Improvements in Mechanism for Actuating and Controlling the Flow of Water or Air in Centrifugal Turbines, Pumps, or Fans.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 17th Mar., 1893—Accepted, 17th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Actuating and Controlling the Flow
of Water or Air in Centrifugal Turbines, Pumps, or Fans.
I, GEORGE MARIE CAPELL, of Passenham Rectory, in the County of
Northampton, Clerk in Holy Orders, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention consists in improvements in mechanism for actuating and con-
trolling the flow of water or air in centrifugal turbines, pumps or fans, and has for
its object the increase of their efficiency.
It is more particularly applicable to turbines, especially to those which are used
for purposes of propulsion.
In carrying it into effect, I provide a spiral casing having two openings and a
valve for controlling the flow of the fluid. This valve is of such a construction
that the discharge shall be in any direction as may be required, without interfering
with the constant direction of the vortex whirl. This valve slides in a box or
chest upon the casing and has its respective contours so formed as to be a con-
tinuation of the spiral of the same. With the valve in one of its terminal positions,
the fluid is sent in one direction, and in the opposite direction when it is in the
other position. The outlets are both under the control of the slide valve, one of
them following the spiral of the case and the other of them being tangential
thereto.
I may use a rotary instead of a slide valve.
In a propulsive turbine, the water may be led from the bows of the ship and
discharged through the aft outlet. In such cases, I may connect the fore and after
discharge tubes to the inlet or inlets, and by means of a slide valve provide for the
suction coming either from the bows when going ahead or from the stern when
going aft. Or independent inlets and outlets may be provided, preferably dis-
charging below the water line when going ahead and above when going astern.
I may use more than one valve, and when I do, one of them controls the direction
of the water inside the turbine directing it to the outlets, the other of them
directing the feed to the inlet or inlets. These two valves may be connected
together.
As it is desirable to attain a high velocity of discharge, I corrugate the outer
wings of the turbine on their leading sides, but keep the opposite sides smooth.
The corrugations increase in length towards the tips of the wings.
These corrugations may be applied to fans and centrifugal pumps.
I make special provision for clearing the weeds and other refuse from a turbine
as follows. One or more openings are made in the inlet boxes and case at con-
venient points, and these openings are provided with covers and also with plugs,
the function of the latter being to plug up the openings to the extent of preventing
the presence of any air-space within the case or inlet.
The nozzle of a turbine is according to my present invention made as follows.
The relation between the rena contracta and the diameter of the outlet is as 5 to 6},
the latter being the turbine discharge tube. The axis of the vena is half the
diameter of the discharge tube. The radius of the generating circle is the same as
that of the turbine discharge pipe, and the centre of the said circle is on a line
bisecting the axis of the vena at a point one third from the outer extremity thereof.
These dimensions may be modified to some extent. At the same time they are
typical and give satisfactory results.
Dated thin 17th CM5 1002
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Actuating and Controlling the Flow
of Water or Air in Centrifugal Turbines, Pumps, or Fans.
I, GEORGE MARIE CAPELL, of Passenham Rectory, in the County of
Northampton, Clerk in Holy Orders, 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 :-
This invention consists in improvements in mechanism and devices for actuating
and controlling the flow of water or of air in turbines and centrifugal pumps or
fans, and the object of it is to increase their efficiency. In the present state of the
art of constructing turbines or centrifugal pumps and fans, the invention appears
to be applicable with advantage more particularly to turbines, especially to those
which are used for propelling vessels, although it must be distinctly understood
that it is not limited by its nature to the particular application just mentioned. I
instance its special applicability to turbines because the practical advantages
derivable therefrom are greater than any which its application to either centrifugal
pumps or fans promises at present.
.
In the subsequent part of this Specification (excepting that relating to the fourth
part of the invention) as well as in the claims (excepting the 9th and 12th), the
word "turbine" is to be understood as including centrifugal pumps and fans.
The first part of this invention relates to a method of reversing the turbine
without interfering with it or its rotation, or with its motor.
The second part relates to an improved construction of valve adapted to control
the flow of the whole delivery to the extent of diverting it into either of two
opposite directions as the first part of the invention requires.
The third part of the invention relates to an improved construction of outer wing
in respect of the contour of its leading side, for the purpose of attaining a higher
velocity of discharge than has hitherto been attained under like conditions of
diameter and width.
The fourth part of the invention relates to an improved means of giving access
to the inlet boxes of propulsive turbines for the purpose of clearing away
accumulations of weeds and other refuse from the shaft near the inlets in the sides
of the case.
The fifth part of the invention relates to an improvement in the nozzles of the
discharge pipes.
In order that the invention and the means by which it is to be carried into
practical effect may be thoroughly understood, I will now describe it and them in
detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken
as part of this Specification and read therewith.
Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of a turbine constructed according to the
present invention. It is taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of my improved slide reversing valve.
Fig. 4 is a part sectional side elevation of a turbine constructed according to the
present invention with a pivotted reversing valve.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation corresponding with Figure 4.
Fig. 5 illustrates the use of a rotary plug valve.
Fig. 6 is a part sectional elevation of my improved discharge nozzle.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, a is the well known eccentric spiral casing
within which the turbine wheel is rotated and the vortex whirl formed as bere-
tofore. The figures show the wheel as made with both outer wings 6 and inner
wings c. This make of wheel has been chosen for illustration because it is the
most efficient one known. At the same time, I have to point out that the various

page_text: improvements which characterise the present invention are applicable to all turbines
irrespective of the particular construction of the wheel. The wheel illustrated is
further a double inlet one, in the sense that there are two wheels one on each side
of a central disc d. There are, therefore, two inlet boxes e, e, one on each side,
and as many inlets f, f into the wheel, but the present invention is in no way
confined to double inlet turbines.
+

page_text: never interfered with. The valve rod / works through a stuffing box l in one of
the end cover plates of the valve box i.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, m is a valve pivotted upon a transverse axis m¹.
This latter is conveniently placed along the internal angle made by the junction of
the two discharge pipes and h. m³ is the lever by which it is moved from one
terminal position to the other; m³, its quadrant; m³, the notches therein corre-
sponding with the two terminal positions of the valve, and m³, the releasable spring
detent for holding the lever locked to either notch. The full lines of Figure 4
shew the valve as maintaining communication between the vortex whirl and the
tangential discharge pipe g at the same time that it cuts off the spiral discharge
pipe from the whirl. The dotted lines of Figure 4 and the full lines of Figure 5
shew the valve as maintaining communication between the spiral discharge pipe h
and the whirl at the same time that it cuts off the tangential discharge pipe g
therefrom.
In adapting a rotary valve to my improved turbine, the barrel of it occupies
substantially the position of the box of the slide valve before described-see
Fig. 5. Its port is cut in the side of the plug a leaving there only a segment as
indicated by the portion in section. The alternative position of this portion is
indicated by the broken lines.
WINGS.
This part of my invention is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4. It has hitherto
been the custom to make a wing with both its sides plain and parallel. I have
found that wings which have their leading sides plain cannot discharge the fluid
with which they have to deal, at so high a velocity as they are capable of doing if
those sides are corrugated transversely. In carrying this part of my invention into
effect, I form transverse corrugations n upon the leading sides only of the wings,
and when there are outer and inner wings, on the outer wings only. The radii of
the corrugations increase in length the nearer the respective corrugation is to the
tip of the wing. All corrugations are convex, and their adjacent edges coincide
with each other on what would have been, but for this part of my invention, the
plain surface of the wing. The primary effect of these corrugations, especially
when set out as to their radii in the way specified, is to increase the pressure on the
fluid along the wing in the direction of its tip.
WEED Box.
The fourth part of my invention is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, and is of
utility only in the case of propulsive turbines. It is matter of common experience
that the inlets of turbines are constantly exposed to the risk of being choked by
weeds and similar refuse which are sucked up the inlet boxes; and the object of
this part of the invention is to provide a convenient and sufficient access to the
inlets through which the weeds and refuse may be removed. In carrying this part
of my invention into effect, I provide a box o (hereinafter termed a weed box)
upon the top of each inlet box e of the cavity of which it is only a vertical exten-
sion of a sufficient area for the purpose specified. The height of the box is
sufficient to keep its top above the level of the external water from which the inlet
boxes e draw, in order that when the weed boxes are opened, the water shall not
flood the turbine room. o', o' are the covers. They are shewn as flanges from the
plugs next described, but may be of any construction which adapts them to close
the boxes. They are held on to their respective seats-the flanges of the weed
boxes by any suitable means. 02, o are plugs. They are shewn as hollow and
are made so to avoid unnecessary weight. It is not their weight however, but
their depth and cross section which enable them to discharge their function which
is to fill up the respective weed boxes so as to obviate the accumulation of air
therein. The bottom face of each plug is therefore preferably struck with the
same radius as the top of the inlet box. The inlet boxes are introduced into the

page_text: mugal pumps and fans to which the present invention is applied are of any
suitable construction.
DISCHARGE NOZZLE.
The fifth part of my invention relates to an improvement in the nozzles of
discharge pipes. It is illustrated in Figure 6.
p is the discharge pipe. The improved nozzle pl is shewn as connected to it by
being screwed on to its end, but any suitable method of connecting pipe and nozzle
may be made use of. Its relative dimensions are as follows:-Taking the diameter
of the pipe p as a constant and its value 6, the axis of the vena contracta is half the
said diameter, i.e., 31, and the diameter of the outlet 5. The centres of the
generating circles which produce the said diameter as well as the sides of the rena
are upon a line which bisects the axis of the latter at a point one third of the length
of the axis from the outlet when the diameter of the latter is to be 5; but this
dimension may be reduced to 4. But the dimensions first given are to be regarded
as typical for they give satisfactory results.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Providing for the reversal of a turbine, by combining with the casing
thereof two discharge pipes both joining the vortex whirl at the plane of maximum
discharge.
2. The combination with the casing of a turbine of two discharge pipes, the one
of them a spiral continuation and the other a tangential continuation of the vortex
whirl of the said turbine.
3. The combination of turbine casing, two discharge pipes from the vortex whirl
thereof, and a valve adapted to establish communication between the vortex whirl
and one of the discharge pipes at the same time that it cuts off communication
between the said whirl and the other of them.
4. The combination of turbine casing, a tangential discharge pipe and a spiral
discharge pipe both meeting the vortex whirl in the same plane and a slide valve
provided with two ports each adapted in respect of contour and direction to effect
a junction between the said whirl and the respective discharge pipes, as set forth.
5. The combination of turbine casing, a tangential discharge pipe and a spiral
discharge pipe both meeting the vortex whirl in the same plane and a rotary valve
provided with a port adapted in respect of contour and direction to effect a
junction between the said whirl and the respective discharge pipes, as set forth.
6. The combination of wings and corrugations on the leading sides thereof, as set
forth.
7. The combination of inlet box, weed-box being a continuation of the cavity of
the inlet box, weed box cover and plug adapted to fill the said weed-box, as set
forth.
8. The combination of turbine casing, two discharge pipes from the vortex whirl
thereof, a valve adapted to establish communication between the vortex whirl and
one of the discharge pipes at the same time that it cuts off communication between
the said whirl and the other of them, and corrugated wings, as set forth.
9. The combination of turbine casing, two discharge pipes from the vortex whirl
thereof, a valve adapted to establish communication between the vortex whirl and
one of the discharge pipes at the same time that it cuts off communication between
the said whirl and the other of them, corrugated wings, weed box being a con-
tinuation of the cavity of the inlet box, weed box cover and plug adapted to fill
the said weed box, as set forth.
10. A discharge nozzle constructed according to the dimensions specified.
11. The combination in a turbine, of wings corrugated on their leading sides,

page_text: discharge pipe and discharge nozzle the latter constructed according to the
dimensions specified, as set forth.
12. The combination with a turbine wheel the wings or outer wings of which
have corrugations on their leading sides, of casing, two discharge pipes from the
vortex whirl thereof, a valve adapted to establish communication between the
vortex whirl and one of the discharge pipes at the same time that it cuts off com-
munication between the said whirl and the other of them, weed box being a
continuation of the cavity of the inlet box, weed box cover and plug adapted to fill
the said weed box, discharge pipes and discharge nozzles, the latter constructed
according to the dimensions specified, as set forth.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.