The installation of a vacuum cleaning system in private houses entails at present a considerable expense, as it includes the purchase and maintenance of a gasoline engine and vacuum pump.

If the latter two machines were eliminated, and a simple method of obtaining the required vacuum devised, this great labor-saving device would be much more in evidence, even in homes of moderate size.

This object can be realized by use of the ejector or ordinary barometric condenser used in connection with the city water sup-ply through a tank.

The entire arrangement can be built at the rear of the dwelling, and does not take up more room than an ordinary leader pipe.

The illustration shows the arrangement of the device. A is an ordinary hose nozzle 12 inches long, with thread for a 3-inch iron pipe on large end and tapped for a 1/2-inch pipe on the smaller end.

By means of the nipple G it is connected to a 3 by 3/4-inch tee, which is bushed on the opposite end to 1 inch. This bushing has a 1-inch pipe D extending from the inside and ending as shown in the cut just inside of the nozzle. The other end of D protrudes through the bushing F, and is then run as afterward described. The smaller end of the nozzle carries a 1/2-inch pipe H, which forms the down leg of the ejector. The apparatus is placed so that the point K is at least 34 feet above the cellar, forming the barometric column. The pipe B is connected with the water supply, preferably a tank with a float valve to regulate the flow.

The pipe H is carried down to a seal pot M situated in the cellar. This can be made of a barrel with an overflow to the sewer, as shown at L.

The pipe C is carried to a vacuum reservoir, which tan be situated either in cellar or attic, preferably the latter, as it mean- a saving in piping and less joints to provide chance of leaks. This pipe is connected to the top of the reservoir, and the service pipe to the various rooms also comes from the upper end, but extends to within 12 inches of the bottom.

Home made vacuum cleaner

Fig. 301 - Home-made vacuum cleaner.

The service pipe has a connection for rubber hose, with a valve at each floor.

In order to obtain the required vacuum, all that is necessary is to turn on the water in the pipe B, when the descending column in // causes a partial vacuum in the reservoir and in the service ' pipes.

Care must be taken that all joints are made perfectly airtight in service pipes and in C.

The reservoir must also be airtight. It can be made of a kitchen boiler with a small handhole cut in the bottom to remove dust which collects within.

The ejector can be placed outside without danger of freezing if precaution is taken to break the vacuum when through using, thereby emptying the down leg of all water.

The down leg need not be straight if the first bend is at least 10 feet from the nozzle.

This device is not intended to supply a vacuum cleaning system for large buildings, but rather for private dwellings, and can be put up by anyone accustomed to handling pipe and competent to make good tight joints.

The pressure of water in the pipe B has no effect on the amount of vacuum obtainable. This depends on the column of water in the pipe H, which, as stated, must be at least 34 feet from K to A. This distance corresponds to the height of the barometer, or in other words, to the weight of the atmosphere. The best and most economical method of controlling the water supply is to place a tank, similar to the ordinary bathroom tank, above the apparatus and control the amount of water through a valve. The tank would get its supply from the house mains through a float-operated valve.

The apparatus is meant to supply a small private dwelling where not more than one or two openings would be in use simultaneously, and if required for a larger installation must be increased in size.

The nozzle A is a standard size nozzle and can be used if desired for larger installations by changing the bushing F to cor-respond to the increased size of the pipe C and using the proper opening at B. The pipe H when increased must be attached to the nozzle by means of a coupling which in turn is screwed on the outside of the nozzle, the latter being turned and threaded to suit. The nozzle described has a 3/4-inch hole at this point and can stand being bored to 1 inch, as the metal is pretty heavy.

The reservoir mentioned is not absolutely necessary. Most of the dust is carried over and goes down with the water and only the larger particles will drop in the reservoir. If the latter is omitted, an opening must be left in the lowest part of the pipe (' through which this dust is removed.

The efficiency of the apparatus depends in the first place on the joints in all pipes being absolutely airtight. If pipe with good threads, fitting tightly, is used and made up with red lead in a proper manner, airtight joints may be expected. If it is necessary to make a bend in the pipe H at a point 10 feet below K, 45-degree ells should be used to make it as gradual as possible. In figuring out the size of the pipe necessary for any size of machine the starting point must be the sum of the areas of openings in use. This will give the area of the pipe C. The seal pot .1/ can if desired be dispensed with if the pipe H is connected to the waste water connection. The dimensions of all pipes are inside. This holds good in all cases up to 14 inches when outside diameter is usually given.

The quantity of water will depend of course on the size of the machine. The following formula will he found accurate enough for all purposes: g =28 √d5 g = gallons of water per minute and d = diameter of pipe H in inches. The amount of vacuum necessary for ordinary cleaning purposes should not be less than 15 inches, but for light work such as walls, hardwood floors, etc., satisfactory results can be obtained with 8 to 10 inches. The higher figures are necessary where heavy rugs, carpets, and similar articles are to be cleaned.

The cleaning implements are far too numerous in design to describe, and can be procured on the market much cheaper than they can be made at home.

As regards mechanical efficiency this apparatus will create sufficient vacuum to do all necessary cleaning, but it has a fixed volume, therefore its volumetric efficiency is less. The apparatus is intended not to supply a cleaning system for hotels, clubs, churches, and buildings of such a character, but is thoroughly capable of cleaning private dwellings. In a pump plant, for instance, its cleaning power can be increased by running the pump at a greater speed and thereby taking care of a larger number of openings, of course up to a certain point. In the water system nothing is gained by increasing the flow of water in the pipe 3. Therefore, if the capacity of this apparatus is to be increased the only method of doing so is to increase the size of the pipe C and all other fittings accordingly. For large installations this would mean a considerable increase and therefore render the apparatus impracticable.