the same.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1889-Accepted, 31st Aug., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Injectors for Steam Engines or
for other Purposes for Lifting Water or other Fluids and
Injecting or Ejecting the same.
I, CHARLES EDWARD CHURCH, residing at Youngs Hotel in the City of
Boston, County of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, one of the United States of
America, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,
in which :-
Figure 1, shows a vertical longitudinal section of an injector provided with my
improved forcing apparatus.
Figure 2, a similar view of an injector having my improved lifting apparatus and
forcing apparatus combined.
Figure 3, a similar view of my lifting or jet apparatus detached from the forcing
apparatus for use as an ejector.
Figure 4, a detail perspective view showing a portion of the apparatus shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 5, a vertical longitudinal section of a modification of the apparatus shown
in Figure 3, and―
Figure 6, a similar view of another modification.
"
The objects of my invention are first, to make a combined lifting and a forcing
apparatus, in which the quantity of water delivered therefrom small be materially
increased without thereby impairing the vacuum which the apparatus would other-
wise create and maintain; second, to make a combined lifting and forcing apparatus
which will be capable of being started and which will also automatically restart at
comparatively high or low pressures of steam, and which will operate efficiently
under varying steam pressures, and on varying lifts without the necessity of any
re-adjustments of the water supply by the attendant; and third, to provide an
improved jet apparatus, adapted for use in an injector as a lifter apparatus to deliver
water to the forcing apparatus, or by itself, as an ejector" or "lifter," and with
these ends in view, my invention consists first in the construction, arrangement and
combination of a lifting and forcing apparatus having a waste opening or openings
to the atmosphere in the combining and delivery tube of the forcing apparatus at or
near its throat and another waste opening to the atmosphere in the said tube between
its mouth and its throat at a point where the area of the bore of the tube in cross-
section is greater than the combined area of the lifter and forcer steam jet passages,
the latter waste opening being controlled by an automatic outwardly opening valve
to prevent indraft of air or reflux of fluid at said opening, without at the same time
interfering with or preventing the flow of fluid to the atmosphere from the other
waste opening or openings at or near the throat of said tube; second, in providing
the forcing apparatus of such injector, in addition to the waste openings above
referred to, with another waste opening located in the combining tube between
the opening nearest the mouth of the tube, and the opening or openings at or near
the throat and not controlled by the valve upon the former opening; third, in the
construction and arrangement in an injector apparatus of a supplemental inlet
leading from the suction pipe or water chamber of the apparatus to the interior of
the lifter combining and delivery tube at or near its throat said inlet being controlled
by a valve, adapted to admit the flow of fluid from the water chamber to the interior
of the tube through the inlet, and to prevent any reflux from the tube or from the
forcer through the inlet into the said pipe or chamber; fourth, in providing the
lifter apparatus in an injector with the said supplemental inlet and valve, so arranged
in relation to the lifter combining and delivery tube, and to the suction chamber,
.

page_text: that said valve will open automatically whenever the pressure in the chamber is
greater than the pressure within the tube at the point therein where the supplemental
inlet communicates therewith, but will close when the pressure at such point within
the tube exceeds the pressure within the suction chamber; and fifth, in providing a
jet apparatus adapted for use as an ejector with a supplemental inlet leading from the
suction pipe or water chamber to the interior of the combining and delivery tube at or
near its throat, and with a valve adapted to permit the flow of fluid from the suction
pipe or water chamber through the said inlet to the interior of the tube, but which
will prevent reflux of the fluid from the tube through the inlet into the water
chamber or suction pipe, and in so arranging said valve that it will close said inlet
automatically whenever the pressure within said combining and delivery tube at the
point of entrance of the inlet is greater than the pressure in the water chamber, and
will open automatically when the pressure in the tube is less than that in the
chamber.
In Figure 1, of the drawings, A, is the casing, externally screw-threaded at its
opposite ends for the ordinary coupling nuts and nipples, with which, by means of
pipes screwed to the latter, the apparatus is to be connected with the steam and
water spaces, respectively, of the boiler, and the cylindrical projection, C³, is
similarly threaded for connection with the suction pipe leading from the well or
other water supply.
Near one end, within the casing, is located the lifting apparatus, consisting of the
steam jet tube, E, screw-threaded and seated in the partition, D, and of the
combining and delivery tube, F, F1, in axial line therewith, and similarly held in
the partition, D. In axial line with the lifter-tubes at the other end of the casing is
located the forcing apparatus, consisting of an annular steam nozzle or passage, H¹,
and the combining and delivery tubes, H, O, (shown in the drawings as two separate
tubes.)
The tube, H, is screw-threaded and seated in the partition, K, and the tube, O, is
fitted in a like manner in the partition, O', and is also provided with a cylindrical
enlargement fitting closely in a hole through the partition, M, thereby forming the
overflow chambers, L, and, N, which communicate through outlets, P1, P2, with the
valve chamber, P, such outlets being controlled by the outwardly opening valves, P3, P4,
which are guided in the cap nuts, R, R, screwed in the casing, A, the valve chamber. P,
communicating with the atmosphere through the passage, P, surrounding a portion
of the overflow chambers. The tube, H, is bevelled out at its mouth, and the
discharge end of the lifter combining and delivery tube is made conical externally
and enters the bevelled mouth of the tube, H, which being slightly larger than the
lifter tube, thereby forms the annular steam nozzle or passage, H', of the forcing
apparatus.
Steam is supplied to the lifter nozzle, E, direct from chamber, B, (which is to be
connected with the steam space of the boiler) and to the forcer nozzle, H', from
the annular chamber, which is connected to chamber, B, by the conduit, I, formed in
the casing outside of and partially around the water chamber, C. The portion of the
tubes, H, O, extending from the end of the lifter delivery tube, F¹, to the throat,
near where the holes, 4, are located, (where the cross-section of the tube is smallest
in area,) is the forcer combing tube; and that portion of the tube, O, from the
throat to its delivery end is the "forcer delivery tube."
The delivery end of the tube, H, and the receiving end of the tube, O, are separated
by a space, H³, in the chamber, L, which serves as a waste opening. At the point at
which this opening is made the area in cross-section of the bore of the portion, H, of
the forcer combining tube, is greater than the combined area in cross-section of
both the lifter and the forcer steam jet nozzles or passages.
In that portion of the forcer combining tube which lies within the overflow
chamber, N, are one or more holes, h, at or near the throat of the tube, which serve
as a waste-opening at this point, and also another hole or series of holes, ', which
constitute another waste opening. The waste opening at, h, and that at, h, discharge
into the over-flow chamber, N.

page_text: The operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, is as follows: Steam being
admitted at, B, will pass through the lifter steam nozzle, E, and its combining and
delivery tubes, F, F, and into the combining tube of the forcer.
At the same time it will pass through the conduit, I, to the annular steam nozzle
or passage, H', of the forcer and will mingle in the tube, H, with the steam issuing
from the lifter. The steam, with any air delivered by the lifter, will issue through
the waste-opening at, H2, into the chamber, L, and will be permitted to escape to the
atmosphere by the valve, P4, and will also issue through the waste-opening at, h', and
that at, h, into the chamber, N, whence it will escape by raising the valve, P³. By
reason of the location of the waste-opening, H2, where the area in cross-section of
the bore of the combining tube is greater than the combined area of the smallest
cross-section of the lifter and forcer steam jet passages, a free vent for the lifter and
for the forcer steam is afforded, and in addition there are afforded the vents at the
waste-openings, ¹, and, h.
When the water is raised by the lifter, the steam coming in at, H¹, impinges upon
it at the mouth of the forcer combining tube, and, being condensed as the steam
passes through the tube, H, imparts an additional velocity to the water, which will
issue at the respective waste-openings, H2, h', and, h. As the velocity of the steam
will come
increases, it will leap across the waste-opening at, H2, and the valve, P*,
to its seat, and thereby prevent any indraft of air from the chamber, P, or reflux of
water from the openings at, h¹, and, h, through the chambers, N, and, P. When the
velocity of the stream is sufficiently increased, it. will shoot by both the openings
at, h, and, h, and pass through the delivery tube, raise the check-valve, (which
should be provided in the delivery pipe,) and enter the boiler. If a partial vacuum
is thereby formed in the chamber, N, the valve, P³, will prevent any indraft of air,
while if water or uncondensed steam continue to be discharged from the openings, h¹,
and, h, it will escape to the atmosphere and prevent any injurious pressure in the
chamber, N, while it will be kept from entering the opening, H2, by the valve, P.
I have found as the result of tests with an injector containing a lifter and a forcer
arranged as described, when the waste-opening at, H2, is controlled by a valve, as, P4,
so that air cannot be drawn in nor water flow back from the openings at, h', or, h,
that the apparatus will start to lift and force and also restart automatically with
steam of far lower pressure than it will if the opening at, H2, discharges into a
common chamber with the other waste-openings, and has no valve which is the
equivalent of, P.
By the use of this combination I secure the automatic operation of the injector
over a wider range of steam pressures than heretofore.
The valve, P3, as described, will close when the pressure in the chamber, N, is
less than in the overflow chamber, P. I have found under certain conditions of
steam pressure and lift that water will escape at the waste-openings at, h¹, or, h, and,
if the valve, P³, be not present, will spill through the overflow chamber; but if the
valve, P³, be used, it will come to its seat and stop the spilling.. To this extent it
contributes to the efficient operation of the apparatus. Furthermore, if it is
omitted, air will be drawn in under certain conditions of steam pressure and lift
through the chamber, N, and one or both openings, h, and, h, and carried into the
boiler.
I have found the use of the waste-opening afforded by the holes at, ', to be of
advantage in increasing the capability of starting and restarting at lower pressures
of steam than otherwise. For example, an instrument constructed in substantial
conformity to Figure 1, would automatically restart at about forty pounds steam
pressure, and without the waste-openings, h, it would not restart below about sixty-
five pounds steam pressure; but the fluid discharged from this opening, together
with that discharged from the opening, h, must be prevented from re-entering at the
opening, H2, as I have provided for by the use of the valve, P³.
In Figure 2, of the drawings is shown an injector provided with a forcing apparatus
like in construction and mode of operation to that of Figure 1; but in the place of
the lifting apparatus of ordinary construction shown in that figure, I have substituted

page_text: a lifting apparatus provided with a supplemental inlet to its combining tube for the
admission of fluid from the suction-chamber, and a valve to close such supplemental
inlet whenever the pressure within the tube at said inlet is greater than the pressure
in the suction-chamber. Such a lifting apparatus, as a separate jet apparatus, 'I show
in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, and describe herein-after.
The forcing apparatus shown in Figure 2, need not be re-described, as it is like
that shown in Figure 1. The lifting apparatus consists of the steam jet tube, E,
screw-threaded and seated in the partition, D, and of the combining and delivery
tube, F, F, made in two parts, joined near the middle by screw threads, as shown
the delivery part, F1, being screw-threaded and seated in the partition, D. The bore
of the part, F, is made converging toward the delivery end, and the bore of the
part, F, is made divergent in the same direction. Within the combining and
delivery tube, F, F1, between the delivery end of, F, and the receiving end or mouth
of, F1, and surrounding the delivery end of the tube, F, is an annular valve
chamber, G', which communicates with the water-chamber, C, through the passages, f,f,
and the annular groove, g, and with the interior of the tube through the space
between the adjacent ends of the two portions, F, F1, thereof, the passages, f, f
being controlled by the automatic annular valve, G, which is seated on the inner end
of the tube, F. The tube, F¹, penetrates the mouth of the combining tube, H, of the
forcer, and near the delivery end its exterior is made conical, as shown in the
drawings, and of less diameter than the bore of the mouth of the tube, H, thereby
leaving an annular passage which serves as the forcer steam jet nozzle.
The operation of the injector shown in Figure 2, is the same as that shown in
Figure 1, except that the lifter with the supplemental inlet so co-operates with the
forcer as to increase the range of effective operation of the injector, by increasing
the quantity of water delivered, while the instrument will continue to lift water from
as great a depth as in the form shown in Figure 1, restarting as readily.
In the operation of an injector like that shown in Figure 1, (and the same is
generally true of the class of restarting double injectors,) it will be found that under
certain conditions, steam or steam and water will escape from one or the other, or all,
of the waste openings at, H2, h', and, h. This is due to the fact that the temperature
of the stream of water passing through the forcer combining tube has risen to
about 212° Fahrenheit, or above, and on being exposed to atmospheric pressure while
passing the waste-openings it suddenly becomes converted into steam. Now, by
increasing the quantity of water delivered by the lifter as the pressure of the
actuating steam increases, the temperature of the stream as it passes through the
forcer combining tube, can be kept down.
By the use of the lifter apparatus embodied in the injector shown in Figure 2, an
adjustment of the water supply for this purpose, is made automatically. Under
ordinary conditions sufficient water will be raised and drawn into the tube, F, F¹,
through the annular space between the steam tube, E, and the mouth of the
combining tube, F. When, however, the steam-pressure is unusually high or the
temperature of the water in the well is lowered, the velocity of the stream in
the lifter combining and delivery tube will be increased and the pressure within the
tube, F, F, will be partially taken off, so that it will be less than the pressure in the
water-chamber, C. The water will then enter, F, F1, through the supplemental inlet
formed by the passage, g, and holes, f, f, and with this quantity added to that which
is entering at the mouth the temperature of the stream in the forcer combining-tube
will be lowered. Whenever a pressure exists in the vicinity of the openings which
form the supplemental inlet in the tube, F, F¹, greater than that in the water-
chamber, C, the valve G, will be forced to its seat, and will cover the holes, f, ƒ, so
that no back flow from the forcer or from the tube, F¹, can take place through the
supplemental inlet.
I am aware that in injectors of this class a supplemental inlet from the water-
chamber to the lifter combining tube has been used; but in such injectors no means
were provided to prevent the escape of steam or back-pressure through the supple-
mental inlet, and consequently, in starting or restarting the apparatus, the vacuum

page_text: which could be obtained in the water-chamber was impaired ; but by the use of a
valve to control the supplemental inlet, I am enabled to secure all the advantages due
to that inlet, and still start and restart the apparatus, and draw water from as great a
depth and with as low pressure of steam as when a continuous solid lifter combining
and delivery tube is used.
Instead of having the valve, P4, and its seat formed on the chamber, L, as shown in
the drawings, the valve may be inade annular, encircling the exterior of the forcer
combining-tube at or near the waste-opening, H2, and provided with a seat on that
tube. The partition, M, will then be unnecessary.
All the waste-openings can discharge into a common chamber, and the valve, P*, as
thus constructed and located therein, will close the waste-opening, H2, and perform the
same function in the injector, as has been hereinbefore set forth.
Referring to Figure 3, in which the lifter apparatus is shown by itself as an ejector ;
A, designates the casing, externally screw-threaded at its lower end, and at, C', for
connection with the delivery and suction-pipes, respectively, and internally threaded
at its upper end for the bonnet, B, (the internal thread being more clearly shown in
Figure 5,) which bonnet B is also externally threaded for connection with the steam
space of the boiler. Within the casing the usual water-chamber is formed by the
partitions, P, T. Seated in the former and secured by the bonnet, B, is the steam
nozzle, E, of ordinary construction, and in the latter is fitted the lifter combining and
delivery tube, F, F', made of two pieces joined near the middle by screw-threads, as
shown. The bore of the upper portion of the tube, F, is made converging toward the
delivery end, and the bore of the lower portion, F2, is inade divergent in the same
direction. Within said combining and delivery tube, between the convergent ends of
its upper and lower portions surrounding the convergent end of the former portion, is
an annular valve-chamber, G', which communicates with the water-chamber, C,
through the passages, f, f, and the annular groove, g, and with the interior of the
tube through the space between the adjacent ends of the two portions thereof, said
passages, ff, being controlled by the automatic annular valve, G, which is seated
on the inner end of the lower portion of the tube, F, (more clearly shown in Figure 4).
In Figure, the steam nozzle, E, and the bore of the combining and delivery tube
are substantially the same as those of Figure 3; but the casing, A, and the valve, (t,
are shown somewhat modified, the former having in addition to the partitions, P, T',
a third partition, T, therein, in which is fitted the upper portion of the combining
and delivery tube, F, and between which partition and partition, T¹, is formed a
chamber, G³, connected with the water-chamber through the aperture, g, and
conduit, f, which conduit is formed in the casing over and partially surrounding
the water-chamber, and is controlled by the valve, G, seated in the aperture, g, and
guided by means of its stem, which fits loosely in the bonnet, h, screwed into the
casing, which construction affords means whereby easier access to the valve, G,
may be had, than is afforded by the construction shown in Figure 3.
In Figure 6, the steam nozzle, E, and the lower portion of the combining and
delivery tube, F1, are shown secured in partitions, P, and, T', respectively, substantially
as in Figure 5, and the upper portion, F, is loosely fitted in partition, T, and is pro-
vided with an enlargement at its lower end, forming a valve controlling the
longitudinal passages, f, f, made in the exterior of the tube, which passages connect
the water-chamber with the chamber, G', when the pressure in the latter chamber is
less than the pressure in the former. When, however, the pressure in chamber, G¹,
exceeds the pressure in the water-chamber, communication between the chambers
through the passages, f, f, will be cut off by the enlarged lower end of the movable
portion, F, which will thereby be forced against the valve seat made therefor in
the partition, T, as is clearly shown in the drawings, the movement of the tube in
the opposite direction being limited by the lugs, k, k, in such a way that the space
between the adjacent ends of the two portions of the combining and delivery tube
cannot be entirely closed, a free inlet to the interior of the tube from the water-
chamber thus being afforded whenever the valve surfaces of the tube and of said
partition are not in contact.

page_text: While jet apparatus have been made heretofore having a supplemental inlet to
the combining tube, formed by openings through the tube within the water-chamber
to increase their delivery; in all of such jet apparatus, so far as I am aware, such
openings lessen the vacuum which the same tubes would produce if they were made
continuous, that is to say, without such openings. For example, I found by experi-
ments made with tubes similar in form and construction to those shown in Figure 3,
that with the valve, G, in the tube, the apparatus produced a vacuum of twenty-
five inches (equivalent to lifting water about twenty-eight feet,) its maximum, with
fifty-five pounds steam pressure, and one of eighteen inches, (a lift of about twenty.
feet,) with one hundred and thirty pounds steam pressure, which vacuums are
substantially the same that a continuous tube, otherwise of the same internal form
and substituted therefor in the apparatus, produced with equal steam pressures.
When the valve, G, was removed the vacuum at the former pressure was reduced
to twenty-two inches (a lift of about twenty-five feet) and at the latter pressure to
eleven inches, (a lift of about twelve feet,) showing that the lifting properties of a
continuous combining and delivery tube are obtained by means of this invention,
together with all of the advantages due to the supplemental inlet.
The valve, G, in the form of apparatus shown in Figure 5, instead of being automatic
in its action, may be arranged to be controlled by the attendant, as for instance, the
stem may be lengthened; and the screw-thread formed thereon to work in a corre-
sponding thread in the bonnet, h, (on which bonnet a stuffing-box should be provided,)
and a lever or hand-wheel attached thereto. The valve can then be screwed down on
its seat whenever it is desirable to close the supplemental inlet.
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 In an injector, a lifting apparatus arranged to continuously deliver water to
a forcing apparatus, the latter being provided with a waste opening or openings to
the atmosphere at or near the throat of its combining tube, and a waste opening to the
atmosphere between the mouth of its combining tube and the throat, where the area
of the bore of the tube in cross-section is greater than the combined area of the lifter
and forcer steam jet passages, the latter waste opening being controlled by an automatic
outwardly opening valve to prevent indraft of air or the reflux of fluid at that opening
from the waste opening or openings at or near the throat without interfering with
the flow of fluid to the atmosphere from the latter opening, substantially as
described.
:
Second In an injector, a lifting apparatus arranged to continuously deliver water
to a forcing apparatus, the latter being provided with a waste opening to the atmosphere
at or near the throat of its combining tube and a waste opening to the atmosphere
between the mouth of its combining tube and the throat, where the area of the bore
of the tube in cross-section is greater than the combined area of the lifter and forcer
steam jet passages, and with another waste opening to the atmosphere in its combining
tube located between the other two openings, the opening nearest the mouth of the
tube being controlled by an automatic outwardly opening valve to prevent indraft of
air or the reflux of fluid at that opening from the other waste openings without inter-
fering with the flow of fluid to the atmosphere from the other waste openings,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Third In an injector, a lifting apparatus arranged to continuously deliver water
to a forcing apparatus, the latter being provided with a waste opening to the atinos-
phere at or near the throat of its combining tube, and a waste opening to the
atmosphere between the mouth of its combining tube and the throat where the area of the
bore of the tube in cross-section is greater than the combined area of the lifter and forcer
steam jet passages and with another waste opening to the atmosphere in its combining
tube located between the other two openings, the opening uearest the mouth of the
tube being controlled by an automatic outwardly opening valve to prevent indraft of
air, or the reflux of fluid at that opening from the other waste openings without

page_text: interfering with the flow of fluid to the atmosphere from the other waste openings,
the other two waste openings being controlled also by an automatic outwardly opening
valve, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Fourth In an injector, a lifting apparatus, the combining tube of which is pro-
vided at its mouth with the usual inlet for the admission of fluid from the suction
chamber, and with a supplemental inlet formed by one or more ports communicating
with the interior of said tube through one or more openings therein, and with the
suction chamber, and a valve to close the supplemental inlet, such lifting apparatus
being arranged to continuously deliver water to a forcing apparatus, the latter being
provided with a waste opening to the atmosphere at or near the throat of its com-
bining tube, and a waste opening to the atmosphere between the mouth of its combining
tube and the throat, where the area of the bore of the tube in cross-section is greater
than the combined area of the lifter and forcer steam jet passages, the latter waste
openings being controlled by an automatic outwardly opening valve to prevent indraft
of air or the reflux of fluid at that opening from the waste opening or openings at or
near the throat, without interfering with the flow of fluid to the atmosphere from the
latter opening, substantially as described.
Fifth: In an ejector or lifter jet apparatus, a combining and delivery tube pro-
vided at its mouth with the usual inlet for the admission of fluid from the suction-
chamber, and provided also with a supplementary inlet formed by one or more ports
communicating with the interior of said tube through one or more openings
therein, and with the suction-chamber and a valve to automatically close the said
supplementary inlet whenever the pressure within the tube at said openings is greater
than the pressure in the suction-chamber, substantially as set forth.
:
Sixth In an ejector or lifter jet apparatus, a combining and delivery tube pro-
vided at its mouth with the usual inlet for the admission of fluid from the suction-
chamber, and provided also with a supplementary inlet formed by one or more ports
communicating with the interior of said tube through one or more openings therein,
and with the suction-chamber, and a valve to close the said supplementary inlet,
Eubstantially as set forth.
Seventh In an ejector or lifter jet apparatus, a combining and delivery tube, the
bore of the combining portion of which converges from its mouth in the direction of
the flow of the fluid through it, provided at its mouth with the usual inlet for the
admission of fluid from the suction-chamber, and provided also with a supplementary
inlet formed by one or more ports communicating with the interior of said tube
through one or more openings therein at or near its throat, and with the suction-
chamber, and a valve to automatically close tho said supplementary inlet whenever the
pressure within the tube at said openings is greater than the pressure in the suction-
chamber, substantially as and for. the purpose set forth.
:
Eighth In an ejector or lifter jet apparatus, a combining and delivery tube, the
bore of the combining portion of which converges from its mouth in the direction of
the flow of the fluid through it, provided at its mouth with the usual inlet for the
admission of fluid from the suction-chamber, and provided also with a supplementary
inlet formed by one or more ports communicating with the interior of said tube
through one or more openings therein at or near its throat and with the suction-
chamber and a valve to close the said supplementary inlet, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Dated th: 5th IT 1000