IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH STEAM ENGINES AND THEIR BOILERS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Smith Candlish, of New Broad Street House, in
the City of London, and William James Norris, of Bloomfield Road, Bow,
in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH STEAM ENGINES AND THEIR BOILERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Smith Candlish
and William James Norris at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 17th July 1880.
ROBERT SMITH CANDLISH, of New Broad Street House, in the City of London,
and WILLIAM JAMES NORRIS, of Bloomfield Road, Bow, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH STEAM ENGINES
AND THEIR BOILERS."
The objects of our Invention are to supply the boilers of steam engines with puro
water, free from air, oxygen, or other gas, oil, or other fatty matters and other
impurities, and to indicate the level of the water in such boilers and in the pumps
and chambers or vessels connected therewith, as hereinafter described.
It is now generally admitted that the oxygen or other gases and impurities in
the water at present introduced into the boilers of steam engines by the usual
arrangements of air and feed pumps are the cause of the rapid deterioration and
pitting to which boilers working at high pressure and supplying condensing engines
are subject. Attempts have been made with more or less success to extract the
extraneous and destructive elements or matters from the water by apparatus
attached to the feed pipes or placed inside the boiler itself, but these means are,
after all, only intended to cure an evil which ought never to exist, and is brought
about by the action of the so-called air pumps and the indiscriminate use of hot
wells and air vessels, and which evil we prevent by means of our Invention, which
enables us to convey the condensed water to the boilers without its absorbing air
or gases or carrying with it other impurities. For this purpose we find it advantageous
to deal with the water in as near a vacuum as is practicably attainable. According
to one arrangement we employ a vessel which we term a vacuum chamber,
consisting of a suitably formed close vessel divided into two parts by a partial
division plate from the bottom; another partial division plate is carried from near

page_text: the bottom to a few inches below the top of the vessel (or this plate may be cast
with the cover and bo perforated near the top), leaving a space between them. On
one side of this chamber, at the highest point, an opening is left, through which the
water from the condenser is made to pass, and on the other side, or on the top,
another opening is left for connections, to exhaust this chamber. The water as it
enters this chamber is retained on one side or first half of the chamber by the
partial division plate above mentioned, and on this side all oil and fatty matter or
impurities of less specific gravity than water float and are drawn off at intervals;
the water then rises between the division plates and flows over the first mentioned
division plate, that is, the one rising from the bottom as the water falls in the
second half of the vacuum chamber, and in order to further free the water from any
oxygen or other gas which it may contain owing to imperfect vacuum or other
cause, we place a steam coil in this second half of the vacuum chamber near the
surface, supplied from the cylinder jackets or from the boiler direct, any air or
gas being expelled by the increase in temperature of the water; and from the
bottom of this part of the chamber the feed pumps take their supply, delivering
the water to the boiler without intermediate air vessels or receivers, so that the
feed water does not come into contact with any air after leaving this chamber.
In cases where solid impurities are suspected we place in the first half of the
vacuum chamber and towards the bottom of the same a filter of coke or other
suitable material.
This chamber may be placed on either the suction or discharge branch of the
air pump, but, by preference, on tho suction branch, and when applied to
existing engines and it is desired to make no alterations in the pumps, it may bo
exhausted by means of independent appliances.
By another arrangement we employ in connection with the condenser a
displacement pump, which may be of any suitable construction; but, by preference,
as hereinafter described. This pump is situated below the level of the bottom of
the condenser and communicates with the lower part thereof, so that it draws off
not only the water from the condenser, but also the air or gases which lio at and
near the surface thereof. It delivers the air or gases through a pipe which may
conduct them up the chimney, overboard, or otherwise, while the water from the
condenser, with which it becomes filled, is drawn off from the bottom by the feed
pumps and delivered to the boilers without any intermediate air vessels or
receivers.
We sometimes fit in the channel or passage leading from the condenser to the
displacement pump, or in the upper part of the pump itself, a coil supplied with
.steam from the cylindor jackets, or, if necessary, from the boiler direct; the
temperature of the water being thus raised above that in the condenser the gas or
air is expelled.
By a third arrangement we connect the feed pumps to the bottom of the
condenser itself and connect the displacement or other air pump or exhauster so as
to draw off the air and gases from as near the surface of the water as possible, the
feed pumps as before delivering direct to the boilers without the intervention of air
vessels or receivers.
If necessary, to overcome concussion in the feed pumps that may be caused by
the plunger working in non-acrated water, springs can be fixed on the pump rods,
while spring loaded pistons may take the place of air vessels, and the supply of
water to the boilers be regulated by a by-pass-valve.
We draw off oil or other fatty matters and foreign substances of less specific
gravity than water from the surface of the water in the vacuum chamber or
displacement pump into a tank having connections to the vacuum space of the
condenser, vacuum chamber, or pump, and to the surface of the water.
exhausting this tank the oil or other floating matter is drained into it.
By
The displacement pump which we prefer to employ consists of a plunger or ram,
working in a vessel of suitable size and shape. This vessel is provided with a covor
in which is a stuffing box for the plunger, and in some cases the scating for the

page_text: valve. At the upper part of the vessel and surrounding the plunger is a semi or
partly rotating valve with openings through it and working on the seat before
mentioned, which has corresponding openings. Two or more pins on the plunger
work in slots formed in a sleeve cast with the valve; this slot has inclines at its
upper and lower ends, so that just before the plunger completes its up and down
strokes respectively it causes the valve to move on its own axis and thereby close
the openings on the suction side and open those on the delivery side, or vice versd.
An adjustable ring at the bottom of the sleeve keeps the valve up to its scat.
The water in the vacuum chamber or the displacement pump is maintained at a
suitable level by means of the auxiliary feed water, which may be introduced as a
spray at the top of the condenser, or the water condensed in the jackets and coils
may be employed to maintain the level.
When a vacuum chamber is used on the suction branch of this pump the liquid
in the pump may be kept cool by means of a coil near the surface, or by a jacket,
the coil or jacket being supplied by the circulating pump or otherwise; or a spray
of water may be introduced in the suction branch of the pump or under its valve,
the water from which is drawn into the pump and discharged overboard.
For the purpose of indicating the level and temperature of the water in the
vacuum chamber and in the displacement pump herein before described, and in
boilers, we employ an indicating apparatus composed of a glass tube, closed at its
upper end and communicating at its lower end with the water space of the chamber,
pump, or boiler, as the case may be. Within this tube is a metal tube, open at its
upper end, while its lower end communicates with a pipe inside the said chamber,
pump, or boiler, and extending to the upper of the air or steam space of the same.
The upper part of the glass tube and the said air or steam space being thus in
communication, the water in the annular space between the tubes is maintained at
the same level as that in the chamber, pump, or boiler. The apparatus is fitted with
one or more cocks or valves, by means of which the water therein can be blown
through, or all communication with the interior cut off when required.
thermometer may be placed in the annular space, which, in the case of boilers, may
bo graduated, to denote the pressure of steam corresponding to the different
temperatures.
A

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent_filed
by the said Robert Smith Candlish and William James Norris in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 17th January 1881.
ROBERT SMITH CANDLISH, of New Broad Street House, in the City of London,
and WILLIAM JAMES NORRIS, of Bloomfield Road, Bow, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH STEAM ENGINES
AND THEIR BOILERS."
The objects of our Invention are to supply boilers with water, free from air
oxygen, or other gas, also from oil and fatty matters and other impurities, and to
indicate the level of the water in such boilers and in the pumps and chambers
connected therewith, as hereinafter described.
It is now very-generally admitted that oxygen or other gases and impurities in
the water, at present introduced into the boilers of steam engines by the usual
arrangement of air and feed pumps, are the cause of the rapid deterioration and
pitting to which boilers working at a high pressure aro subject. Attempts have
been made with more or less success to extract the extraneous and destructive
elements or matters from the water by means of apparatus attached to the feed
pipes or placed inside the boiler itself; but these are after all only intended to
cure an evil that ought never to exist, and is brought about by the anomalous
action of the so called air pump and the use of hotwells, and which evil we prevent
by means of our Invention, which enables us to convey the condensed (feed) water
to the boilers without its absorbing air, or gases, or carrying with it other
impurities. For this purpose we subject the water for a time to as near a vacuum
"as is practically attainable; and in-order that the same may be performed as
effectually as possible, we employ a vessel, which we term a vacuum chamber,
which vessel may be placed on either the suction or the discharge branch of the
air pump, but by preference on the suction branch or cast to the condenser.
Convenient forms of this chamber are shown respectively in Figures 1 and 2 and
Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings. When applied to existing engines,
and it is desired to make no alterations in the pump, it may be exhausted by the
vacuum of the condenser or by independent appliances.
It consists when applied on the suction branch of the air pump of a suitably
formed close vessel, Figures 1 and 2, divided into two parts by a partial division
plate A rising from the bottom to a little below the intended water level in the
boiler; another partial division plate B is carried from near the bottom to a few
inches below the top of the chamber and above the water level (or this plato may
be cast with the cover and perforated near the top), a space being left between the
two division plates. On one side or on the top of this chamber, and between the
partial division plate B and the side or end nearest to it, an opening C is left,
through which the water, vapour, &c., from the condenser are made to pass, and on
the opposite side, end, or the top of the chamber another opening D is left to
exhaust the chamber, which may be effected by means of the displacement pump,
hereinafter described, or by the air pump of existing engines converted for such
duty or by the vacuum of the condenser.
The water as it enters this chamber through the opening C is retained on one
side or first half of the same by the partial division plate B, and on this side all
oil or fatty matters of less specific gravity than water float, and can be drawn off
at intervals in the manner hereinafter described. The water then rises between
the division plates A and B, and flows over the division plate A as the water in
the second half of the chamber falls in supplying the feed pumps. The water is
thus made to pass in a film or sheet twice under a vacuum in the first and second
half of the chamber respectively; and by increasing the number of pairs of division

page_text: plates the water may bò made to pass as many times under a vacuum as may be
desired. In order to further free the water from any oxygen or other gas it may
hold in solution, owing to imperfect vacuum or other cause, wo place a steam coil H
in the second half of the chamber, near the surface, supplied from the cylinder
jackets or from the boiler direct, the water condensed in the same being discharged
into the vacuum chamber, the expulsion of any air or gas being accelerated by the
increase of temperature. From the bottom of the vacuum chamber at E the feed
pumps, constructed by preference as hereinafter described, take their supply and
deliver the water to the boilers without any intermediate air vessels or receivers,
so that the water does not come into contact with any air after leaving the
chamber.
In cases where solid impurities are suspected we place in the first half of the
vacuum chambers and towards the bottom of the same a filter of coke or other
suitable material.
We draw off oil and fatty matter, or foreign substances of less specific gravity
than water, from the surface of the water in the first half of the vacuum chamber
into an air tight tank, having connections to the vacuum space of the condenser or
vacuum chamber and to the surface of the water in said chamber (as indicated at I,
Figures 1 and 2); by exhausting this tank the oil or other floating matter may be
drained into it, or a small hand pump may be employed for this purpose.
When the vacuum chamber is applied on the discharge branch of an air pump,
it is constructed as shewn in Figures 3 and 4, and is a modification of the chamber
already described. It consists of a suitably formed close vessel having a division
plate A dividing the same into two separate compartments, having an inlet B, B,
into the first half of the chamber at. the side, end, or top of the same, as most
convenient, through which the water, dirt, &c., from the coudenser are discharged
by the air pump, and an opening C through which the air or gases may escape, or
excess of water through leakage in the condenser, or when working a jet condenser
be discharged. At the bottom of this compartment of the chamber a cock D is
fitted, from which a pipe is led to about the height of the intended water level
in the other or vacuum compartment of the chamber, the flow of feed water
through which may be regulated by the said cock D or by a self acting ball valve,
as at E. On the top or at the upper part of the second or vacuum compartment
an opening F is left for connection to be made for exhausting the same of air or
gas, which may be done by means of the vacuum of the condenser or by an
independent exhauster, and at the bottom of this part of the chamber an opening G
is left for connections to be made for the feed pumps to take their supply. His
a steam coil for the same purpose as that shewn in Figure 1.
By another arrangement we employ in connection with the condenser a dis-
placement pump which may be of any suitable construction, but by preference as
hereinafter described. This pump is situated below the level of the bottom of the
condenser, and communicates with the lower part thereof, so that it draws off, not
only the water from the condenser but also the air or gases which would lie at or
near the surface thereof. It delivers the air or gases through a pipe which may
conduct them up the chimney, overboard, or otherwise, while the water from the
condenser, with which it becomes filled, is drawn off from the bottom by the feed
pumps, and delivered to the boilers without any intermediate air vessels or
receivers. We sometimes fit in the channel or passage leading from the condenser
to the displacement pump, or in the upper part of the pump itself, a coil supplied
with steam from the cylinder jackets, or if necessary from the boiler direct, the
temperature of the water being thus raised above that of the condenser any air or
gas in it is expelled. The suction branch of the feed pump is shewn by dotted
lines at C', in Figure 5; A is the suction and B the discharge branch of the
displacement pump.
In order to overcome any concussion that may occur in the feed pumps through
the plungers working in non-aerated water springs, may be fitted on the pump rods,
and spring loaded valves take the place of air vessels, but, by preference, we employ

page_text: feed pumps constructed as follows, and shewn in Figures 7 and 8, which arrange-
ment also ensures the pump a full supply of water:-
The barrel of the pump is bored out its entire length, and the plunger or ram A
made a working fit in the 'same. The bottom end of the plunger is of reduced
diameter, and recessed for the reception of a spring. Over the reduced part of the
plunger a cap E, of the same external diameter as the plunger is fitted, having two
or more steel or metal packing rings; this cap is retained to the plunger by the
bolt B, which is fast in the cap but loose in the plunger, so that on the cap coming
in contact with the water in the pump the spring is compressed until its tension
equals the working pressure, the cap then forcing the water before it. If desired
the spring can be adjusted by screwing the bolt B through the cap with a nut on
the underside. Small holes are left through the bottom of the plunger, so that any
water that may accumulate between the plunger and the cap may be freely
discharged through the hollow part of the plunger. The suction valve C is made
of a diameter equal to or greater than the bore of the pump and is placed
horizontally; it is cast on a central spindle, at each end of which spindle a ring
is cast and connected to the same by feathers or ribs; these rings are-turned-
and work in bored guides, one ring in the valve seat or in a guide cast in the
valve box, and the other in a guide cast to the valve box door. The discharge
valve may be of similar construction or of the ordinary type working vertically.
A spring loaded escape or by-pass valve is also fitted to regulate the supply of
water to the boilers, escape from which is into the suction box or vacuum chamber.
At the upper part of the barrel a screw plug D is fitted so that the pump may
bo filled with water to discharge any air that may accumulate therein. This
pump may be arranged to work vertically, horizontally, or inclined.
The displacement pump which we prefer to employ consists of a plunger or ram
working in a vessel of suitable size and shape, filled with oil, water, or other liquid.
This vessel is provided with a cover divided into two (or 4) parts, suction and
delivery respectively, by a rib or ribs on the underside, in which for vertical pumps
is a stuffing box for the plunger, and with which, in some cases, the seating for the
valve is cast. At the upper part of the vessel and surrounding the plunger is a
semi or partly rotating valve with openings through it and working against a scat
having corresponding openings through it. This valve, for slow running engines, is
actuated by means of two or more pins which work in slots formed in a sleeve.
cast with the valve and surrounding the plunger; these slots have inclines at their
upper and lower ends, so that just before the plunger completes its up and down
strokes respectively, they cause the valve to move on its axis and thereby close the
openings on the suction and open those on the delivery side, and vice versa.
adjustable bolt at the bottom of the sleeve keeps the valve up to its scat. For
quick running engines the sleeve before mentioned is divided from the valve at the
underside of the same, stops being cast on the valve and upper end of the sleeve,
and the slots in the sleeve are made spiral, having pins or keys in the plunger
working in the same, by which arrangement the sleeve has a rotary motion round
the plunger and actuates the valve just before the plunger completes its up and
down strokes, as before mentioned for slow running engines.
An
The arrangement of these pumps for quick running engines is shown in Figures
5 and 6. C is the body of the pump; D, the plunger; E, the stuffing box and
covers; F, the valvo seat; G, the valve, which may be arranged to work under
the seat, as shewn in Figures 9 and 10, or on the top of the seat; or the suction
half of the valve may be under and the discharge half on top of the seat, as
shewn in Figures 5 and 6, or vice versd; H is the sleeve giving motion to the
valve G; J is the pin or key in the plunger.
By certain modifications the plunger can be arranged to work horizontally, as
shewn in Figures 9 and 10, in which Figures, letters the same as those in Figures
5 and 6, indicate corresponding parts. In this case the plunger does not pass
through the valve which is placed above it, and is of similar construction to that
last described, but in lieu of the slots in the sleeve, a circular arc K is employed,

page_text: in which a block attached to the plunger, but free to revolve, gives motion to the
same by the travel of the plunger, opening and closing the valve just before the
plunger completes its respective strokes, as before mentioned for slow and quick
running engines.
These pumps work as exhausters by the rise and fall of the liquid in them as
the plunger descends and ascends; they are also capable of pumping.water or other
liquids and of acting as air compressors.
The water in the vacuum chamber or displacement pump may be maintained at
a suitable lovel by means of the auxiliary feed water which may be introduced as a
spray at the top of the condenser, and the water condensed in the jackets and coils
may also be employed to maintain the level.
When the vacuum chamber is fitted on the suction branch of the displacement
pump, the liquid in the pump may be kept cool by means of a coil near the surface
or by a jacket, this coil or jacket being supplied by the circulating pump or other-
wise, or a spray of cold water may be introduced in the suction branch of tho
pump or under its valve, the water from which is drawn into the pump and
discharged overboard or otherwise.
For the purpose of indicating the level and temporature of the water in the
vacuum chamber or the displacement pump, and in boilers, we employ an indicating
apparatus composed of a glass tube closed at its upper end, shown at A, Figures 11
to 14, and communicating at its lower end with the water spaco of the chamber,
pump, or boiler. This tube may be secured either by a nut bearing on a flange or
lip formed on the glass at the bottom of the tube, or by a shield cast with the nut
which partially encircles the tube, and bears with an india rubber or leather pad on
the closed end of the tube, as shewn in Figuro 11. Within the glass tube is a
pipe B fixed in the cock D, and reaching to near the top of the glass; this tube
communicates through the cock and an internal pipe C with the air space in the
chamber or pump, or the steam space in boilers. The shell of the cock D has a
double set of ways or holes marked respectively E, E, and F, F, the former in
connection with the pipo B, and the interval pipe C in chamber or boiler, the latter
in connection with the interior of the glass and the water space in the chamber or
boiler. The plug E of the cock has ways or holes corresponding to E, E, and F, F,
in the shell, meeting at the centre of the plug, and in the case of the former the
hole in line with the pipe B is continued through the plug. A hole opposite tho
horizontal way F in the shell is formed in a short branch cast thereon, the end of
which is screwed for the purpose of attaching a drain pipe to carry off the water
blown through (when used on a boiler), by turning the handle round 90°. When
applied to steam boilers, a small hole in the plug may be made to put the drain
pipe hole in the shell in communication with the ways E, E, in the plug, to keep
the internal pipe clear of any condensed steam. When the glass tube is formed
with a flange at the bottom, the joint is made by incans of a shouldered nut K,
which screws the same down on a suitable washer; but when the glass is parallel; a
deeper nut is necessary to allow of cork other suitable packing; a cup leather
washer may be inserted under the shoulder of the nut in both cases. Although
the apparatus is only shewn with cocks, valves may be substituted when used for
very high pressures. A thermometer L is fixed on the pipe B inside the glass tube
to indicate the temperature, which in the case of steam boilers, may be graduated to
show the pressure of steam corresponding thereto.
The action of the indicator is as follows:-When the handle is turned a quarter
revolution, the communication to the lower end of the glass tube is closed, while
the connection to the upper portion remains open; but on turning the half revolution,
all communication is shut off, and the glass can be removed for cleaning or replacing
if broken.
And having now described the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be perforined, we declare that we claim.—
First. The fitting in connection with steam engines and their boilers of an
apparatus, such as that herein before called a vacuum chamber, for subjecting the

page_text: feed water to the action of a vacuum produced by the vacuum of the condenser, or
by independent means, so that the air or gases it contains may be quickly evolved,
and in which apparatus oil and fatty matter may be retained, all substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described.
Second. The particular arrangement of apparatus herein before described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The particular arrangement of apparatus hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. Constructing feed pumps, substantially as hereinbefore described and
represented in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying Drawings, so that they are
able to obtain their supply from water under a vacuum, and deliver it to the
boilers without concussion and without air.vessels.
Fifth. The fitting in connection with steam engines and their boilers and
condenser, of a displacement pump which draws off the air and gases, as well as the
water from the condenser, and delivers the air and gases through a pipe to a
_chimney or otherwise, while the feed_pumps draw off the water from the body of
the displacement pump, and deliver it to the boilers without any intermediate air
vessels or receivers, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Sixth. Constructing displacement pumps with valves arranged and acting,
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and represented in
Figures 5 and 6, and Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventh. Constructing water level and temperature indicators, substantially as
and for the purposes herein before described and represented in Figures 11 to 14 of
the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Smith Candlish, for myself and on
behalf of the said William James Norris, havo hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Seventeenth day of January, One thousand eight hundred and