UTILITIES AND ATTACHMENTS.
Utilityis a Latin word meaning the same as the Saxon wordusefulness, hence a utility is something to be used to advantage.
Anattachmentis that by which one thing is connected to another; some adjunct attached to a machine or instrument to enable it to do a special work; these are too numerous to be described in this work; moreover their number is being so constantly added to that it would be vain to make the attempt. A few examples only follow.
The Receiveris one of the most important and useful parts or connections of a steam pump.
This apparatus, frequently called “Pump and Governor,” and illustrated in Figs.589,590and591, is designed to automatically drain heating systems and machines or appliances used in manufacturing which depend upon a free circulation of steam for their efficiency. It furthermore is arranged to automatically pump the water of condensation drained from such systems back to the boilers without loss of heat.
By this operation it serves a double purpose: first to automatically relieve the system of the water of condensation constantly collecting therein, thus insuring a free and unobstructed circulation, and, incidentally, preventing snapping and hammering in the piping, which in many cases is due to entrained water; and second, to automatically deliver this water, which in many cases is at the boiling point, directly to the boilers without the intervention of tanks or other devices commonly used. Not only does it relieve the system of a troublesome factor, but it introduces a supply of feed water to the boiler at a temperature impossible otherwise without the use of a special water heater.
The economy resulting from its use is unquestionable, and the satisfactory and increasing use of this machine leaves no doubt as to its efficiency.
As will be seen by the illustrations, the apparatus consists of a cylinder or oval closed receiver, which, together with the pump, is mounted upon and secured to a substantial base, making the whole machine compact and self-contained.
The automatic action of the pump and its speed are controlled by a float in the receiver operating directly, without the use of intervening levers, cranks and stuffing boxes, to open or close a governor valve in the steam supply pipe to the pump, thus making the action of the pump conditional upon the rise and fall of the float in the receiver.
Fig. 589.
Fig. 589.
In each of the three receivers shown there isa ball floatwhich appears through the side of the receiver, Fig.590; these depend upon the principle of specific gravity for their operation. The lever fastened to the ball float operates the throttle valve of the pump; as the vessel fills with water the float rises opens the throttle valve, and starts the pump.
In Fig.589is shown the Deane automatic duplex steam pump andreceiverfitted with valves for hot water; it is also provided with three separate inlets for convenience in connecting the returns.
In placing the apparatus, it is only necessary to so locate it that all returns will drain naturally towards receiver and that there are no pockets in the piping.
When it is desired to use the automatic receiver as the sole means of feeding the boilers, it will be necessary to introduce a small supply of water from some outside source to equalize the loss which occurs. It is desirable that this water should flow into receiver rather than into discharge pipe.
Fig. 590.
Fig. 590.
Fig. 591.
Fig. 591.
Fig.590shows a Mason steam pump with receiver attached. This pump is described elsewhere at length. Fig.591represents the Worthington duplex steam pump with its specially designed receiver.
Theball cockis a faucet which is opened or closed by means of a ball floating on the surface of the water as it rises and falls in the vessel.
In the illustration, Fig.592, to be seen below the principle of its operation may be discerned. The fall of water in the tank lowers the float and opens the valve (which has in this case a rubber seat) and a rise of water in the tank closes the valve, hence this ball float controls and maintains a constant water level in the tank.
Fig. 592.
Fig. 592.
The float is a hollow ball of copper attached to one end of a lever while the other end is pivoted by a pin through it and the side of the shell of the valve. The valve itself is held by a screw to the lever and resembles very much an inverted lever safety valve.
This principle of construction and operation is applied to many devices among which is that described on page 318 relating to pump receivers.
The apparatus constitutes an automatic arrangement for keeping the water at a certain height. It is useful in cisterns, water backs, boilers, etc., where the supply is constant, the demand intermittent.