An attachment is 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 Receiver is 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], [590] and [591], 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.