US593151A

US593151A - Compressed-air liquid elevator and conveyer

Info

Publication number: US593151A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1897-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 1914-11-02

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

L. A. ZUHE. COMPRESSED AIR LIQUID ELEVATOR AND CONVEYER.

No. 593,151. Patented Nov. 2,1897.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

L. A. ZOHE. COMPRESSED AIR LIQUID ELEVATOR AND GONVEYER. No. 593,151. Patented Nov. 2,1897.

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UNITED STATES ATENT tries.

LUDVVIG A. ZCHE, OF SYRACUSE, NE vV YORK.

COM PRESSED-AIR LIQUID ELEVATOR AND CONVEYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,151, dated November 2, 1897'.

- Application filed April 21, 1897. Serial No. 633,198. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, LUDwIc A. Zone, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Compressed-Air Liquid Elevators and Gonveyers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to compressedair liquid elevators and conveyers, and primarily .has for its object to provide improved apparatus for raising water from a well, cistern, or the like, wherein the compressed air is used over and over again to effect a continuous flow of the water, whereby the energy required to do the work is diminished.

It has for a further object to adapt such apparatus to conveying acids and similar liquids, and to combine with such apparatus means for heating, washing, and drying the air after it has performed its task of forcing the liquid and before it is returned to the compressor.

To these ends my invent-ion consists in the features and in the combination, arrangement, or construction of parts hereinafter described,and definitely set forth in the claims following the description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a sectional View illustrating oneform of my apparatus for raising water from a well. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the apparatus for conveying water in largevolume, and Fig. 3 is a similar view of the apparatus arranged for conveying acids.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a well or cistern, in the bottom of which is arranged a closed vessel or tank 2. Projecting into the lower portion of said tank is an injector comprising an outer tapering shell 3 and an inner induction-tube 4. Communicating with the shell 3 is an air-pipe 5, which leads up out of the cistern to an aircompressor, as shown in Fig. 1. Said aircompressor may be of any ordinary type of double-acting air-pump, and is shown in the present instance as consisting of a cylinder 6, in which is arranged a reciprocating piston 7. Said cylinder on one side and near its opposite ends is provided with two valves 8 and 9, which open outwardly into the pipe 5, and on its opposite side at corresponding points is provided with two valves 10 and 11, which open inwardly from a pipe 12. The pipe 12 extends down into the upper part of the tank 2 and is adapted to be closed at its lower end by a float-valve 13. An inwardlyopening check-valve 14 is arranged in the pipe 12 at any suitable point between the upper and lower ends of the pipe, and between the upper and lower ends of the pipe 5 is inserted an. air-reservoir 15. A discharge pipe 16 leads from the lower portion of the vessel 2 to a point above the top of the cistern.

The operation of this form of the apparatus is as follows: The air-compressor being put into operation compresses the air and forces it down the pipe 5 into the injector and thence into the vessel The air in passing through the injector carries with it water through the induction-tube 4 in a manner well known. When a sufficient quantity of water has been injected into the vessel 2 to float the valve 13 to a certain height, said valve closes the lower end of the pipe 12. The compressor continues to force air and water into the vessel until the pressure ele vates the water and discharges it out through the pipe 16. During this operation While the float-valve 13 closes the pipe 12 the compressor obtains its air through the checkvalve 14. As the Water discharges through the pipe 16 air is accumulating in the top of the vessel 2 until it forces the water down therein, upon which the float-valve 13 drops by gravity and uncovers the lower end of the pipe 12. The air then enters the pipe 12 and passes to the suction side of the compressor, the check-valve 14 automatically closing. At this stage of the operation all the parts are balancedthat is to say, the Water flows up and out the pipe 16 and the float-valve 13 remains down, the air passing up through the pipe 12 to the compressor as fast as it is injected into the vessel with the water, the amount of water lifted being dependent upon. the speed at which the compressor is operated. The flow of water is thus continuous and the air makes a complete circuit, being used'over and over again, and being under compression diminishes the power necessary to drive the compressor. The reservoir 15 serves as an accumulator to render the ac- The foregoing-described form of apparatus embodies the invention in its simplest form and is well adapted for raising water from wells, cisterns, and the like.

For the purpose of raising the water in large volumes I provide the tank or vessel 2 with a plurality of injectors, as shown in Fig. i

2. Referring to said figure, the numeral 18 indicates a partition arranged near the bot-v tom of the vessel 2, forming below it an air-. chamber 19. Projecting through the parti tion 18 into the chamber are a number of injector-shells 3, in each of which is arranged the delivery end of an induction-tube 4, that projects through the bottom of the vessel. The inlet ends of all the induction-tubes 4 are connected to a manifold 20, which leads from the body of water to be raised or conveyed. The shell 3 and induction-tubes 4 constitute a gang of injectors that operate in unison, as will hereinafter appear. Apipe 2lileads from the air-reservoir to the air-chamber 19 and is provided with a valve 21.

An independent injector 22, which I denominate a starting-injector,projects into the vessel 2, and its induction-tube 23 is connected to the manifold 20. In said manifold, between the induction-tube 23 and the induction-tubes 4, is arranged a valve 24, by means of which the water-supply may be cut olf from the gang of induction-tubes 4 without interfering with the supply to the induction-tube 23. An air-supply pipe 25 leads from the air-reservoir 15 to the injector 22, and in said pipe and the induction-tube 23 are arranged valves 25, by means of whichv the injector 22 may be cut out of operation.

For supplying air to the reservoir-15 in this form of the device I employa compound airpump having a high and low pressure cylinder. For the purpose I may employ any of the well-known compressors of this type, and I have illustrated in Fig. 2 one form of compressor suitable for the purpose. Referring to said figure, the numeral 26 indicates the low-pressure compressor, havingits suction side connected to the tank or vessel 2 by a pipe 27 and its discharge or outlet connected to the reservoir 15 by a pipe 28, in which is arranged a valve 29. The compressor 26 comprises a cylinder provided at its opposite ends with duplex valves 30 and a piston 31, working in said cylinder, the construction being such that the compressor takes in and discharges air on each stroke in a manner Well known and needing no detailed description.

a three-way valve 36, which when turned in one direction permits the airfrom the highpressure compressor to pass to the reservoir,

but when turned in the other direction shuts off communication between the high-pressure compressor and the reservoir and discharges the air from the compressor into the atmosphere.

Instead of the float-valve before described an ordinary hand-operated valve 37 is arranged in the pipe 27. A discharge-pipe 16, such as before described, leads from the bottom of the vessel 2, and said vessel is provided with an ordinary gage-glass 38 to indicate the level of the water in the vessel.

The operation of this form of the apparatus is as follows: To start the apparatus, the

valves 21, 29, and 37 are closed, thus shutting off the gang of injectors from the reservoir and also shutting off the communication between the low-pressure compressor and the reservoir and at the same time closing the com- ,munication between the low-pressure compressor and the vessel 2. The valve 2i in the manifold is also closed to shut oif the supply of water to the gang of injectors. The valve 25 in the air-pipe 25 is closed and maintained closed until there is a suflicient pressure of air in the reservoir, and then the valves 25 are finally opened, placing the injector 22 in communication with the manifold and with the air-reservoir, and the valve 36 turned to connect the high pressure compressor with the air -reservoir. The compressor being then put into operation the high pressure compressor takes in atmospheric air through the inlet-port 34 and discharges the air through the pipe, 35 into the reservoir, from whence it is conveyed by pipe 25 to the starting-injector 22v and thence into the vessel 2, carrying with it water from the induction-tube 23. When suflicient water has been forced into the vessel and the pressure of the air is sufficient to discharge the water through the pipe 16, the valve 37 is opened wide enough to permit a proper quantity of the air to pass up pipe 27 to maintain the necessary pressure on the water to keep up a steady discharge out pipe 16. The air then passes up pipe 27 to the suction side of the low-pressure compressor, and the valves 21 and 29 are immediately opened to put the low-pressure compressor into communication with the reservoir, the valve 36 is turned to discharge the air from the high-pressure compressor into the atmosphere, the valves 25 are closed to shut off the starting-injector,

and the valve 24 in the manifold is opened to supply the gang of injectors with water. The low-pressure compressor will then supply air to the reservoir, and the latter will feed the gang of injectors. All the injectors of the gang will then cooperate to inject air and water into the vessel 2, the volume or quantity of the water thus raised only being dependent upon the supply, the number of the injectors, and the capacity of the compressor. The level of the water in the vessel, and hence the manner in which the apparatus is working, may be viewed through the gage 38, and the proper level of the water is maintained by adj usting'the valve 37 in the pipe 27 to regulate the pressure of the air in the vessel. The valve 36 is adjusted to correspond to the requirements of the airsupply. If the gage is seen to be full, ornearly so, the valve 36 should be turned to permit the high-pressure compressor to force air in from the atmosphere until the level of the water is forced down to the proper point, and

the valve is again turned to throw the high-' pressure compressor out of communication with the air-reservoir.

An inwardly-opening check-valve 17 is preferably placed in the pipe 20 to prevent backward flow of air or liquid when the machine is not in use.

The principle of operation in the two described forms of apparatus is identical, the construction being only varied to adapt the device for raising water in small or large quantities.

In elevating and conveying acids and other chemical liquids that have a tendency to combine with or chemically affect the air the air,

if not purified beforeits return, when brought into contact with the compressor and its connections injuriously affects and finally destroys the parts, and in order to prevent such action I combine with my elevating and conveying apparatus the washing and drying devices illustrated in Fig. 3. Referring to said figure, the numeral 39 indicates the air-compressor, 15 the air-reservoir, 2 the vessel, 3 the in j ector-shell, 4 the induction-tube, 16 the discharge-pipe, 12 the return air-pipe, and 13 the float-valve, all constructed and operating in the manner first above described. The induetion-tube 4 leads from a tank or reservoir 48 from which the acid or other liquid is to be withdrawn. Instead, however, of returning the air directly to the compressor, it is first washed and dried and in some cases heated in its transit between the vessel and the compressor in the manner which I will now proceed to describe. Interposed between two sections of the pipe 12 is a washer 40, comprising a cylinder 41, having arranged therein a plurality of gratings 42, one above the other, on which is deposited coke or other suitable porous or granular material. In the top of the cylinder is disposed a spraying-jet 43, which is connected with a suitable source of water-supply, and projecting through the bottom of the cylinder is a drain-pipe 44, the mouth of which is controlled by a float-valve in an obvious and well-known manner, the construction being such that when the water accumulates in the bottom of the washer the valve will be lifted and the water flows off through the drain-pipe until the valve again drops over the mouth of the pipe and closes it, thus preventing the escape of air. As shown, the air-inlet section of the pipe 12 enters the washer near the bottom and the airoutlet section nearthe top. The jet 43 sprays water over the layers of charcoal and drips down from grating to grating in the form of fine spray, and the air ascends through this spray and intimately mixes therewith, whereby the air is thoroughly washed and purified. From the washer the now moisture-laden air passes to the drier 46. posedbetween two sections of the pipe 12 and between the washer and the compressor, and consists of a rectangular box or vessel in which are arranged, one above the other on alternate sides of the box, shelves 47, on which is deposited lime. The air enters the bottom of the drier and passes back and forth in a zigzag directionover the lime, which absorbs the moisture, and the air passes out of the top of the vessel in a dry condition and thence returns to the compressor.

In ice-making plants where the liquid being conveyed is apt to reduce the temperature of the air below freezing-point in order to prevent the air from freezing or clogging up any of the valves orconnections I provide a heater 49 for heating it immediately after it has passed from the vessel 2. Said heater should be located as near the top of the vessel 2 as possible, and is connected to the pipe 12, as shown, so that the air on emerging from the vessel 2 is immediately caused to pass through the heater and thence directly to the compressor, the washer and drier in such case being omitted. The construction of the heater forms no part of my invention. Any well-known form of steamheater may be employed, and preferably the exhaust-steam from an engine forming a part of the plant is utilized as the heating medium.

As a further safeguard against the destructive action of the acids and the like I contemplate forming those parts of the apparatus directly exposed to such destructive action of glass, porcelain, or other well-known materials not affected by such chemical action.

An inwardly-opening check-valve 17 is preferably arranged in the induction-pipe 4, and operates to prevent the backward flow of air or liquid to the tank 48 when the machine is not in use.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination with a closed vessel having a discharge-pipe, and an injector connected with said vessel and having an induc- Said drier is inter- ITO compressed air to said injector, a return air-' pipe leading from the upper part of the vessel to the suction side of the air-compressor,

and means controlled by the height of the water in said vessel for regulating the passage of the compressed air from the vessel to the air-ccmpressor,substantially as described. i

2. The combination with a closed vessel having a discharge-pipe and an injector connected with said vessel and having an induction-pipe leading from the liquid to be conveyed, of an air-compressor for delivering compressed air to said injector, a return airpipe leading from the upper end of said vessel to the inlet side of the air-compressor,

and a float-valve arranged in said vessel and adapted to seat against and close said returnpipe, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a closed vessel having a discharge-pipe and an injector connected with said vessel and having an induction-pipe leading from the liquid to be conveyed, of an air-compressor for delivering compressed air to said injector, a return airpipe leading from the upper end of said vessel to the inlet side of the air-compressor, an inwardly-opening valve arranged in said pipe and operating when open to admit atmospheric air thereto, and a float-valve arranged in said vessel and adapted to seat against and close said return-pipe, substantiallyafs described.

4. The combination with a closed vessel having a discharge-pipe and an injector connectedwith said vessel and having an induction-pipe leading from the liquid to be'conveyed, of an air-compressor for delivering compressed air to said injector, a return airpipe leading from the upper end of said vessel to the inlet side of the air-compressor, an inwardly-opening valve arranged in said pipe and operating when open to admit atmospheric air thereto, a check-valve arranged in the lower end of the discharge-pipe, and a float-valve arranged in said vessel and adapted to seat against and close the said returnpipe, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a closed vessel having an air-chamber in its lower end of a plurality of injectors projecting from said air-chamber into said vessel, induction-pipes leading from said injectors to the liquid to be conveyed, an air-compressor for forcing air into said air-chamber, a discharge-pipe leading from the vessel, an independent inj ector leading into the vessel above the airchamber, and a valved return air-pipe leading from the said vessel to the air-compressor, substantially as described.

- 6. The combination with a closed vessel having an air-chamber in its lower end, of a plurality of injectors projecting from said air-chamber into said vessel, induction-pipes leading from said injectors and connected with a manifold for supplying water to all of said injectors, a compressed-air reservoir, a valved pipe leading from said reservoir to said air-chamber, and an independent injec tor projecting into said vessel and connected to the said manifold and air-reservoir, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a closed vessel having an airchamber in its lower end, of a plurality of injectors projecting from said air-chamber into the said vessel, inductiom pipes leading from the injectors and connected with a manifold for supplying water to all of the injectors, a valve for cutting off the water-supply to said injectors, a compressed air reservoir, a pipe leading from the reser voir to the air-chamber, an independent injector leading into the vessel above the air chamber, means for cutting out of operation said independent injector, and an air-compressor ior supplying air to the reservoir. substantially as described.

8. The combination with a closed'vessel having an air-chamber in its lower end, of a plurality of injectors projecting from said air-chamber into the said vessel, induction pipes leading from the injectors and connected with a manifold for supplying water to all of the injectors, a valve in said manifold for cutting off the supply of water to said injectors, an independent injector projecting into the vessel above said air-chamber, an airreservoir and valved pipes connecting said air-reservoir andvessel, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a closed vessel having an air-chamber at its lower end of a plurality of injectors projecting from said air-chamber into said vessel, induction-pipes leading from the injectors and connected with a manifold for supplying water to said injectors, an independent injector projecting into the vessel above said air-chamber, an airreservoir, valved pipes leading from the airreservoir to the injectors, an air-compressor having a high and low pressure pump, pipes leading from said pumps to the air'reservoir, means for cutting out the high pressure pump, and a valved air-return pipe leading from the vessel to the low-pressure pump, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a closed vessel and an injector connected with said vessel and having an induction-pipe leading from the liquid to be conveyed, of an air-compressor for delivering air to said injector, an air- Washer and an air-drier interposed between the said vessel and compressor, pipes connecting said washer and drier to the vessel and compressor and to each other, and means controlled by the height of waterin the vessel for regulating the passage of the compressed air from the vessel through the washer and drier to the compressor, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a closed vessel.

10 for regulating the passage of the compressed air from the vessel through the heater to the compressor, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witmesses.

LUDYVIG A. ZGHE.

Witnesses:

W. H. BLAUVELT, FREDERIC J. ANGELL.