“Losing water.” A term used when the pump stops, caused by air leaking into the suction pipe, or foreign matter clogging the strainer at the end of the suction pipe.
Low pressure steam. Steam which is either below 30 lbs., or but a few pounds in excess of the atmospheric pressure.
Lug. That which projects like an ear, especially that by which anything is supported, or against which anything bears, or through which a belt passes.
Main. A principal pipe or duct as distinguished from lesser ones, especially a principal pipe leading to or from a reservoir or a fire-main; a “forcing main” is the delivery pipe of a pump.
Mean gradient. The grade of a pipe-line which should be made as nearly straight as possible to avoid air pockets.
Miner’s Inch. The amount of water that will flow per minute through an opening one inch square in a plank two inches thick, under a head of four inches of water above the upper edge of the opening, and is equal to nine United States gallons.
Mississippi River gauge cock. A cock without a handle or thread upon the stem and designed to be opened by pressure upon the top end of the stem as shown.
“Modulus” of a steam pump. The measure or multiplier of power used in operating pumps. Modulus has nearly the same meaning as measure.
Nipple. A short connecting piece of pipe threaded upon both ends.