The illustration shows a sectional elevation of a pulsometer, which is an appliance for raising water by the alternate pressure and condensation of steam. To describe the parts, K is a pipe from a boiler containing steam under pressure. The gunmetal spherical valve is free to move and to alternately cover the necks I and J. The latter form the upper parts of the chambers A A, into which waterpasses through the valves E E from the suction pipe F. G G are doors for access to the valves E E for repairs or other attention. Near the bottom ends of A A are side outlets, as shown by the dotted circles, covered by the valves V P, also shown by dotted lines, opening into a chamber with which are connected the air vessel K and the outlet branch D, to which the delivery pipe is attached. The action is as follows. The pump is first charged with water through plugholes provided for the purpose, and then steam is turned on at K. This presses on the water on the right hand chamber A (which is not covered by the spherical valve), and forces it, as shown by the arrows, through the right-hand valve F and up the delivery pipe.

The steam in the right-hand chamber A then condenses, and causes the spherical valve to roll over and cover the neck J, and also creates a vacuum, which is again filled with water through the right-hand valve E from the suction pipe C. When the valve has rolled over J, the steam passes through the open neck I and presses on the water in the left-hand chamber A, forcing it through the dotted left-hand valve F into the delivery chamber. When the left-hand chamber A is nearly empty, the valve is again pulled back by the condensation of the steam in the chamber, which again fills with water during the time the other chamber is being emptied, and these actions continue as long as steam under efficient pressure is supplied. As water will not rise in a vacuum beyond a certain height, a pulsometer should not be fixed more than about loft. or 20 ft. above the water to be raised, although theoretically the limit is a little more than 30 ft. The pump can be slung on chain s in a well or sump, so that there is very little trouble in fixing it, or lowering it when necessary for keeping within a working distance of the water.

The height to which a pulsometer will raise water depends on the pressure of steam in the boiler, which is used in conjunction with the apparatus.

Sectional Elevation of Pulsometer.