Improvements in Apparatus for Forcing and Lifting Water and other Liquids.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 21st Feb., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Forcing and Lifting Water and
other Liquids.
I WILLIAM HARGREAVES of No. 48 Park Road Aston near Birmingham in the
County of Warwick, manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention has for its object an improvement in the means of lifting water
by the use of compressed air, from wells, quarries, mines and the like, and for lifting
water and other liquids in breweries, chemical works and similar establishments, and
for other purposes, and consists in its primary form of a vessel of suitable capacity to
be called the receiver, submerged in the water or other liquid to be raised, and
mounted with connections and valves working automatically by which it is alternately
filled and discharged, and working in connection with appliances by which the amount
of compressed air used is reduced to a minimum..
In an apparatus constructed in accordance with this Invention, the vessel or receiver
is made of iron or steel or other metal, and preferably of a long cylindrical shape, and
is with its adjuncts hung or suspended vertically by suitable chains or rods from
any convenient stage above the water in any shaft or pit, or over any chamber in
which it is to work. At the base of the receiver are provided an inlet and an outlet
pipe, governed by valves, as in an ordinary plunger or force pump, for admitting
and discharging the water.
On the top of the vessel and communicating therewith is a pipe of comparatively
small diameter, and rising to a height of more than double the depth of the receiver.
At about half its height is a chamber extending on each side of the pipe, and on
one side is fixed an inlet valve for compressed air, and on the other an outlet
valve.
Within the receiver is a hollow metallic float of somewhat less diameter, on the
top of which is a stem which rises when the float is at the top of the receiver
to near the top of the last mentioned pipe, and passes through the said valve
chamber.
The pipe over the said valve chamber is closed at the top by a cap, but has a branch
at this point with an air valve opening inwards when the air in the receiver is reduced
to a certain pressure. The valves in the valve chamber above mentioned are of the
equilibrium type and are operated by short levers actuated by studs or tappets on the
float stem.
Compressed air for working the apparatus may be obtained by any known com-
pressor worked by steam or water power or otherwise, and connected therewith by a
suitable line of piping.
When the compressed air has done its work in the receiver, the bulk of it is
discharged into a reservoir much larger in capacity, and is proportionately reduced in
pressure before the portion remaining in the receiver after each discharge of water is
passed into the atmosphere.
The compressor is supplied in part from this reservoir, and is fixed in any convenient
position in relation thereto at the top or near any shaft, pit, or other place, and is
connected to the reservoir and pumping apparatus respectively by lines of piping.

page_text: The deficiency of the supply of air from the reservoir to the compressor is made good
by a valve admitting air direct from the atmosphere.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows. The receiver being submerged charges
itself with water or other liquid the valve on the top of the pipe on the receiver being
open. The float gradually rising till when near the top, the tappets on the stem open
the air supply pipe and close the valve on the top of the pipe above mentioned. The
water is then rapidly forced out of the vessel up the rising main.
At a suitable point in the descent of the water the compressed air inlet valve is
closed and the remainder of the movement finished by the expansion of the air. When
the float is near the bottom the tappets open the air outlet valve to the pipe to
the reservoir, which latter is provided with a back pressure valve to prevent the return
of air. The pressure is thus rapidly reduced to that of the reservoir, and the top valve
on the pipe on the receiver opens and relioves the receiver of any pressure. The
water again enters and the movement is continued.
The float and stem have roller guides running freely on ribs inside the receiver and
the pipe above, and the stem is preferably made of two sides with space between.
The air inlet and outlet valves are worked by a tumbler weight movement, to open and
shut when but partially moved. The lever operating the inlet valve may be forked
passing outside the stem, a tappet on each side of which opens and shuts the valve
respectively. The outlet valve lever passos, and is operated by, tappets inside the
stem. The studs, or tappets can be made adjustable by screws and rods from the top
of the stem when the lid of its pipe is off.
Equivalent devices may be used for working the valves, and two or more receivers
combined in one apparatus working in unison or alternately.
Dated this 6th day of June 1889.
WILLIAM HARGREAVES.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Apparatus for Forcing and Lifting Water and
other Liquids.
I, WILLIAM HARGREAVES, of 48 Park Road, Aston near Birmingham in the County
of Warwick, Manufacturer 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:
This invention relates to that class of apparatus for forcing or lifting water or
other liquids by means of compressed air in which such air operates within the
forcing vessel or chamber to expel the water or other liquid therefrom and may
press direct upon the surface of the water or other liquid without the intervention of
a piston.
Apparatus of the character and for the purpose described, constructed according
to this invention, consists in its simplest form, of a vessel or chamber, having an
inlet valve through which the water or other liquid to be raised or forced is supplied,
an inlet valve through which the compressed air is admitted to press upon the surface
of the water and force it out of the vessel, an outlet valve through which the water
is forced out of the vessel, an outlet valve for the escape of air, and a float within
the vessel or chamber which operates the air valves through the medium of tappets
and levers or other suitable mechanism without the intervention of any auxiliary
motor such as an air or water cylinder.
The invention is capable, however, of considerable variation in detail, and com-
prises as special features the use of the compressed air expansively within the
vessel and an arrangement by which, when the terminal pressure is considerable, a
portion of the work remaining in the compressed air after it has forced the water
out of the vessel is utilised; and comprises, also, certain improvements in parts of
the mechanism or apparatus employed.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates, chiefly in vertical section but

page_text: partially in exterior elevation, a simple modification of the apparatus combined with
means for economising the compressed air as it leaves the forcing vessel. A
vessel A, preferably of iron or steel, is shewn as supported within a well or
shaft BB beneath the surface of the water, by means of hangers or chains a, so
that it can readily be drawn up above the water, if desired, for the purpose of
repairing the inlet and outlet water valves or for other reason; or the vessel may
be fixed rigidly, if desired, to bearers carried within the shaft. The foot of this
vessel is provided with an inlet valve 6 which opens automatically and allows the
water to rush through and fill the vessel A, and which closes automatically
immediately pressure is brought upon the surface of the water tending to force it
out of the vessel. An outlet passage c is formed in the foot of the chamber and
communicates with the rising main C, and an outlet valve within a box d allows
the water to be forced up into the rising main but prevents its return. A vertical
pipe D is carried up from the centre of the top of the vessel, with the interior of
which it communicates, and upon this pipe is carried a mounting E E through
which there is communication with an air inlet valve in a box e and with an air
outlet valve in a box el. A pipe D' is carried upon the top of the mounting so as
to be in line with the pipe D, and there is a clear opening formed through the
mounting so that there is an unobstructed lumen of the pipes D and D₁ through to
one another. A float F, which may be hollow and made of copper sheet, or other
metal, though it may of course be of wood or other suitable substance, floats within
the water in the vessel A and is fitted with a stem ƒ which passes up the common
axis of the tubes D D'. The float is, preferably, fitted with rollers g by which it is
guided against the sides of the vessel and thus kept central, three of such rollers
proferably being employed, spaced equally around the circumference; and the upper
end of the stem is correspondingly guided within the pipe D¹, two rollers
preferably being used in such case and guided in grooves i i formed in the pipe D'
(see figures 5 and 6 hereinafter described) by which means the stem fis prevented
from turning axially. Within the mounting E E are pivoted levers a¹ for
operating the inlet and outlet air valves respectively. The lever is moved into
an upward position, as shewn, by a tappet c' on the stem f and into a downward
position by a corresponding tappet d¹ on such stem, and the lever a' is correspondingly
operated by similar tappets on the other side of the stem.
Before describing the means by which the compressed air is economised as it
leaves the vessel A I will describe the operation of the apparatus shewn by figure 1.
assuming that no such means are employed and that the compressed air is simply
to be discharged into the atmosphere as it leaves the vessel. In the position in
which the moving parts of the apparatus are shewn by figure 1 the water is supposed
to have filled the vessel A, the inlet air valve in the box e to be open and the outlet
air valve in the box e¹ to be closed. The pressure of the compressed air is thus
exerted upon the surface of the water in the vessel A and forces it out through the
passage and valve in box d and up the rising main C, the valve 6 being securely
closed by the pressure of the water within the vessel A. The float F travels down
as the surface of the water lowers, and as it approaches the end of its downward
stroke the upperitappet on the stem f, which is on the opposite side thereof to the
upper tappet d', bears upon the top of the valve lever a¹, and by moving such lever
downwards closes the valve in the box e in the manner hereinafter more fully
described, and the upper tappet d¹ bears upon the lever b', and by moving down
such lever opens the valve in the box e¹. The tappets are so arranged, as will be
redily understood, as to ensure that the air inlet valve will be closed before the air
outlet valve is opened. Immediately the air outlet valve in the box e' is opened the
compressed air which has been used to force the water out of the vessel A escapes
into the atmosphere, and as it escapes the pressure of the water outside the vessel A
causes the valve to open and the water rushes in through such valve and again
fills the vessel, and as the water in the vessel rises the float and stem are carried
up again into the position shown by figure 1. As the float approaches the end of its
upward stroke the tappet c' raises the lever b¹ and closes the outlet air valve, and a

page_text: corresponding tappet on the opposite side of the stem fraises the lever a¹ and opens
the air inlet valve, when the water is again forced out of the vessel A as before.
The lower tappets are also arranged, as will be readily understood, so as to ensure
that the outlet air valve will be closed before the inlet air valve is opened. The
stem may consist conveniently of a tube, which it is preferred shall be hermetically
closed so as to avoid waste space being open to the compressed air. The float F
may, if desired, be made just an easy fit within the vessel, in which case of course
it becomes an easy fitting piston. There is, however, no special purpose to be gained
by employing it in this manner.
The construction and method of operating the air valves will be clearly understood
on reference to figures 2 and 3, drawn to an enlarged scale, to figure 4 drawn to a
still larger scale, and to figures 5, 6 and 7. Of these figure 2 is an elevation, partly
in section, of the mounting E E and valve boxes e e; figure 3 is a plan of such
mounting and of the valve box e', shewing part of the mounting in section; figure 4
is a vertical section of the air outlet valve; figure 5 is a vertical section through a
portion of the pipe D' and mounting E E before described shewing the upper portion
of the stem and tappet d'in elevation, and the upper middle portion of such stem
in section with an expansion tappet and other detail hereinafter described; figure 6
is a section taken on line y y of figure 5; and figure 7 is a vertical section taken
on line y y of figure 5. Referring first to the section of the inlet valve shewn
by figure 2, and of the outlet valve shewn by figure 4:-Within the outer shell e
or e¹ of the valve box is carried a cylindrical inner shell j, preferably formed in
one casting therewith being joined thereto by the inlet, or outlet, pipe or ³,
which forms part of the casting, and an annular space k is left all round between
the inner shell ; and the outer shell e, or e', except for the part where the pipe j¹
or occurs and a stud k¹ on the opposite sido for convenience in casting. Valve
seatings are formed in the top and bottom, respectively, of the cylindrical shell j
by means of annular plugs or ferrules screwed into the ends of such shell, and
the ends of the shell are, preferably, flanged slightly inwards to allow for con-
veniently tapping or threading them to receive the plugs. The openings through
both of the plugs or seatings for the same valve are (in the illustrations given)
formed of the same diameter, and the valve is provided with two faces, which,
in the case of the inlet valve beat upwards and in the case of the outlet valve beat
downwards against or upon the seatings 11. The lower face of the inlet valve
and the upper face of the outlet valve may, respectively, be conveniently formed
solid with the valve stem m, and the upper face of the inlet valve, and the lower
face of the outlet valve, is passed over the stem and held in place by a pair of lock
nuts m¹ screwed on the valve stem. Both faces are provided with suitable wings to
act as guides within the seatings. By screwing the seatings in as described, and
fixing one of the faces of a valve to the stem as above described, the valve may be
readily fitted to its seatings notwithstanding that the seatings are of the same
diameter. Each valve is thus in perfect equilibrium in relation to the air pressure,
but if desired (especially in the case of large valves) one of the faces may be
increased in diameter, so that the air pressure acts to some extent in relief of the
weight of the valve and thus enables a less balance weight (hereinafter described) to
be used in opening it than would otherwise be the case. In the case of the inlet
valve the air passes from the inlet supply pipe j¹ into the shell j and from thence
divides, a portion of it passing up through the upper seating and down around the
annular space k into the lower part n of the valve box, and the other portion passing
direct through the lower seating into the part n. The part n is in direct communi-
cation with the mounting E E, and consequently with the pipe D and chamber A.
The escaping air passes, of course, through the outlet valve just in the reverse of the
way in which the air supply passes through the inlet valve. A jaw o, or corre-
sponding part, is formed on the lower end of the stem of the inlet valve for the con-
nection of a valve rod p therewith, and a corresponding jaw o¹, or equivalent part, is
fixed upon
the lower end of the stem of the outlet valve for the connection therewith
of a valve rod p'. Referring now specially to figures 2 and 3, the lever a¹ is carried

page_text: forwards, beyond its fulcrum q, as a short arm r. This arm enters. within a long
vertical slot formed in the lower end of the valve rod p, or formed within a box fixed
to such lower end as shewn, and the nave or central portion of the lever carries a
weight, which when the lever is in its upward position, as shewn, is over to the
left-hand side of the vertical centre of the fulcrum q, and tends to maintain the lever
in such position that its end r, bearing upon the bottom of the slot, maintains the
inlet air valve open as shown. When the inner end of the lever a¹ has been moved
down sufficiently the weight overbalances it, and causes it to move down indepen-
dently of the tappet on the stem and thus brings the end of the lever against
the top of the slot and lifts the valve rod p and closes the valve. As the stem ƒ is
completing its upward stroke the lever a¹ is again raised (by one of the lower tappets),
and the weight overbalances and opens the valve, bringing the parts again into the
position shewn by figure 2. A short stem s, below the slot in the box carried by the
rod P,
is guided within a suitable hole in the mounting, as shewn, and thus maintains
the rod p in a vertical position. The outlet air valve is operated in precisely the same
manner, except that the corresponding movement of its lever causes the reverse action
of the valve. It will be seen that the valves are opened and closed by the tumbling of
the weights, and that the tappets and levers operate merely to cause the tumbling
over of the weights from side to side. The weight is shewn to be divided in plan,
so as to allow room for the valve rod p and the box in which the slot is formed to
pass between the two sides of the weight. The mounting Ę E is formed, preferably.
with a hollow cylindrical chamber on each side of the central vertical opening through
it, as such-shaped chambers are best adapted to receive the tumbling mechanism for
operating the valves; and in order to reduce as much as possible the air space in the
mounting, blocks of wood or other material are fitted into the chambers, or the
chambers are suitably cored out for such purpose. By the method above described of
operating the air valves no packing boxes are required, as the whole mechanism
for the purpose is contained within spaces which are in free communication
with one another. Referring now specially to figures 5, 6 and 7, the upper
tappets are fixed by means of a bolt 3 passing through both of them and
through a hole formed through the stem, as shewn. The bottom tappets (not shewn
in either of these views) are fixed in a corresponding manner. Grooves are formed
in the pipe D to allow of the passage of the upper tappets, and corresponding
grooves are formed in the pipe D (figure 1) to allow of the passage of the lower
tappets. Provision is shewn also by these views for cutting off the supply of com-
pressed air at any desired point during the operation of forcing the water out of the
vessel, so that the air contained within the vessel may operate expansively in forcing
out the remaining water. For this purpose a long slot a² is formed through the
stem f, and a tappet is fixed between the sides of the slot by means of bolts c
passing through such tappet and through the sides of the stem. A number of bolt
holes are formed through the sides of the stem so that the tappet 6 can be moved
up or down the stem to alter the expansion. The tappet strikes the end of a lever e
(figure 5) which is mounted on the same axis as the lever a' of the air inlet valve.
The lever is set at an angle somewhat downwards from the lever a¹, as shewn, and
upon being depressed to a certain point by the tappet the weight overbalances and
closes the inlet air valve and moves the lever e², and consequently the lever a¹₂
respectively, into the positions shown by broken lines, with the end of the lever
clear of the path of the tappet 62. The tappet 6' consequently passes by the end of
the levere during its further downward stroke, and passes it again during its upward
stroke. The valve is closed by one of the lower tappets moving up the lever a¹ as
before described, and this movement of the lever a raises the levere again into the
position shewn by full lines (figure 5). It will be seen that the slot a' and the other
holes formed through the stem are closed from communication with the interior of
the stem. The lever e' may of course be operated by an expansion tappet fixed to
the side of the stem, in which case one of the levers a would be operated from a
tappet fixed in the slot. The stem may be formed solid, if desired, of light material
such as wood, or if of heavier material, a float of correspondingly greater floation

page_text: must be used. Brass and copper tubes may be obtained drawn to a segmental
section and the stem may be built up of such tubes so as to leave the necessary slot
therein.
For the purpose of economising the compressed air it is preferred to discharge
some of the exhaust air under pressure into a receiver, preferably of course larger
in capacity than the vessel A (say about two to four times the capacity), from which
it is supplied to the air compressor. This discharge takes place through the exhaust
valve in the box e¹. Referring specially to figure 1, a check valve (not shown, but
of which the character will be readily understood) is interposed in the air exhaust
pipe f, preferably as near to the valve in the box e as may be convenient, to prevent
(on the opening of the escape valve, hereinafter described, and prior to the closing,
in the manner above described, of the valve in the box e¹) the return of the air
exhausted therethrough, and upon the pressure within the vessel being reduced to a
predetermined point an air escape valve in a box h¹ opens inwardly automatically
against the pressure and allows the remaining air in the vessel to escape into the
atmosphere. A convenient method of operating this escape valve is shown by figure 1,
and in greater detail by the enlarged views figures 1" and 1b (sheet 5) which are,
respectively, a vertical section (shewing, however, the valve box in elevation), and
a plan of figure 1ª with the lid or cover of the pipe D¹ removed. The valve in the
box may be of the character of the air outlet valve before described, but the lower
face is just sufficiently larger than the upper to ensure the valve remaining closed at
any pressure above that at which the valve is desired to open. Immediately the
pressure falls to this point the weight of the valve, with its spindle and lever and of
the spindle which rests (as hereinafter described upon the outer end of the lever),
causes it to fall open and allow the escape of air; or additional weight may be added
to the valve or to the lever thereof, if found necessary for this purpose. The valve is
closed by the upper end of the stem f; and to enable this to be done a lever n¹ is
passed through a slot in the valve spindle, and in its normal or downward position,
as shewn, supports a spindle is, by means of studs carried by the spindle on opposite
sides thereof and which rest in notches formed in the upper side of the jawed outer
end of the lever. The upper end of the spindle is guided in a suitable opening in
the cover m³ of the pipe D¹ within which it fits quite easily to prevent sticking. The
lower end of the spindle is formed of an inverted conical shape (shewn by broken
lines) with a base larger in diameter than the spindle so as to leave a shoulder around
the spindle. Upon this shoulder is carried an angle-section collar 6. Around and
upon the collar and standing up above it a considerable distance, as shewn, is carried
a spiral spring c which encircles the spindle, and upon and within the spiral spring
is placed a second angle-shaped collar 6. The collar 6 bears against the under side
of studs carried on opposite sides of the spindle, and these studs come immediately
under the jaw of the lever n'. An opening e³ (shewn by broken lines) is formed a
short distance down the axis of the stem f, and the conical shape of the end of the
spindle ensures it being guided into the end of the stem as the latter approaches the
termination of its upward stroke. The valve is closed by the end of the stem pressing
up the collar band consequently pushing up (through the medium of the spring c³)
the collar , studs d³, and outer end of the lever n', and after the valve is closed the
spiral spring yields sufficiently to allow the further upward movement of the stem
necessary to operate the lever for opening the inlet air valve. On the downward
stroke of the stem the high pressure within the vessel of course maintains the escape
valve closed. The receiver into which the compressed air is discharged, and from
which it passes to the compressor, is provided with a valve opening inwards through
which air is drawn from the exterior atmosphere to keep up the necessary supply in
the receiver. The force of the discharge of the compressed air is utilized by the
pressure thereof acting against the suction side of the piston of the air cylinder, as
will be readily understood.
A modification of this invention in which the float slides up and down the stem
and operates a rod passing down the axis of the stem and carrying the tappets
for actuating the air valves, is illustrated, chiefly in vertical section, by figure 8,

page_text: vice versa.
certain details of such arrangement being shewn to enlarged scale by figures 9 and 10.
Referring to figure 8 the water (or other liquid) is shewn to pass through a blast-
hole-piece G, and through a clack valve s', into the vessel A, but this of course is not
an essential feature of this modification, as the same character of inlet water valve
may be employed in this case as in the case of the modification first described, and
The blast-hole-piece is shewn as resting on the bottom of the well or
reservoir which contains the liquid and supporting the vessel, but the vessel may of
course be hung if necessary. A fixod tube f¹ forms a stem or guide up and down
which slides the float F, in this case shewn preferably in a somewhat flattened form.
The upper end of the tube f' is carried by a perforated plate or crossbar u, and the
lower end is maintained in a central position by means of a stud u³ carried by a
perforated plate or cross-bar . Referring now also to figure 9, a tube or rod v¹ within
the tube is connected with a sleeve or sliding collar w, which has a flange around
its upper edge, preferably dished to suit the curved surface of the float F, by means
of a cross-bar or gibb wo which passes through a slot g¹ formed through each side of
the lower end of the tube f' and of sufficient length to allow the tube v¹ and sleeve wo
to move for the necessary vertical distance, as hereinafter described. A similar
arrangement (not shewn in figure 9) is adopted at the upper portion of the vessel
but the sleeve or collar wo is inverted, that is to say, the flange is formed around its
under side. The rod v carries on its upper portion tappet pieces t t for operating
the valve levers a¹ 61 corresponding to the valve levers a 'before described. The
tappet piece t is shewn in plan by figure 10, and both tappet pieces are formed
conveniently as clips passing around the tube v¹ and tightened up thereon by means
of screws g² passing through ears k³, this method of fixing them allowing of any
desired degree of adjustment as to height. The upper tappet piece carries a tappet d¹
for opening the air outlet valve in the box el, and also, on its opposite side, a
corresponding tappet d', shewn by broken lines, for closing the air inlet valve in the
box e, the latter tappet having a lead downwards over the tappet d for the purpose
previously described.
The tappet piece (2 carries corresponding tappets, the one
having a lead over the other, for closing the air outlet valve and opening the air
inlet valve, respectively. The upper end of the tube ¹ is steadied by a stud or
guide (figure 8) which is fixed to a cap m² and passes down into such tube.
The operation of this modification is as follows:-Assuming the parts to be in the
position shewn by figure 8, with the inlet air valve closed and the outlet air valve
opened, and the vessel A empty of water, the pressure of the water exterior to such
vessel will cause the valve & to open inwards, and the water will rush through filling
the vessel A and carrying up the float F which slides up the fixed tube or stem f
As the float F approaches the top of its stroke it bears against the underside of the
sleeve and raises the inner tube v¹ and thus, through the medium of the tappets
carried by the tappet piece (2, closes the air outlet valve and opens the air inlet valve,
whereupon the pressure of the air forces the water out of the vessel A, through the
valve in the box d and up the rising main C; and the float F descends as the level
of the water lowers in the vessel, and as the float approaches the bottom of its stroke
it bears upon the flange of the sleeve to and thus moves down the tube v₁ and,
through the medium of the tappets carried by the tappet piece t, closes the air inlet
vaive and opens the air outlet valve, whereupon the water again rushes into the vessel
as before. It will be seen that, according to this modification, the rod or tube which
carries the tappets and causes the operation of the air valves is moved only towards
the termination of the upward and downward strokes of the float F, and thus the
entire stroke of such rod or tube is very short compared with the stroke of the stem
of the modification first described. The upper and lower tappets carried by the
tube must of course be placed sufficiently apart to allow of the levers falling, as
the weights overbalance, without catching the tappets. It is sufficient therefore, in
this case, to fix a cap m² upon the upward branch of the mounting E E, as a long
pipe to receive the upper end of the stem is not required as when a long stroke is
given to the moving stem or rod. In this modification also a portion of the com-
pressed air may be discharged into a receiver as before described. When this is

page_text: desired an escape valve is mounted on the upward branch of the mounting E E, in
lieu of the cap m², as will be readily understood.
A modification of this invention in which the rising main is carried up through
the centre of the vessel A is shewn in elevation by figure 11. In this case it is
convenient to operate by separate stems or rods the inlet and outlet air valves,
respectively, and if the extra escape valve is used, as when it is desired to economise
the use of the compressed air, either of such stems or rods may be employed to
actuate such valve. In the case of employing stems fof the character of the first
modification described, such are fixed to the float F which itself slides up and down
the rising main C, and each of such stems is carried up an independent passage or
casing extending above the top of the vessel A, as shewn, each passage or casing
being made up of a short branch pipo D, of a mounting E which has a single
chamber formed out on one side of the vertical passage, and of an upper pipe D¹.
The mounting on one side carries the inlet air valve and the lever and tumbler
apparatus for operating same, and the mounting on the other side carries the outlet
air valve and the lever and tumbler apparatus for operating it. If it is desired to
operate each valve by means of an internal rod or tube within a fixed tube or stem,
as in the method described with reference to figure 8, the two independent rods are
carried down the two independent fixed stems, respectively, each in the manner in
which the single rod is carried in the modification described with reference to such
figure, as will be readily understood.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate, respectively, in vertical section, and in sectional plan
taken on linex of figure 12, a method by which the necessary vibration or stroke
of an arm (corresponding to the arm previously described) within the slot of an
air valve rod p may be given by a very short stroke of a lover n³ (corresponding to
lever a or previously described). In this case the lever n² is mounted on a
fulcrum which is on a different axis to that of the arm. The inner end of the
lever n is formed as a tooth sector or quadrant which gears with teeth formed around
or partially around the boss or central portion of the arm 2, the radius of the sector
being greater than the radius of the teeth of the arm. According to this arrange-
ment the valves must, of course, be seated in the reverse manner to that adopted
when a single lever a¹ or 6' is employed, as in this case a downward movement
of the outer end of the lever produces a downward movement of the arm³,
whereas when the lever a¹ or bis employed the downward movement of the outer
end of the lever produces of course an upward movement of the arm.
80.
It will readily be seen that whichever modification of this invention is employed,
it is not essential to submerge the apparatus or any part of it beneath the surface of
the water or other liquid to be raised or forced, though it is usually preferred to do
The water or other liquid may be fed to the inlet valve through a pipe from a
source of supply which is sufficiently above the vessel A to ensure the expulsion of
the air therefrom; or the apparatus may of course draw its own water or other
liquid, as in the case of a puinp, if the air compressor is allowed to exhaust the air
from the vessel, as it may readily be made to do. In the latter case, however, no
escape valve for discharging into the atmosphere is required.
It will be seen that the valves are operated by the aid of the float without the
intervention of a motor such as has been previously employed in apparatus of the
class to which the invention relates, that is to say a motor of which the valves are
operated by the float and which itself' actuates the air valves.
Having now 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
1. In apparatus of the character described for forcing and lifting water or other
liquids by means of compressed air, operating the air valves by the aid of a float
through the intervention of mechanism so contained within the apparatus that no part
of it needs to pass through an opening requiring to be packed, substantially as
described.

page_text: 2. In apparatus of the character described for forcing and lifting water or other
liquids by means of compressed air, operating the air valves by the aid of a float
through the medium of suitable the mechanism without the intervention of an auxiliary
motor, substantially as described and shown.
3. In apparatus of the character described for forcing and lifting water or other
liquids by means of compressed air, the combination of a float within the forcing
vessel, a stem carried by such float and itself carrying tappets, inlet and outlet air
valves, levers actuated by the tappets and tumbler weights for operating the valves, all
constructed and operating substantially as described; and also the modification of such
combination in which the float operates a separate tube or rod which carries the tappets,
substantially as described.
4. In apparatus of the character described for forcing and lifting water or other
liquids by means of compressed air, the combination of a fout within the foreing
vessel, of a stem carried by such out for actanting the air valve mechanism, and of a
easing or narrow chamber carried above-sach-vessel for the passage of the stem,
substantially as described and shewn.
5. The mounting E E-having chambers on each side of a central vertical passage,
substantially as described for the purpose set forth; and the modification thereof in
which a single chamber is formed on one side of a vertical pussage as when two stems
are used in a single forcing vessel, as described.
6. 4. The combination of mounting E E, tumbler weight mechanism, and air valves,
substantially as shewn by figures 2 and 3, for the purpose set forth-;-and the modi-
fication thereof in which a single valve is carried by the mounting as when two stems
are used with a single forcing vessel, as described.
The methods, substantially as described with reference to the drawings, by
which the rise and fall of a float is utilized to operate the air valves, for the purpose
set forth.
8. In apparatus of the character described for foreing and lifting water or other
liquids by means of compressed air, cutting off the supply of air to the forcing vessel
or chamber so as to utilize it expansively in expelling the water or other liquid
therefrom, substantially as herein described.
0.5. The combination of a tappet carried by the float stem with a lever or arm which
actuates a tumbler weight, such lever or arm falling clear of the path of the tappet
as it is operated by the weight in closing the air inlet valve, substantially as described
for the purpose set forth.
10. 6. The combination of the float stem having a slotted opening a³ therethrough,
with the tappet, levers a¹ e mounted together upon a common axis so as to move
together, and tumbler weight 1, constructed and operating substantially as described
and shewn by figures 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings herewith; and also the alternative
arrangement described in which the lever is operated by a tappet on the side of
the stem.
H. 7. In apparatus of the character described for forcing and lifting water or
other liquids by means of compressed air, the method substantially as described of
economising the compressed air after it has forced the water or other liquid out of the
forcing vessel, that is to say, by discharging a portion of it under pressure into
a receiver from which it passes to the air compressor, the remainder being exhausted
into the atmosphere.
12. 8. In apparatus of the character described for forcing and lifting water or other
liquids by means of compressed air, an inlet valve for admitting compressed air to
the forcing vessel, an outlet valve through which a portion of the compressed air
is discharged from such vessel into a receiver, and an escape valve through which
the remaining air is exhausted from such vessel into the atmosphere, substantially as
described.
13. In apparatus of the character described for forcing and lifting water or other
liquids by means of compressed air, an escape valve which is self-opening on the
pressure of air within the forcing vessel falling below a predetermined point,
་་་

page_text: vessel operating through suitable mechanism substantially as described, for the purpose
set forth.
14. 9. The means substantially as described, with reference more especially to
figure 1 and 1, by which the self-opening escape valve in the box h¹ is operated
from a stem actuated by a float within the forcing vessel, for the purpose. set
forth.
15. 10. The combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as described with
reference to figure 1 (and to detail views relating thereto), constituting apparatus
for forcing or lifting water or other liquids by means of compressed air, whether with
or without means substantially as described of using the air expansively or of
economising the air discharged from the forcing vessel.
16. 11. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the modification,
substantially as described with reference to figures 8, 9 and 10, of apparatus for forcing
or lifting water or other liquids by means of compressed air.
17 12. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the modification,
substantially as described with reference to figure 11, of apparatus for forcing or lifting
water or other liquids by means of compressed air.
1.
1000
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.