IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR FLUSHING AND VENTILATING DRAINS, AND THE PURPOSES." L
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Henry Adams, of Leeds, in the County of
York, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS
EMPLOYED FOR FLUSHING AND VENTILATING DRAINS, AND THE
PURPOSES."
LIKE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Henry Adams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th February 1881.
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS, of Leeds, in the County of York.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR FLUSHING AND VENTILATING
DRAINS, AND THE LIKE PURPOSES."
My Invention consists of a syphon by preference of a rectangular form having
an internal smaller syphon, which is for the purpose of discharging with a small
flow of liquid into the falling or outlet leg of the larger syphon. This action of
the liquid through the smaller internal syphon has the effect of quickly with-
drawing the air from the larger syphon, and consequently bringing it into action.
I provide a small hole in the inlet leg of the large syphon above the point at
which the liquid is drawn off, so that directly the liquid falls in the tank below the
level of the hole, it allows the ingress of air, which immediately puts the syphon
out of action until the water rises again to the right level, when the discharge
occurs again and the action is repeated.
This construction of syphon is especially applicable for automatic flushing of
sewers and house drains, for use wherever a speedy discharge and intermittent flow
is required, also for purposes of intermittent filtration.
When preferred I dispense with the internal smaller syphon and apply a tube at
or near the crown or top of the larger syphon, through which the air is exhausted
for the purpose of bringing the syphon into action by withdrawing the air
therefrom; or water may be passed into the syphon through this tube for the
purpose of bringing the syphon into operation.
My Invention further consists of an arrangement for ventilating drains, whereby
the gas is rendered less injurious when passed into the open air; and for this
purpose I provide a box or chamber having inlet and outlet openings. Through
this chamber the foul or vitiated air travels prior to its passing into the outer air;
a current of fresh air is kept up through this chamber which dilutes the gas as
given off from the sewer, rendering it thereby much less injurious than would be
the case without such dilution.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Samuel Henry Adams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th August 1881.
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS, of Leeds, in the County of York.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR FLUSHING AND VENTILATING
DRAINS, AND THE LIKE PURPOSES."
My Invention consists of a syphon by preference of a rectangular form having
an internal smaller syphon, which is for the purpose of discharging with a small
flow of liquid into the falling or outlet leg of the larger syphon. This action of
the liquid through the smaller internal syphon has the effect of quickly with-
drawing the air from the larger syphon, and consequently bringing it into action.
I provide a small hole in the inlet leg of the large syphon above the point at
which the liquid is drawn off, so that directly the liquid falls in the tank below
the level of the hole it allows the ingress of air, which immediately puts the syphon
out of action until the water rises again to the right level, when the discharge
occurs again and the action is repeated.
This construction of syphon is especially applicable for automatic flushing of
sewers and house drains, for use whenever a speedy discharge and intermittent
flow is required, also for purposes of intermittent filtration.
When preferred I dispense with the internal smaller syphon and apply a tube at
or near the crown or top of the larger syphon, through which the air is exhausted
for the purpose of bringing the syphon into action by withdrawing the air
therefrom; or water may be passed into the syphon through this tube for the
purpose of bringing the syphon into operation.
My Invention further consists of an arrangement for ventilating drains, whereby
the gas is rendered less injurious when passed into the open air; and for this
purpose I provide a box or chamber having inlet and outlet, openings. Through
this chamber the foul or vitiated air travels prior to its passing into the outer air;
a current of fresh air is kept up through this chamber which dilutes the gas as it is
given off from the sewer, rendering it thereby much less injurious than would be
the case without such dilution.
And in order that my Invention may be more completely understood, reference
is given to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.

page_text: the level of the hole, it allows ingress of air at that point, which immediately puts
the syphon out of action until the water rises again to the proper level, when the.
discharge through the small syphon b occurs again, which brings immediately the
larger syphon A into action. I further provide a slot c¹ in conjunction with.
the hole, which answers the same purpose should the air hole be stopped.
When preferred I dispense with the internal syphon b, and at or near the crown
of the syphon, as shewn at Figs. 3 and 4, is applied an air tube d provided with
a ball cock d, which is opened automatically by the rise of the water in the tank,
or by other equivalent means. The action is as follows:-As the water rises in
the tank the air in the syphon is compressed to the extent corresponding with
the head or difference of levels e and f, and the water in the trap g, the effect
being that the water in the short leg of the syphon does not reach the level h
until the water in the tank is at or about the height i above that level, and
equal to the head at e, f. The effect of this is to allow the water in the tank to
rise completely above the bend of the syphon until it reaches such a level that
the ball cock d or other equivalent arrangement on the air pipe d is open, the
air from the syphon is allowed to escape, and the syphon itself fully charged.
As soon as this occurs there is a rush of water through the syphon, and the
sewer to which it is connected is flushed. The syphon empties the tank down
to the level of the end of the short leg, and in so doing uncovers the hole c
which readmits air to the syphon, and prevents it from acting partially as the
tank fills again; or the valve may be arranged so that by the suction within it
opens, thus admitting air and stopping action. It is necessary that for the proper
working of this construction of syphon that the depth of trap shall be greater than
is usually employed; such depth in all cases should not be less than the distance
between points j and k at the crown of syphon.
Fig. 5 shews a modification of Figs. 3 and 4, in which the exterior portion / of
the syphon is made loose, and caused to rise by the accumulated pressure of air
at m; but such movement cannot take place until the water rises in the tank
sufficiently high to lift the balls n or other equivalent arrangement through which
the catches o are moved clear of the top. As soon as these catches o are removed
the exterior portion 7 rises, thereby reducing the pressure of air. As soon as this
occurs a rush of water through the syphon takes place. The trap g is of a similar
construction to that described for Figs. 3 and 4.
Fig. 6 shews also a modified arrangement of Figs. 3 and 4; parts corresponding
in utility though differing in conformation are marked with similar letters to those
at Figs. 3 and 4.
Figs. 7 and 8 shew a combination of tank and syphon, in which P is the tank,
and q the syphon, with deep trap g and air hole c or slot c' combined therewith.
Any of the herein before described syphons may be combined with the tank,
substantially as shewn.
My Invention further consists of an arrangement for ventilating drains, whereby
the gas is rendered less injurious when passed into the open air, and for this
purpose I provide a box or chamber r, shewn at Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12, having
inlet openings of larger area than its outlet opening t. Through this chamber r
the foul or vitiated air coming up from the drain at u travels prior to its passing
into the outer air. A current of fresh air continually passes through this chamber
by reason of the pressure of atmospheric air on larger opening 8, which dilutes the
gas as it is given off from the sewer, rendering it thereby much less injurious than
would be the case were the gas to pass off through the smaller opening t from the
sewer without such dilution.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and particularized the
same by details which answer well in practice, I would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the exact details set forth; what I do claim is,-
First. The arrangement and application of smaller syphon 6 within the larger
syphon A, either separately or in combination with the air hole c or slot c¹,
substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.

page_text: Second. The arrangement and application of tube d and parts connected
therewith, substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
Third. The general arrangement of: syphon shewn at Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, in
combination with the deep trap g, substantially as and for purposes herein set
forth.
$
Fourth. The arrangement of syphon in combination with deep trap g, and air
hole c or slot c¹, substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
Fifth. The arrangement, construction, and application of ventilating grates,
shewn at Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12, substantially as and for purposes herein set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Henry Adams, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS. (L.S.)