US1224381A - Pump and compressor. - Google Patents

Description

H. A."HUMPHREY & W. l. RUSDELL.

PUMP AND COMPRESSOR. APPLICATION FILED ocT. I6. I'9I2.

Patented May 1, 191.7.

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W//I/ESSES: Wai! o? L1 i KIM 57m fg( Wd Arron/vir HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY, OF LONDON, AND WILLIAM JOSEPH RUSDELL, OF DUI)- i LEY, WORCESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIG-NORS TO HUMPI-IREY G-AS CORPORATION v01E" NEW YORK.

PUMP COMPANY, A

PUMP AND COMPRESSOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

To all lwhom t may concern:

Be it known that We, HERBERT ALFRED I-IUMPHREY, a subject of the King vof Great Britain, residing in London, England, and WELIAM JOSEPH RUSDELL, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in Dudley, Worcester, England, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pumps and Compressors, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in pumps and compressors of the type in which the operation of the apparatus comprises the reciprocation of a suitable heavy mass or masses, such for example as shown and described in our4 copending applications Serial N o. 438,426, filed J une 13, 1908 and Serial No. 696,639, filed May 11, 1912.

An object of our invention is to provide method and means for utilizing pressure, energy, or inertia, of the exhaust gases, in causing the introduction of fresh expansible charges, or scavenging air, or both.

It is frequently desirable that the expansible charge should be a measured charge, and the scavenging air when used, may also be measured, so that the required volumes only are admitted or allowed to remain in the expansion chamber, and our invention also includes improved method and means for the accomplishment of this object.

A further object of our invention is to utilize the exhaust from the expansion chamber to act on pistons or diaphragms adapted to operate as pumps for forcing or sucking into the chamber fresh expansible charges.

The movements of the reciprocatin masses or a part thereof, changes of leve or the pressure changes which occur in any part of the apparatus may be employed to ,control automatically the pressure at which the valves for elastic fluid operate, and to time their movements correctly. Also, the quantity or quantities of expansible medium introduced into the expansion chamber may be likewise controlled t0 cause or to meet variations in the operating conditions. For example, when liquid or fluid is to be forced to an increased head or pressure the exhaust valves may be opened when the pressure, during expansion, is higher than during previous working, and this may bring about higher mean pressures or the introduction of larger combustible charges or both these results in the chamber. It is also possible to obtain some degree of pre-compression of the charge if the exhaust is closed while there is still a pressure in the devices which supply the expansible medium.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate merely by way of example, suitable means for effecting our invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of apparatus for utilizing the energy of the exhaust to cause a fresh expansible charge and fresh 1spavenging air to enter the expansion cham- Fig. 2 is a vertical section of apparatus for utilizing the exhaust to act on a suitable piston to force the expansible charge into the expansion chamber.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Fig. 1, 4 is the top portion of an expansion chamber which is divided into chambers 1 and 2, by a partition 3 which extends below the point represented by the lowest level to which liquid falls in the expansion chamber and does not extend so far as the top of the chamber so that the two spaces 1 and 2 are in communication at the top. The expansion chamber is connected with the play pipe 4a. Fitted at suitable intervals in the wall of the expansion chamber are the gas inlet valve 5, the air inlet valve 9, and, on the other side of the partition, the exhaust valve 6. Means are provided for positively opening the exhaust valve when a desired pressure is reached. In the present instance the device shown for this purpose consists of a small piston 7 moving in a cylinder 10 and adapted to be acted upon by liquid or elastic fluid under pressure supplied through the pipes 11 and 12. Pipe 13 provides an escape for the liquid or fluid on the right hand side of piston 7 and allows valve 6 to be shut by the action of liquid rising in the expansion chamber.

As a convenient means for supplying liquid under pressure for opening the exhaust valve 6 we provide the reservoir 14, the uper part of which contains an elastic cushion, the lower part being supplied with liquid under pressure from the expansion chamber through pipe 15 controlled by a non-return valve 16. Another pipe 17 communicating with the expansion chamber permits liquid under pressure to act on the piston 18 which moves in a cylinder 19 and is controlled by a spring 49. Attached to the 11o piston is a flexible rod having at its outer end a hook 2O adapted to engage with a projection 21 rigidly attached to a 2-way cock 22 carrying an arm 23 which is urged by a spring 24: to the left so as normally to keep the valve 22 in the position shown. When the pressure rises in the expansion chamber the piston 18 is moved to the right and the hook passes the projection 21. As the pressure falls piston 18 is urged to the left by its spring, and when a certain pressure has been reached the hook 20 engaging in the projection 21 rotates cock 22 so as to put pipe 11 in communication with pipe 12. This permits high pressure liquid to flow from reservoir 14: and to` force piston 7 to the left and so open the exhaust valve.

To the right of the exhaust valve 6 there is provided the long exhaust pipe having a flaring outer end communicating with the atmosphere. We have also provided the chamber 50 which contains a large surface of cooling liquid. This chamber is connected with pipe 25, and valve 51 in said pipe is adapted to be closed as the exhaust gases cool by contact with the cool liquid.

The purpose of the construction just described is to utilize the energy of the exhaust due to momentum or inertia through the long pipe 25 and to high temperature thereof, to introduce fresh expansible charges into the expansion chamber. The effect of the cooling liquid in chamber 50 on the hot exhaust creates a partial vacuum, which, with the suction due to the momentum of the exhaust through pipe 25, causes valves 5. and 9 to open to admit fresh expansible charges and fresh scavenging air to the expansion chamber. The adjustment of spring 49 of piston 18 is such that exhaust valve 6 is opened when the pressure in the expansion chamber is high enough to give the exhaust gases escaping past valve 6 and traveling through the long exhaust pipe 25 suiiicient velocity and momentum for the continued outward movement of the gases, to lower the pressure in the expansion chamber and cause the intake of a fresh charge through valve 5 and fresh air through y, valve 9.

As the pressure falls still further in the chamber, hook 20 disengages from projection 21 and the spring 24 rotates the valve 22 back to its original position, so that the pressure is relieved from piston 7 and valve 6 is only held open by the spring 26 which is weak enough to permit the valve to be closed by the action of the rising liquid.

Where Va combustible charge is employed as the expansible force, in order that the amount of gas and air taken in through each charge may be made a definite quantity, and that the valves may be opened in the right sequence, we provide a charge measuring and timing devices. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the air supply pipe 27 communicates with a cylinder 28 in which moves a plate 29 loosely fitting the cylinder and attached to the rod 30 which is suitably guided. The adjustable collar 31 attached to rod 30 is adapted to engage the lever 32 connected to the pawl 33, which is adapted to engage collar 34 on the stem of the gas valve 5. `The operation is such that when the plate 29 has risen to a certain height valve 5 is released by the said pawl to admit gas.

In communication with the gas supply Vthere is a gas bag having a flexible diaphragm 35, carrying at its center a valve 36 adapted to close the mouth of pipe 37, when a given quantity of gas has been sucked out of the gas bag by the sudden inflow of gas into the expansion chamber, faster than it can be supplied through the inlet pipe 38.

W'hen the energy of the exhaust gases in pipe 25 is expended and the charge of air and gas has been drawn into the expansion chamber, valves 5 and 9 close under the action of their springs.

The plate 29, which has been sucked up and may close the opening into pipe 27, thereby measuring the amount of air admitted, is'now free to fall under its own weight, while air leaks past the plate from the lower to the upper side, and until its motion is arrested by the adjustable stop 39.. There will now be a fresh charge of air above plate 29, ready to enter the expansion chamber when the next suction stroke occurs.

Again, when valve 5 has closed, gas supplied under slight pressure from the pipe 38 will lill the g'as bag and cause the diaphragm to move to the left into its original position.

The action of the apparatus as a whole is as follows Starting with an ignited compressed combustible charge or other expansible charge in the upper part 4: of the expansion chamber, the valves 5, 6 and 9 being shut, liquid is driven downward in the expansion chamber and outwardly in the play pipe 4c against a head or pressure, under such conditions that the column of liquid is free to return after it has come to rest, in

the manner fully explained in our said copending applications.

When the expansible charge has expanded to the pressure at which valve 6 opens, there is an exhaust through pipe 25 and the energy of this exhaust is utilized to draw in first air through valve 9 and then, when plate 29 has risen far enough to cause the release of pawl 33 and the opening of valve 5 in the manner described, air and gas flow in together in measured quantity. Valves 5 and 9 then close. The outwardly pro elled liquid having come to rest returns un er its head or pressure toward the expansion chamber and expels exhaust products through valve 6 until the liquid reaching this valve closes it. The continued rise of the liquid in the chamber then compresses the fresh combustible mixture in the top of the chamber until, the column having once more come to rest, ignition of the fresh charge starts a new cycle.

There may be a partial exhaust of burnt products by liquid liowing from a source of supply through the liquid inlet valves and rising in the chamber before the column of liquid commences its return movement toward the chamber.

In the modification of our invention shown in Fig. 2, as in the form shown in Fig. l, 4 is the top of the expansion chamber which is divided by a partition 3 into spaces l and 2. 6 is the exhaust valve operated and controlled as above described in connection with Fig. l. Ihe expansible charge is supplied to the expansion chamber through valve 5. It will be understood that for the lsake of simplicity alone, a device employing a single inlet valve has been shown and described merely as an example. The expansible charge is supplied through valve 5 from a reservoir 40 into which the expansible medium is forced under pressure, past valve 43, by the upward movement of piston 41 in cylinder 42. The upward movement of piston 41 is caused by the pressure of the exhaust acting upon the under side of the piston through the comparatively large pipe 47. The smaller pipe 45 permits the escape of the exhaust to the atmosphere at a slower rate of speed.

After the piston 4l has been raised the continued escape of exhaust gases through pipe 45, which may be regulated by a cock 46, causes a reduced pressure beneath piston 41, so that the piston descends, valve 43 closes, the valve 44 opens to admit fresh combustible charge.

When the pressure has fallen low enough in the expansion chamber 4, the pressure in reservoir 40 will cause valve 5 to open, and

the fresh charge will be admitted, until, the pressure, becoming nearly equal on both sides of valve 5, the latter will be shut under the action of its spring.

l/Vhen the column of liquid returns and the level of liquid rises in the expansion chamber and reaches valve 6, this valve will be shut and the continued movement of the liquid will compress the fresh charge.

What we claim is :4-

l. In combination with a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column, an expansion chamber for a primary medium, having an intake valve and an exhaust valve suitably positioned, a suitably proportioned exhaust conduit leading from the exhaust valve and means for operating the exhaust valve while the expanding medium is under suflicient pressure to cause the same to escape through said valve and conduit under such conditions of velocity and momentum, whereby fresh elastic fluid is caused to enter the expansion chamber.

2. In combination with a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column, an expansion chamber for a primary medium connected therewith having'an intake valve and an exhaust valve suitably positioned with respect to the intake valve, a suitably proportioned conduit leading from the exhaust valve, means for operating the exhaust valve while the expanding charge is under pressure, and means connected with the exhaust conduit for cooling the exhaust gases externally to the expansion chamber to diminish the pressure therein, whereby fresh elastic Huid is caused to enter the expansion chamber.

3. In combination with a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column, an expansion chamber for a primary medium, having an intake valve and an exhaust valve suitably positioned with respect to the intake valve, a suitably proportioned exhaust conduit leading from the exhaust valve and means controlled by the pressure in the expansion chamber for operating the exhaust valve while the expanding medium is under suflicient pressure to cause the same to escape 'through said valve and conduit under such conditions of velocity and momentum, whereby fresh elastic liuid is caused to enter the expansion chamber.

HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY. WILLIAM JOSEPH RUSDELL.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH MILLARD, WALTER I. SKERTEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington; D. G.

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