Improvements in Rotary Pumps.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Rotary Pumps.
I, RICHARD MIDDLETON SIMPSON, of Wellington, in the Colony of New Zealand,
Manager of New Zealand Insurance Company, do hereby declare the nature of my
Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUMPS, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statements :-
The Object of the Invention is the Pumping of Liquid and Air with Economy of
Power.
The Letters here used make Reference to the Plan attached herewith.
The outside casing (A) of the Pump is of metal, in form as shown in Plan.
Through the sides of the Casing are the Openings for Suction (B) and delivery (C)
of the Pump.
There is also an Opening (D) for the purpose of obtaining access to the interior,
more especially in case of need for removing and renewing the Slides and Back
Blocks, hereinafter to be described. This Opening is provided with a Cover which
is fastened to the Casing.
The Ends of the Casing are enclosed by Covers. In the centre of each of these
last-mentioned Covers is a Bearing, with Stuffing-box (G) and Gland (E), for
carrying the Shaft.
The Shaft (I) runs through the Pump, and to it (within the Casing) are attached
the Flange-plates (J) of the Cylinder (K). The Shaft runs through the centre of
each of the Flange-plates, and also through the centre of the Cylinder. The
Cylinder is attached to the Flange-plates.
The Cylinder is hollow, and has four Slot Openings (L), equidistant from each

page_text: other, cut from end to end of the Cylinder between the Flange-plates. Each Slot
Opening has bearings on which the Slides or Pistons work.
The Slides or Pistons are of wood, metal, or other suitable material, and work on
the Bearings through the Openings in the Cylinder, being so confined to their position,
and also by the Flange-plates, which enclose and overlap the ends of the Cylinder.
The Slides work in pairs, each two opposite being connected by means of Rods (0)
running from one to the other. These Rods pass through the Shaft, openings being
made for that purpose. There are two Rods to each pair of Slides. The Rods are of
such a length as to maintain the Slides at proper distance apart, with the edges
parallel. The Rods penetrate the Slides and are fastened to them. The diameter of
cach Rod is reduced where it enters the Slide. Where each Rod penetrates the
Slide, a Washer is let into the Slide, against which the shoulder of the Rod formed
by the reduction rests, so as to prevent the Rod wearing into the Slide.
Inside the Casing, and attached to it between the Suction and the Delivery,
is a Plate (S), the surface of which forms a working face for the ends
of the Slides to traverse. This working face is concentric with the Cylinder, being in
the form of a quarter (or thereabouts) of a circle. The Working Face-plate is placed
preferably at a distance from the Cylinder equal to about one-eighth of the diameter
of the Cylinder. The sides of the Working Face-plate are overlapped by the Flanges
of the Cylinder, which work against them as closely as possible.
Attached to the Casing on the inside are the Guide-pieces (T). There are two
of these, one on each side of the Delivery. They join the Working Face-plate at
the edge (a) nearest the Delivery, and there have their surface flush with the working
face. From this point the surfaces of the Guide-pieces gradually approach the
Cylinder, touch it at the point (b), and so continues as far as the Back Block at the
Opening (D), where the Guide-pieces terminate.
There are two Guide-pieces (U), which join the Working Face-plate at the edge (c)
nearest the Suction Opening. Their faces are there flush with the Working Face-
plate. From that point, passing one on each side of the Suction Opening, they
gradually approach the Cylinder until they touch it just below the Opening (D),
where they terminate. These Guide-pieces are placed so that the Flange-plates of
the Cylinder work against them as closely as possible.
The Guide Pieces (U) are connected together just below the Opening (D) by the
Connecting Plate (V), which fills up the space at that point between the Cylinder, the
Flanges of the Cylinder, and the outer Casing.
The Connecting Plate forms the bed upon which rests the Back Block (W). This
is a piece of wood, metal, or other suitable material. It extends from one Flange of
the Cylinder to the other, and so far fills up the space between. It touches the
Cylinder, and its surface on that side is concave, so as to conform with the surface
of the Cylinder.
Through the Cover of the Opening (D) there are adjusting Screws (X), for the
purpose of keeping the Back Block against the Cylinder.
The Slides are formed as in Plan. On each edge, where it runs against the
Flange-plate of the Cylinder, is attached a strip of Leather. This piece of Leather
projects into a Groove made for its reception in the Flange-plate of the Cylinder.
The object of this leather is to prevent as far as possible a passage between the edgo
of the Slide and the Flange-plate.
On power being applied, to turn the Shaft, each Slide in rotation traverses the
Working Face-plate from the suction to the delivery, carrying in front of it water
or air found there. After leaving the Working Face-plate the Slide gradually retires
into the Cylinder, until at the point (b) it is quite within it. The Slide remains
within the Cylinder until the Back Block is passed. After the Back Biock is
passed, the Slide, following the Guide-pieces (U), gradually comes out again until
the Working Face-plate is reached. From the point (a) the movement of the Slide
back into the Cylinder is caused by the form of the Guide-piece (T), and by the
pressure of the water or air which is being expelled by the Pump. This pressure
continues to be felt on the Slide until it is shut in by the Back Block.

page_text: 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 as novelty is the combination of the following parts:-
(1.) The Working Face being concentric with the Cylinder to the extent of one
quarter of a circle, or thereabouts; (2.) The Guide-pieces; (3.) The space between
the Cylinder and Casing, except for the Guide-pieces (T), on the Delivery side,
from the point (a) to the Back Block; (4.) The bollow Cylinder; (5.) The Slides
joined together in pairs..
The arrangement being to effect that pressure on the end of each Slide in moving
from (a) towards the Back Block will project its fellow Slide against the Working Face
at (c), and that this pressure will, together with the nip of Slide on its bearings (caused
by the pressure on the projected portion), maintain the Slide against the working
face during the traverse from (c) to (a).
I do not confine my claim to any particular size or material in the construction of
the Pump or parts of it, or maintain that the part shall be constructed of so many
separate pieces; but I claim for the form and nature of the improvements if sub-
stantially what I have here mentioned.
Dated this Fourteenth day of July 1888.
R. M. SIMPSON,
Wellington, New Zealand.
Witness to Signature of R. M. Simpson,
L. J. WHARTON,
Merchant,
Wellington, N.Z.