IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPRESSING AIR OR OTHER GAS. WHICH MAY BE TRANSFERRED BY TUBES FOR RAISING WATER AND FOR VARIOUS OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederic Seiler, of Paris, in the French Empire,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPRESSING AIR OR
OTHER GAS. WHICH MAY BE TRANSFERRED BY TUBES FOR RAISING WATER AND
FOR VARIOUS OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 12th March 1861, and dated the 15th September 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by. the said Frederic Seiler at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th
September 1860.
I, FREDERIC SEILER, of Paris, in the French Empire, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVIMENTS IN COMPRESSING
AIR OR OTHER GAS, WHICH MAY BE TRANSFERRED BY TUBES FOR RAISING WATER AND
FOR VARIOUS OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in compressing air by a body of water allowed to rise
in a vessel constructed for the purpose, the compressed air being taken through
pipes furnished with stop-cocks for any uses for which it may be required.
When for the purpose of raising water, the air pipe opens into a smaller vessel
on a higher level than that from which the air has been driven, but below the
level of the river or other stream or source of water, in which the apparatus is
placed. This vessel is filled by the water being allowed to run into it, and it
is then hermetically closed, except to a pipe which descends to near the bottom

page_text: thereof, and opens through the bottom into the upper part of a similar vessel
placed on a higher level; and this second vessel again communicates through a
similar tube with a third vessel placed at the same distance above the second,
as the second above the first. Stop-cocks are fitted to the pipes and air valves
to the top of the two upper vessels. The air-compressing vessel is built or
formed at the bottom of a stream or head of water, and the water to compress
the air is allowed to flow through valves into pipes which open into the bottom
of the compressing vessel, a valve leading to an outlet pipe allows of the com-
pressing vessel being emptied of water as required. A precisely similar
compressing vessel is fitted and is made to communicate with the first vessel
into which the compressed air is first driven. The two compressing vessels act
alternately. By shutting off and opening the taps and valves at the right
times, liquid will be raised from liquid vessel No. 1 into liquid vessel No. 2,
and finally into No. 3, from whence the water may be taken for motive power
and other purposes. The distance each liquid vessel is over that below it must
be equal to the height of the column of water over the air-compressing vessel,
and the capacity of the two upper liquid vessels should be rather less than that
of the lowest liquid vessel.
For raising water from wells, compressed air from any source is forced into
a tight box placed under the water, into which water is admitted through a
valve, the air drives the water up a pipe opening into a second box above the
level of the water in the well, a fresh supply of water is now admitted into the
submerged box; compressed air is again forced in, and so the water becomes
driven into a third, and thence into a fourth box, each on a higher level than
that preceding it. From the highest box the water is taken for motive power
and other purposes.
For compressing air for the purpose of raising water in a tide-way, I make
use of an apparatus consisting of a bottom box or case open at bottom, and
communicating at top through a pipe furnished with a tap with an upper box
open at top, containing a case without any bottom, the edges of which are kept
free from the bottom of the box. The appliances described are free to rise and
fall in guides, sliding stops are used to keep the boxes up and down as required.
Supposing the tide to be out and the boxes empty, the lower box would rest upon
the ground, and would allow the entrance of air through the open bottom, the
slide stops would be driven in to prevent the boxes from rising. On the water
rising and reaching the bottom of the upper box, it lifts valves and rises therein;
if the slide stops be now withdrawn, the air in the lower box will float up and
raise the boxes with the water therein, and other slide stops must be driven in
to retain the boxes in the position to which they have been raised; if now the

page_text: tap in the air pipe be opened, the air will take the place of the water in the
inverted case, and will still farther raise the water in the box.
Again, I compress air in tide-ways by fixing a vessel closed at top and open
at bottom: on the ground. When the tide is out, air enters the vessel, and as
the tide rises it compresses the air therein, and at high water the greatest
amount of pressure will be exerted. and the air should then be taken for use
through a pipe fitted with a stop-cock rising from the top of the submerged
vessel. By means of air forced into or let out from caissons open at bottom, I
regulate the level of machinery and of any substances requiring to be kept at
a given height in or over water.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Frederic Seiler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th March 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERIC
SEILER, of Paris, in the French Empire, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Frederic Seiler, Her special licence that I, the said Frederic Seiler,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Frederic Seiler, 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 AIR OR OTHER GAS, WHICH MAY BE TRANSFERRED BY TUBES FOR RAISING
WATER. AND FOR VARIOUS OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Frederic Seiler, 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 Frederic Seiler, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-

page_text: formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say:-
The object of one part of my Invention is to obtain compressed air from the
flowing and ebbing of the tide, to be used close to or at a distance from the
tide-way, or inland; and of another part, to apply the compressed air in
apparatuses hereafter described.
My Invention is based upon the different densities of fluids, and by substi-
tuting some for others in closed vessels, and in vessels open at bottom, I obtain
a power which may be used as required. For this purpose I make use of
vessels which alternately receive air or water and in communication with one
another by means of a tube or tubes provided with taps and valves free to
be opened or closed at will. I will describe the manner in which I obtain
power in the shape of compressed air by the flow and ebb of the tide, which I
am enabled to transmit to any reasonable distance, for raising liquids and for
other purposes for which compressed air is applicable.
For obtaining compressed air, I fix a vessel closed at top and open at bottom
in a tide-way on the ground. When the tide is out air enters the vessel, and
as the tide rises it compresses the air therein, and at high water the greatest
amount of pressure will be exerted, and the air may then be taken for use
through a pipe fitted with a stop-cock rising from the top of the submerged
vessel.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings shows in sectional elevation, the
vessel I employ for obtaining compressed air. The line A, B, represents high-
water mark, and C, D, low-water mark; E, F, G, H, is a vessel made of
wood, metal, or other suitable material, and fixed on the ground, where it will
be dry at low water, when air will enter it; 1 is a pipe fitted to the top of the
vessel in which there is a stop-cock J above high-water mark. In proportion
as the water rises, so the air becomes compressed within the vessel, and attains
its maximum pressure at high-water; the cock J is then opened, and the
compressed air is led by a pipe to be utilized, or to a receiver. I have shown
the vessel in the form of a boat turned upside down, but of course this form
may be greatly varied.
Figure 2 is a view of another apparatus for obtaining compressed air. A is
a vessel made of iron stone or other material, placed at a level with low-water
mark, and in communication with the atmosphere at stated intervals, by means
of the pipe B; C is a receiver in communication with the water at high tide
through the pipe D; E is a pipe for effecting a communication between the
receiver C and vessel A: F is a pipe leading from the vessel A to one or

page_text: several of the apparatuses hereafter mentioned, or to a receiver for storing com-
pressed air; G is a valve free to open and close at will, to allow the water to
run out at low tide; H is a valve free to open and shut at will to allow water
to run out from the receiver C. Supposing the vessel A to contain air, and the
valve G be closed, the receiver C is full of water; now on opening the valve H,
water runs into the vessel A, and forces the air through the pipe F to receivers.
or to one of the apparatuses hereafter named. The vessel A and receiver C
become filled and emptied at each rise and fall of the tide.
Figure 3 is a view of an apparatus having a head of water and an outlet
continually acting on two receivers in a similar manner to the apparatus just
described. While one receiver A is being emptied of water, and consequently
filled with air, the receiver B is in action; the outlet at C becomes empty at
low water.
For raising water to water land or for draining marshes, or for any other
purpose, I place at the end of the tubes, at any distance, either simple receivers
or receivers capable of recharging themselves, and run the water or other
liquid to be raised into them.
For raising water from wells, compressed air from any source is forced into
a tight box placed under the water, into which water is admitted through a
valve, the air drives the water up a pipe opening into a second box above the
level of the water in the well; a fresh supply of water is now admitted into
the submerged box, compressed air is again forced in, and so the water becomes
driven into a third, and thence into a fourth box, each on a higher level than
that preceding it. From the highest box the water is taken for motive power
and other purposes.
Figure 4 is a view of an apparatus arranged in this manner to raise water
from a well, for example; a, a, a, a, is a well or other reservoir containing a
certain quantity of liquid, which is indicated by the line m, n, but this quantity
can be varied as required, as well as the shape of the reservoir; b, b, b, b, is a
water-tight receiver or box of any suitable form or size fixed to the bottom of
the reservoir a by any suitable appliance, and provided with a valve d; c, c, is
a pipe leading to the receiver b, which it enters at its upper part, the com-
munication existing between this pipe, and the power which transmits the
compressed air can be closed by the stop-cock f; h, h, k, k, and 1, 1, are other
receivers one above the other, of or about the same size as that marked b;
g, g, i, j, and i, i, are pipes effecting a communication between the receivers, the
first with the second, the second with the third, and so on; cach pipe starts
from near the bottom of its receiver, and extends to near the upper part of the
receiver situated above it. The upper receiver 1, 1, No. 4, is provided with a

page_text: discharge tap m. The action is as follows:- Supposing the four receivers b, h,
, 1, to contain air, the cock f to be closed, and the valve in receiver b open,
water from the cistern then enters the receiver b, and fills it; the air which it did
contain escaping by the same valve; the water contained in the compartment b
is that required to be raised, to effect which I open the cock f and admit com-
pressed air through the pipe c. which, forcing the water out through the pipe.g.
delivers it into the receiver h. I now close the opening or valve o, and open
the cock p. whereby compressed air from the pipe c is led into the receiver h;
which forces the water contained therein into the receiver k. I now open the
cock q and force compressed air from the pipe c into the compartment, which
drives the water from thence into the receiver 1, and so on to any desired
height. The water is then drawn off by the cock m for motive power or other
purposes. As air enters the first receiver it drives out the water contained
therein into the next receiver by the pipe g. g. the air contained in the receiver
makes room for the water by escaping through the orifice o, which will be
closed as soon as the receiver is filled with water, which will be easy to ascertain.
The valve d of receiver b is now again opened, the water entering forces out the
air as before, the valve d is closed, and the valve f opened, and the operation is
repealed. Duringime occupied for filling reservoir b the cock p is opened
and compressed air coming through the pipe c escapes by the pipe r, r, and
thence to the reservoir h, where it forces out the water by the pipe i, i, into
the reservoir No. 3, the cock p is then closed, and the cock q opened, the
compressed air then passing through the pipe s, s, escapes to produce a similar
effect from the receiver to receiver 1, and so on for each successive operation;
once the water reaches its maximum height it can be used as a motive power
or otherwise. The three cocks f. p, q, which regulate the admission of
compressed air are successively opened and closed. If it is advantageous to
carry on these successive operations near the sea, or a tide-way, when the
vessels illustrated at Figure 2 and 3 are employed, I am enabled to successively
raise water at high tide by means of the receivers placed one above the other,
and allow it to fall into the latter in order to compress the air in such manner,
as for example, to raise a single jet of water from the receiver b, Figure 4, to
the receiver l.
Figures 5 and 6 are views of another apparatus made according to my
Invention. A, A, A, A, is a receiver or basin filled with water; b, b, is a double
bottom, below which there is a separation C, intended to receive the water which
falls in sufficient quantity to successively fill the receivers 1 and 2. D is an air
tube for acting on the receiver No. 1; E is a valve which allows water to enter
and leave the receiver No. 1 F is a float which is intended to tilt the balance

page_text: lever; G, H, J, are similar objects, videlicit, air tube, valve, and float in the
receiver No. 2; M is a balance lever half filled with water; N, O, are two
tubes leading from the bottom of the receivers to allow water to ascend to a
certain height, according to the pressure of air, and to allow it to fall on the
wheels or turbines arranged above the receivers to produce the motive power,
or for any purpose of artificial power by always employing the same water less
the evaporation. Supposing the receiver No. 1 to be filled with water, and
the receiver No. 2 empty, the float of the first having tilted the balance tube,
and the water in the latter having run to the opposite end, the rod of the valve
F is extended, and the cock K has closed the valve E and formed a passage
for the air which comes from the tube by the cock K acting on the receiver
No. 1. By the same action the balance tube has pressed on the valve of the
cock L and intercepted the passage of air, has opened by its pressure the valve H,
allowing air to escape from the receiver No. 2, so that the water may run in.
In proportion as this receiver becomes filled, the float in its turn tilts the
balance, and the same operation is repeated, so that the receiver No. 2 comes
into action, and so on. I prefer employing a balance lever in the form of a
tube partly filled with water, as before described, but any other apparatus for
effecting a similar purpose may be used.
Figure is a sectional elevation of a fountain fitted with an apparatus
similar to that described in the preceding Figures 5 and 6. In a similar
manner am enabled to make fountains in grottos or caves dropping with
water, which have hitherto only been made to act by having water at a high
level.
Figure 8 illustrates a method by which I am enabled to transmit power
from a fall of water which may be at a distance from the spot where it is
required for use. A is the level of the waterfall; B is a wheel driven by this
fall; C is a second fall of water some distance from the wheel; D, D, are two
closed vessels similar to those shown at Figure 3, into which the water from
the fall Centers, from which it is led by pipes E, E; F, F, are valves to allow
the water to escape from the receivers D, D, and to admit air; G is a pipe for
the passage of air from the receivers D to those marked H, which are two air-
tight receivers, similar to those described with reference to Figures 5 and 6;
1, 1, are two valves for admitting the water which has driven and falls from
the wheel into the receivers H; K is a pipe leading water from the
receivers H to the wheel B. Water from the fall C compresses air in the
vessels D, D, which escaping by the pipe G into the receivers H, H, forces the
water contained therein back by the pipe K to the top of the wheel.
Figure 9 is an end clevation; Figure 10, a side elevation; and Figure 11,

page_text: a plan of an apparatus made according to my Invention, by which I am
enabled to raise bodies in water, and keep them at a given height in or over
water. a is a vessel open at bottom and divided by partitions into 3, 6, 12, or
more compartments is a pipe with branches f, f, by which compressed air
is forced into the compartments in the vessel a; g is a stop-cock in the pipe f; by
forcing air into the vessel, it is raised in proportion to the quantity of air forced
in; thus, for example, if one or several of these apparatuses are placed beneath
a ship, and compressed air be forced in the compartments of the apparatus,
the ship will be raised in or out of the water, according to the pressure em-
ployed. It may of course be used for raising heavy weights other than ships.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First, the method of obtaining compressed air and other compressed gases,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated at Figures 1, 2, and 3
of the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the arrangement of apparatus for raising water from a well or other
source, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated at Figure 4, of
the accompanying Drawings.
Third, the arrangement of apparatus for raising and forcing water for driving
wheels and producing fountains and other ornamental waters, substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated at Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the acconi-
panying Drawings.
Fourth, the method herein-before described and illustrated at Figure 8 of
the accompanying Drawings by which I am enabled to transmit power from
water at a distance.
And, fifth, the employment of receivers or apparatuses for sustaining and
raising weights in and on water, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated at Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederic Seiler, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of March, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-one.
FR. SEILER. (L.S.)