Improvements in and connected with the Supply and Withdrawal of Liquid to or from Filter Beds, and in Filter Bed Construction.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in and connected with the Supply and Withdrawal
of Liquid to or from Filter Beds, and in Filter Bed Construction.
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS, Hydraulic Engineer, Cumbrae, Park Avenue, Harrogate,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in the by preference automatic apparatus I employ for
bringing liquid to and withdrawing it from filter beds and in the general construc-
tion of the filter beds whereby they are adapted specially for use with my apparatus.
I use in one form an improved syphonic apparatus discharging from a source to the
filter beds. In one form this apparatus is brought into operation automatically at a
desired time bringing liquid to or withdrawing it from filter beds thus in a series one
or more may be in operation the others being out of action I prefer to make my
syphon apparatus with a deep trap, the locked in air preventing the passage of liquid
to or from the filters until this air being allowed to escape liquid may pass through
the apparatus. I prefer to allow such escape through an air pipe connected to the
syphon for the purpose, this air pipe being by preference unlocked by the alteration
of level of liquid around it, or I may obtain the same result by allowing the exit of
air from an air receptacle or I may allow of the escape of air by a valve connected to
my apparatus actuated by the movement of liquid through a suitable connection.
In any event the same result will be obtained, that is my apparatus will stand with
liquid around it for a given time before discharging. In another form I cause my
syphonic apparatus to revolve and so turn its outlet for the discharge of liquid in
any required direction. I prefer to divide a filter bed into two or more portions and
by an arrangement of valves so to contrive that any one portion or all together may
be used and that one apparatus may serve to draw off the contents of one or of all. I
form the main carrier bringing liquid to the filters in a special manner in order to
break up as far as possible matter which would otherwise be carried to the filters and
so tend to choke them for this reason I prefer to use a number of smaller pipes or
channels or to so build or extend my channel or conduit of pipes as agricultural drain
pipes or other suitably formed channels or pipes or material laid side by side or
together in such a way that floating matter and animal debris may be more or less
broken by contact with the material composing this conduit or course which is
specially so formed for this purpose.
Dated this 13th day of December 1898.
S. H. ADAMS.
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS.
Harrogate.

page_text: Improvements in and connected with the Supply and Withdrawal
of Liquid to or from Filter Beds, and in Filter Bed Construction.
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS, Hydraulic Engineer, Cumbrae, Park Avenue, Harrowgate,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement-
My improvements consist in the by preference automatic apparatus I employ
for bringing liquid to and withdrawing it from filter beds and in the general construc-
tion of the filter beds whereby they are adapted specially for use with my apparatus.
I use in one form an improved syphonic apparatus discharging from a source to the
filter beds. In one form this apparatus is brought into operation automatically at a
desired.time-bringing the liquid to or discharging it from filter beds. Thus in a
series one or more inay be in operation the others being out of action. I prefer to
make my syphon apparatus with a deep trap the locked in air preventing the passage
of liquid to or from the filters until this air being allowed to escape liquid may pass
through the apparatus. I prefer to allow such escape through an air pipe connected
to the syphon for the purpose, this air pipe being by preference unlocked by the
alteration of level of liquid around it, or I may obtain the same result by allowing
the exit of air from an air receptacle or I may allow of the escape of air by a valve
connected to my apparatus actuated by the movement of liquid through a suitable
connection. In any event the same result will be obtained that is my apparatus will
stand with liquid around it for a given time before discharging. In another form I
cause my syphonic apparatus to revolve and so turn its outlet for the discharge of
liquid in any required direction. I prefer to divide a filter bed into two or more
portions and by an arrangement of valves so to contrive that any one portion or all
together may be used and that one apparatus may serve to draw off the contents of
one or all. I forin the main carrier bringing liquid to the filters in a special manner
in order to break up as far as possible matter which would otherwise be carried to the
filters whole and so tend to choke them-for this reason I prefer to use a number of
smaller pipes or channels or to so build or extend my channel or conduit of pipes-
as agricultural drain pipes or other suitably formed channels or pipe or material laid
side by side or together in such a way that that floating matter and animal debris
may be more or less broken by contact with the material composing the conduit or
course which is specially so formed for this purpose.
The drawings and descriptions following will explain more fully my inventions
where on Sheet No 1 Fig. 1 shews one form of my apparatus which is a specially
contrived syphon made in such a way that it shall stand ready but shall not come
into operation until a given time has elapsed, my object being that the filter in which
it is placed shall be filled with sewage or liquid, and shall remain filled for a desired
time, at the expiration of which it shall be automatically emptied; in the same way
my apparatus may be used to supply liquid to a filter bed. Reference to my drawing
shews at "," Fig. 1, the vertical portion of syphon proper "b" is the outer portion
or dome C being the water seal at foot and "d" the outgo. "e" is an air pipe passing
down within syphon, or I may carry up an air pipe from the exterior of syphon-in
either case the pipe should terminate at or about the point "1" shewn so that
syphonic action may not be broken. In either case the passage of air from the syphon
would be controlled by a valve as "f" this valve has a pendant ball "
"and a
trigger "h." An outer casing or air receptacle "j" has a pipe "k" at its summit with
a valve controlled by a ball float "." A ball float "m attached to a rod "n " is
"
0

page_text: "
"7
suspended within this air receptacle the rod works in tube "g." In operation the
water seal C being full of liquid and air being locked between it and that entering
the filter or vessel. A-as the level of dome "6" is reached the pressure within the
syphon proper will be sufficient to prevent the passage of liquid through it when the
level B will be reached. The supply to A ceasing, the syphon will stand and will
come into operation when the valve "f" is opened the air under pressure passing out
thereby and allowing of the entry of the liquid to and the consequent starting of the
syphon when the contents of A will be drawn off. The ball float "o attached to
valve is pendant in the liquid around it, but set back by the weight of the trigger-
against a stop in tap, in such a position that it cannot rise until started by some other
means. At "n will be seen a rod which rising and falling with the ball " comes
into contact with or receeds from the trigger "h" of valve "," when it comes into
contact with this trigger the ball "o" is pushed forward free of its set position &
rising on the liquid around it opens the valve f fully allowing escape of air from
within & the starting of the syphon follows. It will be apparent that so long as the
outer casing or air receptacle "j" is full of air water cannot enter and the ball "m"
with its rod "n" will not be moved, but as the air passes gradually from within,
throgh the valve "k" placed for the purpose, liquid will as gradually enter until the
desired level is reached and the ball "m" with its attachments will be raised in turn
acting upon valve "f" through the trigger "h." I may so adjust my valve, either
using a ball on valve "k" or other contrivance that any desired length of
time may be occupied in the escape of this air, so that my apparatus will stand in
work for any desired length of time and then come automatically into work
drawing off contents of A and I may use this apparatus either to fill or to empty
filter beds. At Fig. 2, Sheet No. 1, I shew another apparatus which I prefer to use
for the supplying of liquid to filter beds, here D is a syphon pipe with water seal "C"
and entry mouth "a." In the ordinary course of events liquid in A2 will enter "a¹
and pass through the syphon pipe D, when the level "f" is reached, because the pipe
g" attached thereto is open and air will pass freely in and out, but if I close this
pipe "g" the enclosed air will be put under pressure and the level in A2 will rise to
h2" or above. Thus by opening or closing this pipe "g," I can allow the passage of
liquid through syphon pipe D or stop this passage as I please. In one form of my
apparatus I arrange that the filling or emptying of another receptacle into which the
pipe "g" shall dip shall thus control the passage of liquid through my syphon pipe
D, or I may use a series of these pipes as D and through pipes as "g" and h so
arrange that the discharge of one filter shall bring about the filling of another. The
pipe "h" shewn dipping into another receptacle as A would (being connected to
pipe g) upon the discharge of it allow air to enter such a syphon pipe as D attached
to another such receptacle and the consequent filling of the latter "" is an enlarge-
ment upon air pipe "" formed in order to lock in a greater body of air and so act
more perfectly upon such a syphon pipe D. Figs. 1 and 2 may be quite distinct for
the sake of convenience they are shewn here attached. The dotted extension of g
Fig. 2 terminating in air dome shews how (filter being filled by same supply D) air
would be forced to D to stop supply.
66
66
66
"
Fig. 3, Sheet No. 1, shews in receptacle B a syphon in which "a" is the central
pipe, "6" is the dome "c" is the water seal and "e" an air pipe passing down within
syphon. This air pipe continued joins pipe "m" which terminates in a water trap "m¹."
The air locked between trap m¹, deep seal C, and liquid rising in B will by its
resistance prevent passage of liquid through syphon S, the latter may thus be
entirely immersed in liquid. When trap M is released air will pass out from within
& syphonic action will be set up. The latter is immersed in the liquid around it
when the level of this liquid is at "d." When the level of liquid drops to "e" the
pressure upon water trap "m" is less, the confined air within syphon blows the
water therefrom, and the air following the syphon S comes into operation
discharging automatically the liquid contents of B. At Fig. 5 is a syphon pipe
somewhat as before described (in Fig. 2) but that the air is locked in or allowed to
escape from this syphon pipe and the pipe "6" connected thereto by the rising and

page_text: the falling of liquid from the levels "d" to "e" into which the pipe at "61" dips.
Thus the rising and falling of the liquid in my apparatus shewn at Fig. 4, controlls
the supply from my syphon pipe D by preventing or allowing the escape of air. As
with the other apparatus already described it is not essential that I should use these
together or in the positions as shewn my object being to ensure only the conditions
which give me the results described. The apparatus shewn at Fig. 4 is one which I
employ to give a time discharge or to control my other apparatus wherein air is put
under pressure by rising liquid in order to prevent until this air has escaped the
passage of liquid through such apparatus. It is evident that this apparatus may be
used quite apart from the Figs. 3 and 5 to which it is shewn attached. To describe
this apparatus more fully, "o" "o" Fig. 4 shew the sides of a cylinder or tank of
which "p" is the bottom; a pipe "h" passes through the bottom of this cylinder
and terminates by preference in a water trap "j" a hood or dome "g" surmounts
the pipe "h" a small tap "f" is attached to the hood as shewn. Now in operation
the level of liquid in filter B having risen to "1" the water seal ";" being first filled
with liquid, as also the upper portion of cylinder "o" "o" the air contained in the
under side of my cylinder o "O" will be locked therein by the still rising liquid
until it will be forced through the water seal "j" and entering the dome "g" it will
force back or displace the liquid therein altering the level of that around it from "e"
gradually towards "d" in the meantime air from within this dome "g" may escape
by my valve or taps "f" and the length of time taken by this air in exit and the
consequent lowering again of the level of liquid from "d" to "e" (that is its re-entry
to dome from which it was displaced) will be the measure of the time during which
any apparatus controlled by this will stand.
16 29.66
Fig. 6 shews a valve f with pendant ball "o" with in lieu of trigger another ball
"" connected through air pipe "e" to syphon "b" in work the pendant ball
becomes immersed in liquid but cannot rise because the ball h acts as a counter-
weight holding ball o against a stop on tap until the level has risen from "a" to "c"
when the ball "h" comes into play freeing through its extra buoyancy the ball "o"
which then floats to the surface opening the valve "f" and allowing the exit of air
therefrom and the starting of the syphon to which it is attached.
Fig. 7 on Sheet No. 2 shews the manner in which I may discharge the contents of
a series of filter beds by my syphonic apparatus in which the air is allowed to escape
from the apparatus by means of an air pipe led to and terminating in any other
desired filter the emptying of which will bring about the emptying of any other in
desired rotation. Thus a series of filters may discharge one after the other controlled
by the action of the one preceding it. In this drawing a a¹ a² a³ are the syphons
with air pipes bb1, b b², bb³, bb, the discharge of No. 4 filter will start by uncovering
air pipe 63 syphon No. 3, the discharge of No. 3 will start No. 2, this will start No. 1,
and No. I will in its turn start No. 4.
Fig. 8 shews a series supplied by my apparatus (already shewn at Fig. 2 on sheet
No. 1) where c c³ c² 3 is my syphon pipe (marked D on sheet No. 1). These syphon
pipes are controlled through the air pipes fff&f³ by the discharge of the filters into
which their respective air pipes dip. Thus No. 1 filter discharging uncovers air
pipe leading to No. 4 and allows liquid to pass through the syphon supply pipe c³
until No. 4 is full. No. 4 discharging allows No. 3 to fill No. 3 allows No. 2 to fill
and No. 2 discharging allows the filling of No. 1. I may arrange these to fill in any
desired rotation or to act independently. I have shewn in this instance the timed
discharge apparatus as illustrated on Sheet No. 1 at Fig. 1, but I may use syphonic
apparatus as Fig. 1 Sheet No. 2 if desirable. Reference to the drawing shews at
Fig. 8 a a¹ a a³ the syphons proper bb bb the outer air receptacle and ee ee the
valve controlling exit of air. At Fig. 9 Sheet No. 2 I shew section of two filter beds
where the supply from A¹ is by my syphon pipe D "a" being the mouth and "c" the
out.go. "g" is the air pipe controlling the supply and "h" is an air pipe dipping
into filter A and so controlling the supply to another filter bed. In this case "d" is
a withdrawing syphon discharging to lower level filter B which again discharges
through syphon "e." I have shewn both these syphons controlled by exit of air

page_text: from air pipes "ff" which in operation would dip into adjoining or desired filter
beds.
Sheet 3, at Fig. 10 I shew the method in which I prefer to construct my conduit
or supply channel bringing sewage to the filter beds in order that the paper and
other matter ordinarilly carried down by sewage shall be torn & broken in transit.
I prefer to use a series of smaller pipes as agricultural drain tiles or others suitable
rather than to bring the sewage through a large channel or culvert in order that by
this means the paper and other matter shall come into contact with and be broken
by the sides of the conduit through which it passes. I provide inspection places at
intervals and prefer to fix a screen in the one most suitable in order that larger matter
may be removed here. My drawing shews at a a the inspections. a¹ the larger
inspection place with grating b. d the sewer supplying the conduits. c my conduits,
and f the outgo to filters.
}
Fig. 11 on same sheet shews a syphonic apparatus which I use under certain con-
ditions, this is so arranged that the rising of a ball float on the incoming liquid
shall, through. geared wheels actuating a spindle passing through and forming a part
of my apparatus, centred in the trapping box below, the syphon shall revolve
"a" is the
sufficiently far to discharge its contents over the filter bed desired here.
syphonic apparatus "6" is the trapping box revolving on its axis "c" "d" is the wheel
gear "e" is the ball float, and "f" & "g" two sections of a filter or receptacle into which
my apparatus may discharge. Fig. 12 shews in plan a filter bed specially fitted for
use with this apparatus.
Fig. 13 shews the method I prefer to employ in order to divide my filter beds for
night or day flow or to deal with varying amounts. I form a division wall fitting
valves thereon and by placing a pipe on the flow of my filter, leading it from the one
compartment direct to a receptacle in which I place my withdrawing apparatus I can
arrange by valves to use one or both compartments singly or united as I may desire
here is one portion of my filter "B" another whilst "e" is the pipe through
which I may discharge the contents of B to my withdrawing apparatus at c,
and "d" "d" "d" "d" "d" are the valves through which the connection is made or
shut off as desired, and now
.:
Having particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is -
1st The combination of a syphonic apparatus with such air escape pipe or valve
as will allow the exit of air and the operation of such an apparatus when used for the
purposes described.
2. A syphonic apparatus with outlet valve for air so arranged that a ball actuating
the latter the apparatus shall not operate until the ball valve is released from its set
position by the aid of another ball or something brought into contact therewith by
the buoyancy of liquid around it, all in combination.
3. The use in combination with a syphonic apparatus of a receptacle containing air,
the escape of air therefrom controlling the operation of such apparatus.
4. The use of a syphon pipe with water seal having an air escape pipe which air
escape pipe shall when open allow the passage of liquid through such syphon pipe and
when closed shall prevent the passage of liquid through the syphon pipe in combina-
tion when used for my purposes already described.
5. The combination of a syphon apparatus fitted with an air pipe and an enlarge-
ment or receptacle formed upon the air pipe for the purpose of supplying a quantity
of air thereto when used for the purposes above set forth.
6. The use of the syphon pipe already described used for the purpose of supplying
a filter or series of filters and so arranged the air pipes dipping into the desired filters
of the series that the discharge of one filter shall as the liquid lowers uncover the air
pipe forming a part of this syphon pipe and thus allow the escape of air and the
consequent passage of liquid through my syphon pipe thus the discharge of one

page_text: filter shall bring about the filling of another, or where used for withdrawing, the
emptying of another filter.
7. The use in combination of a series of syphons whose action is dependent upon
the release of air therefrom, this air being released by the falling liquid in any desired
filter bed (to which through its air pipe the first named syphon apparatus shall be
connected) of a series for the purpose of discharging the contents of filter beds in
any desired sequence.
8. The use of an apparatus wherein liquid rising around it shall lock in an amount of
air which shall displace liquid in a part of my apparatus so raising the level of this
liquid and upon the air escaping therefrom again allowing it to fall, all for the purpose
of uncovering an air escape pipe or actuating a valve either of which will allow the
escape of air and so control syphonic apparatus connected therewith in combination
or otherwise when used for the purposes named.
1
9. The use of a syphon apparatus in combination with a filter bed either for
supplying or discharging the latter, the syphon apparatus being so contrived that
it shall retain liquid upon the filters for a given time and then automatically
discharge it.
10. The use of a controlled syphon in combination with a filter bed.
11. The combination of a series of small pipes or channels rather than the use of
one larger pipe or channel when used to conduct liquid to a filter bed.
12. The use of syphonic apparatus which shall be caused to revolve to distribute
liquid to filter beds.
13. The apparatus as shewn on the drawings and described and apparatus though
differing in conformation which shall operate in a similar manner or be substantially
the same.
Dated this 2nd day of Wahnuary 1900
SAMUEL HENRY ADAMS,
Park Avenue, Harrogate.