pump, which action is maintained by the purely functional conditions of alternate pressure and vacuum. DESCRIPTION. The main body of the pulsometer, as shown in the perspective cut on page 87, and the sectional cut on page 90, is a casting made in one piece and consisting of two bottle-shaped chambers A, A, placed side by side. These are called working chambers. They taper toward each other at their upper halves and meet at their upper ends at a point at which is situated the steam valve ball C. This oscillates with a slight rolling motion between seats (with which it makes a steam tight joint) formed at the upper entrance to each of the already mentioned working chambers A, A. The portion B of the pump, containing the steam valve ball C, is called the neck piece, and is a separate casting bolted to the main body of the pump, so that it can be readily removed for renewal when necessary. To the upper part of this neck piece B is bolted the neck cap, into which the steam supply pipe is screwed. The openings communicating between the chambers A, A, and the induction, or foot valve, chamber D, are covered by suitable valves E, E, called suction valves, their valve seats F, F, and valve guards I, I, which latter prevent the valves from opening too far. A third chamber J, called the vacuum chamber, situated behind the chambers A, A, at their lower halves, and between them at their upper, or tapering halves, communicates with them through the round opening in the induction or foot valve chamber D. A fourth chamber, called the discharge chamber, situated on the lower side of the working chambers A, A, opposite to the vacuum chamber J, and represented by the dotted lines in the sectional view on page 90, communicates with each of the working chambers A, A, by passages at the lower half of its intersection with these chambers. This discharge chamber contains the discharge valves E, E, their valve seats G, G, and the valve guards I, I, which cover the passages leading from the chambers A, A. The delivery pipe H connects with the discharge opening in the top of the discharge chamber by means of a flanged joint. The induction, or foot valve chamber D, contains the valve E, its valve seat F, and the guard I, which serve the purpose of holding the charge of water in the pump. The lower end of this chamber is connected to the suction pipe by a flanged joint. K, K are oval plates covering the openings through which the seat, valve and guard are inserted to the respective chambers, and are fastened in position by means of strong clamps and bolts N, N. The ends of these clamps fit loosely into suitable recesses and are thus held in position while the cover plates are being applied. Another set of similar clamps and bolts serve, in a like manner, to fasten the seats, valves and guards in place. The object in employing four openings to the pump, instead of two, is to make it possible and convenient to get at every square inch of the interior for thorough examination, chipping and cleaning of the new casting, and ease of removing any deposit that certain classes of work might help to form on the walls of the chambers, and which could not be reached otherwise. Vent plugs are inserted in the cover plates for the purpose of draining off the water in the pump to prevent its freezing. Near the top of each of the working chambers A, A and of the vacuum chamber J is a small tapped hole, into which is screwed a brass air check valve, so that its check hangs downward. The air check valves in the chambers A, A allow a small quantity of air to be automatically admitted above the water and ahead of the steam, separating the steam and the water upon their first entrance, thus preventing condensation and forming an air piston, ever new and always tight. The air check valve in the chamber J likewise admits air automatically, which serves to cushion the ram action of the water consequent upon the alternate filling of each of the chambers A, A. It will be seen from the foregoing that the pulsometer combines, in its design and construction, maximum durability, simplicity and strength with minimum size and weight. Our improved pattern, while not differing in any essential from the old pattern, has been considerably simplified in construction, making it more compact, with fewer parts, and its interior much easier of access for inspection and cleaning or renewal of valves when necessary. ADVANTAGES.-Its capability of suspension in operation, and of being lowered and raised and swung about without interrupting its work. Requires no foundation. Cheapness in first cost and operation. The following examples of work done by a pulsometer were kindly given to the writer by Major S. Canby, Park Engineer, Wilmington, Del.: Actual work done.-EXAMPLE 1.-Steam conveyed 400 feet from boiler to pulsometer. Pressure at boiler, 60 to 80 pounds; pressure at pulsometer, 40 pounds. With these conditions, the pulsometer pumped a semi-fluid material largely composed of clay up 20 feet, and the material was so solid that it required to be shoveled away from the discharge pipe. EXAMPLE 2.-In this case the pulsometer was in a hole and covered with 5 feet of water and inaccessible. When steam was turned on the pulsometer pumped the hole dry in a comparatively short time. In comparing "The Pulsometer" with the regular direct-acting steam pump of the best makers, it will not exert as great power, and therefore is not capable of as great a lift and cannot force water so high as the direct-acting steam pump. But for moderate lifts its cheapness and simplicity of construction and operation recommend it. The price includes suitable strainer, either basket or mushroom, steam-controlling globe valve with nipple and union, and relief valve. The capacities given are estimated from results obtained in actual practice and are rather underrated, better results being obtained in most cases, especially so where conditions are favorable as to short suction, high steam pressure, etc. Flat valve pumps are used for all general purposes. Ball valve pumps are used only for pumping liquids containing foreign matter, as waste of breweries, slaughter houses, pulp in paper mills, tan liquors, etc. Gun metal pumps are used only for handling chemicals, liquids liable to crystallize, acids, etc., that are destructive to cast iron. |