The sinking pump is subjected to the hardest usage of any, hence any steam pump that is to be used in sinking a mine shaft must be strong, certain in operation, capable of handling gritty water and require little attention.
Fig. [438] exhibits a hand-power mining pump, designed especially for prospecting, etc., and made by the Edson Manufacturing Co., Boston, Mass. It is listed for three sizes:
No. 6, capacity 1200 gallons per hour, 1 man.
No. 8, capacity 4000 gallons per hour, 2 men.
No. 10, capacity 6000 gallons per hour, 2 men.
The outfit which usually goes with this diaphragm lift and force pump includes special suction and conducting hose, brass coupling and strainer; these pumps will raise and force water containing gravel, sand, dirt or tailings without choking.
The Deane single vertical sinking pump is shown in Fig. [439]; a table of dimensions and capacities of this pump is also given below.
The pump illustrated is double acting and of the differential plunger type; the water end is in three parts and consists of a water cylinder, a lower plunger and an upper plunger. The water passes directly up and through the plungers, both of which are hollow. These plungers are outside packed. The water valves are reached by hand holes provided for that purpose. Split pins are used in the ends of the bolts to prevent the nuts from working off.
These pumps are designed to stand a working pressure of 150 lbs. to the square inch. They have the regular Deane valve motion and will work under water.
Table.