US896581A - Rotary pump. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED AUG. 18,1908.

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LORING C. ROBINSON AND JOHN B. GAYLOR, OF THERMOPOLIS, WYOMING, ASSIGNORS TO THE PNEUMATIC WATER LIFT POWER & IRRIGATION CO., OF DENVER, COLORADO, A

CORPORATION OF COLORADO.

ROTARY ,PUMP.

No..s9e,581.

vSpecification OfLetters Patent.

Patented Aug. 18, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LORING C. ROBINSON and JOHN B. GAYLOR, citizens of the United States, residing at rlliermopolis, in the county of Fremont and State of Vyoming, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rotary Pumps, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary pumps or water elevators of that type adapted to be partially submerged in a stream and having a spiral water course so constructed and arranged as to effect the discharge of thewater during the revolution of the pump by the compression and expansion of air in the successive spirals of said course.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efhcient construction of pump of this character adapted to be arranged for use in a flume or other running water course and to be revolved by the impact of the water, said pump being provided with a novel construction and arrangement of parts, whereby the efliciency of operation of devices of this character is materially increased.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pump as arranged for operation. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on a line crossing the inlet of the spiral water course.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a flume or other like water course, 2 the side Ywalls thereof, which are provided with suitable bearings 3.

Mounted to turn within the bearings 3 is a shaft 4, one end of which is made hollow or tubular to provide a discharge port or passage 5. The hollow end of the shaft projects beyond its bearing and is connected by a swiveled coupling 6 to a discharge pipe 7, said coupling permitting free rotation of the shaft, while the pipe remains in a stationary position for the outflow of the water therethrough. A

Supported by the shaft is a skeleton frame or cylinder comprising rings or annular end portions S, connected by longitudinal bars or braces 9, said rings or annular portions 8 being connected by radial arms 1() to sleeves 11 ixed lon the shaft, whereby the body or frame and shaft are adapted to rotate in unison.

Supported by the cylindrical frame is an exterior casing comprising inner and outer cylindrical walls 12 and 13 arranged in collcentric relation and connected by an intervening spiral partition 14, forminoP therewith a spiral water course or channel 15, extending from end to end of the rotary frame, said channel communicating at one end with an outlet pipe or passage 16 connecting with the hollow portion or discharge passage 5 formed by the hollow end of the shaft 4, through which the water passes to the discharge pipe 7. The inlet of the water channel is formed by a nozzle 17 which extends spirally out beyond' the surface of the outer wall 13 of the casing, so that its outer or inlet end will project beyond the periphery of the wheel to di into the water iowing through a flume am to take up a prescribed quantity of water and air on each revolution of the wheel. It will be observed that the wheel is but partially submerged in the fiowing current of water, which is desirable and permitted by the described arrangement of the nozzle which obviates the necessity of wholly immersing the wheel or immersing it to a large extent. Depending longitudinally on the outer side of the casing are paddles or blades 18 against which the current of flowing water strikes, whereby rotary motion to the wheel is imparted. By this construction an under-shot water wheel is formed by which a free and easy rotary movement is insured, as the wheel as an entirety= does not rotate within the body of water. Such construction permits of the use of the device in shallow streams, in which respect it is superior to those pumps which are designed and intended to be wholly immersed.

In the operation of the device, it will be apparent that the rotary water wheel or pump will be rotated by the action of the flowing current of water in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1, the nozzle 1 7 dipping into the Water successively on each revolution of the pression of the confined air.

secured. During the revolution of the wheel the water taken up will be gradually forced toward the outlet, but in each convolution of the spiral channel only a certain portion of the water will be contained. There will,

consequently, be an air space left in the upper part of each convolution, whereby the water flowing from one convolution to the other will compress the air therein, which, on expulsion, will pass into the next convolution and displace the air therefrom. By this means 'the successive quantities of water taken into the wheel on eachrotation thereof will be forced by pneumatic action from one convolution to another until finally discharged through the outlets 16 and 5 and forced thence into the discharge pipe 7, through which the water will flow to the desired point of use.

The invention provides a simple, inexpensive and efficient type of rotary pump which may be used in conjunction with allowing stream for pumping water therefrom to any .desired point or elevation, and which will be operated by the force of the flowing water, thus adapting the device especially for use as an efficient pump for irrigating purposes. The device, however, may be driven by any suitable auxiliary power where the force of the water cannot be utilized. It will be observed that the spiral channel or water course gradually decreases in width or area from its inlet to its discharge end, thus decreasing to a minimum any primary resistance to the flow of the water caused initially by the com- This decrease in width or area of the spiral channel is gradual and progressive from the inlet to the discharge end, thus materially increasing the efficiency of operation and insuring a gradually decreasing resistance of the confined air pressure to the flowing water.

In order to render a pumping apparatus of this type effective for general use in both shallow and deep streams, as well as in streams in which the current is slow or swift or variable to a marked degree, and in sections where high winds prevail and ice or driftwood flows with the current and would be liable to damage or destroy a comparatively narrow wheel standing high above the surface of the water or one in which the parts are not strongly connected and braced, it is necessary to have the pump structure combine in a simple and compact manner an arrangement of parts insuring durability, lightness and strength, with a minimum projection or exposure of parts liable to be injured by floating objects or current strain on the wheel, and also to have the wheel set close to the surface of the water and to provide for effective propulsion. These necessary and essential features are combined in the present device, in which it will be observed that the frame structure, while light and composed of a minimum number of parts, has its parts so combined and arranged as to mutually reinforce and brace each other and to form a substantial support for the wheel body, the longitudinal braces 9, for instance, firmly uniting the rings 8 without excess of material, while one of the sleeves 11 surrounds the hollow end of the shaft adjacent to the outlet 16, which is disposed between the adjoining bearing and adjoining sleeve Vand ring, thus securing maximum strength at a structurally weak point. The use of a onepiece shaft extending continuously between the bearings and connected with the discharge pipe beyond one of the bearings also insures increased strength and rigidity over a structure employing a shaft formed of a plurality of parts and connected with the discharge pipe inside the bearing, the one-piece form of the shaft further reducing the surface against which small floating particles may bear and collect within and act asa drag upon the wheel. It will be further observed that the comparatively great length and small diameter of the wheeladapts the wheel to lie horizontally close to the surface of the water, thus diminishing liability of injury to the same from wind or other pressure,while at the same time securing strength and compactness of construction and providing for the use of paddles of a length to utilize the full force of even a slow current. Y

We are aware of the fact that some of the features of construction herein disclosed are not broadly new, but the general combination and arrangement of parts whereby all of the stated advantages are secured in a single structure, as set forth in the appended claim, we believe to be new and productive of advantages in providing an apparatus capable of meeting all of the requirements mentioned.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

In an undershot rotary pump or elevator, the combination of spaced supporting bearings arranged above the surface of the stream, a horizontal shaft extending continuously between and journaled in said bearings, one end of the shaft being hollow and forming a discharge passage terminating at its inlet end on the inner side of the adjacent bearing, sleeves fixed to the shaft adjacent the bearings, one of said sleeves surrounding and bracing the hollow end of the shaft, rings or bands surrounding the sleeves, spokes connecting the rings or bands with the sleeves, longitudinal bars extending between and connected with the rings or bands to form with the same and the sleeves and spokes a skeleton supporting frame, a casing mounted upon the frame and provided with a spiral water passage having at one end an inlet facing in the direction of rotation of the wheel and at the other end an outlet extending radially inward between the adjoining bearing and band and sleeve and communicating with the hollow end of the shaft, said easing being of a length substantially ooextensive with the distance between the bands and having its lower portion submerged in or disposed close to the surface of the stream7 addles or blades extending longtudinall allong the outer surface ofthe casing7 a discharge pipe, and a swiveled coupling In testimony whereof, we afliX our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LORING O. ROBINSON. JOHN B. GAYLOR. Witnesses:

JOHN A. THOMPSON, SAMUEL A. COPE.

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