US657192A - Compressed-air water-elevator. - Google Patents

Description

No. ssznez. Patented Se t. 41 I900. T. 4.. nsmonesr.

CUMPRESSEH Am WATER ELEVATUR.

(Application filed Raw. 27,, 1899.)

2 Shanty-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

No. 657,l92. Patented Sept. 4, I900. T. J. DEMOREST.

COMPRESSED AIR WATER ELEVATOR.

gApplicazion filed Nov. 27, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Nil Model.)

M t m m UNrrED STATES PATENT Grinch.

THOMAS J. DEMOREST, OF GARFIELD, WASHINGTON.

COM PRESSED-AIR WATER-"ELEVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,192, dated September 4, 1900. Applicationtiled1T0vembii27,i899 Sria1No.738 4=04. (N model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. DEMOREST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Garfield, in the county of Whitman and State of \Vashington, have invented a new and useful Compressed-Air ater-Elevator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to compressed-air water-elevators; and it has for one object to provide an automatically-operating apparatus of this character having simple and reliable means for elevating the water or other fluid from wells or reservoirs to its point of use. To this end the invention primarily contemplates simple and efficient means for automatically controlling the valves in connection with a novel arrangement of piping whereby the supply of compressed air will be automatically controlled and also exhausted at intervals to permit of the intermittent filling of the tank or tanks and the forcible discharge of water through the main deliverypipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of parts whereby a continuous and uniform stream may be constantly discharged through the main delivery-pipe during the operation ofv the apparatus. 7

With these and many other objects in vi e'w, which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The fundamental features of the invention which insure the automatic supplying and exhausting of the air to the tank or tanks are necessarily susceptible to a variety of modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; but the preferred embodiment of the improvements is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a compressed-air water-elevator embodying the improvements contemplated by the present invention, showing the different parts of the apparatus in position to provide for the discharge of water from the upper movable receiving-tank while the lower stauid has the main working parts of the apparatus associated therewith; but to insure a continuous and uniform discharge of the liquid through thedelivery-pipe there is preferably employed a pair of liquid-receiving tanks '1 and 2, which are arranged one above the other, so as to occupy as little space as possible and permit of the apparatus being placed in bored or drilled wells. Both of the liquidreceiving tanks 1 and 2 are designed to be submerged in the water or liquid to be elevated and are of any size or shape, accord ing to the desired capacity of the apparatus and the nature of the well or reservoir in connection with which the same are employed.

The tank 1 may be referred to as a buoyant tank, inasmuch as the same is designed to rise and fall in the water or liquid in which it is submerged, and as the essential features of the invention are embodied in the parts associated with this tank reference will first be made thereto independent of the action of the lower stationary tank 2 and the parts combined therewith to provide for the con- -tinuous discharge of the Water.

The vertically-movable receiving-tank 1 is provided in the bottom thereof with a waterinlet opening 3, whichis designed to be covered and uncovered by an inwardly-opening inlet-valve t. The Water-inlet valve 4 preferably consists of a flat valve plate ordisk 5, having a gasket or equivalent packing 6 to provide a water and air tight closure when the valve is seated upon the bottom of the tank.

cated inside of the receiving-tank 1, Within a the bottom portion thereof, and has fitted to the center thereof a depending valve-stem 7,. arranged to workin the guide-tube 8, rigidly. supported centrally within the water-inlet The inwardly-openingvalve 4 is lo-.

opening 3, and providing means, in connection with the stem 7, for retainingthe valve 4 in proper working position and causing the same to evenly seat and unseat itself during the action of the apparatus. Inasmuch as the tank 1 is submerged in the water or liquid to be elevated, the release of air-pressure within the tank permits the valve 4 to open inwardly to uncover the inlet openingii,

thereby admitting a supply of water to the interior of the tank, and through the means hereinafter described this water or liquid is subsequently forced out of the tank through the water-discharge pipe 9. The water discharge pipe 9 is fitted in the top of the vertically-movable tank 1 and depends therein to a point near its bottom or in sufficiently-close proximity to the valve 4 to permit of the tank 1 being practically emptied entirely of the water therein, and to accommodate the ver* tical movement of the tank 1 without interfering' with the free discharge of water therefronrthe discharge pipe 9 is provided exterior to the tank and above the top thereof with a a telescopic joint 10. The exterior telescopic joint 10 of the discharge-pipe 9 essentially consists of the fixed and movable pipe- sections 11 and 12, closely registering one with inthe other and having a sliding fit,- so that the movable section 12, forming a portion of the discharge-pipe carried by the tank 1, is permitted to freely work up and down withi-n the fixed section 11 as the tank risesand falls. The upper fixed pipe-section 11 of the telescopic joint 10 has extended from the upper end thereof a valve-chamber 13, within which is arranged an upwardlyopening gravity check-valve 14, which prevents return flow of water through the discharge-pipe cl-into the tank when the water is relieved from the pressure of the compressed air, and to provide for the outlet of the water from the discharge pipe 9 and the telescopic joint thereof the ch'eck-valvecasing or chamber 13 is coupled at its upper end to the main water-delivery pipe 15,- which extends above the well or rese rvo'ir to the point of use.

The fixed and movable sections 11 and 12 of the telescopic pipe-joint 10 are provided in adjacent walls with the norm ally-disalined exhaust-ports 16. t The disalinement of these ports is maintained when the vertically-movable tank 1 is in its lower position; but when said tank is elevated the said ports are brought into register or ali'nement, sothat the air contained within the tank and it's pipe will find the proper ven-t, so as to admit of the'refilli'ng of the tank. The complete vent 7 ing of the vertically-movable receiving 'ta'nk 1 is accomplished through the medium of a vent tube 17 extending longitudinally through the discharge-pipe 9 and provided its upper end with a hook or similar connection 18, engaging with afixed point of attack ment on or within the fixed sect-ion 11 of the telescopic pipe -'joint 10, thereby providing means for holding the vent-tube 17 stationary for the rolling or shifting weight 32.

in arelatively-fixed position,wliile at the same time not interfering with the vertical movementor the buoyant action of the tank 1. The vent-tube 17 is provided at a point near the telescopic pipe-joint 10 with a vent-opening 19, which permits of the exhaust of air from the vent tube and its consequent escape through the exhaustports 16 of the telescopic joint. The vent-tube 17 of the discharge-pipe is provided in its lower end with an elbow 20, extending around the lower end of the discharge-pipe 9,;and with an upstanding inletlimb 21, which projects upwardly within the tank 1 to a point near the top thereof and is provided at its upper end with a valve-seat 22, adapted to receive thereon an exhaustvalve 23, fitted to the lower end of the valvestem 24:, the upper end of which valve-stem has fitted thereto an air-cut-off valve 25, ar-

ranged to Work over an interior valve-seat 26, located within an air-inlet chamber 27. The stem2 t, carrying the valves 23 and 25, is steadied in its movements by a guide 28, fitted inthe top portion of the tank 1. The air inlet chamber 27 communicates at its lower open end with the interior of the tank 1 at the top of the latter and has coupled to its upper end oneend of the compressed-air-supply pipe 29, the other end of which is connected with a suitable air-compressor or airpump which provides for supplying air under pressure to the apparatus. The compressed air supply pipe 29 is preferably pro- 'vided contiguous to its connection with the air-inlet chamber 27 with a coiled flexible or spring section 30, which will readily contract and expand to permit of the free vertical movement of the movable or buoyant tank-1.

To insure a'proper operation of the apparatus, there is preferably associated with the same an overbalanc'e device which serves to holdthe tank a sufficient length of time in either of its extreme positions to insure a proper action of the apparatus.- This overbalance device may be substituted by any equivalent device that will accomplish the same res-ult-" namely, to hold the tank 1 stationary at the limit of each movement for a certain period-but the preferable form of device for accomplishing the desired end is shown in the drawings and substantially consists of a tilting weight-lever 31 and a rolling or shifting weight 32 supported by said lever and capable of a shifting movement from one end thereof to the other.- The tilting Weightlever 30 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends, as at 33, on a-rfixed point of attach ment and is provided with a longitudinal groove or way 34 to form a retaining-guide At a point contiguous toan'd at one side of its pivot 33' the pivoted weight-lever 31 has slidably connected thereto, by means of a loop or equivalent connection 35, the upper end of an adj usting-rod 36-, the lower end of which is fixedly attached to the air-inlet chamber or other part of the tank 1, so that as the tank ICC) rises and falls the lever 31 will be tilted or oscillated with a consequent shifting of the weight 32 thereon. I

In the action of the tank 1 and the parts associated therewith, as just described, it may be assumed that the tank 1 is filled with water or other liquid, and is thereby in its lowered position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In this position the water-inlet valve 4 is closed upon its seat to provide for covering the water-inlet opening 3, and the exhaust-valve 23 rests upon the seat at the upper end of the inlet-limb 21 of the venttube 17, thereby cutting off communication between this tube and the interior of the tank 1, while at the same time holding the air-cut-ofi valve 25 elevated above its seat, and thus opening communication between the tank and the compressed-air-supply pipe 29. The compressed air is therefore free to pass from the air-compresser or air-pump through the pipe 29 and its flexible or spring section 30 into the air-inlet chamber 27 in the top portion of the tank 1. The pressure of air exerted upon the body of water in the tank 1 forcibly expels this water through the discharge-pipe 9 and its telescopic joint 10 into the main water-delivery pipe 15, which carries the water to the point of use. When the tank 1 has been nearly emptied, and is therefore necessarily filled with air, the buoyancy thereof causes the same to rise, which movement brings the air-cut-off valve 25 to its seat, thus cutting off the further supply of compressed air, while at the same time elevating the exhaust-valve 23 and uncovering the inlet end of the vent-tube 17. closing of the air-cut-off valve 25 the watercheck valve 1-3 necessarily closes and prevents the return flow of water, and the exhaust-ports 16 of the telescopic pipe-joint 10 come into register and permit of the exhausting or venting of the air within the interior of the tank 1 as the water rushes in through the valved water-inlet opening 3 to refill the tank. During the upward movement of the tank 1 the lever 31 is tilted in a direction to shift the weight 32 to one end thereof, and the weight in such position will, in connection with the buoyancy of the tank, hold the same in its elevated position until the same is again filled, after which the weight of the water therein will cause it to again descend and shift the various working parts to their original positions to admit of the supply of compressed air for forcibly expelling the water through the discharge-pipe and its connections.

As already explained, the stationary tank 2 below the tank 1 is utilized to insure a continuous discharge of water through the main water-delivery pipe 15, and reference will now be made to the conjoint action of the two tanks and the parts combined with the stationary tank. The said stationary tank 2 is provided at the bottom thereof with a water-inlet opening 37, covered and uncover l/Vith thev ed by an inwardly-opening valve 4, constructed and operating in the same manner as the valve 4, associated with the tank 1, and at the top thereof the stationary tank 2 has communicating therewith an air-inlet chamber 38, having a branch-pipe connection 39 with the main com pressedair-supply pipe 29 above the point of connection of the pipe with the air-inlet chamber 27 for the movable tank 1. The air-inlet chamber 38, communicating with the top of the stationary tank 2, has arranged therein a valve-seat 39, above which Works an air-cut-off valve 40, fitted to the upper end of a vertically-reciprocating valve-stem 41, the lower end of which stem is arranged in the path of the laterally-deflected tappet-arm 42 at the lower end of the exhaust-valve stem 43. The exhaust-valve stem 43 works through a vent-port 44 in the top of the tank 2 and has a suitable loose connection 45 at its upper end with the bottom of the movable tank 1, so that the movements of this latter tank may be utilized to provide for controlling the air cut-ofi and exhaust valves of the tank 2. The exhaustvalve stem 43 has fitted thereto within the tank 2 an exhaust-valve 46, arranged to cover and uncover the vent-port 44 in the manner to be presently explained.

To provide for the discharge of water from the lower stationary tank 2, the same has depending therein a water-discharge pipe 47, provided at a suitable point with a gravity vertically-movable check-valve 48, and having a branch-pipe connection 49 with the main water-delivery pipe 15. It will be observed that when the tank 1 is in its lowered position and the water or other liquid discharged therefrom in the manner described the eX- haust-valve 46 is held below the port 44 and the cut-off valve 40 is seated so as to cut off the supply of air from the tank 2, thus permitting the valve 40 to open and the said tank to fill with water. Upon the upward movement of the tank '1, as the same is about emptied of its water, the said movement of the tank 1 closes the vent-port 44 and at the same time brings the tappet-arm 42 on the exhaust-valve stein into contact with the valve-stem 41 -of the air-cut-oif valve 40, thereby elevating this valve above its seat and permitting the compressed air to enter the tank 2 to forcibly expel the water therefrom through the pipe 47 and the branch pipe 49 into the main delivery-pipe 15. It will thus be seen that the construction just described in elfect constitutes a double-acting water or liquid elevating apparatus, inasmuch as one tank fills with water at the same time the other is emptying, thus causing a continuous and even stream to discharge through the delivery-pipe 15.

In carrying out the invention it may be found desirable to change or modify the parts without affecting the operation just described, audit will therefore be understood that various changes in the form, proportion,

nation with a vertically-movable tank, and means for intermittently supplying aeriform .fiuid thereto, of aliquid-eduction pipe, and a telescopic connection between said eductionpipe and the tank and having members provided with vent-ports, one of said members being shiftable with the tank to alternately bring the vent-ports into registration and disalined relation, substantially as described.

2. In a liquid-elevating system, the combination with a vertically-movable tank, and means for intermittently supplying aeriform fluid thereto, of a liquid-eduction pipe, a telescopic connection between said eduction-pipe and the tank and including members pro.- vided with eduction-ports, and a separate valved vent-pipe sustained independently of the tank and discharging into the telescopic connection, substantially as described.

3. In a liquid-elevating system, the combination with a vertically-movable tank, and means for intermittentlysupplying aeriform fluid thereto, of a liquid-eduction pipe, a telescopic connection between said ed notion-pipe and the tank and including members provided with eduction-ports, a vent-pipe sustained independently of the tank and discharging into the telescopic connection, and

air inlet and exhaust valves operable to alternately control the admission of air to the tank and the exhaust of air therefrom through the vent-pipe, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically-movable receiving-tank having a bottom valved liquid-inlet, a liquid-discharge pipe extending within the tank and having an exterior telescopic joint provided with airexhausting ports, and means, controlled by the movement of the tank for automatically providing forthe supply of air to the tank and the exhaust thereof through said exhausting-ports, substantially as set forth.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, abuoyant liquid-receivin g tank provided with a bottom valved inlet, a discharge-pipe extending within the tank and provided with an exterior telescopic pipe-joint having air-exhausting ports, a vent-tube communicating with the telescopic joint of the dischargepipe and with the interior of the tank, and means, controlled by the movement of the tank, for automatically providing for the supply of compressed air thereto and the exhaust of the airthrough the vent-tube, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically-movable submerged receiving tank provided at the bottom with a valved liquid-inlet, a discharge-tube extending within the tank, and. provided exterior thereof with a telescopic joint having air-exhausting ports, a compressed-air-supply pipe having a connection with the tank, a vent-tube communicating respectively with the interior of the discharge-pipe and the top portion of the receiving-tank, and air cut-off and exhaust valves automatically adjusted by the movement of the tank to provide for controlling thesupplyof. compressed air and the exhaust thereof through the vent-tube, substantially as set forth.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically-movable receivingtankprovided at the bottom with a valved liquid-inlet, a discharge-pipe extending within the tank and provided exterior thereof with a telescopic joint having air-exhausting ports adapted to aline and disaline, the fixed section of the telescopic joint having an interior checkvalve anda connection with the deliverypipe, an air-inlet chamber in communication with the tank at the top and provided with an interior valve-seat, a compressed-air-supply pipe connected with said air-inlet chamber, a vent-tube suspended within the discharge-pipe from the fixed section of the telescopic joint and provided with a vent-opening and having an inlet-limbextending upward within the tank to a point near the top,

and a movable valvestem carrying at its upper end a cut-off valve cooperating with the.

seat within the air-inlet chamber, and at its lower end an exhaust-valve Working over the opening at the inlet end of the vent-tube,substantially as set forth.

8. In a liquid elevating system, the combination with a vertically-movablev tank, and an eduction-pipe having a compensating connection therewith, of a vent-pipe sustained independently of and suspended partly in the tank and having an upturned limb provided with a valve-seat, an air-inlet valve, an exhaust-valve adapted to the seatof the ventpipe, a stem connecting the two valves, and a valve-seat carried by said tank and adapted for the air-inlet valve, substantially as described.

9. In a liquid-elevating system, the combination of a vertically-movable tank, an eduction-pipe, an air-supply chamber carried by the tank and having a valve-seat, a supplypipe to said chamber, a stationary vent-pipe suspended in the tank and having a valveseat in alinement with the seat of the air-sup ply chamber, and the connected inlet and exhaust valves adapted respectively to the seats of said chamber and the vent-pipe by the rise and fall of the tank, substantially as described. 1

10. In a liquid-elevating system, the combination of the air-supply and eduction pipes, a vertically-movable tank, individual compensating connections between said pipes and the tank, means for controlling the admission of air to and exhaust from the tank, a sup- .port fixed to and upheld by said pipes over the tank, an oscillatory lever pivoted centrallyto said support, a weight movable freely on the lever, and a rod connected with the tank and to the lever at one side of its pivot to shift the latter on the rise and fall of the tank, substantially as described.

11. In a compressed-air water-elevator, the combination of. a floatable tank having a valved inlet, a stationary tank also provided with a valved inlet and arranged below the floatable tank, a pressu re-supply pipe, a compensating valved connection between said pressure-pipe and the floatable tank, a separate valved exhaust from the floatable tank and controlled by the travel of the tank itself, a branch connection from the pressurepipe to a supply-chamber on said stationary tank, a valve in said chamber, a rod operatively related to the valve and connected to the movable tank, and an eduction-pipe having a compensating connection with the movable tank and a branched valved connection With the stationary tank, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

THOMAS J. DEMOREST.

Witnesses:

J. N. CLARKE, G. W. NYE.

Images