US1502253A - Pneumatic pump - Google Patents

Description

. July 22, 1924. 1,502,253

J.L LATTA PNEUMAT I C PUMP Filed Oct. is, 1922 v 2 sheet sheet 1 July 22 1924. 1,502,253

J. L. LATTA PNEUMATIC PUMP Filed Oct. 13, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 "X i 66 Ii: Z4 J 5? 2 3 66 Patented July 22, 1924.

JOHN L. LA'ITA, OE.HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA.

PNEUMATIC PUMP.

Application filed October 13, 1922. Serial No. 594,282.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN L. LATTA, a citizen of the United States, residingat Hickory, in the county of Catawba and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Pumps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic displacement pumps, and more particularly to pumps for use in connection with so called fresh water systems of water supply, in which water is delivered directly from a well or other natural reservoir, to the supply faucet, without the intervention of any storage tank. In such systems, the pump is submerged in the water in the well and is connected to a source of compressed air in such a way that the opening of a faucet causes the pump to operate and deliver water under pressure.

Pumps and pumping systems of this general nature are already well known and have been used with more or less success. Such prior pumps have, however, involved certain structural difficulties, and been subject to certain defects of operation, such, for example, as the leakage or blowing over of the compressed air. V

The present invention relates generally to that type of pump covered by my prior Patent, Number 1,237,580, dated August 21, 191?, comprising a single cylinder or pump chamber, which is alternately filled with water and subjected to air pressure for expelling the water. The alternate feeding of compressed air to the pump chamber and its exhaust therefrom is produced by valve mechanism controlled directly or indirectly by the varying level of the water in the chamber, as it is filled and emptied. In my above mentioned patent, as well as in all other structures heretofore proposed, so far as I am aware, this valve mechanism, and the controlling and actuating devices therefor were distributed at various points throughout the interior of the pump chamber, so that, in order to gain access to these parts, for repair or replacement, it was necessary to separate and dismantle the entire pump.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a. pump structure of the general character above mentioned, in which all operative parts of every kind, whatsoever, are mounted upon or carried by the head member which closes the upper end of the pump chamber or cylinder, so that the entire mechanism is removable from the cylinder with the head member. Furthermore, I propose to provide the head member with a removable upper section or cap, so that, when this cap is taken off, all removable operating and controlling elements, such as Valves, floats, etc., can be withdrawn and removed upwardly from the head member, without separating the head member from the cylinder body. Thus, access may be had to any of the parts, for inspection, replacement or repair, without the necessity for exposing the interior of the pump chamber at all.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved exhaust valve operating motor and improved means for controlling the same, such means comprising a pipe extending downwardly in "the pump chamber and terminating at a point above the lower end of the water discharge pipe, whereby a water seal is always maintained around the water discharge pipe, and the entrance of air into this pipe made possible.

A still further to provide an improved construction of water inlet or check valve at the lower end of the pump chamber or cylinder, such valve object of the invention is i being so constructed that the parts subject to wear may be removed and replaced from the outside, without the necessity for ob-, taining access to the interior of the cylinder. Thus, the working parts of this check valve mantling the pump itself.

Water found in wells in many parts of the country, especially in deep wells, contains objectionable quantities of mineral matter and other foreign substances in solution, such as various compounds of iron or other metals, ammonia, sulphuretted hydrogen and other gases. I find'that many of these impurities can be either removed or rendered much less objectionable by aeration of the water. Another important object of the invention, is therefore, to provide means for introducing the compressed air into the pump cylinder in such a way that it will pass through and thoroughly aerate the water contained therein, before such water is expelled. j

With the above and other objects in view,

and to improve generally upon the details may be replaced, without many way disof construction and arrangement of such apparatus, my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a Vertical longitudinal section through my improved pump complete, parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail view on an enlarged scale, of one of the parts of the exhaust valve structure; 7 Fig. 4 is a plan View of the lower section of the head member, the upper section or cap being removed;

Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe cage member, forming a part of my improved check valve'structure, constituting the lower end ofthe pump cylinder. 2

Fig. 6 -is-a fragmentary sectional View, simil'arto Fig.1, butshowing the exhaust valve operating motor and associated parts, on a larger scale; and a Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the upper end of the float for con trolling the exhaust valve operating motor, such view beingisimilar to Fig. 1, but on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my improved pump comprises a cylinder or bodyl, preferably formed of a' piece of pipe or tubing, an upper or top head member 2 and a lower member 3 closing the bottom of the cylinder. This cylinder is, of course, placed vertically in the well and is entirely submerged in the water,'as is usual.

The bottom or foot member 3 of the cylinder comprises a cage member 4, which is provided with an annular groove i to receive the lower edge of the cylinder 1, suit able packing being placed in this groove, tofinsure a tight joint. the member 4: is secured a retaining ring or member 5, having a central preferably flared opening 5 constituting the water inlet. Held between the members 4 and 5, and received in; grooves formed in said members,is a seat member 6, preferably formed of rubber or other soft material. 'This is V in theshape of a flat disc having a central portions of saidmember 6 constitute an annular seat on which rests a disc valve 9.

This may be made of metal or of some hard .molded' material, such as bakelite.

The head member 2 comprises a lower section 11 and an upper section or cap 12,

To the I bottom of face of the member 5. By removing these nuts, it is apparent that the retaining memher 5 may be taken off, thus permitting replacement of the seat member 6, and valve member 9, when necessary, without separat- V The uppersection 12 of the head member is secured to the lower-section 11 thereof, by means of a series of machine screws 13, a suitable packing 14 of soft material being interposed between the two sections,

so as to produce an air tight joint.

Screwed into or otherwise secured to the top of the upper section 12 of thehead member, are three pipes 15, 16 and 17, the

pipe 15 serving to supply compressed air or other motive fluid to the pump, the pipe 16 being the delivery pipe through which water discharged from the pump cylinder is conveyed to the house faucets, and 17 with nuts 10 which bear against the lower ing the member 4 fromthe cylinder body 1. a

beingthe exhaust pipe for conducting the compressed air, escaping from the pump cylinder, up to a point above the water level in the well. i 5

From the pipe 15 extends a passage 18 to a valve seat 20, located at the bottom of a bowl-shaped chamber 19, formed in the upperpart of the upper section 12 of t head member. A ball valve 21 rests upon the seat 20, and is held to such seat against the pressure of'the incoming motive fluid by means of a spring 25, this spring bear ing'at one end against the top of. a cap 23, secured to the section 12, by means of screws 24, and being centered at the other-end around a bolt 22 having a flattened head 22" which bears upon the ball 21. The bolt 22 is carried by a flexible diaphragm 22, extending across the top of the chamber 19, and having its edges interposed between the .cap 23 and the section 12'of the head member. This valve 21, when seated, as shown in Fig. 1, does not entirely shut off the ad mission of compressed air, but permits a slight leakage, the construction and operation of this supply valve and its controlling means being substantially the same as that disclosed in my said prior Patent, Number 1,237,530. An air supply port or passage 26 extends from the chamber 19, down through the head member to the interior of the cylinder, such passage being formed partly in the lower section 11, and partly in the upper section 12, the two parts being brought into registry when the sections are assembled. The packing 14 is, of course, cut

away, adjacent this, and the other passages and openings in the head member, in order to permit passage of fluid or access to the parts, as the case may be.

In the lower end of the passage 26 is secured an air discharge pipe 76, which extends down to a point near the bottom of the cylinder. The lower end of this pipe is closed, as by means of a cap, and is provided with a plurality of small perfora tions 7 6, through which the air enters the cylinder.

Also, extending through the lower section 11 of the head member is a passage 27, in the lower end of which is secured a water discharge pipe 28, which extends downwardly into the cylinder, so that its lower open end 28 is located adjacent the foot or check valve at the bottom of the cylinder. Formed in the upper section 12 of the head member. immediately above the upper end of the passage 27, is a pocket or chamber 30, in which is confined a ball valve 29 which sits on the upper end of the passage 27 and thus acts as a check valve to prevent the return flow water into the pump cylinder. From the chamber 30 extends a passage 31, which communicates with the delivery pipe 16.

Communicating with the exhaust pipe 17 is a passage 32, formed partly in each section of the head member, and opening at its lower end into a relatively large bore or pocket 33, formed in the section 11 of the head member. At the lower end of this bore or pocket is a partition wall 34 having a central opening into which is screwed the upper end of a tubularvalve cage 35. The lower end of this cage, which projects only a relatively short distance below the head member, is closed by means of a cap 36, having an opening 36*, through which water may escape from the cage. At a point near the middle of its length, this cage is pro vided with a series of holes or openings 37, establishing free communication between the interior of the cage and the interior of the pump cylinder, and in the cage is confined a valve member which comprises a floating or buoyant ball 38.

Fitted in the bottom of the bore or pocket 33 is a combined cylinder head and valve seat member 39, shown in detail in Fig. 3. By reference to this figure, it will be seen that this member has a tubular portion which projects down into the cage 35 and is provided at its lower end with a valve seat 41,

shaped to receive the ball valve 38, this ball.

openings 37 therein, for a purpose hereine after described. The member 39 further comprises a pair of annular flanges 42, 43, spaced apart by a tubular portion 44, in which are formed a series of holes or openings 45. Above the shoulder 43 is a projecting boss 46 having a restricted central opening therethrough which serves as a guide for the plunger of the exhaust valve operating motor now to be described.

The exhaust valve operating motor, above referred to, comprises a tube or cylinder 48, of such size as to snugly fit the bore or pocket 33, and the lower edge of this cylinder is received in a groove 47 (see Fig. 3), formed in the annular shoulder 43 of the head and seat member 39. Arranged to reciprocate in this cylinder with an air tight fit is a piston comprising a cup leather 49 held between a pair of plates 50 and pair of clamping nuts 51 screwed onto the threaded upper end of a piston rod or plunger 52, which, as above.

mentioned, extends downwardly through the guide 46 and projects into the tubular portion 40 of the head and seat member 39. It will be noted, however, that this plunger is considerably smaller than the inside diame ter of such tubular portion, thereby providing a relatively large free space 53, around the plunger through which air may pass. An extremely small bleed portor passage eX- tends longitudinally through the upper end of the piston rod 52, such passage opening out through the upper end of the rod, as indicated at 54 in Fig. 6, and communicating with the space below the piston by means of a port 55. As will hereinafter appear, the

piston is actuated by air or other motive fluid, but in actual practice, it is found that more or less water may sometimes make its way into the space above'the piston, and this bleed passage, above described, is for the purpose of permitting this water to leak away and escape downwardly into the pump chamber. I

Tnterpcsed between the lower face of the piston and the flange 43 of the head and seat member is a spring 56, which spring tends to maintain the piston in the position shown in the drawings and serves to return the piston to such position after it has been actuated by fluid pressure, as hereinafter described.

The upper end of the cylinder 48 is closed by means of a plate or disc 58 having a groove 59 formed in its edge to receive the end of the cylinder. This plate is shaped so as to make as close a fit as possible with the interior walls of the bore 33, as indicated at 60, in Fig. 6, and, although the pack ing 14 is, of course, cut away above this plate, the edge of such packing is made to overlap the joint 60, as indicated at 61, so as to make a practically air tight seal.

The plate or disc 58 is provided with one sure to the exhaust valve operatin or more openings 63, extending therethrough, from top to bottom, and these 0 enings establish communication between tie interior of the motor cylinder above the piston, and

a motive fluid supply'passage 64, formed in the upper section 12 of the head member.

7 By reference to Fig.1, it will be seen that the head and seat member 39 rests in the bottom of the bore or pocket 33, a packing ring 57 being interposed between the flange 42 thereof, and the bottom of the pocket. The cylinder 2L8 rests upon the head and seat member and the plate 58 rests upon the cylinder. A set screw 62 passes through and is threaded in the upper section 12 of the main head member and bears at its screw, the parts 39, 48 and 58 are held 'firml in assembled relation and moreover a perfectly air tight joint is formed under the flange 4E2v bythe packing 57. Thus, when the ball valve 38 is in engagement with the seat 41, escape of motive fluid from the pump cylinder is prevented.

Communicating with the passage 6 lis a nipple 65 screwed into the upper section 12 of the head member and projecting substantially below the lower face thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, the lo this nipple constituting a valve seat controlling the supply of fluid under pres- This nipple or valve seat is located'at the upperend of another here or chamber 66, extending vertically through the lower section 11 of the head member; such section and depending therefrom so as to constitute a continuation of the chamber 66 is a tubular casing 67, closed at its bottom by a bushing 68. Screwed into tiis bushing 68 is the upper end of a drop pipe 69, the lower end of which extends downwardly to a point near the bottom of the main cylinder as indicated at 69 but above the lower end of the water discharge pipe 28.

The casing'67 and bore 66 together constitute achamber'or water box, in which is confined a floating or buoyant billet 70. This billet or float may be of almost any shape. and construction, but is shown as comprising a cylindrical block of light wood or cork 'Tl incased in a surface coating or layer 72 of rubber. This rubber layer is preferably made comparatively thick at the end of the billet, asshown at 73, in Fig. 7, so as to constitute a soft valve member for engagement with the seat at the end of the nipple .65. Moreover, an annular axially projecting flange '74 is formed around the cushion 73, so as to provide a central basin or, cup 75, so positioned that it will catch and retain liquid, and thus provide a water seal around the lower end of the nipple 65.

This water seal absolutely prevents en- I the upper .er end of Secured to trance of air into the passage 64;, even though the cushion 78 should not fit with entire accuracy. 7

Although there is no useful purpose served in having the above described flange 7i and valve cushion T3 at the lower end of the billet 70, still I prefer to make both ends of the billet alike, so that it is immaterial in which position it is placed, and also, so that if one end becomes worn, it can be reversed, and thus provide a new valve surface. It will, of course, be understood that the billet is substantially smaller than the chamber 66, both in diameter. and length, so that it may play freely therein, and it will be seen that this billet constie tutes a float controlled valve for governing the supply of motive fluid to the exhaust valve operating motor and therefor, indirectly, for governing the exhaust valve.

The operation of my improved pump will now be briefly described. As to accessibih ity of the parts, it will be noted that when section 12 of the head member is removed, all operating and control ele: ments can be withdrawn from the lower section 11. by which they are carried. Re.- moval of the upper section 12 immediately exposes the check valve 29 and also affords access to the top of the exhaust valve operating motor. -This motor can then be lifted outfrom the pocket in which it is mounted, and after the head and seat member 39 has been removed, the exhaust valve 38 itself may be reached and withdrawn by means ofa suitable tool. Also, the billet 70 can be lifted out of the chamber 66. Thus, it is possible to repair or replace any working part of the pump without taking the lower section of the head member off of the cylinder. 7

Assuming the pump to be; submerged in water, and the exhaust valve to have been just opened, as shown in Fig. 1, water will flow into the cylinder by gravity entering through the check valve 9 at the bottom thereof, and will gradually fill the interior of the cylinder. As the water rises in the cylinder, it will also rise in the control or drop pipe 69, finally entering the casing 67 and tending to lift the float 70, so as" to bring the valve surface carried thereby into engagement with the valve seat ornipple 65. As the water level reaches the: upper end of the pump cylinder, it will enter the cage through the hole 36 in the bottom thereof, and will cause the buoyant exhaust valve 38 therein to float up into engagement with its seat 41. As soon as the. exhaust valve is thus closed, pressure will immediately begin to build up in the upper end. of the pump cylinder, dueto slight leakage of compressed air past the inlet valve 21 and through the passage 26, and pipe 76. This accumulating pressure on the surface of the water in the cylinder will at once force the water up into the water box or float chamber 66, 67, to a level. higher than that in the cylinder itself, andthus the floating billet is forced into firm engagement with the nipple 65, if by any chance, it had not already come into engagement there with. Thus, I have provided pressure controlled float operated means for closing the pilot valve controlling the flow of fluid through passage ea.

A moment after the seating of the billet 70, against the nipple 65 occurs, pressure accumulates in the chamber 19 to such an extent as to raise the diaphragm 22 against the tension of the spring 25, thus permitting the ball 21 to be lifted from its seat by the compressed air. The compressed air or other motive fluid thereupon rushes through the passage 26 and pipe 76, into the pump chamber and expels the water therefrom, forcing it upwardly through the discharge pipe 28, passage 27, past check valve 29 and out through the passage 31 and delivery pipe 16.

It will be noted that the lower end of the pipe 76 is submerged, and that the compressed air entering the pump chamber as above described issues from the small holes 76 in the form of fine jets, which mingle with the water thus thoroughly aerating the same.

As the water level falls in the pump cylinder, it does not fall in the water box or chamber 66, 67, for the reason that this chamber or water box has been sealed at its upper end by the engagement of the billet 7 0 with the nipple 65, such seal being maintained absolutely tight by reason of the cup 75, as above explained. Therefore, the chamber 66 and casing 67 remain full of water, and a water column is maintained in this chamber and in the control pipe 69, during the entire time that the water is being expelled from the pump cylinder. Finally, when the water level has been lowered to such a point as indicated by the line w-m in Fig. 1, the

water seal at the lower end 69 of the drop pipe 69 is broken, thus permitting the water to escape from such pipe and from the float chamber 66, 67. The escape of water from the float chamber permits the float to fall to its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 1,

thus opening the .end of the nipple 65. Thereupon, the compressed air or other motive fluid which is in the pump chamber, and which has just expelled the water therefrom, enters the lower end 69 of the control pipe and flows upwardly past and around the billet 70, through the nipple 65 and passage 64, to the exhaust valve operating motor, entering the cylinder of this motor above the piston through the ports 63 and causing the piston and plunger 52 to descend. The end of the plunger 52 engages the exhaust valve '36 n pushes it i em i s seat-s Ia fac e plunger strikes this exhaust valve a sharp blow and suddenly dislodges it from its seat, projecting it to the bottom of the cage 35, as shown in Fig. 1. The confined motive fluid then escapes from the pump chamber through the openings 37, up through the space 53 around the plunger, through the ports or openings 45 and thence into the exhaust passage 32 and pipe 17. It will be noted that this exhaust air enters the cage to maintain the ball valve 38 away from the seat 41 and prevent it from being sucked back to the seat, as might otherwise occur. It will be also observed that immediately that exhaust valve 38 is unseated, the pressure on the upper side of the motor piston 49 is relieved, such release occurring through the port 64 and down through the pipe 69. Moreover, the pressure above the piston would, in any. event, quickly leak away through the bleed passage 54, 55. In, any event, as soon as the main exhaust valve is opened, the spring 56 returns the piston to its normal position and retracts the plunger 52 from the cage so that the valve 38 may again be floated to its seat.

Owing to the fact that the water discharge pipe 28 extends below the lower end of the control pipe 69, it will be seen that the exhaust valve is also opened by the breaking of the seal at the lower end of the control pipe, while the water level is still above the lower end of the discharge pipe, thus making it impossible for blow overs to occur, or for air to enter the water discharge pipe.

The issuance of air under strong pressure from the small submerged openings 76 at the bottom of the pipe 76 in the form of fine jets, when the valve 21 opens, subjects the water'in the cylinder to violent agitation, and, in fact, blows italmost into a fine mist, thus producing complete aeration. At the same time, the water becomes thoroughly mixed and impregnated with minute particles of air, as is evidenced by its white, milky appearance. This aeration results in largely removing the objectionable gases carried by the water, which gases later pass out at the exhaust, and also serves to oxidize many of the mineral substances held in solu tion, such as iron compounds, thus converting them into insoluble bodies. These insoluble bodies may then be precipitated. or

filtered out,or, if allowed to remain in the water, are, on account oftheir inertness, much less ob ectionable, so far as taste and hardness are concerned, than the original compounds from which they were formed.

eth r. a ds, this aeratica s a e e described, greatly improves the quality of the water. 7

It will thus be seen that'I have provided a single cylinder pneumatic. displacement pump of exceedingly simple construction, in which theexhaust valve operating motor and the float controlled pilot valve therefor are both carried entirely by the cylinder head,

from which cylinder head all operative parts may be readily removed, for repair or replacement, and in which the incoming alr 1s forced to travel through the water, so as to thoroughly aerate and purify the same, and it is thought that the many advantages of my improved construction will be readily appreciated without further discussion.

What 1 claim is: v a 1. A pneumatic pump comprising a vertical cylinder, a head member therefor comprising upper and lower separable sections,

and provided with orts for the inlet and exhaust of motive Wild, and inlet and ex- 7 haust valves controlling said ports and carried respectively wholly by said upper and lower sections.

. f2.v A pneumaticrpump comprising a verticalcylinder, a head member therefor .com- 7 prising upper and lower separable sections, inlet and exhaust pipes for motive fluid connected with said upper section, said sections having registering passagewaysformed therethrough extending from said pipes to the interior of the cylinder, an inlet valve controlling one of said passageways, and an exhaust valve control-ling the other of said passageways, said exhaust valve being carried wholly by said lower section.

3. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylinder, ahead member closing th'eend thereof, said member being formed with inlet and exhaust ports for motive fluid, inlet and exhaust valves respectively controlling said ports and amot'or 'fcr actuating said exhaust valve, said motor being carried wholly 'by' said head member, and bodily removable as 7 unit, without disconnecting said head member. s

A. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylin- "der, a head member closing therendthereof,

said member-beingin the shape of a cylindrical block of substantially uniform diameter throughout, and being formed with inlet and exhaust ports for motivefluid, in?

let and exnaust valves respectively con trolling said ports, and a motor for actuating said exhaust valve, said motor being encl-osed and concealed within said head member. 7

,5. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylinder,a head memberthereztor having a pocket with an open outer end, ai'ad also being iormed with ports for the inlet andfexh aust of motive fluid, inlet and exhaust valves n ellirig saitlpbr s, an. xhaust val op:

crating QQWE' iilQl d said P 9:

removable cap fitted upon said head member and closing said pocket, and inlet and exhaust pipes for motive fluid connected di rectly to said cap and communicating with the respective ports. 7

6. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylinder, a head member therefor having a pocket with an open outer end, and also being formed with exhaust of motive uid, inlet and exhaust valves controlling said ports, a cage car .ried by said head member insidethe cylinder, said exhaust valve being confined withorts for the inlet and in said cage, and an exhaust valve operating 1 motor mounted in said pocket, and having apart p-ro'jectable into said cage. 7'

7. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylinder, a head member therefor having ,a

pocket with an open outer end, and also being formed with ports for the'inle't and exhaust of motive fluid, inlet and exhaust valves controlling said ports, a removable member having an opening and provided with seat for said exhaust valve, said member being carried by said head member with the seat located inside said cylinder, and an exhaust valve operating motor mounted in said pocket and having a part positioned to extend th-rough sa-id opening.

8. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylinder, a head member closing the end 'thereof, a motivefluid exhaust valve of the float type carried by said head member within the cylinder and removable outwardly therefrom without disconnecting said head member and cylinder.

9. A pneumatic pump comprisingfa cylinder, a headinember closing the end there of, aginotive fluid exhaust valve carried by said head member within the cylinder, and opening inwardly against the existingpressure, andmotive means for opening said valve, said valve being removable outwardly said head member and member located at the bottom of said opening, a motive fluid exhaust valve, cooperating with said seat member, and an exhaust valve operating recto s e posed on said valve eat member and locatedin said opem sa said, ea me b r and man being nena e pwardly h'rbugh fi ld p' -i 12. A pneumatic pump comprising a ver* tical cylinder having a head member at its upper end, said head member having ports for the admission and exhaust of motive fluid, a free floating exhaust valve actuated directly by the bouyant effect of liquid enteringthe cylinder, and a cage for said valve, said valve and cage being carried entirely by said head member.

13. A pneumatic pump comprising a vertical cylinder having a head member at its upper end, said head member having ports for the admission and exhaust of motive fluid, and an exhaust valve for controlling said exhaust port, said valve comprising a floating element, and a cage enclosing said element and rigidly secured to the lower side of said head member.

14. A pneumatic pump comprising a chamber having admission and exhaust passages for motive fluid, a valve for closing said exhaust passage and a motor for opening said valve, said motor comprising a piston and a cylinder, said cylinder having a removable end piece provided with a seat for said valve.

15. A pneumatic pump comprising a chamber one end wall of which is thickened and provided with inlet and exhaust passages for motive fluid, said end wall also having a pocket, an exhaust valve, an exhaust valve operating motor comprising a piston and cylinder mounted in said pocket, said cylinder having an end piece provided with a seat for said exhaust valve, and with a port communicating with said exhaust passage.

16. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a cylinder having a head, of a motive fluid exhaust valve, a seat for said valve removably carried by said head, and a motor for opening said valve, said motor comprising a fluid pressure actuated device having a plunger the free end of which is arranged to extend through the said seat and engage and shift the valve.

17. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a cylinder having a head, of a motive fluid exhaust valve, a seat for said valve removably carried by said head, and a motor for opening said valve, said motor comprising a fluid pressure actuated device having a rigid plunger, the free end of which, when the motor operates, is brought into engagement with the valve to push it from its seat.

18. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a chamber having liquid inlet and outlet passages, and motive fluid admission and exhaust valves, of a fluid pres sure motor for operating said exhaust valve,

a float, and means controlled thereby for governing the admission of pressure to said motor, said float, when in its lowermost position, being located entirely above the low level wa er line in said hamber,

19. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a chamber having liquid inlet and outlet passages, and motive fluid admission and exhaust valves, of a fluid pressure motor foroperating said exhaust valve, a float and float controlled means, located perma nently and entirely above the low water level point in said chamber, for admitting-pressure fluid to said motor when the. water level has fallen to such point.

20. Ina pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having liquid inlet and outlet passages, and motive fluid admission and exhaust valves, of a float located permanently at the top OI said cylinder, and means controlled by said float for opening said exhaust valve when the level of the liquid in said cylinder has fallen 'to a predetermined low point.

21. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having---the usual check valve at its lower end, of a head member closing the upper end of said cylinder and having air inlet and exhaust ports, a valve for closing said exhaust port, a float controlling the opening of said valve, and a water box in which said float is confined, said water box being secured to and supported wholly by said head member.

22. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having the usual check valve at its lower end, of a head member closing the upper end of said cylinder and having air inlet and exhaust ports, a valve for closing said exhaustport, a water box secured to said head member, a float in said water box controlling the open ing of said valve, and a drop pipe extending downwardly from the bottom of said box to a point. adjacent the lower end'of said cylinder.

23. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having the usual check valve at its lower end, of a head member closing the upper end of said cylinder and having air inlet and exhaust ports, a valve for closing said exhaust port, a motor for unseating said valve, a float controlling the admission of pressure fluid to said motor, and a water box in which said float is confined, said motor and water box being both carried wholly by said head member.

24:. In a pneumatic pump, the combina; tion with a vertical cylinder having the usual check valve at its lower end, of a head closing the upper end of said cylinder and having air inlet and exhaust ports, a.

valve for closing said exhaust por.t,,a float controlling the opening of said valve, means whereby said float is lifted to its upper position only when liquid has substantially filled the cylinder, and means whereby said float is maintained by the liquid in its elevated position while the liquid is being ex pelled from said cylinder, and is permitted to fall, and cause the opening of said exvliquid has reached a point adjacent the lower end of said cylinder.

25. In a pneumatic pump, the combina tion with a vertical cylinder having the usual check valve at its lower end, of a head member closing the upper end of said cylinder and having air inlet and xhaust ports, a valve for closing said exhaust port, a float controlling the opening of said valve, said float becoming immersed and thus lifted to its elevated position only when the liquid has filled the cylinder, means for maintaining said float immersed "and buoyed up by the liquid while liquid is being expelled from said cylinder, and means for withdrawing the liquid from around said float and permiting it to fall and open the exhaust valve only when the level of the liquid has reacheda point adjacent the lower end of said cylinder.

26. In a pneumaticpump, the combination with 'a vertical cylinder having the usual checkvalve at its lower end, of a head I member closing the upper end of said cylinder and having air inlet and exhaust ports, a valve for closing said exhaust port, a vertical conduit in said cylinder having an open lower end, whereby liquid enters said conduit "as the liquid fills the cylinder, means for automatically sealing the upper end of the conduit when. it has become full of liquid, the lower end of the conduit being also sealed by the liquid, whereby a column ofliquid is maintained in the conduit as the liquid is expelled from the cylinder, and is released when the liquid level falls to such a point as to uncover or break the seal at the lower end of said conduit, and means controlled by the release of such liquid column for opening said exhaust valve.

27. A pneumatic pump comprising a chamber having liquid inlet and discharge passages, and motive fluid admission and exhaust valves, a vertically movable float controlling said exhaust valve, and means whereby accumulation. of pressure in said chamber causes the liquid to raise said float to its elevated position.

2 8. A pneumatic pump comprising a "chamber having liquid inlet and discharge passages, and motive fluid admission and exhaust valves, a pilot valve controlling said exhaust valve, and liquid level operated means responsive to pressureconditions in "said chamber for actuating said pilotvalve.

29. A pneumatic pump comprising a chamber having liquid inlet and discharge passages and motive fluid admission and exhaust ports, a valve for closing said exhaust port, a fluid pressure motor for un-' seating said exhaust valve, means operating,

when the liquid has been nearly eX- the liquid has been nearly all expelled from" the chamber, to admit pressure fluid from said chamber to said motor, and means whereby the opening of said exhaust valve serves to vent said motor,

31. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having a check valve'at its lower end, and a head member closing the upper end, mechanically in-, dependent air inlet and exhaustv valves, a

liquid discharge pipe and a control pipe extending downwardly into the cylinder from said head member, the lower ends of said pipes being free and permanently open, the liquid discharge pipe projecting below the control pipe, and means operated by the uncovering of the lower end of-the control pipe, as the liquid level in the cylinder falls, for openingsaid exhaust valve.

32. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having a check valve at its lower end, and a head member closing the'upper end, air inlet and exhaust valves, independent of each other, a liquid discharge pipe and a control pipe extending downwardly into the cylinder" from said head member, and supported wholly thereby, means operated by the lowering of the liquid level in the cylinder to a point beyond the open lower end of said control pipe for opening said exhaust valve,- the end of said discharge pipe lying substantially below said. lower end of the control pipe, so that it is liquid sealed at all times, whereby entrance of air into said discharge pipe is impossible.

33. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylinder, and a head member closing the end thereof, said head member having a liquid discharge passage formed therein, a liquid discharge pipe carried wholly by said head member and communicating with said passage, said pipe extending into said cylinder, an air admission valve, an air exhaust valve,

a cage for the exhaust valve, and an exhaust valve operating motor, all of said parts being also carried wholly by said head member. 1 4

34c. Apneumatic pump comprising a cylinder, and a head member closing the end thereof, said head member having a liquid discharge passage formed therein, a liquid discharge pipe carried wholly by said head member and communicating with said passage, saidpipe extending into said cylinder,

an air admission valve, an air exhaust valve, a cage for the exhaust valve, and float actuated means for controlling said exhaust valve, all of said elements being also carried wholly by said head member.

35. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylinder, and a head member closing the end thereof, said head member having a liquid discharge passage, a liquid discharge pipe carried by said head member and communicating with said passage, said pipe extending into said cylinder, an air admission valve, an air exhaust valve, a cage for the exhaust valve,-an exhaust valve operating motor, and a float chamber and float for controlling said motor, all of said parts being carried entirely by said head member.

36. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having liquid inlet and outlet passages, and admission and exhaust valves for motive fluid, of a head member closing the upper end of said cylinder and having a vertical opening extending therethrough. and a float controlling the unseating of said exhaust valve, said float belng located within said opening and removable upwardly therefrom.

37. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having a liquid inlet at its lower end, of a head member closing the upper end of said cylinder, and hav ing air admission and exhaust ports and a liquid discharge passageway formed therein, said head member comprising separable upper and lower sections, an exhaust valve governing said exhaust port, and a float controlling said exhaust valve, said valve and float being carried by said lower section and removable upwardly therefrom when the said upper section is separated from the lower.

38. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having a liquid inlet at its lower end, of a. head member closing the upper end of said cylinder and having air admission and exhaust ports and a liquid discharge passageway formed therein, said head member comprising upper and lower separable sections, said discharge passageway being formed partly in both sections, and a check valve in said passageway located at the junction of the two sections, and removable when said sections are separated.

39. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having a liquid in let at its lower end, of a head member closing the upper end of said cylinder and hav ing air admission and exhaust ports and a liquid discharge passageway formed therein, said head member comprising upper and lower separable sections, an exhaust valve, an exhaust valve operating motor, and a float controlling said motor, said motor and fl a bei g m un ed in said. lower secti and removable upwardly therefrom when closing the upper end of said cylinder and" having air admission and exhaust ports and a liquid discharge passageway formed therein, said head member comprising upper and lower separable sections, air supply and exhaust pipes and a water delivery pipe secured to said upper section and communicating with the respective ports and passageway, and an exhaust valve and controlling mechanism therefor carried by said lower Section, said exhaust valve cooperating with said exhaust port.

41. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having liquid inlet and outlet passages, of a head member closing-the upper end of said cylinder, and

comprising upper and lower separable sec-' tions, said'upper section having air admission and exhaust ports and control ports and passages'formed therein, air supply and exhaust pipes secured to said upper section and communicating respectively with the ad mission and exhaust ports, an exhaust valve for closing said exhaust ports, and exhaust valve controlling mechanism removably mounted in said lower section and positioned to register with said control ports when the two sections are assembled. I

42. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with a vertical cylinder having liquid inlet and outlet passages, of a head member closing the upper end of said cylinder, and having air admission and exhaust ports formed therein, said head member comprising upper and lower separable sections, said upper section having also a control port and a valve seat communicating therewith, and a valve member carried by said lower section and cooperating with said valve seat when the parts are assembled.

43. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with vertical cylinder having air supply and exhaust ports at its upper end, and a liquid discharge passage, of a check valve at the lower end of said cylinder, said check valve comprising a cage member, an annular seat member, an annular retaining member for the seat member, and a disc valve member movable freely within the cage member.

44. In a pneumatic pump, the combination with vertical cylinder having air supply and exhaust ports at its upper end, and a liquid discharge passage, of a check valve at the lower end of said cylinder, said check valve comprising a cage member in engagement with the walls of the cylinder, an annular outwardly removable retaining member be low said cage member,an annular seat member held between said cage member and rewining m m er, and a d sc l e mem r air exhaust valve, an exhaust valve operating motor, and a float for controlling said motor, all of said parts being earri'ed and supported entirely by said oylinder* head structure and either within the same or wholly inside the cylinder.

46. A pneumatic pump comprising a vertical cylinder having a 'liquic l inlet atits lower end and a head closing its upper end, said head having air inlet'and iwater dis charge passages extending therethrough, and a cylindrical chamber communicatingat its lower end with the interior ef the pump cylinder, an exhaust valve, and an exhaust valve operating motor comprising a plston vertically reciprocable within said chamber,"

the wall of said chamber, at a point below the travel of said piston, being formed with an exhaust port communicating with atmosphere. I i

47. A pneumatic pump comprising a cylinder having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, and a head closing its upper end, said head having air inlet and exhaust passages and a cylindrical chamber, an exhaust valve at the lower end of said chamber, an exhaust valve, operating motor comprising a piston vertically reciprocable within said chamber, means for admitting fluid pressure above said piston to actuate the same, and means tabl h g 'wmmuniqe n thro gh th piston rod between the space above said piston, and the in erior f the P1 119 ylinder- 8- I a pne matic p mp he m i ati i h a v rtical aylinder a ing a liq id nle t we and f a ad dosin he uppe end or evlinder and ha in athei 0 .1 and exhau a d liqui diseha fe P saaewavs extendi g the hro ghi n. hafist a ve sc ew ng sa d. exh us Passageay, and an xhau al e Qpe ina me e omn i ing cylind r and pis n aid ea djacent aid m t r being a ed 9 ppe n er eparable s et e s and havin r i a ch mber n hi S id inder is. enclosed and from which it may be removed upwardly. I e

In testimony whereof I aflix signature.

JOHN L. LATTA.

Images