IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN HYDRAULIC AND PNEUMATIC MACHINES, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF STEAM OR OTHER POWER THERETO
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WALKER, of Crooked Lane, King William Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twentieth day of April,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, in the tenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Walker, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John Walker, my exors, adñiors,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Walker, my exors, adiiors, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time,
and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN HYDRAULIC AND
PNEUMATIC MACHINES, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF STEAM OR OTHER POWER THERETO;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said John
Walker, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the

page_text: date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Walker, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following description thereof, reference being had to the Draw-
ings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say :-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a hydraulic engine for raising water by steam
power, for draining, irrigating, or other purposes, constructed agreeably to the
first part of my said patented improvements. Figure 2 is a side elevation of
the same. *Figure 3, a plan on the line a, b, of Figure 1; and Figure 4, a plan
on the line c, d, of the same. Figure 5 is a sectional side elevation on the
line e, f, of Figure 1.
.
The same letters refer to corresponding parts in each of these Figures.
A, A, is a foundation of strong planks supporting a quadrangular cast-iron
well B, B, which is sunk into the ground to such a depth as may be necessary
for the purpose required. The well B, B, has three openings C, C, C, one in
front and one on each side, fitted with sluice doors hinged on their upper edges
at d³, d³, one or more of which can be opened or closed at pleasure. On the
upper flange of the well B, B, rests a strong frame of timber E, E, from which
stays a, e, pass down to the foundation timbers and give stability to the super-
structure. Upon the frame E, E, are erected cast-iron framed standards F, F,
secured to the well B, B, by nuts and bolts passing through the frame E, E.
The standards F, F, are in two heights; and upon a flooring at g, g, there are two
steam cylinders H, H, with pistons, each of which is connected by two piston
rods h, h, to its respective cross head I. From a bolt in the centre of the cross
head I, which works in guides on the side framing of the standards (not shewn
in the Drawing), a connecting pod J passes up to a crank on the outer end of
the shaft K, which shaft carries a fly wheel L. From the outer ends of the
cross head I two connecting rods M, M, pass down to a larger cross head N,N,
beneath the steam cylinders; from this cross head two other rods n, n, pass
down, and are bolted to a cruciform platform O, O. Upon the platform O, O,
are bolted four upright iron rods p, p, p, p, the upper extremities of which
support a valved piston P, herein-after more fully explained. Immediately
beneath the steam cylinders, and supported by their upper flanges upon the
frame E, E, are two water cylinders Q, Q, open at bottom, and having at top a
valve opening upward. This valve is similar in its construction to those in the
pistons herein-after to be described. Upon the upper flanges of the water

page_text: cylinders is bolted a valve box R, communicating by an exit mains with
what I term a dividing box S, furnished, like the well B herein-before
described, with doors on each side and in front capable of being opened
and closed at pleasure. On the top of the valve box are covering plates r, r,
the removal of which gives access to the cylinder valves. Steam from a
boiler is admitted through the induction pipe t to a slide valve T, placed
beneath and between the steam cylinders, by means of which the steam is
admitted alternately to the bottom of each. The slide valve T is worked by
an eccentric V on the crank shaft K, through the medium of the rod v. The
steam cylinders H are fitted with covers through which the piston rods /
work, the hot air passing from the upper part of one cylinder to the other
through the air tube w, as the pistons alternately rise and fall.. After
leaving the cylinders the waste steam passes from the slide valve T, along
the eduction pipe z, through the water box Z, from whence it passes into
the pipe, which may be led into a chimney or other convenient outlet.
Figure 6 is a detached elevation, and Figure 7 a plan of the two' steam
cylinders H, shewing the position of the hot-air passage wand the slide valve T.-
Upon the flooring g, g, in fromt of the standards (Figures 1 and 2), are seen
the hot and cold water pumps worked by a single lever, which takes its
motion from a pin on the connecting rod M, as is more clearly-shewn in the
detached Drawing, Figure 8. The cold water raised by the pump 6 flows
into the upper part of the water box Z, and into the tubes which descend
nearly to the bottom thereof, where it becomes heated (by the spent steam
passing through the box), nearly or quite to the boiling point, in which state it
is forced into the boiler by the feed pump a. Figures 9 and 10 are enlarged
representations of the piston and valve, Figure 9 being a plan, and Figure 10
a sectional elevation thereof. This valve consists of a number of cast-iron bars
forming a sort of grating, strengthened on the under side with cross bars, and
having bosses to receive the screwed ends of the supporting rods p, p. The
upper surfaces of the bars are ranged in pairs on two alternate levels, the edges
of the openings being formed into circular seatings, in which are laid lengths of
iron tubing plugged with wood; which close the openings between the bars. and
form a water-tight joint in a downward direction, but open freely upward. To
keep the lengths of tubes in their places endways, a deep wrought-iron band
or ring &,, is shrunk round the valve, while two bridges f, f, retain the tubes
vertically, and limit their range of action. The bars between the openings are
wedge-shaped on their under surfaces, so as to offer the smallest possible resist
ance to the ascending column of water: The wrought-iron band of the

page_text: piston valve is turned true on its external surface, so as to move freely up and
down in the cylinders, but does not require any packing.
Having thus clearly described the form and arrangement of a hydraulic
machine for raising water by steam power for draining, irrigating, or other
purposes, constructed agreeably to the first part of my patented improvements,
I will now endeavour briefly to describo its operation..
The steam in a boiler being at a pressure of twenty-five pounds, or there-
about, upon the square inch, is admitted to the slide valve T, through which it
passes into one of the steam cylinders beneath the piston that happens to be in
the position for making the upward stroke. The pressure of the steam raises
the piston, which, by means of the piston rods h, h, cross heads I and N, and
connecting rods M, M, and n, n, already herein-before described, lifts the valved
piston P, and expels any air or water that may be above it through the valve at
the top of the cylinder Q. The opposite steam and water pistons at the same
time descend by virtue of their connection with the crank shaft K, the air or
steam beneath the steam piston escaping through the eduction port to the
waste steam pipe. On completing the stroke the movement of the slide valve
reverses the ports and admits the steam into the other cylinder, the piston of
which is in like manner raised, and the water that is now above the second
piston P is thrown forcibly upward through the valve at the top of the cylinder,
and passes off by the exit mains to the dividing box S. By this movement
an ascending current of water is generated in the cylinder; and when the
motion of the piston P is reversed, and it begins to descend, its valves open
and the upward current of water, generated as before described, passes through
the valve until the piston P has traversed a greater or smaller portion of its
downward stroke, according to the momentum acquired by the water, which
will be in proportion to the velocity with which the piston travels. When the
engine is employed for draining land, one or more of the sluice doors C are
opened, communicating with the drains from which the water is to be taken.
The side doors of the dividing box S are closed and the front are opened, com-
municating with the channel by which the water is to be got rid of. On the
contrary, if water is to be raised from a river or other external source, and
thrown into the ditches for irrigation or other purposes, the sluice door C of
the well B, communicating with the river, is opened, and those communicating
with the drains shut. The front sluice of the dividing box S is also shut, and
the side ones, leading to the drains or ditches, opened. By thus regulating
the sluices, the engine can be employed to lift water out from or on to the
land at pleasure. In erecting this machine it is to be observed that the lower

page_text: orifice of the water cylinders Q should not be higher than the lowest part of
the drain from which the water is to be taken, as the machine ceases to raise
the water when it falls below the bottom of the cylinders.
Pneumatic machines for forcing air for blowing furnaces, or any other
purpose where a blast of air is required, may be constructed in the same manner
as the hydraulic machine herein-before described and shewn; only that, in
pneumatic machines, the cast-iron well B and the dividing box S are unneces-
sary, the former being replaced by a suitable framework of wood, masonry, or
metal, and the exit main carried direct from the valve box R to the place
where the blast is required. For pneumatic machines I also prefer to construct
the valves with tubes of gutta percha, or other elastic material enclosing metal
rods or tubes to give the necessary weight and strength thereto, in lieu of the
plugged iron tubes herein-before described.
Pneumatic machines for exhausting air may also be constructed on the
same principle as the foregoing; in which case the cylinders Q and valve
box R are inverted, the open end of the cylinders being placed upward. The
valve opening upward is placed at the bottom of the cylinder, and that which
was the exit main of the forcing machine now becomes the suction or exhaust
pipe. The connecting rods n, n, from the cross head N, pass down withinside
the cylinders Q, and are attached directly to the upper part of the piston P.
In working hydraulic machines for raising water I have found seventy revolu-
tions of the crank shaft per minute to be an advantageous speed; but in
pneumatic machines for forcing or exhausting air I prefer a greater speed, say
from one hundred to one hundred and fifty revolutions per minute.
For working hydraulic or pneumatic machines, where a steam engine is not
employed, I use a winch for the application of manual power, or a vertical
shaft to be turned by cattle, connecting the same by suitable gearing (as is
well understood by engineers) with a crank from which a connecting rod
descends to the cross head N, which works the piston in the manner herein-
before described.
Having now fully described the first part of my improvements in hydraulic
and pneumatic machines, and in the application of steam or other power
thereto, I would observe that I do not claim as of my Invention any of the
parts of these machines in their separate form (the valves only excepted), as
many of such parts are of themselves well known, and have been before used.
What I claim as new, and of my Invention, is, the peculiar form, combina-
tion, and arrangement of hydraulic and pneumatic machines for raising water,
or for forcing or exhausting air, herein-before described and shewn, whether
they are worked by steam or other power.

page_text: .
And I claim the peculiar form, combination, and arrangement of high-
pressure steam engine for working hydraulic and pneumatic machines, as
herein-before described and shewn.
I also claim as new, and of my Invention, the peculiar construction and
arrangement of valves for hydraulic and pneumatic machines closed by iron or
other metal tubes, bedding on cylindrical seatings, or by tubes of gutta percha
or other elastic material, strengthened, guided, and supported in the manner
and for the purpose herein-before described.
same.
The second part of my improvements in certain hydraulic and pneumatic
machines consists in the employment of revolving vanes, set in pairs upon a
spindle, the inclination of each set of vanes being in opposite directions to the
other, whereby the end strain upon the spindle, which occurs when a single
set of vanes is employed, is entirely avoided. Figure 11 is a hind elevation,
and Figure 12 a section, of a machine constructed agreably to this my improve-
ment. Figure 18 is an end elevation, and Figure 14 an end section of the
Similar letters refer to corresponding parts in each of these Figures.
A, A, is an external box or casing, within which, and below the opening of
the pipe E, there is a horizontal cylindrical chamber B³, B³. A spindle C³, C³,
works in a suitable bearing at the further end of the box A³, and through
a stuffing box at C³. Upon this spindle, and corresponding to the cylindrical
ends of the chamber B³, are two enlarged cylinders, each of which is equipped
with a set of vanes D³, D³, inclined at an angle of from forty-five to fifty degrees,
the inclination of each set being in opposite directions, as shewn by the Draw-
ing. I have used four vanes in each set, but I do not confine myself to that
number, as a larger or smaller number may be employed according to circum-
stances. Nor do I confine myself to any particular form of vane, as I have
sometimes used flat vanes, but prefer to use a portion of a screw, as is now
commonly used for propelling vessels. On the spindle C³, C, external to the
box or casing A is placed a small fly wheel G³, and a pinion H. Above
the box or casing is a spindle I³, fitted at each end with cranked winch
handles K³, and carrying a spur wheel L², which takes into and drives the
pinion II, thereby causing the spindle C, C, and the vanes D³, D³, to revolve.
The pipe E² being laid into the source from whence the water is to be lifted,
the pipe F* is led to the place at which the water is to be delivered. Motion
being given to the handles K, so as to cause the vanes to revolve at the rate
of one hundred and twenty revolutions per minute, or thereabout, in the direc-
tion indicated by the arrows, the water will rise up the tube E into the
box A, it will thence be drawn in at each end of the cylindrical chamber B,
and be discharged through the pipe F³. On the contrary, if the handle K is

page_text: turned in the other direction, so as to cause the vanes to revolve in an opposite
direction to that indicated by the arrows, the water will then be drawn up the
pipe F, pass out at each end of the cylindrical chamber B², into the box A°,
and be discharged by the pipe E, so that the pipes E, F, become alternately
induction and eduction pipes according to the direction in which the vanes are
made to revolve, and no valves whatever are necessary.
The same machine is applicable for forcing or exhausting air, only that a
greater velocity is then required to be given to the vanes, say fourteen hundred
revolutions, or thereabout, per minute.
If the machine is to be worked by a steam engine, or other prime mover,
the winch handles K', as also the spur wheel L³ and pinion H³, are dispensed
with; the spindle C, C, being fitted with a pulley, to which motion is
communicated by a strap or belt from a drum in the usual manner.
Machines on the same principle may likewise be employed to obtain power;
thus, for instance, a column of water or current of air being led through the
pipe F³ into the top of the cylindrical chamber B², would pass out at each end
thereof, causing the vanes D* and spindle C, C³, to revolve, and from which
the motion thus generated could be taken in the usual manner.
the box A would not be required.
In this case
Having thus described the nature of the second part of my improvements in
hydraulic and pneumatic machines, and in the application of power thereto,
I declare that I claim as new, and of my Invention, the application of revolv-
ing vanes in sets inclined in opposite directions upon a spindle, for raising
or forcing water, and also for forcing or exhausting air, as herein-before
described and shewn.
I also claim the application of revolving vanes in sets inclined in opposite
directions upon a spindle, as a means of obtaining power when acted upon by
a column of water or current of air under pressure, as herein-before set forth.
And I would remark that the sizes and proportions of the several machines
herein-before described and shewn, and of their component parts, are taken
from those which I have myself used; but I do not in any particular confine
myself thereto, as the dimensions of all or many of such parts may be varied
without prejudice to the utility of my said improvements, as herein-before set
forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Walker, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, One thousand eight
hundred and forty-seven.
JOHN (Ls.) WALKER.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twentieth day of October, in
the year of our Lord 1847, the aforesaid John Walker came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.