IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PIMPS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Roberts, of Millwall, Poplar, in the County of
Middlesex; for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
PIMPS"
Sealed the 9th September 1856, and dated the 1st April 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Roberts at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st April 1856.
WILLIAM ROBERTS, of 'Millwall, Poplar, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVÊ-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUMPS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of pumps, for
which purpose two or more double acting pumps are combined together; and the
peculiarity consists of the manner of constructing and combining, with two or more
barrels or cylinders, the valve chamber or box and valves, so as, on the one hand, to
obtain compactness of structure with ready access to the valves; and, on the other
hand, a comparatively small number of parts. In constructing a pump consisting
of two barrels or cylinders, with the requisite valve box between them, the two
cylinders or barrels are produced in one casting, combined together by the valve
box, which is itself divided into compartments communicating with the cylinders
and with the inlet and outlet passages. The base plate is inade in one casting,
having through it the inlet passage. The cylinders have each their separate cover,
and such is the case with the top of the valve box. The two piston rods are
actuated either by a rocking lever or by means of a suitable crank shaft or axis.
When constructing a pump with four cylinders or barrels, a similar arrangement is
made to that above explained; it is not, however, necessary to increase the number
of valves used in the valve box.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Roberts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st October
1856.
WILLIAM ROBERTS, of Millwall, Poplar, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUMPS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of pumps, for
which purpose two or more double acting pumps are combined together; and the
peculiarity consists of the manner of constructing and combining with two or more
barrels or cylinders the valve chamber or box and valves, so as, on the one hand, to
obtain compactness of structure with ready access to the valves; and, on the other
hand, a comparatively small number of parts. In constructing a pump consisting
of two barrels or cylinders, with the requisite valve box between them, the two
cylinders or barrels are produced in one casting, combined together by the valve
box, which is itself divided into compartments communicating with the cylinders
and with the inlet and outlet passages. The base plate is made in one casting,
having through it the inlet passage. The cylinders have each their separate cover,
and such is the case with the top of the valve box. The two piston rods are
actuated either by a rocking lever or by means of a suitable crank shaft or axis.
When constructing a pump with four cylinders or barrels a similar arrangement is
made to that above explained; it is not, however, necessary to increase the number
of valves used in the valve box.
And in order that my said Invention may be most fully understood, and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side view, and Figure 2 is an end view, of a double barrel pump
arranged according to my Invention, and to work by means of a crank; Figure 3
is a plan of the base plate; and Figure 4 a longitudinal section of the base plate,
a transverse section of which is shewn at Figure 2. Figure 5 is a side view,
partly in section, of a pump on the same principle as the first, but arranged to
work by means of a beam or lever. In this pump no base plate is used, the
cylinders being cast with ends, as is shewn by the Drawing. Figure 6 is
a plan of the cylinders and valve box, the cover of the latter being removed.
Figure 7 is a transverse section taken at the line 1, 2, Figure 5. The line 3, 4, on
this Figure is that at which the section, Figure 5, is taken. In all theso Figures
A, A', are the barrels or cylinders, and B is the valve box, in which is a transverse
partition and four valves 61, 62, 63, 6. As the piston in the cylinder A ascends
the valve b' opens, and the water ascending the suction pipe C passes by the passage
a to the under side of the piston; at the same time the water is expelled from
the top of the cylinder A, and passes away by the passage a, through the valve be
and the force pipe D. In the other cylinder A', during this period, the water passes
by the passage a³ (whose opening into the valve box is opposite to that of the.
passage a) to the space above the piston, and from under the piston the water
escapes by a passage a', which opens into the valve box at a point opposite to the
mouth of the passage a³, and passing through the valve 6s it passes together with-
the water from the other cylinder through the force pipe D. When the motion of
the pistons is reversed, the valves b', 62, close, and the valves 63 and 6* open, the
one to allow the water to pass from the suction pipe by the passage a to the
space over the piston in the cylinder A, and by the passage at to the space under
the piston in the cylinder A¹, whilst at the same time the other valves and passages
allow the water expelled from the cylinders to escape by the force pipe D.
Figure 8 shews in plan the arrangement of the cylinders when four of them are
used. A1, A2, A3, A, are the four cylinders, and the cylinders A³ and A' are

page_text: shewn with the top flange removed in order that the passages may be clearly
traced. The valve box is arranged in a similar manner to that already described.
a is the passage which conducts the water to and from the front compartment
of the valve box to the top of the cylinder A³, and this passage also communicates
with the bottom of the cylinder A. The passage a' communicates with the top of
the cylinder A and the bottom of the cylinder A³.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to
the exact details described; but what I claim is, the forming two or more cylinders
or barrels, together with a valve box common to all the cylinders, in one casting,
as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Roberts, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-six.
Witness,
GEO. PITT,
4, Old Square.
W. ROBERTS. (L.S.)