The Seagrave Pumping Engine

2022-03-11 10:15:02 By : Ms. Seven Tan

The Seagrave pump is different from the ordinary one generally used on fire apparatus. It is neither of the rotary gear nor piston type, but is a multi-stage centrifugal turbine, built along the general lines of the turbine pump which is rapidly replacing older types, except that it is more refined and built particularly for fire department work. It is compact, light in weight and capable of delivering large quantities of water at high pressures. I hose pumps are made iti two sizes, both of which are entirely of bronze. The 750gallon size is two stage; 1,000-gallon size three stage By referring to the line drawn in the cut, it can be seen that no valves of any kind are required in its operation, not even a reliel valve. The water, as it comes from the hydrant or cistern, enters the intake pipe and then passes into the center of the first stage or impeller around the impeller shaft. This impeller impresses on the water a certain pressure, and with this pressure it follows the guides or diffusion vanes which deliver it to the center of the second sta'ge or impeller, which add more pressure and so on through all stages of the pump. The pressure given the water by each impeller depends on the speed at which the pump shaft is rotating. It will be noticed that the water travels in a spiral course, all in one direction, and at no time is it forced in an opposite course, as in the piston type of nump; also that the impellers have no reciprocating action, thus obviating all vibration. All waterways are finished smooth, thereby reducing friction and increasing efficiency. On referring to the plate, it will he seen that no moving part of the pump touches any other part except where the impeller shaft rests in its bearings at each end, and as there are ball bearings, wear and friction are reduced to a minimum. This is a very important feature, because it means that the pump will practically never wear out and, as it cannot be found in any type of rotary gear or niston pump, should be worthy of careful consideration. The pump is geared up instead of down, as arc other makes, thus permitting the use of a slow-speed, longstroke motor (7¾ x 9 inches), which is the only method by which a dependable motor pump engine can be successfully operated for long periods without shutting down. I he motor delivers its maximum horsepower at 750 r. p. m., and the pump makes 1,500 r. p. m. An important feature of this pump is the elimination of relief valves of every kind. Owing to the construction, should all lines of hose or gate valves at the pump he shut off at once, the pump merely churns the water it contains and the motor accelerates, thus eliminating entirely all danger of stalling the motor. With all lines shut off and the motor running wide open, a pump pressure of 350 pounds is developed, thus outclassing the steam lire engine. These pumping engines arc equipped with automatic regulating devices operated by the pump pressure and automatically controls the throttle valve on the carburetor, so that in case three lines of hose (of any length) are in use and a pressure of Ho pounds is being maintained on all three nozzles, if one nozzle is shut off the motor is thereby automatically throttled, so that only Kn pounds is maintained on the other two Incs. The same condition follows should another line be shut off. Another important feature of this pump is its ability to pump water containing solid matter, such as sand, or even rocks, whose largest diameter does not exceed threequarters of an inch without the slightest injury to the pump. Of course it is not built for gravel dredging purposes, but will handle such of these as are sometimes encountered in fire department work. This is a decided advantage in cities where drafting from lakes, rivers or cisterns is necessary or where muddy water is to he handled. Summing up, it will be found that the following important and essential features are to be had in this pump that cannot be found in others: No wearing parts, no by-pass valves, slow speed motor, high pump pressure, no vibration, no relief valves, automatic pressure regulating device, no danger of stalling motor, less parts, sand or small gravel does not injure the pump. In a test held recently at Columbus before a number of prominent tire department officials the 1,000-gallon pump delivered 1,239 gallons per minute at 120 pounds pump pressure through three 100-foot lines of 2⅛-inch C. R. I,, hose with 1 ¼-incll smooth bore nozzles on each line and through three lines each 300 feet long with the same size nozzle a delivery oi 1,071 galIons per minute was shown at 150 pounds pump pressure. Through 900 feet of 2V&-inch C. R. L. hose with l'/s-inch tip the pump maintained 300 pounds pressure, showing a nozzle pressure of 75 pounds and a delivery of 324 gallons per minute. All tests were made drafting water 6 feet 10 inches from the Scioto River with muddy water. The Seagrave Company is now building 35 combination wagons, and it has sold 16 motorpropelled pumping engines c f the kind described above.

The Seagrave pump is different from the ordinary one generally used on fire apparatus. It is neither of the rotary gear nor piston type, but is a multi-stage centrifugal turbine, built along the general lines of the turbine pump which is rapidly replacing older types, except that it is more refined and built particularly for fire department work. It is compact, light in weight and capable of delivering large quantities of water at high pressures. I hose pumps are made iti two sizes, both of which are entirely of bronze. The 750gallon size is two stage; 1,000-gallon size three stage By referring to the line drawn in the cut, it can be seen that no valves of any kind are required in its operation, not even a reliel valve. The water, as it comes from the hydrant or cistern, enters the intake pipe and then passes into the center of the first stage or impeller around the impeller shaft. This impeller impresses on the water a certain pressure, and with this pressure it follows the guides or diffusion vanes which deliver it to the center of the second sta'ge or impeller, which add more pressure and so on through all stages of the pump. The pressure given the water by each impeller depends on the speed at which the pump shaft is rotating. It will be noticed that the water travels in a spiral course, all in one direction, and at no time is it forced in an opposite course, as in the piston type of nump; also that the impellers have no reciprocating action, thus obviating all vibration. All waterways are finished smooth, thereby reducing friction and increasing efficiency. On referring to the plate, it will he seen that no moving part of the pump touches any other part except where the impeller shaft rests in its bearings at each end, and as there are ball bearings, wear and friction are reduced to a minimum. This is a very important feature, because it means that the pump will practically never wear out and, as it cannot be found in any type of rotary gear or niston pump, should be worthy of careful consideration. The pump is geared up instead of down, as arc other makes, thus permitting the use of a slow-speed, longstroke motor (7¾ x 9 inches), which is the only method by which a dependable motor pump engine can be successfully operated for long periods without shutting down. I he motor delivers its maximum horsepower at 750 r. p. m., and the pump makes 1,500 r. p. m. An important feature of this pump is the elimination of relief valves of every kind. Owing to the construction, should all lines of hose or gate valves at the pump he shut off at once, the pump merely churns the water it contains and the motor accelerates, thus eliminating entirely all danger of stalling the motor. With all lines shut off and the motor running wide open, a pump pressure of 350 pounds is developed, thus outclassing the steam lire engine. These pumping engines arc equipped with automatic regulating devices operated by the pump pressure and automatically controls the throttle valve on the carburetor, so that in case three lines of hose (of any length) are in use and a pressure of Ho pounds is being maintained on all three nozzles, if one nozzle is shut off the motor is thereby automatically throttled, so that only Kn pounds is maintained on the other two Incs. The same condition follows should another line be shut off. Another important feature of this pump is its ability to pump water containing solid matter, such as sand, or even rocks, whose largest diameter does not exceed threequarters of an inch without the slightest injury to the pump. Of course it is not built for gravel dredging purposes, but will handle such of these as are sometimes encountered in fire department work. This is a decided advantage in cities where drafting from lakes, rivers or cisterns is necessary or where muddy water is to he handled. Summing up, it will be found that the following important and essential features are to be had in this pump that cannot be found in others: No wearing parts, no by-pass valves, slow speed motor, high pump pressure, no vibration, no relief valves, automatic pressure regulating device, no danger of stalling motor, less parts, sand or small gravel does not injure the pump. In a test held recently at Columbus before a number of prominent tire department officials the 1,000-gallon pump delivered 1,239 gallons per minute at 120 pounds pump pressure through three 100-foot lines of 2⅛-inch C. R. I,, hose with 1 ¼-incll smooth bore nozzles on each line and through three lines each 300 feet long with the same size nozzle a delivery oi 1,071 galIons per minute was shown at 150 pounds pump pressure. Through 900 feet of 2V&-inch C. R. L. hose with l'/s-inch tip the pump maintained 300 pounds pressure, showing a nozzle pressure of 75 pounds and a delivery of 324 gallons per minute. All tests were made drafting water 6 feet 10 inches from the Scioto River with muddy water. The Seagrave Company is now building 35 combination wagons, and it has sold 16 motorpropelled pumping engines c f the kind described above.

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