US1843311A - Vapor pressure apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 2, 1932. wl G. ABBOTT, JR 1,843,311

vAPoR PRESSURE APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l @7715i 'yan Feb. 2, A1932.

' W. G. ABBOTT, JR

VAPOR PRESSURE APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 sheets-sheet 3 Feb. 2, 1932. w. G. ABBOTT, JR

VAPOR PRESSURE APPARATUS Fied July s. 1928 Feb; 2, 1932. w. G. ABBOTT, JR 1,843,311

vAPoR PRESSURE APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1928 4 sheets-sheet 4 MLU WV" /40 Vi Y /50 zg /5/ /45 flw fnv/611W W. .Amznfn' Pai-eared Feb. 2, 1932 Y Ltii UNITED srarss am.

WILLIAM Gr. ABBOTT, JR., OF MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE VAPOR PRESSURE APPARATUS Application filed July 3, 1928. Serial No. 290,174.

' This invention relates to apparatus for mitting the vapor duct which may have a pumping vapor or the likeand more particucomparatively large capacity to extend dilarly to apparatus of this character whichv is rectly intothe rotary casing of 'the pumping arranged to maintain a partial vacuum in a factor, and affords means providing an effec- 5 vapor vduct or ducts, Afor, example in a vapor tiveseal between the relatively moving cas- 55 or steamheating system. l ing and duct while avoiding the necessity of "In general theA preferred vapparatus -disusing packing, stuffing boxes or similarly closed herewith comprises a puinpingfactor troublesome and unsatisfactory arrange l of the general-type disclosed in my prior ments at this point. 10 United-States `atent No. i,i02,222, which A pump of this type may advantageously eo is characterized by' a eentrifugally mainbe arranged so that the axis of rotation of tained liquidring and lfiuid pockets rotatable the helical passage is angularly disposed in in relation to the ring and diminishing in relation to the axis of rotation of the liquid capacityy from the lowl tothe high pressure drum. Such an arrangement permits the end of thezrotor. Apparatus ofthischaracpassage to have a constant width throughout en ter-whenarranged in conjunctionfwith vapor its length and permits it to have a varying pumpingmeans is adapted to utilizev a porcapacity due to its angular relation to the tionof the condensate to form and replenish inner..y surface oi'- the liquid drum, thus avoidthe liquid annulus, while the latter may aid ing certain of the losses due to movement of in effecting the condensation of the vapor. the liquid which characterized pumps of this 7o In cert-ain installations a pump of this charcharacter having a helical passage of ydiacter preferably mayl be combined with a minishing Width. l suitable driving factor, such as a steam tur' Further aspects of the invention relate to' bineorimotor; the-1notive vapor for the latcontrol means arranged in conjunction with terandithe pumped vapor may each be concondensing and/or pumping apparatus of the 7 densed within a common compartment and preferred character, said control means be may both join the liquid ring. Thus in one ing adapted to regulate the movement of embodiment of my invention illustrated hereiiuid into or out of the pumping apparatus or with,-l provide a dri-ving factor or motor` havbeing arranged for other suitable purposes. is' ingthe same general construction as the pump In the accompanying drawings, whicheX- 80 factor, the .common liquid drum for these emplify various structural expressions and two factors being contained within a comadaptations of my-invention, v mon casing. Fig. l is a View in central, cross-sectional lllhen used ina low pressure heating sysview "of'one form ofthe improved pumping 5 teun-apparatus ofthis. character may receive apparatus in combination with a motor facthevapor from the heating coils or radiators, tor for drivingr the same; maypartially or wholly'eifectI the condensa- Fig. 2 is a central cross-sectional view of tion of the same, and may separate non-conanother embodiment of the invention which densa-ble gases from the vapor and conmay be provided with any suitable driving i0 densat-e, exhaustingthe former to the atmosmeans; 90 phere and pumping the condensate to any Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a somewhat convenient point, such as thev boiler or a different arrangement of the pumping facsupplyfres'ervoir for-the same. Thus a detor; vice ofthis charactermay serve lnot only to Fig. 4 is a central sectional View of still 45 maintain a suitable partial vacuum in the another type of pump arranged'in conjunc- 95 heating ducts but may also serve t0 return tion with control means to regulate the flow the condensate .water vapor to the boiler of fluid through the apparatus; against any suitable pressure, while'pumping Fig. 5 is a top plan view with parts broken the. non-,condensable gasesrintothe air. away of the assembly shown in Fig. 4i; and 50 `The present inventionprovides means per- Fig. 6 is a section on line 6 6 of Fig. l. 100

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the accon'ipanying drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a vapor duct coming from any suitable vapor source, such as heating coils or radiator. rihis duct may supply vapor and/or condensate to the pumping factor. The latter preferably is arranged within a suitable rotatable casing 2 which also contains an appropriate motor factor. Suitable supports or brackets 3 are arranged adfoining the opposite ends of the casing 2 to .support the same. For `this purpose :one end of the casing may receive a continua'tion i of the vapor pipe 1, suitable bearing being arranged about this continuation and beingl connected to the end of casing 2. The opposite end of the casing may rotate about a similar hollow trunnion rlhe pipe continuation land the trunnion 53 may each have an annular flange G upon its inner end, these flanges being arranged to extend. into the inner surface of the centrifugally held liquid body 1() which is maintained adjoining` the outer wall of casing 2 when the device is running at its normal speed, and thus permitting the provision of liquid seals at the ends of the outer rotor. The liquid 10 may consist of water, mercury or any suitable liquid.

Eccentrically disposed within the rotatable casing 2 is a hollow shaft 9, which may be supported by suitable brackets 19 that are secured to the trunnion elements i and 5 at opposite ends of the casing. A pump rotor 12 may be mounted upon the shaft 9, being arranged to cooperate with the liquid rin g in forming fiuid pockets. rlhis rotor carries a helical flange 15, the pitch of this flange grad ually decreasing from the low pressure end adjoining the pipe to its opposite end. The diameter of the rotor 12 preferably is greater at its high pressure end.

The edge of the fiange is submerged in the centrifugally held liquid body 10, while the eccentric arrangement of rotor 12 in relation to this body permits a portion of each convolution of the helical passage to be immersed in the liquid so that, in effect, a plurality of liquid pistons are provided which separate the passage into a series of crescent-shaped pockets or, in other words the liqui d occupies a portion of each convolution of the helix. As shown in Fig. 6 the entering end of fiange 15 traps a body of fiuid at the low pressure end of the rotor; due to the gradual constriction of the helical passage., this fluid is compressed as it passes into the high pressure chamber at the large end of the rotor or drum 12. rllhe tapered form of the latter permits the edge of each convolution of the helical flange to be immersed to substantially the same extent in the liquid body. although the latter may be distorted somewhat at the high pressure end of the pumping factor d ue to the pressure of the trapped fluid.

Disposed between member 12 and the flange 6 is a suitable condensing instrumentality 17. A water pipe 18 enters the side of trunnion member et and connected to the end of hollow shaft 9. Suitable openings 18'm are arranged about the surface of member 17, these orifices being connected with the passageway within shaft 9 so that water may be cast outwardly from the same due to the hydrostatic pressure acting through pipe 18 and to the action of centrifugal force.

Upon the intermediate portion of shaft 9 l preferably arrange a rotatable partition plate 20, the periphery of which preferably engages the inner surface of the liquid annulus l0.l A suitable outlet pipe 21 within shaft 9 is adapted to receive non-condensable gases from the compression chamber which is located between the partition plate 2O and the adjoining portion of the rotor 12. Pipe 21 extends through the end of shaft 9 which is carried in trunnion 5, thus being adapted to exhaust non-condensable gases to the atmosphere.

A suitable motor factor is arranged within casing 3 between partition plate 2() and the trunnion 5. This factor may be driven by steam or vapor entering through the pipe 37 which is arranged to vent fluid into the hollow trunnion 5. The steam or propellent fluid which is received in pipe 37 may come from a separate source of steam, may come from the same boiler which supplies the vapor entering pipe 1, or may come from a portion of the vapor duct in advance of the outlet into the pumping factor. The motor factor preferably is provided with a rotary drum 32 which is carried upon shaft 9. Arranged upon this rotor is a helical flange 33, the pitch of this helical member gradually increasing from its high pressure end adjoining the trunnion 5 toward the opposite end. This flange and the helical passage defined thereby is opposite in pitch to that of the helical passage about rotor 12, the general design of these rotors may be similar however, the eX- dimensions and proportions of each being varied to suit the initial and final pressure of the motor and pumped fluids which pass through the apparatus. Ajoining the low pressure end of rotor 32,1 may provide a con densing instrumentality 37 of the same gen eral type as the instrumentality 17, the Water for the second condensing means also being` received from the pipe 18 through the hollow shaft 9. A pipe 15 may extend from the plate to the low pressure end of rotor 12, thus permitting the movement of non-condensable gases from the outlet chamber of the motor factor to the inlet chamber of the pumpfactor, whence they may be exhausted to the air.

Rotor 32 carries a gear 4A which meshes with an internal gear 46 within casing 2 whereby the drum imparts rotative movement to the casing. A guard plate 47 is secured to the casing 2 adjoining gear 46 and is Lea-asi;

between gear 44 andthe body portion there-1 of to permit steam to enter the high pressure chamber and thus to pass into the helical passage. Y Y

In the operation ofapparatus of the type disclosed inlig.- l steam or vapor entering pipe 37 is received the helical passage upon rotor 32 and is caught in one of the crescent-V shaped pockets Which are defined by the helicaliiange and the liquid drum. Due to the' tapered arrangement of the helical passage 152 upon the drum7 thel tendency of the propellentvaaportoeXpand causes the same to eEect the gradualenlargement of each of the crescent-shaped pockets, thus causing rotation of the drum 321 and the shaft 9. Rotation ,Of

? the latter obviously results in a similar move-- ment of the rotor12. Rotation of outer casing 2 at a fairly high speed' is effective in maintaining the liquid annulus l() in position Y under the action of centrifugal force.

Thus condensation of some or all of the vapor .'ualcompression of the same due to the grad- Vapor entering through' pipe l passes into the low pressure chamber about condensing instrumentality 17 `contacting with the Whirling surface of liquid body l0 and being by the Water jets from the condensing factor.

may be effected. The rotating member l2 with its helical flange l5 is adapted to receive crescent-like pockets of fluid at low pressure from the inlet chamber and to effect the gradually diminishing capacity of the helical'l passage. `Thus any vapor which has not already been liquefied is condensed dueto the increase in pressure andthe concomitant cool- .ing by the liquid body l0, While the pressure of the non-condensable gases is increased so that thesegases may leave the pumping meinber l2 at a pressure Which is at or slightly above atmospheric. These gases are exhausted through outlet pipe 2l.

A; suitable scoop @projects into an annular extension of the casing 2 which is connected to the interior of the saine by suitable passageways. This scoop is formed by one -end of a Water return pipe 42. Thus rotation of the liquid body at high speed results in the impelling of water into the pipe l2 under considerable pressure due to the rotational momentum of the liquid body and due to the effeet of centrifugal force. The steam which passes through the helical passage upon rotor 32 gives up its energy in rotating the latter, passing into the condensing chamber between this rotor and partition plate 20. The condensing factor 3'? there cooperates with the liquid drum 10 in liqu-efying the steam and causing the same to be added to the liquid drum. Similarly the Water supplied to the condensing factors is ultimately collected by the liquid body andpassesoutvvardly throughf e' cooled as a belt engaging the annular extension 45 r.

upon casing lmay be utilized to start the combined motor and pump shown in Fig. l. As soon as the liquid ring l0 is formed due' to rotation of casing 3 and the action of centrifugal force, the starting motor may be j disconnected. rlhereupon the steam pockets will be formed in the helical passage about drum 32 and the steam entering pipe 3l Wil cause continued rotation of the tvvo rotors and their common shaft in response to the initial rotation of the liquid body 10.

Fig. 2 illustrates a combined condensing factor and vapor pump which is adapted to be driven from any suitable source of power through the shaft 50.k rthisapparatus is provided With an outer casing 5l in which the rotatable casing 52 is located. The vapor pipe 58 terminates Within one end of casing 52 being loosely received in an outstanding annular iiange 55 upon the end of the casing. The opposite end of casing i2-is provided with a holloiv extension 54e which is mounted upon bearings 56 carried by an eX- tension 57 of the out-er housing 5l. VThe shaft 50 preferably extends inwardly through the housing extension 57 and the casing extension 55, being supported by a bearing 59 in the lformer and by-a bearing 60 which is supported by a suitable spider 6l located in the open end of pipe 53. Shaft 50 carries a drum or rotor 64: Which is rotatably mounted Within housing 52. rl"his rotor may be of the general type previously described and disclosed in my prior Patent No. '1,102,222 carrying a helical flange 65, the pitch of Which gradually decreases toward its high pressure end. lt is thus evident that the helical flange delines a helical passage of gradually diminishing capacity. The outer edge of the flange preferably carries a plurality of blades 6G which are secured to the flange in any suitable manner.

A body of suitable liquid is located Within the housing 52, being maintained in place by centrifugal force and forming a liquid annulus when the rotors are turning. his annulus is so arranged in relation to the rotor and the flange thereon that the outer edge of the flange is constantly immersed in the liquid, the rotational axis of drum (i-l being eccentrically disposed in relation to the axis of casing 52 in such a manner that a portion of each convolution of the helical passage is submerged in or occupi-ed by the liquid body While another portion of each passage provides a' crescent-shaped flui'd'pocket.

.A Water supply pipe extends into the vapor pipe 53 and has a continuation provided by a hollow end portion of the shaft 50 which is in telescopingengagement with this ist water pipe. A condensing factor 7l is carried by shaft 50, this factor being located adjoining the open end of vapor pipe 553 and being adapted to project a plurality of jets of cooling water into the low pressure chamber. Disposed within the outer housing 51 is a suitable annular trough 76 which has an outlet pipe '77 at the bottom of housing 5l. Segmental openings 78 in the end of casing 52 communicate with an annular' extension 79 of the casing, the latter having an out-turned portion received within the annular trough 76, water under centrifugal force accordingly will be cast outwardly into the trough and pass into pipe 7? under considerable pressure. ladially disposed blades 73 may be located in the extension 79 to aid in attaining this result.

The shaft 5() preferably carries an annular plate 81 spaced from the larger end of rotor Gland providing a high pressureJ chamber communicating with the outlet end of the helical passage, it being understood that the periphery of this plate engages the rotating liquid body which provides a seal about the edge of the plate. A suitable duct 8O is formed in the shaft 50, being adapted to receive the non-condensable gases from the high pressure chamber and to exhaust the saie to the atmosphere. Suitable packing may be arranged around the portion of shaft 50 which extends through the end of casing extension 5T. The arrangement of the duct 80, housing 5l and vapor duct 53 in this manner pe `mits the vapor duct to extend into the housing, which is rapidly moving in rela ion to the sanie, without requiring the necessity of special packing or the like about the comparatively large vapor duct and yet avoiding undesirable leakage of atmospheric air into the low pressure portion of the apparatus. lt is evident that the duct 53 is secured firmly to the wall of the fixed housing 5l and that the flange 55 of the rotatable casing 52 is arranged loosely about the inner end of the duct. The opening between flange 55 and the end of the duct communicates with the interior of chamber 5l and with the low pressure portion of the pump factor, so that a low pressure is maintained within the interior of chamber 51. Consequently, any liquid which may leak into the same or which may pass into the same in the form of vapor and there condense tends to be vaporized, due to the suction received from the pumping element. Villien thus vaporized, it is drawn to the interior of casing 52. Thus, l have provided means permitting a large vapor duct or the like to extend into a rotary pump casing and forming a substantially air-tight joint between the same without the necessity of complicated and troublesome packing, stuffing boxes or the like.

ln the operation of a device of this character the shaft 50, being driven from any suitable source of power, serves to rotate drum 64 and condensing factor 71 at comparatively high speed. As a consequence of this action the blades 66 upon the rotor cause liquid body 70 to rotate and to assume an annular form as illustrated. The rotary movement of this liquid body also tends to impart a rotary movement to the outer casing 52 which is supported upon anti-friction bearings 56. Vapor entering throuofh pipe 53 passes into the low pressure chamber about factor 7l and is cooled by the spray jets issuing from that factor, the whirling of this member tending to aid the movement of the water outward due to the action of centrifugal force and the whirling of the liquid body 70 tending to give a similar movement to the vapor, thus causing the same to be brought into contact with the surface of the cooling water. As a consequence a large portion or all of the vapor is condensed and collected by the liquid annulus 70.

Any vapor which is not condensed in the lov.v pressure chamber is caught in the helical passage provided by drum Gll and is there compressed due to the gradually diminishing capacity of that passage and the contact with the liquid 70. Any non-condensable gases which may have been mixed with the vapor are trapped in the helical passage and are there compressed, being raised to atmospheric pressure or to a pressure slightly above the same and being exhausted into the atmosphere through passage 80.

Since the liquid body 70 is constantly tending to increase in volume due to the condensate added thereto and due to the water issuing from the jets of factor 71, it is necessary to provide means to maintain this body at a given volume and to remove the excess water. For this purpose I have provided the openings 78 and the annular member 79, the former being adapted to cast water outwardinto trough 76 whence it passes into pipe It is therefore evident that a device of this type is adapted to receive ordinary vapor, i. e., true vapor mixed with non-condensable gases, to cause or maintain a loiY pressure within the vapor duct while exhausting the non-condensable gases at atmospheric pressure, to liquefy the vapor which has not already condensed and to pump the condensate out through pipe 77 at a suitable pressure.

Fig. 3 is a view of a slightly different embodiment of the invention which is also provided with an outer housing 90 which contains an inner rotatable casing or rotor 91, the latter having an extension 92 mounted upon bearings 9e which are located in a corresponding extension 95 of the outer housing. A suitable vapor duct 96 extends into the casing 91. The shaft 100 which carries the inner rotor 101 is located at an angle to the axis ofj rotation of casing 91, i. e., preferably inclined. atan angle to the horizontal The rotor may be provided with a suitable helical flange 102 which in this form of the invention may have a constant pitch from the small-tothe large end of the druni. Suitable beari-iigs`l109 support the shaft 100 in its angular position and gearing 110 may be ai'- ranged between the shaft to the casing ei'- t'ensi'on 92 to impart iotary movement from the former to the latter. A suitable liquid body 114 is normally disposed within/casing 91 and is adapted to form a liquid annulus or-ring when the casing is rotated at high speed. A condensing factor 71 is adapted to receive cooling water from pipe 75 in the same gener-al manner as described above with reference to the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. In this form of the invention suitableopenings 116arearranged at the high pressure endfof casing 91 and are adapted to emit fluid to the annular trough 117 which is located upon vtlieend of the outer rotor. A scoop 118 formed by the end-of the pipe 119 is adapted toen-gage liquid carried by the-trough 117. A suitable gas outlet 80a communicates with the high pressure `chamber `in the same general nianneras described in the reference to Fig. 2.

In lthe operation of the apparatus shown inrF ig. 3 rotation is imparted to the shaft 100 and -thencefto rotor 102 Aand condensing factor 71, while the gearing 110 also causes the housing V91 to rotate at a suitable speed. Thefrotor 101'1preferably is so arranged in relation to the centrifugally held bod of liquid 114 that one portion of each o the convolutions ofthe helical passage is occupied by the liquid body, as indicated at the top of the rotor in Fig. 3, while suitable crescent-shaped pockets are provided by each of the convolutions. In this form of the invention, due `to the angular disposition of theaxis ofrotor 101 in relation to rotor 91, the depth of these pockets gradually decreases toward the outlet end of the helical passage.4 Thus, movement of fluid along the helical passage results in the compression of the saine due tothe construction of the passage resulting froni theangular arrangement of the inner wall of the same .in relation to tlie'liquid drum. As a consequence a spiral flange of constant pitch may be utilized to provide a helical passage of .gradually diminishing volumetriczcapacity, such an arrangement avoiding certain fluid Y losses which are present with the type of rotor shown in Fig. 2, since the tendency of the constructedportion of the passage to squeeze out:the liquid from between convolutions of the helical flange is avoided in this form of the invention.

Vapor'entering through pipe 96 is largely condensed-by the action of the spray from factor ,7 land contact with the whirling of liquid body 114, while non-condensable gases are caught by the entering end of fla-nge 102 and are compressed in the crescent-shaped pockets provided by the helical passage and the liquid drum. Thus the non-condensable gas-es reach the high pressure chamber at or slightly above atmospheric `pressure andare exhausted to the atmosphere through lpassage 92 and opening 80a. The liquid body 114 is constantly receiving the condensate and the water from factor 71. Consequently the scoop 118 is arranged to `.project into the surface of the centri'fugally held liquid Abody under conditions approximating ratmospheric pressure. The centrifugal `force and the momentum of the liquid tend to cast the sameinto pipe 119 under considerable pressure so that the liquid may be returned to the boiler or the feeu water tank which is in turn connected to the boiler.

rlie shaft 100 preferably cari'ies disk 81a, similar to the disk 81 of Fig. 2, and ,is also provided with an air vpassage 80 connecting the high-pressure chamber between thev end of the rotor and the disk with the atmospliere.

It is thus evident that in this form of the invention the vapor isv condensedlwhilewa suitable vacuum or low pressure is maintained within duct 96 and the piping connected thereto. The condensate as `well asV the cooling water for the condensing factor is pumped outwardly into pipe 119, while the pressure of the non-condensable .gases is raised to suclia point that they maybe ex-v hausted tothe atmosphere. l

While 1 have illustrated the use of co-ndensing factors 7111i conjunction withthe embodiments of my invention heretofore .de-A scribed, it is .to be understood that the use of such a factor is optional. In certain cases apparatus of this character may be arranged to receive a mixture of vapor and condensate or merely to receive the condensate and/or non-condensable gases from .a suitable con-- denser.

Fig. 4 illustrates a further variation .of my invention wherein the rotatable factor may .turn about a vertical axis. Inthis form of the invention I provide a fixed iouter casing 140, the bottom of which is closed and the top of whiehis connected to the .vapor pipe 141.V A suitable hollow shaft 142 extends upwardly through the top ofthe casing and .its connection to the vapor pipe, this shaft beiig rotated by the driving belt 144 or any suitable means. The lower end of the shaft preferably is supported bya thrust and radial bea-ring 145 `at the-bottom of casing 140. r1`his shaft may carry a rotor 146 with blades 147 corresponding to the construction previously described with reference to rotor 64 and blades 66 of Fig. 2,the larger,

1 n ll y nigh pressure end or rotor 146 obviously being located -achoining the bottom of casing iso control means illustrated herewith.

V resulting from centrifugal force.

lower end of rotor 146 and bearing 145. A, water outlet pipe 149 is connected with the bottom oi' housing 140, this pipe being controlled by a valve 151 which is operated by a spindle 152. rthe latter may be provided with means -tor manual control, if desired, but preferably is connected to the automatic For this purpose a suitable light, cupped element 155 is mounted upon a vertically disposed pivot 156; the end of the latter is connected to a suitable arm 158 that in turn is connected to the link 157, the latter being articulated face.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the shaft 142 is driven by belt 144, causing the rotation of the rotor 146 with the blades 147, the latter imparting a whirling motion to the liquid body 160, causing the same to assume an annular 'form within casing 140. Vapor entering through pipe 141 passes downwardly into the center ot the liquid annulus contacting with the surface ot the whirling liquid and condensing. Fluid which is not thus condensed, inH cluding non-condensable gases, is caught by the flange 148 on rotor 146 and is thereby compressed in the same general manner as previously described. Vapor not previously liquelied is condensed while passing through the helical passageway due to the increase in pressure and the exposure to the whirling liquid body 1GO. The non-condensable gases,

Y havin@` their ressure raised at least as high l rv as atmospheric, pass into opening 150 and then through hollow shaft 142 to the atmosphere. ln the meantime the liquid body 160, which is constantly tending to increase in volume due to the accretions from the condensed vapor, is kept substantially constant i volume due to the control factor 155, this factor being arranged to move inwardly when the inner surface of the liquid body 1GO moves inwardly due to an increase in the volume ot the same; this movement results in the opening or valve 151 and the forcing of water through pipe 149 to the boiler or any suitable point under the artificial liquid head On the other hand, movement of tl control element 155 outwardly due to the reduction in volume of the liqud body results in the closing of the valve.

Due to the arrangement oit the control element 155 at the top of the casing 140, momentary stopping of the rotor will cause the liquid to fall from this element permitting the spring 165 to be eh'ective in closing the valve 151. Thus, in eitect, a check valve is provided to prevent a reduction in the pressure within pipe 149 when the artiiicial liquid head is removed. lwhile, for purposes of convenience of illustration, I have shown this automatic control means in conjunction with a unit having a vertical axis of rotavion, it is evident that similar means may be arranged in conjunction with the other embodiments of my invention. For example, when control means of this character is utilized with rotating liquid drums having a substantially horizontal aizis of rotation, it may be desirable to provide a separate check valve in the water outlet pipe corresponding to pipe 149 of Fig. It is further evident that control means of this character may be arranged to govern the inflow of liquid to the pump, for example, being connected to a suitable valve in the pipe 75, Fig. 3, which supplies water to the condensing factor. It is Jfurther evident that control means of this character may be connected to any other` suitable instrumentality which may desirably be governed in accordance with the condition ot the liquid drum.

While Fig. 1 illustrates a motor element comprising a drum with a spiral [lange thereon, it is evident that a conventional steam turbine might be similarly arranged sothat its condensate is added to the liquid drum. Such a turbine could be arranged in the same casing as the drum, or the motor drum or steam turbine might be disposed in a separate compartment or casing and arranged to transmit its condensate to the liquid drum within the pump casing or to the water outlet pipe leading from the same.

It is evident that apparatus of the character disclosed herein is adapted to receive vapor and/or condensate from any suitable source of vapor supply and to eil'ect the condensation ot the vapor which has not yet liquefied, pumping the resulting liquid together with any cooling water under a suitable artificial head to any suitable point of use, such as a boiler or the like. Furthermore, this pumping means is adapted to maintain a suitable low pressure in thc vapor line, and to this end to remove noncondensable gases from the vapor and to exhaust the same tothe atmosphere.

lt will be further noted that I have provided means permitting a large vapor pipe to extend into the rotary pump casing and providing a suitable seal about the same without the necessity of arranging packing between the pipe and rotating casing or drum. Thus, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the outer stationary casings 51 and 90 are arranged to permit any liquid which may leak into the same to be evaporated and to be drawn by suction to the condensing chamber, or, as shown in Fig. 1, a suitable annular flange may be arranged at the end of the vapor pipe s-o that its edge projects into the rotating liquid drum which provides a liquid-seal about the same. lt is thus evident that the latter arrangement 1s particularly advantageous when the outer station- VVary casing is omitted.

lVhile, for convenience and clarity of illustration, I have illustrated only a few of the press the gas, and to separate the and liquid and separately to exhaust the same.

2. In a system-of the class described, a vapor supply duct, a pump, said pump including a casing containing liquid, the latter being associated with rotary means whereby a liquid ring is formed within the casing substantially-freni said duct to said pump under the action of centrifugal force, said ring being effective in condensing` the vapor passing toward said pump and causing separation of n-on-condensable gases therefrom, and other parts of the pump cooperating with the ring to compress the gases, said pump having separate outlets for the condensate and the gases.

8. ln a system of the class descri ed, a vapor supply duct, a pump, said pump including a casing containing liquid, the latter heilig associated with rotary means whereby a liquid ring is formed within the casing between said duct and said pump under the action of centrifugal force, said ring being effective-in condensing va or aassing into th casing and causing separation of non-condensable gases therefrom, and other parts of the pump cooperating with the ring to conipress the gases, the liquid of said ring being replenished by the condensed vapor, and liquid exhausting means designed to receive excess liquid from said ring.

4. In a system of the class described, a vapor supply duct, a pump at the end of sai/,l duct, said pump including a casing contain- 2 ing liquid,.the latter being associated with rotary means normally to form a liquid ring within the casing under the action of centrifugal force, said ring being' effective in condensing the vapor and separating noncondensable gases therefrom, other parts of the pump cooperating with the ring to coinpress the gases, the liquid of said ring being replenished from tl e vapor supply, and liquid exhausting means designed to receive eXcess water from said ring, valve means cou'- trolling the flow of liquid frointhe ring, and control means responsive to the thickness of the ring and governing said valve means.

5. ln a system of the class described, a vapor supply duct, a pump at the end of said 70 duct, said pump including a casing containing liquid, the latter being associated with rotary means whereby a liquid ring is formed within the casing under the action of centrifugal force, said ring being eii'ective ini-,575 condensing the vapor and causing separation of non-condensable gases therefrom, other parts of the pump cooperating with the ring to compress the gases, the liquid of said ring being replenished by the condensed vaporff() and liquid exhausting means designed to'receive excess liquid from said ring, valve means controlling the flow of liquid from the ring, control means responsive to the thickness of the ring and governing .said valvec means, control means comprising a movable member adapted to beheld against the inner surface of the liquid ring, and linkage imparting movement from said member to the valv f T90 6. 'ln a system of the class described, a vapor duct, a casing about the end of said duct,A a rotary pumping element within the casing, means within said casing for .supplying water jets to the casing whereby con- 'T195 densation of vapor from the duct may be effected, and means for removing the water and condensate from the casing.

7. In combination, a hollow outer casing containing a body of liquid, means to main- 1100 tain said liquid in position by centrifugal force, a drum having a helical passage partially submerged in said centrifugally held liquid body, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber communicating with the ends of the ,105 passage, the latter diminishing in effective size from its low toits high pressure end, and means to effect relative rotation of the 'passage and liquid body, a liquid duct communieating` with the liquid drum, a. valve controli ling flow through said duct, and means controlled by the position of the liquid in the body to regulate said valve.

8. ln combination. a hollow outer casing containing a body of liquid, means to'main- .115 tain said liquid in position `by centrifugal force. a liquid duct extending into the casing, a valve controlling flow through the same to regulate the volume of the centrifugally held liquid body, an inner member movable I in relation to the liquid body and co-operating therewith to provide fluid pockets, the latter diminishing m effective size from the low to the high pressure end of the inner somber, a movable member yieldably held 125V against the inner surface of the centrifugally held liquid, linkage connecting the member to the valve, movement of said member in response to variation in amount of centrifugallly held liquidr vserving -to control ing in effective size from the low to the high pressure end of the inner member, and means to eillect relative movement of the liquid body and drum, a regulating member' operated by the condition of the centrifugally held liquid for maintaining an adequate supply thereof, said member being held yieldably upon the inner surface of the same, and being connected to exterior control means.

l0. ln a. system of the class described, means to maintain an annular body of liquid under centrifugal pressure and a rotor having a helical passage on an axis eccentric to the axis of said annular body, whereby the intercept of liquid and helical passage is occupied by a. series of liquid pistons movable with respect to said passage, vapor duct having an outlet arranged to emit vapor within said annular body at a point spaced axially from 'the helical passage whereby the vapor may be given a whirling action and condense due to contact with the annular body while noncondensing gases carried by the vapor may be caught between liquid pistons in the helical passage, said passage having a gradually diminishing` cross-sectional capacity whereby the gases may be condensed, and outlet pas- 'ages to exhaust said gases to the air and to maintain said liquid body at a substantially constant Volume.

ll. ln combination, a pump factor and a motor factor, a common casing enclosing both. of said factors, means for utilizing centrifugal force for maintainimT a liquid annulus in said casing, ich of said fact-ors comprising a drum having a helical passage partially submerged in said centrifugally held annulus, each of said helical passages connecting with an inlet clrcmber and an outlet chamber, the pump pass ge gradually diminishing in size from its high pressure end to its low pressure end, the motor passage gradually increasing in size from its inlet to its exhaust end, and means to eiiect a relative rotative movement between each of the drums and the liquid annulus.

l2. In combination, a pump factor' and a motor factor, a shaft connecting the san i, a common casing enclosing both of said factors, means for utilizing centrifugal force for maintaining a liquid annulus in said casing, each of said factors comprising a drum having a helical passage partially submerged in said centrifugally held annulus, escl of helical passages connecting with an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, he pump passage gradually diminishing in size from its high pressure end to its low pressure end, the motor passage gradually increasing in size from its inlet to its exhaust end, means to effect a relative rotative movement between each of the drums and the liquid annulus, said pump factor' being arranged to receive vapor and to compress and condense the same, the motor factor being adapted to receive vapor under pressure7 and means associated therewith to condense the same,

xe factors being` arranged to add the conlensate to the liquid annulus, and means for raining surplus liquid from the latter.

13. ln a system of the class described, the combination of means for establishing and maintaining a liquid annulus, means for delivering vapor within one end of the annulus, means within the annulus for condensing vapor so delivered, and means within the annulus and cooperating therewith for withdrawing uncondensed gases therefrom.

lll. ln a system of the class described, the combination of means for establishing and n'iaintaiilingr liquid annulus, means for delivering` vapor within one end of the annulus, means within the annulus and adjacent the latter end thereof for projecting jets of condensing fluid into the entering vapor, and means within the annulus and cooperating therewith for translating uncondensed gases to the other end thereof.

l5. Liquid pumping means comprising a casing, a duct for delivering fluid to the said casing, means arranged to form a liquid ring in the casing under the action of centrifugal force, means within the casing to cooperate with the liquid ring for pumping fluid delivered by said duct, an annular trough extending about the casing for receiving liquid from the liquid ring, a scoop within said trough and a pipe forming a continuation of said scoop, whereby the liquid is forced into the pipe under an artificial head, due to the action of centrifugal force.

16. ln a system of the class described, means to maintain an annular body of liquid under centrifugal pressure and a rotor having a helical passage on an asis eccentric to the axis of said annular body, whereby the :intercept of liquid and helical passage is occupied by a series of liquid pistons movable with respect to said passage, a vapor duct having an outlet arranged to emit vapor within said annular body at a point spaced axially from the helical passage whereby the vapor may be given a whirling action and condenses due to Contact with the annular body while non-condensing gases carried by the vapor may bc caught between liquid pistons in the helical passage, said passage having a gradually diminishing cross-sectional capacity whereby the gases may be condensed, and an outlet passage to exhaust said gases to the air, a liquid outlet means arranged to maintain said liquid body at a substantially Yconstant Y i volume, said outlet'means comprising an annular trough adapted to recelve overflow from the liquid body, and an outlet pipe, said trough being adapted to deliver liquid to said pipe under an articial head resulting from centrifugal pressure of the liquid in the trough. v

17. Apparatus of the class described comprising a hollow outerV casing containing a Vbody of liquid, means to rotate said liquid to maintain it inplace by centrifugal force, a

Y drum having a helical passage partially sub- Signed by me at Milford, N.AH.`, this 29th i day of June 1928. WILLIAMY G. ABBOTT, JR.

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