Improvements in the Construction of Beer Engines.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1887.
Complete Left, 15th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 16th Aug., 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Beer Engines.
1 JAMES AMASA BIGELOW of Number 203 George Street West Sydney in the
Colony of New South Wales Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BEER ENGINES" to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of a new and improved combination and arrangement of
mechanism, in the construction of a Beer Engine, particularly in the efficient con-
struction and working of a pump barrel constructed principally or wholly of glass (of
service as a non corosive material) the same being raised above a bar counter, and of
an ornamental character. The pump barrel is so constructed that it also serves as a
mixing vessel for two or more kinds of beer and is combined with a cooling or
warming apparatus. The combination and arrangement is otherwise adapted to the
efficient raising and mixing of beer from two or more casks in desired proportions;
by simple means; and to the supply thereof with great facility. It also provides
against leakage throughout. It also involves cheapness and simplicity of construc-
tion and admits of any part of the mechanism being easily and at once reached, and
for the most part adjusted by an unskilled hand in the event of any slight
disarrangement.
The pump barrel of the Beer Engine is raised above the bar counter and I con-
struct it so as to be of an ornamental character. It combines therewith a chamber
for cooling or heating the beer which I hereinafter designate the cooling chamber
or the outer cylinder. The barrel also serves as a mixing chamber for the different
kinds of beer which are conducted directly into the barrel by the pipes and
contrivances hereinafter mentioned. The cooling chamber is constructed by a
concentric cylinder completely surrounding the pump barrel. I construct the pump
barrel and outer cylinder of glass as a non corosive material and preferable for the
purposes of construction and cheapness, and also serving for ornament, although
except in the latter respect the same may be of other non corosive material, but the
utility of my invention consists in part in the arrangement of mechanism and
materials which admits of the efficient use and construction of a glass barrel.
The barrel and outer cylinder which are open at the ends, are fixed between upper and
lower plates of metal. Broad india rubber rings or bands are fixed in grooves in the
top and bottom plates, of a sufficient width to form a packing for the top and bottom
edges of both the glass barrel and outer cylinder. The plates are held together by
distance rods on the outside of and around the outer cylinder, forming also a protection
to the glass which rods are adjusted by means of adjusting rings and screws at the

page_text: upper and lower ends, clamping nuts being placed on the extreme ends. The upper
plate is covered with an ornamental cap concealing also the top mechanism and the
same hinges back to admit of access generally to the outer cylinder and outlet valve,
and also the removal of the top plate for free access to the barrel and cooling chamber
if at any time required. An outlet valve in the top plate regulates the discharge of
the beer through an outlet pipe crossing on the top of the plate with which the draw
off tap is connected. I place the same below or level with the counter by means of a
swans neck pipe. The top plate also contains two hand holes leading into the outer
cylinder to admit of the introduction of a cooling or heating medium the holes being
closed by covers hermetically sealed by adjustable screw nuts. The bottom plate
contains the necessary inlets for the pipes leading to the barrel and cooling chamber
and for the plunger rod. A circular perforated pipe is fixed on the botton plate in
the centre of the cylinder communicating with a water pipe so as to fill the cylinder
with water spray.
I make use of a plunger erected to work upwards, and it being matter of difficulty
to obtain a glass cylinder which will be quite true and free from inequalities I con-
struct the plunger so as to adjust itself to the inequalities of the barrel in the following
way. It is constructed to admit of a ring of suitable material for packing for which I
have found green hide the best, being screwed into position thereon so as to leave a
space between the material and the sides of the plunger and during the upward stroke
of the plunger the pressure of the liquid causes the expansion and pressure of the
material against the sides of and to fit the irregularities in the barrel. It is preferable
to make the barrel with a swell at about one half its length so as to keep the hide
pliable by constant expansion and contraction. I have found the plunger constructed
in this way with material of green hide to result in a considerable amount of
expansion and lateral pressure. I construct in the upper part of the plunger a valve
which is self acting, and during the downward stroke of the plunger admits liquor
into the upper part of the barrel. The plunger is hollow and has the necessary
orifices to admit the liquor into the barrel. I frost or paint the barrel about half way
up so as to conceal the working of the plunger.
The plunger rod passes down to a cross head beneath the counter, which is attached
to and worked by connecting rods and a treadle, the latter being kept in a horizontal
position by an elastic band or spring. Two or more suction pipes, according to the
different kinds of liquid which are to be mixed together are fixed into the lower plate
of the barrel and continued a few inches below the counter, the same terminating in
taps and unions to which ordinary pipes or connections from casks in the cellar are
attached. Each tap is formed with a regulating check valve so as to prevent the
liquor from passing back to the casks and also any kind of leakage. The beer from
the different casks can be passed into the barrel in the required proportions by
regulating the taps, and is drawn up from all the casks at once by the use of the
treadle.
I make the suction supply and water pipes, the metal plates plunger; plunger rod
and other metal connections with the barrel and outer cylinder of electro plated metal
the same being found by me the best for use as a non corosive material and for
ornament in connection with glass but except in the latter respect the use thereof is
not an absolute requirement in my invention. The upper and lower plates might be
constructed of glass with slight variations in the adjustments adapted thereto.
I adjust the treadle so that one action will pump up a certain quantity of liquid, and
the same may also be registered by means of a pressure gauge such as is used for
measuring liquids in each pipe placed below the regulating check valve.
Dated this Fourth day of May 1886.
JAMES AMASA BIGELOW.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Beer Engines.
I JAMES AMASA BIGELOW of No. 203 George Street West Sydney in the Colony
of New South Wales Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my inven-
tion for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BEER ENGINES and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of a new and improved combination and arrangement of
mechanism in the construction of a Beer Engine particularly in the efficient construc-
tion and working of a pump barrel constructed principally or wholly of glass (of
service as a non-corosive material) the same being raised above a bar counter and of
an ornamental character. The pump barrel is so constructed that it also serves as a
mixing vessel for two or more kinds of beer and is combined with a cooling or warming
apparatus. The combination and arrangement is otherwise adapted to the efficient
raising and mixing of beer from two or more casks in desired proportions by simple
means; and to the supply thereof with great facility. It also provides against leakage
throughout. It also involves cheapness and simplicity of construction and admits
of any part of the mechanism being easily and at once reached and for the most part
adjusted by an unskilled hand in the event of any slight disarrangement.
The pump barrel of the beer engine is raised above the bar counter and I construct
it so as to be of an ornamental character. It combines therewith a chamber for cooling
or heating the beer which I hereinafter designate the cooling chamber or the outer
cylinder. The barrel also serves as a mixing chamber for the different kinds of beer
which are conducted directly into the barrel by the pipes and contrivances hereinafter
mentioned. The cooling chamber is constructed by a concentric cylinder completely sur-
rounding the pump barrel. I construct the pump barrel and outer cylinder of glass as a
non-corosive material and preferable for the purposes of construction and cheapness and
also serving for ornament although except in the latter respect the same may be of other
non-corosive material but the utility of my invention consists in part in the arrangement
of mechanism and materials which admits of the efficient use and construction of a
glass barrel. The barrel and outer cylinder which are open at the ends are fixed
between upper and lower plates of metal. Broad india rubber rings or bands are fixed
in grooves in the top and bottom plates of a sufficient width to form a packing for the
top and bottom edges of both the glass barrel and outer cylinder. The plates are held
together by distance rods on the outside of and around the outer cylinder forming also
a protection to the glass which rods are adjusted by means of adjusting rings and
screws at the upper and lower ends clamping nuts being placed on the extreme ends.
The upper plate is covered with an ornamental cap concealing also the top mechanism
and the same hinges back to admit of access generally to the outer cylinder and outlet
valve and also the removal of the top plate for free access to the barrel and cooling
chamber if at any time required. An outlet valve in the top plate regulates the dis-
charge of the beer through an outlet pipe crossing on the top of the plate with which the

page_text: draw off tap is connected. I place the same below or level with the counter by means
of a swans neck pipe. The top plate also contains two hand holes leading into the
outer cylinder to admit of the introduction of a cooling or heating medium the holes
being closed by covers hermetically sealed by adjustable screw nuts. The bottom plate
contains the necessary inlets for the pipes leading to the barrel and cooling chamber
and for the plunger rod. A circular perforated pipe is fixed on the bottom plate in the
centre of the cylinder communicating with a water pipe so as to fill the cylinder with
water spray.
I make use of a plunger erected to work upwards and it being matter of difficulty to
obtain a glass cylinder which will be quite true and free from inequalities I
construct the plunger so as to adjust itself to the inequalities of the barrel in the
following way. It is constructed to admit of a ring of suitable material for packing
for which I have found green hide the best being screwed into position thereon so as
to leave a space between the material and the sides of the plunger and during the
upward stroke of the plunger the pressure of the liquid causes the expansion and
pressure of the material against the sides of and to fit the irregularities in the barrel. It
is preferable to make the barrel with a swell at about one half its length so as to keep
the hide pliable by constant expansion and contraction. I have found the plunger
constructed in this way with material of green hide to result in a considerable amount
of expansion and lateral pressure. I construct in the upper part of the plunger a
valve which is self acting and during the downward stroke of the plunger admits
liquor into the upper part of the barrel. The plunger is hollow and has the necessary
orifices to admit the liquor into the barrel. I frost or paint the barrel about half way
up so as to conceal the working of the plunger.
The plunger rod passes down to a cross head beneath the counter which is attached
to and worked by connecting rods and a treadle the latter being kept in a horizontal
position by an elastic band or spring. Two or more suction pipes according to the
different kinds of liquids which are to be mixed together are fixed into the lower plate
of the barrel and continued a few inches below the counter the same terminating in
taps and unions to which ordinary pipes or connections from casks in the cellar are
attached. Each tap is formed with a regulating check valve so as to prevent the
liquor from passing back to the casks and also any kind of leakage. The beer from
the different casks can be passed into the barrel in the required proportions by
regulating the taps and is drawn up from all the casks at once by the use of the
treadle.
I make the suction supply and water-pipes the metal plates plunger plunger rod
and other metal connections with the barrel and outer cylinder of electro plated metal
the same being found by me the best for use as a non corosive material and for
ornament in connection with glass but except in the latter respect the use thereof is
not an absolute requirement in my invention. The upper and lower plates might be
constructed of glass with slight variations in the adjustments adapted thereto.
I adjust the treadle so that one action will pump up a certain quantity of liquid and
the same may also be registered by means of a pressure gauge such as is used for
measuring liquids in each pipe placed below the regulating check valve.
Having thus stated the nature of the said invention I proceed to describe more
particularly the same and the manner in which it is to be performed and carried into
effect by the aid of the accompanying drawings in which are represented the parts and
mechanisms above referred to.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the combined barrel and cooling chamber.
Fig
igure 2 is a plan of the bottom plate thereof.
Figure 3 is a plan of the top plate thereof.
Figure 4 is a vertical section and plan of the regulating tap valve used by me in
suction pipes with attachment to the tap which appears in sheet 2.

page_text: Complete Deel Engine.
Figure 2 shows the front elevation of same.
In figure 1 sheet 1 B represents the glass pump barrel resting on the bar counter
CC represent the outer concentric glass cylinder forming a chamber around the
barrel for the use therein of a cooling or warming medium. I have found glass of
the thickness of one fourth of an inch sufficient. P and P¹ represent the bottom and
top plates between which the barrel and cylinder are fixed which can be constructed
three sixteenths of an inch in thickness R R are distance rods of which six are shown
in figures 2 and 3 (sheet 1) holding the plates together A A are the adjusting
rings V2 is the outlet valve in the top plate for the discharge of the beer through the
outlet pipe O and sw the connecting pipe with tap c represents the ornamental cap
or cover which can be constructed either of metal or glass. The letters G G shew
the upper and lower grooves into which the india rubber rings or bands are fixed to
form a seating for the ends of the glass barrel B and the outer cylinder C. S shows
one of the suction pipes of which there are two shown in figure 2 leading into
the barrel I the inlet pipe for the admission of spray into the outer cylinder and O an
outlet pipe for the water therefrom. The letters sp in figure 2 show the circular
spray pipe fixed on the bottom plate through the centre of the outer cylinder.
Pl represents the plunger V₁ the self acting check valve therein. pc the plunger
cup lining which is kept in position by a metal ring screwed on to the end of the
plunger so constructed as to leave a space of about one fourth of an inch between
the lining and the plunger within which the pressure exerted by the liquid upon the
upward motion of the plunger causes the expansion and pressure of the cup lining
against the sides of the barrel.
In figure 2 (sheet 1) (a plan of the lower plate P) the distance rods are shown by
the letters the grove for the india rubber ring or band by G the suction pipes by
the letters S the inlet pipe for spray by I and outlet for water from cylinder by O.
In figure 3 (sheet 1) a plan of the upper plate P¹ the distance rods are shown by
the letters the hand holes for filling the cylinder with a heating or cooling medium
by H H the outlet valve by V2 the outlet pipe for beer by 0 and the hinge for the
cover by H.
Figure 4 (sheet 1) shows the construction of the regulating check valve which is
used by me in the suction pipes together with the coupling and union for connection
with pipe leading to cask in cellar.
In figure 1 on sheet 2 the letters indicate the corresponding part of the pump
barrel and cylinder to the parts shown in sheet 1 figure 1. The plunger rod is
shown by P the cross head by ch the connecting rod by or the fulcrum for the
treadle by F the spring attachment used to work the same by sa a tap in one of
the suction pipes by T the regulation check valve therein by V. I may add a
pressure gauge for measuring the supply of liquid as shown by pg in which case
I fix another union below the pressure gauge for the purpose of attaching thereto the
pipe from the cask.
In figure 2 sheet 2 the same parts are shown viewed from the front I and O shewing
therein the inlet and outlet pipes for water to and from the cylinder.
The connecting pipes from casks being fixed to the unions the action of the treadle
will supply the liquid mixed in the proportions in which it is desired to mix the same
by regulating the taps. The treadle may be so adjusted that one stroke moving it
from its horizontal position to the ground will produce the discharge of a particular
measure or quantity I have found the distance of the lever four and a half inches
from the ground and the use of one inch supply pipes from the casks to produce the
discharge of one pint of liquid. Upon the barrel being filled the liquid can be
drawn off through the tap fixed below the counter by the action of the treadle the
supply in the barrel being renewed by the same action. The cylinder into which ice
or other cooling medium can be introduced can be filled with cold water and spray

page_text: from the water pipe in connection therewith to cool the beer or with hot water and
spray to warm the beer as required.
Having described the nature of my said invention and how the same is to be
carried into effect I declare that do not claim the exclusive use of the separate parts
herein before described except so far as the same may be employed in combination for
the purposes of the said invention but what I claim is
First. The combination and arrangement of mechanism in the construction of a
Beer Engine consisting in a pump barrel and mixing vessel raised above a bar
counter with the use of a plunger working upwards both so constructed that the
packing of the plunger will with each stroke expand sufficiently for and adapt itself
to the irregularities in the cylinder (particularly adapted for the use of a glass
cylinder); the employment therewith in suction pipes communicating with the barrel
of the regulating check valve to prevent leakage which is shown in the accompanying
drawings; the combination with the said barrel of a concentric cylinder to serve as
a cooling or warming chamber the said apparatus being worked by a treadle and the
liquid raised being mixed at any moment in desired proportions by the use of
regulating taps in the suction pipes placed immediately beneath the bar counter.
Secondly. The combination and arrangement of mechanism in the construction of
a Beer Engine consisting of a pump barrel or a pump barrel and mixing vessel raised
above a bar counter with the use of a plunger working upwards and worked either by
a treadle or by other means. And either with or without the employment therewith
in suction pipes of the regulating check valve to prevent leakage and taps placed
within reach which are shown in the accompanying drawings.
Thirdly. In the construction of a Beer Engine the new and improved ornamental
pump barrel and mixing vessel constructed in manner and with the appliances
hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Fourthly. In the construction of a Beer Engine the new and improved ornamental
pump barrel and mixing vessel combined with a cooling or warming apparatus
constructed in manner and with the appliances hereinbefore described and shown in
the accompanying drawings.
Dated the Fourth day of May 1000.
JAMES AMASA BIGELOW.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.