Service and for other Purposes.
Year: 1885

page_text: Service and for other Purposes.
I, JOHN HOWES of Worcester in the county of Worcester, in the state of
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of my said invention for IMPROVEMENT IN PURIFYING AND AERATING
APPARATUS FOR WATER SERVICE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus adapted for use in connection with water
service for household and manufacturing purposes; the objects being to provide
means for practically and successfully filtering or purifying water or other liquids;
also, for mechanically introducing air into the interior of the apparatus; and for
automatically cleansing the filtering plates by the action of reverse and direct flow
of water through a waste or pipe leading to such parts of the service as do not
require the use of filtered water. Also, to provide for the concentration of the
force of the flowing liquid, for action on small areas of the filtering plate while
cleansing it of accumulated sediment. Also to provide in connection with the
filtering apparatus a water reservoir, in which air can be compressed for affording
an increase and elastic pressure to impart sudden reactive movement of the water,
when cleansing the filter plate.
The filter consists of a casting or inclosing shell, provided internally with an
annular ledge, and bars or partitions, projecting from the back of the shell to the
plane of the ledge for supporting the filter-plate, and separating the space back of
said filter-plate into a narrow channel or water way, connected with the inlet
and delivery passage, and through which channel the water flows to the surface of
the filter-plate, whence it filters through to the chamber. The filter-plate consists
preferably of a disk of felt, one, two, or more, retained in position by means of the
grate, by which the edges of the filter-plate are firmly clamped against the annular
ledge, and which grate is in turn held in position by the edges of the flanged cap-
plate, which forms the front of the casing, and is secured to the main body of the
shell, by screw bolts, or in other suitable manner; the joint between the cap and
body being properly packed, so as to be water tight.
A valve controls the inlet passages, by which the water enters the apparatus
from the supply pipe, and by which it is directed through to the back or front of

page_text: the filter-plate accordingly as the cock is turned. A faucet is attached for drawing
off sediment and unfiltered water.
When said faucet is open, the water flows through the channel along the surface
of the filter-plate, and also reversely through the plate from the chamber, carrying
away the sediment which has accumulated on the back of the felt. The entire
flow can be made to give reverse action through the felt by turning the cock.
Another faucet is for drawing filtered water. One pipe from the apparatus
should lead to places where filtered water is required. Another pipe should lead
to places which do not require filtered water-thus, simply by the ordinary use of
the water closet or hose service, when. water is allowed to flow past it, the
cleansing of the filter-plate from sediment accumulated thereon, will be auto-
matically effected.
The flanges or partitions on which the filter-plate rests can be arranged to give
a serpentine or spiral channel.
An air pump, or combined air and liquid pump of special design communicates
with the filtrate chamber, said pump preferably consists of a cylinder screwed to
the shell, and within said cylinder is arranged a reciprocating hollow plunger, that
in turn forms the cylinder for an inner plunger, which latter is also hollow and
provided with an air valve and inlet. This piston is furnished with a suitable
handle for effecting reciprocative movement of the plunger; the outer pump, or
plunger is reciprocated by movement of the handle beyond the limit of movement
of the inner plunger.
In the operations of the air pump on the upward stroke of the piston, air enters
at the openings, and passes down beneath the valve, and such air is from thence
forced down past the other valve to the interior of the filter by the downward
stroke of the piston. The plunger serves to pulsate, or augment the flow. of liquid
through the filter-plate, by mechanical action, at the same time that air is forced
into the interior with the liquid.
Either of the pistons can be worked without moving the other, by simply working
the brake or handle within the limit of that portion of the stroke corresponding to
the limit of action of the respective plungers; or both of said pistons can be
operated together by giving the full stroke of the brake or handle. By this means,
air may be injected into the filter chamber, without the discharge of the water, or
the liquid may be pulsated through the filter without the introduction of air, or again
the injection of air and the pulsation of the liquid can be simultaneously effected.
An air chamber is connected with the filtrate chamber by a pipe leading
therefrom. This reservoir receives air forced into the interior of the apparatus,
and said air being compressed therein serves to accumulate force for giving a
reactive movement of the liquid through the filter plates, when the cleansing
passages are opened.
The apparatus may be used for other purposes, and liquids, as well as for water
service, and, if desired, the filter may be employed without the injector or pump, or
without the air reservoir, or either of them, or the air pump mechanism may be
employed with filtering devices of other construction than that herein shown.

page_text: Improvement in Purifying and Aerating Apparatus for Water
Service and for other Purposes.
I, JOHN HOWES of Worcester in the county of Worcester in the state of
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Gentleman do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be perforined,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to apparatus adapted for use in connection with water
service for household and manufacturing purposes; the objects being to provido
means for practically and successfully filtering or purifying water or other liquids;
also for mechanically introducing air into the interior of the apparatus; and for
automatically cleansing the filtering plates by the action of reverse, and direct flow
of water through a waste or pipe leading to such parts of the service as do not
require the use of filtered water. Also, to provide for the concentration of the force
of the flowing liquid for action on small areas of the filtering plate while cleansing
it of accumulated sediment. Also, to provide in connection with the filtering
apparatus a water reservoir, in which air can be compressed for affording au increase
and elastic pressure to impart sudden reactive movement of the water, when
clesing the filter-plate. Also, to provide an apparatus compact, convenient and
efficient for use. The particular subject matter claimed is hereinafter definitely
specified.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 represents a front view of apparatus illustrating the nature of my
invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical central section of said apparatus.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the upper part of the air injector or
pump cylinder and its hollow plungers.
Figure 4 is a view of the bed upon which the filter-plate is supported.
Figure 5. is a view of the grating by which the filter-plate is held upon
the bed.
In referring to the drawings A denotes the body casting or inclosing shell,
provided internally with an annular ledge a and bars or partitions a² projecting
from the back of the shell to the plane of the ledge a for supporting the filter-
plate F and separating the space, back of said filter-plate, into a narrow channel
or water way D¹, connecting with the inlet c and delivery passage D, and through
which channel the water flows to the surface of the filter plate F. The filter-plato
consists preferably of a disk of felt one, two or more, retained in position by means
of the grate B, by which the edges of the filter-plate are firmly clamped against the.
annular ledge a and which grate is in turn held in position by the edges of the
flanged cap-plate A' which forms the front of the casing, and is secured to the main
body of the shell by screw bolts, or in other suitable manner; the joint between
the cap and body being properly packed so as to be water-tight. The central part
of the grate B presses upon the edge of the felt with less force than its rim, but
sufficiently to hold the felt against the edges of the partitions D¹ thus keeping the
filter-plate properly supported against the pressure of water flowing through it in
either direction.

page_text: C denotes the valve or cock for opening or closing the inlet passages e b, and c
by which the water enters the apparatus from the supply pipe E and by which it
is directed through to the back or front of the filter-plate F accordingly as the cock
is turned; the normal working position being that shown in Figure 2.
Letters & and findicate the passages by which the water passes to the delivery
faucets D and G. The faucet D is for drawing off sediment and unfiltered water.
When said faucet D is open, the water flows through the channel D¹ along the
surface of the filter-plate, and also reversely through the plate from the chamber W,
carrying away the sediment which has accumulated on the back of the felt. The
entire flow can be made to give reverse action through the felt by turning the
cock C to proper position to close the passage c.
The faucet G is for drawing filtered water. If desired, pipes may be connected
with the passages d and fin place of the faucets G and D, or either of them to
convey the water to any desired place of use, the faucets being there located-The
pipe from should lead to wash basins, drinking fountains or places where filtered
water is required. The pipe from d should lead to water closets, hose pipes or such
places as it is not essential that the water should be filtered for use, thus, simply
by the ordinary use of the water closet or hose service, when water is allowed to
flow through & the cleansing of the filter-plate from sediment accumulated thereon,
will be automatically effected without any especial attention being given to the
apparatus.
The flanges or partitions a¹ on which the filter-plate rests can be arranged to
give a serpentine channel, as indicated in Figure 4, or if preferred to connect the
supply at the centre of the shell, the partition and channel might be made in the
form of a spiral; the object, in either case being to confine the water to a narrow
channel so that the current, when the waste passage is opened, will be confined
to small areas of the filter-plate surface, and will thus act more forcibly for removing
the sediment accumulated thereon.
H indicates an air pump, or a combined air and liquid pump communicating
with the filtrate chamber W by suitable passage h; said pump in the present
instance, consists of a cylinder screwed to the shell A, and within said cylinder is
arranged a reciprocating hollow plunger I that in turn forms the cylinder for an
inner plunger K, which latter is also hollow and provided with an air valve J and
with an inlet o. This piston K is furnished with a suitable handle L for effecting
reciprocative movement of the plunger K, the outer pump, or plunger I is recipro-
cated by movement of the handle L beyond the limit of movement of the inner
'plunger K.
When the handle L is depressed, the part K being of smaller diameter than the
plunger I, is opposed by less pressure from the interior than is said plunger I; and
it is therefore forced downward within the plunger I, until its end is brought into
contact with the piston head, when further depression of the handle L and piston K
necessarily overcomes the resistance of the service pressure on the larger piston and
forces downward the part I within the cylinder H, in connection with the part K.
With the upward movement of the handle L, the service pressure on the plunger I
causes said plunger to rise with the upward movement of the piston K, until the
shoulder near the lower end of the plunger I strikes the under side of the packing
ring, and prevents its further upward movement, and the continued upward action
of the handle then carries up the piston K within the plunger I. The two parts K
and I could, if desired, be connected by a slotted link, or by lugs working in slots
or grooves, so as to effect the action without reference to the service pressure, but
under ordinary circumstances the pressure will raise the plunger I in the manner
stated, and is deemed preferable.
The arrangement of the pump mechanism is shown in Figure 2. The head of
the piston I is properly packed as at i and is provided with a downwardly opening
valve m.
A stuffing box H¹ is provided at the top of the cylinder H through
which the plunger I moves, and a suitable stuffing box I is formed on the upper
end of said plunger for packing the inner plunger K.

page_text: A buffer ring n may be arranged about the neck of the plunger I for preventing
shock when it is forced downward against the cylinder cap; and a buffer ring n¹
may be placed on the plunger K for a similar purpose.
:
The valve J is provided with a cross headed stem J' to limit its movement from
its seat; or it may be otherwise confined to prevent its displacement while in use.
The end of the plunger K and valve J are made to entirely fill the interior
space of the plunger I when pressed down, so that all air contained therein may
be expelled through the valve m to the interior of the filter.
In the operations of the air pump on the upward stroke of the piston K air
enters at the openings o and passes down beneath the valve J and such air is from
thence forced down past the valve n to the interior of the filter by the downward
stroke of the plunger K. The plunger I serves to pulsate, or augment the flow of
liquid through the filter-plate F by mechanical action at the same time that air is
forced into the interior with the liquid.
The air pump plunger K is operated by the upper portion of the stroke of the
brake or handle L, and the water piston I, by the lower portion of the stroke of
said brake.
Hence either of the pistons K or I can be worked without moving the other, by
simply working the brake or handle L within the limit of that portion of the
stroke corresponding to the limit of action of the respective plungers: or both of
said pistons can be operated together by giving the full stroke of the brake or
handle. By this means, air may be injected into the filter chamber W, without
the discharge of the water, by working the air pumps only to the limit of the
stroke or movement of the plunger K; or the liquid may be pulsated through the
filter without the introduction of air, by working the piston of the liquid pump
only, which is accomplished at the lower part of the stroke of the handle; or
again, the injection of air and the pulsation of the liquid can be simultaneously.
effected by working the handle the full extent of its stroke from the highest to the
lowest position of its action. When pulsating the liquid the lower faucet D or
cleansing vent should be open to permit the liquid to pass through the felt F.
In the use of the apparutus for water service, where the pressure is com-
paratively light, a check valve should be placed in the supply pipe Ę that the full
effect of the pump may be utilized without forcing the water back against the
fountain head through the passage e.
The check valve may be connected in the pipe E in the ordinary manner and at
any convenient position. In cases where there is heavy service pressure, the check
valve may be omitted, or employed, as preferred, as, in such cases, with the cock G
or D open, there would be little or no liability of creating a backward flow in the
pipe E when working the pump devices.
If desired, the air pump might be made independent of the working plunger I,
in which case the head or valve seat with valve m would be fixed in position at or
near the bottom of the pump cylinder instead of being, as now, movable within
Baid cylinder.
An air chamber.or compress reservoir P is connected with the filtrate chamber W
(or its delivery passage f) by a pipe p leading therefrom. This reservoir receives
air forced into the interior of the apparatus by the pump K and said air being
compressed therein serves to accumulate force for giving a reactive movement of
the liquid through the filter plates when the cleansing passages are opened.
Said reservoir may be located in the immediate vicinity of the filter, or the
connecting pipe p may be extended to any convenient height above the filtering
apparatus, as, for instance, to the upper stories of a building, or to the upper part
of a room and the reservoir there located where it will be out of the way, and
afford a greater degree of reactive force by additional height above the apparatus.
By the aid of the air pump and air reservoir the pressure can be increased
within the apparatus so that a very forcible reactive movement or flow can be
attained for cleansing the felt F of the filter when delivery D is opened, even
though the nominal supply pressure is very light. The reservoir falso enables the

page_text: filtered liquid to be stored under air pressure and this pressure forced or accumu-
lated to any desired degree to assist the flow of the liquid through pipes to any
location where it is desired for use.
The pump also permits of air being added to the liquid for aerating purposes if
desired.
The apparatus may be used for other purposes and liquids, as well as for water
service, and if desired, the filter may be employed without the injector or pump, or
without the air reservoir, or either of them, and I desire to include such use as
within the scope of my invention.
The air pump mechanism herein described may be employed with filtering
devices of other construction than that herein shown with beneficial results, and I
design to so employ it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The combination, with the filtering apparatus, of air pump mechanism
adapted for injecting air into the interior or filtrate chamber, substantially as
set forth.
2. The combination, with a filtering apparatus, of an air-pump mechanism for
injecting air to the interior of said filter, and an air reservoir into which said ai.
can be compressed to impart reactive movement when cleansing the filter,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination, with a filtering apparatus of a combined air and water
pump adapted for simultaneously injecting air to the interior of the filter and
pulsating the liquid therein, and for forcing air and liquid through the filter-
plate, or material, for the purposes of cleansing, substantially as herein before
set forth.
4. The shell or casing for filters, composed of the body A having the ledge a and
partitions a¹, and provided with inlet and delivery passages severally formed and
located as shown and for the purposes set forth.
5. The filter composed of the shell or casting A formed with attaching bosses for
the supply delivery pipes valve sent for the supply cock, and internal passages
severally located as set forth in combination with the cap-plate A², filtering plate F,
grate B and draft fitting G and D, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination of the filtering devices, the cylinder H the reciprocating
hollow plunger I having the valve m and the interior plunger K having the
valve J, and means for imparting reciprocative motion thereto, substantially as set
forth.
7. The combination, with filtering apparatus having inlet and draft passages
disposed as set forth, and filtering plate as F, the air reservoir P and connecting
pipe p, substantially as and for the purposes described.