IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD, MEANS, AND MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR RAISING AND FORCING WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
BESSEMER, of Baxter House, Old Saint Paneras Road, in the County of
Middlesex, 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 Twenty-third day of
June (One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine), in the thirteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Henry Bessemer, my exors, adiiors, and assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Henry Bes-
semer, my exors, adiiors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Henry
Bessemer, my exors, adñiors, 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, my Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD, MEANS, AND MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
EMPLOYED FOR RAISING AND FORCING WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Henry Bessemer, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Henry Bessemer, hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained
in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:
My Invention consists, firstly, in an improved apparatus for raising and
forcing water, which I call the centrifugal disc pump, the principle and con-
struction of which are represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet A, of the
Drawings hereunto annexed. Figure 1 is a front elevation; Figure 2, a
section on the line A, B, of Figure 1; and Figure 3, a section on the
line C, D, of Figure 2. a is an iron case, which is composed of two parts
bolted together by a flange a², and rests on masonry c by a flange or base a'.
The lower compartment of the case contains a disc f, by the centrifugal action
of which the water is raised; and the upper compartment contains the prin-
cipal parts of the wheelwork by which the disc is put in motion. The lower
compartment of the case communicates by a tubular angle piece d with a
suction pipe e, which descends into the well or pit from which the water is to
be raised. The disc consists of two circular plates of metal f, f, which are
connected by a number of intermediate radial leaves f. It is mounted on
a shaft g, which works in brass bushes h, h, let into projections i, i, cast on the
sides of the case a. In the outer ends of the brass bushes g there are screw
caps j,j, having elastic washers under the heads of them, by which any escape
of water through these bearings is prevented. The plate f has a boss in the
centre, by which it is attached to the shaft g, and the other plate f¹ has a
mouthpiece projecting from the centre, which is turned true, so as to fit as
closely as may be without touching the month of the tubular angle piece d.
The caps jj, serve to adjust the distance between the orifices d' and f¹ by
acting against the ends of the shaft g, and thereby causing the entire disc f to.
move nearer to or recede from the orifice d'. On the shaft g there is a small
pinion, which gears into a large toothed wheel 2, keyed on a driving, shaft 7,
which passes out on both sides through the upper compartment of the
chamber a, and has stuffing boxes m, m,. and glands o, o, to prevent the
escape of water at these points. The wheel n is solid at the centre, instead
of being divided into arms as usual. On the ends of the shaft / there are
handles p, p, by which the wheel 'n is turned, and motion thereby transmitted
to the disc f. The lower end of the suction pipe which descends into the well
or other receptacle is provided, as usual in common suction pumps, with a
valve to retain the water in the pipe when the pump is not in operation. The
centre radial plates f³ are made narrower at the ends furthest from the centre,

page_text: whereby the space between the plates f¹ and f¹ is contracted in width in pro-
portion as the space between the radiating partitions f³ increases in breadth
towards the circumference. The partitions are riveted between the two
plates of which the disc is formed. I have generally obtained a good result
from discs in which the area of the central mouthpiece was equal to the outlet
of the periphery; but it will be found preferable, in most cases, to make the
central opening larger, and gradually diminishing, so that the area of the exit
at the periphery may be one third or one half less than the inlet at the centre.
The object of this arrangement. is to prevent any loss of power which might
arise from too much exhaustion in the centre, caused by the increased velocity
of the motion of the water as it proceeds from the centre. The diameter of
the disc may be considerably varied, so as to suit the speed of the first mover
or the height to which the water is to be raised. When the height is great,
either the diameter should be increased or the speed must be increased; but
the centrifugal, disc pump, like the common pump, admits of considerable
variations in its proportions, to suit different cases, but it may be laid down as
a general rule that the area of the outlet should never exceed the inlet of the
disc. The mode in which the apparatus operates is as follows:-The suction
pipe c, and both the, compartments of the case a, are first filled with water,
and motion being given to the handles p, p, the wheel and pinion cause a rapid
motion of the disc f, when the water contained between the intermediate radial
leaves. f, acquiring a centrifugal force proportional to the velocity with which
the disc is driven, will throw the water outwards, and a sort of vacuum be
formed in the centre of the disc, which, as fast as formed, is filled up with
fresh supplies of water from the suction pipe, and thus a continuous flow is
kept up. The outlet spout a is placed so high as to prevent the water ever
falling low enough in the case a to leave any part of the disc uncovered.
The apparatus, as it has just been described, constitutes only what. is called
a lift or suction pump, and is limited in the height of its lift to that of a
column of water sufficient to balance the pressure of the atmosphere, but to
enable the centrifugal disc pump to raise also water to a greater heighth I
make the alterations in its construction as shewn in Figures 4, 5, and 6,
Sheet. A. Figure 4 is an elevation and Figure 5 a plan of a centrifugal disc
forcing pump, and Figure 6. a vertical section on the line A, B, of Figure 5.
A is an iron casing, as before, divided horizontally into two compartments
bolted together at A*. On the top of the upper compartment the curved
arms B form a support for a main central vertical shaft C, which carries
upon its upper end a capstan head D for the purpose of allowing the force of
a great number of men to..act upon it. with handspikes. While the men

page_text: move in a circle round the apparatus the slow motion of the main shaft, if
applied direct to the disc, would produce but. little centrifugal force in the
water, and the height to which it would rise would therefore be very small.
But on the shaft C there is fixed a spur wheel E, which gives motion to a
pinion F and shaft G, which works in bearings H at its lower end, and in
bearings I at its upper one. The shaft G also carries a cog wheel J, which
works in a pinion K on the shaft L, which shaft passes through a hydraulic
leather packing M, so as to prevent the water under pressure in the lower
compartment of the case from ascending into the upper one, which contains
the wheels. The shaft L is supported in a step N formed in the lower part
of the casing, while its upper end works in a gun metal bearing or bracket P,
which is bolted to the central division of the case. The bracket P serves also
to support
and form a bearing for the lower end of the shaft C. The top
cover of the casing A' has ribs A2 cast upon it, to give it additional strength;
and in the centre there is an oil cup Q, from which oil will find its way through
the boss of the wheel, and to both the ends of the shaft, &c. To further this
object the shaft C has a hollow cut into it at the part where it passes through
the wheel, and the bearings in the bracket have a small hole R leading from
one to the other. In the lower compartment of the case there is a conical
projection S, in the bottom of which there are openings T and valves U to
cover them, and immediately below these openings the suction pipe V is
screwed on.
The upper part of the cone S is turned true, and is made to
approach as near as may be without contact to the centrifugal disc W, which
is made of large diameter and small width, in order to render it suitable for
forcing to a much greater height a smaller quantity of water than could be
lifted by the centrifugal disc pump constructed as first before described. The
disc W consists of an upper and lower plate connected together by sixteen
radial partitions X, which are wedge-shaped, the height of the openings
diminishing gradually towards the periphery. In the lower compartment of
the casing there is an opening Y; to which a pipe may be attached, in order
to convey the water raised to any elevated reservoir. The action of the
apparatus is as follows:-Before starting the pump it will be necessary to fill
the suction pipe and lower part of the case. A moderately quick motion then
being given to the shaft C, the disc will revolve rapidly; the water contained
between the partitions X will acquire a considerable amount of centrifugal
force, and will flow rapidly into the case, and thence through the opening Y,
and up any pipe attached thereto; while the tendency to form a vacuum in the
centre of the disc will cause the ascent of fresh portions up the pipe, and
render the operation continuous so long as the notion of the machine is kept

page_text: up. A forcing as well as a lifting action is thus given to the apparatus, the
height in all cases being limited only by the speed of the disc. The method
of applying manual power by the capstan will be found advantageous when a
centrifugal disc forcing pump is used for the extinguishing of fires, such
alterations in the general form of the apparatus being made as to render it
sufficiently portable and convenient for the purpose. Or a cross beam may be
substituted for the capstan head, and the power of horses employed instead of
that of men.
In the apparatus first herein-before described the action is exclusively that
of the lift or suction pump. In the second apparatus the lift and force pump
are combined. It remains now to show how the centrifugal disc pump may
be so constructed as to operate as a force pump only. Figures 5, 6, and 7,
Sheet B, of the annexed Drawings, exhibit the modifications requisite for this
purpose. Figure 5 is an elevation of a centrifugal disc forcing pump;
Figure 6, a vertical section through the centre of the apparatus; and Figure 7,
a separate elevation of the disc. The case a, in which the disc revolves, is
made of cast iron, and has two short curved elbows b, b, which turn upwards,
and are united by flanges to the branch pipe c, c. To the upper part of the
pipe c, c, a continuation of the rising main c¹ is joined, and the pipe c, c, is
bent sufficiently backwards to allow the shaft d to pass down in a right line
through the centre of the machine. On each length of pipe forming the
rising main a projection is cast, and formed into a plummer block to support
the shaft d. The lowest of these plummer blocks is seen at e, below which
the driving shaft d gradually tapers off, and passes through the central boss f¹
of the disc f, and terminates in an obtuse point at g, immediately below which
there is a support h, which serves to support the end of the shaft when the
apparatus is not in action.
On the upper side of the chamber a there is a
cover i, the centre of which rises in the form of an inverted cone i, through
which the water to be raised finds its way into the revolving disc f. It is,
therefore, necessary in this form of the apparatus to immerse it in the water
so far that the level of the surface of the water shall be about one foot above
the mouth of the cover. The disc is constructed like those herein-before
described; or it may be cast in one piece, the openings between the par-
titions f being formed by cores in a manner well understood by founders.
The mouth of the disc f3 should be turned true, so as to approach very close
to the under side of the cover i, and thereby prevent any loss of water at that
joint. The junction of the revolving disc with the inlet pipe may be secured
by hempen or metallic packing, or by a hydraulic leather; but as these
packings are subjected to rapid wear, and absorb.power by the friction they

page_text: occasion, I prefer to make the disc. approximate as near as may, be to the
orifice of the inlet opening, and to lose whatever water. may pass between
them, as this loss will be generally found to be much less than the power
absorbed by-packing. The shaft being put in rapid motion by any first mover,
the disc will deliver water into the case.a, and. cause it to flow up the rising
main, the pressure of which column of water reacting on the under side
of the disc will tend to lift it upwards; and if the area of the inlet aperture
in the cover i bears such proportion to the transverse area of the shaft as
the specific gravity of iron and water do to each other, then its upward
pressure against the disc will sustain the weight of the driving shaft, and
prevent any pressure on the end of the shaft. And, furtlier, if the area of
the inlet be made a little larger. it will give the shaft a tendency to press
upwards, and its upper end may be acted on by a screw so as to regulate
the width of the joint to the greatest nicety, which will render the use of
sunk journals unnecessary. at those parts of the shaft which, are held in the
plummer blocks formed on the rising main. From what has been said it
will be evident that in this form of the apparatus there will be no rubbing
surfaces whatever below the surface of the water, no valve of any kind, and
no friction but that of the shaft and the metal disc, and the former of which
is in a manner self supported, and the latter is so smooth as to revolve with
very slight resistance, through the water. This form of the apparatus has
also the advantage due to the rotatory motion naturally generated in water
passing into a funnel-shaped aperture by which its after revolution in the disc
is facilitated. When it is required to raise water from a very deep well or
mine it may not always be convenient to apply so rapid a motion to the disc
as to exert sufficient centrifugal force to elevate the water to the desired
point by a single lift. In that case, however, any number of separate lifts
may be made, each delivering the water into a cistern from which the next
lift may take its supply, or (which I rather prefer) a combination of pumps
may be used in the manner exemplified in Figures 7 and 8, Sheet C of the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 8 shews on a small scale a double lifting and forcing pump fixed
in a well, and arranged to lift water into a cistern placed over the mouth of
it. The lower or suction pipe 1 dips into the water at the bottom of the
well, and is provided with a foot valve of the ordinary construction. On
the lower stage 2 is fixed a centrifugal disc forcing or lifting pump 3, the
rising main 4 of which passes up to the top stage 5, where it delivers its
water into the lower side of the upper disc pump 6, from whence it again
passes up the rising main 7 into the cistern 8. The shaft 9 on which the

page_text: disc revolves is supported in a bearing 10, which is fixed across the cistern 11,
and on the upper end of the shaft there is a bevil wheel 12, by means of
which rotatory motion may be given to the shaft which passes down the
centre of the rising main, and is there supported at suitable distances by
passing through bosses formed in the centre of two thin elliptical arms which
are cast across the inside of the pipe, as shewn at 13, Figure 7, where this
form of centrifugal disc pump is shewn on an enlarged scale (the lower
pump 3 being shewn in elevation, and the upper one 6 in vertical section).
The general construction and operation of the disc are the same as herein-
before described, with the exception that the driving shaft occupies the centre
of the rising main, and that the water is made to pass from one disc to
another in succession for as many lifts as may be united in one apparatus.
Secondly, my Invention consists in certain improved methods of connecting'
or combining first movers with the centrifugal pumps aforesaid, and with
other machines for raising and forcing water by centrifugal agency. I have
herein-before shewn how the power of men and horses may be applied to the
raising of water by the centrifugal disc pump, but in those cases where'
the power of steam, water, or wind can be better made use of for the purpose
I prefer to combine these first movers one or other of them in such manner"
that the same revolving shaft which constitutes part of the first mover shall
also form the revolving shaft of the centrifugal disc pump, whereby the cost,
wear and tear, loss of power, and liability to derangement attendant on the
employment of intermediate gearing, will be avoided. In Figures 1, 2, 3,
Sheet B, of the Drawings annexed, I have shewn the disc combined in this man.'
ner with an oscillating steam engine, and forming in this case the fly wheel; the
disc being of iron cast in one piece, and of large diameter, so that a great amount
of centrifugal force may be generated without any great velocity of the shaft.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus; Figure 2, an elevation partly
in section on the line A, B, of Figure 3; Figure 3, a plan; and Figure 4, a
horizontal section through the disc on the line C, D; A is a strong cast-
iron cylindrical vessel with a cover B bolted thereon by a flange extending
around it. The cover is strengthened by six radial rib B', which unite in
a central boss B, and at their outer ends join the circular ribs B³.
On the
cover B there is bolted a hollow column C, which forms part of the rising
main, and has a bracket D projecting therefrom, which terminates in a
plummer block D, and supports the crank shaft E. On the side of the
cover B there is an arch-shaped piece of framing F for the purpose of
supporting the upper trunnion of the oscillating steam cylinder G, which is
of the usual construction of high-pressure oscillating cylinders working on
.

page_text: hollow trunnions, and having stuffing boxes to prevent the escape of steam
at the trunnions. But as the cylinder here represented oscillates with its
trunnions in a vertical position, it is necessary to support the lower trunnion
in a somewhat different manner to the upper one, and for this purpose the
small vessel H is bolted to the cover B, which vessel II is provided with a
gland I, and is packed steam-tight in the usual way. The lower end of the
trunnion has a hollow space formed in it, and a corresponding hollow is
made in the bottom of the vessel H. A steel ball J is fitted into these
hollows, and both serves to support the cylinder and to form an easy joint
for it to oscillate upon. Around the lower part of the trunnion there are
slots K through which the waste steam passes into the annular space H in
the vessel H, and finally makes its exit by the pipe L. The motion of the
cylinder on its axis imparts motion to a D slide valve in the box P through
the medium of the levers M and N, the end of the lever M' being fastened
to a stud Q on the cylinder. The piston rod is connected to the crank E
in the usual manner. To the under side of the vessel A there is bolted a
suction pipe R, provided with a foot valve of the usual construction used
in pumps, and from the inside of the vessel A there projects upwards a
mouthpiece A', which is made to fit closely to the central opening Sof
the disc. (The radial position of the partitions T is best seen in Figure 4,
and the way in which the openings in the disc decrease in height as the
spaces between them increases in width in Figure 2.) The lower part of
the crank shaft E works in a step formed in a boss V which occupies the
centre of the opening leading into the disc. This boss is supported by four
elliptical arms X, which are cast across the opening A'. The boss V termi-
nates in an inverted cone to lessen the obstruction caused to the passage of
the water past it, which will not be great because the arms and cone occupy
an enlarged part of the pipe. The disc is keyed to the crank shaft at E;
and to prevent the escape of water past the shaft where it enters the vessel A.
a hydraulic leather Z is fitted to the boss B, the upper part of which is
hollowed and forms an oil cup. Steam being supplied through the pipe U,
and the engine set going, the large heavy disc S will regulate its motion,
and at the same time throw off water from its periphery, in the same manner
as in the other forms of apparatus herein-before described.
When the power
of the wind is to be used as a first mover, I propose to make the wind sail
or fan of a peculiar construction so as to enable it to be acted upon by the
wind from whichever point of the compass it may be blowing, and without
having to set the sails in any particular position to the wind. This form of
wind apparatus is shewn in Sheet C of the Drawings hereunto annexed, where

page_text: Figure 1 represents a vertical section of it through the pump and well (the
wind sail being shewn in elevation); Figure 2, a plan of the apparatus with
the sails omitted; Figure 3, an elevation of the part constituting the pump
case; and Figure 4, a sectional plan on the line A, B, of Figure 3, but
on an enlarged scale. A square frame of timber a, a, a, a, is laid upon the
ground, and two cross pieces b, b, serve as a support in the central part
of the pump case c, which is secured thereto by a square flange c', and rests
at its lower end on some pieces of stone at the bottom of the shallow well d;
into which water is allowed to flow through the arched culvert e. In the
centre of the apparatus the vertical shaft f revolves in a brass step g, while
its upper end passes through a brass bush in the boss h formed by the
junction of the four diagonal tension bars i, which are held down by bolts j,
which pass through the timbers a, a, at the part where they cross each other,
and thus add to the solidity of the apparatus. In the lower part of the
pump case there is a centrifugal disk of the same general construction as
those herein-before described, with the exception that the central radiating
plates n are turned obliquely as they approach the centre. These radiating
plates extend as far downwards as the line n', where their lower edges form
radial lines from the centre, but the faces or sides of them stand at about
an angle of 45 degrees to the horizon. The lower part of the apparatus has
an opening extending all round it, the central part rising in a cone around
the shaft. This opening is divided into compartments by ribs m', m',
which are also in a radial position to the axis, but at the upper part of
them m, m2, they are inclined to an angle of about forty-five degrees so as
to coincide with the angles formed by the radiating plates n. The angular
inclination given to the ends of the lower radial plates is shewn at m²,
Figure 4, and also by the dotted lines in the same Figure. Whenever the
shaft receives motion, the water which passes upwards between the com-
partments m', m', will enter the disc at an angle, so that its motion will
coincide with the motion there given to it, and thus facilitate the action of the
apparatus. When the water accumulates in the case c, and reaches the out-
let 7, it will flow off, the pipe 7 being continued to the place of its required exit.
The shaft carries, as before stated, on its upper end a wind sail or fan,
formed of a number of radial boards r, secured to a ring or hoop, and keyed
upon the upper end the of shaft f. The boards are placed in an inclined
position with reference to each other, in a similar manner to the small sails of
windmills which are used to turn round the head of the mill to the wind, but,
instead of being placed in a horizontal plane, the outer ends of the boards >
are all inclined downwards, at an angle forming a flat truncated cone, and

page_text: consequently presenting themselves in such a position that the wind blowing
from any point of the compass will turn them, and as the centrifugal disc is
fixed on the same axis, the lifting up of the water will result whenever their
action is sufficiently powerful; in this form of apparatus it will be observed
that there are no valves required, as the disc is below the water level. It
will be obvious also, that either, of the other pumps herein-before described
which have a vertical axis may be combined with the wind sails in this
manner; the selection of one or the other will depend upon the height or
quantity of water to be raised. The lubrication of the lower end of the shaft
is proposed to be effected in the following manner-At the nearest conve
nient point above the water level, a small piece of wrought iron. tube is made
with a cup or mouthpiece, the upper part is bored out true, and fitted with a
piston or plunger of about three quarters of an inch in diameter; the upper
part of the piston or plunger has a screw.formed upon it, and a cross handle
fixed to it; the screw part passes through a bridge piece formed across the
upper part of the cup, and the lower end of the wrought iron pipe terminates
in a hollow or cup cavity s (see Figure 1), below the water into which the
lubricating material is intended to be forced. A mixture of oil and tallow,
which is semi-fluid at the ordinary temperature of water, is forced into the
grease cup, and the plunger is then screwed down, which will force the grease
along the pipe; the plunger may then be unscrewed, and another and another
charge of grease forced in in like manner, so that the journals of shafts
working below or immersed in water may be always supplied with grease,
and any small chambers in connection with them kept charged, while the
semi-fluidity of the material will prevent the water from entering and dis-
placing it. It will be found better rather to force too much grease down the
pipe, and even to loose some by the sides of the shaft, than to allow any space
to be occupied by water. When water has to be pumped from a coal mine,
or other situation where fuel is cheap and readily obtained, it is then desi-
rable to diminish the expence of the machine to be used for the purpose,
even if it consume more fuel than a more expensive description of engine
would do. In such cases it will be found that the common emissive engine
will, in combination with the centrifugal disc, make a very cheap and efficient
machine. A combination of this kind is represented in Figure 6, Sheet C,
and a view of the form of the engine best adapted to work the pump is
shewn on a larger scale in Figure 5. A is the water in the shaft; B, the
stage supporting the pump C, which consists of a cylindrical iron case which
encloses a disc similar to that represented in Figures 2 and 4, Sheet B, and
is provided with a suction pipe D and rising main E.. From one end of

page_text: cach length of pipe forming the rising main there is a projection G, which
forms at its end a plummer block, and supports the engine shaft H, which
enters the centre of the pump, case C, and has the disc attached to it. The
upper part of the shaft H runs in a bearing formed at the top of the tripod J,
which may be cast in one piece with the ring J¹, which forms its base, and
which rests on the brick curb of the pit or well. N, N, are thin iron tubes
or arms bent at their ends. N 1, N 1, into a position at right angles to their.
length; these arms unite in a central boss N2, which is keyed on to the.
shaft H. The upper part of the boss N is hollow, and has a stuffing box or
gland L formed thereon, in order that the elbow of the steam pipe R may
remain fixed while the arms below revolve. The operation of the machine is
as follows: Steam (preferably of high pressure) is allowed to flow from
a boiler through the pipe R, and passing from thence through the bent
arms N, N, into the atmosphere, a rapid revolution of the arms and shaft H
will be the result, and the centrifugal force thus communicated to the water
in the disc will cause it to ascend the pipe E and flow off at E 1.
In some
cases where it may be desirable to drive the centrifugal disc at a sufficiently
high velocity to force up water to a great height by a single lift, and where
it may be also of importance to avoid the tremor and wear and tear of toothed
gearing, I adopt the following mode of applying the motive power, which may
be either a reciprocating steam engine or any other reciprocating first mover:-
In Figures 1 and 2, Sheet D, I have shewn as much of a horizontal steam
engine as will serve to explain this arrangement, Figure 1 being
clevation of the principal parts of the apparatus (a portion being shewn in
section on the line A, B, of Figure 2, and the wheel H removed), and
Figure 2 an end elevation, taken at the end furthest from the cylinder. A is
the bed plate of the engine; B, B, columns supporting an entablature C,
and constituting therewith the frame of the engine; D, the steam cylinder;
E, piston rod; F, guides for the side rollers G to work in. Instead of one
large fly wheel to regulate the motion of the engine, I use two wheels of
somewhat smaller dimensions, and less weight than the ordinary single fly
wheel. These wheels H and I are keyed on the overhanging end of their
respective shafts J and K, and are supported in plummer blocks L, L, and
M, M, bolted to the entablature; the inside surfaces of the wheels H and I are
turned true, and bevelled similar to the face of a bevelled cog wheel prior to
the insertion of the cogs. On an arm of each wheel there is a boss, as shewn
at P on the wheel I; into this boss is inserted the crank pin Q. The cross
head R of the engine has two connecting rods attached thereto (not shewn
in Figure 2), one of which S, is connected to the crank pin Q on the wheel I,
a side

page_text: and the other W (shewn in Figure 1 disconnected) is to be attached to a
crank pin T on the wheel H. On the cross head R of the engine a journal U
is shewn, to which the connecting rod S is to be attached, and also the
journal X, which carries the connecting rod W. On the bed plate A there
is bolted an arch-shaped support V, in the upper part of which the pump
shaft Y is guided; this shaft descends through the bed plate, and carries at
its lower end a centrifugal disc. A conical drum Z is keyed upon this shaft,
and, like the pinion of a bevel wheel, it is made to correspond to the angle
formed upon the wheel which drives it; this cone may be made by putting
discs of leather, paper, or other suitable material, between two iron plates, and
after. tightly compressing the material, the surface is to be turned true in
the manner usually followed by the makers of "paper rollers." The cone
pinion thus formed is tightly pressed between the bevelled surfaces of the
wheels H and I. In order to keep a tight pressure on the cone pinion, two
screws *, *, are made to act on the ends of the shaft J and K, and are set
as close as may be required to give the requisite pinch to the pinion to cause
it to revolve. The apparatus being thus arranged, and steam made to pro-
duce a reciprocating motion of the piston rod, the two connecting rods S and W
will cause the wheels H and I to revolve in a reverse direction to each other,
and the cone pinion being thus acted upon on both sides, it will be made to
revolve with a speed in proportion to its diameter, as compared with the
wheels H and I, and thus produce a much more smooth and quiet motion
than can be produced by toothed gearing moving at an equal speed. For
the supply of large towns with water, as well as for numerous other purposes,
the water taken up rivers by the tidal flow, and also other natural outfalls
into such rivers, may be made available in many cases as a motive power,
whereby a certain portion of such waters may be elevated to such an extra
height as to cause such waters to flow along aqueducts or pipes to any desired
place. The means of effecting this object will be understood by reference to
Sheet D of the annexed Drawings, where Figure 3 represents an elevation
of the apparatus, with part of the embankment and retaining wall of a fall
of water, and Figure 4 a vertical section taken lengthwise of the stream.
From the face of the retaining wall a there projects a circular-ended cistern b,
which is also supported by the bracket c. In the lower part of the cistern b
there is a funnel-shaped projection 61, the under side of which is made true,
and comes nearly in contact with the vertical tube d, the bottom of which (d 1)
is formed into a turbine or reaction water wheel, on the well-known principle
of "Barker's mill." The turbine has a vertical axis e, which works in a
step f, supported on a foundation of masonry in the bed of the tail water-

page_text: course. This axis e passes upwards into the circular vessel g, in the cover g, of
which it is supported by a brass bush h, terminating in an oil cup. The vessel g
has an elbow pipe turned upwards to convey water to the required elevation.
The lower part of the vessel g has an inverted mouthpiece k, which dips into the
supply water in the cistern b. The vessel is retained in its place by being
bolted to the upper flange of the cistern b. Within the vessel g there is a
centrifugal disc of the kind herein-before described, keyed upon the axis e;
of the turbine, which is supported at intervals in the centre of the pipe d,
as shewn at m. The operation of the apparatus will be as follows:-The
stream of water which flows into the open end 6 of the cistern 6 will partly
descend the vertical pipe d, and, escaping at the curved ends of the turbine,
will cause it to revolve. The centrifugal disc also partakes of this revolving
motion, and will take in a supply of water by the open mouthpiece k, and
force it up the pipe j. Any of the various kinds of reaction water wheels
'may be used and applied direct to the axis of the centrifugal disc pump in
the manner just set forth. I have herein-before shewn an apparatus wherein
the force generated by the simple emission of steam may be advantageously
used in cases where fuel is cheap, because this mode of obtaining motive power
although not so economical as where its elastic force is made to act upon a
piston, as in the common steam engine, nevertheless possesses the advantage
of cheapness and freedom from derangement; but there are other cases where
it may be desirable that a certain amount of motive power may be employed
occasionally, and in which cases the quantity of steam required is of less im-
portance than having at hand a powerful apparatus, at small cost, and of small
weight and bulk. In steam vessels, for example, it sometimes happens that
large quantities of water require to be pumped out of the vessel, or to be
thrown on to a fire if one should take place in a vessel. I have, therefore,
arranged a combination of the centrifugal pump and emissive engine, which
will occupy but small space, and yet be capable of discharging several tons of
water per minute, the stream required to drive which may well be spared in
such emergencies. This, apparatus is shewn on Sheet D of the annexed
Drawings, Figure 5 being a side elevation, Figure 6 a front elevation, and
Figure 7 à vertical cross section thereof. 22 is a cylindrical case, having a
vertical partition n' and two large circular covers p bolted to flanges extending
around the interior of the case n, which has projecting feet n to support it.
On one side of the case there is a large pipe o projecting from it, which is for
the delivery of water into the apparatus, and on the top of the case there is a
large exit pipe q. In the centre of the division plate n' there is a hydraulic
leather for the purpose of keeping a water-tight joint around the axis r,

page_text: which passes through the plate n', and works in a bearing formed in the boss &
of the thin elliptical arm t, which is cast across the pipe o. The other end of
the axis works in a boss u formed on the elbow of the steam pipe v.
In one
compartment of the case there is keyed upon the axis a centrifugal disc W,
and in the other compartment there is keyed to the shaft a pair of emissive steam
arms X, so that the revolution of the emissive arms will also cause the revolution
of the centrifugal disc. The entrance of the steam into the arms X is by the
mouthpiece, which is turned so as to fit very closely, without rubbing, into the
elbow pipe v. I prefer in this particular case sustaining some loss of steam by
this joint to incurring the friction attending a stuffing box, although of course
packing may be employed as usual. The waste steam is allowed to escape
by the pipe y, which may be turned into the chimney, or otherwise the large
pipe o must have its end taken below the level of the water in the well of
the vessel, and there be provided with such valves as are generally employed at
the foot of suction pipes. The apparatus being first filled with water, and
steam admitted through a cock on the pipe , the emission at the bent end of
the armis will cause them rapidly to revolve, while the waste steam will
escape through the pipe y, while at the same time the water will be taken in
by the disc w and thrown out by the pipe q over the sides of the vessel. An
apparatus of this description would form a cheap and excellent substitute for
the ordinary donkey engine used on board of steam vessels. When such an
apparatus is intended to be used as a fire engine it would be preferable to
decrease the size of the pipe o, which should lead through the sides of the
vessel, so as to obtain a supply of water, and also to lessen the apertures in the
disc in like proportion, so that a smaller quantity of water may be thrown to
a greater height with the same amount of motive power. The exit pipe 7 in
that case should lead to different parts of the vessel, and be there provided
with suitable hose and jet pipes. I have shewn how the water may be
pumped from a steam vessel by the apparatus herein last described, but it
frequently happens that ships and vessels of other kinds equally require some
powerful source of motive power to act upon pumping apparatus which could
not be worked effectually by manual labour, especially in cases where all the
able hands on board are required for other duties. To overcome this difficulty
I make use of the ship's progress through the water as a means of driving a
centrifugal disc pump. An apparatus for this purpose is shewn on Sheet E
of the annexed Drawings, where Figure 7 represents a side elevation of part
of a ship's stern with a propeller fitted thereto to be used in pumping,
Figure 8 a vertical section of the pump case, shewing the propeller and other
parts in elevation, Figure [9- an elevation of the propeller, and Figure 10

page_text: a cross section thereof. In the dead wood of the vessel's stern a small
rectangular opening is made, which extends entirely through it, as represented
at A, Figure 7. A hole is then bored through the dead wood in the direction
of the vessel's length, and leading from the opening A into the interior of the
vessel, as is now ordinarily practised in the fitting-in of the shafts of screw
propellers. Within the opening A I place a drum H, with vanes projecting
therefrom at an angle to, the axis. B is a circular iron case, containing a
centrifugal disc K, constructed in the manner represented in Figures 2 and 3,
Sheet A. It is keyed upon the shaft C, and the central inlet is placed close
to the mouth of a copper suction pipe D, which leads to the well or lower
part of the ship's hold. On the upper part of the case B there is a pipe E,
by which the water may be conveyed from the vessel. At the part where
the shaft C enters the case B there is a stuffing box F and gland G, to prevent
the escape of the water from the interior. The other end of the shaft C works
in a bearing formed in the dead wood at the back of the stern post, and
water is prevented from entering the vessel by the hole through which the
shaft passes by packing in the usual way. His a hollow drum or cylinder,
having vanes or segments of a screw L, L, formed upon it, which is keyed
upon the shaft C, and occupies the space A in the dead wood, so that the
progress of the vessel through the water will cause the water to impinge upon
the vanes, and make them to revolve, when consequently the.shaft C and the
centrifugal disc K will also revolve, and the water be forced up the pipe E in
the manner last herein-before described. This apparatus may also, in like
manner, be used as a fire engine, as well as for pumping the ship.
In the ordinary screw propeller much loss of power takes place from the bad
propelling angle of that part of the blade of the propeller which joins the central
boss, and also much, loss of power from the escape of water from the face of the
blade being in a line at right angles to the propeller shaft, instead of being
forced by the propeller in a line with the shaft. In order, therefore, to remedy
these defects, I construct and apply to the propelling of the centrifugal disc
pump a propeller constructed in the manner represented in Figures 8, 9, and
10. The hollow drum H (before referred to) is of large diameter, and cast
with any suitable number of vanes. L, L, (I prefer four,) each forming a
portion of a spiral similar to the outer portion of the blade of an ordinary
"screw propeller," but having a projecting flange L' at right angles to face
the blade, the effect of which is to prevent to a great extent the water acting
on the propeller from escaping at the ends of the periphery of the blades,
while the large drum in the centre prevents the loss of power by the bad pro-
pelling angle which would be formed if the blade extended as near. to the

page_text: centre as usual. But as the flat face H' of the central drum would offer
much resistance to the vessel's progress if left exposed to the action of the
water thereon, I form a shield for it by fixing on to the dead wood a semi-
circular piece of wood or metal on each side of it, so as to form a raised
portion as large in diameter as the drum of the propeller. This raised portion
gradually falls into the swell of the vessel, the angles being filled up in an easy
sweep, and the raised portion on the side nearest the stern post terminating in
a point. The central boss is thus entirely shielded from any resistance in
passing through the water. The raised part here referred to is shewn by
shading at M, in Figure 7.
It will be at once understood how these improvements in the form of the
propeller applied to the forcing of water by the centrifugal disc, as herein
described, may also be applied to the forcing of water from the stern of a
steam vessel, the reaction produced thereby serving to move the vessel forward
in the water. In this case the propeller must be of larger dimensions in
proportion to the size of the vessel than the one represented in Figure 7;
Sheet E, and be moved by a suitable steam engine placed within the vessel.
Among the steain engines which may be connected with the centrifugal disc
pump there is perhaps none which would be attended with more advantage
than that commonly known as the "disc engine." For this purpose the axis
of the centrifugal disc pump should be made to project through a stuffing box
in the chamber in which it works, as represented in Figure 8, Sheet E; and
on one end of this axis, or such elongation of this axis as may be required, a
crank arm is fixed, which, with a suitable ball and socket joint, is connected
to the revolving arm of the "disc engine," by which arrangement the use of
intermediate gearing is entirely dispensed with. By way of further illus-
tration of the applicability of my centrifugal disc pump, I have shewn on
Sheet D of the annexed Drawings several other modifications.
Figure 8 is an elevation and Figure 9 a cross section of a disc 1 in which
round parallel holes 2, 2, are made in a radial direction, and in which the
outlet and inlet are equal. 3 is the shaft on which it revolves.
Figure 10 is a side elevation, Figure 11 a plan, and Figure 12 an end
view of an elliptical centrifugal arm 4, which is intended to work in a case
containing water. It revolves upon a shaft 5, and takes in water at the
central opening 6, and discharges it at the open ends 7. This form is suitable
for forcing small quantities to a great height.
.
Figure 13 is a plan, and Figure 14 a side view, of a set of arms 8, 8, fur-
nished with pointed or decreasing blades 9, 9, intended to work between two
fixed discs, and to take in water at both sides-of the-axis 10. By this con-

page_text: traction of the discharge, and rendering it as small or smaller than the central
inlets, much of the advantage of the centrifugal disc is realized; but as water
will always escape between the edges of the blades 9, 9, and the fixed discs, I
prefer to unite the blades and disc, and make both revolve, as herein-before
described...
1. In order to give every facility to the water to acquire centrifugal force, and
not to obstruct that action by any continuous curvature of the passages in the
disc, and at the same time to make use of any surplus power that may be
transmitted to the water in the disc, and render it available as motive power to
assist in the rotary notion of the disc, I construct a disc in the manner repre-
sented in Figure 15, which is a section on the line A, B, of Figure 16, which
is a side elevation thereof. The centrifugal force is generated in strait radial
passages 12, 12, the outer ends of which are curved, and project their full
width beyond the periphery. 13 is the central opening into which the water
enters; 14 is the axis; and 15; the solid parts between the water passages.
In some cases it may be desirable to take in water at both sides of the disc.
With this view I construct a centrifugal disc, cast in one piece, as represented
in' elévation in Figure 17 and in section at Figure 18. 15, 15, is the outer
part of the disc. 16, 16, is a small central plate to which the divisions 17, 17,
are attached, and by means of which the whole is held together and fastened
upon the shaft 18:
And, lastly, with regard to the construction of the centrifugal disc, I find
that if the water is allowed to enter in as near as possible the direction of the
motion which it will afterwards acquire, much loss of power will be prevented;
having this in view, I sometimes construct the disc in the manner represented
in Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19 is a horizontal section on the line A; B;
of Figure 20, and Figure 20 is a section on the line C, D, of Figure:19:
21 is part of the suction pipe, on the top flange of which a number of. curved
partitions or guide plates 22, 22, are fixed. 23, 23, is the outer shell of the
revolving disc, which has a number of curved dividing plates 24, 24, which
áre made of such a form as to allow the free access of the water in nearly
the same direction as it emerges from the guide plates 22, 22, while the outer
end of the division plates 24, 24, assume at the periphery a direction nearly
inta straight radial line, while at the same time the increased space caused
by the: divergence of these plates towards the periphery is counteracted by
their. diminution in height, in regular proportion as they recede from the
centre.
Thirdly, my Invention consists in a method of rising or forcing of water
and other fluids by the action of revolving blades placed in an inclined posi-
B

page_text: tion round an axis, so as to form part of a spiral screw. Many attempts
have from time to time been made to propel vessels, by passing water through
them in such a manner that the reaction produced by its efflux should force
them forward, but the difficulty of moving large bodies of water with sufficient
velocity by ordinary hydraulic machinery has hitherto prevented these
attempts from being so successful as desired. I have therefore contrived an
implement for this purpose, the action of which is rapid, powerful, and con-
tinuous; it is a modification of the screw propellor, working under circum-
stances similar to Fontaine's turbine. This apparatus is also applicable to
the forcing and propelling the contents of sewers, up slopes or along level
drains, and to forcing water generally.
Figure 1, Sheet E, of the annexed Drawings, is a plan in elevation of this
apparatus; Figure 2, a cross section on the line A, B, of Figure 3; and
Figure 3, a horizontal section taken through the centre of the apparatus.
g
Figure 4.is an elevation of the propeller; Figure 5 is also an elevation
taken at right angles to Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a section. a is a portion
of the trunk or tube through which the water is drawn in; it is enlarged
towards one end by a gentle curve, and in the centre of the enlarged part
there is a hollow pointed boss b, which is retained in its central position by
six ribs or plates c, which diverge in straight lines from the center both within
and without the boss b. The position of these plates is best seen in Figure 2.
d is another piece of the tube or trunk which has within it a boss e, which
is held in its place by six ribs f, which at f¹ extend as far as the shaft g.
These ribs are similar to and placed in a right line with the ribs of plates c;
one end of the trunk piece d is divided into two branches h and i, between
which there is a projecting stuffing box j, and gland k, by which the shaft,
is kept water-tight. Between the two trunk pieces a and d there is a short
cylindrical piece m, which is bored truly on the inside of it, and closely fitted
to the ends of the trunk pieces a and d, which are bolted to it by the flanges
a¹ and d. The shaft 9 is supported in a brass bearing formed of three
pieces n, n, let into grooves formed in the cylindrical part o in the boss b.
These brasses are tightened up by screws p, pushing on the ends of rods q,
which are fitted into holes in the ribs c. A small hole r, which communi-
cates with the end of the shaft g, and passes outwards through one of the
ribs c, is for the purpose of pumping in grease to the bearings in the manner
herein-before set forth. The end of the shaft g', which projects outwardly, may
be connected with any first mover, although I prefer to use the disc engine for
this purpose. The propeller s has a hollow cylindrical center, through which
the shaft 9 passes; there are six spiral blades projecting therefrom, the

page_text: perepheries of which are accurately turned and made to fit close without
rubbing the inside of the cylindrical part m; the large blank part s', in the
centre of the propellor, is entirely shielded, and prevented from offering
resistance to the flowing water by the boss b, so that when the shaft g is put
in motion, the water flowing in at the pipe t will divide itself around the boss,
and passing between the ribs c, will be acted upon by the inclined blades of
the propeller, which will deliver it between the ribs f, and force it along the
trunk d and branch pipes and i. It will be manifest that, in thus using the
screw propeller for forcing water, many of the disadvantages which attend
its ordinary use will be avoided; the loss of power from the dispersion of the
water by centrifugal force cannot take place; as the propeller works in a
cylinder, the loss of power caused by the bad propelling angle of the central
part is avoided by the center being filled up, and the loss of power caused
by the water revolving with the propeller is greatly prevented by the ribs
c and f-which guide it into and away from the propeller. The ribs c and f
may be gently curved as they approach the propeller, and also a greater
number may be employed so as to guide the water into the propeller in the
most advantageous manner, as already practiced in reaction water wheels or
furbines. It will be observed that in this arrangement the water entering
the pipe t, and passing out by the pipes h and i, will traverse a space the
sectional area of which is as nearly equal throughout as may be, while the
receding angles at the back of the propelling blades will allow the water to
flow in a nearly straight line through the apparatus, and at a nearly equal
velocity at every part. Again, the absence of all valves or checks to the
rapid flow of the water will allow the machine to work smoothly and without
much loss of power.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that the improvements which I claim
as constituting my said Invention are as follows:-
First, I claim the centrifugal disc lifting pump, the centrifugal disc forcing
pump, and the centrifugal disc lifting and forcing pump, and the several
modifications thereof, each in the peculiar arrangement, combination, and
adaptation of methods and means whereby the lifting or forcing or lifting and
forcing the water are effected by centrifugal agency, as before described.
Second, I claim generally the employment in centrifugal disc pumps having
rotating vanes, blades, or leaves of discs composed of two plates which
approximate towards each other from the centre, but do not touch at their
peripheries.
.
Third, I claim generally the method of enclosing the revolving vanes, blades,

page_text: or leaves of centrifugal pumps in close cases or chambers, having suction pipes
and rising mains, as before described.
Fourth, I claim the application of the method adopted in the said centri-
fugal pumps of supporting the shafts in suitable bearings cast on or bolted
to the rising main to other hydraulic machines, in which centrifugal force is
obtained by means of rotating vanes, blades, or leaves.
Fifth, I claim the employment generally in centrifugal pumps, in which
revolving vanes, blades, or leaves are used, of vertical axles, as before
described.
Sixth, I claim generally the method of supporting the shafts and discs of
centrifugal pumps by the upward pressure of the column of water in the rising
main, as exemplified in Figures 5 and 6, Sheet B, of the Drawings annexed
and before described.
Seventh, I claim generally as regards centrifugal pumps having revolving
vanes, blades, or leaves, the method of contracting the spaces at the ends of
the said vanes, blades, or leaves, so that their aggregate area shall bear a
smaller proportion to that of the centre inlet than it would do if the plates
were kept parallel throughout.
Eighth, I claim the several modes of connecting or combining the. said
centrifugal disc pump, and the several modifications thereof, with first movers,
before exemplified and described.
Ninth, I claim generally the employment in hydraulic machines in which
centrifugal force is obtained by means of rotating vanes, blades, or leaves, of
the method of making the shaft which gives rotation to the said vanes, blades,
or leaves, to serve also the purposes of a fly wheel, as before described.
Tenth, I claim generally the direct application of wind sails to the axles
of hydraulic machines acting by centrifugal force obtained by means of rotating
vanes, blades, or leaves.
Eleventh, I claim the employment of the peculiar form of wind sails before
described, in all cases where wind is employed as a first mover of machinery
or apparatus for raising or forcing water.
Twelfth, I claim generally the combination for the purpose of raising and
forcing water of centrifugal pumps having rotating vanes, blades, or leaves,
with emissive engines, as before exemplified and described.
Thirteenth, I claim the combination of the centrifugal disc pump with the
disc steam engine, in the manner before described.
Fourteentli, I claim generally for the purpose of forcing water the employ-
ment of centrifugal pumps, having rotating vanes, blades, or leaves, with screw
propellers, as before exemplified and described.

page_text: Fifteenth, I claim generally the employment for the purpose of forcing water
of screw propellers having leaves with raised edges, as before described.
Sixteenth, I claim generally the method of transmitting motion to the axes
of rotary pumps by means of plain cones, as before described.
Seventeenth, I claim generally the combination, for the purpose of raising
or forcing water of centrifugal pumps with turbines or reaction water wheels,
as before described.
Eighteenth, I claim the apparatus for pumping represented in Figures
5, 6, 7, of Sheet D, and before described, in so far as regards the manner
in which an emissive engine is there combined with the centrifugal disc
pump.
Nineteenth, I claim the method of forcing water through or along close
channels or trunks, by means of a screw propeller fixed therein in the manner
represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Sheet E, and before described.
Twentieth, I claim the method of raising or forcing water by means of
inclined blades attached to a common axis, revolving within a tube or trunk,
and having guide plates, as represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Sheet E,
and before described.
And twenty-first, I claim generally the method of lubricating the shafts and
other parts of hydraulic machinery working under water, before described..
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bessemer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
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