Its advantages are: 1. Its low cost, as it does not require an engine or other machinery to operate it. A steam pipe connecting it with the boiler that is to furnish steam supply is all that is necessary, and after the pump is once adjusted, it will always be in order with free power when the steam is turned on. 2. It is absolutely noiseless in its operation; the slight click of the steam ball-valve in the neck-piece, as it changes its position, is the only evidence that it is working. 3. In its capability of operation while in suspension, and of being lowered or raised and swung about without at all interfering with its working.
The pulsometer does not require oil, having no pistons, glands, stuffing-boxes, eccentrics, beams, levers, supplementary valves, complicated mechanism, etc., which need attention and adjustment.
The Pulsometer Steam Pump Co., New York, makers of the pump and owners of the word-symbol, “Pulsometer,” emphasize the importance of its proper installation, and ask that the questions given in the note below be answered when suggestions relative to the placing of the pump are desired.
The body of the pulsometer is shown in Fig. [555], and a sectional view in Fig. [556]. It is a single casting 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 the seats, with which it makes a steam tight joint, formed at the upper entrance to each of the working chambers, A, A.
Note.—For what purpose is the pump to be used? How many gallons per minute or hour are to be pumped? Is the liquid hot, cold, clear or gritty—fresh, salt, alkaline or acidulous? What will be the required vertical height of delivery? What will be the horizontal length of delivery? What will be the required vertical height of suction? What will be the horizontal length of suction? Does the level of the liquid vary? If so, how much? How many bends or elbows will there be in delivery? How many bends or elbows will there be in suction? What horse-power is the boiler? What is the average steam pressure at the boiler?
A rough sketch showing how and where it is desired to place the pump will be of considerable assistance in furnishing information.
The portion, B, of the pump, containing the steam ball-valve, 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 top of this neck-piece, B, the neck-cap is bolted, into which the steam supply pipe is screwed.
Fig. 556.