US613504A

US613504A - Process of and apparatus for testing plumbing

Info

Publication number: US613504A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1898-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 1915-11-01

Description

No. 613,504. Patented Nov. I, I898. v A. A. DUMOND.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING PLUMBING.

(Application filed. Jan. 4, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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PATENT OFFICE.

.ALONZO A. DUMOND, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR- TESTING PLUMBING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,504, dated November 1, 1898.

Application filed January 4, 1 89 8.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALONZO A. DUMOND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, New York, have invented an Improvement in Processes of and Apparatus for Testing Plumbing, 850., of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in processes and apparatus for testing plumbing or other systems of pipes, 860., whereby such operations are facilitated and rendered cheaper, quicker, and more certain.

My improvements are fully described and illustrated in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, the novel features thereof being specified in the claims annexed to the said specification.

In the accompanying drawings, representing apparatus adapted to carrying out myimproved process, Figure 1 is a side view. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3' represents a modification. Fig. 4 is a diagram representing the method of testing plumbing. Fig. 5 is avertical section of the plug for closing a ventp1pe. I

In the operation of my improved process for testing plumbing, &c., Iproduce a dense smoke or fog by passing air charged with ammonia vapor through liquid hydrochloric acid, whereby the airbecomes laden with fine particles of ammonia chlorid, forming a dense White smoke or fog, readily perceptible even in small quantities and which be ing introduced into a system of plumbing will disclose the existence and location of even the slightest leak by its escape in visible form.

In the accompanying drawings I have represented apparatus suitable for carrying my improved process into effect, consisting of a suitable air-pump A, a vessel or receptacle B for liquid ammonia, a vessel or receptacle 0 for liquid hydrochloric acid, and suitable piping and connectionswhereby compressed air from the pump is discharged through the liquid ammonia and there having become charged with the gas is caused to pass through the liquid hydroohloricjacid, by contact with which it becomes densely laden with chlorid of ammonia in very fine particles, which are Serial No- 665,538. (No model.)

held in suspension and conveyed by the air into the plumbing which it is desired to test. The combination of the gaseous ammonia with the chlorin takes place entirely within the liquid hydrochloric acid, by which means I am enabled to secure a very dense or heavily= charged smoke or fog, which is much better adapted to disclose the presence of leaks in the piping than any vapor heretofore used, since a very small quantity of it issuing from a minute opening can be readily observed. As the bubbles of the air charged with the ammonia-gas rise through the liquid hydro chloric acid they are rendered white by the formation of the ammonia chlorid within them.

Any suitable air-pump may be employed, either single or double acting or rotary. A foot-bellows may also be used.

, D is a pipe which conducts the compressed air from the pump into the vessel 13, extending below the surface of the liquid ammonia therein. The pipe D may be provided with one or more check-valves.

E is a pressure-gage which may be attached to any suitable part of the apparatus.

Fis a pipewhich carries the air charged with the ammonia into the liquid hydrochloric acid. The vessel 0 is filled with the acid, so that the bubbles pass up through a considerable depth of the liquid, and thereby become thoroughly saturatedwith the ammonia chlorid.

' G is a pipe by which the smoke is led to the plumbing or other system of pipes, &c. A bulb or other suitable drip-cup H may be arranged to permit any acid carried up by the air-current to disengage itself and to return to the vessel 0. The pipe G is preferably fleXi-' ble and connected to the plumbing or other system of pipes in any suitable manner and at any convenient place. Thus it may be atusual ventilation-pipe K, which is provided with an expansible plug J, or it may be connected to any branch pipe, as L, or it may be passed through the water in a water closet or other trap, The best manner of attachment will be readily determined by the experienced plumber on inspecting any given system. In most cases it is preferable to fill the piping 'tached to a pipe I, Fig. 5, at the top of any with the smoke at atmospheric pressure before closing it, as by the plug J or other suitable device, before putting on any pressure. A stop-cock N, interposed anywhere in the delivery-pipe G, serves to permit the renewal of the chemicals without losing the pressure in the system.

I prefer to employ the stronger water ammonia of the shops and concentrated commercial hydrochloric acid; but solutions of less strength may be employed. It will also be understood that the hydrochloric acid may be placed in the vessel B and the ammonia in C; but I prefer the arrangement shown. I11 either case the contact of the air with the liquid which produces the ammonia chlorid is preferably prolonged to render the smoke dense, and for this purpose any suitable perforated partitions O or other suitable devices may be employed in the vessel 0. It will also be understood that the air may be drawn through the receptacles and liquids instead of being forced and that it may be delivered from the pump under compression to the plumbing.

The receptacles B and C may be made of glass or other suitable material not corroded by the liquids, glass being preferred, as it allows the inspection of the chemicals. The vessels are closed at the top in any suitable way, bottles with rubber corks forming a cheap and effective construction.

P is a suitable base to which the pump and the receptacles are secured.

The whole apparatus may be inclosed Within a suitable case Q, provided with doors at the top or sides and with handles for convenience of carriage.

In Fig. 3 I have representeda modification by which provision is made for introducing ether, peppermint, or other volatile substance into the plumbing. The liquid is placed in the vessel R, and the charged air is passed through it by a suitable pipe F and delivered into the plumbing by the pipe G, which may be provided with the drip II.

This apparatus may also be used for introducing any suitable disinfectant into the plumbing, the. In systems of plumbing which have been in use for some time the air may be already charged with sufficient ammonia to produce the cloud upon the introduction of the acid vapor alone, and a suiiicient supply of ammonia may be found at times in ordinary rain or river water, the passing of the acid vapor through which will form a cloud which may be used as herein described for detecting leaks.

My improved apparatus is simple and cheap, readily portable, and can be easily examined and repaired, and affords a thoroughly satisfactory manner of testing any system of plumbing for leaks or bad joints. The ordinary plumbers pump may be employed. It may also be applied to many other purposes, such as testing gas-pipes, gas-meters, oiltanks, tank-cars, ammonia refrigerating systems, tanks for beer, &c. Any requisite pressure may be employed, the joints between the pipes and the closures of the receptacles being secured in any suitable manner.

It will be understood that in my invention the ammonic chlorid is formed entirely beneath and in the liquid in the vessel G, whereby I secure the greater density of the charge in the air.

It will be understood that the cloud of ammonic chlorid may be formed within the plumbing itself by first introducing the ammonia vapor into the pipes and then forcing into them the air charged with the hydrochloric vapor. This may be readily accomplished also by the apparatus shown by using the delivery-pipe G to convey the ammonia vapor to the interior of the piping and by then using the pump and the delivery-pipe to introduce into the system a charge of acid vapor alone, thereby producing the cloud in the piping, &c., and then applying any required amount of pressure to disclose the presence and location of any leaks. This process can also be employed by introducing liquid ammonia into the pipes, or they may be charged with the acid vapor first. The manner of using these modifications of my invention will be readily understood by the experienced plumber.

I claim- 1. The herein-described process of testing systems of plumbing, &c., consisting in producing in air a dense charge of ammonia chlorid by passing said air in succession through liquid ammonia and liquid hydrochloric acid, and in subsequently introducing said charged air into the system or receptacle to be tested, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a suitable pump, of closed vessels for liquid ammonia and liquid hydrochloric acid, suitable connectingpiping arranged to deliver the air into said liquids in succession, and a suitable connecting-pipe whereby the charged air is delivered to the plumbing or receptacle to be tested, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a suitable pump, of closed vessels for liquid ammonia and liquid hydrochloric acid, suitable connectingpiping arranged to deliver the air into said liquids in succession, a suitable connectingpipe whereby the charged air is delivered to the plumbing or receptacle to be tested, and a suitable drip or liquid-return device in the said pipe, substantially as described.

4:. The combination with the pump A and closed vessel B of the pipe D provided with a check-valve and extending beneath the 1iquid in B, the vessel 0 and connecting-pipe F extending beneath the liquid in O, and the outlet or delivery pipe G, substantially as described.

5. The herein-described process of testing plumbing, &c., consisting in introducing in succession into the system to be tested charges of vapor of ammonia and of hydrochloric acid, and in subsequently applying pressure to the closed system, substantially as described.

6. The herein-described process of testing plumbing, &c. consisting in charging the system With ammonia vapor, in subsequently in- 1 troducing therein a charge of hydrochloricacid vapor, and in applying pressure to the closed system, substantially as described.

ALONZO A. DUMOND. Witnesses:

GEO. WILSON, GEO. B. SELDEN.