US1867813A - Dual purpose pumping apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1932. L. F. EASTON 1,867,813

DUAL PURPOSE PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllll F E L7L, r E I i i .5; a a 1- i i I 1 i i E i l 1- 30 i I l l v ZZZZT7Z zzcz'arzffa z d/qfiwas' B 991/ '-fi/% July 19, 1932. L. F. EASTON DUAL PURPOSE I UMPING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z nzrczz Z02" Luczarz FEas from 1 MM my.

ZZ/z'frzess Mwi/My July 19, 1932. EASTON 1,867,813

DUAL PURPOSE PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5' Filed Feb. 1. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aucz'arz Ffasiarz MM Patented July 19, 1932 UNETED STATES LUCIAN F. EASTON, OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN DUAL PURPOSE PUMPING APPARATUS Application filed February 1, 1930. Serial No. 425,087.

This invention relates to improvements in dual purpose pumping apparatus.

The pumping apparatus of the present invention is designed primarily for use in ex- 5 causing air and water of condensation from a vacuum steam heating system, although it is applicable for use under other conditions in which mechanism must be provided for alternately handling liquids and gases.

The mechanism of the present invention employs a rotary pump designed, in the present embodiment of the invention, to rotate in one direction only, irrespective of whether water or gas is being discharged, and provision is made for governing the operation of the pump by the employment of valves which are responsive to the rise and fall of water, so that in all cases the pump mechanism will be properly regulated to handle the particular fluid (liquid or gas), which is to be discharged during a stated interval of operation. For purposes of convenience, it will be assumed that air and water are the fluids being handled by the pump, although it will, of course, be understood that in the use of the terms air and water I have in contemplation the handling of other fluids under analogous circumstances.

In order to make provision for the operation of the pump, when acting as a vacuum pump in the discharge of air, it is necessary to make adequate provision for the maintenance of a body of water within the pump chamber, and the present invention is designed in part to conserve and maintain a sufficient body of water to subserve this purose.

W hen the pump is acting as a centrifugal water pump, the conditions of operation are materially altered, since water rather than air will be passed through the pump, and suitable valves and regulating mechanism are provided for controlling such conditions.

The invention is one which embodies means for automatically regulating the action of the pump mechanism, so that when water accumulates from the system with which the mechanism is associated, the pump will be properly conditioned to discharge such water and thereafter will be reconditioned to act as a vacuum pump until water has again accumulated in sufficient amount to require discharge.

Further details of the invention will appear from the description thereof, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the apparatus as a whole is illustrated more or less diagrammatically, and wherein,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a simplified form of the apparatus involved in the present invention, which omits the vacuum tank and the air eliminator trap; r

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, taken on lin 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, but including the vacuum tank and trap in a more complex embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation, showing the embodiment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the bucket float tank and associated parts.

The apparatus as a whole comprises the following principal mechanisms or devices: a receiving tank A; a float tank B; a dual purpose rotary pump C; a motor D; and a vacuum switch E.

In addition to the features above described, a vacuum tank F may be employed, and a trap G may be employed under special conditions, if their inclusion is deemed desirable.

As shown, the apparatus is associated with a radiator system indicated diagrammatically at H, and a boiler indicated diagrammatically at I.

As shown, and as a matter of convenience and compactness in construction, the receiving tank A serves as a base or mounting for the pump C, the float tank B, and the motor 1), although obviously the various mechanisms might be otherwise mountedand supported. v

The piping arrangement serves to exam plify the principles of the present invention, but may he obviously rearranged or repositioned to conform to local requirements.

The pump C is illustrated sufliciently to indicate its general construction and mode of Lil operation, but it is not deemed necessary to illustrate or describe its specific structural details, which form no part of the present invention.

The pump as shown comprises an outer shell 10 which incloses a chamber 11, within which is located the rotor casing which houses the rotor 18. The rotor casing is of generally drum shaped formation, having a cylindrical wall 14, which on one side is carried inwardly and given a curvature of shorter radius to afford a block-ofli' wall 15, which lies closely contiguous to the tips of the rotor blades 16, which as shown are of forwardly curving formation with respect to the direction of rotation, which is indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2, and which is there shown as being anti-clockwise- The rotor casing has flat end walls 17 'which lie closely adjacent to the side edges of the rotor blades, the configuration of the casing as a whole being such that the tips of the blades will lie in somewhat widely spaced relation to the curving side wall. of the ing, save at the pointwhere the side wall is spaced inwardly to constitute a block-off wall.

Immediately adjacent to the upper and 'lower ends of the block-ofl' wall, the rotor casing is provided with outwardly extending V nipples 18 and 19. which receive the ends of with an air discharge port 22 of arcuate formation, the lower or inner edge of which lies in concentric relation with the rotor hub. One end of each of the air discharge ports lies in substantially radial alignment with the upper terminus of the block-off wall 15, and

each of the ports opens outwardly into the outer chamber 11 of the pump shell Immediately below the inlet passage 21 is located a small water inlet port 23 which establishes communication between the lower portion of the rotor casing and the outer chamber 11. Air is discharged from the chamber 11 in the outer shell, through an air discharge pipe or conduit 24 leading to the top of the float tank B, and, in addition to the line of communication thus established, the outer casing is connected with the lower portion of the float tank through the provision of a water passage 25, which, as shown, is formed in the top wall of the receiving tank A and leads from the bottom of the chamber 11 to the bottom of the float tank, a substantially uniform water level being maintained within the float tank and the outer chamber of the pump.

The water discharge Venturi tube 20 communicates with a pipe 26 which may constitute the return to the boiler I, or other point to which the water is to be delivered. The water discharge line of communication leads through a header 27 into the lower end of which is entered the upper end of a pipe sec tion 28 which is aligned with the inlet of the Venturi tube 21, and the lower enc of the pipe line 28 is entered into a bottom chamber 29 located in the base of the receiving tank A- The header also receives the end of an air inlet pipe line 30, which leads upwardly to the vacuum tank F, in cases where a vacuum tank is employed.

In order to more clearly understand the purpose and mode of operation of the float controlled valve mechanism presently to be described, it is proper at this point to indicate briefly the mode of operation of the main features of the apparatus heretofore referred to.

Nhen the pump is conditioned to operate as a vacuum pump, it is necessary to maintain within the rotor chamber asufficient volume of water to coact with the rotor blades in the maintenance of a rapidly revolving ring of water which under centrifugal force travels around the peripheral wall of the rotor easing under the influence of the rotor blades, but this ring of water is insufficient in amount to completely fill the spaces between the blades, so that, between the successive blades, air pockets will be provided.

Air sucked in throu 'h the inlet tube 21 will be trapped within the pockets by the ring of water and carried around until the water ring encounters the block-off wall 15, at which point the charges of water will be driven inwardly and cause an expulsion of trapped air through the discharge ports 22 and into the outer chamber 11 of the pump shell, whence the air will escape through the air discharge conduit 24. This condition of operation, however, will be maintained only so long as the outflow of water is prevented through the water discharge tube 20, which, during this adjustment of the pump, will be closed, so that the water ring will be maintained within the rotor casing.

The conditions above explained will continue until water begins to flow in with the air through the inlet tube 21, and in view of the fact that this inflowing water cannot, at this stage, find discharge through the tube 20, it will be forced through the air discharge ports 22 and into the outer chamber 11 of the pump shell, thereby increasing the water level in the pump shell and correspondingly increasing the water level in the float tank B. This increase of the water level in the float tank B is utilized to open the valve which controls the discharge of water through the discharge tube 20, so that,

at the proper time and after the air has been exhausted to the desired eXtent, the pump will be conditioned to handle the accumulation of water by the opening of the valve in the pipe line 2026, to return the accumulated water to the boiler or other point of delivery.

The port 23 in the bottom of the rotor casing is relied upon to maintain within the rotor casing a suflicient volume of water to provide the water ring required in the op eration of the pump as a vacuum pump.

With this brief description of the essential requirements of the pump operation, the construction and method of control aiforded b the valves now to be described will be more clearly understood.

The water discharge pipe line 26 has located therein a valve, which may be of the type commonly known as a handy gate valve 31, and the air inlet pipe 30 is also provided with a similar valve 32. These valves are arranged to operate in reverse relation to one another through the medium of links 33 and 34 connected to valve levers 35 and 36.

The link 34 is connected to the valve lever 36 by a slot connection 37, so that the operation of the valve lever 36 will lag behind the operation of the valve lever 35. The two valves in question are controlled by the rise and fa l of a bucket float 38 in the float tank B, which bucket operates a bent arm 39 rigidly secured to a short rock shaft 40, the ends of which are journalled within the side walls of a protruding portion 41 of the side wall of the tank B. The rock shaft 40 exteriorly of the protrusion 41 carries an arm 42 upon which is mounted a counterweight 43 to which the upper link 33 is secured.

The valve arrangement is one which insures a closing of the water outlet valve 31 when the float descends to its lowermost position, and a somewhat delayed opening of the valve 32 during the descending movement of the float. Since the water is maintained at the same level in the float tank and in the outer chamber of the pump, it is evident that a raising of the water level, due to an excess accumulation of water, will have the effect of opening the vaive 31 and permitting the excess of water to be discharged by the centrifugal action of the pump through the water discharge line 20-26, and that this discharge of water will continue until the water level in the pump chamber 11 and in the float tank has been lowered sufficiently to reverse the valve arrangement and again block off the discharge of water, which transforms the pump from a centifugal water pump into a vacuum pump, and at the same time maintains a suificient volume of water to meet the requirements of the latter operation. If the valve 32 is disconnected and closed, the transformation from water to air will be gradual,

during which time some water and some air will be pumped.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 2 and 3, where the, vacuum tank F is employed, the water of condensation from a radiator system is returned to the receiving tank A through a pipe 44 which enters near the top of the tank, and communication between the main chamber in the tank and the chamber 29 in the base thereof is established through a throated aperture 45, which may be controlled by a valve plate 46 carried by a stem 47 depending from a float 48.

The valve plate 46 is somewhat loosely positioned upon its valve seat, and in addition is provided with a minute port 49, so that the seating of the valve does not completely close communication between the upper and lower chambers of the receiving tank.

The motor D serves to drive the rotor of the pump through a shaft 50, and the energizing of the motor is controlled by means of the vacuum switch E, which is electrically connected with the motor through wiring 51.

Where a vacuum tank is notemployed, the vacuum switch is connected with the receiving tank through a line of piping 52 leading to the upper portion of the receiving tank, so that the vacuum conditions established within the receiving tank will be communicated to the switch and will serve to actuate the switch for the purpose of energizing the motor when the vacuum falls below a predetermined degree and shutoff the motor when the vacuum rises to a predetermined degree. Also, when a vacuum tank is not used, the float valve 4847 must be removed, so that the gas as well as the water may be exhausted from the receiving tank.

The pump inlet pipe line 28 is provided with a check valve 53 near the lower end thereof, and the discharge pipe line 26 is provided with a check valve 54.

As shown, the air discharge passage 24 leads to the top of the float chamber, and the discharging air entering the float chamber is educted through a pipe 55, which may dis charge directly or may lead to a trap 56, within which is located a float valve 57 having oppositely disposed upper and lower valve stems 58 and 59, which control the inlet and outlet ports to the trap, the air being finally educted through a port 60, and water of condensation which may accumulate in the trap being returned through a pipe 55 to the receiving tank or other portion of the system.

In cases where leaky steam traps are included within the radiator system, it is desirable to employ the vacuum tank F, which is located at a relatively high level, and where the vacuum tank is employed, the vacuum switch is placed in communication with the vacuum tank through a pipe 61, as shown in Fig. 3, rather than in communication with the receiving tank. Also, in this connec- 'pumped, so it would not work.

tion, the vacuum tank is placed in communication with the receiving tank through a pipe 62 within which is located the thermostatic valve member 62*.

Where the vacuum tank is employed, it isplaced in communication with the header 27 through the pipe 30, which is controlled by the valve 32, which pipe 30 has located therein a check valve 63.

In the construction shown, the rotor blades are curved forwardly, which is the most efficientarrangement for the pumping of air, while the pump is acting as a vacuum pump, although this arrangement of the blades is somewhat less efficient in the pumping of water, but for the purposes of the present invention, where the rotor rotates always in a single direction, the arrangementshown is a desirable one. The tips and sides of the blades are accurately machined, so that only a very slight clearance is afforded at the sides, although a somewhat larger clearance is allowable as the blades pass the blockoff wall.

It will be noted from the construction as described that the rise and fall of the float is in turn strictly in harmony with the amount of water passing through the pump, for when the revolving water strikes the upper end of the block-oft, it will, if the gate is closed, be forced towards the hub of the rotor, and if, in sufiicient quantity, will pass through the air outlet in the side walls of the rotor casing, thereby raising the level of the water and with it the control float which opens the gate to the extent required to handle the wa ter. If, however, the amount of water passing through the pump becomes less, it ceases to flow outward, and then begins to be drawn into the rotor chamber by the vacuum created therein. This is also assisted and made certain to operate soon enough by the small passage 23 from outside the chamber at the bottom into the rotor chamber at the point of strongest suction.

The diameter of the rotor and the R. P. M. must be proportioned to give sui'licient centrifugal force to the water to overcome the pressure pumped against and the negative pressure of the vacuum created in the pump. For example, a rotor three inches wide and five inches outside the tips of the blades running at 1700 R. P. M. will discharge no water against a nine foot head, even with the handy gate wide open after the vacuum has reached eighteen inches, while the same pump handled sixteen gallons per minute against a nine foot head butwith only two inches of vacuum, and. this with the blades curved forward, which is the reverse of what they should be for greatest efliciency. However, with the motor changed end for end while the pumping of water was smooth and requ1ring little power practically no vacuum was The blades must not curve backward for pumping vacuum. The same pump blades curved forward showed one and a fourth inch vacuum with a half inch orifice.

The operation of the pump as shown in Figure 1 is as follows: When the pump is started, a vacuum is created in the lower vacuum tank, and this draws water from the system. As soon as the system has been more or less freed from water, the vacuum is rapidly increased to say fifteen inches, when the vacuum switch shuts oil the power. The pump will then stand idle until the vacuum destroys itself by causing a rapid circulation with resulting condensation. When the vacuum falls to, say, five inches, the vacuum switch starts the motor and the process isrepeated.

The check valve on the branch line 28 leadthe bottom of the lower vacuum tank is only to prevent destruction of vacuum when the pump is not running.

T 1e combination float vent trap or air eliminator 56 and water return device is only necessary to prevent a loss of water from the system in case the pump is not running and the pump fills with water, there being no vacuum on the system, or in case of eXcessive flow of water.

The connection 25 between the outer pump chamber and the float tank should be such that they are practically one and the same.

The upper Venturi tube 20 is the discharge for water and may lead directly to the boiler through the check valve 54 to prevent back flow, or it may deliver the water into a receptacle, from which it is pumped into the boiler by an ordinary condensation pump, which may or may not be driven by the same motor as a duel purpose pump.

When no more water enters the pump, the excess water in the float chamber is rapidly drawn into the rotor chamber through a clearance and a small hole near the suction end of the block-off. This may finally almost entirely close the handy gate when the pump becomes a straight vacuum pump.

The above describes the hook up of the pump in its simplest form, but in some cases the system may have leaky steam traps which will tend to heat the pump too hot for efficient operation. To overcome this, the upper vacuum tank may be used. This vacuum tank is connected to the system or to the lower tank in such a manner that practically all of the air is drawn through this tank. This suction tank is protected from excessive heat by a thermostatic valve interposed between it and the system.

The suction from this upper vacuum tank leads down through the handy gate valve 32 and joins the other suction through a manifold between the two Venturi tubes. The two handy gate valves are so located that they can be operated together by the float lever, but

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.i load of water.

also in such a manner that as one opens the other closes. The lower one, however, does not start to open until the other is about half closed. The lower one is also held closed by a weight 43a, and the connecting rod which joins it to the upper lever is slotted.

In connection with the upper vacuum tank, the float valve 46 in the suction from the lower tank may be used, so that when water falls to a certain point the pumping of water will be stopped, thereby causing nothing but cooler air from the vacuum tank to be handled by the pump. The vacuum in the upper tank will therefore at most times when the system is heating be somewhat higher than in the system or lower tank, and the lower float valve will be held to its seat until the pump is stopped.

It will be noted that this float valve is either a loose fit not seating perfectly or provided with the small hole 49, so that when the pump stops, the float valve is free to rise with any accretion of water.

It will be noted that the upper opening of the manifold is plugged, and that another hole between the Venturi tubes is used. This becomes necessary because the upper opening interferes with the float lever.

It will also be noticed that by reason of the slot connection 37 the lower handy gate is only opened about half way. This becomes necessary to prevent overloading the motor by admitting air when the pump has a full As both gates are shown to be the same in size, the half opening is ample for air.

If desired. in place of the float valve in the bottom of the lower tank, the differential higher vacuum in the upper vacuum tank may be obtained by so piping the suction from the system out of the lower tank, if it is used. that suflicient lift is given to the suction of the water that the column of water in suction will create the differential. Also, if desired, the lower tank may be done away with. and the water may then be piped high enoughup to the pump to create differential vacuum. In this case. the pipe leading through the thermostatic valve to the upper vacuum tank should be taken off at the highest point from the return main, so that air will not become pocketed.

While in all cases the pump has been shown with. the Venturi tubes extending horizontally, it should be understood that the pump may be turned in any direction, and it will also be understood that while the arrangement shown includes a float in the float tank, which is operated in conformity with the liquid level maintained in the outer chamber of the pump, nevertheless, the invention c0n-' templates the use of valve operating mecha nisms which are suitably controlled by the level of the water in the system, provided only that suitable means are employed for conditioning the operation of the pump, either as a vacuum pump or a centrifugal pump, depending upon the accumulation of water, with due regard to the requirement that suificient water be maintained in the pump casing to meet the requirements of the rotor when acting as a vacuum pump.

I claim:

1. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, including a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-ofl' wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to afford an air discharge port between the rotor casing and the outer chamber. inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, .and means responsive to variations in the water level in the outer chamber for opening and closing the discharge passage from the interior of the rotor casing, to transform the pump from a centrifugal water pump to a vacuum pump.

2. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, in cluding a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-off wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to afford an air discharge port between the rotor casing and the outer chamber, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, and means responsive to variations in the water level in the outer chamber for opening and closing the discharge passage from the interior of the rotor casing, to transform the pump from a centrifugal water pump to a vacuum pump, the rotor casing being provided with a passage from the outer chamber for admitting water tothe interior of the rotor casing to maintain the water required by the rotor in operating as a vacuum pump.

3. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, including a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-off wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to aflord an air discharge port between the retor casing and the outer chamber, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading fromthe outer chamber, a valve for controlling thedischarge passage from the interior of therotor casing, and float mechanism responsive to variations in the accumulation of water within the outer chamber for closing said valve in response to a reduction in such water accumulation and opening said valve in response to an increase pump from a centrifugal water pump to a vacuum pump.

4:. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, including a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-oh wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to afford an air discharge port between the rotor casing and the outer chamber,

inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, a valve for controlling the discharge assa e from the interior of the rotor casin 23 7 and float mechanism responsive to variations in the accumulation of water within the outer chamber for closing said valve in response to a reduction in such water accumulation for I transforming the pump from a centrifugal water pump to a vacuum pump, the rotor casing being provided with an aperture communicating with the outer chamber for admitting water to the interior of the rotor casing to maintain the water, required by the rotor from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, a valve in the water discharge passage, a float chamber in communication with the outer chamber of the pump for maintainv ing uniform water level within the float chamher and said outer chamber, a float within the float chamber, and connections between said float and said valve for closing the valve upon the lowering of the water within the'float chamber, and opening the valve upon the rise of the water, to transform the pump from a Water pump to an air pump, and vice versa.

6. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, including a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-off wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to afford an air discharge portbetween the rotor casing and the outer chamber, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, a receiving tank for water in communication with the inlet passage leading to the interior of the rotor casing, means for supplying water to the receiving tank, a valve in the discharge passage from the rotor casing, and means responsive to variations in the amount of water in the outer chamber which in turn is in harmony with the amount of water delivered to the pump from the receiving tank for opening and closing said valve.

7. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, including a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-0E wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to afford an air discharge port between the rotor casing and the outer chamb r, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, a receiving tank for Water in communication with the inlet passage leading to the interior of the rotor casing, means for supplying water to the receiving tank, a valve in the discharge passage from the rotor casing, a float tank in direct communication with the outer pump chamber for maintaining uniform water level in the pump chamber and the tank, a float in the float tank, and connections between said float and said valve for opening and closing the valve in response to variations in the water level.

8. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, including a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-off wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to afford an air discharge port between the rotor casing and the outer chamber, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, a receiving tank for water in communication withthe inlet passage leading to the interior of the rotor casing, means for supplying fluid to the receiving tank, a valve in the discharge passage from the rotor cas ing, a float tank in direct communication with the outer pump chamber for maintaining uniform water level in the pump chamber and the tank, a float in the float tank, and connections between said float and said valve for opening and closing the valve in response to variations in the water level, and a float in the receiving tank for restricting the discharge of water therefrom.

9. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, including a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-off wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to afford an air discharge port between the rotor casing and the outer chamber, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, a vacuum tank, means of communication between the vacuum tank and the inlet to the interior of the rotor casing, a valve in said communicating means, a valve in the outlet passage from the interior of the rotor casing, and means responsive to variations in the accumulation of water in the outer cham her for operating said valves in reverse relation to one another, to transform the pump from a centrifugal water pump to a vacuum pump and vice versa.

10, In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump, ineluding a rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-off wall, and a surrounding shell lurnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to afford an air discharge port between the rotor casing and the outer chamber, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the interior of the rotor casing, an air discharge passage leading from the outer chamber, a vacuum tank, means of communication between. the vacuum tank and the inlet to the interior of the rotor casing, a valve in said communicating means, a valve in the outlet passage from the interior of the rotor casing, 21 float tank in direct communication with the outer pump chamber for maintaining uniformity of water level within the tank and chamber, a float within the float tank, and connections between said float and said valves for operating the valves in reverse relation in response to variations in the water level for transforming the pump from a centrifugal water pump to a. vacuum pump, and vice versa.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump provided with fluid inlet and water discharge passages and an air discharge passage, and means responsive to variations in the amount of water in the outer chamber which in turn is in harmony with the amount of water delivered to the pump for opening and closing the water discharge passage from the pump to transform the pump from a water pump to a vacuum pump.

12. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump provided with fluid inlet and water discharge passages and an air outlet passage, the pump being adapted to retain water within itself to a predetermined level for operating as a vacuum pump, means for opening and closing the water discharge passage, and means responsive toa rise of water within the pump above the operating level and adapted thereupon to open the means for controlling the discharge through the water passage and to close such means upon the reduction of water within the pump to the vacuum operating T level.

13. In pumping apparatus of the class described, the combination of a fluid pump provided with fluid inlet and water discharge passages and an air outlet passage, the pump being adapted to retain water within itself upon to open the means for controlling the discharge through the water passage and to close such means upon the reduction of water within the pump to the vacuum operating level. i

14. In a pumping system of the class described, the combination of an operatively controlled fluid pump and separator provided with suitable inlets and outlets for receiving and discharging gas and liquid, means i or conducting and controlling the flow of gas and liquid to and from the pump, the liquid discharge control being such that while at all times the discharge is adequate it will not disable the pumping of gas, and thermostatically operated means adapted to restrict the flow of gas to the pump when the temperature of the gas rises to a predetermined degree.

15. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a centrifugal vacuum pump provided with an inlet and a gas outlet, which outlet is radially near the center of the pump, and with a valve-controlled peripheral discharge for liquid, with means adapted to open the valve to permit escape oi surplus liquid through the peripheral outlet thereby preventing continued discharge of liquid through the gas outlet, and adapted to close such control valve to prevent escape of nonsurplus liquid.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a centrifugal vacuum pump including a rotor and means for actuating the rotor, a rotor casing provided with a block-oii' wall and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer chamber, the casing being apertured to furnish a fluid passage between the rotor chamber and the outer chamber, a fluid inlet passage to and a liquid discharge passage from the rotor chamber, a gas discharge passage from the outer chamber, a valve controlling the discharge of liquid from the rotor chamber, and automatic means for actuating such valve in harmony with the level of fluids in the rotor chamber, said means operating to close the valve against a loss of liquid from the rotor chamber which will reduce the quantity below pumping requirements and to open the valve to allow the liquid beyond such requirements to be centrifugally discharged, thereby providing for the discharge of liquid and gas,

17. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a centrifugal vacuum pump including a rotor and means for actuating the rotor, a rotor casing furnishing a rotor chamber and provided with a block-off wall, and a surrounding shell furnishing an outer casing, the casing being apertured to afford a gas discharge passage from and a liquid inlet passage to the rotor chamber from the outer chamber, a fluid inlet passage to and a liquid discharge passage from the rotor chamber, a gas discharge passage from the outer chamber, a valve controlling the discharge of liquid through the liquid discharge passage from the rotor chamber, and means l'or actuating vsaid valve in harmony with the stat-us of the fluids of the rotor chamber, such means being adapted to close the valve against a loss of liquid beyond the vacuum pumping requirements of the pump and opening such valves to allow the excess beyond such requirements to be centritugally discharged, thereby providing for the discharge of'liquids and gases. 18. In avpumping system of the class described, the combination of a centrifugal fluid pump having impeller blades and wherein the pumping medium is a mass of liquid revolved by the impeller blades, the pump having restraining walls of such configuration that the revolving liquid will take the form of an indented ring, the pump being provided with an inlet for fluid located radially near the departure end of the indentation, and the restraining wall being also provided near this point with a smaller inlet for liquid for keeping the pump primed, and also provided with an outlet for liquid located in proximity to the periphery and near the approach end of the indentation, and also provided with an outlet for gas located approximately in radial alignment with the outlet for liquid but nearer to the center of rotation, a source from which fluids are to be pumped, a conduit pipe for fluids connecting such source to the inlet for fluid, a pipe line leading from the liquid outlet of the pump, a valve interposed in such pipe line, means for operating in conformity with the liquid passing through the pump to open the valve of the liquid discharge pipe line when an excess of liquid has accumulated, thereby allowing such excess to be discharged, said means being adapted to close such valve with a reduction in the accumulation of liquid to retain liquid for the pumping of gas, and check valves in the inlet and liquid outlet of the pump.

19, In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a centrifugal fluid pump having impeller blades rotating a mass of liquid within restraining walls of such configuration that the liquid will take the form of an indented ring, the pump being provided with an inlet for fluid located radially near the departure end of indentation and also provided near this point with a smaller inlet for liquid to keep the pump primed, also provided with a valve controlled peripheral outlet for liquid radially near the approach end of indentation, also provided with outlets for gas located approximately in radial align ment with the outlet for liquid but nearer the center of rotation, a source from which fluids are to be pumpedin communication with the inlet for fluids, a destination for, liquid in communication with the valve-controlled outlet for liquid, a float chamber provided with an outlet, containing a float, and in com munication with outlets for gas, connecting means between the float and the peripheral liquid outlet valve whereby when the float is raised by the flow of liquid through the gas outlets the valve is opened, thereby diverting the discharge of liquid from the gas outlets to the liquid outlet, communicating means between the float chamber and the smaller priming inlet for the liquid, whereby when the flow of liquid through the gas outlets is sufficiently checked the liquid will be withdrawn from' the float chamber, thereby lowering the float and closing the connected valve against a discharge of liquid below the pumping requirements, and a float operated valve controlling the discharge from the outlet of the float chamber, whereby the liquid is prevented and the gas is allowed to discharge.

20. In pumping apparatus of the class described, adapted to function through the medium of a rotating liquid ring, the combination of a rotor chamber and rotor, the chamher being provided with an inlet for fluid and an outlet for liquid, and an adjoining communicating chamber adapted to replenish the liquid required in the ring within the rotor chamber, an outlet for gas being provided from the rotor chamber to the adjoining chamber, and automatic means responsive to the quantitative status of the fluids in the apparatus to prevent the discharge of the liquid ring and to allowthe discharge of excess liq uid not required for such ring, thereby providing for the pumping of gas and liquid, either or both as required.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of January, 1930.

LUCIAN F. EASTON.

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