Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Raising Sewage and other Liquids by Direct Air Pressure.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Applicaŭon, 5th Nov., 1090
Complete Specification Left, 8th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
Date of Application, sin NOV., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 8th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Raising Sewage and
other Liquids by Direct Air Pressure.
We, ISAAC SHONE and EDWIN AULT, both of 47, Victoria Street, Westminster,
London, Civil Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:- -
These improvements in apparatus or so-called ejectors for raising sewage and
other liquids have for object to render their working more perfect and refer to
inventions described in the Patent Specifications 3524 of 1878, 10453 of 1884
and 15203 of 1888.
In order to simplify the construction of the automatic valve described in
Patent Specification 16453/84 we construct the valve body so that it can be bored
out in one operation and provide liners shrunk or otherwise secured therein.
The liners may have separate seatings. We also dispense with the present
stuffing box for the spindle of the auxiliary slide valve and arrange said spindle
and its lever in a chamber below the valve and communicating with the exhaust
passages or in an opening in the valve body below the valve. When the chamber
is used it may communicate with the atmosphere direct or through a pipe to the
main exhaust pipe or other convenient exit. The improved arrangement at the
same time gives better facility for examining and cleaning the valve.
In order further to adapt the same automatic valve either for right hand or
left hand position and application we provide the face on which the auxiliary
valve slides with a liner plate having openings so arranged that when it is turned
end for end the inlet opening for the compressed air shall be in the right posi-
tion near one end. Thus any automatic valve taken from stock can be made
either right hand or left by fixing the liner plate accordingly.
Similarly in order to adapt the stand or standard casting upon which the valve
is mounted to either right or left hand position and application we provide it
with a cover that can be turned end for end and is so shaped that it allows the
bracket arm to project to the right or the left according to the way it is bolted
on to the standard. Or we make the standard so that it may be turned on its
base and provide a separate bracket which can be bolted onto one side or the
other of the standard as required. Or we make the standard double ended so
that it may be turned on to either side as required and turn the top or cover
of the ejector through the required angle to throw the standard seating to the
required distance to one side or the other of the centre line. Or two seatings
may be formed on the ejector cover and the standard bolted on to one or the
other for right or for left hand; in such case the pipe between the automatic
valve and the ejector should enter the latter away from the base of the standard
but if the two seatings have holes into the ejector for making connection to the
automatic valve the hole not to be used would be closed by a blank cover.
An important object of our invention is to reduce the present great height
of the ejector station, thereby reducing its cost without at the same time incurr-

page_text: ing the risk of the automatic valve becoming coated or clogged with dirt or,grit
from the sewage, or other liquid that might rise thereto during periods when
the compressed air is not available for emptying the ejector or from any other
cause, or with grit bits of string; chips or other objectionable matters carried by
the sewage in and left adhering to the pipe between the automatic valve and the
ejector and thence carried on by the exhaust air from the ejector after a pre-
vious discharge. For this purpose and instead of placing the automatic valve
as heretofore 6 or 8 feet or more above the ejector and instead of applying as
heretofore a float valve intended to allow compressed air to flow in and out of
the ejector at a high velocity while preventing the sewage from rising into the
automatic valve, we according to this present invention fix the automatic valve
close to the ejector but so that there is no direct communication between the
ejector and the automatic valve. With this view we may lead the air to or from
the ejector by a pipe connected with one of the passages in the standard fixed
on and communicating with the ejector, and carry the said pipe up through the
roof of the ejector station to a point preferably at or near the surface of the
ground and thence carry it down again and connect it with the other passage.
in the standard communicating with the automatic valve. Or by another
arrangement, when the standard is made without such two passages we carry
the pipe from the ejector up through the roof and carry it down to the automatic
valve directly or through the standard. We provide the pipe with a strainer
which may be cylindrical of perforated metal or wire gauze for the air to pass
through to or from the ejector, and arrange it convenient for being cleaned,
by preference at or near the upper end of the pipe and it may be so that the
objectionable matters carried by the exhaust air are deposited on the outer sur-
face of the strainer.
Another important object of our invention is to prevent or lessen the noise
and shock now obtaining in large inlet and outlet valves on the pipes connected
with large ejectors and in valves connected with small ejectors working with a
comparatively high air pressure. For this purpose we retard the speed of the
automatic piston valves by reducing to an adjustable extent the sectional area'
in some part of the passages or ports for the compressed air to pass through.
for operating the piston valve. A suitable means consists in the application
of set screws, plugs or valves in such passages for wiredrawing the compressed
air. By this means the aforesaid valves connected to the ejector are made to
close gradually and noiselessly.
In order to keep the "cupleathers" of the automatic piston valves supple and
tight especially in case of said air being warm and dry we in some cases inter
pose a body of oil glycerine or other suitable liquid between the said piston,
valve and the compressed air. One way of effecting this is by providing the
cylinder wherein the piston valve works with hollow or chambered parts charged
with the oil glycerine or other liquid which is exposed to the compressed air
on the one hand and in contact with the piston valve on the other, so that the
cupleathers are always charged therewith.
Or we may attach separate cylinders acting as oil chambers to the ends of
the automatic valve and provide suitable ports or passages for the air and the.
we may insert the aforesaid set screws or equivalent means for controlling the
liquid between the automatic valve and the said cylinders, and in the said ports
speed of the main piston valve.
Another important improvement consists in separating the automatic valve
from its auxiliary slide valve. The latter may thus be arranged close to the
ejector on or near the ejector, while the piston valve is placed at or near the
street surface or above such surface as for instance where the street is liable
to flooding. Suitable small pipe connections are provided between the sepa-
rated parts. The ports of the slide valve are not in communication with the
interior of the ejector, so that no sewage or other liquid can enter them. By
thus separating the aforesaid parts we are enabled to reduce the size of the

page_text: ejector chamber and to simplify the pipe connections viz. by placing the piston
valve close to the compressed air street main and by carrying the exhaust pipe
in the most direct manner to a ventilating shaft as described in Patent Speci-
fication 15203/88 or other exit. The aforesaid compressed air strainer may be
applied to any suitable part of the pipe carrying air from the automatic valve
to the ejector.
Another important improvement consists in the application of a controlling
valve for ensuring that only one of a pair of ejectors shall discharge at a time
or for ensuring the regular alternate discharging or nearly so of two ejectors.
Hitherto in the ejector system described in the aforesaid specifications where
two ejectors have worked independently no regular alternate discharge Las been
possible owing to various causes. Instead therefore of admitting compressed
air direct to the automatic valves of the two ejectors we now admit it to a con-
trolling valve by preference of piston form interposed between the compressed
air supply and the two automatic valves and which is actuated similarly to them
and by means of the auxiliary slide valves of the ejectors. The action will be
such that the automatic or main valve of one ejector which has just completed
a discharge admits compressed air to one end of the controlling piston valve
causing it thereby to cut off the compressed air from that ejector and allowing
it to flow to the other ejector when the latter is filled and ready to discharge.
If both ejectors are filling, compressed air will flow to both ends of the controlling
valve thus keeping it in equilibrium and stationary but as soon as one ejector
is full its auxiliary slide valve will be reversed by means of the cup and bell
arrangement and thereby open its exhaust ports to the corresponding end of
its main valve and also to one end of the controlling valve thus causing the
latter to perform its stroke and permit compressed air to flow into the full
ejector. A small quantity of compressed air should be admitted direct to both
automatic valves, for instance by a bye-pass which may be partially throttled
by a set screw valve, or cock, or be provided with a reducing valve, or such air
may be admitted past the inside edges of the controlling valve pistons which
need not fit quite tight on these edges. There will thus always be enough com-
pressed air in the valve passages to actuate the valves and at the same time
to prevent sewage or other liquid from rising into the valves. The two main
valves are by preference arranged right and left hand. The controlling valve
may if desired be combined with or attached to the two main valves in any
suitable manner, for instance all three may be arranged end to end, or the
controlling valve end on to one of the main valves with suitable pipe connec-
tion to the other main valve, or the controlling valve across and cast with or
bolted to the two main valves or separate therefrom and connected by pipes,
but in all cases facility should be afforded if possible for examining the pistons
without breaking any joints or unnecessarily disconnecting them from each
other. In one arrangement we make the controlling cylinder plain through-
out and the valve itself with two light pistons connected together by a bar.
The stroke of the controlling valve may be limited by the end covers or where
end covers are not used as when the three valves are holted end to end, by any
suitable stops. The connecting bar may for instance have a stop in the form
of a slot having a cotter inserted at right angles to the motion of the valve,
when this cotter is turned edgewise to the slot the bar attached to the pistons
is free to move the full stroke.
We provide means for working one of these ejectors independently when
desired; as for instance in case the other is to be repaired. For this purpose
the action of the controlling valve may be stopped, say by shutting off the
supply of compressed air to the controlling valve pistons or by locking the
controlling valve at one end or other of its stroke thus stopping one ejector
while the other would be worked by its automatic valve. For the purpose of
locking the controlling valve the slot in the bar that connects its two pistons
may be widened at the ends into circular holes preferably to a diameter of at

page_text: least twice the other part of the slot, and by making the key as wide as the
diameter of the holes the valve can be locked at either end by turning the
key one fourth round. Or we may provide stops such as a set screw or plug
in each end cover.
Dated this Fifth day of November 1898
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Raising Sewage and
other Liquids by Direct Air Pressure.
We, ISAAC SHONE and EDWIN AULT, both of 47, Victoria Street, Westminster,
London, Civil Engineers, 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:-
1
These improvements in apparatus or so-called ejectors for raising sewage and
other liquids have for object to render their working more perfect and refer to
inventions described in the Patent Specifications 3524 of 1878, 16453 of 1884,
and 15203 of 1888; Where it is required for instance in a low lying district
to raise ordinary town sewage to a higher level in order that it may acquire the
necessary fall to run off into a river, or into the sea, or to outfall works, we
in our pneumatic system employ a so called ejector or usually a pair of ejectors,
each comprising a sewage receptacle whereinto the town sewage naturally gravi-
tates, and a float therein operating automatically a valve device with a socalled
automatic or main valve for admitting compressed air into the receptacle when
the float has risen to a certain height. The compressed air then acting upon
the surface of the sewage forces it up a pipe to the desired level whence it can
flow off to the river, estuary, or outfall works.
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an arrangement of two ejectors with the
various valves, and Fig. 2 a similar view showing the valves in other positions.
Figure 3 is a part sectional elevation of an arrangement of two ejectors with
the various valves, and Fig. 4 is a plan view. .
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 6 a part sectional end view of the
slide valve which is actuated by the float in the ejectors.
Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 8 a sectional end view of a strainer.
Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of a controlling valve.
Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation of a main or automatic valve with slide valve,
Fig. 11 is a sectional plan showing the slide valve and the face whereon it
works, Fig. 12 is a plan section of the main valve, Fig. 13 a sectional end view
of same, and Fig. 14 a section on line A B Fig. 10.
Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation, Fig. 16 a plan view and Fig. 17 an end eleva-
tion of a standard or pedestal upon which the main-valve is mounted.
Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation, Fig. 19 an end elevation, and Fig. 20 a plän
of another form of standard.
Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 22 a sectional' end elevation of an
ejector station with two ejectors having their main valves and controlling valve
arranged together near the surface of the ground.
Fig. 23 is an elevation and Fig. 24 a plan of a controlling valve placed across
two main valves.
Fig. 25 is a sectional elevation of a main valve detached from the slide valve
and provided with a fixed liner.

page_text: for end between two main valves.
Fig. 28 is a sectional elevation, Fig. 29 a plan section and Fig. 30 a cross
section of the controlling valve shown in Figs. 26 and 27.
Fig. 31 is a sectional elevation of a main valve with 'hollow cover contain-
ing liquid.
Fig. 32 is a plan view of three ejectors with their controlling valve.
One important improvement consists in the application of what we call a
controlling valve.
Hitherto in our aforesaid ejector systém 'where two ejectors were: acting in
an installation two being provided chiefly in order that one might be "available
while the other was being internally inspected or repaired, they worked inde-
pendently of each other although discharging into the same outlet pipe and
usually both ejectors discharged together which was economically a disadvan-
tage, especially because the flow through the rising main was necessarily inter-
mittent which involved either that the rising main had to be of larger diameter
than would be necessary for constant flow, or that the loss by friction of the
sewage through the rising main became large. Now one important object of
our present invention is to ensure that the ejectors discharge one at a time,
and, when maximum flow of sewage occurs, at regular alternate times or nearly
so. For this purpose we employ what we, call an automatic controlling valve,
and instead of as heretofore supplying compressed air direct to 'the main auto-
matic valves of the two ejectors we supply the compressed air to the controlling
valve interposed between the compressed air supply and the main valves and
which is preferably of the piston form which we have found suitable for the
main automatic valves. Suitable stop valves are provided so that one half of
the system can be worked while the other is being repaired.
Another important improvement relates to the so called automatic main
valve which by the float in the ejector acting on a slide valve is 'automátically
opened for admitting compressed air on to the top of the sewage in the ejector
when the latter has run full of sewage; this valve has hitherto been in direct
or immediate communication with the ejector, and it has been our practice to
place it some distance above the ejector so as to prevent flooding of the 'main
valve by sewage rising therein when the ejector was not working, but this has
the disadvantage of making the so called ejector station or the building wherein
the ejector is erected very lofty and in consequence expensive. Moreover we
have not found any check valve efficient in preventing the sewage from rising
into the automatic valve while at the same time permitting 'the free flow of
high pressure air in and out of the ejector at a great velocity. The exhaust
air rushing from the ejector to the automatic main valve also at times carried
along with it and deposited in the said valve, thereby impairing its efficiency,
grit, chips, pieces of string, and other objectionable matters which had been
carried up by the sewage and left clinging to the communicating pipe. In
order therefore to overcome these difficulties or 'disadvantages we so arrange
the main valve that it is not in near or immediate communication with the
ejector, and we employ in many cases a pipe leading from the ejector up some
considerable distance and then down to the main valve, and provide a strainer
preferably in the highest part of the pipe and by preference made of a special
form so as to be accessible for cleaning.
Figs. 1 and 2 show diagrammatically such an arrangement of parts. Upon
the top of each ejector A, for convenience sake, but not communicating there-
with, is placed a pedestal or standard B which carries the box of a slide valve Ca
which by the pipe L receives compressed air from the store of compressed air
and by the pipes L1 and L2 supplies such air from one of the chambers B2 in
the pedestal to one end or the other of a main double piston valve D (the so
called automatic or main valve). This valve is of the same general' construc-

page_text: tion as before that is to say with two pistons connected by a rod but by preference
of an improved form, as shall be presently described with reference to Fig. 10.
The slide valve is operated from the float in the ejector by the rod A¹, lever A³,
lever fulcrum spindle A3, and lever A on said spindle. A, is a counterweight
on the lever A². The improved form of slide valve device C on its standard or
pedestal B is shown in the detail views Figs. 5 and 6. The stuffing box for the
spindle A3 is here dispensed with and the spindle and its lever A placed in a
chamber 133 below the valve which chamber as the slide valve C is moved com-
municates with the exhaust sides of the ports. The chamber B3 may either
open direct in the atmosphere or be connected with the main exhaust pipe K
Figs. 1 and 2 so as to prevent dirt or grit from entering the valve when Hood-
ing should happen to occur. The improved arrangement at the same time gives
better facility for examining and cleaning the interior of the valve device C for
which purpose it is only necessary to remove the cover C. Each main valve D
communicates by a pipe F with what we call a controlling valve E, which also
by a small pipe I communicates with one end of the main valve D while the
other end of the latter by the small pipe L2 communicates with a chamber B³
of the pedestal 13 as stated. The controlling valve E is also made with two
pistons connected by a rod; this valve will be described presently with reference
to Fig. 9. The effect or mode of action of this arrangement of parts is as
follows:-
Assuming that the right hand ejector is just making a discharge it has
admitted compressed air by the action of its slide valve device C through the
pipe L² to one end of its main piston valve D and thereby driven it into the
position shown in Fig. 1, which figure shows the controlling valve E and the
main valves D in such positions as to allow compressed air to flow to the right
hand ejector by the pipe F as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. When the
left hand ejector is filled, compressed air is admitted through the pipe L² to
its main valve D by the action of its slide valve. This causes the piston of its
valve D to move to the position shown in Fig. 2, and if the right hand ejector
has by this time completed its discharge, the piston of its main valve D will
also be moved by the action of its slide valve C Figs. 5 and 6 over to the posi-
tion shown in Fig. 2. By these actions compressed air is admitted through the
pipe L and its extension L¹ of the right hand ejector to one end of the con-
trolling valve E, and the other end is put in communication with the atmo-
sphere through the pipe L' to the slide valve of the left hand ejector so that the
controlling valve is by the compressed air moved into the position shown in
Fig. 2 thereby opening the supply of compressed air to the left hand ejector
and shutting the supply off to the right hand ejector. The arrows in the two
figures show the direction of flow of the compressed air in the two cases.
It will be evident that the movement of the controlling valve E is dependent
upon the action of the main valves D) of the two ejectors and that the control-
ling valve will not be moved in one direction or the other until both the main
valves have been moved into correct positions.
If both ejectors are filling, the right hand main valve D will be in the posi-
tion shown in Fig. 2 and the left hand main valve in the position shown in
Fig. 1, in which case compressed air will be admitted to both ends of the con-
trolling valve placing its divided piston in equilibrium. When one ejector is
filled the equilibrium of the controlling valve is at once destroyed by com-
pressed air being admitted to the opposite end of one of the main valves and
one of the pipes L' being brought into communication with the atmosphere
through the slide valve. The controlling valve is thereby moved over to the
proper position to allow compressed air to flow to the full ejector through one
of the pipes F. Assuming this ejector to be the right hand one the position
of the valves will be as in Fig. 1 and if it should be the left hand ejector the
valves will be as in Fig. 2.
Should one ejector become full before the other has completed its discharge

page_text: the right hand; main valve will. be as shown in Fig. 1 and the left hand main
valve will be as shown in Fig. 2. in. which case both ends of the controlling
valve will be open to the atmosphere through the pipes L L and will therefore
be again in equilibrium until the one ejector has completed its discharge, when
the controlling valve piston is at once moved over by compressed air being
admitted from the main valve through one of the pipes L¹ to one end of the
controlling valve, and the compressed air allowed to flow through one of the
pipes F to the ejector that is waiting for it.
Figs. 3 and 4 show an actual approved form of apparatus where as often
convenient the slide valves, the main valves, and the controlling valve are
arranged close together and just over the ejector, so, that it becomes possible to
make the ejector station a low and inexpensive building through the roof of
which are passed the pipes F for conveying compressed air to and from the
ejectors thus preventing the access of sewage to any of the valves which as shown
are not in immediate communication with the ejectors. The pipes F at one
lower end communicate with the ejector through a lower chamber G¹in the
hollow pedestal G and at the other lower end with a chamber G2 H is a
strainer of improved form interposed in the piping; it is shown in the detail:
views Figs. 7 and 8 and consists of a box with an internal perforated or wire
gauze cylinder H¹ which is kept in position by means of two rings H brazed
or otherwise secured round the cylinder H.
The exhaust air entering from the ejector pipe F by the opening H³ flows in
through the openings H and H so that the objectionable matter is deposited
on the outside of the perforated straining cylinder H¹.
The controlling valve E in one suitable form is shown in the sectional eleva-
tion Fig. 9. It is made with a piston valve in two parts E¹ E¹ united by a
rod E2. The end covers 13 are provided with rims E which limit the travel of'.
the piston valve. The latter, may work in a liner that is fixed in place by
a suitable alloy run into recesses E such alloy being of the kind that melts at
a comparatively low heat and expands in cooling such for instance as the so-
called Spence's metal. In order to be able to put one ejector out of action for
inspection or repair, while the other ejector continues to work, we provide a
fourway cock E with pipes E8 to each end of the valve casting which pipes by
passages E. communicate with the outer ends of the piston valve. The branch Eio
of the fourway cock E7 communicates with the compressed air space E" and by
the branch E with the atmosphere. By closing taps provided on the pipes L¹ L¹
Fig. 1 and then turning the fourway cock so that compressed air is admitted
to drive the piston valve El to one end or other of its stroke the flow of com-
pressed air will be diverted to the main valve D that is to remain at work,
while the other main valve and its ejector are cut off.
The controlling valve E is in Figs. 3 and 4 shown between the two main
valves D and connected therewith by means of pipes F F provided with stop
valves which latter serve to shut off one or other half of the ejector system in
case of repairs being needed for the same. Each main valve is also in this
example shown fitted with its slide valve C. This arrangement is illustrated
by the detail views Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. The valve body D is so con
structed that it can be bored out in one operation and fitted with a liner D
which is ground in or shrunk in, or fixed by a suitable alloy run into recesses
as described with reference to the liner of the controlling valve Fig. 9. The
seating D against the end of which the pistons D³ rest may be secured in the
liner D by being shrunk in and secured by screws I), or by means of suitable
metal alloy run into recesses as will also be described with reference to the
liner in Fig. 25.
We shall now also in the following describe improvements relating to the
construction of the main valves, the controlling valve, the slide valves, and the
pipes and other parts connected therewith.
For the purpose of preventing or lessening the noise and shock now obtain-

page_text: ing in the large sewage inlet and outlet valves V and U Fig. 3 and in valves
connected with small ejectors with a comparatively high air pressure we prefer
(but do not claim) to retard the speed of travel of the main valve pistons D³ by
reducing to an adjustable extent the transverse area in some part of the pas-
sages for instance the passages 15 by means of set screws D. The piston is
thus caused to move as slowly as desired, so that the first fraction of compressed
air is admitted more slowly to the ejector being wiredrawn and also the fall
in pressure during the first fraction of the exhaust is less sudden, being also
withdrawn, so that the said sewage inlet and outlet valves are allowed to close
gradually and noiselessly.
In order to adapt the same main valve D either for right or left hand posi-
tion and application we make the face on which the slide valve C slides in
the form of a liner plate C having an opening C7 so arranged that when the
plate C is turned end for end the opening C7 may either correspond with the
port or the port D8 and thus admit compressed air to the space wherein
the slide valve slides either from the right or left hand of the main valve body,
so that either of the ports and connecting passages D2 and D10 may be adopted
for the compressed air supply as required by turning the plate C6 round. Thus
any main valve taken from stock can be made either right handed or left
handed as required.
Similarly in order to adapt the pedestal or standard G Fig. 3 and 4 upon
which the main valve D in this arrangement is mounted for either a right
or left handed application we make it as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and in the
detailed views Figs. 15, 16 and 17 trough shaped with a flat reversible cover G³
supported on brackets G cast with the standard G. As will be understood from
Figs. 3, 4, 16 and 17, the main valve ] is fixed on the top of this standard.
Or we make the standard, G as shown in Figs. 18, 19, and 20 of a tubular four-
way shape with a reversible bracket cover G upon which the main valve D
is mounted.
Figs. 21 and 22 show an ejector station with two ejectors having their slide
valve devices C mounted on the standards B on the ejectors as in Fig. 1 but the
controlling valve E and both the main valves D are fixed in a chamber K at
the surface of the ground; such an arrangement is suitable in some cases,
but it will be understood that in this case also the principle is carried out that
there is no immediate or near communication between the ejectors and the
valves, and for the purpose that the sewage shall not enter the valves. The
controlling valve E is in this example placed across the two main valves D as
shown in the detail views Figs. 23 and 24. The ejectors A A are connected
to the main valves D by means of pipes F F led by any convenient route from
each ejector to its corresponding main valve. The compressed air supply to
the slide valve devices C C may be brought thereto through small pipes L L
direct from the air supply main I or in any other way. From the slide valves
the air for actuating the main valve pistons is carried through small pipes L'L³
to the corresponding main valve. The standards B upon which the slide valve
devices C are mounted are as described with reference to Figs. 1, 5 and 6, the
pipe L conveys compressed air to the chamber B' and thence through the port
to the slide valve chamber. The chambers 132 132 and the small pipes L' L³
take the place or are an extension of the passages D5 of the main valve shown
in Fig. 10 and are connected to the separated main valve as shown in Figs. 1
and 2.
The strainers H are here shown directly under the main valves but they may
be placed at any suitable point of the pipes F. The ejector station is shown
of a convenient form that is to say a comparatively shallow lower part S, a
smaller intermediate part S₁ for the pipes to pass up through and an upper
manhole part $2.
In sewage raising installations it is imperative that the ejectors at all times

page_text: should be able to deal with a certain maximum volume of sewage and we there-
fore provide in combination with the controlling valve and for the purpose
stated two ejectors of such a size that either of the pair shall be capable of
singly dealing with the maximum volume, or we provide three ejectors of
such smaller size that any two of them working together governed by the con-
trolling valve in the particular manner described shall be able to deal at all
times with the maximum quantity while the third ejector (any one of them)
for the time being is laid bye in reserve, and we provide valves and communi-
cating pipes whereby the compressed air can at any time be directed to pass
from the controlling valve to any two of the three ejectors. By this latter
arrangement we also fulfil one important object of our invention viz. the ensur-
ing of a practically constant flow of the sewage through the rising main.
Fig. 32 shows three ejectors A arranged in the lower cylindrical part S of
an ejector station. E is their common controlling valve, which by the pipes F
is connected with the main valves D these latter being in this example shown
with their slide valves C on the top as in Figs. 3 and 4, these slide valves being
operated as above described from the fulcrum spindle at A³ of the levers A².
The pipes F which convey compressed air to the main valves D are provided
with stop valves F F F and F5. The small pipes L' which convey com-
pressed air from the main valves D to the controlling valve E for the purpose
of actuating its piston in the manner described are provided with cocks or
valves L L L 16. Assuming now for instance that the two outer ejectors
are working together and that the middle one is laid bye in reserve, the valves F2
and are open, while the valves F and F are closed; and the valves L
and L are open while the valves L and L5 are closed. The action of the system
as far as the two outer ejectors is concerned is now just the same as described
above, the controlling valve supplying compressed air to the one ejector or
the other as required, and the flow of sewage through the rising main being
practically constant during the maximum flow. Assuming next that the right
hand ejector for instance is to be laid bye temporarily for inspection or repair
and that the other two ejectors are to work together with the controlling valve
in the manner described, then the valves F2 and F are open while the valves F3
and F5 are closed; and the valves L³ and L³ are open while the valves L'
and L are closed.
In Fig. 25 is shown a main. valve detached from its slide valve. The liner D¹
is in this example fixed by means of a suitable alloy run into recesses as pre-
viously explained and the seating De for limiting the piston travel is in a similar
manner fixed in the liner D¹. The throttling of the passages is in this example
effected by passing the screws Dº through the end covers or by means of a
cock D on the pipe L'.
But we prefer to make the controlling valve without a seating, like D2 of
the main valve just referred to, which seating serves for making joint and for
limiting the piston travel.
Where the controlling valve and the two main valves are placed end for end
as may be found convenient as shown in Figures 26 and 27 we provide different
means for limiting the piston travel as will be understood from reference to
Figures 28 and 29 which are sectional elevation and sectional plan of the con-
trolling valve; moreover we use the means for limiting the piston travel also
as a means for locking the piston at one end or the other when it so happens
that one of the ejectors or the parts belonging thereto have to be put out of
action for inspection or repairs. For this purpose we provide a key E2 with
a flat part E on which the correspondingly formed slot in the intermediate
rod shaped part E2 can normally slide. This slot is widened out circularly at
each end at E and when the piston is driven to one end or the other it can be
held there as desired for stopping the action by giving the key a quarter of a
turn when the flat part E² comes into a cross position in the part E¹4

page_text: When the main valves D D are arranged as shown in Figures 26 and 27 the
liners of the said valves must be easily removable or of the form shown for
instance in Fig. 12.
As already stated the slide valves when separated from the main valves as
shown in Figures 21 and 22 are supplied with compressed air from the main I
and consequently have abundance of air for actuating the main valves but
when the controlling valve E is connected with main valves having as in
Figure 10 the slide valve mounted on the main valve and when the slide valves
are not supplied with compressed air direct from the main it is necessary always
to have a supply of compressed air at hand to operate the main valve pistons,
and for this purpose we admit a small quantity of compressed air to the
pipes FF Figure 1 either through a byepass connected with the air main I
and which may be partially throttled by a set screw or a valve or cock or be
provided with a reducing valve, or such air may be admitted past the inside
edges of the controlling valve pistons which for the purpose should not fit
quite tight. There will thus always be sufficient compressed air in the main-
valve passages to actuate these valves.
In order to keep the cupleathers of the main valve pistons supple and tight
especially in case the compressed air is hot and dry we in some cases interpose
a body of oil, glycerine or other suitable liquid between the main piston valve
and the compressed air. One way of doing this is shown in Figure 31 where
the end cover is formed with a box N provided with a partition N¹. The com-
pressed air is admitted by the passage D³ but instead of acting direct on the
piston D³ it presses on the surface of the liquid forcing the latter against the
piston and thus operating it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In combination with two pneumatic ejectors for raising sewage or other
liquids in which the contents of the ejectors are periodically forced up to a
higher level by means of compressed air, the application and use of a control-
ling valve which has a pipe for receiving supply of compressed air from the
compressed air store and communicates with the inlet for compressed air to
each main valve, said controlling valve at each of its ends communicating by
small pipes with one end of each main valve for the purpose of being impelled
at proper times by the compressed air conveyed through them, all so arranged
that the movement of the controlling valve depends upon the action and posi
tion of the two main valves, so that if one ejector has run full of sewage and
its slide valve by the action of its float in the ejector has thereupon admitted
impelling compressed air to its main valve and moved the same so as to admit
a charge of compressed air from the controlling valve to the ejector for forcing
out the sewage, the main valve for the other ejector will not receive a charge
of compressed air from the controlling valve until the last named ejector has
run full of sewage and the first named ejector has completed its discharge and
the slide valve of the other ejector in consequence has sent impelling com-
pressed air by way of its main valve to the controlling valve and moved the
latter into the proper position for admitting a charge of compressed air through
the said main valve to the second ejector, substantially as set forth and for the
purpose of ensuring that only one of a pair of ejectors shall discharge at any
time.
2. The application and use in connection with two pneumatic ejectors the
contents of which are periodically forced up to a higher level by means of com-
pressed air, of a controlling valve constructed substantially as described and
shown.
3. The application and use in connection with a controlling valve operating
as described of means for shooting it to one end or the other and for holding

page_text: it there, for the purpose of disconnecting one of the ejectors while the other
is kept running, substantially as set forth.
4. The combinations in one structure of the controlling valve and the main
valves substantially as described and shown.
5. The improved construction of main valve, substantially as described and
shown.
6. The improved construction of slide valve, substantially as described and
shown.
7. The combination of an ejector, a chambered standard G thereon, piping F
with or without strainer H, and a main valve D with its slide valve C on the
standard G, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. The combination of an ejector, a standard B with slide valve C thereon,
a main-valve a suitable distance away therefrom and piping F with or without
strainer, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. The combination of an ejector, a chambered reversible standard G, a main-
valve with its slide valve thereon, and piping F with or without strainer sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10. The general arrangements described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2,
3 and 4, 21 and 22, and 32.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.