This “new turbine” soon gained for itself a reputation enjoyed by no other water wheel.  It was selected by the United States Patent Office, and put at work in room 189, to run a pump which forces water to the top of the building.  It was likewise selected by the Japan commission when they were in this country to select samples of our best machines.  He continued making the 1868 patent and improved in 1871 “new turbine” but a few years, for as long as he could detect a defect in the wheel, case or gate, he continued improving and simplifying them, and in 1873 he erected a very complete testing flume, also made a very sensitive dynamometer, it having a combination screw for tightening the friction band, which required 100 turns to make one inch, and commenced making and experimenting with different constructed turbines.  He made five different wheels and made over a hundred tests before he was satisfied.  Application was then made for a patent, which was granted March 31, 1874, for his “Standard turbine.”

This “Standard turbine” was a combination of his former improvements, with the cover extending over top of the gate to prevent it from tilting, and an eccentric wheel working in cam yoke to open and close the gate.

Thousands of Standard turbines are to-day working and giving the best satisfaction, and we venture to say that not one of the Standard turbines has been displaced by any other make of turbine, which gave better results for the water used.  In 1881 he again commenced experimenting to find out how much water could be put through a wheel of given diameter.  After making and testing several wheels it was found that the amount of water with full gate drawn named in tables found in Burnham Bros.’ latest catalogue for each size wheel yielded 84 per cent. and that the water used with 7/8 gate drawn yielded the same percentage (84), or with 3/4 gate 82 per cent., 5/8 gate 79, and 1/2 gate 75 per cent.  A patent for the mechanism was applied for and granted March 27, 1883, and named Burnham’s Improved Standard Turbine.

It was found that the brackets with brass rollers attached, to prevent the gate from rising and tilting and rubbing the curb, soon wore and allowed the gate to rub against the curb, and he experimented with several devices of gate arms.  While so engaged he found that the great weight of water on the top of the cover sprang it, causing the sleeve bearing on the under side of the cover to be thrown out of place, and the gate pressed so hard against the case that it was almost impossible to move it, and after thoroughly testing with the different devices of gate arms, application was made and patent granted for adjustable gate arms, also for the new worm gate gearing May 1, 1888, and named Burham’s new improved standard turbine.

This he improved and patented May 13, 1890, to run on horizontal shaft.