Buffalo Injector

[Old Steamer]

The photos show a stripped Buffalo Injector No.2. Can anyone suggest the purpose of the loose washer on the exit venturi/cone. It can be heard rattling when the injector is assembled; is this correct?

All help appreciated, thank you.

Old Steamer

[Old Steamer]

This is the complete injector when stripped.

[fredrosse]

I think the washer makes itself into a check valve. When starting, steam and water are released, but once the injector gets running a vacuum forms and the washer slams shut, preventing air from entering the system.

[Steamboat Mike]

Fred is right , the washer does function as a valve. However the valve that keeps out the atmosphere after starting is the plug with the guide fins that resides under the cap on the top of the injector. I think the function of the washer valve is related to the "automatic" feature of the injector that will allow the unit to restart without further intervention by the operator in case of some hiccup like an air bubble or a momentary interruption of water supply. I think there is some added function that increases the total volume of water delivered without using more steam.The washer needs to be perfectly free moving on the tube without any tendency to cock sideways and stick. You should be able to hear the washer click when you sake the injector, take out the big check valve for this test so you an hear the faint sound of the little washer.

I had a Penberthy that functioned poorly that had a sticking washer valve. Once I cleaned and polished the parts it was truly a different beast.

Best regards, Steamboat Mike

[Old Steamer]

Thank you for both those replies which have been very helpful. I will get out the Brasso.

Regards,

Old Steamer

[Old Steamer]

Whenever I'm trying to galvanise the brain cell into action, I like to draw out what I have and put down what I know (not a lot, often). Thus the photo/drawing.

If the injector is functioning correctly, the steam is entering through the first nozzle, condensing in the water chamber and the consequent warm water is entrained through the second nozzle and then passes into the exit tube where, through the wonders of energy change, it ends up in the divergent nozzle at a higher pressure than the steam inlet and feeds the boiler.
While all this is happening, no water is passing through the holes in the exit tube, the pressure under the overflow valve is less than or equal to atmospheric pressure and the NR valve just sits on the exit tube doing nothing. Are we in agreement so far?

If there is an interruption in the water supply, I assume the NR valve and the overflow valve open and pass the steam to bilge. If there is an air bubble, is there a similar action or does it bleed from the holes in the exit tube and thence out via the overflow valve?
The NR valve is a slack fit on the exit tube and thus, even when it's shut, it can pass water via the annulus between washer and tube.
After writing it all down, I still feel that I'm not getting to grips with the real action of that wee washer nor the reason for the holes in the exit tube and I hate unexplained situations. The B. thing may well work perfectly after assembly - that will make a change - but I still would like to know why!
It surprises me that there is so little information about these beasts on the web. Does anyone even know if Buffalo still exists?
Still puzzled,
Old Steamer

[Steamboat Mike]

Steamer, very nice diagram. The principle upon which all injectors work is known as P.F.M., that is Pure.........Magic, this may explain why there is so little written about them. The fact is there is quite a lot about them, it just takes a while to find it.

Bearing in mind that the Buffalo is essentially a Penberthy on its side there is a very good explanation of the function of the various parts in the text of an old Penberthy ad. I am sure there is a neat way to link you to it but I don't know how to do it. For now just Google Farmcollector.com then enter Penberthy in the search and look at the third offering"Penberthy injectors are TROUBLEPROOF", not cutting edge but it will work. Read the entire thing, The last section of the text has a very concise explanation of the function of the beast. Reading it firsthand is better than having me try to paraphrase it and miss something important. There is something specifically about the washer valve and it's function that is not mentioned here, I will continue to look elsewhere. Maybe I simply misremember, that would not be a first.

I do not know if Buffalo is still with us, I tend to think not, but I would be happy to be wrong.

Remember that this IS magic and there are some things mortal man is simply not meant to know.

Hope this helps, keep looking, best regards, Steamboat Mike

[Steamboat Mike]

Steamer, very nice diagram. The principle upon which all injectors work is known as P.F.M., that is Pure.........Magic, this may explain why there is so little written about them. The fact is there is quite a lot about them, it just takes a while to find it.

Bearing in mind that the Buffalo is essentially a Penberthy on its side there is a very good explanation of the function of the various parts in the text of an old Penberthy ad. I am sure there is a neat way to link you to it but I don't know how to do it. For now just Google Farmcollector.com then enter Penberthy in the search and look at the third offering"Penberthy injectors are TROUBLEPROOF", not cutting edge but it will work. Read the entire thing, The last section of the text has a very concise explanation of the function of the beast. Reading it firsthand is better than having me try to paraphrase it and miss something important. There is something specifically about the washer valve and it's function that is not mentioned here, I will continue to look elsewhere. Maybe I simply misremember, that would not be a first.

I do not know if Buffalo is still with us, I tend to think not, but I would be happy to be wrong.

Remember that this IS magic and there are some things mortal man is simply not meant to know.

Hope this helps, keep looking, best regards, Steamboat Mike

[Oilking]

Go to the Beckmann Boatworks site, and click on injectors in the index where there is a clear diagram of the Penberthy injector in the stages of operation with notations. It shows the motion of the washer on the the delivery jet during the various stages, but dosen't explain the function of this critical part where the magic takes place. Fortunately it's kinda like a tv, you don't have to know how it works to be able to use it.

Abra Cadabra

Dave

[Old Steamer]

Gentlemen,

May your beer never run dry. Thank you very much for the information, especially the Farmcollector.com website which proved a mine of information and which I am still exploring. At last I know what that washer is for, how it works and why it's there. I know that knowledge of how things work is not essential to their operation but when I don't know it bugs me and when I do know it makes fault-finding a lot easier.

One thing I note is that some explanations advise turning on the steam first and others the water. In the interests of keeping the injector cool, I would have thought the latter? What is your experience?

Of course, I know that it's really all magic and I will still continue to sacrifice a black cockerel before operating the injector in future but it's nice to know what should be happening and why and it's (possibly) not just down to the Steam Fairy that lives below the ashpit.

Regards,
Old Steamer