Improvements in Apparatus for Compressing and Storing Air.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Compressing and Storing Air.
I, EDWIN CRANE NICHOLS of Topeka, in the County of Shawnee and State
of Kansas, in the United States of America, Civil 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 :-
The object of my invention is :-
First. In the initial compression and transmission of the compressed air from the
compartment wheel to the receiver to provide for the excess in the transmission of
the air to the receiver, and,
Second. To obviate back pressure upon the separate air compressing chambers
of the air compressing wheels from an accumulation of compressed air in the
receiver.
Third. To condense the compressed air in the receiver and confine the same for
economic uses.
My invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts such
as will first be fully described and specifically pointed out in the claims.
In the annexed drawings Fig. I is a vertical sectional view taken upon the
line a, a, of Fig. 2, showing the central float of the barge and its raised decks,
supporting the air receiver, also showing the series of graded compartment wheels
upon the floats the conducting pipee from each wheel to the air receiver; the air
forcing apparatus connected with the receiver, the air condensing pumps, the
supply reservoir for the compressed air and the pipes leading from the pumps
thereto.
Figure 2. is a plan view of the floats supporting the barge with the upper deck
removed showing the sluice ways and the series of compartment wheels supported
by the floats and within the sluice ways, the power transmitting shafts directly
above and also on each float, in pawer connection with the compartment wheels,
the main compressed air conveying pipe connected with the receiver, and the
separate pipes extending from the compartment wheels to the main pipe, also
showing the air condensing pumps, the supply reservoir, and the air conveying
pipes from the pumps to the reservoir.
Figure 3. is a detail cross sectional view of the shaft of one of the compart-
ment wheels taken on the line y, y, on wheel E, in Fig. 2, showing broken
portions of the sides and ends, also portions submerged in the water, and confining
the air.
Figure 4. is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the end of the shaft of one
of the compartment wheels, with its shaft bearing and power conveying gear, also
showing the valve boxes and spring actuating valves, and the internal slotted air
conveying tube.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A in the drawing represents a barge composed of separate floats B, B1, B2.
The intermediate float B¹ is considerably wider than each of the floats B, B³,
and which float is made to carry the air condensing pumps and compressed air
supply reservoir hereinafter described. The float B is arranged parallel in position
with and a suitable distance from the float B¹, and between which floats is a sluice
way b. The float B2 is also arranged in position parallel with aud upon the other
side of float B', and between said floats B2, B1, is a sluice way 6' of the same width
as the sluice way b

page_text: Above the floats B, B', B is a raised deck C, extending also over the sluice
ways b, b, and from the rear end of said floats nearly to the forward ends. The
deck is supported in position by the vertical side Ď of the barge, which extends
along the outer edge portion of the float B3 from the rear end portion of said float
nearly to the forward end portion of said float, and also by means of a side D' of
the same length on the float B, shown in section on Fig. 2.
The barge A is further enclosed beneath the deck C by means of a wall D²,
which extends from the rear end portion of the side D, over the sluice ways b, b',
and floats B to the rear end portion of the side D, on the float B, and vertically
to the under side portion of the deck C.
To the forward end of the side D is connected a wall D³ which extends over
the respective sluice ways b, b, and flost B and is connected at the other end
with the forward end portion of the side D'. The walls D, D', rest upon and
bind the separate floats one with the other and maintain the said floats the proper
distance apart.
For the purpose of obtaining the compressed air, a rotary air compressor is
arranged within sluice b. Said compressor consists of a revoluble compartment
wheel E. The axis of said wheel consists of separate hollow parts F¹ and K.
The main body of the part F consists of a longitudinal case or cylinder which
extends in length from a point in a vertical line with the inner side of float B' to
a corresponding point in line with the inner side of the float B, within which is
formed a chamber f. The ends of said cylinder are made smaller in diameter so
as to form hollow journals, one of which journals f'.extends over the float B, and
the other journal over the float B².
The sides of the wheel E consist of circular plates e, e', one of which plates is
secured to the outer side portion of and near one end of case F and the other side e
is secured rigidly to the outer side portion of the said case, and near the other end
of said case. The separate compartments of the wheel are formed by plates, e,
each one of which plates extends in a transverse direction from the inner side
portion of the side e to the inner side portion of the side e', and from the outer
side portion of the case F, to the periphery of the sides e, e¹ and at an oblique
angle to a line drawn through the axis of the case F. In arranging the plates e
on the case F the lower edges of the adjacent plates are placed at a considerable
distance apart so as to afford room for the valve boxes hereinafter described and
also make tight joint with the sides e, e', and the said case. Between the lower
edges of the adjacent plates e and in the case F are a series of openings f
(see Fig. 4).
Rigidly attached to the outer side portion of case F and near one side of the
opening is a box G, which extends in a curved line over the opening to the
other side of said opening.
The box G is provided with a close fitting ends g, gl so as to prevent any leakage
of the compressed air in the case F.
In one cud g of box G is an opening 9. Extending in a curved line over said
opening and rigidly attached to the end g is a yoke g³. In the other end gl
of box G is an opening g', to which end is attached a yoke g, which is similar
to the yoke g. Through the yoke g³ is inserted the screw threaded end of
bolt g, which end is also extended through the opening 92 in the end g, thence
through the opening in the end g', and through the yoke 9 on said end,
and a nut g is fitted upon said screw threaded end of said bolt, outside of said
yoke g. Within box G and on the bolt g and fitting over the opening is a
sliding valve 93, and on the same bolt and fitting over the opening g' is a
sliding valve g
Between the respective valves and on bolt g' is secured a lug g". Extending
around the bolt ge is a spiral spring g12 one end of which spring bears against the
valve gs, and the other end against the lug go. Upon the said bolt is a spiral
spring g's one end of which bears against the valve 9, and the other end against

page_text: be lug g. Over each opening in the case F is arranged a box which is constructed
recisely the same as the box G. Between each pair of plates forming the blades
f the wheel are a series of openings corresponding in number to those between
he plates described and provided with boxes which are similar to the box G.
Upon the upper side portion of the float B and bolted securely thereto is a journal
ox H, which receives the end of the hollow journal the said end of said
ournal extending a short distance beyond the outer side of said journal box.
Upon the float Bi is a journal box 4, which receives in a like manner the hollow
ournal of case F. Through the hollow journal is inserted one end of a
closely fitting stationary tube K, which extends through the case F, and also
hrough the hollow journal y', and a short distance beyond the end of said journal.
The end of the tube K extending outside of the journal is supported within
close fitting ring or bearing h, which is connected with the same base as the
journal bux H, and is made to support the said end of the stationary tube K in
exact alignment with the tube and without causing friction upon the hollow
journal. The end portion of the tube K is screw threaded externally, and to
said end is fitted one end of an internally threaded elbow k, and to the other end is
fitted the lower end of an upwardly extending air conveying pipe k¹.
The end of the hollow journal f, which extends to an intermediate point
between the journal box H and bearing h, is also screw threaded. Around the
tule K between the said journal box and the bearing in tube K is fitted closely
a thimble A, a portion of the length of which is internally screw threaded so as
to fit the screw threaded end of the hollow journal f, and is provided with
suitable packing to insure a tight joint.
The tube K at its other end is fitted within a bearing upon the float B', which
bearing is precisely the same as the bearing h, and supports the end of said tube
without frictional contact with the hollow journal Said end of tube K is
also provided with an internally screw threaded thimble i, which is precisely the
same as the thimble 2, and is fitted to the end of the hollow journal of case F,
in the same manner as described of the said thimble k².
The extreme end of the tube K is externally threaded and said end closed by
means of a cap (see Fig. 2).
In the tube K opposite the opening fs on the case F are longitudinal openings.
Said openings are made at distances apart on said tube corresponding to the
position of the openings in the case F. Upon the hollow journal fis
rigidly attached a worin gear L, which is operated in the manner hereinafter
described.
In the sluice & a short distance from wheel E, is placed a wheel E', which is
constructed and arranged to operate in precisely the same manner as the wheel E.
In the sluice & are also arranged other compartiment wheels E E, all of which
are graded in diameter, the wheel E2 being a degree smaller than the wheel E, and
the wheel E3 a degree smaller than the wheel E2, the wheel E at the entrance of
the sluice being the wheel having the smallest diameter. Said wheels E, E, E³, E*
are also gradated in width, the front wheel E having the least width and the
5 other wheels in the series made respectively wider in degrees, thus enabling the
same currents of water to actuate each wheel without being diverted.
In the sluice 61 are mounted a series of compartment wheels of the same
diameter as the respective wheels E, E, E, and which are arranged in like
position in the sluice way.
0 To the ends of the air conducting tubes, journaled on the top of the float B and
connected with the respective compartment wheels E, E, E are connected elbows
and vertical conducting pipes which are precisely the same as the pipe ¹, and
elbow k on the wheel E. To the end of the air conducting tube on the wheel E,
on the float B is connected an elbow and upwardly extending pipe, which is
5 precisely the same as the elbow and pipe k on the wheel E. To each tube in the
series of compartment wheels in the sluice 61 are connected similar conducting
pipes e. The respective pipes and e connected with the compartment

page_text: wheels E, E to the under side portion of the deck C, and are bent at right
angles, and extended toward each other to a point directly above the float B' and
connected with a three way pipe joint e. The conducting pipes k¹ and e³, belonging
to the compartment wheels E, and the wheel in line in sluice 6' are connected with
a three way joint ex. The other pipes in the series are connected with the four
way joints e, e. To one end of the pipe joints is connected the conducting
pipe e, which also is connected with the three way joint c. The respective
joints are connected by a pipe e From the joint e to the joint 'e is
connected a pipe el. I have illustrated these pipes in series decreased in size
corresponding to the capacity of each wheel, to generate the compressed air; this,
however, may be uniform throughout the system without departing from my.
invention.
Upon the upper side of the deck C is a receiver M, similar to a steam boiler in
construction and provided with a safety valve m.
To the pipe is connected oue end of an elbow joint e', which extends upwardly
through the deck C and toward the end of the receiver M, and is connected with
said receiver by the pipe e, extending from said elbow. Within the receiver M,
and closing the opening pipe el is a self closing valve e
Upon the end of the receiver M above the pipe el, is a bracket n, and upon
said bracket is mounted a rotary air forcing fan wheel N, of the ordinary well-
known construction, which is provided with a driving shaft n', which shaft is
operated as hereinafter described. From the fan case extends downwardly a
pipe n, which is connected with the elbow joint e. In the lower end of the
pipe near the elbow joint e', is arranged an ordinary check valve n, which
checks the escape of the compressed air passing through the elbow e. The
valve n is retained against its valve seat by a spring a, the tension of the spring
being sufficient for that purpose.
Upon the floats B' directly beneath the air conducting pipe e is an air condensing
pump O of well known construction. The piston o of the pump extends toward
the rear end of the float B₁ and upon its crank shaft o' is a band wheel o², which
is operated as hereinafter described. To the other end of the receiver M from
that having the air induction pipe is connected one end of. an eduction pipe m²
which extends in a downward direction and is connected with one side of the
pump O, receiving the air. Upon the same float and beneath the air conducting
pipe eis an tair condensing pump P, which is the same as the pump O, and
having a driving pulley pl. To the under side portion of the receiver M, and
near the end having the entrance pipe e¹³ is connected one end of a pipe m³, the
other end of which pipe is connected with one side portion of the pump P receiving
the air. Upon the float B between the respective pumps O and P is arranged a
supply tank R, which is circular in form and extends in height from the float B
nearly to the pipe e20 over said tank in position. Said tank is also provided with
a safety valve r. To the other side of the pump O, expelling the air, is connected
one end of a pipe o3. the other end of which pipe is connected with the supply
tank R. To the pump P and the side expelling the air is connected one
end of a pipe p, the other end of which pipe is connected with the supply
tank R.
In the upper side portion of the tank R are distributing nozzles S, which are
closed severally by the valves s in each nozzle.
At the rear end upon the top of float B is journaled one end of a line shaft T,
the other end of which shaft passes over the respective sluices bb and float B,
and is journaled upon the upper side portions of the float B B. Upon the
shaft Tabove the float B1 is a band pulley t. Above the shaft T, and journaled
in the hangers, 4, on the under side portion of the deck C is a line shaft U,
which is short in length and carries a band pulley . On the same shaft U is a
band pulley a, the diameter of which is a degree larger than the wheel u².
the pulley is placed one end of a band w, the other end of which band extends
over the pulley t on the shaft T and the ends connected in the usual manner.

page_text: 5
ver the pulley u is placed one end of a band us, the other end of whic
tended over the band wheel o² on the crank shaft of the pump O, and the ends.
nnected together in the usual manner.
At the forward end of the floats and journaled at one end upon float B, is a line-
aft W, the other end being journaled on the float B, and between said ends on
oat B. Upon the said shaft above the float B' is a band pulley w.
Above the
aft W and journaled on the hangers on the under side portion of the
eck C above the float B is a shaft X, which earries the respective band
ulleys The shaft X is short in length and corresponds with shaft U at.
he rear end of the barge. Over the pulley ¹ is placed one end of a band 3.
he other end of which band is extended over the pulley w on the shaft W in the
Over the pulleys. is
oat B', and the two ends connected in the usual manner.
laced one end of a band +, the other end of which band is extended over the
bulley p' on the crank shaft of the pulley P, and the two ends connected together
n the usual manner.
are actuated by the longitudinal
The main cross line shafts T and W
hafts Y, Y Y, Y on the respective floats B, B', B in the following manner.
On the shaft T near the journal bearing therefor on the float B is a worm.
gear t. On the end of shaft Y directly beneath the gear t¹ is a worm gear y..
Said shaft Y extends directly beneath the gear L on the hollow journal f, and
beneath said gear is a worm gear y', which meshes with the gear L and is the
same construction as the gear y at the end of said shaft. Said shaft is also-
provided with like gear which engages with the gear on the respective hollow
journals of each of the wheels E E E journaled in the float B, and the respective-
shafts Y Y on the float B¹ and the shaft Y3 on the float B2 are parallel with the
other and each provided with worm gear which engage with the shafts W and T
and also with the hollow journals on the respective compartment wheels so as to
transmit power with regularity to the cross line shafts W. and T.
I have shown upon deck C in rear of the receiver M the separate com-
partments Z Z, one of said compartments containing a dynamo Z and the other
compartment a compressed air operating engine Z, which is made to operate the
driving shaft of a dynamo Z³ in the apartment Z'. In this one illustration of the
mode of utilizing the power of the condensed compressed air the conductor z.
which is connected with the engine Z, is connected with one of the air supply
nozzles S, on the tank R and the valve operated to permit the full flow of the
compressed air.
Upon the forward portion of the deck C near the fan wheel N is an electric
motor N. Close in position to the motor N2 is a storage battery V. To the
poles of the storage battery is connected the conductors of electricity 2021, which
are connected with the respective poles of the motor. Over the driving shaft of
the motor is placed one end of a belt n', the other end of which belt is extended
around the driving shaft n of the fan wheel N, and the two ends connected
The power to operate the motor N2 may be
together in the usual manner.
obtained from the dynamo Z on the rear end of the deck if preferred.
In the operation of the invention the floats B B B which are of sufficient.
buoyancy are placed in a stream of water and the barge properly anchored. In
this position the respective compartment wheels in each sluice are submerged in
the water a distance corresponding to the diameter of each wheel. The sluice
ways being open to receive the passage of water between the respective floats,
50 operate the compartment wheels. In each revolution of the wheels the separate
compartments confine a volume of air lying upon the surface of the water, equal to
the dimensions of the compartment, which under the fluid pressure, or rising
pulsations of the stream, compresses the air within a small compass, and the
pressure of which air overcomes the pressure of the springs 92 g and finds an
55 escape through the openings f in the case F, the valves g, g self closing after
the admission of the compressed air, and as soon as the inward pressure of the air
exerted to open the valves has ceased. As each compartment of the wheel enter

page_text: the water in succession the discharge of the compressed air becomes large in
quantity and is secured in case F, which provides for the excess of compressed
air during the time occupied in transmitting the compressed air through the tubes.
Upon entering the tubes K the compressed air passes through the pipe k' to the
main pipes e, elo, e, and thence into the receiver M on the deck C. The
combined action of the compartment wheels generate primarily a large quantity of
compressed air. This quantity in passing into the receiver M is prevented from
being retarded and reacting so as to cause back action in the tubes K, and a
consequent retarding of the movement of the compartment wheels, by means of
the air forcing apparatus N, which when operated from the power received from
the line shaft W causes an accelerated movement of the compressed air within the
receiver.
The motor N2 is made to operate the air forcing apparatus when the air begins
to check the action of the compartment wheels, and this results from any excess of
the compressed air in the conducting pipes being retarded in its admission to the
receiver N. The power of the compressed air, it will be observed, retains the
valve in the pipe n² closed until a movement backward occurs in the compressed
air pipes.
The compressed air in the receiver M then passes to the pumps O and P and
which are also driven by the power of the cross line shaft, and the compressed air
entering said pumps is condensed and forced into the supply tank R, from which
it is taken through the pipe z¹ and made to operate the air engine Z, which in turn
operates the dynamo Z, or other use to which it may be applied such as
ventilation of rooms and other purposes where the power can be applied. The
delivery of the compressed air from the tank R through other supply openings S
furnishes power in one or more directions as its use may be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An air compressing apparatus comprising a receiver having an opening for
the admission of the compressed air and a self closing valve, a revolving air forcing
compartment wheel having separate compartments, and a receiving chamber at the
axis of said wheel having an opening in each compartment of said wheel, and a self-
closing valve, and a conductor of compressed air connected with said chamber and
said receiver, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. An air compressing apparatus comprising a receiver having an opening for the
admission of the compressed air and a self closing valve, a revolving air forcing
compartment wheel having separate compartments, an air conducting pipe at the
axis of said wheel, having an opening therein and a chamber concentric with
said air conducting pipe at the axis of and connected with said wheel and having
openings to each compartment of said wheel, and a self closing valve, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
3. In an apparatus for compressing air a receiver having an opening for the
admission of the compressed air and a self closing valve, a sluice and a revolving
air forcing compartment wheel in said sluice, and an air conducting pipe connected
with said receiver, having air passages and extending in the direction of and
through the axis of said wheel and supported upon the sides of said sluice, and
an air receiving chamber concentric with said air conducting pipe connected
with said wheel and adapted to rotate independently of said air conducting pipe,
and having openings to each separate compartment, and a self closing valve to each
opening, substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In an apparatus for compressing air a receiver having an opening for the
admission of the compressed air and a self closing valve, a sluice and a revolving
air forcing compartment wheel in said sluice having separate compartments, and
a chamber at the axis of said wheel having openings communicating with each
compartment of said wheel, and valves to said openings, a conductor of compressed

page_text: connected with said chamber and said receiver, the air sucu
ving a conductor connection with the conductor for compressed air, substantially
and for the purpose described.
5. In an air compressing apparatus a generator of compressed air and a receiver,
conductor connected with said generator and said receiver, and a suction and force
pparatus having an induction pipe connected with said conductor of compressed
ir, as and for the purpose described.
6. In an apparatus for compressing air, a receiver having an opening for the
dmission of compressed air and a self closing valve, a storage tank and an air
eduction pipe connected with said receiver and an
compressor having an
nduction pipe connected with said storage tank, and a compressed air generator
having a pipe connected with said receiver, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
7. In an apparatus for compressing air, a generator of compressed air and a
receiver having a self closing valve, and a conductor from the generator to the
receiver, and a blast fan having a source of air and a conductor for the air blast
having a check valve extending from the said fan, and connected with said conductor
of compressed air and means for operating said fan, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
8. In an air compressing apparatus a revolving air forcing compartment wheel
having separate compartments, a chamber connected with each compartiment con-
centric with the axis of said wheel having openings for the admission of the
compressed air communicating with each compartment, and a self closing valve to
each opening, substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. In an air compressing apparatus a revolving air forcing compartment wheel
having separate compartments, a chamber connected with each compartiment
concentric with the axis of said wheel and having valve boxes in each compartment
provided with openings for the admission of the compressed air at each end, and a
valve to each opening and a spring for each valve, substantially as and for the
30 purpose described.
10. In an air compressing apparatus, a revolving air forcing compartment wheel
having separate compartments, a chamber connected with each compartment
concentric with the axis of said wheel, and having valve boxes in each compartment
and openings for the admission of the compressed air at each end, yokes connected
35 with the outer side portion and each end of the said valve boxes extending ove
said openings, and a valve carrying rod connected with said yokes and sliding valve
on said rod within said valve boxes adapted to close said openings, and a lug on sai
rod and a spring on said rod having one end extending against said lug and the othe
end against one end of said valves, substantially as and for the purpose described.
11. In an air compressing apparatus, a receiver having an opening for th
admission of the compressed air and a self closing valve, a revolving air forcin
compartment wheel having separate compartments, a chamber connected with ea
compartment concentric with the axis of said wheel having openings and a slott
tube, said tube and chamber having separately supported concentric sleeves, a val
45 box extending over each one of said openings in said chamber having a self closi
described.
valve and a conductor for the compressed air connected with one of said slee
and with said receiver, substantially as and for the purpose
.40
• Wabenary 1896.
Dated this 250
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
ham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.