US1214791A - Method of raising or forcing liquid. - Google Patents

Description

H. A. HUMPHREY.

METHOD OF RAlSlNG 0R FORCING LIQUID. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. 1911. RENEWED JUNE 27.1916.

1,214,791. Patented Feb. 6,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ATTORNEY.

H. A. HUMPHREY. METHOD OF RAISING 0R FORCING LIQUID.

APPLICATION FILED 1ULY22, 191l- RENEWED JUNE 27.1916- 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Patented Feb. 6,

INVEHTOR BY 2 I WITNESSES II TTUBNEV.

H. A. HUMPHRE Y. METHOD OF RAISING 0R FORCING LIQUID.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 191].

RENEWED JUNE 27. 1916.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 IfdI/EIVTUR j WITNESSES fl TTORNEV.

HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HUMPHREY GAS PUMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF RAISING OR FORCING LIQUID.

1 214,791, I Specification of Letters Patent. Patented F b. 6, 191*? Application filed July 22, 1911, Serial No. 689,972. Renewed June 27, 1916. Serial No. 106,261.

To all'whom it may concern: mixing as far'as ossible the combustion Be it known that I, HERBERT ALFRED chamber should be suitably shaped and the HUMPHREY, a subject of the King of Great inlet and exhaust valves suitably arranged Britain, residing in London, England, have relatively to each other; for the same pur- 5 invented a new and useful Method of Raispose the combustible charge may be preing or Forcing Liquid, of which the followceded b a quantity of air. ing is a speci cation. V I The .ollow'ing is an example of the work- My invention relates to internal combus- 1ng cycle which may be obtained :Ignition tion pumps and compressors, in which a of a compressed combustible charge fol- 10 column of liquid is propelled outwardly lowed by expansion of the burnt products from acombustion chamber by an expansive and the lntake of a fresh combustible charge force, whereby a fresh expansible charg is (accompanied or notby the intake of fresh introduced, and inwhich a column of liquid liquid) during the outstroke of the liquid flows inwardly toward a combustion chamcolumn. During the instroke of the liquid 15 her whereby the h j r d, column burnt products are first expelled and The object of my invention is to provide then the fresh combustible charge coman improved method whereby the kinetic pressed ready for ignition to start a fresh energy of the outwardly propelled column cycle. If the scavenging air or the comof liquid may be utilized in introducing abustible charge or both are supplied under 20 fresh expansible charge. I may also introsllght pressure, then they can begin to enter duce fresh-scavenging air before the burnt as soon as the burnt gases have expanded products are expelled. approximately to atmospheric pressure and Referring to the accompanying drawings, continue to enter until the instroke of the y by y of ex mple, ap llquid column closes the exhaust valve. One

illustrating merel 25 paratus for effecting the improved method of the advantages of this cycle arises from herein described, Figure 1 is a diagramthe fact that there need be no locking gear matic vertical section. Fig. 2 is a detailin e we n the inlet and exhaust valves, and

vertical section on an enlarged scale of an h renders he use f a number of inlet andinlet valve. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical exhaust valv fi y matte! S0 ha large 30 section showing modification in combustion valve areas may e employed. High comchamber and inlet and exit valves. Fig. 4-is presslon pressures may also be obtained, a vertical section showin other modificasince during its instroke the liquid column tions. Fig. 5 is a vertica section showing may gain velocity while driving out the further modifications in combustion chamgaseous contents of the combustion chamber 35 ber and inlet and exit valves and also showuntil the exhaust valve closes, and compresing a free piston interposed betw en th slon of the fresh combustible charge begins. H

charge and the liquid. Fig. 6 is a vertical Again, certain portlons of the combustion section showing means and method for introchamber may be maintained comparatively ducing gas and air by movements in the suphot and dry, and such hot portions may be 40 ply liquid. conveniently used in connection with the use Similar numerals refer to similar parts of l1qu1 d' fuels which require to be vaporized. throughout the several views. 7 In Flg. 1, 1 is the main body of a combus- I find that it is possible to introduce into tion chamber, circular in plan, the upthe combustion chamber a fresh combustible p r part 2 f which is annular and closed 46 h rg before the exhaust gases hav be except for a ring of admission valves two expelled from the chamber, without pr of which, 3 and 3 are shown. At a lower ignition. Moreover, whether the combustilevel are exhaust valves 4 adapted to open ble charge is drawn in by partial vacuum or by their own weight and to be closed by the introduced under suflicient pressure to proaction of the liquid when it reaches them.

50 duce displacement, such charge may be intro- Nonreturn valves 5 situated in a partition 6 duced in such a way that the combustible allow burnt gases to pass into the exhaust mixture and the exhaust gases are kept seppipe 7 but not to return, and such valves arate or sufficiently separate until the bulk may be made very light so as to open under of the exhaust gases is expelled. For avoidthe action of slight pressure and to close 55 ing pro-ignition and for preventing interunder the action of their own weight. A no bend 8 connects chamber 1 with an inlet valve box 9 fitted with inlet valves 10 for liquid, and 9 is in turn connected with the play pipe 11 which leads to a place of higher level or pressure and in which the liquid column reciprocates. A tank 12 contains the liquid to be raised and is fed with fresh liquid through inlet 13. Considering first only those parts already mentioned and assuming that valves 3, 3 are normally held closed by light springs which allow the valves to open under suction and admit combustible mixture, one method of operating is as follows: A compressed combustible charge is ignited in the top of 2 and expansion occurs driving liquid downward in chamber 1 and outwardly along pipe 11 so that the liquid column therein attains considerable kinetic energy. Suppose that the expanded gases attain atmospheric pressure when the liquid level is at a a in chamber 1. The liquid column in 11 is then moving with considerable velocity and valves 10 open and admit more liquid into 9 to follow the moving liquid. Exhaust valves 4 open under their own weight but the suction which occurs in chamber 1 cannot draw in exhaust products since valves 5 prevent this, but the continued movement of the column of liquid lowers the level to b b and causes the intake of combustible mixture through valves 3, 3,-

so that the incoming mixture occupies the space in 2 down to the level say of c c, d1splacing the burnt products from this part of the chamber. The volumetric change repre-' sented by the fall of liquid from a a to b b can be controlled by altering the level'of liquid in tank 12 which for the present is regard'ed as an open top tank. If the level of the liquid in 12 is raised then the tendency of liquid to flow from 12 into chamber 1 is increased and the volumetric change in 1 is diminished. Conversely, if the level of liquid in 12 is diminished the volumetric change is increased and thus by such control the combustible charge taken into 2 can be made to occupy the space approximately to the level 0 0. When the liquid column has come to rest the suction in chamber 1 ceases and valves 3, 3 close under the action of their springs. A return movement of the column now begins under the action of a head or pressure and, valves 10 having also been closed by their springs, liquid rises in 1, drives out burnt gases through valves 4, shuts these valves and compresses the combustible charge in the upper portion of the chamber until the column of liquid again comes to rest. Ignition of the charge then starts a fresh cycle.

It being desirable that the fresh combustible charge should be introduced in such manner as to prevent" mixing withthe burnt products present and also to prevent loss of combustible gas through valves 4,

the combustion chamber should be shaped with this end in view. Thus in Fig. 1 the annular shape of the part 2 of the chamber and the use of a number of admission valves is adapted to secure the desired result and it is preferable to let in air only at first and then mixture. If alternate admission valves are connected with air and gas supplies respectively then the weight of valve and strength of springvfor each class of valve can be so proportioned that the air valves open first when suction occurs.

If all the valves admit mixture, they can be constructed as shown, drawn to an enlarged scale, in Fig. 2 so that the first part of the opening movement gives passage for air only, while further opening admit-s both gas and air. Thus the valve 63 controls both the air port 14 and the gas port 15. It will be evident that air is admitted so soon as the valve leaves its outer seat, and only after it has moved distance (l'will gas be admitted.

Fig. 3 shows another form of combustion chamber Where the combustible gases are admitted into a central portion 2 and the exhaust valves are in a ring below'2 as shown. Light nonreturn valves 5 are carried on the stems of valves 4. 1 Corresponding parts are numbered to agree with Fig. 1 and the cycle of operations is the same.

To obtain more uniform action and the benefit to be derived from measuring into the chamber a definite combustible charge the complete arrangement shown in Fig. 1 may be adopted and the parts not yet referred to will now be described.

The tank 12 is closed by an air tight top 65 and the sides extended to form a second tank 16 containing liquid in which two small holders 17 and 18 for gas and air respectively may rise and fall. The outer holder 18 is annular and the holder 17 is co-axial with it, and arranged so that when the outer holder rises it carries the inner holder with it by engaging flange 19. In the closed tank 12 there is an air inlet 20 fitted with a hinged valve 21 and air is drawn in through this valve each time the level of the liquid in tank 12 falls, but when the level of the liquid rises air is forced through pipe 22 past nonreturn valve 23 into the holder 18, thus causing the holder to rise. An inlet 24 for gas communicates with pipe 25 and holder 17 and gas flows or is drawn into 17 through pipe 25 and valve 26 as 17 rises, or is lifted by the movement of holder 18.

Outlet pipes 27 and 28 for gas and air respectix'ely lead to separate ring mains 29 and 30, which supply the admission valves o and-3. \Vhen there is a ring of such valves, one set of valves as 3, is supplied with gas and the other set as 3. alternately arranged 1S supplied with air. This secures that there shall be no explosive mixture outgside chamber 1.

tamper I In the gas pipe 27 there is a throttle valve next cycle. The tendency of liquid to flow 31 operated by a lever] 32, one end of which from tank 12 into chamber 1 when the level is acted upon by a spring 33 to close the in the former is'the greater must not be valve and the other end is adapted to be overlooked.

acted upon by a weight 34 to open the valve. For the movable gas holders of Flg. 1 70 A cord 35 attached to the holder 18 at 36 may be substituted a fixed device for inand to the weight 34 is carried by pulleys troducing the gas and air. Such a device 37 pivoted at 38 and the length is adjusted is shown in Fig. 4 where the rise and fall so that when the holder 18 is in its highest of the liquid in the delivery tank is used 10 position valve 31 is closed byspring 33, but, instead of that in the supply tank. The 75 in falling, weight 34 is liftedand by conplay pipe 11 is connected with a conical detact with lever 32 valve 31 is opened. Thus livery tank 40 having an outlet 41 for the for example when holder 18 falls half way liquid raised. The tank has a closed top valve 31 may be opened andmaintained open from which a partition 42 extends down- 15 for the rest of the fall. ward below the minimum 1i uid level Z Z. .80

The fall of the liquid level in tank 12 is This divides the space above t e liquid intocaused by the sudden intake of liquid two'parts 43 and 44 used for gas and air through valves 10 which occurs toward the respectively. The gas enters through pipe end of the working stroke of the pump, and 45 which is carried vertically downward in o the rise isdue to the fresh supply of liquid the tank to level Z Z and has a branch as entering the tank through pipe 13 during shown fitted with a hinged valve 46. The the period intervening before the next inoutlet for gas is pipe 47 which is connected take. The operation may begin with the with ring main 29 supplying the combustion ignition of a compressed combustible charge chamber 1. Air enters the top of the tank 25 in chamber 1 and as already explained atthrough pipe 48 which extends downwardv mospheric pressure is attained when the to the level Z Z and carries a branch fitted gases have expanded to a a. -At this time with hinged valve 49. Pipe 50 conveys the the level of liquid in tank '12 is about at its air to' ring main 30 above chamber '1. highest and so thereis least air in tank 12 The action of this part of the apparatus 30 and -most air in holder 18 which is in its is as follows: Wheni ition occurs in chamhighest position. The pressure of air in ber'1 the level of liquid in 40 is at its lowest, holder 18 aided by the further fall of liquid that is at- Z Z. Liquid is driven alon the in chamber 1 to b 6 causes air to flow play pipe 11 into tank 40 where the evel from the holder past valves 3 into the chamrises to Z Z by the time the burnt gases 35 her and by introducing sufficient air burnt attain atmospheric pressure and exhaust products may be displaced and driven out valves 4 open. The rise of liquid from Z Z past valves 4 so long as these valves remain to Z Z displaces air from 44 through pipe open, and while the liquid is first falling 48, but further rise past the bottom of this and then rising in chamber 1. Now until pipe cuts off the escape of air through 48 40 holder 18 has fallen far enough to cause the and forces it through pipe 50 into ring main opening of valve .31 the gas holder 17 can- '30, and so past the air inlet valves 3 into not fall, but beyond this point both holders chamber 1, thus displacing burnt products fall together and supply gas and air to in the chamber. In like manner, but startchamber 1 to intermingle therein and to ing a little later, the gas in 43, some of which 45 form a combustible mixture in the top therehas been driven back through pipe 45 as of. The inflow of the mixture may conthe liquid rises from Z Z to Z Z is-forced tinue until the liquid rising in chamber 1 through pipe 47 into chamber 1; and during reaches valves 4 and shuts them and the the change of level from Z Z to the highest period of inflow may .thus cover that part level Z Z, gas and air are delivered together 50 of the cycle in which the moving liquid 001- into the combustion chamber. Valves 3 and um in play pipe 11 slows down and comes 3 now close and the level of liquid falls in to rest and then moves a considerable portank 40 partly due to the continuous delivtion of its stroke in the reverse .direction, ery through 41, and partly to the movement which period occupies the greater portion of of the liquid in the play pipe, when the 55 the time of a complete cycle. For this reason liquid column returns to shut valves 4 and sufiicient air can be introduced to efiect compress the fresh combustible charge. scaventging and can be followed by the in- During the fall of the liquid, nonreturn flow o the combustible constituents without valves 46 and 49 provide inlets for gas and using any pressures beyond what are comair respectively until the bottoms of pipes monly employedin gas holders. Between 45 and 48 are uncovered by the liquid, and. 2 the closing of valves 4 and their next openwhen the lowest level Z Z is again reached ing the liquid level in tank 12 rises and 43 and 44 are again charged ready for a so forces a fresh supply of air through pipe repetition of the cycle. 22 into holder 18 thus lifting both holders In the previous examples the combustible 65 which become charged again ready for the mixture is drawn in at the top of the combustion chamber and the burnt products are displaced downward, but as these products, being heated, have a lower specific gravity than the incoming air and combustible mixture or gas, it is sometimes desirable to displace them upward. This can be effected by the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 where 1 is the combustion chamber having the exhaust valve 4 above the valves 3 and 3 for the admission of combustible constituents. In this case the known device of a rigid piston 51 resting upon the end of the i rod 52 supported by a spring 53 carried in a tubular projection 54 attached to the piston. Rod 52 is adapted to engage against valve 4 and to close this valve when the piston rises far enough in the combustion chamber. It is obvious that a float attached to valve 4 by a rod may be substituted for the piston. Valve 5 serves the same pur ose as the valves 5 in the other constructions. The method of operation is as follows: Ignition occurs when the piston 51 has risen and compressed a combustible charge in the top of chamber 1 and all valves are shut. As expansion proceeds and atmospheric pressure is attained, piston 51 uncovers the outlet of valves 3 and 3* and valve 4 opens but valve 5 is closed. The further downward movement of the piston alon with the water column permits the intake 0 combustible constituents through valves 3, 3, until the piston and water column come to rest and valves 3, 3 are shut. The return movement of the water column then lifts the piston, driving out the burnt products, which in this case are on top, ejecting them past valves 4 and 5, until rod 52 reaches valve 4, and shuts it. The further movement of the piston compresses the fresh combustible charge in the top of chamber 1,.and the ignition of this charge starts a fresh cycle. Rod 52 should be of such length as to close valve 4 as soon as the products are nearly expelled, so that little or no combustible mixture may be lost. It will be observed that the valves 3, 3' are situated in recesses so that piston 51 may rise past them. It will also be evident that after the top of rod 52 meets valve 4 and shuts it, the further movement of piston 51 causes spring 53 to be compressed. The cycle is essentially the same in this as in the previously described cases but the combustible mixturais taken in below the burnt gases.

Gas and air may be introduced by move-' ments in the supply liquid in a manner differing somewhat from that described with reference to Fig. 1 as will be explained with reference to Fig. 6 in which corresponding parts are numbered as before. The liquid inlet valves 10 are surrounded by an annular chamber 13, forming a closed end to the supply pipe 13, in which is fixed a bell 55 valves 58 quid column is used, and carries a.

for gas and air respectively are fitted with and 59 and are connected in this case with a mixture admission valve 3 in chamber 1. All the valves 56, 57, 58 and 59 are normally open under their own weight and are adapted to be closed by the liquid as it reaches them.

The introduction of the gases is effected in the following manner: Suppose the level of the liquid supply is at d d, that the supply pipe 13 is long enough for the liquid in it to have considerableinertia, and that chambers 43 "and 44 are nearly full of liquid. Ignition and expansion occurs in chamber 1 and when atmospheric pressure is attained valves 10 and 4 open. Liquid rushes in through valves 10 and the first effect is to lower the level in the nearest source of supply namely chambers 43 and 44 since the mass of liquid in pipe 13 cannot be quickly accelerated. Gas is thus taken into chamber 43 through pipe 45 and the air into chamber 44 through pipe 48 while the flow of liquid in pipe 13 is being accelerated and until the supply of liquid in 13 equals the flow. through valves 10. The outward movement of the liquid column in play pipe 11 is now decreasing in velocity but the flow in pipe 13 havlng attained its maximum velocity tends to be maintained by the momentum of the liquid and so the surplus supply of liquid rises in chambers 43 and 44,'shuts valves 57 and 56 in turn, and de livers gas and air through pipes 47 and 50 and valve 3 into chamber 1, until the liquid reaching valves 58 and 59 shuts them and is brought to rest by compressing the unrejected gas and air entrapped in the tops of chambers 43 and 44.

By suitably proportioning the parts, the delivery of the gas and air may occur wholly or partly during the return stroke of the liquid column in pipe 11, but before the liquid rises in chamber 1 far enough to close exhaust valves 4. In such case an ordinary scavenging valve 60, Fig. 6, ,for air, is provided and supplies air during the outward stroke of the liquid column.

What I claim is 1. The method of raising or forcing liquid, which consists in reciprocating a column of liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstroke in introducing a fresh expansible charge and expelling the exhaust.

2. The method of raising or forcing liquid, which consists in reciprocating a column of sion space during the liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocation belng due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstroke in introducing a fresh expansible charge and expelling the exhaust, and utilizing the movement of the return stroke to compress said charge.

3. The method of raising or forcing liquid, which consists in reciprocating a column of liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocation belng due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstroke in introducing a fresh expansible charge and expelling the exhaust, and utilizing the changes of level of a liquid supply for controlling the level to which the liquid falls in the expanoutstroke and thus affecting the volumetric intake of the fresh expansible charge.

4. The method of raising 0r forcing liquid which consists in reciprocating a column 0 liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstroke in introducing a fresh expansible charge and expelling the exhaust, and utilizing the changes of level of a liquid supply for controlling the level to which the liquid falls in the expansion'space during the outstroke and thus affecting the volumetric intake of the fresh expansible charge and the displacement of the exhaust.

5. The method of raising or forcing liquid,

which consists in reciprocating a column of liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstroke in introducing a fresh expansible charge and expelling the exhaust, after the lowerin of the level of the liquid during the instro e has drawn a fresh charge into the space vacated by said liquid.

6. The method of raising or forcing liquid which consists in reciprocating a column 0 liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstroke in intr ucing a fresh expansible charge the exhaust, and utilizing the change of level of the liquid delivered for displacing the exhaust by introducing charge.

7. The method of raising or forcing liquid, which consists in reciprocating a column of liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force, utilizing the later period of said outstroke movement to introduce a fresh expansible charge, utilizing the earlier period of the return stroke to discharge the exhaust, and the later period of the return stroke to compress the charge.

HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY.

Witnesses:

WALTER J. SKERTEN, JOSEPH MILLARD.

the fresh expansibleand expelling

Images