IMPROVEMENTS IN OR ADDITIONS TO HYDRAULIC RAMS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, FREDERICK BALL of the Firm of Ball and Horton of Birmingham Road,
Stratford-upon-Avon, in the County of Warwick Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR ADDITIONS TO HYDRAULIC
RAMS," to be as follows:-
Hydraulic Rams of the ordinary construction are usually provided with one or
more air chambers wherein air under compression comes into contact with the
water passing through the said engine or ram; and since water has the property of
absorbing air, the air compressed and confined within the vessel, or vessels would
after a certain time be carried away in the water driven through the force pipe,
and unless this air was replenished, the efficiency of the ram would be materially
reduced. The replenishing of the air, is usually effected by an inward opening
valve, which allows air to be sucked through it during certain intervals when the
pulse valve is opened.
The primary object of my said invention is to isolate the air confined within
hydraulic rams, from coming into direct contact with the water passing there-
through; this I effect by enclosing air which is under pressure within a flexible or
yielding bag or sack, or within a space isolated from the water by a disc, diaphragm or
plate which yields or gives to the pressure of the water, and again reacts for forcing
the water up the force pipe, to the level required; and my said invention consists
further in arranging and providing a supplementary and secondary air chamber, and
valve; and outlets, and inlets, and water passages leading from the initial source
of supply, to the force-pipe. The secondary valve being arranged for the purpose
of acting independently of the primary valve and vice-versa; should one or other of
the valves be rendered inoperative, by foreign matters getting under the seats.
The hydraulic ram is constructed and arranged as follows. Water is conducted
from a reservoir or other source of supply which is at a higher level) by a hori-
zontal pipe, called the ram pipe; and within and above this pipe, is a space or
cavity which carries the pulse valve, which when pressed upwards, closes the valve
opening; leading to the waste outlet, and at the end of this inlet pipe or ram
chamber, or further on above the pulse valve, is the primary or delivery valve,
which leads into a water space which lies above the valve, and underneath the
casing of the inlet passage; and within this water space or chamber which is of
nearly the length of the framing of the ram, a flexible sack or bag is placed, inflated

page_text: or primed with air, up to a point equal to the pressure of the column of water to
be raised by its reaction, after having been momentarily compressed by the pressure
of water, in virtue of having acquired an accelerated velocity; and at the top of
the casing near the force pipe, is a supplementary or secondary valve which leads
to a supplementary or secondary chamber; and between the chamber and valves
last described, the force pipe passage is situated. The secondary chamber has
suspended within it a sack or bag of vulcanite india rubber or other yielding sub-
stance like that within the first or primary chamber; so that the primary and
supplementary air bags and valves act in unison when the valves are clear, but
independently when any foreign matter gets between their seats.
The action of the ram is as follows.
Water passing through the ram pipe, and into the ram casing, forces the pulse
valve up to its seat, and then passes through the primary delivery valve, and into
the primary and supplementary chambers, compressing the air within the inflated
bags; thus, the water by its lateral pressure, opens the primary and supplementary
valves, and enters the flexible bag chamber, compressing the bags and air confined
within them. The re-action of this air thus confined, upon the water, cause the
said water to rise in the force pipe proportional to the amount of compression of
the primary bags or sacks.
When the pulse bag is down, the water passes through the valve opening into
the waste pipe. This escape of water effects a rapid increase of the velocity of the
current, which forces the pulse valve up to its seat and prevents the escape of water
by that passage. The water being thus momentarily confined, forces its way into
the chambers where it compresses the air confined within the flexible sacks. The
resistance tbus offered, soon retard the velocity of the current, and allow the
primary and supplementary valves to close, and the pulse valve to fall or open
through the latter of which, water is again allowed to escape, and so on by the
continuance of this action, water is intermittently elevated in the force pipe to the
desired height to which it is to be raised.
By isolating the air from direct contact with the water as hereinbefore described,
the hydraulic rams or water engines are rendered more efficient in their action and
not liable to deteriorate in their working properties.
Although I have described two chambers and two inflated air bags, yet one only
may be employed with like effect.
Instead of an inflated bag or bags hereinbefore described, an air chamber' may be
employed, the entrance to which is closed by a diaphragm of rubber thin metal, or
other suitable yielding material. This material receives the concussion of the
water suddenly checked in its motion, and thus momentarily stores up the energy
created by the excellerated velocity.
In applying my invention to existing hydraulic rams or water engines, it is only
necessary to place an inflated bag (primed to the necessary degree) within an
ordinary unprimed air chamber, when the necessary yielding and reacting medium
is thereby obtained for the efficient working of the engine, without the air coming
in direct contact with the water; so that no lessening or diminution of air takes
place, and no repriming or replenishing is required.

page_text: Improvements in or Additions to Hydraulic Rams.
I, FREDERICK BALL of the firm of Ball and Horton of Birmingham Road,
Stratford upon Avon, in the County of Warwick Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR ADDITIONS TO HYDRAULIC
RAMS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Hydraulic Rams of the ordinary construction are usually provided with one or
more air chambers wherein air under compression comes into direct contact with
the water passing through the said engine or ram; and since water has the
property of absorbing air, the air compressed and confined within the vessel or
vessels, would after a certain time be carried away in the water driven through
the force pipe, and unless this air was replenished, the efficiency of the ram would
be materially reduced. The replenishing of the air, is usually effected by an
inward opening valve, which allows air to be sucked through it during certain
intervals when the pulse valve is opened.
The object of my invention is
(1st) To isolate the air confined within hydraulic rams, so as not to come into
direct contact with the water passing there-through.
(2) To make hydraulic rams self acting and
(3) To construct pumping rams, so that the water which is the motive power for
the working of the engine, is not the water which is raised.
The first named I effect by enclosing air which is under pressure within a flexible
or yielding bag or sack, or within a space isolated from the water by a disc, dia-
phragm or plate which yields or gives to the pressure of the water, and again
reacts for forcing the water up the delivery pipe, to the level required; and my
said invention consists further in arranging and providing a supplementary and
secondary air chamber, and valve; and outlets and inlets, and water passages
leading from the initial source of supply, to the force pipe. The secondary valve
being arranged for the purpose of acting independently of the primary valve and
vice versa should one or other of the valves be rendered inoperative, by foreign
matters getting under their seats.
The hydraulic ram is constructed and arranged as follows:-
Water is conducted from a reservoir or other source of supply (which is at a
higher level) by a horizontal pipe, called the ram pipe; and within and above
this pipe, is a space or cavity which carries the pulse valve which when pressed
upwards, closes the valve opening leading to the waste outlet, and at the end of
this inlet pipe or further on above the pulse valve, is the primary or check valve,
which leads into a water space or chamber lying below the check valve, and
underneath the casing of the inlet passage; and within this water space or chamber

page_text: which is of nearly the length of the framing of the ram, a flexible sack or bag is
placed, inflated or primed with air up to a point equal to the pressure of the column
of water to be raised by its reaction, after having been momentarily compressed
by the pressure of water, by virtue of having acquired an accelerated velocity;
and at the top of the casing near the force pipe, is a supplementary or secondary
valve which leads to a supplementary or secondary chamber; and between the
chamber and valves last described, the delivery pipe passage is situated. The
secondary chamber has suspended within it a sack or bag of vulcanite india-rubber
or other yielding substance like that within the first or primary chamber; so
that the primary and supplementary air bags and valves act in unison when the
valves are clear, but independently when any foreign matter gets between their
seats.
Although I have described two water chambers and two inflated air sacks, yet
only one may be used.
The action of the ram is as follows:-
Water passing through the ram pipe, and into the ram casing, forces the pulse
valve up to its seat, and then passes through the primary check valve, and into
the primary and supplementary chambers (or into one of them) compressing the
air within the inflated bags; thus, the water by its lateral pressure, opens the
primary and supplementary valves, and enters the flexible bag chambers compressing
the bags and air confined within them. The re-action of the air thus confined,
presses itself upon the water and thereby causes the said water to rise in the force
pipe proportional to the amount of compression of the primed bags or sacks.
When the pulse valve is down, the water passes through the valve opening into
the waste pipe. This escape of water effects a rapid increase of the velocity of
the current, which forces the pulse valve up to its seat and prevents the escape
of water by that passage. The water being thus momentarily confined, forces its
way into the chambers, where it compresses the air confined within the flexible
sacks. The resistance thus offered, soon retards the velocity of the current, and
allows the primary and supplementary valves to close, and the pulse valve to fall
or open, through the latter or which, water is again allowed to escape, and so on
by the continuance of this action, water is intermittently elevated in the force pipe
to the desired height to which it is to be raised.
By isolating the air from direct contact with the water as hereinbefore described,
the hydraulic rams or water engines are rendered more efficient in their action
and not liable to deteriorate in their working properties.
Instead of an inflated bag or bags herein before described, an air chamber may
be employed, the entrance to which is closed by a diaphragm of rubber, thiu metal,
or other suitable yielding material. This material receives the concussion of the
water suddenly checked in its motion, and thus momentarily stores up the energy
created by the accelerated velocity.
In applying my invention to existing hydraulic rams or water engines, it is only
necessary to place an inflated bag (primed to the necessary degree) within an
ordinary unprimed air chamber, when the necessary yielding and re-acting medium
is thereby obtained for the efficient working of the engine, without the air coming
in direct contact with the water; so that no lessening or diminution of air takes
place, and no repriming or replenishing is required.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings,
the manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of a hydraulic ram constructed according
to my invention, and provided with an inflated india rubber sack or bag enclosed
within a water chamber, leading to the delivery or force pipe. The said hydraulic
ram or water engine is an automatic starter and restarter.
a is the framing of the ram, 6 is the ram or injection pipe, c is the pulse or
waste valve, and c³ is the waste outlet, through which water flows. d is the check
valve. e is an inlet port leading to the air chamber f. g is an india rubber or

page_text: other flexible bag which is primed or inflated with air, proportional to the height
of water to be raised; thus, if water is to be raised 100 feet, the bag should be
charged to about 40 lbs pressure. The said india rubber sack or bag is provided
with a flanged bottom or base g² by which it is secured at its underside to the ram
framing; so that water acts upon the top and sides of the inflated bag. h is
an air charging valve for priming the rubber bag.
The said rubber bag is made thicker in front of the ports, which part covers the
said ports when no water pressure is being exerted upon the bag.
is the outlet port leading from the air or water chamber to the back pressure
valvej, at the base of the delivery pipe k-1 m are handles or screw-nuts with
handles, for adjusting the lift of the pulse valve, in order to increase or decrease
the outlet passage.
The action of the ram is as follows-
On water passing through the ram pipe b and into the ram casing, it forces the
pulse valve c up to its seating c³ leading to the waste outlet c', thereby shutting
off water from flowing in that direction. The sudden stoppage of the valve,
causes the water to flow to the back end of the casing, and to raise or check
the primary valve d, allowing water to flow through its valve opening d² into the
inlet port e, and from thence through the gridiron passage e³ into the water or air
bag chamber, compressing the inflated bag and air confined within it. The
reaction of the air thus compressed, reasserts itself upon the water, and causes the
said water to be forced through the outlet port i, raising the valve j, and thence to
the delivery pipe; thus, water is raised by suddenly checking the impetus of the
water passing through the ram.
Figure 2 is a complete vertical section of another form of hydraulic ram
constructed according to my invention.
b is the ram or injection pipe, c the pulse or waste valve, d the delivery valve,
e water way, and ƒ water chamber. e² e² e³ are gridiron openings leading from the
water way e to the water chamber f―g is a disc or diaphragm composed of india
rubber or other yielding material, g³ is an india rubber lining, running within the
inside of the space enclosed between the inside of the disc g and the inside of
the chamber cut off by the disc-The said lining is confined between the flanges a³
of the water chamber f; the said lining has also a neck or tubular part g³ sur-
rounding the air or priming valve k-This valve consists of a piston h working
within a cylinder like portion h2, the inside face of which said piston is provided
with a leather or rubber washer for forming a sound joint. between itself and the
face upon which it presses; and encircling the stalk of the valve, a coiled spring /³
is disposed. The end of the priming valve passage is enclosed by a screw i, and
the hole by a cap is the back pressure valve, and k the delivery pipe. 1, m are
handles, having internally screwed bushes 12 m² which screw upon the vertical
screwed stem or sleeve n through which the stalk of the valve c slides. These
handles are for the purpose of regulating the drop of the pulse valve; thus, when
the pulse valve passage requires to take more water, the handle m is lowered, and
the handle rotated, so as to increase the distance between the top 1 of the
handle and the underside of the cap which is carried by the end of the pulse
valve stalk c².
On water passing through the ram pipe b, and into the ram casing, the pulse
valve c being open, water flows therethrough to the waste or delivery pipe, but on
the water acquiring sufficient velocity through the said ram pipe, the pulse
valve c is closed or pressed to its seat. The water thus checked in its outward
passage, exerts itself upon the check valve d raising the said valve from its seat,
and from thence passes through the passage e and gridiron piercings e³ to the inside
of the water chamber f, where it exerts itself upon the front of the diaphragm g
which rests in a position as represented in dotted lines. The pressure thus exerted,
presses back the diaphragm into the midway position as represented, thereby
still further compressing the air enclosed behind it, to an amount of pressure or

page_text: concussion exerted by the water. The energy thus stored up behind the diaphragm,
reasserts itself on the concussion or momentum of the water having expended
itself; thus, on the water in the ram pipe becoming quiescent or partially quiescent,
the pulse valve c drops, when the check valve d is closed. The compressed air
behind the diaphragm being thus liberated, exerts itself through the intervening
diaphragm, upon the water, opening the valvej and through its valve opening
into the delivery pipe k to a height to which it is to be raised; the diaphragm
resuming its normal position as represented in dotted lines. So that by the
continuance of this action, water is intermittently elevated in the force pipe.
By isolating the water by means of an india rubber or other yielding diaphragm,
I am enabled to charge the air space to any required pressure; and further, as a
secondary safe guard, the air when under considerable pressure is prevented from
escaping through the pores of the iron by the rubber lining marked g³.
Figure 3 represents in vertical section a modification of the ram last described.
This ram is also an automatic starter and restarter.
As in the before described arrangements, water passes through the ram b,
through the opening of the pulse valve c, and when closed, the said water passes
through the check valve d, but owing to the air at the back of the diaphragm being
under pressure, the said diaphragm follows the inside lower part of the water
chamber, as represented in dotted lines, thereby forcing the delivery valve j down
to its seat, through the rod 1, spring 73, and table and expanded top 1, upon the
latter of which, the diaphragm on the air reasserting itself, presses-Thus the
water is caused to recoil by the pressure exerted, which closes the valve d; and
when quiescent, the water becomes quiescent or nearly so, when the waste valve c
again drops, which causes another influx of water, and another sudden check;
the recoil being utilized and stored by compressing the air confined behind the
diaphragm, which again reasserts itself, and forces the water up the delivery pipe,
which is prevented from returning, by a valve near its bottom, as already fully
described.
The check valve d is not absolutely necessary for the working of the ram; it is
simply an auxiliary valve that will take the place of the delivery valve, in case of
derangement.
The space behind the diaphragm is charged by a valve h in the same manner as
already described.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of an ordinary air vessel, showing how that part
of my invention relating to the isolation of the air within the air vessel can be
applied to existing rams; by inserting small primed or inflated india rubber balls
in the said air vessel-o is the air vessel or water chamber-p p are a number of
india rubber balls primed or inflated to the required degree; so that on water
being forced into the chamber, it exerts itself upon the balls in the same manner as
has already been described, with respect to a bag or disc.
Figure 5 represents an automatic pumping ram constructed according to my
invention. By means of this ram, the water raised, is not the water by which the
ram is worked; that is, dirty water from a running stream is used for the motive
power, while the water pumped up is a dissimilar or clear water, which may be
used for culinary and other purposes.
a is the framing, b the ram pipe, 62 is the ram chamber, and at the end of the
said ram chamber, a vertical bollow pillar a' is situated. This hollow pillar is of
two internal diameters a³, a, and which said pillar is surmounted by the water
chamber with the rubber diaphragm g as previously described. u is a suction
pipe through which clear water is drawn. The said pipe is provided with valve
and valve openings for preventing the return of the water or back pressure; which
said water may be drawn from a well or other source. vis the delivery pipe
through which water is raised to the desired height.
8, t are two pistons respectively working within the cylinders a³, a. The stalk
or stem which connects the said piston & &t together, is hollow, or is provided

page_text: with a passage through which water flows; that is, the stalk 82 is provided with a
passages communicating with the passage a³ through the gapped side s--w is a
valve, situated at the upper open end of the passage s³-The motion of the double
piston is limited by the stop 85.
Water entering the ram pipe, passes through the pulse valve which is then
afterwards closed by the pressure of the moving water. The check thus given,
creates a concussion within the ram pipe, forcing up the piston 8 to nearly the top
of its cylinder a², and also the piston t to the top of its cylinder a; water which
was in the cylinder a³ is in consequence of the upward movement of the piston
forced through the passage s* of the stalk and thence passes upwards, raising the
valve wand passing into the upper cylinder a; the water from the cylinder a³
being prevented from returning through the pipe u by a check valve; and further,
water which was in the cylinder a³ has been pressed or forced into the water
chamber f, compressing the diaphragm g to the position as represented. On the
concussion thus created by the sudden stoppage of the water on the closing of the
pulse valve, having expended itself, the pulse valve again drops, and the air behind
the diaphragm g reacts or reasserts itself upon the water in the chamber, forcing
the said water up the delivery pipe, and also pressing down the double piston, and
closing the valve at the top or open end of the passage 83 into the position as
represented. The downward movement of the pistons within the cylinder a³,
creates a suction up the pipe u through which water flows into the chamber a³
which again is forced as described through the openings in the stalk of the pistons,
and from thence into the water chamber, and up the delivery pipe. Thus the
water which is used as the motive power for the working of the ram escapes
wholly through the pulse valve passage, on each intermittent opening of the
same. So that the water which works the ram or engine, is not the water that
is raised.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is―
First. Isolating the air usually confined within the air vessel of a hydraulic ram
from direct contact with the water passing therethrough, by confining or enclosing
the air (which is employed for the raising of water by its reaction or recoil) within
an india rubber or other flexible or yielding sack, bag or other enclosure confined
within the ram casing, substantially as described and illustrated in figures 1 and 4
of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. Isolating or cutting off the air confined within the air vessel of a
hydraulic ram, from direct contact with the water to be raised or passing there-
through, by means of a diaphragm, partition or other enclosure, composed of india
rubber, thin metal, or other yielding material, substantially as described and
illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. Employing air under pressure for producing self acting rams that start
and restart; by confining the said air, within flexible sacks, bags, or behind flexible
diaphragms or enclosures, which are inflated or primed to a point equal or about
equal to, the pressure of the column of water to be raised by its reaction or recoil,
substantially as described and illustrated.
Fourthly. Lining the inside chambers of primed air vessels or enclosures, with
india rubber or other like material, to prevent the escape of air confined therein,
substantially as described and illustrated in figure 2.
Fifthly. Adjusting the drop, or regulating the amount of opening of the pulse
or waste valve (to determine the amount of beat) by means of handles l, m, having
internally screwed bushes 12, m², which take upon an externally wormed sleeve n
through which sleeve the stalk of the pulse valve works, substantially as described
and illustrated.

page_text: Sixthly. Employing a secondary or auxiliary valve, to act independently of the
primary valve, should the primary valve get choked, or vice-versa, substantially as
described and illustrated.
The general construction and arrangement of parts of hydraulic
rams or water engines, substantially as described and illustrated in figures 1, 2
and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventhly.