Improvements in Pumping Machinery.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Nov., 1886.
Complete Left, 27th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 27th Sept., 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pumping Machinery.
1, THOMAS HENRY WARD of the Firm of Lee Howl Ward & Howl Engineers
Tipton Staffordshire do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My Invention has for its object the production chiefly of double acting pumping
machinery such that without reducing the nominal or commercial size & efficiency,
yet that it shall be more compact, lighter, & cheaper, whilst there shall be provided
more convenient access to the valves, & a better arrangement in connection with the
same in short that it shall satisfy more perfectly both the commercial & the Engineering
demands.
In order the better to explain this my invention, I shall proceed to describe the
pump itself in its simplest form, & then to clothe it with other parts of this same
invention consisting of mechanism for actuating the same as being most desirable the
better to satisfy more thoroughly the substantial aims that I have in view as herein
before stated, & having done so I shall then anticipate several very desirable modifi-
cations or developements in order the more nearly to point to the real boundary of my
field. All this I shall do in the nature of examples only, & the examples which I shall
give will be those upon the whole most practical, perhaps in some measures most
desirable, but certainly most explanatory, yet after all they will be but examples of
many expressions of the same real invention.
The first part of my Invention consists of the ordinary double acting pump con-
taining its corresponding piston, & pision-rod, & ports communicating with the valve
box right & left or top & bottom according as it is a horizontal or a vertical pump.

page_text: Assuming the latter, then instead of the valve-box containing the usual two pairs of
valves side by side necessitating thereby a bulky & straggling valve-box, all four
valves are arranged about or rather upon one common axis, they open in the same
direction, & they are situated one above the other first a suction valve, then a delivery,
then another suction, surmounted by another delivery. For greater convenience the
suction & the delivery pipes may be connected upon the same axis at the opposite
extremities of this line of valves.
The manufacturer also will appreciate this arrangement as enabling him with one
setting & with no blank external covers to fix afterwards, to pass right through the
valve box with his tool, & thereby to face & to bore out the pipe flanges & valve seats
respectively. I stated that these valves were situated above one another, but the last
pair must be cut off from the first pair preferably by a blank internal flange or false
valve seated or rather fixed upon an extra valve seat situated between them. Likewise
as it is necessary upon the one hand for the suction water to be in direct communi-
cation with & behind the two suction valves, whilst the delivery water is so with & in
front of the two delivery valves, there is a suction bye-pass on the one hand, & a
delivery bye pass upon the other, provided to bridge over or rather to conduct the
water round the intervening valves, & preferably there is but one comparatively small
side lid covering this line of valves & giving free access to all alike.
In passing & before proceeding to clothe this part of my invention, I will state
that I much prefer that this line of valves shall run about parrellel with the axis of the
cylinder, whether it be a horizontal or a vertical pump, thereby swallowing up about
the same length only, with much the same width, ensuring compactness.
Again instead of the pump barrel & the two ports communicating in the usual way,
I prefer to use a seperate tube as a pump barrel fixed within the shell of the casting
at about mid length. Annular ports are formed right & left of this joint, or rathor
in this case above & below, by virtue of the space left between the outer wall of the
tube & the inner wall of the shell, which serve the purpose of the ordinary ports as
before mentioned, but with these main advantages, i.c. that for a given length of stroke
it has a shorter overall length, that the actual working barrel may be of a superior
metal to that of the shell, gun metal for example, & that the outline is more regular &
compact without any straggling ports, & now as to the other parts.
In practice it is most desirable to drive pumps by means of a crank & shaft in some
form or other, & in such cases & under ordinary circumstances the piston-rod has to
be guided either by a spear rod guide, or by slide blocks, on account of the evil due
to the angularity of the connecting rod, & by the time this is done, & the connecting
rod & shaft is provided, there is comparatively speaking a serious overall length, & con-
sequently bulk, & further as a rule any such pump requires purchase gear if the water
has to be pumped any reasonable height.
In order to economise this room, & yet guide the piston-rod & convert the rotary
motion into the necessary reciprocating motion of the required stroke with a minimum
of crank throw, I provide a pair of slide bars which serve to guide the head of the
piston-rod as usual, but there is another such pair of slide bars in addition crossing
the same transversely at the mid length, & which for convenience may be in one &
the same casting, forming thereby a cross-shaped double sliding bars. Slippers slide
therein, & are connected the one to the other by a connecting strap or its equivelent
pair. Now the mid length of this strap is provided for & receives circular motion,
the crank shaft or its equivelent which rotates upon its axis coinciding with that of
the cross itself, & any such rotation is thereby divided into two component recipro-
cating motions at right angles to each other, & the one such motion being communicated
to the piston-rod head is thereby usefully applied, whilst the other such is apparently
wasted, though it really serves as part of the necessary means of obtaining the end
in view. I can the better explain this now by referring to Daniel Kinnear Clark's
Manual of Rules & Tables, Second Edition, page 14, Fig. 56. My crank shaft rotates
about its axis coinciding with that of the cross indicated at D, & its crank pin is
situated mid way along the connecting rod k & 1, so that with a crank throw of only
say 3 inches for example a reciprocating motion is imparted to the piston-rod attached

page_text: atk of 12 inches stroke. There may be difficulties to be met with in giving practical
effect to this, the chief of which is in the fact that the crank pin not being able to pass
through the cross itself necessitates a one sided arrangement, & as the connecting
strap is comparatively narrow, there is as a consequence an ugly twist to be found in
the bearing. Now it will be remembered that pumping machinery requires purchase-
gear as a rule as before stated, & I take advantage of that fact, & I avoid the twist
referred to by duplicating the strap upon the other side of the cross, & by using the
one slipper-pin common alike to these 2 connecting-straps, which pin turns only in the
slipper & upon the same axis as, & in lieu of the crank & shaft, I provide a spur
wheel rotating on a fixed stud. Preferably the crank-pin is fixed to the connecting-
rod, & enters its corresponding hole provided in the wheel. This spur-wheel is driven
by a pinion carried by a shaft bridging the cross itself, & the duplicate of this arrange-
ment is provided likewise upon the other side of the cross driven from the same said
pinion shaft, & connected to the duplicate strap as referred to before.
It will be seen
that by this arrangement the strains are balanced, & that the purchase-gear is pro-
vided by the very wheels which ensure the balance, & which play the part of
cranks also.
I have before stated that one slipper was apparently running to no useful purpose.
As a further developement I now provide when desired that it also shall be connected
to, & shall actuate a second pump provided for that purpose linable thereto, & con-
sequently at right angles to the former. There may be a point in the revolution where
these two piston-rods when crossing may collide, I bridge the one over the other by
introducing a pair of side straps between the piston-rod-end & the slipper of one such
pump, & thereby avoid that collision.
I am very partial to this duplex arrangement of pumps, since it provides a very
compact pair of pumps one on each side of a bed, with the driving shaft, pulley, &
fly-wheel tucked in under the cross for convenience. I anticipate that as an example of
such an arrangement, such a machine capable of pumping about 4000 gallons p. hour,
100 ft. high, with shaft, belt-pulley, fly wheel, & 2 pumps 34 inches diameter by
8" stroke each, may be contained within an overall space of about 40 inches by
30 by 20.
Take away one such pump & provide a steam cylinder in its place & I have a
steam pump.
It matters not whether my pump works vertically or inclined or horizontally so long
as the valves are arranged to suit such, for horizontal or inclined pumping however I
prefer binging the valves from the cover.
There is one kind of pump upon a plank actuated by a hand-lever, known in the
Market as a double-acting plank-pump provided for bolting to any convenient wall,
in the which pump, the handle vibrates in a path somewhere about the plane of the
plank itself. It has a fulcrum plate, & also a guide bracket provided upon the plank
for the handle & spear-rod respectively. Mine is especially adapted as such, but I may
provide as a further improvement, that my spear-rod-plate which is fixed to the plank
has its guide bridging the connecting-rod, whilst an arin projecting upwards terminates
as the fulcrum as desired, ali contained within one & the same casting.
There is a horizontal pump in the market known as the "Challenge Pump," which
is actuated by hand-lever vibrating horizontally. Here again mine is especially
adapted, but I provide as a further improvement that my lever is preferably bifurcated,
& bridges my pump, & is fixed to a shaft at about mid-length of barrel, either above
or below the same.
A pair of connecting-rods from the piston-rod crosshead, connects
each such prong of the forked lever spanning the pump barrel in between. By this
arrangement I have the advantage of a maximum length of connecting rods, with a
minimum of space. By so doing there is less danger of deflecting the piston-rod,
whilst it will shut up into a smaller compass. I incline the pump barrel slightly, with
a set of hinged valves opening upwards & it is more efficient still.
If desired two
levers in lieu of the bifurcated lever keyed to the same shaft may be provided.
I should have before stated when describing the pump body as the first part of my
invention, that by having the pump barrel seperate from the shell itself, I am enabled

page_text: & prefer to have the shell provided for one cylinder cover only, such shell being
pudding-bagged as it were at its other end; & I further prefer to carry the piston-
rod through a stuffing box at this pudding-bag-end. This arrangement plays a very
important part in my improved "Challenge type as before described, since by the
absence of projecting flanges the connecting-rods lie closer onto the sides of the pump
itself. And I may by providing that the working-barrel or tubo has an inner-ended-
flange or corresponding lugs opposite to that of the stuffing-box-gland-bolts, use those
self same bolts also to screw up & thereby to make the joint between such tube barrel,
& shell containing the same.
Dated this 26th day of November 1886.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pumping Machinery.
I, THOMAS HENRY WARD Engineer 31 High Street Tipton Staffordshire & late
of the Firm of Lee Howl Ward & Howl Tipton 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. :—
My Invention relates to improvements in pumping machinery, whereby superior
commercial & mechanical qualities are obtained. It is applicable to various modi-
fications as for hand, steam, or power pumping machinery whether vertical or
horizontal.
I shall proceed to describe it for example as suitable for vertical hand pumping,
& shall refer to the several figures in the annexed sheet of drawings in the which,
& as nearly as possible, like letters correspond to like parts throughout the several
views.
Figure represents a side sectional elevation of pumping machinery constructed
according to my Invention, on line A B to be found in another view; & Figure 2,
its corresponding outside elevation. Figure 3, a front sectional elevation on line (D;
& Figure 4, its corresponding outside elevation; whilst Figures 5 & 6 are sectional
plans shown through lines EF & G H respectively.
I provide two pairs of valves J, K, & J, K, respectively, situated upon one common
line of axis, running about parallel with the pump barrel M,, each pair of which
consists of a suction valve surmounted by a delivery; & which pairs are seperated
the one from the other, preferably by what would appear to be a fifth valve seat,
carrying a plug or false valve N. Immediately below & above, & upon the same axis,
the suction & the delivery pipes P₁ & P, are connected respectively, the latter with
or without an intermediate air vessel P, thus providing that a boring bar may be
passed right through the lot. Now a port or bye-pass S, communicates from the
former, with & beneath the suction valves on the one side of the valve-box; whilst a
similar one S,, to the latter with, & above the two delivery valves; & a front
comparatively long & narrow lid T, is provided whereby the valves & the division
plug are accessible.
1
Again, I may provide a seperate working barrel M₁-preferably a plain brass tube
requiring neither boring nor turning-forced, & secured within a bored flange M
internally projecting from the shell M, at about its mid-length, which shell being of
superior diameter ensures that a pair of annular ports V, & V, communicate from
the pump M, above & below the internal flange M., to the respective valve
chambers W&W, situated between the corresponding suction & delivery valves; &
I may provide but one cylinder cover T., by preference situated at the end opposite to
that containing the piston-rod & stuffing box & gland T
I may further provide that the fulerum plate R, which carries the lever Q, shall be
in one & the same casting as that of the spear-rod-guide R., which guide projects
forward, & spans between its abutments R, R, sufficiently to ensure free vibration

page_text: to a pair of connecting straps Y, Y₁, between which it is also situated sandwich fashion
in its other direction.
For horizontal pumping, I may provide either a vertical valve-box to a horizontal
barrel or pump, or else I may provide a horizontal valve-box, whose valves preferably
hinge from the cover above, which cover may likewise form the air vessel commu-
nicating with the fluid either at chambers W, or W, or both.
If desired either or both of the suction & the delivery pipes may be connected
at S, & S, respectively, rather than as provided; & finally, the pump barrel & annular
ports as particularly described may be replaced by other forms."
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said Invention, &
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
First, In double acting pumping machinery the combination of two seperated &
independent pairs of valves situated upon one common line of axis, & in order as
follows suction, delivery, division, suction, & delivery; forming thereby a line of
six chambers in which the valves contained therein open in one & the same direction,
& are accessible by one or more lids; the second & fifth of which chambers commu-
nicate with the opposite sides of the piston respectively; the first & fourth, by a port
or bye-pass situated on the one side of valve box; & the third & sixth, by a similar
bye-pass on the opposite side, which bye-passes communicate from & to the suction
& the delivery pipes respectively, substantially as & for the purposes herein before
described.
Second, The combination with the means claimed in the preceeding claiming clause
of a shell or body containing a working barrel, which is secured within at or about
its mid-length, forming thereby annular ports communicating respectively with the
second & fifth chambers; & situated in a line about parallel with the axis of the
valves, substantially as & for the purpose herein before described.
Third, The combination with the means claimed in the preceeding claiming clause
of one cylinder cover only, situated at the opposite end to that at which the piston-
rod stuffing-box & gland are situated, substantially as & for the purpose herein
before described.
Fourth, In double acting pumping machinery the arrangement & combination of
parts constituting the pump & valve-box, substantially as herein before described &
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fifth, In double acting pumping machinery the arrangement & combination of
parts constituting the valve-box, substantially as herein before described & illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Sixth, In pumping machinery the arrangement & combination of parts constituting
the fulcrum-plate & the spear rod guide, substantially as herein before described &
illustrated in Figures 2 & 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh, In pumping machinery the arrangement & combination of parts sub-
stantially as herein before described & illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Eighth, In pumping machinery the arrangement & combination of parts, constituting
the various modifications substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 26th day of August 1887