US248355A - Liquid-elevator - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

' L. SOHUTT'E.

LIQUID ELEVATOR.

No. 248,355. Patented Oct. 18,1881.

N. PEYERS. Phnm-Llthogmphur. Washinglnm D. c.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS SOHUTTE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

LlQUlD-ELEVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 248,355, dated October 18, 1881.

Application filed June 17, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LoUIs SoHUTTn, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Elevating Fluids, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a novel construction and combination of parts by means of which liquids may be raised to any required height by means ofjuctioin-the apparatus being designed to raise fluids by a single lift to a height greater than thirty-two feet, the limit beyond which it is impossible to effect an elevation by the ordinary system of apparatus.

The invention consists, more particularly, in the combination, with a lift-pipe to which a continuous suction is applied, of an air-admission valve communicating with the lift or suction pipe ata pointabove the level of theliquidsupply, or below the level to which the fluid column would rise under atmospheric presspressure; in the combination of a suction or lift pipe, an air-admission valve above the level of the fluid-supply, a receiver, a dischargepipe, and a valve or seal for the dischargepipe; in combining with the air-valve, located as above stated, a diaphragm or piston controlled by the vacuum in the receiver or suction pipe for the purpose of controlling the admission of air to the lift-pipe in combining with the air-admission valve of an apparatus such as above described an independent pendulum or time apparatus by which the openingand closing of the air-valve is controlled, and in combining with anexhausting apparatus or device one or more liquid-elevators, each having a suction or lift pipe, an air-admission valve above the foot of said pipe, a dischargepipe above the air-valve, and a valve or seal for closing the discharge-pipe.

My invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms of apparatus, all of which will have substantially the same mode of operation.

My method of elevating the fluids is based upon the fact that if an upright suction or lift pipe communicating at its upper end with a vacuum or partial vacuum or exhausting apparatus be connected at its foot with a fluid- (No model.)

supply, the suction will cause the fluid to rise in the pipe to a height corresponding with the degree of the vacuum, never exceeding the limit of thirty-two feet, and that if at this time air be admitted into the pipe at a point above the level of the fluid-supply and below the top of the column in the pipe, that portion of the liquid standing above the point of air-admission will be forced upward through the pipe by the excess of atmospheric pressure represented by the height of the liquid column between the point of air-admission and the supply-level. in this way the fluid may be carried above the usual limit of thirty-two feet by a single lift and with a continuous pipe.

The form of the apparatus employed is immaterial, provided it is adapted to secure the above-described mode of action.

The accompanying drawings represent that form of apparatus which is deemed the best for general use, and also certain modified forms of the same.

Figure 1 represents a vertical central section through my apparatus in its most approved form, the same being constructed to operate automatically. Fig. 2 is a view showing the manner in which a liquid seal may be substituted for the valve for closing the mouth of the discharge-pipe. Fig. 3 is a view illustratin g the application of a hand-lever in place of the automatic valve represented in Fig. 1 for operating the air-admission valve. Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the application of a pendulum or time movement to control the opening and closing of the air-admission valve.

Referring to Fig. 1, A represents a tank or reservoir containing the fluid which it is required to elevate.

B represents a suction or lift pipe dipping at its lower end in the fluid in tank A, and extending thence upward into and nearly to the top of a receiving or vacuum chamber, (J, located at or above the level to which it is required to deliver the fluid.

D represents a steam jet exhauster connected with the chamber 0, for the purpose of maintaining a vacuum or partial vacuum therein. The exhauster D may be of the well-known Korting pattern, or of any other suitable pattern; or, if preferred, it may be replaced by a rotary exhauster, a reciprocating pump, or any other suitable apparatus which will produce the required vacuum in chamber 0. The vacuum-chamber is provided at its base with a discharge or delivery pipe, E, the mouth of which is closed by means ofa valve, F, through which the fluid is finally delivered into the tank or receiver G.

H represents an air-admission pipe, comm unicating with the pipe B at a point below that to which the fluid is elevated by the vacuum. This pipe H is provided at its mouth with a valve, I, by which it may be sealed, the valve being connected by a stem or spindle with a flexible diaphragm, K, which forms the under side of a 'acuum-chamber, L, the chamber L communicating by means of a small tube, M, with the vacuum-chamber (J, as shown in the drawings. For the purpose of maintaining the air-valve I normally in a closed position a weighted lever, N, is connected therewith, as shown in the drawings. Below the point at which the air-admission valve communicates with the lift-pipe B the latter is provided, as shown, with an up wardly-opening check-valve, 0, this valve being advantageous, but not a necessary part of the apparatus.

The parts being constructed and arranged as above, the operation is then as follows: The exhauster, being set in action, produces a vacuum or partial vacuum in the receptacle C, and then in the entire system of pipes. The liquid will then rise from the supply tank or reservoir A, in the foot of lift-pipe B, to a height corresponding with the degree of the vacuum, which will ordinarily be to the level indicated by A in the drawings, the same being at a point considerably above the air-admission valve. The vacuum-chain her communicating through pipe M with the diaphragm K, the air-pressure causes the latter to open the air-valve I, thereby admitting air through the pipe H into the pipe B below the top of the fluid column. The effect is that that portion of the liquid standing above the air-admission valve will be forced upward by the excess of atmospheric pressure represented by the height of the liquid column below the point of air-admission, and delivered from the top of pipe B into the receptacle C, whence it is discharged through valve F into receptacle G. The height to which the fluid is caused to ascend in pipe B being indicated by theletter A, the liquid column, of course, parts or divides at the point of air-admission. The upper portion of the column is carried upward with a force represented by and corresponding to the height of theliquid column 0. As soon as the upper or divided portion of the liquid column represented by B is discharged from the pipe B into receptacle 0 air will fol low in sutficient quantity to destroy the vacuum, and the liquid will then be discharged automatically through the valve F. The vacuum in the chamber 0 being thus destroyed or reduced, the diaphragm L is permitted to fall and close the air-admission valve, whereupon the previously-described operation will be repeated, and so on continuously.

The weight applied to effect the closing of the air-valve will be of a size corresponding with the height to which the fluid is to he elevated, the weight being increased or diminished, according to circumstances.

If the pipe M communicating with the diaphragm is of sufficient area, the reduction of the vacuum above the diaphragm and the closing of the air-valve will occur almost instantaneousl y after the liquid has passed the top of the pipe B, and this is the desired condition. When, however, itis necessary to allow a length of time for the valve F to remain open while the liquid is being discharged the time for the reduction of the vacuum above the diaphragm may be controlled by means of a cock, U, or other throttling device applied to the pipe M.

Where the apparatus is to be operated to elevate fluids to excessive heights it may be found advantageous to place the diaphragm near the receptacle (1, and to connect with the valve I by a rod, so as to avoid the repeated evacuations of the pipe M.

The air-admission pipe may be extended upward, so as to place the valve beyond the fluid.

In some cases it may be desirable to operate two or more apparatus such as described by one and the same exhauster, in which case suitable valves will be used between the receptacle O and the exhauster to secure the action of the exhauster alternately in connection with the two chambers.

As before stated, the check-valve O is not required; but its use is desirable, for the reason that it avoids the necessity of repeatedly elevating the fluid to the level of the air-admission point, as would otherwise be required.

It will be observed that by my method of constructing the apparatus it is adapted to elevate fluids to any height which may be required, its operation not being restricted to the limited heights within which ordinary vacuum apparatus must be operated.

Instead of permitting the air-valve I to remain open a sufficient length of time to maintain the destruction or reduction of the vacuum in chamber 0, the discharge-pipe E may be-made of a length somewhat in excess of the height of the fluid column corresponding with the highest vacuum under which the exhauster works. Such an arrangement is represented in dotted lines in Fig. 1. When thus constructed the air-valve may be closed the instant that the liquid column has passed the top of the suction-pipe B.

Instead of making use of the valve F upon the discharge-pipe, a liquid seal, such as represented in Fig. 2, may be advantageously substituted. In such case the contents of the sealing or receiving vessel from the bottom of the discharge-pipe to the liquid-level should be somewhat greater than the cubic contents of the discharge-pipe E, and the vertical distance between the bottom of the vessel 0 and the level of the sealing-fluid should be somewhat greater than the height of the fluid column A.

The admission of air through valve I at the proper time may be controlled by a hand-lever, such as is represented in Fig. 3, or by a time mechanism, such as is shown in Fig. 4. The time-movement shown in Fig. 4 consists of a rotating cam, P, which acts upon the air-admission valve through rod Q to open and close the same. Rotary motion is imparted to this cam through a ratchet-wheel attached thereto and a pawl operating upon said wheel, and pivoted to an arm upon a rock-shaft, R, the latter being provided with a pendulum, S, to regulate its motion, and connected with the piston of a small steam-cylinder, T, from which latter motion is imparted to the rock-shaft and pendulum.

The pendulumbob is adjustable upon its supporting-rod, and is made of such weight as to control the action of the piston under varying pressures within ordinary limits. By raising and lowering the pendulum-bob the speed with which the air-admission valve is opened and closed may be nicely regulated.

The pendulum or other time mechanism may be applied when the valve is moved by the vacuum.

1 am aware that a steam-blast directed upward has been introduced at a centralpoint in a fluid-conducting pipe, the fluid being raised by suction a distance less than thirty-two feet by the blast and then driven orforced upward a few feet above the same, and this I do not claim.

In my system the fluid is raised the entire distance, more than thirty-two feet, by suction.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is 1. The improvement in the art of elevating fluids byatm p ericprmsure, consisting in extending the fluid-conductor above the level to which the fluid column will rise by atmospheric pressure, applying a vacuum above the level named and limiting the fluid column to be elevated to a length less than thirty-two feet, whereby the shortened column is caused to rise above the usual limit of atmospheric elevation.

2. In avacuum apparatusfor elevating fluids, a suction-pipe extending to a height greater than that to which a fluid column would rise under atmospheric pressure, and means, substantially as described, whereby the fluid to be elevated is separated into short columns each of a length less than thirty-two feet.

3. In an apparatus for elevating fluids by atmospheric pressure, a fluid-suction pipe extending above the fluid supply a distance greater than thirtytwo feet, in combination with means, substantially as described, for dividing the ascending fluid into columns of less than thirty-two feet in length and admitting atmospheric air beneath each of said columns.

4. In a vacuum fluid-elevator, the combination of a suction-pipe through which the fluid is elevated and an air-admission valve communicating with the suction-pipe above the level of the liquid-supply, but below the level of the liquid-discharge.

5. The herein-described method of elevating fluids, the same consisting in applying a vacuum to elevate the fluid in the foot of a pipe, and subsequently admitting air to said pipe at a point below the top and above the foot of the fluid column, substantially as described.

6. In a vacuum fluid-elevator, the combination of a suction-pipe through which the fluid is elevated, a fluid-supply at its base, and an air-admission valve communicating with said pipe below the point of delivery and above the fluid-supply.

7. The combination of the suction-pipe, the air-admission valve, located as described, the vacuum-chamber extending downward around and below the mouth of the suction-pipe, the exhauster, and the discharge-valve connected with the vacuum-chamber.

8. The combination of a suction-pipe, anairvalve located below the level to which the fluid" is elevated by atmospheric pressure, and automatic devices, substantially such as described, for effecting the opening and closing of the airvalve by means of the vacuum or suction in the lift-pipe.

9. The combination of the lift-pipe, the airvalve located as described, the diaphragm for operating said valve, the chamber at the top of the lift-pipe, and the pipe extending from said vacuum-chamber to the chamber above the diaphragm.

10. The combination of the suction-pipe, the air-admission valve located above the fluidsupply and below the point to which the fluid column is raised by atmospheric pressure, and a check-valve located in the suction-pipe at'or below the level of the air-valve.

11. The combination of the suction-pipe, the air-admission valve, and a time mechanism to control the opening and closing of the valve.

LOUIS SOHUTTE.

Witnesses:

BENTON 0. SEVERN, W. R. SooTT.

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