IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND PROPELLING WATER. AIR, AND OTHER FLUIDS AND GASES. AND IN DRIVING GEAR FOR THE SAME. WHICH LATTER IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Bernays, of No. 18, Woburn Place, Russell
Square, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND PROPELLING WATER. AIR, AND OTHER
FLUIDS AND GASES. AND IN DRIVING GEAR FOR THE SAME. WHICH LATTER IS ALSO
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Square, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND PROPELLING WATER, AIR. AND
FLUIDS AND GASES. AND IN DRIVING GEAR FOR THE SAME. WHICH LATTER IS ALSO
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 10th January 1865, and dated the 14th July 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Bernays at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
July 1864.
I, JOSEPH BERNAYS, of No. 18, Woburn Place, Russell Square, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND PROPELLING WATER. AIR AND
OTHER FLUIDS AND GASES, AND IN DRIVING GEAR FOR THE SAME, WHICH LATTER
IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
One part of my Invention relates to that description of apparatus for raising
and propelling water, air, or other fluids or gases, known as centrifugal pumps
and blowing fans, in which a number of straight or curved vanes are fixed
radially to a revolving spindle, and are enclosed by two discs attached to and
revolving with the same, which discs are provided with central openings
through which the water or air passes into the space between them, and have
also an opening between them all round their circumference, through which
the water or air is ejected into a circular passage. It has been found that
[Price 8d.]

page_text: such apparatus as at present constructed give a far less useful effect when
applied to high lifts or great pressures than when applied to low lifts or
pressures. This loss of useful effect is due to the very great amount of
friction produced upon the outer surfaces of the before-mentioned discs, when
revolving rapidly in the water or air contained in the casing, such water or
air being made to exert a pressure upon the revolving discs equal to that due
to the head or pressure of water or air in the delivery pipe, on account of the
entire space inside the casing being in communication with the delivery pipe.
The friction thus produced is so great that such apparatus have as yet not
been capable of advantageous application to high lifts or great pressures on
account of the great loss of power that would result.
Now my present Invention has for its object to remedy this defect, and
consists in relieving the external surfaces of the revolving discs, more or less
entirely from the pressure exerted by the water, air, or other fluid or gas in
the delivery pipe by bringing the outer casing into close contiguity with the
outer circumference of the discs at the point where the circular channel that
receives the water or ether fluid from the revolving discs is formed, whereby
the communication that at present exists between such circular passage or
channel and the spaces between the casing and the revolving discs is pre-
vented. The latter spaces are either entirely enclosed, or they are put in com-
munication with the suction pipe, or with the external atmosphere, and when
two or more such apparatus are employed in combination, the one delivering
the water or air into the other, these spaces may all be made to inter-
communicate, thus reducing the friction on the outer surfaces of the discs of
all the pumps or fans to one and the same minimum standard.
Another part of my Invention has for its object an improved construction
of foot valve for the above described apparatus when used as a pump for
raising fluids, but which may also be employed for pumps generally as foot or
other valves.
It consists in constructing double flap valves without the central bridge
used heretofore, and in making the valves meet in the middle so as to form
a water-tight joint; for this purpose the meeting edges of the valves are con-
structed of an elastic material, such as india-rubber, in such manner that the
pressure of the water tends to press them closer together. The valves are
either hinged to the same elastic material, or they may have metal hinges. I
prefer to make the valves meet at an angle, so as to insure perfect freedom
of action, the valve seats being made to slope down from the middle to the
ends for that purpose. By thus dispensing with the central bridge, the fluid
is allowed to pass through the valve without obstruction, and there is no

page_text: danger of the valves being put out of order as is the case at present, where
pieces of straw, wood, and other matter lodge upon the central bridge and
thereby prevent the valves from closing properly.
Another part of my Invention consists in driving the before-described cen-
trifugal pumps or fans by means of an endless rope or gut placed successively
in all or any number of a series of grooves formed on the pulley of the pump
spindle and the driving pulley, the said rope or gut being brought back from
the last groove of the one pulley to the first groove of the other pulley, by
means of one or more guide pullies. By this arrangement a considerable
amount of motive power can be transmitted by comparatively inexpensive
means, as it is only a matter of adding on as many grooves to the pullies,
and coils of the same sized rope or gut as may be necessary for obtaining the
requisite power of transmission, whereas the wide belts requisite for trans-
mitting considerable motive force are very expensive and difficult to obtain.
It will be evident that the above described improved arrangement for trans-
mitting the motive power to centrifugal pumps and fans may also be employed
for transmitting motive power generally.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Bernays, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th
January 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
BERNAYS, of No. 18, Woburn Place, Russell Square, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Joseph Bernays, Her special licence that I, the said Joseph Bernays, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph
Bernays, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND PROPELLING WATER, AIR. AND OTHER
FLUIDS AND GASES, AND IN DRIVING GEAR FOR THE SAME, WHICH LATTER IS

page_text: ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Joseph Bernays, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particu-
larly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Bernays, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings and to
the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
One part of my Invention relates to that description of apparatus for raising
and propelling water, air, or other fluids or gases, known as centrifugal pumps
and blowing fans, in which a number of straight or curved vanes are fixed
radially to a revolving spindle, and are enclosed by two discs attached to and
revolving with the same, which discs are provided with central openings
through which the water or air passes into the space between them, and have
also an opening between them all round their circumference through which
the water or air is ejected into a circular passage. It has been found that
such apparatus, as at present constructed, give far a less useful effect when
applied to high lifts or great pressures than when applied to low lifts or
pressures. This loss of useful effect is due in great measure to the very great
amount of friction produced upon the outer surfaces of the before-mentioned
discs when revolving rapidly in the water or air contained in the casing, such
water or air being made to exert a pressure upon the revolving discs equal to
that due to the head or pressure of water or air in the delivery pipe on account
of the entire space inside the casing being in communication with the delivery
pipe. The friction thus produced is so great that such apparatus have as yet
not been capable of advantageous application to high lifts or great pressures
on account of the great loss of power that would result.
Now my present Invention has for its object to remedy this, and consists in
relieving the external surfaces of the revolving discs more or less entirely from
the pressure exerted by the water, air, or other fluid or gas in the delivery
pipe, by bringing the outer casing into close contiguity with the outer circum-
ference of the discs at the point where the circular channel that receives the
water or other fluid from the revolving discs is formed, whereby the com-
munication that at present exists between such circular passage or channel
and the spaces between the casing and the revolving discs is prevented. Tho

page_text: latter spaces are either entirely enclosed or they are put in communication
with the suction pipe or with the external atmosphere, and when two or more
such apparatus are employed in combination, the one delivering the water or
air into the other, these spaces may all be made to intercommunicate, thus
reducing the friction on the outer surfaces of the discs of all the pumps or fans
to one and the same minimum standard.
Another part of my Invention has for its object an improved construction
of foot valve for the above-described apparatus when used as a pump for
raising fluids, but which may also be employed for pumps generally as foot or
other valves. It consists in constructing double-flap valves without the central
bridge used heretofore, and in making the valves meet in the middle so as to
form a water-tight joint; for this purpose the meeting edges of the valves are
constructed of an elastic material, such as india-rubber, in such manner that
the pressure of the water tends to press them closer together. The valves are
either hinged to the same elastic material or they may have metal hinges. I
prefer to make the valves meet at an angle so as to insure perfect freedom of
action, the valve seats being made to slope down from the middle to the ends
for this purpose.
By thus dispensing with the central bridge the fluid is
allowed to pass through the valve without obstruction, and there is no danger
of the valves being put out of order, as is the case at present, where pieces of
straw, wood, and other matter lodge upon the central bridge, and thereby
prevent the valves from closing perfectly.
Another part of my Invention consists in driving the before-described cen-
trifugal pumps or fans by means of an endless rope or gut placed successively
in all or any number of a series of grooves formed on the pulley of the pump
spindle and the driving pulley, the said rope or gut being brought back from
the last groove of the one pulley to the first groove of the other pulley by
means of one or more guide pulleys. By this arrangement a considerable
amount of motive power can be transmitted by comparatively inexpensive
means, as it is only a matter of adding on as many grooves to the pullies.and
coils of the same sized rope or gut as may be necessary for obtaining the
requisite power of transmission, whereas the wide belts requisite for trans-
mitting considerable motive force are very expensive and difficult to obtain
and require constant repairing.
It will be evident that the above-described improved arrangement for trans-
mitting the motive power to centrifugal pumps and fans may also be employed
for transmitting motive power generally.
Figures 1 to 9 on the accompanying Drawings show various arrangements
by which the first part of my Invention may be carried into effect. Figure 1,

page_text: Sheet I, shows a front sectional elevation, and Figure 2 shows a transverse
section of a rotary pump with straight or slightly curved radial arms con-
structed according to my Invention.
A, A, are the radial arms carried by the steel spindle B, and attached to or
formed in one with the discs C. C. provided with central openings, as in the
ordinary construction of such pumps. The casing K, which surrounds the
discs C, C, is made to fit against the extreme circumference of these as closely
as is consistent with the free motion of the discs, so as to prevent as much as
possible all communication between the circular passage D, into which the
water or other fluid is discharged, and the spaces E, E, between the sides of
the discs and the casing. In order to insure this in the most perfect possible
manner the meeting surfaces of the discs and the casing are turned or planed.
In addition to this, the centrifungal force imparted to the thin film of water or
other fluid between the meeting surfaces by the rotation of the discs C will
also counteract the transmission of the pressure from the passage D to the
fluid in the spaces E, E. The water or other fluid is conducted to the central
opening of the pump from the suction pipe F through passages G, G. formed
in the casing and communicating with the spaces E, E, so that the fluid con-
tained in the latter will only experience a pressure equal to that in the suction
pipe, and the loss of useful effect due to the friction of this fluid upon the
outer surfaces of the discs will consequently be entirely independent of the
pressure or head of fluid in the passage D and delivery pipe. The pump will
therefore work with about the same amount of useful effect for high lifts as it
does for low lifts. Although the casing K is shown brought close to the
circumference of the central openings in the discs C, in order to steady the
motion of the same, this may be dispensed with if the spindle B is provided
with collars. The opening H through which the passage D communicates
with the delivery pipe is, by preference, placed in a vertical radial position, as
shown, instead of tangential to the annular passage as heretofore. The gland
to the stuffing-box I, through which the spindle B passes, is formed tapering
in its entire length, whereby the packing is pressed more effectually against
the spindle and is yet more easily withdrawn than is the case with the ordinary
form of gland. I do not, however, claim the two last-mentioned details of
construction as forming part of my present Invention. J is a grooved pulley
for driving the pump by means of an endless band according to another part of
my Invention.
Figure 3 shows a front vertical section, and Figure 4 shows a transverse
section of a rotary pump with curved blades constructed according to my
Invention. The arrangement of the various parts is similar to the first-

page_text: described arrangement; they are designated by similar letters of reference,
and therefore require no further description. The casing K does in this case
not meet the discs C, C, round the central openings, the lateral motion of the
spindle B being prevented by collars b, b.
Figure 5 shews a sectional elevation of an arrangement in which the rotary
pump C is placed in a horizontal position inside the receptacle L containing
the water or other fluid which it is required to raise, and as the pump is
entirely immersed in such fluid no suction pipe is required, and the pump is
quite open to the surrounding fluid, the casing consisting only of the annular
passage D, which is supported by the tank L. In this arrangement the
passage D is brought into close contiguity with the outer edges of the discs
C, C, instead of with the side surfaces as in the former arrangements, so that
no frictional contact may take place between the lower discs and the meeting
surface of the passage D on the wearing down of the bearings to the spindle B.
The edges of the discs are for this purpose by preference widened somewhat
as shown, and both the edges of the discs and the meeting surfaces of the
passage D are turned. The same arrangement of the meeting surfaces may
also be employed with vertical pumps, in which case the bearings of the pump
spindle should be made capable of adjustment as they wear away, in order to
prevent frictional contact between the lower part of the circular passage and
the edges of the discs, and also to prevent the opening of the meeting surfaces
at top. The meeting surfaces may, both in this arrangement and in the other
one, be formed with angular projections on the one surface fitting into corre-
sponding grooves in the other surface, in a similar manner to Robertson's
frictional gearing, whereby the passage of the fluid between the meeting sur-
faces will be still further prevented.
Figure 6 shows a similar arrangement to that described at Figure 5, the
pump being placed in a vertical position instead of horizontally.
Figure 7 shows an arrangement of a double pump driven by one and the
same spindle B, constructed according to my Invention, in which the water
or other fluid after passing from the suction pipe F into the pump C, and
thence into the annular passage D, is conducted through a pipe M into the
spaces G', and passes thence through the pump C into the annular passage D',
in connection with which is the delivery pipe. The spaces E, E, in the first
pump are, as in the first-described arrangement, in communication with the
suction pipe; and in order to prevent any greater pressure from existing in
the space E, E', of the second pump, these are quite enclosed from the
spaces G', and are put in communication with the spaces E, E, of the first pump
by means of pipes N.

page_text: Figure 8, Sheet II., shows a section of a rotary blowing fan constructed
according to my Invention, being under the same conditions as a pump
immersed in the liquid which it is required to raise, it is arranged precisely
similar to the pump described at Figure 6, and requires no further description.
Figure 9 shows a double blowing fan constructed according to my Inven-
tion, in which the air after being thrown by the rotary fan C into the annular
passage D is conducted thence at an increased pressure through an opening
into the space G as indicated by the arrow, whence it passes through the
pipe G to the eye of the fan C¹, which is made to fit in an air-tight manner
against the orifice of the pipe as shown. The outer surfaces of the rotating
discs are open to the surrounding air, and the loss of effect through friction
is therefore only that due to the ordinary atmospheric pressure, the annular
passages D, D¹, being made to fit in a more or less perfectly air-tight manner
against the circumference of the discs.. The air is conducted from the
passage D' through the opening H to wherever required.
Figures 10 and 11 show sectional front and side elevations of my improved
pump valve when applied as a foot valve. The valves P, P, formed by pre-
ference of vulcanized india-rubber, having pieces of metal attached to their
upper and lower surfaces to afford rigidity, are secured at their ends, and rest
at their sides upon the valve seats Q, Q, as in ordinary flap valves, but the
central bridge heretofore employed is omitted, and a water-tight joint is formed
between the meeting edges of the valves, which are for this purpose turned up.
as shown, so that the pressure of the column of water or other fluid upon the
valve tends to press these edges closer together. By this arrangement, when
the valves are open, a perfectly free passage is afforded to the water or other
fluid, and there is no danger of the action of the valve being impeded, as in
the ordinary construction, where pieces of straw, wood, and other materials
are caught by the central bridge. This description of valve may be employed
with equal advantage for any other purpose, such as for bucket or delivery
valves.
Figures 12 to 14 show various arrangements of grooved pullies driven by
endless cords or guts according to another part of my Invention. In Figure 12
the pullies R, S, have each four grooves, and the cord or gut T, which may be
either crossed, as shown, or open, is conducted from the first groove of the
pulley R to the first groove of the pulley S, then from the latter to the second
groove of the pulley R, and so on, until it passes from the fourth groove on
the pulley S, when it is conducted back to the first groove on the pulley R by
being made to pass over the guide pulley U, which according as the pulleys
R, S, are a greater or less distance apart, or are of a greater or less width,

page_text: is situated at such a distance from them that the cord T will not ride off the
end grooves in passing to and from it. Or instead of conducting the cord
from the last groove of the one pulley back to the first groove of the other, it
may be made to pass from the last to the first groove of one and the same
pulley, as shown at Figure 13, in which case the pulley R will require one
more groove than the pulley S. Instead of one guide pulley placed at some
distance from the pullies, two situated directly beneath or above them may be
employed, as shown at Figure 14, whereby the cord can be made to pass from
the last groove of the one pulley to the first groove of the other pulley with-
out forming any angle at all. If the pullies R and S are a considerable dis-
tance apart in proportion to their width, so that the angle which the cord
would make in passing from the last groove of the one pulley to the first
groove in the other would not be such as to make the cord ride off the
grooves, then, with open straps or cords, no guide pulley need be employed.
Figure 15 shows the several parts of my Invention employed in com-
bination, in which A is a rotary pump constructed according to my Invention,
worked from the portable engine B by means of my improved grooved
gearing C, C, and endless cord D passing over the two guide pullies E, E;
the suction pipe F to the pump being provided at G with my improved foot
valve.
Having now described the nature of the several parts of my Invention, and
the manner in which they are to be performed, I wish it to be understood that
I do not limit myself to the precise arrangements of the same as herein-
before described with reference to the accompanying Drawings, as these may
be variously modified without departing from the nature of my Invention,
I would also state that I am aware that a Patent has already been granted
to David Thomson (No. 2774 of 1860), for relieving a certain portion of the
upper discs of horizontal centrifugal pumps having only one central aperture,
from the pressure of the fluid in the rising main, in order to support the
weight of the revolving parts by the pressure of the column of fluid in the
rising main upon the under surface of the lower disc, and I do therefore not
in any way lay claim to such an arrangement, but what I claim is,--
Firstly, relieving the external surfaces of both discs of rotary pumps or
fans more or less entirely from the pressure of the water, air, or other fluid or
gas in the delivery pipe by making the annular passage or channel that
receives the fluid from the revolving discs fit as closely against the side or end
circumference of such discs as is compatible with the free motion of the same,
so as more or less entirely to prevent the pressure of the fluid or gas existing

page_text: in such passage or channel from being communicated to the fluid or gas sur-
rounding the side surfaces of the rotating discs.
Secondly, constructing double flap valves without a central bridge, and
making the valves to form a water-tight joint between their meeting edges by
the elastic edge of one valve being pressed against that of the other valve by
the column of fluid resting upon the valves.
Thirdly, constructing driving gear of two pullies, having each two or more
grooves, round which an endless cord, rope, band, or gut is caused to travel
with or without the aid of one or more guide pullies substantially as herein-
before described with reference to Figures 12 to 14 on Sheet II. of the accom-
panying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Bernays, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
JOS. BERNAYS. (L.S.)